Google Santa Tracker

I had seen this in previous years but I forgot about it completely and came across it just by chance - the Google Santa Tracker!

Google have created a Santa village with games and other fun stuff and then on Christmas Eve Google Maps will be tracking Santa's sleigh as he travels all around the world delivering presents to the children - the ones that appear on his list of course ;)

How rich is Santa Claus?

Can you believe that there are just 12 days left until Christmas? 

How's your Christmas shopping coming along? Or have you already finished? Or not yet started?!

I'm ready with Santa gifts (I think); I bought (what should be) the final one this morning so my LO will be receiving about 6-7 small gifts from Santa. I believe that Santa's gifts shouldn't be expensive because I can see why a child would be upset that Santa got him/her a 'doll/board game' but got his/her class friend a bicycle (for example). If there is only one Santa why is he discriminating between kids?

So Santa's presents are books, a game, a chocolate, a toy animal and an item of clothing. Nothing extravagant but all nice to have.

Presents from parents can then be the more extravagant ones because what the family can afford is an individual and personal thing. My LO is getting a large plastic fire truck, a set of wooden blocks, a football kit, and a hobby horse (hopefully, if it arrives). 

Do you have a system for present giving in your household? 

Christmas Recipes for Kids - Rudolph Pancakes

Because we're approaching Christmas (soon-ish) I thought that some Christmas-inspired recipes would be fun. And as we all know, with kids around, it's important to know about things early so that we can plan!

This recipe is super cute and requires only 20 minutes from beginning to table.

Rudolph Pancakes

Serves: 4 | Prep: 0:10 | Cook 0:10

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250ml) milk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup (150g) self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 rashers streaky bacon
• 4 white marshmallows
• 8 dark choc chips
• 4 strawberries

Method

1. Make a basic pancake batter by whisking together milk and egg in a large bowl. 
2. Sift over flour and whisk until smooth.
3. Melt 2 teaspoons butter in a large frying pan. 
4. Pour in batter to form one large circle, one smaller circle and two triangles for ears. Cook for a couple of minutes until bubbles form, flip and cook for a further minute until cooked through. Remove and keep warm. 
5. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
6. Cut bacon rashers in half and cook until crisp. 

To arrange Rudolph

• Place the large pancake on a plate. 
• Place smaller pancake on top. 
• Position rashers for antlers and the triangular pancakes for ears. 
• Decorate with marshmallow eyes and strawberry nose.
• Cut marshmallows in half. Press a choc chip into the centre of each half.

(Source: http://www.kidspot.com.au/)