Danielle's Learning Station.. and so it begins

Today is March 11, 4 days after visiting Danielle's Learning Station; preschool.  There I met Addie, Rowen, Avery, Madeline, Zachery, and Abigail.  Ranging in ages from 5-3 years old, I knew this was going to be a VERY exciting time!

Let me just start by saying, Avery; Buddy, if there was an award for most enthusiastic, you would win.. HANDS DOWN! But honestly, those kids were so incredibly thrilled.  However, I don't know who had more fun.. me or them!  Everything from showing off their hand-decorated aprons (see above) to learning about kiwi's and llama's to using those lovely little imaginations to creatively make the yummiest Snake-Pockets ever!  (Just ask Miss. Danielle.. she really enjoyed hers)

Here is an overview of the class and some wonderful shots Miss. Sassy captured for us! Thank You Sassy!!  She did a wonderful job, and I've got to figure out a way to get her in on some pictures at our next class, she's so Cute!

Addie and Madeline getting crafty

We started out making our Snake-Pockets (see left) Addie and Madeline were having an Awesome time!

Here's what we did:


Preheat oven to 375*
One can of crescent rolls
Roll out the crescent roll as big as you like and fill it with diced meat and cheese (we used Turkey and colby/jack)
Pinch the edges together so nothing is falling out
Roll back and forth and shape a head and tapering down to a tail.
Wisk 1 egg per color you are using in separate bowls and add 3 drops of coloring
Use paintbrush (clean) to "paint" the snake
Place in Pre-heated oven 13 min.
Enjoy!!

**as a side note, we have also connected all the crescent rolls together and made 1 LARGE snake a family dish and it turned out really cool**

Here are a few more pictures of the kiddos working on their snakes =)

Abigail was so well-mannered and although the youngest one there, she was an awesome listener, always waiting for the next set of directions

Here is Addie and her snake... WOW, here snake was sooo long, it wouldn't even fit on her plate!  Way to go!!  I'm still trying to figure out how she did it!

Avery is totally relaxed and deep in concentration, painting his snake.

Snakes are Done!  YUMMY!!!

Here we are working on our fruit salad.  We had apples and kiwi, bananas, grapes, and yummy strawberries.  Zachary was really interested in those kiwi's.. their reaction to the first peel coming off, revealing that bright green juicy kiwi inside was awesome!  I heard an exclamation.. "IT's GreeEEEeeeN!!  Love it!  This is precisely the excitement I was hoping to achieve by starting these classes.  Kids really do love working with food!

We topped it all off with some yummy Mouth-Bubblin OJ

I think I can speak for the kids when I say, this class was a Total Success and I can't wait to see them Again!

Check out the Video Below!

And as well, if you would like to purchase any of the curious chef products shown, let me know.. I am offering a 25% off discount through the month of April!

Visit my website for more information on classes or to contact Lady Llama to schedule a class

www.craftyllamaproductions.com

The count-down has begun!

I can't believe how time has flown this month!  What a whirlwind it has been, but all for good..
It has all been leading up to March 1, 2011; the start of my business.  I pray it will go well, but I'm also afraid that it will.  The support from my friends and family has been phenomenal, and they know me so well.. I just don't know how to fail.  This entire experience thus far has shown they may be right, but honestly I'm a little nervous.  It may be a business to grow slow and steady, or it may just take off and make my head spin. LOL  I have a picture in my mind now of what that may look like, its pretty funny. =) 





I hope I can work hard and make my family very proud and bring all glory to God in my efforts to bring an income to our growing family.

Here's where we are at in things:
Several small things not worth mentioning because they will take about as much time to do them as it did to type this sentence.. lol
I will be ordering my business cards today
Making mine and Sassy's Costumes this week (they are SO Freaking Cute!!)
Making Fliers for the class and a Template for the After-class take-home flier
Finish up Sub-site Kidz as Cooks

WOW we sure have come a long way!  So Thrilled to be almost done with it all, and its all self-funded so no new business loans to pay off, which is HUGE!!

The website is finally ready to be released (I'm still working on the site for Kidz as Cooks, but this will be a good start).. go take a look!
And don't forget to "LIKE IT"

www.craftyllamaproductions.com

Be sure to tell your friends about me and I'm still putting together a Mach-cooking class for a week from Saturday, if you know of any 5-12 yr. olds that would like to come participate, contact me for more info.

Grab a Kid and Get Cooking!

Coming along...

Here is our Logo, I may do a little outlining on the letters when it is all said and done, but for now I am satisfied. 

microphone cupcakes for the "Diva Dance Party"

I haven't posted much lately, things have been soooo busy.  My Lena-bug turned 8 and we don't just celebrate the birthday.. it has to be the "birth-week"!!  We made cupcakes and cookie cake and strawberry cheese-cake (she decided to mix it up a bit).  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the Cheese-cake but it was lovely and gone Quickly!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LENA!!!

Ok, back to business...
With the business plan done and out of the way, and the first class booked I really need to take a look at what is left to be done.  Here is what we I have left to accomplish:

1. We purchased the 2 websites I will be using www.craftyllamaproductions.com and kidzascooks.com (they aren't done yet, so you can't go there quite yet)  Let's see if I can add a screen-shot for you and give you a little sneak preview...YAY it works! >>>>>>>>>

There is still quite a bit to do on the site, but learning how to build the site was super complicated and that part is under control now, so I estimate having it complete and "unleashed" by Friday {fingers crossed}.  If you'll notice craftyllamaproductions.com is my main site, and kidzascooks.com will be a sub-site, but there you can see the logo/link for it on the left (the giant chef hat probably gave it away)



2. Business Cards
Since I am working mainly under Crafty Llama Productions, the card will have my blue llama on it instead of the chef hat.  I am ordering the cards this week!





3. Fliers and Advertisements
I may or may-not have someone else design these.  It just depends on how I'm doing for time.
4. Costumes
I'm purchasing the supplies after I meet with Sassy on Wednesday and hope to have them sewn and ready to go by end of next week.
5. Insurance, still haven't done this yet... I really need to get on it, but to be honest I am pretty burnt out on paperwork after working on the business plan and website.

All in all I think it is safe to say that it is coming together nicely and should be ready for business in March.  I'm very excited!!  So excited; in-fact, I bought tapioca pudding just for me!  LOL

Be sure to contact me if you are in the KC Metro area to reserve a spot in a Free class towards the end of February for your little Alpaca as a test group and to appear on the website (video).  They must be at least 3 years old to participate. 
Thank you for all of your support!!

Grab a Kid and Get Cooking!

Ready.. Set.. Here we GO!

I'm literally off to the races now..

Our Grand-Opening is scheduled for March 2011!!  I'm so Excited! 

(Although I am going to continue gathering market research material, there is no reason we cannot push forward. )

Here is what has been going on this past week in preparations for the Grand-Opening:
After much work I feel good about my business-plan and the lay-out of the company.  The expectations I now how for myself as well as my assistants is very clear and put in place in a way that will encourage maximum Fun and minimum stress.. so in other words, AWESOME!  =)  The entire company is self-funded, which is a big deal because that means I don't have the joys of paying off debt for the first couple of years while getting established. 
Last week I did finally decide on my character and costume for that.  ( I will post pictures once it is completed) I am "Lady Llama" and my assistant is Sabrina (who we will lovingly refer to) as "Sassy Mouse". 

Sabrina is a being home schooled by another wonderful entrepreneur mommy.  She is 15 and also taking classes at the local community college while continuing her Home school High-School curriculum.  She is so fit for this position, as she is a natural with children and has shown a level of maturity and responsibility at home as well as in the community.  She also shares my love of cooking, which makes us quite a pair together.

My very talented and professional artist, and brother Matthew Fox who also teaches art classes for a local dance/art school Culture House located in Olathe, KS is working on the design aspect for our logo.

And I have narrowed down the layout of our take-home and advertisement fliers.

Looking back at last week, I didn't feel like much was accomplished, but Oh my Goodness!!  We are in pretty good shape now!

Our first booking, and test group is tentatively scheduled for the first week of March, which forced me (its a good thing) to set a solid routine for the class.  Here is how we will work:

Groups of 3-12 children (we can accommodate for larger groups with notice)

In the days before my arrival for class a package will be delivered to the day-care/preschool/group containing aprons and decorating supplies for the children to personalize and wear for the class. (they of course will be keeping these and taking them home as an encouragement to continue cooking at home with mom and dad)

A felt board in the shape of a Llama will be posted for children to assemble puzzle-pieces to show what step we are on in the food-making process.

A whistle will sound at the end of each step, notifying us to place the next puzzle piece.

At the completion of the cooking class, we will spend the cool-off time we will clean up and then be able to feast on our creations!!

On the following Friday a package will be delivered to the day-care/preschool/group with an edited DVD showing our class and a Take-home flier containing the recipe and web-address to follow the classes and view the class on-line.

Here is my to-do list (updated):
Complete costume
Logo
Fliers
Llama Puzzle Board

So close I can almost "taste" it!!

Join me in my journey, and if you are local and have a 3-8 year old would like to participate in a free class/demonstration, contact me and we'll work out the details.  Also, if you have or know of other homeschooling teens locally who would like to work part-time as a fill-in for Sassy Mouse let me know!!

Grab a Kid and Get Cooking!

Survey Says....

 Today I'm working on market research... very exciting, I know. 



Well, that and sewing diapers.  You may or may not find that more exciting. LOL





If you would like to take part in my survey for market research I would GREATLY Appreciate it.  Just copy and past this link into your browser and answer the questions. https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHRpQWFoZkRzOXRodUROTlhYWUNVdlE6MQ 

 Quick and Painless. 

Thank you so much for your support in my continued journey.

Awesomness

It's snowing like crazy here today, so I got the kids out of school early and we shoveled the driveway and now waiting on my lovely hot chocolate to finish up.  Thought I would hop on here and give the latest.  Things are starting to happen a little faster now.  YAY!!

I heard from a representative for Curious Chef, which is actually a part of Taylor Made Products.  She informed me that they would love for me to use their products for cooking classes and gave me full permission to mention them over the web as well as video.  They are sending me a packet so I can also sell their product to anyone who would like to purchase it along with taking the class.  This is a pretty big deal to me and I couldn't be more excited!

With that out of the way, I just need to do a couple more things:
Complete my business plan... this is a HUGE task and very very detailed.
Meet with a SBA office to make sure I've cleared all the necessary hurdles for licenses and permits
Add some business liability to our insurance... just in case
Finish my costume
Hire an assistant.. I think I know who.. YAY!
Make Fliers
Book several locations for demonstrations

It sounds like a lot, but considering where I started.. this is really good

Off to enjoy some delicious hot chocolate and then to bake a yummy apple pie... MMMMmmmMMMmmmMMmm

Expansion, Marketing, and Assistants oh My...

WHAT!!!

I've been examining the market for cooking classes with kids in my area, well really anything close to the market with-in a 50 mile radius.  I'll be honest with you, there isn't ANYTHING like it here.  The closest thing I found (other than the occasional cooking camp in the summer) is at a culinary school.  They offer once a month for little kids to come in (with a parent) and cook something.. well they say "cook" but what is on the menu this month??  Root Beer Floats!!  Are you serious??  Really?? and guess what they are charging?  $75 per KID!   Now I read this and thought, surely there is more to it, but no.. not really.  They are also going to decorate a cookie and "taste" some other foods.  They aren't even going to make the cookie dough!  Oh and they get a toy, like McD's... I don't get it.  They are booked EVERY month for this "service"....with a waiting list.  

I'm offering a much more "hands-on" approach that may be more worth $75 per kiddo, but I can't even imagine charging that much for a Root Beer Float, a pre-made Cookie to frost and a small toy. {{end rant}}

I could use some suggestions for marketing, so comment away!  Right now I plan to send out fliers to the local Johnson County KS pre-schools and daycare centers.  I may run a special to get me off and running through groupon, and will for sure be putting some info out to the local homeschool organizations.

As a fun addition to the cooking, I have always wanted to be a character.. similar to Miss Pattycake.. she is Awesome!  Yes, I said "IS"  I love how animated and colorful she is.  And it has come to my attention that I should probably consider bringing in a "helper" to assist me in keeping order and organizing/set-up/clean-up.. I'm thinking this would be an excellent opportunity for local home-schoolers to get experience working with kids and earn a few $$. 




Don't be scared, I know I'm full on blogging these past couple of days.. it will pass =)

Ok, ok so Kid-stuff is what I was Born to do.. I get more excited everyday as it all comes together, but I'll let you in on a secret.  I don't just like to cook!  Imagine that.. LOL  For those of you that know me, you know this really wasn't a secret at all.  I hope to expand this to include options for crafts and story-telling as well.  I love all of it and hope that this will be something that I can continue to do and maybe even contribute to our ever-growing family!

Bring on the comments, and remember to tell your friends!!

Grab a Kid and Get Cooking!

Almost there..

So much running through my mind right now.  I'm totally excited for this new adventure!  I'll be purchasing my final supplies this month, which technically puts me a month behind schedule, but I'm learning with 4 kids that I need to learn to be a little more flexible.

I have been saving pennies and also have been very fortunate to acquire many of the supplies I was needing to get started.  It really is starting to come together.  I have been working on my planning and teaching methods and I have what I think is an awesome approach to working with young kiddos.

*I plan to keep classes at around 3-6 kids at a time and use mostly recipes that are simple and leave room for creativity.  I want the kids to be as "hands-on" as possible. 

*The children will all be receive aprons the day before I come that they may decorate and wear when I come to visit and of course keep to take home and cook with their mom or dad.

*I wanted to come up with a visual for the kids so they can SEE what step we are on and how close we are to the final product.  So, there will be a large felt board in the shape of a Llama and project/recipe appropriate puzzle pieces that have the "step" we are on in the cooking or craft project on one side and a fun picture on the other side.  This will be another fun aspect to bring the kids in on the project.

*I also feel it is important that they get to experience all stages of cooking, but for the sake of time I will provide (if necessary) the next step in the cooking process pre-done to help move it along.

*The best part of all, the Eating!!  The kids will have the opportunity to eat their creations and take some home to mom or dad!

*They will also be sent home with fun tips for mom or dad to cook with their kids and the fun recipe of the day.

So, heres the plan... I've had several people suggest I start with daycares and preschools. (my favorite age group!!)  Then I'll have gained a support system and references to move on to homeschool groups or cooking camps locally.  I will need to have signed consent from each parent to have their children occasionally photographed and/or filmed for the purpose of this blog.

I am certainly open to any comments or suggestions.. and don't forget, to help me get the word out you should subscribe to this blog and tell others to follow my journey as well!

Grab a kid and Get Cooking!