All Things Sleepover!

What started as a healthy snacks theme morphed into all things sleepover. How, you may ask? Well, last year we already spent some time discussing healthy habits in general, and we didn't think the girls would be keen to review that again. But we wanted them to take ownership of making their own healthy snacks -- what parent isn't tired of the "I'm hungry -- what can I eat?" question?!  Thinking about making tasty and good-for-you treats with friends sounded good, and a perfect venue for that is a sleepover! Everyone loves to eat at those! Donned in jammies and clutching our sleeping bags, we set out for an incredibly delightful evening.

Here was our agenda for the night and how it played out:

1.  Ice Breaker: "Mirror" game. Sit or stand face to face. Pick a leader. The leader slowly moves her arms or legs while the other tries to mirror the movements exactly. See how in sync you can be. (This cracked many of us up!)
2. Top 5 sleepover ideas -- brainstorm with the group. What do you like to do at a sleepover? Or if you haven't been a part of a sleepover yet, what would you like to do?
3. Snack time! How can you make your friends and yourself some yummy, semi-healthy snacks? We had all the supplies for the girls to make each of these:
1. Homemade microwave popcorn. You need a paper bag (like a lunch sack), popcorn, a little butter and salt if you like. Simply put a couple of tablespoons of popcorn in the bag, roll it up tightly and put it in the microwave. Set the timer for a couple of minutes. As the popping slows, take it out, pour it in a bowl, and add melted butter/salt to your liking. Viola!
2. Make your own trail mix. Keeping allergies in mind, you can go wild with this! Nuts, dried fruit, m&m's, cereal, pretzels, you name it.
3. Roll up some energy bites. 
1. Ingredients: 1 cup dry oatmeal, 1/2 cup chocolate chips (or dried fruit), 1/2 cup peanut or almond butter, 1/2 cup ground flaxseed, 1/3 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla.
2.  Mix together all these ingredients, roll into walnut-sized balls and then refrigerate for an hour (or just eat at room temp!).
4. Create a smoothie. Add yogurt, fruit, honey and juice or water to the blender. Let it whir and enjoy!
4. Games (discussion and playing, of course!)
1. What makes games appropriate?
2. How can you say no to a friend if she wants to do something you know you shouldn't?
3. Technology use -- can you hop online when friends are over?
4. Pass out fun game ideas (includes silly games, friendship quizzes, craft ideas). See below. (Friendship quizzes were found in several American Girl friendship books.)
5. Solicit more ideas from the girls. Give them 10 minutes to brainstorm with small groups and then share. Add their ideas to the lists they were given above.
6. Play at least one of the games!

We topped the night off with a "campfire" of flashlights and scarves. We told stories, then ended with back rubs or scratches. What a way to kick off the weekend! They all wanted to have a "real" sleepover together at one of our meetings. That's an idea to mull over...

                         

                                   

                                                         Our "campfire."