I believe traditions and memories increase anticipation of events…especially for children! And what child (or adult) wouldn’t want to relive biting the ear off of those adorable little chocolate bunnies up above each year?

If you’d like to start such a tradition with your children, I think Hammond’s Candies are a great candidate worthy of memories…especially the chocolate-covered marshmallow and caramel filled eggs. Hammond’s Candies has been creating their confections since 1920 in Colorado. In addition to their beauty, they also taste wonderfully.

Hammond’s Candies are sold in a handful of stores across the country and online at hammondscandies.com.

We had them for lunch yesterday (minus the salami, although my husband added it to his) and found them easy to make and even easier to consume! Here’s the recipe to make four:

Ingredients:

• 4 large, crusty Kaiser rolls
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 pound salami, chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
• 8 slices fresh mozzarella
• 8 slices vine-ripe tomatoes
• 8 fresh basil leaves torn or slices

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 325°F.
2. Slice the Kaiser rolls favoring the bottom half (bottom half thicker than the top). Scoop the white soft insides out of the bottom half.
3. Season the ricotta with salt and pepper. Stir the salami and grated cheese into the ricotta.
4. Fill the rolls with the ricotta and salami. Cover the ricotta with layers of basil, tomato and mozzarella. Set covers into place.
5. Bake to heat through for 10-12 minutes. Cut and serve.

“One day I sat in a restaurant in Anaheim, California eating breakfast, when a woman passed by my table with her infant carrier in tow. As she lifted it up to fit between the tables, her shirt raised and I saw that, although she was at a healthy weight and her body was fit, she had that same extra skin hanging around her belly that I do. It occurred to me that a post-pregnancy body is one of this society’s greatest secrets; all we see of the female body is that which is airbrushed and perfect, and if we look any different, we hide it from the light of day in fear of being seen. That makes me want to cry. Sure we all talk about the sagging boobs and other parts, but no one ever sees them. Or if they do, it’s in comical form, mocking the beauty that created and nourished our children.

It is my dream, then, to create this website where women of all ages, shapes, sizes and nationalities can share images of their bodies so it will no longer be secret. So we can finally see what women really look like sans airbrushes and plastic surgery. I think it would be nothing short of amazing if a few of our hearts are healed, or if we begin to cherish our new bodies which have done so much for the human race. What if the next generation grows up knowing how normal our bodies are? How truly awesome would that be?”

I am someone who does my best to take care of myself…I eat right, exercise, and work my brain (when I’m not filling snack requests, cleaning up messes and chauffeuring my children to their activities). But still, I am a mother. I may still wear all of my pre-pregnancy clothes, but after birthing and nursing three children, my body has changed…all of me has changed.

My hips have grown a bit, but my heart is even larger. My breasts may not be as high, but I’ve also never been more grounded. And my belly may not be as firm, but I’ve never held on tighter to my beliefs and dreams for the world my children will inherit. I am a mother and am so very grateful for the changes motherhood has given me!

If you need to be lifted up, or just require a quiet reminder of your own beauty, visit theshapeofamother.com. And please pass the site on to other beautiful mothers you know.

Included in this exclusive set are two wire egg dippers, an egg blower, two sets of six colorful dyes, six markers and a transparent crayon, adhesive foam and glitter alphabet sets, 12 patterned egg wraps for one-step decorating, wiggle eyes, miniature pom-poms, and glitter. To help you get inspired, the kit also includes instructions, helpful tips and decorating ideas.

This kit would be a great activity for one of your child’s playdates in the next couple of weeks before Easter. I’ve had gingerbread decorating playdates and they’ve been a huge success…and it’s always nice to have an activity planned because the mess is confined to one room and cleanup is easier. And then be prepared for your child’s friends to think your house is the cool, fun place to be.

Available at williams-sonoma.com for $24.95.

Their toy line includes nesting blocks, alphabet flash cards, memories match games, lacing cards, wooden alphabet blocks, number blocks and dominoes. Each and every one of their items feature the most breathtaking graphics with a sophisticated color pallet and lovely images. And the quality of each piece is sturdy enough to withstand at least a few generations of play.

Currently, there are four themes being offered for their Memories Match games, Nesting Blocks and Lacing Cards: Spring, Tools, classic Toys, and Nursery Rhymes. These toys are perfect for rainy days, birthday gifts and for filling Easter baskets.

Visit traditionaltoys.ca to view the entire collection. Toy prices range from $15.00 to $40.00.

Each set includes a little one to love along with the basket/bed/purse for your child to carry. My daughter continues to LOVE her baby doll which is the perfect size for taking to the store or on errands when I need her to entertain herself for a 1/2 hour or so.

Sets are $40.00. See all of the cute bunnies and lambs at penelopepeapod.com.

To enter this exciting drawing, follow the link to provide your contact information and answer a few other questions (if you haven’t entered any of the previous giveaways). Entries must be received by noon (CST) on April 2, 2009 and the lucky winner will be announced the following morning, April 3! What are you waiting for, get started…click here!

And everyone has a chance to receive a FREE Key Ring/Pacifier Clip with an order over $50.00 at ramalama.com.au now through April 10. Simply enter UGGA MUGGA in the comments section at checkout and your free gift will be included in your order.

* – All three of my children have used the clear Avent silicone pacifiers that are shown in this photograph. I love them because they come with great covers that keep them clean. But my favorite thing about them is that they’re translucent and aren’t distracting in photographs of my children…I want to focus on their sweet faces, not their pacifiers. The pacifiers are $4.49 for two at amazon.com.

I must admit that I’m so very disappointed that all of these amazing offerings are being made now that I’m no longer pregnant and that my baby is growing like a weed. I’m unable to take advantage of the sophisticated stylings, colors and flattering fits…and the amazingly soft organic and bamboo fabrics!

But one thing I have used and love is the Key Ring/Pacifier Clip. Each is handcrafted from Italian leather and is large enough to fit around your wrist but not large enough to be bulky in your bag. But my favorite part of the leather strap is that it features a press stud to keep a pacifier (I use the silicone Avent ones with the covers that attach so I’m not so worried about germs on the pacifiers). I’ve been using my Key Ring for a couple of weeks now and have found great peace of mind knowing there’s always a pacifier handy.

Visit ramalama.com.au to see all of their amazing new products. Through April 10, 2009, write UGGA MUGGA in the comments section at checkout on orders over $50.00 to receive a FREE Key Ring/Pacifier Clip, a $19.95 value!