Mini Jello Aquariums

These Mini Jell-O Aquariums are the perfect treat to put together with your kiddos!

So today is the day where we talk about my baby Jon David starting first grade this morning and I cry and you give me lots of hugs and candy.

Or money. That would probably help a little.

For some crazy reason, I thought that Kindergarten would be the worst. I mean, I stayed home with my son for 6 years. And when you are with someone all day every day, it’s more like dog years.

So what I’m saying is, I stayed home with my son for like 38 years (maybe?? I’m not sure how dog years work, so this is just an estimate) before the “government” ripped him away from me for an “education” **sob** FINE!! I let him go learn stuff. I got used to it. But then this Summer I realized something–over the course of that school year, my sweet, snuggly, chubby baby turned into a tall, skinny man-child.

He insists on using Axe shampoo and body wash. Instead of SpongeBob, he watches Man Vs. Wild and Dual Survival. He asks me to take him to the sporting goods store to LOOK AT KNIVES. Sharp ones, too. Not those cute little butter knives you use at tea parties.

Also I have noticed that when other men are around, he talks with this weird deep voice that isn’t his normal voice.

If Kindergarten did this to him, I shudder to think of what is going to happen in First Grade. He will probably come home with chest hairs and a six pack of beer or something.

Also, I just remembered that I forgot to tell you the very worst thing of all: Recently, he has been asking for HIS DAD to do stuff for him INSTEAD OF ME. It’s like I’m living on a whole other planet that’s made of sadness and broken hearts and unfulfilled wishes.

So, I’m hoping that these cute treats this week will reel him back into the land of cozy hugs and storybook snuggles and hand holding. And Johnson’s Baby Wash. The End.

When I originally had the idea for these little aquariums, I thought I’d hit snack jackpot!! But a quick Google search informed me that Martha had a very similar idea. But hers was bigger and didn’t have candy aquarium rocks.

NO CANDY AQUARIUM ROCKS?! But then I discovered why — pouring liquid Jell-O over candy makes the candy squishy and gross as the Jello sets. No good. Squishy candy rocks are NO GOOD FOR ANYONE!

BUT THEN IT CAME TO ME IN A DREAM. (not really, I was awake) If I let the Jell-O set up in the jars (like a mold) and then loosened it and dropped it in another jar with candy in the bottom, it wouldn’t get soggy.

So I did. And it worked. Easy!!

Ingredients

• 3 oz box blue Jello (any brand/flavor will do -- I like a lighter color blue)
• 4 half-pint canning jars
• 1/2 cup Nerds candy
• 4 Swedish Fish candies

Instructions

1. Pour Jello powder in medium bowl. Boil 3/4 cup water, and pour over the Jello. Stir for about 2 minutes, until completely dissolved. Add 3/4 cup cold water. Divide gelatin evenly into 2 small jars and place in the refrigerator for about 4 hours, until firm and fully set.
2. Divide the Nerds into the bottom of the two remaining jars. Right before serving, loosen the set Jell-O from jars by running a knife along the inside edges. Place jar upside down over the jar with the candy and give it a tap ¦it will fall right out and into place!
3. Cut two slits in the Jell-O and insert your Swedish Fish. Done!!
4. Makes 2 mini Jell-O aquariums.

Try not to put these together until you’re ready to serve them. Although the candy doesn’t get totally soggy and gross, the moisture from the Jell-O will compromise the quality of the Nerds candy after a period of time.

I hope your little ones enjoy these!! Have a happy day and thanks for reading!!

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