tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68989317791707390842024-02-07T07:06:27.678-06:00Tootsie's TidbitsA blog for teachers, parents, providers, and me!Miss Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16530839419461167453noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-87070488088140790952011-09-02T10:12:00.002-05:002011-09-02T10:12:46.746-05:00Closing SaleFind <a href="http://www.yardsalesearch.com/">garage sales</a>
in <a href="http://www.yardsalesearch.com/garage-sales-wisconsin-rapids-wi.html">Wisconsin Rapids, WI</a>.
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<br />
Just listed my mom's day care closing yard sale at the site above. Let's hope it goes well for her!<br />
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<br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Miss Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16530839419461167453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-88382658967676591882011-08-18T15:03:00.005-05:002011-08-18T15:32:05.718-05:00Getting Ready for Back to School<div style="text-align: center;">Even though my program is year round (I offer preschool and child care services) I am still in the midst of getting ready for "Back to School."</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the summer we've had a very minimal schedule, mostly defined by the necessary routines of meals and nap. Public school starts in 2 weeks though, and I have a week of vacation also, and we will be getting back into the routine of morning preschool (and I happen to love love love back to school supplies), so I am working on some new things in my center.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A week or so ago I made it to <a href="http://michaels.com/">Michael's</a> and found they had some pretty cool stuff in stock! I looked on the website and couldn't find it all, but here's a picture of the caddy I got:</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNzPEmQmgSy2cdjY53aBAL6rzwABgaNZXEK45bUPPy9N7VI5OidnKJSqXQCC0LP7aysD9rPQQi7NEb_R-w0GLOc7CHeF73UsFeJCCchROD5BKPbSqy6-lHz52qyZcoKa4ln8koHcAgpf3/s1600/Dscn2626.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNzPEmQmgSy2cdjY53aBAL6rzwABgaNZXEK45bUPPy9N7VI5OidnKJSqXQCC0LP7aysD9rPQQi7NEb_R-w0GLOc7CHeF73UsFeJCCchROD5BKPbSqy6-lHz52qyZcoKa4ln8koHcAgpf3/s320/Dscn2626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642291193596349522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and here it is filled:</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cbb59CJELMg3CY0bke3bY16HE1ODKphihbhKkoWG0HW2UbuWKSQnWWQ44j1aVCY_TRbZ8CCOEAQP2FN1bL0vYGgAOMMrt_zmSvutEW_ZzUWk1PiyTtt-fLVjgadeDobXr62GC9zbHJoy/s1600/Dscn2628.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cbb59CJELMg3CY0bke3bY16HE1ODKphihbhKkoWG0HW2UbuWKSQnWWQ44j1aVCY_TRbZ8CCOEAQP2FN1bL0vYGgAOMMrt_zmSvutEW_ZzUWk1PiyTtt-fLVjgadeDobXr62GC9zbHJoy/s320/Dscn2628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642293527241074962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 184px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I like it so much I wound up going back to get another one!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They also had bins that fit organizers like this: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DjR2pUJtL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DjR2pUJtL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got a couple of the large ones to use as sensory bins.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They had lots of great classroom and craft items (of course!). I could have spent HOURS (and many pennies!!) shopping. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is also a great time to stock up on art supplies and I always try to buy enough crayons, paints, markers and glue to get us through the year. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that even though my own kids are grown I still get to do back to school shopping!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What's on your back to school list?</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></div></div>Miss Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16530839419461167453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-79925846824814163862011-05-25T09:40:00.001-05:002011-05-25T09:41:35.764-05:00Sidewalk PaintI came across a recipe for sidewalk paint recently (and can't remember where or I would link up!) so we painted on the sidewalk yesterday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRZpruFXSWY/Td0UoJTcllI/AAAAAAAAALQ/at_bYXhKdTc/s1600/DSCN2410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRZpruFXSWY/Td0UoJTcllI/AAAAAAAAALQ/at_bYXhKdTc/s320/DSCN2410.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6HnB03jqSw/Td0UytBCouI/AAAAAAAAALU/lWfwDyZGBKc/s1600/DSCN2413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6HnB03jqSw/Td0UytBCouI/AAAAAAAAALU/lWfwDyZGBKc/s320/DSCN2413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The recipe is super simple: mix 1 cup water and 1 cup cornstarch. Separate into a muffin tin or cups and add a few drops of food coloring. That's it! It looks kind of dull going on, but when it dries it brightens right up! It washed off the muffin tin and paint brushes well. It's supposed to rain today, so we'll see if it washes off the sidewalk as well. Lots of fun!<br />
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<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-75301718422045381672011-05-03T20:36:00.001-05:002011-05-03T20:37:27.769-05:00Conference time<b>This past weekend was the Wisconsin Family Child Care Conference. I always look forward to conference time. It always refreshes me and gets me excited about both the day care and the Tidbits business. Even though I don't get to attend many workshops anymore (I am the conference coordinator, plus exhibit at the booth my mom and I do, plus present workshops), just visiting the vendors, talking with other early childhood professionals, and getting to spend a few days being a grown-up renew my drive to continue in my chosen field and to offer the children I work with the best of me.</b><br />
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</b><br />
<b>A few tips from my handout "Making the Most of Workshops and Conferences"</b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-</span> </span>If the conference provides name badges, put your hotel room card key in and you’ll know where it is when you get back to your room. You can also put ID, a credit card, or cash. Just make sure not to lose the badge!!</b></span><br />
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</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-</span> </span>Arrange with colleagues to attend different breakout sessions. Take great notes. Everyone can share their notes with the group and you benefit from more workshops.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>-<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Take business cards, lots and lots of business cards. When you chat with someone new in a workshop, or with a presenter, exchange cards. It makes a professional impression and they may have more info they can share with you. Make sure your email is on your cards. Handwrite it before the conference if necessary.</b></span><br />
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</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-</span> </span>If someone gives you their card, jot something on the back of it immediately i.e. an idea they had that you liked, or an idea you promised to send them. You will come home with lots of cards, but won’t remember the details if you don’t make notes.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - </span>Bring extra pens and a highlighter. Mark on the facility map where your breakout sessions are located.</b></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Bring a briefcase/backpack or something light to tote around with you all day. You will collect a ton of handouts and items purchased from vendors. Also pack in this bag bottled water, tissues, gum, pain reliever, pens, highlighter, business cards, map of conference facility, conference booklet, cell phone, keys, binder or clipboard and paper for note taking. By using a briefcase or backpack you won’t be stuck with both a purse and a bag.<br />
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</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Folder or binder for note taking</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> <span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* </span></span>If you use a folder, also bring a clipboard to use as something hard to write on, some breakouts may not have tables. Or use a “flip back” binder (available at Staples). The cover folds back, like a spiral notebook, and makes a great lap desk. Add paper for note taking and pocket dividers to hold handouts.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b> </b>*<span style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b>Take notes by subject rather than speaker. As little nuggets come up that you want to remember, you now have a perfect place to put them rather than coming home with pages of notes from all the different speakers, your notes will be organized.</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Network! Step out of your comfort zone and make a point talk to others outside those you came with. Have ideas in mind before the conference of conversation starters. Pick areas of your business that you wish to improve and ask questions of new acquaintances. Be ready to share back! Have a place in your notebook to jot down the ideas you hear.</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> *<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Suggestions for conversation starters:</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> -<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>How do they encourage a partnership between parents/teachers?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> -<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>What is their one biggest challenge?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> -<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>What kind of field trips do they take?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> -<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>What would their one piece of advice to a new teacher be?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> -<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>How often do they attend conferences?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-86894662407434603822010-12-10T08:31:00.002-06:002010-12-10T08:51:29.732-06:00Fabulous Find Friday - Stocking Stuffer Edition<div style="text-align: center;">Christmas is just two weeks away, can you believe it?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Surfing around Etsy I've found some really cute items that would make GREAT stocking stuffers for the kids in your life! But you'd better hurry and get them ordered, time's a-wastin!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out these great items, and make sure to check out the creators' other items as well for more stocking stuffers or gifts, for any time of the year!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Number Crayons - Not only can you color with these crayons, but you can work on number recognition as well!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61882289/recycled-crayons-large-numbers-1-10"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.193089119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedElmDesigns">Red Elm Designs</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Now your child can have their very own, personalized, cd case for all their music!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62785038/super-stocking-stuffer-gift-personalized"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.196112037.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kindlivingdesigns">Kind Living Designs</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Personalized bracelets can spell out your child's name, nickname, favorite sport or even medical alerts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62720286/personalized-childrens-bracelets"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.195894706.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/stargazinglily?ref=pr_shop_more">Stargazinglily</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Keep your little chef clean while they help out in the kitchen!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63726610/john-deere-christmas-kids-apron-priority"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.199643521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/summergirl80?ref=top_trail">Sew What Designs</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">These cute little vegan car soap bars will have your kiddo racing to wash up!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62025769/mini-toy-cars-soap-set-custom-scented"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.193569628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/robynsnestboutique?ref=top_trail">Robyn's Nest Boutique</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Play several games with these original artwork playing cards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61702475/playing-cards-for-kids"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.192858273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tishamcmillan?ref=top_trail">tishamcmillan</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">What could be more unique than a personalized, hand-beaded spoon of your very own?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63998630/free-shipping-hand-beaded-spoons"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.200669805.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Beadz2Pleaz?ref=top_trail">Beadz2Pleaz</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Adorable little mirrors any girl would love!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62147851/a-set-of-5-pocket-mirrors-for-a-special"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.198079576.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jolinne?ref=top_trail">Jolinne</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Your child can bring their art anywhere with this cool art bag!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59475750/on-salebuggin-outgiant-art-bagholds-full"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.185006291.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Snugglebugkidz?ref=top_trail">Snuggle Bug Kidz</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Spell out your child's name or any word with alphabet bubble magnets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/52427465/6-letter-name-or-word-glass-bubble"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.200604692.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RadiantBaubles?ref=top_trail">Radiant Baubles</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-21449233556543218772010-12-08T08:19:00.002-06:002010-12-08T08:21:28.890-06:00Christmas ProgramLater this month we'll be having our Christmas program. We do a very quick little program with a few songs and then I give the kids their gifts and we have cookies and punch. The whole thing takes less than an hour, tops. My group is small and a very wide age range (2 - 8 yrs) These are some of the songs we'll be singing.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Where is Santa?</span></b><br />
(tune: Are You Sleeping?)<br />
Where is Santa? Where is Santa?<br />
(hands behind back)<br />
Here I am! Here I am!<br />
(arms out in front making a big belly shape)<br />
Merry merry Christmas! Merry merry Christmas!<br />
Ho! Ho! Ho!, Ho! Ho! Ho!<br />
<br />
For this one we paint a paper plate blue and glue snowflakes to it, then act it out.<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Shake Your Flake</span></b><br />
Shake your flake high,<br />
Shake your flake low.<br />
Shake your flake to and fro!<br />
<br />
Shake your flake to the ceiling,<br />
Shake your flake to the floor.<br />
Shake your flake some more, more, more!<br />
<br />
Shake your flake while your walking,<br />
Shake your flake while you hop.<br />
Shake your flake again, and then we.....<br />
STOP!<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">S-A-N-T-A</span></b><br />
(tune: Bingo)<br />
There is a fat and bearded man,<br />
and Santa is his name-o.<br />
S-a-n-t-a, S-a-n-t-a, S-a-n-t-a<br />
and Santa is his name-o!<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Rudolph's Workout</span></b><br />
(tune: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)<br />
Hooves, belly, antlers nose,<br />
antlers, nose.<br />
Hooves, belly, antlers nose,<br />
antlers, nose.<br />
Left hoof, right hoof,<br />
strike a pose! (we strike a silly pose)<br />
Hooves, belly, antlers nose,<br />
antlers, nose!<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Shake Your Fluffy Tail</span></b><br />
Reindeer, reindeer, shake your fluffy tail.<br />
(shake your tail)<br />
Reindeer, reindeer, shake your fluffy tail.<br />
(shake your tail)<br />
Fly up high onto the roof,<br />
(arms up like flying)<br />
Stomp the snowflakes off your hoof.<br />
(stomp feet)<br />
Reindeer, reindeer, shake your fluffy tail.<br />
(shake your tail)<br />
<br />
For this one we have jingle bell bracelets we shake to act it out<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Jingle Bell</span></b><br />
(tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)<br />
Jingle jingle little bell,<br />
I can ring my little bell.<br />
Ring it high,<br />
Ring it low,<br />
Ring it fast,<br />
Ring it slow.<br />
Jingle jingle little bell,<br />
I can ring my little bell<br />
Ring it left,<br />
Ring it right,<br />
Even ring it out of sight.<br />
Jingle jingle little bell,<br />
I can ring my little bell.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-28475230657587440322010-12-06T07:57:00.000-06:002010-12-06T07:57:41.616-06:00Self-Help SkillsThis is a short article I wrote and shared with my families this year. We've been having a few issues with parents wanting to do for their child instead of letting them learn to do it. They are always surprised at what their children are capable of, or what Miss Kim can get them to do!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent2;">The Object of teaching a child is to enable the child to get along without the teacher.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent2;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">~unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">One of the things I work on with the children on an ongoing basis from the day they start coming to Tootsie Bear Day Care & Preschool is self-help skills. These skills will serve them well when they leave my care and begin kindergarten, elementary school and in life. <br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Some of the habits I try to instill in the children include <br />
-Asking for help when needed (in full sentences i.e. “Can you help me with my zipper please?”).<br />
-Accomplishing dressing/undressing tasks to the best of their ability (while stretching their abilities).<br />
-Cleaning up after themselves (toys, nap mats, dishes at meal times, etc.).<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Often, children are capable of much more than we think they are, they just need a little prodding and a lot of patience from us. When they succeed at a task, they have the chance to feel good about themselves and their abilities.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">Some tips:<br />
-Allow your child to struggle a little to accomplish a task. If they truly can’t do it, have them ask for help rather than just taking over for them. Encourage them to keep trying.<br />
-Talk them through the skills they have difficulty with, physically helping as little as possible.<br />
-Praise any step they can accomplish on their own.<br />
-Discuss with them how the things they do for themselves help the family.<br />
-Work the time for being patient into your schedule. This is often the biggest issue. While it is difficult to wait for a child while they struggle to ‘do it myself’ practice is the best way for them to learn the new skill. Plus, the more often they get to try, the better (and faster) they will get at it!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <!--[endif]--></span><br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-68056569326588292892010-10-07T09:50:00.001-05:002010-10-07T09:55:10.545-05:00Fire Safety Week: Firefighter hatsSince we've been talking about fire safety this week we talked about the firefighters uniforms (also called turnout gear) and the other day we made our own firefighter hats.<br />
<br />
I got the idea from <a href="http://kidssoup.com/">kidssoup.com</a>. It is a subscription site, but well worth the annual cost!<br />
<br />
First the children painted the back of a paper plate red. Once that was dry I traced the shape to be cut out (from kidssoup) onto the plate and helped the children cut it out. The shape is pretty simple to figure out by looking at the picture below. You just make sure not to cut fully around the paper plate. The bottom of the cut out is left intact and then folded up to form the hat. I printed out the firefighter badges and added the children's names and we glued those on. When we were done the kids had fun pretending to be firefighters and putting out fires all over the playroom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TK3dORBLaTI/AAAAAAAAAJk/H0NPXPPhgDU/s1600/Dscn2285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TK3dORBLaTI/AAAAAAAAAJk/H0NPXPPhgDU/s320/Dscn2285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-29453055142537900632010-10-07T09:32:00.000-05:002010-10-07T09:32:05.693-05:00Library Day (A day late) Book Review: It's Time to Call 911This week we are talking about fire safety and other emergencies so this week's book review is the book "It's Time to Call 911" published by Penton Overseas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TK3Yav4l6_I/AAAAAAAAAJg/qtfjDYy05qc/s1600/1591252741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TK3Yav4l6_I/AAAAAAAAAJg/qtfjDYy05qc/s200/1591252741.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Review by <a href="http://www.epinions.com/user-kamel622">Kamel622</a>, originally posted on <a href="http://epinions.com/">epinions.com</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Overall Rating: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="Product Rating: 5.0" border="0" height="15" hspace="0" src="http://img.epinions.com/images/epi_images/e3/5_big_stars.gif" vspace="0" width="83" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><span class="rkr" style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Pros: </b>*Very educational<br />
*Fun to read<br />
*Hands on dialing<br />
*Encouraging reward for dialing right<br />
<br />
<b>Cons: </b>**<br />
<br />
<b>The Bottom Line: </b>Young children need to learn how to properly use the 911 emergency service and this book will help them to practice and to learn.<br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><span class="rkr" style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><span class="rkr" style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">With children having gone back to school my once very loud boisterous daycare is quiet and pretty calm. Right now I have just 4 year old Sonny and 2 year old Cindy. I’m enjoying the quiet, but of course I’m missing Jake and his sister Sammi very much. I recently purchased a book that I wish I would have had while they were here, but am enjoying sharing it with the two that I care for.<br />
<br />
<b>It’s Time to Call 911</b> is a great way for me to teach these two young children about how to use 911 and when it should be used. Since it is often just the three of us in the house, I do think that them being able to use this system could be a very good thing. You just never know what could happen so I want to be sure that at least 4 year old Sonny would be capable of making a call if it were ever needed.<br />
<br />
I purchased this book at one of my favorite stores…we call it the <i>teacher store</i> since it is loaded with supplies, posters, books, teaching aids etc. I find it to be a tremendous bargain at $7.95 US or $12.95 CAN and plan to send it on to Mississippi as a part of the Literacy Write-Off hosted by <a href="http://www.epinions.com/user-hadassahchana" style="color: #3366cc;">Cindy</a> and <a href="http://www.epinions.com/user-Dramastef" style="color: #3366cc;">Stefanie</a><br />
<br />
The bright red cover of this book is shaped like a telephone and has a red plastic telephone keypad on it. This keypad is visible at each of the pages, so that children can use it to practice dialing 911 as they read the book.<br />
<br />
On the first page of the book we see green grass along the bottom half and sitting on the grass is a boy that looks to be crying and holding his arm up. The text next to him says <i>I broke my arm!</i> Below him written in deep red letters on the grass it says <i>When something bad happens and you need help…It’s called an EMERGENCY!</i> on the opposite page it asks <i>Do you know what to do?</i> and the telephone keypad is there to dial out the numbers.<br />
<br />
Several different situations are presented such as a house on fire, falling down and unable to get up, someone being sick and not waking up and seeing someone with gun. This book has a firefighter, a policeman and a paramedic to respond to the different emergencies.<br />
<br />
For each of the situations the book suggests calling 911 and lets children know what to do. It reminds them to state their name and to tell the nice person on the other end of the phone what the emergency is. I have been practicing this with 4 year old Sonny and he is getting very good at it with the help of this book and the keypad. I also used a real phone to see if he could pick out the right numbers there since it does look a little bit different than the bright red keypad. He did great, so I feel that this book is a tremendous aid in being able to teach children about using this emergency service and also the importance of it.<br />
<br />
This book also tells children that 911 isn’t for fun, but only for emergencies. On the opposite page of that message is a place for a child to write their address if they know it. On a small print note on this page there is the reminder that it is recommended that children memorize their address as early as possible.<br />
<br />
What I really like about this book is that it reinforces dialing correctly by the sound of a siren going off when the 911 is dialed. Of course the kids love hearing this and so are eager to learn the correct numbers to push. We have talked about the fact that a real telephone won’t have a siren that goes off, but it will bring them the help they need if they need it. When incorrect numbers are pressed there is a ::thud:: sound that lets the child know they haven’t dialed right. The sirens will only sound when the number is correctly dialed.<br />
<br />
The illustrations are simple cartoon style using several different boys and girls of varying ethnicities, height and hair colors. The drawings are simple with just the right amount of detail to allow a child who cannot read the ability to understand what is happening on each page.<br />
<br />
The text is a brown/red and although it is a bit small, it is placed where it can be easily seen and doesn’t present a problem for me when reading to the two children I am caring for. I do think because of the small text and small size of the book itself, measuring just 7” x 7”, it would be a difficult book to hold up and read to a classroom. It makes a better one on one book too because then each child has the opportunity to practice with the telephone keypad.<br />
<br />
As you can tell from my review, I really recommend this book as a wonderful fun story and a fantastic teaching aid too.<br />
<br />
Penton Overseas, Inc. published this 14 page board book in 2002. No author is listed.<br />
<br />
ISBN: 15591252741<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Recommended:</b><br />
Yes </span></span></span></span></div><br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-18395062199487255832010-10-05T10:07:00.000-05:002010-10-05T10:07:05.011-05:00Book in a BinderIf you use resource books in your classroom or child care you know how hard it is to copy them. Trying to get a large book (or even a not so large one) to lie flat on the copier is a pain. And if you tear the pages out to make them easier to copy they wind up with frayed edges or worse yet, lost, when you stuff them back into the book where they should be.<br />
<br />
Many early childhood resource books come with perforated pages now. Do yourself a favor and take them apart when you buy the book! What I do is purchase (or repurpose) a binder that the book will fit into and spend a few minutes tearing all the pages out and 3-hole punching them. When I am left with just the covers and spine I carefully cut them apart and slip them into the clear cover on the binder (or attach them by covering with contact paper or clear packing tape) and now my resource book is soooo much easier to use!<br />
<br />
If the book doesn't have perforated edges use a table saw to cut the spine off.<br />
<br />
Here's just one of the resource books I have stored in a binder:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKs-u5lY5SI/AAAAAAAAAJU/SFvf4nyS70M/s1600/Dscn2282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKs-u5lY5SI/AAAAAAAAAJU/SFvf4nyS70M/s320/Dscn2282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKs-xczFQ0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/9gE_H_3e6WQ/s1600/Dscn2283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKs-xczFQ0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/9gE_H_3e6WQ/s320/Dscn2283.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKs-x3YKcMI/AAAAAAAAAJc/Iz2hA0FLAho/s1600/Dscn2284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKs-x3YKcMI/AAAAAAAAAJc/Iz2hA0FLAho/s320/Dscn2284.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-40187659032974615792010-10-01T11:57:00.002-05:002010-10-01T12:08:06.840-05:00Fabulous Find FridayFor this week's Fab Find Friday I am sharing a whole treasury of great kid items!<br />
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My 3 letter words game was included and I was honored to be among so many awesome items.<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca33601fd8a6d915e978b99/gifts-for-dani-jo?index=0">here</a> to check out the treasury and each of the items in it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKYVIMioYoI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/pjsUNedHAeI/s1600/Image12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKYSNo1XQ0I/AAAAAAAAAJM/PpARo58d9hg/s1600/Image11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKYVIMioYoI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/pjsUNedHAeI/s1600/Image12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKYVIMioYoI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/pjsUNedHAeI/s640/Image12.jpg" width="640" /></a><img border="0" height="451" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKYSNo1XQ0I/AAAAAAAAAJM/PpARo58d9hg/s640/Image11.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remember, it's never too early to start Christmas shopping!! </div><br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TKX7ULsdvEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/5YZlw8ZFnjk/s144/3FEEAFDD0E0984C8A9549D13DBBBCB8C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-7601642644959538762010-09-23T10:27:00.003-05:002010-09-23T10:44:56.487-05:00Super Simple Flannel Board TipFlannel boards can be soooo expensive to buy! But there is a way to make even HUGE ones on the cheap!<br /><br />First you need flannel. Usually not too expensive to start with, but watch the clearance bins, it's amazing the amount of flannel/felt you can get for next to nothing! Even small pieces are great to have on hand for making flannel stories.<br /><br />Most of us have an old bulletin board we aren't using. Or check a thrift shop for one. The cork doesn't need to be perfect. An old dry erase board can work too, if it has a frame around it. A framed canvas could probably work too, though I haven't tried that.<br /><br />Making the board is easy peasy. Lay out your flannel (iron if necessary to smooth creases from folding) and lay your cork board on top. Cut flannel slightly larger than the board (does not need to be exact, you can trim away as needed). Lay flannel on top of the right side of the bulletin board. Then take a butter knife or other flat instrument and tuck the flannel between the cork board and the frame. If there is too much material just trim away a little at a time. Periodically smooth the flannel to make sure it lays flat and keep tucking, all the way around the board.<br /><br />I used a bulletin board I had on hand and flannel that I got for less than $1 to make this 18 x 24 inch flannel board. Looking in the various catalogs I could have easily spent $30 or more! At the price I spent I can have several sizes and background colors for a fraction of the cost.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TJt0_RsrNaI/AAAAAAAAAHc/o7vZWQb6e9U/s1600/Dscn2268.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/TJt0_RsrNaI/AAAAAAAAAHc/o7vZWQb6e9U/s320/Dscn2268.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520134398704039330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I have also made flannel boards out of (new) pizza boxes, cigar boxes (harder to find nowadays), pencil boxes, even an empty 'clam shell' container for bringing home leftovers from a restaurant. Hey, it was black and was perfect for Halloween! Most places are willing to donate things like that if you just ask and explain that it's for a child care.<br /><br />I love when I can come up with an alternative that's just as functional, good looking, and useful as it's full priced counter part!<br /></div></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-16033337225065934812010-03-04T14:41:00.005-06:002010-03-04T15:19:21.564-06:00Book Review: What Makes a Rainbow?: A Magic Ribbon Book<h1 class="title"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.epinions.com/review/_2001269818/content_68918021764">Original review on epinions.com by Kathy Salazar</a></span></h1><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S5AjyugCJoI/AAAAAAAAAHM/0LBA6evnOJE/s1600-h/5188YV5YS3L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S5AjyugCJoI/AAAAAAAAAHM/0LBA6evnOJE/s320/5188YV5YS3L._SS500_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444891303873750658" border="0" /></a><h1 class="title"><span style="font-size:100%;">What Makes a Rainbow?: A Magic Ribbon Book</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />by Betty Ann Schwartz</span></h1><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Product Rating: </span><img src="http://img.epinions.com/images/epi_images/e3/4_big_stars.gif" alt="Product Rating: 4.0" border="0" height="15" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="83" /> <span class="rkr"> </span><br /><span class="rkr"><b>Pros: </b>Wonderful Rainbow, Beautiful Illustrations, Colorful.<br /><b>Cons: </b>Not a good 'hands on' type of book, Text hard for these old eyes.<br /><b>The Bottom Line: </b>A wonderful book of friendship and caring. Very nicely put together.</span><br /><br /><span class="rkr">Loving children's books as I do, I was very grateful when one of our daycare parents stopped by with a new book for the daycare. <b>What Makes a Rainbow?</b> is a wonderful, Magic Ribbon Book and was a great choice by her and is loved by all of the children.<br /><br /><b>The Story</b><br />As the rain stopped, and Little Rabbit and his Mama come out from under a big red flower, Mama mentions that they would now see a rainbow. Little Rabbit wonders about rainbows, and what makes them. Mother suggests that Little Rabbit ask her friends.<br /><br />Little Rabbit asks the Ladybug, who tells her that red is what makes a rainbow. On the next pages Little Rabbit asks the Fox, the Chick, the Grasshopper, the Bluebird and the Butterfly. Each replies with a different color until on the last page, a beautiful rainbow appears, and Mama tells Little Rabbit that the things needed for a rainbow is <i>"Rain, Colors - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple and...Sunshine!"</i><br /><br /><b>The Illustrations</b><br />The illustrations in this book make it an interesting one to explore. Since each of Little Rabbits friends has a favorite color that they believe make the rainbow, their page is done mostly in that color. Little chicks page is done in yellows with yellow flowers and the ground a soft yellowish brown. The Butterfly's page is mostly purples with the butterfly itself having purple wings.<br /><br />The characters faces are very expressive and that makes them look interesting and friendly. Little bunny has a cute smiley face as do the Ladybug and the Grasshopper. The other creatures faces are not smiling but have a friendly appeal.<br /><br />An interesting part of the illustrations, and each page, is a ribbon that extends from the first page to the second. It is a shiny ribbon, that features the color of that page. It builds upon itself, until near the end there are six colorful ribbons spreading across the pages.<br /><br />The last page is a very colorful pop out rainbow with the sun shining down on everyone. On this page the colors are truer to what they are, that is, the grass is green, the sky blue etc.<br /><br /><br /><b>My Feelings<br />What Makes a Rainbow?</b> is an excellent Preschooler or Toddler book. One of the things that I like with this book is that it works very well for the different ages that we have in our daycare.<br /><br />As I was making lunch yesterday my daughter (chalathra) was reading this book to all 9 of the children in our daycare.<br /><br />From the kitchen I'm listening to the quiet hush of the room as the kids listened to every word. When she was done reading they all yelled "again, read it again".<br /><br />Unfortunately this time they were not listening quite as intently, and not wanting to just close the book and move on to another activity, my daughter creatively gave each child a 'part' in the story. As she narrated her oldest daughter read Little Rabbits part...each of the children got to be one of the other creatures and shout out the color that particular creature. My Grand daughter loved being the Ladybug...and one of the other girls loved spreading her wings as the butterfly, we had happy faced foxes and flying bluebirds.<br /><br />Reading it in this way, made them an active part of the book, and held their attention much more than if she had just reread the book to them several times.<br /><br />While I think that the book itself is very interesting, I also believe that how we read a book can be very important to making children learn to adore books as well. This book can very simply become a different type of story each time.<br /><br />While it may have been a rather simple story to just read to the five year olds, the younger children had a great time recognizing and naming colors and the different creatures, and the infants adored all of the bright colors on the pages as they were turned. It can be different things, for different ages, and I think that makes it a valuable book for parents, daycares and schools to have.<br /><br /><b>Nuts & Bolts</b><br />This wonderful 12 page Magic Ribbon board book was published by Intervisual Books Incorporated in 2000.<br /><br />The author, Betty Ann Schwartz also wrote <i>What Makes Music..another Magic Ribbon Book, Escape from High Doom and Cave In</i>. Although she is not an author that I am familiar with, I will look for other books by this talented writer.<br /><br />The illustrator Dona Turner did an excellent job of making the story come alive in this book, and I will also look to read <i>The Itsy Bitsy Spider</i> which was also illustrated by her.<br /><br />My recommendation on age level for this book is infants through about five year olds. It is short and simple to read, although some of the text is written with too much background color over it. That may not be a problem for some, but my 'older eyes' (did I just say that?) had a difficult time with a few of the pages.<br /><br />Also while I think this is a great book for children, it is one that could be easily ruined. With the ribbons on each page, and the pop up on the last page, it is a book that we've decided will not go on the shelf where the children can choose books, but rather will be one that will come out only when we are reading it to them. I would prefer for a book to be hands on for the children, so I see this as somewhat of a drawback.<br /><br /><b>What Makes a Rainbow?</b> has a list price of $8.95 U.S. and $13.50 in Canada.<br /><br />ISBN: 1-58117-0769<br /><br /><b>Recommended:</b><br /> Yes </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.epinions.com/review/_2001269818/content_68918021764">Original review on epinions.com by Kathy Salazar</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-11272815190373590122010-02-18T15:09:00.008-06:002010-02-18T15:22:09.221-06:00Review: Backyard Safari Super View Mega MagnifierMy mom and I were looking at the new summer toys put out at Walmart the other day (dreaming of warmth and green grass as opposed to the mounds of snow we have right now) and found this very cool magnifying glass:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32tBWFkIuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/TOssdTVC78k/s1600-h/Dscn1817.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32tBWFkIuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/TOssdTVC78k/s320/Dscn1817.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439694163553821410" border="0" /></a><br />You can't tell from the picture, but this thing is HUGE compared to your standard hand held glass. It measures about 15" x 12"! And the 'glass' isn't really glass, it's a plastic. So perfect for use in my childcare!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32t2XbJITI/AAAAAAAAAGc/zb85rhxU4oA/s1600-h/Dscn1819.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32t2XbJITI/AAAAAAAAAGc/zb85rhxU4oA/s320/Dscn1819.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439695074445828402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Though these pictures don't nearly do it justice, here are some comparative shots with the camera held in the same place:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32ua_iJAjI/AAAAAAAAAGk/s5h4uv8xkQ4/s1600-h/Dscn1820.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32ua_iJAjI/AAAAAAAAAGk/s5h4uv8xkQ4/s320/Dscn1820.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439695703687889458" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32uh0vaixI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ewOYTepwRTo/s1600-h/Dscn1821.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32uh0vaixI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ewOYTepwRTo/s320/Dscn1821.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439695821049858834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32uouBy07I/AAAAAAAAAG0/FMs25NC04i8/s1600-h/Dscn1823.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32uouBy07I/AAAAAAAAAG0/FMs25NC04i8/s320/Dscn1823.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439695939506983858" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32uvCtjW_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/4MaBzUnpDVo/s1600-h/Dscn1824.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S32uvCtjW_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/4MaBzUnpDVo/s320/Dscn1824.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439696048138443762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Though the label states it is for ages 5 and up, my preschoolers have been using it to look at all kinds of things and it's held up perfectly. I am always looking for good bargains for my childcare (what teacher isn't?!) and at $10, this is a great addition to our science center!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-23674466230877357632010-01-22T14:28:00.003-06:002010-01-22T14:41:25.522-06:00Free Shipping Weekend!Unique Women in Business is an amazing group of women (who happen to be unique and in business) and we are holding our first team event starting today!<br /><br />Today through January 25 members are featuring free shipping on many wonderful items.<br /><br />In my own shop I am offering free shipping (within the US and Canada) on all of my cards and decorative clothespins. See the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TootsieBear?section_id=6728941">FREE SHIPPING</a> section of my shop.<br /><br />To see items from other UWIB members listed on Etsy.com click here: <span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/UWIBTEAMFS">FREE SHIPPING WEEKEND!</a></span><br /><br />There are also free shipping offers from members that are not on etsy.com:<br /><br /><ul><li><div align="left"><a href="http://glitzyevents.com/">Glitzy Events</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jVrgEnWUP5AI11czoxqxKM7Ls4qMLKMQblKAxRbR4mL4MbajxFIuWkkl1JaWL2UEqaSg78LB9XtlAPJ-v39exoAnsSw7hBDyDM192Ehsl-CxIBDjCW2eNPGv5Cq40zshWqCBJCiIqtE/s1600-h/TREASURY.jpg"> -</a> Use coupon code UWIBFREESHIP at check-out on our website: </div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="left"> <a href="http://ritaw.ismyangel.net/">The Angel Company</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jVrgEnWUP5AI11czoxqxKM7Ls4qMLKMQblKAxRbR4mL4MbajxFIuWkkl1JaWL2UEqaSg78LB9XtlAPJ-v39exoAnsSw7hBDyDM192Ehsl-CxIBDjCW2eNPGv5Cq40zshWqCBJCiIqtE/s1600-h/TREASURY.jpg"> -</a>Rita Wetzel, Independent Demonstrator -Send email to Rita at stamp2stamp2@yahoo.com with a list of item numbers, description, quantity. Rita will email you order total. Payment via PayPal or Credit Card. </div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="left"><a href="http://charmsnthings.com/">Charms~N~Things</a> - Use coupon code FSJAN2010<br /></div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="left"><a href="http://www.paintedlaydiesmineralmakeup.com/">Painted Laydies Mineral Makeup</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jVrgEnWUP5AI11czoxqxKM7Ls4qMLKMQblKAxRbR4mL4MbajxFIuWkkl1JaWL2UEqaSg78LB9XtlAPJ-v39exoAnsSw7hBDyDM192Ehsl-CxIBDjCW2eNPGv5Cq40zshWqCBJCiIqtE/s1600-h/TREASURY.jpg"> -</a>Everything ships free all the time. No code needed.</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="left"><a href="http://www.naughtyandnicelingerie.com/">Naughty and Nice Lingerie</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jVrgEnWUP5AI11czoxqxKM7Ls4qMLKMQblKAxRbR4mL4MbajxFIuWkkl1JaWL2UEqaSg78LB9XtlAPJ-v39exoAnsSw7hBDyDM192Ehsl-CxIBDjCW2eNPGv5Cq40zshWqCBJCiIqtE/s1600-h/TREASURY.jpg"> -</a> Shipping is always free within the USA! Fast, free shipping, dollar rewards and free gifts with certain purchases! Check out my store for more details or email me at:<a href="mailto:sales@naughtyandnicelingerie.com"> sales@naughtyandnicelingerie.com</a>. Ask me how to get an additional 10% off your purchase!! </div></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mommagoddess">Momma Goddess Treasures</a> - All orders over $10 get FREE SHIPPING for the UWIB Weekend Event!!! </li></ul></div><br />So get your shopping on and take advantage of the free shipping!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-15122832986855397262010-01-04T08:02:00.003-06:002010-01-04T09:00:04.576-06:00Winter Book Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">Let's start 2010 off with a giveaway!<br /><br />This month one lucky reader will win 2 great books for preschoolers. If you don't have preschoolers save them to give as gifts or maybe donate them to a local child care, library, or doctors office. See below for ways to enter.<br /><br />Callie Cat, Ice Skater by <a href="http://www.eileenspinelli.com/heart_001.htm">Eileen Spinelli</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S0H3wFs_ETI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Pt761SuVcBk/s1600-h/9780807510421.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 148px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S0H3wFs_ETI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Pt761SuVcBk/s320/9780807510421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422887831867429170" border="0" /></a><br />and<br /><br />I Love You, Sleepyhead by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Cp_27%3AClaire%20Freedman&field-author=Claire%20Freedman&page=1">Claire Freedman</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S0H31iiqFJI/AAAAAAAAAGM/90od-b8ZGKk/s1600-h/51ZELz6QEzL._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OezErGXNRRA/S0H31iiqFJI/AAAAAAAAAGM/90od-b8ZGKk/s320/51ZELz6QEzL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422887925508084882" border="0" /></a>Callie Cat, Ice Skater is the story of Callie who loves ice skating more than anything and competes in an ice skating contest and learns a valuable lesson about doing the things you love.<br /><br />I Love You, Sleepyhead is full of beautiful paintings by Simon Mendez of different animals heading to sleep. Some willingly, some not so much!<br /><br />Enter up to FOUR times using the methods below (please leave separate comments for each entry):<br /><br />1. Leave a comment on this entry<br /><br />2. Follow this blog by clicking the the button in my sidebar<br /><br />3. Become a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tootsies-Tidbits/147014610565">Tootsie's Tidbits</a> on Facebook (the link will take you to my page)<br /><br />4. Share this blog post on your blog, facebook, etc or twitter this contest including @tootsiestidbits in your tweet.<br /><br />Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, and include a way to contact you.<br /><br />I will draw the winning comment on Monday January 18 at 8:00am CST.<br /><br />I can only ship these within the USA, sorry.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-81324489415570940282009-12-09T08:38:00.002-06:002009-12-09T08:50:34.006-06:00Play Dough Cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2608862783_45e3b59520.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2608862783_45e3b59520.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Photo via: <a href="http://sassypriscilla.typepad.com/" rel="nofollow">sassypriscilla.typepad.com</a><br /></div><br /><br />Though we haven't yet made these cookies, they look adorable and how much fun would they be to make?!<br /><br />Recipe from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Play-Dough-Cookies/Detail.aspx">AllRecipes.com</a><br /><br /><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"> <h3> Ingredients</h3> <ul><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 3/4 cup butter, softened</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 3 ounces cream cheese</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 cup white sugar</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 egg</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 teaspoon baking powder</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1/4 teaspoon salt</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> assorted colors of paste food coloring</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 24 lollipop sticks</li></ul> </div> <div style="border-top: 1px dotted rgb(204, 204, 204); width: 300px; margin-top: 20px;"> </div> <div class="directions" style="margin-top: 10px;"> <h3> Directions</h3> <ol><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="overflow: visible;"><span> In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth. <br /><br /></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="overflow: visible;"><span> In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir till soft dough forms. Divide dough into fourths. Tint each with a different food color. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.<br /><br /></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="overflow: visible;"><span> Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Working with half of each color, shape dough into 3/4 inch balls and for each cookie place 1 pink, 1 green, 1 blue and 1 orange ball together to make 1 large ball. Shape into a 12 inch long roll (like a snake), starting at one end, coil roll to make a 2 3/4 inch round cookie. Place cookies 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Carefully insert lollipop sticks into bottoms of cookies.<br /><br /></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="overflow: visible;"><span> Bake cookies for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container. </span></li></ol><br />More cool pictures of Play Dough Cookies: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Play-Dough-Cookies/Photo-Gallery.aspx">here</a><br /> </div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-83693748211444663702009-12-04T10:27:00.001-06:002009-12-04T10:28:38.134-06:00From NAFCC<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;" ><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div align="left"><strong>Introduction to Family Child Care Online Course</strong></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">NAFCC has partnered with Salt Lake Community College to make family child care training available online.<br /><br />This 17 week, 45 clock hour course is designed to provide a basic understanding of operating a family child care business. It is a rewarding training opportunity whether you are just starting out or have been providing care for many years. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available upon completion of course. Training hours are comprehensive and may be applied to NAFCC Accreditation. <br /> </div> <div align="left"><strong>Course begins January 25, 2010</strong></div> <div align="left"><br />Introduction to Family Child Care covers the following categories:<br />· Relationships<br />· The Environment<br />· Developmental Learning Activities<br />· Safety and Health<br />· Professional and Business Practices<br /><br />Benefits<br />· Complete lessons when it's convenient for you<br />· Receive training credit in the comfort of your home<br />· Flexible and interactive<br />· Tech support available<br />· Current and relevant topics<br />· Knowledgeable and experienced instructors<br />· Family child care specific content<br /><br /><strong>NAFCC Member Rates</strong></div> <div align="left">$150 - Course only </div> <div align="left">$200 - Course and CEUs<br /></div> <div align="left"><strong> <div> </div>Non-Member Rates</strong> <div>$200 - Course only </div> <div>$250 - Course and CEUs<br /><br />Register by January 10, 2010. <a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102864993467&s=8476&e=001JEl-L_E3ARQ4VGtrymv_a96AxU0k_yD9yHCWEEaD3MpjxC-UFFCuNN_ctuezrGIaBfaqo3VZD03RsQOMm7fX1OtoGNc44Je0dSiqUddknaIXhtr_7YS9rjhzWO7FxdUtSyoZ8vCTMvbBo87j6DGCYR1hhIyTLIcxQ7_4YRlnnztfmCG6xI7s8A==" linktype="link" target="_blank">Click here.</a><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>Click <a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102864993467&s=8476&e=001JEl-L_E3ARTNeVfkKzhah6xdHXneeGtebs3X52MN01wdmIvNa5TyS4woEQAdJ5M1KHwUbbl5emWOwHnKEaHJEMlHaamI3PFKY9a8vdKqIdpp7OPb1kpAa0vFClcPcB_Dq5T52MJxPW06_HxRbCufHw==" linktype="link" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more about becoming a memebr of NAFCC today!<br /></div></div></span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-67442491666988730472009-12-03T15:39:00.004-06:002009-12-03T16:39:27.442-06:00Better Than a Label In a T-shirt!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />These <a href="http://www.safetytat.com/">temporary tattoos</a>, invented by a mom, are so cool!! You can order them with your contact info already printed on them, or blank for you to fill in with a waterproof marker.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2safetytat01.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 150px;" src="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2safetytat01.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2tessa01.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 150px;" src="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2tessa01.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />They even have versions with areas to write medical info such as allergies:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2nuts01.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 150px;" src="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2nuts01.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2medicalalert01.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 150px;" src="http://store.safetytat.com/store/designs/c2medicalalert01.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Such a great idea! They've won several awards and were featured on Good Morning America and in Parenting Magazine.<br /><br />Check out all the available designs at <a href="http://www.safetytat.com/">www.safetytat.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-41299153900438707362009-08-25T07:05:00.002-05:002009-08-25T07:08:21.639-05:00Library Day - Now It's Fall Book Review<h1 class="title" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><b>Now It's Fall</b>...Lois Lenski...A Poetic Look at Autumn</h1><br />Product Rating: <img src="http://img.epinions.com/images/epi_images/e3/4_big_stars.gif" alt="Product Rating: 4.0" border="0" height="15" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="83" /><br /><span class="rkr"><b>Pros: </b>*Autumn themed poetry<br />*Classic old fashioned illustrations<br /><br /> <b>Cons: </b>*Some poems a bit of a stretch<br /><br /> <b>The Bottom Line: </b><b>Now It's Fall</b> is a cute poetry book about the season. Fun to read once or twice.<br /><br /></span><span class="lkb"><a href="http://www.epinions.com/user-kamel622">kamel622's</a> Full Review: </span><span class="lkr"><br /><br />Lois Lenski - Now It's Fall</span> <span class="rkr"> I just love watching the leaves change color in the Fall and have fun with my daycare children taking nature walks and collecting different colored leaves.<br /><br />Not only do we enjoy collecting leaves, we enjoy reading books about this season such as <b>Now It’s Fall.</b><br /><br />This book is a small 5” x 6” 48 paged book that has the simple classic illustrations on one side of each two page spread and the text on the other. The illustrations are simple yet descriptive and relate well to the story. Some of the illustrated pages have a solid colored yellow, green or blue background while the text pages are white. Since this is a small book and there are 4 – 6 lines of text on each page the text size is a bit small.<br /><br />One thing that I noticed that gave me a chuckle is the little girl in this story is wearing a red bow in her hair, but when viewed from the front it looks as if she has devil horns! At first I wasn’t sure what I was seeing but after looking at other pages I realized it was a bow.<br /><br />This book leisurely takes the reader / listener through all of the fun that Autumn can be from falling leaves to windy days. Apple picking and back to school and all the way through to Halloween celebrations.<br /><br /><i>Great big golden pumpkins<br />Ripen in the fall.<br />From the kitchen garden<br />We will bring them all.<br /><br />Oh, see!<br />What fun it will be<br />Make a pumpkin face<br />With nose and eyes,<br />Mouth wide open<br />In surprise!</i><br /><br />These two paragraphs are a sample of the length of text per page and also the type of rhyme that is used. On most pages the rhyme flows well but occasionally I find myself having to reread in order to make it sound right.<br /><br />Each pages poem can stand alone, but put all together it is a book that starts from Apples in September and goes through being thankful in November at Thanksgiving.<br /><br />I read this book to my daycare group, ages 2 – 7, on a day when school was closed and I had 3 older children for the day. Because this is a bit longer book than most of the picture books we read I knew it wouldn’t be of much interest to the younger children. Actually the only one that didn’t sit still for it was 2 year old Cindy, other than that all of the children listened and commented about how this book was like it is outside here, leaves changing color and blowing around. Sammi especially loved that the children had a big pumpkin and carved a jack-o-lantern. They all pointed out they love Halloween and will be going Trick-or-Treating, and of course had to tell me about their costumes. They are all excited and this book brought up a lot of conversation about last year and Halloween and Thanksgiving, oh and Sammi and Jake’s birthdays which are coming up soon.<br /><br />I love when a book sparks a lot of conversation and when the kids are remembering previous years and the way they are looking forward as well however while this is a book that we enjoyed reading and had fun with I noticed that the children didn’t ask for it again nor did they talk much about it after we finished with it. It is a good example of Fall and the activities that we do but it isn’t a book that will get read very often, at least not by my daycare group.<br /><br />I would recommend this book for children 4 – 8 years old.<br /><br />Wow, this book was originally written before even I was even born!! This is an <b>old</b> book! It was first published in 1948 by author and illustrator Lois Lenski. Random House published the copy that I have in 2000.<br /><br />ISBN: 0375910697<br /><br /><br /><br />This book is my 3rd entry in the <a href="http://www.epinions.com/content_5113290884">Resurrecting the Oldies Write-Off</a> sponsored by <a href="http://www.epinions.com/user-msmorvay">msmorvay</a><br /><br />It is also #29 in the <a href="http://www.epinions.com/content_5083275396">50 Reviews by Halloween Write-Off</a> sponsored by <a href="http://www.epinions.com/user-copesullivan">CopeSullivan.</a><br /><br /> <br /> <b>Recommended:</b><br /> Yes </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-73472104485858742552009-08-21T08:00:00.002-05:002009-08-21T08:12:50.901-05:00What Your Provider ExpectsYesterday I posted "What a Parent Should Expect." This is the counterpart:<br /><br /><p><u><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">What Your Provider Expects</span></u> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">In the home of a family child care provider your provider should be able to expect certain things from you.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">1. Open communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations about how your child will be cared for. Also provide updates on problems and progress that your child is making. Give the provider information about your child's routine, activities and preferences. Good communication helps parents and providers work together in the best interest of the children.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">2. Agreement on terms or arrangements. You should fully understand the expectations of the provider and what you as a parent are agreeing to.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">3. Honesty and trust. This includes being honest about how you believe the arrangement is working, whether your child is happy with the provider and whether you are. Although you need to be vigilant in order to safeguard your child, you should still trust your child care provider to do the best for your child.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">4. Advance notice of and agreement to any changes. Providers have to earn a living too, so they deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using their services or take a vacation or leave that will affect their pay.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">5. Pick up on time and follow through on all agreements. Providers have personal lives too, and they should be able to expect that you will pick up your child at the agreed upon time. If it takes you 15 minutes a day longer to get home than you expected or if you find it more convenient to stop at the grocery store before picking up your child which makes you 30 minutes late three times a week you need to work out a new agreement with the provider or find a way to abide by the original one.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">6. Sick children. Agree with your child care provider in advance about when you can and cannot bring a sick child. Then abide by that agreement. My policy is if you do not call within 1/2 an hour of arrival time when your child is ill or going to be absent. You not only owe me the full day in pay. But also another 1/2 a days pay for not taking me into consideration. You must call of of work so I need you to please call me to call off your child.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">7. Payment on time. Child care providers have to pay the rent and buy food, too, so make arrangements to see that they get their pay on time.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">8. Respect. Realize that taking care of children is a job and the child care worker is a worker, just as you are. A child care provider is not "just a baby sitter." She is one of the most important people in your child's life and in yours, too.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">9. Jealousy. Try not to be jealous of you child's attachment to child care providers. Children who spend hours every day with a day care worker come to love that person. That love, though, doesn't diminish the love your child feels for you. Don't feel that you have to compete with your child care provider for your child's affection. Be happy that they love and get loved in return.</span> </p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;">10. No surprises. Your child care provider shouldn't learn on Friday that you have decided to take next week off from work. This is her livelihood and changes in her income should be given advance notice. Child care providers don't like surprises any better than parents do.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-23079457464953914112009-08-20T17:37:00.002-05:002009-08-20T17:41:12.685-05:00Library Day - Big Red Apple Book Review<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R25DGYKWL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R25DGYKWL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><h1 class="title" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><b>Big Red Apple</b>...Another Juicy Children's Book</h1><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Product Rating: <img src="http://img.epinions.com/images/epi_images/e3/4_big_stars.gif" alt="Product Rating: 4.0" border="0" height="15" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="83" /><br /><span class="rkr"><b>Pros: </b>Fantastic Illustrations, cycle of life, good for early readers, very simple text.<br /><br /> <b>Cons: </b>~~~~<br /><br /> <b>The Bottom Line: </b>I would recommend <b>Big Red Apple</b> as a good aid in teaching about apples, mother nature and the cycle of life to toddlers.</span><br /><br /><span class="lkb">kamel622's Full Review: </span><span class="lkr">Tony Johnston - Big Red Apple</span> <span class="rkr"> <br />I try to have some type of curriculum for my little daycare group, so that we can learn more about the world around us and focus on one aspect of it.<br /><br />During September we are talking about apples. Now I know that it doesn’t seem as if there is a lot to say about apples, but I am having a great time teaching the children through art, graphing, eating and of course books.<br /><br />One of the books that we have been reading is <b>Big Red Apple.</b><br /><br /><br /><b>The Story</b><br /><br />This is a very simple story of an apple and what its life is like. First a tree grows then the apples grow on it. Finally a wind blows the apples off of the tree.<br /><br />Along comes a worm who takes a tiny bite in the apple. A bird eats the worm and also pecks at the apple until a boy comes along and picks up the apple and with a<br /><br /><i>Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! He ate the <br />Big red apple.<br /><br />He spit the seeds.<br />Phut!<br />Phut!<br />Phut!<br />The seeds fell to the ground.<br />Phit!<br />Phit!<br />Phit!</i><br /><br />A tree grew and it too was full of big red apples. <br /><br /><br /><b>The Illustrations</b><br /><br />The wonderful illustrations look as if they are cross stitched pictures. They have a quilted look and also a 3-D effect that makes them really come to life.<br /><br />The colors are vibrant and each page stands on its own for its beauty and colorful way it shows the activity of the page.<br /><br />The text is a very large black font that is placed on a light colored background on each page, making it easy to see and easy for beginning readers to learn<br /><br /><br /><b>My Feelings</b><br /><br />I love the simplicity of this story and yet it also helps children learn about nature and the natural progression of life. The tree growing fruit, the fruit feeding a worm, the worm feeding a bird, the apple feeding a boy who spits the seeds and another apple tree grows.<br /><br />Even if the written words were not included in this book it would be a book that children would look at for its wonderful illustrations. The colors are great and the way they look so life like make them take on a meaning all their own. Each page is filled with what looks like a patch work quilt with great attention being paid to detail. No page is overpowering with detail, there is just enough to hold a child or adults attention.<br /><br />The text size is also a bonus about this book. It is great for beginning readers and even includes a page about how to help your child use this book to begin to read. It includes hints for before, during and after reading. Things like encouraging your child to use phonics, providing the word when a child has difficulty and encouraging your child to read with expression.<br /><br />My daycare children seemed to really take to this book and asked for it over and over. Sammi paid particular attention to the illustrations and loved just sitting and looking at each page very carefully. They all kept saying that the worm was a snake, so perhaps he should have been drawn a little more wormlike, not a con but rather just an observation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Nuts & Bolts<br /><br />Big Red Apple</b> was written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Judith Hoffman Corwin. <br /><br />This Scholastic Hello Reader Level One was published in September of 1999 and has 32 pages.<br /><br />This is an excellent book for 3 to 7 year olds and is great for beginning readers.<br /><br />ISBN: 0-439-09860-2<br /><br /> <br /> <b>Recommended:</b><br /> Yes </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-66458047454451477612009-08-20T17:21:00.003-05:002009-08-20T17:25:22.199-05:00What a Parent Should ExpectI include the following in my enrollment packet, along with its counter part, What Your Provider Expects (which I will post in my next post). I dont' remember where I came across it, but I found it years ago when I was first starting my day care.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">What a Parent Should Expect</span><br /><br />When your child is cared for by a family child care provider in her home , you should be able to expect certain things. <p style="font-family: arial;">1. Open communication. Providers should give you frequent and full updates on your child's progress and problems. They should welcome your questions and ask you questions about how they can help your child. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">2. Open access to their home or center. Parents should be welcome to drop in any time. Providers should also allow parents to make a reasonable number of phone calls to check on their children's well being, in case of illness or if there's a special concern such as separation anxiety. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">3. Safety for your child. Providers should take all possible precautions to keep children safe. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">4. Honesty and confidence. Providers shouldn't make commitments that they can't or don't intend to keep. They shouldn't cover up problems or accidents that occur. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">5. Acceptance of parent's wishes. Providers should abide by parent's wishes on matters such as discipline, TV watching and toilet training. If providers feel that they can't abide by parent's wishes, they need to tell parents before agreeing to care for the children and parents should look for other care. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">6. Advance notice of any changes. Since it is often very difficult to find adequate care, providers should tell parents well in advance if they are going to change their hours or if they are going to stop or limit the time of caring for a child. Parents need adequate time if a provider is no longer going to care for a child. Parents should be given at least two weeks notice even if the provider won't be available for just one day, unless there is a personal emergency. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">7. No interference in the child's family or family problems. Providers shouldn't talk to children about their family's problems, lifestyle or values. Likewise, the provider should be careful not to take sides in any family disputes, such as, custody battles. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">8. No advice offered unless asked for and no judging of parenting practices. Providers shouldn't criticize or advise parents on child rearing unless their advice is asked for by parents. If the provider sees something that is seriously wrong with how parents are raising their children, such as abuse or signs of neglect, they should discuss the problem with the parents and, if needed, contact legal authorities. </p><p style="font-family: arial;">9. Assurance that everyone in contact with the child is trustworthy and supervised. Providers must be responsible for everyone who enters & visits the home. </p><span style="font-family: arial;">10. No surprises. This means that your family day care provider won't suddenly tell you that she is taking a job next week. Surprises are probably what parents fear most from their child care providers (and vice versa).</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-75763026511050326812009-08-11T05:58:00.002-05:002009-08-11T06:04:03.569-05:00Library Day - The Fall of Freddie the Leaf Book ReviewThank you to <span class="rkr"></span><a href="http://www.epinions.com/user-kamel622">kamel622</a> for the weekly book reviews! Kamel is a top reviewer at <a href="http://epinions.com">epinions.com</a> and has reviewed a wide variety of books, food, hotels, services and many many more items!<br /><br /><h1 class="title" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><b>The Fall of Freddie the Leaf</b>...it really is <b>A Story of Life for All Ages</b></h1><br />Product Rating: <img src="http://img.epinions.com/images/epi_images/e3/5_big_stars.gif" alt="Product Rating: 5.0" border="0" height="15" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="83" /><br /><span class="rkr"><b>Pros: </b>Wonderful photos, Tender Message, Easy to read.<br /></span><span class="rkr"><b>Cons: </b>~~~~~<br /></span><span class="rkr"><b>The Bottom Line: </b>This is a wonderfully warm and loving story about the purpose of life, and the delicate balance between life and death.<br /><br /></span><span class="lkb">kamel622's Full Review:<br /><br /></span><span class="rkr">Not too long ago I read a wonderful review by <b>Lark729_89</b> on a great book by Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D. called <b>the Fall of Freddie the Leaf- A Story of Life for All Ages</b>. I immediately put a hold on it at our interlibrary and was surprised that they notified me very shortly after that the book was in and being held for me.<br />I want to thank Carol so much for introducing it to me, through her great Epinion.<br /><br />I wasn't sure if our daycare children would sit and listen to this book, and seeing how long of a story it is I thought that it may be a bit much for them. Funny thing is, my daughter (Chalathra on Epinions) quickly became excited when I asked who wanted to hear this book...and ran to the couch to sit next to me and listen. Hey, they are never too old to be read to. :)<br /><br /><br /><b>The Story</b><br /><br />It starts out simply enough, we are introduced to the main 'character' Freddie, the leaf. The story starts out telling us how Freddie had first appeared in the Spring as a small sprout on a large branch near the top of a tree.<br /><br />He was surrounded by other leaves just like himself, but quickly realized that no two leaves were the same. He had friends around him that he grew up with, Alfred, Ben and Clare all loved to bask lazily in the summer sun and wash off in the cool rain. They had all learned to dance in Spring breeze together too.<br /><br />His best friend was Daniel. Daniel was the biggest and wisest leaf, knowing that they were all a part of a tree and that they were in a Public Park and that the strong roots were growing under the ground. He explained about the sun, the moon, the stars, the birds and the seasons.<br /><br />Daniel explained to Freddie that giving shade was a part of his purpose. Freddie had a hard time understanding what a purpose was.<br /><br /><i>"A reason for being," Daniel had answered. "To make things more pleasant for others is a reason for being. To make shade for old people who come to escape the heat in their homes is a reason for being. To provide a cool place for children to come and play. To fan with our leaves the picnickers who come to eat on checkered tablecloths. These are all reasons for being."</i><br /><br />Very quickly Summer passed, and suddenly the October nights were so cold. Daniel again explained what was happening and that soon it would be Winter. Suddenly all of the leaves turned into a blaze of color. Freddie didn't understand this either until Daniel explained to him that all of the leaves had different experiences and faced the sun differently and cast shadows differently and so having different colors was the most natural thing in the world.<br /><br />The cold winds that blew were tearing leaves off of the branches and tossed softly to the ground. All of the leaves became frightened but Daniel explained that this was very natural too. That in the Fall leaves change their home. That some people call it <i>to die.</i><br /><br />Daniel went on to explain that although they did not know where they would go when they died and everyone fears what they don't know but he also encouraged Freddie and the other leaves that Life is stronger then them and even the tree. He explained that Life continues on and even though they will all fall they have brought joy to others and had a purpose.<br /><br />As the leaves all kept falling Daniel finally let go and fell too, until Freddie was alone on the tree.<br /><br /><b>*Spoiler coming stop here if you don't want to hear the ending*</b><br /><br />The following morning, the first snow fell and a dawn wind took Freddie from his branch. He floated gently downward and saw for the first time the whole tree. He landed in a clump of snow and was the most comfortable he had ever been. He slept, not knowing that as the snow melted his brittle dried self would join with the water to make the tree stronger and that already there were plans for new leaves in the Spring. <i><b>The Beginning.</b></i> <br /><br /><br /><b>The Illustrations</b><br /><br />This book does not have drawings, but rather actual photographs of trees and leaves and all of the color of Fall. These photos are exceptional and really add to this story.<br /><br />The last page shows a blue sky and a bare tree with a lone bird in it with the words <i>The Beginning.</i> written in bottom corner. This is such an awesome looking page with such a warm feeling to it. <br /><br />The text is a medium-large black font that is printed on white background only. I always appreciate that in books that I read because it makes it easier for these old eyes to read.<br /><br /><br /><b>My Feelings</b><br /><br />I was really excited about checking this book out of the library. I have long been a fan of Leo Buscaglia's and have several of his cassette tapes from years ago. I was not disappointed in any way.<br /><br />The story is such a gentle and loving one, and yet has such deep meaning that can easily help children understand about the Seasons of Life, as well as help them to understand the transition of death. I don't think that our 3 year olds totally understood this story, but I think that if this was a book that a child had on their bookshelf and had it read to them periodically the meaning would become clearer and clearer.<br /><br />I also loved that the book talked a great deal about what Freddie's purpose was. I loved that Daniel let Freddie know that he was important and that he had a real reason for being. This is a message that I feel is very important for children, and for adults as well.<br /><br />The photos in this book are excellent also. I'm sure that finding just the right shots and placing them in just the right spot was a difficult endeavor, and yet once completed give this book such a warm and endearing quality. It makes the story feel so real to see actual children underneath a tree playing.<br /><br />The children at times had a hard time sitting still for this story, so we broke it up into two different readings, but my daughter and I were so enthralled by Freddie and could hardly wait to hear the ending.<br /><br /><br /><b>Nuts & Bolts<br /><br />the Fall of Freddie the Leaf-A Story of Life for All Ages</b> is 32 wonderful pages that were written by Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D. Some of his other wonderful books include <i>Living, Loving & Learning, Love, Because I Am Human, The Way of the Bull, The Disabled and Their Parents: A Counseling Challenge and Personhood.</i> has also made many wonderfully uplifting cassette tapes and was a great inspirational speaker.<br /><br />The photographs were taken by: Anthony Frizano, Greg Ludwig, Ken Noack, Bobbie Probstein and Misty Todd-Slack.<br /><br />This book was published in 1982 by SLACK Incorporated with a jacket price of $11.95 for this hardback version. This book can also be purchased at BAMM.com for $9.56.<br /><br />The age recommendations for this book is 4-8 years old, however I feel that children as young as 3 can enjoy it, and I see no reason to eliminate anyone as too old for this simple yet poignant book.<br /><br />ISBN: 0-8050-1064-5<br /><br /> <b>Recommended:</b><br /> Yes </span><br /><br /><span class="rkr"></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tootsiebear/3564247894/" title="BlogSig by tootsiestidbits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3564247894_d17fcaa9f3_o.png" alt="BlogSig" height="100" width="200" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898931779170739084.post-48416091332932220112009-08-10T16:24:00.003-05:002009-08-10T16:28:13.228-05:00Modern Handmade Child MagazineI am so proud to be a part of this new FREE online magazine!<br /><br />Besides bringing together many many great designers of handmade items for kids, there are a bunch of really great articles and ideas. You can even sign up to receive an email whenever a new issue is published, which will be quarterly.<br /><br />Please check out the magazine and subscribe!!<br /><br />p.s. 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