Lights! Camera! Book Fair!

That was the theme of the book fair at Harmony this year. A fun theme! Apparently our book fair is the biggest in the county & they go all out. It is fun and a great way for the school to get books for the library. On Tuesday there was a teacher breakfast & Wednesday a special guest breakfast & book preview. Brett didn't invite anyone to the special guest breakfast but Damon probably could have went. Since Brett didn't have a guest he didn't get to go to the breakfast & I didn't think it would be a big deal to skip that part, but he would have enjoyed it. It sounds like a lot of his classmates went. I thought sending napkins, cream cheese and coffee cake was plenty. Then conferences were also Wednesday and Thursday. Team Harmony always gets meal & dessert donations for the teachers to have dinner on conference nights so I sent a cake for that. Thursday night was Brett's conference. It went fairly well. Brett's doing great in school. He & one other boy in the class are strong writers. He's moved on to level 3 books with bigger words, less repetition and smaller print. The last few weeks his behavior has been changing, according to his teacher. Just silly stuff, sometimes inappropriate. Of course the teacher wants to know what's changed. Nothing here. I really think he's being exposed to new things (words) from other kids & he's trying it out! Nothing too serious, like swear words, but inappropriate talk. Brett's learning. This morning I said "Come on now, that's....." and Brett said "not appropriate? But it's funny Mom!" Well, lots of things are funny to a 6 year old. I'm not overly concerned. More concerned that the teacher is freaking out! He gets along just fine with everyone in the room. I did ask her to separate him from another kid who Brett seems to be learning a lot from & she already has been. Then we went to the book fair & family fun night. Our school does a great job with events and is always planning fun stuff. The theme was very well done. There was a bounce house, spin to win game, obstacle course, tattoos/face painting, Hollywood red carpet style photos, a baseball hitting game, and an area with concessions/movie playing. We didn't know there was going to be food so we didn't plan to eat there but should have. You could buy a whole pizza or just a slice. Next time! Donations were also accepted for the book fair so I gave a small donation in the day care's name. Scholastic matches it 150% so even a small donation adds up. Therefore we had a star with HDD DC on the "walk of fame" so that's what the Partner in Reading star is all about.

My Etsy Shop

I am trying higher prices on here - all were priced higher than mine & none were as pretty IMO! :)

Chalkboard

I found this great little chalkboard at Goodwill on Saturday! It's brand new. I love the little chalk ledge! The OT is always wanting kids to write on a vertical surface so this should please her. I have an easel but it always has to be moved so this is a nice solution. It's a good size as well - 24" x 18".

Daybook Entry #1

I came across Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook & thought I'd add this to my blog today. (I may or may not continue this.)

For today, Monday, February 23, 2009

Outside My Window...is a beautiful bright, sun shiny day! I don't mind that it's cold.

I am thinking...that I could really use a rest.

I am thankful for...people who really understand me, especially Damon. And a situation with a dcdad that is working out just fine. I'm glad he sees things my way. Or so it seems. From the kitchen...I made cinnamon coffee cake for the the book fair breakfast tomorrow at Brett's school. K's mom is dropping it off at school for me this afternoon when she takes in her orange juice. Also in the kitchen- clean dishes in the dishwasher & dirty lunch plates. I am wearing...a new Ralph Lauren denim skirt I found at Goodwill on Saturday.

I am hoping...Brett doesn't get whatever fever-runny nose-cough virus is currently going around.

I am praying for...one small part is a right spirit in all things.

Around the house... are lots of things to be done but none of it's terribly urgent. Things are good.

I am creating....many things in my head! I'm working on my 5 homemade things for friends. I am going...to a massage tonight! It was a spur of the moment call to schedule one & I got in with my regular therapist. I have one next week too, but oh well, the last few days have been enough stress for a month! I feel like I need a real break. I am reading...other people's blogs mostly. I am hearing...kids happily playing. Soon it will be nap time. Then I will probably hear a round of non-stop coughing. Around the house...are many little piles of things that need to be taken care of. I'm a piler-upper. One of my favorite things....no plans on a week night! A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Tues: Brett's book fair starts. I better go before there's no selection. Wed: study nearby with 2 chapters since it was snowing & icy last week. Thurs: Early release for Brett. He will be home for lunch. Conference with Brett's teacher at 5:15 p.m. & family fun night at Brett's school. The biggest book fair in Rock Co. continues. Fri - Sun: No plans (this means I will be working on tax paperwork)

We are also following Amy's week #1 menu this week. I printed the shopping list & bought everything we needed on Saturday so we're all set. It was easy & we're looking forward to the meals!

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing: We will soon have warm sunny days again & we'll plant a garden.

Together We Grew

Maybe you've seen this, maybe not- Julie & I started another blog, that we're calling Together We Grew, about twin related things, just for fun. There's not much there yet but we'll add things when there's time & inspiration!

Brett on Friday

Friday Brett dressed himself & came out with his hat on. He was proud of himself for matching everything up. He's such a little poser! Speaking of getting dressed, we're looking forward to using these: Days of the week tags (I laminated mine.) Usually he picks out acceptable sets but there are things he's not wearing that I would like him to before he outgrows it. I plan to have him help me pick out the outfits so he doesn't have a fit about everything I choose. Just one more way to organize - really I have bigger things to organize but this one was quick & easy - and fun!

Clips

Yesterday Brett filled this container at Staples with all different kinds of clips for his teacher to use at her desk. I thought it was just begging for a label on top! I've always wanted to buy some of these - they have bins where you can pick out whatever kinds of paperclips you want & fill the container for $5.99. Fun! I'm sending this with a note to hopefully smooth things over...I'm not usually the oversensitive unreasonable parent but yep, it happens.

Fruits & Veggies

Speedy loves his fruits & veggies!

Dental Activities

We're squeezing in a little dental theme this month. Our main theme is space/moon/stars/planets. Yesterday we painted this smile page with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Then we sprinkled it with white glitter. The kids loved this! Here's the template I made: Sparkle!

We also talked about what makes us smile & took pictures of our cute smiles. Moms & Dads always love these "writing" activities. Here's the Smile Picture template. Brett wanted to do this one too. His says "Looking up cheetahs on YouTube makes me smile." He's all about cheetahs this week because they're fast.

Today we're going to floss. This is usually a new concept since they're so young but they like it! Last year we made homemade toothpaste. Ours didn't taste very good!

Other resources:

• Here's a tooth pattern from childcareland.com
• This is how we brush our teeth song & patterns
• Tooth lacing card pattern
• Lots of great stuff here: http://healthyteeth.org/ We're going to check out the "A visit to the dentist" today.

Yesterday we did this activity. Happy tooth, sad tooth. The kids get confused between whether or not something tastes good & if it's really healthy! I don't have a template for this one but you can cut out two of the patterns above & add happy/sad faces. I used Word to insert clipart into a document and printed out pictures of different foods. You could use the ones I made below. Last year when we did this activity, I gave B the soda picture. I asked him "what is this?" He doesn't have pop at home so he said "beer"! Mom must not have outlawed that one at home yet!

Here's a worksheet templates for a follow up activity.

We read Just Going to the Dentist, Hippos Tooth Surprise, and Clifford's Loose Tooth.

Some More

These are fun!

Hand Sanitizer Spiffed Up

When I saw this idea, I had to do one! I was in the Dollar Tree store last night so I picked up a new bottle & put this together in about 5 minutes. Peeled off the labels, cut a piece of paper, glued it on with a glue stick, added foamie stickers (also from the Dollar Tree) & topped it off with ribbon & a little label ring & yarn. As you can see, there's so many directions you could go in decorating the bottle.

I'm hoping maybe the parents will use it as they come in the door & the kids can start using it more often too. Great for a teacher gift idea! Not because they *need* more sanitizer (because in our school every kid donates two bottles) but because who wouldn't want a *cute* sanitizer bottle?? I think I'll go back in tonight & get a couple more to have on hand.

100 Straws

Tonight I helped Brett with his homework for this week. He was to make a poster with 100 things grouped in sets of 10 for the 100 days of school celebration. I saw these straws in the drawer the other day & when I saw the blue posterboard, it just came into my mind that we could put them together for a colorful project. Amazingly, Brett didn't fight me on the idea, only on the fact that we were supposed to group them into 10's. Sure enough, after I reread the sheet, I saw he was right! We decided to bend the ends of the straws up so it was easier to see that there's actually 10 there. Easy & fun!

Hugs & Kisses

The picture that went inside the Valentines we mailed out.

Dinosaur Museum

Saturday we went to the Burpee Museum in Rockford to see the dinosaur display. There's also a lot of natural history displays. Brett loved it! We all learned a lot & enjoyed it.

Valentine's Dinner

We had a very nice dinner on Friday night for Valentine's Day. This was my "gift" to Damon. It was fun! Damon's Mom & Dad were able to come earlier than usual & had dinner with us! Everything turned out very nice (after I dropped the dressing bottle, broke it & had to make some more.) A lot of time was spent planning & making this over 2 days (desserts on Thurs, the rest on Fri) and I came down with a cold so I was pretty tired out but it all came together nicely, just the way I wanted. My house was even clean! Again, we had the strawberry pretzel salad , veggie pizza , Baked potstickers with Asian Dipping Sauce, salad & celebration punch with strawberry heart shaped ice cubes!

My Valentine

from Damon

Homemade Granola

I've been wanting to make some for a while & finally did this week. It turned out good! I like to have it with plain yogurt & this time was with blueberries & banana. Hopefully I can find someone to take some off my hands or I'll be eating this stuff forever! I basically used the recipe below but used regular oil & no orange flavoring since I didn't have any. Mine has walnuts. Also mine is minus the sesame seeds since I didn't have or buy any. The house smell so good while it's baking!

Cranberry Orange Granola

1 cup sesame oil

1/4 cup honey

1/4 - 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp almond extract

1 tsp orange extract

8 ounces dried cranberries - orange flavored

5 cups rolled oats

3 cups bran cereal

2 cups chopped nuts ( walnuts, peanuts, pecans)

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

3/4 cup sesame seeds

5 1/2 tsp powdered milk

3 tbsp orange peel (dried)

Combine dry ingredients (except for cranberries) in a large bowl and mix well. Combine wet ingredients (oil, honey, vanilla, etc) in a small bowl. Pour wet stuff slowly over the dry stuff and mix well.Spoon ingredients into a large cake pan and bake for approximately 60 minutes at 300° F, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from pan, return to bowl, and mix in the dried cranberries. Allow to cool. Keep in an airtight container. Refrigerated will last for a good long while.

More Treats

I've been wanting to try these recipes so this is what I did last night. The truffles are *yummy* (Damon & I both like chocolate/raspberry together) but I didn't try the brownie balls. Damon confirmed they are worth making. He said they're a hit at work too. Thankfully we have company (Damon's Mom & Dad) coming this weekend to help us eat all these treats! I made strawberry pretzel salad & veggie pizza for tonight. Also on the menu: Baked potstickers with Asian Dipping Sauce, salad & punch.

Brownie Balls

Bake up a batch of brownies. When they are cool, smash them up, leaving out the crispy edges. Mix in 1/3 can chocolate frosting (about 1/2 cup) and then roll into one inch balls. Dip in melted chocolate (white or dark) and place on waxed paper. Sprinkle with colored sugar, decorator sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips. Also try peanut butter instead of frosting.

Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

1 1/3 cups + 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 2 TBL heavy cream

1 TBL butter

2 TBL seedless raspberry jam

Confectioners' sugar to taste

Combine 1 1/3 cups of the chocolate chips w/the cream & butter in the top of a double boiler. Cook over hot water until smooth, stirring constantly. Stir in the jam. Allow the mixture to cool, then freeze, covered w/plastic wrap for 20 minutes. Shape into balls. Place on a cookie sheet. Freeze until firm. Melt the remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in a double boiler over hot water, stirring occasionally. Using a wooden pick, dip the candy balls 1 at a time into the chocolate. Place on a cookie sheet. Chill until set. Dust w/confectioners' sugar.

Valentine Treats

Yesterday the kids & I decorated heart shaped sugar cookies. (Don't ask for the recipe - it's called UBake located down on Milton Ave.) We did 6 dozen & most of them went home with the kids or with Damon to work.

Dressing up is so much fun

That clown wig is something else!!

Puppy Love

This is very simple. We just colored & used valentine stamps on the puppy copy. (from The Mailbox magazine) Then cut around it (I did for the little ones) and glued it on the red paper with "puppy love".

Purr-fect Valentine

These were so fun & quick! Very cute too. Sometimes I just have to make the project too & this was one of them.

Valentine Art

We painted these hearts last week (I saved cereal boxes & used them for the heart shapes) & finished them up this week by adding stickers, foamie hearts, "lace" pieces, tissue hearts, and glitter. I found the yarn at Hobby Lobby. It's great for all kinds of crafts. We like these collage type projects!

Some of the things I hear

• "I voted for Obama too!" - 2 1/2 yr old day care girl
• "Oh no! K's head fell off!" - they meant K's PUPPET head fell off. I was concerned there for a minute.
• "No, you're the dead brother!" 5 yr old to the 3 yr old while playing house. I wonder exactly what he was supposed to do??
• "Once upon a time, I was walking through an imaginary jungle, and two mean lions..." - 3 yr old girl during lunch. She tells it almost every day.

There's more I'm sure but I can't think of any now. This week I began to feel that some of these kids talk entirely way too much! I love it though when they make me laugh right out loud. Like the time one of the girls said their mom does the chicken dance in the shower. But that's an old one.

My Current Desktop Background

I downloaded it for free from: Shabby Princess's Blog. Then added Brett's picture of course. I'm well on my way to owning everything she sells!! It's definitely my favorite scrapbooking site.

Orange Julius

The kids loved this for snack this morning. It's been a while since I made it - so long that the kids don't remember! I posted it on the food blog as well so you might see it there.

Brett's Valentines

Lifesaver rolls (the ones I got on clearance for 6 rolls/.44!)

"Savin all my love for you!"

Beep Meep Boop

means I

AUTOMATICALLY

like you

VALENTINE!

He just needs to write his name on the back of the cards & add some stickers. I made these with the digital scrapbooking set Beep Boop from Sweet Shoppe Designs. He now has 22 in his class. A new boy starts tomorrow.

Valentine Bag

This was Brett's homework - to make a bag for his valentines.