Some Great Back to School Books

These are all fabulous books to help your child transition back to school. Good luck and enjoy the school year.

Wedding Invitations

It's getting close to that time.......yep, invitation choosing time.   A task that I thought would be simple is proving to be very tricky.  Our wedding is on July 23, that much I know.  We are going with a music theme, but we don't want it to be tacky or overdone.  I'm not a big fan of the theme.

My sister makes beautiful seed paper invitations that can be planted.  Eco-friendly and very cool!  But, oh so time consuming.  I've seen really cool layered invitations, but they are super expensive.  I've even seen invitations that resemble a rock concert ticket.  I would like to choose an independent artisan to make the invites or do them ourselves.

We are having our guests respond and choose their meal online which is both convenient and environmentally conscious.  All of the information is on our self-made website and can be accessed at any time.  This also eliminates the need for RSVP Cards or Save The Date Cards.  I like plain and simple.

Anyone seen anything interesting?  Thanks.

Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue

During the holidays we wanted to do something fun and relaxing with our daughters.  We decided to watch a movie and eat popcorn.  Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue is a book that we have so when it came up we decided to rent it. I was pleasantly surprised. 

One criticism I did have was that all of the fairies have a similar sexy figure and are curvy to say the least.  

On a positive note all of the fairies are of  differing ethnicity and there are even three males. Another thing that I like is the fact that the fairies are interacting with a real person in the movie,  a little girl named Lizzie.  The plot is good and the scary parts are pretty tame and quite well done.  There is no violence and all of the characters are nice people. It's a bit of a modern tale and there is a subtext of female empowerment.  A funny, fantastical, whimsical interpretation about friendship and honesty. The fairies are action heroines throughout.

I'll never forget the image of my sweet girl, dressed in her Tinkerbell pjs watching intently with giant eyes.  We watched it twice in a row!  Maybe now I'll be open to more movies for her.  Possibly even Disney.  Any suggestions?

Making Play Dough

"Play Dough" is great for kids.  My two and four year old daughter's both love it as do my Kindergarten students.  Kneading, cutting, rolling, and many of the other things that we do with play dough are excellent fine motor skills builders.  Today we made some using this recipe and I threw in a pinch of cinnamon to make it smell nice.  Turned out pretty good and we had lots.

Play Dough Recipe:

1 cup white flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoon cream of tartar (find it in the spice section)
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup water
food coloring

Mix ingredients in a pan. Add water and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 – 5 minutes. Dough forms a “clump”.  Remove from stove and knead for 5 minutes–add food coloring during kneading process. Play dough will keep for a few weeks in a  plastic sandwich bag.

Kindergarten Transition

Hi Everyone,

I hope all is well. Sorry I haven't been posting very much lately.  I've been a terrible blogger. hahaha

Recently I returned to work full time and have been working hard to integrate 39 Kindergarten children into my new classes.  A little tired to say the least.

In addition, my daughter started school and has had some transition issues.  Here are some tips to help your little boy or girl to like school.

• Remind your child that you will always come back.
• Focus on the positive. Talk openly about your child's feelings.
• Remind your child that everyone had a first day of school (ie. grandma, mom and dad).
• Make your child feel more secure. Walk or drive the bus route your child will take to school, especially in the days leading up to the first day of school.
• Security also comes from knowing what to do in different situations.  Let the child know that he/she can always talk to the teacher and help facilitate a trusting relationship.
• Establish a routine and encourage positive behaviour.
• Read books like "The Kissing Hand".

The Winners Have been Picked Rock N Learn Giveaway

Thanks everyone for entering.  The following winners have been chosen by random.org

fancygrlnancy said...

so hard to choose .. I think I would get the Colors, Shapes & Counting DVD or the letter sounds DVD
bwneyes100@hotmail.com

thesehappydays said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/thesehappydays/status/18415455648
denimc@gmail.com

Oliver's Labels

A few months ago I reviewed Oliver's Labels. They are so great and pretty cheap. I'm going to order more for L starting school and C starting day care and have a deal for you. You can get 10% discount, free shipping, and I can earn 15% commission.

Go to www.oliverslabels.com Choose your package and design. During checkout put oliversfriends in discount code for 10% off. Tell them Stacey White referred you I get 15%.