tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18598748197507061042024-03-12T17:02:32.363-07:00Mom, are you watching me?Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.comBlogger700125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-39158624816500765312019-08-21T09:51:00.001-07:002019-08-21T09:51:30.899-07:00My BTS Prep a.k.a. PTO Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spork went back to school last Thursday, and I was grateful to have the kids in Farm Camp the week prior, so I could go into the school and beautify the bulletin boards. Thankful that a staff member pulled Pinterest ideas for me, so the mental load was minimal; all I had to do was execute the plans! I learned how to use the die cut machine for the letters, and Tater helped one day too.</div>
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Thanks to my preschool teaching experience, I already knew how to make a butcher paper tree. This tree will receive a handprint leaf from each student at the school! <br />
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Next up - Boo Hoo/Yahoo bags to welcome incoming Kindergarten parents. Kisses, tissues for tears, and a brilliant welcome note that our secretary made up! I handed some out at our Sneak Peek the night before and will give out the rest at Back to School Night on Sept 5.</div>
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So then after the Sneak Peek, I got permission to chalk the walk. Our PTO secretary again lent/donated some chalk (she's an angel), and I decorated both entrances for the car riders in the front and bus riders in the back. </div>
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We've got a really good feeling about this year!</div>
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-69181610516099441462019-07-29T15:38:00.002-07:002019-07-29T15:38:50.126-07:00Spork's Odd Squad Party<b>Invitation:</b><br />
Manila Folders from Dollar Tree<br />
I made our own invitations with manila folders. I downloaded the Odd Squad seal and badge and put them in a Google doc with the wording: <br />
Calling all Odd Squad Agents! Your secret mission, should you choose to accept it...<br />
Come celebrate Agent Spork's 8th birthday! Report on (date) to Headquarters (address)<br />
RSVP to HQ by (date) (contact info)<br />
Hubby printed them on a color printer, and I attached them to the folders with paper clips. I put Agent First Name on the tabs with blue Sharpie and glued a Odd Squad seal on the front. These were hand-delivered - don't they look like official dossiers?<br />
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<b>Thank You Notes:</b><br />
I always make Thank You notes when I make the invitation. I used the gold cards in the pack of Spritz cards I bought from Target years ago and just glued on the seals.<br />
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<b>Outfits for Party</b><br />
I printed out these <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2392606032317237/?lp=true" target="_blank">ID badges</a> and photos of the kids, then placed them in these <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018348A3I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">lanyard holders</a>.<br />
My mom sewed red neckties out of wide ribbon and went above and beyond to make breakaway elastic bands. I printed out the Odd Squad Badges (not the seals) on yellow paper and laminated them, then stuck them to the kids with masking tape.<br />
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I ordered this adorable shirt for Spork from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Cornflower-Tortilla-255907865065511/" target="_blank">The Cornflower Tortilla</a>! TCF is one of my friends, and we've been working together to cross promote our art businesses. She is super talented and can make any tee you can imagine!<br />
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Tater momentarily dressed as Ms. O and was so cute I almost couldn't take it. She couldn't either - she ditched the uniform in favor of shorts and a tee so she could get in on the action.</div>
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<b>Favors:</b><br />
Top Secret label - free printable <a href="https://www.coolest-free-printables.com/2013/02/03/printable-top-secret-signs/">here</a><br />
Clasp Envelopes from Dollar Tree<br />
Mustaches from Dollar Tree<br />
Mini Legal Pads from Dollar Tree<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HVRWMP8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3GXTQQIYFAW4P&psc=1">Spy Pens from Amazon</a> - wow, these are a hit and probably going to be Valentine swag in our family too.<br />
<a href="https://pbskids.org/video/">Centigurp</a><br />
2 Dove dark chocolates in purple foil wrappers purchased from Easter clearance. They looked like centigurps too! I am purposefully stingy with goody bag candy as a gift to the parents of our guests.<br />
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<b>Activities</b><br />
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Laser Maze! The Nugget used painter's tape to attach red yarn to the hallway walls. It was a great way to welcome our guests, and apparently I didn't get a photo!<br />
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Agent Boot Camp! Agent Boot Camp we set up an obstacle course in the backyard, and the Nugget went above and beyond and hand-drew a course map, then ran a copy for each agent!<br />
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Catch the Centigurps - we made yarn pom poms before the party, and the Nugget hid them in the yard.<br />
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Spork helped make a centigurp and trimmed it so carefully and repeatedly that it eventually collapsed into nothing but yarn bits. Process art at its finest!<br />
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<a href="https://pbskids.org/learn/pdf/oddsquad_coldest_cases.pdf">Crack Ms O's Coldest Cases</a> - I just read these out loud, and these little mathematicians solved them in no time!<br />
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Make your own Gadget - we set out duct tape, masking tape, hot glue, random recyclables, scissors, and paper. This was such a hit and supports my hidden agenda of bringing a bit of Reggio-inspired playtime into every party.<br />
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<b>The Food</b><br />
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I made ransom-note-type signs by cutting individual letters out of a few coupon mailers and glueing them on white card stock, then matting them on blue construction paper. We also served Take and Bake Aldi pizzas and cheesy bread, lemonade, and juice. <br />
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Popcorn - in waxed paper bags with the seal - "Pop Secret"</div>
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"Hot on the Trail" Mix, fortune cookies "Undercover Messages", and grapes and blueberries "Warning! Explosives!"</div>
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Bottled waters with the seal and strip of leftover blue paper from another project. Kids' parties are great stash busters for your crafting supplies!</div>
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My talented friend made this gorgeous and tasty cake and even used our plant-based food colors. To make serving easier, we offered a choice of a frozen fruit bar or an ice cream bar in lieu of scooping ice cream.<br />
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It was a super fun theme, and I'm so glad we got to do it!</div>
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-74523038315278663642019-06-14T18:12:00.000-07:002019-06-14T18:12:10.823-07:00Launching Feltie Addiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t1Iw6YLe7swTpEGaHkdxZiJZFj-dlw9wU4xEI9CD_Z9ppdiDZrMkx8xRCwC1i5xdxLqMnqtAcYM5YZPZYvm70ZqIj9a1qUpXMpIV35xMDLWPw06En8U9zeCL3D838lFIBxGfmSdMvyI/s1600/fullsizeoutput_25d4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t1Iw6YLe7swTpEGaHkdxZiJZFj-dlw9wU4xEI9CD_Z9ppdiDZrMkx8xRCwC1i5xdxLqMnqtAcYM5YZPZYvm70ZqIj9a1qUpXMpIV35xMDLWPw06En8U9zeCL3D838lFIBxGfmSdMvyI/s320/fullsizeoutput_25d4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'd like to introduce you to my pet project, <a href="http://facebook.com/cutenessfordays" target="_blank">Feltie Addiction</a>! This year, I gave up my teaching job and while I was sad to leave the sweet school, it was definitely the right choice for the family. I was able to spend many hours volunteering in Spork's first grade class, ran the PTO, made many phone calls to the transportation department about bus issues, was able to stay informed and advocate on school-related issues, shuttle the kids to therapy and specialists, make phone calls and fill out paperwork for their IEPs and ISPs, mentor other parents, etc.<br />
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However, I really missed working and earning money and felt a wee bit aimless. My friend LL gifted me a little workbook with prompts and goal-setting pages, and I realized that I wanted to pursue art. I've dabbled all my life, and it brings me so much joy. I randomly settled on sensory bins, embroidery, and felt, reasoning that the materials were so inexpensive and I already owned a fair chunk of supplies needed, so it would not be a big investment if it flopped. I dipped my toe in the water and made a few things and posted them on Facebook. A month later, I realized I already had a modest profit and that this could really work! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsFuofusRsR1YSQf49M8zPYkNOiDwWzZN2_7k7vfkarBkjec4bZ0qy8pvPSxVEinwaXGrvr-UAm8NWWFsO09ga1WfuIZEEInpB8P7iU8t_PhFTzzVN6XQpThyphenhyphenw0NCKQm-L2MgQNY6GyI/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsFuofusRsR1YSQf49M8zPYkNOiDwWzZN2_7k7vfkarBkjec4bZ0qy8pvPSxVEinwaXGrvr-UAm8NWWFsO09ga1WfuIZEEInpB8P7iU8t_PhFTzzVN6XQpThyphenhyphenw0NCKQm-L2MgQNY6GyI/s320/IMG_1518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So far the bulk of my sales have been locals, and I'm thankful that my Felties and edgy embroideries are addicting, so I get a lot of repeat customers. I also take on custom work. I've done 4 art shows, and have 3 more booked during the summer. I've earned enough profit to send Tater to a private summer reading tutoring program. I can take my materials almost anywhere and work during therapies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSedmI1wrPcR2t1olWoHNXynr0IZJtNf0B0b6yni7nDu2ErVdq2_RCE_2iKu8mM4tiET4S26yLa0VeaUchUdtS-OzATbzuh4HRVuNGCFZOOJfK39vtQcVE6gIoWn2A7mD7lh1x0PI5XA/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSedmI1wrPcR2t1olWoHNXynr0IZJtNf0B0b6yni7nDu2ErVdq2_RCE_2iKu8mM4tiET4S26yLa0VeaUchUdtS-OzATbzuh4HRVuNGCFZOOJfK39vtQcVE6gIoWn2A7mD7lh1x0PI5XA/s320/IMG_1507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But mostly, I'm delighted that working with bright colors and creating things to cheer others is exactly what I need for my own mental health. My winter blues were basically cured this year, and it was a nasty winter with Polar Vortex and so many snow days! My art makes people laugh, and that makes me so happy. Anyway, go check out my site! Be warned, profanity abounds...but in a good way.Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-71160212283794344122019-05-15T19:01:00.002-07:002019-05-15T19:01:56.605-07:00Ugh, May!!!! First World Problems!<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="3f6jj" data-offset-key="ehruo-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">
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First of all, I know most of this is self-imposed. I had to go and lead PTO, and I made this bed. And I'm very aware that my children are lucky to have all these opportunities, and that I could choose to opt out of their extracurriculars. Still, May is the culmination of everything for school children, and when you have 3 of them, this is what happens. And the family still wants dinner. Every. Night.</div>
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Someday when the kids are out of the house, I'm told I'll look back on this time with fondness. Screw that, the way I don't long for sleepless baby nights, I will <u>never</u> long for elementary school Mays!</div>
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<span data-offset-key="4h3n-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">3 theatre performances for the Nugget</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4us0l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">1 concert performance for the Nugget</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4n6p5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">gifts for choir directors</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d5q57-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">1 school dance for the Nugget and Tater</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c854n-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">2 box office shifts</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9o30h-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">baked potato bar for Teacher Appreciation Week (affectionately nicknamed TAW in my house)</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="58o60-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">coffee cart for TAW</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4fnb3-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">room service deliveries for TAW</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5rs2u-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Wonka bar raffle for TAW</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="45jp4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">5 days of snacks for TAW</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="45jp4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">2 shifts at The Brain Lair Bookstore</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="45jp4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Mother's Day gifts for moms and birthmoms</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="156ns-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Girls on the Run volunteer shift</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bek5l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">2 day swim meet for Spork</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="a6bi9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">personal gifts for teachers</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9r75l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">gifts to CCD teachers</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9r75l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">flyers printed and distributed for concession stands</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="evu0c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">2 concession stands for instrumental concerts</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="57i21-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">1 concert performance for Spork</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="epsv5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">1 parent showcase for my art class</span></div>
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2 field trip permission slips signed and money turned in</div>
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1 Leonardo daVinci costume rented and returned from the local costume shop for the Nugget's oral report.</div>
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1 day of Bike to School week for the Nugget and Tater</div>
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2 track meets (Hubby coaching and home late)</div>
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<span data-offset-key="3rvhl-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Still to go...before the month is out...</b></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="addqp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">PTO shopping for teacher wish lists</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="addqp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">locating outstanding raffle winners and delivering prizes</span></div>
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Making stress balls at The Brain Lair Bookstore</div>
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Making play dough with kindergartners</div>
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<span data-offset-key="9ut5o-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Hosting a dinner for Hubby's colleague?! Ack, the horror! Clean the house, tame the children, and cook on a school night?! </span></div>
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"Mom, what are we doing for Memorial Day weekend?" (I got for a belated hibernation.)</div>
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<span data-offset-key="9ut5o-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">1 therapy appointment completely forgotten.</span></div>
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1 crockpot dinner thought out, but then I realized our crockpots were at one of the schools in preparation for the baked potato bar! Hahhahahaha! </div>
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4 overdue Leonardo daVinci books</div>
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Are the hermit crabs still alive? I'm afraid to check.</div>
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Laundry mountain may take over the house.</div>
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Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-69866690680252958392019-01-24T18:07:00.002-08:002019-01-24T18:07:33.400-08:00Tater's Valentines 2019I tried to talk Tater into stainless steel straws for her first Valentine's Day at the crunchy-hippie Montessori school. Not surprisingly, she wasn't buying into mom's hype, so we went to the teacher supply store, where she settled on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ENDLESS-POSSIBILITIES-BOINKS-TEACHER-PACK/dp/B00LMVCDB0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1548381246&sr=8-2&keywords=teacher+pack+boinks">Boinks</a>. Boinks are a family favorite sensory fidget toy. You can squish them or launch them, and they don't hurt. They also double as cat toys.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D63YEXLH8PmHKoByoDgJli8Gm7_2mnhsFZQOitQNBzFyOi1gVP6TPoO3w_wLy6EqWF1ySE2Q1dP4QzxwwKvF_PtXDLbqES9K9YuN1tCvar3rcEValivJ8KeQPSetjd28vcmvoXn5550/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D63YEXLH8PmHKoByoDgJli8Gm7_2mnhsFZQOitQNBzFyOi1gVP6TPoO3w_wLy6EqWF1ySE2Q1dP4QzxwwKvF_PtXDLbqES9K9YuN1tCvar3rcEValivJ8KeQPSetjd28vcmvoXn5550/s320/IMG_0775.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Using Google Docs, I quickly printed up "My heart goes BOINK over you, friend!" on quarter sheets of white card stock. I secured each Boink with some cute washi tape (that I got on the post-VDay clearance last year of course). I'll let Tater sign her name in pink or red pen or marker, whatever her heart desires.<br />
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Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-83416768602381193222019-01-18T11:30:00.000-08:002019-01-18T11:30:15.758-08:00Sponsored Book Review: Mama, Mama, Do You Know What I Like?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tSA7KdzNMIT6zskJqCFQ2uCXaCWHCfSn7uhPF2NtKZjKh6xg-OeUyxY-4jQ-pKCgxvVlm9D5i04w7htXdtKI2ePw2DFvVfXXrz5fIbQl3YqJ3T7CQpMMuBzXLVrWrjGaBBxiV0U_Dzg/s1600/Unknown-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tSA7KdzNMIT6zskJqCFQ2uCXaCWHCfSn7uhPF2NtKZjKh6xg-OeUyxY-4jQ-pKCgxvVlm9D5i04w7htXdtKI2ePw2DFvVfXXrz5fIbQl3YqJ3T7CQpMMuBzXLVrWrjGaBBxiV0U_Dzg/s1600/Unknown-7.jpeg" /></a></div>
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I was gifted this sweet storybook by the author, Justine Villanueva. I'm always looking for books featuring children of color as protagonists, and my favorite ones are those that aren't necessarily focused on overcoming racism (though those are certainly necessary and relevant), but just feature children having their own adventures. I feel that is often more empowering to young readers of color and eye-opening to Caucasian readers too! I'm honored to be taking part in Multicultural Children's Book Day this year (see more information below).</div>
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This book has the added bonus of including Bisaya and Filipino translations. The charming Charlie, so wonderfully depicted by the illustrator, tells his mama about his most favorite things in the whole world. Some of the pictures are realistic, while others give us a window into young Charlie's imagination. The story is sequenced in the order of a child's routine. It is notable that the mom in the story is Filipino and the dad is Caucasian. My children really enjoy seeing a family "like ours" in which the parents are of different races.</div>
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I'd really encourage anyone seeking diversity on the bookshelf to grab a copy of this book.</div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547925127350000&usg=AFQjCNEUv9w3Xe_a4SDmTeqWSol9h6ci_g" href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Multicultural Children’s Book Day</a> 2019 (1/25/19) is in its 6<sup>th</sup> year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jumpintoabook.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547925127350000&usg=AFQjCNEI7FJtQHoqe_ASc2UGtDWXrYAbeQ" href="http://www.jumpintoabook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jump Into A Book</a> and Mia Wenjen from <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.pragmaticmom.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547925127350000&usg=AFQjCNEbZY4L4T508vP5m28WqvW_8IKMPw" href="http://www.pragmaticmom.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">PragmaticMom</a><em>.</em> Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators. </div>
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We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive <strong>CoHost Team</strong> who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/co-hosts/&source=gmail&ust=1547925127350000&usg=AFQjCNGB34gq9MHYIT3lv4Uzq1wsUqk-Lw" href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/co-hosts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>multiculturalchildrensbookday.<wbr></wbr>com/about/co-hosts/</a></div>
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<strong><u>TWITTER PARTY Sponsored by </u></strong><strong>Make A Way Media: MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual @McChildsBookDay Twitter Party will be held 1/27/19 at 9:00pm. E.S.T.</strong></div>
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Join the conversation and win one of 12 five book bundles and one Grand Prize Book Bundle (12 books) that will be given away at the party! We will be giving away a prize every 5 minutes!</div>
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FREE RESOURCES from MCBD</div>
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<strong>Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: </strong> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wp.me/P5tVud-1H&source=gmail&ust=1547925127350000&usg=AFQjCNEMvRBhwpkbCWU6pI4Br4f330j2sw" href="https://wp.me/P5tVud-1H" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://wp.me/<wbr></wbr>P5tVud-1H</a></div>
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<strong>Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/&source=gmail&ust=1547925127350000&usg=AFQjCNFROHIcUzTgFcM94o8TUa5mUFxsPA" href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>multiculturalchildrensbookday.<wbr></wbr>com/teacher-classroom-empathy-<wbr></wbr>kit/</a></div>
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<strong><u>Hashtag:</u></strong> Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag <strong>#ReadYourWorld</strong>.</div>
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Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-34943833761972895742018-12-27T21:05:00.003-08:002018-12-27T21:05:40.178-08:00After School Art - Exploring Sculpture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wrapped up another series of After School Arts at Spork's school! We are definitely experiencing growing pains at the school for sure, but Spork loves his teacher, and After School Arts is always a bright spot in my week!</div>
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This fall, I offered Exploring Sculpture. This class was named for me as well as my students, because I'm not an experienced sculptor by any means, but I do love the art form. I took a few pottery classes as a child and didn't produce anything outstanding, but the process was always contemplative and full of promise. I taught two different groups of children the same class each week. My Tuesday group was shortchanged a bit due to a snow day and school scheduling, but I had a blast with both groups.</div>
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Week 1: We made our own play dough and worked with clay. I chose to leave the dough uncolored and unscented this time, so as to focus on the sculpting aspect, but I'm doing Sensory Fun next, and we'll get color crazy then, I'm sure.</div>
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I provided a different set of loose parts for both materials (pipe cleaners, google eyes, straws, and buttons for the dough; floss, hammers, credit cards, and bamboo skewers for the clay) and asked the children to compare and contrast the experience of working with play dough vs. clay. I'm on Team Clay, but the answers varied.<br />
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Week 2: We worked with popsicle sticks, hot glue, and watercolors. Thanks to Montessori and Reggio, I am a firm believer that you can teach young children (my age group for ASA is K-2nd grade) to use real tools, so I set about teaching them hot glue safety instead of doing it for them, and of course we used cool temp glue guns to minimize risk. Aren't their designs lovely? Some wanted their sculptures to hang, so we added a loop of colored wire as they wished.<br />
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Week 3: Paper Sculpting was inspired by <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172403491961340027/?lp=true">this fabulous techniques chart </a>I saw on Pinterest. I recreated one and went through it step by step with the children. Their biggest thrill was getting to use staplers, though I might do tape for this age group next time since their hands are not quite large enough for stapler success. I set out pastels too, and they were able to hot glue their finished shapes to large pieces of donated mat board.<br />
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Week 4: Inspired by <a href="https://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=13423934&exhibit=397266&gallery=y">this art project</a>, I prepared a sample and had the young sculptors try this more elaborate technique. They bent wire and hot glued it into the foam block. I helped them stretch pantyhose over the wire and secured it with more hot glue. I couldn't really get a good photo since my hands were busy, but then oh how they did love painting the prepared piece! Some artists applied many, many coats of paint. The paint helps to stiffen the sculpture, and truly, each one was so unique.</div>
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Next, I gave more pieces of colored, coated wire to the children with beads and lumps of leftover clay. One of my great thrills is to have a child who looks at me mournfully on Day 1 and asks what they should make, but then blossoms into a confident artist with vision and/or curiosity enough to jump into their own designs without asking my permission or approval. I had many such moments that week.<br />
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Week 5: I kicked off the last week by reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Oops-Barney-Saltzberg/dp/076115728X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545972840&sr=8-1&keywords=beautiful+oops">Beautiful Oops!</a> This book inspires resilience and bravery in our young artists. I'd been intrigued by a large collection of bike tires stashed in the art room, and my boss gave me the go ahead to use them up, please! I admitted to the children that I'd never attempted a tire sculpture before, so we'd learn together! First, children arranged the tires into a shape they liked, and the adults (I had parents come for our showcase that day, so there were extra helping hands) helped the children wire them together. Next, we offered paint, and finally, I wired all the individual pieces together, asking the artists to make recommendations on the points of connection. This was a bit of a physics lesson too, as they discovered through trial and error, how we had to place the wires to make the tires stand or tilt, or lie flat.<br />
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I don't like to give explicit instructions on color mixing, because it is much more fun to let the children make their own discoveries and share knowledge. "What is your recipe for that teal!?" "Look, I made peach!!" I do prompt grumpy painters who wish we had a bottle of orange paint, "Hmm, we don't have ready-made orange, but how could you mix paint to create orange?"<br />
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Our finished masterpiece! I may be a little biased, but I think it's gorgeous.<br />
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I'm finding that teaching art is incredibly life-giving to me. It's an amazing opportunity to share...not my talent nor my skill, but my passion for creation and assurance that individual expression matters. Our works are different and valuable, as are we. And I'm remembering that I need to set aside my own time to create; just as an athlete needs to exercise, I need to make. For so long, I convinced myself that because I didn't enter the work force in the art field nor did I earn an art degree, that I wasn't really an artist. Art was something I used to do when I was younger. I was wrong, and I feel so much better when I invest some time and energy into art every week. So although this may have started out as a volunteer gig, a way to give back to the community, this program has really helped me live a better life. </div>
Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-87651955084485168012018-12-27T20:15:00.002-08:002019-01-08T11:00:02.007-08:00Sponsored Book Review: Alex Asks About Auntie's Airplane Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEiTC9aLP-UXz8XJviM5sKWmLwqL5vrGorR0-4EioaL1qM1jwirMTQ5VgYoGfvMG1zaytlJzDo8Jxsg3H7Kvgxj1XemQx9RYEcB940QxhdUoGLCEGoicU0NpT1dkBu36JpdVOPV3UvSk/s1600/Unknown-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEiTC9aLP-UXz8XJviM5sKWmLwqL5vrGorR0-4EioaL1qM1jwirMTQ5VgYoGfvMG1zaytlJzDo8Jxsg3H7Kvgxj1XemQx9RYEcB940QxhdUoGLCEGoicU0NpT1dkBu36JpdVOPV3UvSk/s1600/Unknown-5.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Recently, I was invited to review a "diversity" book for children. You know how I love exploring and introducing diversity through picture books, so I jumped at the chance and checked all the boxes that applied to our family. I was provided with this little easy reader by Carolyn Wilhelm about celebrating an Adoption Day.<br />
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The first thing that jumped out at me is that 4 pages out of the 27 were focused on Aunt Betsy's adoption. They were great pages with age-appropriate information about adoption and cultural differences. I wished that "put up for adoption" was tweaked to the more positive language, and we personally feel that "Gotcha Day" is insensitive, though I know many other families do celebrate it, and I liked how the family in the book called it "Airplane Day", in remembrance of Betsy's travel on an airplane to come join their family. My main beef is that the majority of the plot focused around a flat tire on the protagonist's way to the Adoption Day party, and I was hoping that it was foreshadowing something or would somehow be related to the story, but it just wasn't.<br />
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Now, from a different perspective, my 11yo son, the Nugget, thought the book was fantastic. He liked the thrill of the flat tire story and appreciated reading about how my adoption was similar to Aunt Betsy's vs. his domestic open adoption. It sparked some good adoption conversation. He also liked the photo of Betsy and Carolyn on the last page.<br />
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You can find Alex Asks About Auntie's Airplane Day <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alex-Asks-About-Aunties-Airplane/dp/0999776614/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545969877&sr=8-1&keywords=Alex+asks+about+auntie%27s+airplane+day">here</a>. <br />
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I have a signed copy of this book for the first commenter!<br />
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNH8QITf2nHf0Q2lh61mQ6V6gahFjw" href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Multicultural Children’s Book Day</a> 2019 (1/25/19) is in its 6<sup>th</sup> year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jumpintoabook.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNFNxUKn6L7E8LYmtnuC3Wzyy2nhEQ" href="http://www.jumpintoabook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jump Into A Book</a> and Mia Wenjen from <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.pragmaticmom.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNFSOllgrQY23DKqlgVgYOfcpVtnlg" href="http://www.pragmaticmom.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">PragmaticMom</a><em>.</em> Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">MCBD 2019 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board!</span></h1>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">*View our 2019 Medallion Sponsors here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wp.me/P5tVud-&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNHBGF0hLnVsGfooYzaD1vE_b2ln1g" href="https://wp.me/P5tVud-" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://wp.me/P5tVud-</a><br />*View our 2019 MCBD Author Sponsors here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wp.me/P5tVud-2eN&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNHPb5jXEj491VpdhugtYNobH8WOSg" href="https://wp.me/P5tVud-2eN" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://wp.me/P5tVud-2eN</a></span><br />
<strong><u>Medallion Level Sponsors</u></strong><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Honorary: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.cbcbooks.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNGeL1ihYF5MEhyIU9T-hcgII2AlZw" href="http://www.cbcbooks.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Children’s Book Council</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNFpAsQkmqthEbD6HkhAgy57dNnqHQ" href="https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Junior Library Guild</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theconsciouskid.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNGQW7KNH7CFpKraX3tTds3FfIGVmQ" href="https://www.theconsciouskid.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>TheConsciousKid.org</strong></a>.</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Super Platinum: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://makeawaymedia.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNHAjB8GM9EaoIU_EaWIGuCBnhz8-g" href="https://makeawaymedia.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Make A Way Media</a></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">GOLD: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.bharatbabies.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNFp-AxipKC9CB2lI5BflpdtwV1lAg" href="http://www.bharatbabies.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Bharat Babies</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.candlewick.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNG_pbeNnTfdGd8qhoncP5T9i48GYQ" href="http://www.candlewick.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Candlewick Press</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.chickasawpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNFouPHxPCkQaA63fs5BIQ240nfYQw" href="http://www.chickasawpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Chickasaw Press</a>, Juan Guerra and <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://med.two22.co/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNHGlhAink1K2EvgQ2Qv6Ab0QwXizw" href="http://med.two22.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Little Doctor / El doctorcito</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://kidlit.tv/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNHstAOhBKZBM_L9qk8h9PWYS16erg" href="https://kidlit.tv/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">KidLitTV</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lernerbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730437000&usg=AFQjCNF0eGWtXyR3FG2oFLIU6LnjG8IHjQ" href="https://lernerbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lerner Publishing Group</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://plumstreetpressbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNEhgpdpHIYtvoyZjFQnWVQwlJVSiQ" href="http://plumstreetpressbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Plum Street Press</a>,</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">SILVER: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.capstonepub.com/library/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNFYBq0MvlivWQfXa5lg90H3L9kehw" href="http://www.capstonepub.com/library/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Capstone Publishing</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.caroleproman.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNHnE1kPUGHJo7dtP7vB2PGwyz2prw" href="http://www.caroleproman.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Carole P. Roman</a><strong>, </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://charlotteriggle.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNEEz3QokYnGPcM1dGZS6FjKbZ0IQQ" href="http://charlotteriggle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Charlotte Riggle</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.culturelinksllc.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNED_aPEW9o8gQjPVr34LZtRWgQSkQ" href="https://www.culturelinksllc.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Huda Essa</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://packngogirls.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNFw4Uby4yYvU23OFGB3ApIL2KGgOQ" href="http://packngogirls.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Pack-n-Go Girls</a>,</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">BRONZE: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.charlesbridge.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNExUJRccrDVt4OZ0KcyHKdQGnkSaA" href="https://www.charlesbridge.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Charlesbridge Publishing</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://judydodgecummings.com/books/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNFSGMw7D5BlMHgh7lgQ3xyZmKT_Ag" href="https://judydodgecummings.com/books/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Judy Dodge Cummings</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.gwenjacksonstories.com/about-the-book.html&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNG6jSNTLwBCtLwtPLjAk0q0p2rQ8w" href="http://www.gwenjacksonstories.com/about-the-book.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Gwen Jackson</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://kitaabworld.com/pages/our-books&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNGkey16cOI-v5rKs0iQe5-WK1raeg" href="https://kitaabworld.com/pages/our-books" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Kitaab World</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.languagelizard.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNEWHrjv00wRjAutr2ZMLvPeYy_E0g" href="https://www.languagelizard.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Language Lizard – Bilingual & Multicultural Resources in 50+ Languages</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.leeandlow.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNGbhIKUa2tc5ZXbO6F1vP-t7faq3A" href="https://www.leeandlow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lee & Low Books</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://mirandapaul.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNHYnKbGvfaUq-0Omc2E4zqRsfmeBA" href="http://mirandapaul.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Miranda Paul</a><strong> and </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://baptistepaul.net/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNED_u_WMD1cet3BTjGyGd25mKZVeQ" href="http://baptistepaul.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Baptiste Paul</a><strong>,</strong> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.redfin.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNHJoZNYQc7EeFpx15D3wJcPXrXgWg" href="https://www.redfin.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Redfin</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://gaylehswift.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNFXe4Imi-yNCjij56Tu14HA37cjHQ" href="http://gaylehswift.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Gayle H. Swift</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.themonkeykingsdaughter.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNGcXDL9E8lkUTqfKC1U3Gw0gDzeqA" href="http://www.themonkeykingsdaughter.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">T.A. Debonis-Monkey King’s Daughter</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://timtimtom.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNG3YGHdArqpgwBjvNMNGQi4Zfk4uQ" href="https://timtimtom.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">TimTimTom Books</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://linthomas.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNHJv4WtmceGBjHtbokXsXvYTxI4ag" href="http://linthomas.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lin Thomas</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://sleepingbearpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNEmp88SvwfcagiqoAXDcNSCwd1vPA" href="https://sleepingbearpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Sleeping Bear Press</a>/<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.artbydow.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNGZXiFVMcwElcDXvY-hH1lXx1qMBg" href="http://www.artbydow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dow Phumiruk</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://viviankirkfield.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNFpR46bRwO8l9iHfIg_g1FkwK6K4g" href="https://viviankirkfield.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Vivian Kirkfield</a>,</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><u>MCBD 2019 is honored to have the following</u> <u>Author Sponsors on board</u></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Honorary: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.julieflett.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNGbzM9ZndQgb0Ra8vAAV7ZKkWWHBw" href="https://www.julieflett.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Julie Flett</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.myart2c.com/portfolio&source=gmail&ust=1547059730438000&usg=AFQjCNHBkGW-wPz3IrdhsouqSFzp6rs7eQ" href="https://www.myart2c.com/portfolio" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mehrdokht Amini</a>,</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://janetballetta.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNGWbxCLIC8igIfo8wpJlC6YawpiUg" href="http://janetballetta.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Janet Balletta</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kathleenburkinshaw.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNGoe3F1l7biNwdDusRA63zCB4Oatw" href="http://kathleenburkinshaw.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Kathleen Burkinshaw</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNGBNlVZqByXj3xqGkkb2Fm1Rja29Q" href="https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Josh Funk</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.chitrasoundar.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNEmSZ6lK09sPt2CgX4iJWYZEkNqRQ" href="http://www.chitrasoundar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Chitra Soundar</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://oneglobekids.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNH8wTj-gnFi60XClVolxiHL3JbK1g" href="https://oneglobekids.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">One Globe Kids – Friendship Stories</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sociosights.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNFZ6IkbS4W2gDvnRqZaqplb6c84Xw" href="http://www.sociosights.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Sociosights Press and Almost a Minyan</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://handsaroundthelibrary.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNH1OJYgOimm78H2IcWixFLAA7hQxg" href="https://handsaroundthelibrary.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Karen Leggett</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://eugeniachu.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNFYXOV8VUSWUtamDtxsRvvQTwth6w" href="http://eugeniachu.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Eugenia Chu</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.culturegroove.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNHOkqeJdaNiKgJqqpWs2UjWigLW5Q" href="http://www.culturegroove.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">CultureGroove Books</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://meonthepage.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNHKLyrmpwI2Sfdx_dLna7rjWDwJzA" href="https://meonthepage.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Phelicia Lang and Me On The Page</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.elvesupnorth.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNGQZWzBomHn-U90omJa9SdcSuvbVA" href="https://www.elvesupnorth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">L.L. Walters</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sarahjamilastevenson.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNHPxvIfFs547a33lK0CGLEgW536yg" href="http://www.sarahjamilastevenson.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Sarah Stevenson</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://pinkpearlwriting.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNEiF9JDvF89wbYnU9wNCBbJHQV3EQ" href="http://pinkpearlwriting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hayleybarrett.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNH5wBFDAtLYCEGyHwNfmJeleqMfnA" href="http://hayleybarrett.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hayley Barrett</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.soniapanigrahy.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNEnmN2cbOnrFzaouyb9NVCEwLprMg" href="http://www.soniapanigrahy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Sonia Panigrah</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thewiseowlfactory.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNFMo3QHC0_XQWlo_A7gC5tdFS9g5g" href="https://www.thewiseowlfactory.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Author Carolyn Wilhelm,</strong></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.alvasachs.com/books.html&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNH8o79qdUMZ_BOvepfx9Y9EKkFukg" href="https://www.alvasachs.com/books.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Alva Sachs and Dancing Dreidels</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sunkissesmoonhugs.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNGwPBZlaj84TS_IZmr1Tukhv-0DgA" href="http://www.sunkissesmoonhugs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Susan Bernardo</a>, <strong>Milind Makwana and</strong><strong> </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Day-Life-Hindu-Kid-activity/dp/151156802X&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNFOd3aII_95AtA2uimVWL5pA_Msug" href="https://www.amazon.com/Day-Life-Hindu-Kid-activity/dp/151156802X" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Day in the Life of a Hindu Kid</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.angelfriends.net/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNGLgcFd5crlr-WlIwtewFhA1TUnQg" href="http://www.angelfriends.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Tara Williams</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.applevillebooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNF5ICixm6Sbt2MbR1Lsz5KyGJFhcw" href="http://www.applevillebooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Veronica Appleton</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Doc-Like-Mommy-Crystal-Bowe-ebook/dp/B07491MYJV/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1515521655%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3DCrystal%2BBowe&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNHia-1oC5AQWQvnykO9kzV0hGvFTw" href="https://www.amazon.com/Doc-Like-Mommy-Crystal-Bowe-ebook/dp/B07491MYJV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515521655&sr=8-1&keywords=Crystal+Bowe" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Crystal Bowe</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://claudiamay.org.uk/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNFq-CnIrDKvS292a7943sH7Kw8gvA" href="http://claudiamay.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dr. Claudia May</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.aramkim.com/Books&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNErvxB-9nK6mLTFCA_EyGTyBGr2Xg" href="http://www.aramkim.com/Books" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Author/Illustrator Aram Kim</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://sandralrichards.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNGj7sUJRCyiyYKbF_dh_2Kzgs8VBw" href="http://sandralrichards.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Sandra L. Richards</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.erindealey.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNHcHu-7-7Be9I7sGFYTVT13NNY9lw" href="https://www.erindealey.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Erin Dealey</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://facebook.com/memorizethe5&source=gmail&ust=1547059730439000&usg=AFQjCNFioZaoIG5Z1I9EUCSGF8UJTEHnzA" href="https://facebook.com/memorizethe5" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Sanya Whittaker Gragg</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://elsatakaoka.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNFI7uExTgqsSU-D3iklAi-s4t_HYg" href="http://elsatakaoka.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Elsa Takaoka</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.estbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNGyYODHHoNkxLyYkWOMwl_J3ydq7g" href="http://www.estbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.littleprincessrani.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNFjW3njKM6iqVpUsXE1lyts0hyNpA" href="http://www.littleprincessrani.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Anita Badhwar</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.enjoyingplanetearth.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNE-8yL4u-dqL_NwPaqIflVLw7kf3w" href="http://www.enjoyingplanetearth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Sylvia Liu</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.feyifay.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNFNFASH02kZj28TbfIBJb6bx5NeiQ" href="http://www.feyifay.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Feyi Fay Adventures</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.authorannmorris.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNHIBdFTdy-KT6i809zYW8r2W0LhCQ" href="http://www.authorannmorris.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Author Ann Morris</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jacquelinejules.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNGXeld6m1hmYLX-Nl4bK4paXqfdEg" href="http://www.jacquelinejules.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Author Jacqueline Jules</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ceceandroxybooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNE_J6YPW-v-nIxy4JvtQnNIMbjQiw" href="http://www.ceceandroxybooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">CeCe & Roxy Books</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sandraneilwallace.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNHmthlkHuZgvGovk56Khcd3W5Y9LA" href="https://www.sandraneilwallace.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://theauthorvillage.com/presenters/leuyen-pham/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNHmQZ4qVXuxwPcziYs3XyY9Q_kSbA" href="https://theauthorvillage.com/presenters/leuyen-pham/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">LEUYEN PHAM</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.padmavenkatraman.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNF_KI9xVT4gNXHZkqsRkR8hSod72Q" href="http://www.padmavenkatraman.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Padma Venkatraman</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lightswitchlearning.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNHIztIwXhGTeGJ-U2viubp97ic9Ww" href="https://lightswitchlearning.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Patricia Newman and <strong>Lightswitch Learning</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.shoumisen.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNGZBzhHOg57SvJZQEJJQ9B6nl_lsQ" href="http://www.shoumisen.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Shoumi Sen</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.vwilliamssanchez.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNE4g-ehnW1R69PcwamimbhhiTTUNg" href="http://www.vwilliamssanchez.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing,</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tracisorell.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNGil8C-TufXk9SC2Ral0ZxL7eVGkQ" href="https://www.tracisorell.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Traci Sorell</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://readandglowbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNEf_U8THH-3nntKMgpIS6P9nR9Q0Q" href="https://readandglowbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Shereen Rahming</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/outofthepocket/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNHcvfGzu1ymXJn-Ox6y7QgBCU1ezQ" href="https://www.facebook.com/outofthepocket/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Blythe Stanfel</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.christinamatula.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNGTDWYapYVxruaiQr_AD3bbY3rIbA" href="http://www.christinamatula.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Christina Matula</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.julierubini.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNFRUVrR_nbGh4H8SfZO0ZLmI_15VQ" href="http://www.julierubini.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Julie Rubini</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://paulachasebooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNHQpoePfXcTIsegj_rF5j9DsmcIgg" href="http://paulachasebooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Paula Chase</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.erinedu.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNEI3Cjq-L3gow4dHjv7G4_OBApEjw" href="http://www.erinedu.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Erin Twamley</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.afsanehmoradian.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNGyqPZHbK-gEtYQzmGPshOCc2uLBw" href="http://www.afsanehmoradian.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Afsaneh Moradian</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.autismkidsbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNHTYF2U6BdcgtsKVXhyUb6fe7siOw" href="http://www.autismkidsbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lori DeMonia</a>, Claudia Schwam, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.realgirlsrevolution.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNGiO5IStmTMeA42jVL0nkujpO0k6w" href="https://www.realgirlsrevolution.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Terri Birnbaum/ RealGirls Revolution</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://soulfulsydney.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730440000&usg=AFQjCNEaWfIftrhA7P7XnYfpJwiJJQ5i9A" href="http://soulfulsydney.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Soulful Sydney</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.queengirlspublications.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNEj_BApMiUmR4-hrxxhkqRrgTM9pQ" href="https://www.queengirlspublications.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Queen Girls Publications, LLC</a></span></h2>
We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/co-hosts/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNFk4G5bFPZVyWVmI7x63fLlNMS-qg" href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/co-hosts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<strong>Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts</strong><br />
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://acraftyarab.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNEbAekWdIunDav6eUlcZV1QjRe50w" href="http://acraftyarab.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Crafty Arab</a><strong>, </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://agatharodi.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNGs2ef9m3s3oxpuKY5eRmhrt5kmfQ" href="https://agatharodi.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Agatha Rodi Books</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://alldonemonkey.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNG0Vv_oNOiOb3d22VaGm0Ny4dsz2g" href="http://alldonemonkey.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>All Done Monkey</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thebarefootmommy.com/2017/09/diverse-childrens-books/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNGMa8QY0ZpdR5Z4ZVwPQKl7GGeGuQ" href="http://www.thebarefootmommy.com/2017/09/diverse-childrens-books/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Barefoot Mommy</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.biracialbookworms.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNEE9NiTlTmmG9_bkmURpmTVSs2Tkg" href="http://www.biracialbookworms.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Biracial Bookworms</a><strong>,</strong> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://booksmykidsread.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNG48cD0K1XydElsf2CaRm6RBxKTWw" href="https://booksmykidsread.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Books My Kids Read, <u>Crafty Moms Share</u><strong>, </strong><u>Colours of Us</u><strong>, </strong><u>Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes</u>, <strong>Descendant of Poseidon Reads</strong>, <strong>Educators Spin on it</strong>, </a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://growingbookbybook.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNEc3uX3yUk-5m94DQ5dNSbiN6u1fg" href="http://growingbookbybook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Growing Book by Book</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hereweeread.com/abou&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNHGsk0UIxb_sL3gdVwNq0Ch8-42BA" href="http://hereweeread.com/abou" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Here Wee Read,</strong></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://joysunbear.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNG3vBxfzj1OHS8x29tAak8TIY7UEw" href="http://joysunbear.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Joy Sun Bear/ Shearin Lee</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jumpintoabook.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNFFfPDa_1wUeSUoSfe-DTizut37_Q" href="http://www.jumpintoabook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jump Into a Book</a><strong>, </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://imaginationsoup.net/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNHg_jijXFSxsOA2yWPFD-qxteYK8w" href="http://imaginationsoup.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Imagination Soup,</strong></a><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/MissJennysClassroom/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNExAu5kO2aCa2HjspMwYuRjSAoARg" href="https://www.facebook.com/MissJennysClassroom/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jenny Ward’s Class</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kidworldcitizen.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNHEYTVpwF8gn-ySfd7Kn4fHXzNZcQ" href="http://kidworldcitizen.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Kid World Citizen</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kristisbooknook.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNEL2avsbsE6ffagK2vj0rXJciTOmg" href="http://kristisbooknook.blogspot.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Kristi’s Book Nook</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thelogonauts.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNFso55DomsjNlIaW7sK_DAw13pFVA" href="http://www.thelogonauts.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Logonauts</a><strong>, </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://mamasmiles.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNFAwNJsW8dWUlgjSop8vauLhRrAaA" href="http://mamasmiles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Mama Smiles</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.misspandachinese.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNGycviphG0B1330hAhfF1JCk0gm-g" href="http://www.misspandachinese.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Miss Panda Chinese</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNFbMTvCHogsb0vRL7FLQicc6Zsb-g" href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Multicultural Kid Blogs</a><strong>, </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.raceconscious.org/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNFSQUKsHnhB4VxxjWYwj0fo5tj9lw" href="http://www.raceconscious.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Raising Race Conscious Children</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.shoumisen.com/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNEkfs5SctuzL8ae2RkQcRAtOxLK8w" href="http://www.shoumisen.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Shoumi Sen</strong></a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.spanishplayground.net/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNHBWunw9WzxeJTkz2yzNPdg6NfHjA" href="http://www.spanishplayground.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><strong>Spanish Playground</strong></a><br />
<strong>TWITTER PARTY Sponsored by Make A Way Media</strong>: MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual @McChildsBookDay Twitter Party will be held 1/25/19 at 9:00pm.E.S.T. TONS of prizes and book bundles will be given away during the party ( a prize every 5 minutes!). GO <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wp.me/p5tVud-2Df&source=gmail&ust=1547059730441000&usg=AFQjCNFMWTyMaTLxOUrkU3foUNkbrO9_2A" href="https://wp.me/p5tVud-2Df" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more details.<br />
<strong><u>FREE RESOURCES From MCBD</u></strong><br />
Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.ly/1kGZrta&source=gmail&ust=1547059730442000&usg=AFQjCNFNOjaqING24bKPzkmupS7XGRZQgQ" href="http://bit.ly/1kGZrta" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1kGZrta</a><br />
Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/&source=gmail&ust=1547059730442000&usg=AFQjCNE-BxRY2vERYjOKFPYHYZQh3_n2hg" href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>multiculturalchildrensbookday.<wbr></wbr>com/teacher-classroom-empathy-<wbr></wbr>kit/</a><br />
<strong><u>Hashtag:</u></strong> Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag <strong>#ReadYourWorld</strong>.<br />
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Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-1569697749874082462018-12-08T20:15:00.003-08:002018-12-08T20:15:56.489-08:00Early December, in pictures<br />
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-40679828948649258112018-12-08T20:02:00.001-08:002018-12-08T20:02:50.577-08:00Tater's Princess PartyPrincesses aren't really my cup of tea, but Tater will not be persuaded from what she wants. Still, I was able to avoid the licensed disposable tableware!<br />
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<a href="https://www.paperlesspost.com/cards?q=princess&card=16753">Invitation</a> by Paperless Post.<br />
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Royal purple tablecloths and flatware from Dollar Tree.<br />
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Gold plates and snack cups from Target.<br />
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Glitter cups from Target.<br />
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<a href="https://www.papermart.com/clear-cut-crystal-diamond/id=53352">Clear acrylic "diamonds"</a> from Papermart. Originally purchased for <a href="https://momareyouwatchingme.blogspot.com/2015/12/taters-dance-party.html">Tater's Dance Party</a> 3 years ago. These could also be used for pirate party, hmmm....<br />
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<b>Menu:</b><br />
SkinnyPop in the gold snack cups<br />
Strawberries - Tater's favorite fruit. In a crystal dish (I use our wedding crystal gifts as much as possible) on a Dollar Tree mirror.<br />
Rapunzel's Braids - borrowed from <a href="http://what-do-i-know-of-holy.blogspot.com/2012/04/ellies-rapunzel-4th-birthday-party.html">this blog</a><br />
Melted Olafs - borrowed from <a href="https://hubpages.com/holidays/Disneys-Frozen-Birthday-Party-Food-Ideas">this blog</a>. Since we avoid food coloring as much as possible, I subbed out a cut dried apricot for the Mike&Ike nose. And yes, they are on a silver platter, another wedding gift that we aren't saving but putting to work!<br />
Tiana's Frogs - borrowed from <a href="https://adventuresinfamilyhood.com/celebrate-mardi-gras-with-princess-and.html">this blog</a>. Apples, green grapes, toothpicks, and chocolate chips.<br />
Chip's Chips - Tater's favorites are Fritos and plain Lay's.<br />
Princess Cookies - Oreos, dipped in melted white chocolate chips, <a href="https://momareyouwatchingme.blogspot.com/2015/12/taters-dance-party.html">dyed with natural food colors</a>, and pink sugar. I left the sugar off of a couple for Spork.<br />
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<b>Princess Party Bag favors</b><br />
3packs of purple paper gift bags and double faced satin ribbon for the bows - Dollar Tree<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fun-Express-Apple-Shaped-Stress-Toys/dp/B0072511CW/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1542936175&sr=8-4&keywords=stress+ball+apples">Snow White's Apples</a> - stress balls from Amazon<br />
Jasmine's beads: elastic cord from Dollar Tree, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Violet-Multicolor-Plastic-Pony-Beads/dp/B01N4GE2SD/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542936076&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=purple+pony+beads&psc=1">beads from Amazon</a>. BTW, the number of pony beads needed to do a large 7yo's (Spork as model) bracelet is 26. Extras will go to Tater's hair styling stash.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rhode-Island-Novelty-Plastic-Jumping/dp/B003FQ222K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1542936102&sr=8-4&keywords=jumping+frogs">Tiana's Frogs</a> - Amazon. Extras will be donated to Spork's school.<br />
Elsa's Snow - marshmallow snowflakes from Home Goods. <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/snowflake-marshmallows/s142435?localedetail=US&a=1552&campaignid=1599155209&adgroupid=62107575244&targetid=pla-297457916836&pla_sku=142435&pcat=HSW&ag=adult&scid=scplp142435&sc_intid=142435&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0s_9uK3p3gIVCMDICh2kCgguEAQYASABEgKq6fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">Similar ones here.</a> Extras will go towards a hot cocoa/holiday movie night I have in the works.<br />
Ring Pops - Dollar Tree<br />
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If you love party planning and love shopping at Target, here are the things you should definitely snap up when they go into Bullseye's Playground: large trays, mini cake stands, chalkboards, swizzle sticks (here, they were used for food signs), plastic scoopers, and metallic garland. I use these over and over again for nearly every party. </div>
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Things that should go in your party planning kit: tape, lighter, candles, extra favors (siblings show up sometimes), cake knife (that's what I forgot this round).</div>
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-2207587408080780182018-12-08T19:18:00.002-08:002018-12-08T19:18:42.226-08:00Tater, age 7Dear Tater,<br />
<br />
You are hilarious and determined, feisty and cuddly. Watch out, world, here you come. I know you'll be one strong grown woman, kicking ass and taking names; it's just a challenge getting you there. I beg for wisdom to help you grow without squelching what is powerful, fearless, unabashed. <br />
<br />
We discovered your neurodiversity this year - the dyslexia that alters the way you see the world. You have to work twice as hard, and you are already compensating by using the context and pictures in a book. The creativity that comes with dyslexia has been obvious for some time now. Vision therapy has taken over our schedule and pushed you past your bedtime every Monday. You are almost finished, and now your eyes track so much better, and your letters line up neatly on the page. I really think it's going to be a gift...the creativity and drive you have will certainly lead to big things.<br />
<br />
How much you have grown this year. No longer are you crying before school drop-off, but you dress on your own, help yourself to breakfast, and get back in the car with a self-satisfied smirk and the declaration that, "Today was AWESOME." <br />
<br />
You always want beads in your hair, and I'm happy to oblige after many years of you trying to slap away the comb. Your front teeth are finally in, and what a dazzling smile you have. You are constantly in motion.<br />
<br />
At your birthday celebration, your friends' compliments included,<br />
"You are a hard worker. You don't give up when you make a mistake, you keep going until you get it right."<br />
"You always stand up for others."<br />
"You are a kind friend."<br />
<br />
You're a spark plug, and you're going to light up so many hearts in this world.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mama<br />
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<br />
Tater pulled out a Bible and flipped through looking for illustrations. In Isaiah, an angel was "purging sins with a burning ember," and Tater declared, "That angel isn't giving them personal space."<br />
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Tater on gun control:<br />
"People should just not have guns. I'd like there to be no more guns allowed in North America. I'll take away all the guns, no the bullets, and throw them in the trash. If people try to buy more, the stores will all be closed. TOO BAD! 'Cuz you shouldn't shoot people, it's not really nice." <br />
<br />
Tater's future career: coroner<br />
T: I don't want to go to college, it sounds boring.<br />
M: Oh no, college is so much fun. You can choose what you study. <br />
T: I want to learn how the body works!<br />
M: Yes, you can learn that in college. Then after that, you can go to med school. In med school, they'll even let you dissect a dead body.<br />
T: A real one?! Where do they get it?<br />
M: It's donated - from a person who died and said it was ok for med students to use after they were dead.<br />
T: WOW!<br />
M: Actually, if you really enjoy working with cadavers, you could be a coroner and do that every day.<br />
T: Every day I could cut up dead people?! Yes! I want to be a coroner when I grow up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-71376310603720753902018-11-01T06:37:00.000-07:002018-12-10T06:42:34.336-08:00October, in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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*We did go to Thistleberry Farm per tradition, but we got totally rained out, so no pictures.Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-9056372831388891972018-10-20T20:25:00.000-07:002018-12-08T20:30:05.937-08:00Spork's Creepy Cooking Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We held a "Creepy Cooking Class" to raise money for Spork's swim team this fall. We used three recipes I'd mastered last year and prepped ingredients so it would easy for children to do. Each child made 3 ghost pretzels (we made these first so that they would be dry enough to bag up in cellophane with a baker's twine bow), a mummy dog, and 2 jack-o-lantern pizzas. We collected "registrations" through a Facebook event page and offered 3 different time slots so it wouldn't descend into chaos. </div>
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I used parchment and pencil to make sure that each child received his/her finished creation out of the oven.<br />
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-23460856703458817682018-10-01T06:39:00.002-07:002018-10-01T06:39:17.050-07:00Early Chapter BooksThis is a much-mulled over post about books. I am so excited that Tater is finally becoming a little reader. We discovered that her aversion to sitting down to read is due to dyslexia, and now that we are starting to work on early interventions, her desire to read is growing daily.<br />
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Anyway, while the Nugget pretty much skipped the early chapter book phase, I am finding that Spork and Tater very much prefer a few pictures with their reading, and I've been struggling to find books that meet both their desire for pictures and my desire for quality children's literature. Tater has the added requirement for silliness. I've put up Amazon links for all the books, but I highly recommend to use the library when you're in this phase, because tastes change and my two don't have a lot of desire to re-read chapter books yet.<br />
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<b>Spork's Picks:</b><br />
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The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mercy-Watson-Rescue-Kate-DiCamillo/dp/0763645044/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536244364&sr=1-1&keywords=mercy+watson">Mercy Watson</a> series - these silly stories about a pet pig and her misadventures will surely become classics. The characters are very colorful and easy to put to silly voices.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Bedelia-Chapter-Book-10-Book/dp/0062569813/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536244732&sr=1-1&keywords=amelia+bedelia+chapter+books">Amelia Bedelia</a> - has been revamped and rewound so that young readers are now following the stories of young Amelia who seems to be growing up in the present day. Spork struggles with being too literal at times, so he very much relates to little Amelia!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Piggle-Wiggle-Set-Books-Piggle-Wiggles/dp/0545173477/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536244867&sr=1-2&keywords=mrs+piggle+wiggle+boxed+set">Mrs. Piggle Wiggle</a> - these magical stories are hilarious and fun to read. Some of the cures are a bit shaming, so we have good conversations about the cures I would and wouldn't use on my kids! Ann M. Martin released a sequel to the series called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Missy-Piggle-Wiggle-Whatever-Cure-Martin/dp/1250129532/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536244867&sr=1-10&keywords=mrs+piggle+wiggle+boxed+set">Missy Piggle Wiggle and the Whatever Cure</a>, and I'd like to see more of these as well!<br />
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The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Three-Tales-My-Fathers-Dragon/dp/0679889116/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245179&sr=1-1&keywords=my+father%27s+dragon+trilogy">My Father's Dragon</a> trilogy - was completely new to me and incredibly enchanting! A lot of early chapter books have plots on families, friendships, and school, but this one is straight adventure that's not too frightening.<br />
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Spork was adamant that he would hate <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Robot-Peter-Brown/dp/0316381993/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245337&sr=1-1&keywords=the+wild+robot">The Wild Robot</a> but he was soon completely immersed and can't wait for me to get the next book. Peter Brown's illustrations are brilliant, and the plot about a robot stranded on an island is fascinating!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Poppers-Penguins-Richard-Atwater/dp/0316058432/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245544&sr=1-1&keywords=mr+popper%27s+penguins">Mr. Popper's Penguins</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cricket-Times-Square-Chester-Friends/dp/0312380038/ref=pd_sim_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0312380038&pd_rd_r=79389092-b1e4-11e8-b96a-75051c3f57a5&pd_rd_w=Ehg5r&pd_rd_wg=w0srB&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=EQVNVBQM2DXY09P0E901&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=EQVNVBQM2DXY09P0E901">The Cricket in Times Square</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tuckers-Countryside-Chester-Cricket-Friends/dp/1250002567/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245606&sr=1-1&keywords=chester%27s+countryside">Tucker's Countryside</a> - we are on round 3 of re-reads.<br />
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<b>Tater's Picks:</b><br />
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The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ivy-Beans-Secret-Treasure-Books/dp/0811864952/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=93F8265ETDAX5VFJW3X5">Ivy and Bean</a> series - these girls are reminiscent of Ramona, but the emphasis is on the friendship and less on family dynamics. Like Tater, these girls aren't afraid to get dirty. Annie Barrows writes beautifully about their quirky adventures.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683370856/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1">The Wellie Wishers</a> series - I was expecting to hate these, but they are sweet and well-written, with gorgeous color illustrations on most the of pages.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Mom-Me-Sophie-Kinsella/dp/1524769894/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536244430&sr=1-1&keywords=fairy+mom+and+me">Fairy Mom and Me</a> - I was fascinated to see that one of my favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella, had written a children's book. It did not disappoint and left Tater in hysterics. She is hoping for more of these to appear in the library, and I see that there is at least a second book now!<br />
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The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zoey-Sassafras-Books-1-6-Pack/dp/1943147590/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245065&sr=1-7&keywords=zoey+and+sassafras+book+set">Zoey and Sassafras</a> series - finally, an early chapter book series featuring a girl of color! Zoey has inherited her mom's ability to see and heal magical creatures with the help of her cat friend, Sassafras! <br />
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<b>My Picks:</b><br />
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Anything by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=beverly+cleary">Beverly Cleary</a> - one amazing thing about her writing is how it's so timeless. Although there are some giveaways to the era due to products and slang used, it still feels modern and relevant to today's child. All my kids have a favorite - the Nugget liked Ralph S. Mouse and his motorcycle series. Spork is partial to Henry Huggins, and of course Tater likes Ramona and her ongoing spats with Willa Jean!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-House-5-Set/dp/0060754281/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245405&sr=1-14&keywords=little+house+on+the+prairie+book+set">Little House</a> series - these are for the advanced beginner, and you may have to edit the racism and some of the scarier bits in book 2 and 5, but I think it's a rite of passage for young readers to discover with shock and awe how children lived long ago (and maybe they can be grateful they only have to sort clean laundry instead of churning butter and carrying water from the well.)<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charlottes-Web-B-White/dp/0061124958/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245473&sr=1-1&keywords=charlotte%27s+web">Charlotte's Web</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Harriet-Spy-Louise-Fitzhugh/dp/0440416795/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536245492&sr=1-1&keywords=Harriet+the+spy">Harriet the Spy</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=anna+hibiscus+series&sprefix=anna+hibi%2Caps%2C180&crid=2AYLZ65JHZTDL">Anna Hibiscus</a> - has the added benefit of cultural exposure, set in modern Africa<br />
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Finally, not a chapter book, but here is our Halloween book of the year: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Bccb-Ribbon-Picture-Awards/dp/0316187488/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538401079&sr=8-2&keywords=the+dark">The Dark</a>. Gorgeous illustrations and a whimsical story about there personified dark and Laslo's struggle to meet it.Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-80750244279128711892018-08-30T08:45:00.001-07:002018-08-30T08:45:24.820-07:00Back to School 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was an idyllic summer spent mostly poolside, but we're all happy to be back in the groove of school. Although we've managed to consolidate our brood to 2 schools, we still had three different start dates!</div>
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Spork went back first, and we all got in on the fun with a back to school ice cream social for the families. While it's bittersweet to be in the new building, we have high hopes that the new and expanded fine arts academy will be amazing despite growing pains.</div>
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Really hamming it up....</div>
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Spork had a really frightening bus snafu on the first day - the transportation department didn't get his name on the list that was sent to his teacher, but I had the bus assignment in hand and was eagerly early at his bus stop with the siblings. As expected, the bus was super late, but then Spork wasn't on it....luckily, he was safe and calm in the school office waiting for his delinquent mother to pick him up - phew! Now, the bus routine is all fixed, and he's been happily riding to and from school each day. As his stop is in view of the house, we're giving him permission to walk on his own, and he feels very proud!<br />
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Some sibling antics at the bus stop</div>
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On Spork's first day returning home, we passed out the <a href="https://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/make-a-schultute-for-your-childs-first-school-year/">schultuetes</a>! Although we're not really German at all, I love this tradition. Hubby always forgets, and has to ask and laugh about how I need to mark every occasion, but come on...Back to School is the best! I had issues getting the paper cones to stick and resorted to ugly brown duct tape, so then I had to cover them with pretty paper. I found this old map of Puget Sound we've been hoarding and used that. The kids all ripped the tissue clean off, so I'm saving the cones for next year; it'll be one less thing to prepare, if only I can find them!</div>
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The Nugget was next, a full week and a half after Spork went off to school. He'd been counting down the days! This big 5th grader prefers to ride his bike to school now.</div>
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Finally, our baby Tater went off to to 1st grade yesterday! I was a bit more melancholy about it than I'd thought I'd be. She had a wonderful first day, loves her teacher, and seems to be really happy with the Montessori method, so I'm breathing a sigh of relief that everyone seems to be where they're meant to be.</div>
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From freaky zombie eyes to sweetie pie in 2 seconds...that about sums ups her personality!</div>
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And in a surprise twist, after feeling rejuvenated and slightly dreading getting back on the treadmill of: morning rush-work-housework-pickup kids-chauffeur kids-force big kid to do homework-make dinner-put kids to bed....our preschool under-enrolled, so I am taking the semester and possibly the year off! While it feels sort of sinful to have this much "free time" with all the children in school, I'm bound and determined to enjoy it! I walked to the local Italian grocery for dinner ingredients, made a fancy salad, cleaned and organized one cluttered surface, did the laundry, and am baking some cookies...in perfect meditative silence! It will still be chaos in the afternoons, with everyone off to explore their passions (choir, tap, cross country, gymnastics, and swimming, oh my!), and now 2/3 kids will be expected to tackle homework (at least I don't expect Don Music antics out of Spork who loves worksheets with all his eager beaver heart), but the golden hours spent in solitude and productivity are going to fortify me for the coming storm. The cicadas are still buzzing, the afternoon air still feels like thick soup, but this morning was chilly, the crows are cawing, and a whiff of autumn is in the air. Happy back to school, all!</div>
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Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-41062002576923262702018-08-05T05:55:00.000-07:002018-08-05T05:55:01.444-07:004H Fair 2018<div>
We brilliantly decided to have Daddy take the afternoon off work for a fair wristband day and invited along a friend for the Nugget so we'd have a peaceful foursome instead of our usual squabbling trio...but of course it was the day it felt like 104F...yikes! </div>
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Best part of the day - finding this amazing giant moth! Well, maybe the best part for me, Hubby was slightly horrified. Worst part - witnessing a grown woman lose her lunch on the sidewalk (heat exhaustion, probably) which basically traumatized the Nugget.</div>
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A couple days later, Spork got to ride at the fair with his hippotherapy stable. If you are considering hippotherapy for any reason, DO IT! It has made such a positive change in Spork, and look how proud he is with his riding skills. There are almost always scholarships to be had since accredited <a href="https://www.pathintl.org/">PATH stables</a> draw a lot of grants and private donors. Equine therapy is OT plus behavioral therapy rolled into one. The horse is not only a motivating factor but also a controlling factor; you can't act wild around a horse, you have to listen and pay attention so you don't fall, you have to give the horse the right amount of personal space, you can grow empathy for a horse before you can for a human because the horse gives more and asks little. The horse's loud heartbeat and breath also are soothing and regulating. I can wax on about the magic of rider, horse, and volunteer, but it's science and it's magic.</div>
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-87780137628137129302018-08-05T05:39:00.003-07:002018-08-05T05:39:42.034-07:00The Nugget's S'mores Cookoff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Nugget did his first fundraiser walk this summer. He felt anxious about asking</div>
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friends and family for money, so we concocted a fun paid event to help him raise his funds. My <a href="http://kellehampton.com/">favorite blogger</a> posted about a family S'mores Off, and we were off to stock up on all types of sugar!</div>
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We set out index cards for each contestant to name the creation and list ingredients.</div>
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I used a pastry cutter to chop the s'mores into tiny pieces for sampling. We voted with stickers on the cards for a crowd favorite. I volunteered Hubby to be the judge for a judged winner as well. The prizes were a set of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marshmallow-Roasting-Extendable-PcsTelescoping-Campfire/dp/B071NP7R23/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1533472503&sr=8-8&keywords=marshmallow+roasting+sticks">marshmallow roasting sticks</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smashmallow-Snackable-Marshmallows-Cookie-Dough/dp/B07B8LBYFF/ref=pd_sim_325_11?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07B8LBYFF&pd_rd_r=1c5417ca-98ac-11e8-8a63-ad2dc5335592&pd_rd_w=UYdcS&pd_rd_wg=m2U7j&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2610440344683357453&pf_rd_r=YXZZ9TAFV0CJNX6A4HVK&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=YXZZ9TAFV0CJNX6A4HVK">gourmet marshmallows</a>.<br />
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This was so fun, and I'd totally do it again. The best part was that the Nugget raised $140 for veterans' programs!<br />
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-91564556761573950262018-08-05T05:30:00.001-07:002018-12-08T20:19:03.221-08:00Spork's Octonauts Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spork was leaning towards a birthday trip but about a month before his birthday, abruptly changed his mind and decided he'd rather celebrate with a party. We went with an <a href="http://octonauts.wikia.com/wiki/Octonauts_Wiki">Octonauts</a> theme since the Octopod was at the top of his birthday wishlist (and thanks to Toys R Us closing, actually in our budget). I've been pinning Octonauts party ideas for years, and was so thrilled to make this party come to life. I ordered a super cute Octonauts invitation through Easy, but met copyright issues at the printers's, so we went with <a href="https://www.paperlesspost.com/cards/category/kids-birthday-invitations?card=33449">this one</a> through Paperless Post. I love a paper invitation, but things to be said for going digital; I collected RSVP's way faster, and the automatic reminders were helpful!</div>
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Applesauce cup kelp cakes</div>
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The jellyfish were my favorite decorations from this party, and I can't throw them out. Anyone need a jellyfish? I cut off the bottoms of Dollar Tree paper lanterns, hot glued thin organza ribbons (cheap multipack from Tuesday Morning) to the inner cut edge. Like any preschool teacher, I keep a stash of recycled colored tissue and found coordinating colors to glue around the inner metal frame. I hung them with fishing line and painter's tape.</div>
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Paper cup anemones. Look, I made some "meh-nemones" too, haha!</div>
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Pepper, olive, and hummus octopus. Let it be said the children would not touch this!</div>
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The crabby sammies were Costco croissants, lunch meat, and cheese. I set tomato slices, lettuce, and condiments on the side so they wouldn't get soggy. The eyes are googly eyes hot glued to toothpicks.<br />
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Crepe paper leftover from last year's baby shower became sea weed for the walls. The kids actually helped me with this project!</div>
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Is it odd that I thought of this as a Montessori transfer work? I wanted to get a real fish bowl but their openings were too small to get the net (don't worry, it's a fresh one!) through the top. I settled on a clear plastic wide mouthed bowl from Dollar Tree. DT also had the fishing net decoration with their hula party stuff.</div>
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For the Gup-C, I cut a cantaloupe in half and hollowed it. I attached a quarter of the shell back on with toothpicks. I took another toothpick and hot glued cut yellow foam pieces on it to make the propellor. The periscope is a bendy straw leftover from another project, and yes, I do have straw guilt about it. But I've been religiously using my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Reusable-Drinking-Straight-1Brushes/dp/B06XZ4FVQK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1533470480&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=stainless+steel+straws&psc=1">stainless steel straws</a> for everyday, so I hope it offsets things!</div>
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I offered shell painting, the stress balls (clearly I had blocked out the chaos of the stress ball making from my ASA class; is it ironic that making stress balls stressed me out?!), and face paints as activities. I set out all the Octonauts books and toys, and those were probably the most fun for the kids anyway. Dollar Tree came through again with ocean themed plastic trays that we used to contain the activities.<br />
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The Nugget prefers to be a helper rather than a participant at his sibling's parties now, so we brainstormed ways he could help. He decide he wanted to dress as <a href="http://octonauts.wikia.com/wiki/Tunip_the_Vegimal">Tunip</a>, so he wore blue shorts, a yellow printed t-shirt turned inside out, and he hot glued green leaves on a headband. I painted his nose on request too! We decided he could make mocktails, so we went shopping for different juices and garnishes. I gave him an ice bucket, tongs, paper straws, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Party-Plastic-6-oz-Champagne-Flutes/dp/B07BKF9VJY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1533470742&sr=8-10&keywords=disposable+champagne+flutes">fancy glasses</a>, a jar of strawberry puree, paper umbrellas, a tray of garnish, and he had the time of his life. He gave each party guest 2 paper tickets upon entry, so we wouldn't over-sugar the children. We are lucky to have friends who are sibling friends, so a big sister was invited alongside her little sibs so the Nugget could have a co-bartender. </div>
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The other thing that Tunip did for us was serve as a water balloon target. After much work getting the kids to change and assemble, I made an announcement that Tunip was dirty and needed a bath, but he won't get in the bathtub, so we can wash him with water balloons! Tunip did a great waddle-run, squealed in Vegemalese, and several times laid down to let the slower runners pummel him with water balloons. I highly recommend a target if you're going to be doing water balloons with a mix of children who like to get hit and those who don't - it takes the terrifying dodgeball aspect out of the activity so everyone can feel ok about participating.</div>
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I forgot to take photos of the favors (!), but I used these <a href="http://octonauts.wikia.com/wiki/Octonauts_Wiki">gable boxes</a> and drew Peso's medical badge on them with Sharpie. I packed them with a rolled gauze bandage and bandaids, plus a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Puffer-Balls-Assorted-Sensory-Therapy/dp/B07229BW4Z/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533471619&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=puffer+ball+multipack">sea urchin</a>, a party blower, and a treat bag of gold and silver foil wrapped candies (Rolo's, chocolate coins, and Mint Patties) with a paper topper that said "Kwazii's Pirate Treasure"). </div>
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A couple weeks later, we reused our party supplies for a second round party for Spork's birth family, with a slightly different menu.</div>
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I bought this paper streamer years ago in the Dollar Spot and have been hoarding it since it's in Octonauts colors.</div>
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-25824732505309616672018-08-04T17:35:00.001-07:002018-08-04T17:35:28.533-07:00First and last days of Kindergarten These pictures make me laugh. Spork and Tater definitely grew in size and confidence this year. On to first grade!<br />
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-49760749029441008282018-08-04T17:31:00.000-07:002018-08-04T17:31:00.557-07:00Sensory FunHoly backlogged blog posts, Batman! I thought I'd have all summer to give this blog a little CPR, but I frittered the summer away at the pool. Sorry, not sorry. Without further ado, a very belated post about After School Arts!<br />
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I decided to use my passion for all things sensory to create a unique After-School Arts class: Sensory Fun. I wasn't sure if this was going to pass muster with the school, but lo and behold, it got approved! <br />
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I started the session with having the children create their own rules for the class. The last two rules were mine. We talked about the different senses, and the children were able to name most of them; impressive for K-2!<br />
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Then, I sprayed the room with lavender essential oil mist and turned on classical music. I think these elements really helped the children relax and go deeper into their work.<br />
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<b>Day 1:</b><br />
We made basic play dough. At home and school, I always use <a href="https://theimaginationtree.com/best-ever-no-cook-play-dough-recipe/">this recipe</a>, doubled. We make this recipe every month at preschool, so I have it dedicated to memory. I had the children read the recipe and go around the table, measuring and adding ingredients. Then they took a turn to stir it up while I boiled the water in a hot pot. I did the final mix, then divvied up the dough. Each child selected an essential oil (I did check our allergy list first) and a few drops of food coloring. I set out play dough tools and toothpicks and just allowed them to experience the joy of warm play dough. While they did that, I whipped up a batch of cinnamon play dough for them to take home. We bagged up both kinds in separate Ziploc bags for them.<br />
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We also got to make slime. We started with clear glue, added liquid starch, food colors, and glitter.<br />
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<b>Day 2:</b><br />
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We did spice painting! First, we passed the spices around and smelled them. Next, we decided which spice should go with which paint color and mixed them up. Finally we painted with them!<br />
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Next, we did homemade silly putty with cornstarch and dish soap. I sent home the slime and silly putty in <a href="https://www.ruralking.com/mini-cups-50-ct-2-oz">these small plastic containers </a>- it's easier to get the stickier stuff out of the tubs than a Ziploc bag. Finally, we did some free time play with shaving cream straight on the tables. Shaving cream is very easy to clean up - simply rub it into the table until it dissolves then disappears - no water, soap, or spray necessary.</div>
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<b>Day 3:</b><br />
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Cornstarch + shaving cream = cloud dough. This dough is a love it or hate it proposition - it is puffy, squishy, and irresistible to sensory seekers but basically a nightmare for tactile avoiders. I brought spoons so children could mix and explore it at varying comfort levels.<br />
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Salt painting! First, we squeezed liquid glue onto card stock, then sprinkled salt and tilted the paper on an old baking sheet to completely coat the glue and remove the excess. We set them out to dry for a week.<br />
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<b>Day 4:</b><br />
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We finished the salt paintings by adding watercolors. I tell the artists to get the brush wet with paint and lightly touch it to the dried salt like a magic wand. This prevents them from scraping the salt away with vigorous brush action.<br />
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We did water bead stress balls, of which I caught no photos because it required too much adult assistance. Lesson learned. However, the children enjoyed popping water beads into an empty water bottle, choosing a balloon, and squeezing the water beads inside. For the gentle-handed, the balls will stay intact inside the stress ball, lending it a unique texture. For those who are under more stress, the water beads will pop inside the balloon, giving it a gel consistency.<br />
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Next, children drew patterns with Sharpies on cardboard circles. I went over the designs with hot glue, then quickly covered the rounds with aluminum foil. The children used colorful Sharpies on the foil, feeling the ridges of their design in relief.<br />
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Lastly, we worked on mini zen gardens. Artists chose sand for a thick plastic plate, added glass gems and natural stones, swirled and drew with toothpicks, then we bagged them all up to reassemble at home.<br />
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-1355735663743474202018-04-27T11:22:00.003-07:002018-04-27T11:22:46.371-07:00<b>Alternative Pronunciations by Spork</b><br />
Fuh-muh-mana Glass.....Magnifying Glass<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjshQCoy22JZND3fw8_MlRYYIGhatY_GZXpH9jtxHMADBrvQjoA8m8nQUMCTyNiTucJ8axHseL4oqJBK7T-GhCPmOUjapD8jFVLKLeNwkZ3zE7DRoQOMlCK1zKLkG0fQZ6j7XWajt8nWI/s1600/IMG_5322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjshQCoy22JZND3fw8_MlRYYIGhatY_GZXpH9jtxHMADBrvQjoA8m8nQUMCTyNiTucJ8axHseL4oqJBK7T-GhCPmOUjapD8jFVLKLeNwkZ3zE7DRoQOMlCK1zKLkG0fQZ6j7XWajt8nWI/s320/IMG_5322.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Spork keeps us laughing....</b><br />
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While eating tacos, Spork declared, "Look, Mommy! I got some cheese felled down in my shirt!" (Pulls it out and eats it with gusto)<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Spork: Daddy, did you check my pants for nuts?</span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Daddy: What?</span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">S: I had walnuts in my pocket, I hope they didn’t go in the washer</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Spork: I'm worried that Tater will be jealous that I'm wearin' sandals.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">M: That's kind of you to think of her feelings.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">S: I think I not gonna even tell her I'm wearin' sandals, then she won't feel bad.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">M: Sounds like a plan, your feet will be under the table at the restaurant, so she probably won't notice.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">(Tater and Daddy arrive. Spork and I are already seated. He begins to waver in his plan.)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">S: Hi Tater! Guess what? My feet are feeling so cold, I can feel the breeze on my toes, I don't even know why.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">M: (raised eyebrows at Spork)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">S: Oh right! Never mind, never mind. Hey, I can't even believe I'm wearing something that used to be the Nugget's. I'm wearing them on my feet. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Tater: That's nice.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">S: Don't look under the table, because you'll be jealous.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">M: (face palm)</span></span></span><br />
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<b>Tater - a future surgeon? D- for bedside manner.</b><br />
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T: Daddy, if you scraped this (mole) off, would there be a blood rainbow?<br />
D: Huh?<br />
T: A blood rainbow. Would the blood come out in the shape of a rainbow like this? (Gestures with hand, making an arc)<br />
D: No, it would just bleed like the rest of your skin bleeds when you get hurt.<br />
T: Oh (slight disappointment)<br />
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Tater talked Spork into helping her with some delicate head surgery on her stuffed dog Rosie.<br />
T: You can be my assistant, but you have to wear gloves.<br />
S: Ok! Got the gloves! Now what?<br />
T: You hold her like this. She got shot, but I can make her better with this sharp needle. I can sew her up. Hmm, it doesn't look good. (Gets a piece of paper and a marker and traces a body outline of the poor dog.) I'm probably going to have to take off most of her head, but we'll fix it later.<br />
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(I'm getting her <a href="https://www.amazon.com/EastVita-needle-SYRINGE-blood-filled/dp/B0018UZ7BS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524853266&sr=8-1&keywords=blood+syringe+pen">these syringe pens</a> for the next gift-giving occasion.)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-5892408739015917382018-02-07T12:16:00.002-08:002018-02-07T12:16:29.209-08:00Tater's Pineapple Pool Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like my third child's baby book, the blog is hobbling along, but I'll catch up someday, ha!</div>
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Anyway, said third child turned 6 a few <strike>weeks</strike> months ago, and here is a very tiny party post.</div>
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We used a local facility with an indoor pool. No photos were allowed in the pool area, so there wasn't much photogenic about it. I decided to use <a href="https://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/girl-birthday-invitations/aloha-celebration-birthday-invitation-5x7-flat?skuCode=1230500#/">this invitation</a>, which led to a pineapple theme.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDTYfCgg9pTwLw5_l7keae86UjiGH-IrpgMV1fYVBF_7DzfG0sUPjRf2an4VHYkjeavcD5Q-6jCnohzyYcDxqEfahSK-7PcM4_p1ovDbZbuIyDVGTX3ailnVf1KPSRP8kxB2AZmjgUgk/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDTYfCgg9pTwLw5_l7keae86UjiGH-IrpgMV1fYVBF_7DzfG0sUPjRf2an4VHYkjeavcD5Q-6jCnohzyYcDxqEfahSK-7PcM4_p1ovDbZbuIyDVGTX3ailnVf1KPSRP8kxB2AZmjgUgk/s320/IMG_3244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our favors were pineapples sporting sunglasses and leis. They were the life of the party. I found <a href="https://www.target.com/p/8ct-aloha-paper-plates/-/A-52158202#lnk=sametab">pineapple plates</a> at Target. I found pineapple thank you cards there too, but they seem to have been discontinued in the time it took me to get around to this blog post, ha!<br />
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The facility had covered the tables with red tablecloths, which I'm trying not to let bother me. They did take complete care of the food (pizza, lemonade, ice cream) and actually banned us from bringing in anything except the cake, so that as a load off my shoulders. <br />
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The beautiful and delicious "rainbow cake" was the one thing that Tater had voiced desire for at her birthday party and was made by a fabulous local bakery, who agreed to make the edges completely devoid of food coloring so Spork would have plenty of cake too. (For reasons why we're cutting out food dyes for Spork and are moving towards natural dyes for the whole family, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelhennessey/2012/08/27/living-in-color-the-potential-dangers-of-artificial-dyes/#1307226e107a">read this</a>.)<br />
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So that's it! We enjoyed plenty of time with Tater and co in the pool. Quite a few non-swimmers who needed lots of supervision made me probably too anxious to take this on again until kids are older, but it was a really fun, simple party.</div>
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Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-50168225817478563262017-12-16T18:35:00.001-08:002017-12-16T18:35:17.718-08:00Deciduous trees and passageways full of clowns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spork recently acquired a festive Christmas tree headband. He proudly wore it out of the store, and I joked, "You look just like a real tree!" He beamed with joy. I added, "I hope a beaver doesn't try to cut you down, tree!" He scoffed, "Beavers don't even like this kinda tree." I asked, "How do you know?" He insisted, "They just don't." I thought this was a bizarre comment to make, and because I still suspect him to be a reincarnated beaver, I thought I'd do some research and guess what?!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">"Beavers</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> have a definite </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">preference</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> for the </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">trees</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> they like to eat. Preferred </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">tree</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"> species include alder, aspen, apple, birch, cherry, cottonwood, poplar and willow." </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">(beaversolutions.com). I'm still laughing! My reincarnation hypothesis stands!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you need a good scare, here's a new one from Tater.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tater: I wish our house had a secret passageway.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Me: Me too! I've always wanted one!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tater: ....except it would be full of clowns.</span></span><br />
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<br />Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-963315920076647502017-12-10T18:51:00.002-08:002017-12-10T18:51:17.167-08:00After School ArtSpork attends a fine arts public magnet school. Having no public school experience myself, I was a little nervous and unsure what to expect, but we've been blown away by the passion and dedication of the teachers and the quality of the experience he's been having so far. There is some question about where this program will be next year, and I hope that no matter where the dice fall, that the program will retain the heart and promise it has now.<br />
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My mom taught me that you get out of a school what you put into it. When the school called for After-School Arts Instructors, I volunteered in a heartbeat. I was lucky to be assigned 7 great kiddos, grades K-2. Yes, Spork was one of them. I called my class "Paint in Motion" and it focused on creative, physical ways to create art with paint. (Or as Hubby would call it, "Truly Terrifying Situation with Children Splashing Paint Everywhere. I am partially writing this post so he has to look at the photos and shudder.) I love the uninhibited way that children create art.<br />
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Week 1: <br />
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Ping pong balls down the slide</div>
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Tennis ball shake up</div>
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Yo-yo painting</div>
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Belly swing art</div>
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Week 2: </div>
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Rain painting - watercolor pencils on card stock to set outside in the rain. I was told later that the rain was too hard and the colors simply became muddy, so perhaps this is a project better done on a drizzly day.</div>
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Stop. Hammer Time.</div>
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Spoon a bit of paint on cardboard, top with a cotton round, and smack away until you have a glorious splat. Because I had a low budget for this program, I cut up a lot of Amazon Prime boxes and was really pleased with how they held up to the paint.</div>
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Dish brush and fly swatter painting - swish it and smack it! Look at that texture!</div>
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Marble painting<br />
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Week 3:</div>
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Car Ramp</div>
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Animal Tracks<br />
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Straw Painting<br />
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Salad Spinner Art</div>
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Not pictured because my hands were an absolute mess at the time: </div>
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We also did a mix your own puffy paint activity with shaving cream in Ziploc bags. </div>
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I took apart the salad spinners to make an animal bath and car wash so the kids could help me tidy up. Finally, I put the rest of the shaving cream on the table and let them fingerpaint/scrub it! The free play with shaving cream was definitely their favorite part.</div>
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Week 4: Embracing the beautiful mess</div>
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I had the kids cut shapes from cereal boxes meaning to make resist art. But once they had the spray bottles in hand, they got a little trigger happy, and their pieces quickly became totally saturated. Oh well, "happy paint lake process art" I thought, but as they dried, they became astonishingly beautiful. I wish I had photos of the dried pieces, but we did frame one and sent it to the admin building.<br />
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Scrape<br />
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Mesh Pouches<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dTRVjwH9qN7kuNOEnbIxXIVgGISwRZ9ArN9LM_9Nv0Omzmm60rJwvZsttJdcn9Z-haZmaaEAELhY8rtgINSL_zDaZP5Sp1Ry3EhNfUMPk1_OnWKlSKpWJio5rs4zR9DmHwXQLGC_rJk/s1600/IMG_3040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dTRVjwH9qN7kuNOEnbIxXIVgGISwRZ9ArN9LM_9Nv0Omzmm60rJwvZsttJdcn9Z-haZmaaEAELhY8rtgINSL_zDaZP5Sp1Ry3EhNfUMPk1_OnWKlSKpWJio5rs4zR9DmHwXQLGC_rJk/s320/IMG_3040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Syringe</div>
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Week 5:</div>
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Roller painting<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQwAyAm0QWz7As4Qe31N-w8vyROxpIla7MKXY4Utm1yNucAiVCSF1yqyph6pfzCjnP7KMThZ6yBaR93obeviOb3Z7KVEHhMhj3FHI3MF0e6gWAdYAkZtPAThkRdz-Iibx00Vnk7a-iUs/s1600/IMG_E3208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQwAyAm0QWz7As4Qe31N-w8vyROxpIla7MKXY4Utm1yNucAiVCSF1yqyph6pfzCjnP7KMThZ6yBaR93obeviOb3Z7KVEHhMhj3FHI3MF0e6gWAdYAkZtPAThkRdz-Iibx00Vnk7a-iUs/s320/IMG_E3208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alcohol Watercolors</div>
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Drill Painting<br />
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Shaving Cream Marbling</div>
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Week 6: Our final farewell!</div>
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Bubble Watercolors - we've done this at preschool before, but for the older kids, I bundled straws and taped them together, then cut them into small bunches so they would have clustered bubbles for their project. It reminds me of hydrangeas.</div>
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Feather Painting</div>
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Cotton Ball Catapult</div>
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Bubble Wrap Prints</div>
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Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06528921402447140779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859874819750706104.post-4877752773533280012017-11-06T18:29:00.003-08:002017-11-06T18:29:37.533-08:00Halloween 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After last year's Halloween extravaganza, we tried to take it down a few notches.</div>
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Our first event was Book or Boo at Better World Books.</div>
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Next, Spork had a Trunk or Treat for his school.<br />
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Next, the art museum! Tater bumped into one of her besties, so she was all smiles all night!</div>
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Finally, the real deal! Trick or treat with our wonderful neighbor friends. Yes, we are beyond lucky to have this collection of buddies within walking distance!<br />
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