We are enjoying the snow right down to making SNOWFLAKE cupcakes. Everyone needs a little fun and it seems like one little cupcake does the trick. So while it's cold outside, we worked on measurment skills and made cupcakes.

Be sure to have your word...Here are some kid-friendly words that have been shared:

respect, kindness, love, patience, fun, happiness, laugh, friendship, hugs, truth, compassion, giggle, smile.

Next, we will share some thing to do with the WORD! Have yours ready!

Welcome 2010!

Just wanted to share something to start the year. This is a project. A very simple and amazing project that has been created by
                                    ALI EDWARDS.
Please go to
                   http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com

The project: ONE LITTE WORD.
It's that simple.
It's taking the time, to think about a word to live by, to celebrate, to hold dear to your heart. It's a word that will stay with you for the next year.

Welcome 2010.

Now, here's the catch...look at THE LIST of the words. (on the website) Review and talk about some of them with your child or children...yes, even the little kiddos.
http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/01/2009-words.html

Have your kiddo think of a word that means the most to him/her. Have him/her write the word using markers, crayons, or paint. Talk about the word.

Again, one WORD can mean so much...you will see!

 

Looking for something fun...your kiddos will love this one! You will need:
brown/nude pantyhose, balloons, and a red nose (clown nose from Party Station or red paper with vasaline on back to make it stick.)

WHAT TO DO: Have a race, make it a fun craft, or costume play time. Your kiddo will love "stuffing" each leg with balloons. Put panyhose on head, stick on nose...if a race, first kiddo to assemble and SING "RUDOLPH the Red Nost Reindeer" Wins! Talk about laughter and an afternoon of fun!

So the winter weather is finally here! Some things to do while stuck inside...
1. Take some photos. Capture the wonderful things in your home right now while you can. Better yet, have your little kiddo take the pictures. It is neat to see what is important to them.

2. Drink Hot Cocoa with your kiddo and READ!! Did you know, children should hear two-three stories a day? If they are school age, then consider at least one or two reads...so that leave one more as a family.
Make it a DATE! You child will feel so wonderful just getting the time in and making it special with goodies, blankets, pillows and STORIES!

3. Work on the Santa Letter! There are 5 parts to work on with your child: Heading (the date), Greeting (Dear..), Body ( all the good things to share), Closing (Love, Your friend, ) and Signature (signing name). This is a time to work in a learning standard as well as share with your kiddo. If you have little ones (first grader or younger, pick a few words for them to identify and circle as you write the letter).

4. ZANEY BRAINY: Please go visit www.spellingcity.com
This website is just amazing! You can help your kiddo learn all kinds of words whether it be word lists from school, words they are just interested in, theme words..You type the words into a word bank and SURPRISE! Many, many activities to do right there!

5. Make Christmas, Holiday or Winter cards for a nearby hospital or nursing home. (Fresh baked cookies would be WONDERFUL too). There are times when we need to teach our kiddos about compassion and giving. It goes back to just being a good person. There are so many near and dear that need that extra bit of love. So, take an evening talk with your kiddo about giving. Share some of your talent with them. Go. Go to a place that could use that bit of extra CHEER. Share the GOOD!

SOLID to LIQUID:
nd learning begin. This was tonights holiday goodies. If you live locally, check out SWEET PENNY's Candy shop in Brunswick, Ohio. The ladies that own this wonerful and yummy place will help you out with any baking or candy making questions. Here, we made homemade peanut butter cups. The lesson: SOLID and LIQUIDS. We worked on delicious treats but focused also on using HEAT to change something (chocolate) to a liquid (melted chocolate) back to a solid when refrigerating to cool down. Also, use this time of making goodies to have your child MEASURE! Talk about almost full, half full, teaspoon, tablespoon.

HOMEMADE MARSHMELLOWS:
When making homemade marshmellows. Check out this site:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe/index.html

This is an easy recipe to use with your kiddos. Also, these marshmellows are the BEST! Again, explore liquid and solids!

BOOK UPDATE:
The weather is changing...this week we should see SNOW! Great time to check out Bonobo Kid's RAINY DAY LESSON. The story's focus is weather and why we have it...rain or snow!

The books just came in so they will be off into the mail this week! Thank you for ordering! Tomorrow I will be signing and getting them ready to ship!