Time Flies When You Are...

I am back to blogging after taking some time to figure a few things out.  Since I last posted, I have:

>Become an Aunt to two more incredible boys

>Worked as an Associate Teacher at a local Day School

>Started photographing things that I love... mostly my dogs, and my children.

>Volunteered with California Animal Rescue, and fostered 10 dogs who were all successfully adopted.  The tenth one was adopted by us!

>Celebrated being married to Keith for 14 years by eating dinner at The Farmhouse Inn for the first time.  

>Watched my SF Giants become World Series Champs for the third time in 5 years!  Amazing.

A lot more has happened, but that sums it up nicely.  I am currently in limbo land, waiting to see where the next chapter of my life will lead me.  I am writing a few children's books, and working to find a publisher.  We'll see what happens with that, but even if they don't get published, I am just excited to be finally putting my stories on paper.  My Mom was actually the reason I got on it, so THANKS, SUNNI MOM!  

I am also helping out a lot at William and Vivian's school, and even though I am doing small things, they feel big.  Counting Box Tops, cutting paper for their teachers, and pulling weeds in the school garden can make a girl tired (and sore!).  

That is all for now.  Carry on.  

Googly

I am not afraid to admit that I am obsessed with googly eyes.  For craft projects, they make everything look happier.  Recently, we did a jellyfish craft project, using paper plates.  Here is what we did:

Step One:  Cut the plates in half, and paint them with beautiful, swirly colors:

Step Two:  Cut strips of construction paper and glue them to look like tentacles:

Step Three:  While those are drying, glue on the googly eyes!

Voila!  Instant cuteness for your walls, bulletin boards, what have you!

And now, this has me thinking about googly eyes.  What else can I do with them?  What can I NOT do with them?  Check out these other ideas...

Googly eyes on my faucet?  Yes, please...

Giant sized googly eyes for my garbage can?  Okay!  

Butterflies!

If you love nature, insects, miracles, then the Insect Lore Butterfly Garden is for you!  I found out about the Butterfly garden while I was teaching first grade, 12 years ago.  It truly is an amazing experience.  Here is the link for the site where you can order the garden...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000ISC5/ref=asc_df_B00000ISC52081852?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B00000ISC5&hvpos=1o3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=940050522837481280&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

It is a real butterfly hatching kit, and actual Painted Lady butterfly caterpillars are mailed to your home. You watch the caterpillars eat and grow, and then you get to watch them "transform into their chrysalis'.  About a week later, the butterflies emerge, and you let them go!  Here are my own photographs of what happens...

This is William checking out the chrysalis'...

Here is Viv checking out the first emerged butterfly...

And here are some of the butterflies eating some oranges...

It's amazing.  It's fun.  You will love it.  

Free Bowling? Yes, please!

My children love bowling!  So, when I heard about the "Kids Bowl Free" program, I signed up immediately.  It's very simple.  Just go to this site:  http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/, sign up, and receive FREE bowling passes, for your children, each week!  Cool!

Simple

Running through the sprinklers.  The End.

Quiet Time = Reading Time

One of the best times of our day is quiet time.  

This is when everything gets shut off for two full hours (sometimes more)...television, computers, phones, and radios.  Usually William will play with toys, but Vivian will always go to the book sorter, and "read" to herself.  I am amazed at how well she has her favorite books memorized.  She does really well at remembering the words, and even uses the same tones as we do when we read to her.  Here is a photo of her reading during some quiet time.  It's wonderful and I love it. 

I am currently reading an amazing book, by children's author, Mem Fox.  

It's called "Reading Magic:  Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever".

It outlines, very simply, the emotional and intellectual impact reading aloud to our children has on their ability to learn to read themselves.  It's an easy read, and everyone should own a copy.  

A Different Kind of Sponge Painting

Another idea that I got from Teacher Doreen, at preschool...

Painting with cheap sponges.  I picked up these little sponges at the $1 Spot at Target.  I used these great bird, clothespins that my Mom had given me.  You can use regular, old clothespins though.  The kids loved this activity, and the designs turned out GREAT!  Plus, your hands stay clean.  Yay!