Lemons to Aid

Melissa from Lemons to Aid contacted me to help spread the word about kids helping others and specifically, raising funds for Haiti.  From lemonade stands to cake walks to read-a-thons, Lemons to Aid provides ideas for many kid-friendly fundraisers that can empower your kids to help others in need.
Melissa says:

Lemons To Aid started when Hudson [...]

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Wanna Swap Postcards?

We are very excited to be participating in the Great American Postcard Swap organized by Aimee at Adventures and Pursuits.  There are actually two groups being organized right now, with one representative from each state in the swap group (we’ll be representing California in group 2).
“How it works: 50 families (one from each state) will [...]

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7 Ways to Help Anxious Kids

Have you read the book Wemberly Worried? Worry, worry, worry. Too much worry.
We have a worrier in our house – my seven-year-old daughter, Natalie. I can totally relate to her – I get that nervous stomach, too! I wouldn’t say her anxious tendencies are debilitating, but they are something we struggle with on a day [...]

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Playful Picks (February 15, 2010)

Quote of the Week
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
~Theodor Geisel (“Dr. Seuss”)

Fun Activities & Projects
An extensive list of fine-motor activites (using simple materials) @ PreKinders
Clifford Online Storybooks & Phonics Games @ Scholastic
Imagination-building Scribble Drawing @ Paint Cut Paste
Super-sweet Watercolor Birds [...]

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We’re Ready for Valentine’s Day!

After adding some painted details (we used acrylic craft paint) and sparkly white yarn, the heart necklaces are ready for gift-giving:

This year, we didn’t have a whole classroom to make Valentines for.  But, we do have some special family and friends that we wanted to send sweet messages.  It was pretty much a use-up-all-our-extra-stuff Valentine [...]

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Air-Dry Clay Hearts

Today we had fun squishing, rolling, and cutting hearts made from air-dry clay.

We punched holes with straws, so we can give Valentine necklaces to some special friends – and we’ll keep some for ourselves, too!
We gently pressed in sparkly sequins – everyone agreed this was the best part!

We also made some little decorations and pendants, [...]

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Playful Picks (February 8, 2010)

Quote of the Week
When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this:  you haven’t.
~Thomas Edison

Fun Activities & Projects
Framed Valentine Art @ That Artist Woman – adorable portraits in red shadow box frames
Clay Vessels @ Laugh, Paint, Create! – air-dry clay + pony beads, sequins, buttons = major adorable-ness!
Pipe Cleaner and Felt Shape Flowers @ Montessori Mama [...]

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Ladybug Valentines

These are the Valentine cards that Natalie made for her Kindergarten class last year.  She came up with the idea herself – pretty cute!
For the card background, she painted big pieces of paper with red, pink, and purple paint.  When they were dry, we cut them up into card-size rectangles.  You could also use extra [...]

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Grocery Store Games

Thumbnail image for Grocery Store Games

My girls are actually at an age where they can be really helpful at the grocery store, but I have not forgotten the days of needing ample entertainment to make it through the store!  When I Spy is getting old, maybe one of these games will be a welcome addition on your next shopping trip.
Grocery [...]

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Playful Picks (February 1, 2010)

Happy Monday and Happy February!  We finally had some sunshine this weekend and it felt so wonderful!  Loved being outside and soaking it in – more rainy, gray days are on the way…

Hope you enjoy this week’s math-inspired picks!

Quote of the Week
Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-gumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a [...]

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