tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29616263890859261572024-03-13T05:45:36.653-06:00My Oatmeal KissesOatmeal kisses, sticky fingers, and muddy footprints remind me that everyday is an adventure. Here are some calendars, activities and plans to help you with your adventure!My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-14267804081721160732018-04-22T22:41:00.001-06:002018-04-22T22:41:22.368-06:00Preschool Calendar<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a calendar for your own Preschool!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9aePaxHA8/T15hvvfBgGI/AAAAAAAABlM/MCWlaGVaETg4Of_9wVlkgReeWYxOlQxrACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1050578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1124" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9aePaxHA8/T15hvvfBgGI/AAAAAAAABlM/MCWlaGVaETg4Of_9wVlkgReeWYxOlQxrACPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1050578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Week One: D is for <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2009/10/prek-letter-d_28.html">Dinosaur </a> <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/09/dinosaur-name-dig.html">Dinosaur dig</a> and or D is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/p/ducks.html">Duck</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Two: O is for <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2010/04/prek-letter-o-2.html">Octopus</a> and O is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2012/05/ocean-adventures.html">Ocean</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Three: N is for<a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2011/07/tot-school-letter-nn-bugs-part-1/"> Net </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Four: A is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/09/apples-alligators-and-astronauts-letter.html">Astronaut</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Five: P is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/10/pirate-adventures.html">Pirate</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Six: T is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/09/swimming-sea-turtles.html">Turtle</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Seven: F is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/09/rainbow-fish.html">Fish</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Eight: I is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/09/nitrogen-ice-cream-and-weekly-wrap-up.html">Ice Cream</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Nine: P is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/08/life-cycle-panda-bears.html">Panda</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Ten: B is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/08/ice-boats.html">Boats</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Week Eleven: S is for <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/07/little-miss-spider.html">Spider</a></span>My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-19716649428698097472015-09-25T16:49:00.002-06:002015-09-25T16:50:30.975-06:00Edward Tulane Lapbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you heard about lapbooks!? They are my new favorite thing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This summer we read "Indian in Cupboard" for a kids book club. Then we missed the actual book club...womp womp. I really wanted my kids to delve deeper. So I did some research and decided to make them an "Indian in the Cupboard" lapbook. They LOVED it. They thought it was so fun!</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-os9BTwQ1z2g/VgXJFBy7qQI/AAAAAAAADtc/-BQPtIC3ACs/s640/blogger-image-871968111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-os9BTwQ1z2g/VgXJFBy7qQI/AAAAAAAADtc/-BQPtIC3ACs/s320/blogger-image-871968111.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So flash forward to September. My daughter got a challenge to read a bunch of different genres from the librarian. It was so great!! She read "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane". And because she isn't being challenged very much at school I decided to whip up another lapbook.</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-7SLg3XySo/VgXFhtIdCfI/AAAAAAAADtQ/pmLkmQ8M1Uo/s640/blogger-image-1904529641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-7SLg3XySo/VgXFhtIdCfI/AAAAAAAADtQ/pmLkmQ8M1Uo/s320/blogger-image-1904529641.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So this is extra work, it's like a book report (ugh right) but when she saw it she squealed! She couldn't wait to do it!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes!! Worth the extra work!</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bef0gs14-bw/VgXFgwOkHKI/AAAAAAAADtI/ptDRM0BGMUg/s640/blogger-image--298269138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bef0gs14-bw/VgXFgwOkHKI/AAAAAAAADtI/ptDRM0BGMUg/s400/blogger-image--298269138.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think she will love having a collection of lapbooks!</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_gLUGLPJSWc/VgXJF3jg_LI/AAAAAAAADtk/Fro1Bq89YdI/s640/blogger-image--1586574959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_gLUGLPJSWc/VgXJF3jg_LI/AAAAAAAADtk/Fro1Bq89YdI/s320/blogger-image--1586574959.jpg" width="226" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a link to the very rough <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1suHmwssTZFwWaSYNc6dnIs37_0WBRqvbO2XXNsfTNMQ/pub">word doc</a> I made. A lot of the questions originated from this <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Miraculous-Journey-of-Edward-Tulane-Arts-based-Activity-Guide-CC-Aligned-952484">FREE</a> teachers pay teachers <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Miraculous-Journey-of-Edward-Tulane-Arts-based-Activity-Guide-CC-Aligned-952484">file</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uquNEP49uk4">video</a> about how to do your own lap book:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.php">link</a> of a TON of <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.php">FREE lapbooks</a>. </span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-74688622203494021912014-11-21T22:16:00.000-07:002014-11-21T22:18:21.679-07:00Easy Chapter Books for New Readers<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My little girl is reading like CRAZY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I feel like I can't keep up with her hunger for books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I go to the library check out a million books</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> (well actually only 35, that's my limit).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I am trying to find books she will love, AND that are on her level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I want to share with you what I have learned, by trial and error, and a little back ground knowledge from teaching Kindergarten and First Grade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When she started out first grade she was reading. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I wanted to keep her reading, and push her just enough that she wouldn't feel like I was pushing her, but just <i>feeding</i> her new found skill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I got on to my libraries website, and started placing lots of holds. Lots and lots! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the library staff may go postal on me one day soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started by putting holds on the "Step into Reading" series.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When she was ready for the next level, we would move up!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slLHzFCA2PI/VHAMLW1VhgI/AAAAAAAADo8/gliC4ShXGZA/s1600/step%2Binto%2Breading.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slLHzFCA2PI/VHAMLW1VhgI/AAAAAAAADo8/gliC4ShXGZA/s1600/step%2Binto%2Breading.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I only chose the cute fun ones that I knew she would like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I had a problem, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we read through all the that library had of that series!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I also found the "Scholastic Readers" series.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which are also great!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv330Z1ma3c/VHANPoCQmDI/AAAAAAAADpE/A2s-EBPu5io/s1600/scholastic%2Breaders.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv330Z1ma3c/VHANPoCQmDI/AAAAAAAADpE/A2s-EBPu5io/s1600/scholastic%2Breaders.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other series we like are: "World of Reading", "I Can Read", "Green Light Readers", "Penguin Young Readers", "Passport to Reading" (more boy related), "An I Can Read Book", and "DK Readers". </span></div>
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I went searched these at the library by switching the "Title" search to "Series".</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also love any Mo Willems books. They are so cute and engaging for young readers, and a great way for kids to develop fluency (aka not reading like a robot skills.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I have coaxed her to read chapter books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started with the Mercy Watson series.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PPvW1sEVEI/VHAQy6EXroI/AAAAAAAADpQ/6yxJBE8mXt8/s1600/Mercy%2BWatson.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PPvW1sEVEI/VHAQy6EXroI/AAAAAAAADpQ/6yxJBE8mXt8/s1600/Mercy%2BWatson.jpeg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They are the best!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fully colored, she doesn't even feel like she is reading a chapter book!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Ivy and Bean </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a</span><span style="font-size: large;">re so cute and have such fun and different personalities, great for any girl to relate to.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKLcdYMT7tU/VHARNs4U18I/AAAAAAAADpY/ESxT-JDH79Q/s1600/ivy%2Band%2Bbean.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKLcdYMT7tU/VHARNs4U18I/AAAAAAAADpY/ESxT-JDH79Q/s1600/ivy%2Band%2Bbean.jpeg" height="200" width="153" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Books By James Kochalka</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are great for little boys! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They are hilarious, and keep your attention.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QBDmZTwDkAQ/VHAVTSNf6mI/AAAAAAAADqI/qicvXMbePuI/s1600/glorkian.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QBDmZTwDkAQ/VHAVTSNf6mI/AAAAAAAADqI/qicvXMbePuI/s1600/glorkian.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Chris Van Dusen Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are by the same illustrator as Mercy Watson, so they have a similar feel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Great books!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxo3NbOsc_M/VHAS-iQpoBI/AAAAAAAADps/z-kxSVMjVCU/s1600/Chris%2BVan%2BDusen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxo3NbOsc_M/VHAS-iQpoBI/AAAAAAAADps/z-kxSVMjVCU/s1600/Chris%2BVan%2BDusen.jpeg" height="195" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Amanda and Oliver Pig Series</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a big sister little brother duo that my daughter loved!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Choose the "Amanda Pig" titles if you are a girl, and the "Oliver" titles if you are a boy.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Cr2_pLEq9k/VHAU1gHI9cI/AAAAAAAADqA/QWKkkJAN5f4/s1600/Amanda.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Cr2_pLEq9k/VHAU1gHI9cI/AAAAAAAADqA/QWKkkJAN5f4/s1600/Amanda.jpeg" height="200" width="134" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Minnie and Moo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are hilarious cows that go on adventures that make young readers giggle! They are good for girls and boys, although both leading characters are female.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G7m5-AI0tkM/VHAUcgKnEsI/AAAAAAAADp4/zAIa3rPiutA/s1600/Minnie%2Band%2BMoo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G7m5-AI0tkM/VHAUcgKnEsI/AAAAAAAADp4/zAIa3rPiutA/s1600/Minnie%2Band%2BMoo.jpeg" height="200" width="126" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. The Young Cam Jansen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are are fun and short that have a good plot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They probably are not the best VERY first chapter book to introduce because they do take a bit of concentration, but they are great for a budding reader.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZqHBtCeydA/VHAbIvJFHpI/AAAAAAAADqw/_fnGxisUvoM/s1600/cam%2Bjansen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZqHBtCeydA/VHAbIvJFHpI/AAAAAAAADqw/_fnGxisUvoM/s1600/cam%2Bjansen.jpeg" height="200" width="122" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Bailey School Kids Jr. Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So these are just like the older "Bailey School Kids" version, but with lots more pictures and they are shorter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My little girl loved the one I could find for her, but I couldn't find any at my library...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TczD966JBYA/VHAYYICWlhI/AAAAAAAADqk/KgY8QVhkQFk/s1600/bailey%2Bschool.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TczD966JBYA/VHAYYICWlhI/AAAAAAAADqk/KgY8QVhkQFk/s1600/bailey%2Bschool.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Bink and Gollie</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are more comic book style, but they are very cute and will keep young readers engaged!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. Anything by Shel Silverstein</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So these are not really chapter books, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but they are longer books that are not full color. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Young readers love the simple illustrations and fun language he uses. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I even gave my little girl a book of his poetry to read at night. It was so fun to sit outside her door and hear her giggling at his poems!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OekOGtNKv0/VHAX61okbeI/AAAAAAAADqc/b1gjN7UYT8o/s1600/Missing%2BPiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OekOGtNKv0/VHAX61okbeI/AAAAAAAADqc/b1gjN7UYT8o/s1600/Missing%2BPiece.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My two cents is: start of slowly. If your child starts to push back, then give them space and let them go back to their favorite (easier) books. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2C0XjAkuNk/VHAb-MoEkPI/AAAAAAAADrA/8OccMYKj3Lc/s1600/IMG_3062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2C0XjAkuNk/VHAb-MoEkPI/AAAAAAAADrA/8OccMYKj3Lc/s1600/IMG_3062.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, it is so fun for them to have you read to them. Even if it is on their level it is good for them to hear you read. It shows them how to be better readers, and gives them a chance to snuggle and bond with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span><span style="font-size: large;">lso, take frequent trips to the library. Let them chose whatever they want, and show them new areas that they may be less familiar</span><span style="font-size: large;"> with. The more time they spend with books the better they.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, I'm off to go place more holds on books! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Sorry library staff! But maybe not sorry because I am saving you from my two year old!!) </span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-921988348181080322014-06-10T22:48:00.000-06:002014-06-10T22:48:05.625-06:00Yospe Summer Camp<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> My Miss Sassy and I are so much a like that summers can be a little, or A LOT difficult. Don't get me wrong I love the break from the structure of school. I love jammie mornings, 9am breakfast, unbrushed hair. I love spending time with her too, but the wide open day isn't great for our relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So when I </span><span style="font-size: large;">heard about the great idea to do your own summer camp (with just your own kids) from the <a href="http://powerofmoms.com/2012/05/do-it-yourself-summer-camp/">Power of Mom's website</a> I was excited!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmSci7dTZrM/U5fd-wgIZ7I/AAAAAAAADlo/Z5HN-zCJZ4s/s1600/DF5DF710-2F6D-478E-826E-EC02A6E1FDBC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmSci7dTZrM/U5fd-wgIZ7I/AAAAAAAADlo/Z5HN-zCJZ4s/s1600/DF5DF710-2F6D-478E-826E-EC02A6E1FDBC.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the morning the need to get their chores done and then we can start our daily activity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have Make-It Monday (for crafts and baking.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thinking Tuesday (homeschool day.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wet Wednesday (swimming, slip and slides, splash pads.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trip Thursday (visit mainly free fun places.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friend Friday (a day for scheduled playdates.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72V97oyWpTA/U5feETgjh6I/AAAAAAAADlw/FLq1zlSnJUg/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72V97oyWpTA/U5feETgjh6I/AAAAAAAADlw/FLq1zlSnJUg/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our main summer problem (or off track problem we've had 4 of those this year!) is that there is a major lack of structure and they ask to watch T.V. all day, and I give in half the time. And then they get bored of watching T.V. It's a total vicious cycle. So my plan is to fill their summer WITHOUT having to be the ring master.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the afternoon we have scheduled quiet time (another <a href="http://powerofmoms.com/2012/05/do-it-yourself-summer-camp/">Power of Mom's idea</a>). We call it Center's to make it fun. They read for 15 minutes- I even give them a timer. Mr. H who is a non reader looks at the pictures for 15 minutes. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2yNwGTJu18/U5fejO3F54I/AAAAAAAADl4/4gYZsijXpHY/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2yNwGTJu18/U5fejO3F54I/AAAAAAAADl4/4gYZsijXpHY/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then they write in their journal. Each day I have different writing prompts for them. The next 15 minutes they do an art project. My kids love being creative so this can take them a lot longer than 15 minutes! I found a ton of open ended art ideas that aren't super messy. I created a pinterest board called <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kate_yospe/invitation-to-play/">"Invitation to Learn."</a> If they have done all of these three things then they can watch one show that they both have to agree upon.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXbvyVouujw/U5fexASmsxI/AAAAAAAADmE/KJ62NovbaiY/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXbvyVouujw/U5fexASmsxI/AAAAAAAADmE/KJ62NovbaiY/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They both have charts and when they finish their tasks then they earn a point. When they earn 20 points we are going to go to get snow cones. (We've made a list of things that they really want to do and they are going to work on earning those things.) To earn extra points I have workbooks they can do. One page equals one point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the beauty of all of this is that they are not bored!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Actually the beauty of this is that they are downstairs while I am upstairs taking a nap, relaxing, getting extra work or chores done. It's a win win!</span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-89362216106477903902014-03-28T00:08:00.001-06:002014-03-28T00:08:36.144-06:00What teaching has to do with parenting<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>I have been working on renewing my teaching license (taking a lot of classes) and it's been a blessing in disguise. Not only had it made me grow as a teacher but it has helped me see that things that help with teaching and behavior management help as a mom too.<div><br></div><div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ga571A-zx0E/UzUR16wbHSI/AAAAAAAADjk/DPHgBqaRjBo/s640/blogger-image--1593306556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ga571A-zx0E/UzUR16wbHSI/AAAAAAAADjk/DPHgBqaRjBo/s640/blogger-image--1593306556.jpg"></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>For example, transitions in a classroom are when kids can line up and go from one subject to the next smoothly. When students know what they're supposed to do, when and how they are supposed to do it, time is saved and there are less behavior problems. Yay hoo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How does that relate to mommy hood? Kids from 2 mo to 18 years old benifit from routine and expectation. So think of a problem area in your day, a time that trips up your whole day, makes you frustrated or late. There is probably a transition problem with that part of your day. You expect something but your kids haven't quite got the memo. Time to train them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C1Qu-9NzmIA/UzUR4uBAu3I/AAAAAAAADjw/b650xWtjhck/s640/blogger-image--1236356512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C1Qu-9NzmIA/UzUR4uBAu3I/AAAAAAAADjw/b650xWtjhck/s640/blogger-image--1236356512.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For me it was the morning and getting dressed. My kids like to get up and watch a tv show. I needed them to get ready, but they would drag their feet. I said, after you watch for 15 minutes (half a pbs kids show) you have to get dressed, <i>that's just the way we're going to do it at our house.</i> (That statement gives me power baby!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As long as I stay consistent it makes my whole day smoother. They know what I expect and when I expect it and they perform! Can I get a woot woot?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I did the same thing with bed time and it's helped. Bed time is still not the greatest but it's not so grizzly anymore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d9gClzwmT50/UzUR3Idt1gI/AAAAAAAADjo/sX3jjZyBklE/s640/blogger-image-615339949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d9gClzwmT50/UzUR3Idt1gI/AAAAAAAADjo/sX3jjZyBklE/s640/blogger-image-615339949.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So think about your day, where are the snags? Try training your kids, saying things like, <i>sorry, that's just the way things are going to be now.</i> And see if you can make some smooth transitions for your kids.</div></div>My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-31177140865448661962013-09-21T23:48:00.003-06:002013-10-11T13:52:28.112-06:00E is for elephant<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Every morning we work in our journals. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had them draw tree in the fall. </span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think they turned out so cute! </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love seeing the world through their eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next while everyone was finishing up their journals. They played with magnets. It is great for them to explore with letters and numbers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As well as exploring with shapes and colors. As the year progresses they will get more structure with this (as in making patterns.) </span></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zYunA3yobU4/UjCb377ECII/AAAAAAAADcU/7cnkUMrewuo/s640/blogger-image--592538819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zYunA3yobU4/UjCb377ECII/AAAAAAAADcU/7cnkUMrewuo/s640/blogger-image--592538819.jpg"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Using "<a href="http://www.hwtears.com/hwt">Handwriting Without Tears</a>" Program we reviewed letter F and made the letter E with matching sticks, made by our amazing director and teacher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is so fun to watch them make letters with something other than a crayon or pencil. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">It really makes them use their brains </span><span style="font-size: large;">differently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We read the book Elmer the Elephant</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">By David McKee</span><br>
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCboDECTE-4/T3ToSQib-lI/AAAAAAAAAEU/2yRsCNyyxto/s320/elmer_the_elephant.jpg" height="320" width="272"><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a great back to school book about being proud of who you are.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the book all of the elephants dress up.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I asked the children to decorate their own elephants to reflect their personality.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was fun to see what they came up with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For our centers they dripped water on the letter Ee that was written on paper towels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was great for their fine motor skills, learning the letter Ee, and concentration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also had fun working on our numbers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2012/04/e-is-for-elephants.html">Ee Elephant</a> post from last year:</span><br>
<a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2012/04/e-is-for-elephants.html"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svQm62rFDDw/T5doT_jjJTI/AAAAAAAAB2k/KmML10aNruY/s320/P1050862.JPG"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span><br>
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PS I'm not endorsed by any of the mentioned links, I just wanted to make it easier for to find more info. :)</div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-572381947199728142013-09-21T23:15:00.002-06:002013-10-03T21:33:26.821-06:00F is for families<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We opened our Chinese-English preschool!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiyeiYhCht4/Uj5yCpYZzVI/AAAAAAAADdI/0d0Wv0AYhjc/s1600/4A2A4C54-F52A-4EB4-8C16-7E31D613FE4F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiyeiYhCht4/Uj5yCpYZzVI/AAAAAAAADdI/0d0Wv0AYhjc/s1600/4A2A4C54-F52A-4EB4-8C16-7E31D613FE4F.JPG" height="320" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's in my friends parents basement. {I know generous, right?}</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the English room set up.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are using the program "Handwriting Without Tears."</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Which basically starts with the easiest letters to write, and progresses through the alphabet.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can see the boards on the dresser in the back.</span><br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymqkA38qye4/Uj5ygPQESXI/AAAAAAAADdY/ccZ5MpQqXow/s1600/5A66D3D2-E5FB-4A4D-91CF-8394A02CBFF9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymqkA38qye4/Uj5ygPQESXI/AAAAAAAADdY/ccZ5MpQqXow/s1600/5A66D3D2-E5FB-4A4D-91CF-8394A02CBFF9.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is our Chinese room.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Totally adorable!</span><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wY60c7uw5to/Uj5yqmJ6zEI/AAAAAAAADdg/UBU2zDGg59M/s1600/1CED3F05-38C9-484C-9FBD-A104FD6EEC05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wY60c7uw5to/Uj5yqmJ6zEI/AAAAAAAADdg/UBU2zDGg59M/s1600/1CED3F05-38C9-484C-9FBD-A104FD6EEC05.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We started with Families so the children could learn how to say the names of family members in Chinese.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the English portion (what I help teach),</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">we read the book Jonathan and His Mommy</span><br>
<img src="http://www.scholastic.com/content5/media/products/08/9780316798808_xlg.jpg"></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Which is a really cute book about different steps he and his mommy take while they are walking.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a great transition book that we acted out.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We worked the letter sound and writing let letter.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is an app called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-handwriting-game/id307025309?mt=8">I Write Words</a>.</span><br>
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDwr-u7BejY/TmNNplbKetI/AAAAAAAABx0/7to8dKY6g2o/s200/iwrite_words_.png"><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Its a really great app for helping them learn how to properly form the letters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8QJlhgmFWdA/Uj55hsE0FfI/AAAAAAAADeA/MWJvwo5TOgk/s640/blogger-image-898559759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8QJlhgmFWdA/Uj55hsE0FfI/AAAAAAAADeA/MWJvwo5TOgk/s640/blogger-image-898559759.jpg"></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> It doesn't let them trace the letter the wrong way. It was a great way to reward the children for good behavior. (Jake was listening really well, so he gets to play the letter game first!)</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Get the lite version first, and see if you like it. :)</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just a little friendly advice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We made the letter Ff out of faces.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Using the Do a Dot page from <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2010/11/letter-f-for-fish.html">Confession of a Homeschooler</a></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fqOUbqzEOlk/Uj55fQNaeYI/AAAAAAAADdw/pnOcihqFOgw/s640/blogger-image--1187366101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fqOUbqzEOlk/Uj55fQNaeYI/AAAAAAAADdw/pnOcihqFOgw/s640/blogger-image--1187366101.jpg"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We put the family on the letter F</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We sorted the mommies and the daddies</span><br>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GFEwWb5TtzM/Uj55gQSP8YI/AAAAAAAADd4/37uOdaIEDOs/s640/blogger-image--1424332103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GFEwWb5TtzM/Uj55gQSP8YI/AAAAAAAADd4/37uOdaIEDOs/s640/blogger-image--1424332103.jpg"></a><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also put play dough on the frog.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because it was the first week we kept things pretty simple and fun.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">That way we could focus on establishing rules and procedure. </span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-49635285697402703692013-09-21T22:05:00.000-06:002013-09-25T17:47:25.383-06:00U is for Umbrellas<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For the letter Uu we focused on umbrellas to </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">help us remember the letter.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our snack on our first day we did was an umbrella made out of a strawberry M&Ms blue sprinkles, and some mini marshmallows. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">I cut the strawberries in half and divided everything into individual baggies so it would be easy for them to work on their own. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXWXgTGRzsM/Udo4qry7tWI/AAAAAAAAC8E/XxJygz6oHIk/s1600/P1070275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXWXgTGRzsM/Udo4qry7tWI/AAAAAAAAC8E/XxJygz6oHIk/s1600/P1070275.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had a lot of fun putting them together!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZV67XO-4Hl4/Udo4tYXHyJI/AAAAAAAAC8M/QSqOuMFhyCs/s1600/P1070278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZV67XO-4Hl4/Udo4tYXHyJI/AAAAAAAAC8M/QSqOuMFhyCs/s1600/P1070278.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We also made umbrellas and dripped glue on it, and sprinkled it with glitter and hung them up to let the glue drip like rain.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was really fun, but I should have taken a picture of my floor.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Blue glue drips for days.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjZszxoW23c/Udo4zOYbx_I/AAAAAAAAC8U/COYZXV-Bw-Q/s1600/P1070280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjZszxoW23c/Udo4zOYbx_I/AAAAAAAAC8U/COYZXV-Bw-Q/s1600/P1070280.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For our centers we used our <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/241435229993067232/">paint/gel bags</a> to trace the letter Uu.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o0r7yo88rjU/Udo5cid1YaI/AAAAAAAAC9E/jyJNKy8tW1o/s1600/P1070288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o0r7yo88rjU/Udo5cid1YaI/AAAAAAAAC9E/jyJNKy8tW1o/s1600/P1070288.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then the kids put play-dough on the letter Uu and stuck paper umbrellas in it. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DL3nBNM2KGc/Udo5ibv1kbI/AAAAAAAAC9M/6Katz0Ycg7g/s1600/P1070290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DL3nBNM2KGc/Udo5ibv1kbI/AAAAAAAAC9M/6Katz0Ycg7g/s1600/P1070290.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Got to love the Leap Frog magnets!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPkGqZgMaKU/Udo5V4VvneI/AAAAAAAAC88/WSox-VjehsM/s1600/P1070285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPkGqZgMaKU/Udo5V4VvneI/AAAAAAAAC88/WSox-VjehsM/s1600/P1070285.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For our snack on Day 2 we made unicorns.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Or pigs, with horns...</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">They were fun and the girls got it!</span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-68036448416963210882013-08-29T09:00:00.000-06:002013-09-10T21:38:11.023-06:00It's Pajama Time<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Every night I almost wish I had a 30 minute energy pill to have enough umph to get my babies to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(I guess I could just drink a Diet Coke right?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided bedtime is the epitome of motherhood,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the good the bad and ugly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I reflect back on the typical bedtime, let's be honest, it's pretty rough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess I remember the worst.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But last night I let myself indulge in bedtime, and middle of the night time, and everything in between.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I looked past the tiny fits, and the nightly tooth brushing woes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I let my heart sing (too cheesy?) when my children snuggled into me while we were reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I soaked in the piggy back rides to their beds,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and the good night kisses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And even when two out of the three kids woke up multiple times in the night, I tried to change my bad attitude, and just enjoyed rocking them, praying with them and singing to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It just made me realize that blessings come in tired packages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plus they are so cute and quiet when they are sleeping! Right?</span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-5011136738339093872013-08-26T09:00:00.000-06:002013-09-06T08:22:01.093-06:00We love daddy!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since we were out of town for Mr. Handsome's birthday and for part of Father's Day, we decided to surprise him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While he was at work we snuck our puppet supplies upstairs and got to work!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First we made a big sister,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then a little brother,</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZtllbVmnIT0/UhWJ2bnewRI/AAAAAAAADZU/gwzNoLQIXVw/s640/blogger-image-1978268686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZtllbVmnIT0/UhWJ2bnewRI/AAAAAAAADZU/gwzNoLQIXVw/s640/blogger-image-1978268686.jpg"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So original!</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GtvQPD22Rms/UhWJ0OepFEI/AAAAAAAADZE/7cmoHUJyN6I/s640/blogger-image--1288202934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GtvQPD22Rms/UhWJ0OepFEI/AAAAAAAADZE/7cmoHUJyN6I/s640/blogger-image--1288202934.jpg"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then we made a daddy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JkwStC8G2p4/UhWJy4VO5RI/AAAAAAAADY8/0iHqU6G4Qz8/s640/blogger-image-1802335350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JkwStC8G2p4/UhWJy4VO5RI/AAAAAAAADY8/0iHqU6G4Qz8/s640/blogger-image-1802335350.jpg"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see him in the corner with the yellow nose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I practiced a little with them what they could say. When daddy came home we put a little play on for him. He was such a good sport and jumped right in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can check out the video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC4i1K1sEG8">here</a>.</span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-39887299270951355892013-08-22T09:00:00.000-06:002013-08-26T08:08:16.244-06:00The Joy Of Nature<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I found the best book recently,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's called Teaching Your Children Joy</span></div>
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<img 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"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=myoatkis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0671887254" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a little old school, but sometimes the best things have withstood the test of time!</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is intended for toddler and preschool age kids about the world around them.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">The idea is that children have an innate sense of curiosity about their world, and if we as parents and caregivers can foster that, then it will help them be life long learners.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started with with the Joy of the Earth.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">So fun!</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Each chapter is filled, I mean JAM PACKED with ideas about teaching children each "Joy".</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">We headed out to a nature study area nearby and I let my kids have free reign. They looked at leaves, trees, snails, flowers, everything really.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I added little comments about what I knew, and I asked them questions to help them discover more.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Things like, "I can see where that snail has been walking, can you tell where he's been?" Or "I can see how old that tree was before they cut it down, can you?"</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know it sounds really simplistic, but it was great for me to let them guide their own learning. They soaked it up and were so happy.</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The book suggests to focus on one joy for an entire month, that way you can really do a lot of activities, and not get overwhelmed at the same time.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also had a fun time making bug habitats. We made sure the rolly pol</span><span style="font-size: large;">ys had enough food and shade</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;">Another fun thing we did was to play in the garden. I let them pick and eat as many strawberries as they wanted (within reason;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;">We are excited for some of the other joys like joy of the body (aka playing a lot!), joy of the imagination.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;">So much joy! I can't wait!</span></span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-29709004199081893512013-06-11T21:33:00.001-06:002013-06-26T09:23:10.610-06:00Boston Trip!<div style="text-align: center;">Our good friends have a family Beachhouse in Boston. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The flights were long, but it was totally worth it!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Flying with kids is not the best part or the worst part, but I'll write more on that later ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;">The beach house was a dream with</div><div style="text-align: center;"> 360 views of the ocean.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My goals were to go with the flow and take advantage of the beach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1pSJNDeweyg/UcpwGG1ZqLI/AAAAAAAAC34/7mL9HZya64Y/s640/blogger-image-2119696950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1pSJNDeweyg/UcpwGG1ZqLI/AAAAAAAAC34/7mL9HZya64Y/s640/blogger-image-2119696950.jpg"></a></div>(Do you see the sweetest 3wk old baby our friends just adopted?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even if we only had 15 minutes, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9MrbYRobQPY/UcpwKSwzxCI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/inbxbjkvrbc/s640/blogger-image--178229288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9MrbYRobQPY/UcpwKSwzxCI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/inbxbjkvrbc/s640/blogger-image--178229288.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(This is me running with the kids on the beach.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">or it was raining, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vwpMEGClN3E/UcpwDUcxWyI/AAAAAAAAC3o/RmOyYH6TMQU/s640/blogger-image-536869582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vwpMEGClN3E/UcpwDUcxWyI/AAAAAAAAC3o/RmOyYH6TMQU/s640/blogger-image-536869582.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">or if my kids were still in jammies </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4eFaqzBIm38/UcpwInueIrI/AAAAAAAAC4I/To1v0wUF8AA/s640/blogger-image-1824772354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4eFaqzBIm38/UcpwInueIrI/AAAAAAAAC4I/To1v0wUF8AA/s640/blogger-image-1824772354.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">we headed to the beach every day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It made me realize that I don't have to carve out huge chunks of time to have fun,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I just need to throw my sneakers or sandals on and have a blast!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Os6wuZZ56zw/UcpwJrvJxFI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/7G8vcGieazc/s640/blogger-image-520353284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Os6wuZZ56zw/UcpwJrvJxFI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/7G8vcGieazc/s640/blogger-image-520353284.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The other thing it made me realize is that it stinks to be land locked!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GvA9MYP9p14/UcpwHYfRwxI/AAAAAAAAC4A/7xvI8U43hqo/s640/blogger-image--1808618599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GvA9MYP9p14/UcpwHYfRwxI/AAAAAAAAC4A/7xvI8U43hqo/s640/blogger-image--1808618599.jpg"></a>It also made me realize that life is so much easier when I have Mr. Handsome to help take care of all these kids!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cgz9h64tH0c/UcpxJ_JFZDI/AAAAAAAAC4s/r7sLs1ARtDk/s640/blogger-image-1662188511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cgz9h64tH0c/UcpxJ_JFZDI/AAAAAAAAC4s/r7sLs1ARtDk/s640/blogger-image-1662188511.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's hard to come home!!</div></div></div>My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-90879746530424351262013-06-07T18:19:00.000-06:002013-06-11T21:23:09.025-06:00Oh no!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been trying so hard to give everyone the attention they need,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and then well...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's just say, it's not my fault!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today was one of those crazy days,</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">100 loads of laundry to do,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">replacing a broken dishwasher,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and I'm trying to get our house somewhat clean before a little family getaway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We went out to my husband's work to meet him for a trip to Lowe's to buy a dishwasher.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NWToz_17_c/UbJ30JRU4CI/AAAAAAAAC2M/SDZPbd1t2Mg/s1600/P1070038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NWToz_17_c/UbJ30JRU4CI/AAAAAAAAC2M/SDZPbd1t2Mg/s1600/P1070038.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It ended up taking WAY longer than I thought it would,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and by the end we were all super cranky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward through a spilled milkshake in the car, and a screaming baby we all made it home in more or less one piece.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So anyway, back to the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was enjoying quiet time while feeding the baby, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">my kids are playing outside on this gorgeous day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and the doorbell rings...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me just say, this is my pet peeve, when the kids ring the doorbell over and over and over, just for fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had just gone outside,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and the big kids were with my little boy {so I thought}</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">so I chose to ignore the doorbell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then it happens...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q79-JKLrbSc/UbJ1EvTiXgI/AAAAAAAAC10/L3WOn9OBe60/s1600/18FCEE48-B27E-497A-9E9B-298009A75768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q79-JKLrbSc/UbJ1EvTiXgI/AAAAAAAAC10/L3WOn9OBe60/s1600/18FCEE48-B27E-497A-9E9B-298009A75768.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My newly potty trained boy rings the doorbell in one last attempt to get my attention.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxGRsRF1EMg/UbJ3psLyKHI/AAAAAAAAC2E/6SyGmnU5eyo/s1600/P1070026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxGRsRF1EMg/UbJ3psLyKHI/AAAAAAAAC2E/6SyGmnU5eyo/s1600/P1070026.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I set my sweet baby down</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(why is he always getting the short end of the stick?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and open the front door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There, in naked his bliss is my sweet little boy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">peeing a steady stream all over the front porch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He tried, and well, I didn't listen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But to his credit he did not pee on the welcome mat. {woo hoo!}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4">As moms we are trying, but sometimes even our best efforts result in failures. </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4">Just mini failures, like a naked boy on the porch.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4">Nothing great was ever accomplished without little bumps along the way.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4">We are doing the most important work of our lives RIGHT now. </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4">No matter what stage we are in.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4">We are trying to create faithful, hardworking, loving people.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4">So lets keep trekin' because it is well worth it.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-48616223534580385722013-06-06T13:23:00.002-06:002013-06-06T22:23:59.323-06:00Spinning plates<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I feel like motherhood is a circus, ;)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xF_r4uboEg/TfZuhxyTFsI/AAAAAAAAAWY/tigTHotKqcU/s1600/ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xF_r4uboEg/TfZuhxyTFsI/AAAAAAAAAWY/tigTHotKqcU/s1600/ball.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I am in the spinning plate act. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each one of my children and my tasks is a plate spinning on a stick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I remember this my day goes much smoother.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> So for example, today I was feeding my baby</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And my five-year-old, Miss Sweetie had cut her toe while playing outside, and blood was running everywhere. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NV5O12EID_g/UbDeThHw8xI/AAAAAAAAC1E/7NCpM3YkdFY/s1600/DF5DF710-2F6D-478E-826E-EC02A6E1FDBC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NV5O12EID_g/UbDeThHw8xI/AAAAAAAAC1E/7NCpM3YkdFY/s1600/DF5DF710-2F6D-478E-826E-EC02A6E1FDBC.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had to put my baby down and take care of her toe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I thought I was supposed to be 'spinning the plate' and taking care of my baby but instead I had to set him down and take care of her. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Im-HFl19gsY/UbDen4OElSI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/m3TNOScMNfM/s1600/2043D607-FA24-4B14-B354-3AEE480220A4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Im-HFl19gsY/UbDen4OElSI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/m3TNOScMNfM/s1600/2043D607-FA24-4B14-B354-3AEE480220A4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was funny though because my baby didn't even fuss as I took care of her even though he was hungry. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was like he knew it was her turn to be taking care of, and he could wait. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't always work like that though sometimes I feel like all the plates are going to come crashing down around me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's when I feel like I have to give each plate a tiny spin, and give each person who needs me a little bit of attention. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GF3uAZw-Jt0/UbDg-plbViI/AAAAAAAAC1k/DinFXM5RMRk/s1600/91713585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GF3uAZw-Jt0/UbDg-plbViI/AAAAAAAAC1k/DinFXM5RMRk/s1600/91713585.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've decided it's much easier running around working as hard as possible trying to keep all my plates spinning, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">then it is to forget and let a plate come crashing down and try to glue it back together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes motherhood sure is tiring!</span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-50468597812525066242013-06-03T21:58:00.000-06:002013-06-03T21:58:42.918-06:00Whew! I'm back!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been busy, too busy (I guess) to blog!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One day after my last post I had my third baby.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1j3ra5c-moo/Ua1YrzgL-2I/AAAAAAAACdA/mmmxvKqnyoc/s1600/3672+bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1j3ra5c-moo/Ua1YrzgL-2I/AAAAAAAACdA/mmmxvKqnyoc/s1600/3672+bw.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He is an angel!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Practically perfect in every way, except maybe at night ;)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been struggling to keep my head above water,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and my extra curricular activities, like blogging, fell by the wayside...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's just one more picture of little buddy,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">just 'cause he's so cute to look at!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi3IqbmGdpU/Ua1Y38liUiI/AAAAAAAACdM/pzO_ImwAuAo/s1600/4014+vivid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi3IqbmGdpU/Ua1Y38liUiI/AAAAAAAACdM/pzO_ImwAuAo/s1600/4014+vivid.jpg" height="220" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've had some amazing experiences since this baby has arrived.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I feel overwhelmed at how great my life is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
{That's not to brag, it's just to say, whew I'm blessed!}</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I got my hands on a book called <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Z4CGDK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005Z4CGDK&linkCode=as2&tag=myoatkis-20%22%3EFaithful,%20Fit%20and%20Fabulous:%20Get%20Back%20to%20Basics%20and%20Transform%20Your%20Life--%20in%20just%208%20Weeks!%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=myoatkis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005Z4CGDK%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">Faithful, Fit and Fabulous by Connie Sokol</a>. Her big thing is to challenge women to make a "Life Plan."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Basically a life plan means to picture your perfect day, and make steps to achieve that life every day. This is my tailor made and super personal life plan, but I think it will help you get how great it is to write it out for yourself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my life plan: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">{I'm closing my eyes, breathing in and out, I think I can share this with you...}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am healthy and strong spiritually, mentally, and physically. I know how to plan prioritize and work efficiently so I can enjoy the role I have chosen. I am a happy attentive wife and mother who laughs a lot. I enable my husband to serve, grow and accomplish his dreams. My home is a haven of peace and success.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see, it is a statement of things that make up my ideal day to day life, and it gives me A LOT to work on,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but it also focuses my attention on the things that matter most to me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGbnCoAUr2A/Ua1hrITRwdI/AAAAAAAACrs/XDdAlOQh73E/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGbnCoAUr2A/Ua1hrITRwdI/AAAAAAAACrs/XDdAlOQh73E/s1600/13+-+1" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So do it, write your own life plan!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I have done it miracles have happened, little ones, but still miracles. I have struggled to make this plan just for me, I have found that things I thought I couldn't do, I can do with help from heaven.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is one of my favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1069006.C_S_Lewis" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">C.S. Lewis</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/801500" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Mere Christianity</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't that awesome! Just a little food for thought!</span></div>
My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-85416156955790680982013-06-03T21:07:00.005-06:002013-06-29T15:43:57.565-06:00Plymouth PlantationISoWhen we asked people must dos with kids in Boston, our aunt who lived there said definitely go see Plymouth Plantation. It was so hands on and so much fun, we are glad we went!<div><br></div><div>The first stop was to the Native American village. The people there were so cool! They came from the local tribe and did everything by hand. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-do05yF_0NGE/UcpwezUFaSI/AAAAAAAAC4g/FNtUncFmFuk/s640/blogger-image-541739255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-do05yF_0NGE/UcpwezUFaSI/AAAAAAAAC4g/FNtUncFmFuk/s640/blogger-image-541739255.jpg"></a></div>Here they are playing with toys<b>.</b></div><div><br></div><div>When we first got there, they were carving out a canoe and burning the inside away. They had 4 canoes completed. They said they sold the completed canoes to museums. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MeIsSU3IXc8/Uc9VEruCbCI/AAAAAAAAC6I/VlhoqZ1jO2E/s640/blogger-image--861652987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MeIsSU3IXc8/Uc9VEruCbCI/AAAAAAAAC6I/VlhoqZ1jO2E/s640/blogger-image--861652987.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>They had lots of buildings they had made all over. As well as people tending the garden and cooking authentic meals too.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LNaYmHg9T9U/Uc9VBcVWWjI/AAAAAAAAC5w/W1GAe3SXx9Q/s640/blogger-image-1299620130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LNaYmHg9T9U/Uc9VBcVWWjI/AAAAAAAAC5w/W1GAe3SXx9Q/s640/blogger-image-1299620130.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Here's Miss Sassy taking a nap on a comfy bed!</div><div><br></div><div>Next we headed to the pilgrim colony. It was so interesting to see the difference! I was surprised to see how "posh" the pilgrim's houses were. They had beds and mattresses with canopy covers around them for privacy.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HOBZCNI53zM/Uc9VDpK4FzI/AAAAAAAAC6A/0TMBUY63mP0/s640/blogger-image--187330662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HOBZCNI53zM/Uc9VDpK4FzI/AAAAAAAAC6A/0TMBUY63mP0/s640/blogger-image--187330662.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div>We decided it was a little awkward to talk to the pilgrims because they all had fake accents and were pretending to be different people, and gave one word answers when you asked questions. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Then we ran into the sweetest lady. She was mending a dress and we started asking her lots of questions about things children would do.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FQ7Cu7x-Jjo/Uc9VHPmIW9I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/QlsRxyV26Xs/s640/blogger-image--1045520090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FQ7Cu7x-Jjo/Uc9VHPmIW9I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/QlsRxyV26Xs/s640/blogger-image--1045520090.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>She was so cute! She had them collect the mussel shells that were outside, as well as some pebbles. She put them in a big bowl for them and told them they were to try to sink the Spanish navy!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J19EUjY-cc4/Uc9VF-aKsVI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/kcVk8cjfVXA/s640/blogger-image--570418109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J19EUjY-cc4/Uc9VF-aKsVI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/kcVk8cjfVXA/s640/blogger-image--570418109.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>They threw the pebbles in and tried to make the shells sink.</div><div><br></div><div>We finished up by heading to the kids playroom. There were fun dress ups, puppets, puzzles and toys. It was a fun way to end the day!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PNkARGpwMbw/Uc9VCQSM6lI/AAAAAAAAC54/LXGS_s0g88Q/s640/blogger-image-1407019163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PNkARGpwMbw/Uc9VCQSM6lI/AAAAAAAAC54/LXGS_s0g88Q/s640/blogger-image-1407019163.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-86922113743887885402012-12-14T14:55:00.001-07:002012-12-14T14:58:00.529-07:00Merry Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey everyone!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The baby should be coming sometime today!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the mean time I wanted to share a <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_EfdDlACmSmLU1ZQW9Ib1ZZY2s">Christmas quote</a> with you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Jellyka Delicious Cake"; font-size: 30.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peace is not the absence of troubles,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Jellyka Delicious Cake"; font-size: 30.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the presence of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="background: #F9F6ED; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The Christmases I remember best, the Christmases
which touched my heart the most, are Christmases filled with love and giving
and the Spirit of the Savior. . . . Bringing the Christmas spirit into our
hearts and homes takes conscious effort and planning but can surely be
accomplished."</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: #F9F6ED; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">-Thomas S. Monson Christmas Devotional 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: #F9F6ED; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was looking for a heartwarming quote to share with friends,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and I couldn't quite find what I wanted,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I made my own.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You can download it <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_EfdDlACmSmLU1ZQW9Ib1ZZY2s">here</a> for free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 18px;">Here are some fun Christmas Ideas:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_EfdDlACmSmLU1ZQW9Ib1ZZY2s">We Three Kings</a>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where we had fun making kings crowns and gifts for the baby Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4QTcANI45I/TvVYlrPxc0I/AAAAAAAABAI/jj-WCBM0HC8/s320/P1040766.JPG" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/12/oh-christmas-tree.html">Oh Christmas Tree</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where we made a felt Christmas Tree,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and Christmas Tree snacks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkmHpdlTyDw/TvKsWMCGQQI/AAAAAAAAA9o/6h48AGJ9CJA/s320/P1040600.JPG" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/12/shepherds-and-candy-canes.html">Shepherds and Candy Canes</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where we made candy cane scented play dough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLCjm8RKXUw/TvJR_5D9lOI/AAAAAAAAA4g/xxiAxnG6Izo/s320/P1040606.JPG" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/12/santa-day.html">Santa Day</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where we made all things Santa</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXix6UJJmpM/TvAgMcNXbeI/AAAAAAAAA3I/V8la3yhVZBs/s320/P1040670.JPG" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2011/12/reindeer-day.html">Reindeer Day</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where we did a few reindeer crafts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3hI4YYSqKg/TufNGqO7TtI/AAAAAAAAAzE/Hzyeeo1dTuQ/s320/P1040661.JPG" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas!!</span></div>
My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-42637239097484390512012-11-15T22:31:00.002-07:002012-11-15T22:31:47.656-07:00Halloween Fun Part II<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We had tons of fun during the Halloween Season!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We carved pumpkins...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMQTlawdY58/UKXG2RfJ8gI/AAAAAAAACWo/uYJ4_UX-lYY/s1600/P1060601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMQTlawdY58/UKXG2RfJ8gI/AAAAAAAACWo/uYJ4_UX-lYY/s320/P1060601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ha ha! Look of that face!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to the Witch festival.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEuoGOWzbWk/UKXG7dLVlQI/AAAAAAAACWs/dh9Lo6zpt9c/s1600/P1060605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEuoGOWzbWk/UKXG7dLVlQI/AAAAAAAACWs/dh9Lo6zpt9c/s320/P1060605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know why H. is crying...he's holding a cookie in his hand. What could be wrong?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We went trick or treating</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMpKc4ertI0/UKXHCO66S5I/AAAAAAAACWw/F7aLxJwIAU8/s1600/P1060651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMpKc4ertI0/UKXHCO66S5I/AAAAAAAACWw/F7aLxJwIAU8/s320/P1060651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we had more preschool fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have I told you yet that I LOVE my <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/p/preschool-calendar.html">preschool co-op</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4STCRsW3uE/UKXHNNC5KBI/AAAAAAAACW0/RQ5ArJCSkKQ/s1600/P1060660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4STCRsW3uE/UKXHNNC5KBI/AAAAAAAACW0/RQ5ArJCSkKQ/s320/P1060660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's so fun and so easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids get so much variety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and it's free!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids loved painting so much the first day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that we did it again the second day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's great for fine motor skills,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and we connected literature to art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Five Little Pumpkins, which we read for math last time.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lABK2mnwwyQ/UKXHY4YZAYI/AAAAAAAACW4/nQNQ51OLxck/s1600/P1060663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lABK2mnwwyQ/UKXHY4YZAYI/AAAAAAAACW4/nQNQ51OLxck/s320/P1060663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the Letter Hh we used cereal with "holes"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and then when they were finished,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">they used the do a dot markers to fill in the Hh.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECbcigsKFw4/UKXHgc9ubmI/AAAAAAAACXE/m0TKQFmN9Wc/s1600/P1060667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECbcigsKFw4/UKXHgc9ubmI/AAAAAAAACXE/m0TKQFmN9Wc/s320/P1060667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These printables are of course from <a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/240070771/f170eaa8/hdoadot.html">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had them write in their journals about what they were for Halloween.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt6ouLn53Xw/UKXHrBHHn6I/AAAAAAAACXI/HNLZ85uXCZI/s1600/P1060668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt6ouLn53Xw/UKXHrBHHn6I/AAAAAAAACXI/HNLZ85uXCZI/s320/P1060668.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we read <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582347115/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1582347115&linkCode=as2&tag=myoatkis-20%22%3EThree%20Little%20Ghosties%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=myoatkis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1582347115%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">Three Little Ghosties</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">...eating their toasties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we made cinnamon sugar toasts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwCg1FN7C68/UKXHxgfBuZI/AAAAAAAACXM/_LnibozM6Z4/s1600/P1060672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwCg1FN7C68/UKXHxgfBuZI/AAAAAAAACXM/_LnibozM6Z4/s320/P1060672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-35704413324470741002012-10-30T22:23:00.000-06:002012-10-30T22:24:29.992-06:00H is for Happy Haunted Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For Halloween in Preschool everyone was invited to dress up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started out introducing the letter Hh by painting some haunted houses with water colors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then on the black paper we added some spooky ghosts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_LkCl0qI1I/UJCifHu3TLI/AAAAAAAACTk/5UiDOCiIQgM/s1600/P1060619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_LkCl0qI1I/UJCifHu3TLI/AAAAAAAACTk/5UiDOCiIQgM/s1600/P1060619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For our snack we made Haunted Houses</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or Gingerbread Houses made out of chocolate gram crackers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I gave each person their own bowl of frosting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not economical, but more sanitary :).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was great for their imaginations and fine motor skills!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And they surprisingly didn't eat very much candy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">well at least at school!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg-31hAhlzc/UJCiq_JhHhI/AAAAAAAACUc/24yLSjpY8S4/s1600/P1060623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg-31hAhlzc/UJCiq_JhHhI/AAAAAAAACUc/24yLSjpY8S4/s1600/P1060623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They all turned out fantastic,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M. was really proud of her house.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ltyn-4jGEm8/UJCikRKwSLI/AAAAAAAACTs/tQiZzMQbfAc/s1600/P1060620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ltyn-4jGEm8/UJCikRKwSLI/AAAAAAAACTs/tQiZzMQbfAc/s1600/P1060620.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Math we did a witches brew and sorted and counted our candies. We used monster fangs (candy corn), baby ghosts (mini marshmallows), and pumpkins (candy pumpkins) to sort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We wrote down how many we had on our paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which required lots of help from me, aka no pictures of that part. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For music time we read Ghosts in the House</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By Kazuno Kohara</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a non scary haunted house book about a witch </span><span style="font-size: large;">who moves into a big house filled with ghosts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She catches them all, washes them in the laundry, </span><span style="font-size: large;">and uses them for curtains, table clothes and blankets.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ra4_XKAM8QE/UJCix_24flI/AAAAAAAACUg/XOQjXYoqRQU/s1600/P1060628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ra4_XKAM8QE/UJCix_24flI/AAAAAAAACUg/XOQjXYoqRQU/s1600/P1060628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the music side of it, I turned on Halloween music and they acted out the book. Here most of them are hanging their ghosts up to dry.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpvwumKNy5I/UJCi6JtGhcI/AAAAAAAACUk/3JTWeHrxf1c/s1600/P1060632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpvwumKNy5I/UJCi6JtGhcI/AAAAAAAACUk/3JTWeHrxf1c/s1600/P1060632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then they lined up by the fan and let their ghosts fly through the room.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WJzhRrlwoU/UJCjHQynGHI/AAAAAAAACUM/WPeyTTXG3hI/s1600/P1060641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WJzhRrlwoU/UJCjHQynGHI/AAAAAAAACUM/WPeyTTXG3hI/s1600/P1060641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Halloween everyone!</span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-60151350912200817752012-09-19T21:38:00.000-06:002012-09-19T21:48:21.476-06:00How to Start Your Own Preschool<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">School is underway, and maybe you've thought about starting your own preschool with your child/children in your home. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6QNhYBALKU/UFqKIHmjIAI/AAAAAAAACSM/ADUSzq63CEA/s1600/schoo;.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6QNhYBALKU/UFqKIHmjIAI/AAAAAAAACSM/ADUSzq63CEA/s1600/schoo;.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a few ideas to get you started!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Create a Specific Space</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have an empty room, use that, or just have it in the same place every day. Create a place for your child to sit. In our preschool co-op we use cloth place mats. </span>It helps them learn how a school setting works, and makes them feel like they are in school!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Decorate Your "School Space"</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tu27bimKhM/UFqLY021NaI/AAAAAAAACSk/cjc0Zik2xOw/s1600/Halloween1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tu27bimKhM/UFqLY021NaI/AAAAAAAACSk/cjc0Zik2xOw/s320/Halloween1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing will make them feel like they are really going to school more then by making your "school space" look like school. A great place to go for items to create your school space is All a Dollar, they have tons of school posters and signs!</span><br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Create Curriculum Centered Around Your Child</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DH9JJRK_CpY/UFqL4Qxu3nI/AAAAAAAACS8/1Kc7b-lltHY/s1600/P1030985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DH9JJRK_CpY/UFqL4Qxu3nI/AAAAAAAACS8/1Kc7b-lltHY/s320/P1030985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yay! This is the most fun part! This is the only time in their life (if you send them to traditional school) that you can focus on <i>their</i> strengths and interests and cater to that. And, because they're your kids an added bonus is often that their strengths will be the same as your strengths! If your child loves fairy tales and stories, then focus on story telling through puppets, dress ups, re-telling stories, and creating their own stories. If your child loves animals, nature, and the world around them, focus on non-fiction and learning facts about the things they love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/p/preschool-curriculum.html">Here</a> is a link to a mock <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/p/preschool-curriculum.html">calendar I created to give you some ideas</a><span id="goog_903457101"></span><span id="goog_903457102"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just remember, it's not about creating a genius, it's about enriching your child's education. If you push your child too hard at first, they will not have a fun experience. Just take it slow and let them go at their own pace, and then if you see they need to be more challenged, give them more!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Stock up on Craft Supplies</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CxdPSMBjMxY/T7_zbkmf0pI/AAAAAAAACCs/RfU_KPd3t0o/s1600/P1060077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CxdPSMBjMxY/T7_zbkmf0pI/AAAAAAAACCs/RfU_KPd3t0o/s320/P1060077.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I like having some supplies on hand. That way, if we read a library book togethe, and I have an idea how to make the book come to life, I can do it without a lot of stress. <a href="http://www.myoatmealkisses.com/2012/06/how-to-start-your-own-learning-time.htmlhttp://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2961626389085926157#editor/target=page;pageID=6270478457767073133">Here is a post</a> on what I personally like to have on hand. {Scroll to the bottom.}</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Go on Field Trips to Erich Your Curriculum</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4DPRRA49R0/UFqLx70v4KI/AAAAAAAACS0/BOT3O2lnTpg/s1600/P1040167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4DPRRA49R0/UFqLx70v4KI/AAAAAAAACS0/BOT3O2lnTpg/s320/P1040167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go to story time at your local library, check out seasonal events in your area, visit local shops like pet shops, grocery stores, and bakeries as field trips. You can take what you are learning and turn it into real life in your children's minds. For example, if you go to a local farm to pick berries you can read the classic book Blackberries for Sal. Or, if you are learning about Jack-o-Lanterns, go to a local pumpkin patch and pick a pumpkin and go home and measure it and weigh it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Don't Re-create the Wheel</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are stumped, or looking for an activity, search online! There are tons of sites already doing the leg work for you. Some of my favorites are <a href="http://preschool-daze.com/">Preschool Daze</a>, <a href="http://www.teachpreschool.org/">Teach Preschool</a>, and <a href="http://strongstart.blogspot.com/">Strong Start</a>. They aren't too over the top, but they have great ideas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are my favorite sites for free printables (You have probably already noticed I use these sites a lot!). <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a> and <a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/">1+1+1=1</a> have some of the best free resources, as well as curriculum ideas to help you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Have Fun!</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IG_Jw3aoRKs/UFqM4qgHy-I/AAAAAAAACTE/DktfK0jbS_s/s1600/Princess2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IG_Jw3aoRKs/UFqM4qgHy-I/AAAAAAAACTE/DktfK0jbS_s/s320/Princess2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">This is the most important! Use your strengths and make it fun. Make memories with your child and it will all be worth it!</span></div>
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My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-9568229076832088662012-08-16T22:50:00.001-06:002012-08-16T22:50:40.170-06:00Potty Training Fun {?}<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's that time again to start potty training baby H!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">{Groan}</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you feel that way? I do! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It feels like it is a ton of work and mess...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are just in the very very early stages with H.,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">so here we go!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuJCzbdtlXY/UC25mmElsuI/AAAAAAAACSA/EWH0ExEm44w/s1600/Camera+Download+1-13-11+446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuJCzbdtlXY/UC25mmElsuI/AAAAAAAACSA/EWH0ExEm44w/s320/Camera+Download+1-13-11+446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel like I learned a few things from potty training Miss Sassy.</span></div>
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(Don't ask me why she has undies on her head in this pic...)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I started potty training her at 18 mo, and it continued until she was 30 mo. old...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I feel like I tried everything!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So it was a little grueling, to say the least.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some things I learned</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Read the book Stress Free Potty Training</span></div>
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Just check it out of the library like I did.</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BY9Q68/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001BY9Q68&linkCode=as2&tag=myoatkis-20%22%3EStress-Free%20Potty%20Training:%20A%20Commonsense%20Guide%20to%20Finding%20the%20Right%20Approach%20for%20Your%20Child%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=myoatkis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001BY9Q68%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSa-vTw29CJPX8fDybjUgLHfUrpWdezSzdvOB3lmsUeklWBlKN7" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It has a personality test that you take for your child,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and based on that test, you potty train your child using different strategies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It turned out Miss Sassy was strong willed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">so she had to figure out for herself that she wanted to be potty trained. Once that happened, potty training was a snap!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8VsSVot3mM/UC25GDeAmeI/AAAAAAAACR8/ctI6ho980ew/s1600/Camera+Download+1-13-11+445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8VsSVot3mM/UC25GDeAmeI/AAAAAAAACR8/ctI6ho980ew/s320/Camera+Download+1-13-11+445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Make sure you have the building blocks in place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just like teaching kids how to read, you make sure they know the basics, their letters and sounds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With potty training you want them to have some basic skills: like being able the pull down their pants, knowing potty words :), knowing their anatomy, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Start early with Potty Propaganda</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">aka before you actually start potty training, plant the ideas of potty training with books, movies, and other resources!</span></div>
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I had one friend ask a family friend who played Santa Claus, to tell her daughter that it was time for her to be potty trained. It worked!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Don't push your child, let them dictate the speed they go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Have power potty training sessions</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pull of their diaper, let them run around naked,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">outside, or in a non carpeted room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bring in a potty seat, and lots of juice to help them pee,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and salty snacks to make them thirsty and help them poop.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Encourage them to go in the potty, and cheer like crazy when they do! If the miss have them clean it up, or try to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did this a lot with Miss Sassy, and it really helped!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just don't get frustrated when the day after a power session, they are not 100% trained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Take a break from potty training if you need one. It's okay! It doesn't mean you've failed. Sometimes a little break is just what you need to have a break through in potty training!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of my favorite Potty Training Books:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764160303/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0764160303&linkCode=as2&tag=myoatkis-20%22%3EHave%20You%20Seen%20My%20Potty?%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=myoatkis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764160303%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRihRRqcg-rB6cxjCVUJZ8JF7xLjEO14RrwR2s3-3_-kdKzUWE3" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The farm animals steal Suzy Sue's potty,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and call it a poo pot, when she can't find it she almost goes in the bushes, until the animals stop her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is a darling book, and toddlers pick up on the meaning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="200" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6308246120_b287d50c81.jpg" width="200" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This book is a board book, with a baby who doesn't want to go in his diaper! He tries to hold in, and then eventually goes in the potty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMKr9J1lk75-1AO8s0RtGueep6npuXPUCwSab3CAHLmr_QgVJz" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't you love Karen Katz! This book as pages that are a bi-fold and flip open to reveal the next part of the story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is about a child who learns how to use the potty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789448890/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0789448890&linkCode=as2&tag=myoatkis-20%22%3EMy%20Potty%20Book:%20For%20Boys%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=myoatkis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0789448890%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS1SbQvRgPAMe0inF9sm7EFwcV14j92ZAzji7cGvy6nzLHX_0zcKQ" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This book has a boy and girl version. I love the real life pictures! My daughter read the girl version over and over again,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">she especially loved when the little girl got to choose big girl underwear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CBLBC/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000CBLBC&linkCode=as2&tag=myoatkis-20%22%3EOnce%20Upon%20a%20Potty%20for%20Him%20DVD%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=myoatkis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000CBLBC%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRqE16Imfaf-DDvIK0DAubVpaUk6dwydm8Qn96Z5rah3LnSYuhFlA" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is my favorite movie, it's a little old school, but it is so to the point. It shows the little girl having an accident, and then eventually succeeding by going in the potty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There are so many other great books and movies, I just wanted you to have a little list so you could put it on hold at the library!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Children feel like they are being told about potty training by a peer rather than their mom or dad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What are your tips for potty training??</span></div>
My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-86355257048446708482012-08-13T21:44:00.000-06:002012-08-13T21:44:14.797-06:00Workin' at the Car Wash!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to spice up our outside play,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so we decided to have a car wash</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(aka a bike and scooter wash).</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjOGrr6YaLw/UCm55uwZR5I/AAAAAAAACQ8/XrxfXhBGxq0/s1600/P1060362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjOGrr6YaLw/UCm55uwZR5I/AAAAAAAACQ8/XrxfXhBGxq0/s320/P1060362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I got a bucket full of soapy water,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a good car wash sponge,</span>
</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKmzQWZhjSQ/UCm6CTcDD2I/AAAAAAAACRA/GiZON_dwyBY/s1600/P1060365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKmzQWZhjSQ/UCm6CTcDD2I/AAAAAAAACRA/GiZON_dwyBY/s320/P1060365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and a watering can to rinse off their bikes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPkZaJP0N1Y/UCm6PzlHzjI/AAAAAAAACRE/Po4FABKbZEc/s1600/P1060369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPkZaJP0N1Y/UCm6PzlHzjI/AAAAAAAACRE/Po4FABKbZEc/s320/P1060369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They loved riding their bikes up and down the driveway,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and washing them off.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYQRsI7fw8U/UCm6jtbRSjI/AAAAAAAACRI/Z88CiJDjPrA/s1600/P1060373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYQRsI7fw8U/UCm6jtbRSjI/AAAAAAAACRI/Z88CiJDjPrA/s320/P1060373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had to add an element of craziness,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we had a mud zone.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGAhI03AOdQ/UCm6qz84UvI/AAAAAAAACRM/AqI3AuJ162U/s1600/P1060375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGAhI03AOdQ/UCm6qz84UvI/AAAAAAAACRM/AqI3AuJ162U/s320/P1060375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They really liked creating this.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once they cleaned off their bikes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">they would ride them through the mud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We turned on the sprinklers,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to rinse off their bikes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and play in the yard.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is H. doing what he does best,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">squishing ants...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgdHALstodg/UCm62NoVubI/AAAAAAAACRQ/I-SLLXAgYHw/s1600/P1060386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgdHALstodg/UCm62NoVubI/AAAAAAAACRQ/I-SLLXAgYHw/s320/P1060386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-81550795484947719402012-07-29T21:46:00.000-06:002012-07-29T21:53:13.964-06:00The Last of Seattle<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the last of our pics from Seattle,</span><br />
I was planning on posting this last week,<br />
but for some reason pregnancy and blogging do not seem to mix for me.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We visited Snoqualmie Falls,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">it was gorgeous!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love the looks on the kids faces,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">they forgot we were on vacation having fun.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-meHTJJuNIN4/UAjNHCNFKVI/AAAAAAAACOQ/GdDggkHHQC8/s1600/P1060181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-meHTJJuNIN4/UAjNHCNFKVI/AAAAAAAACOQ/GdDggkHHQC8/s320/P1060181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the town of Snoqualmie they have a train museum with a ton of vintage trains that you could go peek in.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkMjXaHd1iU/UAjTQAE_0zI/AAAAAAAACOk/S1uTmw80i7A/s1600/train+tracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkMjXaHd1iU/UAjTQAE_0zI/AAAAAAAACOk/S1uTmw80i7A/s320/train+tracks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We also visited the Troll under the Bridge,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">M. loved it! She would have played in the dirt for hours!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-orCJXb0cxkM/UAjNX5oJanI/AAAAAAAACOU/Wcn1R9pj0Xk/s1600/P1060197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-orCJXb0cxkM/UAjNX5oJanI/AAAAAAAACOU/Wcn1R9pj0Xk/s320/P1060197.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We also went up the Columbia Tower in the city center to see a great view of the city.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XMqsUHukus/UAjXlsyIL7I/AAAAAAAACOs/KIyBB3bN1EE/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XMqsUHukus/UAjXlsyIL7I/AAAAAAAACOs/KIyBB3bN1EE/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This pic shows what a momma's boy baby H. is.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Children's Museum in Seattle was amazing!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmgcrpmrDuM/UAjPVpZxkMI/AAAAAAAACOg/MtCmHdJN0v8/s1600/P1060234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmgcrpmrDuM/UAjPVpZxkMI/AAAAAAAACOg/MtCmHdJN0v8/s320/P1060234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We all loved building, and we were in this room for at least an hour.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5xpVw1wqiM/UAjgZ7gmVpI/AAAAAAAACPE/R0areqNJSdM/s1600/P1060228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5xpVw1wqiM/UAjgZ7gmVpI/AAAAAAAACPE/R0areqNJSdM/s320/P1060228.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This was their themed exhibit, all about animals and insects.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">M. found the lady bug outfit right away.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Je03kYwamr4/UAjNyE7RsrI/AAAAAAAACOc/caUU0dYRLMA/s1600/P1060219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Je03kYwamr4/UAjNyE7RsrI/AAAAAAAACOc/caUU0dYRLMA/s320/P1060219.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also went touring around the beautiful Vashon, Island.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite sites is the bike in the tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it amazing?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDjJNo-xuEk/UAjP39fgOKI/AAAAAAAACO4/wqvSKmVr4-o/s1600/P1060270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDjJNo-xuEk/UAjP39fgOKI/AAAAAAAACO4/wqvSKmVr4-o/s320/P1060270.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love this pic of M. & H., but the end of the trip,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">they were totally in love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a book about it:</span><br />
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTamElBakMUXmaXPjWXicY-Rv-S2KFQenU4d719hiKLZ49_vmetuQ" /></div>My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-79867539018717966512012-07-19T22:26:00.000-06:002012-07-19T22:26:02.402-06:00Seattle Sea Shells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ahh Seattle, it's so fun to be on the coast.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CP6n5a963cc/UAjEdLm8F9I/AAAAAAAACLs/DvR4_pGFbZI/s1600/P1060156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CP6n5a963cc/UAjEdLm8F9I/AAAAAAAACLs/DvR4_pGFbZI/s320/P1060156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We headed to a little lagoon on the island to do some exploring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We found some big crab shells,</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajje8c-4-vk/UAjDKJeUecI/AAAAAAAACLY/Orti6h5FgOg/s1600/P1060151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajje8c-4-vk/UAjDKJeUecI/AAAAAAAACLY/Orti6h5FgOg/s320/P1060151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and small sand crabs.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMbB7KbFGac/UAjDRjPjUAI/AAAAAAAACLg/ZnB64-g6mAI/s1600/P1060159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMbB7KbFGac/UAjDRjPjUAI/AAAAAAAACLg/ZnB64-g6mAI/s320/P1060159.JPG" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">H. would look, but was afraid to touch.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHOS7Y999O8/UAjEPJ2nW2I/AAAAAAAACLo/2kgca-IrL1I/s1600/P1060152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHOS7Y999O8/UAjEPJ2nW2I/AAAAAAAACLo/2kgca-IrL1I/s320/P1060152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After collecting all of our sea shells, we took them home and popped them in the oven,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and colored them with crayons.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjlunrHEClE/UAjFY6NdBYI/AAAAAAAACL4/2sC8CrMcx_4/s1600/P1060303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjlunrHEClE/UAjFY6NdBYI/AAAAAAAACL4/2sC8CrMcx_4/s320/P1060303.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">We turned the oven on to 350 degrees and left them in there</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> for 7-10 minutes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">I let her use a glove because they were a little hot.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The most fun was to turn the sea shell over onto the smooth side,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">because it melted so much better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You can do this same process with stones as well</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">{but you prob already knew that :)}</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBvCvbTXKt0/UAjFp95NGfI/AAAAAAAACL8/zflLn22FGMo/s1600/P1060307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBvCvbTXKt0/UAjFp95NGfI/AAAAAAAACL8/zflLn22FGMo/s320/P1060307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Afterward we learned more about the letter Ss by using the pages <a href="http://shared.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/phonics/K4LetterHunt.pdf">here</a>, <a href="http://www.starfall.com/ni/download/level-k-bl/bl-s.pdf">here</a>, and <a href="http://lettersandnumbers.org/alphabet-letter-signs-a-l.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-63y0E4qLPPo/UAjFHqNYFqI/AAAAAAAACL0/Q0MDg81fZIo/s1600/P1060301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-63y0E4qLPPo/UAjFHqNYFqI/AAAAAAAACL0/Q0MDg81fZIo/s200/P1060301.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEZEZGgV0YU/UAjFAlIYvoI/AAAAAAAACLw/9kJGlcH4KVo/s1600/P1060300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEZEZGgV0YU/UAjFAlIYvoI/AAAAAAAACLw/9kJGlcH4KVo/s200/P1060300.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Summer!</span></div>My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961626389085926157.post-9026028661269635792012-07-10T16:40:00.000-06:002012-07-10T16:40:54.701-06:00Exploring Seattle Part One<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, I have an announcement....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm pregnant with baby number #3!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aka why I haven't posted for a while.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But now that I'm {mostly} over morning sickness,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm ready to get back to work!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We had the chance of a lifetime to take a vacation to <a href="http://www.vashonchamber.com/">Vashon Island, WA.</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Which is an island in between Seattle and Tacoma.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our friends live on a six acres oasis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One morning while the boys were working out,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we decided to go exploring.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpI3c8JDrqg/T_yc1buAPrI/AAAAAAAACI0/0oBLpWZkStA/s1600/P1060124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpI3c8JDrqg/T_yc1buAPrI/AAAAAAAACI0/0oBLpWZkStA/s320/P1060124.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">I gave the kids their own baggie with their name on it,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and they could pick anything to put in their bag.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMDkUg0_MBM/T_ycVzbHBBI/AAAAAAAACIo/zrA8dmN5rZk/s1600/P1060118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMDkUg0_MBM/T_ycVzbHBBI/AAAAAAAACIo/zrA8dmN5rZk/s320/P1060118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was such a gorgeous day, I ran and grabbed my camera.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They had a ball picking beautiful things,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and claiming them as their own.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUIKQxySg5k/T_ycjD_FijI/AAAAAAAACIs/PvaPq7QP_7Y/s1600/P1060125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUIKQxySg5k/T_ycjD_FijI/AAAAAAAACIs/PvaPq7QP_7Y/s320/P1060125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a fun activity that used many senses.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5To6Z_L9XE/T_yddBjYz9I/AAAAAAAACJA/-5W0zil2Ntg/s1600/P1060131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5To6Z_L9XE/T_yddBjYz9I/AAAAAAAACJA/-5W0zil2Ntg/s320/P1060131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We headed back inside,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and they were all thrilled with what they found.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x37DG4uO8P4/T_ydHk4UguI/AAAAAAAACJE/m5t09-bOt4U/s1600/P1060135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x37DG4uO8P4/T_ydHk4UguI/AAAAAAAACJE/m5t09-bOt4U/s320/P1060135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This picture feels like such a time piece.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can almost imagine all of them in the same pose in 5 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We went inside and made some flower art.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBqCFl0AwtE/T_ydvWZesZI/AAAAAAAACJM/I2FmvsI4B-Q/s1600/P1060136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBqCFl0AwtE/T_ydvWZesZI/AAAAAAAACJM/I2FmvsI4B-Q/s320/P1060136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then they exercised, just like their daddy's did.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J30crnVQOAM/T_yd7TDX-jI/AAAAAAAACJQ/J8Nr0XEwqpU/s1600/P1060140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J30crnVQOAM/T_yd7TDX-jI/AAAAAAAACJQ/J8Nr0XEwqpU/s320/P1060140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Just look at H.'s face, he wants one too!</span></div>My Oatmeal Kisseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086278162106910856noreply@blogger.com1