Morning Mayhem

Mornings can be stressful getting ready for school and work. 

You are tired.

They are tired.

You are hungry.

So are they.

Picture it…

Little Tommy can’t find his shoes because his brother Johnny is wearing them.

Johnny can’t understand why his shoes don’t fit properly, because he is mistakenly wearing Tommy’s shoes that are a half size too small. Now, he is spiraling into a temper tantrum.

Because remember, tired and hungry.

Your husband is answering emails and sipping his coffee while the pancakes burn on the griddle behind you, because you’re trying to help Tommy and Johnny. 

Milk has spilled onto the counter and now you have Nutella fingerprints all over the front of your dress, because baby Susie is crying for her mama and trying to climb you like a tree.

Does this sound familiar?

Hang in their Mom.

Check out a few tips that we have found extremely helpful to propel mornings in the right direction with less madness and mayhem.  Most of which is prepared the night before.

Lunches are best prepared the night before because it can be one of the most time consuming activities of the entire routine.  If you do this at nighttime, it is guaranteed to shave off a good ten minutes of your morning rush.

And mom, if they are old enough to criticize what they find in their lunchbox, they are old enough to make it themselves.

Kiiiiiiiiiiidddddinnnnnng. Sort of.

Lay out the outfits you are all planning to wear the next day.

Make sure all chores are done the night before.  You don’t want to have to climb any unnecessary hurdles throughout the morning.

In the mornings make sure that the TV stays off. If they get preoccupied with a show they aren’t going to easily get moving when you need them to be on the top of their game the most.

Spend the last few minutes before racing out to the car to do something fun like a little game or maybe sing some songs together.  Something that will have you all parting on a good note after the morning rush.

Hopefully this will help you have less mornings with mayhem and more time enjoying your family before the day begins.

Walking Water Science Experiment

How cool is this science experiment?

It is something so easy to do and produces results immediately. Try it at home with your little ones and experience the wonder that we did here in class.

If you are a Teacher you would enjoy doing this with your students during the spring months due to its rainbow effects. You could add it to your spring theme in the classroom along with other activities.

The supply list needed for this fun little experiment is simple:

~ Small clear cups

~ Paper towels

~ Food coloring (stick to primary colors)

~ And of course...water.

The setup is quite simple. Take a peak at the pictures to see just how easy it is.

~ Line your cups in a row or as you can see in the pictures, a circle will work just fine.

~ Fill your cups with water. Not necessarily to the rim. You will want to leave some space so that you avoid overflow when it is time to add the paper towels.

((When adding food coloring you will want to use the same amount of drops in each cup))

~ Add a few drops of red food coloring to the first and the last cup.

~ Add a few drops of yellow food coloring to the third cup.

~ Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the fifth cup.


Now, it's experiment time:



Cut your paper towels in half unless you have the "select-a-size." You won't need an entire paper towel because it will be entirely too bulky.

Fold that half sheet in half lengthwise and then again lengthwise.

Place a paper towel in the first cup and bend it placing the other half in the cup next to it. (Ex: form a rainbow)

Place another paper towel in the second cup and forming the rainbow into the third and so on until you reach the end of the line.

Immediately, you should notice the colored water starting its travel up the paper towels.

Eventually you will see how the colored water has traveled up the paper towel and down into the ends that are in the empty cups.

Those empty cups aren't there for decoration. They have their own purpose. There might be a little mixing action taking place within a few hours!

See? Super easy and fun. Enjoy!

Springtime Books For Preschoolers

It is the first day of Spring and we are expecting a BIG Snowstorm. 😞 A great way to remedy this situation?

We can dream of warmer days.

Orrrrrrrr...How about a few book ideas that you can read with your child? 😉

Here is a list for you to enjoy.

1 ~ Planting a Rainbow

Young children will enjoy learning about colors and flowers with this new edition of one of Lois Ehlert's most popular titles in a brand-new format.

2 ~ The Snail and the Whale

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It's a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

3 ~ It's Spring! 

A beautifully illustrated rhyming story about spring.

The robin told the rabbit...
The rabbit told the deer...
The deer told the duck...
Then all the birds began to sing
To tell the bears, "Wake up, it's spring!"

4 ~ Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo

Little things can have a big impact, as in this funny Beginner Book by Dr. Seuss (writing under the name Rosetta Stone) and Michael Frith. When a little bug sneezes, he unknowingly sets off a hilarious chain reaction that wreaks havoc clear across town. From a toppled turtle to a sinking ship to a disrupted circus parade, Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo! takes a hysterical look at consequences in a way that only Dr. Seuss can.

5 ~ The Little Gardener

Discover what it takes to become a little gardener with this interactive board book that's perfect for spring and summertime reading. 

It takes more than just seeds and water. Lift the flaps in this bright board book and find out all you need to know in order to create and care for your very own garden!

Shovel.
Pail.
Rake.
Ho.
Tiny seeds in a row.

Compost water.
Rain.
Sun.
Seeds sprout, one by one.

6 ~ And Then It's Spring 

Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they've had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way.

7 ~ Spring is Here (Bear and Mole Stories)

Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. Spring is in the air. Mole can smell it. But Bear is still asleep after his long winter nap. How will Mole wake up Bear so they can celebrate together? When a knock, knock, knock and toot, toot, toot can't get Bear out of bed, Mole cooks up a special treat.

Spring fever is catching in this vibrant story of friendship.

8 ~ The Tiny Seed (The World of Eric Carle)

Eric Carle’s classic story of the life cycle of

a flower is told through the adventures of a tiny

seed. This mini-book includes a piece of

detachable seed-embedded paper housed on the

inside front cover. Readers can plant the entire

piece of paper and watch as their very own tiny

seeds grow into beautiful wildflowers.

9 ~ Bear Wants More 

When springtime comes,

in his warm winter den

a bear wakes up

very hungry and thin!..."

Bear finds some roots to eat, but that's not enough. He wants more! With his friends' help, he finds some berries, clover, and fish to eat, but that's not enough. Bear wants more!

10 ~ Terry Treetop and the Lost Egg

Terry joins his family for a camping excursion. A lost egg sends him on an adventure in nature, where he meets different animal moms and learns about their eggs, their life cycle and their habitat. Terry manages to help someone in need, while gaining beautiful friendships along the way.

Top 10 Thanksgiving Books To Read With Your Children 2017

1 ~ Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks! (Reading Railroad)

Sure, Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and history--and turkey, of course!--but most importantly, it's a holiday all about everything that we are thankful for. Cheerful, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together.

2 ~ Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving

Join Pete in New York Times bestselling artist James Dean's Pete the Cat picture book series as Pete celebrates Thanksgiving in this groovy lift-the-flap book!

Starring in the school Thanksgiving play would make even the coolest cat nervous. But when Pete the Cat gets onstage, he makes learning the story of the first Thanksgiving fun. With thirteen flaps that open to reveal hidden surprises, this book is sure to be a holiday favorite for every Pete the Cat fan.

3 ~ Turkey Trouble

Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving . . . and you're the main
course. But Turkey has an idea--what if he doesn't look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead?
After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever!

4 ~ Llama Llama Gives Thanks

In Llama Llama Gives Thanks, it's Thanksgiving time for Llama Llama and his family! That means yummy foods and autumn leaves and being thankful for everything from pumpkin pies to blue skies. Thanksgiving may only come once year, but in Llama's family, giving thanks is always here!

With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.

5 ~ The Night Before Thanksgiving

Everyone’s favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday is almost here! Follow along as the feast is prepared, cousins are greeted, and everyone gathers around the table, all with an extra helping of holiday fun.

6 ~ Five Silly Turkeys

Toddlers will love the silly Thanksgiving turkeys in this fun counting book full of silly turkeys doing very silly things!  From twirling on a dance floor to being chased by a bee to tanning in the sun, these are no ordinary Thanksgiving turkeys. This shiny fabric–tabbed book is a holiday treat that is sure to be gobbled up quickly.

7 ~ 10 Fat Turkeys

This silly rhyming story about ten turkeys teaches children how to count backwards.

"Looky!" says a silly turkey swinging from a vine.
Gobble gobble wibble wobble.
Whoops! Now there are nine.

8 ~ There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey! 

The old lady is at it again, and this time she's swallowing a Turkey . . . she's always been quirky! 

You won't believe why this old lady swallowed
a turkey, a ball, a hat, a balloon, a boat, some wheels, and
a horn of plenty!

Read this book and find out why!

9 ~ The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks

The Berenstain cubs act out the first Thanksgiving complete with costumes, props, and a full Thanksgiving feast. But will Sister Bear’s pet turkey play the part of dinner? The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks teaches how God provided for the pilgrims and reminds children of God’s many blessings.

10 ~ T is for Turkey: A True Thanksgiving Story 

Little ones will love learning about Thanksgiving in Tanya Lee Stone's newest shaped alphabet book. Join in as the elementary school puts on a play that tells the true story of the first Thanksgiving. Rhyming couplets that flow through the alphabet help kids celebrate everything from Harvest to Pilgrims to Turkey.

Top 10 Halloween Children's Books of 2017

It's that time of year again. You know the one. When all of the little ghosts, goblins, and princesses come out in droves in search for tricks or treats. With that comes a fun Halloween themed reading list that you can bond over with your children.  

All can be found on Amazon.com 

Enjoy 😃📚🕮

1 ~ 

The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin

This gently spooky twist on “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” makes a favorite nursery rhyme just perfect for Halloween!

The itsy bitsy pumpkin
rolled down the spooky street.
He passed a ghoulish ghost
and some stinky goblin’s feet.

A little pumpkin is trying to find his way back home! And with a little help from a friendly witch, he is soon safe and sound, back on his porch—where there are no spiders to be seen! Little ones will love this fresh fall spin on a classic nursery rhyme!

2 ~ 

Room on the Broom

The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?

3 ~ 

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus

A haunted Halloween bus ride that will have children singing with excitement.

THE SPOOKY WHEELS ON THE BUS is a humorous Halloween-themed version of the classic song THE WHEELS ON THE BUS...with a few ghoulish tricks and treats up its sleeves! 

Count from One Spooky Bus up to Ten Goofy Ghosts as this Halloween ride races through town picking up a few unsuspecting passengers along the way.

4 ~ 

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything 

Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard...clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.

And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.

5 ~ 

Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins

Pete the Cat takes on the classic favorite children's song "Five Little Pumpkins" in New York Times bestselling author James Dean's Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins.

Join Pete as he rocks out to this cool adaptation of the classic Halloween song!

A perfect way to share the Halloween spirit with young children.

6 ~ 

Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete

Pete loves Halloween and candy but not so much scary surprises. Follow Pete as he goes trick-or-treating from house to house and discover what is waiting behind each door.

With over ten flaps that open to reveal fun spooky surprises, this book is spooktacular!

7 ~

Little Blue Truck's Halloween

8 ~ 

Eek! Halloween! 

Boynton celebrates Halloween!

A new addition to the Boynton on Board series, with over 21 million copies sold, Eek! Halloween! is all treat and no tricks, a journey with Boynton and her nutty characters through the tradition of Halloween.

It starts with an uh-oh—the chickens are nervous! Strange things are happening. One chicken saw a pumpkin with flickering eyes, another spied a mouse of enormous size. They all saw a wizard and a witch, and a spooky robot. “WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN? / Relax, silly chickens! It’s HALLOWEEN!”

9 ~ 

It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse! 

Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he decorates all the pumpkins in the patch in this sweet board book from Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.

Mouse is excited for fall because that means it is time to decorate pumpkins! But one is missing. Where could it have gone?

This is the perfect Halloween book for the very youngest reader, and is just the right book to get kids and budding artists inspired to work on their own Halloween crafts.

10 ~ 

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (Peanuts)

Spooky tricks and hilarious treats abound in this retelling of the beloved Halloween special that comes with holographic foil and embossing on the cover!

Celebrate Halloween with Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang!

It’s Halloween night, which means costumes, trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples…and waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Linus is certain that the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch to bring toys to all the children of the world. Could this be the year that it finally happens? 

Find out!