tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1921786857154348942024-02-19T03:22:09.731-06:00Sunshiny DaysKimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.comBlogger963125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-55700119148387390452014-08-14T15:57:00.000-05:002014-08-14T15:57:56.022-05:00Art for Kids Hub! Does your little one love to draw or paint? Ross and I have loved to do both since we were little tots ourselves so we couldn't wait to introduce Charlotte to art. At the beginning of this year, I discovered a very cool website - <a href="http://artforkidshub.com/" target="_blank">Art for Kids!</a><br />
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Mr. Rob is a very cool dad and an incredibly great art teacher. He loves creating new keepsakes with his three little munchkins and creates fun videos with them that shows the viewer how to draw or paint a certain object. He is one of those people that was gifted with not only an amazing talent, but also an easy way to describe shapes to young ones.<br />
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-ski-jumper/" target="_blank">Ski Jumper</a> (2/7/14) Age = 3</div>
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I was shocked the first time I let Charlotte follow along with a video. I had been pinning his tutorials for quite a few weeks, thinking it would be fun to do with C when she got a bit older. One morning we were upstairs and I just so happened to play the video for the ski jumper. I thought I would draw a few things and give them to her to color while we watched the Olympics later that evening. She quickly begged to draw along, so I gave her a Sharpie and sat back in utter amazement as she did her best to follow along. She was 3 and obviously started with a tutorial meant for older artist, but in my proud mommy eyes it looked like the best darn ski jumper I had ever seen. I showed it to everyone and so began our obsession with Art for Kids!<br />
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-hello-kitty/" target="_blank">Hello Kitty</a> (3/24/14) Age = 3 </div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-three-spring-flowers/" target="_blank">Three Spring Flowers</a> Age = 3</div>
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Mr. Rob posts new tutorials several times a week giving you lots of options to choose from and for several different age groups. I pin the ones we like and then just wait for C to mention that she wants to do an art project with Mr. Rob. She also knows all of the kids and talks about them like they are best friends.<br />
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/art-kids/" target="_blank">Teddy Bear</a> (5/13/14) Age = 3</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-paint-a-pink-flamingo/" target="_blank">Flamingo</a> (5/13/14) Age = 3</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/paint-winnie-pooh-super-young-artists/" target="_blank">Pooh Bear</a> (5/13/14) Age = 3 </div>
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Mr. Rob does a lot of drawings, but he also includes tutorials for painting and origami. We have been letting C paint with brushes since she could sit in a high chair. She would always paint something and explain what it was suppose to be. If you squinted an eye and tilted your head, you could sometimes see it, lol. I was so impressed when she wanted to try a few of the painting tutorials. I love how these two turned out and you can definitely tell what the subject was suppose to be. Her confidence in her art began to blossom right around here. She would show off her work to family and friends and would just beam when they exclaimed how great it was for her age and could correctly identify what she was showing them.<br />
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/art-kids/" target="_blank">Panda Bear</a> (5/14/14) Age = 3 </div>
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If you have followed my blog for awhile, you will immediately realize why I love this little panda bear. When we were expecting C, we decided to not find out what we were having. We started referring to my growing bump as our little panda bear. Ross came home, took one look at her drawing and quickly claimed it as his own. It's now framed and sitting in his office at work.<br />
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/art-kids/" target="_blank">Happy Bee</a> (5/16/14) Age = 3</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-koala-bear/" target="_blank">Koala</a> (6/4/14) Age = 3</div>
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I was excited when I saw this tutorial. It was a fun way to introduce Watercolor Pencils to C. We currently have this one hanging up in our entryway. That cute little koala makes me smile each and every time I see it!<br />
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-spider/" target="_blank">Spider</a> Age = 3</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-rainbow-dash/" target="_blank">Rainbow Dash</a> (6/10/14) Age = 3</div>
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I wish I would have taken a video when C saw that Mr. Rob added a Rainbow Dash tutorial. She reached decibels only dogs should have been able to hear. Needless to say, My Little Pony is big in this house at the moment. <br />
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-paint-a-watermelon/" target="_blank">Watermelon</a> (6/10/14) Age = 3</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-soccer-ball/" target="_blank">Soccer Ball</a> (7/8/14) Age = 3</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-firework/" target="_blank">Firework</a> (7/8/14) Age = 3</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-dragon-2/" target="_blank">Dragon</a> (8/5/14) Age = 4</div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-mouse/" target="_blank">Mouse</a> (8/14/14) Age = 4</div>
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She named hers Cheesy so I decided to call mine Gouda. I have to admit that I love sitting down and working on a picture myself. It has definitely made me quite popular with the neighborhood kids when we have been outside doing chalk art and I bust out a design that we just learned. </div>
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<a href="http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-paint-a-starfish/" target="_blank">Starfish </a>(8/14/14) Age = 4</div>
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Most of all I love watching Charlotte blossom into a little artist. Watching the videos not only teaches her to draw/paint, but it's a good way for her to learn to listen and follow directions. We've noticed that it has changed the way that she draws on her own as well. She is more imaginative and loves trying to draw pictures of us, favorite Disney characters or objects around the house. </div>
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I can't say enough good things about <a href="http://artforkidshub.com/" target="_blank">Art for Kids!</a> Go check out the website, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/robjensen/art-for-kids/" target="_blank">pin some ideas,</a> grab you kids and get to drawing. I assure you it will create lots of laughter, great memories and tons of precious artwork to treasure yourself or share with loved ones!! </div>
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-7625066534472037432014-08-04T13:06:00.003-05:002014-08-04T13:06:59.531-05:00Kiwi Crate - July 2014 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR62TzhZUjF1gG8DmUF-vc5cFTpjUzdKZdqgQDKQ_WkNS3F374x74XW8xpPnkiFSUeZPMQf_1aF_nbGeoDjhpT6MvEyZiiii6OYSWemJEd3he2c-vBMGYhUp6aZwMieoCRq4xRsJ0a2CX/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR62TzhZUjF1gG8DmUF-vc5cFTpjUzdKZdqgQDKQ_WkNS3F374x74XW8xpPnkiFSUeZPMQf_1aF_nbGeoDjhpT6MvEyZiiii6OYSWemJEd3he2c-vBMGYhUp6aZwMieoCRq4xRsJ0a2CX/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have you heard about <a href="http://www.kiwicrate.com/" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a>?
It is a monthly subscription box full of hands on projects for kids 3-8
years old. Each box includes all of the materials to complete two or
three very fun and creative crafts. We loved our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2014/06/kiwi-crate-may-2014-review.html" target="_blank">May Kiwi Crate</a> and our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2014/06/kiwi-crate-june-2014-review.html" target="_blank">June Kiwi Crate </a>and couldn't wait to see what came in this month's box. <br />
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The theme this month was Beach Day! Everything was included to make two, very fun projects: My Crazy Crabs and My Sea Foam Painting.<br />
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Charlotte chose to do the My Crazy Crabs first. We recently went to the beach and actually came across a few real hermit crabs while we were hunting for shells so she was very familiar with them.<br />
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She needed a little help stuffing and folding up the hermit crab bodies, but then she had a blast decorating the shells with stickers.<br />
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A fun little beach ball was included in the box. We played crazy hermit crab soccer and volleyball for nearly 2 hours straight. Needless to say, this was a HUGE hit. Several friends have come over since we completed this project and Charlotte immediately has asked them if they wanted to play crazy crab ball.<br />
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The second craft included in this month's box was a fun sea foam painting. We've had several fun experiments with <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/08/bubble-painting.html" target="_blank">bubble art</a> in the past. However, this one included a different technique.<br />
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The bubble solution and paint were included, as well as, a special one way straw. We were directed on how to blow bubbles all over our paper. As the bubbles popped, it left colorful, sea foam like patterns all over the paper. We both played with blowing many, many bubbles for quite a long time. I posted a video on <a href="http://instagram.com/kauai17" target="_blank">Instagram</a> last week if you want to see it in action. <br />
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A new set of chalk was included so we used them to create an underwater scene on our new paper. </div>
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The mini magazine was another hit this month. It included a short comic
book like story about Steve the Kiwi (and mascot of Kiwi Crate) and his visit to the beach where he meets Clara the crab. It also included: a shape drawing activity, a dot game, directions for making a sponge ball, a beach scene drawing, info about tide pool creatures, directions on how to complete a saltwater experiment, an egg boat recipe, directions for making an aquascope, and a cute shark puppet. </div>
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Each box also includes two characters from the comic story that you can color, cut out and play with. As well as a themed sticker. Charlotte has enjoyed collecting these each month for her sticker book! </div>
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<a href="http://www.kiwicrate.com/" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a> is
$19.95/month with free shipping. If you would like to try it out, here
is a $10 off referral coupon:
http://www.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=KimberlyO3 </div>
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<a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/search/label/Kiwi%20Crate" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see all of our reviews about Kiwi Crate. </div>
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-53963322606612799332014-06-26T20:13:00.000-05:002014-06-26T20:16:07.789-05:00Kiwi Crate - June 2014 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HFCqnYrSSPssEWasXtXQ3s9I2Gi0MeQthcQxLCkosEvbc3MCppQgQZmEGk1vjRHcBhBM6ftuBiNzk2_WC4uWkuT9PjBEsOce82OWeSqI165Y5ynT7RH63r1eLnHQ26kVXXgKg3m1sl2p/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HFCqnYrSSPssEWasXtXQ3s9I2Gi0MeQthcQxLCkosEvbc3MCppQgQZmEGk1vjRHcBhBM6ftuBiNzk2_WC4uWkuT9PjBEsOce82OWeSqI165Y5ynT7RH63r1eLnHQ26kVXXgKg3m1sl2p/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have you heard about <a href="http://www.kiwicrate.com/?gclid=CPvfn7rhmL8CFXEF7Aodgi8AtQ" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a>?
It is a monthly subscription box full of hands on projects for kids 3-8
years old. Each box includes all of the materials to complete two or
three very fun and creative crafts. We received <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2014/06/kiwi-crate-may-2014-review.html" target="_blank">our first Kiwi Crate in May</a> and couldn't wait to get our hands on this month's box. <br />
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The theme this month was all about camping! Everything was included to make two, very fun project: My Glowing Campfire and My Sunprint Backpack. <br />
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Charlotte was super exited about both of them. She decided to do the sunprint backpack first because she is all about bags at the moment. This was such a neat summer project to work on together. You paint the bag, place the stencils on it and set it out in the sun to dry. Once it was completely dried, it left a sunprint of the fun nature items. Charlotte's reaction when she lifted the first image was priceless. She has been filling her new bag up with all kinds of goodies and carrying them all over the place since we completed this project. She can't wait to take it to the beach.<br />
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We saved the glowing campfire project for a rainy morning craft. I love that the directions are so easy to follow and include step by step photos so Charlotte can "read" and take the lead.<br />
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I love how her campfire turned out! I took a video on <a href="http://instagram.com/kauai17" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, but a tea light was included so it actually flickers like a real fire. We immediately roasted our pretend marshmallows. The best thing is the campfire has encouraged so many pretend play moments. She has even set up the fire each night after sunset and asks us to sit around it telling stories! You have to love a project that encourages so much imagination.<br />
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The mini magazine was another hit this month. It included a short comic book like story about Steve the Kiwi (and mascot of Kiwi Crate) and his buddy Andy going camping. It also included: a shape drawing activity, a fun camping hidden picture, directions on making a chair tent, draw a campsite scene, learning about various outdoor activities, make your own silly story, directions on how to do a leaf rubbing, a recipe for indoor s'mores, how to make a canteen sleeve, and finally a fun scavenger hunt to do outdoors.<br />
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This month they also included a really neat Travel Journal full of even more activities. This is perfect to keep little folks busy and entertained in the car. It included: several pages with a drawing activity, a summer bucket checklist, a to-do list. a dot game, make your own silly story, tic tac toe, backseat bingo, secret code activity, jokes, and ideas for several travel activities. C won't leave the house without her journal. She has become fascinated with playing backseat Bingo. We went on a roadtrip last weekend to a birthday party and she played the entire way for 1.5 hours!<br />
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This month a special snack was included - a full size bag of dried cranberries and apple pieces from <a href="https://naturebox.com/" target="_blank">Nature Box</a>. We joined Nature Box several months ago and absolutely love their healthy snack options. Charlotte is very familiar with this brand and was excited to try a new snack out. It was a huge hit and very tasty!<br />
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We both loved our camping themed Kiwi Crate. The projects
were fun and the box was full of so many great activities that we have
enjoyed completing. We now have something else to look forward to
receiving in the mail each month. <br />
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<a href="http://www.kiwicrate.com/" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a> is
$19.95/month with free shipping. If you would like to try it out, here
is a $10 off referral coupon:
http://www.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=KimberlyO3Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-38299463194573635212014-06-25T14:37:00.001-05:002014-06-25T14:39:44.144-05:00Kiwi Crate - May 2014 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you heard about <a href="http://www.kiwicrate.com/" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a>? It is a monthly subscription box full of hands on projects for kids 3-8 years old. Each box includes all of the materials to complete two or three very fun and creative crafts. We received our first Kiwi Crate in May. Charlotte always watches me open my favorite subscription boxes for myself (<a href="http://happymommybox.com/" target="_blank">Happy Mommy Box</a> and <a href="https://goodebox.com/" target="_blank">Goodebox</a>), so she was super excited when I told her it was her very own box full of goodies. She couldn't wait to get home from the mailbox and open it up.<br />
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There are several different themes that go out each month and we received Rainforest. Everything was included to make two projects: my jumping frogs and my rainstick!<br />
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Charlotte chose to make the rainstick first. She has played with them at the toy store before so she was anxious to have one of her very own. The instructions are very easy to follow and include pictures so even young crafters can follow along. She spent a long time finding the perfect spot for each and every sticker! She also really loved attaching the pretty feathers. She has been running around the house for the past month shaking and showing her handmade rainstick to everyone!<br />
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Next up was the jumping frogs. This turned out to be a great lesson for Charlotte. She was very curious about each frog and learning more about them. We looked them up on Wiki, read a bit about each and studied their colors before coloring our own. Ross was very shocked when he came home that evening and found her talking about Rocket and Clown frogs. The end project was a huge hit. We had fun seeing which frog could jump the farthest. <br />
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Both projects were fun to work on and have been played with numerous times since we completed them!<br />
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Each box comes with a fun little mini magazine! This one was 18 pages long and full of wonderful ideas and activities. It included: a story, 2 drawing activities, a hidden picture, instructions for making a terrarium, info about the rainforest, instructions for completing a colorful carnations activity, a recipe for chocolate dipped bananas, instructions for making a venus flytrap and a hanging snake to cut out. We have slowly worked our way through the magazine this past month. It was a great place to find some inspiration for our daily activities and to extend the rainforest theme for a few more weeks. The box also came with a summer calender and a pair of kid friendly scissors. She really enjoyed practicing her cutting skills on the scraps of felt from the jumping frog project. I also love that every box has a fun scene printed on the inside. Charlotte has used it for pretend play for the past several weeks. I know her My Little Ponies have visited the park often!!<br />
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Needless to say, we both loved our very first Kiwi Crate. The projects were fun and the box was full of so many great activities that we have enjoyed completing. We now have something else to look forward to receiving in the mail each month. <br />
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<a href="http://www.kiwicrate.com/" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a> is $19.95/month with free shipping. If you would like to try it out, here is a $10 off referral coupon: http://www.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=KimberlyO3<br />
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We have already received our June Kiwi Crate last week. I will share it with you in another post later this week! Are you and your little crafters already signed up for Kiwi Crate? If so, we would love to hear about you favorite project that you have completed so far. Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-8060150602238521812014-06-19T13:30:00.001-05:002014-06-19T13:30:55.711-05:00Sending You Sunshine and Birthday Wishes! Today is my sweet friend <a href="http://tropicaldreams-17.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tammi's</a> birthday. I really wanted to make her a card because she has showered me with so many lovely creations over the years. Her cards always put a huge smile on my face!! Her great friendship has been an extra blessing. We've never met in person, but we have shared many years laughing through emails, telling stories, recommending books, talking about life, getting one another hooked on TV shows and crushing over certain celebrities. (Tammi - I still daydream about Russian rainstorms :) She just returned from a wonderful vacation in Hawaii so I knew I wanted to make her a little tropical birthday wish. I dug through my stash and this is what I came up with:<br />
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Tammi sent me an adorable little book full of sketch designs a few years ago. It's so nice to flip through and have on hand for inspiration. I followed <a href="http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/search/label/SSS70" target="_blank">SSS70</a> (The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge) for this layout. I always did love layers. I of course had to add my own spin to the main image. I paper pieced her skirt and flower and added a bit of dimension to her ukelele. Quick, little card, but hopefully it surprised my good friend.<br />
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Tammi - Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful celebration with that sweet family of yours. Mahalo for your friendship!!!!<br />
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Stamps: <a href="http://thegreetingfarm.com/shop/" target="_blank">The Greeting Farm</a>, sentiment - Garden Gnome (<a href="http://www.whippersnapperdesigns.com/garden-gnome-11185.html" target="_blank">Whipper Snapper Designs</a>)<br />
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, My Mind's Eye<br />
Extras: Waterfall Stickles, dimensionals, Copics, tiny pearl and ribbonKimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-36695427833085238722014-04-30T12:47:00.000-05:002014-04-30T14:51:44.613-05:00Felt Tea BagsIt has been awhile since I have shared any of <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/search/label/felt%20food" target="_blank">my felt food creations </a>on here. I still love making pieces for Charlotte to play with, especially for her play kitchen! Ross and I are huge tea drinkers. Iced or hot, we love it all and drink it often. I have been wanting to make some little felt tea bags for Charlotte for a long time and finally sat down and created a few this past week. <br />
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I saw several different styles on Pinterest, but finally settled on<a href="http://arichergifttolearn.blogspot.com/2011/04/felt-tea-bag-tutorial.html" target="_blank"> this tutorial</a> --- (<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342029665/" target="_blank">here's my pin</a> if you want to save it). I loved the shape and design. It just looked like a real teabag. Her directions were easy to follow too. Once I created the basic shape, I simply sewed on the "flavor" designs. Charlotte actually told me the ones she wanted. I filled each bag with tiny beads that I found in my crafting stash. This gave the bags a bit of weight to stand up on their own and made the bags look like they actually had something in them. I've seen several people use scraps of felt to achieve this look as well. I used a thick cord for durability and sewed a little decorative heart tag on the end to add to the cuteness factor.<br />
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Do you have a favorite tea flavor? This is Chai, Strawberry and Lemon.<br />
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I also made Hibiscus (my favorite <a href="http://nilevalleyherbs.com/" target="_blank">cold brew tea</a>), Orange and Mint.<br />
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See how they stand up by themselves and fold in like an actual tea bag! I love how they turned out!!! Charlotte couldn't wait to get her hands on them. She immediately grabbed her dishes and created a huge tea party for us. We spent a good portion of our morning trying new teas, discussing the aromas and taste, and giggling as we cheered to a fresh cup and enjoyed some tasty treats. It was pretend play at its finest!!! <br />
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<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-77553317202489758332014-04-24T08:53:00.000-05:002014-04-24T08:53:02.931-05:00BluebonnetsThis past winter has been extremely long and fairly chilly for us. However, it did bring a lot of much needed rain. We never complain about rain in Texas!!! I get excited when we have really good wet winters because my mind is already anticipating Spring and all of the lovely wildflowers that will pop up all over the place. <br />
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Our state flower is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebonnets" target="_blank">bluebonnet</a>. They start popping up around April and stick around for a month or two. You often see families taking their Easter pictures in fields full of the flowers or spy cars pulled over on the side of the highways to snap a few shots. Here's <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2010/04/texas-wildflowers.html" target="_blank">a link</a> to a post I did about the wildflowers several years ago.<br />
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I couldn't wait to take Charlotte out and snap a few photos of her. One afternoon, we just happened to be in the vicinity of a really good park that I knew had a huge field full of bluebonnets. Thankfully, C was wearing the perfect outfit so we made a detour and spent some time meandering through the sweet smelling field. I wish I would have had my big camera with me, but my iphone took some pretty great shots of her! <br />
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C kept wandering off and chasing these tiny, yellow butterflies. <br />
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Did I mention that it was crazy windy that afternoon? Like ridiculously windy! The poor girl's hair was all over the place. <br />
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You're not suppose to pick the bluebonnets, so C settled for a bouquet of other wildflowers growing in the same field. The red ones are another one of our favorite: Indian Paintbrushes. C calls them Alien Paintbrushes. <br />
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Several people over on Instagram really liked this one. C was starting to get restless from me asking her to smile and look at the camera for the billionth time, so I took off running through the flowers. At one point, I found a tiny slop and completely laid down on my stomach with the phone pointed up and ready to go. I could hear her squealing with delight as she got closer trying to track me down. I snapped this the moment I saw her and thankfully it turned out super sweet and captured the playfulness of the moment! <br />
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Doesn't it look like she's sitting in a painting? I could have stayed out there all day, but we were over the wind and ready for a late lunch! <br />
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<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-78466052724251948432014-04-22T16:00:00.002-05:002014-04-22T16:13:11.454-05:00Easter Roundup I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Easter celebration this past weekend!! We unfortunately had a sick toddler on our hands. Charlotte came down with a fever last Friday night and battled it all weekend long. No more symptoms showed up until Monday, when she developed a sore throat and runny nose. Thankfully the fever is gone, but now we are dealing with a nasty cold.. We've been resting up, watching a few shows, cuddling and playing around with a few Easter goodies.<br />
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We did manage to complete a few Easter themed traditions and crafts the weeks leading up to the holiday. I thought I would go ahead and at least share those along with a few pictures. I've included links to the ideas I got off of Pinterest in case you want to save any of these for next year. <br />
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Our first paint craft, were these easy <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/278871401900846499/" target="_blank">PomPom Easter Eggs</a>. Instead of using regular paintbrushes, you paint with pompoms clipped in clothespins. The first one she did was just dots, the second she experimented by swirling the colors around and the third she just flat out painted a random picture. I love that she enjoys doing crafty projects!!<br />
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I love changing up <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-chalkboard.html" target="_blank">our chalkboard</a> every month! I liked the simple lines on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342042301/" target="_blank">this one</a>, plus C walked around the house singing this for the past few weeks!! <br />
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C has really enjoyed creating several hand and footprint images for each holiday. For Easter, we decided to make these super cute <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342171301/" target="_blank">bunny footprints</a> and a patch of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342171301/" target="_blank">fist pump carrots</a> :-) I love doing these art projects with her because they are easy, quick and leave me with a little memento of how small she once was!<br />
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The week leading up to Easter, I surprised C with a special <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342196728/" target="_blank">Bento style lunch</a> everyday. I saw several people doing this all over Instagram and I'm glad I gave it a go because she absolutely loved it! Here's <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/156922368238574614/" target="_blank">another example</a>, from my favorite mama blogger, using only fruit and color matching them to the eggs! <br />
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If you pin any of these, be sure to do this one: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342054020/" target="_blank">Shaving Cream Easter Eggs</a>. This was probably my favorite Easter craft! They turned out super cute and C really had a blast making them. In fact, we made quite few. It was the perfect activity for a rainy day and kept her busy for quite awhile. She loved the sensory aspect of squirting the shaving cream and mixing the colors. She also really loved using the squeegee. I can definitely see us incorporating this technique into other crafts!<br />
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Every Easter, I make this <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342196770/" target="_blank">Makeover Moist Carrot Cake</a>. In fact, I've<a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2009/04/moist-carrot-cake.html" target="_blank"> blogged about it before</a> many years ago and I even used this recipe (minus the nuts) as C's first birthday cake. It is soooooo good. This time around I followed the recipe, but poured the batter into muffin tins. They baked for about 20 minutes and made it easier to share with others. <br />
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Even though we was running a high fever Saturday night, she still begged to dye some Easter eggs. It was the first time she has ever done it and she really did enjoy it. She also enjoyed having an impromptu color mixing lesson. <br />
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The night before Peter Cottontail came bouncing through our house, we stayed up making a few of these <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342171301/" target="_blank">jelly bean bracelets</a> to stuff in a few eggs. C loves jelly beans and just recently discovered how wonderful candy jewelry can be, lol. These were easy to complete and would also be great for birthday parties or other holidays!<br />
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Easter morning we tried to recreate these <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945342171301/" target="_blank">fun bunny pancakes</a> as a special breakfast. Now I will admit, that ours does look slightly scary/rabid, lol. However, in the eyes of a 3 year old it looks like a masterpiece. We used pancakes, turkey bacon, cool whip, apple slices, strawberry and jelly beans. The pupils are blackberry pieces and the whiskers are almonds. <br />
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My favorite part of her Easter basket was this fun <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00115Q8MC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00115Q8MC&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Roly-Poly Playground</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00115Q8MC" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
. She has been obsessed with hunting for roly-polys all over our yard so this was right up her alley. You catch them for the day, feed them a few things, observe them and then let them go later in the day. Do you call them Roly-polys or Pill Bugs? We might have a slight debate going on about it!<br />
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I'm so glad we got in so many fun activities before my little bunny got sick. This is a perfect example of using Pinterest to make you look like a rockstar mom. I love finding ideas on there and try to only pin things that I will honestly consider trying or doing sometime. Have you Pinned and Did any Pinterest ideas lately? I'd love to see them!!! Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-11238495404503258702014-03-11T10:24:00.000-05:002014-03-11T10:29:59.121-05:00Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXazoNbMwXDXK2wh9NXH_rl2VVOPvXNUYJ225l0xKgWHG0LJUIDwvwCdMaGHhT8tjyM-LlbXvWyDD9zKpF7K41BsgWxLSzQV0-NbS6_-9ZrGUkiGCTfuqYQAuNg3F4koWzYa4WIevqFND/s1600/melissaanddog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXazoNbMwXDXK2wh9NXH_rl2VVOPvXNUYJ225l0xKgWHG0LJUIDwvwCdMaGHhT8tjyM-LlbXvWyDD9zKpF7K41BsgWxLSzQV0-NbS6_-9ZrGUkiGCTfuqYQAuNg3F4koWzYa4WIevqFND/s1600/melissaanddog.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hey folks. I've got another product review to share with you! We recently discovered the Melissa and Doug Reusable Stickers Pads and instantly fell in love with them. In fact, we bought one for Charlotte for Christmas and after seeing how much she enjoyed it, we immediately purchased several more. <br />
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Each fun pad contain five different scenes and 150+ reusable, vinyl stickers. You simply peel off the reusable stickers and place them on each scene. When you are done playing, they peel right back off and are ready to use the next time your little one is ready to play. This is genius! Charlotte has spent hours creating little scenes and using it to tell stories. She has been playing with these constantly since the end of December!!!!<br />
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We have the following and these are the scenes that each include -<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PBN9BC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004PBN9BC&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Habitats Reusable Sticker Pad</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004PBN9BC" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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A farm, a prehistoric landscape, an African oasis, a jungle and an ocean.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PBLP5O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004PBLP5O&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Play House! Reusable Sticker Pad</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004PBLP5O" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />:<br />
A living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and a yard.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3U7SMO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B3U7SMO&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Vehicles Reusable Sticker Pad:</a><br />
A harbor, construction site, train depot, city street, and an airport.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNKFK1I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DNKFK1I&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Reusable Fairies Sticker Pad</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DNKFK1I" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
A twilight scene, garden village, pond, inside of a tree house and a forrest.<br />
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They also have a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WYFLNU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005WYFLNU&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Dress-Up Reusable Sticker Pad</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005WYFLNU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNKFK1S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DNKFK1S&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Princess Castle Reusable Sticker Pad</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DNKFK1S" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> . Both are on our wish list!
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If your child is a fan of stickers, I can't stress how wonderful these are. We recently went on a road trip and it was easy to pack for quick entertainment in the car and hotel room! My favorite part is finding the various scenes that she comes up with. The majority of the time they make me giggle because they are completely chaotic!! I also love overhearing her create little stories as she places each piece. <br />
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When purchasing, make sure the pad states Reusable in the title
because the company does make additional pads that look similar, but
contain regular stickers. They run $4.99-$6.80. That's a great deal for the
amount of time my three year old has already used it plus everything that is included in each pad!!! At the end of the day, my husband and I check out her creations and then remove and replace the vinyl stickers on their original page so she is ready to make a new scene the next time she picks it up. <br />
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If you do end up buying one or all of these sticker pads, please send us a photo of a fun scene your little one creates!!! (you can find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/kauai17#" target="_blank">Instagram</a>). We would love to see them. <br />
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<i>(the above post includes affiliate links and my own personal
opinions. I was not contacted or compensated by the company. We just
truly love this products!!!) </i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-49110534930900907712014-02-27T10:27:00.002-06:002014-02-27T10:27:20.145-06:00Happy Mommy Box review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you heard about <a href="http://happymommybox.com/" target="_blank">Happy Mommy Box</a> yet? I get asked about it often over on<a href="http://instagram.com/kauai17#" target="_blank"> Instagram </a>so I thought I would share a little review here. Happy Mommy Box is a wonderful monthly subscription box full of goodies and treats! It comes at the beginning of each month and can contain jewelry, beautiful prints, beauty products, a treat for the kiddos, coupons or just cool products to try out. My favorite part is each box features a small business which is the perfect way to find great and unique gifts! It also includes a mini magazine full of inspiring moms. The cost is $29/month, including shipping and once you see what's packed into that wonderful box you'll realize that it definitely exceeds that amount each month. So far, I've received four fabulous boxes. Listed below are the items that were included in each box so you can get a feel for what they send! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdr9LqoHYNGG-bOeMvhwYsGb9f0888WaFvRnjPqQcKqDzSjdy-gQWknUi9BphrOQoEBsErgQUcCIcvAaIEk7E81TVxzQSfyZJJS2sj98HQXix_iPKJWC_WCNWuvdq0ZO-q8bBinuTiDmM/s1600/hmbnov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdr9LqoHYNGG-bOeMvhwYsGb9f0888WaFvRnjPqQcKqDzSjdy-gQWknUi9BphrOQoEBsErgQUcCIcvAaIEk7E81TVxzQSfyZJJS2sj98HQXix_iPKJWC_WCNWuvdq0ZO-q8bBinuTiDmM/s1600/hmbnov.jpg" height="400" width="325" /></a></div>
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<u><b>November Box #1:</b></u></div>
Decal from <a href="https://www.wallsneedlove.com/" target="_blank">Walls Need Love</a><br />
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$30.00 credit to <a href="http://www.canvaspop.com/" target="_blank">Canvas Pop</a><br />
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A pack of fingerpuppets from <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/" target="_blank">Ikea</a> <br />
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Some super cute pins from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LivyLoveDesigns" target="_blank">Livy Love Designs</a>. This is one of those instances where Happy Mommy Box introduced me to a really amazing woman! I started by checking out Diana's super fun Etsy shop, then <a href="http://www.livylove.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> and finally her <a href="http://instagram.com/livylovestorun#" target="_blank">Instagram feed</a>. I was hooked immediately to her infectious attitude and incredibly inspired by her weightloss journey. She recently lost 100 pounds this past year. Trust me, she's a gem to follow!!! <br />
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Stone Bubble Necklace from <a href="http://carolineg.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Caroline G. </a>I fell in love with this necklace the moment I opened the box. I loved the color. It goes with so many different outfits. When Christmas rolled around, I snatched a few more to give as gifts. <a href="http://www.chasingbigdreams.com/" target="_blank">Carrie</a> is another blogger that I immediately started following on all of her social media outlets. She has the kindest, most generous heart that will leave you full of a desire to spread more love to those around you.<br />
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A lovely print from <a href="http://www.naptimediariesshop.com/" target="_blank">Naptime Diaries</a> - this has quickly become my favorite part of each Happy Mommy Box. They always include a really cute print. Perfect for framing and placing around the house for some quick decor. <br />
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Each box includes a mini magazine that contains a featured questionnaire with a mom/blogger, ideas and printables for themed playdates, and several new Etsy shops to check out. The November magazine included this really cute turkey lunch idea. Charlotte saw it and immediately begged to do it the following day. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfK68Jpr6T4GftElZwoDcLGtVCJPDMPKe_bcUW4aiIJOsNOLo0AIRayU-6-ZwHslMaFwcaFJiA8i_R-gD2suMMJDGaTCxNiryRJ9y8pEqITZcDQuc7WpqhGCz4SD6jJ4E_8EVmVsgQm-j/s1600/hmbdec1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfK68Jpr6T4GftElZwoDcLGtVCJPDMPKe_bcUW4aiIJOsNOLo0AIRayU-6-ZwHslMaFwcaFJiA8i_R-gD2suMMJDGaTCxNiryRJ9y8pEqITZcDQuc7WpqhGCz4SD6jJ4E_8EVmVsgQm-j/s1600/hmbdec1.jpg" height="400" width="373" /></a></div>
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<u><b>December Box #2:</b></u><br />
Pedi Pumps from <a href="http://www.kateaspen.com/" target="_blank">Kate Aspen</a> - a cute 4 piece little pedicure set in an adorable high heel<b> </b>pouch.<br />
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<a href="https://www.shopsweetlulu.com/index.php" target="_blank">Sweet Lulu</a> paper straws - these were perfect to set out during the holidays for our guests to use. Talk about a wonderful site to shop for party supplies too! <br />
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<a href="http://happyfamilybrands.com/" target="_blank">Happy Family</a> tot fruit pouch! <br />
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Calendar stickers and a 25% off coupon from <a href="http://www.pikcal.com/" target="_blank">Pikcal</a>.<br />
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Coupon and free 27 page downloadable guide from <a href="http://www.momandpopphoto.com/" target="_blank">Mom and Pop Photo School</a>. <br />
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An absolutely sweet Bless Your Heart print from the fabulous <a href="http://shopcrystalfaye.com/" target="_blank">Crystal Faye</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZxxaEGT5vT05-4QWGmhIAlfq4vvWPKggUE7Gw3CktaBBQMKxXai05PcuGw_y2dgEHyebCAuw2A8QBEM4PkMhamP_HZwYGJsJOphBgaOGW5dZJ2p3l3FanxJMH08Uc5HiSoZ8tK7LFhx6/s1600/hmbdec2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZxxaEGT5vT05-4QWGmhIAlfq4vvWPKggUE7Gw3CktaBBQMKxXai05PcuGw_y2dgEHyebCAuw2A8QBEM4PkMhamP_HZwYGJsJOphBgaOGW5dZJ2p3l3FanxJMH08Uc5HiSoZ8tK7LFhx6/s1600/hmbdec2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Handmade beauty products from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/greenbubblegorgeous" target="_blank">Green Bubble Gorgeous</a>. Soaps, bath salts and the most amazing lip butter. I received the Burnt Sugar flavor. It moisturizes so well - especially during this harsh winter. I ordered more and used them as stocking stuffers. My husband even loves and uses it daily!! <br />
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A pair of super cute earrings from <a href="http://www.kikilarue.com/" target="_blank">Kiki La'Rue</a>. Beware, that link contains some ridiculously fantastic clothes!! <br />
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This was another activity idea included in the mini magazine. Charlotte loved decorating and devouring this little ice cream cone Christmas tree! <br />
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<u><b>January Box #3</b>:</u><br />
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<a href="http://www.popitusa.com/" target="_blank">Popit</a> containers!!! There were 4 of these plastic, airtight containers in the box. They are super sturdy storage containers. <br />
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A cute mug from <a href="http://shopcrystalfaye.com/" target="_blank">Crystal Faye</a> - being an avid tea drinker, this was put to use immediately. <br />
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Coupons and a handy conversion chart from <a href="http://www.chobani.com/" target="_blank">Chobani</a>.<br />
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A yummy snack from <a href="http://www.piratebrands.com/" target="_blank">Pirate's Booty</a>. Have you tried their products yet? Not only is it a fun name to say, but it's a great snack the whole family will love!!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIUUAEqgy-85LR4wDGyOjwwYgi07AqckT495OwQ3RpYO5Yk0vRebEE2jRenWGq3hOBnhiA0zGlhpbrx2H0JCu8jfXxia79X_wp-xJuv0kgefklJRQC4bfhRo15wT4le4PSCcY3tOO4JVz/s1600/IMG_8402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIUUAEqgy-85LR4wDGyOjwwYgi07AqckT495OwQ3RpYO5Yk0vRebEE2jRenWGq3hOBnhiA0zGlhpbrx2H0JCu8jfXxia79X_wp-xJuv0kgefklJRQC4bfhRo15wT4le4PSCcY3tOO4JVz/s1600/IMG_8402.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
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A gorgeous print from <a href="http://smallmoments.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Small Moments</a>. I love the colors in this one and the sweet saying. It's still sitting on my mantel!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxr_jFAVVXzv1EEKLv0wHnsGz7l5CRgOKnlMUGuQ1H79WMxTB27xTDnnQgXBWvrfam-30KLTVzJqmXAww-fVyh3jLuUhHVwbACwtRgx2Lr-e-XdOfyEvMnfY6OvT7Ed4PwLoEw7Va9Jwi/s1600/IMG_8407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxr_jFAVVXzv1EEKLv0wHnsGz7l5CRgOKnlMUGuQ1H79WMxTB27xTDnnQgXBWvrfam-30KLTVzJqmXAww-fVyh3jLuUhHVwbACwtRgx2Lr-e-XdOfyEvMnfY6OvT7Ed4PwLoEw7Va9Jwi/s1600/IMG_8407.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></div>
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A necklace from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jewelrybyjillybean" target="_blank">Jilly Bean Jewelry</a>. It's says "Inspire" which was the perfect necklace to start the New Year with.<br />
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Lovely hammered brass earrings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thepoppychain" target="_blank">The Poppy Chain</a>. I have been wearing these nonstop!!!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyVIMqqZEYChjx4C1M2tXzEsVlikcpTW5P1TlGcT8KsBZwriCIa1km1J2vXFL9Cr-Q-fhByYV_SV0K4M4kptKjjFMMrB89ewLo-DZv-wFQUzDBJv-hWy3_p4AunhmVk6mk9NniEwjs8Ua/s1600/hmbfeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyVIMqqZEYChjx4C1M2tXzEsVlikcpTW5P1TlGcT8KsBZwriCIa1km1J2vXFL9Cr-Q-fhByYV_SV0K4M4kptKjjFMMrB89ewLo-DZv-wFQUzDBJv-hWy3_p4AunhmVk6mk9NniEwjs8Ua/s1600/hmbfeb.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<u><b>February Box #4:</b></u><br />
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A box of <a href="http://sendmechocolate.com/" target="_blank">Giovanni's</a> chocolates - delicious, little treat!!!<br />
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A container of <a href="http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh/en_us" target="_blank">Play-Doh</a> - guess who was crazy excited when she saw that?<br />
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A children's vitamin sample from <a href="http://www.naturaldynamix.com/" target="_blank">Natural Dynamix</a>.<br />
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A free photo book coupon from <a href="http://www.groovebook.com/" target="_blank">Groovebook</a>. This is such a neat idea!!! It's a photobook that you make using photos straight from you phone. Seriously excited to check this out. <br />
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An really, really, cute heart measuring spoon from <a href="http://www.kateaspen.com/" target="_blank">Kate Aspen</a>. A great site to shop for party favors. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi503EJOi1xmZAyodQM3eJyKXNYPkab1PINRykzc6USUay-PQrmQiM-Y-nDj_ewv3SnqXfkJYChVKVW0AVueYm4-uNuyG1BoChQlxwvYMMAAtHoAKGJuUnH7CyalBdjdXfDUSGfudgyArHc/s1600/hmbfeb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi503EJOi1xmZAyodQM3eJyKXNYPkab1PINRykzc6USUay-PQrmQiM-Y-nDj_ewv3SnqXfkJYChVKVW0AVueYm4-uNuyG1BoChQlxwvYMMAAtHoAKGJuUnH7CyalBdjdXfDUSGfudgyArHc/s1600/hmbfeb1.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></div>
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An incredibly sweet love bracelet from <a href="http://shopprettypants.com/" target="_blank">Shop Pretty Pants</a>.<br />
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A happy yellow bangle from <a href="http://www.carolinegshop.com/category/JEWELRY" target="_blank">Caroling G</a>. I want this bangle in every single color now!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLq4OxMFfBJqKzFZTPokpkQjukMklNLnX6V2gD2QmRbX1DkfQDBXZ39Nu1rqj6IHOSONuMsg504H_-kkmyRF5Skxy3rigFDkRC5SX28cpn1uNByUGGLkGGriRcmWnbh9vze2gEEMUtH54M/s1600/hmbfeb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLq4OxMFfBJqKzFZTPokpkQjukMklNLnX6V2gD2QmRbX1DkfQDBXZ39Nu1rqj6IHOSONuMsg504H_-kkmyRF5Skxy3rigFDkRC5SX28cpn1uNByUGGLkGGriRcmWnbh9vze2gEEMUtH54M/s1600/hmbfeb3.jpg" height="400" width="330" /></a></div>
A beautiful print from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HowjoyfulShop" target="_blank">How Joyful</a>. This one made me gasp when I first saw it. Hand lettering and chalk = two of my favorite things. I immediately checked out Joy's shop and started following her Instagram feed. Lovely, lovely work!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9_IWRWgylCJUX2lYnAX9oAvxfh-jHaZVe9K_dA84V0eDaWDHWEzQ-yqiWDQLdTfKdf2f9x9n3VK02taHFkqrLUAxxDXhi1C2IYPlDl8osUqpMp69v-JP8hoostpmGWoZeDykEyu-BEBe/s1600/happy+mommy+box+mamas+web+promo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9_IWRWgylCJUX2lYnAX9oAvxfh-jHaZVe9K_dA84V0eDaWDHWEzQ-yqiWDQLdTfKdf2f9x9n3VK02taHFkqrLUAxxDXhi1C2IYPlDl8osUqpMp69v-JP8hoostpmGWoZeDykEyu-BEBe/s1600/happy+mommy+box+mamas+web+promo1.jpg" height="361" width="400" /></a></div>
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Are you sold yet?? Happy Mommy Box is run and organized by two of my very favorite bloggers: Natalie from <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/" target="_blank">The Busy Budgeting Mama</a> and Mandy from <a href="http://houseofroseblog.com/" target="_blank">House of Rose</a>. Both are hilarious, real moms that I have followed for some time now (thanks to Pinterest)!! I love that they created this subscription box. I look forward to my little treat each and every month. It has introduced me to several inspirational bloggers and many wonderful small businesses. I can't say enough good things about it. If you are on Instagram, check out #celebratemotherhood and #happymommyboxfaves for additional pictures all from happy subscribers!!<br />
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<i>Opinions are all my own. I was not contacted by Happy Mommy Box for this review. I just love their service and wanted to share my experience with them since I get questioned about it often! </i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-4055454513660688692014-02-06T14:27:00.001-06:002014-03-11T10:25:51.675-05:00Learning Resources<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGko1UwuVhzTa1v12rcrJNNqCdHW2lmShW7f8ujdusMkK6sP0FrFyxyvkJ7n8iExkwmjwc-DJr1qcMzYn7wcoUO0M14PcSAn6_vZEG2EtjjyfIQyuOPLDhS-ZEBvXPKSZ-uxSuN-iosxr/s1600/learningresources.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGko1UwuVhzTa1v12rcrJNNqCdHW2lmShW7f8ujdusMkK6sP0FrFyxyvkJ7n8iExkwmjwc-DJr1qcMzYn7wcoUO0M14PcSAn6_vZEG2EtjjyfIQyuOPLDhS-ZEBvXPKSZ-uxSuN-iosxr/s1600/learningresources.jpg" /></a></div>
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We get asked for toy recommendations all of the time. Especially on <a href="http://instagram.com/kauai17#" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, since the majority of photos I snap of Charlotte show her playing with something. I thought I would start reviewing and sharing a few of our favorites here. These reviews will all be items that we personally own and use repeatedly. For our first review, I thought I would start with one of my very favorite companies - <a href="http://www.learningresources.com/home.do" target="_blank">Learning Resources</a>. We love recommending their products because they are educational and many are perfect for pretend play.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DJ51WQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004DJ51WQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Super Sorting Pie</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004DJ51WQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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We bought this for Charlotte's third birthday. It has quickly become one of our very favorite games. It includes a sturdy and really cute pie. The pie comes with 5 different colors (red, orange, yellow, purple, and green) of fruit. There are 60 pieces of fruit! Three double sided cards are included: 2 sides show the certain fruits and their colors, 2 sides includes numbers from 1-10, 1 side shows the shape of colorless fruit and the last side shows a color wheel.<br />
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The crust and dividers remove so that you can place sorting cards in the bottom of the pie to encourage a sorting activity. It also comes with 2 large tweezers that are perfect for little hands to practice working on fine motor skills. Charlotte has always been a sorter and organizer so we knew this would be right up her alley. It was instantly a huge hit and it has quickly become our favorite gift to bring to birthday parties.<br />
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I have to credit Stephanie from <a href="http://www.imagineourlife.com/" target="_blank">Imagine Our Life</a> for introducing us to this wonderful game. She has even <a href="http://www.imagineourlife.com/2013/08/19/fruit-sorting-patterning-with-free-printables/" target="_blank">created and shared free pattern cards</a> on her wonderful blog. I printed them out, colored them in and laminated them. They fit perfectly in the bottom of the box and we use them quite often. Charlotte also pulls out this pie for pretend play and makes us all kinds of different pies in her play kitchen. I really can't recommend this product enough. Put it on your wish list already!!! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XNSY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00009XNSY&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Pretend and Play Doctor Set</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00009XNSY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
This is another gift that we bought Charlotte for her third birthday. After researching several sets, I finally settled on this one. It included such a variety of authentic looking medical tools. The set includes: a stethoscope, pager, cell phone, forceps, 2 bandages, thermometer, pager, tweezers, scissors, glasses, name badge, blood pressure, syringe, a plessor to check reflexes, mouth mirror, otoscope, medicine dish, and scalpel. The cell phone, pager and stethoscope are all battery operated and make noises.<br />
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I can not tell you how many times we have had check ups. Sometimes multiple times a day!!! This really helped Charlotte get over some fears she had when going to the doctor herself. Now when we go in for routine checkups, she points out all of the instruments and explains them to her nurses and doctor. It's quite cute. My mom made <a href="http://www.craftycupboard.net/2010/04/slim-stash-resident-rn-old-school-style.html" target="_blank">this super cute apron</a> and I made four <a href="http://www.penpalsandpicturebooks.com/2012/07/zog.html" target="_blank">felt bandages</a> that we have added to our kit. I have a few more ideas I still want to make for our resident little doctor to use and play with. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006N8X3M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0006N8X3M&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Teaching Cash Register</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0006N8X3M" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
It's no secret that we have a huge supply of handmade felt foods for Charlotte's play kitchen. My parents ended up buying Charlotte a grocery cart and this really amazing register last year so that we could have a pretend grocery store. I don't even know where to begin to describe this interactive register. It comes with play bills (I laminated them), coins, a credit card and a coupon. The register itself has a built in scanner, coin slot, scale and screen that shows each transaction as you punch them in. It opens up and best of all, it talks to you!! I think Charlotte's favorite part is the coin slot. You can put play or real coins in it and the register will tell you what the coin is. Right now we use it for pretend play and for teaching Charlotte about the names of currency and how much each represent. This smart little register also includes 4 games as well. Coin quiz is the one that we currently use. It asks you to insert a certain coin so it works on recognition. The other games are addition, subtraction and money match. Each have 3 different levels. I love that it automatically shuts off after not being in use for a few minutes too. This is one of those toys that we will get use out of for many, many years to come!! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SH7TT4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001SH7TT4&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Sorting Suitcase</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001SH7TT4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Our sweet neighbors just gifted this to Charlotte at Christmas. They have witnessed her little sorting skills and knew it would be the perfect activity for her the moment they saw it. It comes in a really cute little suitcase making storage easy. It includes 15 double sided activity cards: some ask you to find a certain color or pattern, some show a pattern to complete, and some are blank so you can make up your own activities. The suitcase comes with clothes of course! There are 40 double sided clothing cards that include shirts, shorts, socks, and shoes. We have already taken this with us on trips and played with it numerous times.<br />
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I also printed out and laminate these <a href="http://picklebums.com/2014/01/22/people-play-dough-mats/" target="_blank">free Play Dough Mats from Picklebums</a>. We've used them with playdoh of course, but Charlotte loves using the Sorting Suitcase to dress up the little people as well.<br />
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Do you and your little one have a favorite Learning Resources toy or game? We would love to hear about them. We have several more on our wish list! Hope you enjoyed our reviews. If you have any questions about any of the above products, please feel free to ask!!<br />
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<i>(the above post includes affiliate links and my own personal opinions. I was not contacted or compensated by the company. We just truly love their products!!!) </i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-89144238686483979742014-01-30T11:22:00.001-06:002014-01-30T11:22:07.069-06:00Valentine Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>(affiliate links are included)</i></div>
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Where did January go? These holidays keep sneaking up on me. Maybe that's just what life is like when you have a busy three year old running around. I love finding holiday themed books to read to Charlotte. This age is a bit tricky because books are either too simple or just too long. A few of these we read last year, but we also added some really wonderful books to our list this year. Grab some chocolate and see what has been on our reading list this month!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448421887/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0448421887&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">The Night Before Valentine's Day</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0448421887" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Natasha Wing<br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831">We
are huge fans of all the books in this series by Natasha Wing. She does
such a great job of changing the famous poem, 'Twas the night before
Christmas, and adapting it to fit each holiday. In this book, the reader
follows a group of kids as they prepare to celebrate Valentine's Day at
school. The night before they make special cards at home to share with
their classmates. The next day, they participate in all of the fun
school activities associated with the holiday. They decorate the room,
giggle about a secret admirer, play games, do art, swap cards, enjoy
treats and finally get a special surprise from Cupid. The story is
incredibly cute, told in a wonderful rhyme and includes some playful
illustrations.</span></span><br />
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<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1575058995/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1575058995&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Love, Ruby Valentine</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1575058995" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</span><span id="freeTextreview838776831"> by Laurie B. Friedman</span></span><br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837780877">This
book has definitely become our favorite book to read in preparations
for Valentine's Day this year. My daughter has fallen in love with Ruby
and requests us to read it repeatedly all day long! Ruby Valentine and
her cute pet, Lovebird, live in Heartland. They can't wait for
Valentine's Day to arrive. They start counting down the days until the
vey special holiday and stay extremely busy preparing for it. However,
when February 14th finally rolls around, they are both so exhausted and
end up sleeping the entire day. Ruby is incredibly sad when she wakes up
and realizes what happens. Lovebird suggest going into town and
celebrating anyways. Ruby learns an important lesson that day. You don't
have to wait until Valentine's Day to tell or show someone how much you
love and care for them. The rhymes are so good throughout the entire
book and the fun illustrations give the reader a lot to look at. My
daughter enjoys pointing out every single heart on every single page. We
would recommend this book in a heartbeat!!! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837780877"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761342133/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0761342133&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Ruby Valentine Saves the Day</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0761342133" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Laurie B. Friedman</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837780877"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837792859">After
reading and enjoying Love, Ruby Valentine, we couldn't wait to check
out this sequel. Another Valentine's Day is drawing near as Ruby and
Lovebird settle into a new house. They immediately start planning the
absolute perfect party to help celebrate their favorite holiday. Ruby is
so busy decorating, cleaning and cooking that she easily overlooks the
fact that the temps are dropping rather quickly outside. Just when Ruby
thinks she has everything planned just right, a snowstorm hits Heartland
on Valentine's Day. No one is able to make it up the snow covered
mountain where Ruby lives. She is so disheartened that her perfect party
is ruined. Lovebird gently suggests packing up the party and taking it
into town. Once they arrive, they realize that things still don't go as
planned, but Ruby learns another very important lesson. Planning the
perfect party is not what makes the holiday great. All that's matters is
spending it surrounded by the ones you love. Another book with a great
message, fun rhymes and really cute illustrations!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoUIfvajNweRuKii-eRoOQLUSw3MUhpKFJ_HvCJeBqYsOdHJMqBf1hSc04bB9LsTwwBf0DsaBeLhzGXP0JYx-j-Y3WJ2hvhnh9l7LC-tb_WF8bb54tsPoF1rR0qt-PhRB3zomec-DXdVI/s1600/IMG_9938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoUIfvajNweRuKii-eRoOQLUSw3MUhpKFJ_HvCJeBqYsOdHJMqBf1hSc04bB9LsTwwBf0DsaBeLhzGXP0JYx-j-Y3WJ2hvhnh9l7LC-tb_WF8bb54tsPoF1rR0qt-PhRB3zomec-DXdVI/s1600/IMG_9938.jpg" height="171" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837780877"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837792859"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/015206298X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=015206298X&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Won't You Be My Hugaroo?</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=015206298X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Joanne Ryder</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837780877"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837792859"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview245267473">"Won't you be my hugaroo?<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=015206298X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
I've lots of hugs to share with you." I've
been reading this delightful book to my daughter for two years now! It
describes thirteen different types of hugs. Some are silly: a twirly
hug, a tickle hug, or a roller-coaster-riding hug. While others are more
normal: a cheer up hug, a cuddly hug or a goodbye hug. Which ever ends
up being your favorite, a hug is sometimes just what you need. Each hug
is described in a fun, one sentenced rhyme. It includes some whimsical
illustrations of animals spending the day at an amusement park. As my
daughter has gotten older, we like to act out each hug as we read them.</span></span> Another great hug themed book we enjoy is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442412917/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1442412917&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">How Do You Hug a Porcupine?</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1442412917" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovGELyLDaZEi93Mx71ll3kQ9T5x5_VqM2xdGGb8aSP1WHJtXeFdC0Eycv7dMHJgYdPyV6igKUf9eX25flvNU2G8j-5DJrx92bQwKjFQXeNUmB5i2jti14pmnCmpZrcKnjNwKZcjxiFELV/s1600/IMG_9920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovGELyLDaZEi93Mx71ll3kQ9T5x5_VqM2xdGGb8aSP1WHJtXeFdC0Eycv7dMHJgYdPyV6igKUf9eX25flvNU2G8j-5DJrx92bQwKjFQXeNUmB5i2jti14pmnCmpZrcKnjNwKZcjxiFELV/s1600/IMG_9920.jpg" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview838776831"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837780877"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview837792859"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142404004/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0142404004&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">The Ballad of Valentine </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142404004" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Alison Jackson</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview508164893">This is such a cute book to
read around Valentine's Day. It follows a beau as he desperately tries
to deliver a sweet letter to his sweetheart professing his love. In
fact, he has written forty different letters and unfortunately not a
single one of them has ever reached her. My daughter gets a kick out of
watching how his message is always interrupted. The story is told in a
short, fun rhyme that can be sung to the tune, "Oh My Darling,
Clementine". It also includes some really cute illustrations. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5nuCTfsSL1cUmFVczZD6v0WUcbn8iszXknU-iIN5zvQ1y23mXD5xHpqmBuAFJ9zb7ueJUmW8nbxLVkOwrH9s7WXVT_tb7iSCoo_TWmS-IqcoXLMc61xq9BNUisG8hCEmzd32CzYFf5v2/s1600/ifyou'llbe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5nuCTfsSL1cUmFVczZD6v0WUcbn8iszXknU-iIN5zvQ1y23mXD5xHpqmBuAFJ9zb7ueJUmW8nbxLVkOwrH9s7WXVT_tb7iSCoo_TWmS-IqcoXLMc61xq9BNUisG8hCEmzd32CzYFf5v2/s1600/ifyou'llbe.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview508164893"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060092718/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060092718&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">If You'll Be My Valentine</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060092718" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Cynthia Rylant</span></span><br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview508164893"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview508166603">This
book is a great way to introduce Valentine's Day to toddlers and
preschoolers. It follows a little boy as he makes special cards for all
of the people, pets and things that he cherishes most. The pets,
siblings, grandma, stuffed bear, and parents all get a card. Each page
contains a large, cheerful illustration and a cute little poem
explaining what the boy will do for each of his special valentine
recipients. It's a great way to talk about doing something extra special
for your loved ones to help celebrate the holiday.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFZjAiBRwKV72RMORMm8SEXL25oT_Ew8RDP1QkdrmfanoocD54wpwTdrrLkAZVQT0LMUFP68XOE4ZTIdT71LIHxdV_ViqnZkW8vyItT1n5alI6F7qMJlNw2c74bzmexxbc0IHwhmxIGoB/s1600/IMG_9927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFZjAiBRwKV72RMORMm8SEXL25oT_Ew8RDP1QkdrmfanoocD54wpwTdrrLkAZVQT0LMUFP68XOE4ZTIdT71LIHxdV_ViqnZkW8vyItT1n5alI6F7qMJlNw2c74bzmexxbc0IHwhmxIGoB/s1600/IMG_9927.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview508164893"><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview508166603"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview508164893"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061915106/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061915106&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">My Heart Is Like a Zoo</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061915106" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Michael Hall</span></span><br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview401602289">Simple
rhymes and vivid colors makes this a sweet read that will captivate any
young toddler. All of the animals are made using several sized hearts
and various shapes. They are incredibly cute and very creative. The text
is very simple, but does rhyme. Great way to introduce your little one
to more animals as well. It includes a beaver, yak, heron, seal, moose,
hippos, crab, bear, bull, hornet, penguin, fox, caterpillar, rabbit,
frog, coyote, lion, owl, walrus, clam, and bluejay. Would make a fun art
project to do with older children as well! Punch out a bunch of hearts
and try to copy the images.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview401602289">Does your toddler or preschooler have any favorite Valentine's Day books that they love to read over and over again? As always, you can check out our other book reviews <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/search/label/kids%20books" target="_blank">here</a>. Now, we are off to work on some heart themed art projects! Happy reading bookworms. </span></span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-24407505661591560362014-01-20T11:22:00.000-06:002014-01-20T11:22:50.493-06:00Groundhog Day Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3CdYzB6iaVaj_h4BOmp1_6N1yVhuPvqxZ2I8sdBAzvyS5Ffl976an16jZfJQAV3Jx9uM6wfm0yz-CPUiSmykBAPMjBRIINwK20Brxr-eVVvmThekS1IwF46L3yi8CH0NHZkGW7OsxB4-/s1600/groundhogdaybooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3CdYzB6iaVaj_h4BOmp1_6N1yVhuPvqxZ2I8sdBAzvyS5Ffl976an16jZfJQAV3Jx9uM6wfm0yz-CPUiSmykBAPMjBRIINwK20Brxr-eVVvmThekS1IwF46L3yi8CH0NHZkGW7OsxB4-/s1600/groundhogdaybooks.jpg" /></a></div>
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Did you know that there are several Groundhog Day children's books out there? February 2 is right around the corner and I decided to check out the following two books to help introduce Charlotte (age 3) to this fun tradition. I thought both books were great for a toddler. The stories were long, but told very well. She never once lost attention.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8K0NtU9R683MB_KaJ9zwOUKV7k-KjQF8pEwQkcrfx_rNsGUyh1hHldD4_cNxvFyxJnWSJ6x_sVlXbf-OQ9q3kXipye01zVUEgGlIuATOkQqEdDVzAzE9I0VJ0OjezDM09aF2h-809aiq/s1600/groundhogday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8K0NtU9R683MB_KaJ9zwOUKV7k-KjQF8pEwQkcrfx_rNsGUyh1hHldD4_cNxvFyxJnWSJ6x_sVlXbf-OQ9q3kXipye01zVUEgGlIuATOkQqEdDVzAzE9I0VJ0OjezDM09aF2h-809aiq/s1600/groundhogday.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/082341874X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=082341874X&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Go To Sleep, Groundhog!</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=082341874X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Judy Cox<br />
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This is such a fun and entertaining book. It follows a Groundhog as he is getting ready to go into hibernation until February. Problem is, he has trouble staying asleep for so many months. He ends up waking up in October, November and December. To help cure his insomnia, he goes for a walk hoping it will make him sleepy. He is quickly surprised and curious about all of the new things that he has never seen before. October brings scarecrows, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treaters. November he admires how the leaves have changed colors and the growth of corn and pumpkins. In December, he spies twinkling lights, wreaths and hears sleigh bells. The fun thing is at the end of each walk a popular character for that month brings the groundhog back to his burrow, gives him a monthly treat and reads him a story to put him back to sleep. Charlotte loves pointing out each holiday and learning about months as well as talking about shadows and what happens on Groundhog Day. The illustrations are large and give your little listeners plenty to look at as you read this delightful story. We would definitely recommend this one!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqiTfcHx_20E42p5PRCEsHKLJBrnW08lNgNhPWrugwxJR9FKW2aza8DxD_CGeeaWJ2nYHddIlQi8sfg86Kc_gQiC6Bzd_WWD6Wg3v3_fd0630ukMyyFMjgHZtptu46QR1rQKF-RMi9Ogv/s1600/groundhogday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqiTfcHx_20E42p5PRCEsHKLJBrnW08lNgNhPWrugwxJR9FKW2aza8DxD_CGeeaWJ2nYHddIlQi8sfg86Kc_gQiC6Bzd_WWD6Wg3v3_fd0630ukMyyFMjgHZtptu46QR1rQKF-RMi9Ogv/s1600/groundhogday2.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/082342040X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=082342040X&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Punxsutawney Phyllis</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=082342040X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Susanna Leonard Hill<br />
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Meet Phyllis. A groundhog who is definitely unique and headstrong. She is unlike most groundhogs because she loves to be outdoors. She enjoys playing in the rain, walking in mud, wading in icy water and eating berries on warm days. She also has a big dream. She wants to grow up and one day be the next, famous Punxsutawney Phil. Her family gets a good laugh over this and keeps reminding her that Phil is a boy and has never been a girl. Her love for the outdoors comes in handy and Phyllis shocks everyone when she successfully predicts the early signs of Spring. She even predicts it better than her old Uncle Phil who quickly realizes that Phyllis would be the best replacement for him. At the end of the book, he announces that the rules are changing and his successor will go to the person best suited for the job - Punxsutawney Phyllis! I love this book and I love the gentle message that a girl can be and do anything that she has a passion and true talent for! This story is long, especially for a toddler, but the playful text and fun illustrations held Charlotte's attention until the very end.<br />
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Have you checked out or read any fun Groundhog Day themed books? We would love to hear about them. As always, you can check out all of our book reviews <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/search/label/kids%20books" target="_blank">here</a>. So what will it be this year? Will that groundhog see it's shadow or not?? I know that I'm ready for some warmer weather and colorful landscape! Happy reading. Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-80991665002501427762014-01-10T16:01:00.000-06:002014-01-10T16:07:14.828-06:00Green Smoothie MadnessFor the past five days, we've been making green smoothies at lunch. I love them and so does Charlotte! I have been making green smoothies for well over a year now and often get asked about them or how I get C to drink them. I thought I would share our thoughts and favorite recipes here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQvYU__GvXLGq55al74YIYaUJefDFNNqQCjCyJzLPRs2jSYq0UOc6888L0orvWuzflFO_nFTPdNmUVKkEnUApw3iPhji5xSfxFOxPLVwJ5CTezKMK9WLxCOCk8Z2gIv1ujtGZH3DfDlRy/s1600/greensmoothie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQvYU__GvXLGq55al74YIYaUJefDFNNqQCjCyJzLPRs2jSYq0UOc6888L0orvWuzflFO_nFTPdNmUVKkEnUApw3iPhji5xSfxFOxPLVwJ5CTezKMK9WLxCOCk8Z2gIv1ujtGZH3DfDlRy/s1600/greensmoothie3.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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<i>Taken November 6, 2012. </i></div>
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I think that I introduced Charlotte to them at just the right age. She was two and not in that picky food stage yet. She has always been really good about trying new things as well, even if it's just a quick nibble or sip. It also helped that she saw Ross and I drinking them often so she just wanted to mimic us. Green smoothies are a great way to get a serving of veggies and fruit. The best thing is you can NOT taste the source of the green at all. I promise!!!! Here are our most used and favorite recipes that we follow:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXqBmytzC0AmQihYnrDxbUPeg7G78CgRpGc6h0kE635mv8vzqdy2Z0k7p8bgX5lVf0F-g-DjwXko8k9W-xDLWsoSYYkvepQPM1hWpO2FyQeujmNeNjDt6rg5rxGSwt-AvK_cxCtEgUu9j/s1600/greensmoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXqBmytzC0AmQihYnrDxbUPeg7G78CgRpGc6h0kE635mv8vzqdy2Z0k7p8bgX5lVf0F-g-DjwXko8k9W-xDLWsoSYYkvepQPM1hWpO2FyQeujmNeNjDt6rg5rxGSwt-AvK_cxCtEgUu9j/s1600/greensmoothie.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://rabbitfoodformybunnyteeth.com/simple-green-smoothie/" target="_blank">Simple Green Smoothie</a> by <a href="http://rabbitfoodformybunnyteeth.com/" target="_blank">Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth</a>.<br />
Not only do I love Catherine and her wonderful website, but I LOVE this green smoothie. The orange makes it super refreshing and I always have the ingredients on hand for this one. She recently shared it and I have already made it 3 times! It's easy to swap out the fruit if you just don't happen to have an orange on hand. Frozen mango or strawberries would work just fine! <br />
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<a href="http://weelicious.com/2010/10/20/spookie-smoothie/" target="_blank">Spookie Smoothie</a> by <a href="http://weelicious.com/" target="_blank">Weelicious</a>.<br />
Another Catherine that you should be following if you aren't already. She comes up with the easiest and tastiest recipes for babies and toddlers! This is the very first green smoothie that I made and offered to Charlotte. It quickly became a favorite family request. I make it using Organic Silk Milk. Sometimes I omit the Agave and add a Tablespoon of Peanut Butter instead.<br />
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<a href="http://whatsgabycooking.com/banana-chia-and-spinach-smoothie/#.UtBbDfam6Hk" target="_blank">Banana, Chia and Spinach Smoothie</a> by <a href="http://whatsgabycooking.com/" target="_blank">What's Gaby Cooking.</a><br />
This is fairly similar to the other two recipes, but it was the first time I had seen someone add chia seeds to a smoothie. Genius! We always have a bag of chia seeds in the pantry for when we make these <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/" target="_blank">No Bake Energy Bites</a>. They are tiny little seeds that contain healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber and calcium. They are a perfect addition to any smoothie!<br />
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<a href="http://sidesaddlekitchen.com/blackberry-green-shake/" target="_blank">Blackberry Green Shake</a> by <a href="http://sidesaddlekitchen.com/" target="_blank">Sidesaddle Kitchen</a>.<br />
This recipe was at the beginning of one of my Tara Stiles yoga videos (which I LOVE by the way). It sounded so good that we decided to give it a go. It includes a lot of different things that I don't usually add to my green smoothies. For one, it uses kale instead of spinach. It was also the first time I've used cinnamon, ginger and cucumber as ingredients. I omit the parsley because I personally just don't like the taste. This is the perfect example of how to hide a green smoothie too, lol. By using blackberries or blueberries, it changes that vivid green to a deep purple. The link includes a quick video so you can see how easy it is to blend everything up! <br />
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<u>Tips:</u><br />
- Don't throw out those brown, spotted bananas. Cut them in half and freeze them. We always have a bag in the freezer for making smoothies or <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945340158724/" target="_blank">Banana "Ice Cream"</a>.<br />
- Experiment with different fruits. I often add strawberries, apples, nectarines or pineapple. It changes the taste just slightly and uses what you have on hand. <br />
- Use a high power blender. I know a lot of people have a Blendtec. We personally have and use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005I72LMU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005I72LMU&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Breville Hemisphere Blender</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005I72LMU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
. Works perfectly every time.<br />
- I like to serve mine in a small mason jar with a fun straw. We have been gifted a couple packs of cute paper straws, but now that they are just about used up, I went ahead and ordered these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6SRLSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00D6SRLSW&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20"> Stainless Steel Drinking Straws</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00D6SRLSW" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Can't wait to use them!
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- To quickly clean up: Rinse your blender, add a squirt of soap, place it back on the base and hit Blend. It whirls up a soapy concoction as it cleans the sides and bottom. Rinse it back out and you are good to go.<br />
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So what are you waiting for? Go try a green smoothie today. You'll love it and so will your body! Your skin will look great, your nails will grow like crazy, it will give you an energy boost while keeping you satisfied and best of all you will feel good for giving yourself some tasty, wholesome nutrients. Do you have a favorite recipe that you've tried and loved? Please share!! You can find all of the recipes listed above on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/orosky17/" target="_blank">my Pinterest board</a>! Happy sipping. <br />
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<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-67622353607740527402014-01-07T15:01:00.000-06:002014-01-07T15:01:13.427-06:00A Blast of Mojo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hellllloooo! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! We had everyone over for a great Christmas celebration. Took Charlotte 2 days to open her gifts because she had to play with each one immediately. Santa brought her a MiniKick scooter and she has been riding it all over the place. It's quite cute to see her zipping off down the sidewalk with Ross chasing after her. Two days after the festivities, I came down with the flu. The flu is absolutely horrible by the way! I finally got over the high fevers, aches and zapped energy, but I'm still fighting a nasty cough. Not a fun way to ring in the New Year. However, that didn't stop me from bundling up and going outside to watch C wave her first ever sparklers. For the past few days, I've been putting away all of the decorations, organizing and I even got hit with the a little mojo! </div>
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We have a birthday party to go to this weekend. I tried really hard to find a card at the store that we liked, but really hated everything that we found. I finally told myself that it was time to blow the dust off of my old stamping stuff and make one myself. For those of you who don't know me, I was a huge card maker several years ago. Once Charlotte was born though I completely stopped. I've made a few tiny things for C's birthday treats, but this is the first card I've made in 3.5 years! I have to admit I had a lot of fun going through my supplies and coming together with an idea. I knew I wanted to use this sweet image from Whipper Snapper, but the next stop was finding some inspiration on where to go from there. I use to really love participating in all of the sketch challenges across the web. I remembered Julee use to always post a sketch each Monday so I looked her up and was pleasantly surprised to see she was still doing it. For this card, I followed <a href="http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2014/01/mojo-monday-327-contest.html" target="_blank">Mojo 327</a> for the layout. So happy it was an easy one this week, lol. I of course had to cut out and pop up the little girl's bow. I use to love popping up some little part of my images in the past. Some things just never change! </div>
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Stamps: <a href="http://www.whippersnapperdesigns.com/little-girl-with-dotted-present-10219.html" target="_blank">Little Girl with Dotted Present</a> (Whipper Snapper), Happy birthday to you (A Muse)</div>
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Paper: My Mind's Eye, SU Chocolate Chip and Petite Pirouette </div>
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Ink: Palette Noir</div>
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Copics: E00, 11, 31. 33, 35, 37, R20, RV10, 32, 34, YG00, 03, 13, BG10, 72</div>
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Other: Classic Rectangle and Labels 1 Nestie, Stardust Stickles, button, pink grosgrain, heart punch, dimensional, button</div>
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-30617080212481114692013-12-05T14:37:00.001-06:002013-12-05T14:37:54.291-06:00Tree Painting and Birdseed Ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello friends. A cold spell just hit Texas and brought Winter our way. Really! It was 87* just two day ago and today it's 35*. Brrr! We are keeping warm, staying indoors and working on crafts. Charlotte has LOVED our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-book-advent.html" target="_blank">Christmas Book Advent</a>. She jumps out of bed every morning, rushes into the living room to turn the Christmas tree lights on and barely contains her excitement when she finds the next book to open. I've also included a little handmade felt ornament for her to find each day too. You can find the super cute free patterns at <a href="http://www.imagineourlife.com/" target="_blank">Imagine Our Life</a>! I've had a blast making them for her!!! A couple days ago, the book we unwrapped was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585360023/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1585360023&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1585360023" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> I fell in love with it the moment I first read it, but I wasn't sure how a three year old would react to it. Thankfully, she loved it. She listened contently, asked questions, and really loved naming all of the different birds that come to decorate the tree. The moment we finished the book, she asked if we could do a paint project. I decided to draw some inspiration from the book to come up with a couple projects for the day. First up was painting a Christmas tree.
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<br />This idea is all over Pinterest. It's a quick and easy project for any toddler to do. You will need washable paint, paper, an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll, scissors, Q-tips and glitter. I started by drawing a big triangle onto the paper and instructing Charlotte to paint in and along the triangle to create a tree shape. I gave her an empty, whole toilet paper roll and she immediately started dipping it in the paint and making little circles everywhere. Once she had it covered fairly well, I used my scissors to snip off the end of the used painted roll. I then cut it in half and let her "stamp" with that. It was the perfect way to make the tree look like it had tiny pine needles all over it. <br />
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I've seen some examples online where you can use your fingers to paint ornaments all over the tree. Charlotte remembered our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/11/fall-q-tip-painting.html" target="_blank">Fall art projects</a> and asked to paint ornaments with Q-tips. I poured out several colors and let her add dots all over her tree. She also painted the trunk and star with a Q-tip. We added glitter to the wet paint on the star to give it some extra sparkles. I think that it turned out super cute! <br />
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As the day went on and we had read the book again, Charlotte kept talking about the birds in the story. After lunch, I decided that we could make some special treats to share with the birds that like to visit our yard! <br />
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I followed <a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/08/bird-feeders.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> for the directions and birdseed recipe. Only thing I added was chopped up dried apricots. The star cookie cutters are from the Target $1 bin!!! I did all of the prep and then Charlotte helped me fill each star. We had a lot of fun making them all. Once all of our stars were complete, I hollowed out a grapefruit half, tied some twine on and filled the leftovers in the little bowl. <br />
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We checked on them all evening and flipped them over a few times to make sure both sides were drying correctly. We then left them out overnight to fully firm up. They turned out perfectly and were super easy to gently push out of the cookie cutters. <br />
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We had fun taking them all outside and finding a place to hang them. I have to admit, I smile each time I look out the back window and see them scattered in the trees. <br />
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I hope that our feathered friends enjoy their little treats. I think we will definitely be making this project repeatedly. I'm happy we got it out there right before the cold weather hit too. I would love to make some of these and take them to a park to hang up or even decorate one of those road side "Christmas" trees that everyone does. Has a book ever inspired you to do a certain craft? Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-69362319254274157692013-11-27T17:35:00.000-06:002013-12-02T12:06:39.872-06:00Christmas Book Advent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokBV48MY6Mi3iHmf1Q3LYZWla5woGGOs8t5PFYt_OML98lBmN8P_TqmRImEXEZCeY1awozfhbdnjjfSk9MDhm4rAFUVVriUGmyRKYIE-69r5jvHzVBULojcNIM_jgLTN1aDLIkGWn69Wu/s1600/IMG_9803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokBV48MY6Mi3iHmf1Q3LYZWla5woGGOs8t5PFYt_OML98lBmN8P_TqmRImEXEZCeY1awozfhbdnjjfSk9MDhm4rAFUVVriUGmyRKYIE-69r5jvHzVBULojcNIM_jgLTN1aDLIkGWn69Wu/s400/IMG_9803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last December, I saw this idea for a Christmas Book Advent all over Pinterest. It's a fun idea and a great tradition to start. You wrap Christmas books, place them under the tree and you open one once a day to enjoy and read together. I think that it's a great way to build your library and count down the days until the big holiday. For the past few weeks, I've been collecting Christmas books perfect for my three year old. I can't wait to go through these with her. I wanted to share what books I found in case you want to participate or need any ideas. I found the majority of these at Half Price Books and ordered a handful from Amazon. Check out what is going to be on our reading list this month:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpIgLJZXDbytjYdTFVp2br65p4KuraRZS1Vw5X7FmIcOmLoCRTTqwEPMHubVa0DFGjaIwQLexJOxUOoavJ1OpR7EFGn6aYtK9SyGVDnzhxJQ69Nx09B1vOXiVGG2mJi5TnvfFK7j5Z5ng/s1600/mrwtree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpIgLJZXDbytjYdTFVp2br65p4KuraRZS1Vw5X7FmIcOmLoCRTTqwEPMHubVa0DFGjaIwQLexJOxUOoavJ1OpR7EFGn6aYtK9SyGVDnzhxJQ69Nx09B1vOXiVGG2mJi5TnvfFK7j5Z5ng/s400/mrwtree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030IOLR2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0030IOLR2&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0030IOLR2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Robert E. Barry<br />
I can't believe that I have never heard of this classic before. It was one of the first books I stumbled upon when I started my search and it will definitely be one of my favorites to read again and again. Mr. Willowby buys a humongous tree and ends up cutting off the very top of it because it's just too big for his house. The maid ends up with that extra part and it's just perfect for her except it's a tad tall for her room so she again cuts off the top. You see where this is going. The tree slowly gets shared and passed down to<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80187858"><span id="freeText7986813670367289469"> bears, foxes, rabbits and finally to a mouse family. It's told in a really cute rhyme and includes some great illustrations.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA2L4cPCKEUa3SCINxTKR7NxqbScP627r33FnhGZM-r16b-B_8iRWD117dpMZUOjY2GcvqhrHa0J831YJw2Sr0TnyC7oS_NOYR3bHNKk_lc9dF-3ZoCj0qubsnJI2UMHCOawXZ1YWAZjz/s1600/santa3bears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA2L4cPCKEUa3SCINxTKR7NxqbScP627r33FnhGZM-r16b-B_8iRWD117dpMZUOjY2GcvqhrHa0J831YJw2Sr0TnyC7oS_NOYR3bHNKk_lc9dF-3ZoCj0qubsnJI2UMHCOawXZ1YWAZjz/s400/santa3bears.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80187858"><span id="freeText7986813670367289469"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061700231/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061700231&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Santa Claus and the Three Bears</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061700231" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Maria Modugno</span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80187858"><span id="freeText7986813670367289469">Everyone is familiar with the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears story. Well this is a fun holiday twist on that story. The main characters just so happen to be three polar bears. While they are out taking a walk, waiting for their Christmas pudding to cool, Santa comes in their home and makes an awful mess. Such a great idea for a story and the illustrations are really cute! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ5WjEM2c81D_KuWsxHuz2YPu55HYXQksBCZH69XPSETuhyq-xnt3cA80KrIWB13jUuEuPJ9cSp7aUfLec2k_FfymaVcLrFgls4Z8qhn9Mz46Ansl0ZOhcGUk3UuhZhUKWFhh98ovGCFX/s1600/frosty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ5WjEM2c81D_KuWsxHuz2YPu55HYXQksBCZH69XPSETuhyq-xnt3cA80KrIWB13jUuEuPJ9cSp7aUfLec2k_FfymaVcLrFgls4Z8qhn9Mz46Ansl0ZOhcGUk3UuhZhUKWFhh98ovGCFX/s400/frosty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/082496716X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=082496716X&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Frosty The Snowman</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=082496716X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Steve Nelson<br />
Frosty was a HUGE hit at our house last year. This book doesn't include the story. It is simply just an illustrated version of the song. The artwork is beautiful though!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlBMsr8M7GzFuG1dAgvzU0j89BKte-e1APXDtlZ3uL6a9VF6vF-N6ZFbBWTA_X7j0hhbRpNbA4eE1r1ebt9sIAfSbniV6m04_JesYDVrvCimhosJjtJYiA6iiMCWKWw79t_7TqFGYAB1u/s1600/ifyougiveamouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlBMsr8M7GzFuG1dAgvzU0j89BKte-e1APXDtlZ3uL6a9VF6vF-N6ZFbBWTA_X7j0hhbRpNbA4eE1r1ebt9sIAfSbniV6m04_JesYDVrvCimhosJjtJYiA6iiMCWKWw79t_7TqFGYAB1u/s400/ifyougiveamouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060278676/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060278676&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">If You Take a Mouse to the Movies</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060278676" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Laura Numeroff<br />
Charlotte is a big fan of this series! It's a quick and cute little story about a boy and his mouse. The mouse asks to do a certain activity and once he completes it, he is reminded of something else to do. One thing leads to another, until you have made it full circle and the mouse is again reminded of the popcorn that he asked for at the beginning of the story. These stories always make me giggle because it's definitely what raising a toddler is like. We love the fun, colorful illustrations. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EB8hoX9zsc9s9KcRzFxZidaeCl-OGNXPlbuUsmWOGYB1rMwzi4HYP6RMAhv9CEQgbljphtTHyhmpCGKDWZNbknI9IGzuQsB67iDRviDqkLnJpvjezwjQauoVKJCFPnY4zcwNmEGwIPx2/s1600/bearstaysup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EB8hoX9zsc9s9KcRzFxZidaeCl-OGNXPlbuUsmWOGYB1rMwzi4HYP6RMAhv9CEQgbljphtTHyhmpCGKDWZNbknI9IGzuQsB67iDRviDqkLnJpvjezwjQauoVKJCFPnY4zcwNmEGwIPx2/s400/bearstaysup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416958967/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416958967&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Bear Stays Up for Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416958967" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Karma Wilson<br />
We've read several books in the Bear series and they have always been a huge hit. The illustrations are playful, filling up the entire page and the story always includes some great fluid rhymes. In this book, Bears friends are determined to keep him awake during hibernation so he won't miss celebrating Christmas with them. They keep him busy by participating in several traditional Christmas activities. It's a great book about friendship and giving!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhGPkqozAY2JXN_kwYecAhZFm2x1220mXOs0f3NaHgB6CKBJ9IuH4i309M4xytApSiLZ6Vew9nKmtueGSIr9cjMmKPX-hUaRVXToXjqeKMPg6L4L5qmb8z7M2bztMw2WjwAlgqcuctqXl/s1600/friendlybeast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhGPkqozAY2JXN_kwYecAhZFm2x1220mXOs0f3NaHgB6CKBJ9IuH4i309M4xytApSiLZ6Vew9nKmtueGSIr9cjMmKPX-hUaRVXToXjqeKMPg6L4L5qmb8z7M2bztMw2WjwAlgqcuctqXl/s400/friendlybeast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310720125/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0310720125&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">The Friendly Beasts: an old English Christmas carol</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0310720125" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Rebecca St. James<br />
My MIL found this book and gifted it to us this year. It's a really sweet story about all of the animals in the stable when Jesus is born. A donkey, cow, sheep, dove and camel all share how they pitched in and helped that night. I was unfamiliar with the carol and looked it up. It's quite catchy and I can't wait to sing it to Charlotte. The illustrations are really beautiful and sweet too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOlt2sTZn3z5SALMKPz-3U5_WnJCLtmIspPOCgObrIeVA56LWphH5bgV5teMWJYJ7OPITW8H2Na6YVa-HQqhBZNG54EkVa-da-8XHHFRi5L9FxLTxhhM4OeNtcAZk5D2qo5b0kY1DjLfA/s1600/grinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOlt2sTZn3z5SALMKPz-3U5_WnJCLtmIspPOCgObrIeVA56LWphH5bgV5teMWJYJ7OPITW8H2Na6YVa-HQqhBZNG54EkVa-da-8XHHFRi5L9FxLTxhhM4OeNtcAZk5D2qo5b0kY1DjLfA/s400/grinch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394800796/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0394800796&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">How the Grinch Stole Christmas! </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0394800796" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Dr. Seuss<br />
Do I really need to say anything about this one? It's by far a favorite in our house every Christmas season. We love the book, the cartoon and I think the movie (with Jim Carrey) just might be my all time favorite Christmas film! We have always been a huge fan of Dr. Seuss books. The fun rhymes, silly worlds and playful illustrations always pull you right in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWUoIj6f85viU21C1ZBGmMkga_R0sJk9JwPDoPC1ddaVIrlBg1-ejuUatqmcHHd6jRAfck0au94CHfhrn5oI7UH-coQFJ8sWrUzloHFN1WN53QMYdRgfup6ZPHhueHF4MSvofigN2TD9B/s1600/snowmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWUoIj6f85viU21C1ZBGmMkga_R0sJk9JwPDoPC1ddaVIrlBg1-ejuUatqmcHHd6jRAfck0au94CHfhrn5oI7UH-coQFJ8sWrUzloHFN1WN53QMYdRgfup6ZPHhueHF4MSvofigN2TD9B/s400/snowmen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803729952/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0803729952&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Snowmen at Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0803729952" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Caralyn Buehner<br />
I was first introduced to this book last year and it quickly became a favorite along with the other books in the series. It's an imaginative story about a little boy who wonders how all of those snowmen celebrate Christmas. He imagines that once everyone is asleep, all of the snowmen come to life and sneak away to enjoy their own holiday get together full of all of the usual traditions. The story is told in short, gentle rhymes and the illustrations are incredibly magical! We also enjoy finding a few of the hidden images shared throughout the book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZFeds4agzVGzu4hm1UEAL3EZNUAj69R7QdgkW7pX55EcXRanPN49KKV0hbmNsePzRXMUNUjZdmMM_p1387FzIjNrnN3IPnVys-JFEqSmXFaYHiWImkqfJI95rTLFYTgnRnhfFZtwfgSB/s1600/santamouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZFeds4agzVGzu4hm1UEAL3EZNUAj69R7QdgkW7pX55EcXRanPN49KKV0hbmNsePzRXMUNUjZdmMM_p1387FzIjNrnN3IPnVys-JFEqSmXFaYHiWImkqfJI95rTLFYTgnRnhfFZtwfgSB/s320/santamouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0760703558/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0760703558&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Santa mouse</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0760703558" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Michael Brown<br />
This is such a sweet story that immediately won my husband and I over the moment we started reading it. You are introduced to a tiny mouse who lives all alone, but dreams of having many friends. On Christmas Eve, he realizes that Santa brings so many gifts to everyone, but perhaps it would be nice to leave Santa a gift as well. He wraps up a special treat he has been saving and so begins a wonderful friendship. It's another book that is told in gentle, short rhymes and includes some really cute, vintage illustrations.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061990337/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061990337&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061990337" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Julia Rawlinson <br />
We were just introduced to Fletcher last month when we read our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/10/fall-books.html" target="_blank">Fall books</a>. We immediately fell in love with this incredibly cute fox so I knew this was one book I wanted to add to our collection. This time Fletcher is worried that Santa won't be able to find the rabbits new burrow, so he sets off to leave a trail of wooden arrows for Santa to follow. Along the way he runs into other animals who want to help out. Unfortunately, their hard work is covered up by a layer of fresh snow so they all stay up in hopes of giving Santa directions. Of course, they all fall asleep, but are pleasantly surprised by what they find at the burrow the next morning. This is such a sweet story about friendship and kindness. The illustrations are so whimsical and gorgeous and the last page always includes a beautiful tree.<br />
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Can You Find 1001 Christmas Things<br />
For the past year, Charlotte has LOVED looking at search and find books. When I saw this one displayed on a shelf, I quickly snatched it up. The illustrations are so silly and fun to look at! Each page contains numerous objects that you have to hunt for and count. We love to have these sorts of books to entertain her in the car on long road trips! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416950494/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416950494&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Mortimer's Christmas Manger</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416950494" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Karma Wilson<br />
Another fabulous Christmas book by Wilson. This is a creative way to share the story of Jesus' birth with young children. It's about a mouse who is looking for a new home and begins living in a nativity scene. For several days, he moves the "statues" out and tells them that there is no room for them until one night he overhears the story about the true meaning of Christmas. He quickly realizes who has been moving and decides that he needs to make room for Jesus. Incredibly sweet and touching.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1609986946/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1609986946&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1609986946" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Robert L. May<br />
Charlotte wasn't interested in Rudolph last year. I got this book hoping to finally introduce her to that very famous reindeer. This book is not based off of the movie version. It's told in the cutest rhyming verses the way the creator, Robert L. May, originally shared the story. It's quite magical and completely charming.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585360023/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1585360023&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1585360023" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Colleen Monroe<br />
I really love this book. It's the story about a tall, old tree who year after year is over passed when families come looking for their perfect tree to take home for the holidays. He is very sad because his only wish was to be a great Christmas tree. Little does he know that for years all of the forest animals have loved him and enjoyed the home and protection that he has provided. They all come together and decide to decorate the tree one night to show their appreciation. I love the rhyming text and I think this will be the perfect book to read before making some birdseed ornaments to hang outside!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HYKEPK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HYKEPK&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Winter Wonderland</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000HYKEPK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Dick Smith and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0843177071/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0843177071&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Wee Sing Away in a Manger </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0843177071" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Pamela Conn Beall
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These are both very short books so I will be pairing them together. They again simply just share the verses to the popular Christmas carols. Books like these are the perfect way to introduce preschoolers to songs! Charlotte has always responded very well to <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/09/our-favorite-sing-along-read-aloud-books.html" target="_blank">sing-along books</a>. I love the whimsical mouse illustrations in Winter Wonderland!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596436689/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1596436689&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">A Bad Kitty Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1596436689" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Nick Bruel<br />
This book caught my eye while shopping one evening at Target. As soon as I opened it, I knew that we had to add it to our list. This is the fun story about a bad little kitty on Christmas Eve. She's angry and ends up creating a huge mess as she tears up the decorations. She ends up running away and getting lost in the big city only to be found by a sweet, old lady. Bad Kitty quickly realizes that having a loving family is all that matters. The message is fantastic and the story is told in a fun, creative rhyme. It also includes alphabet sequencing and some super fun illustrations. This is our first introduction to Bad Kitty and I can't wait to check out more in this silly series.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689835477/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0689835477&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Hilary Knight's The Twelve Days of Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0689835477" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Hilary Knight<br />
This is another book that we found last year and instantly fell in love with. Charlotte could even correctly recite quite a few of the lines by herself. It was cute hearing her sing it around the Christmas tree. The text follows the well known Christmas song, but the illustrations really bring it to life and make it fun for little readers to follow along with. You watch along as <span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525">Benjamin Bear woes Bedalia Bear by bringing her all of the gifts found in the song. </span></span><br />
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<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402747551/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1402747551&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Twelve Hidden Days of Christmas</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1402747551" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Macky Pamintuan</span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525">If you follow along with our book reviews, then you should recognize this author from our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/09/spooktacular-halloween-books.html" target="_blank">Halloween list</a>. I was so excited when I stumbled across this book and realized he had a Christmas version. I know this will be a huge hit already. Just like the Halloween book, you follow bear through the house and search for all of the hidden objects from the popular Christmas song. Each page includes every gift that you have previously read so by day twelve you have a lot of search for. It's definitely another fun way to introduce the song to little kids!</span></span><br />
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<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060722258/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060722258&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">The Christmas Song: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060722258" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Mel Torme and Robert Wells</span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525">I was quite excited when I happened upon this book. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire is by far Ross' favorite Christmas song!! Anytime he hears it, he will burst into song. I can't wait to hear him sing this to Charlotte. The book simply includes the lyrics, but the illustrations really make it magical! </span></span><br />
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<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525">Inspector McSqueaks in the Santa Claus Clues by Scott Emmons</span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525">"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, just one creature was stirring, a smart little mouse". This is such a cute book. It is the story about a mouse who tries desperately find Santa. He uses all sorts of gadgets, but of course Santa is always one step ahead of him. It's told in a great rhyme (can you tell we are huge fans of rhyming books) and the illustrations are bold and very vibrant. This is actually a hard book to find. It was put out by Hallmark. I just so happened across it in a Half Price Books and immediately snatched it up. </span></span><br />
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<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525"> </span></span><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525"><br /></span></span>
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824918851/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0824918851&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">What Is Christmas?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0824918851" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824918622/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0824918622&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0824918622" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Michelle Medlock Adams</span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525">These are two fantastic board books that gently introduce young ones to the true meaning of Christmas! In What is Christmas, you follow a group of kids as they try to determine what Christmas is all about. Is it about watching mom and dad kiss under the mistletoe or participate in all of those fun holiday traditions? While those things are fun, it's really about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Which brings us to the other book, Happy Birthday Jesus. This book follows the same group of kids as the prepare to celebrate Jesus' birthday. They bake a cake, decorate and have a party. I plan on baking a cake with Charlotte after we read this one. Both books are told in a short fun rhyme and are perfect to be giving together as a little gift. </span></span><br />
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<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525"><br /></span></span>
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394888820/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0394888820&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">The Berenstain Bears Christmas Tree</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0394888820" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Stan Berenstain</span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer80495952"><span id="freeTextContainer5736306882410630525">This is actually my book from when I was little. I was always a huge Berenstain Bears fan and thankfully kept all of my books. I remember reading this one over and over again. It's longer than the other books in the series and is told in a great rhyme. Papa Bear is on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree to cut down and use in their house. Problem is, every tree he finds is actually home to some forest animals. Follow along as he quickly realizes that the holiday is truly about giving and taking care of others in need. The illustrations in this book are fantastic. They are very details and fun to look at. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580890962/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580890962&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Jingle Bells</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1580890962" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Iza Trapani<br />
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextContainerreview451489011">We
absolutely love this book. I actually found it last year to help
introduce the song Jingle Bells to our then two year old. We are a huge fan
of Trapini's books. She always comes up with clever rhymes to extend the
familiar song into something extra special. In this book, she
introduces children to several Christmas traditions all over the
world!!! She takes you to Poland, Kenya, Mexico, Italy and many more
countries. The illustrations are great too!!!</span></span><br />
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The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore<br />
Of course, I have to end with this classic tale. It's a story that everyone should read on Christmas Eve. <br />
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There you have it. They are all wrapped, numbered and waiting under the tree to be shared each day. I also am including a little felt ornament for Charlotte to find every day and add to the tree. You can find the free patterns over on the amazing<a href="http://www.imagineourlife.com/" target="_blank"> Imagine Our Life blog</a>. I am so excited to start this new tradition with Charlotte! If you have any other favorite Christmas books, please leave us a message so we can add it to our list next year. Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-48411149075739950162013-11-21T14:44:00.001-06:002013-11-21T14:47:25.137-06:00Turkey Crafts<br />
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With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to make sure we completed a few fun and easy turkey crafts. Any of these would be great to save for Thanksgiving day to keep the kiddos entertained while everyone cooked and visited. Last month we created <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/10/watercolor-webs-with-fingerprint-spiders.html" target="_blank">Play-doh spiders</a> for Halloween. They were a huge hit amongst the kids and adults. It was fun seeing everyone's creations. This month we decided to make Play-doh turkeys. They came out quite cute and comical. Here's what I came up with:<br />
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I picked up two containers of brown Play-doh at Wal-Mart. The pipe cleaners were left over from our spiders. I just cut up three orange pipe cleaners and rounded the edges so the wires wouldn't poke small hands. I saw <a href="http://www.readingconfetti.com/2012/10/pumpkin-seed-art.html" target="_blank">this idea</a> for painting pumpkin seeds so I wanted to include it. It was super easy to throw a few in a Ziplock bag, add some Crayola Washable Paint and squish them around the coat. We ended up using these for beaks, gobblers, and feathers. A few weeks ago we made <a href="http://www.kiwicrate.com/projects/Acorn-Cap-Jewels/574" target="_blank">these acorn gems</a> to add to our Fairy garden. They came out quite cute and Charlotte loved making them so we ended up with a bunch. I took some of the leftovers and glued googly eyes inside of them. The feathers were just cute out of foam and glued to toothpicks.<br />
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Charlotte was eager to get started once she saw me setting everything out. I had fun watching how she used the different materials to make several turkeys. The eyes crack me up!<br />
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Last month we completed several Halloween footprint paintings and C absolutely loved doing them. She has been begging to do more so we decided to make a quick little turkey. Oh, how I love those little toes. The body and beak were cute out with cardstock. The gobble is her fingerprint. It made a cute addition to our Thanksgiving decor. <br />
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Last year I saw <a href="http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/crafts/super-cute-thanksgiving-hats/" target="_blank">this adorable turkey hat</a> all over Pinterest, but we never got around to making it. I made sure to get around to it this year. It's simply a paper plate that has been cut in half. I drew little lines around the edges since our plate didn't have any on it to begin with. I then just asked C to paint different colors within the lines. It was the first time I've ever asked her to do that so I wasn't sure how it would go. Surprisingly, she took this task very seriously and took her time being extra careful as she painted. The body and legs were cut out using cardstock.<br />
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Finger puppets are a big hit in our house. I made this tiny turkey last year and it has been played with all year round. Here is <a href="http://frogprincepaperie.com/2010/11/tutorial-thanksgiving-turkey-finger-puppets.html" target="_blank">the tutorial.</a><br />
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One last idea. My mom and I created this uber cute turkey shirt for C last year. I did all of the applique and my mom sewed around the edges. I don't know what I love more. The silly face or the adorable feathers on the back! It was the perfect shirt for my little turkey to wear last Thanksgiving. I was so happy that she could still fit into it this year. She has been wearing it like crazy and immediately begs for it the moment it is clean. We have gotten a ton of compliments on it too. Here is <a href="http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2011/11/turkey-shirt.html" target="_blank">the tutorial</a> in case you are interested!<br />
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Hope this gives you some last minute activity ideas. If you make any Play-doh turkeys, please snap a photo and share them with us on Twitter or Instagram!! Gobble, Gobble. <br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-3789306751564789682013-11-19T12:13:00.002-06:002013-11-19T12:13:27.166-06:00Fall Q-Tip painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is anyone else surprised that Thanksgiving is next week?!?!? How is that even possible? I'm so not ready. Maybe it's that fact that the weather is off (it was 87* this weekend) or that I've been sick the past few days. All I know is I have a huge to do list to complete in preparations for the holiday. Instead of working on cleaning, shopping and menu planning, my little artist and I worked on some Fall decor. I thought I would share our projects in case you needed something to keep your little pilgrims busy this week. Both of these took no time at all to set up and complete, but they were a huge hit with my three year old. Plus I think they turned out super cute!! Who knew that Q-tips make the perfect paint brushes for small hands. First up we worked on making Indian Corn. Here's what we used:</div>
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Crayola Washable paint</div>
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vanilla cardstock</div>
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Q-tips (I put out regular and baby sized)</div>
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paper bag</div>
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ribbon</div>
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All you do is cut the cardstock in the shape of a corn. Then you dip the top of the Q-tip in the paint and make random dots all over your paper. Told you it was easy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5SyLpE0bnTBo8Fdd_vkDnkCf1SJZOAHAIkifSksE3mNUnFUbmdylt4FfZ96zbWIagP79QmVOGL4o5abTamMmP9SQtLllC5k9Jwopj_OQbxuZSo2xPTX71IuP6aWvgJQPvh0JhLeJGg2L/s1600/IMG_9705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5SyLpE0bnTBo8Fdd_vkDnkCf1SJZOAHAIkifSksE3mNUnFUbmdylt4FfZ96zbWIagP79QmVOGL4o5abTamMmP9SQtLllC5k9Jwopj_OQbxuZSo2xPTX71IuP6aWvgJQPvh0JhLeJGg2L/s400/IMG_9705.jpg" width="398" /> </a></div>
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I had her make dots until she couldn't see any more paint. That way we had different shades of the same color. She used all of the colors once. I encouraged her to spread the dots all over until she couldn't see anymore paper underneath. Once she used all of the colors once, I let her mix the paints and come up with new shades. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYJfQ6Qgl7WPs4-xGkrl4Deww9uP-3aOiq-mYWkwuxYmAnaHK5Bth5DDw5K1vfK7kgPgSOOOq8Wri8SXHkcVMb57HDfkIm6JhskXJlEnB-Ju0MJwGj8jaIKYafnDHK3jE51Vtuqzx3QKt/s1600/IMG_9725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYJfQ6Qgl7WPs4-xGkrl4Deww9uP-3aOiq-mYWkwuxYmAnaHK5Bth5DDw5K1vfK7kgPgSOOOq8Wri8SXHkcVMb57HDfkIm6JhskXJlEnB-Ju0MJwGj8jaIKYafnDHK3jE51Vtuqzx3QKt/s400/IMG_9725.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
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Once it was dry, I took a small paper bag and cut our some husk shapes. I gave them to C and let her crumble them up to give them a good aged, weathered look. We then glued them to the top and added a decorative ribbon. I love how they turned out and they will make some cute, handmade additions to our Thanksgiving decor. Since we already had the paints and Q-tips out, I decided to go ahead and use them to make a pretty Fall tree. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRvkRibL1ikL1rWjtP8kZkvh4zZ52Y67nVkDh2Op7t9OeSdbIdZYnqlGi4iBzdPgjSediIohycFuQaLZz16Fu8lXtRPVQcXl4rpmm6JEEsdjx7hF4kHsmv-TLaAE21DKp6X2lYF8SKlLY/s1600/IMG_9714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRvkRibL1ikL1rWjtP8kZkvh4zZ52Y67nVkDh2Op7t9OeSdbIdZYnqlGi4iBzdPgjSediIohycFuQaLZz16Fu8lXtRPVQcXl4rpmm6JEEsdjx7hF4kHsmv-TLaAE21DKp6X2lYF8SKlLY/s400/IMG_9714.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
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We used the same paints and Q-Tips. I grabbed one of the trees we used for <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/10/decorating-fall-trees.html" target="_blank">this project</a> and simply glued it to a piece of cardstock. I then told her to add as many colorful Fall leaves to the branches as she could. I was stunned with the outcome!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGXbN10Rrvo3_oTpmzN4VSEkdzstQsH7t2Eawx3FmPJlOTrZOKaFmULPPjcp_vTuVlSm35lYy9GJfhopcSq3bzVLmP85DJh_C1rCWZZy4oC0e7-k_VO4rGgyLTMbwOpRMyymqmpbwd7eG/s1600/IMG_9717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGXbN10Rrvo3_oTpmzN4VSEkdzstQsH7t2Eawx3FmPJlOTrZOKaFmULPPjcp_vTuVlSm35lYy9GJfhopcSq3bzVLmP85DJh_C1rCWZZy4oC0e7-k_VO4rGgyLTMbwOpRMyymqmpbwd7eG/s400/IMG_9717.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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She followed the branches to begin with and had fun adding leaves and mixing colors. She then started filling in the space between the branches creating a beautiful Fall tree. The trees are still green and holding on to their leaves here in Texas so this might be the closest I get to a stunning Fallish tree. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VONNsU2OiN0cVxcSl7ts1rHnbd60k5usiLGPmN1eu0aLzRHXNZal_h1x-dQTdojao0l6O9AWwIW44BBWPyF4UcXVAUjfcPgCjy4jSLHbmWw-uzLnc8QEUTt1xh0caQkadbwGazLwdPoS/s1600/IMG_9718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VONNsU2OiN0cVxcSl7ts1rHnbd60k5usiLGPmN1eu0aLzRHXNZal_h1x-dQTdojao0l6O9AWwIW44BBWPyF4UcXVAUjfcPgCjy4jSLHbmWw-uzLnc8QEUTt1xh0caQkadbwGazLwdPoS/s400/IMG_9718.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I love that she added some falling leaves and a few on the ground. As she was painting, she started telling me that she was making Fletcher's favorite tree! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061573973/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061573973&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Fletcher and the Falling Leaves</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061573973" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
was one of the books we shared in our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/10/fall-books.html" target="_blank">Fall Booklist</a> a few weeks ago. It's an incredibly cute story. I was excited that she remembered it and applied it to this project. The only thing she asked me to do was create a hole in the tree for Fletcher to live in. </div>
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Q-tip painting! We will definitely be doing this technique again in the future. While you are here, be sure to check out our <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-books.html" target="_blank">Thanksgiving Booklist</a>. We also worked on some turkey projects, but I will save those to share later this week. Good luck with those holiday preparations! </div>
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-14691919933049917162013-11-07T10:21:00.000-06:002013-11-07T10:46:27.051-06:00Thanksgiving Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSajn3xFQus661fCdhWjcgqfYjFF5u0ivr1nSJT5br9ZobqPJZ_DqCU1gVqSbgUptHhFFrqnynYaGsX0QkwVJCL6BWVCXXVmL0gkNo4Rr1t-k2EczO2yM4blUGrEjCB0U2By3ymDjIKwLi/s1600/thanksgivingbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSajn3xFQus661fCdhWjcgqfYjFF5u0ivr1nSJT5br9ZobqPJZ_DqCU1gVqSbgUptHhFFrqnynYaGsX0QkwVJCL6BWVCXXVmL0gkNo4Rr1t-k2EczO2yM4blUGrEjCB0U2By3ymDjIKwLi/s640/thanksgivingbooks.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Thanksgiving. It is my absolute favorite holiday! I love fixing a huge traditional meal and having everyone over for a day of eating, fellowship and lots of laughter. We look forward to it every single year. The moment Halloween was over, Charlotte exclaimed, "Is it Thanksgiving day yet?". We have been reading a few Thanksgiving themed books for the past two weeks now preparing her for the festivities that are to come. Some of these are our favorites from last year and the rest are new ones that we stumbled upon recently. Light a pumpkin candle, snuggle under a blanket and check out what has been on our bookshelf lately. <a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" ><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /><script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wh6LO6uiRkQsmdsL-tWqi5LxjntlsN1hH-6MTopd9mf-tC8A3ego06hVmwX3N_dC-56U9yAOVop9CYaC3-YIB07ga1-rqu-dlvZdmnoqWcYJ2ai3pmnP_vyQlwus5_qMP0jMhP6-qlNH/s1600/IMG_7754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wh6LO6uiRkQsmdsL-tWqi5LxjntlsN1hH-6MTopd9mf-tC8A3ego06hVmwX3N_dC-56U9yAOVop9CYaC3-YIB07ga1-rqu-dlvZdmnoqWcYJ2ai3pmnP_vyQlwus5_qMP0jMhP6-qlNH/s400/IMG_7754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060510986/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060510986&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Thanks for Thanksgiving</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060510986" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Julie Markes<br />
This is a perfect book to introduce preschoolers to the fact that Thanksgiving is about being thankful for all of those special little things in their life. It includes short and simply rhymes that are incredibly heart warming and relatable. It shows kids being thankful for the food on the table to hopscotch to rain boots and puddles. We especially love the warm, beautiful illustrations that cover each and every page! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfkLGFs_hELubofciConIyK_5cB_4ltJ1yaHm5dhufXb9_RNVM75OwUg8xT6sqDcnSMFBsYniyjWWVFi1G3kOu_83MIv-DTb_4UZhTYj8YlNDMew4_KEQiHXwAg0mZ5HI9NY9uB8ZxKFr/s1600/IMG_9511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfkLGFs_hELubofciConIyK_5cB_4ltJ1yaHm5dhufXb9_RNVM75OwUg8xT6sqDcnSMFBsYniyjWWVFi1G3kOu_83MIv-DTb_4UZhTYj8YlNDMew4_KEQiHXwAg0mZ5HI9NY9uB8ZxKFr/s400/IMG_9511.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0807578894/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0807578894&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">This Is the Turkey</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0807578894" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Abby Levine<br />
We love this book! It follows a family as they plan for and prepare all of the food for Thanksgiving, greet loved ones and get together to celebrate the holiday together. Best part is the moral of the story. Towards the end of the book, disaster strikes when the turkey accidentally ends up in the fish tank. The characters quickly realize that they still have plenty to be thankful for and the holiday is far from ruined over one silly little mishap. It is told in the same style as This is the House Jack Built with fun, short rhymes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk39m_RCFHCvHsdU1rBRSJRgYg976seo_f8zifRd77stR0lDSzJ64SC2luEtK8GleoDHQTnxcLOzRRuS7Nr_It_o4Gi34nNBtAiQUCM8NZ8MSw0qw6eluQXbOBGQDm2BEy1FVdlwLJxWnd/s1600/IMG_9657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk39m_RCFHCvHsdU1rBRSJRgYg976seo_f8zifRd77stR0lDSzJ64SC2luEtK8GleoDHQTnxcLOzRRuS7Nr_It_o4Gi34nNBtAiQUCM8NZ8MSw0qw6eluQXbOBGQDm2BEy1FVdlwLJxWnd/s400/IMG_9657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142300063/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0142300063&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142300063" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by B.G. Hennessy<br />
What I like about this book is that it gently introduces kids to Pilgrims as well as the <span id="freeTextContainer8977422003989300270">Wampanoag Indians who celebrated that famous first Thanksgiving together. It begins with the familiar tune by meeting the ten little Pilgrims, then the ten little Wampanoags. It then shows both groups collecting and preparing food such as digging for clams, hunting for ducks, digging for turnips and gathering nuts. It ends by including ten big turkeys and showing everyone coming together to give thanks and eat. Charlotte really likes the illustrations in this book and takes her time studying each and every one thoroughly. We often stop to discuss what the characters are doing in each picture. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0822579839/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0822579839&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Thanksgiving Rules</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0822579839" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Laurie B. Friedman<br />
Meet <span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer441049732"><span id="freeTextContainer14287036930509257386">Percy Isaac Gifford. A little boy who shares his 10 rules for Thanksgiving day. He gives advice on how to tolerate what clothes your mom dresses you in, always help clean the house and prepare the food, greet all of your guest, how to fully enjoy the entire buffet and most importantly how to show appreciation. It's silly. It rhymes and it includes fun illustrations that every kid wi</span></span><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer441049732"><span id="freeTextContainer14287036930509257386">ll love. </span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer441049732"><span id="freeTextContainer14287036930509257386">(We read this one as an eBook so I don't have a photo to share). </span></span> <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060541849/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060541849&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060541849" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Laura Krauss Melmed<br />
This is a short counting book (from 1-12) that shows Wampanoug and Pilgrim friends coming together for a Thanksgiving feast. Each page flips back and forth between both groups showing what they did to prepare for the big day. It is told in an easy rhyme and includes some really spectacular illustrations. Charlotte loves to find the rabbits and turkey that are hidden throughout several of the pictures. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824956540/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0824956540&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">Thanksgiving at Our House</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0824956540" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by P.K. Hallinan<br />
I'm a bit surprised that this book doesn't have more reviews. It is incredibly cute and definitely one of our Thanksgiving favorites. It shows a family going through the typical Thanksgiving traditions of watching the parade and preparing a feast. However, the main focus is how we should spend the holiday being thankful for the numerous family and friends that bless our lives. The story is told in a really sweet rhyme and the illustrations are very vibrant and fun to look at. I especially like the fact that one of the playmates who comes over is pictured in a wheelchair. This is always the first book that comes to mind when I am asked to recommend a good Thanksgiving book for toddlers! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448425297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0448425297&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">The Night Before Thanksgiving</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0448425297" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Natasha Wing<br />
We are big fans of this series! Each one contains a fun twist on the popular classic Twas the Night Before Christmas. Wing has such an amazing talent for coming up with clever rhymes that smoothly flow from one page to the next. This book covers all of the Thanksgiving traditions: preparation of favorite foods, parade watching, excitement over family arriving, mishaps that always happen on a holiday and of course the enjoyment of leftovers the next day. The illustrations are super fun to look at and the story always makes Charlotte giggle, especially the part about the vision of drumsticks dancing in the kid's heads. We found this book last year and it will continue to be on our Thanksgiving to read list for many yeas to come. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0823422313/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0823422313&linkCode=as2&tag=sunsdays01-20">One Is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sunsdays01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0823422313" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
by Judy Cox<br />
Last, but certainly not least. This is our favorite new find this year! It is the tale of a little mouse who quietly waits in his hidey-hole until the Thanksgiving meal is completed and everyone is either sleeping or playing. He sneaks onto the table and it happy to discover a few leftovers that he slowly collects in hopes of making a special feast for himself. Charlotte loves the illustrations and hearing how the tiny mouse stacks the food that he gathers. I personally love the repetition and the descriptive vocabulary throughout the entire book. It also includes a great lesson on greed, not taking more that you need and being thankful and content for what you have. <br />
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Are you craving turkey and dressing yet? Hope you check out a few of these books before the big celebration in a few weeks. If you have any other favorite Thanksgiving books, please leave us any suggestions. We are always on the lookout for new books to add to our list. You can find our other book reviews <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/search/label/kids%20books" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!!! Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-49564010956212475482013-11-05T15:16:00.000-06:002013-11-05T15:19:00.847-06:00IKEA Finger Puppet Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLGiFBOJ5d8wHZAfu9TWuVmmWVgV89jS_yMoCvX4rOaR0ItpGuVwAyzqwPahXrhnfEAbNKERCBLx3mkMm0b4UcXrGSsI4cxsf8w6X7IntKAAhYo4r8LBRYuXVvuyFGZLoQXYjaNr8f-Wd/s1600/IMG_9696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLGiFBOJ5d8wHZAfu9TWuVmmWVgV89jS_yMoCvX4rOaR0ItpGuVwAyzqwPahXrhnfEAbNKERCBLx3mkMm0b4UcXrGSsI4cxsf8w6X7IntKAAhYo4r8LBRYuXVvuyFGZLoQXYjaNr8f-Wd/s400/IMG_9696.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have you heard about <a href="http://happymommybox.com/" target="_blank">Happy Mommy Box</a> yet? It is a little care package that comes at the beginning of each month and is full of a few treats for moms and kids. Who doesn't love to get some happy mail? I was so excited when I set up my subscription for their first ever box launch and have anxiously been awaiting for it to arrive. Yesterday was the day and we definitely loved every little bit of it. Not only did I receive some fantastic goodies, but I learned about a few new businesses that I was unaware of. I was also introduced to several very inspiring moms that I instantly looked up and added to all of my social media outlets.<br />
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Natalie and Mandy are the wonderful mommies who set up this new venture. If you haven't visited their blogs before, I highly suggest you do!! They are both creative, fun, hilarious women who I always find encouragement and inspiration from. Seriously, go check them out:<br />
Natalie at <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/" target="_blank">The Busy Budgeting Mama</a> and Mandy at <a href="http://houseofroseblog.com/" target="_blank">House of Rose</a>.<br />
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Now on to the giveaway. The kid's surprise that was included in this month's box was a set of finger puppets provided from Ikea or the big blue square store as Charlotte often calls it. We love Ikea! I'm so happy that we have a local Ikea not too far from our house. We visit it often. Apparently so does my brother and sister-in-law. They actually gave Charlotte this exact set of puppets, along with a different one, not too long ago. Kids love finger puppets and we have had a blast playing with these. If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/kauai17#" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, I'm sure you have seen photos of our little puppet productions. I love watching Charlotte play with them and listening to the numerous stories she tells as she puts on little shows. We thought that since we have already been gifted this fun set, that we would share the extra one with one of you.<br />
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The package includes 10 soft finger puppets. The characters are a bride, groom, chef, ballerina, ghost, santa, nurse, fireman and scuba diver. <br />
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I wish I would have taken a video of her playing with this cast. It was quite entertaining for both of us. It started with the bride and groom going to church to get married. The chef showed up to make soup and the fireman had to be called to put out the fire the chef started. Then Santa showed up with gifts, dropped them in the street and started dancing with the ballerina. Sounded like a memorable wedding!<br />
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To enter this giveaway simply fill out the Rafflecopter Widget Below. Good Luck!<br />
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-23083150751171386532013-11-01T11:05:00.000-05:002013-11-01T11:05:13.027-05:00Witch<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XmFPu-ArhhepABJu4t1YSVjlGp7xkra38bHAv2CxwbM6ogAFsnInPnyp1MknZRY-XSe9m8drrnkdUZZSuNcWNxUSgXMG3j2J8RgJhJQl4dEODA55VyGjvDpKwBa-Z2bxSC5k8_JEKf_J/s1600/IMG_9663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XmFPu-ArhhepABJu4t1YSVjlGp7xkra38bHAv2CxwbM6ogAFsnInPnyp1MknZRY-XSe9m8drrnkdUZZSuNcWNxUSgXMG3j2J8RgJhJQl4dEODA55VyGjvDpKwBa-Z2bxSC5k8_JEKf_J/s640/IMG_9663.jpg" width="443" /></a></div>
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I thought this would be the very last year that I would have a say
and get to pick out Charlotte's Halloween costume. Boy was I wrong! When
I started mentioning my ideas on what I wanted to dress her as, she
quickly shot it down. " I want to be a witch mama. A witch with a purple
skirt, a hat, and a broom". I immediately scratched my plans and
started searching for ideas. I have to say I'm so glad she chose to be a
witch. She was incredibly adorable and got tons of compliments.<br />
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I started by making her skirt. Have you made a tulle skirt before? They are so incredibly easy. I prefer fuller skirts so I selected 4 different colors to work with. I followed <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/decorating/how-to-make-a-classic-tulle-tutu/pictures/index.html?soc=pinterest" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> to get the right length for a longer skirt. It worked perfectly. </div>
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Public service announcement: If you use the glitter tulle, your house will be COVERED in glitter for the rest of your life, lol. The above picture was taken the day I made the skirt. We swept and mopped a lot that day, but it was worth it. Chances are if you come to our house, you are more than likely going to leave with some specks of glitter on you! I'm just hoping people think my floor is so clean that it does in fact sparkle! </div>
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I found<a href="http://thrifterindisguise.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-witch-costume-part-2-fleece.html?m=1" target="_blank"> this tutorial</a> for an easy, quick, but super cute cape. The only thing I did differently was to add random patches around the cape to give it a bit of color. I just sewed pieces of the tulle to felt and then sewed them to the cape. The green is glitter ribbon that I found at Hobby Lobby. I'm glad I made it because it ended up being a bit chilly so my little witch stayed nice and warm. </div>
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I followed <a href="http://www.shadandlizzie.blogspot.com/2010/08/felt-flower-headband-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> to make flowers for her cape and hat. They were super quick to make. I added some sparkles by covering the edges in purple Stickles. We found the broom and cauldron at Target and then she had some black and white leggings that she wore underneath. </div>
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I love homemade costumes! I really am glad she suggested to be a good little witch. I can't wait to see what she wants to be throughout the years to come. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. I'm off to sweep up more glitter. </div>
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-88845275519534547222013-10-28T14:51:00.003-05:002013-10-28T14:51:58.342-05:00Fort Worth Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent this past weekend in Fort Worth, Texas. We visited the <a href="http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/" target="_blank">Stockyards</a> to see the famous cattle drive, ate some great food and really had a fun time together. Saturday Ross completed his first half marathon held at the Texas Motor Speedway. That place is huge! We were so proud of him and did our best to cheer him on as he crossed the finish line. Thankfully it didn't rain until much later that night. In fact, it stormed! We had just ordered the best coconut chicken soup at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/sea-siam-thai-restaurant-keller" target="_blank">Sea Siam</a> when it started pouring, lightning and eventually hailing. Texas storms can be quite crazy intense, but move fairly quickly. <br />
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<br />The next day we woke up and decided to take Charlotte to the <a href="http://www.fortworthzoo.org/" target="_blank">Fort Worth zoo</a>. It just so happened to be Boo At The Zoo weekend so we had to throw together a easy, little costume for her to wear last minute. We found a nearby Target and grabbed a cat shirt and clearance tulle skirt which C absolutely loves now. I also grabbed some face paint and was shocked that she let me paint her face like a cat. The moment she saw her face she started acting like an actual cat. She would scratch our legs and beg for a treat or a string to play with. I swear, if she wins an Oscar one day it won't surprise me one bit! <br />
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This was our first time visiting the Fort Worth Zoo and I can easily say that it won't be our last! They have so many different animals. Even several that I have never seen before. The first exhibit we saw was the gorillas. There were three of them and they were all huge! We spent a long time in the reptile and insect houses looking at each and every single thing. I think I could have stayed and watched the orangutans all day. There is just something so mesmerizing about them. This guy would drink from the stream, gather grass, pose for pictures, climb to the top of his house and then start all over again. <br />
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I have never seen rhinos really move. Most of the time they are either laying down or munching on a snack. Not these two, they were running back and forth, jumping in the water, rolling in the mud and definitely entertaining the crowd. Let me tell you - they can actually move quite fast! <br />
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Charlotte was more than excited when she spotted the carousel. She immediately requested the black stallion and enjoyed her ride. She also talked us into riding the zoo train. She was ecstatic when we were asked to sit up at the very front right behind the engine. They had several Halloween decorations set up to look at as it took you to the other end of the zoo.<br />
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Ross and I both agreed that the baby elephants were probably our favorites. I mean, look at them! They were so tiny and their heads were covered in wild fuzz. Their names are Belle (born in July) and Bowie (born in August). They were too cute for words. They would dash under their mamas legs as they walked, and were intrigued with climbing on a small log. Check out <a href="http://www.fortworthzoo.org/plan-a-visit/new-at-the-zoo/meet-the-baby-elephant/" target="_blank">this link</a> on the zoo's website to see some cute videos. <br />
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Since it was Boo At The Zoo, most of the animals had pumpkins or squash in their exhibits. Some ate them, some crawled on them and many played with them. We were treated to a little show when this lion started playing with one of his pumpkins. They don't eat them, but he had a great time breaking it open, picking it up and throwing it around. At one point, it dropped on the ground and he playfully sprang on it and started playing again. It was neat to see the lions in actions. We even heard one roar quite a few times in a row. It silenced the crowd immediately. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to hear that in the wild. It was so loud and so incredibly powerful. <br />
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Charlotte's favorite part was this bird exhibit where you walk inside their atrium and pay to feed them little seeds stuck to sticks. It was full of many cockatiels and parakeets. They fly quickly over your head, land on you and give you a chance to get really close as you feed them. She would have stayed there all day feeding them if we let her. <br />
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Not only was this our first time at the Fort Worth Zoo, but it was also our first time attending a Boo At The Zoo. It was definitely crowded, but we had a great time. Charlotte came home with a bag full of candy, colors and a coloring book. She was able to play several carnival type games and made a page full of cute Halloween Thumbprint art. She even came home with this cute cat mask. We just pinned <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945341118930/" target="_blank">a tutorial</a> on how to make some of these mask. I think we will work on that soon because she loved this one. We spent a little over 5 hours exploring this wonderful zoo. We highly suggest that you stop in and visit it if you are ever in the area. The countdown to Halloween is on. I can't wait. Hope the weather will be okay on Thursday!!!! Thanks for letting us share our weekend trip with you. Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-15964847139062468162013-10-24T22:29:00.003-05:002013-11-07T10:47:16.806-06:00Our Favorite Toddler Apps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6viyW0VP8BMUICMDLtdeYvVSST_XQWhJkKKjdvG-7n3V6Pihn1IvSI74MveOCj7FCOne5JZNkwSl1R95GbmlixvyFJh2S66bF2uJEa58whhAjlP_VfKnmtYYLNlmmySDkJ73PpRBEafjQ/s1600/toddlerapps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6viyW0VP8BMUICMDLtdeYvVSST_XQWhJkKKjdvG-7n3V6Pihn1IvSI74MveOCj7FCOne5JZNkwSl1R95GbmlixvyFJh2S66bF2uJEa58whhAjlP_VfKnmtYYLNlmmySDkJ73PpRBEafjQ/s400/toddlerapps.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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It is amazing how quickly toddlers learn to use a phone or Ipad these days. In fact, we have a video of Charlotte holding our phone and showing us how to slide to unlock it. She wasn't even one yet. We don't let her use our devices too often, but there are times that it does comes in quite handy. She has her own section full of both entertaining and educational apps. I love finding new ones for her to try out and we are constantly getting asked for recommendations. I finally decided to sit down and share twenty of our favorite and most used toddler apps. <a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" ><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /><script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></a><br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fire-rescue!/id559596688?mt=8" target="_blank">Fire Rescue!</a><br />
Bet you didn't see that one coming. My aunt actually recommended this one after downloading it for her grandson to play. Charlotte was intrigued the moment I showed it to her. This app is great because it teaches fire safety in a fun way. You learn how to dial 911, what to do in case of a fire and what is okay to touch. It also includes some fun activities such as: dress the fireman, rescue the cat, connect the dots, clean the fire truck and put out a fire. There is definitely a lot to keep your little rescuer entertained.<br />
$1.99 <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/felt-board/id492342753?mt=8" target="_blank">Felt Board</a><br />
If you follow my blog or my Pinterest board, you will know that I'm a huge fan of using felt to craft stuff for my daughter. I was very excited when I stumbled across this app. It's basically one big virtual felt board. The possibilities are endless. You start by selecting a background. There are 38 choices to choose from. You then decide what you want to use to decorate it. The categories include: people, outfits, accessories, animals, various objects, shapes, and finally alphabet or numbers. Each of those categories are full of numerous options. I have to admit, it's quite fun to make little scenes and I love seeing what Charlotte comes up with. She often uses the camera button to snap little photos that I find later once I go through my camera roll.<br />
$2.99 <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBANeoH9woRi657Riiwo1PtaHc2NorSMeGSErRLY1OiQhzqlEQU1XRf9uICqbBHwS8NXPEXx5TZKs8eYnevIyzKeBacxNHo7oznMiuzKMZoWgNdnv-stb45bdBURqxkq2TXXf2mkCJnpuj/s1600/myhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBANeoH9woRi657Riiwo1PtaHc2NorSMeGSErRLY1OiQhzqlEQU1XRf9uICqbBHwS8NXPEXx5TZKs8eYnevIyzKeBacxNHo7oznMiuzKMZoWgNdnv-stb45bdBURqxkq2TXXf2mkCJnpuj/s400/myhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-house/id566354959?mt=8" target="_blank">My House</a><br />
Kids love to play house and this app gives them the opportunity to do it virtually. When you open the app, you are given twelve different rooms to choose from: kitchen, living room, kid bathroom, adult bathroom, laundry room, nursery, boy bedroom, girl bedroom, baby room, closet, patio and yard. Once you select which room you would like, you are given a variety of objects to decorate it with. What I love most about this app is it encourages Charlotte to create stories as she pieces a room together.<br />
Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/little-house-decorator/id566278824" target="_blank">Little House Decorator</a><br />
This is very similar to My House, but instead of selecting one room to decorate, you are given the entire house. It starts off by giving you five different houses to select from. Once you move in, a little delivery van unloads all of your boxes and then your task is to simple decorate the house. Each house comes with different objects and even includes holiday items. This is another app that we often find Charlotte talking away as she busily creates each room.<br />
$1.99 <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/make-a-scene-farmyard/id501366591?mt=8" target="_blank">Make a Scene: Farmyard</a><br />
This is similar to My House and Lil Decorator, but instead of a house, you are decorating a farm. You get to select from several scenes, then you decorate it with numerous animals, farm equipment, produce and people. Not only is it fun to create your own farm, but each time you select an object it states the name and sometimes the sounds that the object would make. Charlotte loves this. She repeats each one - name and sound! Her poor little farms are often extremely cluttered because she likes to include every single selection and there are 56 items to choose from.<br />
Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pretty-pet-pony/id550076465?mt=8" target="_blank">Pretty Pet Pony</a><br />
Charlotte has recently become obsessed with collecting those tiny packages of My Little Pony figurines. It baffles me because she has never seen the show, but at the same time it excites me and brings back fond memories from my favorite toy as a little girl. I loved My Little Pony and even had the huge pink castle for them to play in. I so wish I would have kept it knowing that I now have a little girl that would go nuts over it. Flashback aside, I was excited to share this app with Charlotte once I stumbled across it. It's pretty easy, but fun for anyone who wishes to design their very own Pony. You get to choose everything: color, horn, wings, eyes, hair, and numerous accessories. You can even take pictures of them and keep them in a built in photo gallery.<br />
Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mrs.-potato-head-create-play/id599758133?mt=8" target="_blank">Mr. Potato Head</a><br />
Charlotte still enjoys playing with Mr. Potato Head figurines and I often post her funny creation on Instagram. This lets her do that, but virtually. The app offers a variety of different characters to dress and piece together. They often add new options as well.<br />
$2.99 <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dish-puzzle-for-toddlers-kids/id571832737?mt=8" target="_blank">Dish Puzzle</a><br />
We have several puzzle apps, but this one is the most used. Each puzzle contains a food scene. Either a table, shelf, plate, chopping board or basket that you match the food related objects up to. It's rather simple, but Charlotte loves it. She has always been a big puzzle fan. You have the option of purchasing additional packs if you want to add more puzzles to the app.<br />
Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bamba-burger/id577646727" target="_blank">Bamba Burger</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bamba-pizza/id529035121?mt=8" target="_blank">Bamba Pizza</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bamba-ice-cream/id536449670?mt=8" target="_blank">Bamba Ice </a><br />
We are a huge fan of the Bamba apps. I discovered them awhile ago and they instantly became a favorite. The ones listed above are three separate apps. They allow a child to run their own store.<br />
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Bamba Burger lets you make a burger, fries and a drink. You select the bread which can be anything from a regular bun to silly objects like a tire, doughnut or moldy bread. Once your bread is sliced you have to cook and flip your meat, then you are ready to put your burger together. You can select from all of the regular toppings or add silly things like snail sauce or toilet paper. You also get to slice your fries, cook them and pour up your drink. Once everything is ready, you ring up your meal, pay for it and then tap the objects to "eat" them. Charlotte is constantly taking our orders and grilling up fun concoction with this one.<br />
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Bamba Pizza is a fun pizza parlor. You have four different guest to serve. Based on which one you select, determines what they would like on their pizza. You start by preparing your dough and adding the sauce. Next comes the fun part, adding all of the toppings. There are several to choose from. Again, you have all of the normal selections to choose from or some humorous options like flowers, insects or candy. Once you are done loading up your pizza, you pop it in the oven to cook, then take it out and slice it up. Now comes the real test, to see if you selected the right taste buds for your patron. You slowly feed them the slices and they will let you know if they like it or not.<br />
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Bamba Ice is a super cute ice cream parlor. You begin by selecting the six flavors that you would like to serve. They can be classic flavors or incredibly ridiculous ones. Next you select the six toppings that you would like to offer. Once that is done, you are ready to open you shop up and start serving some cold treats. You pick between several cones, bowls or waffles, then you simply dish everything up. Just like Bamba Burger, you add up your order, collect the money and then have fun tapping it to "eat". All three of these apps are a huge hit. They inspire imagination and role playing.<br />
Bamba Burger - Free, Bamba Pizza - $1.99, Bamba Ice - Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toca-tea-party/id424174500?mt=8" target="_blank">Toca Tea Party</a><br />
This is one of our newest downloads and I'm sooooo glad that I found it. It is the cutest virtual tea party you ever did see! You start by selecting your linens and plates. Next you set the table with beverages and sweet treats. You set the ambiance by turning on the radio and begin hosting the best tea party. You eat and drink the served treats by tapping on them. It then shows you what each guest would like to try next. You can even accidentally spill drinks and clean them up. Charlotte loves to play this one with me and my mom. She sits between us and then serves us. I'm telling you, it is so cute. Once everything is consumed, you clean the table and place everything in the sink.<br />
$2.99 <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/miss-spiders-bedtime-story/id392473784?mt=8" target="_blank">Miss Spider Bedtime Story</a><br />
Have you read any of the Miss Spider books? They are really cute. This app contains all of the familiar Sunny Patch characters from the books and uses them in a few fun activities. You can read along with a story, watch a little video, play a matching game, paint a picture or put together a puzzle. Charlotte loves to play with each one. In fact, she walks around the house singing the Be Good To Bugs song at the top of her lungs.<br />
$2.99<br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-doodle-movie-kids-color/id460712294?mt=8" target="_blank">Kids Doodle</a><br />
Have you ever been stuck in a waiting room and desperately wished you would have a pen and paper handy to keep your kid entertained instead of bouncing off the wall due to boredom. Download this app so you will never been in that predicament again. This is an easy app that simply lets your little artist doodle. We have several similar apps, but Charlotte seems to like this one the best. You select from a variety of different brushes to use. All have a a unique look and offer a different technique to keep your art colorful and your kid extremely mesmerized. Charlotte loves to randomly doodle, but we have also used this app to practice drawing our letters.<br />
Free<br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disney-princess-palace-pets/id643052753?mt=8" target="_blank">Disney Princess Palace Pets</a><br />
Princesses and their pets. Enough said. This app features 8 different royal pets: a couple cats, a couple dogs, a rabbit and a horse. Each one represents a Disney princess. Once you select a pet, it tells you a short story about the pet and how it met their princess. You then wash, dry, brush, trim, provide a treat and dress them with a few accessories. It's a really cute little game!!!! <br />
Free<br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daily-tasks/id553450186?mt=8" target="_blank">Daily Tasks</a><br />
This app is a great and gentle way to introduce the importance of personal hygiene to your toddler. It includes three different activities: Brush Teeth, Shower or Shampoo. In Brush Teeth, you watch as a little boy eats food and then reveals his dirty teeth. Your job is to brush them really good to make them nice and clean again. In Shower, you watch as a little boy get filthy playing outside. Your job is to scrub him until he is clean again. In Shampoo, you again watch the little boy outside and see him get things in his hair. Your job is to shampoo it really good to remove all of the debris. It's a very easy app, but it always cracks Charlotte up to see the little boy get so dirty!<br />
Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/awesome-eats/id504890965" target="_blank">Awesome Eats</a><br />
I heard about this app a few months ago and I'm so happy I gave it a try. Our entire family has enjoyed playing it. This game was put out by Whole Foods and is a super fun way to introduce kids to a variety of healthy foods. Each chapter contains sixteen different levels and food pairings. When the game opens, you see three conveyor belts with baskets full of produce at the end. As new produce drops onto the belts, your job is to sort them so they fall into the correct baskets. As you advance, the belts and food start moving faster and faster. Charlotte gets a kick out of the birds that swoop in to snag a snack for themselves. This is a great game for hand eye coordination plus it will have you
giggling the entire time as you try to put everything into the right
spot.<br />
Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/interactive-telling-time-lite/id482452233?mt=8" target="_blank">Telling Time</a><br />
Does anyone else have a toddler who is desperate to learn to tell time. Charlotte is constantly asking us what time it is and tries her best to read the clocks we have around the house. I knew that she would love this app. The part that she plays with is called Set the Time! You are shown a picture of the clock and asked to set it to a certain time. Your job is to move the hands around to the correct spot in order to solve it. She is so proud of herself when she gets it right. There is another section included called Stop the Clock! You are given a time and as you watch the hands slowly tick by, you hit a stop button when they are at the correct spot. There is also a cute little aquarium you can play with.<br />
There is a lite version that is free. <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rocket-speller/id492504689?mt=8" target="_blank">Rocket Speller</a><br />
Another thing Charlotte is eager to do, is read. It takes forever to get through a store with her because she stops and spells out every single word she sees. I think it's quite cute and I'm all about encouraging little readers. This app gives you a word and below it are the letters used to spell it. They are scrambled up so your job is to place them in the correct spot. For every three words you spell, you earn pieces to build your own spaceship. <br />
Free <br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundrop/id364871590?mt=8" target="_blank">Soundrop</a><br />
This is one of those apps that I originally downloaded for Charlotte and later caught Ross playing with on his phone because he thought it was neat. Happens often! This is another one that is very easy to use, but at the same time it's completely entertaining and mesmerizing to mess around with. These tiny little dots fall from the top of the screen. All you do is draw little lines for them to bounce off of. Each time they bounce against the line, they create a sound. A picture doesn't do this one justice, so here is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63FyqOMpORI" target="_blank">a youtube video</a> where you can watch it in action. See, geometry can in fact be fun!<br />
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There you have it. Twenty of our most used apps that our toddler loves. Let me know if you give any of these a try. If you happen to have any other suggestions, please leave us a comment! We are always on the lookout for fun new apps to try out.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192178685715434894.post-77274820790977468822013-10-22T14:50:00.002-05:002013-11-21T12:20:08.048-06:00Watercolor Webs with Fingerprint SpidersHalloween is right around the corner. Are you ready? Our treats have been purchased, we have visited our favorite pumpkin farm and Charlotte's costume is about 90% complete. I don't know whose more excited, her or me! A year ago holidays were fun because she could finally participate and recognize seasonal things, but this year she really gets it. She remembers everything we did last year and she can't stop talking about it as she sees the decorations come out and go on display in stores. Along with reading all of <a href="http://sunshinydayswithkim.blogspot.com/2013/09/spooktacular-halloween-books.html" target="_blank">our favorite Halloween books</a>, we have spent this week working on some spooky art projects to hang around the house in anticipation of the festivities next week. Let me show you what we've done so far. <a data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script></a><br />
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<b><u>Watercolor Webs with Fingerprint Spiders:</u></b><br />
These are so ridiculously easy to make, but also incredibly cute. The web is made using a technique called watercolor resist. Here are the supplies you will need:<br />
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thick white cardstock<br />
a white crayon<br />
watercolor paint<br />
stamp pads<br />
fine tip Sharpie <br />
scissors<br />
scrapper's floss, string, or embroidery thread<br />
mounting tape <br />
glue ( I used Aleene's Tacky Glue)<br />
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Start by using your white crayon on the cardstock to draw a web. It's a little tricky to see so make sure you have good lighting. I drew my design and then traced over it a few times to make a good thick line. Next, give your little artist the paper and have them cover the entire page with the watercolor paint. This is my favorite part because I surprised C by not telling her I had drawn an image on the paper. She simply started painting and gasped as the image magically appeared. She wanted to do this over and over again for my mind is already reeling at the other possibilities we can use this easy technique to create. Once the painting is complete, I took a paper towel and lightly swiped it back and forth over the paper. This picked up any additional paint, kept the paper from warping and made the web more vibrant.<br />
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While you paper continues to dry, you are ready to work on your spiders. I was trying to come up with an easy way for a toddler to made a spider and quickly realized that C loves to do fingerprint art. All you do is grab a few stamp pads in various colors. Next, have your child dip their fingers in it and press it onto white cardstock leaving behind little colorful fingerprints. I then took a fine tip Sharpie and drew little faces on the ones I wanted to use. I think they would be really cute with googly eyes too! Carefully cut your fingerprints out.<br />
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To make the legs, I dug in my old stamping stash and came up with some scrapper's floss. You definitely don't have to use this. String, embroidery thread or even thin strips of cardstock would work just as fine. I cut out my legs and attached them to a piece of mounting tape. I've always liked a little dimension to my projects :) I then added a string for a web and glued it all down with tacky glue to make sure it all stayed in place.<br />
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Told you it was an easy project! I think they our webs turned out super cute and we had a great time making them. The big spider is my thumbprint and the little spider is Charlotte's thumbprint. Here are some of the other artwork and spooktacular projects we have completed. Links are provided below for the tutorials I followed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvA-hFGR9gpgLEdJnHSFNFtnoq-7X-rxigZO-958IhdzlNgKXYfaJUMZLEz6SuBY1iATfAFLcTZhdCiORO8ccbATRkkcN81Bj1n87NvK_eSQs0-hGQIINAs-8Wo8VMyU79cBucIYIMQXN/s1600/IMG_7544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvA-hFGR9gpgLEdJnHSFNFtnoq-7X-rxigZO-958IhdzlNgKXYfaJUMZLEz6SuBY1iATfAFLcTZhdCiORO8ccbATRkkcN81Bj1n87NvK_eSQs0-hGQIINAs-8Wo8VMyU79cBucIYIMQXN/s320/IMG_7544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945341114484/" target="_blank">Halloween Footprint Art </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb42BYPghHwelOiRIpV3T8KKkuBm6w2bxI884KishjsG4Kq0msq03NQJjLCJ8Su3XOfpWWzqrGzkNR3MpfcKyA5pSpX1-WqLtYLW_ntHIhYXhkvlWvLEV1ANNScenz0uNIamVbc-IxODF/s1600/IMG_7527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb42BYPghHwelOiRIpV3T8KKkuBm6w2bxI884KishjsG4Kq0msq03NQJjLCJ8Su3XOfpWWzqrGzkNR3MpfcKyA5pSpX1-WqLtYLW_ntHIhYXhkvlWvLEV1ANNScenz0uNIamVbc-IxODF/s320/IMG_7527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945340911388/" target="_blank">Sparkly Glitter Slime</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=4746945&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mYW50YXN0aWNmdW5hbmRsZWFybmluZy5jb20v&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Play-doh Spiders </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282600945341114484/" target="_blank">Felt Jack-O-Lantern </a><br />
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Toddler art doesn't have to be too complicated. They are easily impressed, lol. Hope you spend the next week making some fun Halloween projects with your little trick-or-treater. <br />
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15862235894144746210noreply@blogger.com0