Pocket Die Cut Card

This is a project I started (gulp) two years ago.  The reason I know its been two years, is that they were supposed to be for one my girls' birthday invitations.....and her birthday is coming up...again.

I bought this fun pocket die cut (in retrospect I would not have purchased it, instead I would just sew up the sides) using the excuse of the invitations.  I make enough invites for baby showers, birthday's, etc, that I do use the dies.

 

This time instead of using them for invites, I'm using them for cards!

I added an eyelet from my collection of embellishments, ribbon from my scrap ribbon container, and a butterfly punch sewn on the inside to tie it into the paper.

{PreK} Busy Bag Exchange

This is a post for my local friends who are joining in the PRE-K busy bag exchange (the Toddler one is in another post) OR for those of you who want idea on how to host your own.  Or just ideas for how to keep your PreKer busy. :)

I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon scouring the internet and pinterest gathering idea for our kiddos.

Guidelines for the exchange

1. I sent out an email for each of you to sign up.

2.  Select your bag of choice by emailing me.  I will update the blog when bags are taken.

3. Signups are open until 2/17.  After it closes, I will email with how many bags we each will be making.  You will then have 2 weeks to make your bags and we will meet up (date and place to be decided) to exchange.

4.  You will make X number of identical bag (such as 10 spinny spellers), 1 for each participant. 

5. The bags should cost between $1-2 per bag.  Please price out your ideas and shop with coupons if needed. 

6. Please put together a quality bag; the kind you would like to receive in return.  Remember, these have to hold up to kiddos! :)

7. Put each of your finished activities into a gallon size bag (if possible).

8. Include anything we might need to complete the activity including instructions and game options.

9. There is no need to laminate anything (unless you really want to do it.)  We each have the option of laminating the activities we need for our own use. 

Here is a link to my pinterest PreK busy bag board.  You can see pictures of all the bag ideas.  They link you directly to the site with information on putting them together.  You are also welcome to contact me and I'm happy to help give you ideas of how to put them together or where to get the supplies. (I will try to get links added to the list below...)

I've tried to include a large variety.  If there is an idea you'd like to try instead, holler at me and I will get it listed.  

Here is a list.  If there is a name behind the game, its already been taken.

{LOCAL EXCHANGE IS CLOSED}

A-Z Clothespin Wheels

Clothesline {MICHAL}

Counting Cards

Counting Mats

Felt Cupcakes {CLAIR}

Felt Fishing Game

Felt Snowflake Patterns

Foam Shape Matching

Golf Tees and Marbles

Hot Glue Rubbing Plates

I Spy Bottles

Numbers Flip Book

Numbers Wheel {KELLY}

Pattern Grids 

Pom Pom Numbers

Pom Pom Pattern Sort {BROOKE}

Popsicle Color Match {JAMIE}

Q-tip Counting Tray {KATIE}

Silly Faces

Spinny Speller {MELANIE}

Write and Wipe {MELISSA}

{Toddler} Busy Bag Exchange

This is a post for my local friends who are joining in the TODDLER busy bag exchange (the PreK one is in another post) OR for those of you who want idea on how to host your own.  Or just ideas for how to keep your toddler busy. :)

I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon scouring the internet and pinterest gathering idea for our kiddos.

Guidelines for the exchange

1. I sent out an email for each of you to sign up.

2.  Select your bag of choice by emailing me.  I will update the blog when bags are taken.

3. Signups are open until 2/17.  After it closes, I will email with how many bags we each will be making.  You will then have 2 weeks to make your bags and we will meet up (date and place to be decided) to exchange.

4.  You will make X number of identical bags (such as: 10 button snake bags), 1 for every participant.  

5. The bags should cost between $1-2 per bag.  Please price out your ideas and shop with coupons if needed. 

6. Please put together a quality bag; the kind you would like to receive in return.  Remember, these have to hold up to toddler use! ;)

7. Put each of your finished activities into a gallon size bag (if possible).

8. Include anything we might need to complete the activity including instructions and game options.

9. There is no need to laminate anything (unless you really want to do it.)  We each have the option of laminating the activities we need for our own use. 

Here is a link to my pinterest toddler busy bag board.  You can see pictures of all the bag ideas.  They link you directly to the site with information on putting them together.  You are also welcome to contact me and I'm happy to help give you ideas of how to put them together or where to get the supplies. (I will try to get links added to the list below...)

I've tried to include a large variety.  If there is an idea you'd like to try instead, holler at me and I will get it listed.   

Here is a list.  If there is a name behind the game, its already been taken.

{LOCAL EXCHANGE IS CLOSED}

Animal Matching {MELANIE}
Biggie Bead and Boards {DEBORAH)
Button Matching {MEGAN}
Button Snake {LIZ}
Clothespin Matching {KELLY}
Color Matching Clips

Color Matching Wheel {MELISSA S.}

Colored Pasta Sort {CLAIR}
Magnetic Pom Poms
Foam Bead Sorting Tray
Foam Shape Puzzles
Pipe Cleaner Matching Sorter

Play Doh Mats
Pom Pom Stuff It {STEPHANIE}

Pool Noodle Stringing

Race Car Shapes
Shades of Color
Sorting Bag
Velcro Matching Rods

Velcro Shape Sticks {BROOKE}

Organization {Part 5: Daily To Do List}

As I'm sure you've figure out by now, I'm a list maker.  I enjoy the satisfaction crossing off things so that I have something to show for what I've done all day.  

Here is a link to my daily "to do" list.  I print it off on the back of scratch paper. Then cut the paper down the middle so that its 4 1/4" x 11".  It has a section for Call, To Do and Errands.  I usually have one of these per day.  Sometimes I'll start a bunch for the week, so that I can spread what needs to be done throughout the week.  When something comes up, I add it where it needs to be during the week.

Hope this helps at least one of you! ;)  

"Hi" card

Super easy card.  All you need are scraps and a card blank!  The white was punched with an edge punch, then I layered pink, then the striped paper.  Tied a ribbon on.  I almost left it there, but it needed something else.  I'm not a sticker gal.  I print or stamp.  But....I have lots of sticker (not sure why since I don't use them) and need to us them up.  Then it looked to bare, so I added the jewels.

 This card was started 2 years ago, then dumped in a drawer during a sweep of my office. (Sad, I know!)  Its all finished now and ready to send!

Some Homeschooling Books and Reading Eggs

I brought up that whole "we are homeschooling now" thing and I haven't said boo since.  Well, its going GREAT!!!!  I really wish I had started with #2 in kindergarten instead of pulling her out halfway through 1st grade.  #3 is staying in his 2-day-a-week preschool through the end of the year, but then he's coming home too. 

Last summer we did an Alphabet Summer and after reading a bit about the Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading, I bought it for #2 and #3 and we dabbled in the book.  At the time I had no idea that the author was one of the writers that was going to help shape my homeschool curriculum through The Well-Trained Mind.  (I'm still finding what type of homeschooler I fall under, but at this point am more in the Classical/Traditional than Unit/Unschooling.)  

One of my friends introduced me to Reading Eggs a few weeks ago and we signed up.  This site is great!  Its a wonderful supplement for teaching reading through games.   She calls it "crack for kids."  (Please don't call DHS because I used "crack" and "kids" in the same sentence.)  Its true though.  My kids fight over whose turn it is.  I finally have had to set timers.  I put a "Reading Eggs" card in the girls workboxes almost every day.  They are 8 1/2 and almost 7, and are already reading, but in addition the the teaching reading, there is reading comprehension and spelling.  

Go check it out here.  You get a free 2 week trial.  Here's the best part though....the same friend send this link to a forum that has promo codes for up to 4 years.  FOUR YEARS FREE!!!! {***Edited: most of the codes have expired already.}  It might sound silly, but I just signed the baby up with an account.  She turns 2 next week, but heck....by the time I start working on letters with her we will still have plenty of time left. :)

This is a service for which I would gladly pay.  (I think its $75 a year, but you can also find it as low as $15 through homeschooling coops.)  I am also practical, so why pay for something when you can (legally) get it for free!?!?

The boy (4 1/2) is loving this.  Over the past few weeks have been going through OPG and Reading Eggs and he's already reading BOB Books.  Its amazing to see and hear this!!!

If you have younger ones or some that need a little extra help, check it out!!!