books become reality...

When I visit my nieces, who love to read...or should I say have me read to them...we always end up reading one book in particular. It is a Strawberry Shortcake, Berry Delicious Bake-off book. Angel cake has all her friends over and uses one ingredient from each friend to make the most "berry delicious" cake ever. I got to thinking after reading this book for the upteenth time, what if we tried this recipe to see if it was really as berry delicious as the book said. This turned into a wonderful afternoon activity of going to the grocery store with the book in hand, to make sure we got everything and then headed home for the "bake-off". We used mini angel food cupcakes instead of making and baking an actual cake....plus that way, everyone got their own. At lunch, all plates were clean, including the greens, since the bake off was next. I didn't think it was the berry best, but the girls loved it!! Another book that is fun to do this with is Dr. Seuss's, Green Eggs and Ham. If you aren't into cooking as much, I happen to love the Fancy Nancy series of books. I bring dress-ups and we have a "fancy" breakfast. All good reads, and a fun way to have the kids think you are "cooooool".... Ciao. Ciao.

Time for a visit...

Happy Wednesday! I'm very excited, as on Friday I'm heading off to visit my nieces. When I visit, I love some of the traditions I have created. For one, they come and wake me up in the morning (usually earlier than I would like...but I remind myself I'm only there for the weekend and can sleep in when I'm home) and we read books in bed and eat goldfish. Sometimes we even play math games with the goldfish, depending on how many I want to eat before coffee. Wonderful learning lessons. Good news is the girls always look forward to this, bad news...big trouble if I should I ever forget the goldfish! Which reminds me, I have to head to the store now! Another thing I do occasionally is ask the flight attendant for the activity books. Not something I do all the time, but since the price is right (aka free) and the girls always have fun coloring and doing the activities, it's a no brainer. They even get a kick out of getting the little bags of peanuts! I'm finding out it is all the little things that make the big impact. Ciao. Ciao

Count down to Valentine's Day

So what fun things to you have planned for tomorrow, February 14th? It is a great day to remind those people you love just how important they are in your life. Remember it is most often the little things you do that will have the biggest impact and be remembered over time. Some of which might even form a tradition. Personally, I prefer to do the fun things...like putting food coloring in the milk, so *surprise* when they pour it out on their breakfast cereal they have pink milk! If you are lucky enough to have your nieces or nephews near by, how about leaving a fun trail of paper hearts (or heart confetti) to a little surprise. fyi...if you don't want to cut out the hearts yourself, you can certainly buy them....so no excuses. I don't live in the snow, but could you put red food coloring in a water bottle and spray it, so they could find a red heart in the snow when they walk out the door?? If you try that, let me know if it works! If they live far away, I hope you have already sent your Valentine's card...but there is always FedEx! Remember kids love to get mail! Until next week. Ciao. Ciao.

My first post...

So I guess this is how it all starts...blogging. I'm not much into the tech stuff, but I'm learning as I have so much I want to share and "they" say this is the best way to get your info across...blogging, who knew. I'm here to write about what I think are great ways to connect with kids. Maybe what types of gifts are best to send, ideas I find on websites and other little newy tid-bits that can help you become the "fun" aunt/uncle/grandparent/or just plain "fun" adult...in the eyes of a child. This is something I will plan to address once a week. Yikes, big goal for me....so help me keep on target. See you next week, if not before. Ciao. Ciao.