<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745</id><updated>2011-04-21T16:37:29.729-07:00</updated><category term='Family Golf'/><category term='July 4 fun kids'/><category term='free gifts aunt grandparent'/><category term='play mailbox pretend postman'/><category term='cooking toddlers summer'/><category term='mail grandparents'/><category term='kids play outside bingo'/><title type='text'>connect 2 kids</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>35</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-4442640778980317095</id><published>2009-02-17T14:25:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-17T14:29:14.613-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Update...</title><content type='html'>Hello peeps...  I haven't blogged in a while, so I thought I should give you an update or a why....  I'm switching my blog over to be hosted on my site.  Stay tuned as the new blog should be completed shortly.  Thanks for your readership.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-4442640778980317095?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/4442640778980317095/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=4442640778980317095' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4442640778980317095'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4442640778980317095'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2009/02/update.html' title='Update...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-3538919520392194893</id><published>2009-01-28T13:28:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-28T13:36:07.648-08:00</updated><title type='text'>What happens when you leave...</title><content type='html'>After a great visit with my nieces, there comes the time when I have to hop on a plane to return home. It breaks my heart to see them sad and crying when that time comes. I used to tell them if I don't go, who will send them mail? That worked but then a friend of mine found a great quote, from Dr. Seuss even! He says "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". I'm going to try that this weekend when I have to leave my nieces. Dr Seuss is a wealth of great advice and quotes...check out what else he said. http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/61105.Dr_Seuss&lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/61105.Dr_Seuss"&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Have fun. Ciao. Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-3538919520392194893?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/3538919520392194893/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=3538919520392194893' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3538919520392194893'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3538919520392194893'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-happens-when-you-leave.html' title='What happens when you leave...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-6253739081133333050</id><published>2009-01-21T10:27:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-21T10:33:17.688-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Perfect Birthday Gift...</title><content type='html'>So what do you get a niece or nephew who has just about everything they need? How about starting a travel fun for them? Each year, I'll send my nieces a little something, since they love mail, but then I'll put what I would have spent on them into a travel fund. As they get a little older, I can give them books on exotic places to peak their curiosity. When they are 18, hopefully the fund will have enough for fabulous trip (or two) someplace fun and that they have dreamed about. If I'm lucky they might even ask me to join them!  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-6253739081133333050?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/6253739081133333050/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=6253739081133333050' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6253739081133333050'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6253739081133333050'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2009/01/perfect-birthday-gift.html' title='Perfect Birthday Gift...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-605211863861858615</id><published>2009-01-14T08:50:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-14T09:14:44.619-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Make nutrition fun and educational</title><content type='html'>My sister constantly inspires me.  If I were to have kids, I think I'd be raising them the same way.  My sister, a health nut, wants to instill that in my nieces too.  So she is starting to let them choose there own cereal.  Naturally, there is a catch.  It must have 10 grams or less of sugar and 3 or more grams of fiber.  They have to find the word, and then figure out is 12 more or less than 10.  They are after all in preschool and first grade.  If they select the cereal, they can't really complain much either.  Hopefully, just learning they didn't like it all that much and to make another selection next week.  There are lots of fun ways out on the Internet to help kids learn about nutrition too.  Check it out  &lt;a href="http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids/activities-main.asp"&gt;http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids/activities-main.asp&lt;/a&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Have fun.  Chow.  Chow.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-605211863861858615?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/605211863861858615/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=605211863861858615' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/605211863861858615'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/605211863861858615'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2009/01/make-nutrition-fun-and-educational.html' title='Make nutrition fun and educational'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-559362317175387570</id><published>2009-01-07T08:19:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-07T08:36:27.500-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Happy New Year...</title><content type='html'>Here I am just wrapping up Christmas with barely a chance to put away my holiday decorations and it is already January 7th. How does that happen?! Every year instead of just tossing all my holiday cards, I love to keep an album of all the photo cards. I feel like I get to watch my friends children grow over the years...and boy are they getting big. Teenagers even!! Talk about time moving fast... It has even come in handy during the year when I can't remember a newborns name etc, I just refer to my album. Have fun! Ciao. Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-559362317175387570?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/559362317175387570/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=559362317175387570' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/559362317175387570'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/559362317175387570'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-new-year.html' title='Happy New Year...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-2956706698596389532</id><published>2008-12-10T09:01:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-10T09:20:06.478-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Christmas Countdown....</title><content type='html'>December has descended upon us so fast this year!  But I know for kids it can never come fast enough!  The countdown until Christmas morning.  A couple of years ago I started an advent calendar for my nieces.  I found one that had little boxes and I stuff those boxes with chocolates kisses, mini-ornaments, red &amp; green hair scrunchies etc.  My nieces love it.  I know my sister uses it as a reward sometimes....clean you room, then you can open today's box.  Advent calendars are easy to find....&lt;a href="http://www.target.com"&gt;www.target.com&lt;/a&gt; or even on &lt;a href="http://www.ebay.com"&gt;www.ebay.com&lt;/a&gt; just search for Advent calendar.  If you don't have time to "stuff" your own, many come prestuffed.  It is not too late to get one today....they still get 15 days to open goodies, or look for one on sale at the end of the month and save it until next year!  Have fun.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-2956706698596389532?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/2956706698596389532/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=2956706698596389532' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2956706698596389532'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2956706698596389532'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-countdown.html' title='Christmas Countdown....'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-3882063178284707352</id><published>2008-11-30T16:47:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-30T16:55:50.692-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Thanksgiving Enjoyment...</title><content type='html'>Thanksgiving at my sister's house is a wonderful time to see and dote on the nieces. I'm simply amazed at how fast they are growing. Kids love traditions. They not only have favorite foods at Thanksgiving but one of our family traditions is to make Christmas cookies the day after Thanksgiving as well as decorate a gingerbread house. Yes, the sugar is flying! But it only comes once a year, and we have even started to call it Thanks-mas weekend. Thanksgiving and Christmas in one weekend. Works for me, since I don't get to see my nieces on Christmas day, but I'm happy just to help them kick off the season. And you can't forget the advent calendar. Leaving them a little something to remind them Christmas is coming. My younger niece even asked my sister in July, when she got to the the calendar countdown again?! They remember. What are you favorite holiday traditions?? We can all learn from each other. Enjoy. Ciao. Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-3882063178284707352?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/3882063178284707352/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=3882063178284707352' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3882063178284707352'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3882063178284707352'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanksgiving-enjoyment.html' title='Thanksgiving Enjoyment...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-476507455546314205</id><published>2008-08-20T08:49:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-20T08:56:18.871-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Back to School....</title><content type='html'>For most kids back to school is a fun time. They get to see there friends again, and have more things to do. Times do change, but that is how I remember it anyway. To make it even more fun for them, send them on a treasure hunt for their new school clothes or supplies. If you don't have the creative side or energy to do this yourself get a little help with giftventure. You hide the stuff and they mail the clues. Check it out. www.giftventure.com Plus it gets the kids some extra snail mail, and you know how kids love snail mail! Have fun. Ciao. Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-476507455546314205?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/476507455546314205/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=476507455546314205' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/476507455546314205'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/476507455546314205'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/08/back-to-school.html' title='Back to School....'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-4869175215874344698</id><published>2008-08-13T13:57:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-13T14:08:33.606-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Birthday Gift. idea....</title><content type='html'>Not for a child but for you!  As a grandparent, aunt, uncle etc we all naturally cherish something handmade by a child.  But every year?  And then what?  We'll as someone who likes to dabble in the garden, and I believe all gardens need to have a path, even if that path goes now place.  So I have started the tradition of having my nieces make me a stepping stone every year for my birthday.  Eventually, I'll have a full path.  I just love how the stones change over the years.  Not to mention, my sister likes the idea as it is low cost and she doesn't have to rack her brain every year as to what to get someone who can be impossible to shop for.  Here is a link for you to pass on, and make gift giving easy.    http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/steppingstones/a/040201a.htm  I think it is something handmade that you'll really enjoy.  Have fun.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-4869175215874344698?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/4869175215874344698/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=4869175215874344698' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4869175215874344698'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4869175215874344698'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/08/birthday-gift-idea.html' title='Birthday Gift. idea....'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-2105947842124649956</id><published>2008-08-06T13:43:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-06T13:54:50.528-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Stay-cation</title><content type='html'>Don't you just love the new vocabulary words?  Having all the vacation fun, and none of the airfare, or gas!  So now what to do with the kids, especially when going to the pool can be pretty standard fare for the summer.  Here's my idea and my nieces approve.  We pretend for a week we are in Italy and what I love most about Italy is the food....gelato in particular.  So everyday for a week, (remember you are in Italy) you have to try out a new place for gelato.  Search the Internet http://www.google.com/ as I'm sure there is more than one in your area.  At the end of the week, you can decide who has the best gelato.  If for some reason, one does not like gelato, try searching for the best pizza or pretend you are in Texas and go for ribs.  Get creative and have fun.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-2105947842124649956?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/2105947842124649956/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=2105947842124649956' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2105947842124649956'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2105947842124649956'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/08/stay-cation.html' title='Stay-cation'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-6269238741684014591</id><published>2008-07-23T16:08:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-23T16:10:38.820-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Play Date....</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: arial;"&gt;It's Wednesday, my blog day, but I'm away from my desk right now enjoying play time with my nieces.  Doing some research for more fun ideas to share with you as well.  Stay tuned!  Until next week.....  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-6269238741684014591?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/6269238741684014591/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=6269238741684014591' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6269238741684014591'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6269238741684014591'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/07/play-date.html' title='Play Date....'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-676247094249846541</id><published>2008-07-16T19:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-16T19:48:46.160-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Lemonade Stand with a twist</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Nothing says summer time like the site of a young &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;entrepreneur&lt;/span&gt; standing behind a lemonade stand.  I remember those days so clearly.  I had a stand on one side of the street with my girlfriends and my brother had claim to the order side of the street with his friends.  Oh the friendly competition!  Well I think now I'd have the edge....as I saw happen small town America.  They were selling the lemonade out of mason jars, you know the stuff people can peaches/jams with.  So cute, as the ice chest was filled with them.  Not only did you get extra cold lemonade, you got the jar!  A great way to have several flavors, in small batches and who doesn't love drinking out of a mason jar?!  Great idea to share with your little loved ones and even help them to get it set up.  I still can't resist stopping when I see a young &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;entrepreneur&lt;/span&gt; trying to sell something.  Just the other day, I stopped for just a glass of water and let me tell you that kid was raking it in!  Happy Summer.  Ciao.  Ciao.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-676247094249846541?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/676247094249846541/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=676247094249846541' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/676247094249846541'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/676247094249846541'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/07/lemonade-stand-with-twist.html' title='Lemonade Stand with a twist'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-3474414701441856431</id><published>2008-07-09T13:52:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-09T14:00:13.321-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Sand Castles</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;WOW the summer time can sure but hot!  &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;Particularly&lt;/span&gt; in my neighborhood today.  If you are lucky enough to live on one of the coasts, I say it is time to hit the beach and have a sand castle building contest.  This can keep the kids busy and active for hours.  If you don't live on the coasts, do you have a sandbox in your backyard?  Just add a little water and you can build castles too.  Who lives in those castles?  Get their imaginations going.  I like to have my nieces build me a house, a really big one of course.  If you have &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;absolutely&lt;/span&gt; no clue how to build a sand castle, check out &lt;a href="http://www.sandcastlecentral.com/"&gt;http://www.sandcastlecentral.com/&lt;/a&gt; they have some great tips for the beginner and expert.  Plus they have some pictures that will blow your mind.  At the beach, I also have fun burying my nieces from the waist down and turning them into mermaids, or giving them an extra fancy skirts etc.  Have fun in the sun!!  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-3474414701441856431?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/3474414701441856431/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=3474414701441856431' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3474414701441856431'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3474414701441856431'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/07/sand-castles.html' title='Sand Castles'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-3657371567178856662</id><published>2008-07-02T11:21:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-02T11:47:51.894-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='July 4 fun kids'/><title type='text'>Fourth of July fun for kids</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;In my book, &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;Fouth&lt;/span&gt; of July is all about &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;BBQ's&lt;/span&gt;, fireworks and family time!  But why is it that kids are always asking what next, what next....  Never living in the moment.  So best be prepared with something up your sleeve.  Check out the ideas from &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;Kaboose&lt;/span&gt;  &lt;a href="http://holidays.kaboose.com/july-4/index.html"&gt;http://holidays.kaboose.com/july-4/index.html&lt;/a&gt;  If it is hot where you are, you can make flag fans.  Print off some of their coloring sheets, and have a coloring contest, where everyone is a winner.  Pick up some beads to have the kids make their own red, white and blue &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;jewelry&lt;/span&gt;.  My personal favorite, simple ice cream recipes.  Lots of things that will keep the kids busy until it's time for the fireworks.  Happy 4&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;th&lt;/span&gt; of July.  Ciao.  Ciao.    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-3657371567178856662?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/3657371567178856662/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=3657371567178856662' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3657371567178856662'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/3657371567178856662'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/07/fourth-of-july-fun-for-kids.html' title='Fourth of July fun for kids'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-4203479757728347413</id><published>2008-06-25T11:13:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-25T11:32:08.265-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='mail grandparents'/><title type='text'>Send mail to Grandparents</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;Most kids like to color, and if they are anything like my nieces, they can go through a pad of paper in a day!  But what do you do with all those drawings?  A &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;refrigerator&lt;/span&gt; is only so big.  Well, how many of those drawings are you sending to the grandparents?  They were raised without e-mail and I think snail mail holds a high value with them and something they look forward to receiving.  It is just not the same to scan it and e-mail it over.  A friend who has a grandmother in an retirement home, say drawings and pictures from the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;grand kids&lt;/span&gt; are like &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;every one's&lt;/span&gt; trophy wall.  The more you have the bigger your smile.  If your kids are older, and not as into drawing anymore you can still send mail to your parents.  Trudy &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;Triner&lt;/span&gt; provides you a fun list of easy things to send on her site &lt;a href="http://www.makemomhappybymail.com/25-things-to-send-by-mail/"&gt;http://www.makemomhappybymail.com/25-things-to-send-by-mail/&lt;/a&gt;    Old or young, make someone smile today with the gift of mail.  Ciao.  Ciao. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-4203479757728347413?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/4203479757728347413/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=4203479757728347413' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4203479757728347413'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4203479757728347413'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/06/send-mail-to-grandparents.html' title='Send mail to Grandparents'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-5463239994552190800</id><published>2008-06-18T09:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-18T10:29:59.973-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cooking toddlers summer'/><title type='text'>Cooking with Toddlers</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;One of my favorite things to do with my nieces is cook.  I find it to be interactive, bring out a creative side in them and perhaps even giving them skills for the future.  I can't believe I have friends (at my age) who barely know how to boil water.  Ahhhh the age of dining out.  I am also somewhat of a health nut and prefer things that are homemade, even if it is as simple as making a smoothie and pouring it into and ice cube tray for a mini frozen treat later.  There are many books out there to help you out, should your cooking skills be rusty, but if you have toddlers in your mix be sure to check out The Toddler Cafe.  &lt;a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/excerpts.php?isbn=0811859274&amp;amp;store=books"&gt;http://www.chroniclebooks.com/excerpts.php?isbn=0811859274&amp;amp;store=books&lt;/a&gt;  Many of the ideas don't even require any "cooking", just mixing of a few fun ingredients and freezing, which is perfect for summer time.  Happy cooking!  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-5463239994552190800?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/5463239994552190800/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=5463239994552190800' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/5463239994552190800'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/5463239994552190800'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/06/cooking-with-toddlers.html' title='Cooking with Toddlers'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-1391260558908934773</id><published>2008-06-11T13:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-11T14:49:50.017-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Family Golf'/><title type='text'>Family Golf Open</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;With Father's Day right around the corner, how can one not think of a golf outing.  While it is true not all guys are golfers....I'm talking about &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;miniature&lt;/span&gt; golf here!  You know, pee wee golf.  How much fun would it be to have the whole family out for the first ever "Smith" Masters or the Olson Open.  Time to get T-shirts printed up for everyone?  Even those that don't golf would have fun and it is all about getting the family together!  The best part is everyone has a really, really good chance at getting a hole in one!  Find the nearest &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;miniature&lt;/span&gt; golf course to you at &lt;a href="http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/mini_golf"&gt;http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/mini_golf&lt;/a&gt;  Watch out, this is liable to become an annual event!  Have fun.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-1391260558908934773?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/1391260558908934773/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=1391260558908934773' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1391260558908934773'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1391260558908934773'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/06/family-golf-open.html' title='Family Golf Open'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-4670159215441212771</id><published>2008-06-04T16:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-04T16:48:03.284-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='play mailbox pretend postman'/><title type='text'>Pretend Mailbox</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;A reminder that kids love mail, and also like to play postman.  I'm in love with this pretend mailbox and all the letters that go with it.  &lt;a href="http://www.craftsburykids.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;amp;products_id=233"&gt;http://www.craftsburykids.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;amp;products_id=233&lt;/a&gt;  It is all about imagination, and this brings it out.  For me, I'd much prefer my little nieces play postman verses doctor.  Also send them mail on a regular basis too.  The real stuff can help build your connection with them and make them feel extra special.  Ciao.  Ciao.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-4670159215441212771?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/4670159215441212771/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=4670159215441212771' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4670159215441212771'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4670159215441212771'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/06/pretend-mailbox.html' title='Pretend Mailbox'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-7386266429014615737</id><published>2008-05-28T15:51:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-28T16:11:59.533-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Dress Ups</title><content type='html'>Last week we discussed 'Fancy Nancy' and she is all about the dress ups.  I wanted to expand on that idea with something I did for my nieces who love to play dress ups.  The first time I showed up with dress ups (aka old "fun &amp;amp; frilly" clothes, hats etc) I brought them a big storage box too. This was to start the collection of dress ups that I knew that would grow, plus keep my sister happy.  She is one of those that everything needs to have a proper place of storage, aka neat freak.  Which still perplexes me....how do you do that with 2 kids?!  Anyway, now when I show up I have something fun to add to the box.  Since I have pretty much cleaned out my closet, I'm working my way around the thrift stores etc.  You can find some fun boxes at the container store &lt;a href="http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=71230&amp;amp;PRODID=10015492"&gt;http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=71230&amp;amp;&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;PRODID&lt;/span&gt;=10015492&lt;/a&gt; or just cover a old 2 piece box with some fun wrapping paper.  The dress up box is such a fun thing to collect for little girls.  Sorry not sure about what the nephews like to collect at this age,  as I don't have any.....yet.  Don't forget to play dress up with them!  Have fun.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-7386266429014615737?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/7386266429014615737/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=7386266429014615737' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/7386266429014615737'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/7386266429014615737'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/05/dress-ups.html' title='Dress Ups'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-1557091521985232768</id><published>2008-05-21T15:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-21T16:20:56.896-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Fancy Nancy</title><content type='html'>With a book title like that how can you go wrong?!  But then as Aunt Nancy, am I bias? The Fancy Nancy book series by Jane O'Connor is a must for little girls.  Here is an excerpt from the book, so you can see for yourself just how sweet they are....  &lt;a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87988020"&gt;http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87988020&lt;/a&gt;  They are simple, sweet, and about all the little things you can do to be fancy,everyday.  My niece loves the series so much she just had a fancy Nancy birthday party.  Dress ups for little kids is like being a grown up.  Wonder if that is why my nieces like wearing my shoes so much?  If you save some of your old "fancy" clothes or just fun pieces like a pink frilly nightgown or a hat (that derby hat is just collecting dust anyway), you can show up with dress ups the next time you visit.  Then have everyone wear them to breakfast for a fancy breakfast.  Your nieces/nephews/grand kids will love it.  Have fun!  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-1557091521985232768?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/1557091521985232768/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=1557091521985232768' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1557091521985232768'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1557091521985232768'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/05/fancy-nancy.html' title='Fancy Nancy'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-986788023061788251</id><published>2008-05-14T13:24:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-14T13:41:58.579-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='kids play outside bingo'/><title type='text'>Outside Adventure</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;With the weather warming up, you can't help but want to get outside! Going for a walk/hike gives you time to have quality conversations with your nieces, nephews, grand kids etc, which is impossible to do while they are in front of the TV or computer. Not to mention the fact that everyone is getting some exercise. I discovered a great new twist for a hike or a walk that will engage the kids you love. Make a bingo game out of your hike! You can print a bingo sheet off Lorrie Sullenburger's site &lt;a href="http://www.fitandfabulousoutdoors.com/"&gt;http://www.fitandfabulousoutdoors.com/&lt;/a&gt; Make sure you carry some stickers, so as the kids find the items they can put a sticker on top...get a row of stickers and bingo!! I can't wait to get out and play bingo with my nieces! Ciao. Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-986788023061788251?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/986788023061788251/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=986788023061788251' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/986788023061788251'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/986788023061788251'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/05/outside-adventure.html' title='Outside Adventure'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-1512116699033969142</id><published>2008-05-07T16:52:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-07T17:13:18.176-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Mother's Day Traditions...</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Mother's Day is Sunday.  To all the mom's out there, enjoy your day!!  As an aunt, I always try to send my sister a card, who I happen to think is an amazing mom.  Having watched her girls at various ages and for various lengths of time, it has given me a true sense of appreciation for motherhood.  It's a ton of work!  As a single gal, I get to leave (eventually) and no one asks me "what's next?" 20 times a day.  My mother passed away almost 10 years ago now, but I still have fond memories our mother's day traditions.  I'm not sure why mother's day and brunch seem to go hand in hand, but they did in our family too.  Actually, we gave our mom breakfast in bed.  Mostly just cereal at that young age, but it is the thought the counts, right?!  What fun traditions do you share in your family for mother's day?!  Picinic?  A day mom doesn't have to do any cooking?  Are you passing on the traditions from generation to generation?  I hope so, because that is what kids remember most, things that are &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;consistent&lt;/span&gt; year after year.  Traditions.  Happy Mother's Day!  Ciao.  Ciao.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-1512116699033969142?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/1512116699033969142/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=1512116699033969142' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1512116699033969142'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1512116699033969142'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/05/mothers-day-traditions.html' title='Mother&apos;s Day Traditions...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-6219620029468359420</id><published>2008-04-30T13:24:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-04-30T13:39:30.887-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Birthday gifts for kids</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;It is just a few days away from my nieces birthday, she'll be 6.  Since I have no kids of my own, how am I suppose to know what to get her?!  Even though they like to talk on the phone, it is always short and you have to be the one to constantly ask the questions.  So last time I talked to my niece I asked her what she wanted for her birthday.  She was drawing a blank, so I told her to think about it and mail me a list.  This way she can send me mail, have to work on her spelling and practice her penman ship all at the same time.  She sent me a nice list, and while the spelling wasn't all correct...I'll give her some slack, since she is only 6...I got few ideas.  To help with the ideas (or to fill in the gaps for you) check out &lt;a href="http://www.uncledansgifts.com/"&gt;www.uncledansgifts.com&lt;/a&gt;  Uncle Dan has something that every little one will enjoy, and it even sorts by age for faster shopping.  Also a great back up plan i&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;n case&lt;/span&gt; you don't have time to have a phone conversation, receive a list and run around to find it yourself.  You can still be the best aunt/uncle/grandparent etc and get the birthday gift delivered on time!  Ciao.  Ciao.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-6219620029468359420?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/6219620029468359420/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=6219620029468359420' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6219620029468359420'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6219620029468359420'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/04/birthday-gifts-for-kids.html' title='Birthday gifts for kids'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-2347972651230386403</id><published>2008-04-23T14:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-04-23T14:32:31.976-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Recycled crafts</title><content type='html'>Going green benefits us all, but mostly the children in our lives as they are in it for the long haul.  Thus I can't help but still focus on "green" stuff.  Every child likes to make something from nothing...and since we all know they love mail too, how about showing them how to make an envelope out of a magazine page?!  Here is the link, so they can learn it from you.  &lt;a href="http://www.recycleworks.org/kids/art.html"&gt;http://www.recycleworks.org/kids/art.html&lt;/a&gt;  Take my advice, as you might want to try a practice one when the kids aren't watching!  The site also lead you through quite a few other fun recycled craft ideas as well.  Happy to pass along all the great things I find just to help keep you as the "fun" relative.  Enjoy.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-2347972651230386403?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/2347972651230386403/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=2347972651230386403' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2347972651230386403'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2347972651230386403'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/04/recycled-crafts.html' title='Recycled crafts'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-829355636713334720</id><published>2008-04-16T11:24:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-04-16T11:35:17.929-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='free gifts aunt grandparent'/><title type='text'>Free recycled gifts</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Sometimes being the spoiling auntie/grandparent/uncle can get expensive! Now when it comes to the younger kids, I think they are just happy to get things and don't often notice the "newness" of it. Thus I like to search &lt;a href="http://www.freecycle.org/"&gt;http://www.freecycle.org/&lt;/a&gt; frequently to see what is available for my nieces. They often have some big stuff like swing sets or simple things like black patten leather shoes. We all know when it comes to kids clothes, they grow so fast that clothes/shoes often only get 1 or 2 wearings. I have the things shipped to me, and then re-package them in colorful tissue with a note and mail them off. I not sure if they get more excited about getting mail or what is inside the box. Just trying to help everyone save a buck, especially if you have a long list of nieces, nephews or grand children. Happy Shopping. Ciao. Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-829355636713334720?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/829355636713334720/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=829355636713334720' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/829355636713334720'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/829355636713334720'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-recycled-gifts.html' title='Free recycled gifts'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-4967518387066558594</id><published>2008-04-09T08:28:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-04-09T08:44:40.505-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Cooking with kids</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Always a fun activity to do with kids is cooking! Plus I think it helps that they want to eat (taste) what they make, even if it is healthy. If you have really little ones, they still want "uppy" to watch and be a part of what you are doing. Give them a non-breakable bowl and a wooden spoon so they can pretend, and will feel part of the action. There are many great books out there to help if you aren't a cook yourself. I like the new one, "Cooking It In a Cup" because it comes with bright colorful silicon cups that the kids cook in. These are also a good means of portion control for kids. A fun book to show up with the next time you visit, and an activity to boot! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/103-5298400-0516621?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;amp;field-keywords=cooking+in+cups&amp;amp;x=16&amp;amp;y=13"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/103-5298400-0516621?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;amp;field-keywords=cooking+in+cups&amp;amp;x=16&amp;amp;y=13&lt;/a&gt; Happy Cooking. Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-4967518387066558594?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/4967518387066558594/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=4967518387066558594' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4967518387066558594'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4967518387066558594'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/04/cooking-with-kids.html' title='Cooking with kids'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-142032293167445195</id><published>2008-04-02T09:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-04-02T09:56:09.511-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Little Mermaids</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Spring Break has now come and gone but not without a couple of firsts.  With the use of a little &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;bribery&lt;/span&gt;, I got my older niece to dive off the diving board for the first time!  We had some friends in the pool who had really cool water toys for diving and she wanted a set of the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;toypedos&lt;/span&gt; for herself.  So I told her if she dove off the diving board, I'd get her a set.  Thanks heavens for web search engines!  Check out &lt;a href="http://www.toysplash.com/"&gt;www.toysplash.com&lt;/a&gt; to find some of the water toys for your little ones.  The toys have been ordered and I'll mail them up to her along with a 'great job' swimming note.  My younger niece, put her head all the way under the water for the first time and as a result she will getting a set of goggles with a similar 'great job' note.  Naturally, the packages have to be mailed &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;separately&lt;/span&gt; because the girls each like to get their own mail.  What fun it is to be around for a few of the first...even if it does take 'auntie' &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;bribery&lt;/span&gt;!  Ciao.  Ciao.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-142032293167445195?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/142032293167445195/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=142032293167445195' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/142032293167445195'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/142032293167445195'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/04/little-mermaids.html' title='Little Mermaids'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-766215422776499477</id><published>2008-03-26T12:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-26T12:35:09.397-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Spring Break</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;Traditions are something kids look forward to, and it just has to be consistant.  I'm fortunate to live in California and my nieces are in Portland.  Last year they came down to California for Spring Break, and are doing so again this week.  It is becoming a tradition, and my sister tells me they are counting the hours until they leave the rain.  I have had to call to remind them to keep there room clean (per my sister) if they want to go to Legoland.  I think Legoland (outside of San Diego) is a tad more suited for younger kids, and like to mix it up.  Last year was Disneyland.  Lines get crazy, but the joy on the little faces is worth it all.  Roller Coasters for the first time are always a thrill....just tell them it is like a really, really fast slide.  If you aren't able to get away, perhaps the tradition is a picnic at the beach or park every year.  Just something out of the ordinary that they look forward too.  Ciao.  Ciao.    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-766215422776499477?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/766215422776499477/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=766215422776499477' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/766215422776499477'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/766215422776499477'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/03/spring-break.html' title='Spring Break'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-1064594311366325783</id><published>2008-03-19T09:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-19T09:24:26.231-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Missing first tooth...</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;How exciting for my niece to lose her first tooth!! Naturally, she had to send me a picture, via the internet. Gotta love technology today. My sister tells me the tooth fairy leaves a dollar these days, but Aunt Nancy can do anything. For me it is just another occassion to send her some mail and make her feel special. Plus I love the opportunity to spoil. Found a great little purchase at &lt;a href="http://www.toothfairypillow.net/"&gt;http://www.toothfairypillow.net/&lt;/a&gt; that every little one is sure to love! Plus easy for mom to make sure she can find the tooth....under the pillow can easily get lost. I think this is something my nieces can share too. I'll gamble, and assume they both won't lose a tooth on the same day!  I'm a big believer in floss, so I might have to include that in my package as well.  Ciao.  Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-1064594311366325783?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/1064594311366325783/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=1064594311366325783' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1064594311366325783'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1064594311366325783'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/03/missing-first-tooth.html' title='Missing first tooth...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-1280526175393874738</id><published>2008-03-12T07:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-03-12T07:48:27.076-07:00</updated><title type='text'>St. Patrick's Day is coming...</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Green, green and more green.  Did you get something fun out in the mail to those you love?  Everyone loves mail!!  Especially when it is not a bill.  Temporary tattoos (shamrocks?) are particular fun to send....kids and adults love them, and you can never have enough.  If you tried the pink milk idea for Valentine's Day, keep the tradition going and add green food coloring to the milk on the 17th.  Surprise!  This would also be a good day to try "green eggs and ham"....books into reality.  Whatever way you celebrate in your family, make it a great day!&lt;/span&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Pass this one along to a child you know....&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;What is Irish and stays out all night?  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Patty O'Furniture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-1280526175393874738?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/1280526175393874738/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=1280526175393874738' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1280526175393874738'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/1280526175393874738'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/03/st-patricks-day-is-coming.html' title='St. Patrick&apos;s Day is coming...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-6111606007521239630</id><published>2008-03-05T08:53:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-03-05T09:30:45.348-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Games for the dinner table</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Last time I visited my nieces, I was taught a wonderful game at dinner. In the center of the table was a pretty box and inside of it were slips of paper. The girls got to pick out one the folded pieces of paper, which I read. "If I need to get up from the table for any reason, I will asked to be excused first" I learned that other ones include no elbows on the table, talking with your mouthful etc. If anyone was caught doing the "unmentionable" they had to do 5 sit ups or pushups at the end of the meal. Can you tell, my sister is a fitness gal! It was really fun to see how much my nieces (4, and almost 6) love this game. They say the best part is catching mom and dad! My sister found this game on her favorite site, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.flylady.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;www.flylady.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt; I wish it was a game I got to bring to the table, but perhaps you can! Ciao. Ciao.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-6111606007521239630?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/6111606007521239630/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=6111606007521239630' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6111606007521239630'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/6111606007521239630'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/03/games-for-dinner-table.html' title='Games for the dinner table'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-870944270647081910</id><published>2008-02-27T09:50:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-27T10:22:46.304-08:00</updated><title type='text'>books become reality...</title><content type='html'>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.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-870944270647081910?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/870944270647081910/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=870944270647081910' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/870944270647081910'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/870944270647081910'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/02/books-become-reality.html' title='books become reality...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-4415508006276044282</id><published>2008-02-20T13:24:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-20T13:39:59.467-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Time for a visit...</title><content type='html'>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&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-4415508006276044282?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/4415508006276044282/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=4415508006276044282' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4415508006276044282'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/4415508006276044282'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/02/time-for-visit.html' title='Time for a visit...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-2545559485413880578</id><published>2008-02-13T09:43:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-13T10:00:51.762-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Count down to Valentine's Day</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;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.    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-2545559485413880578?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/2545559485413880578/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=2545559485413880578' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2545559485413880578'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2545559485413880578'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/02/count-down-to-valentines-day.html' title='Count down to Valentine&apos;s Day'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8813002476638957745.post-2707402598959593032</id><published>2008-02-06T10:38:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-06T10:44:03.479-08:00</updated><title type='text'>My first post...</title><content type='html'>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.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8813002476638957745-2707402598959593032?l=sparksprite.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/feeds/2707402598959593032/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8813002476638957745&amp;postID=2707402598959593032' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2707402598959593032'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8813002476638957745/posts/default/2707402598959593032'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://sparksprite.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-first-post.html' title='My first post...'/><author><name>Aunt Nancy</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05564648655142638357</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='22' height='32' src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_tCwmofhFZRs/SDSzfb1WfxI/AAAAAAAAAAk/mdeDcKJofPI/S220/tunnel.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
