Sunday, July 25, 2010
Bloggers and Giveaway Enthusiasts: Check Out Giveaway Scout!
Bloggers and Giveaway Enthusiasts: I found a great new site for bloggers to advertise their giveaways on! The site is called Giveaway Scout. You can visit the site and find tons of great giveaways from around the web. You can also register your blog to the site at this link! When you register your blog, Giveaway Scout automatically picks up and lists your giveaways. Check it out!
Monday, July 19, 2010
KinderCare Learning Centers Blog Tour
Finding the right school for your young child can feel overwhelming, with so many things to consider from class size, to location, programming and curriculum. KinderCare, a preschool and kindergarten program with 1600 centers nationwide, offers age-appropriate curriculum, customized experiences and overall school preparedness, making the back to school or start of school process a whole lot easier.
KinderCare Learning Centers provide low teacher to student ratios, strong communication between families and teachers, and a safe, nurturing atmosphere. Offering projects designed to excite children's imaginations, KinderCare provides a stimulating environment for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school aged children alike. And with over 40 years experience in childcare and education, KinderCare provides peace of mind so parents can feel confident in their choice.
KinderCare Learning Centers provide low teacher to student ratios, strong communication between families and teachers, and a safe, nurturing atmosphere. Offering projects designed to excite children's imaginations, KinderCare provides a stimulating environment for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school aged children alike. And with over 40 years experience in childcare and education, KinderCare provides peace of mind so parents can feel confident in their choice.
In a nationwide survey of parents, KinderCare Learning Centers learned that when selecting a school, 76% of parents are most concerned that their school of choice employs quality and passionate teachers and 80% want to know that their child is excited to take part in activities while at school.
My daughter is starting school this fall. She will be going into preschool! She has special needs and will be in a class with kids much like her. When selecting a school for my daughter, I want to be sure its not too far from home. We live by humble means so we also want to be sure that the school isn't too expensive. As a mom of a special needs child I want to be sure that the school my daughter attends is well prepared to educate a child such as her. Our local public school has a great special needs program so my daughter will be attending school there. Above all I want to be sure my child is safe and well taken care of, and I know she will be at her future pre-k!
I don't really remember my first day of school, but I remember every year before the first day of school would be a mix of emotions. Happy to see your friends and a bit nervous about how the day will go. I changed schools a lot so I having to make new friends was always a bit tough on me. But I always met a nice group of kids. I hope my daughter doesn't have to change schools as often as I did! I hope she has a great first day of pre-k.
http://kindercare.com/
www.MomCentral.com
*I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCare Learning Centers and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Back 2 School Projects to Save Money & Show Creativity
Sandy Sandler, founder of non-profit www.C4K555.org and creator of the best selling Bowdabra, is providing several fun, easy and cost-effective projects that kids and can do that save money and show their creativity.
Between new clothes and backpacks, supplies and shoes, back to school time can really put a dent in your budget. Fortunately, with a little forethought and creativity, you can save money on your back to school supplies and still start the school year off right.
Shop Ahead
School supplies are often at their cheapest in mid summer. Call your child's school and find out if you can get the supply list a little early and take advantage of those sales. Find out when your state has its tax-free days and plan your shopping around it for extra savings.
Buy Simple
When you do hit the stores, keep an eye out for the simpler alternatives. Instead of glossy, photo covered folders and binders buy plain white and then let kids decorate them with magazine photos, fabric and paper scraps. Cover blank notebooks and journals with fun fabric and make your own book covers out of wallpaper or contact paper. Decorating their own school supplies isn't just a cost cutting measure; it will also boost confidence when they can show off their own creations to their friends.
DIY
Take advantage of all the online tutorials out there and make your own pencil cases, gym bags and even back packs. Look around the house, at thrift stores or even in the recycling bin for items you can reuse for interesting projects like this fun pencil bag - http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/08/13/a-recycled-pencil-bag-for-the-first-day-of-school/
Clothing Face Lift
Before you spend any money on back to school clothing, go though your children's closets and drawers with them and find items that could use a little face life to give them new life. Patch the knees of boys' jeans with rough and rugged camouflage fabric, add length to a skirt or T-shirt by stitching ribbon or fringe to the hem, make your own freezer paper stencils and paint over stains with fabric paint. Even younger kids can get in on the action with this no-sew blue jeans spruce up.
You'll need:
An old pair of jeans
Roll of rickrack or fun ribbon
Permanent Fabric Glue
Scissors
1. Wash and dry the jeans and lay them out on a flat work surface. Using the ribbon, measure around the ankle of the jeans and cut four pieces just slightly longer than this length.
2. Using the fabric glue, fold over one end of the ribbon and attach it along the bottom hem of the jeans. Glue another length of ribbon onto the jean about two inches above the first. Repeat with the other leg. Be sure to fold over the other end before gluing it down.
3. Cut four more pieces just longer than the width of the back pocket. Following the same procedure, glue the ribbon down along the top of the pocket.
4. Allow the glue to dry completely before wearing. Wash according to the instructions on the glue.
Plan No-Waste Lunches
One of the biggest cost cutting measures you can take is to move to homemade reusable lunch bags and sandwich wraps. Over the course of the year, the cost of sandwich baggies and brown paper sacks can really add up, but creating your own reusable lunch packing items is easier, and cheaper, than you think. For sandwich wraps cut 12-inch squares of canvas using pinking shears. Lay the square on your work surface point side up and, with a piece of bread in the center for sizing, fold first the side corners and then the bottom and top corners down. Find the point where the top and bottom corners meet and attach stick on Velcro to each side. Kids can use fabric markers to decorate their sandwich wraps and they can easily be tossed in the laundry when they need a wash.
A reusable lunch bag is a great first sewing project that children can feel proud of every day when they sit down in the cafeteria to eat. But before you rush out to the fabric store, look through your sewing bin and check outgrown clothing. An old cotton shirt and a fleece sweater can give you all the fabric you need for this fun project.
You'll need:
(2) 12x24 inch pieces of cotton fabric
(1) 12 x 24 inch piece of polar fleece
Thread
Velcro dots
10 inches of ribbon
Scissors
1. On your work surface, layer first the fleece, then a cotton rectangle, right side up, and finally the last rectangle, right side down. Pin across one of the long sides and sew using a straight stitch.
2. Fold the top layer of cotton up and press the seam open with your fingers.
3. Now fold this new, larger rectangle in half the other way. Pin and sew along the edge.
4. Fold the cotton only side down over the fleece to create a shorter tube. Trim the raw edges of the fabric to be even and sew across the bottom of the bag.
5. Turn the whole thing right side out. Fold the corners of the bottom in and stitch into place. Add a handle to the top using the ribbon and attach the Velcro dots along the top edge of the bag to hold it closed.
For more creative ideas, visit www.C4K555.org to download free projects at Crafters 4 Kids.
To learn more, visit: www.C4K555.org
-Courtesy of Crafters 4 Kids
Between new clothes and backpacks, supplies and shoes, back to school time can really put a dent in your budget. Fortunately, with a little forethought and creativity, you can save money on your back to school supplies and still start the school year off right.
Shop Ahead
School supplies are often at their cheapest in mid summer. Call your child's school and find out if you can get the supply list a little early and take advantage of those sales. Find out when your state has its tax-free days and plan your shopping around it for extra savings.
Buy Simple
When you do hit the stores, keep an eye out for the simpler alternatives. Instead of glossy, photo covered folders and binders buy plain white and then let kids decorate them with magazine photos, fabric and paper scraps. Cover blank notebooks and journals with fun fabric and make your own book covers out of wallpaper or contact paper. Decorating their own school supplies isn't just a cost cutting measure; it will also boost confidence when they can show off their own creations to their friends.
DIY
Take advantage of all the online tutorials out there and make your own pencil cases, gym bags and even back packs. Look around the house, at thrift stores or even in the recycling bin for items you can reuse for interesting projects like this fun pencil bag - http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/08/13/a-recycled-pencil-bag-for-the-first-day-of-school/
Before you spend any money on back to school clothing, go though your children's closets and drawers with them and find items that could use a little face life to give them new life. Patch the knees of boys' jeans with rough and rugged camouflage fabric, add length to a skirt or T-shirt by stitching ribbon or fringe to the hem, make your own freezer paper stencils and paint over stains with fabric paint. Even younger kids can get in on the action with this no-sew blue jeans spruce up.
You'll need:
An old pair of jeans
Roll of rickrack or fun ribbon
Permanent Fabric Glue
Scissors
1. Wash and dry the jeans and lay them out on a flat work surface. Using the ribbon, measure around the ankle of the jeans and cut four pieces just slightly longer than this length.
2. Using the fabric glue, fold over one end of the ribbon and attach it along the bottom hem of the jeans. Glue another length of ribbon onto the jean about two inches above the first. Repeat with the other leg. Be sure to fold over the other end before gluing it down.
3. Cut four more pieces just longer than the width of the back pocket. Following the same procedure, glue the ribbon down along the top of the pocket.
4. Allow the glue to dry completely before wearing. Wash according to the instructions on the glue.
One of the biggest cost cutting measures you can take is to move to homemade reusable lunch bags and sandwich wraps. Over the course of the year, the cost of sandwich baggies and brown paper sacks can really add up, but creating your own reusable lunch packing items is easier, and cheaper, than you think. For sandwich wraps cut 12-inch squares of canvas using pinking shears. Lay the square on your work surface point side up and, with a piece of bread in the center for sizing, fold first the side corners and then the bottom and top corners down. Find the point where the top and bottom corners meet and attach stick on Velcro to each side. Kids can use fabric markers to decorate their sandwich wraps and they can easily be tossed in the laundry when they need a wash.
A reusable lunch bag is a great first sewing project that children can feel proud of every day when they sit down in the cafeteria to eat. But before you rush out to the fabric store, look through your sewing bin and check outgrown clothing. An old cotton shirt and a fleece sweater can give you all the fabric you need for this fun project.
You'll need:
(2) 12x24 inch pieces of cotton fabric
(1) 12 x 24 inch piece of polar fleece
Thread
Velcro dots
10 inches of ribbon
Scissors
1. On your work surface, layer first the fleece, then a cotton rectangle, right side up, and finally the last rectangle, right side down. Pin across one of the long sides and sew using a straight stitch.
2. Fold the top layer of cotton up and press the seam open with your fingers.
3. Now fold this new, larger rectangle in half the other way. Pin and sew along the edge.
4. Fold the cotton only side down over the fleece to create a shorter tube. Trim the raw edges of the fabric to be even and sew across the bottom of the bag.
5. Turn the whole thing right side out. Fold the corners of the bottom in and stitch into place. Add a handle to the top using the ribbon and attach the Velcro dots along the top edge of the bag to hold it closed.
For more creative ideas, visit www.C4K555.org to download free projects at Crafters 4 Kids.
To learn more, visit: www.C4K555.org
-Courtesy of Crafters 4 Kids
Share Your 'Milano Moment'
Take a minute to explore the 'Milano Moment' widget above. 'Like' Milano's new page on facebook, share your 'Milano Moment' and be entered to win one of 1,000 bushels (cases) of the new Strawberry Milano Cookies from Pepperidge Farm. Check it out!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Eclipse Trivia
Think you know Twilight? Well, think again as our Eclipse inspired quiz tests your Twilight mettle.
Let's get to it! The answers are below... good luck.
Eclipse
- What school is Bella planning to "attend" in the fall? University of Alaska
- What college did Edward apply to for Bella and perhaps help her to get accepted? Brown?
- What is Bella?s astrological sign? Virgo?
- What city seems to have a serial killer on the loose? Seattle
- Which board game does Bella watch Edward and Alice play? Ouija?
- What does Bella help Angela do in preparation for the upcoming graduation? prepare her valedictorian speech?
- Who was the first Quileute Spirit Warrior to transform into a wolf? Taha Aki
- What did Taha Aki?s third wife do to save the tribe from a vampire? stab herself to distract the vampires
- Who did Sam date before he imprinted with Emily? Leah Clearwater
- What does Edward buy for Bella when she has her "slumber party" with Alice? a heart charm for her bracelet?
- Which vampire from the Denali clan showed interest in Edward? ?
- What was Rosalie?s last name? ?
- Why was Rosalie jealous of her best friend Vera? she had a baby and husband
- Who was Rosalie engaged to as a human? a terrible man
- Where did Jasper live as a human? Houston, TX
- What war did Jasper fight in and what was his rank? Civil war, ?
- Where did Alice meet Jasper? in philadelphia?
- Who gives Bella an outfit to wear for graduation? Alice?
- What color are the graduation gowns for Forks High? ?
- Where do Charlie, Bella and most of the other graduates eat after graduation? the cafe?
- Who throws a graduation party for Bella? Alice
- What charm does Jacob give Bella on the bracelet? And Edward? a carved wooden wolf/crystal heart charm
- Why is Jacob so furry as a werewolf? he has long human hair
- Who is second in command of the werewolves? Jacob?
- How does Bella break her hand? punching Jacob
- Who is the blond newborn vampire with Victoria when she goes after Bella? Riley
- Which wolf fights along with Edward against Victoria and her partner? Seth Clearwater
- How does Jacob get hurt during the big battle? a newborn crushes his ribs with its grasp
- What does Jacob call Carlisle when he is treating is injuries? ?
- Who shows up after the newborn vampire army is destroyed? The Volturi
- Who was the newborn vampire who surrendered to Carlisle? Bree Tanner
- Where did Edward get Bella?s wedding ring? vintage ring from his parents
Eclipse Answers
- University of Alaska Southeast
- Dartmouth
- Virgo
- Seattle
- Chess
- Address graduation announcements
- Taha Aki
- She stabbed herself to distract the vampire
- Leah Clearwater
- A huge bed
- Tanya
- Hale
- She had a beautiful baby and loving husband
- Royce King
- Houston, Texas
- Civil war, Major
- In a Philadelphia diner
- Alice
- Yellow
- The Lodge
- Alice
- Hand-carved wooden wolf, heart shaped crystal (diamond maybe)
- He keeps his hair longer because he thinks Bella likes it better
- Jacob
- She hits Jacob in the face after he kisses her
- Riley
- Seth Clearwater
- Trying to help Leah Clearwater fight a newborn vampire
- Dr. Fang
- The Volturi-Jane
- Bree
- It was the ring his father gave to his mother
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Covet NYC Winner!
- http://twitter.com/strawberrykidss/status/17359111909
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:24
Timestamp: 2010-07-06 22:44:43 UTC
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy 4th of July!
Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans! Remember to be thankful for all the wonderful freedoms we enjoy.
Be safe and have fun! Hopefully you are spending some time with friends and family today.
I worked this morning and we will likely grill up some food later. Its been raining so we're crossing our fingers that it won't rain this evening for all the fireworks!
I might go see the new Twilight movie, Eclipse later this evening if our plans get rained out.
Again, have a Happy 4th!
Mary S
512 Kidz blog
Friday, July 2, 2010
Jiffy Lube Winner!
Small Footprints said...
I scored 60 on the MOM test (85.71%). WhooHoo!
I learned that in cold weather it's best to warm up a car for a minute and then slowly accelerate!
Thanks!
reducefootprints (at) gmail (dot) com
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:51Timestamp: 2010-07-02 15:44:23 UTC
Thursday, July 1, 2010
June Monthly Wrap Up
Books I read in June:
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer
I finally read it and loved it! Can't wait to see Eclipse on the 4th.
Top Posts in June:
Top Commenters
Recent Visitors
Karissa@Withourbest
Jessica
Joanna
Tamara aka Cheapskate Mom
Boutique on Feet
Books I Hope to Read in July
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Vampire Academy and Frostbite: A Vampire Academy Novel by Richelle Mead
The Secret Circle: The Initiation and The Captive Part I by L. Jane Smith
Posts Coming Up in July
Terro Mosquito Repellant Review
Star Wars Cookie Cutters and The Ultimate Grilling Collection from Williams-Sonoma Review
Radius Toothbrush Review
Le Baby Hair Gel Review
You're Not the Boss of Me: Brat Proofing Your 4- to 12-Year Old Child by Betsy Brown Braun Book Review
Rich's Products Review
Tropical Traditions Gold Label Standard Virgin Coconut Oil Review
myMoney Power Party
and maybe a giveaway or two!
Thanks for reading and supporting 512 Kidz blog!
The Jensen Project Family Movie Night Twitter Party 7/16!
TwitterMoms is hosting a Family Movie Night Twitter Party! Join us July 16 at 8/7 central (8-10 pm or 7-9pm) to watch The Jensen Project on NBC. Log on to twitter as you watch the movie and join in the discussion. To view discussions and comment click the link below, that is where the event will take place! Use hashtag #jensenproject.
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23jensenproject
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