SETTING NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS WITH YOUR CHILDREN

One of the ways to help our children work at something with all their heart is to help them set goals for the New Year. You might thing that only adults make New Year's resolutions. But, developing plans to reach a goal is an important part of life for all ages, and helping our children set and meet goals builds a foundation that will last a lifetime.

Keep these things in mind when helping kids make and keep their New Year's goals:

• Set Realistic goals. Often kids give up because goals overwhelm them. Unmet goals can lead to a sense of failure, but as goals are met, confidence improves.
• Monitor progress. Talk to your kids about how they are doing (and feeling) about their goals. Or make a checklist for the steps needed to achieve the goal.
• Be flexible. Setbacks will happen. Don't allow your child (or you) to get discouraged and give up. Use setbacks as teaching opportunities.
• Believe in your child (and yourself). Stay positive about the progress and don't judge the outcome too early.
• Celebrate!! Acknowledging achievement, even the smallest ones, is a great motivation. Celebrating the achievement of steps is as important as celebrating when the overall goal is met.

As you're helping your child make goals for the New Year, why not make a few for yourself, too!

• Help try and make the best goals for you and your family this year
• Help to change your priorities if needed in order to reach your goals
• Have Fun....Enjoy life....be happy.....life is too short to be unhappy...we only live once!!

My Family With Santa

Andrew, Ella, Tyler, Steve & I Visiting Santa

(Irvine Park Railroad Santa Train Rides)

GLITTERFUL FELT STORIES GIVEAWAY!! ~ SMALL BLESSINGS

**This Contest is now closed!!**

I will be announcing the winner shortly!!

With the New Year approaching I think it is important for us to stop and reflect on all the wonderful things in our lives! I recently read a wonderful book that I loved!!

Small Blessings By Erica Becker

This book is about taking a moment to breathe in the blessings in your life. Slow down. Enjoy to moment. Take time to be Thankful for your small blessings!! It reminded me that sometimes it's the little things that bless our lives the most! It has wonderful uplifting illustrations and is a great fast read!

We will be giving away of copy of this book!

Contest Ends January 5, 2009

To Enter to win a copy:

1. Leave a comment below

2. Please leave your email address if you are not a blogger

For Extra Entries

1. Follow our blog

2. Grab our button

3. Post our Giveaway on your blog

(Please post an additional comment below for the extra entries)

Good Luck!!

BAKUGAN CAN HELP YOUR CHILD'S MATH SKILLS

Well, my son begged to have Bakugan this Christmas and I went to a million stores to track the toy down. When we opened it and read the instructions we were both extremely confused!! So, my son and I set out to watch many YouTube videos of how-to play Bakugan. It was really fun for my son to see all these kids who have made their own video's to help teach the game! Without them we never would of figured out the game. Once we mastered how to play Andrew had to make his own YouTube video ~ so check it out! (He is very excited about making it!)

The best thing that I learned about Bakugan is that you can use it to help teach your child math! I am always looking for a learning benefit from the toys that are produced today. To play the game you have to add up the numbers on your creature with the numbers on the cards. For a six year old double digit math is a challenge. So, we got out a paper and pencil and it was a great opportunity to teach him how to do double digit math! Every time we had a round of Bakugan he will write down the numbers and add them up to find the winner!! The game takes much longer....but the benefit will help them so much!!

Have fun and enjoy!!

HAPPY KWANZAA!! (The History of Kwanzaa)

December 26th - January 1st

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration honoring African American heritage with the lighting of the Kinara. Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community. These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the Seven Principles.

Developed by Dr. Ron Karenga his goal was to "...give African Americans an alternative to the existing holiday and give African Americans an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." Kwanzaa was first celebrated from December 26, 1966-January 1, 1967.

Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with art, colorful African cloth, especially the wearing of the Uwole by women, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors.

A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the "African Pledge", a discussion of African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast (Karamu). The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is "Habari Gani," which is Swahili for "What's the News?"

Happy Kwanzaa!!

SLOW DOWN, STAY CALM WHEN YOUR CHILD IS TIRED & GROUCHY

When your kids get cranky, parents often do too, especially during the busy holiday season. Here are some easy suggestions to calmly gain control and salvage the day!

• Stop what you are doing. Sit on the floor and quietly read some books together
• Let your child take a warm, soothing bath.
• Play some soft gently music
• Turn off the television
• Turn down the lights ~ Light some nice scented candles
• Talk in a very soft gentle voice
• Encourage everyone to relax ~ love one another!

Christmas Reminders

May the Christmas presents remind you
of God's greatest gift- His only begotten son.
May the Christmas candles remind you
of Him who is the Light of the World.
May the Christmas tree remind you
of another tree on which He died for you.
May the Christmas cheer remind you
of Him who said, "Be of good cheer."
May the Christmas feast remind you
of Him who is the Bread of Life.
May the Christmas snow remind you
of the cleansing power of Christ.
May the Christmas bells remind you
of the glorious proclamation of His birth.
May the Christmas carols remind you
of His glad tidings which we are to proclaim to all mankind.
May the Christmas season remind you
in every way of Jesus Christ your King!

Merry Christmas~!

ELF YOURSELF!

Merry Christmas From The Barone Family!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

ANOTHER BAKE CINNAMON ORNAMENT RECIPE

I have posted a no-bake recipe using applesauce and I thought some of you might be interested in this recipe as well! It is very similar, but a little easier!! If looking for a no-bake recipe then please scroll down the blog!!

Bake Cinnamon Ornament Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup cinnamon
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup white glue

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
2. Mix ingredients together, adding a little more water if dough seems too dry
3. Roll out dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutters
4. Place shapes in oven
5. Turn ornaments every 10 minutes
6. Remove them when firm

Again remind kids that the dough is not for eating. :)

Make sure and poke a hole in the top for a cute ribbon!!

Decorate with paints, glue and collage items

CRYSTALS ON A STRING ~ FUN EASY SCIENCE PROJECT

I got a special request for this recipe! Be patient because this project takes time, but it will result in a beautiful crystal suspended on a string!

Have Fun!!

Crystals on a String

Ingredients:
2 Tbl. alum
4 Tbl. alum
1/4 Cup hot water
2 Cups boiling hot water
2Large Glass jars
Coffee filter
Pencil
String or Pipe cleaner

Directions:

1. In a bowl, add 2 Tbl. alum to 1/4 cup hot water, and stir until alum completely dissolves.
2. Pour mixture into a saucer, and let stand until liquid evaporates (1-2 days).
3. The evaporated mixture will leave a number of Crystals behind. Choose one of the longest, best formed crystals, and carefully tie a length of thread around its middle. Set is aside in a clean, dry place.
4. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil
5. rinse out a clean glass jar with hot tap water. (You are pre-heating the jar to prevent it from cracking during the next step.)
6. Add the 4 Tbls. of alum to the jar, then slowly add the boiling hot water until the jar is 3/4 full. Stir until the alum dissolves. Then allow the mixture to cool
7. Strain the mixture through a coffee filter into the second glass jar.
8. Lay the pencil across the top of the jar, and tie the thread with the previously formed crystal on it to the pencil. The crystal should hang inside the jar, near the bottom but not touching it.
9. Wait for a large alum crystal to form.

This is not recommended for younger children, because they tend to have trouble waiting for the end result. This is best for Kindergarten and up age children!

Send me an email if you have any questions! Have fun!!

TOYS R' US 20% OFF COUPON ~ FREE ~ Babies R' Us Coupons ~ Formula & Diapers

Hooray! I am officially done with my kids Christmas Shopping!! I have one 20% off coupon left for Toys r' us if anyone wants it! It expires on 12/24/08 and is for in-store only, so I would recommend that someone local pick it up. (Orange County).

Well I got some more in the mail today. These also expire on 12/24. If you are not local I can pop them in the mail right away if you want them!

**The 20% off coupon has been taken...the three below are still available!***

1. Save 10% on any 2 huggies value boxes diapers
2. Save $5 on any two similac, Enfamil or Good Start 16 oz. or larger formula
3. Save 20% every kid upholstered chair

First person to blog a comment can have it! Please blog what coupon you want and your email so I can contact you for delivery!

First come first serve!!

Happy Holidays!!

MY FAVORITE POEM~ A MOTHER'S LOVE

Legacy of an Adopted Child
Once there were 2 women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother
Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star.
The other became your sun.
The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me through your tears
The age-old question, unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment.
Which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither.
Just two different kinds of love.
Author Unknown

NO-BAKE CINNAMON GINGERBREAD ORNAMENTS

I love to make a special ornament with my children every year for their Grandparents. This year we are going to make no-bake cinnamon gingerbread men ornaments. (This is a non-edible dough recipe).

What you will want to do is make the ornaments with your children and then let them decorate them with paints and maybe glue some buttons for eyes..etc...

This recipe will make 12 ornaments!!

Ingredients:
1 cup ground cinnamon
3/4 cup applesauce

Directions:
1. Blend cinnamon and applesauce in mixing bowl. Stir until a stiff dough forms.
2. Roll out dough to 1/4" thickness
3. Cut into shapes with the cookie cutters
4. Poke a hole in the top to tie a ribbon on
5. Air-dry several days on a wire rack, turning occasionally

(Important to remind your kids that they cannot eat this dough.....major tummy ache will happen!!)

We will post pictures of our creations after they are completed!!

RUNAWAY GINGERBREAD MAN COOKIES!!

One of our most favorite holiday traditions to do in our family is to make Gingerbread Man cookies! The kids and I always have a blast making them together. While they are baking in the oven I always read to them the gingerbread man story. After we finish reading the story I sneak over to the oven take one out and hide it in the house. We have a blast running around the house trying to find it!!

Here is our favorite recipe for Gingerbread Man Cookies!

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


• 1 teaspoon baking powder


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 2 teaspoons ground ginger


• 1 teaspoon ground cloves


• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1 teaspoon ground allspice


• 1 cup packed brown sugar


• 3/4 cups of mollases


• 1 slightly beaten egg


• 1/2 cup softened butter

1. combine all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Stir to blend together. Mix in 1/2 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup mollases, and egg. Dough will be very stiff, so you may need to use your hands. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

3. Roll dough into 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into the shape of the gingerbread man.

4 Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven.....decorate!!

NAPKIN FRACTIONS ~

Ok, so with the holidays coming....we are all going to be setting lots of tables. Let you kids help you with the process of getting ready for company!!

Napkin Fractions!!

Make fractions fun. Fold paper towel or napkins into large or small fractions. Start with halves and move to eights and sixteenths. Use magic markers to label the fractions!

My son loves to do this with me every time we have company over!!

SNOW PAINTING!!

Make fun winter scenes with snow paint. It dries glossy white and puffy.

Ingredients:
1 cup White King Laundry soap
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup liquid starch

Directions:
1. Combine soap, water and starch in a bowl.
2. Beat with a wire whisk for 3 minutes

Suggestions:

• Make icy winter scenes or snowflakes by using snow paint on dark black construction paper.
• Add tempera paint or food coloring

FREE ENFAMIL LIPIL NEXT STEP FORMULA COUPONS

**THIS COUPON HAS BEEN TAKEN**

I have two coupon checks available for the first person to comment their email on this posting!

I will email you for your mailing address...please don't post your mailing address on the blog!

There are two coupon checks. One is for $4.00 and one is for $5.00. They are good on all Enfamil Next Step Lipil Formula. They expire on January 31, 2009.

FREE GYMBOREE 20% OFF COUPON

**This Coupon Has Been Taken**

I have one 20% off coupon for Gymboree available. It is good through December 24, 2008.

It is free to the first person to comment their email address below. I can either mail you the coupon or email you the promotional code to use it online!

Happy Holiday Shopping! :)

MAKE PEPPERMINT BARK WITH YOUR KIDS!!

Peppermint Bark is a super fun cooking activity to do with your kids.....and they can participate in a lot of the cooking!!

Ingredients
1 cup crushed candy canes
2 pounds white chocolate
Dash of Peppermint flavorings


Directions
Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired.) Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces.

How to get the kids involved:
Place all the candy canes into Ziploc bags. Give the kids a plastic toy hammer. Place the bags on the sidewalk outside and let them have a blast hammering the candy canes into pieces!!

PEPPERMINT PLAYDOUGH RECIPE!!

So, this is my favorite playdough recipe!! Tomorrow the kids and I are going to make a huge bunch!! We will post some pictures of us cooking later this week!!

Peppermint PlayDough
(This dough is not edible)

Ingredients:
2 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
2 Teaspoons alum
1 Tbl. Peppermint extract
1 cup of water
Red food coloring

Directions:
1. Mix flour, salt and alum in a bowl
2. Add peppermint extract to water and slowly stir into dry ingredients
3. Knead until smooth
4. Add 6-10 drops of food coloring
5. Knead lightly for 1 minute

Tips:

• Remind children that this dough is not meant to be eaten
• Air-dry for approx. 48 hours or bake on foil-lined cookie sheet, at 200 degrees for 1-2 hours
• This dough will retain its smell even after it has dried

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN DURING THE HOLIDAYS!!

The Holiday season is a very busy time for you and your family. In addition, it is a time of year that offers many opportunities for learning with your child. Here is a list of some fun things you can do with your children while preparing for the Holiday!!

1. Let your child help you buy the stamps and mail packages at the post office. If you have a home scale, show them how it works.

2. Let them help with the addressing of the family cards; explain your alphabetized address book to them.

3. Encourage them to help with purchasing, measuring, and cooking of the special holiday foods.

4. Ask them to figure approximately how many yards of colored paper and ribbon you use to wrap gifts. Perhaps they could keep track of the cost of this.

5. Take them Christmas shopping with you. Explain what a credit card is and what tax is. Let them pay for your lunch.

6. Clarify just who their relatives are. Is his Grandmother Smith his Mother's or Father's Mother?

7. When buying a Christmas tree, ask their opinion of the kind of tree they like. Let them count the lights and bulbs when decorating the tree. Try to use a few of his color preferences. Explain why the tree needs water or the advantages of owning an artificial tree.

Undoubtedly your family has unique Christmas experiences. Use these to help your child learn from as well as enjoy the Christmas Holiday!!

Holiday Store Hours!!

The holidays are around the corner and things are getting pretty busy around here!

Please note that production time right now is 10 days.
I will try my best to have your order out as quickly as possible.

Please order early to get your goodies in time for the holidays.~~

DECEMBER 10th WILL BE THE LAST DAY WE WILL BE ACCEPTING ORDERS FOR DECEMBER DELIVERY!!

ALL ORDERS PLACED AFTER DECEMBER 10th WILL BE PROCESSED ON JANUARY 2nd!!

Fun and Fantastic Travel Size Felt Boards!! ~ Snollygoster's

We would love to share with you a wonderful new company we found called

Snollygoster's!!

It is founded and run by a wonderful Mother of two young children and an aunt of five! She had been selling her travel felt boards at craft fairs. Since her products have been in such high demand she has opened her first online store!

She has developed these wonderful travel size felt boards! They have a great storage pocket to hold all your felt pieces. It all folds up and can be put right into your diaper bag!! I have never seen such a wonderful creation for being able to use felt stories on the go!

These travel size boards will make wonderful holiday gifts!

These are a must have for any family who loves felt stories!

Glitterful Felt Stories highly recommends Snollygoster's !!

Price $18.00

Link to her store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6459761

Glitterful Felt Stories Featured!!

Glitterful Felt Stories was just featured in a Treasury of Favorite items!!

Please view our items in "Things To Do!"

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=25471

NEW GLITTERFUL FELT STORIES GIVEAWAY!! WIN A FREE FELT STORY FINGER PUPPET SET!!

*CONTEST IS CLOSED*

**WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 10TH**

Congratulations to our winner Danielle!!

Here at Glitterful Felt Stories we are proud to announce that we will now be carrying fun finger puppet sets! All our sets will go along with a story theme!!

During the week of December 1st- December 5th you can enter!

(We will take early entries!)

We will be giving away our first creation!! Three Little Pigs Felt Story Finger puppets!!

To Enter:

1. Visit us at http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/

2. Tell us what you like about us!!

3. Leave your name and email address in case you are the winner!!

For Extra Entries!

1. Grab our button...please let us know!!

2. Blog about our giveaway!!

3. Follow our blog!!

Thanksgiving Family Picture!

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Here are my favorite pictures from our day together!

Cute Tyler Tyler and Ella

My wonderful Family!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving from Glitterful Felt Stories!

We are so thankful to all our wonderful customer's and readers!

We are Thankful!

After being on hospital bed rest for 16 weeks (yes they can keep you in a hospital that long!).....we were blessed with the birth of our third child! Our son Tyler was premature and suffered from RSV shortly after birth. He had such a rough start into our world! After he recovered from RSV his body stopped producing white blood cells (the cells that fight off colds and infections) He had to begin doing white blood cell replacement therapy called GCSF. Due to large cost of this drug my husband and I started Glitterful Felt Stories to help defer the cost of his medications. He are so thankful today for his health!! He is improving everyday and his doctor's recently decreased his medication!! We are so thankful today for this wonderful blessing!!

We are also thankful to Andrew and Ella's birthmothers. Who choose life for this two amazing souls and choose us to be their parents and raise them in this wonderful world. We love them so much and we are Thankful for the wonderful blessing they bestowed upon us!

We hope this day finds you happy and healthy with the people who you love so dearly!

Glitterful Felt Stories Featured in Top Gift List For Teachers!!

We have had the honor of being featured in an article of "Top Gifts For Teachers!"

You can read the article in the link below!

http://mommosttraveled.com/gifts-for-teachers-2008/

Thank you to Mom Most Traveled for featuring us!

PAY-IT-FORWARD FREE FELT STORY HOLIDAY PROGRAM! FREE FELT BOARD STORIES!!

**This Contest is now closed! Winner's will be announced shortly***

THE WINNER'S ARE IN!!

1. Can Can

2. Leah

3. Karoni

4. Gooserama

Did we say FREE?.....Yes....Free Felt Board Stories!!

We would like to introduce to you a wonderful program that we at Glitterful Felt Stories wanted to offer during our holiday season. We have found that there are so many hurting people in our world today and we wanted to offer a program that will help reach out and uplift these people! So we are starting our pay-it-forward free felt board story program!

We have been converting most of our profits this month into Grocery certificates for local families we know that are out of work. We then decided to start this program to be able to reach out and help more people!!

Enter November 24th-December 20th

We ask that you comment below in this blog what wonderful deed you would do for someone in your community! It could be bringing a meal to a family that you know is out of work, dropping off some holiday toys for a family you know is in need, bringing cookies to an elderly person, or even donating your free story to a school in need! Your deed is up to you....and we are so excited to see what you decided to do!!

Happy Holidays!!

****************************************************************

Rules!!

Our rules are:

1. Post a comment of what you would do nice for someone if you got a free story!

2. Comment on your favorite story that you would like to get

3. Leave your name and email address

Our elves will pick people in our comment box to give your favorite free items away!!

We will post all the winners at the end of the promotion!

BEST KINDERGARTEN READINESS QUOTE!

"Children are born when they are ready, creep when they are ready, walk when they are ready, talk when they are ready, BUT start school when they are told to."

"What people need to understand is that just because a child is chronologically five does not necessarily mean his body is developmentally ready for school!"

A FUN WAY TO PRACTICE WRITING!

Sand Pan Writing

This is a wonderful project for children who write their letters backwards. This is also wonderful for children with ADHD and Autism. Enjoy!

Preparation and Materials:

Get a small shallow box (exp. shirt box, large pyrex). Tape shut any openings or corners. Pour in clean sand. (You can purchase at you local Home Depot)

Directions:

I've made you a miniature sand box. The purpose of this sand tray is to give you a place to practice your reading and spelling words. Just write them in the sand.

For fun, you can have your children write them with their eyes close.

Options:

A great variation to this project is to get a piece of fine sand paper. Write the letter or word they are working on. Have the child trace the letter/word with their finger.

FASHION ISLAND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY ORANGE COUNTY NOVEMBER 21st & 22nd

For all you OC Mom's that follow our blog we want to share with your some fun activities to do with your children in our own backyard!

This Friday and Saturday Fashion Island will be having their tree lighting ceremony!

November 21 & November 22nd at 6pm

Cost: FREE!

Public Information Number: 949-721-2000

One of Southern California’s best-loved traditions returns to celebrate the holidays, as Fashion Island’s majestic 115 ft. Christmas tree is illuminated with over 17,000 lights and ornaments. The event will include a song and dance performance by students of the California Conservatory of the Arts, along with the arrival of Santa. The show begins at 6 p.m. and will be held in Bloomingdale’s Courtyard of Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Immediately following the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 21, young visitors can meet with Santa to share holiday wishes and take photos.

Santa will be at his custom-designed house on Atrium Lawn through December 24.

RUDOLPH, RUDOLPH WHAT DO YOU SEE? FELT BOARD STORY SONG!

Rudolph, Rudolph What do you see Felt Story Song Set! This is a wonderful holiday set that can he used to help teach your children their colors!

All our designs are copyrighted © 2008 - All Rights Reserved GlitterfulFeltStories.com

You can purchase this on our website for $5.50

http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/26336/subcatid/64833/id/372299

Jesus Loves Me This I Know...... With Sign language!

There have been many scientific studies show that children who learn sign language can have a higher IQ, are better adjusted and can read at an earlier age!

Some of the wonderful benefits of signing with your children can help enhanced bonding and communication, development of fine motor skills, and assistance with reading and comprehension well into the elementary school years.

Jesus Loves Me This I know is a fun way to introduce sign language with your children!

Enjoy our new video!

HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROES! HOLIDAY MAIL PROGRAM FOR SERVICEMEMBERS OF OUR COUNTRY

This is a wonderful activity to do with your children! Have your children draw or paint a picture to help cheer up a wonderful person who has defended our freedom in our country!

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers and veterans both in the United States and abroad.

Holiday Mail for Heroes, which began Tuesday, Veterans Day, is a follow-up to the 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of more than 600,000 cards to hospitalized servicemembers. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded servicemembers but also veterans and their families.

The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail.

"As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System.

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.

Holiday cards should be mailed to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10.

Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

For more information, visit www.wramc.amedd.army.mil or www.redcross.org/holidaymail for Holiday Mail for Heroes program guidelines.

Walter Reed is not accepting mail addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier."

WINDOWPANE HOLIDAY PAINTING RECIPE (MAKE YOUR OWN VERSION OF SPRAY SNOW)

This is a super fun activity to do with the kids to give them an opportunity to help with your holiday decorating!

Make sure and have your children help you mix the mixture together. (exp. Let them take turns stirring) Then let your children decorate a beautiful snow scene on your windows!

The best part: It cleans much easier to clean than the spray snow you buy in the store!

Ingredients:

1 Cup powdered laundry detergent
1 Cup hot water
(Food Coloring if you want the scene's to have color)

Directions:
1. mix the laundry detergent and hot water into a mixing bowl.
2. Stir until most of the soap is dissolved
3. Add food coloring if you want
4. Use Paint brushes or sponges to decorate your windows!
5. Let it dry for about 20 minutes!

FDA APPROVES AN EARLY ONSET ADHD DRUG!

Since many of our products are used to help children with ADHD enjoy reading, we found this to be important information to share with our readers!

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 12 (HealthDay News) reported-- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a 30-minute onset of action for Focalin XR to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

They reported that the early onset could especially benefit children ages 6 to 12 during the morning as they get ready for school, the company said in a news release. The drug helps curtail symptoms for up to 12 hours.

ADHD affects about 3 percent to 6 percent of children in the United States, with symptoms including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, Novartis said.

The new labeling is based on clinical data, including a study of 86 children ages 6 to 12. The drug provided significant symptom improvement 30 minutes after administration, compared to a non-medicinal placebo, the company said.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Operation Christmas Child

Every year we participate in Operation Christmas Child, a ministry that delivers Christmas gifts in shoe boxes to needy children around the world!

Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

National Collection Week is November 17-24.

Log onto www.samaritanspurse.org for directions on how to pack a shoe box, items of need, and your local drop-off locations!

This has always been my Children's favorite activity to show love and goodwill towards other children in the world!

Help your child learn to give thanks to the Lord for His many blessings and realize how we have been blessed to be a blessing to others!

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

FUN ACTIVITY WHILE READING A STORY!

Improve your children's listening skills and imagination through Literacy!

Read a story aloud to your child and stop before the end of the book.

(Make sure this is a new story that you have not read before)

Ask your children how they think the story will turn out. Then finish the story and discuss the ending with you children.

(example: Did it turn out the way you thought?)

CALIFORNIA FIRE

Here is a picture of the newest California Fire that started this weekend. This is the view from the front of our house!

Production is still going and no orders have been interrupted.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost their homes or been misplaced during this horrible tragedy so close to home!

GLITTERFUL FELT STORIES FEATURED IN "APPLE FEST"

We were honored to hear that our "5 little Apples" Felt Board Story was just featured in a list of favorite items treasury list!

You can view the treasury list at:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=20763

Thank you so much for adding one of our favorite items!

All our designs are copyrighted © 2008 - All Rights Reserved GlitterfulFeltStories.com

WINNER OF OUR GLITTERFUL FELT STORIES FLANNEL BOARD GIVEAWAY!!

Today we did the raffle for the giveaway of the 16 x 20 Felt Board and two Felt Stories!

Andrew helped out with the drawing and had so much fun doing it!

Thank you so much to everyone for all your wonderful comments and suggestions!

Come back soon for more Felt Story giveaways!!

Putting all the names in the bowl!

Don't peek!

And the winner is...... Stacey......Congratulations!!

http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/

MAKE YOUR OWN FINGERPAINT RECIPE!

Art Can Encourage Learning and Literacy!

When I paint I learn.....

To Exercise my imagination and creativity!

Color Recognition Skills

Language Development

Cause and Effect

Different textures

Express and communicate my feelings

Use of my hand eye coordination.....

How to HAVE FUN!

Art Activities are more than just fun!

It is an important tool for learning!

Fingerpainting is part of our daily routine in our house. I wanted to share a great recipe that I use a lot to hand make our own fingerpaint! The kids will have fun helping me mix the ingredients and then getting to use the paint to create their masterpieces!

Homemade Fingerpaint Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
3 Tbl. sugar
2 Cups Water
Food Coloring (not too much!)

In a pot mix all the ingredients together! (Have you kids help!) Adults only cook on the stove top for about 15 minutes until it is thick. Keep stirring it during the 15 minutes! Let it cool! Divide the paint into different sealed containers....stir in the food coloring....and you have made fingerpaint!!

Have Fun!

Go Away Big Green Monster Felt Story NOW ON SALE!

**Sale has ended**

My six year old son has been waking up a lot in the night lately....with bad dreams! So, we have pulled out our favorite Felt Board story.....Go Away Big Green Monster Felt Story. Andrew has so much fun building the monster on his felt board and then taking it away. It helps him go back to sleep every time!

We are putting this felt story on sale for this week only!

You can purchase it at our discounted price on our main website only. http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/26323/subcatid/0/id/350308

On Sale for $4.00 (Regular price $6.50)

All our designs are copyrighted © 2008 - All Rights Reserved GlitterfulFeltStories.com

MONEY SMART MOM GIVEAWAY!!

****CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED****

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 3RD

The Winner is lynnae! Congratulations!!

Money Smart Mom Giveaway!

November 11th - November 25th

Although I like most of my product reviews to be Early Childhood and Literacy related.....this product is so amazing that I want all Mom's to know about it!

Having three children to chase after, laundry to do, food to cook and running my own business it can sometimes to be hard to find time to organize my personal finance budgeting. The Money Smart Mom Savvy Spending system will make your life as a Mom so much easier! Money Smart Mom has great easy to use free online budgeting tools that will calculate all your weekly and monthly spending for you. I absolutely love the features of her designer wallet. I have never had a such a functional yet stylish wallet and with the stay at home portfolio and booklet it makes system so easy to organize.

Orielle Hopkins has created an amazing system to help Moms Learn the fun way to make your money last and grow, with the Money Smart Mom system. Created by a Mom for Moms. She created a cash budgeting system that is similar to the envelope budgeting system but much easier to manage and far more organized. Not to mention they have a highly fashionable wallet made exclusively for Money Smart Mom.

Orielle was featured on Oprah and Friends radio recently talking with Jean Chatsky about Money Smart Mom. It was a wonderful interview where she talked about how Money Smart Mom has helped women take charge in planning and organizing their family finances. http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahandfriends/jchatzky/20081028_oaf_jchatzky

Moneysmartmom.com has generously donated to one of our readers a Money Smart Mom "No more debt kit"! It comes with a designer wallet, Money Smart Mom Stay-at-home portfolio, and a brochure detailing step-by-step instruction to implement system. ($55.85 value!)

To Enter:

1. Please review the Money Smart Mom website http://www.moneysmartmom.com/

2. Tell us what you like about the Money Smart Mom Savvy Spending System and post your comments on our blog!

3. Tell your friends to enter our contest!

4. Leave your email address so we can notify you if you win!!

For more entries:

Add our contest to your blog or

Become a Money Smart Mom Member and enjoy using here FREE online tools!

National Family Volunteer Day is November 22nd!!

Want to spend more "quality time" with the family? Calling all kids, moms and dads, grandparents and great-grandparents! Lead by example and bring your entire family out and volunteer. Family Volunteer Day, on November 22nd, is a meaningful and inspiring day of national family volunteerism, where everyone will be able to contribute to a variety of tasks.

It is a hands-on way to teach children the values of kindness, compassion, tolerance, community responsibility and good citizenship. HandsOn Network, generated by Points of Light Institute and The Walt Disney Company proudly presents Family Volunteer Day. This annual day of service, held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is designed to demonstrate the power of families who choose to volunteer together to support the communities in which they live and serve. Volunteering as a family provides quality time for busy families strengthens communication and bonds and positively impacts local communities across the nation. Visit http://www.familyvolunteerday.com/ for details on how to fully capture the value of this opportunity!

You can log in and enter your zip code for an event close to home!

Ambulance EMT Safety Felt Story Sets!

WOW! I got the most fun special order request this weekend! An EMT in Florida contacted me to create an ambulance theme felt story for a community outreach event they are having.

I quickly started to do my research on ambulance theme's and quickly was shocked to find that there is nothing out there to teach our children about these wonderful community hero's! I searched online, went to the library, went to the bookstore and researched my 36 teacher resource books. Nothing!

During dinner last night I was talking to my family about how surprised I was that there is not any songs or stories for young children to talk to them about ambulances. My son Andrew who has peanut allergies and has had to make many trips in the ambulance suggested that we write something together! We all had so much fun writing a special short story and creating a song! It was a wonderful family moment and our children and us will remember forever!

All our designs are copyrighted © 2008 - All Rights Reserved GlitterfulFeltStories.com

Andrew's Ambulance Ride Felt Board Story!

http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/26365/subcatid/0/id/376289

All our designs are copyrighted © 2008 - All Rights Reserved GlitterfulFeltStories.com
Five Little Ambulances Felt Story Song

http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/26365/subcatid/0/id/376288

A Three Year Old Saves Mom's Life with 911 Song!

This past June a three year old girl in Oklahoma saved her mom's life by calling 911!

The Mother had taught her daughter a 911 safety song after she has discovered that she suffered from vasovogal syncope which causes her to faint. She then taught her daughter a 911 song to use on her BlackBerry if something were ever to happen. Her Mother had lost consciousness while pregnant and he daughter picked up the blackberry and called 911!

Glitterful Felt Stories has a 911 felt story safety set that we would recommend for all Mother's. It comes with a 911 safety song that you can sing along with your children. You can also use the felt set along with your cell phone!

http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/26365/subcatid/0/id/350858

Mystery Music Box!

This is one of my favorite activities to do with my kids! When things are getting pretty loud in the house and the kids are getting a little crazy I always call for our "Mystery Music Box!"

We have decorated a shoe box. I had the kids paint it and decorate it to help them be a part of it. Inside the box is filled with all our music cards! I have taken plain 3x5 cards and colored pictures one each one to relate to all our favorite songs and fingerplays. (example: one card has a picture of a monkey and a bed on it.......the kids know that is the song five little monkey's jumping on the bed!)

Whichever child I asked to get the Mystery Music Box gets to close their eyes and pick out a card! The kids get so excited because they don't know which song they are going to pick! I then get out our felt pieces that go along with the song and we sit and sing together!

This is such a fun activity! The kids love to sing the song together over and over again! My kids will take turns singing the song while putting their felt story pieces on their felt board!

Glitterful Felt Stories has a large collection of songs and fingerplay felt sets!
http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/26350

The Night Before Christmas Felt Board Story

The Night Before Christmas Felt Board Story!

This week I got a special request to create a flannel board story based on the classic story The Night Before Christmas! This was one of my favorite stories I have created! It took me over three hours to design and create....and I enjoyed every minute of it! The set has 36 pieces

(grey mouse not pictured)

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. I was excited to create a Felt Board Story for families to enjoy while reading their favorite Christmas story.

I am always trying to keep my costs as low as possible, however I had to price this story at $18.50 due to the amount of time and supplies that go into it. I can promise you that you won't be disappointed! You can purchase it on our website: http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/

http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/26323/subcatid/0/id/375663

All our designs are copyrighted © 2008 - All Rights Reserved GlitterfulFeltStories.com

New Story Monday Debut: The Three Little Pigs Felt Story

It's Monday! Our New Story is The Three Little Pigs Felt Story!

It is a really cute detailed flannel board story with many fine cuts and decorations!

On Monday only you can get our new story at 50% off!

It is priced at $8.00 and is on sale for $4.00 (Monday Only)

http://www.glitterfulfeltstories.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/26993/subcatid/0/id/368409

All our designs are copyrighted © 2008 - All Rights Reserved GlitterfulFeltStories.com

Pumpkin Shaving Creme Fun!

Have any uncarved pumpkins left? Make it a sensory experience! My children are living proof that sensory fun is the BEST kind of fun!

We took our left over pumpkin and poured shaving creme over it. I let the kids feel, touch, explore....and my son Andrew really explored it! They were running cars in the shaving creme, making snow angels on the table and having a blast!

Me best suggestion would be......make it an outside project!