Winter Handprint Wreath

I just love this time of year. Yes, it's getting chilly out there, but there are so many fun things to do inside! Need some ideas? Here's one that is fun, simply, and a keepsake. Also a great gift for Grandparents!

Winter Handprint Wreath
Materials:

-computer printer
-paper
-scissors
-glue
-something to color with: paints, crayons, markers, stickers, sparkles

Instructions:

There are two ways to do this:
1. Trace your child's hand onto paper and cut out the prints.
2. Make paint handprints on the paper and cut those out.

You will need 9 hand prints (three of each color or make them all different!)
Design them in a circle wreath design.

This is a very simple, classic project to kick off the holiday season!
Have fun!!!!

Apple Ciders, Color Changes and Fall

This morning, as I rose at 6am to get my oldest ready for school, I felt the briskness in the air. I uttered the words, "brrrrrr" as I scooted toward the open window and quickly pulled it closed.
It's Fall! Wow. How did that happen? Fall may just be my favorite season. The days are sunny and warm, the evening temperatures are perfect for after dinner outdoor games with the kids, and the sleeping? Ahhhh....the sleeping is the best!
Besides the changing weather, Fall inspires me to read more, to adventure to cider mills, to watch the changing colors, and plant my bulbs for spring...
Take time today to appreciate this season as it quickly sneaks by.... Don't think about the snow to come or the dripping wet snow apparel that will soon cover your doorways.....
Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!

Back To School Jitters Book Suggestions

Is your child experiencing the back to school jitters? I have one entering middle school, and I think it is I who is feeling the jitters. As we prepare to go to her middle school orientation, I am recalling the 1st morning I dropped her off at pre-school. She had two drippy tears in her eyes, I had 6 or 7 as I walked to my car.

Here are some awesome book suggestions for your little one....
1) New Bear at School, by Carrie Weston
2)Off to 1st Grade, by Louis Bordon
3) Splat the Cat, by Rob Scotton
4)Timothy Goes to School, by Rosemary Wells

The Wolf Pack Registration begins today!

We are so excited by the response to our NEW programs! As I sit hear answering inquiries about The Wolf Pack and the Reading groups, I can feel the enthusiasm building in the community! Not just for this program, but for all the activities that are scheduled to begin this fall. Personally, I spent a great deal of time earlier this morning looking through the on line catelog (Ann Arbor Education and Recreation) and will be signing my kids up for great stuff this fall!

Whether you are a local parent reading this blog, or from another state or country, please remember to support your school and community through local children's programming!

Kids' Book Club Reminder

Research has shown that reading out loud to children
is the single most important thing a parent can do to prepare a child for future academic success.
Some of the benefits of reading books to your children:

1. Create's a special bond between you and your child.
2. Being read to helps a child comprehend the printed word,
3. Being read to builds a child's vocabulary beyond what he is able to read for himself, and provides the background for a new reader to recognize new words he is decoding because he knows what they mean.
4. Being read to AND being the reader, takes BOTH of you to exciting new worlds and adventures.
5. Being read to develops listening skills.
6. Reading books aloud gives the family an alternative to the media for entertainment.
7. Being read to helps the child develop a taste for excellent literature.

Just a reminder to parents: Book clubs are now forming and registrations are being accepted to join our free groups. Click on the book club program on www.createplaylearn to see details. Prizes awarded monthly. You DO NOT have to attend the monthly meetings to join and win.

Perseid Meteor Shower

If you watched last evening's big event unfold, you toomay be feeling a bit sleepy this morning. (No, not talking Olympics, although....wow - Phelps rocks!)

Summer brings a host of wonderful things to see ~ flowers rising up from the garden, vegetables ripening on the vine, kids traveling down slippy slides (one of my favorite sights!)and yes, the Summer Perseid Meteor Showers!

While I believe last night was considered fair to good for viewing them, tonight will work as well. The problem being, the best time to view them is between 2 a.m. and sunrise.
I just happen to wake a few minutes after 2 in the morning, which I am still finding odd, so I crept downstairs to my deck and saw several rather beautiful meteors come into the Earth's atmosphere (shooting stars). It was magical and spectacular. My children commented at dinner that they wanted to view this event too, and I had joked with them that if I STAYED awake for it, I would let them come watch also. So, being true to my word, I gently tried waking them ~~ to no avail.
So, I took in a few moments under the star and went back to bed.
Incidentally, earlier in the evening when we were discussing the meteors, my younger child, who appeared to be in a minor state of panic that meteors were flying down to Earth, suggested that we sleep in the basement so that we would be safe.
So I took him to the computer and we looked up facts about meteors.
We went to www.space.com which was a great site!

Seven Health-ful reasons to Laugh

Here is the short list of reasons you should laugh!
1. Laughter Reduces stress hormones in your body.
2. Laughter Boosts your circulation and respiration.
3. Laughter improves your immune system, providing more resistance to disease and infection.
4. Laughter can make you more creative, relaxed, alert, resilient, and productive.
5. Laughter can sharpen your memory and improve organization.
6. Laughter is good exercise. Researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 15 minutes on an exercise bike.
7. Laughter is Free.

Ask someone if they can share a good joke with you. (Seriously, the next person you talk to on the phone or see. Especially try to ask a child for a good knock knock joke!)

If you have a good one, please post