Cedar Valley Publishing

We invited a group of girls ranging in age from 7-9 to watch Barbie and the Diamond Castle and they loved it!  It’s about friendship and best friends, so this group of friends and best friends enjoyed watching it together! 

Barbie and the Diamond Castle tells the story of best friends, Alexa and Liana who lose everything during a storm. Their friendship and love of music holds them together.

After a chance meeting with an old woman, they meet Melody, a girl locked inside an enchanted mirror. Melody holds the secret key to the Diamond Castle and embodies the last chance to defeat the selfish Lydia from ruling.

Alexa and Liana help Melody journey to the Diamond Castle, defeat Lydia, and release the Diamond Castle from her rule.

Another wonderful movie from Barbie!!!  WOO HOO! 

Click Here for More Information!

I’m not usually the turkey baker in our family, I leave that up to my wonderful mother-in-law.  I do enjoy the holiday, and truly love the food - but, that one year, early in our marriage, when I was trying to impress our extended family with my culinary knowledge…I forgot to remove the package of innards and gravy from the bird when I baked it.  I could have probably gotten away with the cooking disaster, if all of the women-folk hadn’t been in my kitchen, watching the exciting removal of it from the oven - and to my horror, the bag had expanded and was sticking out of the end of the turkey!  eeek!!!  We all decided, for the betterment of our family, that I stick to what I do best by adding side dishes to our Thanksgiving table.

Want to share your perfect turkey story? 

Enter the Perfect Turkey™ button from Electrolux.  The Perfect Turkey™ button uses a temperature probe to precisely control cooking, along with a convection system that gently browns the turkey while sealing in the juices, giving you perfect turkey, every time.  All Electrolux wall ovens come with this Perfect Turkey button, and from now until November 14, if you log onto the Electrolux site, you can enter a contest to share your tale about your quest for the perfect turkey . Log on and submit a photo, story and/or video showcasing your tale and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a  new wall oven or range with the Perfect Turkey™ button — just in time for the holidays.

Everyone has a great turkey story to share, whether it’s horrifying, funny or triumphant. This year, Electrolux and Kelly Ripa invite you to share your turkey tale. What is your memorable story in your quest for the perfect turkey?

Simply log on to www.electroluxappliances.com and click on Kelly Confidential. You can submit a photo, story and/or video showcasing your turkey tale. Everyone who submits a turkey tale will be automatically entered for a chance to win a stylish new Electrolux wall oven or range with the Perfect Turkey button – just in time for the holidays!!

The perfect turkey quest runs from October 1 through November 14, so don’t waste time! Submit your tale today. I can’t wait to hear about everyone’s memorable holiday cooking experiences!

• Stop, Drop, and Listen,
• Unload the backpack/ homework folder with your kids daily,
• Read with your kids every night for 15 minutes,
• Play repetitive games with your kids,
• Ask open ended questions to help your kids communicate,
• Be involved in school activities and join your PTA/PTO!

As a parent, I’m sure you’ve encountered the same thing I did when our girls were younger — the boxes, wrapping paper and bows were way more fun for the babies and toddlers than the gift was!  Since then, when I hear of a friend or neighbor who is getting a new appliance, I immediately ask if we can have the box from the item - it becomes a castle or a fort or the coolest clubhouse on the block!

Enter www.BoxWorks.biz - the coolest website I’ve seen in a long time!  Not only is Jason promoting the GREEN life that I so desire for myself and for others, he’s offering some exceptionally entertaining fun - instructions for box creations such as fire engines, jets and SO much more!

Here’s an illustration of how to make a candy bag out of a box:

The whole goal is to get kids engaging in building, spending quality time with their parents and re-using resources to create fun things they can then play with.

Visit www.BoxWorks.biz today!

Encourage your friends to be a part of the World Wide Sound Wave on the 11 October 2008!!! Make it a FUN or FUND  raiser to get music and art back into the schools and back into the homes!

We are doing for Music and humanity what Earth Day is doing for the Earth and humanity. Please help spread the word!

Hope for the 21st Century — Join us where ever you are for the 2nd global celebration of Universal Music Day.

In today’s complex world, we seek a universal language that speaks through our hearts to remind us of simpler times. Wouldn’t it be comforting to know there already is such a language? Well there is, and Music IS that universal language.

Music is man’s oldest language, humanity’s universal speech. It, alone, can harmonize and unify nations, peoples. Music has the unique ability to move us to tears with soulful ballads, restore hope though upbeat rhythms, and recall happier times through sensuous tropical drumbeats. Music can remind us of the wonders of nature, the kindness of strangers, and the overall goodness of humanity.

So mark your calendars, plan your events and celebrate the Second Annual Universal Music Day on the 11 October 2008. Wherever you are, set aside some time to make music from your heart, preferably with a group of friends. Help us create a World-Wide Sound Wave on the Second Saturday of October each year.

Music is Sound, Silence and Vibrations. We invite you to form an intention to create a world of Peace, Love, Justice and Joy. And we can do it – we can cut through the cacophony of modern life – through the magic, through the power of music!

Join old friends and make new ones around the world as we work together to make every day a MUSIC DAY for our health and well-being! Plan to attend one of our local or international events with your family, your friends, or simply by yourself. And please visit www.UniversalMusicDay.org for more information. We’d like you to email us about your event so we can post it on our Events Calendar in hopes of having others join you on Universal Music Day on October 11, 2008!

Let’s make the magic of music echo ‘round the world on October 11. Don’t miss it!

I’m lucky.  I know it.  My girls are healthy, happy little wonders.  Others moms are lucky too, even with the challenges they face from their children who may be facing medical or emotional challenges.

One such mom is Leeanthro, writer of the blog, Soy is the New Black.  Her daughter was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  Please read this set of posts, to understand her challenges.

So how can a mommy blogger raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes? Of course, have a giveaway! You may enter this giveaway by e-mailing blogdiabetes at gmail dot com. Please read the rules regarding this giveaway. All prizes can only be shipped to US addresses.

For extra entires, please consider blogging about this giveaway and my fundraiser or spread the word through networks such as Twitter. Send a separate e-mail for each action to blogdiabetes at gmail dot com. You’ll also receive a little linky love.

I encourage you to take a moment to think about how diabetes affects someone you know and to make a small contribution.

And if you live in Central Illinois, I would be thrilled to have you walk with us.

(If you–personally or on behalf of your blog–or your company would like to donate a prize either for the online giveaway or for the silent auction on walk day, please e-mail me at blogdiabetes at gmail dot com.)

Let’s Get Ready, folks!  Let’s help this family and many more, who struggle daily with the challenges of diabetes.  I donated a couple of prizes…what can YOU do?

Vanessa Van Petten wrote a parenting book when she was 17, called “You’re Grounded!” and is now on a national speaking tour, reaching out to both parents and teenagers about how to cope and thrive as young people today.  She is also working as a popular young parenting coach in California. Her daily blog, OnTeensToday.com is read by hundreds of teens and parents daily.  She was featured on CBS 4 Miami and Fox 5 New York and has been in the Wall Street Journal, the Santa Monica Daily Press, Atlanta Insite Magazine and the World Journal.  She has been an expert on KBUR, WCOJ Philadelphia and more for giving a young perspective on awesome parenting. Original Article here (http://www.onteenstoday.com/2008/08/16/school-supply-check-list-for-teen-and-tween-students/)

The Basics
-Pens
-Pencils
-Eraser
-Pencil Sharpener (if you have those kinds of pencils)
-Lead (if you have those kinds of pencils)
-Correction fluid or tape
-Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils (one basic set for school projects that will not be used for crafts)
-Stapler and Staples
-Tape
-Glue
-Scissors
-Hole Puncher (a bigger one that can do more than 3 sheets at a time)
-Paper clips
-Ruler
-Rubber Bands
-Index Cards (in three or four colors)
-Calculator
-Highlighters
-Post-it Notes
-Tabs
-Reinforcements
-White Paper
-Lined Paper
-Glue
-Pencil case for school (get a soft one, not a hard case)
-Book stand* (can get this anywhere and it will save your kid’s necks and shoulders)
-Inbox/Outbox* (This will not work on every desk, but find it is a helpful place to put all ‘need to deal with’ papers, and you can go through it with them every week or so)
-Backpack
-Printer
-Ink
-Blank CDs
-External Hardrive
-Poly Pocket Folders
-Sheet Protectors

Class Supplies
This really depends on your child’s class schedule, but here are the basics:

-Binders
-Spirals
-Dividers
-Paper folders

Optional, but Helpful School Supplies You Might Forget
-Protractor
-Compass
-Book Covers
-Calendar
-Bulletin Board and Push pins
-Drawer organizer
-Lined pads of paper
-Dictionary
-Thesaurus
-Report covers
-Poster Board (If they have a place to keep it, I find there are always last minute projects that need poster board)
-Desk calendar (talk to them about desk calendar vs computer calendar vs planner—later this lesson).
-Doodle Notebook
-Graph paper

Print this out and take it with you!

MamasTimeOut© is a new support site and social network for moms of All ages and All stages!

We feature a weekly mom support call in show on various motherhood/parenting topics, including interviews with special guests!

Listed below are suggestions how to encourage and motivate parents to become more involved in school:

• Ask your child’s teacher how you can help.
• Offer to read to your child’s classroom.
• Sign up for field trips.
• Offer to bake snacks or volunteer to help for school parties:  Halloween, Christmas, Valentine, the 100th Day of School, Easter, Last Day of School, etc.
• Volunteer to work the lunchroom.
• Volunteer to be a playground monitor.
• Join the Parent-Teach Association/Organization (PTA/PTO).
• Volunteer to write grants and raise money for your school.
• Ask if you can do work from home: trace projects; make copies; color posters; etc.
• Make it a point to know everyone’s name in your child’s class.  If you know their name, they are less likely to be a bully to your child.
• Ask your child about their day and be prepared to actively listen.
• Make unloading the backpack and going through his/her folder a team effort to keep you all on top of daily activities.
• Make sure your child completes all homework and if you have questions, write a note together to the teacher and place it back in the folder.
• Attend school board meetings.
• Network among the parents of other children in your child’s class.  If you become friends with the parents, it is easier for your child to develop long and lasting relationships too.
• Ask if your teacher is in need of extra supplies (i.e. cleaning supplies) for upcoming projects.
• Encourage your child to read by turning off the television and having mandatory reading time for the entire family.
• Make sure your child is getting 10-12 hours of sleep each night.
  • Make sure your child is eating a nutritious breakfast to start the day.
• Make sure your child understands that healthier choices at school mean more energy for play.
• Ask what you can do.
• Mingle and get to know other teachers or sit in a class to observe other teachers to help you and your child determine the teacher you would like your child to have for the next year.
• Ask if you can dress up as the Mad Scientist to help promote the Science Fair or dress up as a clown to help promote Fun Fair.
• Volunteer, volunteer, and volunteer!

Copyright 2008 Cedar Valley Publishing, Stacey Kannenberg; Author of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! and Let’s Get Ready For First Grade!

Have a story about how you or someone one else got involved and it improved your child’s learning experience, or lit a fire under other parents?  Please share it with us!

As parents/caregivers, you can help your First Grader learn with ease and confidence by implementing these everyday tips:

• Communicate concerns and/or expectations with your child’s teacher.
• Foster independence by giving chores:  setting the table, dusting, putting silverware away, etc.
• Follow a daily routine to help your child transition smoothly from school to home each day. For example, empty his/her backpack together and review its contents.  Schedule homework, playtime, dinner/conversation, bathtime, shared reading time and bedtime.
• Write important home/school events on the calendar:  teacher conference, picture day, vacation days, early release days, etc.
• Volunteer in your child’s class/schoolroom or ask how you can help from home.
• Support your child by attending school functions.
• Praise hard work when completing projects and learning.
• Read various types of books, and discuss the author, illustrator and its content.
• Nurture, motivate and instill self-esteem in your child by listening to him/her. 

Take an active role in your child’s life and just watch him/her succeed at anything and everything he/she does!

Copyright 2008 Cedar Valley Publishing, Stacey Kannenberg; Author of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! and Let’s Get Ready For First Grade!

What’s your favorite transition ritual that you perform with your child each day?  Why?