Bookworms

Wool Felt Bookmark by Neskat
Flowers Childrens Board Book by matthewporterart
Books and Elephants Dress by joeyandaleethea
Toddler Book Bag by meeabee
Soft Story Books by childrenswonderland
Rainbow Garden Soft Book by MamaMayI

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Ooooo Scary... Read it Again!

Since the first hint of pumpkins, goulies and witches hit the stores weeks ago, my girls have been begging me to break out the Halloween goodness. I have a hard time doing anything before October 1st, so now that we're officially past that, I could no longer procrastinate and Jim and I were forced to venture under the house and dust off the Halloween bin.

After a fun filled evening of spooky inspirational music and candy corn treats, we've put everything out and the girls are super excited. I dug out all the Halloween/scary movies (Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, Corpse Bride, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown) and pulled all the Halloween books from the shelf so we have a month of spooky reads. Yup, we're all set!

Alyssa's book post got me thinking about all the Halloween books we like to read around here. They've become even more special since we only read them this time of year. So I thought I'd share our faves and hopefully, you'll share yours because we're always looking for more! Plus, it's early enough in the month, that there's still time to check them out!


Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman

This is probably my favorite one. The girls and I just read it tonight. It's about a witch who grows a pumpkin so large, she can't manage to pull it off the vine and she's got quite the hankering for pumpkin pie!
Lots of fun to read and cute repetition for the kiddos.

I give it 5 out of 5 pumpkins



Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

The story of a witch out for a nice leisurely flight. She meets some friends along the way, each one hoping that there's "room on the broom" so they can come too. Super fun rhyming tale (I love cute rhyming stories) and there's definitely room on the broom so don't miss out!

I give it 4.5 out of 5 pumpkins



In the Haunted House by Eve Bunting

Not a whole lot of story to this one, but the girls love it, so I have to include it in the list. Cute story about a little girl and her dad who venture into a haunted house, but who's the one who's really scared? Like I said, not the most fun to read, but the kids enjoy it.

I give it 3 out of 5 pumpkins

Spooky Hour by Tony Mitton

Another fun rhyming tale as the "midnight spooks" countdown to their Halloween party. Cute story with lots of different ghoulies and fun to say sound words like "clickety clack."

I give it 4 out of 5 pumpkins

Pirates Don't Change Diapers by Melinda Long

Technically not a Halloween book, but with the pirates, I'm sneaking it in here. I was reluctant to read this originally, but found out that it's a really cute story and it's made even better if you use your best piratey voice when you read it. Argh, matey, don't pass this one up!

I give it 5 out of 5 pumpkins



Happy spooktacular reading! :o)








Originally written for The Mama Dramalogues.

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What a Treasure!

How fitting for the first day of October.

Treasury created by PreschoolDoll Design, a member of the EtsyKids Treasury Team.

Pop over to Etsy and leave a comment on this treasury and the many other great treasuries created by and featuring EtsyKids team members.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Green Goat's little dress (entry No. 2) is the winner of this month's challenge! Congratulations!

Green Goat is an Etsy store that displays a fantastic collection of animal and nature inspired illustrations, all hand printed by talented Mary Cobb on organic cotton shirts and dresses. Mary is a loving mommy of two by day and talented artist, and screen printer by night. Her work shows her love for natural, simple things, and images of yesterday. Please make sure to visit her lovely store.

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Trick-or-Treat

There is something about a trick-or-treat bag isn't there? My kids, certainly have their favorites that are used year after year. The sweet little quilted buckets grandma made for them as toddlers were quickly out grown, and they graduated to larger buckets.

You see, in our neighborhood highly populated by young families with kids, the perfect trick-or-treat bag is as essential as shoes. Comfortable reinforced handles, good depth but not too much so it drags on the ground, and needs to hold lots and lots of candy because you'll explore every inch of the neighborhood 'till the neighbors all run out!

EtsyKids team members are a great resource for unique handmade trick-or-treat bags. Just look at this whimsical collection ... they'd even work as gift bags and would be perfect for BOOing your neighbors.

Boutique Cats and Bats Trick-or-Treat Basket by ladesigns2
Costume Halloween Tote TOT by SkippyDoodle
Customized Trick-or-Treat Bag by sewcutecreations
Jack-o-Lantern Tote by twozanyzebras
Candy Corn Trick-or-Treat Bag by pumpkinsboutique
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Bags by monkeytreecreations
Crocheted Lady Bug Tote by onceuponahook

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The Kindergarten 15

It's hard to say "no" to a face like that.

This is the year I finally have a kindergartner. She's almost as excited about it as I am. Almost. I'm pretty darned exited about it. Especially since her younger sister started preschool and I have 4 whole hours to myself each week! I know the mind boggles with what to do with all that "free time."

There have been a few hiccups with the new routines; the bus drops Peri off at 11:25 and Ryah's preschool is over at 11:30, so I've had to find work arounds for being in two places at once. Fortunately, I have great friends that help me out. But for the most part, things have been running smoothly and we've all adjusted. Imagine my surprise when I got a phone message the other day, from Peri's kindergarten teacher...

"Hi Holly, this is Amber X, Peri's teacher, and I just wanted you to know that Peri has been eating breakfast in the cafeteria in the mornings. I only just found out today and when I talked to her about it, she said it was her second breakfast and she was able to tell me what she'd already eaten at home. I thought "Oh no" and I'd better check with you about that. Sorry I didn't catch it sooner, but she's been charging her breakfasts. I'll send her account balance home with her next week."

I didn't know whether to laugh or groan. I mean, it's pretty funny that a 5-year-old can just walk in there, get breakfast and have it added to her non existent account. But I was also a little annoyed that I was footing the bill for such an obvious oversight on the school's part. After I called her teacher back, to let her know that Peri should not be eating at school and that I would pay the balance next week, I was baffled as to how that could even happen. I remember as a kid that you either had to pay cash for your school food or have a prepaid card from your parents, there was no "tab."

So, for the last two weeks, Peri has been running up a cafeteria bill, unbeknownst to me and her teachers. I know she did it because it was there and she saw other kids eating and thought it was okay. But I wonder how long it would have gone on? Maybe until her next well check up visit, when the nurse would inform me that Peri had managed to gain 15 lbs since her last visit and that it's a little excessive. Or those brand new school clothes start fitting a lot snugger than they should.

In any case, there is now such a thing as the Kindergarten 15 and you heard it here first. This will be one of those things I tease her about in the future and we'll just laugh it off, but for now, I have to go pay the bill. Then again, today is her birthday (Happy 6th Birthday Periwinkle!); perhaps we'll just write it off as a gift and not add it to her tab. :oP








Originally written for The Mama Dramalogues

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I'm reading a new book

Since I've stalked Kimora Lee Simmons and read everything she's written...I thought I'd start on Russell now! LOL! Actually, I've been wanting to read this book forever! And I have to share 'nuggets' - you now how I do it! So here we go.... short and sweet!

Law Number One: See your vision and stick with it: Degrees are helpful, but they won't guarantee you success in the business world. Only faith and dedication to your vision can do that! *I dream my painting and paint my dream* Vincent Van Gogh

Have a great weekend! OX

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