Look in A Book: The Mitten

Recently, we read this book in our home: The Mitten by Jan Brett.

Jan Brett is a wonderful illustrator. Her animals are realistic with a touch of whimsy thrown in.

My children loved the story of how the animals crawled inside the missing mitten. This made them think about the animals outside in the cold weather.... and even though God created them to adapt to cold weather, it was still cute to think of the animals "cozying" up together.

Then my children (especially my son) loved that when the bear sneezed, ALL the animals went flying! :)

See the beautiful details in Jan Brett's illustrations:

The bear's big sneeze even sent the mitten flying ... right back into the hands of its owner.

I taught our Little Literature class this past month in our monthly co-op. This book was the book we did for this class, too.

I printed the masks from Jan Brett's website. I cut them out and laminated them and placed them on large craft sticks (tongue dispenser size.) I store them at home with the book in a large bag so my children can act out the story when it's read to them! It's so much fun to bring the book to life with a young child!

I also had saved this activity from a reproducible book from the library. I apologize that I didn't write down the name of the book. It is a cute activity. The mitten was cut out and I punched small holes along the mittens and the children laced the two together. This gave them an actual paper mitten. They then got each animal from the story to color. All the animals can go into the mitten and when the bear sneezes, they can be shaken out! :) This was a take-home activity!

If you have done a post where you took a look inside a book, please share and add the link (for your blog post) in the comments below. I'd love to stop by for a visit and sit a bit, looking through your book! ...or you can just post a comment on a children's book you really like and why. Thanks! and ... If you enjoy a children's book with a child, it mightjust create an special moment... which will lead to a precious memory!

This Moment

{This Moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

SNOW-fun School lessons

Lately we have had "Snow"-much fun with our elementary homeschool lessons. These are some of the books we have enjoyed. It's so nice on a cool snowy Winter's day to dit on a chair with my two youngest ones and a blanket and pile of good books! (What a blessing!)

Then this week, we made snow scenes with torn paper pieces:

My daughter enjoyed this and made a snowman.

My son made a fort with two trees:

Here are their finished pieces. I am now enjoying them on our firepace.

We also go to a local FIAR (Five-in-a-row) club. We had our monthly get-together this week. We went on a Winter's walk and found animal footprints in the snow. Then came inside for hot chocolate and snacks. We are making quilts this year. Each time we get or make a quilt square to go with the books. At the end we will have a nice quilt and special keepsake.

Happy Winter, friends!

Enjoy the moments, as time moves on.

This movie is worth the few minutes. It will remind you, as it did me, that minutes make moments that are priceless and holy. Time flies by but we must slow down and enjoy the moments.

I am thankful for each moment the Lord blesses me with my wonderful family and with His created beauty all around me!

Enjoy!

Hanging snowman

My youngest children made snowmen ... of an inside variety!

SNOW!

We got about 3-4 inches of snow this week.

Here is a photo as it was beginning to snow:

Here is a photo when the snow as ended:

Happy Winter!

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

(recipe from Taste of Home magazine simple & delicious)

This recipe is great because it uses ingredients that are usually on hand. Also, it is very simple so children can usually make them on their own with just a little guidance/supervision.

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 egg (or equivalent egg substitute)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 pkg. (18 1/4 z.) chocolate cake mix

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add cake miz; beat on low until blended. Stir in chocolate and peanut butter chips. Drop by rounded Tablespoon 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool for 3 minutes and then remove to wire racks. Store in air tight container. Makes 4 dozen.

Photo of our batter:

Preschool Corner: Polar Bear ABC game

I thought I'd post about a new game we got at Christmas. My 4 yr.old Kindergartener and her 6 yr. old brother both like this game. We have a few fun alphabet (board-type) games to make learning fun. This is one they really enjoyed. It is a Cranium game and retails around $9.99 however just before Christmas I bought this at Wal-Mart for only $5.00.

It is really cute.

The fishing pole is magnetic and the child takes turns and "fishes" in the lake. The not-used letters go in to the letter pond and those needed go onto the word card.
My students who are currently learning letter sounds and also to read both enjoy this fun game. We then spelled the word for my daughter to review letters, then sounded it out for my son then said the word together! It's a FUN, cool way to learn! :)

Check out the game here for more info.

After-Christmas Deals!

The other day I stopped in at Target. This is a department store I don't normally shop at but needed to wait a little to meet my husband. I thought I'd get the granola bars/bites my kids and I enjoy since I was pretty sure they sold them there. While there, I also thought I'd check the Christmas clearance and boy was I happily surprised. What was left was marked 90% off. WOW!

I also got some good things at K-mart and Wal-mart but nothing compares to the price reductions at Target.

Here is what I got there:

The picture above shows everything including the granola boxes.

Below: Cowboy nutcracker & The 4 packs of Glittery Christmas Balls (10 cents a pack)

THe brown paper gift tags are neat (shown below) these were 30 cents and can be used year-round! Also pictured are most of the ornaments we found!

THis ice skate ornament was normally $4.00 and he pool table one was $7.00 and yes I got them for 40 cents and 70 cents! :)
Tool/Handyman reindeer ornaments will be gifts next year added to packages and the soccer dalmation is perfect for my soccer-playing crew!
These tree plates and green bowls were normally $4.00 a piece. I got stacks with them 40 cents a piece. The bowls will be used year-round and such fun for a St. Patricks day green meal, too!
So.. Here is my reciept. I spent a total of $37.74 ($10 of that was the granola treats) and I saved $205.65!!!

I am a bargain shopper and love getting things I wouldn't normally buy because of their high prices for such good deals.

If you like deals, you migh tlike to check out the following sites:

First is Hip2Save. This site posts many new things each day. I usually can find something good, a great coupon or wondeful deal. Before the holidays I bought a Food Saver (vacuum bag sealer) The set I sold on their site for $79.99 normally. I got it for $24.00 shipped. I love it. The same set sells at Wal-Mart for $90. This product will continue to save money as I but larger quatities and can repackage and freeze without it getting freezer-burnt, etc.

Then a friend from highschool just started a site called The Frugal Flamingo where she shares for savings at food stores, etc.

Happy Saving! :)

This moment

This Moment in Time: January 2010:

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, check out the meme at Soule Mama