Fun-Filled Friday

Thanks to Revka for this week's links.

Hot Dog Train - Creative Alternative for Your Toddler - What a neat idea for getting your kids to eat things they wouldn't normally eat. My kids won't eat carrots, so I would use carrots for the wheels of the train. If your kids won't eat pineapple, then you could try using pineapple instead of cheese between the cars. Cute!

Rock Candy Recipe - Of course, this is a recipe for rock candy. I would have never dreamed you could make it this way. I've made rock candy once before, but it was a time consuming task of boiling stuff and using a candy thermometer. This way looks much easier!

Home Made Finger Paint Recipe - We're at Busy Mom's site again for a finger paint recipe. Easy and thrifty . . . two of my favorite things!

Ideas for Family Game Nights - FamilyEducation.com - Perfect for family fun night or a way to break a day of boredom. Be sure to bookmark this for those cold, wintery days.

Coupons and Free Stuff

Get a free subscription to Preemie Magazine here. They also have an online forum for parents of preemies. Thanks to BabyCheapskate for the tip.

Looking for coupons? Check out my post today at Balance in Diet.

Profile Updated

I updated my blogger profile today. Thought you might want to take a look. :)

Today's Links

I found some things today that I thought you might be able to use. Enjoy! :)

Berenstein Bear Sites - games, story time, and more

7 Free Homework Help Sites - use this for an older child or pass it on to a friend

We Have a Cat

Yesterday afternoon the kids were driving me nuts. I think they were just a mess from being separated while Alligator was at her first day of school. By 7 pm I'd had enough and was ready for a break from the kids (which I haven't had in weeks).

I talked the hubby into watching them while I went out. It was nice. I went to the library to get some new movies for me and the kids, to CVS to see if they had any good deals (didn't find any), and then to Target to return some things.

While I was in Target the hubby calls and wants me to pick up some cat things. What? Hubby took the kids for a walk and found a stray kitten at the church down the road. He said that the cat was friendly with our kids and that they played together nicely in the parking lot. Then when it was time to leave, he told the kids not to talk to the cat or to turn around and look at it. The kitten followed them home.

When I got home with the flea shampoo, cat food, and litter, the cat was locked in the bathroom to avoid spreading fleas. We gave the cat a good long bath and picked about 50 fleas off of her(?). She stayed in the bathroom last night to ensure that she gets used to the litter box.

Now I have to go out and spend some more money on the cat. We used a box top last night for the litter pan, so we need a litter box. That'll probably cost me $22-25. And we need some toys because it's a kitten and she's trying to scratch everyone. Geez. I can see the dollars signs.

Oh well . . . more later on the whole situation.

Big Day Tomorrow!

Alligator starts preschool tomorrow. She's been in half-day programs before. Most of the time she has been in preschool where I've been teaching. There were a few months after Cuddlebug was born where she went to a program by herself, just a few days a week. This only lasted a few months because we moved.

This is a big step. I can't believe she'll be in a full-day program. This is a program that is offered through the public schools. I've heard lots of good stuff about this program. We went by to visit her school last week. They had so many manipulatives and great learning toys. There was a nice kid-friendly computer too that Alligator is excited about. She told me that tomorrow she's going to play Mr. Potato Head and the computer.

My little girl is growing up. Part of me questions if this is right. I know that it is and I know that it will be good for her (and me!). I guess there's just a part of me that wants to hold on to her for a little while longer.

Fun-Filled Friday

Welcome to my first Fun-Filled Friday. Revka started these a while back and I'm going to try to keep it going.

Sorry this is a little late. The day has slipped away from me. Revka and her hubby stopped by today. They were in the area visiting. It was a treat to see her again. Then I started working on my Thrifty Mommy Frugal Friday post. It took a lot longer than I expected, but it was worth it. Next, I had to get the family ready for a birthday party. We had to travel about 45 minutes to get there. We just got home about 30 minutes ago (it is now 12:35 am Saturday morning). I'm going to make this quick because I'm tired!

1. Crayola gives us free Disney Princess and Pirates of the Carribean coloring pages.


2. Also, go to the Crayola homepage. I was just surfing around and found out there are more coloring pages and you can color online. There are also crafts and games.


3. I don't know about you, but I've had a hard time locating the videos on the Nick Jr and Noggin websites. It seems everytime I go to the site I have to click around to find something for my daughter. This week I decided to start bookmarking the things I find. This week I found some Move to the Music videos.


4. Lego offers free coloring pages to download.

Well, that's it for this Friday's fun links. Those should keep you and your child busy for a few hours. Please send me any fun links that you find. :)

Play Statetris

I know this blog is geared towards preschoolers, but I my husband sent me this link and I couldn't help but share it with you. The game is Statetris and basically the states fall from the top (like blocks would with Tetris) and you place them in the correct spot. You can also play Africa, Europe, France, and more.

Joyful Heart Tunes

Looking for a way to help your little one memorize scripture? Then try Hubbard's Cupboard Joyful Heart Tunes Scripture Memory for Kids. Each Bible verse has been aligned to a familiar children's song to make it easy for kids to learn the songs and scripture. One of my preschooler's favorites is I John 4:19 to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?".

We love, We love,
because, because
He first loved us
He first loved us
I John 4:19, I John 4:19

Do You Buy Souvenirs?

Last week, I took my children to the NC Aquarium and then to Emerald Isle. I did not buy them any souvenirs. They didn't even think to ask for anything. So, I am wondering . . . am I the only one that doesn't buy their kids souvenirs? Check out my post at Thrifty Mommy. You can vote in the poll or leave your comment there. Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you.

I'm Back!

I'm back and I'm exhausted. Monday the kids and I headed out to see my parents. It takes about 4 1/2 to 5 hours to get there. It's no fun traveling with the kids and no other adult. Oh well.

I'll just warn you . . . Mapquest is not the most reliable source for directions. I have gotten incorrect directions several times this year. I wanted to stop along the way to see my aunts and cousins. It adds another hour to our trip, but we haven't been there in a while and it would give the kids a break to get out of the car. The directions from Mapquest took me an hour out of the way. I was so mad! As if traveling with kids wasn't hard enough.

While I was visiting my parents, we went to the aquarium and the beach. The kids had a really good time. My parents and I enjoyed watching the kid's reactions to seeing and experiencing new things.

Unfortunately, this morning we had some troubles with a burgular. You can read about it here.

Well, it's midnight, so I'm going to bed now. Sorry for my absence last week. I hope to get back on track now.

Have a great week!

It's Me Again - edited 8/17/07

I bet you thought that you had heard the last from me. *smile*

Actually, I met Karen in real life for the first time today. She is at her parents' home for about a week. They happen to live about 45 minutes from us, so the girls and I traveled down that way today. While we were visiting, we found out that her father's computer has a very strict firewall set up, so she cannot log in to Little Fun. Karen asked me to let you know that she will return to regular posting today - oops! that was supposed to say "next week"!

It was so nice to meet Karen. She is the same in person as she is on her blogs or on the telephone, and our kids really enjoyed playing together. Karen's father took the kids for a ride in the wagon that attaches to the back of his riding lawn mower, which I thought I would mention in case any of you have that capability but just hadn't thought of the idea. Also, hayride season will be upon us shortly. I'm going to plan to take my girls on a hay ride. I know they would enjoy it.

Have a great weekend. Karen will be back in no time.

Quote for Today

I came across this quote today at Summer's Nook and loved it.

“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” -Milton Berle

Bunny Fingerplay and Song

Unfortunately, I have overwhelmed myself this weekend with far too many tasks to accomplish. I am having a party tomorrow for my husband's birthday, leaving to visit my parents (need to get this in before preschool starts), and hosting a blog carnival at Balance in Diet. I should have known this would happen. Every time I volunteer to host a blog carnival, my life ends up being crazy busy. Oh well . . . Here are some things we did during our visit to the library this week. Hope you enjoy them.

Funny Bunny Hop

Funny little bunny goes hop, hop, hop!

Funny little bunny, please stop, stop, stop!

Wiggle your ears and crinkle your nose.

Then wiggle, wiggle, wiggle right down to your toes.

Make up your own movements.

Five Little Bunnies Jumping on the Bed

Five little bunnies jumping on the bed, one fell off and hurt his little head.

Momma called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more bunnies jumping on the bed!"

Continue with rhyme until "no more bunnies jumping on the bed".

And So I Take My Leave

As Karen mentioned, I have passed Little Fun; Little Learning on to her. I am excited to see what she will do with this blog, and I wholeheartedly believe that she has great ideas and can make this a wonderful and informative place for us parents of "littles." I have certainly enjoyed the time I have put into Little Fun, and I will miss it.

Why then am I giving it up? Between my other blogs, my church activities, normal home life, and preparing to homeschool my girls this fall, I was not able to give my best to any of my responsibilities, and Mr. Incredible and I decided this was the best place for me to cut back. Thank you, guys, for all the good times. You are a great bunch, and I will miss interacting with you. I'll be dropping by to read Karen's posts and to comment as I feel the urge. You can still visit me over at The Porch Light, my personal blog. Take care, and remember to enjoy your child.

Here's the Scoop

Well folks, Revka promised changes and here they are. You'll be seeing a lot of me around here and a bit less of Revka. Revka has done a super job getting this site started and getting preschool information out to you, but now she has a lot going on. The over achiever that she is, she is trying to do too much. She has turned the reigns over to me. Revka and I met on the internet and over the past 9 months or so a beautiful friendship has developed.

So, you may be wondering who I am. Some of you may have noticed some guest posts on here from Karen. That's me. The work I'm most commonly known for is Thrifty Mommy. I'm also a teacher. I have taught preschool through 8th grade, although I prefer working with children in pre-k and elementary school. The last few years I have gone between working part-time in preschools and working at home. Right now, I am working at home. I have two children. Alligator (girl) is 4 and Cuddlebug (boy) is 2.

I hope to bring you thematic and seasonal ideas, songs, fingerplays, and different fun preschool learning activities. Let me know if there is something specific you're looking for. I am looking forward to meeting you all. :)

Karen

Fun-filled Friday

clip art courtesy of fotosearch.com

Boy, time sure has flown! It's hard to believe that it's already time for me to once again share five fun links.

1. While not technically a fun link, Parent Wonder's article, 101 Child Safety and Childproofing Tips for Parents, offers ideas that will help you avoid exposing your child to unnecessary risks which may threaten your ability to continue having fun with your child.
2. If your child is like mine, you have lost a couple (or more) photos to scribbles. Why not turn your photos into coloring pages for your child to color to his heart's content? (Hat tip: Busy Mom Online)
3. Is your child slowly but surely driving your over the edge? Adventures in Motherhood tells us how to achieve Stay at home sanity: 15 ways to have fun with your little ones.
4. Can work be fun? Frank of The New Parent thinks so and discusses play & work: the idea that "littles" often see work as play - until we adults educate them differently. I think it's time for me to learn from my children and find the fun in work.
   
5. Forget that old rule and encourage your child to have some fun with his food! Holly of Seeking Faithfulness shows her family's veggie creativity. Aren't you inspired?

That is a wrap for this week's edition of Fun-Filled Friday. Until next week, remember to take time to enjoy your children.