Oh, Baby!

The Grouchy Ladybug

2010-07-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today was just one of those days for my four year old. Noah had no nap yesterday, went to bed late, and awoke early this morning. Although he tried to play and I tried to entertain him, he was just crabby and nothing could appease him. Yes, the grumpy bug had definitely bit him today!

So,the three boys and I headed to the library, as Thursday is "Library Day". That seemed to help a little, as Noah and the other two boys love to play with the toys, select books and movies, and pick up their weekly prize for the summer reading program.

My nephew and I went straight to the Eric Carle books, his favorite author! Lo and behold, we stumble across Carle's THE GROUCHY LADYBUG! What a perfect book for Noah today!

After lunch, the grouchies were getting worse and worse. So, I gathered the boys together in the playroom and we read THE GROUCHY LADYBUG! A classic, this entertaining story showcases Carle's distinct illustrations and weaves a tale of a ladybug who- you guessed it- is grouchy! The story features flip pages just like in THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, and is great for introducing young children to the concept of telling time.

By the end of the story, Noah was giggling, asking me what aphids are, and telling me that the ladybug learned a lesson about not being rude and grouchy. Hopefully, Noah did as well!

Loved by children, parents, and teachers, this picture book features a "circle story" technique (story begins and ends the same way), fosters a discussion on polite behavior and how we treat others, includes a variety of animals, reinforces the concept of smaller and larger, introduces and reinforces telling time, and uses some predictable text for shared reading.

Have you been bitten by the grouchy bug today? No matter what your mood, this timeless story will delight the young and old!

Enjoy!

Resurrection Cookies An Easter Lesson and Snack!

2010-03-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

With Easter fast approaching, I am preparing to make Resurrection cookies with my boys. I first ran across this recipe a few years back ( I cannot remember where and do not know to whom to give credit!) and made them for years with my oldest child. Made the night before Easter, they are a fun, yet powerful way to teach children the true meaning of Easter. A week or two before Easter, I use Family Life Today's Resurrection Eggs and read various picture books to tell the Easter story, and then we make the Resurrection cookies as a culminating activity and devotional time for the family.

Ingredients:
*(1) cup whole pecans
*(3) egg whites
*(1) cup sugar
*(1) tsp vinegar
* pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Procedure:
1. Place pecans in zip lock baggie and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to crush into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he has beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19 1-3

2. Let children smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19: 28-30

3. Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste the salt and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

5. Add one cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus dies because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by tsp onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet.

8. Explain that each mound of dough represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66

9. Put cookie sheet in oven. Close the door and turn OFF the oven. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27: 65-66

10. GO TO BED! Explain to children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter/Resurrection day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28: 1-9

May your family enjoy this thoughtful and unique Easter devotion.

Rejoice! He is risen!

As always, thanks for reading and take good care!

Homemade Cloth Diaper Wipe Solutions

2010-02-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

Homemade Diaper Wipe Solution for Cloth Diaper Wipes

Last year, I published a few "recipes" for making your own disposable diaper wipes from paper towels and a mild solution you make yourself. Not only is it very economical, but you have complete control over any chemicals that touch your baby's skin. The same basic solution can also be used for moms who use cloth diaper wipes.

Cloth diaper wipes are budget-savers because they can be reused ( simply place in washing machine and tumble dry). They can also double as wash cloths! I bought a large supply of handmade cloth diaper wipes to use as accessories in my diaper cakes and to use as wash cloths for my toddlers/preschoolers.

I am now selling my extra cloth diaper wipes in my ebay store Whether you use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, cloth diaper wipes are an eco-friendly choice and are also very versatile. You can use them as wash cloths, as burp cloths for newborns, as napkins for toddlers, or as tissues. The possibilties are endless!

Here is a basic "recipe" I used when I was making my own disposable diaper wipes from paper towels. This same recipe can be made in a spray bottle and used on cloth diaper wipes. Simply keep the spray bottle in your diaper bag, on the changing table, or wherever your diapers are stored. Lightly spray the cloth diaper wipe before cleaning baby!

Homemade Diaper Wipe Solution
*Two cups of warm water ( or distilled water)
*Two teaspoons of baby shampoo
*Two teaspoons of baby oil
*Two teaspoons of baby lotion ( (optional for those that like a mild scent).

Mix together and place in spray bottle. Or, you can mix the solution in a wipes container and place the cloth wipes in the box.

Some moms just use plain water in the spray bottle to clean baby at diaper changes!

There are many recipes on the internet for homemade wipes' solution. Some use tea tree oil and other oils to add a hint of fragrance. In any case, most recipes are very easy to make and will save you money! You can also do as I did and concoct your own recipe!

As always, take good care, and thanks for reading!

Christian Valentine's Day Ideas for Kids!

2010-02-09T05:48:00.001-08:00

God’s Valentine Gift

God’s Valentine gift of love to us
Was not a bunch of flowers;
It wasn’t candy, or a book
To while away the hours.
His gift was to become a man,
So He could freely give
His sacrificial love for us,
So you and I could live.
He gave us sweet salvation, and
Instruction, good and true--
To love our friends and enemies
And love our Savior, too.
So as we give our Valentines,
Let’s thank our Lord and King;
The reason we have love to give
Is that He gave everything.

By Joanna Fuchs

*******************************************************************************

With Valentine's Day approaching, it is a perfect time to stop and reflect on the amazing love we have received from God and to share that message with our children! For Christians, Valentine's Day is more than Valentine cards, chocolates, roses, and parties. It is a time for us to celebrate the One who loved us first and who taught us what love is and how to love!

I have included a few Valentine's Day ideas to get you started in celebrating with your pre-school and early elementary children. May it inspire you as you plan your celebrations with your children and/or students!

*Valentine's Day Crafts

**Christian book marks

** A Variety of Crafts

**Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

*Valentine's Day DVD and Books!- All available at http://www.christianbook.com

**Silly Little Thing Called Love, DVD Veggie tales- Join the Veggies for a heartfelt celebration! This fun-filled collection features three classics about loving your neighbor, family, and God: The Story of Flibber-O-Loo, Duke and the Great Pie War, and Madame Blueberry; four music selections, including "The Bunny Song" and "The Cheeseburger Song"; plus the Veggie kids (voiced by real children) sharing their perspective on love. 80 minutes.

**My Valentine for Jesus by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton (book)

**God's Love is Amazing Book by Christian Tools Affirmation

**Let's Show God's Love on Valentine's Day by Greg Holder

Enjoy! As always, thanks for reading and take good care!

Diaper Cakes for Baby's Birthday!

2010-01-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

Looking for an affordable, unique, and practical gift for baby's first or second birthday? Diaper cakes for baby's birthday offer more than just diapers! Yes, mom will appreciate the diapers, but baby will love the toys and decorations used to decorate and accessorize the cake!

My birthday diaper cakes feature Pampers Baby Dry or Cruiser's diapers in the size that you request. Based on a specified theme, I search for fun, whimsical, and practical items to adorn the cake. The two cakes above were made in a Winnie the Pooh theme. The first cake was made for twins to celebrate their first birthday! The second cake was made for a 2 year old's birthday.

Some of the items I use to decorate the birthday cakes are:
*Plush animals
*Small toys
*Clothing items- bibs, onesies, socks, hats, outfits
*Birthday candles (both the above pictured cakes feature a Disney character candle)
*Sippy cups/squeeze bottles
*Hand painted plaques with baby's name
*Bath toys, soaps, and lotions

I have made diaper cakes for baby's birthday in the following themes: Princess, Prince, Zebra Print, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Curious George.

If you would like to order a custom made cake, just send me a message via my website The Diaper Chef Just click on the "contact us" link and I will be in touch with you!

As always, take good care and thanks for reading!

What's For Lunch? English Muffin Pizzas!

2010-01-09T12:52:00.001-08:00

Are you looking for a fun lunch recipe that you can make with kids from young toddlers to teens? Try English Muffin pizzas! Although these are not new ( my own mother made these with me 30+ years ago!), they are definitely unique, affordable, fun, and most importantly yummy!

Recipe for English Muffin Pizzas

Ingredients:
*Package of your favorite brand of plain English Muffins
*Small jar of pizza sauce
*Pizza toppings such as mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, ham, sausage, etc

Procedure
1. Spoon pizza sauce evenly onto English Muffin
2. Sprinkle cheese on top
3. Add pizza toppings of your choice
4. Place on a broiler pan and broil on low for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted

Kids love to make and create their very own pizza! I made these the other day with three children ages 6, 3, and 4 years old. They loved it! Serve with raw veggies or fruit and you have a delicious and nutritious lunch!

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading, and take good care!

1 Corinthians 13 CHRISTmas Version

2009-12-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 13
CHRISTmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals ,and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home ,and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

But giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry CHRISTmas!

-Author unknown

Merry Christmas from My Three Sons Marketplace and The Diaper Chef!

2009-11-30T13:47:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas from My Three Sons Marketplace and The Diaper Chef

With much appreciation to all my customers! It has been an honor to serve you this past year! I pray you have a blessed holiday season and a healthy New Year!

Black Friday Cyber Monday Sale! Gifts for Babies and Children!

2009-11-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

That's right... let the shopping begin! Visit us at My Three Sons Marketplace Thanksgiving Day until Tuesday, 12/1/09 for our holiday SALE!

Use coupon code holidays to receive a 15% discount on ALL items- diaper cakes, clothing, afghans, Santa Claus letters, and more! Discount applies to all items- even ones on sale!

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Shopping!

Diaper Cake Give-Away! Enter For Your Chance to Win a Beautiful Diaper Cake!

2009-11-09T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Diaper Chef is hosting our first ever diaper cake give-away! You may enter to win a beautiful stork "special delivery" two tier diaper cake. The exact cake that you will receive is pictured above.

This gorgeous cake features the following:

Delicate 2 tier diaper cake featuring over 35 Pampers Swaddlers diapers size 1-2. Layers decorated with soft pink and yellow ribbons. Cake topper is a large plush white stork carrying a bag with Special Delivery embroidered. Stork accented with pale pink and yellow.

Includes Johnson and Johnson baby powder, lotion, baby wash, and shampoo

2 cloth diaper wipes/wash cloths

Pink handmade glycerin soap with white stork design on front

All items are brand new and completely usable

16 inches tall; width 11 inches

A stunning baby shower centerpiece or new baby gift.

Served on a Wilton cake round, wrapped in tulle, and includes gift tag and ingredient list

Blue ribbons may be substituted for the pink for a baby boy. All yellow ribbons can be used for a neutral cake.

A $50 value!

How Do I Enter?
**Choose ONE of the Following:
*Post a comment here with your email address
*Send an email to me with your email address at mythreesonsmarketplace@comcast.net

The Details
*You must submit a valid email address.
*Give-Away open to residents of the continental United States only. Your diaper cake will be shipped via USPS Parcel Post Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation.
*Winner will be randomly selected on December 1, 2009.
*Winner will be contacted the evening of 12/01/09 via email. You have (3) days to respond to your winning email notification to claim your prize and submit your shipping address with a valid continental/mainland U.S. address.
*In the case that winner does not respond to me within (3) days, a second name will be randomly selected.

This is a fun contest and your chance to win a high quality, unique diaper cake! No purchase necessary!

Enter your name today!!

As always, thanks for reading and take good care!

Remembering the Customer in Customer Service

2009-10-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

For sometime now, I have been contemplating the subject of customer service and what it means to me as both a buyer and as an e-commerce seller. This will be a two-part series on the subject of customer service. I invite you to please add your own insights and advice in the comments section

Section One: Customer Service From a Buyer's Perspective

I purchase many items on the internet, probably more so than in my local brick and mortar stores (with the exception of groceries). I worked retail in high school and college and learned a little about how to treat customers and the ubiquitious cliche "the customer is always right". In addition, my parents instilled in me "The Golden Rule"- treat others as you would want to be treated. As in all areas of my life, I have high expectations both for myself and for others. Buying on-line is no exception, especially since I am a seller myself.

That being said, the seller, no matter where he/she sells, has an obligaton to offer professional and reliable customer service in addition to an outstanding product. In these tough economic times where the competition is fierce, it is imperative that sellers offer a pleasant and timely service for their clients. Waiting one or two months or more for an item to arrive with no direct communication is unacceptable in my opinion. The only exception would be if notice was given at the time of purchase or shortly thereafter that there would be a delay.

Not telling the truth to a client about the quality of an item, shipping time, etc. is also unexcusable. It diminishes any chance of a trusting relationship bewteen the client and seller and almost always ensures that the client will not be a repeat customer.

Whether I am purchasing from a small seller like myself or from a mega, well-known business, I expect my item to arrive in a timely manner, receive communication if there will be a delay, and get my money's worth.

Yes, sadly, I have had some diappointing transactions lately. I don't expect overnight delivery, free gifts, or beautifully wrapped packaging. Having to wait one or more months for an item to arrive sends the message that the customer isn't important and that the seller is irresponsible. Promising a cusomer that the item is on its way or that it will be completed ASAP and then not following through, is not a best practice for business owners.

Am I disappointed? Yes! Will I shop with these businesses again or give a referral? No. I will not point fingers or broadcast names of businesses, whether they be small or large coporations, that I have had difficulty with. I simply will not purchase from them again. I will move on in a professional way.

Offering stellar customer service can be a challenge and is not always easy. Sellers and business owners lead hectic lives and have family responsibilities, just like the rest of us. Sometimes genuine emergencies and crises arise.

Remembering to offer customers and clients a pleasant and memorable experience is just as important ( in my opinion) as the product/item itself that is being sold.

That's all for now. Look for part two- from a seller's perspective- coming soon.

As always, thanks for reading and take good care!

Good Night Moon- A Mom's Reflection

2009-10-11T16:00:00.001-07:00

I have waited all weekend for a few quiet moments to write a new blog post. My topic was one that's important to me both as a seller and as a buyer. One of my goals this weekend was to finish the Good Night Moon diaper cake (see in picture above) and get it listed in my Bonanzle booth.

As I was working on this cake I became very sentimental. My thoughts turned to when my oldest son (now 16 years old) was a newborn. A colleague had given me this classic bedtime book as a new baby gift. As with all my children, I read to them as newborns to foster a love for reading. As my firstborn child grew, he requested that I read this beloved book every night. We would snuggle on the couch or on his toddler bed when he got older and together read and say good night. It was a soothing, loving time when we not only enjoyed the story and vivid illustrations, but also reflected on our day and said good night to everything that was in the room.

I cherish these memories... and I am delighted that I now have two other children (2 and 3 years old) that I can share this soothing story with at bedtime. Reading this book sixteen years later reminds me of how fleeting infancy and childhood really is.

My inspiration for my diaper cake designs is often very personal, coming from my own experiences as a mother of three boys. Including books in my cakes is something I have done from the start, for promoting literacy is very close to my heart.

I say good night to you, my dear readers. Thank you for reading and take good care!

P.S. Oh, what was my original blog topic going to be? Stay tuned for an insightful look at customer service!

How to Help Your Child With Spelling

2009-10-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

Now that school is in full swing, the weekly spelling tests have begun! Does your child struggle with spelling? Need a few creative tips on how to practice and prepare for the Friday spelling tests? Or, are you looking for fun ways to help your child learn their sight words?

After teaching reading and language arts for 20 years and after helping my own children with spelling, I have learned that like anything else, making learning fun is the key! It also helps to know your child's learning style; that is, are they primarily a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner?

Fun Ways to Practice Spelling Words

*Invest in a white board and marker. These can be purchased at your local office supply store or discount store for a reasonable cost. Kids like to practice writing their words on the white board. Dictate a word and have the child write the word and show you. If it is not correct, gently guide them to try again. Say, "You are missing one letter, do you know which one?" Or, say, "You have two letters that are not in the right order. Can you fix it?" Encourage kids to pronounce the word and stretch out the sounds like a rubber band. This will help them to hear all sounds in a word.

*Give a pretest early in the week to see which words are difficult for the child. Play a game of tic tac toe using two of the tricky words. Make a tic tac toe grid on plain paper or on the white board. Play against your child using the words instead of x's and o's. Three in a row wins! After the first game, switch words.

*Purchase magnetic letters (the plastic ones for the fridge are great and very inexpensive). Have your child practice forming the words with the letters by placing them on a cookie sheet so they stick.

*Trace the words in paint, sand, shaving cream, or pudding! Use a disposable aluminum cookie sheet to alleviate too much of a mess!

*Visit this website for fun, interactive spelling and word games!

*Make flash cards with index cards. Have kids write the word in marker on one side and draw a picture that relates to the word on the other side. Kids can quiz themselves by looking at the picture and spelling the word aloud or writing the word on a piece of scratch paper. Have them check for accuracy by looking at the other side of the card.

*Have the child use a highlighter to mark the tricky parts of a word. For example, if the beginning /sl/ blend in the word slide is the error, have them highlight the /sl/.

These are just a few suggestions to make spelling fun and to help your child be more successful!

As always, thanks for reading and take good care!

Diaper Cakes for Baby's Baptism Christening Baby Dedication

2009-09-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

Diaper cakes not only make unique and practical gifts for baby showers and for the new baby, but they can be used for other joyous occasions as well. I make diaper cakes for baby's first birthday, second birthday, and for baptisms, christenings, and baby dedications.

My newest cake creation is a Precious Moments diaper cake done in pink and other pastel colors. This delicate and elegant cake features a Precious Moments prayer book for baby, Precious Moments baby bottle, and a handmade burp cloth done in a Precious Moments design. This cake is only available in my Bonanzle Booth

Diaper cakes make an unusual, beautiful, and practical gift for baby's baptism, christening, or baby dedication. Filled with useful and keepsake items, this gift will be memorable!

My next design will be a baptism diaper cake for baby boy featuring a porcelain cross, baby Bible, and more!

If you would like to have a custom designed diaper cake for any occasion, please visit me at my website or at my BonanzleBooth, or you may send me an email at mythreesonsmarketplace@comcast.net

A good percentage of my local and ecommerce business is creating custom designed diaper cakes. I enjoy creating a design just for my client and also enjoy the challenge of searching for unique and beautiful handmade items to embellish the cakes.

Take good care and thanks for reading!

Affordable Diaper Cakes for All Occasions- What's New?

2009-09-23T16:04:00.001-07:00

Here at The Diaper Chef, I have been very busy with custom-made and in-stock diaper cakes! I thought I'd take a few minutes to let you know what is new!

* My newly designed website The Diaper Chef is stocked with a small selection of cakes. We have received a complete make-over, thanks to my very beloved web designer at WAHM Design Services
* I have completely sold out of my Cat in the Hat diaper cakes, but do not fear! The cat will be back. I have ordered some very cool and unique Cat in the Hat items and will start making new Dr Seuss themed cakes very soon! Look for them to be listed on my sites in a week or two!
*Other themed cakes that will be added are: Precious Moments, Baptism/Christening, Elmo, and more!

You can see my complete collection of in-stock cakes in my Bonanzle Booth

My booth, My Three Sons Marketplace carries an elegant and affordable collection of diaper cakes, towel cakes for bridal showers, birthdays, and hostess gifts, as well as hand-knitted afghans, personalized children's books, and baby and children's clothing.

Browse both our locations for your next baby gift! Don't see what you are looking for? Contact me and I will custom design a diaper or towel cake for you!

You can contact me by email at mythreesonsmarketplace@comcast.net

That's all for now... take good care and thanks for reading!

Are You An Eagle or A Duck?

2009-09-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from: The Simple Truths of Service
by Ken Blanchard and Barbara Glanz

Great Service is a Choice
No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice. Years ago, my friend, Harvey Mackay, told me a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey. He handed my friend a laminated card and said:

"I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk, I'd like you to read my mission statement."

Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said:

Wally's Mission Statement:

To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment

This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf."

My friend said jokingly, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink."

Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice."

Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke"

Handing him his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustratedand USA Today."

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio."

As if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of the day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights, or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

"Tell me, Wally," my amazed friend asked the driver, "have you always served customers like this?"

Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

"That hit me right between the eyes," said Wally. "Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more."

"I take it this has paid off for you," Harvey said.

"It sure had," Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action."

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all th reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.

Johnny the Bagger and Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. They decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles. How about you?

Tips and Tricks for Early Readers

2009-09-11T10:26:00.001-07:00

Kids have returned to school, fall is in the air, and your little reader probably is expected to practice reading each evening. Do you have a kindergarten or first grade student that is experiencing difficulty with reading? Do you have a child who is having problems learning the alphabet and letter sounds?

As a mother of three and as a reading specialist, I have some tips and tricks to help you and your child. These tips and tricks are geared more for early, emergent readers, but can be adapted to use with older kids as well.

Reading at home is crucial for emergent and early readers. Toddlers and preschoolers should be read to everyday to aid in their literacy development. Older kids, those in kindergarten and first grade, should be reading at home for 10-15 minutes a day to practice skills and strategies.

For those preschoolers and kindergarten kids who are struggling with letter recognition and sounds, I recommend these two pictures books:
1. CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
2. K IS FOR KISSING A COOL KANGAROO by Giles Andreae

A Few Ideas for Early Readers

*Read to children who haven't mastered the sight-sound relationship yet and who are not able to read the short, predictable, decodable books that the teacher sends home or that you select for your child.
*Read with your child to foster confidence. An example would be that you read together, in unison, or that you alternate reading pages.
*Read by your child. This means your child is reading by him/herself. For early readers in kindergarten or first grade, have them read the book aloud to you.
*Before reading, do a "picture" walk and have the child flip through the book, noticing print and the pictures. Have them predict what they think the book will about based on these clues.
*During reading, stop and ask questions to prompt for predicting ("I wonder what will happen next?")or ask children to locate a specific letter or a sight word to have them actively engaged in the reading.
*After reading, ask a few questions to have them think about the story such as "What was your favorite part?", "Does this remind you of something that has happened to you?". You can also ask children to give you a retelling of the story.

What About Tricky Words?
When children are reading a book at their "just right" level, they will not know every word. Be careful not to tell them the word if they get stuck, or correct them if they say the wrong word. Some things you can do if a child does not know a word is...
*Ask them to get their mouth ready to say the word. This means they look at the first letter and say the sound.
*Prompt the child to use picture clues to figure out the unknown word.
*Skip the word, read to the end of the page, and then return to the word and try again.
*Try to find a little word in the big word (find "oat" in the word "boat").
If the child does not read the correct word, say, "Does that sound right" "Does that make sense?". Try that word again.
*Of course, if a reader makes several attempts and becomes frustrated, then tell the child the word and move on. The goal should be to encourage the young reader to use a variety of strategies to say a word. Many will only try to sound out the word, which is not always reliable.

One last suggestion: Reading, even at the early level, is more than just saying and decoding words. Comprehension is critical and readers should be able to tell you a brief summary of the story, recall basic facts, and think about the story by making connections to them self and to other books.

More later... until then..... Happy Reading!

Why Don't You Grow Up? by Erma Bombeck

2009-08-30T05:22:00.000-07:00

This classic was recently sent to me by my mother. With my youngest two children being 3.5 years and 2.5 months ( only 14 months apart), some days are a hectic blur! LOL Reading this poem helps me to remember that raising children is just for a short season, one that I choose to cherish!

Why Don’t You Grow Up?
By Erma Bombeck

One of these days you’ll explode and shout, “Why don’t you grow up and act your age”
…and they will. OR:
“You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do and don’t slam the door!”
… and they don’t.
You’ll straighten up the boy’s bedroom neat and tidy, stickers discarded, bedspreads tucked neat and smooth, toys on the shelves. Hangers in the closet. Animals in their places. And you’ll say out loud, “Now I want it to stay that way and it will.
You’ll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that isn’t picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you’ll say, “Now there’s a meal for company.”
…and you’ll eat it alone.
You’ll say: “I want privacy on the phone, no fooling around. No demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear me?”
…and you’ll have it.
No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti sauce.
No more bedspreads to protect the sofa from wet bottoms.
No more gates to stumble over at the top of the stairs.
No more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent.
No more sand on the sheets or Popeye movies in the bathroom.
No more iron on patches wet knotted shoestrings, or rubber bands for ponytails.
Imagine. A lipstick with a point on it.
No baby sitter for New Year’s Eve.
Washing only once a week.
Having your teeth cleaned without a baby on your lap.
No PTA meetings.
No car pools.
No blaring radios.
No one washing her hair at 11 o’clock at night.
Having your own roll of Scotch tape.
Think about it. No more Christmas presents out of toothpicks and library paste.
No more sloppy oatmeal kisses.
No more tooth fairy.
No giggles in the dark.
No knees to heal. No responsibility.
Only a voice crying,” Why don’t you grow up?’ and the silence echoing, “I did.”

The WAHM: Stay Organized and Keep the Kids Entertained This Summer

2009-07-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Are you a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) with children home for the summer? Are you struggling with ways to keep your children occupied, spend time with them, and keep your business running? As a mother of small children and a teenager, my toddlers are home with me all year-round. However, summer presents a unique challenge because I want to be outdoors more spending time with my boys at the pool, park, and playing. Of course, I also want to stay organized and manage my small home business. What is a mother to do?

The trick is to create a balance that works for your family and for your business. On-line sales often slump in the summer, so keeping on top of your marketing is crucial. If you are in the retail business like me, you also have the task of preparing for back-to-school sales and holiday shopping. Many of these ideas are just plain common sense and are what has worked for me. Hopefully they will help you too, inspire you, and allow you to make the most of the summer!

For Your Work-at-Home Business

*Consider altering your office hours for the summer. Shorten your work day or work week to allow for more flexible, spontaneous time spent with the kids. Whether you only work until noon, or take a day off per week, shortening your hours will allow you to spend more time with your children.

*Keep a master calendar with all your family appointments, activities, etc in your office. Use this calendar to also record your business appointments, deadlines, special promotions, etc. This helps me to work around my family's busy schedule during the summer.

*I use a white board to make lists of daily business tasks that need to be accomplished. I will also jot down ideas, goals, and future projects. This works a lot better for me than Post-It notes that are easy to lose! Setting a few, manageable goals for each day helps me to work efficiently.

*Be creative and flexible with how you structure your day. I try to check e-mails and take care of smaller tasks in the early morning before the kids awake. It is worth it to me to get up a little earlier than the kids to get a few smaller, menial jobs accomplished. I save the bigger projects for when the children are napping or after they go to bed so I have a block of uninterrupted time.
Develop routines for cleaning, organizing, filing, etc. and stick to it! This way big projects don't pile up!

Make the Most of the Time With Your Kids

*I create a chore chart for the older kids for each day of the week. Yes, kids need to do chores in the summer! By referring to the chart, children will know what is expected and eventually after you set up the routines and teach them, this can be placed on auto-pilot with minimal supervision from mom! I also create rewards and incentives for kids to complete their chores and give lots of breaks to make it fun!

*There is no vacation from reading in the summer! I schedule time for reading to the toddlers throughout the day and at bedtime. For older, kids, insist on at least 15 minutes a day of independent reading time to keep their skills and strategies fresh. Allow kids to have a choice in what they read to make it fun!

*Speaking of reading, schedule a trip to the library. Our library day is on Wednesday's when there is story time for the toddlers. Older kids can participate in summer reading programs. We walk to the library, so this is a fun field trip for us!

*Scheduling a few field trips, even once or twice a week can help to keep keep kids entertained and motivated. Besides the library, I often take my boys to the park, to play dates, to the lake, to the pool, etc. I try to make sure that each week has a balance of work time for me and fun time with my kids. Moms need a break too!

*Limit TV time, which includes watching movies. Make sure kids have an alternative to TV to keep them occupied while you are working. Ideas can be scrap booking, playing outside, puzzles, reading, special crafts, etc. Some children and older kids need to be taught how to entertain themselves. Teaching them this skill is time well spent because this is a critical life skill. For the toddlers and preschoolers, I will help them structure their free-play by providing activities that they can do by themselves: legos, blocks, dress-up clothes, etc. I also rotate their toys bi-weekly. It's like Christmas when I get out a new tube of toys that they haven't seen in a few weeks!

*Plan your menus on a weekly basis to make grocery shopping easier and faster. You also will alleviate time wasted by trying to plan dinner “on the fly”.

*Don't forget to take a vacation, whether it is a vacation at home, or away. Give yourself time away from the computer, from your business, and your routines to have time to refresh and make memories with your family!

The WAHM Schedule Part 2

2009-07-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

In my previous post, I started sharing about the challenges of creating a work schedule when you are a WAHM. I'm hoping that you will leave your comments with your ideas and tips for creating an effective WAHM schedule.

My situation may be unique, at least it is when compared to my family and friends. I cannot at this time work from home full time. There are several reasons for this: first , I enjoy working as a reading specialist and love my new school; second, to totally devote myself to my home business would mean my baby sitter would have to stay all day to supervise my children, or they would have to attend daycare. I have chosen to fully dedicate myself to my children. I have the advantage of only having to teach in the mornings and am home by noon to have lunch and play with my children.

So, as I mentioned in the first post, I have to be very creative in how I manage my time for my business. My children are on what I call "flexible" schedules. They awake in the mornings around the same time, and nap in the afternoons. Some days that are down for nap at 1:00 p.m., other days it may be 3:00 p.m. That is why it is flexible! If we having fun at the pool, then we stay late.

All this being said, my business and my clients are very important to me. I am very appreciative and grateful to my clients, and I strive to give my all in the diaper cakes and other items I create and sell. I work early in the morning and will stay up late if needed to finish a cake and to prepare for shipping. I strive for friendly and interactive communication. Email messages and phone calls are always answered promptly- within minutes or hours. I work 7 days a week to make sure my clients receive a high-quality, professional product and dependable customer service.

Some Tricks and Tips for the WAHM

*Use a white board in your office to record the day's and/or week's goals. Having this clearly visible helps me to stay focused.
*At the end of the week, reflect on the completion of your goals and set new ones for the up-coming week.
*Set aside one day per week to clean and organize your office to prevent a messy environment.
*Don't have enough time to market and promote? This can be a challenge for me! I promote and market while the kids are sleeping. I also set aside 2 days per week to surf my favorite traffic exchanges while the kids are napping. On the other days, I may use this time to write classified ads, submit my url, etc.
*Set a timer for your tasks! I can't afford to surf traffic exchanges for hours on end (wish I could!). So, I will set a timer for 20 minutes. When time is up, I will move onto another task. Even with blogging, I set aside 20-30 minutes to write and post a blog. This help me to stay focused and use my time efficiently.

Hopefully, some of these ideas will inspire you to create your own WAHM schedule that helps you to manage your time and to work smarter, not harder!

The WAHM Schedule

2009-07-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

Many work-at-home moms (WAHM) struggle with how to create a productive and efficient work schedule. This is especially challenging for the mother of babies and young children. For me, my schedule has developed and evolved over the last few years when I ventured into e-commerce. When I returned to teaching part-time last fall, I had to get even more creative in designing a schedule that allowed me to take care of my children ( ages 16,3,2), complete my school work, and continue to manage my home business.

Now that it is summer and I am home full-time, I have had to tweak my schedule and routine yet again. For me, being flexible and embracing change help me to trouble-shoot and establish workable routines and schedules for my family and my business.

So, what has helped me to create a productive schedule? What is my schedule? I hope that some of these ideas and thoughts are helpful to you! Please leave your WAHM tips in the comments section!

*Putting my family first- This is my first priority- period. My oldest is almost 16 yrs old, but my youngest are 3 yrs and 2 yrs. My entire schedule revolves around my children. So, that means I work in small chunks of time. I get up early everyday around 5:30 to check e-mails, prepare packages for shipping, decorate diaper cakes, and to complete marketing and promoting of my websites. In the summer, as the children are playing, I may check messages, complete a new listing, respond to clients, complete housework, etc. After they are down for their naps, I promote and market again, design and decorate diaper cakes, and complete household chores. From 7 a.m.- 2 p.m., my main focus is interacting with the kids, running errands, going to the library, etc.

*Speaking of chores! I have one major goal for housework and one major goal for my business work. For example, today my focus was cleaning the kitchen. For my business, it was decorating a diaper cake and preparing for shipping. I had time left over, so I took tomorrow's goal of blogging and was able to complete it today! This works for me and prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. In the morning, all dishes must be washed, one load of laundry folded and another in the washer, beds made, and the playroom must be organized. I make sure to complete this before leaving the house or playing in the yard with the kids.

... to be continued ( I have a diaper cake to prepare for shipping!)

Bonanzle Bonanza Block Party! Shop, Save & WIN! July 12, 2009

2009-07-07T04:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome To The Bonanzle Bonanza Block Party Where You Shop, Save & WIN! ONLY ON JULY 12, 2009

www.bonanzle.com

You do not have to be registered to shop the great deals...so please take your time & take advantage of this great big on-line sale! PLUS get an entry for the prizes for every item you buy!!

Also Please Keep in mind that our merchants will be shopping too, so if they are not in their booths please leave any question you have through the contact seller option & they will get right back to you.

There is a list of merchants below that are offering special deals & discounts within their booth. We are bringing you the biggest & best sale you could possibly attend, PLUS you have the option of shopping it right from your home!There are 3 time slots that booths have registered for & each sale lasts for 3 hours. They are all conducted on Bonanzle's Time zone. Pacific Standard Time

The first is from 12:00pm pst 'til 3:00pm pst

(1:00mst, 2:00cst, 3:00est)

The second is from 2:00 pm pst 'til 5:00 pm pst

(3:00mst, 4:00cst, 5:00est)

The final time slot is from 4:00 pm pst 'til 7:00 pm pst.

(5:00mst, 6:00cst, 7:00est)

This will allow you a total of 7 hours to get to all the booths & purchase your goodies!

There will be PRIZES for the MOST ITEMS purchased & The Most Sales

1st place for the most items bought

2nd place for the most items bought

3rd place for the most items bought

1st place for the most items sold

2nd place for the most items sold

Please submit all purchases/sales with the link to the transaction through the contact button at

http://www.bonanzle.com/hughesteesandgifts

Please see here for a list of Bonanzle merchants participating in the sale

My booth, My Three Sons Marketplace will offer a 30% discount on all items on July 12 from 3-6 EST!

Thanks to Nicole for organizing and hosting this fun block party!

Christmas in July Sales at Bonanzle!

2009-07-02T04:09:00.001-07:00

Over eighty sellers are participating in Bonanzle's first Christmas in July SALE at Bonanzle! You will find Christmas and other items on sale for the entire month of July! Sales vary from discounts of 10% to 50%!! You can find a list of participating sellers here.

My booth, My Three Sons Marketplace
is celebrating with a 15% discount at checkout when you use coupon code HOHOHO.

I have a variety of items:
*Brand new with tags Christmas dresses for baby girl
*Personlalized letters from Sant Claus
*Personlaized mini-books for kids (GREAT stocking stuffers)
*Christmas books
*Baby's First Christmas Diaper Cakes

and more!

Shop early from these wonderful sellers during the month of July!!

Thank you to citychic and jamiro for organizing this fun and festive event!!

Merry Christmas in July to you!

It's Summer! Don't Take A Vacation from Reading!

2009-06-18T04:56:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here, and for many children, that means summer vacation! Days are spent having fun in the sun, but don't forget to read to your children, or if they are older, have them read. Research shows that children's reading skills can decline over the summer if they are not reading daily. As a reading specialist, I encourage families with children of all ages to keep their reading skills sharp by reading over the summer.

Today, I will focus on skills, strategies, and tips for preschool and early elementary children. Daily reading, even if it is only for 15 minutes a day can ensure that children do not lose the advancements they achieved during the school year.

Fun Activities for Young Readers

* For letter recognition:

There are numerous books to acquaint children with the alphabet. Two of my favorites are CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM by Bill martin, Jr. and John Archambault. The other is I SPY LITTLE LETTERS by Jean Marzollo. Preschool and kindergarten children will enjoy having these books read to them over and over!

Use foam letters in the bath, magnetic letters on the fridge, alphabet puzzles, mats, etc. Immerse children in fun ways to learn letters and to begin sound-symbol recognition. My own children were fond on the foam letters. At bath time, they would throw a handful of letters into the tub of bubbles. As they got into the tub and grabbed letters, I would say the letter name. They enjoyed placing them on the tub walls. I would spell simple words ( e.g., cat, their name, etc.). You can also reinforce color recognition this way since most of the letters come in a variety of bold colors.

Use shaving cream or pudding to practice writing letters. Simply place a small amount on a cookie sheet and make letters. This is great for tactile learners!! For preschoolers, take their hand and assist them in making letters, writing their name, etc.

Hand write letters on large pieces of paper. Have children use stickers, stamper markers, or Bingo stampers to make designs around the letters.

*For reading readiness

Children need hundreds of hours of "lap reading" (being read to by mom, dad, caregiver) before entering kindergarten. Read a variety of books to your children on topics that interest them. My youngest child does not always enjoy being read to. My challenge is to find books that interest him. At the age of 2.5 yrs, he loves books on trains and trucks. These books sustain his attention, whereas the picture books that his brothers loved at the same age do not.

Entertain young children with nursery rhymes, tongue twisters, and rhyming songs. Learning to rhyme and recognizing rhyming words is an important reading readiness skill.

For those already reading (K-2nd grade)- Allow time for these emergent readers to read by themselves, with you, and to listen to a book/story you read aloud. Take children to the library on a consistent basis to borrow books, attend story time, or to participate in summer reading programs. My oldest son loved doing shared reading: we would alternate reading pages (or paragraphs for books with more text). We also had a reading night once a week at dinner. We would bring books to the dinner table. Sometimes we would read individually, other times one family member would read aloud.

Reading Strategies and Tips

Have your young readers read aloud to you or with you. When the child struggles with a word, be careful not to jump in and say the word for them. Instead, encourage them to use strategies such as rereading, using picture clues, reading ahead. Help them to see little words in big words ( e.g., "and" in "stand"). When they make mistakes, let them continue to read to see if they realize the mistake and self-correct. Self correcting is a very important skill that good readers do. Encourage children to attempt to say the word themselves by getting their "mouth ready" to say the word. In other words, have them attempt the first sound. You do not want to have them rely on parents or teachers to tell them unfamiliar words.

While reading to or with children, stop and have children predict. An example would be, what do you think is going to happen next?

Always read the title, author, and illustrator's name on the book cover before reading. As you read, point to your starting place, on the left side. This will model and introduce children to what is called "concepts about print". These concepts include the proper way to hold a book so it is not upside down, reading left to right, pausing at end punctuation, etc.

After reading, have children tell you their favorite part, favorite character, where the story took place, and see if they can tell you a time when something similar happened to them. Talking and discussing what we read aids greatly in reading comprehension.

Encourage readers to reread books. Many young readers enjoy reading a book many times. This is actually a great tool for building reading fluency- reading speed and expression.

I hope that you have found some of these ideas useful! Make reading fun and you will be fostering a life-long love for reading in your children!

Huge SALE this Week in My Booth!

2009-06-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

It's summer, and the savings are HOT!!! Check out my Bonanzle Booth for super sizzling sales!

Now through Saturday: Visit my booth and check out the LIMBO category. Make a $1 or more offer on ALL items, no matter what the listed price! Many new with tag baby clothes are listed! Hurry! Grab these deals while they last!

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY SALE: Use coupon code BBU for an automatic 25% discount at checkout on ALL items! Many, many new with tag baby and infant clothing- brand new with tags! Brands I carry are Carters, Specialty Baby, Vitamins Baby, and more. Offer applies to all diaper and towel cakes! Shop my store at
http://www.bonanlze.com/diaperchef

A Book Review: No Talking by Andrew Clements

2009-05-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

As a reading specialist for elementary and middle school students, I am constantly reading picture books, chapter books, and other young adult literature. I feel it is important for me to read a wide variety of literature to stay current. In turn, this allows me to make book recommendations for my students and to chat with them about books they are reading!

I just finished reading No Talking by Andrew Clements. My fifth graders had read Frindle earlier and in the year and we fell in love with Clement's style, sense of humor, and entertaining, yet thoughtful plot. In his latest book, No Talking, it's the fifth grade boys against the girls to see who can win the no talking contest! Can you imagine? Kids not talking at school?

I recommend you place this hilarious book on your summer reading list! Filled with humor, an interesting story line, and characters kids can relate to, this book is sure to be a hot summer read!
Enjoy!

Winnie the Pooh and Friends! A Diaper Cake for Twins!

2009-05-16T05:35:00.001-07:00

A local customer who has purchased several of my diaper cakes requested yet another diaper cake for twins done in Winnie the Pooh! I thought I would share my custom-made cake that I made for her!

I created a three tier cake using 100 Pampers Swaddlers diapers arranged in a boutique swirl arrangement. To make the cake extra special, I ordered personalized Winnie the Pooh receiving blankets from a contact I have. She emroidered the babies' names on each blanket. This makes a lovely keepsake item!

To ice and decorate the cake, I used a Pooh book, socks, Johnson & Johnson Baby Bubble Bath, shampoo, Disney onesies, pretty ribbon and scrapbook stickers.

A large Pooh Bear and Eeoyre adorn the cake as well!

I can make a custom cake just for you too! Just contact me with the details and I will design a cake that suits your budget and the occasion! You can contact me here

Towel Cakes for Bridal Showers, Birthdays, House- Warming Gifts!

2009-05-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

Towel cakes make a beautiful and practical gift for bridal showers, birthdays, hostess gifts, house warming gifts, and for all holidays! Made from bath or kitchen towel sets, my towel cakes can be made as single layers, cupcake size, and up to three tiers. You can see a few of my creations here Custom orders are my specialty. If you have a special event and need a cake, I can design one for you in the color scheme of your choice. Towels can be solid color or printed with a design, for the kitchen, or for the bath. I use bath towels from Bed, Bath, & Beyond; kitchen towels are from BBB or from Kohl's Dept. Store.

Cakes are adorned and decorated with high quality ribbons, bows, paper shred, candles, bath items such as bubble bath, lotions, and body sprays, homemade soaps, and more!

Contact me today for your custom order, or stop by my Bonanzle Booth!

Delectable Diaper Cakes for Mother's Day!

2009-04-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

Treat the new or expecting mom to a diaper cake this Mother's Day! I have a large selection of in-stock cakes that are sure to bring a smile to mom's face! You can see my complete on-line bakery here.

Diaper cakes make a beautiful, yet practical gift for the new mom! Cakes can be made with items to pamper mom such as lotions, body sprays, bubble bath, candles and more!

The new or expecting mom will appreciate your thoughtfulness and admire the beautiful creation that can be used as a decoration in baby's nursery or as a centerpiece at the baby shower.

Order your cake today to ensure delivery for Mother's Day!

Earth Day! April 22

2009-04-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 of each year. There are so many ways to teach our children about taking care of our planet and our resources. Many communities have celebrations and many schools have enviromental science classes and celebration activities.

To celebrate, why not read a Dr. Seuss story, THE LORAX! This funny, whimsical tale, told in classic Seuss style, teaches children and adults about conserving our natural resources. I have a brand new, hardback copy of this book in my Bonanzle Booth!

For older, children, have them check out the Energy Hog website! A website designed for children, this site is loaded with games, graphics, and sound effects that will entertain and teach about conserving our natural resources in our community and in our homes. There is a section for adults and educators. I used this site with my 5th and 6th grade reading classes, and they thanked me for letting them visit!

Click here for a list of fun Earth Day activities for the entire family!

April Is Poetry Month!

2009-04-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

April is National Poetry Month! Whether your child is an infant or a school-aged child, poetry is fun for all! I have compiled a list of a few poetry authors that my own children and my students just love! I hope that you are inspired to read to or with your children! Poetry is FUN!

As a reading specialist, I know that reading poetry has many benefits for babies and children!
*Poetry is great for introducing the world of words and language to babies.
*Many poems rhyme and have a regular rhyme pattern. Learning about rhyming words is an important reading readiness skill!
*Reading, reciting,and memorizing poetry helps to build fluency
*Reading poetry (or any text) to babies is comforting and teaches them about our language.
*Reading poetry motivates students to learn because it is fun! Reluctant readers are more likely to read poems because they are usually short pieces of text.
*According to Bernice (Bee) Cullinan, "poetry feeds the heart as well as the mind."

Two authors stand out as being very popular with elementary and middle school readers: Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. Babies and pre-schoolers will enjoy Dr. Seuss, classic nursery rhymes, and Eric Carle.

See here for a suggested poetry list to read with your children!

Bleezer's Ice Cream by Jack Prelutsky

I am Ebenezer Bleezer,
I run BLEEZER'S ICE CREAM STORE,
there are flavors in my freezer
you have never seen before,
twenty-eight divine creations
too delicious to resist,
why not do yourself a favor,
try the flavors on my list:

COCOA MOCHA MACARONI
TAPIOCA SMOKED BALONEY
CHECKERBERRY CHEDDAR CHEW
CHICKEN CHERRY HONEYDEW
TUTTI-FRUTTI STEWED TOMATO
TUNA TACO BAKED POTATO
LOBSTER LITCHI LIMA BEAN
MOZZARELLA MANGOSTEEN
ALMOND HAM MERINGUE SALAMI
YAM ANCHOVY PRUNE PASTRAMI
SASSAFRAS SOUVLAKI HASH
SUKIYAKI SUCCOTASH
BUTTER BRICKLE PEPPER PICKLE
POMEGRANATE PUMPERNICKEL
PEACH PIMENTO PIZZA PLUM
PEANUT PUMPKIN BUBBLEGUM
BROCCOLI BANANA BLUSTER
CHOCOLATE CHOP SUEY CLUSTER
AVOCADO BRUSSELS SPROUT
PERIWINKLE SAUERKRAUT
COTTON CANDY CARROT CUSTARD
CAULIFLOWER COLA MUSTARD
ONION DUMPLING DOUBLE DIP
TURNIP TRUFFLE TRIPLE FLIP
GARLIC GUMBO GRAVY GUAVA
LENTIL LEMON LIVER LAVA
ORANGE OLIVE BAGEL BEET
WATERMELON WAFFLE WHEAT

I am Ebenezer Bleezer,
I run BLEEZER'S ICE CREAM STORE,
taste a flavor from my freezer,
you will surely ask for more

Diaper Cakes: Not Just for Baby Showers!

2009-03-24T12:16:00.001-07:00

Although diaper cakes have become a hot baby shower gift, they can be used for many other occasions as well! The cake in the picture above was designed for a baby's Baptism, but could be given for a Christening or baby dedication as well! Featuring three layers of diapers, a cross bib, and a unique onesie and sock set embroidered with "Blessed", this cake was a very one-of-a-kind baby Baptism gift. I have another OOAK cake listed in my Bonanzle Booth featuring an angel bear that is perfect for baby's Christening, as a get well gift, or as a new baby gift!

Diaper cakes can be given as a new baby gift, as a gift for your colleague, or as a welcome home from the hospital gift! Other ideas include first birthday diaper cakes, cakes made from Swimmies, or as a "just because" gift for that special baby or toddler!

If you are looking for a unique, beautiful, yet practical gift, contact me today and I can design a diaper cake just for you! Many themes are available and special requests and custom orders are my favotites! Some of my most recent popular diaper cake themes include: baby's first birthday featuring Elmo, pink Classic Winnie the Pooh, Safari/Jungle,rubber ducky cake, blue and yellow cake, orange, yellow, and green, Precious Moments, babseball, and many more!!

Personalized Letters from the Easter Bunny for Your Child!

2009-03-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

In addition to diaper cakes and baby clothing, I also create and sell personalized letters from the Easter Bunny for children! You can see a sample letter and listing here

Your child will be thrilled to receive their very own letter that is personalized with their name, hometown, and the gift giver's name! What a fun way to prepare for Easter! At just $3 a letter (includes shipping!), these are a bargain. Your letter is printed on high quality paper with a cute Easter design and arrives in a matching envelope!

Home Office Makeover for the WAHM!

2009-03-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a spacious room in their home that is designated as the home office. If you run a business, whether small or mid-size, from home, you know how important it is to have an office that is appealing and conducive to work efficiency. If space is limited, you need to be creative to make the most of what you have! Designing your office space, decorating, and accessorizing is fun and does not have to cost a lot of money!

Use the Space You Have- Don't have an extra room to use as your office? Look around your house for “empty” space that you can use. In my previous home, I used the closet in my guest room. The closet was deep and could accommodate my desk, computer, printer, chair, and books. I could then close the bi-fold doors when not in use! Some use a space by the landing of the stairs, or a corner of the living room or dining room. Using an armoire makes an attractive work station that can house your computer, printer, supplies, etc. When not in use, all your supplies are neatly tucked inside!

Use a Room to Multi-Task- My current office is a small room that doubles as a playroom for my boys. I have a baker's rack, large armoire, desk, and large work table. I also have bins of toys and books for the kids when they are in the room with me. I also have a baby gate that separates the office from the kitchen area. I can work in my office and still have access to my children for times when they can't be in the room with me.

Make it Cozy and Comfortable- Make sure you have proper lighting behind and above your main work area, but especially around the computer. A comfortable office chair is a must if you sit for extended periods of time. Some like to have a foot stool to rest their feet while working at the computer. I always listen to music while working. Having a CD player and radio is a must for me! Decorate with pretty pictures or your family's photographs or children's drawings! Light a candle to set a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere.

Space Savers- Using tubs or crates to store files and supplies can save space, and are less expensive than a filing cabinet. . My tubs slide under my work table, and can be easily retrieved when I need them. I use my armoire to store supplies and products. It also has a mini-clothing rack for me to hang clothing that I will be listing in my store. I also have a hook-n-eye latch on the doors to keep my toddlers away. You can also use smaller tubs that are stackable and can really save space! Use bookcases, racks, or shelving units to make the most of your space and stay organized.

Cleaning: Try to set aside one day a week to clean your office. File papers, throw away, dust, run the vacuum, organize. I tend to work better when my office is neat and tidy, and I'm more motivated. Cleaning once a week helps me to stay on top of things, without letting things get out of hand!

Great Gadgets to Make Your Office Fun and Fabulous!

After doing some on line “window shopping” at several office stores, I found some really nifty gadgets that will make work fun! Some are moderately priced, while others cost a little bit more! These make great gifts too!
Aluminum Business Case- Clips shut and holds (15) cards. Very snazzy! (available at Crate and Barrel)

Plastic Message Center- This rotates and has partitions and labels for person, position, and department. (available at Staples)

Post-It Notes- Super sticky, large size in neon colors. Use as meeting notes; these stick to almost any surface. (available at Staples).

Eldon Spacemaker X-Cube- Use this modern organizer to store pens, highlighters, scissors, and more. Use alone, or stack several of them (available at Office Depot)

Baguette Keyboard- A fun wrist cushion that looks exactly like a loaf of bread! Fun! Made of soft gel foam. (available at Office Playground)

DeskQuaaium Desk Organizer- Includes (4) “magic” fish. Add real water! Illuminated with a red glow when the sensor is activated. Use to organize pens, pencils, etc. (available at Office Playground)

Fun pens! Try the Jumping Monkey, Carrot Pen, or Chicken Scratch pens! (available at Office Playground).

Running a home business, especially with small children, is challenging! However, taking a little time to organize and maybe even redecorate your office will pay off in the long run. Hopefully, some of these ideas can inspire you to assess your own office!

Homemade Diaper Wipes!

2009-02-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

In my house, we sure do go through the diaper wipes! My three year old is potty trained, but my two year old is still in diapers. About 6 months ago I started making my own diaper wipes and have saved money doing so! I researched "recipes" and then came up with my own version that is easy and economical!

Here's the super-simple recipe that I use!

* Take a roll of paper towels (I like the Viva towels because they are cloth-like). Use a very sharp knife to cut in half.
*Place 2 cups of warm water in a plastic container large enough to hold the paper towels.
*Mix in a few teaspoons ( I use 2-3) of each of the following: baby wash or shampoo, baby lotion, and baby oil.
*Place the paper towels in the container. Secure the lid and shake. After a few minutes, turn the towels over. Let sit for another few minutes.
*Take out the cardboard tube and you are finished!

These last me about a week. My toddlers enjoy helping me to make them!

Read Across America Day! Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2009-02-27T15:29:00.001-08:00

Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday by participating in Read Across America day on March 2! Sponsored by the National Education Association, this event has been going strong since 1997 in schools, libraries, and homes across the nation! The goal is simple: to promote reading, to motivate kids to read, to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday, and to have fun!

Many schools across the country hold special activities and events on this day, ranging from birthday parties, read-ins, guest readers,poetry slams, and more! You can join the fun whethere you have school-aged children or not! As a reading specialist and a mom to a teenager and toddlers, I plan to have a special reading time for the toddlers Monday afternoon. We will read Dr. Seuss books and color pictures!

Motivating children to learn is so important, and parents cannot start early enough! Children need thousands of hours of "lap reading" before they even enter kindergarten! Later in the week, I will post an article about babies/toddlers and reading.

In the mean time, check out this extensive list from the NEA: 100 Books for Kids, selected by teachers!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Have fun on Monday! Celebrate one of our nation's favorite authors... celebrate reading with your children...make reading FUN!

Diaper Dilemma: What Diaper Is Best for Baby?

2009-02-19T10:29:00.001-08:00

What diaper is best for baby? Well, that depends on mom and dad's preferences, baby's size, shape, and delicate skin. Because all babies are different, I offer a choice when customers are ordering a diaper cake from me. As a mom of three boys, I always preferred Pampers Swaddlers for newborns. Most of the diaper cakes I make are also made from these diapers. However, parents and babies have different needs, so I always allow special requests for brands and sizes of diapers.

What brands of diapers do I use in my cakes, and what are the differences?

*Pampers Swaddlers: These are my favorite to create cakes with because they are a trusted brand and because they make a beautiful, crisp, clean cake. The diapers are soft on the outside and smell wonderfully! They are my most requested diaper for cakes!
*Seventh Generation Diapers: These chlorine-free diapers are a light brown in color and are popular with those who want to use a disposable diaper, but are looking for a more eco-friendly choice. Seventh Generation diapers are hypo-allergenic and fragrance and latex free. They are better for baby and the environment! I designed a cute cake using these diapers, an organic outfit, and cloth diaper wipes!
*Cloth Diapers: For those that prefer cloth, I use Gerber prefold cloth diapers for my cakes. These make a beautiful cake for those that do not want to use disposable diapers. Cloth diaper cakes always include cloth diaper wipes!
*Huggies Diapers: These are available upon request. I liked Huggies for older babies and still use them for my toddler at night.
*Pampers Cruisers: Again, one of my favorites for older babies! Most of my cakes for older babies and toddlers are made from these!
*Parent's Choice: These are Walmart brand diapers and are a very absorbant, affordable diaper! In fact, my two year old wears these during the day! They are less expensive, so if you choose a cake made from these diapers, you get more diapers!

I can even make a sampler cake for the new mom, so she can try several different brands and find the one that is best for baby. These cakes are great for first- time moms!

Bonanzle: My View As A Work-At-Home Mom (WAHM)

2009-02-12T11:10:00.000-08:00

I still consider myself to be a novice on-line seller, for I have only been selling for 3-4 years. During these last few years I have sold on various on-line venues, but none can compare with my new home, Bonanzle. I still sell on my own website, but my favorite place to sell is Bonanzle. I opened my booth in late October after closing my stores on other sites. I wasn't looking for a new on-line "auction" site, but I accidentally ran across Bonanzle, and registered after cruising the site for just about half an hour!

What makes this site so unique? Well, just about everything! The bold, fresh look of the site is appealing, the booths have "live chat", where you can chat with the booth owner in real-time, sellers are treated like professionals who have choice in running their business, and the forums are highly active, informative, inspiring, encouraging, and friendly. Sellers can implement coupon codes, hold bonanzas once a month (sales) that are advertised, members can create hand picked lists showcasing their and other sellers' wares, and the founders are approachable and supportive. Booths are free (unless you opt for a paid membership) and final value fees are low. Items in your booth do not expire until you sell the item or delete it. So,there are no listing fees!

Bonanzle makes selling fun! The forums, in addition to being a great place to learn about Bonanzle and selling on-line, are a great place to advertise your booth and meet other buyers and sellers. There are numerous games that are played weekly that bring your booth exposure, increase sales, and allow you to interact with other members.

As a seller, I enjoy many features of Bonanzle. For example, the live chat feature in my booth is where I can interact with shoppers, answer questions, and assist buyers who are looking for something in particular. I like that I can accept a variety of payment methods and not just Pay Pal. I have the flexibility to create sales and discounts to some or all of my items.

Selling is easy, enjoyable, exciting, and profitable on Bonanzle. In particular, I have enjoyed the sellers and buyers that I have met and the customers that I have worked with to create custom diaper cakes.

This work-at-home-mother is singing the praises of Bonanzle. I know for a fact that I am not the only one! Come visit Bonanzle today and see for yourself!

Who Am I and Why Do I Blog?

2009-02-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, I am a wife and mother, two of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs I have ever had. I have three boys who range in age from 15 years old to 2 years old. In fact, the two youngest are 2 and 3 yrs old. They are only 14 months apart! I am very blessed to have my children and to have the honor of raising them. The latter two came "late" in life after a time when I did not think that I would have anymore children. So to say they are a blessing somehow seems like an understatement.

Teacher is another "hat" I wear. I taught language arts and reading and worked as a resource teacher/reading specialist for almost 20 years. I took off three years to have my last two babies and my dream of becoming a stay-at-home-mother come to fruition. It was during this time that I discovered on-line selling and became instantly hooked! Just this school year, I returned to teaching part time at a local private school. I have the best of both worlds: I can bring in money to supplement our income, I can be home with my children by lunch time, and I can continue to build my on-line buisness!

After selling on various sites, including my own websites, I have now found a home at Bonanzle! My booth (store) features my diaper cakes, baby clothing, and personalized books. I will talk about Bonanzle in an upcoming post. I cannot say enough good things about this site! Anyway, I decided to try blogging since I have written blog posts for other on-line sellers, but have never had one of my own. So, here I am!

My goal is to write informative posts that inform and appeal to moms and grandmothers of all ages, or to anyone that is actively involved in raising children. If there is a child in your life, then you will probably enjoy my blogs. At least, I hope you do!

Next time, I'll sing the praises of Bonanzle and continue my posting on the many reasons to give a diaper cake as a gift!

Diaper Cakes: Not Just for Baby Showers!

2009-02-03T14:08:00.000-08:00

Diaper cakes are a hot item for baby showers, both as centerpieces and as baby shower gifts. Practical and unique, diaper cakes make a beautiful and elegant decoration that can be taken home by home to decorate the nursery. After baby comes, the cake can be taken apart and all the "ingredients" used for baby.

However, diaper cakes are not just for baby showers! These cakes, made from diapers, can be made as tiny cupcakes, single layer cakes, and multi-layer cakes that resemble wedding cakes. Babies of all ages can be given a diaper cake for any occasion! First birthday diaper cakes decorated with age-appropriate toys, plush animals, and accessories make a fun gift for baby! Complete outfits can be used to decorate the cakes, making it a very useful gift! All items can be used my mom and baby. Mom will appreciate the diapers ,and baby will love the fun toys! I recently made a first birthday cake for a local customer using Elmo as the theme! I made a two tier cake with Elmo-themed diapers, socks, a book, and the cake topper was an Elmo plush animal!

Make baby's baptism/christening/dedication special by taking a diaper cake as a gift for this very special event. Pure white cakes decorated and embellished with crosses, wall hangings, baby Bibles, outfits, and more make a stunning gift! Baptism cakes featuring keepsake items will be treasured for years to come!

Oh, there are so many reasons and occasions to give baby and mom a diaper cake. Next time, I'll talk about a few other gift-giving ideas!