All over the internet mother's are sharing how they are trying to teach their baby sign language. Because baby's have undeveloped verbal skills, moms and dads around the world are trying to teach their sons and daughters to be great communicators, even at an early age. At first I thought it was a great idea. Until I tried it. It's almost impossible to stop and calmly and delightfully say, "Hungry, hungry?" while holding my fingers up to my lips only to watch Grace look at me like I'm some kind of fool who eats her fingers. There's not enough time in the day! I've got dinners to cook, dishes to do, a house to clean, kids with homework, I work! So I saw this little blurb in one of the many baby/child e-newsletters I get and I've pasted it below. It matches my sentiments exactly.
Title: Your baby can learn sign language!
Here's how to say:
• "Please change my diaper": Turn beet red and make straining expression, then smile.
• "I'd like something to eat, please": Cram fist in mouth and suck wildly.
• "I'm tired": Make a series of weeping gestures before closing eyes and lolling head backward.
• "Please pass me that thing up there that I can't reach": Point and grunt, then continue pointing and open mouth into screaming position.
• "No thank you. I think I've had enough": Throw food or object to floor with exaggerated grin.
Oh, so true!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Classroom Christmas Gifts
2009 TEACHERS' GIFT
It's that time of year again: to give a special Christmas gift to the kid's teachers. School teachers usually get dollar tree coffee cups filled with candy, pencil holders or rulers that say, "World's Greatest Teacher," or a picture of the child they see {everday} with a "thanks for being my teacher" note attached ~ and that's if they get a gift at all. Teachers are shaping the minds of our next generation. They should be thanked! So, I began my internet search and found this little idea at FamilyFun.go.com. *I love this website* It's always filled with great crafts, recipes and party ideas. This year's gift is cute, creative and, best of all, inexpensive! I already have some of the matierals needed and I think Angel and Alliah's teachers will be thrilled. Not only can they proudly walk out of the classroom with a beautiful gift, but they can display this bouquet at home showing their friends and family what a great teacher they are, AND they can eat the candy when Christmas is over! What a concept.
Materials: Aluminum can, Candy, Double-sided foam mounting tape, Ribbon, Plastic cup
Instructions:
• To make one, first snugly wrap 3 or 4 rings of double-sided foam mounting tape around a clean, dry, and labelless aluminum can (ours was 15 ounces).
• Peel off the tape's protective covering to expose its second sticky side.
• One at a time, attach colorful individually wrapped candy sticks (available at candy shops; we used 26) to the tape, setting them as close together as possible and pressing them firmly in place.
• For a festive finish, tie a ribbon around the container. To use the vase for fresh flowers or plants, set a plastic cup inside the can as a liner before adding water.
2009 CLASSMATES GIFT
As for the kid's classmates, I found this idea of a Christmas mouse waiting to be eaten! All it is is felt, googly eyes, and a candy cane. I'm gonna skip the pom-pom nose. Why spend more money than I need to? I'll just make the nose out of the green felt, too. This is so easy, even the kids can help! What a great way to encourage my kids to show the Christmas Spirit by giving to those they spend most of their days with. I think these will be a classroom hit!
Materials: Red and green felt, Scissors, Glue, Pom-poms, Candy canes, Googly eyes, Tape
Instructions
• Cut a 6-inch-long teardrop-shaped body from red felt. Near the center, cut 2 parallel slits that are 1 inch long and 1/2 inch apart.
• For a pair of ears, cut a 5-inch-long rounded bow-tie shape from green felt. This will be used to make the ears.
• To put the mouse together, fit the ears through the slits in the body. Glue on googly eyes and a pom-pom nose.
• Finally, add a curly tail by slipping a candy cane beneath the mouse and tucking the straight end between the body and the ears to hold it in place.
...Only 22 more days!
It's that time of year again: to give a special Christmas gift to the kid's teachers. School teachers usually get dollar tree coffee cups filled with candy, pencil holders or rulers that say, "World's Greatest Teacher," or a picture of the child they see {everday} with a "thanks for being my teacher" note attached ~ and that's if they get a gift at all. Teachers are shaping the minds of our next generation. They should be thanked! So, I began my internet search and found this little idea at FamilyFun.go.com. *I love this website* It's always filled with great crafts, recipes and party ideas. This year's gift is cute, creative and, best of all, inexpensive! I already have some of the matierals needed and I think Angel and Alliah's teachers will be thrilled. Not only can they proudly walk out of the classroom with a beautiful gift, but they can display this bouquet at home showing their friends and family what a great teacher they are, AND they can eat the candy when Christmas is over! What a concept.
CANDY STICK VASE
Materials: Aluminum can, Candy, Double-sided foam mounting tape, Ribbon, Plastic cup
Instructions:
• To make one, first snugly wrap 3 or 4 rings of double-sided foam mounting tape around a clean, dry, and labelless aluminum can (ours was 15 ounces).
• Peel off the tape's protective covering to expose its second sticky side.
• One at a time, attach colorful individually wrapped candy sticks (available at candy shops; we used 26) to the tape, setting them as close together as possible and pressing them firmly in place.
• For a festive finish, tie a ribbon around the container. To use the vase for fresh flowers or plants, set a plastic cup inside the can as a liner before adding water.
2009 CLASSMATES GIFT
As for the kid's classmates, I found this idea of a Christmas mouse waiting to be eaten! All it is is felt, googly eyes, and a candy cane. I'm gonna skip the pom-pom nose. Why spend more money than I need to? I'll just make the nose out of the green felt, too. This is so easy, even the kids can help! What a great way to encourage my kids to show the Christmas Spirit by giving to those they spend most of their days with. I think these will be a classroom hit!
MERRY MICE
Materials: Red and green felt, Scissors, Glue, Pom-poms, Candy canes, Googly eyes, TapeInstructions
• Cut a 6-inch-long teardrop-shaped body from red felt. Near the center, cut 2 parallel slits that are 1 inch long and 1/2 inch apart.
• For a pair of ears, cut a 5-inch-long rounded bow-tie shape from green felt. This will be used to make the ears.
• To put the mouse together, fit the ears through the slits in the body. Glue on googly eyes and a pom-pom nose.
• Finally, add a curly tail by slipping a candy cane beneath the mouse and tucking the straight end between the body and the ears to hold it in place.
...Only 22 more days!
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