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Showing posts from 2009

A Tip for Getting Your Child to Learn Important Information

One thing that I used to do with both of my kids was role playing and teaching through song. When Ashleigh was old enough to learn to sing songs somewhat, I taught her to spell her name to a melody. With my son, I did the same. I took the melody of a simple song like Skip to My Lou to spell Hunter. (Hun-ter, Hun-ter, Hun-ter...that's how you spell Hunter). In order to learn their address and phone number, we would play Pizza Delivery. I would be the Pizza Place and they would pretend to call and order a pizza. I would say, "Hello...Pizza Palace can I take your order?" They would then pretend to hold a phone and say what kind of pizza they wanted. I would then say, "Okay, but I need your name." We would keep practicing until they knew their name, number, and address!

Alpha Course at Markham Woods Presbyterian

Okay! My husband and I did it...we actually survived the many weeks of Alpha at Markham Woods Presbyterian. I must say that I think my husband got more from this experience than I did, (if that's possible) but I took in a great deal, learned new things, and met some GREAT people in the process. I learned things about God and Christianity that I never understood as well as opened doors to new concepts that I still have questions about. Pastor Joe was a great leader in our small group sessions and I was in awe of my husband as he opened up in front of complete strangers ( no- you don't have to, but it was a wonderful feeling to hear his thoughts for once). I became a little closer to him (even though he may not realize it) in the process and I am excited to continue my passage on this new journey in life. We are celebrating our experience and time together Tues. Nov 3rd as well as kicking off a new alpha session for the spring of 2010. If you are interested or in the least b

Back to Life....Back to Reality!

Okay....Deep breath....Count to 10 and start! It has been a long time since I've updated my blog and I apologize! If you have kids, you can understand I'm sure! We have been back to school (and my part-time job) since August and somehow I've missed September! How did this happen? Well, my daughter is in competitive dance and my son is in karate and hip-hop. They keep me at my second home at the dance studio five days a week. Karate thank goodness is just two days a week right now. I think next year my son will be able to start sparring (whatever that entails). Also, on another note, my husband and I started a course through the church that I work at. It is called ALPHA which is a course where you learn about the basics of Christianity and religion. We have tried to live our lives through being good Christians and teaching our children about Christ, but since we've moved to Florida, we have never really settled down into a church and called it home. Every Tuesd

A GREAT RECIPE FOR PLAYDOUGH

I work at a great daycare and one thing that we use a lot is homemade playdough. I've had parents request recipes for this and it lasts way longer than the store bought. It doesn't dry out for months and you can make several variations using different food coloring as well as scents such as vanilla, peppermint, and even cinnamon. It is easy for little toddlers to mold and shape and is vital for strengthening their tiny muscles. What's better yet is that it's non-toxic and won't hurt if eaten. It just tastes nasty! (It's even fun for up to 10 yr. olds even though they don't like to admit it...) Have fun, try it and see what your children think! 3 cups Flour 1 1/2 cups Salt 3 cups Water 3 TB vegetable oil 6 tsp Cream of Tartar Food coloring or unsweetened Kool-Aid pkg for color. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and gets too thick to stir. Remove from heat and let cool until it can

Markham Woods Presbyterian Summer Day Camp

Okay- so this is Week One (Arts and Crafts). I must admit that my kids are having a blast. I mean really enjoying themselves and getting up and ready to go in the mornings. So far in the first two days they have made paper mache' animals, an art journal for daily drawing, and plaster of paris masks. My son was bragging about his snake that he made and how he wants to paint it. My daughter created a horse! Imagine that...and today when they did the plaster of paris, they actually let the teachers put vaseline on first, then saran wrap, then the plaster strips. Can you believe MY son staying still long enough for the plaster to harden on his face no less??? He hasn't stayed still that long in a long time. On Friday, they had an art show that displayed all of their hard work. Parents of the little ones and the older ones were amazed at how much they did this week. They have learned alot and I'm sure this will be an experience for them to remember! Congrats MWPC!

Tweets from Twitter

I have been on Twitter now for about a week (Jenstermusic) and I must say that it's been interesting. I now have quite a few followers and am following alot of people as well and it's alot! Information overload....but I am getting used to it! You can pretty much find out about anything at anytime. You know those commercials you see on t.v. where someone asks a question and the person responds by listing off search topics? Well, it's kind of like that. You can type in a word or phrase and anything goes! There are of course spammers on there but for the most part it's a new generation infoline. I am waiting to see how it pans out as far as me being just a regular joe. Have fun and "tweet" on my friends.
So I joined a gym. It's Lifestyle Family Fitness in Lake Mary,FL. I was hesitant at first because I have never needed to exercise. NEVER! I know what you're thinking. Oh, listen to the skinny girl complaining because she has to start exercising now. Well, I KNOW I've been extremely lucky to have a fast metabolism or whatever, and I have been grateful, but after being on the treadmill for 20 mins. I have come to the realization that I am NOT in shape! I've tried out several classes now and if you've ever thought about it but haven't, it's been pretty fun. Now my former students and my family know that I'm NOT coordinated and definately can't dance, but I'm still having fun and so far no one has laughed at me or said anything otherwise to me! I've actually had fun and it's kind of a destressing relaxer. I've done yoga, pilates, Zuumba, bodyjam so far and (yes, I do hurt a little afterwards....) it's actually kind of fun.

Websites for Legit Surveys and Product Testing

Okay, so here it is! I've been participating on several survey sites now and after two years I'm willing to list some that are legitimate. No, I'm not making a lot of money, but between a lot of them I have earned quite a bit extra for Christmas at the end of the year and am trying out new products and giving reviews back to companies. It's fun knowing that my opinion counts and that I'm influencing production of new products. Here are some links to the ones that are worthwhile: BzzAgent http://www.bzzagent.com/ Zoompanel http://join.zoompanel.com/zoompanel/?menu=Join+Now&master_id=18 Surveyspot https://secure.surveyspot.com/offer.php?id=36&VendorID=33&OptInSource=usgen&locale=en_US KidzEyes (for kids 6+) http://www.kidzeyes.com/ Epoll.com http://www.epollsurveys.com/epoll/clients/splash.view Pssst.GeneralMills.com http://pssst.generalmills.com/faq.php?ses_submit=Logout&SES=b923b39e4a6d094504f3e0f3467ac99e homescan.com https://www.homes

Dog Days of Summer

My dog is enjoying this summer more than myself and the kids! She is getting attention 24/7 and is being spoiled way too much. My husband has been teaching her tricks and working with her on singing. Yes- singing! When my husband says, "Talk to Daddy, Talk to Daddy..." she does....LOUDLY! If you're outside in the yard, you can hear her. What's more ironic is that she responds to "Here Kitty-Kitty", too. Yup, very strange indeed. I'll try to attach a video of her soon. You'll have your laugh of the day!

Sick of Sickness

My poor household! It seems like in the last month my family has endured so much: strep, sinusitis, and an upper respiratory infection... Lysol anyone? I have sprayed, cleaned, wiped, and scrubbed to no end!I keep envisioning the time ahead when the grass will again be green, the pool will be warm, and the illnesses will be at bay. I long for the time when we can again go outside and enjoy the warmth of the Florida sunshine.My parents keep insisting we are LUCKY because it is not as cold here as it is in North Carolina. Don't get me wrong, I know very well what I'm missing because I hated the cool weather there. I remember having to bundle up with the winter winds blowing, the runny noses, the icy roads on occasion and I don't miss it at all. By living here three years now, this is by far the coldest winter here and I don't like it one bit.Everyone here seems like they are getting sick from one thing or another and with my daughter missing school I can't help but th