tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76567631973950992402024-03-05T17:21:11.812-08:00Fun with Freckle FaceA resource for moms, nannies, teachers and babysitters.Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-1085450088929458012012-03-04T10:03:00.001-08:002012-03-04T10:03:58.658-08:00I'm Making a Comeback!Dear Friends, Family and Amazing Readers,<br /><br />I am so sorry for leaving you! Things got really crazy for me and I just couldn't keep up with everything going on. Right around Christmas I always get really emotional about not having my own classroom and for some reason it hit me harder than ever this year. I had days where I had to force myself to get out of the house and out of pajamas, which is a big deal because I am ridiculously stubborn. Then Christmas came and I got to spend time with my amazing husband and our families and I felt a little bit of the fog lift. I was not quite back to normal, but starting to feel more like myself everyday. After the new year, my husband and I took a trip to Las Vegas. We spent our time eating amazing food, seeing fabulous shows, and just relaxing together. It was all I really needed to get out of the fog and start concentrating on all of the good things in life.<br /><br />That's when the real craziness started. And by craziness, I mean exciting things. A little back story first: I went to school in San Francisco. That is where I did all of student teaching, made all of my connections, and got all of my job offers. After school, I made the very difficult decision to move closer to my family and I've spent the last four years rebuilding connections and showing people down here what an awesome teacher I really am. That is where it was getting frustrating. The teachers that I was working with thought I was amazing and gave me steady work, but I really needed principals to notice and, as a sub, you just don't see a lot of them. This year though, someone did. I started getting phone calls to interview for teaching jobs that I hadn't even applied for, or knew existed. I went on three interviews and recently got hired as an ELD Intervention Teacher at a local middle school. Any one that knows me is probably thinking "Middle School? But you are an elementary teacher?" My thoughts exactly! But a lot of the students that I will be working with are the same students that I had when I taught fourth grade and I am so excited to be working with them! Plus, I have always been the teacher that really roots for the under dog, the students who are not expected to do well. I think it's my job as a teacher to help them to know that they can succeed at anything they want, even if they have previously been told that they cannot. These are the students that I will be working with everyday, and I am more than thrilled with this opportunity. I can't wait to share with you how it goes!<br /><br />There are also some changes that you can expect from the blog from now on. Things will be a little more personal, I'm going to share with you more of what is going in my life. I will also post as many crafts and kid friendly ideas as I can, but some of my crafts will be more geared for grown ups. I also plan to share my blog obsession with you. I read so many blogs and find so many great things that just need to be shared. Finally, I hope to share my teaching journey with you and any tips and tricks that I learn along the way. I really hope that you will stick around because I think that there are some really exciting things to come!<br /><br /><br />- Jamie "Freckle Face" Snyder<br />Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-67312441932742039642011-12-05T16:22:00.000-08:002011-12-05T16:22:25.910-08:00I've been avoiding ChristmasHey everyone! I'm sorry that I haven't posted in so long, things got busy with work, and then the Christmas season started and I just couldn't do it. You see Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday! I dream in snow flakes and Christmas trees. But things are a little different this year, and I was bummed about not being able to do Christmas my way, until I realized that this blog will be how I celebrate this year. I will just celebrate the season with all of you!<br />
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So Merry Christmas to all of you!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To make these lovely trees, all you need are styrofoam cones, yarn, buttons, and pearl pins. I happen to have the cones left over from a craft I was going to do in October, but never got around to. They have a couple of sizes at WalMart for a good price, but if you want bigger cones then you will have to go to a craft store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnFEfy_9GCxH0M3cB0AO-7YTsQKks7DWXQ9s_VKClRNjVO2nWZOg19zPVWG_hBjg0BSKV01E9fB6Chgd-4_2o1Cuwb9DdPiWvdt22H5DEKI68hKxGf-ZYAWjadGqhZjM3XLov-M2BNwg/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnFEfy_9GCxH0M3cB0AO-7YTsQKks7DWXQ9s_VKClRNjVO2nWZOg19zPVWG_hBjg0BSKV01E9fB6Chgd-4_2o1Cuwb9DdPiWvdt22H5DEKI68hKxGf-ZYAWjadGqhZjM3XLov-M2BNwg/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simply tie in a knot in the end of the yarn, and pin it to the top of the cone and then just start wrapping. The top is the hardest part.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_rqw762dxng2DUSGGPVVrnh14CkrQCk-x0G5O0WZ4YmrfslJJELlxdceTGXGia81ArA9-J7fU90tYsEOo7abM8hAw-SopCIrJBz9SQ-lSnTg_VifGl2EZzdnofF8gXYNIS00z_oKBPE/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_rqw762dxng2DUSGGPVVrnh14CkrQCk-x0G5O0WZ4YmrfslJJELlxdceTGXGia81ArA9-J7fU90tYsEOo7abM8hAw-SopCIrJBz9SQ-lSnTg_VifGl2EZzdnofF8gXYNIS00z_oKBPE/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you finish it should look like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjr_p_kqsY_7tqqt15MwKeNMuWcp__eiXDFTyshj5Co5tCG73-XObGXvMC5dXLlio0d0U1kPx1ZF563lGO49-ifVWfjKoT26ExCrmotz-KQVQGH0DC7mBwpkZwlX3uLvF4FNzuj9yaQc/s1600/IMG_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjr_p_kqsY_7tqqt15MwKeNMuWcp__eiXDFTyshj5Co5tCG73-XObGXvMC5dXLlio0d0U1kPx1ZF563lGO49-ifVWfjKoT26ExCrmotz-KQVQGH0DC7mBwpkZwlX3uLvF4FNzuj9yaQc/s1600/IMG_0160.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then just add the buttons by pinning them onto the tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHchr_8iZFHDSDgMKYnsPZhyphenhyphenSuhOOwfM3TG2WO7k-tMSqIl3gGKejRSwInTnIUtMg4n3EEEJfIbLqJ6z-YYGGmGljq2oZXCxkgeEz3vA5YnmpC27PxkXJ3P44u1GwsWebOEueE1ZokXpQ/s1600/IMG_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHchr_8iZFHDSDgMKYnsPZhyphenhyphenSuhOOwfM3TG2WO7k-tMSqIl3gGKejRSwInTnIUtMg4n3EEEJfIbLqJ6z-YYGGmGljq2oZXCxkgeEz3vA5YnmpC27PxkXJ3P44u1GwsWebOEueE1ZokXpQ/s1600/IMG_0161.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Sorry for the bad photo, sometimes I can't get the camera to focus no matter what I do. I really love the way they turned out, and I can't wait to put them out to help put me in the holiday mood!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKGCNVQYFctI8whdgTdBhQglgVAYGjRuhKUZEfCsnXIKfMt6tsNechgLQZhrrCL6Qga0UeuuBn-m8C9j12BzUd3798_3gd1OHkOz1MR1jl1yLk2-wWVCpaSLq1Nii1YR0N5GAcOO4GLs/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKGCNVQYFctI8whdgTdBhQglgVAYGjRuhKUZEfCsnXIKfMt6tsNechgLQZhrrCL6Qga0UeuuBn-m8C9j12BzUd3798_3gd1OHkOz1MR1jl1yLk2-wWVCpaSLq1Nii1YR0N5GAcOO4GLs/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg" /></a></div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-26715490287158150762011-11-22T17:36:00.000-08:002011-11-22T17:36:50.605-08:00An Easy Turkey CraftThanksgiving is just around the corner! What are you doing to celebrate? This year I am going to two Thanksgivings. I will start the day with my side of the family, at my grandmother's house, and end the day with my husband's family. How will I eat two Thanksgiving dinners you ask? Well, it's all about strategy! I have favorite things at both places, so I take small samples of everything, but indulge in my favorite items. Plus, there is nothing like your own family's food, and I am going to them first. <br />
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While I am busy obsessing over my Thanksgiving eating strategies, here is a craft to get you in the mood for the big day. All you need are leaves, glue, brown paper or a brown paper bag, and white paper.<br />
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Step 1: Dry out and press your leaves by placing them in a book between wax paper for 36 hours. This step is totally not necessary, but it makes them a little easier to glue. It also makes them a lot less pliable.<br />
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Step 2: Cut out your turkey body and place it on your white paper.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-EQaoivPHFQHPi6KFSx08SafhOCJyKgDM6qaGYO0zbrMoLU-ubVcbQbEo5sz2PDdxUZ69sZqQ1cVRx_AY571XUZqwyyVLS4nHmKLY9FLCykNznXmANpwdvPW3t2ZgW02jJmBMfnHHWA/s1600/IMG_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-EQaoivPHFQHPi6KFSx08SafhOCJyKgDM6qaGYO0zbrMoLU-ubVcbQbEo5sz2PDdxUZ69sZqQ1cVRx_AY571XUZqwyyVLS4nHmKLY9FLCykNznXmANpwdvPW3t2ZgW02jJmBMfnHHWA/s1600/IMG_0149.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Step 3: Arrange your leaves around the turkey and glue them down. Don't forget to add a face!<br />
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I love how it showcases the amazing colors of Fall that I am obsessed with! I actually missed the turn to my grandma's house the other day because I was too busy staring at foliage. Isn't it amazing how bright the colors are after pressing also? I love it!Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-88307472993135749232011-11-21T16:26:00.000-08:002011-11-21T16:26:18.901-08:00Fall Tree CraftHey everyone! Can you even believe that Thanksgiving is this week? I can't! Well, this craft will help you enjoy the last few bits of Fall that we have left, before we dive head first into winter and the holiday season.<br />
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All you need for this craft is paper, water colors, coffee filters, and crayons.<br />
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First step: Trace your child's hand and forearm on the white piece of paper.<br />
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Don't mind my terribly chipped nails!<br />
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Step 2: Color the hand, which will serve as our tree trunk, however your little heart desires.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDQ_94Y2t98IGJ_YvkH_3s1PCbfRt8VIBmhyphenhyphentUAGDG082TqJRgVR3xb5JXQg6adgFg44tbqLZZ4HoOAlz6d4sjHbBj62T5ieTGFAZF3RfcXgzPCkPddGQ8sDY33pMSauHsOzVMdWV-v0/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDQ_94Y2t98IGJ_YvkH_3s1PCbfRt8VIBmhyphenhyphentUAGDG082TqJRgVR3xb5JXQg6adgFg44tbqLZZ4HoOAlz6d4sjHbBj62T5ieTGFAZF3RfcXgzPCkPddGQ8sDY33pMSauHsOzVMdWV-v0/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" /></a></div><br />
You could also use paint for this, or even paint your child's hand. <br />
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Step 3: Lay out at least 3 coffee filters. I used a torn up paper bag to paint on, just don't use newspaper because the ink will run onto your project and make it look dingy. <br />
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Step 4: Paint the coffee filters with water colors, only using the colors of Fall. If you do not have water colors you could color them with marker and then give them a quick dip in some water to make the colors run together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktHCHhxaMProUIcZZMznUnFeV_fyEWf0YWcGMy9yW_YSS2nWpL_gEfD0vLuI-2105-WVCBKJxsBiSHVLkH9KiT5KtGld85cDiO0TRjfpU7ow3pN3j1ZAd_Szc2rNbPsdw8yfm8TbZ9aE/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktHCHhxaMProUIcZZMznUnFeV_fyEWf0YWcGMy9yW_YSS2nWpL_gEfD0vLuI-2105-WVCBKJxsBiSHVLkH9KiT5KtGld85cDiO0TRjfpU7ow3pN3j1ZAd_Szc2rNbPsdw8yfm8TbZ9aE/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" /></a></div>Yes, it's true, I used a bit of green. As I mentioned before, our leaves don't really change in So Cal. I had to include it! After they are painted you must wait for them to dry. It shouldn't take very long.<br />
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Step 5: Fold the coffee filter into eights and cut out a leaf shape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0bWDXS50xL8ardm0nbA6tvK0FbIzsk1T8f0_EsKWcmyjs_OYbj4UoTqZIxqaYcdXzgYVTJ-YRcqAXybQcu5hf5P3qyk4xU4O-iyXNCOZkczEj9CvirzhrcJOBukeZPnah0G6pem0XvM/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0bWDXS50xL8ardm0nbA6tvK0FbIzsk1T8f0_EsKWcmyjs_OYbj4UoTqZIxqaYcdXzgYVTJ-YRcqAXybQcu5hf5P3qyk4xU4O-iyXNCOZkczEj9CvirzhrcJOBukeZPnah0G6pem0XvM/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Step 6: Arrange and glue your leaves around your trunk. Don't forget to make one falling!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN1Yy9m_wfNJQxWoyQoejKJfRzghFfk4diGepHTkH-wsV4OQLAQOgmowoe9dIIp0KmqX7HAjT3XZX7xXlT5P_zQFNCp5kvAhYFqHmpvtOYV4dTY0_mwOdSN6oXmROd02uB7JGTzTr50c/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN1Yy9m_wfNJQxWoyQoejKJfRzghFfk4diGepHTkH-wsV4OQLAQOgmowoe9dIIp0KmqX7HAjT3XZX7xXlT5P_zQFNCp5kvAhYFqHmpvtOYV4dTY0_mwOdSN6oXmROd02uB7JGTzTr50c/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Happy Crafting!Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-32890362389495617062011-11-15T18:36:00.000-08:002011-11-15T18:36:35.666-08:00Getting over good, bad and gotI HATE when I'm reading a paper and the same words appear over and over! "It was really good. I think the book was good. I think the character made a good decision." This is a great way to help kids get over using the same words!<br />
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Create a tombstone for the most used words in the class, putting them to rest forever. But be sure that you include the "survived by" part so that they have ideas of what else to use.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_6FD_SNBiI6rD49sTptNMJOiI5PY9QbXfFd8HnsPPpsv1AXgivH1m69-is7YpHXcJvtW5P92k2rSh0GDIXyX51jjMzrW9-bxb8gyQ0n2Hes5goh_WgMRRemFXxJmWOP6N0V1RhlsRE0/s1600/RIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_6FD_SNBiI6rD49sTptNMJOiI5PY9QbXfFd8HnsPPpsv1AXgivH1m69-is7YpHXcJvtW5P92k2rSh0GDIXyX51jjMzrW9-bxb8gyQ0n2Hes5goh_WgMRRemFXxJmWOP6N0V1RhlsRE0/s1600/RIP.jpg" /></a></div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-67371359596477929412011-11-14T16:26:00.000-08:002011-11-14T16:26:04.074-08:00Fall in Southern CaliforniaI'm a HUGE fan of the Fall! I love the crisp, cool weather, the fires we can light at night, and most of all I love the changing trees. Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of that around Southern California. In order to do this project I actually had to go on a leaf hunt. It's true, you can call me "The Leaf Thief" because I had to go and take leaves off of trees so that they were a beautiful Fall color, and not the gross brown that was littering the ground. Luckily, I have amazing neighbors who really didn't care to lose a couple of leaves for the good of crafting. If you also have a leaf deficiency then I might suggest going to the park, or as a last result, going to the craft store and buying the fake ones.<br />
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Today, to celebrate the beautiful colors of Fall, and the coming together of families for the holidays, we are making Leaf People. I was inspired by a Martha Stewart post where she made animals for each letter of the alphabet out of leaves. (<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/266554/leaf-alphabet">You can check it out by clicking here</a>) That seemed way too complicated for me, so Jake (my youngest brother) and I made Leaf People of ourselves. He even made them hold hands! I knew he loved me! It's hard to tell when they are twelve and full of eye rolling and face making. <br />
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To start, I gathered A BUNCH of leaves from the neighborhood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0Lrpd-5K5wEzGacDQYJMblztKdYfXVnww6OsHXb0X4f67uUDPk5z-pKuoutGH9FVajnWC06-xFXwbwkwt5_Bnjyx3O_tLNdnRH09UaXqHjxaePAQdfyPKw3kdqVQyBcAOWjYsiIOuks/s1600/IMG_2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0Lrpd-5K5wEzGacDQYJMblztKdYfXVnww6OsHXb0X4f67uUDPk5z-pKuoutGH9FVajnWC06-xFXwbwkwt5_Bnjyx3O_tLNdnRH09UaXqHjxaePAQdfyPKw3kdqVQyBcAOWjYsiIOuks/s1600/IMG_2416.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then we laid out our people. Make sure they have heads, bodies, legs and arms. I included feet for mine, and Jake included (giant) hands for his. Work with what you have, anything goes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgle_bJB-jkK2or27LR6DwjvDZ-Z9bq21j4g2Vt6PVeNP8gzsWpY6PGru_uFlMgkon6wzsHY_jNMzvdqNQJHqUkl5trjAE9ebfFG9TjOIBWhtxvkanZWZLAxX5CDLQf5myx4UrwZ_X4iNk/s1600/IMG_2418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgle_bJB-jkK2or27LR6DwjvDZ-Z9bq21j4g2Vt6PVeNP8gzsWpY6PGru_uFlMgkon6wzsHY_jNMzvdqNQJHqUkl5trjAE9ebfFG9TjOIBWhtxvkanZWZLAxX5CDLQf5myx4UrwZ_X4iNk/s1600/IMG_2418.jpg" /></a></div><br />
He is so going to hate me for posting a picture of him, but he's just so cute! Once the leaves are all laid out and you are happy with your person, glue them down.<br />
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If you can find your googly eyes, I couldn't, then go ahead and add them in! It would really add a lot to this easy project. If your child is doing this alone, have them do your family in leaves, or even a self portrait. For the younger kids, they probably won't look much like people, but who cares! As long as they are having fun, and enjoying an easy and pretty much free craft, then I am thrilled!<br />
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Here is how our little guys turned out:<br />
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Did I mention how much I love that they are holding hands?<br />
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I really hope you try this out, there is really no excuse not too, well unless you live in the Arctic and nothing grows. That would be a good excuse!<br />
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Happy Monday! And thanks for sticking around even though I was sick last week! It's the curse of being a teacher.Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-89512603641360718282011-11-11T12:33:00.001-08:002011-11-11T12:38:00.768-08:00I am such a nice sub!Apparently, I'm too nice of a sub. I really need to work on my Viola Swamp skills! Actually, none of that is true. I am a very strict sub, that's the only way to survive, but I'm also nice and fair. Apparently I'm also pretty an have green eyes (my eyes are blue), because I got these two pictures and notes yesterday. This is also the first time I'm posting from my phone, I hope it works!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel pretty special!</div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-36738510906072737992011-11-08T16:56:00.000-08:002011-11-08T16:56:35.553-08:00Too Much Candy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVdvg7YSQqoUTemKn7f-JZffy9bD5yYgisrYS_8MjrIhwE2ZP7m6W3Q4VPfcikucg_9eKPrX5atsfKofQPDbMC4WEXBWrOW6gK1pJiqsQjZqdNb2TRq0Iz0oFjh3x_fivqYg4I26ymdQ/s1600/PIC108984890669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVdvg7YSQqoUTemKn7f-JZffy9bD5yYgisrYS_8MjrIhwE2ZP7m6W3Q4VPfcikucg_9eKPrX5atsfKofQPDbMC4WEXBWrOW6gK1pJiqsQjZqdNb2TRq0Iz0oFjh3x_fivqYg4I26ymdQ/s640/PIC108984890669.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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This is about the time that parents start to realize just how much candy there is in the house, and that it's not going away unless they eat all of it, or throw it all away. Well, there is a solution! And it doesn't involve telling your kids that you ate all of their candy (Thanks Jimmy Kimmel! If you haven't seen those videos yet, you need to look them up on You Tube. Hilarious! I'll tack one onto the end of this, be sure to watch it).<br />
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Allow me to introduce you the concept of the Switch Witch. The Switch Witch comes about a week or so after Halloween. The kids leave out all of their candy and the during the night, she comes and switches out their candy for something better like a movie or books. It is a super fun and easy way to get kids to let go of their candy without causing a huge crying fit. I really hope that some of you try it! If you do, I would love to know what your Switch Witch leaves!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uMuorX2mgrw" width="640"></iframe>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-73726338549093133342011-11-02T14:14:00.000-07:002011-11-02T14:14:16.966-07:00I'm famous!Ok, I'm not really famous, but I certainly feel like it today! After my husband proposed, I instantly became obsessed with wedding magazines and wedding blogs. I devoured them, and probably spent hundreds of dollars on magazines, because they are just so beautiful. But the one place I found the most inspiration and jaw dropping photos was <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/">Style Me Pretty</a>. <br />
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I would spend hours, pouring over photos, and tagging ideas for later (where was Pinterest then?), just soaking up the beautiful images and secretly hoping that someday my wedding would be great enough to be featured. Well guess what?!?! It was!!!!<br />
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I spent a year crafting, and pulling things together, cutting out pictures, and it all came together on that day. I had an amazing coordinator, Salynn from Events with Kick, that saw exactly what I wanted, and took all of my bits and pieces and put them together into something truly amazing.<br />
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I also had an absolutely amazing photographer, named <a href="http://melissa-munding.com/site/#/home/">Melissa Munding</a>, and it was her skill that made it all look pretty for me to remember forever. <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/11/02/backyard-wedding-by-melissa-munding-events-with-a-kick/">Be sure to check it out!</a> I'm ridiculously excited!Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-5635232179475619622011-11-01T11:48:00.000-07:002011-11-01T11:48:01.671-07:00Everybody needs a play dough recipe!If you have kids, if you work with kids, if someday you think might want kids, if you are a kid at heart, then you really should have a play dough recipe on hand because it is such a great thing to play with. There are HUNDREDS of recipes, and I have tried several of them. I once made a salt dough for my Kinders that completely reeked a couple days later! Yikes! But this one, smells delicious, and should last for at least a week in the fridge, possibly longer if you add Alum. And the best part? You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkffhdlN9mbWLPvCjBTWvYnKRJvBVN2okbigo_DC44j8_gv0LN3yze2AvBdfaATvgUyJsqsh0Usl1vqUAqNJ-hOKQbj3o2V8Q43kyb3HIx3qEC1P_C0DsVDJj-ovcl-Vv6cytBG5VgijA/s1600/IMG_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkffhdlN9mbWLPvCjBTWvYnKRJvBVN2okbigo_DC44j8_gv0LN3yze2AvBdfaATvgUyJsqsh0Usl1vqUAqNJ-hOKQbj3o2V8Q43kyb3HIx3qEC1P_C0DsVDJj-ovcl-Vv6cytBG5VgijA/s1600/IMG_0091.jpg" /></a></div><br />
For this play dough recipe you will need:<br />
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1 cup flour, plus a bit more for kneading later<br />
2 TB salt<br />
2 TB Cream of Tarter<br />
2 TB Cooking oil<br />
1 cup warm water<br />
1 3oz package of Jell-o, any flavor<br />
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Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSYjqsDNjOCesMbvmB4PLT7K7UKpB9yn6dd9ZJOWMDw5FNmjlErR6VZfzWsA1y7aQhGHg7WyBt2ALbTxrYzenyxkcRnkl6m9RYbtMjXjrIKBhyiwrYubGEMfh9uau5n-MJOhs1LgqEtg/s1600/IMG_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSYjqsDNjOCesMbvmB4PLT7K7UKpB9yn6dd9ZJOWMDw5FNmjlErR6VZfzWsA1y7aQhGHg7WyBt2ALbTxrYzenyxkcRnkl6m9RYbtMjXjrIKBhyiwrYubGEMfh9uau5n-MJOhs1LgqEtg/s1600/IMG_0100.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaCSSdXIptro2K9pj0dKQN6-S38xXz8gQ3Z_wYyjuE7aSmDDIwBYGTLXBnEr7Qm4CpdLiYwKdyUg6gc_cMqUDMfHT3HKs8-RLnQouSLw5aAkD8Sqeuqh8MhwWbW7EYpRauOYrPZppDRM/s1600/IMG_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaCSSdXIptro2K9pj0dKQN6-S38xXz8gQ3Z_wYyjuE7aSmDDIwBYGTLXBnEr7Qm4CpdLiYwKdyUg6gc_cMqUDMfHT3HKs8-RLnQouSLw5aAkD8Sqeuqh8MhwWbW7EYpRauOYrPZppDRM/s1600/IMG_0103.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then mix it all up until it is smooth, I used a whisk to make sure to get all of the bumps out. If you have kids, this is all stuff they can do, so please include them! When it is mixed it should look like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqRzg4T0c07tmeoNMIuIUgLltGP0wk77J_Gfg3HHvyX2pmnTyhzVXSSCi5Ldhyphenhyphent4d287IbDUERH9NUEfLI_yasgwUMqUHbo6a-5ZJK5R9_-re_ISESQuAM3gjbSAd1TwKfIVb10KOWH8/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqRzg4T0c07tmeoNMIuIUgLltGP0wk77J_Gfg3HHvyX2pmnTyhzVXSSCi5Ldhyphenhyphent4d287IbDUERH9NUEfLI_yasgwUMqUHbo6a-5ZJK5R9_-re_ISESQuAM3gjbSAd1TwKfIVb10KOWH8/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then pour it into a pot and cook on low heat. Don't stop stirring until it forms a ball in the pan, because Jell-o will burn pretty easily if you let it sit. This part takes a while, about 15 to 20 minutes of stirring.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw764uTBA3m8qPKesKeGkTzUyR7r5Ct1OuJ3-ucWmbgwQ8U4PVj3Ma_PF5Wd-yukVxCGwysYEXFxcQ7SECHtRI5JcfIGhXOpgGJ11mT21oyt95IH6Sd2c9yMA7orPqHqY97cWqa8Fnz4/s1600/IMG_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw764uTBA3m8qPKesKeGkTzUyR7r5Ct1OuJ3-ucWmbgwQ8U4PVj3Ma_PF5Wd-yukVxCGwysYEXFxcQ7SECHtRI5JcfIGhXOpgGJ11mT21oyt95IH6Sd2c9yMA7orPqHqY97cWqa8Fnz4/s1600/IMG_0107.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Once it is thick, place the dough on a piece of wax paper to cool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN2xaMP98o8fnecctTpD8784-4VLqmVPQCLkim6JmclVnO399D4FYThaWNOAaObZHjLo6K88NN3r76vTUrR48p_Nqkz8iW23QUyzpxRuIDsLZs9ZFvLZ80AcY8BmAIakvfECQ0Sge1vg/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN2xaMP98o8fnecctTpD8784-4VLqmVPQCLkim6JmclVnO399D4FYThaWNOAaObZHjLo6K88NN3r76vTUrR48p_Nqkz8iW23QUyzpxRuIDsLZs9ZFvLZ80AcY8BmAIakvfECQ0Sge1vg/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After the dough cools, you will need to knead some flour into the dough because it is super sticky. Start by sprinkling the top with flour and then mushing all the dough together. Keep adding flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Then place it in a sealed container, and keep it in the fridge. It will only keep for about a week, but it smells delicious and is completely safe! But the best part is that the kids will have a great time making it, and you will be the super hero for knowing how! Have fun!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2Izq1D0u7cJK1eSqRBfUU6kvE4fM3OoE2tNXQdfx4HiIHbSpIDmLwRb8IR7cz-SLdG1mnxdp8_Ct4ftWYuqBpdNHewZ1_zRSvEnL125buccn74OsqO0Ahsxsairjx-gH18LFEtFZv3w/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2Izq1D0u7cJK1eSqRBfUU6kvE4fM3OoE2tNXQdfx4HiIHbSpIDmLwRb8IR7cz-SLdG1mnxdp8_Ct4ftWYuqBpdNHewZ1_zRSvEnL125buccn74OsqO0Ahsxsairjx-gH18LFEtFZv3w/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg" /></a></div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-28220181377441688742011-10-31T17:55:00.001-07:002011-10-31T17:55:12.048-07:00Happy Halloween!Happy Halloween everybody! I cannot believe that October is over tonight, where did the month go? I still have a couple of Halloween crafts to share and I'm debating whether or not I should just save them for next year. I guess you will find out this week, if they pop up or not.<br />
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Did any one guess what I was going to be for Halloween?<br />
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Why Ms.Frizzle of course! And my amazing husband was the Magic School Bus! I wish you could tell from this picture just how curly my hair was, it was almost clown like when I first took it out of the foam curlers.<br />
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I missed not teaching today, I just love all of the Halloween costumes. The Kindergartners are usually my favorite, just because they are so little, but hopefully I will get to see some of them trick-or-treating tonight. But don't worry, I did see lot's of great costumes this year! I helped my cousin throw a truly amazing Halloween party on Friday. Mind you, it was an adult party, but some of the details are just too good not to share. So here is some Halloween eye candy for you to eat up on this night of sweets and tricks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgVroqfJGss0N7ogdw0xYwxoui7yB6_H1uMup1kfNkpo7Aepz8oi2_Y-aN04RqodYGUjwCUIp5ebMXHZqFu53ugF6xdYQmHuaTl3YU6LcmMZSHBnYgrDNBiAhxgmRgSsqABeITK1UG7o/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgVroqfJGss0N7ogdw0xYwxoui7yB6_H1uMup1kfNkpo7Aepz8oi2_Y-aN04RqodYGUjwCUIp5ebMXHZqFu53ugF6xdYQmHuaTl3YU6LcmMZSHBnYgrDNBiAhxgmRgSsqABeITK1UG7o/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The treats table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrdTHH_e5KVZ_IT9CJ2kRiP_XGsU8xJCTl1SsURIlubSw0y___vcMVnKLF_ewOXpZIRyMN4MoQIhysDsGdOlB8XHI3sJ8PLVQM2994Wv7a5pbiYYDlEQhoh5VX6oDnRjzjb003q2evtA/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrdTHH_e5KVZ_IT9CJ2kRiP_XGsU8xJCTl1SsURIlubSw0y___vcMVnKLF_ewOXpZIRyMN4MoQIhysDsGdOlB8XHI3sJ8PLVQM2994Wv7a5pbiYYDlEQhoh5VX6oDnRjzjb003q2evtA/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These babies took my amazing cousin almost 4 hours! But they are so cool!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV_Y9FREDBFkNvFxzcQEkByT94-z_vRl9qoq3MbsWgybnENeMaw8_gwBt-Io3rDLezs0DIWOJ0n66BGeimEporWgo6siDsJkZTSA5HDe_v42k-2x0P51JAlblLxPf7L6MFD4P3t-vuK0/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV_Y9FREDBFkNvFxzcQEkByT94-z_vRl9qoq3MbsWgybnENeMaw8_gwBt-Io3rDLezs0DIWOJ0n66BGeimEporWgo6siDsJkZTSA5HDe_v42k-2x0P51JAlblLxPf7L6MFD4P3t-vuK0/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" /></a></div><br />
There was also great food, creatively displayed of course! I forgot to take pictures of all of the food, I was probably too busy eating it, but here is some of what we served our guests, including the libations.<br />
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I can't take any credit for how amazing it all turned out! My cousin is the creative genius behind it all, and her very talented and creative friend made all of the labels. It was spectacular and we had a really great time!<br />
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No matter what your Halloween tradition is, just remember to be safe!<br />
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Happy Halloween!Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-67550127378753783492011-10-26T08:41:00.000-07:002011-10-26T08:41:24.227-07:00Pumpkin KrispiesWhen I was growing up, my mom would make my uncles Rice Krispie Treats every year for Christmas, because they loved them so much. When my uncles got older and got married, she gave their wives the ingredients for their favorite dessert, saying it was their turn to make then now. So, you can see that it has always been a tradition to make these tasty treats. <br />
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This year, instead of making the traditional treats, my niece and I set out to make a pumpkin version. We made the treats exactly like the box said, though Breleigh was much more interested in eating the ingredients than helping. When the treats were still in the pan I added some orange food coloring. I actually went out and bought the Wilton food coloring because I wanted especially orange pumpkins and I didn't think I would be able to accomplish that with the liquid drops. When everything was bright orange, Breleigh and I molded them into little balls, and stuck tootsie roll stems in the top of them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSA8Yk6x8dfvFvfooLFrCE90WlaXt_bVO3WgT4G3y5dwrOtKSfuIhd8qEKj6x4zW2e9sXNQAt22GAd2ofehbWgphKoFE-N8V-_8q3KHXATSEHfLV_JJy4xY536W6zcbiZfstODusU-hg/s1600/IMG_2774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSA8Yk6x8dfvFvfooLFrCE90WlaXt_bVO3WgT4G3y5dwrOtKSfuIhd8qEKj6x4zW2e9sXNQAt22GAd2ofehbWgphKoFE-N8V-_8q3KHXATSEHfLV_JJy4xY536W6zcbiZfstODusU-hg/s1600/IMG_2774.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I wrapped them up in glassine bags and tied green raffia on the top to represent the vine. They were pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself. But nothing was quite as cute as Maddon enjoying them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTQH_pyNYudt3zVeimLQPfxfKV8Zt4T7SXoj-99ORQbN2qZ7kPjH5kVj_VBIzwqzKxTU0xzG0MbDgc5_QanasWLxgvgUgqQCq0dw-TD8yt8Rzpi3EwIMCCk_2G20YvxD7ydAiP3yVJO0/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTQH_pyNYudt3zVeimLQPfxfKV8Zt4T7SXoj-99ORQbN2qZ7kPjH5kVj_VBIzwqzKxTU0xzG0MbDgc5_QanasWLxgvgUgqQCq0dw-TD8yt8Rzpi3EwIMCCk_2G20YvxD7ydAiP3yVJO0/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end he got a piece stuck to the end of his nose that looked like a giant orange booger. We could not stop laughing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Warning: The kid who helps you cook will inevitably go into a sugar coma and start taking pictures like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k-VhUmGJHXo4wr3MrQXUtg7Fkpl5D3eeD6ZfhoPkba0WmivhqPpaoil92giF7FHUJxn3b4ymQ4EyPF_sxmhMvs0U0r1Bg2GqE7oqYJl7VyuN-lLbmnLCWuWRgle2ocsDjNDKesV6hRs/s1600/IMG_2779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k-VhUmGJHXo4wr3MrQXUtg7Fkpl5D3eeD6ZfhoPkba0WmivhqPpaoil92giF7FHUJxn3b4ymQ4EyPF_sxmhMvs0U0r1Bg2GqE7oqYJl7VyuN-lLbmnLCWuWRgle2ocsDjNDKesV6hRs/s1600/IMG_2779.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>But it is totally worth the sugar highs and lows to be able to gift your friends these cute sugary beauties! I hope you try them out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidajnVw-GkQUo2ktYs93Usp6ULIZ0QR-RIyOTRQAGS1DedAJRYAZq2X9XtPZkW4dl1ChXfUnE76Sa_25Q5ZYGssFTOSMAHc02FnZ6zncDKHuo4hjDEzyQgI9v4hqqlM1NHquiCVoyTzmY/s1600/IMG_2795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidajnVw-GkQUo2ktYs93Usp6ULIZ0QR-RIyOTRQAGS1DedAJRYAZq2X9XtPZkW4dl1ChXfUnE76Sa_25Q5ZYGssFTOSMAHc02FnZ6zncDKHuo4hjDEzyQgI9v4hqqlM1NHquiCVoyTzmY/s1600/IMG_2795.jpg" /></a></div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-33348423328384269232011-10-25T17:34:00.000-07:002011-10-25T17:36:07.662-07:00Can you Guess?Today was a great day! Third graders are quite the comedians, even though they don't realize it. One of them said to me, "You know what's kind of crazy? People have red hair! I mean, like, they have orange hair!!!" Being a red head myself, I made my best shocked face and said "Oh my gosh! Seriously!?!? That is crazy! I never noticed that before, except maybe every time I look in the mirror." They thought that was funny<br />
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I also went shopping today for the last few pieces of my costume. I bought small foam curlers and outer space fabric.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUazqVB-CaOzRAlixKxVpI5lqxgGh5ygsjlI72TflvseDyvhNmwobXqwxUMTXu3EocpTX4I4-T-_lFrhTF0Ny7OytW0aTSjCSvumDA4K3wUE4FdAwYU_DvkZjHImVMsXXY1w8CIsEes-o/s1600/7ebeaa18f12df530f9a2417d6824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUazqVB-CaOzRAlixKxVpI5lqxgGh5ygsjlI72TflvseDyvhNmwobXqwxUMTXu3EocpTX4I4-T-_lFrhTF0Ny7OytW0aTSjCSvumDA4K3wUE4FdAwYU_DvkZjHImVMsXXY1w8CIsEes-o/s640/7ebeaa18f12df530f9a2417d6824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Can you guess what I am going to be for Halloween???<br />
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What are you dressing up as?Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-88170289070840543362011-10-24T19:48:00.000-07:002011-10-24T21:33:10.612-07:00Super Baby, To The Rescue!Everybody loves a super hero! Especially kids! And what better way to have fun with super heroes than to make your own cape. I've tried all kinds of capes, and this one seems to work best. Tying the towel/blanket/sheet around the neck can hurt and it just falls off. But this cape won't fall off, and you make it with an old t-shirt.<br />
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Lay out your old shirt:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbGfMLq1E-NBF7ys5SobEGwaZ2s5A__fXV1fSomkwy6FOXBnxsSjV5_FKIQCrDvqyHZz6rC7KB-a5BCFdAO2tqKRjnliDGV-tOWzOfImu-Yw0KX_6m6-wtNe2DJqCRzoMui9v67xSkgQ/s1600/IMG_2790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbGfMLq1E-NBF7ys5SobEGwaZ2s5A__fXV1fSomkwy6FOXBnxsSjV5_FKIQCrDvqyHZz6rC7KB-a5BCFdAO2tqKRjnliDGV-tOWzOfImu-Yw0KX_6m6-wtNe2DJqCRzoMui9v67xSkgQ/s1600/IMG_2790.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then cut up the sides, cutting in to the neck at about the middle of the sleeve:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXi8nl3C5bxXsn8aBR3MvaS0D7s7TPUMbcVKawglNS_wqYq_i9XHmwTMu8uVy0NHYOtvG8XL6agGt_8cWUOhpw5q4fFQ8OnYX-TMrEFk1s_AQvSCpPMwfW2wNO6PrJxuV_DL1nnuuQ6o/s1600/IMG_2791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXi8nl3C5bxXsn8aBR3MvaS0D7s7TPUMbcVKawglNS_wqYq_i9XHmwTMu8uVy0NHYOtvG8XL6agGt_8cWUOhpw5q4fFQ8OnYX-TMrEFk1s_AQvSCpPMwfW2wNO6PrJxuV_DL1nnuuQ6o/s1600/IMG_2791.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then cut around the neck, leaving a bit of a border. When you finish slip it on a brave kid and watch the magic happen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52zaWzuQadipwFPn3qFAt-pDn_O8KeYLPlgOk3E1_wNhgsutfWxKKQ5saZzBnQMZmvKLF1TS7qJ9uY0y8IVzjQIzMZLUbkR1JOLrFGe8vX4wLlL8qVFs3MnIYRt7xL6YGvgzDWhKREj0/s1600/IMG_2789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52zaWzuQadipwFPn3qFAt-pDn_O8KeYLPlgOk3E1_wNhgsutfWxKKQ5saZzBnQMZmvKLF1TS7qJ9uY0y8IVzjQIzMZLUbkR1JOLrFGe8vX4wLlL8qVFs3MnIYRt7xL6YGvgzDWhKREj0/s1600/IMG_2789.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is an old UCLA Den shirt from my husband's huge collection. I love that it says "Champions Made Here"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAV8vPQMVKt6g0a78D4Ef0WKXWjIf5ZDBs8ElDRld65iofl8ifMzHk2LbapPJ17YMKFiRZSEqf4OYJyV_mNpUXjQAfoFdl9Pr9NQMN1pBS5oirCcvXmexT40Xaqdid38suyX74PxWQs30/s1600/IMG_2804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAV8vPQMVKt6g0a78D4Ef0WKXWjIf5ZDBs8ElDRld65iofl8ifMzHk2LbapPJ17YMKFiRZSEqf4OYJyV_mNpUXjQAfoFdl9Pr9NQMN1pBS5oirCcvXmexT40Xaqdid38suyX74PxWQs30/s1600/IMG_2804.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Super Breleigh to the rescue!<br />
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I hope that you use this to turn your kids into extraordinary super heroes!<br />
Up, up and away!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/2011/03/super-hero-cape-and-power-cuff-tutorial.html">This is where I originally saw the idea</a>. She used velcro, but I figured I didn't need that extra step. Check it out!<br />
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It has been suggested that the velcro may make the cape more safe. So true! As we learned from the Incredibles, capes are not the safest choice in the super hero uniform. So be safe out there super heroes!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/M68ndaZSKa8" width="960"></iframe>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-55750754232348311372011-10-21T10:27:00.000-07:002011-10-21T10:27:47.461-07:00Surprise!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQIhyphenhyphenOXzZeTSTPW5thBrDBiFLyK2Y8XX9mukuJ1yb3-Bro5GRmTu4Ly0ss2cmKhHH9GLvf_jbA-diXbQzOLbavP0VsGkNpitPuMcANm-5TZ32G75GiY9jyIcsLTbOB_MaRcXcam6WcrQ/s1600/SNB11225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQIhyphenhyphenOXzZeTSTPW5thBrDBiFLyK2Y8XX9mukuJ1yb3-Bro5GRmTu4Ly0ss2cmKhHH9GLvf_jbA-diXbQzOLbavP0VsGkNpitPuMcANm-5TZ32G75GiY9jyIcsLTbOB_MaRcXcam6WcrQ/s640/SNB11225.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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So I had a blog planned for today, but now it will have to wait until next week. My husband took the day off and told me we are going to go stay in a hotel and go apple picking! I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it! I can't wait to take pictures and share with them with you!<br />
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To make up for my extreme lacking today, I will try and post something on Sunday. I have some great crafts and activities coming up, so I hope you will stick around. And now I'm off, being whisked away by my amazing husband for a great adventure!Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-49450894372787272082011-10-20T17:16:00.000-07:002011-10-20T17:16:32.070-07:00Halloween, it Depends on Your Point of View<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi2ioDtSkdfmwyAAkZZdtU3iECFTbpSOQ-vMLSTiE-deVcO26sWoVDLOTBxjolgaf-3OeLidKieRmrm5PPnd6ODlrlqjbp1ACQu-7wDmvxaYW0KMRicMAxE_SDJWIJ2MnX0PnAn-uPqo/s1600/113082131046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi2ioDtSkdfmwyAAkZZdtU3iECFTbpSOQ-vMLSTiE-deVcO26sWoVDLOTBxjolgaf-3OeLidKieRmrm5PPnd6ODlrlqjbp1ACQu-7wDmvxaYW0KMRicMAxE_SDJWIJ2MnX0PnAn-uPqo/s640/113082131046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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So far I have shared several kindergarten ideas, which is pretty strange because I'm really more of an upper grade teacher. Don't get me wrong, I love kindergarten! I have a great time subbing for them, and had an even better time when I taught a group of kindergartners for the YMCA. But my teaching niche is really in the upper grades.<br />
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</div><div>One of the things that I love best about the upper grades is that they really start writing. It's a lot more than sentences once they hit the third grade and I love that! </div><div><br />
</div><div>Something that you can do with your students to help them practice adjectives is have them brain storm both the good things and bad things about Halloween. Then assign each student a point of view to write about. Have them write all of the adjectives that they can think of that go with their point of view and color them. It makes a great display board, and it's always funny to see what they have to say. I had pictures, but alas, I lost them. If I can find them then I will be sure to post them on another day. </div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-47256703433899695582011-10-19T17:01:00.000-07:002011-10-19T17:01:10.064-07:00Kinder Pumpkin Science<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9i5tCucpGul2yHwh0XHPEThynM1IeOM6mYCz8-d3wSRMBcLt8VcXNg2TlH5eqvu1D8CLSOUdmzPTWMckJFZtmxi6qGph49uy2-m7RDg0MwGk2HP1hyphenhyphenM9UCrGW4AC7cuZDa1ZfzKnVm4/s1600/DSC07691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9i5tCucpGul2yHwh0XHPEThynM1IeOM6mYCz8-d3wSRMBcLt8VcXNg2TlH5eqvu1D8CLSOUdmzPTWMckJFZtmxi6qGph49uy2-m7RDg0MwGk2HP1hyphenhyphenM9UCrGW4AC7cuZDa1ZfzKnVm4/s640/DSC07691.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I had a very interesting day today. I taught sixth grade, which is always a challenge, but these kids were pretty great. One of them was hilarious, but at all of the worst times, and it took every ounce of control that I had not to laugh. Then when I left, my car wouldn't start. I called a friend, who lives down the street from the school I was at, and she came right away and helped me get my car started. If that wasn't enough, I had planned to come over and do a craft with her son but because of my car we decided to reschedule. So not only did she rush over to help me, she also invited me to come over tomorrow and she is going to cook dinner! Wait a minute, shouldn't I be the one making her dinner?!? I seriously have the best friends! I will make it to her somehow.<br />
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So today I wanted to share a worksheet that I made up for a Kinder/first grade science experiment. This is all about getting to know the pumpkin in new ways, and focuses on estimation and prediction. It is designed to do in small groups, with an adult. I'm not entirely happy with the worksheet yet and I would love feedback, if you have any! But I do think this is a great start.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.4shared.com/document/eZM0hImv/pumpkin_scienceK.html"></a><a href="http://www.4shared.com/document/eZM0hImv/pumpkin_scienceK.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://dc426.4shared.com/img/eZM0hImv/0.22768976481614212/pumpkin_scienceK.pdf" /></a></span><br />
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Just click on the picture and it will to take to a site where you can download it for free! Let me know what you think!<br />
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</span></div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-85727783353552401982011-10-18T15:28:00.000-07:002011-10-18T15:28:25.850-07:00Kindergarten Activities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsjD-vhXwZZm-jx3cpNOWpJu5MKrpLwuHkaEHwgCgpWyK33G_KGP8NqZXUsPNhcsuB_xxGOu24LavEeNe1zZ33-JjTd_bD3roNO0GYLlEO_Ug_eQfFfYKz5FAJKwZ1zbSh_STnmqwSIw/s1600/Scarecrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsjD-vhXwZZm-jx3cpNOWpJu5MKrpLwuHkaEHwgCgpWyK33G_KGP8NqZXUsPNhcsuB_xxGOu24LavEeNe1zZ33-JjTd_bD3roNO0GYLlEO_Ug_eQfFfYKz5FAJKwZ1zbSh_STnmqwSIw/s1600/Scarecrow.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Hey everyone! I'm so sorry that I wasn't around yesterday, it was completely unintentional. You see, there is this AMAZING blog/site called <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">Once a Month Mom</a>, which is all about dedicating a day each month to preparing freezer meals for your family. That way when things get busy, you always have something to serve for dinner. The first time I had followed their plan was last month and I loved it! Everything we ate was delicious and even my very picky husband like it. So this month my mom decided that she wanted to do it too. We opted to try the diet version of the meals, since both of us already have enough fat to keep us warm for winter. I figured that with two people it would maybe take 5 hours. Boy, was I wrong!!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMZb7mVlA8Vp9eSLDqhn7PHsrQ1nQDbTUfNvqezWzlj4DyHzsIKKxotJGzltLVTrsreWixCsSsDhkyZ7FuIw2BxpyFvtVHx9r5X5z44ZEA4oT3yv3Jhc9oidalMLMGqdtcmluvAJJDCY/s1600/OAMM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMZb7mVlA8Vp9eSLDqhn7PHsrQ1nQDbTUfNvqezWzlj4DyHzsIKKxotJGzltLVTrsreWixCsSsDhkyZ7FuIw2BxpyFvtVHx9r5X5z44ZEA4oT3yv3Jhc9oidalMLMGqdtcmluvAJJDCY/s1600/OAMM.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what we started with!!!!</td></tr>
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It took us the entire day and into the evening. I didn't get home until almost eight, but it was so worth it! My freezer is stocked full with great breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and the best part is that they are all healthy! Needless to say, after a long day on my feet, I was exhausted and frankly not coherent enough to blog about anything, especially education! But I am back and today we are going to talk about a couple of kindergarten art activities.<br />
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As a sub, I'm in different classrooms almost everyday and so I get to see what everyone is up to. The sad truth is that art is often pushed aside in favor of test practice. But in Kindergarten there are several standards that go along with art, so you still see cute projects decorating the rooms. Please keep in mind that if I mention a standard, I am referring only to the California State Standards because those are the ones that I am the most familiar with. If you ever have a question specific to your state just let me know, I am more than willing to do the research and find out.<br />
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OK, chances are that if you have ever worked in Kindergarten or with a kindergartner then you know this poem:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late!"</div><div style="text-align: center;">The second one said, "There are witches in the air"</div><div style="text-align: center;">The third one said, "But we don't care!"</div><div style="text-align: center;">The fourth one said, "Let's run, let's run!"</div><div style="text-align: center;">The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then WHOOOOO went the wind</div><div style="text-align: center;">And OUT went the lights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And five little pumpkins rolled out of site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Great poem! They use it in Kindergarten to practice counting, coordination (with the movements) and rhyming which is so important to speaking and reading! But here is a great craft that I recently saw:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ImzlWwgRtK2qhEyyBJnfa8hsaxjIQLu0cIgAhHaewFms7t47T86pA9M_ov-OSo1uNrYn5MMOV7_V-aibsDLrYBHk-h_uLq5Q52nHUUVd4gQ-FgU4RKxNazCWm_Fi-cYQf-BfEKEEd3Y/s1600/5+little+pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ImzlWwgRtK2qhEyyBJnfa8hsaxjIQLu0cIgAhHaewFms7t47T86pA9M_ov-OSo1uNrYn5MMOV7_V-aibsDLrYBHk-h_uLq5Q52nHUUVd4gQ-FgU4RKxNazCWm_Fi-cYQf-BfEKEEd3Y/s1600/5+little+pumpkins.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is what I love about this activity: The students practiced their cutting with all of the pieces, which is a standard. They also practiced counting, and writing with the numbers. And the best part? The glittery stickers! I mean, come on! If you are five and the teacher says that if you follow directions that you are going to get five glittery stickers, you are going to pay attention. The kids there were also so excited to tell me the poem that goes with it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are interested in exploring this poem more at home I would highly recommend googling it! DLTK's is a great resource, and youtube even has some people that show you the movements that go with the poem. WARNING: The videos are really cheesy!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One last thing I want to share for today, just because they are cute:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicA1AnSFRnHpvBL1YGfKWNvDymK_PWdRywZxUJteQ7GqEa_rxM4UVhE57cUhGzQVCIx5nfpFz6YY1WrTQe2jcAdTUMe26M_SgU7FxmDs6FKX97PT0rLDquyx6_L3tJtmERwMpIDxJG9Y/s1600/Spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicA1AnSFRnHpvBL1YGfKWNvDymK_PWdRywZxUJteQ7GqEa_rxM4UVhE57cUhGzQVCIx5nfpFz6YY1WrTQe2jcAdTUMe26M_SgU7FxmDs6FKX97PT0rLDquyx6_L3tJtmERwMpIDxJG9Y/s1600/Spider.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love these cute spiders, and they would be great to make at home. Most teachers make these "I see" pages several times a month, and then put them together in a book for students at the end of the year. It is a really great teacher gift!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See all tomorrow! I am hoping to share a pumpkin science experiment!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-6587562701628944882011-10-14T18:44:00.001-07:002011-10-18T14:28:06.051-07:00Inspired by Teaching and a Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjVRB5IpizXHgOKMpwcDoRHZvctbZn0pz-l9BYJjjlt1phH-98klQckFfRJNcUIqOuESdtorXQJg9idNW8XzLRIzCrDjx3BwAVeeHN82UVxQoNPlN7Wbbw94GQWavlWqoKaE9U4C0Tjc/s1600/Tomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjVRB5IpizXHgOKMpwcDoRHZvctbZn0pz-l9BYJjjlt1phH-98klQckFfRJNcUIqOuESdtorXQJg9idNW8XzLRIzCrDjx3BwAVeeHN82UVxQoNPlN7Wbbw94GQWavlWqoKaE9U4C0Tjc/s640/Tomas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I've never done a giveaway on this site, and this one is sort of impromptu. You see, today I was inspired by what happened in the classroom. Today I taught fourth grade, which is a grade that I teach frequently, and I familiar with all of the curriculum. The students I was working with had a test on the story <u>Tomas and the Library Lady</u>, and what they didn't realize was that the book is actually based on a true story. It is this an almost magical tale about the son of a migrant farm worker and how a librarian inspires a deep love of books. Tomas, the boy in the story, is a real person who ended his life as a chancellor of UC Riverside. They even named the library after him!<br />
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I happen to be a huge fan of reading. I think it was my mom who got me interested because she was reading all of the time. We would even read books together. I remember sitting on the kitchen floor, while she did the dishes, and reading <u>The BFG</u> by Roald Dahl to her. I think everyone should read and really to learn to love it, which is why find this story so inspiring. After the test, the kids who had finished were reading books and one of the students, who is not a big reader, showed me his book and said, "Wow, I'm really into this book. I'm kind of like of Tomas!" And that's when I knew that one of you needs to own this book, and I'm going to give it to you.<br />
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To win a copy of the book <u>Tomas and the Library Lady</u>, by Pat Mora, you just have to leave a comment stating what your favorite children's book is and why. This is not a sponsored post! I don't know Pat Mora, or the publisher, I just like this book. This contest ends at 5pm Pacific Standard time and the winner will be chosen randomly and announced Monday. Good luck!<br />
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I hope that you love this book as much as I do, and use it to inspire an avid reader. Have a great weekend!<br />
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The giveaway is officially closed. I will announce which of you has won the book tomorrow.<br />
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The winner is Jamie with comment #1. I entered all the comments into a random number generator and that's what came out. Just send me an email with your address and I will send the book your way.Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-90637963066202480702011-10-13T17:46:00.000-07:002011-10-14T19:16:43.781-07:00A Love of Fall and a Halloween Inspired WreathOh, how I love Fall! The cooler weather, the apple cider, the scarves, the fires in the fireplace and the holidays. Somehow, Southern California has forgotten that it's Fall. Today is was over one hundred degrees here! To convince myself that it really is Fall, I made a Halloween inspired wreath. So far, it's not really working, the heat is way more convincing than a wreath, but it sure is cute and it does make me smile. Because it so cute, I wanted to share it with you!<br />
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Here is how I made it:<br />
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To make this wreath I bought a foam wreath (WalMart has them the cheapest!), black yarn, a 3 inch circle punch, pins, scissors, and a scary book. Yes, I am completely obsessed with the yarn wreaths that are so trendy now and wanted to try it out, only to cover up all of my hard work. And no, I guess you don't really need a scary book. It could technically be any book, but how cool is it to make a scary wreath from a scary book? Well, I think it's cool! I used the 3 inch circle punch to punch out about 300 hundred circles (WAY too many!).<br />
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Then I tied a knot in the yarn, and started wrapping. And wrapping. And wrapping. And wrapping. Yeah, I pretty much wrapped my life away, but I was pretty impressed with myself when I was done.<br />
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Getting those tight strands with no space between took some practice, but it all kind of blends together, so mistakes are easily covered.<br />
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After I had my yarn wreath, and was thoroughly impressed with myself, I started pinning the paper circles on. I found that if you pinch the circle in the center, they make a pretty flower shape, and look much better on the wreath itself.<br />
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This is the wreath after I finished all the paper circles:<br />
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Then I used some stiff felt that I had leftover from the wedding and cut out a couple bats and pinned them on.<br />
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Cute, right? It's even better on the door!<br />
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I hope that you think this wreath is as adorable as I do. Now, please excuse me while I turn the air down enough to enjoy a glass of hot apple cider without sweating.<br />
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This blog is linked to:<br />
<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2011/10/show-off-your-stuff-96.html"></a><a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF7Vqw2MWi8i6ImqTCVyDCLikX-Osqe-v2MU-6Z4KwKDCWG0xZIEa6PxkIZvTaOunSKAOVI5fRHxrBCseGEqKd4eoWsMe1RmFoyKylC13COqLHo75KBI5H1BB-FsEwznJcFstRY0AFwc/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a> and <a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Fall%20Festival"></a><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Fall%20Festival" target="_blank"><img alt="The DIY Show Off" border="0" src="http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac195/Roeshel/fallfest.jpg" /></a>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-60030606881135623402011-10-12T18:10:00.000-07:002011-10-12T18:15:40.616-07:00The Truth About Jack-o-LanternsI had quite the day today, not a bad day, just hard. It was the kind of day that just reaffirms why I want to be a teacher. It's the students who really struggle with focus and behavior issues, that need a teacher who really cares and is going to make them a priority. Today I saw those kids written off, and it's only October. I spent my day making sure they knew they were capable, intelligent and caring. In fact, I kind of played the Aibileen card (from The Help, great book). I could almost hear myself saying, "You is kind, you is smart, you in important." I know that I didn't exactly change a life today, but hopefully I changed their day.<br />
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So here I am, driving home, complaining to myself about teachers, and I come home to this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAc_R4POumsMlDFJ2kMNERysm4Kj116AFZNWr5TDrol6VqDatD5-fSzrugLILi0TnKKBeyttt38OkMAu8fkEQMIFBapFjn66-v377UOAVXtzRBlD6hyN8lnmAvzAm9pEwvVlxtWVrlXc/s1600/IMG_2838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAc_R4POumsMlDFJ2kMNERysm4Kj116AFZNWr5TDrol6VqDatD5-fSzrugLILi0TnKKBeyttt38OkMAu8fkEQMIFBapFjn66-v377UOAVXtzRBlD6hyN8lnmAvzAm9pEwvVlxtWVrlXc/s1600/IMG_2838.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Poor pumpkin! You see, in my Pinterest obsession I saw a post that said putting Silica gel packets in a pumpkin would make them last longer. Now, I tend to be skeptic and a scientist, so I decided to try it out for myself. I did some research on the best way to preserve a Jack-o-Lantern and set up an experiment to put them to the test.<br />
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The first method I tried was the silica gel packets. After I had carved the pumpkins, I placed three packets inside in hopes that they absorb any excess moisture. This is the pumpkin after four days:<br />
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Starting to wilt, for lack of a better word, but not too bad. But this is the pumpkin after nine days:<br />
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He has completely collapsed on himself. But on the bright side, the silica gel packets have ensured that it didn't shrivel into a mushy moldy mess! In short, silica doesn't work!<br />
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I also tried a method where after cutting you rub bleach on the cut parts and then rub some petroleum jelly over the cut parts. The theory is that the bleach kills anything living in the pumpkin and the petroleum jelly keeps in the moisture which keeps it fresh. This this that pumpkin after 4 days:<br />
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Not so bad, and the droopy lip kind of adds character. But this is the same pumpkin after 9 days:<br />
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Yeah, that's gross! Keeping in the moisture just made it soggy and it bred mold like crazy, despite the bleach treatment. Don't do it!!!!! This method is too much work, for no reward.<br />
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Now in defense of these two pumpkins, they were older than the last pumpkin, but I was hoping that the different treatments would preserve them. Here is the plain old Jack-o-Lantern, my control, now:<br />
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Looking good Jack! So the moral of the story is that a young and fresh Jack-o-Lantern is the best, no treatment necessary. That little guy made my day, because as bummed as I was feeling on the way home, a Jack-o-Lantern reminded me that it's only fall and things can change. For the sake of those sweet, but misguided children, I may have to be that force of change and I can handle that.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Happy Fall!</span></div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-92072215977310839552011-10-11T15:41:00.000-07:002011-10-11T15:41:23.127-07:005 tips to the perfect babysitter/nannyAs more and more of my friends become moms, I am constantly asked the question, "How do I find a good babysitter or nanny?" Having been on both sides of the interview multiple times (I have hired my replacement several times), here are the tips I usually give them:<br />
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1.)<b> Look into a service, but don't be afraid of Craigslist!</b><br />
Every single nanny job that I have ever gotten, I have gotten from craigslist. I usually write an ad about who I am, and what I have to offer, and I'll often include a picture. This usually gets me several interviews. Trust me, craigslist is full to the brim with trustworthy college kids who would love to work with you and your family.<br />
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2.)<b> Look for an ad that states your specific needs, or write your own and wait for the responses to flow in.</b><br />
One of the families that I was a nanny with for almost 4 years wrote in their ad that they wanted a creative person, who knew how to bake, was crafty, and was familiar with all of the Disney princesses. This is exactly who I am, and I just knew it was the perfect fit. In my response to this ad I made sure to touch on each of those requirements and why I fit their needs. I was hired by that family, and those girls were in my wedding!<br />
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3.)<b> Interview them with your child present.</b><br />
This is your chance to find out if you like them and the way they interact with your child. If your child is cowering the entire time the person is there and never warms up, then that person is not for you. On the other hand, if your child keeps interrupting the interview to share things or play with the person, then they deserve to move on to the next step.<br />
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3.) <b>Be brutally honest</b><br />
Don't be vague about your expectations. If you want them to go to the park three times a week then you need to say that. If you think it is important that they be able to prepare homemade baby food for your child, then you need to state that during your interview. If you are looking for a person to become a part of your family, tell them. In one of my first interviews the mom told me to leave my drama at the door. She also told me that if I was late more than three times without calling, to just not bother showing up the next time because I had fired myself through my actions. I was never late to that job, and I never came in crying no matter what.<br />
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4.) <b>Talk about payment up front</b><br />
Please do not put the babysitter in the awkward position of asking how much the job will pay. Just be forward with them, but open for negotiation. As I got older and more experienced, this part got easier. When I first started, I never would have negotiated my fee. Now I go into an interview knowing what I want. If it is too far from what the family is willing to offer, then I know that we aren't a good fit. On the other hand, if what they are offering is close to what I'm looking for, then I know that we can work together. Just try and be fair, ask friends what they are paying, and go from there.<br />
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5.) <b>The first time you have someone babysit you should be there</b><br />
I don't mean you should be there to greet them and then take off, I mean you should be there the whole time. This allows the babysitter the opportunity to ask questions and the children to get used to the new person in your presence. This tip is seriously invaluable! And just remember, even though you are there, you still have to pay the sitter this time.<br />
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The most important tip is to simply<b> trust your gut! </b>If there is anything you don't like about a person, then don't hire them, it is as simple as that. I hope that this helps, and that you all find your perfect babysitter or nanny. I have formed invaluable friendships with the many families that I have been a nanny for, and even have fond memories of my own childhood babysitter. She's the one that taught me how to blow a bubble with chewing gum! Best of luck finding the perfect fit for your family!<br />
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Already have the perfect baby sitter or nanny? I want to know what makes him/her perfect for your family. Please tell me in the comments.Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-5193111661992586332011-10-10T15:04:00.000-07:002011-10-14T19:24:02.455-07:00A Halloween Tutu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfMAMTPKPmUuLrOZNGWhQ2ZYO8qoosBYsmwedBs0AHMXOjzTeIylj5IvWofIoSnuRQCYtlo_jhty799t1YF847HeVzKNYlH2ymgV8cyo1JxGfwcDDIMFqknBgXPIeC4URAV8_fpOUhJw/s1600/IMG_2773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfMAMTPKPmUuLrOZNGWhQ2ZYO8qoosBYsmwedBs0AHMXOjzTeIylj5IvWofIoSnuRQCYtlo_jhty799t1YF847HeVzKNYlH2ymgV8cyo1JxGfwcDDIMFqknBgXPIeC4URAV8_fpOUhJw/s1600/IMG_2773.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You should know that I am a little bit obsessed with tutus. They are adorable, and so easy and inexpensive to make. Plus, my niece looks adorable in them!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what you need to make your own:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 yards of each color tulle you are using</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ribbon that matches your color scheme</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep! That's it! Like I said, easy and inexpensive. Next I laid out each piece of tulle and cut them in half at the fold. If you don't do this then you are going to have ridiculously huge pieces of tulle to work with. I then wrapped my tulle around a piece of cardboard that measured 15" and secured both the top and bottom with rubber bands. Then I cut the fabric at both ends so that it measured 7 1/2 inches and looked like this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y2Paqa0GtRTaoWG-o7u3iUXmQSu45unww0Q26G8SB0Ra15ueNpFds8Bjl_Ig79cyukFyKLifYpYN0G1TsQhggyzc86oHCAYK3PUoNJq-nxewMfGOKqVatEDk4VOjYPlW9rzBMBmBAmU/s1600/IMG_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y2Paqa0GtRTaoWG-o7u3iUXmQSu45unww0Q26G8SB0Ra15ueNpFds8Bjl_Ig79cyukFyKLifYpYN0G1TsQhggyzc86oHCAYK3PUoNJq-nxewMfGOKqVatEDk4VOjYPlW9rzBMBmBAmU/s1600/IMG_2656.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next step is hard to photograph and the photos that I did take turned out horribly because, well because I'm white! Ha ha ha, my white skin reflected in the lens and they just look horrible and white and blurry. Please excuse my whiteness and the resulting lack of photos. But, all you do is fold a piece of tulle in half so that it has a loop at the top. Put the loop behind the ribbon that you are using, and pull the bottom up over the ribbon and through the loop. It's called a slip knot. It should look like this:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNd_qI2AtUgwz1Has36fg8rVpwnX_mNc9TuxbNuXFjRY_pvPT4A-H5fc59hUlcEFBD0QtJ7yn8tKZAw2V4xSc8wvIsVC5zC5Sq1GjLS5FhZW8iun1X7POBWx_cAvBtMtXnJE_ShExAzg/s1600/IMG_2661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNd_qI2AtUgwz1Has36fg8rVpwnX_mNc9TuxbNuXFjRY_pvPT4A-H5fc59hUlcEFBD0QtJ7yn8tKZAw2V4xSc8wvIsVC5zC5Sq1GjLS5FhZW8iun1X7POBWx_cAvBtMtXnJE_ShExAzg/s1600/IMG_2661.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then just keep adding pieces until it is the right size and looks like this:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwA-tOAWoXcVxMwukuAbQNxNto2dXiQWkUBGBbIcmZ3imoDVq2c60xk2vc48OE5FIDjnJhRaW1vPGQFza4i9c3xs1TOz4lrZ5hCwuLTpFY5FaSDX_-XOwRq5EwUr076AbhdwRqZmhW6A/s1600/IMG_2663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwA-tOAWoXcVxMwukuAbQNxNto2dXiQWkUBGBbIcmZ3imoDVq2c60xk2vc48OE5FIDjnJhRaW1vPGQFza4i9c3xs1TOz4lrZ5hCwuLTpFY5FaSDX_-XOwRq5EwUr076AbhdwRqZmhW6A/s1600/IMG_2663.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you are done, tie it around the waist of a cute little girl and just giggle at how cute it is!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlC5zdUyCFcNDr8wWhydGqasi9VOojQzs-T3c9UbT-TIDvMmjz2DprawNdnjuHIU3pbxg5QMb0QsWY6960QCAYqLnQOwBg3bxxtpDQE_Hn2oA8Bk7xMMjfJJ_n_weaXL3-a3KwwE8MFM/s1600/IMG_2758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlC5zdUyCFcNDr8wWhydGqasi9VOojQzs-T3c9UbT-TIDvMmjz2DprawNdnjuHIU3pbxg5QMb0QsWY6960QCAYqLnQOwBg3bxxtpDQE_Hn2oA8Bk7xMMjfJJ_n_weaXL3-a3KwwE8MFM/s1600/IMG_2758.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn't get much cuter! And the best part is that you can make them in any color! I am currently working on an Angel's tutu for Bre and I can't wait to see her in it. For now I will just enjoy how cute she is in this one. Happy Monday!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C2lQKjShByfM9s4o6N1_UvEiO92UNOd5R5eZ7cLgvmVby87mhC12ZAdn2LbTeLVsoaBr_FYP4737uF6FL-V2RcLPLdFHLNbnnZIVZ5YpjUsMdjolcaF2CEDFCPt67Jvx6FfUK69ZRJM/s1600/IMG_2771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C2lQKjShByfM9s4o6N1_UvEiO92UNOd5R5eZ7cLgvmVby87mhC12ZAdn2LbTeLVsoaBr_FYP4737uF6FL-V2RcLPLdFHLNbnnZIVZ5YpjUsMdjolcaF2CEDFCPt67Jvx6FfUK69ZRJM/s1600/IMG_2771.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This blog is linked to a great link party!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/2011/10/time-to-shine-link-party-no-39.html"></a></span></div><center><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/c2afwife/aditsmain.gif" /></a></center>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-47122072536912736212011-10-08T17:27:00.000-07:002011-10-08T17:45:34.079-07:00A Very Sincere Thanks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Normally I won't post blogs on Saturday, that will be my time to relax, reorganize, and write like crazy for the next week. But this week I needed to make an exception. As I am sitting here relaxing, I suddenly realized that I made it through my first week of blogging and have zillions of ideas left to share. This is nothing short of exciting, but the thing that makes it the most exciting is the support that I've gotten from all of you! I have constantly received sweet emails, encouraging texts, and lovely Facebook posts. I even got taken out for a celebratory coffee! I can't even express how much all of that means to me, I can just say thank you. So thank you for the out pouring of love and support, and please keep it up! Tell your friends about the blog so that they will tell their friends and I can continue to really grow this endeavor. I got my first international site visits yesterday, and my first stranger to friend the blog on Facebook! Welcome new friends! This is just the beginning, I look forward to bigger and better things on this blog, and I look forward to sharing them with you! Have a great weekend!</span>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656763197395099240.post-48975041334828418632011-10-07T17:00:00.000-07:002011-10-07T17:00:11.811-07:00A Bedtime Story with a Moral<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJelOgcLmYNmMNp2YrPGQHNlqnY2vugAs-PdMrx94H7PBMt4BiMXU6NNGakr9sFs2arFOhdZBrBHwOCYLwSNFfu9GX1MG_E16tj2IDHzfE5e3shWGh_GVnMQB-uiz5qvOhd-Un1XkzOo/s1600/Teddy_Bear__1_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJelOgcLmYNmMNp2YrPGQHNlqnY2vugAs-PdMrx94H7PBMt4BiMXU6NNGakr9sFs2arFOhdZBrBHwOCYLwSNFfu9GX1MG_E16tj2IDHzfE5e3shWGh_GVnMQB-uiz5qvOhd-Un1XkzOo/s320/Teddy_Bear__1_.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every family has their own bedtime routine, and I have participated in my fair share of them. I have done everything from warming up a glass of milk for a child, to saying goodnight to each and every one of the stuffed animals in a child's room, along with pictures of grandparents. Most routines include a story, sometimes the same one over and over again, and sometimes the child gets to choose. Some routines include a song, and sometimes it is even a song you don't know. My point is that everyone does something different, something that works for them, and children enjoy consistency. Consistency is especially important when it is a new person putting the child the bed! It makes them feel safe in an unfamiliar situation. Let me share with you the time that I learned a very valuable bedtime lesson.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was young, a newer babysitter, but it wasn't my first time at the rodeo. I asked all of the right questions (I thought) before the parents left, and had a list of emergency numbers just in case. I was babysitting a one year old boy who had barely started talking, and was certainly a handful. We had a fun evening of building towers and knocking them down, playing cars, and coloring with the bath paints that I had brought. After dinner and bath time, it was time for bed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I got him in his pajamas and read the book that his mom had left out for us. Then rocked that sweet boy to the point of exhaustion. As I laid him in his crib to sleep, he cracked open one little eye and whispered "no." "Shhhhhh," I said, "It's time to go sleep." Both eyes popped open. "No," he said. I tried to shush him again, rubbing his back to try and get him back to sleep. He sat up, panicked and started yelling "NO!" After several minutes he was still screaming, tears streaming down that innocent face. I interpreted this as him being freaked out that it was me putting him to bed and not his parents. I gave in and picked him up to cuddle, but he thrashed, and screamed, and eventually squirmed his way to the ground. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> At this point, both of us are crying. I felt defeated. What was I doing wrong? I had done everything his mom had said, he was practically asleep when I put him down! As I sat on the ground contemplating my next move, the little boy walked over to his toy bin, plucked out a teddy bear and held it up, saying "no." When I picked him up again, he lay his head down on my shoulder, one arm wrapped tightly around the bear, the other around me. This time when I put him in his crib, he rolled over with the teddy bear and fell straight to sleep.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confused, but extremely relieved I walked back out to the living room to wait for his parents. When his mom and dad got home, I told them about our evening of fun together and then explained the stressful bedtime situation. The mother was mortified. As detailed as I had been with my questioning, and as detailed as she had been with her instructions, she had left out one very important thing. This little boy liked to sleep with a bear, and the name of his little teddy bear was No.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The moral of the story: make sure you talk about the bedtime rituals, including the names of bedtime toys!</span></div>Jamie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879760464530056591noreply@blogger.com0