Product Recalls for March 2012

Here is the list. Check your purchases!

Sneak Peak into a Great Blue Heron Nest!

Follow this link to visit a webcam live broadcast of a pair of Great Blue Herons as they care for their eggs. When will they be hatching? There is also one on the nest of a pair of Redtailed Hawks whose chicks should hatch in a few days!! What fun for kids and adults as well.

Easter Books and Craft 2012

Here are some terrific books for the holiday:
Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Duck and Goose by Tod Hills
The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
Junie B. First Grader-Dumb Bunny by Barbara Park
Story of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing
Peepsqueak by Ann Clark

Paper Plate Bunny

You will need 2 white paper plates, a pink crayon or marker, some pom poms and a small piece of colored construction paper.
First, glue two big white pom poms next to each other in the middle of the plate. Place a small pink pom pom right above them to be the nose.
Next, draw the eyes with a crayon or marker.
Then, cut a bow tie of any color and glue at the bottom of the plate.
Finally, take the second plate and cut two ears by cutting and removing a "v" shaped piece. Color the insides pink and attach them to the back of the plate, cut sides toward the middle (see my picture for placement.

This cute bunny can hang at your door or in your window.

Watch Live Video of a Red Tail Hawk on Her Nest

This is so cool. Let the little ones enjoy watching too.

March 2012 Product Recalls

Follow this link and check your items.

February 2012 Product Recalls

Check here for children's produsts that have been recalled.

St Patrick's Day 2012

Here are some fun books to share:
Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever by Teddy Slater
Night Before St. Patrick's Day by Natasha Wing
Hurray for St. Patrick's Day by Joan Holub
St. Patrick's Day Countdown by Salina Yoon
Fine St. Patrick"s Day by Susan Wojciechowski
St. Patrick's Day Alphabet by Beverly Vidrine
Ashley's St Patrick's Day Treasure Hunt by Shalyn Green

Craft Idea- Leprechaun's Mask
Supplies: 1 each 8.5x11 green and orange piece of construction paper or card stock
stickers, stamps, gold glitter glue(optional)
gold metallic paper or foil (optional)
yarn or ribbon
scissors, hole punch, tape

Instructions:
1-Fold the green paper in half and cutting from the edge toward the fold, cut a basic hat shape. (see photo)
2-Decorate with shamrock stickers, stamps or swirls of gold glitter. Kids can also decorate by drawing any decorations they want.
Punch a hole on each side of the brim. You can add an extra piece of card stock in the back to prevent tearing. Cut some ribbon or string to tie through each hole.
3-Fold the orange paper in half and cut a U shape matching the same wide as the hat. Fringe and slightly curl the outer edge all the way around. (see photo)
4-Securely tape the orange beard to the back sides of the hat.

Now your little ones can dress up while they watch the parade go by!

Here is my sample:

The Great Backyard Birdcount 2012

Have some fun with the kids by counting the birds you see around your home this weekend. Follow this link to download the information. Then you can enter your numbers online and see which birds have been counted in your hometown and across the country. It also help ornithologists see the species trends. It's really fun!

Valentine's Day Books and Craft 2012

Reading Suggestions:

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Peter H. Reynolds. What happens if you plant a kiss? Read this charming book and see.

I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg. This book tells the true meaning of friendship.

Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell. Is there ever a time that a hug isn't just right? I don't think so.

Never Too Little To Love by Jeanne Wells. Jules the kitten explores the world to find out if everyone regardless of age or size is too little to give love.

Snowy Valentine by David Petersen. Enjoy this story of the search for the perfect gift for Valentine's Day.

Tissue Paper Flowers

You will need:
tissue paper in different colors
buttons
chenille stems
scissors

1-Fold tissue paper so that you have a stack of at least 8 sheets. The more layers you use, the fuller your flower will be. In this picture, I used 16 sheets.
2-Cut out about a 4 inch circle through all the layers. CAREFULLY poke a small hole through the center of the stack of circles.
3-Push a stem through the back of the circles so that 4 inches extends above the circles. Slide a button onto the stem above the circles.
4-Bend the stem and go back down through the other hole in the button and back down through the circles. (the button should be snug against the tissue paper)
5- Twist the end of the stem around itself, right under the circles to hold them in place.
6- Take each layer and squeeze them up over the button. It will form petal shapes and add fullness to your flower.

Make different colored flowers or all the same. Use contrasting or matching colors for the buttons. Stems can be green to look realistic or any fun colors you wish. Place them into a vase with shredded tissue paper, Styrofoam or glass beads in the bottom. You could also tape tissue paper leaves to the stems if you wish. These easy flowers can be used to decorate a table or windowsill. Give them as a gift along with a handmade card. Happy Valentine' Day!

Healthy Meals For Picky Eaters

If you have a picky eater in your home, you know how frustrating it can be to find healthy meals for them. Here are a few ideas using the food kids love! How much better can that be?

Product Recalls for January 2012

Follow this link for the checklist of products that need to be avoided.

Recommended Immunizations for Children

Follow this link to see the schedules for children 0-6 yrs. and 7-18yrs. They even have a handy printable for you to use to keep accurate records.