End of Year Teacher Gift

Posted by Nicole Carney on Jun 10, 2013 in Gift Ideas | 0 comments

June is a very busy time of year! Everyone is wrapping up and shifting gears to prepare for a smooth transition into summer. I know there’s a lot to do, but in your scramble to get everything checked off your To-Do List, don’t forget to say ‘thank you’ to those special people who have dedicated their time and energy to brighten your child’s day, and to fill their inquisitive minds with knowledge and wonder: teachers, aides, strategists, coaches, and caregivers. A simple card or verbal ‘thank you’ to show your gratitude is really all you need, but a small gift is always nice too!

Butterflies!

Posted by Nicole Carney on Jun 10, 2013 in Bugs, Caterpillars and Butterflies, Handprint / Footprint Crafts, Painting, Picture Book Activities, Science Activities, Spring Crafts and Activities | 0 comments

A few weeks ago we received our Painted Lady Butterfly kit. It’s been very interesting and exciting to watch our tiny caterpillars grow, spin their chrysalis’, and emerge as beautiful orange and black butterflies! I’m so glad I decided to do this with my boys. They both really enjoyed observing and learning about the life-cycle of a butterfly and, because of this hands-on experience, M has now adopted a few new scientific words into his vocabulary: camouflage, proboscis, and metamorphosis; pretty impressive, not to mention a mouthful, for a three-year-old!

Father’s Day Handprint/ Footprint Mugs

Posted by Nicole Carney on Jun 7, 2013 in Father's Day, Gift Ideas, Handprint / Footprint Crafts | 0 comments

When I was rooting around in my closet I came across a few extra white mugs I had recently purchased from the dollar store for the DIY painted mugs my boys and I made as Mother’s Day gifts. I decided to use the leftover mugs as an extra gift from the boys for their daddy, Grandpa, and Papa. Originally, I wanted to put M and B’s handprints on each of the mugs, but B was being less than cooperative. For some reason, he refused to let me paint his hand, but he was more than willing to let me take a print of his foot! A footprint may seem odd on a mug, but it still makes for a cute keepsake.

Father’s Day Broquet Basket

Posted by Nicole Carney on Jun 5, 2013 in Father's Day, Gift Ideas | 0 comments

The Red Green Show Father’s Day Broquet

Chances are if you didn’t grow up in Canada in the 90’s you never heard of the home improvement parody/ sketch comedy The Red Green Show. To be honest I probably wouldn’t have heard of it either if it weren’t for my dad. I have to say there were definitely some funny and ridiculous moments on that show, especially the segment titled “Handyman Corner” where Red created crazy contraptions using scraps he’d collected and, of course, duct tape!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities

Posted by Nicole Carney on May 31, 2013 in Bugs, Caterpillars and Butterflies, Literacy Activities, Motor Skills, paint printing, Painting, Picture Book Activities, Science Activities, Spring Crafts and Activities | 0 comments

Since our caterpillars arrived a week ago, they’ve been very busy eating and growing. It won’t be long now until they spin their chrysalis’ and transform into lovely Painted Lady butterflies!