Each year as Mother's Day approaches, I am reminded how fortunate I am.  I have 4 reasons (AKA children) that give me the privilege to celebrate this day. 

Recently, I inquired of friends, their plans for the day.  Responses vary and all were interesting.  Some choose to celebrate with a brunch, visit to their mother, or a day trip to a local botanical garden.  All including their children. 

There are others who choose to celebrate with " a day  off".  Visiting a spa, going to an all day scrap-booking event, or just want time alone.  Nothing wrong with these either... we can all use a day off/spa day/time alone!

I like to celebrate in a simple way- Together.  My husband, myself, and our 4 children will be together.  If it's nice, maybe we'll garden (who can turn down helping mom outside on Mother's Day!) .  If it rains... a movie?  board games?  I'm flexible.  As long as it is easy, low stress.   At our house we have the "red plate".  This is the special plate you get to eat off of on your birthday, and maybe one other day if something special happens... with 4 children you have to keep it fair.  As we will dine at home, this usually comes out as well.  Not having to plan/prepare/clean up the meal is a treat in and of itself!

I wish for each mother out there to get their wish for Sunday.  Celebrate how you want- but remember those children of yours who "gave" you this day.  Enjoy!

As the school year seems to be upon us, we cannot forget to appreciate those teachers who have helped our children grow!

We have uploaded some great images of items that can be made for teachers on our Pinterest page.  http://pinterest.com/thewritestuff/

Follow us on Twitter... we have tweeted ideas or retweeted links posted by others as well!  Follow us at @supplykitmoms.

Recognition can be in all forms.  We have gathered a few ideas to share:

small gifts in the form of:

hand soap-lotion-hand sanitizer-candy-mints-notecards

small acts of thanks:

Buy coffee for staff (Starbucks, etc) - provide afternoon treats for staff (deliver to classroom or put in teacher lounge) - sun lotion (hopes for a relaxing summer) - lanyards for school ID's

The ideas are endless....the idea is to recognize their efforts!

Earth Day is celebrated each year on two different days - the March Equinox and April 22.  The latter usually involves more schools.  There are many ways to include children of all ages to respect our planet and to take care of it.  Here are some classroom and at home activities you can share with your families:

Pick up trash on the playground

Plant a tree

Invite a speaker to come in to talk about recycling efforts

Plant tin can herb pots

Recycled pet food scoop

Coffee grounds fossils

There is also a link to more downloads on our Kid Stuff page you can share with your children to make "our Earth" a better place to live!

As many people are out shopping for bathing suits and sun tan lotion - getting ready for a tropical trip somewhere- we here at The Write Stuff are busy getting our schools ready for their back-to-school supply kit sales.  We will however, try to make the best of it with a few  staycation ideas that we want to share with you. 

Depending on where you live, the weather can obviously play a HUGE roll in whether any of the following ideas will work.  Our advice?  Be flexible... it can't rain or snow all week!

Visit the Zoo, or local animal rescue centers

Try Letterboxing!  www.letterboxing.org

Visit the museums... Most offer specials or free entry days over spring breaks.

Some hotels will allow you to buy indoor pool passes.  Another option and activity kids probably have not done in awhile.

Take public transportation.... If you live in a suburban area, this might be something new for your children to enjoy... and take traffic stress off of you!

Check your local library for programs or activities they may be offering.

Park districts often schedule activities or mini camps for spring break.  ( A break for you as well!)

Volunteer!  Sort food at the food pantry or contact a local senior center.  Maybe your children can play checkers with residents or read to  them.

No matter where you live or what you choose to do with yor family.... enjoy the time off.  These kids of ours are all growing up so fast!

Let us know if you have any other ideas to add to our list- we will be sure to pass them along!

A few simple, but fun games and crafts to use at your classroom party, February birthday, or for teachers to use on a rainy/snowy inside recess!

Games:

Valentine's Day Bingo  Make cute cards and use candy hearts as Bingo chips

Musical Chairs            Play "love" songs as the children circle

Who's My Valentine?   A cute quiz of questions for kids on Valentines Day

Blinded by Love     Simple game of blindfold drawing of hearts

Crafts:

 Be Mine Band Aids   A great pass time for teachers, or party organizers

Sweet Text Message    An adorable craft for those text savvy kids!

Candy Rings     Easy craft to take wear home!

Bottle Cap Locket     The girls will love this one!

Each year Ground Hog's Day comes around quite quickly after the holidays at my house.  My second child shares his bithday with "Punxsutawney Phil" and so we seem to always pay attention to whether or not he sees his shadow.  Not knowing much about this day prior to his birth... I came to learn a few facts I thought I would share.  To clarify:

If he sees his shadow, he gets "scared" and returns to his den for six more weeks of winter.

If the day is cloudy and he does not see his shadow, he thinks it is spring.

The history of it goes back centuries, but some of the past fifty years facts may put a smile on your face today.

Over the course of Phil's appearances, Phil has had numerous noteworthy highlights:

During Prohibition Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn't allowed a drink.

In 1958 Phil announced that it was a "United States Chucknik," rather than a Soviet Sputnik or Muttnik that became the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth.

In 1981 Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honor of the American hostages in Iran.

Phil traveled to Washington DC in 1986 to meet with President Reagan. He was joined by Groundhog Club President Jim Means, Al Anthony and Bill Null.

Phil met Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburg in 1987.

In 1993, Columbia Pictures released the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.

Phil appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995.

In the years following the release of the movie, record crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney!

In 2001, Phil's prediction was shown live on the JumboTron at Times Square in New York City.

For more information,activities, and to see Phil yourself, check out

www.groundhog.org.

In my family, we are split between wanting more weeks of winter or looking for an early spring.  Either way, we enjoy the anticipation of wondering what Phil will see or not see next week!

Each year we all start off with great intentions for "change" in our lives, whether personal or professional, and write up some lofty New Year's resolutions.  Resolution, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is 'an act of answering or solving."  As much as we are all looking for life's answers, I think of life as more of a journey and not a problem to solve.  So with that, I have decided to make a New Year's Revision to my current life, and see how that works! 

Some of the following ideas are for children.... they can apply to home or school.  Take a few minutes around the dinner table (or kitchen counter!) to make some changes at your house!  See if you can "lead " them into creating the ones you think will help at your home best.  That way, it was their idea and they may be more invested in sticking to them.  Post them on the refrigerator, back door, or somewhere you can review easily!

Enjoy the conversations!

Preschool:

                I will help pick up my toys

                I will try new foods my parents share with me

                I will brush my teeth twice each day

Grade School:

                I will drink milk or water instead of fruit juices or colas

                I will share _______ with friends and family

                I will try my best in school, starting with ____________

Tweens and Teens:

                I will drink milk or water instead of fruit juices or colas

                I will increase my exercising by _____________________

                I would like to improve on this in school ___________________

Have any other new ideas?  Post them here and share!

Congratulations to our 2011 contest winner!  Deasy School in Glen Cove, NY!

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Check out this link to see owner Jennifer Thompson interviewed by Robin McCoy!

http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/spotlight-on-mommy-jennifer-thompson-of.html

Does your school hold any special event to send the kids off for the summer?

Post your answer on our Facebook wall for a chance to win your school's supplies!

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