March 18, 2011 ·
Okay, we took our "cake" on the road and the parents in Ohio loved it! We were asked and begged for it, but alas, we need it for our other road trips to St. Louis (March 22) and Chicago (May 3). So, the next best thing is the directions to make your own!
Here is the link to the downloads section of our web site to get the step by step directions. The best part is, if you send us the photo of your cake, we'll send you a coupon code for a future purchase! Good luck!
http://www.write-stuff.com/downloads.cfm
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February 28, 2011 ·
Look what our design team member Denise created for our upcoming PTO Trade Shows! See it live in Columbus, OH on March 16, St. Louis, MO on March 22, and in Chicago, IL on May 3. Sorry White Plains, NY and Atlanta, GA.... it would not fly well!!
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General
December 28, 2010 ·
I love the holidays, I love the time with family, the decorations, the "no schedule"? of school and kids activities.
My four children on the other hand have started the Can I have a friend over? routine. I guess they made it 9 days into the break without asking- I should be happy with that. I'm not opposed to friends over, I just love the all days in our PJ's, watching movies and being together time.
This time will fly by, I know. The break first, and then the time when they are home. My oldest will take driver's education next year. When did that happen? she leaves for college in 3.5 years. A blink if you think back that amount of time.
So, I'm compromising... friends are coming over tomorrow, movies with me tonight!
How come they have to grow up so fast?
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December 15, 2010 ·
Don't you get a wonderful feeling from helping others during the holiday season? Why not get that feeling all year long? Here are a couple of places that can use your help year around:
** Food Pantry
** Nursing Home
** Animal Shelter
** Local Library, School or Church
Contact one of these locations to see how you can help make a difference in your community!
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December 08, 2010 ·
December comes around each year with bittersweet thoughts. Snow for outside fun, holidays with family, a low balance in the checking account, and an increase on the bathroom scale! A few tips to make it more enjoyable for everyone!
For children:
Teach the spirit of giving.... You probably already do one or all of the following ideas. Include your children in the act, and teach them a life lesson about helping others. Donate to the food pantry, contribute to a collection kettle outside of a store, or select a name from a giving tree to buy for another child or family.
Teach the love of being together... memories involve time, not money. Take pictures of family gatherings, playing in the snow, or baking cookies. Use these to create personalized gift for others. Pictures can go in frames, ornaments, cards, or make a year long calendar.
For parents:
Shop reasonably.... at this time of year almost every retailer has a coupon that has been mailed to you, or can be downloaded off a web site. Plan ahead before heading out, and you'll save!
What do your children really need? Gift of necessity can be fun too! New clothes for teenagers is always a hit, and younger ones can like them too! Need new sheets for their bed? Buy ones with their favorite character or in a fun pattern.
Have plates of cookies at home and at work that you can't seem to avoid? Hand shovel the driveway instead of using the snow blower and burn up to 200 calories in 1/2 hour! Make a snowman with your kids, walk the dog, or shovel the driveway of a neighbor in need.
Streesed over getting out the Christmas cards..... order Happy New Year ones instead. Takes the pressure off getting them out before the 25th. New Year ones probably receive more attention from your recipients as it arrives about the same time as December's credit card bill, and your card will be welcomed more!
Happy Holidays!
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November 10, 2010 ·
How to write a thank you note... what everyone should know!
Begin with a fresh sheet of note paper or card and a smooth pen. Thank you notes are traditionally written in cursive, and are headed by the date and a salutation: "Dear Aunt Sally," followed by a comma.
Thank the recipient for the gift, favor or entertainment given.
Write about the appropriateness of the gift or favor: "I so loved our trip to the museum. I loved learning about the Native Americans" "The gift you gave me was great! I was so hoping to receive one for my birthday!"
Tie the appropriateness of the gift to the person who gave it to you: "You've always understood my interest in history."
Write about how you plan to use the gift (or substitute this step for step 3): "I have a picture of my parents that will look perfect in your frame." If you received a gift of money, mention how you will spend it.
Add a line to update the giver about your life: "School is going well, and I really like my teacher this year."
Sign your thank you note: "With thanks, John."
For a younger child, it is appropriate for the parent to write the note, and have the child sign it (if able). Even including a picture he/she drew personalizes the whole note.
Putting it in the mailbox with your child gives you an opportunity to teach about the US Postal system, why we need stamps, and how it will reach "Dear Aunt Sally".
Getting in the habit of writing a thank you note is a necessary life skill. Employers, family, and friends all will appreciate their thoughtfulness.
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holiday parties
November 03, 2010 ·
Framed Handprint Turkey
What you'll need:Framed hand print turkey
- 9" paper plate
- Acrylic paint: goldenrod, brown, yellow, orange, green, red, white and black
- Black marker
- Paintbrush
- Felt in fall colors, cut into 1" squares
How to make it:
- Place paper plate on work surface upside down and write the child's name and the date. Turn the plate right side up. Paint entire plate with goldenrod color and set aside to dry (see image).
- Meanwhile, cut felt into 1" pieces. Use several fall colors, such as red, brown, orange, tan, gold and cream. If you made our Mosaic Family Frame, perhaps you have some pieces left over that you can use!
- Have all of your paint colors handy and a separate paintbrush for each color. Paint the child's palm and thumb with a generous amount of brown paint. Working quickly so that the paint doesn't have time to dry, paint each of the child's four fingers with red, green, orange and yellow (see image).
- Have child gently place their handprint in the center of the paper plate. Gently press down on the child's hand and each individual finger to ensure a good distribution of paint.
- Have child lift hand directly up into the air so as not to smear any of the colors.
- Use a paintbrush to add a red gobbler and an orange beak. Let dry (see image).
- While the paint is drying you can glue on the pieces for the frame. Pipe glue around the outside edge of the plate and press the felt squares onto the glue, overlapping the outside of the plate. Alternate the colors to create a pattern.
- Use black marker to draw legs and feet.
- Use the handle end of a small paintbrush to add a dot for the eye, let dry. Once dry, use a toothpick to dot on the black.
Tips:
- You can add a magnet to the back of the plate or use tape and a piece of yarn to create a hanger.
- Always save scraps of felt and construction paper for projects such as these.
- Instead of painting on the eye, you can glue on one wiggle eye.
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holiday parties
October 27, 2010 ·
Halloween Safety Tips
Wear comfortable shoes!!
Carry a flashlight or wear reflective tape on your costume.
Wear something with a reflector on it – Help others see you.
Never go into a stranger’s house, even if they ask you to come in while they go and get some candy.
Throw away all homemade or unwrapped treats. Be safe… not sorry!
When walking down the street, have the adult walk closest to the road.
Do not pet strange animals while trick or treating.
Do not eat candy as you go.
Always be nice, even when people do not have any candy to give out.
Do not knock on doors where the lights are off.
Have a plan before you start. If you are walking in an unfamiliar neighborhood, it is easy to get lost.
For older kids who want to go out alone, send them on a predetermined path, send a cell phone if possible, and set a time for them to come home.
When you get home, check all candy before eating any of it.
Have a safe and fun Halloween-and take lots of pictures!
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General
October 20, 2010 ·
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holiday parties
