Snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary

I was "clicking" away the other day and came across this page.  Information on how to help with the tragic event that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary.  As an Elementary Education major (fully using it as a stay at home mom now!) and with a husband that teaches 4th grade tragedies like these hit home for us.  A lot of emotions run through.  I had recently been thinking about a way to show our little 3 year old how to encourage and support those affected this day.  I think I've found the perfect way!

Snow flakes for Sandy Hook Elementary!  You see, if its a craft, its right up my little one's alley!!!  A girl with her Mommy's loves!

Need ideas for some really cool looking snowflakes?  Check out Taming the Goblin's Paper snowflake pattern round up ideas.  Or release the inner geek with Anthony Herrera's Star Wars Snowflakes.  Or even joybx.com I found these awesome patterns.

After making your awesome creations, mail them away to:

Connecticut PTSA by January 12th

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

I'm sure everyone is DYING to see our creations!  Here are just a few.  One great idea is to use different kinds of paper!  (we used anything from cupcake liners, scrapbooking paper, store ads (those colors look awesome as a flake!), construction paper, and obviously white printer paper.

Now go ahead, make your flakes and mail them away!

What to do with all those Holiday Gift Cards?

Prayer Sticks

If your family is like ours, we receive a LOAD of Christmas cards in the mail.  My daughter just loves getting any form of mail, and when there are pictures of those that sent it, well it just makes it that much more special!

During the Christmas season, we received an abundance of holiday cards with family photos on them.  I know we usually send them out to all of our family and friends (this year I just ran out of time!).  Am I the only one that struggles with throwing them out?  I look at the card and those beautiful pictures and I think . . .  "How can I put that in the trash?"

So here is an idea of what you can do.  Collect these simple items:  Sharpie marker, Popsicle sticks, scissors ( i know they are not pictured) and tape.

Now cut out the picture of the person/family/pet that you want to save.  Place the picture face down, put the popsicle stick against the picture, and securely tape it together.  Then use the Sharpie marker to write the name of the person on the stick.

Then TADA, you now have prayer sticks.  We will be using these at night so our little one can recognize the faces of family and friends afar as well as use it as a learning opportunity in letter recognition as we say the letters of their name out loud together.

Best part about these little guys is that our 3 year old (who desperately needs something tangible in order to understand a concept) is learning how to pray for someone that she visually sees.  I know when we see these loved ones in person throughout the year she'll be able to recognize them more . . . maybe even lose this shyness that is present in the first 10 minutes of seeing someone.

Enjoy!

What do you do with your Holiday Picture Cards?

Jolly Rancher Pops

Who doesn't love a jolly rancher?   Well of course, pinterest did it again when I saw these adorable lollipops and knew my daughter would LOVE to make them!

Preheat oven to 225 degrees.  Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Open your flavors of jolly ranchers

Put lollipop sticks on top of the three pieces of candy down the center.

Bake for 3 - 5 minutes and check how they're doing.  

**UPDATE**  After 2 minutes place one jolly rancher length wise on the stick on to help melt the lollipop together.  Bake for 3 - 4 more minutes.

Original post:  http://weheartit.com/entry/25944857