It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Get your DVR's and popcorn ready! It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, by Charles Schulz will be on ABC @ 8pm on Tuesday, 10/28 - Yep that's tonight! This Peanuts Halloween treat includes Charlie Brown finally getting invited to a Halloween party, Snoopy battling the Red Barron and Linus awaiting the Great Pumpkin. Always a holiday tradition in my house!

Go here to color a picture from the show.

Check out this one too.

How well do you know "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown? Play the Great Pumpkin trivia game to find out!

Celebrate "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and get into the Halloween spirit by sending an Ecard and downloading a wallpaper!

Carve a Charlie Pumpkin, like this one!

How about eating Snoopy Chow while you watch???

SNOOPY PUPPY CHOW Ingredients:
1/4 lb Butter
1 c Peanut butter
1 lb Box powdered sugar
1 lg Box Crispix® cereal
12 oz Package milk chocolate chips Directions:Melt margarine, peanut butter and chocolate chips in microwave on medium for 2 minutes or until melted; stir. In large bowl, pour mixture over cereal and stir to coat. Dump powdered sugar in a grocery bag; add coated cereal and shake until powdered sugar is absorbed. Store in air-tight container.

Hopefully you will enjoy the show tonight...

Keep Them Busy - Pumpkin Baggies

Do you see our little pumpkin hanging on the tree?

Just thought I would share a simple fun activity that will keep the kiddos busy. By now you may notice a theme with my kiddos activities... "Keep them busy so mom can sit back and watch..." Not sure if it a good parenting tip or a poor one. It works for my son because if he is busy he stays out of trouble (trouble meaning bothering his sister). Thus, mommy stays nice and happy and doesn't loose her cool. Same goes with my daughter just on a different level. Of course my favorite activities are the ones I set-up and then sit back and watch or read or type while the kiddos keep busy.

So here comes another Keep Them Busy activity...

These baggies were in sale at my grocery store. They are like the mini versions of the large leaf pumpkin bags. My six year old had a blast stuffing them and then I would hang them on the tree.

My 2 1/2 year old didn't enjoy it as much... she would rather just play in the leaves. Plus I think it involves some fine motor skills that she is not quite ready for yet... The baggies are pretty small and you have to push the leaves in while stuffing and closing the baggies. We will try again with her next year.

If you try this activity, I hope your kiddos find it as fun as my son found it. He is all about decorations and I just love how excited he gets about halloween!

Irish Apple Cake

I know it isn't time for that little green guy and most are still waiting for the great pumpkin... but those apples are good for cooking and I wanted to share a fave recipe of mine. Plus I recently made the little bugger and have a picture to share of it! mmmmmmm....


Food historian and cookbook author Theodora FitzGibbon once said, "All Irish people have a very sweet tooth," and if you grew up in an Irish household you know this to be true. In the earliest times, the sweet was a simple concoction of fruit and honey; later, cooks found that fruit and berries were equally delicious baked in pies, puddings, and cakes. Apples are the basis of many traditional and contemporary Irish desserts. Here is a recipe for an Irish Apple cake that my grandmother always made.

2 cups of sugar 4 cups of apples seeded and chopped 3 eggs
1 teaspoon of salt 1 ½ cups of oil 1 teaspoon of baking soda
3 cups flour 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease & flour a bunt pan. In a large bowl, cream the oil, eggs, vanilla, and sugar together until light and fluffy. Sift in the dry ingredients and mix well. Now add the apples to the mix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the cake is lightly browned and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 70 minutes. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy with a glass of Guinness or milk. Erin Go Bragh!

A Hodge Podge Found Out in The Blogging World

A few months ago I ventured out of my familiar Internet website world and entered the world of blogging… I was looking for birthday party ideas for my sons Star Wars party. I found that if I searched “Star Wars Party Ideas” + blogs that many great blogging websites with awesome ideas appeared. Then became my quest of learning about the blogging world and come 8:30 when the kids are in bed – I grab my tea & my laptop and start exploring all these great places! Thought I would share a Hodge podge of what I have found & want to do.

I want to do these Ghosties on Parade with my kids.

O, look 2 Writing Teachers mention http://www.teachingheart.net/ list serve on their blog!

I think I may try making cake in a mug!

We are going to try this craft today. This is from No Time For Flashcards which I made site of the month at http://www.teachingheart.net/ !

Here is a 50 minute alternative running mix I need to try and use some day. Jackpot... more playlists!

Check out these Halloween Tables!

Check out the Newbie Guide to Blogging - I am hoping that someday everyone will have a blog.

O my, check out these amazing Christmas Cards.

Point is... it's a crazy blogging world out there and I love being a part of it!

Weekend Reading - Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!

One of my favorite children's books is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. My daughter even has a Chicka Boom Boom Tree painted on the wall of her room. My kiddos can recite the book by heart and are often heard singing the song. Speaking of the song... I love the Chicka Boom Boom Song found on this CD. When I read the book, I sing it as it is in this song! Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Other Coconutty Songs

Some Fave Ideas to Use With This Book

My Preschool Teacher Friend Amy made these cute Chicka Boom Boom Puzzles with Popsicle sticks & a picture of the book cover she printed off the Internet. This is how she made them:
I used Elmer’s glue for the book puzzles. I painted a thin layer on the printout and then I lined up my craft sticks. I laid the picture on the craft sticks and smoothed it out. I let that dry and then I took a craft knife and cut vertically where the craft sticks are joined together. It was easiest to flip the puzzle over and cut on the side without the picture.

See the Story Online - The Scholastic Video!

You will want to print a coloring page after you read the book.

I printed these patterns, laminated them and placed a magnet on the back of them. My daughter can act out the story on her magnetic white board. Actually my daughter gets all the letters on the tree and calls her brother in to do the BOOM BOOM part... which he is very good at.

Try this counting coconuts booklet!

Still want more, hop over to Teaching Heart for even more ideas!!!

Two Year Old Help - Keeping Her Busy!!!

Okay, my daughter can be a bit high maintenance. Basically because she has to be busy all the time and if she is not busy, then she wants to be tickled or starts to bother her brother. As a result, I am always looking for things to keep her busy. My newest find is the dishwasher. One of the things I hate most about the dishwasher is unloading the silverware. My daughter helps me unload the plates by handing them to me when I am unloading. The other day I pulled out my silverware drawer and laid it on the floor so she could unload the silverware too. She loved this and it kept her busy long enough so I could write this blog. I also have to admit that I took some silverware out of the drawer just so she could reload it back into the drawer. Wonder how long this fondness of unloading the silverware will last. Anyhow, maybe this trick will give you a few minutes of Mommy time!

It's a Ghost!!! BOOOOOOO!!!!

Boo to you! Ghosts can be scary... but the one's I have been seeing online are way cute...

Check out what my crafty friend Nancy made!! Look at those cute yummy ghosts. She made these last year. I just came across the picture and I thought I would share them. If you like them and want to make them, you can view the directions/recipe at BlissfullyDomestic.

Look at these cute ghosts too at Taste of Home.
Watch a video and learn how to make ghosts with your kiddos.

I thought these ghost cookies were cute over at No Time For Flash Cards, but the author did not.

Have you seen the ghost marshmallows around? They are hard to find... I found some at Target in September and haven't seen them since... You know how ghosts can be? Anyhow, if you do find them, you can have your kiddos sort and graph them. You can download my sorting sheet and graph here

Here is an easy ghost craft you can have the kiddos make on their own. This may keep them busy if you tell them to make enough to hang out on a tree in your yard. You can learn how to make these at Activity Village!

You know I love to tie a story into all activities! Go ahead and read The Teeny-Tiny Woman : A Ghost Story with your kids. Looking for more halloween reads, click here.

Musical Monday - My Kiddos Halloween Playlist

I love kids music and the benefits my kiddos get from listening to it. I try and create a playlist for everything. I download the music to my IPOD and play in in the car or at home. This weekend we traveled to many Halloween/fall activities and we listened to the Halloween playlist above as we traveled here and there. If you are interested in the song, you can download them at itunes.

RELATED LINKS:

Crafty Suzanne - If you are looking for a more adult Halloween playlist, try Crafty Suzanne

The Witch and The Little Orange House Story

You Need Siccors, orange paper, and story props.
Download story props here. I printed the one's above on magnetic paper so that my kids can play with them after we are done telling the story.

Place the trees on a board or overhead to look like a forest. Begin telling story below.
Once upon a time a very small witch was walking in the woods. (Place the witch in Forest) The cold wind was blowing the dry leaves all around her (Place the leaves graphics next to the witch). The little witch was frantically searching for a house for the winter. She could not find one. (Drop orange paper)Suddenly a piece of orange paper, blown by the wind, landed at her feet. She picked it up. The little witch looked closely at the paper and then she said, "I shall make myself a little house from this piece of orange paper." She folded the paper in half. Then she took her scissors (she always carried a pair in her pocket) and cut off the two corners to make a roof. Hold the paper on the fold and cut off the two top corners (all four corners cut to make a roof, but also a pumpkin shape) "This will do just fine," she said as she looked at her new house. "But I will need a door." With her scissors she cut a door. Since witches always wear pointed hats, she cut a special door. It looked like this. Make the cut like a rectangle, door shape but with an angle pointing up for a smiling mouth.The little witch walked through the door into the little orange house. (Have the witch cutout walk through the door)It was very dark inside. She quickly hurried back out. "I will need to make windows to let in the light," said the little witch. She cut a front and back window that looked like this. This cut is rather tricky. You need to refold the paper (to space the eyes at the side of the head!) and cut through all of the layers to make two eyes at the top of the paper. Practice! Oh, it was a very fine looking house. Her very own little house with a roof, a door and windows was all finished. But just as the little witch started to go inside for the winter, she saw a tiny ghost floating down the windswept path (use the ghost cut-out). As the tiny ghost came to a stop near the little house, the little witch saw that she was crying. "Why are you crying?" asked the little witch. The tiny ghost stopped crying and answered, It is cold and windy. It is getting dark. And I have no place to spend the winter." "You may spend the winter with me in my new house, said the kind little witch. "Oh, thank you," the happy tiny ghost said as she peeked in through the window. This is a very nice house," "First," said the little witch, "I will need to make you a little door of your very own. She took her scissors again and began to cut. She cut a very tiny door. It looked like this. This cut is the nose of the jack-o-lantern. Make a small triangle type cut between the eyes and the mouth.
The two happy new friends went inside. The tiny ghost went in the very little door, and the little witch went through her own special door. (Place the cut-outs through the door and then hide them out of sight.)All winter long they lived happily together inside the little orange house.
Now open the house to reveal the pumpkin.

This has become a story I tell my kiddos every year. This year my son is old enough to try this on his own.

Scarecrow Craft...

I love scarecrows. Here is a scarecrow pattern and craft off the Teaching Heart Website.

(2 buttons, hay, paper fasteners, 2 fabric pieces, and wiggle eyes)

Have your kiddos make their own scarecrow. Isn't he cute? I was looking all over for a scarecrow pattern that had movable arms and legs. I couldn't find one I liked online or in resource books, so I drew my own and he turned out too cute. The kids color and cut him. They glue on two buttons, two pieces of scrap fabric, wiggle eyes, and hay. They attach the arms and legs with paper fasteners. Then they have their own scarecrow.

You may click here to print my scarecrow pattern (in pdf format) and directions.

OTHER SCARECROW RESOURCES:
Paper Scarecrow Template

Scarecrow Headand Body of a Scarecrow

Let's Make a ScarecrowA mini book from Teaching Heart for you to print. Cut on the lines and staple the pages together to form a book. Have your kids color. Have them read their book to a friend and an adult. (k-2)

More Scarecrow Ideas on Teaching Heart

From Let's Explore - Scarecrow Felt Board and Game

POEM TO MATCH:
Title: I'm a Little Scarecrow (I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little scarecrow,

Raggedy and worn.

I wear a hat, And a shirt that's torn.

When the crows come, I wave and shout,

"Away from my garden ---- Get on out!"

How do you decorate for the fall?

Talk to Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie was all about how you decorate for the fall It was so fun looking through other homes. I got some ideas for next year. My favorite were:

http://3beekmanplaceapartment.blogspot.com/2008/10/dear-martha-stewart.html
She shows you how to make a larger than life shadow witch... Note to self: try next year!

http://mattandkatiebrendel.blogspot.com/2008/10/politically-correct.html

This is funny & is great for this calendar year!

http://blackeyedsue.blogspot.com/2008/10/favorite-season-favorite-holiday.html She has the wire pumpkin I should have gotten when I saw them on 40% off at Target!

http://dawnscakes.blogspot.com/2008/10/come-sit-for-spell.html
Cute!

Do you feel inspired now... I do!

Yummy Low Calorie Chocolate Muffins

If you follow Weight Watchers and make these regular muffin size, they are 1.5 five points a piece. If you make mini muffins you can have four for 2 points...

--set oven to 350

1 box of devils food cake

1 15 oz can of pumpkin

1/2 cup of water

--mix together all ingredients and scoop into muffin cups. Sprinkle with pumpkin themed sprinkles and bake for 10 min. Moist and yummy! My kids love these!!!

Different Treats for Halloween!!!

What do you give out on Halloween? This year I am giving out ring pops because I had a huge case left from my son's birthday party that I never used. Here are some other ideas.

Looking for a Halloween treat to give your trick or treaters? Buy the large Halloween popcorn cases at walmart and put one of these stickers on the popcorn...

Try hot chocolate and attach this poem...

More ideas:
Low Carb Ideas - http://www.wilstar.com/lowcarb/trick-or-treat.htm

Top 5 Halloween candy alternatives - http://hubpages.com/hub/Halloween-Candy-Alternatives

Candy Birthday Cake

I have heard of a Diaper Cake (my friend Mara makes awesome diaper cakes). You can see how to make one here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bKwE9POjnE

Have you heard of a candy cake??? Isn't this so cute? My friend Nancy made this for her mom for her birthday. Thought I would share it! Thanks Nancy!

Here is one for Christmas:
http://www.wrapcandy.com/candy_cake.php

Batty Reading Fun!

You have probably read, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly to your kiddos. If you enjoyed that book, you will love this one and so will your kids.

I created ideas to go along with There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed some Snow and thought I would do the same for There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat. Below you will find some of my ideas of how to use this in your classroom (Prek-2). You will also find many free printables I created to match this fun story.

To order this book from Amazon, click here!

Go to http://www.teachingheart.net/oldladybat.html for ideas to match this book.

After you read the story: I created an activity sheet that asks one to write in the words of the items the lady swallowed. One is also asked to draw a picture of the items the lady swallowed.
Click Here to Download this activity sheet!

OTHER BLOGS THAT RELATE:

At No Time For Flashcards, I saw these bat hand prints that I thought I would try with the kids after reading the book. Check out her batty video.

Cute Fuzzy Bat Craft at: http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/10/18/fuzzy-bat-decorations/

Here are some bat finger puppets: http://lds.about.com/od/crafts/a/bat_craft.htm

These bottle bats look fun: http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/bottle_bats_craft.shtml

Craft of the Day has a paper bag bat puppet.

All Free Crafts has a bat made with an egg carton.

NOW GO HAVE SOME BATTY FUN!!!

Planning Ahead: Turkey Day

I am thinking of ideas for Thanksgiving since it will be at my home this year. I am surely going to do these napkin rings I saw in the Family Fun Magazine. They are sooooo cute!!! I can't wait.

Family Fun does not have a printable pattern for the vests or the hats. For the female hat I may just use a white circle... I will probably create a printable pattern and of course share it when it is done.

Here is the link to the idea and directions on Family Fun!

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11872

In The Spirit of October - Start Booing your neighbors!

Boo a friend or a neighbor…

Our neighborhood always plays Boo Your Neighbor over the month of October! You drop this note (http://www.teachingheart.net/booednote.pdf ) off at a neighbors with a treat. When I say drop off, I mean put it by their door, ring the doorbell and run. My kids usually do the ringing and running.

Other Links About this fun October game:

http://www.myfolsom.com/boo/ - Boo Grams

http://heatherjslife.blogspot.com/2007/10/go-boo-your-neighbors.html - Go boo your neighbors.