Kid's Homemade Father's Day Gift Ideas {The Sunday Showcase 5/31/14}

Father's Day is just around the corner.

Let's inspire each other and share some ideas 

for the special daddies in our lives.

Click any of the links below for the full post and how-to's 

on these Father's Day Ideas shared on last week's linky.

20 Father's Day T-Shirts to DIY or Buy

(Lalymom)

7 Creative Ways to Show Dad You Care

(P is for Preschooler)

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We have made a few photo gifts for the Lil Divas' daddy

that he just melted over -

Daddy We Love You Because.... Photo Gift

DAD Photo Frame

Here are some of our favorite Daddy Books

Looking for more ideas?

Don't forget to peruse our Pinterest Boards -

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Homemade Gift Ideas

I love pinning awesome ideas from around the web for my girls to try.

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I LOVE homemade or personalized gifts! 

They are the ones we seem to cherish most. 

Now it's your turn to share!

What special gifts have you made for daddy?

Do you have fun Father's Day ideas to share? 

Please share them with me in the linky, 

by commenting below or by visiting our Facebook page. 

Be sure to link up your child centered ideas while you're here.

I love to see what everyone is doing.

If you have been featured, grab a button you deserve it!

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The Sunday Showcase is hosted on FOUR blogs!

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Here Come the Girls

Inspiration Laboratories

JDaniel4's Mom

Each blog showcases their own features so be sure to check them all out!

If you are here for the first time please read this informational post for the full details.  Anything kid friendly and/or child centered is welcome!  You are welcome to share more than one post,  but we don't accept links for giveaways,  shops, or downloads for purchase, etc.  They will be deleted.

If you're linking up we encourage you to visit other links 
& our Pinterest board!  

*Important* 

Please note that by linking up you are giving us permission to use a photo (with proper link to you!) in our featured section and on our Pinterest board!  

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Link up and share your child centered ideas with us!

Bern

An InLinkz Link-up

Phonics and Reading Activities {The Sunday Showcase 5/24/14}

I know, I know it's called the called The Sunday Showcase & it's Monday!

I apologize but it was the Lil Diva's 7th birthday 

and well that trumps everything else, doesn't it? 

So here's this week's Sunday Showcase (a few days late) -

School is almost out and the teacher in me can't help but plan ways to keep 

the Lil Divas reading and learning amidst all our summer fun. 

You do know that's super important, right?! 

To get you motivated, I'm shining the feature spotlight this week on some fun and easy Reading & Literacy Based Activities that were shared with us on last week's Sunday Showcase.  

Which ones will you try this summer to help prevent the dreaded summer slide?

Click any of the links below for the full post and how-to's 

on these Reading and Phonics Activities shared on last week's linky.

Encourage your kids to read outside their comfort zone with this fun and motivational Summer Reading Genre Challenge 

(KC Edventures)

If your children or students need some extra phonics practice 

this summer then you'll want to take a peek at these FREE printables: 

Free Beginning Sounds Coloring Pages

(The Measured Mom)

Check out all The Measured Mom's free printables 

for even more learning fun.

ABC Phonics Ladders

(3 Dinosaurs)

Be sure to check out all the FREE printables 3 Dinosaurs has to offer!

There are tons of printable learning activities on her blog.

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Here are some of our favorite Reading Activities for kids

from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas blog. 

Looking for some great books to keep your children engaged in reading over the summer? Check out these lists for some of our faves -

20 Great Book Series 

for 1st & 2nd Graders

Beach & Ocean Themed Books 

for K-2nd Graders

Chapter Books for K thru 2nd Grade

Looking for more ideas?

Don't forget to peruse our 

Reading (for kids) Pinterest Board.

I love pinning awesome ideas from around the web for my girls to try.

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Now it's your turn to share!

Do you have fun children's activities to share? 

Please share them with me in the linky, 

by commenting below or by visiting our Facebook page. 

Be sure to link up your child centered ideas while you're here.

I love to see what everyone is doing.

If you have been featured, grab a button you deserve it!

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Sunday Showcase is hosted on FOUR blogs!

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Here Come the Girls

Inspiration Laboratories

JDaniel4's Mom

Each blog showcases their own features so be sure to check them all out!

If you are here for the first time please read this informational post for the full details.  Anything kid friendly and/or child centered is welcome!  You are welcome to share more than one post,  but we don't accept links for giveaways,  shops, or downloads for purchase, etc.  They will be deleted.

If you're linking up we encourage you to visit other links 
& our Pinterest board!  

*Important* 

Please note that by linking up you are giving us permission to use a photo (with proper link to you!) in our featured section and on our Pinterest board!  

-------------------------------------------------------------

Link up and share your child centered ideas with us!

Bern

An InLinkz Link-up

American Girl Duct Tape Flip Flop Sandals

This DIY craft comes straight from the Oldest Diva. She wanted to  make a pair of Mickey Mouse shoes for her AG doll. Her first attempt was to make these super cute and easy Duct Tape Doll Flip Flops.

Here's her step-by-step tutorial:

Step 1: Trace your doll's foot on a piece of cardboard and cut out the tracing. Use your tracing to trace and cut out a 2nd piece of cardboard. These will be the soles of your flip flops.

Step 2: Pick a patterned duct tape you would like to use for your flip flop (we used a fun Mickey Mouse pattern). Measure and cut two pieces of tape that are each 4 inches long. 

Step 3: Take your first piece of tape and fold it in half. 

Step 4: Attach the tape to the bottom of one of your cardboard soles, in the middle, with a small piece of duct tape.

Step 5: Use your doll's foot to measure and stretch the tape across, bringing it under the cardboard and sticking it down. Use a small piece of tape to keep everything down in the back. 

Your first flip flop is complete!

Repeat steps 3 thru 5 for your other flip flop.

Now your doll has some fashionable and cute flip flops to wear this summer!

We hope you enjoyed this DIY Kid Craft. 

Up next - our Duct Tape (Toms inspired) Doll Shoes. They use this tutorial as a starting point but the Oldest Diva took it even further and made an adorable pair of Mickey Mouse (Toms inspired) shoes! 

Happy Duct Tape Crafting!

Bern

At-Home Science Experiments for Kids {The Sunday Showcase 5/17/14}

My girls LOVE conducting science explorations. They are always trying to figure out how and why things happen. If your children (or students) are anything like the Lil Divas they are always up for some experimenting. Science isn't just for school. It's easy to bring a little scientific learning and fun into your home. 

To get you motivated, I'm shining the feature spotlight this week on some fun and easy At-Home Science Experiments that were shared with us on last week's Sunday Showcase.  Which one will you try first?

Click any of the links below for the full post and how-to's 

on these fabulous Science Activities shared on last week's linky.

Erupting Volcanoes

(P is for Preschooler)

Disappearing Colors Experiment

(Gift of Curiosity)

10 Ways to Enjoy Science Outside

(Planet Smarty Pants)

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Here are some of our favorite science explorations for kids

from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas blog. 

Experimenting with Oil, Water 

and Food Coloring

Hot and Cold Air Experiment

Anti-Gravity Water Experiment

Looking for more ideas?

Don't forget to peruse our 

Science Fun Pinterest Board.

I love pinning awesome ideas from around the web for my girls to try.

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Now it's your turn to share!

Do you have fun children's activities to share? 

Please share them with me in the linky, 

by commenting below or by visiting our Facebook page. 

Be sure to link up your child centered ideas while you're here.

I love to see what everyone is doing.

If you have been featured, grab a button you deserve it!

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Sunday Showcase is hosted on FOUR blogs!

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Here Come the Girls

Inspiration Laboratories

JDaniel4's Mom

Each blog showcases their own features so be sure to check them all out!

If you are here for the first time please read this informational post for the full details.  Anything kid friendly and/or child centered is welcome!  You are welcome to share more than one post,  but we don't accept links for giveaways,  shops, or downloads for purchase, etc.  They will be deleted.

If you're linking up we encourage you to visit other links 
& our Pinterest board!  

*Important* 

Please note that by linking up you are giving us permission to use a photo (with proper link to you!) in our featured section and on our Pinterest board!  

-------------------------------------------------------------

Link up and share your child centered ideas with us!

Bern

An InLinkz Link-up

Favorite Children's Books - 2014 Children's Book Week

I love sharing our favorite books with you all and what better week to do it than during Children's Book Week 2014 (May 12 - 18, 2014)? 

This is a list of some current favorites. Be sure to check out our posts from Children's Book Week 2013 and Children's Book Week 2012 for even more book suggestions and links to hundreds of activities to explore awesome children's books with your children and/or students. 

Some of Our (Recent) Favorite Children's Books: 
(books shared below are via my Amazon affiliate links)


Journey by Aaron Becker - This wordless picture book is one I can not stop raving about! The illustrations are breathtaking and the girl's journey is one that you can't help but get pulled into even if she couldn't get her family's attention. We have read this book countless times and simply don't tire of it. Each time we read the book, we find something new to look at in the illustrations. I love that the book allows us to tell the story, use our imaginations and get lost in its magic. This is one book I will be purchasing to share as gifts for a long time. 



The Duckling Gets a Cookie by Mo Willems - The pigeon and a cute duckling - how can you not want to open this book. We couldn't resist. This book is not one of our favorites in the series (see below for our latest fave!) but it's wonderful for younger readers who will really enjoy it. We found it very simple but endearing. It's been added to our collection because I adore Mo Willems and plan to use it in my Kindergarten class as well. 



The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems - Who can resist the pigeon? Not us! Both my girls and my students find him hilarious. This book was met with lots giggles throughout at the pigeons complaints and antics about taking a bath. This might be my favorite pigeon book yet. Though I sure hope Mo keeps them coming. 



Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet by Jane O'Conner - We are long time Fancy Nancy fans. Although the Lil Divas are mostly reading chapter books these days, we still enjoy our picture books and I can never resist purchasing the latest Fancy Nancy books. My youngest adores mermaids so I knew this was a must buy and it hasn't disappointed. Nancy is devastated about having to play a boring old tree in her dance show when she wanted desperately to be mermaid. The book helps teach some awesome lessons - how to handle disappointment (Nancy not getting the part she wanted) , be happy for your friends success not jealous (her friend got the part) and make the most of your opportunities (she made a wonderful tree!). It's quickly become one of our favorite Fancy Nancy books.



The Dark by Lemony Snicket - One of my girls is very afraid of the dark. That's what first drew me to this book. She is the type that won't go upstairs by herself, won't enter a dark room, etc. My daughter saw herself in each page we read. It's a quick read and it's fun to have the Dark as a character. We always read it in a fun voice and it is a great reminder to my daughter not to be so afraid of the dark.



The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt - Imagine wanting to color and opening your box of crayons only to find that they had quit. That's what happens to poor Duncan. He goes to color only to find complaints written by the crayons about each other. It's witty, cute and a wonderful read-aloud for children (especially those who love crayons). It's a great way to talk about team work, how we all matter in the home or classroom and so much more. 



Mr. Wuffles by David Weisner - A cat and a spaceship of tiny aliens and insects - intrigued? There's a lot going on in this picture book and it's all wonderfully entertaining with humor, action and wonderful illustrations every step of the way. You'll never quite look at cats, insects and small toys the same again. I love the alien language dialogue - it lends itself to wonderful storytelling and you can have a different story every time you open the book. 



I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black - I came across this book at the bookstore and was compelled to open it. My girls who have too much of everything have been known to utter the words "I'm bored" on more than one occasion. It immediately sends me into a tailspin. How they can ever feel bored, I have no idea. The story centers around a bored little girl and a potato that finds children boring (Didn't that make you laugh already? It's so silly - how could it not!) My preschoolers last year adored this book. They found it hilarious and it was one I read many times over. We loved talking about what it would take to get a potato to think you were fun. :)



Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg - I LOVE this book! Every child needs to read this at least once and know that it's ok to make a mistake. I don't know how many times I have seen children cry over a "ruined" piece of art - my girls included. They get frustrated and want another paper or want to give up. I always tell my girls to look at it again - what can we turn it in to? You'd be surprised at how many awesome pieces of art we have ended up with just by thinking a bit outside the box. It's a skill that helps children in other areas because they learn to problem solve, think critically and not give up. This book takes ALL that and puts it into the cutest format with pop-ups, folded pages, etc. It's interactive and kids will want to read this one again and again. The great thing is - you won't mind doing it! 



Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett -  My girls get such a kick about reading about the town of Chewandswallow where food plagues their weather for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's such a fun tall tale to read together and elicits so many giggles, belly laughs and yells of "oh no!". We can't help but wonder what it would be like if it really snowed mashed potatoes or if we suddenly found ourselves in front of car-sized donuts. I have shared this with children from preschool age thru 3rd grade and ALL of them have always loved it. It's a definite must buy addition to your child's library. 


Spending time reading with children has so many amazing benefits. Taking 15-20 minutes a day to sit and explore a wonderful book can really help your child grow into a lifelong reader. 

I have been reading with the Lil Divas every night before bed since they were born and it is truly one of our favorite parts of the day. I marvel that the little babies who I would read to as they fell sleep in my arms are now reading to me. We are sharing an all new reading adventure - complete with excitement about chapter books, favorite series and beloved characters that we just can't get enough of. 

If your are beginning to explore Early/Beginning Readers with your children you'll want to check out this list of some of our favorites - 10 Early Readers for Beginning Readers

Here are some great books for the K-2nd Grade Readers -
20 Great Book Series for 1-2nd Graders
Chapter Books for K thru 2nd Grade

Be sure to check out all the posts in our Reading Corner for other great suggestions and activities.

Need even more inspiration? Head on over to these Pinterest Boards that are chock full of reading fun and book ideas -
Favorite Children's Book Activities
Reading (for Kids)
Book Inspired Activities
Learning with Literature

Happy Children's Book Week & Have Fun Reading!

Bern