got sniffles? read this favorite poem…

With the sniffles going around, I thought I’d post a family favorite. We read this poem and laugh every time. If you haven’t heard it in awhile – or ever- enjoy! Then, share it with someone who might be feeling under the weather…or at least faking it. lol

Sick
by Shel Silverstein
"I cannot go to school today," Said little Peggy Ann McKay. "I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I'm going blind in my right eye. My tonsils are as big as rocks, I've counted sixteen chicken pox And there's one more--that's seventeen, And don't you think my face looks green? My leg is cut--my eyes are blue-- It might be instamatic flu. I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke, I'm sure that my left leg is broke-- My hip hurts when I move my chin, My belly button's caving in, My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained, My 'pendix pains each time it rains. My nose is cold, my toes are numb. I have a sliver in my thumb. My neck is stiff, my voice is weak, I hardly whisper when I speak. My tongue is filling up my mouth, I think my hair is falling out. My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight, My temperature is one-o-eight. My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear, There is a hole inside my ear. I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what? What's that? What's that you say? You say today is. . .Saturday? G'bye, I'm going out to play!" From Shel Silverstein: Poems and Drawings; originally appeared in Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.

Boredom Buster: 8 Different Playdough Recipes

Hey moms! Get into the mood and make some old school playdough! Nothing says “I’m a goldstar mommy” more than knowing a handful of playdough recipes off the top of your head. These are from the Creative Curriculum for Infants & Toddlers.

Cloud Dough

• 6c flour
• 1c oil
• water to bind +/- 1c

knead together
will be oily
store in airtight container

Homemade Plasticine (soft)

• 2 c flour
• 1c salt
• 1.5 c warm water
• 2 tbs oil

mix.
form into balls
store on open shelf- no container needed

“Beginner’s Playdough”

• 3 c flour
• 1c salt
• 1 tbs oil
• 1c water

mix.
store in container

Tempura Paint for One

• 2oz. water
• 1tbs dried tempera (whatever that is)
• 3 drops dish detergent

mix in an old jar/car. store w/lid.

Moist Modeling Clay

• 1.5cups flower
• 1.5c warm water
• 1c salt
• 2tbs oil

mix.
form into a ball.
store in a rinsed ziploc
place in aplastic bag, let out air, gather @ top

GOOP

• 3c corn starch
• 2c warm water

hard in the air. liquid in the hand. wierd

Baker’s Clay

• 4c flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1.5c water

mix. shape into a ball. store airtight container.

Paintable Playdough
2 c corn starch
1c baking soda
1c water

mix together.
cook over medium heat.
stir until it forms a ball.
allow to cool, knead.
store in plastic wrap.

NOW WHAT?
These can make your dough balls more fun…

• food coloring
• sculpt
• mold
• cut “snakes” with scissors
• roll, pound with mallets, cut with butter knife
• stick pipe cleaners in
• print with golf balls, textures items, cars
• collage paper etc to it.

10 Smart Gifts for Preschool / K-1 Development

Here are some awesome brain-boosting gifts you will not feel guilty about purchasing, giving or using over and over. No need for plastic crap- these are really solid choices for preschool through 1st grade.

1. Whose Baby? A puzzle to match baby to mother.

2. Tallest Tree Stacking Boxes Multi-purpose stackers that cover math (sequence) language & science.

3. Pattern Blocks Choose any of these to improve and refine spatial development. For younger children, Melissa and Doug have an excellent Pattern Block activity.

4. Hammer and Tack Game Fine motor development game – fun for older preschoolers and early elem.

5. Multicultural Matching Game A memory building and matching activity.

6. Sandpaper Letters Fine motor and pre-writing skill builders- not really a game but SO helpful when learning letters and sounds. Kids love to trace the letters and make the sounds.

7. Haba Math Game – a self correcting sequencing activity.

8. Stitching Block for pre-writing & fine-motor activity.

9. Sorting and Sequencing pattern/sequence game for quiet play/work time. Ages 4-6.

10. Bob Books for beginning readers. Excellent stocking stuffer!