Be inspired to read with your child!

My oldest son is in 1st grade.  Thankfully he loves reading so much, getting him to settle down and read with us each night is a breeze, and we, as a family really get into it.  Just after school started this year Ben's teacher sent this home in his folder, and I wanted to share it.  Author is Ann Scarpellino.

Ten Reasons to Read to your Child

1.  Because when you hold then and give them this attention, they will know you love them.
2.  Because reading to them will encourage them to become readers.
3.  Because children's books today are so good that they are fun even for adults!
4.  Children's book illustrations often rank with the best, giving them a lifelong feeling for good art.
5.  Books are one way of passing on your moral values to them.  Readers know how to put themselves in another's shoes.
6.  Because, until they learn to read themselves, they will think you are magic.
7.  Because every teacher and librarian they ever encounter will thank you.
8.  Because it's nostalgic.
9.  Because, for that short space of time, they will stay clean and quiet.
10.  Because, if you do, they may then let you read in peace.

Enjoy a little reading tonight!
Aimee

Twitter

I am having trouble with my twitter feeds and have been getting feeds that are not mine and are inappropriate.  So I have removed the Twitter feeds and will try again soon.  In the meantime please follow me at twitter.com/inspiredinwi.

Best Homemade Play Dough recipe!

I couldn't help but pass along this recipe for home made play-dough.  I have not tried other recipies, this was honestly the first and only one I tried after Googling "homemade play-dough".  But with a stroke of luck, I do not need to invest any more time or energy searching since this is THE recipe to use!  I have had the same batch saved in Ziploc bags for over 6 months now, and every time we bring it out it is soft and ready for use!  I am not able to give credit since the recipe was one of like 100 (and of course I didn't bookmark it or write down the blogger) and it wasn't part of any book, website or anything other than some generous mommy blogger who wanted to pass this along, just like me.  And to whoever you are, I am forever indebted to you for all the hours of fun you have provided us for a fraction of the store-bought price :)

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Food coloring

Bring all ingredients BUT food coloring to rolling boil on stove, turn down to medium heat and continue to stir until thick.  Remove from heat, dump dough onto plate or cutting board.  Break into sections for as many colors you desire.  Add drops of food color to each section and knead until even, add as much or as little color as desired.


Enjoy!

Aimee :)

Summer?

Here we are almost midway through September and I am thankful for NOT deflating our pool! Temps nudged 80 yesterday and today, and that forgotten feel of sweat beading on my forehead surfaced as I hung at the park with my boys. Don't get me wrong, I do not want to brush off the summer weather too easily, but my poor body feels like hot flashes by day and ice cubes at night, confused to say the least! I know by now we should all be used to the "wait 10 minutes and the weather will change rule" of Wisconsin, but this is more like our seasons have all shifted by a month or two. So in the spirit of enjoying every minute outside, even though a couple of good rain-soaked days would make my house look cleaner, I spent the morning at one of West Bend's many wonderful parks for an organized playgroup. Every Friday us mom's of not-in-school-yet aged kids head to a pre-determined area park for some socializing and fresh air. Snacks to share are the only requirement, and believe me the kids know to save their appetite on Friday am's. And us mom's can catch up on everything from orders in the latest Avon Catalog to what capers which kids pulled during the week.

So today's picture is of my younger two at playgroup today, but instead of romping on the maze of slides and equipment with all the other kids, the nearby stream caught their interest. They are gazing at the trickle of a stream that in wetter months would create a much faster mode for carrying their "bugboat" leaves downstream. Today they resorted to betting on whose "bugboat" would even come into sight, floating cleverly enough from the launch site upstream that it avoided the branches and other debris that had overgrown with the low water. They would find a leaf, run up stream and gingerly place it in the water, then scramble back to the bridge, hoping their leaf would be the one to catch a break and go zipping through the water. Giggles and squeals filled the air as they watched to see who's leaf made it and who's settled into a new home stuck somewhere along the way.

So if you are ever in West Bend be sure to stop at Silverbrook Park and take a breath, listen to the breeze, watch the kids play and maybe float a little bugboat of your own. It may just make it all the way, or at least bring a little giggle to your day!
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