One Good Book Package

The first package for the One Good Book Swap arrived at my house this week! My bloggy friend Val signed her two children up for the swap. I partnered her son with me asking for a book and package for my 4th graders at school. They are struggling readers who need to learn that reading can be fun. Well, Val and her son have certainly helped with that! They sent not just one book but 25 books!!!! They included Captain Underpants, Ricky Ricotta and Goosebumps which are all favorites of my fourth graders. They just finished up state testing on Friday so they don't know about this wonderful package yet! They are going to be so excited on Monday!!!
Also included in the package was a bookmark project, flower pins, a honeybee snack recipe, bee cupcake toppers, a bee fingerprint art project and my favorite a bee finger puppet. My school teaches the students to be respectful, be responsible and be safe. We have a bee as a mascot. Val had asked about the mascot and designed the package around it.
She wrote "Something I learned years ago is that bees are an enigma. They are not built anatomically correct for flight. It is a mystery as to why they can actually fly. Maybe they can inspire your class to reach new heights of achievement this year." That really touched me! Inspiration is something my students could certainly use. Thank you for this wonderful and inspiring package, I know the kids are going to love it!
Val included books for Nature Girl and this amazing acorn and squirrel she made. When I saw this set on her blog, I loved it and knew Nature Girl would love something like this! Val sent it for Nature Girl. It was love at fist sight!!!! Squirrely and his acorn house went to school with Nature Girl for show and tell on Friday. Really it's so cool, the top comes off the acorn and the squirrel nests inside. You can see better pictures here on Val's blog. Val is sooo talented! I love her amigurumi creations. Check out her blog to see some of the other amazing amigurumi things she has made. I needed to learn how to make some of these amazing amigurumi creations.
This amigurumi bee finger puppet was buzzing around the house tickling Nature Girl and causing lots of laughs. He also became great friends with Squirrely. Alas the bee will be flying to school where I'll be using him in the preschool class. One of our class jobs is the busy bee. The busy bee helps with calendar time and classroom errands. The bee puppet will fit in perfectly with our preschool routine. (Note: Nature Girl is eating a strawberry Twizzler in the picture. She just saw the picture and said what's that? Twizzlers are her favorite candy.)
Thank you Val and Ripstick Boy for the book package!!! I can't thank you enough. I'm very excited about creating the package for Ripstick boy. While I wait for the book to arrive I'm working on a few goodies for the package. I hope everyone else is having fun with the book swap. I can't wait to see what everyone creates!

Covered Bridge

It's been a rainy weekend so we've been hanging out inside today. Yesterday we ventured out for a birthday party and shopping. Nature Girl got to wear her new rain coat and use the matching umbrella. Here she is pictured in the box with her umbrella on the day it arrived. This cardboard boat and umbrella is the perfect set up for our weather this weekend! that brings me to the covered bridge part of my post.


Last weekend we went to Vermont to visit my mom and Gram. We stopped to check out this covered bridge. It's the Bath-Haverhill covered bridge. For more facts on the bridge go here. This is the inside of the bridge. It's pretty amazing to think it's built out of wood. It was recently renovated and rededicated. You can no longer drive over it. There is a side walk part on the side of the bridge with a bench to sit on. Nature Girl loved the view exclaiming "Mommy isn't that so beautiful!"
This is the view from the other side of the bridge. I love the sign "$5 fine for riding or driving over this bridge faster than a walk." We've been talking o Nature Girl about the time when people didn't have cars and used horses to get around so it was neat to be able to show her this covered bridge. eventually I hope to read The Little House on the Prairie Series to her and take her to the Almanzo Wilder Farm in NY. I think she's still a little young.
Here's our self portrait taken at the covered bridge. I'm planning to take Nature Girl to the Bath covered Bridge next time we're in VT. You can drive your car over that one. I think she'll enjoy it. We're planning to go back to VT in a few weeks to visit and take in the fall scenery. It will be beautiful! Happy fall everyone!

Fall has arrived!

So fall has officially arrived. For me I feel like fall arrived back on August 20th when I walked back through the doors of school for teacher workshops. After a four and a half year break it's been a big transition! Nature Girl has handled it very well and my husband has been fabulous about helping me through the transition. It's been hardest on me but this week I finally feel like I'm beginning to adjust to school life again. Let's hope that continues.
We're in the midst of a rainy weekend so my proposed trip to the apple orchard will have to be postponed until next weekend. But never fear Nature Girl has already gone to the orchard on a class field trip. Her dad and I both had to work that day so MB took her on the field trip for us and took these pictures. Thanks MB!
The kids got to watch apple cider being made. Nature Girl loves apple cider!


She looks so serious her, yet so cute! Oh wait, I'm a bit biased as her mom. . . .of course I'd think she's the cutest kid!
Each child was supposed to pick one apple to eat. Here's Nature Girl picking her apple at the orchard. She LOVES apples!
That face isn't showing the love! It turns out she had to work extra hard to get her apple off the tree and then was ticked off because it was the smallest apple in the orchard! That face tells it all! MB came to the rescue and ate the small apple so Nature Girl could pick a larger one.
And she was happy again!

One Last Call for the Book Swap

Edited 9/21/08 Partner information has been e-mailed so everyone should have received their partner information. Please let me know if you didn't get your partner information or if you are unable to get in contact with your partner. I've added a swap button to my sidebar if anyone wants it.


Last call on the One Good Book Swap. I'll leave it open till Thursday 9/18 at 6pm. I've already been working to pair up the kids and hope to have the e-mails sent tomorrow night. I'm really hoping I haven't forgotten anyone! I've doubled checked but will check one more time before partners go out. Here is a list of the participants. It's arranged alphabetically by parent first name. People who are signed up for multiple packages are noted. If you signed up but aren't on the list please let me know. Thanks!


Ali B
April P
Beckie J - 4 children
Beth - 2 children
Beth R
Beth V - 2 children
Catherine H
Charlotte D - 2 children
Cherie U
Christy A
Heidi D
Holly D
Iesa E
Jane H
Jennie R
Jill T
Katy J
Kristie L
Lisa C
Lisa S
Lori D - 2 children
Margy A
Melissa D
Misty W
Rhonda G - 2 children
Sari O
Shannon E - 2 children
Susan S
Valerie P -2 children

Book Swap update and Swap mail

Crayon toes! So this is what Nature Girl is doing while she waits for the sign ups for our One Good Book Swap to end this Thursday. We have about 30 kids signed up right now. I hope to get sign ups closed and partner info sent out Thursday night. My grandmother is leaving rehab on Wednesday after having hip surgery for the second time in a week. It's a long story but we're glad she's finally on the mend. Nature Girl and I are heading to VT to spend the weekend with my Gram and get her settled in at home again. The plan is to have partner info sent out before I leave for VT but that might not happen till I get back on Sunday.
Nature Girl got a surprise package from Susan. Susan hosted the Strawberry swap at her blog Chickenfoot. Nature Girl was excited to get this surprise package.

Here she is laying on the cute monkey pillowcase Susan sent. the monkeys are holding fruit, ho cute?! Nature Girl insists she wants to use this as a blanket for her legs and climbs in the pillowcase like a sleeping bag! Silly girl! Susan also sent a cat stamp and a pretty little strawberry in the package. Thanks for the strawberry surprises Susan, she loves them!
These strawberry goodies came from Carrie. Carrie sent lots of strawberry goodness in this package! Nature Girl claimed the pink strawberry and we've eaten the strawberry candy. Yummy! She also like to pass out the coasters at the table when we eat dinner. Like some restaurants have coasters on the table, she feels we should use them for our meals. I don't mind, they're very cute! Thanks Carrie!I received this pretty little mini quilt as art of the Miniature Booty Swap 2. I love polka dots! My partner also sent along some goodies for Nature Girl too. Thank you for the beautiful quilt and goodies for Nature Girl. There are so many generous and kind bloggers out there! Thank you for making us smile!

One Good Book Swap - a swap for kids

I'm hosting my first swap. . . . . .

One Good Book Swap

Swap rules:
This is a book swap for kids. You will choose a book for your child's partner. Your package will include the book and a minimum of three goodies to go along with your book. One of the goodies should be handmade and the others can be purchased. Here's an example to give you some ideas.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: include the book and then a minimum of three goodies like alphabet cards, magnetic letters, coloring pages, a CD or tape of the story, letter cookie cutters, stickers, felt board pieces for the story, a stuffed animal/softie(say a palm tree for this book), a craft related to the story, etc. Other goody ideas for books might include puppets, finger puppets, recipes to go along with a story, a book mark, stationary in the story theme, paper dolls to go with the story, games, etc. Be creative and have fun with this. The possibilities are endless!
Gently used books are fine as long as they are in good condition(no writing/scribbling, ripped pages, mildew, etc.) If you prefer brand new books please specify that in the information for your partner. There is no set dollar limit for this swap. You don't need to spend a lot but please be generous to your partner and give something you would be happy to receive!

All swap packages should be mailed by Saturday October 18^th. Remember a child is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the package so if you can't follow through please contact me immediately. I want this to be a good swap experience for everyone involved.

If you have multiple children you may sign up as a family and receive one book package or you can sign up each of your children separately so each child receives a book package. To clarify if you sign up your children separately each child will be given a partner to send a package to and in return will receive their own package. If you sign up as a family you send one package and receive one package. I hope this makes sense. It's my first swap and I'd hate to confuse everyone. If you have any questions leave a comment or e-mail me.

Sign ups start now and will go until September 18th. If you'd like to sign up please email me at jillytacy(at)yahoo(dot)com with the following information:

Name:

Address:

e-mail address:

Blog address:

Child's name:

Child's age:

Child's reading level(optional):

Are you willing to swap internationally?

Favorite books:

Your child's interests:

First Day of Preschool

Nature Girl had her first day of preschool today. She wore a pretty white dress and went off to preschool with no problem. Really, she's a pro now after attending preschool last year. She didn't even mind that I was working and couldn't bring her. MB our friend and neighbor has been taking great care of Nature Girl for us and does the drop off and pick up at preschool three mornings a week. We couldn't ask for a better daycare situation for Nature Girl! She has handled the transition of me going back to work very well. It makes it much easier for me to work knowing she's happy and having fun with her friends at MB's house.

MB took these first day of school pictures for us. Wasn't that sweet?!! Thanks MB it makes it seem like I was there! The kids are lining up and walking like ducks to meet their parents at the end of the session.

She's growing up so fast! The time has flown by. This year it's four year old preschool, next year kindergarten and then in the blink of an eye college! But I'm not ready to think about that yet!


Yesterday I came home from school to find two packages. Did I tell you I love coming home to swap mail? Well I do, especially when it looks like this mini quilt! Isn't it gorgeous?!! Wendy made this beautiful mini quilt for me as part of DQS4. I love the color combinations, the fabrics and the quilting! I haven't been able to take a picture yet since I brought it to school to show some teachers who quilt and forgot it on my desk so I borrowed this picture from Wendy's blog. Funny thing is it looks like the picture I would have taken. Doesn't that look like my table that's in all of the pictures on my blog?!! Sorry, I digress. . .thank you Wendy for the gorgeous mini quilt and the Moda fabric squares. I can't wait to sew again!