Friday, April 2, 2021

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Not Norman)

National Pet Day-
April 11th

take children along on a journey with a story
which asks and answers the question

What kind of pet would you like to have?


Go deeper with a conversation on...

Loyalty, Companionship, and
Honoring Differences


First Fridays-
A Story. A Song. An Activity


Virtual Storytime


A Story...



A Song...


"Flight of the Bumblebee"
Canadian Brass

(listen to a band like the one in the story)

a trumpet...
a trombone...
and two horns...

but can you find
the tuba?


An Activity...


Spring is here...

let's head outdoors for COVID safe
"Breathless Bubbles"!!

Friday, March 5, 2021

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Go Away Big Green Monster)

We are spiritual beings
sharing a human experience...

joy
sadness
anger
fear
disgust

life happens... 

and the experiences it brings can seem
to take our emotions along for a ride

the range is extraordinary

as we can witness

joy turn into ecstasy
fear turn into anxiety
anger turn into bitterness

the cycle seems to be endless

but one of the gifts we can give
(to the next generation)

 is the ability to 

face, name, and identify what they feel
in order to regulate their own emotion

First Fridays-
A Story. A Song. An Activity


Virtual Storytime


A Story...





A Song...


"Belly Breathe" (Sesame Street)
featuring Common and Colbie Caillat w/ Elmo



An Activity...


Homemade Play Dough

2 cups flour
3/4 cup salt
2 cups water
2TB cooking oil
4 teaspoons cream of tartar (optional)
a few drops of food coloring (optional)


Extend the conversation...


Join us again next First Friday...
we're headed outdoors!!

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Your Life as a Flameless Candle

We use flameless candles in places
we fear real fire may be a threat...


(we want)

the ambience
the look
the illusion

without any of the assumed risks

(and similarly)

we live our lives in the same manner

we lay low
stay calm
keep quiet

because we do not
wish to start fires

with our words
with our passion
with our lives

But what if a fire is exactly
what we need right now?

a spark
a flicker
a flame

to ignite these dry places
causing them to catch ablaze


Fire brings...

warmth
light
fueled passion
renewed purpose


It transforms...

raw
dead
flesh

into roasted feasts
fit for kings

But we fear it's real power
because we're observant

we've seen it left

unmanaged
unattended

and watched
it quickly turn

becoming wild 
and incontrollable

so...

instead of allowing the
real flame of the Spirit

to ignite, burn down,
consume and destroy
 
all of the chaff

we continue living our lives as illusionist
battery-operated flameless candles

with no full purpose

Thursday, February 4, 2021

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Shades of Black)

In 1976
Black History Month

was extended to include
a full month of recognition

(but the month of February) 

should not be the only time when Black history, 
culture, and contribution is noted and celebrated

It should be celebrated daily!

Use this time to start (or extend)
the timely conversation


Cultural Diversity, 
Appreciation, and Positive Self Image

should be reinforced
w/ ALL children DAILY

First Fridays- 
A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime


A Story...


A Song...


"Celebration" /Kool and the Gang
Voices for Change/Songs Around the World

An Activity...

"I am Black. I am Unique."


Find your shade?
visit www.crayola.com
(to learn about tones and undertones)

Friday, January 29, 2021

How to Respond to Trouble

We find many ways to express it...
Have designed many ways to say...


Nope
Nah
Unh-Unh


I'm good
I'll pass
No thanks

So when you need to use voice
when trouble comes your way

just smile

and respond
with a kind, yet firm

No, thank you
Not today

(sharing here today)


Monday, January 25, 2021

4th Grade Field Trip Rewind... back when WE stormed the Capitol

It is ironic

that this month's 
vacation rewind

is a field trip 

from our daughter's 
fourth grade class visit

to our State Capitol

to

learn
understand
witness

the 

history and democracy 
of our State Govt.

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

Fourth grade curriculum
focuses on State History

(so this trip is intended/intentioned to provide
in-person experiences to reinforce that learning) 


Day 1-

Our trip began early morning 
(coffee in hand) 


as we boarded the motor coach

American Christian Tours

for a 3-day all inclusive
journey upstate to explore

California's rich heritage

through the context of 
history and culture

first stop...

Hilmar Cheese Factory

Take a virtual tour


We stopped for a lesson, and the kids even had 
time to make and taste fresh vanilla ice cream!


Day 2-

California State Capitol Building

a private tour of the Capitol Grounds and
the opportunity to "hear a motion" on the floor


(We stood beneath the dome and sang for a
true sense of the power held within this space)

The sound of children singing
together in harmony is priceless...


California State Railroad Museum



for digital exhibits, weekly story time and
activities, or to become a Junior Engineer


Day 3-

Indian Museum

Exhibits highlighting the Native people of CA,
 indigenous culture, and historical artifacts

Sutter's Fort

We arrived just in time for the private guided tour to 
meet the blacksmith, and re-enactors in period costume


Hand-churned butter anyone?


Our final stop...

Panning for Gold

a "Gold Rush" experience 

inviting the children to remove their shoes 
and wade through the American River to search
(while learning) to distinguish rocks from gold

Gold was discovered in Coloma on January 24, 1848


Always remember Baby girl, 
that the true treasure you seek



...is within!


Travel experiences bring learning to life
for adults and children of every age

(find more Family Adventures here)

Friday, January 22, 2021

There's Only One Who Can Fix It

 All it takes is one...

one storm
one attack
one quake

one thought
one action
one mistake


One God

who can fix this

fix them
fix us

we are fragile

we are frail
we are dust

and God knows.

So with...

one petition
one prayer
one praise

He lifts us

shows us
reminds us

that all it takes is...

one moment
one person
one day

to change your life forever

(sharing here today)