We had a month that started full of stomach bugs, lingering illnesses & sadness.  We got to take a much-needed trip up north where we got to spend time with old friends, make new friends, and be with Diana and Hayden for some time.  Now spring is finally here and we've been doing lots of neat experiments, spending time outside and looking forward to the next season.  

So on to some fun stuff....
 
 

Thanks again to Magical Mama Beth for her book recommendations in the last newsletter.  We checked them out and especially loved Bad Kitty and I Ain't Gonna Paint No More.  I've heard from several other magical mamas that Bad Kitty has become a new favorite at their houses too.  You must look for it at your library!  It's so fun!
 

Make your own Knitting Needles!
Magical Mama Tiffany shared this brilliant project:

It's really easy.  I went to a store with my needle gauge and bought Dowels of the approx size.  You can get like 3 needles out of a 49c dowel!!  :)  Then I just cut them to the right size, sanded them a little, rubbed them with wax paper or beeswax and made cute toppers (in the shape of pencil erasers!!!! LOL!) for the ones that aren't double pointed.  To make the pointy ends you just put the dowels in a pencil sharpener!! :D  It's EASY, FUN AND CHEEEEEEAP!!

Tiffany says she used a purchased bakeable clay to make the toppers but it stank so much she'd use something else next time (if you have a good idea for those, send it in).  What a fun project!  Thanks Tiffany!

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Spring Songs....
Here's a couple of cute action songs to teach to little ones.

I'm a Dandelion
(To the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")


I'm a dandelion,
Oh, so small. (Crouch down)
I'm growing bigger; (Slowly rise)
Now I'm tall. (Stand)

Soon my yellow blossom (Round arms over head)
Will turn to fluff.
Along will come the wind (Turn in circle)
With a great big huff. (Blow)

Then my dandy seeds (Wiggle fingers above head)
Will dance around–
Traveling to places;
Floating to the ground. (Lower fingers to the ground)

Up Pop the Flowers!
(Tune of "Pop! Goes the Weasel")

We plant some seeds into the dirt. (Pretend to plant seeds)
The rain falls down in showers. (Raise arms; the wiggle fingers downward)
The sun comes out, and what do you know? (Children squat down)
UP pop the flowers! (Pop up)

(original authors unknown)



Balloon Plants!
We can't wait to try this fun experiment from www.craftbits.com

Materials:
 1 balloon
 1/2 cup of dirt
 1/4 cup of water
 radish or pea Seeds
 funnel

Instructions:
Take the balloon and holding it by the neck use a funnel to slowly push the dirt into the balloon, then add the water and the seeds.

Nip the neck of the balloon and clean off the opening so that you can blow it up.

Very carefully blow up the balloon till it is full size then tie off the neck and secure.

Hang your balloon plant in a window sill and it will start growing.

Make sure you DO NOT use potting mix as this is toxic to inhale.

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Here's a wonderful magazine you can get for free if you are a teacher or work in education in some way:  http://www.edutopia.org/index.php.  It is sponsored by the George Lucas Educational Foundation and the issue I saw had a lot of really wonderful stuff in it.

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Magical Mama Susan recommended this web site, Scrapbooking to Learn
http://scrapbookingtolearn.com/
Looks neat!  Thanks Susan!

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From FEMA:

"You can order a storybook and a coloring book free from FEMA. "The Adventures of Julia and  Robbie: The Disaster Twins" is a book best for third and fourth graders. Both are great stories about disasters.  There is also a great disaster coloring book for everyone who likes to color. How do you get these? Just ask an adult to call the FEMA toll-free number: 1-800-480-2520. FEMA will mail the books to you and you can start a "disaster" library!"

Printable Masks!
Here's some fun paper masks you can print out for the kids to color and wear:
http://childcareandbeyond.tripod.com/masks.html

It's garden time!  Here's a site that lists great plants to grow with kids, tips for success and links.
http://www.earthyfamily.com/A-gardenKids.htm

10 Ways to Make Today Magical....

1.  Do a zany photo shoot.  Use up a roll of film or all your digital shots taking wacky, funny, silly, glamorous and goofy family pictures.  Let the kids take some too!

2. Hide a non-toxic token in dinner once a week and whoever gets the piece with the token gets out of chores for the night.

3. Make up a customized CD with songs with your child's name in the titles, sentimental songs from when they were little and other sweet memories.

4. Wake up an hour early and go for a breakfast picnic together before work and school.  It doesn't have to be anyplace fancy-- up on the roof, in the stairwell, in the back yard or any place different.

5. Start reading a beloved book from your childhood together. Some good ones are Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, The Secret Garden, any Winnie the Pooh books, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe series, Judy Blume... anything that you loved and can pass on now.  We're reading A Little Princess now.  No favorite books? Start a search to find new favorites together.  Librarians are great help.

6. Make up some task treasures. Paint or write numbers on small round rocks or dragon's tears.  Write up a list of little tasks that correspond to each number.  They can be educational (spell your name, say the 4 times tables), home related (sweep the stairs, wipe the counter), family related (tell me something good that happened today, say something nice about another family member) or silly (cluck like a chicken, spin in circles till you fall down).  Add one special one for a treat your kids will really covet (an hour of doing anything you want with mom or dad, movie night, etc.).  Kids can take turns drawing treasures and completing the assignments, and can do as many as they like to try to nab the prize one.  My kids love even the chores, just because of the novelty of picking them out of a jar.  :)  Change the master list as often as you like.

7.  Have a tea party.  Invite dolls and teddy bears if the kiddos like.  Don't forget to wear hats!

8.  Spray paint something with your teenager.  Graffiti up an old dresser, desk or even a wall.  Pick some colors together that go with his room and go wild.  ;)  (Okay, mom moment-- make sure to have good ventilation!)

9.  Leave your child a list of things you love about her on her pillow.

10. Write and illustrate a picture book together.  Let your child dictate it if he's too young to write, and ask him to illustrate it.  You can easily make a book by folding pieces of paper and then using a cardstock or cloth-covered cardboard for the cover.  Poke holes along the crease and stitch with yarn or embroidery floss to bind.  Laminate the pages with clear contact paper to make it really last.

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And with that, my dears, I'm off again. 
Hug your kiddos, help your neighbors and don't forget to take care of you!

~ Alicia
 
 

A Magical Childhood
http://www.magicalchildhood.com
Copyright 2006, Alicia Bayer

A Magical Childhood Newsletter is just something I throw together because I love children and those who love them.  To subscribe, send a message to alicia.bayer@gmail.com or magical-mama@care2.com.  We do not use ads.  It's not about money.  :)

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