Summer Prize Picnic Update

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What a fantastic summer full of sharing great ideas! Thank you so much for all the fantastic submissions, your encouraging comments, and your participation in our Summer Prize Picnic.

We are both gearing up to send kiddos off to preschool and kindergarten for the first time. It is exciting to look forward to all that they will experience as they begin their schooling. It is likely that you are also gearing up for a full fall or teaching and learning. From the sounds of it, many of you are ahead of Michigan in that your kids are already back into routine. However, the Summer Prize Picnic will be wrapping up in the next two weeks, so we wanted to give you an idea of what is to come.

We will be featuring two more fantastic summer sponsors on August 25th & September 1st. We will be encouraging you to earn extra entries in the next two giveaways by switching your Summer Prize Picnic buttons back to the original ABC & 123 button.There will also be two more Picnic Table Talk Topics.

To help you plan ahead for those the topics will be:

August 27th - Encouraging Others

~What to you do to encourage your children

~your students

~your friends

~your parents

~people you volunteer with

September 3rd - Summer Wrap Up

~Give us a wrap up of your summer highlights

~your favorite trip

~things you learned during Summer 2009

The Picnic Table Talks have become a favorite day of the week for many of our readers, as they are able to connect with new blogs and friends. We will continue bi-weekly linkies throughout the fall season. Look forward to Show and Tell Saturday beginning on September 13th!

For the fall we have several more special sponsors and great giveaways to share with you. We will weave these in to our posting schedule as they fit with the subject areas. The plan is that we will also return to our school year schedule featuring specific academic areas in weekly features. If you are not familiar with the schedule you will want to check out our Posting Schedule.

Thanks again for participating in the Summer Prize Picnic '09!

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Carolina Pad Review and Giveaway

Could there be any more exciting mail for a list making, teacher gal to receive than a box full of adorable notebooks, planners, binders,and file folders?? Seriously!
Well, I don't think so. This package of Carolina Pad goodies had me squealing more than the bigger box of Creative Memories paper stacked just under it on my front porch.

Carolina Pad
everyday products. extraordinary design.

The secret to Carolina Pad's design success is "passion, research, and an exquisite attention to detail."

I'd love to take you on a quick tour of the everyday & extraordinary features of several pieces of the 2009 Carolina Pad collection!

Whimsical Flower Ideal Book
everyday use -
Separate your lists into three categories. Write your goals, current projects, and completed projects in separate sections

extraordinary feature -
The vibrant colors in this collection are so eye catching! Durable tabbed dividers and a plastic sleeve make this 7x5" notebook "Ideal"

Hot Chocolate Mini Composition Book

everyday use -
Keep track of your household needs as you build your shopping list

extraordinary feature -
This notebook includes a useful elastic band to help keep in loose lists, coupons, and more

Chit Chat Line Binder
everyday use - store VIP (Very Important Papers) and ECC (Extra-Curricular Communications) for your teen. HA! IDK text chat, but I can MUMO (make up my own).

extraordinary feature - the inside pockets are clear so it is easy to see tucked inside

Simply Chic File Folders
everyday use -
With 12 coordinating folders this set would be great for organizing important reminders and papers necessary for each month

extraordinary feature -
Pattern printed on front and back with brightly colored insides

Pattern Play Notebook
everyday use -
Leave the notebook out in a key location for your family jot notes to each other throughout the day to keep your busy family connected

extraordinary features -
Snag resistant coils & a durable plastic cover

Sasquatch Eco-Friendly Line everyday use:
This collection is appropriate for environmentally conscious males, female, adults, and children who want fun paper supplies.

extraordinary feature:
The products in the Sasquatch line are made mostly of plant and recycled pulp materials

Buy It:
Check out your local retailers that carry Carolina Pad products?
Shop the Carolina Pad online store.

Win It:
In addition to this sneak peek at the samples from the 2009 collection, Carolina Pad is offering our readers a chance to win their own box full of stylish school supplies from the Sasquatch product line (valued at $35)!

Entry Requirement
Visit Carolina Pad's site and take a look at all of the fashionable school supplies. Leave a comment here regarding your favorite collection.

Extra Entries
~Become a Carolina Pad fan on Facebook
~Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter ~Sign up for the Consumer Insights Panel on Carolina Pad's site.

This giveaway will close on Thursday, August 20th at 10 PM EST.

For another chance at winning a fabulous collection from Carolina Pad visit the additional review and giveaway at Katie's Nesting Spot!

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Busy Body Books Review & Giveaway AND Storytelling Picnic Table Talk

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

This week's picnic table talk is all about storytelling. We want to know your favorite read alouds, book related activities and art projects, your favorite authors, anything book related! Please link up below and then read on about a great giveaway we've got for you today!



To make this picnic table talk special we decided to bring along a book of our own to share with you, and while this one isn't a storybook it does in effect hold the story of your busy lives. In it you will find a great organizer and planner. BusyBodyBook's Personal and Family Organizers offer a way to keep track of the important schedules, appointments, and details that make up the story of a busy family all in one handy place.I received a grape academic calendar August 2009-August 2010 to review and I like many of its design features:

• Protective clear plastic front and back covers make sure it'll last through frequent handling and being put in and out of my tote bag.
• Front and back covers are laminated for extra durability
• Both covers also have a pocket for tucking the endless slips of papers and notes I seem to accumulate
• Spiral binding lets the book open fully and lay flat
• Movable bookmark so you can flip quickly to the current week

A suggestion I have is that there be more options for the cover design, both the apple and grape designs are gender neutral and neither really express my personality. While either would be fine for a man to carry around, I think a more feminine design would appeal to many of Busy Body Book's target demographic. I noted that for the 2008 year they did have a funky floral design, and I think something along those lines should be included each year.

Inside the book there is a lot more to like:

• A spot to list by month important events like birthdays and anniversaries for this year {and}
• A corresponding spot to jot these dates down for next year too
• Six months at a glance double page spreads so you can get an overview of the upcoming months
• Extra note pages at the back of the book
• Perforated To Do lists, these would be great for shopping lists
• Important people contact page
• Restaurant and take out contact page

My only other suggestion for BusyBodyBooks would be to include a double page spread monthly calendar page at the start of each month. The six month at a glance pages are nice but the space to write in is small. I'd like to be able to see an overview of each month quickly instead of having to flip through the weekly pages.

I really like how each week is given a double page spread with plenty of room to write. On the left hand side is a place to jot notes, lists, thoughts, or goals. Besides it is a place to put your to do list and check them off as you accomplish them.

The right hand side of the double page spread is a weekly grid with five columns that you can assign to each family member or even personal goals. Students could even use it to keep track of their subjects and assignments. I really like the large dates, because for a young gal I have terrible vision and need all the help I can get. I also appreciate the large boxes in the grid so I don't have to try and squeeze in my notes for each day.

Overall I think BusyBodyBook's Personal and Family Organizers can be an invaluable tool for busy families with multiple schedules to keep track off. I like all the features and how you can choose your own topics to keep track of and personalize it so it works for you. I know this will really help me organize my personal life, preschool, blogging, and appointments for the upcoming year and am glad to have it as a resource!

Organize Your Life!
Buy one today! BusyBodyBooks come in two formats

• Aug '09 - Aug '10 BusyBodyBook ACADEMIC YEAR Personal & Family Organizer
• 2010 BusyBodyBook Jan - Dec Personal & Family Organizer

Don't need a whole book to record things in or you want everyone to be able to refer to it? Then you need to check out the BusyBodyBook Wall Calendar. Everyone can see where everyone is or heading at a glance and use it to help them plan their own activities.Need to start using one today? They even have an undated weekly grid pad so you can start getting organized whenever you're ready!
Win a BusyBodyBook!
TWO, yes you read that correctly, TWO of our readers will win a product of their choice from Busy Body Books! You can choose a planner or a calendar, whichever fits your family's needs the most.

To Enter:
Visit BusyBodyBook's and take a look at their products, come back and tell us which one you'd pick if you won and why.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each additional method)

• Follow ABC publicly
• Add a link to this week's Picnic Table Talk
• Post about this giveaway linking to this post and our sponsor, leave us a link to your post
• Follow BusyBodyBooks on Twitter @busybodybooks, tweet about this giveaway and leave us a link to your tweet

Good Luck! Giveaway open now until August 12 midnight EST for US residents.

Disclaimer: We received our product from BusyBodyBooks free of charge for the purpose of writing a review for their shop and hosting this giveaway on our blog. However, it is important to note that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made by the company to influence our authentic review.

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Story Time Felts Review and Giveaway

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

As many of you know I am a big fan of felt board and felt activities. I love how they can make a concept concrete and real for a student. They are tactile and kids can move and manipulate the pieces around to really see and do to learn. Felt boards are also great for enhancing literature and helping student retell stories. I've made some things for my daughter to use but have been looking for a company that provides great activities that will provide more variety and detail that I can. My search was over when I found Story Time Felts!
Story Time Felts offers the very finest in felt board stories and visual aids for learning and open-ended play. Strict attention is paid to the quality as well as the educational value of each product. We carry an extensive line of educational felt board story sets and non-denominational religious felts as well as dress-up dolls,including custom photo dress-up dolls, felt activity books, finger plays, puppets, and audio story and song CDs and more for preschool through school aged children...

Our felt is washable as well as colorfast - the artwork is much more detailed and "pops" more than other products. The Story Time Felts manufacturing process is unique in that the artwork is actually dyed into the felt for long lasting color and quality. It will last through generations of happy children's felt board storytelling!

Children are natural storytellers but often their stories remain locked in their heads because they lack the ability to express themselves. Story Time Felts help parents and teachers bring back creativity and imagination to the children in their lives through beautiful felt products such as felt board story figures, activity books, dress up dolls and other educational felt items! Experts agree that kids these days are too "plugged in," so we offer something that is High Touch, not High Tech! Imagination is rediscovered and fostered with Story Time Felts!
My daughter is very interested in animals and I found the perfect activity for her in the Farm Book: Down on the Farm Soft Activity Felt Book. It includes five felt background pages along with 56 felt pieces that include all the things, animals, and people you'd find on the farm. There are so many places you can visit and many different scenes and stories you can make up with it.

What I really like is how the background pages are interactive, the doors and windows of the of the barn open so you can see inside to the horse and foal, pig and piglets, and other family groupings that live inside. On every page there are flaps you can lift to find hidden pictures and on the garden page even slots you can add vegetables to and then harvest later.
I think the over all design is really clever, there are two double sided pages and on single sided page with the back "cover" being plain green felt. Each page is really a pocket, where you store all your pieces. It's the perfect quiet book and because it has so many different pieces unlike most fabric books that are made for babies, it's still engaging and advanced enough to hold my daughter's attention. It's the ultimate portable busy book. You better believe it's been added to my arsenal of travel tools.

The set also comes with a nice handout that includes background information about farms, the story of chicken little, which can be retold with pieces included in the set, and several lessons and extension activities. Suggestions include listing all the jobs the farmer and his wife have to do, playing a guess the animal game, and putting the animals in order by size. References with a detailed list of farm books is also included.

Karen at Story Time Felts is so passionate about getting their great products into kid's hands that she is giving away a copy of the Farm Book: Down on the Farm Soft Felt Activity Book, it's precut and assembled, a $39.99 value!
To Win:
Go to funfelt.com and look around at wide variety of kits available and let us know which one is your favorite, other than the barn set we're giving away.

For Extra Entries: {Leave an extra comment for each additional method of entry}

• Be a follower of ABC & 123
• Add our button to your blog, be sure to leave us a link to where you've got is displayed
• Post about this giveaway on your blog and link to this post and to Karen's site, leave us the link in your comment
• Follow Karen on Twitter @funfelt, tweet about the giveaway and leave us a link to it.
• Subscribe to the Felt Connection, their monthly newsletter for parenting and teaching ideas, news, and specials

Good Luck! Giveaway open to US residents now through August 10th!

Disclaimer: We received our product from free of charge for the purpose of writing a review for their shop and hosting this giveaway on our blog. However, it is important to note that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made by the company to influence our authentic review.

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Polliwog Review and Giveaway

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered!

This week I have the priviledge of introducing you to the learning products offered by
Polliwog. You're going to love the quality of the products in this shop and the many learning opportunities available.

Michele, the preschool teacher, behind Polliwog started making affordable sandpaper letters and numbers in 2003 to save money on her own classroom supplies. She has now shared her quality workmanship with you, other parents and teachers!

Why sand paper?
Sand Paper letters and numbers are a Montessori inspired activity. The idea is that the tactile interaction with these symbols helps children as they learn to recognize and form numbers and letters. It works because a child's large motor develops first. By tracing the sandpaper texture with their fingers, children are exercising their large motor skills and learning the symbols. Sand paper letters also foster visual memory skills.

Check out these reviews from other Polliwog satisfied customers:
"These are so professional and high quality. Thank you for providing a handmade option for my Montessori efforts!"
"These are 100% better than you can find anywhere else. Not plywood, I haven't found better letters anywhere."

The sandpaper collections are available in numbers 0-9, uppercase alphabet, and lowercase alphabet.

Here are some of the activities we tried with our number set:

We started by tracing each of the numbers several times with our pointer fingers. As you will notice in the pictures. each number has a cut out dot that signifies the starting point for tracing (sorry by #1 is upside down in the picture).

While my 3 year old continued to practice tracing and naming each number, my 5 year old was busy putting together 2-digit numbers, as I instructed, and tracing them.


We played a couple different games with the sand paper numbers. The first game was a guessing game. With a blindfold covering his eyes, my son traced each number I presented to him and tried to figure out what number he was feeling. He really liked this challenge.

We also tried a game called "Knock, Knock, Numbers." With all the numbers turned upside down we took turns knocking on the numbers. The "it" person would knock and say, "Knock! Knock!" The rest of us would say, "Who's there?" The player would then turn over the number and would name the number. Ex. "It's 5"

Simple, but effective for practicing number identification!

I modeled even and odd numbers for the kids by sorting the numbers into 2 piles.

We played "What's # is Missing" by laying out a series of numbers and asking the kids to name and find the number that was missing in the group. Ex. 3, 5, 6, 7. Missing 4.



Of course we had to try a little number rubbing too. With the numbers under white printer paper we used different colors to rub the numbers. My son was really having fun making and trying to read 3- and 4- digit numbers with this technique.

While we had the crayons out we also tried a bit of one-to-one correspondence practice. I layed out all the numbers and had the kids count out how many crayons went next to each number.
This activity would work with any manipulatives.

Okay, so what can you do with the ABC sand paper sets? Here are a few alphabet suggestions for you.

~Trace and practice forming each letter
~Color rubbing
~Sort vowels/consonants
~Match the uppercase letter to its' lowercase partner.
~"What letter is Missing" sequencing game
~"Knock, Knock Letters"
~Blindfolded Letter ID
~"I Spy!" - Lay out all of you letters. Give your child a clue and have them look for the correct letter. Ex. I spy the letter that starts the word FROG.
~Corn Meal Practice - While looking at the sand paper letter practice copying it into a tray full of corn meal.
~White Board Writing - Place the stack of ABCs in a pile upside down next to a white board. Have your child turn over letters and copy them on to the white board one at a time.

As you can see Polliwog's Sand Paper letters as a fantastic resource for many different learning center activities!

Buy it!
Shop Polliwog to order your own set of quality Birch and sandpaper numbers & letters.

Win it!
Polliwog is giving one of ABC & 123's readers an alphabet set of sandpaper letters!!

Required Entry:
Hop over to Polliwog's Learning Products and take a look at the letters and numbers that are available. When you return to comment, tell us why your child/student would benefit from winning this giveaway. Would you like uppercase or lowercase letters?

Additional Entries:
~Follow our blog. Please remind us if you already do
~Tweet about this giveaway
~Make a purchase from the Polliwog store during the giveaway period.

The giveaway will be open until next Monday, at 10:00 EST. We will choose a winner using random.org and post the winner on Tuesday. Good Luck!

Disclaimer: We received our product from Polliwog free of charge for the purpose of writing a review for their shop and hosting this giveaway on our blog. However, it is important to note that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made by the company to influence our authentic review.

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Picnic Food: Polliwogs

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

Polliwogs coming soon to a picnic near you! Find your favorite froggy foods.

Frog Eyed Salad
Ingredients:
• 1 box Acini Di Pepe pasta (or Orzo)
• 1 large can of pineapple (drained)
• 3 large cans of mandarin oranges (drained)
• 1 large container of whipped topping
• 1 bag of colored marshmallows

Directions:
1. 1st: Boil noodles accordingly
2. drain and cool with cold water
3. once drained add pineapple, mandarin oranges, and whipped topping
4. mix well,
5. top with colored marshmallows.
6. Refrigerate 1 hour or until serve!
7. And enjoy!

This recipe was found at DLTK

Sherbet the Frog looks like a tasty edition to a picnic. However, you'll have to eat him quickly before he hops melts away!

Make a Fruity Frog out of Granny Smith apples.

Pack some Frog in a Bog muffins in your picnic basket.

Kulinary Kids made (k)ute Lily Pad Cookies.

Finish off your Froggy picnic with a little speckled frog puppet project & song, courtesy of Her Cup Overfloweth.

For an additional entry in the giveaway that will be shared tomorrow, leave a comment here with your guess as to which of the companies we will be featured this week. Hint: You may have to check back on the original Summer Prize Picnic introduction post.

Looking ahead to this week's PICNIC TABLE TALK...
This week's topic is Jump, Skip & Hop!
Plan a post that shares physical activites and outdoor games you enjoy playing with your family.

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Lauren Nicole Gifts Review and Giveaway

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered!

Thus far on Tuesdays we've been featuring educational and children's products. We know our readers are all so involved with their children and always looking for new activities to do with them, but we also knew that this picnic wouldn't be complete without a few special treats for the mommies!
We know you're like us and always so busy taking care of the kids, home, family...and that you usually put your needs last on the list. That's why we're so happy to be featuring Lauren Nicole Gifts, a company that specializes in monogrammed gifts and accessories, this week. Just wait til you see the fun and sparkily fine silver round initial pendant you can win from them! As soon as I heard monograming is Lauren Nicole Gift's speciality I had to go check them out. Pretty much everyone who knows me, knows of my love for all things monogramed. From jewelry to acesseories like these pocket tissue holders, key fobs, bookmarkers, hand towels, pony tail holders, mirrors, zipper pulls, and even magnets anything you think your initals can be added to are at Lauren Nicole Gifts. I especially like the monogramed barrettes and shoe clips. All your holiday shopping could be completed with just one order here as there are even gifts for men, what proud Grandpa wouldn't love showing off his grandkids on a photo key chain?There is a complete line of baby gifts, like an adorable monogramed plush lambs that would be the perfect special lovey for any child and look great in a nursery. The cute It's a Boy slippers for the mom to be would be fun to wear at the baby shower and then again at the hospital. After the baby is born you could snuggle her up in a monogrammed microfleece baby blanket or another one of the cuddily options Lauren Nicole Gifts has. There is even a hand stamped silver baby spoon that would be a unique and practical keepsake. A bucket hat, sippy cup, onesie, and bib all packaged together in a snack square would be memorable twist on a gift basket that's sure to be appreciated and well used by the little one!
My favorite section of Lauren Nicole Gift's to browse is her extensive jewelry collection. My favorites can be found in the monogramed silver jewelry or wax seal jewelry section. I love the variety of styles and font choices and it's artisan style. The Fine Silver Small Round Initial Necklace would be a lovely addition to any outfit.

"Fine silver round pendant necklace can be personalized with an initial. We hand make the pendants in our studio by hand-casting fine silver. The pendant measures 16mm in diameter and can be personalized with one initial. The pendant comes on a sterling silver ball chain necklace with your choice of two 6mm bead charms.

Fine silver is a slightly higher grade than sterling silver. Sterling silver is .925 silver and fine silver is .999 silver"

It's understated and elegant, while the hand stamped swirl design is unique and adds interesting detail to the pendant. You can personalize it with an initial, choose the color of the bead charms added to it, and pick between a ball and rollo chain. Complete the look with matching fine silver earrings. It comes all ready to be gifted in an organza pink drawstring bag and a darling tin that makes this gift's packaging extra special and makes Lauren Nicole Gifts stand out from others. Designed and made by Denise, the fabric on my tin is Lilly Pulitzer fabric, how did Denise know I super duper big ♥ Lilly, and coordinates with the colors of the bead charms on my necklace.

I have a love for cute and clever packaging and love little organizers and containers of all kinds. The gift tins Lauren Nicole Gifts uses are some of my favorite ones ever. They come with all jewelry purchases except for button jewelry and monogrammed gift tins can also be purchased.

Giveaway:

Would you like to win your very own Fine Silver Small Round Initial Necklace? Denise, the owner of Lauren Nicole Gifts is generously providing one for our readers! We think every mom deserves a fun new necklace to add some bling to your summer outfits!

To Enter:

Go over to Lauren Nicole Gifts and leave us a comment telling us your favorite item from her store. There's a lot to choose from, have fun browsing!

Extra Enteries: as always leave an extra comment for each additional method

• Follow ABC & 123
• Follow us on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave us a link in the comments to your tweet
• Blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to your post, you can get two extra extra entries for this one, just leave us two comments for it. Ex.: 1st comment - Blogged about the Lauren Nicole Giveaway and include the URL. 2nd comment: extra entry #2 for posting.
• Follow the Lauren Nicole Gift's blog you'll want to do this one for sure because Denise runs fabulous giveaways all the time on it!

Good luck, giveaway open to US and Canadian residents til Monday July 27th at midnight EST.

Thursday's Picnic Table Talk Topic: This week we'll be discussing organization. Please share your tips for organizing learning materials, lesson you want to try, or any area of your home that benefits from a little order. We're looking forward to seeing all your great ideas and being inspired by your organizational skills!

Disclaimer: We received our review product from Lauren Nicole Gifts, free of charge in return for writing a review of their products and hosting a giveaway on our blog. We want to stress that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made to influence them by the company. This review relates our own experiences with the products. Your experience may differ.

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It's the Small Things Review & Giveaway

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered!

This week we are happy to showcase Diane and her fabulous shop It's the Small Things! We were attracted to the products she carries because we could immediately see the educational tie in with many of them, especially her mini chalkboards. We know you're going to enjoy learning about her affordable products that many of your children would love.

Diane is a life long sewer and crafter, who made a lot of her now grown kid's clothes for them as they were growing up. Somehow there was never enough time for making the fun stuff. She's definitely made it priority now that she has grandchilren!

"I love finding unique things to make for them and in turn sell in my store. I spend a lot of time looking for unique items that I can make so that children can have fun learning and playing. I would love to hear about any ideas that you have for creative playing or learning items that I could find or create. Most items have been kid tested by my grandchildren who range in age from 3 to 9 so I know that children love them and they will stand up to the wear and tear that kids can put things thru."



It's the Small Things carries many unique items that stimulate the imagination while also providing quiet ways of entertainment. We especially like her line of fabric paper dolls, the dress me bears come with one clothing insert and more sets of inserts are available. These are great for young children and inserts are interchangable with dress me kitty sets.

"Dress Me Bears were designed for all those little girls and boys to play and pretend but just don't have the manual dexterity yet to dress real dolls or superheros. They are great teaching and learning tools. Great gift ideas. Simply choose the insert you'd like and insert in Bears's back pocket to dress him or her quickly and easily and they will be able to see the outfit thru the vinyl window!"

Other items she carries that we like include her tooth fairy pillows, an attractive and practical solution for parents. No more trying to reach under the pillow while not disturbing a sleeping child! The race track mat tote and her connect the dot travel game both look like great compact ways to bring entertainment along with you. The learn to tell time clock is only 5X7 and it's lightweight, so you can bring it along to practice time telling wherever you go. Another fun travel game you have to see is her puzzle and memory game set, imagine the combinations you can make! There really are a ton of fun activities you can find at It's the Small Things, take a few moments to browse through all her products, we bet your find at least one thing you love.

At Katie's Nesting Spot's household we received an I can tie my shoe activity, and ER had a whole lot of fun untying over and over the shoelaces. She isn't ready to tie them up yet, but enjoys watching me and reciting: You take one lace and make a loop. Take the other lace and make another bunny ear. Fold one under the other and viola! Tied shoes.

Her efforts at making her own bunny ears out of the ribbon lace is getting better and better. I think it's a very cute and at 7", also a compact way to practice. I like how it's not only made with a pleasing and pretty color palatte, it's also very sturdy with a layer of interfacting and quilting. It's held up to my daughter's pulling and tugging as she tries to thread the holes. It's the perfect hands on learning tool.

We also received a 5X7 blank chalkboard and a mini butterfly one. ER loves drawing and the blank mat is perfect for doodling now and for practicing writing later on. She likes to bring them along in her own little purse when we go out, especially the butterfly one. She always remembers to put them away very carefully in her craft caddy of supplies and likes that they are sized right for her to carry around. The 5X7 sized board is perfect for her, but I'd like to point out that the butterfly one has very little writing space. It would be perfect for writing down individual letters or numbers or for practicing spelling words but it's a little too small for a picture.

We carry the chalk in a little baggy but It's the Small Things makes it even easier by making crayon and chalkboard bags. They're the perfect size for on the go and for your child to take ownership of and carry themselves. We also like Diane's innovative boy and girl chalkboards, that can be used to teach colors, body parts, and used as a listen and follow directions activity.

I, Katie from A List Maker's Life, was glad to participate in this review as well. I had the opportunity to sample the Addition & Subtraction Chalkboard Flashcards with my kids.
What is it?
Computation Practice + Clever Stitching = Reuseable Addition & Subtraction Chalkboard Flashcards

Features
It's the Small Things + Attention to Detail = Quality Product
5"x6" + Pocket for Chalk = Travel Take Along
Learning Activity - Bulk = Practice on the Go
Fun Pattens + Colorful Fabrics = Kid Friendly Appearance
Layer of Felt + Stitched into the Middle = Sturdy

Practice Ideas
Child + Chalkboards + Numbered Cards = Individual Review
Child + Mom + Chalkboards = Learning Together
Chalkboard Flashcards + Manipulatives = One to One Correspondance Practices
Waiting Rooms + Chalkboard Flashcards = Boredom Buster
One-on-One Tutor - Classroom Space = Portable Laptime Review

More Options
Chalkboard Flashcards + Creativity = Alternative Uses
~Make use of the small lines by writing fractions to add and subtract
~Add small dots to the subtraction flashcard to easily convert to division problems
~Practice filling in empty numbers in the number sentence for early algebra introduction

Earth Friendly
Blackboard + Whitechalk = "Greeen" Skill Practice (These flashcards eliminate the need for paper/pencil review)

Sidenote
Chalkboard Flashcards + Teacher Perspective = Suggestions
~I'd love the option for writing 2-digit equations, possibly with a vertical orientation in addition to horizontal.

Buy It!
Interested in all the wonderful educational and fun play things It's the Small Things carry? Visit their Etsy shop and buy one their wonderful collection of products for the child in your life today!

Win It in our GIVEAWAY!
Diane at It's the Small Things is offerring one of our lucky readers a $10 gift certificate to her store!

To Enter:
Visit It's the Small Things and browse around. Come back and leave us a comment as to what you'd spend your $10 gift certificate on!

For Extra Entries:
Don't forget to leave an additional comment FOR EACH additional method.

~Become a follower of this blog
~Follow us on Twitter, tweet about the giveaway, and leave us a link to it.
~Blog about it and leave us a link to your post in the comments.
~Become a Fan of It's the Small Things on Facebook, fans receive 10% off their orders!
~Visit It's the Small Thing's holiday store, and tell us your favorite product there
~Suggest a design or product you'd like to see It's the Small Things make.

Good luck, giveaway open to all of our readers, regardless of where in the world you live. Closes July 20th, midnight EST.

Disclaimer: We received our review product from It's the Small Things, free of charge in return for writing a review of their products and hosting a giveaway on our blog. We want to stress that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made to influence them by the company.

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Picnic Food: Watermelon

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

What's a picnic without WATERMELON? Yum!
Gather your melon-y ideas in time for National Watermelon Day on August 3rd.

Academy at Thousand Oaks submitted a great Watermelon Unit complete with snacks and decorations! It is a must see!


Thanks to Denise for this fruity exploration: Counting Watermelon Seeds
Objective: developing number concepts

Find wonderful watermelon craft ideas on Preschool Education.

Sung to: "Are You Sleeping"
Watermelon, watermelon,
On the vine, on the vine,
Green and ripe and juicy,
Green and ripe and juicy,
Please be mine,
Please be mine.

Here are step by step instructions for how to make a watermelon bowl for your fruit salad.

A-B-CDE
Watermelon is good for me.
F-G-HIJI can eat it everyday.
P-Q-RSTRipe and very juicy
U-V-WXY
You will like it if you give it a try.
Z-Z-ZZZ
Watermelon is good for me.

Make Wiggly Watermelon Parfaits to bring to your picnic.


Fabulous Foods has a recipe for watermelon cookies.

Betty Crocker gives the step by step instructions for making an adorable watermelon cake.

Growing up, Ice Cream Watermelon Cake was a summer tradition for Katie from A List Maker's Life

Kay's cake looks and tastes like a watermelon!

Fresh Watermelon Salsa would be a unique addition to a picnic menu.

Anxious for the carving fun that October brings with pumpkins?

Haul out the carving tools now and make faces in watermelons.

Make 3D watermelons to display at your picnic.

Find games, books, crafts, facts, quizzes and more to create a Watermelon unit.
Watermelon.org has science lesson ideas, math quizzes, and more.

This week's Picnic Table Talk will be Imagination!
Post suggestions:
~How does your child play pretend?
~What types of toys and activities do you have to promote imagination?
~Why is it important for our children to play pretend?

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Summer Bridge Review & Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered!

What in the world is the Summer Vacation Slide?

Is it an amusement park ride?
A wet, slippery plastic across your front yard?
The fast, tallest metal slide on the playground?
Well, no, actually...

The summer vacation slide, termed by teachers & educational researchers, refers to the great amount of factual & procedural knowledge that students lose over their summer vacation. Sad, but true, it is proven that in the summer months children lose some of the information gained during the school year. Interestingly, the loss is most pronounced in knowledge based on facts and procedures (ie: spelling & math) than it is in conceptual based skills (life skills, reading, comprehension & problem solving). This information, and the research behind it, lead many in the field of education questioning & debating the benefits of year round school...but that is another topic for another day.

In the mean time, the brains behind the well known publishing company, Carson Dellosa, have come up with the Summer Bridge.
Is it a path connecting the campground to the beach?
The wooden planks over the creek to the tree swing?
The 5 mile structure connecting the 2 peninsulas of Michigan?
No, actually...

The Summer Bridge Activity Books, published by Carson Dellosa , are award winning resources to help parents and teachers keep their students (PreK - 8th Grade) active and learning throughout the summer. The activity books are full of exercises that reinforce the core academic areas. The instructions are easy to understand and the skills are presented in colorful & creative ways to motivate children to review familiar facts and procedures while being progressively challenged.

The activity books encourage daily practice with goal setting activities, motivational charts, and completion certificates. Each book also includes age appropriate flash cards and a suggested summer reading list.

Aside from addressing the academic needs of your child, the Summer Bridge Activity books also address health, wellness, and life skills. Preview the pages and activities in the Summer Bridge books at each level.

Summer Bridge Extension Activities are also available online. Their site offers interactive learning games as well as printable games. The age appropriate Summer Reading Lists are also available on the website.

When you purchase the Summer Bridge Activities book you will be given a code useful for accessing more features on the Summer Bridge Activities site. Your child will also have the opportunity to rate and review the books from their recommended reading lists. The pass code also gives you access to many wonderful sites for practicing & playing for skill review in: math, science, social studies, grammar, and more!

I have heard recommendations for the Summer Bridge books from:

Teachers - "The workbooks review the skills we learned during the school year and I'd love if all of my students had their own books so I didn't have to run pages and pages of copies to make summer workbooks."

Parents - "My child is getting quality skill review and maintaining the daily routine of quiet study/homework time."

Book Store Owners - " Of all the summer workbook options we offer, the Summer Bridge Books are by far the most effective and affordable. They are our best sellers."

Children - "This is fun. 'Can' I do an extra page today?" (Note: my child is just entering K and ALL schoolwork is exciting to him).

Buy It: Find the Summer Bridge Activity books tailored to your child's age/grade level. If you'd prefer not to shop online you may search the site for a location near you that carries the Summer Bridge Activity Books.

Win It: Carson Dellosa will be giving away a Summer Bridge Book, of your grade level choice, to one of our readers.

Entry Requirements:
Leave a comment here letting us know what book would fit your child's age/grade level. Notice the way the levels are assigned when you visit the Summer Bridge site.

Additional Entry:
~Leave a comment telling us another Carson Dellosa product that you have used before and/or would like to try.

If you are unfamiliar with Carson Dellosa and their other products, I would encourage you to take the time to visit their website and check them out. By educators, administrators, book store owners, and librarians they are respected for their high standards, large selection of products, and quality publishing.

Disclaimer: We received our review product free of charge, in return for writing this review. However, it is important to mention that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made to influence them by the company. In addition, we have had good experiences with other products from Carson Dellosa in the past, with materials we have purchased ourselves.

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Counting Bunnies Review and Giveaway

Welcome! New to ABC and 123?
Please check out our FAQ in the left sidebar.

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered!

This week's sponsor for the Summer Prize Picnic is Counting Bunnies, who specialize in creating wonderful products that foster imaginative play! Imaginative play is crucial for children as it gives them an outlet for exploring their world and practicing situations that they might see their parents and other adults engage in. It helps them practice and learn skills that they can then take and use in real world situations.

Play builds social and emotional skills through turn taking, sharing responsibility, being a leader, and problem solving all of which leads to the development of empathy for others. Language skills are enhanced through play as children recreate stories and practice using words and phases he or she has heard in their environment and from you, one reason we all need to be careful about what we say around little ears!

Play also provides children with opportunities to think up complex stories and devise solutions all the while using cognitive skills that will be needed for the rest of their life. Being able to use a block for many different purposes like a phone, bridge, or car all help ready your child for other high level thinking skills such as making the connection between numbers and quantities and that the letters of the alphabet make up words you can say and read.

We are so excited to share the wonderful products Counting Bunnies has developed for your child. Many will provide hours of open ended play, enhance imaginative play for your child, and help foster parent child interaction.
One of Counting Bunnies best sellers at craft shows are their fabulous doorway puppet theaters. When I got this in the mail my neighbor and I were literally speechless when I took it out of the box. If you know either one of us, you know that's quite a feat.
It is a gorgeous puppet theater and so completely perfect for my daughter. The color choices and fabric are spot on. If I'd custom created one, this is what I'd have wanted. Sue was already quite aware that we have a little princess in training over here so I'm sure that influenced the design.
The puppet theater is made primarily of eco friendly felt, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. There is extra large rick rack detailing at the top, bottom, and on the curtain holders. Pink fringe is along the top of the theater window. The curtains themselves are made out of pink glittery fabric for the backdrop and princess themed fabric for the stage curtains. All of the colors, textures, and patterns work well together for a very pleasing design ascetic. Each theater is approximately 30" wide and 58" long and is completely lined. It's very sturdy and well made. Sue has even added a convenient storage pocket in the back for your puppets. A wooden dowel is at the base of the stage area for support and this keeps the stage nice and flat, no gaps or sags in fabric. Hook and loop fasteners easily open or close the stage curtains. It all hangs on an included adjustable tension rod, and will fit any sized doorway, 26-48 inches. No tools are required to put it up or down and installation takes only a few seconds. When you're done playing you can take it down and roll up the whole thing for storage. We kept the box it was shipped in and it tucks away very nicely in the closet. Since getting the doorway puppet theater, ER and Daddy have discovered a new favorite past time. They just love putting on puppet shows with and for each other. We really love our puppet theater and have already gotten hours of play out of it. We highly recommend one to any family looking for more fun, interactive, unplugged activities to enjoy together. Another great product at Counting Bunnies are her Busy Bags. Sue's affordable Busy Bags come complete with a full set of crayons and coloring book already tucked inside. That's such a nice touch, and one many similar products do not come with. What a perfect gift to send to a little friend, and when it's opened it's ready to use immediately. No having to wait and go to the store before getting to color.

When I wanted to place my order there weren't any Busy Bags made out of girly fabrics. I sent Sue a message and she had a few choices for me to look at the same day. ER picked the bright and colorful frog bag and kept asking about it everyday until it arrived, which was very quick and only a few days.
Our Busy Bag has quickly become a staple in our car activity tote. It's come in handy at restaurants, when we visit friends whose kids aren't near ER's in age and do not have things on hand for her to do, or when traveling and we put her tray on her car seat. It's provided hours of quiet entertainment and it's portable size means that ER can carry it around herself. I think every family needs one of these for each kid, and they are priced right so you can afford them. I can't tell you how helpful it's been, and it keeps everything neat and together too. It's even big enough for a few extra playthings like a car or small doll. Crayon Caddies that roll up and hold a set of crayons are also available.
Sue at Counting Bunnies also makes delightful dress up costumes, like this pirate set. Super hero capes and princess sets are also available.
Isn't this child's tool apron something a little helper would love to tie on? They are also available in Daddy and son sets of two. These would be fun to wear while playing at a toy workbench or when helping out Daddy around the house.
Make meal time and the table setting chore fun with this How to Set the Table Placemat. Your young child will enjoy being independent and able to help get ready for a meal with this fun teaching tool. Simply match and lay the coordinating tableware on top of where it's depicted on the mat.
Another fun meal time product, that was added in time for the upcoming school year, are these fun reusable sandwich bags. Now you can be green and help protect the environment by using less plastic and leaving less waste! Begin teaching your children the importance of leaving less of a footprint on our beautiful planet by exploring reusable containers like these on a daily basis.

You can see more of Sue's reusable sandwich bag designs at her other store Two Friends Stitching, my personal favorite is the light blue tree reusable sandwich bag design but there are also several fun designs like the lemon design that older students and adults would find very stylish and chic for their lunches.


Need some imagination inspiration? Visit Counting Bunnies at Etsy and explore their selection of merchandise designed to enhance imaginative play!

Win It!
Sue at Counting Bunnies is generously giving one of ABC & 123's reader a Busy Bag of their choice!

To Enter:
For your first and mandatory entry, visit Counting Bunnies and then come back and let us know which Busy Bag design you'd pick if you won. You have until July 13 midnight EST to enter, contest open to US and Canadian residents. Winner announced July 14h.

Additional Entries: Add a SEPARATE COMMENT for each additional entry method! Follow our blog ABC & 123
Add ABC & 123 to your blogroll
Post our link button on your blog
Blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to the post
Follow us on Twitter, tweet about the giveaway, and then leave us a link to your tweet
Tell us which item that Sue carries in Counting Bunnies, is your favorite and why. Be specific.
Leave a suggestion for a fabric choice or product that you'd like to see Counting Bunnies add to their store.

Disclaimer: We received our puppet theater review product from Counting Bunnies, free of charge in return for writing a review of their products and hosting a giveaway on our blog. We want to stress that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made to influence them by the company. The Busy Bag reviewed and featured in this post was purchased from Counting Bunnies.

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