Shutterfly Christmas Cards

Shutterfly has the most darling Christmas cards this year, all decked out in the greatest designs! They are having a promotion right now that if you blog about your favorite cards they give you 50 free ones, isn't that so smart! Advertising like crazy!! I have always liked the photo books I have made from shutterfly and I am excited to try their photo cards as well. The styles they have this year are so modern and fresh, just my style! I put links at the bottom of the post so you can scroll through their Christmas cards and check them out for yourself. So, these are just some of my favorites, if you would like to participate in this promotion click here... http://bit.ly/sfly2010
This is my personal favorite, I think I even have a picture that would match one similar to this, so darling. They have ones that are just photo cards of also opened up type cards where you can write on the inside of them. So smart!

If you would like to see their Christmas photo cards click HERE, other holiday cards can be found HERE, or if you are looking for some fun birthday cards they can be found HERE. I hope you enjoy your holiday shopping! I know that I am:)

5 Componenets to teaching your child to read... #1-Phonemic Awareness

Something I terribly miss about teaching is teaching kids to read. I got a specific certification in reading to help me be more qualified in teaching kids to read and I loved it. I am bound and determined to make sure my kids can read, and read as early as they can. Reading is one of those things that we can't get by without, and the better we read and comprehend the information the better off we will be in our other learning. So, I am going to post each day the 5 steps it takes to teach your child to read and a tool that you can use to teach your child that skill. The first step in learning to read is Phonemic Awareness which is the ability to manipulate sounds to make words. This book, is amazing. I have found that if you wanted to use this book alone to teach your child phonemic awareness, it would do the job. It has activities you do with your child and all the materials to do the activities are in the book. You can buy it on amazon for $11. Click on the picture and it will take you to it. Enjoy! Tomorrow, I will post the 2nd component to teaching your child to read.

Eductional Toys

When I was teaching school I loved Lakeshore learning tools/toys to teach my students important skills. I had kind of forgotten about them until my sister let me borrow her color puzzles so that I can help my daughter learn her colors. I have always struggled with what toys to buy my daughter, cause, let's be honest toys are not cheap. Toys that also teach her things, great! Click on the picture to browse the site, it also has free printable activities if you have a preschool or older aged child.

Room Ideas

I love finding ideas for cute kids rooms, I thought this strip across the room was darling found HERE

Remove Shoes Sign

So, we just purchased out first home and as my husband would say, I am just like Monica off of friends. I am a bit of a clean freak, and always have been, so I have been trying to think of a way to keep dirt and specifically mud and snow off of my new carpet. I am in love with this sign you can find HERE how to make it.

Flannel Board Stories

I have a daughter who is just over 1 year old and I have been trying to find ways to teach her things about the gospel that she will understand at her age. I received a flannel board from my wonderful primary presidency and have wanted to find the right pieces to use with it so, I have found a girl who has already done all the work for me. Over at Chocolate on my Cranium you will find ALL of the Book of Mormon and Bible stories in colored flannel board pieces with the stories attached. You simply print them off and put felt on the back of them, so cool. These are the ones put out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Organza Flowers

I am in love with organza flowers. They are so simple to make and so much fun to wear in your hair, on your clothes, or on a necklace! So so cute. For ideas on how to make them you can type in organza flowers at etsy.com. I particularly love this girls stuff click HERE to check out her darling necklaces