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Summer Reading – I Can Read 100 Books!

Each Summer we try to figure a way to encourage our kids to keep reading and to love it.

I just found this cute idea on Pinterest.  This fabulous teacher shared this wonderful idea here on her blog.  She is a teacher and used this in her classroom.

She encouraged her students to read 100 books.

I thought I would tweak her plan a bit and challenge our family to collectively read 100 books this Summer.

Piper got very excited about the idea and posted signs all over the house.We have a plan.  All of us are going to read.  While Piper still likes the picture books the rest of them are reading more challenging books like Harry Potter and well, Freakonomics.  So reading 100 books collectively seems like a good challenge.  And perhaps we can even read 200 books or 300….

For each book the child gets to fill out a link and add it to our chain.  (And yes my teenagers will play along too.)

I have the slips already printed out and waiting on our kitchen table.

Here is the start of our chain.

The first one was The Princess and the Pea.  I loved this version.  Silly and cute and even touches upon having manners.

The second book I read with Grace.  Stargirl.  Thank you Ashley for the suggestion.  (Can’t wait to read some of her other suggestions).

I loved love loved Stargirl.

Grace (my 10 year old)  and I would read a bit every night and we finished in a week.

It was tough for me not to read ahead after Grace would go to sleep, but I held strong and only read with her.  I am glad I did too.

I actually told my teenage girls they need to read it this Summer as well.

It is a fun easy read.   I loved it because I believe it convinces the reader to look outside of their own needs and do nice things for other people.

You can also purchase the Stargirl journal.  What a wonderful place for a child to record any good deeds he or she  may secretly do for others.

It could be their secret spy mission this Summer….to do good deeds without others knowing…..
Happy Reading!

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Play Dough Fun


Piper and I were looking for something to do today.

We decided to make play dough.

This is what we did.  We followed the recipe above.

Piper put all the ingredients in a bowl.  Then she poured it to the pan.

I then put it on the stove and heated it up.

We dumped it onto wax paper on the counter.  Divided it into four balls.  Then we added food coloring.

It took both of us to knead the color in.

And Voila!  Play dough fun!

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I can see clearly now….

I can see clearly now..Summer is here….ok, almost here.

Yes, we finish this week.  I think we must be the last school still in session.  

But yesterday was Piper’s last day.  Piper’s last day of preschool.  We have had a preschooler in preschool for 12 years out of the last 14 years.  And now we are all done with Preschool.  I am not sure how I feel about that. But I do know how I feel about Summer.  I love it!  So glad it is here.  

She wore her bathing suit all day yesterday.  A sure sign of Summer.  She came home and played and played.  I could actually feel the house getting messier.  I went to find her and see what she was up to and found she had pulled out all her dolls and was playing with all of them.  Now how could I stop that.  It seemed like pure childhood Summer bliss.  And then for dinner she got to make pizza with her big brother Parker and big sister Grace.  Life is good.  

Hooray for Summer!

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Peppercorn Kids – Giveaway

WE HAVE A WINNER. THE CONTEST IS CLOSED.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NICOLE!  THANK YOU FOR ENTERING THE CONTEST.

AND REMEMBER YOU CAN CHECK OUT PEPPERCORN KIDS AND GET 10% OFF YOUR ORDER BY ENTERING WELCOME10.

The other day I received a package filled with all kinds of cute kids accessories from Peppercorn kids.  Yesterday I showed Piper and instantly she wanted to put everything on. Then she said something really unusual for her…..”Let’s get dressed up and go take pictures!”  If you know Piper, you know she does not like to get her picture taken, so naturally, I grabbed my camera and followed her down to the orchard.  She never really did slow down for any posed shots but we got some fun shots blowing dandelions and making wishes. 

And then she was off again. 

And wearing the cutest back pack ever!  Don’t you love this Owl Back Pack?

Well guess what….You can have a chance to win one just like it.  

Peppercorn Kids has graciously offered to give one of The Sandbucket Readers a back pack just like Piper’s.

Here is how you enter the contest.

Go check out Peppercorn Kids site.  Then like them on Facebook

Go to The Sandbucket’s Facebook page as well and like it if you haven’t already.

Then leave a comment saying that you have done so.  

If you would like a second entry to the contest you can share this giveaway on your blog or facebook.  

After you do that come back here and leave a comment saying how you shared it.

Peppercorn Kids is also offering a promo code of WELCOME10 to all the new fans.

 With this promo code you can enjoy 10% off your order on top of receiving  free shipping.  

Go check out their site and see all of their darling products.  I know you will love it all!

A winner of this contest will be announced Monday, June 11th.  

Christine Stewart - June 5, 2012 - 4:58 pm

I’m so excited for just finding Peppercorn Kids, I’ve made an account with and filled a shopping cart already along with liking them on facebook! Thanks for this giveaway!

Jess - June 5, 2012 - 6:05 pm

Love Peppercorn Kids- so cute!

audra bender - June 5, 2012 - 10:31 pm

that precious owl backpack would look so cute on my little emme’s back….count me in..

audra bender - June 5, 2012 - 10:34 pm

liked peppercorn kids on facebook, have already loved the sandbucket on facebook, and sharing link on my facebook page…:-)

Andrea Belnap - June 6, 2012 - 12:44 am

I love that backpack and hope I win it!

Nicole - June 6, 2012 - 2:43 pm

If there were a LOVE option, I would have selected it! Seriously- liked it and shared it with my favorites highlighted. Good kid stores are hard to find!

Lisa Weedman Newell - June 6, 2012 - 3:51 pm

Looking for the “love” option too! I “liked” Peppercorn and already “liked” Sandbucket. :)

Laura Glover - June 11, 2012 - 5:58 am

“Love” Peppercorn Kids” and liked them on FB.

Amber - June 11, 2012 - 6:59 am

New fan of Peppercorn kids!! I checked out their website and def. saw a few things I need to have!! :) I liked them on FB and already liked Sandbucket since first of the year! Thanks for the opportunity to win this adorable owl bag. Hope we win! :)

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Sweet Willow

Sweet Willow was the winner of the Matilda Jane – Habitat for Humanity Auction.  She is the sweetest little thing.  

It was so much fun to spend the morning with her and her mother.  A BIG thank you to them for supporting the Habitat for Humanity Auction.

This shoot is reminding me that Summer is coming up.  For many of you, it is already here.  For us in California, we are still in school and June is the busiest month of the year.  I am so ready for Summer!  

Matilda Jane just announced they will be doing another auction.  I am sure it will be filled with wonderful findings!  

I am trying to find some ways to get my kids to find the beauty in service this Summer.  If you haven’t checked out S.O.S. yet, you should.  I find it inspiring.  

They just posted about this program.   There are ways to get your family involved to help at www.nokidhungry.com

Another site I found is Craft Hope.  Check it out. This seems like a fun way to make stuff with your kids at home and serve others.  

Good luck to you in finding your path to serve others.

If you have any wonderful suggestions for service projects for families please share!   

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