Birthdays: Special Days On Which To Reflect

Posted on February 11, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Today is my birthday!

I know that many people, especially as they get older, would rather not celebrate their birthdays. Perhaps they think that if they don’t let people wish them “Happy Birthday” it will keep time from slipping away. Maybe they believe that birthdays are just for young children.

For me, each birthday is an opportunity to rejoice and reflect.

I look back at the year gone by and think about everything that has happened, all that I have accomplished and all of the wonderful people whose lives have connected with mine. This past year has been especially fruitful…my new book for parents of preschoolers was published in September. My talented daughter and daughter-in-law set up my website and were instrumental in getting the book to look so amazing before it went to print. I’ve met dozens of amazing moms and dads through their blogs…many have read the book and have done terrific reviews on their sites…you can read the latest one that was posted today:

http://bookdads.com/book-review/book-review-show-me-how/

And then I give thanks for today…as Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift…that’s why they call it the present.”

I love my life…yes, sometimes it is incredibly busy…but I’m happy that I have the strength and energy to do what needs to be done (most of the time).

I love my family…supportive encouraging loving husband whom I’ve been married to for forty-three years, three awesome grown children who are happy in their own lives, three gorgeous (of course) smart (of course) and wonderful (of course) grandchildren and a dear sweet sister.

I love my friends…one I’ve known for over half a century and her prayers and good wishes raise me up on a daily basis; some whom I’ve just met through this amazing blog/internet/social networking phenomenon. but I feel close to them already.

And then I look forward to the future…with eager anticipation. Another gem from Eleanor Roosevelt sums ups how I feel: “You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.”

I’m excited about the opportunities that I have to share my passions: for picture books and for uplifting young children. The new SHOW ME HOW! story-time program for our local schools here in Colorado Springs has enabled me to be back in the Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms, surrounded by the eager smiling faces of young children. And parents and teachers who use the book will be building self-esteem, developing pre-literacy skills and creating a life-long parent-child bond.

May I share one more quote from Eleanor Roosevelt? “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Helping children believe in the beauty of THEIR dreams is exactly what the book does! I realize that parents are often overwhelmed these days with juggling jobs, home, family and other responsibilities. It is hard to find the time to plan quality activities. That’s why the book is such a valuable tool…it is a genuine shortcut for today’s busy parents and teachers. Everything is laid out in a simple easy-to-use format…story suggestion and summary, gentle parenting tip, eco-friendly craft project and child-friendly healthful cooking activity.

After doing some market research, we’ve decided to try to make the book more affordable for parents and others (preschool teachers, nannies, daycare providers, grandparents) who want to purchase a copy. From today (my birthday) until March 9^th (World Read-Aloud Day…very appropriate, I think, because the book is all about the importance of reading to young children), the book will be on sale on my website for $22.50 per copy with FREE shipping. I am taking away the BOGO event, as that required people to purchase two copies at the same time. I hope that everyone who has been thinking about getting a copy, but were hesitant because of the price, will hop over and grab one…or more…I’ve been told they make great gifts for baby showers. 🙂

So now I will post this to my blog and close the computer and enjoy the rest of my special day! There is definitely an ice-cream sundae, a bowl of popcorn and a good movie in my plans for today!

What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase Wordy Wednesdays

Posted on February 9, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Have you seen the Capitol One commercial on television?

The narrator asks, “What’s in your wallet?”

In this blogging journey, I’ve visited several blogs that review books and also give a list of the contents of their own bookshelves or bookcases. I thought it was a wonderful idea! I think many of us appreciate a heads up about what books to read…we have so little time…why waste it on books that are not worth those precious hours.

If you’ve followed my blog at all, you already know that I am passionate about children’s picture books and using them to uplift and help preschoolers.

Reading is one of the most valuable ways you can spend time with preschoolers. It engages them in the world between the pages and helps them relate their own experiences to those of the story characters. Discussions during the reading and afterward can often provide parents with an opportunity to help a child who has concerns or problems.

So here’s my idea for my Wednesday posts: I will choose a picture book, either from those recommended in my new parenting book or from other classic favorites of mine or from the wide array of new books that come out during the year.

As a parent, are you ever overwhelmed by the vast number of children’s books available at libraries or book stores. I know I was when my children were small.

The program I developed. during my years as a Head Start and kindergarten teacher, utilized picture books, not only for entertainment and enjoyment, but also to help young children deal with the many challenges they face in those early years. This unique program included a craft project and a cooking activity for each story read and is the basis for the book I wrote.

So, in addition to the book recommendation, I will also give a story summary and a parenting tip that will help you use the book with your young child.

Of course, if you don’t want to get these story recommendations one-by-one, and you’d like to extend the learning experience with an easy craft project and a simple child-friendly cooking activity, you can get your own copy of the book.

Does your child have a bookshelf for his or her own books?

If not, maybe now is the time to get one, because here is the first picture book recommendation, a classic from 1943! Most of the country has had snow in the last few weeks, so I think this is the perfect choice.

KATY AND THE BIG SNOW

Written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton

No matter what the season, Katy, the crawler-tractor, helped the highway department of the city of Geopolis. In the spring, summer and fall, she worked on fixing the roads, but in the winter, they changed the bulldozer for a snowplow. Most of the time, there was not much snow, so Katy spent most of her time during the winter in the garage. One day, a huge snowstorm caused all of the roads to be blocked, and when the other snowplows broke down, Katy was sent out. Katy plowed the entire city. She enabled the police, fire department, and other emergency services to continue helping people.

When it comes to mastering tasks and skills, Katy certainly takes first prize. By the end of the story, you and your child will be cheering for the hardworking tractor!

WE ALL NEED A CHEERING COMMITTEE AND PARENTS ARE A CHILD’S MOST IMPORTANT FANS!

As your child takes on new challenges and learns new skills, celebrate his successes with him and encourage him when he falls short of his goal.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the book, please stop by my website for the SHARE THE LOVE BOOK BOGO EVENT WITH FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING.

Quotable Timeless Tuesday: SISTERS

Posted on February 8, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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When I got home the other day, there was a package waiting for me at the door. Actually, there were THREE packages! All from the same person!

My birthday is next week 🙂 and my dear wonderful sister had sent me some presents!

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.

Marion C. Garretty

Isn’t it fun to get stuff in the mail? I know they say it is better to give than to receive. That is definitely true…but I must admit that it is lovely to open a present from someone who loves you, especially a sister who seems to know just what you need, want and like. Maybe that’s because you grow up together and even though you may not be close when you are young, you still have the same history…or almost the same. Although parents may try to treat each child in the family the same, it is really impossible. There are many factors that determine how parents interact with their children…birth order, temperament and personality of each child and where the parents are in their own life journey.

Sister is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.

Margaret Mead

Are you close with your siblings? My sister and I were not when we were growing up, but now that we are older, the relationship seems more important and the bond grows stronger.

The first package contained a beautiful nightgown, a package of bath tea, a yummy bar of dark chocolate laced with cranberries and an enchanting handmade card. The second package was heavy…a bunch of romance novels…one of my favorite escapes. The third package was the heaviest of all…more books…one of which was a large treasury of women’s quotations!

For there is no friend like a sister

In calm or stormy weather;

To cheer one on the tedious way,

To fetch one if one goes astray,

To lift one if one totters down,

To strengthen whilst one stands.

Christina Rossetti

How did my sister know that I had decided to reserve my Tuesday blog post for favorite quotes? I hadn’t mentioned it to her.

Maybe it’s that special bond between sisters?

So I think it is appropriate to dedicate this first Quotable Timeless Tuesday post to sisters…my sister, in particular.

A sister is both your mirror…and your opposite

Elizabeth Fishel

GREAT news! The publisher is letting us extend the SHARE THE LOVE BOOK BOGO EVENT that is going on right now on my website

You can grab a copy of the book that contains 100 EASY CHILD-FRIENDLY HEALTHFUL COOKING ACTIVITIES AND 100 SIMPLE ECO-FRIENDLY CRAFT PROJECTS at the regular cover price and you will RECEIVE ANOTHER COPY FREE!

In addition, we are adding a special bonus that will remain in effect until Valentine’s Day….FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING, with both books going to the same address.

Head on over to my website to get all the details…this will be a gift of love, not only to the adults who receive the books, but also to the children who get to do the reading, crafting and cooking! If you find yourself wondering what activities to do with your preschooler, this book is the perfect solution…reading, crafting and cooking activities laid out in a simple format that’s as easy as ABC. The fun thing is that you can pick and choose which activities to do when it suits you and your child.

Stop by tomorrow for another new feature of my blog: WHAT’S IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKCASE WEDNESDAY?