Teaching Tots: Using TV: Word World

I know that t.v. can be a controversial subject with toddlers. The AAP recommends that pediatricians discourage the viewing of television for young children.

But, I have found that there are some shows that are in the educational nature, that are okay to watch in our household. They've also actually taught my child a lot.

I'm not talking about Sponge Bob. I actually despise that show, but I am talking about shows that teach skills such as letter recognition, colors, numbers/counting, shapes, and location words.

I'm going to talk about these over the next few weeks, and the first, I'd like to tell you about is Word World.

Word World comes on PBS. It teaches letter recognition, print awareness, rhyming, phonics, and beginning consonant sounds.

Each character is formed from the letters that spell them, and in the correct order. The main characters include dog (who is the only character that doesn't talk), sheep, pig, duck, frog, and ant. Secondary characters include shark, monkey, bird, elephant, and cat.

Each episodes revolve around a theme- whether it be an initial consonant sound or a rhyme. There is usually a "problem", and toward the end of the episode, it's time to 'build a word'.

We also have a few of the Word World toys, which, are also, each formed using letters. Gretchen is able to identify the letters of the character toys. The toys do not look "right", if the letters are in the wrong place. Now, at this point, Gretchen does not care which order they're in, and I'm just happy that she can recognize the individual letters. You can find the toys on Amazon.com.

When choosing a show, make sure that you preview it before your toddler does. This way, you'll know if you can stand it, and if it truely is educational in nature. If you have a DVR, make sure to record it, and watch it a few days behind, which will help you plan for related educational activities!

OSU ~ Custom Appliuqe~

I had a request from a co-worker to make her granddaughter this OSU shirt. I absolutely love how it turned out!

I used a larger font than what I typically use, so the letters take up the entire width of the shirt, but this way, she'll stand out in a crowd with her adorable honey pie shirt!

Gobble Gobble: Turkey Shirt

I had a lovely Teaching Tots post planned for today, but as I was typing it last night, my internet shut off. So, I was unable to save it. For future reference, maybe I should type in word and copy/paste?

So, today, you get this adorable turkey shirt! I was wanting to make a shirt like this for Gretchen, until I found a steal of a deal on a Lolly Wolly Doodle smocked dress (you MUST check them out on Facebook!). I still may make her this shirt, just so she can run and play on Turkey day!

Anyway, I had a request for the turkey clippie that I've previously made, and then she asked if I could make an applique' shirt to match... Well, of course I can! I just had been putting it off. I ended up making the tail feathers in the exact same colors as the clippie, except I used a polk-a-dot fabric for the green, just to give it a little more whimsy. I also love the wavy lines on the turkey.

This turkey isn't sewn onto the shirt yet, because I'm still waiting to find the right size, but I love him already! I'll also add two white buttons for his eyes, and the turkey clip will have googly eyes.

I'm selling the turkey clippie for $4.00, and the shirt for $16.00 on my facebook page- just search for Honey Pie Accessories.

I also think it would be adorable to monogram "Gobble, Gobble" underneath this little turkey!

I know Julie's little girl will look delicious in her custom Thanksgiving shirt!

These Boots Were Made For....

Wearing! And, that's what Justyce will do, when she heads to show & tell at her daycare this week!

Justyce's mom wanted something with a cowgiril motif and she fell in love with this funky fabric!

I'm in love with the shirt, and think that it would be adorable paired with pink, orange, and black tutu, and even a hair bow with zebra, pink and orange!

Miss Justyce- I think you'll be the most stylish little girl in this shirt! Enjoy it!

Gobble Gobble: Turkey Clippie

I know, it's not even Halloween, but I couldn't resist making a turkey clippie for Thanksgiving!

This ribbon sculptured turkey is set on a partially lined alligator clip, and even has a beak with a gobbler! His tail feathers are lime green, yellow, and orange!

My turkey hair clips retail for $4.00, and you can purchase them via my facebook page (just search Honey Pie Accessories) or my website.

Surviving a Football Game with a Toddler in Tow

Surviving a football game with a toddler in tow isn't the easiest task to accomplish. You can just ask me or any of our football coaches wives, as we do it throughout many weekends in the fall. I, in fact, have done it 3 out of 4 weekends in September, and will be doing it at least two more times in October!

Over the last three football seasons, my "Surviving the Game" technique has greatly improved! Now, if you're lucky enough that your husband isn't a diehard and he'll be there to help you, then, let's just say, "I'm completly jealous." My husband, on the other hand, is on the sidelines, and editing the game film before the game is even over!
First, make sure you have plenty of these:

Helpers, that is! Now, i'm not fortunate enough to have family close by, but on this particular game day, we had family that was actually there! I love when our families get to come to a game, because, I get to actually watch most of it! If you don't have family, think about who sits around you that can be a good help- or, consider bringing a babysitter.

Next, buy popcorn. This box was huge, and only cost about $3.00. It lasted Gretchen the ENTIRE football game! Now, I do realize that food at a ball game can be expensive. So, here's what I do..... at our home stadium, it's fairly easy to sneak in snacks. I make sure they're hidden in the bottom of our game bag or stuffed into a blanket, coat pockets, etc. I also take her sippy cup. I fill it with dilluted juice before the game, and then i'll add water throughout the game. I also try to make sure that Gretchen and myself have eaten before the game. We either tailgate or eat before we leave the house. If for some reason, we weren't able to eat, I buy nachos and a hot dog that we share!

You'll also want to make sure that your child isn't deathly afraid of one of these.... the dreaded mascot that's only mission is to scare, I mean, bring joy to all of the young fans in the crowd. Gretchen is seriously siked out by our mascot, Charlie..... She can talk about him, she knows he says "tweet, tweet", but, Lord help us if he gets even this close to us! Let's just say, she yells louder than the cheerleaders when she sees him. So, be on lookout duty for this scary guy! And, distract your child when he's near.

And, my most favorite trick of all- a portable DVD player! Make sure that it's charged and bring 1 or 2 of your childs favorite movies. Don't expect your child to stay glued to it, like they may at home. There are tons of distractions at a football game, but it can at least get you through a few minutes of sanity. If your child is older, make sure you have headphones.

If you're potty training a toddler, then make sure you have a change of clothes, and frequent the bathroom as often as possible!

Dedicate a bag to game day survival- put in pom poms, megaphones, clappers, snacks, a blanket, books, crayons, a coloring book, and other smaller toys that won't be too heavy for you to carry. If you're child is older, let them have a small backpack that they can carry!

Remember, that if the game is during your child's nap time, that you may need to be prepared to go late or leave early.

Using all or some of these tips will make your game time much more enjoyable! Go Team!!!

Chicken & Noodles: Recipe

I had never had chicken and noodles until I moved to Indiana. It's a staple here, and i'm assuming other places in the north. Most people serve chicken & noodles over mashed potatoes, but that much carbohydrates kind of freaks me out!

My friend shared with me her chicken & noodles recipe, so I made it a few weeks ago. It made so much, that I was able to freeze the rest!

Ingredients:

Noodles- any type will do, but I purchased the amish noodles from our grocery store

Chicken- You can cut up a rotissiere chicken, or you can boil chicken breasts

Cream of Chicken Soup

Parmesan Cheese

Can of Milk

Directions:

Boil noodles, and drain. Also boil the chicken or cut up your rotissiere chicken into bite size pieces. Toss chicken & noodles together. Add a can of cream of chicken soup, along with a can of milk. If you want more sauce, then simply double this. Add a few handfuls or 1 c. of parmesan cheese. Stir together until the cheese is melted. Serve warm

Variations:

Serve over mashed potatoes, add onion, or other vegetables, such as peas into the dish.

I now feel like I belong in the north- yikes- to my southern routes! This dish is a staple at all potlucks, so I felt like I had to give it a try, and I hope you do too!!!

Enjoy!

Fall Decorations!

I love fall- it's one of my favorite times of the year! There's just something so comforting about the leaves changing colors, the crisp air, and the sense of togetherness that fall always brings! I convinced my husband to finally get down my decorations last weekend, and we spent an evening decorating the house! Gretchen has a corner of our kitchen, and on her table I placed our treat bowl, complete with spider rings, and her trick or treat bucket that I made last year- find a tutorial for it here.

I placed a few of my leaf items in an area of our kitchen.

And, some of my favorite items on our buffet table. The candlestick was one of my grandmothers! The salt and pepper shaker, I've had since college, and Gretchen calls my pilgrim a princess. They were "dancing" earlier tonight!

I kept my kitchen table simple, although I'm dying to purchase two black pumpkins I've found at Hobby Lobby! I have a candleabra with fall candles in the center, and a dish of candy corn.

My mantle is probably my favorite, because I tend to skip it every fall! This year, I came across a picture in Southern Living of a beautiful fall mantle, complete with a variety of pumpkins. I decided that I would copy the look, and placed small glitter pumpkins in a clear vase, along with a few other pumpkins, and a wicker/pumpkin piece from that my mother-in-law gave me a few years ago. I also placed a few of my wicker decorative balls on the mantle to complete the look. I'm tempted to replace the photos in the frames, with some from our previous fall festivities!

Have you started your fall decorating this year?

Boy Applique's

I love creating items for little boys! Last week, I had the chance to make these custom applique' shirts for some mister honey's!

The first is of a golf tee- perfect for anyone who loves the sport!

This tie applique' was created for one of my college friends. Her little boy is going to look so handsome in his shirt at the Red Wolves homecoming game this weekend!

The Mr. Prince crown applique' was created for a teacher at work- her son turned a year old last week! I'm sure he looked so handsome at his birthday party!

Captured Moment

I love when pictures are taken, and the subject isn't actually aware- it makes for the absolute best pictures!

This picture was taken last Saturday at the BSU game, and was actually on our local newspapers website!

Gretchen and I were tailgating, and I'm pretty sure this was taken when she was trying to run away from me!

But, I love it! I'm a little partial to the huge bow in the picture, but I also love that it's a fairly touching moment of the two of us, even though you can only see my hair!

She'll be sporting the same bow tomorrow as we head to Purdue, to take on the Boilermakers!!! And, hopefully this time, I'll have my camera at the game!!!