Teaching Kids to Deal with Stress can be as Easy as Coloring

Michelle from lifeismylemonade.blogspot.com is guest posting again today. The stress of school and work is getting to me! This is only our second year of homeschooling a gifted fourth grader and a dyslexic, hyper, frustrated second grader. (I resemble all of those remarks) I just started a new online venture. So, it makes me laugh when Michelle asks, 

Are you overworked and stressed out? 

De-stress with a little coloring session with the kids.

That's a big fat Y-E-S! Thankfully she has some reminders for me about how truly simple it can be to chill out. Unless you are like Jake... 

Since school has started, all we seem to do now is run, but it only takes a few minutes to treat yourself to a stress break. When my daughter needs a stress reliever, I often suggest drawing as a way for her to relieve her tension. How simple is that? The eco-friendly, Green Rainbow Revolution has several great products to help you along the path of de-stressing. Surf through the eco-friendly items and treat yourself to a much deserved break. My favorite-hmm that’s hard to decide between the colored pencils and the pastels.

What is your favorite medium?

This is one of the happier chores we have to squeeze into our busy schedule

My daughter and her friends choose colored pencils as their medium of choice. It’s a great way for them to relax from the drama of school and be creative. If you sit down to color with your younger kids they are more likely to share things about their day. Ask them to draw a picture of their favorite and least favorite parts of the day. When you join in the fun with them it is a great way to open the lines of communication and bond over a good creative session.  

Let your inner child loose. There's nothing more important than play.

How about a pink flamingo pencil drawing like this one from Lexi Murphy.

Have fun chatting with your children while you draw, color, and let the conversation flow. You never know what you might find out while creating your works of art. During one of the creativity gatherings the girls opened up, and I found out about their favorite teachers and least favorite. I also found out that they like to create characters. So, no matter what age you are, art supplies will come in handy on a stressful day.  

No kids-not a problem! Host an arty party for your friends. Even if you have a moment where the creativity is not flowing; there are fun kits to help you de-stress. You can play art class instead of painting nails or selling catalog products! Bring some whimsy back into your life and laugh, just like you did when you were a kid. Anyway, I’m off to see what doodles the girls created today. Will it be a caricature of the crush of the week doodled on their school sketchbook? Or maybe it will be their latest fashion designs done with those pastels to create the correct shading. And, who doesn't have fun getting messy while blending? Okay, well, maybe not everyone, but this girl at heart loves to get messy while doing a little pastel blending.

Happy Creating and De-stressing!
Sign up for our free newsletter! 
--> 

Pinterest Tips & a Magic Trick: The Secrets of Bookmarklet

Well.. the Google+ chat didn't work out, but you can see my secret magic trick tutorial here.


Lora from Kids Creative Chaos shares insider tips and tricks for Pinterest.

Check out our other helpful Pinterest Tutorial's:

• How do I get Recipes on Pinterest? (Tips for branding boards and pins)
• How do I Pinterest? (Pinterest 101: Getting Started & Set Up)
• How do I increase my Pinterest Followers?
• Need a Pinterest Account Manager?
• Our Profile on Pinterest

Sign up for our free newsletter!
-->

How do I get recipes from Pinterest? You've got an account, what's next? Tutorial (Pinterest 102)

Here is your Pinterest Tutorial to get Recipes

You've set up your Pinterest account, you did everything they told you to do. You even started following your friends on Pinterest. Why do you only have 2 followers? Why aren't people finding you and following you? You wonder, " What am I doing wrong on Pinterest? " Here is your Pinterest Tutorial.

Pinterest Tips & Tricks.

Nothing- Everything.




You say, " Hey, all I really want is to know, how do I get recipes on Pinterest? My Facebook friends are blocking me. They hate it when I fill their feed with pictures of food, especially my dinner at a restaurant. I think they'd like it if I shared pictures of the beautiful meal I cooked all by myself after going on Pinterest. How do I do Pinterest?"

What kind of recipes do you like? Healthy Recipes? Vegan Recipes? Dessert Recipes? Gluten Free Recipes? Pinterest has you covered. There are three ways to go about finding recipes on Pinterest.

1. Click the big Pinterest at the top of your page and scroll through your home feed.

Nothing good?  Pictures of your friend's kids? Images of the 1980's? Weird geek stuff? You need cooler friends. No worries, we can help.

  2.   Click the search bar on the left side of the screen. Type in recipes, pick "pins", and scroll through until you find something you like. Heart it. Pin it. This could take a long time. You have unusual taste. There aren't any pins for road kill stew. What's a hungry pinner to do?

  3.  Click the search bar on the left side of the screen. Type in "road kill recipes". Now, you could click pins, or pinners, but this time click boards. Now follow all of the boards titled "ROAD KILL RECIPES".

Funny bunnies road kill from Indulgy.com

Scroll through the boards that you find most appetizing. See anything you like? Pin it. Here's where it gets fun! When you come back tomorrow to pin and click the big Pinterest to find your home feed, you will see all the new pins from the road kill boards. Are some of them super stellar? Click the pinner and "follow all"; I'll bet you have a lot in common. 

Boy, oh, boy do you have a lot in common. You are special. Only a elite few share your tastes.

That was easy. Now, you've learned how to search for you favorite topic, follow the boards, pinners, and pin it to your own "Road Kill" board. Go create some fun boards so like minded individuals will want to follow you.  In the right top bar, click on the " + " sign. Choose create a board. Follow the prompts to create your own unique boards. For example, if you are into a road kill theme, you might want to add these board titles:  Things to do with Raccoons, Dead Deer Projects, Awesome Opossums, Skunk Oil Tips, Squirrel Secrets, and Duck Dynasty Fun. Fill your boards, by doing a search in the Pinterest bar just like I taught you in the above paragraphs. Can't find anything good? Oh yeah... you're a little off, but that's okay. Try a Google search, copy the url, go back to the " + " and choose add from a website. Paste your URL in the bar. 

Voila! You've done it.

 Keep it up, I promise you will gain a follower or two if you keep pinning all these awesome pins.

Next time, Bookmarklet- will it harm my computer? Should I use it? And, the MAGIC secret that will blow your mind. In the meantime, you might like these Raccoon coloring pages. ;)

Pinterest Account Management
Pinterest Tips & a Magic Trick (The Secrets of Bookmarklet) Pinterest (201)
How do I do Pinterest? (Pinterest 101)


Sign up for our free newsletter!
-->

Featured U.K. Preschool and Craft Blogger: Jo from Le Baby Bakery Dino Activity

Preschool Dinosaur Activity Printable 

Our featured blog is Le Baby Bakery. Jo is a U.K. preschool and craft blogger who blogs about life and crafts with two boisterous boys. She also makes baby and toddler clothes and accessories which she sells through her Facebook page. Enjoy!

The clothes are adorable! If you're in the U.K., hop over and take a look. Handmade kid's clothes make great birthday gifts! 

I met Jo through Pin it! Preschool Scavenger Hunt on Pinterest. She recently won with the most repins. Jo does lots of preschool activities with her boys. 

I love this preschool dinosaur activity. She printed a Letter "D" dino worksheet, and then attached magnets to colorful pom-poms, placed the sheet on a metal tray, and let the fun begin. 

Letter "D" dinosaur theme lesson with 
magnetic pom-poms and tray from Le Baby Bakery.

Check out more fun ideas for preschoolers at Le Baby Bakery. 



Recommended:

Dinosaur Activity Kit*

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Meet MaryAnne from Mamasmiles, her Crafty Patchwork Doll Quilt, and Fairy Princess Costume.

Are you looking for a thoughtful, intelligent, fun blogger? Meet MaryAnne from Mama Smiles (Joyful Parenting) blog. MaryAnne studied at the University of Scotland and she has a sweet story about the birth of her first child. 

Isn't it fun how life chooses your path for you? I don't know all of the details, but she attended medical school while there. Now, Mama Smiles is a respected Kid Blogger. Life is full of surprises much like the treasures you can find while exploring Mama Smiles Blog.  

Meet MaryAnne from Mama Smiles.

  

MaryAnne is a member of The Kid Blogger Network on Pinterest. Its how I first discovered her! We also co-host a monthly linky party for Sensory Play Based Learning.  Recently, I spent some time exploring her blog. She has so many fun, educational ideas. I especially like her World Culture for Kids series. 

I chose two crafty posts to feature here. I love this little quilt for a doll. I think we all have things stashed away to make a quilt some day! Do you have a little princess? Mama Smiles Princess Dress tutorial is almost as easy as magic. In all my years of making quick costumes for kids, I've never tried this way. What a fabulous idea- you can bet I'm trying that one as soon as possible!

Patchwork Doll Quilt

Doll quilt from Mama Smiles.

Easy Instant Fairy Princess Dress Costume (Nearly)

How to make a Princess Costume.

Facts about Mama Smiles.

Sign up for our free newsletter!
-->

Countdown to Christmas Gift Advent Calendar with Toilet Roll Tubes and Wrapping Paper

Toilet Roll Cardboard Tube Advent Calendar for Kids

Make an Advent calendar from recycled cardboard tubes and wrapping paper. It is an Easy Christmas craft for kids. Enjoy!

Easy Preschool Advent Calendar from cardboard tubes.

So, we save our toilet tubes. Yes, I am one of those people (I save my jars too) here is a post from one who is not, it made me LOL. Just imagine the possibilities?

Jar lids make great messy spoon holders, paint mixing trays, and chimes. Jars make amazing things! When I was a kid, my Dad had a glass cutting kit, and he'd make all kinds of "fancy" glasses from jars. (You know, just like Waterford Crystal.) 

Toilet Tubes are even better. They just cry out for re-purposation. Do you like that word? I just invented it. There, now I copyrighted it too. 12/2012. Maybe, I can trademark it?  "You're fired!" Wait, what was I saying? Toilet Tubes and Cardboard Tubes = Awesome craftability.

So... we save our toilet roll tubes. Except we moved, and then we didn't, so I had to start all over. I barely had enough for 25 days, and they were all different diameters and lengths. We had fun, but it wasn't perfect. Remember, it's the fun that counts.

To make our Advent Calendar tree, we took an idea from something similar we saw on Pinterest and it sparked an idea.  You know, how that goes. Hmmmmm, very pinteresting. I wonder how I can recreate it to make it my own?  

Cardboard tube Advent Calendar Tree.

Ow, my brain just exploded a little! I'm going to get my crafty blogging buddies together and make a contest. I'll call it, "The American Crafter" and we'll find something pinteresting and give everyone an assignment to make it their own and you can vote but not by phone- maybe just by comments. Copyright, Trademark, and Hashtag that please.

Digression ~ 

He digressed so often that it was hard to follow what he was saying. 

To turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument.

I do that a lot when I write on Sundays. It's my little form of meditation. So who's in? Are you up for a Voice/American Idol style Crafter contest? 

I'll make the winner a handmade, toilet tube crown with a fancy jar torch. (wink, wink)

What? You came here to make an Advent Calendar or a cute holiday decoration?  Here goes:

You will need 25 Toilet Roll Tubes minus the toilet paper, but I guess you could use the toilet rolls, now wouldn't that be pinteresting?

Tape or a Hot Glue Gun

Wrapping Paper or Scraps 
(Yes, of course, I save the little bits of paper from the previous year that aren't big enough to wrap a package. They are so pretty, I can't bare to throw them away. No, I talk about hoarding, but I'm not really a hoarder not yet anyway. My cat is alive and well, The food in my fridge isn't expired, and you can walk through the rooms of our house just fine. Well, most of them.)

Construction Paper

1.  Cut little squares of wrapping paper and roll onto your tubes. Attach with tape.

2.  Decide how many will be in each row to taper to one on top.

3.  Attach the bottom row together with a little piece of tape inside the end of two tubes.

4.  Stack the next row. Repeat step 3. Choose to glue first row to second row or use tape.

5.  Repeat.

6.  Cut out a Star or Angel from Construction Paper and glue to top of Christmas Tree.

7.  Fill each slot with little gifts or fun notes until Christmas Day.


Recommended Reading:

Holiday Party Favor Basket Ornaments

Turkey with Fall Leaves

New Year's Eve Rocket Popper

Look What You Can Make With Tubes: Creative crafts from 
everyday objects






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Pin-it Online Scavenger Hunt 5/14/2012: Patriotic Snacks for the July 4th

Join the fun and find great classroom curriculum on Pinterest: Patriotic Fruit Kabobs and More.

Have you checked out our Pin it Online Scavenger Hunt on Pinterest yet? It is full of fun ideas for preschool activities or ways to celebrate holidays and special events. The Patriotic Fruit Kabobs for Independence Day and Salt and Flour Paint were a big hit!

Winner is always chosen by you: The pin with the most re-pins is showcased here each week and the ORIGINAL pinner wins! 

And the Winner is (5/07)... Carole M. and Jennifer O. tied for the most pins at 25. Remember to allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Please send address info to the hollyjollyone@yahoo.com.  

Wanna join? Leave a comment on Pinterest to be added to the board as a collaborative pinner (under the purple tack). Or here ~Below this post is a divider bar, on the left side you will see the words, "Tell us your two cents" click here to comment and get your invite to join the game! Any comment on any post will do, just let us know you'd like to join the hunt :-)

Most pinned (25 repins) pinned by Jennifer O. on the blog, TinkerLab (Creative Experiments for Kids), Salt and Flour Paint.

How to make paint with salt, flour, and food coloring from TinkerLab.

Most Pins, pinned by Carole M. (25 repins) from the blog, Giggles Galore, Patriotic Fruit Kabobs.

Patriotic Fruit Kabobs for the Fourth of July from Pinterest.

Recommended Reading:


Firework Safety for Independence Day

Festive Fruit and Frozen Yogurt Kabobs

4th of July Recipes*

History for Kids: The Fourth of July for Kids - The Incredible Story of Independence Day - Including an Interactive Fourth of July QUIZ! (History for Children)*

How to make play dough at home and 12 Fun Things to do with Play Dough

Looking for fun things to Make at Home?

Maybe you need an easy recipe for how to make dough or you're wondering how do I make play dough at home? How to make clay dough for older kids Here are fun clay and dough recipes to make at home with kids of all ages.

How to make play dough recipe:                                                         
2 c. corn starch, 1 c. salt, 1 1/2 c. boiling water, 2 tbs. cream of tartar, 2 tbs  oil (vegetable oil to keep it edible or baby oil to make it fun and a pleasant scent) Mix all ingredients together, then add a couple drops of your favorite food coloring. You can also separate into individual baggies, add a different drop of food color to each bag, and knead to mix. Let the kids do this for extra sensory play! You can make it without cream of tar tar too; the oil will fill the void it just might not stay fresh as long :)

 Sensory Guest Post from Krissy Sherman Bonning, Mama of 3, and Blogger  at B.Inspired, Mama!  (Connecting moms with kid-friendly arts & crafts, easy recipes, and preschool learning fun.) Hop over to Krissy's blog and check out all of the cool  fun from a Mommy with a Master's degree in Art Education.

I found an exciting feature on her blog, she accepts Submissions from other bloggers! Get your fun ideas posted and earn yourself some much deserved recognition.

Fun things to do with Playdough at home.

My kids’ go-to sensory activity is definitely play dough.  The ways you can play with it are endless.  And adding unusual objects and art supplies to it make it even more fun.  Here are some of our favorites:

1. Stencils – Use them to place on the play dough and trace around, press into the play dough to make impressions, and for imaginative play, too. 
2. Recycled Bottles – Next time you drink something out of a plastic bottle, check out the bottom.  It will probably make a really cool flower-like impression in play dough.  (from B-Inspired Mama)
3. Cardboard Boxes – Play dough details can turn boxes into buildings and even an entire city.  (from Inspiration Surrounds, Creativity Abounds)
4. Muffin Cups – Silicone muffin cups are perfect for making pretend cupcakes and muffins for an impromptu Birthday party or picnic.  (from B-Inspired Mama)
5. Fake Flowers – Plant them in play dough to make a beautiful flower garden for imaginative gardening fun. (from The Imagination Tree)
6. Animals – Green play dough makes the perfect jungle for little animal friends. (from Picklebums)
7. Googly Eyes – Bright your play dough to life and make silly monsters with lots of googly eyes. (from Pink and Green Mama)
8. Candy Molds – Use chocolate play dough to make pretend candies and fun shapes with candy molds.  (from Learning 4 Kids)
9. Laminated Play Dough Mats – Laminate images and learning worksheets for kids to add play dough details, letters, and snakes to.  (from Planet of the Apels)
10. Alphabet Cookie Cutters – Make play dough fun a learning opportunity by adding letter cookie cutters.  (from No Time for Flash Cards)
11. Glitter – Add lots of glitter to turn play dough into a glistening glob for galaxy fun.  (from Poppytalk)
12. Trucks & Cars – Play dough makes fun hills for driving over and tires on toy vehicles make awesome impressions.  (from B-Inspired Mama)

Do your kids like playing with play dough? Have you ever used anything unusual to make it more fun?

Recommended Reading:

Fun-tastic Clay Critters to Make

Modeling Clay Animals

Sensory Play Dough Recipe

Meet our Mommy Bloggers

Welcome to Kid's Creative Chaos, a resource for Classroom curriculum, Mommy ideas, and Fun activities. We post crafts, activities, recipes, and our musings on life. We post the mishaps, the fails, and the messes. No Fancy Nancy here. Think of it as a Test Kitchen for Kiddie Crafts, Home Chefs, and Mommy Chaos. We want our readers to say, 'Hey, I can do that!' or 'That looks fun!' or  'Do you have any advice?'
If you are an aspiring writer or a novelist chat with us here or on Facebook or Blog Frog or join our group Historical Fiction Books to interact with fellow writers.

Meet our Mommy Bloggers:

Lora Langston, Marketing Director at The Play Connection, Inc. and Owner of Kids Creative Chaos blog.

Contact info: lora@theplayconnection.com

In the real world, Lora teaches art, sensory play, and drama classes to kids age 18 months to 18 years old at area parks, schools, and special events. The kids present programs to retirement villages and schools. She also writes YA Fiction. And, of course, Lora loves to CREATE.   Lora is now a full-time freelance blogger and social media marketing manager! A lot can happen in a year :)

In another life, Lora studied Architecture and Theatre at Ball State University where she also did the (Tri Sigma) sorority thing. Currently, she is a SAHM with two elementary age children, one  two indoor cat (s), one cockatiel, one box turtle, a tank load of two fish, and two inherited outdoor cats. 

Our Turtle got blessed at Church.

Recently, her family purchased a new home (she plans to name it Redbud Ranch) taken right out of the movie "Funny Farm" with Chevy Chase. Here, she will write from the window overlooking a Dogwood Tree, a row of Redbuds (her favorite tree), and a little pond full of fish while daydreaming of becoming an Andy Farmer-style, Martha Stewart. (Too young for the reference? Go watch the movie!) She also recommends the movie, "Stranger than Fiction", but only if you are a writing geek.

Angela Whitmire write recipes and Angie's Corner. She blogs about the active life of her outdoor and recreation loving family.

In the real world, Angie has two elementary age children, a couple of indoor cats, and keeps bunnies outdoors for 4H.

Tracey Thomas writes Tracey's Tempo. She blogs about her life with a large, blended-family, her passion for helping those in need through Santa's Elves of Indy, and fun activities for kids. Tracey has four children of her own and two step children.

In the real world, Tracey heads up Santa's Elves (a non-profit providing Christmas gifts to children in need), holds a Realtor's license, is an experienced photographer, and taxis her brood to sports and club activities.  http://www.santaselves.us/ In a past life, she headed up a Girl Scout Troop and ran an in-home Child-care. Tracey spends her spare time daydreaming of finding the time and resources for everything she needs to accomplish.

Life is crazy! Need some ideas to relax?  Grab a cup of coffee (okay, a soda) and stay awhile. We are always surfing for new crafty ideas that make life fun. And we love comments!  We'll check out your blog so be sure to leave a linky. Don't miss our updates be sure to subscribe to our posts on the right sidebar.


Tweet

Pin it! Online Scavenger Hunt

Preschool Scavenger Hunt: Pin it!

~ Join us on Pinterest to Pin it! and Win it ~

Give Crafty Bloggers a Boost 

Have fun scavenging the internet, pin it @ Pinterest, and get to know more Crafty Bloggers. Your Mission, if you choose to accept it, is:

1. Type the words below into a Google Search. Find an image 
(Right click and copy url or save as the title below)


2. Pin it to Pinterest, follow our boards, and we'll add you to the contributor board where you can begin pinning away to your heart's content to win, learn, and make new friends.


3. Follow Kids Creative Chaos on FB or leave a comment for an extra entry.


Be sure to leave your two cents worth. You have exactly one week to complete the mission. Everyone who completes Scavenger Hunt tasks will be entered to win! There's a new list every Monday.  Let me know if you have an image you want included in the hunt. This week's prize is a kid's crafting essentials kit: everything a kid needs to get inspired ($20).

~Happy Hunting~

• Popcorn Hearts
• Tree of Love
• Heart Shaped Pizza
• Tube Crafts
• Superbowl Craft

Vote for me..

I'm  number 9 in DIY but 140 overall....  Just click to vote.  Then you can click the like button on my listing for brownie points.  Let me know... I'll give you 3 entries into Friday's giveaway for JAWS.

An Award for Me

Mama Mia's Heart2Heart gave me an award to share the love.

Click my award to visit Mama Mia's Blog and give a big thanks to Mama Mia!

The Liebster award (“Liebster” is the German word for friend or love) originated in Germany. The aim of the award is to bring more attention to blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

These are the rules in accepting this award.
1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers.
5. And best of all – have fun and spread the karma!
6. Right click on the award image and save it to your hard-drive and then upload it to your blog. 

I'm passing it along to some blogger's who have been supportive of my BLOG FROG Community.

Bloggin' It Up Chelle Style

Faith Filled Foods For Moms

The Cooks Next Door

Curious Wisdom

She Loves Food and Followers

So hard to pick, especially to find those with fewer than 200 GFC.  Rumor has it that GFC is going to be extinct soon so just find 5 up and coming new bloggers who deserve the love :-)

So You Want to be a Work At Home Mom & Giveaway

FRIDAY FOLLOWS NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY #1

Jill Hart and Diana Ennen recently approached me about a review for their book, "So You Want to be a Work-At-Home Mom".  I accepted the offer thinking I would use the book for a giveaway.

Hey Ladies, I actually read the book from cover to cover!  I even took notes.

I googled it.  The website is number two, right after Amazon.com.  The advice given in this book is written from a Christian perspective based on honesty and integrity.  These ladies have been there, done that.

Although I have been blogging for awhile now, I still have many questions.  "So You Want to be a Work-At-Home Mom" is written in an easy, conversational style.  Think the WEB MD commercials where the doctor is sitting in on the couch with a bunch of Moms- that's how you'll feel about Diana and Jill.  It is motivational offering proven success tips.

The book is designed to educate stay-at-home moms on work from home opportunities.  Not only does it answer the tough questions- it details how to find the answers and put them into action for your business.

Can't think of a good business proposal?  The book is filled with real, concrete ideas.

Do you ever get those emails offering thousands of dollars per week for WAHMS?  You get a link to a site that is full of hype but doesn't let out the big secret.  You are dying to know the big secret.  Maybe, just maybe it is really true and you are missing out on a fantastic opportunity.

Ladies, I know the big secret. Don't fall prey.  It may not be a scam but it will take tons of your money, time, and integrity.  This "opportunity" is for Herbalife.  It could be right for you but the odds are against it.

Why am I telling you about Herbalife?  Because, this is not one of those get-rich-quick scams.   "So You Want to be a Work-At-Home Mom" is written by real moms, just like you.  You probably won't get rich quick but you might have fun trying.

SAHM/WAHM bloggers, this is a must read.  SAHM/WAHM others - take your home business to the next level with these great tips.

Write your own press releases, fix your SEO, learn how to market yourself online.

I don't want to give it away but I will.  (I did take great notes, after all.)

Follow, Follow, Follow me wherever you can find me.  For every new follow, you'll get an entry into a random drawing.  All you have to do is leave a comment letting me know where you are following.

At the end of the month, any follower who helps me reach my goals (listed below) will be in the running for a prize package that includes a $15 Amazon gift card and lots of crafty goodies for you and the fam.

I can't wait to send you this little gem.  Get clicking.


Google Friend Connect for KCC 225  (Scroll down the right sidebar)
Facebook for Kid's Creative Chaos 50
Facebook for The Play Connection 200
Facebook Subscribe to Lora Langston  800
Twitter @Playconnection 250
Blog Frog Kid's Creative Chaos 1000 (Click the Blog Frog Tab & Join my community)
Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for me for #1  (Just click the button on the KCC blog)
Google Connect for http://www.midwestbloggersassociation.com  50
Google Connect for http://loralangston.com  35
If you've done everything else have a look at my website. http://www.theplayconnection.com


Surprise me--I have accounts with DIGG, Stumbleupon, Goodreads, Picket Fence Blogs, and several Mommy Blogger's sites you can add that too for bonus points.  Just let me know- I don't get around to all of them very often.

Everywhere you follow gets an entry. You might want to save them for upcoming Friday Follows - I have tons more books to giveaway.

Wordless Wednesday- TPC KIDS sing, I Love You Like a Love Song Baby

Everyday, after school, I am brought to happy tears by the angelic voices singing to Selena Gomez's, "I Love You Like a Love Song" in my mini-van.  I transport children ages 3-8 yrs. and the song comes on Disney at the same time everyday.  It is the most touching, adorable thing I have ever heard.

I thought you might like to sing-a-long too.  Here are the lyrics, an instrumental to record your little voices to, and the video found on YouTube.

We were two kids short  but that's okay...

 Send "Love You Like A Love Song" Ringtone to your Cell 

Selena Gomez & the Scene - Love You Like A Love Song Lyrics

It’s been said and done
Every beautiful thought’s been already sung
I guess right now, here’s another one
So your melody will play on and on with the best of ‘em
You are beautiful like a dream come alive, incredible
A sinful, miracle, lyrical
You saved my life again
And I want you to know, baby

I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

Constantly, boy, you played through my mind like a symphony
There’s no way to describe what you do to me
You just do to me, what you do
And it feels like I’ve been rescued
I’ve been set free
I am hypnotized by your destiny
You are magical, lyrical, beautiful, you are
And I want you to know, baby

I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

No one compares, you stand alone
To every record I own
Music to my heart, that’s what you are
A song that goes on and on

I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
I love you like a love song.

Recommended:

Jessica Simpson's Rocking Around the Christmas Tree Song

Mariah Carey All I Want for Christmas Puppy Craft

Part Two: Why Sucky Boys Make Me Cry

Advice for Teens - Don't Cry.

Advice for Teens =  Don't Cry.

You might want to start with Part One: Teen Heartbreak.

Girls are sucky too.   Teenagers suck.  I didn't like most of them when I was a teenager - something crazy happens to their brains.  I've never understood it.  Perfectly intelligent, respectable kids turn into illogical beings from outer space.

I hate that most teenagers act without thinking.  Somehow, they convince themselves that point B does not result from Point A.  Now, medical science has proven it is a consequence of an undeveloped brain.  The brain does not fully develop the ability to think things through until our twenties. The Teen Brain

Don't tell them that!  It makes a great excuse, blame it on science.

What about our conscience?  Or our mechanisms for fear?  The fear of God, the fear of strict parents, or the fear of ruining our reputations as decent, honorable human beings?  The fear of not making it into our twenties? 

I was raised on a heightened sense of  fear.  Sure, I made some mistakes.  Mostly, I set lofty goals for myself and strived to keep them.  I am basically proud of my teen years.  Even the best of us succumb to peer pressure.

I also had an incredible friend that I admired and respected.  Even when she wasn't around, I worried what she would think if she found out I did something dumb. I didn't want to disappoint anyone- especially myself.

If your conscience doesn't work so well, you need a friend like this, preferably, one that you can't tell a lie.

Hey teenagers!  It is difficult to live with disappointing yourself.  Once you start letting yourself down, it gets easier each time, "Well, I've already broken this rule so I might as well break that one - it's not nearly as shameful."  Besides, you're having fun so it can't be all bad, right? 

Okay, maybe a little rule breaking builds character, maybe it gives you a strong foundation for becoming a smart adult.  You are walking a very thin line. Once that side of you takes over it is hard to stop.  Self-esteem shoots out the window before it even had a chance to take hold.

Sucky girls make me cry too, but this is not about girls.

Boys! They are not smarter than you.  They are not cooler than you.  They probably aren't more experienced than you.  Somehow, they've learned to spin an excellent yarn or act an amazing show.

It wasn't until my brothers became teenagers that I fully understood this phenomenon.  They were babies.  They didn't know anything.  They hurt but kept it hidden from the world.  They weren't cool but put on an awesome show.  Girls really liked them. 

Sadly, that guy you admire is afraid of you.  He is afraid of his friends too. They are all joking about sex.   Geesh, he doesn't even know what the other guys are referring too.  Maybe, they've got cable or free access to the Internet.  Maybe their parents are too open.  He feels stupid, maybe, you know more than he does.  Sucky boy has to play it cool.  He doesn't want to be left out of the game.

So, you buy into the cool persona and you fall head over heels.  You've never met anyone so mature (cough, cough). His breath on your neck makes you swoon...  that's unfortunate. 

He's so experienced vs.Your such a lame. 

Maybe he could teach you something.  He whispers sweet nothings...  Does he?  Or does he say things to smash your self-esteem?  "What have you got to lose?"  "I heard you..."  So what if he did?  So what if you did?  You don't have to make the same mistake twice!!

That boy set a lofty goal, one he thought was unobtainable and there you are to fulfill his wishes.  After all, 'He's the one', Prince Charming is going to take you away from your miserable life.  You like having a beau and you feel threatened - if you don't do it you're sure to lose him.

Red Flag Alert!  Red Flag Alert!  Run the other way as fast as you can.

Sure, it happens for some people.  They marry their high-school sweetheart and live... ever after.

Boys are kids, just like you, with Mommys and Daddys who discipline them.  How embarrassing.  How shameful, You can't let anyone know your parents treat you like a little kid!  You have to play it cool.

Cool people know this sucks.  It sucks to feel like you are the only one doing the right thing.  It's embarrassing.  The teasing is grueling.  It takes a brave kid to stand up in a room full of uncool kids and say, "This makes me uncomfortable, I'm leaving." 

Sure, some of them will laugh at you.  They'll  mock you.  They'll dare you.  But, what if, one kid asks for a ride home.  What if no one is as brave as you this time, but your actions really hit home and someone vows never to do this again?  You could be a hero, a truly, cool person.

Don't cave in on your morals.  Don't ignore your conscience.  More importantly, 'Don't give up on yourself.'

When you grow up, (if) you'll likely discover that most kids weren't doing everything you thought they were, and the kids that were probably fantasized about being cool just like you.  They wanted parents that really cared or the courage to stand up for their core values.

Sucky boys make me cry because they are somebody's baby brother or precious little boy just trying to fit in and gain acceptance. When sucky girls play into their fears it builds a whole new world of suckiness.


p.s.  I know of a boy that doesn't suck, your Mom probably does too.  Hang in there, before you know it, you'll be the Mom of a teenager too.  May God bless you and mother's everywhere.