Make a Fun Paper Hat for Hat Day, a Parade, or Caps for Sale

Paper Birthday Party Hat Ideas for School Hat Day: Caps for Sale

Make your own fun caps for your elementary school hat day, a birthday party activity, or to celebrate with a Saint Patrick's Day Parade. You could even use them as a companion project for the book Caps for Sale. Enjoy!

Make a silly hat for a birthday party or 

a leprechaun wig for a parade from construction paper.

Make a construction paper hat base by following the Daisy Head Mayzie Hat instructions. Then, cut strips of paper, curl the ends around a pencil, and glue or tape to cover the paper hat band with silly hair. Ta da! Now, you've got a fun hat for a parade or school hat day.

Caps for Sale book.

We adapted this book for a mini-drama camp and had so much fun pretending to be sneaky monkeys! 


Companion printables for Caps for Sale:


 Classroom Printables for Caps for Sale 

Caps for Sale Printables for Pre K from Royal Baloo


Recommended Reading:

Caps for Sale*

How to Make a Chef's Hat

Crazy Saint Patrick's Day Parade Hat 












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! :)

Easy How to Make Zucchini Fries Recipe

Need to know how to make Zucchini Fries? 

This recipe, from Angie, makes crispy zucchini fries easy to do. Zucchini fries are a very tasty! After making this recipe, I came up with some alternative herbs to use for the dip. Enjoy!

               Easy How to Make Zucchini Fries Recipe.

How to make Crispy Zucchini Fries

Ingredients:

1 Medium Zucchini

1 1/2 Cups large fat free seasoned restaurant style croutons

1 oz Parmesan cheese, divided

1 egg white

1/2 Cup plain yogurt

1/2 Cup loosely packed Basil (can also use Dill, Chives or Cilantro); if you cannot find fresh herbs I found the tubes of chopped herbs you can squeeze sold in produce dept of  store work very well.

3 Tbsp Light Mayo

2 garlic cloves peeled

1/2 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 and line cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Trim and discard ends of zucchini; cut in half crosswise then cut each half using the french fry cutter (or cut into 3/8 in sticks) and discard any thinner pieces.  Place croutons in manual food processor and finely chop.  Place chopped croutons and half of parmesan cheese in coating tray; mix well.

Whisk egg white in classic batter bowl until frothy.  Add zucchini; mix gently until well coated.  Dredge zucchini in crouton mixture, pressing firmly to coat.  Arrange zucchini in single layer on cookie sheet.  Bake 14-16 minutes or until crisp.

Meanwhile, for dip, combine remaining cheese, yogurt, basil (or herb of choice), mayo, garlic and black pepper in manual food processor (or press garlic if using the squeezable tube of fresh herbs) and blend well.  Remove cookie sheet from oven and serve zucchini fries with dip.

Recommended Reading:

Kids Creative Chaos Cooks (Kitchen Kids Book 1)

Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

-->

Rainbow Fish Theme Sensory Fishing Activity and Craft for Preschoolers

Make a Rainbow Fish to the Rescue Sensory Pretend Play Fishing Activity for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Looking for fun, fishing activities? These aquarium crafts (fish in a bag) and make believe hoola hoop fishing ponds are perfect activities to try after reading one of the Rainbow Fish stories.

Rainbow Fish is a fun story about a school of sparkly scale fish who won't allow a little fish without the sparkle to play, similar to the story of Rudolph and the Reindeer Games. This is a great story to teach about inclusion and kindness. What theme for preschool could be more fun than Rainbow Fish?

Sharpies and Ziploc Baggie for Aquarium craft project for kids.

To Make Baggie Aquarium, You will need: 

Ziploc Baggies

Sharpie Markers

Blue Hair Gel

Blue Shampoo

Foamies

Fill the aquarium with foam fish or make a dino terrarium.

Color an underwater scene on the bag. As an alternative, you can cut out fishy shapes and insert them to slosh around in the goo. Fill bag with about 1/4 C. of gel for a sparkly, ocean effect. For bubbles add a small squirt of shampoo. (Little ones loved squishing and watching the bubbles appear.) Tightly zip bag and tape to window or mirror. Squish away your stress!

Gel is sparkly, add a little blue shampoo for fishy bubbles.

Creative Play Element Fishing Activity: Pretend a Hoola-hoop is a fish pond.

Companion Games and Activities for Rainbow Fish:

Rainbow Fish to the Rescue is a perfect story compliment.

Then using a sparkly piece of foam, I cut out a scale and taped 

it to "its" shirt for Tag.

It took the little one a few minutes to catch on to the game of

tag. (Some didn't want anything to do with the scale.) But it is

so much fun watching as they learn the game and start running

after each other.

Tip:  Miss Lora preferred the gel to the shampoo. It is thicker

and looks more like real ocean water but the little ones loved

the bubbles. 

Moral:  It's not about making the perfect craft, it is 

all about the process and the fun of experimenting!

We like to add a creative play element.

• Hoola-hoop Pond
• Pool Noodle Fish (Cut-up)
• Pail for the Catch
• Squiggly Pole to pretend 

Cut a scale from sparkly foam and tape to shirts.

Best Rainbow Fish Ever

I adore this beautiful clay and sequin rainbow fish craft activity from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots.

Sequin and Clay Rainbow Fish Craft Activity.

Recommended Reading:

5 Aquarium Crafts for Kids: Fishing Activities

Rainbow Fish to the Rescue*

Sensory Play with Gummy Worms Game

Take a Field Trip to the Manatee Viewing Center in Florida













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! :)

Unique Classroom Valentine Craft: Pig Valentine Decoration

Pig Valentine Classroom Craft

Looking for a unique classroom valentine decoration? We made a cute pig (or turn it into an Angry Bird) from a recycled satin Christmas bulb ornament. This is an easy and fun Valentine craft for elementary or preschool kids. Enjoy!

Hang the craft on a Valentine tree or make a mobile. When Pigs fly...  Oink you excited to get started?

Unique Classroom Valentine Craft: Pig Valentine Decoration

To Make Valentine Pig Ornament, You Need:

Felt, Foam, Feathers, Pipe-cleaners, Glue, Ribbon, a Straight Pin, and a Satin Christmas Ball Ornament.

Note the spiraled pipe-cleaner for his tail.

Use the straight pin to 'pre-drill' (punch) holes into the ball where the tail and feathers will go.  Add glue to the tip and insert into holes.  Cut out eyes, ears, and nose and attach with glue. Tie a ribbon through the hanger. Design your own Valentine Tree with a wire hanger or attach to a back-pack zipper.

Creative Tip:

Attach a note that says, "I'll stop loving you when pigs fly" or "Oink you going to be my valentine?"


Recommended Reading:

OLIVIA and the Perfect Valentine: She's a Pig!*

Valentine School Parties Activities*

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! :)

Sneaky Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe

Healthy Recipe for Sloppy Joe

No one was home, so I had a chance to get crafty and healthy with my cooking. I love when that happens. So, what's in the fridge? My best Sloppy Joe Recipe. Beware, it's sneaky. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Sloppy Joe eats Sneaky Sloppy Joes (Clip Art).

Frozen Eggs? Have you ever tried to freeze eggs? The Chicken Variety and Free Chicken clipart

Free Chicken Clipart, do you freeze eggs? 

The significant other always buys tons of milk... right after I go to the grocery. He does the same with eggs... Well, he did and then I went and bought an egg factory: six chicken hens and two duck hens = over 60 eggs per week. Help!

Cartoon Chicken Printable Coloring Page
To Learn how to draw visit http://www.drawinghowtodraw.com the source of this cutie

Recently, I discovered milk can be frozen - just be sure to pour about a cup out to allow for expansion.

My eggs always freeze in the fridge. Except the annoyance of getting the shells off they work just fine. So, I wondered; can you freeze eggs?  We freeze people eggs, why not poultry eggs?

Turns out, it's a yes. Read the Frozen Eggs link below for how to.


Recommended Reading:

FROZEN EGGS

Fresh Eggs Daily: Raising Happy, Healthy Chickens...Naturally

Cute Chicken Coop


Tweet

Jessica Simpson Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree Ringtones

Ringtones for Christmas? Jessica Simpson themed music for your phone

Looking for Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Jessica Simpson for your phone? Get the app ringtone and other fun holiday songs for your mobile phone. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Enjoy!

Christmas Songs - Jessica Simpson - Rockin Around The Christmas Tree

Find these and more songs like Hello by Adele on MP3 Raid Me.

free music downloads Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus free music downloads


Alabama singing favorite Christmas song:

the little drummer boy Free MP3 Download  

Tip:  Play all songs at once for an interesting round.

free Christmas music downloads

Wonder What Bento is? This One is Edible Animal Art

Edible Animal Art Bento Lunches

Bento, Bento, Bento! What is it. Basically cute, sushi in the form of edible art. I'd pack it in their lunches, but I don't think my kids would eat it. Perhaps, if I would have started sharing it with them when they were just toddlers. Anyway, those baby chicks are adorable! Want to learn more about Bento? Just Bento is a great site for all of your Bento needs.  What is Bento? It is a single portion lunch packed in a small box or container, it can also mean takeout. Since it originated in Japan, it often includes sushi and rice. Enjoy!

Bob the Builder Bento from Just Bento

Bento: Edible Animal Art

This creative Bento Lunch from Honolulu Magazine is precious.

Recommended Reading:

Yum-Yum Bento Box: Fresh Recipes for Adorable Lunches*

Adventures in Bentomaking*

Bento Mold and Utensils 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! :)

How to make a Counting Sheep costume for Halloween

How to make a sheep costume for Halloween

Guest post written by Liz Hughes

It's always a struggle to come up with a good group Halloween costume theme for me and my roommates. In the years past we went as the three blind mice and then the Spice Girls. But this year I decided that I just wanted to go as something that would include an outfit that is comfortable and warm.

I started looking online for some ideas about what I could convince my friends to dress up as and I came up with the idea to dress up as counting sheep.

Making a sheep costume has been pretty easy. I bought some sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I can't decided if I want to bother putting cotton batting or balls on it to make it look better. But I might just stick a number on the costume. I think my roommates are glad that I chose something that's so comfortable and easy to pull off, especially in comparison to the Spice Girls! I think that they'll never forgive me for that idea after they had to walk around in platform shoes and short skirts on a cold Halloween night.

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.

Real Family of Indianapolis Takes a Bike Ride: Family Focus

Family Focus: A Typical Outdoor Experience

So, we've been planning to go on a family bike ride for a year now. One thing or another caused delay. The last time our real family of Indianapolis went on a ride, the little ones rode in a carrier trailer behind Mommy's bike. This is the real story behind a typical family fun outing. Enjoy!

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.

This is not a bicycle. Do not take one on a bike ride!

Vlog Tutorial Easy Preschool Torn Paper OWL Craft

Easy Fall Craft Activity for Kids Torn Paper Owl

We made a Vlog Tutorial with our Messy Play Class. This Torn Paper Owl Craft is an easy activity for preschoolers. The kids had a blast tearing their construction paper.  Enjoy!

Tearing the paper gives the activity a sensory play element. The glue is sticky and messy too. Make note if your child is especially upset with the sticky glue on their hands, they may have sensory issues.

Recommended: Little Owl's Night Early Childhood Development*

Sunday Food for Thought: What Would You Do? The Flight or Fight Instinct

What Would You Do: The Flight of Fight Instinct

So, you think you're perfect, do you?  Me too.  At least, I try. I used to work very hard at it; until, one day, I realized perfect is a lot of trouble.  Since then, I just try to do my best. WWJD and all that jazz.  My teenager was learning about flight or fight.  She was describing how it's human instinct to run away from danger.  If a building is burning, most people run away to protect themselves, maybe they run to safety and then call 911. 

Disney's Tinkerbell often practice Fight or Flight.

"Are you crazy", I ask.  "Is that what you would do?" 
"Umm, yes, hello, I'm no hero.  I'm human."
"Really?  Is that what most people would do?" 
"Yes!  That's what separates us from the heroes. Natural instinct."
"I'm flipping out here.  What if someone is in the building?"
"You hope someone else saves them.  You call 911."
"No way!  I'm counting my kids. I'm making sure we're all safe, and I'm going back in to save whoever I can. What if there is a helpless animal inside?"
"Hope.  Pray."

No way!  I'm going in.  I did that once.  Well, I tried to.  People wouldn't let me.  A house was burning. I called 911.  I thought they were gone.  I knew they had dogs inside.  I ran to the house. It was only smoking. I looked in the windows.  I tried to open the sliding glass doors.  Only the garage was burning at the time.  The owner of the home was working in the garage.  He got out safely.  He never tried to save the dogs.  I couldn't get anything open.  Bystanders made me stop trying.  By the time the firemen arrived it was too late. They died of smoke inhalation.

I'm not a hero.  As I often say, maybe I'm just insane.

Turns out, I'm not perfect either.  Not even close.

Once, I worked in a restaurant, it was a small part of a larger organization. I helped seat people between checking on my special catered events. 

The restaurant manager had been at the hostess stand with another employee.  A dishwasher.  He should have been in the kitchen. He was a seasonal employee.  In the summer he came from Mexico to work for a few months. I later found out that he had a fake social security card.

After they left the hostess stand, I went to greet some customers.  Looking down, I noticed a tiny baggie of white powder on the floor.  I quickly scooped it up and put it in my pocket.  I didn't want a customer or their child to pick it up.

I seated the guests and went out into the corridor to gather my thoughts.  I leaned over the counter of the security desk and looked at the stream of videos coming from all parts of the grounds. Nothing seemed unusual.  I considered telling the security guard.  I considered asking him to call the police.

We'd had some trouble. The restaurant manager was on rocky ground.  He was on the verge of being fired. I felt like he had something to do with the package.  I asked the security guard if he knew where the PIC (person in charge) was.  "I think he's in his office."

I went to his office and told him a 'what if' scenario.  'He'd call the police.'  I knew I would too, but I didn't feel like I could. I had to work with these people.  I was dating the manager.  Worse than that, I had moved in with him. Where would I sleep?  What would I do?

"How about you call the police since you're the PIC and all?" He gazed at me with a quizzical grin.
"How about you call the police since you're the one who found it and all?"

Anyway, immediately upon moving in with the manager, I'd become aware of my mistake.  It was a dreadful decision that will haunt me for the rest of my life. But I couldn't tell anyone.  What would they think of me?

The truth is, I felt quite certain, said manager had something to do with the drugs.  The PIC agreed.

Dilemma. 

I went back to the security desk and hung out for awhile. I saw a policeman patrolling the parking lot. I wondered what would happen if he caught me with the drugs in my pocket?  I felt like a criminal.

It's a restaurant, right?  Maybe it's just a packet of low-cal sweetener?

It could be cocaine, crack, crystal meth; I don't know. 

I've never even taken a puff of a cigarette. Once a group of my friends dared me to try 'Skoal Bandits'. I did.  Can you believe that? I can't. But my Dad had once suggested my Aunt purchase tobacco for her abscessed tooth.  It was a home remedy and it worked!  Plus, they were legal at the time, no matter your age.  But, I digress.

What I do know is that my fingerprints are all over the bag.

I decided to ask the manager/boyfriend. I wanted to see how he'd react.

He grabbed it from my hand and looked at it.  "This is heroin!  Where'd you get it?"

I told him the story. 

"You better get rid of it.   The police are outside."

"Why don't you get rid of it for me?"

"Are you crazy?  No way, I'm not going to get caught with that!  My fingerprints are all over it now."

Well... at least he didn't take it and use it.

I didn't want to throw it in the trash.  Someone might dig it out. I told the boyfriend that I was going to flush it.  "Don't do that!  It might not go down. They might trace it back to you.  Take it home and flush it."

So, I decided to do exactly that.  Don't ask me why I thought that was a good idea.  I just don't know what came over me.  I was scared.  I was afraid of losing my job, going to jail, losing my home, my boyfriend, my life...  Just failing in general, I guess.

On the five minute drive home, I became increasingly paranoid. I was terrified I'd be stopped and the police would search the car.  The rain was pelting my windshield.  My heart pounded.  I panicked.

I threw the baggie out the window.

I did. Me, an intelligent, thirty-year-old, goody two-shoes, with nothing to hide.

Immediately I realized my faux pas, more panic.

I wanted to turn around and try to retrieve it.  What if a bird picked it up and ate it?   Or a raccoon?  What if that spot was a bus stop?  What if the kids found it in the morning?  But...

What if I went back, in the dark, in the falling rain and started scrambling on the ground looking for a bag of drugs?  I'd look like an addict! My prints were on the bag. What if a cop came by and found me?

I never went back. I went home.  I stayed with this guy for nearly three more years.  We never discussed the baggie again.

Later, I told my Dad the story.  He had just one question.  "How did the guy know it was heroin?  Who would know that heroin came in a white powder like that?  Who, but a druggie or drug dealer?"

Good question, Dad.  I hadn't thought of that.  So, my instincts were accurate.  The guy had something to do with it.  Why hadn't I turned it in?  I could have saved myself from three, long years of Hell on Earth. Why?

About a year later, after said manager/boyfriend had lost his job and I ended up quitting also, the PIC and I went out to dinner.  "Whatever happened with those drugs you found?"  I told him. I could see the disappointment in his eyes. He'd tried to get me to do the right thing.  Why hadn't I?

I just don't know.  I deeply regret it.  I am not perfect.  I am not a hero.  Apparently, I am not a goody-two shoes either.  If I had it all to do over again, I would take the risk of losing my place to live, my job, and my boyfriend.

Likely, I would have ended up with the other man. Two goody two-shoes together, in the right place at the right time.

I don't know, would I? 

All of those events brought me to my life today. To my beautiful family, (I never thought I'd have) to my life as I now know it- where I can sit on my high-horse and contemplate doing the right thing... next time I get the chance. 

So... How can we blame our kids for impulsive actions when we can't even be sure of ourselves?

Did you read "Hall Pass Thief"?

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.

Recycle Scrabble Games for Language Arts Literacy Centers

How to Recycle Scrabble into a Literacy Center for Sight Words and Language Arts 

Scrabble. Kids love it! Don't be a stickler for the rules. Let your preschoolers play by their own rules or follow these. You'll be amazed at their ability to sound out sight words or guess what the word will be when it's finished. Scroll down to see how we recycled Scrabble games into a literacy center for sight words. Enjoy!

How to Recycle Scrabble into a Literacy Center for 
Sight Words and Language Arts.

How to Use Scrabble as a Preschool Literacy Center

Things to do with Scrabble: Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse. We placed all of the letters right side up in the Scrabble box. We built sight words like Foot and made magic by switching the two o's for two e's to get Feet. See if you can think of more words. The kids were giggling as they realized what was about to happen.

Tree. Leaf. Leap. Roof. Reef. Wreath....

Think of patterns to keep your little reader on the right track. Let them guess. Guessing helps them learn new sight words.  For example, I built coal but my son said it was cola. His mind saw all of the letters for cola. Praise them on a great guess and awesome letter recognition. Then, show them how coal can magically become cola!

Then, Jake thought this was the coolest thing he had ever seen.  Don't force it. Don't make them read it if they'd rather build nonsense words on the letter rack. Whatever they choose to do they have tangible letters and they are visualizing them. Letter play reinforces letter recognition, and if it's fun they will keep coming back for more.

Help them spell their names or yours. Let them build words and have you guess what they are- even if they aren't real words. Keep encouraging them to use letters in a fun way. My son began reading at two and half without the "Your Baby Can Read" products.  I never did flash cards or forced it. It just happened with fun ideas.  Never underestimate the power of "WORD WORLD" and "BETWEEN THE LIONS".

You will need more letters to spell "PIZZA". Make your own from cardboard or collect old games at garage sales. Scrabble Letters are great for crafts:  personalize picture frames, Greek paddles, or toy bins.  Let your imagination run wild. SCRABBLE is more than just a game.

Each time your kids do a craft project with the letter, they are learning!  Just be careful, the tiles could pose a choking hazard for little ones.

Oh and a post note:  In kindergarten, Jake read at 12th grade level! Thanks to PBS and fun. Don't expect those results, just appreciate that your child is learning and enjoying it!


Recommended Reading:


100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages: Reproducible Activity Pages*

Homeschool Projects

Preschool Activities

















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! :)

I'm no Martha Stewart: Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti Recipe for Kids

Easy Weeknight Dinners: I am no Martha Stewart. Here's a quick leftover idea. Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti Recipe

Easy Weeknight Dinner: Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti.

I try to plan meals- unsuccessfully. If I get around to cooking, then, leftovers sit in the fridge FOREVER! So, yet another night that I did not want to cook arrived. You may recall that I am trying to lose weight, this means I am also trying to avoid eating out. 

You might also like to make a little extra, plain spaghetti for sensory play.

Parmesan broccoli spaghetti.

Saturday we had Roast Chicken with Curry, Broccoli with Cheese and Baked Potatoes. We'd all been sick and none of us had much of an appetite. Sunday we had hotdogs with Sloppy Joe Sauce. It all just sat there screaming at me to toss it. I'm tired, I thought. 

Then I remembered Alaina's blog.

She IS Martha Stewart.

Maybe, even better as she has 3 boys under 4. She does plan incredible things and actually does most of them. She is my idol and often my inspiration. So, I am feeling like a bad Mommy, I am seriously fighting the urge to say, "How about cereal tonight?" When I pull everything out of the fridge and stare at it. "By George, I think I've got it!"

Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti Recipe.

First, I boil a big pot of spaghetti. Then, I throw in the sloppy joe sauce. Finally, I toss in the cheesy broccoli and canned spaghetti sauce. Slop it on a plate with some parmesan and serve with those crescents from yesterday.

Martha Stewart, it ain't.

The Cooks Next Door, Alaina.

Alaina Falk, of The Cooks Next Door, not even close. Hey though, Jake hugged me and said, "You're the best Mommy ever!" I know it doesn't get any better than that :-) If you are in to planning meals this works great for those nasty Mondays.

Recommended Reading:


Toddler Café: Fast, Healthy, and Fun Ways to Feed Even the Pickiest Eater

Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cook Book (Better Homes and Gardens Cooking)