Backpacks on a Budget!! DIY: Back To School Edition

Parents, its that time of year again...The kiddies are heading back to school. Getting the kiddos ready to go back to school can be expensive; especially when you have to buy new wardrobes, uniforms, shoes and school supplies. This year I chose to shop around and compare prices. This time last year I spent $34.99 EACH on backpacks that started peeling around the 2nd quarter. This year we set a budget, which meant that I cut costs by 50%. I had to go to Office Depot, Walmart and Best Buy to get the rest of the things on the school supply list but by clipping coupons we saved a ton.

Back To School shopping at the Grocery Store.. Who woulda' thunk it?

 $6.99 each at the grocery store.

The blue one is for my 5 1/2 yr old...the pink is for my 12 1/2 yr old...

 Since I am the self-proclaimed IRON-ON Queen, we had some iron-on's already on  hand in our DIY box of goodies. These sheets were approx: $4.99- $7.99 each at Michaels Iron-On Transfers.

My little one cutting the pieces she wants on her backpack...

Ready for Kindergarten!!!

These backpacks have been transformed from basic to personalized which looks more girly and fun!! This works well for boys and girls, all ages!

Happy Black History Month!! Library Time...

This was the Martin Luther King book display at my local library from last month. I love how my library has so many books about African American History. A very thrifty way to teach your children about their culture is by taking them to the library. Its free, quiet and very resourceful to frequent the library...My oldest daughter suggested that we read a different book on Black History every day this month. There are also many free activities to enjoy...Below is a snapshot I took of the flyer advertising an event I plan to attend next week...

"Soulful stories to tell of strong black towns and communities with life changing history. Powerful stories of a colored hospital; "Bullet" Joe Rogan's no wind up baseball pitches and the foiled bank robbery of Pretty Boy Floyd's boys. History of Black Town's and Communities...Absolutely Soulfully! Join Rhythmically Speaking to celebrate Black History month. "

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Check out free programs in your community and visit your local library to attend activities and events that celebrate Black History Month.

*raises fist in the air*

Happy Black History Month!!!! :)

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream came true...continue to DREAM!!

"I have a Dream.....that one day little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

My students and I, 2 years ago...I miss them so much!!! <3

"......when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

One Child, One Planet: Inspiration for the Young Conservationist

One Child, One Planet....

(My little one picking pecans)

Preview the book online http://onechildoneplanet.com They are even on Facebook!!

One Child, One Planet: Inspiration for the Young Conservationist (Emerald Shamrock Press, 2009) is a loving tribute to Mother Earth, her gifts and her greatest concerns. One Child, One Planet teaches gentle lessons on greenhouse gases, climate change, going green and conservation, providing practical ways for children to protect Earth’s fragile environment.

My little one with her autographed copy of One Child, One Planet. Environment, Green Kids


My daughters holding up their new book... Young Conservationists!!

My oldest and I having a blast at a new park we found when I got lost...(long story) LOL!

SOURCE::: http://www.gogreenstreet.com/one-child-one-planet-book-teaches-children-green-living/

Habari Gani!!! Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. December 26-Jan 1



Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity
Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination
To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny.

Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility
To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community.

Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics
To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose
To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants).

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited.
Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith
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The Story of Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington and Stephen Taylor, ages 6-10
Kwanzaa by Trudi Strain Truit and Ceceilia Mindin Cupp, ages 6-7
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline, ages 7-10
Kwanzaa Crafts by Carol Gnojewski, ages 8-9
A Kwanzaa Story, or How One Gentleman Found His Way by Nancy Guthorn Harrison, young adults
Kwanzaa Fun, Great Things to Make and Do by Linda Robertson, ages 5-8
My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz, ages 3-6
Seven Spools of Thread a Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis, ages 7-10

If you have stories and ideas you're willing to share about how your family celebrates Kwanzaa in an eco-friendly way, Contact Celebrate Green.

SOURCE::: http://www.celebrategreen.net/

What Are You Reading?

Peekaboo Bedtime (Hardcover)
by Rachel Isadora

Search inside this book

Peekaboo Bedtime is a bedtime favorite! After seeing the cover of this book I just had to buy it!! Great book for the kiddos...

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—The adorable tot from Isadora's Peekaboo Morning (Putnam, 2002) is back in this getting-ready-for-bed story. As in the previous book, the child exclaims in big, bold letters, "Peekaboo! I see…," leading readers to turn the page to find the person or object of the game. Bright pictures, done with pastels, add to the fun as the child spies grandparents, parents, pets, a rubber duck, "my blankie," and finally, from atop the bed, "you!" Youngsters will enjoy searching for visual clues as they play along with the familiar toddler activity.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
A companion book to Isadora’s Peekaboo Morning (2002), this upbeat picture book follows an African-American toddler through an evening at home. After going outside to spot the moon with family members, the child comes back indoors to have a snack, a bath, and a story. As in the previous book, each right-hand page carries a picture accompanied by the words “Peekaboo! I see . . . ,” while the following page identifies what the child saw, such as “my daddy,” “my puppy,” or “my slippers.” After the first few pages, the book’s audience can use visual clues to guess what the child is seeing. Heavily applied pastels create a warm, colorful family setting for the story. This pleasant book is well designed to engage young children in talking about the illustrations as well as playing their own peekaboo games. Preschool. --Carolyn Phelan
See all Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Yall!!

Waiting For Superman Trailer

The Prissy Mommy is featured in the September issue of American Baby!!

The lovely Yakini Etheridge from www. prissymommy.com is featured in the September issue of American Baby! The Prissy Mommy is one of my favorite mommy bloggers! Super awesome blog where she shares the joys of raising two adorable little boys in the BIG APPLE. Its so groovy to see her rocking her fabulous makeover in American Baby magazine. Go get your copy!! I HAVE MINE! :D

http://prissymommy.com

americanbaby.com

Another "JEM" to add to my collection!

I KNOW I am not the only one who used to LOVE to watch this show. JEM was more edgy and punk rock than those little Barbie's. Don't get me wrong, I love Barbie too but I loved how fierce these ladies were. I found this book for .99 cents and it was 30% cheaper with my membership card. I saw a JEM book go for $70 something bucks a while back on eBay...My retro book and video collection is gonna be a gold mine! WATCH. LOL!

A few faves from the library.....

In our home we love reading. My husband and I are both educators so books are all over the place. The girls have their own collection as do we. One of our favorite things to do with our children is to take a trip to the public library. Its free and fun!! In these economic times I am always down for free!! These are a few books I read to my students. I usually read them to my daughters first before taking them to work. Based on their interest and excitement in the books it prepares me for the reaction my students may have. These titles are awesome, bright colors and great subject matter. Visit your local library for great books and exciting programs and activities for the whole family!