It's Almost Thanksgiving!!!

I can't believe that it is almost Thanksgiving!!!! Where did November go?

What are you plans?

Are you going to go "Over the River and Through the Wood"?

Are you going to get your Turkey at a Turkey Farm

Are you going to tell the story about the First Thanksgiving?

Round up a flock of these paper-bag gobblers

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Scissors
Medium-sized brown bag
Newspaper
Glue
Googly eyes
Red balloon
Two large grocery bags
Large rubber band
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. To make the head, stuff the bottom of the medium-sized bag with balled-up newspaper. Twist the top of the bag to form a long, skinny neck. 2. Glue the googly eyes and the balloon wattle onto the face. 3. For the turkey's body, use one large bag. Snip a hole through the front of the bag an inch from the bottom and fit the neck into it. Then, stuff the body two thirds full with newspaper. Close the top of the bag with the rubber band. 4. To make tail feathers, cut four large half-circles from the remaining bag and then glue them in layers to the back of the body.

FRUIT GOBBLER
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Bosc pear (head)
Melon (body)
Cheese (beak and tail feathers)
Red pepper (snood, feet and side feathers)
Raisins (eyes)
Grapes (tail feathers)
Bamboo skewers
Toothpicks
1. Stabilize the melon body by cutting a shallow slice off the rind to form a flat base. Using a section of bamboo skewer, attach a Bosc pear head to the melon, as shown. 2. Cut a cheese triangle beak and red pepper snood. Attach both, along with raisin eyes, to the head with sections of toothpick. 3. Cut red pepper feet and set them in place. For tail feathers, skewer cheese cubes and red grapes, then insert the skewers as shown. Pin pepper side feathers in place with toothpicks.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!!!

Just a little funny and a Great Recipe to make with your kids!

Traveling between each Kids-R-Kids center is so much fun! One day at the Mason center, a little boy asked me why I was not looking at the words when I read the book. I told him that I had memoriezed the book and that I know all the words. He then asked me if I really knew all the words and was I just making them up! Too cute!!!!

Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients
3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method
No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

A Cake to Celebrate Colors!

This weeks theme is Colors! So here is a recipe to make a COLORFUL cake! This was my favorite cake when I was little!

When you think of a Jello cake recipe, there’s only one cake that is so popular that it immediately pops into your head: the classic Jello poke cake. This cake is famous for being extremely flexible in its use of gelatin flavors. When it’s sliced into, you’ll see the colorful stripes inside. Whatever flavor you use it’s sure to be a hit.

1 package white or yellow cake mix (for two layers)

1 small package flavored gelatin, any flavor

4 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1 cup water (for the cake mix)

1 (12 oz.) container Cool Whip1 cup water (for gelatin)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare cake, according to package directions, using eggs, oil and water.

Bake cake in a 13x9-inch pan for 40 to 45 minutes.

Let cake cool in pan for at least 15 minutes.
Poke holes across the entire surface of cake with a fork.

Dissolve the gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water.

Pour the warm gelatin slowly over the surface of the cake (gelatin will soak into the cake).

Place cake in the refrigerator and chill for about 4 hours.
Spread whipped topping on top of cake before serving.

Refrigerate leftover cake.

My Story

As a child I was a very imaginative and creative child! I loved dressing up! I loved becoming other character that I saw on TV or heard in books! Yet, I had a problem. I had very severe learning difficulties. Especially in math and reading. While I could look at the pictures and tell you a story almost better than what was actually written in the book, I could not read the words.

While my friends in my class were making great strides in there reading I was not. I took many tests with specialist in the Special education field. I remember at the age of six hearing one of these "Specialist" tell my parents that I would never learn how to read. Being, a head strong little girl, I knew that I was going to learn how to read. My parents provided me with many books to "read". They read to me. They read and read and read and read until I'm sure they didn't want to read anymore.

Through all those many books I learned to love books. That love for books translated into the desire to learn to read. It wasn't easy and it didn't happen over night, but it happened!

I love visiting each of the centers and sharing the joy of books with the children. While, I have a great time with your children, I believe that I am not the most important reader in your child's life. You are! Please take 10 minutes and read a book to your child!!!

Checking things out at Mason and Catching Up with Ms. Liz

Today was our first day ever going to the Mason center! What fun we had today!! The children there are so smart, happy, and well cared for! Not only did we get to read our wonderful stories to the children, but we also got the opportunity to check out what happens in their classrooms! We saw one classroom going on a bear hunt! Another class was making puppets! Yet another class was decorating life sized cutouts of themselves! Very cool!!!

Here are some pictures I took in the Kindergarten room!!! Great job Dolphins your room looks incredible!! :D

This little lady helps the children work on their letters and letter sounds!! :D

Apple Poem!!

The Ultra cool Farmer's market in the dramatic play area!!

Meet Ms. Liz

Ms. Liz and Mrs. Wiggins the Bear!

Name: Ms. Liz

Age: Ageless...I'm a Mom!

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Food: Anything Mexican

Favorite thing to drink: Diet Dr. Pepper

What she likes to do on the weekend: When I have time I like to go shopping, spend time with my children and my friends!

Job at KRK: Cook, Bus Driver, Front Desk Helper, Floater (West Chester)

Off to Liberty Township tomorrow!!!

This is the funniest day ever!

From a little girl in the Monkey room at the West Chester Center:

" Today is the funniest day in my whole life!!!"

Kids are soooo cool!!!

Maineville Rocks!!!

It was so great to be back in Maineville again for story time! It was so much fun to see all of my friends again!

Here is a game for all my MAINEVILLE FRIENDS! Take a look at the pictures below! Send me an email at AuntieEmKRK@gmail.com and tell me where in the center these items can be found. Deadline is September 15th! Happy Hunting!!!

Happy School Year!!

I am so excited that Story time will be starting again tomorrow! It has been a very long summer. I can't wait to begin sharing wonderful books with my friends again!

This week in Toddlers we will be reading/singing a wonderful book by Raffi. It is titled "Baby Beluga". It's a about a little whale who swims in the ocean and is free. Parents, you may remember the song from when you were a child! I can recall riding in the car from Vermont to Washington DC, playing this song over and over again! It brings back a lot of good memories! Check out Raffi's website!

In the preschool classes, we will be reading the book, "Thump, Thump, Rat-a-Tat-Tat." This book is wonderfully simple. It is about a marching band that is marching in a parade. The band starts off quietly and progressivly gets louder and louder. Then it begins to get quieter and quieter as the marching band goes by. The children will "play along" with the marching band by stomping their feet and clapping their hands.

Try this Craft out with your family!


COFFEE CAN DRUM

Ages 3-8
Drums are an important part of life and ceremony in many cultures. Here is a simple method for you and your child to create a fun sounding drum

What You Need:
An empty coffee can with a plastic lid (small, large, whatever you have).
Construction paper, glue & scissors.
Paint or markers.
Paintbrushes & water.
Dowels or sticks from trees in the park.
String, leather, feathers, beads ... any bits of scrap material you might have.
What You Do:
You have two options here. Either paint the coffee can with paint or cover the can with construction paper. Leave the plastic lid on the coffee can ... this will be your drum head.
If you cover the coffee can with construction paper, you can paint or draw designs and creatures on the coffee can. Have a look at pictures of different kinds of drums and the images found on them. (Try covering the can with aluminum foil for a neat effect.)
After the paint is dry, you can glue all sorts of wonderful things to your drum.
Using wooden dowels or simply wooden sticks, drum away on your new coffee can drum.
Older students may want to try pounding the bottom of the coffee can with a rubber mallet to make a Carribean-style steel drum.

Our Pre-Kindergarten classes will be reading the book " Henny Penny" by Jane Wattenberg. It is an updated retelling of the classic story! The photographs used is this book are wonderful, very fun an quirky! Here is a link to some coloring sheets to print out and color!

Finally, in your Kindergarten classes, we will be reading a booked titled " The Kissing Hand. Little Chester Raccoon is scared to start school because he will miss his mother. His mother kisses his hand and reminds him that she loves him and that he can carry her love with him to school!

Kingergarten can be an exciting and scary time in the life of your child. Even if they have been attended pre-school or childcare before, the transition to a new school environment can even shake up the most out-going 5 year old. Talk to your child about his/her feelings. Remind them of your love and talk about what is different and the same about pre-school. If your child is having difficulty making the transition to Kindgarten, discuss with your child's teacher what you can do to help!!

Again, I am so excited to be working with your children again! Check back often for updates and new fun family activities!


Adios,



Auntie Em

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

I hope all of you are enjoying the last few weeks of Summer! Here is an excellent book to share and a recipe for yummy chocolate chip cookies!!

See you soon!

Auntie Em

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Chocolate chip cookies represent half of the cookies baked in American homes each year. This chocolate chip cookie recipe will produce a treat that is sure to please everyone in your house!
For some additional tips on baking cookies, see our article on tips for baking cookies.
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup sugar•

3/4 cup packed brown sugar•

1 cup butter•

1 large egg•

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda•

1/2 teaspoon salt•

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips•

if desired, 1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix sugar, brown sugar, butter and egg in a large bowl by hand. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. The dough will be very stiff. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. The centers will be soft. Let cool for one minute then remove from cookie sheet and place on wire rack to finish cooling

Vacation,Books, and Crafts!!!

Mr. Wiggins and myself have been very busy that past month. We had a wonderful extended vacation in Florida. We really enjoyed ourselves and got plenty of reading done on the beach!!! We have some really wonderful books to share with you in the upcoming weeks!!

Enjoy a Great Snack while reading "THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS

by John Scieszka

Pigs in a Blanket

You will each need a biscuit from a can of biscuits and one hot dog. Take the biscuit and flatten it with your hands. Try to make it into a rectangle so that it is bigger than your hot dog. After it is big enough, wrap your hot dog in the biscuit.
Place the pig in the blanket on a baking sheet. Carefully put the sheet into the oven. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Using the hot pads, take the sheet out of the oven. Carefully, using a spatula, remove the pig in the blanket and when it has cooled a little, eat your pig.

Paper Bag Hats
Last week we read "Caps for Sale" by Esphyr Slobodkina

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Paper bags, standard grocery size or slightly smaller
Tape (double-sided and clear)
Pom-poms, googly eyes, feathers, pipe cleaners, and other craft supplies
Construction paper
Scissors
Hole punch
Green curling ribbon
Time needed: About 1 to 2 Hours
1. Help each child gently roll down the top of a bag until it reaches the hat size she wants to wear. Have her try it on for size, pinch the brim to adjust the fit, then tape it in place.

2. Now set out craft materials for decorating the hats. Kids can make them as simple or as elaborate as they like using double-sided tape to attach pom-poms, googly eyes, and feathers.

3. For antennae, coil a pipe cleaner around a pencil, then tape on a large pom-pom. Poke the end of the pipe cleaner through the hat and secure it on the inside with tape.

4. Cut a flower shape out of construction paper. Punch 2 holes in its center and thread green curling ribbon through the holes. Use scissors to curl the ribbon, then stick the flower to the hat with double-sided tape.

Easter Bunny, Book Fair, and Hugs!!!

Today I was at the Maineville Campus!! I am always blown away by the warm welcomes I receive when I come into the classrooms! I always enjoy visiting and sharing wonderful books with the children.

Last week I read, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus" by Mo Willems. It was especially a big hit with the Monkey classroom at Maineville. So today, I was looking through the books at the bookfair and found the sequel called "Don't let the Pigeon Stay Up Late". I read it to the Monkey classroom! It was enjoyed by all.

Attention Maineville Families: Don't forget to stop by the Scholastic Book Fair Located by the Front Desk!!!!

Bookfairs at Fairfield and West Chester will be in May. Stay tuned for more information!

I had a great time attending the Toddler Eggstravaganza! The children got the opportunity to play games, decorate an Easter Bag and of course hunt for eggs! The Easter Bunny made an apprearance as well! Check out the pictures!!!

Get to Know Ms. Stephanie

GET TO KNOW MS.STEPHANIE

Name: Ms. Stephanie

Age: 24

Favorite Drink: Mountain Dew

Favorite Food: Nachos

Favorite Restaurant: Bo Jangles

Favorite Color: Purple, Anything Sparkley

Job: Sign Language Teacher

Favorite Children's Book: "DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!"

What she likes to do on the weekend: Read, Boating, Wakeboarding ,Shop, Be with family, watch movies

Mr.Wiggins talks to Ms.Cindy

Name: Ms. Cindy

Age: A Lady never tells

Favorite Color: Yellow

Favorite Drink: Big Red

Favorite Children's Book: Charlotte's Web

What She Likes to Do on the Weekend: Sing, Sleep, and Be with her family!

Cooking with Mr. Wiggins

Cooking with Mr. Wiggins

Hot Vanilla

Topping

1/2 cup of Whip Topping

Chocolate Syrup

Cinnamon

Whip together Whip topping, chocolate syrup and cinnamon.

(Makes Enough to Top 6 Hot Vanillas)

For Each Hot Vanilla, microwave 1 cup of Milk and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a mug for 90 secondds. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Top with a dollop of chocolate cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and a dash of cinnamon.

Big Snow Storm!!!

The Snow is coming!!!!

I am so glad that I got to all the classes today at Fairfield before the weather took a real turn for the worst! I hope everyone got home safely!! Have fun playing in the snow this weekend!!!

Mr. Wiggins with Ms. Christina at Fairfield


Mr. Wiggins and I took some pictures of awesome decorations at the different schools we go to!! We just wanted to share a few!

A Painting done by one of the Toddler Classes at Fairfield

In the in the Turtle Room at Fairfield

Comb paintings done by the Froggy room at Fairfield

From the Penguin room at U.C.

Rainbow made by the Monkey class at U.C

Displayed in the Shark Classroom at UC

Outside the Monkey Classroom at Fairfield

Have a wonderful weekend! Off to enjoy a cup of Hot Chocolate and a good book!

Love,

Auntie Em

Community Service and The Big Give

I watched the BIG GIVE on TV this weekend. You may being thinking " Not another reality show." This one was different. While the contestants are competing, they are also changing a lot of lives along the way. I must say that this show did make me cry a little bit. Nothing warms my heart more seeing other people being helped!

I have been thinking alot about community service lately. It has been a large part of who I am for many years. I've volunteered at church and at a local school as a teacher drama. I have been thinking about volunteer opportunties that I can get involved with. Children's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald house are of interest to me. Who knows what will happen!!!

As your going about your day today, just think about a small kindness you can do for another person. Open a door for someone! Let someone merge into your lane on the highway! Smile!!

:D
Auntie Em

Today (March 2nd,2008) is Dr. Seuss's Birthday

Here are some things to read!

Dr. Seuss Activity Ideas
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/marchholidays/l/blmar2nd.htm


National Education Association-Read Across America
http://www.nea.org/readacross/index.html

Reading to Children Ideas
http://www.nea.org/readacross/parents.html

Seusville
http://www.seussville.com/

WHAT'S IN THE WIND
MATERIALS:
a few plastic lids
petroleum jelly
magnifying glass
paper punch
yarn
windy day
PROCESS:
1. Punch a hole at one end of each lid.
2.Thread each hole with a length of yarn and knot the ends of the yarn together to form a loop for hanging.
3.Spread petroleum jelly over one side of each lid.
4.Take the lids outdoors on a windy day and hang them in various areas.
5.Leave them outside for about an hour or two to collect what may be blowing in the wind.
6.Retrieve the lids and see what they have collected.
EXPLANATION:
Some of the items that may have been collected include insects, dirt, seeds and leaves. Use the magnifying glass for further observation.

BROWN BAG KITES
Grade: K-6Age: 4-12
Objectives:Identification:
What You Need:
Large brown paper grocery bag (one per kinderartist)
Strong string
Scissors
Hole punch
A number of paper ring reinforcement (the kind you use on paper in binders -- from any office supply. You could also substitute masking tape).
School glue or paste
Paint (tempera, acrylic -- whatever you have)
Crayons, markers, pencil crayons
Paper streamers or crepe paper that you can cut into strips
A few found objects (bits of paper, glitter, buttons -- nothing too heavy)
What You Do:
Begin by taking the hole punch and making four (4) holes in the top of the paper bag - one in each of the corners. Add paper ring reinforcements to the holes, or put a small piece of masking tape over the hole and poke through with a pencil. This will ensure that your holes don't tear through.
Next, cut two (2) lengths of string about 30" each.
Tie each end of the strings through a hole in the bag. The goal is to create two loops.
Next, cut another piece of string -- again around 30". Loop this new piece of string through the two loops you created and tie in a knot. This piece of string will become the handle of your kite.
You are now ready to decorate the paper bag kite using paint, markers or whatever else you desire. You can paint designs on the kite or turn the kite into a fish by adding eyes, gills and fins. You can glue different items to the kite but be sure not to load the kite down with heavy items -- or it will have a hard time staying up in the air.
Use paper streamers as kite tails and glue them to the bottom of the paper bag. You can make your own streamers by cutting crepe paper into strips. Another nifty streamer idea is to take plastic bags and cut them into strips.
Once the glue and paint is dry, the kite can fly. Hold on tightly to the string handle and run so that the wind catches the kite. When the bag fills with air it will float and flutter behind you.
As a variation, you can add a longer handle string to the kite so it will fly higher in the air.

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men



5 to 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup unsulfured molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl; set aside.
2.In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium until smooth.
3.Add the molasses and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4.Add the vanilla.
5.Stir in the flour mixture 1 cup at a time, blending until smooth.
6.The dough should gather into a semifirm mass. (If it's not firm, add another ¼ to ½ cup flour, but not enough to make it crumbly.)
7.Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
8. Divide in half. Flatten into disks and wrap in plastic.
9.Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.
10.Preheat oven to 350° F.
11.On a floured surface, roll each disk to 1/8 inch thick. Use gingerbread-man cutters to make shapes. Transfer them to a large, parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
12. Decorate, if desired.
13.Bake until firm to the touch, about 12 minutes.
14. Cool slightly before transferring to a rack Yield: Makes 3 dozen medium gingerbread men

This Week in Story Time!

Mr Winggins hanging out with the Singing in the Rain Dog at Fairfield

This week has been going really well!!! We have a great selection of books!! The Pre-Kindergarteners had some fun moooing along with CLICK CLACK MOO: COWS THAT TYPE.

Today, at West Chester the children in Suite 250 were rather upset that I only brought three books this week. They checked my basket to make sure I wasn't hiding any. One little boy even said "More books please!" That sure is the way to my heart!

This weekend, I am planning to be at the Pancake Breakfast at Hueston Woods on Saturday. I might be dressed a little bit differently than I normally do during storytime. I would love to see any KRK Families there!

MR.WIGGIN'S HONEY BEE COOKIES

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. honey

1 egg

1 1/2 c. Gold Medal all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, honey and egg in a medium bowl on medium speed, scraping bowl constantly, until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake until set and light brown around edges (surfaces of cookies will appear shiny), 7 to 9 minutes. Let stand 3 to 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheet, then remove from cookie sheet with metal spatula onto a wire rack. Makes 36 cookies.

Name: Auntie Em

Age:Old Enough to be an Auntie

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Food: Mom's Chicken Salad and Chipolte

Favorite Beverage: Chocolate Milk

Favorite Things to Do on the Weekend: Go to the library, Take Pictures, Read, Bake, and visit fun places in Ohio,Kentucky, and Indiana

Favorite Picture Book: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Favorite Chaper Books: The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Favorite Library: Kenton County Public Library Erlanger Branch. It is close to my house and someone special works there!

Name: Earl James Wiggins III

Age: Old Enough to be called Mr.Wiggins

Favorite Food: Crab Rangoons and Honey Cookies

Favorite Beverage: Chocolate Milk

Favorite Things to do on the weekend: Go for rides in the car, play King's Corner (Card Game) Read, and meet new people

Favorite Picture Book: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No good very bad day!

Favorite Chaper Book:Harry Potter

Favorite Library: Any library that has books is great!!!

Lots of Ice!!!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up this morning. There was so much ice outside. The braches on the trees outside my window are bending down. It sure is beautiful.

We took our time getting to Kids R Kids West Chester today. The roads were not really that bad it was more the rain and mist coming from other cars. We arrived on time to head to the Kangaroom and Koala classes. Due to the weather,only about 10 friends were there. We had a good time and those who didn't make it were missed!

Yesturday, at Maineville I must say that we had such a wonderful time. The Monkeys and the Sharks were so polite. We even got a lot of hugs!! The Butterfly class enjoyed Storytime while eating their morning snack. Nothing like a little snack time entertainment.

We will be taking Wednesday and Thursday off to rest. We will be at Fairfield on Friday

See you all soon!!!

Auntie Em and Wee Mr. Wiggins

Maineville and Fairfield...OH MY!!!

Tomorrow I start Storytime at Maineville! I am very excited and also a bit nervous! So many new friends to meet. My bear, Wee Mr. Wiggins can't wait for tomorrow to arrive. He is so very excited about the books this week. "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible,No Good,Very Bad Day" is one of his favorites.

We would love to hear about your favorite books!!! You can e-mail us at AuntieEmKRK@gmail.com .

We will be in West Chester on Tuesday and Fairfield on Friday.

Watch out for me on my Roller Skates!!!

Love,

Auntie Em and Wee Mr. Wiggins