Monster Truck Valentines

Nora has been working on her homemade Valentines for about 3 months now. She really loves create, so I’m letting her go to town. Finn, on the other hand, has no attention span for arts and crafts. All he wants to do is play monster trucks. And read about monster trucks. And watch monster truck movies. And talk about monster trucks. So, of course, when I asked him what he would like to do for Valentines Day for his preschool classmates, he told me he wanted Monster Truck Valentines.

I discovered that premade monster truck valentines do not seem to exist, and even if they did, they wouldn't be the cutesy ones my boy tends to like pictures of anyway. So, after a little online digging,

I found these adorable Monster Trucks on Etsy. I figured that $5 was a small price to pay to support original artwork. I bought them, downloaded them, and I added the wording and a little heart in Picasa. *BAM* we have Monster Truck Valentines.

Seriously, how cute are these?  I’ve re-added watermarking here. If you want them, buy them! So worth it!

The Reality at Caroline Elementary

My daughter (whom I call Nora on this blog) loves kindergarten. She loves her main teacher, she loves her classroom aides, she loves her "specials" teachers (music, P.E. art), she loves riding the bus. She loves her school and feels special and at home there. She feels safe and happy. And my husband and I lover her school as much as she does. Her little brother can't wait to go there. Oh, did I mention that she goes to Caroline Elementary school?

Caroline Elementary school was recently given a designation of a "persistently dangerous school" by the state due to the high number of "violent" incidents reported in 2010-2012. However, this designation of a "persistently dangerous school" does not reflect the reality of Caroline Elementary. Caroline is a great school with wonderful caring teachers and a bright and beautiful student body. Yes, there have been some real and concerning incidents, but this is the case at any school. The reality is that a complicated and flawed formula at the State level in combination with reporting issues at the school and district level that has lead up to this designation. Last night's meeting overviewing these reported incidents was very informative. The Ithaca Journal has posted a thorough article covering the meeting. Please read the first article below (and if you have time, the second 2 as well!) before rushing to judgement. Tim McDonald, the principal is happy to answer questions, give tours and allow potential parents to sit in on classes.


~Janelle

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20130117/NEWS01/301170105/Errors-may-led-Caroline-school-s-dangerous-label

 

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20130111/NEWS01/301110077/Cornell-professor-Caroline-parent-outlines-findings-report?odyssey=obinsite

 

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20130111/NEWS02/301110078/-Persistently-dangerous-Caroline-Elementary-raises-tough-questions-parents-officials?odyssey=mod|dnmiss|umbrella|1

Lights, lights, lights!

I have a theory that the more warm weekends there are between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the more houses you'll see with Christmas lights that year. This year has been a warm one, and driving home last night it was obvious that many more people had decided to put up a display.

I've always loved Christmas lights, and while I'm not a fan of random "throw every ornatment in the world on your lawn" displays, I do enjoy seeing the kids' faces light up when they see an inflatable Santa or snowman.

I've compliled a list of some good places to see lights in Ithaca at the Holiday Lights page. If you know of any houses with nice displays or areas with a more than usual amount of lights in Tompkins County, please let me know! I'm lucky enough to live in Eastern Heights, where most houses have lights, and several have LOTS. If you take the trip up the hill, maybe you'll see my yard twinkling in the dark!

Up Ornament...?

When I saw this fabulous idea from Little Gray Fox...

My first thought was "OH SO CUTE" and my second thought was, "That looks like the balloon cluster from UP!"

Forgive my terrible photoshopping, but Am I Right?  I'm thinking someday, I'll have to create this ornament for Finn, my little balloon enthusiast.

Cancer Sucks

Hug your kiddlettes close and be thankful for their health. My friend's cousin just lost her 4 year-old to cancer. If you or a family you know is facing a childhood cancer diagnosis, please direct them to Mira's Movement, a local organization whose mission is to provide informational and emotional support to families of a child diagnosed with cancer; dvocate for increased public and private funding for childhood cancer research and family support; and raise awareness of the prevalence and the impact of the disease.

BoatYard Grill's "Fill The Truck" donations to Hurricane Sandy victims Sunday

Looking for a way to help Sandy victims? One of the easiest ways is to text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps people affected.

But maybe you're like me and are also thinking, "I have have stuff here that I don't need that could help people so close but so far away." Well, the BoatYard and Ciao are helping with this.


FILL THE TRUCK
Donation Drive!

The BoatYard Grill & Ciao will be hosting a donation drive to assist those affected in NY/ NJ by Hurricane Sandy.

Sunday November 4, 2012 from 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM.
Donations Collected at The BoatYard Grill
525 Taughannock Blvd. Ithaca NY 14850.

The following is a list of the requested donations:

• Warm Clothing all sizes (children’s clothing is in high demand)
• New Toiletries
• Blankets
• New Unopened Baby Formula
• Bottled Water
• Canned Food

(If you choose we will be accepting cash donations to be distributed to Island Harvest and Save The Children)

And here's another way so help while getting something back!

On Sunday 11/11 and Sunday 11/18, Ithaca Community Acupuncture will open its doors to provide community acupuncture treatments for DONATION only. 100% if the proceeds will go to the disaster relief effort. Check out the website for details to come.

Halloween activites everywhere!

Check out the calendar and the holiday tab to plan all your family's Halloween activities in the next week! Happy Halloween!

Please note that the Wegmans Costume Parade time was originally entered incorrectly. The parade is Thursday, Oct 25 from 4-8.