Re-Purpose Re-Style!

Hello Friends!

As you have seen in Little Ones, I do a feature called KerrieCan that shows readers how I "make things out of things". Well, I am beyond excited to have been chosen as one of 8 designers to Re-Style a room for a Habitat for Humanity fund raiser. I get to shop for 3 weeks in the Mooresville and Cornelius Re-Stores and then get 2-days to set up my room. The rooms will be on display May1st at 6:30pm at the Mooresville Re-Store. The room I chose is a reading and writing room- with the theme "The Power of Words".  My plan is to bring you along for the ride! My first project will be a floor lamp created out of an old porch umbrella. Next- I will take the fabric from the umbrella and create a valance to go with the curtains that I make from a set of sheets! As I move along, I hope to post photos of the parts and pieces that will make up the room. Here are a couple of photos of my "stuff" - stay tuned to see how it all turns out!

Take Care,
Kerrie

Going out of my comfort zone

Every once in a while, we moms should all try something we THINK we cannot do. It really doesn't matter what it is, just anything that will challenge you beyond your normal day to day. I did that this past weekend with a group of friends, some old and some new and my husband Jason. We did the Spartan Race at the White Water Center. It is one of those crazy mud run obstacle race things that just kicks your butt! 4+ miles of slippery mud, trail running, crawling under barbed wire and walls to climb over. It was the most insane thing that most of us had ever done (most folks were saying it was much tougher than warrior dash or mud runs). More than once- I thought, REALLY??? I am doing this???? But about half-way through, I said ... REALLY!!!! I AM DOING THIS! It was humbling and empowering all at the same time- and loved every minute of it. 2 hours of pushing myself past where I ever thought I could go, invigorated me in a strange way. I felt "new" even though I was beat up and  felt like I could take on the world.When I was finished, and saw how proud my family were of me- it just made the day beyond perfect. I have already signed up for next year.

This kind of thing is not everyone's up of tea I know. BUT find that thing, that thing you think you might not be able to do and do it. Sing on stage, go back to school, take dance classes, ANYTHING. You will feel like Wonder Woman (or a Spartan).

Take Care,
Kerrie

Springtime Craft!

Do you remember making the string covered balloons as a kid? I loved making them- and a post on pintrest brought it all back to me. I decided to make a tiny version of my childhood craft to look like Easter eggs. Last weekend was fabulous so my girls and I decided to craft outside. Good thing because this was a little messy. All you need is string, glue, water, spray oil and some small balloons. I recommend "water balloons" for making small egg shapes.

Mix 1 cup of white glue with 2 tablespoons water.
Blow up your balloons to desired "egg" size and spray them with spray oil. This helps the string release.
Now, drag your string through the glue mixture and slop onto the balloon.
Wrap the balloon in all directions until is it evenly covered.
Find a place to hang them overnight. (best way to dry) Make sure you put paper under them.
Carefully pop the balloon and pull it out through one of the spaces in the string.

Easy, messy and fun. Put your eggs on display on a bowl or make a garland out of them by tying them to a ribbon!

See my pics below!
Happy Spring!
Kerrie

Staying mentally and physically healthy

Everyone needs a little motivation now and then. I need A LOT :) In my driveway every Monday Wednesday and Friday, I host a bootcamp in my driveway. My friends that attend have all laughingly told me how grateful they are for the punishment I impose on them. What they may not realize is how grateful I am to have THEM expecting ME out there ready to lead the workout three days a week. I get a great workout and they get a free butt kickin! Honestly, I think I am getting the better end of the deal. My girls see me set up the "gym" while we wait on the bus which I think reinforces to them my commitment to staying healthy and I can start my day here at Little Ones with a fresh outlook! Share your passions my friends ... it can be quite rewarding!
Take Care,
Kerrie

Hey! From Kerrie :)

Hello everyone! Kerrie with Little Ones here. I will be taking over the blog from where Kiran left off. I am NO writer, and Kiran is an EXCELLENT writer and blogger so please be patient with me. 

As creative director for Little Ones, I hope to post crafty all the things I do with my 2 girls (and the ones I do when I am hiding in my garage studio).  You also might want to hear about what keeps me sane while working at home with my husband. That is a tall order. We have been working side by side for 13 years ... in the same home office. So stay tuned and wish me luck, I am jumping in with both feet!

Peace!

Kerrie

Tiana, Cinderella, and Rapunzel. OH MY!

Simply said, Disney on Ice rocks.  Never been? Well I'm sure I'm not the first to tell you that you're missing out. As cliche as it may sound, visiting Walt Disney World is truly magical. But having the beloved characters perform on ice right in front of your eyes is just as magical itself, and a heck of a lot closer.

We've personally seen the Monsters Inc., Toy Story III and a "regular" Disney on Ice productions and I've been so incredibly impressed. But when I heard that Disney on Ice Dare to Dream was coming to town, I knew this would be one of our favorites. With 3 girls, ages 3, 5 and 7, how could it not be?!

The show began with an incredibly upbeat number including all of the Disney favorites, perfect for getting the little ones prepared. And then it was time for Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. Complete with all of the characters, Naveen, Louis and Ray, the segment was the perfect warm up. And then came the beloved Cinderella. Though the entire story is not acted out, it's amazing how they tie it all in together. The costumes are perfect and characters believable. I even found myself clapping to the music and singing the well-known tunes (did I really just say that out loud?!) Yes, it's true; one of the best things about these shows is that parents will actually enjoy them as much as their kids!

By and large, our favorite, and the part the kids could not wait to see, was Rapunzel. From the famed movie Tangled, Rapunzel and Flynn took to the ice and captured the show. Cascading hair and characters who dangled from the ceiling were some of the exciting effects that warmed the hearts of the families in the packed the Time Warner Cable Arena. See this short video that we took - such a small sampling of the show that included all of the favorite tunes including She's Got a Dream, Mother Knows Best and At Last I See the Light (yes, I was singing those, too).

An amazing final act included all of the famed princesses - Snow White, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Jasmine, Cinderella and Rapunzel ... for girls of all ages, a real dream come true.

Dare to Dream is still in Charlotte for the rest of this weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday October 7 - 9 and tickets are still available! If you've got a Disney or princess lover ... this is surely a MUST DO!

Raising a Reader

School’s back in session and parents around the country are looking to not only get their children’s education up to speed, but to do what they can to surpass it. But studies have shown that it’s not just about working with your little ones during the school year. The true benefits can be found from day one, and even before, as Dan Gilbert of the Primrose Schools illustrates below.

Raising a Child that Loves to Read

by Dan Gilbert

Decades of research have shown that a child develops learning habits when they have exposure to books from very early in life. When a parent reads to the child, the rhythm of the language becomes familiar, which causes verbal skills to develop at an accelerated rate. Love for reading starts from the point the books are introduced – as an infant or even before birth. Many people claim that a child will remember the music and stories they hear while still in the womb. Children do recognize their mother’s voice immediately after birth.

Making the time to read together is essential if you are going to raise a child that loves to read. Robert Needlman, M.D., author of the book Dr. Spock’s Baby Basics and member of the Primrose Schools Education Advisory Board, believes you should begin to spend time reading with a child from infancy, continue through toddler years, preschool and beyond. “There’s no prescription for this, the only prescription is to allow some time each day that you can sit down, connect with your child, and read together.  The main thing is to allow it to occur in a way that’s joyful, that conveys enjoyment to the child – from enjoyment the rest will follow.”

Consistent effort to spend time each day reading together as your child grows is essential for the development of a future reader. Whether the story is read just before bed or as part of the evening meal routine, children must hear the spoken word to develop mastery-level language skills. Long before a child starts school, the time spent with books becomes a habit that will carry through life. No one is quite sure which part is more important; the personal connection with the parent or the sound of the spoken word. The primary goal is to embrace reading in a joyful way that engages the child’s interests.

Pictures add meaning for the child when the parent points to the illustrations and reads the words with an animated voice. Even when the words are changed to make the story more personal, the child develops interest in books. Children love to hear their own name, so inserting their name into the storyline will create interest and encourage them to write their own stories later.

Book selection is important to retain the child’s curiosity about reading. Even though the adult tires of reading the same book repeatedly, the child is learning from each pass through the pages. Great books for children include interesting illustrations that convey the meaning of the text on the page. When the words are read aloud, a distinct rhythm will be memorable when the words are read again. The parent’s interests are important when choosing books since the responsibility of making the activity fun falls on the adult.

To prevent fatigue with the same book, check out multiple books from the library and teach the child how to treat the books in the appropriate manner. Replacing books each time the current set comes due is a great way to move into new material and reduce redundancy. Remind the child that the books can be checked out again.

Apply these ideas to create a fun environment that embraces literature to build a foundation for successful readers:

• Age-appropriate books about a wide variety of subjects should be available for each child. When they are able to choose books that interest them, they are more likely to read alone.

• Time each day should be spent reading to children even when they are just toddlers. They should be encouraged to participate in the story.

• Take favorite books along whenever car travel or local errands are on the agenda. Use time waiting to read and develop good habits.

• Ask the child’s school teacher to provide a list of books that are related to school activities. Reading books that reflect their experiences will teach them to look for books as learning sources later in life.

• Older children will read to younger siblings and mimic the voices and other story-telling techniques used by their parents. The child that makes up new stories has taken a significant developmental step to becoming a life-long learner and reader.


Children are born with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. From the earliest days, their future success depends on their ability to master the language. Having books read to them is an essential first step in learning how the language is used in written and oral forms. Each child’s cognitive development requires a supportive and nurturing environment that provides exposure to information in various forms.