Dollar Tree Date

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from a Winter Weather Event we had last year (or the year before... I can't recall). We were so shocked. It didn't last all day, but in Alabama we are used to getting up very early and playing in what snow did fall because we know the temps will rise by 10:00 a.m. or so, and it will all start to melt. This actually looked promising though, didn't it?

RANDOMNESS - I went to Roxie's school the other day and on the door as you walk in there was a sign. It said, "This school has a Heart Defibrillator." I LOVE THAT! Being a panic attack sufferer whose main symptoms are heart attack symptoms, you cannot imagine how reassuring a sign like that can be.

It is almost as good as sitting with relatives in the hospital after they have surgery. No one believes me, but I LOVE THAT, too. Monitors, doctors and nurses, oh my! It's a panic attack sufferer's dream come true.

I've started looking for these signs everywhere I go. I'll let you know when and where I find them. (McDonald's does NOT have one, nor does Movie Gallery. I'll report on Books-A-Million tomorrow. Mikie and I are going there tonight. I thought you would want to know. Remember... I'm a giver.)

CHUCK NORRIS

9. For Chuck Norris, every street is one way. HIS way.

10. Chuck Norris will never have a heart attack. His heart isn't foolish enough to attack him.

11. Chuck Norris let the dogs out.

I know. I know. You want more. I'll finish up tomorrow with three (or 37 more) of these. (I have a book.)

Blog Linkage - Short, but sweet. Only two today, but two definitely worth reading.

1. Click on Sherri's Blog under My Blog List and read the post entitled "Real Love" dated February 6. It has some wonderful thoughts on marriage and unconditional love. I think it will definitely make you think about your relationship with your husband or wife. I know I did.

2. Click on Nitty.Gritty and read Jody's post called "So Not Perfect" written February 5. It is so important for our kiddos to know even parents make mistakes. And it is even more important for us, as parents, to apologize when we do. I love how Jody makes "I'm Sorry" taste so good.

Dollar Tree Date

Nothing thrills a preschooler more than a trip to the Dollar Tree... with a dollar in each tiny fist.

To make this date more fun, hide quarters all over the house. Explain to your child about the hidden quarters. Tell him/her it takes four quarters to make $1. Every time your child finds a quarter, have him/her bring the quarter to the kitchen table, and you will be in charge of making stacks of four. (Hide 15 or so quarters, so your child can find 12 easily.)

When 12 quarters have been found and you have stacked them neatly in three piles, exchange the quarters for three crisp $1 bills. Now it is time to shop!

I know, I know. Some of the toys at the Dollar Tree will break before you get into the car. To counteract the disappointment of a broken toy, tell your child they can buy ONE toy, ONE book (activity or reading) and ONE piece of candy.

(NOTE - Have a box of crayons in the car in case your child picks out a maze book or a coloring book. You will not have to purchase new crayons if you already have them ready to go. Have a juice box in the car, too. You will not have to buy a soda to go with the candy purchase.)

Take your time. Try to say "no" as little as possible as they make their purchases.

Let your little one shop to his/her heart's content, and then head home.

Do not ask me why, but this is a date which will ALWAYS please the three to five year-old crowd. And when you add a treasure hunt for quarters to the beginning of the date, they will be in preschool heaven!

Have a lovely Thursday. If you live in Alabama, be sure and make your bread and milk run this afternoon. If you live in New York... Well, I think you're stuck with what you have in your pantry.

Tomorrow I actually have some activity to report in the Faulkner household for the Weekend Happenings segment. We'll probably be snowed in together, and none of it will "happen," but I have plans galore. And, of course, we'll have the last of the Chuck Norris quotes. Sad, I know.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda