The Squishable Baby's Best of 2013 Homeschooling Picture and Children's Chapter Books

I am so honored that the Wunderkind Family children's chapter books were chosen by the Squishable Baby to be in their Best of 2013 Homeschooling Children's Picture and Chapter Book list for 2013! Lisa, the Squishable Baby mom, is a homeschool mom of three (two boys and one girl).  What I love about her is that she truly cares about the meaning of family and the importance of raising kids in a family environment. Something I believe in too!

In 2013, the Squishable Baby family read and reviewed many children's picture and chapter books by such talented authors and illustrators and has created a list of the best! (and, yes, I am SO excited that they selected mine! I feel like Christmas came again!) The books they selected were chosen based on at least one of the following criteria (many of them meet two or more)...

• Great storytelling with an overall promising message of hope.
• It presented factual information in a fun and unique way.
• Excellent illustrations which engage and promote an interest in reading.
• Provides excellent educational experiences in unique ways.
• The books can be enjoyed again and again.
• Fantastic writing.
• The authors are overwhelming supporters of early childhood literacy.
• Books that will enrich the lives of your children.
• I am able to recommend the book to anyone, and they come back and tell me how much their children loved it.

I hope that you will take a moment to read about why she selected the Wunderkind Family children's chapter books and other such wonderfully written and illustrated children's books!

 

Visit The Squishable Baby Site

         

 

 

 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

How to Paint Wine Glasses - What You Need to Begin! (Part One)

Ever wonder how those wine glasses with all the fun sayings and creative designs are created? Well, if you like to paint, why not create your own?

Over the next few blog posts, I'll be teaching you how to create your own masterpieces on any glass piece you chose. You can paint fun designs on glass cookie jars, glass bowls, and even Martini glasses. But painting is just one step in the process. The finishing touches - a little glitter and a few gems- are what gives the glass piece it's true beauty.


First, what you will need to purchase (supplies) and where.

• Enamel Acrylic Paint. When purchasing your paints make sure they are enamels. Also, make sure you read the label. I ended up purchasing Martha Stewarts translucent glass paint once, so I tried it out. It wasn't my favorite look for a wine glass. I also wasn't a big fan of her red glitter paint. There just wasn't enough glitter in it, so I resorted back to putting the glitter on using Clear Gloss Glaze. Any of the below brands work great!
• FolkArt Enamel Acrylic Paint available at Michaels.
• FolkArt Multi-Surface available at Michaels.
• Americana Enamels available at Michaels.
• Paint brushes.
• Plaid One Stroke paint brushes. These are my favorite. I've tried Martha Stewarts paint brushes and a few other brands. The Plaid One Stroke is still my favorite! I these at Michaels Arts and Crafts. But I have found them online at Amazon and Blicks.
• Line paint brush is a must. I use this to write words on the glass.
• Glass paint markers: These make writing on glass easier. Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers and Pebeo Vitrea 160 Glass Markers work great. There are other glass paint markers on the market that I haven't tried yet like DecoArt. So far I've been pretty happy with the Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers which come in lots of different colors. Heads up though...they are much more vibrant than glass paint and typically will not match enamel paint color, so test and plan before you begin creating your masterpiece. Also, sometimes the paint comes out of the Sharpie pen too fast, making the paint run down your glass. And it can come out too thick. I've also had to put the clear glaze over it, so it doesn't wash off. If you use these, take your time and practice.
• Glass & Bead platinum bond. This is a clear adhesive glue that comes in a tube. I use this to adhere the gems to the glass. It smells awful, so good ventilation is important.
• Clear Gloss Glaze - Air-Dry PermEnamel. This is a must! It seals the bottom of the glass, making sure the paint doesn't chip or get scratched up. I also use it to adhere glitter to the glass.
• Mod Podge: Another alternative to adhering glitter to glass and sealing the bottom. Both Clear Glass Glaze and Mod Podge work wonderful. You have to put one coat on glass, first. Then sprinkle the glitter. And then, when the first coat is cry, I highly recommend putting one more coat on to keep glitter from coming off.
• Glitter. You can purchase any glitter, but the finer the better. My preferred glitter is the Creatology brand. The glitter is more fine.
• Wine glasses. Most of my wine glasses were purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond using a 20% off coupon. I use the Libbey brand which comes in a box of 12 pcs. I've purchased some from Pier One's clearance section in the past, but found it was too hard to get them all to be the same size. Walmart also has a lot of different glass pieces available.
• Rubbing Alcohol. I use this to remove mistakes and clean the glass.
• Paper towels.

Other supplies:

• Stencils. Martha Stewart now has stencils available that stick on and peal off. I tried them and they just didn't work for me. Paint leaked through and some pealed off when I took the stencil off the glass.
• Gems. I purchase them when they are on sale at Michaels. Usually they are in the scrapbook section or on display in the middle of the aisles. Every holiday certain gem colors go on sale.
• Old clothes to wear. Enamels do not wash off clothes. It's important to wear old clothes that you don't mind ruining.

How to Paint Wine Glasses: Beginning painting and painting techniques (Part Two)

How to Paint Wine Glasses - Adding Glitter and Gems (Part Three)

Hope you'll also check out my ten published children's books!

Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  iTunes

Kid Lit Giveaway Hop Holiday Extravaganza!

Youth Literature Reviews and Mother Daughter Books Reviews are back with another Kid Lit Giveaway Hop! This time around is their Holiday Extravaganza!

Prizes may consist of a winter or holiday-themed book that is appropriate for children or youth under the age of 18 and / or an Amazon gift card, a credit at the Book Depository, or PayPal cash as a prize!

The list of participants, including ME, are below! All you need to do is click on the links. You will be taken to the page where you can enter their giveaway! Hope you will enter mine! Here is the link!

 

Madison and GA Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show $100 Cash Giveaway!

 

 

 

Enter Madison and GA The Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show $100 Giveaway Book Blast

About the Book

The Fourth Wunderkind Family Children's Book

Recipient of Mom's Choice Awards!
Title: Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show (Madison and GA - My Guardian Angel) Author: Melissa Perry Moraja Publication Date: November 15, 2013 Publisher: Independent - Melissa Productions Inc. Number of pages: 156 Recommended age: 6-12    

Summary

Madison Wunderkind is a sweet, honest girl, who always seems to find herself in trouble with the principal. But this time she's not alone. It all started three days earlier, when Sophia, the most popular fifth-grade girl at Gator Elementary, asked Madison to hang out and plan this year's talent show. Instantly, Madison had become Little Miss Popular. But what Madison soon discovered was that being Little Miss Popular wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Her best friends were ignoring her. Her brothers were angry at her. And her guardian angel, GA, was irritated by her snobbish attitude. And if things couldn't get more messed up for Madison, everything that could go wrong at the talent show did, sparking Principal Dimples to find out why! Find out what happens at Gator Elementary's Talent Show. Will GA be able to help Madison? Or will Madison become Little Miss Lonely? Also, try and find one of GA's feathers in each picture!

 

Purchase

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

You can purchase the first book of the series (e-copy), Madison and GA (My Guardian Angel) Tale of the Slimy Spitball for only 99 cents until Christmas, December 25, 2013 from Amazon, iTunes or Barnes and Noble. Just click on the cover below to go to Amazon!

 

About the Author: Melissa Perry Moraja

Melissa Perry Moraja, Founder of Melissa Productions, Inc. and Mom's Choice Awards Recipient, is an entrepreneurial mom, a multifaceted business woman, a creative producer, and an author/illustrator of numerous modern-fantasy children's books and self-help books. Melissa also has published articles, appeared on television, been interviewed on radio, has spoken in front of hundreds of people, and held workshops at local schools, discussing creative learning, publishing and parenting. Her desire to make a difference in her four young children’s lives inspired her to leave her six-salary career at IBM in 2007 to become a full-time mom and children's author. Melissa spends her personal time coaching soccer and softball, painting, and coming up with fun art projects for her kids. She also blogs for Working Mother blog, has guest blogged for Charlotte Observer Mom's Charlotte, and has her own personal blog at Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom. Melissa is also committed to building awareness and support for Type 1 Diabetes. Her twin daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes November 4, 2011. To learn more about Madison's type 1 diabetes disease please read Madison's Story.

Website | Blog | Facebook (Author Fan Page)

Facebook (Book Fan Page) | Twitter | Pinterest

 

* $100 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $100 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner's choice) Contest runs: November 25 to December 24, 11:59 pm, 2013 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Melissa Perry Moraja and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mom's Choice Awards Recipient for Madison and GA - Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show

I'm so excited to share that my fourth Wunderkind Family modern-fantasy children's chapter book, Madison and GA (My Guardian Angel) Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show is among the best at Mom's Choice Awards! It's an award that recognizes the best in family-friendly media, products and service.

Madison and GA (My Guardian Angel) Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show was evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges which includes education, media and other experts as well as parents,children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow, Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein, The Safe Side Project, Catherine Witcher, M.Ed, special needs expert and founder of Precision Education, Inc., and Patricia Rossi, host of NBC’s Manners Minute.

Thank you all so much for your support! I love writing and illustrating and I'm so happy that Madison and GA's story is among one of Mom's Choice Awards!

 

Fun and Educational Arts and Crafts Online Classes for the Family

Earlier this year, I mentioned that I love the concept of online arts and craft classes for mom's and kids. Being a mom with four kids and a husband who travels, it is really hard for me to participate in a weekly painting or other artsy-craftsy type class outside of my home. And I definitely have thought about it!

So this summer I found this company called Craftsy, which offers lots of online tutorial classes, like baking, sewing, knitting, painting and even photography. And I just recently learned they even sell products at a discount.

What they have created is something I've always wanted to do. At least, until I read how much time is involved in the creation of each class (read the Behind the Scenes part). Maybe someday! Right now I have a packed schedule writing, illustrating, and producing my children's books, while being a full-time mom.

Below is some info on Craftsy. Personally, I think it's a great way to keep your kids busy, especially over the holidays and school vacation, while teaching them a craft skill in the process.

What is Craftsy?
Craftsy is a worldwide craft community offering online classes. It also has a patterns marketplace where independent designers can sell their patterns; a supplies shop with great deals on yarn, fabric, and class kits; and a projects section where members share pictures of their latest craft successes.

The Making of a CraftsyClass
Before filming even begins, hours and hours are spent determining what content will be covered in each class, and how to best teach specific techniques to the camera. Instructors work with an instructional designer to create an in-depth outline of each lesson, and decide how to best prepare props or “step-outs” that show what your project should like at different steps.

Most Craftsy classes are filmed in one of five Craftsystudios in Denver, CO, assuring that every part of the production process goes off without a hitch. They fly in instructors from all over the world to spend several days filming, then spend several weeks turning hours of footage into a two to three hour class experience that has been watched, rewatched, and reviewed by industry experts.

Why I Like the Concept
You can retake the class as many times as you want, and the 30-second repeat feature allows you to watch the same section over and over again until you get every technique just right. Every class has a 100% money-back guarantee. Can't beat that!

2013 Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids Ages Two to Ten

I love Christmas! And this Christmas I've put a lot of thought and research into the best toys (some have even won Parenting awards) and gadgets to purchase for my kids! In the years past, my kids have opened up a gift or two and never played with their present. And my husband has actually returned several of his.

This year will be different! And it will be cost effective and practical. Below are the gifts on my kids Christmas Wish List, which are mommy approved this Christmas 2013!

Also, I loved this! 1,000 kids voted for their favorite holiday toys! Checkout what they picked.
Top Toys This Holiday Season Voted By 1,000 Kids

Really insane prices at Walmart on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th! Check them out Walmart Black Friday 2013!

Here are some must have links to check daily:
Amazon's Today's Deal
Walmart Value of the Day

Our Family Wish List Gift:
For the past three years, we've chosen Skylanders as the gift our kids open on Christmas Eve. It's a huge hit! And this year Skylanders Swap Force Starter Pack (Wii) is the winner! But their is a new competition in the mix - Disney Infinity Starter Kit (Wii) .  Right now this is on our Wish List! The reason is because Disney Infinity's reviews seem to be average. Reviewers have said that the gaming is buggy and you can get through the levels pretty quickly. What I would recommend is if you buy it, keep your receipt. This way if you need to return it, you can. Remember, these games are an investment. Each requires you to continously purchase more and more figures.

Skylanders Swap Force Starter Pack (Wii)

or

Disney Infinity Starter Kit (Wii)

IPAD Air with WiFI

Not sure if we'll be getting this. It retails for $479.00. But it is one of the most demanded products this Christmas season.

 

Ten Year Old Boy Christmas Wish List:
We will be putting a gift card in his stocking for $20.00 so he can get a membership to Minecraft on his computer.

Ant Farm Gel Colony with Lights
I purchased this for my oldest son when he was six years old. It was a blast to watch the ants make tunnels and it looked really cool in the dark. I'm buying him another for Christmas! It was what he asked for.

Nancy B’s Science Club AquaScope™ and UnderwaterWonders Activity Journal

This toy won Parent's Choice Silver Honor!

 

 

Apple iPhone 5

Still up on the air on this one. In fact, I am struggling with this one. Many of my son's friends have or are getting an iPhone. My husband and I just can't see it's value at this point. So right now, my son is saving to buy this phone.

Hexbug Aquabot Robotic Fish with Bowl

What are they going to come up with next? This cool robot fish swims around its bowl, just like a real fish, when it comes in contact with water. My son wants the shark one - Aquabot Shark on Amazon.

 

New England Patriots Door Stop Sign
Thought it would be fun to get both of my sons a door sign. I bought my ten year old the below sign and his brother a Dallas Cowboy sign.

 

Nine Year Old Boy Christmas Wish List:

Uncle Milton Moon In My Room
I have been thinking about getting this for one of my boys for years and this year I did!

Wobble Deck Extreme

This is still on our Wish List. The reason is because some of the reviews mentioned that it's not the best toy to use on hardwood floors because it could scratch them. And other's said it doesn't work well on carpet. It sounds like it is more of a garage or outdoor toy. If you are interested, presently, I found it cheaper on Amazon. I think Walmart's price must be wrong. Hopefully the catch and update.

 

LEGO City Town Advent Calendar

 

I bought this for my son last Christmas and it's still a hit!

 

 

 Nine Year Old Girl Christmas Wish List:

We'll be putting movie tickets in her stocking this holiday season! As well as the boys!

Flutterbye Flying Fairy Doll
Yes, I purchased it. It was the #1 toy my nine year old daughter asked for Christmas.

 

 

Nerf Rebelle Heartbreaker Bow Blaster
This is a HOT item this Christmas and looks like so much fun. It also has really good reviews!

 

Make Your Own Cards Kit

Boogie Board Writing Tablet

Great for drawing, doodling, homework and keeping notes.



Alex Toys Cool Duct Tape Fashion Kit

This is my favorite thing to do with my nine year old daughter! We've taped headbands, sneakers, and even the top of her baseball pat.

Do It Yourself Duct Tape Kit

Rubber Band Bracelet Kit Maker

I'm not able to purchase this for my daughter this year because I have a 2 year old. But her girlfriends love making bracelets out of rubber bands.

Autographed copy of Madison and GA (Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show)
Yes, I wrote it, but it was just released on November 15th and my daughter, Madison, who has type 1 diabetes, keeps asking me for a copy. Thought I'd surprise her for Christmas! I was even thinking of framing the front cover and having her fictional character's picture next to her picture.

 

Two Year Old Girl or Boy:

LeapFrog Red with Me Scout Toy
We have LeapFrog Tag. We purchased it when my oldest three were 4 years old. It was the best purchase we ever made. I'm going to try Read with me Scout for my 2 year old.

This toy pup reads and asks questions!

VTech Tote Go Laptop Pink

  

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Musical Pirate Ship
I won't be purchasing this for Isabella. But thought I would share it because its so darn cute!

 

Disney Princess Songs Palace Play Set

Mega Bloks Play n Go Table

 

B. Parum Pum Pum Pum Drum Set (at Target)

 

Leap Frog Letter Factory Phonics Numbers

Mom:

Fashion Angels Tapeffiti 30 Piece Caddy
Yes, I'm going to be opening up Tapeffiti for Christmas. This stuff is great arts and crafts projects, making ripped paper look cool, and more!

 

 

Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone (Platinum)

I'm creating a book app and need high quality recording. My kids can also use it to record music and singing.

 

 

 

Victoria Secret Jane Long Pajama's

I'll be wearing these to the Southern Christmas Show for Children's Story Time. I tried them on and they don't show your belly and truthfully they aren't sexy. They are really cute! I plan on wearing my hair in pick-tails.

 

QVC HALO Pocket Charger

This is the best and most practical gift for a man or woman. It comes in lots of colors. Great stock'n stuffer.

 

 

  Mabel Labels: 

Holiday Return Address Labels




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