RECIPE: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know there's an 'easy' cake mix version of pumpkin cookies but I prefer these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  They're a favorite at our house, especially at this time of year.  The link will take you to a recipe blog I have with my girlfriends. 

RECIPE: Warm Fall Punch

 This is a delicious drink for the season.  A change from cider and perfect for gatherings or drop-in visitors on Halloween night.  I received this recipe last year from a friend's sister.

Warm Fall Punch

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

2 cups orange juice

¾ cup lemon juice

1 tsp. almond extract

2 quarts water (64 ounces / 8 cups)

In a large saucepan combine 2 cups water and sugar.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly with whisk.  Boil about 5 minutes.  Add o.j., lemon juice, and almond.  Stir, add 2 quarts water and heat through.  Store in a container in the fridge and enjoy a warm mug full whenever!
Makes about 3 ½ quarts (112 ounces / 14 cups).

Decorate with Yarn Pumpkins

I saw Make and Takes Pumpkin Yarn Craft and knew they'd look good in my house as decorations!  Follow the directions carefully and your pumpkins will be great!  I made some to give away as prizes for a Lil' Pumpkin Trivia Game at a baby shower last Friday.

Owly by Andy Runton

•This cute Owly Read poster was found on Suite 101•

I was introduced to Owly by a book display at my library this summer.  Owly is a comic/graphic novel that is absolutely adorable!!  Andy Runton does a wonderful job of drawing super cute characters and telling a story without words!  You have to "read" the characters expressions and thought/dialogue bubbles that contain pictures.  It's actually a challenge for the brain!  Owly graphic novels are for kids of all ages (and adults too ☺).  My daughter is 6 and we've "read" Owly • A Time to be Brave together.

On AndyRunton.com there are so many fun things to find.  On the Goodies page there are Owly Desktop Pictures and Owly Button Desktop Icons!!  On the Owly As... page there are sketches of Owly as a Pirate Captain, Astronaut, Superman, Oscar the Grouch, a Red Sox Fan and tons more!

There's an Owly review on Kidliterate, an Interview with Andy Runton on Riverside Reads and on Suite 101 they have an interesting article called Teach Owly Graphic Novels to Reluctant Readers.  Buy an Owly book from Top Shelf or Amazon or see if your library has them!

Search with Swag Bucks

Swag Bucks is a search engine that rewards you.  I've been a member since April and I've earned enough Swag Bucks for two $5 Amazon gift cards.  If you've never joined and want to please use my referral link. You'll be helping me to earn Swag Bucks when you do!

Home Preschooling Helps

I did 2 years of Home Preschool with my daughter and will be doing the same with my son. Babyzone has a good article about this choice.  The best tip I have is to stay on top of lesson plans and get your prep work done at least the weekend before.

If Home Preschooling isn't on your mind these links can be helpful in finding toddler and preschooler fun! This list of resources was compiled long ago but I try to keep it updated. 

Alphabet and Reading:
Starfall- ABC's
Starfall- Learn to Read
Starfall- ABC Practice Printouts 
KidZone- Alphabet Recognition and Printing Practice
ChildFun- Sets of Alphabet Coloring Pages  (scroll down a little)
Fisher Price- Alphabet Coloring Pages

American Sign Language:
Starfall
ThinkQuest

Preschool Themes:
Everything Preschool- Preschool Themes
Preschool Express- Preschool Themes
Activity Idea Place- Activity Themes
ChildFun- Activity Themes
Preschool Education- Theme Topics
First School- Preschool Themes
Gayle's Preschool Rainbow- Activity Central
Child Care Lounge- Activities and Themes

Miscellaneous:
DLTK- Number Buddies
Activity Idea Place- Fingerprint Fun
StoryPlace- Pre-school Library
FamilyFun- Arts and Crafts
Kinder Friends- Free Resources
dmoz- Open Directory: ABC's and 123's
Online Preschool- Toddler Activities & Games

Learning Fun:
Tessy & Tab Fun for Kids
National Geographic Little Kids
Kids National Geographic
NASA Kids' Club
StarChild

Other Helps:
Lakeshore Learning- pre-k/4 yrs. products
Free printable file folder games- File Folder Fun

Here's what we did with the Fingerprint Fun at Activity Idea Place.

Hi, I'm Chels!

 

Welcome to my blog-- I'm so glad you're here!  Fantastic Find has no particular topic but I share a lot of kid stuff (some my own, most from others) and more!  I have three kids-- 13, 10, and 5-- and we craft, sing, read, create, and play together!  I blog just for fun and really ♥ love ♥ to share good things!

Gymboree Bubbles

These are a must have if your kids enjoy bubbles. The Gymboree Bubble Ooodles set is terrific! The bubbles are little, there's loads and they linger longer! What's not to like about that?! You can purchase them at any Gymboree store or on their website. The solution is better than normal bubbles and I'm assuming it's because of the glycerin content. They will leave behind a (cleanable) trail, even on the tops of your kids heads! Here's a good review I found that tells you everything about them. Have fun blowing bubbles this Spring!