Pinata Peeking

No Peeking!

Taking a swing!

Waiting your turn!

Girl's turn!

 

Photo Edit

Elizabeth Dulemba provided this cute pinata illustration and I enjoyed adding a bit of color to it in PhotoShop. If you enjoy creativity projects, be sure and visit her fun blog

We celebrated my grandson's 6th birthday at the park with family and friends. Of course, the hitting at the pinata was the hit of the party! Have you ever made your very own pinata?

 

What Is A Pinata?

 A piñata is a container often made of papier-mâché, pottery, or cloth; it is decorated, and filled with small toys or candy, or both, and then broken as part of a ceremony or celebration. Piñatas are commonly associated with Mexico. The idea of breaking a container filled with treats came to Europe in the 14th century, where the name, from the Italian pignatta, was introduced. Read more, wikipedia

Children's Birthday Party on YouTube

Pianata Song 

I have heard folks sing this song while the children are swinging at the pinata!

Spanish:
Dale, dale, dale.
No pierdas el tino.
Porque si lo pierdes.
Pierdes el camino.
Ya le diste una.
Ya le diste dos.
Ya le diste tres.
Y tu tiempo se acabó.

English:
Hit it, hit it, hit it.
Don’t lose your aim.
Because if you lose it.
You lose the way.
You hit it once.
You hit it twice.
You hit it three times.
And your time is up.

Chords

(D)Dale, dale (A7)dale
No pierdas el (D)tino
Por que si lo (A7)pierdes,
Pierdes el (D)camino
Ya le diste(A7)uno
Ya le diste (D)dos
Ya le diste (A7)tres
Y tu tiempo se (D)acabo

 

Making A Pinata

How To Make A Pinata

Family Crafts

Books

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“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis

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Balloons and Blessings

Birthday blues everywhere in these two photos. All the children love these multiple balloons because they know it symbolizes "party time!" For this event, the party gal turned "31" and she was surrounded by loadss of love, food and family. It was a busy time making delicious fried rice for an army, while the men barbecued hundreds of chicken and beef kebobs with all those marvelous vegetables. Don't you feel the excitement in the air when friends and family gather to bless one another with friendship and good times?! These photos are for Blue Monday

First step for me in photo editing, is cropping! I wanted to focus on 4 people and get rid of stuff.

I added a simple mandarin orange tint and kept focusing on my grandkids' eyes.

This red-orange tint really brings out the decorative balls, the couch and my grandson's striped shirt.

The radiant light shows how proud I am of family, while my older grandson looks like he's keeping a secret, while the other one (at nine months) is thinking... "huh?" These tinted photos are for Mandarin Orange Monday

Yes, there was music, flowers, games and cake, too. Have you recently celebrated a birthday or hosted a party?






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Spinning, Pushing, and Shoving

Oh my, how my granddaughter has grown! I had taken these photos of her awhile ago in her yellow tutu. She's a natural in it, twirling around like her mother did a very long time ago as a ballerina who majored in dance at Cal Arts.  Photo for Mellow Yellow Monday I just learned that this meme has ended, so for 2013 I've posted this collage because seeing little Flora in yellow brings me JOY!

That's Mine!

 It was Spring time of last year, and our daughter arrived with her daughter to attend a cousin's birthday party at a local park.

 There were lots of food, a pinata and of course balloons! It's a beautiful, spacious park with lots of acorn trees all around. We were surrounded by so many kids.

Of course, my granddaughter spotted some water bottles and desperately wanted one. I knew she was thirsty with all the running around she did that day. It was a fun playground and the kids got a great workout on the slide, swings and merry-go-round.

Once our granddaughter had possession of her water bottle, lo and behold... her little cousin started moving in on her territory!

 All of a sudden, there were lots of pushing and shoving going on. You could hear the little ones shouting, "Mine! That's mine!"

Ah, but the story has a happy ending because the parents stepped in and made the children stop fighting and asking for hugs all around... and so they did! Photos of an old navy blue quilt, blue jeans and blue jacket for Blue Monday

James 1:2 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

Blessed are the peacemakers!  

Review

On Bear s birthday, he blows up 10 balloons and greets his party guests at the door. After playing hideand-
seek and musical chairs, the bears have a treasure hunt, enjoy a birthday feast, and say good-bye.
Rhymed couplets are illustrated in the vibrantly colored ink, paint, and crayon artwork. The final spread,
Counting Balloons, challenges kids to count rows of balloons, from 10 to 1, as Bear s cat bats them
about and occasionally pops one. Children can practice counting in this cheerful board book (also in paper)
the latest in Blackstone and Harter s Bear series. --Booklist

Blackstone combines a rhyming counting book and a birthday celebration. Harter s familiar cartoon bear and buddies party with gifts, musical chairs, hide-and-seek, a treasure hunt, and a variety of treats. Readers are given the task of counting the number of balloons as designated in a square at the bottom right corner of each spread. The final spread shows a balloon countdown from 10 to one, assisted by Bear s black-and-white-striped cat. The busy scenes with bright geometrics and patterns promise many fun readings. --School Library Journal

 Bear's Birthday

Peek-a-Boo VIII, Hippo Buy From Art.com

Happy Reading!









“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Birthday Party Fun!

I recently came across an interesting article in celebrating children's birthdays. It caught my eye because my precious granddaughter is turning "1" and we bought her a play kitchen to grow into. What fun! If you have an up-coming birthday to plan, you may be interested in reading this.

SIMPLE GIFTS

By Sharen Pearson

As a mother of five and now grandmother of seven, I’ve planned my share of birthday events. I am a creative person, so my problem is “going over the top.” My expectations supersede those of the birthday child. So, I have to step back and say, “Whose birthday is it anyway?” And, therein lies the key to a successful birthday party.

 

I recently assisted with my grandson, Waylon’s party. He was reaching that big-boy age of 5 years. He knew what theme he wanted: Herbie the Love Bug. He wanted a backyard campfire and a cake with Herbie on it. Simple—Herbie, campfire, cake. Got it! My daughter complied. She invited a few families from church that Waylon knew well and was comfortable around. Since entire families were represented, parents were there to help with crowd control. Bowls of chips and dip provided a place to gather around as people arrived. Children scattered to play in the back yard, parents grouped to watch and chat. Easy, huh? Daddy lit a small fire in the campfire ring in the yard. More talk, more easy playing. The cake was a simple giant chocolate chip cookie with a frosting “Herbie.” Waylon thought it was wonderful. 

 

Mommy announced that it was gift-opening time and everyone pulled up lawn chairs and sat in family groups. Waylon sat in the middle of the circle on the grass and guests watched as he opened each gift and thanked the giver. He received many nice gifts, but to everyone’s delight, a small, inexpensive VW bug toy car was his favorite. He opened it, raised it above his head as if it were a trophy and yelled in delight. Waylon slept with his “Herbie;” woke up and greeted it; placed it on the edge of the tub so he could see it. He had the birthday he wanted. Simple party, simple gift, simple fun!

 

Some suggestions to consider when planning your party:

• If your child is old enough to have input, allow it.
• For ages 1-5 years, simple is best. Simple decorations, simple food, simple games.
• Invite only one party guest per age of the child. Young children are very intimidated by many children of the same age. Remember, “Whose birthday is it?”
• If guests include family/friends with older children, add activities especially for them.
• Home is the best place for children ages 5 and under. Big party venues are confusing, scary and do not position the “birthday child” as the center of attention as he should be. 

Some traps that parents fall into:

• Making the party so complicated that you, as the parent, no longer enjoy it. (Been there, done that.)
• Allowing young party guests to get close to and grab for gifts as as the birthday child is opening them. (Admit it, you’ve seen this haven’t you?)
• Spending too much money. (Guilty as charged.)
• Preparing food for adults and not age-appropriate to the guests. (The only thing to show off today is your wonderful child)
• Engaging in sleepover parties before the age of 9 years. (Children younger than 9 or 10 years often find sleeping at someone else’s home frightening and uncomfortable.)

---

 

Author Bio

Sharen Pearson

Sharen Pearson’s Goof & Giggle classes and materials continue to provide a quality Mom/Tot interaction. Widely popular, Goof & Giggle’s child-focused play plans are offered in various Arizona communities. She’s also created a variety of Goof Juice DVDs and filmed episodes of Baby D.I.Y. and written workbooks for BabyFirstTV. Arizona Midday (NBC) tapes monthly segments with Sharen to provide their audience with a variety of original and creative “easy to do” activities for babies and preschoolers. Sharen’s creativity reaches a combined audience over 200 million viewers worldwide. Goof & Giggle classes and products encourage green living, repurposing materials from around the house into affordable objects for play and learning. Learn more at: http://sharenpearson.com/


Gift sets from Barefoot Books for every special party and occasion can be purchased at http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com





“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com