ViBella Inspirations

How to Volunteer to Keep a Lighthouse

2012-07-09T09:55:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to share this with you all. I saw this on Facebook today. Wouldn't this be so fun?

http://www.gllka.com/preservation/lights/sthelena/volunteer/

Cheri

Summer Bucket List Ideas to Help Kick Off Your Summer

2012-05-25T21:24:00.002-07:00

Here are 25 summer bucket list ideas for you and your wee ones.

Try a new fruit.
Plant seeds.
Make a mud pie.
Catch fireflies in a jar and let them go on their merry way after an hour or so.
Make sponge bombs.
Swing on a tire swing.
Watch a movie outside.
Read books together in a hammock.
Sell lemonade together.
Stay in pajamas all day.
Decorate driveways, sidewalks, etc. with chalk.
Make popsicles.
Be in a parade for the 4th of July.
Hang a hummingbird feeder in your front yard.
Pitch a tent and sleep in the backyard together.
Go fishing.
Visit the zoo.
Go berry picking at a local farm.
Make a scavenger hunt.
Take a magnifying glass and explore your backyard.
Grow a butterflies from the Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden.
Finger paint.
Blow bubbles.
Learn something new like hula hooping, skating, riding a bike without training wheels, etc.
Roll down a hill.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations and please feel free to add to the list.

Cheri

Little Van Goghs Could Win $500 from Gymboree

2012-05-22T07:04:00.001-07:00

Gymboree is hosting a Design-A-Bag contest. If your little artist's artwork is selected, he/she will win a $500 gift card. Here are the official rules below:

Have your little artist color a special holiday-themed place, scene, memory or anything that inspires them about the holiday season.

GUIDELINES:
• Have your child create the artwork within the box on the template.
• Artwork must be flat.
• No 3-D elements, such as: cotton balls, macaroni, popsicle sticks, etc.
• Artist must be 12 years of age or younger.

HOW TO SUBMIT:
Return, postmark or email completed and signed artwork by 6/16/12 to your local Gymboree store (excludes Gymboree Outlet); or, mail to: The Gymboree Corporation, Attn: Design-A-Bag Contest Committee, 500 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105; or scan artwork and email to: Design-A-Bag@Gymboree.com.

SPECIAL NOTE for emailed submissions: If selected as the winner, original artwork will be required to produce the bag.

No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Canada (except Quebec), except Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Military installations in foreign countries 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Contest submission period ends 6/16/12. See Official Rules for details at gymboree.com/designabag. Please read our Privacy Policy on our web site at gymboree.com.

***You can copy and paste the link below to view the page and you will need to fill out a form and mail, e-mail, or return the artwork to your local Gymboree store.

http://www.gymboree.com/media/GYM/html/promotions/12gym_6683_DesignABag_template_web.pdf?Port=Email&ad=052212_FAB_Starts

Good luck to you all! Please let me know if your child wins.

Cheri

Miss Smith Under the Ocean Book Review

2012-05-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

Every kid dreams of having a teacher like Miss Smith. Miss Smith carries a mysterious and incredible storybook with her. When she reads from her incredible storybook, book characters come out of the book and sometimes the class gets transported to different lands.

Miss Smith's ordinary name belies her appearance. She has bright tangerine hair that sticks straight up and she likes to wear a black leather jacket with pins of her favorite bands like The Clash and U2.

She takes her class to an aquarium and the kids get to meet Moby Dick, a mermaid, Captain Nemo, pirates, and many other amazing characters. Will the kids escape unscathed from the wild hodgepodge of characters and the chaos that ensues from combining them?

The Irish author and illustrator, Michael Garland, writes with wit and illustrates with equal talent and stunning detailed artwork. Michael Garland's Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook won the California and Delaware State Reading Awards. This book will keep you and your child entertained and engaged throughout the whole story.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations and happy reading!

Cheri

American Girl Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends Book Review

2012-04-20T08:14:00.006-07:00

I recently bought Stand Up for Yourself & Your Friends by Patti Kelley Criswell for my 7-year-old. She has been complaining about a few children who bully her. We started reading the book together and discussing ways to deal with bullies. There is a quiz on page 24 called What's Your Speak-Up Style? Your daughter will learn her style and tips on how to best deal with bullies.

One tip I have learned is for me to listen to her and let her brainstorm and decide the best approach.

My daughter actually got out some paper and began to taking notes. She asked me if she could take her list with her to school and keep it in her backpack. She wanted to keep the list as a reminder.

At the back of the book, your daughter can cut out a promise and hang it on her mirror (or anywhere she will see often). She will write her name to a list of promises that she will stand up to bullies and not to bully others.

Parents also have a tear out section called 10 Big Truths about Bullying for Parents.

As you know, bullying is a very tough and heartbreaking ordeal. It is good to continually review this book and build up our girls into kind and strong women.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

How to Organize an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

2012-04-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

I googled ideas for a scavenger hunt and tweaked the list for my Daisy Girl Scout troop. The girls will look for the items at an elementary school's playground.

Here is a simple list of 15 items that young children can easily find on their own.

I copied the list below for you.

As always, thank you for stopping ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Scavenger Hunt

List of Things to Find

1. Look for something soft.

2. Find a plant with leaves.

3. Find something put here by people.

4. Find something cold.

5. Find something tall.

6. Find something short.

7. Look for something with cracks.

8. Find something that floats.

9. Find something that smells good.

10. Find something pointy.

11. Find something brown.

12. Find something green.

13. Find something hard.

14. Find something slippery.

15. Find something with stripes.

How to Deal with Mean Girls

2012-04-11T22:27:00.001-07:00

I'm currently reading Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully Proof Girls in the Early Grades by Dr. Michelle Anthony and Dr. Renya Lindert. I've been highlighting and dogearing this enlightening and practical book.

One coping skill that leaps out is talking with your daughter about the problem but not solving the problem for her. For instance, when she complains about someone, you just repeat back what she says and sympathize and let her figure out some solutions. Be her sounding board and let her brainstorm some ideas.

If you try to always solve her problems, you are not building a strong and self-sufficient girl. When she brainstorms and figures out solutions, she is on her way to becoming confident and powerful.

More tips to come...

Cheri

Happy Birthday to My Mom

2012-03-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

My mom would have been 71 years old today and she has been on my mind all day long. I just wanted to post a few of my favorite photos of her. Wasn't she stunning? We miss her sweet ways so much and ache for her.

If you still have a mom or a mother figure, take time to let her know how much you love her and spend time with her.

Cheri

P.S. Here is a link with some birthday poems for moms:

http://www.special-birthday-poems.com/mom-birthday-poems.html

How to Build a Leprachaun Trap for St. Patrick's Day

2012-03-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

This was our first attempt to make a leprechaun trap. We took a Girl Scout cookie case and covered it in different patterns of American Girl scrapbook paper and zebra-patterned duct tape. Isabella made "gold" by crumbling up gold pipe cleaners, which disguise a booby trap (a hole to capture a gullible leprechaun), colored a rainbow, made a ladder out of pipe cleaners, a sign, and clouds out of Christmas fleecy snow. We also stuck some gold leaves in the bottom corner to entice a little green guy.

I hope to post some photos of the leprechaun's visit soon. Happy early St. Patrick's Day!!!

Cheri

How to Make the Paper Bag Princess Costume

2012-03-11T23:56:00.003-07:00

Every year my daughter's school has a book parade. She decided to be the Paper Bag Princess, Elizabeth. Robert Munsch wrote this clever book about a witty and determined princess who sets out to rescue a boy from a dragon. The dragon burns up the castle and Princess Elizabeth can only find a paper bag to wear among the rubble.

My dad found a huge paper bag at Home Depot. They sell lawn and refuse paper bags. I carefully peeled the layer with the company's logo and removed the plain paper bag, cut out holes for her head and arms, and trimmed several inches from the bottom. I also let her wear a crown that my grandmother gave to me when I was a little girl. I also teased her hair to make it look messy like Elizabeth's disheveled hair do.

This is a very easy and economical costume. The only negative thing is that no one had ever read the book, but she loved her costume.

Here are 2 photos.

Thank you for reading this post and stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes

2011-09-17T21:04:00.001-07:00

I read The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes when I was in 2nd grade and thought about it from time to time as an adult. I tried to find it for years and was thrilled when I finally found a copy. I still love the book as much as I did when I was 8 years old.

The Witch Family is about two best friends, Amy and Clarissa and their bumblebee friend, Malachi. The two girls make up stories and have incredible imaginations and a grand sense of adventure. The story takes place at Halloween and the girls meet witches and mermaids.

Amy and Clarissa have banished a wicked witch to a bare glassy hill as punishment for being so wicked. They only allow her off the hill on Halloween night. They soften up her punishment and send a witch girl, who is their same age, to ease the witch's loneliness.

The witch girl changes the witch's life and transforms the glassy hill into an enchanting land with other whimsical creatures.

This book is perfectly written for young girls and those who are still young at heart. It is full of magic and charm and it is an especially fun book to read at Halloween time.

Happy reading!!

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

How to Make a Mermaids Welcome Sign

2011-09-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

I usually buy plain white art canvas at Hobby Lobby for about $10 or $15. I used an 8 x 10 canvas and painted several coats of an ocean shade on the canvas. I used white paint to paint the words, Mermaids Welcome onto the canvas. It was so simple, easy, and inexpensive. If you're uncomfortable painting words freehandedly, you could use scrapbook chipboard letters or use a stencil. Your child's writing would add a lot of whimsy and charm too.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Mermaid Dreams Book Review

2011-09-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I are both big fans of mermaids. Just tonight, she told me that when she grows up she wants to be a "beautiful mermaid." Luckily, there are so many good mermaid books available. One of our favorites is an adorable tale about a girl who hates taking a bath.

The book illustrations are gorgeous and the writing is clever and features a twist at the end of the story.

Mermaid Dreams is written by Mark Sperring. This book is a must-have for mermaid fans.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Mermaid Nesting Dolls Fun

2011-09-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

I bought a set of 6 plain nesting dolls from Hobby Lobby for about $8. This was my first attempt to paint nesting dolls.

My daughter and I brainstormed different themes for nesting dolls. I think it would be fun to do a Halloween theme with a ghost, witch, pumpkin, mummy, black cat, and a bat. You could also draw an outline of a shape such as a pumpkin and let your child color it with markers or paint pens. The possibilities are endless for holidays. You could paint Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer, and elves for Christmas; bunnies, chicks, and candy for Easter; pilgrims, Indians, and turkeys for Thanksgiving, etc.

You could do fairy tale themes such as Cinderella and paint Cinderella, the prince, the fairy godmother, a wicked stepsister and stepmother, and a mouse or a bird.

It was more time consuming than I thought...but isn't that how all projects are? Most importantly, it was fun, relaxing, and a lot cheaper than buying nesting dolls online.

Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

The Easy Way to Journal Your Child's History

2011-09-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ever since my daughter was 3 months old, I have kept a journal on Microsoft Word. I update it monthly and e-mail a copy to myself in case my computer crashes. She's 6 now, but I still faithfully chronicle her life. When I go back and reread it, I am always amazed at how quickly I forget the little details. I think she will enjoy this a lot when she grows older. I am especially glad that I wrote down memories of her relationship with my mom. My mom passed away last year and they were very close to each other.

It's never to late to start a simple journal and preserve some family history and wonderful memories.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

What's in Ned's Head Game Review

2011-09-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

Ned has all sorts of gross things in his head like a rat, diaper, spider, Q-Tip, a gym sock, and a blue alien. It's a simple game that produces lots of giggles and silliness. You just have to pick up a card and find the matching item in Ned's head. Whoever has the most cards wins the game. My 6-year-old had a play date with another 6-year-old and a 3-year-old. They all enjoyed playing with the items.

My daughter also likes to play it with her Grandpa and he really hams up how grossed out he is by the contents in Ned's head.

My dad bravely reaching into Ned's ear.

It retails for approximately $30. It is for 2-4 players, age 3 and up. I rate this game 4 stars for its simplicity and fun factor.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

How to Make Butter With Kids

2011-09-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is a fun and easy activity to do with your child. You will need whipping cream, salt, and a baby food jar or any glass jar with a lid like a mayonnaise jar or a Mason jar.

Instructions:
1. Pour the whipping cream into the jar.
2. Tighten the lid and strongly shake the jar for 10 minutes. The cream will separate into a liquid (buttermilk) and pale yellow clumps of fat (the butter).
3. Spoon the butter into a bowl.
4. Use a wooden spoon because a metal spoon will ruin the butter's taste.
5. Rinse the butter with water until the water is clear.
6. Lightly salt for taste.

Laura and Mary Ingalls used to have to pound the churn's dasher up and down for a long time. Pioneer children used to sing: "Come butter, come Peter's standing at the gate waiting for a butter cake. Come butter, come." to pass the time.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Simple Princess Hat Tutorial

2011-08-31T22:48:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I made this simple and sweet princess hat out of one piece of scrapbook paper, stickers, and sheer pink ribbons. Just take the scrapbook paper and make it into a cone shape. You can tape the back of the hat with wide clear tape. I stapled the ribbons to the top of the hat and my daughter decorated her hat with stickers.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Real Simple Cool Southwestern Salad

2011-08-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

I just saw this corn and avocado southwestern salad recipe on the Real Simple website and can't wait to try it. The Real Simple website features a lot of informative links to recipes, decorating tips, and life management tips. I hope you enjoy this healthy and fresh dish.

Ingredients

2 small heads romaine lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces (about 12 cups)
1 cup corn kernels (cut from 1 to 2 ears, or frozen and thawed)
2 avocados, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 15.5-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 9-ounce bag tortilla chips

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, corn, avocados, beans, onion, and cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lime juice, cumin, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently toss. Serve with the tortilla chips.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/cool-southwestern-salad-00000000000662/index.html

As always, thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Rosemary's Fruit Tea Recipe

2011-08-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

My sweet mother-in-law, Rosemary, shared her famous fruit tea recipe with me. I hope you enjoy it. It is simple and so good.

Ingredients:
7 family size tea bags or 14 regular size tea bags
1 can of Five Alive concentrate
2 cups of sugar

Boil the tea bags in a medium pot for about 5 minutes. Do not squeeze tea bags because it will make your tea bitter. Add 2 cups of sugar. Stir the sugar until it's completely dissolved. Prepare Five Alive per instructions. Add your tea to the Five Alive in your pitcher. Be careful with glass pitchers. They will burst if the tea is too hot.

Sometimes I use 1-1/2 cups of sugar and use 1 bag of green tea to make the fruit tea healthier without sacrificing any flavor.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Free Online Games for Girls (American Girl, Barbie, Angelina Ballerina, etc.)

2011-08-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have compiled a list of free online games for girls. Please check back or feel free to suggest your daughter's favorite.

http://www.americangirl.com/play/games/
http://www.barbie.com/activities/fun_games/
http://www.sesamestreet.org/games
http://www.nickjr.com/games-activities/
http://www.nickjr.com/games/olivia-games/all-themes/all-ages/index.jhtml
http://www.nickjr.com/games/max-ruby/all-themes/all-ages/index.jhtml
http://www.nickjr.com/games/dora-the-explorer/all-themes/all-ages/index.jhtml
http://www.angelinaballerina.com/usa/games.asp
http://www.rainbowmagiconline.com/games/create_a_fairy.html
http://disney.go.com/games/#/games/play3/&content=1707234 (Tangled game)
http://disney.go.com/games/#/games/play3/&content=256106 (Wizard of Waverly Place)
http://disney.go.com/fairies/#/games (Disney Fairies)
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/index.html

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Belinda the Ballerina Book Review

2011-08-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Belinda the Ballerina is an endearing character. She loves to dance and she is a fabulous ballet dancer. There is just one problem, well actually two big problems. She has enormous feet.

She bravely auditions at the Annual Ballet Recital, but three horrible judges quickly dismiss her. The judges tell poor Belinda that she will never be a dancer. They say, "Go home. You will never be a dancer-not with those feet."

She is sad and gives up on her dancing dreams. She waitresses at Fred's Fine Foods. She is a hard worker but still miserable. One day, Fred hires a band and she begins to dance while she works. Her dancing draws in customers who adore her dancing.

One day the Maestro from the Grand Metropolitan Ballet comes to Fred's Fine Foods to watch Belinda dance. Her dancing wins him over and he begs her to perform at the Grand Metropolitan Hall. Of course, she accepts his offer. She dazzles the audience who do not even notice her feet.

This is such a good message. We need to pursue our passions even if we are not perfect. We need to never give up even when we hear we are not good enough.

I rate this book 5 stars for its inspiring message and gorgeous illustrations. It retails for $15.99. Amy Young wrote this gem for ages 3-8.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Water Bugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney Book Review

2011-08-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

Water Bugs and Dragonflies is a book that explains death to young children. The story starts out with water bugs who live quite happily under the water in the mud. Every now and then one of the water bugs clings to a pond lily stem and moves out of sight. It never comes back to the colony of water bugs.

The other water bugs are puzzled and cannot understand why it left the colony. The leader gathers the colony and says the next one who leaves the colony must come back and explain why he or she left.

The leader ends up leaving soon. He climbs up the stem to the pond's surface and sleeps for a long time. When he wakes up he discovers he is a dragonfly. He tries to go down into the water, but his new body will not allow him to descend. He cannot keep his promise and feels distraught. He realizes that the other water bugs will have to discover the reason on their own.

He flies off happily with his new body and knows that it will not be long before he sees the others again.

I think this is such a good book that explains death in simple terms and takes away some fear and confusion. I rate this book 5 stars for its helpful way to explain life's hardest and most painful lesson.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

Affirmation Weaver Book Review

2011-08-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Mean children constantly belittle and bully children everyday and it's our job to build up strong and confident children. This is no easy task. I constantly tell my daughter that others will not believe in her until she believes in herself.

I bought a book called Affirmation Weaver A Believe in Yourself Story by Lori Lite. It is about a young dolphin that does not believe in himself. The hermit crab is the known as the Affirmation Weaver. The author wrote, "He was a crab of very few words, but his intricate web brought joy to anyone that took a moment to sit still and enjoy its beauty."

The dolphin feels depressed and hopeless because he does not feel as smart and talented as the other dolphins. Different ocean creatures come up to the dolphin and teach him affirmations such as "I like myself. I am a gift to the world. I am creative. I believe in myself. I am happy. I can do it. I love myself."

As the hermit crab hears each affirmation, he weaves each one into his web.

The dolphin and the creatures imagine absorbing all the positive thoughts. They picture how it would feel if they could move all of the uplifting words in the whole being.

A sea child says to the dolphin, "Now you're beginning to feel happy inside. You have a smile you cannot hide. Say nice things while you laugh and play. Affirmations help you feel this way."

The dolphin swims straight up and jumps the waves with joy and does not compare himself with the other dolphins. This book sends a strong message and instructions on adding confidence and belief in yourself.

I rate this book 5 stars for its strong message and appealing graphics. It retails for about $15.

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations

Cheri

You is Kind. You is Smart. You is Important.

2011-08-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

As a mother and a Girl Scout leader, I see girls beaten down by their peers and even family members. I am constantly brainstorming on how to build up esteem and encourage kindness.

I recently saw The Help and I loved the maid's words to the little girl. They recited a simple yet powerful mantra together, "You is kind. You is smart. You is important."

Do we effectively teach that message to our girls? If they could learn to believe that, think of all the hardship they could avoid throughout their lives

Starting today, my daughter and I are going to recite that together. After all, moms need to believe it too.

As always, thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri