Pumpkins Growing on a VINE!

PUMPKINS: Growing on a vine! 

I saw these adorable pumpkins 'growing' on their vine while on my tour earlier this month in Virginia. How precious is the crepe paper vine that connects all of the preschool artwork? This display (directly on the wall, rather than a bulletin board) is superior in every way! 

The detail of the 'vine' is right at the top of my list of terrific-ness. Other stand out specifics? I am so appreciative that these young children got to explore their orange paint on their own terms. That's the advantage of PROCESS art! 

"Pumpkins are heavy." 

"Pumpkins need water to grow." 

All this thinking about pumpkins growing on the vine, got my little brain a buzzin' and this little poem-dittie, is the result. I wish that you still had time to use it this year, but my guess is you'll need to pin it and put in your files for a 11 months from now. That's what I like: planning ahead! 

Speaking of pumpkins-on-vines. 

Here's a couple of close-ups from our Pumpkin Patch adventure. 

Yes. These are the same photos in Deanna Jump's new

"Pumpkin Patch." 

I am honored to have some photos in her project! 

We'll conclude with this great image from my visit to Texas last fall. 

What a great way to 'measure up' with non-standard units. 

How many pumpkins tall are you? 

3 Million Reasons to CELEBRATE: GIVE AWAY!

CeleBRaTe! CeLeBRaTE!! and CELEBRATE!!!

I could see it unfolding, but today it happened. 

My blog has hit now 3 million pageviews according to my analytics! 

The most amazing thing?

I hit my first million on November 10th, 2012. 

So that means I've had 2 million pageviews in less than a year! 

RunnerUP prize package includes my book, "Red, White and Blue" 

It's time to have a party! 

These women are the ones responsible for helping me! 

They're celebrating with me, too. 

Each of these lovelies is donating a digital file to the grand prize winner. 

You only have just over two days to get the entries and following accomplished. 

I want the winner to get the monsters + pumpkin files while they will still be useful.

The Runner UP will receive a copy of my book,
"Red, White and Blue" 

-- perfect for Veteran's Day --

as well as four digital files, each with an Mp3 and support materials. 

{click on the image to go see the specifics at TpT}  

Be certain to get to work on the entries. 

This will only be open for the next two days. 

A special HUGE thanks to all of those who JUMPED 

at the opportunity to celebrate with me. 

I'm so grateful for your continued support.

Here's a few of my favorite articles for this time of year.

{Just click the picture of your choice}  

CONGRATS to Pina the grand-prize winner! 

Your files will be arriving from all the contributors over the days ahead. 

Also to Nina who won my book and files. 

Also Suzanne, Barbara, Judith, Barbara, Melissa and Pam 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Twitter Directory for Early Childhood, Preschool Tweeps!

TWITTER DIRECTORY: Preschool, Early Childhood

A week ago I launched what is now a 'series' of Twitter Directories offered to targeted Twitter users. The funny thing is, I myself am just beginning to ferret out how to navigate there. I continue to make progress! 

Today's directory is for ALL things 'young child.' This directory is intended for preschool teachers, childcare workers, consultants, parents, bloggers -- ALL those who have an interest in giving the very best to young children.

What I do know for sure? 

Your network is only as strong as those with whom you interact. To that end, my goal is to help us 'find' one another and be certain that we're following each other. The more you are connected to 'like-minded' folks on any social media, the bigger the benefit.

Last week's article and directory was devoted to those who teach and contribute to the 'kindergarten' world, I listed my top baker's dozen articles for teacher-twitter educational support. Go back in time to those resources if you feel the need to read up on Twitter basics and to get inspired on ways to use the resource for your benefit.

DA COOLEST thing to happen to me on Twitter this week? I am now being 'followed' by RAFFI! My first celebrity to follow moi!!! This amazing development is as a result of my having participated in last week's #Campfirechat sponsored by #Kinderchat. You can still go listen in to that webinar by clicking on his picture. {You'll need to download software.... but if I can do it, so can you.} 

Navigating on Twitter is all about the hashtag. I think the hardest part for those of us that work with young children, is that at this point in time, I'm not certain that there is any one single hashtag that has emerged as the GO-TO for 'focus' for this age group. 

There are many hashtags that are appropriate and in some ways, that dilutes their usefulness. Certainly I have used the tags: #Preschool, #NAEYC #ECE and #EarlyEd. The tag #KBN is used as a channel for those who blog under the collaboration 'Kid Blogger Network.' Just this week KBN hosted our first twitter chat, to much excitement from those participating.

Please leave your favorite early childhood hashtags in the comments below and that, too will help us 'find' one another. 

***This directory is intended for your TWITTER URL. Please link it directly. Any blogs, stores, or other networks will be deleted. 

Be sure to stop back later to follow those who link up after you. By all means your sharing the directory, through any networking will be greatly appreciated. The LINKY is designed so that you may transport the entire list to YOUR blog -- which will help it grow. 

*You are welcome to get your Twitter address added to last week's Kinder-directory if that subset is also applicable for your focus. 

My picture books will be a part of our NAEYC presentation next month! 

Are you coming to NAEYC next month? I am collaborating on a presentation scheduled for Thursday morning at 8:00. I am delighted to invite you! I will also have a booth in the massive NAEYC marketplace for the entire duration. Come give me a hug in booth #1213 and let me know your Twitter address. 

Did you have a chance to get your Pinterest address added to last year's Pinterest Directory for ECE pinners? That was the launching pad for this newest directory. 

Here are a couple of my favorite articles for 'fall' that may be just what you're looking for. {Click the pic.} 

See you on Twitter!