Weekly PRAISE REPORT!

PRAISE REPORT! UPDATE and UBBER GRATITUDE!

The month isn't quite officially over, but my heart is over-flowing! 

This month has brought sooooo much into my life and heart and all of the fun has contributed to the family checkbook, too. 

People have responded to our need! 

It literally SHOWS on the bottom line. 

God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good!!! 

We have arrived at our little haven-on-Earth.

We've arrived back to Sister Bay in Door County (WI.) 

We're a lot 'later' than last year. 

My favorites: the Bleeding Hearts were happy to see us.  

Seeing these pink blossoms dripping over our hostas nearly brings me to tears. 

They always make me think of my BC {Breast Cancer} community.

So many hearts strung together. 

We've had one memorable sunset to start the season. 

All is well. 

We return to all that is familiar. 

There is an enormous exhale.

The first sunset of a new season brings a rush of emotions. 

Everything's back to 'normal.' 

In reality. Everything has changed. 

YET. 

The sun comes up and the sun goes down.

Gravity holds us all in our places.  

After we got settled and our internet was connected, 

we've been able to access our extended family's 

brush with national notoriety. 

Turns out our dear son-in-law, Zac, who now plays 

with THE Navy band, 

had a Memorial Day concert as part of Prairie Home Companion. 

That is pretty amazing. Right? 

At nearly the half way part of the two hour program, 

THE Garrison Keillor popped back on the stage and INTERVIEWED Zac! 

He actually plays a  bass trombone SOLO 

ON NPR! 

Listen here. Go to the 58 minute mark. 

===========================

Earlier that week, I made my first-ever-Chicago-land Author-Illustrator visit! 

Amazing how many dots got connected in time to pull it together. 

I never tire of seeing my name up in lights! 

It turns out that I got to walk into St. Mathias Elementary, 

because Nicole-the-Kinder-Teacher is a blog reader. 

She had seen my name mentioned on numerous blogs and reached out for me to do a SKYPE visit.

We did that while I was still in FL.  

Once I learned that she taught in downtown Chicago, 

it was just a hop, skip and a jump to get a date for me to arrive in PERSON!

As we finally had a chance to visit, I learned that she'd read of my SKYPE visit with Maria over at Kinder Craze where she is a regular reader. Maria's blog article was WELL over a year ago. 

Just goes to remind me that seeds planted today 

come to fruition in their own season. 

I just had this sweet writing posted to my FB page. 

How incredible is that? 

My song, "Red, White and Blue" is a kinder fave! 

When we were settling in here at Birch-Tree central, 
I found my bea-u-ti-ful Frog Street bag! 

I keep it up here to take to my quilt Guild meetings. 
I'm so excited for July! 

Just before we left Columbus we had the opportunity to go hear the Shadowbox outdoor concert on the Commons in Columbus, with our blue-eyed daughter! 

It was such a perfect evening of talent and fun. 

The child cleans up well. Doesn't she? 

We got to meet and greet with the cast before hand! 
I especially appreciated the "Buckeye" merry-go-round! 

So proud of Sarah's continued growth and expansion with her small business at Younique! 

She has earned the company's latest incentive! 

A $500 bonus figures HUGE in her current world. 

She is eager to expand and is searching for new virtual hostess folks. 

That's an easy way to show your support! 

Reach out with an email of FB message if you are willing. 

Wobble Seat Wednesday! New Insight! Donors Choose!

Click on the picture to go to WobbleSeat.com 

Let's call today: Wobble Seat Wednesday!

The more I share about 'our' amazing Wobble Seats, 

the more interest and excitement builds! 

AND the more questions are asked. 

In my numerous end-of-the-year school visits, I made a special point to bring the Wobbles 

for some "on-site" reality testing!  

These photos are from a recent visit where I worked with children from a 

Mommy-and-Me class of Toddlers, through great big Kindergarten children. 

That's quite a range!

Plus while on campus I was able to have some fourth graders take test drives, too! 

THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION PEOPLE ASK: 

"What size Wobble do I need?" 

I have come to the conclusion that there are three elements 

that guide the answer to that question. 

1. How tall is the child? 

1.b. How long are the child's legs? 

2. How tall are the table/surfaces for working? 

Let's start with the wee-wittles. 

They need the shortest (10") Wobble. 

That's pretty safe to say. 

Here's a two and a HALF year old taking his first wobble-ride. 

Notice the protective hands on the left and then within 7 seconds: total independence! 

Next up is a 'tall' almost five year old girl. 

I wanted you to see her on both the 10" Wobble Seat and also the 14" size. 

You can see that she is quite comfortable on either. 

The real question? 

How tall is the surface for working? 

THE BIG MEMO!!! 

Notice as she pulls the 14" White-Wobble up to work at the table, 

she can't comfortably get her legs UNDER the table and work easily. 

For the height of that particular table and the length of her legs, 

she was MUCH more comfortable 'working' from the 10" Wobble Seat.

*I don't seem to have a photo of this same child at the class table? 

The class table and the 14" Wobble Seat were a perfect combo for her! 

Let's pop over to Kindergarten! 

I have a 19 second video of this kinder-guy, 

shown rocking his wobble the whole time while working! 

[I can't seem to figure out how to get it/video out of my phone.] 

You'll have to go see it on my Instagram feed.

What I totally didn't expect was that this 14" Wobble Seat 

would be the delight of the Fourth Grade Spanish class that was working informally

and willing/super-eager to 'model' for you! 

Unfortunately, I didn't have the 20" teen version in the car. 

So we don't have that comparison to show you. 

THE REALLY BIG THRILL? 

We have had our first follower write a Donors Choose project, 

AND GET IT FUNDED!!!

Using us as the "Special Request Vendor." 

The set of 6 Wobbles is headed to TENNESSEE as I type!

Can't wait to get those picture to share!  

This avalanche of interest has been sparked in large part by Mary over at Sharing Kindergarten! 

She started with four Wobbles and then got a DOZEN more just recently. 

I won't put words in her mouth. 

You can read her thoughts and insight here. 

BTW: She got ALL 14" size for her Kinder-kids.

             

A couple more details: 

YES! We are willing to process purchase orders! 

YES! The shipping is FREE for orders of 12 or more Wobbles! 

*YES! You are welcome to call and ask questions. 

My husband's phone number is listed on our WobbleSeat.com website! 

Allen (614)598-5532. 

That is his actual cell phone. 

If you wait to call in the afternoon, you won't interrupt his golf game! 

I am convinced MORE all the time, 

that this choice is THE answer for some children! 

#TeacherFriends Planning Ahead for NEXT Year w Maggie!

TUESDAY! Let's get our TWEET on! 

Meet your fellow cyber #TeacherFriends! 

Curl up in your jammies and begin planning for NEXT year! 

The very best time to begin planning ahead? 

While the success and stretching of this year is fresh in your mind! 

Who better to lead the conversation that our very own

#GuestEduCelebrity!

Meet Maggie!

The two of us are kindred spirits indeed. 

Maggie is the REAL deal musician and an accomplished pianist! 

Did you know that she and her hubby built their own home around her concert piano? 

The woman is talented! 

You know that she's a blogger, because she has her very own 'mini-me.'

She's the brains over at Maggie's Kinder Corner.  

Maggie is part of the Fearsome Foursome and acts as hostess of our chat: week in and week out! 

As we close in on the first anniversary for our PRACTICE chat, 

regular participants recognize Maggie for her tweeted tidbits of best Twitter practice. 

Maggie is responsible for these types of nuggets. 

Do you know the hashtag #TCV?

#TCV = TwitterChatVirgin

It was something of an in-house joke when we launched last summer. 

How far we have come in 48 weeks! 

She's taught kindergarten for-ev-er! 

Plus she's a gen-u-ine grand-ma! 

I told you we were kindred spirits. 

June is just around the corner. 

Come learn how to twitter-chat! 

Arrive at 8:30 when things are slower and more informal. 

THE REAL FUN will start at 9:00 PM EST. 

This week we are again grateful to ESGI Software 

for their sponsorship of all of the learning! 

Just in case you don't get the winning software prize, 

you can use my Affiliate code and save $40 by using B1215. 

Blessings + Praise Report! THE most incredible week: EV!ER!

#BLESSED #GRATEFUL #FORTUNATE! #INCREDIBLE 

This has been an incredible week, truly one for the books! One for the blog! It has been one moment for the highlight reel after another. Superlatives. Dreams coming true -- right before my very eyes! 

On Monday I returned to St. Paul in Westerville, OH. I have made an annual visit for at least the last decade! Good friends. Always a highlight of the year. This year's visit was amazing in every way -- except that my camera had a mind of its own and there are so few images to share. This is a first and thank goodness I had my phone charged! 

Look at this amazing Kinder-graph! 

Every month, a different one of my original songs introduced. 

And just before my May arrival, the kinders voted on their favorite! 

It was a close run-off between "Red, White and Blue" and "Calamity Sam"

but the Kinders chose SAM as the winner for this school year!

So humbling to see my participation for an entire year!

HALLELUJAH 

I've seen many schools have wrapped up for the year,

but just in case you are still in learning mode, 

these two songs are ready for you in digital download.

No sooner had I caught my breath from my kinder-fun, 

it was on further north to the Lorain County JVS {Joint Vocation School.} 

How amazing to be the FINAL TWO HOURS of the senior year, 

for these upcoming ECE professionals. 

***From Kinders-to-Seniors in the blink of an eye. 

Their amazing teacher had written the grant, that in addition to our spending time together, every one of the 45 students received some of my materials! What a great way to start a professional library! I LUV when folks plan ahead and everyone benefits.

HALLELUJAH!

To say that we had some quality interaction barely touches the level of enthusiasm of our time together! So happy to have new followers on Instagram. This is our equivalent of the Ellen 'us-ie' posted on Twitter not that long ago. 

No sooner did we get checked into our RESORT room in anticipation of OAEYC, than I got the news that Maria over at KinderCraze had published her article of our time together earlier this month. Having the opportunity to be the focus of Maria's insight and generous talent when it comes to photography is a certain highlight! 

HURRY right over to her blog article, where we are giving away my first two books.
It is a very simple process to enter to win. 
I will be certain to sign and personalize the books for the winner! 
Here's a peek as we compare my original quilt to the illustration within 
"You're Wonderful."  

Thank you Maria, that in the midst of your final wedding plans, 
you took the time to highlight our time together. 
I know that I will add new fans as a result of your kindness. 
HALLELUJAH!

Then it was full speed ahead to OAEYC!
It was a challenge to fall asleep: my heart was so full of gratitude. 
It was such a thrill to open my eyes and see my Mentor-Mimi!

Do you think it is possible that she's just had her 80th birthday? 
The woman is a veritable power house of inspiration! 
Having her hugs and support means the world. 
So thrilling that we could both be on the stage for #OAEYC2015.

The entire three days of OAEYC was a blur of joy and happiness.

It was like "old-home-days" from dawn till dusk. 

The first day was spent in the booth meeting dear friends old and new. 

I had the opportunity to peek in on the BIG stage 

in preparation for my BIG DAY!

It has been my dream since I started my rainbow-travels

to have an opportunity to take the BIG stage at OAEYC.

A mere 18.9 years later? 

MY DREAM COMES TO FRUITION! 

THE BIG STAGE! 

Tech support! 

My mentor AND a sign language interpreter!

Be still my heart! 

       

   

The reason that I have all of these great photos (and a gazillion more) is that our daughter Sarah was there to capture the whole thing! I am so tickled to relive the fun through her lens. Just as soon as I was all done the two of us celebrated by jumping into the ball pit! 

HALLELUJAH!

So an update on the so-proud-of Sarah-Story! 

You may have seen the update where she earned the Younique incentive trip to Jamaica. 

While she was helping hold down the fort in my booth, she received the unofficial news that the corporate office at Younique is going to reach out to her to be a speaker at their upcoming national convention! 

HALLELUJAH! 

When I tell you that she is a duck to water with this company, 

I kid you not! 

Right now. 

For May, there's a 'manager's incentive' being offered. 

The company is giving a $500 cash bonus for elite GREEN status. 

In Sarah's world right now a $500 'BONUS' is like winning the lottery!

Only this is not through luck, but effort. 

She hasn't earned it yet, but she is well on her way, 

with a week left. 

She applied my make up and the big experiment was to use the new Younique Lip Stain! 

It lasted at least five hours from her application. 

It's kinda like painting it on. 

I have opened a 'new' Younique party on Facebook. 

*I am wearing "Sultry" lip stain!

Every purchase through my party eeks Sarah closer toward her lottery bonus.  

Thank you for all of your continued support and encouragement as we navigate through turbulent waters. 

Our goal is to keep our heads up + focus on all the good!  

This week has had only one day of utter 'testing' and six days of glorious celebration. 

HALLELUJAH!

Colossal Community Collaboration: Venice through the Eyes of First Grade

SUPERLATIVES! Exclamations! SUPERLATIVES!

As a visiting author-illustrator making school visits, I have seen some pretty amazing displays over the last two decades. I am prone to using superlatives. In every day conversation. Seriously, folks. I have seen THE most incredible display of community collaborative work, ever! EPIC doesn't even get us into the right ballpark. 

Last week I concluded my travels with my third visit to the Seven Hills school in Cincinnati. I have been fortunate to work with their Early Childhood teachers each time. Starting off with their wee-wittle teenies and their parents, then the preschool and culminating with their Kinders. Visiting a school that places a priority on the arts is thrilling for this old Art teacher. I have written about my previous visits numerous times.

Nothing prepared me for my 'hostess' eagerness to take me into their 'big-kids' building adjacent to where I had visited each trip. She said that the first graders had created a visit-to-Italy. I've been to Italy. What could be better. So we crossed the driveway, went upstairs and behold! The entire hallway. Both sides. Floor to ceiling. Collaboration.

I give you the GRAND CANAL of VENICE! First grade style.

I couldn't resist digging into my photos from my beloved weekend in Venice.

{{{YES! VENICE ITALY!!!}}} 

I am thrilled to relive our great European school-visit tour. 

All over again! 

ENJOY!!!

A few details that I think I have correct from my tour-guide, Julie. 

Every year for the last nine years, the entire first grade team has focused their study on a specific country. 

They have yet to revisit a country.

So yes. This is their first trip to Italy.

As you can imagine, 

this effort spanned several months of study and creation.

Yes. Venice affords LOTS of opportunity for shopping. 

Here's the only picture of shoes that I took in Italy..... 

yes, because of the polka dots. 

No. I didn't purchase them. 

They didn't fit. 

Look at this collection of Venetian GLASS! 

And now for the final and amazing three dimension detail. 

Yes. Venice is a city of foot bridges. 

Here's my collage of some favorites. 

DRUMROLLLLLLLLLL. 

I give you THE bridge. 

The RIALTO Bridge. 

Spanning the Grand Canal. 

What prompts this level of awesomeness? 

Epic awesomeness? 

What prompts teachers to this level of inspiration? 

How long will these six and seven year olds remember this experience. 

How many of them have added VENICE to the top of their bucket list?

How soon can I get back? 

I have been the recipient of teacher-zeal.

I have been showered with teacher-excellence.

My blog is a record of that focus and enthusiasm. 

I have had numerous occasions where teachers have directed their students to respond to my work. 

Check out these two colossal community collaborations.

Each in response to my picture books. 

I have each of these two songs in digital download format at Teachers Pay Teachers. 

Would you be willing to pin from this amazing article.