Ikea Art Easel
Mala Art Easel
Ikea
Recommended for 3+
We got this Ikea art easel last year. One side is a white board, and the other side is a chalkboard. You can also buy a roll of paper. We decided to go for the roll of paper instead of having Melody write on the whiteboard, because at that time she was still a little young to understand what can and cannot be used to write on there. The chalkboard side is against the wall because that was just too messy for our liking if she used it without our supervision. She would not write on the walls, but the powder from the chalk would be on her clothes. (I know, what kind of Pre-K teacher was I? haha Well, those weren’t my kids’ clothes that I would have to wash. =p) The only problem I see with the easel is that the tray is only on the whiteboard side. This is where all the writing materials can be held. Melody favorite things to draw on here with markers are circles in her favorite colors – purple, pink, and orange. Chalk and drawing paper roll sold separately at Ikea.
Other reivews of Ikea Mala Art Easel:
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- Joyce
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food
by Jennifer 8 Lee
2008
291 pages
Published by Hachette Book Group USA
In her search to find the origin of fortune cookies, Jennifer Lee learns more about Chinese food than she had intended. Lee ends up traveling all over the world and hearing the stories of many Chinese restaurant owners and workers. Sometimes the stories jump from one adventure to another, making it a little difficult to follow along, but it is interesting to read about the adventures that started with lottery winners who picked their number from a fortune.
Other reviews of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles:
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Book Bird Dog
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- Joyce
Leadership 101: An Interactive Leadership Development Guide for Students
Leadership 101: An Interactive Leadership Development Guide for Students
by Denise VanEck
176 pages
2005
Published by Zondervan/Youth Specialties
I got this book when I was still working with youth, but never got around to reading it until now. It is a training guide of sorts for student leaders. The focus for the book is on the verse Psalm 78:72. It is divided into 2 parts – Integrity and Skill. There are questions to answer along the way and the leaders can keep a daily journal because there are prompts to follow. The “Integrity” part of the book deals with “The Praying Leader”, “The Serving Leader”, and “The Inner Life of a Leader”, and the “Skill” part discusses “The Listening Leader”, “The Conflict-Managing Leader”, and “The Mentoring Leader”.
Other reviews of Leadership 101:
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- Joyce
Start Your Own Wedding Consultant Business
Start Your Own Wedding Consultant Business
by Eileen Figure Sandlin
2003
122 pages
Published by Entrepreneur Media Inc.
If I were to become a wedding consultant, this book would be very helpful. Eileen takes the reader through the steps to starting out in the business. She gives her honest opinion of why one needs to hire outside help, such as attorneys an accountants, at times. There are some great tips and what-I’d-do-differently-from-the-start stories from big name wedding consultants. Eileen also tackle the basic issues of zoning laws and the importance of researching resources.
Other review of Start Your Own Wedding Consultant Business:
Amazon
- Joyce
Bob the Builder: On-Site – Roads and Bridges
Bob the Builder: On-Site – Roads and Bridges
2008
60 minutes
Melody is still into construction trucks because they are now building the new on and off ramps near our house. We checked out this DVD from the SLZ library. Bob and the trucks talk about building roads and bridges. There are clips of the trucks doing their jobs and then it shows the real life trucks at work “on site”. Now I will complain less about the roads taking so long to be repaired/built because I know the hard work that is put into all of the construction. Even I learned a lot from this DVD.
Other reviews of Bob the Builder: On-Site – Roads and Bridges:
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DVD Talk
BloggerNews
- Joyce
Eat, Pray, Love
Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert
334 pages
2006
Published by Penguin Books
After going through some difficult life situations, Elizabeth Gilbert takes a year of off to travel to Italy, India, and Indonesia. Along the way she discovers more about herself. She also finds something that she was not looking for in her year-long journey. It was fun being a “tourist” as I read about Italy. I learned some very interesting things in India. In Indonesia, I was drawn to the people she met. It was quite an adventure that Elizabeth had that year. Elizabeth is a fantastic storyteller, and I keep forgetting that this book is a non-fiction.
Other reviews of Eat, Pray, Love:
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- Joyce
John’s Snack and Deli
Address: 40 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 434-4634
Website: http://www.snackanddeli.com/
Korean and Mexican rolled into one? It’s the latest food craze. In LA, you have to wait one hour to get a Korean Burrito from the Kogi Korean BBQ Truck. A few blocks from my work is John’s Snack and Deli (owned and operated by a Korean mom and son team). It’s small and narrow (only 8-10 people can stand in there at once). There are no tables or seats. After reviewed by the SF Chronicle, business has been booming.
On the website, there are daily specials which are posted on a weekly basis. The most famous of the food selections is definitely the Kimchee Burrito: Beef Bulgogi (Marinated Korean BBQ Beef) and Kimchee rolled up in steamed tortilla. A great combination of sweet and spicy. I also order Japchae (Beef Bulgogi on top of glass noodles) when it’s available during their daily special. Also, if you’re waiting in line for your food, you might possibly get a free sample of various Kimbap (Korean Sushi) made by John’s mom.
John's Snack and Deli Interior (courtesy of SFGate.com)
Children’s Menu [n]
Changing Station [n]
Highchairs/Boosters [n]
Stroller Access [minimal]
Other reviews of John’s Snack and Deli:
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chowhound
SFGate
foodhoe
Fisher-Price Let’s Get To Work Handy Manny Figure
Let’s Get To Work Manny
Fisher-Price
Recommended for ages 3 to 6
Melody had been into Handy Manny because we picked up a DVD in the doctor’s office with a few Disney Playhouse shows on it. The Handy Manny episode was about Isabella becoming a big sister. Of course, this hit home for us as we were preparing for a new baby.
Norm bought this toy for Melody when Emily was born. She opened it that 2nd night I was at the hospital and was thrilled to have it. Manny can’t replace Mommy while she’s gone but he was fun.
Handy Manny says 25 phrases in English and Spanish when you push this belt buckle or open his left thumb. That’s Melody’s favorite part. The tools can go in the toolbox or be attached onto Manny’s belt or hands. It does use 3 AA batteries. There is no volume control. You can only turn it on or off.
Other reviews of Let’s Get To Work Manny:
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Target
epinions
Toys ‘R Us
- Joyce
Message in a Bottle
Message in a Bottle
by Nicholas Sparks
1998
384 pages
Published by Vision
This story begins with Boston Times columnist Theresa finding a message in a bottle washed ashore during her vacation. Little did she know that it was the beginning of her quest toward finding her true love. In the journey, she discovers she could fall in love again, with Garrett, the author of the message. They are from different worlds, but yet they are able to find a connection. The past hinders their relationship from moving forward. The physical distance separates them and they find it difficult to continue. Someone must make a sacrifice, but it could be too late.
Other reviews of Message in a Bottle:
Amazon
Teenreads.com
Nicholas Sparks Website
Book Browse
- Joyce
Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker
Infant-to-Toddler Rocker
Fisher-Price
Up to 40 pounds
We received this as a gift when Melody was born. There’s not really any fancy gadgets on it. A button makes the seat vibrate and you can attach a toy bar with 3 farm animals, one that makes music. Recently, using it with Emily, I realized a few features that can be improved or changed. It rocks, but only if you make it rock. Otherwise, your kid just sits in it. To take your child out or put her in comfortably, you need to remove the toy bar. As a toddler seat, Melody has not really used it to lounge in.
Other reviews of Infant-to-Toddler Rocker:
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Fisher-Price
Babies ‘R’ Us
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Epinions
Kaboodle
Walmart
