Deirdre, Author at JDaniel4s Mom

Deirdre Smith writes/owns JDaniel4’s Mom. After twenty years as a elementary school and technology resource teacher in Northern Virginia, she became a stay at home mom in upstate South Carolina. Her blog features ways she and her 5 year old are exploring learning, crafting, creating healthy meals and living life to its fullest. Deirdre can also be found on twitter as @jdaniel4smom and on her blog's FB page. You can also check her out on Google+.

Taking Take Lessons from Books- My Teacher Sleeps at School

November 17, 2009 By Deirdre

My Teacher Sleeps at School is an awesome book! The students in the class see the teacher bring in a bag of food and a pillow and conclude that the teacher lives at school.Later in the book she takes her class to her house to see where she lives. As a first grader my class went to have lunch at my teacher’s apartment on the way back from a field trip. I remember being in awe as I sat in her living room and listening to her read Winnie the Pooh to us while she sat in her own rocking chair.

When I ran into students, they were always surprised to see me out of school. I think they assumed I slept at school too. What do your children think about their teacher’s lives? I bet they could write a funny story about their teachers using the facts they know about them.

Favorite Books

November 17, 2009 By Deirdre

I have struggled all day with what book I would write about as my favorite. I love reading the Bible especially the book of Ruth. I loved reading the Anne of Green Gables books, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and the Mouse in the Motorcycle when I was little. I learned a lot from Lucy Caulkins’ book The Art of Teaching Writing as a classroom teacher. I read my class The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe every year in school. (My second and third graders loved it.) As an adult I have read hundreds of books I really enjoyed. I loved the books by Jan Evanovich, David Baldacci, John Grisham, Brian Haig, Joanne Fluke, and Jasper Fforde. Every year I read at least one non-fiction book that is good for me. I call them “high fiber” books. I learned a lot from the books Founding Brothers, Love and Respect, and Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook.

What did I decide is my favorite book? Right now JDaniel and I read Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry every day. We look for gold bug. We talk about all the vehicles and the noises they make. Then when we get in the car to go places, we keep our eyes out for the vehicles we have read about. Today we searched for backhoes. I just read Moe’s Café. It really got me thinking about communicating with God and my spouse. It would be my new favorite book.

Turkey Cookies from Playgroup at My House

November 16, 2009 By Deirdre

Today we had these turkey cookies. They were so easy to make.

Ingredients:

8 Oreo-like cookies
8 fudge striped cookies
8 caramel candy corns
A few dabs of chocolate frosting

1. Put a little frosting on the edge of an Oreo.
2. Place the striped cookie upright behind the Oreo.
3. Press it gently into the Oreo.
4. Place a dab of frosting on top the Oreo.
5. Place a piece of candy corn onto the frosting dab.

Muffin Tin Monday-If You Take A Mouse To School

November 16, 2009 By Deirdre

This week the blog is remembering American Education Week. I found a book about a mouse going to school called If You Take A Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff. I based JDaniel’s tin on food mentioned in the book and a few other things JDaniel and Mouse might like. The book mentions a peanut butter sandwich and cookie. JDaniel needed some healthy items in his lunch too. I decided to place some cheese and cherry tomatoes in his tin. JDaniel had never had a peanut butter sandwich before. He really wasn’t into it. He was willing to try it though.

Baffin Bags Giveaway

November 15, 2009 By Deirdre

As a teacher I was always looking for new ways to contain and organize all the things in my classroom. The Baffin Bags gift buckets are colorful organizers that would add a touch of class to any classroom. When I saw them on Etsy, I immediately contacted Karen of Baffin Bags to see if you would participate in a giveaway. When she said she would, I was thrilled. Her gift buckets are so cute!

Let me share with you her Etsy bio:
My name is Karen and I am the creator, designer & seamstress of all Baffin Bags items. I have many years of sewing experience and it shows in the items I make and sell.

Baffin Bags – custom handcrafted one-at-a-time items that are made with careful attention to each detail. I use fabrics by popular designers such as Amy Butler, Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, Robert Kaufman & others. Colors, patterns & textures are carefully combined to produce bags and other items which are sure to bring compliments to the one who carry them.

Each bag is fully-lined & fully-interfaced (exterior, lining & handles) for a sturdy, durable bag that will look great for years. There are lined pockets to hold necessities, such as a cell phone,ipod, keys, etc., within easy reach. If ribbons or accent fabrics are used – they are securely sewn on and ribbon ends are heat-sealed to prevent fraying.

Baffin Bags also offer a great selection of other unique boutique items – Baby Bib/Burp Cloth Sets, Key Fobs, Mini Wallets, Baby Blankets, Changing Pads, with new items being added in the future.

Right now Baffin Bags is running this special deal:

No limit – Buy 3/ Get 1 Additional Item Free (TOTAL OF 4 ITEMS)… Buy 6/ Get 2 Additional Items Free (TOTAL OF 8 ITEMS)… Buy 9/ Get 3 Additional Items Free (TOTAL OF 12 ITEMS)… Buy 12/ Get 4 Additional Items Free (TOTAL OF 16 ITEMS)….It can be any combo of (♥)items above – 2 Clutch Wallets/ 1 Mini Wallet and Get Mini Key Fob Free.

Free Additional Item(s) will be the lowest priced item(s).

If you make immediate payment at time of purchase, I will refund the amount of the free additional item(s) or if you prefer I will send a revised invoice at the time of purchase – please send me a convo to let me know you are done shopping.

******IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE: In order to qualify for the BUY 3 – GET 1 ADDITIONAL FREE – please mention in the comments section when checking out on Etsy “STOCK UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS” in order to get the discount.

Stock up now and take advantage of the BUY 3 – GET 1 ADDITIONAL ITEM FREE offer. It can be any combo of the items listed above. Now is the time to stock up for the holidays.

BUY 3 – GET 1 ADDITIONAL FREE cannot be combined with any other discount or special offer.

This giveaway begins November 15th and ends November 27th at 11:59 p.m.

What do you need to do to get the gift tote?

-Tell me something else the Baffin Bags carries. (1 entry)

For extra entries do any or all of the following leaving a separate comment for each entry.

* Blog about this giveaway, and then come back and leave me the link to your blog entry. (1 entry)

*Write about this giveaway with a link back to it on Facebook or another social network site. (1 entry)

*Leave a comment on any of my blog entries that are not a giveaway. Come back and tell me what entry you left your comment under. (1 entry)

*Enter another giveaway that I am hosting. (1 entry for each giveaway your enter)

*Follow my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you now follow or that you already do. (1 entry)

* Twitter about this giveaway with a link back, you must also be following me on Twitter. Copy and paste: BaffinBagsGiftTote@JDaniel4smom.(1 entry per day)

*Subscribe to my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you have subscribed or that you already do. (1 entry)

*Favorite me in Technorati! (3 entries)

*Add me to you Blogroll. (3 entries)

*Vote for me on Love This Site . (3 entries)

*Buy anything from Baffin Bags and come back and leave a comment saying you did. (10 entries)

That is 12 ways to win. The winner will be chosen by using the random number generator at http://www.random.org/. )

Clue 19: 9:6

Kute Klipboard Giveaway

November 15, 2009 By Deirdre

Even in the computer age there are slips of papers that teachers have to keep up with. There are notes from parents, permission slips, lunch counts, reminders to self about important meetings, to do lists and more. One way to keep track of all those slips of paper is to put them on a clipboard. Kute Klipboards by Amy has offered memo sized decorated clipboard or a $10 store credit to the winner of this giveaway. It will be tough call Kute Klipboards by Amy are all unique, fun and funky.

Here is her Etsy bio:

I am a stay-at-home mom of three who comes from a family of crafters and artists. I remember as a little girl going with my mom and sister as they sold their goodies at various craft shows. Those are some of my favorite memories and I still love going to shows just as much today. I have a B.A. in studio art and really don’t use it much but you never know!!! I love creating different items and especially my clipboards, as each one is unique and one-of-a-kind. I don’t ever try to make any alike and love the different looks I can create.

Here is what she says about her clipboards:

I’ve been making these unique, one-of-a-kind clipboards for years and have sold hundreds of them, having many happy customers. I decorate both sides, sealing the front and back as well as the edges with several coats of sealers to make sure the paper doesn’t peel – they are extremely durable!! Once they are sold, I NEVER relist my clipboards and you are guaranteed that your clipboard will not be duplicated – ALL are ONE OF A KIND!!!!There are many uses for these clipboards:*display on an iron stand for decoration, a family message center or use one in the kitchen to hold recipes*use to hold your shopping list/coupons when you go shopping*use as a writing lapboard in the car (my daughter loves this!)*hang on your wall for decoration or to hold lists, notes, etc.*lapboard for doing homework*as a unique picture frame/holder*as a …….clipboard!!!These make a great gift for a co-worker, teacher, friend or family member (or even yourself!)

Want to win a memo sized clipboard or get a larger one at a great rate by applying your $10 store credit?

Here is how:

-Tell me something else the Kute Klipboards by Amy carries. (1 entry)

For extra entries do any or all of the following leaving a separate comment for each entry.

* Blog about this giveaway, and then come back and leave me the link to your blog entry. (1 entry)

*Write about this giveaway with a link back to it on Facebook or another social network site. (1 entry)

*Leave a comment on any of my blog entries that are not a giveaway. Come back and tell me what entry you left your comment under. (1 entry)

*Enter another giveaway that I am hosting. (1 entry for each giveaway your enter)

*Follow my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you now follow or that you already do. (1 entry)

* Twitter about this giveaway with a link back, you must also be following me on Twitter. Copy and paste: KuteKlipboardsbyAmy@JDaniel4smom .(1 entry per day)

*Subscribe to my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you have subscribed or that you already do. (1 entry)

*Favorite me in Technorati! (3 entries)

*Vote for me on Love This Site . (3 entries)

*Buy anything from Kute Klipboards by Amy and come back and leave a comment saying you did. (10 entries)

This giveaway begins November 15th and ends November 27th at 11:59 p.m.

That is 11 ways to win. The winner will be chosen by using the random number generator at http://www.random.org/. )

Clue 18: Isaiah

Caught Playing Peek-a- Boo with JDaniel outside a Hotel

November 12, 2009 By Deirdre

One of my sister-in-laws was trying to entertain JDaniel as he sat in his car seat waiting to for us to take him home by playing peek-a-boo with him.

She would duck down below the car windows and pop up. He loved it. Things were going great until she moved around to the right side of the car. She was just getting ready to pop up on the right side of the car when a lady she knew walked up to her.

“Peek-a-boo, I can see you,” the lady said. My sister in-law handled the situation with the grace and dignity that only someone squatting beside a car can. She said, “I’m just playing with my nephew in the car,” as she slowly stood up. “ I thought it was something like that,” the lady said.

Why Change into New Clothes at Night?

November 11, 2009 By Deirdre

JDaniel thinks get changed means put on his pajamas. While we were attending my niece’s wedding events, JDaniel had to be changed into nicer clothes to attend the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. They were both evening events. He totally didn’t understand why you would change into different clothes when it is dark outside. Pajamas are what we put on when it is dark. On the night of the rehearsal dinner I told him it was time to change. He went into the bureau in our hotel room and took out his pajamas. “No, baby,” I told him, “Don’t get to put them on yet.”He raised his hands and shrugged.

My Niece’s Wedding and My Anniversary

November 11, 2009 By Deirdre

I told you I would mention my niece’s wedding in Mississippi. I have been to many many weddings in my day. I have seen happy brides and radiant brides walk down the aisle. My niece bounced down the aisle in dignified way. She looked gorgeous and was so happy. My brother in-law performed the ceremony for his daughter. His message was so moving. The fact that he could make it through without crying was amazing. He asked each of us to remember the vows we made when we got married.

Today I am celebrating my third wedding anniversary. I am going to take time today to pray through the vows I made three years ago. I still have so many areas to grow in as a wife.

Does He Want a Cracker or Does He Have Furball?

November 11, 2009 By Deirdre

There are about forty words JDaniel says clearly. (At almost 20 months that’s not bad) One of them is cracker. Actually he says it, “Crrrraacker.” It really sounds like he is trying to work up a fur ball while he is telling us he would like a cracker. He just seems to get stuck on the /kr/.