Blisstree has a new commuinty section where you can go to voice your opinion, and interact with other Blisstree community members. There are several different topic forums including parenting, crafts, and cooking.
You can share your parenting advice, or your favorite recipes to cook with the kids, or just leave a fun comment. I love the topics because they all center around home and family, two of my favorite things.
I look forward to seeing you there!

Everybody give a warm welcome to Julie Bonner, the new author for Play Library! Julie currently writes for b5media at Declutter It!, a blog in b5’s Home and Dining Channel.
This was my favorite bit from her bio page:

I am also a mother of three amazing children, a wife to a man who makes me laugh until my belly aches, and an admitted internet “don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee and computer time” junkie.
This is a woman I to whom I can relate! I’m excited to see the new life and ideas that she brings to …read more

Yeah, it’s that time now. September ends my 15 months with Play Library. When Hsien invited me to join her here last year, I didn’t have a clue as to how much I would learn. I’ve had a great time writing about all things kid related, and even more fun meeting new bloggers and readers. While I’d love to stick around longer, I’ve had to look at the limited time I have (I’m sure you all understand this out there!), and this was one thing that had to be let go. But I’ll …read more

Have you been introduced to Jack and Annie and their Magic Tree House? The Magic Tree House series, written by Mary Pope Osborne, is one that my daughter was introduced to last year. The series follows Jack and Annie, siblings, who find themselves on a variety of adventures through different times and destinations, beginning and ending at the Magic Tree House.
In addition to the series itself, there are Research Guides that include additional facts to the times, places, and situations that Jack and Annie have experienced. My daughter enjoys these as well, but the …read more

…might as well take a stop in the forest. Back in the days when Saturday morning meant cartoons, we couldn’t go a week without the Smurfs. That was my sister’s favorite cartoon, and so we watched it. Every week.
I have to admit, though, that the intro song does bring a warm fuzzy. Enjoy.

I used to love the Muppet Show. My mom used to say that watching it together was the only time that my brother and I got along! I remember that Animal was his favorite.
Anyway, here’s a little clip for ya, because it feels like a Muppets kinda night. I do think this is the best rendition of this song that I’ve ever heard, and you can’t helped but be endeared to Animal by watching this! Enjoy.

My sister (a musician) has reminded me on many occasions that I’m missing the prime window of opportunity to get my middle child started on violin using the Suzuki method. I’ve reminded her that I shouldn’t need to do that, seeing as how his aunt can teach him and his sibs all they need to know.
I took piano lessons when I was younger, maybe from the ages of 8-12? I gave it up for basketball practices, though I was also in the band by then. I hadn’t touched the piano in years, …read more

Just to let you know that SuperFundraiser.com is hosting a Back to School writing contest for bloggers. The post can be about anything related to a K-12 school, and the prizes include a $25 amazon gift certificate. Head on over to SuperFundraiser for rules and further information.

Just a reminder that next month is Fire Safety Month. Do you have an escape plan set with your family? I don’t, and that’s just wrong! Ahhh…the important things that slip my mind on a daily basis.
So, I’ll be heading over to the following two sites to educate myself and to get ideas for educating my kids on fire safety. They include games and printables to share with your kids. Will you join me?
BeFireSmart
abcteach

Here in the Midwest, we’re preparing to say good-bye to the last rays of summer. We hit back into the 90s this week, but that may be the last of that for a while. Still, we took advantage of it and got out the sprinkler and the blow-up pool, donned the swimsuits and sunblock, and danced the end of summer away.
I wish I’d heard of this game, though, before the days of squirt guns and swim trunks were over. Have you ever heard of Alka-Seltzer tag? Sounds like fun to me! You can read about …read more