Sunday, February 28, 2021

Trending Girls’ and Boys’ Birthday Party Themes for 2021 from Shindigz



Shindigz has everything you need to throw the best virtual or socially-distanced party!  Here are the parties themes trending now.

 

Trending for Girls

Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures


Dare your birthday girl to dream big with a Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures party. Set the scene with this larger-than-life 3D Barbie Dreamhouse. After blowing out the candles and having a birthday lunch with custom Barbie tableware, the girls will love to pose with the Barbie Doll Box or Barbie’s Convertible photo opps. And even after the party, dreaming about Barbie adventures won’t stop with these custom favor bags, water bottles and tumblers.


JoJo Siwa


Your birthday girl will love this JoJo Siwa theme party. From colorful tableware like plates, napkins and table covers to personalized candy bars, favor bags and cupcake wrappers, Shindigz has everything you need to throw a birthday bash that is as beautiful as JoJo Siwa herself.


Candyland


Sweeten up any party with our Candy Land birthday party supplies. Decking your yard out with our Candy Land Happy Birthday yard sign expression set and Candy Land gingerbread piece yard signs are a great way to show your guests where to go. Make an entrance for your party with the personalized CandyLand door décor kit. Whether it’s a Sweet Sixteen or Sweet First Birthday adding customizable items, like the Candy Land Logo Banner or Candy Land Castle pop in standee adds the perfect personal touch to their party. Have the sweetest Candy Land Birthday party with Shindigz. 

 

Trending for Boys

Nerf


This party is gonna be a blast! For a day that your son and his friends will surely remember, throw a Nerf-themed birthday party. Fill your venue with our Nerf decorations like stacked barriers and building backgrounds for kids to hide behind during the coolest Nerf gun battle ever. After all the running around, the kids will surely be hungry! Our Nerf Birthday Party Packs contain the supplies you need to set a super cool table where the little ones can eat. Our Nerf birthday party supplies are personalizable and can be edited to include names and images of the guest of honor. Grab your Nerf guns and get ready for a Nerf War with Shindigz Nerf Birthday party!

 Let’s Roar Dinosaur

Let's Roar is the perfect theme to give your party a prehistoric presence! Delight dinosaur fans with theLet's Roar Yard Sign Expression Set. Personalize this Dino-mite party with a Let's Roar Horizontal Banner or the Let's Roar Pop In Standee. This T-Rex Pop In Standee let's you add a photo of your child and creates the perfect photo worthy moment. Dig up some fun with the best centerpieces, like the Brachiosaurus Table-Top Pop Up. Stomp, Chomp, Dino-ROAR! 


Paw Patrol


“No job is too big" with our items for your Paw Patrol party! Adventure awaits your little pup and friends. Bring your pups favorite Paw Patrol characters to life with giant Paw Patrol standees and decorations. Choose from Paw Patrol tableware, centerpieces, favors, banners, and more! You'll never be in the doghouse with your little pup again! If you aren't completely set on having Marshall & the rest of the gain join you for a Paw Patrol party, head over to our other Boys

Birthday & Girls Birthday themes for more awesome & unique kids birthday themes from Shindigz!

Saturday, February 27, 2021

While You're Sleeping by Mick Jackson and Illustrated by John Broadley

 


While You're Sleeping 
by Mick Jackson and illustrated by John Broadley (2/2021; ISBN: 978-1843654650; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 4-8; 40 pages) is a beautifully illustrated picture book about what happens at night time by a Booker shortlisted author.

There's a whole world of activity out there while we're asleep in our beds, from bakers preparing bread and cakes and firefighters waiting patiently for a call, to hospitals caring for those who are ill and postal workers sorting our mail. There is also wildlife such as foxes foraging, bats flying, and owls hunting for prey. And around the world there are children who are playing, learning, eating, and reading while we're tucked up asleep.



Perfect for bedtime, this book opens up a whole world of wonder and imagination for children and provides solace if they wake in the early hours. In his first children's book, illustrator John Broadley works in a limited palette, moving from soft dusk colors to warm dawn tones.



The 411:

A story about sleep but also all that happens around the world while you are snug in your bed. Some of the terminology was an introduction for my class. The book contains British words like Lorries: A truck or Bins: garbage can but it was a great way to discuss differences and how around the world we are not all in the time zone. 

I loved the illustrations done in an old world style but like a cartoon. All the pages were full and busy allowing my class to listen to me longer as I read which as a teacher is wonderful. 

To Purchase:

Pavilion Books

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.  

The Greatest Showpenguin by Lucy Freegard

 


The Greatest Show Penguin 
by Lucy Freegard (2/2021; ISBN: 978-1-84365-483-4; Hardcover $16.95; Ages 3-6; 32 pages) is a heartwarming story about overcoming fears and the meaning of success

Poppy the Penguin comes from a long line of circus performers. Many skills have been passed down from penguin to penguin. However, Poppy soon decides that performing in the family circus is not for her, as she prefers to feel calm and in control. But the hardest thing is not juggling, or riding a unicycle--it's telling her mum that she doesn't want to perform any more. Her bravery is worth it when Poppy discovers a better role--organizing and coordinating the whole show. And what a show it turns out to be! This tale of overcoming shyness and lack of confidence is both a funny and sensitive parody of the record-breaking movie The Greatest Showman, and a celebration of girl power!

The 411:

Poppy is the cutest littlest penguin in her show family. They perform at the circus but Poppy really just wants quiet. She doesn't want to perform anymore but after taking a break decides she loves everything about the show, just not performing in it. Sooooo she goes about creating the greatest show from the behind the scenes making it the best ever. Now she can still be with her family and do all the things she loves without getting out in front of the crowd. 


What a cute tale about how even though you have fears you can still contribute just differently. This tiny story made me think about my teenage daughter who is so extremely shy but may one day still be able to do all the amazing things she can do just in a different way.



We can all overcome the obstacles that stop us from having happy, successful lives by reimagining our lives. 

My class loved this book and the cute illustrations. It has become a classroom favorite.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered. 



My Life In Pictures - Nov 1 - Nov 10, 2020

November 1 - 23 years married! Work attire! Didn't take a couple picture but did manage to show just how sweaty I was in my mask.


November 2 - My girl's artwork!


November 3 - Tasty Tuesday - Letter C. My class tried foods and drink starting with Letter C. It was a good day considering they knew these foods except the chick peas. Only 3 eat them.


November 4 - We made a spiky cactus for Letter C. So easy to do. Just cut out a cactus and give the class a fork they dip in paint. 


November 5 - Two of my toddlers enjoying some recess time. These two little dudes enjoyed watching the trucks go by.


November 6 NADA

November 7 - This little lady was spotted in our gazebo as we took it down for winter. She was huge and impressive but we had to get rid of her.


November 8 my fall decorations! I wish I could leave them up all year!


November 9 - Halloween finds at Walmart. 90% off!!!!


November 10 - Letter O for Tuesday Tuesday. Only two kids tried the olives. I could have eaten that whole jar. 




Friday, February 26, 2021

My Life In Pictures - October 21 - October 31, 2020

October 21 - NADA

October 22 - Me and the Grave Digger.  A match made in heaven


October 23 - Some friends stopped by to see our Halloween decorations. Pretty exciting to have people over even if it was outside and only for about 20 minutes. 


October 24 - We spotted this guy at Lowes and had to have him.


October 25 - Getting ready to make my classes Halloween Goody Bags.


October 26 - Just a little decoration I was working on for my shelf. Not done yet but I really love the way it came out.


October 27 -  Playing Boo Bowling at school. My class loved it. So easy. I just made some "ghost" faces on Styrofoam cups, set them up and let the kids bowl them down.


October 28 - My husband is making us a mantel. We never had one just some tiles around it when we bought the house and always talked about having one. I am so excited.


October 29 - Nada 

October 30 - It's me! With a filter but me!


October 31- My daughter and her friend did some Trick Or Treating. It was quicker than usual and so strange. NO one was really out just lots of tables to maintain social distancing.


Thursday, February 25, 2021

My Life In Pictures - October 11 - October 20

October 11 - To make sure my daughter knows which bottle of water is hers she adds little faces to her cap. How cute is this one?!



October 12- My girl's art. She hates when I share it but I love it so much!


October 13 - NADA

October 14 - Taking Mr. Jinxy to the vet we decided to let him out of his cage in the car. He loved it and looked out the window instead of meowing like he usually does. 



October 15 - The beautiful sky heading to work made beckoned me to pull over and grab about 20 photos but I especially love this one with the window reflection! Gorgeous colors!



October 16 - My girl's artwork makes me soooo happy! This was the card she made for her friend for her birthday. It is so cute!



October 17 - Nada

October 18 - Hanging at the mall with my daughter and her friends for a friend's birthday. Masks and social distancing required but it was so good for them to all see each other.


October 19 - Me at recess with my class. It was a gorgeous day! Just wish I could breathe!


October 20 - He started as just a male mannequin. He is now the coolest Halloween decoration we have. 



Alone by Barry Falls



Alone by Barry Falls (3/2021; ISBN: 978-1843654858; Hardcover $16.95; Ages 3-6; 32 pages) is a richly illustrated laugh-out-loud tale with a gentle message."Falls fills the illustrations with comically posed creatures and a racially diverse set of supporting human characters... The pleasures of socializing may be put on hold just now, but an occasional reminder never hurts." -- Kirkus Reviews

There once was a boy called Billy McGill

who lived by himself at the top of a hill.
He spent every day in his house all alone
for Billy McGill liked to be on his own...




One day Billy hears the squeak of a mouse, which destroys his peaceful existence. So he gets a cat to catch the mouse. But the cat and the mouse make friends. So he gets a dog to chase the cat. But they all play together. So then he gets a bear... then a tiger... and on it goes, until Billy's house is so filled with animals that he has to move out. Will he find that he still craves peace and quiet, or is it better to have company and friends? This a laugh-out-loud story of growing chaos, with a subtle message about how it's good to have friends.


The 411:

I really enjoyed this book. I love the illustrations and the story layout with BIG bold words, fun fonts and interesting text layout. Bill really loves his alone time. I get it! I am an introvert who appreciates my alone time but Billy he decides to live on a hill far from everyone until he finds a mouse in his house. 

Alone gives  homage to There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly without death and a happy ending.  Billy keeps getting more and more involved with others as he tries to get rid of the next until the wonderful ending with Billy and a red balloon gift! 




I really loved in the end Billy was still able to be alone but does spend a day a week with all his "new friends".  I also really love this little cricket/grasshopper who wants us to find him on every page. 

Definitely a fun book that kids will love.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary book for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.




Giveaway Winner for Valentine's Day Prize Pack #Giveaway From National Geographic Kid Book



The Winner of the  Valentine's Day Prize Pack From National Geographic is:
  
HEATHER!

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The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth - Book Review

 


The story follows a group of friends seeking a place to call home. The desert was too hot, the valley too wet, and the mountain too windy, but the forest was perfect. The friends soon wanted to build shelters, which became large houses. All too soon they wanted to control the environment and built a huge wooden wall around the community, which shut out the wind, but also created problems. And gradually the forest became thinner, until there was only one last tree standing. It was down to the children to find a solution.

The 411:

OMG one of the best children's books I have read in such a long time with a beautiful message.  This beautifully illustrated book shows us how children are our future. 


When a village took all the trees to build what they needed for the village they soon realized that they needed more wood to complete their wall. NO longer friendly or neighborly with each other they sent their children out to get the last tree that no one had wanted before someone else got it but when the children saw the tree the laughed and played. Deciding not to remove the tree but with their parents needing more wood they decide to start taking parts of the fence that the village put up. Once the parents learn where the wood was taken from and see the tree they remember how much they enjoyed their neighbors, how they loved hearing their children play, the sun shining through the trees and the gentle winds through the branches they changed their ways. 



The message is Respect the environment, and look after our resources in this case trees so we can have a bright and beautiful future. 

My class loved this book but not as much as the 4 year PreK class. They got it! 



Wednesday, February 24, 2021

My Life In Pictures - October 1 - October 10

October 1 - Halloween Decorations begin!


October 2 - F is for Fish! I love our Preschool art!



October 3 - Finally a photo of my boy! He never hangs with us. His life is gaming. Once in a while my husband plays catch with him. I headed outside to grab some shots of him catching the ball for his GRAM! Insta! Whatever.


October 4 - Trying to make some table decorations using Dollar Tree finds and Michaels skeleton


October 5 -
Halloween art with preschoolers. Look how cute that little candy corn foot is!


October 6 -
Some of our art! Preschoolers love art!



October 7 - My girl's dabbling in clay and wire bodies. Love this so much.



October 8 - My work attire and my grey roots prior to coloring.



October 9 - Flu shot time. My son and I did great. My daughter started silently crying before it was even her turn.



October 10 - Oh how we love dog sitting!