Children and their families will go “wild” for books at the Santa Ana Zoo as the Children and Families Commission hosts “From A-to-Zoo” in honor of Child Literacy Month!

Friday, November 20th, 2009
10am – 2pm

Santa Ana Zoo
Amphitheatre Park
1801 East Chestnut Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92701

The special one-day event will feature the Commission’s Big Books Booth – giant children’s books flanked by colorful beanbag seats and shelves of classic page-turners – located in the Zoo’s Amphitheatre Park.

Commission staff will lead story time readings and distribute free books to children age 5 and younger, as well as parent resources, and library card applications.

Admission to the Santa Ana Zoo is free for children age 3 and younger, $5 for children from 4-12 years old, and $8 for adults (ages 13+).

The “From A-to-Zoo” event headlines a month-long series of child literacy-themed events as part of the Commission’s “Read Early, Read Aloud” campaign. The public awareness campaign aims to reach children and parents throughout Orange County by supplying books, reading tips, story time activities, and literary resources for children ages 0-5 to help close the gap on early literacy.

Such a fun event to take your kids to tomorrow!

I posted this last year – but thought it would be fun to run again for my new readers.   I make these Thanksgiving place cards each year to mix up the conversation at our turkey dinner.  Here is a quick how-to!

I make little cards for each placesetting and tuck them into the napkins.  At the top of the place card, I write the person’s name and underneath it, “We are thankful for you!”   Online I find general descriptions of the person’s astrological sign.  There are a bunch of silly websites you can search.  I like this website because they are short and sweet.  Scroll to the bottom to see the list of signs.

Then, at the bottom of the card, I have a “Table Topic Question” where I write a different question for each person. Towards the end of dinner, we start by reading our horoscope.   It is pretty funny to see how much everyone agrees or disagrees for that person.   Some are TOTALLY right on, others not so much!    Then, the person reads the table topic question, answers first, and we go around the table and everyone answers the question.   Some responses are surprising, some are hilarious, and the best part is you can learn things about your family members that you might not have known!

Here are some of my questions if I can remember correctly.  I have to do this again this year, so if you guys can think of more good ones, please post a comment here as I am going to need new material!!!!

1.  What was your first job?
2.  What natural born talent or skill do you wish you possessed?
3.  If you won the lottery tomorrow, what is the first thing you would buy?
4.  Would you prefer a dream house on the beach or mountains?  Where?
5.  What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?
6.  What was your first car?

… you get the idea!

Here are the materials you will need for this little project:

1. 8 1/2 x 11 heavier card stock
2. Satin ribbon (optional)
3. Thanksgiving sticker decoration (optional) (I got mine at Michaels)

Instructions:

1. Make a Word Document in landscape page format  with two columns so you can fit 2 cards on one page
2. Type in your individual card info (download fun new free fonts at www.dafont.com)
3. Print and cut into 2 cards
4. Cut your ribbon, and wrap ribbon around the card and tape or glue together in the back
5. Adhere sticker in the middle of the ribbon

Green 4 Your Soul, a one-stop-shop for all your green essentials,  recently debuted a fabulous new line for mom and baby called Noli N Nali Organics.  I have slowly started to make the green transition for products for my kids, and Green 4 Your Soul is my favorite website because it is so easy to use.

Coupon code alert!  Use Green 4 Your Soul coupon code “ORANGES” upon checkout and receive 15% off your order (offer good now through 1/1/2010 – time to stock up on holiday gifts!)

You can  read and write reviews on the site which is such a great feature for me as I love reading reviews when buying products.   However, last Friday I wrote a review for a lotion of theirs I am crazy about, the Shea Terra Moroccan Mint Vanilla (LOOOOVVVVEEE the scent!), and since I was 2 days away from turning 35, I had to select the 35 – 44 age range.  It hit me that within one weekend I was entering a whole new age bracket!  Oh well, if this weekend was a sign of the year to come, 35 is going to shape up to be a good one.

I digress, on to the baby products!  The Noli n Nali Willow Baby Shampoo and Ella Bella Body Wash are fabulous –  I like that the scent is very subtle and clean (in more ways than one!)  And since I am convinced that little birds fly into my 3 year old’s room at night and build a nest in the back of her hair, the Willow Detangler is absolutely AWESOME.  It is a leave-in conditioner that makes her hair easier to comb and keeps it soft (therefore less nest-friendly – so stay away birdies!)

As a breastfeeding mom, I also use their Bosom Blossom Nipple Salve, which is fantastic.  It always weirded me out to think about my baby ingesting the nipple cream since I had to use so much during those painful early days.  It just brings me peace of mind to know it is completely chemical and paraben free.   Thankfully those painful early days are over, but I actually use it now when I pump.   I learned through my consultations with lactation consultants that you should never pump without lubricating the poor nipples.  They go through enough with that udder machine as it is!

So if you are in the market for anything green, definitely check out Green 4 Your Soul, because in this case, it IS easy being green!

This yummy recipe was sent to me by Michele, the mommy behind Fun Orange County Parks (who has a fabulous redesigned website – you must check it out! ) Just reading this recipe makes my mouth water!   Perfect end to your Turkey Day meal.  She writes…

“My friend, Cher, lives in the Midwest and introduced me to Sugar Cream Pie. We spent Thanksgiving at their house a few years ago and discovered their dessert tradition. This pie is tasty and amazingly simple.  I still have the recipe, copied onto her bright blue grocery list pad. I’d love to share it with your Tiny Oranges readers.  Your house will be smelling sweet in no time.

Sugar Cream Pie (Peeper Pie)

1 cup sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup butter
2 cups half and half
1 tsp vanilla
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
1 unbaked pie shell

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all the ingredients except for the nutmeg and cinnamon in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and just starts to boil.  Pour into unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon so top is fairly covered. Set pan on a cookie sheet or foil. Bake 25 minutes. Let cool.”

I recently had an invigorating post-pregnancy wake up call at ABC Pilates for my muscles.  They had been sleeping for um, the past year, and Amy Cady, owner and instructor extraordinaire, poured them one strong pot of coffee.  Figuratively of course!    WOW.   I felt muscles I forgot I had! And although it made walking slightly painful the next day, I have to say it felt really good!  It had been one long year.

If you are a first-timer to Pilates or an old (and by old I mean “experienced”) pro, ABC Pilates has something for everyone.   Located conveniently right off the 5 freeway in Laguna Niguel, this serene, zen-like studio is the type of place you walk in and feel like you can exhale and leave your crazy day at the door.    I forgot what it was like to take one whole hour to focus on myself.   That in itself is priceless.

Specializing in pre and post natal fitness, they are accustomed to working with woman in all stages of pregnancy and postpartum.   Amy, a mommy of two herself, has worked for the past 4 years to develop a series of exercises specifically designed for the pre and post-natal woman.

She wanted to know about my pregnancy and delivery and was incredibly knowledgeable.   One thing I learned:  when we carry those precious little babies in our belly, it causes the muscles to completely split in our abdomen,  called “diastisis recti,” or separation of the abdominis muscle.    When she pointed this out, I could actually see the divide in my tummy.   They are there to help bridge the divide and bring those muscles back together, one exercise at a time.

During our workout she had great ways to explain how to properly do the exercise in a way I could visualize.  She also had great tips on things to do at home and important tips on posture.   I had been walking around with that post pregnancy slump.  You know the one? Shoulders hunched, hips sort of swayed forward, and the belly hanging out in a “not so pretty” sort of way.   Since working out with her, she has made me think about my posture  every day since.

We did some floor exercises and then moved on to the  “exo chair” with me.  It was pretty amazing.  It combines upper and lower body exercises.  Talk about “feeling the burn!”  That little chair was one powerful piece of equipment!        

They offer a great schedule of private and group classes.   If you are in any stage of pregnancy or beyond, or just looking for a great way to get in shape, I can’t more highly recommend ABC Pilates!

Special Tiny Oranges Offers!

* Mention Tiny Oranges and receive 3 private sessions for only $125 (normally $210!)

* Sign up for a privates package or 5-or-10-class group packages and get 10% off the package price

Hooray! It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

Email me at giveaways@tinyoranges.com and tell me:   Where did Amy get her certified training?  Hint: CLICK HERE to find out!  10 lucky winners will receive a FREE private session with one of their fabulous instructors.    I learned so much from doing a one-on-one workout, I guarantee you will too!

You can email all week, just have them in by next Friday, 11/20/09 at 3pm PST.

Happy Friday everyone!  Have a fabulous weekend!