I was just at my sister-in-law's & was admiring her canvas prints.  I've been wanting to get some myself.  She told me that she got them at Winkflash.com.  She said that they regularly have 40% off coupons.  I was just on their website today & found out they are currently running a 40% off promotion on their canvas prints if you use coupon code CANVAS40. 

They even have an 8x10 size wich is not offered everywhere & a very affordable option.  You can get an 8x10 canvas print for as low as approx. $17.

There is nothing like a special item with your name on it. Kids love to have things that are personalized and it makes it easier for the teacher to know who the item belongs too. There are lots of great options for personalized backpacks, lunch boxes, and more. Just a note of caution. If you are personalizing a backpack or something everyone will see consider using an initial or monogram instead of  a first name for safety. If it is something less visible like a lunchbox or pencil case then a first name should be fine. Check out these items and retailers for your personalized gear.

Personalizationmall.com has lots of great personalized back to school items. They have backpacks, pencils boxes, lunch boxes, pencils, notebooks, and water bottles. Personalizationmall.com also offers lots of Personalized College Gear including water bottles, make-up cases, robes, laundry bags, ID wallet, and more. Personalization is always free and there are some discount codes available now including 15% Off All Personalized Back to School items at PersonalizationMall.com! Enter SCHOOL15 at checkout. Expires September 12, 2010.

One Step Ahead and Leaps and Bounds offer personalized back to school items also. My first backpack is perfect for preschoolers and can be personalized. There are also matching insulated lunch bags. You can also get an art smock for only $12.95 and personalization is just $5. Don't forget they offer free shipping on orders over $85 and 15% off on orders over $100. Get the coupon codes here.

Land's End also offers personalized backpacks and gear. They have a variety of options from Tiny Take that is appropriate for ages 3-5 as well as bigger bags for older kids such as the StudyHaul for students age 8-14. Lunch Boxes are also available to match the backpacks. All these items can be personalized for $5.

Order your back to school gear today to be sure to have it for the beginning of the school year.

There are lots of great deals at LeapFrog right now. They have discounts for both Tag books and Leapster games. You can also save on Tag bundles as well. Order something special to help your kids get ready for back to school or buy ahead for the holidays. Don't forget that they have Free Shipping on orders over $40 too. Check out all the deals available at LeapFrog now.

Encouraging Words for Monday - Back to School

I guess I am ready to admit that the summer is coming to close and the school year will be beginning again soon. We have completed our kindergarten orientation, our school supplies are mostly bought, and the next thing is to say goodbye on the first day of school. How do we prepare our kids for school? What can we do to commemorate the beginning of the school year? What can we do to encourage our kids in this new chapter of life? It is a little different depending on what stage they are at. We will discuss preschoolers, kindergartners, and older children returning to school.

For Preschoolers this may be their first school experience. They are young and are not used to an organized classroom and school activities. It is best to help them feel secure in this new experience. Don't ask questions like, "Are you scared?" or say things like, "Don't be afraid". These types of things only introduce the idea that there may be a reason to be fearful. Address things in the positive. Remind them of the fun and friends they will have. Never let them see you cry. As parents, especially moms, we cry because we are proud, we can't believe how grown up they seem, or we are sad that time has passed so quickly. Our children can interpret that as a reason to be scared. You want them to have a positive first experience with school. Visit the school and meet the teacher if you can to make a positive and familiar experience.

Kindergartners are a lot like preschoolers. Some of their fears may be the same. They are going to a new school, have to make new friends, and ride a school bus for the first time. Again you want to speak in the positive, visit the school and teacher, and maybe get together with someone in the neighborhood who they will ride the bus with. If they are nervous to be away from you then you may want to put a family picture in their backpack so they can look at it during school and feel you are close.

For older kids returning to school there is a different issue. They have been to school and know the drill but may not be too excited about the routine starting again. Besides having them pick out their new school supplies you should find a spot to make a homework station. You can get a 3-drawer organizer and keep paper, pencils, and other school supplies in 2 drawers. You can leave the 3rd drawer as a place to put things for yourself. The kids can put notices from their folders, permission slips, lunch calendars, and anything else that you need in that drawer. This will help keep your homework station organized and make it easier when they sit down to do their homework and everything they need is handy.

You can also teach your child a new skill. They always have a boost of confidence when they have learned a new skill. Learning to tie their shoes, riding their bike, or another skill will give them something to be proud of and build their confidence.

Make back to school traditions and the start of school a special occasion. Go out to dinner or ice cream after their first day. Put a note in their lunch with a word of encouragement like, "I'm so proud of you" or "I love you and I'm thinking about you on your first day". Take their picture in a new outfit in the same place every year. Set goals for the school year, sort of like new years resolutions. Make a chart or set up rewards for meeting the goals.

School is starting soon. Take some time over the last couple weeks of summer to encourage your children, to help them start the year with excitement, and to created a foundation of positive experiences with school.

The Uniform Shop now 30 Percent Off at Children's Place this weekend only. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to get what you need for back to school. They are also having buy one get 50% off the second on denim through August 17 and 15 Percent off  your entire purchase with code F9A2010 through August 16. Get your back to school shopping done easily and quickly with these great offers from Children's Place.

Playing outside and riding bikes is a staple in the summer. Even if you live in a development you still worry about your kids safety. Unfortunately, people often drive fast through developments and use them as cut through. The One Step Ahead Driveway Safety Sign is a great tool to help people slow down and be alert to your children playing outside. I use two and put them at both ends of their play area. It also help to keep them from going too far. There are several signs on the market but these are a good price and I can get 2.

These signs have a lot of uses and are very portable. Since they fold flat you can bring them with you on a camping trip, grandma's house, a park or other outdoor event. It is so important to watch your children while they are in the street but this sign can help keep others alert as well.

There are lots of great reasons to go the library this summer. Sure it is a nice place to cool off when its hot outside, but it offers so much more. First of all the library is a great resource. Although we can get lots of information from the internet there is still value in going to the library. One of the greatest resources there are the librarians. If your child doesn't like to read or you don't know what  books they would like then the librarian is a great person to talk to. Have your child talk to the librarian and tell them about their interests and any books that they have read that they have enjoyed. The librarian will help you pick out other books that will interest you.

 
The read alouds and story times are also great at the library. Librarians are passionate about literature and can pass that on to your children when they read them great books. Take advantage of the story time and read alouds this summer.

 
There are also lots of programs to help encourage reading over the summer. Many libraries have some kind of book club or summer reading program with incentives. You can also add your own incentive to the program if the incentive is not appealing. A summer reading program can help you to make the most of your trips to the library as well as make some good reading habits.

 
Other institutions also have summer reading programs. TD Bank has a summer reading program and will give your child $10 for their TD Bank account if they read 10 books. Other banks and institutions may have similar programs.

 
The library can also be a great resource for you (and don't forget our children learn by example). At my library you can go online or call ahead and request the books you want to check out. If my library doesn't have it then they can get it from another local library through interlibrary loan.  When you get to the library they will have the books ready for you at the front desk. This is so great when you have multiple kids and don't have the time to go looking around the stack for a specific book. Your kids will also learn a lot from seeing you reading books and enjoying them. Check your library to see if they have a similar option.

 
Make a library bag. You can get a canvas tote bag or design one at cafepress.com. Take it with you to the library to pick out your books. Keep the books in the bag and put them back in the bag after you read them. Every week or two (or when the books are due) they will be all together and you can take them back and get some more. If you keep them in the bag it will make it easier to locate them and be sure they get back to the library. You can even put a tag on the bag or get one with a pocket where you keep the return date written down so you won't return them late.

 
Happy Reading!!

Encouraging Words for Monday - Reading for Enjoyment

Reading for enjoyment is one of the best gifts of summer. Children do a lot of reading during the school year. Besides what is in their text books they have to read for book reports. The topic is usually chosen, the time limit is set, and the response is prescribed. They have to do a diorama, a report, or a presentation of some kind. During the summer reading can be for pure enjoyment. They can read anything including an old favorite again if they want.

There is such great value in reading for pleasure. One of the greatest habits we can instill in our children is the love of reading. Although there is a place for the type of reading in schools, we need to encourage reading for enjoyment during the summer. Kids might enjoy a certain author like Matt Christopher or a series of books like Little House on the Prairie. During the school year they may have to break away from these favorites to read autobiographies, non-fiction, or another category. During the summer they can get back to their favorites. There is so much value in reading, it doesn't matter if its the same book or the same series over and over.

For some kids reading a book isn't that enjoyable. Maybe they would enjoy reading magazines better. Although they may not be able to read magazines for a book report there is still lots of educational value in reading magazines. They can definitely read them in the summer. There are so many great magazines for kids now. Get your child a subscription to Highlights, National Geographic for Kids or another kid's magazine. Magazine subscriptions can make a great Christmas gift too.

If they don't have a favorite then you can check out Good Books Make Great Memories. You can also check out your local library and get some advice from the librarian after sharing some of your child's interests.

Make sure to take some time to encourage your children to read just for the fun of it. Try to lead by example and pick up a good book for yourself too!

Item of the Week

If you are thinking about going camping and you have never done it before then check out this family camping guide. This book will give you tips on where to go, what to pack in your first aid kit, how to cook good food while you are away from your kitchen, and  what type of activities you can do with your children.

This great resource is only $12.95 and is eligible for Free Super Saver shipping.