Are your Easter baskets ready?

Can you believe it's time to get those Easter baskets ready? I'm all about some good chocolate and filling baskets with a little candy, but do we really need to load them up with all that sugar? Probably not. Why not consider some other options as you get ready for the Easter Bunny!

1. Gift subscription to Grow Up With Books... Is there anything better than books? What about books delivered to your doorstep? Check out GUWB for what I call the "no-brainer" gift. You don't have to go out to find it, you're sure to be a hit, and it's a gift that keeps on giving.
2. Family Games...Adding a family game to your collection at Easter is perfect. Try to get something that will stretch to all of the ages in your house such as Dominoes, card games, and marbles.
3. Packs of Seeds...Start a small garden from seed. Let your child help you gather the necessary supplies.
4. Disposable Camera...Let your child take pictures of signs of spring. Put them into a book where they can write the story behind the pictures.
5. Art Supplies...Water colors, pastels, fun crayons and markers, construction paper, stickers, stamp pads and ink. bingo dot markers, glitter glue, sidewalk chalk, etc.
6. Project/Kit Ideas...Children love projects. Try building a kite, bird house, rocket, bat house, butterfly house, or hanging tomato plant holder.
7. Bathtub Supplies...Bubble bath, tub crayons, tub paint, and tub toys can be hours of fun!
8. Simple Toys...Yo-yo, hoola-hoops, play dough, and sandbox toys.
9. Easter Eggs...Rather than fill them with candy, why not put riddles/jokes in them. Kids get a kick out of telling a great joke to an audience of even one.
10. New Toothbrush and Toothpaste...Giving them a fun toothbrush and toothpaste can bring about a renewed interest in brushing. You have to replace them anyway, why not do it in the basket?

When in doubt...go with the gift subscription to Grow Up With Books! There is a uniqueness to this gift and the satisfaction of knowing that your child/grandchild has the chance to read amazing books.

What are some of your ideas for basket fillers? Send us your ideas and comments!

Happy reading-

The GUWB Team

Submitted by Lara

Snowy Day Indoor Ideas

Snowy Day INDOOR Ideas...

WOW! I thought that December's snow was a doozy, but I'm thinking that this one is going to make quite an impact here in Richmond, Virginia. It got me to thinking about what to do with your children IF the weather is too cold to go outside and too snowy to drive anywhere.

So, here is my list of ideas to help those of you stuck indoors.

* Get a head start on your Valentine's cards.
Even if your child can't remember all of the names from his/her class, you can have them sign their name and make them. Pull out any supplies and let them be creative. My son has decided to add Valentine's jokes to his.

* Play a game!
You know all of those board games you rarely pull out? Pick an old favorite. Let each child choose one...that is unless you have more than 3 children!

* Start a puzzle.
A puzzle can be quite fun and gets the brain clicking! It also allows your children to work together...hopefully without too much arguing. Also, try these cool math games online.

* Cook up something tasty!
We've got a box of Lemon Bars we haven't fixed so it's on our list for today. Not sure what to cook? Check out this site that uses ingredients you have. Just type in your ingredients and you get the ideas for what to make.

* Make Snow Cream!
Too cold to play in, but not too cold to eat inside. Check out some of these recipes for Snow Cream.

* Read a good book.
Any book is a good idea, but one with a snow theme is even better. If you are a subscriber to Grow Up With Books, you will want to check these titles...
Houdsley and Catina and the Quiet Time by James Howe
The Snowy Day by Ezra Keats
The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills

*Have a dance contest!
Get out the video camera, turn on some music, and start recording those dance moves. If you want to get really fancy, check out YouTube for some kid dance moves. After taping, you can then play them back for a good laugh. What great memories to hold onto!

*Pull out old family movies.
Truthfully, we watching ones I got from the library yesterday in preparation for today's snow. However, watching old ones of the kids would be better. May just have to do that next!

*Add your ideas here...
Leave your ideas in the comments! Help others (including me) get the most out of these COLD days with the kids inside!!!

We look forward to hearing from you-
The GUWB Team

(submitted by Lara)