Bubble Guppies Library Song

So this isn't the best video, someone shot it off their TV, but when I saw this on Bubble Guppies tonight, I couldn't help but jam along. Enjoy!

#MLA13AC Highlights-Building Library Community Through Social Media

Kate Snyder of Piper & Gold Public Relations spoke about the importance of libraries using social media platforms to engage their readers online. She encouraged libraries not only to have social media sites but to do them well, by engaging their audiences with questions and posting fresh content daily. Here's why:

#MLA13AC Highlights- James Kane's: Loyalty

How do make make librarians loyal to you for at least the duration of your speech? Show them a video about a little kid obsessing over their profession. Hysterical.

Investing in Children, an investment in community

As we all know, children grow into adults. And what kind of adults they turn into, oftentimes has a lot to do with how they were raised. Children that are neglected often act out, and find other less than stellar ways to occupy their time. However, in our pleasure and pressure driven world, parents are often spend more time at the office making money, or worse, seeking out their own pleasure to the detriment of their children. I get it. I work. I go to school. I have a kid. But you can bet that I try my damnedest when I am home, to spend time with my child and instill values in him. Things as simple as respect and courtesy go miles! But parents aren't teaching respect and courtesy any more, and I can only assume that it's because they are just too busy. Because I just can't conceive the alternative--that they just don't care. Horrifying.

The Heidelberg Project: "Obstruction of Justice" Fall 2012

We're seeing the repercussions of children left to their own devices, in a world losing respect, more and more often. The Boston Bombings for example, where are the parents of these kids (using "kids" loosely), oh yeah, over in Russia. Sandy Hook? Mommy was too busy at the gun range or wherever, not to realize that her child was crazy. Then, there's the crime rate that is skyrocketing in my neighborhood, most crimes committed by teens, or early twenties. Where the hell are their parents? Why aren't they at home in the middle of the night? I'm SURE they aren't living on their own. Then this morning, one of my favorite local artist's work "Obstruction of Justice" of the Heidelberg Project was burned to the ground by arson (insert irony here). In variably by a kid that wasn't being watched or a scorned adult. Why otherwise, would someone demolish a project dedicated to the re-birth of the blighted Detroit? That hundreds of volunteers give of their time to try and make a gem, in an otherwise decaying city, giving back to the community.

I just don't understand. The only solution I can see is to start investing in our children. Teach your children to "love others as themselves" and have a general respect for those and the world around them. Stop worrying about high-tax rates, and whining about teachers getting paid too much, and start caring about the education of our children. There are TONS of statistics correlating the more educated the community, the lower the crime rate. The higher performing the schools, the lower the crime rate. And it's no secret that to achieve that, money is needed, and spent. It's time we start asking our lawmakers to invest in our children, before we start investing in non-essentials and overseas. Our children here at home need to come first, and sadly, they are being forgotten. It's time for change. Now. Otherwise, we're going to continue to see the deterioration of society.

Dollar Store Finds- Bingo Dotters.

If you homeschool, or teach preschool, you may have heard of Do-A-Dot Markers. These markers are great for dot art and little hands that are developing gross motor skills. However, they can be pretty expensive.

Recently, at the suggestion of another mom, I decided to check my local dollar store for Bingo daubers. And guess what? They had them! I was able pick up 4 dotters for $4.24! Granted, the color range wasn't nearly a wonderful as the Do-A-Dot, but to be honest, the colors really don't matter to a 2 to 3 year old. They just love the fun!

If you've never used the dotters before, you may be wondering just what the heck you do with them! There are several great sites that offer print-out bingo dauber coloring pages. Two of my favorites are:

DLTK kids - Dauber Pages 
Making Learning Fun - Bingo Marker Pages



So check your local dollar store for Bingo daubers, your child will have a blast using them!