A Shot (of kindness) In The Arm

this is required watching. you will be so happy you did.

i am the world's biggest fan of amy krouse rosenthal, author of amazing children's books, i'm sure you have a few on your shelf, (my favorite is "LITTLE HOOT"). she always has something very smart and meaningful to say... and do.

read more of her greatness here.

The Chill of the Spill

as if our planet weren't already in enough trouble, you and your children have seen the devastating effects of the gulf coast bp oil spill. there is much to be done to restore it to a healthy ecosystem.

here is an easy 1 minute activity to do:

log on to www.restorethegulf.com with your family. each of you can type in your name signing the petition to let president obama know that the entire country is counting on the government to fix this.

as they say on their site, "do it for the sandcastles, do it for the pelicans, do it for the oysters..."

the lesson: we ALL have a voice, and it has POWER. talk to your kids about the responsibility that comes with that power; standing up for what is right, what you believe and protecting those who can not protect themselves (in this case, the oysters).

Acme Library - Kids Make It Better

here is a fun book to do with your kids (or let them do it themselves).

a "write-in, draw-in journal", KIDS MAKE IT BETTER asks it's readers questions and gives them the space to fill in answers. questions like,

"how would you get people to stop fighting?"

"what would you do to help animals who have no place to sleep?"

"what would you do to get more people to share?"

it's a great thinking activity that is "others oriented" and perfect for summer; on a plane, in the car or sitting on the grass under a tree.

Summer

my beautiful and wise cousin, carolyn, sent me this quote which i wanted to share with you all.

"i truly believe it is one of the greatest gifts we teach our children to show them through actions that they can make a positive difference in the lives of others" - sandra magsamen

this summer keep your families busy doing just that.

scroll the (over 100) activities listed on the acmesharing.com website. i know that my boys and i will be; planting an organic garden, having a canned food drive and baking dog biscuits for the rescue shelter - no name just a few.

happy summer.

Call of the Wild

so when the temp gets super high and you have "park"ed yourselves out, chill out inside in front of the computer with your kids and check out NOAH WILD.

"Noah Wild is a movement dedicated to the idea that kids can truly make a difference by saving animals & the places they live."

noah is an animated young boy who loves animals. the site offers info (a hippo's lips are 2 feet wide) and links to other animal-centric sites. it has video, cartoons and merch. the products they sell give money back to animal loving non profits and the buyer (your child) gets to chose the cause.

here is a link: noahwild.com

the lesson: supporting animals is an easy way for kids to feel the power of helping others.

*** added bonus: you get a break from pushing them on the swings and can sit down for this family activity.

Signed Sealed and Delivered

here is an amazing and totally easy family project that you can do immediately. in fact your kids (age depending) might even be able to do most of this without you.

1. grab an empty shopping bag.

2. clean out your pantry of canned or boxed food you won't eat.

3. leave the (now full) bag next to your mailbox this saturday and your mail carrier will pick it up for you.

the united states postal service is running the STAMP OUT HUNGER program for every community nationwide. they will get this food to the local food bank and help countless people.

here is a link for more details: usps.com

the lesson: talking to kids about others who might not have enough food is an intense topic. know your child and what he/ she is capable of hearing/ understanding and think about how to share this information without scaring them. sometimes it's enough to say, "we have a lot and some families don't".

***added bonus: those oreos will no longer be there to mock you as you stare at them each morning while wearing yoga pants.

Acme Holiday - Earth Day

happy earth day! enjoy this precious video from our friends at tiny revolutionary.

viv and hank plant an organic garden (2 minutes)

nothing "goodie" about it

call me a scrooge but i have a problem with "goodie bags". the sentiment is there and i appreciate that; you go to a birthday party, bring a gift, have fun, eat cake, play with friends and your child leaves with a party favor.

these days we have been to a lot of wonderfully loving parties and walked out with a cellophane bag, colored or clear, with what my husband calls "EARTH GARBAGE". you know what this is without me even having to explain. the tiny plastic toys that hold your child's interest half way home and then end up on the floor of the backseat. tiny stickers, pencils, plastic rings, whistles - the list is long.

in honor of earth day this month, i challenge you to find a more useful and creative gift for your guests. the price point should remain the same, but take some time and scour your farmer's markets for local artisans making toys, trinkets or whatnots that might be more substantial. if you don't have the time to be creative, then may i suggest an edible favor? our children (along with the earth) will not miss the garbage and your money will be better spent.

here's a start www.greenpartygoods.com

*may i reccomend the handknit finger puppets at $2.60 each or the wooden kazoos for $2.99?

or another shopping spot with more is www.meggiemoos.com

rant over, resume pleasantries. happy happy smile smile.

m to the b

well, this week marks the national launch of my other baby, Milk + Bookies. i started this non profit in 2004 and it is just now getting off the ground (good things come to those who wait). if you want a new idea for a birthday party or if you know some teens who are looking for a community service project, this is the place to visit: www.milkandbookies.org

there are step by step instructions to throw your own event where you can invite kids to a book store, (or your home) and ask them to choose, inscribe and donate books to local kids who have none.

this is really the same message i share here about giving little ones an experience where they can give back.

the motto: READ, GIVE, GROW.

Soul Searching

in the wake of the Haiti devastation, soles4souls is collecting shoes to send to those in desperate need. infants, children, teens and adults with nothing left are going without so much, we can easily help by getting them some SHOES to get back up on their feet. soles4souls started after the 2004 tsunami, this nashville-based company has been collecting shoes for people all over the world and in the last 6 years have given away almost 6 million pairs to those who desperately need them.

this is an easy class/ school activity and we encourage kids to go out into the community and get as many shoes donated as they can!

here is a link to find a donation drop near you.

the lesson: same one it usually is - IT IS SO EASY TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT.

***added bonus: an excuse to replace of those chuck taylors your kid practically sleeps in.

Acme Library - All the World

this beautiful new book by liz garton scanlon and illustrated by marla frazee is a must for every family library. it celebrates humankind by following families in everyday activities just BEING together. it feels timeless without being too sappy and i will buy it for everyone i know (so if you know me and your child's birthday is coming, sorry, there are no surprises!)

to buy this book, see ACME LIBRARY on the right.

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Acme holiday - MLK day 2010

"life's most persistent and urgent question is, "what are you doing for others?" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

this week marks the 2 year anniversary of the acme sharing company, this is the 112th post for your enjoyment. i think the timing is quite poetic as this weekend is also the kick off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day which has now, thanks to the OBAMAS, become a day of national service.

please use this holiday as an excuse to finally do the acme sharing projects you have been reading about here, but never found the time to execute.

there is a lot of stuff for your family to do at this blog; arts and crafts, field trips and building. i've represented activities for homelessness, global warming, animals and illnesses (to name a few). whatever your cause, whatever your methods, the only value is if you do them.

if you still can't find the time for anything extra (and i get it, believe me) then the suggested reading on the right side of the website is a great place to share a moral message with your child.

happy 2nd birthday to us and happy MLK day to you.

Project COZY

ok, it is COOOOOLD out there. and in other parts of the country it is even colder. here is an easy and helpful activity to do this weekend to help those who need something to snuggle up with and get warm. there are 2 easy ways to do this one:

1.) with you kids, clean out your linen closet and bring all unused blankets to your local homeless shelter.

or

2.) with your kids, go to the fabric store, pick out some fleece, take it home and use the "project linus" guidelines to turn it into a no-sew blanket to be donated to their local chapter (see website www.projectlinus.org for locations)

here is the link for the blanket PDF

project linus, a nationwide nonprofit says, "it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

the lesson: it is too easy to take for granted something as obvious as a warm blanket. talk to you children about helping when and where we can. can they even imagine what it would be like to not have a blanket? a blanket is not only for getting cozy and good for fort building, but also for keeping us healthy and warm with a good night's sleep.

***added bonus: testing out the above lesson by getting under the covers and snuggling together!

Acme Holiday - And So It Begins...

alright, people, now is the time. this is your call to action. this is (or "tis") the season...

wanna give your kids an amazing gift? let them choose a toy to buy and donate. it is a great lesson in delayed gratification and an even better lesson in the joys of giving.

even if you don't participate in ANY of the acme sharing activities throughout the year, (i know, i know, i'm not judging you, i get it, life is BUSY) this is your moment to make time.

at the very least, take your children to the drugstore, pick up a toy and then take it to your local firehouse to donate it to TOYS FOR TOTS. this is really "give back 101".

for more advanced lessons, scroll through the acme sharing website archives for tons of ideas for giving, making and appreciating.

happy (beginning of the) holidays.

here's a link for specific drop off info: toysfortots.org

Thanks and Giving

turkey day, such a great excuse to get your family thinking about gratitude, thankfulness and helping others less fortunate (or just others, period).

please encourage your kids to think of the things for which they are thankful. there are so many ways to do this; the kindness chain, the gratitude album, a video journal, drawing pictures and making a book, strips of paper in a hat to be pulled out and read aloud at the table. how about a gratitude tree? there are a lot of ways to do the same thing. all of these activities can be found on the acme sharing website if you just scroll down the archives of past posts.

it's a perfect set up as we enter into the weeks of holiday indulging.

this year let's not let the pies overshadow the point.

Acme Library - An Awesome Book

OMG this is the greatest book of all time! dallas clayton, dad, artist and adorable hipster has written and illustrated this insanely inspiring book for ALL AGES, dream big or go home being the gist of it. he is also a superhero since now, just because you buy one, he will be giving a book to a child who would otherwise not be able to purchase one - we are all familiar with buy one, give one. i am so excited about this!!! it is AWESOME.

run, don't walk your mouse to click onto: veryawesomeworld.com

Acme Holiday - Halloween/ Veteran's Day

my kids have already forgotten about their halloween candy, pretty great. but even better, is HALLOWEEN CANDY BUY BACK. this is where local dentists weigh and pay for your child's candy and ship it out. for $1 per pound, they will pay you for your loot and send it to soldiers on the front lines. of course, soldiers don't need candy as much as kids don't need candy but... it just makes everyone happy.

here's the link: www.halloweencandybuyback.com

***added bonus: and with veteran's day coming up, it's a double whammy!

Acme Library - Pickle Chiffon Pie

no exaggeration, this book was my most most most favorite possession as a child. the story is about caring for and respecting others, there is no villain and love rules. "jolly" roger bradfield is an incredible illustrator capturing all that was cool about the 70's. this is the perfect fairy tale for boys (there are knights on a noble quest) and girls (a benevolent princess). and oh!, there is PIE!

to buy this book, see ACME LIBRARY on the right.

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Acme Holiday - Trick or Gift

so your kid has their costume, they are thinking of nothing else but trick or treating this weekend, you've got your flashlight and all is good to go.

SO, since you will be going door to door ANYWAY, here is a very easy giving back project/ lesson.

i posted about this last year for halloween so here it is again:

UNICEF has raised over $140 million and saved god only knows how many teeth from cavities.

if you don't know this program, it's where kids ask neighbors for pennies in lieu of candy. money raised is then sent in to help support the very worthy programs in over 150 countries.

since our kids will be at carnivals, class parties and more, they won't, in any way, be deprived of candy this halloween. so trick or treating can become about something else. i am not above bribing my kids to trick of treat for UNICEF and i will buy them their favorite candies in return (is this the wrong message?).

get your boxes at participating IKEA, PIER ONE IMPORTS or HALLMARK stores or

download cute "wrapper" here and affix to any canister at home (i am using one that had bread crumbs).

lesson: we drink clean water, not all children do. unicef helps provide for the kids who need water, medicine, food and education.

***added bonus: not hopped up on sugar, they might get to bed on time after an already over-stimulating day.

here"s a link to read more about it: UNICEF.ORG

Horror Story

this is unbelievable! "the story of stuff" will really make you think about what you have, where it comes from, how it's made and where it goes. a serious wake up call for the world of recycling, global warming and consumerism. this 20 minute movie will change the way you shop. it will make you think about STUFF and educate you in a way that you probably had an inkling about, but leaves no room for doubt. i hope everyone gets a chance to watch this. see it first by yourself and then watch it with your kids.

see it here: storyofstuff.com

the lesson: does my family really need another _____? how will it effect our lives vs. how will it effect the world?

***added bonus: an easy way to be inspired to get on that budget.