Dreaming of Hawaii with Pu'ili, Hawaiian Rhythm Sticks, Music and Stories

Now this winter has been harsh for most of North America. The past two weeks it seems it snows five to six inches every few days here. I am so over winter and cannot wait for spring!! My friend, Daria, invited me to make pu'ili with Hazel and tell you about her fabulous giveaways!! Daria is giving away a ukulele and a pair of pu'ili [POO' ee lee] which are Hawaiian rhythm sticks. Now she thought of us because she knows about Hazel's ukulele and knows how much Hazel loves to play it as well as any instrument really. We have even made our own ukulele. I should also add that Hawaii is my dream vacation. Steve has already been there, but it is the place I really want to go. One day I hope...

Around the World in 12 Dishes-- Canada

This month we are exploring Canada with the Around the World in 12 Dishes group. Hazel and I have been having so much fun with it. If was warmer weather, I might even consider taking her to Canada, however I cannot imagine going anywhere colder and snowier than what we already have. I am so done with winter, but alas, we are expecting snow again tomorrow. Anyway, a bit about Canada. Canada borders three oceans: Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic, and its southern border with the United States is the worlds longest land border between two countries. Canada is the second largest country in area. Canada was settled by both France and Great Britain. After the French and Indian War, France ceded its colonies to Britain in 1763. As a result of both countries settling, Canada is officially a bilingual country. Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The Queen's representative carries out most of the federal royal duties in Canada.

Presidents' Day -- Learning about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

The third Monday of February is Presidents' Day in the United States. It is a day to honor all of the people who serve as the president of the United States. At one point Abraham Linclon's and George Washington's birthdays were each individually celebrated in February and then they got combined to be Presidents' Day. Now in New England, the schools usually close for the week of Presidents' Day.I believe it goes back to the days of one room schoolhouses and having to pay for heat. A week off in one of the coldest months saves money. As a former teacher I can also tell you often the illnesses were spreading and this week tended to help get the viruses out of the building.
 
 I had big plans to have Hazel do some crafts for the day, but she was not in a crafting mood today. Instead I made some peg dolls of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The idea came from Every Day's a Holiday by Heidi Kenney. I saw the idea on How- Tuesday: Mini President Figurines and then saw it came from the book which I own.

To learn more about the holiday and the men, we went to the library. Some books that helped Hazel and were mostly at her level  for Presidents' Day are Presidents' Day by Helen Frost and Presidents' Day by Robin Nelson.

Next we took some books out on George Washington. Now Hazel has some idea about Washington since she knows there is a state named after him and the capital of the United States is named for him (though she sometimes think they are the same thing). We took books out so she could learn more about the first president.

 

We also took books out to learn about Abraham Lincoln. With every book we learned that Lincoln became a lawyer and every time, Hazel asked me what a lawyer is. I must admit I found some of these books a bit hard to get through since she kept asking vocabulary questions, but I know this is how she will learn.

 

Maybe we will get to do the crafts tomorrow or next year. Though I am thinking about learning about other great presidents next year. Do you do anything for Presidents' Day?

The Day No One Played Together--Book Review

Disclosure: I was sent this book digitally to review free of charge from Donalisa Helsley. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

Today I get the honor of sharing with you a wonderful children's book about compromise. The author, Donalisa Helsley, was kind enough to send me this book digitally to review. She is part of the Multicultural Children's Book Day group. The book, The Day No One Played Together, is based one her own daughters and the all important lesson of learning to compromise. 

The story is about two sisters who go out on a beautiful day to play in the yard. Each girl has her own idea of what they should play and neither is willing to play the other's game before playing her own, so they play by themselves and are miserable. Eventually both girls go inside and try to play together inside. Again they both have ideas of what to do, but cannot decide which idea to play first and both end up playing alone again.  At lunch their mother suggests they compromise. She explains that compromise means finding something to do together with a little of both ideas in it. After lunch they find a way that both girls can play together and still do what she wants and have fun together.

This book is a wonderful example for young children about compromising. It gives a clear definition of the word compromise and then follows it with an example. It is a must read for all families with young children. Then the bonus is that it is a multicultural children's book since the girls are not Caucasian. And as they should, the girls learn it is more fun to compromise and play together than to play alone. They compromise by one sister giving a concert to the other girl's dolls. Since we read this book, Hazel has been talking about compromising whenever we come to a difference of opinions. She definitely got the concept from the book. 

The book also is a Mom's Choice Award Recipient. It is available on Donalisa's website, Wild About Reading, as well as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I definitely recommend this book and reading it to young children and especially siblings. 

For more multicultural book reviews check out:

• Rainbow Stew by Cathryn Falwell
  
• Julie Black Belt Series by Oliver Chin
• The Year of the Horse by Oliver Chin
• Sora and the Cloud by Felicia Hoshino
• Justice Pon di Road by Aliona Gibson
• Books about Civil Rights
• Multicultural Christmas Books
• How the Sea Began: A Taino Tale Retold by George Crespo
• In My Family by Carmen Lomas Garza and What Can You Do with a Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla
• Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman 
• Butterflies for Kiri by Cathryn Falwell
• The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
• Most of My Fairy Tales in Different Culture Posts
• All of my Around the World in 12 Dishes Posts

Sharing Saturday 14-7

Thank you to everyone who shared with us last week! We had over 100 posts shared!! I know I have been visiting and pinning away with all the great ideas shared! I am always so inspired by what everyone shares. If you have not had a chance to check them out, you really should! This week we had a most clicked. It is from Crafty Journal: Sweetheart Angel.