My son is in the 3rd grade and just spending a few hours on a field trip with his class has left me with stories enough so I could only imagine how many stories a 20+ year veteran teacher would have!?! And I was right.

Stories about field trips, loosing teeth at school, writing Valentines, learning cursive, writing stories, and playground behavior. Comparisons of how teaching and students have changed and stayed the same over the years. Stories from his own childhood to things he has learned over the years.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD GRADE KIND
By Phillip Done

A twenty-year veteran of the classroom, elementary school teacher Phillip Done takes readers through a lively and hilarious year in the classroom. Starting with the relative calm before the storm of buying school supplies and posting class lists, he shares the distinct personalities of grades K-4, what he learned from two professional trick or treating 8-year-old boys, the art of learning cursive and letter-writing, how kindergartners try to trap leprechauns, and what every child should experience before he or she grows up.

These charming, sweet, and funny tales of Mr. Done's trials and triumphs as an award-winning schoolteacher will touch readers' hearts and remind them of the true joys of childhood. We all have that one special, favorite grade school teacher whom we fondly remember throughout our adult lives – and every teacher also has students whom they will never forget. This is the perfect book for teachers, parents, and anyone else who is looking for a lighthearted, nostalgic read.

I don’t think funny fully captures Mr. Done’s stories, they are more like laugh-out-loud hilarious (which I found myself doing, on more than one occasion, and a couple of times in public.) I passed my copy onto my son's teacher who told me that she alternated between laughing aloud and nodding her head in agreement.

You know the saying about real life being funnier than anything you can make-up….that saying definitely holds true for the stories in this book.

From kids funny misspellings, to mug week (known to non-teachers as the week before Christmas), to him freezing a tie that he thought was a box of chocolates because it was wrapped in a Sees candy box. The funny stories just kept coming!

I think one of my favorite parts of the whole book was when Mr. Done was talking about a box that his mother had recently given him that contained letters he had written as a child. He opened the box and said, “Where did you get these?” (another time that I laughed aloud, luckily this time I was at home)

Close Encounters of the 3rd Grade Kind also contains many touching stories. Stories of children overcoming obstacles, of ways that he was able to get through to a child, of touching moments between children. Stories that bring a tear to your eye.

This book was very easy to read. Mr Done’s writing style is short, sweet, and to the point. The short chapters are broken down according to the school year and the topic of the month; Aug , Cursive, Dec, Tooth Fairy, Smiles, etc and each starts with an inspirational quote.

I took the book along with me wherever I went, just in case I had a few minutes of waiting time I needed to fill.

This is a book that parents and teachers alike would enjoy this book.

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Craft beads aren't just for stringing on a piece of thread anymore! There are several different ways you can use them to inspire, teach, and encourage learning in young children. And they will have fun too!

**The following activities are meant for use with children over the age of 3. Please always supervise their participation with small objects such as craft beads.

Sort Them By Color. During the preschool years (3-5 approximately) children are learning to sort and categorize all kinds of objects.  From the clothes in their drawers to the food on their plates, sorting is everywhere,  and sorting objects, like beads, can help with early learning concepts such as classification and color recognition.

Do you have any idea for alternate uses for crafts beads?

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In the age of autotune and assorted other "special effects" added to artificially sweeten music, I'm finding it's artists that capitalize on the "less is more" principle that catch my ear these days. The beauty about Sonia Montez is that she doesn't, hasn't, and never will need added effects to win you over. All she needs is a couple minutes to sing you a song.

I heard about Sonia through a good friend, who has done a duet with her on her latest EP "Of Tears and Honey." I will listen to anything at least once. Two or three times if I want to review it. I checked out a video posted on Facebook and immediately fell in love. I bought the "Of Tears and Honey" EP and have listened to it fifteen times in the past two days. There are only six tracks, and I. Want. More!

Sonia's complexity is hidden within the simple. Smooth musical arrangements allow for her poetic lyricism and beautiful voice to be front and center in every single song. All at once jazzy and folksy, earnest and witty, you get to feeling like she would commiserate with you on a bad day, and then ten minutes later know exactly what to say to make you smile. Every song tells a story, and every story reaches out and pulls you in.

Favorite tracks were hard to choose, but my top two would have to be:

• "Secret," because her voice blends so beautifully and soulfully with Kiernan McMullan's – who she duetted with for the track.
• "I Miss You." Its faster pace and up front honesty makes me think of something my sister might have said to me when I left for the Navy.

Be sure to check out Sonia on Facebook, MySpace, and go have a listen to the other tracks on her EP "Of Tears and Honey" on iTunes.

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If a Moose Falls Into A Giant Potty…

Lately I have noticed a increase in the “What-If-athons” with my children. You know, the hypothetical situation they throw at you, just to see if you are listening (or care); these little dabs of fantasy to assure them that reality has not changed. We recently had a doozie of a question. On the long trip down to my in-laws our 8 year old daughter, who just got braces, piped up in the back, “What if two moose were walking in the forest and they came across a giant potty and one of them fell in?”

…

Now how do you answer this question? I know she is testing the boundaries of reality, trying to see if she is normal (not a word I would describe my 8 year old… or any of my girls, but that’s for another discussion), and a touch of being silly. So I asked her, “Honey, what do you think would happen?” (I know by doing this she learns to come up with different problem solving skills) And she replied, ever so sweetly, “That they would probably get their horns stuck when it flushed.”

…

This affirmation of reality has spread among all of our children, especially the 14 year old. She loves to come up to me and randomly ask me, “What-if my nose was upside-down?” or “What-if I looked like this?” and would proceed to make the strangest face. With each “What-If” being a bit stranger then the last.

I had been struggling with my frustration at these “What-If-Athons,” until I had a lengthy conversation with my 14 year old. She told me that her friends are picking on her, talking behind her back and just being plain mean. It was then that I realized that all of her “what-ifs” she was constantly throwing at us, was her way of making sure we would always love her and accept her for who she was. With that epiphany, it became clear that the moose in the potty was more about her new braces than 2 silly moose in a forest. Each girl has had their own strange “What-Ifs,” and each are going through changing times of uncertainty.

So I look forward to my everyday experience with the off the wall “What-If-athons,” especially if they bring me closer to my children.

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(You might find this surprising, but most errands and chores are easier on the rare occasion I find myself alone.)

I told Mark that I wouldn’t be coming home for lunch, and that was that.

Until lunchtime. When Mark and Annalyn showed up at my office. Reportedly, that little girl had spent the last hour saying, “Mommy? See her? Mommy? See her?”

So being the good dad that he is, Mark brought her to see her mommy.

Okayyyyyy. Off to Target we went. We swept through the baby section, searching for a birthday party outfit and hurried over to the candy section to look for candy bananas to put on the cupcakes. Then as I paid for a shirt, a pair of pants, some small black shoes and a stuffed Elmo that I’d hid behind my back for 10 minutes, Mark got Annalyn buckled into the car.

I ran out of the store (okay, I walked briskly, let’s be real here), and we sped off to McDonald’s, where we snarfed value meals and begged Annalyn to eat something other than our fries.

And where I found myself saying, “Stop! Don’t touch me with those hands! Here, use this napkin. Yuck! Baby girl! Those are my work pants!”

I know, I know. Somehow, I let my errands and my work pants become more important than spending time with my daughter. I focused on not getting to the other store and the thought of stinky ketchup on my sleeve. And I almost missed that sweet girl just wanting to be with her mommy.

“Mommy? See her?” How could I think anything else was more important than that?

Reba McEntire sings a song called “Is There Life Out There?” and the video makes me cry every darned time I see it. It’s more of a mini-movie, really, about a mother who goes back to school and earns her college degree.

At the end of the video, her teacher returns a paper with an A but suggests she not submit stained work in the future. Those pages were stained because her daughter accidentally spilled coffee on her typewriter-typed report, an incident that reminded Reba’s character what was really important.

Reba tells her teacher, “I learned more from the stains than I did the paper.”

As I fussed at Annalyn about the ketchup on my sleeve and my pants, I thought about that scene.

I don’t want to be too busy to love on Annalyn. Time goes too fast and she’s already growing too much. I know this stage of Mommy-love and more hugs and one more kiss won’t last.

When we got back to my office – with a few minutes to spare, even – Mark told Annalyn to say goodbye.

“Buh-bye!” she said with a smile.
“How about a hug?” I asked.
“Okay!”
"I love you!" I said as she and Mark walked away.
"Wuv. Ooo."

Turns out I had plenty of time to do my other errand after work. And I’m pretty sure nobody noticed the ketchup stains on my clothes. Although it wouldn’t have mattered if they did. One day not far enough from now, I’ll be the one saying, “Annalyn? See her?”

So I’m taking all the hugs and kisses and unexpected lunch visits I can get.

Originally posted at Giving Up on Perfect.

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Welcome to The Blissfully Domestic Fall Tour of Homes!

Come and Celebrate Autumn with us!

Enter and Submit your posts and images here! Everyone who participates will be entered to win a $250 Visa gift card!

See all of our featured submissions below. Click on the images to visit reader's virtual homes and see more Autumnal Bliss.

Here is my Fall mantle…I keep it SO SO simple in the fall (well, really in all the seasons). A few green apples, lanterns with flickering candles filling the air with the scent of cinnamon, cloves & vanilla and lots of textured baskets for warmth.

Blissful Home Editor Melissa

Blissful Dishing Editor Linda

I know the decorations are fancy. Prepare for the awesome decorating styles of my 5 yo……."

Alli Worthington

This is a portion of my mantel decorated for Autumn …

Terri Lynne

Everything's Coming Up Daisies

Everything's Coming Up Daisies

Here's a little peek at my fall decorations…I love how my house looks decorated for fall!

The Picky Apple

The Picky Apple

The Picky Apple

Candid Carrie

Sharing my Fall home…

Hoosier Homemade

It's simple, but it welcomes us home. Fall is by far my favorite season!

If Mama Ain't

Here is our front door! I made this fall wreath last year.

Andrea

I am not the best decorator but I AM BLISSFULLY DOMESTIC I do love some yummy fall colors

Blissfully Domestic Video Editor Danielle

I made my own Fall door wreath.

Design To Shine

Design to Shine

Design To Shine

Design To Shine

Stacy's Random Thoughts

Faith, Family, and Frugality

Faith, Family, and Frugality

This makes me feel all cozy and warm!

Cassie

This is a picture of a pumpkin that I sat on my back deck. The fall colors looking out my kitchen window are so beautiful!

Jennifer

Musings on a Simple Life

I start decorating in September with just my general "autumn" things, then a few weeks later I add Halloween. After Halloween, I take that down and add Thanksgiving. Basically my house is shades or orange, yellow & brown for 3 months! It's my favorite time of the year!

Blissfully Domestic Relationship & Marriage Editor Malia

Here's my Fall dining table centerpiece. I love the combo of neutrals against my blue walls!

Living With Lindsey

Amy Loves It!

I just added a little bit of fall to my foyer, with an iron urn filled with pinecones, with a pretty white starfish for contrast, a little quail, and some white pumpkins that I painted last year. Not too much, but just enough to get the Fall feel in the air and greet our guests.

Southern Hospitality

These are a few quick pics from around my house this Fall. The pumpkins and gourds are left over from Halloween and arranged on a white cake plate. Enjoy!

The Celebration Shoppe

Here's my pumpkin topiary, one of a matching set on either side of my front door.

Kimm at Reinvented

A fall centerpiece for $5? Yes, you can!

I used a thrift store frame, painted black and lined with fabric. Added painted thrift store candlesticks, a leaf garland and mini pumpkins from the grocery. Get creative with your fall table.

Kimm at Reinvented

Little Halloween with my Fall exterior.
by Interior Rooms

Anita

A fall tablescape scene in the kitchen nook. I made the center piece pumpkin.

Here is my dining room table centerpiece! A true budget centerpiece that is made of the paper bag pumpkin my daughter made at preschool and fresh fruit in a bowl!

Simply Budgeted

Cardinal Acre

I love the change of season. It gives me the opportunity to decorate my porch and fireplace mantel. I always have a wreath hanging on my front door. It's a wonderful way to say welcome to your guests. My mantel is ready for the Thanksgiving celebration were my family and friends will gather. It's a great reminder to have a banner that reads "Give Thanks".

Creations from My Heart

I have to inject a little pink, even in my fall decorating!

Jerusalem

Here is my first ever outdoor fall display!

Misty Dowdy

Lisa aka The Bead Girl

Quickly saying goodbye to the fall decorations….

HELLO CHRISTMAS!!!!

Jenny 867-5309

Here's a link to my Autumn wreath (and easy directions for those who may think themselves artistically challenged!) Autumn has always been my favorite time of year–so glad we're celebrating it now!

Stephanie

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The Synopsis
Mr. Schuester splits the Glee Club into pairs to sing their favorite ballad, but when one kid gets sick, he's forced to step in and winds up in a sticky situation. Meanwhile, Finn and Quinn have to face the music when they have dinner with her parents. (Fox.com)

The Soundtrack

• Lean on Me (Bill Withers)
• Endless Love (Lionel Richie & Diana Ross)
• I'll Stand By You (The Pretenders)
• Young Girl (Gary Puckett & The Union Gap)
• Don't Stand So Close to Me (The Police)
• Crush (Jennifer Paige)
• [You're] Having My Baby (Paul Anka)

The Quotes

• Looks like my weekly letter to the Ohio Show Choir Committee finally paid off!
• Crap! She looks crazy right now. I know this look.
• I could totally sing this to Finn. But screw him if he thinks he’s taking the Diana Ross part from me.
• Gold stars are kind of my thing.
• You’re wrong, I’m right. You’re dumb, I’m smart.
• I don’t know why I find his stupidity charming . . . I guess that’s love for you.
• You’re a very good performer. He’s very good.
• This lesson has given me a lot to think about.
• The acoustics are horrible in the car. Put your seatbelt back on.
• There is no beating Judy’s ham.
• Settle down, cowboy. //  I have to go; they’ll think I’m pooping.
• Let me tell you a few things I learned from two years of intense psychotherapy and an esophagus transplant.
• Trust me. I’m a cautionary tale.

My Thoughts

• I hate that guy playing Quinn’s dad. He’s always a creepy jerk. Tonight’s episode was no exception.
• Poor Finn. That guy just cannot sing. He got me all teared up with his sonogram serenade, but why he is in Glee again?
• And when he told his mom? Oh my. Let the gushing begin.
• Quinn and Finn were pitch perfect (yes, cheesy pun intended) when they listened to Lean on Me. The twitches in their faces when they were moved, their stunned smiles and finally their relieved and happy-to-have-friends laughter was all so well done.
• Will’s crazy faces during Endless Love could not have possibly been a turn on. That is all.
• Also, his overly expressive and dramatic gestures and expressions during his mash-up? A bit much.
• Playing Extreme’s More Than Words on Suzy Peppers headphones after Will broke her heart was brilliant.
• Did you notice that Quinn’s dad turned off Finn’s music right after he sang the word “seed”? He was a total fill-in-the-blank, but I can’t really blame him for that move. I mean, really, Paul Anka? Really?
• Lean on Me is one of my very favorite songs, and I adore this Glee arrangement.

What did you think? Did you love all the music? Did you miss Sue? Are you rooting for Quinn to end up with Finn or Puck?

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I learned this first hand when I spoke up about a friend and her baby, Jaeli, and their desperate need when the "system" lost them. I wonder why we make things so difficult for mothers with sick or special needs children. Don't they need things as easy as possible? Not MORE complicated?

What impressed me the most is how quickly my friends and readers stepped up and spread the word. How many gave up a pizza night to chip in. How many forwarded an email to church groups and prayer lists. Hundreds of thousands of people heard Jaeli's story because moms banded together to support a family in need.

This week, it was Anissa who needed prayer and support. In a much less tangible and more difficult-to-cope with way, we found a way to express our desire to help with a simple hastag, #prayersforAnissa and hung on every update from her husband. Many, many have used their blogs to express their feelings of hope, prayer and support.

It's touching, and telling, to see mommy-bloggers, in whatever form they take, getting back to the root of where we started. We started as a way to connect. To not feel alone. To find a sympathetic ear. To find a friend. Have we lost that along the way? Jaeli and Anissa prove that no, despite what LA Times has tried to make of us, we have not.

To find out more about Jaeli's story visit Angela England's blog. (http://angengland.com/Jaeli) For official updates on Anissa's progress follow @AimingLow on Twitter.

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by Dave & Karin, seen on Flickr

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Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer
This is one of those toys that you never think about but every household should have.  When it comes to making apple pies, grilled ham and apple sandwiches or turkey and ham wraps, this more than cuts your prep time in half and it can also be used to make super cool potato spirals like this one:

Zyliss Palm-Held Pizza Slicer, Red Every house should have a pizza slicer because they are for so much more than slicing pizza! We use ours for cutting grilled cheese sandwiches into strips and serving them as finger food, cutting pancakes easily and in the blink of an eye and of course slicing pizza    Plus, this one is super pretty and fits right into the palm of your hand. At under $10, this is a steal.

Puffy Muffin Top Pan

We all know that the muffin top is the best part of the muffin. Cut out the middle man with this nifty little pan.  You could also use this for cupcakes!

5-Quart White Crockpot, slow cooker

It's a crockpot… there are entire websites devoted to it.  Need I say more?  I do.. okay, if you don't have one, your kitchen is nowhere near complete. (there are some way more amazing and techy-digital-esque crockpots that cause me to drool but, we're sticking with under $25 here people)

12-inch seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

You knew this was coming.  I'm a Texan.  Cast Iron is a must.  You cannot call yourself a cook in the south without one.  Trust me, this is the greatest kitchen pan of all time.  If you're lucky, you have a Granny who's passed one down from generations long gone by, if not.. this pre-seasoned skillet is an absolute steal at less than $20, these babies are priceless as far as I'm concerned.

All in one timer and digital thermometer

Whether it's medium-rare steaks, chicken, pork chops or timing your 15 minute cleaning spree.. this digital thermometer timer is a MUST HAVE! It's combining two kitchen must haves into one sleek, useful and easy to read tool and really is a steal at $18

Wilton Easy Flex Silicone Spatula 3 Piece Set

Silicone is one of the greatest kitchen friends ever.  Multi-size spatulas are a necessity and for under $7.. this is a fantastic set.

Rubbermaid Storage Set

This is the exact set that is in my cabinets right now and I paid more than $20 for it.

Hot Air Corn Popper I really think that every kitchen should have a hot air popper.  This popper is under $21 and is worth at least triple that for the flavor and the memories. Fresh popped popcorn is a standout memory of my childhood and the taste.. oh my word the taste.  No bagged popcorn can replicate it.  And I say that with all the knowledge (and disclosure)  that I love love love bagged popcorn

12-inch electric skillet

Okay, this one breaks my barrier by $10 BUT, my electric skillet is almost 2nd in my heart to my cast iron skillet and I cannot live without it and you cannot get a good one for under $25.  Forgive me? Yes, yes you will

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