Don’t be a Sammy Spammy in your Business

Sammy Spammy

Have you ever noticed how salespeople can feel all “shady”? If you own a network marketing business, the quickest way to lose a customer is to be too assertive. Above all, do not be a “Spammy Sammy”!

With Mary Kay Cosmetics, we pride ourselves on being real and personal. Connecting with each client is our mission. Mary Kay believed that everyone has an invisible sign around her neck saying, “Make me feel important”.One-on-one relationships and customer care for example, are just a few of the many differences between us and them. Our salesforce sets us apart as we strive to give women privilege. Mary Kay Ash dedicated her life to empowering women and putting them in control of their own futures. Likewise, her company’s skincare and makeup are pretty incredible too.

Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret.

Mary Kay Ash

Side Gig

To clarify, let me back up for a moment to fill you in on my side gig AND side-side gig. It will end up right back here, I promise. (If you are looking for side gigs for kids, click here.)

May 24th, 2019, I went to a Skincare Class, fell in love with the way Mary Kay made my face feel, learned about the business plan, and jumped at the opportunity to be my own business owner.

Can you imagine? Me. Kim Thomas. The girl that only washed her face with the bar of soap in the shower. I was the one that wore mascara from the corner drug store. And gasp. Even slept in my make up!

Click to find out why you shouldn’t sleep in your makeup.

I can help you get that! http://www.marykay.com/kthomas98182

Mrs. President

I have always had an entrepreneurial heart. I knew that one day I would open my own business. My dream was to open a themed party store. Or maybe a drop ship company. Something. Anything. I fantasized about being my own boss. Of using my creative mind to design whatever my business was. I wanted to do things my way. With this in mind, I started Susie Peas to make that dream come true. Being a blogger gave me the opportunity to express myself and be as creative as I wanted.

That skincare class that I went to planted the seed for me. The very next week I became an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay. A business owner. My own boss. It’s my side gig and I love everything about it!

Promotion

In time after starting my business with Mary Kay, I furthered myself to Independent Sales Director. It was fun sharing what my new calling had done for me. I quickly built a team of other ladies that wanted their own businesses too. Extra money for car payments, dance lessons, braces. Of course, Mary Kay has phenomenal products that Consultants get for a substantial discount. Being a Consultant with Mary Kay additionally supports female empowerment and growth within the company as you decide what works for you and your family.

Learning a New Way

As I worked on my personal business and mentoring the women on my team, a Pandemic hit. In short, it caused us all to pivot. Virtual became the new way to meet with amazing customers and clients. As I held more virtual one on ones, parties and events, I began to love this new way of working my side gig. I jumped at the opportunity to do online events. My Senior Sales Director, Mikaela Garth had an idea that would put our online skills to the test.

(If you know me, you know that I love to throw a fun party. For that reason, becoming a Consultant with Mary Kay definitely was the perfect party job for me! Check out my Favorite Party Tips here.)

Partner in Crime

 “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.” 

Mary Kay Ash

Meet Mikaela

Mikaela is an Enneagram 8. I am a 7! Find out your Enneagram number here. She is organized and to the point. However, I am all over the place and take the long way around to tell a story. (Can you tell?) We realized quickly that we make a great duo on screen and off. Her control and my crazy work well together.

Independent Senior Sales Director, Mikaela Garth

In charge and organized, agenda in hand. Mikaela always has a game plan. Ideas that not only get results for our personal businesses but are duplicatable for our prospective Units. Some information comes in the form of spreadsheets. Other ideas may look like challenges or promotions. Virtual ideas. In person ideas. Ideas that work Hybrid. She does things specifically for her own Unit. And she does things that she includes my team of amazing women in too. Mikaela doesn’t do anything without a powerful purpose. 🙂 And she knows how to implement it from beginning to end.

As for her online idea, she even sets up the LIVE log in and sends me the information. To keep me from getting nervous, I don’t even know the topic of the day. Consequently, Mikaela keeps us on track. I wing it. It works out great for us!

Side-Side Gig

Here is where my side-side gig comes in. Mikaela and I co-host our own virtual talk show of sorts. In essence, Mary Kay with M&K was born one year ago in our Rise & Thrive Facebook Group. It was the perfect time to rally our Units as we worked together to meet huge goals. In addition, we could share skincare and makeup tips & tricks with the customers of our unit members.

Mary Kay with M&K is our Side-Side gig, even more it is a fun platform that we use to share skincare and makeup tips with our customers. As well as mentor our unit members on topics like NOT being a Sammy Spammy in their businesses.
Independent Senior Sales Director Mikaela Garth and Independent Sales Director Kim Thomas

Sammy Spammy doing her thing

And now, let’s get back to Spammy Sammy. For one of our Mary Kay with M&K trainings, Mikaela and I did a “skit” on how being “salesy” might look. Mikaela, the organized 8 was the Serious Executive that was extremely overloaded. As an illustration, I was going to make her talk to me no matter what it took! In Conclusion, sit back, grab some popcorn, load our fun Spammy Sammy Video, and enjoy the craziness of M&K.

Sammy Spammy working it with our extremely busy Serious Executive.

For more fun, hop on over to the Rise & Thrive Facebook Group. We would love to have you! ~Sammy Spammy aka Susie Peas

Summer Survival Series DAY FIVE – Set Goals

I sat down recently and thought about what I NEEDED my kids to learn this summer, what I thought they could practically learn this summer, and what would be fun for them to learn this summer.  These would be our Summer Goals.

Here are the goals that me and my little cubs will be working over the next few months.

Curtis can practice his Addition and Subtraction facts.  Gabs MUST learn to tie her shoes for kindergarten.  Anabelle ABSOLUTLY has to eat lunch during the 30 minute time frame that she’ll have in Prekindergarten, which is much shorter than the HOUR AND A HALF pace she’s currently sitting at.  Griff MUST be potty trained this summer.  I’m over the diapering stage of life!!! 

Next, I made my little chicken scratched chart pretty and printable for you.  Print it out.  Assign some goals. 

(Don’t forget your own, like “STOP HOARDING, YOU WEIRDO.”  That’s my goal.  I listen better to myself if I call myself playful names.) Learn and grow together!  

Hoarding Clothes
Hoarding Clothes

Heather Moritz has great ideas on how to set goals with kids using her SMART goals printable. She explains the importance on teaching goal setting and offers an easy way to accomplish it.

Setting goals for the summer is another great way to keep organized, in control of the chaos, and focused. Without the interruptions of a school day, you will be able to obtain those goals in a condensed amount of time with greater consistency and reinforcements.

Brainstorm with your kids and include them in your goal setting. There may be some things that they want to learn to do that you have never thought of. Include those ideas along with your ideas of things that need to be accomplished this summer.

Good luck! Talk to you soon! ~Brooke

Summer Survival Series DAY FOUR – Sign Up for Activities

Whoops.  It’s June.  Those little crazy people came home and we’ve been going non-stop ever since!  I’m sure you can relate.  Hopefully you’re still surviving! Let’s get back on track!!! This is Brooke, guest blogging for Susie Peas with my Summer Survival Series. Here is my Day 4 Summer Survival Tip – Sign Up for Activities.

Get A Planner and Start Filling it Up

Open up your planner.  You have one of these, right???  I’m old school, so mine’s on paper.  And I use a pencil because LIFE. 

Plan your summer survival
Plan your summer survival

If you don’t have a planner, and even if you do, just find a cute and free printable version online.  I like to print two copies.  One serves as a rough draft.  I write down EVERYTHING.  Lots of stuff overlaps.  I choose which activities we are going to do, copy them onto a final draft, and then THROW ALL OF THE PAMPLETS AND BROCHURES AND FLYERS AWAY!!!  Now that you’re ready, here we go.

Sign Up for Sports

i9 Sports
i9 Sports for activities in your area

 First, the sports.  Once you sign up for a team sport, it needs to become priority.  Chances are it wasn’t cheap.  And team sports are an awesome way to teach our kids responsibility and loyalty.  Your team is depending on you to show up.  Check out i9 Sports for activities in your area.

Sign Up for Camps

VBS and Summer Camps at Parks or Recreation Centers

Next, choose some summer camps!  Vacation Bible School is important to us, so I check out those dates first.  Your local parks and rec department has CHEAP summer camps, I’m sure!  I used to be a day camp director in my hometown, and it was SO.MUCH.FUN.  Sign up IMMEDIATLY.  These are booked incredibly fast.  

Library Fun

Now check out your local library.  Sign up for summer reading and check out their summer calendar for fun events!  Our STL libraries have magic shows and story tellers and musical performers scattered throughout all of their locations all summer long.  

Camps of Their Favorite Hobbies & Activities

You can also find amazing art camps, zoological camps, gardening camps, cooking camps, science camps, etc.  with a quick google search.  Chances are the places you’re already visiting, like the zoo or even the GROCERY STORE, have summer camps available!  

What about your state’s conservation center???  Did you think to check there?  Last summer ours offered a BAT TAGGING NIGHT.  WHAT?! So much fun!

Bowling Alleys nationwide are offering free bowling throughout the summer for kids.  And many movie theaters show reruns of old favorites for around a dollar!

You can Sign Up for Summer Activities Everywhere


Bottom line, there are SO MANY INCREDIBLE SUMMER EVENTS going on each day around you, and if you’re not looking, you’ll miss ’em! These summer activities are a great way to make some amazing memories for you and your kiddos this summer.

Be sure to check out Susie Pea’s ideas for Grandma Camps too! Fun and easy step by step ideas on how to host a successful day full of fun, food, and family! And also find great ideas on Geocaching with Kids. Another fun activity to add to your summer calendar.

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Side Hustles for Kids

When it comes to making money, the only prerequisite you need is a good idea. Adults aren’t the only ones with great ideas to make some extra bucks, kids have some pretty good ideas for their own side hustles. This creativity can help them with their earning potential clear into adulthood. A side job will also help them develop people skills, problem solve, and learn how to manage money once they’ve earned it. If you are stumped and want some help thinking of a few ways to make a dollar, here is a list of money makers that might spark your imagination.

Most of us probably had a lemonade stand in our front yard when we were growing up. Mowing the lawn, babysitting, and shoveling snow were popular ways to make some extra dough too. And after you completed the job, did you skip to the nearest candy store? Or did you save it for a new skateboard? Whatever your end goal, learning the value of a hard day’s work to get the pay was surely a life lesson that you still can live by. With a side job you can teach your kids this too.

Here are 10 easy side hustles for kids who want to make a buck.

Lemonade Stand

We are starting with this one because it works! Take advantage of your mom’s garage sale and set up a table by the entrance. Chances are she has already hung signs around the neighborhood, you just need to add one by the front of your table. You can earn more profit by selling bottled water out of a cooler too.

Donut Stand

Those early garage sale shoppers just might be hungery as well. You can add a few dozen to your display and sell them for a profit. I’m sure you will sell out in no time.

Dog Walking

A lot of people in your neighborhood work during the day and do not have time to take their dog for a walk. You could hand out flyers offering dog walking services. Learn leash laws. Be sure to take something with you to clean up their messes.

Dog Treats Sale

If you like to cook, maybe you can bake some dog treats and sell them. Kind of like a bake sale, just not as savory. @cozycook.com has a fun recipe for a homemade strawberry banana dog treat.

Doggie Dooty

Here’s another job people don’t have time for or just don’t like to do. They will pay you to come by once a week to pick up poo. All you need are gloves, double bags, 5 gallon bucket, and a scooper. You can bring some of your fresh baked doggie treats for the customers too!

Produce Stand

This was one of my kids favorites! Their Grandma had a huge excess of tomatoes from her garden every year. They would load up these yummy red veggies and sell them to all of the neighbors. If you grow a large garden, you can sell your home grown bounty up and down the block out of a little red wagon. If you don’t normally grow a garden, it might be a fun family project to start. Here is a post from @growingfamily.com on how to garden with children.

Recycling Cans

Your child can earn some money by collecting aluminum used cans. Ask friends and family to save their cans and you can help your child pick them up once a week. What a great way to teach them all about the recycling process and how important it is to our world. Here is a great teaching idea about recycling from @learningmole.

Make YouTube videos

My grandson loves watching YouTube videos of other kids playing with toys. Some of the videos are of people opening toys and giving their opinions of it. As silly as this sounds, it is the new craze. Everyone is doing it! These kid entrepreneurs are making tons of money with these side hustles largely through sponsored videos and affiliate links.

If you are worried about your children being on Youtube, they can still do this without showing their faces. There are various child Youtubers who do not show their faces – they just focus the camera on the toys.

Yard Sale

When it’s time for some spring cleaning, help your child go through his own toys, games, and clothes to find things that he isn’t using anymore and sell them. Separating, organizing and then selling can be a great cleaning project to do with you child.

Selling Used Books

While you are getting things ready for the yard sale, begin collect all of the books that you have outgrown or no longer read. Use an app like Bookscouter to see which ones are worth something and then sell them on Amazon or eBay. To boost up your inventory of books, go to other garage or yard sales, or used book sales at the library. I love to find gently loved books at the thrift stores too. Here is my post on Amazing Thrift Store Finds. And My Favorite Secondhand Stores in St. Louis.


Side hustles are a great way for kids to bring in some spending money. As they learn the hard work it takes to make money, they also learn the value of a dollar. These jobs are perfect for kids to obtain responsibility skills as well as to take pride in themselves. ~ Susie Pea

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Social Media Personalities That You Should Be Following In 2019

With so many blogs and social media platforms out there, it is easy to find some great people that you relate to and enjoy reading their works. I have quite a few social media personalities that I follow. Some because they know a lot about what I am interested in at the moment. Others, because they are just too funny and have a great spin on EVERYTHING which makes my day. And those that are truly inspiring. Just reading their blog gives you a sense of hope and the drive to be a better you.

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Here are a few of my favorites that you should pursue. They are the hot item this year. Great reads, motivational, full of experienced and fun style, amusing takes on child rearing, and kid-takes on life, all wrapped up into one happy package.

So, today’s post is a tribute to some of the amazing bloggers, YouTubers, and Social Media gurus that I am lucky enough to call friends, and a few others that I am constantly inspired by their creativity and the content that they put out into the world.

If you’re looking to make your online community a little more positive and inspiring for the this year, I highly recommend checking out these people and their little corners of the internet. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Out of Hiding

For an amazing read, one that truly I feel in my gut each time I open a new post, you should keep an eye on Out of Hiding.

This is a page dedicated to those dealing with substance use disorder and those needing a bit of inspiration. Bobbie has been there and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly.

She knows what it takes to rise above and gives amazing support and insight to not only the addict, but the families that are going through this tough road to recovery. Bobbie’s words are Inspiring and supporting messages for anyone suffering from addiction or depression.

Bobbie from Out of Hiding
Bobbie from Out of Hiding

My journey through depression and alcoholism.

About Bobbie: In long term recovery. Trying to make my part of the world a little nicer. Published in Love What Matters and For Every Mom.  My story began with depression and ended in full blown alcoholism.  I tried to hide my problems from the world and they just got bigger.  My story is about finding my light.  My blog helps me heal and I’m finding it helps others too. 

Follow Out of Hiding:

Pizzazzerie

Courtney with Pizzazzerie

PIZZAZZERIE is your go-to guide for entertaining in style from easy and delicious party foods to daily party tips and inspiration! She has so many great ideas for fun and unique parties. And the photos of these events are above and beyond. I love scouring her pages for ideas and inspiration.

Courtney Whitmore shares entertaining intuition and ideas with her readers. She has published 3 cookbooks and contributes to many magazines with her beautiful tablescapes, foods, and party planning suggestions.

Toby & Roo

Harriet Shearsmith from Toby & Roo gives her take on raising kids and surviving life.
Harriet from Toby & Roo

Harriet Shearsmith is a mother of 3 that is absolutely hysterical! She tells it like it is when it comes to raising kids and I think that is why I find her so funny. She is saying exactly what we all want to say. Quite a bit of sass this one!

You can expect an honest account of parenting, a touch of fun, and some cussing. ;). I love her humor and how she comes across. She will teach you how to make slime, how to survive carpool, and about traveling with kids.

KidVentions

Kid Ventions social media superstar
YouTube social media superstar Jase from Kid Ventions

Jase Joiner is the kid scientist, explorer, challenge taker, & professional unboxer behind the YouTube Channel Kid Ventions. This tiny entrepreneur is new to his craft, but is a natural in front of the camera. At only 6, he already has an opinion on everything.

Social Media Sensation

He just finished Kindergarten and went LIVE with his new “summer job” on the last day of school. This kiddo has a line up of kid science experiments and a great bean boozled challenge on his channel. In one of his videos, he even pranks his grandma!

At Kid Ventions, Jase also does unboxing of some favorite toys and kid subscription boxes. He gives his opinion of what he thinks about the company and the quality of the boxes. Great review information when you want to see if a toy or subscription is worth your money. Unboxing is the new rage of what every little person is watching on YouTube these days.

Let’s Go Blues

Jase is passionate about his favorite sports team, the St. Louis Blues hockey team, and does a fun Carseat Confessions bit on his take of the games and how the coach should take care of business. He is ecstatic that his team is in the Stanley Cup Finals this year! And on his Kid Ventions channel he teaches you how to make a Blues Slushy to support his team. #LGB

He is also working on a Podcast suitably named Carseat Confessions. It will be a platform perfect for kids. Jase plans on sharing his opinion on sports, playgrounds, kid’s books, his favorite things to do, and even heavy topics like bullying. All from a kid’s point of view.

His podcast Carseat Confessions and his YouTube Channel Kid Ventions are both fun and safe sites to subscribe to for your little ones. No need to worry about what you’ll find on Jase’s space. That’s a win in my eyes!!

I hope that you get a chance to stop by the platforms of these great writers and social media notables. I love following them and I think you will too.

Who do you enjoy following on social media? Let me know in the comments, maybe I can check out your favorites too! ~Susie Peas

Check out my post on other entrepeneures in my post Small Businesses that Have Exploded on the Scene. There you will find other social media sensations making it in their professions.

Color Matching Activity for 2 & 3 Year Olds

Color Matching Activity

2 and 3 year old kiddos are working hard to learn their ABC’s, Counting, Shapes, & COLORS. Here is a great way to help them practice their color matching skills with items that you already have around the house.


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Gather Your Color Matching Supplies

  • toys, kitchen supplies, crayons, blocks, cars, food (play or real), etc. Items that are a dominate color. Collect 5 items for each color.
  • ALSO Collect at least one item that has 2 dominate colors and hold to the side for LAST item to be placed.
  • foam circles, construction paper, colored buckets. Some type of ‘base’ to use to put colored items on/in as a guide.
  • That’s it!!

Set Up Your Color Matching Game

Set up your Color Matching Game and give simple directions of matching objects to correct color circle.
Color Matching Game for 2 & 3 year old

Be sure that the items you pick have one dominate color. This will help allow for success and make the game fun. When things are too difficult, unsure kiddos will quickly lose interest and give up.

Color matching for 2 - 3 year olds
Color Matching for Toddlers

Sometimes when you give the child objects that have something else in common, like these crayons, the child will put the wrong color object onto the foam circle by the similar item. WOW! Amazing things just happened right there!

We are quick to think this is wrong. STOP – ask them why they think the yellow crayon goes here (above example). Their little brains are already categorizing in multiple ways. In this example, she grouped (categorizing skills) the crayons together even though they are different colors. We left it. No need to correct such an awesome mind growing thing!!

Give them a 2 dominant color item to see where they would put it on their color matching activity
Our Spiderman has 2 dominant colors

A Little Harder

Hold an item that has more than one dominate color for the end of the activity. There will not be a wrong answer here. Just see where they place it. Ask them the ‘Why’. It’s fun to hear their reasoning. Good job kiddos!! Let them try it again and again, until they lose interest.

Eye Spy is another great color game for little kids. Be patient, they are learning. What are some fun things you do with your kiddos for color fun? Check out some great fine motor and gross motor activities for toddlers here. And be sure to stop by my blog post on Grandma Camp. Tons of Toddler fun packed in there too! ~ Susie Peas.

Check out these Color Matching Games & Puzzles below. Great fun for your little ones. And I added the link to The Reading Bug Box. A perfect birthday gift for someone you love to read with. I like customizing mine to fit all of my Sweet Peas. ~Kim

Fun With Kids at the Public Libraries

St. Louis County offers 19 library branches around the area. They volunteer amenities such as interactive children’s areas, private study rooms, and comfortable seating and quiet reading areas.

Public Libraries are not what they used to be. Now these libraries are offering new and innovative programs like Sensory Story Time for families with children on the autism spectrum, Listen Up STL a collection of local music available to stream on the library’s website, and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, a program designed to give kids a head start in school by encouraging them to read. 

Children’s Area at St. Louis County Library – Grant’s View Branch

Library Programs For Kids

Here is a short list of some of the many programs they offer for kids. With so many, you are sure to find a few that you and your children will find interesting and fun to check out.

Discovery Zones

Select SLCL branches now feature Discovery Zones for children. These spaces are designed to encourage children to explore, play and learn. The Discovery Zones have several unique features including pneumatic tube displays, interactive light walls and large format touch screens where kids can play games using educational apps.There’s also an area for younger explorers with features designed for small children such as reading nooks, magnetic walls and interactive literacy panels.

Kids Area at Grant’s View Branch

Discovery Zones are located at the following locations: 

FLIP Kits

FLIP Kit

FLIP (Family Literacy Involvement Program) kits are fun, interactive, free of charge and easy to use. Each kit contains a book and activities. FLIP Kits are available for checkout at all St. Louis County Library branches.

Browse the list of available kits. Each kit can be checked out for two weeks.

Kindergarten Prep

Get an overview of what is expected before your child enters the classroom. SLCL offers a Kindergarten Prep workshop for parents and children who will be 5-years-old by July 31, 2019. Families who participate will receive a free backpack, a book and school supplies. Space is limited. Registration required.

Launch Pad, Audio Books & Computers

You can check out Launch Pads, Books on CD, or play games and read on the child friendly computers. The libraries are set up to make learning and reading enjoyable at an early age.

Parent Packs

Parent Pack

Parent Packs are designed to help young children and their caregivers have meaningful, age-appropriate conversations about important topics. Each includes books and a resource list on a specific theme, such as First Day of School, Death, Potty Training, Friendship and Where do Babies Come From. Adults are encouraged to read the books first, then share with their children.

The kits can be checked out for two weeks. Packs are geared towards families with children in second grade or younger.

These are available at the following locations: Bridgeton Trails, Cliff Cave, Daniel Boone, Florissant Valley, Grant’s View and Library Headquarters.

Sci-finder kits

Sci-finders kits contain everything parents and kids need to engage in hands-on activities at home. The kits can be checked out for a period of two weeks by anyone with a valid, adult SLCL library card. Each kit comes equipped with learning activities and experiments centered on a variety of science and technology topics.

You can find Sci-finders at:

  • Bridgeton Trails
  • Cliff Cave
  • Daniel Boone
  • Florissant Valley
  • Grand Glaize
  • Grant’s View
  • Headquarters
  • Indian Trails
  • Jamestown Bluffs
  • Lewis and Clark
  • Prairie Commons
  • Samuel C. Sachs
  • Thornhill
  • Weber Road 

Sensory Story Time

St. Louis County Library offers Sensory Story Time for families with children ages 3-9 who are on the autism spectrum or who have multi-sensory needs. The program provides a welcoming environment for children to enjoy a story and other fun activities.

Story Time

Stories, songs and other fun activities to help develop early literacy skills. Each branch offers different story times geared towards particular ages. There are even lap time story times for those between the ages of 0-36 months.

STEAM

St. Louis County Libraries offers a variety of art and science-related resources and activities for families. Explore all the great programming at your local branch.

We Stories

The We Stories collection at St. Louis County Library features culturally diverse children’s books and discussion kits to help parents initiate conversations about race.

The kits include 4-6 different books, suggested activities and a discussion guide. Each kit is centered on a different theme such as “Everybody Counts,” “Girl Power,” “Celebrating the Skin You’re In” and “Who are the People in Your Neighborhood.” The We Stories kits are designed for parents and children ages 3-8 and can be checked out for two weeks.

Learn more about the We Stories organization at www.westories.org.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

1000 Books Before Kindergarten encourages families and caregivers to read 1000 books with their young children before they enter kindergarten.

Studies have shown that families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help strengthen language skills and build vocabulary–two important tools when children begin learning to read in kindergarten.

How does it work?

  1. Register at any St. Louis County Library branch and take home a reading log.
  2. Track your reading by marking a circle every time you read a book with your child.
  3. Visit your local SLCL branch each time you read 100 books and receive a sticker. When you reach 500 books, your child will receive a free book and a small prize. When you complete 1000 books, your child will receive a free book, a drawstring bag and other fun items.

FAQs

Can we really read that many books before kindergarten? Yes! If you read one book a day you can complete the program within three years.

Can other people read to my child besides me? Stories read by parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. all count. You can also count books read at story times.

But my child wants to read the same book over and over! The good news is that repetition is important to learning and you can count that book multiple times.

Educator Bundles

Educators interested in requesting books to supplement their collection on a specific topic(s) can complete the form below.

  • Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of needing the material.
  • The quantity requested may be altered by staff due to the availability of items in the system.
  • Once the material has been gathered a notification will be sent.
  • Pick-up and return of the material should be completed by the dates given.

If you have any questions, please contact the Youth Services Department at 314-994-3300 or kidzone@slcl.org.

There is something for everyone at your local public libraries these days. With so many great opportunities for kids, can you imagine what they have lined up for adults! Stop by and check out all that they have to offer. ~ Susie Pea

For more great ideas to do with kids, check out my post on Mud Kitchens. You can teach kids about how animals live with my post on Habitats to Make with Kids. My Christmas Camp post has even more fun packed in! Also read about my Snackle Boxes that I pack for my grandbabies when we are out playing all day.

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Summer Survival Series DAY TWO – Chores, Behavior, & Rewards

Hey there!  Welcome back to my Summer Survival Series! Are you ready to get your next set of Summer Survival Tips? 

Now that you took time for yourself, and Step Number 1 is hopefully in the making. It’s time for our next step for Summer Survival!


NUMBER 2. CREATE A SYSTEM FOR CHORES, BEHAVIOR, & REWARDS.  

Summer Survival Tips – Chores

I’m a BIG supporter of chores for kiddos. Listen, they are CAPABLE. I am a BIGGER non-supporter of the FIGHTING that comes along with making them do chores. So let’s make it FUN this summer, shall we? 

To help combat this chore war, I downloaded a relatively new app called “S’Mores Up.” You create an account and you add each child to that account.  Next, you  create chores (or choose from the chores they have already preprogrammed).  Then, you come up with some rewards for doing said chores.  Finally, YOU GET THEM TO WILLINGLY HELP AROUND THE HOUSE! WHAAATTTT!?!? 

Summer Survival Series - S'mores Chore chart
Summer Survival Series – S’mores Chore chart

Summer Survival Tips – Rewards

 When Little Curtis takes out the trash, he gets a point, which the app has cutely nicknamed a “s’more.”  When he saves up enough “s’mores,” he can cash them in for awesome prizes!  Like staying up late, extra screen time, a batch of his favorite cookies, or a toy from the dollar store!  

Summer Survival Series - S'mores Reward Chart
Summer Survival Series – S’mores Reward Chart

The littler kids, like my Griffin, really don’t care about the points, but they love to be doing the same things as the big kids!  AND *DUH* while they’re cleaning, you can be cleaning!  This was a huge “AHA” moment for me several years back.  I didn’t have these expectations for my kids and I felt this huge mom guilt while trying to clean as they entertained themselves (which usually involved following behind me and undoing all of my hard work…).  

In addition to the chores app, I’ve also created this “Chore Board” so my bigger kids can earn some money and do some jobs that I just really don’t want to do! Check it out. 

Summer Survival Series - Chore Board to help promote good summer help and habits with children
Summer Survival Series – Chore Board

SNEAKY, right?  I remember thinking that my parents had kids just so we could clean for them.  Obviously, I now realize how much I DIDN’T do as a child.  But I also realize that this is indeed a BONUS to having children!!! BAHAHA!  

Summer Survival Tips – Behaviors


BUT HOLD UP.  Let’s get real.  None of this is going to happen if we allow misbehavior.  My parenting style mostly falls under the Authoritative category.  Check out this information from Strictly Stress Management to learn more. I believe our kiddos need to see us giving them consistency, strength, expectations, practical life skills, and deep, unconditional love.  I believe in natural consequences, but also consequences that are consistent. When my child does behavior A, they should already know what punishment B has always been.  At a very young age, they’ll start developing the LIFE SKILLS needed to be able to weigh their behaviors with the risk of the consequences.  

I already have a good handle on this in my home.  I taught kindergarteners for 5 years.  So this summer I’m really focusing on Quality Character.  We are going to use a ticket system for this behavior plan.  The kids will earn a ticket when they display excellent character.  Tickets can be lost when poor character becomes a problem.  They’ll go “shopping” in the treasure box once a week!  

Good Character Poster to promote good behavior and reward system

If you are interested in a printable of the Character Counts PDF Click Below

https://susiepeas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Character-Counts-1.pdf

Summer Survival Series - Treasure Box & Tickets.  Ways to promote good behavior and rewards.
Summer Survival Series – Treasure Box & Tickets

Now, I didn’t say today’s topic was going to be an easy task.  One thing I know for certain is that these transition times (like the upcoming transition from school year to summertime) are IDEAL for making changes.  So let’s practice our MOM VOICES and perfect THAT LOOK that means business.  We can do this, Momma!  #bosslady #queenbee  ~Boo


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Summer Survival Series DAY ONE – Set Routines

OH HAY!  Glad to see you’re back!  That means you’ve read yesterday’s post and you’re already pampering yourself and ready to conquer this thing called summertime, yes?  Summer Survival 101 – OKAY!  LET’S DO THIS.

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NUMBER 1. SET ROUTINES 

Set them.  Weekly, Daily, HOURLY schedules that the kiddos can see and actually decipher!  It will keep you sane when they will.not.stop.asking.what’s.next.  I started with this one from Fab n’ Free and added to it along the way. 

Summer Survival Series – summer schedule

Mine is magnetic and goes right on the fridge.  When they ask me when we are going to the pool, I point to the fridge.   If they ask how many more days until the birthday party, I point to the fridge.  WHEN THEY ASK IF THEY CAN HAVE A SNACK…the SCHEDULE tells them they will have a snack AFTER chores and suddenly YOU’RE NOT THE BAD GUY!!! AND BONUS!!!  They’re practicing their CALENDAR SKILLS!!! WOOT! 

 I have learned to stay away from putting too many rules on our summer days. In the past I’ve tried the schedules that include “Make it Monday” and “Water Fun Wednesday.” But when the things we really wanted to do didn’t fit into that schedule, I felt a bit of mom guilt and a smidge of failure.

Nowadays, I lean towards the practice of having a bunch of fun activities prepped and entertaining excursions in mind at the beginning of the week, ready for action when the time is right. 

Summer Survival Schedule

In case you’re interested, here’s our schedule for the summer…I’m super flexible, but this is my baseline.  Like I said, I keep it simple.  


6:30AM  Wake up before everyone else, while the house is still quiet.  Pour a cup of coffee (duh) and have some quiet time.


7:00AM The children start waking up.  Breakfast immediatly or they will most likely die.


7:30AM  Get ready or we will probably never do this.  I take that back.  We will do this 5 minutes before Daddy gets home so it doesn’t look like we spent the day in our PJ’s.


8:00AM  Second cup of coffee.  Do not bother Mommy until this is finished.  They need time to play independently anyway.  It’s SCIENCE.

8:30AM  If we have someplace to go, it probably starts at 9.  So start getting in the car.  This will take FOREVER.  And you’ll be late. Don’t forget to pack a Snackle Box for the trip!


9:00AM  If there’s no outing scheduled, start some educational activities.  These are the things I’ll have planned and prepped before the week begins.  Because if I don’t, I’ll just say EFFIT.  I’ll have more ideas for you soon, so stay tuned!


10:00AM Snack Time, Reading Time (You’ll be reading about my family’s Reading Time in the next few days…)


11:00AM Play some more!!!Have some fun!  Play outside!  Read!  Cook! Make a craft! Experiment!  Exercise together!


12:00PM Lunch Time


1:00PM Chores & Cash in Rewards (I’ll be sharing my Chores, Behavior, and Rewards systems soon!)


2:00PM  Nap Time/Quiet Time

3:00PM Big Kid Fun Stuff (That the nappers can’t do…)


4:00PM Wake up Nappers, Ten Minute Tidy (Have you been doing this?  We’ll chat more about it later…)


4:30PM Daddy Home!

Summer Survival Evening Prep


After bedtime (we start our routine at 8:00PM), I clean the kitchen, do more laundry, get stuff ready for the next day if necessary, take a shower, have more coffee, and unwind.

 

Summer Survival Tips

I rarely start something new without putting procedures into practice.  It’s the Kindergarten teacher in me. I spent the first TWO WEEKS of school simply practicing procedures, like sitting in a circle quietly, raising our hands, using the restroom.  Basic.  Tedious.  And necessary.  Especially for creating order and peace in our classrooms and in our homes.  

You’re already doing this, or at least you should be.  Do your little ones know what to do when you say, “It’s bed time!” or “Time to go bye bye!”?  If they run for their toothbrush in the first instance, or their shoes and jackets in the second, you’ve set up procedures in your home!  YAY!  If not, I suggest spending the first few days of summer practicing your new routines.

If you truly want to make your life easier, start expecting the same thing from your littles each time you move on to the next part of your day. 

For example, when it’s time for snack, we 1) wash our hands, 2) get our cups, 3) get into our seats, 4) wipe our hands when we are finished, 5) excuse ourselves from the table and 6) clean our spots.  They can do this, and you can, too!

I hope day one of my Summer Survival Series has your wheels turning with ideas of your own on how to put routines and procedures into practice in your home this summer.

Stop by again tomorrow to find out how I’m cracking down on chores, managing the behaviors in my home, and rewarding my little sweet peas for all of their hard work and good choices! ~ Boo

Summer Survival Tips – School’s OUT!

WOAH.  We are half way into May.  Summer is LESS THAN ONE WEEK away for my kiddos!  Here are my summer survival tips to ensure it’s packed with fun!

Boo’s Summer Series

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If you don’t know much about me, I’m Susie Pea’s oldest.  My name is Brooke (AKA Boo) and I have four sweet babies (two-thirds of the sweet peas you’ve read about).  They consist of a first grader, a three-days-a-week prekinder, and two littles with me at home, all day, every day. 

As crazy as I know it will inevitably be, summer is about to make my life a whole lot easier in many ways. And if I do the right prep work, it can stay that way!  I know you stay at home moms of school aged kiddos feel me right now…

Join me over the next two weeks for
INSIDER TIPS for surviving summer and making it AWESOME as I guest blog for Susie Pea’s!

My name is Brooke (AKA Boo) and I have four sweet babies
Hello Friends! I’m Brooke – mom of 4!!

Summer Survival Tips


BEFORE WE BEGIN with number one…LETS TAKE CARE OF NUMERO UNO.  Treat yo’ self!  We’ve heard it a thousand times, but when will we listen, Mommas??  You can’t take care of your tribe until you take care of yourself!!!  Consider doing some of the things below before summer starts for your own joy!!!

⦁ Set a routine for YOURSELF.  Rise early in the morning, have some quiet time, set aside time for chores and errands, exercise, tidy up and get ready for the next day, get to bed early, etc.  Don’t do what I tell you you should do, do what puts your mind and heart at peace!

Relax the Day Away. Enjoying some sweet fragrances in my bath - Summer Survival Tip
Survival Tips – Relax

⦁ Shower. For the love of GOD.  I like to “wash the day away” and take my showers after bedtime.  No littles running in to tattle or have me braid Barbie hair or wipe their nose… I put on some tunes or pray or think about my to do list…


⦁ Get out of your PJ’s!  Put on something you feel GOOD in. If you don’t have things in your closet that make you feel happy, get thrifty!!!  My mom, sister, and I love a good secondhand store.  Read more about our favorites in STL and how we “Shop the Look!”

⦁ Throw on some Makeup.  Just a tad.  I like to give my eyes a little love in the AM.  “Fake it ‘til you make it.”  ‘Cuz at least they won’t LOOK exhausted.

More Survival Tips


⦁ Take care of your health…Exercise.  Meal Prep.  Drink LOTS OF H2O!!!  I’ve lost 15 lbs. in 3 months on (kind of) KETO!!!  My mom is so much more disciplined than I am, but cutting carbs and sugar has been EASIER THAN I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED and I feel incredible.  Seriously.  I HATE DIETING AND EXERCISING.  I’m just making better choices!  And I haven’t looked at myself in the mirror this way since before baby #1. Check out my mom’s keto journey and start living a healthier life IMMEDIATELY.

⦁ Get organized.  Tidy spaces create serenity in our minds and souls!  I’m CLEARLY putting this on my GOALS list for the summer ‘cuz I suck at this…

⦁ Designate some quiet time during the day for yourself.  It’s good for grown ups, too!  Try to plan for it in the morning when the house is asleep, in the afternoon so you can recharge your battery for the evening ahead, and after bed time! Don’t you dare look at that to-do list.  Did you put this in your routine we just talked about?  ‘Cuz ya need to. The next three bullet points are full of great quiet time activities!

⦁ Read some good books.  Listen to some good podcasts.  Grow your mind! Here are the titles I’m diving into this summer…

 READ!!! OMGOODNESS.  READ.  Get to your local library.  Sign up for summer reading!  Make it FUN!  And please, please, please LET THEM SEE YOU READING! Summer Survival Tip
Survival Tips for Summer – What I’m Reading Now

⦁ Recharge with a cup of afternoon tea (or coffee or a glass of lemonade or a shot of tequila…jk…or am I?? *great survival tip*).

⦁ Get summer ready!  Haircut, cute swimsuit (what about this ROMPER?!), new baseball cap and sunglasses, tanning lotion, lip gloss, bath bombs, face masks, fingernail polish! Buy some fun beauty products on the cheap!  NOW USE THEM!

Now here we go…My “Baker’s Dozen” of To-do’s before the last school bell rings!!!

Summer To-Do List

1. SET ROUTINES.  Weekly, Daily, HOURLY.  Schedules that you can see and that the kids can see as well.


2. CREATE A SYSTEM FOR CHORES, BEHAVIOR, & REWARDS.  Practice your MOM VOICE, Y’ALL.

3. SIGN UP FOR ACTIVITIES! Library Summer Reading, Summer Camps, Vacation Bible School, Sports Camps, Sports Teams, Etc.

4. #GOALS. For everyone!  Learning.  Development.  Character.

5. EDUCATE.  Keep their little minds working all summer long

6. READ!!! OMGOODNESS.  READ.  Get to your local library.  Sign up for summer reading!  Make it FUN!  And please, please, please LET THEM SEE YOU READING!


7. QUIET TIME IS IMPORTANT. Set it each day.  Don’t skip it or they’ll remember.  Then those little manipulators will try to get you to skip it every day!  


8. LIMIT SCREEN TIME.  FOR REAL THIS TIME.  Set a rule.  Make it safe.  Don’t be lazy. 


9. Do some RAOK! Okay, I’m totally not cool enough to use that acronym…OR MAYBE I’M TOO COOL TO USE IT!  I’m talking about Random Acts of Kindness.  Spark some JOY!!!

10. OUTINGS! Parks, Zoo, Pool, Movies, Play Dates!  VISIT GRANDMA!!!


11. HAVE FUN AT HOME, TOO!  Backyard Exploring, Exercising, Arts & Crafts, Gardening! PLAY IN THE HOSE! Pajamas and Movie Marathon Day!!!


12. RAINY DAYS ARE FOR TRADITIONS!  Think of a fun tradition to do each time the skies are gray. 


13. THE SNUGGLE IS REAL.  Make time for each kiddo to have their own “snuggle night.” 

Summer Fun with These Sweet Peas

Brooke and her sweet peas, 4 beautiful babies.
My Own Little Pea Pod

I’m excited to spend the next two weeks with you!!! If you want to find out more about how I’m implementing each of these lovely ideas (survival tips), starting with my daily routines and schedules, check back tomorrow! ~Boo

Just incase you missed it, here are some fun things to do this summer –

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