Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

" From near to far, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!"

-One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904.  Under the pen name of Dr. Seuss, Theo. LeSieg and Rosetta Stone, Geisel published over 60 books.  One of the most important things he taught us is that learning to read could be fun.  "The Cat in the Hat" came about in response to how boring books at the early reader level were at that time.

He died September 24, 1991.  If he were alive today, he would be 105.

Looking for free Educational (not mindless) computer games?  Go to Seussville.com where you will find these:

Appropriate for kids who can maneuver a mouse:

The Lorax Sticker Game (finish the pattern game)

One Fish Two Fish Concentration (A memory game)

For kids 1st grade and up (my guess):

Fox in Socks Matching game (put together the words to describe the picture)

"In 2000 Publisher's Weekly compiled a list of the best selling children's books of all time.  Of the top 100 hardcover books, 16 were written by Geisel." (source: Wikipedia)

Geisel's books were the inspiration for the creation of the Read Across America event that takes place around the time of Dr. Seuss's birthday every year.  Many Target stores participate, so if your local library doesn't have activities, feel free to check out what's going on in your area here.

In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more about Theodore Geisel...

School is out for us tomorrow.  It's funny how you don't have to look hard to find something to celebrate.  We are reading our Dr. Seuss favorites, making Cat in the Hat... hats and eating green eggs and ham for lunch.  Yessss, another reason to eat birthday cake....

images via barnesandnoble.com and usps.com

How to NEVER wash your windows again

How I used to clean my bathroom mirror and windows:

1) Spray with Windex or other window cleaner.

2) Wipe with paper towel or newspaper.

3) Step back and look at streaks the TV says aren't supposed to be there.

4) Cough from the fumes.

5) Repeat.

I have to admit, I'm not a super-charged eco-mom. I use the plastic bags at the grocery store (can't pass up free trash liners). I don't carry my sticky empty yogurt cup home to recycle it, even though I do recycle at home. Sure, I'm a terrible person to some. However, one way I'm making my move to green is by making my home just a little more chemical free. I said goodbye to my glass cleaner today because I learned water works better.

I bought a pack of 6 microfiber cloths on clearance for $6 in the automotive department at Target, thinking I would use them for washing the car. A year has passed and my car hasn't gotten any cleaner. However, my cloths made their debut another way. When looking into some $20 "environmentally friendly, chemical free" specialty microfiber cloths, I wondered if my $1 microfiber cloth would work just as well.

My meander to the cleaning closet turned into a cleaning frenzy when I found that the mirror I had just cleaned with Windex was now visibly significantly cleaner with just water and my microfiber cloth (that uses NO chemicals to clean).

Next I washed the fingerprint ridden TV screen that glass cleaner was never able to remove. Voila, gone. It turns out, you aren't supposed to use chemicals there anyway. And for those of you still using silver polish on your stainless steel appliances--these towels work fantastic there too!!

Where the cloths really sold themselves: I seriously became giddy when I realized I could start having my 3 and 5 year old kids wash the windows!!!!!!!! Something they have been dying to do, but were never allowed to because of the chemicals. When it comes right down to it, I have figured out how to NEVER wash my windows again. My kids are going to be so happy (I'm not kidding)!!

My advice: If you're looking for the cheapest microfiber cloths, look in the automotive section or I've even seen them at the dollar store. However, mine are orange and not very colorfast in the first few washes. I usually don't wash them with anything I care about them bleeding into, but if you want to make sure the colors don't bleed, you could probably find that in more expensive microfiber kitchen towels. I hear you know it's a good quality microfiber if it sort of sticks to your hand when you swipe your hand over it.

Save even more money: I now attach my microfiber cloth to my Clorox ReadyMop instead of buying refills. It works well to dust mop and it's so much cheaper!! You could safety pin it around your Swiffer with the same results.

Anybody have any other cleaning secrets I should know about? I seriously feel like I'm the last person to know, because it's so amazingly effective.

some images via islandcleaning.ca and ungerglobal.com

Myself Befts Winner Announced

Congratulations to Lise, comment #21, the winner of the Myself Belt give-away! Email us at citruslist (at) gmail (dot) com, with your contact info and we will pass it along to Myself Belts.

Thank you Myself Belts!

Everybody Wins

In lieu of a give-away we have something you can all enjoy. Sherie (my deal-savvy sister) compiled a list of free online promotions to share with you all. Here are some links to a bunch of free products. I just signed up for all of them and it took me less than five minutes. I am the most excited about the Quiznos Sub coupon. Everything tastes better when it is free.

Quaker Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond True Delights Granola Bar

Aquaphor Ointment

Tide Total Care

Quaker Rice Cakes

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Free music each week from walmart.com This week: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - (Love is Like a) Heat Wave

Cream of Wheat

Printable coupon for free Quiznos Sub

Enjoy!!

Community Supported Agriculture

Last week's weather was a taunting  preview of a path towards spring, sun, grass, park days and farmers markets.  Unfortunately, MN won't see spring for another three months or more {sigh}.  But this doesn't deter me from some spring time planning.  It is time to find your CSA farm.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) "consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes...the community's farm...In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production." (for more read here: National Agriculture Library)

We participated in a CSA farm in Baltimore, MD and had a terrific experience.  It works like this.  Before spring, you sign up and pay for a share of the farm's harvest.  We had a summer share, May through October.  Some farms may have spring and winter shares as well.  Each week we picked up a wax box full of the farm's harvest, recipes (necessary for those greens I've never tasted before) and newsletters.  We split our share with friends (which we will do again this year) and had enough food for both of our families.  Each week we took turns picking up our share and dividing the goods among us.  

Many of the CSA farms are certified organic as ours was.  They also offered fresh eggs.  We were allowed unlimited access to pick-your-own strawberries and blackberries when they were in season.  The farm offered discounted rates for shareholders who volunteered to work on the farm.  I've heard of farms offering baked goods such as bread and pies. In some cases farms will have a meat share as well. As you can see there are many options out there.

A good resource for finding a CSA close to you (they are all over the country) is Local Harvest.  By entering your zip code, the site will find the nearest CSA farms.  Keep in mind that many farms offer different pick up locations which in our case saves us a 45 minute drive.  Two things that were important to us when choosing a farm was 1) are they certified organic and 2) are they still within driving distance so we can participate in any farm events.  

Its fun to see as a family where your food is coming from and to feel connected with the farm.  I love that we can directly support our local farmers and that my family will be eating the best the earth has to offer.

And Your Secret Ingredient Is....Craisins!

I love Craisins. I think my son may never have had a raisin since we always have "c-raisins" around. I am eating them right now in fact. You would think my mouth thinks these tart morsels are candy. And they might as well be- they do pack a sugar rush. So don't left yourself eat the whole bag before you use them in some of these recipes.

Springtime Spinach Salad
Effortless Spinach Salad
Cranberry Pecan Salad
Cranberry Bliss Bars

PS. I have been doing the dairy free diet this week to see if it helps my little nursing one feel any better. Its tough! Kudos to all you ladies out that with lactose intolerant loved ones! If any of you have dairy free recipes I would love to try them!

Read it: Big Al (and get a free book)

by Andrew Klements 

illustrated by Yoshi

You couldn't find a kinder fish than Big Al, but he still had no friends.  The problem was Big Al was a very, very scary looking fish.

Big Al really wanted friends, so he tried disguising himself, changing how he looked and even  hiding himself in the sand.  Nothing he did made any fish get close enough to find out how great Big Al was on the inside. 

Big Al finally gets through to the fish not by hiding his ugliness, but by using it to protect them.  But the story doesn't end there...

I thought of this book while grocery shopping this week.  I found my 3 year old intensely staring down a woman who was missing all fingers on both hands.  Later reading this book helped us talk about how we will never know how beautiful people are on the inside if we treat them like they are scary (like the fish did).  Just because some people are different on the outside it doesn't mean they are different on the inside. 

images available for purchase as giclee prints through yoshikogo.com

Feeling the pinch from the economy, but want to keep up your addiction to children's books?  Remember our post about Little Scholastic Books?  Act now and you can receive info on how to get a Little Scholastic book for free here! 

Arrowhead Mills Pastry Flour

image via sophistimom

Love this stuff. If you are looking for a way to incorporate some organic whole grains into your family's diet, here you go. I first was introduced to this flour on my friend Jaime's blog Sophistimom.

The beauty of the flour is that you can can substitute it evenly for your recipes that call for white flour, without adjusting the liquid in the recipe. It works really well in quick breads like banana or zucchini bread. Jaime has a great recipe for Banana Bread where you can evenly substitute this flour for the all-purpose flour.

It works pretty well for cookies. This Valentine's Day I made sugar cookies with 1/2 white flour, 1/2 of this. It didn't turn out quite as perfect as the quick breads do, but everyone was still happy. My kids did not complain or even offer a comment about the fact that the cookies were darker than usual.

Just realize, that this flour is made from a soft grain wheat which is low in gluten (pastry flour in general is a low-gluten flour) and gluten is what makes your yeast breads nice and chewy. So, I would not recommend it for a yeast bread recipe, pizza crust, or cinnamon rolls. But, I would absolutely recommend it for anything you would like to turn out flaky or crumbly, i.e cakes, quick breads, muffins, and pie crust.

I haven't noticed these in the stores yet, but when I was on the Arrowhead Mills website I came across this new product line of organic cupcake, cookie and cake mixes. These look yummy and quick.

Celebrating Presidents Day

If you managed to do any presidential celebrating this past Monday, I salute you. My family was busy spending time with Dad, who rarely gets a weekday off. If you, like us, did not even take a millisecond on the 16th to honor George and Abe, there is still time.

Technically, President Washington's birthday is on the 22nd of February (as was Presidents Day before 1971). And technically, Presidents Day is still formally called either Presidents Day or Washington's birthday. So, you can feel well within the holiday "boundary" if you are a little late taking some time to talk with your children, or doing some activities to honor these great men. I am feeling like this is one of those "better late than never" kind of moments.

You could start by explaining what exactly a President is. This link will help. It provides information about where the president lives, how he travels, and even provides pictures of presidential pets. I think it makes it easier to comprehend Presidents from the past, when the one presently serving seems more tangible.

Here is a list of all the Presidents, and when they have served. Here is a slideshow of what our past presidents looked/look like, and a link to each individual's biography. My kids think Van Buren's sideburns are hilarious. Actually, they got a kick out of quite a few pictures.


Presidents' Day officially became a Federal Holiday in the 1880's (as Washington's Birthday), and at the time celebrated only President Washington achievements. Officially, this holiday still only honors George Washington, but our country has become more inclusive of other presidents in the celebration, specifically Abraham Lincoln- whose birthday is February 12th.


Here are some craft/activity ideas for some belated Presidents' Day festivities:

George Washington Coloring Page

Abraham Lincoln Coloring Page

Abraham Lincoln Hat











Pretzel Log Cabin

Presidential Pins

Several Presidential Activity Books/Coloring Pages- these are great, especially if you have a child in Pre-K to 3rd grade. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see them.

Top and Log Cabin Picture via Martha Stewart

A Week's Wardrobe

Mornings can be tricky when we are trying to get ourselves out the door in a rush.  It never helps when my girls don't know what to wear or can't find what they want to wear.   They are also young enough to make choices like a skirt and short sleeve shirt for 10 degree weather.  We tried taking time each night to lay out their outfits for the next day, but we are not consistent.  Bedtime is too hectic.  Here is our solution: Days of the Week Outfit Organizer Tags.  

I stumbled on these cute tags designed by Amy Locurto over at www.livinglocurto.com.  She provides them as a free download and are available in bold or pastel colors.  (As a side note she has a lot of cute free downloads for every occasion; birthdays, baby, holidays etc.  Its worth taking a peak.)  

I printed mine on cardstock, cut them out and laminated them for greater durability.  My five year old got super excited about this new routine.  Amy said she and her son would make funny  poses as they laid the clothes out the night before.  Very cute!

Family Fun also has the same idea if you want to make your own.  This would be fun for your older child to design and create her own out of felt.  It may even give her a greater sense of ownership in the dressing process.

Peanut Soup and Fortune Cookies

Maybe you are like me and missed the Chinese New Year and still really want to try out Theresa's crafty centerpiece. Or maybe you like food with an Asian kick and have a hankering for a good fortune. Here are two recipes worth a try and a quick rice tip too.

Haven't the slightest clue what fortunes to wrap up in your cookies? Go here for the longest list of fortunes I have ever seen- this guys eats a lot of cookies.


Super Simple Peanut Soup with Vegetables
Fortune Cookies

Cook's Illustrated Quick Tip: Rice at the Ready

Making rice is not one of my favorite things. I rarely get it just right.And its takes such a long time. But with some steamed, frozen stir fry veggies, soy sauce and some ready made rice you have got yourself a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.

To have rice at the ready prepare a double batch of rice the next time you make rice. Spread half of the rice on a baking sheet to cool and break up any clumps. Place the cooled rice in a zip lock freezer bag and freeze until the next time you want to make a speedy rice bowl.

Read It: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

by Eileen Spinelli

illustrated by Paul Yalowitz

Mr. Hatch was tall and thin and did not smile.
Every morning at 6:30 sharp he would leave his brick house and walk eight blocks to the shoelace factory where he worked.
At lunchtime he would sit alone in a corner, eat his cheese and mustard sandwich, and drink a cup of coffee. Sometimes he brought a prune for dessert.

Everything changes for Mr. Hatch when a Valentine arrives at his house with a note, "Somebody Loves You."  Mr. Hatch has no idea who it could be from, and then something happens that has never happened before....he smiles.  Mr. Hatch begins to act differently, knowing that somebody loves him, and because of this he reaches out and makes new friends.

The postman returns to Mr. Hatch's house to give him bad news about his Valentine, and Mr. Hatch is left to believe nobody loves him.  The story continues to a happy ending for Mr. Hatch and his new friends.

Fun Activity:  Work with the kids to cut out a simple heart that says, "Somebody Loves You."  Secretly work together (or separately-depending on your child's age) and do a good deed for a family member or friend and leave the heart behind.  My kids go crazy for doing stuff like this, and doing just one good deed isn't usually enough.

Happy Valentine's Day!

images via thereadingnook.com, workplaceliving-uk.com

A "Hearty" Breakfast

I love that Valentine's Day is on Saturday this year. I may actually have time to make a fun breakfast. I love these ideas from Martha Stewart. My kids will adore those heart marshmallows.

Here are a few more last minute Valentine's Day ideas.

Rice Krispie Treat "Kisses"

Valentine Flowers

Origami Heart Bookmarks

Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Hearts

Myself Belts

Does your little one have trouble keeping trousers up? All three of my kids do. Most of the pants and skirts I purchase nowadays have the adjustable elastic waistband, but even that contraption has it's limits at times. I came across these belts at a trade show here in NYC and thought they were absolutely genius.
Myself Belts creates belts that even your littlest one can manage. The belt attaches to your child's pants with a hidden snap. Then, for the rest of the day, the belt can be fastened and unfastened by your child (with ease!) because the closure is made of velcro.
This is perfect for any child who is potty training, but can also be great for older children. My 5-year-old loves her belt, because traditional belts always take a little more dexterity than she has. I love it, because she no longer runs to me after each bathroom break looking for some belt help. My favorite belt styles are the Airplane, Polka Dot, and Leather.

Myself Belts even sells belts for teens or adults who may deal with disabilities that would limit their ability to fasten a belt. These belts have the appearance of a regular belt, but also have a velcro closure.

If you order a Myself Belt, make sure to follow the weight recommendation as you select sizing. My 5-year-old daughter wears a size small, which is labeled 3 yrs.
You can purchase a Myself Belt on their official website, or you can find a retailer near you. Some Nordstrom and Stride Rite locations carry the Myself Belt. I was surprised by the number of stores here in NYC that carry them, so chances are you can find a shop nearby.

Who wants to have their little one try out a Myself Belt? Make a comment on this post by midnight February 24th, 2009 to enter. A winner will be randomly selected and announced on the morning of the 25th. Good luck!!

A Valentine Medley

With Valentine's this week, I have pink, red, hearts and love on the brain.  Here are three things we are doing in our house.

1) Valentines for classmates = Heart Flower Lollipops

You will need Valentine paper of your choice (something sturdy like card stock is preferable), scissors, glue, a hole punch and of course lollipops.
Cut out hearts (the size will depend on the size of your lollipop...eyeball it).  Using 4 hearts at a time punch a hole through all of them at the bottom of the heart.
Line up the hole and hearts to make a flower.  Glue the layers together.  Write "to" and "from".
Insert lollipop and you have a Heart Flower Lollipop Valentine for your classmates.

2) This little number is for my hubby.  He loves herbal tea.  I like the idea that each time he takes out a tea bag he finds another love note from me...the gift that keeps on loving.  I was thinking you can do this to anything your hubby uses over time, maybe even notes in different pant pockets.  Just an idea.

3) Now lets not forget the old time classics.  Roses from chocolate kisses for the teachers.  You will need red cellophane, thick wire, green paper hearts (for the leaves), floral tape and chocolate kisses.

Put bottoms of kisses together.  Wrap with cellophane.  Hold firmly with wire and tightly wrap with floral tape around the kisses and wire adding in leaves down the stem.

A bunch of these cute things, a ribbon and a simple tag made by my daughter will be the perfect gift for her teachers.

Please share any fun ideas you have going this Valentine's week.  

Happy L O V E Day!

For Your Sweetheart With A Sweet Tooth

Just in case you need a reminder, its Valentine's Day this Saturday. One more excuse to make some sweet treats. I bet you think that's all I cook at my house- don't worry we will get back to real food next week. But for this week, I thought I would resurrect some of my favorite treats that would compliment your candle lit dinner. Need an idea for that? Steak Dinner. Its the one time per year we eat steak in our house and I am not sure why since its so easy:

Steak- Do this last when the table is set, salad is chilling and potatoes are in the oven and just about done. Broil with a pinch of dried rosemary and crushed garlic. And if you would like, add some blue cheese to the tops just before the steaks are done.

Oven Fries- Wash and cut potatoes (3 large potatoes) like this. I like to leave the skin on. In a bowl, stir the cut potatoes with olive oil (2 Tbsp) and salt (1 tsp) and any other seasonings you would like. I like the Spice Hunter All purpose Chef's Shake. Spread some more olive oil (1 Tbsp) on a cookie sheet and spread the potatoes across it. Bake at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes. make sure to periodically stir/turn the potatoes for even baking.

Green Salad- Don't skimp here. This is the part of dinner that will wipe away the "red meat/large amounts of chocolate V-day guilt". Buy some really nice greens and that dressing that you have been drooling over in the grocery aisle but can't fathom spending $7 for.

Molten Lava Cake- Make a few extra cakes just in case the volcano "explodes" as you try to plate the cake. It does take some practice to plate them without a leak.

Simple Fruit Cobbler- No, its not chocolate- is that a Valentine's Day sin? But I think of this as a warm romantic dish anyway.

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies- What is V-Day without sugar cookies? Whether you make them for your hubby, your kids class, your co-workers or to munch on during your chick flick, you are gonna need to make batch of these. Don't forget the pink frosting- Studies show icing tastes way better when its pink.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries- Remember Theresa's post for a Father's Day Bouquet? I will warn you: Your's will not look as perfect as hers but its the thought that counts right?

Easy Chocolate Mousse- Seriously, the easiest dessert you can make from scratch for Valentine's Day.

xoXoxO- Holly

Read It: I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean

by Kevin Sherry

Ha ha ha!  I have to admit that many of my book recommendations are funny books.  Some days you need a reminder to laugh, and a book is a great way to snap you back to where you want to be.  Although I try to make all my book recommendations a good read for any age, this book would be absolutely PERFECT for preschoolers or early readers.  The story is simple, the pictures are simple, and it has an unexpected ending that will make your little one roll with giggles (because you will be, too!).

The story follows a giant squid who swims around finding things he's bigger than.  He sees that he's bigger than shrimps, a crab, a shark, and others.  Continue the fun when the book is over by helping your preschooler find things he's bigger than.  A great book to introduce the concept of "bigger" (and "smaller").

Buy the book, and I'm pretty sure all editions come with bath clings at the end.  Have the little one retell the story in the bathtub!

Giant squid are actually incredibly interesting.  Did you know we have only had photos of a living giant squid since 2004?!!  Do your kids want to learn more about giant squid?  A great way to remind your kids the Internet isn't the end-all, tell-all for information: pull out a book!  "Outside and Inside Giant Squid" is a great non-fiction (only 35 page) book with color photographs.

images via www.brookslibraryyouth.wordpress.com, flickr.com and amazon.com

Out with the Old, in with the New-ish

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. In this case, it was my husband's sweater. He likes to spin my 15 month old girl above him like a pizza, and that was the last daredevil stunt that sweater performed. I'm sure you wonder how I can handle the spinning and tossing my husband does with all our kids. I'll tell you... You look away. I have to admit, it is nice to know we could move seamlessly into a circus act if the economy gets any worse.

So back to the real victim in all of this-- the sweater. It was a small rip, but not in a fixable location (his bicep--yeah he was proud of that one). So what do I do with a sweater we love, can't wear, but can't bear to throw away? Play Frankenstein and end up with a pair of mittens you will love!

I found this idea through my best friend growing up, Sara. She got me starting birthday week and I wish her and her fun husband all the best in their hope to adopt their first! Sara is so crafty, so of course she has crafty friends. One of which was on a morning show to give step-by- step instructions for these "handy" mittens. So cute, and so just what my freezing hands need right now.

Click here for the free mitten pattern, and click here for the free written directions. OR shell out $50 for a pair just like them (minus being your old sweater) from baabaazuzu.com

You never realized cutting up an old sweater could save you $50, did you?

OnBoard SportsBaby Carriers

My friend Kimberly is in the process of launching a new baby carrier product, and I thought many of you may be interested to hear more about it. The OnBoard SportsBaby carrier can function as an everyday-use baby carrier, but can also be used in the water.

This is big news to me as a mom of 3 small children. I haven't tried this carrier, but I can imagine how nice it would be to have my youngest child strapped into this, and have my hands free to keep my other two children afloat the next time we are at the pool.

The carrier is made of neoprene, layered with an anti-bacterial fabric which keeps it clean, and water-ready.

If you sign up for the OnBoard Newsletter before February 14, you will be automatically entered into a drawing for a year membership to Gold's Gym.

Way to go Kimberly, best of luck with the launch of OnBoard Outfitters!

Winner of the Save Your World Oasis Gift Pack

Congratulations to Mary, Comment #7, winner of the Save Your World Oasis gift pack. Email us at citruslist (at) gmail (dot) com with your contact information and we will pass it along!

Just FYI, we will not have a give-away this week. I have been sick with the flu all week long, (feeling near death :) and haven't been able to firm a give-away up. Hopefully, I will feel better soon and we will have another give-away shortly. I hope you and your families are all staying healthy!

Brite Kids

When I was young, maybe 6, I remember my mom bringing home a set of 12 cassette tapes and corresponding books for us kids to listen to.  Let it be known that I listened to these tapes day in and day out, until every word and song was memorized.  I loved these tapes.  So 25 years later when my mother-in-law said she had these very same tapes and wondered if I would want them for my kids, I was all over it.   Oh the memories that came flooding back.  To my delight, my girls love them just as much as I did.  I remember thinking this would be a great thing to post on Citrus, but where would the readers find the tapes and who uses cassette tapes these days besides me...if only we could purchase them new today on CD.

Well, we are all in luck.  I recently discovered that these tapes are available for purchase on CD or MP3 download on Britemusic.com.  Brite has six different series of books and tapes.  I am only familiar with the Standin' Tall series and the Safety Kids series.  Here is what I absolutely love about these two series.
The Standin' Tall series is the one we enjoy now.  There are 12 books and CDs featuring 12 character building values: obedience, honesty, forgiveness, work, courage, happiness, gratitude, love, service, cleanliness, self-esteem and dependability.  The stories and songs do an excellent job of illustrating and bringing to life some hard to describe topics like dependability and courage.   If nothing else it opens up a discussion with my children as they ask questions.  I can't tell you how many times I have referred to the lessons in the tapes by saying something like, "remember in the tape how Jenny was ungrateful and no one wanted to help her anymore....or how the princess was unhappy even though she had everything she wanted." 

I will warn you the songs stick in your head and the music is reminiscent of the the late 1980s at times.  But overall they are very well done and are in every way applicable today as 25 years ago.  Standin' Tall is perfectly geared toward preschool to about 1st or 2nd grade age kids.  

The Safety Kids is another series that I loved as a child.  Monica, Amy, Freddy, Zan and Gregor are five kids that teach through different situations about the importance of safety rules: never talk to strangers, always use the buddy system, lock the doors when alone or taking care of younger kids, know your telephone number and don't let anyone do things to your body that they shouldn't do.

Again, Safety Kids helps parents begin discussing these important issues in a fun, child friendly way.  There are three CDs in this series: Personal Safety, Stay Safe from Drugs and Protect their Minds.  I only know the first one, Personal Safety, and love it.

If you want to get started, but are not ready to buy the entire collection let me suggest a few of my girls favorites: Cleanliness, Dependability and Gratitude from the Standin' Tall series.   One book and CD from Standin' Tall is $15.96 together.  For Safety Kids, one book and CD are $19.95 together.  All the CDs are available for MP3 download for about $2 cheaper.