My Visit to Mrs. Totans' Second Grade Class at Willow Dale

On Friday I went back to Willow Dale Elementary, this time to visit with Mrs. Totans' Second Grade Class.  What a great group of students!  I extended my stay because so many children wanted to decorate a second heart for the homeless at Saint John's Hospice in Philadelphia.  Everyone created wonderful and also very original "phrases of praise" for their hearts.  I was very impressed.  I even decided to use one as an example for future classes.  It was fun reading Peacock Parade to the students.  The fan was blowing cool air on me, so I had that "wind-blown" look and I was wearing my wild gladiator sandals.  Perfect!!!  Mrs. Totans let the children use some special stencils to add a nice touch to the hearts.  While I was there, I learned about the children's backpack through Europe project.  They sample foods from each country they "visit."  I believe Italy was up next.  Sounds like a good time to me!   Thanks everyone for another warm welcome at Willow Dale!! 

My Visit to Willow Dale's Third Grade

Today I had the pleasure of making another visit to Willow Dale Elementary in Warminster, PA.  This time I read to the Third Grade classes of Mr. Martin, Mrs. Wolk, and Mrs. LaGuardia.  Special thanks to Mrs. Daubert for introducing me to Willow Dale - what a great school!  And thanks to her daughters, Kira and Erika (photo below) for being stars in my book trailer video.  It was hot today (about 95° F), but the students were able to "rise above" the heat and fully participate in the day's activities.  We had two great question and answer sessions and also did a heart project for charity.  I always love the questions children ask me during my visits.  Today, I especially enjoyed, "Are you famous?" and "Do you live in a mansion?"  Kids, I'm working on both!  LOL!  I also got to enjoy a cream-filled slice of strawberry-topped cake.  It was from Ms. Oniskey's bridal shower and it was awesome!!

Forgot to mention in my last blog post from Willow Dale about my special signature.  I added "warm wishes" to my standard "hearts and hugs" signature on book autographs.  I'll reserve this special phrase just for my friends at Willow Dale.

So warm wishes to all my wonderful Willows and thanks for a great day and the beautiful hearts for the homeless!      

Be Your Own Artist BBQ, Peace Valley Park, New Britain, PA

I had a great time this weekend at the Be Your Own Artist BBQ!  Lili Wang Consulting and Be the Light of the Party Foundation hosted the event.  Special thanks to Lili for donating all the proceeds to the Foundation.  Guests had a picnic of hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, veggies/dip, cupcakes, and brownies.  Lili made great cupcakes with homemade pink butter cream frosting.  They were so good I had three!  I also liked the lemon iced tea - very refreshing.  I wrote a special poem for the event called "Parasols in the Park."  (I included a copy of it in the previous post on this blog.)  All the children received a copy of the poem along with a sun parasol to decorate.  There was also a Little Artist Contest, silent auction, and raffle.  Peacock Parade was one of the raffle items.  Some of the guests enjoyed a paddle boat ride on beautiful Lake Galena.  It was a day filled with food, fun, art, music, friends, family, and charity.  I included some photos from the BBQ below and also a link to the photo album here: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1947159712585.2108338.1050312982&l=c9cad9ef27

Lili Wang came up with the idea for the Be Your Own Artist BBQ.  Thanks Lili!  If you would like to view some of Lili's beautiful art, go to: http://www.liliartstudio.com/ or visit in person Lili's Art Exhibit in Artists House Gallery in Philadelphia, PA until June 26.    

Also, forgot to mention there is a place called the Peace Valley Lavender Farm near the park.  It is a nice place to visit if you are in the area.  I purchased a lavender plant, some culinary lavender, and also some lavender honey.  Very yummy!  Now I just need to create a recipe!      

Parasols in the Park

Here is the special poem I wrote for the Be Your Own Artist BBQ in Peace Valley Park yesterday, Saturday, June 4, 2011.  Each child at the event received a signed copy of the poem along with a sun parasol.  Some of the children decided to decorate their parasols with paint.  It was a great day! 

Parasols in the Park

Parasols in the park
Twirling in the noon heat,
Conquering the sun's reign
Offering a quaint retreat.

Those little clouds of white
How they delight in shade.
And with a breeze take flight
In Peace Valley on brigade.

Shadows on the lake
Reminiscent of a distant time,
A picnic with tea and cake
Sandwiches of cress, cheese, and thyme.

Parasols in the park,
Umbrellas with style,
And art in motion
Basking in the sun for awhile.