Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Seeking Children's Artwork !!!

Why is Safe, Quality Child Care Important?


Would you like to win a teacher basket worth $50.00 while helping our elected officials and community leaders understand how important safe, quality child care is to Indiana families?

How you ask?

1. Have the children that you care for create a creative piece of artwork.

2. Ask each child’s parent to write on the back of their child’s artwork Why Safe, Quality Child Care is important to their family.

3. Ask each parent to put their name (parent’s name), city and zip code on the back of the artwork.

4. Ask each parent to sign and date a release form saying that Child Care Answers can use their name and story in our work with elected officials and community leaders. The release form must also include your name, program name, address, phone number and email (if you have one).

5. Mail or bring the pieces of artwork along with the release papers to Child Care Answers at 615 N. Alabama Street Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN. 46204. All artwork must be received in our office by 2:00 PM on Friday, July 29, 2011 and be accompanied by a release form. (artwork will not be returned)

6. For every 5 pieces of artwork with story and release from we receive we will enter your name into the drawing for the $50.00 teacher basket.

(Send in 10, your name goes in twice etc…)

Monday, June 13, 2011

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

A Love Letter for The Father, on Father's Day
By Aaron Bull
Guest Writer

CBN.com --

For all things you've lead me through and taught me

And for promising me that you will never leave me

Through and through you've shown me the ropes

Helping me in anything and everything I face

Everyday you're there for me by simply calling your name

Rarely do I get to thank you enough. So on this special day, I do exactly that.

Thank you for being my father!


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Happy Father's Day!

Mother's Day came first, but Father's Day wasn't too far behind. It's amazing what people accomplish when they put their minds to good use and encourage others to join their cause. It just wouldn't be the same without many of our holidays and Father's Day is one of them.

When you are finished reading about the history of Father's Day, learn about great gift, craft, and recipe ideas for Dad's big day over at our main Father's Day holiday page.

Who came up with the idea of Father's Day?

Her name was Sonora Louise Smart Dodd and she lived in Spokane, Washington. Sonora was the oldest of six children raised by their father, William Jackson Smart, when their mother died during childbirth. Sonora honored and revered her father, and while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909, she determined there should also be a day to honor fathers.

Sonora gained local support and made her dream a reality one year later within her own city of Spokane, Washington. Sonora married John Bruce Dodd. She died March 22, 1978, several years after Father's Day became a permanent national observance.

Why June?

In 1910 Sonora chose June 19th as the day to celebrate Father's Day because that was her father's birthday. With support from the Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA, the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane on June 19, 1910.

When did the United States begin celebrating Father's Day?

1910 Spokane, Washington celebrates Father's Day.
1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.
1926 The formation of National Father's Day Committee in New York City.
1956 Father's Day was recognized by Joint Resolution of Congress.
1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring that the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.
1972 President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday in June.

Do other countries celebrate Father's Day?

Father's Day is celebrated in every part of the world. In the United States, Canada and most countries in Asia, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

How can I make this Father's Day special for my Father?

There are all kinds of things you can do to make Father's Day special for your dad. Here are a few suggestions:

Make dad breakfast in bed.
Send him flowers, the red rose is the official Father's Day flower.
Do secret acts of kindness, this might include doing one of dad's chores for him, like taking out the garbage :)
Be obedient.
Do your chores, without being asked.
Get along with your brothers and sisters.
Make or take him out to dinner.
Send him an on-line greeting card.
Use our printables to make a heartfelt Father's Day card.
Check out some great ideas to make dad a homemade gift.


Spice up the Father's Day festivities with an activity or two.

1. Interview your father and/or grandfather. Ask questions about his birth, childhood, and what he did when he was a teenager. Find out favorite subjects in school, how he met your mother or grandmother. Inquire about his favorite job. End the interview by expressing your love for him.

2. Get together with a few other families and play the Father/Child Game. Divide into four father/child teams. Ask the fathers to leave the room while the children sit in chairs. Ask the same four or five questions to each child about their fathers. Bring in the fathers and ask them the same questions. Will the father and child have the same answers? Switch places and see how well the father's know the children. Award a red rose to the winning father/child team.

Question Ideas: Favorite color, movie, candy bar, color of toothbrush, memorable moment with you, best friend, hobby, talent, food, animal, cartoon, pizza topping, ice cream topping, restaurant. Most embarrassing moment. Favorite holiday.

3. Have a Father's Day BBQ or picnic. Make a crown for dad and let him know he's "King" for the day. This can be a family activity or extend an invitation to a few other families also. Make sure all the dad's are given "Royal Treatment".