Owner: Bur Bur and Friends Community Blog for Parents, Grandparents and Educators URL:http://burburandfriendsblog.com Join Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:04:31 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: A place where parents can come to discuss issues and share ideas. Created by award winning authors of Bur Bur and FriendsTM book series, Bur Bur and Friends is a multicultural group of characters that introduce kids to sports and outdoor exploration. Site statistics:Click here
Overcoming sleep difficulties with young children 2007-08-14 14:19:04 By Jodi Nelson, Minnesota Mom of 2
Getting my 4 1/2-year old daughter to sleep has been, well, a nightmare. After reading countless books on sleep, visiting a sleep specialist and tearing my hair out for four years, I finally resorted to my own agenda and approach.
We don’t give my daughter candy very often and [...] Read more:young
Is this schedule chaos, or comedy? 2007-08-14 14:05:01 By Kakie Fitzsimmons, co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
When we chose to become authors of multicultural children’s books that educate kids about sports, outdoor exploration and active play, it did not occur to us that it would change how we watch these activities.
Now, I find myself taking mental notes and paying closer attention as I watch [...]
Fueling our kids’ bodies for health! 2007-08-03 08:28:01 Is anyone else bothered (i.e., concerned) by all of the recent press and reports regarding childhood obesity and inactivity? Or the concept of soda machines in schools? Or all of the hidden sugars in today’s food products?
Here are just a few of the headlines and findings that have caught my eye lately: Read more:bodies
What does participation in sports really teach? 2007-07-09 09:42:57 By Kakie Fitzsimmons, co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
When my son began playing soccer at five years old I wasn’t sure what to expect. Little did I know we were both at the beginning of a metamorphosis in our lives that taught us both some key lessons.
At first, I observed he intentionally would stay back [...]
A sports rite of passage 2007-07-04 21:09:05 By Kakie Fitzsimmons, co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
I took my little guy to his ‘first’ Minnesota Twins game at the age of five. He has this obsession with trains, so I thought it would be fun to take the light rail from the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., to the Metrodome stadium. At [...] Read more:passage
Soul food 2007-07-03 11:26:28 By JoAnne Pastel, president and co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
I love soul food. It is an important part of my heritage and something that I am excited to introduce to my bi-racial son. In fact, having him try a diverse array of foods is becoming a fun adventure. He loves edameme and tempura [...]
Time-tested backyard games get kids moving! 2007-07-02 16:22:37 Like duck-duck-goose or a game of tag, some games are classics – they are simply FUN!
Here are three games that Bur Bur enjoys with his friends Anna, Mateo, Connor and Lily. They get the kids moving, laughing and best of all, enjoying active play.
Scavenger hunt
For ages 2+
Number of players: [...] Read more:tested
, backyard
Encouraging kids to try new foods 2007-06-26 09:53:54 As in the book, Bur Bur loves to go fishing, but he also enjoys eating several fish entrees, including his favorite “pink fish” – salmon.
Here is one of Bur Bur’s favorites – it is simple, healthy and he loves it!
Ingredients:
Organic salmon filet
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Ground pepper
Rinse the organic salmon filet in cold water and [...]
Are organic foods better for kids? 2007-06-26 09:46:31 By JoAnne Pastel, co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
I will admit it: I am an advocate of organic foods. I worry about health and the safety of the food we eat – and especially what my son eats. I simply get more peace-of-mind thinking that the organic products are free of the pesticides, non-organic [...] Read more:better
Some tips on motivating them to listen 2007-06-15 15:33:25 By Kakie Fitzsimmons, co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
As a mom it is really hard sometimes to pick your battles. (”How many times do I have to ask you to put your shoes on before you actually do it?”). Here are some strategies that seem have been successful for me. Hopefully they will work for you too.
1. [...]
Bur Bur and Friends host successful kick-off at Mall of America 2007-08-17 10:12:22 The weekend of July 21, Bur Bur and Friends
celebrated the national launch of our product line at a special event at the Mall of America
in Bloomington, Minn.
It was awesome to see all of the kids and families enjoying various activities, including story time, entertainment from the Teddy Bear Band, a fishing [...]
Do’s and don’ts for parents with children in swimming lessons 2007-08-16 21:25:04 By Andy Murray, swim instructor and coach
As a swimming instructor for the past 15 years, I’ve experienced a lot when it comes to first lessons with young children. It’s not just about what’s happening IN the pool, but also poolside.
Here are some tips for parents that can help make the most of [...]
Power struggles with and about food? 2007-08-16 12:44:28 By Kakie Fitzsimmons, co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
I can’t think of any parent who has never had power struggles with their kids about food. The challenge lies in how to overcome them in a way that makes it a positive experience.
In our crazy world of trying to balance work, social, sports and family life, the [...]
Role playing and early friendships 2007-08-21 11:49:51 By JoAnne Pastel, co-founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions
My son, William, is currently obsessed with pirates. In fact, the other day, he boldly instructed my husband to “Walk the plank!” and “Swab the deck!”
After doing a little research, I realized that his pretend play is helping him to enact and explore different emotions. [...]
Distinct market need for children’s picture books representing biracial and multicultural children 2007-08-20 16:59:30 We are excited to share that Bur Bur and Friends’ has been getting a lot of media attention since our national product launch in late July!
Most recently, coverage includes articles in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Parent, Toy Directory (TD) Monthly and numerous local TV interviews.
The Senior Editor of Parents [...]
Summer is for S’mores 2007-08-20 11:59:08 By Kristin Dunlap, mom of 3
When I think of a favorite childhood summertime treat, hands-down, it’s got to be S’mores. Simple to assemble. Messy to eat. And oh so [...] Read more:Summer
Friends of Bur Bur are true artists! 2007-08-20 10:15:43 If you check out the Bur Bur and Friends
Web site, you’ll find some great coloring pages (free to download!).
The coloring pages introduce children to the Bur Bur and Friends characters — and give them a chance to express themselves with color, creativity and imagination.
Take a look at some of the colored pages [...]
How do we teach values of good sportsmanship to our young kids? 2007-10-23 10:13:58 Often I think as parents we struggle to always know the best ways we can instill the values of good sportsmanship in our children. At Farmer’s Hat Productions, we use our innovative children’s books and characters, Bur Bur and Friends, to introduce kids to sports, outdoor exploration and active play.
Below is a link to [...] Read more:young
Farmer's Hat Productions: Noteable Minnesota Moms: Saavy Entrepreneurs 2007-12-21 11:52:07 Farmer’s Hat Productions founders featured in Momtalk Magazine:
JoAnne Pastel, a former stockbroker, who decided to stay at home when her son was born, realized she needed something else to do. She discussed this with a "life coach," and together they realized there was a spark in JoAnne's voice when she mentioned that she wanted to [...] Read more:Minnesota
, Entrepreneurs
The Best Events of the Year - A Mom’s Observations of Youth Basketball 2007-12-16 13:44:09 Kakie Fitzsimmons, Vice President and Co-Founder, Farmer’s Hat Productions and Co-Author of the Bur Bur and Friends Children’s book series
It was a cold day in December and on a whim I decided to bring my video camera along. The battery was low so I had to keep turning it off until it was his turn [...] Read more:Basketball
Bur Bur and Friends children’s book series earns Silver 2008 Mom’s Choice Awards 2008-03-24 23:10:18 For Immediate Release: Mar 21, 2008 – The Mom’s ChoiceAwards
is an annual competition that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media products and services. These awards are designed to help teachers and parents choose excellent educational products for kids. For more information, go to [...] Read more:Friends
, series
, Silver
The Character Creation Process Brings Out the Child in All of Us 2008-04-21 20:31:04 People often ask how we came up with personalities of the characters in our award winning children’s book series Bur Bur and Friends. Although the characters are based on our kids and their friends in real life, that still doesn’t mean it has been an easy process. When JoAnne came up with the idea of [...] Read more:Character
, Creation
, Process
Recommend Site To A Friend
