I remember entering the first grade (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth) we didn't have a library, however, my friends and I would visit the Book Mobile and I can STILL remember how it smelled.
Sort of like Barnes and Noble, before Starbucks and whatever gosh-awful perfume the Book Mobile Lady wore, at the time.
Today, my kids are growing up in the digital age; yes, the internet has made our world a much smaller place and yet mobile technology has also allowed families (like mine) to reconnect and find new friends that we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to meet.
Still, I can't help but think how much I would miss the feel of thumbing through elaborately embossed titles, or scanning through slightly used paperbacks carefully lined up on a bookshelf and, of course, that new book smell.
This weekend, with the help of the generous folks at Nestle Family, my family and I had the privilege of working with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) by throwing a Happy New School Year Kick-Off Party!
Through its partnership with RIF, Nestle has distributed millions of books to elementary school children across the country that are associated with the Nestle Adopt-A-School Program.
Books are displayed: Hope (she's 9) scans the titles and gets ready to play "Book Charades" game.
According to RIF, nearly two-thirds of low income families in the U.S. own no books.
English was my parents' second language. As teenagers, they immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary. My mother attended high school here in New Jersey and, through the generosity and patience of her teachers, learned to read English, while keeping up with the rest of her class.
My father is self-taught and has always been very proud of his grandchildren's achievements in school.
So, RIF's vision is one that truly resonates with me: "...a literate America in which all children have access to books and discover the joys and value of reading."
Lunch is served: Thanks to our friends at Nestle for providing Hope's friends with a very yummy lunch (they each had seconds!)
All during lunch, the kids talked about school, their love of learning, their friends and how helping less fortunate families is very important to them, too.
Hope and her bff's played a fun game her older sisters and I made up called Book Charades where each of the girls picked a book and attempted to "act out" the title for the others to guess.
Funniest Moment: Trying to guess, "Cuts, Scrapes, Scabs, and Scars
Thank you, Nestle Family!
Then, we played board games (Bubble Talk
But, not without a few surprises.
Thank you, RIF!
Thanks to the kind and generous folks at RIF.org, my family will be delivering $350.00 worth of books (displayed at the party) designed to not only encourage literacy, but are specifically focused on teaching kids about the importance of nutrition, health and wellness, to a local school in need.
How cool is that, right?!?
The girls also personalized a few book marks, one of the girls won a cool lunch box and gift certificate from Amazon.com (courtesy of Nestle) and their moms took home coupons to share with their families, as well.
Oh, and here's that Raisinets Oatmeal Bar recipe I promised:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 package (14 oz) Nestle Raisinets Milk Chocolate covered raisins (I used Craisnets milk chocolate covered cranberries, instead)
- 1 3/4 quick or old-fashioned oats, divided
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13 x 9 inch baking pan
- Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Beat sugar, butter and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in Raisinets and 1 1/2 cups oats. Spread into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining oats.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown (ours took 30 mins) Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.
Yes, sharing books, food and family is a GREAT way to kick-off the new school year, I think -- thanks again, Nestle Family and RIF!!!
Feel free to share recipes posted on Foodie Tuesdays, or click here to check out some of our other favorite stuff we're sharing (when you have time, of course) or, check out my personal blog (ditto) and I'll love you forever :)
© 2010 This Full House / This Full House Gone Shopping
The Small Gray-ish Print: Nestle Family sent us party supplies, good bags, door prizes and enough food (in the form of coupons) for 10 people, a $100.00 gift card (to keep) and the chance to share $350.00 worth of books with a local school in need, courtesy of RIF, for throwing the Happy Back to School Party. The words, however, are ALL mine!
