The Bluebird Patch

  To exceed, you must read! On Saturday June 29, Page Turners Make Great Learners, Inc., a nonprofit literacy organization for elementary students, whose mission is to encourage and instill a lifelong love of reading at an early age, hosted a literacy event at Cumberland Mall.    Several Atlanta-based celebrities and media personalities such as Jocelyn Connell, CBS Better Mornings Anchor; Michael Allen Austin, award-winning illustrator; Ozzie Areu, Tyler Perry Studios President; Cynthia Mallard, host of V103 “Atlanta Up Close”, and Josh Harris, comedian and instructor at Sketchworks lend their voices to bring books to life. Children of all ages were immersed in a world of fantasy, mystery, and funny light-hearted stories during this interactive event held from 2 to 4 p.m. The main purpose of the event was to emphasize the importance of reading during summer vacation. Students who read over the summer do better in school in the fall, while those...

Georgia SPCA is gearing up for it's biggest fundraiser of the year. There's no place like home 4th annual Benefit Bash, will take place September 7th, at the Gwinnett Center. On June 28th, a photo-shoot took place with the animals at the shelter. These photos will be used as part of their campaign. A big shout out to my little Bluebirds for being such good helpers. They stayed for the entire photo-shoot assisting the photographer and shelter volunteers. Mom can't pay for summer camp but she can offer them personally satisfying and rewarding life experiences. When kids volunteer it gives them a great feeling because they know they're making a difference. Follow Georgia SPCA There's No Place Like Home on Facebook to keep up with the latest updates. Tickets for the bash are only $50 each! http://oz.georgiaspca.org/tickets.html  

Atlanta is getting a lot of buzz lately for producing so many movies, but there is a small town in Newton County that has been a favorite filming location since the 1970's. Covington Georgia, also known as “The Hollywood of The South”, is a mecca for the television and film industry.  This vibrant town, founded in 1812, is a source of pride and joy for the community. Covington has a unique blend of shopping and dining experiences. It’s beautiful historical buildings are centered on the green oasis of the Square Park where on many occasions a wonderful concert or community event could be taking place. Downtown Covington is a great place to experience what true southern living feels like. For fans of TV shows such as “The Dukes of Hazzard”,  “In the Heat of the Night” and “The Vampire Diaries”, Covington will look familiar since it was used as a location for filming.    If you plan on visiting soon, here are a few suggestions about things to...

The Children's Museum of Atlanta has named The Bluebird Patch blog of the month for the month of July. Our Weebles Coast To Coast post was a huge hit and we are so happy The Children's Museum loved it as much as we do. We are so excited and honored, to be recognized by such an iconic attraction that has been a catalyst for so many wonderful initiatives. The mission of The Children's Museum of Atlanta is to spark imagination and inspire discovery and learning for all children through the power of play. Since opening in 2003, the Museum has: Welcomed nearly 2 million visitors! Sparked discovery and learning for children, parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers through the power of play Lead countless children from over 750 area schools and child development centers in creative, educational field trip programs Offered tens of thousands free admissions to those in need, and kept our Museum Without Walls roots alive through extens...

Celebrate 4th of July with these one-of-a-kind whimsical printables made with love by our friends at Mr Printables . If you ask any parent what is the #1 thing they want the most for their children, the answer will always be the same. To be happy!  As p arents, we often fail to emphasize the importance of seeking happiness in whatever a child does.  So this 4th of July put on your craft hat, get the glue gun, and get ready to teach the most important lesson of your life. Teaching children about happiness  plays a vital role at helping them cope up with both stress and pressure in present times and in their future lives.   Research suggests that a s children become happier, they become more compassionate, more creative, more energetic, financially successful, and more emotionally and physically healthy. On Independence day show your children how to develop some "happiness habits". The truth about how they see happiness might surprise you. ...

  O n July 26,  visit Cumberland Mall and purchase a sweet treat at Haagen-Dazs and they will donate 50% of all sales to Bert’s Big Adventure! Bert’s Big Adventure is a non-profit organization designed to allow children stricken with a chronic illness and/or physically challenged between the ages of 5 to 12 who prove financial need and live in the Bert Show radio listening areas, the opportunity to experience a magical weekend at Walt Disney World as the guests of the foundation. Bert’s Big Adventure is a non-profit organization designed to allow children stricken with a chronic illness and/or physically challenged between the ages of 5 to 12 who prove financial need and live in the Bert Show radio listening areas, the opportunity to experience a magical weekend at Walt Disney World as the guests of the found - See more at: http://www.bertsbigadventure.org/the-organization/#sthash.TPVqpm6f.dpuf Bert’s Big Adventure is a non-profit organization desi...

  On July 1, Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonald’s will celebrate Day of Change. On this day, McDonald’s customers are invited to help a family in need by donating spare coins at any Greater Atlanta area McDonald’s restaurant. By dropping small change into one of the donation boxes located by the cash register, a big difference can be made. A full donation box could provide a night’s stay at the Ronald McDonald House for a family whose child is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. At the Ronald McDonald House, families can enjoy many of the comforts of home, receive nutritious meals prepared and served by volunteers and obtain emotional support through contact with other families experiencing similar situations. No family is turned away if they cannot afford the small $20 requested contribution and many of these families stay at the Ronald McDonald House for weeks, and sometimes months, while their children receive medical treatment.

The Sunflower Farm is a 15 acre field in, where you can cut your own sunflowers. It's also the home of  the Sunflower Festival, one of  "Georgia's Top Festivals" by Atlanta Magazine. The Sunflower Farm has a Sharecropper's Country Market, a 1811 farm house that you can tour, and an enchanted forest full of gnomes, fairies and unusual art. The Sunflower Farm is a dream for professional and amateur photographers because of its unique landscape. This is one of those places that takes your breath away. The sunflower farm is beautiful, dreamy and oh so peaceful. It feels like a little piece of heaven. Celebrating 75 years in 2012, Sunflower Farm has been home to 5 different generations of the West Family. In 1936 W.W.West and his wife Pauline Haymore purchased the property and moved their 5 children and their cotton and hog farming operation here. Over the next several years they greatly expanded the farm and added 3 more kids to the growing family.  ...