Thankful November- Thanksgiving Craft Idea

We did something new this year for Thanksgiving- the kiddos made paper turkeys and wrote all the things they are thankful for on the feathers...

 

Supplies:

-Construction paper (cut into shapes to make turkey-body, beak, gobbler, feathers, feet)

-scissors

-glue

-markers/crayons

 

I helped with the turkeys - but the kids came up with what they are thankful for all on their own!

My son's is quite prolific for a 7-year-old:

-toys

-food

-armys

-family

-clothes

-holidays

-school

-house/home

-donating (the kid is thankful for donating!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter's is very sweet:

-dog named Kelly

-Brother Aedan

-pawpaw

-papa

-Mom

-Dad

-Nanna

-Mimi (on this feather it also reads: arrows stand for Family)

-Food

Think I'll ever hear that again...???

My kiddos had their yearly check-ups recently. Every year the doctor asks the kids their favorite fruit and veggie- to make sure they are actually eating them.
My daughter told the doctor her favorites were watermelon and carrots. Sadly, I secretly hoped she had said blueberries and spinach- because my daughter eats them all the time and they are much more nutrient than the favs she mentioned.
My son said bananas and edamame (not sure that soy beans are in the veggie category- but at least their green!) The doctor seemed pleased with the kids' eating habits, but still emphasized that they should limit the amount of sugary snacks and sweets they eat.

This year the doctor also talked at length about playing outdoors and to try keep TV and video games to a minimum of two hours a day. I already have even stricter limits on both of these digital demons- so I was thinking my kids are in pretty good shape.

When I picked up the kids from karate later that afternoon, I treated them to dollar sushi night and green tea ice cream for doing so well at the doctor and for starting back to school. (And we usually go to dollar sushi night anyway-ssshhhh!)
I always make the kids share one scoop of ice cream, because it's about the size of a Ruby Red grapefruit.
During the car ride on the way home from the restaurant-as if I wasn't even driving-my daughter told my son what a good mom I was for "just giving them a little bit of ice cream" and my son added and "only letting them play DS for 15 minutes."

Think I'll ever hear that again...
well, I'll bask in it until I hear "but just a little while longer-even the doctor said two hours" or "only one scoop?!"

Thoughtful Thursday, August 12, 2010

If you don't listen to your child at age 5, he/she won't listen to you at age 15...

Have you ever caught yourself half-listening to your child? - mechanically nodding your head and repeating "uh-huh"

Take the time to really listen to your child and look him/her in the eyes. Making geniune contact with them NOW (regardless if your child is simply talking about his favorite Sponge Bob character), will allow for more open and honest communication LATER (when the child is full of angst, raging hormones and no longer wants to share his favorite anything).

Brown Recluse Spider Bite

Spider bites are very serious. If you suspect your child has a spider bite, take him/her to the doctor as soon as possible. Do not try and lance or drain the bite before seeing a doctor- you can actually spread the poison this way and cause more tissue damage. Antibiotics are necessary to rid the infection.

If you see streaking (red lines running from the bite area) seek immediate medical attention.

I've been bitten by a brown recluse and recently my daughter suffered a bite from one of these poisonous spiders. Brown recluse bites have a trademark bull's eye pattern, typically burn or sting and are extremely painful.

Day 3

Day 5 (after 4 days of antibiotics)

Thoughtful Thursday, July 22, 2010

Don't demand respect as a parent.
Demand civility and insist on honesty.
But respect is something you must earn-with kids as well as with adults.
-William Attwood


I think as parents we demand respect because we are the parent and the elder- but all too often we demand respect by raising our voices or other disrespectful behavior.
If we're not acting respectful-how can we possibly demand it?

Individual Cookie Cake

My daughter requested a cookie cake for her birthday and I had every intention to oblige her. But, alas the local grocery store was out of cookie cakes the day that I needed one. Having no time to run to the cookie cake place in the mall or to bake one -AND - having some leftover chocolate chip cookies from Nanna - I improvised...

chocolate chip cookies, chocolate icing & sprinkles

I believe some of the best and most creative ideas are born from a lack of pre-planning and tight budgets. But, given proper preparation-an individual cookie cake could be the next cup cake cake! (with enough cookies to actually fill the platter or even better- a 3-tiered tray)

The the adults raved about how simple and original the cookie cake was and most importantly my daughter and the kids loved it!

So my daughter was an extra in the new movie, Standing Ovation. (Her daddy is the Director of Photography)

It opens nationally July 16, 2010.

From the trailers and clips I've seen, Standing Ovation looks to be a fun, family film.

Please be sure to go see it!

"Through original songs and dance numbers, Standing Ovation delivers an optimistic tale of perseverance and passion that inspires the American dream in all of us. The film showcases a talented cast of kids as they learn the importance of friendship and family on a journey to fulfilling their dreams.

Five junior high friends form a singing group called "The 5 Ovations" to compete in a national kids music video competition for a prize of one million dollars. With limited funds and resources, these street smart kids use their wits, courage and passion to create spectacular song and dance numbers that compete with their arch rivals "The Wiggies", five rich, talented and unscrupulous sisters who, along with their nefarious parents, will stop at nothing to win the national competition.

Unlike most family films Standing Ovation features kids in all of its principal roles and tells its story through their optimistic eyes. From the adorable eight year old Alanna Wannabe who has more competitive ambition than Donald Trump, to Joei Badalucci who is as tough as any mafia don from her South Philly neighborhood the cast of Standing Ovation will make you laugh and cry as they unravel and rebuild their colorful lives.

Filmed on location in Atlantic City, Philadelphia and New York this spectacular kids' musical captures the beauty of the eastern seaboard, its working class neighborhoods and the rich culture of its big cities. With 20 original songs, 5 classic tunes and 13 spectacular dance numbers featuring over 100 talented dancers, Standing Ovation is the biggest kids' musical of the year."

http://www.facebook.com/standingovationmovie

The Return of THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY, July 15, 2010

NATURE KNOWS

A photon of light
travels the path
of least resistance
(from the sun to the earth)
to arrive at its destination.
In physics, it's called
the principle of least action.
In human dynamics,
it's called "making it easy
for ourselves."
Making something hard
never makes it better
...it just makes it hard.

-Reprinted from Out-Smarting Your Karma
Barry Neil Kaufman

As a parent, don't ever think that taking the easy way is the "wrong" way or the "lazy" way to accomplish something. Be satisfied knowing that the task was accomplished!

17 ways to treat yourself on Mother's Day

17 ways to treat yourself on Mother's Day


What would Mother's Day be without pampering and indulgences? Don't limit yourself to just one day of the year, though. Sure, you're running a household, taking care of your kids 'round the clock, and perhaps pulling down a paycheck. But don't forget to make time to take care of yourself, too. Some real-world ideas — from other time-starved moms — for indulging yourself on Mother's Day, or any day:

A taped escape "I never have time to read, and I really miss it. My library has a great selection of books on tape, and I've gotten a lot of 'reading' done while running errands, doing household chores, and even trying to fall asleep at night."— Nancy Pankey Colon, mother of Phillip, 6, Andrew, 4, and Eloise, 1, Monmouth Junction, N.J.

Treat those tootsies "I get a pedicure. It's a great time to read a book and let someone else rub my feet. Plus, my toes are ready for sandals now!"— Kay Kay Sharp, mother of Katie Beth, 11 months, Columbia, Tenn.

A "date" with a friend "I send my daughter to her grandmother's for the day, and I go to a long, lazy lunch and a good movie with a friend. We get exactly what we want to eat, no matter what the price or the fat grams. We sometimes even have a couple of cocktails or dessert. Then we slip off to the movies, where we indulge in popcorn and Twizzlers."— Maribeth Langford, mother of Kate, 7 months, Lanett, Ala.

Girls' night out "I make plans with my childless college roommates to go out on the town and sleep over at their apartment in the city."— Melissa Nordstrom, mother of Nicholas, 17 months, Manalapan, N.J.

The clean team "I have a cleaning service come in once every two weeks. What those three ladies do in 90 minutes takes me three days! Now, I can spend weekends with my son instead of dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing floors."— Shawn Gisi, mother of Jack Anthony, 11 months, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

A day on your own "Every Friday, I hire a babysitter for the day. It enables me to run errands and do small things for myself (like get a haircut or shop) without worrying about naps, moods, or feedings."— Dianna Cutler

Saving memories "I'm addicted to scrapbooking. During my free moments, I love to work on my scrapbook. It gives me a chance to reflect on my memories."— Beth Karmis, mother of Cameron, 9 months, Wheaton, Ill.

Shop till you drop "My cousin and I went on a 24-hour kid-free shopping spree — antiques, arts and crafts, and the new outlet mall in our area. Our husbands kept the kids, and we stayed at a bed-and-breakfast. Even though I called home every three hours, it was awesome trying on clothes in a dressing room that doesn't have to accommodate a double stroller, not stopping every few hours to feed the baby, and not lugging the diaper bag around."— Darla Ringer, mother of Ian, 2, and Peyton, 8 months, League City, Texas.

A spa retreat "My three sisters and I leave the children and husbands at home and head to a spa. We get an affordable package that includes a sauna, a mineral bath, and a massage. Then we head to our favorite diner for brunch. We have one rule, too: No complaining about work, husbands, or kids."— Karin Plumadore, mother of Mark, 6 months, Troy, N.Y.

A movie matinee "Once a week, I go to a matinee that begins at my baby's nap time. During the previews, I nurse him in the dark, and he's usually asleep on my lap by the time the movie begins. Then I sit back and relax for an hour and a half."— Joanne Corrigan, mother of George, 11 months, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Sweet dreams "I take a hot bath, read a new magazine, and go to bed by 9 o'clock, letting my husband listen for the baby until 1:30 a.m. That way, I'm guaranteed a few hours of deep sleep."— Beth Bamberger, mother of Samuel Sebastian, 9 months, Russell, Pa.

Ice cream and must-see TV "My husband and I have a ritual: Wednesday is TV and ice-cream night. We make an evening run to Dairy Queen, then I kick back to watch The West Wing with my hot fudge M & M-topped sundae."— Andrea M., mother of Joel, 5 months, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Class act "I take adult education courses at night that enable me to make things with my hands, which is very therapeutic for me. I took a woodworking class and made a huge, cherry-framed mirror which now adorns our wall, for instance, and I just finished a crochet class."— Leslie Zales, mother of Gracie, 1, Belmont, Mass.

A hotel away from home "Once, when having two kids under the age of 2 got to be too much for me, I packed an overnight bag and went to a hotel. Uninterrupted, I read a magazine while listening to instrumental music on the radio, had a drink, took a long, hot shower, and got a full night's sleep. It was a little bit of heaven."— Barbara Torrey, mother of Shane, 2 1/2, Ashley, 15 months, Lincoln, Neb.

Coffee break "If I have a rough night or morning with the baby, I stop for an iced mocha on my way to work. It's my treat for when things get stressful."— Tricia PaulsenGo soak yourself"I fill my home pedicure tub with hot water and sit in the bathroom and read, all alone. No one else is allowed in until I'm done."— Stacy Charlesbois, mother of Nathalie, 9 months, Farmington Hills, Mich.

Tea time "I love to sneak away for tea at an elegant hotel. I get to valet park, sit down in a room with adults, and have someone wait on me for a change."— Mary Benson, mother of Brendan, 8 months, Fla.

HAPPY 40th Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day-everyday!