tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4334184460075784492024-03-13T00:00:53.370-04:00Got Kiddos?Noteworthy:
Fun Ideas,
Behavior Techniques,
Books and Products,
Baby Methods
and Teacher TidbitsRCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-40652277325953190582015-02-01T15:55:00.000-05:002015-06-18T14:24:23.120-04:00Surviving Sick Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dH-h2hxdNB4/VHtOAaklG3I/AAAAAAAAA8I/-rK3ORyB25o/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B12.01.59%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dH-h2hxdNB4/VHtOAaklG3I/AAAAAAAAA8I/-rK3ORyB25o/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B12.01.59%2BPM.png" width="198" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having sick kids is not fun.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On top of that we live in a time where we have been told that children under two cannot have most over the counter (OTC) sick meds. This puts families of babies and young children in a very difficult situation when they find that their little one is sick.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good thing is that the longer you live in that world of having a sick kid and no meds, the more you figure out tricks to get them better or at least feeling a little better.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'm <i><u>not</u></i> a doctor. I'm a mom. </b> Because I have <b><u>no</u></b> medical background I have linked anything medical in this post to a reputable medical source.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been through many of the typical childhood illnesses with my kids. Here are all of the tricks and things that I've learned along the way.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOTE: READ SAFETY/WARNING MESSAGES ON ALL PRODUCTS</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I am not including age recommendations for any products because they could change AND because you can determine the right thing for your family by reading labels or asking a doctor.</span></b></div>
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<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Preventative Measures:</span></b></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what we do at our house to keep some of the germs at bay.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://news.discovery.com/human/<br />health/cover-your-cough-120906.htm</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Teach <a href="http://news.discovery.com/human/health/cover-your-cough-120906.htm" target="_blank">Proper Sneezing Etiquette</a></b>: Schools teach it, you can too! Teach kids to sneeze and cough into the inside of their elbow. Sneezing on hands spreads germs quickly.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://healthychild.org/easy-steps/<br />take-off-your-shoes-at-the-door/</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shoes</b>: <a href="http://healthychild.org/easy-steps/take-off-your-shoes-at-the-door/" target="_blank">Leaving your shoes at the door</a> can help by not tracking things throughout your house from the outside world... like germs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I3aAV6cwBoo/VHuFTXubkAI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/iGWhQhL9nOM/s1600/health-frontline-art0-g3nfb1mr-11206gfx-hands2-washing-eps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I3aAV6cwBoo/VHuFTXubkAI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/iGWhQhL9nOM/s1600/health-frontline-art0-g3nfb1mr-11206gfx-hands2-washing-eps.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.dispatch.com/content/<br />stories/local/2011/12/25/health/duck-and-cover.html</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hand Washing</b>: We all wash our hands with antibacterial soap every time we come home from anywhere. It is the first thing we all do when we come inside from a store or school or friend's house.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lls.org/content/nationalcontent/resourcecenter/pdf/handwashing.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for a fun activity for kids to learn about the need for warm water and soap to properly remove germs.</a> While doing this activity, make sure kids don't stick their hands in their eyes with this concoction on their hands.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KkR369xNxQ/VHuH4rIMZnI/AAAAAAAAA88/tLxWcUjotfA/s1600/41JVQU6FVTL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KkR369xNxQ/VHuH4rIMZnI/AAAAAAAAA88/tLxWcUjotfA/s1600/41JVQU6FVTL._AA160_.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hand Wipes</b>: I keep <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wet-Ones-Antibacterial-Hand-Wipes/dp/B00005BMI9/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1417380151&sr=8-8&keywords=wet+ones+wipes+singles" target="_blank">Wet Ones</a> hand wipes in the car so that as soon as we get in the car from a store or other public place, we can all wipe our hands off. It makes it so that we're not waiting until we get home and officially wash our hands. I like using wipes more than hand sanitizer because I give my kids (old enough to not put things in their mouth) each a wipe and they spend a few minutes of our ride home wiping their hands with it. There is a lot more friction that comes from wiping their hands with a wipe versus putting hand sanitizer on their hands.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_a19jc6Ff4/VHuNSDvxSYI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/zSd5PCJS8OA/s1600/ps-kidspack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_a19jc6Ff4/VHuNSDvxSYI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/zSd5PCJS8OA/s1600/ps-kidspack.png" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics" target="_blank"><b>Probiotics</b></a>: My family members all take <a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics" target="_blank">probiotics</a> daily (year round). <a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics" target="_blank">Probiotics</a> have been found to boost your immune system by replacing/boosting the levels of good bacteria in a person's digestive tract. We use <a href="http://www.culturelle.com/kids-probiotic-packets?gclid=CM24_-7vosICFSIV7AodwQQAMg" target="_blank">Culturelle for kids</a> because it comes in a tasteless powder form for kids and we mix it into their water. They have no idea that they take probiotics. Make sure you consult with your doc before doing this.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wellnessmama.com/1888/elderberry-syrup/" target="_blank"><b>Elderberry Syrup</b></a>: We've never used this but our friends make this and give it to everyone in their household daily to prevent everyone from getting sick. Note: <b>Babies can NOT have honey!</b> <a href="http://wellnessmama.com/1888/elderberry-syrup/" target="_blank">Check out this link for all the info and recipe</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure you consult with your doc before doing this.</span><br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Helpful info:</span></u></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Common Misconception</b>: The flu and stomach bugs are NOT the same thing (and have very little in common).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm" target="_blank">The "flu" is influenza</a>, a contagious respiratory illness that commonly causes coughing and fever.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/overview.html" target="_blank">Stomach bugs are often Norovirus</a>, a contagious illness that causes stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and throw up.</span><br />
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<b>Know your drugs</b>: Over the counter drugs all have names (and I don't mean the brand names). Drug names are found on front of the medicine box in small print below the brand name and also found on the back of the box in the section called "drug facts." Know the drug name and its purpose. On the back of the box it will tell you the drug name and then the job of that drug.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some medicines have a lot of drugs in them with a lot of purposes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some medicines have one drug and one purpose.</span><br />
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<b>Good tips from the pharmacist</b>: Ask your pharmacist questions about meds. They give great tips! They have often told me things that the docs never mentioned. Ask about drug interactions or what to take first and how far apart to take different medications if your child is going to be taking multiple meds of any kind. Some meds block others from being absorbed for example.</span><br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dealing with Colds and Fevers:</span></u></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-300-garlic.aspx?activeingredientid=300&activeingredientname=garlic" target="_blank"><b>Raw Garlic</b></a>: When I feel like I'm coming down with a cold, I consume raw garlic. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-300-garlic.aspx?activeingredientid=300&activeingredientname=garlic" target="_blank">Raw garlic has allkinds of medicinal powers and can kill a cold if you consume it raw at the onset</a>. It has worked for me numerous times by taking just one clove worth (sliced up). I personally can't stand raw garlic so I slice up one clove and put it in bread with lots of cream cheese. The cream cheese cuts the taste of the garlic and makes it possible for me to consume it raw. Make sure you consult with your doc before doing this - garlic can have negative effects on your body too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wellnessmama.com/1888/elderberry-syrup/" target="_blank"><b>Elderberry Syrup</b></a>: We've never used this but our friends make this and give it to everyone in their household daily to prevent everyone from getting sick and to help sicknesses go away faster. Note: <b>Babies can NOT have honey!</b> <a href="http://wellnessmama.com/1888/elderberry-syrup/" target="_blank">Check out this link for all the info and recipe</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure you consult with your doctor before doing this.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/03/essential-baby-stuff-part-1-skin-to.html" target="_blank"><b>Skin to Skin</b></a>: Skin to Skin contact has been shown to regulate body temperature in babies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol)</b>: If your child is old enough to have both medications, ask your doctor about using these meds as a team to combat a fever. <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-switch-back-and-forth-between-ibuprofen-and-ac_71854.bc" target="_blank">Here's a link about it.</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lavGbrod3kQ/VH1Alyd7knI/AAAAAAAAA94/VCZ619bVJyI/s1600/51z%2BISvuAxL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lavGbrod3kQ/VH1Alyd7knI/AAAAAAAAA94/VCZ619bVJyI/s1600/51z%2BISvuAxL._AA160_.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lollipops </b>(can be a choking hazard): There are some great lollipos for kids that are old enough to have them made just for sick kids! The can act as a cough drop on a stick and often include some helpful ingredients. Look for them in the same section as the cold meds. Ask a doctor before giving your child these.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Saline Nasal Spray</b>: Saline nose spray is another item we use for our kids when they have colds. Make sure you consult with your doc before doing this.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LY9I9EnBfvg/VQx4a3WhbdI/AAAAAAAABFY/J-2yuksHpnA/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B3.42.04%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LY9I9EnBfvg/VQx4a3WhbdI/AAAAAAAABFY/J-2yuksHpnA/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B3.42.04%2BPM.png" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2WWkoKxrDQ/VQx4LQYVRBI/AAAAAAAABFQ/DEtWnWLMktw/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B3.41.21%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2WWkoKxrDQ/VQx4LQYVRBI/AAAAAAAABFQ/DEtWnWLMktw/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B3.41.21%2BPM.png" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nasal Aspirator</b>: Most people know about the bulb style of nasal aspirators used to remove boogers from baby noses. There is also one bizarre version called the <a href="http://www.fridababy.com/shop/nosefrida/" target="_blank">NoseFrida</a> that many people I know think is an amazing invention and it has great reviews on Amazon as well. Ask a doctor before using these.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9VF1xPrInc/VH1CouqcitI/AAAAAAAAA-U/fzK2ujA0NuA/s1600/31bE2ulnAPL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9VF1xPrInc/VH1CouqcitI/AAAAAAAAA-U/fzK2ujA0NuA/s1600/31bE2ulnAPL._AA160_.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Humidifiers</b>: We use humidifiers in the winter and when we have colds. Be aware that they can be hot! Another great thing to do is to take your baby or child into the bathroom and sit with them on the toilet seat while another family member is taking a shower. Bathrooms fill up with warm steam that you can have them breath.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be careful, humidifiers are electric and are a heat source. Children should stay away from them for safety sake (this can be hard since they are on the floor).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.honeydontcough.com/whybuckwheathoney.html#natural" target="_blank"><b>Buckwheat Honey</b></a>: <b>Do NOT give honey to babies!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like garlic, buckwheat honey has some medicinal qualities. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/medicinal-uses-of-honey" target="_blank">Check out the info about honey here.</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1oD-2-lOZmA/VH1K5omUwkI/AAAAAAAAA-0/bQClVkz8AIE/s1600/images-14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1oD-2-lOZmA/VH1K5omUwkI/AAAAAAAAA-0/bQClVkz8AIE/s1600/images-14.jpeg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Vicks on Feet for Coughs</b>: I don't know why this works, but it does seem to! At bedtime, <a href="http://www.parenting.com/blogs/show-and-tell/new-warning-about-vicks-vaporub" target="_blank">for children that are old enough for Vicks VapoRub <b>(see link for warning)</b></a><b>,</b> put Vicks on the soles of a child's feet if they have a cough. Then cover their feet with socks. You may notice that you don't hear them coughing very much at night. Make sure you consult with your doc before doing this.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tqeD_QTSja8/VH1NUzEmk1I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/x-LzujnfLYY/s1600/images-15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tqeD_QTSja8/VH1NUzEmk1I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/x-LzujnfLYY/s1600/images-15.jpeg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boiron</b>: Boiron is a company that makes homeopathic medicines that we are big fans of.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are three medicines they make that are also available in child version. We love all three both for the effectiveness and for the lack of bad taste!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click these links below to find out more about each.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.boironusa.com/products/childrens-chestal-honey/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children's Chestal Cough Honey</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.boironusa.com/products/childrens-coldcalm/" target="_blank">Children's Coldcalm Pellets</a> (btw check the age range on the adult Cold Calm too)</span><br />
<a href="http://www.boironusa.com/products/oscillococcinum/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oscillococcinum</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4OGig8jP2Q/VQxeuL-2LVI/AAAAAAAABFA/EtnAkvJWUL0/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B1.53.24%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4OGig8jP2Q/VQxeuL-2LVI/AAAAAAAABFA/EtnAkvJWUL0/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B1.53.24%2BPM.png" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Getting kids to drink more fluids</b>: It can be like pulling teeth to get kids to drink more fluids when they </span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_jeaWo7pRk/VQxPmxTWjoI/AAAAAAAABEg/pkJxHhGTWHM/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B12.48.46%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_jeaWo7pRk/VQxPmxTWjoI/AAAAAAAABEg/pkJxHhGTWHM/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B12.48.46%2BPM.png" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are sick. Here is what we do. We have designated cups that have favorite characters on them just to be used when they are sick... so they get the "fun" cups to drink from. ALSO, I recently started offering them a baby marshmallow for every empty cup. If they finish their fluids, they get a baby marshmallow! Ask a doctor before giving your child marshmallows.</span><br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dealing with Stomach Bugs:</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOEfpeyBe0s/VQxJ1YBhvLI/AAAAAAAABEA/CL7hxm3BnPM/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B12.24.10%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOEfpeyBe0s/VQxJ1YBhvLI/AAAAAAAABEA/CL7hxm3BnPM/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B12.24.10%2BPM.png" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be ready</b>: At the suggestion of our friends, we keep a large empty clean yogurt cup in the car (with the lid). It is just the right size "puke cup" for an unexpected sick moment in the car. You can also keep multiples stacked just in case you are going to need more than one.</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB7vmTMOHTw/VQxatGURh_I/AAAAAAAABE0/5lpASSs5Ndc/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B1.36.09%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB7vmTMOHTw/VQxatGURh_I/AAAAAAAABE0/5lpASSs5Ndc/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B1.36.09%2BPM.png" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Things to drink</b>: Pedialite (which also comes in powder form to be mixed with </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">water - good to have on hand), broth, pear juice from canned pears, ginger ale, Caffeine-Free Coke, Gatorade... Ask a doctor before giving these to your child.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jh3tCDOP-9Y/VQxMWYzSN2I/AAAAAAAABEU/GrRgqhLnQNI/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B12.34.56%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="114" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jh3tCDOP-9Y/VQxMWYzSN2I/AAAAAAAABEU/GrRgqhLnQNI/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-03-20%2Bat%2B12.34.56%2BPM.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bratdietdrink.com/cm/Home.html" target="_blank"><b>B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drink</b></a>: A drink that has been created just for kids that have an upset stomach based on the typically recommended tummy helping foods (or "BRAT" diet): <b>b</b>ananas, <b>r</b>ice, <b>a</b>pplesauce and <b>t</b>oast. Check it out <a href="http://bratdietdrink.com/cm/Home.html" target="_blank">here</a>! Ask a doctor before giving this to your child.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">note: All images in this post (aside from the title image) are from the internet.</span>RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-32912370885265073252014-08-01T23:29:00.001-04:002014-08-01T23:29:28.542-04:00Put the Device Down!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I *love* technology.<br />
I also *love* that we live in a unique area where there is no cell service.<br />
I know, mind blowing, isn't it?<br />
What that means is that when people are hanging out with their children or friends here... they're JUST hanging out together!<br />
No one checks their phone.<br />
No one checks anything.<br />
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<b>Eye contact </b>and <b>togetherness</b> happen.<br />
It is a <b>beautiful thing</b>.<br />
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When we go anywhere else, it hits me like a brick wall how technology <i>obsessed</i> people are and how much people are <i>ignoring</i> their kids.<br />
We just recently came back from a wonderful family vacation.<br />
This is what we saw a lot of... parents... with their noses and fingers <b>glued</b> to their phones.<br />
Many, many, many of them.<br />
Here's an idea...<br />
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Stop reading this post or ANY posts or ANYthing on a screen... put down your device and...<br />
go be together.<br />
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Share if you care. Then go play, talk, meet and greet and just <b>be</b> <b>together</b>.</div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-53417241474254774782014-03-16T16:33:00.000-04:002014-07-04T17:31:57.049-04:003 Ways to Give Kids Your Time and Attention While Still Getting Things Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6h3NyTPPhHM/UyYGPW8OkxI/AAAAAAAAAv4/C_445YB77Zs/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-03-16+at+4.14.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6h3NyTPPhHM/UyYGPW8OkxI/AAAAAAAAAv4/C_445YB77Zs/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-03-16+at+4.14.03+PM.png" height="199" width="200" /></a></div>
Some mom bloggers will tell you that you should spend every moment of your energy and time on your kids because they are growing up so quickly that you're going to miss the good stuff if you spend your time cleaning. I think that sounds lovely and I love spending time with my kids but when our house gets messy, it makes me feel totally out of sorts and that's not good for my kids either. Order around me creates order and peace in my mind and that makes me a better parent. I should also add on a side note that I think kids should know how to <i>and</i> be encouraged to play on their own some of the time. Kids imaginations can soar when they are left alone.<br />
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So, what is the happy medium between ignoring them all of the time in order to keep everything perfect and spending all of your time with them and letting everything else fall to shambles?<br />
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If you are looking for this kind of balance, here are 3 very clear rules to set for yourself.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1) Dinner time is family time. </span> In our house other meals can mean some or all of us at the table. It all depends on who's home at the moment. Dinner on the other hand is ALWAYS ALL of us. I've taught the girls that you don't start eating until everyone is sitting at the table. That way we eat together. We also do "Best Thing" every night at dinner. We ask each family member (and any guests), "What is your best thing today?" "Best Thing" is a chance for each person to say what their favorite moment or activity was that day. We get some really wonderful answers. Children as young as about 2 1/2 can participate in "Best Thing" and often even younger. You can even ask a baby if they are not talking yet too. It gives everyone a chance to say something... even if it is "Ga!" from the baby. We also have "dinner and movie night" on Friday nights. Although it isn't as social as sitting at the table together is still special together time of a different kind and it is a family tradition.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2) After school is a time to talk. </span> I pick up my child at school but this can be done when they get home from the bus too. When I pick my daughter up we sit in the car once everyone is buckled. I look in her back pack and she tells me about what is in there whether it be her art or a newsletter or something from her friend. She shares how her day went and when we've chatted about it for a few minutes then we leave for home. Another good thing is that by the time we are done talking, most of the cars have already left and so we are not part of the "rush to leave" line of cars all trying to get out of the parking lot all at the same time.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">3) I made a "Sandy Hook Elementary Promise" to my kids (even though they *don't* know about the shootings). </span>When the shootings happened in Newtown, CT, like all parents, I was absolutely devastated. I asked myself, if that ever happened in my world, what would I wish I had done. I decided on that day that when my kids ask me to read a short book or play with them I would put down what I was doing (if possible) and do as they asked. The thing is that this is not an extended amount of time. I'll read one short book and then return to what I am doing OR I will play with them (fully invested) for 20 minutes. I tell them I'm putting the timer on and they know I'm going to go back to what I was doing when it dings. I should add, if I'm not doing anything important then I'll read lots of books or play for a much longer time (with no timer). The timer and the one book rule is just for those times when something else NEEDS to get done. This rule keeps me from telling them, "not right now" over and over and over again.RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-14225312265555574272014-02-22T00:09:00.000-05:002014-02-22T10:51:59.498-05:00Wow Dough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JhHFHLsQsvc/UwgjVDZYZAI/AAAAAAAAAtE/keqMox12LGM/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-21+at+11.07.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JhHFHLsQsvc/UwgjVDZYZAI/AAAAAAAAAtE/keqMox12LGM/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-21+at+11.07.22+PM.png" height="200" width="199" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a great recipe for a dough like concoction that we made today! It is super fast and easy to make with no cooking involved and only 2 ingredients! This is one that we'll be making many times over, for sure!</span><br />
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I've actually renamed this awesome stuff. A few mom friends of mine had made it after finding it on Pinterest and it was called "Cloud Dough" on there. However, unlike other doughs that people have given specific names to, "Cloud Dough" seems to have multiple identities. I thought this was a bit confusing so I decided to rename this one, "Wow Dough." It certainly lives up to its new name!</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, here's the recipe.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Safety Note: This dough contains non-food ingredients. Don't let your kids/babies consume this.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gXuLscXIYs0/UwgsmoQHfeI/AAAAAAAAAtU/NALmyhKxfyE/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gXuLscXIYs0/UwgsmoQHfeI/AAAAAAAAAtU/NALmyhKxfyE/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 parts cornstarch</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 part hair conditioner</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">food coloring (optional)</span><br />
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Yes, that is all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put all ingredients in a bowl and stir. When it is mostly mixed up, knead it a lot with your hands (take your rings off first) and that will make it really smooth and clumped into a ball. You can add food coloring after you've made it. Knead it a LOT to get the color to spread through the whole ball of dough.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once it is done, I'd suggest giving it to your kids on something like a plastic plate that will keep it somewhat contained. It crumbles easily even though it is a really smooth dough. It also sticks to surfaces easily.</span><br />
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Have Fun!</span><br />
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Note: You may want to take into consideration the kind of hair conditioner you use for this dough. The smell of <i>that</i> much conditioner can a bit much. The scent took over our kitchen today. It was nice but very strong.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more dough fun:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2013/02/five-faves-week-of-dough-and-goo.html">Five Faves: A Week of Dough and Goo</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-58488536849279256962013-12-03T17:49:00.000-05:002013-12-05T14:09:54.428-05:00Put the Power of Giving in Kids' Hands: Have a Giving Bee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbE6_8qUktc/Up4PzQuBlNI/AAAAAAAAAnc/2b8UzlAtWT0/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-03+at+12.05.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbE6_8qUktc/Up4PzQuBlNI/AAAAAAAAAnc/2b8UzlAtWT0/s320/Screen+shot+2013-12-03+at+12.05.11+PM.png" width="302" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For quite a while now I've been trying to think of a way to teach our kids about giving, particularly at this time of year when kids are naturally fixated on <i>wanting.</i></span><br />
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I remember when I was young, whenever a natural disaster happened in the world, my parents would put a mug on the shelf and say, "Whatever you kids want to put in that mug to donate, we will match that amount." That gave us such a sense of power. Whatever we put in was going to be <i>doubled</i>! Knowing that our actions had an impact on those in need felt like having a real super power. We were small but could still make a difference in the world.</span><br />
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Now that we have kids I want to give them that same feeling, that feeling of knowing you have the power to help others. I want them to have the desire to help others, not just because it is the right thing to do but because they feel the need and want to do it deep down.</span><br />
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Last spring our girls participated in a <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=cc836f9523e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD">Trike-a-Thon for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital</a>. I have to take a moment to share this quote from their website, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2d2d2d; line-height: 16px;">Thanks to donors, no family ever pays St. Jude for anything. Care, housing, transportation, meals—the list of services we provide to our families is unequalled." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2d2d2d; line-height: 16px;">Wow! What an amazing thing to provide <b>free</b> care to families!</span></span><br />
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We sponsored our kids but because we were dealing with money (versus items) it was very abstract for them. They don't understand the worth of money or the power of it... not yet anyway. We'll continue to do the Trike-a-Thon each year and each year it will be more meaningful to them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Because I was still wanting to come up with something that my young kids could really own and understand <i>right</i> <i>now, </i>I came up with the "Giving Bee."</span><br />
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We receive the <a href="http://www.heifer.org/">Heifer International</a> catalog in the mail. Heifer International is an organization that allows individuals to purchase animals (among other things) for families in developing countries so that they can financially benefit from owning these animals. Instead of giving people food, they give them something to make money as well as provide food for their own family.</span><br />
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Here is an example from their website:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">"FLOCK OF CHICKS CHANGES LIVES<br /><br />Your gift of a flock of chickens gift donation helps provide a family in need with a starter flock of 10 to 50 chicks, along with the training that will empower them to turn your donation into a lifetime of opportunity. Each flock of chicks:</span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Provides eggs and protein for nourishment</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boosts income through sales of extra eggs and offspring</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensures security for generations through Passing on the Gift</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Chickens require little space and can thrive on readily available scraps; this allows families to make money from the birds without spending much. And since a good hen can lay up to 200 eggs a year, your flock of chickens gift provides a steady source of nutrition and income."</span><br />
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A gift that keeps on giving.</span><br />
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I think this is a very neat concept and as I was flipping through I saw that <a href="http://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/animals-nutrition/honeybees-donation.html">honeybees</a> are something that can be purchased.</span><br />
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I read the section on honeybees:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">"HONEYBEES SWEETEN A FAMILY'S FINANCIAL FUTURE<br />A Heifer honeybee gift donation includes a bee package, hive, box and training in beekeeping techniques. When you buy bees for a family in need, your gift:</span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boosts income through sales of honey, wax and pollen</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stimulates growth of the family’s crops through pollination</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes it's the smallest gifts that make the largest impact. Healthy beehives can can double fruit and vegetable yields of small farms. Let your honeybee donation turn a family's struggle into a lifetime of opportunity."</span><br />
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There are <a href="http://infographicjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BeesFree-IMI-1152012-InfographicUpdated1.png">so many benefits to having more honeybees in the world. Also, since many honeybees are tragically dying</a> I thought it would be a perfect thing to purchase. It benefits the family, benefits the world and will add to the shrinking honeybee population.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/animals-nutrition/honeybees-donation.html">Honeybees for a family are 30 dollars</a> in the Heifer International catalog.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />To make the Giving Bee poster: I made a very symbolic picture of a hive (Winnie the Pooh style). I then traced and cut out 30 circles. The girls drew the lines and colored the yellow on the circles to represent the bees (and the 30 dollars it takes to purchase the bees). The circles have rolls of tape on the back so they stick to the poster. Note: I did not laminate the poster. It would be a smart idea to do as ours is ripping a little when we move the bees from the edge of the poster to the hive. Also, it can be used each year if laminated.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnABwq8d03U/Up-hRY0p9NI/AAAAAAAAAn4/JWrDrTrI_jQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-04+at+4.39.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnABwq8d03U/Up-hRY0p9NI/AAAAAAAAAn4/JWrDrTrI_jQ/s320/Screen+shot+2013-12-04+at+4.39.13+PM.png" width="317" /></span></a></div>
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We hung this "Giving Bee" poster on the fridge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told our kids who the bees will be for and I explained that they will get to put a bee on the hive for every "random" good deed they do. As Romper Room called it, be a "good do-bee." If I see someone helping out without being asked etc. they will earn a bee for the hive.</span><br />
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Once they have earned all 30 bees, my husband and I will give the 30 dollars towards buying the bees for a family in need. It is a win win situation. A family (and our planet) get honeybees and our kids are given the power to help others in a way that has a big impact.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is #GivingTuesday!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are some of the ways that you teach your kids about giving?</span></div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-16810083849262502992013-11-18T17:49:00.000-05:002013-11-18T21:44:59.555-05:00Fall Fun: Pumpkin Spice Play Dough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuVpvH3ERJM/UoqT47h_0mI/AAAAAAAAAmk/5VvwABCGSh4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-18+at+4.55.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuVpvH3ERJM/UoqT47h_0mI/AAAAAAAAAmk/5VvwABCGSh4/s200/Screen+shot+2013-11-18+at+4.55.49+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
This past weekend I was asked to make some "Pumpkin Spice Play Dough" for my child's classroom.<br />
We made a double batch (below is the "single" but doubling it is recommended because this doesn't make very much) and I loved it SO much that I though I'd share it here!<br />
I've said it before, some recipes for things like play dough can sound so great but turn out horribly... this one on the other hand was the perfect consistency and smelled wonderful!!<br />
There is nothing better on a cold fall day than sinking your fingers into warm soft, spicy play dough.<br />
Here it is... have fun!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTaZGOjIYGQ/UoqWHbe8fDI/AAAAAAAAAmw/LeDBAN0OtLo/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-18+at+4.35.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTaZGOjIYGQ/UoqWHbe8fDI/AAAAAAAAAmw/LeDBAN0OtLo/s400/Screen+shot+2013-11-18+at+4.35.26+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pin from here if you wish!</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/408560997417075535/">http://www.pinterest.com/pin/408560997417075535/</a></div>
<br />RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-78270154675764817952013-10-19T22:17:00.000-04:002014-10-21T22:43:52.362-04:00October Roundup!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOsVus3cSiQ/Ul3zAwX7WbI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/WVyc0rdhF04/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-15+at+9.58.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOsVus3cSiQ/Ul3zAwX7WbI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/WVyc0rdhF04/s200/Screen+shot+2013-10-15+at+9.58.17+PM.png" height="199" width="200" /></a>Here is a collection of all things "October" from "Got Kiddos?" to you!<br />
I've included both Halloween <i>and</i> Non-Halloween ideas and posts.<br />
Enjoy!!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGF1Pv_sgIY/UmL6LtKLuPI/AAAAAAAAAik/I1HDe12O4Rs/s1600/edited+version+oct.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGF1Pv_sgIY/UmL6LtKLuPI/AAAAAAAAAik/I1HDe12O4Rs/s200/edited+version+oct.png" height="189" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/10/dear-best-books-for-october_12.html">Best books for October</a></span><br />
A "must read" list!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lfq3kzALYo/UmL-G9OkofI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ycADAP9MWTU/s1600/Photo+on+2012-10-09+at+09.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lfq3kzALYo/UmL-G9OkofI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ycADAP9MWTU/s1600/Photo+on+2012-10-09+at+09.33.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/10/easy-as-1-2-3-simple-halloween-costumes.html">VERY Easy DIY Costumes</a></span><br />
Great for last minute costumes!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee7tv-toplk/UmMC-CtmKlI/AAAAAAAAAjE/7-u69HNiKGk/s1600/image_3-1-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee7tv-toplk/UmMC-CtmKlI/AAAAAAAAAjE/7-u69HNiKGk/s200/image_3-1-1.png" height="194" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/10/safe-and-fun-all-in-one-diy-halloween.html">DIY Halloween Safety Necklace</a></span><br />
Fun to make and fun to wear!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwmDARURkoQ/UmMFCP07_-I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/oPLHZmZ7D3A/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-19+at+6.16.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwmDARURkoQ/UmMFCP07_-I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/oPLHZmZ7D3A/s200/Screen+shot+2013-10-19+at+6.16.20+PM.png" height="178" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/gotkiddosblog/non-halloween-pumpkins/">NON-Halloween Pumpkin Fun</a></span><br />
Great for schools!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkjhzIDrI-s/VEcXQQL1KgI/AAAAAAAAA6E/WzpaahZcbOE/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2013-11-18%2Bat%2B4.55.49%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkjhzIDrI-s/VEcXQQL1KgI/AAAAAAAAA6E/WzpaahZcbOE/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2013-11-18%2Bat%2B4.55.49%2BPM.png" height="176" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2013/11/fall-fun-pumpkin-spice-play-dough.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Spice Play Dough Recipe</a></span><br />
Smells wonderful and is an all around great play dough!RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-36484971301654318792013-10-01T23:42:00.002-04:002014-02-09T21:56:40.527-05:00Just Add Water: Fast Easy Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5WaVD6A48M/UkiVKBNzG2I/AAAAAAAAAfE/9l-GRGMKkyk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-29+at+4.54.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5WaVD6A48M/UkiVKBNzG2I/AAAAAAAAAfE/9l-GRGMKkyk/s320/Screen+shot+2013-09-29+at+4.54.19+PM.png" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
I've created a list of fast, easy and fun ideas and all you need to do is add water to them and start playing! I'm going to *highly suggest* you collect the items right now and put them in a bin for later. Then, when you are in need of something that you can just grab to entertain your kids in those difficult moments... you'll have this bin full of fun, all ready. And yes, all you'll need to add is water. You really can't get any easier than that.<br />
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First the safety speech:<br />
<b>1- In any situation where there is a container of water or a body of water, it is a drowning hazard (no matter how shallow the water is). Do not leave babies or children unattended in those situations.</b><br />
<b>2- Products listed below are not made for human consumption. Follow all safety and warning labels and directions on the product packaging.</b><br />
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<b>I should also add that most of these are better for kids that won't put things in their mouth.</b><br />
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<u><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now for the collecting! </b></u><u><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</b></u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KGWScPVODQ/UkxGdNTBMUI/AAAAAAAAAho/-qfQvNwytk4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-02+at+12.13.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KGWScPVODQ/UkxGdNTBMUI/AAAAAAAAAho/-qfQvNwytk4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-02+at+12.13.44+PM.png" /></a>Start by getting two dishpans. Put one inside the other. The top dishpan is used to hold all of the activities and materials. The bottom one is to pull off of the top one and use as an activity "surface/container" when needed. Put a sign/label on the outer bin that reads "Just Add Water."</div>
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Some of these "activities" simply require purchasing something and putting it in the bin for later. Others require you to gather some items together.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xb8Z7CxTFos/UkuNcORMKII/AAAAAAAAAhY/vj_EB5E2emo/s1600/71rwLb8JryL._SL1200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xb8Z7CxTFos/UkuNcORMKII/AAAAAAAAAhY/vj_EB5E2emo/s200/71rwLb8JryL._SL1200_.jpg" height="200" width="188" /></a><b>1) Water Play:</b> Yes just water... kids LOVE <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">water <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 12px;">whether</span> it be </span>playing in their tub, in a sink or with <br />
water outside. Water is mesmerizing and wonderful.<br />
In a ziplock bag include the following: kitchen utensils with holes in them like a slotted spoon, sponges, a funnel, toy watering can, wind-up bath toys and small cups. You could also just use beach toys as shown in the pic on the right. Label the bag, "water play." For this activity fill the bottom dishpan half-full with water (as noted above this is a drowning hazard). Place it in a sink or on a towel on the kitchen floor and drop the "water play" items into it. Let the kids play with it (supervised).<br />
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<b>2) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/JaRu-JA-RU-Globbies-Gel-Beads/dp/B009ST6M6U">Globbies</a>:</b> This is a brand name for <a href="http://breadandbuttons.typepad.com/blog/2012/04/water-beads.html">water beads/pearls</a>. Water beads are tiny plastic looking balls that grow to small marble size when they are wet (when dry the shrink back down to the original size and can be reused repeatedly). They are beautiful and fun! I should tell you the packaging says for ages 6 and up and explains to induce vomiting if swallowed. Having said that, I've seen lots of toddlers playing with them on other people's blogs. Again use the bottom dishpan as a play bin for the water beads.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UN7g_hzaT2E/UkmqBGD3rgI/AAAAAAAAAfk/PbbHp3VwvdU/s1600/51qxtL3LXiL-1._SX342_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UN7g_hzaT2E/UkmqBGD3rgI/AAAAAAAAAfk/PbbHp3VwvdU/s200/51qxtL3LXiL-1._SX342_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><b>3) Fake Snow:</b> "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Be-Amazing-Toys-Grow-Snow/dp/B000BNB0VY/ref=pd_sim_t_15">Grow Snow</a>" and "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Be-Amazing-Decorative-Insta-Snow-Blister/dp/B0019X87QQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1380513892&sr=1-7&keywords=insta+snow">Insta Snow</a>" are products that looks like tiny white sand granules but when water is added it almost instantly "grows" to look just like a pile of snow! Such fun to play with and so cool to watch it grow! Also, like the water beads, the snow will go back to powder when it dries out and can be used over and over. Another product with an age min. suggestion of 4 years old (although my daughter started playing with it supervised at about 2 1/2). Yes, again, use the dishpan as a play bin.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCYbO63SToE/UktJ5q9EbLI/AAAAAAAAAf4/v5C8c_V2ljk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-01+at+6.13.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCYbO63SToE/UktJ5q9EbLI/AAAAAAAAAf4/v5C8c_V2ljk/s200/Screen+shot+2013-10-01+at+6.13.05+PM.png" height="200" width="184" /></a></div>
<b>4) Corn Starch:</b> Corn starch and water make "Oobleck" which is probably my most favorite sensory play concoction. You'll find the "recipe" which is really just the details about the ratio of water to corn starch on my blog post "<a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2013/02/five-faves-week-of-dough-and-goo.html">Five Faves: A Week of Dough and Goo</a>."<br />
I suggest printing this "picture" out (screen shot of directions on the left) and taping the directions to a box of corn starch, then put the box, a small plastic cup (for measuring water and corn starch) and a few paper or plastic bowls (cereal bowl size) in your bin and it will be ready.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YIFlvCbf_Gk/UktOmu_mlRI/AAAAAAAAAgE/Hh-OI6QRP1A/s1600/61Em3CMN2OL._SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YIFlvCbf_Gk/UktOmu_mlRI/AAAAAAAAAgE/Hh-OI6QRP1A/s200/61Em3CMN2OL._SL1000_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><b>5) Starch Peanuts: </b>Quite a few years ago someone came up with biodegradable packing peanuts. Someone else then realized they could be used as a craft item! All you need to do is add a smidge of dampness to the end of one "peanut" and stick it to another and they fuse together! So much fun! Give your kids a bag of these and a wet sponge to dampen the ends of the "peanuts" and they'll be all <br />
set for a while.<br />
Note: Here are 3 brand names for this product (you can also use the uncolored ones that are intended for package filling as long as they are the "biodegradable" ones).<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darice-KTT10030-Magic-Nuudles-Pkg-Pastel/dp/B000JI5AK8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_2">Magic Nuudles</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Poof-Slinky-9247-Stikits-Piece/dp/B0016ALH9Q/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ac_1">Stikits</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enviro-BLOX-Character-Sets-Monster-Fun/dp/B001SG2FY4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_2">EnviroBlox</a> All three are essentially the same thing.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJI2tz5xFOg/UktTIbcOmAI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ZTsNwonBF9g/s1600/71rc7mX2tFL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJI2tz5xFOg/UktTIbcOmAI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ZTsNwonBF9g/s200/71rc7mX2tFL._SL1500_.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><b>6) Dawn Dish Detergent:</b> Dawn seems to be one of those magic products that is good for lots of other things aside from its intended use. Dawn is what they wash animals off with after an oil spill and it just so happens that it makes great bubble solution too! Include a bottle of Dawn and some bubble wands in your bin for making bubbles. Add quite a lot of it to a bin of water and let it sit as long as you can before using it. The longer you let it sit the better the bubble solution is. I should also note that if your kids make the solution all foamy and agitated it won't work as well.<br />
Please note that Dawn is not manufactured for kids to make bubbles with... don't let your kids drink it and don't let them get it in their eyes or anything else (I don't know if it would harm them but let's not even try it).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tAsdpmoJ0eM/UktWaKRQWMI/AAAAAAAAAgc/sNDcwJEUwV0/s1600/41Yl2areOAL._AA200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tAsdpmoJ0eM/UktWaKRQWMI/AAAAAAAAAgc/sNDcwJEUwV0/s200/41Yl2areOAL._AA200_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>7) Food Coloring: </b>This one is very simple (beware of the mess though- it is food coloring). Simply give your kids some clear plastic cups with water in them and some food coloring and some spoons to mix the colors and let them have fun dripping it into the water and mixing the colors.<br />
Just remember to take the same precautions you would if you had your kids dying eggs, or doing tie dye... food coloring can get messy!<br />
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<b>8) Paint Dot Paper:</b> This is an idea I saw on Pinterest. You simply take some good weight paper (or even better- watercolor paper), make some dots with water color paint down one side of the paper and let the dots dry (do this with a handful of sheets of the paper). Each sheet of paper becomes paint and paper to paint on all in one. All they need is a brush and water because dry watercolors can always be brought back to wet paint just by adding water. <a href="http://creativewithkids.com/make-your-own-paint-with-water-pages/">Check it out HERE for the DIY version!</a><br />
Melissa and Doug also make a version of this. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=%22melissa+and+doug+paint+with+water%22&sprefix=melissa+and+doug+paint+with+water%2Caps%2C1431">CLICK HERE for the ones you can buy!</a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cig6alz2P50/Ukt90qhC67I/AAAAAAAAAgs/M1MrLV8uEjc/s1600/81GFrzSyBdL._SL1200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cig6alz2P50/Ukt90qhC67I/AAAAAAAAAgs/M1MrLV8uEjc/s200/81GFrzSyBdL._SL1200_.jpg" height="200" width="159" /></a><b>9) Paint With Water Books:</b> Remember those books we had when we were little that have colored dots in different sections of a coloring book page and as you go over each section with a wet brush and the color would come to life? Did you love them like I did? They still make them! Just Google "paint with water." Some come with a paintbrush and others do not so if you get one without a brush make sure to include one in the bin.<br />
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1<b>0) AquaDoodle (and other similar products):</b> There are a few products out there where you can paint with water on them and then within a few minutes the water marks you made have vanished making the toy something that can be used many times over. Here are a few (below). Most have a pen or brush that is hollow so that you can fill it with water and draw/paint with it.<br />
<a href="http://forealslife.com/blog/2012/01/tutorial-magic-paint-board">Here is a DIY version- CLICK HERE for DIY!</a><br />
If you have slate tiles outside or big rocks, you can do the same kind of thing by just giving a toddler a wet brush and letting them paint those surfaces. The paint dries quickly in the sun and they can do it all over again and again!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lf-HFd69KnY/UkuCcFyFQoI/AAAAAAAAAhM/H9hRqPU4Igs/s1600/51O%252BdLyAPML._SX342_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lf-HFd69KnY/UkuCcFyFQoI/AAAAAAAAAhM/H9hRqPU4Igs/s200/51O%252BdLyAPML._SX342_.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Water-Pack-Bundle/dp/B00ENRQSFW/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1380680004&sr=8-46&keywords=water+wow">Water Wow (which works like paint with</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Water-Pack-Bundle/dp/B00ENRQSFW/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1380680004&sr=8-46&keywords=water+wow">water bu</a>t </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Water-Pack-Bundle/dp/B00ENRQSFW/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1380680004&sr=8-46&keywords=water+wow">can be reused like the AquaDoodle)</a></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DEmWyJn2elQ/UkuCHkXFkWI/AAAAAAAAAhA/2paBvRhqgCA/s1600/51jXMymZ5OL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DEmWyJn2elQ/UkuCHkXFkWI/AAAAAAAAAhA/2paBvRhqgCA/s200/51jXMymZ5OL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Water-Painting-Activity-Artist-Series/dp/1593598424/ref=sr_1_95?ie=UTF8&qid=1380678451&sr=8-95&keywords=paint+with+water">Water Magic</a> </span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kTT2pW_f64/UkuB4EhiGtI/AAAAAAAAAg4/D1O6qo9Rs6c/s1600/71NydExCGDL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kTT2pW_f64/UkuB4EhiGtI/AAAAAAAAAg4/D1O6qo9Rs6c/s200/71NydExCGDL._SL1500_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spin-Master-20054094-AquaDoodle-Travel/dp/B005J5ML2Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380679571&sr=8-2&keywords=aquadoodle">AquaDoodle (which comes in a few sizes)</a> </span></td></tr>
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And there you have it!!! Enjoy!!!<br />
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Here are a few others but because they are too big or fragile they really wouldn't be ideal for the above bin.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/eWonderWorld-Non-Toxic-Floating-Bathtub-Children/dp/B007927AGY/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1380681483&sr=8-13&keywords=foam+blocks">Foam blocks-</a> Great for the bathtub or a water table. The stick together and will stick to the bathtub (sort of like a mild suction) when they are wet.<br />
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<a href="http://www.laughingkidslearn.com/2013/01/musical-math.html">Musical Glasses</a>- Line up drinking glasses and fill each with a different amount of water and then "play" them by tapping on them with a spoon. Each will produce a different sound.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tornado-Tube-Tubes-assorted-colors/dp/B0006Z8YBQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1380681091&sr=1-1&keywords=tornado+tube">Tornado Tube</a>- This is a plastic fixture that you can buy. You use it to connect two large soda bottles. One of the bottles needs to be partly filled with water. Once connected you can create a great tornado or whirlpool by twisting and flipping the bottles.<br />
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-41387924067838578942013-07-07T18:10:00.001-04:002013-07-07T19:38:16.830-04:00Five Faves: A Week of Fun Discovery Bottles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jmPcfQA6xs/UdiW7jWxcQI/AAAAAAAAAag/znCLpj5XXCY/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.00.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jmPcfQA6xs/UdiW7jWxcQI/AAAAAAAAAag/znCLpj5XXCY/s320/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.00.33+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Discovery Bottles (aka Sensory Bottles) might be my very favorite thing to make for kids (and adults) to play with. I first learned about them when I was a teacher. The preschool room nextdoor had made a few and I was completely enthralled. The ones they had made were just oil and water in bottles. I say "just" but that is one of the coolest discovery bottles out there. I could hold an "oil and water bottle" for minutes on end just moving it back and forth and watching the reaction inside. There are millions of things that you can put in discovery bottles and they are not only fun but can be used to teach LOTS of concepts and (as long as you make them tamper proof) they are great for any age!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are five of my favorites!! It was really hard to pick just five. There will probably be a sequel to this post.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've created these "<a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/search/label/five%20faves">Five Faves</a>" posts so that you can do one project each week day! These posts are particularly good for school vacation weeks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;">Before we start... first the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><b>safety</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;">speech:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few of these ingredients and directions are not safe for kids or tots. Please read labels and proceed with caution. While I've seen <i>ALL</i> of these done with and for kids many times, I am a safety queen and I think safety should always come first.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKJ1wYSYM8k/UdiccN4Dt7I/AAAAAAAAAaw/2DozsnTVzS4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-24+at+4.06.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKJ1wYSYM8k/UdiccN4Dt7I/AAAAAAAAAaw/2DozsnTVzS4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-24+at+4.06.51+PM.png" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DO NOT let your children consume these ingredients.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> DO NOT let your children near the glue gun. They get VERY hot!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Make SURE to seal all bottles (see below) so that the substance AND the bottle lid do not become a hazard for your child or baby (or get all over your house).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When you store these bottles, put them where your kids/babies cannot get them so that they play with them ONLY while being supervised by an adult.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Sealing the bottles (very important for safe play):</u></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After filling each bottle seal the lids on by gluing them with a hot glue gun. This makes it harder for kids and babies to get the lid off which would not only make the bottle <u>spill everywhere</u> but also make the <u>lid a choking hazard</u> and make the substance a <u>dangerous thing to consume</u> in some cases.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Put a small amount of hot glue on the inside of the lid and then quickly screw the lid on. Then add hot glue around the outside edge of the lid where it meets the bottle. Be careful not to let anyone play with bottles until the glue is completely cooled off and hardened. Also, don't put too much glue on the inside because it may drip into the bottle when you put the lid on.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Choosing the bottles:</u></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What you need to find is bottles that are/have:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-very smooth sided (to see through)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-very strong plastic (to avoid smushing or cracking)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-a label that comes of nicely</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-average sized screw on caps (some bottles these days have very shallow caps with few threads)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-a nice size for small hands to hold onto (also - too big can be too heavy if filled with fluids)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I chose<a href="http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/beverages/waters/images/Fiji_water_1.jpg"> Fiji </a>water bottles which are strong, and very smooth sided.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>* * * * * Making The Bottles * * * * *</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Monday: Oil and Water Bottle</b></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This bottle is typically done with vegetable oil. I use mineral oil (pharmacy section) which is completely clear and has a very cool effect with the water because they are both colorless and clear but they are clearly divided too! In this case I used red food coloring but you can leave that out if you want.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1hwO26RxEk/UdnMuZ1PimI/AAAAAAAAAbA/bt2fflz00h8/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.05.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1hwO26RxEk/UdnMuZ1PimI/AAAAAAAAAbA/bt2fflz00h8/s200/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.05.07+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-water</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-food coloring (optional)</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-mineral oil</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">FIRST fill the bottle about half way with water.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next add the food coloring to the water (optional).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THEN fill the rest of the bottle with mineral oil.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seal on the cap (see above).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now flip and shake the bottle to see how cool it is!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shake the bottle really hard and then check back in a bit and see how separated it has gotten again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Tuesday: Bubble Bottle</b></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This bottle looks almost boring when it is settled but will surprise you with a few shakes... see the difference in the pic?!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-308o57xI3k8/UdnQpFuns3I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/C9usLFZk9dM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.06.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-308o57xI3k8/UdnQpFuns3I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/C9usLFZk9dM/s200/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.06.59+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-water</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Dawn dish detergent</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add a small amount of water to the bottle (about an inch or so).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then squirt a few squirts of Dawn dish detergent into the water.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seal on the cap (see above).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shake and be surprised at how quickly it fills the whole bottle with bubbles! Then, let it sit and see that all the bubbles disappear again!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Wednesday: Straw Bottle</b></u></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GnIT3paUpFo/UdnR2KP5QBI/AAAAAAAAAbg/SGaDrebOcgo/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.07.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GnIT3paUpFo/UdnR2KP5QBI/AAAAAAAAAbg/SGaDrebOcgo/s200/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.07.55+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-cut up colorful drinking straws (an inch long or shorter)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-water</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fill the bottle most of the way with water (leaving a few inches of air at the top).</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drop in pieces of drinking straw that are cut to be an inch long or shorter (shorter for smaller bottles).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seal on the cap (see above).</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shake and flip the bottle upside down to see the pieces swirl around.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Thursday: Corn Syrup and Oil</b></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This one was my own invention. I tried it out when I made a huge set of discovery bottles for my old classroom. The result was amazing! It was cool but less amazing when I tried it out this time around. I think the difference was that I used light corn syrup this time around and I think it was a heavier corn syrup last time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZWjrcLx2Yc/UdnUKo2sQSI/AAAAAAAAAbw/2yeiGywJSZQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.05.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZWjrcLx2Yc/UdnUKo2sQSI/AAAAAAAAAbw/2yeiGywJSZQ/s200/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.05.55+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-mineral oil</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-corn syrup</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-food coloring</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fill about half of the bottle with corn syrup and then add the food coloring to the corn syrup and stir it in with something long.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then, fill the rest of the bottle with mineral oil.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seal on the cap (see above).</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shake, flip and enjoy!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Friday: Glitter Bottle</b></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've saved one of the best ones for last.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp8YiDIWttM/UdnV5mVb3hI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Ixo8F3vljbQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.07.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp8YiDIWttM/UdnV5mVb3hI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Ixo8F3vljbQ/s200/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.07.27+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-water</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-fine glitter</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-food coloring (optional)</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fill the bottle most of the way with water (leave about an inch of air at the top). Add some food coloring if desired.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pour in a bunch of glitter. Fine glitter is best.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seal on the cap (see above).</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shake it a a lot to break up the clumps of glitter (just the first time) and then shake it just enjoy the sparkles!!</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There you have it! Five fun bottles to play with! Enjoy!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y47lgyp2ZMk/UdnXRhsN8BI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/8k0BzEqzP0Q/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.08.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y47lgyp2ZMk/UdnXRhsN8BI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/8k0BzEqzP0Q/s200/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.08.25+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
More "Five Faves" Fun:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2013/02/five-faves-week-of-dough-and-goo.html"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U422d6Nbnpw/UdnjCRh1RwI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Oq6aiDHSO9Y/s200/Screen+shot+2013-02-24+at+3.22.54+PM.png" width="198" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2013/02/five-faves-week-of-dough-and-goo.html">Five Faves: A Week of Dough and Goo</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-247313119065787922013-04-03T22:04:00.000-04:002013-05-13T23:12:25.208-04:00Eggcelent Ideas for Plastic Eggs!<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJoWIqbMYXc/UVoFuaC85jI/AAAAAAAAAVw/6f5D6jhOpOE/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+6.06.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJoWIqbMYXc/UVoFuaC85jI/AAAAAAAAAVw/6f5D6jhOpOE/s320/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+6.06.29+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Through the years as a teacher and as a mom I've seen so many different fun things you can do with a couple of cheap plastic eggs. I think it is safe to say that there is no other more versatile holiday decor out there.<br />
So here we are. Easter is done and you have a bunch of plastic eggs lying around your house. You've probably stepped on at least one... ouch! Time to put them to some good use.<br />
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So here we go!<br />
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For the first two how-tos, you'll need to weigh down the bottom (wider/rounder half) of the egg with play dough. This makes it so that the egg stands up like a Weeble Wobble.<br />
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<b><u>Homemade Weeble Wobbles / Silly Face Makers:</u></b><br />
Once you add play dough to a few eggs (see above), use a Sharpie marker to draw a silly face on each. The mouth should be on the bottom piece of the egg. Now you have a bunch of homemade Weeble Wobbles! Unlike <a href="http://www.weebles-wobble.com/">store bought Weeble Wobbles</a>, with these, you can swap the bottoms making a variety of silly faces, adding a whole new level of fun!<br />
Glue on string as hair can make them even sillier (just make sure they are not top heavy)!<br />
<b>Note:</b> This can also be a fun way to teach kids about feelings and facial expressions!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ERi9j96k9wU/UVpBUA8agdI/AAAAAAAAAW4/07-TRxdtqJM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+10.15.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ERi9j96k9wU/UVpBUA8agdI/AAAAAAAAAW4/07-TRxdtqJM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+10.15.39+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Egg Bowling:</b></u><br />
Again, start by adding play dough to the bottom of your eggs (as shown above)... 6 eggs for this one. Now set them up in a hallway in a triangle formation. Get a small ball and have fun bowling!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q25kJ8dSMwc/UVpLEGbFiAI/AAAAAAAAAXg/Eq_PCyi3ysU/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+11.04.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q25kJ8dSMwc/UVpLEGbFiAI/AAAAAAAAAXg/Eq_PCyi3ysU/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+11.04.42+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Picture Matching Game:</u></b><br />
For this one, you simply cut some stickers in half. Place each half of a sticker on the two halves of an egg so that when you put the egg together the sticker picture is whole again. Use a few different stickers to make it into a picture matching game.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mL6OO5qF01U/UVpRmlg2VAI/AAAAAAAAAXw/f5y5-nWuLgw/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+11.30.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mL6OO5qF01U/UVpRmlg2VAI/AAAAAAAAAXw/f5y5-nWuLgw/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+11.30.41+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Letter Case Matching Game:</b></u><br />
A fun way for kids to practice matching upper and lowercase letters. Put the uppercase letters on the tall/pointy half of the eggs and the lowercase letters on the round/wide half of the eggs. Next, turn each complete egg around and draw a picture (overlapping on both halves) that starts with that letter. The picture acts as a hint OR a way for the child to know that they got the letters matched correctly. It also reinforces the association between the letter and sound that it makes.<br />
Just a note before you start making these... there are 26 letters, so make sure you have 26 eggs first.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NsgH7KQ0zY/UVsZfuJSlDI/AAAAAAAAAYI/8EeSB4A3zFY/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+1.45.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NsgH7KQ0zY/UVsZfuJSlDI/AAAAAAAAAYI/8EeSB4A3zFY/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+1.45.44+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Number Matching Game:</u></b><br />
This one is simple. Write a number (digit) on one half of the eggs. Write the amount in dots on the other half. Have your kids practice matching them up.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qp-OlSC10dY/UVsl6bv2MuI/AAAAAAAAAYY/wHwzMJ8m9Gk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.37.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qp-OlSC10dY/UVsl6bv2MuI/AAAAAAAAAYY/wHwzMJ8m9Gk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.37.02+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Color Matching:</u></b><br />
Color the holder parts of an egg carton to match the colors of eggs that you have. Now, let your tot practice matching the colored eggs to the colored in spots. Right after I made this and took this pic my toddler was doing this matching activity! She loved it!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg2bfa6H9I0/UVsmPDys9hI/AAAAAAAAAYg/c-0BOgTU4H4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.36.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg2bfa6H9I0/UVsmPDys9hI/AAAAAAAAAYg/c-0BOgTU4H4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.36.47+PM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">the orange doesn't look very similar in<br />this pic but it is when you see it in person</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Word Maker:</b></u><br />
You can use any <a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/rhymes/wordfamilies/">word family</a> for this activity. Simply put the beginnings of words in any word family on one side of the egg and then the ending on the other. When you twist the two sides the different beginnings match up with the ending making different words to practice reading.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7RHxFlNPtw/UVsnj2ROi5I/AAAAAAAAAYo/oX5BOMWdyJg/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.37.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7RHxFlNPtw/UVsnj2ROi5I/AAAAAAAAAYo/oX5BOMWdyJg/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.37.14+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Sound Matching / Auditory Discrimination Practice:</b></u><br />
Put different small items in two eggs each (matching sets of two). Now, close the eggs. Have kids shake and listen to the eggs. They have to figure out which eggs match in sound. Doing this gives them practice in deciphering between small differences in sounds like when they hear the sound that the letters M or N make (or other similar sounds).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7hZScmhaao/UVucprtYypI/AAAAAAAAAY4/sqRy_gscaso/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.36.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7hZScmhaao/UVucprtYypI/AAAAAAAAAY4/sqRy_gscaso/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.36.30+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Snack Container:</u></b><br />
GO GREEN! Reuse a few eggs as snack containers in your child's lunch box! You could even create a container of pre-filled plastic eggs. That way, when your child wants/needs a small snack you or they can just grab one!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaerbL5Why8/UVudwHe-xdI/AAAAAAAAAZE/p-fFj9VxH0I/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.37.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaerbL5Why8/UVudwHe-xdI/AAAAAAAAAZE/p-fFj9VxH0I/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-02+at+2.37.39+PM.png" /></a></div>
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Other Ideas:<br />
<a href="http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2013/04/20-plastic-egg-activities/">20 Plastic Egg Activities</a><br />
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<br />RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-80942026145210256412013-03-06T23:32:00.002-05:002013-03-08T09:49:34.380-05:00Acceptance: Giving Children a Belief SystemUntil recently, I thought that we were bringing up our kids without religion. We don't go to a place of worship and we don't teach the concept of God by that or any other name. We also don't teach our children <i>with</i> religion.<br />
For a while I wondered how to introduce these ideas to them since I felt they should understand that there are others who <i>do</i> believe in a higher power. I'd concluded that I want to buy a book on world religions and read it to them to explain what others believe.<br />
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So like I said, I was quite sure we were bringing our children up without religion.<br />
A story I heard a few weeks ago changed that theory.<br />
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I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio), the show was <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/">This American Life with Ira Glass</a>. Today's show topic was <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/188/kid-logic?act=1#play">"Kid Logic."</a> It was essentially "Kids Say the Darndest Things." Some of the stories were cute, but one was downright sobering.<br />
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I had the volume turned down for a short while to do something and when I turned it back up it was in the middle of an essay by a father. He was explaining how they had not brought their daughter up with any religious belief system (something I could certainly relate to). He said that one day his daughter at age four asked about why we have Christmas and so he explained about baby Jesus, etc. She liked hearing the story so he went and found a children's bible story book and shared more stories with her. He tried to focus a lot on the message "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." She understood that to be the message that Jesus wanted to share.<br />
Some time went by and they passed a church with a huge crucifix outside of it. "Who's that Daddy?!" she asked. Her dad had not covered that part of the story with her. "That's Jesus," he answered, "Some people didn't like the things he was saying and so they killed him" was approximately his answer for her.<br />
Time went by and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day came. The daughter had the day off from school. Her dad took the day off from work and they spent the day together. They had a newspaper with a giant picture of MLK Jr. on it on their table and she asked who the picture was of. He told her <i>that</i> was the man who was the reason that she had the day off from school that day. He was a man who was a preacher and who wanted everyone to be treated equally. She replied that that sounded like what Jesus taught. Her dad agreed. Her next question... "Did they kill him too?"<br />
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Now I was crying. Why has it been that for nearly the entire history of human beings living on this earth, there have been people that have disagreed with other people enough to kill them?<br />
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I guess this post isn't so much about the killing part. That was just the part that really got me, particularly because it came from the insight of a four year old.<br />
What this post is about, is the similarity that the little girl pointed out. When you take everything else away, you have a core belief. Whatever it is for you is what you run on. That to me, is your religion (organized or not).<br />
Until that day I thought that we didn't have a religion in our household. Now, I realized we do. It doesn't have a name or a leader and maybe by the definition of "religion" that means that we don't have one, but we do have a belief system... a very strong belief system.<br />
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In our house there are the things that we live by:<br />
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1. Accept yourself just as you are and accept others just as they are.<br />
If we had to pick just one thing to live by, that would be it.<br />
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2. We all share the common quality of being human and no one human is above or below another human.<br />
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3. Take care of and help people and things that need help (humans, animals, earth).<br />
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Note that I would not teach acceptance of an individual's actions which are causing harm to others. On the other hand, trying to understand where they are coming from and why they feel the need to harm others is an important thing to think about... but to always proceed with safety, caution and self preservation.<br />
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We run our household on these ideas. They might as well be our religion. We practice them, model them, and expect them. They are our moral compass for life.<br />
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That day I realized that (at least in our household), we don't need a church or a leader to have a religion, just a solid idea of what we believe and a way of life that is consistent with those ideas.<br />
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What are the most important things you want your children to learn?<br />
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-30786627478272517352013-02-24T18:44:00.001-05:002013-10-01T18:13:53.951-04:00Five Faves: A Week of Dough and Goo<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig67DmrZTvw/USp3KkCzluI/AAAAAAAAAUI/JPIWwCLlDR4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-24+at+3.22.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig67DmrZTvw/USp3KkCzluI/AAAAAAAAAUI/JPIWwCLlDR4/s200/Screen+shot+2013-02-24+at+3.22.54+PM.png" width="197" /></a></div>
There are a ton of recipes out there for kids these days. Play dough recipes and ones for different kinds of fun slime and goo. The problem is that many of them don't make a very good product.<br />
I've put together a list of 5 excellent recipes.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've created these "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/search/label/five%20faves">Five Faves</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">" posts so that you can do one project each week day! These posts are particularly good for school vacation weeks</span>. Use them however you wish<br />
and<br />
Have Fun!<br />
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Before we start... first the <b>safety</b> speech:<br />
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Some of these ingredients and directions are not safe for kids or tots. Please read labels and proceed with caution. While I've seen <i>ALL</i> of these recipes done with and for kids many times, I am a safety queen and I think safety should always come first.</div>
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DO NOT let your children consume the ingredients that are not made for human consumption. DO NOT let your children near the stove if cooking is involved.</div>
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When you store these concoctions, put them where your kids cannot get them so that they play with them ONLY while being supervised by an adult.</div>
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<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Monday: Kool-Ade Play Dough</span></b></u></div>
We don't actually drink Kool Ade at our house; we only make play dough with it. When my kids see Kool Ade at the store they point and call out "Play dough!"<br />
This play dough is really smooth and smells fruity.<br />
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ingredients:<br />
1 1/4 cup flour<br />
1/4 cup salt<br />
1 package unsweetened Kool-Ade (or generic)<br />
1 cup boiling water<br />
1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil<br />
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directions:<br />
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<ol>
<li>in a bowl mix dry ingredients</li>
<li>next add the oil</li>
<li>add boiling water (hot!)</li>
<li>mix together and then knead it once it is cooled down enough to work with</li>
<li>add more flour if it is too sticky</li>
</ol>
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Store it in an airtight container.<br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Tuesday: Gak</span></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SM1MtFqowNU/USqBDj-77qI/AAAAAAAAAUY/kSTC_I8SYXA/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-24+at+4.06.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SM1MtFqowNU/USqBDj-77qI/AAAAAAAAAUY/kSTC_I8SYXA/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-24+at+4.06.51+PM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">image from Internet</span></td></tr>
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Note: This one in particular has ingredients that kids should <b>not consume</b>. Do this with children that <b>won't</b> put it in their mouth.</div>
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Why am I including this one? Because once you make it you'll realize it is too cool to not include in this list. By the way, you'll see this concoction in recipe books for preschools... I'm really the only one that freaks out at the fact that Borax is an ingredient... but better safe than sorry.</div>
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ingredients:</div>
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note: you'll need multiple mixing bowls for this</div>
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5 Tbsp Borax</div>
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2 cups Elmers white glue</div>
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1 1/2 cups water (for glue)</div>
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1 cup hot water (for Borax)</div>
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liquid watercolor or food coloring (if desired)</div>
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directions (follow exactly or it won't turn out right):</div>
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<ol>
<li>mix 2 cups of glue and 1 1/2 cups water in big bowl</li>
<li>add color and stir</li>
<li>dissolve the Borax in the hot water (separately from above mix) and stir it well</li>
<li>SLOWLY pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture</li>
<li>mix with hands or wooden spoon</li>
<li>keep kneading until it becomes a ball of Gak</li>
</ol>
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Have fun! Store it in an airtight container.</div>
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Soak clothing in vinegar to remove Gak from clothing.</div>
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<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wednesday: Best Homemade Play Dough Ever</span></b></u></div>
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This is the recipe that my daughter's classroom uses. There are lots of variations of this recipe but this one makes <i>really</i> good stuff and if you use <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=16821&rv=True">Colorations Liquid Watercolors</a> like they do you can make it nearly any color and the colors are very vibrant... they've even made jet black play dough! You can use food coloring if you want a more basic and inexpensive option.</div>
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ingredients:</div>
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2 cups flour</div>
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4 teaspoons cream of tartar</div>
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1 cup salt</div>
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2 cups water with color already added (food coloring or <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=16821&rv=True">Colorations Liquid Watercolors</a>)</div>
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil</div>
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directions</div>
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<ol>
<li>mix flour, cream of tartar and salt in a large sauce pan</li>
<li>add water (with color) and oil</li>
<li>mix well</li>
<li>cook on medium heat and stir continuously</li>
<li>cook until the mixture forms a ball</li>
<li>remove from heat and remove from the pan</li>
<li>knead for approximately 5 min.</li>
<li>let cool</li>
</ol>
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Store it in an airtight container.</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Thursday: Oobleck</span></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68HvLd1bnSc/USqMI37z30I/AAAAAAAAAUw/jjEnmrgdHC0/s1600/51Aj9mJ1PAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68HvLd1bnSc/USqMI37z30I/AAAAAAAAAUw/jjEnmrgdHC0/s200/51Aj9mJ1PAL.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Random House 1949</span></span></td></tr>
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This is one of my very favorite concoctions to make! It is an amazing substance that will shock you when you realize that it is both a solid and a liquid! If you "hit" the surface of it quickly it will feel hard. If you pick it up and hold it it will melt through your fingers. I've seen people on TV fill a large vat with Oobleck and then run across it without sinking in... then they'll step in slowly and their feet go right down to the bottom.</div>
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ingredients:</div>
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water</div>
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corn starch</div>
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food coloring if desired- easily gets on hands with this recipe</div>
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directions:</div>
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You'll read different ratios for the ingredients in different places. I've found that the best way to make this is to get individual bowls for each child and make it separately for each one. Put in about a cup of corn starch first. Add water slowly (it will end up being about a 1:1 ratio). You want the water to get all of the corn starch wet and you want a bit of extra water but not a puddle. If you add too much water it won't ever get hard. When you pick up pieces it should feel like a chunk but be able to melt in your hand.</div>
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You just need to try it out and get used to the right combo of water and corn starch.</div>
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*Keep it in the bowls to play with it.*</div>
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Clean up: Have kids fleck off as many of the chunks as they can into their bowl or the trash, then wash the rest off with warm water. It comes off easily. DO NOT store it in a closed container because it will get MOLD. Either let it dry out and add new water the next time or pitch it and start over each time.</div>
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We had it in our sensory table once and kept it open but someone closed it and it sat over a weekend and it was not a pretty sight by Monday. It also smelled horrible!</div>
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<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Friday: Snow Dough</span></b></u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXyDHRGPLCc/USqR6gNfOsI/AAAAAAAAAU8/tl7w34gfm7E/s1600/IMG_4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXyDHRGPLCc/USqR6gNfOsI/AAAAAAAAAU8/tl7w34gfm7E/s200/IMG_4205.JPG" width="200" /></a>Snow dough is great when you get it just right! I add LOTS of fine glitter for an even snowier look.</div>
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Knead it a LOT before playing with it to get it to a good consistency. Add flour if it is still too sticky. The first time I made it it came out perfectly (as I remember) and yet the second time it was very sticky. Also, make sure you have enough ingredients before you start, it calls for a large amount of stuff that typically comes in small boxes.</div>
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ingredients:</div>
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2 cups baking soda</div>
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1 cup corn starch</div>
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1 1/4 cups water</div>
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fine glitter (the more the better)</div>
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directions:</div>
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<li>mix backing soda and corn starch together in a sauce pan</li>
<li>gradually stir in water</li>
<li>bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly until it begins to thicken</li>
<li>remove from heat while it is still easy to stir (do not overcook)</li>
<li>remove from pan and cover with wet cloth until cool enough to knead</li>
<li>knead a LOT</li>
<li>add lots of fine glitter (if desired)</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Store it in an airtight container.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This dough may be baked or air dried after creating with it. If you would like to bake your creations at 200 degrees for 1-2 hours or air dry for 3 to 4 days.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">More "Five Faves" Fun:</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2013/07/five-faves-week-of-fun-discovery-bottles.html"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FSyfQeg5NUU/Udn5llTF9EI/AAAAAAAAAcw/dCmExoUV0ik/s200/Screen+shot+2013-07-06+at+6.00.33+PM.png" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2013/07/five-faves-week-of-fun-discovery-bottles.html">Five Faves: A Week of Fun Discovery Bottles</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other fun recipes to try (I have not actually tried these yet):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://childhood101.com/2013/05/making-soap-crayons-recipe/#comment-31691">DIY Soap Crayons - Made by Kids</a> from Childhood 101</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://inspirationlaboratories.com/cornstarch-and-glue-play-dough/">Cornstarch and Glue Play Dough</a> from Inspiration Laboratories</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* * * * *</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please let us know if you try these recipes with your children. We'd love to hear about how it went!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your favorite dough or goo recipes to make with kids?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></span></span></div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-12666295921606440352013-02-08T22:08:00.001-05:002013-02-08T22:12:50.900-05:00A Cure For Mean Words: Warm Fuzzies and Cold Pricklies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you call a kid out for insulting another they will often say either that <i>they were just kidding</i> or that <i>they didn't say anything</i>. The insults tend to be used at just the right moment when they are closer to the victim then you are... and they say it just loud enough for the victim to hear it but not you. This makes addressing the issue difficult at times.<br />
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On top of that, kids often don't truly understand what it feels like to be at the wrong end of an insult. They do, however, know that when they insult another child that they get attention (and power) from it.<br />
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Do you remember as a child laughing at that moment that one kid called another a name, even though you knew how wrong it was. It is similar to when a child sees an adult get hurt and laughs. It is almost uncontrollable, like a nerve reaction. No matter how uncontrollable the audience's reaction is... what it does is feeds the ego of the name caller and results in more of the same.</div>
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I remember hearing a story at overnight camp about "Warm Fuzzies" but that wasn't the first thing I thought of when I had a class of five year olds saying not very nice things to each other.</div>
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Generally speaking my group had been quite nice to each other but they had recently hit a rough patch and I wanted some new ideas.</div>
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I consulted with my coworker who had been working with kids for far longer than I had, and was always full of good ideas.</div>
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Here's what she said to do? Make a "cold prickly" and a "warm fuzzy." I asked her about it and she explained what that meant.</div>
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You can tell a child a million times that it hurts another to call them names but when they hold the words in their hands, it will be undeniable to them. Words can hurt.</div>
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So here's what you do.</div>
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Make words tangible.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wu5HU1Qgh3Q/URW72MvpCJI/AAAAAAAAATk/hA-qI5BBJoQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-08+at+9.59.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wu5HU1Qgh3Q/URW72MvpCJI/AAAAAAAAATk/hA-qI5BBJoQ/s400/Screen+shot+2013-02-08+at+9.59.14+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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What you'll need to do:<br />
Prepare these two items (or multiples of each if you wish) before the activity.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nExNCqnu3Bw/URHs4l-ypgI/AAAAAAAAATE/VgLb5c95FIk/s1600/Photo+on+2013-02-05+at+13.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nExNCqnu3Bw/URHs4l-ypgI/AAAAAAAAATE/VgLb5c95FIk/s200/Photo+on+2013-02-05+at+13.46.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
make a "warm fuzzy": This can be achieved many different ways. You can use a big craft pom pom, cotton balls, a piece of soft fuzzy material. I needle felted a ball (shown left). When I made a "warm fuzzy" the first time as a teacher I just covered a styrofoam craft ball with glue and then pulled apart cotton balls and stuck them all over it.<br />
Like I said, many ways to achieve it.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy5l8N14Ios/URHtGmyN9LI/AAAAAAAAATM/6q2tR8WCpCQ/s1600/Photo+on+2013-02-05+at+13.46+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy5l8N14Ios/URHtGmyN9LI/AAAAAAAAATM/6q2tR8WCpCQ/s200/Photo+on+2013-02-05+at+13.46+%232.jpg" width="200" /></a>make a "cold prickly": Use a ball of play dough for the center and stick either pieces of pasta (shown left - also could use broken pieces of thick spaghetti), or tooth picks into it so it becomes a spiky ball. Don't cover the ball so much that you can't feel the surface of the play dough. Play dough is cool to the touch and that is part of the goal (hence "<u>cold</u> prickly"). Let the play dough dry so that it holds the pricklies in place. Take precautions that children don't get hurt by the pokey ends of whatever you decide to use. For safety sake: when you are not doing the activity store these two balls out of reach of children.<br />
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Next, plan a time when everyone in your class or family (depending on who this is intended for) will be available and receptive. Gather everyone in a circle. Explain that you have been hearing some name calling lately. <b>Do not name names.</b></div>
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Explain how it makes you feel when you hear words being used that way.</div>
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Tell the group that you have some things to share.<br />
Take out the "warm fuzzy" and the "cold prickly."</div>
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Ask them to pass the items around carefully and ask them what they feel like.</div>
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Tell them that one is a "warm fuzzy" and the other is called a "cold prickly."</div>
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Explain that when someone says something nice to another it makes them feel <i>warm</i> and <i>fuzzy</i> showing them the "warm fuzzy" as you say this. Pass it around again and encourage them to pat it.</div>
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Rubbing it on your cheek really gets the point across if you are not worried about germs being passed around.</div>
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Explain that when someone says something mean to another person it hurts them, because those words are <i>cold</i> and <i>prickly</i>. Show them the "cold prickly" as you say this.</div>
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Now pass around the "cold prickly" (carefully) and explain to them that this is what mean words feel like.</div>
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Optional: If you want to get more specific you can have the group help you write a list of "cold prickly" words and "warm fuzzy" words on a big sheet of paper.<br />
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Ask them which one feels nicer, which one they'd want to keep in their pocket, which one they would want to get from someone else.</div>
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If you feel like the group has understood the point of the activity you can then place the warm fuzzy and cold prickly in a place where they can't touch them but can still see them (as a reminder). This activity can be briefly reviewed (or referenced) with the group if they need a reminder.</div>
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Please let us know if you try this activity with your children. We'd love to hear about how it went!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks!!</span></div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-72331681659348439762012-12-31T14:54:00.000-05:002013-02-26T08:45:46.598-05:00Change for the Better<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0P_sDk6-_s/UOHjCjtz0_I/AAAAAAAAARk/2XF8aXakD50/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-12-31+at+2.02.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0P_sDk6-_s/UOHjCjtz0_I/AAAAAAAAARk/2XF8aXakD50/s200/Screen+shot+2012-12-31+at+2.02.46+PM.png" width="195" /></a>Close your eyes and think... do you know someone who makes your life challenging because of their personality? Often people that we feel that way about are people that we have to be around all the time: bosses, family members, classmates, coworkers, etc. Here is a technique that could change that forever. This is a post (see link below) that I wrote almost a year ago. It's a technique from the behavior class that I took, but unlike most of the techniques that we learned, this one can be used with <u><b>any</b></u> age. To quote the post "It can be done with any person you know from about age 2 (maybe 1 1/2) up to 102." This method is easy to do and has an almost magical result.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Although I don't often make New Year's resolutions, I am doing this technique as my resolution this year. I challenge you to all do it too. If you choose to use this technique on someone you encounter on a regular basis (like your boss) it could drastically improve your world.<br />
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Will you make a change for the better this New Year?</div>
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click on the link below:</div>
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<a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/03/change-label-change-behavior.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Change the Label... Change the Behavior</span></a></div>
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Once you've tried it out... let us know how it went.</div>
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Wishing you all a</div>
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SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!</div>
RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-24435981883489886412012-12-08T10:03:00.000-05:002013-11-08T11:51:17.358-05:00Baby's First Gifts: Inspiring Ideas for 0-1 Year-Olds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1ul89fMG88/UMNWbeX-txI/AAAAAAAAAQw/QY9k6kCeM10/s1600/41d7ADAf2xL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1ul89fMG88/UMNWbeX-txI/AAAAAAAAAQw/QY9k6kCeM10/s200/41d7ADAf2xL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">image from Amazon.com</span></td></tr>
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Many people have a really hard time deciding what to get babies for holidays. Baby's first Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa is such a special time and family members want to get Baby just the right gift.<br />
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While some people suggest wrapping up boxes of diapers or baby food (which is a great idea), others want to actually give real gifts. I think it is especially important to get "real gifts" for Baby if the baby you are buying for has an older sibling. The older sibling is going to wonder why their baby didn't get anything to play with like he or she did.</div>
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So... here is the list!</div>
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A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kathe-Kruse-Grabbing-Star-Red/dp/B000GTESGM/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1354935314&sr=1-1&keywords=kathe+kruse+star">Kathe Kruse Grabbing Star</a> was one of the best things ever given to our girls. A high quality toy, beautifully made by a German company. It has a velcro tab that you can attach a pacifier or anything with a ring. On another "arm" it has a beautiful smooth wooden ring. The other "arms" of the star have different things in them for sensory fun!</div>
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The star is very light weight and so easy to grab. Such an adorable gift. Any baby will love it.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kathe-Kruse-Grabbing-Star-Red/dp/B000GTESGM/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1354935314&sr=1-1&keywords=kathe+kruse+star">CLICK HERE TO BUY A KATHE KRUSE GRABBING STAR</a></div>
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"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_baby-products?_encoding=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Taggies&node=165796011">Taggies</a>" are a GREAT baby invention! The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taggies-Buddy-Dog-Chime-Ball/dp/B007F5PS6Y/ref=sr_1_16?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1354936517&sr=1-16&keywords=taggies">ball,</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taggies-Colors-Blanket-Polka-Dot/dp/B004X0WEE8/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_z">blanket</a> (this is about 12", not a real blanket size) and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Earlyears-E00900-Taggies-Soft-Blocks/dp/B000H8D5Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1354937100&sr=1-1&keywords=taggies+blocks">blocks</a> are three great choices. The ball is great because a baby that is lying on it's back can reach to the side and grab onto a tag. The blocks are hollow cloth blocks (and practically weightless) so that they are easy for tiny hands to hold and play with. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_baby-products?_encoding=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Taggies&node=165796011">CLICK HERE TO BUY TAGGIES</a></div>
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Another great item for babies is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vulli-Sophie-the-Giraffe-Teether/dp/B000IDSLOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355015638&sr=8-1&keywords=sofie+the+giraffe">Vulli Sophie Giraffe Teether</a>. What an adorable giraffe and it is made from all natural rubber. A classic teether that is made safe for baby! What a great combo!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vulli-Sophie-the-Giraffe-Teether/dp/B000IDSLOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355015638&sr=8-1&keywords=sofie+the+giraffe">CLICK HERE TO BUY SOPHIE THE GIRAFFE</a><br />
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If you want to give Baby something special that they'll love for years to come you could choose an "<a href="http://www.iseeme.com/">I See Me</a>" book. These are books that have the baby or child's name in them as part of the story so that the book is actually about them! The illustrations are beautiful! Such a unique and special gift!</div>
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These are just 3 of the 19 books that they offer. The other books have other themes like pirates and princesses, abc's and animals. They also sell lots of other items to personalize.</div>
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<a href="http://www.iseeme.com/">CLICK HERE FOR "I See Me"</a></div>
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Another book idea is to get them a blank board book and make a book just for them. Sweet, personal and perfect for a little baby!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=blank+board+book">CLICK HERE TO BUY BLANK BOARD BOOKS</a></div>
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Lastly, "<a href="http://www.habausa.com/products/baby-toys.html?age_grp=47">HABA</a>" is a company that makes zillions of beutiful toys out of wood and cloth with tons of items for babies. The teething ring that is shown is just one of their many creations. <a href="http://www.habausa.com/products/baby-toys.html?age_grp=47">CLICK HERE TO SEE HABA TOYS</a> - also <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_age_range_0?rh=n%3A165793011%2Cp_4%3AHaba%2Cp_n_age_range%3A165813011&bbn=165793011&ie=UTF8&qid=1354939698&rnid=165794011">available on Amazon.com</a>.</div>
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Another good list: <a href="http://babyli.st/pregnant-chicken-best-gifts-for-babies">Pregnant Chicken's Gift List for Babies</a></div>
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We'd love to hear from you! What gifts did you get for your baby for their first winter holiday?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks!!</span></div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-24338236546310492652012-11-29T23:41:00.001-05:002012-11-30T09:58:40.928-05:0025 Days of Christmas Fun!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u13QrZdNPz4/UKkhlRaSB5I/AAAAAAAAALE/mkxpfGEDFOw/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-11-18+at+12.52.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u13QrZdNPz4/UKkhlRaSB5I/AAAAAAAAALE/mkxpfGEDFOw/s200/Screen+shot+2012-11-18+at+12.52.18+PM.png" width="200" /></a>Our household gets very excited when this time of year roles around. Since we celebrate Christmas I am always looking for fun little activities to do with my kids in the days leading up to it. I've put together a list of 25 easy and fun ideas here. You can use them at random or you can use them like an advent calendar. If you wish to do one a day and you already own an advent calendar with doors or pockets you can print these and put one in each. If you do not own a calendar like that you can easily make a small clothesline with yarn or string. Then take clothes pins and number them 1-25. Clip one activity to each clip. Another easy idea is to simply print the ideas, fold them up and tape one to each day on a regular December calendar page.</div>
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A very important note: Some of these activities are better for certain days depending on your family and your schedule. I did not write them in a particular order. Take a look at all of them and put them in the order that works best for you!</div>
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Simply print and cut on the lines! Have fun and let us know how you decide to use them!!</div>
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Note: Any that have blue underlined print have links to directions on the web.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">make a <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Paper-Chain"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #1022a3; text-decoration: underline;">paper chain</span></a> (either to decorate with or to count down the days until Christmas)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #1022a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2011/01/fine-motor-stringing-things-along/">stringing something</a></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> to hang on the tree (for younger kids use fat yarn and <a href="http://www.teachpreschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IMG_1485-300x225.jpg"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #1022a3; text-decoration: underline;">tape the end to be needle</span></a> and tie a stopper knot or bead on the other end) - cranberries or popcorn (older kids with real needle and thread), Cheerios or Fruit Loops, colored pasta, pieces of felt with a hold in them, cut up drinking straws, big buttons, etc. </span></div>
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make <a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/snowflake/" style="color: #1022a3;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">paper snowflakes</span></a></div>
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make <a href="http://www.thatartistwoman.org/2008/11/how-to-make-christmas-orange-pomander.html" style="color: #1022a3;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">pomanders</span></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">make kid made <a href="http://suite101.com/article/handmade-gift-wrapping-paper-and-gift-bags-that-kids-can-make-a308180"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #1022a3; text-decoration: underline;">wrapping paper</span></a></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
make <a href="http://crafts.kaboose.com/cinnamon-dough-ornaments.html" style="color: #1022a3;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">cinnamon apple sauce and glue ornaments</span></a></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 20.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="color: #1022a3; font: 17.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_7778024_paint-windows-christmas.html">window painting or snow window painting<span style="font: 17.0px Times; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"></span></a></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
make a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1022a3;"> </span><a href="http://blog.newsok.com/hiccups/2008/12/18/making-gingerbread-houses-a-third-grade-tradition/" style="color: #1022a3;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">gingerbread house with graham crackers on mini milk cartons </span></a>or make a real gingerbread house</div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="color: #1022a3; font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://mrsjonesroom.com/pix/story_paper.jpg">write a Christmas story and illustrate it</a></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">freeze dance (or just dance) to Christmas music</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
make <a href="http://pinterest.com/gotkiddosblog/hands/" style="text-decoration: underline;">hand or foot print crafts </a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">- *Trace hands or feet instead if they don’t like the feeling of the paint.*</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 57.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">set up a gift wrapping practice station - wrapping paper (precut), scotch tape and <a href="http://ourmontessorihome.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/wrapping-the-block/"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #1022a3; text-decoration: underline;">building blocks</span></a> or small empty food boxes such as mac and cheese boxes</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">make <a href="http://www.freekidscrafts.com/images/projects/recipe_snow_dough.jpg"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #1022a3; text-decoration: underline;">snow dough</span></a> to play with </span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="color: #1022a3; font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2010/12/kids-art-winter-magic-painting.html">paint with salt to make a snowy scene</a></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">make a <a href="http://www.projectsforpreschoolers.com/sensory-bottles-a-craft-and-activity-in-one/">Christmas sensory bottle </a></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">eat out at a restaurant with family</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">decorate the tree</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 57.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">buy gifts for those who have less - go shopping (good idea to do the dollar store and let the kids use their own money) and kids can pick out some items to give to children who are less fortunate</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">pick out a Christmas book to read together</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">make and enjoy some hot cocoa and cookies</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">write a letter to Santa</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">go sledding if there is snow (if there is no snow then take an evening drive to see everyone's light decorations on their houses)</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">have family Christmas movie night with popcorn and hot chocolate</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">make holiday treats for neighbors or friends</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 19.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 451.7px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">make some handmade Christmas cards for teachers, friends or family</span></div>
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<br />
Some ideas for making really cute advent calendars:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://aneverydaystory.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/an-elfish-advent-calendar/">Elf Advent Calendar by An Everyday Story</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blogher.com/advent-stockings?wrap=blogher-topics%2Ffamily&crumb=22">Sock Advent Calendar by BlogHer</a></li>
</ul>
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Have Fun!<br />
Add your ideas in the comment section below too!!<br />
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Also, if you want to add some *silly* into your 25 days... I'll be posting a Christmas or winter joke each day on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a> so come and check them out once December starts!</div>
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<br />
{{ Coming Soon }}<br />
The next 2 blog posts will be "Best Book" posts: Christmas books and December (snow themed) books!!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks!!</span></div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-35200094239108300572012-11-25T14:10:00.000-05:002014-02-09T21:57:14.957-05:00An Awesome No-Toy Holiday Gift List For Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3oD2W7P0mY/ULGSh8oEupI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/wnwdz4H0wJA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-11-24+at+10.36.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3oD2W7P0mY/ULGSh8oEupI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/wnwdz4H0wJA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-11-24+at+10.36.19+PM.png" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gift giving is on our minds right now. Here we are smack dab in the middle of the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday long weekend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grandparents and aunts and uncles are asking for gift ideas. Some parents find it easy to come up with gift ideas for their kids. Others are wondering where they are going to put more toys. A friend recently told me that she has been racking her brain for gift ideas that are <b><i><u>not toys</u></i></b>. Naturally, that inspired me to write a blog post with some ideas. At first, I had a really hard time thinking of anything beyond a membership to a children's museum. But then, this weekend I thought of a bunch more... so here you go! As always, PLEASE do add your ideas below! The more the better!!! Thanks!!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creative and Fun Books, Kits and Magazines:</span></u></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rainbowresource.com/products/029884.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">B&H Pub. Group 2006</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A book of fun concoctions for kids! This one is by John E. Thomas and Danita Thomas. There are lots of books like this out there to choose from.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy this book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Book-Kid-Concoctions/dp/0966108809/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1353815567&sr=1-1" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fairyhouses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/fairy-houses-everywhere-cover-300dpi-rgb-1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fairyhouses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/fairy-houses-everywhere-cover-300dpi-rgb-1024x1024.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Light Beams Pub. 2006</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inspire your children to build wonderful "fairy houses" around the base of a tree with this book. "Fairy Houses... Everywhere" by Tracy and Barry Kane will inspire all ages to go play and build in the woods!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy this book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Houses-Everywhere/dp/097081044X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353816568&sr=1-2&keywords=fairy+houses" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ebooks-share.net/thumbs_big/90501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ebooks-share.net/thumbs_big/90501.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Dover Pub. 1992</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A book of easy origami for kids like this one by John Montroll. Kids can be captivated for hours once they get the hang of how to make things with origami. If you scroll down on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Origami-Dover-Papercraft/dp/0486272982/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353817072&sr=1-12&keywords=kids+origami" target="_blank">this link</a> you will also see many varieties of origami paper to buy with the book.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy this book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Origami-Dover-Papercraft/dp/0486272982/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353817072&sr=1-12&keywords=kids+origami" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81CFpuGnkvL._AA1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81CFpuGnkvL._AA1500_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids love to cook! You could get them a kids cooking kit with recipes to try out with an adult's help. Our kids help out in the kitchen all of the time in their mini aprons and chef hats.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This set shown is called the "Playful Chef Deluxe Cooking Kit." I've seen many versions of this product. Some come with a whole cook book! We have a Paula Dean set and kids cook book. Just a thought, you could also include your own favorite cookie recipe with the ingredients!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy this set <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Playful-Chef-Deluxe-Cooking-Apron/dp/B002V5NY1O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353819059&sr=8-2&keywords=chef+kit+for+kids" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/02/15/business/15kids_CA0/15kids_CA0-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/02/15/business/15kids_CA0/15kids_CA0-articleLarge.jpg" height="110" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Magazine subscriptions can be a really fun gift for a child. Kids love to get their own mail and it is a bit like getting a new book each month with all of the stories that kids magazines have. My personal faves are Animal Baby (note: It looks like this might be called Ranger Rick Jr. now), Highlighs and Ranger Rick. There are tons out there to choose from. Some kids magazines are just about sports or a specific breed of animal, which is great if your child is obsessed with one topic. Also, you can get magazines specific to any age group.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy magazines for kids <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dmagazines&field-keywords=magazines+for+kids" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Things That Get Used Up:</u></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rexart.com/media/rexgift-kids_lg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rexart.com/media/rexgift-kids_lg.png" height="162" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">art supplies (image RexArt.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like it or not, kids use things up at a pretty fast rate. Here are some gifts you can always get for children, knowing that even if they have them already, they'll eventually use them all up and need more.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">fun soap (image from Amazon.com)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/kool-aid-play-dough-14788" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Here is a recipe for Kool-Aid Play Dough</span></a></td></tr>
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<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A Kids Coupon Book:</span></u></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blue Apple Books 2011</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is an idea that you can buy or easily make. A kid coupon book gives kids a selection of fun activities or allowances that they can choose from any time they want to (assuming they've been showing appropriate behavior that day of course). Some ideas to put in a kid coupon book could be: </span><br />
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<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<li>going out for ice cream</li>
<li>a trip to the park</li>
<li>going to the movies</li>
<li>going on a local factory tour</li>
<li>staying up late</li>
<li>hanging out with mom or dad without siblings</li>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you'd rather purchase a kid coupon book you can get the one shown </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coupons-Kids-Rebecca-Doughty/dp/1609051106/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353855093&sr=8-1&keywords=kids+coupon+book" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Music:</u></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kids love music! You could get them a cd by their favorite group.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If they are older you could get them an iTunes gift card.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another idea is to make them them their very own custom cd mix with a <a href="http://www.staples.com/Avery-8692-Permanent-Inkjet-CD-Labels-40-Disc-80-Spine-Labels-White/product_440710?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:440710&KPID=440710#id='dropdown_86359'" target="_blank">custom label</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Room Decor:</u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Posters can be a really fun thing to add to a kids bedroom. The best part is that they are flat and hang on the wall so they don't take up any extra room and won't ever have to be cleaned up like toys do. Here are some sites with fun stuff for kids walls.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/shop/kids/decor/decor-art-gallery/" target="_blank">Pottery Barn Kids</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.pbteen.com/shop/accessories/wall-decals/?cm_type=lnav" target="_blank">PB Teen</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.posters.com/">Posters.com</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>And Lastly... Lots of Gift Card Ideas:</u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: For the four internet links below, please check locations. They are only located in <i>some</i> US States.</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Children’s Museum Pass or a 1 Year Family Membership</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Local Photographer Portrait Session</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Kid Friendly Restaurant</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Children's Bookstore</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Paint Pottery</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Bowling</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Ice Skating</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Roller Skating</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/storefinder/findAStore.jsp;jsessionid=A2B1BA12900D845AB47EC25742E614F6.bab-app-03-p-app1">Build-A-Bear Workshop</a> (ok, that would result in a toy but still fun)</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Movie Theater</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Concert or Show tickets</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bounceu.com/party-places-for-kids/" target="_blank"><b>Bounce U</b></a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Arcade</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.chuckecheese.com/discover/locations" target="_blank"><b>Chuck E. Cheese's</b></a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Amusement Park</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Music / Movement Class for Babies or Preschoolers</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/b2c/customer/DynamicOnlineSites.jsp" target="_blank"><b>Gymboree Play and Music</b></a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Swim Lessons</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>“Free Swim” time at local pool</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>"Open Gym" time (open to public) at local gym</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Art Class for kids</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Dance Lessons</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><b>Sports Lessons</b></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Ok- time for you to share your ideas and thoughts too!!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks!!</span></div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-76860886031071152522012-11-19T00:59:00.000-05:002014-02-09T21:57:53.818-05:00Easy as 1-2-3: DIY Felt & Magnet Board<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccM4hWHwHYU/UKlS9eQUNHI/AAAAAAAAALY/tZqkUgE_pJs/s1600/IMG_3924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccM4hWHwHYU/UKlS9eQUNHI/AAAAAAAAALY/tZqkUgE_pJs/s200/IMG_3924.JPG" height="200" width="199" /></a>These felt and magnetic boards are lots of fun and easy to make! They are a great combo of a felt board to play with on one side and a magnetic surface to play with on the other side. The other day I made 4 boards in under an hour. Two for my kids and 2 for our friends that were about to take a 13 hour (each way) car ride to visit grandparents for Thanksgiving. They are great to play with on a long car ride, in a waiting room or at home. This is also a great, cheap gift to make for kids as gifts. I actually did all four for under 4 dollars because all I purchased were the cookie sheets. I already had everything else. Here is how you do it!</div>
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Safety Notes: The making of this project should be done by an adult since there are sharp scissors and hot glue involved.</div>
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Once made, this toy is best for kids and tots that are beyond the age where everything goes in their mouth as there are small pieces of felt and magnets.</div>
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What you will need:</div>
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<li>felt - a piece that is big enough to cover the cookie sheet</li>
<li>felt - scraps to make into small shapes</li>
<li>a hot glue gun [SAFETY NOTE: KEEP BABIES AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AWAY FROM HOT GLUE GUNS AND HOT GLUE!]</li>
<li>scissors that can cut felt</li>
<li>a small cookie sheet (mine were about .97 cents at Walmart)</li>
<li>a zip lock bag for the felt pieces and magnets</li>
<li>this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ritz-90084-Pyroguard-Glove/dp/B001IBHVUC" target="_blank">Pyro Guard glove</a> is great to have so you don't get burt by the glue</li>
<li>magnet letters or any magnets that you want your kids to play with (beware of choking hazards)</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Cut a rectangle of felt to fit in the cookie sheet.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Run a double line of hot glue (with the glue gun) along one edge.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Quickly press (best if protective glove is on) the felt onto the glue line.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Repeat for other edges. I only did two edges but the more the better.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Let the glue cool/harden.</li>
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6. Now cut lots of shapes out of different colors of felt. Note: The felt shapes<b> never </b>get attached to the board. They are simply placed on and then taken off later to make a new picture. There you have it!</div>
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an example of a felt board picture</div>
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Both sides can be used for creative or educational purposes. This toy is great for a wide range of ages and it will grow with your child. You can tell stories with a felt board, practice letters, numbers, patterns, matching or shapes, or play and use your imagination!</div>
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The magnetic side is great for spelling practice or anything listed above depending on what kinds of magnets you use!</div>
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Have fun with it and let us know what you think!!</div>
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Leave thoughts and comments below!!</div>
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Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></div>
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Thanks!!</div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-70696994004728255892012-11-04T17:17:00.001-05:002012-11-19T14:33:42.478-05:00D.E.A.R. ~ Best Books for November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For "Best Books for November" I tried to cover all of the general topics that we think of for this time of year. Please feel free to add your favorite November books to the comments section below!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Pub: Lee & Low Books 1997</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A beautiful book written by Chief Jake Swamp and illustrated by Erwin Printup Jr.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Giving Thanks is a special children's version of the Thanksgiving Address, a message of gratitude that originated with the Native people of upstate New York and Canada and that is still spoken at ceremonial gatherings held by the Iroquois, or Six Nations." Amazon.com</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a perfect book to read in the month of Thanksgiving since it both incorporates the concept of giving thanks and exposes the reader to aspects of the culture of Native American Indian tribes of the United States and Canada. The illustrations give *beautiful* imagery to the message of this book.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Pub: Sandpiper 2000</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"The Seven Silly Eaters" by Mary Ann Hoberman and illustrated by Marla Frazee is definitely one of my top ten favorite books of all time. This book has wonderfully detailed illustrations and a great story all in verse! If you are the parent of a "silly eater" (aka picky eater) who survives on a bread roll for Thanksgiving dinner you will understand why I chose this book for November. A *must* read for all book lovers and silly eaters alike!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Harcourt Children's Books 1999</span></td></tr>
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"Sleey Bears" by Mem Fox and illustrated by Kerry Argent is a very cute story about hibernation, but not at all based in reality. The mother bear puts eat of her children to bed with a cute poem that she recites to each of them. Each rhyme she recites is created for each individual cub. This is a sweet bedtime book and good way to send your kids happily off to their own dreamland.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Pub: Scholastic Paperbacks 2004</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There have been zillions of loosely based parodies of Clement C. Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" but I've never read one better than this. In Dav Pilkey's "'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving," some kids go on a field trip to a turkey farm on Thanksgiving. I can't tell you then ending, but let's just say that vegetarians and animal lovers will appreciate what happens. Don't worry though, if you are one of the many people who enjoys eating turkey on Thanksgiving, you'll still get quite a chuckle out of this story.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks!!</span></div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-47795391522163417852012-10-21T15:43:00.000-04:002012-11-19T14:34:02.911-05:00Safe and Fun ~ All In One: DIY Halloween Safety Necklace<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Halloween Safety Necklaces</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">by <a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">RCMom at Got Kiddos?</a></span></td></tr>
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When I was a teacher, I focussed a lot on Halloween safety at this time of the year. Here is a "Halloween Safety Necklace" that I came up with a while back. It reflects *and* glows so that no matter if the child is walking (<u style="font-weight: bold;">with an adult</u>) where there is light,<b> </b>or in a dark area (<b><u>with an adult</u></b>) the necklace can do its job!<br />
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The reflecting part of the necklace can be <u>reused</u> each year if you replace the glow stick.<br />
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This project is SO simple to make! Here's how you do it!</div>
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[SAFETY NOTE: DO NOT RELY ON THIS NECKLACE TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE! WALK WITH THEM AND HOLD THEIR HAND WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING.<br />
ALSO: NECKLACES CAN BE STRANGULATION HAZARDS. PLEASE WATCH YOUR CHILD WHEN THEY HAVE THIS NECKLACE ON.]</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<i>I thought up this idea so please credit "RCMom at GotKiddos" if you decide to link to this project. <b>Thanks Very Much for Sharing!</b></i> </blockquote>
Below you will find the necessary materials and directions...<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Supplies Needed (I bought most of the supplies at our local hardware store):</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hardwareandtools.com/Hy-Ko-CDRF-3A-3-1-4-Inch-Amber-Bracketed-Nail-On-Reflectors-pack-of-2-u217919.html?utm_source=Google%20Products&utm_medium=Product%20Search&utm_campaign=Google%20Products&gclid=CIWLqISLkbMCFYKK4AodjUMAWQ" target="_blank">"amber" mailbox reflectors with nail holes</a><br /><b>search with the word "<u>amber</u>" not "orange"</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hardwareandtools.com/Hy-Ko-CDRF-3B-3-1-4-Inch-Blue-Bracketed-Nail-On-Reflectors-pack-of-2-u311602.html?utm_source=Google%20Products&utm_medium=Product%20Search&utm_campaign=Google%20Products&gclid=CKD8x5KMkbMCFYuZ4Aod138A6A" target="_blank">blue mailbox reflectors with nail holes</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.stuff4crafts.com/rainbow-colors-peel-stick-foam-sheets-5-9-x4-43-65-pkg-1593259.html?CAWELAID=600744569&gclid=CPaKx4CPkbMCFQSg4AodB2QAcA" target="_blank">peel and stick craft foam</a><br /><b>in black and white only</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.lightsforalloccasions.com/p-862-super-glow-light-stick-with-lanyard-single-green.aspx" target="_blank">glow stick with hook</a><br /><b>Make sure the hook will fit through<br /> the hole on the reflector.</b></span></td></tr>
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Lastly you will need a <b>pencil/pen/black marker, </b>a pair of<b> scissors</b> and a <b>string</b> to make it into a necklace. Some glow sticks come with a necklace string so you may not actually need to get the string. If you want to make it safer for your child you can buy a necklace clasp that has a breakaway feature - <a href="http://www.bonanza.com/listings/100-ct-breakaway-safety-buckles-for-paracord-lanyards-necklace-clasp-side-relea/81726219?gpid=41279011981&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&as=score_threshold_5&gclid=CP2JlIGWkbMCFU-d4Aod6j0A9Q" target="_blank">something like this.</a> If you use a wide string or ribbon, you can sew Velcro on as a clasp to make it "breakaway" if it's pulled on too hard.</div>
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Directions:</div>
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<li>Take the self stick foam (with the backing still on it) and flip it over so you are looking at the white backing. Draw your design for a ghost (use white foam), or Jack-o-lantern (use black foam) on the backing of the self stick foam. You can have your child do this part if they want to.</li>
<li>Cut out the design that you drew.</li>
<li>Place the reflector (blue for ghost or orange for Jack-o-lantern) in front of you (reflector facing up) with the nail holes at the top and bottom.</li>
<li>Peel and stick your design to the reflector. I also added a face drawn with black marker to the ghost.</li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4iAaK0xlbo/UINu68uKx0I/AAAAAAAAAIU/ib2IMkulADA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-20+at+11.39.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4iAaK0xlbo/UINu68uKx0I/AAAAAAAAAIU/ib2IMkulADA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-20+at+11.39.03+PM.png" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq1A9Q9fzLw/UINvAjWBl-I/AAAAAAAAAIc/Cw9JY3PVlV0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-20+at+11.39.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq1A9Q9fzLw/UINvAjWBl-I/AAAAAAAAAIc/Cw9JY3PVlV0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-20+at+11.39.13+PM.png" /></a></div>
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5. Take the glow stick out of the package and hook it to the bottom hole of the reflector. If you want it to be more secure, run string through the bottom reflector hole and the hole below the hook on the glow stick and tie it. **Please follow all SAFETY INFO on the glow stick packaging! Do not let your child chew on them!**<br />
<u>note:</u> Make sure you <u><b>do not</b></u> bend/start the glow stick until Halloween night when you start trick-or-treating. Glow sticks have a limited amount of time that they glow for and only work once. The good thing is that you can replace the glow stick and use the necklace year after year.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnEry9JsDTs/UINxZ-ZBeQI/AAAAAAAAAI0/Dfo5IVbiuqQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-20+at+11.49.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnEry9JsDTs/UINxZ-ZBeQI/AAAAAAAAAI0/Dfo5IVbiuqQ/s200/Screen+shot+2012-10-20+at+11.49.55+PM.png" width="150" /></a></div>
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6. Put the necklace string of your choice through the top hole and tie it or add a clasp.</div>
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There you have it!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCgGxEbYlzs/UINcsfaR8yI/AAAAAAAAAHI/ZqkxnLEnasc/s1600/image_3-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCgGxEbYlzs/UINcsfaR8yI/AAAAAAAAAHI/ZqkxnLEnasc/s320/image_3-1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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[SAFETY NOTE: DO NOT RELY ON THIS NECKLACE TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE! WALK WITH THEM AND HOLD THEIR HAND WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING.<br />
ALSO: NECKLACES CAN BE STRANGULATION HAZARDS. PLEASE WATCH YOUR CHILD WHEN THEY HAVE THIS NECKLACE ON.]</div>
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Have a safe and happy Halloween!!!<br />
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Multiple people have had issues entering comments on this blog. If you want to comment but it won't let you then please comment at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog">https://www.facebook.com/GotKiddosBlog</a></div>
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Thanks!!</div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-28762330099276311492012-10-12T10:31:00.001-04:002012-11-19T14:34:23.395-05:00D.E.A.R. ~ Best Books for October<br />
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As a <u>lifelong</u> lover of children's books, I've decided I should include a monthly "Best Books" post.</div>
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Each month I will suggest some books that I love. Some months (like this one) I will stick to a theme, other months I won't.</div>
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With these October books I am focussing on the beauty of fall and the wonder of pumpkins while staying far far away from scary. *I don't "do" scary.* I've include one witch story... but it isn't the least bit scary. Please include your favorite October books in the comment section below!</div>
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<a href="http://ca.pbsstatic.com/l/20/2520/9780152522520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://ca.pbsstatic.com/l/20/2520/9780152522520.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pub: Sandpiper 1996</span></div>
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To start, if you've never read, "Pumpkins: A story for a field", go find a copy today! This book probably ranks in my top 20 most favorite children's books of all time. It's a beautiful and creative book by Mary Lyn Ray with illustrations by Barry Root. This story is about a man who lives across the road from a field and he loves this field. One day he sees that the field is for sale. He comes up with a very unique way of raising the money to purchase the field so that it may stay the way it is forever.</div>
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<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1223627938l/1349220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1223627938l/1349220.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="166" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pub: Scholastic Trade 2003</span></div>
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Next is a book that is just simply *beautiful* to look at! "Autumn Leaves" by Ken Robbins has the most stunning pictures of fall leaves from lots of different trees. This book can be appreciated by a young age just for its bright colors, or by older children who would like to talk about the differences between the 13 different kinds of trees and leaves and which ones they've seen before.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AnU6P-OtUW4/TKemiGvRLLI/AAAAAAAACoE/p58GLZNSyPQ/s320/pumpkincircle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AnU6P-OtUW4/TKemiGvRLLI/AAAAAAAACoE/p58GLZNSyPQ/s200/pumpkincircle.gif" style="cursor: move;" width="171" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pub: Tricycle Press 2002</span></div>
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This book shows the whole process of the life of a pumpkin from seed to compost. "Pumpkin Circle" i<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">s written by George Levenson with photography by Shmuel Thaler. There is also an associated website that has all kinds of activities and informa</span>tion about pumpkins and how to grow them. Pumpkins are easy to grow and fun to watch as the plant changes from two tiny leaves to a huge vine full of pumpkins.</div>
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Here is the corresponding website: <a href="http://www.informeddemocracy.com/pumpkin/index.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Circle Website</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Winnie_the_Witch.jpg/200px-Winnie_the_Witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Winnie_the_Witch.jpg/200px-Winnie_the_Witch.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="155" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pub: Oxford Univ + Press 2006</span></span></div>
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What would this post be without a Halloween-ish story. I say Halloween-ish because this book isn't scary and isn't exactly about Halloween but it does have a witch, a black cat, and a big old house. "Winnie the Witch" is by Valerie Thomas with illustrations by Korky Paul. Winnie lives in an all black house with her black cat. Whenever her cat is sleeping on a black chair, she accidentally sits on the cat since she can't see it. Read and find out her creative way of dealing with this problem. If you like this story, I found that there are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.winnie-the-witch.com/flash.php" target="_blank">many other books about Winnie the witch</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></div>
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Lastly, kids (particularly elementary school age kids) love nonfiction books. <a href="http://www.gailgibbons.com/otherbooks.html" target="_blank">Gail Gibbons has written books on zillions of topics</a> and her books teach kids so many things in a way that they can understand and with LOTS of pictures. Check out these two October themed Gail Gibbons books (I haven't actually read the Halloween one but I've read enough Gail Gibbons book to know that they are all great).</div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-52448050922119950562012-10-09T10:56:00.000-04:002012-11-19T14:34:43.520-05:00Easy as 1-2-3: Simple Halloween Costumes<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkUtnF2UmZs/UHQt6NRkO9I/AAAAAAAAAF4/SUfQxCTW-6c/s1600/Photo+on+2012-10-09+at+09.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkUtnF2UmZs/UHQt6NRkO9I/AAAAAAAAAF4/SUfQxCTW-6c/s200/Photo+on+2012-10-09+at+09.33.jpg" width="200" /></a>I was brought up with the concept that Halloween costumes should never be store bought, nor should they be fancy sewn creations. *We just got creative with what we had.* Typically the night before Halloween we'd start rummaging through our play dress-up clothes, our closets and our recycling pile to find something that would work for a costume. I was a clown one year, which only required a polkadot shirt, some striped pants, some makeup and a silly hat.<br />
Another year I used my old prom dress to be a princess. A princess costume is often an easy one if you have a fancy dress that you are done with. How often do people buy a dress for their child to be a flower girl or go to a fancy party and then never use the dress again? Two of the bridesmaids from our wedding used their dresses for Halloween costumes the October after we got married. One was Fiona from Shrek and the other was a fairy godmother... great ideas!<br />
I'm always happy to see the cheaply made, creative costumes come trick-or-treating to our house on Halloween so I decided to share some great ideas that I've come across!<br />
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I have created <a href="http://pinterest.com/gotkiddosblog/easy-as-1-2-3-halloween-costumes/" target="_blank">a roundup of costume ideas on Pinterest</a> that are made from cardboard boxes and other household items. Some of these ideas are so easy that you could make them the night before Halloween. Best of all, 99% of what you'll see can be done for FREE!!</div>
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My personal favorite DIY costume is <a href="http://www.astridlindgren.se/en/characters/pippi-longstocking" target="_blank">Pippi Longstocking</a> (a wonderful character from a series of books by <a href="http://www.astridlindgren.se/en" target="_blank">Astrid Lindgren</a>). I have been Pippi at least 3 times for Halloween. All it takes is a bunch of mismatched items from your closet and really messy braids that stick out with wire or hairspray. My hair was always not too long which created braids that stuck out without any help.<br />
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Here is the link to the <a href="http://pinterest.com/gotkiddosblog/easy-as-1-2-3-halloween-costumes/" target="_blank">Halloween costume</a> ideas that I've pinned for you (I'll add to the board as I come across other ideas)! This is the first Pinterest board I've created for GotKiddos? but there will be many more! Come pin with us!<br />
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Do you have ideas for easy and free or cheap Halloween costumes?<br />
Please share below!!<br />
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-55017728708599138482012-09-23T16:07:00.000-04:002012-11-19T14:35:09.089-05:00IALAC: Take a Walk In Their Shoes<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee</span></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's another technique we learned in my behavior class. Not exactly a direct behavior method but a technique that can open your eyes to what your child (or another individual) is feeling like, living their day-to-day life. Maybe their behaviors stem from the prevalence of negativity in their world.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqm1RPBcB_E/UF_W10r_EhI/AAAAAAAAAEs/VmXviIJ4YXM/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-09-23+at+11.41.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqm1RPBcB_E/UF_W10r_EhI/AAAAAAAAAEs/VmXviIJ4YXM/s200/Screen+shot+2012-09-23+at+11.41.31+PM.png" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.dailystrength.org/health_blogs/julie-cohen/article/i-am-lovable-and-capable-part-i-self-esteem-the-mood-disorder-cure" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">IALAC</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> stands for "I am lovable and capable." This is a method of keeping track of the negative and positive moments in a person's day. L</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">ike the <a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/03/change-label-change-behavior.html" target="_blank">Change the Label</a> post I did, this is also a technique that you can do on ANYone... not just kids. You can even do it on yourself! Actually now that I think about it you could even do this on your dog! Cool... I hadn't thought of that before. Ok, "dog people" you can try this at home too!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is how it works:</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Choose the individual. I suggest using a child that you think has a tendency to act out. You'll learn a lot about what it is like to be them in the course of this exercise.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">note: You <b>don't</b> tell the individual anything about this experiment. For all they know, today is just an ordinary day.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get a piece of paper.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Write the acronym IALAC in the middle.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep the paper and a pencil handy all day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do this exercise for a whole day. From the moment that the individual opens their eyes to the moment that they've fallen all the way asleep for the night. The more you keep track, the more accurate the IALAC will be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can do it for a shorter period of time but doing it all day gives a much more complete picture.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each time something negative happens to the individual you make a rip mark on the edge of the paper. Then <u>write a tiny note about what the rip represents</u> next to that rip.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Examples of negative things in their day could be:</span></span><br />
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<ol><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnD-PQ1gilM/UF9MisnmJvI/AAAAAAAAAD8/537xXnD_yXM/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-09-23+at+1.52.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnD-PQ1gilM/UF9MisnmJvI/AAAAAAAAAD8/537xXnD_yXM/s200/Screen+shot+2012-09-23+at+1.52.03+PM.png" width="200" /></a>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being told "No!" (or any version of that word) - make sure to include the "no's" even if you think that it was necessary for the situation. Each "time-out" equals a "No" too (check out <a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/02/amazing-alternatives-to-time-out-doing.html" target="_blank">Amazing Alternatives to Time-Out</a>)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being hurt by someone.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being insulted or put down by someone.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being rejected by a peer or other individual such as "You can't play with us."</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding out anything disappointing - like being told that they need to have nap instead of playing more (if that is something that disappoints them).</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throwing a fit.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pouting, crankiness or frustration.</span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each time something positive happens you draw a star on the paper. Then <u>write a tiny note about what the star represents</u> next to it.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Examples of positive things in their day could be:</span></span></div>
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<ol><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tuy3flPNRgA/UF9lRIoEsTI/AAAAAAAAAEc/bD1_WakYefM/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-09-23+at+3.36.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tuy3flPNRgA/UF9lRIoEsTI/AAAAAAAAAEc/bD1_WakYefM/s200/Screen+shot+2012-09-23+at+3.36.21+PM.png" width="180" /></a>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being told "Sure!" (or any version of that word).</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being consoled by someone.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting a complement or a specific praise from someone.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting accepted by a peer or other individual such as, "Would you like to play with us?" (if that makes the individual happy).</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding out anything that makes them happy. "Pizza for dinner! Yay!"</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acknowledgement of a happy moment. "Mommy, I love my _____." or seeing them happily cuddling with their lovey on the couch.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playing happily or doing something that they love to do.</span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, the day is done.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Look at the paper. How many stars? How many rips?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>***That piece of paper <b>is</b> that individual.***</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Like I said above </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IALAC stands for "I am lovable and capable." How "lovable and capable" do you think this child/person feels judging by the rips and stars on this IALAC that you just created? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there are more rips than you thought there would be consider the options. Are there some rips that can be changed for the better so that they can have a more positive day?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Here are some ways to say "yes" more often: <a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/04/yesouidasija-saying-yes-to-kids.html" target="_blank">Saying "YES!" to Kids</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Also, here are some ideas for how to improve their day by analyzing what they are trying to communicate to you through their negative behaviors: <a href="http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-of-behaviors.html" target="_blank">The WHY of Behaviors</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other IALAC links:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dailystrength.org/health_blogs/julie-cohen/article/i-am-lovable-and-capable-part-i-self-esteem-the-mood-disorder-cure" target="_blank">IALAC blog post by Julie Cohen</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.nadaskysnest.com/IALAC%20story.htm" target="_blank">IALAC Story</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Please share your thoughts on doing an IALAC!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Anyone can post a comment :) No need to sign in or sign up.</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'd love to hear your thoughts!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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Thanks!!</div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-38662027671280281502012-08-05T17:21:00.000-04:002012-11-19T14:35:47.824-05:00Read It and Weep: Children's Books That Make This Mama CryI recently had the idea to write about the children's books that make me cry. *I LOVE them.* I don't know what it is about certain books but I have the hardest time reading them without getting all choked up. Perhaps I am just a big sap, but I know there are others of you out there who get the same way. The books in my "crying list" definitely tend to be books about growing-up, the cycle of birth, life and death, moving on, letting go and new beginnings. A very universal and relatable theme.<br />
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Here's my list and then it is <i>your</i> turn to share. What books do <i><b>you</b></i> tearfully read to your kids?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pub. by Houghton Mifflin Co. 1993</span></td></tr>
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<u>Grandfather's Journey</u>: Beautifully written and illustrated by Allen Say. A boy (Allen Say's own grandfather according to some sources) who grows up in Japan and moves to California as a young man. Throughout his life he finds he loves where he is but very much misses the places he has left behind. On a side note: this book, is a great book to give a graduate who loves children's books and obviously a great one for someone who is moving away.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Illustrated by Barbara Cooney</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pub by Viking Penguin Inc. 1979</span></td></tr>
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<u>Ox-Cart Man</u>: A book that EVERYone should know and yet very few do. This is a book was written by Donald Hall and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. Donald Hall is a famous poet from New Hampshire. He has been (in different years) both the NH and National Poet Laureate. Originally this story was a poem. He then changed it and made it into a story for children. I grew up with this book and it is the first book I ever read to our older daughter when she was only a few days old.<br />
<u>Ox-Cart Man</u> is about a man who must walk for days with his ox-cart to the market to sell the things that he and his family have grown and made on their farm. At the end of the book the man has to part with his ox and kisses her on the nose before selling her. Then he returns home to his family with some goods from the market. At home he has a new young ox waiting in the barn for him.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">by Robert Munsch<br />Ill. by Sheila McGraw<br />Pub by Firefly Books Inc. 1986</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">You Are My I Love You<br />by Maryann K. Casimano<br />Ill. by Satomi Ichikawa<br />Pub by Philomel 2001</span></td></tr>
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<u>Love You Forever</u>: Ok first of all I know this one is a "love it or hate it" kind of book. Lots of people get weirded out by it... while others get totally emotional. The first time I read it to my class of 5 year olds one of the boys smiled and said "My mom cries every time she reads that book to me." Really, who can not get choked up while reading and rereading the line "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."<br />
<u>You Are My I Love You</u> by Maryann K. Cusimano and illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa is a very similar book and gets me just as choked up with lines like "I am your dandelion; you are my first wish."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">by Mem Fox<br />Ill. by Helen Oxenbury<br />Pub by Harcourt Children's Books 2008</span></td></tr>
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While we're on the baby theme, another one that gets me is <u>Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes</u> by Mem Fox and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. I love universal themes and I love sentimental parent and baby books and this books covers both. This book has adorable illustrations too. The sweet ending of "But the next little baby born was truly divine, a sweet little child who was mine, all mine. And this little baby, as everyone knows, had ten little fingers, ten little toes, and three little kisses on the tip of its nose." gets me every time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The Country Bunny and<br />the Little Golden Shoes<br />by Du Bose Heyward<br />Ill. by Marjorie Hack<br />Pub by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 1939</span></td></tr>
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<u>The Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes</u>: A book that I've been in love with since childhood. I make sure that we read this at Easter time each year. What a beautiful, thrilling tale about a little country bunny who wants to be one of the Easter Bunnies some day. I love the part when she is asked to take an egg up a mountain to a sick child that lives at the top of the highest peak. I used to lay in bed on Easter Eve hoping for an egg like the one she must bring to the boy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Miss Rumphius<br />Story and Ill. by Barbara Cooney<br />Pub by Puffin 1985</span></td></tr>
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<u>Miss Rumphius</u>: Yes, Barbara Cooney again, only this time she did the illustrations and wrote the story too. A *beautiful* book about figuring out how to make the world a better place while you are in it. I've always loved this book. Like many of these stories, the end is what gets me choked up, but there are other special lines that I love too. A must read if you do not yet know this book.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale ~ Pub by Hyperion 2004<br />Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity ~ Pub by Hyperion 2007<br />Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion ~ Pub by Balzer + Bray 2010<br />All Stories and Pictures by Mo Willems</span></td></tr>
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I'll end with a collection of newer books that I *adore.* The Knuffle Bunny trio written and illustrated by Mo Willems. I fell in love with <u>Knuffle Bunny</u> the first time I read it and it has brought tears to my eyes for every reading since. <u>Knuffle Bunny Too</u> I've only read a handful of times and I think it is adorable but slightly less emotionally charged than the first. Then there is <u>Knuffle Bunny Free</u>. There are few books that get me so choked up that most of the pages are difficult for me to read in a regular voice. Although, I don't think my kids even notice. Then, as if that isn't enough... the letter to Trixie at the end?! I was already bawling Mr. Willems Sir!</div>
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<b>Now that I've listed my "crying list." What books get you all choked up???</b><br />
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Thanks!!</div>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433418446007578449.post-90828306802082355292012-06-19T13:51:00.000-04:002013-10-15T13:10:50.748-04:00Preparing for Take-off... With Tots in Tow - A Guest Blog Post by MommaOf2<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When my friend asked me to submit a blog post to her, re: "traveling with babes and tots" I was a bit intimidated... by no means am I a professional traveler and quite frankly I often seek other moms' advice when it comes to the kids but I have done some traveling both domestic and international with my two tots and there is no denying it, traveling with children not only causes some parents exhausting anxiety but it also sends lots of parents into unchartered territory... so here goes, my small but hopefully helpful take on traveling with our little monsters!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would say probably one of the most challenging tasks is packing- and sometimes that’s just packing you! I often spent nights packing, unpacking, repacking, over thinking, second guessing the packing for our trips. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and "genetically" I come from a long line of over packers so it’s a task I am slowly refining. There are some rules of thumb that I follow that can get you started down the right path:</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />1. Limit each child to 1 or 2 comfort items. Let's face it there is something your child finds comforting and it’s extremely important to your children to be able to feel, see or touch those things- especially when in strange, tiring and stressful situations. Don't fool yourself- you will encounter stress while traveling!<br /><br />2. Purchase your baby needs (diapers, wipes, etc.) when you get where you are going and always take just enough of those items for the trip itself. Take a small supply which will include few extra in case of a layover delay or some other random hiccup- take it from someone who was delayed on a layover after a 7 hour international flight. I ran out of diapers before we got to the 2nd flight... yes, the airport news stand had small packs of two for sale- for $5 a pack. Being that desperate, price meant nothing but had I been more vigilant I would've saved the money.<br /><br />3. Pack LIGHT! Pack what you want to take and then remove at least half of it. And if you are going somewhere with laundry facilities- pack even less. Those baggage fees don't hurt the business traveler who can squeeze their business trip wardrobe into a carry-on. The airlines today basically (excuse my vulgarity) screw the families. And on top of that visualize yourself with the kid(s), the carry-on(s), and the luggage all moving toward the rental car garage with grace and ease. Now, come back to reality and visualize the same scenario with back breaking physical strain, screaming kid(s), crowded shuttle buses, confusing parking garages. Now, complete this visualization test with my real life experience of me stepping clumsily onto the rental car garage escalator holding the youngest, trying to balance 3 awkward bags and watching my oldest freeze up with fear at the top of the escalator while I was already halfway down. The best is the vain attempt I made at trying to run back up the escalator to retrieve my teary eyed 3 year old. I mean who was I kidding I couldn't do that without the baggage and in my workout gear! Thank the Lord for the kindness of strangers and the obvious pity they took on me.<br /><br />Packing is just the first major challenge- yes folks the stress just keeps coming- But I am hoping the little tidbits I have learned below will be helpful to you at some point. Knowledge is power!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, when traveling I have discovered some definite necessities for the diaper bag... an extra set of clothes or pajamas, a new/surprise toy or activity and hidden juice box and snack. These are often lifesaving items and after you reach your destination you will most likely be thankful for all three!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Baby Gear Recommendations</u>:</b></span></div>
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Let's touch on the car seat/stroller decisions we have to make while we're are preparing for our trips. I have found that though you can rent car seats at your destinations... I prefer taking my kid's seats. I already know the ins and outs of putting them in and removing them, and from experience its harrowing when you get another brand or style that you have never encountered. Not too mention, you usually get a bottom of the line seat which my kids find uncomfortable and often they are given to me dirty and the cost is outrageous! Imagine a 7 day car rental with two car seats at $30 a seat, two screaming and tired children and a strange car to boot! If you have special travel rewards sometimes they will provide a car seat for free, so always check because it might make sense to rent then. <br /> <br />I ship my car seats through baggage (it's FREE!) and never carry them on the plane. It's just too much stuff to manage on the plane, and the biggest thing to avoid when traveling with kids is too much stuff! Spend the few dollars and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=car+seat+bag#/ref=sr_kk_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acar+seat+travel+bag&keywords=car+seat+travel+bag&ie=UTF8&qid=1340049215" target="_blank">get car seat bags</a> - the airlines will destroy them if you don't! Also, invest in a <a href="http://askville.amazon.com/baby-travel-strollers/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=13823498" target="_blank">travel stroller</a> - lightweight stroller with all the bells and whistles which is easy to fold and versatile. I LOVE <a href="http://baby-planet.com/products/ES_Panda.aspx" target="_blank">my Baby Planet stroller</a>. And if I recline the seat I can fit both my kids in it with one sitting in front of the other- this has been a huge bonus when rushing through a busy airport! Even though you may Gate Check the stroller put it in a <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=gate+check+stroller+bag&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=oY7fT_zJGIie6AHc4diDCw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoBA" target="_blank">bag</a>. After many torn pieces found on my good stroller I learned that I would prefer to get back a torn Gate Check bag rather than a torn stroller. If you are flying with an infant I reccomend using a baby sling- they will sleep better on the plane AND you free up your hands when you are boarding and de-boarding. There is one other piece of baby gear I can not live without when traveling- it's a traveling booster seat. These are especially helpful when visiting family members who won't have high chairs or boosters- my favorite brand is the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brica-Travel-Booster-Black-Green/dp/B004L2JJ6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340051853&sr=8-1&keywords=brica+travel+booster" target="_blank">Brica Travel Booster</a>..</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got mine on Amazon.com.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Changing Diapers</u>:</b></span></div>
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Be aware, be very aware: Not all places and planes have changing tables or facilities. I have discovered the Europeans are much more accommodating to families by providing cleaner bathrooms and well equipped changing areas. Be prepared mentally to deal with the deficits you might encounter. Strategize it all in your head before you leave and when you are in places that provide you with these facilities use them so if the next place you get doesn't you aren't stuck with a totally saturated kid whose diaper change is about to cause a tsunami... if you are on a plane ask the stewardess/steward which toilet has the changing table- if there isn't one refer to my notes below about bulkhead seating and if all else fails a lap change is completely acceptable despite the dirty looks from your fellow passengers. One last note- use overnight diapers! They give you additional protection and peace of mind!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Seating Location</u>:</b></span></div>
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<br />Bulkhead seating is ideal for air travel. It provides space on the floor for changing, space for toddler leg/ arm stretching and general play and you can avoid dirty looks since there is no seat in front for the little monster to kick! You can't reserve bulkhead seats but the best thing to do is get to the airport early and speak to the ticket counter and agent desk at the gate. The airline typically holds these seats back and if your flight is not full they are often available. Don't be afraid to ask and explain you have a toddler/baby or multiple toddlers/babies and that is why those seat assignments would be so beneficial to you and the other passengers. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Airport Security</u>:</b></span></div>
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<br />Regarding airport security- the best I can say is be prepared and go in with a plan--- remember your kids can leave their shoes on, strollers need to go through x-ray and Sippy cups/ bottles will need to be opened and tested. Oh and don't forget to put all liquids and creams in baggies. Honestly, almost all airport security has been extra forgiving when they see you with kids and many offer the family line so just take your time and don't let the anxiety of getting through it seamlessly trip you up. Oh and I know many moms are against "leashing" their children but while dealing with shoe removal, stroller folding, laptop bag dismantling all at one time a<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_i_0?rh=k%3Ababy+leash%2Ci%3Ababy-products&keywords=baby+leash&ie=UTF8&qid=1340052038" target="_blank"> kid's safety strap</a> to keep tabs on your tyke is a life saver!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">((RCMom wants to add a safety disclaimer that you should still continuously watch your child even thought they are attached to you.))</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Waiting and Waiting</u>:</b></span></div>
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<br />Lots of airports today offer kids play areas. Take advantage of these areas to help them burn off energy and travel frustration but be prepared- most of these areas are dirty (some airports are worse than others) so get the baby wipes and hand sanitizer ready.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>* * * * *</b></span></div>
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<br />There is so much more I could share but going on for days isn't going to help you right now. So go- plan that great family vacation and enjoy every moment of it with the kids... even the airport delays and flat tires you encounter along the way... make it part of the adventure because we never know what tomorrow holds and our kids won't be young forever!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUJJnr9lMNs/T9zXxwJZF-I/AAAAAAAAABI/yR959pR5I-Y/s1600/travelblog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUJJnr9lMNs/T9zXxwJZF-I/AAAAAAAAABI/yR959pR5I-Y/s400/travelblog3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My little family’s travels in Ireland in April 2012</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>And now some ideas from RCMom and friends</u>:</b></span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inflatable-Portable-Booster-Seat-PURPLE/dp/B003GQ0LQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340043407&sr=8-1&keywords=inflatable+car+booster+seat" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Bubbble Bum Inflatable, Portable Car Seat Booster</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> - </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Love this booster seat if your child is old enough. You can pack it in your suitcase and use it in cabs or rentals. They are small enough to fit three across as well. They come in a tiny duffle bag- so small I've actually thrown one in my purse. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always pack each kid their own backpack for the plane. I put it under their seats and they can't look at it until we are flying. I pack their favorite snacks, some lollipops, some new games, books, art supplies etc.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If its a long flight I will wrap a few gifts (small gifts, no need to spend lots of money!) and every hour I give them a gift to unwrap. A</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> note about the gifts: RCMom suggests that you take off all packaging first and then wrap it so that you don't need to break open the new toy packaging or deal with the trash while on the plane.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">These crayons are perfect since they won't roll off the tray. </span></span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-ct-Washable-Triangular-Crayons/dp/B000XJEMCA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1340043773&sr=8-3&keywords=crayola+crayons+8ct" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Crayola Triangular Crayons</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Bring them <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">along with a coloring book.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring a Nintendo DS</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or iPad - download a movie. Even little kiddos can watch a short movie on a long flight. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring their blanket, paci etc. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always pack a bag with diapers, wipes, change of clothes, kids utensils, kids sippy cups </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(just have them fill it up on plane)</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and bowls and some oatmeal (just ask for hot water). Its a Good quick snack if they don't like what's being served if anything!</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to book non stop flights.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to book flight around nap times if it's under a 4 hour flight- so at least you'll get a little break-fingers crossed. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Layer clothing on the kids. Sometimes planes can go from cold to hot and it's easier than going through your bag. Also, RCMom adds that if you dress your child in</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.zappos.com/columbia-kids-silver-ridge-convertible-pant-little-kids-grill?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_sub&zfcTest=fw:1" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">zip off pants</span></span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">you have shorts and pants all in one without having to change.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are nursing bring a good cover and nurse on the way up and down. Helps with ears.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need a taxi from airport I suggest getting a car service - in NYC it's similar in price and some have carseats that you can request- if they don't you can spend time putting your seats in without being told to hurry up.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walk your child/baby up and down the plane aisle to let them move around.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring creative toys that can be used over and over like an Etch-a-sketch or </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Doodle-Pro-Travel-Green/dp/B0015KW3VI/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1340045860&sr=8-17&keywords=travel+toys" target="_blank">Magnadoodle/Doodle Pro</a>.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bring portable DVD player with favorite movies</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kid size travel (U shaped) pillow</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chap stick (planes are very dry environments)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">books or a compilation children's book like:</span></span></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wheres-Waldo-Ultimate-Travel-Collection/dp/0763639516" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where's Waldo? The Ultimate Travel Collection</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (smaller than typical Waldo books and also paperback)</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Book-Fabric-Activity-Children/dp/B00000J3LL/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_ttl_in" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Quiet Book - Fabric Activity BooK</span></span></a></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travel Games/Toys:</span></span></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Travel-Memory-Game/dp/B000VO1CIE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1340045585&sr=8-3&keywords=travel+toys" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa and Doug Travel Memory Game</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Erase-Activity-Center-Travel/dp/B002L3TS2K/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1340045951&sr=8-27&keywords=travel+toys" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crayola Dry Erase Travel Activity Center</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/AquaDoodle-20027353_1-Aquadoodle-Travel-Doodle/dp/B003AJ9LZS/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1340045951&sr=8-30&keywords=travel+toys" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travel Aquadoodle</span></span></a></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Namits-~-Game-Think-Junior/dp/B0021IQIRI/ref=pd_sbs_t_2" target="_blank">Nameits - The Game of Think - Jr</a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Neat-Oh-ZipBin-Airport-Play-Set/dp/B001UQ8VCM/ref=pd_sim_t_11">Neat-Oh! ZipBin Airport Play Set</a></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">SAFETY:</span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Car Seats on Planes: <a href="http://www.thecarseatlady.com/airplanes/airplanes_2.html">All you need to know about using a car seat on an airplane from the "Car Seat Lady's" page</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Safety ID: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kenson-Kids-KPS-ID6000-Travel-Bands/dp/B004TADO3W/ref=sr_1_75?ie=UTF8&qid=1340047657&sr=8-75&keywords=trip+toys" target="_blank">Safety Travel ID Bands</a></span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">other sites:</span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://inspirationlaboratories.com/toddler-travel-tips/#comment-3724" target="_blank">Toddler Travel Tips by Inspiration Laboratories</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.parenting.com/article/fun-things-to-do-at-the-major-airports?src=facebook" target="_blank">Airport Fun Guide for Kids by Parenting.com</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://keepingmytoddlerentertained.com/travel/#comment-118">Tips for Keeping a Toddler Entertained on Plane by Keeping My Toddler Entertained</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/traveling-made-easy-with-babies-toddlers-180955">Travel with Babies & Toddlers Made Easy by Apartment Therapy</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.babble.com/baby/10-things-not-to-do-when-flying-alone-with-children/?cmp=SMC|bbl|soc|FB|Main|InHouse|020613|Link||famE|Social||&utm_campaign=babbleeditors&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_term=SMC|bbl|soc|FB|Main|InHouse|020613|Link||famE|Social#dont-let-them-fall-asleep-in-the-car-on-the-way-to-the-airport">10 Things Not to Do When Flying Alone With Children from Babble</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://babiestravellite.com/hyatt">Babies Travel Lite</a> - A service provided by Hyatt that delivers everything you'll need for baby to your hotel room so you don't need to pack it all.</span></li>
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RCMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02253648220319817562noreply@blogger.com1