Kids
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Creating Family Traditions at Christmas
There are few holidays that hold the place of Christmas for family traditions. Through the years we create and maintain traditions that have a special place in our memories. Some are sacred and never change, while others are replaced with a new tradition that fits the family dynamics at the time. When our son was growing up, the day after Thanksgiving we gathered with extended family and turkey leftovers and drove to Santa’s Acres to cut down the perfect tree. When our son went off to college, we purchased our first pre-lit tree. I used my creative side to decorate it in elegant gold and white ornaments, garlands, flowers…
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How To Talk to Our Children About a Tragedy
Our country faced one of the saddest days in our history yesterday with the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It is beyond comprehension that a person could do such a thing to little children. Our children are faced with hearing about this frightening experience as they might hear bits and pieces about it on the news or hear about it at school. The principal at my daughter’s elementary school sent out a letter last night and provided some resources on how best to talk to your children about this tragedy if you find it appropriate. I am providing this resource from The National Association of School Psychologists verbatim so you can…
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Fun Craft: Christmas Family Trees
Christmas trees – they serve as both the main Christmas season decoration & a great bonding tool for family during the holiday season. Decorating them with your family enjoying carols & laughs along the way is one of the things I look forward to all year round. But why not take a twist to the traditional tree with your little ones? Nothing is cuter than a set of tootsie trees hanging on the wall. Materials: Non-toxic paint – green & yellow Black or brown marker pen Canvases – one for each family member Small items to decorate your tootsie trees – we used stick on jewels How To: First of…
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Award-Winning Toy Company Skullduggery Giveaway
How often do we see the statement MADE IN THE USA on products these days? That is one of the things that really stood out to me about this next company we are featuring. Skullduggery is a family-owned business run by brothers Steve and Peter, and their father, Pete Koehl, have been manufacturing fossil replicas, craft kits, and toys in the United States since 1987. When I spoke to Steve, the President of the company last week, he explained that both is sister and mom have worked in the company in some capacity. So this really is a family-run business with quality products! This week I had a chance to…
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Project Night Night Helps Children Feel Valued and Safe
Last year I came across an organization that melted my heart. It is called Project Night Night and was started by Kendra Robins in 2005 because she saw a need to provide some comfort for children who are displaced out of their home into shelters due to domestic violence or financial reasons. Surprisingly, 1 in 50 American children will face homelessness in her or his lifetime. Together with volunteers across the country they have provided over 30,000 tote bags to over 700 shelters that are filled with a stuffed animal, an age-appropriate book and a soft blanket to help ease the fear and worry they might have. I had a chance to speak to Kendra about their…
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Review: Top iPad Cases
When I first found out that I had won an iPad 2 for my son through A4cwsn my excitement turned to panic in a matter of hours. I went from joy and elation to the inevitable “oh my gawd what if he drops it” to “what if he throws it”. I ended up making a list of ten cases that were noted as ‘the best’ and eventually after reviews and watching youtube video after video I narrowed it down to five. From five to three. From three to the top two until finally I settled on “the one”. Since that time more cases have come out and we’ve seen the iPad…
