The Importance of Handwriting Practice For Children

I came across an article in CNN titled "Connecting the dots between handwriting and high scores". It talked about the findings of Dr. Laura Dinehart, an assistant professor at the Florida International University School of Education. She took a look at 1000 second graders and compared information to when they were in pre-kindergarten. She found that students who received better handwriting grades in pre-kindergarten, were getting better scores in 2nd grade.

What's the connection?
They are not very clear and actually have more questions on why this is so. Another research does suggest a possible link: physically writing out the alphabets helps children recognize the letters faster than those who use the keyboard.

Why is this finding important for parents to know?
Well, in this day and age where kids rather be on the computer than on the table writing, we must encourage our children to write. Give them crayons, color pencils, pencils and whatever they fancy. Keep it fun. We must not underestimate the importance of them developing the fine motor skills when writing. Here's what Dinehart says "“What we do know is that kids with greater experiences in early childhood do better later on, and writing can’t be discounted from that".

It can be boring to repetitively write letters page after page. So why not find ways to make writing more meaningful and fun. You can have them fill in the blanks. For example, when writing the letter "b", list out words that start with that letter. Maybe even create a poem with all those words. Write out the poem but put a blank where all the "b" letters should be and let your child fill that out.

I am a __boy
Who like to play __all
I hit it with my __at
Then go home to __athe my cat

It doesn't have to make sense. It can even be silly. They probably like silly.

So, do your children like to write?

Stopped By Police For Having Baby In A Sling

When I first read this news, I thought it was quite ridiculous.

A father in Frankston, Australia was stopped by police and questioned about carrying his 12 month old daughter in a baby sling. Apparently, the police had received a complaint from someone saying this father was suffocating his baby. They checked and the baby was alright. In fact, she was comfortably asleep. The police proceeded to lecture the father and told him to take the baby out. The father of course refused because the baby was asleep and that was why he was taking that walk in the first place, to put the baby to sleep. They then removed a toy the baby was holding. They also told the father to use a pram in the future.

If you are wondering, what kind of sling was the father using? It was a Olives and Applesauce baby carrier. He was carrying the baby on his back. You can go over to this site to see the picture of him carrying the baby in this sling and also an interview done with him.

Why I find this news ridiculous? Well, when I think of the police, I think of them fighting crime and solving murders, not so much giving parenting advice. However, I do understand the situation in  Australia where  people are highly concerned about the safety of these baby slings after a recent death of a baby who died in a sling. (I wrote a little about it in this post of mine a while back). BUT that does not mean all baby slings are bad. The danger, I believe, is when you use a  pouch sling. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission have also sounded the warning for parents to be careful when using such slings. Always make sure baby has room to breath.

Anyway, some parents in Frankston, tired of being called "bad parents" for carrying the children in slings, staged a "demonstration". The headed down to Wells St. with their children strapped to their backs, hoping to send the message that baby carriers are safe when you use it properly.

So, do you use a baby sling? And if you do, how would you react if a police officer pulled you over and lectured you about it?

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Valentine's Day is coming soon. Here's a free scrapbook layout to scrap your lovely memories. Quick pages make digital scrapbooking fast and hassle free. You just need to pop in your photo. The design of the page has already been taken care of.

Remember, the free kits change frequently. So if you want this particular one, you've got to download it this week. Next week, it is going to be a different one. Here's a tutorial on how you can use this week's freebie on MyMemories Suite scrapbook software.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

This pack includes 2 digital papers, 3 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

MyMemories Suite comes with over 1500 background papers, over 1000 page elements and over 30 templates. It is very user friendly. You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

Hope to hear from you soon and happy scrapping!

Sale On Children's Learning Materials

I don't know if you've heard of CurrClick. It is a website that sells curriculum and you'll find all sorts of learning materials there such as lap books, printables, unit studies etc....

Well, I got a whisper telling me that they're having a sale right now. It's a WHISPER SALE and so, it's a little hush hush. They only tell it to a few special people and we get to tell it to people we think are special enough to know :) The sale is on a secret page on their website.

Since I consider all who come to my blog very special people, I'm going to tell you where that secret sales page is...

http://www.currclick.com/cclick_wintersale.php

IMPORTANT:
To qualify for the discount, you must add items to your cart FROM THE SPECIAL SALES PAGE.
The sales end on 16th February 2012.

You can whisper this sale to someone else.
Happy shopping.

You Can Reduce the Risk Of SIDS

My heart goes out to this mother who lost her baby to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). I could feel my heart break as I heard her sobs as she talked.  In this video, she is campaigning to raise awareness about the problem. If you're going to be a mother, a new mother or old mother, give your ear for a few minutes and listen to how you can reduce the risk of SIDS.

p.s. If you didn't know, there are baby monitors for SIDS. They alert you when baby stops breathing.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Have you neglected the memorable photos you've been taking? Well, take some time this weekend to do some digital scrapbook. You don't have to scrapbook all the photos at once. You can start by making 1-2 scrap pages every week. Not much time to spare? Then use quick pages where the scrapbook layout has been done for you already. Just plop in your photos and write a few words (if you want to).

Here's a free kit to get you going. Remember, the free kits change frequently. So if you want this particular one, you've got to download it this week. Next week, it is going to be a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

 This kit includes 2 digital papers, 4 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

Digital scrapbook is not only a hobby for adults but for kids too. I'd rather see my kids using the computer to scrapbook than to play mindless games. MyMemories Suite is a very easy scrapbook software to learn. Even children know how to use it (well, my kids do). You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING


Let me know if you finish a scrapbook. I would love to see it. Just leave a comment below.

Resolve to get the family to snack smarter

(ARA) - The new year is a great time for families to make a fresh start. Families can now reflect on eating habits and resolve to start the year with a smarter plate.

Finding snacks that fit into a new food plan is not easy, and eating between meals is often a reason why families fall short of their promise to eat better. In fact, Americans often turn to decadent treats throughout the day. And with today's busy households, kids just aren't getting adequate levels of vitamins and minerals.

So, how can parents face the challenge to improve the family's eating habits while finding treats that everyone will actually want to eat? The good news is snacking can complement any healthy lifestyle plan. Today's families can find success with a more general, practical approach to snacking.

Focus on current eating habits and adopt these simple tips now to get ready for the new year.

Satisfy with healthier options
Kids love their sweet treats. But in order to keep fruits and vegetables viable options for snack time, steer toward foods like oranges, tomatoes or baby carrots. Or top cereal or granola with their favorite fruit for added fiber. These are simple, yet delicious, suggestions that everyone will expect as a regular option during snack time over the long term.

Choose nutrient-rich favorites
Snacks can not only taste good but be nutritious too, according to Mike Bloom, vice president of marketing for Suncore Products. Families can replace indulgent treats that have little to no nutritional value with those packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. "It's no surprise that kids like sweet snacks, but that doesn't mean they have to satisfy their sweet tooth with empty calories. WhoNu? Nutrition Rich Cookies offer a delicious treat that look and taste just like family favorite cookies while still providing essential nutrition," Bloom says. WhoNu? Cookies are packed with more than 20 essential vitamins and minerals, plus three grams of dietary fiber in every serving.

Create a snack center
It is easier to choose healthier snacks if your refrigerator and pantry are well-stocked with foods that are tasty and nutritious. When wholesome options are easily accessible in the home, you are more likely to skip the decadent treats. Organize a snack center so kids can grab and go. Parents can track snack options, and kids can have the freedom to make sound eating choices.

Be aware of serving size
Pay attention to "better for you" snacks that offer the most nutritional value per serving. Also, encourage the family to avoid eating from the bag. Instead, become aware of portion size. Learn more about the family's favorite snacks by measuring them out and checking the nutrition labels. Eventually, you'll be able to better understand portions and know just how much to serve.

Interest them in shopping
Shop around and stock your kitchen with a variety of foods. Minimize the number of empty calorie snacks you purchase. Get the entire family involved by allowing the kids to help choose which snacks should fill your shopping cart. Have them create a list of snack items, and use the time to talk about nutrition.

Coupled with a balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables, snacks can complement any healthy lifestyle plan. Changing old habits can be difficult. But it is an attainable goal. With small and simple changes, a smarter snack resolution is easier than you think.

For more smart, easy and family-friendly snack ideas, visit www.whonucookies.com or find WhoNu? Cookies on Facebook to exchange New Year's resolution tips with other fans.

Make Your Own Piping Bag

Last week was my son's birthday. I decided to make the cake myself. Normally I don't do any cake decorating but decided to be a bit adventurous this time. At the baking shop, I spotted a bag of Angry Birds props. Since my boys are Angry Birds fans, I thought they would like that on the cake. So, in the end, this is what the birthday cake looked like.

I admit I'm not really the crafty person. I'll have to learn how to do better piping :)

Anyway, if you want to try to a little cake decorating but never really done it before, here's a video tutorial on how to make your own piping bag. You can easily make one with grease paper, baking paper or parchment paper.



Give it a try. Doesn't matter if it doesn't look that great in the beginning. Your kid will appreciate your effort.

p.s. For more information and instructions on cake decorating, click my affiliate link here ---> YummyArts

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Are photos just taking up storage space on your computer? Do you keep on snapping photos and then leave it to be forgotten on your harddisk? Why not make a nice scrapbook? It is real easy to do when you use Quick Pages and here's a free kit you can use. MyMemories is very kind to supply a free kit every week. So, bookmark my blog and come back every week to get a new free kit. Very soon you'll have a collection of beautiful scrap pages.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

This kit includes 2 digital papers, 5 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

I know many people use Photoshop to do digital scrapbooking but you need time to learn how to use that software. If you want something easier, I highly recommend MyMemories Suite. It didn't take me long to learn how to use it. You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING


Drop me a comment if you've done a scrap. I would love to see it.

What's in store at your supermarket: Top 10 food trends for 2012

(ARA) - Last year's high grocery prices had many Americans looking for ways to save at the supermarket. The upswing in prices over the past 12 months may have you wondering what will happen this year at your local grocery store.

In partnership with ConAgra Foods, industry expert, and "Supermarket Guru," Phil Lempert, predicts an interesting year ahead.

"We will continue to see higher prices, but we will also see all the different ways Americans love their food - in supermarkets, on television, at restaurants and now even on their mobile phones," Lempert says. "We are on the verge of what may be one of the most exciting and game-changing years in the food world."

Lempert advises consumers to watch for 10 major trends in their supermarkets this year:

1. Higher food prices - Last year's trend will continue, so consumers will place even more emphasis on ways to save money. In addition to already-popular methods like coupons and frequent shopper cards, you may want to consider using your mobile device to menu plan while you shop. Websites like ConAgra's ReadySetEat.com give you recipe ideas and can also help you find out which ingredients are on sale in your store.

2. The group experience will grow - Food blogs set a foundation for group experiences, food trucks tweet their locations, and flash food raves assemble underground at midnight. More Americans are choosing to eat and shop together in new ways. Mobile app marketers will offer "social rewards" for groups that shop together - think of it as the virtual version of warehouse clubs.

3. The baby boomer influence will grow - Last year, the first of the 76 million-strong boomer generation turned 65. Their influence on the supermarket will show up this year in increased healthful food options, wider aisles and lower shelves.

4. Increased emphasis on "farm to fork" - More Americans are interested in knowing where the food comes from. In 2012, you'll see more blogs and social media featuring farmers, as well as advertising and TV programs starring farmers as food experts. Hunt's tomatoes, for example, are grown in Oakdale, California and harvested at the peak of ripeness then flash-steamed to maintain the natural tomato goodness.

5. The end of the checkout lane - Tech-savvy options are gaining popularity, with consumers enjoying self-checkouts, comparing prices at nearby retailers, and taking advantage of the convenience of cellphone scanners, in-store interactive media devices, QR codes, RFID and mobile coupons.

6. Ethnic on the road - Food trucks are replacing gourmet and specialty stores as the channel to experiment and discover new food experiences - especially when it comes to ethnic foods. More often than not, these ethnic food trucks are operated by natives of the countries from which the actual cuisines being offered originated, and they have the ability and knowledge to share the heritage and romance of the food.

7. It's a man's (grocery shopping) world - Dads aren't just winning the bread; these days, they're also bringing it home from the grocery store. A Bureau of Labor Statistics study found that 41 percent of men are now preparing food for their families, as compared to half that percentage in 2003. Look for them to do more grocery shopping, too, Lempert predicts.

8. Extreme home cooking - More people will continue to eat at home to save money. Following the lead of extreme couponers, groups of everyday cooks pride themselves on making the most food for the least amount of money.

9. How sweet it isn't - Reduced sugar products and revised Nutrition Facts panels will be the biggest health claim in 2012. With the negative health effects of sugar and high fructose corn syrup gaining so much attention, look for a continued emphasis on reducing sugar in our diets. Food producers like ConAgra are responding by eliminating high fructose corn syrup from such staples as Peter Pan peanut butter and Hunt's Ketchup products.

10. Listen to your food - You judge the readiness of some foods (like microwave popcorn or grilled burgers), by the sounds they make. Multisensory perception will be one of the new "food sciences" in 2012, as psychologists and food scientists join forces to design, create and influence the sounds of our foods to convey freshness, taste and even health attributes.

For more information about Phil Lempert's 2012 predictions, visit SupermarketGuru.com, and for simple meal ideas made in 30 minutes or less, visit ReadySetEat.com.

Making Egg Tarts

Looks like my baking mood decided to stick around for a while. I bought the egg tart moulds last month and finally decided to give it a go. It was really yummy.

Here, meet my teacher:



All the way from Hong Kong! Hahahah.
The first time I followed her recipe, I had quite a bit of leftover egg filling. So the second time I made it, I doubled the pastry recipe. That gave me 25 egg tarts which were quickly devoured by my dinosaurs.

Here is the recipe for your convenience. For directions, just watch the video.

Egg tart pastry:
140g butter (I used 1/3 butter, 2/3 Planta margerine)
1/2 an egg
70g icing sugar
200g flour
(This pastry recipe gives you about 12 egg tarts.)

Egg tart filling:
140g sugar
300ml water
4 eggs
80ml evaporated full cream milk

Happy Baking!

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

It is scrapbook time. Have you been scrapping? If you haven't tried it before but want to, here's a free kit to get your started. Quick pages are the easiest way to scrapbook. All the designing work has been done for you, all you have to do is plop in your pictures. Of course, you can add more embellishments and journaling to give it your unique touch. The kit you see below is only available this week. Come back next week and you'll see a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

 This kit includes 2 digital papers, 5 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

MyMemories Suite is a digital scrapbook software that allows you to design a scrapbook page with ease.  You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

If you did a scrapbook with this kit, let me know. Just leave a comment below. I would love to see it.

Who would you rather die first?

Today my mom told me that my back neighbor had passed away. It feels weird, and tragic, that the lady I see walking her children to school every morning is suddenly gone. We were told it was due to an accident. I believe she has 6 children.

This got me thinking about my kids. Would they be better off if I died first or their dad? I know, I know... such a morbid topic. Anyway, I posed my question to my kids just to see how their minds work.

So, I went to each of them and asked this hypothetical question:
"If an angel appeared to you and told you that one of your parents need to die and he gave you the opportunity to choose which parent it should be, which would you choose?"

K: I don't know. Don't ask me to answer such question. Both also I don't want dead. Don't force me to answer.
D1: I'll choose mommy (answered hesitantly coz' he thought I'd get angry). Because I'm a boy and you know... boy with boy (meaning he still has a dad to bond with and show him the ropes). Plus, daddy earns the money (smart kid, as I suspected).
D2: I choose daddy. Because he is older (what do you expect from a 4 year old?)

Anyway, in my situation, I think my kids are better off if I died first. I agree with D1; Daddy earns the money and so if he died first, our family would not have to go through a major, major change. If I died first, the family would not suffer financially. And fortunately we still have grandparents that can help take care of them. Of course they would miss me but I don't think their life would be turned upside down.

What are your thoughts on this? Who would you rather die first, you or your spouse?

p.s. Just to make things clear, this is just a hypothetical question. It is not about making death wishes. Please do not be offended.

Scrapbook Freebie

Usually the scrapbook freebies are posted on Thursdays. So, sorry for the delay this week. But it is available now and I hope you like it. Download it now because next week, it is going to be a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

This kit includes 2 digital papers, 6 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

You may not think you can "scrapbook" - but with Quick Pages it is easy to just layer your photos behind the page, add a little journaling, and voila - ready for printing or saving for the web!

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

I use MyMemories Suite when I scrapbook. It is very easy to use. Version 3 was just launched. It is now better and has more features. You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

I would like to see your scrapbooks. Do drop me a note here and let me know where I can see your work.

Hope to hear from you soon and happy scrapping!

About Kids and Chicken Pox

Early December one of my kids started to break out in spots. No doubt it was the chicken pox. 2 weeks later, my other three kids also became spotty. So for more than 3 weeks now, we've been anti-social because we do not want to spread it to other people. We've had to skip a Christmas party and people at church are probably wondering if we've become lost sheep.

Now that I've gone through the ordeal, I thought I'd share what I learned.

1. My first two kids were vaccinated for chicken pox when they were babies. Obviously, it is not 100% protection. So do not assume that once vaccinated, they are immune for life.

2. They say if you get chicken pox and you've been vaccinated before, you won't suffer too badly. That was true for my son D1 but not really for my daughter K. D1 had very little spots but K had a fair amount. My youngest girl, babyK (2 years old) had very few spots and she wasn't vaccinated. Worst hit was D2. He was not vaccinated. This is the picture of his back.

3. Besides fever, the kids will also have a sore throat. It even hurts for them to swallow water. They may complain of some body ache like leg pain. My girl K was very fatigue and felt dizzy most of the time.

4. I put calamine lotion on their body but they didn't like it. They said it didn't help much with the itching either. I boiled barley water and pak-chi-cho (chinese herbal drink) to cool down their body. My girl said after drinking, the itching isn't as bad. Oh, almost forgot to mentioned that the doctor prescribed an antihistamin (Alleryl or Piriton) to help with the itching too.

5. Another idea that helped with the itching was rubbing ice on the itchy spots. I gave my girl an ice cube and wrapped it in a handkerchief. Instead of scratching, she rubbed the ice on the spots.

6. Make sure they drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.

7. The chicken pox has an incubation period of about 2-3 weeks. When D1 was having it, my other 3 kids didn't show any symptoms until 2 weeks later.

Some questions you may have:

• When is the chicken pox contagious?
  I thought it was when the spots start to dry up and flake off. BUT apparently, a person is contagious even 2 days before the spots appear.

• Can you spread the chicken pox virus even though you've already had it before but you are now in contact with your child who has it?
  My friend said yes and that was because she contracted chicken pox from a mom whose baby was having the chicken pox. The idea is that you are carrying the virus even though you are not infected with it. However, some people say no because the antibodies in your body would have destroyed the virus already. I don't know the right answer but I would rather be safe than sorry. I don't want others blaming me for passing the chicken pox around. That's why my family's social life came to a stand still when the chicken pox started.

• Is a chicken pox party a good idea?
  My idea of a chicken pox party is for kids already infected with the pox to get together to have some fun. The original idea of a chicken pox party is for healthy kids to mix around with infected kids so they too can be infected and get the pox over with. Many health experts are not in favor of this. They say you never know when the chicken pox could get complicated. So why purposely expose your child to it. Here's a video on that matter.
  
  
  So yes, please do not do the chicken pox infected lollipops thing okay?

Are your kids vaccinated against the chicken pox?

What to do with minty candy canes your children don't eat

When I was at university, I loved to buy minty hot chocolate. It was my favorite, especially during the winter days. Unfortunately, I can't get them here in my country. BUT, there is still another way for me to enjoy it.

I got a packet of candy canes for Christmas. Since my kids don't like the minty canes, in they go into my hot chocolate every morning. By the time I finish my drink, there's still a tiny sliver left of candy cane.

If you've never had this, try it. If you love mint, you'll love mint hot chocolate.

Happy New Year, Let's Move On

So, the New Year is here. Let us not be like Lot's wife who looked back. Let our hearts not linger in the past but focus on the future. Let us learn from our mistakes and become better this new year. Enjoy the video.

Make New Year's resolutions close to home

(ARA) - As each year comes to a close, people begin to make resolutions - typically, vowing to start something new in the year ahead, such as lose weight, get a new job, start volunteering and so on. Making resolutions is easy; the hard part is keeping them. However, there are a few things you can do at home that might actually help you achieve some of your New Year's goals. Start 2012 on the right foot with this list of easy home updates and tips to help conquer your New Year's resolutions.

Develop better eating habits

* Research shows that people tend to eat less when surrounded by the color blue. Repaint your kitchen or dining room in a blue hue to help naturally suppress your appetite. And, painting is a great way to tone your arms if you also resolve to get in shape. Once the paint dries, clean out your pantry and replace any high-calorie or fatty foods with healthier options.

Help the environment

* Growing concern for the environment prompts many people to resolve to be more green. Your refrigerator runs all day, every day, which accounts for a large percentage of your home's energy usage. Keeping your refrigerator's thermostat set between 38 and 42 degrees will help save energy and keep your food from spoiling.

Give to others or volunteer

* Clean out your closets and collect any gently used items you and your family no longer use or need. There are a number of national and local organizations that accept clothing donations; some will even pick up the items directly from your home. Beyond clothing, consider giving previously used toys, games, books or materials for crafts to the local hospital or day care center.

Spend more time with family and friends

* After a long day at work or school, not to mention all of life's other activities and events, the last thing you want to do is spend your downtime cleaning your home. Look for household products and tools that keep cleaning time to a minimum. The AccuClean(TM) whole-home air filtration system from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning attaches to your furnace or air handler to reduce dust accumulation in the home by more than 50 percent, which means you'll spend less time cleaning and have more time for your family and friends.

Learn something new

* One of the most common resolutions centers around conquering a fear or trying something new. Take a look at your home and challenge yourself to tackle home improvement projects on your own. Finish an unfinished basement, build an outdoor play space for the kids or renovate a bathroom. Not only will you conquer any do-it-yourself fears, but any revamp of your home will only add to its value and resale potential.

Keeping New Year's resolutions can certainly be a challenge, so it's important to set yourself up for success. First, set specific and realistic goals; and don't be scared to break bigger goals into a series of smaller steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Most important, have a strategy for setbacks - we all slip up from time to time, but the key is to get back on track. It's been said that four out of five people who make New Year's resolutions eventually break them. Prove the statistics wrong and make this the year you keep your resolutions.

Pineapple Tart All Year Round

Now that Chinese New Year is only weeks away, you see all the CNY goodies out for sale. That includes the yummy pineapple tarts. I luuuurve pineapple tarts. My mom too and she has asked me several times to learn how to make it (so she can enjoy eating it).

There's something about the Christmas season that gets me baking. So I finally picked up my lazy bones and attempted to make pineapple tarts. Finding the right recipe is very important. I settled to follow the recipe shared by Food 4 Tots (they have beautiful pictures too). So far I've tried baking this tart 3 times. The following are the tarts on my 3rd attempt.

After receiving valuable advice from pro pineapple tart bakers, I chose to combine margarine and butter to make the pastry. So now I have the kind of pastry that doesn't crumble in your hand but melts in your mouth.

Here's the recipe that I use for the pastry.

• 150g margarine (Planta was recommended), 100g butter (At room temperature. Use unsalted butter if you want less salt).
• 50g icing sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 360g all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp corn flour
• 1/4tsp salt

Directions:
Use a mixer to cream butter and icing sugar (sift it first) until light.
Add in the egg yolks and the salt. Keep beating until fluffy.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour. Mix in the corn flour.
Fold in the dry ingredients (flour) gradually into the wet mixture (butter, sugar, eggs). You don't need to use a cake mixer here. Just use a spoon, wooden spatula or maybe even your fingers to mix everything into a firm dough.
Leave the dough aside for 30 minutes.

Okay, so that is the pastry. What about the pineapple filling? Well, I'm not so hardworking to grate the pineapple and cook it myself. I bought a packet of ready made from the DoReMi bakery here in Sikamat, S'ban. The sales girl said many people have tried it and said its good. She wasn't lying. Their filling was better than the one I bought at another bakery in town. That one was too sweet. The DoReMi one is not as sweet.

How to put the pineapple tart together? Just watch this video. Even a 5 year old can do it.

Basically, you take the pineapple jam and make little oblong balls. Do this while you are letting your dough rest.

To make the strips of dough, a pastry press helps. I got my plastic one at the bakery shop. Make sure you get the right pattern - one that makes stripes on the dough. I think it is called a Nastar mould.

After assembling the pineapple tarts, brush the tops with eggwash (1 egg yolk and 1 tbsp milk) and bake it for 15 minutes at 180 degrees celcius.

Mamas Baking Tips

• Get your kids to help you roll the pineapple jam into balls. Older kids can help roll the pastry around the jam.
• When your hands get sticky rolling the jam, just wash your hands. Clean hands makes the work easier and faster. This may mean you will be washing your hands a few times.
• Use a baking sheet or grease paper to avoid the dough from sticking to the table surface.
• To get them all about the same size, you have to have about the same measurement for each ball of jam. I used a 1/4 tsp to scoop up the jam. If you want bigger tarts, maybe 1/2 tsp of jam.
• It is very tiring for one person to do it all. Get help if you can... grandma, kids or DH (I doubt he will say yes though). 

Now I can have pineapple tarts all year round. Woohoo! 

Oh, almost forgot... Happy New Year everyone.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Are you ready to do some scrapbooking? Thanks to MyMemories, you can get these kits for free. Remember, the free kits change frequently. So if you want this particular one, you've got to download it this week. Next week, it is going to be a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

 This pack includes 5 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

If you are looking for a digital scrapbook software, I highly recommend MyMemories Suite. It is very easy to use and it doesn't take long to learn how to use it. Version 3 was just launched. It is now better and has more features. You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598


Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

I hope you enjoy this week's layout. If you don't want to run out of scrapbooking layout ideas, bookmark my website and come back every week for a fresh layout.

Keeping a Birthday Party Simple and Fun

By guest blogger: Melissa C.

My daughter just turned six last month, and I decided to go all out for her birthday. My husband and I rented a moon bounce for our backyard and hired a clown. We got some Mario Brothers party supplies and bought some extra controllers for our Wii, so all the kids could play their favorite video games when they got tired from jumping on the moon bounce.

The party was a lot of fun, but it wasn’t any more fun than far simpler birthday parties we’ve thrown. In fact, it was a little more stressful. Two kids bumped heads on the moon bounce and ended up crying. The clown scared one of the children, and that child hid in my daughter’s bedroom until the clown was done performing. Some of the children fought over taking turns to play video games.

I think my husband and I both realized this year that we’d prefer to keep things simple and spend less money for future birthday parties. In our experience, there are only a few essential things you need to make a birthday party a success. Here’s what they are:

1. A place for the kids to run around outside – Video games are good, but sunshine is better. Kids can play tag or Simon Says for hours, and they’ll love every moment of it.

2. An arts and crafts project – Schools have cut funding for the arts dramatically. My daughter only gets to go to art class once a week at her school. Kids really love to express themselves creativity and use their hands to make things. A group of kids is usually delighted by something as simple as making things out of Play-Doh.

3. A camera – Kids absolutely love to have their pictures taken with their friends and family members.

4. Parents – The birthday boy or girl obviously benefits from having his or her parents involved in the party. The parents of other children at the party are also a helpful addition. The more adults, the better. Adults can help keep the kids busy, safe, and entertained.

5. A homemade cake – Store-bought cakes don’t taste as good and often contain way more sugar than homemade cakes. Every child’s birthday party benefits from a cake baked from scratch, with love.

Tips for smooth and successful holiday travel

(ARA) - Planning a surprise visit to Grandma and Grandpa for the holidays or a family trip to celebrate the new year? Holiday travel can be stressful, but with some careful planning, it can be full of joy, instead of headaches. Check out these holiday travel tips to help you get through this busy time with ease.

* Avoid peak travel dates. You will often find the best prices and lowest numbers of travelers if you fly on the holiday itself instead of the day(s) before. If possible, travel on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and avoid a return flight on the Sunday evening after a holiday weekend. Choose wisely the time of day you travel as well. As a rule, airports are least congested in the mornings and later at night.

* Be flexible and have a positive attitude. The No. 1 rule while traveling over the holidays is to be prepared for the unknown and have back-up plans. It's always smart to anticipate and plan for delays. Pack extra snacks, a good book, your cellphone charger, games for the kids and try to relax if you are faced with an unplanned event. Do not dread the flight. Children, even babies, pick up on tension, stress and anxiety and react to it. Be prepared and flexible, and take the opportunity to enjoy the journey and teach your kids new things. Point out new sounds, smells, people, scenes and even sizes of airplanes on the runway.

* Pack wisely. Decide well in advance of your flight if you will check or carry on your luggage and plan accordingly. If you decide to carry on, be sure to follow TSA rules about liquids and don't stuff your bag over its capacity. Kids can unknowingly delay you through security, so remember to always check kids' carry-on bags for any liquids, gels, etc. before you head out to the airport. If you opt to check luggage, be prepared to pay extra fees and again, pack as light as possible so you can manage your luggage.

* Carry on the essentials. Carry a backpack as your personal item in order to keep your hands free. Make sure it's filled with essentials for you and your family. The contents of your carry-on should cover hunger, thirst, boredom, spills, sickness, fear, tiredness and medical emergencies. Remember multiple diapers, an extra change of clothes and your little one's favorite stuffed animal. If you're traveling with an infant who is nursing, bring the new Boppy Travel Pillow. It's a full-sized, compact version of the award-winning original Boppy Pillow and is designed so Mom can feed baby comfortably anytime, anywhere. The Travel Boppy Pillow folds into a small and sleek travel bag and even snaps right on to a stroller and therefore is not considered an extra carry-on bag.

* Become a tech savvy traveler. Take advantage of technology. Whenever possible, print your boarding passes at home or use check-in kiosks. The earlier you check in, the better seats you will get. Think about doing your holiday shopping online and having your gifts shipped to your destination. This will cut down on luggage and the risk of gifts getting lost. Have the airlines send you an email or call you if your flight is delayed. Or, sign up for a service like Flight Tracker on your phone where you can get flight status updates within minutes. Make sure phones, music players, portable DVD players, etc. are fully charged and pack chargers for use at your destination.

* Make health a priority. Make sure that you and all family members wash hands, eat well and rest before you travel. Pack healthy snacks, hand sanitizer or wipes, tissues, etc.

* Leave early. Plan your journey to the airport accounting for enough time for long security lines, traffic, full parking lots, etc. and then give yourself an extra 30 minutes to help alleviate stress from any peripheral delays you may encounter.

* Practice makes perfect. If you're traveling with children, help to prepare them in advance for the journey by role playing and explaining things like removing shoes, putting all belongings (including blankets or stuffed animals) on the moving security belt, waiting patiently in line, etc.

If you do some planning in advance, you can arrive at your destination with a smile on your face instead of a headache.

You May Be Hurting Your Child With The Cry-It-Out Method

One of the challenges of parenting is teaching our kids to sleep on their own. One method introduced by Dr. Richard Ferber is called the Ferber method but is also commonly known as the cry-it-out method. The idea is for children to learn how to soothe their self to sleep.

Here's a little bit more about this Ferber method:

• You can start when your baby is around 4-6 months. They need to be ready physically and emotionally.
• Establish a bedtime routine to prepare baby to sleep.
• Put baby in bed when he/she is still awake, then leave the room.
• If the baby cries, do not go back to comfort immediately but after a predetermined time. The time in which you go in to comfort the baby gradually is extended. So for example, on the first night you go in after 3 minutes of crying. The second time after 5 minutes, and thereafter every 10 minutes until baby is asleep. The second night, the time intervals are extended longer. For example, 5 minutes-10 minutes - 12 minutes.
• When you go in to comfort the baby, you do not pick the baby up or feed. Patting and reassuring is okay.

This idea of "progressive waiting" is sometimes misunderstood. Some parents interpret it as leaving the baby to cry it out until he/she falls asleep, even if the crying goes on for hours. Ferber actually doesn't advocate such practice. On the contrary, "progressive waiting" actually requires the parents to comfort their baby frequently and not just abandon the baby.

Ferber's method is liked by some and scowled by others. Some say that it is not healthy to let a child cry for very long hours. Well, they may be right about that.

You might be interested to read an article at Psychology Today entitled "Dangers of “Crying It Out”. Here's another article at Ask Dr.Sears called "Science Says: Excessive Crying Could Be Harmful".

I'll just highlight some points about how crying-it-out could harm the baby:

• Neurons in the baby's brain die. 
• We increase our baby's probability of having ADHD, experiencing poor school performance and antisocial behavior. 
• The early stress could lead to health problems later like irritable bowel syndrome.
• It undermines the baby's ability to self regulate. Let me give you a quote here:
  

  "When a baby gets scared and a parent holds and comforts him, the baby builds expectations for soothing, which get integrated into the ability to self comfort. Babies don't self-comfort in isolation. If they are left to cry alone, they learn to shut down in face of extensive distress--stop growing, stop feeling, stop trusting" (Henry & Wang, 1998).

• Baby learns the world is not trustworthy and develops low confidence.

So, if you're wondering whether prolonged crying is good for your baby, here is something from the article you might want to ponder about:

"We know now that leaving babies to cry is a good way to make a less intelligent, less healthy but more anxious, uncooperative and alienated person who can pass the same or worse traits on to the next generation."

My parenting style leans more towards natural parenting. I had some people tell me that I shouldn't carry my babies too much or I might spoil them. I didn't do too well in listening to their advice. I used a sling and carried them often. I truly believe in the idea that our babies will be better off if we meet their needs instead of trying to teach them independence that early in life. Here is another quote from the Psychology Today article:

"We can confirm now that forcing "independence" on a baby leads to greater dependence. Instead, giving babies what they need leads to greater independence later."

So, what is your take on this? Have you tried the cry-it-out method in putting your baby to sleep? Do you agree that letting your baby cry it out is harmful or do you think that we can "spoil" the baby if always give in to their crying? 

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Here's your free scrapbook kit today from MyMemories. Remember, the free kits change frequently. So if you want this particular one, you've got to download it this week. Next week, it is going to be a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

 This pack includes 2 digital papers, 5 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

You can quickly scrapbook a page with quick pages. After all, that's why it called "quick" pages.  You just need to plop in your photos and you're done. Of course you can add in more embellishments if you want. The 2 quick pages offered here makes a matching 2 page layout.

I find MyMemories Suite very easy to use. Version 3 was just launched. It is now better and has more features. You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

Cute Dad Shows You How To Use A Baby Sling

This video has caused many mommy's hearts to flutter a bit. When it comes to babywearing, it is usually the mom who does it. You don't see many videos of dads demonstrating how to use a baby sling. Plus, almost everyone is agreeing that he is a hottie. Are you thinking the same?

Anyway, I posted this video here coz' I think this is a great inspiration to all dads. I've tried using the long baby sling wrap similar to what this dad is using. It has its good and bad points.

Good:

• Feels nice and snug. It holds baby very well.
• The weight distributes evenly on both shoulders. You won't feel any stress on the shoulders or back.
• You can hold baby several ways: cradle, on the hip, on the back.

Bad:

• The cloth is very long. It is a problem if you need to put it on in the parking lot or at the store as it hits the floor and might get dirty.
• Not so suitable anymore when baby is bigger and heavier. The baby's weight will stretch the cloth a bit. You have to tie the cloth extra snug then.
• If you are carrying your newborn in a cradle position, make sure his head doesn't get buried and the baby's airway is always clear. There is the danger of suffocation.

Some dads may think this kind of sling is a little troublesome to put on and take off. If you want to encourage your hubby to use a baby sling, it might help to get a sling that is simple to use and doesn't look to "girly". The Ergo Baby Carrier has many designs that are suitable for dads. Click on the link for my detailed review.

So, is your hubby open to using a baby sling? What kind of baby sling works best for you and hubby?

Rambutan Picnics

My kids are very excited that the rambutans on our tree are starting to turn red. Actually, I'm the most excited. I've fond memories of feasting under this tree as a child. Of course, eating too much I would always end up coughing.

Well, my son caught me under the tree munching my heart out and whined "why didn't you invite me?" I then made a date with my kids to meet me under the rambutan tree at 5pm the next day. When the time came for our date, I walked out onto the garden and saw this (the picture above) greeting me. The kids brought out the picnic carpets and umbrellas (even though it wasn't hot) and was ready for their rambutan picnic.

Of course I had to do all the work and open the rambutans for them to eat. BUT it was an enjoyable time. There are still more rambutans turning red and I still sneak out to have a little snack. Although the recommended way to eat is to pluck a whole bunch, open them, wash them and chill them in the fridge, I feel they taste best and sweetest when eaten under the rambutan tree. I'm sure the mosquitoes agree I taste best that way too :)


MAMAS PARENTING TIP

• It doesn't take much to make your children happy. 
• You don't need to spend a lot of money to make memories.

p.s: If you've never had rambutans before, you need to make a trip to Malaysia. We've got lots of yummy fruits. They are seasonal though so make sure you come at the right time.

Blast away the 'Mom, I'm bored' winter break blues

(ARA) - Winter break from school used to mean a few lazy weeks spent indoors until boredom hit. This holiday season, parents can transform their family's winter break blues into excitement by offering children what they crave - fun and engaging activities that will keep their minds active (and they won't even know it).

As crazy as the holiday season can be, there are simple solutions for families who want to continue to exercise their children's minds and bodies during the winter break and beyond with age-appropriate, fun activities.

Be a camper
Seasonal camps, such as summer or winter camps, are specifically designed to offer a balance of fun and continued learning during transitional periods from school. While engaging children in activities they love, seasonal camps provide a simple solution for families who may need to work or simply catch up on holiday shopping and errands.

KinderCare, for example, offers a winter camp for both preschool and school-age children during the last two weeks in December. Children can explore the science of chemical reactions and learn about the magic of flight through educational and hands-on themed activities, including "Bubble Trouble," "Volcano Blast,"  "Helicopter Propellers," and "Balloon Rockets."  KinderCare's winter camp activities also reinforce core learning areas such as language arts, math, science and creative expression.

Capture holiday memories through reading and writing
The holidays are a time to capture special memories when families spend more time together. Nothing is better than snuggling up to a great book with your child. Creating a holiday journal is another excellent way to preserve memories while participating in a creative, family-friendly activity.  Studies have shown that even younger children enjoy exploring writing and that their scribbles and scrawls have meaning to them. This type of writing is called prewriting and it helps children develop language and literacy skills.

There are simple ways to foster children's creativity and inspire them to write during the holidays.

* Encourage "writing for a reason." Make writing a part of daily life whether writing holiday shopping lists together, writing brief descriptions of holiday pictures or photos, or planning holiday food menus together.

* Invite your child to dictate his or her story into a tape recorder, then write the story down and read it back to your child.

* Inspire an art book by encouraging your child to draw holiday memories. Then ask your child to describe his or her pictures and help him or her write the story that goes with the pictures.

"Focus on the intended meaning of what your child is trying to write instead of the appearance of the writing," explains Megan Riede, senior director of education programs for KinderCare. "Not only does this create bonding opportunities, but it also allows for new ways to support your child's learning during the holiday season."

Turn holiday chores into holiday cheer
Believe it or not, it's easy to turn seemingly daunting holiday tasks like cooking, decorating and wrapping gifts into family fun time.  Think about creating kid-friendly games and activities out of your seasonal chores so that you can spend quality time together while checking off your to-do list. Each of these activities introduces children to more than just the task at hand.

1. Cooking and baking exposes children to measurements, mixing, and the properties of solids and liquids which help them learn about math and science. For example, you could ask your child to measure a cup of flour or show him or her how water and oil separate when in a bowl.

2. Wrapping packages can be an opportunity to discover and identify different shapes, sizes and patterns, as well as practice eye-hand coordination. For example, ask, "Which package is the biggest?" or "Which box is round in shape and which one is square in shape?"  Have your child practice wrapping a gift for someone in the family with a pre-cut piece of wrapping paper.

The holiday season is a perfect opportunity to bond and make memories with loved ones while learning together. Whatever families choose to do this winter break, look for ways to expose your children to a myriad of age-appropriate activities that allow them to imagine, explore, have fun and keep learning while sharing in the holidays.

Sweet and Sour Sesame Chicken

Cracking your head on what to cook for lunch or dinner? Add this dish to your menu: Sweet and Sour Sesame Chicken.

I found the recipe here and it tastes soooooo goooooood. Even my mom who hates to eat chicken breast meat said it was yummy. She even suggested that I add this dish to our Christmas and Chinese New Year dinner menu. It is not that difficult to do. Maybe just require some time to fry the chicken.

Okay, so if you're lazy to head over to BlogChef's website, here's a quick look at the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• Chicken breast
• Raw sesame seed
• Spring onions (optional. some kids don't like it)

For marinade:

• 1 tsp chicken base - you can use crushed chicken bullion cubes. I used Maggi's concentrated chicken stock that comes in a bottle. 
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• Ground white pepper
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 tbs fruit flavored wine (I omitted this coz' I don't have it. It was still super yummy).

For batter:

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Beat 1 egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tbs cornstarch
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbs vegetable oil

(The batter is not very thick. It is quite runny but it is thick enough to coat the chicken)

For sauce:

• 3 tbs honey
• 2 tbs sugar
• Salt
• 2 tbs ketchup 
• 1 tbs distilled vinegar
• Ground black pepper

(When I was cooking, I asked my 10 year old daughter to put the sauce together. She did a great job. So, if you have older kids, you can encourage them to help you in the kitchen. Oh, I forgot to tell her about standard measurements. So she was using our dining tablespoon and heaping in the sugar. Thank goodness I stopped her just in time. Don't forget to tell your kids about using standard measuring tools when following a recipe.)

STEP 1: Marinade the chicken.
Cut up chicken breast into bite size or strips.  Mix in the marinade ingredients. I marinated mine overnight but 1/2 hour is also okay.

STEP 2: Fry the chicken.
Dip the chicken into the batter and then fry in oil. Ideally you dip the chicken one by one before frying it. If you want to be quick, you can do what I did: I just poured the batter over the chicken meat and mixed it all up. Worked out okay for me. Fry till golden brown, maybe about 10 minutes depending on how hot your oil is. I prefer a medium fire. Too hot and the outside gets burned before the inside is cooked. Set the fried chicken pieces aside and drain the oil on paper towels.

STEP 3: Mix in the sauce.
Heat up the sauce for a few minutes. Stir until the sugar melts and sauce thickens slightly. Then dump in the fried chicken and mix it up with the sauce. Make sure everything is coated. Turn off the fire and sprinkle in the sesame seeds and chopped spring onions.

ENJOY!
Hope your family likes it as much as we do.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

It is freebie day. Download this week's free scrapbook kit and start scrapping away. Remember, the free kits change frequently. So if you want this particular one, you've got to download it this week. Next week, it is going to be a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

 This kit includes 2 digital papers, 3 page elements and 2 quick pages.

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

I have been using MyMemories Suite to do my scrapbooks and I love it. It really makes scrapbooking simple. The version 3 was just launched. It is now better and has more features. You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING
(Remember to use the discount code).

Happy Scrappin!

Five no-tech, imagination-boosting toys every child should have

(ARA) - Every year, lists fly around the Internet and airwaves, parents line up in stores and everyone talks about what the season's hottest toys will be. All the chatter can make it seem like everyone's forgotten the single most enduring "toy" at the disposal of every child - imagination.

Plenty of high-tech toys encourage creativity, but to really fire up a child's imagination it's hard to beat the power of timeless, classic toys that rely on a child's interaction rather than on electronics. This type of nostalgic toy can become a child's best friend, and parents will be happy their children have something that doesn't require batteries and doesn't stop working just because it's dropped a few times.

Here are five timeless, nostalgic, low-tech toys that every child should have:

1. A classic doll - Countless generations of little girls have fallen in love with a special doll. This is one toy that can serve many functions, from best friend and confidante to teacher and even role model. If some of today's brash, in-your-face styles of dolls leave you shaking your head, never fear: you can still find dolls that offer contemporary appeal combined with more homespun values. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, the popular family restaurant/retail store found across the country, recently introduced a line of rag dolls called Butterflies. Soft and cuddly, these 15-inch dolls of relatable characters, such as a ballerina, princess, cheerleader and schoolgirl, make a wholesome, imagination-inspiring addition to a little girl's toy box. Visit www.crackerbarrel.com/store/butterflies/ to learn more.

2. A wagon - Whether it's an old-fashioned metal one in fire-engine red or one of the modern, SUV-sized plastic numbers available today, nothing beats a wagon for getting kids moving. It's also a toy that can keep pace with a child's development and changing styles of play. Very young children will enjoy riding as parents tow them along on trips to the park or walks around the neighborhood. As children grow, they begin to use the wagon themselves, employing it to transport toys or other children. Turn it over and it's a makeshift fort or castle.

3. A building set - Whether it's plastic, wood, or metal, a building set can fire the imagination of budding engineers. Building materials that link together have a leg up on old-fashioned blocks, allowing kids to create increasingly complex structures. With so many different construction toys available, it's possible to find a building set for virtually any age or skill level.

4. Dress-up items - Pretend play is an important way children explore their own potential. Dressing up as a doctor, nurse, firefighter or police officer helps children learn about career choices and adult roles, and facilitates creativity through role playing. Creating a dress-up chest is simple and low-cost. Parents can fill a plastic bin with hand-me-downs, old Halloween costumes and even a few store-bought items.

5. An easel and drawing pad - Sure, coloring books are great, but there's something about an easel that makes a child feel like a real artist. A simple wooden frame holding a large drawing pad can become the launch pad for flights of fancy rendered in crayon, watercolor and even washable magic marker. Whatever your child's media or favorite subject, putting him or her in front of an easel will enhance enjoyment of the artistic experience - and give you a bird's-eye view of your budding artist at work.

Imagination is truly the greatest toy - and tool - of childhood. Fortunately, you can find plenty of "no-tech" toys to nourish your child's creativity and imagination, even in today's high-tech world.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Scrapbook enthusiasts, are you ready for another freebie? Here is this week's free digital scrapbook kit. 
Remember, the free kits change frequently. So if you want this particular one, you've got to download it this week. Next week, it is going to be a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

 This kit includes 2 digital papers, 7 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

I find MyMemories Suite very easy to use. Version 3 was just launched. It is now better and has more features. You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

My Favorite Child Is...

Came across this news bit asking if we, as parents, have a favorite child? It got me thinking... do I have a favorite child?

Well, I do. My favorite child is......... whoever is obedient and not giving me a headache at the moment. Hahahahah. So I guess my favorite child could change minute to minute, hour to hour and day to day.

In all seriousness, I don't think I have a favorite child. Each of my 4 children have their own strengths and weaknesses. Each of them give me joy and stress in different ways. They each have their own way of making me smile. Each have also contributed to my head of grey hairs. I would be devastated if anything bad were to happen to any child of mine. They are all important to me and I could not choose to love one more than another. But I admit, that it is easier to feel love for a child who is not throwing a tantrum and screaming the house down. However, I do not have favorites.

I DON'T try to treat my children equally. I don't think that is possible. I learned by observing a good friend of mine that we care for our children according to their needs. If one child of mine is going through a rough time and needs more attention, then I will give more attention to that child. At the same time, I try not to ignore the other children. I explain to them that their sibling needs some extra help and ask that they support me in giving that help. Being fair is not about children receiving the same treatment and attention but receiving the treatment and attention that is befitting their needs.

Here are some things I do to not play favorites:

• Don't always protect the younger ones and blame the older ones. 
• Reward according to works. Good works must not go unnoticed. 
• Hug time at the end of the day. Everyone gets a turn.
• Consensus. Rope in the opinion and consent of all siblings in certain decisions. For example, every time one of my children want to use the computer, he/she needs to ask the siblings' permission too besides mom's permission.
• Don't just call the oldest to help out with the chores (or only the girls). Everyone must help according to their capabilities. 

So, what do you think of the news bit? And do you have a favorite child?

Let Me Win Mommy

The last few days, our family has been playing Monopoly Deal. I bought the game so the kids won't spend too much time on the computer. My youngest son D2 really loves the game. Unfortunately, being only 4 years old, he isn't as "cunning" as his older siblings or dad. So he hasn't won a game yet. He knows the rules and stuff, he just hasn't learned how to strategize and plan winning moves.

It is quite heartbreaking for him when we "steal" his property or take away all the money in his bank. When someone else wins, he would put on his sad puppy face. Trying to comfort him, I would remind him it is just a game.

The other day as I was comforting him, he said "you must let me win the game."

My answer?   "Sorry son, I cannot let you win. You have to learn how to win".

Although I know letting him win will make him happy, I don't think I'm helping him that way. I believe I should teach him that that losing can be a stepping stone towards success one day. Success is also sweeter when you earn it on your own. Plus, it is important to learn how to be a gracious loser. Being a good sport is important too. Hopefully he understands the lesson I'm trying to teach him by not letting him win.

What about you? Would you purposely let your children win? What's your take on this?

Make your home glisten with sparkling new holiday craft ideas

(ARA) - Time to deck the halls, don that holiday spirit and prepare your home for festivities.

But do your tightened purse strings have you saying "bah humbug?" Luckily, creating exquisite holiday decor can be fun and cost-effective when you do it yourself. Here are a few amazing holiday craft ideas that are simple and sensational.

Glittered holiday pinecones
Create a beautiful centerpiece with items that you might find in your backyard - all in less than an hour. Here's what you'll need: pinecones, Krylon Primer and Krylon Glitter Blast glitter spray, fishing line and a drop cloth.

Make sure that the pinecones are clean from dirt and dust, then tie fishing line around the stem of the pinecone. Hang them from above so that all surfaces are accessible with the drop cloth underneath. Next, simply spray a coat of primer and let dry and then spray with your favorite glitter color of Glitter Blast. Soon, you'll have pretty pinecones ready to spruce up any table.

Colorful cones
Decorate your home with a festive holiday cone. Let your imagination run wild with these cheerful creations. Here's what you may need: various sized foam cones, Glitter Blast glitter spray, scrapbook papers, self-adhesive foam sheet, sequins and pins, ribbon, paste and acrylic jewels.

To start, thoroughly spray the cones with your favorite colors of Glitter Blast and allow to completely dry. Then, follow these guidelines to create three unique versions.

Polka dot cone. Punch out a variety of sizes and colors of circles from scrapbook papers and foam sheets and attach in random patterns to the cone using the paste. Start with larger-sized circles and gradually adhere smaller sizes on top. Finally, pin on 1-inch glitter sequins.

Ribbon cone. Spiral ribbon around cone, anchoring in place with craft glue and craft pins. Cut small snips in the edges so ribbon will lay flat. Glue and pin sequin trim in between the ribbon spirals.

Beaded cone. Using straight pins, pin sequins at random all over the cone. Then use paste to attach flat-backed acrylic jewels in and around the sequins.

To complete the look of each uniquely designed holiday cone, make a hole in the very top of the cone with a pencil point. Press the neck of a small tree ornament into the hole and secure with a drop of glue. Now you have three beautiful and original cones for a creative and colorful arrangement.

Original ornaments
You may have had sticker shock the last time you shopped for holiday ornaments - but luckily with some inspiration from renowned crafter and author, Mark Montano, you can update your tree for almost free when you design your own. Here's what you'll need: eight wooden clothespins, cardboard, scissors, glue, spray paint, large rhinestones, hot glue gun and glue sticks, fishing wire and loose glitter or Glitter Blast glitter spray.

To start, take the clothespins apart and arrange the wood pieces in a starburst pattern with the fat ends of the pieces touching in the center and the skinny ends forming the points. Cut out two 2 1/2 inch cardboard circles. Glue a cardboard circle in the center of the clothespins and let it dry. Flip your starburst over, glue the other cardboard circle in the center and let it dry. Next, spray paint the entire ornament in a color of your choice. Cover the cardboard and about half an inch of the surrounding clothespins with glue and sprinkle glitter on top - or use Glitter Blast glitter spray. Flip the starburst over and repeat. When dry, use hot glue to adhere a rhinestone in the center of both sides. For the hanger, fold a 10-inch piece of fishing wire in half and hot glue the ends to one of the clothespins. Once dry, hang on your tree and enjoy.

For more holiday craft ideas from Krylon, visit www.yourholidaystyle.com; for craft ideas from Mark Montano, visit http://markmontanoblogs.blogspot.com/.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

It is Thursday again. That mean it is time to give you another digital scrapbook kit freebie. Don't just download and keep it hidden on your hard disk. Scrap away and share with me and everyone your beautiful work. Leave a comment at the bottom and a link so we can see what you did.
Remember, the free kits change frequently. So if you want this particular one, you've got to download it this week. Next week, it is going to be a different one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

 This digital kit includes 2 digital papers, 3 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Exciting news...  MyMemories Suite has a new version out. They recently launched MyMemories Suite V3! If you have V2, it is time to upgrade. V3 has new features and designs. This is really one of the best scrapbook software out there.
You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING