Category — kids

I wished for a dish
and I found a fish

I wished for a dish AGAIN
and I found a clucking hen

I WISHED for  DISH
and I had an itch

I WISH FOR A DISH
oh
it’s under my sandwich

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My 7 year old & I just co-authored this.  Can you tell we’ve been reading Shel Silverstein?

What a wonderful group of elected officials we have these days.  Verbage that is so over-reaching that it is hurting us in the name of helping us.  Nice.  Almost makes a person want to move to another country where the gov’t isn’t as interested in controlling every aspect of your life… but I’m not sure that one of those exists anymore.

This is re-posted from an email to get the info out.

OVERKILL: HOW THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT IS DAMAGING AMERICAN BUSINESSES

FLY-IN, RALLY AND CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING
TO FIX FLAWS IN NEW PRODUCT SAFETY LAW

Washington, DC - April 1, 2009

Implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is following a worst-case scenario for manufacturers, retailers and charities. Thanks to the flaws in this law, millions of perfectly safe products are in the process of being destroyed, costing U.S. businesses billions of dollars in the midst of one of the worst economic crises in U.S. history. Charitable organizations and thrift stores are being forced to pull inventory from their shelves at a time when American families need them more than ever. The supply of science supplies to schools is being curtailed. Youth model ATV and dirt bikes are no longer available creating a safety issue because more than 90% of injuries to kids on ATVs occur on large adult size models. Even libraries are at risk of legal liability for lending children’s books. All of these violations of common sense are being done in the name of “safety”.

From unrealistic compliance deadlines that made it impossible for industry or the Consumer Product Safety Commission to adequately prepare before the law went into effect, to the unprecedented decision to retroactively apply the new lead standards and phthalates ban to inventory already sitting in stores and warehouses, CPSIA is causing massive disruptions to industries across the board, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

So far, Congress has ignored the calls of thousands of small businesses, charities, parents and teachers to fix the flaws in this legislation, refusing even to hold public hearings on the problem. That’s why business and charitable groups are organizing a fly in, rally and Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress, provide information and bring attention to the CPSIA crisis. Wide participation is anticipated in this unique event to call upon Congress to urgently fix the CPSIA.

Date and Location: April 1, 2009, 10:00am, Capitol Visitors Center, Room HVC201 A&B,
The U.S. Capitol

Speakers will include Members of Congress and representatives from:
· Charitable Organizations
· National Association of Manufacturers
· Small Business owners from various industries affected by CPSIA
· Motorcycle and ATV dealerships
· Publishers and Library Associations
· Product safety and lead experts (to discuss science-based risk assessment)

Confirmed Participating Organizations (as of March 16, 2009)
· Alliance for Children’s Product Safety
· American Apparel and Footwear Association
· American Motorcycle Association
* American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
· Fashion Jewelry Trade Association;
· Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
· Handmade Toy Alliance
· International Sleep Products Association
· Motorcycle Industry Council
· National Association of Manufacturers
· National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops
National School Supply & Equipment Association
· National Bulk Vendors Association
· Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
· Toy Industry Association

For additional information, please contact the Alliance for Children’s Product Safety at 202-828-7637 and visit the web-site at http://www.AmendTheCPSIA.com. For those who can not attend, the event will be telecast on the mentioned web site.

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This (among other things) just serves to make me wonder why our gov’t hates it’s people. We were once the land of the free, but we are quickly becoming the land of those that cannot do anything because it might turn out to be dangerous for someone… except of course that our gov’t likes to approve the things that truly ARE dangerous for us. One example… check out HR 875 - another “over-reaching” law that will put small businesses out of business, leaving big agri-business as our only option (you know, the people who grow the GMO crap from Monsanto. Oh goody.)

I’m not feeling up to the debate today, ut if you want some info on Monsano (the truth rather than what our fine gov’t tells us) I found a great video - it’s a long one, but very informative. Take a look at it here. Hopefully this one will be available for a bit - go watch it quickly before it gets pulled.

Want more info? Check out HR 875 (as in actually read it) over at GovTrack. Want another one to look at? How about S 425 in the Senate.

I guess the First Lady just planted a “Neo-Victory Garden” that may soon be illegal!  Well, it will be if the wife-of-a-Monsanto-employee-that-sponsored-the-bill gets her (Monsanto’s) way. Organic seeds contain contaminants you know… ’cause GMO seeds are just DNA (and we’ve been ingesting DNA since we were created, so it can’t be bad for us.)

Any thoughts? Please share…

This is not how you are supposed to spend your birthday…

She’s putting up a brave face though!

Granted, her actual birthday is tomorrow, but she’s running a high enough fever today that I’m sure tomorrow will sadly be all too similar.

Poor thing.

She’s sleeping now though… hopefully for long enough to get that fever to break!

I guess the silver lining is that she gets to stay home from school and play with all her new toys!

I almost guarantee that your kids will like this one - and it will last a bit longer than the normal ones too!

We recently got a great little package in the mail - one that my girls were VERY excited to open. Inside were two complete sets of the new Milkshake CD, DVD and Comic Book! Yep, the DVD is the videos and some behind-the-scenes of their latest album “Play!” and features the comic book as well.

I know what you are thinking “Another kid songs CD that I’m going to get sick of, or my kids aren’t going to like AT ALL?” But that’s not what this is… The 2 people that started Milkshake are professional musicians, who also happen to be parents. And their music, while written for kids, is also written with adults in mind. Yes, the lyrics are catchy, and kid-friendly, but the melodies are catchy and highly sing-able - even if you are 40 instead of 4.

Want more info on the band? Check out MilkshakeMusic.com - there’s even a great kids page, and bio’s for each band member.

Remember how I said I got two sets? Yes, the girls were hoping that I was giving each of them a set, but no - I saved one for you!

Yes, one of you lucky readers gets to introduce your kids to a great new band (and hopefully retire a CD you just can’t take anymore!)

My girls are 7 & 8 years old, and they both love Milkshake. I will warn you though, the lead singer loves to dress in tu-tu’s, so if you have a little princess she may decide that tu-tu’s are the required attire whenever she listens or watches Milkshake. I mean, what Rock-n-Roll Princess doesn’t think that?

My 8 year old has memorized a few of the songs already, and loves to sing them. She has claimed our CD as hers, and goes to sleep listening to it every night. She also has the band members memorized - along with their favorite sports and foods… It really is a winner!

***DETAILS FOR WINNING***

What do you need to do to win?

Comment - Visit MilkshakeMusic.com tell me which band member is your favorite, or which song you like best. This one is required - no visit to the site and comment about the band, no win.

Tweet this post - add in @jehudson and link to your tweet in a separate comment below to let me know.

Follow me on twitter - jehudson - leave a comment

Visit Milkshake on Facebook & become a fan - leave a comment below

Stumble it - comment about your stumble.

Blog it - yep, tell your blog readers about this contest & send over a trackback or add another comment below.

Each of these things will get you an entry!

Oh, and you’ll gain an extra entry if you can tell me which band member’s mom was a Ukranian Opera Singer… just ’cause I like opera…  DM me the answer (on twitter) so everyone has a chance to find it!

Contest ends at 11:59 pm on Monday, March 16th, 2009.

Good luck!

I received a fun package in the mail last week… it contained 6 of the new Quaker True Delights chewy granola bars. And a coupon to get more (good marketing there…)

The flavors we received are:

• Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond
• Honey Roasted Cashew Mixed Berry
• Toasted Coconut Banana Macadamia Nut

Since there were 2 of each, I had intended to eat one of each and do a giveaway with the others, but I do have a family living here with me. I managed to get 2 of the bars. It worked out though, because I am not a fan of coconut.

So, what are these things and why am I telling you about them? Well, Quaker is getting on the “health bar” bandwagon and offering up granola bars that not only taste great (yes, they really do) but have ingredients that you can actually pronounce!

My favorite of the 2 that I tried is the dark chocolate raspberry almond (I know, big surprise there), but the berry was also very tasty. My 6 year old LOVED the toasted coconut banana macadamia nut one - I had to wrestle the 2nd one away from her to keep her from eating the other one too.

While I applaud Quaker for getting better with these than their other granola bars, I still take issue with the fact that they are filled with corn syrup… not high fructose corn syrup, but corn syrup, corn syrup solids, sugar, fructose, oligofructose (whatever that is), more sugar, invert sugar, oh, and more sugar. Yes, that many different listings of some form of sugar on the label. They also have soy in them, along with natural and artificial flavors and caramel color.

If I may… have you tried the Lara Bars? They have less than 10 ingredients (usually closer to 5) ALL are actual, naturally occurring foods, and they taste great. Another great snack is Erin Baker’s Breakfast Cookies & Brownies. Again, short ingredients list (no corn syrup or soy) and great tasting. Mrs. May’s Trio Bars are also great - fruits, nuts & seeds.

Quaker is getting better, and for that I am thankful, but I would really like to see more all-natural foods on our shelves! I am tired of having to read labels to make sure there isn’t things in them that my kids can’t or shouldn’t have.

So, if you want to try these out yourself, leave a comment below. I have one Honey Roasted Cashew Mixed Berry left (I’m hiding it!) and a coupon for $1 off a box of them that I will ship out…

I’ll also throw in a Laura Bar and a Trio bar for you to try (just because I like them so much!)

What do you need to do?

Comment below… do you eat granola bars often? Have you ever tried any of the more natural ones? Do your kids eat these? That’s one entry…

For a second entry, add this giveaway to your blog. Send a trackback or add a second comment letting me know where to look for it.

Third entry… tweet this post!

The drawing ends at 11:59 pm on Monday, Feb 2nd, so that just gives you this weekend to get your entries in. I know you can do it though.

Thanks and good luck!

**Contest is closed - Congrats!**

This is a great craft that is easy enough for 2-3 year olds to do!
Supplies:
Chinet® paper plates - these really do work best
Green paint
construction paper in the following colors
red
yellow
orange
glue
marker or pen
yarn or ribbon

Cut the center out of the paper plates, leaving about 3 inches of the edge. Punch a hole in the top about 1/2 inch from the edge. Paint the bottom of the plate with the green paint and allow it to dry.

Cut some assorted leaf shapes from the construction paper.

Choosing some of the larger leaves, write things you and your kids are thankful for (i.e. mom & dad, brother or sister, sports, music, etc).

When the plate is dry, glue the leaves onto the green side in little clusters, putting the leaves with your thanks on top.

String the ribbon or raffia through the little hole as a bow.

If you want to hang it up with ribbon, punch another hole towards the top.

Ari’s wreath is a couple of years or so old, it started out with LOTS more leaves! This craft is fun because you get to hear things that your kids are thankful for that just might surprise you!

Are you looking for an inexpensive (frugal) way to decorate your home for fall? This leaf garland is one that will combine a fun outing with your family, and a great craft for all ages!

Leaf Garland
Supplies:
Leaves in a variety of colors
fishing line or ribbon
needle

Gather leaves from a variety of trees in lots of different colors.
String the leaves on the fishing line or ribbon in any order you prefer (all one color, totally random, red, yellow, brown, green, etc). Tie a loop at each end & hang them on the wall!
It is a very inexpensive and very lovely Autumn decoration for your home.

We are going to hit on a topic that is near to my heart today… waste.

The average school child who brings their lunch to school generates 67 pounds of lunch related trash each school year. That is PER CHILD. The average American school generates more than 18,000 pounds of waste each year. 18,000 pounds!!! And that is just one school.

Wow. That’s pretty impressive, right? It’s downright scary!

So, what can we, as parents, do to help cut down on the amoung of waste generated by our kids? Well, we can start by packing a lunch for our kids - that’s the healthy part - but make sure that we pack it into a container that will not generate waste!

I know, you walk through the grocery store and you see all of those easy, single-serve packages of stuff that your kids beg to have in their lunch, and it’s tempting! Believe me, I know the temptation! But I have found that with the right lunchbox system, I can make sure that my girls are getting a healthy, balanced lunch and cutting down on the waste!

What’s the secret?

First, I made sure that they have lunchboxes that either have compartments for everything, or that they are able to hold the containers I can re-use.

Our favorite lunchbox is the Laptop Lunchbox. I like them so much that I got one for my hubby too. They come with 2 large and 2 small containers, a mini container with a lid and a fork and spoon. One of the large containers has a sealing lid, so you can send “wet” things in there - applesauce, yogurt, etc.

laptop lunchbox

Yes, they are plastic, but they are tested to make sure that it is food safe. Laptop Lunches was started by 2 moms who wanted to cut down on waste and find a better alternative.

One thing that I love about them is that I feel this sense of obligation to put something healthy into each container. This helps me make sure that I get a good, balanced, healthy meal each day to send with them.

We picked up a couple of fabric bags that they carry them in each day, and we toss in a cloth napkin and a milk or their Sigg water bottles for a beverage.

Happy Balloon Bento Box

The other lunchboxes that we use come to us from Asia. I found some adorable bento boxes at Daiso for a few dollars each and the girls love to use them. The ones we use most are 2 levels with a lid for each. I put the sandwich in on e level, and put the rest of the goodies in the other. Ours have a strap that keeps them closed, but there are many styles that are self-locking. A fun thing about these in particular, is that they have a space set aside for the matching chopsticks to just fit inside the lid. My daughter loves anything Chinese (well, Asian, actually!) so this just made her day.

If you look online or have an Asian market nearby, there is a plethora of fun little things that you can use in a bento box - the Japanese use them daily, and they get quite creative with some of their lunches. As you can see above, these small boxes can hold quite a bit of food.

Now that we have the container squared away, what do we put inside? Think bulk. Think homemade. I buy a large jar of applesauce (or make it) and put it into smaller containers to send to school. I buy a large container of plain or vanilla yogurt and add some fruit to it in a smaller container to take to school. I buy lunchmeat and portion it out for the week - then freeze the rest for another week. I bake bread once a week, and occasionall bake muffins or cookies. I make granola. I slice up farm fresh veggies.

Each day they get a sandwich, some veggie sticks and dip, a treat - cookie, yogurt, applesauce, poki stick, etc - and either milk (that doesn’t have to be refrigerated) or water in their Sigg’s. I will usually toss in some fresh fruit too. All of this goes into their lunchbox, the box goes into the bag with a napkin and drink, and they are good to go! The only thing that goes into the trash is their milk carton.

On the rare occasions that I use a “traditional” lunchbox, I have some small Tupperware containers that everything goes into. Snack cups and sandwich keepers work great, and I have yet to have either of the girls forget to bring something home. They remember to put everything back into the bag, and their school has a big bin outside each classroom for lunchboxes to go into.

When I figure that our school lunch program increased the cost to $2.75 per student, per day this year, I figure that I am saving a few dollars, and my kids aren’t eating chicken nuggets and pizza every day. Fortunately, the split is about 50/50 between kids that bring lunch and kids that are “hot lunch” so they don’t feel weird about being the only ones eating a cold lunch.

Is this what we really want them to eat?

So, skip the individual sized packages and send reusable containers with your kids to hold their lunch. Get creative with it! You may just surprise yourself with what you find to use! Just don’t fall into the ziploc bag rut now that you have cut out wasteful packaging… that would be a bit redundant, no?