The Daycare Dish

Friday Fit Tips

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:15:00 +0000

And the list goes on�?�

1. Don�??t Eat Your Child�??s Leftovers �?? I know �?? waste not, want not. But really, it�??s not worth it to eat all of the scraps that your children leave on their plates at every meal. Even though it may seem like you�??re not eating much because it was not your plate of food, the calories still count. All of that food can add up to at least another meal by the end of the day. If you don�??t want to throw it away, wrap it up and offer it to your child when he or she is looking for a snack later during the day.

2. Write Down Everything You Eat �?? Update a log, diary, or journal immediately after eating something. Mindless munching will become much more obvious if that is one of your downfalls. It will also show you the foods that could be replaced with healthier alternatives.

3. Eat More for Lunch and Less for Dinner �?? This is a favorite of a few of my European friends. They believe that a large breakfast is critical for providing them with the energy they need in order to start their day. This is followed by a large lunch that will sustain them for the remainder of their day. Finally, they eat a very light dinner (often soup). Keep in mind that these are people who almost exclusively select healthy options. They are not choosing a super sized value meal for their large lunch.

4. Play Casual Games �?? This could entail a physical activity such as hula hooping with your children. However, it can also mean engaging in a more sedentary activity that distracts you from eating out of boredom. Some examples might be playing board games or cards games with your children. Another option is to play games online. Attached is a link to an online game house for those of you who may be interested. There is also a link to a press release regarding survey results that showed how casual games helped respondents to reduce their snacking and smoking habits.
www.gamehouse.com
www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2008/isg_survey.html

5. Dress Nicely �?? Everyone knows that if you look good, you feel good. So, even if you�??re only heading out to the grocery store, put on a little bit of lip gloss and mascara. You don�??t need to spend 30-60 minutes in front of the mirror fixing your hair and applying makeup. Within a 5 minute timeframe, most people should be able to swipe some concealer over their under-eye circles, some gloss on their lips, and a touch of mascara on their lashes. Pinch your cheeks, give your hair a quick brush, and you should be good to go. Maybe you don�??t look your �??best�??, but everyone looks better with even a minimal amount of effort. Skip the sweatpants in favor of jeans. Pass over the sweatshirts and your husband�??s old t-shirts in favor of something a little more form fitting and neater looking. This wardrobe aspect of your morning should not take up more than 5 minutes of your time either. We�??re not talking about ironing anything here. We�??re talking jeans and a nice t-shirt of your own. In essence, never leave the house looking like you just rolled out of bed. I don�??t care how many children you have, you still have 10 minutes to spare each day. I know a working mom with 6 children ranging in age from 8-14 (no lie) and even she has this tiny time frame to work with. Slumping around in pajama-like attire and a sallow face all day would depress anyone enough to turn to a box of cookies for a pick me up. Look good and feel good.

A Great Idea

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:01:00 +0000

I came across a great article today that described an even greater idea. The Wall Street Journal published a story in May 2008 (guess I�??m a little behind) about a group of stay at home moms who found an interesting way of maintaining a presence in the business world. They created a �??mommy SWAT team�??. �??SWAT�?? stands for �??smart women with available time�??. The overall concept is that there are many intelligent women who left the business world in order to be home with their children. This decision did not in any way decrease their intelligence. They have been able to demonstrate that they have valuable skills for companies to take advantage of. This has been found to be particularly true when extra hands are needed in order to complete a large project on time.

This does not come as any surprise to me. Almost all of the stay at home moms that I know are college educated women who gave up great positions at their previous companies in order to be with their children on a full-time basis. Many of them still have a need to use their various skill sets and find opportunities in which to do so. Some examples are holding board positions in the local chapters of mom�??s clubs, PTO�??s, and student council groups. There is a huge amount of time an effort that goes into those roles. Furthermore, they are required to have the ability to communicate effectively in writing and in speaking, to create and adhere to schedules when planning events and fundraisers, and to meticulously maintain the financial records of these non-profit organizations.

It is insanely difficult to find well-paying, reputable companies that allow a mother to create such a flexible work schedule. I can�??t begin to express how refreshing it is to see that there are companies out there who recognize the value of these women.

If you�??re interested, check out the following link:
www. ajc.com/health/content/shared-blogs/ajc/parenting/entries/2008/05/06/stayathome_moms.html

Monday Makeover Tips for Mom: Instant Wrinkle Eraser

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:05:00 +0000

Looking for a quick fix for fine lines and wrinkles? I am always on the lookout for new products that will help slow down the appearance of aging. There are zillions of products out there that claim to fix any and all of the flaws that you think you have. Unfortunately, many of them do not work. However, I was recently introduced to a fabulous serum. It is MMPi20 Skin Regenerating Serum by Patricia Wexler M.D. I buy mine at Bath and Body Works. Sold alone, the cost is $55.00. Sold as part of a set, it is also $55.00 (still a full size). You only need the tiniest amount to smooth over problem areas and you should see immediate results. I obviously can't guarantee that everyone will love it as much as I do. But, it's worth trying.

Vegetarian Kids: Hunter vs. Gatherer

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Here is another recent �??boys against the girls�?? dispute. All of a sudden, my daughter has begun to shun all forms of meat. She has always been a great eater who was willing to try anything. All of a sudden, she won�??t touch chicken, steak, or fish. I already suspected the answer, but still asked her what was going on. Her response? She �??felt bad for the animals�??. She�??s picturing sweet, gentle cows and fluffy, yellow chicks in her mind. She didn�??t understand why she could just live on the food that grows in her dad�??s garden. Her little brother was all too quick to tell her that those animals were put on the earth for her to eat. He went on and on about hunting and eating and good nutrition. Now, I am not a fan of hunting (to say the least). But, I�??m also not someone who is going to turn to various bean varieties for my source of protein.

The gist of the entire conversation seemed to provide hints of the instinctual differences between males and females. In this case, the male views himself as the hunter and sees a real need for providing meat as an important source of food. In contrast, the female leans toward the role of gatherer. She sees herself collecting and eating food that grows in the ground or from a tree. I honestly don�??t believe that I am reading too much into this. I am an educated person. I know there are studies that claim boys are more aggressive because they are taught to be that way. Yet, girls are given dolls instead of footballs to play with. I also realize that girls can excel at sports while boys can make excellent chefs. While anyone can assume any role that they wish, there are differences that can be observed from a very early age. From the time he could walk, my so was hurling himself across rooms and off of furniture in an effort to determine just how hard he could fall to the floor without seriously injuring himself. This quest would never have occurred to my daughter in a trillion years. We�??re not weird. This is the norm. After this recent chat, the differences appear to stem from so many years ago. Maybe, in some ways, we�??re not so far evolved from the hunter/gatherer societies.

Quick Tip #3: Beautiful Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:55:00 +0000

Most moms have made brownies at some point with their kiddies. Here is an easy little trick for keeping the treats neat once they have cooled. I spent years of using regular silverware and having my brownies fall apart and stick to the knives. This always resulted in a sloppy looking dessert plate. I am not a great baker, but brownies are one of the things that I usually make well. I wanted them to appear as good as they tasted. After some trial and error, I discovered that the best knife to use is a plastic knife. Brownies almost never stick to the plastic knife. This allows you to create tidy little square brownies.

More Fit Mom Tips

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:25:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, my entry with tips from fit moms seemed to have been a big hit. So, I thought I�??d add a few more ideas today.

1. Wear Tight Fitting Pants �?? The tighter around the waist, the less you will want to eat. This is because too much food will require you to undo a top button in order to breathe. If you want to be comfortable, you will simply have to eat less and you will actually feel full sooner. Obviously the pants should not be so tight that you are in pain. Just be uncomfortable enough that you will want to avoid that feeling of hanging of the top.

2. Eat Cereal For Dinner �?? A quick fix is to eat a bowl of any kind of cereal for dinner for 2 nights. Again, this is a quick fix. Not a lasting one (especially if you eat half of a pizza on Day 3 for dinner). This works well if you have a dress that you want to wear and look good in over the weekend.

3. Cut Down On Salad and Dress It Well �?? As light and low in calories that salad can be, it can also be bloating. When you do eat it, use vinegar or a low cal dressing in an effort to keep calories low.

4. Eat Strawberries �?? These are great for beating bloat.

5. Weigh Yourself Each and Every Day �?? Weigh yourself every day when you first get out of bed. The main reason for doing this in the morning is that it�??ll give you a little bump in self-esteem. If you wait until after you have had your coffee, breakfast, and have gotten dressed, the scale will surely display a slightly higher number. By weighing yourself daily, you will know immediately if the pounds are creeping on. Keep in mind that weight can fluctuate between 3 and 5 pounds depending on your cycle and other various factors. But, anything over your top fluctuation number may require some action on your part. I know that many people say it�??s not a good idea to be a slave to the scale. But, I think that it�??s just a good way of being aware of what your average numbers are and what is healthy for you. If for the last year, you have always weighed between 130 and 133 but after a week of vacation suddenly you�??re looking at a figure of 138, then you know it�??s time to get back to eating healthy again.

I Want My MTV

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:09:00 +0000

Time to set up the parental controls on the T.V. My daughter came prancing out to the kitchen while I was making dinner and proudly declared that she had found the �??coolest show ever where they play THE coolest music�??. Even though I was fairly sure of the answer, I asked what channel was on. She didn�??t know the channel, but she did know that it was �??a show called �??Yo MTV Raps�??. Without being able to listen to the lyrics myself or view the videos in question, I told her to find something else to watch. Naturally I assumed that the channel had been changed to Disney or some such thing. No suck luck. Instead, I found the two kids watching �??Pimp My Ride�??. I�??ve never seen the show, but I didn�??t love hearing the word �??pimp�?? come out of my kids�?? mouths. Not to mention, I�??m probably the only mom on the planet who hasn�??t allowed her kids to sit through High School Musical yet because I haven�??t previewed it myself. So, this figures.

Strangers Bearing Munchkins

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:34:00 +0000

There we were in the elevator riding up to my dermatology appointment for an annual skin check. An elderly gentleman stepped onto the elevator with me, my grandmother, and my kids. During this brief moment, I noticed that he chatted with several nurses and others who appeared to be part of the hospital staff. They addressed each other by name and seemed happy enough to see each other. Upon spotting my children, he popped open a box of munchkins and offered one to each of us. My kids eagerly grabbed one before hopping off at our floor. However, I was a little taken aback by the whole event and politely declined the donuts.

Every parent drills into their kids the rules surrounding strangers. One of those rules is, �??Don�??t accept candy or other gifts from strangers�??. Obviously my family needed a repeat lesson. Still, I could understand where the confusion arose from. Here is this man who appears to part of the staff, is at least 75 years old, and Mommy (being me) is standing right there. The kids did not feel that they had any reason to be fearful of the situation.
As it turned out, the man was someone who volunteered regularly at the hospital and was bringing in some munchkins for one of the nurse stations. I�??m still trying to think of a way to discuss this in a way that does not scare the kids away from every person that they encounter while teaching them that they always need to be wary of people that they don�??t know.

Where Have All the Neighborhoods Gone?

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:02:00 +0000

In yesterday�??s entry, I mentioned the fact that most neighborhoods today are no longer teeming with children playing on any given day. In this era of needing two full-time working parents, many neighborhoods look more like ghost towns with well kept lawns on weekday afternoons. I can�??t begin to describe how jealous I am when someone casually mentions the fact that little so and so lives right across the street and as a result, their child always has someone to play with. Some people talk about having an open door policy on their street that allows the kids to bounce from house to house throughout the day. In my neck of the woods, there isn�??t anyone around to leave my door open for.

This is the one thing missing from my children�??s lives. When I think about the possibility of relocating, an area saturated with kids is tops on my list. I just have to wonder how limited my chances may be of finding such an idyllic setting for my kids to grow up in.

Summer Camp

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0000

This is the first year in which I opted out of enrolling my children in summer camp. At first, I hesitated to openly admit this fact to anyone. People can be very judgmental if they feel that you don�??t have every last second of your child�??s day mapped out with scheduled activities. However, as summer went on, I was surprised to realize that many of my friends had made the same decision this year.

First, the cost of summer camp is outrageous. For example, my top two choices for camp had rates of $1340 and $1620 for four week sessions each. Most camps in my area require a minimum of a four week commitment from 9:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday. I suppose this is fine if you can arrange your vacation around the schedules that they have set in stone. Multiply these rates by two or more if you have more than one child and you�??re looking at a large sum of money. I don�??t dispute the fact that most kids have a great time at camp and that many of the programs are worth their steep fees. However, I chose to be a little bit selfish this year so that I could spend those four weeks with my children. This does not mean that we are now in social exile until the school year starts up again. We get together with friends and family very often. We are able to take day trips on a whim. Having not made any commitments, we have the freedom to do whatever we like on any given day even if our day merely entails bike riding at home.

I never attended camp as a child, and I have only the very best memories of my summer vacations. There wasn�??t anywhere else in the world that I would have rather been than my own house. I had everything that I needed right in my own backyard complete with a swimming pool and neighborhood friends coming and going. Throw in weekly trips to the beach and summer was never less than perfect. The lack of summer camp in my life did not negatively affect me. Nor did it adversely impact the childhoods of my fellow mommy friends who were kind enough to share this same sentiment with me.

I realize that most neighborhoods today are no longer teeming with children during the day because so many of them are carted off to daycare (or camp as it�??s often referred to during the summer). But, there is still plenty to do and fun to be had. I came across a great article in Redbook this month that summed up my thoughts quite nicely. Take a look if you have some time.

www.redbookmag.com/home/parenting/the-value-of-play?click=main_sr

Tantrums

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:52:00 +0000

I came across an article about tantrums this morning. It had some good suggestions regarding how to diffuse or avoid tantrums altogether. However, my least favorite one always seems to crop up in articles of this kind. That would be the act of �??Not Giving In�??. I never give in, but it never helps. For some unknown reason, my son continues to believe that ranting and raving is a very effective way of getting what he wants. This is in spite of the fact that it has never once worked for him. My chats with friends have revealed that the same thing happens in their homes with at least one of their children.

One thing this article did not go into great depth about was the number of people who stare at you like you�??re some alien freak when a fit erupts in a store setting. I know it�??s a distraction, but it would be nice if people could just pretend it�??s not happening and be glad it�??s not their kid this time around?

In any case, here�??s a link to the article for those of you who are interested.
health.msn.coms-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100211722>1=31036

Reasons for Closing

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:34:00 +0000

As you know, I have closed my daycare and will now be looking for providers rather than providing the service myself. Many of you have asked me to share my reasons for this change. First, I would like to say that my intention is not to discourage any of the aspiring providers out there from going into this field. It is a great business for someone who wants to be successfully self-employed. It�??s very easy to get your business up and running quickly because quality childcare is so difficult to find. The childcare business can be very profitable and enjoyable. My biggest piece of advice would be to hire at least one assistant to work for you at least on a part-time basis. It�??s not always a matter of needing help with your work. There is more of a need for company for yourself �?? someone to talk to, share concerns with, and share laughs with when the kids do something hilarious. However, even with all of that factored in, I realized that I would be happier working outside of my home.

If it had been feasible to find the perfect property at the perfect price, I would have loved to move my daycare to a new location. There is a lot to be said for working outside of your home and keeping business separate from your personal life. Overall, I missed being a part of something larger than a family daycare. I loved every minute that I spent working in elementary schools. I woke up in the morning and would look forward to the workday ahead of me. I enjoyed having co-workers, people to bounce ideas off of, and receive feedback from. Also, although a daycare provider may earn a higher income at first glance, there are great benefits that go along with being a teacher. After a lot of thought and consideration, I realized that my best fit is working in an elementary school.

I know that I have a lot of readers who are just beginning the process of opening up a family daycare. Please do not allow this entry to discourage you. Many providers, myself included, find childcare to be a very rewarding job. It may be the perfect fit for you.

Weight Watching Tips Used By Fit Moms

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Stand in a lineup of ten moms and nine (sometimes all ten) of them are on a diet or would like to lose a few pounds. Yet, there is always that one mom walking around the playground who is thin. Watch the expressions on the other mom�?? faces as she crosses their paths. It�??s a combo of surprise that a fellow mom is so thin, jealousy that they are not that thin themselves, curiosity as to how she got that way in the first place, and then the final assumption that she very simply must starve herself and is anorexic to some degree. But, guess what. She is most likely not starving herself at all. But, she does take measures to ensure that she stays in decent shape. Below is a list of weight watching tips from fit moms. It takes only a small amount of effort to see a big difference.

1. Cut Portions In Half �?? Eating smaller portions is not a new dieting trick. Yet, it�??s something many people fail to do. I�??m not sure why. It�??s very easy. Put what you would normally eat on your plate. Then, take a fork and scoop half of each food group back into its pan or whatever.

2. Eat Fruits and Veggies �?? Okay this isn�??t my favorite either. I�??d much prefer a big handful of candy corn. But, it had to be said because it is a valid healthy tip.

3. Downsize to a Salad Dish �?? If you eat your dinner from a salad dish, portions will appear bigger and you will eat less (just don�??t go back for seconds).

4. Don�??t Go Back for Seconds �?? Do not go back for seconds on any food item. Yeah, that first meatball might have tasted like another. But, don�??t succumb to the pressure. You get what you get and you don�??t get upset.

5. Leave a little bit of each food item on your plate �?? Another way of saying this, is don�??t clean your plate by eating every last morsel of food on it. Leave that last scoop of mashed potatoes, leave that tiny bite of chicken, even leave two green beans on your plate. I�??m not saying be wasteful when there are starving people in the world. But, leaving just a tiny bit of everything could save you an extra 100 calories overall.

6. Drink Green Tea and/or Oolong Tea �?? Rumor has it that these teas increase the rate at which you burn calories. I�??m not sure how this works, but people swear by it. If you don�??t have time to make it during the day, buy it cold and unsweetened to take with you.

7. Start your day with a cup of hot water and fresh squeezed lemon juice �?? Again, not sure how or why this is supposed to work, but people swear by it.

8. Omit Soda From Your Diet �?? Do not even drink diet soda. Studies show that it actually increases hunger. Regular soda is loaded with sugar and calories and just plain old is not good for you at all.

9. Chew Gum �?? The act of chewing gum keeps you mouth busy so you�??re less likely to snack mindlessly.

10. Eat Popsicles �?? They cure the sweet tooth with few calories.

11. Eat Fudgicles �?? They cure the chocolate craving with few calories.

12. Do Not Eat After 8:00PM �?? You have no hopes whatsoever of burning off calories consumed after this time of night.

13. Eat Breakfast �?? Another tried and true tip. Consuming most of your calories early in the day will allow you the opportunity to burn many of them off. It also allows you to avoid entering your next meal famished. Fruit and cereal is my personal favorite. Combine that with a cup of coffee and a cup of hot water with lemon and you�??re set for hours.

14. Eat Snacks �?? This also keeps you from going into your next meal starving. Have a cookie or two if that�??s what you really want. Just don�??t have ten.

15. Exercise �?? Yes, it�??s been said before. But, exercise can mean anything as long as you are doing something that you were not doing before. Park at the furthest end of the supermarket parking lot. Pop in Richard Simmons Sweating to the Oldies and dance around with your kids. Throw in a CD of your choice and dance around with your kids. Another trick is to get up 45 minutes earlier in the morning. Take 15 minutes of that time to wake yourself up, change, brush your teeth, and get ready in general for a 30 minute workout (Denise Austin has some great exercise videos for all levels of ability). Now, your exercise is out of the way for the day.

None of these tips requires a special diet plan telling you what to eat and when. Or, worse, what not to eat. It�??s hard to believe in all that because the trends are always changing �?? don�??t eat eggs/eat eggs, don�??t eat fat/eat good fat, don�??t eat carbs/eat whole grains/but wheat isn�??t good for some people. You could drive yourself nuts. As my husband always says, �??You can eat everything as long as it�??s in moderation�??. And, if you throw in a little bit of physical activity, you�??re on you way to being one fit Mama.

Rainy Summer Days

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:49:00 +0000

Finally! A rainy summer day! Growing up, I had a swimming pool and would spend every possible second swimming in it or at my neighbor�??s pool. But, there was something so cozy about the days when it would rain for hours on end. It would be dark and a little bit cooler than usual. A person might even throw on a blanket to watch T.V. Back then, cartoon and T.V. shows for kids were not on 24 hours each day like they are now. But, I�??d find something to watch, read, or play some cards with my grandmother.

I still get that cozy feeling on such days. I immediately declare pajama day for everyone. We spend the day playing Candy Land, Monopoly, Checkers, etc. It is also a license to conquer some looming project that I have been putting off such as cleaning out a disastrous closet. Throw in a cup of tea and some Oprah when the games are over and the task has completed. Pop in a DVD for the kiddies and serve up some cocoa (a rare treat in summer). All of this adds up to some very happy, relaxed, and snuggly people.

Yard Sale, eBay, or Donate

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:24:00 +0000

The closing of my daycare has resulted in a large inventory of items to move out of my house. I am just not sure what the best way to go about this is. Donating everything is by far the easiest option. I would only need to pack everything up for someone else to come and cart away leaving me a lovely tax deduction receipt. But, the larger items such as strollers, pack and plays, and exersaucers are actually worth some money that I might like to have in hand.

Enter the yard sale idea. The problem with this is that most people who frequent yard sales are looking for a true bargain. They do not expect to pay more than $2.00 for any item on display. Now, I realize my gently used infant swing is no longer worth $150.00. However, it is worth more than $5.00.

Then, of course, there is eBay. I have never used this service before so I am a bit hesitant. Just how much of pain is it to list everything online, pack up the items in the appropriate sized boxes, and ship the stuff on out? And, who is willing to pay above and beyond the crazy high shipping price? If anyone has experience in this realm of resale, please let me know your thoughts.

Looking forward to the New School Year

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:48:00 +0000

I remember back to the weeks leading up to the new school year. The excitement and anticipation would build a little bit more each day. As much as kids love summer vacation, many are also excited to be returning to school �?? though they would not admit it of course. There is the obvious social factor in that everyone wants to reconnect with their friends. But, the extracurricular activities and overall routine are also nice to settle into.

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I have closed my daycare. Now, I am eagerly awaiting my return to the public school system. I loved school as a child and I love school now. It will be nice to have co-workers again. There will be other people to learn from, discuss ideas with, and share joys and frustrations with. Preschoolers are a joy to spend time with. Everything is new for them and they are always eager to learn. Elementary students also love learning, but often there are different challenges associated with teaching them and motivating them to want to work. It is something that I have greatly missed being a part of and I can�??t wait to get back to everything that the job entails.

Fun and Games on a Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:58:00 +0000

Portable DVD players, iPods, and handheld games are a great diversion for children when making a long road trip. However, for families like mine that have not made such purchases yet, we need to amuse ourselves the old fashioned way by inventing games as we drive along. It also helps to have a few surprises packed in the car. Pick and choose as to which ideas are best suited for your fellow passengers.

Games

Buggy Boo
Step1 �?? Earn 1 point for being the first person to spot a Volkswagen Bug
Step 2 �?? Earn 5 points for spotting a Bug with a license plate from a state other than the one you are driving through
�?� The first person to accumulate 20 points wins

I Spy
Step 1 - One person begins an �??I Spy�?? statement such as, �??I spy something round in the front seat.�??
Step 2 - Everyone takes a turn trying to guess what the object is.
�?� Repeat the �??I Spy�?? statement with a new clue for a maximum of five times before revealing the answer if no one has guessed correctly yet.

What Animal Is It?
Step 1 - One person declares, �??I�??m thinking of an animal�??.
Step 2 - Each person is allowed to suggest one clue and take a guess at what the animal is. For example, �??Does it have a long neck?�?? Answer �?? Yes. �??Is it a giraffe?�??
�?� Allow each person two chances before revealing the answer if no one has guessed correctly.

Going to Grandma�??s House
Step 1 - One person says, �??I�??m going to Grandma�??s house and I�??m packing my suitcase. I will bring an APPLE�??.
Step 2 - Each person repeats the phrase and alphabetically adds on another item such as, �??I will bring an apple and a BANANA�??.
Step 3 - The next person needs to remember, A, B, and add a C item.
�?� A person is �??out�?? if they can not recall all of the items in order. The last person still in the game wins.

Sing Me a Song
Step 1 - Declare a category (such as: color, state, animal, name).
Step 2 - Each person needs to sing at least one line of a song that includes the designated category. For example, if the category was �??Blue�??, someone might sing a line from a song with the words �??blue suede shoes�?? in it.

Map and Stickers
Step 1 - Provide each child with a map and stickers (any kind will do).
Step 2 - Everyone holding a map needs to be on the lookout for states appearing on license plates. Each time they find a new state, they place a sticker over the same state on their map (one sticker per state).
�?� The first person to find a designated number of states (10 or 20 perhaps) wins.

100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall
Maybe not politically correct, but for many of us it brings back fond memories from our own childhood road trips. If you don�??t already know the rules, then you are not one of these nostalgic people. No, it does not involve drinking beer while driving!

Surprises
About halfway through a long drive, it�??s nice to have a pre-wrapped gift for your kids to open. Some people, myself included, become very carsick if they read while a car is in motion. Still, it�??s fun to have a little gift to open even if it is not used until you have reached your destination.

�?� Activity books (crossword puzzles, connect the dots, search words, etc.)
�?� Sticker books
�?� Colorforms
�?� Coloring Books
�?� New books
�?� Magazines

Snack Time
Always be prepared with drinks and snacks. Sometimes you never know how far away your next rest stop really is.

�?� Water
�?� Juice boxes
�?� Ginger snaps (helps with motion sickness - a tried and true secret of mine)
�?� Ginger Ale (another one of my favorite remedies for motion sickness)
�?� Your favorite snack foods
�?� Wipes/Napkins
�?� Plastic bag for trash

Easiest Way to Cut Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:47:00 +0000

Quick Tip #2: Tip for Cleaning Eyeglasses and Sunglasses

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:02:00 +0000

When cleaning eyeglasses and sunglasses, it is important to use a material that will not scratch the lenses. So many items are too abrasive and will damage the lens. Avoid paper towels, clothing (unless 100% cotton), tissues (leave debris), and napkins. It is always safest to use materials made of 100% cotton. I have found baby face cloths to be the most gentle. They are made for babies, are usually made with 100% cotton, and are extremely soft. It's handy to keep one stashed in your purse or car at all times. Damp or dry, they work wonders.

Another trick is to leave your glasses on the bathroom vanity while you shower. When you get out, simply wipe the lenses with a soft cloth and presto. You now have sparkling clean lenses.

Quick Tip #1: Easing the Pain of Teething

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:02:00 +0000

If you are a parent, you know exactly how painful teething can be for babies. You also know how distressing it can be to try and soothe them. Infant Orajel and teething rings help for a little while, but not nearly long enough. My grandmother shared a tip with me that I have found to be immensely helpful. Soak a baby face cloth with cold water and place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes (preferable until frozen). When ready, take it out of the freezer and give it to your baby to chew on. This will keep him or her busy and, more importantly, happy for up to an hour. I always had several waiting in the freezer so that I could switch to a new one as needed. Keep in mind that the baby's little shirt will get wet and I do recommend putting a bib on him or her first. Everyone that I have shared this tip with has been pleasantly surprised.

Bored on the Cape and �??Un-bored�?? on the Boardwalk

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:05:00 +0000

I grew up vacationing on Cape Cod. I absolutely loved it there with its quaint gray houses, rocky beaches, and salty air. As a child, crossing over the Bourne and Sagamore bridges meant that I had officially arrived on the Cape. The fun was only just beginning.

Naturally, I assumed that these trips would continue once I had children of my own. I expected that they would love it there too. However, to my surprise, it�??s far from a favorite place for them. Sure, they enjoy going to the beach and all that goes along with the ocean and the sand. But, after a few days, they tire of it and become bored. I just can�??t relate.

In contrast, Hampton, NH appears to offer quite a bit more excitement for the kiddies. Their days spent there are filled with beaches, arcades, bands, fireworks, mini-golf, ice cream, pizza, restaurants, and waterslides. These things can be found on the Cape, but it involves quite a bit of driving around from here to there. In Hampton, everything is at your fingertips on one giant boardwalk �?? or �??un-boredwalk�?? as we like to call it. It�??s not anywhere near as beautiful as the Cape, and I still look forward to a day when my kids grow to love it as much as I do. Until then, we�??ll take the fun trips instead of the relaxing trips. A vacation for me now can only be great if my kids had a fabulous time. And that means that, at least for now, I prefer NH to the Cape too. I never thought I�??d say that. Will wonders never cease?

Sears Complaint: Fridge on the Fritz

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:10:00 +0000

Here it is �?? the second week in July and my refrigerator is on the blink. Last night, I found a large puddle forming in my freezer. Ice cubes, popsicles, ice cream had melted into one large pool of yuck. Finally I had an explanation to the intoxicating fragrance wafting about my home. For all I know, the chicken, hamburgers, and shrimp had rotted days ago when we were away. This was the first time I had opened the freezer since we have been back.

A phone call to Sears Homelife was made shortly. But, a representative informed us that they would not be able to send a repairman out until Thursday. Yes, four full days before anyone can so much as assess the problem. I fear how long it will take for various parts to be ordered, arrive, and for another appointment to be scheduled. This is obviously unacceptable. However, I was told to go fill a cooler with ice. Thanks for the tip. I should add that this is my second refrigerator in less than a five years. My first refrigerator from Sears broke during year one and was labeled a �??lemon�?? by the company. It�??s looking like my replacement from them is not much better. This is a phenomenon that I can�??t quite wrap my head around because my parents had the same refrigerator for over twenty years and only required one service call during all of that time.

I am willing to bet that the quality of service matched the quality of the product back in those days. Maybe I assume too much, but the people working there now have zero desire to fulfill their job requirements and actually help someone. They are rude, snide, and lazy 99.9% of the time. Asking for a manager usually only causes more frustration. First, one can never be sure if the �??manager�?? is who they claim to be or merely another rep sitting beside the first person that you spoke with. No one will provide you with their full name, a history of your calls is rarely maintained, and there is not any accountability for an employee�??s actions on the job. Perhaps this is true of customer service everywhere, but I will not buy so much as a pair of socks from Sears ever again.

Here is the body of a complaint letter that I sent last year in regards to another problem. In response, someone left a message on my answering machine saying that they would send me a $25.00 gift card to the store. They did not leave a name or telephone number, and the number was �??unavailable�?? on my caller I.D. Worse, the unsatisfactory gift card was never even sent.

Sears National Customer Relations
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

April 11, 2007

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter in the hopes that someone in your office may be able to help me. On February 28, 2007, a service technician arrived at my home to replace the belt on my treadmill. However, the parts needed to be ordered and he was not able to service the treadmill. I found it somewhat frustrating that I stayed home all day waiting for this visit, only to have the technician arrive at 5:00pm and need to reschedule. Still, I attempted to remain positive that the problem would be resolved soon enough.

The technician returned to my home on March 9, 2007. Unfortunately, one of the parts ordered did not arrive until after he left. As a result, he replaced the belt to the best of his ability. The following day, my treadmill would not run. Once again, I needed to schedule a THIRD visit.

A new technician arrived at my home on March 15, 2007 and determined that the motor on my treadmill no longer worked. At that time, he ordered a controller and a flywheel fan. A FOURTH visit was scheduled for March 29, 2007. At this time, I was beginning to become frustrated because I have needed to take FOUR days off from work. I can not begin to stress how inconvenient this has been.

As of March 26, 2007, only the controller had been mailed to my home. I spoke with a customer service agent named Matt at 3:30pm. I am a pleasant person and far from an irate caller. However, he decided that he did not wish to help me and disconnected me. I invite you to listen to that call in your archives if at all possible. I was further inconvenienced and had to call back. I spoke with Dennis and he attempted to provide better customer service by connecting me with Rose in Extra Services. They determined that the flywheel fan was on back order and rescheduled my visit for April 12, 2007.

As of April 11, 2007, the part still did not arrive. My call to customer service confirmed that the part is still not available and they do not know when or if it will be mailed. Fortunately, I took it upon myself to follow-up or I and the technician would have wasted a lot of time with a scheduled visit and incomplete parts.

In conclusion, I have been unable to use my treadmill since February 28, 2007. It does not appear that I will be able to use it at any time in the near future. At this time, I am beginning to regret having taken out service agreements on several Sear items in my home. I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me in any way.

Buy with caution when shopping at Sears.

Closed for the Summer

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:01:00 +0000

My daycare is officially closed for the summer. I will surely miss the little chickadees, but what a great feeling to be able to run the supermarket or CVS on a whim. The days can grow long when you�??re cooped up for ten hours at a time. Also, there is something to be said for having conversations with other adults from time to time even if these exchanges take place with your local bank teller or the person behind you in line at the post office. Being able to spend time in various rooms of my home almost feels like I am visiting an exotic locale. Well, that may be true only until I begin clearing those rooms of the clutter that has been accumulated during the school year. Still, it�??s nice to know that I�??ll have the time for such things.

Story Land

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:07:00 +0000

For parents who travel in northern New England during the summer months, I highly recommend a visit to Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire. It is an adorable amusement park for younger children. The overall theme is storybook characters such as the little old lady who lived in a shoe and Humpty Dumpty from our beloved nursery rhymes. One of my favorites is the carriage ride up to Cinderella�??s castle and the meet and greet/photo opportunity once you arrive. The little girls love that. There is a small section with rides geared to older children. However, in my opinion, the park is mostly geared towards children under the age of 8 years old. They are able to go on almost all of the rides even as young as one year old as long as a parent sits with them. Furthermore, most families would be able to cover every inch of the park in one day. If you�??re in the area and looking for something to do, check it out.

Fry Guys

noreply@blogger.com (DD) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:33:00 +0000

Vacations can be so unhealthy. Not a single day goes by without anyone from my household ingesting French fries during at least one meal. We are usually a fairly healthy bunch. But, it may be safe to say that all of our hard work is undone during one week of vacation. Yes, there are other side dish options on the menu. But, the fries almost become addictive. And the �??well, I�??m on vacation�?? philosophy provides little incentive to order up some broccoli in place of those greasy, salty, crispy, little critters.

Time to detox.