10-things-wish-did-high-school

Life is full of regrets. One period of my life I regret a lot are the four years I spent in high school. There were so many things I wish I had done and never did. Here are 10 of them.

1) Throw a Big Party: It is the dream of every high school kid to be popular and well-liked. I consider being popular and well-liked two different things because they are. My parents never let us have friends over due to the fact we lived in a very messy house. I should have taken advantage of having a messy house. When my parents were away, my mother in the hospital for depression and my father away doing things I am afraid to realistically confront without a therapist nearby, I could have had the entire school over and not had to worry about cleaning up the mess. I am a terrible person for not realizing this until now.

2) Ask a Popular Girl on a Date: There were more dates in my date and raisin oatmeal I had for breakfast this morning than ones I went on in high school. At the time I always thought the girls were cruel. Now I know the girls were probably too intimidated by my awkward silence and excessive weight. My facial eczema made them think I was already taken. I probably could have gotten a pity date at one point if I bothered to try. I was a really nice kid and they all knew I would have done their homework for a year if they went to the movies with me once.

3) Join a Sport Squadron: In middle school intramurals I was a beast when it came to flag football. In high school they stopped using flags and instead started using steroid filled shoulders to stop a running back. I was on the high school football team for approximately two practices before I realized I was going to die of an asthma attack before the homecoming game. The cruel part of high school sports is not everybody can make every team. For sure I could have been decent at football and the wrestling team was always looking for fat kids to fight fat kids from other schools. Who knows how much different my life could have been if I had a suffered a spinal cord injury during my teenage years? I might have more character.

4) Start a Food Fight: I may respect food too much to ever throw any at another person. I try not to waste food. When a waitress at a restaurant brings bread over, I make sure I eat every piece. A school food fight though could have been epic. To shout those famous words "Food Fight!" then be the first one to fire off a cardboard pizza at a classmate would have made my every tear I have shed in my life worth it.

5) Beat Up a Bully: I stood up to enough bullies and threatened one, but I never gave one a good pounding. There were few fights in my high school career between anyone at all. I think by that point kids settled their differences by saying insulting things on MySpace instead of with their fists. What happened to us?

6) Flirt With a Teacher: There are always films or moments on television shows where a cute new teacher shows up and romance becomes a possibility. I'm not saying all of my female teachers were extras on The Walking Dead. All I am saying is that none were worthy of a plot point where she has to eventually sit me down and tell me that our age difference is too much and she would lose her job. Why can't life be more like television? I want a sexy chemistry teacher to ask me to stay after class to help balance equations.

7) Get Carried on People's Shoulders: Whether it comes after winning the big game or because my performance in the Battle of the Bands was so tremendous that people wanted me on top of them, getting carried on people's shoulders is something I really missed out on. In fact, I don't remember seeing any kid in my school ever get rewarded with this. The administration frowned upon any form of public affection. Their plan worked out and now everyone I went to school with is a cold human being, fearful of being touched by others.

8) Discover Something Unique About Myself: The only thing unique I discovered about myself was that I could eat pizza for breakfast every day for a year and not put on weight. I would have rather discovered that I was Superman or could stop time. Most of my high school lessons involved making me more pessimistic. All of the studying, hours of doing homework, and working hard on essays only got me into a community college. Go figure. Money means everything.

9) Have a Fun Nickname: I had plenty of nicknames in high school. None of them would be appropriate to repeat in front of a vulgar sailor because they were so mean. Let's move on before I start crying.

10) Win: It doesn't matter what it is. High school for me was spent losing a lot. I was basically the school's 1962 New York Mets. So much of high school is about winning, and I just didn't do it. I never won the girl. I never won in sports. I never won when my final average was a 79 percent where the teacher should have totally rounded up and given me the B, but he didn't because he was a spiteful man with a lazy eye. When high school finally ended for me, it was like a dying light bulb. There was a flicker then it was over. There was no walking off into the sunset knowing I had been accepted into my dream school or anything triumphant like that. High school ended and with it went my chances at being a high school legend. Well, I guess I did win. I got out.

Publisher: uuibbui - 07:18

10-healthy-recipes-kids-cooking

Now that the kids are out of school, you're responsible for entertaining them as well as feeding them. As much as you want to pack their lunch in a brown paper bag and be done, we have some ideas that will be just as much fun to make as they are good to eat!

Sandwich People

Remember how much fun your kids had decorating gingerbread men at Christmas? Going along the same idea, give them two slices of bread and the gingerbread man cookie cutter. They can cut a little man from their bread and dress him up with their favorite sandwich toppings. They can make him a jelly shirt to go with his peanut butter pants. They could make a dress with a lettuce skirt and a tomato top. While they're practicing their hand-eye coordination and stretching their imaginations, you can address healthy eating, too!

Salad Gardens

Edible Arrangements does this with fruit, so why not apply the idea to your kids' veggies, too? They can use a flower-shaped cookie cutter on cucumber and yellow squash slices. With a cherry tomato as the center of the flower and a carrot stick stem, your kids have a variety of veggies to try. If your kids aren't interested in veggies, you can put out a little dip. If they really aren't interested in veggies, you can use fruit. Cut a flat cross section from a watermelon and let them use their flower-shaped cookie cutters to cut pieces out. They can put grapes in the middle and build stems with apples sliced into thin fry-sized sticks.

S'Mores' Nutty Cousin

Combining kids and fire is not always the best idea. But when it comes to a yummy snack, s'mores are so good -- if you do it this way! Let them spread peanut butter or almond butter on graham crackers. Then, add yummy banana slices, apple slices, and raisins before they smush the two sides together.

Fruit Pizzas

This is a little less healthy than it sounds, but it's oh-so yummy. Bake up some slice-and-bake sugar cookies. Spread some store-bought fruit dip on top and then have the kids pile on their favorites: strawberries, grapes, mandarin oranges, kiwi slices, and crushed pineapple. You'll find yourself craving this one later on.

Fruity Popsicles

Using paper cups and Popsicle sticks, your kids will have a ball making their own fruity ice pops. Start by filling their cup halfway with apple or white grape juice. Then, they can add in their own fruity bits, like berries, melon, grapes, apples, or kiwi. Once all the fruit is in the cup, put the stick in the center and freeze. When the pops are hard, the paper cup can be ripped off so your kids can enjoy their fresh and fruity snack.

Cereal Treats

Rice Krispies are always a fun treat, but you can do the same thing with Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, Cheerios, or whatever cereal is a favorite in your house. All it takes is a bag of marshmallows melted with a quarter-cup of butter over the stove. Have your kids pour their cereal into a big mixing bowl. When the marshmallows are creamy and smooth, pour over the cereal and have your kids mix it all together. Depending on the size and shape of the cereal, they can form the mixture into balls or whatever shapes they want. The most common thing is to spread them over a pan and cut into bars, which gives you more portion control.

Ants on a Log

This is a classic treat that my mother used to make with me. Take celery stalks cut into 4-inch pieces and spread peanut butter, almond butter, or cream cheese in the center. Then, use raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, or pomegranate seeds to make the "ants" on the log.

Pizza-Dillas

Give each kid a tortilla and let them top it up like their favorite pizza. They can spread on tomato sauce, cheese, olives, pepperoni, bell peppers, tomatoes, sausage, carrot strips, or whatever. When their masterpiece is all done, set the tortilla in a pan sprayed with butter cooking spray on the stove. Cover with a lid until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crisp.

Rainbow Cake

Take a white cake mix and pour in three-quarters of a can of lemon-lime soda (i.e. Sierra Mist). Mix it up and split the mix into several bowls. Let the kids add their favorite colors of food coloring to the bowls and mix them up. In a cooking-spray-coated pan, pour in one color at a time, without letting them get mixed up. Bake it based on the directions on the box. After it cools, ice it with whipped topping. Each slice is its own rainbow!

Pigs in a Blanket

This classic food is a ton of fun for the kids to make. Using a roll of crescent dough split into triangles, let the kids put a piece of cheese, pepperoni, hot dogs, steamed broccoli, asparagus, etc. in their own crescent. Then, roll them up and bake based on the package directions.

Playing with food can actually teach us some valuable lessons about healthy eating habits and cooking. Get your kids excited about healthy foods early by introducing new foods in a fun way. It's a great way to get them to try new things!

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:26

10-back-school-bargains-

Shopping for back-to-school items can be terribly expensive, especially for families that are struggling financially. One way in which families can save money for those back-to-school items is by hitting the Dollar stores for those $1 deals.
While some things may indeed be a bargain, it's worth remembering that many department stores are also offering up super priced, Name Brand back-to-school supplies. Dollar stores should be the last stop you make, after hitting the back-to-school sales at KMart, Shopko, Fred Meyer, and other discount stores.

10 back-to-school items you should buy at the dollar store

1. Themed pencil packs: For kids who like licensed merchandise such as Camp Rock or High School Musical school gear, the dollar store is the place to buy pencil packs that includes 4 themed pencils, erasers, zippered pouch, ruler, and pencil sharpener.

2. Boxed facial tissue: Rather than buying name brand tissue, save your money and buy the budget brand at a Dollar Store instead.

3. First aid cold packs: In our school district, every child is required to donate an ice pack to the school nurse's office. Instead of spending $5 for a throwaway Ace pack, hit the dollar store instead for this First Aid necessity.

4. Sandwich keepers: Sandwich keepers are reusable plastic storage containers that hold a single sandwich. Not only are these much more eco friendly than buying sandwich bags, they are cheaper too.

5. Notebook binders: This summer, we saw both one and two inch binders turn up at the dollar store, a real bargain compared to the trendy decorator binders we see priced at $5 or more. If the binders are too plain for your kid's liking, try decorating them with Scribbles dimensional paint and some leftover scrapbook stickers or wall clings. Here's some great instructions for how to decorate a school binder on a budget.

6. Coloring books: If your child is in K-3, his teacher may ask for a coloring book to keep your child occupied in between lessons. Dollar store coloring books aren't as large as the ones you'll find elsewhere, but for $1, they're a real bargain.

7. Stickers: When my kids were small, their teachers used to ask for stickers to reward their students with. The dollar store is the place to find 500 count packets of stars, smiley faces, and other motivational stickers for kids.

8. Dry erase markers: For schools who require that kids bring dry erase markers for the teacher, the school dollar is the place to buy inexpensive dry erase markers priced at two for a dollar.

9. Class work totes: For the preschool and kindergarten set, many teachers prefer their students to use totes to carry class work instead of a backpack. Dollar store totes are the perfect size for those pint-sized students to carry.

10. Pencil top erasers: My kids much preferred using pencil top erasers over those pink pearl erasers you probably remember from grade school. Packaged 12 for a dollar, these erasers are a bargain.

So, obviously missing from this list are the standards such as notebook paper, pencils, pens, glue, rulers, and all those other items that make up part of a back-to-school list. These school basics tend to be "loss leaders" at your favorite department & office supply stores, and are often priced between 10¢-25¢ per package, which is considerably less than the dollar store. When it comes to basics, you will save more money shopping the sales instead of the dollar stores.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:15

8-tips-including-children

My children love to help me in the garden and they can be a big help, too. There's a lot to teach a child about life just by getting your hands dirty in the soil together. These 8 tips can help get your children interested in gardening, give you the opportunity to have fun together and get the chores done. So grab those gardening gloves and try some of these gardening tips together.

Have a worm and bug hunt. Search for worms and bugs that are good for gardens. Have a contest to see who can find the most. You can also teach why those bugs and worms are good for gardens.

Harvest Helpers. Have children help harvest the vegetables and fruit in your garden. Show them how to gather seeds and bulbs from this season's blooms and what to do with them until the next season.

Compost the fun. Have children gather worms, grass clippings and leftover food and put them in the compost bin. Check out 163 Things You Can Compost by Marion Owen, Fearless Weeder for PlanTea, Inc. and Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul.

Give plants a drink. Allow your child to help water the plants.

Be her own gardener. Give your child a small space in your garden to plant what she chooses. You could teach her light, height and water requirements. Kids will be more willing to take care of their own garden that they created themselves.

Sprout seeds together. There are different ways to sprout seeds. An easy way is to put a few seeds on a paper towel and then roll the paper towel loosely. Wrap it in tin foil with a little bit of the paper towel hanging out the bottom and place in a cup of water. In a couple of weeks, open the wrapping to see the roots growing. Another easy way to watch seeds sprout is to plant them in a clear baseball card holder, like the ones you put in an album. Hang in a sunny window and watch them grow.

Help make a nest. Some birds can be good for gardens. Gather up a small pile of hair, string and material pieces that birds can use to make nests.

Container gardens are fun too. If your yard is small, give your children their own flower pot to plant whatever they want in it.

Be sure to take pictures to remember these precious times together. Your children will love to see pictures of how fast their plants grow and maybe even eat a strawberry from a tiny seed they planted in the soil. Gardening offers many opportunities to have fun, learn about the cycle of life and experience the world from the ground up.

Publisher: uuibbui - 06:43

8-fun-things-children-in-september

For me, September is the month where summer and fall collide. It also symbolizes a month for change. After Labor Day, my daughter goes back to school. Here in Southern California, we might still have one more heat wave before the temperatures start to drop. For us, this means more walks to the park, afternoon picnics and fall crafts. Here are 8 fun things to do with your children in September.

# 1 Make Play Dough

National Play Doh Day is on September 16. In honor of the day, make some play dough to mold, cut or shape. Along with a basic recipe, you can make your play doh colored, scented or edible. Find plenty of homemade play dough recipes at playdoughrecipe.org.

# 2 Homemade Cards for Grandparents' Day

Grandparents' Day is on September 9. This is the perfect occasion to make some homemade cards. Some fun ideas are to make giant card out of a poster board. First, fold a poster-board "hotdog style." Then, using finger-paints, make handprints on the card. Finish the card with a nice message on the inside.

# 3 Teddy Bear Picnic

Teddy Bear Day is also on September 9. Have your little ones pack up their favorite lunch and teddy bear for a picnic in the park.

# 4 Story time

September 6 is Read a Book Day while the 8th is International Literacy Day. Host a PJ story time at your house. Invite friends to bring their favorite book and wear their pajamas. Read the books and have fun food like finger sandwiches.

# 5 Make a Fall Wreath

Although we don't have gorgeous red leaves like in the Pacific Northwest, going on a leaf walk is still fun. Have children pick about ten leaves and then flatten in a book. The next day glue the leaves onto a paper plate with the center cut out.

# 6 Camping Trip

Our family likes to go beach camping. September is a great time to go camping because the weather is still warm. Labor Day is likely to be very busy so book your spot in advance. If you want to avoid the crowds, pick another weekend in September. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows while enjoying the last days of summer.

# 7 Learn About the Autumnal Equinox

Fall officially begins on September 22, 2012. Take this opportunity to learn about the autumnal equinox. According to almanac.com, equinox is derived from the Latin words for "equal night." Along with your kids, watch the sun rise and set and see how long it is light outside.

# 8 Shivering Summer Sweets

Celebrate the end of summer with some sweet summer treats like refreshing granitas, Italian ices or popsicles. You can easily make your own popsicles with some molds and your favorite juice. Another idea is to make some ice-cold lemonade or, better yet, lemonade popsicles.

Have some fun in September!

Publisher: uuibbui - 06:31

7-science-fiction-writing-projects-kids

To get your kids writing, why not tap into their enjoyment of science fiction? From appreciating Harry Potter to loving Buzz Light-year, kids gravitate towards writing based on magic, space ships, aliens, and fantasy elements. Ask them to incorporate these sci-fi themes into their own writing and you may find a fun way to help them sharpen their writing skills at home.
Some tips: To encourage kids that this isn't homework or practice, but a fun at-home creative activity like painting or doing other crafts, don't spend a lot of time correcting your kids grammar or spelling, just let the creative juices flow. Writing more is a key to writing better, and knowing they can write without being scrutinized is a key to getting your kids to write me.

Another way to make writing fun is to let kids use colorful markers, pens or paper for their writing projects. This can help signify that what they're doing is something special and creative and fun. For science fiction-theme writing projects, you might try glow in the dark ink, space ship paper, or stationary from movies like Harry Potter or Star Wars or whatever you child likes.

Here are some science fiction writing prompts to help you get your child started on his or her sci-fi writing adventure!

Writing Project 1: The Time Traveling Machine

Even grade school kids who have studied the pilgrims or George Washington can appreciate the difference between the 'olden days' and now. Ask your child to pretend he or she has gone into a time-travel machine and ended up in the past - or perhaps, the Jetsons-like future. What do they see? Who do they meet? This is a good project for encouraging kids to compare and contrast in a creative way. Older kids can me encouraged further to create a story based in the future or the past if they like.

Writing Project 2: There's An Alien Under The Bed!
Ask your child to consider what an alien might look like. Is it tall or shot? Friendly or angry? Ask your kids to consider the sounds and smells associated with the alien, too. They may also want to consider how it walks, where it comes from and what it wants in your house!

Writing Project 3: Your New Super Power
Some of the greatest sci-fi and fantasy stories of all time involve superheroes gaining and using "super power". Ask your child to pick a super-power, be it speed, invisibility or super-human strength. If they like, they can choose more than one power, or give other powers to sidekicks like their little brother or a friend, real or created. Other things they may want to write about: do they wear a costume, fight crime, or just use their powers in everyday situations?

Writing Project 4: A Whole New World
Ask your child to pretend he or she has landed a spacecraft on a new planet. Let us learn about this planet from their description of what is seen, heard, smelled, and tasted there. Are there other beings living there? Does it seem like a nice place for earthlings to live? Let your child be a space explorer and create a whole new world.

Writing Project 5: The Secret Formula
Think Alice in Wonderland for this project. Ask your child to pretend he or she has been given a drink (or sandwich or cookie…) from a mad or silly scientist. What's in that drink? What does it look like, taste and smell like? And if you eat or drink the scientist's crazy concoction, what will happen to you? Older kids can be encourage to create a story based on what happens after they consume the secret formula!

Writing Project 6: The Magician's School
What would happen if your child went to school to become the next Harry Potter? Ask your child to describe the teachers at the Magic School: what do they teach? Are they nice, or are they stern? Which is your child's favorite teacher and why? Children can come up with a pretty big faculty for their own magical school.

Writing Project 7: The Magician's Assistant
Ask your child to write about working for a famous wizard or wizardess. What is the Wizard like? What does he ask your child to do to assist him? Wash the floors like in Fantasia? Try out formulas to see if they work? Collect frogs for the latest potion? Older children may be encouraged to create a whole adventure for the "assistant" and his boss.

Science fiction and fantasy theme projects can really help your child's imagination take flight. Use these fun and creativity-inspiring ideas to help your kids enjoy the writing process and realize writing isn't just for school and homework, it can take them anywhere they want to go.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:51

7-mystery-writing-projects-kids

Kids don't always see writing as fun, but rather as a homework-and-school related project. If you encourage your kids to write -for fun at home the way they play sports or do art , and give them help by presenting them with subjects they like, they can come to see writing as a creative and enjoyable outlet. This attitude may very well make them life-long lovers of writing.
Kids like a good scare as much as anyone does. Or at least, they like to jump up behind you and yell "boo!". Ask a kid to tell you a spooky story or come up with a mystery, and you're likely to be impressed by his creativity and enthusiasm. Elementary and middle school aged kids can be encourage to write by giving them a topic they like: mystery stories. From creating their own monster to telling us what's lurking in a haunted house, they will have fun while practicing important writing skills.

To make these activities even more fun for kids, try using Halloween paper or letting the kids write with markers or glitter pens. While you can provide help and encouragement, try to let your child do his or her own thing. These prompts are meant to make your child realize how fun writing can be. Perfect spelling and grammar aren't necessary.

Writing Project 1: The Spooky House
Have your child describe a walk through a spooky house. Get them describe the outside and the inside, what they see, hear, smell, and feel. If they want, they can tell a story about staying overnight in this spooky locale.

Writing Project 2: The Mystery of the Sound In The Trunk
Have your child make up a story about a car trip where a spooky sound comes from the trunk. Encourage the child to describe the sound and how the people in the car react to hearing it. The story can go forward to describe the actions the passengers take to discover the source of the sound. What is in the trunk? Is it something funny, or scary? And what happens once the trunk is opened? These are all questions your young mystery writers can answer.

Writing Project 3: The Mystery of the Missing Keys
Every family has had their plans delayed by the search for the car keys. Ask your child to write about a young detective looking for his or her mom or dad's keys. Where do they look? What do they find? Were the cars behind the couch, or in the clutches of the mean old neighbor next door? Ask your child to explore this mystery based on an ordinary, every day occurrence.

Writing Project 4: The Mystery Object
Ask your child to describe an object without ever naming it. Encourage him or her to think about size, shape, color, and maybe even taste or smell. Older kids may be able to come up with riddles or puns to make naming the object even harder for their readers. You can make the activity even more fun by agreeing to read their finished work and try to decipher from it what object they're describing.

Writing Project 5: The Monster
Monsters can be scary, funny, or something in between, depending on the person who invasions them. Ask your child to create his or her own monster, including it's name, physical characteristics and personality. Does the monster like to scare people or merely eat their pizza? Older kids may be encouraged to write their story as if they are discovering or interviewing the monster in the first person.

Writing Project 6: The Swamp Thing
What's more spooky than a walk through a steamy swamp at night? Especially if they're looking for the "Swamp Thing". Ask your kids to set the scene: what does it look like, smell like, sound like in the swamp? What do they do when they see it: run and hide, or try to be friend it? Then ask them to describe the swamp creature and what they do when they first meet it: run and hide, try to make friends?

Writing Project 7: The Mysterious Map
Ask your child to pretend he or she has been given a map. It's up to them, then, to tell what the map says, what directions it gives: what obstacles might be on the map- do they have to cross a shakey bridge, try not to wake up a cranky bear? Ask them to consider who is along on the journey- friends, family, imaginary characters? And what lies at the end of the path: a treasure or trouble?

Spooky mystery writing projects can be fun for Halloween, when the mood is set by the holiday, or on rainy days when gloominess can be transformed to spookiness through your child's creativity. By giving your kids something fun and exciting to write about, you're also giving them a chance to see writing as something they can enjoy and make their own, something that's not scary at all!

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:48

6-unintentionally-creepy-halloween-costumes-kids

Creepy costumes are a part of Halloween, and can be just as wonderful as cute costumes (and are arguably better suited to the holiday, some might say). Creative costumes are best of all… especially those that make you think or laugh.

This is not about those costumes.

Some were probably intended as funny but fall flat. Others can't help but force awkward moments at the front doors of neighbors. One or two are funny in the same way that those unfortunate old family photos get laughs years later. Others should necessitate counseling (I'm only half joking here).

Here are a few of the weirdest - and not in a good way -- Halloween costumes for kids.

Non-Decapitated Marie Antoinette

It's supposed to be a fairytale dress for a very lucky little girl. Undoubtedly, the costume is gorgeous. However, instead of calling it "French Queen" or something similar, they went with "Marie Antoinette." Granted, she was a beautiful and influential woman, and the costume is brilliant (I love the enormous wig), but images of beheadings can't help but spring to mind with this one. While it's Halloween, and we expect a fair amount of fake gruesomeness, I can't help but wonder at the irony of a costume that comes with the warning, "Choking Hazard" (the choker contains small parts).

Billion Dollar Baby

I get the whole concept of puns. On Halloween, they make for some hysterical costume options. However, the phrase "billion dollar baby" doesn't spring to mind as much as does "baby for sale" when you see this baby costume, further emphasized by the large, prominently-placed dollar sign. On the one hand I can see how baby costumes are usually adorable by virtue of the little angels wearing them. On the other hand, this one could look like door-to-door solicitation (hence the creepiness).

Toddler-Eating Muppet

Except for the part where Elmo is eating this child's head, the Frilly Sesame Street Elmo Toddler Costume is pretty cute. I can think of plenty of little girls (and big ones, for that matter) who would love to own a frilly red tulle dress. However, it's a bit creepy to see zombie Elmo at work, chewing on some kid's brain. Admit it: now that you've seen it, you can't un-see it... and the little kid down the street probably won't forget it, either.

Toilet Costume

This falls into the category of jokes that fall flat.

There's nothing quite as charming as answering the door to a kid dressed like a loo. The most I can say about the Toilet costume it is at least it's clean. It even comes with a realistic blue water effect "inside" the can for that extra detail. Not only that, but a handy "toilet paper dispenser" is also included, for kids who want to take their TP duties seriously in the event that they aren't satisfied with their haul and feel like causing a little mischief.

Pine Fresh Children

Hard to believe it's been discontinued when you think of the multi-season appeal of a pine-tree-shaped air freshener baby costume. On the one hand, it's certainly original. On the other hand… well, you're dressing your little one like a cheap air freshener you might find hanging in a cab.

Pimp Child Costume

Some things, though, should simply never be created in any context in which kids are involved. The "Mac Daddy Pimp Costume" with fake money and hat (cane shown in picture not included) is an example of a costume that should never have been made, much less marketed to children. This costume is neither cute nor appropriate… it's creepy and sad, on a number of levels.

Fortunately, there are countless wonderful costume ideas out there, many of which parents can make at home with a little creativity and teamwork. Last year, for example, my daughter dressed as an elephant, using one of her daddy's big grey t-shirts and a few pairs of my old heavy, slouchy ankle warmers. One year I dressed as a tourist using my many years as a Sunshine State resident and lots of free travel brochures as inspiration.

I love seeing the costumed kids each year and I'm excited to see every princess, ninja, and Jedi-ladybug who comes to our door. I'm just hoping to avoid any awkward encounters with walking toilets if I can help it.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:36

5-yom-kippur-coloring-pages-kids

Yom Kippur coloring pages are a neat way to teach kids values of introspection, seeking forgiveness and working on being better human beings.
Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is one of the most solemn Jewish holidays. According to the Jewish tradition, each person's fate for the year is inscribed into the book by God. The writing is said to start with Rosh Hashanah and end with Yom Kippur. The ten day period in between, known as the Days of Awe, is spent in realization of past wrongs, seeking forgiveness and working on repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day of Yom Kippur with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Aren't these perfect values for children to inculcate!

Yom Kippur coloring pages are a fun way to impart these lessons. The following resources would walk you through some links to locate them online.

Torah Tots
Give your kids some crayons and markers and print these free Yom Kippur coloring pages at Tarah Tots. It
features 10 images depicting the holiday. The children color the Book of Life, the sacred incense Katoret and the traditional Jewish animal sacrifice, Kaparot which takes place on the eve of Yom Kippur. In a fun way, they get closer to their identity.

Yom Kippur Coloring Pages at Shemayisrael
Shemayisrael provides you with Yom Kippur coloring book. Double click on the thumbnail to open a larger version. Use it the print command (or Ctrl P shortcut) to print the images.

SuperColoring.com
SuperColoring.com has a beautiful picture of people celebrating Yom Kippur. Double click the picture twice till it opens a larger version. Use the no-ad version for a clean and crisp image.

TheHolidaySpot.com
TheHolidaySpot.com has a great collection of Jewish holidays including Yom Kippur coloring pages. Even though the thumbnails are all colored and vibrant; once you double click, it would open up to a black and white printable outline.

Akhlah.com
Apart from Yom Kippur coloring pages, this website also provides parents and teachers Yom Kippur crossword, mazes, worksheets. It's a fun way for kids to test their vocabulary, know the basics and traditions of the holiday.

Is there a better way to teach the children the roots they belong, the religion they should be proud of and the traditions they should be aware of. Print these Yom Kippur coloring pages today and hand them to your kids. 

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:15

5-valuable-tips-choose-safest-swing

There are many considerations to make when you choose a swing set for your kids. The frames are made out of either metal or pressure-treated wood; there are sets with only swings, while other play stations have slides, ladders and other accessories. Of course, the most important consideration to make is how safe the swing set is for your kids. Use these 5 valuable tips on how to choose the safest swing set for your kids and you can rest assured you've done your part in protecting them:
1. If You Choose Wood, Avoid Pine Swing Sets
Pine is one of the softest woods there is. Therefore, swing sets that are made with pine frames aren't the most durable. Another problem with this soft wood is that it tends to deteriorate from the inside out. The wood frame could be rotting away without you knowing it... until the frame collapses, that is!

2. Pressure-Treated Lumber Can Be a Safe Choice...
as long as the wood hasn't been treated with harmful chemicals such as arsenic or chromium. Arsenic, in particular, has been linked to cancer, according to the EPA. Therefore, to choose the safest swing set for your kids, be sure to ask how the wood is protected before you choose to buy a swing set with a natural frame.

Otherwise, the advantage of choosing this type of play station that's made with waterproofed, pressure-treated wood is strong and long-lasting.

3. Check Wood or Metal Frames for Skin Hazards
Swing sets that have bolts extending out without being covered with nylon or rubber pose a safety hazard. The bolt ends can scratch, cut and even tear your kids' skin. Choose the safest swing set by inspecting the frame for exposed bolts, jagged corners and sharp edges. If the corners aren't rounded, they should at least be covered with a safe, protective material.

4. Choose a Swing Set That Has Wrapped Chains, Not Ropes
There are numerous cases reported in the United States every year where kids get accidentally strangled by window blind strings, electrical cords and ropes. Unfortunately, swing sets that use ropes to hold the swings up can also cause this type of injury. To choose the safest swing set for your kids, look for a play station that uses chain linked hangers that are wrapped in plastic or nylon.

A second advantage in choosing the wrapped hangers is that it protects small fingers from getting caught inside the metal chain links.

A third advantage of chain link hangers over rope ones is that the latter will deteriorate over time and make using the swings unsafe.

5. Ground Anchors Prevent Swing Sets From Toppling Over
To choose the safest swing set for your kids, look for a model that has ground anchors. Ground anchors keep this type of play station firmly attached to the ground. Granted, you can buy these safety accessories separately. But a company that includes them with their swing sets is showing their customers they have your kids' safety in mind. Chances are, the company has incorporated other safeguards into their product as well.

Publisher: uuibbui - 03:49

5-unique-gifts-baby-showers

You haven't seen a close friend of yours and word just came to you that she's already expecting a baby. She invited you to come over for a baby shower. You got so excited to see her again and want to give her something special that will definitely stand out among the rest. But the problem is you don't know exactly what unique gift to bring for the baby shower.
Before, baby showers were traditional gatherings where female friends and relatives of the would-be parents come together to welcome the first-born. These women share wisdom and advice to help the future mom become more prepared in parenting. Gifts are also presented in this kind of occasion. Through time, a lot has changed. Even the male friends and relatives can come over a baby shower and give gifts as well. Obviously, these days, you can expect a lot of gifts to be brought to a baby shower.

If you have been informed long before the actual day of the party, then you are lucky to have enough time to prepare and plan a unique baby shower gift to bring. Choices for baby shower gifts are like a long parade and you can end up confused and frustrated in coming up with a unique one. Although it is not necessary to spend a lot on a baby shower gift, you should still be prepared to spend a considerable amount if you are trying to find something unique.

Here are 5 unique gift ideas you could use for a baby shower:

1. A Shelf of Children's Books '" A single book can earn you thanks. A set of classic stories is impressive. But a whole shelf is a very thoughtful gift that will give the new mom plenty of reading material. Your would-be parent friend will get excited to read those stories to her baby and increase their bond together.

2. Outdoor Fun Kit '" First time parents are expected to be excited all the time with their baby. In their first months as a family, you can expect a lot of outdoor activities. And to avoid any mishaps, your outdoor fun kit can do the rest of the job. You can include in your kit some diapers and wipes, an extra set of baby outfits, some rattles, mom's extra shirt, a face towel, a small notebook and a pen.

3. Bigger Sized Clothes '" It's pretty sure that even days before the baby shower, the future parents are already flooded with baby clothing gifts. Baby clothes is considered as an all time gift favorite but you can still stand out by giving some in larger fits.

4. Organize a group of friends to commit for a much bigger and extra special gift - With your friends committed to spend some amount for a group gift, you can give almost anything that the future parents might need. But before anything else, you should first consider knowing what the future parents already have and what they still need to have.

5. The future mom also deserves to receive a gift '" a baby shower will be full of gifts for the baby but the mom is more likely to be left out. You may surprise the mom with scented lotions, a new book from her favorite author, a gift certificate from a spa or massage parlor or a pedicure/manicure set.

Jamie Highland writes about various family topics, including baby showers. To check out some unique baby shower favors or to browse through some baby shower keychains, visit My Baby Shower Favors.

Publisher: uuibbui - 03:46