Parenting Children

Being at home with kids all winter long is not nearly as fun as it sounded like when I was working full time before kids. It is hard work, monotonous and boring. Getting housework done is nearly impossible when trying to entertain two kids and forget about trying to get to repairs and remodels. We have wanted to remodel one of our bathrooms since we bought our home. There is just never enough time or money.

You may not have enough time or money either but you can win the chance to “relax, restore and renew” and win a full room makeover from Kimberly-Clark products. Chances are you have Kimberly-Clark products in your home right now, they are the name behind Kleenex, Kotex, Scott, Huggies and more. From January 28 to February 15, one person per weekday will be announced on The View and win $25,000 to renovate any room in their house! Oh the possibilities! Enter daily here for your chance to win this amazing prize.

Tell me what room in your house would you renovate if you won this prize and why?

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There are only so many toys I will allow in this house. There are some things I think my kids can never have enough of one of them is books and the other one is games. I love games and now so do my kids. When I had the chance to review the new Cranium Bloom kids games designed just for preschoolers, I couldn’t wait for them to arrive. I love Cranium games and I knew my kids would too.

The first one we played was the Let’s Go To The Zoo Seek and Find Play Puzzle. It is a large size 24-piece puzzle of a zoo and everything you would see in it. My kids love puzzles so this was great alone. Then you each draw cards to find something. There are beginner cards that would ask you to find something red or find three dolphins, and advanced cards which would ask you to find something that starts with the letter “K”. You circle your finds on the puzzle with an erasable marker. My kids loved this game. It is for ages three and up and even one person can play.

The next game we tried was Cranium Bloom’s Let’s Play Count and Cook Game. I knew this one would be a hit because both of my kids love to cook and bake with me. This is a game complete with a “recipe book” and you have to take turns moving around a board and collecting the ingredient cards you need for one of the recipes in your cookbook. It actually comes with some real recipes to make with your kids and kitchen tips. This game is for ages three and up and is for up to four players.

These games are educational, fun and inexpensive. I loved them as much as my kids and I will buy Cranium games for all ages as gifts for upcoming birthdays this year. You can find all the entire line of Cranium Bloom games at Target.

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You Know you are a mom when:

You spend 20 minutes in a line just to get your kids a animal balloon

You let your child race matchbox cars all over your body just so you can nap

You don’t watch the news or made for TV movies for fear of hearing something bad happening to children

Willingly smell not only your child’s diaper but other people’s children’s diapers to determine where a particular smell is coming from

Let your kids watch more TV then you ever thought you would just so you can get soem peace and quiet or a shower

Judge other mothers because it makes you feel better about what kind of mother you care (c’mon you know you do it!)

Watch the clock until it is your child’s bedtime then you miss them 30 minutes later

Now you finish this sentence “You know you are a Mom when……..”

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Kids can have all the toys in the world and still get bored. Have you found that already even though Christmas was just a few weeks ago? Being a stay at home mom may give me a little less patience on this issue then most. Are you tired of them complaining they have nothing to do, especially now that winter is here to stay?

Make a bored jar.
Use a cotton ball container or an old jar and place cards with things to do on them. Make up games, have an arts & craft idea or even a recipe for something simple but will keep them occupied.
Whenever someone cries “bored” take out the jar and have them pick something.

If you don’t want to make a “bored” jar then buy one. Land of nod has an amazing arts and crafts jar filled with great things for kids eight and up. It comes with googly eyes, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, glue pens, construction paper, wavy craft scissors, wooden buttons, spools, beads, craft sticks and more. All you need is $29.00 and your own imagination.

If you are looking for learning activities for your child see if there is a Lakeshore Learning Center by you, or order online. This store is amazing resource for parents or teachers. You can find something for your baby up until eleven years old. Sign up for their free catalog.

If they are still “bored” after all of these ideas, just tell them to get a job.

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I think January and February is the worst time of year in New Jersey for having kids. There is not much to do with them outside because the weather is cold (but not a sign of snow here yet!) enough to force you to stay inside but cabin fever is rampant. My kids are bored and I don’t blame them. We try and go to indoor play places and do outdoor things as much as we can but it is hard this time of year and expensive. Here are some great games to combat cabin fever and some you can do when you are in a restaurant or waiting room.

I Spy- take turns looking around the space you are in and pick one thing. Give the other people clues and let them guess what you picked.

Memory- everyone looks at the same room/space/area for 30 seconds and try to memorize everything you see, the color of the pictures, the shoes/dirt etc. Then everyone writes down what they remember, the person with the longest accurate list wins!

Scavenger Hunt- give your kids some index cards and ask them to write or draw pictures of some things they might see on an upcoming car trip. During a car ride give them the cards and then they can match what they see with the cards. The person with the most matches win.

Feather Keep it Up- Each person has to keep the feather over their head by blowing it. Whoever keeps it up the longest wins. You can do this with a balloon too.

Obstacle Course- Make your own! Jump over pillows, have to put a small puzzle together, have to recite a list of cousins names, crab crawl through the kitchen, carry a plastic egg on a spoon, the possibilities are endless.

Keep Outdoor Toys In- When my kids were 2 they received scooters as a gift. I let them keep it inside the house until the following summer. they scooted around the house all day every day and the wheels were rubber so no tearing up my floors. Do this with other ride ons.

Card Games- There are so many. Teach your kids new ones or go for old favorites like memory, old maid, crazy 8s or go fish. This is also great for when a storm knocks the power out.

What are your favorite things to do with kids to beat the boredom?

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B.K. before kids, my husband and I would have a great New Years Eve planned. I was never into theose prepackaged dinner/dancing club things that they had on New Years Eve and I wasn’t one for elaborate plans either because I was always disappointed.
Dinner at a nice restaurant with friends, people coming over to ring in the New year at our house. I always made a ton of finger foods if we were staying in and we would pig out. We would watch silly marathons on TV like Iron Chef and hang out until the ball was ready to drop. We always had my favorite champagne on hand and we really had a great time.

Now that we have kids, all of that has changed. We stay in, we don’t live around any of our family or fiends so we are usually alone. We have had a babysitter in the past and gone out for dinner but it seems like all the restaurants have a fixed menu that is way overpriced on this particular night. We stay in and still make a ton of crappy finger foods and still get champagne but it is not the same.
This year I will not be eating all of that crap since I am already big and this pregnancy doesn’t allow me my favorite thing of all- champagne. I think I will watch something on television and go to bed way before the clock hits 12. I think this day also requires a nap.

Is this what all adults do once they have kids or are we just boring? what are your plans for rocking in the new year with kids?

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We love books in our house, I have so many I have no place to contain them all anymore. My kids have lots of books too but I don’t mind. I would rather buy them books then toys. My kids also love going to story time at our local library and our Pottery Barn Kids and it gets us out of the house.
I have compiled a list of books for your kids of all ages and their parents to enjoy during this holiday season. If you have already finished your Christmas shopping, or don’t need any more books in your house, then take them out from the library for your whole family to enjoy.

We Three Kings. Buy this book for the illustrations alone! First written in 1857, We Three Kings is one of the best Christmas carols as it tells of the wise men’s journey to visit the manger in Bethlehem.

The Christmas Story. This is the story of Christ’s birth from the bible. Again, this book has beautiful illustrations.

Olive the Other Reindeer. It really is a cute story complete with pop ups, pull tabs and scratch and sniff.

A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree. From Amazon “Feeling sad because no one chooses it as a Christmas tree, a bedraggled forest pine discovers the importance of being appreciated all year long.” A great story for kids to hear.

The Tale of The Firebird
This book is based on three popular Russian fairy tales. The artwork is stunning. This book is great for preschoolers to adults.

What are your family’s favorite Christmas or holiday books?

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My kids are just getting into playing games on the computer. They loved the Thanksgiving and Halloween printouts and games I found for them. It surprised even me, how may things there are for them to do online, since they are only four. Here are some things I have found that I know my kids love, we love and I know you will love too.

Go check out the Northpole for fun stories and activites. While you are there send a letter to Santa.

Whether you are baking Christmas cookies, putting up the tree or doing your homework play some Christmas music. This site has a ton of free streaming Christmas music stations.

This web site has all the answers to question you may have about Christmas traditions. It has Christmas tree facts, the history of mistletoe and Mrs. Claus or find out about Christmas traditions around the world.

If you are looking for some Christmas games to keep your kids occupied while you wrap gifts, try this site or this one.

Go elf yourself! Turn yourself and up to three other people into elves that sing and dance and is truly addicting. Call in and get your voice elfed too! This is so funny, we did our whole family and sent it to all of our family.

Lastly, get some Christmas jokes for your parties this year, track where Santa is on Christmas Eve, get the real lyrics to the carols you have been singing and do some crafts with your kids.

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Are you looking for Christmas crafts for do with your kids? I know I am always looking for arts & craft activities to do with my kids during this season. Maybe you just want a new way to decorate your tree? Here are some ideas both you and your kids can do even if the weather outside is frightful.

Make edible ornaments. Buy cookies that have a cutout center. Tie with 18 inch pieces of ribbon. Fold ribbon in half, pull looped end through the cookie, thread loose ends through the loop and tie. You can make cookies just for this, or decorate store bought ones.

Add some fun to your tree. Buy different color parasols in a gift or dollar store. You know, the kind that come in fruity drinks. Clip them all over your tree with mini clothespins.

Add some fun to your indoor decorations. Buy a styrofoam wreath and two white (or any color you want) boa at your local craft sore. Use craft glue to stick the end of the boa onto the wreath. Wrap the boa around the wreath form and glue the other end. Repeat with the second boa. This looks like a feather wreath I have seen being sold in stores for $19.99!

Let your kids make their own ball ornaments. Buy plain colored ball ornaments in various sizes and colored glitter at your local craft store. Using glue make any pattern you want on the balls and then sprinkle your glitter onto them over a plastic container to catch all the extra glitter. Cover the whole ball with glitter, let your kids do their name and date or make cool patterns. This is a great keepsake and fun to make.

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Lets talk about decorating for the holidays with some easy decorations that you can do with your kids. Everyone loves garland, and you can make different garlands for your tree or home easily. If you have older kids they can do this with little to no supervision.

Everyone knows about making easy garland with red or green construction paper or fabric. You just cut strips of colored paper or fabric, loop them and staple or glue the ends together to make a paper chain. Try this with different colored papers for parties.

If you want something different to do with this idea, how about making it with candy dots? cut same size strips of dots and then tape them together. They will make the tree colorful and edible!

I remember making popcorn garland for my friend’s Christmas tree when I was a teenager. It took forever and I had many holes in my finger when I was done. What about using mini marshmallows and/or cranberries instead? It will look great and much easier for little hands to thread. If your child is too little to use a needle, you thread each piece and let the kids push it down the string!

You can always make a beaded garland. Use old beads from around your house or broken items, or buy some cheap ones at the craft store. Again, thread them into to fishing twine or thread and have the kids string them on. This would look great by twinkling lights or candles.

Do you have any holiday craft ideas that you do with your kids? Feel free to share them in the comments.

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It is coming up on that holiday season and with so many toy and baby gear recalls I am really at a loss when it comes to gifts for my kids. Of course everything on their list is made in China and I am sure will come up as poisonous to kids in a couple of months. This season I am looking to buy more arts and crafts stuff for my kids and the one thing I will never complain about buying them: books. I love books and have since I was a child, I hope I am passing that down to my children. here are three books I reviewed that is perfect this holiday season:

Olive the Other Reindeer Deluxe Edition (ages 4-8 $13.99) This tenth anniversary edition of Olive and her big reindeer dreams is my new favorite Christmas book. It is beautifully illustrated with lift the flaps, scratch and sniff and pop ups. It is so lovely and my children and I have read it at least 3 times a day since we received it!

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Junior Edition (ages 9-12 $9.99) Help a tween out with this book! It offers kid friendly step by step instructions on things like how to ace a spelling test without spell check, how to survive a school dance and how to survive being grounded. This book made me laugh and I wish I had this when I was a tween. This is my new go to book for my nieces and nephews!

Squiggles, A Really Giant Coloring Book (all ages $12.89) This was on my wish list for awhile before I actually received it. I originally wanted it for me but ended up giving it to my kids (I’ll have to get another for myself). Fun illustrations that are not finished allow the artist to finish the picture using their imagination. Color, paint or draw the colors won’t bleed through these thick pages. Keep the book and you have a keepsake of your child’s (or your) artwork forever. If you like this book (you will!) they have others to chose from.

What books do you like for kids this holiday season?

Don’t forget to enter my contest for a Christmas cd!

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Thanksgiving is next week? Wow, that snuck up on me. If Thanksgiving is next week that means Christmas is right around the corner. With Christmas decorations, music and commercials going up right after Halloween, Thanksgiving gets lost and that is a shame because it is a great holiday and you and your kids can make crafts for your home or for gifts for your guests. Here are some ideas for things to do at home for thanksgiving.

This site has a ton of Thanksgiving print outs for kids of all ages.

Make this thankful turkey craft.

Kids love to help in the kitchen, what about making these popcorn balls ahead of time with your kids. They get to make dessert and you get to have an afternoon of fun with your kids.
Caramel Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups unpopped popcorn
1/4 cup butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions

1. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Place popped corn in oven to keep warm. Repeat until all corn has been popped. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan with a candy thermometer inserted, combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Stir well and bring to boiling over medium heat. Stir in condensed milk; simmer, stirring constantly, until thermometer reads 238 degrees F (114 degrees C). Stir in vanilla.
3. Pour caramel over popped corn and stir to coat. Butter hands lightly; shape popcorn into balls about 3 1/2 inches in diameter.

Remember to enter the contest to win one of two Christmas cds. This contests ends tomorrow night!

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This is my favorite Thanksgiving craft for kids. All you will need is a few sheets of colored construction paper, ribbon or thread and branches from a tree.
Collect some small branches from around your neighborhood that will fit into one of your vases.

Next cut out of help you children cut out leaves from the construction paper big enough to write on, about 5 inches.

Have your children write what they are thankful for on each leaf.
Then punch a hole in the leaf and string ribbon through.

Hang on the branch.

This will make a great centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner and I am sure all of their relatives will love to see how thankful your children are. Then you can save each leaf set for next year and add onto it, or save it in a dated bag and keep in a memory box.

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We are always looking for things to do with the kids that eat up some of the monotony of the day. Especially during the week when I am in the only one who is with them all day. They LOVE arts & crafts and can do an art project for hours. I try and only do projects that I want to keep not something that they spend time on and I throw it away 12 hours later, or something that is not functional. Here are some craft ideas for kids three and up:

Decoupage buckets or pails.
- Cut out illustrations from a damaged or favorite book or magazine like Highlights. Or maybe cut out handprints of your kids.
- Glue stick them on to the pail like a collage.
- Once pail is covered, brush on a few layers of modge podge
- Once dry, add your favorite pom-pom trim or ribbon
- Use this to house a gift for a grandparent. Use it to collect treasures you find outside or at the beach. What about delivering cookies or treats to a neighbor in it?

Make Crayon “Muffins”
Don’t you hate the broken or small crayons you always seem to have with the new perfect crayons? Don’t throw them away make color “muffins”

-Peel the papers off broken crayon pieces and place no more then three different colors in each cup of a mini muffin tray.
-Place in a preheated oven at 300 degrees for a few minutes and then cool.
-Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Then pop them out of the tray and you have new (to you) crayons and they are perfect shape for little hands.

Have fun!

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Halloween is today. If that catches you of guard, that may mean you are a procrastinator. I understand, holidays can sneak up on you. I have some last minute costume ideas and fun games and things to do with your kids before it is time to go out and collect all that candy.

Do it yourself last minute costume ideas:

Tourist: Get a hat, sunglasses and hang a camera around your neck

Cookie: Dress in all brown and pin felt colored circles all over to look like M&Ms

Mummy: wrap your self in toilet paper. Enough said!

Athlete: dress up in a old jersey or uniform. Bring along a ball.

If all else fails call up family members, or neighbors and ask if they have a costume that you can borrow.

How about you make masks of everyone in your family and then trade them. Be your husband or daughter for Halloween and have them be you or their brother. This could be fun all year long!

This is a great site for simulating a pumpkin carving. It kept my kids fascinated for hours. Here is another one that is better for older kids.
Ben and Jerry’s has not only recipes and crafts ideas but also print outs and games.

Remember to go over safety tips with your kids and be safe out there!
What is your favorite last minute costume idea?

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