Happy New Year!

If you're on the road late tonight beware of drunken drivers. Stay clear of cars that swerve in lanes.

Tissue Tip

During cold season have boxes of tissues in reachable places in many places of your home. Children do not like to go to the kitchen to get a tissue if they're busy playing elsewhere. They will be more likely to use a tissue if one is near by. Otherwise they might use their shirt, or the back of their hand which can spread germs. If your child has a lingering cold put a little pack of tissues in their backpack for school use. And have a tissue pack in your car. You can always refill the tiny packages with more tissues from bigger boxes at home. Thus saving you money.

Holiday Memory

I hope you had a Merry Christmas. For those of you in Canada have a nice Boxing Day. This week take time to share one happy holiday memory from your childhood with your child (if you can't remember one use a memory from your adulthood). You can share a memory which involves a relative (Mom, Dad, Grandma or aunt- how you baked Christmas cookies with them. Or a funny memory like the dog running away with the wrapping paper). Your child will remmeber this and share these memories with their children.

Wrapping Paper Tip

Already out of wrapping paper? Then use brown paper grocery bags. Use inside of bag for outside of present. Use thicker tape to keep presents wrapped. Tie with ribbon. If you use wrapping present ribbon this is how you can curl ends- slide middle of scissor up side of ribbon fast. Don't cut yourself. Don't let kids do this. Note: Some cheaper wrapping ribbons won't curl. Can't make curls? Then make a ribbon bow. Using ribbon make a small flower petal pattern with it, tie closed. Tape to present.

Book Review: The Nutcracker

Picture book with story. Some third graders can read it by themselves. "The Nutcracker," from the story by E.T.A. Hoffman. Retold by Jean Richardson. Pictures by Francesca Crespi. A classic Christmas book. The story line is unique. Young Clara's parents are having a Christmas party. Her father's mysterious friend brings Cara a gift. It's a nutcracker in the shape of a soldier. Clara's brother takes it from her, breaking its arm. Her father's friend fixes it with his handkerchief. That night Clara has a strange dream about the nutcracker. In this book the story isn't as good as other books. The pictures are good enough, but not fabulous. My advice, look at several different versions of this story and pick out the one you like best.

Movie Review: Fred Claus

Movie Title: Fred Claus. Rated PG. Christmas comedy. Over all just middle of the road. Not as good as Elf or The Santa Clause. Good story line but it just doesn't hit the mark.
Fredrick Claus makes a promise he will always take care of new his baby brother Nicklaus. But as Nick grows up he seems to always outshine Fred making him jealous. Nick is so generous and kind he becomes a saint. The story goes if you become a saint you and your family become eternally ageless. Flash forward to present time. Fred is a mean, embittered man. He works for a repo company. He lies and steals. He ends up in jail. Fred calls his brother for bail money. Nick gives him the bail money but says he has to visit him and work to pay the money off. Fred visits his brother. An efficiency expert comes to the North Pole and tells Santa the board might have to shut him down. He's going to monitor Santa's operation. Three mistakes/strikes and he's out. Fred has to help save Christmas.

Awesome Tasting Peppermint Cookie Recipe

Santa's Secret Peppermint Cookies. My all time favorite holiday cookie!

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees
In one bowl- Sift… 1 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon of ginger

In another bowl- Cream together… 2/3 cup of butter with
½ cup of firmly packed brown sugar
In this second bowl- Blend in... 1 unbeaten egg and
2 tablespoons of molasses. Beat well

Add... 1/2 cup of crushed peppermint stick candy (put candy in zip lock bags and roll over and over with rolling pin) with dry ingredients. Mix all ingredients together well.

Using teaspoon put cookie dough onto slightly greased cookie sheets.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes
Should make around 3 1/2 dozen cookies

Frost cookies after they have cooled somewhat or the frosting will melt too much. If desired, your child can sprinkle holiday sprinkles onto frosting before it hardens.

PEPPERMINT FROSTING:
Combine 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of a top quality vanilla, 2 teaspoons of crushed peppermint candy,
2 tablespoons of soft butter and three drops of
red food coloring. Blend in 1 to 3 tablespoons
of whole milk until you have consistency you like.

How to make a Delicious Smelling Coffee Scrub.

AHH, did you forget someone on your Christmas list? Don't sweat it if they like bath products. This is a fun holiday science experiment.
Learn how food products can be used for more than just eating. Make fast inexpensive salt scrubs at home with products you have in your own cupboard. Salt, coffee, vanilla extract, almond oil can be used in food preparation or to make salt scrubs.

Almond Salt Scrub-
Pour 26 ounces of salt in bowl. Then immediately add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract for scent. Mix with spoon. Now add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix. Add almond oil (NOT more almond extract) to your liking. More oil will make scrub oily. If you like a drier feel add less oil. Feel to see what you like. When done scoop mixture into zip lock baggy. Roll up closed baggy in colored cellophane leaving room at ends. Tie ends with ribbon to look like a wrapped candy.

***For an amazing scent use coffee beans. Ground beans finely. Substitute coffee grounds for the almond extract. Do everything else the same. I'm not into coffee myself, but I made this scrub with a friend and hands down coffee was the best scent we made. What didn't work was cinnamon for a scent. When scrub was used the cinnamon left a residue on face which looked like a weird sunburn.

Where to buy inexpensive stocking stuffers

Look for inexpensive stocking stuffers in the dollar/two doallar bins at Target stores (bins should be in front area of store) or go to your local dollar store.

Parenting Article: Air Travel Tips when Flying with Kids

Parents are you going on an airplane with your kids this holiday season? If so, here are ten tips to help you.

1) Think of everything the children might wear, including shoe wear, in the weather you might encounter at your destination. Make a check list of all things you should bring. Things you might need to bring: Goggles, sunscreen (remember even at snowy places you can get a face burn.) Last time I flew you could only have tiny travel size bottles. Put these bottles in plastic zip up baggies in case the contents explode due to air pressure. Also, all beverages and packages with liquidy foods, yogurt, melted cheese, had to be thrown away at the security point. Other things to bring: hair brush, toothbrush carrying cases, tooth brushes, toothpaste, folding stroller, folding crib, your child's special snuggly, special medicated skin creams, etc. You should call your local airport to find out rules for carrying liquids and creams. If you're traveling to another country find out the rules for bringing in prescription drugs to their country. Medicine might need to be in its original container. Or you might have to show officials the prescription box. Find out. You don't want your child's medicine taken away.

2) Pack early. Don't be a last minute packer. When shopping at the grocery store you might suddenly remember something you forgot to pack and need. Buy now rather at the airport where it could be much more expensive.

To keep your children occupied at the terminal and on the plane:

3) Have a variety of activities for them. Each child should have their own backpack with their own activities. This is to prevent squabbling. Think ahead. Just how many hours will it take to get to your destination? Lay-overs are hard on most children so try to avoid them. Ask each child what they would like to put in their backpack. If they like to draw, put paper, coloring books and crayons in their bag. Items you might want to pack: Exciting new book(s) and magazine(s), new book(s) on tape with tape recorder for terminal use if other passengers don't mind (if old enough, headsets), Ipod, Mad Libs, dot-dot books, cross word puzzles, mini-games, mini-puzzles, hand held electronic games, little toys, and small stuffed animals.

For late departures and lay-overs:

4) For kids who have trouble sitting still, walk with them around the terminal. Bring books to read to them, or have audio cassettes with a small tape recorder and earphones. If you plan on bringing your lap top, bring a couple of movies your children have never seen. Once at a terminal I saw four children quietly seated in front of a laptop watching a movie. I'm not sure how well they could hear the movie. But I think with animation such as cartoons the action might make up for words so these type of shows might be worth a try.

On the plane:

5) Buy special treats before getting on the plane or buy treats a week before trip starts. You can let your child pick them out or surprise them. Explain to them the trip will take X amount of hours and that every half hour they will get a jelly bean/healthy treat. This will break up the trip in half hour installments. The time might seem to go faster because they will have something to look forward to.

6) With young children you should get aisle seats for easy access. You don't want to bother other passengers by frequently having to climb over them to walk the aisle with your child. Walk the aisle, if you're allowed, so your child will get energy out.

7) Remember to rotate activities while on the plane so your child doesn't get bored.

8) With babies and toddlers some parents like to take night flights hoping their child will sleep. You can try this. If you do, you can put them in their PJ's before you board the plane. Then when you get to your hotel you won't have to wake them up to put them in their PJ's.

9) For hydration purposes if your child is awake during the flight they should drink water.

10) If your child's ears hurt when the plane is ascending and descending get them to swallow several times. Older kids can chew gum. I've heard sipping on water helps, or for babies, sucking on a bottle works. Talk to your doctor about ways to help. Lastly, you really shouldn't fly if your child has a cold because of ear problems which could occur. If you plan to fly anyway, see your doctor before hand. He/she can prescribe medicine if they think it's necessary.

Book Review: Chapter book

"The Hopscotch Tree," by Leda Siskind. Excellent book. Edith Gold is new in town. A bully picks on her because Edith is the only Jewish girl in her fifth grade class. Edith likes to lay in her bed at night visualizing a special tree at school. She believes this Hopscotch Tree (kids play hopscotch near the tree using its pods as markers) is magical and can bring you luck. The rumor about the special tree gets around school. Soon students from different grades want to know about its special powers. The tree might be special but can it help Edith find out why the bully, Zandra, treats her unkindly?

I have a Jewish friend who said when she was little she lived in a predominantly Christian town. Her family was one of only two Jewish families on her long block. In school her class always said a morning prayer, and every winter there was a Christmas pageant with baby Jesus. My friend said she knew she was different. During one Chanukah week someone threw a rock though the other Jewish family's window. It was aimed at, and hit, their Menorah. This family and my friend's family were unnerved by this violent act. Some Christian neighbors felt bad and purposely put Menorahs in their windows in defiance to this display of intolerance. She said she'll never forget this act of friendship.

Movie Review: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

Movie title: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Rated G. Mr. Magorium is an eccentric old man who is over 200 years old, yet he looks only sixty. He is the owner of an unusual toy store where toys come to life. The manager of the toy store is Molly Mahoney, who was a child protégé. She could play the piano extremely well. But now she is insecure about this ability. Mr. Magorium tells Molly he is leaving his store and she, now, must take it over. Mr. Magorium brings an accountant in to make sure the accounts are in order. When the toy store learns Mr. Magorium is leaving, it has a tantrum. The walls turn gray in sadness, and the toys won't work properly. With the aid of a little boy, and the accountant, Molly gets the toy store to stop misbehaving. Along the way she starts believing in herself.

I liked the plot of the movie. In fact I liked the movie. However, Dustin Hoffman as Mr. Magorium didn't sit well with me. I saw him in Rain Man and the way he talked as Mr. Magorium reminded me of his character in Rain Man, who was autistic. (Two other people I talked to thought this too.) He did a great job in Rain Man, but his Mr. Magorium character was only eccentric and his behavior should have been played that way with an ordinary voice. It would have played out better.

Arts and Crafts Project: Little bell ornaments.

What you need: Egg carton. Paint. Pipe cleaners (buy at arts and craft store.) Little beads or little bells. Glue gun or strong tacky glue.
Cut off top of egg carton.
Now flip over bottom so it looks like a row of bells.
Cut out each egg space to make a bell. Have your child paint these cardboard bells. Once bells are dry, punch a hole through top of each. The hole should be big enough for a pipe cleaner to go through. Once pipe cleaner is through the hole curve the top so it looks like a hook. Your child will use this hook to place bell on tree. Under the bell glue a bead, or a little silver bell, to end of pipe cleaner. This insures pipe cleaner does not slip through top. You can also tie red or green ribbons around bell hook for a festive look.

Book Review- Charlie Brown Holiday Book

Picture book with story. Depending on their reading level third graders can read it. "A Charlie Brown Christmas," by Charles M. Schulz. Who doesn't like Snoopy the All American beagle? In this story Snoopy's owner Charlie Brown is miserable. Its Christmas time and he feels let down by the season. He doesn't like the commercialism and the selfishness. His friend Lucy tries to help him overcome his depression by telling him to get involved. She tells him he should direct the kids Christmas play. While directing the play Charlie Brown learns the true meaning of the festive season. Which is caring. This is a good lesson for kids to learn.

3 More Ideas for your Holiday Town Display

1)If you want to hide the light strand going from building to building:
Make sure you plug in lights to make sure they all work.
Line up light strand where buildings will go on some white felt. Make sure each building gets a light.
Cut felt under each building where light will end up.
Put light strand under felt.
Push up lights through felt holes, going building to building, making sure you stand up every light.

2) For your skiers and sled figures you can make a deep snow slope with books underneath white felt.

3) If there is a blank space on a building your child can make a tiny sign to go on it. They can write on a tiny piece of paper something like this, "MOM'S HOLIDAY COOKIES. 2 for 1 sale." "DON'S LUMBER STORE." (If their dad's name is Don.) "Paula's Doll Shop." "Bobby's Sporting Goods." "Homer's Dog Shoppe."

Ideas for setting up Ceramic Christmas Towns

If you are setting up a ceramic town display here are a few ideas.
1) Stack books up to make hills.
2) Drape white felt over books. Crepe felt for a nice look. (The white felt is snow.) Now put on buildings.
3) For your ice skating figures make a pond using an old compact mirror. Or wrap Reynolds Wrap around a small Tupperware top. Fold felt around it to make a snow bank.
4) Sprinkle tiny cut up colored cellophane on felt, mirror, and buildings. This gives your display a pretty shimmery look.

Movie Title: Cool Runnings.

Cool Runnings. Comedy. Rated PG. A young Jamaica man is saddened when he doesn't qualify for his county's track team for the Olympics. He finally pulls it together and with the aid of some athletic friends they form Jamaica's first bobsled team. He also persuades a U.S. gold metal winner (John Candy), who's living in Jamaica, to coach them. Movie has some very funny moments when the team learns to bobsled. Nice winter movie. Make some hot coco, build a fire, and have a few laughs.

Don't have Ginger Bread Handy? Then Create a Graham Cracker House

Holiday Arts and Craft Project. This Christmas make a Graham Cracker House.

Needed items:
1) A box of Graham crackers.
2) White canned frosting or make your own. The frosting will be used in this project as glue and as snow.
3) Gum drops. This makes a colorful fence.
4) Red licorice. For door and window frames.
5) Hard candy. Makes a stone wall.
6) Tiny marshmallows. For Snowman. Roof tiles.
7) M&M's or Skittles. To decorate sides and for roof tiles.
8) Starburst Candy. This can be used to make a chimney stack. Or use on sides as fence. Can be roof tiles. Or create a walkway to house with them.
9) Snack size candy bar. For a chimney.
10) Cake sprinkles.
11) Other candy you think you can use for something on the house. Have your child use their imagination.
12) Stiff paper plate.

You will build the house on the paper plate. Start with walls of the house as if you were building a house of cards. The Graham crackers will be the walls. You might need to hold the crackers steady as your child glues them together with frosting. Frost three edges of each cracker. Place bottom of frosted cracker upright on plate. Let dry a bit. Then build an A frame roof (at an angle place two sides of Graham crackers together). Frost wall tops and ends of roof together to keep frame up. Hold and let dry. Now at this point make a decision. Will you be frosting the whole house or just the roof? If you want to do the whole house I suggest you do it all at the beginning.

If you are going to do the whole house start with the sides. Gently frost it with a rubber spatula. When done, do roof. When done, outline a doorway using the string licorice. Do the same for windows. Place M&M's and/or Skittles all over wall siding or make a design on wall. Decorate the roof using M&M's, Skittles, and tiny marshmallows. Sprinkle cake sprinkles on roof for festive look. Your child can stack up five Starbursts for a chimney. Or they can use the snack size candy bar for this. Once house is decorated to your child's satisfaction they can do the yard. Spread frosting around house on the plate. Stack up three marshmallows to make a snowman. Use a dab of frosting in-between marshmallows to keep snowman up. Using finger put a teeny dab of frosting on the side of the top marshmallow. Using sprinkles make a face. Place in two eyes, nose and mouth on marshmallow. You can make a walkway to front door using Starbursts. Place gum drop all around house or just in front as a fence. For a stone wall stack hard candy, using frosting as cement to keep them in place.

Winter Dog Tip

If you live in Alaska, Canada, or Russia (yes, I do have an Russian audience) or anywhere else where it's seriously cold: When you take your dog out in icy snow watch for signs of them quickly hopping from paw to paw. The freezing snow might be giving them a paw burn from the snow. A woman from Alaska told me the bottom of her dog's paw got a burn this way.