Parenting Tip: Fire Alarms

Today, go around your house to make sure all your ceiling fire detectors work. If they need new batteries install them. Fire detectors save lives so make sure to put them in all bedrooms, the den, family room, living room, kitchen, dining room, long hallways, basement laundry room (And make sure to clean out your laundry filter after every load and your hose every so often so a fire won’t start).

Movie Review: The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle

Movie Title: The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle. Rated PG. I was reluctant to watch this movie because I heard it wasn't very good. And true to what I heard it wasn't very good. It wasn't even okay. It was boring. I cringed while watching it. I'd rather clean the cupboards than have to watch this movie again. To be honest I never liked the cartoon Rocky and Bullwinkle. But still this movie was absolutely mind-numbingly dull. It was totally unexciting. I don’t recommend renting it.
Fearless Leader and two of his Russian cohorts, Boris and Natasha, turn from cartoon characters to actual people. They try to kill cartoon characters Rocky and Bullwinkle, a squirrel and a moose. Fearless leader wants to take over the government and he wants the American people to vote for him as their leader. With the help of a female FBI agent, Rocky and Bullwinkle make a pitch to the American people to vote for who they want.

Science Day- Why a Cut Swells

Why does a cut swell? The swelling is a reaction to the cut. When the cut occurs the surface of the skin gets inflamed (swells). What it's doing is telling the body to begin clotting and start the healing process. Some plants can help our skin. American Indians used healing plants in their everyday lives. Even today extracts from plants, like aloe vera, are touted in cosmetic products as beneficial.

If your child is NOT allergic to aloe vera you can do the following experiment. Buy a small aloe vera plant if you don’t have one. At a time when your child gets a tiny scrap try this: Wash the scrap with antibacterial soap and water. Cut off a leave of the aloe vera plant. Cut through, showing the soft middle. Put this exposed aloe on scrap. Aloe has a natural substance called salicylates which is why aloe is known to be anti-inflammatory and used as a pain relief treatment. Does your child think the aloe helped with the pain? Did the aloe aid in healing?

Book Review: Doggone Dogs!

Another great picture book written by Karen Beaumont. “Doggone Dogs!” Pictures by David Catrow. A very funny dog book. The pictures are excellent! The story is about ten naughty dogs who don’t obey. They run to the park and get into trouble. It wasn’t clear to me if they’re going to obedience school in the park or not, but as the dogs are running around the dog trainer quits. Little kids who love dogs should like this book.

Candied Almond Recipe: Dessert to make with Teenager

Candied Almond Recipe for Parents/Grandparents to bake with a teenager. The ingredients get hot so this is a cooking project to do with your teen, NOT your young child. But younger siblings will like the end result.
Ingredients you will need:
2 cups of almonds
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons butter
1 and ½ tablespoons cinnamon

You will also need:
Saucepan
Big spoon
2 cookie sheets
Non-stick cooking spray or butter for cookie sheet
Metal spaghetti spoon (spoon with holes in it)
Metal spatula
Plate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread almonds out on cookie sheet.
Place in oven.
Bake for 15 minutes depending on your oven. Watch almonds so they don’t burn. Flip them over every so often so they roast on both sides.
In saucepan put honey and butter. Melt them on medium heat. When melted, reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer for 2 ½ minutes. Stir occasionally.
Add roasted almonds to saucepan. Stir occasionally for 2 ½ minutes.
Spray other cookie sheet with cooking spray or rub butter on it.
With metal spaghetti spoon transfer almonds to sprayed or buttered cookie sheet.
Now add cinnamon and sugar to saucepan. Stir then carefully add almonds again to saucepan. Stir more.
After cinnamon and sugar is evenly coated on almonds place them back on oiled cookie sheet. Put in broiler for several seconds so sugar can caramelize.
With metal spatula take almonds off cookie sheet and put on plate. Let cool!
Do not let children under three have nuts. They can choke. Watch your older child (age three to five) eat the almonds to make sure they don’t choke on them.

Movie Review; The Last Unicorn

Movie Title: The Last Unicorn. Animation film. Rated G. This is a film for kids who like unicorns. My niece when she was little really liked this movie. It's not a funny film, but as an adult it's watchable if you have to watch it with a child. The cute unicorn might have something to do with it. But it's not the best animation.
Plot: A unicorn searches for her siblings. A wizard turns her into a maiden. As fantasy life would have it a prince meets her and falls madly in love with her. But she's a unicorn. Not the best animation.

Take Time to Do Something Special with your Child

Put aside one day to make a special dinner with your child. Have them decide on the menu, go grocery shopping with you, and help cook the meal. To make things extra special, have them set the table with the good china or a dinner pattern they like.