Uses for a melon scooper; plus make cookies with a surprise inside.

If your child is like my nephew they'll find it fun (for awhile at least) to scoop melon balls out of melons with a melon scooper. Scoop a variety of balls from cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew… and put in bowls. Add sliced nectarines and/or strawberries. Top it off with whip cream for a cool, fresh dessert.
The melon scooper is also the perfect size for scooping cookie dough onto cookie sheets.
Wet scooper in bowl of water every other time so cookie dough won't stick to it.
For a cookie surprise put a couple of gummy candies in each cookie before baking. Or bake some cookies with gummies and some without. Then have your child look for the gummies. Children find this fun.

Book Review- Picture Book

For parents to read with their kids. "Franklin Goes to the Hospital," by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark. Illustrated by Brenda Clark. For children age four to eight. Young Franklin the Turtle has hurt himself playing soccer. He has to go to the hospital for surgery. This book covers his overnight hospital stay. You can read this book to your child to help them cope with any anxiety they might have about having surgery. The book covers such topics as, what it's like getting an x-ray, how does a doctor make you sleepy before surgery, and it's okay to feel scared before surgery. The pictures are cute. They directly relate to what's happening to Franklin.

Movie Review

Movie Title: The Princess and the Frog. Rated G. Disney movie. Animation with Music. Cute movie. Nice twist on the Fairy tale with the same name. One song about almost being there is rather catchy. The almost being there is in reference to the main character Tiana almost getting her dream of owning her own restaurant.

The movie starts out in New Orleans. Two little girls are friends. One rich, one not. Tiana's mother is a seamstress. When Tiana grows up she's a waitress. She's saved all her tips to buy a restaurant. Now for the handsome prince. He comes to the city and the rich girl's daddy invites him to a party at his house. Tiana cooks the food for the party. While at the party she sees a frog who says he's a prince. He really is. The villain in the movie, the shadow man, turned him into a frog. Then he turned the prince's manservant into a prince. The villain wants the manservant to woo the rich girl and marry her for her money. They will split the money between themselves. Back to Tiana. She kisses the frog to unlock the curse, but she ends up a frog herself. The two frogs become friends and fall in love. They marry and she becomes a princess. When they have the wedding kiss-- you'll have to watch the movie to find out.

Parent Tip- For summer

Aloe lotion is a cooling agent for sun burns but make sure your child isn't allergic to it! Test a small area first. If welts or bumps appear don't use.

Remember to reapply sunscreen on your kids if they have been playing in the sun for 2-4 hours, or they have sweat off their sunscreen or have wiped it off. Reapply after swimming in pool. For beaches remember even if its slightly cloudy out during the day, you can get a burn.

Dog Tip

Be careful about letting your dog sniff where people park their cars. Cars can leak oils and fluids, and you don't want your dog licking it. I have been told by a Veterinarian that dogs like the taste of transmission fluid (which is I believe green) which can be deadly to them. Seek Vet help immediately if you think your dog has licked up oil or transmission fluid. Note: At least in my city I was informed that you are NOT to call 911 about a pet. Have your Vet's phone number handy in your personal phone book. Many regular Vets are not open 24 hours. So ask your Vet for a recommendation, before your dog is sick, for an emergency Vet care facility in case their office is not open.

Book Review- Chapter book

Chapter book for third to fifth graders, depending on their reading level. "The Incredible Journey," by Sheila Burnford. A lovely book. Kids who love dogs and cats will like this book. It takes place in Canada. A man with three pets, an old bulldog, a Labrador and a cat goes on a vacation. He leaves his animals in the care of the couple who look after his home. His animals follow his trail over one hundred miles to find him. Through hunger, pain and adventures they continue their quest undaunted. The animals truly do have one amazing trek in the wilderness to be united with their owner.

Movie Review- Dog movie

Movie Title: Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Dog movie. Comedy. Rated PG. Cute movie to watch on a hot summer afternoon.
A pampered pooch from Beverly Hills, Chloe (voice of Drew Barrymore), is left behind when her owner goes to Europe. The owner's niece is supposed to take good care of her while she's gone. But the ill responsible dog nanny goes to Mexico with her friends taking Chloe with her. Chloe is dog-napped and taken to place to be a dog fighter. She escapes with some other dogs. Meanwhile her owner's landscaper and his little dog try to find her. The niece tries to locate Chloe as well. Chloe wanders the streets with a German shepherd who helps get her back to her people.