DAILY RECIPE: Old Bay Chicken

3 chicken legs
3 chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Old Bay Seasoning

Rinse chicken. Sprinkle with Old Bay Seasoning until chicken is completely covered on both sides. Pour olive oil and vinegar in skillet, place chicken and cover. Cook 20 minutes over medium heat. Turn chicken over and cook 20 minutes more or until done.

ARTICLE: Santa Websites!

There are lots of great websites that can track Santa, check your child´s naughty or nice rating, give you Santa´s important information and showcase Christmas activities. Here are some that I´ve found: (remember always sit by your child for safe web use)

• www.claus.com Games to help out Santa, a visit to Santa´s Village where you can check your naughty or nice rating, sing along, get an elf diploma, plan your Christmas party and lots more!
• www.northpole.com You can write a letter to Santa, and he´ll write back, stories, print out good deed calendars, games, and also stuff for parents, such as recipes, e-cards and wonderful crafts!
• www.noradsanta.org The greatest Santa tracker. Watch live footage of Santa flying around the world on Christmas Eve. Tune in early Christmas Eve morning to see Santa leaving the North Pole on his journey!

DAILY RECIPE: Greatest Xmas Hot Cocoa

1 envelope hot cocoa mix

1 cup milk

10 mini marshmallows

1 candy cane

Heat milk and dissolve hot cocoa mix according to package directions. Add marshmallows and slip in candy cane as if it were a spoon. Festive to serve and delicious to drink!

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep Christmas cookies in air tight jars in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving. Get all your holiday baking done ahead of time!

ARTICLE: Children´s Christmas Checklist

You probably have all your decorations up, Christmas parties scheduled throughout the next week and checklists galore. Don´t forget an important one, though, your children´s. Here are some things you should not forget:

• Visit Santa Claus for holiday picture


• Send letter to Santa Claus (mail, e-mail, helium balloon, or left at the tree for Santa to get)


• Drive downtown to see holiday lights


• Read favorite Christmas books (A Visit from St. Nicholas, The Polar Express, The Clown of God, etc.)


• Watch favorite Christmas movies (The Polar Express, Santa Clause, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Mickey´s Twice Upon a Christmas, Very Merry Christmas Songs)


• Sing along to favorite holiday tunes


• Bake cookies for friends and Santa


• Attend a local Christmas play or show


• Visit the biggest tree in town


• Have a family night with a good book, movie and hot cocoa

DAILY RECIPE: Christmas Apples

6 apples

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

red food coloring (enough to make water deep red)

Peel apples. Place sugar, water and red food coloring in a large pot over low heat. Stir until well combined. Place apples inside and with a large spoon, pour the sugar water on top. Continue to do this until apples are red and a toothpick can easily be inserted. Remove from heat, let cool. You can serve them plain or topped with whipped cream.

TIP OF THE DAY

Place all your holiday storybooks, videos and music on a separate shelf, basket or counter. Throughout the season it´ll be easier to find them for every member of the family.

STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Final Part

... As soon as they got home, the little girl raced up the stairs to the attic. She searched through many boxes and finally found what she was looking for. She pulled out a huge piece of bright red cloth and different colored sequins. She went back downstairs and, with a pair of scissors, started cutting away. When she was done, she got some glue and continued to work. When she was done, she wrapped her beautiful creation in green wrapping paper and added a beautiful golden bow. She wrote down: FOR SANTA in big black letters on a white card and placed it in the center of the present. She carried the big package to the center of the living room and placed it under the Christmas tree. And now, she thought, for the second part of the present. She ran out and whispered something to the little boy next door, and the older girl across the street. Then she went to the twins in the big house on the corner and to the little girl who lived in the little white house. "Hurry," she shouted, "everyone has to be ready before Santa comes!" Each child went back inside and told the secret to other friends they knew. Some called their relatives on the other side of the globe; they in turn told more and more children. Soon, every child around the planet knew of this very special message, started by the little girl. On Christmas Eve, the little girl went to bed extra early, with a smile on her face, for she knew this year, the wonder of Christmas would fall on Santa.

Later that night, when everyone was asleep, a sleigh landed on top of the girl´s house. Reindeer scraped their hooves, a fat fellow came down the chimney, and started to put some presents from his sack, under the tree. He suddenly stopped as he saw a big green package with a golden bow. "For me?", he whispered, and slowly opened the present. Oh, what a wonderful feeling this was, the expectation of what was inside! As the present was revealed, Santa gasped. It was a beautiful red stocking with colored sequins that spelled SANTA. My very own stocking, he thought, my very first stocking! Inside he found a note: "Santa, you give us all so much joy, this Christmas, it´s your turn, in each house you visit you will find a special something to fill up your stocking. Every child of the world will have a little something for you, pick it up as you visit their houses tonight, and fill up your stocking well. Bring it back with you next year, for surprises will await for you as well. Merry Christmas." Pasted with glue on the back of the note was a picture of him with a little girl, the little girl who lived in this house, the little girl who had organized the most beautiful Christmas present ever. Santa finished his work, took his stocking, and went back up the chimney. In each house he visited that night, he found, pictures, drawings, gadgets and all sorts of suprises from every child. He took each one and put it in his stocking. And as he flew back home on Christmas morning he sent out a very special HO HO HO for his first Christmas stocking!

TIP OF THE DAY

Write down everything you are giving out for Xmas this year, and everything you receive. Save it in your Xmas storage. This way, you´ll be sure you are not repeating presents next year.

STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Part 3

... All night long, the little girl tossed and turned. What was it Santa Claus wanted? What was his Christmas wish? Early next morning, she got dressed and asked her mother to take her down to see Santa Claus again. "Did you forget to ask for something, dear?", she asked her. The little girl just grinned. The line was not as long as before, so soon it was her turn. The moment he saw her, Santa Claus smiled. "So, you´re back, " he said. "Yep," said the girl, "now, Santa, what would you like for Christmas?" "Well," sighed Santa, "I´ve been doing some thinking, and what I would like is something I can look at for the whole year to remind me of this very special season, and all of the children I visit each year. The rest, I leave up to you." The little girl, smiled at Santa and said, "I know just what to get you! But, I have to get to work, I don´t have much time! Bye, Santa!" "Merry Christmas," called out Santa.

(What do you think she´ll get Santa? Find out tomorrow with more of Santa´s Stocking!)

DAILY RECIPE: Onion Soup

1 onion
3/4 stick butter
3 cups chicken broth
salt
grated cheese (your favorite)

Slice onion very thin. In saucepan, melt butter, add onion. Sauteé. Add chicken broth and season as needed. Just before serving, top with cheese.

TIP OF THE DAY

When using plastic cups for a birthday party or gathering, keep a marker on hand and label each cup. Everyone can keep tabs on their drink and you won´t go through towers and towers of cups in just one afternoon.

STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Part 2

... The little girl wondered about this as she slowly got closer and closer to Santa Claus. Now there was only one small boy in front of her, waiting impatiently with his Christmas list firmly held in one hand. Soon it would be her turn and she knew exactly what she was going to do. When Santa´s helper motioned her to come up, she sat on Santa´s lap. "Now," said Santa, "what would you like for Christmas?" The little girl smiled and said, "I want a dollhouse, please. But now I ask you Santa, what would you like for Christmas?" Santa opened up his eyes so wide, for a minute it seemed like they would pop! "What?", he asked. "Yes, every year, you give us all presents, but who fills up your stocking, Santa? That´s why I want to know, what do you want for Christmas?" Santa cleared his throat, "Weeelll, I guess no one had ever asked me that before. I´ll have to think about it." "Well then," said the little girl, "I´ll come back tomorrow..." She hugged Santa good-bye and jumped off his lap.

(More tomorrow for part 3 of Santa´s Stocking)

DAILY RECIPE: Enchiladas

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

12 corn tortillas

garlic salt, pepper, cumin

3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast

3 tomatoes

Oil

Grill chicken until crispy. Place tortilla in hot oil for a couple of seconds. Carefully remove with kitchen clamps and fill with chicken. Roll up and place in a deep pan. Repeat with all tortillas. Blend tomatoes with garlic salt, pepper and cumin. Pour over tortillas, top with cheese. Place in oven or microwave until cheese melts.

STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Part 1

A long time ago there was a little girl. She was a good little girl, always helping her mother around the house, doing her homework and chores and happy all around. She loved all seasons of the year, but she became especially happy when winter came about because that meant only one thing: Christmas! She loved putting up her Christmas tree, hanging her stocking and baking cookies. She loved the smell of Christmas goods in bakeries and the department store windows beautifully decorated. There was one thing about Christmas that she enjoyed very much, and that was going to the mall to visit Santa Claus. Soon the day came and her mother and father put on her coat and scarf and took her to see that very special fellow. The line was huge! As she patiently waited for her turn a thought came into her mind: Santa Claus gives presents to all the children in the world, but who gives a Christmas present to Santa?

(More tomorrow, come visit us for part 2 of Santa´s Stocking)

DAILY RECIPE: Christmas Cookies

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoons baking powder

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon almond extract

1 egg

Colored sprinkles

Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add baking powder and flour. Add extracts and egg. Blend well. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill overnight. Roll out dough with rolling pin (use flour if dough is sticky) to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired Christmas shapes. Decorate with sprinkles and bake in 350°F oven for 8 minutes or until golden.

TIP OF THE DAY

Listen to holiday music while in your car. Your entire family will get into the holiday spirit.

DAILY RECIPE: Asparagus with Almonds

1 pkt. asparagus

1/2 cup almonds, chopped

1/2 stick butter

salt

1 lemon

Cook asparagus in boiling water until tender. Melt butter in a pan,

add almonds and cook until golden. Add salt and the lemon juice.

Pour over hot asparagus.

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep mushrooms fresh longer in a brown paper bag in the refrigerator. (Much better than a plastic bag !!! )

MOTHERS911 WISHES YOU A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

ARTICLE: Thanksgiving - Mom Sanity Savers!

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and whether you´re serving dinner at home or traveling somewhere with family, your children are bound to get restless. Here are some ideas to keep them entertained and out of the kitchen!

• Prepare a holiday movie. It´s the season to be jolly! An afternoon enjoying a holiday movie is quite all right. Depending on your children´s ages try: Home Alone, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Nutcracker Ballet, The Santa Clause... Just make sure you have watched it before to make sure it´s "Safe" for them to see.
• Print out Thanksgiving Coloring Sheets from sites like : www.coloringpages.net/thanksgiving.html or www.holidays.kaboose.com/thanks-color.html Prepare colors, crayons and set up a table where they can color with you keeping an eye on them.
• Set up tasks for them to do: fold napkins, set up table, pick up coats and scarves...
• Older daughters will be glad to help out in the kitchen. Make sure you have something safe and easy they can do.
• Fill a bag with holiday books they can read or look at to get ready for Christmas.
• Pop in a CD of holiday music. They can dance to the rhythm and trust me: you´ll get into the spirit of things yourself!
• Pack small ziploc bags with cheerios, apple slices or other light healthy snacks for those: "Is it time to eat yet?
• Most of all, enjoy this holiday with your children. Remember, each holiday that passes by means your child is one year less far from becoming a grown up.

DAILY RECIPE: Thanksgiving Vegetables

This recipe can be prepared with vegetables of your choice, we suggest:

25 baby potatoes

8 carrots

1/2 bag of frozen broccoli florets

2 packets of asparagus

1/2 bag of frozen cauliflower florets

1 small can Campbell´s cream of mushroom soup

Parmesan cheese

Bread crumbs

Thaw broccoli and cauliflower according to bag directions. Wash potatoes, leave skin on. Wash and peel carrots, slice. Arrange vegetables in baking dish. Pour can of soup, making sure all vegetables are covered. Top with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Place in oven for 30 minutes or until all vegetables are tender. Enjoy!

TIP OF THE DAY

Waiting a long time for soccer practice to be over? Always carry a book in your bag. If waiting around for your children is taking too long, read a bit until class or school is over.

ART ACTIVITY: Pine Cone Turkey

You will need:

Pine cone

Craft feathers

Wiggly eyes

Orange pipe cleaner

Yellow Construction paper

glue

Make a turkey head by cutting pipe cleaner in half, then folding it in half. Glue wiggly eyes and a yellow construction paper triangle for a beak. Glue feathers to the back of the pine cone. Glue turkey head to the front. Decorate your Thanksgiving table!

DAILY RECIPE: Meat Turkey Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner

3 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
salt, garlic powder, pepper
3 large potatoes, diced
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
oil

In a large pan heat oil. Season beef and pork and mix together. Add to pan and brown. Add vegetables and raisins and pecans. Cook a few minutes more. (Note: if you want stuffing with a touch of sweetness, cut each raisin in half). Make sure potatoes are still a bit raw when you´re done. They will finish cooking inside the turkey. Stuff turkey.

TIP OF THE DAY

When going to the grocery store to buy milk, grab the one at the far, deep end of the fridge, the last one in line. Usually it has a later expiration date, and is thus, fresher.

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Final Part

Oh, no! Grandma had seen Mr. Turkey! Mary and Scott did not know what to say. Their parents came to the front door, too. The secret was out. The whole family was now staring at Mr. Turkey! A few awkward seconds of silence passed, then Mr. Turkey cleared its throat: "Thank you, dear family, for receiving me on Thanksgiving Day! I am here for dinner, as I was told on the farm, and very excited to visit with you all." Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa did not speak for a while. Then Grandpa said, "Well, let´s sit down for dinner then, Mr. Turkey." And he called on to Mom, "Serve Mr. Turkey corn and apple pie, yams and cranberry sauce. We can all enjoy that food together." Scott pulled up an extra chair for Mr. Turkey and they all sat at the table. Mom and Dad passed the food around and Mr. Turkey told the funniest stories about life on the farm. Of course, Mom never brought the turkey out of the kitchen, and no one dared ask why they weren´t eating turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. When everyone was done, Mr. Turkey watched the football game with Dad and Grandpa. Just before dark, Mr. Turkey said he had to leave. He grabbed his bag and hat and headed out the door. "Come back next year Mr. Turkey, " called out Grandma. But it replied, "Oh, no, I´ll try a different family next year. That´s the way it´s gotta be!" So, be ready. If this Thanksgiving you hear a knock at the door, maybe, just maybe Mr. Turkey is standing outside your door....

THE END

DAILY RECIPE: Stuffed Pasta Tomatoes

6 large, firm, red tomatoes

2 cups cooked short pasta

olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

grated parmesan cheese

garlic salt

Slice the top off tomatoes and carefully scoop out the insides. Put the pulp you scooped out in the blender with a little water. Blend well. Heat oil and sauteé garlic. Add pasta and tomato paste. Season with garlic salt. Spoon into tomato shells and top with parmesan cheese. Bake for a few minutes and serve.

TIP OF THE DAY

Make sure your children are getting their share of fruits and vegetables by starting a table. Mark a dot next to their names when they have their daily intake. You´ll both easily notice if they´re not eating properly.

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Part 3

... Mary and Scott froze. What would they tell Dad? "Oh, hi Dad," said Mary, "we´re just playing a game!" "Yeah," said Scott, "a Thanksgiving game! It´s called ´Hide the Turkey´!" "Well, have fun kids, " said Dad as he walked away. They were safe for now but they had to come up with a plan. What were they going to do? Just then, the turkey flung the door of the room wide open. " Well", it said, "I´m all ready for that delicious dinner now after a good rest. Will we be eating any time soon?" "Yes,"said Mary quickly, "we´re just waiting for our grandparents." Just then the doorbell rang. Mary and Scott flew down the stairs and opened the door. It was Grandma and Grandpa! They all gave each other big hugs. Suddenly, Grandma pointed her finger at something behind them. Her wide eyes and open mouth made Mary and Scott fear the worst, and they were right. Right there, behind them, staring straight into Grandma´s eyes was Mr. Turkey!


(Find what happens to Mr. Turkey, Mary and Scott tomorrow for the ending of Storytime....)

DAILY RECIPE: Orange Breaded Shrimp

1 lb. shrimp
1 cup bread crumbs
Melted butter
salt and pepper
oil
2 oranges
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce

Wash shrimp. Add salt and pepper to melted butter and fully coat shrimp. Pass through bread crumbs until well covered. Fry in a little oil until done. Remove excess oil with paper napkin.
Squeeze oranges on top of sugar and place over low heat. Stir constantly and add soy sauce. Cook until thick and drizzle on top of shrimp. Serve with white rice.

TIP OF THE DAY

For shirts that need ironing, try ironing them right after they come out of the washer, when they are still damp. Hang them and let them finish drying.

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Part 2

... Mary and Scott could not believe what they heard. A talking turkey at their door! The turkey looked at them intensely. Mary was the first to talk: "Why are you here, Mr. Turkey?" The turkey answered, "Well, I was out on the farm when all the other turkeys started running away saying they had to leave before Thanksgiving dinner. So I packed my suitcase, put on my hat and scarf, and set out to find a nice house where I could have this very important dinner at. And here I am!" Mary and Scott looked at each other. What were they to do? What would Mom and Dad say when a talking turkey sat with them at the dinner table? They had only one choice, they had to hide the turkey. Mary ran inside and checked that the coast was clear. Scott asked the turkey in and led it to their room. The turkey sat on the bed. "Ahhhhhh!, " it exclaimed, "I´m going to rest just a bit before dinner if that´s ok with you. That was a long walk." "That´s quite all right Mr. Turkey", said Scott, "You make yourself at home!" Mary and Scott tiptoed out of their room and closed the door behind them. Their Dad´s voice startled them, "Hey, what are you kids up to? Who are you talking to?"

Find out what Mary and Scott will tell Dad tomorrow when the story continues.

ARTICLE: Everyday Activities for 1-5 year olds

All children need fun activities to stimulate their mental and physical development. This is especially true from the age of 1 to 5, since they´re too young to play on their own, and too old to rely only on feeding and caring. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Place different obstacles in an area of your family room or yard. (boxes, cushions, pillows) Crawl or walk together, zigzagging through the objects.
• Encourage your child to pick up his/her toys and put them in a toy box.
• Ask your child to put their dirty clothes in their hamper.
• Have a show and tell of family photos. Talk to them and explain who is in each picture. (Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Siblings)
• Constantly talk to them about what you both are doing or seeing.
• Puzzles! Do them together.
• Teach them to doodle with paper and paint, and paper and crayons.
• Read a bedtime story and allow him/her to finish the story with his/her own words and imagination.

DAILY RECIPE: Apple Spinach Salad

1 bag pre-washed spinach

2 red apples

1 cup mushrooms, washed

1/2 cup pecans

1/2 cup honey mustard dressing

Slice mushrooms and cube apples, unpeeled. Arrange spinach leaves. Toss with apples, mushrooms and pecans. Add dressing and mix well.

TIP OF THE DAY

Prepare a small plastic container with scissors, scotch tape, pen, gift cards and ribbons. Use it as a wrapping central. No more rumaging through your desk to find what you need!

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Part 1

Mary and her younger brother Scott were very excited about Thanksgiving Day. Their grandparents were coming over for dinner and Mom was preparing a big feast. They were helping out with decorations, drawing turkeys and pilgrims to set around the living room. Dad was helping set the big table and a scent of delicious food surrounded the house.

Just as Mary and Scott were hanging a paper turkey near the front door they heard a knock. "It must be Grandma and Grandpa!", shouted Scott as he ran to open the door with Mary right behind him. What was their surprise to find, not their dear grandparents, but a big, fat turkey!

It was standing at the door with a funny smile on his face and a suitcase in one wing. He was wearing a hat and a scarf. As Mary´s and Scott´s eyes popped wide open in disbelief, the turkey spoke in a deep, but friendly voice: "Hellooooo! Here I am! May I come in?"

(Find out more about Mary, Scott and the turkey tomorrow for part 2 of Storytime)

DAILY RECIPE: Mashed Potato Steak

1 cup mashed potatoes, freshly made or from flakes
1 lb. steak medallions
Chives
Garlic salt and pepper
Oil
1 cup beef stock

Season steak with garlic salt and pepper. Brown in oil on each side. Place onto baking pan. Pour beef stock all around. Using an ice cream server, place a scoop on top of each steak medallion. Garnish with chives. Bake at 350°F until tender and potatoes are browned.

TIP OF THE DAY

Start making a toy "clean-up" before Christmas arrives. You can give them to goodwill making other children happy, plus you´ll have toy box space for the incoming gifts that are sure to arrive.

ART ACTIVITY: Turkey Craft

You will need:

Brown construction paper

Yellow construction paper

Red, yellow, orange and green craft feathers

Glue

Scissors

Black marker

Carefully trace your child´s hand on the brown construction paper. Make sure their fingers are spread apart. Cut out. Draw an eye on the thumb and glue a small yellow construction paper triangle next to it for a beak. Glue feathers on all other fingers. Cut out yellow legs for the turkey and glue at the bottom. Use as place cards for Thanksgiving dinner, as a Thanksgiving Day card for grandparents or just as holiday fun craft.

DAILY RECIPE: Corn Flakes Fish

6 fish filets (washed)
2 cups corn flakes
butter
two cloves garlic
salt

Grease a baking pan with butter. Place fish filets and sprinkle with salt. Finely chop garlic and place evenly among fish. Add a teaspoon of butter on each filet. Lightly crush corn flakes and pour on top of fish. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes at 350°F. Serve with white rice or buttered pasta.

TIP OF THE DAY

If your baby likes to take everything out of your purse, which aside from being dangerous is sometimes embarassing, try this: Drop in various items in an old purse. For example, a small tupperware, a brochure, a scarf, old pictures, a glove, the lid of a jar. Just make sure nothing represents a choking hazard. When your child starts reaching for your purse, hand him/her the "play purse" and let them enjoy the freedom of taking everything out!

ARTICLE: Baby Einstein Videos for Children

Lately, many of us heard on the news about new reports on keeping young children and babies from watching tv until the age of two or older. Later on, there was an announcement on how you could get your money back on purchased Baby Einstein videos. This left me with a thought: Are they really that bad for your children? This is what I concluded, maybe some of you will disagree: It is clear that TV is not good for babies. Many people believe it is one of the causes of increased cases of autism. If you sit your child in front of the television for hours and hours, it´s not ok, no matter how old, just as they shouldn´t play video games for long periods of time. But, if you watch a Baby Einstein video, TOGETHER, and clap to the music or comment on the colors, I really do not see anything wrong with that. In fact, I believe it is a great source of sense awareness for your child. Now, this is not what you will be doing at all hours of every day of course. And it IS best to keep your one-year-old from the TV. But if your child is 2 and is in a household where the TV is on for the morning news, your favorite sitcom and the Sunday game, you might as well introduce them to the TV with these videos that are much simpler for them than today´s cartoons and kids´ shows. So, my advice, use these videos that introduce them to classical music and art, as a first TV show for older toddlers with you commenting by their side.

DAILY RECIPE: Spinach Manicotti

10 Manicotti pasta (big, thick macaronni)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 bag pre-washed spinach
1/2 onion
2 cloves garlic
olive oil
salt
crushed pepper
grated parmesan cheese
grated mozzarella cheese

Cook pasta for 5 mintues. Meanwhile, finely chop onion and garlic. Sautée in olive oil. Add spinach and cook until tender. Blend ricotta cheese and spinach mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add parmesan cheese and blend again. Carefully fill manicotti pasta. Arrange in a baking pan and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Bake in 350°F oven for about half an hour.

TIP OF THE DAY

Wipe food stains off children´s clothing with a baby wipe if you do not have a pre-treater on hand. It works quite well.

ACTIVITY: Thanksgiving Thankful Box

With Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks get an early start for this holiday celebration. Cover an old shoe box with orange paper and decorate with fall or Thanksgiving motives (brown leaves, turkeys, pilgrims, acorns). You can make them by tracing cookie cutter shapes on brown cardboard and cutting them out. Once your box is decorated (your children can help you out), write Thankful Box on it. Cut a slit on top as if it were a mailbox. Place it in the kitchen or family room or any place in your house your family passes through every day. Set a cup with crayons, markers and pencils next to it, together with a pack of index cards. Tell your family that for the next couple of weeks whenever they can think of something they´re thankful for, they should write it down on an index card and place it in the Thankful Box. Help out younger family members by encouraging them to draw something they give thanks for. Ask them what it is and write it down on the back of the card. Just before Thanksgiving dinner, open up the box and read all the things your family is thankful for. (Be sure to have a box of kleenex by your side -- you´ll be amazed at how profound your children´s thoughts can be ).

DAILY RECIPE: Yoghurt Parfait

1 large plain yoghurt
diced cantaloupe
sliced peach (fresh or frozen and thawed)
pineapple chunks
honey
granola

In a large parfait cup pour a thin layer of yoghurt. Add half of the mixed fruit. Add another thin layer of yoghurt and the rest of the fruit. Add yoghurt until cup is filled. Top with a drizzle of honey and sprinkle granola.

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep garlic cloves in an air tight jar in the fridge. They will last fresh much longer.

ARTICLE: Imaginary Friends

Imaginary friends are a part of growing up. Many children have them and some even become part of the family. From setting an extra place at the table or asking your child what his imaginary friend wishes to do, boys, bears, girls and dragons are present with our children for the first part of their lives.
Sometimes we might me annoyed by this imaginary friend. However, considering that they will outgrow them, we might try to use the imaginary friend to learn more about our child´s likes and dislikes. By including them in our conversations we might see through a window and realize something about our child that we didn´t know before.
When your child talks to his or her imaginary friend, try to discover a little more about him. For example if the imaginary friend takes gymnastics lessons, ask, "Would you like to take gymnastics, too?" If the imaginary friend doesn´t like to play ball, ask "What about you?" Better yet, if the imaginary friend is having trouble with someone at kindergaren, ask "By the way, how are you doing in your classroom?"
We cannot get rid of imaginary friends, so, we might as well use them to our advantage, until our children slowly start forgetting about them.

DAILY RECIPE: Easy Pizza Dinner!

6 Flour tortillas
1 small can spaghetti sauce
grated mozzarella cheese
3 ham slices
40 peperoni slices
parmesan cheese

Place tortillas in a baking pan. Spread with sauce. Sprinkle with a little cheese. Add ham and peperoni slices. Sprinkle the remaining cheese. Top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°F until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly.

TIP OF THE DAY

When preparing baby food at home, make enough for a couple of days. You can refrigerate half and simply warm it up for the next day.

ARTICLE: Kids Flu Prevention Tips

• Always, always have kids wash hands before eating
• If you are out of the house use antibacterial gel
• Remember antibacterial gel is to be used only when you don´t have a sink with soap and water
• Show children the proper way to wash hands (have them wash while they sing a popular song)
• Keep antibacterial gel in purse, diaper bag and car
• Remind children not to share food or drinks with classmates or friends
• If your child is sick, do not take them to crowded places
• Keep fingernails well trimmed
• At the first signs of the disease contact your pediatritian
• You can get infected by the flu virus when you touch mucus membranes : Play a game with your children, whoever touches their mouth, nose or eyes loses a point.
• Talk to them about the flu, how it is a serious disease and that they need to be extra carefull to prevent it

DAILY RECIPE: Basic Cheese Pie

1 graham cracker pie crust
1 large cream cheese
1 can condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Can of fruit topping

Blend cream cheese until softened. Gradually add condensed milk, lemon and vanilla. Pour into pie crust. Chill for three hours. Decorate with fruit topping. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

TIP OF THE DAY

Take a basic first aid kit in your purse when trick or treating: anti-bacterial gel, desinfectant spray, bandaids... so a small scrape won´t stop the fun!

HALLOWEEN GAME: Trick or Treat

Great for classrooms, parties or family time. Cut small strips of paper. Draw a candy on half, draw a ghost or pumpkin on the others. Fold in half and place inside a plastic jack-o-lantern. Sit children around in a circle. Pass the jack-o-lantern around. Each child, in his/her turn, will take a paper out from the jack-o-lantern. If it´s a candy, they get a treat. If it´s a ghost or pumpkin, that means it´s trick time. They have to perform a stunt such as a song, dance, pretending to be a Halloween character, etc. To make a longer game, pass the jack-o-lantern around with music. When the music stops, the person who has the jack-o-lantern takes out the piece of paper.

ARTICLE: Limits Please!

With the busy lives we live today, mothers working away from home, and media influence, our children are often given what they ask that very minute. It´s hard after a day of work, tired and guilty, to come to your house and forbid your child to eat that candy bar before dinner. Sadly, though, we have to do it. It´s hard not to please your child, especially if you´re only with him or her for a few hours each day. But still, children need limits. It´s our way to show them that we care. Keep in mind that you will never be able to give your child everything, even if money isn´t an issue. If he wants the picture frame on the wall, you can give it to him. But what happens when he wants the nail? Maybe you could give it to him, too. And then, he will ask for the hole the nail left on the wall. What do you do then? Remember, when your child gets angry or throws a fit because he doesn´t get his way, you´re doing your job right!

DAILY RECIPE: Vegetable Chicken Apricot Stir Fry

1 lb. diced chicken breast
garlic salt
butter
2 zuchinnis (cut into long thin strips)
2 carrots (cut into long thin strips)
1/2 cup apricot jelly
1/2 cup lite soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth

Melt butter in a deep saucepan. Add seasoned chicken and cook until lightly browned. Add vegetables and cook for a few minutes. Meanwhile blend jelly, soy sauce and chicken broth. Add to chicken and vegetables and cook till thick and bubbly. Serve over white rice or pasta.

TIP OF THE DAY

When cooking with a little extra time, try doubling the recipe. Freeze half, and use on a hectic day.

HALLOWEEN: Last Minute Costume with a Box

Halloween is this Saturday!!! If you still don´t have a costume for your child here´s an easy way out. Find a large box (check out your garage or your local grocery store). Many costumes can be easily made with paint, paper, glue gun and of course, a cardboard box.

• TV - paint black or gray, add a screen with a cut out from a favorite tv show
• iPOD - paint black, white, pink add an image of a favorite character or singer, or add your child´s own picture
• ROBOT - add buttons, glue spare metallic objects, with a smaller box you can add a head to the robot
• Rubik´s Cube - a step back to the eighties, but still fun, cut out squares from colored paper and glue all around
• Dice - easy! Paint white and add dots with a thick black marker

For all costumes, remember to cut a slit on top of box for head, and two on the sides for arms to come out. Do this carefully with scissors or cutter, with your child far away from you. For the decorating, invite them to join the fun and give their ideas. When you´re done, simply dress your child with clothes matching the costume your chose! Happy Halloween!

DAILY RECIPE: Potato Onion Salad

1/2 onion sliced

1 lb. baby potatoes

vinegar

olive oil

salt and pepper

Cook and peel potatoes. Cool. Mix two parts vinegar with one part oil. Add salt and pepper. Toss with potatoes and onion. Great with a steak dinner.

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep an ordinary planner next to the phone or computer. Whenever an important date or appointment needs to be jotted down, it´s much easier to do it with pen and paper than on any electronical device.

ONLINE ACTIVITY: ScrapColoring!

ScrapColoring is a new website, offering children the opportunity to color using patterns and gradients, textures and colors with a wide variety of pictures. It develops their creativity and it really is lots of fun! They can also enter their name and color it, developing pre-writing skills as well as encouraging artistic development. Visit it with your children and you´ll find hours of free online fun.

http://scrapcoloring.com

HALLOWEEN: Easy Costumes to find around the house!

• WITCH: Make a pointed hat out of black posterboard. Decorate with star stickers. Braid your child´s hair overnight. Let braids loose in the morning so hair will be frizzy. With a black makeup pencil add freckles or a wart. Have your child wear an orange t-shirt, a black skirt and bright colored tights that don´t match.
• PIRATE: Make an eye patch with yarn and a piece of black construction paper. Have your child wear a striped shirt and dark pants or shorts. (Even better? Cut pants that don´t fit anymore just below the knee). Tie a bandanna on your child´s head. Girl pirates? Add a side braid for a final touch.
• GYPSY: Simple! Oversized blouse, long skirt (they can use your own) and lots of necklaces, rings and bracelets. A bandanna or handkerchief on head is a great touch, too.
• VAMPIRE: Have them wear all black. If you have an old black cape, tie it around their back. If not, a black tablecloth, piece of cloth or black sheet will do. Even simpler? One of your black coats or jackets. With a black makeup pencil mark their eyebrows, a little white powder for the face, and even some red lipstick to paint "blood spots" down their chin.
• CLOWN: Clothes that don´t match. Anything they want, as long as it doesn´t match! Add a funny hat, scarf or big bowtie made from tissue paper or cloth. If you have a wig, let them use it. Add funny makeup around the face, eyes and cheeks. (Some ideas, draw lines, hearts, circles, etc.) Paint nose red.
• GHOST: Don´t forget the ever famous ghost in the white sheet. Use one of your old sheets and carefully cut out holes for the eyes.

HAPPY TRICK OR TREATING!

DAILY RECIPE: Easy French Toast

6 slices of white bread

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

butter

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cinammon powder

Mix eggs and milk with a whisk. Combine sugar and cinammon. One slice at a time, soak bread in egg mixture. Melt butter in a small frying pan and cook bread. When brown on both sides coat well with sugar mix. Serve immediately.

TIP OF THE DAY

Limited closet space? Buy a large plastic container that fits under the bed. Put away shorts, sandals or any other items you will definitely not be wearing in winter months. When spring arrives, switch out with winter clothes.

HALLOWEEN TIP: Your very own Haunted House!

Make your home a haunted house for the day with these easy ideas:

• Greet trick or treaters with a CD of spooky noises available at Target or WalMart.
• Buy toy spiderwebs and decorate around your door.
• Cover windows with light yellow tissue paper, for that spooky glow.
• Place jack-o-lantern or other Halloween décor near the door.
• Dress up to get into the Halloween spirit.
• Decorate a glove with different colored paper to make it look like a monster´s. Fill with cotton and place it reaching out from a window, mailbox or door.

DAILY RECIPE: Peach Jello Dessert

1 box peach flavor Jello
1 can peaches

Prepare jello according to package directions. Pour into blender together with can of peaches. Blend well. Pour into pan and refrigerate until set.

TIP OF THE DAY

Give sneakers a quick clean using baby wipes: fast and easy!

ARTICLE: Your children, your biggest reward!

As mothers, we cherish our children, the moments we spend together, their different milestones, their achievements. But, sometimes I wonder: do we actually realize the marvelous position we are in? Here we have one or two or more human beings, depending on us to grow up. From feeding them as babies, to helping them become all they can be, these children are giving us the opportunity to watch them thrive from up close. We are there when they reach their goals, we are there when they need a hug, we are there for advice. If you think about it, we never feel more needed in our lives than when our children call out that special: "Mom!" From the baby who needs a diaper change, the toddler who holds our hand for that big jump, the child who needs more help with that tough project to the teen who needs to have that talk, being a mother makes our whole life have a meaning. With the various stories we hear everyday on the news, such as the balloon boy fiasco, I am left but wondering: are mothers aware that life can´t get more rewarding than having that special child reach out for us to make us a part of their life?

DAILY RECIPE: Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin

1 small pork tenderloin
1 cup barbecue sauce
2 oranges
Salt and pepper

Season pork. Place carefully in slow cooker. Add barbecue sauce and the juice from the two oranges. Cook overnight. Take pork out, place in a deep pan, slice and cover with remaining sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes.

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep classmates emails stored in your computer. Play dates, homework checks or team projects can be easily resolved.

DAILY RECIPE: Banana Mousse Dessert

1 can evaporated milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon Knox
1/4 cup water
1 banana


Place can of milk in the freezer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile blend banana. Set aside. Blend milk and sugar until double its original volume. Dissolve Knox in hot water and add. Add banana and fold everything together. Pour in cups and refrigerate.

TIP OF THE DAY

Chop 1/2 an onion and keep in an air tight container in the fridge. When in a hurry, it will be ready for cooking.

HALLOWEEN CRAFT: Beware signs!

Old carboard boxes

Colored paper

Glue

Hot glue

Long lawn sticks

Cut wide strips from the carboard boxes. Cover with colored paper. Cut out letters from paper and glue to the sign. Some ideas: BEWARE, DO NOT ENTER, ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK, TRICK OR TREAT, HAPPY HALLOWEEN, WATCH OUT FOR GHOSTS, BEWARE OF GOBLINS, etc. Hot glue a lawn stick to each sign and decorate your front yard for trick or treaters.

DAILY RECIPE: Easy tomato noodle soup

1 tomato

4 cups chicken broth

1 small bag noodles

salt

butter

Blend tomato with salt and 1 cup of the chicken stock. In a little butter sauteé noodles in a large pot. Add tomato mixture and mix until all noodles are coated well and liquid has evaporated a bit. Add remaining chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat, and continue to cook until noodles are tender.

TIP OF THE DAY

When cleaning out your child´s bedroom, take 3 plastic bags with you. In one toss anything that´s trash, in another anything you no longer want and in the third one anything that belongs in another room of the house. When you´re done simply toss one out, donate the second and empty the third one placing any objects in their correct rooms.

DAILY RECIPE: Zuchinni Cream Soup

3 tbsp butter

1.5 tbsp flour

2 tbsp chopped onion

4 zuchinni

1 can evaporated milk

3 cups water

croutons

Sauteé flour and onion in butter. Blend zuchinni, evaporated milk and water. Add to flour and onion and mix well. Stir constantly until thick and bubbly. Check for salt and serve with croutons. Great for chilly weather.

TIP OF THE DAY

In a moment of free time, thread a couple of needles with white and black thread. Save in your dresser drawer. Whenever someone loses a button or rips a hem, you´ll be ready to repair.

HALLOWEEN CRAFT: Jack-o-Lantern Noisemakers

2 jello disposable cups
orange paint
black cardboard
craft leaves or green cardboard leaves
1 green pipe-cleaner
glue
assorted beans or rice

Paint the insides of the jello cups with the orange paint. Let dry. Cut out 2 small triangles( eyes), one medium sized triangle (nose) and one mouth from the black cardboard. Turn one jello cup over and glue eyes and nose. Glue the mouth to the other jello cup, only this cup should be right side up. Fill mouth cup with rice and beans and glue other cup on top. Your jack-o-lantern should be almost ready. Glue leaves and twisted green pipe cleaner on top. You´re done!

DAILY RECIPE: Candy Corn Jello

1 box pineapple jello (yellow)
1 box orange jello (orange)
1 tub Cool Whip
Candy corn
Water
See-thru jello cups or parfait cups

Prepare orange jello according to package directions. Fill cups 1/3 full and refrigerate until set. Prepare yellow jello according to package directions and fill 1/3 more. Refrigerate until set. Before serving top the last third of the cup with Cool Whip and sprinkle 2 or 3 candy corn pieces on each dessert. Great for Halloween parties!

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep a roll of Clorox desinfectant wipes under each sink in each bathroom of your house. When you do not have much time, grab one and give sink and toilet a quick brush.

IDEA: Halloween Decorating Party!

Children are always excited about Halloween. Start the fun early by hosting your very own Halloween Decorating Family Party. There´s no need to prep ahead of time, all you need is your family! Take out last year´s Halloween decorations, and make some new ones of your own. Some easy ideas, that look professional, are:

• Cut out bats from black posterboard
• Cut out ghosts from white posterboard
• Spiders made out of black paper plates and cardboard
• Cut out Halloween coloring pages
• Orange garbage bag filled with recycled paper or leaves and decorated with a jack-o-lantern face

The point is to have fun preparing decorations! Once you have everything you need, start putting everything in place. Get into the mood by playing Halloween music. I like the Nightmare Before Christmas CD, Monster Mash, Trick or Treat and other Halloween favorites. Set out a plate of cookies and grape juice to add to the setting. Most of all remember to do this with your family and have fun!

DAILY RECIPE: Chicken Rolls

4 chicken filets

4 slices of ham

4 kraft cheese singles

salt and pepper

1 egg

bread crumbs

Place a chicken filet on a plate. Add salt and pepper, one slice of ham and one cheese single. Roll up and moist in the beaten egg. Cover with bread crumbs and seal in a hot pan with a little oil. Repeat this with all filets and place in a baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes and serve.

TIP OF THE DAY

Get a variety from bedtime stories and do a mini puppet show for your child. With one puppet in each hand tell a short story and make bedtime lots of fun!

ACTIVITY : Child´s Growth Chart!

It´s wonderful to see your children grow. Start a growth chart in your child´s bedroom. Mark his height every few months. You´ll both be amazed at how fast they grow!

To do this, you can buy a ready made poster. You´ll find many that will adhere to the wall just like wallpaper. Others can be nailed. Many show popular children´s characters.

You can also make your own poster by using posterboard, stickers and a ruler. Mark all measurements and decorate it with your child.

Another great choice? Stick a long piece of wide masking tape to the bathroom wall (vertically). Simply grab a pen and mark your child´s height with the date. Do this before they hop in the shower every couple of months.

DAILY RECIPE: Soy Sauce Pasta

1 large package pasta, cooked according to package directions

2 cloves garlic

1/2 onion

6 strips of bacon (finely chopped)

1/4 cup parsley (washed, trimmed and finely chopped)

1 can mushrooms

1 cup heavy cream

olive oil

soy sauce

Finely chop garlic and onion. Sautée in olive oil. Add bacon and cook well. Add drained mushrooms and parsley. Stir well. Add heavy cream and season with soy sauce. Pour over hot pasta.

TIP OF THE DAY

Put everything you need for a quick cleaning in a small plastic bucket. On a busy day, simply walk around the house and give everything a quick swish!

ARTICLE: Kindergarden "bullying"

We have all heard the problems with bullying lately. It is a problem that many schools are attacking by using different programs and activities. However, we usually start worrying about this in elementary school and on through high school. There are times that this can start at a very young age, as early as kindergarden. Talk to your children every day, ask them how their day was and who they played with. Get to know your child´s teacher and ask her about your child´s attitude in school. If your child is being bullied, the sooner you deal with the problem, the better. Watch for warning signs such as: your child doesn´t want to go to school on a regular basis, they come out crying, nail biting, hair or t-shirt biting, etc. Talk to your child and the teacher if you become aware of this, and always assure your youngster that you are there to help them out in whatever they might need.

DAILY RECIPE: Mac and Cheese dinner

1 family size KRAFT Mac and Cheese package

1/2 bag frozen brocoli florets, thawed

1 boneless chicken breast

salt, pepper

In a little oil, grill chicken breast until well done. Cut into strips. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Add brocoli when you add milk and butter. Stir well. Add chicken strips and place in pan. Dot with butter and place in microwave until butter is melted and dish is throughly heated.

TIP OF THE DAY

Practice math skills with preschoolers by using different items such as buttons, coins, rocks or sea shells. Have them count, add and subtract. You´ll be amazed how these simple games can improve their skills.

ARTICLE: The Sandwich Child

If you have three children, you have one of the sandwich child families. The middle child gets, precisely, caught in the middle. The oldest will always be the eldest and the first to do almost everything. The youngest is the baby of the house. Where does that leave the middle child? If all your three children are boys or all girls, this factor is even worse because of comparisons. If you have this situation in your house here are some tips to help you out:

• Always keep your middle child in mind. When talking about the day´s events or when planning something, focus on him or her, or ask them to talk first.
• Find an activity or sport that only he or she can participate in. This will help make them unique in that area.
• Set a day aside for him or her. Once a week or every two weeks, take them out to chat in the park, or out with the bikes for a moment of just you and him/her.

Keep in mind that each child is different and some middle children can really have their feelings exposed while others will keep all bottled up inside. Watch your middle child extra carefully so they don´t become a sandwich.

TIP OF THE DAY

When walking in a crowded area, hold your child by the wrist, instead of the hand. It´ll be much harder to get separated from this grip.

ACTIVITY: Bean plant

Read the story of Jack and the Beanstalk to your children. Then, try growing this bean plant:

You will need:

1 small jar (baby food)

cotton
water

beans

Place the beans (2 or 3) at the bottom of the jar, being careful they fall to the sides. Add cotton and wet. Observe with your children as the plant starts to grow. (First roots, then stem and leaves). Make sure your plant gets enough sunlight and water. (The cotton should always be damp.)

DAILY RECIPE: Tuna Bread

2 loaves white bread

4 cans of tuna

1 tomato

1/2 onion

salt and pepper

1 bag spinach (cooked and seasoned)

milk

Dice onion and tomato and sautee in a little oil. Add tuna and season with salt and pepper. Cut ends off bread. Taking one piece at a time, lightly wet in milk and place in a rectangular pan. Once you coat the entire bottom add a layer of tuna. Then bread again. Add a layer of spinach. Bread again. Continue adding layers, ending with bread. Place a heavy pan over the last layer and refrigerate. Turn over and coat with mayo.

TIP OF THE DAY

When attending a school meeting always take a notebook and pen with you to jot down quick notes or to write short reminders of everything you want to discuss with the teacher.

ART: Rain Stick - musical instrument

You will need:
1 thick, long wrapping paper roll
hair pins
beans and rice
posterboard
tissue paper
glue

Cut slits all along the roll. Cover one end with posterboard and secure. Pour in several beans and a handful of rice. Insert hair pins in each of the slits, pushing in all the way through. Cover the other end and glue. Cover the roll with tissue paper, let dry. Once dry, you can hear rain as you turn the stick upside down and downside up.

ACTIVITY: Family Book Club

Reading is an important part of growing up. We should encourage our children to read using different tips and ideas (reading to young children every night, for example). When your family gets into the habit of doing this you can start a family book club. One night a week get together after dinner or after Sunday breakfast, for example, to talk about a book or a chapter of the book you´re reading. Get children excited by having them name characters and what the book is about, if they liked it or not and why. Great topic for conversations, extra family time, reading encouragement, public speaking skills and basics for book reports and reviews: all developed with this activity that won´t take you more than 15 minutes of your time!

DAILY RECIPE: Ranch Pasta Salad

1 bag short pasta, cooked and drained
1 cup turkey breast strips
1 cup cooked zucchini (diced)
1 cup bell pepper strips
1/2 cup onion (diced)
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 bottle ranch dressing

Toss all ingredients together in a bowl. Refrigerate and serve.

TIP OF THE DAY

Natural anti-mosquito spray: Place several bay leaves in water and bring to a boil. Boil for several minutes. Remove leaves, cool and place in a spray bottle.

ARTICLE: Toddlers´First Time Offense!

Toddlers have great imaginations and wonderful ideas and we never know what they´ll think of next. However, when one of their innovative ideas means danger or a mess that we do not want, we must stop them immediately. For this behavior one may think a consecuence or punishment is in order, but no. If our child did not know that his or her behavior was inadecuate, we have to stop them, be firm, explain, but the consecuence or punishment has to come only if they repeat this act. This is so they are clear on what the rules are. If we punish them for things they did not know were wrong, our act/consecuence system will fail to function. So, next time you walk in to a crayon decorated wall, take a deep breath, stop your child from being Picasso for the afternoon, explain that we don´t do that and pass them a coloring book. If he repeats the action (hopefully no, for your sake) then apply the consecuence. Good Luck!

DAILY RECIPE: Flan (Custard dessert)

5 eggs
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients in blender. Pour into a white corning ware microwable pan. Microwave for 8-10 minutes on Hi until set. Let cool and serve.

TIP OF THE DAY

1-2-3 art smock? Cut 3 slits on an old pillowcase (1 on top for the head, and two on the top cormers for the arms). Voilá!

ACTIVITY: Halloween Ghost Decoration

October is just around the corner, and with it: Halloween! Try this fun project to place outside your house and start preparing for trick or treat season.

You will need:

White posterboard

Black markers

White plastic bag

Scissors

Glue

String

Cut a long piece of posterboard and roll up. This is the ghost´s head. Decorate it with eyes and mouth, it can be scary or funny. Cut long strips of plastic from the plastic bag. Glue to the bottom of the head, all around the posterboard. Glue or staple a string on the top. You are ready to hang up your ghost decoration and start scaring up for Halloween!

DAILY RECIPE: Fresh Fruit Pie

1 can condensed milk

1 cup of water

3 egg yolks

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup water

1 can half and half

10 strawberries (washed, trimmed and cut in half)

1 kiwi fruit (peeled and sliced)

orange slices

1 prepared pie crust

Bring condensed milk and cup of water to a boil. Meanwhile beat egg yolks with cornstarch and 1/2 cup of water. Add to boiling condensed milk and beat until thick. Remove from heat and stir in half and half. Pour into pie crust. Chill and decorate with fruit slices.

TIP OF THE DAY

Give yourself a hand and help young children stimulate their visual discrimination skills by having them pair up socks after they come out of the dryer!

DAILY RECIPE:Coconut Rice

1 1/2 cups rice

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cups coconut milk

salt and pepper

1 garlic clove

oil

In a little oil sauteé finely chopped garlic clove and rice. Add chicken broth and coconut milk and stir well. Add salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, checking for tenderness.

TIP OF THE DAY

Remove stubborn grease from pans by filling them up with a little water and detergent. Place over low heat until bubbly: the grease will rinse right off!

ARTICLE: Using a "practice skit" to make children safe

We have all told our children not to speak to strangers, never wander off and never take candy or anything else from someone they don´t know. However, it can be hard for a young child to understand who is a stranger, and how they can say they don´t want candy from them. For these situations, I like to use a "practice skit". When talking to your children about this, add a for example. After you give your explanation tell them: for example, a stranger tells you, "Here, eat this candy bar." What do you say? What do you do? Help them along with possible reactions. It will be easier to understand what they have to do. You can use this method for different situations and when talking about delicate subjects to older children; such as what to do if "friends" offer them drugs. Help your children by using examples of possible answers they can give to stay away from these situations. Though they´re delicate subjects to discuss with them, they will be better prepared for life if you do.

DAILY RECIPE: Easy Minestrone!

1 cup diced zuchinni

1 cup diced carrots

1 cup diced potatoes

6 cups chicken broth

1 tomato

salt and pepper

1 small pkg. short pasta (elbow, macaronni, etc.)

Bring broth to a boil and add diced vegetables. Cook until tender but still firm on the inside. Check for seasoning, remember potatoes absorb salt. Blend tomato and add to the soup. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Serve warm.

TIP OF THE DAY

If your child has a favorite stuffed animal that he or she takes to bed and basically everywhere around, try buying an identical one and save as a spare. If ever the tragedy should occur that the original gets lost, you can bring out the spare one and no more sleepless nights!

ARTICLE: Participating in Children´s School Events!

Sometimes, if we work outside the house, or if everyday tasks keep us constantly busy, it can be hard to volunteer for the PTA or as room mothers at school, and it´s o.k. However there will be times when our kids will come up to us and ask that feared question: "Mom, how come you didn´t go to the school event today? All the other mothers were there." (Because that´s what they´ll say, even if just one mom showed up :) !) For this there is a simple solution. If you simply cannot attend to every school function because of work, choose a couple throughout the year, and then really make a point out of going so that your child will embrace that moment in their minds. For example, let´s say you can´t attend any event or field trip because of work, but they ask you to serve the Halloween lunch, and you can do it. Bring decorated cupcakes, napkin covered "ghost" juice bottles, Halloween paper plates and napkins, etc. Take lots of pictures and stay for the parade. Show your child that although mommy has to work, you took time off when you could and presented everything in the best possible way that you could. This will also teach your child responsability by understanding the importance of your job, but that you still care a lot about him or her and that you are ready to participate in their events in a great way.

TIP OF THE DAY

Are your kids still reluctant about putting your inflatable wading pool away for the fall? Give them a few more days of "pool fun" by filling it up with small plastic balls (available at toy stores by the bag). They can enjoy a day in a "dry" pool!

DAILY RECIPE: Potato Salad

1 lb. red potatoes
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup ranch salad dressing
1/2 cup bacon bits

Cook potatoes, drain and let cool. Slice them into bite size pieces. Mix with green onions and add salad dressing until all is well coated. Top with bacon bits and serve.

ARTICLE: What do I do with my child´s art work?

When our children start kindergarden, or even before that, we start "collecting" art work. From drawings to models to projects, they start invading our closets, rooms... our house. What to do with them? Well, you have to consider the space you have, the number of children you have and the quantity of art pieces entering your house. However, always keep in mind that your child worked hard on the project and will not like seeing you toss it into the trash. Here are some tips on what to do with art work!

• Reserve a space in the refrigerator door. Display one project per week. Have your child understand that after that time, it will be another project´s turn. When the week is up, dispose of the project.
• Take pictures of the project. In today´s digital age, we can easily take pictures of everything and save in our computer. Take pictures of all art work, show them to your child and save them on a cd or computer. Label them with date and name. Then, dispose of the projects.
• If the project is really outstanding, frame it and hang in the family room.
• Save one or two pieces of art per month. At the end of the school year, staple them to a folder and save as a book with the name of your child and date.
• Buy a pocket folder and have your child choose the art work that has to be saved. Put in the folder and keep it with your files.

Some extra things to keep in mind:

• If you´re saving clay, remember to coat it with glue first to help preserve it.
• Don´t save anything that has glued pasta, rice, seeds or beans!
• Don´t save anything that has candy, sugar or jell-o!
• Make sure paint or glue are dry before stacking them together.
• Check what you´ve been saving constantly to make sure you´re not keeping too much that it doesn´t fit anymore.

DAILY RECIPE: Tuna Fish Spaghetti

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons chopped onion

1 chopped clove garlic

2 tomatoes

1 can evaporated milk

1 package spaghetti

1 can of tuna

grated cheese

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Melt butter and sauteé onion and garlic. Blend tomatoes and season to taste. Mix in with onion and garlic. Check for seasoning, use salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add the milk, spaghetti and drained tuna. Place in a baking dish and cover with cheese. Before serving, pop in the microwave until cheese melts.

TIP OF THE DAY

Work on a jigsaw puzzle together with your children as they grow older. It can be an ongoing project for several days or weeks. When you´re done, frame it!

TIPS TO PREVENT THE FLU IN CHILDREN

We constantly hear about the coming flu epidemics (seasonal or H1N1). This can make any mother feel worried about how safe her children are. These are a few tips to prevent catching it. Remember, if you suspect your child has the flu take him or her to the doctor immediately:

• Keep a bottle of alcohol gel in your house. Encourage children to use it throughout the day on their hands.
• Keep a bottle of alcohol gel in your car. Have your children clean their hands with it as soon as they hop in from school, day care or sports activities.
• Carry gel in your purse too and put it on your children before eating a snack outside the house and after they finish playing in the park or playground.
• Remind them not to touch their faces, mouth, nose and eyes.
• Teach them to cover their mouths, when they sneeze or cough, with the inside of their elbow.
• If there is an outbreak in your area, don´t take them to the supermarket, mall or other high traffic areas.
• When flu season starts, have your children drink orange juice and carrot juice every morning. This will help their intake of vitamins C and A.
• Ask your doctor if they can take a vitamin A,C,D supplement.
• If your child is sick do not take them out of the house.
• Always see your doctor, do not self-medicate.

ARTICLE: Cooking with your children!

I used to ask my 2 year old to help me with desserts all the time. I would ask him to place the paper liners in the muffin cups or to pour the milk into the cake batter. (Always far away from oven or stove, of course!) We would have a good time but I didn´t realize I was helping him with much more than that.

When you ask your children to cook or bake with you, you are asking them to enter a part of your life that only you or other grownups are responsible for. This makes them feel involved in household chores that are actually fun! They will be happy to share with other members of the family that they "cooked" dinner, even if they only mixed once. Their fine motor skills are developed as they use their hands as precisely as they can. They learn to follow instructions in order. They also learn to be patient, because as much as they want to eat that cookie, it won´t be done until after 8 to 10 minutes! Most of all there is a special bond between you and your child that can actually help you relax after a stressful day.

So, remember next time you´re in the kitchen, ask your children to help out. Maybe there will be a bigger mess afterwards, but the moment will be quite rewarding for both of you. Be safe!

TIP OF THE DAY

Prepare school clothes, uniforms, clean sneakers or polish shoes as needed at night, before going to bed. Set everything they will need in the morning in a chair in their bedrooms. There will be no more: "Mom, have you seen my left sneaker?" in the morning chaos!

DAILY RECIPE: Garlic/Parsley Tuna Steak

6 tuna steaks
parsley
6 garlic cloves
sea salt
lemon

Place tuna in a baking dish. In the food processor, blend parsley, garlic cloves and salt until a coarse paste forms. Squirt lemon juice on tuna steaks and coat with parsley/garlic paste. Bake for about 20 minutes or until done. Serve with white rice.

DAILY RECIPE: Stuffed Zuchinni Boats

6 zuchinnis

butter

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper

Cut zuchinnis in half lengthwise. Scoop out the insides. Mix with the cheese and a little salt and pepper. Dot each zuchinni "boat" with butter and fill with cheese filling. Place in shallow baking dish in oven until zuchinni is tender and cheese has melted.

TIP OF THE DAY

Toss a wrinkled shirt in the dryer with a damp towel for a few minutes for instant ironing!

ACTIVITY: A "ME" POSTER!

You will need:

• Posterboard
• Photo of your child
• Old magazines
• Scissors
• Markers and crayons
• Glue or glue stick

Help your child be aware of his or her likes and dislikes as well as stress his individuality by making a ME poster. Find a recent picture of your child and paste it in the center of a posterboard. Cut out things your child likes or does from magazines (food, toys, movies, characters, colors, smells, animals, special qualities, sports, etc.) Paste all around the picture. Draw the ones you can´t find in the magazines. Once it´s finished, have your child show it to family members, friends or neighbors. Encourage him or her to talk a little about what makes them so special. Afterwards, display in their room or kitchen.