ACTIVITY: Homemade Puppet Show!

You will need:

Posterboard

Straws

Markers

Crayons

Scissors

Yarn, cloth

Scotch tape

A large cardboard box

Sit with your child and help him/her draw pictures of animals or favorite characters on the posterboard. If your child is younger you can draw them, if they´re older they´ll want to do them by themselves. Color them with markers and crayons. Cut them out. Add clothes and hair with the yarn and cloth. Tape a straw to the back of each character to make a puppet. Write Puppet Show on the cardboard box. Have your child stand behind it and help him create a small show. You can make a small play using a favorite bedtime story or bring out the CD player or IPOD and have the puppets sing and dance. Great idea for a rainy day!

TIP OF THE DAY

Use a tool box with different compartments to store your daughter´s ribbons, hairbands and barrettes. She will easily find what she´s looking for.

DAILY RECIPE: Spring Salad!

1 lettuce (washed and trimmed)
1 avocado
grapefruit slices
bacon bits
dressing (recipe follows)

Slice avocado in half moons. In a large salad bowl spread out lettuce. Add avocado slices. Top with grapefruit. Pour dressing and sprinkle bacon bits. Serve immediately. Great for a hot day!

Dressing: Blend 3/4 cup mayonaisse, 1/4 cup tomato ketchup, 1/4 cup pickles, 1 teaspoon lime juice and a pinch of sugar.

TIP OF THE DAY

When offering apples to a young child, cut them in slices instead of cubes. It´s easier for them to hold as they nibble at their pace.

ACTIVITY: My Happiness Box

Here is a great activity that will be the perfect solution to those I-fell-off-my-bike-and-the-kid-next-door-doesn´t-want-to-play-with-me-and-my-team-lost-the-game days!

You will need:

A small shoe box

Paint, paper, markers and stickers to decorate box

A small blank pad or large strips of recycled paper

Paper cutter

What to do:

Decorate the shoe box with your children, you can be as creative as you wish. When you´re done, cut a slit on top wide enough to fit a folded piece of paper. Use the strips to write happy thoughts. These can be written throughout several weeks or even months. Every time a happy, funny, or joyful event occurs, write it down and drop it in the box. It can only be opened when mommy says so, but it is sure to brighten future rainy days, as together you remember those happy moments you´ve collected through the months.

DAILY RECIPE : Breakfast Sandwich!

2 slices whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
2 eggs
1 teaspoon milk
1 slice Kraft singles

Beat eggs with milk and cook well in a dab of butter. Meanwhile toast bread and spread both slices with cream cheese. Take a slice and add egg, cheese slice and alfalfa sprouts. Top with other slice and cut in half. Delicious and great for an on-the-go breakfast!

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep a few used dryer sheets under the sink. When you don´t have much time, wipe the sink and counter quickly with one. Instant shine!

ARTICLE: Children and Nature

Modern life and especially modern cities have taken much of the wonders of nature away from us. When I was young I remember fireflies in my backyard in summer nights; now it´s almost impossible to find them in the city, and even out in the country they don´t seem to appear as often. This is just an example but the truth is our children are not in touch with nature at a time they should really be in. Our planet needs our help and although we are teaching them all about recycling and environmental awareness they should really know what they are protecting and the wonders that our Earth has. I believe it´s important that our children plant a tree, go on nature hikes and learn to respect all plants and animals. If we start this at home their interest in the world around them begins to grow and hopefully it will be easier for them to understand the real need for a change in how we take care of the environment. Some ideas to get you started: plant a tree in your backyard, take turns watering it and measure how much it grows each month; learn about a new animal every month, see which member of the family can find more information on it and if it´s endagered or threatened; go to a different habitat nearby, it can be a mountain, lake, river or beach, talk about how it´s different from where you live and what kind of different plants or animals live there.

DAILY RECIPE: Banana Shake!

1 cup milk

1 banana

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Blend all ingredients and serve in tall glass with a straw. A great breakfast drink children will love!

TIP OF THE DAY

At breakfast, substitute a banana shake for your kids´chocolate milk. Extra nutrition and they´ll love the taste!

DAILY RECIPE: Tuna Stuffed Avocados

3 firm avocados

2 cans tuna

1/2 cup light mayo

diced cooked vegetables (carrot, zuchini, etc.)

salt and pepper

Mix tuna, mayo and vegetables. Season well. Slice avocados vertically into halves. Remove seed. Fill dent with tuna mixture. Serve chilled on a hot day.

TIP OF THE DAY

Tough to remove deodorant stains? Soak in white vinegar before throwing shirt into the washer. Works wonders!