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.