Frugal Springtime Fun With Kids!

by Cyndi Roberts

Spring is on the way, and that means the kids are going to be
ready to play outdoors more. But the time always comes when
every mom hears "I'm bored!" Be prepared with these ideas to
beat boredom before it begins!

1. Plan and plant a garden a bucket. Children love to watch
things grow. Plant several different plants together in one
container. You might choose to plant a tomato in with basil
or oregano for an Italian themed garden. Or plant marigolds
around a tomato plant, and the
children will have a pretty flowering plant plus tomatoes to pick.

Take pictures of your 'mini-garden' at different stages of growth.
Older children might enjoy writing a gardening journal or making
a scrapbook page.

2. Make something fun in the kitchen for lunch and eat outdoors.
I doesn't have to be an elaborate meal to be fun. The following
recipe is quick and easy and the kids can help!

Quick Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2 slices bread
Velveeta or Cheddar cheese (2 slices)
Margarine (optional)

Toast bread in toaster. Spread bread with margarine.
Place cheese between slices.
Microwave on high power 30 to 40 seconds until cheese is melted.

Spread a blanket on the grass and enjoy nature while you enjoy!

3. Fly a kite -- a simple, old-fashioned way to have fun! Older
children might even like to make their own kite. Look at:
http://kckiteclub.org/DaveEllis/TOC.htm
for tons of info about kites.

Then all you need is a breezy day -- I don't know about other places,
but if you live in Texas, that won't be a problem!

4. Blowing bubbles is fun for children of all ages. This recipe for
homemade bubbles is all you need to liven up a "ho-hum" afternoon.

Giant Soap Bubbles

Cold, clear water
Wire coat hanger
Glycerin (available at drugstores)
Joy or Dawn detergent (these work the
best)

Bend a coat hanger into a loop.
Mix 1/2 cup of Joy or Dawn detergent with 5 cups water.
Measure carefully, as this makes a big difference. Stir well.
Add two tablespoons of glycerin. This makes more durable bubbles.

Now dip your coat hanger loop into the solution then wave it into
the air.
(Don't throw away any solution you didn't use - store it for next
time.
As it "ages", it gets even better!)

5. Have a "Backward Day". All day long, do everything backwards.
Wear your clothes backward or inside out, walk backwards, say good
night when you get up, eat dessert first.

6. On those days when the children are stuck playing indoors, use
this recipe and make homemade stickers:

Mix 2 parts white glue and 1 part vinegar together. Put the kids at
the
table with old magazines, cards, etc. Let them cut out pictures they
like. Then just brush the sticker solution on the back of their
pictures, let dry and they're ready to lick and stick!

7. Remember to set aside, everyday, a little quiet time for reading
to
your children or letting them read their own books. Teaching them to
love books and reading is a wonderful gift to give your children.


Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another"
bi-weekly newsletter, featuring creative ideas and tips to help
you "live the good life...on a budget!"
Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to download a free "Recipe Sampler".
Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the
Monster Grocery Bill".

Following Simple Children Vehicle Safety Tips Can Reduce Auto

Following Simple Children Vehicle Safety Tips Can Reduce Auto
Accidents And Injuries
By Toby Pizur

Child Car Seat Safety:

We know you love your children, but so many people do not
follow these simple car seat safety principles. By following
these easy steps you can ensure your child is completely safe
in your car. Just to get one thing straight, there is no one
best child car safety seat. The best car safety seat is
determined by various factors that you as the parent need to
take into consideration. The seat needs to fit your child’s
height and weight, as well as be able to fit properly in your
car.

Another common misconception is price. More expensive, does not
always mean better quality or the seat is better safety wise.

The first step of proper car seat safety is of course
determined by the age of your child. Any child that is under
the age of twelve should be kept in the back seat of a vehicle.
This is especially true if your car has passenger side air bags.

Infants should be in a rear facing car seat until they are at
least one year old and twenty pounds. After they are twenty
pounds they can be placed in a front facing car safety seat
until they are around forty pounds or they have reached the
maximum height recommended for the specific car safety seat in
question.

Once a child reaches forty pounds, they should be placed on a
belt positioning booster seat. The vehicle’s normal seat belt
should not be used until they are around eighty pounds or 4ft 9
inches tall.

As always read your car’s owners manual as well and any manuals
with the car safety seat.

Additional Car Safety Tips:

Most accidents that occur over a parent/child incident occur
when a parent is trying to turn around and discipline their
child. Think about it, you are taking you eyes as well as you
mind off of the primary task at hand (driving) and exclusively
focusing on your child who should be, and usually is behind you
in the back seat of the vehicle.

To prevent this the best thing to do if you must discipline
your child is to find a place to pull over and do so then, when
you are not moving.

About the Author: Child Safety is our primary concern, check
out these FREE child safety related resources at
http://www.ChildSafetyInfo.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com / http://articlehome.com

Get the Kids Outside!

by Rae Pica

Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, some of your fondest
memories are of outdoor activities and places. Perhaps you had a
favorite climbing tree or secret hiding place. Maybe you remember
jumping rope or learning to turn cartwheels with your best friend or
playing fetch with the family dog. Do you recall the smell of
lilacs, the feel of the sun on the first day warm enough to take off
your jacket, or the taste of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
eaten on a blanket in the park? Did you enjoy lying on your back
and finding creatures in the clouds?

Now ask yourself: Don't I want my child to have similar memories?
Wonderful, happy memories?

Unfortunately, a great many of today's children will grow up without
such fond memories because today's children spend far less time
outdoors than did previous generations. According to William
Doherty of the University of Minnesota, over the last twenty years
there has been a 25 percent decline in the time children spend
playing and a 50 percent decline in time spent in unstructured
outdoor activities.

It is unfortunate because when children spend most of their time
indoors, they'll not just be missing out on memories but also on
everything else the outdoors has to offer them.

To begin with, the outdoors is the best place for young children to
practice and master emerging physical skills and to experience the
pure joy of movement. It's also the place where they're likely to
burn the most calories, which is absolutely necessary in the fight
against obesity.

Also, the outside light stimulates the pineal gland, which is the
part of the brain that helps regulate the biological clock, is vital
to the immune system, and simply makes us feel happier. Outside
light triggers the synthesis of vitamin D. And a number of studies
have demonstrated that it increases academic learning and
productivity!

Young children learn much through their senses, and the outdoors is
a virtual wonderland for the senses. There are different and
incredible things for the children to see (insects, clouds, and
shadows), to hear (traffic sounds, birdsongs, leaves rustling in the
wind), to smell (flowers and the rain-soaked ground), to touch (a
fuzzy caterpillar or the bark of a tree), and even to taste (newly
fallen snow, a raindrop, or a freshly picked blueberry). Children
who spend much of their time acquiring experiences through
television, computers, and even books are using only two senses
(hearing and sight), and this can seriously affect their perceptual
abilities. Additionally, much of this learning, which falls under
the content area of science, can't be acquired indoors. Nor can
children who spend most of their time indoors be expected to learn
to care for the environment.

Outside, children are more likely to invent games. As they do,
they're able to express themselves and learn about the world in
their own way. They feel safe and in control, which promotes
autonomy, decision making, and organizational skills. Inventing
rules for games promotes an understanding of why rules are
necessary. And although children are just playing to have fun, they
learn:
* communication skills and vocabulary, as they invent, modify, and
enforce rules;
* number relationships, as they keep score and count; and
* social skills, as they learn to play together.

Then, too, there's the aesthetic value of the outdoors. Because the
natural world is filled with amazing sights, sounds, and textures,
it's the perfect resource for the development of aesthetics in young
children. Since aesthetic awareness means a heightened sensitivity
to the beauty around us, it's something that can serve children well
at those times when, as adolescents and adults, the world seems less
than beautiful.

Further, Mary Rivkin, author of The Great Outdoors: Restoring
Children's Right to Play Outside, tells us there is on very basic
reason that children need to experience being outside: humans
evolved in the outdoors. They thus have a link with nature that
can't be replaced – in fact, will be atrophied – by technology. She
asks if, lacking intimate association with nature, we can still be
human!

Children learn their values from the important adults in their
lives. When they're not encouraged to go outdoors, they learn
sedentary habits not easily changed and, more unfortunately, that
the outdoor environment is of little significance.


Rae Pica is a children's physical activity specialist and author of
Your Active Child: How to Boost Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive
Development through Age-Appropriate Activities (McGraw-Hill, 2003).
You can visit Rae and read more articles at
www.movinganndlearning.com.

Proms season is almost here

by David kunstek

Is your child going to a school prom or formal this year? If so
there are quite a few things you may want to consider. For
starters make sure you know who your child will be going to the
prom with. Make sure you ask all the questions, you'll want to
know where they're going, what they will be doing, and what time
they will be home.

If there are any parties afterwards you want to make sure it is
either a school sponsored event, or if it is in someone's home
that there will be parental supervision. It is proven fact that
kids are more than 80% more likely to try drugs or alcohol if
they are left unsupervised in the mix of peer pressure.

You also need to make it perfectly clear that if there is any
drinking involved, that they do not need to fear any
repercussions should they need to call for a ride. Of course
there will be repercussions, but don't make that the reason for
them not to call you. Thinking back to my senior prom, I
would've been more afraid to call my parents for a ride and to
tell him I had been drinking. They do not do anything to make me
feel that way, they were just very strict, and did not come out
and say it would be okay to call for a ride.

About the author:
Written by David Kunstek, webmaster and author of
http://www.prom-show.com.

Book Reviews

Do I Have To Practice?
By Connie Steimann
Retail: $12.95
NO ISBN
http://lessontips.com
puzzlec@evansville.net

In, Do I Have To Practice? Music teacher and author, Connie
Steinmann, takes every "excuse" a child has for not practicing and
rebuts them in a personal response that speaks directly to the
child. Each excuse-breaking advice is followed by an actual lesson
to help keep the child on tract and practicing.

New and veteran music teachers will find the rebuttals and lessons to
be a true blessing in combating the, "I don't want to practice" blues.
Parents will find the questions and answer section, at the end of the
book, to be extremely helpful in not only preparing and helping their
children to perform their lessons, but helping them find ways to make
practicing more fun and interesting.
=====================

The Smart Mom's Guide To Staying Home
65 Simple Ways To Thrive, Not Deprive, On One Income
By Christine K. Walker
ISBN: 141-200760-7
Retail: $15.95
Trafford Publishing
Suite 6E
2333 Government Street
Victoria, BC V8T 4P4, Canada
www.trafford.com
www.thesmartmomsguidetostayinghome.com

In a two-income economy families are finding it more and more
difficult than ever to make ends meet. Yet, many families are
determined to pay off their debts and get one parent home—for the
kids! But how can two-income families become one-income families, in
a two-income economy? (Try that tongue twister on for size.)
Christine Walker, author of The Smart Mom's Guide To Staying Home,
says the answer is "a matter of being frugal, not cheap." In 65
essay-style frugal, but not cheap, tips, walker explains ways she
successfully cuts corners without living a deprived lifestyle.
In her book, families are reminded of several ways they overspend
without realizing their money is going out the door. She goes into
detail, by example, of ways every family can decrease expenses,
organize their homes, cut food waste, and literally find stop buying
duplicate and overpriced items.

If you're new to cutting corners and living on a tight budget, you'll
want to read this book. It's such a leisure read, you can have it
completed in one night.
===================

Along Interstate 75, 13th Edition
By Doug Hunter
ISBN: 1-896-81926-5
Retail: $23.95
Mile Oak Publishing, Inc.
20 Mineola Rd. East
Suite 81
Mississauga, ON Canada L5G 4N9
905-274-4356

Along Interstate 75 takes the guesswork out of traveling the I-75!
This is the first travel guide both men and women will enjoy!
Men will love this book for the detailed, color-code, accurate maps.
Each map offers a true, visual aid of the immediate area off the I-
75, including many of the twists and turns. The insider tips offer
great cost-saving strategies and little known secrets regarding many
of the off-ramps.

Women will love this book for the personal stories, historical facts,
and insider's secrets that often read like a small-town coffee shop
conversation.

Finally, children will love this book because their parents will want
to make frequent stops, allowing them to get out and stretch their
legs. In essence, it will keep them from crying, "Are we there yet?!"
Bylines to choose from:

Alyice Edrich is the editor of The Dabbling Mum.com–where BUSY
parents find balance (http://thedabblingmum.com). She is also the
author of several work-from-home e-books, including one that allows
parents to earn $50 in two hours without joining an MLM or home party
business.

A Day of Winter Indoor Activities

by Laura Bankston

Anchorage, AK: Last night when my husband got home from work,
he told me the temperature was already -12 degrees F. Brrrrr.

Today is still super cold, so I think we'll spend the day
indoors. Which, of course, means to pull from my repertoire of
indoor activities.

So, knowing that so many families have to keep the kids occupied
inside, here's a day of planned out for you to use as is or as a
template for your own plans:

Some Cooking: Start a pot of stew! That way, by this evening,
we'll have a nice, comforting meal ready and waiting. My
favorite stew recipe is Five Hour Beef Stew found at the Kids
Recipe Club (http://www.kidsrecipeclub.com). There are also a
few other stew recipes.

If you have a favorite stew recipe that you'd like to share with
the Recipe Club, please do so. Just click "submit your recipe"
in the "Kids Recipes" menu box.

While we cook, we'll talk about the different nutrients in the
vegetables and why they are important to our diets.

Some Homeschool - we took a day off yesterday because the kids
weren't feeling too well, but today is a definite. We will need
to burn a little brain power to help deal with cabin fever and
built up energy.

For your your kids, you might enjoy the free Math worksheet at
http://wwww.homeschoolcookbook.com
/free_math_worksheet.htm or
the free coloring pages at
http://www.homeschoolinglibrary.com/
free_kids_coloring_pages.htm
.

Some Lunch - today we will be having sandwiches and home made
hot chocolate. I like to do sandwiches with the kids as another
way to help develop hand muscles. Slicing (when age appropriate,
of course!) and spreading require use of gross and fine motor
skills.

The homemade hot chocolate creates camaraderie and is just
downright enjoyable on a cold day! Here's where we'll select our
beverage recipe: http://www.kidsrecipeclub.com .

Some Energy burning - yes, I realize that the hot chocolate has
sugar that's going to escalate things :-), so we'll immeadiately
do something very taxing!

We'll start with some jumping jacks. The kids love them and that
helps with coordination too.

Then we'll do a "bear hunt" and walk around the house doing
movements for marching, swimming, climbing - hey, we'll probably
go up and down the stairs a few times too. That'll give me a
nice workout!

And then, to cool down, we'll play a little tug of war with our
puppy.

Some quite time - after our physical activity, we'll all sit
down on the sofa and I'll read to them.

Right now, we are reading two books. And, the one I'm pretty
sure they'll want to hear today is some more of "Where the Red
Fern Grows". I'm just dreading getting to the end!!!

Some cooperative working together - it'll be getting close to
dinner time by now. So, as a family, we'll set the table and get
everything ready to enjoy our heart-warming stew!

So, whether you follow or plan or create your own, winter indoor
acitivies can be fun and educational without emptying your
wallet or leaving you exhausted. Plan your own "shut-in" day.

ANIMALS & BARNYARD: Two card games you can enjoy with your family

Number of Players: 3 or more. The best game is for 5 or 6
players.

The Deal: 1 card at a time until the entire deck has been dealt
out. It makes no difference if the cards don't come out even.

Object: To win all of the cards.

The Play: Each player takes the name of an animal, such as pig,
kangaroo, rhinoceros, hippopotamus.

When everybody fully understands which player represents which
animal, the play begins. The player at the dealer's left turns
up a card and then each player in turn turns up a card. As in
Snap, the action takes place when a card that has just been
turned up matches some other card that is face up on somebody's
pile.

The players who own the two matching cards must each call out
the animal that the other represents. The one who says the
other's animal name 3 times first, wins both piles.

For example, suppose 3 boys have adopted the names, Goat, Pig,
and Elephant. The 1st turns up a Queen, the next turns up a 10,
and the 3rd turns up a Queen. The 1st and the 3rd go into
action, but the 2nd must keep silent. The 1st boy shouts,
"Elephant, Elephant, Elephant!" and the 3rd boy shouts "Goat,
Goat, Goat!" Both piles are won by the boy who finishes first.

Play continues in this way, until one player has all of the
cards.

Skillful Play: When some other player is about to turn up a
card, make sure that you have firmly fixed in your mind the card
that is at the top of your turned-up pile. Then you will be
ready to call out the other person's animal if he matches your
card.

When it is your own turn to turn up a card, make sure that you
have looked at each of the other turned-up cards so that you can
instantly spot it if you match one of them. Nine-tenths of the
skill in this game consists in being alert.

As you may have noticed, it takes longer to say "Elephant,
Elephant, Elephant," than it does to say "Goat, Goat, Goat." For
this reason, it always pays to give yourself a long animal name
rather than a short animal name. The longer it takes an opponent
to say your animal name three times, the better for you.

Good names to use in this game are: hippopotamus, rhinoceros,
elephant, mountain lion, boa constrictor, and so forth. One boy,
after reading about some of the ancient skeletons that had been
dug up, tried to call himself Pithecanthropus erectus, but we
didn't let him get away with it.

BARNYARD

This is the same game as Animals, except that the players take
barnyard animals and go by the noises made by these animals
instead of by the names of the animals themselves. For example,
if the first player takes Cow, he is called "Moo-Moo-Moo" rather
than "Cow, Cow, Cow." Similarly, a player who took the name of
Duck would be called "Quack-Quack-Quack," and a player who took
Cat would be called "Meow-Meow-Meow," and so on.

About the Author:
Karen Butterworth is a successful freelance author that writes
regularly for http://www.kids-games-n-crafts.com/, a site that
focuses primarily on helping you choose the fun and interactive
games to help your children grow. Her articles have also been
featured on related family sites such as
http://www.baby-shower-ideas-n-games.com and
http://www.wedding-reception-ideas-n-invitations.com