Helping Your Child Understand History

Memorial Day, Veterans Day, President's Day they all seem to come and go and many times all we enjoy is having the day off. Why is it that our nation observes these days? What is so important that even in our busy, hectic, never can get everything done, lives we take the day off for anything?

It's important to share with your children the historical reasons why these days are national holidays. Why young men and women still fight for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. Why we pause to honor those who have died for our rights, and who still fight for those rights.

While doing my own research for my children I came across an informative website that breaks information into age appropriate materials. With each idea they present an age appropriate activity to help explain the topics.

Here is one of their ideas taken from the Helping Your Child Learn History - No child left behind act.

Time to Celebrate
Grades 4–5
On quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies is written the phrase “E pluribus
unum,” which is Latin for “Out of many, one.” It is an appropriate phrase
to describe how our country has developed and the many different people
and groups who have made it so great.

What You Need
U.S. coins
Map of the world
Calendar

What to Do
 Have your child look at U.S. coins for
the phrase “E pluribus unum.”
Explain that the phrase means “Out
of many, one,” and that it refers to
our country as one nation with many
peoples and cultures. Explain that it
isn’t our families’ ethnic heritages that bind us together as
Americans, but shared democratic values. With your child, talk about the following holidays that are celebrated
in the United States. Look at a calendar and add other holidays, if
you choose. Next to each holiday write (or have her write) when it’s
celebrated and what it celebrates.


New Year’s Day January 1 New beginning
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday January 15 Birth of a leader
Presidents’ Day Third Monday of February Originally, honored
Presidents Lincoln and Washington; currently honors all U.S. presidents
Memorial Day Last Monday of May War dead
Independence Day July 4 Adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776
Labor Day First Monday of September Working people
Columbus Day Second Monday of October Landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492
Veterans Day November 11 War veterans
Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Day of thanks for divine goodness
Christmas Day December 25 Birth of Christ

Summer Fruit Salad with Spinach

One of my favorite things to eat during the summer is salad. After awhile though, a green salad can get kind of boring. With all the beautiful fresh fruits you can buy at your local farmers market, salads can take on a whole new dimension. Kids who won't touch a savory salad, will gulp down with delight the sweet fruits that adorn this salad.

Ingredients

4 cups baby spinach leaves - rinsed
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup sweet blueberries
1 mango, peeled and diced
2 kiwi, peeled and sliced

Mix the spinach and fruit with this amazing poppy seed dressing found on Planet Gift Baskets.

I hope you will enjoy this salad as much as we do!

Nature-Deficit Disorder

I had the opportunity recently to attend a seminar by Richard Louv. He was here in town talking about his recently published book Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Louv has traveled around the country talking with parents, like myself, about the dangers of video games, computer time and watching too much T.V.

When I was growing up, we got about 3 channels, no vcr, dvd's, dvr's and the hottest game console was the Atari. I spent most of my waking hours playing outside with friends, my pets, or my imagination. Richard Louv and his research has confirmed that being outdoors is more stimulating then even the fastest game console or computer animation tools.

It doesn't require much effort to get your children outside playing with their friends. Just call the families and tell them to kick all the kids out for the afternoon. Let them sit around feeling sorry for themselves. It won't be long before someone picks up a stick and starts using their imagination. Your children will find much more satisfaction in their spare time and much less in their non interactive t.v. Get in to nature with your children by going camping, taking a walk with a park, or head to a national park where they can climb around on rocks, wade in the creek and explore nature for themselves.

You if want to learn more about Richard's book and his studies go to his site and read up on his research.

Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day is fast approaching and it's time to think of gifts dad might enjoy. While no dad will turn down a day of non-stop game action, or golfing guilt free, why not put your heads together this year and see what kind of gift you can give dad that will be memorable.

Dad's love everything from food to hobbies. Why not try and combine both. Is dad a fisherman? Make him a gift basket full of gummy worms along with some new fancy flies. Add dad's favorite sports drink, some jerky and he will be ready for his next big trip.

Is your dad an avid huntsman? Find some jelly bean bullets, venison jerky, scent screen and a new camouflage hat. Add to a gift basket that can double as a carry all and see dad's eyes wide with excitement for the next big hunt.

If your still out of ideas, check out some of these gift baskets that give dad a reason to put his feet up and take the day off with his favorite kids.

Book Review - Clock without a Face

This book is a family must have. Especially if you and your children enjoy treasure hunts. While Where's Waldo and Search Puzzle books all have meanings hidden within their pages, this book has clues to real life treasures. Sure it's a book for children, it appeals to children with it's features. However the authors hit it on the nail when they created this book because it has the adult world flocking to read it. Buried in twelve very real places are genuine emerald studded numbers. If you happen to be able to solve the puzzle and find one of these numbers you get to keep it. The only way to find them is to solve the problems in "The Clock without A Face".

Enjoy!

Gifts For Your Child's Teacher

As the school year comes to an end you may be thinking about those thank you gifts you can give your child's teacher. While no teacher will turn down gift cards to their local coffee shop or supply center sometimes it's nice to give them something memorable. Here are a few unique and personalized gifts you can give.

Painted flower pot with herbs or flower

Handmade note cards with a book of stamps

Scrapbook of the activities and children in the class.

Gourmet snacks

Handwritten thank you note from you and your child

Photo key chains

A plant for their yard that will come back each year

Most teachers will tell you that a sincere thank you note is all they really want or need. Teachers give so much to our students every day and sometimes they just don't feel appreciated by their students or their parents. Take time this year, no matter what your budget, and write a little note thanking them for caring for your child.

Gluten Free Father's Day Gifts

I know in our family sometimes it's hard to find gifts that dad can enjoy since he is sensitive to gluten. While we are getting better at making some great tasting food the whole family loves, we have also been able to find food gifts that he enjoys. Here are a few of our favorites.

This basket is filled with some great gluten free products and includes :

• Lucy's Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Wafer Cookies
• Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Pretzels
• Cary's Of Oregon English Chocolate Toffee Box
• Honey & Chocolate Bar
• Gluten Free Chocolate Truffle Brownie Mix

Dad will love this white chocolate pear sauce over his favorite fruits or gluten free desserts. The ingredients are simple and gluten free.

• Premium Guittard White Chocolate
• Pure Vanilla
• Agave Nector
• Chardonnay Grape Juice
• Natural Pear Flavor
• Sugar

 The Wisconsin Morning Homemade Gluten Free Bakery Pack  
is available on Amazon and is made in a gluten free certified bakery. You won't have to sacrifice on taste with these treats. Dad is sure to love them.

Product Review on Betty Crocker's Gluten Free Mixes

Check out our sister blog for a review on Betty Crocker's Gluten Free Brownies. One of our moms recently made these brownies and her whole family was fooled. It goes to show that we have come a long way in producing products that are good for you, especially people with allergies, and yet the whole family enjoys.

While your there you might give her some feedback on your own samplings of gluten free foods.

Explore Your Children's Interests With Them

A great way to spend quality time with your children is by taking an interest in the things they feel passionate about. For my children it is music. More specifically their stringed instruments. Just listening to my kids practice gives them such confidence. At times I interact with their instruments, much to their delight. They love seeing mom try to do something they do with ease. Since my kids are young taking them to the music store to see the more expensive instruments, asking questions and exploring the things they can add is a great way for me to get involved with their passion.

If you child loves animals, a trip to the shelter might encourage them. If your child enjoys cooking, finding a recipe and cooking it together  will give you some good quality time together. What if your child finds that books are their enjoyment? Read the same book and have your own book club at home. It's fun to find a common ground with your kids and keep the lines of communication open.

Sneaking Veggies into Your Kids Favorite Foods

Here are some great ways to hide those veggies for even the pickiest of our eaters.

1. Grate carrots into your child's favorite muffin recipe.

2. Chop zucchini, corn, carrots or cauliflower fine and add to spaghetti. Cover with marinara sauce.

3. Juice a carrot, stalk of celery and apples for a veggie juice drink.

4. Lots of veggies can hide in meatloaf. Chop finely and no one will no the difference.

If you are a lucky parent and your child loves salad, almost any fresh veggie can be chopped and added to the mix.
If your child loves to dip his apples, try giving him carrots, sugar snap peas, broccoli and cauliflower to dip in ranch instead.
Mac cheese is a favorite among the children in our family, by adding peas and chopped broccoli they will never notice the taste.

Birthday Gifts for Pre-Teens

I used to think that buying gift for young kids was hard. Now that I have two pre-teens I see I was wrong. We just recently held a birthday party for our 12 year old twins. For weeks we begged, pleaded and hinted for them to give us gift ideas. When all else failed, I gave them money. They were sure they didn't want me picking out their clothes. They laughed at any thought of toys I considered.
I realize now, that I better start preparing for their next birthday. To my readers I ask, I plead, tell me what your pre-teens and teens love. Have you found something or someway of purchasing gifts for them they like? I know I used to be a teen, but I also know I enjoyed cash more then anything since as a teen your always in short supply.

Children's Medicine Recalled

Children's cold, allergy medicine recalled

By the CNN Wire Staff

May 1, 2010 5:23 p.m. EDT

A child receives drops of Children's Tylenol after getting a vaccination.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Children's Motrin, Tylenol among drugs being recalled for failing to meet quality standards
  
• Recall not based on adverse health effects, company says
  
• Drugs were made in United States, distributed to other countries
  

(CNN) -- A voluntary recall has been issued for more than 40 over-the-counter drugs for children, including Tylenol and Motrin, because they don't meet quality standards.
"This recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events," McNeil Consumer Healthcare said in a statement Friday. "However, as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children."
FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg gave a similar recommendation in a statement Saturday, saying, "we want to be certain that consumers discontinue using these products," though she called the chance for serious health problems "remote."
"Some products in the recall may have a higher concentration of active ingredient than specified while others may have inactive ingredients that don't meet testing requirements, the company said.
The company said it issued the recall after consulting with the Food and Drug Administration. The affected brands include: Tylenol Infants' Drops, Children's Tylenol Suspensions, Children's Tylenol Plus Suspensions, Motrin Infant Drops, Children's Motrin Suspensions, Children's Zyrtec Liquids in Bottles and Children's Benadryl Allergy Liquids in Bottles.
The drugs were made in the United States and distributed to Canada, the Dominican Republic, Dubai, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and Kuwait.
"There are a number of other products on the market, including generic versions of the recalled products, which are intended for use in infants and children and are not affected by the recall," the FDA said Saturday in issuing guidance to parents.

More details are available by calling 1-888-222-6036 or visiting McNeil's website.