Archive for the 'Cute Kids' Category

Baby Bedding Wants Vs. Bedding Baby Needs

Auto Date Monday, January 18th, 2010

If you walk into any baby store or online baby site you will find a multitude of styles and designs of baby bedding available. There is something for every nursery décor ever thought of by a new mother. If it’s animals you want, there’s everything from apes to zebras. If you want an angel motif, there are a hundred styles of angels. If you want nursery rhymes, just pick one and you will find a matching motif.

What about cartoon or Disney characters? You can find anything and everything when it comes to baby bedding. You will also find all of the pieces you want such as comforters, bumpers, dust ruffles, pillows and more. They are all matched and some of are the most luxurious you can find. So, now you see all this stuff and are tempted to buy. The cute patterns are obviously for the parents to enjoy because the baby doesn’t know the difference but what does the baby actually “need”? That’s a whole different story.

If you are considering a bumper for the crib, this is a strip of padded cloth that is pretty or cute, but they are used to keep the baby from hitting their head against the bars of the crib. Some think bumpers will add to the risk of suffocation by pressing their face against the bumper. If the bumper is tightly fitted against the drib the possibilities of that happening are much less. Make sure all of the ribbons and ties are short and to the outside of the crib so there are no chances of getting entangled. Bottom sheets are sized for the crib with elastic corners and should fit snugly against the crib mattress.

If the fit is correct they won’t pop off and this also lessens the chance of suffocation. I would recommend leaving the top sheet at the store unless it comes as a set. Your baby only needs light blankets in the beginning and it is best if they are cotton. They also don’t need more covers or warmth than we do. We all know diapers leak at night so sheet protectors are a wonderful idea for the busy mom. A sheet protector is a piece of cloth with cotton on one side and waterproof on the other.

If there is leakage at night, just pull one sheet protector off and put another one on. This will save you on laundry and time. You can do the same thing between two fitted sheets. Put the protector between the two so it protects the bottom sheet and the top one is easily peeled off if there is an accident. If you like, try the new heavier pajamas for baby so they will stay warm without kicking covers off. You only need a few outfits in the beginning. If you want perfectly white sheets, don’t get too excited because colored would be best if you are trying to camouflage the inevitable staining that will happen. If you even think about buying a pillow, stop. There is no need for one for the baby. They aren’t safe, your baby can suffocate and they can’t really lift their heads enough to use one. It is found that babies sleep better when flat.

In the early months babies will be constantly interrupted because their patterns are not yet established. It takes time for them to sleep without these interruptions and to fall back to sleep easily and quickly. When if comes to helping your baby sleep with the choice of baby bedding, consider safety to be the only true criteria. It doesn’t matter how cute the bedding set is if it doesn’t fit right or isn’t safe.

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying mattresses, comforters, bedding, duvet covers and more. Her many articles can be found at http://www.bedding-4u.com/Baby%20Bedding.htm She gives information and tips at http://www.bedding-4u.com to help you save money, make informed buying decisions and common sense ideas for changing your life.

It’s Peppa Pig Live on Stage

Auto Date Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

This BAFTA Award winning children’s TV favourite is recreated live on stage for the first time from the producers of LazyTown Live! and Roald Dahl’s the BFG. Peppa pig show

Peppa is a playful little piggy who lives with her younger brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Through everyday adventures she plays games, makes new friends and enjoys her absolute favourite activity - jumping up and down in muddy puddles! Peppa pig is now mainstream with the kids and you can get loads of toys including the Peppa Pig tri scooter
. The Peppa Pig tri scooter has three blue coloured wide wheels which offer extra stability while on the riding along the pavement. The front wheel is larger than the other two wheels which makes the tri scooter more stable. The design of the tri scooter has been kept devoid of any unnecessary accessories which might cause harm to the naughty 3 year old. No sharp edges and no pointed sections here.
Today it’s a bright and sunny day. It’s a very special day. It’s Peppa Pig’s birthday. Come and join in the fun with Peppa and George, Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily Elephant. A charming, original and imaginative show, full of brand new songs, muddy puddles, and oinks!

Tremendous Thoughts to Keep the Tikes Diverted for for Life

Auto Date Friday, August 14th, 2009

Big Foot Relay. Get the children add two shoeboxes with them. Magnetic Tape the lids onto the boxes, then cut a one-inch-wide and four-inch long slit in every top. Get the contestants slip their feet into the slits in the boxes and race.

Frisbee Tower. Buy a bunch of mini Frisbees and aim them in a pile in the middle of the grounds. Have the guests split the Frisbees among themselves. The first player begins the action by setting one of his or her Frisbees on the earth. Each of the following players places his or her Frisbee on top of the first Frisbee, and the activity proceeds until someone causes the growing tower to topple.

Cross Step. Draw a ten-by-ten grid on the sidewalk or patio with chalk. Have each player stand on a different square. One at a time, each player must move to a new square after crossing out the square she or he was formerly standing in. The trick is that players cannot step into a square that is populated or crossed out. If a player cannot move to a fresh square, he or she is out. The game continues until one player is left.

Drag the Body. Fraction the group into two teams. Give each team a blanket. Have one player from each team lie down on the blanket. The teams must cart the body on the blanket from one end of the yard to the other. Whoever crosses the finish line first, wins.

Here Is What to Remember when Buying a Pram or Pushchair for Your Toddler

Auto Date Sunday, June 21st, 2009

Modern parents have specific ideas about the comfort of their children. They desire the most recent, efficient and safest model available for their child. This is even more applicable when you are searching for the right pram or pushchair for the baby.
Yes they are different. Prams are for newborns and push chairs are for toddlers.
Manufacturers now make products that function as pushchairs and prams to help out working parents.
The hybrid that combines the features of both a pram and a pushchair are ideal for parents who don’t want to have to purchase an extra piece of equipment as their toddler grows.
First time parents often do not know what to look for when they see advertisements for prams and pushchairs. Every company will try to convince you that their brand, styles, models, and functions, make for the best pushchair.
An important factor in any pushchair is to determine if the seat supports and is fits your child well. You can not be careless so far as the newborns are concerned. Their head and spine are to be supported fully so that they grow properly. This is a very important factor in a push chair.
Cushioning and support are intrinsic to choosing a suitable pushchair. Shock absorption and spinal support as well as comfort must be provided by seat padding in a sufficient thickness. The head and neck must also be comfortably and structurally supported. A child in a pushchair depends on adequate padding to insure against sudden bumps or jolts if the ground is uneven.
Don’t be in a hurry. As you want the best, see all the pros and cons by using online resources . Then buy your pram or push chair safe in the knowledge that you made the best decision.

Looking for strollers? Check out the comprehensive reviews at my baby care.

Also if you are looking for experience days make sure you check out this site too

Online Safety for Girls

Auto Date Sunday, May 10th, 2009

1. I will not give out any personal information (address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school) without my parent’s permission.

2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

3. I will never agree to get together with someone I meet online.

4. I will never send any person my picture or anything without first checking with my parents.

5. I will not respond to any messages that are mean, hurtful, or make me feel uncomfortable in any way.

6. I will talk with my parents so we can decide upon the time of day, the length of time, and appropriate areas for me to visit online.

7. I will not give out my Internet password to anyone, other than my parents. (not even my best friends)

8. I will be a good citizen, and not do anything that hurts other people, or is against the law.

9. I will obey the rules my parents set, and I will not break the above rules.

Always exercise caution when surfing the net, trust no one. For parents online safety guide, please visit http://www.myfirstbra.us/safe.htm.

Kim Shire

MyFirstBra.us is a helpful guide for preteen, teens, and parents concerning training bras, and issues surrounding puberty & breast development, in young girls ages 8-16.

MyFirstBra.us is a community project of National Webworks. All authors are from National Webworks, Volunteers, or Contracted for research and writing.

Drowning in a Pool of Shadows - Bottom

Auto Date Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

You wanna stop, but you keep heading in a downward spiral until there’s nothing left but a heap of lies and deceit. The addiction controls your every waking thought and action. Your mind is bent on it. You drive those closest to you away. No one is on your side. Everyone is against you. In a way, you want people to pity you. To feel sorry for you. When they don’t, you instantly turn against them. You’re a pitcher in a game of you against the world. It’s a game you can not win. Repeatedly, you try again and again to defeat the inner demons. You tell yourself that this will be the last time. You justify using because of insignificant, miniscule things like having a good day at work. You’re wrong and you know it. Will you do anything about it? Maybe you will and maybe you won’t. It all depends on that persons will to strive for a better life. How do I know these things? These have been ripples in a pool of everyday life for me these past five years.

Memories of a happy childhood have faded away. You look at pictures and old home movies of happy times and wonder if they ever happened. How can someone as miserable as me have such great days in my past? Could this alternate life of taken place in some other existence besides the morbid world I know now? Do I strive to be miserable? Do I want and need chaos in my life? Why, when things are going good do I feel the need to climb right back into a dark hole? Why watch my dreams wash away in a stream of illusions when I have so much valuable time left in life? Why destroy and abuse the relationships of those dearest to your heart? You take something as beautiful as a Maui sunset and throw it away for a handful of pills. What forces someone to do these things? Could it be that I’m so used to being alone that it’s actually comforting to me? I guess only time will tell.

Tanner Rhoden

More of the disaster life I used to live.

The Top 10 Life Lessons Your Child Can Learn from Playing Golf

Auto Date Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

During the last seven years, I have watched my son and his friends grow up in the world of Junior Golf. This amazing sport has brought out the best in these young men, and has taught them so many valuable life lessons. I am forever impressed, in particular to the following ten qualities that I have observed my son develop as a bi-product of the great game of golf.

1. Humility and Respect

Golf requires that you show courtesy to others and that you communicate with respect. In the Junior Golf tournaments across the country, it is well stated that good sportsmanship must be exhibited at all times and that all play is ended with an exchange of a hand shake.

2. Punctuality

When the tournament schedule states “Tee time is at 9:00,” this means that you are to be on the tee box at 8:55. If you are late to the tee box, you are automatically disqualified, no questions asked. While this can be a tough lesson to learn, it is one that works brilliantly and has instilled in my son the importance of being on time for not only every tournament but every event in life.

3. Confession

Golf is a game of honor, and recognizing that a transgression has occurred and taking responsibility for the transgression is a part of the game. This one act instills integrity and fairness to all concerned.

4. Safety

Golf balls and clubs are very hard and dangerous instruments, and one of the first and foremost rules of golf is safety. My son has been instructed again and again to not take practice swings in the direction of another person, not to swing clubs when someone else is walking by, and never to hit into a group playing in front of him. These rules of safety have filtered into other aspects of his life, including biking, swimming, and safety in the home.

5. Quiet

Golf requires an amazing amount of concentration, and quiet is required at all times on the golf course. While this takes practice for young kids, it is a life skill that teaches constraint and respect for others.

6. Visioning

The night before and the morning of a tournament, my son sits quietly and mentally and visually plays the course. This skill is teaching him how to “see the end in mind,” which is key to goal achievement.

7. Problem Solving

Rain, wind, trees, multiple sand traps, and deep rough can make for a challenging day of tournament play. These are a normal part of golf and can be an amazing opportunity for clever problem solving and personal growth.

8. Focus

Golf is a tough sport. It requires that you not only know the physics of hitting the ball (and what club to use when) but requires intense mental and emotional concentration. Silencing the inner critic after a “bad shot” is crucial to regaining clear focus, which is an advanced skill to learn but one that can take you very far in life.

9. Practice, Persistence, and Listening

In golf, instant success is very rare. My son has become a great golfer through daily practice, persistence, and through being open to listening to his mentors. In life, it is important to know that we rarely reach our goal in one “stroke.” By practicing, making corrections along the way, being open to coaching, and being persistent, we can tackle most of life’s tough challenges.

10. Graciousness

One of the most important life lessons my son has learned from golf is to be gracious and respectful to adults. At the end of each tournament, he and his competitors thank and shake the hands of the tournament chairmen and follow this up with a handwritten note of thanks

About The Author

Bea Fields, Southern Pines, NC, USA

bea@fivestarleader.com

http://www.fivestarleader.com

Bea Fields is an Executive Coach and a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach. She is also a Consultant, Trainer, Public Speaker and author of the Five Star Leader e-course. Her area of expertise is that of Leadership Development and Marketing for Executives, Managers, Small Business Owners, and Political Leaders.

Fun with Play Dough for Less than $1!

Auto Date Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

Kids love modelling and play dough is the perfect medium for preschoolers. It is easy and cheap to make, uses the most basic of ingredients (even I have them in my cupboard!) and is long lasting. Toddlers enjoy the squishy, squashy nature of play dough even though they may not actually create anything. Once your kids reach 4 and 5 years old you can show them how to roll, cut and pinch the play dough to make little creatures and people.

By making your own play dough you have the choice of which colours you produce; bright or pastels, marbled, or even glitter. Your kids can help you to measure out the ingredients and knead to dough and see how truly simple it is to produce at home. Another option is to add lemon, orange, peppermint or vanilla essence/oil. This helps extend the shelf life of your play dough, prevent mould, and it smells great as well! Play dough will keep for at least two months if kept in a sealed plastic bag or container and longer if you store it in the fridge.

Salt dough is another modelling material that is simple and inexpensive to make. It is similar to play dough in consistency but can be baked to give more permanent results. The pieces can then be painted and varnished and given as gifts to grandparents. Ideas for salt dough include christmas decorations, buttons, brooches or personalised door hangers.

Kids love the stuff, so if you are keen to try your own you’ll find the recipes for both play dough and salt dough here.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy your kids creativity with this great material!

The place to go for all your games needs for 0-6 year olds is Kids Fun and Games. Educational baby and toddler games, party games, crafts, indoor and outdoor games, festivals and more.

Kids Activities - 10 Inspiring Ideas for a Rainy Day

Auto Date Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

There is nothing worse than a rainy day in the middle of the school holidays, when children are cooped up inside, you have nothing planned, and the inevitable cries of “I’m bored” are not far away! Keep this list of rainy day activities ready for just such a day. Older children may enjoy choosing from the list themselves.

1. Sort through the toy cupboard:

It’s surprising how much fun this can be! Get everyone together and aim to clear one shelf or drawer. You will probably find that old treasures are rediscovered, odd pieces can be thrown away, and some things will be ready to be passed down or sold. If you are not sure whether to get rid of some of the toys, try packing them away in a box and hiding them in a dark corner of the cupboard for a few months. When they come out again they will either cause a sensation, or not - which will make it easy to decide on their fate!

2. Record the sounds around you:

Get out the tape recorder and make a project out of recording everyday sounds. Try water running in the bath, someone ringing the bell and opening the door, or flushing the toilet! It certainly makes you think about things a little differently than usual. Suggest that some friends or neighbours do the same thing and then get together to see if you can identify each other’s sounds!

3. Make a story tape:

Grab that tape recorder and a blank cassette, find a story you enjoy, and make your own story tape! Each child can read for a while, or can take on the part of a particular character. Make the appropriate noises too! You will probably have to practice a few times to get the hang of it, and be prepared for lots and lots of giggles! Tip: a homemade story tape makes a great present for a child who has to go to hospital or is bedridden for a time.

4. Have a jigsaw afternoon:

Get out all your jigsaws and invite some friends around with theirs too! Clear plenty of space and have a marathon jigsaw session. Some libraries have jigsaws you can borrow too, and you can often find jigsaws for sale very cheaply at charity shops (thrift stores) and car boot sales (garage sales). Tip: if you buy your jigsaws second-hand and the box has seen better days, cut out the picture and store it in a re-sealable bag with all the pieces.

5. Have a mammoth junk modelling session with friends:

Invite a few families around and ask them to bring their craft-cupboard junk with them - boxes, containers, and other bits and pieces. You provide glue, sticky-tape, scissors, and encouragement. You could make houses, or creatures, or boats, or modern art - or you could all combine together to make one giant model!

6. Make a card house:

If you don’t know any good card games or haven’t anyone to play with, try building a card house! Start by balancing two cards against each other so that they stand up in an inverted V-shape. Take it from there!

7. Make an indoor obstacle course:

Check with an adult that this is OK first! Use easily movable furniture (kitchen chairs, coffee tables) to mark out a course. Create a tunnel to crawl through with a blanket draped over low tables, or space cushions around the room to use as stepping-stones. You will have lots more ideas!

8. Practice balancing:

Balancing is fun! Try walking the length of the room with a book on your head. When you can do that, try balancing two or three - then add a cuddly toy to the very top!

9. Create an indoor den:

A few blankets and tablecloths can create the most wonderful indoor den. Drape blankets between sofas and chairs, over stepladders and clothes-dryers, or tie the ends to cupboard knobs and door handles. Once the den is created find some special snacks, coloring pages and pencils, a CD player and music, a torch or two, and camp out for a while!

10. Play with string:

Older children can create some wonderful inventions with a ball of string and their imagination! A toilet roll and a sloping length of string make a great message chute or rocket. Get some action toys involved too: try making them a lift (elevator) out of a box or a basket and hoist them up! Adults should supervise constantly if there are younger kids around.

Lindsay Small is the author of “Boredom Busters for Kids” - a downloadable e-book with over 50 pages of non-stop fun activities for kids like those above. Find it at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/boredom_busters.htm She is also the creator of Activity Village - providing the ultimate one-stop resource for parents and teachers looking to educate and entertain their children. Visit the website at http://www.ActivityVillage.co.uk

Baby Sleep Tips

Auto Date Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your baby can get a good night’s rest.

1) Establish a routine - A kiss good night or stroking the baby before sleep can calm the child, or bathing and cleaning the child before bed time. Make sure to repeat these patterns. Once the baby becomes familiar with this routine, they will know that it is time to sleep. Also, make sure the baby sleeps in the same place and in the same conditions as much as possible.

2) Try lullaby music - Lullaby music can calm the child as can white noise CD’s. The sound of a vacuum cleaner is also known to have a soothing effect.

3) Make sure that the room temperature is not too hot or cold and that the baby is in a location that is away from any noise or distractions that may cause the baby to awaken.

4) Shorten nap time during the day - If the baby sleeps too much during the day, then he or she may not be able to sleep as well at night. When napping, keep the lights on and try not to give the baby any cues that it is bed time by avoiding the night routine. No need to wake the child from napping, but if conditions are brighter and a bit noisier, then the baby will probably wake up on its own.

5) Rocking - Rocking and massaging the baby can relax the child and this may be good as prelude to sleeping through the night.

6) Read a story - Read a story or spend some time with the baby before bed, instead of just dropping the baby off in the crib and leaving. This extra time will allow the baby to transition into sleep.

7) Feeding - Make sure the baby is getting good nutrition. If you must feed the baby in the middle of the night, make sure to keep the lights dim so as to not disturb the baby’s sense of time.

8) Make sure that it is quiet at night and that there is activity during the day. Babies need to learn the difference between night and day.

About the Author - Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more related articles, go to Baby Lullaby and Baby shower information (http://www.legitimateopportunities.com/baby).

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