Monday, June 30, 2008
Hersheypark Here We Come
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Money Doesn't Grow On Trees
- Realize that kids learn what they live. When you ring up a load of credit card debt and fail to save anything, that's what your kids come to see as normal.
- De-program your kids. Let them know that it's not a good idea to run up debt just so that it's easy to 'buy now'.
- An allowance is a great teaching tool. Teach them how to earn money and be responsible with saving, investing, and spending it. Experts say a great time to start is in the five-to-seven age range. You can even teach them about mutual funds and picking stocks.
- Reduce their exposure to commercials. Enough said.
- Find entertaining ways to teach good money habits. One recommended book for younger kids is "The Berenstein Bears Get the Gimmies". For late elementary school-aged kids there's the book "Quest for the Pillars of Wealth" by J.J. Pritchard. It's a chapter book that teaches personal finance concepts through an engaging adventure story. You could also get them a subscription to "Zillions", a kids' magazine from the publishers of Consumer Reports.
- Teach them how to shop wisely. Comparison shop and use coupons in front of them.
- And, finally, encourage older kids to get a job. Even if it's a paper route or yard/lawn work.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
"Spit Germs"
Have you ever stopped to think about how many spit germs are spread out over a birthday cake when the candles are blown out?
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Excellence In Customer Service
I want to thank Greg from Shop Rite for going above and beyond when it comes to customer service.
In case you missed us talking about this on the air this week, I had a 'bright idea' yesterday while walking around Shop Rite. The kids were playing in the childcare center there so I had time to leisurely shop, and I saw a sign in the bakery about getting a picture scanned on a birthday cake, and I thought that would be a great idea for my kids' party. Problem is, I had to do it by that day since the party's this weekend and they need a few days' notice.
So, not having my camera on me, I went over to the photo department and asked the guy behind the counter if he could possibly help me do something a little 'unusual'. I asked him if he had a camera on him (he had his cell phone camera) and if he could help me take some Webkinz out of the case and 'pose' them for a portrait. He very graciously spent time with me asking the Webkinz to smile for the camera (ha!) until he got the right shot, then edited it and printed it for me to take over to the bakery to place the cake order in time. How's that for someone going the extra mile for a customer he never met? So, thanks again, Greg! The boys will be thrilled to see their Webkinz on their birthday cake.
SIte For Kids
Monday, June 16, 2008
Riding In A Pedicab
It was a guy on a bike pulling a little shaded carriage for the three of us to ride in and the kids got the biggest kick out of it! I hope this idea catches on, 'cause there are always those times when you can't park close to the beach and you'd give anything not to have to hike two miles with the children! W
hat a great way to get across town, too, especially if you'd like a drink or two during one of those summer celebrations and don't want to drive! Thanks to Kevin and Diving Duck Cab Co. I wasn't stranded with my kids!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hottest Celebrity Dads
Mark Consuelos
Tobey Maguire
Tom Cruise
Gavin Rossdale
Patrick Dempsey
Seal
Joel Madden
Ben Afflek
Ryan Phillipe
Matt Damon
Will Smith
Johnny Depp
David Beckham
and....number one...Brad Pitt
Monday, June 9, 2008
Cleaning Safety Tips
- Good ventilation is key in getting harsh fumes from cleaning products out of the house. Simply opening a window is not enough to eliminate dangerous fumes or odors. An exhaust fan can help eliminate the fumes and circulate fresh air.
- Read the labels on household cleaning products. DO NOT mix products
- two products combined can produce toxic results and put you in the hospital before you know it.
- Try to clean when kids and pets are NOT present. Keep products locked up and clean up all spills immediately and thoroughly. Common cleaning products that can be poisonous include furniture polish, oven cleaner, and window cleaner.
- Try to use natural cleaners to limit air pollution in your home. Try vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda.
- Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to make sure they're working. Change your batteries twice a year.
- Make sure to throw away medicines that are not being used. Check expiration dates frequently on all over-the-counter and prescription medications. Combine expired or leftover medicines with used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or something else bad-tasting to children and animals. Place this in a coffee can with a lid, and discard with your household trash.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Constantine Maroulis Visit
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Next Survivor...
The next Survivor Series will be about six married men dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for 6 weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music, dance, or swim lessons.
There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids, keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.
In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives and send cards out on time--no emailing.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment, and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient stop per child as well, possibly for a bathroom break or even an emergency-room visit.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails and toenails polished and eyebrows groomed, spray tan, wax when necessary, and find time to exercise.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once slow down from their duties.
They must hold down a job, attend PTO meetings and find time at least once a week to spend the afternoon at the park with the kids.
They will need to read a book a night, or more, to the kids and in the morning feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7 a.m.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size, and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear, and what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote the dads off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.
The winner gets to play the game over and over again for the next 18 - 25 years eventually earning the right to be called "Mother".
Monday, June 2, 2008
Getting Beach Ready For The Summer
Seems like common sense, but worth repeating.
Here's advice from doctors at Meridian on getting your family 'Beach-Ready' this summer.
-Think about packing these items:- sandals to protect the bottom of your feet- hats, sunglasses, and SPF 15 sunscreen (or higher, even on cloudy days)
- an umbrella or canopy for shade- bottles of water to stay cool and hydrated
- loose-fitting clothing
- a cooler with ice packs to keep cold foods at or below 40 degrees F
- moist towelettes to clean handsTo avoid mishaps:- stay only where there's a lifeguard on duty
- look for warning flags in case it's not safe to swim
- keep little ones no more than an arm's length away
- if you get stuck in a current or riptide, don't try to swim against it, but across it.
- toss perishable food if it has sat out for more than two hours
- teach the kids not to touch crabs, jellyfish, etc.
- keep the beach clean!
Experts also remind you that if you're planning to be on a boat:
- make sure the operator is not drinking alcohol
- check the weather forecast first
- make sure everyone on the boat wears life jackets
- keep a first-aid kit aboard- only boat with an experienced operator
- make sure there's a radio or cell phone to call for help
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!