My daughter who suffers from eczema seems to also react to sunscreen. After applying, her face turns red with irritation. While I always look for sunscreen that is PABA and fragrance free, it's been a challenge finding one that doesn't cause her irritation. We've tried almost all the major brands including No AD and Neutrogena Sensitive Skin with little success. Recently, the online mom's groups suggested two brands to try for babies and kids with sensitive skin: Blue Lizard and California Baby.

Today I picked up Blue Lizard at CVS and so far so good. It comes in Regular formula as well as Sport, Sensitive and Fragrance Free. I'm pretty sure the Fragrance Free and Sensitive bottles are essentially the same and the price was the same for all four types which is good. It cost a whopping $8.99 for a small tube. But well worth it so she's not suffering physically and mentally with having to go around with a red face.

April 20, 2007

VA Tech Shootings: Adding up the numbers

Almost EIGHT years ago to the date, a community in Columbine remember their tragic events that unfolded much like the recent Tech shootings. April 20th is the remembrance date for both school massacres.

Both sets of young men were social outcasts. Both mentioned feeling powerless, bullied. Here's a thought: STOP the bullying. It is an effort we can make to get a handle on these horrible, horrible situations that may in the end be inevitable regardless. But at least we can sleep at night with a clear conscious. Parents need to address and stress to their children that if they possibly can't be nice to others (surely we can do much better than that!), then at least TEACH them not to be mean or cruel. A professor at Tech described Cho Seung Hui as "mean" and I have to wonder how many people he felt were mean to him. This in no way justifies or excuses his actions but this was a deeply troubled juvenile who could not get out of his cycle of alienation which continued to feed it and others around him. Seung was caught up in a Catch 22 where his reclusive-ness led to a lack of connection despite efforts by some and derision by others.

The massacre at VA Tech is too overwhelming to comprehend for any parent, anybody. How do you begin to prepare yourself and your beloved children from random acts of violence? Is it even possible? As a parent, these questions can haunt you. Also, how do you help your children understand survival skills and to defend themselves without unneccesarily alarming them and causing paranoia as these are FREAK events that statistically are unlikely to affect them.

I don't know the answers to these questions. I'm grappling with them myself. In watching the coverage, I've been listening to the survival stories and the many ways in which the students reacted. In the moment, all anyone can do is the best they can. In any situation as I learned in my psychology classes, humans respond with either FLIGHT, FIGHT, or FREEZE. Here are some observations based on what the media covered in which these innate responses kicked in.

I'm so glad to have read this article because I was getting really worried about not saving for the kids when everyone else around me seems to already have started some sort of College Plan. It's not saying don't save. It's saying, it's ok if you haven't started and/or paying for other things right now.

From: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/SavingForCollege/6ReasonsNotToSaveForKids.aspx

6 reasons not to save for kids' college
No, it won't make you bad parents. It's fiscally irresponsible to spend your retirement money on your children's education.

By Sally Herigstad

Make the never ending job of laundry a bit more fun! Fold-your-shirt.com makes folding interesting.

March 15, 2007 Free 12oz cup of coffee at Starbucks 10am to noon.

http://www.starbucks.com/ourcoffees/coffee_break.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1

From www.slashfood.com:
"On March 21st, the first day of spring, Dunkin' will "put winter on ice" with their first ever Free Iced Coffee Day. All day long, Dunkin' Donuts locations all over the US will be giving away free 16-ounce iced coffees. Their iced coffees are "double brewed" for smoothness and come in nine different flavors, in addition to regular coffee."

Enjoy!

http://blueballfixed.ytmnd.com/

Excerpt origins unknown: If anyone knows the cite, please post a comment.
" Rube Goldberg Biography

Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor,
and author.

Reuben Lucius Goldberg (Rube Goldberg) was born in San Francisco. His
father, a practical man, insisted he go to college to become an engineer.
After graduating from University of California Berkeley, Rube went to work
as an engineer with the City of San Francisco Water and Sewers Department.

He continued drawing, and after six months convinced his father that he had

A very cute site for everyone who lose Dr. Seuss. Send a card & Random House will donate a book!

http://www.seussville.com/CITH_50th/

I can't imagine how tough it would be to have to say good-bye to my husband knowing that I wouldn't be able to see him for months. But I'm an adult and I can wrap my mind around time and understand that he will return. It has to be infinitely more difficult to be a child and have to say good-bye to your Mommy or Daddy. As a parent, finding the right words to say in this situation is tough.

Well, fret no more, Elmo has all the answers!

My friend who is in this situation watched a great DVD with their kids that they got free from a military source. Scroll down and look for the "Sesame Street DVD".

Call this number to hear a message from Santa! It changes daily.

Santa Claus
800-972-6242