Quote of the day:

Sharon Ellis, meanwhile, said she was still amazed at her husband's calm response: "I thought for sure he would have passed out in a situation like that."

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14490666/?GT1=8404

Ladies, we KNOW her husbands just gonna LUV that one!

This site came from my daughter's first grade teacher as an activity the children were begging to do more of. Super cute activity that teaches that all snowflakes are not alike. A virtual snowflake gallery awaits where you can "cut" and post your own creation. Go make your unique snowflake with your child or just you. Look for MomSoup's snowflake while you are there! http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com

Where, why and how much

Last year we took the kids on a romp through the woods of a nearby Christmas tree farm in search of the perfect tree to cut down ourselves. This was a ton of fun even though we didn’t all agree on the same tree. My youngest wanted a “Charlie Brown” tree, my oldest a very large one. After the big debate, they helped cut and drag the tree uphill to the car. My oldest took great pride in paying for the family tree from her gift money. The whole experience created many wonderful memories. Unfortunately, scheduling pressures this year have us searching for the perfect pre-cut tree. Here’s a summary of our findings.

Great activity that also teaches numbers without the treats and candy

Looking for a fun way to countdown to Christmas without further inundating your child with gifts and candy?  Here's a very simple, inexpensive, homemade idea that gives back so much. You and your child will have fun creating this interactive (without the goodies) Advent calendar. This craft also teaches numbers and strengthens hand & motor skills.

Happy Holidays!

Gift certificates seem to be the gift of choice for teachers and staff members this time of year. They also make holiday shopping easy. However, they lack a personal touch and often exclude your child from the gift giving process. Popular in the magazines this year are themed gifts that allow children to add their own special ideas. There are so many benefits to personalizing a gift. It's a special way to spend time with them in an activity that teaches them the spirit of giving. Here are some of my favorites pieced together from various different sources.

Quick guide to comparing Holiday picture prices: Sears, Wal Mart, JC Penney, Picture People, Target

Time again for holiday pictures to include in those awaiting Christmas cards to write. If you are not taking your own or going to a independent professional studio, below are the major retailers with portrait studios along with cost & (hidden) fees. No surprise that Wal Mart pricing is hard to beat at $10 for a complete package (if you are willing to brave the wait)! Unless you already belong to the respective clubs, the other portrait studios will run you a minimum of $50. [Update: please read posted comment below on Target Portrait Studio pricing. It beats Wal Mart. Also, Google ads on the left will lead to respective retailer coupons.]

	Huggies Diapers, Size 6, Over 35 lbs, Jumbo Pack, 26 ea ASIN: B000096OK9 Binding: Health and Beauty List price: $15.90 USD

Amazon has this amazing deal when you buy huggies diapers. Read this offer, then select some of the products below or go to amazon and select your own Huggies products for the offer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bittersweet memories of my own childhood flooded me this week as I created my child's Native American Indian costume for her first grade Thanksgiving party at school. A product of first generation, immigrant parents, I either went to school costume-less or with a creation I made entirely myself of what I thought was required. First, I silently cursed the school and room parents for the extra project and thought many things: 1) school has not changed (and I'm now back in the unprepared-for-the-test wearing-only-my-underwear nightmare) 2) why is the notice so short so even if I wanted to shell out the $$ for a costume could I even find one in time? 3) eliminating #2, how can I make an easy outfit? and 5) what if parents are busy or working hard or clueless or [gasp] not crafty or immigrants who are all of the above?

This site lists most of the family activities available each weekend in and around the Washington DC area.

Our Kids is an online activities & resource guide for families in the Washington DC metro. The website features listings from party planning, classes for kids, classes for parents, support groups, the latest special events and more. In addition, there is a weekly newsletter that contains a daily calendar of events, local theater listings, special events, classified listings and advanced notices of presale codes, ticket sales and more.