MomSoup.com - Children & Family

Eczema & Sunscreen

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:01:04 -0500

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.

Putting the College Savings Plans into Perspective: Article on MSN

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:54:55 -0500

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

Siteseeing: Fun site for kids... Rube Goldberg

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:00:55 -0600

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

Send a Birthday card to Dr. Seuss & Random House will donate a book

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:57:11 -0600

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/

Elmo Helps Military Families Say Good-bye

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:49:41 -0600

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".

Phone # for Santa!

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:42:58 -0600

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

Santa Claus
800-972-6242

sophie Choices in Daily Parenting

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 08:20:04 -0600

Recently a wonderful friend and I were discussing the movie Sophie's Choice. Not sure how we got on the topic, but my guess is off a tangent on a book she recently lent me that I have yet to be able to time wise and mental hurdle wise to pick up and read. (I love to read, always have so I have to actually stay away from it b/c I'm a compulsive reader and can't put a book down which interferes with good parenting, at least for me.) Mental hurdle wise, the book she recommended was about hard choices and I feel like it's too much for me to emotionally handle right now. (On another side note, having a single friend that avidly reads is the best thing ever. Its like having your own spoon feeding book reviewer. As a mommy with very limited me-time, it's great not to have to figure out what to read.) That now brings us full circle back to Sophie's Choice. As a human being, it's very gut wrenching, as a parent it's unimaginable and almost unthinkable.

CNN Article: Study: Students struggling to finish homework

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:06:13 -0500

Too much homework for kids...

Yeah, especially since it interfers with all the after school activities... sheesh...

Read the CNN article on homework.

Great Wolf Lodge Fall Coupon Codes

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 22:01:21 -0500

Great Wolf Lodge Fall Coupon Codes

Wolf Pups Weeks at Great Wolf Lodge
Valid September 4 - October 12, 2006

Special Code PUPD for some of the lowest rates of the fall season.

Howl o Week Festival
Valid October 13 - October 31, 2006

Special code HOWLD

Casting Call for TLC's Home Made Simple

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:42:36 -0500

Need a little help around your house?

Cooking ** Decorating ** Repairing ** Organizing ** Crafting

Are you overwhelmed by your busy life or do you need a little help with time management? Have you got a sense of fun and adventure?

If the answer is 'yes,' we want to hear from you!

We are currently casting for season two of:

HOME MADE SIMPLE

TLCs' new hit home-makeover show that offers
simple solutions for every day families!

To be considered you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Own your own home or have the express permission of your landlord
- Live in the DC METRO AREA

“OH SUSANNAH” Free Interactive Children’s Concert on October 7, 2006 at 10:30am, Washington DC

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:26:32 -0500

“OH SUSANNAH” Free Interactive Children’s Concert on October 7, 2006 at 10:30am

Free Interactive Children’s Concert with Oh Susannah. Located at 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Free Parking in the back of the building. Please enter through the front doors. Snacks and drinks available. If you need more information please call Joan at (301) 897-9519 or e-mail at jsansbury@srmason-sj.org. See you soon.

CNN Article: Things to do in the Fall with Kids

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 14:26:48 -0500

Links to info on corn mazes, haunted houses, train rides, hiking and apple picking on farms.

www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/ADVISOR/09/07/fall.with.kids.ap

SiteSeeing: Make Amazing Snowflakes at http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 10:36:01 -0600

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

Buying a Christmas Tree…all lots are not created equal

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 19:28:41 -0600

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.

THE BEST family planner Calendar

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 21:22:09 -0600

	2006 Mom's Plan-It Plus Calendar ASIN: 1595015523 Binding: Calendar

I LOVE this calendar. I buy it every year. This is the best calendar for busy families who need to keep track of schedules and invitations. Lots of spaces to write in appointments for everyone and helps keep you organized. Hangs on the side of my fridge b/c of the great magnet strip across the top. Have never really used the stickers so I give them to the kids to play with. A fun recycling idea once the calendar is used: I cut the magnetic strip off, flip it slot side up and put thank you notes, invites and postcards we receive in it for a really cute and handy display.