Why I’m walking 3 days against breast cancer

This past year has been one of the best years of my life. My second daughter was born. And, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my many blessings.

I decided that this year I wanted to do something good and with a purpose.

I saw a commercial on T.V. for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day For The Cure walk and I considered this opportunity. I thought, “60 Miles over 3 Days…Am I crazy?”

But, the more I thought about it I realized that it is a cake walk compared to what people go through who experience this illness.

I immediately ordered the promotional C.D. When I got it in the mail and watched it, I was completely overwhelmed and it was such an emotional experience. I watched as a man cried as he described that he was walking for his wife because she could no longer do so. And, a lady talked of how she lost her mother and that she didn’t get a say in that matter. She said she felt that by walking in this event to fight for this cause, she was finally getting a say against breast cancer.

I was so moved by the video that I decided right then that this cause was so great that I needed to take a stand and do what I could to help. While I have not been directly effected by breast cancer, this cause is something I feel so strongly about. No one should have to go through this battle. And, no one should have to lose someone they love way too early because of breast cancer.

I think about all the women I love in my life: my mother, mother in law, daughters, aunts, friends, cousins, sister in law, niece, etc…the list goes on and on.  I don’t want anyone to have to suffer this horrific disease. And, men can also be affected by it.

Without a cure, one person will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.

These are scary and unbelievable statistics.

That’s why I’m walking in this event. To do something bold about breast cancer.

More and more strides are being made to find a cure for this disease.

Every dollar raised helps to find a cure.

Now is the time to take action to help put an end to breast cancer.

Will you join me?

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Amanda is walking in the Komen 3 Day and trying to raise as much money for this cause as she can. She is excited to be a part of a fantastic team, Betties For Boobies. She would appreciate your support in raising money for this important cause and you can donate by clicking the image above, or the ad in the sidebar.

Egg-citing Science

With Easter coming up this weekend, it’s probably safe to assume you’ll have plenty of eggs in the fridge.  Why not try one of these fun “experiments” with the kids?

Egg Balancing

Have you ever heard that you can balance a raw egg vertically on the first day of spring?  The story goes that because the sun is aligned with the Earth’s equator, gravity is somehow different.

Well, Sci-Tech fans know that balancing an egg is possible any day of the year with a nicely shaped egg and some patience.

Try it out anyway –it’s fun!

Egg in a bottle

This one requires some adult supervision and common sense.

You’ll need:

• • several hard boiled eggs with the shell removed
  • a clean glass bottle with a mouth only slightly smaller than the egg
  • matches (hence the adult supervision)
  • several strips of paper (2 x 6 inches)

We want to get the egg in that bottle without breaking it, but how?  Have the adult light a strip of paper on fire, quickly and carefully place it into the bottle, and replace your egg on top.  As the fire goes out, your egg should slip into the bottle!

What’s going on?  When air heats up, you might have heard people say that it expands.  That means that the molecules move away from each other.  Some of them move around the egg and slip out of the bottle. As the fire goes out, the molecules cool and return to their original places, but that egg is in the way!  This is called a partial vacuum.  The air pressure outside the bottle is so great that it pushes the egg right in!

Have some trouble?  Try greasing the top of your bottle with a little vegetable oil for a more slippery egg.

Article courtesy of the Sci-Tech Discovery Center. For more information visit their website at www.mindstretchingfun.org or call them at 972.546.3050.

The Benefits of a Massage

Massage is beneficial for more than stress relief.  While lowering your stress is important, a greater benefit of massage is improved overall health.  Your lymphatic system helps maintain your immune system and nourishes your cells, but it doesn’t have a pump system like your circulatory system, therefore its movement is up to you. Today’s lifestyles offer real challenges to the lymphatic system. We sit at computers for hours, drive places in our cars that often includes stressful situations, and our exercise programs come in compressed 30 to 60 minute doses that often leaves the muscles knotted up with increased pockets of acids and toxins that stagnate the lymphatic fluid flow often resulting in increased soreness and a propensity for illness. Regular massage therapy offers a relief of the natural knotting of muscle tissues and actually aids in the flow of lymphatic fluids.

The lymphatic system is responsible for immune  system regulation along with fluid and waste removal. It is what helps rid the body of any toxins that may cause illness. When the lymphatic system slows down or becomes blocked, then fluids begin to build up, causing the whole body to feel tired and heavy, making us susceptible to catching sicknesses. Massage stimulates the lymph nodes to help clear any blockages keeping the lymphatic system running healthy and strong. This in turn keeps your body free of toxins and illness and while also creating a stronger immune system.

Lymphatic capillaries start as tubes that are only a single cell in thickness. Pressure from the fluid surrounding the capillary forces these cells to separate for a moment to allow lymph to enter the capillary. Then the cells of the wall close together. This does not allow
the lymph to leave the capillary. Instead it is forced to move forward.

The lymphatic system relies on a collection system that resides very close to the skin to transport the lymph fluid and our muscles  have a tendency to knot up creating eddies that can retain pools of waste fluid; frequent massage often offers a proven way to keep the lymphatic fluid flowing. Having a quality massage therapist that understands physiology involved can provide the maximum benefit. Getting a full body massage every three to four weeks can helps ensure the appropriate drainage.
Program massage clinics, such as Massage Heights in Flower Mound (across from JC Penney), offer programs that allow everyone to incorporate frequent therapeutic massage into their healthy lifestyle. A lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and frequent massage is key to a healthy life.

For more information you can ask a Licensed Massage Therapist at Massage Heights by calling (972) 249-9790.

DFW Family Expo

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, family-friendly excursion in Dallas this Saturday, March 13^th, head down to Centennial Hall at Fair Park for the inaugural DFW Family Expo, put on by Metroplex Baby and Kids (MBK), and benefitting Children’s Medical Center.

It promises to have something for family members of all ages and stages, including on-site baby gear demonstrations for new and expecting parents and a toddler zone with bouncehouses and face painting.  Even mom and dad can take part in the fun by stopping by the Tony & Guy booth in the Home & Family Services section for mini touchups and TIGI product samples.

“There really is something for everyone! With specially designed sections, exhibitors and providers are able to cater to the consumer’s needs… Those looking for deals can head over to the Market Place and Resale Zone to shop for clothes and more, at prices 40%-60% off retail. There is so much more with amazing giveaways, children’s concerts and even trackless train rides,” says Barbara Arnondin, Co-founder of MBK.

Tickets to the Expo are $3 for adults and $2 for children 2 and over. All the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Children’s Medical Center. On-site parking is $10, but attendees are encouraged to take DART (a Green Living sponsor and official transportation provider) for easy and inexpensive access to the Expo. You may also find free parking nearby at the Women’s Museum.

Some of the other sponsors include all three major baby retailers- Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby and Lone Star Baby & Kids. Industry leaders like Britax, Maclaren and Born Free will also be on-site to demonstrate their products and answer questions. This is only a fraction of the companies represented at the Expo.

For a complete list, more details, and to purchase tickets online, check out www.DFWFamilyExpo.com.

Jill is the DFW mom of a son.  She was once a self-proclaimed priss who traded in pointy toed high heels, daily trip to Starbucks between business meetings, and aspirations to be the next Katie Couric for life as a mommy.  She blogs at Baby Rabies.

Tips for your Taxes

It’s a bright sunny day, the birds are singing, all is well! You go to your mail box, and what do you see there – the dreaded tax forms for the year!

The harsh reality of this “college term paper of the real world” can be softened with these tips:

Create a master file for all tax related papers
Even before your 1099 papers arrive, start a master file using an expanding red folder and manila files. Label the files with the important tax categories –W-2 information, interest and dividend income, capital gains and losses, charitable donations, medical and dental expenses, deductible business expenses, and miscellaneous deductions (educational expenses, safe deposit boxes, financial planning). Even before your papers arrive, this file will be their “home” and papers will not get lost! And to prepare for the current year, begin a master file for incoming documents for the current year, so you will not have to search for them at this time next year.

Set aside time on your calendar to collect tax related information
Around January 15, mark your calendar for a 2 hour tax session with yourself! Go through your checkbook and files to find important items to copy for accounting purposes. If you already use an accountant, usually a tax preparation document will arrive for you to base your information. Three weeks later in February, again mark a 2 hour tax session to wrap up those loose ends and file your documents in your master file. If necessary, two weeks after this set up one more session for yourself to complete your work. You are then prepared to begin your actual preparation or send your information to your accountant.

Use technology as your assistant
Financial software can rescue you from your tax nightmare! Beginning this year, load Quicken on your computer! Enter your checking information using the pre-set categories, and Quicken has tax information categories set. So as you pay your monthly bills, you are also categorizing items for your taxes. Simply go back to the program and create your tax information with a click of the mouse!

File electronically
Nothing is more of a nightmare than to have finished your tax work, and then to stand in the long line at the post office! File electronically with the IRS, and upon receipt, you will receive confirmation!

And finally, don’t delay and put off your work! The earlier you file, the earlier you receive that wonderful refund check! If you owe taxes, you will feel better if you complete your tax work, and know the amount due.

Source: http://www.professional-organizer.com/tips_tax.html

These tips brought you by SoccerMom Accounting Referral Service.  We have a network of very knowledgeable tax preparation CPA stay-at-home moms that are ready to help you with any tax or accounting needs.  Visit us at www.soccermomcpa.com or call 214-769-4515 today.

Making Writing Fun for Kids

What is it about writing that causes some children to groan and throw up their pencils in frustration? Perhaps it is the difficulty of organizing their thoughts logically. It may be the meticulous fine tuning that goes into making each and every sentence sound just right. Or maybe it is the daunting look of a blank piece of paper when an assignment is due the next day.

Clear, coherent writing is an essential skill not only for most of your child’s classes, but nearly all jobs that he or she may have as an adult. Developing strong writing skills at an early age strengthens reading abilities and helps children learn to communicate effectively. However, despite its importance, convincing your young student that writing a book report is supposed to be enjoyable may be a challenge.

Here are several writing activities that will help your child develop good writing skills and have a little fun in the process:

• Write letters. Many children’s magazines and other resources offer free “pen pal” matching, where your child will be paired with another of a similar age in another state, or even another country. Ask your local children’s librarian for recommendations, or check out the children’s magazine section at the library or bookstore for lists of legitimate and safe pen pal services.

Another perfect pen pal? Grandma, Grandpa, an aunt, uncle or cousin. An out-of-town family member (or family friend) may be willing and excited to correspond with your child through letters, and the thrill of receiving mail in return may entice your child to continue writing letters to multiple people.

• Keep a journal. Journaling or writing in a diary provides children with the opportunity to express their feelings or record memories that are meaningful to them. Encourage your child to write about things he or she is excited or anxious about, dreams, friends or things happening at school. Such freeform writing will help your child explore his or her mind and develop a regular (perhaps even daily) writing habit.

• Make lists. Sitting down to write grocery or to-do lists is the perfect time for parents to encourage children to join them and make lists of their own. Creating lists promotes organizational skills and teaches your child to brainstorm. Younger children might enjoy writing lists of their favorite songs, toys, friends or books, while older children may be more interested listing academic, personal or fitness goals they would like to accomplish.

• Play word games. Open any newspaper and you will find crossword puzzles and other word games that children may enjoy. Or, visit the magazine aisle at the grocery store to find entire books of crossword puzzles as well as anagram, cryptogram and other word exercises for children of all ages. These games are perfect for road trips, plane rides or to fill your child’s time during summer or holiday break.

• Create a time capsule. Children who love looking at old family pictures or other mementos may enjoy creating a time capsule. First, have your child write a letter to a “future self” (or presumed finder of the time capsule). This letter may include your child’s views on current trends, newsworthy events or may be more personal and discuss your child’s favorite things (songs, friends or foods, for example). Your child may also want to put other items in their time capsule: pictures, newspaper clippings, a sentimental toy or another symbolic item. Once the letter has been completed, put it (along with the other items) in a box or container, seal it with lots of tape and have your child write the date that it can be opened on the outside. Hide the time capsule in an attic, garage or other place where it will be easily forgotten. The process will be fun for your child, and may even start a yearly tradition. Years later when the time capsule is discovered during a spring cleaning session or while packing for a move, your child will get a kick out of reading this little piece of history.

As parents, the easiest way to promote writing is to show our children that it is the key to many fun activities. Whenever possible, join your child in a writing project. Set aside time in the day for letter or journal writing, or create a family time capsule together. Remember to arm your child with plenty of writing tools—pens, pencils, lined and unlined paper, and a dictionary (or picture dictionary for a younger child)—and make sure he or she has a designated writing spot, such as a desk or other clean, quiet, well-lit area.

If your child continues to resist writing and this aversion is contributing to school struggles, there may be other issues at play that need to be addressed. At Huntington Learning Center we can perform a diagnostic assessment of your child’s current abilities, uncovering specific areas that may be hindering his or her writing, reading or other abilities. Talk to your local Huntington representative today to learn how we can help your child.

Article provided by Huntington Learning Center, which has been helping children succeed in school for more than 30 years. For more information about Huntington, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Making Every Day A Workout

No time to workout now that you’re a mom? Try turning every day activities in to a workout. Let me show you how to fit fitness in to your life!

• Walk – Yes you’ve heard it before but it’s true. Walking can be a workout, especially if you’re pushing a stroller or carrying a baby in a front pack carrier. Whenever possible, give yourself extra opportunities to walk to where you’re going, even if it means parking the car in the farthest parking spot from where you’re going.

• Take the stairs – I fully admit that carrying a diaper bag, a baby and even a stroller up the stairs is not going to work. But the more you carry your baby up your own home stairs (while using good posture of course), the more of a workout you will get. It’s a Stairmaster times two when you’re carrying the weight of your baby!

• Participate with your kids- Are your kids in soccer or ballet or some other physical activity? Find out if it’s ok if you walk around the field or even participate with your child rather than watching from the side lines with the other parents.

• Pick Up Those Toys – Of course we want our kids to do it, but picking up toys can be a great workout! Here’s how to do it…Stand in front of toy and bend down, lowering your bottom. Keep back and abs strong. Basically, squat down, squeeze up and pick up the next one!

• Tighten Up That Tummy – No matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing, tighten up that tummy. You can work your ab muscles when you drive, when you walk, when you pick up toys. Contract abdominal wall without holding in your breath. Imagine you’re trying to fit in to a really tight pair of jeans and if you let your tummy out, they will pop open!

Home “Gym” Workout

• Sit on a chair and place a pillow on your lap. Bend forward at the hips. Hold on to a can of soup or even a milk jug if you can do the weight and slowly raise arms. Squeeze shoulder blades together. This should focus on posterior deltoids (back of shoulders) and upper back.
• Sit on chair and do bicep curls with milk jugs. Don’t forget to put milk right back in the fridge so it doesn’t go bad! J
• Lay on back on floor. Hold a soup can in each hand and open arms wide (palms facing each other). Squeeze chest and bring arms together overhead. This exercise focuses on the pectoralis (chest) muscles. Of course, good old push ups do the trick too!
• Stand with your back against a wall in your home. Slide your body down until your legs reach a 90-degree angle. Thigh should be parallel to the ground and knees are right over your knees. Hold this position as long as you can! Work up to two minutes!
• Sit on a chair with legs about hips width apart and feet and knees facing forward. With arms in front of you, pull yourself up to a standing position. Use your glutes and thighs. Slowly squat back over chair as if you were about to sit down (but don’t really do it) and squeeze back up.

The list of exercises can go on and on. Think about traditional gym exercises and how to re-create them in your home using your environment.

The more you move, the more calories you burn. It’s consistency that counts; not where you do it. Try to be active in whatever you do. Instead of getting your car washed, do it yourself with your kids. Not only is it fun, but it’s a great workout. The same goes for cleaning the house, raking leaves, gardening and even shoveling snow!

Farrah is an instructor and Owner of Stroller Strides in Grapevine, Colleyville & Coppell.

Get Ready for the Second Semester

Remember that “go get ‘em” attitude you and your child had at the beginning of the school year?  That certainty that setting aside “homework time,” limiting TV and recreational Web surfing and staying in close contact with teachers would lead to top grades all year long? If these seem like distant memories now that the year is half over, you’re not alone. Unfortunately the mid-point of the school year can be a make or break time for addressing any problems that have held your son or daughter back.

Taking a close look at the following indicators will help you determine if your child’s current studying habits and overall approach to school work are making the grade:

Indicator #1: Grades and teacher conferences

Take a look at your child’s overall grades during the first half of the year. If you believe your child could have done better, talk directly with teachers to determine any issues that are impacting his or her progress. It’s also important to tell the teacher about any issues that may affect your child’s academic success. Family tension, financial concerns, health issues or marital problems directly impact a child’s ability to concentrate in school. Creating a partnership between school and home is a responsibility that both parents and teachers share.

Indicator #2: Standardized test results

In recent years, parents and students have paid the most attention to standardized tests during the spring – when many states and districts administer exams that now determine a student’s ability to graduate or move on to the next grade. But you can get a good idea of which skills should be strengthened in advance of these tests by taking a second look at the results of other standardized exams that may have been given during the fall. If your child scored poorly in reading or mathematics at the beginning of the year, for example, you might pay particular attention to these areas as he or she prepares for the high stakes tests that will be given in just a few months.

Indicator #3: Homework

While some students tend to complete homework successfully all year, many may have fallen out of the “homework habit” as the December holidays approached. After a long break, January is a good time to ramp up for the coming months by re-establishing important routines, such as setting time aside for homework each afternoon or evening and maintaining a specific area of your house or apartment specifically for homework.

Indicator #4: The Work/Life Balance

While sports, clubs and other school-related leisure activities can make the educational experience much more well-rounded and rewarding, they should never become more important than academic progress. It’s therefore important to find the right balance between leisure and learning time. Take a look at your child’s academic success during the first half of the year and weigh it against all of the extracurricular activities that filled his or her schedule. Were there enough hours in a typical day last semester to keep up with schoolwork while enjoying every activity? Working collaboratively, parents and students should prioritize activities that are most important, and create a schedule that strikes the right balance.

Accentuating the Positive

As parents, we all want to see our children succeed and be happy in school. While it is natural for parents to take for granted their child’s achievements and instead focus on the subjects or areas where a child may have room for improvement, remember that every child needs support and encouragement.

Here are a few tips on how to focus on the positive when talking with your child about school, in even the most difficult situations:

Avoid regular disapproval.

Most likely, a child who is struggling in school already feels upset about it. Reminding your child frequently that he or she has disappointed you, or pointing out in a negative way what they already know (“This is a terrible report card,” or “You need to bring up your grades or you’ll end up failing fifth grade”) is likely to make your child feel more discouraged rather than motivated to do better. Instead, ask your child open-ended questions and listen to the answers. How does your child feel about his or her teacher or teachers? What subjects does your child find the most interesting or exciting? What subjects does your child dislike? Why? Understanding your child’s situation will arm you with the information you’ll need to help your child (and seek additional help if necessary).

Notice your child’s successes.

Positive reinforcement comes in many forms, but one way to encourage your child to do better in school is by taking regular notice of his or her achievements, big or small. Particularly as your child becomes older, specific, positive comments about your child’s efforts (“You’ve really been working to make your study time more productive, and that’s great”) are more meaningful than nonspecific, vague praise (“Good job”). Remember to recognize improvements—if your child produces an improved mid-semester report card or a better grade on a math test than last time, don’t let it go unnoticed. Congratulate your child right away and acknowledge his or her hard work.

Ask how you can help.

By asking questions, you are encouraging your child to open up to you not only about school, but about his or her life outside the home (including aspects of your child’s life that may be negatively impacting their studies). At the same time, you can show your child that you’re supportive by opening the floor to him or her to offer ideas on how you can help. Your child’s answer may shed new light on the best path forward, but more importantly, it will provide your child the opportunity to think through one or more possible solutions to his or her problem.

Help your child believe in himself or herself.

In the long run, a child who perseveres even when school gets tough is more likely to demonstrate those same valuable skills later in life as a college student or in a job. How do you instill such determination in your child? By letting your child know that you believe in him or her, too, unconditionally. Accepting a child for who he or she is results in a confident child.

Empower your child to succeed in school and in life by employing positive parenting whenever possible. You may notice a change in your child’s attitude, motivation and overall happiness. At Huntington, we understand that it’s hard to know where to turn when your child is struggling in school. We can help. Huntington will work with you and your child to uncover the root of the problem and tailor a program to focus on the areas where your child needs the most assistance. If your child needs help in school, call Huntington Learning Center.

Dr. Raymond J. Huntington and Eileen Huntington are co-founders of Huntington Learning Center, which has been helping children succeed in school for more than 30 years.  For more information about Huntington, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Confessions of a Burb(Grand)mom

In my early mommy days, I was the cruise director for an only dainty daughter. I was an expert on pony tails and pom poms, Barbies and ballet lessons, tutus and tights. I adorned my little angel in ruffles and velvet until the inevitable six-year-old rebellion that led to jeans, skinned knees and Big Wheels. I soon learned that a gaggle of girls could squeal at decibels that set the dogs to howling. I discovered that ‘tween’ rolling eyes meant nothing I said would be heard and that the word, “MOM” could have four syllables.

My adult daughter became a mom herself almost a decade ago. My eagerly awaited first grandchild was… a beautiful boy!

“Okay,” I thought. “I can learn boys.”

Firstborn grandson was quiet, intelligent and brimming with a devilish sense of humor. He liked books, puzzles, shape sorters, and all things Thomas The Train.  He would eat none of my home cooking, didn’t like sweets, and never thought much of riding toys. He loved it when I would read to him or engage him in random story creation (i.e., “I’ll start, then you finish the sentence!”)

“Hey. This is cool!” I thought. “Boys are so much easier than girls!” As years passed, I assumed he’d be my only grandchild. I bonded hard with him.

Eight years almost to the day after his birth, along came grandson number two. “I’ve got this covered,” I thought. “I know about little boys!”

I have now discovered the mysteries of multiples. One little chickie was my only direct experience. One adorable grandchickie was the sole owner of my heart for eight years. And then… another. Oh, how I worried about loving two. How do I share the time and attention? How do I grow another heart?

Ah, multiples! Completely different! The little guy, now 19 months, is the family scamp. He oozes charm, which makes it difficult to say no to his antics… like climbing on the glass tables, using the TV remote to find his own favorite shows, bypassing the child locks easily to explore the kitchen trash, feeding dog food to the fish, and turning anything with wheels into a battering ram.  Baby food is not his style. He prefers vegetables, fruit, ranch dressing, anything spicy, and chocolate… in quantity!

That second heart? I grew it the first time the scamp said, “MIMI!” and crumpled my expensive new glasses!

Rhonda, aka MiMi, is a BurbGrandmom who lives in Carrollton and loves spending time with her grandchildren.

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