A Ski Vacation with Little Kids

I live in Texas, but like many of my fellow Texans we trek to Colorado several times a year to enjoy the mountains and the snow.  Last winter was the first year that all three of my boys (ages 3, 5 and 7 at the time) were officially skiers.  Several years ago we bought our oldest used skis and boots on an off-season sale and every two years we have added a new set of ski gear and snow clothes and handed down the old.  To date, it has worked exceptionally well.

The first year when our oldest was 4 we tried ski school.  It was overwhelming to our child.  Not only was he trying something new, but he was surrounded by a lot of people he didn’t know and was dressed in clothing that was unfamiliar.  The ski school personnel were extremely helpful, but a group situation wasn’t a good fit for him.  The next time we went we arranged a 1/2 day private lessons for our older two boys on the first two days we were there.  That went well.  The boys were together with someone who was able to teach directly to their level.  They made fast progress.  Later in the week we were able to ski green slopes with our older boy and hang out on the bunny hill with the middle. In subsequent trips we have used an occasional private lesson, but for the most part I have spent time on the bunny hill each morning with all the boys working on different skills.

The boys usually ski for half the day.  It is exhausting for them and it frees up some time for the skiing adults to spend time on non-kid-friendly parts of the mountain.  This brings me to a big recommendation:

If you have small children, travel with grandparents or a nanny.

Childcare on the mountain is extremely expensive.  Traveling with an extra set of hands and eyes is invaluable.  We love traveling with grandparents.  When that is unavailable, we have brought along a babysitter.  We cover their travel expenses and give them a small salary for the week.  We also try to work out a system where they can have a full day or part of several days to enjoy the mountain on their own.  It usually turns out to be great fun.  The extra help also allows my husband and I the option to dine in the evening at restaurants that might not have a kids’ menu.

Getting our third boy up on skis last winter was a big adventure.

He believed he could ski.

He actually could ski…it was the stopping that was an issue.

The whole ordeal wore him out.

Coincidentally, it did the same to me.

Holly is a stay at home mom of three boys who writes June Cleaver Nirvana.  She loves Texas dearly, but wishes that the mountains of Colorado were a bit closer.  She is looking forward to taking her littlest adventure skier up to the top of the mountain for the second time this winter.

And the winner is… (How to host a family-friendly Awards party)

Back in my college days, when life revolved around such things as rushing home from class to watch soap operas and waiting around for Whattaburger to begin serving taquitos at 11pm (By the way, I sure do miss the metabolism of my early 20’s. I cannot even look at a taquito these days without gaining a pound or two), my friends and I would host an Oscar party every year. Ballots would be cast, food would be consumed, money paid out to the winner and good times were had by all.

These days those college friends are in the same parenting boat as the husband and me…the boat that involves bath times, time-outs and sippy cup refills as opposed to lots of time spent palling with friends. Max and Ruby get more screen time on the family television than Oscar-nominated films. We do get to walk the red carpet on occasion…mainly because someone spilled juice on it a few months back and the stain has yet to be removed.

However, this year I am bringing back the Oscar party. Rather than sitting on the couch in my frumpy mom yoga pants to watch the glitz and glamour this award season, I am taking the time to create a family-friendly Academy Award party that adults and children will both enjoy.

Want to get your family in on the awards-party action? Below are some ways I set the stage at my house for some Academy Award fun.

Put on the Ritz. No Oscar ceremony is complete without some celebrity sporting a million dollar diamond. Do not be left watching all the glamor in a frumpy pair of sweats. Toss on that formal leftover from last year’s Caribbean cruise. Have the husband slap on a tie and let the children raid the dress-up boxes. Arrive in style to the party…even if “arriving’ merely means entering the living room from the bedroom.

Create a cinematic spread. No party is complete without delicious food. Consider creating an entire menu based on this year’s nominated films or swing by Le Popcorn in Southlake and scoop up one of their interesting (Dill pickle and loaded baked potato) popcorn creations. Get kids in on the kitchen action by having them make “Red Carpet roll-ups”. Simply buy red colored sandwich meat (ham and bologna work well for this), spread with traditional sandwich toppings, roll-up and cut into bite-sized pieces. When considering food, do not forget the libations. Obviously, leave out the alcohol but be sure to make drinks fun. Consider serving Shirley Temples or Roy Rogers to keep everyone well hydrated during the show.

Enhance everyone’s viewing pleasure. Transform the traditional family room where everyone gathers on a daily basis for some TV time into something a bit more grand. Line the floor with gigantic stars cutout of poster board. Write each family member’s name on a star, creating a personalized Hollywood Walk of Fame. Create a red carpet out of a red disposable table cloth (easily found at local dollar stores). Give every family member the chance to walk the red carpet and have their picture taken by “paparazzi”. Finally, make couches and floors a bit more comfy by throwing around some extra pillows and blankets. Television watching is often times more fun when the family can snuggle together.

Vote! The exciting part of award shows is seeing who goes home a winner and who leaves empty handed. Have each family member cast their votes before the show. Printable ballots are easily found on-line. Find ones that can be easily marked in order for young children to be able to join in on the action. Have a prize for the family member with the most number of correct predictions.

This award season do not merely watch the action from the sidelines of the family couch. Involve every member of the family in on the fun. A family-friendly party is a great way to spend some quality time together enjoying one of America’s cultural phenomenons.

Air Travel with a Toddler

Oh no! I am traveling with a toddler.

Traveling with a toddler is a gamble. Rolling the dice on toddler behavior can cause even the calmest parents’ hearts to skip a beat.  As the mother of three boys, I want to introduce you to what I have learned after years of plane travel experimentation:

Holly’s Toddler Travel Tips:

• All non-toddler related luggage needs to be checked.
• Pack toddler-related necessities in a shoulder bag or backpack – you are going to need your hands free.
• Pack your necessities in the same bag so you are carrying only one.
• Edit what you are taking on the plane.  If your toddler doesn’t color at home, it is only wishful thinking to pack a coloring book for the trip.
• Do not skimp on diapers or toddler finger food.
• Plan ahead how you will negotiate security – who will take all the toddler-stuff and who will take the toddler.
• ALWAYS travel with your child’s car seat.

The airlines don’t always embrace the use of the car seat on the plane, but I have found it to be a necessity.    The ONE  AND ONLY time my family traveled on a plane without a car seat and with a toddler in our lap we vowed to never travel again. The child spent the entire flight trying to escape into the aisle.  By the end of the flight, I was exhausted trying to contain him.

After recovering from the trip, we reconsidered and evaluated where we had gone wrong.  We realized that our children have been conditioned to sit in a car seat in the car since birth and are used to traveling that way.  There is no reason to change that variable.  A child strapped into a car seat on a plane can’t escape to the plane’s aisle.  It is the perfect toddler containment system.  Another bonus is that you are going to need the car seat at your destination.

To make the whole airport experience easier, we rigged up a rolling car seat:

It is a large folding luggage cart with wheels that the our regular car seat can be strapped onto with one strap. It is important not to make it too complicated because about 50% of the time you will be required to dismantle it through security.  We have our toddler ride through the airport strapped into the seat which helps us keep track of him.

Most plane aisles past first class will not accommodate the width of this contraption.  I dismantle it right before boarding the plane and carry on the seat.  Once on the plane, I install the car seat and then the child into it as soon as possible.  The less time the child has to realize they can walk around the plane, the better.

I have one other recommendation -  prime the child. For weeks leading up to the trip I talk about how we will be on a plane, how he will sit in his seat on the plane, and how he will fall asleep in his seat on the plane.

When it works, it is PURE MAGIC!

Holly lives in Texas and is the stay at home mom of three boys ages 4, 6 and 8.  Her family’s travels usually take them to the mountains of Colorado where the entire family loves to ski.  She writes at June Cleaver Nirvana.

Shopping Around for Colleges

Making a major purchase requires careful consideration, especially when what you buy will affect the rest of your life! In order to select the best school, college-bound students should put a fair amount of time and effort into their research. For families who have already been bombarded with college catalogs, the amount of information may seem overwhelming, but there are certain important factors to consider when choosing a college.

Size:
Does the thought of sitting in a lecture hall with 300 other students, listening to a professor speak into a microphone seem intimidating to you? Or does it sound like an exciting opportunity to meet lots of new people? In addition to the student-teacher ratio, there are
many other differences between large and small schools to consider when shopping around.

Location:
Rural colleges offer a pastoral, picturesque campus, while urban schools boast “bright lights, big city!” Which do you prefer? Also consider the distance from your home – if you’re eight hours away at college, it’s hard to jump in the car and drive to visit when you’re feeling homesick.

Academics:
The academic background of the faculty, the percentage of freshmen who remain to graduate, and how class placement and scheduling are handled are all important factors. When you decide on a major, find out as much as you can about the department, the faculty, and the courses offered. Your guidance counselor will be a great help in this area.
Social Life:
You can learn the vital statistics in college brochures – average age of the student body, male-female ratio, percentage of students  living on campus, variety of student activities and organizations, fraternities and sororities, and athletic programs. However, the best way to learn about a school’s social life is to visit and talk to the students. Current students who act as “campus reps” often conduct tours of the building and grounds and can answer questions about college life. Students can usually get a better feel for the college experience from someone their own age.
Cost and Financial Aid Available:
Tuition, room and board, and other fees can add up to a hefty sum. Ask the financial aid office about the percentage of students who receive need-based financial aid, the percentage of students who receive scholarships based on academic ability, and typical financial  aid packages awarded to freshmen. Also consider that state schools are much less expensive than private colleges and universities,  especially for in-state students.
Admissions Requirements:
Many schools require a minimum G.P.A. or class rank, certain high-school courses, and SAT or ACT exam scores for admission. School counselors recommend that students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year. This allows time to retake the exams, if  necessary, to try for a higher score. When narrowing down your college choices, consider the likelihood of acceptance and pick one or two “safe schools” where you feel confident of being accepted.
Additional Services Available:
These include tutoring, cooperative education and internship programs, career counseling, and job placement.
Use this shopping list to help you pick a school with the right mix of academics and social life for you!  For more questions about finding the right college for your child, visit Huntington Learning Center.

Tom Thumb shopping carts get tricked out!

Things have been changing at my local Tom Thumb grocery store! Each time I stop in lately I notice little changes that making the shopping experience a little more relaxing. And yesterday morning I had to get a lot of groceries in the late morning, it was going to be dangerously close to my daughters nap time – so I was anticipating a melt down at some point.

http://www.milkandcuddles.com/

Family Visits PUR Truck Event

We visited the PUR Water on Wheels Tour at a local Lowe’s. The Water on Wheels Tour has several activities and lots to learn about clean water.

The PUR station offers taste tests comparing local water with their filtration pitchers and without. The water from the PUR filtration pitchers had a clean, fresh taste compared to local water which tends to have an odd taste and odor to me. There were also samples of their new flavored waters that have zero calories and zero sugar. I love flavored water because they are so much healthier than soft drinks but still give you a little kick when you want something more than plain water. PUR offers raspberry, strawberry, lemon, and grape flavor cartridges that go on top of your PUR pitcher.

I’ve used the PUR water filtration pitcher in my home so I already know that I like PUR for their great tasting water. However, until today I didn’t know that PUR is also reaching out to help provide clean water to developing countries. There is a display at the event about the Summit on the Summit and the trek up 19,340 feet to the top of Mt. Killimanjaro to raise awareness of the water crisis throughout the world. There is even a climbing wall on the side of the truck but you must be 18 years or older to climb it. Fortunately, Nicholas was content to just get his picture next to it.

I’m amazed at that PUR has technology that can turn the dirtiest looking water into clean safe drinking water for people in developing countries. Check out this video by PUR and learn how your purchase of a PUR filter system can provider 10 liters of clean water for those in need. That’s something to feel good about!

PUR will also donate 10 liters of water to developing countries for each person that signs up as a fan on the PUR Facebook page.

Want a great deal for yourself? If you purchase a PUR pitcher or faucet system during this event at Lowe’s, just bring it to the PUR truck in the parking lot and you’ll receive a free replacement filter!

Go find the PUR truck for yourself this weekend at these DFW locations:

Feb. 27 – Saturday: Lowes – 4305 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth

Feb. 28 – Sunday: Lowes – 2949 N George Bush Freeway, Garland

Don’t forget to enter the PUR sponsored $400 Lowes card giveaway here on Burb Mom by clicking here!

My Little Tikes Love Little Tikes

When Nicholas was little, we spent a lot of time with his friend Katie. Katie had a Little Tikes Garden Activity Center toy. It’s just a little plastic structure that has a door and some little toys to play with, a mail box with removable mail, and a garden with vegetables you can actually harvest. I thought it was cute but had not considered getting it for Nicholas because it was expensive and I didn’t think he would play with it enough to get our money’s worth.

However, every time we went to Katie’s house, this was his favorite toy. The two of them would play in it most of the time. After seeing how much he loved it, I re-considered buying one for him but it still seemed too expensive since he would probably be growing out of it soon. So I never got one for him.

I recently saw this same Little Tikes Garden Activity Center for sale on Craigslist. It was used but in great condition with all of the toys and parts in place. This time I wanted to get it for Rachel to play with. Since it was used I got it for a great price. Little did I know that Nicholas would spend more time in it than Rachel! At 5 years old, he still loves this thing! Here he is putting a carrot through the mail box…so many ways to have fun with it

If Rachel crawls into it, Nicholas gets all excited that she is in their “club house” and he runs over and gets inside it with her. It is not a large structure. It’s not really intended for a 5 year old to play in. But somehow, just barely, Nicholas can squeeze into it with Rachel. He loves to show her how to play with the toys, harvest the fruit, and collect the mail from the mailbox.

The Midyear Report Card

How to Use Report Cards as a Useful Tool to Help Your Child Succeed

Whether your child brings home a straight-A report card or one that is much more discouraging, according to Steve Sutton of Huntington Learning Center of Flower Mound, TX, parents should spend sufficient time reading their child’s report card and talking openly with him or her about it.

“Report cards present critical information about your child as a student – skill proficiency, work habits, progress toward grade-level standards and more,” says Sutton. “Think of it as a periodic ’academic checkup,’ and use the knowledge gained to help your child stay the course or improve in areas where he or she is struggling.”

Sutton offers parents the following tips at midyear report card time:

Go through the report card on your own before talking with your child. Reacting strongly to a bad report card in front of your child will likely make him or her feel worse, and may exacerbate the problem. Take time by yourself to read your child’s report card from start to finish, reading all teacher comments and identifying patterns of improvement or decline in all subjects. Approach all conversations with your child about school calmly and with a positive attitude about how you can work together to address any issues.

Congratulate effort and progress. Remember to praise your child for the hard work and persistence it took to earn that high grade, rather than only acknowledge the achievement itself. Alternately, on a report card with lesser marks, be sure to point out any encouraging comments or signs, instead of focusing entirely on the bad. Take notice when your child improves a grade or makes a positive change (such as finishing homework early or staying organized).

Address “easy” subjects, too. High marks across the board may make you proud, but be sure to talk to your child about how he or she feels about each subject. Does he or she describe school as “boring” or “too easy?” If you notice that your student spends very little time on homework and consistently receives report card grades that indicate he or she is at or above proficiency standards, talk with his or her teacher to ensure your child is being appropriately challenged.

Partner with your child’s teacher. All teachers welcome parental involvement, and the more in touch you are with your child’s teacher, the better it is for your child. Check in with the teacher throughout the school year and ask him or her for suggestions to keep your child on track. At report card time, schedule a time to speak to your child’s teacher to clarify any comments and gain more insight into your child’s progress.

Pay attention to habits and behavior at home. To make the most of your relationship with your child’s teacher, you will want to share your own observations of your child. What does your child say about school? Does he or she seem focused? Interested in learning? What concerns do you have about his or her listening skills? Attention span? Attitude?

Foster open communication with your child. Children who are having difficulties in school often feel angry and frustrated, and the last thing they want to do is talk about it more with a parent. Approach the situation delicately, and let your child know that you want to help fix the problem. Talk to your child about school often – about the subjects he or she enjoys as well as those he or she does not. When your child does open up, listen carefully and avoid rushing to judgment.

Report cards are meant to help you stay informed of your child’s progress in school, but Sutton advises parents to keep the report card in perspective. “It’s understandable for parents to be concerned, even panicked, when their child brings home a poor report card, but keep in mind that the report card is a tool for parents,” says Sutton. “A bad grade does not mean your child will never succeed. What it means is that there’s something going on, and you should investigate. With support and help, your child can become a better and much happier student.”

For more information about Huntington Learning Center in Flower Mound, TX, please contact Steve Sutton at 972-906-5658.

Add A Little Fun To Your Meals

Nicholas loves it when we eat dinner in the living room. Gasp! Yes, we sometimes eat dinner in the living room while watching TV. Bad parent of the year award, I know. But is there really a better way to eat pizza on a family movie night?

When we eat at the coffee table, Nicholas likes to be in charge of getting out coasters for our drinks. We have two different sets of coasters. He will pick out specific ones for each of us, different ones each time. Sometimes he just picks out ones he likes. Other times he says that certain ones are magic and give us special powers.

I recently printed some pictures from Snapfish and they offered me a free set of custom printed coasters. I couldn’t resist! Since we often use the coasters while eating, I picked out 6 pictures of Nicholas eating.

The coasters arrived quickly and I told Nicholas that I had a surprise for him. He couldn’t wait to open his package. He had several guesses about what I had gotten for him but oddly enough a set of coasters never crossed his mind. Needless to say, Nicholas was thrilled to see his own picture on our new set of coasters!

What’s In Your Blood?

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we have been talking about your heart & your blood and how important both are in your body!   We decided to make some of our own “blood” showing the various components.  We also talked about the job of each component & I was glad when my 6 year old was able to tell Daddy about each part!

You’ll need:

1 jar with yellow-colored water (plasma: the part of your blood that carries food)

1 jar with marshmallows (white blood cells: the germ killers)

1 jar with Cheerios (red blood cells: carry oxygen around the body)

puffy pompom balls or something similar (platelets: stop the bleeding when you cut yourself)

red food coloring (to color your blood red)

salt (to represent salt & other minerals found in blood)

As we added each part of different kind of cell to the yellow plasma we talked about the job of each one.  Our “blood” turned cloudy because I used Frosted Cheerios

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