Tag Archives: cat

Your Child’s Art Stories

I admit that I am not a scrap booker. I take a lot of photos but then don’t do anything official with them, other than sharing a few on our family website or Facebook. Although I got several baby books with my first child, I managed to make just one single entry, the day that my son rolled over for the first time. Still, I do like to collect my children’s artwork for posterity. I keep the very best pieces of art and donate the rest to the in-laws, because how could I possibly toss anything out that a child … Continue reading →

Save Money on Spring Break

Gone are the days, I think, when spring break meant a wild spending spree in some exotic location. Instead, many families are turning to money saving ideas to ensure that they have a great spring break without becoming destitute. There are plenty of ways to enjoy spring break that don’t cost much money at all. If you need a few ideas to get started, take a look below. Add your own in the comment section. Stay Local I bet that there are hundreds of free and low cost activities and attractions close to home. Just think, so many people may … Continue reading →

A Fun House for Little Girls… and Big Ones

If you have a Barbie fan in your home, then you might consider booking a flight to California before the end of the month. That’s when the curtains will be drawn on a real-life Barbie Malibu Dream House. But until then, you can try to snag a tour of an actual Malibu mansion that has been transformed into the popular doll’s dream home. Toy maker Mattel recently hired interior decorator Jonathan Adler to replicate Barbie’s pimped out pad in a real-life 3,500-square-foot beach house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The home is being decorated to honor the doll on her 50th … Continue reading →

Affordable Family Ski Adventures

Nothing says fun like shooshing down a freshly groomed mountain on a sunny winter day with family and friends. Now, imagine how much more fun you could have knowing that you could hit the slopes without breaking the bank. In an effort to attract travel-weary, penny-pinching families right now, ski resorts from Maine to California are offering cost-saving deals, with Salt Lake City-area resorts offering some of the most incredible bargains. In addition, since 11 ski areas are located within an hour of the airport, competition among city hotels yields substantial savings too. Another way to keep money in your … Continue reading →

Affordable Valentine’s Day Activities

With the recession hitting families hard right now, your Valentine’s Day may not include the typical array of roses, balloons, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. In fact, a recent Consumer Reports poll found that about 50 percent of people with partners plan to spend less money on Valentine’s Day this year. But, instead of making this a black Saturday, why not paint the town red by partaking in these inexpensive family-friendly activities: CHEAP EATS Who said you have to spend Valentine’s Day sipping on pricey champagne and indulging in expensive steak and lobster combos to make it memorable? If you’re … Continue reading →

Musings

My daughters, while very intelligent, are experiencing some learning issues, especially with language. Language-based learning differences seem to be quite common among adopted children, as I noted in a previous blog. I remember hearing parents of kids with special needs say that the disappointments and hardships seemed small compared to the joy they had in their kids, or similar sentiments. I confess I thought these parents were not being entirely truthful. I thought, of course you love the child, but the limitations still must be disappointing. Now I think I know what they meant. It really surprised me when a … Continue reading →

Having Fun When the Temperature Plummets

The Weather Channel is predicting snow for parts of Georgia today. I guess no one is being spared from this nasty winter weather. Of course, a little snow is nothing compared to the 40 below temps other parts of the country dealt with last week. Still, it’s a sign that Old Man Winter is far from packing up and moving out. This might be good news to kids who are itching for another snow day, but for most parents winter has already overstayed its welcome. If you are looking for new ways to beat cabin fever, consider the following: Freeze … Continue reading →

Simple Toys, Simple Joys: Playing with Balls

We have plenty of toys that make noise at our house, have numerous buttons, light up at a toddler’s touch, quiz you on the alphabet and sing songs. But, I am often reminded by my own kids that the simple toys are the ones that really make memories. Although the weather outside is still cold here in pennsylvania, the sun is bright today. It filled our living room turned playroom into a bright cheerful space. These are the best days to get down on the floor and explore the toy box (or should I say boxes, since in our house … Continue reading →

More Cool Places to Visit Santa

I took my preschooler to see Santa at the mall yesterday. It went about as well as our visit with the Easter Bunny. Needless to say our family Christmas card will not be featuring a smiling tot perched on Santa’s lap… again. It makes me wonder if I would have more success if we switched venues and caught up with the rotund red-suited gift giver at one of the following locales: NEW HAMPSHIRE Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire is a must-visit destination if you are in New England during the holiday season. The outdoor theme park is a virtual … Continue reading →

7 Ideas for Frugal Date Night

Whether you are looking for a date night with your spouse or wondering what to do on a first date, you can spend less and still impress. Here are 7 different ideas for frugal dates that fun and sometimes even free. 1. Instead of the fancy dinner at a fine restaurant, opt for happy hour at your local fun and inexpensive restaurant. There is bound to be a festive atmosphere, and you can enjoy drinks and appetizers for less than half the cost of that fancy dinner. 2. Check out evening museum programs. Many local museums offer free or reduced … Continue reading →