Good 2 Know

The Arts for Kids

2010-04-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

I have recently learned of the great arts programs for children at the local university (ASU). My children take both instrumental and dance classes. This summer they will do half-day camps through the university programs. Science and engineering classes are added to the list for summer. Whether you live in Arizona or somewhere else in the world, check out this great resource for classes that are well-organized, affordable and best of all, fun and inspiring for kids. Good2Know learning for kids of all ages.

Short on Cash

2009-09-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

I finally found a good list to help me determine (or my husband when I send him to the market) which foods MUST be purchased organic and what can be conventional when you're short on cash. Here are the Dirty Dozen that should be bought as organic: apples, cherries, grapes, chilies(imported), nectarines, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, celery, potatoes and spinach! You should consider purchasing milk, beef, eggs and poultry as organic, if possible. So what is left to buy conventional? Bananas, mangoes, papaya, kiwi, peas, onions, corn, cauliflower, avocado, pineapples, asparagus and broccoli. While organic fruits and veggies cost almost 50% more, the reduced exposure risks to toxins is well worth the cost. ItsGood2Know!

The Number 7

2009-09-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

I think the number 7 is lucky for some folks. I just learned, though, that the number 7 in the little recyling triangle on the bottom of packages is not lucky! It means the product contains BPA a chemical which can leach into your food and water. Sometimes it is Good2Know what you don't want to have around!

Family Memories

2009-07-31T09:42:00.001-07:00

Keeping a journal has always been a goal of mine, but usually lasts no more than a day. Recently, I discovered I could keep track of what is happening with our family by placing a family memory book (aka notebook) on the dining room table. By its side some writing supplies. Learn more about how to do this at your house click here Family Memory Book. ItsGood2Know!

McMocha...mmmmmmm

2009-07-24T16:12:00.000-07:00

Just thought you needed to know that every Monday through August 3, you can visit your local McDonald's for a McCafe Mocha on the house. Yep, this 7 oz. coffee treat is FREE! So, give it a try 'cause ItsGood2Know!

Ugh...fruit flies

2009-07-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

Incredibly sweet and juicy fruits and vegetables is one reason I love summer. However, the fruit flies that sometimes arrive with my ripening fruit drive me mad! This year, though, I have stopped those fruit flies in their tracks. All you need, once you see fruit flies, is to set out a glass with balsamic vinegar in the bottom. Then form a cone with paper to place inside. The fruit flies will smell the balsamic and head down the cone. They are quite cleaver enough to know how to come back out. Your family can watch them fly around and in a couple of days they will all be collected and dead. Good-bye fruit flies, hello peaches, plums and melon! ItsGood2Know!

Apple Camp

2009-07-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Did you know Apple stores offer FREE programs for kids? Right now, I am blogging from the store while my son participates in an Apple Camp on creating presentations. From the sounds of laughter, it is fun and by the end he'll have created a new project. I plan to check out their year-round programs for kids and might try something myself, too! Who knows, maybe I'll become an Apple guru! Free Apple camp -- now that is Good2Know!

Knot Ready to Knit

2009-07-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick little craft acitivty for kids which was always a favorite of mine. Now I know it worked my fine motor skills, too. All you need is some cardstock or heavy paper, yarn and white glue. Draw a shape, animal or initial large enough to fill the paper. Now use your fingertip to shmear glue across the shape. Using the yarn ball, wind the yarn around the shape until the entire space is filled. Whalla! You have texture art!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

2009-07-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

When I wrote my Summer Survival Tips article I had just bought gigantic bubble tubes for the kids. We still enjoy bubbles even at 9 and 6. I mean, who doesn't. Then, last week we went to the New San Diego Children's Museum for the first time. On their upstairs balcony they had a large bubble space complete with homemade wands made of pipecleaners! What a nifty idea! Huge bubbles (I'll add a photo soon)! Here is a link to my piece on bubbles that includes other ideas on how to use no cost materials from home to produce great COLORFUL bubbles. Here is a recipe to make your own bubble mix: 2/3 cup Joy dishwashing soap, 1 gallon water and 2 to 3 tablespoons of glycerin which is sold at the pharmacy -- I tend to think a solution made fresh makes better bubbles. Hint: I watched the 'bubble guy" at the musuem. He was so relaxed and I honestly think that's why his bubbles were so incredible. So, be ONE with the BUBBLES! ItsGood2Know!

Crayon cupcakes!

2009-07-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

Crayon cupcakes are the perfect way to use up odds and ends crayons you have laying around. Check out this link to my crayon cupcake recipe on the Raising Arizona Kids website. My friend Jaime has already made 7 dozen for her classroom! They are Good2Know!

Write On!

2009-07-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

Gel boards are super fun! Remember your etch-a-sketch or first magna doodle? How fun were those to use? Now, kids and their grown-ups can draw, write and have fun on gel boards by Imaginetics. I first saw these at a conference a few months ago and bought two. My children have fun with them at home and in the car. ItsGood2Know!

Keepin' It Cool

2009-07-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

Headed to the store and want to keep things chilled in the cooler? Need extra ice to keep the cooler chilled for the BBQ? Here's a quick Good2Know fact I shared with my friend Bethany today: McDonald's sells ice for 97 cents a bag. You can run through the drive-through and go! In the Arizona heat, that is Good2Know!

What We Read in Book Club

2009-07-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would post a few titles we read in our book club this past year. Today, my post on the Raising Arizona Kids website talks about book clubs. With today's technology like Skype, a book club can happen between friends in far off places! Our 2nd through 4th grade club read:

Dexter the Tough by Haddix

The Tale of Despereaux by Dicamillo

Clementine's Letter by Pennypacker

Rules by Lord

Gooney Bird is So Absurd by Lowery

All of these great titles can be found in my shop! I am now reading new titles for this year's club.

Do you have a great book for our book club which now goes through grade 5? Leave the title in the comments section below!

Traveling with Kids: by air

2009-07-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

Traveling with children can seem daunting! With these tips, many of which come from Good2Know readers, you can travel with ease.

Before you Go!: Organization is a must for traveling with children happily. I modified the Disney World Ultimate Packing checklist which you can download to fit your travel plans. There are many others online that you might enjoy. My mother taught me to call 1-888-428-1888 for fraud prevention on all of my credit cards prior to travel. This way your credit card company knows where you are and where charges should be coming from while you are away. I've learned to pack my children's clothing by outfit. I place each complete outfit in a large zip top bag. If you have any special needs, including food allergies, and are flying be sure to check with the airline prior to booking your flight.

Air Travel: If your heading out-of-town by plane, be sure to pack lollipops to help prevent ear pain. Our kids are currently loving Yummy Earth lollipops which are delicious, contain none of the BIG 8 allergens and no GMOs, food coloring or corn syrup! If your child is too young for pops, try the Baby Safe Feeder. You can place ice cubes into the net bag and baby can enjoy safely this cold treat which is also great for teething. Just be sure they wear a bib. We are quite cautious on airplanes due to food allergies, but I think our precautions can make any family's trip safer, healthier and cleaner. First, we wipe everything down with Clorex wipes in a travel pack. You'd be amazed a the dirt that shows up on the wipe. We cover our seats with Plane Sheets. We cover our tray tables with Table Topper disposable place mats. It may sound like a lot of preparation, but I am positive it prevents illness and makes for a cleanlier flight. Of course, we bring on lots of snacks and age appropriate games, toys and DVD's. Since my kids were young, I have either bought new flight activities or borrowed something from friends.

More Good2Know travel ideas to come soon like how to make it through a long trip by car!

Is it or Isn't it Organic?

2009-07-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

Fish protein in apples to increase shelf-life? Yuck!

I wrote about this last year, but thought it was important to share again! Once I read about fish in my apples, I knew I needed to be better educated on produce identification. Here it is simplified:

Look at the Product Look Up Code (PLU) on the produce sticker.

4 digit numbers are NOT organic.

A 9 in front of the numbers means it IS organic.

A 8 in front of the numbers means genetically modified. Be careful what you eat!

If you cannot make the switch to organic for everything, at least be aware of which foods have the largest amount of pesticides. For example, peaches, strawberries, bell peppers and celery. Then you can make better decisions about what you eat. Now that is Good2Know!

BIG Idea: New Uses for Old Games and Toys

2009-07-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

I love to find multiple uses for games and toys. Last week, my daughter and I were looking for something to do. She wanted to play something and I secretly wanted her to use her "school skills." Soon, her brother joined in, too. We took our Memory game (ours is by DK and has photos of real objects.) We determined we would categorize the cards into only 3 piles. The challenge was on - what categories should we do? The kids decided living creatures, things and vehicles. They began to sort predicting how many would end up in each pile. Once done, my future first grader counted by twos to determine how many really were in each pile. She then recorded each on paper. Her brother determined he wanted to organize the cards somehow (okay, I confess - I asked how could they be organized) and he decided to alphabetize them. Each child worked on a pile, quietly singing the ABC's under their breath. An easy task for big brother, my daughter used those "school skills" and both had fun with an old game they rarely play anymore as packaged. Try thinking outside the box with the toys on your shelf.
ItsGood2Know!

My Raising Arizona Kids Article Featured on AZ 12 News

2009-07-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the interview I did with 12 News about my article in Raising Arizona Kids.

Link to Video

Corny

2009-07-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Simon and his family came for a BBQ before the Arizona summer heat hit. We had a great time enjoying great friends, weather and food. Simon couldn't get over my Butter Boy! He's a little guy who helps apply butter to your corn cob. So, I thought I would include a shout out to corn lovers everywhere! Simon, you can buy your own Butter Boy in the ItsGood2Know shop under kitchen. Everyone else can find them there, too. Why not be a little corny? ItsGood2Know!

BIG idea: Seeing Stars

2009-07-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

What child doesn't like staying up late? Summer, with no school the following day, can be the perfect time for some star gazing. Visit sites like Windows to the Universe or check out a book such as Wishing on a Star: Constellation Stories and Stargazing Activities for Kids (Acitvities for Kids) by Fran Lee.

Simple Dessert a Kid Can Make...ItsGood2Know

2009-07-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

Ummm...ice cream! I have pictures eating these Ice Cream Pies from my 17th birthday. I think I made 3 different ones and they were each yummy. On holiday weekends or all summer, ice cream pies are a tasty treat. I made one today with my 9 year old son who has become a real ace in the kitchen. All you need is 1.5 containers of your favorite flavor ice cream, a pre-made graham cracker crust pie shell and your favorite toppings.

Let the ice cream sit on your counter to soften. Take the plastic off the shell and carefully plop the ice cream into the shell using the softest parts first. If you wish, add some chocolate syrup or caramel along the way. With a spatula, gently form the ice cream to fit into the shell mounding towards the center. Once done, you might be a bit sticky, add the syrups or sprinkles as you wish. Cover with the plastic top and return to the freezer for a minimum of 2 hours. Enjoy!

One More Story

2009-07-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

One More Story is a website that I think everyone with a child under 8 should know about. One More Story allows families to find wonderful children's literature in an online format. Once logged in, children see page after page of beautifully illustrated children's picture books on shelves. They click on a book and it is read aloud to them while they see the pages turn and view the original illustrations. For children who read, they can choose to turn off the readers voice and read the book themselves. Stuck on a word? Click it and the professional actor reading the book will tell you the word. Try it out - there is a special through July 15th.

While I certainly advocate parents and children holding and sharing books together, sometimes this isn't possible. Rather than TV, children can enjoy a good book! Let's spread the passion for good books to our kids. OneMoreStory.com it is Good2Know!

July 4th Celebration

2009-07-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

Celebrate our nation and our freedom with a neighborhood freedom parade! When I was younger, I spent many Fourth of July's in Fond du Lac, WI. There we would join in the reservation's parade. Our family, never one to sit idly on the sidelines, literally joined in. We donned large cardboard costumes wrapped around us and decorated like a firecracker complete with pipe cleaners coming out of our heads. My parents wore their Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam costumes, respectively. Each year, no matter our theme, we won best in the parade!

Not quite ready for a parade this year? Why not take the family on a walk and celebrate your freedom to go anywhere! Decorate your yard with mini American flags, download patriotic tunes to play (and sing) all day, make flag cookies or decorate t-shirts with your favorite American symbols or freedoms! It's important before we head to a BBQ or fireworks show to remember what we're celebrating and why it's great to live in the USA!

Explore Your Inner Architect

2009-07-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

You will not believe the newest blocks from Lego! It's great architecture that you create yourself. We are currently building the Sears Tower, but you can find the Empire State Building, John Hancock Center and if you are really into it, why not try the Taj Mahal! Check them out in the ItsGood2Know shop under the Toys and Games category!

Best Summer Reads that are Good2Know!

2009-07-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

We can't stop reading and thought you might like to know what we love!

Just Published - Strawberry Hill by Ann Hoberman (will be a 2009-2010 book club book)

Always a Favorite - Great Picture Books

Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin

Old Turtle by Douglas Wood

Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young by Jack Prelutsky

My Daughter's Top 5 - for grades K-2

Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo

Ramona series by Beverly Cleary

Gooney Bird Green by Lois Lowry

All of a Kind Family by Sidney Taylor

I'll Read to You, You Read to Me by Ann Hoberman

My son's Top 5 - for grades 2-6

Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler (that's right, the Fonz)

Robert and the Weird and Wacky Facts by Barbara Seuling

I Put a Spell on You by Adam Selzer

The Lemonade Club by Patricia Polacco

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Hot Teen Reads

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

Double Helix by Nancy Werlin

hostage by Willo Davis Roberts

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

You can find all of these books in the ItsGood2Know shop which is on the top right corner of this blog!

BIG Idea: Clean-up with Kids

2009-06-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a BIG idea with to do with your kids and get the house organized at the same time! Set out baskets or containers labeled for each room in the house across your family room floor. Also, set out a box marked "think about" and "outta here." Then, put on your favorite hits from the 1980's and get your clean-up groove on. Go room by room and hand the kids items that belong elsewhere. They must race to the bins and place the item in the correct bin. Then, they boogie back to you. Once, items are placed, carry the bin to the room where it belongs making it simple to put away. If you come across items that are no longer used, place them in the "outta here" bin to donate. If your child (or let's be honest, you) cannot part with an item, put it in the "think about" bin and save for a few months in the garage or basement. I bet they'll have no problem moving it to the "outta here" bin from there. My kids and I do this regularly. They think it is a great race and dance party while I burn some calories and end up with a clean house!

Let Them Type!

2009-06-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

Typing is in! Writing long hand is out! So, my son has discovered a free and super fun website to practice his typing skills. It's from the BBC and is called Dance Mat Typing! You can find it at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/flash/stage1.html

411

2008-07-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

My friend Michelle just told me about this one and then I read it in a magazine. But, perhaps you, like me, have had your head under a rock and didn't know that the next time you need a phone number instead of dialing "411" you should dial "1-888-FREE-411". You'll hear a quick ad and then be asked for the city and state. Plus, it is FREE.

Now if that isn't Good2Know, then I do not know what is!

Delicious from Baltimore, MD

2008-07-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

In January, our family headed to Baltimore for Cousin Joey's Bar Mitzvah. We had a wonderful time celebrating and touring. We came back with 2 great bits of 'food lover' information that are Good2Know! The first is a cookbook you will want to own and the other a restaurant to visit when you head to Maryland.

While at Cousin Jeff's house, we began talking about cooking and he shared with us a great new cookbook he had found. It is called Cooking Jewish 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family by Judy Bart Kancigor. Now, you certainly need not be Jewish to enjoy these wonderful dishes including black & white cookies, chocolate chip cake with mocha frosting and applesauce muffins. Can you tell I have a sweet tooth? The recipes are delicious, but the stories about each one and the member of the family who contributed it make you feel like you know them personally and may even inspire you to collect a few recipes and stories of your own. A neat book to read even if you do not cook.
Cooking Jewish 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family

Poulet, or chicken in French, is a wonderful restaurant and take-out place in Lutherville, Maryland. Chef-owner, Jonathan Soudry, has created a great spot with wonderful chicken dishes, savory & sweet crepes and a wide variety of sides & breads. The desserts are also not to be missed including the 18 flavors of homemade ice cream. Now, you may be thinking this sounds nice, but why blog about it. Well, our beautiful 5 yr. old daughter has life-threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts and so does the daughter of Chef Soudry. In this case, this means, each and every dish at Poulet including the ice cream (we tasted all 18) were safe for her to eat! An incredible experience and worth the plane fare for every nut allergy sufferer! You can find them at Poulet Catering

Yummy and Good2Know!

Games for Kids Online

2008-06-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

My son, who is 8,thought he could contribute a few things that are Good2Know. I hope we'll hear from him from time to time. He recommends the following sites for kids looking to have safe, fun online!

Miniclip http://www.miniclip.com This one is fun because there are many choices of games and many varieties based on what you enjoy such as action, sports, etc.

Club Penguin http://www.clubpenguin.com Club Penguin was recently bought by Disney and is a safe and free penguin community where the child creates a penguin and its environment.

Webkinz http://www.webkinz.com While this requires purchasing a Webkinz, it's like 2 toys in one. First, you get a cute stuffed animal and second, you get to play with its online version all for about a $12 investment.

PBSkids/go http://pbskids.org/go This totally free website has games and activities based on the wonderful TV shows of PBS. Some that my son likes are Cyberchase and Fetch. His sister likes WordGirl.

These are all Good2Know!

Website Finds for Organizing!

2008-06-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

Eric, my husband, volunteered to head to the grocery store this evening and I certainly would not want to stop him. He did need; however, a list and rather than start from scratch, I looked online to find a grocery list tool. Well, not only was I able to make my list, but I also found several other tools and ideas on this site that are useful. Generally, I try to steer clear of mass marketing sites, but this one is Good2Know! http://www.scottcommonsense.com I'll be sure to post other list making sites as I find them!

Today was an insightful one for I also found two other Good2Know sites to help me stay more organized.

One is for packing and I heard about it from another mom. I tried it out for our upcoming California trip and it is really neat! Give it a whirl at http://upl.codeq.info

Lastly, I am looking for a way to organize and keep track of my books. I had five minutes and came upon this site. I am just beginning to try it and you may like it, too! http://www.librarything.com

These sites seem Good2Know!

New Baby

2008-06-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

A friend in Oregon had a baby last week which got me thinking about things that are Good2Know when you are a new parent. Congrats to you, Allison! These come to mind right away...

My husband recommends that all new parents purchase gas drops of some sort (Little Tummys or Mylacon) as gas pains for an infant can easily be eased!

Our good friend Connie suggests new parents bring Baby Oragel with them to doctor appts. requiring shots. Rub a little on the injection site to numb it!

When the baby gets a little older, my pediatricians' wife (who is also a pediatrician) suggests buying a good quality wooden spoon with a short handle for baby to bite on.

We certainly would have been lost without our Sears book collection especially the Baby Book, the Sleep Book and Breastfeeding Book! They are Good2Know!

In the Kitchen

2008-06-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

We received an ice cream maker for our anniversary. Actually, we first received the attachment for the Kitchen Aid (which by the way is one machine every kitchen that cooks needs!) that would allow us to make ice cream, but after some hunting around, I decided the Cuisinart maker was a better deal. First, if you look around, you can find one that come with a free second bowl (thus allowing you to make a second batch immediately following the first). I chose the red one and experimented with my daughter (age 5) and her friend yesterday. We made lime sherbet and vanilla ice cream! Let me tell you this is absolutely delicious, took only 30 minutes tops and all the children here thought it was the best they'd ever tasted. Next week, we'll try some with mix-ins.

The reason I add this to my list of Good2Know In the Kitchen is that we're now able to make delicious, healthy (or not) ice cream, sorbet, etc without preservatives, added colors et al. And... for those of us with children who have food allergies, this allows me to know exactly what's in there! Now that is Good2Know!

Healthy Kids = Happy Mom

2008-06-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

When my children were little, I often read books on parenting from the Sears collection. Now, I've found another book I had to share. It's entitled, The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood, and it is just the right-size book, organized just so, that I can read a snippet and help the children (and the grown-ups) in our family eat a little better. It's Good2Know!

We've always eaten a lot of fruit especially in the summer. To get the kids to eat dark cherries, which are great for you, but not get frustrated with the pits, I purchased a pit popper from my kitchen store. It's fabulous and makes eating the cherries fun! I now saw they have one with a splatter shield attached - how smart is that! It's Good2Know!