April 2nd, 2012

Kid Birthday Party Dos and Donts

I haven’t gotten into the birthday party circuit yet. Since my son is only two years old, we haven’t hit that stage, but I know it is coming.

{Shudder}

Being an older first-time Mom, however, I have friends who have “been there, done that” with regard to kid birthday parties. I have been listening for years, and now I am remembering it all.

So whether you have a couple years to go or are currently intrenched in the birthday party saga scene, here are five tips for holding a kid birthday party and four tips for going to kid birthday parties.

Having:

1. Clearly state in your invitation who is invited and why. It may minimize the calls of “Can I bring Timmy’s cousin?” Wording like “No siblings” is pretty direct, yet not too insulting.

2. Clearly state in your invitation if a parent must accompany the child being invited. State something like, “Parents encouraged to attend.”

3. Find out if any children have food allergies. List either what you are serving so a parent can contact you with concerns, or include wording such as “Any concerns with food allergies, please contact me.”

4. Be clear with the start AND end time of the party, and let parents know if there are any costs – such as movie tickets or extra money for concessions – that they are expected to cover.

5. If you have a sleep over party, let parents know when they can pick up their child – especially if they don’t want him or her to sleep over. Some children aren’t ready to be away from home for the night or may have other issues, so it is courteous to let parents know if they can pick up the kids at 9pm or 10am the next morning.

Going:

1. Don’t drop off your child and go to get your nails done. Make sure you find out if you are required to stay on site. Many off-site locations actually require a certain amount of adults to be on hand.

2. Don’t assume you can drop off all your kids. If the invitation was sent to John, presume that his brother Tim is not invited. The family may have budgeted for a certain amount of children or the facility only can handle a certain capacity. So some discretion is appreciated here.

3. Make sure you provide your location that you will be at during the party, if you don’t have to be on site. Also leave your cell phone number (and make sure to leave it on!) Not only it is curtious, but if something happened to your child, you will want to be notified immediately.

4. Be clear who is picking up the child after the party is over. You don’t want this scenario to happen to you.

 

Other parents from the Metrowest Mamas Fan page echoed many of these concepts and tips, and it was great to hear their thoughts on this subject. (Y’all rock.) Some other frustrations they shared were thank you cards. If the child is present at the party, a direct thank you should suffice. And goody bags can take a life of their own, making the party planning even more stressful (and costly.) If you rather spend the money on the actual event, perhaps let parents know that there will be no goody bags, but that each child can take a piece of cake home. Finally remember that the party is a kid’s party so leave the booze at home. You can have a Beer-based BBQ later.

Do you have other tips to share?

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March 22nd, 2012

Kid Jewelry Can Be Toxic

If you are a parent of a girl, you know that they love to play dress up and wear jewelry. However, if you shop at Target, Walmart or other low cost retailers, they may be wearing more than just jewelry & may be wearing toxic chemicals too.

Since we aren’t about to give our little girls diamonds and gold, we find low cost necklaces, rings and earrings for everyday wear. But despite a lot of oversight, there are still products that have dangerous levels of cadmium and lead.

According to the website HealthyStuff.org, over half (59%) of the products recently tested had a “high” levels of one or more hazardous chemicals. Four products, they found, contained over 10% cadmium, a known carcinogen. HealthyStuff.org also found that fifty percent contained lead, with over half containing more than 100 ppm of lead, exceeding the Consumer Product Safety Commission limit of lead in children’s products.

The product manufacturers stated that the risk presents itself if the child puts the product in its mouth. But since us Moms know that happens on a regular basis, there is definitely cause for concern.

Here is a video from HealthStuff.org with more information, but if possible, avoid metal based jewelry unless you know it is pure sterling silver or gold. Stick to plastic jewelry that is clearly labeled BPA-free and Phthalate-Free. Or find organic jewelry. Etsy is a great place to find unique (and safe) pieces for our little girls (and for us too!)

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CharleneChronicles is only reporting on information in the media regarding this topic and these findings, and makes no claims on the validity of the reports. Parents should do their own research to make and educated decision.

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March 16th, 2012

Mom Theories

My Quotes for the Month of March.

DogTip#1_CharChronicles

 

Mom Saying #1

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February 2nd, 2012

Super Bowl Ideas

FootballThe Super Bowl can be a fun event to get the kids excited – even if your family members are not big sports fans.

Here are some fun crafts to make the big game, big fun.

1. Buy some plain T-shirts at a thrift store or at a local dollar store. Then take some fabric markers found at stores like Michaels or AC Moore (worth the investment) and have the kids draw footballs, cheerleaders, the name of their favorite team, the number of their favorite quarterback, all over the T-shirts. They can sport their custom designed gear on the day of the big game.

2. Buy some pre-made sugar cookie dough and make football cutouts. Bake and then have kids decorate with chocolate frosting and white piping, to make football cookies.

3. As an alternative to cookies, make a sheet cake and then mix green food coloring into white frosting. Have the kids frost the cake green. Take white piping and make lines like you would see on a football field. For goal posts, take popsicle sticks, or lollipop sticks, and glue or tape together. Place on each end of the cake.

To make game day lunch or dinner into a Super Bowl feast, here are some ideas to serve up.

1. Make a fun football dip to serve with veggies or whole grain chips.

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) provolone cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
  • 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, crab, cottage cheese, seafood seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and mustard; mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Form mixture into a football shape. Arrange some pretzel sticks over the top for football-like ‘laces’. Serve with crackers and/or vegetables. 

2. Make chili or chowder (or buy the stuff premade!) Buy boule bread and hollow out. Serve the chowder or soup in these “super bowls”.

3. Take brown construction paper and wrap around a juice box. Use a white crayon to create football ‘laces’ for a fun way to serve juice.

Serve the cookies or cake you made, wear the t-shirts, and get ready to root for your favorite team! For fun coloring sheets to keep them entertained during the game, visit my post here.

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January 21st, 2012

Museums and Kids

Museum of Science BostonIn the heart of winter, there often seems like there is nothing to do. How many play spaces can we take our kids to anyway? Baring the endless summer (and various school vacations), the months of January and February (with the cold and snow) requires some strategic thinking…and new places to visit.

It is around this time that I suggest checking out Museums. Yes, you read that right, and no, it does not have to be boring. While it may have been boring to many of us while growing up,  a significant number of Museums and Galleries in and around Boston, have changed their models to make art and science kid-friendly and welcoming. They want you to come…and bring your kids too.

Musuem of Fine Art. (All Ages)

On the weekends, from 10am-4pm, the MFA has the Family Art Cart for families with children ages four and up. Piece together puzzles, learn mythical tales, and uncover ancient Egyptian mysteries. They have an ever-changing array of interactive activities, books and Art Cards, and you can borrow a tote bag equipped with a sketch-book and colored pencils. Everyone is happy. They even have special monthly playdate events for kids under 4 years old.

Museum of Science (All Ages)

We all know that this place rocks for the elementary, middle school and high school set. But even toddlers can find the space filled with wondrous things to explore. So don’t let the fact you have a child under the age of five deter you from visiting. There are lots of things to do if you know where to look. I pulled together some ideas worth considering, and how the whole family can enjoy the space.

Institute of Contemporary Art. (All Ages)

A newer Museum in the Boston scene, it does not lack the family-friendly vibe. While Friday nights may cater to young professionals and a date-night activity, it is a great space to visit on the weekends with the whole family. Here is a past review I wrote to showcase the fun to be had at any age.

deCordova Museum (All Ages)

Whether you’re exploring the Sculpture Park in the summer (kids love running around and babies can snooze in the stroller) or discovering technique and material in the indoor Museum, deCordova is a great place for families to expose kids to art! Their website has great tips on how to get children engaged when visiting, and they have family activity kits that are free and available at the front desk to give kids activities and questions to consider as you explore. They also have story hours and other special programs.

So if you are looking for something different to do this winter, check out one of the Museums listed above. Also check your local library for special passes and if you have a family favorite Museum you like to go to, leave a comment below and share with other Moms and Dads!

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Image Credit: My own.

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

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January 20th, 2012

Boston Museum Of Science

Head to the Boston Museum of Science any day of the week, and you will see school-aged kids on field trips or families on the weekend. But what about kids under the age of five? Will they enjoy the museum as much as their school-aged counterparts?

The answer is yes, but in a different way. While some of the activities are clearly aimed at older children, there is fun to be had at every age…if you know where to look.

I spent an hour one morning quickly touring the Museuem with my ‘Toddler-Mom’ eyes. These are the exhibits, or features of exhibits, that I thought could fascinate, enthrall or other capture a toddlers attention.

For example, in this exhibit, older children can press buttons to light up objects to learn to identify certain animals. For a two year old, just pressing all the buttons is sure to provide lots of entertainment. Just watching the lights turn on and off is fabulous for a three year old.

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There is an anatomy section that will enthrall budding scientist but may scare or otherwise be confusing to a toddler. But as you walk by, stop and see the eggs with little hatching chicks. Expect to spend some time as most toddlers will be sooo excited to watch.

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Plan on watching this contraption. The balls, the sounds and the bells will provide many minutes of entrainment for the toddler set. Frankly, I love watching it too.

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There is also a monkey exhibit. What child doesn’t like to see monkeys jumping around?

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In the science related areas, there are some things that even toddler’s can enjoy. While the science component of light and reflections are well over  a toddler’s comprehension, they will still enjoy seeing themselves in mirrors and making goofy faces.

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This is a fun play area to check out. It can be overrun by teenagers, but on a quiet day or early in the morning, toddlers can run around and explore.

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The Math section is even over my head, but seeing and hearing the clinging and clanking will cause most toddlers to investigate.

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There are fish….

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And butterflies (real ones too…)

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And don’t forget the Dinosaurs and Lions! (Oh my.)

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So take a morning to have fun with your little ones. Make a playdate, or schedule a weekend family outing. Plenty of space for strollers and easy to find elevators. For non-members, children under 3 are free, children 3-11 are $19, and adults are $22 for admission to the exhibits. If you are member, everyone is free. Always check your local library for passes or discounts. For parking and hours, check the website for details. But they typically open at 9am so you can get a solid three hours to explore before grabbing lunch in the expansive kid-friendly food court or heading home for lunch and nap time.

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Image Credit: My own.

Disclosure: I received free admission, thanks to the Museum of Science, to attend the current Day in Pompeii exhibit and then I voluntarily spent time exploring. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

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December 31st, 2011

Fun Kid Crafts and Activities for New Year’s

Happy New Year 2012!There are lots of fun things to do today – this last day of 2011. Here are some ideas, whether you live locally in Massachusetts, or live in California and want some at-home festive ideas.

If you live in Massachusetts, pick up a First Night Boston button and get free admission to the Boston Children’s Museum today. Then hop on the subway and check out the Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center from 1-5pm. Then at 5pm, head outside to check out the Metro Boston Grand Procession down Boylston Street to Boston Common. First Night buttons are $18 each and kids under 4 are free. They can be purchased at the Boston Common Vistors Information Center or at these other locations. There is free on-street parking in Boston all day and free T rides after 8pm if you stay out that late. The entire First Night Boston schedule can be seen here.

If you want to head west, then check out First Night Worcester. Buttons are $12 available at these locations, or $15 at the door of an event. Kids under 7 are free and there is plenty for kids to see and do. Magic shows, petting zoos, synchronized swimming shows, kite making and other art projects. Then stay for the fireworks at 6pm.

If you don’t want to venture out, or don’t live in Massachusetts, then make some New Year’s fun at home with some craft projects for the kids. (And maybe check out these cocktails recipes for the grown-ups!)

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New Year’s Eve Hats:

To make a cone-shaped hat, cut a 14 inch diameter semicircle from a large piece of poster board. Roll it into a cone, adjust its size to fit, and seal the seam with double-sided foam tape. To make the chin strap, use a thumbtack to poke a hole through each side of the hat near the bottom, thread one end of an elastic or string through each hole, and knot a few times to secure it. To have the kids decorate the hats, wrap pipe cleaners around pom-poms to make antennae or coil them around a pen to make spirals. Attach pom-poms, add fun stickers, or decorate with markers and crayons.

Make Noise Makers:

Take a clean, dry (and empty) water bottle and take off the logo. Place a handful of beads, dried beans or coins inside. Run some glue around the mouth of the bottle and replace the cap. Then make a mixture of 1/2 white craft glue and 1/2 water to cover the bottle a few times over. Tear white tissue or colored tissue paper into large chunks. (Kids love this part.) Paint a small section of the outside of the water bottle with the glue mixture. (Kids can help!) Place a torn piece of white tissue paper onto the glue mixture and paint over it with the glue mixture. Repeat this process, covering the entire bottle. You can add layers if you wish. Allow to dry. Then you can add stickers or other fun things to the bottle. Take some ribbon and tie around the cap for a festive flair.

Happy New Year’s Sign:

Have kids make a big banner to hang outside or inside the house. Take a large piece of poster board and have them go at it. If they are not old enough to write, write “2012″ and “Happy New Year” on it. Then let them decorate around the words.

Make a Time Capsule:

This is a project the whole family can get involved with. See what things your kids can think up. Whether they write a note, take a picture of themselves or collect objects found around the house, have fun! Then place in an empty shoe box covered in wrapping paper or construction paper that they can decorate. Or place in an old milk jug, old can with a lid (like a coffee jar) or other storage container.

Make a Countdown Clock:

This is great for elementary school kids. Take a paper plate and have them make numbers around the edges to make a clock. Add glitter and glue or just stick with basic markers. Then make the clock hands with pipe cleaners, heavy duty paper, etc., and secure with a fastener. Then as the day goes on, have them countdown the number of hours left until the new year!

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After making these items, set a time for your family’s New Year’s eve celebration. Whether it is at 6pm or 7pm. Serve fun drinks (like sparkling water mixed with orange juice and cranberry juice) and serve their favorite dinner! They can wear their hats, shake their noise makers and watch a YouTube clip of the ball dropping on the computer to yell Happy New Year (just try to ignore the fact that it is from last year).

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Image Credit: Creativity103 on Flickr Creative Commons

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August 18th, 2011

Treasures at Smugglers Notch Resort

Treasures is a childcare center at Smuggler’s Notch Resort (Vermont) where babies six weeks old through toddlerhood can play, while adults can get some time to themselves. Yet, there is no need to feel guilty to have some ‘me’ time on a family vacation. This place is a total gem. Beginning with the mini-ski lessons for the 2.5+ year olds who are potty trained.

They serve lunch with ingredients from a local farm with a respect for any food allergies or sensitivities. Toys and top-notch staff round out the amazing space. The place is clean and organized. Plus, the toys are first-hand and not broken hand-me-downs often found at other resorts.

If your little one is a wee one, there is a beautiful screen porch where they can swing while looking at the beautiful mountains and the skiers and hikers walking by. All this is on the resort so you are just a ski-ride or a quick walk away. Whether you need an hour or a whole day, they are flexible and accomodating to make sure that the entire family has a great vacation.

My son spent the day at Treasures and as soon as we arrived, we were treated with respect and welcome. He was enchanted with the space and barely paid us attention when he saw the toys and other kids. Since he is not in a consistent daycare environment, we wondered how he would do. The staff saw (and understood) our anxiety and assured us that they would call if he did not adjust well. However, there was never a need for the call because he was singing, dancing, playing in a sandbox, having snacks and loving the fish tanks and mini-sinks that were just his height. We could also peek in through a one-way window to make sure everything was okay. He had a blast and we enjoyed a few hours of lunch and quiet time, without the guilt.

Smuggler’s Notch has vacation packages that includes a stay at Treasures or you can pay as you go, depending on your comfort level and needs during your vacation. If you want to schedule a massage, then you can request an hour at Treasures. Want to go on a hike or a canoe trip but have a 3 month old that can’t go along? Schedule a few of hours at Treasures. As parents, we want to spend time with our children and enjoy the family vacation, but there are times during that vacation where we need a vacation from the kids – even if it is just a lunch to connect with your spouse.

Often, there is plenty of things for kids 6+ to do at various Resorts. In fact, Smuggs has an amazing series of options for that age group too. Yet, not many resorts have options for babies and toddlers. In reality, many families have a four year old and two year old, or a six year old and a four year old and a two year old, but often have no options since the two year old is too ‘young’ for many activities. At Smuggler’s Notch Resort, with its “Treasures”, is the perfect destination for that option – whether you are a family of three or a family of six with a range of ages in the mix.

The price for a full day is approximately $85. (Check the website for current pricing.) It ends up being about $12 an hour. Where I am from, that is what is costs for a teenage babysitter to sit and watch The Wiggles on TV. Here you get quality staff, quality space, fun activities, a lunch and more.

I wasn’t expecting to be on camera so I don’t look my best, but I had to share the video because this place is the best.
Hear more about the staff and the options available. Overall, we were really impressed and as a result, have decided to make Smuggler’s Notch Resort, whether the fall, winter or summer, a destination for our growing family. See why at my full review here.

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July 19th, 2011

Stacey Peasley Children’s Music

I had the great opportunity to ‘twitterview’ Stacey Peasley; a super-talented Metrowest/Boston-based Children’s Music Performer who recently launched a CD on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.

The fact that I got to chat with a professional singer who started her career in the New York-based girl group “The Chiclettes” and has appeared on stages such as the Continental Airlines arena in New Jersey, Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Westbury Music Fair, the Oakdale Theater, and the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, totally made my day. She also spent some time as a backup singer for Lou Christie and appeared on the widely aired national PBS tribute “Rock, Rhythm, and Doo Wop” as well as New York City’s “Doo Wop Shop with Don K. Reed.” (Can you believe that I got to Tweet with her. How cool is that?!)

But a few years ago when she was listening to children’s artists at various shows, Stacey began to adapt her craft so she could combine her love of children and music into a lively act that engages kids and creates memorable and fun sing-along songs. (To see Stacey in action, check out her YouTube channel and you can also get a sampling of her CD on her website too.)

So I wanted to learn a little more about the artist behind the music, so we chatted on Twitter. Here is our convo (read from the bottom up to follow the timeline):

 

If you live in Massachusetts, Stacey also gives a lot of free performances in the area, so check out her schedule. Feel free to follow her on Twitter or on Facebook. All in all, regardless of where you live, this is a great artist with fantastic music that should be definitely be a part of your kid’s CD library.

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Stacey sent me a copy of her CD as she knew our family is a big fan. The CD did not influence the post, but did enable me to capture some fun home videos of my son dancing to her music.

Image Used with Permission.

 

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June 22nd, 2011

Melissa and Doug Trunki

Summer means travel and if you are a parent, it means traveling with kids and all their gear too! But check out this super cute suitcase, called the Trunki, by Melissa and Doug to make it fun.

The Trunki serves as luggage and a riding toy for kids on the go! At home, it can be a kid-friendly storage bin too! Features include a tow strap, carry handles, secure catches, integrated wheels and stabilizers to prevent toppling over. I recently saw it in action at the Logan airport and it looked totally cool.

It retails for about $40, but check out the sale tonight starting at 9pm on Gilt Children. Not sure what the price will be (it is hidden until 9pm ET) but it probably will be an awesome deal. Use this unique code for an extra $10 any purchase over $50, and it is good until July 18, 2011 on anything at Gilt. Consider following Gilt Children on Facebook to get the heads up on future cool kid deals and discounts too!

Super cute!

Trunki by Melissa & Doug from Gilt Groupe on Vimeo.

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