Children can learn with classic toys

Have we lost our children in a hypnotic video game trance? Have they become “drones” to the “video age”? Sometimes it may seem that way as many children spend hour upon hour in front of a video screen, pressing buttons or jockeying around a joystick. But it is up to the parents of children to say enough, let’s find some educational alternatives. However, it wasn’t that long ago when we were kids….we had real toys….classic toys. Let’s step into a time tunnel of sorts and recall some of the fascinating toys that we had the pleasure of playing with: Tinker Toys Ahh..Tinker Toys..rods, sticks, spools, spokes..simple, but a true classic toy invented in 1914 by Charles Pajeau, who was a stonemason by trade from Evanston, Illinois. He was inspired by children playing with pencils, sticks and empty spools of thread to create his new toy. He saw them improvising and using their imaginations and wondered if improve upon what they were doing. He designed his first set of Tinker Toys in his garage and displayed them in 1914 at the American Toy Fair. Alas, his Tinker Toys drew no interest. So he tried again, this time at Christmas time, but with a new marketing plan. Pajeau hired several midgets and had them dress in elf costumes. He then had them “play” with the Tinker Toys” in a store display window in a Chicago department store and with this publicity a new toy was born. After a year or so, over one million sets of Tinker Toys had been sold! Lincoln Logs Notched redwood logs that could be used to construct log cabins, Lincoln Logs were the invention of John Lloyd Wright, son of famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The inter locking logs, invented in 1916, were fashioned after the foundation of Tokyo’s earthquake-proof Imperial Hotel, which the younger Wright witnessed being constructed. During the World War I era, it was in vogue to encourage American patriotism and for American’s to buy American made products, thus the new toy was named after one of our most revered presidents, Abraham Lincoln. The original sets sold very well and became even more popular with the introduction of television to the United States. In fact, Lincoln Logs were among the first toys to be advertised and promoted on television. Capitalizing on the popularity of westerns in early television, Lincoln Logs were successful promoted on 1953’s Pioneer Playhouse. Today, Lincoln Logs are still available and have stood the test of time. As a matter of fact, as late as 1975, Lincoln Logs were still selling at a rate of one million sets per year. A sophisticated toy, it challenges youngsters to use their imagination and improve hand-eye coordination skills.

Revive yourself and celebrate your inner strength

Copyright 2006 Pat Brill How to maintain your self-identity during your transformation into Motherhood is a struggle for Busy Moms. Here are 9 great steps to revive your spirit, boost self-esteem and remind you why you are a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent person that deserves recognition. 1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others and Check Anyone Else Who Dares. This is probably the hardest step to follow because Moms constantly compare themselves to their sisters, neighbors, best friends, and even Martha Stewart! But the fact is that every Mom has a different situation so it’s useless to measure your self-worth against what somebody else is doing. You are a unique individual with a one-of-a-kind family and an original situation. So accept that. Love it. And quickly check anyone who makes you feel like you aren’t as good as some other Mom who has a completely different set of circumstances. The next time your Mother or Mother-In-Law tells you what wonderful things ‘Kimberly’ is doing with her fantastic family, take a moment and breathe. Don’t get emotional. Simply reply, ‘Mom, that’s so great for Kimberly and her family’, and mean it. After all, you have no idea what daily struggles and demons Kimberly faces within her own situation. Be happy for others, but accept and know that you never should dare to compare. 2. Learn to Love the Way You Look. Criticizing yourself is sure to bring your spirit down. You will find that not being pleased with your own reflection affects your energy and relationships with your friends, spouse, children, and associates. First things first: You are beautiful and you need to recognize and rejoice in that. You have to re-learn how to love the way you look. It’s easy to help yourself! Find 2 minutes to iron your clothes so you won’t look frumpy. Dab on some lipstick and blush in the morning. Toss some fresh fruit in the juicer to get a good boost of vitamins and give yourself that healthy glow. If you can’t get to the gym, pop in an exercise DVD or take the kids for a walk around the neighborhood. 3. Be Self-Assured. When in doubt, we all second-guess ourselves. Why? As a Busy Mom it’s somehow in your nature. You get so preoccupied with everything else that you aren’t as sure about things as you used to be. We all want to hear people tell us that we’re doing a good job and that we’re smart and successful. When you don’t get that type of feedback from others you begin to question your own worth. Although it’s wonderful to be acknowledged by others, you must realize that it’s most important to validate yourself. So, the next time you do a great job with the kids, look over your shoulder, snap your fingers, smile and say, “Yeah, I’ve still got it!” 4. Maintain A Positive Attitude. Trying to meet the demands of Motherhood and Marriage can have a negative affect on our attitudes and well-being. Keep your daily worries and challenges in perspective and try not to sweat the small stuff. 5. Self-Affirmations. Embrace who you are and use daily affirmations to build your confidence. Inner reflection accompanied by affirmations allows you to visualize your worth. Bring out the crayons and construction paper ‘cause its time for Moms everywhere to write down how they need to feel. Jot affirmations on sticky notes and place them in locations that you are sure to see many times throughout the day. If you want to feel beautiful and motivated write in bold letters ‘I AM BEAUTIFUL AND I CAN ACCOMPLISH MY GOALS’ and tape it to your bathroom mirror or the refrigerator. All people internalize things quite naturally and we burn images that we see in our brains. So, make the images positive affirmations that will resonate within your mind and spirit constantly. 6. Nurture Your Mental Health. You are never too old to learn and it’s never ever too late to start. You owe it to yourself to take daily mini-vacations regularly. When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a restorative break. Close the door, just be still, and meditate. While the kids are asleep, read a chapter of a new book or have a cup of your favorite green tea. This is the one time for Mom to not share her time, belongings or self with others. Force yourself to engage in one or two activities each and every week that you enjoy. This will refresh you mentally so you can be in a healthy state to be the Dynamic Mom that you are. If life at home gets too hectic and you begin to feel overly anxious or deeply depressed, consider seeking professional help. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting counseling, and denying yourself the help won’t be good for you or your family. We all need support sometimes. 7. Surround Yourself With Positive People. Haven’t you ever heard of the crabs in the barrel? They bring everyone else down as they’re trying to get to the top. So, get rid of the people in your life with consistent crabby attitudes and unhealthy outlooks on life because they’ll inevitably bring your spirit down with their negativity. Think about how good it feels to be around people who are motivated to do good things and who enjoy life. Spend your time laughing and planning for a brighter future with other positive people who will help lift you up! 8. Have Style and Flair. You determine what your style is. You define your own new look. Take ownership in your style by creating fashion trends that fit your personality. You will feel good knowing you set your own standards and when people compliment you, be proud of your creativity. 9. Set Personal Goals. Don’t wait until New Years Eve. Set goals that are realistic and attainable for you through commitment and hard work. To stay motivated have small daily goals (and I don’t mean tasks and chores) that have nothing to do with the kids or your spouse. It’s easy to get caught up in taking care of everyone else’s needs. Busy Moms tend to forget about their own personal daily goals. Start off with something small and when you achieve that goal, congratulate yourself with a pat on the back and a proud smile in the mirror. It takes persistence to succeed, so keep at it and you will surely make it to the finish line!

Reading glasses contact lenses and eye glasses

Reading glasses come in two main styles: full frames, and half-eyes, the smaller Franklin glasses that sit lower down on the nose. Many people feel they look better in contact lenses rather than eyeglasses. Reading glasses are suitable for people who spend a great deal of time concentrating on material close-up. Contacts lenses are a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses when used with care and proper supervision. The need for reading glasses has long been associated with being old. Have you found yourself having to push that magazine out at arm's length to see the fine print? You've officially reached middle age. However contact lenses, when compared with eyeglasses, require a longer initial examination, more follow-up visits to maintain eye health, and more time for lens care. Reading glasses can be custom-made for each individual through an optical dispenser, or they can be purchased "ready-made" at the pharmacy or department store. Contact lenses move with your eye, allow a natural field of view, have no frames to obstruct your vision, and greatly reduce distortions. They do not fog up, like eyeglasses, nor does mud or rain splatter them. Reading glasses are safe in that they cannot damage the eyes physically, whether or not they are the optimal strength, or whether they are used correctly or incorrectly. Contact lenses, compared to eyeglasses, generally offer better sight. Reading glasses, containing low power plus sphere lenses, and are widely available for non-prescription, over-the-counter purchase. Most eye-care professionals recommend replacing your contact lenses case every 3 months for optimum eye health.

How to choose the pub table that is right for you

Have you just put up the home bar of your dreams and now need a pub table so you can seat down and have a drink with friends on basketball finals night? Have you just moved to your own place and want to use a space-saving pub table as your dining table? Do you prefer to eat your meals sitting high to see out the window for a better view? Pub tables have become necessary accessories in homes with the coming of home entertainment systems and home bars. Nowadays, you can easily shop online for pub tables in different sizes, diameters, materials, finishes and style. But how do you choose the pub table that is right for you? Tips on choosing the right pub table 1. How tall do you want your pub table to be? - If you want it to be the same height as your kitchen countertop, then you should get a pub table that is about 36 inches tall and a bar stool that is 24 inches. - If you want it to be the same height as your bar countertop, then you should get a pub table that is about 42 inches tall and a bar stool that is 30 inches. - If you want to have the flexibility of varying the height of your pub table and bar stool, then you should get a metal table and bar stool with adjustable height mechanism. 2. How many people are you going to seat around your pub table? - If you are going to seat 2-4 people, then you should get a table top measuring 24 inches in diameter for cozy get togethers or 30 inches if you want to comfortably fit 4. - If you are going to seat more than 4 people, and this is usually outdoors where you will have more room, then you should get a table top measuring 42 inches in diameter. Outdoor pub tables of this size can come with holes to hold an outdoor patio umbrella. 3. What would be the best location for your pub table? - If your home bar is indoors or if you want to use your pub table as a dining table, then you should put your pub table indoors in the recreation room or den. - If you often entertain outdoors, or you simply enjoy being around in your garden or covered patio, then you should put your pub table outdoors. 4. What material, style and finish do you want for your pub table to suit your taste and home dйcor? - If you prefer the traditional old-world style, then you may opt for bevelled, hardwood pub tables in oak finish or the graceful flowing lines of handcrafted metal or wrought iron pub tables with clear glass table tops. - If you prefer the modern contemporary look, then you may opt for black metal pub tables with clean, minimalist lines and a clear bevelled glass table tops. - If you want to create the tone for viewing an exciting ballgame, then you may opt for a pub table in the themed style which shows your favorite college team logo. 5. Do you want bar stools to accompany your pub table? - What type of back do you prefer for your bar stools: high back, low back or backless? - Do you prefer the seats upholstered in fabric or leather? - Do you want the seat to swivel or remain stationary? - Do you want the seat to be 24 or 30 inches high? - How many bar stools would you need? 6. And last but not least what is your budget? A quick browse of pub table online stores shows that: - A budget of under $300 can get you a themed NCAA pub table in polished honey wood finish and with inset leather background of your favorite college football team logo. - $400 can buy a traditional pedestal pub table in bevelled hardwood oak finish, with a heavy ball and clawed feet for that majestic look. - And for a slightly bigger budget of around $900, you can get a rustic looking outdoor pub table that will be the conversation piece of your next backyard barbeque. Set in dark wood, this pub table is fashioned by hand in the saloon style, from irregularly shaped individual South American teak. Happy browsing.

How to choose a stroller

There are several varieties of strollers. Some are designed for specific users, such as lightweight strollers and joggers, other strollers are intended for more everyday use. Irrespective of the type of stroller you are purchasing, here are some considerations to look at before you buy your new stroller. Make absolutely sure the stroller comes with a proper, and effective, restraint system. At the minimum, look for a three-point restraint that wraps the waist and comes up between the legs. The latch should be comfortable up against your child. If you are purchasing a jogging stroller, make sure you get a five-point restraint system (shoulder straps) since jogging will lead to your child being jostled about. The shoulder straps must keep them in place well even when jogging. Be sure the stroller has a brake. For most casual strollers, this will just be a parking brake. Make sure it works reliably and is easy to use. For jogging strollers, you should also insist on a brake that can be used to brake the stroller while jogging. Be certain that the brake is easy to use and that you can lock up the tire(s) without too much effort. Just about every stroller has a mechanism that permits the stroller to be folded up for travel. Make sure that you can easily fold the stroller up by yourself; it's not much fun to be standing in a parking lot in the foul weather desperately trying to fold your stroller. Even more critical than how easy the stroller is to fold, consider how secure it is when it is open. Be certain that when opened, there is a reliable locking mechanism that keeps the stroller from folding accidentally. If this happens when your child is in the stroller, serious injury can result. Try out the stroller and see how comfortable it is to operate. You should be able to operate the stroller with one hand. Strollers with both front and rear swivel wheels will be easier to operate. Strollers with wheels that only move in one direction are usually more awkward to steer. Check out the height of the handle. The stroller will be easier to operate if the handle is at waist level. For most averaged sized people, this will not be an issue. But if you are very tall or short, you should consider a stroller with a handle that can be adjusted. Look for features that can make your child more comfortable when riding in the stroller. These include reclining seats (makes nappy time easier); comfortable padding; canopies to protect and against sun, rain, and wind; cup holders and bins for snacks. Be sure that the stroller has plenty of storage space for things like diaper bags, bags used when shopping, changes of clothes, etc. The more storage you have, the happier you will be with your stroller. All kids make messes. If your kids are especially prone to spilling, try to find a stroller with removable fabric covers over the seats. Removable or not, make sure that the fabric on the stroller can be cleaned with water and mild detergent. While a specially designed fabric may look great new, if it can't be washed the shine will quickly fade. Carefully check the frame of the stroller for sharp edges or things that can poke or snag. Also look for gaps that could trap small fingers and toes. Check the leg openings of the stroller; make certain that they are not wide enough for an infant to accidentally slip through them. Before you buy a new stroller, or any other product for your child, check the product recall finder website ( babycenter/product-recall-finder) to see if there is a recall against the product you are about to buy.

Personalized wedding favors plus a centerpiece for your wedding tables

You have your heart set on personalized wedding favor for your guests. But before you place your order, consider an alternative favor idea which will not doubt wow your guests - personalized magazine covers. Options abound for how to incorporate personalized magazine covers into your ceremony and party. You can make up a bunch of specialized covers (featuring in jokes, memorable pictures, and clever/sentimental thoughts) for your bridesmaids or groomsmen and present these along with the traditional initialized flasks or purses. Alternatively, you could create a fun fake magazine cover of you and your fiance and put these keepsakes on every table, perhaps raffling them off at some point during the ceremony. If you want to get super fancy and involved, you can further tailor the magazine covers at your tables by incorporating pictures of the people sitting at your tables into the design layout. For instance, let's say that at table 12, you've seated Grandma Estelle and Uncle Ernie. Your magazine centerpiece could feature a picture of you and your fiance on the front and then have fun pictures of you with your Grandma Estelle and Uncle Ernie on the back along with some cute quotations and captions. Of course, this kind of detail work can be exhausting - particularly if you're in the rough and tumble of planning your own wedding. That said, this unique centerpiece idea is fun to put together and, most importantly, very cost effective. You can put together your personalized wedding favors and centerpieces online over the course of an hour or two, place your order, and get top quality results delivered quickly. Best of all, unlike other seemingly personalized wedding favors (such as home-burned CDs of the special couple's favorite songs), your personalized magazine cover can distill the essence of your relationship in a fun, warm, and really humorous way. Include "headlines" teasing the greatest romantic moments in your relationship, or create a top-20 list cataloging your and your fiance's idiosyncrasies. No doubt everyone at the wedding party will love it, and you'll have a keepsake to last a lifetime. Ease the burden of planning out your favors and centerpieces today - visit YourCover for details on how to get started with your magazine cover adventure.