Art Projects to do at home

    by Karen on 3/09/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    There are plenty of days that I wish I had an art project I could do with the kids- and a guiding hand to take me through it. Well, I have found help.  RADkidsART is the brain child of  Rick Anthony Diaz, who has been a teaching artist in New York City since 1995.  Rick [...]

    Cool Map Games for Kids

    by Karen on 3/03/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    Are you searching for a fun way to teach geography to your kid…and maybe brush up on it yourself?
    Here are a few that I really like:
    Rethinking Schools’ Map Game
    This map game is easy to follow. Just drag a country’s name to its proper place. I admit I made quite a few mistakes- EEEK! If you [...]

    How to Clean Toys, Backpacks, Shoes and…just about everything!

    by Karen on 2/28/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    Real Simple Magazine had 2 articles on how to clean everything from cotton to backpacks. I found them incredibly helpful. Here are both articles melded together.
    Both written by Sarah Stebbins

    How to Wash Cotton
    Made from the fluffy fibers of the cotton plant, most cotton fabrics are preshrunk, so “you really can’t mess them up,” [...]

    Brooklyn Women’s Exchange: Unique Handmade Gifts

    by Karen on 2/16/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    If you haven’t been to the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, this is your reminder to put it on your list of “to dos”.  Brooklyn Heights Blog posted a video that Brooklyn Independent Television made about the Exchange, relaying its history and showing all the lovely handmade items they sell. They sell everything from handmade childrens’ [...]

    Recall: The Princess and The Frog Necklaces

    by Karen on 1/31/10 | 2 Comment(s)

    Cute movie, sickening necklaces. Truly sickening. 55,000 necklaces, made by FAF inc, have been recalled since they contain high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.  The necklaces were sold at Walmart for $5 and were manufactured in China (who would have guessed?!)
    Consumers should return [...]

    Putamayo Christmas CD

    by Karen on 12/21/09 | 0 Comment(s)

    If you celebrate Christmas, you usually have a small collection of Christmas music.  My parents favored Neil Diamond, Manhattan Transfer and Whitney Houston. (Yes, a collective EWWW! is permitted here!)  I couldn’t wait until I got older and could build my own little stash of Christmas music.  But, honestly, I have never, ever bought one.  [...]

    Toy Swaps

    by Karen on 12/07/09 | 0 Comment(s)

    Question: Have you ever wanted to get rid of your old toys (without contributing to landfills) and get new ones (without paying money)?
    If you are like most parents, your answer is “YES!”
    Answer: Go to or start a Toy Swap!
    Mommy Poppins and I had two Toy Swaps this weekend to help parents exchange toys. Both [...]