Fun Crafts for Kids Friday! Decoupage Collage Box

Found this great craft on Kaboose.com

Decoupage Collage Box
By: Amanda Formaro

Difficulty: Very Easy

Age: 5 and up

Parental supervision is recommended

With a few craft sticks, some paint, and a lot of imagination, your child can have a personalized door hanger to call his/her own. This project is simple and it’s fun to make.

Be sure to visit all of our classic crafts for more fun ideas!


What you'll need:Papier–mâché box with lid
Old magazines
Scissors
White craft glue
Water
Bowl
Paintbrush

How to make it:

Go through old magazines and cut out pictures, words and phrases of things that you like.

Mix 2 parts white glue and 1 part water, mix together. (Recommended amount: 2 tsp glue and 1 tsp water. You can always make more if you run short, rather than having too much and having to throw it away.) Mixture should be paintable but not too thick.

Paint mixture onto one side of the box.

Place pictures on glue and paint glue mixture over the top of the picture.

Cover all sides and lid with pictures, phrases and words.

As glue begins to dry pictures may bubble a little. Gently flatten with your fingers as it dries.

Tips:Travel magazines are perfect for making a vacation box. Look for advertisements with small pictures and fun phrases.

Try dirt bike and motorcycle magazines for the adventurous child.

Be sure to clean paintbrush out when you are finished or the glue will harden and ruin it.

Think Thursday! Is it really an allergy?

I know a lot of moms out there who are always very quick to determine that their kids have food allergies. It seems nowadays, everyone has to have an illness or allergy! I found this small article in the September 2010 issue of Parenting magazine. Maybe it can clear up confusion for some.

Is it really an allergy?

May people who think they have a food allergy--or believe their child does--actually suffer from a food intolerance. Unlike an allergic reaction, an intolerance doesn't involve the immune system and can have several causes. People with lactose intolerance, for example, lack or have less of a digestive enzyme needed to properly break down dairy products. Here, some ways to tell the difference:

Signs your child likely has a food intolerance:

1. She can eat small amounts of the worrisome food without a problem.
2. Symptoms usually include nausea, belly pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
3. The reaction causes temporary discomfort.

Sign she may have a true allergy:

1. Often, even a small amount of the food can cause a reaction.
2. Symptoms include hives, swelling of the lips and face, difficulty breathing, and a severe drop in blood pressure.
3. The reaction can progress rapidly and be life-threatening.

Wellness Wednesday! Hitting Your Stride

Learn how to burn more calories while walking. I found this article in Parenting magazine, September 2010 issue.


Hitting Your Stride

No matter how fit you are, walking is in your wheelhouse. Layrysa DiDio, Mom Squad fitness expert, tells you how to torch more calories and build more muscle with every walk you take. Find your level below and then, well, step to it!

Level 1: You already walk purposefully for exercise. Every five minutes on your route, do this drill:

Walking Lunges. Take a long stride forward and bend your front knee no more than 90F; drop your back knee to the ground. Switch and repeat 12 times.

Side Steps. Face sideways and sidestep for ten repetitions, turn and repeat, continuing forward on the path.

High Knees. Keeping your chest high, lift your knees up toward your chest as you step forward. Repeat 12 times.

Level 2: You walk as much as you can, but only as part of your lifestyle. Focus on increasing speed and power:

Pick a practiced partner. Walking with a buddy who is more in shape than you are will push you to work harder.

Push yourself. Time how long your usual treks take--then try to beat 'em!

Power walk. While walking, pitch your body forward slightly, clench your fists, and pump your arms, keeping your elbows close to your sides. Pull in your navel and tighten your abs.

Level 3: You only walk by necessity. (like to the bathroom or around the mall). Try to ramp up your motivation.

Keep it simple. Start with a doable goal of ten minutes per day, without worrying about pace or distance.

Buy a pedometer. You'll walk to best your previous day's steps--seriously, it's human nature.

Walk with a friend. Studies show that people who have support in their exercise goals are more likely to achieve them.

Tips Tuesday! Organize your life for free (or close to it!)

In the "Live well for less" section of AllYou magazine, August 27, 2010 issue, there are tips on how to organize your lives very cheaply, or even free. Check it out!

Organize your life for free (or close to it!)

Try these no-cost ideas to say on top of cleaning, de-cluttering and maintaining your family's schedule.

Prevent Mail Madness: Taking care of the mail helps cut down on clutter, Keep a five-pocket sorter near your recycling bin, and as soon as the mail comes in, divide it into categories such as bills to pay, RSVPs and papers to file. Then, take all the extra envelopes and junk mail and toss them in the recycling.

Organize with Old Containers: Set aside empty spaghetti sauce and pickle jars to store small loose item such as ribbons, buttons and crayons. This keeps similar odds and ends together, and you can easily see inside the clear jars. Save money and recycle--it's a win-win!

Maintain Your Family Schedule Online: Use cozi.com, a free site, to keep your schedule in order. It also has a shopping list tool, which is great because you can jot down products as you think of them.

Toss Items You Seldom Use: An important part of clearing messes is getting rid of stuff you don't need. Take two laundry baskets around the house. One is for stuff to throw away; one is for donations. Ask yourself, "Have I used this in the past year?" If the answer is no, put it in the basket.

Post Your Calendar in Plain Site: Highlight appointments in different colors for each family member on a calendar and then post it on the fridge. All of your information is in one location so you will never miss deadlines or engagements.

Simplify your Day With a Routine: Assigning tasks to certain days can help. Mondays do the kitchen, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays are bed and bath days. Thursdays do the floors and dusting and Friday is laundry day.

Myth Monday! 4 Lice Myths

With school in session, I think all mothers are at constant fear over lice. I found this article in Parenting magazine, Sept. 2010 issue that will calm those fears for us.

4 Lice Myths

Learn the truth about those little buggers (they're gross, but not as bad as you think!). Barbara Frankowski, M.D., a professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, helps us bust common head-bug beliefs.

Myth 1: Lice are incredibly contagious.
Fact: It takes close, head-to-head contact for lice to spread, says Dr. Frankowski. Plus, lice can live on an object like a comb, hat, or pillow for only about 24 hours--a very small window of time.

Myth 2: Lice are resistant to the available treatments.
Fact: Many over-the-counter remedies usually work fine, insists Dr. Frankowski, as do homespun fixes. She recommends applying Cetaphil cleanser to the head and leaving it on overnight to suffocate the lice. Then shampoo, and comb out the dead pests. The key is to repeat whatever treatment you choose at least twice (a third time might be necessary), spaced a week apart, to ensure you get any eggs that may hatch in the interim.

Myth 3: If you child gets lice, you need to wash everything.
Fact: "It can't hurt to wash bedding and hats," says Dr. Frankowski, noting that one study found lice on only 4 percent of the pillowcases of infested people. "But you don't need to go to Herculean efforts to clean everything."

Myth 4: Lice are a sign of bad hygiene.
Fact: The tiny insects don't signal that your kid is "dirty," and they don't harm him in any way. Point is: Relax! If lice happen, you deal, and life goes on.

Something you may not know Sunday! "Um" Overload

Ever come across one of those kids who says the word "um" an awful lot? Thankfully, my kids do not do it because, to be quite honest, it drives me insane! Even worse when you have an adult who does it! I did come across this article under the "Ages & Stages" 10-12 year old section of Parenting magazine. Maybe this will explain why this happens so frequently for some and how it can be controlled.

"Um" Overload

It's like fingernails across a chalkboard: Every time your 10-year-old opens his mouth, he peppers his talk with "um," "uh," and other annoying fillers, Why does he, like do that? Because it's common among preteens, who, as they try out more sophisticated ways to communicate, use words like "um," "like," and "you know" while they figure out what to say next, says Joan Detz, author of Can You Say a Few Words? They also pick it up from other kids, of course.

There's nothing wrong with an occasional "um" or "you know," but if your child's speech is so overrun with such words that he's hard to understand, you'll want to help him cut down on them. That way, he'll express himself more confidently to teachers and other grown-ups, who'll be more likely to take what he says seriously. To help right speech wrongs:

Watch your own "ums". Kids pick up bad speech patterns from other kids-but your child could also be taking his cues from you. Let him hear you speak with clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm, and he'll more likely speak the same way.

Practice, practice, practice. Set a timer for one minute and ask him to tell you about his day, using as few crutch words as possible until the timer goes off. Tell him "Great job!" if he uses few or no fillers; try expanding the time as he improves.

Let him say it again. When you hear crutch words, wait until your child stops speaking, then gently ask him to start over, without the "ums." Explain that you'll understand him better. It'll help him focus on his thoughts and choose the right words.

Be his echo. Kids don't hear what they're saying wrong, so repeat it back. Say "Did you say 'Mom, I, um, want to, like, go to Paul's house?" This will help him become more aware of his speech.

Swap a Recipe Saturday! Apple Blossom Tart

I found this recipe on familyfun.com and am so anxious to try it! With the overabundance of apples still growing in the orchard, I am always looking for new apple recipes. Enjoy!

This tempting apple tart is a reminder that pie isn't the only way to showcase the best fruits of the season. Just think of a tart as pie's slimmer cousin. Both start with a rich pastry dough, but fruit tarts typically have less filling and no top crust. Some, such as this one, are made free-form and baked on a cookie sheet. To make a couple of smaller tarts like the one shown, simply divide the dough in half and split the filling between the two shells.

Ingredients:

PASTRY DOUGH

1 1/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup ice-cold water
2 tablespoons cold sour cream

FILLING

5 large juicy apples, such as Fuji or Braeburn, peeled
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup apricot preserves
1 1/2 tablespoons plain bread crumbs
3 tablespoons apple jelly

Instructions

First, make the dough: combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor, then scatter the butter pieces over the top. Pulse the machine 8 or 9 times, just until the butter is broken into fine pieces. Do not over-blend it.

In a measuring cup with a spout, stir together the water and sour cream. Drizzle the liquid evenly over the flour mixture. Pulse the dough for about 8 short bursts, just until large, packable crumbs form.

Dust your hands with flour. Turn the crumbs onto the counter and pack the dough together as you would a snowball.

Place the dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and flatten it into a 3/4-inch-thick disk. Wrap it in the plastic and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour

Get out a large, heavy cookie sheet, preferably one that's shiny and at least 14 by 16 inches in size. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit it and set the paper aside. Put the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and place it on the parchment. Dust your rolling pin and the dough with flour as needed to prevent sticking, then roll the pastry into a circle roughly 13 1/2 inches across

Place the dough and parchment onto the sheet, and place the sheet back in the refrigerator. Move an oven shelf into the center position and heat the oven to 375°.

Make the filling: quarter and core 3 of the peeled apples. With a sharp knife, slice the apples thinly -- 1/8-inch thick or so. If a child is helping with this step, supervise her closely. Put the slices into a bowl and sprinkle them with the lemon juice. Toss the slices so they're coated and set them aside.

Quarter and core the remaining 2 apples. Cut them into1/4-inch-thick slices, then cut up the slices into fairly uniform 1/4-inch cubes. Place 2 1/2 cups of diced apples in a mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch, and the cinnamon, and stir well.

Put the apricot preserves in a small bowl and stir them briskly with a spoon to smooth out any lumps. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and dot it with the preserves. Use the back of a spoon to gently spread the preserves over the dough, being careful not to tear it. Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the preserves.

Pour the diced apples onto the center of the pastry and spread them very evenly across the surface, leaving about a 1 1.2-inch margin of dough at the edge.

On top of the diced apples, arrange an overlapping row of apple slices in a circle, making sure the circle isn't as wide as the diced apples. (This way, the slices won't poke through the pastry when you fold it up.) Arrange a second circle of slices inside the first, then a third circle for the center of the blossom. Put the tart back in the fridge for 10 minutes to re-firm the pastry.

Remove the tart from the refrigerator and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly over the apples. Using the parchment to help you handle the dough, fold the dough in sections up and over the edge of the filling. The dough will form pleats naturally as you make the folds. If the dough tears, just pinch it back together.

Bake the tart on the center oven rack until it's golden brown and bubbly, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. At the 30-minute mark, turn the sheet 180 degrees so that the tart bakes evenly.

Remove the tart from the oven. Heat the apple jelly in a microwave until it melts, about 40 seconds. Use a pastry brush to paint the top of the apples with the jelly. Cool the tart on the sheet for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Makes 12 servings.