One of the things we hear when we travel with the kids is “I’m hungry…” which is second only to “Are we there yet?” We’re getting ready for a long car trip with my son and my nephews, so I’ve been researching some healthy snacks to take along for the ride.

Here are some of my top picks.

• Make up a trail mix with some healthy nuts and dried fruits. Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and raisins are all good choices to throw in your travel trail mix. Add a few M&M’s if you have a sweet tooth.
• Homemade granola makes a great take along snack for a long car ride, or make some granola bugs for a fun treat.
• Pack some fresh fruits like bananas, apples, grapes, or oranges.
• Celery and peanut butter make a fun snack, add some raisins to the top and call it “ants on a log.” Store your celery and peanut butter in small ziplock bags until you’re ready to eat it.
• Cheese sticks and whole grain crackers make an easy travel snack.
• Whole grain cereals packed in small bags or containers.

Make sure you bring foods that don’t aren’t easily perishable, and don’t need to be refrigerated, unless you’re bringing a cooler with ice. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, or fruit juices to keep children hydrated during hot car rides.

Do you have a favorite healthy snack you like to take on long car rides?

This spring FurReal Friends has some new additions to their newborn line. Check out the latest adorable FurReal babies.

First up is Newborn Duckling an adorable, little yellow baby duck. He’s even cuter when he flaps his wings and makes “real” duckling sounds.

Next up is Newborn Bird who’s sure to catch kid’s attention with its bright bold colors.

Last is my favorite, Newborn Puppy. He’s soft, cuddly, and wakes up when you pet him. When you stop petting he falls to sleep.

All of the newborn friends come with their own bottle, and an adoption certificate.

All of the FurReal Friends are available at most major toy retailers nationwide and at the Hasbro Toy Shop.

Image via Hasbro

I’m a worrier, whenever my son is away playing with friends, swimming , or spending the night away from home, I worry. Summer seems like it’s full of activities, with something different every day. I just like to make sure that I’m doing everything I can to keep him safe on my end, and to make sure he knows what to do to keep himself safe.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers parents ten safety tips to help keep their children safe this summer.

1. MAKE SURE children know their full names, address, telephone numbers and how to use the telephone.

2. BE SURE children know what to do in case of an emergency and how to reach you using a cell phone or pager number. Children should have a neighbor or trusted adult they may call if they’re scared or there’s an
emergency.

3. REVIEW the rules with your children about whose homes they may visit and discuss the boundaries of where they may and may not go in the neighborhood.

4. MAKE SURE children know to stay away from pools, creeks, or any body of water without adult supervision.

5. CAUTION children to keep the door locked and not to open the door or talk to anyone who comes to the door when they are home alone.

6. DON’T drop your children off at malls, movies, video arcades or parks.
These are not safe places for children to be alone. Make certain a responsible adult supervises your younger children at all times whenthey are outside and away from home.

7. TEACH your children in whose vehicle they may ride. Children should be cautioned to never approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless accompanied by a parent or other trusted adult.

8. BE SURE your children know their curfew and check in with you if they are going to be late. If children are playing outside after dark, make sure they wear reflective clothing and stay close to home.

9. CHOOSE babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors. Many states now have registries for public access to check criminal history or sex-offender status. Observe the babysitter’s interaction with your children, and ask your children how they feel about the babysitter.

10. CHECK out camp and other summer programs before enrolling your children. See if a background screening check is completed on the individuals working with the children. Make sure there will be adult supervision of your children at all times, and make sure you are made aware of all activities and field trips offered by the camp or program.

Don’t forget to have fun! Sometimes I get so caught up in worrying I forget that the main goal is to have fun.

Image via sxc.hu

Your Littlest Pet Shop collection now has a place to go have fun while you’re away. This spring The Littlest Pet Shop added a new Playful Paws Pet Daycare center to their toy line. The new Daycare Center features two levels of fun for your Littlest Pet Shop Pets.

The first level features a jungle gym slide. Your pet can take a spin on the perch or just relax on the basket swing. When they’re done your pets can even take a ride on the habitrail shaped elevator.

When they’re worn out your pets can get pampered and groomed at the second level salon or take a nap in their sleeping cubby. The Pet Daycare Center doubles as a carrying case, so you can carry your Littlest Pet Shop collection with you in style.

I remember hearing Smokey Bear when I was growing up reminding everyone, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” Smokey Bear has been reminding Americans about wildfires since August of 1944. Smokey’s still out there 65 years later reminding a new generation how to prevent wildfires.

His message has made a big difference, from about 22 million acres burned in forest fires in 1944, to an average of 7 million today. Smokey Bear still works to get his message out. Many Americans believe lightning starts most wildfires. On average, 9 out of 10 wildfires across the nation are caused by people. Most are caused by campfires left unattended, people burning trash on windy days, arson, people carelessly discarding cigarettes, or operating equipment without spark arrestors.

I’m glad Smokey Bear is still around to teach children (and adults) the importance of preventing forest fires, and what they can do to help.

Smokey Bear’s gone social to keep up with the times. You can visit Smokey at his website SmokeyBear.com, while you’re there make sure you check out the kids section “Smokey Kids.” You can also find Smokey on Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube.

Image: Newscom

I’ve been writing about bugs lately, because summer, kids, and bugs go together. Getting out in the back yard, or going to the park to catch bugs can be a great learning experience for kids, and a ton of fun. So today I have the Bug Bottle.

The Bug Bottle is like a miniature bug observatory for kids. They can catch a bug, and watch it in the Bug Bottle then release it back to it’s natural habitat. While they have the bug they can look it up in a bug guide or the Bug Book included with the Bug Bottle to find out more information, check out the bugs body type, wings, and features.

You can use the Bug Bottle to help  you with a bug scavenger hunt, or as part of a summer backyard bug party.

Blisstree has a new commuinty section where you can go to voice your opinion, and interact with other Blisstree community members. There are several different topic forums including parenting, crafts, and cooking.

You can share your parenting advice, or your favorite recipes to cook with the kids, or just leave a fun comment. I love the topics because they all center around home and family, two of my favorite things.

I look forward to seeing you there!

I have a fun summer snack recipe for you and your children to make together. These granola bugs from Mealtime.org are loaded with healthy fruits and grains, and your kids will have a great time putting them together.

If your kids help make them they’re more likely to eat them. Shhhh! Just don’t tell them the granola bugs might be good for them.

These bugs would be a fun treat for a summer bug party, or to take on an overnight camp out.

Granola Bugs

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1 cup whole-grain, unsweetened wheat cereal
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple in juice, drained
• 1 can (15 1/4 ounces) peach halves, drained and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup firmly packed, light brown suga
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 20 licorice strings

Preparation:

1. Mix rice cereal, whole-grain cereal, oats and cinnamon in mixing bowl until well combined; set aside.
2. Place pineapple and peaches between several layers of paper towels and blot to absorb excess moisture; set aside.
3. Heat brown sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium-high heat until boiling.
4. Remove from heat and mix in peanut butter until melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
5. Mix in drained and blotted fruit. Pack into a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and set aside until firm, about 20 minutes. Cut into 60 squares.
6. To make the bugs, form each square with your hands into an egg shape with a flat bottom. Insert small pieces of licorice to represent antennae and legs.

Servings: 60
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 60; Total fat 1.5g; Saturated fat 0g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 25mg; Carbohydrate 12g; Fiber 1g; Protein 1g; Vitamin A 0%DV*; Vitamin C 2%DV; Calcium 2%DV; Iron 4%DV

*Daily Value

Recipe and image via Mealtime.org

My son and I went to see “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” on Thursday. I would say it’s definitely not a movie for the little ones, and holds up to it’s PG-13 rating. Even though the movie is PG-13 and clearly for an older audience I can see it being marketed to kids, with the latest Transformers toys and costumes.

Would I recommend the movie? I would recommend the latest Transformers movie to adults, and older children. It was an action packed movie, and I love the Transformer battles and special effects. I think in the end I enjoyed the first movie a little more. Of course I’ve watched the first one about twenty times, so the second movie may grow on me after I’ve watched it a couple more times.

My son thought “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” rawked! His words, not mine. He’s a kid, so he loves it when things explode, transformers transform, and there’s tons of action going on all over the place. He was ready to get in line and watch it again. I’m sure he’ll make sure we have the DVD when it comes out.

Image via Amazon.com

If you’re looking for something fun and educational to do with your children this summer, why not head for your local park, or out to the back yard for a bug scavenger hunt.

(c) L Gerlach

Most kids love creepy crawlies, take along a bug guide to help you identify the bugs you find.

(c) L Gerlach

My son and I went on a bug hunt earlier today. It was the end of a week long “bug camp” for my son. We had a great time finding all the bugs on the list, so I thought I’d share so you can plan your own bug hunt.

Here’s the bug list:

• Bug that flies
• Bug larger than one inch
• Bug that hops
• Bug that jumps
• Bug relative (spider)
• Bug home
• Bug babies (larvae or caterpillars)
• A beetle bug
• A colorful bug
• Bug food
• Water bug (if you’re around water)
• crawling insect
• beneficial insect
• Nectar sipper

I think it’s easier to make a list like this than to have kids find specific bugs.

Have the children break into teams, with at least one adult to help each team. Have them mark off, or take a picture of each type of bug as they find it.

Have fun!