They get to cut up an old pair of pants, personalize their lunch bag and THEN take it with them the first day of school. How cool is that?

For more back to school projects:

Family Fun

Kaboose

Post from: Blisstree

How To: Lunch Bag

I know I LOVED when my mom left me cute little notes in my lunch or carved me heart sandwiches. But to have her and my brother make me a snack box? Now that would be super cool!

Bright Ideas has the instructions and the “ingredients” to make this after school treat.

Post from: Blisstree

How To: Welcome Home Snacks

I had taken the advice of a neighboring parent who loved this pediatrician and I thought he was going to be really good. He just did not have the time for us, nor the international experience, nor the patience to deal with AJ’s numerous issues. And, he sent us to specialists that gave him a kick-back but did nothing for us.

So, we searched high and low for our own special needs doctor and found a wonderful clinic 40 miles away. Was it worth it? Yes, every dog gone mile.

We found specialists at the University of Michigan to help us. We did it on our own. Was it worth it? Every minute I spent searching.

No thanks to the first doctor.

But, it just goes to show you how important it is to have the right doctor in the first place. Don’t just chose one because your friend likes him/her. And, don’t be afraid to fire him/her.

Our new doctor in Illinois does not have the best bedside manner but she gets the job done when it comes to colds and the flu. She handles those things and she takes her time with us each and every single time she sees us. The Pfieffer Treatment Center does everything else for us. So, I stick with her.

Here are some basic questions to ask from About.com and Parenting Ivillage.

For International Adoption please read this specific article from my Insurance Company, Caremark. I was surprised to see that they had information posted on what medical tests to run and what type of doctors to look for. Nonetheless, kudos to Caremark for a giant leap!

• Is the pediatrician on your insurance plan? If you don’t have insurance or have a high deductible, then be sure to ask how much each visit costs and maybe compare it to other pediatric offices in the area.
• Where are you located and do you have a satellite office?
• Do you offer same day sick appointments?
• Do you have any late or weekend hours?
• What happens if I need advice after hours? Is a doctor available on-call to talk to me?
• What hospitals is the pediatrician affiliated with? This is especially important if you have a Children’s Hospital in your area and you would like a doctor that will see you if you have to go there.
• Are there any extra charges for advice calls during the day, after hours advice calls, refilling medicines, or requests to fill out forms, etc.?
• How many doctors are in the office? Will I always see my own doctor?
• Are the doctors all board certified?
• How long is a typical appointment?
• Are there separate sick and well waiting rooms?

TANGIBLE ASPECTS

1. Is the doctor’s office conveniently located? I hope your child will not get very many illnesses, but when he does, sometimes a doctor’s office close-by can be one of the most important aspects of the practice.
2. How early does the office open, how late does it close — and do they have weekend/holiday hours? Evening hours may be absolutely necessary for you, especially if you are a single parent.
3. How are phone questions handled? Some doctors answer their calls immediately, while other have a “call hour” in which they answer all their calls. Some have their nurses answer the calls in consultation with the doctor. There are probably as many ways phone calls are handled as there are doctors, so be sure you are comfortable with it.
4. How long do you have to wait in the office? This can be one of the most frustrating aspects of going to the doctor. And the waiting time may vary widely, depending upon whether it is the cold- and-flu season; therefore, keep this in mind when you are asking. Ask the doctor or nurse directly. I would also ask the parents who go to that office.
5. Does the waiting room look nice and have enough toys to make the wait less painful?
6. How are bills handled? Some offices require some payment with each visit. Others will bill you. Much of the cost is dependent upon the type of insurance you have, but you should inquire about how this is handled.
7. Is the doctor board certified in pediatrics? To become board certified, a doctor must have completed four years of medical school, three years of pediatric specialty training and passed the board exam given by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The exam is taken every seven years for recertification.
8. Where does the doctor have hospital privileges? It would be optimal for the physician to have privileges where you will be delivering so she can see your infant from the very beginning. In addition, should your child need to be hospitalized, you would want to be comfortable with the hospital where your doctor attends.
9. If laboratory tests are needed, can they be done right in the office or will you have to go elsewhere to have them done?
10. How are urgent/emergency matters handled? Some doctors can handle most urgent matters in the office. Others will refer you to the emergency room. If you are referred to the ER, will your doctor meet you there or have the ER staff take care of it?
11. When your child is ill, do you call to make an appointment or just come to the office and be seen first-come-first-serve? There are pros and cons to both systems. Appointment making ensures your child will be seen shortly after you arrive, however, that appointment time may be later than you might like. Those who have first-come-first-serve ill visits usually do this in the morning, so your child will probably be seen earlier in the day; however, in the winter months when many are sick, you may arrive in the office at 8 a.m. only to be seen at 10:30 a.m.
12. Who covers for the physician when she is sick or on vacation? In small practices and practices which have several offices, the covering physician may be someone in a totally separate office who has never seen your child before, whereas, moderate-sized offices share call among the physicians within that office.

PHILOSOPHY

1. Breastfeeding: If you are very eager to breast feed or have strong feelings about how long you want to breastfeed, you will want a physician who knows a lot about the subject and is supportive.
2. Circumcision: It is your choice, so you want a doctor who will support your decision.
3. Special circumstances: Being a vegetarian, having specific religious beliefs, etc., will require both knowledge and understanding from the pediatrician.
4. Immunizations: Most pediatricians are very aware of the need for immunizations, but asking about their immunization rates would not be improper.
5. Antibiotics: When your child gets a cold which does not require antibiotics, you do not want a physician who is all too ready to give them to you for no good reason.

Post from: Blisstree

How to: Choose a Good Pediatrician

Traditional gifts are chocolate but girls don’t have to give the gifts, boys do. Sounds right, eh?

Want help with the Cyrilic text for a card?  I ftranslated this online for you.

Счастливое Valentine’ день s. с влюбленностью и поцелуями

Post from: Blisstree

How To: A Russian Valentine

Bul is a Mayan Board Game

Bul can be played an an even number of participants and each player has 5 game pieces. It can be an available item; seeds, sticks, cloth, corn, etc. Game pieces seem to be taken captured or killed so the game is similar to a war game.

A “board” is made by placing 15 grains of corn in a row, the 14 spaces between grains used for play. Four flat grains of corn with a black mark burned onto one side served as dice. When the grains were tossed the movement was based on the number that fell with the burned side up. But, if all the kernels came up blank, the count was five.

A player can not move to a space where he is already stationed. If he is already there and there is no other option he must pass.

When a player lands on the same space as an enemy he must capture the enemy and take control of him, forcing him to come with for the rest of the game. When he moves again, he must return home to return the prisoner to kill him.

References:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bul_(game)

Post from: Blisstree

How To: A Mayan Board Game

I made an AJ with a simple spoon (and so did Family Fun Magazine) but I found this handy site that actually helps you create fantastic pancake designs. You do need a

pastry bag for these fun shapes (or better yet? Buffaloes and Butterfly Wings says to use an empty mustard bottle

and check out that train!). You can also use an altered plastic bag. Just fill the plastic ziploc bag with the thin batter an

d squeeze all of the batter down to one corner. Cut a s

mall hole in the same corner so that you have a steady stream of batter that comes out of the bag.

1. Happy face: Squeeze out two little eyes and a smiling mouth. Let bake for just a few seconds, then cover completely with batter.
2. Teddy bear: One round spot for a nose, two spots for eyes and a smiling mouth. Let bake for just a moment, then cover completely with batter to make the face and add two round ears at the top.
3. Mouse: Similar to the teddy bear (above), only add whiskers when you do the nose.
4. Flower: Squeeze out round middle, let bake for a moment then surround with round petals. Add a stem if you’re brave.
5. Secret message: Write something (backwards!) on the griddle. Cover with batter. Give it to your brother. Be nice.

PBS also has a great idea for making cookie cutter pancakes to help learn early math.

And, don’t forget that it is easy to make wreaths, simple triangle Christmas trees, stars, presents with ribbons, and for extra credit…a snowflake.

For great GFCF pancakes try Namaste pancake and waffle mix. Or, you can make your own GFCF pancake mix if you are daring.

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How To: Pancake Shapes

Here are some more fun crafts from China!

Chinese Juggling Sticks

Coloring Pages 

Zodiac Calendar 

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Chinese New Year Crafts

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup talcum powder
• 1/2 cup white glue
• 1/2 cup water

In a bowl, combine sugar and talcum powder and set it aside. In a separate bowl, combine glue and water. Spread glue mixture over the surface you want to decorate with snow. Sprinkle the sugar over the glue and enjoy the look of white snow!

Post from: Blisstree

How To: Artificial Snow

Right now, AJ is very attached to one or two things and carries them around all day. He has even attempted to take them to school in his pocket, which is quite funny.

The guidelines for the box:
1. The break box is not really a box but is a bucket full of items that AJ loves and is certain to relax with (the key to the break box).
2. These are all items that you should have in your home already and know that your child will love each and every time he or she opens the box.
3. Decorate the box or bucket so your child knows it is special.
4. Use it sparingly but often enough that it is recognizable.

1. Hot Wheels
2. 100 Standard Pegs For Easy Grip Pegs/Boards
3. Crayola Model Clay
4. Melissa and Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks
5. 2005 Ford Mustang
6. Rainstick
7. Glitter Lava Lamp

Post from: Blisstree

How to: A Break Box

Have a baked good to share? Have a gift to give?

Make a Gift Bag of your own with a paper bag. All you have to do is give your little one paint, colors, and let them decorate it.

Post from: Blisstree

Cookie Gift Bag