last moon

venerdì 7 settembre 2012

How to Remove a Splinter Without Tweezers

Summer is, for many kids, the season of no shoes and outdoor play. While this heady combination is the stuff that memories are made of, it can also be a recipe for plenty of splinters. Any parent that’s ever approached a child with a pair of tweezers in hand to remove a dastardly splinter knows that the most likely reaction is a screaming panic; convinced that pulling a splinter out with tweezers will be excruciating, little ones do not take kindly to the very method of removal that’s usually most effective. If a child under your care gets a splinter that they simply will not let you approach with tweezers, here are a few other options that might roust out the sliver of wood without generating more hysterics.
  • Use a Credit Card – For splinters that protrude from the surface of the skin and enter at an angle, sliding the corner of a credit card, driver’s license or a laminated library card can allow you to grasp the end of the splinter that’s not lodged in your child’s skin between the card and your fingernail. Simply grasp the splinter and pull, and your little one will splinter-free in no time. Those of the particularly shallow variety might even be removed by gently flicking the splinter with the corner of the card, but be careful not to use so much force that it snaps the delicate piece of wood in half and buried in her skin. Also, be sure that you thoroughly clean any laminated card with rubbing alcohol to prevent infection stemming from any lingering bacteria on its surface.
  • Tape it Up – Applying a bit of tape over the end of a shallow splinter that isn’t fully embedded in the skin, then pulling in the direction that the splinter is burrowed into the skin can dislodge it painlessly; no tears, and no fuss. Transparent tape might not be quite sticky enough, so opt for a small piece of duct tape if the splinter seems to be firmly embedded. Rather than rooting around with a needle and extracting a piece of wood from your child’s skin, this method allows them to relax and even to see the splinter stuck to the tape. Packing tape is ideal for the task, as it’s a bit sturdier than garden-variety transparent tape but not quite as hearty as that of the duct variety.
  • Baking Soda Paste – Making a thick paste of baking soda and water that’s applied to the skin covering a splinter and bandaging it until morning can help to draw the splinter out. In many cases, you’ll find the tiny invader poking far above the skin’s surface and ready to be removed quickly and painlessly.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide – Soaking the splinter-afflicted area in hydrogen peroxide is another tried-and-true home remedy for drawing the splinter out of the skin without resorting to needles, tweezers and informal, impromptu surgical procedures. Most of the time, a peroxide soak brings a splinter to the surface in a couple of minutes.
  • Glue and Gauze – Apply a healthy drop of white school glue to the area of the skin from which a splinter is protruding, and allow it to dry. When the glue is thoroughly set, peel it off in the direction that the splinter is lodged. More often than not, the splinter will come out easily when the glue is removed. To make removal even easier, apply a small piece of gauze to the drop of glue; this will give you something to hold on to, rather than trying to grasp a tiny bead of glue on a restless little body.
  • Banana Peels – Banana peels might be the weapon of choice for cartoon tricksters, but they’re also rumored to be great at easing splinters from the skin. Cutting a piece of peel large enough to comfortably cover the afflicted area of the skin, then taping the peel down and leave it for ten to fifteen minutes. The enzymes in the peel will help to to draw the splinter out and promote healing for the tiny wound left behind.
  • Distraction – Rather than fighting the Great Splinter Battle, it might be more effective to simply wait until your child is engrossed in her favorite show or sleeping soundly to pull the marauding sliver of wood or glass from her skin. If you’re gentle and she’s a relatively sound sleeper, she’ll be splinter-free and none the wiser when she wakes the next morning.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to treat the area with antibiotic ointment and bandage it securely to prevent a potentially serious infection from taking hold.
  P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Meghan Welker.  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:


giovedì 6 settembre 2012

5 Spanish Songs Kids Should Know



There are a wide variety of methods for teaching children to speak a second language, but classic children’s songs in the chosen tongue tend to feature prominently in the curriculum of most. Whether you’re fortunate enough to have a nanny or childcare provider that’s fluent in Spanish and can teach your children these songs, or you’re learning them yourself in order to pass them along, here are five of the classic Spanish-language children’s songs that your kids should know.
1. Los Colores (Colors in Spanish)
Verde, verde son los arbolitos,
verde, verde sus hojitas son.
Por eso yo quiero todo lo que es verde, verde, verde, verde es mi color.
Amarillo es el color del trigo,
amarillo mis patitos son.
Por eso yo quiero todo lo amarillo, como el tibio rayito de sol.
Rosa, rosa son todas mis cosas,
rosa, rosa mis vestidos son.
Por eso yo quiero todo lo que es rosa, como rama de durazno en flor.
Rojo, rojo es mi sombrerito,
rojo, rojo el botón en flor.
Por eso yo quiero todo lo que es rojo, rojo, rojo, es mi corazón.
El celeste es el color del cielo,
celestitos tus ojitos son,
Por eso yo quiero todo lo celeste, por que es el color de la ilusión.
Blanca, blanca es la nube viajera,
blancos, blancos mis dientitos son.
Por eso yo quiero todo lo que es blanco, como suave copo de algodón.
2. Los Pollitos Dicen (The Little Chicks Say)
Los pollitos dicen pío, pío, pío
cuando tienen hambre, cuando tienen frío.
La gallina busca el maíz y el trigo
Les da la comida y les presta abrigo.
Bajo sus dos alas, acurrucaditos,
hasta el otro dia
duérmen los pollitos.
3. Columbian Happy Birthday Song
cumpleaños feliz
te deseamos a ti
que los cumplas feliz (felices)
cumpleaños feliz.
Que los cumpla feliz,
que los vuelva a cumplir,
que los siga cumpliendo,
Hasta el año 3000.
4. Dos Elefantes (Spanish Counting Song)
Un elefante se balanceaba
sobre la tela de una araña,
como veía que resistía
fue a llamar a otro elefante.
Dos elefantes se balanceaban,
sobre la tela de una araña,
como veían que resistía
fueron a llamar a otro elefante.
Tres elefantes…
Cuatro elefantes…
5. Pin Pon (Mexican Action Song)
Pin Pon es un muñeco
muy guapo de cartón,
se lava su carita
con agua y con jabón
Se desenreda el pelo
con peine de marfil,
y aunque se da estirones
no llora ni hace así.
Cuando le dan la sopa
no ensucia el delantal
pues come con cuidado
parece un colegial
Apenas las estrellas
comienzan a salir
Pin Pon se va a la cama
y se acuesta a dormir
Pin Pon dame la mano
con un fuerte apretón,
pues quiero ser tu amigo
Pin Pon Pin Pon Pin Pon
PIN-PON
These are just a sampling of the most popular traditional Spanish-language children’s songs; there are a treasure trove of additional songs to be found. Daycare centers and preschools with a strong Spanish program can help your children learn even more of these great ditties, which teach basic counting, color recognition, and celebrate milestones, all while increasing little ones’ grasp of a second language.

P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Paul Taylor. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.babysittingjobs.com/blog/5-spanish-songs-kids-should-know/

How to Make a Beach Tote from Duct Tape


There are so many beautiful patterns and types of duct tape in the craft stores.  What once was plain silvery gray are now rainbow colors and bright patterns.  You can even make your beach tote to match your swim suit if you want.
The most important first step is to learn how to make duct tape fabric.  From that point everything is a lot easier.  Say for example that you would like the sides to be about 12×12 inches.  You will need to make a 12×12 piece of duct tape fabric.  To do this you will cut strips of duct tape 12 inches long.  One side will be sticky so you need to cover that will more tape.  So start out by cutting 4 strips of tape 12 inches long.  If you’d like the inside of your tote to be a different color half of your strips will need to be that inside color and half will need to be the outside color.
  1. Take the inside tape strip and lay it directly on top of the outside tape color. Make sure to line up the strips as exactly as you can so all of the sticky is covered up on both sides.  Be careful to avoid bubbles in the tape.
  2. Take another inside strip and lay it down, overlapping about ¼” of the other inside strip.  Turn it over and cover that strip with another outside strip color.  Continue to do that until you have a 12×12 piece of duct tape fabric.
  3. Create another 12×12 sheet of duct tape fabric the same way.  This is the other side of the tote bag.
  4. For the sides of the bag you will start just like you did with the sides.  However, you will make the sides only as wide as you need them.  For a tote wide enough to carry a towel and other stuff you probably need to make the sides about 10×12.
  5. Attach the sides to the front and back.  Similarly to how you created the fabric you are going to lay the front panel of the bag next to the side panel and using a 12 inch piece of tape you will adhere the panels together.  Do this to the other side panel so that you can work on it while it’s flat.  Now attach the back panel to the second side panel still keeping it flat so that your tape is straight and doesn’t have a lot of bubbles.  To make the bag 3D you will need to bring the two edges together and tape them to form the body of the bag.
  6. For the bottom you will need to create duct tape fabric in the dimension of the bag.  If you make your sides 10 inches wide them you will make your bottom piece 10x 12.  Using the same method as before make the duct tape fabric.  Then attach the bottom on all edges with strips of tape.
  7. To reinforce the whole bag you can tape everything on the inside and outside of the bag.  If you have used different tape on the inside of the bag just make sure that you stay consistent when attaching the panels together.
  8. For the handles of the bag you have two options.  The first option is to decide how long you’d like the handles to be and adhere two strips of tape together at that length.  Make two of these so that you have a handle on each side of the bag.  Attach the ends of the handles to the sides of the bag using strips of duct tape.  On the center of the handles you may want to fold the tape in half and wrap it with additional tape to make the handles more comfortable to hold.
  9. A different handle would be one that is a single strap going from end panel to end panel.  Create a strip that is 30 inches long by adhering two pieces of tape together as before.  Set the handle aside and create the loops where the handle will go.  Take a strip of tape that is about 10 inches long and stick it to the side of the tote about 2 inches below the edge.  The tape needs to be vertical at this point.  Stick the tape to the tote for an inch then pinch the tape in half so that it sticks to itself, but leave the last inch to stick back on the tote.  Curve the tape around and stick this end even with the other end.  Now you have a loop.  Create another loop for the opposite end.
  10. Take the strap and fold it through the loops.  Use a piece of tape to stick the end of the strap to itself on the other side of the loop.  Do this to the other end of the strap and your tote is complete.
While this is just a basic tote, the possibilities are endless when it comes to meshing fashion and function.  You can make this tote in any size and color that you want, making it the perfect summer accessory.
 P. S. This post was  proposed to me for publication byCarrie Dotson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:




mercoledì 5 settembre 2012

10 Spanish Words Kids Learn from Watching Dora the Explorer



Pint-sized, animated seven-year-old Dora Marquez has been coming into living rooms since 2000, teaching children her signature blend of morality, adventure, and Spanish vocabulary words via the hit cartoon series Dora the Explorer. As one of the most successful children’s shows on television today, Dora the Explorer has generated an estimated three billion dollars in merchandise around the world and won the hearts of a generation. If your little one is a Dora fan, here are 10 of the Spanish words he’s likely to learn from her.
  1. “¡Hola!” – This friendly greeting, which translates to “hello!” in English, is one of the many words that kids pick up from the gregarious Dora.
  2. “Amigos” – Dora’s friends, or “amigos,” are by her side through all of her many adventures, helping her to achieve her goals and complete her quests. Boots the Monkey is Dora’s best amigo, offering his assistance in solving puzzles and figuring out clues.
  3. “la Familia” – From her cousins Diego the Animal Rescuer, Daisy, and Alicia, to her beloved Mami and Papi, Dora Marquez’s family is a big part of her life. Diego has proven to be such a popular member of Dora’s familia that he became the star of his own show, Go, Diego, Go! in 2005.
  4. “Abuela” – Abuela, Dora’s grandmother, is featured prominently in the show as Dora visits her often. Because Abuela is Mami’s mother, she isn’t Diego, Alicia and Daisy’s grandmother; Abuela is one of the recurring characters popular enough to be the subject of merchandising in the form of toys and books set in the Dora universe. While kids learn the Spanish word for their own grandmothers, they’re also learning a bit about family dynamics and relationships.
  5. “las Estrellas”Spanish for “stars,” Backpack’s Star Pocket stars are referred to as Estrellas on many occasions. Kids also learn the Spanish word “¡delicioso!” from Backpack, who receives items placed inside with the phrase, “Yum yum yum yum yum, ¡delicioso!”
  6. “¡Espera!”The Spanish word for “wait” appears in Dora’s vocabulary quite often, ostensibly because rushing headlong into her many adventures would be reckless. Children that are big fans of Dora are likely to learn “espera” early on, and use it often.
  7. “Azul”The first Spanish word taught to English-speaking audiences by Dora the Explorer was “azul,” which means “blue” in Spanish. This word began Dora’s tradition of helping kids learn basic vocabulary along with the action verbs that are her trademark, seamlessly integrating Spanish words in a way that helps kids who are already learning basic language skills absorb foreign words alongside more familiar ones.
  8. “¡Lo hicimos!”English-speaking parents are often baffled by the phrase uttered in Dora the Explorer theme song; kids know that she’s crooning ¡Lo hicimos!” which means “we did it!” “Swiper, no swiping, Swiper, no swiping (oh, man!) Dora the Explorer, ¡lo hicimos!”
  9. “¡Cuidado!” – Another cautionary word from our tiny, animated adventurer, “¡Cuidado!” loosely translates to “look out!” It’s no surprise that Dora and her amigos need to warn each other, as they traverse the landscape to complete one quest after another.
  10. “¡Vamonos!”“Let’s go,” indeed! Dora spends a lot of her time on the go, and teaches all of her viewers that speak English as a first language how to get people moving, too. In addition to teaching kids the importance of doing the right thing and helping those in need, Dora’s enthusiasm for seeking out physically active adventures emphasizes the importance of getting off the couch and into the world. Dora Marquez definitely doesn’t subscribe to a sedentary way of life!
Dora, along with her best friend Boots, cousin Diego, and the antagonist Swiper have starred in more than 140 episodes of Nick Jr.’s highly-rated series, and have helped millions of children around the world acquire second language skills. Interestingly enough, Dora only helps children in English-speaking countries learn Spanish; in other countries, she’s accepted as an American girl, with the majority of dialogue in the country’s native language and her Spanish-language beats substituted for English.

P. S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Carol Watson.   I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:



 http://www.nationalnannies.com/blog/10-spanish-words-kids-learn-from-watching-dora-the-explorer/

7 Things That Makes Nannies Fit In With Their Families




Being in this industry you have got to fit in people’s lives and in their family. Because once I don’t fit in with that family I am replaceable. – Justin
As I’ve tuned into Season 1 of Beverly Hills Nannies, perhaps no other words have been spoken as eloquently and accurately as these words by Nanny Justin in episode 5.
When nannies are seeking employment and parents are seeking caregivers for their children, the importance of finding the right nanny and family match is often overlooked. While of course a nanny’s experience, education, background, and references are essential in helping to determine if she is capable of providing quality childcare, these things don’t necessarily tell you how well a nanny is going to fit into the lives of the family with whom she’ll work.
So what makes a nanny fit in with her work family?
Lifestyle. While a nanny doesn’t necessarily have to share her work family’s lifestyle, she definitely has to embrace it for the relationship to work out. A nanny doesn’t have to be wealthy to work in Beverly Hills, but she certainly has to be comfortable working in an upscale environment where cutting coupons and penny pinching may not be allowed.  When a nanny and employer begin to judge each other’s lifestyle choices, tension will arise.
Parenting Philosophy. In any nanny and parent relationship, the parents are the final authority on how their children are raised. If a nanny believes children need limits and boundaries and the parents believe that children should never be told no, it will be difficult for the nanny to adapt and embrace the parent’s philosophy of childrearing. When the parents and nanny don’t share a similar parenting philosophy, conflict can occur.
Discipline Style.  If the parents are laid back, lax about house rules, and allow the children to speak to the nanny as they please, but the nanny prefers doling out time-outs for inappropriate behavior, stress will ensue.  Children strive with consistency of care, and when the nanny and parents aren’t on the same page there will be friction in the family home.
Moral Compass. Parents don’t necessarily want a clone of themselves helping to raise their children, but they do want someone who has the same perceptions of right and wrong and good and evil as they do. When the nanny and parents aren’t in moral alignment, the relationship can become strained. If a nanny is a huge supporter of PETA and feels that wearing fur is terribly wrong, and the family’s winter outdoor wardrobe consists of mink jackets and fox gloves, there’s going to be ill feelings.
Culture.  Nannies don’t have to share the same culture as their employing families, but they do have to respect the ideas, beliefs, and behaviors of the family for the relationship to succeed. A lack of acceptance of the family’s culture may lead to a lack of respect. Without mutual respect, the nanny and parent relationship will fail.
Commonalities. Nannies and parents don’t have to have everything in common, but those who do share some things in common are typically most comfortable around each other. Whether it is knowing the same people, practicing the same religion, driving the same kind of car, or having the same life priorities, generally speaking, the more the parents and nanny share in common, the better.
Value. Nannies fit into their families by meeting a felt need. When the need is met by the nanny, she brings value to the family. As the needs of the family change, the nanny must adapt and continue to meet the family’s changing needs. If the nanny doesn’t meet the family’s needs, she no longer brings value to the family and is viewed as replaceable.
Nannies who are not only skilled caregivers, but also fit into the lives of their work families seamlessly, typically tend to stay with their work family for several years and are viewed by them as indispensable. Once they no longer fit in, however, whether it is due to a change in the family’s circumstance, situation, or needs, they are considered more easily replaceable.
Fitting in with a work family is essential to employment success. Before nannies take on a new position and families a new nanny, the nanny and parents should be confident that the nanny will fit in well with the family and that they are truly a good match.

P. S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by  Abby Nelson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.nannyclassifieds.com/blog/7-things-that-makes-nannies-fit-in-with-their-families/

lunedì 3 settembre 2012

How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes

How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes


The invention of the cleaning wipes was genius.  They make wiping up a mess or disinfecting door handles a snap.  The problem with these wipes is that sometimes the ingredients are a bit harsh and they can be a bit pricey.  Worry no more, check out this tutorial on how to make your own non-toxic cleaning wipes for less.
Step 1 Take a roll of 2-ply paper towels and cut it in half with a sharp knife.  Try to avoid serrated knives as sometimes they chew up the edge of the paper towels too much.
Step 2 Find a container that is big enough to put one half of the paper towels in.  A 4 quart round container is ideal, but sometimes difficult to find.  Square containers work fine too.  A large margarine tub is often the most efficient and handy choice.  Once you have found a container that the paper towels will fit into you will want to work the core of the paper towel roll free from the glue in the center and remove it.  Put the paper towel in the container cut side down.
Step 3 Mix together a solution of 1 ½ cups of white vinegar, 1 ½ cups of water, and a tablespoon of lemon juice (optional).
Step 4 Pour the solution all over the paper towels.  Snap the lid on and turn it upside down for about 5 minutes to let the solution completely saturate the paper towels.
Step 5 Turn the container right side up and cut an “X” in the top of the container.  Open the container and grab a paper towel from the center of the roll and feed it up through the “X” in the lid.  Snap the lid back on and you are ready to clean.
Germ fighter In order to make your wipes the germ killing kind you will need to go a step further with your solution.  Add ½ teaspoon of tea tree oil.  Make sure that you get the pure essential oil and not the cheap imitation stuff.
Window cleaning wipes Turn your wipes into window cleaning wipes by using a different solution.  Mix together ½ cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 2 ½ cups of water.  Pour the solution over the paper towels as before and you will have wipes that will give you streak free windows.  To make sure your windows or mirrors are streak free you might want to dry them with some newspaper.
Tips If you’d like to give your wipes a nice fragrance add a few drops of an orange essential oil and wherever you clean will have a citrusy fresh scent.
Warning these wipes are not intended for baby care. These wipes are non-toxic, but it’s still a good idea to keep all cleaning products out of the reach of children.  Do not flush these wipes as the paper towels can still clog your plumbing even though they are non-toxic.

P. S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Maria Wells I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:


 http://www.housekeeping.org/blog/how-to-make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-wipes/


How to Make a Dessert in a Jar


One of the latest food trends is dessert in a jar.  These are simple to create and it’s always more about the presentation than the actual dessert.  You can turn almost anything into a dessert in a jar.  Some desserts will be baked right in the jar and others will be more of a composed dessert, kind of like a trifle.  Try some of these at your next get together and enjoy the compliments that roll in.
  1. Strawberry Shortcake The beauty of this dessert is that you can make it ahead and screw the lids onto the jars and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.  Then pack it up for a picnic and eat it within 2 to 3 hours.  Start by baking a yellow cake.  Once cooled you can crumble the cake up into big chunks.  Press some yellow cake into the bottom of 4- quart sized canning jars.  In a bowl mix together 1 can of vanilla frosting with 8 ounces of whipped topping.  Add a layer of the whipped topping mixture to the jars.  For the third layer add some sliced strawberries.  Repeat the layers one more time or until the jar is full and put the lid on.
  2. Basil Strawberry Lemonade Granitas Kind of like a slushy all grown up, the granita is a wonderful way to cool off on a warm summer day.  Create a simple syrup with 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar and a handful of basil leaves.  Cook the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and remove from the heat and allow syrup to cool.  When the syrup has cooled remove the basil leaves.  Meanwhile, in a food processor blend together 4 cups of sliced and hulled strawberries, and the juice and zest of 2 lemons.  Pulse this mixture together until smooth.  Add in the cooled simple syrup and mix together.  Pour mixture into 10- 8 ounce jars about three quarters full.  Place jars in the freezer covered loosely.  After 30 minutes scrape down the sides of the jar and place back in the freezer.  Repeat the scraping process after another 90 minutes in the freezer.  Now freeze for at least 3 hours.  When you are ready to serve, stir the mixture with a fork again.
  3. Cherry pie Take a store bought refrigerated pie crust (or make your own) and let it come to room temperature according to package directions.  Unroll the crust and cut out 4-6 inch circles of dough.  Use a saucer as a guide when cutting.  Gently slide the crust into the jars.  The crust should be about ½ inch from the rim of the jar.  Place ½ cup of cherry pie filling into the jars. (This can be canned or your own recipe.)  Using the lid of the jar cut out 4 smaller circles of dough to act as the top crust.  Gently press the smaller circle of crust on top of filling and using your fingers or a fork press the two edges of the crusts together to seal.  Brush the top crust with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.  Cut a hole in the top crust to act as a vent.  You can put the lids on the jars now and freeze them for up to 3 weeks.  Otherwise, bake the jars without the lids for 40 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees F.  If you want to bake one straight from the freezer add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
  4. Double Decker Cupcakes   Have the kids help you with this simple to do dessert.  Take a standard cupcake to the next level.  Bake off some cupcakes (cupcake papers needed) and allow them to cool completely.  Slice the cupcakes in half and put the first half in the bottom of the jar.  To make it easier to handle put some frosting in a zip top bag and cut a little hole in the corner to create a piping bag.  Squirt some frosting on top of the first half and press the other half into the jar.  Add more frosting and another half of a cupcake.  End with frosting and some sprinkles and you have a beautiful cupcake in a jar.  Tie a disposable spoon to the jar with a pretty ribbon and you have a lovely dessert for your next party.
  5. Chocolate trifle Ever feel like you don’t get every layer of a trifle when you dip into that big bowl?  Now you will because each jar is its own dessert.  Bake a batch of brownies and allow them to cool.  Cut them up into bite-sized pieces.  Mix up a box of chocolate pudding and defrost some frozen whipped topping.  Hull and slice a pint of strawberries.  Layer in some brownie bites, pudding, whipped topping and sliced strawberries and repeat until you reach the top of the jar.  Put the lids on and refrigerate until party time.  This desert is best when eaten the same day.
P. S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Suzanne Cullen   I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.aupair.org/blog/how-to-make-a-dessert-in-a-jar/