Archives for October 2019

Dear Allergies,

We’ve been together forever. You’ve been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Longer than I’ve known my children. Longer than I’ve known my husband. Longer than I’ve been able to purchase tissues at the pharmacy by myself.

You were with me on my first family camping trip, on multiple spring breaks and first days of school, at my outdoor college graduation ceremony, at the beginning of every pregnancy, on leisurely afternoon strolls with the baby carriage in tow and endless trips to the park with the kids.

You bring me to actual tears with every blooming flower or blade of freshly cut grass I smell; and I even sniffle a bit at the thought of us being together again throughout the beautiful autumnal season of falling leaves and brightly colored trees in a few months.

But…. We need to talk.

I will put what I have to say as gently as possible, as I want you to know that the time we’ve spent together has always affected me deeply through the years and that will never change.

But I’m just going to come out and say it: I want you to go away. Far, far, away. Like, please get out of my life and never come back again. I want you on a one-way flight to the tallest field full of pollen-covered ragweed that you can find and I want you to stay there. Forever.

It’s just that I have had one runny nose and one sinus headache too many. One shortened trip to the park too many. One uncontrollable sneezing fit too many. No one even says “bless you” to me anymore. I certainly do not feel blessed during allergy season anyway.

Quite simply, enough is enough. I’m sick of walking around with what feels like a miserable semi-permanent cold. I cannot spend another day foggily fighting exhaustion after taking some “non-drowsy” allergy medicine. And do you know how difficult it is to supervise my children through slits of puffy, barely open, watery eyes? It is even harder to prepare dinner without accidentally sneezing in it occasionally (sorry family!).

And that overpriced allergy medicine, by the way, will need to come out of the kids’ college funds soon. Between that and the half box of tissues I go through per day, I think I could afford to just pack up and move someplace that I’m not allergic to.

Also, well, there’s no way to say this nicely. So I’ll just come out with it. You’re not only highly obnoxious, but you are seriously embarrassing as well. Do you know what people do when they come in contact with a sniffling, red-nosed, swollen-eyed person wielding a fistful of balled up tissues? They back away. Quickly. And then they scoff at the muttered quasi-apologetic “it’s just allergies” explanation you’ve given, as though they believe you are carrying a vial of smallpox around in your back pocket.

Oh, and speaking of red noses, it wasn’t funny when classmates called me Rudolph as a child, and it isn’t funny when my own family does it now. Also, when I try to scratch my itchy throat with the back of my tongue, I’m pretty sure it sounds as though I’m clucking like a chicken. Not cool.

Allergies, we are through. No more excuses, no more sticking around for three months at a time, no more pop-up reappearances after I think I have finally gotten you out of my system. It ends today. I want you GONE. Out of my life for good. Pack your Claritin and Kleenex and GO.

Sincerely,

Stuffed Up and Fed Up

Originally posted on HighchairsandHeadaches.com 

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It’s the biggest auto recall in US history, with nearly 34 million vehicles affected, and consumers need to know the facts to keep their families safe on the road. See below for an important message from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

At the insistence of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Takata has determined that a defect exists in some of its air bag inflators. Takata has agreed to a national recall of certain types of frontal driver and passenger side air bag inflators used in vehicles manufactured by BMW, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. These inflators were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and has led to ruptures that have been blamed for six deaths worldwide. The action expands the number of vehicles to be recalled for defective Takata inflators to nearly 34 million.

NHTSA is waiting for the automakers to supply a complete list of affected vehicles. As this information becomes available, NHTSA will update their website to provide the American public with this information.

Once manufacturers identify which vehicles are affected, use NHTSA’s VIN search tool (click here to access the search tool) to confirm whether your individual vehicle is under recall, and search by VIN on a specific vehicle-maker’s site (click here to access a specific vehicle-maker’s site). It’s important to check periodically because it’s possible your VIN might not be entered into a manufacturer’s system for several weeks after a recall is first announced. If your vehicle is affected, follow-up with the manufacturer to get interim guidance and get your vehicle fixed as soon as parts are available.

This information was obtained from safercar.gov.

Click here for more details from the New York Times.

Children are such wonderful little artists, aren’t they? Their creations are bright, colorful, and always one-of-a-kind, and the way they smile when proudly displaying their latest work of art is truly one of parenthood’s greatest joys.

However, as beautiful as their creations are, the daily artwork starts to pile up after a while and parents often find themselves making the dreaded decision of what to keep and what to toss.

Here are some creative ideas for your kids’ artwork that will make their best projects even more special – while saving you a ton of space at the same time.

1. Coffee table book.  Scan or take pictures of your favorite artwork and order a keepsake book. You can add pictures of your kids to make it even more personal. Most picture sharing websites, like Shutterfly and Snapfish, will do this for a reasonable price. Here’s a list of 2017’s top 10 photo storage websites.
2. Digital frame. Simply upload the scanned artwork to a digital picture frame and display an ongoing slideshow anywhere in your home or office.
3. Jewelry.  Turn your kids’ art into art for your body. Create a necklace, charm bracelet, or even earrings that you or your child can show off for years to come. KidzCanDesign and Formia Design are popular websites that will do this.
4. String a clothesline. Run a strand or two of clothesline across a wall and secure projects of all shapes and sizes with clothespins. This is a great way to decorate kids’ bedrooms or playrooms.
5. Clipboard gallery. Neatly affix a series of clipboards to the wall in a square or rectangular shape, spacing them apart equally. Then clip the kids’ most recent artwork to each one, easily switching projects out for new favorites every few months. Click here to see a finished one.
6. Shadowbox. Not all artwork is flat or can be scanned on a home printer. Purchase a shadow box picture frame for three-dimensional projects to display on a wall or shelf.
7. Placemats. Take the artwork to Staples and have it laminated, or purchase self-laminating adhesive sheets and laminate it yourself. Then use the laminated art as fun placemats for mealtime.
8. Artwork mail. Turn artwork into special greeting cards by asking your child to write a message on the back to a grandparent or other family member. Then send it in the mail for a nice surprise!
9. Homemade puzzles. Adhere  the artwork to a piece of cardboard and cut it into puzzle pieces for a fun, homemade puzzle kids will be proud to complete. Printer’s Studio will create a puzzle for you if using a picture of the artwork.
10. Start an Instagram page. Create a separate Instagram account for your kids artwork. Set the page to private and request only close family and friends.
11. Stuffed animals or plushes. Forget that old teddy bear – now you can turn your kids’ creations into a friendly stuffed animal to snuggle with every night. Go to budsies.com or  ChildsOwn.com to make your plush.
12. Create a photo album. You probably have a bunch of photo albums already, so why not create one just for artwork? Scan pictures of the art and print or order the photos, then slide each photo into an album. Record the child’s name and age under each photo and store with your other photo albums as a precious keepsake.
13. Bulletin board. This is arguably the easiest way to display artwork. Pin art projects to the bulletin board, then switch out the old stuff for new as the year goes by.
14. Floating frames. A floating frame will allow you to display images between clear sheets of glass or acrylic. Hang the frames on the wall and create an elegant mini gallery of artwork that can be changed often and easily.
15. Explore picture sharing websites for new ideas. Many picture sharing websites offer a variety of unconventional methods for displaying pictures. You can turn your kids’ artwork into fridge magnets, coffee mugs, key chains, mouse pads, blankets, calendars, canvas photos, clothing, pillows, cell phone cases and more.
16. Smartphone Apps. There’s an app for everything, and kids’ artwork is no exception. There are several apps available that will store your children’s previous projects for free. Try Keepy, Canvsly, Artkive, or Art My Kid Made.
17.  Keepsake boxes. Keep it as organized and neat as possible. Simply file it all away using colored and labeled plastic boxes. See how easy and great it looks at Bowl Full of Lemons.

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Parents know taking kids out to eat requires patience. The sights and sounds of a restaurant can be overwhelming and distracting to children used to eating at home.

Toddlers have not learned to control their impulses yet, and even school-aged children may experience intermittent breakdowns when they are uncomfortable or not feeling well. But parents who want to take their tots out on the town can employ some easy steps to make eating out a fun excursion for everyone.

Practice. Daniel Post Senning, the great-grandson of etiquette expert Emily Post and co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette, 18th edition, says parents can practice dining out by replicating the experience (as much as possible) at home. Ask the children to use inside voices and exhibit proper behavior at the dinner table. Remove children from the table if they misbehave and try again another time.

Parents also can acclimate their youngsters to dining out by gradually working their way up to more formal restaurants. Start by dining out at a place where table behavior or noise may be more tolerable, such as a casual restaurant and then a nicer restaurant when kids can handle it.

Provide distractions. Many young children cannot sit still for long and may need a series of distractions to keep them entertained throughout meals. Pack a bag of tricks that includes toys, games, books, and even a digital device tuned to kids’ favorite programs.

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Pick restaurants that do not have a long wait to get a seat so that kids’ patience has not worn thin before you even make it to the table. A sightseeing walk around the restaurant also may be able to provide a welcome distraction until the food is ready.

Pack snacks. Although the goal may be to eat out, kids may not be as patient as adults when waiting for their meals to be delivered. Ask servers to bring out the kids’ meals when appetizers are served or think ahead and have some light snacks, such as crackers or dry cereal, available to tame kids’ hunger pangs.

Choose restaurants wisely. Make concessions as to where and when you eat. Coordinate around nap times so children will be happy and well rested.

Select restaurants that accommodate children. Ask to be seated out of the way just in case your son or daughter acts up. This way you will not disturb other patrons.

Restaurants tend to be less busy right before dinner service and directly after. If you can time your meals to these off-peak hours, it may make for a more enjoyable dining experience.

Offer plenty of praise. Always let children know when they are doing a great job and behaving well in a restaurant. Engage kids in conversation and keep them entertained. Boredom or attention-seeking behavior can make dining out with youngsters more difficult to manage. A treat or a special reward (sticker or coloring book) can be offered to a child who behaves when dining out.

Be courteous and respectful. Many children will eventually act up in restaurants, and parents should respond to such instances as courteously as possible. Apologize to those around you whom your child has disturbed. Remove your son or daughter from the area and take a few moments to help him or her calm down. If kids can’t be calmed down, ask that your meal be wrapped.

Remember to clean up after yourselves and thank the waitstaff for any extra service, such as lugging a heavy high chair or providing extra silverware if kids drop any forks or spoons. Don’t leave a large mess for the server, and tip accordingly.

Children grow accustomed to dining out over time. It may take some practice, but with the right planning, families can enjoy meals away from home.

Here’s a list of Kids Eat Free Restaurants in Staten Island!

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Children are born to move. The process of achieving mobility drives them at first. Movement is further used to express thoughts and feelings, especially before words become plentiful. Primed to be in motion throughout their day, toddlers and preschoolers naturally learn by doing. The feeling of pure joy might be the only motivation needed for moving.

This natural state of motion makes early childhood an opportune time to use dance to enhance the young child’s insistent impulse to move. In Standards for Dance in Early Childhood, The National Dance Education Organization states, “Dance is a natural method for learning and a basic form of cultural expression. Children learn movement patterns as readily as they learn language.”

Despite the natural fit, creative dance has yet to find a consistent foothold in early childhood education programs. The National Dance Education Organization explains, “…while our educational systems for early childhood include drawing and singing, they often neglect to include dance.” Society at large, teachers, and parents are generally less familiar with dance than with other art forms. Opportunities to dance are usually found in private studios and are less often integrated into preschool and kindergarten programs.

To fill the gap, why not create a dance venue in your own home? It is the natural place to start. Whether you have a background in dance or not, guiding your young child’s motion is easier than you think. You don’t even have to call it “dance.”

Both parent and child have the opportunity to learn by exploring some basic dance and movement principles. Lead by example and flex your own creative muscle while moving beyond your comfort zone. Children are not the only ones who are designed to keep moving.

Start with rhyming games

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man, Bake me a cake as fast as you can… As you share the timeless nursery rhymes that have been passed down from generation to generation, notice how each one has a rhythm, often with prescribed movements, that engage your young child’s attention and imagination. The silly songs remind you to laugh with your little ones. Little did you know that rhyming songs build memory capacity and help form a foundation for future literacy. Most importantly, rhyming is fun with giggles and tickles galore.

Follow the leader

Lead your child through the kitchen, around the sofa, and through the hallway. Walk, tip toe, slither, and slide your way through the house. Sing a little song or click and clack two spoons together to create sound effects that you make up to go with the traveling steps.

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Copycat

Copy facial expressions first and expand from there. The possibilities are endless especially since young children learn primarily by imitation. As parents explore their own expressive capabilities, young children receive implicit permission to give full expressions of their own.

Get a rhythm

Provide rhythms for your child to copy. Soon you will be the one who is trying to keep up with your child’s convoluted manifesto. Then, bring it back down to simpler, countable rhythms. Rhythm sticks are inexpensive and may be available at your local toy store. Music books are plentiful to refresh and inform your own sense of rhythm.

Make shapes

Move to recorded music or beat a rhythm until it is time to “freeze” and make a shape. Notice something about the shapes after the fact. Strong, soft, tall, wide, curved, sharp angles are all qualities that help define shapes. Your child may have a definite idea of “Who am I” when he stops to make a shape.

Move like an animal

How does a cat move? What about a cougar? Your kids are playing like this already. Now is your chance to join in the fun.

Follow the image in the mirror.

Is your child at a developmental stage where he or she can follow your movement as if following a mirror image? This takes concentration. You are creating an opportunity for your child to develop observational skills and expand peripheral vision at the same time.

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Tell a story

Dances can tell stories. Without words, how would you dance the tale of Little Red Riding Hood? Your child can dance while you tell or read the story.

As your children grow, your dances together will evolve. Movement and dance opportunities could become part of your child’s educational program. A search in your community will likely reveal a variety of dance disciplines and performance opportunities to choose from. Some children may actively follow the impulse to pursue dance study as an expressive vehicle and as an art form.

All children can benefit from an early foundation in dance as a basis for preparing both body and mind for learning. In How the Arts Develop the Young Brain, consultant in educational neuroscience, David A. Sousa explains, “During the brain’s early years, neural connections are being made at a rapid rate. Much of what young children do as play – singing, drawing, dancing – are natural forms of art. These activities engage all the senses and wire the brain for successful learning.”

A key to cultivating the freedom to move and for sharing memorable experiences with your children is to employ dance as an active force in your home. Some of the best dances happen in the kitchen. Music has the power to bring family members together and dancing has a way of making all the chores that much lighter. Pass out the dishtowels, put on your apron, turn up the music, and give us your best moves.

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By Diane Turner Maller, a freelance writer who holds an MS in Dance from the University of Oregon. She has pursued her love of dance through performance, teaching, and an enduring enjoyment of social dancing with family and friends.

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Strawberry season is fairly short — from late May to early June — but many farms also offer pick-your-own blueberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, peas, and other fruit and vegetable picking all summer long.

See below for a list of nearby pick-your-own farms in New Jersey, all of which are less than an hour and a half’s drive from Staten Island.  **Always call ahead to confirm before you head out, as picking schedules often vary and may change due to weather and crop availability.**

Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
908-879-7189 •alstedefarms.com
Pick your own: strawberries, currants, red and black raspberries, blueberries, cut your own flowers and sunflowers, sweet corn, vegetables, peaches, cantaloupe, nectarines, honeydew, canary melon, Asian pears, blackberries, elderberries
Strawberry Harvest Festival: June 8, 9, 15 & 16

Battleview Orchards
91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ
732-462-0756 • battlevieworchards.com
Pick your own: strawberries, sour cherries, peaches, nectarines

Bonacorsi Family Farm
1137 Croton Rd., Flemington NJ
609-638-0048 • bonacorsifamilyfarm.com
Pick your own: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries

Califon Farm Market & Orchards
472 County Road Rt. 513 Califon, NJ
908-832-2905 • melickstownfarm.com
Pick your own: peaches

Donaldson Farms
358 Allen Rd., Hackettstown, NJ
908-852-9122 • donaldsonfarms.net
Pick your own: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
Strawberry Harvest Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays during the month of June

Giamarese Farm & Orchard
155 Fresh Pond Rd., East Brunswick NJ
732-821-9494 • giamaresefarm.com
Pick your own: strawberries, peas, peaches

Johnson’s Farm
133 Church Rd. Medford, NJ
609-654-8643 • johnsonsfarm.com
Pick your own: strawberries, sugar snap peas, cherries, blueberries
Strawberry Harvest Festival: May 24-26 & May 31 – June 2

Lee Turkey Farm
201 Hickory Corner Rd., East Windsor NJ
609-448-0629 • leeturkeyfarm.com
Pick your own: strawberries, cherries, sauce apples, peaches, melons, raspberries, nectarines, pears, blackberries, raspberries, vegetables and more

Oldwick Farm
170 Oldwick Road, Oldwick, NJ
908-439-2955 • melickstownfarm.com
Pick your own: strawberries

Peterson Farm
438 Quakertown Rd., Flemington NJ
908-782-0707 • petersonfarm.net
Pick your own: strawberries

Phillips Farms
290 Church Rd., Milford NJ
908-995-0022 • phillipsfarms.com
Pick your own: strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, red and black raspberry, peach, apple

Snyder’s Farm
586 South Middlebush Rd., Somerset NJ
732-496-0441 • snyders-farm.com
Pick your own: strawberries, blueberries

Sussex County Strawberry Farm
565 Rt. 206 N., Andover NJ
973-579-5055 • sussexcountystrawberryfarm.com
Pick your own: strawberries, blueberries

Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton NJ
609-924-2310 • terhuneorchards.com
Pick your own: strawberries, asparagus, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches

Von Thun Farms
519 Ridge Rd., Monmouth Junction NJ
732-329-8656 • vonthunfarms.com
Pick your own: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples
Strawberry Harvest Festival: June 15 & 16

Wemrock Orchard
300 Rt. 33 W., Freehold
732-431-2668 • wemrockorchard.com
Pick your own: strawberries