Giving Back

On Friday, September 5th, I watched a show called STAND UP TO CANCER.

In watching that multi-network, multi-celebrity extravaganza, I learned a few things:

• In the time it took to watch the show, 60 people in America died of cancer. One per minute.
• Almost everyone is touched in one way or another by cancer. (Skin, breast and colon cancer have affected just my immediate family!)
• Cancer hits 1 out of every 3 women
• AND 1 out of every 2 men
• I can help!

…HOW?

Easy – donate! Not so easy – in this economy, funds are tight and I can’t afford to just stroke a check…or can I?

I got to thinking about it…I’m in sales…I earn commissions…if I give a portion of what I earn, THEN I can afford to donate.

This is what I came up with – From September 8th – December 31st, 2008, I will donate 10% of all my commissions earned to help fund cancer research.

What does all of this have to do with you? That’s a no-brainer! If you or someone you know are in need of a marketing program that includes promotional products and decorated apparel, purchase from Tracy Ebert and Atlantic LogoWear :)

I will be keeping an accounting of my donations on the homepage of my website www.alwtspecials.com.

You can reach me with any questions at: tracy@atlanticlogowear.com

I'm Moving...

Not my house, not my business...MY BLOG!

Here's where you can find me now:
The Simple Life of the SuperMom

Hope to see you there!

Household Uses for White Vinegar

We all know vinegar is a must for cooking. That’s why you can find it sitting in a cabinet of almost any kitchen. If you’re into alternative medicine, you probably also know that white vinegar can be used to cure ailments from diabetes to toenail fungus. But if you want to know the full power of vinegar, you should try using it to replace some of the your unnatural cleaning products for a beautiful sparkling house.

The best part about cleaning with vinegar is that you know it’s safe. You no longer have to worry about your kids or your pets drinking cleaning products. While they may be a little queasy, drinking a bottle of white vinegar isn’t going to cause any permanent damage. In fact, it may actually be good for them.


Different and Alternative Cleaning Uses for Vinegar:

As an All Purpose Cleaner

Tired of those “all purpose” cleaners that usually work on one thing and not another? Instead of using several brands of these cleaners, just replace them with a bottle of diluted vinegar (half water, half vinegar). This can be used to clean counters, sinks, windows, and even carpet stains.

Floor Cleaner

Using a separate product to keep your floors shiny? You can use vinegar for this too. Just mix vinegar in your mop bucket (about 1 cup vinegar per gallon) and wash like normal.

Odor Absorber

Vinegar is a great way to absorb odors. If a room has a persistent smell that just won’t go away, leave a bowl of vinegar sitting out overnight to soak up the odor It also deodorizes as it cleans so is great for smelly jobs like garbage cans. If you’re not a fan of the vinegar smell itself, add a little bit of lemon juice for a fresher scent.

Shower Cleaner

There have been a variety of products appearing on the market that clean your shower for you. You just spray after every use to prevent the buildup of mold and soap scum. There’s no scrubbing or wiping, just spraying. You don’t have to worry about these hazardous and expensive products. Just put vinegar in a spray bottle and use it daily. The bottle can also come in handy for cleaning toilet bowl build-up and other stubborn bathroom stains.

Keeping Bugs Away

Ants can be a pain to keep out of the house, especially if you don’t use harmful poisons. Well, vinegar is a safe way to cut them off at the pass. Just follow the trail and figure out where they’re coming into the house. Then spray the area. Ants won’t cross the line and you’re saved from having to fix the holes with expensive repairs.

For jobs when plain vinegar just won’t do, you can add some baking soda. The bubbles produced by this reaction are great at breaking up backed up sinks and garbage disposals.

These are just a few of the literally hundreds of uses you can find for vinegar around the house. Now you don’t have to worry about expensive, dangerous products anymore. You’ll just have a clean, safe house.

Book Review: Home Learning Year by Year

Product Name: Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Home School Curriculum from Preschool through High School

Reviewed by: Jen Thomas; Denver, CO
Rating: 10
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: The best guide I have found to help with a curriculum for home schooling your children. Rebecca Rupp who is an expert in the art of home schooling wrote this book.

Review: Most of us who decide to home school panic in the beginning. If you’re like I was you started looking for any resource material that would lead us in the right direction. This book was just what I needed.

My biggest worry was if I would be able to come up with the right lessons to teach my children what they needed to learn for each year of school. This guide showed me what curriculum I should follow from preschool through high school.

It lays out how important each subject is and why. For most of us Mom’s this is really important. We worry if we are teaching our children the same things that children in public schools are learning. Even though we home school, our children still interact with other children. I was scared my child would be behind. This guide did wonders to ease those worries.

It is a very organized book, simple and easy for me to follow. I wasn’t going from front to back to the middle to find the help I needed. This was also important to me. I didn’t want to waste precious time I could be spending teaching my children or even spending quality time with them.

There are numerous references in this book. The other books and websites listed are a great help in planning out your next lesson.

There is a section on how to approach subjects that are very sensitive to a mother and child. I look foreword to using this part of the book when my children are old enough to learn about sex education, a very touchy subject in most families.

I would recommend this wonderful guide to anyone who is thinking about or has already started home schooling his or her children. It’s a guide I can’t live without.

Rice, Bacon and Asparagus

Ingredients:
6 strips peppered bacon, diced
3 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup white wine
2 cups cooked asparagus, cut in 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

Directions:
Cook bacon for about 5 minutes over medium high heat. Once browned, drain all but 1 tablespoon of grease. Add rice, wine and asparagus to skillet with the 1 tablespoon of grease. Heat completely through (approximately 5-6 minutes). Once cooked, remove and toss with pine nuts and serve. Serves about 4.

Intuition Plus Razor by Schick

Product Name: Intuition PLUS by Schick
Submitted by: Sher Birmingham; Valley, AL
Rating: 9
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: This is a razor with the soap or shaving product around the blade of the razor. Intuition Plus is Fragrance Free. It has Shea butter, aloe and vitamin E and is Moisture-Rich. Intuition has a pivoting action. Intuition® Plus™ lathers, shaves and provides extra moisture* to your skin in one easy step. No needs for shave gel, soap or body wash.

New! Skin Conditioning Solid™ with Shea Butter lathers and provides extra moisture* for a smooth shave Enriched pivoting head glides smoothly over curves Triple Blade self adjust to level of Skin Conditioning Solid™. New! Sleek, light and comfortable handle. All Intuition® cartridges are interchangeable, but enhanced pivoting works only when Intuition® Plus™ handle is used with Plus™ cartridge.

Review: I didn't like Intuition Plus the first time I tried it. There was so MUCH soap on it I felt I needed to shave with my regular razor to get the hair. But every other time I love it. I don't have to be in the tub or shower...a quick shave on DRY Skin! I wet the Intuition Plus and shave! It works great! I am lathered up and get a good shave. I rinse off with a wet cloth and ready for the day! Intuition leaves my legs feeling like I have washed, shaved and lotion them! But yet it is not too much for my underarms. I think that the reason I didn't like Intuition at first is because there was TOO much soap to get a close shave. I have the Intuition with razor & travel cap. The cap sits nicely on the side of my tub.

Back to School: How to Avoid the Back to School Blues

Returning to school is not easy for kids, which makes it especially hard for parents as well. In order to make the process of returning to school easier for your child, here are some tips which can alleviate those back to school blues.

1. One of the things you can discuss with your child is they will be able to see their friends again, how much fun they will have, and all of the new things they will learn. If you have a child who exhibits anxiety about returning to school, you can tell him or her that there are other kids feel the same way.


2. Perhaps a trip to the mall to shop for some new outfits will help. This can lift their spirits by allowing them to pick out two or three outfits and shoes for their first day back to school. Another way to improve your child’s spirit is to invite other kids over for a day; kids who are classmates and friends who go to other schools as well. In this way, they can talk to each other about school and other things so they can begin the process of re-connecting with, and feeling comfortable about, going back to school.


3. Prepare your child for the first day by beginning a bedtime regimen a few weeks earlier. This will enable your child to establish a routine for the school days ahead.


4. If your child is attending school for the first time, find out if there is another child in the neighborhood who is also attending the same school. In this way, they can go together whether it’s by bus or within walking distance. Having someone to go to school with can ease the tension and anxiety for both children.

Most children will feel anxious and down about their first day back to school. While it is a normal occurrence, it can also be an exciting time for them. Teachers also understand the difficulties of returning to school, and they also take extreme care to ensure every child is made to feel comfortable on their first day back.

Baking Soda: The Safe Way to Clean

Most of us have used baking soda at one point to remove odors from our refrigerator, but we never bother to take that box out and use it somewhere else. You fridge isn’t the only place nasty, bothersome smells develop, so why only use baking soda there?

Many cleaning products use harsh scents to cover up odor. To some people, these scented products can be really irritating to your skin and nose. That’s why baking soda is so great. Instead of covering up odors, it absorbs them and locks them away. You know it can get rid of odors in the fridge, but why not try putting some in garbage cans, shoes, litter boxes, or even sitting out in kitchens and bathrooms? Baking soda is a great way to remove offensive odors from pretty much anywhere.

Baking soda is a great way to remove dirt and anything else that might be stuck on surfaces. Just sprinkle a wet wash cloth with baking soda and scrub away. You can even use baking soda to get stuck on grease off your floors, counters and even pots and pans. If it’s really stuck on, you may need to soak it in baking soda and water before you start scrubbing. Remember to rinse all your surfaces after you clean them so there isn’t a residue left.

While baking soda can be used for general cleaning, it’s also a great way to get out stubborn stains. Just use a small amount of water to turn the powder into a gooey paste. You can then apply this to stains in your kitchen, bathroom, and even your clothes. Just let sit and then scrub. This paste is also a great way to clean your silver.

You can even use baking soda to disinfect objects like toys or other items around the house that get really germy (door handles, telephones). If the items can be soaked, they should be put in baking soda and water and left. It they can’t, simply cover the area and let it sit for a minute before wiping it off.

You can get even more cleaning power from your baking soda if you combine it with another wonderful natural cleaner: vinegar. If you’ve ever seen a model volcano at a science fair, you probably already know what happens when you mix these two chemicals together. When these baking soda and vinegar mix, they release thousands of tiny carbon dioxide bubbles. These powerful bubbles are great for cleaning out clogged drains, toilets, and garbage disposals. If you want the bubble with a fresh scent, try mixing baking soda with lemon juice instead.

These are just a few ideas for how to clean with baking soda. It is such a versatile product, the possibilities are endless. So why not pull your baking soda out of the fridge and give it a try all around your house? You may find yourself buying a lot more baking soda on your next shopping trip.

Hot Dog Train - Creative Alternative for Your Toddler

"Mommy, could I have something to eat?" (my 3-yr-old daughter)


"Sure, what would you like?"


"A hot dog train."


I pause a moment..."A hot dog train?"


"Yes, a hot dog train."


I pause for another moment and a light bulb went off in my head! "You want a hot dog train? OK, I'll give you a hot dog train."


My "little" as I call her went to grab her stool so she could get a good view of my culinary skills.


I got a hot dog out of the refrigerator and cooked it in the microwave (about 30 sec), then I sliced it lengthwise 3 times and cut those pieces into 3 chunky pieces.


Next, I cut small blocks of cheddar cheese to put in between my hot dog "cars."


My "little's" face begins to brighten.


Last come the wheels and the whistle on top...CARROTS! Cut some baby carrots into little "wheels" and place 2 each underneath the cars, then cut another in half and place on the front car to make the whistle.


VOILA - you have yourself a hot dog train.


My daughter thinks I'm a genious!


Let's let her think that at least for a little while :)

Nancy Drew: The Clue of the Broken Locket

Book Name: The Clue of the Broken Locket
Submitted by: Kendall (12 yrs old)
Rating: 8
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: This is the 11th book in the original Nancy Drew series. Nancy Drew is an 18-yr-old detective. Her father is a lawyer. She has two best friends, Bess and George, who are cousins that often help Nancy solve her mysteries.

Review: Nancy Drew is challenged to find out what is going on at the lodge across the lake from where she is staying. She is also challenged to find a hidden family treasure - with her only clue a broken locket.

I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed all the other books in the Nancy Drew series.

Special thanks to my daughter for writing this review for me :)

Back to School: 5 Show and Tell Favorites

Some kids can’t wait to go back to school to be with their friends and talk about what they did over summer vacation. While others dread going back because they loved being home, spending time with the family, and engaging in all kinds of activities.

Once back at school, however, kids settle in pretty quickly and look forward to learning new things and making new friends. One of the activities most kids look forward to is when they are asked to bring in something special for “Show and Tell” day.

This is a special day for them because they have an opportunity to tell the other kids in their class all about this one item that obviously holds a great memory from the summer.

What are some of the things kids may bring into school for show and tell? Here is a list of some of their “favorite things.”

1. Bobby may bring in a baseball signed by his favorite ballplayer and tells the class how he was able to obtain it and the signature.
2. Betsy may have gone to Disneyworld over the summer and brought in a scrapbook she created with pictures to show the class.
3. Teddy loves NASCAR racing, and he brings in his favorite replica of the winning car while discussing the race and driver.
4. Jenny has a favorite stuffed teddy bear and she tells the class why it’s her favorite and how she chose the bear’s special name.
5. Johnny brings in an unusual rock which he found when camping with his had. He talks about why the rock is special and why nature is so important.

While it’s fun for kids who share stories about their favorite toys, stuffed animals, adventures, vacations, pets, dolls, magic tricks, and scrapbooks; it’s also part of the socialization process. For kids who are shy, standing up in front of a class and talking about what they brought to school can increase their self-esteem.

Pizza Biscuits

Looking for something to put in the kid's lunchbox this fall? This pizza biscuit recipe is great to make ahead and store in aluminum foil - perfect fit for the lunchbox. You can also substitute any of your child's favorite pizza toppers in the ingredients!

Ingredients:
1/4 pound sliced pepperoni
1 (14 ounce) can pizza sauce
2 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough
1/2 onion, sliced and separated into rings (optional)
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cut biscuits in half and lay in a single layer in bottom of baking dish. Spread pizza sauce over the biscuits. Layer pepperoni slices over top of biscuits. Place onions and mushrooms on top. Place uncovered in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and layer cheeses on top. Return to the oven and continue baking for 10 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.

Keep Your Teen Safe on the Road

The time has come! Your teen has just received his license and the worry begins. Summertime is here and that means your teen will be spending more time on the road.

Here are some tips for keeping your teen safe on the road this summer and beyond:

• Set ground rules as to when your teen can use the car. Daytime driving in the beginning, at least for the first six months; then gradually allow your teen to drive at night; but only up until a certain hour.
• Teach by example. Don't: drive and use a cell phone; eat while driving; tailgate or speed; invoke any road rage when driving; drink and drive.
• Wearing seat belts is a law; therefore, follow all of the rules and regulations taught in driving school. Your teen will take note, and follow your lead.
• Limit the areas where your teen can drive, at least until he or she has been driving for a while.
• Do not allow any passengers in the car for at least six months. They need to understand the rules of the road, and not engage in conversation with friends. These can ultimately distract them causing an accident.
• Ensure your car is well maintained. Check the following regularly: tires; windshield wiper fluid; water; brakes; windshield wipers, etc.
• Accompany them as much as possible in the beginning; pointing out hazards they may come across such as potholes, construction, and the like. Mix up the routes so they become used to driving to different places.
• Take your teen to the gas station. Teach them how to pump the gas and which type to use in your car. Teach them how to put air in the tires as well.
• If you don’t already have one, purchase an emergency road kit, and explain each item to the teen.
• Teach your teen how to change a tire, how to use road flares, and what to do in an emergency.

These tips for keeping your teen safe on the road this summer probably need to be mentioned often to help them remember. Another thing to point out is that while they are a safe driver, others on the road may not be.

Homemade Tootsie Rolls

Ingredients:
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3/4 teaspoon warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
About 75 squares of colored foil or cellophane

Instructions:
Place chocolate in a microwave bowl. Microwave on high heat until chocolate is completely melted, stirring occasionally. Once chocolate is melted remove from microwave and stir in the syrup, water and extract. Be sure to blend well. Using a large cookie sheet lined with plastic wrap spread chocolate mixture out about 1 inch thick. Cover and leave out overnight. Chocolate should be easy to work with but slightly stiff. Grab the plastic wrap by the sides and lift chocolate out of pan, Remove the plastic. Use a sharp knife and cut chocolate into strips about one inch apart. Using your hand roll the chocolate into a tootsie roll. Cut your chocolate roll to desired size. The chocolate will soften some in handling. Allow to stiffen up a little before wrapping. Wrap in cellophane and twist ends.

Back to School: Bus Stop Safety Tips

All parents whose children take the bus to school want to ensure they will arrive safely. However, there can be times when safety becomes an issue, especially at bus stops. Here are some tips to guarantee your child will be safe not only walking to the bus stop, but before and after the bus arrives.

• Children should be told not to run to catch any bus. Leaving early will avoid missing the bus and any chance of a child falling because they are in a hurry.
• Stay well away from the curb when standing at a bus stop.
• When walking to the bus stop with other children, do not play or run around in the street.
• All children under 12 should be accompanied by another adult or older sibling when walking to the bus stop. In addition, waiting with the child until they safely board the school bus is recommended.
• Children should be told not to talk to any strangers at the bus stop.
• Children should be warned that if anyone in a car stops and calls them over, they should run away screaming.
• Children who are approached by anyone for any reason should report the incident to the bus driver.
• Children should be told not to shove other kids onto the bus. Board the bus slowly and in a single file.

The fact that schools do not take responsibility until the moment the children boards the school bus is a major factor in ensuring the child is safe before arriving to school. In addition, in some states where children are picked up by school buses, care has to be taken to avoid any injury to the child.

Oftentimes buses stop in the middle of a street, double-park, or stop away from a child’s home. Children should be told to look both ways before boarding the bus in these instances since some school buses have the automated stop sign which signal other vehicles to stop, and others do not.

These bus safety tips are just some ways in which children need to be made aware of situations which may occur when waiting for the school bus to arrive.

Wine - Getting to Know the Differences

Did you know having a glass of red wine a day is a healthy part of your diet regimen? Do you also know what wines compliment foods best? If not, here are some tips and suggestions on a wine for every meal.

Traditionally, red wine can be used for poultry, beef, veal, ham, pasta, lamb and pork.
What kind of wine? For poultry, ham, pork and veal, try a red Zinfandel or Beaujolais. For beef, pasta and lamb; a cabernet sauvignon or merlot would suffice.

White chardonnay would compliment strong cheeses, pork, poultry and seafood, including shellfish. A white Zinfandel or rose wine could accompany appetizers, mild cheeses, desserts, ham, lamb, poultry and seafood. Sparkling wine such as Spumante or Champagne could also be served with appetizers, mild cheeses and desserts. The rule of thumb when serving wine for a particular meal is selecting a light-bodied wine with lighter food and a full-bodied wine with heartier, flavorful dishes.

In addition, here are some suggestions on how to serve wine. First, quickly chill the wine by placing the bottle in a bucket of ice water for ten minutes, rather than in the freezer. Chill sparkling wine in the refrigerator for at least four hours before serving, or chill in ice water for twenty to thirty minutes. When filling a wine glass, you need to allow the wine to breathe; thus, filling it half way is suggested.

If you still have a problem deciding on what wines to service with your meals, here is a safe bet. When choosing white wines, pick out a Pinot Grigio (deliciously light and dry);
Sauvignon Blanc; Riesling; or Champagne (only for the most suitable occasions), and other Sparking wines. Rose wines can include White Zinfandel; and Red wines can include Beaujolis, Pinot Noir and Merlot (which is full-bodied wine perfect for any pasta dish as well).

Remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune on wine. A simple Pinot or Merlot will suffice, and both are affordable.

Tortilla Chili and Cheese Dip

This is a great dish to take as an appetizer for a neighborhood party - it's easy and everybody LOVES it!

Ingredients:
1 lb. cream cheese, softened
2 16-oz. cans chili (with or without beans and meat)
1 lb. shredded cheese (flavor of your choice)
1 bag tortilla chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Using a 9X 13" baking pan, spread cream cheese on the bottom. Create one layer with chili followed by shredded cheese to cover the top. (To make more, double recipe and layer twice) Place pan in oven and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese has melted. Serve with tortilla chips.

Pretty Pretty Princess Dress-Up Board Game

Product Name: Pretty Pretty Princess Dress-Up Board Game by Hasbro
Submitted by: Faith Martin; Howard, PA
Rating: 10+
Where to Buy: Amazon.com

Description: The object of this game is to be the first player to collect and wear all your matching colored jewelry and the crown. Once you have collected all your pieces with the crown, you are the Pretty Pretty Princess.

Review: This game is so simple . . . children do not have to be able to read to play. Although, if you have a child who likes to stick small objects in his/her mouth, you may want to wait until he/she is a bit older (small pieces). You may notice I referred to boys as well . . . this is the ONLY game I know of that you can get a grown man to wear costume jewelry. This is what makes this game so much fun. We have owned this game for a little over a year now. I have watched my 6 year old daughter play this game with her dad, her 8 year old brother, and her 68 year old grandfather. I never once heard any of the "boys" complain about having to adorn the beautiful jewelry. I have, however, heard groans when they didn't become the Pretty Pretty Princess. So, grab your daughters, sons, and a few good men for a good time, plenty of laughs, and photo ops. And, my daughter is not the only one who requests to play this game. Enough said.

Here is how the game is played . . . You place your colored marker anywhere on the board to start. The youngest player gets to go first, of course. When it is your turn, you spin the spinner and move your marker that number of spaces on the board. The spaces on the board are marked with pictures of the various pieces of jewelry. Whatever you land on is the piece you
collect (in your color) and wear. The plastic play jewelry includes rings, clip-on earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. I think the hardest pieces to acquire are the earrings, because you are only allowed to take one at a time. So, remember this when you land on a space that says you may choose any piece you want.

Sounds easy enough, right? Well, watch out for that black ring! For even if you have collected all your pieces and the crown, you cannot win the game until you have rid yourself of the dreaded black ring. This can only be done if someone else lands on the black ring space or if you land on the space that tells you to put one piece back.

The playing pieces, jewelry, and crown are easily stored in a round jewelry box that is placed in the middle of the playing board (a 4-piece puzzle assembled). The lid of the jewelry box has a mirror on the outside and a spinner on the inside. So, once your royal highness is crowned the winner, he/she may flip the spinner over to gaze at his/her magnificence in the mirror. We often continue play to see who will be the "lady-in-waiting".

This game was well thought out by its creators. It is easy to set up, progresses quickly, and promotes well-being through healthy laughter.

Oops . . . I almost forgot. Don't think you are safe once you have attained the crown. Your fierce opponents have the right to seize the crown from your head during play unless you have already been proclaimed the winner.

Criticism: One minute problem - some players prefer not to wear the earrings (usually the children due to a comfort issue with the clip-ons). However, the earrings can be placed in front of the player or clipped onto his/her necklace.

5 Tips to Help Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

For many of us this day just seems to rush up on us. We’ve known for years that our babies will be going to kindergarten but when the time comes, many of us are unprepared. It’s definitely an emotional time for both parents and kids but it’s important to help our little ones through this time by staying positive and upbeat.

Here are some tips for helping prepare your child for kindergarten:

1. Talk about the new change – Children tend to deal well with change as long as we explain to them what is happening. Before starting have little talks with your child about what going to “big kid” school will be like, what the routine will be and so on. Try to have these talks in short spurts as your child may not be able to process too much information at once and may get more confused. Lots of little talks here and there should do the trick.


2. Show them their new school – Many schools will have introduction days your child can attend ahead of time to meet their new teacher and see the school. You can also take them for a drive or walk to their new school a couple of times before starting. Show them where they will go and where mommy will pick them up after school.


3. Read a book – Visit your library for a selection of books on starting school, many also have videos and DVDs. Sit with your child and read the book or watch the video and explain how they will be doing something similar when school starts.


4. Go Shopping – Go school shopping with them and let them be involved in the process of choosing their school supplies, lunch box and even clothes or uniform where appropriate. Let your child feel that he or she is older and can now choose some of their own things.


5. Draw a Picture – Once you visit the new school have your child draw a picture of themselves at their new school. You may even be able to tell what your child is feeling by what he draws. Talk about the picture and how your child is feeling and then hang the picture up in a prominent place to remind everyone that school will be starting soon.

Above all remain light-hearted and upbeat even if you are feeling a little bit weepy yourself. Talk in a positive way of how much fun school will be and enjoy this milestone with your little one.

Insulated Kids Animal Lunch Box

Product Name: Insulated Kids Animal Lunch Box
Rating: 10
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: These adorable kids lunch boxes are great. They are made of Insulated PVC and come in various animal designs.

Review: Your child will love taking this cute lunch box with them wherever they go.

The lunch box itself is made of PVC making it very easy to fold and store. Cleaning is a breeze also. Just use a damp cloth and wipe clean.

It is very lightweight so it’s easy for your child to handle. There is a shoulder strap or a handhold to make it even easier for your child.

There are six different animal designs. They come in a duck, frog, dog, ladybug, elephant or penguin design. So, if your little one has a special animal they like you will probably find the right one just for them.

It is also great for those first graders who can be a little skeptical about taking their lunch to school. Being able to take an “old friend” like a dog with them will relieve some of the leeriness they can feel.

It is also well insulated to keep things cold. That makes it great for taking snacks and drinks on a long drive or even to Grandma’s house. They are wonderful to take on a picnic too. Your kids will love this lunch box made just for them.