Scroll down and check it out!

We added a quick view and link to our flickr account, and a new fun poll.
Check it out, and have fun!

National TV Turn-off Week

National TV Turn-off Week…

…is September 19 – 25, 2010.

· Screen time cuts into family time and is a leading cause of obesity in both adults and children.

· National TV-Turnoff Week is the first nationwide effort which targets the medium of television and asks that people reassess the role TV plays in their daily lives as entertainer, pacifier, babysitter, time filler and background noise.

· The average number of minutes per week that parents spend having meaningful time and conversation with their children is 38.5, while the average number of minutes per week that a child spends watching TV is 1.680.

· National TV-Turnoff Week is about having more fun and turning "on" your life. It's an opportunity to rediscover the wide range of activities that exist when one unplugs from the sedentary, image-based, simplistic and commercial world of television

Thorough Thursday!

Waiting Activities...for kids!

We all have no choice but to take our kids around with us when we run errands so, to keep them occupied while we shop, you can:

• Pick up an age appropriate Brain Quest. These are fun flip cards of fun questions and activities for children age 2 up.
• Take a dry-erase marker and a small rag with you while you shop for clothes. Your child can draw on the mirror while you try things on. Clean it off with the rag.
• Take a mini Etch-A-Sketches with you too.
• Keep a small bag of crayons, colored pencils, drawing paper and a coloring book in your shopping bag.
• Take a magnifying glass. Everything is interesting close up.
• Take a small piece of card board, smaller bits of paper and string and a glue stick - make mini collages.

“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” ~ John Bowring

Sneak Peek!

Here's a new sneak peek photo of our updated playroom and classroom!
Keep an eye out for more photos soon.





also, don't forget to stay updated and view our flickr account:
www.flickr.com/photos/rozelleadora

Wellness Wednesday!

The Best Free Workout

It may be the most important, the most beneficial exercise there is. It also happens to be the cheapest and the simplest, requiring exactly no equipment, nada floor space and zero in the way of special clothes.

It’s stretching.

You may have known that stretching increases flexibility, allows for easier movement and better balance. But did you know it relieves low-back pain, reduces muscle soreness, promotes relaxation, improves posture, agility and athletic performance? It also reduces tension, improves circulation, reduces anxiety, stress, and fatigue, improves mental alertness, decreases the risk of injury, makes your work easier, tunes your mind into your body and just makes you feel better!

Stretching conditions the muscles for exertion and exercise, making every muscle movement more efficient. Sound interesting? Ask for a list of stretches that can help your particular spinal pattern and then apply these simple rules:

• Always warm up your muscles for at least five minutes prior to stretching. Good warm-ups include jogging in place, slow biking and jumping jacks.
• When you start, never bounce or bob. Not only is this less effective than simply "holding" the stretch, but it can also be very dangerous and lead to injuries.
• Always perform each stretching exercise in a slow, controlled manner.
• Exhale as you begin the stretch and then relax and breathe normally throughout the stretch.
• Hold each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Stretches should feel slightly uncomfortable, to "feel the stretch" in the muscles, not the joints. There should be no acute pain.
• Always complete each stretch for both sides of your body or limb in the same way.

-taken from www.drbrandonholmes.com

Tidbit Tuesday!

Good for You: Many of us working parents are feeling drained by mid afternoon. Here are a few great ideas to help restore your energy. First thing you want to do is have a complete check up with your Dr. These will take a little will power but remember it only takes 21 times to make an action a habit.

• Don’t eat refined carbohydrates such as donuts or basically anything made with white flour and/or sugar.
• Eat a salad with lean meat.
• Get up and stretch periodically. Walk when you can – use the stairs.
• Don’t turn the TV on just for noise.
• Be mindful of your activities, you’ll know which are not the greatest or smartest.

In the Kitchen: This is a quick and flavorful dinner. You will need. 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts and a 10oz can of enchilada sauce. Put the chicken in a greased casserole dish. Pour over the enchilada sauce and make at 350° for 1 hour or until tender. Serve with warm tortillas and rice or refried beans. Yum!

Flashback Friday!

Thorough Thursday!

“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.”

~George Moore

As parent, you are encouraging your children to play throughout the day. To beat the back-to-school blues, give yourself permission to play too! Think about what you enjoyed when you were a child and just do it. Draw with crayons, paint, dance, read, listen to music. Allow yourself the freedom to express your feelings without worrying about who you’re “supposed” to be or what anyone may think. This is your time – relax and enjoy yourself. We all still have that little kid within us, allow him/her to come out and play from time to time. Oh, and don't forget to let your children play along with you!

Flashback Friday

Ronin

Jalen

George

Daniel

Aidan

Thorough Thursday!

"Hope is the dream of a man awake."

-French Proverb

Good for You - Balance your stressful events by:

• Keeping a journal - Reflect on your day, your emotions, and your personal goals.
• Getting yourself organized – Create a permanent space for everything. Spend 5 minutes a day straightening your offices and main living area.
• Keeping a long-range calendar and a short-range to-do list.

Wednesday Wellness!

Eat Well, Spend Less!

• 
  
  Make a list. Reduce your impulse buying with a grocery list, and stick to it! Don't shop when you're hungry. Focus on the perimeter of the store and where the fresh foods and produce are. Processed and packaged foods are in the middle.


• 
  
  Bulk up. Most staple foods, like brown rice or olive oil, can be stored for a while. Buy them in bulk and when they're on sale.


• 
  
  Season's eating! Eat fruits and vegetables that are in season. They're often less expensive than imported produce grown out of season. Plant a garden or visit your local farmers market.


• 
  
  Satisfy and save. Cut out sodas and sugary juices, and drink water instead. Filter tap water instead of buying expensive bottled water.


• 
  
  Cook for the long haul. Make dishes like chili, stew, or soup that can be served over several days or frozen for later.


• 
  
  Snack smart. Avoid fast food, value meals, and processed snack foods. They may seem cheap, but you could pay for them later with poor health. Try beans and tofu as a substitute for meat and cheese. A plate of broccoli, cooked noodles, or a hard-boiled egg may cost less than a glazed donut.