tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22962368554356456792024-03-13T01:52:59.309-04:00First Time Mom and DadWords of Wisdom for New ParentsFirstTimeMomandDad.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021462962852921235noreply@blogger.comBlogger1453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-18575873334834529812023-08-28T21:40:00.000-04:002023-08-28T21:40:53.923-04:0015 Fall + Halloween Crafts For Kiddos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Welp, there goes summer. Every year of my life seems to always go faster than the last. Do you just blink in your 80's and have a birthday? Shhhheeeeesh! <div><br />To kick off the fall madness, I thought I'd share 15 fun family crafts to get you in the fall and Halloween spirit! BONUS: All of these crafty ideas are cheap and easy enough to get the kids in on the action. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you are looking for adult fall fun.. check out these <a href="http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2017/10/5-star-chili-recipes-vegetarian-to-meat.html" target="_blank">five-star chili</a> recipes.<br />
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1. <a href="http://thepinterestedparent.com/2016/09/bundled-q-tip-autumn-tree/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Q-tip Fall Tree Craft</a> bundle a bunch of Q-tips together and voila! Instant paint brush perfect for even the littlest of hands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs5KKdgAHRN9vmSVRvqGDrbkA5s7Lzg5QyaxXTwkwMN_pMty_9Spr3KZh5G06F_fR2sKojEtAk3Hrqhtqs7pnfjcftkRkca78P8Pp2DO63X1LH26ZC1964FZpEcOnhxSV_TnRpBr_JxQ/s1600/Q-tip-art.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs5KKdgAHRN9vmSVRvqGDrbkA5s7Lzg5QyaxXTwkwMN_pMty_9Spr3KZh5G06F_fR2sKojEtAk3Hrqhtqs7pnfjcftkRkca78P8Pp2DO63X1LH26ZC1964FZpEcOnhxSV_TnRpBr_JxQ/s1600/Q-tip-art.jpg" /></a><br />
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2. <a href="http://www.artycraftykids.com/art/autumn-handprint-tree/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Autumn Handprint Tree</a> - Use the q-tip hack from #1 to make the leaves or let it be a full-on finger paint free-for-all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywcKNVH1AtBike4GqnA0sRGzuUlC3voDLPZ6jQIZuymGSPisJVuthtjePEZKsWhxZyum98uUX6-OT8mYWK5UCdTTVLgaC253Qq57QqD51VLeo8jBOGpo5D4kxku5rIueCOmQeoyJCxy8/s1600/Handprint-Autumn-tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywcKNVH1AtBike4GqnA0sRGzuUlC3voDLPZ6jQIZuymGSPisJVuthtjePEZKsWhxZyum98uUX6-OT8mYWK5UCdTTVLgaC253Qq57QqD51VLeo8jBOGpo5D4kxku5rIueCOmQeoyJCxy8/s1600/Handprint-Autumn-tree.jpg" /></a></div>
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3. <a href="http://sparkandchemistry.com/blog/leaf-mason-jar-candle-holder/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Autumn Leaf Mason Jar Candle Holders</a><br />
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4. <a href="http://www.teach-me-mommy.com/2016/09/pumpkin-handprint-photo-keepsake.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pumpkin Salt Dough Handprint Keepsake</a> I LOVE THIS! Make Christmas tree ornaments while you're at it for an inexpensive super cute gift idea...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsm2HunX7t6G_E8cv-CkA-umqYb-v879HVpXJsHHfyPQpqTC4osBwWDQGDGLfCHyXjwH2713Xciz0_LL3O9KcW9M_nKP3aA6KcU87vlspjm7MQ5W_vzuuAk7QbrIJoHAGDkcWbcau6M8/s1600/Fall-kids-crafts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsm2HunX7t6G_E8cv-CkA-umqYb-v879HVpXJsHHfyPQpqTC4osBwWDQGDGLfCHyXjwH2713Xciz0_LL3O9KcW9M_nKP3aA6KcU87vlspjm7MQ5W_vzuuAk7QbrIJoHAGDkcWbcau6M8/s1600/Fall-kids-crafts.jpg" /></a></div>
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5. <a href="http://happyhourprojects.com/halloween-crafts-for-kids-spiderwebs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Craft Stick Spiderweb</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGkoaOXQb6xpuel0ET9TKVpS0C_dP1frMcIpt6llO2BxE4DUIK22Q9ljxSq6UIF4S3-KREATKq5PFhyFegCxAq0lrNf_9NZ7DKuUGVajxR8ONg_IY2XwsvILugKE6TR40mDFYZCiDMXk/s1600/Craft-Stick-Spiderwebs-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGkoaOXQb6xpuel0ET9TKVpS0C_dP1frMcIpt6llO2BxE4DUIK22Q9ljxSq6UIF4S3-KREATKq5PFhyFegCxAq0lrNf_9NZ7DKuUGVajxR8ONg_IY2XwsvILugKE6TR40mDFYZCiDMXk/s1600/Craft-Stick-Spiderwebs-10.jpg" /></a></div>
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6. <a href="http://www.faithfullyfree.com/halloween-tin-can-ghost/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tin Can Ghost</a><br />
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7. Glow-in-the-dark Pumpkins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrhunVUuDhtaYIZN4IRlUeUNOZnQTy2LJpYiZHWHNJjsFgqHuxROE69D8uv-Fsi5SWI8Lmb_CzjqvWLnpSbNIDVZv0mtAT4dS48KQpwQwt_jnq4Qb80cyCfmIJMeSnMGJKgZSLKGgnfA/s1600/glow-in-dark-pumpkins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrhunVUuDhtaYIZN4IRlUeUNOZnQTy2LJpYiZHWHNJjsFgqHuxROE69D8uv-Fsi5SWI8Lmb_CzjqvWLnpSbNIDVZv0mtAT4dS48KQpwQwt_jnq4Qb80cyCfmIJMeSnMGJKgZSLKGgnfA/s1600/glow-in-dark-pumpkins.jpg" /></a></div>
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8. <a href="http://www.sowsproutplay.com/activities/fall-craft-corn-sun-catchers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bubblewrap Corn Sun Catchers</a></div>
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9. <a href="http://www.ehow.com/ehow-mom/blog/kid-fall-craft-beautiful-leaf-suncatchers/?utm_content=blog&utm_medium=fanpage&crlt.pid=camp.A9B1XirsCMWs&utm_source=pinterest" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fall Leaf Sun Catcher</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKeJLkKl3duoK_8DYHwj_unUYZxQD5dpbOfZwSMddN1FzB8naktkEnjp6wQE7WyUEQHOYtO_jnghEqCX029ZfT-WZLa4BJzQYKTAvgOJjXGExe4wQgOeQOZ31c1LlGpjmwJdQysMDOgY/s1600/7b5607ff3de17b94b72f18a5c02163fb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKeJLkKl3duoK_8DYHwj_unUYZxQD5dpbOfZwSMddN1FzB8naktkEnjp6wQE7WyUEQHOYtO_jnghEqCX029ZfT-WZLa4BJzQYKTAvgOJjXGExe4wQgOeQOZ31c1LlGpjmwJdQysMDOgY/s640/7b5607ff3de17b94b72f18a5c02163fb.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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10. <a href="http://theimaginationtree.com/2013/10/coloured-salt-dough-leaf-impressions.html" rel="nofollow">Salt Dough Leaf Impressions</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzltQHQL1-Wffv9lQGr6lmTUl30kZj_inTNEfdUjFaEzzpN2u7brMD6V_FXT8uM5CQVl94rmibA782qWcS1-kHkY98mqvHEVqOIelfSGQqctWfXCiNJYE4dN5d0rOoLpp9_DCgNZyGa6w/s1600/Coloured-salt-dough-leaf-impressions-680x974.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzltQHQL1-Wffv9lQGr6lmTUl30kZj_inTNEfdUjFaEzzpN2u7brMD6V_FXT8uM5CQVl94rmibA782qWcS1-kHkY98mqvHEVqOIelfSGQqctWfXCiNJYE4dN5d0rOoLpp9_DCgNZyGa6w/s1600/Coloured-salt-dough-leaf-impressions-680x974.jpg" /></a></div>
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11. <a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/halloween-glitter-slime-monsters/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Halloween Glitter Slime Monsters</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwpqBEdYtIrlPwko8iDQEkMateNScGOw7WnXheoSqIcMKR6blrktAS_e1_c3p-uzqYs0BcsuPSjXbIUI7ae4fZFyIkfg7yJgZDEeIRTwpazEsocpaqSjdxe8TNmRtcsvsrBi463ZCwZc/s1600/Glitter-Slime-Monsters-at-the36thavenue.com_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwpqBEdYtIrlPwko8iDQEkMateNScGOw7WnXheoSqIcMKR6blrktAS_e1_c3p-uzqYs0BcsuPSjXbIUI7ae4fZFyIkfg7yJgZDEeIRTwpazEsocpaqSjdxe8TNmRtcsvsrBi463ZCwZc/s1600/Glitter-Slime-Monsters-at-the36thavenue.com_.jpg" /></a></div>
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12. <a href="http://buggyandbuddy.com/3-ways-preserve-fall-leaves/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Preserved leaf mobile</a><br />
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13. <a href="http://minne-mama.blogspot.com/2014/10/fall-leaf-painting.html?m=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fall Leaf Painting</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aVpt1IjltYfZtYogliM2LMvY76vVLVPGdpFgaRdKOL6yKehiWSs1nfobqPhzru4uPPXjjVT-teYIT9RsTdiPrY3Iti4o4w7l3-oN342MPM4NWNGaqHEWu55UgxTU5qlJbrHjr4BdwpU/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aVpt1IjltYfZtYogliM2LMvY76vVLVPGdpFgaRdKOL6yKehiWSs1nfobqPhzru4uPPXjjVT-teYIT9RsTdiPrY3Iti4o4w7l3-oN342MPM4NWNGaqHEWu55UgxTU5qlJbrHjr4BdwpU/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" /></a></div>
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14. This leaf people craft is a great idea for a <b>family park activity</b>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeQzYs4QRbyNXc7Npj5GtjIjZ_1jrQvJDqAUT79BxMqx5rTBXlFnMx65EYxMGuICj4HS44rCZJXIBwr-6KeqKjrvU-KgFLVH37pgnFDxLoD37jxKsxe8dVCzzgbaI93mc3WTOfpvrHR4/s1600/Leaf-People-Fall-Craft.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeQzYs4QRbyNXc7Npj5GtjIjZ_1jrQvJDqAUT79BxMqx5rTBXlFnMx65EYxMGuICj4HS44rCZJXIBwr-6KeqKjrvU-KgFLVH37pgnFDxLoD37jxKsxe8dVCzzgbaI93mc3WTOfpvrHR4/s1600/Leaf-People-Fall-Craft.jpg" /></a></div>
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15. What fall craft list would be complete without a <a href="http://www.freebiefindingmom.com/easy-fall-crafts-using-pine-cones/" rel="nofollow">DIY pine cone bird feeder</a>?<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-52036649168528485842022-10-31T09:17:00.000-04:002022-10-31T10:52:26.250-04:00PRO TIPS For HALLOWEEN Hair + Makeup For You And The Kiddos!<div style="text-align: center;">
Whether you're going for super scary, super cute, or super slutty, these Pro Tips For Party Perfect <a href="http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2017/10/pro-tips-for-halloween-hair-and-makeup.html" target="_blank">Halloween Hair + Makeup</a> are super easy to pull off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbfjSPjq4_BUjTdkfAJDzBvomMjMStvpee38rSV88RulaELcFyWp31S35fCbcaP37Aoso-WBC4i4SroPd9WmStOsQG1VuAdbg1FL2o-3h4q3Pc0tl5Ki9al36G2maYbeGvs3UVDmParGi/s1600/Halloween+Hair+and+Makeup+tips.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbfjSPjq4_BUjTdkfAJDzBvomMjMStvpee38rSV88RulaELcFyWp31S35fCbcaP37Aoso-WBC4i4SroPd9WmStOsQG1VuAdbg1FL2o-3h4q3Pc0tl5Ki9al36G2maYbeGvs3UVDmParGi/s1600/Halloween+Hair+and+Makeup+tips.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HALLOWEEN MAKEUP</b></span></div>
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These makeup ideas are so cool and so easy!</div>
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<b>Use Fishnets as a stencil for perfect Mermaid Scales</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQRcjFqqQYevg8NFKhqihMb30jXJXnHPP8PnHdKbcCWLBOerAZa669eDJVwhqg50dko7gNmu6PYNPEKcjJeeRitQQzDoeKTzin_2EP_e_whItsaqi5BFdU7Q6uG1FaO8qNr2kZND9PJnm/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials-mermaid-scales.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQRcjFqqQYevg8NFKhqihMb30jXJXnHPP8PnHdKbcCWLBOerAZa669eDJVwhqg50dko7gNmu6PYNPEKcjJeeRitQQzDoeKTzin_2EP_e_whItsaqi5BFdU7Q6uG1FaO8qNr2kZND9PJnm/s640/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials-mermaid-scales.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Use your natural line to guide a closed, big-mouth Cheshire Cat look. </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6kBQpHFXtWmoMWdslgwlAHX-0ZEpxS9qw07yT-rcJcteVUP8KbzCfJ_lUj3cbRwJiOzRSh7Fqg5Bz1rT_E-cjTIQDcLTPfCSiyoimd1mFOsfAre73ixg2zqhiUdtM0j07m1aLkDqaX5A/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-cheshire-cat-costume.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6kBQpHFXtWmoMWdslgwlAHX-0ZEpxS9qw07yT-rcJcteVUP8KbzCfJ_lUj3cbRwJiOzRSh7Fqg5Bz1rT_E-cjTIQDcLTPfCSiyoimd1mFOsfAre73ixg2zqhiUdtM0j07m1aLkDqaX5A/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-cheshire-cat-costume.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Use your upper lip line and chin as a guide for an open mouth!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9eyEHYTRlntvTxzL6QTtYV-LTK5QPwOK629fKXkG1OP2NbxShq4QaVEquFzaSxa5W6K5d5yuKSdGzl5-rPn7AEmMnSG_WPL8vGpKgB-FCb_MELmoJUR_1Ay1wAADqoS4Ft4TU7u1IKVK/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9eyEHYTRlntvTxzL6QTtYV-LTK5QPwOK629fKXkG1OP2NbxShq4QaVEquFzaSxa5W6K5d5yuKSdGzl5-rPn7AEmMnSG_WPL8vGpKgB-FCb_MELmoJUR_1Ay1wAADqoS4Ft4TU7u1IKVK/s640/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<b>Use white to draw an extensive outline under your lower lash for cartoon eyes, and finish the look with fake eyelashes.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMGjuaHEJ-jI1hSIIYfplRqIkJYHGMTSm33FEwA8ZMObaKb45erd6t8WFE5eTWWmmwuwK3t4TclOazLnMA8hce9tgskj77rmBaQZTYkZAgrg1Ifl6T85x5iS0wZdibi2w6ldsFRX1IF0b/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-creepy-doll-costume.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMGjuaHEJ-jI1hSIIYfplRqIkJYHGMTSm33FEwA8ZMObaKb45erd6t8WFE5eTWWmmwuwK3t4TclOazLnMA8hce9tgskj77rmBaQZTYkZAgrg1Ifl6T85x5iS0wZdibi2w6ldsFRX1IF0b/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-creepy-doll-costume.jpg" /></a></div>
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Use liquid eyeliner to make precise lines that last! There are so many colors available today; the possibilities are endless.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw9VLHW3ZdW-M9LevdSVPN2rKKnJYk8dIBo28Q21ZoES6fLrmo0AyZ9XyOahlfTGU96N-KdhXZHSUaeOkcctJoQRhLjQDfNBNYsjLcVie5LUE_kPrpuiaADEw3_wziwcnPIIyr1cIIqaR/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-spiderman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw9VLHW3ZdW-M9LevdSVPN2rKKnJYk8dIBo28Q21ZoES6fLrmo0AyZ9XyOahlfTGU96N-KdhXZHSUaeOkcctJoQRhLjQDfNBNYsjLcVie5LUE_kPrpuiaADEw3_wziwcnPIIyr1cIIqaR/s640/Halloween-Makeup-spiderman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOJy0rhoJDASBvSHDTnwtDdW1GPB-geDfRniXrkhe1rT_-uadtKoTD3XADG0Ku_eKYKKEQCeh4sW_8nEXaTjDFhBovVuTKIHj_kzjbGFR2CSx85nyQp4_Fmr7YNQm-FvoCRH6a-b8bILb/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-women.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOJy0rhoJDASBvSHDTnwtDdW1GPB-geDfRniXrkhe1rT_-uadtKoTD3XADG0Ku_eKYKKEQCeh4sW_8nEXaTjDFhBovVuTKIHj_kzjbGFR2CSx85nyQp4_Fmr7YNQm-FvoCRH6a-b8bILb/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-women.jpg" /></a></div>
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For the crazy eye look, without wearing irritating contacts, incorporate design on eyelids. Hold closed for photos and shock factor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjWBeM71w2Fx_7Uy9PWVQzoN7sXyTej-zzVco5p5P4-JG8duWAi-vqPrjBzkLn2eobHlVhy156cLjw7Pz-w9x_LatIp1ucyRvdAEZd7vG4BhyphenhyphenC-iKVEyRIEqZJX4JEVBXgN6t3pRCZFCA/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-for-boys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjWBeM71w2Fx_7Uy9PWVQzoN7sXyTej-zzVco5p5P4-JG8duWAi-vqPrjBzkLn2eobHlVhy156cLjw7Pz-w9x_LatIp1ucyRvdAEZd7vG4BhyphenhyphenC-iKVEyRIEqZJX4JEVBXgN6t3pRCZFCA/s640/Halloween-Makeup-for-boys.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b>Make sure the makeup you use is safe for little faces.</b> Crappy makeup can end a Halloween before it starts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rr_PhQgrlq19Zxg3V-W53ZilXMt6Jud0HJCKRtoxjdoQKT3Y14VwioWGPqLN6hyphenhyphen01MDO8PAOYYDMlLmdQPqi0O29URnc8EGBt9ofXbnNqW2kbEKmFFwbxSyto8mXCczeEOST5RuixlOf/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials-puppy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="607" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rr_PhQgrlq19Zxg3V-W53ZilXMt6Jud0HJCKRtoxjdoQKT3Y14VwioWGPqLN6hyphenhyphen01MDO8PAOYYDMlLmdQPqi0O29URnc8EGBt9ofXbnNqW2kbEKmFFwbxSyto8mXCczeEOST5RuixlOf/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials-puppy.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now that the basics are out of the way, here are a few tutorials that look complicated but are easy to recreate!</div>
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First: Double Vision</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iCC68isr63VhQIqqb3rEj9bTJzRWCOGbKX9DT3QW_8JBt5P8GI8ZLe5YGhm-iEKmbqMZELtJTbtVcE383KFy0dhmAtgyN_SlCEqF2OZ3WD7Y22M8uMkB03PT0wORkbraaLVIAfoGlv24/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="553" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iCC68isr63VhQIqqb3rEj9bTJzRWCOGbKX9DT3QW_8JBt5P8GI8ZLe5YGhm-iEKmbqMZELtJTbtVcE383KFy0dhmAtgyN_SlCEqF2OZ3WD7Y22M8uMkB03PT0wORkbraaLVIAfoGlv24/s640/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials-1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp7xN2cRa6TA1SsFw3VL2RmnD94-mMvcOsTACZDj7Xnnq7SIHA3m-HKCUrz1jTQ1yAkeyoG8vTfzYbQw7EChV4Pogu4mqQLhyUeTnub4_9-Af3qVA3rK8fiWf0TXSUWX5Bh4ASM4X9I-5/s1600/Halloween-makeup-tips.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp7xN2cRa6TA1SsFw3VL2RmnD94-mMvcOsTACZDj7Xnnq7SIHA3m-HKCUrz1jTQ1yAkeyoG8vTfzYbQw7EChV4Pogu4mqQLhyUeTnub4_9-Af3qVA3rK8fiWf0TXSUWX5Bh4ASM4X9I-5/s640/Halloween-makeup-tips.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oooohhhhh Cheetah! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASArU8LvmdTt4IwW6nujMtH_jivRXCer9tkn75jxKghS0FB5PtTO1yJFrJi2e7C2lu31mwoceWORUciiH7uRGu0vR9TDCdpbwQD68wzwRQMOCgYdlntyBGJaQIIYIDDcqyXjcJit1Wwvr/s1600/Halloween-cheetah-makeup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASArU8LvmdTt4IwW6nujMtH_jivRXCer9tkn75jxKghS0FB5PtTO1yJFrJi2e7C2lu31mwoceWORUciiH7uRGu0vR9TDCdpbwQD68wzwRQMOCgYdlntyBGJaQIIYIDDcqyXjcJit1Wwvr/s1600/Halloween-cheetah-makeup.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b> A Skeleton perfect for boys and girls! </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AsL3o7sdRrPdyPT6eTLnz2xRM7ZghGBuz5R81iGHI6Foj1sVF6fxOBQDa113eDsaNc1fMaSZpjk5bHwnWdq9H4EZOegWWeKUpMk5BpOC6ZVIn8wMZ8XRhyphenhyphenOLsQcp5JuL43P3GK6sf_Rt/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AsL3o7sdRrPdyPT6eTLnz2xRM7ZghGBuz5R81iGHI6Foj1sVF6fxOBQDa113eDsaNc1fMaSZpjk5bHwnWdq9H4EZOegWWeKUpMk5BpOC6ZVIn8wMZ8XRhyphenhyphenOLsQcp5JuL43P3GK6sf_Rt/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials.jpg" /></a></div>
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Spoooooooky</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrqa0xO4hzzmCaa4_c3OomCzCym4KYg38Jqdg69byPapIS24-rLNCanyDiCYUUvabOebxeEB0yAqFw5bA5pL9L5BG5m9g3oc3Ye9TqOB1P6JU1SaUfmM71Gj42H9DlZ8zwpAAIynYa9LT/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrqa0xO4hzzmCaa4_c3OomCzCym4KYg38Jqdg69byPapIS24-rLNCanyDiCYUUvabOebxeEB0yAqFw5bA5pL9L5BG5m9g3oc3Ye9TqOB1P6JU1SaUfmM71Gj42H9DlZ8zwpAAIynYa9LT/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
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Need a look that you can go from work to party fast? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySChSVdQ2_ifEUjw9X4IcbkhJL45xWiEcXo_aClyXk8ACxM55g7VmxfTpzjwUec_Vhg4IZ7SfNkGxQtikWiyKuYbReYzSz6M3ZS6EyrVkkaBkfycwCr2eY4SaPFp5Db5wVG1XeoJLK_zK/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySChSVdQ2_ifEUjw9X4IcbkhJL45xWiEcXo_aClyXk8ACxM55g7VmxfTpzjwUec_Vhg4IZ7SfNkGxQtikWiyKuYbReYzSz6M3ZS6EyrVkkaBkfycwCr2eY4SaPFp5Db5wVG1XeoJLK_zK/s1600/Halloween-Makeup-tutorials.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HALLOWEEN HAIR</b></span></div>
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These Halloween hairstyles will scare, mystify and even melt a few hearts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy1lSZIEVwBJ6kwifLDL508UMipVi2vS3YrgA2CYIkO5x_RR5Tphh3TZ5AWGqBNjyeAb0umcnyEa4cNBW2NYP-jEL7MG9qG4xBqL94oETbQGbdlWG0WM3D8yzWBSGt-g2YCimwD9uQE2S/s1600/Halloween-Hair-Tips-for-Girls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="736" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy1lSZIEVwBJ6kwifLDL508UMipVi2vS3YrgA2CYIkO5x_RR5Tphh3TZ5AWGqBNjyeAb0umcnyEa4cNBW2NYP-jEL7MG9qG4xBqL94oETbQGbdlWG0WM3D8yzWBSGt-g2YCimwD9uQE2S/s640/Halloween-Hair-Tips-for-Girls.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcpDGHWaTcBTjS1WqtvgnShnEjzBuVRZay0PCIRTk6slfjaDeKHrAKNoTkHTqo7D5QUdjVH4IeeHIIXMsRd_p9DDtNhs2y8xRt3kWSDjx5d2cpWxx4zpZcq0IjqlrfzFkRDw-J9lbt_Fi/s1600/Halloween-Hair-hand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcpDGHWaTcBTjS1WqtvgnShnEjzBuVRZay0PCIRTk6slfjaDeKHrAKNoTkHTqo7D5QUdjVH4IeeHIIXMsRd_p9DDtNhs2y8xRt3kWSDjx5d2cpWxx4zpZcq0IjqlrfzFkRDw-J9lbt_Fi/s320/Halloween-Hair-hand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHPyuxc8gieArwCHFeqMtuROYBae2ydUxAau7Qs_q5HfbgvzFXwaRz10h4DmUfxNJwVLrGDbfg_FzHJyNAh5ulrXQO6d0U2h6MW8D1rC42_VohGrwP0wTeV0tmiK6eL9a9FpTi3TkXhAD/s1600/Halloween-Hair-kitty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHPyuxc8gieArwCHFeqMtuROYBae2ydUxAau7Qs_q5HfbgvzFXwaRz10h4DmUfxNJwVLrGDbfg_FzHJyNAh5ulrXQO6d0U2h6MW8D1rC42_VohGrwP0wTeV0tmiK6eL9a9FpTi3TkXhAD/s320/Halloween-Hair-kitty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Create a ponytail, then wrap a mummy, spider, or doll... you get the point.</div>
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Turn your child's hair into a spooky spiderweb.</div>
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Mmmmm Cupcakes! </div>
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Tie strips of tulle to a plastic headband for homemade Troll Hair! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-53631925592267665122022-10-31T04:53:00.000-04:002022-10-31T10:49:03.462-04:005 Star Chili Recipes: Vegetarian to Meat Lovers to 8-Alarm<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Fall, Y'All! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Waking up to crisp morning leaves falling at my feet and flocks of birds flying south, this can mean only one thing, fall-food season is upon us! So just in case, you were feeling the same, I thought I would share a few of the championship 5-star chili recipes I've saved to make this season. From vegetarian to meat lovers to eight-alarm, here are the best of the best.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfhlsh-DGNL_54HEFbTQ5pZRfGQITXx7aoruvMsdoiDIz0XsY8eyyVVx86mwZV80738eEfqnSkz97JCChcHRCO48AQRiVVhrq2Zgl24QElyBLTLiXiqYqUA-VzmlgNe9nucM_oScQNjWC/s1600/5-star+chili+recipes.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfhlsh-DGNL_54HEFbTQ5pZRfGQITXx7aoruvMsdoiDIz0XsY8eyyVVx86mwZV80738eEfqnSkz97JCChcHRCO48AQRiVVhrq2Zgl24QElyBLTLiXiqYqUA-VzmlgNe9nucM_oScQNjWC/s640/5-star+chili+recipes.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/easy-chili-recipe-video" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">30-Minute Chili</a>. Yes, 30-minutes, total! With 5-minutes of prep and 25-minutes cook time, this 30-minute Chili from Southern Living had the reviewers swearing by it as their go-to for quick dinners and potlucks. Kid-approved, too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DO1LJkxyyiOF129nUMrYjZo2R68n_MjAwODGHOpOq-aN24mfEpfUZcimh_jb8FhKpkgk4BM3-XT0CJlgZRo6Q0zn4pasuIRm_HO4y8fvZLTCBIKWor1htmPtoH9Jo5dsC9W2_4mpm-Z5/s1600/30-minute-chili.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DO1LJkxyyiOF129nUMrYjZo2R68n_MjAwODGHOpOq-aN24mfEpfUZcimh_jb8FhKpkgk4BM3-XT0CJlgZRo6Q0zn4pasuIRm_HO4y8fvZLTCBIKWor1htmPtoH9Jo5dsC9W2_4mpm-Z5/s640/30-minute-chili.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16235/debdoozies-blue-ribbon-chili/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blue Ribbon Chili</a> recipe has over 2,200 reviews 95% are 5stars and ZERO one star. That means even the shittiest of chefs can pull this one off! Of course, it helps there's a video walkthrough. I'm totally giving this one a try. It's smooth Chili, as opposed to ultra-bean-y Chili. (see above)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQXSUt06tcyTWlddaQv-8SqEwK0w1mm16FEX6Db3Izlgj-nQpYsHQvH0vKo75bQWy1U0eA0ga1Jlx_yanOFuRHuf5jarHYs9QXWfVbU3CthAUpFN2_RsQgyRV2TQUUXqCTiqzdxTIZBSU/s1600/blue-ribbion-chili.png"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQXSUt06tcyTWlddaQv-8SqEwK0w1mm16FEX6Db3Izlgj-nQpYsHQvH0vKo75bQWy1U0eA0ga1Jlx_yanOFuRHuf5jarHYs9QXWfVbU3CthAUpFN2_RsQgyRV2TQUUXqCTiqzdxTIZBSU/s640/blue-ribbion-chili.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This 5-star, <a href="https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chili/c7df2894-907a-4309-a7f9-6e6f5a6c730d#reviewDiv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5-step chili recipe</a> from Betty Crocker is super easy and ready in less than 2 hours!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8y_FmUBkzekjTNWxSXnFj5olRF_edRZYAkF8d026f8ZJdutROrAHbin9ZacOw700HIOfmZrwKmaLZ0zY5o5zlmZ8VJNDfL-5YdbMF1bOfKwHkd3Fdy0YG75_yclZZO-eQ15o3necEMnHW/s1600/5-star-chili-BEtty-Crocker.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8y_FmUBkzekjTNWxSXnFj5olRF_edRZYAkF8d026f8ZJdutROrAHbin9ZacOw700HIOfmZrwKmaLZ0zY5o5zlmZ8VJNDfL-5YdbMF1bOfKwHkd3Fdy0YG75_yclZZO-eQ15o3necEMnHW/s1600/5-star-chili-BEtty-Crocker.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This <a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/1047284/vegetarian-chili-avocado-cream" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vegetarian Chili</a> with Avocado cream from Martha Stewert had the reviewers going wild. One reviewer said, "<span color="rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.921569)" style="background-color: white;">I was so skeptical of this recipe - fennel and all that CELERY??? I was wrong. This is one of the best vegetarian chilis we've ever made."</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaPdqmfaYQjl6ldkyWBu-1stCVacWio4fUu7cXSzRpOedXi_1OWYHPMqAR3p0mxoWR85Akck8fCVHfVmc3SPnflG6IAxYkEd0G5zwrmH9q43HPOXmt1rpcMmZdjrYqWlBRvigbrEwTmdC/s1600/Vegetarian-Chili.jpg"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaPdqmfaYQjl6ldkyWBu-1stCVacWio4fUu7cXSzRpOedXi_1OWYHPMqAR3p0mxoWR85Akck8fCVHfVmc3SPnflG6IAxYkEd0G5zwrmH9q43HPOXmt1rpcMmZdjrYqWlBRvigbrEwTmdC/s640/Vegetarian-Chili.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you know there's an <a href="http://www.chilicookoff.com/Winner/WC_2012.asp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">International Chili Society</a>? Every year, ICS holds the world championship Chili-cookoff. So whether you like Texas Chili or 5-alarm, the ICS has a complete list of winners and their championship Chili recipes. To see them all, <a href="http://www.chilicookoff.com/Winner/WC_2012.asp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBF33QzY_NPe3RYDnFrGm5da05GxyUZxG6qFzbuAaB_nhErNg0QXOeFUmQ-QfbhTY-_Xv0kge-lEQVk9XYtO9_EpcWMoHJ-4TwgDDRvZtdl8cSr5Gs9XLv2fUv2fGd4Z-H_qLKy5Bcnhn/s1600/International-Chili-Society.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBF33QzY_NPe3RYDnFrGm5da05GxyUZxG6qFzbuAaB_nhErNg0QXOeFUmQ-QfbhTY-_Xv0kge-lEQVk9XYtO9_EpcWMoHJ-4TwgDDRvZtdl8cSr5Gs9XLv2fUv2fGd4Z-H_qLKy5Bcnhn/s640/International-Chili-Society.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This </span>Creamy <a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/creamy-white-chili" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">White Chili</a> from<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Taste of Home makes it to the table in under an hour, has 552 5-star reviews, and has one reviewer, a college student, singing </span>its praises<span style="font-family: inherit;">. "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I got this wonderful chili recipe from my sister-in-law, who made a big batch and served a crowd one night. It was a hit. Plus, it's easy and quick, which is helpful since I'm a college student. In all my years of 4-H cooking, I've never had another dish get so many compliments."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yUF8fu0U8n5g976iwgg6Ga-Tewld05PLsnXPCC6yNxd9v5E_my_AbUwkkezdbwcQvGWVmfXI0ks0Q13BbxEGs2BZtCnZMYkP7U52u_UitAHlX1h0SI9Eus-lLt-PViOCmZbSzg3aA_sY/s1600/White-Chili.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yUF8fu0U8n5g976iwgg6Ga-Tewld05PLsnXPCC6yNxd9v5E_my_AbUwkkezdbwcQvGWVmfXI0ks0Q13BbxEGs2BZtCnZMYkP7U52u_UitAHlX1h0SI9Eus-lLt-PViOCmZbSzg3aA_sY/s400/White-Chili.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Why stop at 5-alarm? Epicurious is bringing out the fire department for their Ding Dong 8-Alarm chili. Yes, EIGHT! How you wouldn't have to ice down your mouth and ass for 24 hours after a spoonful, I don't know, but if this is your thing, or you hate someone and are going to their potluck, have a go at this insanity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JOob3bkPjW1WcHSohPoBgL0jlJWSUezIvHwLhTwnEcQ7EkG4ga9t8YaYeopcEw0suyt399VXAH_vUoMjuh1djOrLgZpWNk_6FvpWsvkqAYvf5pZUu9mobYEhyphenhyphentrI17GoKKE6V1ZL8IO2/s1600/8-Alarm+Chili.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JOob3bkPjW1WcHSohPoBgL0jlJWSUezIvHwLhTwnEcQ7EkG4ga9t8YaYeopcEw0suyt399VXAH_vUoMjuh1djOrLgZpWNk_6FvpWsvkqAYvf5pZUu9mobYEhyphenhyphentrI17GoKKE6V1ZL8IO2/s1600/8-Alarm+Chili.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I remember my first<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/80969/simple-turkey-chili/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> turkey chili</a>. I was floored when I found out it was made with turkey instead of beef. I HAD NO IDEA! Truth be told, I pretty much only use turkey in my Chili now. It's low-fat, heart-healthy, and NO ONE knows the difference. This 5-star turkey recipe is the clear winner with thousands of 5-star recipes. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNpD5_fC1Z1MUekpACt5vJN4_iavMhCxEeAzsYg_PcStSzh2UrNz61lsZ0EIlzpabRoCSY-rpijrKQLI-HkvULBKV_DydJBD06s-BijuQeBFcIEr0PMLzJc7sVquoEmWdgB8lXmtaPZoL/s1600/Turkey-chil.jpg"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNpD5_fC1Z1MUekpACt5vJN4_iavMhCxEeAzsYg_PcStSzh2UrNz61lsZ0EIlzpabRoCSY-rpijrKQLI-HkvULBKV_DydJBD06s-BijuQeBFcIEr0PMLzJc7sVquoEmWdgB8lXmtaPZoL/s640/Turkey-chil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This weekend I'm making the turkey chili. Which is your favorite? </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-70769989594532577972022-10-30T17:26:00.000-04:002022-10-31T10:51:09.660-04:00Halloween Eats and Treats The Entire Family Will Love!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzBtYDilxwWvvYlvwxXrVWN05peGkidB2wpaaohUyWatu5mDn_96x4wgdIMS3dFdN1tFl3OH1l8xTqwXMgoTzX-nzgQMImPMETy8oJHBx0MfR52LrXvC1UWgnoJ-Y5ZSVWspMfGcPNjc/s1600/HALLOWEEN-TREATS.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzBtYDilxwWvvYlvwxXrVWN05peGkidB2wpaaohUyWatu5mDn_96x4wgdIMS3dFdN1tFl3OH1l8xTqwXMgoTzX-nzgQMImPMETy8oJHBx0MfR52LrXvC1UWgnoJ-Y5ZSVWspMfGcPNjc/s1600/HALLOWEEN-TREATS.jpg" /></a></p><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thanks to Covid-19, this Halloween will be like nothing we have experienced. And most likely, not in a good way. I keep praying for torrential rain to blame Mother Nature for ruining Halloween, not the pandemic. Still, we can't ignore Halloween. Our kids won't let us! So, to bring a little cheer to the holiday fear... below are some yummy Halloween eats and treats to make the day as memorable as possible, and I'm not talking about hot dogs that look like fingers. Been there. Done that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502561007/" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Edible pumpkin candy bowls</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMcomDPEVcNijUFfmoG8mLAG5Me5jl7O0KoXf7Roz8Mteqs32nHNidJ0DwMfJmSUc9uhvzc3h6vvZANwXts6ZsLJr5Y7T5utbwvV6owiFvrpHmTFqJi6rMljgb5MkM04OPffTeUm8MD8/s1600/pumpkin-candy-cups-14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMcomDPEVcNijUFfmoG8mLAG5Me5jl7O0KoXf7Roz8Mteqs32nHNidJ0DwMfJmSUc9uhvzc3h6vvZANwXts6ZsLJr5Y7T5utbwvV6owiFvrpHmTFqJi6rMljgb5MkM04OPffTeUm8MD8/s1600/pumpkin-candy-cups-14.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="goog_460442494"></span><span id="goog_460442495"></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502561017/" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Halloween Tie-Die Bunt Cake</a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTY9ppWNoZavVJ7njL8oJDFSqTtmrG86KyPhInrNYlUR8fJQBe2cQq7CmkQEbmLeK3LLUPUdpU_TlNI8Dbq8zO7cxNznXUf0mNDpQWEMqjzjSB9BMkSgCFBglfycwaW29LmZI4Y399VY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-20+at+11.44.16+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTY9ppWNoZavVJ7njL8oJDFSqTtmrG86KyPhInrNYlUR8fJQBe2cQq7CmkQEbmLeK3LLUPUdpU_TlNI8Dbq8zO7cxNznXUf0mNDpQWEMqjzjSB9BMkSgCFBglfycwaW29LmZI4Y399VY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-20+at+11.44.16+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTY9ppWNoZavVJ7njL8oJDFSqTtmrG86KyPhInrNYlUR8fJQBe2cQq7CmkQEbmLeK3LLUPUdpU_TlNI8Dbq8zO7cxNznXUf0mNDpQWEMqjzjSB9BMkSgCFBglfycwaW29LmZI4Y399VY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-20+at+11.44.16+PM.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502561014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ultimate witch's hat cupcakes!</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsSTwNjCTH0vLQboSpnzdt55Jt6U1yMF1zXeSb__UOMc5Tbtl4sEI4FmZCZIZgjcxSeK1jaaTLAILA1xQLAbTSS5qf5N9DlaE7gnrxYO-aQfpLWYTNnl7xP5KBPULaRf68gnEF-pCkRjt/s1600/witch+cupcakes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsSTwNjCTH0vLQboSpnzdt55Jt6U1yMF1zXeSb__UOMc5Tbtl4sEI4FmZCZIZgjcxSeK1jaaTLAILA1xQLAbTSS5qf5N9DlaE7gnrxYO-aQfpLWYTNnl7xP5KBPULaRf68gnEF-pCkRjt/s1600/witch+cupcakes.jpg" style="border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Super simple Cheese puff pumpkin bags. You can buy decorative bags at the grocery or dollar tree and fill them yourself. Cheap and easy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozpgYQgPS5psS2SeiDhqjcJR3hKOAffnVW_HY_XmXPrzvkITax-am1xeTRv87DlRh4mECgz-sx3uXEeNMjyn4jGDzrdsr4B9AeRBgTsh5yjfYy99Per9CURydtfS15_DFECbTkeU0CXOq/s1600/pumpkin+cheetos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozpgYQgPS5psS2SeiDhqjcJR3hKOAffnVW_HY_XmXPrzvkITax-am1xeTRv87DlRh4mECgz-sx3uXEeNMjyn4jGDzrdsr4B9AeRBgTsh5yjfYy99Per9CURydtfS15_DFECbTkeU0CXOq/s1600/pumpkin+cheetos.jpg" style="border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502568821/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pumpkin patch cupcake poppers.</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502568821/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ9rl__aJt7iXqtDqyi2lsEq3FgT48fF4y1CXNMI4C5JCyz4hSXfPS7PAKmAJ3GoHRzdujkl2bIV90Of3dRXvAWIrDCUd-G8_xPe8Be_FjGgI19fIuOORFZDq_LcsOFHxfs5INCTeUGU/s1600/Pumpkin-Cakes-E.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWFMGIOaxZTMs8MD3xaapIgdJZD9X8aLOTCOejjp-8I1dmE7JFSm_bGCLuoX8rDzn2WDHb4EJvTntA2Z7ywgoGBDUhvfgYwa9oiYG8g45kequbs0uiAxiZZzxwdEloc_IufrsrtZtI7aI/s1600/pumpkin+patch++cupcake+toppers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502568914/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monster Marshmallow pops</a>: </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">So easy, the kids can make them...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXcV0GyXdiU_1FH2vGWJhlc0hRi2IMIDJJ27Ja4hfCqPk1G9pJ-un9fUXJaI0IuA1PIECFDJsBuax0o4dAGqmZvxulMNzoyoSBY9JePcGan_Vg8O0NIgG3dMVxN1J13eCkAESIljpZIWf/s1600/marshmallow+pops+bat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXcV0GyXdiU_1FH2vGWJhlc0hRi2IMIDJJ27Ja4hfCqPk1G9pJ-un9fUXJaI0IuA1PIECFDJsBuax0o4dAGqmZvxulMNzoyoSBY9JePcGan_Vg8O0NIgG3dMVxN1J13eCkAESIljpZIWf/s1600/marshmallow+pops+bat.jpg" style="border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502568492/" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Ear wax (caramel) marshmallows</a>: SO gross and so easy to make!<br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502568492/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClYiQMKpBkB9G_8tJvpBXtRVOfEtYLKF8c2yDwjJ_2XekBiIvTv8Dgp5PFLOdi4wHjMWh7iJ7dTQs0LHruKBmkucZ8B-GMOfIODEX2ElQOaX_N6J1_-Zvbk6pkm8mcwGfI_TFVn2iFi4/s1600/enhanced-buzz-1128-1381308525-7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502568534/" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Skeleton Cheese Skull</a><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502568534/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27qXhxojmw0uQYBLIiU1YnZxglCQDXwLdLvMUKyosklg25yGWEjF6GAS02fOHmL2pjCLPXzltLU9R6IoX_5hmRgz6SNg9iAeXIMRlNdzNbECNl0vUSC7lkQTCvo5lud4oZUwtJGwyFEI/s1600/enhanced-buzz-1751-1381309208-23.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502561019/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Halloween Bark</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d7oKyI4FA_ZFSGuWPRJZaw2NwG3CayId64p-OFxnRf3f-iKS2HGrv86BXhxR4jEjh0WNi4QTDRcYEhPNSEnb_w6U0I78iXotvFcUXX5Bhjc3yW26uLJuLXarSL5GjAx1pnkt8Kkyfgg/s1600/halloween-candy-chocolate-bark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d7oKyI4FA_ZFSGuWPRJZaw2NwG3CayId64p-OFxnRf3f-iKS2HGrv86BXhxR4jEjh0WNi4QTDRcYEhPNSEnb_w6U0I78iXotvFcUXX5Bhjc3yW26uLJuLXarSL5GjAx1pnkt8Kkyfgg/s1600/halloween-candy-chocolate-bark.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">Spider PB&J! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">I love Healthy Halloween-inspired treats.</span><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2N558fu_kaXbNKTXdn_r6MI9zzx0mHD4JuVChmCd-qBz7mehiWhqyaTjjrj4MjNEnrOza3yAL8hvLw7e3lO5C6lpOwP258IbVybpYNO-krfzl3xDgr5ebxIGgyzSIjQjtOgIDc_cmzks/s1600/halloweenpbjspiders500x300-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2N558fu_kaXbNKTXdn_r6MI9zzx0mHD4JuVChmCd-qBz7mehiWhqyaTjjrj4MjNEnrOza3yAL8hvLw7e3lO5C6lpOwP258IbVybpYNO-krfzl3xDgr5ebxIGgyzSIjQjtOgIDc_cmzks/s1600/halloweenpbjspiders500x300-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">This <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502573085/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monster Meatloaf </a>is so gross. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">I'm totally feeding it to my family.</span><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bkv0qoOy3jlSmWjRpSZ_BE87hRvvZqcNJuazbz8sipJGk-BgTWIRPaHKXWGNtN-ZLHsZX8RQzc5P8d4tZ9V9uWOwcu7UncLT78Ezce2_JA4ELQ8cySjs1D0ZnoR4UG0YDTmepk9GmoU/s1600/meatloaf-mummies-halloween-dinner-idea-560x293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502561338/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWa7e-bIvySa9jgiKHYg0kfcVyU5RbeL4Vuh9yvXENnrl1_XbC6dphMnV3IYn5WydyqrBFjQOTD16e8CsEKXLEukZci5o_zz3UAU6BWgwjNDNZmwmfVcodKvjcEP9HtfWUHGjtEmaJcQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-21+at+12.22.07+AM.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pumpkin drink cooler: GENIUS!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLd6u8poqezkwh1e80v21FL6z-g9VoGXjAaBWY72i8rkY1ejxwnaLXsB2e2GQpsn0nCvcUzbds-BUsEqdJ006qOvlo5FFhMVayWh7RzxQnddVOradKLAAItj0RjRvActPq8ohofcmStI/s1600/pumpkin-ice-bucket-512x1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLd6u8poqezkwh1e80v21FL6z-g9VoGXjAaBWY72i8rkY1ejxwnaLXsB2e2GQpsn0nCvcUzbds-BUsEqdJ006qOvlo5FFhMVayWh7RzxQnddVOradKLAAItj0RjRvActPq8ohofcmStI/s640/pumpkin-ice-bucket-512x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502573080/" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Coffin Bread Bowl</a>: SO EASY! No directions are needed...<br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oh70AgBIvtT1oBHzH_7N4pgYnct_V8JQ4Wf_TimZlJvVhhZnaS7lmECLupduaWNxRBu5Q9dm3q_whsMSR4k5Yg8P9mbVYNsIRhwkKivaNbyN8mhX_HwUIFHSBbSU5MJFzFcC1B9tUoQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-20+at+2.41.07+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344173596502561243/" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Homemade gummy worms</a>: We make these a few times a year. Fun and easy!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3WmgD0hyphenhyphenyN7bjNQU0UrPRVnbySb-K_P4rzjHwsB2Y4j1Yf9Rd5FUm-TWWnXl8KfVMP6F4j0cOOkJFwOqvcVj0OzxmgYskFL9oi56Rj7ns20wIYRPz6mPv7-hhVSTOvDoNOQk48VSJZo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-20+at+11.42.40+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3WmgD0hyphenhyphenyN7bjNQU0UrPRVnbySb-K_P4rzjHwsB2Y4j1Yf9Rd5FUm-TWWnXl8KfVMP6F4j0cOOkJFwOqvcVj0OzxmgYskFL9oi56Rj7ns20wIYRPz6mPv7-hhVSTOvDoNOQk48VSJZo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-20+at+11.42.40+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What's your favorite? Have you ever tried any?</span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Check out my Halloween Pinterest Boards for more Halloween inspiration, from costumes to decorations to more eats and treats<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/LoveLifeDIY/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-35902821910673223252022-10-28T22:52:00.000-04:002022-10-31T10:43:45.793-04:0011 Fall Fun Facts Worth KnowingWhile spring and summer are my favorite seasons, Autumn isn't really that bad. After all, it's a time for football, chili cookouts, boots, cozy sweaters, hoodies and leggings and eleven other things you will never believe! Keep reading for Autumn fun facts totally worth knowing...<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">DID YOU KNOW:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>1. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12843149" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Levels of testosterone in both men and women are at their highest in the fall</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">. Scientists speculate the surge may be a result of ancient mating instincts (e.g., the fall “rutting season”) or that decreasing daylight somehow triggers it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">2. According to NASA, <a href="http://nasa.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">autumn is “aurora season”</a> because geomagnetic storms are about twice as frequent as the annual average during the fall.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Cooler temperatures and less light during the autumn months signals the tree's leaves to stop producing chlorophyll, or the green pigment that helps capture sunlight to power photosynthesis. As the green fades, the leave’s other pigments shine through. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">4. Red and purple leaves are caused by the presence of sugars from sap that is trapped inside of the leaves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: super;">5. T</span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: super;">he word “harvest” comes from the Old Norse word, </span><em style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;">haust</em><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: super;">, which means “to gather or pluck.” As people moved to the cities, “harvest” fell out of use and city dwellers began to use “fall of the leaf,” which was shortened to “fall.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FUVS8x6dE_S5UlLNR8qPXiAQsnrDCnGEaRlrU6zoklNXmWtgA9qI4zbqW1ugA0lrvay2mA8yp8Krc3DSvU3tTFOYL6YM4RAVgH4ylkbxOIpECeVQPJoEuVk75lnXhCicwnlk0bWgdFA/s1600/cf882c569e45b1966aeb5bac3837dcb0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FUVS8x6dE_S5UlLNR8qPXiAQsnrDCnGEaRlrU6zoklNXmWtgA9qI4zbqW1ugA0lrvay2mA8yp8Krc3DSvU3tTFOYL6YM4RAVgH4ylkbxOIpECeVQPJoEuVk75lnXhCicwnlk0bWgdFA/s400/cf882c569e45b1966aeb5bac3837dcb0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. The shorter days and cooler nights tell the animals to begin storing food in their nest/</span>dens<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and fat on their body, before winter's death freeze arrives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) can lead to weight gain during autumn and winter. Lack of vitamin D reduces fat breakdown and triggers fat storage. Take a supplement before even consider sunbathing. It's safer, faster and healthier.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEBc8NSi49wSQl2-nKcYTN2FU4GSAvYUCIvCY44VvwJQNt32jdv57zvBBnpxBd3pAGH91tw4RUZjnH3N0xqaOFc1j0qotNddfjpGOBwTS8sHIPhj6E_1WHMFleWsINnK41MrQb3-lUsM/s1600/animals-funny-humor-Favim.com-622010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEBc8NSi49wSQl2-nKcYTN2FU4GSAvYUCIvCY44VvwJQNt32jdv57zvBBnpxBd3pAGH91tw4RUZjnH3N0xqaOFc1j0qotNddfjpGOBwTS8sHIPhj6E_1WHMFleWsINnK41MrQb3-lUsM/s1600/animals-funny-humor-Favim.com-622010.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: super;">8. Autumn holidays include Labor Day, Grandparents Day, Patriot Day, Autumn Equinox, Columbus </span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: super;">Day, Halloween, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: super;">Veterans Day, Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmmbkza5ScS59h3GBwjj5wYM4mTPQ1CBI1JsU-DrYduUgrAc9OtBOqI-zsg7jPltzZnVWXhILZtnqAZicrMZuMMrZY3AD2SNdGKzpXuvFJGjLjHhJxzGGTwjHBIUVWofRTM55mWaevdI/s1600/15aa6d9674ef4df2cae68ae3237a9e3f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmmbkza5ScS59h3GBwjj5wYM4mTPQ1CBI1JsU-DrYduUgrAc9OtBOqI-zsg7jPltzZnVWXhILZtnqAZicrMZuMMrZY3AD2SNdGKzpXuvFJGjLjHhJxzGGTwjHBIUVWofRTM55mWaevdI/s1600/15aa6d9674ef4df2cae68ae3237a9e3f.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Each autumn, monarch butterflies migrate from the U.S. to Mexico and some parts of Southern California. They fly at speeds of 12 to 25 miles per hour. Monarchs are the only insect that migrates during the winter to a warmer climate... 2,500 miles away!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1b1b; font-family: inherit;">10. The autumn equinox, or the 'First Day Of Fall' signals the aurora borealis--the Northern Lights--</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">geomagnetic storms are twice as likely to occur during the fall due to cool evening weather.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">11. The pumpkin or should I say, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Pepon</i>, </span><span style="background-color: white;">which means 'large melon',</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> was first named </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">by the Greeks,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">FYI: How a Pumpkin grows!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGIvG7GkZvLCPyeSIwQZENfhKM51nJIZGNn1KSg2C7J4Nz6OqtxFinV1xPOSIhvtl3KJ6T2qGi1TCH_VRmsUKRqBMKofz3_ynYWBsxrdUONmrv9Ja3qFBdv6ok0-eUxBGPcyGY5dveVU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-09-22+at+10.25.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGIvG7GkZvLCPyeSIwQZENfhKM51nJIZGNn1KSg2C7J4Nz6OqtxFinV1xPOSIhvtl3KJ6T2qGi1TCH_VRmsUKRqBMKofz3_ynYWBsxrdUONmrv9Ja3qFBdv6ok0-eUxBGPcyGY5dveVU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-09-22+at+10.25.55+AM.png" /></a></div>
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What's your favorite thing about Autumn, Fall, Harvest?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-21344536371436080462022-10-26T00:00:00.000-04:002022-10-31T10:53:02.798-04:0020 AMAZING Halloween Pumpkin Ideas I am in complete awe over the following pumpkins. It is absolutely mind-blowing what people come up with when decorating these big round orange fruits! Some don't even cut into them and still make a rad ass work of art out of them. <br>
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So without further ado...<br>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">20 Amazingly Badass Halloween Pumpkin Ideas...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72OxODg1O7dlThwfLmHnrrijP8V7pi8jh82NuRsAEWjujGNQKj2wolmPrEVul6lCnm0l-qKdzF3tdTxmii4GNalx8EmOdHjuk0uebXjHnbZnW4PMa5T-1NKG61rikBnufgjgbW75LOs1f/s1600/Insane+Pumpkin444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72OxODg1O7dlThwfLmHnrrijP8V7pi8jh82NuRsAEWjujGNQKj2wolmPrEVul6lCnm0l-qKdzF3tdTxmii4GNalx8EmOdHjuk0uebXjHnbZnW4PMa5T-1NKG61rikBnufgjgbW75LOs1f/s400/Insane+Pumpkin444.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Pumpkin puts the 'P' in PLEASE do mine next year!</span><br>
</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2013/10/20-amazing-halloween-pumpkin-ideas-some.html#more">Continue Reading</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-31517897758925464632022-10-24T23:15:00.001-04:002022-10-31T11:00:10.768-04:0020 Jaw Dropping Halloween Costumes for the Whole Family (WARNING: Post Rated: W.T.H.)<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I set out to do my annual Halloween costume idea post, I came across some of the most jaw-dropping </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">are-you-kidding-me-right-now</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> costumes. So, after wiping the tears of laughter away from my eyes, I decided the "best of" costumes post could wait </span>because<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the "worst of" was going to be WAY more fun to create.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But before we go any further... My friends, this post needs a WARNING: A few of these costumes are just plain <i>Epic Fail OH-Hell-No-what-is-happening-to-this-world-I-think-I-just-went-blind-with-disgust </i>costumes<i>. So please</i><i>, DO NOT try most of these at home...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i>Without further ado... It's about to get UGLY...</span><br />
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<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjkiOGaZRQNIkZuZ68Ps_NRMHyZAy3_7ghCkho4q5AzJg8hsbhIYO3qZ8ePxcQmC3yIhyphenhyphenHrrPx4tdYRenDR-fIf31oxggRl3oWnJGa7l01ummQOjqfzQJD5tKO0WS21CGvoopGHszPmPF/s320/epic-fail-costume-fail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Yeah, even the family pet is not safe from this post...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">The Kids...</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrrS3q6PlEH4b3SLIo8UO89Q-DxyBgXrHA99I2vxBPexhyztEhXfVxbQQbY4a55oNi6_H4Q1ArszvYt98VtDMhWYHMvZKsyo7Lt7twEsdn5ViU8w7c020pCqTW8yLuojAkxsJIj3W8tRp/s1600/kid+costume+fail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrrS3q6PlEH4b3SLIo8UO89Q-DxyBgXrHA99I2vxBPexhyztEhXfVxbQQbY4a55oNi6_H4Q1ArszvYt98VtDMhWYHMvZKsyo7Lt7twEsdn5ViU8w7c020pCqTW8yLuojAkxsJIj3W8tRp/s320/kid+costume+fail.jpg" width="274" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>So, you are trying to tell me that not only am I NOT going to be a princess...<br />I'm basically going to be a douchebag?</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8I-snH_kEopWqN1Pg3Y_g0J5JWaDQhQF_F6SD2xucJjAqcvJBQOQERhQZun8vZTyfcmTGBQOVieoriYN_Or747xEmX-yHWiGer4oKhLRi_jrmnpG8LNkpGNz8ljNMxPLq3KlaACI5yICn/s1600/Kid+fail+4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8I-snH_kEopWqN1Pg3Y_g0J5JWaDQhQF_F6SD2xucJjAqcvJBQOQERhQZun8vZTyfcmTGBQOVieoriYN_Or747xEmX-yHWiGer4oKhLRi_jrmnpG8LNkpGNz8ljNMxPLq3KlaACI5yICn/s400/Kid+fail+4.jpg" width="257" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Mom, I think I need some pants. </i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMKJoGrWsGIUrh0VBw6rh8SHF1qMAnG6GZmFwnI6V1-CPLvtFBTJs9smw-PGLzG4TKLNVS3Fd2saJm36VKKqjpLXrAkm38B2McCjH0YWfZ3k1MaM1eFCPSTux0bdoV6IgKehB1iiEBmuh/s1600/kids+fail44.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMKJoGrWsGIUrh0VBw6rh8SHF1qMAnG6GZmFwnI6V1-CPLvtFBTJs9smw-PGLzG4TKLNVS3Fd2saJm36VKKqjpLXrAkm38B2McCjH0YWfZ3k1MaM1eFCPSTux0bdoV6IgKehB1iiEBmuh/s400/kids+fail44.jpg" width="361" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><i>WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME! </i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrYwwASfIVtJb3vXMQOHpqEHX-fnZgyj0EPJebPWlp2ZRnOyKNzUQkrMntBFYmBfo2x1PNbM5Xc4fAGkGyLVtG_3hZkGiszHgx0KKawTSgRebWb074carQ4kLZP2Nj1h2ky_Fu0ooIA27/s1600/Kids+fail+3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrYwwASfIVtJb3vXMQOHpqEHX-fnZgyj0EPJebPWlp2ZRnOyKNzUQkrMntBFYmBfo2x1PNbM5Xc4fAGkGyLVtG_3hZkGiszHgx0KKawTSgRebWb074carQ4kLZP2Nj1h2ky_Fu0ooIA27/s400/Kids+fail+3.jpeg" width="298" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">NO...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> This is not acceptable in ADHD therapy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHEc4wzsZTs3hmJuKoqGTu-0gsRLsk63siChlbvYgboYKVm5yhoBsxRT0qk1DFixOzd5A-q-lNfOhSiN6n87HKL3L4JfaQ1WtFMcrNLFXUfzFlRZpqwNAN1rCOLPVwtUVq2HtOuPl9KA3/s1600/kids+fail+5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHEc4wzsZTs3hmJuKoqGTu-0gsRLsk63siChlbvYgboYKVm5yhoBsxRT0qk1DFixOzd5A-q-lNfOhSiN6n87HKL3L4JfaQ1WtFMcrNLFXUfzFlRZpqwNAN1rCOLPVwtUVq2HtOuPl9KA3/s400/kids+fail+5.jpg" width="346" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Please, the person behind the camera, tell me why... Please.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMnRtkjb0GjzIJbhVc07g-5oVatvDF4teYvwDC3TXsNFcKGXy50DjVLYLAuV6UkZi8JnLt63zto0jaYjWcferOBN6EXXqOAq9VmaqDRKIchb3opa9zc9sm7MicKoLculUN-nz2CXXD28w/s1600/Kids+fail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMnRtkjb0GjzIJbhVc07g-5oVatvDF4teYvwDC3TXsNFcKGXy50DjVLYLAuV6UkZi8JnLt63zto0jaYjWcferOBN6EXXqOAq9VmaqDRKIchb3opa9zc9sm7MicKoLculUN-nz2CXXD28w/s320/Kids+fail.jpg" width="392" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sweet mother of Mercy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I thought cloning was illegal?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWADZxLeyV0GXHQWyQJBcaFXUPttz14DgdihUqV5xpB_Hl6j5SIJddI1quoHPQnrDADDAo47ca1bbkRCHN2XgPjq902o5T0Dg2A27cWgQpjEqUxFfm6HsW3aSfuoUAwkJK2iaKaV5ig3Y/s1600/Worst+Costume+Kids2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWADZxLeyV0GXHQWyQJBcaFXUPttz14DgdihUqV5xpB_Hl6j5SIJddI1quoHPQnrDADDAo47ca1bbkRCHN2XgPjq902o5T0Dg2A27cWgQpjEqUxFfm6HsW3aSfuoUAwkJK2iaKaV5ig3Y/s400/Worst+Costume+Kids2.jpg" width="368" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">OK. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I love this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">How freaking easy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Mom and Dad </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIFFFQ34Aa7o2mpKM6JkBwJ-3AiFVDMR0f1Y_uZLz_3acdzZhlMAcWyvwRoPZFShWlg7Cj80c1AmfFutgL9-OZPfuUwH_rOYDKeUaq7Hzy3gOdohUEIzSyJZJVR-L_tJcZMYfg7jsU-LC/s1600/2150_halloween-costumes-girls-vs-guys_3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIFFFQ34Aa7o2mpKM6JkBwJ-3AiFVDMR0f1Y_uZLz_3acdzZhlMAcWyvwRoPZFShWlg7Cj80c1AmfFutgL9-OZPfuUwH_rOYDKeUaq7Hzy3gOdohUEIzSyJZJVR-L_tJcZMYfg7jsU-LC/s320/2150_halloween-costumes-girls-vs-guys_3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Mom... Dad... Don't.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGUFcmMj4MeDE8QzMVQYm31Ex_4m7fAQA5HtpJYVbHT_UqKmnDrjMdPXhNxDoXWptjqLGpqgtvmMai2GreI9iWeZ2DthZEY4vHhMU8oeRsQ3s6vD_USWfwIccx2m4W7U3gyaxGFJkhE-0/s1600/dad+fail+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGUFcmMj4MeDE8QzMVQYm31Ex_4m7fAQA5HtpJYVbHT_UqKmnDrjMdPXhNxDoXWptjqLGpqgtvmMai2GreI9iWeZ2DthZEY4vHhMU8oeRsQ3s6vD_USWfwIccx2m4W7U3gyaxGFJkhE-0/s320/dad+fail+2.jpg" width="220" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dad, GO HOME!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">And take your little friends with you.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjbg5fdoO6SHFjkXz7-DHlBNSLJGrdJFUkDHYR88NbIpYP55-L9CTOUswl8wJaAlL0qYJgtzh7vicWp7Z4AYf_l0OgTH1TLf_NAAg8GgiwmA3p-EaZVlNxbkIiPRdUpLdvucBfwr0uN9T/s1600/Dad+fail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjbg5fdoO6SHFjkXz7-DHlBNSLJGrdJFUkDHYR88NbIpYP55-L9CTOUswl8wJaAlL0qYJgtzh7vicWp7Z4AYf_l0OgTH1TLf_NAAg8GgiwmA3p-EaZVlNxbkIiPRdUpLdvucBfwr0uN9T/s320/Dad+fail.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dude. Really?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVZWvVxf6ScIcrLB5HwBgd_15seesz0wjDzuQrwqjDBDN7DE4v25IMps7V23wQHgcyunrsUbFiqpKCgyjj7mZFUDBTEnzDg4KYZjNtuvvFz4uALQSJQMOmmKfMWrkbMvbeRTPNwt_NZ-Q/s1600/mom+fail2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVZWvVxf6ScIcrLB5HwBgd_15seesz0wjDzuQrwqjDBDN7DE4v25IMps7V23wQHgcyunrsUbFiqpKCgyjj7mZFUDBTEnzDg4KYZjNtuvvFz4uALQSJQMOmmKfMWrkbMvbeRTPNwt_NZ-Q/s320/mom+fail2.jpg" width="280" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So that's how Octomom does it...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHqFncvEXEeoTbk6qGV_jqD24zu2JB9BQYcj6u_5XD_7Co7_RpKXMg-OFEjQrxRx36x6QXjjpWdB-SfYOyh8rLW_b5RMHX_f9MJq6-YV6d2RxYqdTPjCR6Y5qZDEZN2LN1gJE89cKk6Db/s1600/ninja-tampon-costume.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHqFncvEXEeoTbk6qGV_jqD24zu2JB9BQYcj6u_5XD_7Co7_RpKXMg-OFEjQrxRx36x6QXjjpWdB-SfYOyh8rLW_b5RMHX_f9MJq6-YV6d2RxYqdTPjCR6Y5qZDEZN2LN1gJE89cKk6Db/s320/ninja-tampon-costume.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">REALLY? Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Wait...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Is that Lady GaGa?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79Kuwn5gg8fgEoz5j1R9YvU_zEYY1wSf9ITZyKKAbwfBSWV27Y6ZpbIZTJDa6gUK1T2lOmUFQAywWILAv671hPz4yHcIfsrA-7Mfy686ExB7yWqCminBrxFOSCK8GLRQUIc-O33_6z1ZA/s1600/spongebob-pantsless.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79Kuwn5gg8fgEoz5j1R9YvU_zEYY1wSf9ITZyKKAbwfBSWV27Y6ZpbIZTJDa6gUK1T2lOmUFQAywWILAv671hPz4yHcIfsrA-7Mfy686ExB7yWqCminBrxFOSCK8GLRQUIc-O33_6z1ZA/s320/spongebob-pantsless.jpg" width="285" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0e0e46; line-height: 18px;">Sponge Bob's lawyer called...</span><br style="color: #0e0e46; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #0e0e46; line-height: 18px;">You are in big trouble when the Cops, Crimes against Cartoons, and CPS are finished with you.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvUWJOwcogIJl2v9Wy-7xR5RRbMsqEDZZIzm_N92BWNdvOKFMzD3jfl4tBUGCzoQSqA0EGiLyYqvxHDFuFBIWqV5FgTR2jqg-TF4D4yGRqqqqeYadhfChjOt0v1V7qNadBeIO7qlZNYoI/s1600/hooter+pole+rider.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvUWJOwcogIJl2v9Wy-7xR5RRbMsqEDZZIzm_N92BWNdvOKFMzD3jfl4tBUGCzoQSqA0EGiLyYqvxHDFuFBIWqV5FgTR2jqg-TF4D4yGRqqqqeYadhfChjOt0v1V7qNadBeIO7qlZNYoI/s1600/hooter+pole+rider.jpg" width="375" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The only thing I am sure of right now...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> is that...<br />It's holding a beer.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFtV5-FW9jgbU9Wk2g0ywL6C-72XXNoAIkMlWQlJcM-RY5DgwuMuPlKo4LUnS0SzFeuQ5fbAn5yZ28uhRLMUM-hRH3wvg6jrUmrvcyPhISJWJBQZUnteJuoCas7saUs4N9mhbMW1Uo86x/s1600/CRazy+Clown.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFtV5-FW9jgbU9Wk2g0ywL6C-72XXNoAIkMlWQlJcM-RY5DgwuMuPlKo4LUnS0SzFeuQ5fbAn5yZ28uhRLMUM-hRH3wvg6jrUmrvcyPhISJWJBQZUnteJuoCas7saUs4N9mhbMW1Uo86x/s400/CRazy+Clown.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Take a close look...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This is the asshole that ruined clowns for EVERYONE!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsUP1FLmBreNIpHvbh0NyMEehf9VhnByBxowmqp-fpBSEMDyNYylWIm8d-onp3Z8Orr6DS513T6-CpO-w5FPsz-zENq5wPUwynei9ivsVzIAOeW2hWW7ru1bUGiVGs5u0o94QgLbIO6Ht/s1600/Worst+Costume+mom+&+Dad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsUP1FLmBreNIpHvbh0NyMEehf9VhnByBxowmqp-fpBSEMDyNYylWIm8d-onp3Z8Orr6DS513T6-CpO-w5FPsz-zENq5wPUwynei9ivsVzIAOeW2hWW7ru1bUGiVGs5u0o94QgLbIO6Ht/s320/Worst+Costume+mom+&+Dad.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Mom... Dad... Good luck paying the therapist's bills.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">Family </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDDlXcijmE-4kjLKsonjZB_H_tYTxBIxbHy-sO1giygnyrT2uYnGt80AHvCX0lG0KEOlKMOgD_BYh_ab0K3PTANwAcZVTXdnmhqrqz-Q7CrSuPKBVH7lr4gbuat9mQgnm3zMfy3totz91/s1600/Worst+Costume+Kids.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDDlXcijmE-4kjLKsonjZB_H_tYTxBIxbHy-sO1giygnyrT2uYnGt80AHvCX0lG0KEOlKMOgD_BYh_ab0K3PTANwAcZVTXdnmhqrqz-Q7CrSuPKBVH7lr4gbuat9mQgnm3zMfy3totz91/s400/Worst+Costume+Kids.jpg" width="317" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">And 'Father of the Year goes to...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Not this guy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CR1ItOWJYyjet9jPWx-b4ZAfTXIMe87yppQ1dnT4Y0DN4xBtXLBWqdv3Lx_mcLuj_k5yF-cGLtzecj5Z5qfTInJHxUET1QI-QYqlRohzz6w9lIg6vSW1DptVRwOWKaS1gLHTGVMnR1ED/s1600/family+fail3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CR1ItOWJYyjet9jPWx-b4ZAfTXIMe87yppQ1dnT4Y0DN4xBtXLBWqdv3Lx_mcLuj_k5yF-cGLtzecj5Z5qfTInJHxUET1QI-QYqlRohzz6w9lIg6vSW1DptVRwOWKaS1gLHTGVMnR1ED/s320/family+fail3.jpg" width="301" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Indeed there is a good explanation for this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Surely.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv5hUGwrIPzBCtnqUQ9ND9Kq3vbOKy05kVzo6yCKRe9wRGTOdVS1FqXlWx1XsgGJk0WDuyrKFyIcbD4hrGyTrorzN-hmauHLBTYnyuL3ZmfivXJxEto2zNTdg0M_G7gnA12BH5P9ZhtDA/s1600/Family+fail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv5hUGwrIPzBCtnqUQ9ND9Kq3vbOKy05kVzo6yCKRe9wRGTOdVS1FqXlWx1XsgGJk0WDuyrKFyIcbD4hrGyTrorzN-hmauHLBTYnyuL3ZmfivXJxEto2zNTdg0M_G7gnA12BH5P9ZhtDA/s400/Family+fail.jpg" width="376" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Um. Well...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I guess this dad can have the award.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">His kid is covered up, and so is he.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfZ2PlQyts4W0tItrEmOD82SPn2NiwdtUrycAAPSgFlHI9X8ZFqKrj80_Y_RftlogXW_NLmapWVpUxDfa_Abpz8OXGxYq51lx7-3CEHe20jkb1T-Hx0hKks_wbpWcMJ_0DJXKVQ1p1us6/s1600/Epic+family+costume+failjpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfZ2PlQyts4W0tItrEmOD82SPn2NiwdtUrycAAPSgFlHI9X8ZFqKrj80_Y_RftlogXW_NLmapWVpUxDfa_Abpz8OXGxYq51lx7-3CEHe20jkb1T-Hx0hKks_wbpWcMJ_0DJXKVQ1p1us6/s320/Epic+family+costume+failjpg.jpg" width="287" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">OK, this is actually genius...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">As long as they are not the beginning of the Zombie Apocalypse.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJNKMeRgvmnFFhdXHHZy5FmkVFGNFu5FsijPaS2_KboH8WOC97mFHlBOh888_XJW2Yd-xNoVyuI7IsLoPhGbutO9AU7UjBzC2aDdqUeVjWQd7VM0sRFCJU0kzqJowtMzXWOoOXm_dFg0O/s1600/gfamily+fail.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJNKMeRgvmnFFhdXHHZy5FmkVFGNFu5FsijPaS2_KboH8WOC97mFHlBOh888_XJW2Yd-xNoVyuI7IsLoPhGbutO9AU7UjBzC2aDdqUeVjWQd7VM0sRFCJU0kzqJowtMzXWOoOXm_dFg0O/s400/gfamily+fail.jpeg" width="408" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nope. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">No explanation will do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">None.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">ZERO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just cannot end on this note. I have to clean this mess up before you leave. After all of those fails, we need a superhero-sized save. We need a win...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g8bQU_vjYEG2l_Xp5jpJaSWC8Pmc7X0EIsMSjAH7k49fHfwT6oA30XblbADYgcQ73FNBTaNWfunlqe4Zk9kKeF317-ONhnFaM9Le8f43wqH9gTXivZu66ImjDAdIhq13izGzjl1lCE1c/s1600/halloween+costume+cuteness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g8bQU_vjYEG2l_Xp5jpJaSWC8Pmc7X0EIsMSjAH7k49fHfwT6oA30XblbADYgcQ73FNBTaNWfunlqe4Zk9kKeF317-ONhnFaM9Le8f43wqH9gTXivZu66ImjDAdIhq13izGzjl1lCE1c/s400/halloween+costume+cuteness.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-12829084053416334612021-08-29T10:00:00.004-04:002021-08-29T10:00:00.211-04:00Healthy Before School Breakfast Popsicles <p> I know what you're thinking, <i>Popsicles? Before school? Healthy?</i></p><p>Yep. I said it. And, I meant it. </p><p>You can make superfood popsicles with ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.</p><div>It's true.<br /><br />If you have yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit/greens, and/or juice, you have AWESOME popsicles waiting to be made. Just pull out the Dixie cups and craft sticks, then pour and freeze.<br /><br /></div><div>It's seriously THAT simple!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23MY9mr7cHEkaD6gZuaPa2w3UMvHCUkshoXSGU5jW-3-4MPuiI63_IdaTEYHEeyDHfvJ7U2d9q2ezcDQm11WadF0Hal1NJkS0hJVMeUQtNOlPpgFZ_zF6K7QtUsCuqG2NgeHKB36rxYo/s1600/homemade-popsicle-heaven.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23MY9mr7cHEkaD6gZuaPa2w3UMvHCUkshoXSGU5jW-3-4MPuiI63_IdaTEYHEeyDHfvJ7U2d9q2ezcDQm11WadF0Hal1NJkS0hJVMeUQtNOlPpgFZ_zF6K7QtUsCuqG2NgeHKB36rxYo/s1600/homemade-popsicle-heaven.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br />In fact, not only do I save money by making my own popsicles, I waste less too! I open the produce drawer and start grabbing the things that need to be used; spinach, kale, apples, oranges, strawberries, bananas... Then throw them in the blender with yogurt, juice, or coconut water easy and healthy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyYP0R4Z4H2kL035RcKDc73n41Ou2Oml1nHz85zozpN_3KXsRcsXkCn8eK6SnvqE5FNDCBhBxqHItqntUsVqfNEqc5l3nTK_deV0HMUpYdN-Z5qzlD01qApLoARRL8CzooDcQW9Yr-2c/s1600/popsicles_step2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyYP0R4Z4H2kL035RcKDc73n41Ou2Oml1nHz85zozpN_3KXsRcsXkCn8eK6SnvqE5FNDCBhBxqHItqntUsVqfNEqc5l3nTK_deV0HMUpYdN-Z5qzlD01qApLoARRL8CzooDcQW9Yr-2c/s1600/popsicles_step2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Or, buy bus stop-friendly popsicle molds. My favorite molds are mess-free and safe for kiddos. <a href="http://amzn.to/2pp8LaU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silicone, food-grade popsicle molds with lids</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Do4tDtl-TMk1V3KZRiYamlIZGlY2GQKHC9J1sEfredPrEhihA7lEbXe8cPcmTBrbtFrPq5-EKUIVg7ZnOfkNML1eSfI7EWC1qj7NHxjmeeHus1JftfsHTzYKVR5u5a-CJ9Ja1gqzHuU3/s1600/8133picKxFL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Do4tDtl-TMk1V3KZRiYamlIZGlY2GQKHC9J1sEfredPrEhihA7lEbXe8cPcmTBrbtFrPq5-EKUIVg7ZnOfkNML1eSfI7EWC1qj7NHxjmeeHus1JftfsHTzYKVR5u5a-CJ9Ja1gqzHuU3/s640/8133picKxFL._SL1500_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>BONUS: They make great snack containers, too!</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>OK, now that the molds are covered, it's time to move on to the super-duper easy part, making the popsicles!<br /><br />These <a href="http://detoxinista.com/2013/05/peanut-butter-banana-ice-pops/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peanut Butter Banana Ice Pops</a> are SO simple and great for breakfast on-the-go too! Add Peanut Butter, Bananas, honey, almond milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of Himalayan salt, then blend, pour, freeze, eat!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTtYHciG6A9889pKjakHcL48X4vWtnDM3FFGcbvV2epJNR-CJx0vYG_4_5zkc32AQePbZ-JMK2KOOZFYQcWvCX7q78E3px-fjTOoKsUdMC1X6yWEXJVQVk8dVw11IGtuC2Gwi9N9sOF7H/s1600/Peanut-butter-popsicles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTtYHciG6A9889pKjakHcL48X4vWtnDM3FFGcbvV2epJNR-CJx0vYG_4_5zkc32AQePbZ-JMK2KOOZFYQcWvCX7q78E3px-fjTOoKsUdMC1X6yWEXJVQVk8dVw11IGtuC2Gwi9N9sOF7H/s1600/Peanut-butter-popsicles.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /><br />These<a href="http://www.brit.co/picks/the-tastiest-healthy-dessert-around-peach-smoothie-popsicles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Peach Smoothie Popsicles</a> from Brit + Co are a summer staple for me. I LOVE peaches, and so does the kid. Sometimes I throw in chocolate shavings for an extra sweet treat!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCJMvaAiFKM8sH6jw3TY1CHwp0fHWkY1AY0lzSXqRCvcSsEA4gRHbAWYoi8GSoacD4jkJhElCVotwziPgmxEDuqn0EHmEDQAIOOWhaw2_mrhXrIUsCtLb9FOjb8rTdLBeNbZmbdW_paUU/s1600/external-post-image-6336-Peach-Banana-Smoothie-4-650x460.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCJMvaAiFKM8sH6jw3TY1CHwp0fHWkY1AY0lzSXqRCvcSsEA4gRHbAWYoi8GSoacD4jkJhElCVotwziPgmxEDuqn0EHmEDQAIOOWhaw2_mrhXrIUsCtLb9FOjb8rTdLBeNbZmbdW_paUU/s1600/external-post-image-6336-Peach-Banana-Smoothie-4-650x460.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: -webkit-standard; orphans: auto; text-size-adjust: auto; widows: auto;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal;"><div style="margin: 0px;">These <a href="http://www.thepinterestproject.com/2013/06/layered-berry-yogurt-popsicles.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">layered Berry + Yogurt popsicles</a> are super healthy and festive for Memorial Day!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyo3G4mXfstvoSXFseNM4LD6Pmfdb2Ao2GZiBus5l4XfD-PPDP_wj2y1PqWZz1-3nHvllg9TF4ApbchtfrVX7ZeHPwWWHzsTDcFrFqgDOm0vQ7z5YcydSR8PHgmD83nAGaPCqJtYi7gsh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-01+at+4.27.28+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyo3G4mXfstvoSXFseNM4LD6Pmfdb2Ao2GZiBus5l4XfD-PPDP_wj2y1PqWZz1-3nHvllg9TF4ApbchtfrVX7ZeHPwWWHzsTDcFrFqgDOm0vQ7z5YcydSR8PHgmD83nAGaPCqJtYi7gsh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-01+at+4.27.28+PM.png" /></a></div><br />Tip: To make those fancy layers pour one or two layers in at a time, then freeze. Repeat.<br /><br />Looking for the REAL breakfast of champions? Look no further than these <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/LoveLifeDIY/homemade-popsicles/https://www.pinterest.com/LoveLifeDIY/homemade-popsicles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yogurt Parfait Popsicles</a>.<br />Mix greek yogurt with a little honey, grab berries and granola, and start layering. Add smoothie mix-ins like protein powder or superfood powder for an extra kick.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzr13xY69w4Coemzw0J0Uc6g9vnpnb_aOj7q-W_xYjCAu9FgP86dxIvuFYQOQLjuHap8kYwld7qha-7oL0pOlSi93bwGTXe_IZXAt08JayZ7qudaV_8wAG0EVbGiiHUQB5deOmbrpNvGx/s1600/+Yogurt+Parfait+Popsicles..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzr13xY69w4Coemzw0J0Uc6g9vnpnb_aOj7q-W_xYjCAu9FgP86dxIvuFYQOQLjuHap8kYwld7qha-7oL0pOlSi93bwGTXe_IZXAt08JayZ7qudaV_8wAG0EVbGiiHUQB5deOmbrpNvGx/s1600/+Yogurt+Parfait+Popsicles..jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Hate throwing away leftover melon? First, puree it, then mix in a little coconut water, juice, or yogurt to give it a smoother texture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKTj2Pa7VxHg1XL4MqkFCExh5_3LenTpbLSJUilh4eJqdrdVtmPmrQBK4dprE8trqa_UbWWC5i5SfcyRCGiB5F7DvG3t2e6qmer6T1a2N1gg3zWFWTT21x0ML9JACplk6UpeYnuEATOmh/s1600/melon+pops.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKTj2Pa7VxHg1XL4MqkFCExh5_3LenTpbLSJUilh4eJqdrdVtmPmrQBK4dprE8trqa_UbWWC5i5SfcyRCGiB5F7DvG3t2e6qmer6T1a2N1gg3zWFWTT21x0ML9JACplk6UpeYnuEATOmh/s1600/melon+pops.png" /></a></div><br /><br />Can't be bothered to blend? Slice the fruit, stick a stick in it and freeze. Chocolate optional. (As if.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF71KJ6EuBewoWp45drP0G34Rm7NktUshyYkZim1-h8I9mI4Lo2C_Svpt9RH1kIhkGbt1drLQRX4yiZMfQKZrv42JZpYnyWDXy2_vEfZw2Kf5qoy0LJTvV8GRifw3nyBvwY3X2MvTQUz-p/s1600/whole-fruit-popsicles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF71KJ6EuBewoWp45drP0G34Rm7NktUshyYkZim1-h8I9mI4Lo2C_Svpt9RH1kIhkGbt1drLQRX4yiZMfQKZrv42JZpYnyWDXy2_vEfZw2Kf5qoy0LJTvV8GRifw3nyBvwY3X2MvTQUz-p/s1600/whole-fruit-popsicles.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm sure you get the point, Homemade Superfood Popsicles are easy and yummy. Now, go dig in the fridge and make something magical!<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Check out all of my superfood and not-so-healthy favorites, including boozy Pop-tails on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/LoveLifeDIY/homemade-popsicles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Homemade Popsicle Pinterest Board!</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /> </div></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-91491556467815219422021-08-28T15:12:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:12:48.645-04:00How Much Sleep Does Your Child Need For Their Age?<p>Now that school is back in session, it's time to get those sleep schedules nailed down. It's beyond essential! And not because I say so... Rachel Dawkins, M.D.<span face="proxima-nova" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">, with <span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><a href="https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/ACH-News/General-News/The-importance-of-sleep-for-kids" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital</a></span>, says so:</span></p><p><span face="proxima-nova" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><i>Kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health. Not getting enough sleep can lead to high blood pressure, obesity and even depression.</i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">So how much sleep does a person need for their specific age?</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QO3Yot5SQ0rfHxEy27uLsCJx4FTGH4GgCgIuVPVrbuvmlksI434Xv1qxmjkH38hR9WXiUUkP8cwrjFkVCPR9ppjQuT6fDSETjWsPw6BhR1Ntzi5w0fq0MwUt5AWsL-Anhhiy-I7rcGBH/s1650/recommended-sleep-duration-for-children-and-teens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1650" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QO3Yot5SQ0rfHxEy27uLsCJx4FTGH4GgCgIuVPVrbuvmlksI434Xv1qxmjkH38hR9WXiUUkP8cwrjFkVCPR9ppjQuT6fDSETjWsPw6BhR1Ntzi5w0fq0MwUt5AWsL-Anhhiy-I7rcGBH/w640-h494/recommended-sleep-duration-for-children-and-teens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px !important; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;">I 100% get how friggin' hard it is t get kids on a scheduled sleep routine. My son is nine and I still prepare for bedtime-war EVERY SINGLE STUPID NIGHT! It's worth it. Here are some things that help get him in the sleep-spirit:</span></div><p></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #434749; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding-left: 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; list-style-type: disc; padding: 10px 0px;">Start at the SAME TIME EVERY NIGHT!</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; list-style-type: disc; padding: 10px 0px;">NO electronics/screens at least an hour before bed</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; list-style-type: disc; padding: 10px 0px;">NO caffeine after 5pm</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; list-style-type: disc; padding: 10px 0px;">Warm shower/bath</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; list-style-type: disc; padding: 10px 0px;">Read before bed</li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkGBKx8Ti1YB9Qxf4KLV6WLFFmj1ZSCAADFLq-RC7wA1o3hJlV74CtCjnVnLxXgSxwhG50DnP9bcKa76jWIVHRri9SscUP_em04dL9u75ZY9L1QEdbF9XHV8cMbwWttv9uqF6QOCjhRpS/s480/Go_the_fuck_to_sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="480" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkGBKx8Ti1YB9Qxf4KLV6WLFFmj1ZSCAADFLq-RC7wA1o3hJlV74CtCjnVnLxXgSxwhG50DnP9bcKa76jWIVHRri9SscUP_em04dL9u75ZY9L1QEdbF9XHV8cMbwWttv9uqF6QOCjhRpS/s320/Go_the_fuck_to_sleep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #434749; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding-left: 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; list-style-type: disc; padding: 10px 0px;">Don't give into the BS about being hungry, thirsty, and every other crap excuse to prolong bedtime.</li></ul><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;">It takes about three weeks to fully nail down the bedtime routine, but once your child's arcadian rhythm gets with the flow, bedtime is actually not total brain damage. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24F56InvrPTZD0klyJUnZvdL1Fqm4DkNfMa-YSrLt10iJv-TYwTz2rCpia10GwQRF6DPn_Ag5C_4SZsYjW45JWMO60qbe1P1mMWtwXwotRpbh4c4j6mf9sK20q23ff3P9pZBSWOk890AL/s400/new+mom+bad+friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="400" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24F56InvrPTZD0klyJUnZvdL1Fqm4DkNfMa-YSrLt10iJv-TYwTz2rCpia10GwQRF6DPn_Ag5C_4SZsYjW45JWMO60qbe1P1mMWtwXwotRpbh4c4j6mf9sK20q23ff3P9pZBSWOk890AL/s320/new+mom+bad+friend.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>STAY STRONG MOMS AND DADS! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-8301319007022725862021-08-28T14:11:00.001-04:002021-08-28T14:11:35.871-04:005 Tips For Back-To-School Sports Heat Relief #BackToSchool<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCBcvBuR_bQ5Wild2e5S9WBRwZSickoUvfrctO9ItWONecqkwTADwaCz8KiE6r5OvmIkFwO20eosylz1If-0qGwkyfeQuv71lO3tdn0lfYIYm9e0tchV7Jt59m2OdJwULbogV49UlBwkO/s1600/5+Back-To-School+Sports+Lifesavers+You%2527ll+LOVE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCBcvBuR_bQ5Wild2e5S9WBRwZSickoUvfrctO9ItWONecqkwTADwaCz8KiE6r5OvmIkFwO20eosylz1If-0qGwkyfeQuv71lO3tdn0lfYIYm9e0tchV7Jt59m2OdJwULbogV49UlBwkO/s640/5+Back-To-School+Sports+Lifesavers+You%2527ll+LOVE.png" width="640" /></a></p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span>I'm dedicating this post to the families sweating buckets during back-to-school sports practices and games. </span>My heart goes out to little ones and their families enduring heatstroke and sunburns for<i> 'the love of the game.'</i> If 100 degree August afternoons on the football field are wearing down your family, b</span><span style="background-color: white;">elow are five things I used to keep my family cool the weekend we braved </span><span style="background-color: white;">107-degree </span><span style="background-color: white;">temps to win a cake and ride the rides at a church picnic. </span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Prior to the picnic, I scoured the Internet, novelty stores, Target, and The Dollar Tree for anything that would promise to keep my family cool and protected from the sun's rays and stupid-hot summer temps. I bought many things, but most were a gimmick or complete crap, or both. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Below are the top five things that kept us cool, hydrated, and protected from the sun's rays. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="Call me a VISCO girl. I. Don't. Care. And also... " rel="nofollow">The Hydro Flask</a></span><b> ($30): </b></span><b>First and foremost, if</b><span><b> nothing else, hydrate your child.</b> That being said, I wholly recommend the Hydro Flask for the job! </span>A bestie sent it to me for my birthday and it's the water bottle I depend on to keep my water cold ALLLLLL DAAAAY!!!!!! It is the most indestructible, amazing liquid-holding contraption ever.<span> It keeps ice water icy cold and hot soup super hot. You can seriously put a few ice cubes in this thing in the morning and fill it full of water, and by the end, the ice cubes will be intact</span><span>. I've had my Hydro Flask for about five years now and it looks as good as the day I got it. How many water bottles can you say that about?</span><br /><span><br /></span><span><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmRSGINUkiwwzLuHRt4x4iWK43I3UycEBcB9ao9irLge9g0lAZ5ytM_60LF7O1hPwlU6nQaCf-ItB7Lv5b_muaHCpxi6EhcUkgGfnu67_hlmu-JSd62K0LbiJAPA7CizSvnqgOUtVvhoI/s1600/unnamed+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmRSGINUkiwwzLuHRt4x4iWK43I3UycEBcB9ao9irLge9g0lAZ5ytM_60LF7O1hPwlU6nQaCf-ItB7Lv5b_muaHCpxi6EhcUkgGfnu67_hlmu-JSd62K0LbiJAPA7CizSvnqgOUtVvhoI/s320/unnamed+2.jpg" width="276" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRttZbWQihKEsAbP7wpI19iNcS3TQ_7lHDiDOsAhIFeVLuEpL4DNwtD0yaGX77fVKKomq9FSDkBABF1W1-Do-N6r4Bqfu7z3rhCSLD4z-GzLHhEDandzIXuWUoYsINHltiJN1n3WtCL11-/s1600/Hydro-Flask.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRttZbWQihKEsAbP7wpI19iNcS3TQ_7lHDiDOsAhIFeVLuEpL4DNwtD0yaGX77fVKKomq9FSDkBABF1W1-Do-N6r4Bqfu7z3rhCSLD4z-GzLHhEDandzIXuWUoYsINHltiJN1n3WtCL11-/s320/Hydro-Flask.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2ulwuwM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ultra Soft Cooling Towel</a> </span><b>($9):</b> If you bought one of the first cooling towels to hit the market, then you know while they worked like magic, once the towel dries, it's a stiff cardboard sheet. Thankfully, cooling towels have had an upgrade. </span>The new ones stay soft, wet or dry. Now, you can throw it in your handbag, and all you've got to do is just find a little bit of water, soak it, snap it a few times, and you instantly have a cold towel. This is a mom emergency heat stroke lifesaver. <div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Every parent should have one handy. </b><b>Seriously,</b><b> they're so cheap, why not?</b></div><div><b><br /></b><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYIM5ufcqgMQ8q6ZRRBSVNV8GVY23Ab5_GY6JDetcWxTUl55vbbrRB7i3VZcU0BCjyuaN7DaM4xFAaPNUJZLqgljVQ9MS8Fvp4NShlDaUZtV9uwoDKnPWVdkILe7t-oAX60b0ph2aLmfJ/s1600/Cooling+Towel.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYIM5ufcqgMQ8q6ZRRBSVNV8GVY23Ab5_GY6JDetcWxTUl55vbbrRB7i3VZcU0BCjyuaN7DaM4xFAaPNUJZLqgljVQ9MS8Fvp4NShlDaUZtV9uwoDKnPWVdkILe7t-oAX60b0ph2aLmfJ/s200/Cooling+Towel.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTYZIRIOT6YbSo4d4ZxIvuTLaIjF9rWCyM-h2IWVAjarCqci_l-MepLMago0s_qTwTYQovyl6g2bGIMQgDpm18hZoebjcfa9ML3ujt9OC0JH5ozBT9OE2fKsF6TJ6ZPDoFoCIqjAIeKjL/s1600/CoolingTowel.jpg"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTYZIRIOT6YbSo4d4ZxIvuTLaIjF9rWCyM-h2IWVAjarCqci_l-MepLMago0s_qTwTYQovyl6g2bGIMQgDpm18hZoebjcfa9ML3ujt9OC0JH5ozBT9OE2fKsF6TJ6ZPDoFoCIqjAIeKjL/s400/CoolingTowel.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3mE2bLx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Necklace Fan</a> </span><b>($16 for Two or $10 for One): </b></span>This thing is hysterical!!! But so friggin' great. All you do is pop in some batteries, slip the fan over your head and tighten it up around your neck, and BOOM, instant, hands-free air conditioning. Definitely not the most fashionable thing, but it works. Well. And it's totally worth the money! I gifted one to a girlfriend who runs her family's YUMMY ice cream food truck. She LOVED it! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwLnLZ_FQa82CW6DMsov7yfAmbL1tMqfPZVzupsn0xS0JPglDKse7n4wO3s27hFe6j6_ZRLfEZuVXM9kDQ7eBOjcvY1m3n7ZJGqUrqfNFg_EQrKyCFCzlXcSFDKiePPoMY-0BeBWdKPYV/s1600/neck+fan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwLnLZ_FQa82CW6DMsov7yfAmbL1tMqfPZVzupsn0xS0JPglDKse7n4wO3s27hFe6j6_ZRLfEZuVXM9kDQ7eBOjcvY1m3n7ZJGqUrqfNFg_EQrKyCFCzlXcSFDKiePPoMY-0BeBWdKPYV/s400/neck+fan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2vB7voZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3zq2P33" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The handheld 5-speed fan</span></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>($15). </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">This fan was a wild-card winner! I was floored when it arrived... There are 5-speeds, and it turns into a USB charger for your phone! We now own three. This fan is a Grandstand winner! </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA09XSrYOWbDRK1Mg2a-ZJpAxsPszJDJf5_s2VKnAq1gO-8AT6-4Bzv6x0ldAwxYTFn8BFtuNiH69LPXEM67D3_qimmjFuyr2ha0SO55EDZcCNAxuUMjcQBH5-GrVFBMy-CprwrorpBXR0/s886/Handheld-fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="666" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA09XSrYOWbDRK1Mg2a-ZJpAxsPszJDJf5_s2VKnAq1gO-8AT6-4Bzv6x0ldAwxYTFn8BFtuNiH69LPXEM67D3_qimmjFuyr2ha0SO55EDZcCNAxuUMjcQBH5-GrVFBMy-CprwrorpBXR0/w368-h358/Handheld-fan.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none a-color-secondary" id="title" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3kE7x7c" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">UPF 50+ Bucket Sun Hat UV Sun Protection with Mesh Rim ($10-$15)</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">:</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"> </span></span></span></h1><span><span style="background-color: white;">I</span>'m so in love with the hats. I bought a hat for all of us. All three were inexpensive and have been LIFESAVERS since day one. The mesh rim lets the air blow through. Most of all, the UPF material actually </span>blocks<span> some of those seriously harmful sun rays. </span><br /><span><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjU6clpCUmkbd8DquLDU3LdrKmAXtG5EqU-5p1uRoTbFOqAHZbxy-rdkhRAUmKR0Zz4IQrknoHP3OhyphenhyphenvqtmetdUDhEG-UPc8zCS0Y76Unx47P4z8OTWUS0kpfxr4SBYiro7o7IYGerW85/s1600/upf-childs-hat.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjU6clpCUmkbd8DquLDU3LdrKmAXtG5EqU-5p1uRoTbFOqAHZbxy-rdkhRAUmKR0Zz4IQrknoHP3OhyphenhyphenvqtmetdUDhEG-UPc8zCS0Y76Unx47P4z8OTWUS0kpfxr4SBYiro7o7IYGerW85/s1600/upf-childs-hat.png" /></a></div><span><br /></span><br /><span><span style="background-color: white;">What's your Summer Heat Lifesaver?<br /></span></span><br /><div><br /></div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-63069066296597410632021-08-25T01:05:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:36:16.836-04:00These Childhood Development Facts Will Shock + Amaze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeA9r5CGMwoFcvCpC1LQ_85j5EyUyFtp8-YEC-GQmMG-N1jREYcNduc4hf-wjI6HezQadEMrZjxH4Xsd1NPrnWL1up84HH_1hVmo-JHDMA00e3VUP7kqvy8r0qRLr_O5ONP4VGJSZ2ISX/s1600/1920.jpg" imageanchor="1"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeA9r5CGMwoFcvCpC1LQ_85j5EyUyFtp8-YEC-GQmMG-N1jREYcNduc4hf-wjI6HezQadEMrZjxH4Xsd1NPrnWL1up84HH_1hVmo-JHDMA00e3VUP7kqvy8r0qRLr_O5ONP4VGJSZ2ISX/s640/1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. If babies’ bodies grew at the same rapid pace as their brains, they would weigh 170 pounds by one month of age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. 60% of all the energy a baby expends is concentrated in the brain. Birth-to-three is the fastest rate of brain development across the entire human lifespan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. The average child will grow in their baby teeth by three and lose them before turning thirteen.</span><br />
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<tr style="border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 2px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td align="middle" class="subhead" colspan="3" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; color: #3a6d69; line-height: 1.07; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; vertical-align: bottom;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Primary Teeth Development Chart</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Upper Teeth</span></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When tooth emerges</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When tooth falls out</span></span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Central incisor</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 to 12 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6 to 7 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lateral incisor</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9 to 13 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7 to 8 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Canine (cuspid)</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16 to 22 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10 to 12 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First molar</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13 to 19 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9 to 11 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Second molar</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">25 to 33 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10 to 12 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lower Teeth</span></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Second molar</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">23 to 31 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10 to 12 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First molar</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14 to 18 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9 to 11 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Canine (cuspid)</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17 to 23 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9 to 12 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lateral incisor</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10 to 16 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7 to 8 years</span></td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; vertical-align: middle;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left-width: 0px; border-right: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Central incisor</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6 to 10 months</span></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-left: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); border-right-width: 0px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(118, 118, 116); box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: condensed; line-height: 1.14; padding: 8px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6 to 7 years</span></td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-fa28b9bf-fe0f-ca08-e965-b1e45aeac04c"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Food for thought:</b> According to </span><a href="https://www.truedentfamilydentistry.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Truedent Family Dentistry</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, in Miami, FL, “Dental decay usually traces back to a high amounts of sugar in the diet and improper brushing habits. By teaching your child to brush regularly and limiting his intake of sugar, cavities can become a thing of the past." </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Your kids' health is an investment in their future. Not only that but teaching your child good health habits will save you large medical bills in the future. </span></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fa28b9bf-fe0f-ca08-e965-b1e45aeac04c"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Babies whose parents frequently talk to them know 300 more words by age 2 than babies whose parents rarely speak to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">By age 1, a child typically understands about 70 words, </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">but can</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> only speak only a handful of them.</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> At about 18 months, your toddler's spoken vocabulary starts to explode, adding new words at the astonishing rate of one every two waking hours.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">When your toddler announces, "Mine!" while clinging to his truck in a playgroup, it's not so much a selfish refusal to share as it is a cognitive achievement. The declaration of "mine" is his way of saying he understands that you — and the other children — are separate from him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">7. </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Music boosts learning</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; line-height: inherit; text-align: justify;">. Singing, listening to, and playing music improves spatial orientation and mathematical thinking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; line-height: inherit; text-align: justify;">8. </span>A baby has 300 separate bones at birth but by adulthood only 206. Why?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because some bones, like the skull, fuse together later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br />9. Until the age of six or seven months, a child can breathe and swallow at the same time. -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> 75% of adults reading this will try to do it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">10. The average 4-year-old asks 437 questions a day!</span><span style="background-color: white;"> (No big surprise there!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Sources:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/thinking-skills-learning-styles/5-fast-facts-about-your-childs-brain" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scholastic.com</a></span><br />
<a href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-teeth" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Web MD Oral Care</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.parents.com/kids/development/important-child-development-research-studies-2011/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Parents. com</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://michigan.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Michigan.edu</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/child/development/10facts/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">World Health Organization</span></a></div>
FirstTimeMomandDad.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021462962852921235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-68805118982458342112021-08-23T00:00:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:35:59.097-04:006 Sanity Saving Survival Tips For New MomsI have no doubt that every mother will agree with me when I say, during pregnancy, the only thing you get more of than stretch marks and bad gas, is parenting advice. Between the always ready to share been-there-done-that mothers, parenting books, and online resources, the information available today for new mothers is overwhelming. What's more, you never know what to believe since one book will contradict the next, and what one mother swears by, another mother will insist did not work for her baby. Weeding through all of the advice can be daunting, to say the least.<br />
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Looking back, I wish I was given more advice on how to deal with becoming a mother, and less on the three million different ways to rock a baby to sleep. I needed to know about the self-doubt and the failures that came along with motherhood, or that having a baby would take a huge toll on my marriage and personal life if I let it. After talking with numerous other mothers, I realized we all struggled with the same issues; things it seemed no one bothered to warn us about in between lessons on feeding, changing and rocking our newborn to sleep. I've put together a list of the top six things we all agree are so important for new mothers to know. Things we wish we didn't have to learn the hard way.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkve5-w1R0e-qPjU5aQaz6_1hANwy9dGZhZH2_ft2cASLKClkEglLEsvTsjLpQ1CDzR48F-NgLNp6qFA0xUhAPYAMSD3jgrqPPZqcN3rbuDwGcI1zPTTcVDWpXR3mQVZFuCUi58VqxntX/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkve5-w1R0e-qPjU5aQaz6_1hANwy9dGZhZH2_ft2cASLKClkEglLEsvTsjLpQ1CDzR48F-NgLNp6qFA0xUhAPYAMSD3jgrqPPZqcN3rbuDwGcI1zPTTcVDWpXR3mQVZFuCUi58VqxntX/s320/IMG_2118.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ollie and I at his 6-month well-baby checkup.</span><br />
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<b>1</b>. <b>Listen to your instincts, not Dr. Google.</b> With so many parenting resources available, most contradicting the next, don't get caught up thinking these resources know your child better than you do.</div>
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For example: If you know your baby is hungry feed him. Who cares if it has only been two hours and the book says wait for three. Screw that! Feed your baby. There is no reason to let your baby get hysterical trying to follow the guidelines.</div>
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I cannot stress this enough, trust what your gut and heart are telling you, because 9.5 times out of 10, they are spot on right. Every minute you second-guess yourself you and your baby will suffer. Go with your gut first. Always.<br />
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<b>2. The decision between nursing or formula feeding should not become bigger than World War III. </b>First of all,<b> </b>Breastfeeding is NOT "<i>Plug and Chug!"</i> Nursing is hard. Extremely hard. There is no plug in and feed feature to it. It takes time, a fair amount of discomfort and practice for both you and your baby to get the hang of it. (I mean weeks, not days) Ask for help. Find a lactation consultant. Be prepared for a possible battle that will take all of your inner strength to make it through...<br />
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Second, BREASTFEEDING MAY NOT BE FOR YOU. THAT IS OK! You, or your baby, may have a medical condition keeping you from being able to nurse. You may hate it. It may just not be right for you. This is VERY common, do not think you are a failure.<br />
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Plain and simple-You will either nurse or you will not. Regardless of what you do, your baby will be beautiful and wonderful and smart and articulate. Do what is best for you and your child. Do not let anyone make you feel otherwise. You are <u style="font-weight: bold;">NOT!</u> a failure. DO NOT LET THIS RUIN YOU!</div>
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<b>3. Listen to your baby's cues. </b>While babies can only communicate through body language and crying, within the first week you will begin to notice behaviors and different tones of crying that are clearly trying to tell you something. Babies will give you cues for hunger WAY before crying, including things like REM, finger sucking and reaching with arms and legs. When you notice any or all of those cues feed your baby pronto, or the blood-curdling screaming will be next! If your baby is tired some of his cues might be pulling at his ears, yawning and or quick jerky movements. </div>
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Pay close attention to those different cues and within a week or so you will easily be able to decipher what it is your baby is trying to tell you, and most likely before he even starts crying uncontrollably.</div>
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<b>4. Do not get caught up trying to be the perfect mother.</b> There is no such thing! In order to be the best mother to your baby, all you have to do is try your best. Parenting is filled with both triumphs and failures. Do not be hard on yourself, or get discouraged if you fail. Just like with everything else, practice makes perfect. If you fall down, stand up, dust yourself off and try something else.</div>
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Above all, do not be afraid to ask for help! If someone wants to bring over dinner, let them. If someone wants to come over while you take a nap and shower, let them. Graciously accept all the help you can get, because chances are the person offering the help has been in your shoes before and knows a little help goes a long way during those first few months.</div>
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<b>5</b>. <b>Don't forget to take time for your partner.</b> It is so easy to lose sight of your relationship with your partner during those first few weeks and months of parenthood. Between the exhaustion from the sleepless nights, the demanding feeding schedule, and your normal household or work activities, it can be hard to find quality time to spend with your partner, however, it is crucial that you MAKE time.</div>
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For example, Every single day during those first few weeks, make it a point to be affectionate, say I love you if possible eat a meal together and then during that meal try to talk about anything but your baby.</div>
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The key is not to build a new life around your baby, but to blend your baby into your existing life together.</div>
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<b>6.</b> <b>Don't forget to take time for yourself.</b> It is absolutely crucial that you take time for yourself on a daily basis. Every day you need to make it a point to take a shower, put on clean clothes, and eat at least two wholesome meals. Then aim to leave the house for no less than 10 minutes, at least every other day. Even a walk around the block does wonders. Just get away from that baby to rejuvenate, or you will crash and burn. </div>
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From one first-time mother to another... Motherhood is a journey filled with ups and down. In the wee hours of the morning, when you have survived for days on little to no sleep and you are sure you cannot survive one more minute... you can. You will. Just keep repeating, <i>This Too Shall Pass</i>, until it does... Hold on tight to every moment and enjoy the ride, because it really does go by so quickly. And don't listen to the doctors and nurses about those first smiles being gas induced, your baby is stoked to see you. ~April</div>
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Motherhood is such an amazing blessing that is so incredibly rewarding. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-49860161043818827792021-08-18T14:48:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:20:00.936-04:0010 Things To Know Before Transitioning To A Toddler Bed<br />
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The decision to move my son out of his crib and into a toddler bed was the source of many heated debates. As usual, I wanted to keep my baby in his crib, and the Aussie wanted his big boy (2ys) to be in a big boy <a href="https://purple.com/bed-frames" target="_blank">bed frame</a>. <div><br /></div><div>My husband talked me into letting him set up the toddler bed just so Ollie could get used to seeing it. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJtagqiresTqqT3DTNAXbvdrEsJO7XvpWyOif5HC_ZxaJDnESMXP3dLLY5wC3jRZXBSy1KK2J61eX0xKI4K03pugFBBSkUqLTMSjfAKkxX8Q7T8fQSxxkpvwUG_gpQKgT9eEhTuXaw8_c/s1600/toddler+bed.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJtagqiresTqqT3DTNAXbvdrEsJO7XvpWyOif5HC_ZxaJDnESMXP3dLLY5wC3jRZXBSy1KK2J61eX0xKI4K03pugFBBSkUqLTMSjfAKkxX8Q7T8fQSxxkpvwUG_gpQKgT9eEhTuXaw8_c/s400/toddler+bed.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Much to my surprise, the little guy took one look at his 'big boy bed' and declared no more Crib. He wanted to sleep in his big-boy-bed. <br />
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Later that night, he was in my bed. For the first time EVER. </div><div><br /></div><div>Y'all.... The day we moved the kid out of his crib was the day we essentially moved him into my bed. To keep you from the same crappy night sleep, below are 10 tips found while researching an article I thought I would share.</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>1. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">There is no set rule, date, age, time, magical number.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://6abc.com/archive/7767034/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pediatric sleep disorders</a> expert, Deborah Lin-Dyken, says there's no set time to make a move. Studies show most children make the switch sometime between ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.</div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">2. <b>Climbing Is Not Key. </b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't rush right out and buy a new bed the day your toddler climbs out of the crib. This IS NOT an indicator that he is ready. Lower the mattress all the way, and discourage climbing.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">3. <b>Keep the decor.</b> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>The switch may freak your toddler out. Place the new bed in the EXACT same place the crib used to be. Use the same bedding, crib toys/stuffed animals. Change as little as possible. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. NO SURPRISES!</b> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't just spring the new bed on your toddler. Start talking it up at least a week in advance. One expert says, "Throw a big party to celebrate the bed's arrival."</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">5. <b>Wait For Independence To Reign Supreme.</b> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Independence is an indicator that your child is ready to make the switch. If your child takes pride in individual accomplishments, including feeding and dressing themselves, then it may be time. Kyle Pruett, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center, in New Haven, Connecticut, says a sign of readiness is when your child calls out in the night and can be reassured just be hearing your voice.</div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">6. One Thing At A Time. </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't introduce the new bed during <a href="https://www.ahaparenting.com/Ages-stages/toddlers/easy-toilet-potty-training" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">potty training</a> or moving to a new house. Too many changes can freak a familiarity loving toddler out. -Dr. Laura Markham.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">7. Transition Before The Third Trimester.</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b></b>If the transition is due to the arrival of a new baby, experts recommend the transition be made and well adjusted to at least TWO months before the baby arrives.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Remember Who Needs To Really Love It.</b> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Let your toddler be involved every step of the way; including if possible, picking out the bed, and the new sheets, blanket, and pillow if necessary. Make the new bed cozy and inviting.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">9. Get the <i>Routine</i> Down. </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you do not already have one, create a bedtime routine and stick to it leading up to the big night. Familiarity is key to this transition. One expert says to add white noise or music to the bedtime routine, if it is not already part of it, to help your child doze off.</div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">10. <b>Prepare Yourself For A long Bitter Battle. </b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This could (most likely will) be very scary for your little one, and may take quite a few nights of both, getting to sleep AND staying in bed through the night, before things settle. Remember, this is ultimately your decision, you have to be comforting and understanding that this is very scary. Talk through your child's feelings and be reassuring that this is a wonderful thing. 'All big boys/girls sleep in a big bed.'</div><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif59L4W0RxcfpvrZVPPbaj_JU3mOpB7ud6j5PgOXFHaO6hwtLQ1oqvBrNrSGk-d1PgNTEH9D2gm8AJdCvSDlS0M-rEoUJ_ZmvwzevSH7-qgxsHcjsKR0BkrXq0kA3nmfq1jaNaC_tzqY/s1600/toddler+bed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif59L4W0RxcfpvrZVPPbaj_JU3mOpB7ud6j5PgOXFHaO6hwtLQ1oqvBrNrSGk-d1PgNTEH9D2gm8AJdCvSDlS0M-rEoUJ_ZmvwzevSH7-qgxsHcjsKR0BkrXq0kA3nmfq1jaNaC_tzqY/s1600/toddler+bed.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Unless this is your idea of a "toddler bed,"</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">then you better be sure your toddler is ready...</span></td></tr>
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<b><a href="https://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2014/11/cant-beat-em-buy-bed-big-enough-to-fit.html" target="_blank">Parenting Words Of Wisdom</a>: </b>Toddler beds are dumb. Skip it and buy atlas a twin size bed. You'll be happy to have somewhere to sleep your child throws you out of your bed.<br />
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Good luck, it's not an easy transition, but with the right timing and attitude on both parties, this could be a good thing.<br />
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</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-43949445757194823002021-08-17T20:21:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:35:41.841-04:00How to Survive Being Married... With Children.<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZPHqskQ1IHLTIJjDPBUIAVdDmZ43FbQ1KSZOLt95ICMMiKL1IJqMGF4qWasO5_ZLpqKAxwvJI2wZ45-wO8ahB3MkDZp3c4Kd1OkC4psd0Qcl_3ZbScklJr3jbC9-RhX-NdSwNiGEaMx6/s1600/Married-with-children.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZPHqskQ1IHLTIJjDPBUIAVdDmZ43FbQ1KSZOLt95ICMMiKL1IJqMGF4qWasO5_ZLpqKAxwvJI2wZ45-wO8ahB3MkDZp3c4Kd1OkC4psd0Qcl_3ZbScklJr3jbC9-RhX-NdSwNiGEaMx6/s640/Married-with-children.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I once heard the leading cause of divorce is marriage. I'm now convinced, it's children that lead the pack to divorce. It's so hard to stay connected mentally and physically to your partner when your children are physically stuck to you while mentally destroying you.<br />
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We have watched many happy couples during the first few years of becoming new parents struggle with balancing their relationship and being parents. Sadly, many of those couples are now divorced. Now, infidelity, abusers, liars and fu@kwits are one thing, but for the couples that just fell out of love, I get it. The Aussie and I have had many, many ups and downs in our relationship since becoming parents.<br />
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Today, we are celebrating seven gloriously years of marriage. (Think: War & Peace meets dirty porn. Kidding... maybe...) It's been amazing, hard, annoying, fulfilling and as much as I want to throat punch the fu*ker sometimes, I am so happy and blessed to call him my partner in life. In honor of our seventh wedding anniversary, we wanted to share a few tips we've learned the hard way about being married with children.<br />
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<b>1. It takes so much friggin' work. </b>During the days leading up to our wedding,<b> </b>we asked people about the secret to a long marriage, all of them answered almost word-for-word, <i>It's not easy, it takes work.</i> They were right. Marriage is anything but easy. Marriage takes loads of compromise, putting yourself second, but not all the time, accepting an opposing opinion, alternating weekend days so you both get a morning to sleep in... Basically, when times get tough, you have to work through the issue as a team. You know, the whole <i>United We Stand, Divided We Fall,</i> thing, it applies to marriage big time.<br />
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<b>2. Talk to each other, not at each other.</b> Communication is Key. You have to talk to each other, and not just about the shit that annoys you about each other. Talk about your day, current events, the neighbors, whatever, just talk. A couple of years ago we fell into a nonverbal funk. We both knew we were drifting apart, so we agreed to spend at least 10-15 minutes each night after our son went to bed talking. We migrated out to the porch, sometimes walked around the house, sometimes had a beer. To this day, we go outside together at night regularly. It's really nice.<br />
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<b>3. Affection is what sets you apart.</b> Nothing beats hella good intimacy in a marriage. I once read that the fastest way for couples to reconnect is to have sex every day for 30 days straight. I can definitely get down with that. The couples that stick together, well, stick together.<br />
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<b>4. Date Nights Are Not Optional. </b>Date nights are essential for staying connected. Especially, if you have children. You have to get out monthly and be human together. Not parents, humans. The people you are deep down inside underneath the baby spew, yoga pants, football games, practices, and recitals. Leave all that shit at the door and go out like two kids about to wreck the town. TIP: Can't afford a babysitter and dinner? (Who can anymore?) Order takeout and have a picnic in the yard, set the patio table with candles or make a carpet picnic and play music.<br />
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<b>5. Be Independent.</b> There is more to life than each other. It's unhealthy for one half of the partnership to live only through the other. Both of you need friends, events, and hobbies outside of your marriage. No one likes to be smothered. TIP: At least once a month go out independently with friends, retail therapy, a walk...<br />
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<b>6. It's Not Supposed To Be Onesided. </b>It's not fair for one half of the partnership to be in charge of dealing with all the crappy stuff. No friggin' way should only one person always cook, clean, change diapers, drop off, pickup, control the TV, wake up early with the kids on the weekend... Nothing brings on resentment faster. Write out everything it takes to keep the ship sailing smooth and work together to share the responsibilities. Both of you deserve to sit down at the end of the day.<br />
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<b>7. Say, <i>I love you and makeout,</i> every day.</b> <b> </b>Love and affection are such an integral part of marriage. Every single day take at least a moment to appreciate each other and your relationship. Tell your partner in life, <i>I love you. </i>Look into each others eyes and reconnect. Makeout. Be there in the moment with each other. Let everything else fades away. Because, in the end, that's one of the magical things about your partner, when you're together, the world melts away.<br />
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How do you keep the marriage fresh? Were you surprised about the huge amount of stress children put on the happiest of marriages? Me too. I've written many articles over the years about the <a href="http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/search?q=marriage" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ups and downs of marriage here.</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-13520655618416084252021-08-16T23:43:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:33:37.894-04:00Undivided Attention and Support Are Everything Kids Need Right Now<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjdp_AMpOcDZuMtgszWwv11dcAb8oWqWVpue-P_Yj_59FVj6rpQxeUjOLG6XUpNwWkMm0IgQLQMePFb7PJ4hknhWLdN8AFqi6W8Y7BGSw8e8QiWbcYAaKiMZDNg6KoOJqxhqVIdNzpbxX/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjdp_AMpOcDZuMtgszWwv11dcAb8oWqWVpue-P_Yj_59FVj6rpQxeUjOLG6XUpNwWkMm0IgQLQMePFb7PJ4hknhWLdN8AFqi6W8Y7BGSw8e8QiWbcYAaKiMZDNg6KoOJqxhqVIdNzpbxX/" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Here we are. Another school year starting with masks and social distancing. Our kids are by far the ones suffering the most. You gotta think, if COVID is too much for us as parents to wrap our head around, our children don't stand a chance of getting 'it'. Now, more than ever, we have to give them support, </span></span>listen to them, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">create as much normalcy as possible. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Even teenagers still need their parents and guardians to guide them and be with them. When it comes to providing emotional stability to our children, there is no endpoint. Those traditions, family meals, one-on-one time, and stability are what soothes their soul and fears. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">One trick I use to embrace time together with my son is t<span style="font-family: inherit;">hink of the times we created fun memories together. What we were doing? What warms his heart? Holiday traditions? Sporting events? Concocting yummy treats in the kitchen... </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Then I use those happy memories to inspire me to new happy memories! </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I try to build small moments into each day/week. I'll Google jokes, fun snacks, five-minute crafts... </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Here are a few other tips I've come across to help our children through this difficult time:</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Responding to Changes Outside Your Control</b></span></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Unforeseen challenges, like divorce, deaths, and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic can be difficult for all family members, including parents but you must stay stoic in the face of adversity. Thankfully, children are incredibly resilient, but they still need copious amounts of reassurance things are going to be OK. Even if you're not 100% sure when or how things will be better, be the guiding light that lets your children know there's no need to worry. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Communication is Key</b></span></span></p><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h2><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">It is crucial you regularly talk to your children. Really listen to them. Ask them what they are feeling and thinking. DO NOT JUDGE OR BRUSH OFF THEIR CONCERNS. Communication is everything right now. Start by doing an activity together then ask simple questions about school, their day, their friends and foes and let the conversation be guided by your child. The more you let them talk, the more you will learn about how they are truly feeling.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQULigXG52sF9NMOGeWJofWjP83asX3zUlZucoy4UDsKuCflkFL4gCzLxjzbvFxUN1P3ULMBX1GPK1shsjjPnIb8OgTjTV-Ip5pAyf4jAAZoM_TWEAVz0ig6OgX6BCO4_X7W-u3jZIm7mg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="670" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQULigXG52sF9NMOGeWJofWjP83asX3zUlZucoy4UDsKuCflkFL4gCzLxjzbvFxUN1P3ULMBX1GPK1shsjjPnIb8OgTjTV-Ip5pAyf4jAAZoM_TWEAVz0ig6OgX6BCO4_X7W-u3jZIm7mg/" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2296236855435645679/1352065561841608425#" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Assure the children</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> that it's okay to feel the way they do. For older kids, focus on facts and historical data to help them find their footing on shaky ground.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Prioritize well-being</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">To help the family remain mentally stable and healthy, BOTH </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2296236855435645679/1352065561841608425#" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">parents and children</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> should prioritize exercise, eating healthy, and solid sleep. As a family, join an online dance class, learn a Tik Tok dance, create a family band using pots and pans. Cook healthy meals together. Have a family game night. Use this time to bond and strengthen your family unit.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtDWVNLZYBgLdfWgAKBHkrCeReEcWksb5IJlAuehmV3TKUnH3cqwn4cCAUEOuZB_HxwAwc001L0lQa6TWcghNpQX_ftZgogZYHaEz898hrESRrOnIsulBQ-9xs083qgCXPJlGVlLYQQ0m/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="896" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtDWVNLZYBgLdfWgAKBHkrCeReEcWksb5IJlAuehmV3TKUnH3cqwn4cCAUEOuZB_HxwAwc001L0lQa6TWcghNpQX_ftZgogZYHaEz898hrESRrOnIsulBQ-9xs083qgCXPJlGVlLYQQ0m/" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">As the saying goes... This too shall pass. Until then, support and listen to your children. Be there for them, judgment-free. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></h1></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-76072754199713263452021-08-11T00:49:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:34:53.170-04:00Proof Toddlers Are Hardwired To Be Crazy...<div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, toddlers. A friggin breed of their own. I am convinced that the little buggers have the following Code of Conduct hard-wired into their DNA...</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qDRhbnndRPBY6nMS827hAxm9dbbH-mc6l2CUnpiJHWcehpDZIpdkFYOAtWRy8_pxSOy1n3NdEjM50hVkb38P5hCgQopPuc3HsmCTvWe4moM7w3-VtuqEFMtCaB7_7_QLthckGS02RdIQ/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: -24px;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qDRhbnndRPBY6nMS827hAxm9dbbH-mc6l2CUnpiJHWcehpDZIpdkFYOAtWRy8_pxSOy1n3NdEjM50hVkb38P5hCgQopPuc3HsmCTvWe4moM7w3-VtuqEFMtCaB7_7_QLthckGS02RdIQ/s320/IMG_3083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. You are the alarm clock for the entire family, it is your job to wake everyone up at the ass crack of dawn every day. Every. Single. Day. </span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. ALWAYS crap your pants AFTER leaving the house. Your best bet is to clench those cheeks together until you have left your street, and then EXPLODE!!! To achieve Legend status, do this when your parent is in a huge hurry to get somewhere very important. </span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Do not be content doing anything for more than two minutes. You have to constantly keep moving. NEVER SLOW DOWN!</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are not interested in being picked up, get as low to the ground as possible. Think dead weight. Feel free to flail and cry for added difficulty.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">If someone tries to take something from you, teach them a lesson by first throwing it, then jump up and down while making your best "oh you are going to be REALLY sorry," face, then fall to the floor and start flopping about in protest; scream and cry extra loud if you are in public.</span></span></blockquote></div></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 40.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAlIJNTAfBSca899Jin2tEWZuLP9HvDKo3F8L1FpOzU0pWUuL4F41Oj1tZkyODbegND_nQQPfmutje85BGKK-0O5mvbDBw_Iiv4yhdhjkMJ1GstxfUZRH1qRGoCgiY-f8e5ueVTzGcOD0/s1600/toddler+code.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 40.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAlIJNTAfBSca899Jin2tEWZuLP9HvDKo3F8L1FpOzU0pWUuL4F41Oj1tZkyODbegND_nQQPfmutje85BGKK-0O5mvbDBw_Iiv4yhdhjkMJ1GstxfUZRH1qRGoCgiY-f8e5ueVTzGcOD0/s1600/toddler+code.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAlIJNTAfBSca899Jin2tEWZuLP9HvDKo3F8L1FpOzU0pWUuL4F41Oj1tZkyODbegND_nQQPfmutje85BGKK-0O5mvbDBw_Iiv4yhdhjkMJ1GstxfUZRH1qRGoCgiY-f8e5ueVTzGcOD0/s320/toddler+code.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you do not like the food that is served to you, throw it on the ground in disgust, then at your parent, then at the cat/dog. For extra credit smash the remaining food into your hair and clothes. When you are given something to drink immediately dump it in your lap.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Whenever possible terrorize the family pets so they know who is in-charge.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. NEVER EVER let your parent get the house clean. EVER! Once something is picked up off the floor, put something in its place. A good rule of thumb is dumping out the cat/dog food daily. Feel free to snack on it as well.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. You are in control of your sleep schedule. If you do not want to go to sleep, then don’t, and if someone really wants you to go to sleep, then definitely do not do it. Do your best to get so tired that you become an evil miserable crying mess. That will show them!</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Always do your best to be in the way, including but not limited to; playing at your parent’s feet while they are cooking, cleaning, fixing something, talking on the phone, getting ready for work, or doing anything that looks remotely important.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">11. Take ALL of your toys out of the toy box before playing with any of them. This goes for books too, rip all of them off the shelf before reading one. Your job is to make a huge mess. Hint: To keep things interesting, never ever play with the same toy or book for more than one minute.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12. Under no circumstance will you make diaper changes or potty training an easy venture. If poop does not get everywhere than you have failed.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">13. Every time you leave the park throw a fit big enough to make it look like you are being kidnapped. If you are lucky this will buy you five more minutes on the slide.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14. The minute you learn to walk, refuse to be held. Insist on walking EVERYWHERE!</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15. The minute you learn to talk, DO NOT STOP! Do not be discouraged if you are not understood - talk away anyway. It is not your fault if people are too stupid to understand you.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16. EVERYTHING in this word belongs to you. Feel free to touch it, take it, hide it, throw it, smash it, break it and completely ruin it. HINT: ALL of the telephones in the house belong to you - store them in the toilet.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17. Your Mantra is, <i>“Catch me if you can you silly fool.”</i></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18. “No!” means, <i>Good Job! Keep doing that!</i></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19. NEVER EVER do anything the first time you are asked.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20. And last… The most important code of toddler conduct… For every five minutes you spend terrorizing your parent(s), sibling(s) and/or pet(s), provide one minute of pure sweet lovin' to ensure complete forgiveness.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></blockquote></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 40.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BONUS! The Property Laws of a Toddler. (I didn't make this up, another genius did.)</span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp0Vv1I4hwRAF7nMvv5abNqCvElYa2djL9YfJ-mXTk94frt2lW0SLG1_q84U5dFn6gFeq7uT7q-8kJvkhTy8u7UOLuITLUk00oHDkXB7tx4UYzbCuC6HYkHeJrLgX9LSRgKXu5ncOa-4k/s1600/Property+laws+of+a+toddler.jpg" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;" /> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-19280777110162207392021-08-09T21:24:00.000-04:002021-08-28T15:36:29.561-04:00Potting Training? Warning, There's A Sick Twist At The End...Below is a repost from my days of potty training. I came across it and had to reshare it for both the parents currently potty training, and for the parents, like me, that enough time has <i>finally </i>passed that we can look back and laugh about the <strike>hell ride</strike> Potty training rollercoaster.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a1w5a_u7PvSgeYxd5pRvc1qYKF5VwZNuBUjG0l_Af29wk3j8FQHlSRSVX7ODnoq3SSCPaJsFYOd7hjLJWi_XPJWdMeRgKPzbGx91YvrHNzlb4CAorNbGfFQM1l-nPXNt2yCSK52M7UQ/s1600/Potty+Chart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a1w5a_u7PvSgeYxd5pRvc1qYKF5VwZNuBUjG0l_Af29wk3j8FQHlSRSVX7ODnoq3SSCPaJsFYOd7hjLJWi_XPJWdMeRgKPzbGx91YvrHNzlb4CAorNbGfFQM1l-nPXNt2yCSK52M7UQ/s1600/Potty+Chart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love being a parent. It's the most amazing and insane experience in the world. Of course, it didn't take long (4.3 seconds) to realize being a mother was going to be scary, incredibly hard and beyond rewarding. It also didn't take long to learn that wishing for milestones was dumbassery.<br />
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I couldn't wait for my baby to learn to crawl, so when he finally did it, I cheered and clapped... and then lost him! In seconds, he would disappear around a corner or under a table. It turned out, crawling brought new challenges.<br />
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Then, bored with crawling, I wished for walking. #epicfail<br />
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Walking brought on falls, bumps, and eventually running, which proved to suck. The kid can outrun me.<br />
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Talking. OMG! I couldn't wait to hear his voice. #Fail<br />
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Then, one day, the word '<i>No'</i> Popped out causing me to immediately regret my wish for talking.<br />
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So, now, here we are at potty training...<br />
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Hell yeah, I wished for it. Surely, there could not be any downsides to being out of diapers! #Wrong #fail<br />
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My friends, having a newly potty trained toddler is SO FREAKING GROSS!<br />
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Having a newly potty trained toddler really means:<br />
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<li>If my child is lazy, slow, preoccupied or just can't-be-bothered, he will go where he stands. </li>
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<li>My toddler is OBSESSED with the bathroom and toilet. He's desperate to play in it like it's a pool. </li>
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<li>Learning to, <i>"pee like a bog boy standing up,"</i> is the equivalent of turning a pee filled fire hose on without holding it. </li>
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<li> The butt wiping doesn't stop with diapers, in fact, sometimes it's messier. Especially when he tries to do it on his own first.</li>
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<li>He's obsessed with potty language and humor. The other day he sang an entire song comprised of ONLY the words Poop, pee and butt. (This also may just be a boy thing since FTD still does the same thing.)</li>
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It's ridiculous the amount of time my kid spends obsessed with hanging out in the bathroom. If he's not trying to pee in the potty, he's trying to play in it. For the past two days, I have been laughing about the sick twist potty training pulled out. I was so sure it would all be OK once he was trained.<br />
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Oh how freaking wrong I was.<br />
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So, what words of wisdom do I have for those following in my footsteps? Start stocking up on disinfecting wipes, because those little fingers are going to manhandle the potty.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-86181057877355781432021-08-09T19:32:00.001-04:002021-08-28T15:35:32.688-04:00The Three Most Common Harmful Oral Health Habits for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Today, Dr. Peter Markov, a pediatric dentist and owner of <a href="http://www.smilewithvk.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VK Pediatric Dentistry </a>in Arlington, VA, shares common harmful oral health habits many parents are guilty of and his best advice for proper <a href="https://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2020/03/the-three-most-common-harmful-oral.html" target="_blank">pediatric oral care</a>.</i></div>
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<b>#1 Wrong toothpaste </b><br />
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An often-easy mistake to make is using the wrong toothpaste. Although this can take a while to show effects, it will definitely take its toll on teeth in the long run. The toothpaste aisle can be overwhelming with so many options but the main two things you want to look for include the ADA (American Dental Association) stamp of approval and to make sure the toothpaste contains fluoride.<br />
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<b>#2 No Mouthguard?!</b><br />
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There’s no excuse for your child not to wear a mouthguard while playing sports. Even though mouthguards may not be the coolest fashion accessory, it does prevent teeth from being knocked out, chipped or damaged. When a child is in mixed dentition (Usually from age 7-12), they are undergoing quite a bit of change in their mouth. While custom mouthguards are thinner and more comfortable, they are also much more costly.<br />
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We usually recommend getting a less expensive moldable mouthguard and changing it every season or every other sport (otherwise you will be getting custom guards every 6 months) while a child is at this age to protect their teeth without breaking the budget. <br />
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<b>#3 Chewing On Everything In Sight. Teeth Are Not Scissors!</b><br />
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While kids are bored, they tend to chew on anything in site including nails, pencils and paper clips. This might satisfy your child’s tactile sensations, but it’s a fast way to cause damage to teeth. An easy alternative that you can give your child is a gum that’s sugar-free and contains xylitol. This can help satisfy their attention and prevent nasty habits from developing. For more information, please read this article on <a href="https://www.smilewithvk.com/post/teething-tips" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tips for teething</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhORG3a3vLWsXLcBsM4OxHKb0BiRT1aNO1cysjw2v58Suh6D7EmD_EVgY2j4sQLK1wHNHMiRR-Vciu8lorp_ZQaf_pGVMf1CupNit5WbYaa672rTpi_vddfXwS7aJkrqmK6geECBMLTlqI/s1600/blogs.mighty.oralhygiene2.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="688" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhORG3a3vLWsXLcBsM4OxHKb0BiRT1aNO1cysjw2v58Suh6D7EmD_EVgY2j4sQLK1wHNHMiRR-Vciu8lorp_ZQaf_pGVMf1CupNit5WbYaa672rTpi_vddfXwS7aJkrqmK6geECBMLTlqI/s1600/blogs.mighty.oralhygiene2.png" /></a><br />
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Never let your children open packages with their teeth - it will break down their tooth enamel and can lead to chipping or fractures. Although this sounds like common sense, you’d be surprised how many children use their teeth to open packages, wrappers, or cans. Although it may not cause damage every time, there is the potential it chips a tooth. <br />
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<i>About the Author: </i><i>Dr. Peter Markov</i><i> is passionate about children and children’s oral health. He firmly believes that prevention is best when it comes to kids' dentistry and hopes this post helps you make educated and healthy oral health decisions. </i><i>His practice, VK Pediatric Dentistry, provides comfortable, convenient, and quality kids dentistry for infants, toddlers, children, and teens in Arlington, Mclean, Falls Church, Alexandria, and the surrounding cities of Northern Virginia.</i><br />
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<br />FirstTimeMomandDad.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021462962852921235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-26252613359776391372021-04-17T09:22:00.002-04:002021-04-17T16:58:52.431-04:00Tips To Save Buku Bucks On Spring Beauty Purchases<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday. I covered spring money-saving hacks for kids' stuff, so now it's time to talk about mama's stuff! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Spring is in full bloom, so I thought I would share a few of my top tips for buying champagne-style beauty products on a beer-budget. (Aveda, Trish McEvoy, Lancome, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Sephora, OPI...) Or, how I rarely buy high-end beauty products at full price and get a lot of awesome free stuff in the process, and not because I'm a blogger. Let's just say, I'm a product whore with a laughable budget and years of buying experience. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>1. First and foremost, sign up for email alerts from your favorite brands. </b>This alone makes it easy to get the most bang for your buck from your go-to brands. FACT: Department/Beauty store brands (Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Trish, Laura...) promote 'gift with purchase' specials YEAR-ROUND. TIP: Check your favorite brand websites for the weekly gift with purchase specials and free shipping... add a coupon code and SCORE BIG!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><b>2. NEVER Buy anything without getting something free! I'm not kidding.</b> </span><span style="font-size: normal;">I have yet to buy any products without getting free samples. If the brand website is not offering 'gift with purchase' specials, stores like Sephora, Ulta, Nordstroms, and Macy's may offer in-store/on-line promotions for the multiple brand's products. Do you see where I am going with this? Research your brand-loyal beauty products online before heading to the store. <b>Always.</b></span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><b>3. Print Monthly In-store Coupons</b>. </span><span style="font-size: normal;">Love your Cover Girl Mascara or Almay Tinted Moisturizer? </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Before you shop for shadow and gloss, spend some time downloading + printing coupons. If you play your coupons right, you might score big by combining it with an in-store promotion. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><b>4. Reap the Rewards, Reviews + Ratings<span style="font-size: normal;">. </span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks to stores like Sephora, Ulta, and Amazon, getting the 411 on products is easier than ever. Amazon is a gold mine for finding reviews, photos, and deals on beauty products. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sephora is the spot for finding new products and scoring a loot bag of sample-size products.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Ulta sends coupons for discounts on a single item or entire purchase via snail mail and email, so signing up for the email list is worth it for that alone. I use this for self-tanner and nail polish purchases!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">5. </span>Google What Gets You.</b> The next time you want to splurge on a new miracle cream, Google it before buying it. But try googling the specific need, "dark circles," "deep wrinkles," then look for best sellers, then read the reviews. There is no reason to spend a month's salary on an eye serum with so many great options available for a fraction of the cost. Did you know <a href="http://amzn.to/2mZSvtk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon's best-selling serum</a> costs $15? It does. It also has 4300 reviews and 4.5 stars. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>6. GET CASH BACK!</b> Last, and my biggest and best shopping tip, RAKUTEN. I promise I am not getting paid to say that. I cannot recommend enough signing up, then downloading the browser plug-in. Then, every time you shop online, you're automatically notified of the percentage of cash back you get for purchases, and then at checkout, coupon codes are auto-loaded. IT'S AWESOME! I've been a member since 11/19/16 and have a lifetime cash back balance of $695.11 CASH!!!</span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #737373; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Seriously... sign up. <a href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/APRIL2430?eeid=28187" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download Rakuten</a> then install the plug-in to your browser, </i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #737373; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><i>and that's it! </i></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-56191124686481439792021-04-16T15:41:00.000-04:002021-04-17T16:43:37.247-04:00Too Much Comfort Food This Winter? 5 Tips To Get Clean For Spring... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I am of the school of thought that the word "DIET" is a filthy nasty word. One that is is not </span><span style="color: #222222;">allowed</span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to be used in my house. EVER! I think diets are gimmicks that trick people into thinking that it will be the answer to </span>their<span style="font-family: inherit;"> poor nutrition and weight loss prayers. NEWS FLASH: Diets are pure bullshit! What happens when they end? B</span>ecause<span style="font-family: inherit;"> all "diets" end. </span></span><span style="color: #222222;">All I ever learned on a diet was that they turn me into a starving raging bitchface, and even though I lost a few pounds of water weight, I usually gained it back in real fatty-fat-fat pounds binge eating once the diet was over. Total. Bull. Shit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also think diets help to breed food-obsessed</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> people. If you spend every minute of your day starving and </span>obsessing about food, then eventually that will completely consume you. No. Bueno! That's why this month is all about learning healthy nutrition and preparing meals and snacks that will make you feel full and energized for more than 30 seconds. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Here 5 things that will get you clean for spring...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">1. <b>DRINK MORE WATER! </b> This is the MAIN challenge. I </span><span style="color: #222222;">truly believe just drinking 8 glasses of water a day will make you lose 5 pounds this month! Along with gaining great skin and better sleep! Seriously. </span><span style="color: #222222;">Those 8 glasses a day are going to change your life. Promise. I'll tell you why on Tuesday...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">2. <b>Make at least one NEW healthy meal for dinner each week. </b> I do this on Sundays since I have time to prep and follow the recipe. By the end of the month that will be four great meals, almost a week's worth... who knows, maybe you will keep up the habit until that is ALL you cook for dinner!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">3.<b> Stay active.</b> Hopefully, last month's challenge helped teach you to incorporate some sort of movement into your day, even if it was not a full-blown workout. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">4. <b>Visit a healthy lifestyle website/Facebook page/ Pinterest board/ magazine at least once a week</b> <b>to learn a few "who knew" facts about nutrition and exercise. </b> I LOVE <i>SELF</i> Magazine the most. (No one paid me to say that, I have had a subscription for YEARS!) There is also <i>Shape, Fitness, Women's Health, Men's Health</i> and for us moms, <i>Fit Mom Diet</i> is a website full of inspiration from other moms sharing their stories and healthy recipes. I know a few of you out there are Gluten-free, check out their <a href="http://fitmomdiet.com/healthy-pizza/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recipe for Gluten-free pizzas!</a> For the kids check out the greatest website, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, <a href="http://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HealthyChildren.org!</a> Knowledge is POWER.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">5.<b> Think of your body as a fine-tuned machine. </b> Everything you put in has to be good for the machine, or it will fall apart and stop working. The same goes for your family. Make healthy choices. Carrot chips instead of Lays. Grapes instead of gummy worms. Choose a healthier </span><span style="color: #222222;">cereal this month. Clean out those pantries. I think you will be shocked to find healthy choices are cheaper than you think. You can get two bunches of bananas or a pound of grapes for the same price as a bag of name-brand potato chips! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Your mantra for the month is:<b> If I eat like Crap, I will Feel Like Crap! </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/p/3030-challenge.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE!</a></b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-28456494384309992042021-04-15T00:31:00.000-04:002021-04-17T16:43:17.176-04:0010 Spring Life Hacks For Parents<p>Being that I'm a first-time parent, I feel like each season we start over with buying new clothes and season-appropriate toys (Swim crap) and snacks (Popsicles...). What really makes it tough is we are a family that lives on a tight budget. Especially, now. Covid and all... </p><p>So, today I'm sharing a few of my favorite ways to save big on kid things for spring...</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkntYrs6Kmh0Pr-x-lTsgPqPyUw189h1YdYf8xCy0xjPiQO8QTrSWOThFPEsC6aIMHONKjNh_gR1UrQgKR4XJB_AVGXMFd9rDTirRO49cbVyXjURpt5WSnGOos8SYB8rZdCPgB6ZOgk00/s1600/Frugal-living.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkntYrs6Kmh0Pr-x-lTsgPqPyUw189h1YdYf8xCy0xjPiQO8QTrSWOThFPEsC6aIMHONKjNh_gR1UrQgKR4XJB_AVGXMFd9rDTirRO49cbVyXjURpt5WSnGOos8SYB8rZdCPgB6ZOgk00/s1600/Frugal-living.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>1. Make a list:</b> <div><br /></div><div>I cannot recommend this enough, make a list of the number of shorts, shirts, and shoes that you actually need to start the season, also include seasonal toys and future big buys like bicycles, ride-on toys, balls bats... Having a list will put up guardrails. Only buy what you need! Also, put feelers out with family friends who may have hand-me-downs.<br /><br /><div><b>2. Shred those winter clothes:</b> When it comes to outside playtime, kids get to get dirty, so the last thing you want them to do is grime-up the nice new clothes. Go through winter clothes that have holes in the knees or tears in the sleeves, and repurpose them into shorts and t-shirts. This way you save money on spring clothes and you won't cry when you can't get the grass or ketchup stains out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKKhDN6cWG3zJAUeqIjjfO_Fhdf-3xMJuX_XeL-0IByxopkrf9ZYDSqORgxvqASSpi5u_gcK0hVL2Oeyy8aLdL-h9_qVd-d893C6MadJaH8ZSbF5zhhsDWUftfKWGL_ELpNN77hK8IUE/s1600/Cut-offs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKKhDN6cWG3zJAUeqIjjfO_Fhdf-3xMJuX_XeL-0IByxopkrf9ZYDSqORgxvqASSpi5u_gcK0hVL2Oeyy8aLdL-h9_qVd-d893C6MadJaH8ZSbF5zhhsDWUftfKWGL_ELpNN77hK8IUE/s1600/Cut-offs.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. </b><b>Borrow Budget Busters:</b> For those one-off family portraits or special occasions (wedding) where you normally end up buying an incredibly expensive outfit, your child will most likely only wear once, check out Etsy, eBay, and your friend's closets before paying full price for anything.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Secondhand Shops:</b> Children's secondhand shops are full of clothes and everything else you need to cover an entire winter or summer wardrobe, for under $20. (Shoes too! Did you know <b>Crocs are machine washable?</b>)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>5. Facebook Finds: </b>I addition to the standard <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AprilMcCormickspage" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Market Place<b>, </b></a> every city has at least one Facebook mommy group that has clothes exchanges and lists where big family sales are taking place. To find them, ask your Facebook friends if they know of any great mommy groups on Facebook and if they will invite you to join if the group is closed. I bet you'll get plenty of replies!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>6. </b><b>Garage Sale Heaven:</b> Spring <a href="https://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2015/09/if-you-do-nothing-else-this-weekend-do.html" target="_blank">garage sales</a> are a great place to pick up big toys that people want to get rid of because they take too much space, but you desperately need because it's time for your toddler to start riding a bike. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Fridays, go to your Nextdoor App, Craigslist, or wherever your city lists garage sales, and find ones close by. Look for multi-family sales then grab a friend and some coffee and start shopping!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPL97uvRqLpCmJ61dTmgJp0jFqv0Q7J4ocHtc7Z9R41sPteLipYRafVwLV9mMzmVPRvduUM5j6S5agp2iUislT91OqAnMJvO8R89ZaezS9xab8kd7CV7c2gqlXc_KXX5ATAwW1YGm_68/s1600/garage-sales.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPL97uvRqLpCmJ61dTmgJp0jFqv0Q7J4ocHtc7Z9R41sPteLipYRafVwLV9mMzmVPRvduUM5j6S5agp2iUislT91OqAnMJvO8R89ZaezS9xab8kd7CV7c2gqlXc_KXX5ATAwW1YGm_68/s1600/garage-sales.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>7. Discount Dealers:</b> I love Groupon and other sites that can offer great things at a huge discount or killer coupon code! Retailers will be fighting for attention this season, so capitalize on it! Most are even offering free shipping on the smallest orders.<br /><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></b><b>8. Daily Deals: </b>Did you know hundreds of websites crawl the Internet daily for the best online daily deals? They do, and then list them in an easy-to-search format so you can quickly search for items on your must-have list. My favorite is <a href="http://DealNews.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DealNews.com</a>.<br /><br /><b>9. DIY For Family Health: </b>When it comes to springtime treats and healthy fruit snacks, the budget can bust very quickly. I make our Popsicles, grow our fruit and cut out juice and soda, we are water drinkers during the warm months. If you have a sunny spot in your yard, patio, or balcony, you have a place to grow your own fruit! Did you know strawberries grow well in a pot? Head to the local nursery and ask for help finding the right fruits to grow for where you live. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0BgU7fjYVtjcZDHerQOS6XMf95i6Q8hbUHWph-fEcQ1MI2UcJWlqZSx_IVvfYmILSdJElc_JgGQb_DDbpBIwMweyaXV44Qbhb2kjhesowe-GSrNqvB3zK5gxLhl0UTGj5Wc1olq8fyM/s1600/Growing+Zone.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0BgU7fjYVtjcZDHerQOS6XMf95i6Q8hbUHWph-fEcQ1MI2UcJWlqZSx_IVvfYmILSdJElc_JgGQb_DDbpBIwMweyaXV44Qbhb2kjhesowe-GSrNqvB3zK5gxLhl0UTGj5Wc1olq8fyM/s1600/Growing+Zone.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHBtEp5Ev4g7Ink3-sKrpmQnrOifubHknbOeFtQGzprrbHah122ttYKGgTr_24FSzg8fjKprZ1n455ITQUyGfMPhwyMzN6w_Kog-7T2CikcMY-3cJSSB_HsstJF1SYJL-PV3vLogxiVU/s1600/Last+frost.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHBtEp5Ev4g7Ink3-sKrpmQnrOifubHknbOeFtQGzprrbHah122ttYKGgTr_24FSzg8fjKprZ1n455ITQUyGfMPhwyMzN6w_Kog-7T2CikcMY-3cJSSB_HsstJF1SYJL-PV3vLogxiVU/s1600/Last+frost.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For a total of $20, I have strawberry plants, blueberries, and grapes thriving in pots around my yard. The best part is that I can use that fruit to make <a href="http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2014/08/im-never-buying-another-popsicle-ever.html" target="_blank">Homemade Popsicles</a>!</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbzlwIJ2uqG8OiKtElXNEZTFLsXhdEJ21hur9q2ZKZhFTsxD_t9vCT0CsiPiNRDtf9wO_MOLOShcK36Ol89DDDi40gD-nrYB9ShV0Z0fT5GBHamXFHT6QeRjh2plK3GMzllDEy_t_LCk/s1600/Fruit_popsicles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbzlwIJ2uqG8OiKtElXNEZTFLsXhdEJ21hur9q2ZKZhFTsxD_t9vCT0CsiPiNRDtf9wO_MOLOShcK36Ol89DDDi40gD-nrYB9ShV0Z0fT5GBHamXFHT6QeRjh2plK3GMzllDEy_t_LCk/s1600/Fruit_popsicles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>10.</b> <b>Price Shop From Home.</b> There are way too many apps and websites available today that make price comparison shopping from home a breeze. Gone are the days of driving from store to store or waiting for the Sunday Paper deals. Pull out the list you made of spring must-haves and start going through each item online and list where the best deal is for that item. Once you've gone through your list, check the entire list for stores that overlap to save you a bundle on shipping and time. Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, there is no reason to pay full price anymore.<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-39553627307861238372021-04-14T23:23:00.002-04:002021-04-17T16:47:50.473-04:00Spring Means Fun In The Sun, Which Also Means...<br />
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SUNBURNS SEASON!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: The Aussie's handy work with Oliver's and Professor's heads. </td></tr>
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'I know what you’re thinking: <i>“Sunburns? It’s not even summer yet!”</i> This is true, but as long as the sun is out, and so are kiddos, you need to protect that sensitive skin. Plus, before you know it, the Easter holidays will be here, after which the <a href="http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2015/04/savoring-those-simple-summer-moments.html">beautiful Spring and summer months</a> will be at your door kicking your life outside and into high-gear covered in blazing rays of Sun. Keep reading. You'll wanna know these facts and tips...<br />
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Now is as good a time as any to make sure you and your child are well prepared for the sun. Whether you’re hopping on a plane to distant shores for spring break or staying closer to home for a family-style staycation, sun safety is equally important.<br />
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Here are a few pointers on how to protect your child from the sun.<br />
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One of the most basic steps you can take is to ensure your kid is covered up. Long-sleeved t-shirts and trousers are effective at shielding the skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays, which damage the skin. Bear in mind that light colors may not be as effective; in fact, when wet, they absorb as much sunlight as bare skin. Also, make sure your child wears a proper sunhat with a wide brim as opposed to a baseball cap. Unfortunately, caps offer no protection for the ears and the back of the neck.<br />
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You could always go all out like I did. It kept Ollie cool and safe from the sun's rays during afternoon walks or trips to the zoo.<br />
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Sunscreen and sunblock</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl7nwobblx4VPFTITtgd_LhRkX9VqDs8tPeBe9BVieYoRge_-yBXh2SZkRsW4TjB19k4vhcOMz2Pj5ZzaoWBByJUrOpuiv1sV7M8JcAGhTl9wsCcFP2dO0CQKA2W4koQYIcYhMqnBANYD/s1600/Sunblock-dos-and-donts.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl7nwobblx4VPFTITtgd_LhRkX9VqDs8tPeBe9BVieYoRge_-yBXh2SZkRsW4TjB19k4vhcOMz2Pj5ZzaoWBByJUrOpuiv1sV7M8JcAGhTl9wsCcFP2dO0CQKA2W4koQYIcYhMqnBANYD/s1600/Sunblock-dos-and-donts.png" /></a></div>
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When it’s too hot for long sleeves and trousers, applying sunscreen, is of course, essential. Start with a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and apply liberally 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Don’t forget those hard-to-reach areas like ears, back of the neck, and feet. If you’re going swimming with your little one, remember to reapply their sunscreen afterward, as well as your own! Even if you’re planning to stay dry, sun cream should be reapplied once every couple of hours to ensure the best UV protection. You can find more information on proper sunscreen application <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/learn-about-skin-cancer/prevent/how-to-apply-sunscreen">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">FUN FACT: </b>When it comes to choosing the right sunscreen, The <a href="http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens#.UayKgL8THFI" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #f45145; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">American Academy of Dermatology</a> recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers the following:</span></div>
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<li style="background-color: rgba(232, 232, 232, 0.48); border: 0px; color: #666666; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 5px 2.2em; padding: 0px 0.4em 5px 0.8em; position: relative; text-align: left; transition: all 0.3s ease-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 5px 8px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays).</span></li>
<li style="background-color: rgba(232, 232, 232, 0.48); border: 0px; color: #666666; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 5px 2.2em; padding: 0px 0.4em 5px 0.8em; position: relative; text-align: left; transition: all 0.3s ease-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 5px 8px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or greater.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: rgba(232, 232, 232, 0.48); border: 0px; color: #666666; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 5px 2.2em; padding: 0px 0.4em 5px 0.8em; position: relative; text-align: left; transition: all 0.3s ease-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 5px 8px; position: relative; transition: all 0.3s ease-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Water resistance.</span></li>
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Sunglasses</h2>
Although protecting your child’s skin is quite rightly a priority, it’s important not to forget the eyes – over-exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts in later life. Therefore, make sure your little one has a pair of sunglasses to wear along with their hat. Not all sunglasses have adequate protection from harmful rays, however, so it’s vital to check the product details before committing. If they are not labeled with “100% UV protection” or “UV 400 protection”, assume the glasses don’t have it. Fortunately, there are plenty of stylish options out there with this level of protection, <a href="https://www.edel-optics.co.uk/Ray-Ban-Junior-Sunglasses.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">including this collection</a> of Ray-Ban Juniors.<br />
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Keep an eye out</h2>
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If you have older kids, there will come a time when they will naturally want to go off with their friends and play in the park or on the beach. When this happens, the first thing to do is ensure they have a fresh application of sunscreen before they go outside – either by supervising them or doing it yourself. During the early afternoon, when the sun’s at its strongest, it’s also worth remembering that harmful UV rays can still be strong even on a cloudy day. Try to stay nearby and set a limit on how long they can stay in the midday heat.<br />
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Set a good example</h2>
As for any other part of parenting, setting a good example for your children to follow is key. Sun safety should never be a “do as I say, not as I do” topic! Many of us will admit to forgetting to apply sunscreen or staying out in the sun a little too long from time to time. These bad habits can be difficult to shake off at times, but if you’re not careful, your children may also develop a casual attitude towards sun protection.<br />
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<b>Bottom Line: </b>Teaching the importance of sun safety early is critical for a life-long understanding of the whys and hows for protecting your largest organ.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-12025262968224761062021-04-14T08:30:00.000-04:002021-04-17T16:44:03.152-04:00These Spring + Summer Staples Every Family Should HaveWith Spring on our doorstep (Northern Hemisphere people of course!) and summer around the corner, I thought I would share my 10 MUST HAVE things that make frolicking in the sun with my family much easier.<br />
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Full disclosure, while a couple of the things on this list I did review on the blog, not one company is behind this list. The following 10 things are 100% MY FAVORITE SPRING/SUMMER 2015 PARENTING Game Changers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cMBH-Tjuzn9H7_8CNi8WepgITEoGP-AN3dTiv9ROBZ7cJ0SFNFiR5eyoyCBPpr7NJQpoB3lDzovsmP5JakiO3ugmZdZFTQzDo_7GZ2wQn5er5nIrzzQ9fC4Zljf0jCZAyvnThftFAos/s1600/Parenting-favorites.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cMBH-Tjuzn9H7_8CNi8WepgITEoGP-AN3dTiv9ROBZ7cJ0SFNFiR5eyoyCBPpr7NJQpoB3lDzovsmP5JakiO3ugmZdZFTQzDo_7GZ2wQn5er5nIrzzQ9fC4Zljf0jCZAyvnThftFAos/s1600/Parenting-favorites.png" /></a></div>
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<b>1. A waterproof travel blanket</b> for trips to the park, firework shows or late nights at a friend's house with a cold sleepy kid. Look for a blanket that fits in the trunk of your car in its own carrying case. I LOVE the Adventure blanket from Tribe Provisions. It has an attached bag that makes unpacking and repacking a breeze.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Jq7eTuNPDeSN2cXYdOZ6cPvPms0bG1EvDCzj-UHzELHR3sov64ZcLq3DG7qn2TEOfV0t3I7P3AqgcQ9UBguq1rfEq6jeH8DtA9FCSQ7RbWhHuirLNLnsspZqytCOMo2wJ0_-w57cXXw/s1600/Adventture+Blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Jq7eTuNPDeSN2cXYdOZ6cPvPms0bG1EvDCzj-UHzELHR3sov64ZcLq3DG7qn2TEOfV0t3I7P3AqgcQ9UBguq1rfEq6jeH8DtA9FCSQ7RbWhHuirLNLnsspZqytCOMo2wJ0_-w57cXXw/s1600/Adventture+Blanket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tribe Provision Go-anywhere Adventure Blanket (Black-Gray)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fitimoanda-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00PRNFXRK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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2. <b>A small portable cooler bag. </b>Two years ago I was asked to review the Pack-It cool portable lunch/cooler bags. I nearly passed up the offer, but my sister insisted that she heard great things so I tried it. Since I have used it more than any one of the things on this list! I cannot recommend enough a bag like the Pack-it cool. Basically, it's a bag that you store in your freezer until you need it. I use the crap out of ours for all kinds of stuff. This bag keeps Popsicles frozen while at the zoo! The best part is that it's cheap $15-50 depending on the size. MOM TIP: Freeze a small washcloth inside of it for cooling off kids, wiping up messy faces and adding an extra level of cold! DO THIS !</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QiSvJK_I_ufQ2YrVWuY-RUNn3vkBda1gDcw8QqxdAK2IvURYAMVzyjIoiw0B5H72cEwF353-oEnC2icDC2BEYxDcoF4QUAG9G9pLz8TLJbS17UTM4FR_P4AQJ6AxgVlhLz7Iqxnh8qQ/s1600/PackIt-Sliders-NEW_Personal_Coolers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QiSvJK_I_ufQ2YrVWuY-RUNn3vkBda1gDcw8QqxdAK2IvURYAMVzyjIoiw0B5H72cEwF353-oEnC2icDC2BEYxDcoF4QUAG9G9pLz8TLJbS17UTM4FR_P4AQJ6AxgVlhLz7Iqxnh8qQ/s1600/PackIt-Sliders-NEW_Personal_Coolers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They are in stores everywhere. For a store locator click <a href="http://www.packit.com/store-locator.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here.</a> </div>
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<b>3. Homemade popsicles! </b> Last summer when Ollie became a Popsicle junkie, which turned his poop BRIGHT GREEN, I thought I better read what the hell is in the store-bought Popsicles. My friends, I felt like I needed to go to confession to report my sin of pumping my toddler full of things I couldn't even pronounce! I decided then that I would make all of Ollie's Popsicles moving forward. I bought cheap molds and got to work. OMG! Not only does he love the Popsicles, but I also pump them full of healthy things like Probiotic yogurt, frozen organic fruit and juice, and when he's not looking, every veggie I can blend up small enough! DO THIS! (Last year's Popsicle how-to is Here, I'm writing a new one for this year with new recipes coming soon!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70nQZ113ifiMartJvPA3u51vYubdDetWbivw9IqI8o4w7cA40jolED-ZUbb04pmky1SVlBbRNVXM7iCKdIT6s7leEdTzXxJfVd-moRG2GDOAKpW4EG9RbYpqx4s_84lWk0EYUNqiGu1o/s1600/Popsicles.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70nQZ113ifiMartJvPA3u51vYubdDetWbivw9IqI8o4w7cA40jolED-ZUbb04pmky1SVlBbRNVXM7iCKdIT6s7leEdTzXxJfVd-moRG2GDOAKpW4EG9RbYpqx4s_84lWk0EYUNqiGu1o/s1600/Popsicles.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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4. Super Safe Bug Spray! With all of our outdoor frolicking, by mid-June, if we don't have a great bug spray we become bug food. (SO GROSS!) Bug spray is essential, but after doing the research on safe bug spray for babies/toddlers, I found not many were available. Last summer I fell in LOVE with Honest Company's Bug spray. It's super safe for the whole family, yet extremely effective! Even FTD who insisted on using his Deet soaked crap until it ran out, had to admit that the Honest Bug Spray was just as effective, if not more. Now it's the only spray we use! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUvS5D8BvoHJ_M1sBLS01ZtLyMocUjD_mI7R81MUZTAlKJoEvAWZAidyoIwv1Y7LclvWve2sn909fX6u5eNnxk-W5KciMHCQw8xCUWDK_NVzuifjOipQzVp9vw_g3DBpGEfORUshRtrM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-31+at+9.11.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUvS5D8BvoHJ_M1sBLS01ZtLyMocUjD_mI7R81MUZTAlKJoEvAWZAidyoIwv1Y7LclvWve2sn909fX6u5eNnxk-W5KciMHCQw8xCUWDK_NVzuifjOipQzVp9vw_g3DBpGEfORUshRtrM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-31+at+9.11.45+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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To buy it now, click here! </div>
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<b>5. SLAB O' Water! </b>I keep a case of water in my trunk all year long, but especially in summer. I go to Costco, buy the biggest one I can and store it in my trunk. Water is not only essential to fight dehydration, it cleans feet, toys, shoes, hands, scrapes and other assorted kid-mishaps in a pinch! </div>
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<b>6. Attachable (Clamp-On) umbrella! </b>This one is huge for me. FTD and I both have very fair skin, so naturally, so does my child! Since Ollie was a little baby I would push him around with an umbrella on his stroller for extra protection. I still do. You can pick them up at Big Lots, or Amazon. They are SO worth it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADRp0pWJgGKhfwCkYgzRv6JhZ1c1Xz2LBaLmAR-9Suz5lLHvUf8rJEFo4tn1HOotui8JJ_vqdBBcPTMy9zQdSvdV23ageP5yQ_oKvfqJ1aIxPURB41te4K-Jb_u_B-ltjPLYr0AV4eZ4/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADRp0pWJgGKhfwCkYgzRv6JhZ1c1Xz2LBaLmAR-9Suz5lLHvUf8rJEFo4tn1HOotui8JJ_vqdBBcPTMy9zQdSvdV23ageP5yQ_oKvfqJ1aIxPURB41te4K-Jb_u_B-ltjPLYr0AV4eZ4/s1600/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b> Here is a super one on Amazon- ($20) Sport-Brella Versa-Brella All Position Umbrella with Universal Clamp, Firebrick Red<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fitimoanda-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00HA2ZKFQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<b>7. First Aid Kit- </b>Chances are, if you're the parent of a toddler, you're already packing band-aids, but with the summer running, jumping, scrapes and falls, make sure you have a full (travel size) first aid kit handy in your bag/car.<br />
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<b>8. Outdoor Tub O' Toys. </b>With a toddler's attention span lasting all of 10 seconds, I try to keep a tub full of outdoor toys ready. I go to the Dollar Tree (Dollar store) and load up on outdoor toys and arts and crafts like chalk, sponges for water painting the sidewalks, and anything else that will make playing outside fun. I'm determined to keep my kid playing outdoors for as long as possible. Stupid video games...<br />
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<b>9. Sun protective clothing.</b> I swear by UV clothing. It's so worth the investment (about $50) I do long sleeve top and long shorts. It takes the fear out of a long day outside.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This outfit is from http://www.coolibar.com</td></tr>
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<b> 10. SUNBLOCK!!!!!!!!! </b>There is no one thing more important. Now, that being said, there are four million sunblocks on the market, but when it comes to sensitive skin, there are only a few I trust. I ALWAYS check the Environmental Working Group's Annual Sunblock report, where thousands of sunblocks are tested and rated for skin safety. When it comes to Ollie, I try to stick to the absolute safest rating possible a Zero or One. I really cannot recommend enough that you check your sunblock's rating before slathering it on your kid. Click here for a list of last year's, (I will post the second EWG releases their 2015 Sunblock report!)<br />
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And for those squirmy little ones, I LOVE Honest Company Sunblock stick, It's the best!!<br />
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Are there any products you can't live without?<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-8272242903151974712021-04-05T10:00:00.000-04:002021-04-17T16:44:23.515-04:00How To Avoid Spring's Door-To-Door Solicitor Scams<div style="color: #222222;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz2nrNwdotBOeWRRoeOHLXYjUMnhzJCEeWBmgTHtTZk_P_Yb4PlrDxDeF5sAt-mU4NGTYHRFOYw6MjDW5hXr8KVjD87tYGcaOJWSAeBtNn4YGJuNGAx1Y53qyjJQh3UkXm1tTThVbpXDk/s1600/door-to-door-sales-scams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz2nrNwdotBOeWRRoeOHLXYjUMnhzJCEeWBmgTHtTZk_P_Yb4PlrDxDeF5sAt-mU4NGTYHRFOYw6MjDW5hXr8KVjD87tYGcaOJWSAeBtNn4YGJuNGAx1Y53qyjJQh3UkXm1tTThVbpXDk/s640/door-to-door-sales-scams.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: Normal;">I love Spring. The weather warms, flowers bloom, trees release their new crop of leaves, neighbors peek their head outside to say, <i>Hi!</i>, and even the ice cream truck makes a few passes on the weekend. Spring also brings a few unwanted pests: mosquitoes, flies, ants, door-to-door <strike>scammers</strike> solicitors. Luckily, the first three can be mitigated easily enough, Door-to-door salespeople (D2D), on the other hand, not so much. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznHsu2k32zHRjM0YUFWwP5Mn7l4XlOi7UK4mFiX9w4ZZLyRhXVgYPBY3Oy5DBhK6og6dMaqIYurg6goUx-XG12vYoowYoQCLDNKpsGMtXdkTB0bL-GtZ1AWBq2N14NCyZjmDstDxcKYiK/s1600/0-BBB-warns-of-door-to-door-contractor-scams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznHsu2k32zHRjM0YUFWwP5Mn7l4XlOi7UK4mFiX9w4ZZLyRhXVgYPBY3Oy5DBhK6og6dMaqIYurg6goUx-XG12vYoowYoQCLDNKpsGMtXdkTB0bL-GtZ1AWBq2N14NCyZjmDstDxcKYiK/s1600/0-BBB-warns-of-door-to-door-contractor-scams.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No offense to the legitimate door-to-door solicitor </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(D2D)</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, I get it everyone has to make a living, but for the most part, I'm skeptical of all D2D sales. For good reason... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. There are many horror stories reported throughout the US about dodgy door-to-door solicitors that scam people out of money, or case the house while the unsuspecting homeowner blabs-on giving ample time to make mental notes on valuables and return later, or worse, some are assaulted and robbed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. The movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3721936/" target="_blank">American Honey</a>. It's SO TRUE! (And also, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7603745/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sasha Lane</a>, is AMAZING!!!)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr9VkUZ1f9Syk8XY8zV4EmFMSx-S7UTZBcujJr7Gsun39Y1Rx0E_ydcdigOJgtLoA0qalrez0yuyx40FxAvAQcVpC8eNW0bOi9v-VOnPRQt_8ZbTTIZy6pPxAh7vvlCk9Pq2kgj49VnaQ/s1600/Prades_AmericanHoney_FINALforprint_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr9VkUZ1f9Syk8XY8zV4EmFMSx-S7UTZBcujJr7Gsun39Y1Rx0E_ydcdigOJgtLoA0qalrez0yuyx40FxAvAQcVpC8eNW0bOi9v-VOnPRQt_8ZbTTIZy6pPxAh7vvlCk9Pq2kgj49VnaQ/s640/Prades_AmericanHoney_FINALforprint_1024x1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below are great tips I found while researching an article on "<a href="http://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2017/03/how-to-avoid-door-to-door-solicitor.html" target="_blank">How To Avoid Door-To-Door Solicitor Scams.</a>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First and foremost, I cannot stress enough the importance of creating boundaries with your child(ren) around answering the door, and what they should say when/if they do. The rule in my house is, if you don't know who it is, DO NOT answer the door. NO EXCEPTIONS. ZERO! My son is to say, <b>"I have to go get my mommy and daddy." </b>Even if daddy is not home, we have him say that. I feel safer if the person thinks my husband is home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, for when we answer the door: </span></div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: Normal;"><b>DO NOT let them into your home for any reason.</b> Rain, sleet or snow, they made the decision to get out in it, let them live with that decision. Some bank on a bad day as an easy way to get in. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: Normal;"><b>Ask to see identification </b>(Business card, credentials) before speaking with them about anything. No reputable company would send people door-to-door without identifying materials. A shirt does not count, it could have been purchased at a thrift store.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: Normal;"><b>Do not allow them to use your phone, even your cell phone outside.</b>They may run off with it. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: Normal;"><b>Do not give them money.</b> Not even girl scouts ask for money upfront. ALWAYS </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;">Check charities and businesses out at </span><a href="http://www.bbb.org/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; color: #005a78; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">BBB</a><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;"> before making a contribution or a purchase.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;"><b>If you</b></span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;"><b> want a magazine subscription, even the BBB recommends that you subscribe to it directly </b>instead of purchasing a subscription from a door-to-door magazine sales representative. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;"><b>Don't be pressured or intimidated</b> into ordering a product that you don't want or need because your check will be cashed immediately and you will have no recourse for obtaining a refund.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Do not provide any personal information. </b></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;"><b>Don't fall for common tactics used to gain your trust. </b>Many will say that they live in your neighborhood and that your neighbors have already given contributions or purchased their products. Don't take their word for it. Ask for a neighbor's name.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>It's your house, you have the right to tell them no thank you</b>, ask them to leave and close the door. In that order in three seconds or less. It's part of the job. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> Peeping is NOT ALLOWED!</b> If you observe them looking in windows, trying doors or entering back yards call 911 immediately. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>If you have any doubts they are legitimate, call the police and let them decide</b>. Call immediately when the activity is occurring so officers can respond to the area and try to locate the subject and determine if they are legitimate. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>If they become aggressive, irate or hostile you can call 911 immediately.</b><b> </b></span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">You could just post a <b>NO SOLICITING</b> sign. Believe it or not, they still hold up in court. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFwbfsNRqNAzf7b3Owa2aWlqyrrAsBQPyK9s4BUJT5lu3BbZpmDykrVZMI4DHvWOHZYXjYPfW-4fnkfZMNJafQF3C8L26MkZGJ3iR4gPiYpOT1GusjPuBxLXQXd6P-agvW5ueqMeqdo8x/s1600/no-soliciting-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFwbfsNRqNAzf7b3Owa2aWlqyrrAsBQPyK9s4BUJT5lu3BbZpmDykrVZMI4DHvWOHZYXjYPfW-4fnkfZMNJafQF3C8L26MkZGJ3iR4gPiYpOT1GusjPuBxLXQXd6P-agvW5ueqMeqdo8x/s640/no-soliciting-sign.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296236855435645679.post-35800725063584621382021-03-11T10:49:00.001-05:002021-03-11T10:49:00.147-05:00An Irish Toast and 12 St. Patrick's Day Fun Facts Worth Knowing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVU_9mqro72G6UcQXNhF2pt5_aQxsVQGfAPvggFZy82wBCvuVkQczCXVlTLjyWS6LhCYr2-wVFy_39knDQd32UDMGCKWKFGNS18X-XoJkkNXMYz0dHjYOZUR90jkQHNQCk7o6rqaRHllF/s1600/12-St-Patricks-Day-Fun-Facts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVU_9mqro72G6UcQXNhF2pt5_aQxsVQGfAPvggFZy82wBCvuVkQczCXVlTLjyWS6LhCYr2-wVFy_39knDQd32UDMGCKWKFGNS18X-XoJkkNXMYz0dHjYOZUR90jkQHNQCk7o6rqaRHllF/s1600/12-St-Patricks-Day-Fun-Facts.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you know...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. St. Patrick was not Irish. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He was born in either Scotland or Wales. At the young age of <g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="76" id="76" style="-webkit-animation: none !important; animation: 0s ease 0s 1 normal none running none; background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml; background-position: -1px calc(100% + 3px); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: calc(100% + 1px) 100% !important; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; http: //www.w3.org/2000/svg\' width=\'100%\' height=\'100%\'%3E%3Cline x1=\'4\' y1=\'100%\' x2=\'100%\' y2=\'100%\' transform=\'translate(-1.5, -2.5)\' stroke-width=\'3\' stroke-linecap=\'round\' stroke=\'%23f3a8a3\'/%3E%3C/svg%3E');">16,</g> he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold into slavery. He spent six years herding sheep in Ireland before escaping. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Legend has it, St Patrick drove all of the snakes out of Ireland. (Truth is, there is </span><a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080313-snakes-ireland_2.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">no evidence of snakes ever even being in Ireland</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">! Geologists claim this is due to the Ice Age, NOT St Patrick.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. St. Patrick's day was a 'dry' holy day of remembrance in Ireland until 1970. (I love when people embrace change.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw3lcLSQ839i7iIF4aQCk-U73KZyuTQb4ivQs3pGricmEPvAEVV3S1mFc3GwnfpCFA50P3U4D_LzPe2Rn-vHGwBWltSDIm8eozFetDiugCKU-k8MzzBpkt4549UxQLsac8VygmdeYqV9l/s1600/saint-patrick-charles-madigan.gif" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw3lcLSQ839i7iIF4aQCk-U73KZyuTQb4ivQs3pGricmEPvAEVV3S1mFc3GwnfpCFA50P3U4D_LzPe2Rn-vHGwBWltSDIm8eozFetDiugCKU-k8MzzBpkt4549UxQLsac8VygmdeYqV9l/s640/saint-patrick-charles-madigan.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Your odds of finding a <g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" data-gr-id="74" id="74" style="-webkit-animation: none !important; animation: 0s ease 0s 1 normal none running none; background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml; background-position: -1px calc(100% + 3px); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: calc(100% + 1px) 100% !important; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; http: //www.w3.org/2000/svg\' width=\'100%\' height=\'100%\'%3E%3Cline x1=\'4\' y1=\'100%\' x2=\'100%\' y2=\'100%\' transform=\'translate(-1.5, -2.5)\' stroke-width=\'3\' stroke-linecap=\'round\' stroke=\'%23f3a8a3\'/%3E%3C/svg%3E');">four-leaf</g> clover are about 1 and 10,000. (It can be done!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="line-height: 20px;">The phrase, "Drowning The Shamrock" is from the custom of floating a shamrock on the top of whiskey before drinking it. The Irish believe that if you keep the custom, then you will have a prosperous year.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">6. </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: Hope, Faith, <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="75" id="75" style="-webkit-animation: none !important; animation: 0s ease 0s 1 normal none running none; background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml; background-position: -1px calc(100% + 3px); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: calc(100% + 1px) 100% !important; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; http: //www.w3.org/2000/svg\' width=\'100%\' height=\'100%\'%3E%3Cline x1=\'4\' y1=\'100%\' x2=\'100%\' y2=\'100%\' transform=\'translate(-1.5, -2.5)\' stroke-width=\'3\' stroke-linecap=\'round\' stroke=\'%23f3a8a3\'/%3E%3C/svg%3E');">Love,</g> and Luck.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">7. There are more Irish in the US than in Ireland. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">An estimated 33.7 million people living in the US are of Irish descent. That is NINE times the total population of Ireland! </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">8. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> No one is really sure where St. Patrick is </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 20px;">buried. T</span><span style="background-color: white;">he site with the strongest claim is at <i>Down Cathedral</i>, where a large slab of rock on which the word <i>"Patric"</i> is inscribed.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>St. Patrick died on March 17, 461 AD</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">9. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The custom of celebrating St. Patrick's Day began in America in 1737.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLiLTd8UblwCw1Mt_4_hE3hLnD5vXPCx4eFGVB5sz3zhGZUELFbGM-8I5tyjlu2Y5KyDL0Zljqqfp8MX7XNH7f45y8X2tJiDVa8iV698OBfSMYzW6RvczplcPl3Q4q4ggtjYunWjzd0VX/s1600/spd-parade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLiLTd8UblwCw1Mt_4_hE3hLnD5vXPCx4eFGVB5sz3zhGZUELFbGM-8I5tyjlu2Y5KyDL0Zljqqfp8MX7XNH7f45y8X2tJiDVa8iV698OBfSMYzW6RvczplcPl3Q4q4ggtjYunWjzd0VX/s400/spd-parade.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">(I at the fabulous parade my city puts on every </span>year!) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. There are 4 US Cities named Shamrock. They are located in Texas, W. Virginia, Indiana, and Oklahoma. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">11. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27px;">Ever Wonder </span><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-chicago-river-green-dye-st-patricks-day-20150312-htmlstory.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; line-height: 27px;" target="_blank">how they dye the Chicago River green</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27px;">? </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27px;">The dyeing of the Chicago River dates to 1962, when Mayor Richard J. Daley and Stephen M. Bailey, a boyhood friend and then-St. Patrick's Day parade <g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="78" id="78" style="-webkit-animation: none !important; animation: 0s ease 0s 1 normal none running none; background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml; background-position: -1px calc(100% + 3px); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: calc(100% + 1px) 100% !important; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; http: //www.w3.org/2000/svg\' width=\'100%\' height=\'100%\'%3E%3Cline x1=\'4\' y1=\'100%\' x2=\'100%\' y2=\'100%\' transform=\'translate(-1.5, -2.5)\' stroke-width=\'3\' stroke-linecap=\'round\' stroke=\'%23f3a8a3\'/%3E%3C/svg%3E');">chairman</g> started the tradition.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27px;"> Today by boat, t</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27px;">hree men use flour sifters to dump about 40 pounds of an environmentally friendly orange powder into the river. The formula for the powder, which turns the water bright green when it hits, is top-secret.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp8sWVYh_0Hg6_LFFdBBm9YnXkPokNJV9b14avIuYNUEVel0mEIlae79162DprEYFXE1XWyWR3BiIk_FRTsQVGOyG4fruvXCAoltW3P-grEfAbt7nPUaQ1HWOW_XhmzMm6KtkPw_YDJw/s400/Saint-Patrick's-Day-chicago-gif-1127760.jpeg.gif" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">12. An estimated 13 MILLION pints of </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Guinness are consumed on St. Patrick's day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">An Irish Toast: </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>May your glass be ever full.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i> May the roof over your head be always strong.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i> And may you be in heaven half an hour </i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>before the devil knows you're dead.</i></span></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">**Looking for some awesome</span><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <a href="https://www.firsttimemomanddad.com/2021/03/11-st-patricks-day-drinks-and-treats.html" target="_blank">St Patrick's Day Cocktails and Snacks</a> and crafts? Check out my St Patty's board on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/LoveLifeDIY/st-patricks-day-essentials/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhhBUOrMilbqdNqdEOkaMP4rXuU4jA1q-afMtTIshFqy81OIzu2QJiMGGP4Ox__y8hdBWFT2sOtvMRpwrXSkpc4S3THk1INOD6fuDf29ZKGAUJeVW3xCDpUrz3jB-OBp8uiNm32OCNNQ/s1600/IMG_5087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com