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STEM Gift Guide
Looking for a gift to challenge your child’s mind, that will keep them busy for more than a few minutes, and also provide an opportunity to learn? We’ve got them with our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) gift guide! STEM Gifts for ages 2-4 Magnetic Blocks Never too early to start developing kids creativity. Children can acquire strong sense of color, geometrical shapes including 3D forms numbers counts, magnetic polarities & architectural design at early age. Cash Register A clear winner with numerous age groups. This register brings money math to life with lights, fun sounds and voice messages for all kinds of different transactions, plus perfect for pretend play! Dinosaur Anatomy Kit Learn body parts on a dinosaur! This kit is great for imaginative play and a little bit of education too! Butterfly Kit Give the gift of anticipation! Kids will love having this science experiment ready to go in the spring! STEM Gifts for ages 5-7 Osmo Genius Kit Osmo is a magical award-winning game system, it fosters creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on play. The Genius Kit includes 5 fun games and the Osmo game system. […]
29. Nov 2018
Gift Guide for “Hard to Buy For” Adults
Gotta get a gift for the brother-in-law you only see on the holidays? Or your 20-year-old niece that keeps her head in her phone at every family gathering? Here are some of our suggestions for the hard-to-gift adult. For a little extra pizzazz Lovepop cards add a “wow” to any sentiment. Just want to send a gift card this holiday season? Compliment it with a Lovepop card. Buy now! For the young reader or a family of Potter heads this beautifully illustrated box set of Harry Potter books makes a perfect gift. A little over your budget? The books are also available individually. Buy now! For unicorn lovers or a white elephant exchange like pixie dust, but squishier! Capture the magic of unicorns with this hilarious stress relief toys for all ages! Stress will ooze right through your fingers. Buy now! For the griller of the family, who will eat anything with a bit of char Is your griller proud of their steaks, burgers and dogs? Do they deserve some grilling recognition? This personalized brander is like a Grammy for those that take grilling seriously. Buy now! For the minimalist…especially a grandparent giving things […]
28. Nov 2018
Wood Slice Ornament
Supplies Wood slices Woven ribbon Water transfer paper Inkjet printer and printed out image Craft glue paint brush Directions Resize your images so they’ll fit on the wood slices. Print them out on the water transfer paper. Place your wood slice over the image and trace around using a pen. Place the image on top of the wood slice and trim it more, if necessary. Submerge your images in a 1” deep pan of water. After 1 minute the image will separate from the paper backing. The water transfer paper needs adhesive on porous surfaces (like wood). Brush some glue on the wood slices and place the images on top. Let dry. The images are transparent when they are wet, but they dry opaque. Drill a hole in the top. String the woven ribbon through and tie a knot. Note: Read the directions on your water transfer paper. It may require different steps
27. Nov 2018
Red Velvet Cookies
Ingredients 1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix cookies 2 eggs 1/3 cup vegetable oil Powdered sugar for the topping Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Mix everything except the powdered sugar into a bowl. The batter will be thick. Spoon into balls and roll in the powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheets leaving about 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until cookies brown SLIGHTLY on the edges. Courtesy of eatingonadime.com
27. Nov 2018
Gifts Kids Can Make
As holidays and birthdays approach, are your kids scrounging to buy gifts they can hardly afford? Offer them these fun ideas for gifts from the heart. It gives them an activity to keep busy and create, plus a memory for the receiver to cherish. Service coupons. Offer a free evening of babysitting, a week of taking out the trash, making your sister’s bed, pet sitting, lawn mowing, weed pulling, ironing, or another task you can do. Handprint ring dish. Purchase air dry clay. Roll out clay and place hand on top. Cut clay to outline of hand. Smooth edges of clay with a little water. Place handprint curled over on a small ball, let sit ‘til firm. Paint as you wish. Shaped bird feeders. Prepare 2 gelatin packets per instructions, mix with birdseed until firm enough to form. Pack mixture into a candy mold or cookie cutter with a string to hang placed in middle of the mold. Refrigerate until firm. Decorative shape soaps. Grate bars of inexpensive white soap. Then mix approximately ½ cup of warm water with a cup of shredded soap. Add food coloring to the water to create colored soap. Knead the mixture and add additional warm water as necessary […]
27. Nov 2018
Creating Holiday Traditions
As a parent, I’ve come to appreciate some of the traditions I thought were a little monotonous in my younger years. I’ve carried on toting my kid dressed in his holiday PJs for a long drive in search of Christmas lights. We’ve continued to take off of work and decorate outdoors every Black Friday, without fail. When we decorate, I put out an old snowman blow mold and take a photo of my son standing with it. I carried this old snowman from Pennsylvania with me, and even though he’s a little out of his element in Georgia, I will continue to place him on the front porch every year. It’s important to me to keep these traditions alive for a few reasons. After my Grandmother died, these traditions assigned a bit of holiday responsibility to my Mom. She knew my Grandmother would want us to celebrate, despite mourning her death. These traditions helped to push us through a hard time for our family. The traditions keep her memory alive throughout the decades. Traditions also leave something to look forward to, like the ugly, light-up sweater my Aunt Debbie wears every year. One year, we will miss the laughs from […]
27. Nov 2018
10 Things to Say When Your Toddler Cries
The next time you’re faced with a crying toddler, try to take a moment to make sure you are calm. If you’re angry, stressed or frustrated, the things that you say will just add to your toddler’s distress. Take a breath or two, acknowledge how you’re feeling, focus on what’s going on inside your body (your heart may be beating a little faster; your jaw may be clenched; you may be feeling tense) and, when you’re ready, use a low voice, and try these 10 alternatives: “We’re on the same team. I will help you.” Even if your child says they do not want your help, they do want to feel as though you will back them up when they need you. “I can see this is hard for you.” This simple phrase acknowledges that you hear and see them. “I understand you’re sad/disappointed/scared/anxious/happy and that’s OK.” Reinforce the notion that feeling an emotion is what makes us human. “That was really sad/frustrating/disappointing.” Acknowledging the event that triggered your child’s crying helps them also see what triggered their emotion and figure out what to do next. “Let’s take a break.” Removing you both from the situation helps your toddler understand that sometimes you need to walk away […]
27. Nov 2018
Cookie Exchange Recipes
Kris Kringle Cookies Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup white chocolate morsels 1 cup dried cranberries Directions: Heat oven to 375 F. Line a large cookie sheet/baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in white chocolate and cranberries. Drop rounded spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons) of dough, 1-1/2 inches apart, onto baking sheets. Bake for about 9 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for about 1 minute and remove to wire racks to cool completely. Courtesy of www.yummly.com/ Chocolate Kiss Cookies Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup Dutch process or unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 egg yolk, at room temperature 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3/4 cup nonpareil sprinkles 25 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat baking mats and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of […]
18. Nov 2018
Give the Gift of an Experience
Too often our kids are given items that get thrown to the side after a few minutes of play. Christmas gifts are the ultimate victims of this act. Your child can receive thirty new toys for Christmas, what is a child to do with so many new items? Throw them in a pile and move on! This holiday season give the gift of an experience! Here are some reasons why: Provides long-lasting enjoyment: Although a gift certificate, itinerary or brochure may not seem like a “wow!” gift for your child, the joy will last longer. A child will have the event or trip to look forward to after the holidays. Memories to last: Although your child may seem to want that $50 Paw Patrol fire truck, the novelty is short-lived. Years from now, your child won’t remember who got that fire truck, or the way it made him or her feel. A trip to the zoo; however, will remain fresh in your child’s mind for years to come. It’s a bonding moment: Not only are you giving your child a memory to last, but you’re also creating a bond to stay too. Yes, one can have vivid memories of baking […]
15. Nov 2018
Holiday Shopping Tips
Checking newspapers, flyers and emails for holiday savings can turn into a chore. When shopping this holiday season, don’t let the deals and steals overwhelm you. Use these tips to save while keeping a level head: Get a head start on planning. Websites such as BFads.net post-Black Friday flyers way before Thanksgiving. They also offer databases to search for the best deals. Have a plan to save time, headaches and money. Check sale dates. Some sales are only early bird specials & others last all weekend. Know where you need to be on Friday and what can wait until the weekend. Stick to your budget. Bringing cash instead of cards can help prevent overspending. We all want to enjoy the season of giving, but don’t give yourself financial stress for months after. Know your prices. Is a deal REALLY a deal? Retailers are known for marking up prices to mimic a sale. Know your prices before cashing out. Buy discounted gift cards. If you plan to do a lot of your shopping at a specific store, purchase gift cards in advance on resale sites such as GiftCardGranny.com. Some gift cards are offered at a 50% savings! Pace Yourself. Tis’ the […]
1. Nov 2018
Ham & Cheese Cracker Dip
Ingredients 1 shallot, finely chopped 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 8 oz diced precooked ham 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard 1/2 cup water DIRECTIONS Chop shallot (2 tablespoons). Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover and cook on HIGH for 50–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth. Place slow cooker on warm. Serve dip hot with crackers.
1. Nov 2018
Volunteering in the Chattahoochee Valley
Volunteering is an excellent way to teach your kids important life skills. In addition, volunteering during the holidays helps promote an ‘attitude of gratitude’ in your household and takes your child’s mind off their holiday wish list. Volunteering Is For the Whole Family It is not only those who you help that benefit when you and your family volunteer. When kids volunteer, they learn important skills, like following directions and collaborating with others. Your child will also learn more about her abilities and talents when she volunteers, including leadership skills. Older kids may discover they enjoy helping to organize the volunteer activities and overseeing younger volunteers. This self-discovery is especially valuable to teens deciding which career path to select in high school. Volunteering Builds Character by Teaching Empathy and Compassion The real world is a harsh place and it can be tempting to shelter kids from the hard, cold realities of natural disasters, poverty and illness. However, by allowing kids to see that others in the community need help, many times due to circumstances beyond their control, you allow them to see that their unique set of skills and talents are needed by others in their community. This sense of […]
1. Nov 2018
Do I want an Elf in My House?
Elves are appearing in homes all over America. Your child wakes up, rubs their tired eyes and is greeted by a mischievous elf who toilet papered their bedroom! Hilarious, right? Last holiday season I toiled with the idea of Scout the Elf for my then 2-year-old, but decided he wasn’t old enough. This year, he’s all about Santa, more affectionately known as Mr. Ho, Ho, Ho! My kiddo has become quite the prankster himself, and I know Scout will bring holiday cheer to my child. Heck, it may even bring some cheer to his Scrooge of a father. But, don’t we have enough fa-la-la? I’m already packing the advent calendar, wrapping 25 Christmas themed books for holiday bedtime stories, planning a Gingerbread House party, and buying tickets to Fantasy in Lights. This is on top of decorating the inside and outside of my house plus all the other holiday cheer responsibilities. But have you seen the cute rain jackets for Elf? I mean, I’ve already decided to name him Tinsel. So let me break it down for you: Pros: This little doll is the ultimate tattle-tale, watching your child’s every move and reporting back to the man in red. It does […]
1. Nov 2018
Keepsake Handprint Hand Towel
Supplies Two white or cream tea towels Red, yellow, orange and dark brown fabric paint Paper plate Foam paintbrush Thin tip paint brush Directions Pour a quart size blob of each paint onto your paper plate. With your foam brush, paint your child’s hand with red, yellow or orange paint. Press their hand onto the towel. Choose different colors to paint their hand and press it into the towel at different angles. Repeat this until both towels are covered in hand prints. Take the thin paintbrush and outline all the handprints with the brown paint. To make the leaves veins you will paint a thin line down the palm of the handprint. Off of that line, you will need to make smaller lines going off the side on an angle. Allow the paint to completely dry before use. Follow the directions on your fabric paint when washing your towels. Courtesy of midgetmomma.com Summary Published On 2018-11-01
1. Nov 2018
Do I want a real Christmas tree?
It’s that time of the year again! Christmas tree extravaganza! What kind of tree will you choose this year? Real or artificial? Real trees come with upkeep but have a certain nostalgia to them. Will it be a Blue Spruce or Fir this Christmas? Artificial trees have no maintenance and can be set up within minutes. Artistry can be somewhat painted over the branches. So, here are some pros and cons to both sides of the needles. Real Trees Pros Joy associated with picking out a tree on the lot Evergreen aroma that permeates Baby boomers are taken back to warming childhoods The essence of “real” Cons Dries out easily High flammability Consistent watering of the tree Falling needles Artificial Trees Pros Setup within minutes Some come pre-lit (no hassle and tangles) Creativity of bending and mending branches Project for the whole family to enjoy No mess and cleanup Cons Artificial comes with artificial features Storing hassles No sense of “realness” No aromatic value Real trees do come with maintenance, but here are some tips to help. http://www.realchristmastrees.org/dnn/All-About-Trees/Care-Tips Whatever type of tree you choose this year, I’m sure it will be the perfect fit for your family. Don’t forget to make it unforgettable! Make it an all-day event. Pick out a tree, Christmas […]
30. Oct 2018
‘I have a confession. I have a crippling fear my child will get taken.’
“I have a confession. I have a crippling fear my child will get taken. A close friend told me once, ‘Anxiety holds hands with fear.’ And the fear of losing one of my children at a park, or the zoo, or even the grocery store, has paralyzed me at times. I feel like I have held my kids back from incredible adventures. It’s like I’m keeping them from experiencing things I know they would love because the fear of someone taking one of them is so overwhelming that it is often easier and safer to just stay at home. Even as infants I was terrified to simply take the triplets in a walk down the block and back. I was consumed with worry and fear. However, in the last year or so I have taken steps to help me with my anxiety struggles. I am a part of an amazing moms group called MOPS. This was essential in helping me make friends in my area and walk through some of my daily challenges with moms who offer no judgement or criticism, just love. Last spring, our MOPS group held an Easter Egg Hunt at a large park in our city. […]
19. Oct 2018
No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
Banana Cream Pie with Vanilla Wafer Ingredients: 1 1/2 Cups Nilla Wafer Crumbs (grind the cookies in a blender) 1/3 Cup Sugar 4 Tablespoons of Butter, melted 1 3.4 ounce of Banana Cream Instant Pudding 1 Cup of Milk 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened 1/2 Cup Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 1/2 Cups Fresh Whipped Cream* see note 2 Large Bananas, slices Directions: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir together the wafer crumbs, sugar and butter and press into a pie plate. Bake for 8 minutes and remove to cool. In a bowl, whisk together the milk and pudding. In another bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, add the condensed milk and beat again. Stir in the pudding then fold in the whipped cream. Place the bananas in a single layer on the cooled pie crust. Top with the pudding mixture and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours or overnight if needed. Serve with fresh whipped cream. To make fresh whipped cream simply beat 3/4 cup heavy cream until soft peaks begin to form. Add in 1/4 Cup powdered sugar or to taste and beat until stiff peaks form. Courtesy of Oh, Sweet Basil. […]
16. Oct 2018
Apps to Love
LetGo Apple | Android Letgo is the biggest and fastest growing app to buy and sell locally. Over 75 million downloads and 200 million listings! Find great local deals, from secondhand phones, toys, fashion, sneakers and games to furniture, cars and real estate. Chick-Fil-A App Apple | Android Earn points, redeem available rewards with snacks of your choice and reach new tiers with increasing benefits. Plus, mobile ordering, restaurant locations, a full menu and “just because” free meal offers! Glow Apple | Android A menstrual and ovulation calculator, whether avoiding or attempting pregnancy. It’s also a period tracker that records your mood, symptoms, sex and meds; it predicts your fertility and assists those in fertility treatment. Skyview Apple | Android SkyView® brings stargazing to everyone. Simply point your iPhone, iPad, or iPod at the sky to identify stars, constellations, planets, satellites, and more! Winner of best educational app in 2011! Target App Apple | Android Plan your next Target Run by checking out the Weekly Ad, Cartwheel offers and item availability. Then streamline your run with store maps and aisle locations, and scan item barcodes for prices, reviews and available deals. Plus! Place orders for carside pick up at our […]
1. Oct 2018
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Welcome to Family and Kids Magazine‘s online parenting resource, serving families of Columbus, Fort Benning, Phenix City and the rest of the Chattahoochee Valley. We strive to be your #1 local magazine for family news, parenting tips, local events and business referrals. Check out our online localized directory for things to do, places to eat, where to shop and almost every other resource a growing family in the Chattahoochee Valley could need. While you’re here, enter our monthly giveaway or submit your child’s photo to be featured in our Hoo’s Cute section of our magazine. We welcome all families coming into our area, whether for a temporary stay or a new place to call home, and hope our magazine guides you through our large community. Pick up a copy of our Family and Kids magazine at our many distribution locations, including all local Chick-fil-as or read the latest issue here.
