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August 2006 Archives

The Las Vegas Contest Details

1. Current MomTalk.com members and new MomTalk.com members who fill out their members profile will eligible to win the Las Vegas Vacation.
2. Random Drawing will take place October 30th, 2007.
3. No Purchase Necessary.
4. Las Vegas Vacation includes 4 days and 3 nights at a Las Vegas Hotel plus airfare for two via the services of Sun Country airlines.
5. Alternative form of registration: Send postcard to Las Vegas Give-Away c/o MomTalk.com, 10501 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 204, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
6. Trip location subject to change.

The Newsletter Survey Results

We'd like to thank you all for taking part in the newsletter survey--you gave us a lot to work with.

We learned that at least 97% of MomTalk.com readers do read the newsletter, although lots of you like to wait until you have some time to sit down with it. For that 3% that means to read it, but never quite gets around to it, looks like we'll need to add some articles on finding extra time in a mom's busy day.

Most of you find the articles relevant and usually find something interesting to you. And what's interesting? Children and how-to ideas ran a neck-and-neck first. That was followed by food and recipes; local events; ... Continue reading The Newsletter Survey Results.

The Super Helper: Your Mature Toddler, 23 - 32 Months

"The world is me," says your toddler.

You will spend more time listening. It takes a lot of time for toddlers to share all the wonderful things they are discovering. Your older toddler is still busy but will spend longer amounts of time playing at one thing. Your toddler has explored the world with eyes, mouth, hands, and legs; now comes exploring by thinking. Here are some fun things to try:

• Learn about colors: sort blocks, socks, clothes by color, saying the color word many times.
  
• Show your toddler different uses for the same thing: dig with a spoon, eat with a spoon.
  
• Make stories longer, ... Continue reading The Super Helper: Your Mature Toddler, 23 - 32 Months.
  

Make-It-Yourself Chalk: Kids Krafts

By Tracey C. Agranoff

For ages 3-6 years
You will need:

• 1 Cup Plaster of Paris (you can find this at Michaels Crafts)
  
• ½ - Cup cold water
  
• Candy or Popsicle molds, small paper drinking cups
  
• Powder Tempera Paints
  
• Bowl & Spoon for Mixing

Step 1. Combine Plaster of Paris, water and tempera paint in
mixing bowl ( the amount of tempera you add will
determine how dark the final chalk will be).

Step 2. Pour the chalk mixture into the mold of your choice and
let dry.

Step 3. Take the chalk out of the molds and get creative --
... Continue reading Make-It-Yourself Chalk: Kids Krafts.

"Who Could Forget That Face" Photo Book

By Tracey Agranoff

Create a variety of books for baby - all photos of themselves, use magazines and create books about shapes, animals, food, etc. The possibilities are endless!

You Will Need:

• Several 4x6 inch family and friends photos *
• Several zipper close clear plastic sandwich bags (these create a book that is wipe clean)
• Stapler & Staples
• Colored Duct Tape

Step 1 - Insert two photos back to back into a clear plastic bag. Zip it closed.

Step 2 - Continue until you have the amount of "photo pages" that you like.

S ... Continue reading "Who Could Forget That Face" Photo Book.

"I'm With The Band" Instruments

Make one or an entire band of these fun instruments to share with Family and Friends or just parade on a rainy day!

"Shake It Up Baby" Maracas

You Will Need:

• 2 - empty, cleaned (rinsed and labels removed) and dried plastic juice bottles of the same size with lids
• uncooked rice or beans
• Decorating stuff - felt/fabric scraps, yarn, sequins, feathers, etc.
• Elmer's or Tacky brand glue
• Colored Duct Tape
• scissors

STEP 1 - Start by removing the lids from the juice bottles, then decorate your bottles with felt, yarn .... Any way ... Continue reading "I'm With The Band" Instruments.

Nature Hike Adventure Binoculars

You Will Need:

• 2 - clean toilet paper rolls
• 9x12 colored construction paper
• Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Ribbon or yarn
• Elmers or Tacky glue
• Stapler & Staples
• Markers

STEP 1 - Cut a sheet of colored construction in half to create 2 pieces that are
4 ½ X 6 inches. Decorate with other pieces of colored construction paper or markers.

STEPS 2 - Using your finger apply glue to the outside of the toilet paper roll.

STEP 3 - Place the decorated paper design side down and roll your gluey toilet paper tube onto the paper until ... Continue reading Nature Hike Adventure Binoculars.

Rainbow Suncatchers

You Will Need:

• 2 pieces of clear contact paper
• colored tissue paper torn into small squares
• black construction paper
• scissors
• hole punch
• yarn or ribbon for hanging

Step 1 - Cut 2 pieces of clear contact paper into a circle - about the size of a dinner plate. Take the backing off of 1 circle and lay this sticky side up in front of you.

Step 2 - Cut silhouettes out of the black construction paper (suns, moon crescents and stars) place these on the contact paper circle.

Step 3 - Apply tissue paper pieces to the contact paper and even o ... Continue reading Rainbow Suncatchers.

Fall Fun: Good Enough Stuff

By Erin Garner

Fall is the perfect time of year for fun with the family. Whether it's a spooky hayride to get into the Halloween spirit or chasing (and possibly losing) your kids in a corn maze, the greater Twin Cities has lots to offer families with kids of all ages. Here are some great places to visit on your next family outing:

Afton Apple Orchard has it all. Visit the orchard to pick apples or check out their pumpkin patch - find your perfect carving pumpkin-- then take a free hayride. They even have a corn maze set up in three phases, so the inexperienced can stop at phase ... Continue reading Fall Fun: Good Enough Stuff.