Sunscreen

By Lara | July 1, 2008

Each year people are diagnosed with skin cancer. The reason? In most cases it is because they have spent too much time in the sun without proper sun protection.

Here are some sunscreen tips to help reduce the chances of your family from this deadly disease:

What should you look for when purchasing sunscreen?

Choose one that provides both UVA and UVB protection. Match the sunscreen to the activity. If you’re going to be swimming, use one that is waterproof or water-resistant. The higher the sun protection factor (SPF), the more you’ll be protected. Find and use only those sunscreens that carry the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of approval. Bullfrog is a great choice. It is used in our family.

You can protect your family from the ravages of time by ensuring that each person puts on sunscreen before heading out the door, especially in the summer. Remember to reapply often and follow these sunscreen tips for your entire family.

Topics: Health, Summer, Motherhood, Parenting, Serious Discussions, Tips, Mommy Stuff | No Comments »

Are there any safe movies for your kids anymore???

By Lara | June 27, 2008

OK…so I wrote a vent/post on my personal blog….give it a read and let me know what your thoughts are on this IMPOSSIBLE question!!!

Read it Here

Let’s chat about this important topic,
Lara :)

Topics: Parenting, Hot Topics, Morality, Spiritual Growth, Family Time, Movies, Preschoolers, Motherhood, Serious Discussions, Venting, Family, Ponderings, Reviews, Raising Teenagers, Ramblings, Life with Toddlers, Thinking Out Loud, Mommy Stuff | No Comments »

Mother’s Day in 2 Minutes

By Lara | May 10, 2008

I have seen this before…but this is just SOOOOOO funny, I wanted to share it. ROFL!

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

A Mom’s Day in 2 Minutes | Funny Jokes at JibJab

Topics: Humor, Fun Stuff, Mother's Day, Holidays, Motherhood, Parenting, Funny, Family, Just for FUN!, Mommie Moments, Mommy Stuff | 1 Comment »

Not Your Everyday Gift Ideas for Grandmothers on Mother’s Day

By Lara | May 7, 2008

She’s your Mom…or maybe your Mother in Law. Maybe you have a great relationship…maybe you don’t. The bottom line is she is your little one’s Grandmother. Grannies are awesome people in a child’s life. They mean so much to many of us. We need to take the time to show them how much we love them. What better opportunity than Mother’s Day?

Sure, we could go the normal route and give them the some mums…however, wouldn’t it be special to do something unique and awesome for them this year? I mean after all, who knows how many more Mother’s Days they have. Let’s take the time NOW to make Grandmothers feel loved and important on Mother’s Day.

Gift Ideas for Grandmothers on Mother’s Day

Plant a tree in honor of Grannie – This is a special and unique gift that will last for generations to come. It is also a great way to help the kids learn how to help the planet! Make a date to visit her special Grannie tree each year as a reminder of how much you all love and appreciate her.

Name a star after Her – Tell your grandma how wonderful she is by naming a star after her. This gift will not fade or die any time soon…

Family Photo Collage or Scrapbook of Grannie Moments – You will need to take the time to find some great pictures from her childhood, yours, your kids, and any other special people in her life. Get the kids involved and make her a pretty collage of her loved ones…or you can make a mini scrapbook filled with her special Grannie memories! She’s sure to love and treasure this gift for many years to come.

Homemade Yummies for Grandma – Consider making some of her favorite yummies. This is one that the kids are SURE to want to participate in! Let them have a blast with the decorating too! She will appreciate your taking the time to make something for her to enjoy…and letting her grand babies in on the fun!

Write her a special poem – You can do this one a couple of ways…one would be have each grand child write their own verse. It may not be perfect in the eyes of a poetry connoisseur…but Grannie will sure think it’s the BEST poem she has ever read. You can even have THEM recite it to her. Another option is to use the letters of her name to create an acrostic poem. You could use either their own name, or the name that you call them like Grandma, Nanny, Me-maw, etc.

Moms…as we all know, Mother’s Day only comes once a year. Take some to consider YOUR Mom…AND your grandmother. Life is short and NOW is the time to make it special for the ones we love!

Copyright © Mommies Coffee Break

Topics: Mother's Day, Grandmothers, Mother in Laws, Holidays, Parenting, Tips, Family, Ramblings, Thinking Out Loud, Activities, Mommy Stuff | No Comments »

Homeschooling: A Green Solution?

By Christine | May 2, 2008

Another Earth Day has come and gone, and lately I’ve been thinking…

…about the recent ruling in California against homeschooling families. Here in Southern California the state “religion” seems to be recycling, conservation and environmentalism. I’m all for recycling. I’m all for taking care of the earth God entrusted to us. My husband and I do our part and teach our children to do the same. Which is why I’m confused.

I see all the cars lined up in front of the public schools in our area. Carpooling or not, there’s gridlock every weekday before and after school. Gone are the days when parents could let their children walk or bike to class without concern for their safety. My own neighborhood is relatively safe but I still wouldn’t allow my kids to go without me. We send our daughters to private Christian school. I have to drive them there.

Has anyone in this fine state’s legal system considered how much gasoline is saved by homeschooling parents? Has it ever occurred to them how much less pollution goes into our air because these families are in their homes when other families are in their cars? I realize homeschoolers aren’t housebound, but they aren’t on the roads every school day just to get to and from school either.

Next, take school lunches. Please. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist that one.) The amount of waste produced just to provide students with their midday meals is astounding. The plastic, Styrofoam and cardboard used each day for the most part becomes trash. Even lunches prepared at home and brought to school often require plastic bags and utensils. Add to that the food waste. I’ve seen for myself how much students throw away. Less food in their stomachs equals more waste in the garbage. This is not the case with homeschooling families. Have any of these points been considered by our state government?

With regard to conservation, I think this is only the tip of the iceberg (no global warming pun intended, I promise.) I’m not naive enough to think these arguments would ever be enough to sway those who seek to take this form of parental choice off the table. I’m making them simply to show how hypocritical it is to wave the banner of conservation and at the same time declare one very effective option illegal.

I have to assume it hasn’t been addressed at all, but quite frankly it should be. Families don’t choose to home school their children in order to conserve - yet they do it very well. They should be thanked and rewarded for their efforts and not treated so shamelessly by our courts.

In the meantime, I’m hoping and praying the California courts will come to their senses and  keep homeschooling a legal option for parents.

Topics: Hot Topics, Homeschooling, Thinking Out Loud, In the News | 4 Comments »

Teenage girls become Moms at Polygamist Compound

By Lara | May 1, 2008

It all started with a brave 16-year-old girl who called a local family violence shelter to report her 50-year-old husband beat and raped her. Officials still aren’t sure where the 16-year-old girl is who made the initial call, and she is not named among the children in initial custody petitions by the state.

Texas has an outstanding arrest warrant for the man alleged to have been the girl’s husband, Dale Barlow, 50. He’s a registered sex offender who pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor in Mohave County, Ariz., last year.

I do not know about you ladies, but I was APPALLED when I read about the YOUNG teenage girls as young as 12 who were forced to marry and have sex with OLDER perverted men (some like 50 years old!) who IMO are nothing less than pedophiles! One of the 16 year old girls already has 4 KIDS!!!

The temple contains an area where there is a bed where males over the age of 17 engage in sexual activity with female children under the age of 17. Can you believe it??? HOW does this happen. I am thoroughly DISGUSTED!

You know the sad part is many of these kids have never known anything different…they probably do not even realize that a HORRIBLE sex crime has been committed against them! :(

Oh, I am SOOOO angry. I am also VERY sad for these poor children…hundreds of them who have been taken from their Moms and only life they have ever known….I feel sad for the poor misinformed Mothers who allowed their children to even BE THERE! AHHHHH!

GRRRRRRRRRRR!

What are your thoughts, dear readers? Are you as disgusted. appalled, and angry as I am???

Topics: Parenting, Motherhood, Polygamist, Teenage Pregnancy, Hot Topics, Morality, Raising Teenagers, Ramblings, Thinking Out Loud, Venting, In the News | 5 Comments »

Let’s Have Some Fun :)

By Lara | April 24, 2008

OK, so, Dianna did some fun quizzes on her blog, so I am going to do a few here. Feel free to join in…reply and let us know your results. :)


You Are Miss Piggy


A total princess and diva, you’re totally in charge - even if people don’t know it.You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won’t settle for anything less.

You’re going to be a total star, and you won’t let any of the “little people” get in your way.

Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

The Muppet Personality Test

ROFL!! OK…I am NOT even going to go there!!


Your Interpersonal Intelligence Score: 81%


Your Interpersonal Intelligence is Very HighYou go beyond being a “people person.” Connecting with people is the most important thing in your life.You’re empathetic, friendly, and outgoing. You are the kind of friend people dream of having.

Your interpersonal intelligence is a gift. And you use it well.

How Does Your Interpersonal Intelligence Rate?

Hey…pretty good! :)


Your Learning Style: Idealistic and Flexible


You enjoy learning anything that can help others… from making the world more beautiful to saving lives.You Should Study:Architecture
Environmental Science
Fashion Design
Forestry
Interior design
International Studies
Literature
Music
Nursing
Restaurant management
Studio Art
Veterinary Medicine

What Should You Study?

Pretty accurate. :)

What about you?? Share your results…

Topics: Fun Stuff, Humor, Quizzes, Mommy Time, Just for FUN! | 2 Comments »

Walking the Walk

By Karyn | April 22, 2008

If you have children, or even if you know any children, then you know the importance of being a good example. From eating right, to speaking politely, it’s all going to be mimicked whether we like it or not. I’ve heard that it’s usually our bad habits that our children will pick up. The old adage “do what I say and not what I do” does not work. If you want your children to grow up and have an active lifestyle, then you ought to demonstrate how it is important to you. You need to be involved in some sort of regular physical activity. If you want your child to grow up eating healthy foods, then you need to choose healthy snacks… at least while the munchkins are around heehee.

All of this has been on the front burner of my mind for some time. See, my daughter beleives in Jesus. She prays. She has a very sweet, gentle spirit. But how do I make this faith REAL to her? How do I make it come alive? I’m talking beyond reading the Word, beyond praying…. even beyond “works”, because works should be an automatic reaction to an inner change, not a way to gain merit. So… how do  I really make it real? How do I make it more real?

I’ve decided to focus on character training via some amazing books. Pearables, William J. Bennett books, Kingdom Stories… there are so many good character focused resources out there. So fine, we’re adding reading. What about the walking? What about making it real? What can I do to live it out, to show that walking the walk is important to me? It will never be important to her until she sees it in my life. I need to make this more intentional.

We have decided to adopt a grandparent. There are many seniors who are lonely, who wish for nothing more than someone to care for them. We are so excited about this, and can’t wait to meet our new grandparent. The anticipation is comparable to a new baby arriving! So many adventures we’ll share!

There are many things you can do to make it real for your children. Adopting a grandparent is just one of many ideas. There are countless ways you can make a difference, ways to love others and make it a part of your everyday life. I believe we have no higher calling than to prepare our children to make a difference in this world, to impact people, to be salt and light in this generation and beyond. What about you? How are you showing your children that this is important in your life?

I challenge you to not only think about this, but to move with this… start walking and your children will walk too.

Topics: Ponderings | 2 Comments »

When Memory Lane Meets the Fast Lane

By Christine | April 19, 2008

Sometimes I feel sorry for my kids. They aren’t growing up in the same world I did. They aren’t living the childhood I enjoyed so much. I wish that for them. 

Growing up I had the run of my neighborhood. I walked to and from school and rode my bike as far as I wanted. To my young mind I roamed to world, but realistically it was probably only six or seven blocks. On my street there were plenty of kids to play with. After school and during the summer we’d gather together for games of tag and kick the can. It wasn’t until the sun went down and the fireflies came out that we were called back to our homes. That’s the childhood of my memory. If I could give that to my kids I surely would. 

Oh, but times are different now. There are quite a few families with children on our street. We know they exist but we rarely see them. Kids these days seem to be involved in so many indoor activities, lessons and classes that they’re hardly ever just outside playing. I consider my neighborhood relatively safe, but I don’t allow my children to play further away than I’m able to see. They ride their bikes only a few houses in either direction unless my husband or I go with them. Their school is too far for walking so I drive them each day. I can’t help but feel they’re missing out. 

I’m sure you can imagine my surprise when I found out my kids feel sorry for ME! They were absolutely shocked to learn that home computers didn’t exist when their father and I were growing up. They thought I was joking when I told them we didn’t have remote controls for the TV. We actually had to get up from the sofa to change the channel! Gasp! When I informed them that we didn’t have access to a bazillion channels airing kids’ shows at all hours, they looked at me in horror. “You could only watch cartoons on Saturday mornings? That was it?” was their dazed response. It’s all true kiddies, and there’s more. 

We didn’t have VCRs, DVDs, and no computer games (at least until Pong, and you couldn’t walk around with that.) We had no cell phones and no iPods. If we wanted to use the phone we needed to be home. We also had to stick close to the wall because cordless phones weren’t around yet. My family didn’t have a microwave until I was in junior high, no call waiting until high school, and don’t even get me started on answering machines. From the look on my kids’ faces you’d think I was describing the Stone Age. 

My children don’t have video games, don’t watch much TV and rarely participate in extracurricular activities. We try to make time to play and just be. Maybe that makes us odd, maybe it doesn’t. The point is they know these things exist. They see them as a normal part of life, and they’re right. It’s more of a challenge, but we can still tune out the distractions and tune into each other. This is their childhood, not mine. Hopefully they’ll look back on it with fondness.

Topics: Humor, Lessons to Learn, Mommie Moments, Ponderings | No Comments »

(Ancient) Greek Pizza with the Littles

By Karyn | April 7, 2008

Here’s a recipe to try with your munchkins. Let them get dirty and don’t rush them, they’re only young once and you’ll love the memories you create together! My dd LOVES this recipe and actually prefers it to regular pizza! But first, a little history lesson: the ancient Greeks were the first to make pizza! They did not use tomatos, as they came from the “new world”, but yes, a few thousand years before Christ, the ancient Greeks made a recipe very similar to this and cooked it in a fire pit or under the fire in the ground! OPA!

Ingredients:

Directions:

Put bread on cookie sheet or tinfoil. Liberally brush bread with olive oil. Let your little chef put the toppings on, then bake at 350 degrees until cheese is bubbly.  A yummy (and quick!) meal for you and your munchkins! Serve with Greek salad or sliced cucumber! Yum!

Topics: Cooking with Kids | 2 Comments »


« Previous Entries