Getting Organized for the New Year

So here we are at the start of another new year, once again we are packing up our Christmas decorations and dusting off our New Year's resolutions. I don't have any research data to back this up but I'm guessing that 50% of us make the same resolutions each year. For me it's usually a variation of the same theme, organization. Sadly at the end of the year I am just as disorganized as I was at the beginning.

So this year I am making a simpler resolution, to choose one organization idea and stick to it for at least 30 days. After searching many websites I decided to go with an idea I found on OrganizedHome.com called the "Launch Pad". It's a dedicated space for each family member.
For the kids it can be a home to permission slips, lunch boxes, library books, or even diaper bags. For the adults of the house, the Launch Pad holds handbags, car keys, return videos, files, appointment calendars and even granola bars for those of us who often miss breakfast. One special place to corral items every family member must have to leave the house each morning.

To take this organization tip one step farther I am resolving to set up my family's Launch Pads each night before bed. What action steps are you going to take to make 2008 run a little more smoothly than last year?

Raj Thandhi, owner of Concept 9 Accessories, uses her design experience to create fashionable and trendy accessories for new moms and babies.

Thinking outside the box

There are so many theories on how to teach children and so many styles of therapies for those who are affected by Autism. As parents, we only want what is best for our child. My personal opinion is that if you keep putting the child first, it will all come together and all involved will experience success.

When we think about our son, Ryan, who is on the Autism Spectrum, we know he is very clever, especially with technology. His weakness has been communication. We have combined the two by getting him digital camera to play around with.

Success was immediate! Ryan was absolutely thrilled with being able to take his own pictures. He figured it out right away and was taking some really nice shots. He wanted to show us the pictures, so the communication part of it happened naturally. He started talking about the camera, telling us how it worked and gave some details about what pictures he took.

The ball kept rolling. Soon, he was asking his siblings to pose somehow - usually something like going down the slide or jumping off of something. They all loved the activity and were having their own conversation about it, not to mention the belly laughs from all of them!

Maybe you can think of a strength that your child has, and how you can use that strength to support and improve an area of weakness. Keep the learning FUN!

Debra Batt, owner of Picture Symbol Solutions, uses her experiences as a Teacher's Assistant and parent to create resources for families who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

10 reasons to do musical activities with your child

• Music shapes attitude towards a lifetime appreciation of the arts
• Music is a link to understanding humans in their context and culture
• Music establishes patterns of brain development
• Music is crucial to language development
• Music strengthens math and science skills
• Music improves memory and reading retention
• Music provides tools essential to problem solving
• Music fosters emotional bonding and self-esteem
• Music enhances communication and teamwork skills
• Music is SO MUCH FUN!

Darcie Brown, a Licensed Kindermusik Educator at The Little Brown Music Studio, specializes in early childhood development and music.

Tips for picky eaters

(This information was taken from The Baby Book by William Sears M.D. and Martha Sears R.N.)

When it comes to feeding your toddlers it is important to remember the division of responsibility. The parents are responsible for buying the right food, preparing it nutritiously and serving it creatively. The child is responsible for how much he eats, when he eats and if he eats at any given time. That said here are some suggestions in how to encourage your child to want to eat.

Try a nibble tray
Children have very small tummies (the size of their fist) and so they are not able to eat large amounts of food at one time. Because of this it is better to let your child eat small amounts of food frequently. An easy way to assemble a nibble tray is to use an ice-cube tray or a muffin dish. Put bite-sized portions of colorful and nutritious foods into each space of the nibble tray. Here are some ideas for foods to put into the nibble tray.

Cheese blocks	Broccoli trees
Cooked carrot sticks	Canoe eggs
Peeled apple slices (moons)	Banana wheels
Avocado boats	O-shaped cereal

Dress it up
Young children like to dip their food. Take advantage of this in order to encourage toddler’s to eat less favored foods. There are many different dips that you can use.

Cheese sauce	Yogurt
Cottage cheese	Tufu puree
Guacamole	Salad dressing
Hummus	Pureed fruit

Toddler toppings
Putting nutritious familiar favorites on top of new or less desirable foods is one way to encourage picky eaters to broaden their menu. Some topping suggestions are melted cheese, yogurt, cream cheese, tomato sauce, meat sauce, applesauce or guacamole.

Spread it
Many toddlers and children like to spread things, so let them put nutritional spreads on their foods, such as meat pate, avocado spread, vegetable sauce or cheese spread onto crackers, bagel, toast or rice cakes.

Drink your meal
If your child would rather drink than eat, try making a smoothie. Blend together yogurt with fresh fruit. To make the event even more fun let your child use a straw.

Kim Kendall is a Sign2Me Presenter and WeeHands educator. She offers signing and infant massage classes through Out West Training Studio in Abbotsford.

Oscar Night Brings Out the Swarovski!

I watch the Oscars as much for the films as for the Fashion. One thing that I noticed at this year’s Oscars was that Swarovski crystal was EVERYWHERE. Cate Blanchett was wearing a gorgeous Swarovski crystal mesh gown (top), and Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, and Abigail Breslin (bottom) were all sporting Daniel Swarovski clutches.

Swarovski crystal is the 1st choice of fashion and jewellery designers alike. So what is it that puts Swarovski crystal above the rest of crystal out there?

What its made of: Swarovski crystal is the only crystal that uses high lead content crystal glass. It contains approximately 32% lead and lead oxide. It is this high lead content that increases and maximizes refraction, making the crystal so sparkly that it is actually comparable in sparkle to a diamond!

How it's made: When the Swarovski company was first started in 1882, Daniel Swarovski developed an automatic cutting machine that would enable him to cut the glass perfectly every time creating multiple surfaces that would reflect light.

What it does: This precision cutting creates a crystal that catches the light on both the inside surfaces as well as the outside. As light dances and reflects throughout the entire crystal, the beautiful and eternal sparkle of Swarovski is created.

The next time you are looking for an outfit or a piece of jewellery that is going to look both brilliant and be of the highest quality, look for Swarovski crystal. You’ll never be disappointed.

Darling Bijou creates affordable handmade jewellery for children and adults out of genuine Swarovski Austrian crystal, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, and designer glass beads ~ creating a lasting keepsake that can be cherished forever.

Exfoliating

Skin constantly produces new skin cells and sheds old ones. Your age, heredity, and lifestyle deciphers how well your skin naturally upkeeps your cellular turnover.

Exfoliating your skin, in addition to the manual pressure used during the exfoliating process, increases circulation and helps to stimulate cell production. For most skin conditions, exfoliate your skin every two to three days.

Avoid exfoliation on areas with visible surface veins and broken capillaries, acne, or sensitive skin, as this can irritate and intensify the problem. It is best to leave the exfoliation process for your facials.

Avoid exfoliants that contain abrasive exfoliating beads. Your exfoliant should not hurt or sting your skin.

When using your exfoliant, apply it with water, or add a small amount of cleanser to it, as using it dry will be too abrasive for your skin, no matter how gentle the product.

Teenagers should not be exfoliating more than once a week, if at all, as their skin is already turning over cells at an optimum rate. It is a good idea for your teenager to receive facials twice a year, for education on their personal skin care regime.

Leanne Hilderman, Licensed Esthetician and owner of Leanne Hilderman Esthetics Studio, can help you develop a skin care plan and for exfoliating recommends Peau Vive’s Gentle Facial Exfoliant which contains Jojoba Oil granules, famous for their hydration, smoothness, and ability to stimulate elastin.

Happy feet

Although they are often overlooked, your feet need a new maternity wardrobe just like your waistline. Good, comfortable, supportive shoes are one of the best investments you can make when you're pregnant. Somehow, you'll find that you're on your feet more than you'd like, especially if you have kids already.

Here are some tips to finding happy shoes for your new feet:

Go in the afternoon when your feet are likely to be their largest, so you can be sure to buy the right size.

Try on different heel heights if you are buying work or evening wear shoes. You would be surprised to know that many pregnant women find that a 1-2" heel actually relieves the pressure on their lower back.

Go shopping when you have time to try on and walk around in your new shoe candidates. Don't try and make this purchase when you are rushed or have your other kids in tow. Believe it or not, shoes are a very important piece of your maternity wardrobe.

Raj Thandhi, fashionista and owner of Blume Maternity, creates hip and trendy maternity clothing.

Routines with consistency

Are you like me? Do you count on your calendar or daytimer to keep you on track? Personally, I am LOST without my daily calendar. I feel so much better when I know what to expect for the day. When I cross things off of my list, I feel great!

Kids are just like us - they want to know what to expect, when special events are happening, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment when things are crossed off the list. A visual schedule is a wonderful tool to keep your children on track, as well as teaching them independence and following through with something. You can have a morning and an evening schedule which will guide them through their routines such as getting dressed, brushing their teeth and hair, and so on.

If you are sounding like a broken record, trying to get your child out the door in the morning or into bed at night, try a visual schedule and watch how they fly with it. Both of you will reap the rewards of routines!

Debra Batt, owner of Picture Symbol Solutions, uses her experiences as a Teacher's Assistant and parent to create resources for families who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Cleansing your skin

When choosing a cleanser, take into consideration your skin type (oily, dry or normal), specific skin conditions (aging, acne, sensitive, rosacea, dehydration), and your personal preferences. An effective cleanser should remove makeup and impurities, without stripping it of moisture, and without leaving any residue or greasy film on your skin after removal.

Avoid cleansing with soap and water. Skin is naturally slightly acidic, whereas soap is alkaline – it disrupts the skin’s acidic protection film, increasing the likelihood of developing sensitivities, acne, and couperose (network of red or purple surface veins.)

To cleanse your eye area, don’t use your regular cleanser. The skin around your eyes is much too thin and delicate for the thickness of regular cleansers.

A healthy skin tip: morning detox. Start your day with a cup of boiling water mixed with the juice of half a lemon – this flushes out any impurities that may have built up in your system overnight. Lemon acts as a gentle cleanser for the liver.

Leanne Hilderman, Licensed Esthetician and owner of Leanne Hilderman Esthetics Studio, can help you discover what your skin is saying and recommends Peau Vive products to help it look fabulous.

The joy of jewellery

Children's jewellery and accessories are all the rage right now. Precious metals and lots of sparkle attract children. What mother hasn't found her child playing in her jewellery box?

Jewellery makes us feel good. It makes us feel pretty and loved and cherished. Whether it is a thoughtful gift from a loved one, or a special purchase for ourselves, we wear it because we love it. Children feel the same way.

A child understands at a very young age that some things are special...and they ache to touch those things. Allow your preschooler to wear a piece of your jewellery around the house, and all of a sudden she is carrying herself differently. In her mind's eye, she has just turned into a princess, and you see that she treasures that piece in her own unique way.

Beautiful things are not just for adults. Communicate to your little one, your tween, your teenager that they are worthy of beautiful things, and let them know that they will always be royalty to you.

Ami Krahn, owner and founder of Darling Bijou, specializes in creating beautiful handmade jewellery for children that is durable and affordable, and above all, a lasting keepsake that can be cherished forever.

Reading with your baby

The most important activity a parent can engage in with newborn babies, infants, toddlers and preschoolers is reading aloud to them

With little ones, don’t be too concerned about following the rules. Instead, start from the point of interest for the child—a picture they like, flaps they like to flip, starting at the end of the book. Let them get involved in the reading experience; it will help in developing the skills needed to become good readers.

Books that work well with babies:

• Durable books such as board books, vinyl, or cloth books
• Interactive books with textures, flaps, sounds, mirrors
• Books without words where the reader can make up the story
• Bright colours and bold outlines so the pictures are easily seen
• Books with large and simple pictures
• Predictable, repetitive books with catchy phrases that invite the child to join in
• Home-made books with familiar pictures of pets, family members
• Books with pictures of everyday objects or experiences (animals, colours, vehicles)
• Books your child really likes for any reason at all

Tanya Hill is an Education Specialist Consultant with Usborne Books. She enjoys reading and sharing these fabulous books with her 2 children and recommends Animal Hide and Seek, a Farmyard Tales book, for babies.

Autism resource website

When Stacey went over to her new friend Chelsea's house, she met Chelsea's 4-year-old brother, Shawn. "Hi," said Stacey, smiling.

Shawn glanced at her and said nothing. Then he turned back to a toy he was holding. Later, in Chelsea's room, Stacey said, "I don't think your brother likes me."

"It's not your fault," explained Chelsea. "Shawn has autism."

With the ever increasing incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder, now one in every 167 children, many of us know of someone who is affected by Autism or ASD. Perhaps there is someone in your immediate family or even your own child. It can be a challenge to explain to others, especially children, what ASD is and what it could feel like.

I found this website and thought it would be helpful in educating yourself and others about what ASD really is. With the support and acceptance of family, friends, and the community, those who are affected by Autism will be ensured wonderful life experiences, and those who share in them will be touched in ways they never imagined.

Debra Batt, owner of Picture Symbol Solutions, uses her experiences as a Teacher's Assistant and parent to create resources for families who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What did you get at your baby shower?

New moms, Oprah want to know what you got at your baby shower. What were the best gifts you received when you were expecting a baby?

What was the most useful gift you received? The most thoughtful? The most unique?

What did you need more of? What did you get too much of? Diapers? Books? Toys?
Clothes? Money?

What is your idea of the perfect gift for an expecting or new mom?

This is great opportunity to support a small or local business that is creating unique and one of a kind gifts for moms and babes. If you know someone or something that you want to brag about, take a moment to let the Oprah show know by clicking here.

First trimester panic kit

Here are a few items that will help you tweak your clothes when you find they just do not come together like they used to:

Double-Sided Tape: Tape is useful for quick little tucks and folds, and it keeps clothes from looking bulgy. You can also use it to hold back plunging necklines if you don't have sensitive skin.

Mitten Clips: Use these to make an empire line to your waist by pulling in excess fabric at the back

Belly Bands: The fun and fashionable bands can be worn over your pants with your button left open to allow you a few extra weeks in your non-maternity pants.

Scissors: Use them to make side slits in T-shirts.

Adhesive Bandages: You always wondered what the round one was good for - you'll know the answer when the question "pops" up!

Raj Thandhi, fashionista and owner of Blume Maternity, creates hip and trendy maternity clothing.

Two options are better than one

Your preschooler has boundless energy, endless enthusiasm and strong passions which can present a daunting challenge to parents. Here is one effective strategy to quickly redirect your preschooler’s behavior in a positive way.

When your child’s behavior takes a sudden turn in the wrong direction, offer her two options and allow her to choose what option suits her best. By phrasing the question in a way that she cannot simply answer “yes” or “no,” you are giving her a feeling of control over her life while still being able to guide her options.

If she refuses to choose one of the options explain that you are able to make the choice for her, but she may not like what you choose. This will usually only happen a few times as preschoolers enjoy making their own decisions and quickly catch on to the fact that you might not choose the option they would prefer.

Preschooler: “I want to go play outside in the rain.”
Parent: “We can’t go play out in the rain right now, but you can choose if you want to play with play dough or paint a picture. Which would you like to do?”
Preschooler: “I want to go play outside in the rain.”
Parent: “You can choose to play with play dough or to paint a picture. If you don’t want to choose, I can choose for you. Which would you like to do?”
Preschooler: “I want to paint a picture.”

Darcie Brown, a Licensed Kindermusik Educator at The Little Brown Music Studio, specializes in early childhood development and music.

What secret is your skin telling?

Unless you are blessed with flawless genes, healthy skin maintenance is essential in retaining the youthfulness and suppleness of your skin. Most women know the basic steps of skin care, but not why they should choose certain skin care products. Just as important is to know how to read the internal secrets their skin is trying to tell.

Breakouts on your chin - probably mean you’re expecting your “monthly friend”.

Congestion on your forehead - perhaps you need to increase your daily intake of whole foods and water.

Breakouts along your jaw line and down your neck - may mean you need some serious destressing.

Leanne Hilderman, Licensed Esthetician and owner of Leanne Hilderman Esthetics Studio, can help you discover what your skin is saying at her fabulous studio.

Taking great photos of kids

Children make great photography subjects but they're not the easiest subjects to photograph. They enjoy moving and often have short attention spans. Here are a few ideas to help you snap great photos of your kids.

Have your camera set up before you attract their attention.
You will have a limited window of opportunity to snap your photo so be ready to take the photo before calling their name.

Take some natural photos - that is, photos of kids just being kids.
Some of our favorite photos are ones where our son is just being himself – driving cars in the mud, racing around on his bike, or studying his favorite book. Take photos of your children doing the things they enjoy.

Cloudy days are best.
While a sunny day is great for helping with cheerful moods, it doesn't create the best lighting for photography. A cloudy day will help prevent squinting while providing an even lighting source.

Get creative, try new angles.
Take some photographs from your childrens' level and others looking down. Varying your angles will create drama and interest in your photographs

Darcie Brown, mommy and owner of Revival Arts Studio, loves seeing and taking lifestyle portraits of children being themselves.

Red : the hottest accent colour of the season

I have to admit it, I love Red! There isn't a colour in the world that evokes as much passion and excitment as Red, it's sizzling! Well lucky me, because red is definitely the "it" colour this season.

It seems like this hot colour is popping up everywhere, from clothes, accessories, and makeup, to electronics and household products. The key to wearing this trend is moderation, pick one or two pieces to pull into your existing wardrobe.

Here are my top 5 picks for red products this season:
1. Fire Engine Red Pumps
2. Red Blume Belly Band
3. Shiny Red Lipgloss
4. Oversized Hobo Bag
5. Anything from the Gap's Product Red line.

Raj Thandhi, fashionista and owner of Blume Maternity, creates hip and trendy maternity clothing.

Six Stages of Signing

1. Amusement
When you first start signing with your baby, he or she might just look at your strangely. He is not sure what you are doing or why and might even laugh at you.

2. Recognition/Understanding
Next your baby will start to understand the meaning of the signs. Your baby’s receptive communication has begun.

3. Attempts & Imitation
Your baby will start to play with his hands more. He may try to copy your signs but not really know what he is doing.

4. First Sign!
Your baby has started to use her first sign. At first your baby might use the same sign for everything she wants to say. Watch for sign approximation at this point. Your baby’s signs may be awkward and you may miss them if you are not watching. Your baby’s expressive communication has begun. Congratulations!

5. Signing Vocabulary Increases
Your baby will start to use more of the signs that you have been showing him. He will also start to look at you to show him a sign for something. Pointed gazes will be happening more often. This is an important time to show your baby lots of new signs.

6. The Signing Eureka
Your baby suddenly really appears to “get” this whole signing thing. She has an impressive size vocabulary and wants to learn new signs all the time. By this time she is also picking up these new signs after seeing them only once.

You now have a Signing Baby!
It is important to remember to be consistent with your signing. Your baby will be taking a lot of the initiative, but they will still need signing stimulation from you.

Kim Kendall is a Sign2Me Presenter and WeeHands educator. She offers signing and infant massage classes through Out West Training Studio in Abbotsford.