Graduation Announcement

Sending a graduation announcement can be lots of fun and can be quite fulfilling experience for the grandaunt since the person gets to include the people that will be able to join him as he celebrates his achievement, the people in turn will also shower him with gifts and money as a congratulatory gesture. Graduation announcements can be bought from the school but this is usually very expensive and it would therefore be better for one to make the graduation announcement personally. The first step would be to have a rough figure of the number one intends to invite giving priority to relatives and close friends. This is because schools and colleges have a number restriction for guests.
One should purchase blank announcements with a suiting design, stamps, seals, and thank you notes incase they are not offered along with the announcement. Once this is complete the designing should take place from a word processing program, Include the degree type, date, names, the time and location of the ceremony in a clear and readable text. A proof reading should be done and any necessary corrections made .The graduation announcement should then be printed out, addresses and then sealed together with RSVP cards in an envelope and sent well in advance.
GraduationSource, a leader in graduation regalia products since 1960.

You’ve done a lot of the hard work and potty training is now going well. To get things running smoothly you’ve been staying home and it’s been working. You’ve got a good system happening between the two of you and there have been relatively few accidents in recent days. You’re even starting to feel like this potty training thing is no big deal.

You wonder whether maybe it’s time to head out, to move beyond the safety of home. However, you know that potty training at home is very different to potty training in the big wide world but you aren’t sure how different and what to do to prepare yourself and educate your child on what to expect.

Just because it’s new and perhaps a bit intimidating, you can’t stay home forever. No really, you can’t! Of course, it’s tempting to put them in pull ups so you won’t have to worry about any potential accidents. The only problem is that it isn’t really sending your child the right message about the path ahead.

You know that your child can go for at least an hour in between potty visits so if you time it right you might be able to get there and back within the hour. Well, maybe. But bladders, especially children’s bladders, aren’t always like that. You know what it’s like when you get excited or nervous, you need to go to the bathroom more. Your child is like that too, only they can’t hold on like you can. So you may well find that your child needs to go more when they are out, not less.

So what can you do?
1. Explain to your child what will happen when you are out, how it will likely be different from home and any concerns you may have.
2. Get them to go, or at least try to go potty before you leave.
3. Find out where the toilets are as soon as you get wherever you are going and go straight away. It’s much easier doing this calmly before they really need it than in the rush of a sudden urge.
4. If you’re out in public, as you move around always be on the lookout for those tell-tale bathroom signs so you know exactly which direction you should head if you need to.
5. If you don’t have a portable potty with you, try getting your child to sit backwards on a regular toilet - some children find this easier because they have the wall or toilet cistern to hold onto and don’t feel like they are going to fall off the seat on to the floor.
6. Take some spare clothing, a couple of plastic bags, and some baby wipes and paper towels with you in case of accidents.
7. If they have an accident in a shop or restaurant - let the staff know and race to the bathroom with your child. Sure it is embarrassing but you won’t be the first. All you can really do is apologise - quickly - and leave a big tip.
8. If your child has an accident at a friend’s house then it’s your responsibility to clean it up. Best to take your own paper towels so you can quickly spring into action without having to ask for everything and make it a big deal.
9. Don’t forget to take your sense of humour - accidents or not, you’re going to need it. There may be several false alarms with your child wanting to find out what happens when they say the magic trigger word. If you feel this is happening, try not to get upset with them. Instead try praising them for telling you and being so responsible about their potty training, even though you know it’s not easy.

Good luck!

To find more information on how to handle potty training road blocks and what other potty training sites won’t tell you, visit www.pottytraininghowto.com. Sign up for a free e-course on how to make potty training fun for you and your child.

clothes. When your baby is not capable to move on her own, it is desirable to buy clothes which wrap her body properly as their is always a danger of her getting cold even in summers. The few difficulties faced by new mothers in choosing clothes are:

What is trendy?
Where to search for these clothes?
How much to invest in baby clothes?

Toddlers could require 3 clothing changes in a day so buy clothes accordingly. Buy clothes which could be easily washed and are comfortable to wear and remove. The clothes should not be too tight or well fitting but should be a bit towards loose side. This will give your baby plenty of room for movement.

Baby clothes have to be made of soft material or cotton cloths as these do not irritate the skin of your child. Make it a point to choose soft or cotton made cloths for the one which comes in direct contact with your baby skin.

Well, the best place to buy baby clothes is buying it online. The other places are your neighborhood departmental store or specialty toddler stores. You could make a call to departmental stores in your area to find if they are offering any types of discounts or if there is any sale going on for toddler clothes.

Try to get hold of catalogues which most departmental stores provide. This catalogues will help you to compare and shortlist toddler clothes you wish to buy. Try to figure out the reputation of the store, prices of the product and discounts if any. Specialty baby stores could give you a wide range of options to choose from. However the prices could be somewhat towards higher side.

Best buys for toddler clothes could be performed online. There are many ways you could choose an online store for buying toddler clothes. Try to enquire about good and reliable online stores in your area from the people you know. Big sites with great reputation are always a safe bet. Since toddler clothes are a very niche product it is always better to go for specialized online stores. Do a bit of research on forums and search engines to find perfect online store for your next purchase.

In today’s busy world, many parents have lost the
art of telling their stories to their kids. Here are
ten reasons why these stories are so beneficial:

1. Use them to teach lessons about life.

Stories will stimulate conversations with your
kids more effectively than lecturing or “trying to
get them to talk. There are a lot of issues happening
for your kids these days, and stories give them a
chance to reflect on them.

2. Stories connect your kids with previous
generations.

In a society that seems to have families spread
out all over, it’s vitally important to have ways
to have your kids feel connected to their extended
families.

3. Stories stimulate your kids’ imagination.

One of the best ways to prepare your kids for the
world is to engage them in vivid stories that stir
their imagination. Kids who are exposed to these
kinds of stories will be the creative
problem-solvers of the future.

4. Kids who are exposed to stories will continue
the tradition with their own families.

Knowing that your family traditions and stories
will be carried on by future generations is very
comforting.

5. Stories can encourage your kids when they’re
discouraged

Childhood can get pretty discouraging sometimes.
Kids are encouraged by knowing that Mom or Dad
have gone through the same kinds of things and
have survived.

6. Telling your stories has you remembering your
own childhood.

Telling your kids about your childhood is a great
way for you to remember and reflect on what was
important about your younger years.

7. Telling stories helps to create depth and soul
in your kids.

In a TV and media-crazy culture, telling stories
can capture your kids’ attention and convey real
meaning. It’s a way to show your kids what’s really
important in your life.

8. Telling stories to your kids tells them they’re
worth the time.

Is there anything more important than conveying to
your kids that you want to spend intimate time
with them? They’ll remember it forever.

9. Telling stories is a great chance to convey your
values.

Your kids will be getting quite a few messages
from their friends and from popular culture.
Stories are a great opportunity to sneak in a few
of your cherished values for your kids to hear.

10. Well-crafted stories create a wonderful
mind-set for your kids before they fall asleep.

Kids will fall asleep faster and with healthier
images when you tell them your stories.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to connect with your
kids, at the same time you tell them what’s
important to you.

It will be a huge gift to your kids, and a huge
gift to you.

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches busy parents by
phone to balance their life and improve their family
relationships. For a FREE twenty minute sample session
by phone; ebooks, courses, articles, and a FREE
newsletter, go to http://www.markbrandenburg.com. or
email him at mark@markbrandenburg.com.

The method know as three dimensional ultrasound is used when a woman is in early pregnancy, it provides 3d pictures of the unborn baby. Most of the time these ultrasound samples are captured and joined together and animated to make a “4d ultrasound”.

Three dimensional scans works in the same way to the normal ultrasound methods except that the ultrasound scanning pulses can be directed from multiple directions. The ultrasound waves can be reflected back then captured to provide info to construct a 3d image in much the same way as 3d pictures. 3d ultasound scanning was started by stephen smith and olaf von ramm.

It’s important to understand that sonologists all over the world have always pictured 3d pictures of the body in their minds while doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was almost impossibel to do this kind of reconstruction on on data using ultasound scanning. With the advent of baby scans for the first time allowed us a view into the brain of a sonologist and so allowing us see the images on the ultrasound machine.

3d/4d imaging should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. While there is no information of harm due to 3d ultrasound, its use in none medical situations needs to be undertaken with an understanding of the risks.

Also remember to store your new born childs cord blood by involving such as futurehealth.

In the United States, a large number of teenagers celebrate their sixteenth birthday. Turning sixteen is an important milestone for many teenagers. This is often because they are now able to obtain a driver’s license. Sixteen is an important age, but for teenage girls, with a Hispanic background, fifteen is often the year that is most celebrated.

When an individual, of Hispanic descent, celebrates their fifteenth birthday, it is often celebrated with a large party. This party is often referred to as a Quinceaera. Quinceaeras are often seen as a coming of age party. A Quinceaera can be planned a number of different ways, but a large number of guests are often invited. These guests may include, but are not limited to, friends, family, and neighbors.

To notify guests of a Quinceaera, many individuals send out Quinceaera invitations. A Quinceaera invitation is important for a number of different reasons. Perhaps, the most important reason is to notify guests. It is also important because individuals who receive an invitation are likely to make a reservation. This makes planning a Quinceaera easier because you know how much food is needed.

A Quinceaera invitation set can be purchased like most other party invitations. The only difference is that Quinceaera invitation sets may not be available for purchase in all retail stores. Since not all individuals celebrate Quinceaera, not all retail stores carry the supplies. Many individuals who need to get a set of Quinceaera invitations end up making their own or ordering them from a professional invitation designer.

Professionally designed Quinceaera invitation sets are the most preferred type of invitation. This is because the invitations are usually more elegant than the ones that are made at home. Homemade invitations are fairly easy to make and afford, but supplies will still need to be obtained. Instead of purchasing invitation supplies, many individuals put the money towards professional Quinceaera sets.

Professionally designed Quinceaera invitation sets can be found online or locally. If you live in a large city, it is likely that you may a local individual or company who specializes in making Quinceaera invitations. Either way is a great way to obtain Quinceaera invitations, but ordering them online is usually the most used method. This is because there are a large number of individuals and companies who design and make the invitations. Shopping on a national level may provide you with a large selection of invitations and lower prices.

Professional designed Quinceaera invitation sets are also important because they can be saved and cherished as an important memory. Most families document a Quinceaera with a large number of pictures or a scrapbook. An elegant looking Quinceaera invitation will look absolutely beautiful in a scrapbook or other family project.

As with all other party invitations, if you are in need of Quinceaera invitations, you are encouraged to order them well in advance. Placing your order ahead of time will ensure that the invitations arrive on time. If you are a parent, celebrate your daughter Quinceaera with an elegant, custom made Quinceaera invitation.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it this time. Next one is on you.” A commonly heard statement when going out to lunch, but not so common when the words are being uttered by your 14 year old unemployed son as he whips out his credit card and places it on the lunch bill.

There appears to be a rising trend in teens using their own credit/debit cards. This trend brings two questions to my mind: Is it wise to give your teen a credit card? And, is ‘everyone doing it’ as your teenager says?

In a poll published in April, of 2005, Junior Achievement found that of the 1,065 9th through 12th graders that participated in the poll, 11 % of them had their own credit cards. The students ranged in age from 13 to 18+. Of that 11%, the majority of them (81.7%) stated that they paid the entire balance in full at the end of each month.

Credit card companies like Visa Buxx offers pre-paid Visa cards for teens. Visa Buxx calls this a powerful financial educational tool. It is safer than cash, convenient, and allows for parental control of their teens spending by tracking their purchases online. The teens are to benefit from Visa Buxx because it allows for independence, flexibility (every place that accepts Visa debit cards accepts Visa Buxx), it’s smarter than cash because it gives teens the tools to learn financial responsibility and it is secure.

For all of the benefits mentioned above, it will cost the parent (or whomever is paying the bill) $12 to set up the account, $2.00 to fund the card (each time it is funded), 50 cents for each balance inquiry, $1.50 per ATM cash withdrawal, $5 to reissue an expired card, $3 per month for a paper statement, $2 per month inactivity fee, $20 for negative balance and $8 to close the account. There are various other fees not included here but can be found on their website. If it costs $12 to open an account, $2 to fund it and then $8 to close it (plus other fees), wouldn’t it be cheaper to give your teen an extra $22?

I might be showing my age, but I’m from the old school. What is more flexible than cash? It’s accepted pretty much everywhere. It’s a great financial educational tool. It teaches a cold lesson in budgeting, you either have enough or you don’t. It’s rather difficult for a teen to walk into a mall with cash and spend more than they have. Let’s face it. With Visa Buxx it may cost a parent $20 when a teen goes over their card limit. With cash, the teen will learn decision making: Do I really need it? Or, can I find a less expensive substitute?

Don’t get me wrong. There are many mature and financially trustworthy teens that can responsibly use a Visa Buxx card or some other credit/debit card, its just that I would prefer to wait until my teens are gainfully employed before they use plastic

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Felicia Williams is a Freelance Writer and owner of the family-oriented website www.tidbitsandstuff.com

Having a baby is exciting, but also very tough! There are tons of decisions you will make throughout your pregnancy, throughout your babies infancy and during their entire lives! One of those early decisions you will have to make is what type of stroller to by your precious baby. In case you weren’t aware, a stroller is a must have item for all new parents! Most parents buy their first stroller before they even buy a crib for their newborn. You can use your stroller from day one!

It’s easy to get wound up over the selection process. Fortunately if you use the tips below for selecting the right type of stroller, you won’t have any trouble at all selecting the right stroller! Here are some important considerations when buying a stroller for your baby.

Selecting a Style
There are many different ’styles’ of stroller. Here are just a few:

• Conventional stroller - this is your standard stroller. Most come with a harness or belt to keep your baby safe and secure, a snack tray, maybe a cup holder, foot brakes and removable padding to keep your baby comfortable. A conventional stroller may range in price from $30-$300 or more.
• Tandem or double - if you are having twins or have two babies close in age, a double stroller may be your best bet. You can buy a side-by-side version or a front to back version. While bulky, these strollers do come in handy when shuffling around your little ones.
• Exercise or Jogging - these strollers are increasingly popular in recent years. While many are more expensive than traditional models, most parents feel the added investment is well worth it. Most exercise strollers come with a durable aluminum frame. They can carry your toddler up to 80 pounds, twice as much as conventional strollers. Exercise strollers usually easily fold like any other model. They are a good selection for parents on the go who want to get fit while entertaining their child.
• Lightweight - lightweight strollers feature lightweight materials. Most weigh less than 20 pounds. Most average 12-15. This is a bonus especially if you plan to haul around a hefty 30-pound toddler. Remember the heavier your stroller the more weight you’ll push around. A lightweight stroller makes quick trips to the grocery store a lot easier. Some families opt to have a lightweight and a conventional stroller in the house. They can use the lightweight stroller for traveling and the conventional stroller for walks around the block.

The first thing you should do when hunting for a stroller is decide what style best meets your needs. Once you do this, you can start looking for a stroller that has the unique features and accessories you feel make the package complete.

Stroller Accessories and Features
Once you decide the style of stroller you need, it’s time to select accessories and features. Some strollers come fully loaded with accessories and features. You may pay a little extra, but you won’t have to buy these features separately. Here are just a few accessories and features that most parents find useful when buying a stroller:

• Extra cup and snack holders for parent and child.
• Weatherproof fabric.
• Additional rain or insect mesh shield.
• Adjustable canopy to keep sunlight away from your child regardless of the direction you turn.
• Reflective materials to keep you visible when walking during dusk or in the evening.
• Foot and hand brakes.
• Built in shock absorbers.
• Built in toys to entertain your child.

One feature you can’t live without is an adequate harness. Look for a stroller with a three or five point harness to keep your infant safe and secure while riding. You should always belt your child when riding, even when they are an infant, to make sure they don’t accidentally slip out of the stroller and hurt themselves.

Before shopping for your stroller, create a list of the key features and the style of stroller you plan to buy. This will help reduce your list of 500 strollers to perhaps 20. Once you have narrowed your list you can look at dozens of online reviews to select the perfect stroller for you and your family.

Ant Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as Baby Carriers, Baby Slings and Baby Car Seats

1 Year Olds

• grab the rolling pin and let your toddler roll it across the floor

• wooden spoons are great for increasing your 1 year olds hand coordination (and they make great sounds too!)

• let your toddler play with the lids from your pots. It’s like they have started their own little band!

2 Year Olds

• help mom wash fruits and vegetables.

• take a plastic juice container or pop container and fill it with rice or dried pasta, or even coins. Tape the top so your curious one is unable to get the lid off, and let them shake the container to make the loudest sounds. You can do several of these with varying amounts of rice, pasta, or coins and let them hear the difference.

• pretend mixing - get a small wire whisk and a plastic measuring cup and let your munchkin mix just like mommy or daddy.

• wipe the table - it’s never to early to get help cleaning up. Have your little one wipe off the table. It may not be perfect, but it will make you both feel good knowing your child wants to help you.

3 Year Olds

• help you mix batter.

• pour measuring cup contents into a bowl.

• knead bread dough.

• practice shapes and colors - help your little one identify the shapes and colors of the ingredients you are using in your meal. This will make them feel completely involved in the meal preparation and more likely to eat the end product.

4 Year Olds

• choose a food at the store - take your child when you go grocery shopping. Let them pick one food each week (one they haven’t tried before) and help them experiment with that food, using it a few times during the week in different meals. Start with fruits and veggies first since those seem to disappear from a child’s diet at an early age.

• play the number game - make one meal a week with different numbers of foods. For example, make a lunch with a salami sandwich, carrots, and strawberries. Play a game and count…2 carrot sticks, 4 strawberries, 2 pieces of salami, 2 pieces of bread, and 1 slice of cheese.

• measure - let your child help you measure the amount you need for a recipe and start explaining fractions and let them see the different size measuring cups. It’s never too early to start math skills.

• reading - read the recipe out loud to your child and walk through the step by step process. This really enforces the concept that in many life activities there are a series of steps to get to the end product.

5-6 Year Olds

• Let them prepare simple snacks by themselves - they will love to eat the fruits of their labor!

• Plan a snack schedule - get a calendar or a dry erase board and sit down with your child at the beginning of the week. Let him or her plan a daily healthy snack that he or she can make.

• Set the table - it doesn’t have to look like Martha Stewart’s house, but it gives your child a sense of responsibility.

7-10 Year Olds

• Read recipes - let your child read the entire recipe to you.

• Plan meals - sit down with your child and let him or her help you set the menu for the week, look through the recipes and help you make a grocery shopping list.

• Make meals - at this age, most children can make at least 1 dish to go with dinner. If you are making an easy meal, have him or her help you with the entire meal. They will be so pleased and will no doubt eat it up, knowing they helped make it.

• Do dishes - ah yes, this one might be a struggle because at this age your children know that doing dishes is a chore. However, if your child has been involved with the meal planning process and making the meal, he or she may clean up the dishes without a problem.

Shelly Howard http://www.munchkinmenus.com

March 2005

Article written by Shelly Howard

Shelly is the owner of MunchkinMenus - a website created for families with picky eaters and families who need help finding easy, delicious, quick meals as an alternative to fast food night after night. Shelly is also mom to 3 year old Curtis and her business and articles are based on first-hand experience and tried and true tips and tricks.

http://www.munchkinmenus.com

Permission is granted to reproduce this article electronically,
provided the author’s name is in tact and all hyperlinks are active.

I am interested in creating sites on topics related primarily to young children. My first venture, is a site dedicated to dolls and doll houses.

Whilst carrying out reaseach for this site, I was blown away by the amount of information there was to be gained by studying Barbie and other dolls.

The whole world over, Barbie is the doll that every girls just got to have. Why? Well, over the years, Barbie has managed to stay in tune with her owners, in dress, physical appearance and at the same time maintain her unique sweetness that has captured the hearts of generations of young girls. The picture to the left is of the first every Barbie (notice the distinctive outfit). If you are lucky to own one of these original dolls, you are setting on a potential fortune!

Today, there are many different type of Barbie dolls available and there are collectors clubs all over the world. This is a far cry from the relatively humble beginnings at the 1956 toy fair. Would Ruth Handler, Barbie’s creator every thought her creation would one day be part of American day to day life as it is today? Barbie was invented by Ruth Handler in 1950. At the time, most of the dolls available were targeted at the adult market and were generally made of cloth or paper. For a full history of Barbie, please click here.

Barbie was named after Barbara Handler, the daughter of the creators Ruth and Elliot Handler. They also had a son called Ken - sound familiar!

Did you know, Barbie dolls sell at a rate of 2 every second!

The most successful Barbie doll ever created was Totally Hair Barbie, introduced in 1992. With hair from the top of her head to her toes, Totally Hair Barbie sold more than 10 million.

Barbie actually ran for the Presidency. The issues Barbie campaigned on included equality, world peace, animal kindness, education, and the environment- things which all leaders openly support.

Please take a look at my collection of beautiful Barbie pictures. Some of these dolls are over 30 years old! I have also added loads of links at the bottom of my page, for further info and pictures.

Jonathan Sanders. For further details, please visit http://www.doll-guide.com