Family Potluck - Full Plate Family

Discussion: Learning on a keyboard or a real piano? @teachstreet

Question: What’s better to learn on, a regular keyboard piano or a regular piano?...

"I’ve always wanted to get back into learning the piano again. I was taught piano in the past and just lost interest because I wasn’t into playing songs that I didn’t know about. Now, being that I’m a bit older -- I’ve had the pleasure of listening to some great classical and jazz piano..."
read entire discussion

Source: TeachStreet

Apple Camp for Kids

"This summer, your kid could make a movie, create a photo slideshow,write and record a song, put on a show for everyone, and have a blast doing it all. At Apple Camp, kids learn how to do cool stuff on a Mac and discover their hidden talents along the way. Apple Camp occurs at every Apple Retail Store, and each free workshop lasts three hours.Sign up your kid today and get ready for an adventure..."
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Source: Apple, Inc.

Guidelines and Resources for Determining Kids’ Allowances

"Teaching kids about the value of money is one of the greatest lessons parents can impart. With a healthy attitude towards money, kids will enter adulthood with the knowledge of smart money management,sensible spending parameters and the importance of saving.There are reports that Malia and Sasha Obama get $1 each for their weekly allowance. Maybe it’s time for the President to loosen the purse strings a little bit! $1 seems a bit meager for kids that age, but it got me wondering about allowances in general and what the guidelines are for allocation..."
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Source: Momaroo

St. Patrick's Day!

Leapin' Leprechauns Puzzle
Little Leprechaun Coloring Page
Pot of Gold Coloring Page
Shamrock Pattern
St. Patrick's Day Crafts Activities & Recipes

Coloring Pages Galore at Coloring Book

You will find just about everything at Coloring Book...click on the Coloring button to view the entire book.

The home page lists new additions to the site and there is a monthly newsletter so you can be automatically updated when new pages come online.

Birthday Party Ideas

This site has tons of birthday party ideas...
http://www.kids-birthday-party-guide.com/index.html

The theme page has about 30 different party themes to choose from. All of the themed parties include birthday invitations, decorations, favors, food recipes, and party games.

Once at the site, check out the tabs to the left, you will find lots of help in planning your next party!

Design Your Own Bill

"This fun game is a great way to introduce children to money by allowing them to design THEIR own currency.  How to Play:
Using the sliders provided, select from various denominations, seals, portraits and other details. Then, using your mouse, color in your note by clicking and dropping colors into the desired area on the note. After you are finished you can print the note, send it to a friend or create another picture..."
go to game

Source: U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing

New Electric Company Series! - Hey You Guuuuuyyyssssssss!!!!

Hey You Guuuuuyyyssssssss!!!!  It's back in an updated version of the 1970's show, which was/is a favorite of mine.  We have checked out a few original episodes via Netflix too, they are both big hits around here!

The Electric Company | Parents & Educators

KidsWatch - Parental Control Software

From KidsWatch "Top-Rated Parental Control Software KidsWatch parental control software is your fastest and easiest solution to safeguard your children's' Internet experience and maximize the efficiency of the time they spend on the computer.  Now, you can set computer usage time limits, by child, ensuring homework is a priority to:

• Internet chats, including Instant messaging
• YouTube, Facebook and Myspace Web Visits
• Online Gaming and Gaming Software Downloads
• Music Downloads

KidsWatch is much more than the best-rated time management solution. It is loaded and preloaded with many optional benefits and features that improve the security and the quality of the Internet your children see. Installing KidsWatch on your computer is customizing the Internet, by child, the way you want your kids to experience it..."

Stranger Safety with The Safe Side

Come on over to The Safe Side!

"Kid safety is an important, yet often difficult topic of discussion between parents and children. The Safe Side's "Safe Side Super-Chick" is a decidedly zany host who successfully combines slapstick humor with serious, practical safety tips for kids. "Safe Side Super-Chick" breaks the population down into three quickly discernable categories: "Safe Side Adults" that kids know well and can always trust to keep them safe, "Don't Knows" like the mail carrier or the lady at the park and "Sorta Knows" like a coach or a schoolmate's parent. As "Safe Side Super-Chick" interacts with "Don't Knows" and "Sorta Knows" , she offers seven specific safety tips to keep kids safe and, with the help of real kids, details simple, concrete actions and phrases that empower kids in a variety of potentially dangerous situations.