I really wish I had taken a some before pictures. Jaden’s hair was really getting wild. But here he is after his haircut. I think he looks so cute now…..but no more curls…
How to Set Boundaries with Children and Halloween Candy
Last year my children didn’t get dressed up because I had just had our third baby about a week before Halloween, so things were hectic. But this year the kids asked if they could. Here are a few pictures of my cuties on Halloween.
We don’t live in a good neighborhood for trick or treating because the houses are far apart and there are long driveways (the kids would probably get exhausted by the 4th or 5th house). LOL I am not against trick or treating or anything like that. We have taken them when we were visiting my mom’s one year. She lives in the suburbs of Jersey and there are houses EVERYWHERE. It is a trick or treater’s paradise!
I am so happy that we have a great alternative to trick or treating. My church puts on a Harvest Festival each year where the kids can go to play games, get their faces painted, and get a big bag of candy.
As a mom though, I really don’t like the candy aspect of Halloween. It can really become a battle, not only with the kids, but with yourself. Having all that candy in the house can be very tempting! 🙂
Here are a few things that I do, to keep the peace in our home concerning the Halloween candy nightmare.
1. Keep the candy out of reach. This is huge. I have seen a lot of parents just put the candy in a big bowl that would be kept on the counter where the kids could dip into it anytime they wanted. This is not good at all. If the candy is that easily accessible then you cannot monitor your child’s sugar intake. They could be sneaking into that bowl every few minutes. Keeping the candy out of reach of your children will help them to appreciate it more and it will be something special.
2. Allow one piece of candy per day. For us, after a holiday like Halloween or Easter when the kids get a lot of candy, it becomes a focal point for a week or two. In order to keep my children from taking control over the candy situation, I set clear boundaries. I allow them to choose one piece of candy per day and it is to only to be eaten after they eat their dinner. And if they do not eat all their dinner (or most of it), then they don’t get the candy. This is a bit of an extra incentive for my picky dinner eaters. So, the candy actually becomes a reward.
2. Store the candy in a large clear ziploc bag. If you have multiple children, then this idea is definitely a good one. If each child has their own bag with their name on it, then you are less likely to have battles break out between siblings. And because the bag is clear, this will help the child see what candy they have without having to dump out of the container in order to make their selection. Sometimes I don’t even allow them to open the bag until they point to what candy they want. Let me tell you, I am all about making things easier – less mess, less strife.
So, there ya have it – my tips on setting boundaries for your children and their Halloween candy. How about you? What do you do?
5 Fun Fall Craft Ideas for Kids
As you all know, I just love being creative. And the funny thing is that I don’t always get the opportunity to be creative with my children. But that is my own fault and something I really want to work on, especially now that my 2 oldest are showing signs of being artistic themselves.
Well, I came across a few fun craft ideas that I would love to share. I think that these are simple enough that I can do them with my almost 4 year old daughter and 5 1/2 year old son. They love crafts. Their first choice out of these three craft projects is the first one – the Curled Paper Pumpkin.
Curled Paper Pumpkin
Click Here to see the How To Instructions on Crafts.Kaboose.com
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Check them out having a good time doing this fun craft –
They did such a great job!
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I think this one has to be my favorite though. How cute is this? I came across it through a blog buddy who stopped by here to comment on one of my posts. I stopped by her blog and was amazed at all of her awesome craft ideas. Be sure to check it out!
Paper Bag Scarecrows
Click Here to see the How To Instructions on www.craftsbyamanda.com
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This is an easy one. All you need is different colored construction paper.
Hand print Fall Tree
Click Here to see the How To Instructions onwww.crafts-for-all-seasons.com
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This one is cute too. I really need to get to the dollar store and pick up some small paper bags.
Paper Bag Pumpkin
Click Here to see the How To Instructions on www.crafts.kaboose.com
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Leaf Stamping
This is a classic idea. Just gather different leaves from outside. Kid’s love that!
Click Here to see the How To Instructions on www.ehow.com
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How about you? Do you have any fun fall craft ideas to share?
My Baby Boy – Jaden’s First Birthday
My precious baby boy turned one on Friday! I just can’t believe how fast it goes sometimes. Check out our video!
Well, we are not usually ones to throw big parties. We do not have family local to us, so it can be difficult to try and put a party together. Every few years we will throw a big combo party for all the kids, at my moms. But with me being pregnant and due in just 2 months, I have to stick close to home.
We still had a great time though. It doesn’t take much to make a child’s birthday party special – balloons, streamers, cake, presents, and lotsa love. 🙂 And no matter how many children I have, I will always make sure that the birthday boy or girl has a great day.
Preschool Graduation Ceremony – 2009
My children are in the best preschool in the state of New York. It is called Sonshine Preschool in Yorktown Heights, NY. The preschool is a part of my church, so I am extremely comfortable sending my children there. They offer different schedule plans – half days, full days, and even before and after care. Their prices are unbelievable compared to the pirces of preschools in Westchester County. I love it because it is not a daycare. It is an acedemic program where they have school time as well as fun time. They have special classes like Spanish, Art, Cooking, Gym, and they even go on class trips several times through out the year. I highly reccomend Sonshine Preschool to anyone in the New York area. You will NOT be dissapointed!
My son was in the 4 year old preschool program this past year and my daughter was in the 3 yr old program. They really do it up at the end of the year with a cap and gown graduation ceremony. Each child recieves a character trait award, they sing a special song as a group and they even hand out little diplomas.
Here is my son receiving his diploma from the Pastor of our church.
Here is my baby boy showing off his 2009 tassle.
I was having some technical difficulties with my camera / video camera, but I WAS able to video the song that they sang. I did have to go back and forth because my children were on opposite sides of the group that was singing. I hope you don’t get too dizzy. LOL It is soooo cute though!
And finally we have pictures with the PROUD MAMA. 🙂