Today, Kate shares a local lead for easy and colorful crafting:
“I've never been very good with crafts. Art class in school? I was the one who liked the hard-to-mess-up projects that didn't require much independent creativity. Projects with my daughter? I like to keep it simple and let her show me the way, since my own ideas are so limited. Which is why I was so pleased to discover Made by Me in the Porter Square neighborhood of Cambridge.
Following my previous post on the Pampers/UNICEF press conference, here is a transcript of the small group interview, during which I had the pleasure and honor of chatting with Salma Hayek along with Isabel Kallman (Alpha Mom), Nicole Feliciano (Momtrends), and Lauren Passell (Parenting). We talked about everything from the “1 Pack = 1 Vaccine” campaign, to the loneliness that motherhood can bring, to daughter Valentina’s favorite books and lovey. We also were privileged to have Caryl Stern (President and CEO of UNICEF) in on the conversation.
This past Thursday (when I was absent from posting…) I had the honor of attending a media event in New York, during which Jodi Allen (VP of North America Baby Care, P & G), Caryl Stern (President and CEO, US Fund for UNICEF), and Salma Hayek (actress and Pampers/UNICEF campaign spokesperson) announced the relaunch of the “1 Pack = 1 Vaccine” campaign to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus. Read on to learn more about the campaign and press conference; in my next post I’ll share the transcript from my small group interview with Salma Hayek.
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking to kids about teen pregnancy:
“Unplanned pregnancy, especially teen pregnancy, has been high on the media radar in the last year, both locally via the increase in teen pregnancies in Gloucester, and through several media-hyped celebrity pregnancies, including Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin.
After posting about Boston area skating rinks and the lack of media buzz in advance of the recent US Nationals, I was offered the wonderful opportunity to chat with Kimmie Meissner, national and world figure skating champion, member of the 2006 Olympic team, and 2010 Olympic contender. Read on for my interview with Kimmie, where we talk about everything from competitions, to shows (she’ll be in Boston in April for Stars on Ice), to the amazing family that has kept her grounded, to tips for skating safely with kids.
Here’s a play date that will appeal to kids and grown ups alike. Tomorrow, Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art will host a special family event, Windows Inside/Out. From 10am – 4pm, families are invited to enjoy Ugo Rondinone’s rainbow colored mirrored window installation (think visual color and shape sorting for the kids), a window craft project, and a light, color, and movement show (12 & 2 pm). Museum admission is free for two adults per family when accompanying a child 12 and under (children admitted free).
A couple of weeks ago Laurel and I attended a super fun cooking class at the Museum of Science and I have been meaning to post about the divine clementine clafoutis that was served. If you’re similarly overrun with peak season clementines, consider trying this fabulous, simple recipe. I plan on making it this weekend for brunch dessert.
Today, Evadne shares her family's love for the Stella & Sam sibling book series:
“I spend a lot of time reading with my children (ages 4 and almost 2 years) and so have a special appreciation for books that are well written and beautifully illustrated. One of our favorite series follows the adventures of a fiery little redhead named Stella, and her more cerebral younger brother, Sam.
This post is a bit oddly juxtaposed to the previous, but I'm late on a friend's request to share my go-to chocolate pudding recipe and decided to do so here for all to enjoy. The recipe is from Lori Longbotham’s lovely Luscious Chocolate Desserts. Below is my revised recipe that includes a couple of minor time-saving shortcuts (to the already super easy recipe) + ingredient modifications. The latter are based on personal preference, but they do – via reduced milk fat and added fruit – make this dessert somewhat less bad for you while still being divine. Enjoy!
My husband recently returned from 10 days in Mexico, and while I realize that many families are split up for far longer stretches, this was a big deal for us. Prior to Jon’s departure, I prepped myself by revisiting and gleaning ideas from the coping with separation collective editorial that I posted last spring. And below are additional tips that proved useful for making it through the separation:
Does your child have a tendency to look at life through somewhat darkened lenses? Today, Tracy offers a review of Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, a book for parents of kids who tend towards negative thinking. Read on for Tracy’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of this book!
Pursuant to my previous post on local inauguration celebrations, here are some ideas for celebrating history at home with your family, excerpted from the energetic and ever informative Andrea Astrachan of Stop & Shop. These ideas would do well implemented not just today but through the remainder of the week or month. I know I could use the history refresher (last bullet point):
Barack talk clearly abounds in our house; yesterday at a restaurant, Laurel saw Obama’s image flash across a TV screen and said, “Mommy, it’s Barack Obama! He’s going to be our new president!” And there’s no shortage of places to celebrate in solidarity today. Some of the spots where you can view and celebrate the inauguration include Harvard Square (10am – 2pm), Boston’s Old State House (10am – 12pm), the JFK library and museum (9am - 5pm), and the Boston Children’s Museum (11am – 2pm).
I’ve recently had my mind on ice skating (in fact, just this morning I posted at Pop Discourse about the lack of buzz over the impending national figure skating championships), and similarly, Laurel has been asking to hit the ice. Fortunately, my talented friend Melissa Massello (founder of the excellent budget lifestyle resource Shoestring Magazine) stepped right up with advice on local, affordable rink time. Thanks, Melissa!
Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a way to conjure visions of Mexico this winter:
“It’s always a sudden shock to return home from vacation and be thrust back into the throes of laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, shuttling children, scooping pet poop, and paying bills. It's enough to make me turn around and drive right back to the airport. But I’m taking comfort in the serene memories of our recent visit to Club Med, Ixtapa; a trip replete with lavish meal buffets filled with fresh produce and seafood, tropical drinks, and family fun. The fresh corn tortillas and guacamole are especially missed; here’s a recipe for making them at home with your kids.
I love how resourceful moms are. This tip comes courtesy of my girlfriend Heidi:
“So everyone (or many of us) get gnarly feet in the winter months, and I am always in search of the miracle product that will soften my feet. I recently cleaned out my “mother drawer” and began using my Lansinoh lanolin breast cream on my feet, and voila - cracked heels and rough toes be gone! Four days of use and it’s like having a new pair of feet! A fun way to repurpose if you’re not planning on breastfeeding for a while.”