Monthly Archives: November 2011
End the Mom Guilt – Today is ‘No Judgment Day’
Think about it – when was the last time you judged another mom or judged your own parenting skills? Was it this morning at the school drop off? Really, how could that mom let her child out of the house looking like that? Maybe it was yesterday when the mail arrived? Seriously, she sent her holiday cards out already? She has way too much time on her hands! She doesn’t cloth diaper? The horror! Or perhaps like me you ran out of the house with your child in a pink onesie and a “My First Thanksgiving” bib on her, only to arrive at daycare to see the other baby in a cute red and green holiday outfit complete with a hand knit sweater. I started to seriously question my parenting skills because I can’t coordinate an outfit for my child at 5am. So, yes, I judged myself.
No more judging! Ok, baby steps. No more judging for today. Redbook magazine is declaring today “No Judgment Day” in an effort to end mom guilt because judgement and guilt go hand in hand. We applaud this effort and hope that every day can become “No Judgement Day”.
What do you wish moms wouldn’t judge you for? Let us know!
5 Ways To Keep Your Kids Safe During the Holidays
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and with the increase of yummy foods and decorations, come holiday hazards for your children. Check your house for these common holiday hazards:
- Candles – Candles on the mantle, within a wreath or in the menorah are a special part of everyone’s holiday celebration. They can easily become a fire hazard if the are knocked over or pulled down by curious children. Prevent an accident by using battery-operated flameless candles. There are some very “real” looking flameless candles that can add to your celebrations without the flame. Also be sure to check that your smoke detectors are working correctly.
- Poinsettias, English Ivy, Mistletoe - Holiday plants are pretty, but also harmful if eaten. These potentially poisoning plants can cause diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, etc. If your child shows any of these symptoms or is inappropriately sleepy, call the poison center. Keep these plants out of your child’s and pet’s reach.
- Holiday Trees – Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how flammable are your branches! Dry trees and overloaded circuits can cause fires. It takes only 3 – 5 seconds for a tree to go up in flames. Prevent this from happening in your home by making sure your tree is fresh and watered properly. Never place your tree near a radiator or other heat source. Check your holiday lights for frayed wires before putting them on the tree. Also make sure your tree is securely fastened in the stand so it doesn’t tip over especially when curious toddlers try to pull on it.
- Shiny Presents - Toys abound during holiday season and so do accidents when children play with toys that are not appropriate for their age. Be sure to keep gifts for older kids out of your younger child’s reach. Nobody wants to spend the holidays in the ER because of a choking accident.
- Ornaments – They are bright, beautiful and dangerous to children. Tiny ornaments and hooks can easily become a choking hazard. Fragile ornaments can break and cut your child’s face or hands. It’s best to keep lights and ornaments off the lower branches of your tree to avoid accidents.
The best prevention to holiday hazards? Adult supervision. Be sure to keep an eye on your little one so your holidays can remain cheery and bright.
What holiday safety tips do you have to share?
5 Ideas for Thanksgiving Leftovers
We all just celebrated Thanksgiving and have full bellies, but we can always find more room for Thanksgiving leftovers! A few ideas for recreating Thanksgiving dishes…
- Turkey Chili – substitute turkey for ground meat
- Turkey Pizza with Muenster Cheese. Yum!
- Cranberry Meatballs – orange juice & cranberries make a great meatball sauce
- Sweet Potato Fries – little healthier version of french fries
- Mashed Potato Patties – make them crispy and your family will love them!
What ideas do you have for Thanksgiving leftovers?
Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family To Yours
All of us at Kolcraft wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love and gratitude.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Easy Thanksgiving Craft for Kids
We love this easy, fun craft from Kim who works with us in the Marketing Department. (We love how she named them after our Wonderbugs. ) Not only will these easy Thanksgiving crafts spruce up your dining table, they are a great way for the kids to help the family out during Thanksgiving. These easy Pilgrim and Native American napkin rings double as place holders and can be used for many years to come!
What you’ll need:
- Non-toxic marker
- Non-toxic glue
- Construction paper
- Ruler
- Scissors (for adult use only)
What to do:
1. Cut a half inch wide strip of construction paper (the length will vary depending on the size of your napkins) and glue the ends together to form a complete circle.
2. Trace the outline of a cup on a piece of construction paper and cut out. This will serve as the head of your Pilgrim or Native American.
3. For the Native American, cut out a strip of construction paper for the headband. Cut out and glue different color feathers to adorn the headband. Glue this to the top of the head.
4. For the Pilgrim napkin holders, cut out a square and rectangle. Glue the square to edge of the rectangle to make the top hat and adorn with a yellow buckle. For girls, cut out a bonnet. Glue the bonnet or top hat to the head. Cut out a peter pan collar using white construction paper and glue to the chin of the head.
5. Cut out and glue hair using construction paper to match whoever the napkin holder is for. Use yellow paper for blonds or make cute black pigtails for girls!
6. Use the marker to draw on the face and write the individual’s name.
7. Glue the circle from step 1 to the back.
You can also make these napkin rings into turkeys, cornucopia, or any other fall-themed shapes. Looking for other Thanksgiving craft ideas? Let the kids decorate a piece of construction paper for fun, personalized placemats for the whole family!
Tips for Your Kids To Help with Thanksgiving Dinner
You have a laundry list of things to prepare before you serve Thanksgiving dinner, you have company milling around and your kids are saying they are bored. What to do? You can have your kids feel part of your Thanksgiving preparations, by giving you a helping hand!
Decorating:
Have your kids make the decorations for the table. They can make napkin holders, place holders, placemats or a variety of other fun table decorations. We love the crafts our own Kolcraft fans have made for our Thanksgiving contest & think your kids will enjoy them too.
Cooking:
Let your child lend a hand in the kitchen with small tasks like mashing the potatoes, helping measure ingredients, snapping the ends off green beans or setting the timer for the turkey.
Setting the table:
Help your child feel special by setting the table: folding napkins, putting out the silverware (adults should put out the knives), serving-ware, etc. Your table will take on the unique feel of your child’s decorative eye.
What tips do you have for involving your children in your Thanksgiving preparations?
Kolcraft Thanksgiving
This week is a week of Thanksgiving joy for Kolcraft. We have some great crafts, recipes, contests and more this week. To kick off our Thanksgiving week, employees from Kolcraft are sharing their favorite family Thanksgiving traditions.
Kolcraft Thanksgiving Traditions
- We go around the table and say one thing we are thankful for this year. We especially love hearing what the littlest one has to say! –Kim
- Early in the morning the kids and dads in our family and our friend’s family take a walk in the woods. –Colleen
- We volunteer at a homeless shelter serving Thanksgiving dinner. It reminds us to be grateful for what we have. –Brent
- We light a candle at our Thanksgiving table in gratitude for the love of family members who are no longer with us. –Michelle
- It’s father son bonding day! We eat too much (guilt free) and watch 3 NFL football games! –Chris
- This Cranberry Salad recipe is one that my husband’s family has handed down for 4 generations. It’s very easy and it tastes good! –Carol
Holiday Cranberry Salad
- 2 cans whole berry cranberry sauce
- 2 apples
- 2 bananas
- 2 oranges
- 2 T. lemon juice
- 2 T. sugar (to taste)
- ½ c. chopped walnuts (if desired)
Slice bananas into lemon juice and mix lightly to keep bananas from turning brown. Peel and section oranges and cut into ½ “ pieces. Core apples and coarsely chop. Stir fruit together and fold in cranberry sauce. Add sugar to taste and stir in nuts if desired. Make one day ahead for best blending of flavors.
This recipe can easily be adjusted up or down. The ratio is 1 to 1 on the cranberries and fruit. Adjust the lemon juice and sugar accordingly.
What are your favorite Thanksgiving Traditions?
Decorate Your Thanksgiving Table
While it may seem like we just finished Trick or Treating with our children, Thanksgiving really is next week! We wanted to share with you an easy craft to do with your children and decorate your Thanksgiving Table.
What you’ll need:
- Toilet paper tubes (the amount depends on the amount of guests)
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- A black marker
How to make this Thanksgiving Craft
The Pilgrim:
- Cover a toilet paper roll with black construction paper
- Glue a smaller patch with pink construction paper to form a face.
- Trace and cut a collar (as pictured) on white constructions paper. Glue the collar under the pink construction paper.
- Cut a square on black construction paper to form the base of the hat. Cut a strip and glue the ends together to form a circle and the hat.
- Draw the face and buttons on your pilgrim.
- Write the name of a guest on any colored paper and glue it to the hat
The Native American:
- Cover a toilet paper roll with beige (in this case we used orange) construction paper
- Glue a smaller patch with pink construction paper to form a face.
- Cut a strip of black construction and also cut fringe on one side of the strip to create hair. Glue on top of the pink construction paper
- Trace and cut feathers on other colors of construction paper
- Write the name of a guest on one of the feathers and attach it to the top of the roll.
This is one idea we have for a Thanksgiving craft, but we are also interested in seeing your crafts. Enter our Thanksgiving Craft contest for a chance to win $75 for holiday shopping! Enter here.
Perfect Booster Seat for Your Holiday Travels
Jeep Booster Seat and Diaper Bag
Holiday meals are a wonderful time for family to come together, but what happens when you have a child who can’t quite reach the table? Dragging your highchair to Grandma’s is a bit cumbersome, but you still want your little one to eat with family. Enter the Jeep® Travel Anywhere® Sport 2 in 1 Booster Seat & Everyday Bag.
This booster seat is the perfect solution to keeping your child part of your family dinner experience when you are eating away from home.
Some features we love:
- Booster seat is also a diaper bag with large main storage compartment & organizational pockets
- Adjustable, padded shoulder strap allows for a customized fit
- Three point safety restraint harness
- Bag constructed of lightweight and durable fabric
- Comfortable, easy-to-clean padded seat holds up to 45 lbs
Jeep baby products are a great solution for the family on the go who is all about staying connected!
Win A $75.00 American Express Gift Card To Help with Holiday Shopping
It is that most wonderful time of the year when we indulge in family, food and festivity. Kolcraft would like to help out with the expenses that come with this most wonderful time of the year by having a fun, Thanksgiving craft contest.
What to do:
- With the following supplies, make a Thanksgiving craft.
- You can only use the listed supplies to make your craft. You don’t have to use all the supplies, but you can’t add any.
- Your craft can take on any Thanksgiving theme and can be decorative or functional.
- Feel free to have your children help and note that when you enter the contest.
- Take a photo of your Thanksgiving creation & add it to Kolcraft’s facebook page.
- Entries will be judged on creativity and thoughtfulness.
- Contest ends at midnight CST next Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011.
- A winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011.
Supplies you can use:
- Empty toilet paper or paper towel tube
- Black marker
- Pipe cleaner (any color)
- Orange felt
- Yellow construction paper
- Red, green, brown crayons
- Googly eyes
- Glitter (any color)
- Glue, tape, and scissors
Have fun! We can’t wait to see your Thanksgiving Craft.
