It’s hard to dress fashionably when you’re a grandma. Women’s fashions are either too young, too flashy, or too impractical. I am always out of step when it comes to women’s fashions. While I am aware of fashion trends, most of them don’t apply to me.

What are the latest trends?

According to Jessica Harp, a “North Texas Daily” writer, “high-waisted, wide-leg trousers are at the forefront of fashion.” Other trends include minimalist styles, boot-look shoes, big jewelry, jewel tones, brown, gray, and animal prints. However, Harp says animal prints should not be overdone.

The Fashion Era Web site tells a similar story. Grays and browns are popular, the site says, as are baby doll styles, short dresses, and layering. The military look is back and and large-scale plaids are popular. And the clutch purse — one of the most impractical accessories a woman can have — is also back.

Laura Schara, a Macy’s fashion correspondent, thinks sweater dresses are a new trend, along with bold metal jewelry and “shooties,” a combination high heel and boot. Macy’s says other fashion trends include statement coats, jackets made of suede, knit, leather, and corduroy, halter tops, retro shoes, and long cable sweaters.

Full skirts are still popular and you see lots of them in magazines and fashion shows. I don’t know about you, but I don’t look good in a full skirt. Besides, I’m a small-boned person and don’t like to “carry” that much fabric. Wearing a full skirt makes me feel bulky and uncomfortable.

Since I don’t buy many clothes, I decided to make a list of fashion trends to see which ones applies to me. There were few. The only trends I would follow are wider slacks, jackets, long sweaters, and layering. Why do I ignore fashion trends?

I live in Minnesota, a state with extreme temperature swings. Summer temperatures can spike to 100 degrees or more. In the winter the temperature can drop to 25 below or lower. This number does not include the wind chill, which can reach 70 degrees below zero. When the wind chill is this bad radio and television stations tell parents to cover their children’s faces to prevent frost bite. Adults cover their faces with scarves and hoods.

Halter tops are fine for Southern climates and, while Minnesotans wear them in the summer, the nights can suddenly turn chilly. We have ice storms in the winter and it is hard to stand on ice, let alone walk. Yet the holiday flyers will probably contain photos of women wearing halters and high heeled sandals or slides. Go figure.

Few designers think of grandmas when they are designing next season’s clothes. This leaves us with two options, to dress like we are looking for our lost youth, or dress like we are ancient and feeble. At this stage of life we don’t have to impress anyone. We can enjoy fashion magazines, go to fashion shows, watch the television coverage, and wear what we want. Hooray!

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

Kids stuck inside the house on rainy days can get bored and restless, but rainy day crafts can turn a gray, wet day into a fun experience for everyone. If you are not exactly a “crafts person,” you may have no clue how to occupy your children on a rainy day, but in this article we will outline some of the most popular crafts and activities for children stuck at home in unfavorable weather.

Creative activities, such as crafts, get the entire family involved, and make the time go by much quicker. A great resource for discovering many new and forgotten classic rainy day crafts is the book, “Rainy Day Crafts for Children,” by Amy Mullen. This wonderful book will fire up your imagination, and perhaps remind you of crafts you used to enjoy as a child. It includes traditional crafts as well as baking, making self-portraits, and other simple but enjoyable activities your kids will love.

One of the simplest ways to get kids involved is to make an activity out of baking something fun and delicious. Although they can be quite messy at times, kids love getting their hands into flour, cookie dough and any other ingredients they can stir, shape or otherwise prepare. It is recommended that you do not worry too much about the condition of your kitchen when baking with children. Obviously, if you truly get the kids involved, there is going to be a little more mess than usual. So put aside your inner control freak, and simply let everyone have fun. After all, there is a time for neatness; and there is also a time for messy child-like fun!

Cut-outs and other simple crafts can also be fun on rainy days. One simple but effective tip is to trace over a picture of the child, and then cut out the outline as a decoration. Of course, smaller children can use safety scissors, and you can use any type of paper you have available. If you don’t have cardboard or other crafts paper available, try using decorative wrapping paper or even aluminum foil. Let your imagination run wild, and encourage your kids to do the same. Simple crafts activities like cut-outs can keep your children occupied for hours, and will help develop their imaginations while teaching creative problem-solving.

Another often overlooked activity that is great for rainy days is the humble board game. With video games and new technology being all the rage these days, many of us have forgotten just how fun it is to get out a simple board game like Monopoly or Sorry. Always keep a stash of board games on hand for just such an occasion. These games encourage positive social interaction, and in many cases, help build math and other school-related skills. But besides all that, they’re just great fun.

Obviously, the time to stock up on materials for rainy day crafts and activities is before the rainy day comes. Search online and you can quickly find many reasonably priced craft sets that are appropriate for children of all ages. Keeping a good supply of rainy day crafts available will ensure your kids have a great time in any weather.

Planning a baby shower can be a lot of fun. Make sure that mom is in the loop however in regards to the date, the theme, the guest list and the location; remember, it’s about her. Before you get started out planning things, decide on whether or not you’d like a co-host, this can help with decision making as well as the financial aspect of things. Regarding the Mom-To-Be, make sure she’s got a good seat to sit in while opening her gifts.

Also, by supplying her with pre-addressed and stamped thank-you cards and a list of which guests gave which gifts, you’ll be helping her out with thanking everyone who attended. Little details such as these will mean a lot to her. As a rule of thumb, baby showers are usually thrown about 2 to 3 months before the baby’s due date; this ensures that mom is still comfortable enough and that baby won’t make a surprise appearance.

2 to 3 MONTHS BEFORE

( ) Choose a theme
( ) Pick a date
( ) Pick a time
( ) Pick a location
( ) Create a guest list
( ) Select invitations
( ) Select thank-you cards
( ) Prepare directions to party to place in invitations
( ) Send invitations
( ) Get final details on mom’s gift registry

1 MONTH BEFORE

( ) Finalize guest list
( ) Finalize menu
( ) Plan and organize games
( ) Plan a schedule for the day’s activities
( ) Pick music
( ) Choose favors
( ) Finalize beverages
( ) Pre-address and stamp thank-you cards

1 to 2 WEEKS BEFORE

( ) Order cake
( ) Purchase guest book
( ) Order food
( ) Purchase game supplies
( ) Pick up favors
( ) Order centerpiece/flowers
( ) Finalize seating arrangement

DAY BEFORE

( ) Delegate photographer
( ) Prepare non-alcoholic punch
( ) Start decorating
( ) Pick up centerpiece/flowers
( ) Delegate gift-list writer
( ) Chill beverages

SHOWER DAY!

( ) Finish decorating
( ) Pick up food
( ) Pick up ice
( ) Pick up cake
( ) Have fun!!!
( ) Delegate someone to help mom load her car
( ) Give mom the guest book
( ) Give mom the gift list
( ) Give mom the pre-addressed and stamped thank-you cards

OTHER DETAILS TO KEEP IN MIND

( ) Plates
( ) Cutlery
( ) Napkins
( ) Glasses/Cups
( ) Tablecloth
( ) Banners
( ) Balloons

First pregnancy is a wonderful experience, as it heralds the impending arrival of your baby. It is important to be able to recognize the first pregnancy sign symptoms. Given below are the first week signs of pregnancy, so that you can contact your doctor as soon as you notice them.

First pregnancy is a great event that most women look forward to with happy anticipation. However, do you know as to what are the sign symptoms of first pregnancy? Most women are aware that a missed menstrual period is indicative of pregnancy, but it could also occur due to several other reasons. The first pregnancy sign symptoms exhibit themselves both on the physical level and on the mental level. In order to gain knowledge regarding symptoms and signs of first pregnancy, you should read books and articles and even go on the Internet.

Physical Symptoms of First Pregnancy

Most symptoms of first pregnancy arise out of the release of pregnancy hormones, estrogen, and progesterone in the woman’s body. These hormones affect the breasts that begin to grow and feel tender. Besides becoming fuller and heavier, the breasts might start to tingle or become sore. Tiny spots begin to appear around the nipples and the breasts change to get ready for producing milk.

Non-physical Symptoms of First Pregnancy

The first week signs of pregnancy on the non-physical level include the reduction of energy level, resulting in fatigue. The main reason for this condition is that the body has to work harder for producing more blood and hormones, so that nutrients can be carried to the fetus. The heart also has to work more to take care of the higher flow of blood. Progesterone is produced in greater amounts, leading to listlessness and sleepy feeling.

Implantation Bleeding

You can become aware of first pregnancy, if you find implantation bleeding. This is a first week sign of pregnancy and it occurs due to fertilized egg being attached to the lining of the uterus, due to which blood flows out of the body. This discharge is lighter than menstrual blood and cramping takes place due to the enlargement of the uterus.

The symptoms of first pregnancy get complicated, when implantation bleeding is accompanied with morning sickness or nausea. The increase in the production of estrogen causes these first trimester pregnancy symptoms.

Other Symptoms of First Pregnancy

Apart from morning sickness, the other symptoms of first pregnancy include the following:

If you are a first time parent to-be, there are numerous tasks that must be accomplished before your new baby’s arrival. One important, and fun “labor of love” is purchasing baby clothing. However, with such a large selection of baby clothing, you may be asking yourself which of these adorable little items are essentials. This is crucial information to know, as well as their proper care.

Onesies

“Onesies” are basically baby t-shirts and are a necessary baby clothing purchase. To keep the onesie from creeping up and exposing your baby’s belly, most onesies have easy close snaps. They can be worn alone or as an undergarment. Onesies, also known as rompers, come in basic white, colored or patterned varieties. For your basics, you should have between 5 to 10 onesies.

Sleepers

Sleepers are one-piece items with long legs and long or short sleeves. They usually have snaps down the legs for easy accessibility for late night diaper changes.

When preparing your basics, you should have between 5 to 8 baby sleepers. These are necessary as it is recommended that a newborn not sleep with thick blankets. This could inadvertently cause suffocation. The best material for both your baby’s warmth and comfort are cotton or fleece sleepers.

Baby Socks

For your baby’s requirements, you should purchase between 6 to 8 pairs of baby socks. Although socks are not required in warmer weather, they should be worn if taking your little one outside in chilly temperatures. They are also indispensable at night if your baby is wearing a sleeper without feet.

Baby socks are made of either thick or thin weaves. You should purchase a combination of both, as thin socks are better if your baby is to wear shoes.

Hats

Hats are baby clothing essentials for your little bundle. When taking care of your newborn, it is important to keep them adequately warm. Newborns often have difficulty regulating their body temperature and much of their heat escapes through their head.

It is recommended that your newborn wear a hat through his or her first month of life. After that, it is not as important unless you are taking them outside on a chilly or cold day. For this purpose, you should have 1 or 2 fairly snug, hats for your baby.

Proper Care for Baby Clothing

When caring for baby clothing, there are two schools of thought. The first is that your little bundle of joy’s clothes should be washed in special detergents to alleviate the risk of skin allergies. There are numerous varieties of mild laundry soaps that are scent and dye-free. Many of these detergents are aimed at the baby market, such as Dreft that boasts “A gentle clean. Just for baby”.

The other school of thought does not believe that “gentle” laundry soaps are required for baby clothing. If your baby’s skin does not react adversely to certain detergents, then a special detergent is not necessary.

Stain Removal

Your bundle of pink or blue will not think twice about staining their cutest outfits. Certain formulas, baby food and stains caused by leaking diapers are often difficult to remove from baby clothing. If pretreated before washing, some of the most stubborn stains can be eliminated, leaving the clothing both clean and in pristine condition. One tried and true stain remover is Oxi-Clean. You may want to “audition” or try different stain removers to find the one best suited for your laundry needs.

Wash New Clothes Before Wear

Before dressing your baby in new clothes, it is essential that you wash them first. Although baby clothing may look fresh and clean on department store hangers, many have come into contact with dirt, little four legged creatures and bugs during the shipping and packaging process.

Minor skin irritations may occur from sizing placed on many pieces of baby clothing. Sizing is used to keep items looking nice until they are purchased.

Getting prepared for your little one’s new arrival is both a joyous and stressful time. Knowing what baby clothing is essential in your little one’s layette and how to properly care for their clothing is one of the many tasks that lay before you. Knowledge is power and being prepared is half the battle.

This may come as a disappointment to some of you, but according to Wikipedia, Mississippi Mud Pie was not created in Mississippi. It’s actually from California. The name came from the fact that the brown crust or cake resembles the brown banks of the Mississippi River. Where ever it came from it is sinfully delicious.

There are many versions of Mississippi Mud Pie. Some use instant (boxed) ingredients from the store. I may be old fashioned but my feeling is that if you are going to use boxed ingredients, why not just buy a ready made pie from the store?

The reason home made, created from scratch, is so much better is that you can adjust the flavors to suit your taste when you make it yourself, rather than have a machine do it for you. And, of course, there is that extra ingredient that no factory can produce. It is called “baked with love”.

There are two popular versions of Mississippi Mud Pie. One is a cake-like version and the other is an ice cream pie version (and there are probably more). We are providing both recipes here.

Cake Version

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/4 lb. butter, 1 stick
* 2 (1 oz. each) squares unsweetened chocolate
* 3 eggs
* 3 tablespoons white corn syrup
* 1 1/3 cups sugar
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 9 inch graham cracker, chocolate or vanilla wafer pie shell (your choice)
(see below for graham cracker pie shell instructions)

PREPARATION:

In a saucepan, heat butter and chocolate, stirring often, until melted and well blended.
In a separate bowl, beat eggs; stir in the corn syrup, sugar and vanilla.
Slowly add the chocolate mixture to egg and sugar mixture, stirring well.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Pour filling into prepared pie shell.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until top is slightly crunchy and filling is set.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream.

Ice Cream Version

INGREDIENTS

1 prepared 8 inch (6 ounces) chocolate crumb crust
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup (6 ounces) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, cut up
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped pecan or walnut, divided (optional)
2 pints coffee ice cream, softened slightly, divided
Whipped cream (optional)

HEAT sugar, morsels, butter, cream and corn syrup in small, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Cool until slightly warm.

DRIZZLE 1/3 cup chocolate sauce in bottom of crust; sprinkle with 1/4 cup nuts. Layer 1 pint ice cream, scooping thin slices with a large spoon; freeze for 1 hour. Repeat with 1/3 cup sauce, 1/4 cup nuts and ice cream. Drizzle with remaining sauce; top with remaining nuts. Freeze for 2 hours or until firm. Top with whipped cream before serving.

To make graham cracker crust:

Melt 1/4 cup butter in microwave or stove top
Crumble graham crackers into a fine mixture (put in plastic bag and roll with a rolling pin)
Pour graham crackers into the center of a pie tin
Pour melted butter onto graham crackers
Using a fork, press graham crackers up sides of pie tin and over the bottom

That’s it. Enjoy your Mississippi mud pie.

I don’t really think that anyone truly knows what it’s like becoming a grandparent for the first time until you are one. Having heard other new and recent grandparents talk about their experiences always seemed a bit irrelevant at the time. I initially thought all of the talk of how wonderful it was to them was frankly a bit over the top….that is until…yes…it was my turn.

My one and only daughter is the light of my life. When she was born I was unsteadily in the delivery room and actually cut the umbilical cord separating her from her mother. My life utterly changed completely at that moment. I have since always tried to be involved in her life providing love and guidance.

Almost 9-years ago my daughter gave birth to my first grandchild…a beautiful little girl then and now. I was not prepared for the feelings I had when I first saw her, and how those feelings grew throughout the next several years.

I had heard other people say the best part of being a grandparent is “spoiling the child and then giving him/her back”. Well that may be somewhat true because you don’t have to deal with a lot of the tough parenting issues, however I now know that when my grandchild hurts…I hurt, and when she is happy..I’m happy. It is really no different, from a feelings angle than it was with my daughter.

Approximately 7-months ago (ironically on my birthday) my wonderful daughter blessed me with another grandchild…this time …a sweet little boy. What can I say? Wow! What a blessing! It still surprises me how wonderful being a grandparent can be.

Getting prepared for a new baby is a job for the new parents and, depending on the grandparents involvement can be for them as well. Baby showers are great for getting many essentials for the soon-to-be arrival, however in my experience the grandparents may need to fill in some of the gaps.

As future grandparents we may be assisting with getting the baby’s nursery painted and furnished. I remember, before my first grandchild’s arrival, focusing on my daughters comfort when getting up in the middle of the night. So I purchased her a glider with an ottoman to rock the baby while feeding her. It was clear to me that being aware of my daughter’s needs was just as important as the new baby’s needs.

So the best tip I can offer is to be as involved in your grandchild’s life as possible. Respect the wishes of your grandchild’s parents. Provide gentle guidance if asked. And most of all.. love them with your whole heart and soul. With God’s blessings you can’t go wrong.

Getting your kids involved in arts and crafts is a very effective way to develop their creative side. Not only is it a great way to develop their creative side but it has also been proven that sharing arts and crafts is a fun way to bond with your children. There are plenty of projects for your kids to do, and fun is only the basic aspect of it.

The most important aspect about engaging in craft making with your kids is that apart from the obvious fact that everyone is having fun, your kids and you are also learning. Making crafts can improve many types of thinking and learning skills as well as long term judgement skills. Kids crafts are also a great way to keep your kids occupied on those rainy days or when there simply is not much else to do.

An effective way to keep your children entertained is to set up holiday crafts. This is guaranteed enjoyment for both parents and their kids. There are many crafts that you can do with your children regardless of their ages.It does not matter whether they are in primary school or elementary school, they can enjoy arts and crafts. Lets take a look at two simple kids crafts below.

Paper snowflakes. All you need is some white paper and a pair of scissors. Firstly you should fold the paper in half, then in half again until you have a triangle. Now you need to cut small shapes out of the paper, unfold carefully and now you should be left with a beautiful snowflake. If you want to make them fancier, your kids can use glue and glitter to give them a sparkling look.

Recycled cards . By letting your kids cut the message parts off the cards and gluing them to the front of either folded construction paper or lightweight card stock, they can make their own cards to send to friends or close relatives.

If you would like to discover over 365 easy crafting ideas and games for young children then please visit the website below.

Most of us can remember the first book we ever read. Can you? Words are very powerful. They bring up images of far away lands; scary castles; or princesses looking for their knights in shining armor. They can also become our friends. Yes, books are the window through which your child sees and experiences many different worlds; viewpoints; the fantasies and realities of life. So what are the benefits of reading to your children? Oh, so many, one could write a book on the subject. You certainly can’t start too soon.

There is nothing more worthwhile than reading a story to your children. Even as babies; the sounds and connotations in your voice can calm and soothe them. More importantly, even before your child is born, research has suggested that your children tend to have a higher level of understanding and learning. What a wonderful gift to give to your children.

When you begin reading to your child, you’ll find favorite stories they like for you to read over and over. As they grow and mature, they’ll understand more of the story and will begin to point to pictures and even talk. Sometimes, they get very excited just from the pictures and colors on the pages. Many children that have been read to from an early age, continue to enjoy reading through the school years and into adulthood.

Reading is fundamental to our basic understanding of life; it is the foundation for which allows children to advance and contribute to life. It can take them to places they’ve never been; explore the cosmos; become involved with a story character and the adventures taken. Reading is the method by which children learn just about everything. More importantly, it all begins with you. One story can open up a world of possibilities. One book can be the beginning of a lifetime desire to explore all books of different genres. Just think about that! You have the power to set your child on a path in which the road is paved with endless wonder and imagination for your child.

If you haven’t already done so, start a family tradition. Go to the library or book store and buy many books; and begin reading to your child every night. Just think how much further ahead your child will be when he or she begins school. In addition, you are teaching your children the joy of finding information at the library and book stores. Books are also great gifts for birthdays and holidays for child reading. Reading a hard bound child reading book is much different than listening to audio. Your child will come to anticipate the new books you provide and the ability they have to construct the visuals in their mind.

The level at which our children read today is below par. You can change that; we all can. It’s not too late. It never is when it comes to introducing your child to the words of the world. Every parent reading to a child should set specific time to enjoy this activity.

The beauty of an heirloom is that its price is irrelevant. Its worth comes from the love between the people who give and receive it, and the special events that are occurring in their lives at the time. That’s what makes it priceless - and timeless.

Many of us have treasured heirlooms that have been passed down for generations. These are the lockets and knick-knacks that we’d grab (after the kids and the pets) if we had to leave the house in a hurry. A ceramic angel, priceless because our beloved grandmother gave it to us; a snow globe from an airport, priceless because our mother gave it to us after her first visit to our new home; our first wrist watch, which was worn by a parent for many years.

Creating The Gift that Will Become an Heirloom

But how do you create a gift that will be treasured by your children and handed down to your grandchildren as a family heirloom?

1. Wait for a unique and special occasion, and give the gift at that time. A graduation, a wedding, any anniversary, the birth of a child, the opening of a new business, a 21st birthday, the return of a family member from a long trip - there are countless opportunities for the moment to be perfect.

2. Personalize your gift. If you give a music box, choose one with a song that’s meaningful to you both. Or choose a music box with decorative figurines on top that match the occasion - like a sweet 16 party, a concert, or a graduation. If you give jewelry, have it inscribed with a line from your recipient’s favorite poem.

Give a Gift that Will Stand Up to Time

Present the gift with enough fanfare that your recipient understands the love behind it. You can even suggest that they keep it for their children.

Make sure the quality and workmanship of the item are impeccable. If you’re giving, say, your son and daughter-in-law a store-bought pendulum clock to start an heirloom, make sure it’s made well. Do some research and know what the most reliable brands are. An heirloom, expensive or inexpensive, must stay in one piece reliably; it must be fairly durable; and it must be from a reputable company. After all, it can’t be an heirloom if it breaks in a year or starts looking raggedy after a short time. To start you off with some ideas, feel free to browse around a gift shop like Treasure Rocket and see if anything speaks to you.

An heirloom grows in value because it has meaning in your family. A new piano that you purchase, given to your child when she or he grows up, has meaning. To your grown child and his children, this is the piano mom (or grandma) played. That gives it value.

Heirlooms are the physical manifestations of love and thoughtfulness. Every time your child or friend sees this music box - or whatever the gift is - you will be in her heart. And what makes an heirloom different from an ordinary gift is that you will also be in the hearts of generations to come.