Kids | Askbecca

Moving

March 1, 2009 By Becca 19 Comments

house-3 Last week we found the perfect house. It is a typical old house with hardwood floors, a large livingroom and 4 bedrooms. Right away we took it. It was a no brainer. For the same amount of money that we pay now we are getting so much more.

The first thing that made it a huge no brainer is that there are four… yes I said four bedrooms! Right now we have two and for the 5 of us it is a tight squeeze. The girls are so excited that they were able to go to the house today and pick their rooms. Abigail picked the room leading to the attic. Rob was against it at first but has given in. He had thought that she would be scared but she is more then excited. She wants to have a spot in the attic to write. She is a lot like her mom in that she loves to write, tell tales and imagine. She is super excited that she has gotten the room she wanted.

Emma is excited also. She and Analiese may still share a room although Emma is unsure. She hates when Analiese cries and wakes her up in the morning. I think that them sharing still will be the way it turns out. This will allow a play room. I am siked about this. A play room will mean that the toys have a home other then their rooms where they get messed up!

house-2

I am super excited about a bunch of things. Rob and I will have a door again! I did not think that it would be bad not having a door but I am really excited to be getting one again. I also have a small area to make an office, a dining room and a fireplace. Oh and the best part is that we have a huge front porch.

I led a tour to all of our family members today. They all really loved it. I think that it is going to be so great! The kids already had a blast in our new backyard and Abigail even mentioned that she found the perfect tree (she like to climb trees). I think we are going to be VERY happy in our new home!

Becca

What Are School Really Teaching???? (askbecca.com)
Sick (askbecca.com)
Outside Will Get You? (askbecca.com)
Weathered Wood in the Home (apartmenttherapy.com)
House Tour: Frank & Jill’s Frajil Farm Renovation New Hampshire (apartmenttherapy.com)

Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Abigail, Analiese, ask becca, askbecca, becca, Dining room, Emma, family, Home, how to move, kids, moving, rebecca, Toy, Wood

What Are Schools Really Teaching????

February 21, 2009 By Becca 11 Comments

: Image via Wikipedia

I had an odd conversation with Abigail the other day which made me wonder what are schools teaching my child. Abigail, who is now 8, and I were driving in the car and she said the oddest thing to me. This is how our conversation went…

A. “Mommy, I hate that Daddy smokes”

Me. “I know I do too but he only smokes once in a while and never around us.”

At this point I figured that the conversation would end but with Abigail the conversation never seems to end.

A. “Well why do people smoke?”

Me. “I think that people start because they think that they look cool and then it is hard to stop.”

A. “Well Daddy must be stupid then.”

Me. “No Abigail a lot of people used to smoke. They did not know a long time ago that it was bad for you. Even your grandma smoked right up until mommy was in college. It was just something that was not thought of as a bad thing for your health like it is today.”

A. “Oh wow mommy, did grandma do drugs the whole time you were growing up?”

OK this is where I am questioning what my kids are learning in school. Since when is smoking considered being a drug addiction? From this point I quickly tried to explain that people who are called drug addicts do drugs that are not legal. Cigarettes and alcohol are legal but you have to be an adult to buy them. So by the end of this conversation I was wondering if she raised her hand in the middle of class and told them all that her dad is a drug addict? You never know with that one. I am walking on eggshells just waiting for the school to call about my drug addict husband.

Perhaps this makes it clear that 3rd graders are confusing the messages that they are getting. Perhaps their young minds are just not ready to tell a difference between a smoker, a drug addict and an alcoholic. My concern comes in that no one is clearing all of this up for them! They walk around thinking that their father is a druggie because he smokes a cigarette every few days. Oh and to top it off Emma, my 5 year old, hates Obama because he smokes. She has learned in school that this means we should not respect our president. Oh the things that they are learning are astonishing to me. I would settle for some good old reading skills. I think that this is an important lesson in assuring that your children get the messages being pushed on them. You do not want to be a druggie in their eyes like my husband apparently is!

Becca

A love that dare not puff its name (will-self.com)
Sick (askbecca.com)
Outside Will Get You? (askbecca.com)
Kids Smoking Pipes Without Crack! [Trendwatch] (gawker.com)

Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Abigail, Alcohol, ask becca, askbecca, Barack Obama, becca, Child, Cigarette, DARE, Drug addiction, Emma, Health, kids, learning, obama, obama smoking, president obama, rebecca, school, Sick, Smoking

Outside Will Get You?

February 12, 2009 By Becca 18 Comments

abby-in-leaves

As a child I can remember going out to play. Yes it is true! We would play in our yard or a friends yard. We would even take a walk around the neighborhood. We would do anything to get out of the house. You know we would be kids!

What is going on with the world today that a child can no longer be a child? Why is it that we do not feel that our children need outside time? Why have we let the media taint how children grow up? These are all things that I have become passionate about. There really is no more risk for bad things then there used to be. There are just as many bad people out there but lets get real.

The bad guys do not out number the good guys. I know that the news that we watch would make us think that the bad guys are all just waiting for us to open our doors and let our kids out. The truth is that they are not! I do not want you to misunderstand there are bad guys. There are men and women who take and hurt children. How many are there really though and why do you think that they want your child? Statistics do show though that these men and women who abduct children often know the children! So where is the danger?
The kids are safer inside. Oh here is an arguement! You are right it is much better to have your kids cooped up in the house playing video games or watching TV then it is to open the door and tell them to go play. I do not know the exact numbers here but I am pretty sure that the number of kids who die a little everyday from childhood obesity are much worse off then the kids who are out climbing trees.
Kids will go with anyone. I am sorry but I know that Abigail and Emma are smart. I know that they would not talk to anyone or approach a car. This is because I have taught them if there is stranger danger to say no then go and tell someone you trust. They have street smarts and are a pair. They use the buddy system daily. They know what to do and I am never all that far away. Not to mention I peek outside from time to time to see where they are, what they are doing and why!

Now I know that some of you will come back and have a lot to say and for you, all I can say is remember. That is right, take a moment and remember when you were a kid. You played outside until you heard your mom calling you for dinner. I think that it would be fair to say that we are keeping our kids back by not affording them the same opportunity. So if you need to call DSS go ahead but my kids will play outside without me… EVERY day!

Becca

Sick (askbecca.com)
Take Control Over Your Obese Kids – Their Thyroid May Be At Risk! (dirjournal.com)
Parents – Fear Predators, Not Safety (blogs.webmd.com)

Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Abigail, ask becca, askbecca, becca, Child, Children, Emma, Game, Health, House, kids, Kids and Teens, Obesity, Television, Video, world

Sick

February 10, 2009 By Becca 7 Comments

: Do you see any hives?

I think that my favorite kids poems ever is “Sick” by Shell Silverstein. I used to love this poem more then anything and I cannot tell you the number of times I have read it in my life. I sit here thinking about this poem for a few reasons:

Abigail keeps faking being sick. This is what the poem is all about. It is about a girl who has everything wrong with her until she finds out that it is Saturday. She is then by some miracle better. This is now Abigail starring in the role of the faking little girl. She has gotten one over on me a few times in the past few weeks but now I am on to her. I do not know why she is avoiding going to school. It used to be something that she loved! All I know is that no more children will be staying home with mommy unless they have a fever and cannot move off of the couch. I do not want to entertain all day. I want to see Abigail and Emma off to school and play with the baby. I want to work when the baby is sleeping not entertain an imitation sick child.
The baby is sick: Yes it is true I think that we have an ear infection on our hands. This would be the first for baby Analiese which is impressive being that we are moving closer to two with each passing day. I hate when babies are sick. They cannot tell you what hurts. They cannot tell you when their fever is creeping back up. It makes it all so hard to have to watch them hurt and be sad. It just breaks my heart how Analiese still wants to be a trooper and has not learned better yet. She still wants to play even though I know that it hurts for her to hold her head up. She still wants to come to dinner even though she does not want to eat. I just find it all so heartbreaking.
I want it to be Saturday: Yes I know that the week just started but in the poem it is all better because it is Saturday. I sit here wishing for one of these magical Saturdays!

** oh and to top it off I just picked Emma up from school. She had one hive and this was apparently a reason to come home urggg**

I hope that you are having a better time this February with your sick little ones! I am just looking for Saturday!

Becca

Tips to Fight With Fever and Cold (articlesbase.com)
Ear Infections in Children (susanheim.blogspot.com)
Surviving Ear Infections (momblognetwork.com)

Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Abigail, ask becca, askbecca, becca, Child, Children, Conditions and Diseases, Ear Infection, Emma, heart, Home, kids, rebecca, Shell Silverstein, Sick, Time

Another One Bites the Dust

February 9, 2009 By Becca Leave a Comment

Emma in the snow 2-09

The Weekend Battle:

Time and time again I look forward to the weekend. I am not sure why… I stay at home all week with the baby. I just look at it as a time to get things done. All week I put things off and tell myself, “this weekend I will do it.” The weekend comes and the weekend goes and I never get anything done. I am not sure why it is that I cannot accept the fact that the weekend is a busy hectic time in which nothing can get accomplished.

I think that my delusion stems from the belief that over the weekend I will be able to get something done because I will have help. There are three other people in my family who are more then capable of helping out. There are two kids and then there is that husband of mine. Why is it that I still am not able to get anything done.

So here we are in the beginning of another week. The laundry pile is even bigger then it was last week, the kids rooms are now to the point that I cannot tuck them into bed and the living room looks as if a bomb has hit. I guess that what needs to happen is that I have to stop believing that the weekend is a time to accomplish anything! It is a time to wreck things not a time to clean, organize or work as a team to achieve anything. All we can do is play and have fun with one another. I guess I will have to work harder this week rather then this weekend.
Becca

Romancing Stay-at-home Mums (stayathomeparents.suite101.com)
Time Management for Parents (frugalwahmstalkradio.com)
Set a Goal to Get Organized (organizeyourstuffnow.com)

Filed Under: Main Tagged With: ask becca, askbecca, becca, family, Father, Home, kids, Kids and Teens, laundry, Living room, Parenting, Stay at Home Fathers

Valentine’s Day Bookmarks

January 28, 2009 By Becca 7 Comments

A craft for kids:

This is a simple yet cute craft to enjoy this valentines. It would be great for preschool, 4H groups, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts. I think that it is better for children ages 3-6 but I know Abigail enjoyed making one. As always let Alli and I know how it comes out. We would love the feedback!

Difficulty Level: 1 Star

Supplies:

Popcycle sticks
Glue
Wooden conersational hearts
crayons, markers or paint

Step 1:

Have the children color or paint their popcycle stick. They can decorate it in any way they want. Younger children could just color the stick while older kids can get a little more creative adding designs, words and just about anything else they can think of.

Step 2:

Glue the conversational heart to the top of the popcycle stick.

Step 3:

Let it all dry and you have a new bookmark to keep as children begin to learn to read or they can pass it along to parents or grandparents as a great little gift.

We hope that you enjoy the valentines day bookmarks. Our kids all had a blast making them. We would love to hear and see how yours came out. Please leave us a message in the comment box!

Becca and Alli

Valentine’s Day Bear Pins (askbecca.com)
Free Printable Valentine’s for Kids (kids-paper-crafts.suite101.com)
Organizing Children’s Crafts: A Step-by-Step Plan (momblognetwork.com)

Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Abigail, becca, Boy Scout, Boy Scouts of America, brownie scouts, Children, Color, Craft, crafts, Crayon, daisy scouts, decorations, Difficulty level, Gift, gifts, girl scouts, Grandparent, heart, kids, Preschool education, scouts, Valentine's Day

Children’s Crafts

January 22, 2009 By Becca 2 Comments

: Image by LG_70 via Flickr

Coming soon to www.askbecca.com is a new focus for the new year. I know that time and time again I am looking for crafts to do with 4H, daisy scouts and brownie scouts. There are even times I want to do something fun on a snowy day with the kids. I will be introducing a new section to askbecca.com.

Becca and Alli’s craft corner is a new place to find all of your favorite crafts for kids and more. Once a week we will be introducing a new, low cost craft that you can enjoy with the children in your life. Each new craft will have a 1-5 star rating. This rating will determine the difficulty level of each craft.

We are so excited to be crafting away! Perhaps we will become the Martha Stewart of the kids crafts world! You know a girl has to think big. We will see you here!

Becca and Alli

Filed Under: Becca and Alli's craft corner Tagged With: Arts, becca, Becca and Alli's craft corner, Children, Craft, crafts, free, free kids crafts, free scout crafts, Homemaking, kids, Kids and Teens, Martha Stewart, scout craft ideas, scouts, Time

62 Days Until Christmas

October 30, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Saving money on gifts.

Every year we spend a lot of time and money on sibling presents for my in-laws. There are 6 of us total now and it ends up being at least $200 if not more. I had suggested that this year we do something a little different. All of us are strapped for cash this year. Adding $200 for adult presents just did not seem all that important to me. I would rather each of us focus on the kids and making this holiday season special.

So what is a family to do? This year the adult siblings are going to do fun gifts. We have a $5 limit I am looking forward to this as I love to fine gifts that do not cost a lot but are worth a lot or have value.The savings on the will help a lot and that makes me happy.The amount of stress this relives is awesome, as getting money for all these gifts when I am worrying about heating my home.

What can you do with 5 dollars well if you pool all the money togeather you have about 30 bucks.
So one idea i had was to to get some maison jars and layer in all the dry goods for cookies and attach the recipe.

Makes about 48

1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 chocolate chunks

Mix the white ingredients, then put then in the bottom of the jar, than add the brown sugar and end with the chips. Decerate with some Calico place over lid with a rubber band add ribbon cover rubber band.

Don’t forget to attach card with the following instructions:

Cookies in a Jar

Store jar in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.
contents of this jar

1 cup unsalted butter or margarine
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Separate the chocolate chips from other ingredients use a colander. Beat butter until creamy. Add sifted ingredients into butter. In a small bowl, beat egg with vanilla. Add egg mixture into butter mixture until blended well. Stir in chocolate chunks. Use a teaspoonfuls of batter, spaced 2 inches apart , onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 8 minutes. Than place on a cooling rack!!!!

More Gifts in a Jar:

Filed Under: Christmas Countdown Tagged With: Baking, Christmas, Cookie, gifts, holiday, Home, kids

68 Days Until Christmas

October 19, 2008 By Becca 4 Comments

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 24: People shop for ...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Black Friday is a vital way to save money. If you plan it out right you can save a ton of money and be just about done with your shopping. Every year the female in-laws and I hit the the pavement at about 4am coffee in hand to get all of the best deals! Here is a step by step guide of how to make Black Friday the best one ever.

1. The first thing that I like to do to prepare for Black Friday Shopping is to check out the ads. Before I was an experienced Black Friday shopper I would wait until Thanksgiving night to look at the ads and then decide from there. Now that I am a little more experienced I know that there are many ads available before the holidays! Here is a small list of the best!

http://www.blackfriday.info/

http://www.black-friday.net/

http://bfads.net/

2. Compare the ads to your list that you had the kids make! I find that this is important because I can make smart money choices. If something is even $2 less somewhere else I would rather go there first.

3. Plan out your route. This is a very important step. I find that the mall is not the best place to start. While it is the place that the most stores are the deals are often not the best.

4. Look at how many hours the deals are good for. If one store only has early bird specials until noon but another is having them only until 10am go to the one who ends at 10am first.

Tips To Remember:

Electronics are limited in numbers in each store. Find the second or third best price and go there first. This will help to assure that you receive the deal you are looking for.
Deals and many others are offered at midnight online. Shop for some items online. Remember that you may have to pay shipping for these items.
Wake up EARLY and arrive at your first store about one hour before they open. I know in NY it can be cold to wait but it is worth it if you are there for something specific.
Many stores offer early bird specials on Saturday also. Make sure it is going to be worth the stop on Black Friday.

The most important thing to remember is to get into the mood. Have fun on Black Friday. Do not get nasty and ruin the spirit. Sing along with the music. Make it a special tradition for you and your family and friends.

Filed Under: Christmas Countdown Tagged With: Black, Black Friday, Christmas, Christmas and season, holiday, kids, Money, Online, planning, Retailing, s, Shopping, Television, Thanksgiving, Wal-Mart

69 Days of Christmas

October 18, 2008 By Becca 2 Comments

Father Christmas // Santa Claus // Père Noël

Image by Stéfan via Flickr

So here we are with only 69 days left until Christmas. At this point I want to get an idea of what the kids want this year. I think that accessing what they want and what are priorities is an important thing to do! Abigail has said that she is going to ask Santa for a Wii. Because I know that they will be getting harder and harder to find as we get closer to the season I think this should be near the top of my list.

Emma has not asked for anything. She is a challenge at Christmas. Her birthday is at the end of November so it is had to choose what she wants for what! I think that for her birthday she will like the new Barbie movie. Perhaps the doll for Christmas. She also may want some American Girl Doll stuff. I know this would be a fine hit for either of them.

The crime of it is that none of my Children NEED anything. Year after year we get more and more toys in this house. We live in a VERY small house! We can not handle one more doll, Barbie, play food, dress-up or anything. I am sure that we are not alone. This year because I have some time to plan we are going to have a Thanksgiving Give Away.

Rules of the Thanksgiving Give Away:

1. Each child must choose at least 10 toys that are in good shape that they do not play with anymore.

2. These toys have to be in good shape. If I find one that is not I will throw it out and they will have to try again.

3. The kids will come with me to bring their chosen toys to the GoodWill. This will show them that we should give back!

All of this will then make room for new toys and treasures. I think that cleaning out the old and making room for the new is not only a good lesson but it will teach them that it is ok to let things go. I think that this is an important lesson. So many people have trouble getting rid of this. I am included in that which is why I want to teach my children that it is ok. It is reusing as part of reduce, recycle and reuse. I think all in all we will leave with a great lesson and give another child a toy which they may not be able to afford otherwise.

Filed Under: Christmas Countdown Tagged With: Abigail, AbigalBreslin, American Girl, Barbie, Children, Christmas, Emma, Food, kids, KitKittredge, leaves, MaxThierot, planning, santa, Santa Claus, Thanksgiving, Toy

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