tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21510098589961551452012-02-16T21:40:23.591-05:00A blog for friends and family, by friends and family of KalamazooParent.com and Kalamazoo Parent Magazine. Helping you find fun activities - plus helping you organize your kitchen, your house and your life.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.comBlogger171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-54284691893636996722012-02-01T13:54:00.000-05:002012-02-01T13:54:54.343-05:00

As February unfolds into a bouquet of overpriced flowers, take solace in knowing the whole month need not be dedicated to sonnets and sappy romantic comedies. There are several best buys to be had this month with an extra day to rake in the savings on February 29. Take a break from all things pink and peruse The Best Time to Buy Guide from FreeShipping.org to score some serious savings. Here

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-64965419582267650222011-09-02T10:40:00.000-04:002011-09-02T10:40:06.728-04:00

I will admit it. I bought my 1 1/2 year old a Thomas the Train Spinning Toothbrush. Does he care, or even know who Thomas the Train is? No, but he was fighting me more and more about brushing his teeth and I was searching for something that would make it more interesting and less of a daily fight and thought maybe the toothbrush would help. I apologize to the mom in the toothbrush aisle that

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-58462627082586929272011-08-31T10:35:00.000-04:002011-08-31T10:35:16.081-04:00

It is time to start thinking back to school. I know many homeschoolers and many parents that are just looking for some great extra help to give their kids. Have you checked out Education.com? They have a great selection of worksheets that can be used for a variety of subjects, for a wide range of abilities. Check them out. I will be using them for the OASIS Science Club I am leading for pre-k

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-41877768022590046942011-08-26T11:48:00.001-04:002011-08-26T11:53:51.424-04:00

The Troll of Mackinac By: K.C. Thorne Illustrated by: Vickie Johnson The author, Kevin Thorne lives in Kalamazoo, but he grew up just north of the Mackinac Bridge and his love for the area is evident in his book The Troll of Mackinac. It is a delightful story of 2 children camping with their family in northern Michigan and how one morning they meet a troll. At first they are scared of the

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-30741820910400725492011-08-05T13:05:00.000-04:002011-08-05T13:05:53.219-04:00

FAMILY TREASURE HUNTING 3 Easy Steps to Summertime Fun As seen in the July issue of Kalamazoo Parent Magazine Geocaching.com helps launch a family-friendly summer adventure by combining the outdoors, exercise and technology. Geocaching is a free, rapidly growing game that engages kids in the outdoor world through a technology-based treasure hunt. Geocaching offers kids and parents a fun and

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-91350402632715470772011-07-30T11:13:00.000-04:002011-07-30T11:13:35.060-04:00

Connecting Friends of KalamazooParent.com: Laundry Tips

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-85606262384515175862011-07-30T11:11:00.000-04:002011-07-30T11:11:24.659-04:00

Laundry tip: How to have whiter whites, lower bills and a smaller carbon footprint (ARA) - If you do your own laundry, pay for detergent, or simply like clean clothes, here is a quick quiz. What is the most important factor in removing stains? a. - Amount of detergent. b. - Water temperature. c. - Water softness. If you said, "c, water softness," congratulations. You know your laundry, and

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-79814348737143568052011-04-27T16:33:00.001-04:002011-04-27T17:30:55.090-04:00

  What a Zoo! This is a music CD that your child will want to listen to over and over and over again, and you probably won’t mind. Joanie Leeds has really found her calling. She is a very creative song writer. The songs mix learning about nature and the environment with catchy, fun lyrics and dancing. A must for every preschool and daycare! This is the CD that my 4 year old wants to

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-44447706068832701432011-04-25T11:44:00.000-04:002011-04-25T11:44:37.698-04:00

If your family is anything like mine, winter brings the children inside and their activity levels to a screeching halt. It doesn’t have to be that way! “Sneaky Fitness” by Missy Chase Lapine and Larysa Didio offers fun, easy ways to get your children moving again. It has some great ideas for getting your child active this spring and for the rest of the year. The book offers 100 suggestions

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-87903893153884101612011-04-23T11:16:00.000-04:002011-04-23T11:16:39.290-04:00

These Easter cookies are very easy to make. You could use the idea for any season really. Directions were on the Pillsbury sugar cookie box. 1) Bought the ready sugar cookies from Pillsbury that you just take out and bake that have holiday designs on them. Bake and cool according to instructions on package. 2) Using prepared frosting ( I used 1 tub of frosting for 3 packages of cookies) add

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-62822458741916895572011-03-04T13:53:00.001-05:002011-03-04T13:54:45.048-05:00

This series is fun to read to your children and they will love hearing over and over again about Llama Llama and his mama. Llama Llama Red Pajama By Anna Dewdney (Viking Juvenile). The first in this series of rhyming adventures about Llama Llama. Find out what happens as Llama Llama’s mama is getting him to bed. Anna Dewdney is not only the author, but the illustrator of this series of books

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-31134043667343183562010-10-06T14:01:00.000-04:002010-10-06T14:01:58.049-04:00

     October is a fun month with plenty of things to do like apple orchards, corn mazes, haunted house, pumpkin patches and trunk or treats.      Do you know of a local church that has a trunk or treat planned? How about a local farmer that has a corn maze or a small group that is doing a haunted house?      There are so many Trunk or Treats at churches, schools and even mall parking lots. With

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-34120766443188743782010-10-03T23:45:00.001-04:002010-10-04T00:11:05.484-04:00

I was reading in the September issue of Parenting magazine an article about caffeine and kids called "Caffeine Concerns" The article describes that too much caffeine can cause nausea, heart problems, problems sleeping and ADHD like symptoms. The article has a picture of a girl that looks to be around 5 - 7 years old drinking a cup of hot chocolate (listed as having 3 - 13 mg. of caffeine per 8

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-39228916969482768372010-08-28T10:55:00.000-04:002010-08-28T10:55:21.940-04:00

I have been thinking for awhile that my youngest daughter has been watching too much television. She doesn't like to eat breakfast right away, so it started out she could watch one PBS show and then eat her breakfast. She would occasionally eat breakfast while watching television. She would ask to watch another show after she was ready for the day. It's PBS, it's educational right? Then she would

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-83703220259341629912010-08-09T11:48:00.001-04:002010-08-09T14:58:22.586-04:00

I had a family get-together this past weekend and made a yummy grape salad for my dish to pass. This would be great for a pot luck or reunion and serves a large group. The recipes is very easy to make and I am sure kids would enjoy helping make this as well. You can read the full recipe and reviews here.  Gentle reminder that grapes are a choking hazard and to use your best judgement with the age

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-38636695003958211142010-08-06T18:32:00.001-04:002010-08-09T11:49:13.150-04:00

Preferred Customer Savings for Ringling Bros. in Grand Rapids!

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151009858996155145.post-88989842549493021172010-08-02T19:07:00.002-04:002010-08-09T11:49:55.102-04:00

 Hello and welcome to Connecting Friends of KalamazooParent.com! Kalamazooparent.com is an online guide to the countless things to do in the  Battle Creek & Kalamazoo area.  Our website has an awesome Events Calendar to help you find family friendly things to every day of the year! You do not have to be a parent to enjoy the benefits of our website, facebook page or blog. Our pages are a great

Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485249417058211468noreply@blogger.com0