Don’t get caught off-guard by leprechauns this Saint Patrick’s Day.  If you catch a leprechaun, he might even lead you to his pot of gold!  Here are 3 different leprechaun traps for this holiday.

Leprechaun Hat Pit Trap

Leprechauns have big egos, so a giant version of their own hat is irresistible to them. Once they step on the false top, you’ll have caught a 10-gallon prize.
So that the top doesn’t give way too soon, use a lightweight bait, such as a crumpled piece of gold foil.

Our hat, a recycled oatmeal container, is wrapped with green felt secured with double-sided tape. To make the trap, we cut a hole in the lid (see image), then cunningly concealed it with a circle of green felt that will give way when the leprechaun steps on it.

Leprechauns love to break rules. Warning signs are sure to lure them in.

Natural materials make these woodland creatures feel at home. Our ladder is made from twigs held together with wood glue.

Rainbow Cage Drop

No self-respecting leprechaun can resist a giant rainbow. As he gets close and spies the gold bait, his curiosity will get the best of him. When he pinches the pot, down comes the cage!

A bent wire hanger (1) hidden by a piece of poster board (2) forms the support for the suspended cage. We bent the hook of the hanger into a loop to hold the line.

We tied fishing line to the top of a plastic berry basket, then threaded the line through the wire loop and back down through the basket. We pulled the line taut and secured it under the bait.

To conceal the cage, we tucked fiberfill into the weave of the basket, giving it the look of a fluffy cloud.

The weight of the bait holds down the fishing line. Ours is a mini flowerpot painted black and filled with gold-painted rocks. Glitter glue adds extra sparkle.

Grasslike fabric blankets the base, evoking the Emerald Isle.

We added a path made of glitter craft foam to point the way to the bait. Leprechauns are drawn to flashy objects.

Tricky Trapdoor

This trap draws on time-honored technology: a swinging door cut into the top of the box gives way when the leprechaun tries to make off with the bait.

You can never have too many rainbows on your trap. This one is made from pipe cleaners.

For bait, try chocolate coins, shiny jewels, or even a worn-out doll shoe! (Leprechauns are cobblers by trade.) We glued the coins in a pile to keep them secure when the trap is sprung.

Our trapdoor is a flap held up by a tab of card stock (taped in place after the box is decorated).

This climbing wall is sure to entice the wee adventurers.  Ours consists of small rocks affixed with tacky glue to the sponge-painted box.

We covered our box with tissue paper (green, of course) attached with glue stick.  Capture the look of the Irish countryside with stones and bits of moss.

Courtesy of:

Family Fun

Celebrating…Barbie’s Birthday

Happy Birthday to the pink princess of most little girl’s (and big girls too) fantasy!!  Yep, today, March 9th is known as Barbie’s birthday. Mattel introduced the first Barbie on March 9, 1959 and the world would never be the same!
She’s undergone numerous changes, had too many careers to count, and had clothing designed for her from the biggest and the best designers all over the world.
Last year was the big Barbie celebration as she turned 50!

and boy was it a year of pink celebrations. This year, there are a few other notable Barbie celebrations.

In 1980, Mattel introduced the first Black Barbie. To be clear, there were other Black dolls in Mattel’s line (Francie, Christie and Julia), but 1980 was the first time Barbie was Black. HAPPY 30th ANNIVERSARY BLACK BARBIE!!!

This year also marks the 15th Anniversary of Kelly, Barbie’s little sister. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KELLY!!!

So think pink…polish your fingernails pink…bake a pink cupcake…wear a pink outfit…and of course put on your pinkest lipstick and have a wonderful Barbie’s birthday!!

http://ontheoccasionofcelebration.blogspot.com/2010/03/celebratingbarbies-birthday.html

Marker Tie Dye
No-mess tie dye with permanent markers! Kids can make great tee shirts, socks, aprons, bandanas, even shoe laces.

You need:

• Permanent Bold Tip Markers
• White Garment Such as Socks,
  Tee Shirt or Bandana
• Rubber Bands
• Rubbing Alcohol (Optional)
• Spray Bottle or Paper Towels

Our marker tie kit makes makes 12 bandana.

Instructions:

If making socks, loop rubber bands tightly around socks about 1½” apart. If decorating a larger garment like a bandana or tee shirt, bunch up sections and rubber band every inch. Scribble with marker to make large areas of color around the areas of the rubber band. You will get best results by limited your colors to two, three or four colors. Too many colors will get muddy. If working on a larger garment, you’ll want to take off the rubber bands and use them again and again for other areas until you have the desired results.

Pour rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and lightly spray the garment. You can also blot with paper towels dipped in rubbing alcohol. Set aside for 20 minutes. This will blend the colors to get a more tie dye look. If working with younger children or a larger group, you can skip this step and still have great project.

To set the colors with heat, iron the garment or tumble in a hot dryer. Wash separately in cold water. Tumble dry.

National Craft Month

March is National Craft Month- and it’s not too late to get involved!

CHA has put together some National Craft Month ideas and inspiration for retailers.

Click here to:

• Learn how to maximize your public relations efforts
• Get tips on holding in-store classes and demonstrations
• Discover new ideas on how to increase traffic to your store during the month of March

In addition to many of the initiatives that retailers can undertake, National Craft Month is also a great time for manufacturers to get involved. Provide your retail customers with project sheets and patterns to inspire their customers. You can also reach consumers directly by posting craft projects to the CHA consumer website, www.craftplace.org. There are so many ways that craftplace.org can be utilized to connect with consumers. Download the CHA Member’s Guide to Craftplace to find out how!

Have a fun and successful National Craft Month.

http://www.craftandhobby.org/promotions.html

International Women’s Day 2010

Each year around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organizations, governments and women’s groups around the world choose  different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.

Some years have seen global IWD themes honoured around the world, while in other years groups have preferred to ‘localise’ their own themes to make them more specific and relevant.

Below are some of the global United Nation themes used for International Women’s Day to date:

- 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
- 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
- 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
- 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
- 2006: Women in decision-making
- 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
- 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
- 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
- 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
- 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
- 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
- 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
- 1998: Women and Human Rights
- 1997: Women at the Peace Table
- 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
- 1975: First IWD celebrated by the United Nations

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme/

The 15 most glamorous stars in Academy Award history.

1. Catherine Zeta Jones, 2003

Catherine Zeta-Jones was just entering her ninth month when she walked down the red carpet in a low-cut black gown with beaded straps and pink coral Fred Leighton earrings.  When she won for Best Supporting Actress (for Chicago), the actress cried “My hormones are way too out of control to be dealing with this!”  Backstage, Zeta-Jones reported that her unborn daughter Carys was “kicking like crazy.”

2. Naomi Watts, 2007

Naomi Watts hadn’t yet announced her pregnancy (five months along) when she walked the red carpet in a yellow drop-sleeved Escada gown — but the loose fit and empire waist had tongues wagging. Lucky for gossip hounds, before Naomi could confirm or deny, the Escada PR department released a statement announcing that the dress “set off her most precious new asset — the baby she is expecting with longtime boyfriend Liev Schreiber.”

3. Eva Marie Saint, 1955

Eva Marie Saint, who won for her perfomance opposit Marlong Brando in On the Waterfront, has the distinction of being the most pregnant woman ever to attend the Oscars — in a time when many people found it downright improper. Her giddy comment when she accepted the award — “I think I may have the baby right here” — shocked the day’s gossip columnists, who accused her of being “tasteless” (Louella Parsons) and “cheapening the ceremony” (Hedda Hopper). Saint’s first child, Darrell, was born just two days after the ceremony.

4. Ann Blyth, 1953

Actress Blyth caused a minor scandal at the Academy Awards when, visibly pregnant, she performed the Best Song nominee “Secret Love” – with the lyric “And my secret love’s no secret anymore.” The awards committee nearly prohibited Blyth the song, but ultimately decided that it was okay — since she was married.

5. Meryl Streep, 1983

Unbeknownst to the public, Meryl Streep was six months pregnant with Mamie Gummer when she won the Oscar for Sophie’s Choice.  The beading on her stunning gold gown kept all eyes on the star’s face, and the clever pleated skirt disguised her bump.

6. Lauren Bacall, 1952

Lauren Bacall wasn’t nominated for any awards in 1952, but she got to watch her husband Humphrey Bogart walk away with his first and only Oscar, for Best Leading Actor in The African Queen. As she recalls in her autobiography: “I was in my fourth month, but had managed to squeeze myself into the only original Christian Dior dress I would ever own.”

7. Rachel Weisz, 2006

Designer Narcisco Rodriguez made three separate dresses for seven-months-pregnant Rachel Weisz to choose from; the Best Supporting Actress winner (for The Constant Gardener) selected a black off-the-shoulder number the day of the ceremony.

8. Nicole Kidman, 2008

Five-months-pregnant Nicole Kidman, in black Balenciaga, kept things simple — except for that L’Wren Scott diamond necklace, which weighed in at a whopping 1,399 carats.

9. Annette Bening, 2000

Pregnancy has never kept Annette Bening away from an awards ceremony; she attended the Golden Globes for Bugsy just ten days after giving birth, and in 2000, she made the rounds (along with husband and baby-daddy Warren Beatty) to accept accolades for her role in American Beauty. Although she lost the Best Supporting Actress Oscar to Hilary Swank (for Boys Don’t Cry), Bening looked stunning at the ceremony. She gave birth to daughter Ella two weeks later.

10. Cate Blanchett, 2008

2008 was a big year for Cate Blanchett, nominated in two Academy Awards categories (Best Actress for Elizabeth: The Golden Age I’m Not There ) and eight months pregnant at the ceremony. Rather than downplaying her bump, Cate Blanchett decked it out in the night’s most intriguing ensemble — lethal stilettos, a blue satin Dries Van Noten gown, oversized jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz jewels and a Roger Vivier clutch. and Best Supporting Actress for

11. Vanessa Williams, 2000

Best Original Song presenter Vanessa Williams selected a basic black Carmen Marc Valvo gown to try and downplay her 37 pounds of pregnancy weight (and show off her fabulous mom-to-be cleavage). Her daughter was born two months later.

12. Judy Garland, 1954

No designer was making glamorous maternity gowns in 1955, but Judy Garland (nominated for A Star is Born) looked swanky in satin at the Oscar nominations telecast. She had to skip the actual ceremony, as her son Joey Luft was born the day before.

13. Jessica Alba, 2008

Given her year of clunkers (Good Luck Chuck, anybody? Fantastic Four 2?), Jessica Alba (7 months pregnant at the ceremony) failed to secure any Oscar nominations in 2008. However, her wine-colored, feathered Marchesa gown and Cartier diamonds put her at the top of many of the year’s best-dressed lists.

14. Marcia Gay Harden, 2004

Other stars have attended the ceremony seven months pregnant — but so far, Marcia Gay Harden (nominated for Mystic River) is the only one to have done it with twins.  Her royal blue Badgley Mischke gown, lined at the waist with antique beads, was selected to show off her growing belly.

15. Glenn Close, 1988

Nominated for Fatal Attraction, Glenn Close nearly didn’t make the ceremony because of a horrendous traffic jam — she was one of several stars who got out of her limo and walked! Her daughter Annie was born just fifteen days after the ceremony.

Courtsey of:

Babble.com

Saint Patrick’s Day is just around the corner.  Here are some Irish blessings in honor of the holiday.

The luck of the Irish!

“For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way.  Good Luck, Good Health and Happiness for today and everyday!”

“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light.  May good luck pursue you morning and night!”

10 Minute Zesty Salsa

Ingredients

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained

1 tablespoon seeded and chopped jalapeno pepper   

1 tablespoon chopped red onion

1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

Dash salt

Dash pepper

Tortilla chips

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/10-Minute-Zesty-Salsa/Detail.aspx

Beef or Chicken Enchiladas

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Beef-or-Chicken-Enchiladas/Detail.aspx

Churros

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Churros/Detail.aspx

OK call me crazy but this is the best idea I have for fast easy cheap snacks for my son. You need to get those snack sized zip lock baggies and those generic cereals that come in huge econo sized bags or cheap store brand cookies. Then divide a handful or two into those snack baggies put it in a cute basket in the pantry and voi la any time my child wants a snack he grabs a snack bag. These last about a month or more and are much cheaper than buying the pre-sized snacks in the store!!! It takes a little time in the front end but saves alot of time in the long run

Does your child’s school take away recess time like it isn’t important?  Mine does - and I’m hoping that by sharing this info, they will start to understand how vital play and outdoor time is to academic success.

From The New York Times:

The best way to improve children’s performance in the classroom may be to take them out of it.

A study published this month in the journal Pediatrics studied the links between recess and classroom behavior among about 11,000 children age 8 and 9. Those who had more than 15 minutes of recess a day showed better behavior in class than those who had little or none. Although disadvantaged children were more likely to be denied recess, the association between better behavior and recess time held up even after researchers controlled for a number of variables, including sex, ethnicity, public or private school and class size.

The lead researcher, Dr. Romina M. Barros, a pediatrician and an assistant clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said the findings were important because many schools did not view recess as essential to education.

“Sometimes you need data published for people at the educational level to start believing it has an impact,” she said. “We should understand that kids need that break because the brain needs that break.”

And many children are not getting that break. In the Pediatrics study, 30 percent were found to have little or no daily recess. Another report, from a children’s advocacy group, found that 40 percent of schools surveyed had cut back at least one daily recess period.

Also, teachers often punish children by taking away recess privileges. That strikes Dr. Barros as illogical. “Recess should be part of the curriculum,” she said. “You don’t punish a kid by having them miss math class, so kids shouldn’t be punished by not getting recess.”

Last month, Harvard researchers reported in The Journal of School Health that the more physical fitness tests children passed, the better they did on academic tests. The study, of 1,800 middle school students, suggests that children can benefit academically from physical activity during gym class and recess.

A small study of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder last year found that walks outdoors appeared to improve scores on tests of attention and concentration. Notably, children who took walks in natural settings did better than those who walked in urban areas, according to the report, published online in August in The Journal of Attention Disorders. The researchers found that a dose of nature worked as well as a dose of medication to improve concentration, or even better.

Andrea Faber Taylor, a child environment and behavior researcher at the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois, says other research suggests that all children, not just those with attention problems, can benefit from spending time in nature during the school day. In another study of children who live in public housing, girls who had access to green courtyards scored better on concentration tests than those who did not.

The reason may be that the brain uses two forms of attention. “Directed” attention allows us to concentrate on work, reading and tests, while “involuntary” attention takes over when we’re distracted by things like running water, crying babies, a beautiful view or a pet that crawls onto our lap.

Directed attention is a limited resource. Long hours in front of a computer or studying for a test can leave us feeling fatigued. But spending time in natural settings appears to activate involuntary attention, giving the brain’s directed attention time to rest.

“It’s pretty clear that all human beings experience attentional fatigue,” Dr. Faber Taylor said. “Our attention has to be restored from that fatigue, and there is a growing body of research evidence that nature is one way that seems particularly effective at doing it.”

Playtime and nature time are important not only for learning but also for health and development.

Young rats denied opportunities for rough-and-tumble play develop numerous social problems in adulthood. They fail to recognize social cues and the nuances of rat hierarchy; they aren’t able to mate. By the same token, people who play as children “learn to handle life in a much more resilient and vital way,” said Dr. Stuart Brown, the author of the new book “Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul” (Avery).

Dr. Brown, a psychiatrist in Carmel Valley, Calif., has collected more than 6,000 “play histories” from human subjects. The founder of the National Institute for Play, he works with educators and legislators to promote the importance of preserving playtime in schools. He calls play “a fundamental biological process.” “From my viewpoint, it’s a major public health issue,” he said. “Teachers feel like they’re under huge pressures to get academic excellence to the exclusion of having much fun in the classroom. But playful learning leads to better academic success than the skills-and-drills approach.”