Category Archives: Age 5-7

PBS Kids Premieres Dinosaur Train “Submarine Adventure” Special Feb. 18th

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Music & DVD, Television, ,

What will you be doing February 18th?  Well, I have something for you to add to your list.  Watch DINOSAUR TRAIN on PBS Kids!

Everyone’s favorite Pteranodon family rides the DINOSAUR TRAIN Submarine to meet sea creature friends in an all-new science special airing February 18th on PBS KIDS.

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Everyone’s favorite Pteranodon family will dive into an underwater adventure in “Submarine Adventure.” The one-hour program will feature four new stories about sea creatures that lived during the “Age of Dinosaurs.” Preschoolers will meet new friends along the way – from Otto Ophthalmosaurus to Archelon turtles – as they learn about natural science, natural history and paleontology. As part of this multiplatform event, DINOSAUR TRAIN will also feature new content online and on mobile this February. The special will also be available on DVD starting February 19th.

“PBS KIDS strives to use media to light a spark – a thirst for learning that will empower kids to actively pursue their interests long after the screen is turned off,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “DINOSAUR TRAIN leads kids on this path of exploration with content that is fun and educational, like the ‘Submarine Adventure’ special, which will engage kids in learning natural science and paleontology concepts, while also inspiring them to embark on their own learning adventures in the world around them.”

On-air Special Program Descriptions:

“Otto Ophthalmosaurus”

When the Pteranodon family takes the Dinosaur Train under the sea to visit their friend Elmer Elasmosaurus, they learn that the Elasmosaurus family is leaving the station to follow their food – the fish. Buddy wants to follow, but the train tunnel doesn’t go that way – so Mr. Conductor decides to take the family in a brand-new invention, the Dinosaur Train Submarine! On their journey, they meet a marine reptile called Otto Ophthalmosaurus, who guides the submarine deeper than it’s ever been, and even helps them find their way out of a sea cave.

“Shoshana Shonisaurus”

The Pteranodon family goes under the sea again to ride the Dinosaur Train Submarine – this time they go to meet Shoshana Shonisaurus, an enormous marine reptile that’s something between a dolphin and a whale. Since Shoshana loves to dive very deep, Shiny has a problem with following her to the bottom of the sea. Shoshana kindly helps Shiny get over her fear of diving deep.

“Maisie Mosasaurus”

The Pteranodon family goes back underwater in the Dinosaur Train Submarine and meets Maisie and Marvin Mosasaurus, a daughter and father who are huge, fast-swimming lizards with flippers. Maisie and Shiny bond when they discover neither likes to go deep in the water. The Pteranodons and Mosasaurus have a great time near the ocean’s surface, each family showing the other how they hunt and catch fish to eat.

“A Sea Turtle Tale”

The Pteranodon family is on the beach watching small eggs hatch and baby Archelon turtles emerge and start to swim away.  The family and Mr. Conductor get into the Dinosaur Train Submarine and follow the baby Archelons, who discover their own facts of nature – that their mother doesn’t stay with them after they’re born and that they will grow up to be giant-sized sea turtles.

Take a fun DINOSAUR TRAIN Facebook quiz and test your dino knowledge!

Dinosaur Train submarine adventure quiz

Online and Mobile Content:

Both full episodes and clips from “Submarine Adventure” will be available on the PBS KIDS Video Player at PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App beginning February 19th.

DVD:

PBS Distribution will release DINOSAUR TRAIN “Submarine Adventure” on February 19, 2013. The DVD is available for preorder now on shopPBS.org.

From the renowned Jim Henson Company, the hit DINOSAUR TRAIN series encourages scientific thinking and other skills as it teaches children about natural science, natural history and paleontology. The series is part of PBS KIDS’ ongoing commitment to prepare kids for success in school and in life, with cross-platform content that supports learning in key areas such as science, math, and literacy.

Oscar de la Renta Knows How to Dress a Child for the Holidays!

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13,

Oscar de la Renta..a name I grew up familiar with.  Not because I wore Oscar de la Renta clothes as a child but because the store my mother shopped at sold Oscar de la Renta and I would play in the isles while she tried on what seemed to be endless amounts of clothing and shoes.

When I cam across their winter children’s wear line recently, I fell in love in an instant.  The designs are gorgeously classic and the pieces are timeless fashion statements.

Here are two outfits I put together for my son and daughter:

Oscar de la Renta children's clothing
My Favorite Oscar de la Renta Children's Holiday Outfit for my daugther

This outfit’s main piece is the Plaid Gathered Sleeve Dress – $325

The ballet shoes are the icing on the cake.  The Sabrina ballet flats are crafted in Spain with luxurious velvet, leather soles and finished with a dainty bow. With styling so classic, your daughter will be able to wear these flats with jeans, a tutu, or her favorite dress.

Did you know that Oscar de la Renta has coordinating outfits for little girls and boys!  Maybe that’s the stitch that will bind my two together.. finally?

Sebastian, my 13 year old son, likes to wear stylish button down shirts but he pairs them with cargo pants most of the time.  That’s a little painful for me to see.  Better than basketball shorts to school every day though, isn’t it?

Here is the outfit that I picked out for my son:

Oscar de la Renta children's wear - Boys
My pick of Oscar de la Renta clothes for my son

The small check plaid shirt is right up Sebastian’s alley.  He loves checks and plaids.  I would totally wear this Cashmere V-Neck Sweater when he’s not wearing it but seeing as how he loves soft sweaters, I think my opportunities would be slim.  And don’t these shoes look so cool.. and comfortable?

 

What I love about Oscar de la Renta’s pieces is that they can be passed down from generation to generation.  It’s not just the classic designs of his children’s clothing, but the quality that make the pieces timeless, don’t you agree?  Some parents may wonder if they will get their return on investment if they buy their child an Oscar de la Renta dress or sweater.  Remember, that dress or sweater will be worn many times, and will likely be handed down or given to a family member who’s child will also wear it many times.

Do you already have your children’s holiday clothes picked out?

4 Adorable Winter Capes for Little Girls

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, , , ,

 

4 cute winter capes for girls

1 – Baby Girls Ivory Faux Fur Ribbon Special Occasion Cape Jacket – $37.49 on Amazon.com

2 – Roxy Kids Sweater, Little Girls Cable Knit Poncho – On sale for $34.50 from $46.00 at Macys.com

3 – Kids Wool Cape – $74 at American Apparel

4 – Fuloon Newborn Baby Toddler Girl Fleece Hoodie Cape Coat – $25.99 on Amazon.com

 

Some links are affiliates.

SIGG Halloween Water Bottles and a Trick-Or-Treating Packing List

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Food and Drink, ,

You’re ready for Halloween, right? Or are you?

You have the kids Halloween costumes, you have the Halloween decorations (at least out of the attic), and you have the candy. Now what about all the stuff that’s going to keep your kids comfortable and happy while they’re walking 5 miles to collect candy and say please and thank you? Pleases and thank yous require a lot of energy you know.

Here are a few items you should pack for your trick-or-treating excursion:

  • Bring a wagon or stroller if your kids are 5 or younger
  • Wipes – candy hands are sticky hands!
  • First aid kit (bandaids, antiseptic wipes, etc)
  • Flashlights
  • Flip flops or socks – just in case your princesses shoes hurt her feet after a while
  • A dumping bag (a pillow case for when the kid’s treat haul gets too heavy)
  • Camera
  • Safety whistles or walkie talkies (talk to your kids before and tell them to stop when you blow the whistle)
  • Healthy snacks
  • Water (it’s important to stay hydrated!)

SIGG Halloween water bottle

Speaking of water..

SIGG Halloween water bottles
SIGG Halloween water bottles

SIGG offers kids a super cute way to stay hydrated this Halloween and beyond with their festive Halloween aluminum water bottles!  As you know from previous posts, we are huge fans of SIGG water bottles.  Madelyn was very excited when she opened a box from SIGG with a Little Witch water bottle with a glow in the dark cap!  She had that bottle glowing within 10 minutes of having it out of the box!  I was in the pitch dark bathroom with her while she swirled the water bottle around and around so we could watch the “shooting starts” zoom around the bathroom.  The glow lasted a long time!

This SIGG water bottle is small enough for little hands and you won’t lose it while trick-or-treating because it will be glowing!

Halloween theme water bottles

Check out the kids area on the SIGG website where you’ll find lots of other festive, cute, and spunky designs in their Kids area.

The bottles ship within 1 business day so hurry and order yours today!

SIGG also sells aluminum lunch boxes and other accessories and be sure to take a look at their adult size water bottle designs while you’re on the site.  There are so many colors and designs to choose from!

Now that you have a trick-or-treating packing list make sure you have what YOU need to be festive too! Halloween isn’t just for kids you know!

Connect with SIGG:

Disclosure: SIGG provided us with a water bottle for review purposes, free.  All opinions are 100% honest and were not influenced in any way.  I was not told what to write or required to write this post.

Talk To Your Kids About Bullying Please! Inspiring Jennifer Livingston Video #StopTheBullying

Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13

As you might know, I am not feeling well as I am recovering from two surgeries, one unexpected. Despite that I have no energy and do not feel great, I felt compelled to write this post from bed today after watching Jennifer Livingston’s video. Please take a minute to read it and comment. If you don’t have time to read it now, bookmark it and read it later. Please share this post with friends, family, your child’s teachers, and neighbors. For your children.

National Bullying Prevention month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying doesn’t just happen to children and CBS WKBT news anchor in Wisconsin, Jennifer Livingston, shares her story with the world, on air. Jennifer Livingston is standing up for herself and victims of bullying everywhere by taking air time to discuss an email she received from a male viewer who criticizes her weight.

If you don’t have time to read this post, please watch the video.

The email reads: “Hi Jennifer, It’s unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn’t improved for many years. Surely you don’t consider yourself a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you’ll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.”

After reading the email on-air, Livingston responds: “Now those of us in the media, we get a healthy dose of critiques from our viewers throughout the year, and we realize that it comes with having a job in the public eye,” she adds, “But this email was more than that.”

“The truth is: I am overweight. You could call me fat and, yes, even obese on a doctor’s chart, but to the person who wrote me that letter – do you think I don’t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don’t see? You don’t know me. You are not a friend of mine. You are not a part of my family. And you have admitted that you don’t watch this show,” she says. “So you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside. And I am much more than a number on the scale.”

Jennifer Livingston is a mom of three and points out that emails like this one are teaching children it’s okay to bully.

Watch Jennifer Livingston talk about the email and respond directly to the viewer in this video.

Here’s something to think about:

Kids see their parents bully each other or their adult friends and they see that adult handle it with grace and dignity on the outside. But children don’t know how to handle bullying with grace and dignity and we should NOT expect our kids to know how to gracefully react when they are called fat, zit-face, gay, or retarded.

Here are a few starting points for a conversation about bullying:

  • 1. What is bullying?
      • Physical, verbal, and emotional/mental
  • 2. Why shouldn’t we bully?
  • 3. What should you do if you are bullied?
      • Who should you go to?
  • 4. How to be compassionate towards others

Children’s brains are not developed enough to process and spit out nasty comments like the garbage they are. Adults are better able to let words go in one ear and out the other.

We say children can’t drink until 21. Why would we think they are emotionally and mentally equipped enough to handle the harsh words of a bully at 6, 8, or even 15 years old, then? They aren’t! unless we TEACH them how to deal with it and to not be a bully themseleves.

YOUR child may be one who says "Mom, she knows I was just teasing". .

And you shrug it off.

Not true. Your child and my child don’t KNOW what the other child is thinking or feeling. It’s impossible. Harsh comments are UNACCEPTABLE. Tell your child that. Please.

Jennifer goes on to say, “If you are at home and talking about the fat news lady, guess what: Your children are probably going to go to school and call someone fat”.

Ms. Livingston ends with this statement:

“Learn from my experience that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many”.

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Please talk to your kids about the questions and statements above and about National Bullying Prevention Month. Whether it’s while you’re in the car, at the grocery store, or eating dinner doesn’t matter. Anytime is better than no time. Then, if you feel so compelled, let me know if you were surprised by your child’s answers or remarks.

– Alicia