Category Archives: Alicia’s Corner

4 Reasons Kids Should Wear Sunglasses + 4 Cute Pairs of Kids Sunglasses!

Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Alicia's Corner, Health, Travel,

On a perfect summer day you and your children are walking into Disney World. You’ve been planning this adventure for months. On your way into the park, you do a last minute check of your bag. Do you have everything? Food, extra clothes, sunblock, and a pair of Ray-Ban Junior glasses?

Why would your child need a pair of sunglasses? For the same reason you need them, for protection from Ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Many people are aware that UV rays can cause sunburns, skin damage, and even cancer.  Less of us are aware that too much sun can cause sunburns on the cornea.  This is a painful reminder to kids and adults to wear sunglasses, but it heals eventually. What doesn’t heal over time are the long-term effects of too much UV. UV is a contributing factor to eye diseases like cataracts. When parents protect their child’s eyes with high-quality sunglasses, they reduce the risk that their child will develop eye problems later in life.

Now all of this may be a lot to think about on a summer day at Disney World.  But during the spring and summer months it is especially important to protect your baby or older child from too much sun. Unfortunately, children are at more risk for eye damage than adults. They are still growing and have less natural eye protection. They are also outside more than adults and have greater sun exposure than Mom and Dad.

How Not Wearing Sunglasses Can Be Harmful for your Child:

  1. Squinting requires muscle activity and can be a contributor to a child’s headache and twitching eyes because (contraction of the muscles).
    Adults should keep in mind that wearing sunglasses will cut down on crows’ feet around their eyes.
  2. UV exposure is harmful to the eyes as well as the skin – Source: Webmd.com
  3. After a long day in the sun, your child’s eyes may be bloodshot, swollen, and light-sensitive. – Source: Webmd.com
  4. Many ophthalmologists educate parents about not only the long-term health risks from UV exposure, such as cataracts, but short-term benefits of wearing sunglasses such as being able to see better in very sunny situations such as on the beach or in an area with a lot of concrete sidewalks such as Disney World, a popular summer vacation destination.

Fortunately, several companies make kids’ sunglasses that are stylish, cool and kid-proof. Ray-Ban Junior, RealKidsShades.com, and Julbo Kids Sunglasses, all offer excellent eyewear options for children.

Here are a few kids sunglasses worth taking a look at

 

Kids Sunglasses

1 – Ray-Ban 65mm Shield Sunglasses (Big Boys) Grey/ Green One Size at Macy’s

2 – Julbo Looping III Sunglasses – Girls’ at REI

3 – Chili’s Jellie Sunglasses at REI

4 – Baby & Kids Sun Smarties Sunglasses with Strap at One Step Ahead

When shopping for your children, look for glasses that are designed for kids with a pair of straps. Adult glasses may not offer the same level of sun protection.  Ray-Ban Junior offers the same level of quality they have on their adult products, but sized for kids.  Julbo Kids Sunglasses offer fun, functional products that are shock-resistant with customized kids frames.  At RealKidsShades.com, you can find products that are comfortable, durable and cool. All these companies offer straps for their glasses.

It can be tempting to buy a pair of toy shades for your little one. Toys only give your baby the illusion of protection during hot summer months. Vendors like RealKidsshades.com offer quality products that have 99-100% UV protection and sturdy construction.

Now is the time to teach your children to take care of their eyes by using quality sunglasses. Just like eating right, if you set the example now, you’ll be giving them a great foundation in life.

 

 

 

St. Patrick’s Day History for Kids and Printable Coloring Pages & Activities

Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Alicia's Corner, Crafts, Holiday, , , ,

St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday for both children and adults. It is one of my husband’s favorite holidays.

To understand what is special about this holiday kids should learn about the man it was named after. When Patrick was 16 years old he was captured by Irish raiders and sold into slavery. During his time in slavery his faith in God became strong. After 6 years he escaped and returned to his family. Patrick became a priest and was later sent to Ireland. Patrick wasn’t always treated well in Ireland and endured many hardships. He still managed to win many converts to Christianity and established several schools, churches, and monasteries.

The color originally associated with St. Patrick’s Day was blue. The knights of the Order of St. Patrick wore blue. Some legends say that the color representing St. Patrick was changed to green because it represented Ireland’s independence.

There are many legends surrounding St. Patrick. He supposedly drove away all the snakes that were in Ireland and he reportedly used a three leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity. He was born in Britain in the fourth century and is usually given credit for bringing the written word to Ireland.
Legend says he died on March 17, in the 5th century. This day celebrates Christianity coming to Ireland. Children traditionally wear green, orange, and white badges to celebrate. Today kids try to pinch each other if they don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. Many people eat corned beef and cabbage on this day in the United States. However, pork is a more popular dish among the Irish.

St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in the United States in Boston in 1737. Although St. Patrick’s Day is not a legal holiday in the United States, it is a public holiday in Ireland.

Help your kids get excited about St. Patrick’s Day by decorating the house, wearing green clothes, making St. Patrick’s Day crafts, printable coloring pages, and printable St. Patrick’s Day activities.

St. Patrick's Day coloring pages, cookies, crafts, and activities for kids

Here are a few fun St. Patrick’s Day recipes, coloring pages and activites:

LG Do March Right™ Tip-Off Recipe Contest and My NCAA Game Day Recipe | #LGDoMarchRight

Alicia's Corner, Food and Drink, ,

My 6-year-old daughter has recently become interested in basketball, thanks to my Dad.   After long days of playing in the lake, playing games, and walking down Park Avenue in Winter Park, my Dad sits in his leather chair and my daughter gets comfy on the sofa and they watch basketball.  They usually watch Orlando Magic play against whoever they are playing against but they’ll watch just about any team.. I think.   I love that she knows how many points each type of throw makes and what a foul is.  She knows more about basketball than I do!

LG is dedicated to creating a great game-time experience especially for your game-day parties! That’s why LG has created the LG Do March Right™ Tip Off Facebook Page to collect amazing game-day recipes to share with all NCAA fans.  I submitted one of my favorite game-day recipes.  Why don’t you?

Playoff excitement, great friends and awesome food go hand in hand. And there’s never been a better time to share your favorite game-time recipe. If it’s as terrific as you think, you’ll see it right on their Facebook page. And when the voting starts…that’s when The LG Do March Right™ Tip-Off really takes off!

This game-time recipe has been submitted for LG’s Do March Right Tip-Off Challenge.

This is one of my favorite ‘special occasion’ recipes that mom, dad, and kids  love!  You know how heated things can get while watching a good ball game.  This snack will ensure that you and your game-day guests stay cool, calm, and collected.  Well, maybe not calm and collected but cool at least!

Very Berry Rice Krispies Treats with Raspberry Sorbet

Very Berry Rice Krispies Treats With Sorbet

Ingredients

  • Rice Krispies
  • Butter
  • Marshmallows
  • Raspberry (or other flavor) Sorbet
  • Cool Whip
  • Fresh strawberries and blueberries

Instructions

  • Make Rice Krispies Treats as usual (see below)
    • Melt 2-3 tablespoons butter in large pan on low heat
    • Mix marshmallows in and stir constantly until completely melted
    • Remove from heat
    • Stir in 6 cups Rice Krispies
    • SPECIAL – Separate Rice Krispies Treats mix into two 13×9 inch pans to make two thin layers
  • Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour – not necessary, but keeps the sorbet you are going to put on the soon to be cut out stars, from melting quickly
  • Once cool, cut Rice Krispies Treats into star shapes with a cookie cutter and put the individual stars on wax paper
  • Coat 1/2 of the cool Rice Krispies Treats stars with raspberry sorbet (substitute with your favorite flavor, ice cream, or frozen yogurt)
  • Place a star on top of the sorbet covered Rice Krispies Treats stars
  • Top with Cool Whip, strawberries, and blueberries
  • Garnish the plate with fresh fruit and enjoy immediately!

 

I hope you’ll try this recipe.  You and your kids will enjoy making it and I think you’ll love eating this tasty snack!

 

Whether you submit a recipe or not, you’ll have the opportunity to enter the LG 2013 NCAA® Final Four Sweepstakes.  The Grand Prize consists of a trip for two to the 2013 NCAA Final Four, including airfare, round trip ground transportation, four days and three nights of accommodation and tickets to the Final Four games, plus $500 spending money.

Other great prizes include an LG Washer and Dryer, LG Cinema 3D TV, a LG Optimus G and a $100 NCAA Shop Gift Card.

Prepare To Spring Forward At 2:00am On Sunday, March 10th with Pajanimals Coloring Printables and Video | @SproutTV

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Alicia's Corner, Bedtime, ,

Are you prepared for losing that extra hour of sleep when the clocks are turned forward an hour for Daylight Savings on March 10? It may not be so easy, especially if  you have young children,  who have trouble adapting  to change. But you can get ready  with sound advice and tips for a smooth and calm transition to Daylight Savings from Certified Sleep Experts from Sleepy Planet, Jennifer Waldburger and Jill Spivack, and your friends, the PAJANIMALS, from The Jim Henson Company and Sprout, the 24 hour children’s preschool channel. 

We all know toddlers and preschoolers need plenty of sleep to get through their busy days, especially as they ease into Daylight Savings.   Now, you can learn what it takes to keep your child’s bedtime routine on track with these simple tips from Waldburger and Spivack, who serve as consultants for the critically-acclaimed preschool series, PAJANIMALS, a series designed to help parents establish a bedtime routine for their preschoolers.  PAJANIMALS airs nightly on Sprout during The Good Night Show and follows the amazing adventures of four sweet, gentle and cuddly musical puppets that model the skills preschoolers need to move through their days successfully.

pajanimals bedtime help

The Night Before  – On Saturday, March 9th, turn clocks AHEAD 1 hour.
If your child normally sleeps till 6:30 AM, the next morning he/she might be sleepy until 7:30 AM.  The entire schedule – naps and bedtime – will then shift one hour later. If you’re happy about this change, great!  Just protect your child’s room from too much light in the early morning, and use white noise so they won’t wake with the birds.

If you’d rather help your child get back to the usual schedule, try the following:

  1. Set your alarm for 6:30 AM (according to the new clock) and wake your child at this time.  To them, it will feel like 5:30 AM and yes, they may be cranky and tired, but their body will soon get used to the new schedule.
  2. Put your child down at the normal nap time (if they are still napping) according to the new clock and resume a normal schedule from there.  Don’t allow a nap longer than usual.
  3. On Sunday night, put your child down at their usual bedtime according to the new time.

Additionally, Sprout.com offers many Pajanimals’ games, activities and content to help your child navigate through their bedtime routine, including:

 

There is also the fun, Pajanimals’ video “How Do I know If It’s Morning Time,” available on YouTube.

 

And more springtime fun for the Pajanimals:

Tune-in to Sprout between March 18 – April 14 for their “Spring is Sprouting” event, and catch some of your favorite Pajanimals’ episodes, including Apollo’s Special Day, Puppy Love, Share Day, The Cow’s Meow and Team Fort!  Pajanimals also airs every Saturday morning on NBC Kids!

More About Pajanimals:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Pajanimals

Follow The Jim Henson Company:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany 

Twitter: @hensonparents

Follow Sprout:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sprout

Twitter: @SproutTV