Monthly Archives: December 2006

Dec 31 2006

Ring in the New Year…. Online???

 

Would you ever consider spending New Year’s Eve at home, not infront of the TV, but in front of the computer? YouTube is hoping some of us will.
Traditionally NYE seems to be something celebrated either out and about or at home watching Dick Clark or Carson Daly on TV.
What do you think about YouTube’s NYE Online party hopes? Do you think it’s something you would do? I could see it maybe if I was celebrating alone, but that would be about the only way.

From CNet: “Special video messages from YouTube celebrities, such as Boh3m3, Smosh, Terra Naomi, Renetto, Chad Vadar, and The WineKone, along with artists from WMG labels Atlantic Records, Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music International will be featured on the home page” of YouTube.

Dec 31 2006

The Girl Scout Cookies are Coming

I just read in the Buisness Courier that Girl Scout Cookies will be on the streets in January this year! I can’t wait. There is nothing like stalking my local Kroger for boxes of Carmel DeLites and Thin Mints!

From the Courier….

The Girl Scouts – Great Rivers Council will begin its annual cookie sale Jan. 5, the organization said.
The cookies, which no longer contain trans-fats, will retail for $3 a box. The eight varieties include: Thin Mints, Shortbreads, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Patties, Thanks-A-Lots, Reduced Fat Cartwheels and the newly introduced Lemonades (shortbread with lemon icing).

I don’t know about any of you, but being a Girl Scout was something I am not sure I enjoyed…. I remember sleeping in tents, roughing it using covers made of garbage bags (was it just my troop???) making placemats out of wax paper and dried leaves, but not much else.
Dec 28 2006

Sandy Claus??

This is pretty cool. Reminds me of that scene from Gulliver’s Travels…..
 
From the Associated Press:
Students join sand sculpture artists to create a 30-meter-long (100-foot-long) Santa Claus sculpture on the Puri golden beach, in the Indian state of Orissa on the eve of Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. Though Hindus and Muslims comprise the majority of the population in India, Christmas is celebrated with much fanfare. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)
Photo
 
Dec 28 2006

Helping Children Understand The Value of a Dollar

I always find it interesting when the subject of money comes up in conversation with my 4 year old. The other day we were out shopping for Christmas presents. While in the store my son started “shopping” for himself. Even though he knew that gifts from Santa would be arriving shortly, he wanted more.  I of course told him no and explained to him that Santa would be coming and that we were not going to buy any new toys today. He pressed further and I explained to him that toys cost money and then proceeded to ask him if he had any. He was puzzled. He proceeded to explain to me that we could just drive to the bank and that the machine would give us the money for the toys. 
 
If you are looking for a fun, educational way to help your little one (ages 4-8) understand the value of a dollar I recommend picking up a copy of Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday. (You can find it on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Used-Rich-Last-Sunday/dp/0689711999)
Book Description from Amazon.com: Last Sunday, Alexander’s grandparents gave him a dollar — and he was rich. There were so many things that he could do with all of that money! He could buy as much gum as he wanted, or even a walkie-talkie, if he saved enough. But somehow the money began to disappear… Readers of all ages will be delighted by this attractive new edition of Judith Viorst’s beloved picture book.

Note: I wanted to add that my husband has already started helping my son understand money and where it comes from. This Christmas he took my son to Coinstar to cash in his piggy bank, which he used to buy presents for myself, his dad and his little brother. He was very proud and felt good that he had done it with his own money.