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Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Experts: Junk culture is killing childhood

Video games, academic pressures contribute to rise in behavioral problems
LONDON - Britain’s children are being poisoned by a “junk culture” of processed food, computer games and over-competitive education, an influential group of authors and experts warned on Tuesday.

In an open letter to the Daily Telegraph, 110 teachers, psychologists and children’s authors — including the internationally acclaimed Philip Pullman and Penelope Leach, a leading childcare expert — called on the government to act now to prevent childhood being killed off altogether.
Forced “to act and dress like mini-adults”, children are becoming increasingly depressed and experiencing growing levels of behavioral and developmental problems, they said.
“Since children’s brains are still developing, they cannot adjust as full-grown adults can, to the effects of ever more rapid technological and cultural change,” the letter said.

“They need what developing human beings have always needed, including real food (as opposed to processed “junk“), real play (as opposed to sedentary, screen-based entertainment), first hand experience of the world they live in and regular interaction with the real-life significant adults in their lives.”
The letter was circulated by Sue Palmer, an ex-head teacher and author of a book entitled “Toxic Childhood”, and Dr Richard House, a senior lecturer at the Research Center for Therapeutic Education at Roehampton University in London.

“Children’s development is being drastically affected by the kind of world they are brought up in,” Palmer told the Daily Telegraph. “It is shocking.”

“A child’s physical and psychological growth cannot be accelerated. It changes in biological time, not at electrical speed. Childhood is not a race.”

The experts condemned Britain’s increasingly “target-driven” education system and urged the government to recognize children’s need for more time and space to develop, demanding an urgent public debate on child-rearing in the 21st century.

Award-winning children’s author Michael Morpurgo, who also signed the letter, said there was a “drip, drip, drip effect” of academic pressure and marketing which was killing childhood.
“It’s gradually soaking like a poison into the culture,” he told BBC radio. “There is less room for reading, for dreaming, for music, for drama, for art, and simply for playing.”
Source: MSNBC

Friday, September 01, 2006

M-I-C-K-E-Y O-U-C-H!


Well, ladies and gents... the Mouse has done it again! Another price hike to visit the good 'ole Walt Disney World! I LOVE the place, but this is getting a tad bit ridiculous, wouldn't you say??

Read the article below from Frommers...

~~~~~


Theme Pork: Prices Rise (Again) at Walt Disney World & Universal Orlando
By Laura Lea Miller
August 31, 2006

Disney has once again raised the price of admission. Normally this would come as no great shock or surprise, but it's the second time the Mouse has done this within a single year -- a rather unprecedented move even for them.

The following don't include the 6 to 6.5% sales tax (Disney actually falls in two different counties) unless noted. Price hikes are frequent occurrences, so call 407/824-4321 or visit WDW's website (www.disneyworld.com) for the most up-to-the-minute pricing.

All tickets include unlimited use of the WDW transportation system. Bear in mind that Disney considers children 10 and older as adults for pricing purposes, and children under 3 aren't charged admission.

One-day/one-park tickets, for admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, or Disney-MGM Studios, are $67 for adults, $56 for children ages 3 to 9. Ouch! Four-day base tickets (1 park per day) are $202 adults, $168 children ages 3 to 9. A 7-day base ticket (1 park per day)costs $210 for adults (about $30 a day), $173 for kids ages 3 to 9 (about $25 a day).

Adding on a Park Hopper option to your ticket allows you unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney-MGM Studios for the duration of your base ticket. Pricing for the Park Hopper is the same for adults and children and costs $45 above the price of your base ticket (no matter how many days that ticket is valid for). So if you purchase a single-day base ticket, adding the Park Hopper will cost an additional $45 (for a total of $112 for an adult -- not very cost effective), but if you purchase a 7-day base ticket, the option will still only cost you $45 (for a total of $255 -- a very good deal).

If you add a Water Park Fun & More option to your base ticket, you'll get several admissions to some of WDW's smaller attractions: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island, and Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The number of visits allowed depends on the number of days your base ticket is good for (3 visits for base tickets covering 1-3 days; 4 visits for 4- and 5-day tickets; 5 visits for 6-day tickets, and 6 visits for any base ticket 7 days or over). This option adds an additional $50 to the cost of your base ticket, and, like the Park Hopper, the longer you stay at Disney, the more cost-effective the option becomes. If you only plan on visiting one smaller attraction while at WDW, paying the separate admission fee is cheaper and smarter than opting for the Magic Plus Pack.

If you're adding both of these options to your base ticket, a way to save a bit more money is by buying your tickets in advance.

A 1-day ticket to Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, or DisneyQuest is $36 for adults, $30 for children.

A 1-day ticket to Pleasure Island is $21.95. Because this is primarily an 18-and-over entertainment complex, there's no bargain price for children.

If you're planning an extended stay or going to visit Walt Disney World more than once during the year, annual passes ($434-$559 adults, $382-$493 children -- pricing for Florida residents is slightly less and includes a season pass option) are another great option.

Universal Orlando (www.universalorlando.com) jumped at the chance to follow the Mouse's rather large footsteps -- they too have increased their theme park ticket prices for the second time in a year. An adult 1-day theme park ticket now costs a whopping $67 (whether for Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios) while a child's ticket (ages 3-9) now runs $56. Two-day 2-part tickets will cost you $114.95 regardless of age.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Source: Frommers

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Three Sweet Peas... bringin' you the Deals!

Look no further, you have come to the right place if you are looking for a great deal on baby items! Mary, owner of Three Sweet Peas always finds great deals (wish I could say the same) on baby and children's items! So, she is bringing those savings directly to you thru Three Sweet Peas site! Check it out ~ Click HERE!

Mary, a work-at-home mom to twin girls, Sierra and Cheyenne (6 years old) along with her sister, Audrey of Audrey's All Natural Shoppe, decided she needed to branch out from eBay and open an online boutique with all of her special finds! She came up with the name "Three Sweet Peas" from her 2 daughters and her nephew, Austin. They are her three sweet peas!
Her online boutique carries great deals from the likes of Gymboree, Ralph Lauren, Stride Rite, Merrell, Baby Gap, Sweet Potatoes, the list goes on. You'll just have to check out the store to see more!!
Right now Three Sweet Peas Baby Boutique is offering FREE Shipping on any purchase now through August 31st. Use Code: SUMMER to get this great special and time is almost up, so you better start shopping now!! This offer is good to US customers only!!
A featured product at the boutique is:
"Fun in the Sun Gift Set for Baby Gymboree at the Beach"


This unique gift comes inside a large pail with shovel. It comes with a set of digging claws and several Gymboree items any mom would love! This particular set is for a boy and includes the one-piece romper (Size 3-6 months), the matching socks, the adorable stuffed mom and baby turtle toy (which makes cute little water sounds when squeezed)!
Make a splash at the next baby shower! Or they can ship directly to the mom-to-be! This will be a great gift, one to truly "oooh and ahhh" over!


Currently this set is on sale for $35.00, originally priced at $55.00! Better grab it now, there's only 1 Remaining!!
Or you could also swing thru and check out Mary's many other products!

Special family in need of Donations! Please read!

I was sent this web site by one of our work-at-home moms! She asked me to do a little blog about this family to help get their plea out there. They are in dire need of donations and support. If after reading this special story, you know of anyone that can help them, please contact them thru their web site. I am sure ANY form of donation and help will be greatly appreciated!

"It takes a Village to raise a Child" is an understatement! Please say a little prayer for the Stevenson family!

Click HERE to read their touching story!
Mom and Dad ~ Mike & Courtnee!


Meet the Stevenson Quints and Big Sister, Lilli!

Quints ~ Anniston, Belle, Camilee, Scarlet and Weston! Born March 30, 2006!

Big Sister, Lilli (3 years old)!


Click HERE to learn more on how you can help the Stevenson family!

The family lives in a 900 sq. ft. mobile home in the state of Washington. That's 8 people living in a tiny, cramped space PLUS they have helpers there 24/7 to help take care of the quints, so add a few more people into an already cramped area and you get well..... even more cramped!! Think sardines!! The Stevenson's were building a home before the quints came along and since their arrival they had to put that on hold due to their needs... completely understandable!

If you or someone you know can be of any help/assistance to this family, please click HERE to contact them via email!

Bebe Belle serving up Cuteness!


Meet another WAHM today, Thelma Sampedro of Bebe Belle!
Bebe Belle offers many different things... from birth announcements, invitations and note cards all personalized to meet your unique needs. But they also offer personalized jewelry and gifts!
One of the cutest and sweetest thing they offer is the "Big Sister Baby Shower Corsage"!


This is one of the neatest ideas! If you already have a little girl and are expecting another baby, this is definitely an item you need to pick up! She will already have a hard time dealing with a new baby, especially if she's the first and only child to begin with.
Pin this special little corsage on her shirt for your baby shower to show her just how special she truly is and will continue to be in your life!


Each corsage is designed out of fine sheer and satin ribbons and is decorated with an adorable baby in a gift box. Each baby is handcrafted out of cold porcelain and is finely detailed. There is also a ribbon that says "BIG SISTER" that extends from the bottom of the baby.
This is available in pink, blue, yellow or mint green. Each corsage measures approx. 4" around and ribbons extend 2.5"-3". This is a gesture she will treasure forever! .... And what a steal at only $6.00!


Check out more special goodies from Bebe Belle by visiting their website ~ Click HERE!

Are you a Slacker Mom?

Take this quiz to find out! Just for fun, of course!! We all know we aren't slackers!!



Here are my results:

You a Pretty in the City Mom ~ You might have a subscription to both Parenting Magazine and Vogue. While picking up a darling Easter outfit for your tyke at Bloomingdale's you're tempted to grab a pair of Manolo Blahniks for your own tootsies. You are a fabulous mom, and you take care of yourself fabulously, too.
What are your results? Post 'em here!

Chic Creations is truly TDF!!


If you haven't done so already, jump on over and check out Chic Creations! The wonderful owner, named MarLena is straight out of Atlanta, Georgia. She brings that uptown flair with good 'ole southern charm! She is "the woman" behind the name, Chic Creations and she's been professionally designing and sewing items for over 15 years! So, you know she knows what she's doing with her tools!
Her designs are FABULOUS and truly one-of-a-kind! Once you buy something from her, you'll be hooked. And once you're hooked, you'll receive 10% off any of your future custom orders. This is MarLena's way of saying "Thanks" to her loyal, repeat customers!
She is a work-at-home mom with 2 cutesie kids - a son and a daughter! Check MarLeana and Chic Creations out and tell her that Perfectly Posh Boutiques sent ya!
Here are a few samples of her beautiful work! Check out Chic Creations for more incredible sets!




Happy Shopping!! :)