Christmas At The Beach

I love making memories with my grandson.  This past week we visited the Winter Wonderland and the Lights on the Beach in Virginia Beach, VA.  I had hoped to walk along the boardwalk with Xavier, but the setup only allowed you to drive along the boardwalk.  It worked out perfectly, since the evening was quite chilly.  

The light show was fantastic.  The displays arranged from the drummer shown above to fish jumping from the sea.  Ronald McDonald was on hand, Snoopy, a beautiful carousel and a nativity scene.  Dinosaurs, boats, and horses could be found along the beach.  Xavier was quite excited by the lights, and so was I. What a way to start the holiday season. I loved the fact that you could drive the boardwalk at your leisure.  Nobody was honking horns hurrying people along, everyone was enjoying the scenery and just taking their time.  You could place an order for coffee or hot chocolate before you started your journey, which was brought to your car.  You were also given a CD of holiday music to play while you drove the 30 blocks.  It was a great set-up, and I intend to make the Lights on the Beach an annual outting for Xavier and Mama.       

 
My neighbor had seen the show last year with her daughter, and she assured me that I would not be disappointed.  She was right.  Each year the merchants add new displays. I can’t wait to see the show next year.  There was truly alot of time and effort put into the show.      

If you’re in the Virginia Beach area during the holiday it is worth the trip.  Your children will never forget the lights and they will love you for it making a great memory for them.  I can’t wait to make a scrapbook of my week-end with Xavier.  No show is ever the same, so this adventure will certainly go to the top of my list of things to do during the holidays, and I recommend that you add it to your list too.  Leave us a comment and let us know how you’re getting into the Christmas spirit with your children this holiday season.  We would love to know what’s happening in your area.     

Making Memories

Have you visited the Hunt Club in Virginia Beach, VA?  It’s a wonder place to visit if you’re looking for opportunities to make great memories with your children.  They offer so many activities throughout the year from Easter Bunny and egg hunts to pumpkin patches, carnival rides and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.  I’ve taken my grandson there for the past several years to visit the pumpkin patch and the Winter Wonderland.  This is a picture of Xavier’s first pony ride.  His mother was truly bringing up the rear on his journey, lol.  That pony couldn’t take a step without her taking one too.  Neverless, we had a wonder time.  Xavier enjoyed the ride although he said it was “bumpy”. 
I enjoy creating memories with my grandson.  I’m always looking for an opportunity to expose him to all that the world has to offer.  The Hunt Club provides an opportunity to enjoy a family day in a beautiful and safe setting.  I will be taking him to the Winter Wonderland next week-end to visit Santa.  Last year, he wasn’t interested in sitting on Santa’s lap.  He wasn’t having anything to do with him.  In case he decides he doesn’t want anything to do with him this year either, we can still visit the beautiful display of animated characters, a petting zoo with lights and a bonfire for roasting marshmallows.  I don’t know who has the most fun on our journeys, Xavier or me.  If you’re in the area, it is truly worth a visit.  Beware, your children will want to visit again and again.     

Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

Are you planning a birthday party for your child?  Are you tired of the same old Barney and Princess themes?  I am!  My grandson’s third birthday is coming up next month and I really want to do something special.  He loves dinosaurs, so I think I’m going to go with a Dinosaur theme.  He spends hours playing with his dinosaurs and at bedtime, the Dinosaurs books are grabbed immediately.  I can’t think of anything that would excite him more, and believe me I’ve been thinking about it all day. 

I’ve decided to create a small version of Dinosaur Land in my backyard.  I’ve found some great dinosaur party favors and inflatables.  I’m going to place 3 – 4 foot dinosaurs throughout the yard with huge dinosaur eggs and foot prints.         

  
I’ve found a Dinosaur Moon Bounce and slide for entertainment.  The Moon Bounce should give parents a break so they can grab a dinosaur shaped chicken salad sandwich and a drink.  I have dinosaur shaped cookie cutters, I thought I would get some use out of  them with the sandwiches.  The party is at the end of September, so I’m going to use orange and green for the tables and balloons.  I’m unsure if I’m going to do a cake or cupcakes at this point.  I’m leaning  toward cupcakes, they go over well with the kids and they’re easier to handle.  I think I’m going to do 1 game, Fossil Find.  I’m going to bury miniature dinosaurs or pencils in dirt and let the kids dig.  Each will get a prize.

I made a list of unique party themes, just in case he decides dinosaurs are not what he wants.  I thought I would share the list that I put together while deciding on a theme.  Hopefully, you will be able to use one of them for your child’s upcoming party:

  • Tea Party
  • Candy Land
  • Toy Story
  • Runway Models
  • Dragon Tales
  • Paris and Poodles
  • Soldiers
  • Karate Kids
  • Cheerleaders
  • Beach Bums/Surfers
  • Sports – Soccer, Football, Baseball or a favorite basket team  
  • Handy Manny
  • Alice In Wonderland 
  • Sock Hop
  • Pirates
  • Lady Bugs and Butterflies
  • Paint Ball
  • Ballerinas
  • Dr. Suess
  • Hello Kitty
  • Strawberry Shortcake

If you’ve had a dinosaur themed party, I would love to hear from.  If not, please feel free to leave us a comment on any themed parties that you’ve had or considering.  We would love to add to our list.   

I Got Played

Where you surprised when Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston announced their re-engagement?  I was.  I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why she would want to be with a man who betrayed her in so many ways.  Love makes us behave in strange ways. It makes us tolerate so much than what we would normally put up with.  I guess she was no exception.

I don’t think much of Sara Palin.  I still laugh at her running around the country promoting abstinence-only to teens, and she was unable to persuade her own daughter to abstain.  I don’t believe any parent wants their teenagers involved in any sexual activities, but lets get real it’s more likely than not they will engage.  So, why not have the talk and ensure they are protected if it should happen.   


I do commend her as parent for standing by her daughter, and ensuring that her daughter didn’t become a target by the media while she was on the campaign trail.  I also commend her for seeing Levi Johnston for the creep that he really is.  I can only imagine her grief as a parent when they announced their second engagement.  Unfortunately, as a parent you have to step aside at some point and let your children make their own decisions including mistakes.  You just hope that they don’t make too many mistakes or mistakes that they can’t recover from in the process.      
 
I remember my daughter dating a young man through high school that I did not like.  You don’t know how many times I prayed that she did not end up pregnant.  My prayers were answered, she finally realized that he was not good for her when she went away to college and moved on.  It was literally a mother’s nightmare.  
 
It’s hard to sit back and watch your child be hurt by someone that they love, and there’s nothing that you can do.  Hell it’s hard for adults to be hurt in their relationships by someone they love.  When it comes to your child, it creates an even deeper wound.  Being a mother is such a unique experience.  You want to protect your children forever.  I can truly say that giving birth and raising my daughter has been my most rewarding experience.  There isn’t much that I would change if I had to rewind the past 30 years with her.  I can’t say that I did everything right along my journey, but I tried.  
 
I felt so sorry when Bristol Palin said, “She Got Played”.   It’s tough when you want to believe in someone, but they don’t believe in themselves so you can’t.  Rumor has it Levi confessed to possibly having another baby’s momma.  Baby’s momma is saying he ain’t the baby’s daddy.  It seems Levi confessed to the possibility after they made the announcement that they were re-engaged.  He just couldn’t be honest upfront so she could make an intelligent decision before announcing to the world they were a couple again.  At that point, she saw him for the man that he really is and the man Sara Palin told her that he was, and called off the engagement.  I say, good for her.  She certainly can raise Tripp as a single mother.  I did, and I was around her age when I become a mother.   I’ll save that experience for another post.  Stay tuned. 
 
The sooner she lets go, the sooner she can move on.  I’m sure her parents will continue to stand by her and support her and the baby in every manner possible.  She will look back one day, and ask herself what she saw in that idiot and realize that she made the right decision by moving on.    
 
I would like to wish Bristol and Tripp all the best!      

Hitler Admirers or Just Bad Parents

A court has ruled that Adolf Hitler Campbell, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell, 3, and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell, 2, will remain in the care of Child Protective Services, they will not return to their parents.  Why, the home is not safe because of domestic violence concerns.  Adolf Hitler Campbell appeared in our homes via TV and blogs last year when Shopright refused to inscribe his name on his birthday cake. 

Apparently, the children were removed from the home because little Adolf was threatening to kill people.  He was mirroring his dad who was supposedly threatening to kill his mother.  A neighbor stated that the mother slipped a note to her once stating she was terrified of her husband because he said he would kill her.

According to court documents, both parents are disabled and unstable.  I don’t see how anyone could not question the sanity of parents who would name their children after a racist who was responsible for the murder of 17 million people. Court records state that both parents were abused as children and neither has received treatment for their psychological problems.  Oh really.    

Who in their right mind would name their children Adolf Hitler, Aryan Nation and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie named after Heinrich Luitpold Himmler I believe.  It seems that the Campbells don’t believe the holocaust even happened.  Their home is decorated with swastikas on walls, jackets, pillows and they even had one on their car until it was suggested that they remove it for the safety of their children.

It seems that court room proceedings were a fiasco.  The mother stated that she did give the neighbor the note, but it was a lie.  The note stated that the husband had stabbed her in the hand with a screwdriver and he threatened to kill her among other things.  The foster mother to the three children stated that Adolf Hitler was violent toward his siblings and called her bitches as well as threatened to kill her.  The husband and father has been married to two other women.  One of the ex-wives testified that he threatened to kill her as well.  She also stated that she was unable to bring her son around anyone who was not white because he would say terrible things taught to him by his father.  

The Campbells claim that they children were removed from their home because of their names.  If all that came out in court is true, the children are better off in another home.  I hope that they will be adopted together and their names are changed to more appropriate names.  This will at least give these poor children a chance in the world.  It’s so sad anybody can become a parent, but there’s so many who should be neutered or spayed.   Do you think the right decision was made with these children? 
  

7 Year Old’s Lemonade Stand Shut Down

Is your child an entrepreneur?  Do they have a lemonade stand?  If you live in Portland, OR they could be shut down.  This 7-year old little girl was shut down by a Health Inspector.  They stated that she needed a restaurant license to operate, lol.  What is happening to this country?   We strive to teach our children morals, values, and a sense of self-worth only to have idiots like this steal their joy.

Here’s the story.  This adorable little girl saw an episode on Nick Jr. of Olivia the pig operating a lemonade stand.  She decided that she would like to have a lemonade stand as well to earn a little extra money.  Now with the economy the way it is somebody needs work, and if a 7 year old is the one lucky enough to be able to bring in a little income so be it.  Her mother decided to help make her dream come true.  They made a sign and packed the car with bottled water, Kool Aid, cups, and ice, and secured a spot at the local art fair.   

Much to her surprise, she was shut down by a health inspector.  The violation, she failed to obtain a $120 temporary restaurant license.  Not much surprises me these days, but when I read the article I was in disbelief.  Who in the hell would pay $120 for a license so a child can operate a lemonade stand.  The health department was holding a 7 year old to the same standards as a commerical business.

The inspector informed the mother that she could face a $500 fine if she continued to operate, so she packed up everything and tried to explain to her daughter that the people were just doing their job.  Now I’m all for sanitary conditions, but the mother and daughter were using bottled water, packs of Kool Aid, a scoop for the ice and hand sanitizer. How harmful can that be?

Other vendors who were nearby decided to come to the little girl’s aid and take measures against such a ridiculous law.  They spread the word using every avenue and venue available to protest the decision.  The Health Department eventually apologized to the mother and daughter stating they made a mistake.  They stated that the law should not apply to lemonade stands, and the inspectors should use professional knowledge to decide when a business should be shut down.  What has happened to people’s hearts in this country?

I hope this little girl wasn’t discouraged by the incident and will try her hand again at being an entrepreneur.  I love the cartoon Olivia on Nick Jr.  She’s adventurous and her messages are to teach our young ones to try new things.  Isn’t that what we want them to do.  How do we prepare them for the real world if we don’t provide opportunities to experience and try new things.  Most children are tied to the computer and the TV for hours, but this little girl wanted to get out and sell lemonade to make a few dollars.  If anything she should have been seen as an example.  

The funniest thing about the incident is the health inspector stated his children sell lemonade.  I wonder if he spent a $120 on a permit for them.    

Maybe Nick Jr. will create an episode on Olivia about idiot health inspectorsTheir lesson have a heart, you can’t learn everything from a book.            

Kathy Griffin Judges Kids Pageant

Imagine this 4, 5 and 6 year old girls looking like miniature adults with make up, tans, big hair and Kathy Griffin in the mix. Kinda scary isn’t it. I watched Kathy Griffin’s show, My Life on the D-List this morning. Kathy and her mother were judging a kiddie beauty pageant. Now I’m not much on children being in beauty pageants, seeing children made up to look like miniature adults is not something that I as a parent condone. I use the words “miniature adults” lightly, hookers would probably describe that scene a little better.
Kathy Griffin was hilarious. During a segment of the show there was a little girl, maybe 6 or 7, with tons of fake hair and getting a spray tan. She proceeded to tell Kathy that “if you can’t tone it tan it” and “beauty is pain”. What experience would a 6 or 7 year old have with toning or experiencing pain in relations to a beauty routine? Bikini or eyebrow waxing, lol. How sad for a little girl to be thinking that way. During another segment, Kathy stated that she was scared shitless of those little bitches, referring to the girls, because she believed they would cut you. Confirming that kiddie pageants were treacherous business, the kids were out to win. She also brought a few of her Emmys to the pageant, afterall getting a trophy was the goal.

It also showed Kathy asking a group of little girls about make-up tips. They clearly didn’t have a clue about make-up, which tells me these girls can’t possibly be making decisions on what to wear or how to wear it, but they did know about “cupcake hands”. Now for you moms who don’t know, cupcake hands is a position on how to hold your hands.

Can someone explain to me how a 1 – 2 year old can be furious competition? There was a mom who believed her daughter at that age was competition. Is this a mother living through her daughter or what? Kathy advised the mother to not have cosmetic surgery on the child anytime soon. The mother responded not before she was 6. Too funny.

This was the first time that I watched Kathy Griffin’s show, it was great for few laughs this morning. I may tune in again.

Mr. Potato Head

Mr. Potato Head is still alive and just as popular as ever. I remember playing with Mr. Potato Head when I growing up, when I came across these three adorable characters I had to have them for my grandson. I found these three at Big Lots. I love that store, you never know what you may find.

My grandson spends hours putting Mr. Potato Head together and taking him apart. Did you know that there is an Elvis Potato Head? Yes, Playskool will be producing an Elvis Potato Head (below), thank you thank you very much, lol. I loved Elvis when I was growing up. There was something about his smile and dance moves that just mesmerized me as a teen.

I doubt that I will purchase an Elvis Potato Head, there are others that are more appropriate for a 2 year old, but for those who collect Elvis paraphernalia here you go.

I also purchased a slinky for my grandson. I played with the slinky on the front steps for hours. Jacks was another one of my favorite childhood games along with hopscotch. He’s a little too young for these games, but I plan to introduce them down the road. We also had hula hoops and pogo sticks. These are games that can be played outside as well. Our children have lost the will to go outside and move, and as a result childhood obesity has become a big problem in this country. I refuse to allow my grandson to become an obesity statistic.  I will be writing on this topic in another post.  

What were your favorite games growing up? Leave us a comment, with the era that you grow up. I would bet that toy has or will come full circle and your children will play with those very toys/games one day.

Perez Hilton – What An Idiot

What an idiot! You’ve heard the controversy with Perez Hilton and the Miley Cyrus photo, right. If you haven’t, Perez Hilton placed a link on his Twitter Account that opened to a photo of Miley Cyrus getting out of a vehicle in an “unlady like fashion”. I watched him on The Joy Behar show tonight trying to explain himself. His explanation, she knew pictures were being taken of her, she should be careful how she exits a car. Hello, she’s 17 you fool.
I’m not a big fan of Miley Cyrus, but I am a mother. People are in an uproar over his attempt to exploit a 17 year old child in this manner.  Rightfully so, I would be furious if someone posted a photo of my minor child on-line with her skirt or dress a little too high because she was struggling to get out of a vehicle.  Perez went on to say he thought the photo was funny and further reinforced her provocative behavior so to speak. I saw the photo, and it appears that she just didn’t think about what she was wearing, her focus was just on getting out the car. The car appeared to be a low, 2 seater.  Have you tried getting out of one?  Hell, I have a difficult time getting out of an SUV.  My skirt probably would have been around my head if I had to get out of a vehicle that low. 
I don’t know of any responsible adult, that would post a photo of a child on-line and pretty much say she asked for it.  She knew she was being photographed.  She’s no longer a child, and it seems people want her to stay a little girl on the Disney channel.  Yes, she’s been photographed in what some would call provocative photos.  In particular, with a sheet wrapped around her, dancing up against an older man at a party and in her underwear.  Lets face it, there’s a new generation out there with a totally different view and manner of dress.  This young lady is growing up and she’ll make plenty of mistakes as we all have and are still doing. We’re just not in the eyes of the camera. 
There is no acceptable explanation for what is suppose to be a grown man who would post a photo of her in that position.  I wonder how he would feel if that was his daughter? We as adults need to remember that children should not be the objects of ridicule for any reason.  It’s funny, we’re suppose to be the adults and should be examples for our children. Perez Hilton made an attempt to show a 17 year old’s ass, but he ended up being the biggest one.

I Want Candy Mommy

I want candy and I know where to get it. Cohen Stone just couldn’t resist this glass case filled with sweets and teddy bears. He needed to satisfy his sweet tooth, so he managed to climb inside the machine and eat until his heart and tummy was content. You’re saying what, right? Can you believe it. He figured out how to climb inside the machine, unfortunately he couldn’t figure out how to climb out.

This adorable 2 year old toddler was at a party with his mother. She was playing with him in the arcade area, and turned for a few minutes to assist with the food coming to their table, and when she turned around Cohen had disappeared. Thinking that he couldn’t possibly have gone far in that time frame she searched the room. To her surprise, Cohen was in the glass enclosed case filled with candy and teddy bears. Kyra, Cohen’s mother, said she initially thought he had climbed through an opening in the back. When she checked the back there was no opening.  She than searched the top of the machine, to her surprise there was no opening there either.  The only way in was the opening where you collect your candy and/or toys.

When I read the article, I was thinking how that could be possible.  How could a toddler maneuver their way inside that opening.  Well, anyone who has a toddler or has raised one knows that they can end up in the most unbelievable situations.  I remember my nephew getting his head stuck between the banister rails at my house.  I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how he got his head between the railing, but he did. 

Cohen once again proved that a toddler can wiggled their way into anything.  Frightened Kyra called a locksmith to open the hatch door.  While the locksmith was at work, they kept the toddler occupied and cool by opening the chute so they could blow air through it and by having Cohen eat one of the lollipops and throwing the teddy bears down the chute.  Kyra said she phoned her husband to tell him what happened, but he initially thought she was joking.  I think I would have thought the same way.  He finally heard the fear in her voice and realized it wasn’t a joke. 

This brave mom captured the experience on video once she felt confident that her son would be removed safely.  Can you image watching this family video on a Friday or Saturday night.  Thank goodness the toddler was removed safely.  It will be a long time before I will be able to walk by one of those machines and not think of him.  I’ll be holding my grandson’s hands a little tighter when we encounter one as well.

As your child wiggled their way into an unbelievable and heart felt situation?  Tell us about it, we would love to hear from you.