Preschoolers Can Decorate a Christmas Tree

My family is beginning to decorate for Christmas. Before we had children, I had a reasonably pretty tree with lots of breakable ornaments. Now, we have a reasonably pretty tree with everything made from fabric, ribbon, and pipe cleaners! Things change with children. But preschoolers can help decorate the tree if you have the right decorations.
Try some of these simple Christmas crafts or handmade clay ornaments. The more user friendly your tree is, the less stressed you and your children will be. Make wonderful memories decorating your tree and celebrating this holiday season!

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Black Friday Online Shopping Coupons

Check on my mom blog for Black Friday Online Shopping Coupons! Happy Thanksgiving!

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Warning! Sesame Street Old School

I read an article today from the New York Times on how Sesame Street is not suitable for the 2007 toddlers! It suggested that the original ideas presented would not be accepted by today's families.

First of all, Sesame Street is not for toddlers anyway. It is really geared towards the true preschooler, ages 4-5, that are learning to read and count. That in itself could hamper the preschoolers of today. Today, they are expected to be reading by this age, not beginning to read!

Second, the types of characters, the food that they eat, and the situations that occur (immaginary Snuffleupagus and friendly men with children) are not appropriate for today's society and may frighten or unnerve kids.

Cookie Monster does not have a good diet.
Oscar is really grouchy. (I guess the Grouchy Ladybug is out too!)
Bert and Ernie are probably gay.

All of these situations are implied in those first old school series, according to the author of the article.

All I can say it that it may be too much analyzing and too far into political correctness to not see these are entertainment for the young ones.

As with all Jim Henson material (ie. The Muppet Show), a lot of material was meant for the adult humor. It still happens today in every animated movie, even those by Disney.

So do not be shocked to read that Sesame Street is bad, but make your own judgment. We all turned out okay--- for the most part!

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Thanksgiving Day Crafts

The Smart Moms family fun site is coming along great. It is still a work in progress, but we are progressing.

We have some great crafts for thanksgiving, including crafts for toddlers, preschoolers, school aged children, and just for moms.

Crafts are a great idea to keep the little ones busy during the long wait for dinner. I am going to make grocery bag Indian costumes with my preschool son and niece and nephew. Not so politically correct, I know, but it is what Thanksgiving is about. My son was a pilgrim at school, so now we have to have the other side.

To make the vest, cut down one long side of the bag to make the opening and a circle on the bottom fold for the head. Cut out arm holes and decorate. Simple, quick, and disposable.

You can also make great pasta necklaces. Using rubbing alcohol and food coloring- die the pasta, let dry, and string it up. Ziti works great. Pour enough alcohol into a glass bowl to cover the pasta, add a few drops of food coloring, and let it site until it gets to be the color you want. Easy and simple.

Have a great Thanksgiving with your preschoolers!
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