Great Online Game List

I came across a site with online games listed by age for young children. Talking Child offers a list of online games for children aged 1 through 6 years. There are not lots to choose from, but there are some suggestions. Online games can be great to help your child develop those "mouse" related skills and learn cause and effect. Many of the baby games only require a child to tap the keyboard. My children have both loved finding new things to do on Mommy's computer.

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Family Finance Solutions

I found a great resource for families for finance information and tips called Finance Genius. You can learn to manage your finances, calculate mortgage payments, learn your debt to income ratio, and find out more about getting Used Car Warranty. This user friendly site helps family find financial options for family spending and helps to provide knowledge and understanding to help families make solid financial decisions. There is even a college saving calculator!

Most families lack knowledge of how to manage finances, budget, and when to purchase warranties like for a used car. Finance Genius gives you plenty of information to understand when and why you should invest in this type of coverage. Overall, the site had lots of great information. I am going to spend some time learning to become a Financial Genius!

Jars and Lids

Allowing your child to play with jars and lids is great for fine motor skill coordination and spatial skills. Give your child a variety of screw on or push on lids with a variety of containers. Allow your child to experiment and find which jar goes with which lid. Make sure that you use safe containers, like plastic, instead of glass. Water bottles, soap bottles, ketchup and mayo containers, and other recyclable materials can be used. This can provide hours of entertainment for your little ones.

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Let Them Do it Themselves!

This morning my son wanted to make a play doh creation that was a little difficult. We did not want to take the time to do it on this busy Saturday morning, so we opened it and told him to do it himself. It is for over 4 years, but with some fine motor trouble, it is a little difficult for my son to make smaller things. He set it out on the table, got frustrated trying to make the penguin shown, and began screaming. I told him to stop and think of what he could do to make it work. He screamed back that he was not going to think! After a few pointers from his dad, he finished it on his own. He was so proud that he completed it. It comes with this little display case and he is proudly displaying it. If you give them the opportunity to do things on their own, they will rise to the challenge.

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Travel ENewsletter for Top Cities

Moms are always looking for the best deals when traveling. If you are planning a vacation within the next few months, you will want to sign up for Trust Tours and Attractions travel enewsletter. They offer information on the best sight seeing locations in some of the best cities. If you sign up for the Trusted Travels newsletter, from Trusted Tours and Attractions, and you’re automatically entered to win an iPod Nano. That is a great incentive to learn more about the travel opportunities.
Trusted Travel eNewsletter lists Tampa as one cities it offers tours too. Tampa is a great trip for families. Within the Tampa Bay area, there are theme parks like Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and many performing arts areas. My family loves going to the aquarium. It is a perfect trip for toddlers through adults. The Aquarium has a wide variety of exhibits and a seasonal outdoor playground. With local performing outs theaters, you can follow up the visit with a show age appropriate for any group. One of the tours offered will take your family to the Aquarium, the Zoo, and Museum of Science and Industry. What a great tour for a family! Not to mention, our warm winters- currently it is 80 degrees in the Tampa area.
Sign up for the newsletter and start planning your trip to Tampa. You will enjoy it!

Great Gift Idea- Books!

Books are the perfect gift for preschoolers. Beautiful illustrations along with a wonderful story help children grow creatively. Reading to your children helps to increase their reading ability too! If you have a child in your life, consider a book for a Christmas gift this year from Barefoot Books. For great gift ideas, you can browse their recommended books or even get a gift card. Barefoot Books are some of the most beautiful books I have seen. Most of the children on my shopping list are getting a book this year. It is perfect because one size can fit all, with some selections along the way. Enjoy shopping!

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Make A Gift for Christmas

This year, my children are going to make gifts for their teachers at school and church. They are going to use sticker foamies on a tin can and we will make cookies to fill them. There are so many great simple things to make for Christmas gifts. There is no reason to go out and buy gifts for some special people in your life that will enjoy a gift especially made for them.
One other simple idea I found was to make ornaments for gifts. Using vellum, print a picture of your child. Cut, roll gently, and slip into a glass ornament that is made for opening. The paper should unroll (I have not made this yet so I cannot guaruntee it!).
Be creative! Search for preschool crafts on the internet or visit my newest site with the Smart Moms- Family Fun Time Christmas!
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