| March, 2008 |
Vol 1, Issue 3 | |
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| Learning Times
The Family Fun Gazette | |
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| Dear Friend, |
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Spring is in the air! In my backyard, I'm watching the spring bulbs start to peek through the earth in the flower beds, and my kids are eagerly planning all the things they're going to do outdoors when it gets warmer. At Learning is an Art, we're getting ready for all the exciting new products we're launching in our new spring/summer catalog coming in April.
In this month's issue of Learning Times, there's a recipe for my family's favorite healthy smoothie, you'll find some great birthday party ideas and resources, and you'll find instructions for how to make a lava lamp while learning about the density of oil and water.
You don't want to miss out this month on our Spectacular Spring Clearance Sale. These are the best savings we've EVER offered! Click here to see all the values...this is one sale you simply cannot miss!
Cheers!
Jennifer Fong
President
Learning is an Art
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| Kids in the Kitchen - Power Breakfast Smoothie |
Nothing is more fun than cooking with your kids. While creating delicious treats, and enjoying time together, your children are also learning valuable math and science skills that will serve them their whole lives. Try this delicious, and healthy, recipe, the next time you and your kids are in the kitchen together!
Power Breakfast Smoothie
Serves 4
Smoothies are one of my kids' favorite breakfasts. They like them because they're sweet, and because they give them a super burst of energy to start the day. Little do they know that I like them because it's a GREAT way to sneak in a serving of veggies without them knowing about it! Here is the recipe we serve in my house most mornings. Try it yourself. You'll be amazed at the energy it gives you for the day.
1 cup nonfat organic vanilla or plain yogurt
1 cup plain or vanilla soymilk (we like Silk DHA)
2 cups frozen fruit (peaches, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate seeds - these can be fresh, bananas, or whatever else you have on hand)
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1 cup baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup baby or chopped carrots
1/5 block tofu
1/2 cup 100% fruit juice (optional)
4 tablespoons Omega 3, 6, 9 oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high for 5 minutes until completely smooth. Depending on the power of your blender, it may be necessary to stop the blender a few times and mix so that the fruit gets into the blades. Add a little more soy milk if necessary until the desired consistency is achieved. Serve at once with 100% whole grain toast for a complete breakfast. |
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Birthday Party Ideas |
 I have two children with birthdays coming up next month, so this is the time of year when I'm always trying to come up with great birthday party ideas. My oldest will be 6 this year, and has definite ideas about what he wants and doesn't want. I have to admit that I really love planning his party...it just makes me SO happy when I see him so happy. But it can also be pretty stressful, especially when we're getting down to the wire and we STILL haven't decided what to do. My son would happily have his party at home each year, but the idea of 20 or so kids in my house, keeping them entertained, and cleaning up after them, is NOT my idea of fun. While we haven't ruled out the home party completely, there's something to be said for going somewhere where someone else handles the mess.
So what are your options when planning a party? Here's some ideas.
The Home Party
If you're planning to do a birthday party at home, you need to be well-organized, and have a lot planned. This will save you from a lot of bored kids who get into trouble because there's nothing else to keep them occupied.
Start with a theme. Your child will have lots of fun coming up with one. This year my oldest is deciding between a race car theme and an art party, or some combination of the two. The theme will help you plan activities and the food. Here's a few ideas to get you started:
- Your child's favorite book or TV character
- Fire trucks
- Construction theme
- Princess
- Luau
- Safari
- Race cars
A great website to check out with party ideas is http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/
Once you've got your theme planned, plan your decorations and games. It's best to have more games than you think you'll possibly need. That way, if a game or two is a dud, or they whip through everything you've planned in no time flat, you've still got more for them to do. And let your child help with the decorations! They will have a blast making theme-related posters, streamers, invitations, etc, which will make the whole process more fun for both of you.
Keep the food SIMPLE. Truly, all most kids want is pizza, cake, and juice. If parents are staying, pick up a veggie platter and leave out some chips, and you're good to go. Trust me, you don't need the stress of a fancy meal on top of everything else you're planning.
You may also want to consider some sort of entertainment. There are many entertainers that specialize in children's parties, including clowns, magicians, etc. My son just recently attended a party where someone came in and taught them about dinosaurs. He LOVED it! And when you have someone else providing the entertainment, that's one less thing for you to do.
The Party Out
If you decide that a Home Party is not for you, then you need to decide where you want to have your party. There are many places that have all-inclusive party packages. You can start by checking out children's gyms, local ice cream parlors, your local YMCA, or your local sports or gymnastics facility. There are also theme restaurants with party packages. If your child's birthday is in the summer, consider a pool party (make sure you have enough adult helpers) or an outing to the local baseball park. By checking out the websites you'll be able to find out the fees associated with each venue, and plan a party that your child will love. And the best part is that there's usually a staff member there to do the cleaning up!
 Regardless of what you plan, HAVE FUN!!! Remember, it's about your child having fun with his/her friends, and it can also be a great time to connect with your child.
And if you're looking for fabulous educational birthday gifts this spring, look no further than Learning is an Art! Our Spring Clearance Sale is underway with the best prices we've EVER offered. Act fast, because when these products are gone, they're gone! For more information, contact your independent Learning Consultant today! |
| Science Project - Make a Lava Lamp |
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A throwback from the 70's, Lava Lamps were fun because they were so cool to look at. Teach your child about the properties of oil and water while having fun with this great project!
Materials
1 empty single-serving plastic bottle
mineral or vegetable oil
Water
Food coloring
1 Alka Seltzer or Airborne effervescent tablet
1 flashlight
Directions
1. Fill the bottle about two-thirds full with oil.
2. Add a water to the bottle, leaving just a little bit of room at the top. Watch with your child how the water sinks below the oil, because oil has a different density than water does.
3. Add a few drops of food coloring to the bottle. Watch how it also sinks to the bottom of the oil, and begins to seep into the water and color it.
4. Place the bottle next to a lit flashlight.
5. Break the tablet into pieces and drop it into the bottle. Watch as your lava lamp bubbles the water up through the oil, and then drops back down to the bottom, because of its properties.
6. Repeat this activity as often as you like by adding another tablet after everthing settles.
Caution: Do not heat the bottle. Oil is flammable.
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