How to Make a Dental Visit Fun for Kids

Even as adults, we’re not really jumping up and down about the thought of going to the dentist whether it’s for our annual check-up or for some other reason (such as a cavity filling). Therefore, it’s totally understandable why a child may not really be looking forward to it, either. Yet, surprisingly so, there are things that you can do to make the dental visit fun (or at least a really pleasant experience) for your son or daughter. We have enclosed five handy tips to keep in mind:

Pick the right dentist. Some women prefer a female gynecologist because they feel like she may be able to better empathize with what they are going through. For a similar reason, it’s a good idea to look for a dentist who either exclusively works with children or has a good reputation for connecting well with kids.

Make sure there’s a “fun” waiting room. Most of [Read more…]

The 10 Most Inspirational Art Galleries in the World

Great art is an inspiration to creative thinkers of all types. Masterful paintings and sculptures fill viewers with a sense of wonder and inspire them to dream of things that many people consider to be impossible. The following ten art museums and galleries, curated with the help of Marked By Teachers contain some of the greatest and most inspirational works of art that the world has ever seen.

The Louvre

Located in Paris, the Louvre is the world’s most popular art museum. The museum’s many awe-inspiring galleries display over 35,000 works of art by the greatest masters of all time. Collections include Western European art from the medieval period to the mid 19th century, Islamic art and art and antiquities from ancient civilizations. The Louvre is open every day except Tuesday, and admission to the permanent collection costs €11 ($14.30) for adults. Admission to special exhibits costs €12, and a combined ticket costs €15.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The scale of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is massive, and any art lover will find multiple sources of inspiration in the museum’s many galleries. The extensive collection includes over 2 million works of American, European, African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine [Read more…]

The Muppets Christmas Carol DVD Review

All Hallow’s Eve has come and gone, with both a Franken-Storm and a creepy shudder, or maybe just a shiver from a lack of heat. Either way now its time to start sharing in the Holiday Season with Christmas Movies!

A personal favorite of mine has always been The Muppet Christmas Carol. There are a ton of interpretations of the Dickens classic, but this one is the Muppet-est and one of the most kid friendly. This is the Dickens classic The Christmas Carol told with all your favorite Muppets including [Read more…]

Today’s Hurricane Sandy Update- Yep, Sandy is a Jerk

First- sorry for my crazy yesterday. This is really getting to me. I know it could be worse, but sometimes it just really gets on you, know what I mean? PSE&G, supposedly prepared according to the many press releases and interviews they did up to the storm- now say they are extending state power turn on dates and that power will not be back for the state until Nov. 9th.

Nothing new to report. No power for us, still just the few houses in the town without. No heat- and it has gone below freezing. You can see your breath, [Read more…]

#FamilyTravel in Upstate NY @I_LOVE_NY @Rochester_NY

Little Man and I recently took a ride to upstate NY, and we had a great time. There is lots to see and do (and eat!) and [Read more…]

Relief from Sandy & gift giving with a @WorldVisionUSA Beaded Necklace Guest #G!veaway @closertolucy

Guest Giveaway ~

I recently posed a question to my readers on my Facebook page asking people how they felt about making charitable contributions in someone’s name verses traditional gift giving.


I learned a great deal from the conversation that followed…for one, y’all are some generous folks, and are making a difference for the greater good in some very clever and creative ways.

You shared some great ideas as to how we all might gift organizations that share in our desire to make societal transformations.

In light of our own recent needs here in the US, I would like to add more to that conversation and share about an organization that has had a hand in many areas of positive social change.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

World Vision aids in meeting the immediate basic needs of nutrition, education, shelter, and clothing as well as water.

Every day more than 4,000 children die of water-and sanitation-related diseases. Giving to the CleanWater Fund will help bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to communities — helping cut child deaths by more than half!
They also have programs that intervene and end the cycle of abuses that come from the [Read more…]

The Most Festive US Cities for Christmas Celebrations

Christmas, a necessary break from the normal and the mundane, a time when people remember the spirit of giving, and when magic truly seems real. Some cities go above and beyond every holiday season, creating festive Christmas celebrations that are truly memorable.

New York City has always prided itself on being one of the biggest, brightest, most bustling cities in the US, and Christmas time in the Big Apple is no different. The city is one of the most attractive shopping destinations in the country, bringing in scores of shoppers every year to trot down the snowy streets just before the holidays. The iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is part of one of the most impressive holiday displays around, and the city’s other lovely parks all have their own fantastic tree lighting ceremonies. Christmas is always just around the corner in New York.

We all know, of course, that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, but did you know that he’s also an American? The Alaska town of North Pole, right in the center of the US’s largest and snowiest state, is a true winter wonderland–a place where Christmas never ends. Come and admire the whimsical decorations, and be sure to stop by the Santa Claus house and see the North Pole workshop we’ve all dreamed about since young times.
[Read more…]

6 Fun Activities For Parents And Kids On A Rainy Day

6 Fun Activities For Parents And Kids On A Rainy Day

A rainy day can be gloomy. Boredom can hit your kids hard if it’s raining outside, and there are no signs of the sun appearing any soon. The best thing to do in such situations is to engage in fun indoor activities with the kids. Here are a few activities can be carried out indoors:

1. Treasure Hunt

An indoor treasure hunt is a good way to keep the kids busy. You can make one set of clues for every kid. One clue is going to lead to another clue, until the last clue leads to the treasure. The clues can be rhymed for extra fun. To help the treasure hunters keep the track, seal the clues in an envelope, and mark them with a clue number. Kids can compete with each other, and the treasure can be a small toy or chocolate.

2. Indoor camping

You don’t need to go on camping outside. Set up a pop-up or small [Read more…]