Check it out here:

Here are the links you need:

Sponsor: Tiny Dancers

Frederick Keys/Buffalo Wild Wings giveaway

Marathon Golf 100 – help our wounded heroes

Events

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The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) created the Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives campaign to provide public education in order to reduce childhood drownings, non-fatal submersions and entrapments in public and home swimming pools and spas. The campaign was created as a requirement from the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act .

The Pool Safety campaign breaks safety into three categories: behavioral, knowledge based, and equipment.
1. Behavioral: keep close, alert, and watch children at all times
* Keep a phone close by in case of an accident.
* Keep children away from drain pipes, pool drains, and other openings.
* Never leave children unsupervised around a pool even for a second
2. Knowledge-based: learn and practice water safety skills
* Learn to swim
* Learn CPR
* Learn basic life saving skills so you can assist in a pool emergency if needed
3. Equipment- install appropriate safety equipment
* All pools and spas should be enclosed by a four-foot fence with self-closing and self-latching gates.
* If your house is the fourth side of the pool fence install a pool alarm.
* Use compliant drain covers.
* Frequently check that pool and spa covers are in proper working order.
* Keep live saving equipment (pool rings or floats) on the pool deck.

Families that use small portable pools need to take proper pool safety measures as well. Portable pools account for 11 percent of drownings in children 5 and under. Follow these live saving tips to ensure your tots have a fun and safe summer:

1. Empty and put away all portable pools each time your child is finished using the pool.
2. Always supervise your children when they are in and around any pool.
3. Consider putting a fence around portable pools.
4. Teach children to swim and float. Do not consider them “drown proof” if they know how to swim. Accidents can happen at anytime.
5. Notify neighbors, babysitters, and family members about the presence of a pool in your yard.
6. Take a CPR course and frequently review the life saving steps.
7. Install door alarms that go out to the pool in order for you to be alerted that someone has stepped outside. You can never have enough alarms in place.

Stay connected and spread the word:
* Find fun yet informative ways to teach children about pool safety. Visit the Pool Safely website for free kid friendly posters and interactive web-based games, which teach children about pool safety and learning how to swim.
* Follow the Pool Safety campaign on Twitter, check out the Flickr page or visit the YouTube channel.

From scratch pancakes are one of the most simple things in the world to whip up, and chances are you probably have the ingredients already sitting in your pantry! The batch I make on Saturday yields enough leftovers for the kids to have a repeat on Sunday morning, or for my 7-year old to eat before school during the week.

A hot, homemade pancake breakfast before school – how “Donna Reed” of me, right? Don’t worry, it takes about the same amount of time to reheat one of my “from scratch” pancakes as it does to pop a frozen waffle in the toaster, or pour a bowl of cereal.

And it tastes so, so much better.

Here’s a fun tweak to my basic banana pancake recipe, but beware…a sweet tooth is definitely needed!

Easy Homemade Dark Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Yields: 9 pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 very rip banana, mashed up well
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat a large non-stick skillet over heat that’s just a bit hotter than medium while you make the batter. Rub the pan with a little canola oil.
2. Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and chocolate chips to a medium mixing bowl and then give it a quick stir to combine.
3. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup (my personal favorite), whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla and canola oil.
4. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients, and whisk a few times until the mixture is just combined.
5. Gently whisk in the bananas, about 5 turns should incorporate them – you don’t want to over whisk the batter.
6. Ladle the batter into the pan (about 1/4 cup each), and cook for 4 minutes or until bubbles form across the entire top of the pancake. Flip them, and continue cooking the pancakes for 2 more minutes.
7. Turn the heat down to medium, and repeat the process with the rest of the batter.

Serve hot with butter, syrup and more chips!

1. Use Apps to Keep Updated on Everything Travel

• TripIt (Iphone/BlackBerry/Android)- A travel management app that keeps track of flight and hotel reservations and confirmation numbers.
• TripCase (IPhone/Blackberry/Windows Mobile)- This app continually updates flight and gate status for your flights.Additionally, it will suggest alternate flights if you happen to miss your booked flight.
• Gate Guru (IPhone/Android)- This is a must have app, that provides locations and user reviews of restaurants, stores and services of airports across the country. With this app, you will no longer have to wander around the airport aimlessly hoping to find healthy food options. Search and go!

2. Update Your Knowledge on Current TSA Regulations

TSA regulations seem to change frequently so be sure to check the TSA Traveling with Children website for the latest travel regulations.  Here are just a few of  the TSA regulations that you may not know:

• Children under 12 are not required to remove their shoes while going through security.
• TSA should not ask you to do anything that will separate parents from their children
• Babies must be removed from any infant car seat prior to walking through security. The car seat must be put through the X-ray machine.
• You may not carry your baby through the screening check point in a sling or any other baby carrier. All baby items must go through the X-ray machine. If they do not fit, security officers will be inspect it by hand.
• Liquids and gels that are medically necessary (medications, break milk, formula, baby food and juice) are exempt from security rules. They are allowed in reasonable quantities and are not required to be in a zip top bag. You should remove these and declare them for inspection at the checkpoint.

3. Keep your Kids Safe

• The only safe place for your young child during turbulence or an
  emergency is in a child restraint system (CRS), which is an airline approved car seat.
• All car seats that have been identified as safe for aircraft travel are marked with a sticker or tag that states “Certified for use in a motor vehicle or aircraft”
• The only way to guarantee your child will have a seat to use the CRS is to purchase a ticket. Did you know many airlines offer a 50% discount on a ticket for children under the age of 2? All children in a CRS must sit in a window seat.
• Another safe seat option for children between the ages of 1 to 4 years-of age is the CARES flight harness. The harness requires the child to sit in their own seat and may be used in an isle or window seat. Best of all it is easy to shove into your carry on baggage. Lugging around a car seat, stroller, carry on baggage, and your child (ren) is a lot. I’m a huge believer of “less is more” when it comes to traveling with kids. You may choose to purchase the CARES flight harness or rent one through CARES Harness Rental.

4. Don’t Forget These Must Have Items

• Pack an extra change of clothes for all family members. Trust me the one time you don’t pack an extra clothes will be the one time you will need them.
• Bring sturdy gate check bags for car seats (if checking) and strollers to protect your gear. These can be purchased at any store that sells baby gear
• Don’t forget your child’s passport (international) or birth certificate (domestic). Yes even for your baby!
• Invest in a toddler harness to let your little one run around in busy airport, without worrying they will run off into the crowd.
• Borrow or rent snap on wheels for your car seats to avoid having to lug the big bulky object around. An added bonus is that your child can ride in his car seat through the airport so you can check the stroller with your luggage.
• Do I even need to mention a  camera to capture all the amazing memories!

If this is your first time flying with your children remember that everything takes longer with kids in tow. Be sure to leave plenty of time for checking in, getting through security and getting to your gate. Before you know it you will be at your destination and enjoying your time together as a family.

I think back fondly sometimes to the days when the only person I had to think about was me.

Read a book all day long in my pajamas while eating popcorn and chocolate? Sure.

Take an impromptu trip to DC to see the museums? Great idea!

Enjoy a nice pedicure at a salon with a girlfriend on a Saturday afternoon? Perfect.

See more than one movie in the theater in one weekend? Absolutely.

As mothers I believe we all can reflect on the “good ole days” even if we love our kids to pieces. Those moms that say they can’t remember how life was pre-kids are the same ones that claim, “After five years I can’t remember how painful labor was,” — and I don’t believe any of them.

This doesn’t mean we don’t love our kids less, it doesn’t.

It does mean that sometimes being a parent is overwhelming. And that’s normal.

Moms often bear the burden of creating, implementing and maintaining the family schedule. I, myself, have three different calendars to keep myself on track: The family calendar in the kitchen, my work calendar, and my blogging calendar. Sometimes the three fit nicely together, and other times it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

But somehow it always works out.

Except when you forget that Friday was picture day at the elementary school, despite being written on two different calendars, and yours is the only child that doesn’t have the picture form and money. And because of this your child is the only one in her class that isn’t allowed to get her photo taken. I’m not saying this just happened last Friday to me, I’m simply “supposing”….

Which brings me to the one thing every mother wants for Mother’s Day, and one of my most favorite movie quotes of all time.

I don’t want to plan my Mother’s Day. I don’t even want to tell you what it is that I want, because really? I’m not sure I even want anything. I don’t want to plan. I don’t want presents. I might want to cook dinner because I like to, but the dishes? I don’t want to do them. Also? I don’t want to get up with the kids in the morning, but I also don’t want to lay in bed until Noon. I might want to get up early and leave the house, or I might not – but if I’m not the only one up early with the kids, I’ll have the choice…at the last minute, if I choose.

So that quote I mentioned?

If I start with, remember that movie with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn, you know… “The Breakup”? Inevitably if there’s a mom around, she’ll say, “YES. The DISHES!”

Because this one sentence sums it up for moms everywhere, both for Mother’s Day, and for everyday really.

Here it is:

“I don’t want you to do the dishes, I want you to WANT to do the dishes.”

Right?

So as you sit thinking about what to get your wife, mom or whomever for Mother’s Day, just know that the words “It’s taken care of today and you don’t have to plan or do anything, you don’t even have to ask me to do x, y or z, because they’re already taken care of – you can do whatever you want,” will probably suffice.

There are moms that may be looking for more, those that expect a gift, or those that are hoping for a nice meal in a restaurant, maybe breakfast in bed. But I promise, if you take the planning away for a day, and let her have a  day…just one…where she isn’t first in line for all the family decisions, planning and execution, she’ll be very appreciative.

This Mother’s Day? I’m going to the Imagination Movers concert in the evening with my husband and the kids, something I scheduled months ago. Irony. (But I’m still looking forward to it.)

1. Buy Something! If you’re going to go this route, my suggestion is do it NOW! You can check out some great ideas here.

2. Spend some quality time with Mom. Take her for a drive, get your nails done, go to a movie, take her to one of those “paint your own” places and make something together. Having uninterrupted, quality time is probably something you don’t get very often with her.

3. Make her something! A nice card is a great start. How about some home-made lip gloss? Definitely breakfast is on the cards – check out these recipes.

4. Say it with flowers. You can always order flowers online (ProFlowers.com or 800 Flowers) and get them in time for Sunday.

5. Take Mom out. Let the kids have fun spoiling Mom during the day while you plan a fun night out…whatever Mom would enjoy. You can check out these ideas for inspiration.

Whatever you decide – take a moment to thank her for being there for you and the kids. Sometimes, that’s all it takes!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Check it out here:

Links that you need:

Sponsor: Splashdown Water Park

Buffalo Wild Wings/Frederick Keys giveaway – just click on this link and comment on which one you want! (Just a note: the $5 certificate is good in the Maryland stores only).

Marathon Golf 100 – click on this link & leave a comment to instantly donate $1 to Operation Second Chance & St Thomas More Academy

Mother’s Day – here’s the link to 5 Quick and Easy Ideas for Mother’s Day!

Remember: To find “it” always go to Tots2Tweens.com!

About the Organizations:

St. Thomas More Academy is an independent Catholic school founded in 2000 to meet the increasing demands for faith-based education in Frederick County.
Inspired by the very best qualities of Catholic scholasticism that blend the rigors of a classical liberal arts curriculum with lessons in spirituality and virtuous living, STMA empowers each student to reach his or her fullest potential.

Operation Second Chance is made of people who are patriotic citizens committed to serving our wounded, injured and ill combat veterans. We support Veterans and their families while they recover in military hospitals, by building relationships and identifying and supporting immediate needs and interests. We are dedicated to promoting public awareness of the many sacrifices made by our Armed Forces.

What I am looking for:

As I said above, I don’t golf – so if you golf, we’d love to have you take part in this great event. Now, from what I have heard the day isn’t all about the “golf” – to be honest, it’s about endurance…if you can walk the course for 100 holes then you’ve basically qualified! The event is Monday, June 11, 2012 at Glade Valley Golf Club in Walkersville. As a participant, you need to find 25 people to donate $1 per hole – that’s it!

Okay, so like me, you don’t golf – no problems…You can still help:

1. You can sponsor one of our golfers – either personally, or get your company behind them. Click on this link and put “ANY” next to “Golfer’s Name” and we’ll rotate amongst the players.

2. You can sponsor the event – $250 from you or your company and it will help cover the costs incurred from putting on the event. Click on this link and put “SPONSOR” next to “Golfer’s Name” and we’ll contact you.

3. You can share this post with others…share this post on Facebook, Twitter, email, etc. and spread the word – maybe one of your contacts wants to play or sponsor the event.

4. You can leave a comment below – simply leave a comment in the space provided and name one of our golfer’s. (If you haven’t been sent from a particular golfer put “Any” and we’ll rotate your “vote”!) For every comment we get (up to 500), Tots2Tweens will donate $1. The golfer who generates the most comments will be sponsored!!

• Best Birthday Party – find everything for kids birthday parties like: entertainers, venues, clowns, cakes and party supplies.
• Fun as a Family – Locate great activities for the whole family to enjoy – indoor, outdoor or parks & playgrounds - you choose!
• Classes and Lessons – Find listings for classes and lessons from music and dance to art and cooking and everything in between.

We also have some great, easy to use resources that are available when you need them:

Need an idea for dinner tonight? Browse our Recipes for some quick and easy ideas.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out events both local and regional.

Do you have a couple of minutes for yourself? (I know, we don’t either) But if you can steal away – check out our Blogs…

Want some ideas on how to cope with those tough “parenting” moments? Have a look at our expert Articles.

Are you on Facebook? Be sure to become a fan of Tots2Tweens – we do giveaways and exclusives through our page! How about Twitter?? Follow us @tots2tweens.

Tots2Tweens is free and you don’t have to register – however, if you want to receive our monthly newsletter, you can sign up here.

THANKS for visiting – we would love your comments and feedback – and for doing so, we’ll send you $5 to be spent at any Maryland Buffalo Wild Wings or 2 vouchers to be exchanged for any Frederick Keys game.

What do you need to do? Simple. Just leave a comment with “Buffalo Wild Wings” or “Frederick Keys” and click “Like” on Facebook and we’ll contact you for your address and the prize is all yours.

Try playing with your child in front of the mirror making faces and silly sounds to promote development of the muscles in the cheeks, lips and tongue. Make an OOOOO sound while emphasizing the round shape of your lips.  See if your child can copy you and make the sound together, watching the round mouth shapes in the mirror.  Then try an EEEEEE sound, emphasizing the way you need to pull back the corners of your mouth to make the sound.  Have your child imitate you and make the sound together, watching in the mirror.

Now try alternating OOOO-EEEEE-OOOO-EEEE and see how funny it looks to make a round mouth shape and then a pulled-back-corners-of-the-mouth shape alternating quickly. Try a ZZZZZ sound, popping P sound and SSSS hiss as well.   Another game, aimed at strengthening the tongue is to put your finger on the child’s cheek and see if he can push it away with his tongue.