meta-dad

What the new Stimulus Plan will mean for Amercian Families

Most of us know that the House passed President Obama’s Stimulus Package and it is now being passed through to the Senate for approval. First, the Senate and House will have to reconcile their versions of the package, which would also have to be negotiated with the Obama administration. This could be a sticky process, to say the least, since the details are far from bipartisan and current debates are drawn heavily on party lines. If and when the Senate passes it it will end up on the president’s desk for final approval.

But what does it mean for the millions of struggling families or unemployed families? Will there be check sent like the Bush Stimulus? How will parents and their kids benefit from the current draft of the bill?

Understanding that this package has not gained final approval and is still going through substantial revisions, the centerpiece of the current draft promises for American individuals and families a tax break, not a stimulus check. Individuals will receive $500 and couples $1000. Aside from the tax incentives, there is more of an effort to provide heavy-handed government subsidies for COBRA health coverage going to unemployed individuals and older workers as well as the high profile job creation portion of the plan. The job creation portion of the plan as it is currently stated would shore up the Education Sector to avoid lay-offs and cancellation of existing programs (ex. Head Start, Early Head Start, etc.).

A recent audit of the bill brought the original number of $819 billion to $816, but there is ongoing mentions of additional tax incentives and other initiatives that may be tacked on (or deleted) to get it through the Senate, which have estimates pushing it as high as $900 billion. The bottom line is it is still a work-in-progress. The fact that there is little bipartisanship in the House or Senate means that there will probably be quite a few drafts before it is pushed all the way through.

Related Links;
NY Times | House Passes Stimulus Plan With No G.O.P. Votes
US News | 3 Ways the Stimulus Package Would Help Laid-Off Workers

meta-DAD | How the 2009 Stimulus Plan will benefit me and my family

Two kids cosmetics recalled due to excessive lead

The High School Musical Manicure Kits and Lip Gloss Keychains have were recalled due to excessive levels of lead in these products.

This recall involves the pouch that contains the “High School Musical” manicure kit. The 7-1/2 inch by 4-3/4 inch plastic see-through pouch has a pink zipper with “High School Musical” printed in yellow gold with glitter and “Sharpay” printed in dark red on one side. Consumers should immediately take the recalled pouch used with the manicure kit away from children and mail it to Fantas-Eyes for a free replacement plus postage.

Fantas-Eyes
1 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018

The metal clasp attached to the Lip Gloss Keychains contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. This recall involves lip gloss with a metal clasp keychain attached to the cap by a chain. Markings on the lip gloss container read, “Lip Gloss,” “Brillant á lèvres,” “Fantasy Makers®” and “from the creators of Wet n Wild.”

Sited Links:
CPSC | High School Musical Manicure Kits Recalled by Fantas-Eyes
CPSC | Lip Gloss Keychains Recalled By Markwins Beauty Products

Pajama Party Birthday Bash

In an endless search for new and exciting (for us parents anyway) themed birthday parties, my wife and I cobbled together a successful pajama theme for our son’s second birthday. All the kids arrived in their favorite jammies, most with their favorite slippers on and ready to eat. We decided to throw a late afternoon soiree, for a couple reasons, first and foremost to be in phase with the Birthday Boy’s midday nap. Surprisingly, a few of the parents thanked us for having the party at this time because it worked out better for them too.

For food, we tapped a couple of our favorite local haunts hear in West LA, Dos Hermanos catering and Paddy Mac. Dos Hermanos has been around for 20+ years and like the name suggests, is a couple brothers originally from the Jalisco region of Mexico who have been serving up distinctly regional fare out of their small yet immaculate kitchen. There menu is short but these incredibly fresh dishes are memorable with favorites like savory chicken or cheese enchiladas, hearty Birria de la Jalisco and an almost cassoulette-style fajita. You cannot beat their price at $4.50 a person, you get an entree with rice and beans, salad (with dressing), and chips & salsa.

One of the few things our son can eat seemingly endless amounts of is macaroni & cheese. Always kid-friendly and parent-approved, we decided to order some of the famed Mac and Cheese from Paddy Mac. They have a diverse menu (all Mac & Cheese) including the standard, The Ship, with five kinds of cheese (pictured above) – you know the kids won’t go hungry. Our personal favorite is the Super Mac which slips in puree of cauliflower and carrot for a super vitamin boost, which goes virtually undetected amidst all that cheesey goodness. Other items on their menu seem to cater to a more mature palette like their Gourmet Mac (braised leeks, mushrooms and a touch of Gruyere) and the Old MACdonald’s Farm (bacon, broccoli and pockets of goat cheese & feta), regardless all recipes are perfectly balanced, thus always reminding you that what you have on you plate is some fresh and fancy Mac and Cheese.

My wife was in charge of fun and games, and considering we were hosting a party full of 2-4 year olds, she kept all the games non-competitive. Here is the break-down of the activities; More »

Chocolate faux-fur baby blanket

Roll your baby up in this lucious chocolate wrap. This luxurious faux fur wrap can be used as a wrap, a blanket, or a throw. It is lined with 100% cotton and is the perfect gift. One rounded corner makes it ideal as a wrap and will make all the babies on the block envious.

$120 [+shipping] at Belly Dance Baby

Storybook Podcasts for Children

By now, our collection of quality music for the kids has grown to a sizable playlist on our iPod. Yes, we have a number of “children’s music” compilations (I feel as if I am giving into music industry marketers when I do). But lately, we have grown tired of our selection, and have been searching for fresh alternatives for the long trips or even those long afternoons stuck in classic LA gridlock.

We have discovered some wonderful story time podcasts on iTunes and online at various websites. Whether it is some classic reads, the latest published storybook, or a quirky title we’re drawn too, this has become a wonderful “trick” for getting our preschooler to take a nap (mid-afternoon) when we know he is absolutely exhausted.

Some of our latest downloads include; Cinderella, Snow White, The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Peach Boy, A Chinese Fairytale, etc. (the list is long) When navigating iTunes click on the following links to find some free ‘gems’, [*click*] iTunes Store, then Podcasts, Audio Podcasts, and then Kids & Family – enjoy!

Sited & Related Links;
Pinky Dinky Doo
Free Classic Children’s Stories
Candlelight Stories | Audio for Kids
Storynory | Free Audio Stories for Kids

Eco-friendly Snack Ball

Kids and parents will love this fun, sphere-shaped snack container. The rigid form protects snacks from crushing, making the Boon Snack Ball great for travel.

Two halves unscrew for easy cleaning and the lid snaps in place to keep snacks inside. BpA-free, Phthalate-free and PVC-free.

9+ months

$6.50 [+shipping] at Belly Dance Baby