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Post-baby pajamas and nightwear for new moms does not have to consist of an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants. Understand most new moms may not be feeling super sexy since their body is going through notable transitions and baby doesn’t really care whether he spits up on cotton or silk. But new dads (and established ones) can add a nice More »
As parents we love to praise our kids. A good grade they got on a paper, a touch-down they got or cleaning up their room without being told – these are all fair examples. We feel this is the proper positive reinforcement they need to grow into healthy, well-balanced adults, right? Based on the results of over thirty years of scientific study is revealing More »
You thought a fun way to teach the kids the alphabet was restricted to condensed soups – chuff! I say! Alphabet Ice Trays. Really nothing much that we have to say about those, they are pretty self explanatory, made out of black silicone, pretty much everything can be More »
With everybody rushing to sign, seal and deliver their returns, you will want to take a moment to review recent federal tax changes and perhaps save a few bucks in the process.
1. Increase in investment income amount. The amount of taxable investment income these children can have without it being subject to tax at the parent’s rate has increased to $1,800 for 2008.
2. Adoption Benefits increased. For 2008, the maximum adoption credit has increased to $11,650. Also, the maximum exclusion from income for benefits under your employer’s adoption assistance program has increased to More »
Tags: family finances
Flying a kite with the kids is yet another golden activity that holds great potential for learning, bonding and just having a little fun. Ever wonder exactly why and how a kite flies? Chances are at some point your kids may ask you, right? With a little digging around I have found some great sites for explaining why and how kites fly, believe it or not NASA’s Glenn Research Center has a fantastic (and thorough) explanation of exactly how and why a kite flies.
While the forces on all kites are the same, each kite flies a little differently. Some kites are highly maneuverable and some kites are very stable. There are kites with multiple control lines that can perform stunts, while other kites can be flown to high altitudes. We can use math techniques that you learn in school to determine the altitude of a kite graphically. With a little more knowledge of mathematics, you can actually calculate the altitude at which the kite is flying” ~ Kite Flight, NASA’s Glenn Research Center
I got my kids into kites last spring with a simple $5 classic delta design and 200′ of line. I think it was a Diego design, surprise-surprise. They were thrilled at the action we got from the nearby ocean breeze. But kids being kids, More »
Tags: 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12, educational, family fun, simple kids projects
There is plenty to be said about kids having a healthy dose of unstructured play in their life. No soccer practice to run to, no piano lessons to fret about. Those things are good to do, but the unencumbered afternoon is something to be cherished for kids.
As a dad, it may mean having a few tricks up your sleeve to get them going in the right direction, whether it’s a handful of dolls or action figures or even a few sheets of paper. That’s right, a few pieces of paper. This is arts and crafts, dad-style. There are a number of good sites that provide easy to understand directions (video too!) for creating a number of classic paper airplanes.
Sure – as parents you sometimes catch yourself “upselling” an activity but paper airplanes needs very little selling. Being able to take a sheet of paper (preferably one that has already been used for something) and transforming it into a moth, stealth or ring plane is totally entertaining for kids, regardless of age. As kids discover the different tricks (loop d’loops and such) that can be achieved by simple modifications to their planes, they will be hooked.
For the more advanced designs, check out the patterns available at How Stuff Works. They have directions for planes like the FA Thunderhawk Paper Airplane and A7 Moonraider Paper Airplane, cool stuff.
Sited & Related Links:
How Stuff Works | How to make paper airplanes
10 Paper Airplanes
Best Paper Airplanes | 10 original paper airplane designs that fly well
Pat’s Planes | Learn to Fold Paper Airplane from Pat, the Aerospace Engineer
Zurqui | The DC3 of paper airplanes
Airplane Collectible Resource | Making Paper Airplane that Flies like a Real One [*check out downloadable directions midway down page]
Set your own world record with this design! [*PDF]
