Disney Family.com

I just read this great article from a DisneyFamily.com writer/blogger and wanted to share it.


Mom's Museum School
by DreamTeamAme
"I'm sorry. Our summer classes are filled. For all sessions," the lady at the regional children's museum added definitively -- sounding anything but sorry.
We've been shut out of the museum school summer classes for the past two years. Their popularity, coupled with alumni first-chance registration policies, makes signing up harder than scoring Super Bowl tickets.
"Mama, were we too late again?" Grace, 7, asks, with a disappointment flattening her voice.
"I'm afraid so," I said, feeling quite dejected myself.
Later that afternoon I bemoaned our museum school blacklist status to my friend Jennifer, who just happens to be an elementary school librarian.
"Oh, we never get in either," she assured me, then added, "So I just do my own."
She explained her simple "museum school by Mom" premise. With her kids, ages 4 and 6, she picks a theme and plans daily activities and projects around it.
The best part of this do-it-yourself plan is that you get to choose topics that are tailor-made for your kids and their interests -- dinosaurs, space, insects, mountains, trains, horses, fairies, travel, music, flowers -- the sky's the limit. Even better, you can set your own schedule. You can do it as casually as going to the library and checking out a few topic-specific books to enjoy, or really get into it by planning daily itineraries replete with activities, crafts and field trips. Online projects and ideas help bring it all to life.

Below is an example of five days planned around an "ocean" theme.
Mom's Ocean-Inspired Museum School
Monday, Shells
Book: Way Down Deep by Jan PeckActivity: Shell Painting

Tuesday, Sharks
Book: Smiley Shark by Ruth Galloway
Activity: Bake S is for Shark Cupcakes.
Game: Sharks and Fish

Wednesday, Boats
Book: Toy Boat by Randall de Seve illustrated by Loren Long
Activity: Build your own little Jet Boat.

Thursday, Fish
Book: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister and J. Alison James
Activity: Sticker Stories. Have each child draw a background of the ocean then supply a variety of fish and other sea critter stickers with which to populate your sea. Then invite them to share a story about their drawing.
Craft: Make Good Luck Gold Fish.

Friday, Beach Party"Beach" Picnic and Sunny Day Reading: Pack a picnic and blanket and head to the nearest body of water (lake, ocean, pool, or fountain) to enjoy an al fresco lunch and some more sea-worthy books in the fresh air:
I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry
Out of the Ocean by Debra Frasier
What Lives in a Shell? (Let's Read and Find Out Science 1) by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and Helen K. Davis

RECALLS - July 3, 2008

1. RadioShack Recalls Power Supplies Due to Electrocution and Fire Hazards - 13.8V DC Power Supplies

Hazard: The recalled power supplies are wired incorrectly, posing electrocution and fire hazards. Description: The recall involves RadioShack 13.8V DC Power Supplies, catalog numbers 22-507 and 22-508 with date codes from 08A04 through 01A08. Date code format is MMAYY where MM is the month and YY is the year. The catalog number and date code are located on the back of the power supply. Power Supplies with a green dot on the product and the product's packaging have already been repaired and are not included in the recall.Sold at: RadioShack stores nationwide from October 2004 through January 2008 for between $50 and $85. www.radioshack.com/recall

2. Paintball Gun Adapters Recalled by RAP4 Due to Impact and Laceration Hazards - Paintball Gun Remote Line Adapters

Hazard: The remote line adapter can burst when over tightened, posing serious impact and laceration hazards to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: RAP4 has received two reports of incidents involving the recalled remote line adapters, including one that scratched a consumer when it burst.
Description: The remote line adapter is used to connect a paintball gun to a pressurized CO2 tank. The adapter is a black cylinder and is attached to a black remote line cord. "RAP4" and the "SN" (serial number) are printed on the adapters.Sold at: Online at www.RAP4.com from October 2006 through April 2008 for about $40.

3. Hayes Bicycle Group Recalls Quick-Release Devices for Bicycles Due To Fall Hazard - SunRinglé Hollow Quick Release Devices for Bicycles

Hazard: The quick release devices can unexpectedly fail or break when locked in position on the bicycle, causing the rider to lose control, which poses a serious fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Hayes Bicycle Group has received four reports of the quick release device breaking. No injuries have been reported.Description and Models: This recall involves the SunRinglé Hollow Quick Release Devices for bicycles and includes models Hollow CroMo Front 100mm, Hollow CroMo Rear 130mm, and Hollow CroMo Rear 135mm. These devices have hollow skewers. They were sold individually or with SunRinglé front and rear wheels with model names Black Flag, Disc o Flea, Charger, STR8 Track, Accelerator R3.00C and Accelerator T3.0C. "Ringlé" is stamped on the lever. Quick release devices with a solid skewer are not included in this recall. Sold at: Bicycle specialty stores and dealers nationwide from June 2007 through May 2008 for about $17. Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop riding bicycles with the recalled quick release devices immediately, remove the quick release device and bring it to their local bike dealer or retailer for a free inspection and replacement.

Do you know who your neighbors are?

Do you know your neighbors?

This site will help you know the ones
you need to know even better. Just put in your address & your
neighborhood map will pop up. Every place you see a red balloon or thumb tact is the home of aconvicted felon.Just hover your mouse over an icon & not only will the name come up, but also the crime they were convicted of.

http://www.felonspy.com/search.html

RECALLS July 1, 2008

1. Infant Garments Recalled by Rashti & Rashti Due to Choking Hazard

2. Redcat Racing Recalls Remote Controlled Toy Vehicles Due to Remote Control Defect