Sunscreen for Kids

Most of you probably remember to slather sunscreen onto your children before they go out into the sun, but do you know the new FDA guidelines? Here they are...

1. The product should have an SPF of at least 15 (personally, I'd go with 30) and the words "broad spectrum" on the bottle.  Broad spectrum means that the sunscreen not only prevents sunburn, but also filters out the UV-A rays that are responsible for causing skin cancer.
2. The FDA wants the words "waterpoof" and "sweatproof" removed from the label because they aren't foolproof.  Always re-apply sunscreen frequently when your children are in the bright summer sun. By the way, what does an SPF 60 really mean? SPF estimates the number of minutes you can stay in the sun without burning, after rubbing on the product. You could last an hour on the beach, for instance, using a lotion with SPF 60.
3. Avoid using sunscreen with added insect repellent because that chemical can seep into the skin or cause harmful hormone-disrupting compounds.  What can you use instead?  Try Evergreen Insect Repellent Wristbands.
4. Avoid sprays and powders, which can get into young lungs more easily than the cream sunscreen.
5. Remember to coat all parts of the body including the top of the head where the hair parts and the top of the little ears.

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend!

4th of July Cupcake Fun!

This 4th of July (or any occasion!), you don't need to have to be a Cake Boss to design a beautiful dessert for your picnic.  Simply arrange cupcakes in a pattern and Whalla! instant fun dessert. Arrange your creations on a piece of heavy cardboard covered with aluminum foil. Here are a few ideas:

• Color some cupcake icing blue, some white, and some red.  Place the cupcakes according to the flag, and don't be afraid to make your flag wave! Add sugar stars to the blue cupcakes.
• Color all of your cupcakes yellow and arrange in a star pattern.  (Better yet - leave them white and place them on patriotic napkins!)
• Using multi-colored sprinkles on random colors of icing, randomly place your cupcakes on the platter, then add slices of red licorice for fireworks.

What other patriotic patterns can you develop?  Here is a website with some hints: http://cake-decorating.lovetoknow.com/4th_of_July_Cupcakes

Host Your Own Game Show

Here's a fun idea for summer entertainment.  Establish a date and time to hold a family Game Show.  Everybody gets a category to choose questions to answer.  Use family-specific questions like Favorite Vacations, Homework Help, and Dinner Dilemmas.  Develop about 20 questions in each category.  Using a regular board game, play using the family-specific questions.  For extra fun, personalize the game pieces by having each person make their own using self-hardening clay.  Have fun playing The _____ (fill in family name)  Game!

If you are creatively-challenged, you can purchase a Make Your Own Game kit: http://www.boardgameratings.com/game/2399/