Kids School Lunches - 13 Alternatives to Promote Health and Nutrition and Avoid Fast Food

For parents, providing your kids with healthy, nutritional lunches that they find interesting can be quite a challenge. The “if it is good for you then it must be boring” mentality makes this particularly challenging and you have such favorites as lollies, sweets and fizzy drinks to compete with.

Don’t despair, it can be done and here are 13 alternatives to get you started. Instead of…

1. High fat savoury biscuits — why not try

* Plain dry crackers, rice cakes, corn thins or Scottish oatcakes.
* Raw carrots or celery cut into small pieces are also an excellent choice.

2. Pies, pastry or sausage rolls — why not try

* Meat or cheese sandwiches or pasta with mince beef sauces (you can buy wheat/gluten free bread and pasta if required).
* Tuna and sweetcorn.
* Brown rice (or white) with tuna and roasted vegetables.
* Falafel (Lebanese delicacy made from chick peas).

3. Processed meats such as frankfurters, salami or other — why not try

* Mince burger (home made), lentil burgers or bean burgers.
* Leftovers from main meals.
* Quality ham (e.g. Virginia) or cooked bacon, which has been grilled, and the fat/rind removed.
* Quality sausages that are mostly meat and not too fatty (gluten free sausages are a great alternative if you can find them).

4. Biscuits (cream filled or chocolate) — why not try

* Crackers or plain sweet biscuits, oatcakes, rice crackers or rice cakes.

You can make these interesting by having different topics like tuna and sweet corn or avocado (too much avocado may be regarded as fattening).

5. Chocolate / candy bars - why not try

* Cheese cubes or dried fruit or yoghurt with fresh fruit to add to it.
* Dairy products may make you feel bloated, so sheep’s or goat’s yogurt make a great alternative to cows yoghurt and have a different texture and taste. They are less bulky and easier to digest).

6. Muesli bars and breakfast bars (these are often full of sugar and preservatives) — why not try

* Fresh fruit such as grapes, melon cubes, oranges or mandarins/satsumas.
* Nut muesli bars (check the ingredients first though).

7. Cordial or fizzy drinks — why not try

* Water is the best option to add to any lunch box.
* Dairy, soy or rice milk are also good alternatives.

8. Chocolate spreads — why not try

* Sesame seed spread (tahini).
* Humous.
* Dip such as yoghurt, avocado or one that you make yourself, dipping for example, pitta bread or cut up vegetables.

9. Lollies / sweets — why not try

* Dried fruit, nuts and raisins.
* Make a nibbles bag with a variety of nuts and dried fruit and add sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

10. Chips / crisps or hot chips — why not try

* Hot homemade soups with the addition of sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
* Pecan nuts, almonds and flax seed are all great snacks as they are high in essential fatty acids and are best eaten raw (cooking them can destroy the essential fatty acid component).

The best way to encourage your children to eat these is to add them to soups as an alternative to croutons and to sprinkle them on yoghurt and cereal/muesli in the morning.

11. Fruit leather straps - why not try

* If you have your own fruit drier, then you can dry the fruit yourself.
* Fresh fruit, plain dried fruit e.g. sultanas, dried apricots, mixed nuts, 100% fruit bars.

12. Donuts — why not try

* Raisin bread (you can buy wheat free raisin bread if required).
* Muffins.
* Flapjacks.
* Scottish oatcakes with a banana.
* Tuna and sweetcorn.

13. Potato crisps, corn chips, or similar snack food - why not try

Rice crackers, or rice cakes with a homemade dip or spread, or a bought one as long as it has a low fat content.

Helen Thompson is a qualified child care worker (Nursery Nurse) and Brain Gym consultant who has spent many years working with children aged between 0 - 8 years. Helen aims to provide busy parents, carers and teachers with fun and educational activities for children to develop their creativity.

Her website at http://www.ChildLearningSupport.com includes recipes, craft activities and more. To be kept informed of new additions to the site, please subscribe to her newsletter.

Here Comes Easter

Here are 11 easy ways to help your kids celebrate Easter.

1.Make paper plate bunnies. Simply take one white paper
plate and cut 2 ear shapes from it and staple or glue them
to the top of another white paper plate and draw a face on
it. Glue cotton balls around the edge of the plate.

2.Cut out construction paper Easter eggs and color and paint
them to hang around the house.

3.Use rabbit, chick, cross and egg shaped cookie cutters for
toast, sandwiches, brownies, rice krispie treats and more.

4.Color your own eggs by making your own egg dye. Try beet
juice, kool aid and anything that has color.

5.Make Easter egg holders, cut empty paper towel tubes about
2 inches each and wrap in colorful paper. You can then sit
your eggs on them.

6.Cut out construction paper egg shapes and write a Bible
verse on each one about what Easter is really about.

7.Make small Easter baskets and deliver to nursing homes to
those residents that never get visitors and to your elderly
neighbors.

8. Read the Easter story in the Bible and some Easter books.

9. Have an Easter egg hunt and invite children of the
community.

10. Decorate an outside tree with plastic Easter eggs.

11. Have a special breakfast, lunch or dinner on Easter
Sunday!

Angela Billings is a stay at home wife and mother who
publishes an online newsletter Home and Family Ezine.
http://www.homeandfamilyezine.com

Piano Steps for Beginning Students

Children in piano lessons often have ideas about learning to play that come from television, the movies, and well, their own imaginations which are not accurate. To make sure your beginner in piano lessons has realistic expectations help them to focus on the basics - simple things that make a big difference. Here are five simple things that will make a big difference to your beginner in piano lessons.

1. Attending weekly lessons - The enthusiasm beginning students have when they start their piano lessons needs to be capitalized on, not forgotten. Students who are excited about starting lessons quickly lose interest when they miss their lessons. This is because they forget what the teacher has already shown them, and when they return to lessons they have to review the same lessons again. Having to stop and start over an over again with the same information because students miss too many lessons is demoralizing and breeds discouragement.

2. Bringing music books to every lesson - Without their music books the piano lesson has no plan or focus. It ends up being whatever the teacher can make-up on the spot because the music the students need to be following up on isn’t available. When students come to lessons in a haphazard way not bothering to bring their music the result is equally haphazard training that results from an unnecessary lack of organization and lesson planning.

3. Setting aside a routine daily practice time - Children need help from their parents to set a routing practice time. Parents can help by making sure their student is home at the agreed upon time to practice and limiting other activities that would compete with their lesson practice time. Keeping a routine is the best because it builds the practice habit and that’s most of the battle. At any given time there will be a choice of how to spend that time. When this decision is make ahead of time it is a lot easier for kids to stay focused on their goals.

4. Following the teacher’s practice instructions - The best way to get some place is to focus on specific goals that will help us achieve our dreams. Each piano lesson assignment will require specific learning and playing strategies that will make learning easier. By following the teacher’s instructions students will make much more progress, much faster. For example, singing the note names as they are played and keeping eyes on the music, not looking down at the hands.

5. Attending piano recitals and activities that set important learning goals - Goals are important because they give us direction and something to work toward. Without goals the idea of time management is just an empty word. Recitals target specific learning goals that will help piano students achieve their musical dreams. Focusing on those goals helps students manage their time in order to be prepared for their recitals.

By following these five steps to a good piano start your beginner will make a lot of progress in their first year of piano. This foundation of good habits, knowledge and skills are what students need to achieve their goals and go on to reach their musical dreams.

For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.

These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com

Artificial Sweeteners; the Low-down on Low-calorie, Low-sugar Foods

Sweeteners are used to replace sugar for 2 reasons; they have less or no calorific value, and they are cheaper to produce. Artificial sweeteners are a billion dollar industry involving some of the biggest names in the game. You will find them hiding in thousands of products including; diabetic products, crisps, cakes, biscuits, savoury snacks, fizzy drinks, squash, yoghurts, chewing gum, ready-meals, diet products, products aimed at children (low-sugar or tooth-kind), low-carb foods, puddings, cereals, shakes, hot chocolate, salad dressings, laxatives, gelatin deserts, breath mints, vitamin tablets, and children’s and adults medicine. You can also buy artificial sweeteners in boxes and jars to use as a sugar substitute for table use and baking. You will find them in many products labeled ‘low-sugar’ or ‘no added sugar.’

The following are all artificial sweeteners; (sometimes foods are labelled ‘contains [a source of] Phenylalanine’ and some have brand names such as NutraSweet, Canderel, Equal, Splenda, and Benevia, as well as others).

Acesulfame K; there has been doubt in the past about the safety of this additive, asit has been linked in animal tests to tumors, leukemia, and respiratory problems. It is currently accepted as safe. Due to its bitter after taste, is often used alongside Aspartame, which can be combined in such small amounts that it need not be identified on packaging.

Saccharin E954; once carried the warning in the US “Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals”. It was since shown that the animal experiments did not prove the same effect on the human body and the warning was removed. Saccharin is still linked to various problems in sensitive people such as eczema, asthma, rashes and loss of feeling in the extremities. The US government National Toxicology Program lists saccharine as an ‘anticipated carcinogen’ (cancer-causing chemical). The American Medical Association has recommended limiting the intake of saccharin in young children and pregnant women. I noticed that this was an ingredient in my children’s toothpaste.

Sucralose; also known by the brand name Splenda, is made by treating sugar with chlorine. Animal tests have shown organ damage, growth problems, and a reduction in white blood cell count. These tests have been dismissed by the manufacturers as being inconclusive or insufficient. Hundreds of industry tests have shown the products safety. Ten of these were conducted on healthy human subjects, but no tests have been made on the effects of long-term consumption.

Sorbitol, Manitol, Isomalt, Xylitol, Lactitol; sugar alcohols which may cause reactions in sensitive people, such as; flatulence, diarrhea, and organ damage if consumed in large amounts.

Aspartame E951 (hold on to your hats); a widely used chemical cousin of MSG, also known as NutraSweet and Canderel. Once allegedly listed by the Pentagon as a biological warfare agent, and first tested on monkeys in 1967. Out of 7 fed aspartame, one died and 5 others suffered seizures. Later research at Washington University showed that one of the main constituents of Aspartame produced brain lesions in baby mice. In 1998 the University of Barcelona conducted experiments showing that Aspartame broke down in the body to form formaldehyde, (a neurotoxin), and further lab-tests at Arizona State university showed that when heated it broke down to form Methanol, another poison.

The most recent lab research at The University of Liverpool measured the toxic effect of Aspartame on nerve cells when it was combined with the widely used colour, Quinoline yellow (E104). Results showed that the combination of the additives had an effect 7 times greater than when tested independently. The additives prevented normal nerve cell growth and signaling. Hundreds of other experiments have been conducted over the years, and despite repeated health scares, research, commissions, reviews, reports and court hearings, Aspartame has found its way into thousands of products. There are over 90 documented symptoms associated with Aspartame including; headache, dizziness, balance problems, mood swings, sickness and diarrhea, seizures, vision disturbance and deterioration, rashes, tiredness, hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), depression, manic episodes, hyperactivity in children, brain tumors, memory loss, and death.

Most complaints refer to neurological disorders, and in 1994 78% of complaints to the US Adverse Reaction Monitoring System were linked to Aspartame. Research conducted by the Sweetener Industry and the American Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has always shown this product to be perfectly safe. Reviews of these studies have alleged some of them to be flawed, poorly conducted, misrepresented and biased. The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group suggests that Aspartame is removed from children’s food.

It was believed that these low-calorie and calorie-free sweeteners would help wage the battle against weight gain and obesity, and they are part of the multi-million dollar diet industry. However, the US which is the worlds largest consumer of sweeteners, also has the world largest obesity problems. It is now believed that sweeteners are partly responsible for the increase in weight problems; they encourage people to eat large amounts of ‘diet’ products which are unhealthy, and often still fattening. Research published in the International Journal of Obesity reveals that artificial sweeteners may actually promote obesity by tricking the body into thinking that foods contain few calories. It is also thought that sweeteners such as Aspartame make the body crave sugar and other carbohydrates.

I think that you can see now, that this is a sticky subject, and it is difficult to really know how safe or effective sweeteners are. But, there is one definite scientific fact available; sugar is safe. Use in sensible amounts, stay active and brush your teeth well.

Sweeten foods with unrefined brown sugar, honey, apple juice or apple puree. As with salt, you can retrain your brain to enjoy the taste of less sugar. Encourage children from a young age to enjoy drinking water rather than sugary and sweetened drinks, offer plenty of naturally sweet fruit and vegetables such as carrots, peppers, and squash. If you are concerned about the health effects of sweeteners, read the back of packaging carefully, make your own food and offer children good quality chocolate rather than dubious sweets. Try some Organic treats and snacks as these cannot contain artificial sweeteners and other baddies.

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser and runs successful Community Exercise classes. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters.

Harry Potter Facts and History for Party Trivia

The boy wizard Harry Potter couldn’t have survived all these years without the help of his wizardly friends, Hermione, Ron Weasley, Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Professor Lupin, and so many others. If you are considering a Harry Potter Party then you may all ready know something about his character and the series of books by J.K. Rowling.

Harry Potter was born several years ago in the wizarding world to his loving parents. Unfortunately at the time there was a war being waged among the wizards. Harry’s parents were fighting for the good against the Lord Voldemort. This evil Lord Voldemort killed Harry’s parents when he was just a babe and attempted to get at Harry, but Harry was saved by his mother’s love and this caused Lord Voldemort to lose his powers and come close to death.

Professor Dumbledore placed Harry with his ‘muggle’ or non-magic folk, Aunt and Uncle until he would be old enough to enter Hogwarts School of magic. The years passed and Harry came of age. J.K. Rowling’s series of books starts just a few days before Harry turns eleventh. She has planned out seven books and written six of them so far that follow Harry’s adventures in magic at the wizarding school and the background plot involving Lord Voldmort’s return to power and the second war between good and evil in the wizarding world.

Harry Potter learns in the series that its very possible that he could have ended up a normal boy with a normal but magical life, but Lord Voldemort interpreted a prophecy to believe Harry was to be his downfall and thus attempted to get at Harry. This is really a coming of age series, following Harry as he grows up and learns to handle his powers, but it is also lots of fun, especially the early books when Harry is more of a kid.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes (PartyThemeShop.com) to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or “just because” parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Top Five Reasons and Ways to Take Care of Your Elders (Parents, Grandparents…)

There will almost absolutely come a day when your parents and/grandparents will need YOU. When this time comes, they will probably not admit that they need YOU or ANYONE, but in reality, they will definitely need SOMEONE.

It’s actually quite similar to the days when you were a tiny baby and you needed them to: survive every day; have help going to the bathroom; be fed a good meal; take a real bath; get dressed appropriately; etc…

You may not remember those days with convincing clarity, but you do know that they existed regardless of what you actually recall.

Your parents/grandparents, (the people who raised you, fed you, took care of you, gave you shelter, gave you love and support…), will someday grow older and NEED you.

Are you ready? Do you have a clue what this involves?
Bottom line (if you choose to distance yourself from this natural occurence) is that you have to find the best nursing home/assisted living facility in your area that is suitable for your parent(s)/grandparent(s)…

I have more advice on how to choose the BEST home outside of your home for your parents/grandparents later…

However, if you are at all like me, and you choose to become your parents/grandparents’ caretaker, the story is entirely different…

You will need a number of material things, as well as a diverse range of emotions, an undisputed grasp on reality (if that’s possible), the ability to put someone (other than your child/children) totally before yourself…

1) Remember that THEY MADE YOU who you are today…

They took care of your every basic need for at least five to ten years… They changed your diaper, gave you a bath, rocked you to sleep at night, ran to your crib in the middle of the night if you were crying… and MUCH MORE - Think about it…

2) Consider the fact that they probably did WITHOUT luxuries

like vacations, new furniture, the latest clothing styles, the best vehicles, etc… so that they COULD GIVE YOU THE BEST there was to give…

3) Do not forget that without them, you would not be here.

They CHOSE to have you, to BRING YOU into this world… What can be a more significant sign of love than that?

4) Think about how different and probably HARD life was for them compared to how they made life for you…

It’s natural for a parent to want and/or try to give their child/children more or better than what they had growing up… but DO you REALLY appreciate and/or acknowledge this?

5) Your parents/grandparents unarguably made sacrifices in their lives, so that you could have a better life…

Don’t you think you should do the same?

How can you give them back what they gave to you?

If you choose to put them in a nursing home/assisted living facility, make it your business to FIND the BEST one there is in your area. Make sure you VISIT your parents/grandparents REGULARLY (atleast once or twice a week…)

Get involved at the facility that you chose for them, VOLUNTEER your time and/or donate extra supplies etc…

If you decide to keep your parents/grandparents at home with you, make sure you accommodate their basic needs (ie. wheelchair ramp, hospital bed, assisted in-home nursing care, proper diet, adequate exercise, etc…)

Remember that they’re hurting a lot more than you are and a lot more than they’ll probably ever tell you. They made a tremendous effort to make your life relatively easy when you were growing up, the least they deserve is to have a life that is comparably comfortable as they live out their golden years.

And for the small percentage of people who read this article and think “My parents/grandparents did not do anything for me growing up…” or “They made my life miserable…” or “They could have done a lot more for me when I was a kid…” etc…

Consider this, you made it to where you are today without their “unconditional love and support” that I described, so although you may not feel that you “owe” them anything…

Maybe you should be a bigger person and reach out to help them in any way you can, in ways that you feel they did not help you… Maybe you will get to know them in a different way, on a different level… and perhaps you will even come to understand why they made the choices they made when you were a child…

If you don’t try to reach out to them now, you may never have the chance again.

Once they’re gone, you will never be able to get answers to any of your lingering questions…

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

Twelve Days of Piano Christmas Gifts for Kids

Christmas is a great time of year to give your child taking piano lessons musical gifts and encourage them to reach their musical goals. Below are Twelve Days of Christmas Gifts for Piano Students.

1. Books - Stories about the piano journey are a great way for your child to explore important concepts children need to achieve success such as how to set goals, how to overcome worries and fears about performing, how to be persistent in their learning, and how to take responsibility for their success.

2. CD’s - Listening to music is important for developing a musical ear. A Piano CD would make a great gift for students. Then leave it in your car so you can play it on the way to school, or on your way to piano lessons.

3. A Piano Bag - A piano bag makes a nice gift that will make your piano student feel special and also keep them organized and ready on piano lesson day. This way they can keep all their books in their piano bag and always have the music they will need at their lessons.

4. Games - Musical games make a terrific Christmas gift for children. Find games that the whole family can play together. This is a great way to support your child in piano lessons.

5. Piano Practice Pals - These are cute little stuffed animals students can put on their piano at home to keep them company while they are practicing. Give your child a new practice pal each time they achieve a new musical goal.

6. Piano Journal & Memory Books - These are a wonderful way to help your child in piano lessons celebrate their musical journey. They can include photographs of holiday recitals and other events as well as a place for students to keep a record of their goals and progress.

7. Metronome - a Metronome is a great little gadget that goes tic-toc, tic-toc, kind of like a clock, but it can be set to different tempos. Students use these to learn to follow a stead beat. They are also great for helping student develop sight-reading skills. Using a metronome helps them learn how to look ahead in the music and anticipate playing the next note.

8. Piano Sheet Music - Piano sheet music is a great gift for new piano students. Be sure you get music that is appropriate for your child’s age and experience.

9. Mp3s - Download mp3s and save them to a CD for your young child in piano lessons to listen. You can even find them for free.

10. Piano Club for Kids Membership - Enroll your child in a piano club for kids. This a great way for your child taking piano lessons to feel supported and have more fun with music. Enrollment comes with special gifts including many that I have already mentioned including books, games, stories, piano lessons, piano bag gift sets, free sheet music you can download, and free mp3s.

11. Give your child a subscription to a Piano Magazine, or E-zine that will automatically come to them every month - Monthly Internet E-zines come with articles about piano lessons written for kids, plus come complete with midi files of classical music, and sheet music that is safe to download. Today’s kids are part of the computer age and need to know how to use technology to advance their education. This is a great way to give kids a head start with technology as well as supporting their music education.

12. Award Certificates - Music award certificates don’t always need to come from their piano teacher. Parents can also give their children family music certificates. Give your child a personalized Music Award Certificate from you for practice points you award them each week for example. Let them turn in their certificates for a special treat such as a new Practice Pal, or Musical Story Book.

For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.

These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com

It’s A Jungle in Here at the Animal Safari Party!

Do you have an animal lover in your life celebrating a birthday? Does your end of the year party with the cub scouts need some jazz to it? Make it a jungle theme party. Have an indoor or outdoor safari without leaving the country! A jungle safari adventure is fun for any age group.

Send out invitations that have animals or a jungle print. Party supply stores also have decorations with animal print, animals and birds that match the ones found in real jungles. Favors to buy for your guests would include binoculars, safari hats, nets to catch birds or butterflies and plastic guns.

To decorate, set up fake trees and vines. Hang stuffed or paper snakes and animals cling to them. Use it as a backdrop for pictures and take everyone’s snapshot in front of it. Use it as a favor or send it with a thank you note as a memento. Place stuffed or plastic blow up animals all over the room being used. Dim the lights and play an animal noise CD for ambience.

Games to play include a safari hunt. Give the kids a map and place a treasure at the end. Hang paper vines or put animal obstacles in their way. Hang sheets and drape material to make it appear like real vines and dense growth from a jungle. Other games can be name the most jungle animals or act like a jungle animal.

Personalized favors can be a safari completion poster or a picture frame with group pictures in it. Stuffed animals and tools can also be used to award master safari hunters. Decorations to match can include green tablecloths and balloons, napkins and cups. Animal prints or jungle scenes motifs are also available for purchase at any party supply store.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. More ideas, games and Safari Party Supplies at the Party Supplies Hut.

My Piano Dream - Why I Want to Learn to Play the Piano!

We all need to dream and to believe that one day our dreams will come true. But without a plan for success, our dreams are unlikely to materialize. The dream of learning to play the piano is no different. Even young students, however, can learn to set goals and take responsibility for their success. Helping your child keep a piano journal is an easy way to start them thinking about how they will bring their musical dreams to life. Follow the guide below to help your child in piano map out a simple plan for success, and see how easy and beneficial keeping a piano journal can be.

My Piano Dream: (Why I want to learn to play the piano.)

Example: I want to play the piano like my grandpa. He’s awesome!

How do I want to see myself in one year?

Example: Playing well at my Spring Recital.

In Two years?

In Five to ten years?

What can I accomplish toward my piano dream this week?

Example: Learn the new piece my piano teacher assigned G Major.

Are there specific goals that will help me achieve this objective?

Examples: Memorize Five-Finger Hand Position in G;
Name each note; Identify difficult passages and;
Play over these areas in the music many times.

What are some good habits I need to develop that will support my piano goals?

Examples: Set aside a specific time to practice each day;
Avoid distractions while practicing, such as television;
Tell friends I can play after I finish practicing my piano lesson;
Attend my piano lesson with my teacher each week.

Planning to follow through with good habits that support our goals is how dreams are achieved.

For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.

These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com

In The Crook of My Arms

His head is tilted back, mouth slightly open. His breath is slow and steady and his eyes almost all-closed but slightly open. His neck nestles over the crook of my arm and I stare at his face as he breathed in and breathed out. A feeling of overwhelming love washed over me. I was totally at peace as I watched my son sleep in my arms.

I must say that there’s absolutely nothing quite like it at all.

When was it that he got so big? He’s almost too big to fit into my arms as his legs dangled off the edge of my other arm. He speaks almost in adult-fashion now but in child lingo. He has mastered the art of writing and drawing a very funny and ‘individualistic’ sketch of the sun and a smiley face. He is old enough to tell me that his favorite color is red and favorite number is 4. I know I am his mom but the effects of being a protector, a caregiver; a mom has never failed to astound me.

Sometimes daily needs outweigh the needs of our children. Their need to have us by their sides to kiss the wounds and to heal the tantrums. They need us - now what else can be more important than that. They need us to tell them that it’s OK when others are not nice to them and that they don’t have to avenge the bad behavior of others. They need us to tell them that it’s OK to feel bad when they’ve made a mistake and are asked to say sorry for the mistakes. They need us to bring them out in the playground and teach them about nature, about living and about the world. They need us. Period.

There are times that I wonder if I should just give up the working arrangement that I have fiercely fought for for the past 5 years and go back into the rat race. There are weak moments when I wonder if I have done the wrong thing and have pampered them by trying to be an overly ‘positive’ parent. I wonder too, if my kids are good kids or bad kids. But now I know, there’s no such thing as a bad kid; and a good kid is a stroke of luck.

Everything becomes worthwhile when he runs over to me and shouts, “Mommy!!! My mommy!” and come crashing into me, bumping my nose and cracking my lips with his forehead. He buries his head into my shoulder and I bury mine into his. We stay in that position for a full minute before we peel apart and start planting wet kisses all over each others’ faces. We don’t care about germs, do we? I just want to kiss him until the day I die - just kiss him senseless and no one can tell me that I can’t kiss my own baby that way.

But till when will this luxury last? Our kids are borrowed treasure for we know they won’t remain babies for very long. My babies won’t need me for very long now. Soon, they’ll be old enough to prefer their friends to me. Soon enough, they’ll want to go out with their friends and won’t want me to tag along. Soon enough, they’ll only speak to me when they want my car or want me to pay their cell phone or Internet bills for them. Soon enough, they’ll have a life of their own and mine is kicked aside.

So, for now, I treasure this 3-year-old baby in my arms, lying so soundlessly sleeping in the crook of my arms. He fits just perfect right now.

How I wish he would fit into my arms like that for the rest of my life.and his. But I know he won’t. And that’s one BIG, FAT reason to treasure the moments now.

Marsha Maung is a freelance work @ home graphic designer and writer who lives in Selangor, Malaysia with her husband and 2 sons, Joshua and Jared. She is a firm advocate of the work@home environment and liberating mothers. Marsha Maung is the author or “Raising Little Magicians”, “No Products to Sell” and other popular books. For more information, please visit http://www.marshamaung.com