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Each year a common resolution is to lose weight.  Losing weight can be a difficult task when you are taking care of your kids every day (that is a full time job within itself!). A great way to get back into shape is by getting your kids involved and active as you do the same.

Here are some fun and energetic moves both you and your children can enjoy:

Dance party: Crank up the tunes and dance around the house. Whether you are cleaning or participating in play time- break out in random dance spurts with your kids and go with the flow of the music. Even get up and dance while there is a commercial on with catchy music.

Be a mirror: Try to show your kids some basic yoga or cardio moves by asking them to imitate you. Simple yoga moves like Warrior I and Happy Baby aren’t too strenuous for kids.

Set up an obstacle course: If you have enough room in your home, use your children’s toys and create an obstacle course that both you and your kids can use. Time each other as your race to through the obstacle course. Whoever wins get a prize!

Get out and play: Right now, it is very cold and snowy in some areas. In others areas, it may be bright and sunny. Either way, playing outside can burn some calories. If you live where temperatures are frigid right now, make a snowman and shovel the driveway with your kids. Make it fun and a friendly competition. See who can make the biggest snowmen or the most snowmen in fifteen minutes or see who can shovel the most snow off the driveway. For the places with sunshine and warm weather, wash the car together and dance while doing it. For an extra challenge, grab that stroller or wagon and jog as your children enjoy a joy ride.

Roll around, be silly, and do random workout moves with your kids. Any type of physical movement will help to lose those extra pounds.

So what are you waiting for? Get moving with your kids and have some fun with one of the most popular resolutions of them all.

The year 2013 is almost here, which means we will begin to create our list of resolutions very soon. Even though many children may not understand what New Year’s resolutions are, we created a fun list that we bet parents would be jumping for joy over if their children actually resolved to do these things (we know we would!):

• I will not throw food or toys at my brother/sister
• When I scream about something, I won’t shriek or make my parents jump out of their skin
• I will work on trying to understand what the word “no” means (but all I can do is “try”)
• I will say thank you more
• I will not color on objects that are not meant to be colored on
• I will not leave my toys out where my parents can trip on them
• I will not be the pickiest eater that my parents know
• I will not lose interest in anything my parents buy me for at least a month
• I will not ask silly questions that no one can answer but me
• I will give more hugs and kisses each and every year

What resolution would add to this list for your child?

Have a Happy New Year!

The holiday season is in full effect. Get into the Christmas with some of our favorite heartwarming Christmas quotes:

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”
~ Peg Bracken.

Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given–when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.”
~ Joan Winmill Brown, American author and editor.

This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.”
~ Taylor Caldwell (1900-1985), English novelist.

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”
~ W. T. Ellis

At Christmas, all roads lead home.”
~ Marjorie Holmes, American writer.

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.”
~ Oren Arnold

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.”
~ Eric Sevareid (1912-1992), American newscaster.

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.”
~ Harlan Miller

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.”
~ Larry Wilde, author ‘The Merry Book of Christmas’.

Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.”
~ Margaret Thatcher (1925- ), English political leader.

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”
~ Agnes M. Pahro

Which Christmas quote is your favorite from our list? Do you have a favorite Christmas quote?

Hanukkah is only a few days away (starting December 8, 2012 at sundown). We found some creative and decorative crafts that can help children learn about the eight day celebration.

Clothespin Menorah

Let the kids “light” their own menorah. Luckily, this menorah does not have flames but it still just as beautiful and bright.

While your kids are creating this symbolic Hannukah item, define what the menorah is.  The menorah “represents the miracle of the oil in the eternal light. According to tradition, the oil burned for eight days rather than the one day expected.”

Eat the Menorah by Just Jenn Rants

Do you still have candy corn stashed away from Halloween?  Here is your chance to get rid of it! Stick candy corn to marshmallows to create nine lovely Hanukkah candles to represent a candy menorah.

Dreidel Straws by Creative Jewish Mom

Bring out the child in everyone with these felt attachments that easily slide on straws. Have the kids trace dreidel print outs and then cut them out for your kids!

Not only will you have a blast creating dreidel straws but teaching your children how to play dreidel will be just as fun!

Acorn Dreidel by Matzo Ball Soup

Speaking of playing dreidel, you can make your own out of acorns! If your children want to play a basic game of spinning around the dreidel without the rules, this is a perfect way to create your own.

Star of David Craft by NickJr.com

Save popsicle sticks from old popsicles or pick some up at a craft store so that you and your kids can create the Star of David. You can hang these on strings and place the decorations all throughout your house.

While you are creating the Star of David ornaments explain to the children why the Star of David is important. Also referred to as Magen David, the Star of David is supposed to represent the shape of King David’s shield.

What fun crafts will you create with your children for Hanukkah? Happy Hanukkah!

Kid Friendly Thanksgiving Meals

Thanksgiving meals can be mouth watering and fulfilling. However, sometimes children may not agree with the Thanksgiving menu. Does your son stare blankly at the turkey and ask for something else to eat? Does your daughter refuse to touch the sweet potatoes because she does not know what they are? It is important to have variety for children and adults alike for the Thanksgiving celebration.  Here are some kid friendly Thanksgiving menu options, thanks to Weather.com

Incorporate the theme and icon of Thanksgiving with a Turkey Muffin. This muffin is not made with turkey although the name can be deceiving. It is a pumpkin muffin, decorated with red and green apples, grapes, icing, and carrots. Let your kids design their own turkey muffin.

I scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream! Trying to get the children to enjoy eating mash potatoes and sweet potatoes, but they do not want to try them? Making the potatoes look like ice cream may entice children to try these Thanksgiving favorites. Click here for recipes to make the potatoes look like ice cream.

Many children enjoy chicken nuggets. Even though chicken nuggets may not be on the Thanksgiving menu, you can substitute chicken for turkey nuggets! It may help children try turkey when it looks similar to one of their favorite dinnertime meals.

What foods will you be putting on the Thanksgiving table that kids will enjoy? Will you try one of these options at Thanksgiving dinner?

As the holiday season rapidly approaches us and we begin to panic about the gifts and holiday planning that is about to occur, let’s take a moment to laugh at these adorable kid photos:

Which adorable picture made you laugh the hardest?