Lost child

As parents and educators, it can be a challenge to find educational toys kids enjoy playing with. A great educational toy needs to achieve that perfect balance between being fun to play with and educational at the same time. Toy manufacturers try to come up with enjoyable and educational electronic toys, as well as more traditional toys. But the big question is, are any of these toys they successful?

The fact is, there are so many different kinds of toys out there that it can be hard to decide which is right for your child. Not to mention the fact that each child has their own personality, interests, and strengths. With all this is mind, how can you really find educational toys kids will enjoy playing with?

Let Them Test the Toy

It is important that you let your child test the toy out in the store first, especially if the educational toy is expensive. What happens if you buy an educational toy and then they don't like it? You may or may not be able to return it at that point. You can save yourself time and money by finding a store that has a good policy about letting children try before they buy.

Read Reviews and Ask Others

Another good way to find toys that kids enjoy playing with is to read reviews and ask other parents what their children like. There are certain toys that have an almost universal appeal. If you find several parents who rave about a certain product, it will likely work for your child. However, it is still a good idea to have them test it.

Work With their Personality

Another key thing to understand when looking for the right educational toys for your child is to find toys that fit with their personality. For example, if you know that your child does not typically enjoy electronic toys, chances are they still won't like the latest educational electronic toy even if several parents rave about it.

Test their Limits

Children like to be challenged. A great toy or game will challenge them in such a way that will build their self esteem and keep them interested. The right electronic game, for example, will build the challenge into the game. You win the game by learning new skills. The right toy will balance those two goals.

If you want to find educational toys that your kids will enjoy playing with, the best thing to do is have them test it out. Just because a toy will help them learn does not mean that they won't have fun with it.

Believe it or not, you can save time, and the frustration of complex wedding plans, and you can probably cut your wedding costs in half by hiring a travel agent instead of a wedding consultant. Actually, your best choice is probably a wedding planner who specializes in destinations or a travel agent who specializes in weddings. But, don't worry; these people are out there doing a booming business. Recent market surveys indicate that destination weddings are increasing in popularity daily. Destination planners will coordinate everything: accommodations, legal documents, the ceremony and photographer, flowers, food, and entertainment.

Enjoy Your Wedding

The advantages of a destination wedding are considerable. To begin with, they are by their very nature less formal; so there's much less pressure to host the perfect wedding. Furthermore, destination weddings generally have smaller guest lists. You can enjoy your wedding with your closest friends and family, and not worry about all the strangers who somehow make it onto an ordinary guest list. And finally, your wedding and honeymoon will blend into one. Really, you're inviting your favorite people to join you on your honeymoon.

Enjoy What You Like to Do

Since you're inviting your guests to travel with you, and they're essentially planning a vacation around your wedding, give considerable thought to what you and your guests want to do before and after the wedding. You might want to choose a place where you can enjoy a favorite activity such as skiing, biking, scuba diving, horseback riding, swimming, rock climbing, golf, or tennis. You might choose a tropical climate or romantic scenery or just somewhere to get away from it all.

Choosing a Destination

Your choice of location will dictate many factors about your wedding, including its cost. There are so many breathtakingly beautiful wedding destinations all over the world; the most difficult part of having a destination wedding is probably choosing the best location to celebrate. Here are a few favorites:

Nationally

Mendocino, California

A visual, spiritual, art lover's paradise; Mendocino village is located along the rugged Northern California coast. The climate is surprisingly moderate in this picture-perfect, oceanfront village where small markets, intimate restaurants, charming B&B Inns and art galleries are all within easy walking distance from each other. The backdrop is spectacular ocean views. There's everything from hot tubs spas and excellent massage, to horseback riding, kayaking and abalone diving.

Hawaii

Oahu, with its pristine, aquamarine blue waters and long, powdery beaches is about as luxurious as it gets. Not to mention it has rugged mountains to explore. Maui is another beautiful location for your dream wedding. With its velvety warmth and secluded beaches that guarantee privacy. Or try the big island of Hawaii where you can swim with dolphins or climb the peaks of an active volcano and pay homage to the Hawaiian goddess, Pele.

Internationally

Mexico:

Mexico is home to 2 gorgeous holiday wedding locations. If you're dreaming of white beaches and crystal clear water, opt for Cancun. On the other hand, Cozumel, just off the Yucatan Peninsula, offers some of the world's best scuba diving along with charming resorts and secluded beaches.

Jamaica:

Jamaica offers a backdrop of rich culture and easy living in a tropical climate. You and your guests can visit breathtaking waterfalls, enjoy ruggedly beautiful mountaintops, and exquisitely clean beaches.

Bermuda:

Some claim Bermuda is a true paradise on earth. It is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Adorned with lush green gardens, exquisite pink sand beaches, and unique coral reefs, the island is as inviting as the hospitality is charming.

All of us love deer and many people enjoy attracting them to their yards but some do not know how to do it well or at all. I have received many requests in regard to deer feeding and tips to do so properly. To begin with, feeding deer is very simple. Their sense of smell will direct them right to your feeder and the your offering. When other food sources are becoming scarce, they will follow the scent of good quality feed over long distances. Once they have found it, they will be more than happy to stay around as long as there is a fairly consistent supply.

There are various aspects of feeding deer that need to be addressed before setting out a feeder. First and foremost. Deer are beautiful creatures and look to be friendly, cuddly and approachable. This is very far from the fact of the matter. Deer can become aggressive, although rarely, for many reasons and I advise you to keep your distance and do not approach them for any reason. If you find a wounded deer, or any wild or domestic animal, call your local wildlife control organization and do not approach the animal. Any wounded animal is potentially very dangerous.

In order to feed deer properly and safely, pick a location away from your home with a good viewing area. Do not set your feeder near a doorway or any other area that is or may be frequented by people. If someone walks around a corner or through a doorway and comes face to face with a deer, that deer needs to make a decision. It will go into one of two modes, flight or fight. It prefers to flea and usually does but if it feels it cannot, it may decide to fight instead. Keep you feeders away from any area where people may come into close contact.

With that said, feeding deer is a wonderful hobby and one that can be done safely and enjoyably. Once you have picked a safe location for your feeder, it's time to feed. We highly recommend whole shelled corn as the staple food. Whole shelled corn is the dried corn kernels that have been stripped from the cob as a whole seed. It is a high protein feed, readily available at any feed supply store and is the least expensive to buy. Most importantly, it remains edible for many days under high moisture conditions. When you start looking for suitable deer feed, you'll find many types of deer feed on the market. Some are excellent and some are not. We're often asked about commercial deer chows.

Deer Chow is a manufactured, pelletized product utilizing a mix of various feed types and may contain animal remnant by-products from slaughterhouses or the like. If these by-products are not processed correctly they may contain various diseases that can be introduced to the deer population through your feeding activity. Please do not use deer chows unless you are positive they are tested safe. Another issue with deer chow, and my personal dislike for them, is their inability to remain palatable to your wildlife once they've gather moisture. Deer chow has no resistance to water and even humidity will render it worthless. Any rain, melting snow or high humidity will "puff" the chow into a mass of sloop. Think of a bowl of bran type cereal. By the time you have reached the bottom of the bowl, the cereal is mush. This is deer chow when it gets wet and your deer WILL NOT eat it. You have now wasted money on an expensive product and it must be discarded. Whole shelled corn is by far a superior food type. The encased kernel of corn protects itself from moisture and will remain edible for many days, wet or dry. Some people use cracked corn in hopes of feeding their turkeys or other large birds such as crows, blue jay and cardinals. Cardinals love my own deer feeder and use it all day long. This is a great idea as long as the feed is consumed quickly, within a day or so. Since the kernel, or pericarp or outer shell of the seed, of corn is "cracked" open, it losses its capability to protect itself from moisture. When exposed to wetness, it too will absorb water and my not be eaten by your deer. Turkeys and other birds have no issue with it though and if you have a good population of turkeys, they will readily consume your offering.

The MOST important rule of feeding deer is to offer one type of feed consistently. Deer are ruminants, like cows, and to properly digest their foods they develop a bacterium in their stomachs to start the process. Many unaware people start feeding their deer when the weather gets very cold or after other food sources are gone. This is a nice gesture but it takes many days for deer to produce the bacteria. Hence, your offering fills their bellies but they are getting little if any actual nutritional value. No matter when you start feeding, keep the same base food type available throughout the year or season. Once your deer have built up the appropriate bacteria, corn will become a premium food source. Its high levels of protein and complex sugars will do wonders in sustaining them through the hard months or helping them grow to their full potential.

Why feed deer? Besides the obvious reasons of our own enjoyment, Doe Deer that receive good nutrition throughout winter will produce the healthiest fawns in late spring. Most Does carry two fawns and it takes a lot of energy to grow them in a healthy manner. Feeding deer throughout the year will help hold them in your area which means they will bring their babies in late spring. Believe me, this is a treat you will not want to miss. Watching a pair or groups of baby deer feeding and frolicking around your yard will warm your heart like few other experiences. It is one of my most awaited wildlife moments of the whole year, I guarantee it will become one of yours too.

I highly recommend adding this new level of wildlife feeding to your home. It is easy and when done correctly, is safe and extremely rewarding. For more information regarding deer feeders and deer feeding tips, visit the web link below to read the full version which includes some excellent information regarding white-tailed deer and their abilities to survive.

It's raining outside and you're bored today. Actually you aren't so bored, but you are really tired of hearing how bored your kids are. They whine, they cry, they sulk, and you're losing it. Why not turn off the television and try something a little out of the ordinary if your family has the rainy day blues?

1. Discover new toys. If your kids are like mine, they have a room bursting with toys that don't seem to get enough play time. Perhaps they have forgotten how much fun Barbie or GI Joe can be, or just can't get creative anymore with blocks. If you sit down with your kids and show them just how much fun it can be to combine toys or find new things to do with old toys, you'll be the hero of the day.

For example, try using the blocks to outline a house for Barbie on the floor. Let your imagination soar as you make rooms together and play house. When you're tired of one arrangement, try another! Dig through the closet and find thing that haven't seen the light of day in a few months or years. If nothing in the toy closet has great appeal, make new toys. A few blankets and a card table can make a terrific fort. A towel and a great imagination make a nice magic carpet. Be creative!

2. Play online. There are lots of things to do on the computer that don't require constant supervision like many of the traditional games might. Pull up a website like TheDollPalace.com and let your kids explore. The coloring pages on the site can inspire creativity. Online coloring pages are made from many of the fun and fashionable dolls created on the site, so they are more interesting and exciting than traditional coloring pages.

After trying out the coloring pages, play with doll makers on that site and try out different educational websites. There are tons of websites provided that teach various things or involve games that are educational rather than edgy and inappropriate. The best part of all is that they are free!

3. Bake up a storm. Kids love to help bake things. Dig in the pantry for some sugar cookies or cake mix and whip up a batch. Let the kids help stir, and as the cookies or cupcakes cool, bring out all the sprinkles, food coloring and candy you can find. Let the kids frost the creations and add all the decorative elements. When the masterpieces are finished, everyone can indulge!

4. Play a game together. Most people agree that board games, or even video games, are a terrific way to spend time together, but they can be a bit hard to get started. If you pull out the Monopoly or Candyland board for everyone and get the kids motivated, you'll be on your way to a less stressful afternoon.

Not only will your kids be having fun as they count spaces and make wise real estate investments, they will have something to do that challenges the brain a bit. Throw in a bit of popcorn and juice and you'll have a regular party!

5. Invite friends over. Just because you can't go outside to play doesn't mean friends can't come over to the house to play. Inviting friends over is one of the easiest ways to break a kid's boredom. A friend brings exciting new prospects and makes even the most played video game exciting again.

Let your kids pick up the phone and call a friend. A quick drive in the car to pick him up may just help you keep your sanity and give your child a chance to play with someone they haven't seen in a while.

Moving is a very stressful business. It is always found among the top three most stressful activities in our lives because of its overall impact and needs to be handled with care. When moving house, the family can be prepared for this major upheaval by using what I call my PEP strategy and encourager, which relates to the Practical, Emotional and Positive elements of the whole transitional process.

The practical part of moving is very important for the family, especially in the last three months before the move. Getting it right through checking and double checking related tasks that have to be completed beforehand will lessen the confusion at the destination end reduce the stress of moving on everyone involved. Once a decision has been made to move, contacting relevant organisations from a prepared list (llke utility providers, doctors, dentists, insurers etc.) is essential for the smooth transfer and continuation of all services. Best thing when moving is for everyone in the family, no matter the age, to be assigned specific tasks which gives them responsibility for overseeing the smooth transition of certain items and duties, even if it involves only their bedroom or toys. A good task is usually labelling which carries a fair degree of responsibility, while at the same time leaving much room to be creative in actually making up the labels and ways of checking that everything is covered. This action also gives ownership too, reinforcing family members as valuable parts of the team.

Other very useful preparation includes getting rid of clutter to reduce the items that will e carried, while at the same time doing one's bit for charity by donating unwanted items. To help on the other end, the family can use a priority labeling system which ensures that all key items have a special sign and the next items in priority order are clearly marked too. Not too much time will then be spent searching for much needed items. Pack things on a room by room basis and devise a plan for unpacking at the other home that offers as little confusion as possible. Of course, nearer the date, the removal men will need top be booked and, a few days before moving, 'survival' kits (useful items including toothbrushes, soaps, towel etc.) will be needed for all family members for the first couple of days in the new home.

Lots of Fear


Emotionally, moving is extremely stressful for the family. They would be leaving the home they have occupied for some time as well as the friends they have built up, the work colleagues they have come to know and trust. There will be lots of fear and apprehension at the move, even though the new home might be most welcome. This is where much encouragement will be needed - particularly for the youngsters - to look to the future and what is possible than to dwell on what is passing. Family members would need to be encouraged to see the potential of the new home, the neighbourhood, education and work, to keep focused on the quality of life that is now possible from a new environment. Often this emotional part is ignored through the focus on the practical bits, but getting this right will help enormously in ensuring the practical tasks are accomplished because people who feel good about moving will make more of a success of it. This means an emphasis on positivity and self belief.

The more positive a family is about the move the more successful it is likely to be and the more they will see the benefits for themself without any imposition. Young children, in particular, need reassurance of being able to make new friends easily, to feel wanted and welcomed and to feel that moving is a good thing for them, not just for the parents. They are likely to be more positive about the process if they are made to feel a significant part of it, to be useful rather than shunted aside. With this simple PEP strategy, nothing is left out in the triangle of preparation when a family is moving. Everyone is likely to cope much better and to feel more welcoming of this massive change in their life.

Father's Day is coming up on June seventeenth, and now is a great time to start thinking about Father's Day gifts that are sure to please him. Your father is a special guy, so be sure to remember him this Father's Day with Father's Day presents that will suit his particular tastes. Father's Day gift baskets make an excellent choice for Dad, because they can be personalized in so many different ways.

Gift baskets can be focused around a particular theme in order to personalize them for your special recipient. If your special guy loves to work on projects out in the garage or workshop, why not put together a gift basket with this theme in mind. You could include gift items such as an electronic level or wrenches. A nice pair of work gloves are always appreciated. Of course, you will also want to include some delicious treats as well. Chocolate lovers would enjoy chocolate-covered pretzels, cookies, and chocolate-covered raisins, and these can easily be included in your personalized Father's Day gift basket.

If your father is a sports lover, this could make a really fun theme for a personalized gift basket. Pick his favorite team, and then gather together team-related items. You could include gifts such as a baseball cap with the team insignia on it, or a banner or pennant. Tickets to see his favorite team play would make a wonderful addition to your sports-themed gift basket.

You might put a gift basket together for your Dad based on his hobby. If your father loves poker, this could be the jumping-off point for a really great gift that he will remember. You could put in some chips and decks of cards, and even some great drinking glasses. Food is always appreciated, so snack items such as candy, cookies, pretzels, and chocolates will go over well, and are sized so that they will fit neatly into your gift basket arrangement. Once Dad sees this, he will be sure to enjoy it with his friends the next time they get together for poker.

If the special man in your life likes gourmet foods or likes to cook, a personalized gift basket that features delectable food items is sure to make him happy. You might want to include gourmet items such as sweets or Jordan Almonds. Other food items could be focused around a particular type of food he likes, such as pizza. You could put in a selection of pepperoni, salami, crushed red pepper in a decorative shaker, and other pizza toppings, along with a great bottle of Italian wine. A great gift basket is one your special man will remember for a long time.

Is your man the adventurous type (or at least would like to be)? A really exciting gift you could give him for his birthday would be a day or two of adventure training at a specialist training camp.

These training camps are run by the same people who really do train Navy Seals, US Special Forces and the British SAS. A unique birthday gift like this would see the man in your life whisked off to a top secret restricted training base, where he will live the life of a spy for a day.

Following a morning of learning the finer points of espionage techniques, he will then be set loose in the training grounds either on his own or as part of a team to complete a top secret mission. On this mission, he will have chance to test his high speed driving skills and will be working with live ammunition (in complete safety of course - after all, you will want him home in one piece to reap the rewards of giving him a birthday gift to remember) and gadgets that James Bond himself would be envious of.

At the end of his ultimate spy adventure, your man will come home having experienced helicopter flight drills, hostage rescue missions and carrying out covert surveillance exercises, so there is a chance he will spend the first few days back home sleeping it off!

For obvious reasons, there are restrictions as to who is able to take part in such adventurous activities. Spy training is not suitable for less able people due to the terrain covered and the levels of strenuous exercises involved.

Do not despair though if your partner is not suited to this type of adventure, as there are other exciting birthday gift ideas available, such as taking a flight into the upper atmosphere to experience weightlessness or swimming with sharks, which can be just as exhilarating and memorable. Most of the "day to remember" gift companies usually have something to suit everyone, so you should have no trouble at all choosing the right package as a birthday gift.