Each year I head to my friend’s (and roommate from college) Saint Patty’s Day Party and I just love seeing all the various shades of green. I really try to pull out a kelly green shirt as I think that is the true Irish Green coupled with my mom’s shamrock scarf from Ireland. Then there are the accessories – necklaces, nail polish, hats, etc. My 10 year old wore a sticker to school today that read, “this is my bit of green so don’t pinch me”. Of course they reminded me that they need to put out their shoes so the leprechaun can put some treats in them!  I did pick up a mint green shirt the other day and have a whole lot of green nail polishes ranging from teal to mint.  What shade of green will you be wearing?
Saint Patrick's Day OutfitShades of "green" nail polish
Each year I head to my friend’s (and roommate from college) Saint Patty’s Day Party and I just love seeing all the various shades of green. I really try to pull out a kelly green shirt as I think that is the true Irish Green coupled with my mom’s shamrock scarf from Ireland. Then there are the accessories – necklaces, nail polish, hats, etc. My 10 year old wore a sticker to school today that read, “this is my bit of green so don’t pinch me”. Of course they reminded me that they need to put out their shoes so the leprechaun can put some treats in them!  I did pick up a mint green shirt the other day and have a whole lot of green nail polishes ranging from teal to mint.  What shade of green will you be wearing?
Saint Patrick's Day OutfitShades of "green" nail polish
While my kids are not teens yet I really wanted to attend this event in Boston – Teen Life LIVE! The Fifth Annual Community Service Fair & Expo took place at the Chestnut Hill Mall on Sunday. In case you haven’t heard of TeenLife.com it is the “go to†online destination for students, parents and educators nationwide who are seeking programs, products and services geared to college-bound teens, aged 13-19.
The event featured over 50 Boston area non-profits that engage teen volunteers. I thought it would be interesting to see all the different organizations there and to find out a bit more about volunteerism.
I brought my 10 year old and her friend and while they were a bit young to really engage, I was glad as a parent that I took the time to see all the different opportunities that are available to students when they reach that critical age. WE have to be prepared! Studies have shown that teens who volunteer gain benefits ranging from increased self-esteem to acquiring valuable job skills.
We certainly did not have this event when I was young and I think it opens up many doors for kids to think beyond their world.  Volunteer opportunities for students under 18 can be limited, and students, educators and parents often struggle to find meaningful opportunities that match students’ schedules and interests. This was one place where parents, kids as well as educators could gather information, sign up for information and really learn about the types of opportunities that would be a fit. Plus volunteering at an organization can really help a student decide if that is what interests them.
The free event connected more than 1,200+ students, parents, and teachers with 50 local non-profits in and around Boston that specifically engage teen volunteers. In addition to the goodie bag we received a printed copy of the 2012 TeenLife Guide to Community Service in Boston.
Some of the non-profits at this year’s fair included ABCD Career Explorations, The American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, Boston Cares, Challenge Unlimited, Cradles to Crayons, the DeCordova Museum, DoSomething.org, Families for Depression Awareness, The Food Project, Hale Reservation, Heifer International, Horizons for Homeless Children, New England Aquarium, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, New England Baptist Hospital, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Boston, Reach Beyond Domestic Violence, People Making a Difference, Princeton Prize in Race Relations, Roots & Shoots, Samaritans, Tenacity, and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.
If you haven’t heard of all that TeenLife has to offer go to their web site where you can receive announcements about all of TeenLife’s guides, bi-monthly e-newsletters, and calendar events relevant to a particular region. They really can help families and schools to connect middle and high school students with all sorts of meaningful opportunities, such as summer programs, community service, after school and weekend activities, and gap year programs.
I almost forgot. Valentine’s Day is a week away. How do you celebrate with your significant other? With the kids? Today on WCAP we were discussing what makes a good gift….Know your mate for sure!
I almost forgot. Valentine’s Day is a week away. How do you celebrate with your significant other? With the kids? Today on WCAP we were discussing what makes a good gift….Know your mate for sure!
I know…..everyone is excited about the Super Bowl…especially us here in Boston. Today on my weekly radio show we talked parties and what some women will be doing on Sunday….heading…to..Target..for….the launch of the Jason Wu line! Listen in
Calling all future project runway contestants and fashionistas -Â If you have a child ages 5-12 you must head to this site now! fashionplaytes.com
FashionPlaytes is an online fashion community for girls where they are able to design their own clothing!   The online sketchbook allows kids to select, customize and accessorize their own clothes. The clothes are pretty affordable and cute. T-shirts start at $8.00. I was invited with my girls to tour their Peabody studios for a fashion show. My girls loved it and they loved their custom creations. (the company gave us a $100 gift card for the girls to design their own clothes)
Gift cards are available and they make a perfect and unique holiday gift.
Here are a few of the fun photos from their fashion shoot and show!
Always nice to see local bloggers and the ladies fromBoston Parent Bloggersand get great information.
The timing of this event was perfect as cold and flu season is approaching. Dr. Meg Meeker was the guest speaker and she had some great tips for this upcoming cold and flu season. I am glad that in our gift bag we did receive The NEW Vicks® Behind Ear Thermometer as I cannot wait to test it out (since we just got over strep a few weeks back hopefully I won’t need it soon….but I will let you know how I like it)
For years I was using the in the ear thermometer which my kids hated! This is much more convenient, especially for young babies and more accurate with just a touch and no sticking anything anywhere!
Dr. Meg suggested you make sure you have these items on hand this season. She also had some great tips!
Stock ibuprofen and Tylenol (and you can alternate between them for fever and pain)
Lots of liquids for your sick kids
Stave a cold; feed a fever: total myth: all kids that are sick with the flu or cold need liquids
Utilize saline nose drops
Try the new Thermometer as kids won’t fight you – cannot wait to try the Behind Ear
If your child has a fever don’t put them in a cold bath – tepid water only
Use a Cold Mist humidifier when your child has a cold and use a vaporizer when they are sicker (fever, flu)
Keep your house clean
Teach your kids how to sneeze in their elbow (not in their hands or everywhere!)
Change toothbrushes once a month
Use paper cups when your kids are sick
What was most interesting is that she says to keep the humidity in your home at 40-60% . They also gave us a humidity monitor to check room levels. It is important as a new study just published in Environmental Health Journal suggests home humidifiers may play a role in reducing survival of Airborne Flu virus. The study sponsored by Kaz, the manufacturer of Vicks brand humidifiers can be found at Environmental Health Journal
The humidifiers now are much easier to use, unlike the ones when I was a kid. Check out the different models at  Cold and Flu Shop.
Always nice to see local bloggers and the ladies fromBoston Parent Bloggersand get great information.
The timing of this event was perfect as cold and flu season is approaching. Dr. Meg Meeker was the guest speaker and she had some great tips for this upcoming cold and flu season. I am glad that in our gift bag we did receive The NEW Vicks® Behind Ear Thermometer as I cannot wait to test it out (since we just got over strep a few weeks back hopefully I won’t need it soon….but I will let you know how I like it)
For years I was using the in the ear thermometer which my kids hated! This is much more convenient, especially for young babies and more accurate with just a touch and no sticking anything anywhere!
Dr. Meg suggested you make sure you have these items on hand this season. She also had some great tips!
Stock ibuprofen and Tylenol (and you can alternate between them for fever and pain)
Lots of liquids for your sick kids
Stave a cold; feed a fever: total myth: all kids that are sick with the flu or cold need liquids
Utilize saline nose drops
Try the new Thermometer as kids won’t fight you – cannot wait to try the Behind Ear
If your child has a fever don’t put them in a cold bath – tepid water only
Use a Cold Mist humidifier when your child has a cold and use a vaporizer when they are sicker (fever, flu)
Keep your house clean
Teach your kids how to sneeze in their elbow (not in their hands or everywhere!)
Change toothbrushes once a month
Use paper cups when your kids are sick
What was most interesting is that she says to keep the humidity in your home at 40-60% . They also gave us a humidity monitor to check room levels. It is important as a new study just published in Environmental Health Journal suggests home humidifiers may play a role in reducing survival of Airborne Flu virus. The study sponsored by Kaz, the manufacturer of Vicks brand humidifiers can be found at Environmental Health Journal
The humidifiers now are much easier to use, unlike the ones when I was a kid. Check out the different models at  Cold and Flu Shop.
Growing up I remember it was a big deal to head into Boston and go to the theatre. For us it was attending the performance of The Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker (which I have yet to take my kids to!) But there is just something magical about those Rockettes. For as long as I can remember seeing the world famous Rockettes was on my to do list!
That is why I was so excited to be able to attend the performance the other night at theCity Performing Arts Center-Wang Theatre. My kids have never been to the theatre and it was a nice last minute surprise. When I told them, they were excited as they saw the commercials for the performance! You might have heard how magical, delightful and spectacular the show is…..AND IT WAS!
We are lucky that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular® starring the world-famous Rockettes are in Boston from Friday December 2nd – Wednesday, Dec 28th so there is still time to see this great performance and what a performance it was.  I was in awe, like my kids! This year’s show features brand-new scenes and songs, spectacular new sets, dazzling new costumes, an amazing 50-foot LED screen, and an unforgettable new finale!
The dancers movements are so precise and the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers scene was fantastic. Of course my kids were shocked when the reenactment of the first Christmas came on the stage. It was a Live Nativity –yes live, meaning that there were real camels, donkey’s and sheep! The kids all squealed!
I loved the  “Christmas in New York,†with the Broadway-style singers and a life-sized double-decker bus. Seeing the show definitely put me in a holiday mood for sure and there is a favorite number for all ages. My 10 year old loved the Magic is there scene in which Santa helps a couple young friends with their last minute shopping and includes a trip to the North Pole.  My seven year old loved the New York at Christmas (takes after me!) I also thought the living nativity was great.Â
You can enjoy the show too as my trendymommies readers……we are offering a 25% off discount for the non-peak shows. Start a tradition with your family, add it to your holiday to do list as you will not be disappointed. See below for how to order and enjoy the show!
Disclosure: I was giving 4 tickets to attend the show by The World Famous Radio City Rockettes
2. Select a NON Peak Performance between Sat, Dec 7th – Dec 28th for your 25% off discount:
12/2/2011 at 8 pm
12/16/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/3/2011 at 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
12/17/2011 at 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
12/4/2011 at 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm
12/18/2011 at 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm
12/7/2011 at 2 pm
12/20/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm
12/8/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm
12/21/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm
12/9/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
12/22/2011 at 5 pm, 8 pm
12/10/2011 at 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
12/23/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
12/11/2011 at 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm
12/26/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/13/2011 at 7:30 pm
12/27/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/14/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm
12/28/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/15/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm
Bolded Performances = Peak Pricing/no Discount
3. Enter Promo Code: ROXMOM11 *Offer is not valid for Gold Circle – $130 seats, for which there are no discounts. There is a 8 ticket limit on this event. Pricing                                            Peak            Non-Peak Orchestra (Pit & Rows A-D):        $130.00         $130.00 Orchestra (Rows E-O center):      $99.00           $89.00 Orchestra (Rows E-O sides, P-EE):   $83.00          $73.00
Mezzanine: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $83.00 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $73.00
Balcony (Rows E-J): Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $83.00 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $73.00 Balcony (Rows K-S): Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $74.00 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $64.00 Balcony (Rows T-Z): Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $58.00 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $48.00 Balcony (Rows AA-FF): Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $29.00 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $25.00
