Definite Coolness

This Beluga Whales video was sent to me today by A Nony Mouse. After watching it, I have to agree that there is definite coolness here. I just had to share.

I'm All a Twitter...

I did it. I finally managed to get a Twitter account set up and going. I've tried a few times before, but could never get past the initial registration for some bizarre reason. Well, today I stuck it out until I figure out what was wrong.

And now - for all my Twittery fans - The Art and Science of Parenting can be seen on Twitter.

My Twitter name is ...

aandsparenting

Come follow me and do a bit of tweeting to help me spread the word.

Observation...

Whomever said that the "Twos" were terrible had not yet experienced the "Threes."

Gardasil Warning Video

I just watched this video over at BetterSpines. I've been watching the research and the events surrounding the issues about Gardasil and the other vaccine like it.

While I like the presentation of this particular video, I would urge parents to do their own in depth research before making the decision of whether to get this vaccine for your child.

Edited to Add: My purpose with sharing this video is more about opening the discussion. I'm not on a political or personal agenda. I just want to hear what other people think.

Sushi...

I recently picked up a booklet of coupons that had this really cool recipe inside - Candy Sushi Rolls.

I just had to find some pictures and share this with all my wonderful readers. I will absolutely be making this for the girls one day soon.

Here is the recipe: (I found the recipe and photo online at Family Fun.)

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
4 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups crisped rice cereal
20 to 25 gummy worms
1 to 2 boxes fruit leather

Directions

Grease a 12- by 17-inch baking sheet. Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until smooth.

Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the rice cereal until it's evenly coated. Turn the baking sheet so that the shorter ends are at the top and bottom. Then press the marshmallow mixture onto the sheet, distributing it evenly.

Starting at one side an inch up from the lower edge, place gummy worms atop the mixture end to end in a hortizontal line. Gently roll the lower edge of the marshmallow mixture over the gummy worms.

Then stop and cut the log away from the rest of the mixture. Use the same method to form 4 more logs. Slice each log into 1-inch-thick "sushi" rolls and wrap them individually with a strip of fruit leather.

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I did read on another site that these should be eaten the same day you make them because the fruit wrappers get sticky over night.

Calendar Keeper

Kira is in the process of learning about the days of the week and the months of the year. She's learning the concept of time and planning things for future dates. To help her with this, I will be buying her a calendar that will be hers alone. Her calendar will most likely have horses on it...

If you want to help your own child learn these concepts, purchase a calendar for them. Put the calendar low on the wall so your child can see it easily. Use stickers to mark special dates on the calendar. You can also use simple words that are easy to read. Mark dates like birthdays, project due dates, or special occasions.

Each day, be sure to discuss the calendar with your child. Include a discussion of what is planned for that day, as well as what plans have been made for the near future.

This open discussion will help your child visualize the days of the week and how those days flow from one to the other. It will also make your child feel very grown up to have her own calendar to keep up with her own activities.

One last thought: Your child's calendar should reflect her personality and interests. Pick a calendar that has pictures of something special that your child likes. (like horses...)

Swine Flu Vaccines

Here are a couple of interesting videos that discuss the safety of the Swine Flu vaccine. I'm just sharing...