PSA-IMPORTANT HEARING REMINDER

"Did you know that when MP3 players are purchased as gifts, the majority of purchasers are moms? That finding emerged at the Mommy Tech summit at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show.

But do you know about the potential risks? Kids often don't know how to use audio technology safely and they can harm their hearing as a result. In fact, hearing loss among young people is reported to be on the rise and there are strong concerns that a generation of young people could end up with prevalent hearing loss.

"For some time, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has warned that hearing loss in the United States could rise significantly due to the misuse of personal audio technology," ASHA President Tommie L. Robinson, Jr. explains. "Unfortunately, a report released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation cites some alarming trends about excessive entertainment media consumption among our nation's children, indirectly supporting ASHA's concerns. This should be a warning to parents that they must regulate children's exposure and fully understand the potential health threats associated with misuse and over exposure to such technologies."

"ASHA will continue to bring these issues to the forefront and appreciates the Kaiser Family Foundation's contributions to the national dialogue," Robinson adds.

According to a 2004 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children were reported as being exposed to 6 hours and 21 minutes of media (TV, music, internet, etc) per day. By 2009, this statistic had increased dramatically to 7 hours and 38 minutes per day. When media multitasking is taken into account, this leaps to 10 hours and 45 minutes per day. This massive consumption of media has led to decreased grades in school and ASHA contends it puts kids at an increased risk of hearing loss.

One thing that is clear from the study is that parents can be very positive influencers on how their children use entertainment media.

How You Can Help - Spread the Following Message

Whether your child received an MP3 player, gaming device, cell phone, laptop, or any other device with headphones, don't overlook the important health threat of hearing loss. Now is the time to reach out to other parents about the importance of hearing loss prevention, the damaging effects of excessive media consumption, and the resources available to them through ASHA.
Here are two simple ways to protect your children's - and your own - hearing.

· Keep the volume down. A good guide is half volume.
· Limit listening time. Give your hearing 'quiet breaks'.

Find more information and statistics at ASHA's website. You can also follow their Twitter feed or fan them on Facebook to get real time updates on their work."
-Amy Lupold Bair

Valentine's Day Lollipop Flowers

Here is an easy item to make and lots of fun to give and to receive.

First start by making a pattern on plain paper, I like to fold paper over and cut to make symmetrical hearts.

Here is a test flower with the lollipop inserted.

Looks good!

Here is one made on printed scrapbooking paper.

Here are the girls enjoying the final lollipop flowers. Bet they don't last long!

These lollipop flowers are not only fun to make they are fun to give, receive and eat. Very fast project that does not take long to make. Just fold paper in 1/4's then cut out hearts. Next either use uhu glue or some other tape to hold the flowers together. Then punch hole with hole punch in center of the flower. Finally insert the lollipop and tape flower to hold the lollipop in place.

Enjoy!

If you try this send us your results and we will post them or you can comment on your success.

Valentine's Day Pretzel Hearts

First these candies,


Fish and more candies it is all about choice!



Then add Pretzels, icing and food coloring.


Then go to work and come up with these great valentine's day hearts!

Don't eat too many while you are making these.

Yummy, what a great lunch this will be!


This is a great easy project that is a lot of fun and very easy. First get all kinds of red candies together.

Next, take some frosting and put a few drops of red food coloring in. Then mix it well. The toddlers love to stir, so get them to help out!

Then the adult should frost the pretzel, put it on a plate and then put the frosting on to fill the pretzel heart shape.

Finally, have the little ones decorate the hearts with the red candies. Just make sure they don't eat too many of the decorations while they are making these fun items.

If you try this, let us know how it works for you!

Stock Up on Diaper Time

It seems that this week and next week is stock up on diaper time. Target is having some great deals, as our several other stores. Look around in your area if you have a little one and figure out which one is best for you. Also go to this link and their are several great coupons for Huggies diapers and wipes. Their was even a $2.50/1 coupon for me today.

Remember too that some stores will let you double up on the coupons, like Target. Use one of their coupons and the one you print out here. Depending on the deal you do you should be able to get a package of diapers for between $3-$5. A significant savings. I like to stock up on these sales, if you do not use diapers this would make a great tax write off opportunity. You could purchase the diapers at the sale price and then donate them to a hospital or local non-profit who helps new moms. Make sure of course to consult your tax consultant as I am not a tax expert.




Another use for diapers to is in plants. If you cut the material out that soaks up the urine, then mix it into the potting soil it will hold lots of water. This is great for people who travel or forget to water their plants.

PS Remeber to sign up for ECoupons through Upromise and triple dip! Possibly free diapers all together!

$2 Coupon on one Post Natural Cereal

You do have to sign up and wait for the email. Then you will get a $2/1 Post Natural Cereal coupon to print through SmartSource. Make sure to have your printer ready as the SmartSource sometimes is picky about printing preferences.

http://www.postnatural.com/

$1 off Kettle Chips - Plus a Chance to Win Prizes

You must become a Fan and take their 'Real Resolution' Challenge. When you do this you are entered into the contest and you will have the opportunity to print out a coupon for $1/1 pack. Great deal! Exp 3-1-10

Here is the link
http://www.kettlefoods.com/realresolutions/enter-sweepstakes/

Great $1 off Coupon for Kraft Cheese Available Now, Hurry!

Click on the coupon link. Next, click on the food option for the coupons and look for the great Kraft coupon. Great opportunity when combined with the great deals that we have been seeing lately on cheese.

FREE* Oreo Cookies Limited time

My suggestion is go ahead and sign up as a Facebook fan, that way when the give away begins you will be eligible. I got this information from the Oreo Facebook site,

"Mannings win the Battle for the DSRL so FREE* cookies for Oreo Facebook fans! *Up to 150,000 packages. Begins 3 PM EST on 1/25 while supplies last or ends at 11:59 PM EST on 1/25. FREE* Oreo Cookies
http://facebook.com/oreo"

free baby mozart music exp 1-27-10

http://www.babyeinstein.com/en/mozart/download/

Hurry, another free Fresco Taco from Taco Bell!

Free Taco From Taco Bell

Win free milk, and get a free milk coupon for first entrants

http://promotions.whymilk.com/ggg/