Posts Tagged ‘kids’

Spring Time Near Means Swimming Cheer

Posted 21 Feb 2010 — by Jennifer
Category Entertainment

With heat to come, our household of many kids, and not to mention all the families we are close to I was thinking it’s time to shop for above ground pools. We moved recently to a house with a decent sized backyard. What a perfect reason to shop for pools! Above ground pools just seems safer and less expensive over all for the family and our close friends.

While pool shopping I thought, why not throw a pool party once it heats up for all of our loved ones? I found some great ideas for pool time fun this spring. Yes, I said spring! We’re in California over here, and it gets hot in spring!

One really cool game I found for the pool was a rubber ducky race. You give each player a rubber ducky and have them nudge it with their nose as they swim along. The winner is the duck that made it to the other side first. There is the classic game of throwing items in the pool and seeing who collects the most within a given time. Why not throw floating items in as well. When all are swimming and splashing about, see how hard it is for the kids to grasp a floating object. Sounds like too much fun! It will be heating up soon so get ready all!

Do you have any pool party tips or ideas? Please comment below and share with our readers.

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Band in a Box by Melissa and Doug Review

Posted 19 Feb 2010 — by Jennifer
Category Entertainment, Reed Reviews

Okay, as yall know I’m the “new” Online Customer Service Manager for a very popular Baby to Teens store. If that didn’t tell it all! Every week I bring home a new toy for Yissie because I’m now once again “an absent parent” most days because I’m busy at work (work that I LOVE by the way). Not that gift buying makes up for me being at work all day, but she sure gets excited no matter how big or small the gift is so this gift buying routine is well worth it!

I knew I’d want to one day review a product I bought but haven’t had it in me thus far. Sure the other toys were great and I’m sure I’ll get to reviewing the others that scored big points by the children but this one I can’t wait on!

Band in the Box by Melissa and Doug is the best toy I’ve bought for family fun in some time. “This musical set includes a tambourine, cymbals, maracas, clacker, tone blocks and a triangle!” These musical instruments are designed with children in mind in regards to the quality, colors, usefulness, and was also crafted with your children’s safety in mind!

I came home so excited to show the kids. I got all the kids together from ages 2 to 11 and asked them if they wanted to be in a band. The kids raved with excitement and each of us (four of the kids and I) chose an instrument and we boogied down! Not long after, the kids were showing daddy their new musical talents and who would guess it… one of the teens got involved. I can’t wait for my oldest to get home! She will enjoy the Band in the Box by Melissa and Doug more then the two year old I’m sure! The Band in the Box by Melissa and Doug is great for family fun and to teach your children creativity! Check out Band in a Box by Melissa and Doug by clicking here!

This wraps up it up for Fun Friday!

Do you have a favorite toy that you brought home for your kids? Please let us know by commenting below. We want to know what toys we should be checking out! Thanks yall.

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Holiday Lessons

Posted 26 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Self Awareness

Christmas is over, and now it’s time to reflect on the holiday lessons that we may have been given. As I’ve stated before, the Reeds are very casual about the holidays. We get together, cook, and eat good food! That is our usual and it works out quite well. Now I do usually get carried away with gift buying. I get excited shopping for the kids, knowing there will be a great shock upon their face if I get them that perfect gift. 

This year the Reed family kept it very frugal. Sometimes you have it and sometimes you just dont. My kids are used to the “maybes” on birthdays, but on Christmas they usually know there will be tons of presents. I was heartbroken knowing I cant do for them our usual. I just knew when they seen only one or two presents each under the tree they’d be saddened. 

Robyn and Yissie

 

I was completely wrong, I did something right in raising them I suppose. They told me all was okay once they realized that there wasn’t much under the tree. Then after opening their presents, they were playing with their present as if they had many. The teens were quiet all day with their new mp3 player attached to their heads. The boys played all day with their lil’ bug looking remote control helicopters, don’t know who liked them more, their uncle or them. The younger girls played with their toys together. They didn’t complain once. 

The holiday lesson here is that we put too much and hold too much weight on what we think is right. What has been right to me, going broke over Christmas, wasn’t what mattered to my children. Going forward I could probably save money on the holidays, and I now realize the kids will be just as happy with a few presents a piece or with a ship load of presents. Christmas was no different with less gifts, and I truly underestimated how much my children appreciate things for what they are. I’m thankful and blessed to have the family that I have. 

What are you most thankful for? Please share with our readers by commenting below. 

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Handling Laundry Woes

Posted 14 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Time & Money

Six kids and two adults… Clothes, Clothes, and more Clothes! How does it all get done? Washing, folding, and putting away so many clothes when there is so much to do during our days that seem hours too short. When I worked all day while being a full time student I didn’t even try to get it done. My family lived out of clothes’ stacks. I would sort out the clothes; boys, girls, baby, and ours, and that’s about all that got done!

My husband spends lots of time in the garage unwinding: smokes, has a few beers, chats with friends. While he is in the garage he washes laundry. I’m lucky for that. I hate to wash clothes. My main task is getting them to where they belong. We moved recently and there is more room, more room means more things have a space. I set to fold every one’s clothes, since I’m home during the day. I realized that the only one, out of the eight of us, kept my neat stacks put up was the baby.

My husband would toss his stack in the closet on the floor, partly because he refuses to bring our old dresser in the house. He wants a new one, his thinking is if he doesn’t bring the old one in then he will conquer all and get a new one. That never works, the dresser will be in the house in a few weeks (mark my words)!  Sinya, the 8 year old, was neat enough to put her clothes on top of her dresser. First thing in the morning when it’s time to find something to wear, the clothes would be thrown about. The older girls opted themselves out of a dresser. All the years they’ve had a dresser, the only thing I found in their drawers was lost papers and doll clothes. The older girls now hang up all their clothes. The boys end up throwing all things in their closet. They don’t care about the time it took me to fold at all.

With all that said, I refuse to fold every one’s clothes once again. They are all old enough and capable of handing their own clothes’ stack. If it’s thrown about they know the drill! Don’t ask me to play on the computer, it won’t happen! I only sort the clothes out: the  teen girls, the boys, the younger girls, the adults! I fold the babies and the adult clothes only once again!

How does your family handle the laundry business? If I’m missing something that would truly help my situation I will follow suit, but I tend to think my way is the best way. Please comment below and let me know how you get it done! And of course:

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(Photo Credits: Flickr via midorisyu & this post inspired by previous twitter conversations with @abiolatv and @Hautotes )

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Coming Soon: Kid & Teen Corner

Posted 11 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Tidbits

When I first started blogging my goal was to have my whole family blog: myself, the husband, teens, kids! That didn’t happen. The family wasn’t as on top of things as me, and had no real fire or passion to make Reed What Matters’ blog  a family affair.

Things are changing, I have a few of my family members that love to write and they want to be involved as I once hoped for. How can I deny them releasing their creative side on our family blog?

So… the kids you keep hearing about will be writing about what matters to them! Please welcome them with comments as you do me. Please encourage your kids or teens to read their articles. Reed What Matters’ blog is always kid friendly. Soon we will offer entertainment and tools that are of their interest. My original plans are coming to be. I’m very excited. 

To keep things organized, for the time being, you will see “Kid Corner” or “Teen Corner” in front of their post. Soon there will be a special spot just for them. Thank you friends.

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Lil’ Handyman

Posted 05 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates

Lil' Handyman

From toddler to childhood I could remember my son, Jamarae, working on things like a lil’ handyman. I remember he would hook up things like the stereo speakers, the DVD player, and his game systems from an early age. He always had an interest and a curiosity for fixing things.

Now that Jamarae is a sturdy 10 year old boy he is a true handyman. He fixes all things that dad doesn’t get to in time. He just put together my new computer desk and changed the bulb on Sinya’s ceiling light. This isn’t new. All the kids and family knows he is the “fixer of all things”. If we can’t get something working or the family needs help moving we count on him.  I’m just very much impressed that he put my computer desk together, so many pieces and tools that it required.Desk

Besides the fact that I’m impressed with his skill set, I wanted to speak of a valuable lesson to all when it comes to our children. Sure I’m a ninny and don’t want my son experimenting with tools and such, but with supervision and some patience, your children can grow up with a skill and use it to their advantage as young adults. Fixing things, computer skills, gardening, or writing… their interest and curiosity could be what lands them a perfect job or can assist them in owning their own business as well.

Let your children learn from their passions and give them the tools they need to build upon their interest so that they can build upon their skills. Doing this worked out great for me! Look I got my computer desk built, and I know when my son is a young adult I will have someone to call when something needs fixed. Giving him the tools to build upon his interest will help him if that is something that he wants to do career wise as he gets older as well.

Does your child have a special skill that you are proud of? Maybe it was you that took a skill you had as a child and you built upon it as a successful adult. Please share your story in the comments below and subscribe to our updates by clicking here.

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Parents, Discipline Your Kids Please

Posted 04 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates

Parents, discipline your kids please! Walking around the grocery store getting a few last minute items for dinner, who would guess that my kids are causing trouble! I don’t get it one bit. Every time I take the kids with me to the store I get them a little snack or surprise. Why do they mess up on my clock or watch… however the saying goes! They wouldn’t be doing this if dad was around (See how well behaved below).

Discipline Your Kids

Jamarae, at 10 years of age, is being chased by Sinya, the eight year old. “No surprise for you two, that’s settled.” They’re now a bit calmer. Low and behold, less then five minutes later Robyn, the 13 year old, is chasing Sinya and pushed her down on the ground. “Are you serious!? You’re almost double the lil’ one’s age! No surprise for you either!” In the check out stand I grab a small bag of chips for Yissie, the two year old. Yissie is the only one half way acting right. I have both girls on strike, playing “shut-down mode” with me.

The checkout lady says, “Boy do they look mad.” I tell her, “they were acting up, and get nothing from me today.” Who would think the two year old would be the only one to get a treat. By the time we leave the store, Jamarae is fine. The girls are still in a mood. I have to remind them the longer they carry on their attitudes it hurts me none, just means I could keep the punishment going with chores and such. The act stopped soon enough. I must say that I enjoyed the quietness while they were in shut down mode. But there is a lesson in all of this. 

Discipline your kids! The kids got nothing from me. I could’ve given in, and given them a special surprise for later. Had I done that they would’ve never learned. Kids will be kids, but we parents have to be parents.

Have your children tried your patience while out and about? What do you do when they pull a fast one?

If you enjoy hearing my ramblings and advise about my children and yours, please subscribe to our updates by clicking here. Feel free to comment below. I love hearing from yall!

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Wanna Take a Free Christmas Photo with Santa?

Posted 30 Nov 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Entertainment, Time & Money

I’m not the biggest Santa fan, but hey… the kids always love a big man in a red suit! If you’re kids like the Jolly Ole’ One why not take them to Walmart for a classic picture of them with Santa!

Santa Picture

December 5th and 6th between 10AM – 2PM (at participating Walmart stores) you’re lil’ ones can take a free picture with Santa!

Click here for more information

Thanks Coupon Mommie!

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Pure Laziness, Too Dependant, or BOTH

Posted 14 Oct 2009 — by Jennifer
Category All Things Techy, Reed Tidbits

Cell phones

The husband is laying down upstairs watching TV after a hard days work. The kids and I are downstairs keeping quiet so the husband can rest.

Jamarae, my 10 year old ask: “What’s wrong with my dad’s cell phone, why isn’t that his number anymore?”

Me: It’s his number; I have to pay the bill! (He has metropcs, it’s an unlimited prepaid plan… You forget the due date and you are reminded by being disconnected)

Jamarae: Well then, how do I get a hold of him?

Me: (Thinking to self, is he serious?!) “YOU GO UPSTAIRS!”

I do the same thing don’t get me wrong. I text my husband or call my husband when he is just 15 feet away in the back patio. But if his phone is off or charging I know how to get a hold of him. I get up and walk to him to talk to him.

Do we rely on cell phones and computers a little too much? My son almost gave up asking his dad something, he had no idea he can actually walk up the stairs to talk to him. What is wrong with us in today’s age?

This week, to set a good example I opt to just get up and talk to the husband. I won’t call him if he is within walking distance. My poor son and it’s my entire fault!

Note: My dummy move, why did I text my husband this morning… wondering why I haven’t gotten a text back… “HIS PHONE IS OFF!” Duh!

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Parenting Mistakes & My Poor Sinya

Posted 11 Oct 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates, Reed Tidbits

Family, neighbors and friends do me a HUGE favor!!! If your kids have been sick in the last 48 hours please don’t let my children come over for play, dont send your kids to my house for play, and “NO” I can’t watch your kids for a few minutes!

My dear, Sinya, has a 102.8 temperature. I felt bad for my neighbor’s kids because one of them slept over last night. I was worried my neighbor’s daughter would have caught it, being Sinya just showed signs of having it hours after playing with the neighbor’s daughter. I call my neighbor, low and behold, her son had a fever a few days ago! My daughter, and her daughter have been playing daily this week.

Had I known her son was sick, Sinya would’ve been home that day and not sick today. Lesson of today, parents need to tell their children’s playmates if their children are sick, and not let them interact together. If sickness develops after playtime, the playmates should be forewarned to watch for symptoms. Isn’t it always something?  

Note: Please wait at least 24 hours of being 100% better before sending your kids to school as well. Thank you!

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