Halloween - Perfect For Babies

Your baby's too young to go trick-or-treating, but you can still have fun on Halloween. Read on for creative ideas from other BabyCenter parents with babies up to a year old.

Spread some Halloween cheer - The members of my moms group are going to   "trick-or-treat" at an assisted living residence on Halloween. Although my son will be only 8 months old, I think it's important for him to be exposed to new & different people. Taking him to visit the older residents will not only bring them happiness, it'll expose him to new sights & sounds. It's never too early to start community service! - Lory (Adopted From http://www.babycenter.com)

Go to a zoo party - My son will be 6 months old at Halloween. We're going to take him to the local zoo - they let the older kids trick-or-treat while the younger ones enjoy the animals. The whole zoo is decorated and all the employees dress up. - Lainie

Look for local children's festivals - Every year for Halloween, our church has a fun, kid-focused evening they call Festival of the Lights. We plan to dress up our 7-month-old and take her there so she can enjoy the other costumes and have her picture taken. - Amy

Pay a visit to friends' and relatives' houses - My 7-month-old is way too young to care about Halloween, but we're going to have fun with it anyway. We bought him an elephant costume and we'll take him to visit family and friends. This way, we can show him off to our family and friends and our baby can enjoy seeing everyone too. - Dacia

Pass out candy - My daughter will be just shy of 9 months on Halloween. We're going to dress her up in a bumblebee costume and she'll help us greet the trick-or-treaters that come by our house. Since she's too young for trick-or-treating herself, we'll take tons of pictures and maybe go strolling around the neighborhood to watch the other children. -  Debbie

Dress up during the day - I'll be dressing my 10-month-old in an inexpensive duck costume and taking her to Daddy's work for lunch. We'll be able to show her off but not overwhelm her with the normal Halloween festivities. It should be fun and we're looking forward to it! Can't wait to see the pictures! - Jill

Have your little goblin's portrait taken - My daughter will be exactly 3 months old on Halloween. I bought her the most adorable costume and we're going to have her picture taken that day & pass out candy that night. She'll be an extra treat for our trick-or-treaters! - Letitia

Try the library - Check out your local library. We've lived in three different states and in each one, during their normal story time during the week of Halloween, they have the kids come in costumes and have a costume parade around the library as well as other fun activities – especially great for those too young to trick-or-treat. - Anonymous

Do it for charity - We've decided to go trick-or-treating for the fun of it, but instead of collecting treats for our baby, we'll collect change for UNICEF. The UNICEF website tells how to do it. Never too early to do good deeds together as a family, right? - Venta

 

Sneaky Ways Cycling Takes Off Pounds

Calorie burning and muscle building are the obvious ways cycling helps you drop    unwanted pounds. But that’s just the beginning. Here are a few stealth and sometimes surprising ways that bicycling can help you shed body fat fast. —Selene Yeager

Bicycling Makes You Happy - A recent study from Bowling Green State University reported that as little as 10 minutes of cycling improved the mood among 21 men and women, compared to a similar group who did nothing during that time.  Feeling happier can help you beat fat by reducing the likelihood that you’ll reach for a mood boost in a pint of ice cream or plow your way through a pizza to burn off the blues after a bad day at work. Cornell University researchers have found that people who are sad tend to not only eat more food but also eat more high-carbohydrate, high-calorie comfort food than those who feel happy.

Bicycling Gives You More Energy to Burn - Energy begets energy. The more you move, the more you’ll want to move. And it’s not just me talking. It’s thousands of people and some hard science.

When University of Georgia researchers analyzed data from 70 studies on exercise and fatigue that involved more than 6,800 men and women, they found that 90 percent of the studies reported the same result: Exercise increases energy and reduces fatigue. Sedentary people who participated in an exercise program experienced less fatigue than their still-sedentary counterparts, and the average energy boost was actually greater than improvements reported from using stimulant medications.

Bicycling Leads to Better Sleep - Because it gives you so much energy during the day, bicycling will help you sleep like a baby during the night, which is a very good thing when you consider the sorry state of most of our nights of shut-eye.

Sleep statistics show that the average night’s sleep has dropped from 9 hours to 7 during the past 20 years, with many of us getting a whole lot less. That’s bad news for your weight-loss efforts, say scientists, because when you don’t give your body the sleep it craves, it starts hunting for relief in the form of food. (Adopted from www.bicycling.com)

 

Recipe Of The Month: Fluted Tiramisu Cake

Melted coffee ice cream adds rich flavor to this simple, but impressive dessert!

Ingredients:

• 1 package (18 1/4 oz. size) white cake mix
• 2 cups coffee ice cream, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 1 can regular vanilla frosting
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon-sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, ice cream & eggs at low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 min. Pour into a greased &n floured 10 in. fluted tube pan.

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 min. or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Place water and coffee granules in a large bowl; stir until dissolved. Add frosting & cinnamon; beat until smooth. Frost cake. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Yield: 12 servings (This dessert got rave reviews at a recent family get-together!)

Things To Look Forward To Doing This Fall In Indianapolis!

We’ve been able to sleep with the windows open a few nights over the last week and I admit it’s darn near chilly by the time the alarm goes off.

I hope you know what this means, it means we need to act now. Because this nice weather is going to be fleeting and soon we’ll be in the throes of gray winters and biting cold temperatures. So let’s discuss shall we? Things I’m looking to this fall.

· Waterman’s Farm Market. The corn maze, picking our own pumpkins, the pumpkin eating DINOSAUR. That’s right. Pumpkin eating dinosaur.

· Andersen Orchard. Picking our own apples, drowning myself in their apple slush and shoving my face full of their homemade carmel apples. Then coming home and making an apple pie.

· Zoo Boo. Little kids in costumes wandering around the zoo. That one doesn’t need much explanation.

· Bike rides through the park (Eagle Creek, Fort Benjamin Harrison or even Holliday Park) that either begin or end with elaborate picnic spreads, preferably involving fried chicken and potato salad.

·  Skeletown haunted house at the Children’s Museum.

·  Soup. So many soups to eat & so many new restaurant possibilities to find said soups at.

· Casual walks down the canal in the evening, when it starts to get a little chilly as the sun goes down and your forced to snuggle with the ones you love. (Adopted from http://doingindy.com)

 

What Is Your Home Worth In This Market?

Why It’s Great To Be A Dog?

• Personal hygiene is a blast: No one expects you to take a bath every day, and you don’t even have to comb your own hair.
• Your friends never expect you to pay for lunch, dinner or anything else for that matter.
• When it’s raining, you can lie around the house all day and never worry about being fired.
• It doesn’t bother you if your favorite  television show is a rerun.
• You can wear a fur coat and no one thinks you’re insensitive.
• April 15 means nothing to you.
• People at drive-through windows never charge you for treats.
• No one thinks less of you for passing gas. Some people might actually think you’re cute.
• April 15 means nothing to you.
• People at drive-through windows never charge  you for treats.
• Who needs a big home entertainment system? A bone or an old shoe can entertain you for hours.
• No one gets mad if you fall asleep while they’re talking.
• The older you get, the more people respect you.
• You can sleep late every day.
• If you grow hair in weird places, no one notices.
• You never get in trouble for putting your head in a stranger’s lap.
• There’s no such thing as bad food.
• You don’t have to worry about good table manners.
• People think you’re normal if you stick your head out the window to feel the wind in your hair.
• It doesn’t take much to make you happy. You’re always excited to see the same old people. All they have to do is leave the room for five minutes and come back.
• Having big feet is considered an asset.
• If you gain weight, it’s someone else’s fault.
• You can spend hours just smelling stuff.
• No one tells you to wipe your nose because it’s wet.
• No matter where you live, you own the place.
• Your mate never complains because you whine.
• Every garbage can looks like a cold buffet to you. (Adopted from www.funnyfidos.com)

Vitamins For The Mind - Overcome Winter Blues!

Aromatherapy: It's been proven that different smells or scents can evoke a variety of moods. For example, a person who experiences sleep difficulty may light a lavender scented candle or use a plug-in air freshener with chamomile or another scent to soothe and lull themselves to sleep. Likewise, certain smells such as spiced apple, vanilla, and lemon grass greatly reduce anxiety and improve the symptoms of depression. To keep   your spirits high, consider incorporating scented candles into your home's décor. Before spiraling into a mental funk, light the candles and watch your mood stabilize.

Self-Help Audio Tapes: There are plenty of self-help books and magazine articles purposed to improve one's mood. However, if you need constant mood enhancers, think about positive thinking auto tapes or compact discs to keep your mind free from negative thoughts. Although cold weather and shorter days contributes to   winter blues, our mental thoughts can also play a role. Positive thinking materials are effective because they show how to reject negative thoughts, and ultimately improve your mood. Listen to self-helps tapes at home, work, or in the car.

Bring a Little Life and Light into Your Home: During a winter blues episode, many people keep their blinds closed, which block out the sun's rays. A good way to quickly improve your mood is to allow the sun to shine in the home. Open the curtains and blinds, or choose sheer window treatments that permit light. Additionally, you might consider brining a few live plants into the home. Plants add color and create a nice atmosphere. If your home's décor is dark or gloomy, enhance the space with specks of color. Bring in a new throw pillow, a rug, colorful home accents, or paint a wall.

Adopt a Fun Winter Routine: Depression and anxiety occurs less in the spring and summer because we spend more time outdoors. If cabin fever is contributing to periods of gloom, seek fun winter activities. Build an outdoor fire pit or improve your property with an outdoor Jacuzzi spa. On moderate winter days, you could invite a few friends over and spend time outside. Bundle up in warm clothes & enjoy bike ride, jog, or walk.

Get a Massage: A massage is a great way to quickly rid your mind of anxiety and depression. Massages release muscle tension and promote mental peace and relaxation. It is one of the best ways to beat the blues and improve your spirit. Since winter lasts three to four months, multiple sessions may be necessary to keep the mind stabilized. (Adopted from http://voices.yahoo.com/five-ways-overcome-winter-blues-)

Top Fall Home Repair Projects

The cold of winter can be brutal to a house. That's why fall house projects are an important way to prepare for the season ahead. If you don't have the time or energy to handle these chores yourself, a handyman or home repair professional can help. He or she can look over your house and making the minor repairs that ensure you will be ready for the coming cold.

Check out the House: If you have cracked glass or drafty doors and windows, you will be losing money on your heating expenses in the cold weather. One of your fall house projects should be having a home repair expert inspect your doors and windows to make sure they won't be letting in drafts. The handyman can also install weather stripping or replace broken glass panels if necessary. Fall is a great time to have someone examine the roof for loose shingles or loose flashing around chimneys; that will help you avoid some nasty surprises when it rains. A handyman can also inspect your deck, porch, and outside stairs. If repairs are necessary, it's good to have them done before winter sets in.

Gutters: Gutters are a small part of your house than can cause you big problems. If your gutters are clogged or broken, they can allow water to damage the roof, create ice dams, leak into the attic, and even pool around the base of your house, causing water damage in your basement. A good handyman (like our “Reel Partner” Fred and Sons’) can not only empty the gutters of leaves, but inspect them to detect potential signs of trouble. Be sure to make gutters one of your top fall house projects.

Outside Work: There's a lot of outside work to help prepare your yard for the coming winter. Fall is actually a good time to lay down grass seed and mulch around trees and bushes. A handyman can plant trees, shrubs, and bulbs for flowers that will appear in the spring. If you don't have time for it, a handyman service can also rake up those pesky leaves. Once outside work is done, you need to shut off the outside water and drain the pipes, so you  don't have to worry about water freezing and bursting the pipes over the winter.

Heating: Make your furnace one of your highest priority fall house projects. The best time to have your furnace inspected is in the fall, before it gets cold. (Our “Reel Partner” 4 Seasons Climate Control does a great job at a good price). A home repair professional (such as another of our terrific partners, B-N-C Plumbing) can also inspect your hot water heater and whole-house humidifier – and provide any servicing they might need. Even if  everything is working properly, a tune-up can ensure your systems continue to work at peak efficiency so you don't waste energy. (http://www.caseremodeling.com)

How Can I Travel Lighter?

Traveling light is a big challenge for outdoorsy types because of all the gear, footwear, and clothing we have to carry. And with the airlines practically forcing you to take out a mortgage to check bags, its not exactly affordable either. Read on for some simple solutions to your problem.

Wear your biggest pair of shoes instead of packing them.  Once, while traveling to Seattle to climb Rainier, I wore my leather mountaineering boots   on the plane. I felt—and looked—like a dork. But I saved a ton of space in my duffel bag. I don’t recommend you try this with ski boots, though.

Take a messenger bag, not a backpack, as your personal item. I have this great daypack that sports all kinds of little pockets for organizing things. I never take it on planes. The more pockets and organizing features a bag has, the less room it gives you for storing your stuff. Go with a simple, big messenger bag. The same theory applies for suitcases: a duffel on wheels is your best friend because it usually consists of just one giant compartment.

Buy your toiletries when you arrive. This tip adds a little expense to your trip, but it's worth it. You'll save valuable space if you don’t have to pack toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and the like.

Avoid clothes made from cotton and other natural fabrics. There’s nothing more comforting after a long day on the trails than taking a shower and slipping into a pair of blue jeans and a cotton shirt. But if you're traveling, forget it. Clothes made from natural fibers occupy too much suitcase space, and are more difficult to wash and dry. Quality synthetic-fiber pants and shirts generally wrinkle less, are lighter, and are way more compact.

Bring fewer clothes and wash them more. No matter how long your trip is, don't bring more than three days' worth of clothing. If you followed tip number four and brought only synthetic-fiber clothes, then you can easily wash and dry everything by hand in your motel bathroom or at your campsite.

Leave the laptop behind. For you dinosaurs who still have a laptop, leave it behind. Enter this century and get a tablet computer and a compact wireless keyboard. Even better, just use your phone for email, Web surfing, and, if you must, Foursquare.

Rent or ship your gear. I’ve shipped bikes and skis before, and found that in most cases it’s not worth the money. Renting equipment is usually a better option, as long as you find a high-quality outfitter in advance. But ground-shipping a small box of stuff to and from your destination is often much cheaper than the $50 to $150 round-trip cost of checking a bag. (Adopted From http://www.outsideonline.com)

Don' t Forget To VOTE! On November 6, 2012

Don' t Forget To VOTE! On November 6, 2012

Reel Partner Of The Month - Reel Painting & Flooring

Reel Free Classifieds

Pets 317-710-2831 They have over 100 pet options. Some highlights:

•  Alicia (Shih Tzu Mix): She is very quiet, and sweet. She will make a perfect lap dog.
• Bindi (Boston Terrier Mix): She has the cutest smile, yep she does smile. She is a little girl full of love.
• Luna (Beagle Mix): She is so cute with her big ears and happy go lucky attitude.
• Little Bit (Rat Terrier Mix): She is such a happy, sweet little girl. She will fit in any home.
• Muffin (Pomeranian Mix): Pom's can be noisy, they like to play and bark. She is just a sweet little girl who likes everyone.

Reel Deals 

• PATIO SET 6 Piece, Concrete, Good Shape, Can Deliver, $99. (317)781-0674
• RECLINER Brown, Swivels & Rocks, Very Clean, Delivery Available, $95. (317)781-0674
• ANTIQUE SINGER sewing machine in cabinet, usable, excellent cond., $85.00. (317) 842-4051
• CHINA, Friendly Village, 4 place settings, 16 pieces, excellent condition. $35.00. (317)841-7781
• EARTHENWARE Mikasa, beautiful Oat-Coral design. Service for 8, 43 pieces, $65.00. (317)841-7781
• DOG CAGE Fold Up Type, 28” x 28” x 22”, Seldom Used, $20. (317)786-8342

Charity Events

 

• Fri, Oct 26, 2012, 7:00 PM. 4th Annual Arthritis Foundation 'Bone Bash' at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. A fundraising event for the Arthritis Foundation honoring Dr. James Bicos & Dr. William Didelot, with music from Henle and the Loops, food and festivities. VIP party 6 PM, main event 7-11:30 PM. $75. Info: See Web site or call 800-783-2342. www.bonebashindy.com
• Sat, Nov 3, 2012, 8:00 AM. St. Jude Hero Program at the 5th Annual Monumental Marathon. Run for a reason. Become a St. Jude Hero in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on Nov. 3 and fundraise to support the life-saving care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Info: See Web site below or call 317-587-0925.
• Sat, Nov 10, 2012, 9:00 AM. 'Hoofin' It For Hoosier Vets' Run and Walk in Brownsburg. Members of DECA at Brownsburg High School along with Hike for Hoosier Vets will host a 5K run/walk to benefit Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation. $20 online until Nov. 1, then $25 (or $20 and one canned food item). Info: 317-951-0688.
• Thurs, Nov 29, 2012, 6:00 PM. 'Tinsel and Tails' Fundraising Event at the Ritz Charles. Join the Humane Society for Hamilton County for the annual Holiday Petacular with hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, dinner, pet stories, special presentations, and more. $80. Info: See Web site below or call 317-219-3324. Location: Ritz Charles, 12156 North Meridian Street, Carmel, Hamilton County.www.tinselandtails.com/index.html

How to Help My Child Get a Job

Helping your child find his first job is easy if you know where to look.

If you are like many parents, you may become more and more frustrated each time  your teenager asks you for money. In today's wired society, teenagers often want to spend money on material goods like cell phones, iPods, and the latest and greatest video games. Even if this isn't the case, perhaps your child needs money to attend a dance, play a sport, or take a trip with a school club. Whatever the reason, a part-time job can help teach your child the value of money and help him build communications skills he'll use for the rest of his life.

Instructions

1. Talk to your child's guidance counselors. According to the website snagajob.com, many states require children who are under the age of 18 to acquire what are commonly referred to as "working papers" before they can secure a part-time job. The best place to start is with your school's guidance counselors; they will tell you if  your child needs these papers to work. The guidance office also may be able to tell you of any local companies that are hiring -- or who are willing to hire -- teenagers.

2. Start locally. If your child's guidance office doesn't know of any local companies that are hiring, many local businesses, whether it's the grocery store, a restaurant, or the deli down the street, post "help wanted" signs but don't advertise open positions in any other way. Also, check grocery store or library bulletin boards for job openings; local businesses will sometimes post help-wanted ads in these places as well.

3. Question neighbors, friends, co-workers and colleagues if they know of any part-time jobs for teenagers. Networking is an important tool when it comes to any job search. According to the website familyeducation.com, job openings are often created by students going off to college; as such, high school students may be able to fill those open positions simply by asking around.

4. Browse the newspaper. If you haven't had any luck looking for help wanted signs, check your town's local newspaper. Most newspapers print a want ads section daily, with Sunday's edition being the most comprehensive and extensive listing of jobs.

5. Go online. Try websites such as snagajob.com, monster.com, or careerbuilder.com. While many job-hunting sites cater to working professionals, some will allow you to search for part-time or seasonal jobs. Snagajob.com, for instance, bills itself as "The #1 source for hourly employment," and has thousands of part-time openings available. (Adopted from http://www.ehow.com)

 

The Homework Schedule

Here is an explanation of the school homework policy for the average student. Students should not spend more than ninety minutes per night. This time should be budgeted in the following manner if the student   desires to achieve moderate to good grades in his/her classes.

1. 15 minutes looking for assignment.

2. 11 minutes calling a friend for the assignment.

3. 23 minutes explaining why the teacher is mean and just does not like children.

4. 8 minutes in the bathroom.

5. 10 minutes getting a snack.

6. 7 minutes checking the TV Guide.

7. 6 minutes telling parents that the teacher never explained the assignment.

8. 10 minutes sitting at the kitchen  table waiting for Mom or Dad to   do the assignment. (Adopted from http://www.ahajokes.com)