Help your kids cook!

From Pickles to Pancakes, 

your kids can enjoy creating some culinary delights with a little supervision from you! My 2 friends (who are sisters in 2nd and 3rd grade) started a website/ blog because they so enjoy spending time cooking and eating!

You can check it out here: https://helpyourkidscook.wordpress.com/

Here's what I mean,
"We are two kids who like recipes and cooking, and we want to help other kids out in the world learn to cook and to make their own recipes!
We suggest that if you are reading this site, you should get and use the book “Little Cooks” that has fun and easy recipes to make with your kids. "

Parents, grandparents, and kids cooking together in the kitchen, sharing family recipes and secrets passed from one generation to the next is a treasure to those who participate. In my kitchen I have recipe cards from my Mom, my Grandma, and the woman who lived across the street from us when I was growing up. I understand how difficult it is to spend time in the kitchen cooking with kids now but it's an experience that keeps on giving! There are both short and long term payoffs!

Some of the short-term benefits include:

• Encouraging kids to try healthy foods.
• Kids feel like they are accomplishing something and contributing to the family.
• Kids are more likely to sit down to a family meal when they helped prepare it.
• Parents get to spend quality time with their kids.
• Kids aren't spending time in front of the TV or computer while they're cooking.
• Kids generally aren't eating junk food when they're cooking a meal at home.
• Teachable moments about hand washing, kitchen safety, and food safety are ever present.

Long term benefits include:

• Learning to cook is a skill your children can use for the rest of their lives.
• Kids who learn to eat well may be more likely to eat healthfully as adults.
• Positive cooking experiences can help build self-confidence
• Kids can learn where their food comes from

To get some ideas for pretend cooking check out http://durangotoydepot.com/

Ever suffer from a creative block?

Sitting in front of the computer or with a pen in hand and nothing seems to be stirring?

Under a deadline perhaps?

Have a nagging feeling to create something but can't seem to get that feeling out?

Here's some tips.....

WALK AWAY!

That's right, walk away! Put your pen down, push your chair back from the desk, and take a walk outdoors. Change your environment for a few minutes, get outside and stretch your legs, your arms, and your brain. Fill your senses with fresh air!

MOVE YOUR BODY!

Twirl, dance, run, or even try some yoga poses, as long as it’s keeping your mind off of the task at hand. I usually walk away and go do something else for a minute or two. The hard part for me is remembering what I was doing before I went to stretch!

SWITCH UP YOUR ROUTINE!

 Change up your morning routine, instead of having coffee, showering & getting dressed, jump right into your project with both feet! Sometimes, a change in routine can give you a creative boost or even a head start! Leave the last sentence you were working on unfinished so that you pick up hwere you left off....

WEAR SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES!

Feeling stuck? Uninspired? Ask yourself, "how would Michelangelo tackle this project?" OR "what's the best advice from Albert Einstein?" Imaging will spark the creative flow once again!

SET SOME CRAZY RULES! 

Try to think in terms opposite of what you usually hear! For instance, reward yourself when you get up to stretch or walk (which is a win-win) use a sticker reward system or keep track of time spent away from your work! Get the Crazy Aaron's thinking putty out and play for a couple minutes between pages and tasks. (Check out Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty here: Creative thinking putty

GET YOUR REST! 

Above all else, sleep is a very important factor here! Ever heard the term, "let's sleep on it?"

A Harvard researcher found that if you sleep on new ideas, there's a good chance you are more likely to make connections between distantly related points. If you're on a streak, there's nothing wrong with burning the midnight oil once in a while, but don't neglect regular restful if you want to keep that streak going .

Here's some helpful tips to help you and your kids get ready for the first day of school.

1.Talk about the daily schedule and what a typical school day may be like. Let your child know what time school starts and what time school ends. Talk about the length of the bus ride (if there is one) and how long and what time lunch is.

2.Engage your child in a conversation about their feelings in regards to going back to school. Get a sense of what is going on emotionally with this big event.

3.Take a field trip to the school to check out the classroom and meet your students new teacher. This will help releive some anxiety and jitters.

4. Make sure you point out the up sides of starting school, meeting new friends, learning new things, and discovering new territories.

5. Everybody (including the teacher) is nervous about the first day of school? Do you remember that feeling? It's all normal.

6. Sneak a note in with your child's lunch to let them know you are thinking about them. It could even be a ticket for a ride home from school, a coupon for an ice cream, or an appointment togo to the park.

7. Let your student know you've got their back! If any problems arise at school, you'll be right there when asked!

8. Use the buddy system! Try to connect with a friend from the same grade before school starts so there will already be a friend on the first day!

9. Use the buddy system to find some neighborhood kids to walk or ride to school with.

10. Learn about after school activities that may be of interest to your student and try to get them involved in an activity with other students.

11. Take the time after school to talk about the day. Great conversation starters include, "I talked to my friend Jenny today, who did you talk too?" Or "I got stuck in line at the grocery store today for 10 minutes,what do you do when you're in line?"

12. Take a stroll to your neighborhood toy store to decompress after a day at school! At www.durangotoydepot you just might get pranked when you walk in the door! Laugh a little....

Unicorn Science

There is some debate as to whether Unicorns fart rainbows or glitter, the explanation above shows one theory of how a Unicorn could possibly fart a rainbow. Other theories include Unicorns actually flying through rainbows and accidentally swallowing some rainbow dust, Unicorns eating skittles, and the possibility of  the Unicorn waving their magic hoof (only one of the four are magical) as they poot to turn the poot into a rainbow!

The other school of thought claims that Unicorns actually fart glitter.... this gets a little complicated! The hoof theory also applies here but theorists claim there is a fancy prance step that must be completed before the fart in order for the flatulence to turn to glitter, other instances of glitter farts are taken from the little known fact that each Unicorn has a rider (a fairy) and when the Unicorn farts, it is up to the rider fairy to wave their fairy wand and fill the air with glitter!

Another legend contends that Unicorns are naturally able to fart glitter as a defense against predators. This very same legend points out that Unicorns developed glitter farts to blind their opponents in battle. Since Unicorns do not know how to fight, they instinctively shot glitter into the eyes of their opponents to temporarily make their eyes water so the Unicorn could escape safely. This method also shamed the predators as they had to explain to their fellow predators that a Unicorn farted glitter in their eye and that is why they were late for dinner!

Check out Durango Toy Depot for Sticky Mosaic Unicorn craft kits!

Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics Review

                                                    Sticky Mosaics®

Learn to tile-by-number, make sparkling room décor, explore our junior line, and more!  Make your own mosaic masterpiece today these are truly work when you finish!
Choose from dozens of designs, follow a simple numbered legend, and create a perfect design every time. No mess sticker-by-number kits make this project perfect for travel, a play date, a rainy day or just for fun! Consider Sticky Mosaics for party favors too!
From twinkling tiaras to fire breathing dragons, Sticky Mosaics have the perfect kit for every skill level and interest. Sticky Mosaics kits are a hit with the whole family. Each kit gives beautiful results and a strong sense of accomplishment. Sticky Mosaics are not just crafts; they are works of art. Just because the craft is completed doesn't mean the fun is done.

Check out these reviews!

       "Bravo Orb Factory, My 7 year old daughter and I love your Sticky Mosaic products. They are     awesome! We have purchased the Mermaids kit and the Enchanted Forest kit and have really enjoyed doing them. We have been buying them for friends for their birthdays and have been getting compliments as well. "

Sharon P., Baldwinsville, NY

Just wanted to let you know that Sofia received her Tiaras today, and they were a HUGE success!!!! So much so she wants to wear it to her dentist appointment tomorrow. My 3 year old LOVED them as well. She especially liked the blue sticky gems!!!!!

Vanessa M., Dorval, Canada

It's True West Railfest time in Historic Durango Colorado!

              "Welcome to the Wild West!
 The D&SNG will again partner with True West Magazine to bring you the 2015 True West Railfest celebration of railroading and the western lifestyle. In the mid-1880s, America's expansion westward created new towns, tent cities, boom and bust, and often lawlessness. Settling the West fell on the shoulders of cowboys, sheriffs, possees, and the communities. We celebrate their efforts!"
What's more, these two engine, dubbed "The Gallaping Goose" will be leading excursion Durango to Cascade Canyon. The two Geese will depart 10 minutes apart but will work in tandem for run-bys. Passengers will switch seating at various points throughout the day so everyone will get the best possible view of the beautiful scenery along the canyon tracks.
Relive a weekend in the old west when you participate in some of the 2015 True West Railfest events happening all day Friday and Saturday August  14th and 15th, 2015! 
             For more information http://www.durangotrain.com/events/true-west-railfest#

Zoltar Speaks

ZOLTAR! The great gypsy can see your fortune and invites you to come and see it too!

Zoltar had his 15 minutes of fame when he appeared in the movie Big in 1988. The movie is an American comedy fantasy film directed by the one and only  Penny Marshall (you may know as Laverne), and stars Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a young boy who makes a wish "to be big" and is then aged to adulthood overnight.

Twelve-year-old Josh Baskin, who lives with his parents and infant sister in , is told he is too short for a carnival ride, while attempting to impress Cynthia Benson, an older girl. He puts a coin into an unusual antique arcade fortune teller machine called Zoltar Speaks, and makes a wish to be "big". It dispenses a card stating "Your wish is granted", but Josh is spooked to see it was unplugged the entire time.
The next morning, Josh has been transformed into a 30-year-old man. He tries to find the Zoltar machine, only to see an empty plaza, the carnival having moved.Returning home, he tries to explain his predicament to his mother, who refuses to listen, thinking he is a stranger who kidnapped her son. Fleeing from her, he finds his best friend, Billy Kopecki, and convinces him of his identity by singing a song that only they know. With Billy's help, he learns that it will take a couple of months to find the machine, so Josh rents a room in New York City and gets a job as a data entry clerk at MacMillan Toy Company.
The movie is a classic in our eyes because Zoltar speaks and because it is a good reminder to honor the child inside all of us. Some of us do have an advantage in this area because we get to hang out in Durango Toy Depot all day and play.... or, as we call it, "test" the toys. Some days we get our pranks out and surprse unsuspecting folks with a piece of snappy gum, or even an envelope of rattlesnake eggs. Either way, every day is a play day for us! Zoltar sees it in our fortune!

 Stop by and visit Zoltar in downtown Durango Colorado! You'll find him at Durango Toy Depot!

You can shop online at www.durangotoydepot.com