Feeling Thankful

Sometimes, the mere fact that I have happy, energetic, healthy children keeps me up at night. Fearful of jinxing myself, I hate to even see myself type words like "I have healthy children," knowing that so many parents are dealing with issues that I can't even begin to imagine. It's not that my life or my children are perfect; but knowing what could happen can be downright paralyzing at times.

But rather than dwell on the horrible possibilities, I've decided that a more positive approach is to be thankful and grateful. As we sit down to turkey with our friends and family, I will quietly and calmly just offer a simple "thanks" to the universe for the sweet and talkative cotton-top little boy and that beautiful and brilliant daughter of mine. 

The other thing I can do is try to get the word out about amazing organizations and people and businesses and charities that are doing incredible things to make the world a better place, especially for kids and families. That's why when I got a press release about St. Jude's Research Hospital launching its Thanks and Giving campaign, I wanted to spread the word.

Just shop wherever you see the green magnifying glass (Radio Shack, Target, and Gymboree, among several others), and that will help raise funds and awareness for St. Jude's. Check out the Web site for a complete list of partners and to see the specialty merchandise created to support the campaign. Or you can donate directly online at the Web site. And here's why I had to pause and give thanks.

From the press release: 

Liz Smith is no stranger to hardship. In 1999, she lost her 2-year-old son to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in 2004, lost her husband when he tragically committed suicide. Then she rescued her brother's three children from foster care and legally adopted them. She was hit especially hard when her 6-year-old niece, Amber Hardin, was delivered with a diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue, during a doctor's visit. 

After seeing St. Jude TV commercials, Liz immediately decided to take Amber to the hospital for treatment. The hospital meant hope for Liz and her family. Amber began a new St. Jude treatment protocol that alternates chemotherapy with targeted radiation. Liz and Amber live at Target House, and Amber's treatment is due to continue until February. Meanwhile, back home in Indiana Liz's two older daughters put their dreams on hold to stay home and help take care of their younger siblings.

Thank you.

For the Bookish

Like so many other students out there, Kate, my third grader, is required as part of her homework to read at least 20 minutes per day. But tracking that time can be a real challenge for a young reader, who might get sucked into a book for an hour or only have time for a short literary break.

I can recommend this cool product to help: Mark-My-Time digital bookmark, which helps track reading time. Kate figured out how to set it pretty quickly and now keeps it stuffed into the pages of her current book or slides it into her backpack. No more hunting down a timer or watching the clock. And best of all, it's quelled my nagging: "Did you read 20 minutes? I don't think that was long enough!"

The bookmark can be set to count down or track cumulative time and is made from durable plastic. It comes in neon blue, green or purple and retails for $8.95 at various bookstores and at the Mark-My-Time Web site.

L.A. Parent Cooks!

We have a winner! L.A. Parent's Associate Editor Ronna Mandel trekked over to the Whole Foods Market Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena yesterday to check out the press launch of Personal Trainer: Cooking, a new interactive cooking coach for Nintendo DS that comes out on Nov. 24.

Ronna, like me, is a bit of a stranger to a skillet, so she was somewhat tentative when she found out there would be a competition similar to the TV game show Supermarket Sweep followed by some kitchen time. Media folks were to be divided into teams, after which they received their recipes, and, using the new "cooking coach," raced through the Whole Foods Market.  

Imagine Ronna's surprise when she and her teammate won!

For her hard work, Ronna brought home a huge copper trophy, a Whole Foods gift certificate, a copy of the game and, of course, the honor of having represented L.A. Parent so well by simply serving up lentil soup. Congratulations, Ronna!

Despite all the hulabaloo surrounding the press event, Ronna says the game is actually a great tool for nonchefs and could be a huge help to tweens and teens trying to find their way in the kitchen. Potential chefs can choose from more than 245 recipes, which include pictures (also helpful, Ronna says), shopping lists and other useful features. Overall, the title offers a unique and helpful way to use an electronic device that is primarily for gaming.

Pictured below (from left) are David Ruprecht of the Supermarket Sweep game show, Ronna, David Young of Nintendo of America and Ronna's teammate, Ada Chan, of Pasadena.  

Baby Boogie

For parents out there who miss their old night-club days, it's time to grab your sequined diaper bag and hit the dance floor with Baby Loves Disco, a parent-hosted dance party that's become quite a hit in the Southland.

Last weekend L.A. Parent's graphic designer Terresa Burgess took her 14-month-old daughter Teagan to an event, which was held at Cinespace in Hollywood, a restaurant and club normally reserved for the young and usually childless crowd of L.A. hipsters.

While toddlers find their groove, grownups can enjoy adult beverages and relive a little of their ’80s dancing days. The little ones like the bubble machine and hula-hoops, and there's also a play area and snacks. A real DJ spins the hits (decibel levels are made for young ears, although Terresa thought the volume might've been a little loud, especially after being there for a while). Parents can raise concerns about volume or other issues to their parent hosts, which are stationed at every event.

The baby dance craze was born out of the Baby Loves Music indie label, which makes music CDs, books and other products geared for toddling music lovers. Events are held throughout the U.S. and even in the United Kingdom. Tickets are $15; stayed tuned to the Baby Loves Disco site for future L.A.-area dates.

Here's Teagan rocking out solo, with her dad Sean and mom Terresa:

                  

          

Bolt for Breakfast

I guess I just have dogs on the brain these days (see Pet Project), but this looks like a fun outing: Catch a family screening of the new Disney dog movie Bolt and have breakfast, too.

The Bolt and breakfast event is for the 10:30 a.m. screening this Saturday, Nov. 22 only, at the ArcLight Sherman Oaks. Tickets cost $21.50 for adults and $17.50 for kids 12 and younger. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, French toast and a morning beverage (just keep the kids away from the coffee or you'll be calling them "Bolt").