Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in cleveland, OH

Battling Weight Discrimination

by Naomi

February 23, 2009

Emme is working with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity to educate our country about weight bias, weight discrimination and wants to share with you helpful ways to teach your children about the harmful effects of weightbias and how to support a child in your life who is the victim of such a horrible experience.

I am bringing you this interview as the week of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins.  Please take a moment after reading this post to visit the site!  

With me on the call were several Savvy Source City Editors ... read on for the interview :

Did You Miss?

by Naomi

January 31, 2009

Did you read the "best of" for January, 2009? Should you stress? What do with all of this snow? Turn Moments into Memories 5 Things That Matter  Read more...

When the Student Becomes the Teacher

by Naomi

January 28, 2009

This post was written by Tara Jefferson Pringle, of The Young Mommy Life .  Tara is a Public Affairs associate with The Cleveland Foundation and a freelance writer (has written for one of my favorites, Family Groove) . She shares with us today her thoughts on learning from your children! I know I've grown a lot since my daughter was born two years ago. And I don't mean the numbers on the  Read more...

9 Things To Do Before Kindergarten

by Naomi

January 27, 2009

Since Kindergarten is on the brain of those parents with little guys and dolls who will be entering the big world of school this Fall, I wanted to provide you with some fun area "TO DOs" before they start school, and all of that free time has gone to the wayside! 1. Plan a Stay-At-Home Vacation . It's easier than it sounds, I promise! Choose a weekend with no pre-planned activities. Pick some  Read more...

Going Green with Cheryl Tiegs!

by Naomi

January 26, 2009

I recently had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Cheryl Tiegs! Cheryl is the spokesperson for Cambria , a Minnesota based company producing "green" products, such as countertops. Cheryl also is one of the judges on the ABC produced show, True Beauty . Listen in on our conversation, and the other Savvy Source Editors who joined us: SS: How and when did you  Read more...

New Day Revolution ... and a giveaway

by Naomi

January 25, 2009

Sam Davidson and Stephen Mosely are the authors of New Day Revolution and the founders of Cool People Care. They have written an amazing book listing out very easy ways to "save the world in 24 hours." Some examples? Give a Coat: Many of us have too many coats, while there are others who don't even have one. Make a commitment to give one jacket to a local shelter or clothes closet. You may  Read more...

Potty Training Power

by Naomi

January 23, 2009

Today we are going to discuss Potty Training. That job we get as parents to get out of the diapers and into the bathroom. I don't know about you, but it is one of my least favorite responsibilities as a parent. Not that changing diapers or pullups is fun, but potty training just seems so ... I don't know ... time consuming? Here to help are Sean and Cindy  Read more...

Goosie Cards Review and Giveaway

by Naomi

January 14, 2009

I am always on the hunt for toys and products that are not only enjoyable for our family to use together, but are also "mom made." Goosie Cards fits the bill in more than one way! Not only is the concept mom-created, but the actual product is one that YOU create! Goosie Cards® are the first and only personalized photo flash cards for children and proudly made in the USA. Each Goosie Card  Read more...

Do you see yourself?

by Naomi

January 13, 2009

best places for your child to see their reflection  Read more...

Savvy guide to visiting a museum WITH children

by Naomi

January 11, 2009

Prior to hosting a Rock-n-Tot event at the Museum of Contemporary Art, I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant about taking my littles to a museum, unless it had the word "Children" in its name. However, with a little bit of planning and preparation, I think it can be done, AND be a huge sucess!! 1. Research and talk with your children about what they might see at the museum. This can be as  Read more...

Quote for your weekend ....

by Naomi

January 09, 2009

Imagination is more important than knowledge. â?? Albert Einstein  Read more...

5 things that matter ... 5 things that don't.

by Naomi

January 06, 2009

You know that when you're a parent, you want to do everything right. You strive to be the best mom or dad you can be, and with the influence of media, parenting experts, OTHER parents and don't forget the grandparents, it is sometimes impossible to determine what matters. If you're anything like me, sometimes you just get frustrated as you try to determine what doesn't matter. I want to share  Read more...

A resolution we should ALL keep (and a giveaway!)

by Naomi

January 02, 2009

This post was written by Rashmi Turner, Founder of Global Wonders (Global Wonders is offering Cleveland readers a giveaway! Details at the end of this post!) This is a truly unique holiday season. With the state of the economy and world affairs, most of our gift selections and resolutions pertain to saving more and spending less. While it's easy to get caught up in the financial  Read more...

Quote to sit with ... 12.26.08

by Naomi

December 26, 2008

Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories... (Terry McKay ... An Affair To Remember)  Read more...

Matunda ya kwanza!

by Naomi

December 26, 2008

Today marks the first day in the celebration of Kwanzaa. I wanted to share with you a couple of the Seven Principles of the celebration, as they are quite beautiful. I would love to find a way to adapt these Seven Principles to fit the ages and level of understanding of my children! We can all learn something from : Ujima / Responsibility ... To build and maintain our community together and make  Read more...

Littles in the kitchen : Holiday Style!

by Naomi

December 24, 2008

I don't do much baking at this time of the year, but if you want to get your littles in the kitchen one more time before the holiday season is over, have I got some suggestions for you! The Hungry Housewife has some AMAZING "make-its" on her site and we recently tried the Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees . Now come on, how EASY is this? Pointy Sugar Cones Premade White Frosting White Tube  Read more...

Quote for your weekend ... 12.19.08

by Naomi

December 19, 2008

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. Peg Bracken  Read more...

Goodnight Moon (the modern version)

by Naomi

December 17, 2008

This is an "Author Unknown" but it BEGGED to be shared with you all! In the messy family room There was a telemarketer ringing the telephone And a crying toddler because his brother just popped his red balloon And a picture of- The cow jumping over the moon (which someone colored on with permanent marker) And there was a missing teddy bear, and a girl with  Read more...

Giving Back : Cleveland area food banks

by Naomi

December 15, 2008

What is even more special than all of the holiday glitter, than to also teach your children how to GIVE themselves? It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement, that we forget to teach our children how to give. One easy and very simple way to give this holiday season is to donate to a local food pantry. Simple Step #1 - Let your children choose three items (canned or otherwise  Read more...

Create new traditions!

by Naomi

December 14, 2008

It is now the 14th day of December ... we're so close ... but still far enough away that you can make some GREAT memories with your kiddos!! Pick one of the following memory-makers ... DO IT ... commit ... invest! Leave a comment and tell me what you chose to do ... what will make it into your list of traditions for next year? 1. Put on new Christmas music and sing together. 2. Go shopping and  Read more...

Quote for your weekend : 12.12.08

by Naomi

December 12, 2008

â??If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live.â?? - Lin Yutang Do you know how to live? What does "living" mean to you?  Read more...

Kids Meals Deals ...and tips for dining out.

by Naomi

December 07, 2008

Dana Davis from Kids Meal Deals (who happens to be located HERE in Ohio!) recently talked with me to give some helpful hints for dining out with children. Kids Meal Deals allows you to enter your zip code and find restaurants that are offering kids deals! From Steak N Shake to Golden Corral and more being added all of the time, it's a must use for parents! Current special deal? FREE Kid's Meal  Read more...

Across the oceans ...

by Naomi

December 04, 2008

Over this past summer, our family participated in a very fun (and so easy to do) penpal type program. Post Crossing is a fantastic (and very very organized) project that allows anyone to exchange postcards (real postcards that you can hold in your hand!) from random places in the world. You simply create an account at their website, then request an address and a Postcard ID. After mailing a  Read more...

Ick ... GERMS!

by Naomi

December 03, 2008

If your family is anything like ours ... and you're starting to see those runny noses and droopy eyes, Germy Wormy is HERE to help! I sat at our Thanksgiving table and just watched my littles spread germs ... snotty noses and sneezes flying across the table. ICK! What I love the MOST about Germy Wormy is that when we tried it out here at home, the kids REALLY got into it and it  Read more...

Simple way to GIVE BACK

by Naomi

December 03, 2008

Sign up for the Graco Seat Club ... for every three of you that sign up for this amazing club, Graco will donate a car seat to organizations that help families in need. Easy way to help, right?  Read more...

Looking back on November.

by Naomi

November 30, 2008

Did you miss these posts? Some of my favorites (or some of the most important ones, anyway) from the month of November: How would they reach your loved ones? Have you been to Shaker Lakes Nature Center? Need a Christmas gift that is literacy based and keeps on giving? Get creative with your kids! Here's hoping that November was full of great fall hikes, lots of jumping in the leaves and  Read more...

Giving Back - to our military

by Naomi

November 23, 2008

Ready for an EASY way to give back? When doing your Christmas cards this year, take an extra card and send it to: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington DC 20307-5001 OR Go to the Let's Say Thanks website and pick out a card. Xerox will then print and deliver to a soldier currently serving in Iraq. OR Using this address ... your  Read more...

Rockin' the Vote

by Naomi

November 03, 2008

Even though I won't discuss my personal political affiliation (there is a time and a place, right?) ... I DO want to share some fun things happening tomorrow! Starbucks - Come into Starbucks on Nov. 4th, tell us you voted, and we'll proudly give you a tall cup of brewed coffee on us. Ben & Jerry's - Free scoops of ice cream from 5-8 pm! Krispy Kreme - Free star shaped donut. Rumor has it  Read more...

Oh the candy ...

by Naomi

October 30, 2008

Are you already dreading all of the leftover candy? In a home with three kiddos, the bags of candy is QUITE overwhelming (I mean, really - we've already started accumulating from various parties and events!). What to do with the leftovers? CHOCOLATE - freeze! There is nothing better than having some mini-chocolate bars to pull out of the freezer for either baking or a midnight snack for mama!  Read more...

Give Back Wednesday

by Naomi

October 29, 2008

I am a firm believer that you should teach your children to give back, and to start those lessons early. Let's become a community that is raising conscious children who do their part to give back! I will regularly recommend new and fresh ideas for your family to immerse themselves in being a family that gives. Join our family in participating with Give the Gift of Sight . It is simple ...  Read more...

Creating homemade memory games

by Naomi

January 12, 2008

You all remember the classic Memory game, right? The concept is brilliant, but how about we step it up a bit? We all have friends or family that live far away .... and it is hard to keep memories of those close to us in our hearts but far away in miles in the forefront of our childrens' minds. How about taking duplicate photographs of our loved ones and creating our very own Memory game? Select  Read more...