Giveaways at Upper Valley Connections & Upper Valley Arts Alliance

Ever been looking for something to do with the kids and wished you had a list of places or events going on that day? If you have you MUST check out Upper Valley Connections website. They list local children/family centered events taking place each day along with a variety of other local information. It is a parents dream come true site!

Currently at Upper Valley Connections they are celebrating turning one, by hosting a bunch of giveaways. You can enter to win the following:

• $50 Gift Certificate to the CCBA

• Family Pack (4) of Ski Tickets to Whaleback

• $50 Gift Certificate to Nature Calls/Bonkers at the Powerhouse Mall (just in time for that holiday shopping)

• Family Membership to Billings Farm & Museum

• Family Pack (4) of Tickets for the Polar Express in White River Jct (to be used Dec. 11th or 12th)

• Family Pack (4) of Tickets to the Upper Valley Aquatic Center's Pool & Splash Park

To enter just visit Upper Valley Connections and click on the "Anniversary Celebration Giveaways" button.

Upper Valley Connections sister site, Upper Valley Arts Alliance, is hosting a holiday contest where you can win the following just by entering.

• $50 Gift Certificate to AVA Gallery & Art Center

• $100 Gift Certificate to ArtisTree Community Arts Center

• Birthday Party Space Rental at Upper Valley Events Center

• Pair of Tickets to the Steve Forbert Show at Tupelo Music Hall on January 23, 2011

• Pair of Tickets to "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" at Northern Stage (January - February 2011)

At the Upper Valley Arts Alliance site you will find a comprehensive online arts events calendar and resource listing, focusing on Visual, Performing and Literary Arts in and around the Upper Valley area.

Be sure to bookmark both these sites, they are great resources for parents!
 

CHaD Flu Study

CHaD is doing a research study aimed at preventing flu in children. They are inviting children 2-9 years old to participate in the study. You can use this link to read more about the study and sign up if you are interested in participating. 

Price Chopper Baby Club

Did you know that Price Chopper has a baby club? You can sign up here.

Club members will receive: 
• FREE first birthday cake! • FREE Baby Club magazine.
• FREE money-saving coupons.

The club is open to anyone whos child is less than 4 years old or if you're expecting. 

Baby Sling Safety

With all the news reports of recalled slings and baby carriers its hard to keep track of whats safe and whats not. I found this article that covers how to wear babies safely. It has lots of good points to keep your little ones safe.

BJ's Diaper & Formula Prices

BJ's is a great places to save some money on the most used baby products. We complied this list to help you in your weekly/monthly search of the best prices on diapers and formula.

Diapers

• Pampers-Swaddlers & Cruisers $39.49
• Pampers-Baby Dry $39.49
• Huggies $39.49
• Luvs $29.99
• Pull Ups $28.99
• Easy Ups $28.99

Wipes

• Huggies 17.59
• Pampers $16.99
• Pampers Sensitive $14.99

Formula

• Similac (34 oz) $27.99
• Enfamil (36.5 oz) $32.49
• Nestle Good Start (32 oz) $24.49

Baby Food

• Beachnut cases Stage 1 ($7.79) Stage 2 (11.99)

Sunscreen Safety Report

The latest Environmental Working Group's (EWG) annual report to consumers on sunscreen has been released.

The EWG examined 500 products, and considered only 39 of them safe and effective to use.

They found the following problems with sunscreens they consider not safe:

• The use of the hormone-disrupting chemical oxybenzone, which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream.

• Overstated claims about SPF performance.

• Concerns with the inclusion of vitamin A in sunscreen. EWG researchers found the initial findings of an FDA study of vitamin A's photocarcinogenic properties, which means the possibility that it results in cancerous tumors when used on skin exposed to sunlight.

The EWG advises consumers not to depend on any sunscreen for primary protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection available!

The EWG has complied a list called "Hall of Shame: What's wrong with the sunscreen protection business"; which discusses many top brands of sunscreen. You see their list complete list of best and worst sunscreens using this link.

What sunscreen do you use on your children?

RECALLED: Children's Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec & Benadryl

Johnson and Johnson (Mcneil) has voluntarily recalled some of their children's Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec & Benadryl. Please read this article for product numbers recalled.

Graco and Simplicity Cribs

Recall: Simplicity and Graco crib today. Please check your cribs and keep your little ones safe!!!

Lebanon Parks and Rec

Did you know that you can sign up for all of Lebanons Parks and Recreation programs online. Summer registration is now open. Check out their summer sports and camps.

Free Childrens Book Downloads

Are you and your little ones looking for some new bedtime stories? Check out these 24 free down loadable childrens book.

Purple Crayon April Camps

Looking for April vacation camps? Check out what Purple Crayon has to offer.

April Vacation Classes & Camps
April 19th-23rd

Introduction to Drawing & Illustration
with professional artist Scott Fisk
DATES: Monday through Friday, April 19th-23rd
TIME: 10am-12pm
AGES: 6-13 years
COST: $65 per student for 10 contact hours
...we aren't talking about drawing wicker chairs, bowls of fruit or teddy bears here!!

Mixed Media Melody!
with artist Christine Jacobson
DATES: Monday through Friday, April 19th-23rd
TIME: 1pm-3pm
AGES: 7-12 years
COST: $65 per student for 10 contact hours
Students will explore a variety of materials and basic techniques involving clay, paper-crafts, printmaking and painting. A great sampler class of projects using varied media.

Rock Tools, Aspects of Rock Camp - Camp 1 & 2
with guitarist Chris Schoelen, B.A. in Music
DATES: Monday through Friday, April 19th-23rd
TIME: 9am-1pm ( Camp #1 for younger students) and 2-6pm (Camp #2 for older students)
COST: $200 per student
Camp #1 is aimed at younger students and will focus on playing covers of the students choosing. Camp #2 is for older, more experienced students and will focus on songwriting and jamming in an ensemble. For full details or to register visit www.uvrockschool.org.

PURPLE CRAYON IS NOW TAKING ENROLLMENTS FOR ALL APRIL VACATION CLASSES & CAMPS! SIGN UP TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!

For a full list of classes and summer camps visit their website.

Is it possible? A healthy Easter basket?

Is it possible to fill an Easter basket while keeping nutrition in mind? We found this link for some healthier, sweet, and fun Easter Basket Ideas! Loving the carrot muffin idea! Also this link has more ideas on how to fill the Easter Basket without all the extra fat and sugar. And finally, visit here for ten tips for frugal and healthy Easter baskets. How do you fill your kid's baskets?

Good Beginings of the Upper Valley

Having a new baby presents all kids of new challenges in the first few weeks home. Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley helps ease the transition for moms and babies. Good Beginnings offers the kind of "help your neighbor" that the Upper Valley is famous for, there message is simple and powerful, they "lend a helping hand" when needed. The program matches trained volunteers with families with a new babies during the babies first three months. Volunteers go to the families home once a week and offer help with whatever is needed.

Support provided often includes:
*Offering encouragement
*Providing basic infant and child care
*Answering questions
*Reading to babies and children
*Providing transportation
*Supporting pregnant women on bedrest
*Connecting to community resources

Most importantly, Good Beginnings provides a friend during this special time.

This amazing program is open to every family in the Upper Valley with a new baby! With hospital stays shorter, family not always close in location to lend a hand, this program aims to help fill in the gaps and support new families. If you would like help contact your local office.

The volunteers are made up of woman of all ages and all walks of life who can relate to the amazing and overwhelming experience of having a new baby. Many volunteers hold jobs and help new moms on their off time. Interested in volunteering and helping other moms, contact them today!

Good Beginnings has locations in:
Upper Valley (Lebanon) 603.298.9524
Sullivan County 603.542.1848
Central Vermont (Northfield) 802.485.8430
Bradford 802.222.5787

The offices provide services to surrounding towns, so you do not need to live in the town the office is located in to receive or provide support.

How was your first 12 weeks? Share your "been there done that" tips for new moms

Crayon Easter Eggs- Put your Artist to work!

This project combines a child's artistic skills with regular Easter egg dying techniques for one of a kind creations!

Materials:
* hard boiled egg(s)
* wax crayons (the waxier the better... in this case cheap crayons are better than crayolas...think crayons given out at restaurants. Crayolas don't have quite enough wax in them but the do work ok)
* Easter Egg dye or food coloring

Directions:
* Draw pictures or designs with wax crayon. Even white wax crayon will be useful for this project.
* Dip in dye.
* Let dry.
* The dye won't soak through the crayon!

Zumba!

Looking to shed a few left over pregnancy pounds just in time for swimsuit season? Or just keep in shape? Check out Zumba with different locations around  the Upper Valley your sure to find one close to you.

Outback Barn- Thetford, VT
Monday, Wednesday,Friday 7:40 am
Tuesday, Thursday 5:30 pm
Saturday 8:00 am
For More Info: 802-785-4248

Black Community Center-Hanover, NH
Monday 4:00 pm
Thursday 8:30 am
For More Info: 802-785-4248

CCB-Lebanon, NH
Monday 5:30 pm
For More Info: 802-785-4248

Zumba in Norwich
Wednesdays at 10:30-11:30 am at Tracy Hall Gym
Fee: $50 or $10 per drop in class
For More Info: 802-649-3040




 

Health Insurance

Children bring big changes to your life. Suddenly you are facing the complicated decisions facing insurance coverage. If you are lucky enough to have insurance coverage through work, great you're all set. But what do you do if your work doesn't offer coverage, or you suddenly find yourself without insurance. Here are some local options for that situation.

If you live in New Hampshire, check out New Hampshire Healthy Kids. They offer free or low cost health insurance based on your family income level. They provide coverage from birth to age 18. They have partnered with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Delta Dental who provide the coverage. With the 3 different levels (Gold, Silver and Buy-in) there is sure to be a plan to fit your needs.

If you live in Vermont, check out Dr. Dynasaur. It is a health insurance program for children, teens under 18 and pregnant women. Broad income guidelines are designed to cover as many families as possible - currently a family of four can make up to $60,156 per year and still be eligible. You may qualify even if you have other health insurance. Vermont offers many other insurance plans so be sure to contact Green Mountain Care to find out what plan would fit your family best.

Coming soon!

Did you know that there is a new magazine hitting news stands in April
for Upper Valley Moms? Check them out at www.uvkidstuff.com

http://uvkidstuff.com/

Getting your kids to eat the recommended fruits and veggies. Always a challenge!

Check out Eco.Logical.Mom today for her tips on getting kids to eat the recommended 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

http://ecologicalmomblog.blogspot.com

Purple Crayon Productions

Does your child love music? Dont miss this!

Saturday (March 20) Purple Crayon Productions will be hosting a FREE MUSIC TOGETHER DEMO at The Little Theatre in Woodstock, VT at 11:30am.

If anyone has questions they can contact Tayo at (802) 457-3500 or
email ts@purplecrayonproductions.com

http://www.purplecrayonproductions.com/