Archives: November, 2006

There is something about Outkast’s “Hey Ya” which all kids seem to love.

Here is a great youtube video showing Charlie Brown and his gang getting into the groove to this tune:

Source: jemsweb@flickr

Yes, Greg Page is leaving the Wiggles. He suffers from something called Orthostatic intolerance which means when he stands up his heart does not pump enough blood around his body. This means can no longer carry on singing and dancing as part of the Wiggles.

His understudy Sam Moran will be taking his place.

Here is Greg’s goodbye video

There are a few places on the web where children can create their very own stories. If you happen to be on the computer with your kids then you might find them a bit of fun.

1) Squiglys Play House (see below)

2) Wacky Web Tales

Here is an example of the story I created on Squiglys Play House:

The Christmas Surprise

There is a really cool tool over on Baby Name Wizardcalled the Name Voyager. If you type in your baby’s name then it will show you how popular that name has been from the 1880s to 2005. It is one way to make sure that not every other child in your kid’s class has the same name as your little darling.

The only drawback is that your chosen name has to have appeared in the top 1000 names at some point during the time period shown.

NB You will need Java to use this tool.

WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc.) has published a list of the 10 most dangerous toys of 2006:

1. Heely’s (those shoes with a wheel in the heel)

These popular shoes, which have “removable” wheels in the heels, turn children’s sneakers into a type of in-line skate. The manufacturer cautions that Heelys “can be dangerous”, yet these items are marketed to children who are unprepared for their associated risks. Moreover, since these “skates” are also marketed as footwear, they are often sold and used without any protective gear.

2. Z Launcher - Water Balloon Launcher

There is a heartwarming story in the news today about a mother who has been in a come for two years following a car crash suddenly laughing at her children’s jokes.

The woman’s husband said:

“The kids and I were sitting around the bedside and Mark just began cracking jokes . . . they were just childish things and little family in-jokes but, amazingly, she began to laugh. We couldn’t believe it. It has lifted everyone’s spirits.”

“We had only really ever communicated by nods and smiles before and we hadn’t heard her voice in two years. It was a very emotional moment.”

My boys have just had their Advent Calendars delivered by their Grandfather and they are very excited. We will go off to buy our Christmas Tree at the weekend and start decorating.

Advent Calendars mark the countdown to Christmas. More accurately, Wikipedia describes the period:

Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. Redemptoris, “the coming of the Saviour”) is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, or Christmas. It is the beginning of the Christian year (except in the Eastern churches, whose year begins on September 1).

I don’t know about you, but one of the things I found really difficult about breastfeeding was the feeling of being exposed! Most clothes are not designed with feeding in mind, so you can end up with more skin on show than you would like. If you have a baby in the winter months then this can be a bit chilly.

Now, a company called Mamaway has come up with a whole variety of nursingwear that keeps you covered up. An example of clothing from the site is shown below:

This is the title of a new book by millionaire Felix Dennis, who has turned his hand to poetry. His site describes the book as follows:

This wickedly entertaining new anthology sees the multi-millionaire maverick poet draw inspiration from traditional nursery rhymes to re-create modern versions tackling the outrages, niggles and absurdities of everyday life in the 21st century.

Here is a taster:

Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.

Source:Norad Santa

The Norad Santa Tracker is a really unique site.

It uses satellite technology to tell you the exact moment Santa and his reindeer leave the North Pole on Christmas Eve. It then tracks their journey around the world as Santa delivers presents to all the good girls and boys.

So, if you are at a loose end on Christmas Eve and want to show the kids something really special have a look.