Photo Credit: blog.quintessencecreations.com

D – Delightful

A – Amazing

D – Daring

You don’t need to fly to be a superhero. Sometimes you just need to be a dad. Of course, many dads have super powers. They have the ability to see the bad guys, scare away the monsters, zap away pests, and much more. For dads, their job is never done- they will always have their capes handy, no matter how old their children are.

My dad and I have always been close. It was my dad who picked me up and dropped me off at school every day while my mom was at work. It was my dad who brought me into the world of princes and princesses, witches and wolves, weaving me fascinating tales every night which later influenced me to take a class in college called, “Fairy Tales of the World.” It was my dad who sat and laughed through Mr. Rogers, Sherry Lewis, and even Sesame Street. To be honest, I think there were times he enjoyed those shows more than me. It was my dad who let my imagination run wild, who took me to the park whenever I wanted, who played hide and seek with me when my friends weren’t able to come over. It was my dad who took me on my first bicycle ride, who took me to get my driver’s permit and then for my first drive in the car. It was my dad who drove me back and forth from college, and lugged my things up several flights of stairs when the elevator in my building stopped working. It was my dad who sat proudly in the audience when I went up on stage and received my MA this past May.

It was my dad who introduced me to his world– a world filled with culture and music and raw talent. When I was younger, I might have been one of the only children to be watching Howdy Doody, Make Room for Daddy, I Love Lucy, The Ed Sullivan Show, or know about things like American Bandstand. And like the fairy tales I was read as a child, these programs and shows led me to choose to major in Communications and Culture in undergrad.

My father may be a lot of things, but I can sum him up in one word for me– dad. Thank you to all of the dads in the world. Know how much we appreciate you, how much we love you, and how special you really are. Happy Father’s Day.

Photo Credit: ImIm.com

Even though it’s not dad who pushes us out into the world, he gives us life in so many other ways. He’s our teacher, our coach, our chauffeur, our protector, our friend. He’s there to watch us take our first steps, he’s there to hang on to us during our first bike ride, he’s there to listen, to proudly cheer when we graduate, to lug the heavy boxes when we move into college…Dads do a lot, so it’s only fitting that there is a day to celebrate them and show them how much we appreciate all that they do.

So what are you going to do with your special guy this year? There are plenty of options– from something more laid back like spending the day at home as a family to going on a mini-road trip for the weekend.

Ball Game:
Is dad’s team playing this week? Grab some tickets for you and him and make a day out of it.

Bike Ride:
Get some fresh air and take the whole family on a scenic ride.

Hike:
There are a lot of great trails- get some fresh air and exercise and spend the day together.

Picnic in the Park:
Grab a blanket, snacks, and head off to the park for a family picnic. Don’t forget the bug spray!

Concert:
This time of year, there are a lot of festivals and concerts happening– maybe one of dad’s favorite bands is coming to a town near you.

Theater:
Does dad like plays or musicals? Take him to a show.

Movies:
There are a lot of major movies premiering– go for a laid back night at the movies with popcorn, candy, and some entertainment.

Amusement Park:
Does dad love to ride roller coasters?

Recreate a Memorable Family Moment:
Was there something truly special you did as a family– a rainy camping trip that turned into a really great time, a road trip that brought the family closer, a funny family portrait you can never forget…why not recreate something for the family– take another trip together, shoot a new family photo, go camping in the backyard…

Get Creative:
Come up with a new activity you’ve never done before. Instead of going out for ice cream, make some yourselves. Dress up and put on a play for dad. Take a class together. Have a dance party. Make a video for him. Think outside of the box.

Sometimes it’s about the little things; the unexpected moments. Whether it’s a hug or tickets to a ballgame, just remember to thank dad and tell him how much you love him, and have a Happy Father’s Day.

So catch up on the latest news right here.

Photo Credit: http://abcnews.go.com/

A pair of identical twins kicked off the new year by giving birth just hours a part, despite having different due dates. In a situation reminiscent of when mother and daughter wind up going into labor on the same night in Father of the Bride II, abc News reports the nurses were joking with the twins’ mother about needing rollerskates to glide back and forth between the two rooms.

This year, a set of twins who were born 87 days apart could find their way into Guinness World Records. A mother in Ireland found herself going into premature labor, four months early on June 1, 2012. While one baby was born very early and in fragile condition, the other struggled to survive in her mother’s womb. Although this isn’t the first time twin babies have been born days or weeks apart, it is allegedly the longest time period between births, potentially paving the way for these Irish twins to find themselves record breakers.

Another stunning birth took place in Texas in February of this year, when a mother gave birth to two sets of identical twins on the same day– something quite rare.

Photo Credit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

And how about these twins who are making waves as co-valedictorians of their college in Atlanta? It’s actually history making. Not only are they identical twins, but they had identical GPAs as well.

In a story that may cause you to shed some tears, a man who is a survivor of Auschwitz has been searching for his twin brother who he was separated from during the liberation of the concentration camp. While he hasn’t found him yet, his journey has led him to several other discoveries.

There have been a number of stories in the news of twins separated at birth stumbling across each other and reconnecting, but a recent article has a twist to it. Two South Korean girls who discovered one another and realized they had to be identical twins, launched a Kickstarter fund so that they could finally meet in person, since they live on different continents. And so far they have raised $36,000!

Photo Credit: www.ejimford.com

M – Marvelous

O – Open

T – Terrific

H – Hopeful

E – Energetic

R – Right

Remember the good ole days when you would write out a poem, lovingly paint a crooked cup made out of clay, or create coupons good for free hugs for your mom on mother’s day, and she would lovingly accept everything you gave her? Because that is what a mother does.

She lovingly accepts all presents, reads your favorite book to you night after night, explores imaginary worlds, scares away the monsters, kisses boo-boos which seems to magically ease the pain, stays up with you all night when you are sick, makes sure you are always safe, supports you, helps guide you, and above all, loves you.

My mother has always been there for me. She has been there for the good, the bad, the ugly, and the really ugly. She’s supported me no matter what I’ve wanted to do, and helped me to reach my goals. Without her, I would be lost. My mom has been my teacher, my boss, my friend, my confidant. I hope she knows how much I appreciate all that she does, and all that she is. I would like to thank her and thank all of the moms in the world. Being a mom can be a tough job sometimes.

So make sure to let your moms know how much you care, and how much you appreciate them. (And not just on mother’s day…)

Photo Credit: www.usdn.ca

Eat, poop, cry, sleep. Eat, poop, cry, sleep. If you have a baby, you know this routine. And you know how quickly a baby can go through food, clothes, and especially diapers. On average, a newborn can go through about ten diapers a day. If you have twins, that’s twenty diapers a day. And if you have triplets, that’s thirty diapers a day! Can you imagine any more than that? You might as well just invest in a diaper company at that point.

In addition to the headache of constantly having to ensure there is a supply of diapers on hand, paying for the diapers can really add up. But there are some other solutions to keep your wallet fuller, such as using cloth diapers, buying disposable diapers in bulk at a wholesale store, or, and this option can be a lot of fun, throw some diaper parties!

Yes, that’s right. Diaper parties. I expect there are quite a few of you out there who have already heard about this, but for those of you who don’t, throwing a diaper party is a fun way to gather up some diapers, and socialize too! While some people think of diaper parties as a slightly more rugged baby shower for expecting dads, diaper parties can go above and beyond this. You can have a “moms only” diaper party, a joint one involving both parents, or even one where you can try out different types of diapers to see which kind works the best (think Tupperware party). Whether you embrace the idea of a diaper party being a “man shower” or not, the idea behind it will always be the same. And that is to have each guest bring a package of diapers. Some guests may gather up the first package of diapers they see, but if you are more particular, you can specify the type and size you would like.

For some, there is the simple practical reason of having a diaper party, and that is, because someone truly needs diapers, and cannot afford them.  A few years ago, MTV aired an episode on True Life titled, “I have broke parents” that featured a teen mom living at home with her infant son. Due to financial hardships stemming from the fallen economy, neither the teen or her parents could really afford to buy too many diapers for her son. One of the ways the family coped with this issue was to have a simple diaper party where all of their friends and family brought packages of diapers, so much so, that the young mom was set up with enough diapers to last months.

So there you have it, whether it is a real necessity, an excuse to see your friends, a way for the guys to feel included, or some other reason, diaper parties can be a great way to build up your supply of diapers. Because you can’t escape your baby’s diapers.

Photo Credit: teenangster.net

These days you can’t be too careful about who you let into your house, especially when it comes to the person you choose to watch your children. It’s important to find a responsible, reliable, caring person to be there for your kids. So where and what you should look for when searching for a sitter or nanny for your family?

The first step is to check around your community. Often times, local teens or young adults will advertising their baby-sitting services on local boards at the library or schools or churches. If you choose this route, be sure to screen each candidate. Ask questions. See how the potential sitter does with your children. Do they get a long? Do you see them bonding? And definitely check the candidate’s references.

There are also sites and agencies you can contact to find a reliable sitter.

Questions to ask:

1. What previous experience do you have?

2. Do you work consistently with children? How often are you around them?

3. What age range of children do you have experience with and/or typically babysit?

4. How many children are you used to baby-sitting for?

5. Are all of your immunizations up -to-date?

6. Do you have CPR training?

7. Do you have any allergies (This is important if you own a cat, dog, etc.)

8. What is your disciplinary style?

9. If you had to administer medication and my child refuses, how would you handle the situation?

10. What do you consider an emergency? When would you call?

11. If the children are refusing to go to bed or can’t sleep, what would you do?

12. Do you cook? Do you do laundry?

13. What is your availability and rate?

14. What do you expect from us?

15. Do you have reliable transportation?

16. What are your emergency contacts?

These are only suggestions of the types of questions to ask, you may have some different ones to add to the list. So check around, be thorough, and hopefully you will find the right sitter for you and your family.

Gear up, moms and dads. It’s Prom Season, prom being a major milestone in your teen twins’ lives. This big event in their high school years is likely to bring up heated discussions over all the details of this special night.

If you have girls, they probably have started preparing their party attire: makeup, hair, nails, shoes. Searching for the dress. And they may even be tugging at your wallet. With two twin girls, be prepared for double the expense.

But using a few DIY tips and tricks, as well as some inspiration from Pinterest, you can create beautiful prom pieces your girls will never forget!

When it comes to hairstyles, you could spend a fortune at the salon getting two styles done. Manicures could run you $35-50 each. Pinterest is known for having tons of pictures of easy-to-do, cool hairstyles, complete with links with the steps to create them. Some of our favorites are:

Braided Bun hair: (picture how-to’s over on the Oh the Lovely Things blog)

Beauty High.com’s Prom Nail Styles (some of which we ourselves want to do tonight)

pictured: Glitter and Clear Polish, be sure to check out their DIY Prom Hairstyles too

If you’re really feeling fancy, check out these DIY heels for Prom. This goes beyond dyeing your shoes to match your dress (which we don’t encourage! Be outside the box!) Besides the instructions, also check out their money saving tips

Make your own corsage. For something funky, check out these Unexpected Ideas from Buzzfeed. Anyone for a succulent corsage?

As always, shop local and look for bargains! Department stores, sidewalk sales, and outlets may have dresses and other accessories for prom at unbelievable discounts. From someone whose wardrobe is built on clearance racks, trust me, you might even have space in your budget to buy something special for yourself!

Ah, the dress. Dreaming of it, searching for it, trying it on, and dancing the night away in it. Although it is the most vital and glamorous part of your child’s prom experience, it is undoubtedly the most expensive. If you have twins, we could be talking about over $600 spent solely on two piles of silk and taffeta! However, finding your daughters’ dream dresses does not have to come at the price of a second mortgage. Here are some beautiful options, all for less than $100:

Stylish Savings

$41 – Available Here from LuLu*s

Everything about this dress is very hot right now! From the color to the strapless top and fitted body, your twin will look stunning and still have money left over for accessorizing!

$69.83 – Available Here from ASOS

The flowing maxi dress is also very much in style right now. Sold in navy or a vibrant red, this is an ideal option if your twins decide to wear the same dress with some variation!

Vintage Glam

$80.00 – Available Here on Etsy

This peach beauty, with its pleated straight-lined skirt and flattering top, is a steal for all the retro glam your daughter will have when she twirls in it all night!

$99.99 – Available Here on Modcloth

ModCloth, the online hub for new dresses in vintage style, delivers another breathtaking creation with this mermaid-like dress! If one of your twins has a daring streak in her wardrobe choices, this flattering choice may be right up her alley.

Handmade Originals

$65.00 – Available Here on Etsy

Another great option for twin prom-goers! For any girl who like the typical princess-style dress with a fashionable twist in the low-cut bustier and embellished waist. Available in baby pink or light blue depending on your daughters’ preferences. And can you believe they’re handmade?!

$79.69 – Available Here on Etsy

If your daughter would rather have a shorter dress, this custom-made option is available in 9+ colors and even comes with a built-in bra!

Dress-It Yourself!

Learn how to make a tutu-clad dress with just 3 supplies, all in this helpful article from eHow. Making your daughters’ prom dress(es) is not only a creative way to guarantee a unique outfit, but could also provide a bonding experience if your daughter helps you!

Finally, a simple solution! Pick up an inexpensive prom dress from your local thrift shop (don’t be wary… secondhand stores can hold some real gems when it comes to prom dresses!) and add a coordinating silk bow to the lower back of the dress, or at the start of where the skirt starts to fall. All you’ll need is a little bit of fabric to make your twins’ dresses really pop.

Fun-filled rainy days might seem like a dime a dozen, but we wrangled together a few old-time favorites that are sure to keep the babes smiling. And you, a little less preoccupied:

Building an indoor “fort” is a timeless activity. It resembles an unknown and make-believe place created using your kid’s imaginations. So grab all the comforters and sheets you can find, and have your very own camp-out for the day. Maybe a “sleepover,” perhaps?

(photo: bruce van patter)

(photo: the party faq)

(photo: chickfood)

And what about playdough? We know the kids looooooove playdough figures! Learn how to make your own playdough (it’s easy!) from Instructables.com

(photo: minieco)

(photo: the crafty crow)

(photo: commons)

Or, something that you can reap the benefits from long after the activity is over — baking! Kaboose has great resources and recipes for cooking with kids, including Cupcakes from A to Z, Fun Foods Kids Love, Crazy for Cookies and more. We currently love their Yummy Snack Recipes, including these Triple Chocolate Cookies from Ellie Krieger. Yumm!

“Dirt Cups” are always a hit with little ones too. Recipe below:

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cold milk
• 1 package (4 serving size) instant pudding (chocolate flavor)
• 3-1/2 cups (8 ounce container) whipped topping, thawed
• 1 package (16 ounces) chocolate sandwich cookies (crush them into tiny pieces in a plastic bag)
• Gummy worms or insects

 

Equipment:

• Measuring cup
• Medium mixing bowl
• Wire whisk
• Rubber scraper or large spoon
• Measuring spoons
• 8-10 paper or plastic cups (8 ounce size)

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour the milk into the mixing bowl and add the pudding mix. Beat with the wire whisk until well blended (about two minutes). Let pudding stand for five minutes. Stir whippped topping and 1/2 of the crushed cookies into the pudding (very gently) with rubber scraper until mixture is all the same color. Place about 1 tablespoon of the remaining crushed cookies into the bottom of each cup.

2. Fill cups about 3/4 full with pudding mixture. Top each cup with the rest of the crushed cookies. Add gummy worms and insects to decorate. Put cups into the refrigerator for about one hour to chill them– and enjoy!

 

What rainy day tricks do you have up your sleeve? We’d love to hear ‘em!

For more indoor activities to keep the little ones busy, click here.