April 2008

Mara Collins: Parenting as Performance Art

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:55:30 -0500

Parenting as Performance Art
By Mara Collins
“Oh sweetheart! I like what you are making! You’re using scissors so carefully, and you have so many colors. Can you tell me about your art?” read more »

Books about Chickens

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:52:58 -0500

Spring Chicken
Ah, spring!
Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and our thoughts turn to all things fluffy and cute, like bunnies and chickens! Here are a few books on the popular pullet to share with your little chicks.

The Little Red Hen
By J.P. Miller read more »

Asset Allocation and Diversification

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:50:22 -0500

When it comes to investing, we all hear these words: “Make sure you are well diversified… Make sure your assets are properly allocated … Don’t put all your eggs in one basket…”

Asset allocation and diversification work hand in hand. Very simply put, asset allocation means your investments are spread across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents. Diversification is having different investments within those broad asset classes. read more »

OliveYouNanny: Local Nanny Scout Gives Craigslist a Run For the Money

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:47:08 -0500

If you’ve ever hired a nanny, you know how much energy it takes. Asking around for referrals, posting ads on Craiglist, interviewing, checking references… not to mention Google searches and mines of myspace and Facebook. You may discover, as one local mama did, that your top pick has a predeliction for some, uh, unusual bedroom behaviors. This might turn you off, this being of course, the person who will be caring for your children. read more »

Resource Guide: Children's Haircuts

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:36:15 -0500

Pigtails and Crewcuts
The Streets of Tanasbourne
2219 NW Allie Ave Ste 1430
503.336.4778
www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com

Sit Still
West Linn
5656 Hood St., Ste 105
West Linn, OR 97068
503.657.3975
www.sitstillkids.com

Kids Castle Cuts
Tigard / Metzger
10120 SW Hall Blvd. Ste 104 

503.244.0360

Little Clippers
Lake Oswego
15082 SW Bangy Road 
503.620.0240
www.littleclippers.com

Kuts 4 Kids and Adults 
SE Portland
4423 SE Hawthorne Blvd
503.238.1568

Kids Kuts
Gresham
580 NE Burnside Rd.
503.661.6372

Digging Up Discovery: A Springtime Experiment

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:07:40 -0500

Spring is a great time to dig up some discovery out in the garden with your little one. This simple experiment is designed to engage and teach your young learner through hands-on investigation while subtly introducing them to the “Scientific Process.” Most children know that plants need water to grow, but what about other things, like sunlight?

Step 1: Hypothesize Pose the question: “Do plants need both water and sunlight to grow?” Let your child give you a “hypothesis” or educated guess. This is part one of the scientific method. read more »

Crafts: Rainsticks

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:05:02 -0500

April showers bring May flowers!
Celebrate spring and help bring in the May flowers with this easy-to-make, kid-friendly paper towel roll rainstick. When the stick is upended, the beans fall from one end to the other end of the tube, making a sound reminiscent of a rainstorm. According to legend, South American natives created the rainstick to call rainstorms.

Materials:
* Paper-towel roll
* Brown grocery bag
* Aluminum foil
* Dried rice, beans or seeds
* Scissors
* Glue
* Markers or crayons
* Ribbon, stickers, paper punches (optional)

Steps read more »

Dana Bach Johnson, founder of Baby Star

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:51:50 -0500

Dana Bach Johnson founded Baby Star, a popular line of soft, soft blankets,brightly patterned bibs, and modern baby fashions, after the birth of her oldest son, 3.5 years ago. Today, Baby Star is a good-sized business (employing six, including her husband), and Dana is mom to three sons. NW Kids asked Dana about inspiration, design, and play. We discovered a company, and a mama, that’s pure Portland.
How did you start Baby Star? read more »

Outings: Tualatin Valley Nature Reserve

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:47:48 -0500

Only 17 miles from downtown Portland, you’re likely to spot a Bald Eagle.
What’s to Love: Right off busy highway 99W in Sherwood is a pleasant surprise. The first thing you’ll notice when pulling into the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is the beautiful new interpretive center. About ¼ mile from here lives the resident Bald Eagle, high up in a treetop. Using the refuge’s spotting scope, you’ll be able to get a pretty clear image of this beautiful bird. read more »

Camp Namanu Reintroduces Family Camp Weekends

Pete — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:08:52 -0500

Camp Namanu, run by Camp Fire USA, reintroduced its family camp program two and half years ago, providing a unique nature experience to local families.
“One of the great assets that we have with Namanu is 90 years of rich traditions. Family Camp is one of those,” says Keith Thomajan, CEO. He describes it as the ideal stepping stone for families that want to make their kids more comfortable going to camp. read more »