April Fool’s Day Jokes for Kids & Its History

April Fool’s Day is this Saturday – here are some fun jokes to teach your kids in the holiday spirit, as well as the history behind it.

April Fools’ Day happens on the first day of April, but do you know why we play tricks, gags and practical jokes on one another? Find out here!

April Fools’ Day is about more than playing jokes and pranks. That’s just the most fun part of the day! Check out why we’re all so mischievous on April 1st. In the 16th century, France celebrated the New Year just like we do today, except they partied on April 1st. In 1562, Pope Gregory changed the calendar to the one we use today and from then on, the New Year began on January 1st. Lots of peeps didn’t know about the new calendar, or they ignored the new calendar and kept celebrating on April 1st. Everyone else called them April fools and played tricks on them.

Here are some fun ideas for jokes:

1. Put food coloring in milk.
2. Superglue coins to a sidewalk. This works best on an old, worn sidewalk.
3. Go with a couple of friends, stand near some busy street corner – stare and point up at the sky. Watch the reactions of people around you!

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TickledPinkandBlue.com: ONLINE PREMIER STORE SPOTLIGHT Q&A

It’s all about online shopping these days. Many moms (and most that I know) are running around all day – from taking their kids to school to fitting in after school activities and sports to bedtime stories and more…what better way to relax and do a little e-shopping with one of our favorite online premier boutiques – www.TickledPinkandBlue.com. We are obsessed with this online children’s clothing boutique and their mission is to provide their customers with high quality products at affordable prices and superior customer service – Le Top can vouch for that! We were able to sit down and talk to co-owners, Katherine and Ashley, this week and get the scoop on their website, how they decide what to buy for their products on their site, their tips on online shopping, and sweet deals if you sign up as a customer on their website. Read more to find out about TickledPinkandBlue.com!

 228.697.5192

www.tickledpinkandblue.com

CHECK-IN and JOIN
TickledPinkandBlue.com’s
Facebook page and click HERE

 

1.     Tell us the inspiration behind the name Tickled Pink and Blue? How long has your online store been around and what was your inspiration behind launching the website?
Tickled Pink and Blue is owned by two friends, Katherine and Ashley. We wanted to come up with a name that was playful, fun and whimsical and expressed how we feel about children and our personalities. We’ve both always loved children and were looking forward to starting our own families and dressing our children in today’s beautiful and adorable fashions. Ashley had just become a mother to her beautiful daughter, Ava, and we were “tickled pink” to have Ava in our lives. After brainstorming and chatting, as women do, we came up with Tickled Pink. We wanted to, of course, include boys in the name of our online boutique, so Tickled Pink and Blue emerged!

Our online store has been around since the summer of 2011. Our inspiration behind launching our site was to find beautiful, well-made clothing that is affordable and share them with moms, grandmothers, aunts, and others shopping for the just the perfect outfit or dress for their special bundles of joy. We are very good friends and were teaching together at the same school; however, we were looking for something to do that we could have fun with, would be able to spend more time with our children, would be flexible, and more importantly would allow us to dress up our little ones, and all our friends’ and families’ little ones, in all the latest fashions.

Ashley's daughter, Ava, in one of her favorite outfits (Le Top Tiny Bubbles).

2.     What do you look for in clothing/accessories companies when buying for the boutique?
First and foremost, we look for affordable prices for our customers. We feel that it is important to offer quality clothing at great prices. We also look for a wide variety of styles from traditional smocked clothing to casual playwear to soft and comfortable sleepwear, with a keen eye on items that we would dress our own children in. We also try to keep a well-stocked inventory with the current seasons hottest items and our best sellers. For this reason, it is important to us to work with companies that have a flexible and easy reorder program and good turn-around times and delivery windows.

3.     What advice would you give to parents shopping for their children? Do you find that most parents take the same stylistic approach with dressing their children as they do with themselves?
The advice we would offer to parents shopping for their children would be to purchase items that are of good quality. We would also encourage parents to look for items that they love and make their children comfortable.

We find that parents’ stylistic approach to dressing their children differs considerably. Some parents dress their children in more traditional or classic clothing and feel nostalgic when their children are wearing some of the very same long-lasting brands. Others tend to dress their children in trendier styles, while other parents choose a combination of traditional styles and trendier styles when dressing their children. Whatever the parents’ stylistic approach, Tickled Pink and Blue hopes that every parent can find something at our online boutique that they would love to have and purchase for their children.

4.     Spring 2012 styles are coming into stores and brightening up any family’s winter wardrobe. What are your top 3 items (clothes, toys, giftables, etc.) for any parent online shopping for warm weather items?
Our top three clothing items would be Le Top’s Sun and Sea Ocean Print Jumpsuit, any of the ruffled bubbles by Petit Ami, and short sets for boys by Rosalina and Mud Pie featuring smocked or appliquéd designs. Any of these items would be perfect to dress your child in to enjoy the upcoming summer fun!

5.     Any special events that you have planned at your online store for spring? Tell us the inside scoop about any special events and especially the fun deals we can expect! Do you list any deals on your great Facebook page?
We often have great discounts for our valued customers. As an Easter gift to our customers, we are offering 10% off our new spring and summer clothing until the end of April. In order to take advantage of this offer, you can register as a customer on our website and use the code “EASTER10” at checkout. Yes, we do list any special promotions or sales on our Facebook page, so we would like to remind everyone to “Like” our Facebook page, so you don’t miss out on any of our great deals and fantastic promotional events!

6.     What are your top 3 children’s movies or books and why?
Ashley: For babies to younger toddlers, I love Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.  My daughter who is 19 months just loves this book. For children a little older, I think the Fancy Nancy books by Jane O’Connor are just precious. Little girls love to dress up and wear pretty, frilly things, so it is a lot of fun to read these books and look at the adorable illustrations. My favorite book for all ages is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. I think we all remember reading this as a child. I still have memories of actually getting to eat green eggs and ham in pre-school after my teacher read us that book.  It was such a fun day! 

Katherine:  American Girl collection of books (and they come with dolls…who wouldn’t love that!) and The Polar Express (remains a favorite of mine today and reminds us all to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts:)).

7.     Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?”

Katherine and Ashley at their website Launch Party last June

Ashley:  Well, I do have one thing that I always said I would try to do and that was to have my kids sleep in their own beds. So far, my husband and I have stayed pretty true to that except for a few occasions in which she was sick or not feeling well. 

Katherine: My husband and I are expecting our first children. Yes, that’s right, children! We’re having twins, and we couldn’t be more excited. One thing that is really important to us, as parents, is to make sure we don’t lose ourselves once we have children and make time for each other as a couple.

8.     What are the hottest trends for kids’ clothes right now?
The hottest trends for kids’ clothes right now are bright colors with fun patterns and of course, polka dots! Paisley print items have been very popular with our customers this season as well. Outfits accented with appliqués, ruffles, and grosgrain ribbons are also a really big hit.

9.     What Le Top or Rabbitmoon Spring 2012 collection is your online store’s favorite and why?
We actually have three favorites from Le Top’s Spring 2012 collection.  We love the bright colors of coral, aqua, orange, and lime green featured in the Sun and Sea Collection. In Tiny Bubbles, we fell in love with the dot print sun-suit top and ruffle panty. Who doesn’t just love polka dots! The Love Bug Collection pairs our two favorite colors together, which are pink and green. The floral and striped patterns look just perfect together, and the grosgrain ribbon and embroidered flower add just the right amount of sweetness for your little girl. All of these collections have adorable, fun styles that make you look forward to all of the activities that you will get to enjoy with your children this summer. 

Le Top "Love Bug" Sunsuit Top & Striped Panty

Tickled Pink and Blue

 A Children’s Clothing Boutique
228.697.5192

www.tickledpinkandblue.com

CHECK-IN and JOIN
TickledPinkandBlue.com’s
Facebook page and click HERE

 

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Unbelievably Cute Egg Decorating Idea for Kids!

Every holiday is filled with holiday themed candy, candy and more candy…so why not decorate your hard-boiled eggs with candy? Get inspired!

What You’ll Need:

– Corn syrup or royal icing (see recipe below)
– Any kind of candy

How to:

1.  Hard boil your eggs.
2.  Let your eggs cool.
3.  Dip your eggs in corn syrup and then roll in candy OR use icing (almost like its glue) and attach various candy elements to make it totally edible.
4.  Use the egg carton to let the eggs dry with their sugary decorations

CHECK OUT THE LE TOP SPRING COLLECTION AT
www.letop-usa.com

Recipe for Royal Icing:
Royal Icing is a pure white icing that dries to a smooth, hard, matte finish. Besides its lovely finish it also colors beautifully which makes it a favorite of professionals who use it not only for frosting cakes and cookies, but also for intricate piping of decorations (flowers, borders, and lettering) on eggs! There are two ways to make royal icing. My preference is to use one made from a mixture of confectioners sugar (powdered or icing), lemon juice, and raw egg whites. However, because of the risk of salmonella when using raw egg whites, some may prefer the recipe I have included using meringue powder. Meringue powder is a fine, white powder used to replace fresh egg whites and is made from dried egg whites, sugar, salt, vanillin and gum. You can purchase it on line, in cake decorating stores or Michael’s or Joann’s.

To make a small batch, beat together one large egg white, one teaspoon of lemon juice, and about 2 cups (230 grams) confectioners sugar, or until the frosting is stiff (like a meringue) and of piping consistency. Then place the icing in a piping bag, fitted with a small plain tip, and pipe a border around the outside edges of the cookies. Let it dry completely before covering the surface of the cookie with royal icing.

It is important when working with royal icing to keep it covered (with plastic wrap) as much as possible as it dries out very quickly. Another way to prevent a crust from forming on the icing’s surface is to add a few drops of glycerin (glycerol) to the icing. Glycerin is a sweet, odorless, clear, and syrupy liquid (chemically an alcohol) that comes from fats and oils.

For Royal Icing with Egg Whites:
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the egg whites with the lemon juice until combined. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth.  (If your icing seems runny, using a small knife, push the icing to the edge of the egg. If the icing runs off the edge, thicken the icing by adding a little more confectioner’s sugar. Conversely, if the icing is too thick, add a little water.) The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air.  Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

For Royal Icing with Meringue Powder:
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder until combined.  Add the water and beat on medium to high speed until very glossy and stiff peaks form (5 to 7 minutes). If necessary, to get the right consistency, add more powdered sugar or water. To cover or ‘flood’ the entire surface of the egg with icing, the proper consistency is when you lift the beater, the ribbon of icing that falls back into the bowl remains on the surface of the icing for a few seconds before disappearing.

The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

Makes about 3 cups

 

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Le Top Darlings of the Day: Henning and Whitman

Today’s Darlings are Henning (3-years-old) and Whitman (6-months-old) who come to us from South Carolina where their mom owns and runs Hannah B’s in Murrells Inlet. It’s plain to see how much they enjoy spending time together relaxing at the beach. I hear tell that these siblings have wonderful smiles and great dispositions…always happy!

In the photo on the left both boys are wearing swimwear and matching bucket hats from our Le Top “Big Splash” collection. Henning is in the lined swim trunks and Whitman is wearing the one-piece tank swimsuit. On the right, these loving brothers are showing off their matching “Under the Sea” collection pull-over hoodie shirts and lined swim trunks.

Congratulations to these handsome kids on their title of Le Top Darlings of the Day!

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Le Top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

Mom: Don’t climb there. You’ll get hurt.

(Child not listening.)

Mom: I said. Come down.

(Child still not listening.)

Mom: One… Two…

NO! NO 1-2-3! NO 1-2-3!”

– Paulo, age 3

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles and share your funny quote with us by sending it to editor@letop-usa.com!

Visit our home page at
www.letop-usa.com

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Passover Kids Craft: Make an Afikomen Bag

Commercialism and marketing always centers around Easter in the March and early April months, but often times, Passover is not celebrated enough. This year, Passover, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the week-long celebration of the Jewish Exodus from Egypt, Jewish families and friends celebrate Passover with a seder, or ritual meal, during which the story of Moses and the Exodus is retold through words and symbolic foods. Traditionally, after the seder meal is eaten, the family patriarch hides a piece of matzoh, known as the afikomen, as a symbolic dessert. The child who finds it receives a small prize. In this variation, each child makes his or her own bag, which is filled with a piece of matzoh. The bags are hidden, and each child must find his or her own bag to get a prize.

Make your own afikomen bag that is personalized to the children and family celebrating Passover at your home. See below for this fun kids craft!

This post has been moved to our website. To view the full post go to: http://blog.letop-usa.com/?p=24780

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www.letop-usa.com

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April Fool’s Day Fried Marshmallow Eggs Recipe for Kids

April Fool’s Day is this weekend….There’s no chance of breaking the yolks when you cook up these eggs for April Fool’s Day with or for your kids or even to serve to daddy before work! That’s because they’re actually dried apricots — a tangy complement to the sweet marshmallow egg whites. I can’t resist a good practical joke – as everybody knows, there’s no business like monkey business.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tsp. butter
• 12 marshmallows
• 2 dried whole apricots

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Place a piece of aluminum foil on a flat working surface and then grease the surface of the foil with 1 teaspoon of the butter.

2.     In a small saucepan, melt the second teaspoon of butter over low heat. As soon as it has melted, add the marshmallows to the pan and turn up the heat to medium-low. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the marshmallows are completely melted and have just started to bubble.

3.     Immediately remove the pan from the heat and spoon the melted marshmallow, in 2 separate blobs, onto the greased foil. You have to work fast, before the marshmallow begins to solidify again.
TIP: When spooning the melted marshmallow onto the greased foil, work quickly, using the back of the spoon to spread out the “egg white” a bit.

4.    Shape 2 dried whole apricots and gently press each one, rounded side up, into the center of a marshmallow blob.
TIP: To make a dried apricot look just like a dome-shaped egg yolk, use your thumbs to push the center of the fruit until it is concave.

5.     When the marshmallow has set enough to hold together, but before it stiffens too much, use a spatula to transfer the eggs to a breakfast plate.
TIP: Once the candy eggs have set, insert a plastic spatula beneath each one and, at the same time, use your fingers to gently peel the marshmallow from the foil.

CHECK OUT LE TOP CHILDREN’S CLOTHING AT www.letop-usa.com

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Hillary Duff is a Mom!

Photo: Matt Sayles/AP

The 24-year-old actress, singer and author, best known for starring on Disney’s “Lizzie McGuire,” and her husband, retired Canadian hockey player Mike Comrie (31), welcomed a son Tuesday, March 20.

Duff tweeted, “Welcome to the World Luca Cruz Comrie! Tuesday evening, we became proud parents of a healthy 7 pound 6 ounce beautiful boy.”

“We are overjoyed and feel like the luckiest parents in the world. He is surrounded by so much love!! Mom and baby are both doing extremely well.”

The couple married in August 2010 and she announced her pregnancy in August 2011.

According to US Weekly Duff’s plan is to enjoy motherhood for a while and then get back to work making a record and going on tour.

Le Top Baby "Animal Crackers" Striped Coverall

Congratulations on the new member of your family!

Don’t you think little Luca would look adorable in the Le Top “Animal Crackers” Collection striped coverall? We do.

Go wild over this adorable light blue and white striped long sleeve coverall crafted with gentle cotton for exceptional comfort. Navy ribbed trims and cross-stitch embroidered giraffe, bear and elephant and mini backside pocket add classic style. Asymmetrical front shoulder buttons and underneath snaps assist dressing.

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Make an Easter Bunny Mask for Kids!

Make an adorable Easter bunny mask to dress up for Easter fun! This cute face mask is easy to make and can be dressed up however you like. Last one to make a bunny mask is the rotten egg (wink, wink!).

This post has been moved to it’s new home on our website. To view the full post go to: http://blog.letop-usa.com/?p=24652.

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Have your Kids Help with Chores at Any Age

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work it takes to keep your house clean? It’s time to put your kid’s to work. Most experts agree that chores are good for children and they can really help lighten the load. My daughter is 5-years-old and I feel like just as I get one room clean I walk to the one she’s in and it’s now a disaster. It is time for her to help.

Author Jim Fay explains that chores are essential for children. In addition to our needs for physical and emotional safety, love and affection, and healthy amounts of control, he says, we also all need to be needed. That’s because we’re pack animals by nature.

“If your child never has to raise a finger, that basic need has been stolen away,” says Fay, co-founder of the parenting philosophy found at the web site loveandlogic.com. “Children need to feel as though they’re a cog in the wheel. But they can’t feel that way if they don’t have chores and make contributions to the family.”

CHECK OUT LE TOP CHILDREN’S CLOTHING AT
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As an only child with many chores to regularly complete I know had a better understanding of what it took to run a house than some of my friends that had to do less. Though I didn’t appreciate it at the time it did establish helpful habits and a good attitude about work in me (especially when I also saw my parents doing their chores). This prepared me for the real world, taking pride in doing a good job and eased my transition to adulthood.

I’m all for my daughter contributing and preparing her for her future. I’ve been experimenting with what she can do so I recently tried having her wash dishes. Yes, she is young and it takes patience to watch what she’s doing but since I don’t have a dishwasher (How did that happen?) I will take what I can get. It is a slow process. Sometimes she loves to “help mommy” and other times she’d rather not. Sure, she uses too much water (plus gets it everywhere) and the dishes aren’t as clean as they could be but you’ve got to start somewhere. I stay in the kitchen wiping down countertops and then dry the dishes as she washes. Family fun! That way I can immediately see her process and show her when there is food that wasn’t quite washed off on dishes, give her tips AND tell her what a great job she’s doing.

Tip: Don’t rewash them yourself especially if your child is present as it can make them feel they didn’t do a good job and can demotivate them. Older kids may realize they can get out of doing the chore if they do a bad job.

At her age some of the dishes are a little unwieldy. She has to wash the outside of glasses by putting her fist inside then washes the inside while it sits on bottom of the sink. You may choose to only have your preschooler wash plastic dishes or metal pans instead of entrusting them with everything. It’s up to you. Get them started by having them put away some of the dishes or load up the dishwasher. Clearing the dinner table is something that is easy for almost any child.

Make sure the chore is something your child can handle but don’t underestimate them. If they can figure out a complicated video game they can probably handle a task that is one, two or more steps.

• Provide a wide berth with deadlines. You give them a framework and they can choose when it works best for them with that timeframe.
• Be specific with instructions. Example: ‘Put your clothes in the closet, books on the shelf, dishes in the kitchen, and toys in the toy box.’
• Ease into chores for children. First, demonstrate step-by-step. Next, let your child help, then supervise them. Then it’s up to them.
• Offer periodic praise.
• Go easy with reminders. You may want to have a chore board or use the “when/then” technique, such as, “When the pets are fed, then you may have your dinner.”

And, as your children grow up and get busy, don’t let them off the hook, says Fay. He says to tell them, “I hope you get so quick with your chores that they don’t interfere with everything else.”

Here is a list I found that can be helpful in dividing up chores for kids of any age.

Chores for children ages 2 to 3

• Put toys away.
• Fill pet’s food dish.
• Put clothes in hamper.
• Wipe up spills.
• Dust.
• Pile books and magazines.

Chores for children ages 4 to 5
Any of the above chores, plus:

• Make own bed.
• Empty wastebaskets
• Bring in mail or newspaper.
• Clear table.
• Pull weeds.
• Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs.
• Water flowers.
• Unload utensils from dishwasher.
• Wash plastic dishes at sink.
• Fix bowl of cereal.

Chores for children ages 6 to 7
Any of the above chores, plus:

• Sort laundry.
• Sweep floors.
• Set and clear table.
• Help make and pack lunch.
• Weed and rake leaves.
• Keep bedroom tidy.
• Pour own drinks.

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