Our daughter is currently 13, almost 14, and we decided about a year ago that we might just try to get her out to Vancouver to experience just a bit of the winter Olympics. She has an aunt, my sister, who is VERY into ice skating. Lori, my sister, had been getting my daughter somewhat interested as well.

So, about a year ago, I began to look into the possibility of sending the two of them out to Vancouver to take in one of the skating events. It turned out to be a fairly significant challenge to make it all come together, but very well worth it! I first had to make sure that the two of them were actually interested in the idea at all. They most definitely were. Then, I just had to wait for the tickets to go on sale. I think it was in about June of 2009. This part was tricky, because we really could not afford to send them to more than one event, and for me to pick their event was tough. I tried to purchase tickets for one event, but by the time I got a hold of Lori to confirm she would be interested in that event, it was sold out. After that, I just picked one, and made the purchase. It was an ice dancing event, and they were getting the absolute cheapest tickets available, which still came to about $200 each.

Then, it was on to transportation. Both of them are timid fliers, but 1500 miles or so would simply take too long by car or train. Our daughter would already be missing several days of school as it was. So, I booked flights. Then, we worked out transportation from Seattle up to Vancouver with a relative who lives fairly close by out there.

So, when the Olympics finally arrived, we sent the two of them off to experience the spectacle of the 21st Winter Olypmiad! They were both a bit nervous, but everything went just as smoothly as could be. They had a fantastic time, and really got to experience a bit of the world for a short time. I had bought several pins for them to try to trade with people out there, which they did. They ran into a group of people from China, and got a very nice pin from them.

They also met people from Israel, the Netherlands, Canada (of course), and more! It really was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get them there, and actually be able to say they have gone to the Olympics! I do believe that this was just about the perfect age to send a child to something as significant as this, as long as he or she can travel with at least one very trusted person. It was a lot of work, and rather expensive, but I do not regret it one bit…and neither does my daughter!

In figure skating, 16 year-old American Olympian, Mirai Nagasu skated in her very first Olympics. Despite going last in the long program, right before the medal ceremony, she placed fourth. On an opposing team, Canada’s Joannie Rochette took to the ice to skate just days after her mother passed away. Her bravery and courage touched the hearts of people around the world, and her focus paid off. Joannie ended up placing third and winning a bronze medal, which she dedicated to her late mother. Joannie did interviews and spoke out, saying, “My mother wouldn’t have wanted me to give up.”

In Alpine skiing, American Lindsey Vonn headed into the competition as a clear favorite to win. However, after a skiing accident broke her leg, she was put on bed rest for two weeks. Many media outlets speculated that she would not recover in time to compete in the Olympics. Unafraid, Lindsey skipped the Opening Ceremonies to rest and recover in order to make it in time to her first event – in which she won gold.

American snowboarder, Shaun White, began skateboarding at the young age of six. He greatly admired skateboarder, Tony Hawk, who became his close friend and mentor. At a young age, Shaun began entering snowboarding competitions, trying to become the best in the world. However, it wasn’t until he shifted his attention to snowboarding that he gained international acclaim. Now, Shaun is one of the wealthiest athletes in the United States, as well as one of the youngest! After four years of hard work and practicing, Shaun won yet another Olympic gold at the Vancouver Winter games.

Perhaps the most inspiring story of all was that of American speed skater, Apolo Anton Ohno. Apolo grew up as an only child, brought up by his father and ignored by the mother he had never known. In order to practice speed skating as a young boy, his father had to drive from Washington into Vancouver, which provided young Apolo with the ice facilities that he needed to practice. Apolo learned how to speed skate in Vancouver, and Vancouver was where he competed in what is speculated to be his last Olympics. In many of his races, Apolo ended up at the back of the pack right off the starting line. However, he always seemed to focus and work his way to the front of the crowd to end up placing third, second, or first – all of which ended in him becoming the most decorated Winter Olympian in American history. All together, Apolo has 8 Olympic Winter medals. To think this was from a boy who didn’t even have an appropriate skating rink in his home state!

Thus, children can learn a lot about perseverance, hard work, and dedication by watching the Olympians of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Told in a rhythm reminiscent of The Twelve Days of Christmas, a snowman’s tale begins, On the first day of winter my best friend gave to me…a red cap with a gold snap. The benefactor continues to deck out the snowman with two bright blue mittens for his stick hands; five birdseed pockets; nine big black buttons for his eyes, nose, and front; and, finally, 10 salty peanuts for his wintry toes.

As in the holiday song, each time a new item is introduced, the story counts back to the first gift. Fleming captures the tranquility and light of snowy days with her unique artistic style. Her paper-pulp and stencil illustrations depict a winter wonderland in which vibrant striped scarves, blue mittens, and red hats provide the color in a white, uncluttered landscape. (more…)

Hot Cocoa:

1 3/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Combine nonfat dry milk powder, cocoa, light brown sugar and granulated sugar in medium-size bowl. Spoon dry mix into container with tight-fitting lid. Cover and store at room temperature up to 3 mos. To make it: Add 8 oz. freshly boiled water to 1/2 cup mix in heatproof mug. Stir until completely dissolved.

Diabetic Friendly Hot Cocoa:

1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder (like Hershey’s)
1 tablespoon plus 2-teaspoons Splenda
2 tablespoons hot water
1 cup 1% milk

Place the cocoa powder and Splenda into a microwaveable mug. Add the hot water and stir until smooth. Pour in the milk and stir again. Microwave on high for 1-1/2 minutes or until hot. Do not boil.
Recipe makes one serving.

Bulk Hot Cocoa:
10 cups of powdered milk
7 cups of sugar
2 cups of cocoa
Mix it up. Add as much as you want to a cup of hot water.

Bulk Hot Chocolate
(this is good for gifts in a jar)

10 cups powdered milk
1 pound powdered sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
6 oz jar (about 1 3/4 cups) powdered nondairy creamer

Mix altogether and sift to get out any lumps. Store in airtight container. Mix 1/3 cup mixture per cup (or to taste) and add boiling water. Try using different flavors of non-dairy creamer.

Hasbro’s U-Dance turns your child’s feet into its very own game controller with its innovative motion-sensing system. It’s simple: your child just plugs the console into the TV and attaches the motion control to their feet. The system works as a result of motion-sensing technology that doesn’t require your child to stay within the confines of a dance mat or board.

Your child can choose from twelve dance songs to move their feet to. Your child can follow the steps as they appear on the screen. As your child dances, virtual footprints will appear on the screen that match the steps your child is making in their very own living room.

With all that moving, your child is definitely getting a great workout with Hasbro’s U-Dance. But, if they need a break from dancing, they can instead hop on a virtual treadmill and get a workout that way. Hasbro’s U-Dance also has a ‘lounge’ area where your child can visit to relax with some fun stepping games that’ll keep them engaged and moving their feet.

The best part? It’s great for all ages. Younger children can use the simple game along with older teenagers, and yes, even adults! It’s a great way for families to get together and dance away the night while getting a great workout at the same time.

So, if you have a child that loves to dance (or, secretly, you just love to dance,) check out Hasbro’s U-Dance for Christmas and learn new dance moves in the comfort of your home. And, as a bonus, you’ll also help keep your children physically fit without them even realizing it!

Click the picture below for more information or to purchase it through amazon.com’s secured server.

If you have a large gathering have fun with the hat game. When your guests arrive, give everyone a Santa hat. These are inexpensive and can be purchased for $1 at the dollar store, or even less in bulk, if you plan ahead. As everyone goes about their business of getting food, chatting with others and the like, the room will look very festive with everyone wearing their Santa hats. However, the object of this game is to be the last one wearing your hat. Inevitably, people will remove their hats as time goes on and the person who has their hat on the longest wins. Let everyone keep their hats as party favors.

One fun memory game that kids particularly like is to make everyone pay attention to all the gifts that are opened on Christmas day. After the gifts are removed from the room (or you remove yourselves from the gift room) have everyone try and remember every single gift everyone got. Include stockings and any food gifts. Tell people they only have to remember the items that were opened that day, not any gifts they received and opened prior to Christmas day. This can be a fun game that’s particularly popular with kids because they love to relive the gift magic. In addition, if they were so immersed with their own gifts they didn’t notice anyone else’s this is a good chance for them to find out what everyone got that day.

If you need a game to keep everyone busy before dinner, try the “guess me” game. Buy some large heavy socks, not low-rise, but the type that are worn outdoors in the winter that are thick and come at least to the calf. Put several items in the socks. Make sure identical items are in each sock. These items should be related to Christmas in some way. You might include a small ornament, scotch tape, a pine cone, a Hershey’s kiss, and the like. Have each person feel the socks (having two socks just makes the game go faster, but you can play with just one), and write down their guesses about what’s in the socks. Be sure to tell everyone how many items are in each sock.

If you have a bunch of wanna-be performers in your group on Christmas day, how about playing a little game of “Christmas Idol”? Set up a small table for the “judges” and have teams of 2 people (or individuals, if they want) sing a Christmas carol. Tell them to have a lot of fun with the song, and even add a Santa hat or other dress-up items if they wish. The winners can take home a CD of Christmas music. This game is particularly fun if just the children want to perform and be judged by the adults, or if, conversely, the adults perform and are judged by the children.

Have fun!

You’ll find more winter hats, gloves, scarves and ear muffs at our store.

Girl Skating
Boy Skating
Dad And Son Sledding
Bear Skating
Country Snowman
Snowman Family
Winter Moose

Easy Brownie Mix
6 tablespoons cocoa
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup flour
2 eggs

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Melt the butter and mix in the cocoa powder. Add the sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour and salt and mix well. Lightly butter a pan and sprinkle flour or cocoa until it’s covered.
Butter the baking pan lightly and sprinkle flour or cocoa over the pan until covered. This will help the mixture not to stick to the dish. Spread the brownie batter evenly in pan and put in oven for 35-40 minutes. When a tooth pick is inserted and it comes out clean the brownies are ready. Allow to cool until warm before cutting.

Spray a 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Heat the sweetened condensed milk and unsweetened chocolate in a medium saucepan together over medium-low heat until the chocolate is melted and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and stir in the graham cracker crumbs and half of the chopped walnuts. Spread in the prepared pan. Top with remaining walnuts. Chill until firm, 3-4 hours.

(photo credit: cristiano betta)