Luau Bridal Shower Ideas

Hula dancers in Hawaii

Themed-bridal showers make this special occasion even more memorable for the bride-to-be and her guests. Instead of the traditional games and decorations, think of using a luau theme for the party, which works especially well if the bride and groom are going to Hawaii on their honeymoon. Does this Spark an idea?

Decorations

Available at specialty party stores, Hawaii-themed decorations are easy to find. If the weather permits, stage an outdoor bridal shower complete with tiki torches and tropical items such as vases of tropical flowers with sand around them for the table centerpieces. Have Hawaiian music playing in the background and Hawaiian food available for sampling. Buffet style would work well for this event and also save you money. Do not forget to serve mai tais.

Dress

On the invitations, ask guests to dress in Hawaiian-style clothing. This can include Hawaiian shirts, shorts or grass skirts. This will add to the overall mood of the shower. When guests arrive, gift them with a lei and flower to wear over their ear. Have bobby pins available so all guests can pin the flower to their hair. If a guest is married, the flower goes over her left ear; if she is single, it goes over the right (similar to a wedding ring on the left finger).

Games

Every bridal shower, whether you like them or not, has games, so make them luau-themed as well. If your area has one, hire a hula teacher. You can find them under "dance instruction" in the yellow pages or search online. The teacher can instruct the guests on simple hula techniques and teach a beginner's level dance. You can even ask the bride if she would like to learn a special dance for her wedding to dance to her groom.

Tags: bridal shower, goes over

The Best Exercises For The Smith Machine

You can train many different muscle groups on a Smith Machine.

The Smith machine is a device many weightlifters use to train both their upper and lower body. It has a barbell that slides up and down, but does not move forward or backward. The Smith machine also comes equipped with two safety hooks that secure the bar to a pair of safety pegs. This allows the weightlifter to train without having to ask another person to spot them during an exercise.

Bench Presses

The bench press is an exercise to use for building the chest muscles. To use a Smith machine for this lift you will need to slide a weight bench under the bar, since the Smith Machine does not have a bench attachment. Make sure to position the bench so the center of the bar is over the middle of the bench. Add some weights to each side of the bar, then lie down on the bench. Reach up and place your hands on the bar at shoulder width using an overhand grip. Push the bar up until your arms are fully extended, then slightly move your hands back toward you so the safety hooks that hold the bar on the Smith machine are clear of the support pegs.

To begin the exercise, lower the bar down to approximately one inch from your chest. Hold the position for a count of one, then push the weight up until your arms are fully extended. Repeat the movement for 10 repetitions. After your final repetition, turn your hands away from you so the safety hooks will hold the bar on the support pegs. Make sure that the bar is secure before you sit up to get off of the bench.

Shoulder Presses

Shoulder presses are an exercise to use for developing both the shoulders and triceps muscles. To use a Smith machine for shoulder presses, position a weight bench under the center of the bar. Add some weights to each side of the bar, then sit down on the bench. Place your hands on the bar at shoulder width with an overhand grip. To begin the lift, press up with both arms, then move your hands back toward you so the safety hooks do not hit the support pegs. Lower the bar down to just past your chin, then push it back up to finish the repetition. Do 10 repetitions, then return the safety hooks to the support pegs.

Squats

Squats are an exercise to use for developing the quadriceps muscles of the legs. To use a Smith machine for squats, slide the bar up until it is at eye level and then return the safety hooks to the support pegs. Add weights to both sides of the bar, then slide your head under the bar and center it on your upper back just below the shoulders. Place your hands on the bar slightly wider than shoulder width using an overhand grip. To begin the exercise, move your hands back toward you to remove the safety hooks from the support pegs. Bend at the knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Stand back up straight to finish the repetition. Repeat the exercise for 10 repetitions, then return the safety hooks to the support pegs. Make sure that the bar is secure before you step out from underneath it.

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When To Book Hotel Rooms For Disney World

Finding and booking a hotel room room in Walt Disney World is simple, especially if you book the room well in advance and pay attention to peak and value seasons. A little research will go a long way toward helping you find specials and discounts that will save you money. Even if it's your first time visiting Walt Disney World, there are plenty of tips you can follow to help you book a resort room like a seasoned pro.

Choose a Resort

Visit the Walt Disney World website or the AllEars web page (see Resources) and research the Disney resorts. Resorts are available in three budget levels: value, moderate and deluxe. For those who want a lot of amenities, such as a fitness center, Disney also has villas located at Disney's Boardwalk Resort and Wilderness Lodge that offer these services.

Check the room images, guest ratings, resort amenities and restaurants. Each resort on Disney property is tailored to a specific theme. For example, Wilderness Lodge has a rustic, woodsy feel; Animal Kingdom Lodge has an African safari theme, and Saratoga Springs is reminiscent of Martha's Vineyard. With research, you can find a resort that will meet your family's needs.

Research the Disney Seasons

When planning a Disney World vacation, consider the Disney seasons, which may affect room availability or resort peacefulness. For example, April through May is class field trip time, so the budget resorts will be filled with teens and preteens, making the moderate and deluxe resorts a better option when it comes to peacefulness. Mid-June through August is the summer peak season, making room availability limited. The holiday season also sees a spike in booked rooms. Non-peak seasons--January through March, the first and second week of June, and September through the first half of November--see more rooms available, but early booking is encouraged.

Book the Resort

To ensure a room at a given resort, it is best to make reservations six months to a year in advance. Book early so you know you have a room at your chosen resort, which makes the rest of your vacation planning less burdensome. When you book your room this far in advance, you have the "pick of the litter," meaning that you can request courtyard, poolside or interior rooms. Courtyard and poolside suites are the rooms that are usually booked first.

As of 2008, the rooms in Disney hotels are smoke-free, so you don't need to ask for a non-smoking room. However, there are outdoor smoking zones located at each resort hotel.

Contact a Disney resort representative or your travel agent to book your resort. If you book your room late--say three months or less before your trip--you run the risk of not getting the room you want, or a room at your chosen resort.

Special Deals

When booking your room, check the Disney website for special resort packages and deals. You may be able to save some money. If you sign up for the Disney Vacation Club (see Resources), periodically throughout the year, you may receive coupons for resort discounts, but this is not always the case.

Tags: Disney World, book your, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World, your room

Why Do Seals Have Blubber

Seals use blubber for insulation, buoyancy, streamlining and energy.

Under their skin, seals have a thick layer of body fat called blubber. According to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, blubber acts primarily as insulation to prevent the loss of body heat in the cold waters that seals inhabit.

Composition

Blubber is composed of lipids (fats), collagen-fiber connective tissues and blood vessels. Blubber covers almost the entire body under the skin and is attached to the animal's muscular system and skeleton through a network of ligaments and tendons.

Other Functions

Blubber is less dense than water or other body tissues and gives the animals' bodies buoyancy. It forms a smooth tissue network under the skin that helps with streamlining as well, making marine mammals such as seals good swimmers. Blubber also stores energy for use by the seal.

Growth and Survival

Adult seals may have up to half their body weight in blubber. Harpseals.org describes how a female harp seal in the Canadian Arctic gives birth to a 24-pound baby that will triple its birth weight in less than two weeks drinking its mother's high-fat milk. Baby harp seals need to develop blubber quickly in order to survive in the cold Arctic environment.

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Pebbles & Bammbamm Costume Ideas

This Halloween, make Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm costumes.

Amongst new costume ideas this Halloween, you will continue to see old favorites like Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm from "The Flintstones." Hanna-Barbera debuted this series in 1960, and although the show ended in 1966, the characters are still recognizable today thanks to the spin-offs, movies and cereal advertisements. Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm grew up in the spin-offs from the babies they originally were into dating teens, which provides costume possibilities for all ages.

Infant and Toddler Costumes

Dress your infant or toddler in the original style of Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm. A small amount of pink leopard print fabric tied over a pink or orange onesie will work for Pebbles. Attach a red ponytail to a hat and include a small bone cut out of card stock or craft foam. An infant or toddler Bamm-Bamm costume includes a piece of animal print fabric tied over one shoulder. Wrap this over a onesie or footed pajamas.

Pebbles Costume Ideas for Teens and Adults

As a teen, Pebbles still had her familiar red hair with a large bone in it and pink leopard print. To make a Pebbles costume, start with a pink leopard print top. Cut the sleeves off, then cut the hem into a ragged edge.

If you cannot find one to purchase, make a simple covering from two rectangle pieces of leopard print fabric tied at the shoulders over a pink T-shirt. The rectangles should be as wide as your body and approximately hip-length. Alternately, you can pin the fabric at the shoulders of the pink T-shirt.

Wrap a rope belt around your waist to hold the covering in place. Fringe a pair of black or blue shorts and wear a pair of flip-flops to complete the look. Red wigs can be found in a costume shop or you can spray your hair with temporary colored spray.

Bamm-Bamm Costume Ideas for Teens and Adults

Teen Bamm-Bamm didn't change his outfit much as he grew. Look for a white sleeveless T-shirt and a pair of brown pants. Cut the pants into long shorts with a jagged hemline. Make a simple vest from leopard print fabric. Cut a rectangle of fabric that fits around your body. Cut two arm holes and a jagged hem line. Wear flip-flops or go shoeless if staying indoors.

Bamm-Bamm always carried a club around. For your costume, use an inflatable club from a party store or make your own from a baseball bat for an adult costume. Glue crumbled brown paper bags on the bat to create a club-like shape. Wrap the entire piece with brown tissue paper or brown craft paper to hold in place.

A khaki bucket hat can be embellished with animal print fabric. Use craft glue to attach pieces of fabric to the hat, then add a few strands of white yarn to the underside of the hat so that they peek out to represent Bamm-Bamm's white hair.

Tags: leopard print, print fabric, Pebbles Bamm-Bamm, around your, fabric tied, leopard print fabric, pink leopard

Luau Party Invitation Sayings

Trocial drinks, paper umbrellas and pineapples are all a part of a luau.

One of the best reasons to select a luau as your party theme is that it fits so many different occasions, or no occasion at all. A luau party theme can be used for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirement or showers. But most of all, luau parties can brighten the blues of winter, or add festivity to a summer pool party. Whatever the reason to select a luau theme for your party, your invitation will set the spirit and the mood for your guests. Does this Spark an idea?

Rhymes

Using a clever rhyme in your luau invitation will get your guests festive and in the tropical spirit. Rhymes are particularly ideal for a luau that is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, graduation or for no special occasion, like a pool party, because they are bright and festive. Begin your invitation with a rhyme, either on the front of the card or inside, before the specifics of the party. Incorporate words that rhyme with"'lei" like day or play, and "grill" rhymes with "chill" or "thrill." Examples of luau invitation rhymes from Cards Personalized that you might use are: "The coladas are frozen, the theme is set. We're having a Luau, you'll never forget. Please dress-up Hawaiian, as you've done in the past, for a night that will be, A tropical blast!" Or, "There's nothing quite like food from the grill, tall drinks on the patio sure fit the bill!"

Phrases

There are beautiful Hawaiian, or Polynesian, love phrases and sayings that would fit perfectly in a luau invitation for a wedding, an anniversary, engagement or birthday. Use the phrase in its native language with the translation either following it in parenthesis, or with an asterisk that directs the guest to the bottom or back of the invitation. Often used Hawaiian phrases from My Personal Artist are: " I HO'OKAHI KAHI KE ALOHA" ('Be one in love), "O KE ALOHA KA 'IU" ('Love is paradise'), "HO'OKAHI MAKAMAKA O KO ALOHA ('Our love begins the union of our life together') and "UA OLA LOKO I KE ALOHA" (Love gives life within).

Quotes

Hawaiian proverbs and quotes from well known people can add to your luau party invitation by bringing a sense of authenticity. Appropriate quotes for luau invitations are: "The Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian People." ~ David Kalakaua; "In my nostrils still lives the breath of flowers that perished twenty years ago." ~ Mark Twain; "One 'ukulele and one soul can do a lot." ~ Kindy Sproat; "You are the lei I entwine with the beauty of your smile." ~ Robert Cazimero; "There's no other place that I'd rather be than home in these islands in the middle of the sea." ~ Henry Kapono Ka'aihue, and, finally; "Somehow, the love of the islands, like the love of a woman, just happens. One cannot determine in advance to love a particular woman, nor can one so determine to love Hawaii." ~ Jack London, My Hawaiian Aloha.

Tags: luau invitation, ALOHA love, ALOHA Love, invitation will, luau party, party theme

What Prizes Do You Win On The Wheel Of Monotony On Neopets

Tyrannia is inhabited by dinosaur-like Neopets.

Neopets is an online gaming website run by Nikelodeon. By playing games, Neopets players win virtual currency, or Neopoints, as well as other virtual prizes. The "Wheel of Monotony" is one of several "spin-the-wheel" games on Neopets. Players click the wheel to spin it and receive a random prize once it stops turning. True to its name, the Wheel of Monotony can turn for up to two hours before stopping.

Tyrannian Themed Item

The Wheel of Monotony is located in the Neopian land of "Tyrannia." Accordingly, many of the prizes have a Tyrannian theme. Players can win Tyrannian "Petpets," food, furniture and weapons. The most valuable Tyrannian prize players can win is a Tyrannian paint brush. Neopets "painted" with a Tyrannian paint brush take on a pre-historic appearance.

Ability Prizes

Several prizes are based around helping players increase their Neopets abilities. Players can win regular and red codestones, both of which they can use to train Neopets. Players also can have a single ability randomly increased by one level. Higher ability levels mean Neopets will compete better in the Neopets Battledome.

Neopoints and Miscellaneous

Players can win 5,000 or 20,000 Neopoints by spinning the Wheel of Monotony. They can also gain the chance to win more Neopoints by getting a ticket to the Neopian Lottery. They also can win miscellaneous prizes, including a visit to the "Lair of the Beast" or trip to the Tyrannian volcano.

Harmful Prizes

Spinning the Wheel of Monotony has its risks as well as its rewards. Players who spin the wheel can find their Neopet's health cut in half. To raise their Neopet's Health again, players have to visit the "Healing Springs" or use healing potions. Neopet's with zero health cannot fight in the Battledome.

Tags: Wheel Monotony, games Neopets, paint brush, their Neopet, They also, Tyrannian paint

Pirate Invitation Ideas

Everybody say "Arrrrrr!"

It doesn't matter what age you are, it's fun to slap a patch over your eye and say "Arrr" like a pirate, which is why pirate parties are so popular. Whether for a birthday, Halloween party or just a plain old party, the pirate theme is a crowd pleaser. To get your pirate party to go off with a bang, start off with an appropriate pirate-themed invitation. Does this Spark an idea?

Invitation in a Bottle

A message in a bottle immediately evokes thoughts of the sea.

If you plan to hand-deliver your invitations, you can't beat an invitation in a bottle to get your pirate party off to a perfect start. Use small, clear glass bottles with cork stoppers as a creative holder, and simply write out the invitation information on a piece of paper that is small enough to fit inside the bottle. Roll it carefully and secure the roll with a small piece of tape. Punch a hole along the top edge of the paper and tie a string through the hole. Carefully insert the "message" into the bottle, with the string hanging out the top of the bottle, and insert the cork. The string will make it easier for your guests to pull out the invitation without ripping it.

Treasure Map

If there is one thing that pirates are famous for, it is being in search of buried treasure. Like all good buried treasures, your party should have a map for intrepid guests to find it. Make a pirate map invitation using aged looking parchment paper and a hand-drawn looking map. Free clip art images will work nicely for this. Print your party details on the reverse and gently tear the edges of the invitation to lend it an authentic treasure map appearance. For an even more authentic look, use a candle to carefully singe the edges of the paper. Your invitations can then be mailed or rolled up, tied with a ribbon and delivered in person.

Pirate's Gold

Give your guests an inkling of the rich and raucous time that awaits them at your pirate party by presenting them with a small stash of "gold" coins with their invitation. Purchase small drawstring pouches and either gold coin candy or plastic gold coins to give to each invitee. Stuff each bag and attach it to a note that says "Here be just a taste of the riches that await ye aboard our pirate ship. Join our bawdy band of brigands as we party like the pirates we are." Include all of the details about your celebration, including whether parrots are welcome.

Tags: your pirate party, pirate party, your pirate, gold coins, with small, your guests, your party

Why Do We Celebrate Birthdays With Cake

The modern birthday cake is a culmination of past traditions.

In Western culture, a birthday cake is often decorated with a person's name or designed to fit that person's personality and interests. The word "cake" is of Scandinavian origin, related to the Swedish "kaka" and Danish "kage."

Modern cake celebrations are the culmination of various traditions from different cultures from all over the world. Does this Spark an idea?

Western Origins of Cake

The origin of birthday cakes is connected with the seasonal cycle and in celebration of their gods. The ancient Greeks made round or moon-shaped honey cakes and took them to the temple of Artemis, the moon goddess.

During the Middle Ages, Germans used sweetened dough and shaped the cake like baby Jesus swaddled in cloth to commemorate his birth. Over time, the tradition transitioned into commemorating the birth of young children called Kinderfest.

The ancient Celts baked Beltane cakes to celebrate the sun. At the Beltane festival, the Celts would roll the cakes down a hill to imitate solar movement. This was to ensure the continued movement of the sun.

Ancient Romans celebrated three different type of birthdays: private celebrations among friends and family, birthdays of cities and temples of their gods and birthdays of past and present emperors or members of the imperial family.

Eastern Origins of Cake

The Chinese made cakes to honor the seasonal cycle of the moon and honor their lunar goddess Heng O. Instead of candles, they would stamp the image of Heng O on top. In contemporary Chinese culture, people still make moon cakes out of rice and eat them at the Harvest Moon festival every Aug. 15.

The Russians celebrated the sun by paying their respects to the deity Maslentias by making thin pancakes called sun cakes. Maslentias was the daughter of Father Frost, who brought winter, but unlike her father, she brought warmth and happiness. People would eat the sun cakes to warm their hearts and symbolically keep spring in their hearts forever.

Shape of Cakes

The roundness of the cake symbolized the cyclical nature of life. This could incorporate the seasons and also the beginning of a new year. Many would bake their cakes to symbolize the moon or the sun.

Another reason for the shape of cakes comes from the technology of baking at the time. In ancient times, breads and cakes were made by hand and were typically fashioned into round balls and baked on hearthstones or shallow panes. This, in turn, shaped the basic appearance of the cake. As the technology progressed, cakes can now can be baked in all different shapes and sizes.

Traditions of Cakes

Agricultural societies prepared the cakes using grains and fruits from the soil, which symbolized their appreciation and worship of their gods. For example, the English would bake cake using caraway seeds, which were symbolic of wheat grains sown during the harvest. This seed was believed to have strengthened the workers throughout the season and then would be baked in cake and eaten during a harvest festival to celebrate the hard work of the harvest.

During medieval times, the English would bake cakes with symbolic objects cooked inside. These objects included coins and thimbles mixed into the batter. The person who found coins supposedly would find wealth, and the person who found a thimble would always be single.

Birthday Candle History

Traditionally, birthday candles were used to bring birthday wishes to the gods. The Greeks would pray over the flames and believed the smoke carried their wishes up to the gods. Greeks also placed candles on top of the cake to make the cake glow like the moon god Artemis. The Germans would burn a large candle that had 12 lines and numbers, which marked the 12 months of the year. This candle represented the Light of Life and was used for religious practices.

This evolved into using candles on the cake to equal the number of a person's birthday. Traditionally, the birthday person blows out the candles and makes a wish. Modern superstitions state you must blow out all the candles to receive your wish and you cannot tell your wish to anyone or it will not come true.

Tags: their gods, would bake, birthday cake, candles cake, during harvest, English would

The Best Hotel Access To Disneyland

Of the dozens of hotels in the Anaheim, California, area, those with the best access to Disneyland Park are those on the park property and in the Good Neighbor Hotels area.

Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel is the park's original hotel. It is located next to the Downtown Disney District.

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

This hotel overlooks the California Adventure Park. It is within walking distance of Disneyland.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

The Grand Californian spans from California Adventure into the Downtown Disney District. It is a few minutes' walk to Disneyland's main entrance.

Good Neighbor Hotels

Disneyland has partnered with more than 30 hotels in the nearby Anaheim area to create a neighborhood of Good Neighbor Hotels. Most are found south or east of the park on or near Katella Avenue or Harbor Boulevard.

Transportation

Most of the Good Neighbor Hotels are within a 5 to 15 minute walk of Disneyland. Many of them also offer shuttle service for free or for a small fee. The shuttle drop-off area is just east of the main entry plaza. The Disneyland monorail system has a station in the Downtown Disney District where passengers can board and disembark in Tomorrowland inside the park. Valid admission to Disneyland is required.

Tags: Good Neighbor, Good Neighbor Hotels, Neighbor Hotels, Disney District, Downtown Disney, Downtown Disney District, California Adventure

Water Birthday Party Ideas

Bathing suite are a must, but the masks are optional.

For a summer birthday party that beats the heat and goes beyond the standard pool party, try one of these ideas. Easily adaptable to kids of any age or adults who are kids at heart, you can customize these ideas with a water-themed birthday cake and cuisine of your choice. If guests need to bring any special attire, note that on your invitation. Does this Spark an idea?

Water Party Games

Incorporate water into any backyard birthday party with water-themed games. Arm guests will water guns (or tell them to bring their own) and divide them into teams. Let them scavenge the yard for a manhunt-inspired soak-out. Fill water balloons before the children come for dodgeball. If your yard has a slope, create a slippery slide. Depending on the age range of the guests, some games may be more appropriate than others.

Luau

Combine your water-themed birthday party with a Hawaiian pig roast for a luau party. For an adult party, add tropical rum drinks like the mai tai or pina colada. Decorate the pool area with tiki torches and allow the guests to use the pool while the pig roasts over a fire pit. A luau party for kids can have water games, swim time or beach volleyball activities. Adults may prefer a cocktail hour with light swimming or sunbathing by the pool. Make the birthday cake coconut flavored for a tropical tie-in.

Pirate Party

For a themed pool party suitable for adventurous types, host a pirate birthday party. You can provide guests with party bags of pirate hats, eye patches and other regalia. Have guests create or decorate their own pirate ship out of milk cartons, then hold a pirate ship race in the swimming pool. For added fun, fill the pool with inflatable alligators and other sea creatures. End the games with a scavenger hunt for treasure, and hide a gift certificate, toy or candy at the end point.

Outdoor Adventure

Take teens or adults on an outdoor water adventure with a small group of friends. Try fishing or boating or arrange a surf lesson for everyone. Pack a picnic supply or end the night with a potluck or dinner at an oceanside fish shack. Whether your birthday friend prefers to sunbathe, snorkel, dig for clams or try kitesurfing, an outdoor water adventure can help celebrate the special birthday.

Hot Tub Spa Party

Plan a spa day birthday party that starts with manicures and makeup and ends with a relaxing hot tub experience for the birthday girl and her guests. Let guests know to bring a bathing suit. You can hire a cosmetologist to help with makeup and manicures, look for a beauty school student who wouldn't mind some extra cash or recruit a couple of friends to help out. If it's a hot tub party for guys, skip the manicures and play party games, pool or sports and do the hot tub afterward.

Tags: birthday party, birthday cake, birthday party that, birthday party with, luau party, outdoor water

Name Tag Ideas For Kids

A typical name tag is boring.

Anyone can make a boring paper name tag for a child, but if you want something that stands out, you will need to get creative. Think outside the box to create pretty and playful three-dimensional tags, add pizazz to paper tags with glitter or beads, or re-purpose ordinary objects into distinctive name tags. Remember that the name tags are more likely to stay on if the kids like them. Does this Spark an idea?

Flower Tags

Buy bunches of silk flowers in different colors and styles. Use paint or glitter pens to write each child's name on the petals, or on a piece of ribbon attached to the bloom. If the boys object to flowers as being too feminine, write their names on large leaves of ivy or other attractive foliage instead. As an alternative to silk, make tissue paper flowers using instructions from the Nick Jr. website.

Origami Tags

Find simple origami patterns, like the traditional crane or a butterfly, pinwheel or frog that kids will enjoy making and wearing. Use colorful origami papers and print names on the outside before pinning to shirts. When kids do not need them any more as name tags, they can take them home and play with them or use them to decorate their room.

Buttons and Bows

Create colorful name tags for each child with ribbon scraps and assorted buttons. Sew or glue one button for each letter in the child's name to an appropriate length of colorful ribbon, then use a glitter pen to write the letters directly on the button face. Use flat topped, plain buttons for best results--those with holes may be difficult to write on legibly. Pin the ribbons so they hang down vertically.

Edible Tags

Make sugar cookies in playful shapes and write the kids' names in icing. Place each cookie in a re-sealable plastic bag with a small bow on the top to hide the pin for attaching to shirtfronts. After kids get to know one another, let them eat their treats or take them home. You could also hang the cookie bag from a ribbon around the neck instead of pinning it.

DIY Tags

Give each child materials to create their own name tag. Place children's scissors with stacks of colored papers, glitter pens, beads, markers or anything else you can think of that may be decorative and useful, on a table. As kids arrive, allow them make an original name tag masterpiece.

Tags: name tags, each child, child name, glitter pens, take them

Vegan Cruises

Chefs on popular cruise lines may prepare special vegan meals for guests.

Vegan-friendly cruises travel all over the world, through oceans and rivers, exotic and serene. Both small and large ships are available, and even more popular cruises provide vegan options to guests. A few of these cruises incorporate ecotourism as part of their philosophy and prepare organic entrees according to guest's specifications.

Holistic Holiday

A Taste of Health by Costa Cruise Lines offers a cruise called Holistic Holiday at Sea. The cruise travels the western Caribbean on the MSC Poesia. The menu comprises natural foods and beverages prepared by chefs that are specially made organic. The cruise combines relaxation with a learning experience, in which passengers learn from health professionals, vegan and macrobiotic chefs, yoga and

Pilates instructors, and research scientists about live more healthy. The Holistic Holiday at Sea also offers individual counseling and treatments on the cruise.

Maple Leaf Adventures

Maple Leaf Adventures offers a smaller cruise that focuses on ecotourism and vegan-friendly food. The cruises last multiple days and travel along the British Columbia and Alaska coast with historians, naturalists, chefs and crew. The tours venture to the Great Bear Rainforest and Queen Charlotte Islands as well, where passengers view wildlife and exotic nature. Sushi platters as well as other vegan-friendly dishes come with the cruise. Maple Leaf Adventures also trains youths in Canada to sail their ship every year in a life skills training course.

Sanctuary Retreats

Sanctuary Retreats offers more intimate cruises that explore different parts of the world such as the Nile in Egypt, around the Galapagos Islands and near the Three Gorges in China. Chefs on the cruises prepare meals according to the guest's dietary restrictions and provide a very ecofriendly community awareness experience. Sanctuary Retreats has a policy of conservation and responsible tourism, which ensures that their ships run modern sewage disposal systems and recycling programs.

Vegan Menus

Major cruise lines, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, provide vegan-friendly options on their menu and also prepare vegan entrees when requested in advance by guests. Several cruise lines also allow guests to request items from the chef while on board the ship, which allows passengers to create multiple vegan meals. In other cases, guests speak to a "coordinator" beforehand to arrange vegan options. If you plan on traveling with a mainstream cruise line, call beforehand to inquire about their vegan menu options.

Tags: Holistic Holiday, Leaf Adventures, Maple Leaf, Maple Leaf Adventures, Sanctuary Retreats, according guest, cruise lines

Umbrellas For Decorating

Decorative umbrellas offer grace and elegance.

Umbrellas accomplish the job when it comes to blazing sun and driving rain, but they are more than just utilitarian objects. You can turn your beach umbrella into an accessory, use umbrellas as unusual objects to decorate for a party or event or turn a rainy day into family enjoyment with an umbrella craft project. Does this Spark an idea?

Painted Umbrellas

Decorate your own umbrella for personalized protection from the elements. Use acrylic or fabric paint and brushes, stamps, fingers and whatever else you can come up with to create your own original designs. This project is suitable for adults or children with supervision. Leave the umbrella open to dry for 24 hours (or according to the paint label) before using it.

Decorative Umbrellas

Decorative umbrellas and parasols are available in a wide variety of styles. Oriental umbrellas in particular are useful for decorating because of their beauty, elegance and detail. Hang them upside down in the corners of a room to create a cozy feeling, and display the intricate painting on the top side. Hand them out to guests at outdoor parties when the sun is intense, place them at the ends of rows of chairs for events or place a decorative umbrella in a very large, tall vase or umbrella stand inside your home's entry foyer.

Cocktail Umbrellas

Make your next party a festive affair with handmade cocktail umbrellas. Cut circles about 3 inches in diameter out of construction paper or a lightweight card stock. Cut a slit from the edge of the circle to the center point, and overlap the cut edges slightly to create a cone shape. Glue the edges in place. Decorate the tops of the umbrellas with wrapping paper, paint, glitter and any other craft supplies you like. Poke the tip of a toothpick or wooden skewer through the point of the paper cone, and cover the point with glue and paper or a small bead. Put a decorated umbrella in each of your guests' drinks with a lemon twist or strawberry garnish.

Market Umbrellas

For an outdoor event, large patio umbrellas keep your guests shaded and comfortable, but they can also be part of your party decor if you plan ahead. Try stringing lights up the pole and around the underside of the umbrella for glowing evening lighting. Use silk vines and flowers around the pole and supports for a tropical-looking party decoration, or hang wind chimes and spinners from underneath umbrellas where they aren't in the way.

Tags: Decorative umbrellas, your guests

Resorts Of Kihei Maui

Maui is a popular vacation destination in Hawaii.

Travelers frequent the Hawaiian Islands because of the tropical weather, beautiful scenery and the lush landscaping of the islands. Maui is one of the most visited of the islands due to its luxurious resorts, laid-back nature and relaxed lifestyle. The beaches are clean, with clear blue water and white sand. The locals are friendly and the staff at any Maui hotel is ready to assist you in any way possible.

Kihei Beach Resort

Located on Sugar Beach, the Kihei Beach Resort is set on six miles of white sand beach and features one- and two-bedroom guestrooms with full kitchens and ocean views. The hotel's pool overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Each morning in the lobby of the Kihei Beach Resort, staff provides complimentary coffee to resort guests. For vacationers who enjoy reading while laying on the beach, the resort bookstore works like a library, allowing guests to borrow paperback books for the duration of their stay.

Kihei Beach Resort

269 Huku Li'i Place, Suite 202

Kihei, Maui, HI 96753

800-367-6034

kiheibeachresorts.com

Royal Mauian Resort

The Royal Mauian Resort is located directly on the beaches of Maui's south side, where the weather is warm and dry during the day and cool at night. All rooms at the Royal Mauian are one- or two-bedroom suites, complete with full kitchens and uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. The resort sits on one mile of beach on the island of Maui. Guests of the Royal Mauian receive complimentary coffee by the resort pool all day long. The sight of humpback whales and turtles swimming along with you in the ocean is not unusual.

Royal Mauian Resort

2430 S. Kihei Road

Kihei, Maui, HI 96753

800-367-8009

royalmauianresort.com

Aston Maui Lu Resort

The Aston Maui Lu Resort is located directly on the beach on the southern side of Maui on a 28-acre coconut grove. Guests of the Aston have access to two private beaches where they can sunbathe, swim and enjoy the warm Hawaiian sun. The pool at the Aston Maui is the only pool on the island shaped like the island, which also overlooks the beach. Free parking is available for all guests. The resort also offers children's programs. Each room is equipped with high-speed Internet access, a refrigerator and a private balcony. Daily maid service is available.

Aston Maui Lu Resort

575 S. Kihei Road

Kihei, Maui, HI 96753

877-997-6667

astonhotels.com

Tags: Royal Mauian, Aston Maui, Kihei Beach, Kihei Beach Resort, Kihei Maui

Resorts In Matabungkay Batangas

Batangas is known for its quiet, white sandy beaches and natural coves.

Matabungkay is a thriving tourist spot in Bantangas, Philippines, with white sandy beaches and sheltered coves. It was once a fishing village that drew beach lovers seeking solitude. The area offers camping, swimming, diving and beautiful sunset watching in a provincial atmosphere. It is considered inexpensive, offering low-budget family vacations. Only three hours from Manila, Matabungkay has become a popular resort vacation destination for Manila residents.

Al Fresco Beach Resort

The Al Fresco Beach Resort is a family owned vacation house that has been renovated into a 3-star beachfront resort. It is located in the middle of the Matabungkay Strip. The resort has eight air-conditioned rooms, a dining hall, a sala and lanai area, and a veranda overlooking the ocean. Rooms have cable TV, air-conditioning and private bathrooms. The resort has a cordoned off perimeter beachfront and massage therapy is available.

Batangas Office

Al Fresco Beach Resort

Brgy. Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas

+63 (922) 8-FRESCO

+63 (917) 830-0038

www.alfrescoresort.com

Balai Resorts, Anilao and Laiya

At the Southeastern tip of Batangas, Balai Resort operates two resorts in different locations. The Anilao resort was built to look like a house by the sea. It sits atop a rocky slope in San Teodoro Mabini, Batangas. Its open spaces and decks offer views of the sea and groves of trees. The resort offers scuba diving equipment to guests who want to explore the waters.

The Laiya is more secluded. It is located along San Juan, Batangas' wide sandy coast. It has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere with thatched roof cottages, few tourists and quiet beaches. The Balai Resorts are known for hosting wedding parties. Balai wedding services include catering, accommodations, venue d cor and flowers, and wedding coordination services.

Balai Resort Anilao

San Teodoro, Anilao, Batangas

Balai sa Laiya Resort

San Juan, Batangas

(632) 240-2927

www.balai-resort.com

Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel

Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel has 51 deluxe rooms, two deluxe suites, six one-bedroom family suites, six superior family rooms and 16 beach-side villas. Vacation activities include indoor and outdoor games, a rope course, and a kiddie and adult pool. Wi-Fi access is available, as well as air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold showers, and cable television. The Matabungkay Resort also hosts weddings. The Wedding By The Beach package includes overnight room accommodation, couple spa treatment, buffet dinner, a three-layer wedding cake and a four-layer chocolate fountain.

Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel

Brgy. Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas

0-917-834-12-69

www.matabungkay.net

Consideration

According to Campers Point, vendors are known for chasing down tourists in hopes they will buy their wares. To avoid inconvenience, ask if your resort has a policy prohibiting vendors from the vicinity.

Tags: Beach Resort, Beach Resort Hotel, Fresco Beach, Fresco Beach Resort, Matabungkay Beach

Travel Party Ideas

A tropical location party works well outdoors at a pool.

Travel offers many themes for a party. Theme parties can not only call for a particular menu, but they also provide a different atmosphere than that of a regular party. When you choose your party theme, check what's available in your area. For example, during the summer you will find more tropical-themed party items. Does this Spark an idea?

Altering Games

Alter existing party games to have a travel theme. By altering existing games, the players already know the basic rules of the games. It also requires less work. For example, one easy game to alter is charades. Use travel-related phrases to act out. Examples of these phrases include packing, flying, sunbathing and surfing. Games with ambiguous categories work best, meaning games where you create exact what you do. These included "Pictionary," "Who Am I" and "Where Am I." You can use a general travel theme or base it on a certain location.

Travel-Theme Party

Throw a party based on the idea of traveling. Incorporate forms of traveling into each detail of the planning. For example, make the invitations look like plane tickets. Arrange pieces of luggage as decorations. If you don't want to use a plane theme, try out a train or car. Maps, signs and pictures all works as effective decorations. Use this party theme as a going-away party or a summer theme.

Destinations

Hundreds of fun, exotic travel destinations exist. Utilize one of the destinations as a theme for the party. For example, try Paris, France. Play French music, serve authentic foods and hang pictures of famous monuments. You could use an Eiffel Tower model as the centerpiece for the food table. Serve real Champagne. Another theme to try is a tropical island theme. Most party supply stores carry items for that type of party throughout the year.

Around the World

Host an "Around the World" party, the ultimate trip. Split up a room into different sections. Decorate each section like a different country. Serve food from four or five countries. Try to incorporate a variety of countries. For example, feature Mexico, Peru, Ireland, Italy, India, Korea and Australia. It also helps, to make sure there's at least one item everyone will like, to serve a dish people are familiar with.

Tags: Around World, party theme, travel theme

Multiplication Practice And Facts For Fourth Grade Math

Practice, memorization, and games are key for fourth grade multiplication and division.

Learning multiplication and division facts can be difficult for even the best fourth grade student. In the fourth grade, students will learn to memorize basic multiplication facts and have a general understanding of basic division. Multiplication and division facts will be further reinforced when students advance to fifth grade math. There are enjoyable techniques that can guarantee a fourth grader's success.

Real-World Multiplication and Division Exercises

Practicing multiplication and division facts in real-world situations can help fourth graders learn math facts. Eduplace, a resource for educators developed by Houghton Mifflin, has identified four common situations for fourth graders to practice multiplication and division facts. Equal groups, for example, involve a store selling balls in boxes of six. If you bought three boxes, how many balls did you buy? Arrays and area involve calculating objects in a space and areas of shapes, such as rectangles. Comparisons ask students to divide and multiply numbers, draw comparison bars, and visualize differences. Combinations help students understand multiplication facts in a different way.

Timed Multiplication Tests

The University of Chicago Mathematics Project notes that beginning in the fourth grade, students will take timed tests of multiplication facts. To prepare for these timed sessions, fourth graders can practice multiplication facts with flash cards that contain basic multiplication facts. These can be practiced at home or school. These flash cards encourage the memorization of facts that are needed for timed exams.

What's Your Name Game

Memorizing a set of multiplication facts can be difficult and frustrating for fourth graders. Combining learning with entertainment can be successful for your students in learning fourth grade math. A fun way to learn multiplication is by playing games. Play the game "What's Your Name?" by making name tags that contain a multiplication problem. Each student wears a name tag that has a different problem, such as seven multiplied by five. For that day, students are not called by their names. When a student wants to speak with someone, he must call that student by his answer to the mathematical problem.

Silly Songs

Developing chants, songs and sayings can help fourth grade students learn multiplication facts. Clever rhymes can aid in memorization. For example, "seven times nine is 49. Don't bend down and hurt your spine." Parents and educators can encourage their fourth grade students to develop songs for difficult multiplication facts and have the class vote for its favorite song. Practicing multiplication facts and having fun can go hand in hand using this technique.

Tags: multiplication facts, fourth grade, division facts, fourth grade students, fourth graders

Types Of Wooden Tongue Drums

Tongue drums (also slit or log drums) are considered percussion instruments. Enclosed on all sides, the resonating chamber is made of wood or bamboo. Slits are cut on the resonator's surface to form two or more tongues. Because the tongues have varying lengths, they produce different tones when struck by a mallet. As one of the oldest instruments, the tongue drum has long been a part of South American, Asian and African cultures.

Aztec Teponaztli

Carved from the hollowed trunk of a hardwood tree, the teponaztli has an extended "H"-shaped cut on the top of its resonator box. This configuration creates dual tongues or vibrating keys with different pitches. The drum's bottom often has a rectangular gap that boosts the volume, reports the University of Michigan. Because the teponaztli carries spiritual meaning for the Mexican communities, many of these drums display engraved lotus designs and other symbols or are crafted into alligator shapes.

The sky god, Tezcatlipoca, and the wind god, Quetzalcoatl, endowed the people with the gift of music, according to Aztec mythology. Teponaztli, the drum, was viewed by the Aztecs as an exiled spiritual entity on Earth, and therefore the instrument was carried into combat by Zapotec fighters.

Kagul of the Philippines

A slit drum used by the Maguindanaon people, the foot-long kagul is made from old, dried bamboo and has one jagged side, reports the Center for the Kulintang. Grounding the drum with one foot, a drummer scrapes the rough edge with his right hand while he pounds the smooth edge with a betay (beater) in his left hand. In addition, the kagul can be set on a stand and played with two beaters. Although the kagul is used for entertainment, its primary purpose is not only to keep a farmer alert while guarding rice paddies, but also to frighten birds from feasting on crops.

Igbo Ekwe

Introduced by the Igbo people of Nigeria, this slit drum is made from a hollowed-out tree trunk. Rectangle-shaped cavities at both ends of the drum are linked by a horizontal slit. The ekwe's size is contingent on the role that the instrument plays in the community's activities and rituals, as put forth by the Umunna Cultural Association of Indianapolis. In early times, Igbo chiefs would use the ekwe to convey messages; for example, a summons to the village to attend a meeting. A large ekwe (Ikoro) was sounded during emergencies such as a pending war, a major crime or the death of an important person.

Tags: edge with, made from, slit drum

Tropical Themed Fundraising Ideas

A luau can be an entertaining fundraising event.

Whether you are raising money for a tropic-related cause or you want to throw an event with a breezy theme, a tropical fundraiser can add a sense of whimsy to an otherwise traditional event. Look for fundraiser ideas that suit the facilities you have at your disposal, and fit within your budget.

Luau

Instead of holding a benefit concert or a standard fundraising gala, opt for a luau. During the summer, hold the party outside at a local pool or beach. In winter, hold it at an indoor pool for a break from the cold. Invite guests to come in their finest swimwear and beach apparel. Charge admission to the party and get local businesses to donate items to raffle during the event. Entrance fees and raffle proceeds can go toward your fundraising goals. At the entrance, have volunteers handing out plastic or fabric leis, and consider hiring a steel drum band to provide music. A luau fundraiser is an opportunity for families to bring their children, or you can customize it for an adults-only gathering, depending on the tone you want to set and the price you want to charge for admission.

Tropical Smoothie Sale

Consider holding a tropical smoothie fundraiser sale. Choose an event or a location giving you access to a large number of people: an art fair, a local festival, a carnival, or even lunchtime at your school. Depending on your resources, you can set a standard menu and make batches of smoothies ahead of time, or make custom smoothies. Use ingredients like mangoes, bananas, and pineapple paired with kiwi, strawberry, or melon. Consider cutting up fruit chunks, freezing them, and combining them with yogurt, ice cream, or milk on the day of the sale to streamline the process. Serve the smoothies in Styrofoam cups and charge a set price for each. This type of fundraiser is particularly effective on a hot day, when passersby will be more interested in cold drinks.

Tropical Cruise

If you live near a sizable body of water or a river, rent a yacht or a tour boat for a tropical cruise fundraiser. Sell tickets and book it as a gala. The fact that it is on a boat will often be enough to raise interest, particularly if you can arrange a tour. Before the event, turn the interior of the boat into a tropical paradise. Hang paper lanterns from the railings, set up tiki torches along the deck, and lay out strands of tropical fabric flowers on every available surface. Hire a group to do a hula performance, have a band play soft tropical music, and consider offering hula dance lessons during the evening. Serve colorful drinks with umbrellas and pass beach party appetizers such as miniature grilled skewers.

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Preschool Birthday Party Favor Ideas

Bubbles are a favorite favor item.

Preschool parties require special care, as many of the children are still young enough to be vulnerable to choking hazards and toy toxicity. Carefully selecting birthday party favors ensures that everyone can enjoy safe fun. Creative party favors offer a healthier alternative to sugar-laden treats, as well. Avoid favors that contain small objects that can pose a choking danger, and always check labels to make sure the toys you choose as favors are age-appropriate. Does this Spark an idea?

Creative Favors

Non-toxic bubbles are a hit with the 5-and-younger crowd. The kind of bubbles used for weddings are a good choice as they are small enough for favor bags, decorative, and can be used indoors as most formulas won't stain fabric.

A bundle of crayons, washable markers or sidewalk chalk tied together with a colorful piece of yarn encourages creative preschool play. Include a small coloring book or a plastic stencil to complete the favor bag. Print your own coloring pages to match the theme of the party and staple together for each bag, or make a matching stencil with a craft knife and cardboard.

Costume Favors

Throw a themed preschool party and give a costume item as the favor. Give out bandanas and sheriff badges for a cowboy theme, paper crowns or foam swords for a princess or knight theme, or simple fabric capes for a superhero party. The guests won't need to arrive dressed up---something parents will love. Costumes and props, found at craft stores or toy stores, also will help draw the preschoolers into the theme.

Classic Toys

Some of the best toys are classics that have survived in popularity for generations. Spinning tops, large rubber bouncing balls, and Old Maid or Go Fish card games will provide hours of fun for preschoolers long after the party is over. Children might not be familiar with these games, so invite parents to get in on the action by teaching the games to their children. Their participation will ensure that everyone---preschoolers and parents, alike---has a good time.

Tags: party favors

Military Rv Campgrounds

Many military bases include RV parks for service members.

For those who are veterans of military service or currently serving in a branch of the U.S. military under active or reserve duty, RV parks on military bases offer deep discounts compared with costs at private campgrounds. Some also provide a place for families to stay when they attend a soldier's graduation from basic training. Whether you’re a current or former military member looking for a relaxing and cost-friendly way to vacation, RV parks can be found on bases throughout the country.

Parris Island RV Park

The Parris Island RV Park is on the grounds of Parris Island Marine Corps Base. Each of the 18 sites includes electrical, sewer and water hookups and picnic tables. The park has hot showers, clean bathrooms and a laundry facility for guest use. Current and former service members and guests of Marines graduating from basic training can use the park. Nearby attractions include the base commissary and exchange store, Elliot’s Beach and the Parris Island Museum. Reservations must be made at least five days in advance.

Parris Island RV Park

MCRD Parris Island Building #1018, St. Mihiel Road

Parris Island, SC 29905

843-228-7472

mccssc.com

Camp Carlson RV Park

Camp Carlson RV Park, in Muldraugh, Kentucky, near Fort Knox, is open to all active, reserve and retired military personnel as well as Department of Defense civilians. The 65-acre park features a 25-acre fishing lake. The park has 53 RV sites and offers daily, weekly and monthly rates. Many of the sites have full hookups for water, sewer and electrical service. Amenities include laundry facilities, hot showers, wireless Internet access, dump station and playground area. Four picnic shelters may be reserved for an extra fee.

Camp Carlson RV Park

9210 US Route 60

Muldraugh, KY 40121

502-624-4836

Knoxmwr.com

Fort Lewis Travel Camp

Fort Lewis Travel Camp, at Fort Lewis, Washington, is open year-round. The campground is on the shores of American Lake and offers 48 RV sites with full hookups. Rental cabins also are available. Amenities include a lounge area with television, laundry facilities, dump station, propane tank fill station and shower facilities. Reservations are required and can be made up to 90 days in advance. Stays are limited to two weeks.

Northwest Adventure Center - Fort Lewis Travel Camp

Bldg 8050, NCO Beach Road

North Fort Lewis, WA 98433

253-967-5415

jblmmwr.com

Tags: Parris Island, Fort Lewis, Camp Carlson, Camp Carlson Park, Carlson Park, Fort Lewis Travel

Tropical Family Vacations

The beauty of Atlantis draws families to its pristine beaches and numerous activities.

For a family looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a vacation can seem like a desert oasis. From snorkeling to diving, whale-watching to horseback-riding on the beach, there are many tropical family destinations that provide activities and excitement for guests of all ages and interests.

Beaches Resorts

Beaches Resorts are located in the Caribbean and are part of the Sandals family of resorts. These tropical resorts offer all-inclusive packages that allow guests to put away their wallets upon arrival. Everything is included in the resort's costs, including premium accommodations, non-motorized water sports, five-star dining, beverages and all gratuities. There are four Beaches Resorts between Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, each of which is home to beautiful white sand beaches, sparkling swimming pools and a special kids camp that boasts an Xbox 360 video game garage. Dad will love the nearby golf courses, and mom can indulge in on-site European spas.

Beaches Resorts

4950 SW72nd Ave.

Miami, FL 33155

305-284-1300

beaches.com

Turtle Bay Resort

The Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu is secluded from the lights and sounds of Honolulu. Just a 45-minute drive away, this family resort is home to five miles of beaches, two swimming pools and tennis courts. It is surrounded by trails for biking, hiking and horseback-riding. Each of the more than 400 rooms at Turtle Bay is decorated in cheerful tropical hues, and comes equipped with decadent bedding, luxurious sitting areas and panoramic views of the ocean. The property boasts six dining options, a spa and a golf package. Families will enjoy on-site helicopter tours, kayaking, luaus, surfing and moped rentals. Segway tours are also available, and the kids' club provides children with nature and reef walk excursions, arts and crafts time, lei making, swimming, dinner and a program T-shirt.

Turtle Bay Resort

57-091 Kamehameha Highway

Kahuku, Oahu, HI 96731

800-203-3650

turtlebayresort.com

Atlantis Resort

Located in the Bahamas on Paradise Island, the Atlantis Resort towers above the landscape in a larger-than-life way. The resort reflects tales of a lost city in which old-world architecture meets modern-day luxury. Parents magazine ranked Atlantis Resort the No. 1 family beach resort in the world. Each of the resort's hundreds of rooms offers spectacular island views, bright Caribbean colors and all the amenities of home. There are 21 restaurants on the property, and the Atlantis casino keeps gaming action going 24 hours a day. Families will enjoy dolphin encounters at Dolphin Cay, swimming at a 141-acre waterpark, and up-close viewing at the marine habitat. There is a wealth of activities for kids and families, including golf, a spa, watersports, video arcades, teen clubs and toddler play time. At the end of the day, vacationers can relax while watching a movie in the resort's theater.

Atlantis Resort

Paradise Island, Bahamas

888-528-7155

atlantis.com

Tags: Atlantis Resort, Beaches Resorts, Turtle Resort, Families will, Families will enjoy, Paradise Island

Sweet 16 Red Carpet Event Ideas

Roll out the red carpet to commemorate a birthday milestone.

Few milestones rival that of the sweet 16 birthday, and including a red carpet will underscore the significance of the event. On the party invitations, specify that the party will have a red carpet so all guests will arrive camera-ready. Request guests to dress in semi-formal or formal attire, like a true red carpet event. Take pictures of guests arriving on the red carpet, and have a printer on-site to print and display a photo of each attendee inside the party venue. Arrange for the birthday person to hit the red carpet after the majority of guests have arrived. Invite guests to come outside and cheer for the birthday teen's journey up the red carpet toward adulthood. Does this Spark an idea?

Sweet 16 Movie Premier

Create a personalized red carpet event for a sweet 16 birthday by hosting a night of Hollywood glamour. Hang a banner welcoming guests to the birthday teen's opening night as a 16-year-old at the entrance of the venue. Place a red carpet leading toward the venue, and ask family and friends to stand on either side of the carpet to take pictures like the paparazzi. Inside the venue, hang posters of movie stars with images of the birthday girl or boy interspersed between famous actors and actresses. Framed movie posters are also appropriate decorations. Near the entry, make a Wall of Fame by placing gold and silver stars on a wall for guests to sign. Everyone is a star at the Sweet 16 Movie Premier.

Sweet 16 Pop Star

The finales of televised competitions get the red carpet treatment, so follow suit with a pop-star-themed sweet 16 bash. Challenge everyone to compete in a karaoke singing competition, with the birthday teen serving as head judge. The singing competition will require the guests to form groups or duets before the party. Rent a karaoke machine prior to the event, and make sure the song list includes pop favorites from several decades. Groups can either reserve songs ahead of time or select a song at the party. Explain on the invitation that everyone must arrive in a pop star costume or cocktail attire. Place the red carpet outside the venue and station a parent to ask guests about their routines. Ask another parent to tape both the interviews and performances. Since the competition is all in good fun, choose several winners.

Casino Opening Night

Honor the birthday teen with a casino for a night, complete with a red carpet opening. Place the red carpet outside the casino and ask guests if they are feeling lucky. As guests wind their way down the red carpet, hand each teen an equal amount of sweet 16 casino chips. Decorate the interior of the casino with red carpet to make the entire space feel glamorous. Set the rules for gambling at the beginning of the night, and explain that the chips cannot be exchanged for cash. Instead, offer inexpensive prizes for chips. Alternatively, purchase a large prize for the person with the most chips at the end of the night.

Studio 16

Roll out the red carpet for a sweet 16 party by placing a younger spin on a Studio 54 theme. Studio 54 was known for its red carpet, velvet ropes and excesses of all kinds. Studio 16's red carpet will be much sweeter and less exclusive. Instead of Studio 54's selective bouncer, have a parent welcome each guest as they make their way into the party. Encourage guests to come in cocktail attire or a retro-inspired look. Inside, play plenty of dance music accompanied by the circling lights of a disco ball. Pass out glow sticks to give everyone a chance to shine at the club.

Tags: birthday teen, Place carpet, carpet event, carpet outside, carpet will, cocktail attire, guests come

Preschool Lesson Plan Art Activities

Used in a number of unexpected scenarios, creativity is essential to mental growth.

Art activities in preschool are a vital part of not only making the day exciting for young minds but also for developing motor skills and eye/hand coordination. And with just a few supplies per activity, the kids' inner artists experiment with creativity, an essential component to all future growth.

Animal Prints

Children learn the varying footprints of animals with this activity. Provide pieces of paper, squeeze some paint onto a thick paper plate and provide tools, such as spatulas or forks, whose pressed shapes resemble animals' footprints. Spatulas look like the webbed feet of a duck, and fork tines mimic chicken feet. Cut half the rim off a Styrofoam cup, and its imprint resembles horse hooves.

Multicultural Dolls

At this age, preschoolers begin to notice differences between themselves and others. "Boy versus girl" tends to be chief among them, but eventually different skin colors are noticed. Creating multicultural paper dolls out of colored construction paper helps instill a positive perspective on ethnicity. Depending on the age of your preschoolers, have them cut out traced silhouettes of the dolls. Aside from simply coloring in the dolls, provide glue for applying "wiggly" eyes, pieces of colored tissue paper or even fabric for clothing, yarn for hair, bottle caps for hats--the list is endless.

Recycled Art

Ask parents to send one grocery bag of recyclable materials with their children for a "Recycled Sculpture Day." You may wish to do this a week beforehand to ensure a variety of materials. The day of, show the children pictures of sculptures not only to give them ideas for their own creations but also to create a broader connection between their activities and the world of art beyond their four walls. If you want a sculpture theme, ideas include a family member or friend, a favorite pet, a building, a friendly monster or alien and the family car.

Making New Colors

This lesson is simple yet important, a fundamental of art class. Teach your children that red and blue make purple, yellow and blue make green and white and red make pink. Alongside a piece of paper and a brush, give each child a plate for every relational pair of colors. Ask them to mix the two and tell you which color they just made. Some students understand right away what they have just accomplished and get very excited.

Tie-Dye

A far cry from the original deep-stain technique, fill cups of water with several drops of food coloring. Get your preschoolers to fold--or wad up, as it will be--paper towels and wrap rubber bands tightly around different places. They then dip different parts of the paper towel into the colored water, squeezing out the excess after each dip. To prevent bleeding, it is best not to undo the rubber bands until the paper towel has dried to the point of dampness (versus being soaked). Tip: More rubber bands will yield a more complex design.

Tags: rubber bands, blue make, creativity essential, paper towel, your preschoolers

Suggestions For Care Package Items For Military

Basic items, such as socks and underwear, are greatly appreciated in military care packages.

When you send a care package to someone in the military, you are improving morale and showing much needed support, while also giving soldiers a few small comforts and reminders from home. Sending letters, photos, snacks and goodies reminds soldiers that their loved ones are thinking of them while they are far from home. There are restrictions on what you can include in care packages, depending on where the soldier you are sending to has been deployed.

Personal Message Book

Create a personal message book, similar to a hotel guest book, by buying a blank journal or scrapbook and asking all of the soldier's friends and family to write a message. Have each person use one page and include photos if you have extra space. Receiving the book will be like a package of letters, except your soldier will be able to keep them all together for safekeeping.

Digital Photo Album

Instead of sending one or two photographs, send a digital photo album packed with photos of your soldier's friends, family and loved ones. Be sure to include extra batteries with the digital photo frame, so that your soldier can continue to enjoy the gift.

Favorite Packaged Food Items

You can send certain packaged food items from home, such as candy, chips, snack mix, nuts, dry soup, trail mix, gum, granola, cookies, energy bars and beef jerky. Do not send canned foods, home-baked goods, tobacco or anything in glass bottles. The military also does not recommend sending chocolate products during summer months because they melt in transit.

Music

While it is against policy to send music in a hard CD cover, you can send a small MP3 player stocked with your soldier's favorite music. Take the MP3 player out of the packaging, import CDs and MP3s on your computer, then gift wrap the MP3 player. Some tunes from home will be sure to lift your soldier's spirit.

Basics and Essentials

They might not be fun or exciting, but basics and essentials such as socks, underwear, shampoo, conditioner, razors, soap and antiseptic wipes are greatly appreciated in military care packages. Lotion with SPF, feminine products for female soldiers, deodorant, lip balm, bandages and bug spray are also useful, approved items that you can include in military care packages. Do not send compressed items, such as canned shaving cream.

Tags: your soldier, care packages, from home, military care, military care packages, appreciated military, appreciated military care

Pdiddy Party Themes

Celebrate like P-Diddy by hosting a lavish affair.

P-Diddy, the business tycoon and hip-hop music star formerly known as Puffy---and before that, Sean Combs---is also famous for hosting lavish celebrations featuring elaborate party themes. From P-Diddy's summer white party to his son's red carpet sweet 16 celebration, the legendary party host leaves no party detail overlooked. Regardless of the theme of your party, you can party like P-Diddy by hosting a party that features an exciting guest list, great music, luxurious amenities and gourmet food and drink. Does this Spark an idea?

Red Carpet Theme

Roll out the red carpet and organize a party in the likeness of the ones P-Diddy hosts during the annual Cannes film festival. Decorate the room with colors reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour such as black, silver, red and gold. Adorn tables with large, white floral centerpieces accented by white votive candles. Sprinkle glitter or sparkly confetti on the tabletop for added effect. For a party featuring a guest of honor, have the honoree arrive in a stretch limousine. Propose a champagne toast to the celebrant and serve the bubbly in crystal flutes. Make it a true P-Diddy extravaganza with a life-size celebrity cutout of Sean Combs himself. Place the cutout near the party entrance and take pictures of guests with P-Diddy as they walk the red carpet.

Garden of Eden Theme

Celebrate your next birthday with the same elegance and high fashion as P-Diddy's 40th birthday bash. A grand ballroom served as the venue for the party, and featured a garden of Eden theme. The party's dress code called for only black attire, and guests came to the party donned in their tuxedos and ballgowns. To create the party scene for a garden of Eden theme party, decorate the room with exotic flowers and plants. Use table centerpieces made with exotic fruits, and place a red apple atop each plate setting as a replica of the forbidden fruit. Enhance the setting by wrapping artificial snakes around candle holders, and placing a water fountain or bird bath in the corner of the room. In lieu of dinner music, play a recording featuring the sounds of a tropical rain forest.

White Party Theme

P-Diddy's summer white party is perhaps the entrepreneur and music star's most well-known celebration. An event to mark the end of summer, the protocol for a white party theme calls for guests to arrive clad in their brightest white attire from head-to-toe. The host carries the color white throughout every party detail, from bright white invitations to colorless cocktails and lounge chairs adorned with plush white pillows. P-Diddy's 2009 white party featured vodka martinis, a variety of party games and up-tempo dance beats for party-goers on the dance floor.

Tags: Eden theme party, garden Eden, garden Eden theme, hosting lavish, like P-Diddy, like P-Diddy hosting, music star

Small Kauai Hawaii Hotels

Poipu Beach in Kauai, Hawaii.

Covering 550 square miles of tropical greenery, with more than 50 miles of coastline, soaring mountains, waterfalls and tropical rain forests, the island of Kauai in Hawaii is a popular destination for outdoor adventurers and thrill-seekers. Go zip lining above the treetops, kayak down the Wailua River or hike on the famous Kalalau Trail. There are a number of places to stay on the island, including a handful of small, boutique-style hotels.

Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort

Overlooking the sand of Poipu Beach, the oceanfront Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort is a luxurious, boutique-style retreat. Adorned in warm earth tones, with dark wooden finishes, the modern resort features a fitness room, business center, full-service spa, pool, 24-hour room service and a restaurant and lounge. At the hotel, rent snorkel gear, boogie boards and surf boards, or venture down the road for horseback riding, golf and sailing. When it's time to rest, retreat to one of the spacious guest rooms and suites, with flat screen televisions, refrigerators, air conditioning and private balconies.

Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort

2251 Poipu Road

Koloa, HI 96756

808-828-8888

koakea.com

Kauai Banyan Inn

Located in the hills of Lawai and surrounded by miles of tropical forest, the isolated Kauai Banyan Inn is a small, reasonably priced hotel on the island of Kauai. A 5-minute drive from the famous sand of Poipu Beach, the intimate resort offers five individually designed suites and a freestanding cottage, with island inspired decor, spacious floor plans and modern furnishings. Starting at $150 a night as of October 2010, the largest of the units, the cottage, features a separate bedroom, full kitchen, barbecue area, private covered lanai and mountain top views.

Kauai Banyan Inn

528 B Mana Hema Pl

Lawai, Kauai 96765

888-786-3855

kauaibanyan.com

The Hanalei Surfboard House

On the shores of Hanalei Bay and in the heart of Hawaii's famous surf grounds, the Hanalei Surfboard House is a small, two guest room hotel, within a traditional island cottage. Covered in vintage surfboards, local artwork and other intricate details, hear the waves, while relaxing in the courtyard, surrounded by tropical greenery. Resembling a studio apartment, with a kitchenette, sitting area, private backyard and king-sized bed, each of the two rooms is creatively themed, giving guests the option of either the Elvis Room or the Cowgirl Room. Starting at $220 a night, as of October 2010, there is a four night minimum stay, when booking more than 30 days prior to stay.

The Hanalei Surfboard House

5459 Weke Rd.

Hanalei, HI 96714

808-826-9825

hanaleisurfboardhouse.com

Tags: Hanalei Surfboard, Hanalei Surfboard House, Hotel Resort, Kauai Banyan, Kauai Hawaii

What Happens If I Inherit Property With A Mortgage

Mortgages need to be paid whether the borrower is alive or dead.

Most residential mortgages issued since the 1980s include "due-on-sale" clauses, which are more broadly interpreted as due-on-transfer. This means that when the property transfers, either through sale or inheritance or other means, the loan becomes due in full. If you inherit a property with a mortgage, the due-on-sale clause can be triggered.

Secured Debt

A mortgage is a secured debt. That means that the underlying asset, in this case the property, is the collateral. The relationship between the debt and the property continue after the death of the borrower. A mortgage, then, is not forgiven after death. It must still be paid or the lender will initiate a foreclosure to take possession of the property and then sell it to recapture the loan balance.

Due-On-Sale Clause

Due-on-sale clauses are included in most, but not all, mortgages. FHA mortgages before 1986 do not have due-on-sale clauses, nor do VA mortgages issued before 1988. When you inherit a home with a mortgage, review the promissory note and mortgage or deed to see if there is a due-on-sale clause. If there is none, you can assume the loan without lender approval. If there is a due-on-sale clause, the lender can demand that the loan be paid in full.

Exceptions

The Garner-St. Germain Depository Institutions Regulation Act of 1982 prohibits lenders from exercising the due-on-sale clause under a limited number of circumstances. These include transfers to a close relative such as a spouse or child who will live in the residence. The lender could still foreclose if loan payments are not made, but it could not demand payment in full based on the transfer.

Next Steps

If you inherit a property with a mortgage that has a due-on-sale clause and are not a close relative who will live in the home, you have a few options. You can sell the house to pay off the loan and will be entitled to the balance of funds. You can contact the lender, explain what has happened and ask if you can assume the loan. If the lender refuses to allow you to assume the loan, you can apply with any lender to refinance the property in your name. Or you can make the payments and wait until the lender gives you a demand letter. If you are lucky, the lender will never take any action. If you are not, the lender will send a demand letter and require you to fully repay the loan. The risk is that the lender will give you such little time to pay off the loan that you won't have enough time to either refinance or sell before it forecloses.

Tags: due-on-sale clause, lender will, assume loan, after death, close relative, demand letter

Wedding Favor Ideas To Make

Create personalized and unique favors for your wedding.

It's no secret that weddings can be incredibly expensive. Many brides and grooms look for ways to save on costs, particularly when they are paying for the wedding themselves. One way to save is to make your own wedding favors. Favors are given to guests as a way to say thank you for coming, but they don't need to be expensive or elaborate.

Cookies

Make sugar cookies and give them out as favors at your wedding. Roll out your dough and cut it into a wedding-themed shape, such as a bride or a wedding cake. Frost the cookie with royal icing in a color that coordinates with the colors of your wedding. Once the icing has hardened, use more royal icing in a contrasting color to write the first initials of the bride and groom on the cookies. Place each cookie in a small cellophane bag and tie it closed with ribbon.

CD

If you and your fiance are into music, create CDs that are filled with a song list of your favorites. Use the downloaded music on your computer and burn CDs with the playlist. Use a computer program and round CD labels to create adhesive labels for the CDs that have the songs on them, along with your names and the date of your wedding. Place the CDs in clear plastic CD cases and hand them out at the end of the night.

Flower Seeds

Flower seeds make a good homemade favor for a spring wedding. Purchase blank seed envelopes at a craft store or online. Buy a large bag of flower seeds, such as mixed wildflowers, from a garden center. Buying seeds in bulk will save on costs. Place a spoonful or two of seeds in each packet and seal them. Make adhesive labels with your names and wedding date printed on them and put them on the front of the packets.

Candles

Make your own candles and give them out as wedding gifts. Buy small glass jars to serve as the container for your homemade candles. You can find wax in bulk at craft stores that you can melt and pour into the jars. Add candle dye and scent as well to make the candles coordinate with your wedding. Tie a ribbon around the candles to add decorative appeal.

Tags: your wedding, with your, adhesive labels, favors your, favors your wedding, give them, royal icing