With a little help from some P&K friends, I’ve gathered up the biggest parenting news of 08. From legislation to health news, it was a busy year with some triumphs like new legislation to provide accurate information to parents who find out that their unborn child may have Down syndrome.
There’s a new holiday movie out, but it’s not one you’ve heard about through the massive cine-plexes. Called The Child King (thechildking.com), it’s about two brothers who set out to restore their faith in the existence of Santa Claus. Part road trip adventure, part Christmas magic, it’s entertaining and cute, if not polished to a high shine.
Filmed locally, The Child King features several places and people you’ll recognize: former Patriots players Fred Smerlas and Steve Deossie and funnyman Lenny Clarke, but Scituate teen Peter Johnson steals the show. That’s because Johnson, who has Down Syndrome, is effusive in his role and effective as the older brother with just enough savvy to head north in a borrowed vehicle (to find Santa) while still an honest believer. And kids will have fun identifying Santa (and helpers!) throughout the film, especially when Peter and his younger brother (played by Will Kellem of Plymouth) don’t see them.
Written by Jeff Kerr of Hull, and directed by his brother, Frank, sales of the DVD support youth and adults with developmental disabilities, such as the HMEA organization of Franklin (hmea.org). It can be ordered through the Child King Foundation: http://thechildking.com/santas-shoppe.html.
Caption: Michael Goodhue, Lenny Clarke, Peter Johnson and Steve Deossie at the movie premiere at Patriot Place cinema.
As 2008 draws to a close, It’s a great time of year to sort through your belongings and make a charitable contribution to a worthy organization like Cradles to Crayons. Josh Nespoli, the community outreach manager at C2C, says there is a dire need for children’s winter clothing items (sizes 2T and up).
When you donate to Cradles to Crayons, you can be absolutely sure that your donation goes to a deserving local child, for whom the donation was specifically requested. Partnering with social service agencies enables them to reach thousands of individual children each month. The organization typically fills about 750 orders per week and currently has 2,500 in-house requests. Without some serious donations this week, they’ll have a hard time meeting the demand.
So dig through your closets and drawers. Send emails out to your friends and families. Remember what the holiday season is all about - counting your blessings and helping the less fortunate.
There are drop off locations throughout Massachusetts making this generous act an easy thing to do.
It was tough but somebody had to do it. Part of my job is to check out toys. I know, you feel bad, right? All the toys that appeared on NECN’s Good Morning Live program this morning were kid-tested and parent approved. We held a parent review here at our Needham offices and last week hosted a kid review at the Metrowest Framingham Y. But what makes these toys so special is that they are sold at local toys stores in greater Boston. These owners hand select all their inventory and have a vested interest in their communities. Shop local and help your community this holiday season.
So here I am on NECN - check it out.
While I’m on the toy topic, be sure to read the recent Trouble in Toyland report to find out what toys to avoid this season.
To celebrate my daughter’s birthday (and the holidays), my mother and I took her to Santa’s Tea at Gore Place in Waltham where we dined on tea sandwiches, apple cider and met the big guy himself. I’ve been publishing Gore Place events in the P&K calendar for years and I had been eager to see the “estate” in person.
So the famous mansion itself is located on 45-acres of land that families are encouraged to explore during their seasonal “Take a Walk” program. For $5, you can rent an activity pack with binoculars, a magnifying glass, and activities appropriate for children ages 3-9. A great idea to keep the walk interesting. Take A Walk is available Mon through Fri 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. year-round.
The mansion at Gore Place was built in 1806 and served as a summer home for Christopher and Rebecca Gore where the Gores entertained such notable dignitaries as Daniel Webster and James Monroe. The mission of the estate today is to provide a unique educational resource to inspire an appreciation of early 19 th century America.
We were too dressed up to explore the land - here are some photos from their tea party. For more upcoming events, check their calendar.
Harvard Health Publications released its top 10 health stories of 2008 and I thought it was worth sharing.
The top 10 health stories of 2008 may not be as funny as David Letterman’s nightly countdown, but they can actually make a difference for long-term health. Here are this year’s winners, chosen by the editorial board of the Harvard Health Letter:
While I’m writing this, my 5-year-old son is practicing his writing skills. So far, I’ve only been asked to assist by showing him how to write a lowercase n and u. His holiday wish list is as colorful as it is long and I think there are a lot of requests with the letters n & u in them. Maybe he’s asking to “end world hunger” or it could be a plea for the “Incredible Hulk Smash Hands”? I’ll review it later.
But I wonder, could there be some middle ground between the two? Somewhere between helping the greater good and getting a really cool toy. I’m glad to report - yes, there is. (I wouldn’t have asked the question otherwise!)
Introducing the first annual “P&K Wicked Local Holiday Toy Guide” with the emphasis on local. Our guide features unique toys and gifts that you can find at independently-owned and operated toy stores in the greater Boston area. From a creativity-based art studio and gift shop in Franklin to a newly-opened store front in Burlington and a hidden gem in Newton, these local stores offer a unique mix of traditional and educations toys. So the cool toy is checked off but what about serving the greater good?
Here are three reasons to shop locally!
(source: www.frugalfun.com)
With toys for every age, our toy guide also features comments from local veteran and rookie parents. We chose only the best to include! So get to adding these toys to your holiday wish list and be sure to tell the owners that P&K sent you!
Happy Holidays from everyone at P&K!
Heather
From article previews to commentary on important parenting content, Heather
Kempskie, editor of P&K, gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Parents
and Kids magazine.Powered by WordPress
