Out With The Old

now that our kids have so much "bright new shiny" with which to play, what better time to clean out the "dark old dull" ?

it is SO hard for most kids (mine especially) to part with even the smallest bit of broken lego. now, with all the new holiday loot, finding an organized place is a real chore. help them clean out the toys, books and even winter clothes that they barely notice hanging around.

make piles of (or use colored post-its) for; 

MAYBE KEEP, GIVE AWAY and TRASH.

it will be hard to get them excited about the "give away" pile, but once you put on some music, eat some leftover xmas cookies or channukah gelt, they might get into the groove. 

OR

you can tell them that for every new item they got, they need to give one away.

the lesson: abundance is the road to ungratefulness ? (ok, i think i just made that up, but it seems right, doesn't it?). plus, talk to your families about how lucky we are to get new things while explaining that not all families have the same luxuries or something like that, only more eloquent. then go back to the MAYBE KEEP pile and start again.

***added bonus: more organization means less likely chance of stepping on an errant action figure with bare feet - youch!

*find a children's hospital for donating books and puzzles.

*stuffed animals can go to SAFE or project night night.

*bigger toys and warm clothes are great for local homeless shelters.

now you can thank your kids for, not only appreciating the things they have and keeping their toys organized, BUT MOSTLY for making a difference in another child's day.

Acme Holiday - Farewell Christmas Tree

with so much festive hoopla in the air, it's hard to believe it's almost time to deconstruct it all. once you have un-trimmed the tree, think about how you will dispose of it. here is a list from worst to best:

a.) if you put it in a large plastic bag, you can almost insure it will be thrown in a landfill and practically never decompose. 

b.) if you saw it up yourself, (my husband loves this part of the holiday, the one time a year he uses his electric saw) you can put it in your garden rubbish bin to give it a slightly better chance at being composted.

c.) the best option is to go to earth 911 to find out if there is a green pick up or drop off for recycle made especially for the post holiday clean up.

the lesson: our kids should know that since the tree brought so much happiness and light to our holiday (if only for less than a month), the least we can do is NOT trash the earth with the dried and needle dropping remains.

***added bonus: having a pretty responsible answer for your hard-core friends who 1.) drive 4 hours to chop down their own tree from a sustainable farm 2.) buy a seedling in a pot and then plant it in the yard or 3.) use the artificial tree year after year bragging about the carbon they have saved from the lack of transport. *all of which i always think we'll implement NEXT year.

Acme Holiday - Chanukah

so at our house, we celebrate everything (almost) and in order to keep it orderly, we get pretty rigid, cuz if you are anything like me, the thought of so many new toys makes you cringe.

here is how we do it:

nite 1.) a toy from us to our children.

nite 2.) pjs for everyone 

    and another set sent to the pajama program.

nite 3.) siblings exchange gifts. 

nite 4.) a book 

    with another copy of the same sent to milk and bookies.

nite 5.) present from aunt and uncle.

nite 6.) we write letters to each other and read them in turn.

nite 7.) just plain giving - the kids choose what and where.

(usually baking cookies and bringing them to the fire house)

nite 8.) a toy from grandparents - go out with a bang!

this gives them plenty to play with and enough about giving back so as not to shove it down their throats (i can do that all year). hope this helps as you lay out the holidays at your home.

ACME world gift guide

not done yet??? help the world wherever you'd like:

since the acme sharing company is all about sharing, giving and DOING as a family, please note that i am only giving you these "just send money" lists for the holidays. 

global giving

find a project by country and topic and find those who need a little help for as low as $10.

alternative gifts

send money for food, water or medicine around the world.

habitat for humanity

be a part of giving the gift of a home (without having to be oprah). starting at $10.

malaria no more

every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria! that is the most heart-breaking statistic. help protect them with bed nets, $10.

changing the present

browse for a cause that speaks to you; global human rights, disaster relief or microfinance.

i had to stop somewhere, but there are countless amazing organizations that can use your help. there are a few ways to incorporate your kids into the donation process:

 

1.) ask them what they feel strongly about, then surf the web.

2.) ask if they would like to contribute with money they have received.

3.) or perhaps they would like to give to a cause in lieu of a gift for themselves.

4.) youthgive and markmakers are places where you can give your kids an account and they can find the cause, a great idea for grandparents living out of town.

ACME Animal Gift Guide

still more shopping to do?  help animals.

wwf

not the wrestling federation, the world wildlife fund. adopt animals and help save endangered species. the polar bears are a popular gift.

gorilla fund

help the beautiful mountain gorillas in africa. see above photo and insert "Awww".

oxfam and heifer

both get animals to families in need. animals bring in alternate sources of income. *helping people and animals, bonus points.

lange foundation

save the life of a cat or dog with $75.

the gentle barn

saving horses and cows while teaching at risk youth about kindness and responsibility. *helping people and animals, more bonus points.

ACME Green Gift Guide

more shopping to do? help stop global warming.

adopt an acre

choose where in the world you would like to nurture nature.

green dimes

stop junk mail and thousands of trees from the touch of a chainsaw.

terrapass

for about the price of a tank of gas, you can offset the carbon emissions from your car for a year. next best thing to getting a hybrid.

plant trees

great gift for the person who has everything. little kids can get excited by this idea.

Buy One, Give Back One

here are a few gift ideas for giving to 1.) those who want and then giving to 2.) those who need. true, you most likely already know about these products, but just in case:

at TOMS SHOES when you buy a pair of shoes (that are super cute, btw) for children or adults, another pair will be sent to a child in need. between $34 to $48.

www.tomsshoes.com

the gift of light. BOGO solar powered flashlights at $39.00 gives one to you and sends one to the destination of your choice (developing country, military, etc.).

www.bogolight.com

and at a higher price point, ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD is the coolest organization. they are bringing computers to children in the third world while you get one too. $399.

www.laptop.org

***added bonus: last minute online shopping and helping the world all in a few keystrokes without even getting off your butt. no mall parking to deal with, no guilt that you only spent on your kids who didn't really need new stuff. win/win.

Acme Library - 3 holiday books

firstly, DRUMMER BOY, the best looking toy i have ever seen. i LOVE the illustrations from loren long. the story is an exercise in gratitude and love. very touching and with the happiest ending imaginable.

the next one, WHEN SANTA TURNED GREEN, is all about global warming at the north pole - melty, as you can imagine. cute and not scary. problem solving and christmasy.

and lastly, GREAT JOY, one that addresses homelessness in a very vague but powerful way (i know that sounds like it doesn't make sense, but when you read it with your kids, it does), this gorgeously rich book touches on it lightly enough so that you can give your own explanation. it opens the door for more conversation if you want to discuss it further.

*hope you will forgive this unbalanced representation of the holidays, but i couldn't find "acme sharing" worthy books on the subjects of hanukkah and kwanzaa, feel free to let me know if you've got some!

to buy these books, see ACME LIBRARY on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Dear Santa...

this is amazing.

when your child writes a letter to santa claus and drops it in a BELIEVE MAILBOX in any MACY'S store, a dollar will be donated to the make a wish foundation!!!!

letters must be in envelopes stamped and addressed to:

SANTA - AT THE NORTH POLE.

letters should include your children writing about WHY they believe in santa.

the lesson:  including the wonder and magic of the holiday season into your traditions. and, of course, giving back - for free!

***added bonus: they were most likely going to write to him anyway, this is a great excuse to make it a special project and when they see his big red mailbox it keeps the hope alive and adds to the mystery and mythology all tied up with the spirit of christmas.

Chain of Command

starting to decorate for the holidays?  how about a KINDNESS CHAIN. great for wrapping around a tree or hanging from the dining room ceiling.

1.) cut strips of paper into 2" x 8.5" (basically a piece of construction paper sliced into 2" strips). use at least 2 different colors. depending on the holidays you celebrate, you can color coordinate (channukah = blue and white, xmas = green and red).

2.) grab your stapler and have a seat with your kids. 

3.) ask them to write on each strip an act of kindness they have performed, you can write it for them if they aren't yet literate. 

4.) bend the strip into a circle and secure with a staple. loop the following ones through the last one and keep going. see how long you can make it - you can even hold a length competition between siblings.

5.) when they are all out of loops, send them out into the world to do some more good deeds.

the lesson: showing them what the holiday spirit is really all about.

***added bonus: the money you can save on twinkle lights.

EXTRA CREDIT - if you use left over scraps of wrapping paper!!!

Gratitude Shmatitude

we are quickly approaching turkey day. a day of giving THANKS. in preparation for your family's holiday dinner, why not sit around the kitchen table for 30 minutes (more or less depending on you child's interest and attention span) and make a GRATITUDE ALBUM. let's not just TALK about being thankful, but pull out the craft box and DO!

ask your child to write on each page something for which they are thankful, draw and picture and move on to the next page. this can be in a journal, notebook or just papers you can later staple together. make this a new tradition at your thanksgiving dinner to share these books with the table.

this will give your kids time to sit and think of just the things for which they are grateful. you can even phrase it as "what are you happy about, what makes you feel good" or other basic ways for them to start categorizing their life.

the lesson: we often think about things we DON'T have or things we are frustrated about. it is not often we get to think only of the positive. 

***added bonus: not having to hear the whining about eating cranberry sauce, but rather hearing just the joy about the buttery mashed potatoes!

Acme Library - God's Dream

the great thing about this book is that is has zero religion and would work for every family. the God reference doesn't specify ANYTHING, other than some magical higher power who wants us all to be kind to each other.

perfect for the holidays - no matter which ones you celebrate.

to buy this book, see ACME LIBRARY on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Acme Holiday - Veteran's Day

tuesday, november 11th, marks veteran's day. most schools are closed in observance, so here's how to spend the day with your kids...

locate a veteran's hospital near you:

this is the directory

chose one of the following, or make up your own:

bring flowers.

bake and drop off yummies.

bring a deck of cards and play GO FISH with a vet.

prepare a joke or song.

just go and meet some heroic people, shake their hand and thank 'em.

the lesson: teaching appreciation and acknowledgement of others makes a real difference in the type of people we are raising.

doll hairs and sense

we are on our way to change (yay!), but the financial crisis still looms - kids and money go together like peanut butter and jelly.

time to start teaching our kids about the mighty dollar. 

there are so many different ways that people look at allowance (chores vs. no chores), when to start giving it (i say first grade), but the simple fact is that kids can't learn about money if they don't have any.

a great rule of thumb is that whatever you decide to give them should be divided into 3 equal parts for spending, saving and sharing. (the sharing is for DONATING, in case you didn't get that) and as far as i'm concerned, the saving is for them to decide and when they don't save and they wish they had, they'll figure it out pretty fast.

here is a great article on the basics at CEOMOM.com

the lesson: it's all in their hands. doling out responsibilities will give them a chance to rise to the occasion. 

***added bonus: no longer feeling like a bottomless pit (wallet).

Vote For Hope

regardless of how you will be voting on tuesday, i am sure we can agree that our children deserve a future (and a present) filled with hope, prosperity and freedom.

if your family is excited about change, you can boogie down to this video.

Acme Holiday - Halloween!!!

trick or treat for UNICEF is in it's 58th year!!! 

they have raised over $140 million and saved god only knows how many teeth from cavities.

if you don't know this program, it's where kids ask neighbors for pennies in lieu of candy. money raised is then sent in to help support the very worthy programs in over 150 countries.

since our kids will be at carnivals, class parties and more, they won't, in any way, be deprived of candy this halloween. so trick or treating can become about something else. i am not above bribing my kids to trick of treat for UNICEF and i will buy them their favorite candies in return (is this the wrong message?).

get your boxes at participating IKEA, PIER ONE IMPORTS or HALLMARK stores or

download cute "wrapper" here and affix to any canister at home (i am using one that had bread crumbs).

lesson: we drink clean water, not all children do. unicef helps provide for the kids who need water, medicine and food. 

***added bonus: not hopped up on sugar, they might get to bed on time after an already over-stimulating day.

here's a link to read more.

Acme Library - Old Bear

simplicity, gratitude, reflection and a long nap to dream.

loving this book.

to buy this book, see ACME LIBRARY on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Tug At Your Heart Strings

there are so many freakin' (forgive use of word freakin') things to remind our kids to do everyday. pick up your socks, put your dishes in the sink, brush your teeth, finish your homework, don't bite your brother (they say it's just a stage, here's hoping), pack your lunch, wash your hands, eat your vegetables. not necessarily in this order.

it is too easy to forget the simple simple important basics. "BE NICE", for example.

here's a new doohickey (forgive use of word doohickey) to do just that. the stringring company has made rings entwined with strings so as not to forget to be kind. you needn't purchase the silver version, just sit down at the kitchen table with your kids, a ball of twine and some hope.

the stringring website says:

"tying a string around your finger as a reminder is an ancient tradition thought to keep an idea from escaping - literally tying the idea to yourself. the string ring is a cue to remind yourself and those who notice it to be kind to one another, to do a kind act, say or even think something kind."

i hope it isn't UN kind to the stringring people to suggest that we make them the old fashioned way, hopefully they will see our intention of spreading kindness and KNOT get TIED up in the details.

Bake Sale

how about we pull together our kids and their friends to host an all american bake sale. yum. 

this is a fabulous site that gives you bake by bake instructions to throwing your own COOKIES FOR KIDS' CANCER sale.

it is so simple, click here to go to their site

at the very least, just go for it, put on a bake sale the way you do a lemonade stand and donate the money to them, but i like how they lay out the instructions and make you feel very much a part of something bigger and better than just you (i know, i am probably just speaking for myself).

the lesson: a delicious day of pigging out with friends can be so much more. there is information on the link above that will give you facts to use in talking with your kids about cancer. they should know the statistics and facts on medical breakthroughs (or, sadly, lack thereof).

***added bonus: more like added inches to my waist. added pounds to my scale. added cavities to my mouth.

Acme Library - It's Not What You've Got!

in teaching gratitude, graciousness and giving back, it seems like a good idea to also read this book with our kids. the subtitle is "lessons for kids on money and abundance". fantastic and simple approach to talking about "you aren't the stuff you have" or in some cases, the stuff you DON'T have. no matter where we fall on the socioeconomic food chain, subtle (or not so subtle) reminders of gratefulness and priorities can't hurt.

to buy this book, see ACME LIBRARY on the right, 

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Acme Birthdays - help kids celebrate

every kid deserves to feel special and celebrated on their birthday. to think that some parents can't provide that is just heartbreaking in the case of the child AND the parent. cheerful givers (yes, that is their name) is an organization that provides small gift bags to food pantries and shelters so that the children there can have a real birthday.

you and your kids can put together a gift bag filled with lots of small but festive items. a quiet afternoon with a short trip to target is a very do-able for all of us. who doesn't love a trip to target??? 

there is a list provided at the link, but you can pretty much use your noodle to create a bag that is appropriate for most children.

this is also a fun play date, group or even a birthday party activity.  

here is a link to cheerful givers with instructions for bags.

contact them if you'd like to send the bag directly to them or if they can put you in touch with a local shelter.

the lesson: our kids need to know that not everyone has the basics we take for granted, and if we CAN help, we SHOULD help.

Acme Holiday - Grandparent's Day

for years i have been giving my grandparents cards on grandparent's day only to find that they had never heard of it and expected nothing special (until the year i forgot). now most calendars printed in the usa include this ode to the older gen. well, it is upon us this sunday, september 7th.

another chance for your kids to be exposed to demonstrating kindness and gratitude. a hand drawn picture is nice, a framed photo is better but my favorite idea is this one:

have your child journal a day in their life. it can be photos glued into a book, or a video diary a few times throughout the day or a story that they write sharing the highs and lows of their universe. whether the grandparents live down the block or around the world, they will eat this up with a spoon.

the unconditional love of a grandparent is pretty significant, fostering this relationship is so valuable (free babysitting is also an incentive). if your child has none, there are countless lonely geriatrics living in your city. to find one click here and feel free to brighten the day of a stranger by showing any gesture of kindness (cookies, cards, a hand of go fish or just a chat).

p.s. chances are, your kids are back in school this week and another project is just not on your agenda. maybe you will get lucky and have parents with calendars printed overseas. 

Acme Library - 10 Things I Can Do...

a fun and graphic book for kids of all ages (mostly 8 and younger, in my humble opinion). touches on the basics we all know about helping the earth, but in a way that kids can get excited about - maybe because they have heard some of them before. i think it's a great gift.

to buy this book, see acme library on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

For (four) Eyes

as the end of summer arrives, there is no shortage of sunshine (thanks in part to global warming) and although we are still clinging desperately to our sunglasses, this is an easy activity.

lenscrafters has a program called GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT. if you drop off any reading or sunglasses to a local lenscrafters, they will use them to make a new pair of glasses for someone who otherwise couldn't afford some. so far, they have been able to help 6 million people see the world more clearly.

here is where you can read more about it

this is a great project for a DRIVE. get your kids to solicite glasses from friends and neighbors or even put up flyers at camp, school, church, temple, gymnastics class - whatever. there is so much power in a drive. i love a drive. i love the idea of the kids getting glasses (or whatever item your drive is about) and filling up a box. the pride they feel when they have so much more than they hoped for. the idea that a community can come together with SUCH LITTLE EFFORT and make a real difference. jeez, can you tell i am a fan of a DRIVE?

the lesson: talking to your kids about what it would be like to not see clearly and how that would effect your life. not be able to afford the medical care you need. not be able to participate in life the way you want. how difficult all of those things would be and how if we CAN help, why WOULDN'T we help?

A Dog's Life

this week i lost my dog of almost 12 years. it is nothing short of devastating. it has been an interesting (mostly hard) milestone for my 7 year old.

even children growing up without pets understand the love and happiness any animal can bring. 

i came across THE LANGE FOUNDATION which is an organization that can rescue a dog or cat from a city run animal shelter (which is eventually the end  for them). for a mere $75 you can give the gift of life. it's a great present for an animal lover and the lange foundation will send you (or the recipient, if this is a gift) a photo and short story of the animal you saved.

here's a link 

another great way for kids to help animals, which is a lot more active than sending a check, is to raid the linen closet. all animal hospitals are in constant need of towels and blankets. you know you have some that you will never use, get your kids to gather them up, wash and fold them and deliver them to your local vet/ clinic.

the lesson: nothing new, but helping those who can't help themselves is pretty significant, not to mention rewarding for all ages.

This Shirt...

true, true, this isn't a family activity, project or craft. i normally shy away from shopping as an act of teaching gratitude, however i LOVE this...

"this shirt saved a life" is the real deal. tiny revolutionary and africa aid foundation has produced this yummy soft t-shirt and will donate $20 from the purchase price of each one ($38.00) to the children in ghana. this money allows them to have one large and nutritious meal every day for a year.

as you may have noticed, the acme sharing company focuses on ways we can help in our own communities and it is important for kids to connect locally. this clearly isn't one of those, but at the end of the day, help is needed everywhere, don't cha think?

here's where to get one

***added bonus: perhaps the pride our kids will feel while sporting this will spark a desire to do more?

Bird Brain

it's getting pretty whiny around here. these last weeks of summer can really ride your last nerve. let's make them meaningful before that school bell rings.

here is a super cute "at home craft/ recycle/ be kind to animals" type of project.

the video link below is step by step instructions for building a birdhouse from a milk carton. it's not the newest idea on the block, but it will keep kids entertained. why not add to the fun by getting a hold of some binoculars and keeping a journal of all the visitors your house attracts. budding photographers can get in on the act as well.

as with ALL acme sharing projects, you can spend as much or as little time on it depending on the age and attention span of your offspring. 

here's how to do it - so easy!!!

the lesson: helping nature helps us all.

***added bonus: the sweet tweets coming in from the window make a happier home.

Clean Up Your Act

ewww, it's gross, stinky, unsanitary and god only knows what else, but kids can get REALLY proactive about cleaning up trash at the beach or the park. 

it is a strangely shocking thing to see a person throw trash out of their car window. hopefully our children's generation will never act this way, what with all the things we teach them about the earth, global warming and blah blah blah.

RULE #1 and ONLY - do not forget the rubber gloves from under your kitchen sink and make everyone wear them!!!

so grab a bag, lots of hand sanitizer and go.

come up with a game to get it done with flair. make up stories about who the people were who dropped these items and why, count the pieces and make a race out of who can get the most into the garbage bag or sing a jaunty rendition of oscar the grouch's I LOVE TRASH.

the lesson: without freaking out the kinder, talk to them about the effects of trash on animals; how a bird could choke on it, a squirrel can't digest paper or plastic. also share with them the pride of taking care of their world.

***added bonus: cleanliness. i'd say that's a bonus. 

here's oscar in all of his filth and glory

"Lemonade...that cool refreshing drink"

when life gives you lemons (read: bored kids halfway through summer break), make a lemonade stand. 

what is more all american summertime fun than a lemonade stand? ok, maybe a baseball game, an apple pie or a run through the sprinklers or a - forget it, i could go on for a while.

here are the tools for the next gen socially conscience lemonade stand:

start with the whole foods 365 brand lemonade from concentrate. it's ORGANIC and perfect for mixing.

here

9 oz clear biodegradable cups made of corn (they look like plastic party cups).

50 cups for $7

treecyle.com

recycled napkins from seventh generation are brown and look uber-chic with your child's "logo" colored on the corner.

napkins here

serve it all at this post-consumer use cardboard stand to make it oh so very professional

greenpartygoods.com

bake some all natural thin mint cookies (i have already supported the girl scouts PLENTY in this category so i don't feel guilty usurping their ground)

thin mints

now that you are ready for business, talk to your kids about where they want to donate their hard earned cash. for ideas on this, browse "markmakers"or "youthgive" (both on this site in earlier posts) to see kid friendly explanations of causes and needs.

the lesson: your kids earning their your own coinage? priceless.

***added bonus: so thirst quenching!

Acme Craft - Hat's Off To You

children undergoing chemotherapy and radiation lose their hair.  not a news flash.  they feel embarrassed.  they get cold when they are going to sleep.  they are miserable with their appearance.  they are susceptible to sunburn.  as if they needed more heartache.

a great project to do with your kids (and their friends) is to decorate hats and send them to these deeply deserving little heroes.

the lesson: helping others who need support - even if we don't know them (more "do onto others" stuff).

***added bonus: spending an afternoon crafting with your beautiful and healthy children!

here's a link to head huggers

here's a link to ronald mcdonald house

here's a link to st. jude children's hospital

***here's a link for organic cotton hats

Acme Library - One Hen

microfinance. this is a great way to introduce your kids (from a safe distance) to the needs in third world countries.

One Hen is a lovely book to help them grasp the idea. 

this is a true story and such an inspiration!

here's a link to kiva

here's a link to microplace

here's a link to village banking 

to buy this book, see acme library on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)