THE PROM SHOP PROJECT
Currently seeking special occasion dresses
& accessories
Please send e-mail about items to Kim@promshopproject.com
To volunteer, please visit www.PromShopProject.com
KEEPING KIDS ACTIVE DURING WINTER BREAK
They’ve spent the first semester of school learning a world of new concepts and skills. But, 21 days out of the classroom can be a setback for some kids. Jan Van Blarcum, founder of Creative Tutors, says there are fun activities for families that will keep kids actively learning while they enjoy a break from the traditional classroom setting. She would love to provide “Not So Perfect Parent” viewers with some great ideas for helping kids retain all that good information — so, please feel free to contact her for more information. Here’s her short list:
1. Read for pleasure. Encourage your child to spend 45 minutes reading each day. Fifteen minutes alone and 30 minutes with a parent or grandparent.
Ideas/Visuals: Best-selling books, popular magazines, like Sports Illustrated and Tiger Beat.
2. Practice math skills without even knowing it. All math is done more efficiently when addition and multiplication facts are committed to memory — play games to practice. Working on fractions or measurements? Get cooking in the kitchen!
Ideas/Visuals: Cooking/measuring, math card games, dice games, math quiz web sites.
3. Write in a journal. Buy a cool journal and suggest your child write about his holiday break, as well as any goals, dreams, fantasies or problems he or she may have. Drawing is another great way to express feelings in a journal.
Ideas/Visuals: A journal and pen.
4. Play educational games. Turn off the TV and have fun with words and numbers.
Ideas/Visuals: Word search books, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, card games, Sudoku, Rubix Cube.
5. Slow down and enjoy life. Decide what events are really important — and skip the rest. Stay home and re-group as a family. Talk about your hopes and plans for 2010.
Ideas/Visuals: Board games, snuggle by the fireplace, tell/listen to stories from the past.
About Creative Tutors International, Inc.
Creative Tutors International, Inc. is an educational franchise system that provides one-on-one, in-home tutoring in a positive environment that encourages students to reach their full potential. For more information, contact founder Jan Van Blarcum at (214) 282-6268 or visit www.creativetutors.com.
LAST MINUTE STOCKING STUFFERS
All the stocking stuffers featured on today’s show are available at Northpark Center.
www.NorthparkCenter.com
ALL-STAR ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE
www.allstarortho.com
All-Star Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
972.556.2885
400 W. LBJ Freeway, Suite 330
Irving, TX 75063
TART BAKERY
5219 West Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75209-3371
(469) 335-8919
Whoopie Pie Recipe:
Chocolate
4 cups all purpose flour
1 cups cocoa powder
2 ¼ tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ lb (2 sticks) butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
filling: marshmallow cream
Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt in a bowl
Beat Brown Sugar and butter in mixer on high until pale and fluffy
Add eggs, beating until combined
Reduce speed and alternated with flour mixture and buttermilk and vanilla extract mixture until smooth
Scoop dough with ice cream scoop and bake at 350 degrees from 8 to 10 minutes
Allow whoopie pies to cool before filling!
Makes: 16 whoopie Pies
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
