Parent's Time Out

Parent's Time Out
September 7, 2001

Update- Info on helping Children deal with the news of terrorist attacks

Time Out for the Week	What's for Dinner?
Just for You	Site of the Week

This weekly feature of the Online Exchange is committed to helping parents take back quality time and devote it more fully to spending it with their children. Here is where you can start to take a Time Out from the TV, computer, housework, and bills. It only takes a few minutes to do fun and memorable things with your children and we will lend a hand each week to get you started. Tune in here for encouragement, fun and easy things to do, and other tidbits, all geared just for you and your precious ones.

~ Time Out for the Week

Things for Fall

Very shortly, the weather will be changing along with the scenery, depending on where you live. We live in Florida, so we will need to plan a road trip to get to see some signs of Autumn. This time of year, officially after the 21st of this month, is the most enjoyable for doing things outside. But, since we don't get as much as an Autumn as I would like, my daughter and I have been doing fun things to "make" it fall in our house.

If you would like to get started doing this too, here are some fun things you can do with your kids:

~ Check out some books about seasons at the Library. I suggest-
Discover the Seasons, by Diane Iverson
Fall, by Ron Hirschi
The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle
Sky Tree, by Thomas Locker

~ Go for a walk with your children and collect pine cones, acorns, thistles, nice leaves, twigs, etc. to make a Fall collage wreath. Cut the center out of a paper plate. Have your child glue the objects on the plate, covering it. Then Help them hot glue a fall ribbon, tied in a bow, to the bottom. Hang up the wreath and think of fall!

~ Collect a variety of leaves to make leaf rubbings. Have your child put a sheet of white paper over the leaves and gently rub over them with a crayon.

~ Make your own Fall. Cut out leaves from fall colored construction paper if there are no fall leaves in your area.

~ Make a small scarecrow. Use your imagination!

~ What's for Dinner?

Texas Tommies

You will need:

4 hot dogs
4 slices of yellow American cheese
4 slices of cooked bacon
4 triangles of Pillsbury Crescent Roll Dough
Yellow Mustard or Ketchup

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350. Slice hotdogs, lengthwise, not all the way through
and spread open. Cut cheese in half lengthwise and place 2 pieces
each in the middle of the hotdog. Top with a piece of bacon. Do this with each hot dog, then fold hot dog back up as much as possible. Take a triangle of Crescent roll dough and roll hot dog from wide end to narrow end. Place on cookie sheet, seam side down. Bake for 15 minutes or until dough is golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes

Dunk in either ketchup or mustard and ENJOY! This goes great with Tomato Soup!

~ Just for You

Cook up a special evening

I don't mean to get personal, but when was the last time you thought about cooking up a romantic night for just you and your mate? We have to remind ourselves to do these things sometimes, especially when life gets so hectic and there seems to be no time for anything.

So, if it has been awhile since you put effort into having a nice evening together, without the children, why not start planning one? First things first... where can the kids go for an evening or night? After that major hurtle is taken care of, think about actually going out to eat to a nice restaurant! Or you can make a nice meal, if you feel like doing the work. Dig out your candles, bubble bath, etc. Oh, and make the date with your mate if necessary, so that your efforts are worthwhile.

If possible, plan instead a quick weekend somewhere. If you have grandmas to watch the kids for a few days, you will find that just getting away to different surroundings will do you a world of good. It is up to you to take the plunge and just do it! And don't forget, your business will be there when you get back, SO DON'T WORRY THE WHOLE TIME AND DON'T TAKE IT WITH YOU!!!

~ Recommended Site of the Week

For your sweet tooth!

http://www.tootsie.com/kids.html
Here's something a little different. There are a few recipes and games, and Tootsie roll facts and history, providing a chance to share with your kids memories from when you were their age.

Thank you for joining us for this weeks Time Out! Now the rest is up to you. Take the time to do the things suggested, or think of your own ways to spend precious time with your family. But most importantly, HAVE FUN!!

Be sure to tell your friends about us! Highlight the parts of the page you like the best and print it. Then keep a folder of ideas and recipes.

We would like to hear from you! If you have a favorite family site or craft, send it to us and we might share it with our readers. Or, just let us know what you think about new feature.
Contact Sara.

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Giving Credit were Credit is Due...
We search all over for great tips, ideas and recipes and don't want to forget to let you know where it all comes from. This week we would like to thank the following:
http://www.tootsie.com/kids.html