Tuesday, October 23, 2012

SMMART TIME-OUT: Halloween Safety


Halloween is right around the corner. We just put the finishing touches on our front porch (orange lights, black lights in our sconces, cobwebs, spiders and pumpkins).

Here are some great safety tips word-for-word from:

Halloween Costume Safety Tips:
Wear flame retardant costumes.

Make sure your Halloween costume is colorfast so the color doesn't run onto your other clothes if it rains.

Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering.

Hem your costumes so you don't trip and fall.

Apply reflective tape to your Halloween costumes.

Avoid cumbersome masks. Use make-up instead.

Make-up should be hypoallergenic and non-toxic.

Wear comfortable, practical shoes.

Double tie your shoelaces so you don't trip.

Keep your costume and wig away from candles.

Don't carry fake swords, guns, knives or similar accessories that look authentic. Make sure they're flexible and cannot harm anyone.


Trick-or-Treating Tips:
Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries after dark.

Take along a cell phone.


Wear identification that's easy to read.

Always trick or treat in groups, accompanied by an adult.

Follow a curfew and take a watch with a backlight.

Plan your route ahead of time.

Stay on the sidewalks and out of the streets. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks.

Walk. No running.

Don't trample through flower beds and gardens.

Watch out for open flames in jack-o-Lanterns.

Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods.

Walk with your head up and be aware of your surroundings.

Only visit well lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses.

Don't enter any houses unless you know the people.

Carry a spare Halloween bag -- in case yours breaks or you fill your original one.

Don't approach unfamiliar pets and animals.

Don't cut across yards and stay out of back yards.

Follow traffic signals and don't jaywalk.

Always watch for cars backing up or turning.

Review the "stop, drop and roll" procedure in case your costume catches on fire.

Never accept rides from strangers.

Respect other people and their property.

Be polite and say "thank you."

Don't eat any candy until it's inspected for tampering under bright lights.

Avoid candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.

Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.

Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.

Consider having a party instead of Trick or Treating.

Happy Trick-or-Treating!!!



Monday, October 22, 2012

SMMART ART: Body Creations

Four high school summers, I had the amazing opportunity to attend Summer Institute for the Arts, focusing on drama.  Our instructors shared many activities to help us young students learn to control our bodies and become very comfortable in moving them. 

In this activity, your child will use his imagination as he molds his body to create different objects.  If there are siblings, pile them on for more eleaborate body creations.  

Make a space for your child to move and to lie on the ground to recreate shapes.  "Make a black cat."  "Become a pumpkin."  "Create a haunted house".  Take photos with your digital camera and show your children their body creations afterwards.

The choreographer for Disney on Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic (in Salt Lake Nov. 14-18) helped to choreograph the ice skating part of the 2002 Winter Olympics...right here in Salt Lake City!  She says “It’s always interesting to try and create new shapes within the skating language. You can only do that through experimentation.”  This makes me think of the elaborate formations they create using so many ice skaters.  Think about creating elaborate shapes as you photograph your childrens' body creations.

CHOREOGRAPHER SARAH KAWAHARA:
A LOOK AT HER VISION FOR DISNEY ON ICE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF MAGIC
The on-ice work of Emmy® Award-winning and Olympic choreographer Sarah Kawahara takes audiences on an unforgettable, imaginative journey down a memory lane of classic and new Disney stories in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. Produced by Feld Entertainment, this show highlights Kawahara’s clever, innovative and evocative style, which ranges from romantic and playful to dramatic and heroic.
Kawahara, who won two Emmy® Awards for the skating segments in the 2002 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies and Scott Hamilton: Upside Down,defines choreography for figure skating as “the fusion of music with interpretive movement and the technical elements of skating. It is more than just skating. You define what you want to say and how you want to say it.”Indeed, she takes great pride in her work and has a very clear vision of what she wants each of her projects to accomplish.
Growing up in Montreal, Canada, Kawahara expressed her creativity through piano, violin, ballet, jazz, drama and figure skating. Today, her curiosity, openness and holistic approach can be seen in all aspects of her work. For example, Kawahara feels it is vital to meld the basic components of costume, set, lights, music and skating so they come together seamlessly as a whole experience.
She is also keenly observant and nurturing when working with her impressive roster of international figure skaters. “I really work off the talent of the individual skater to tap into the inner sense of who they are and their own body rhythms,” she explains. “I blend what I have with their strengths and arrive at a new and different place for both of us.”
Kawahara is known for incorporating set pieces into her choreography. “I like to have skaters go in or through the props rather than just working in front of a set. It gives the production more dimension,” she explains.
Speaking about the broad spectrum of her art, Kawahara says, “It’s always interesting to try and create new shapes within the skating language. You can only do that through experimentation.” She adds, “You must grab and hold the attention of the audience…take them with you on a fantastic journey.”

Monday, October 15, 2012

SMMART SCIENCE: Orange Hissing Cat Spit

 
Disgusting...cat spit.  But very cool for Halloween!
 
This is a Halloween twist on a fun idea that my friend, Julie, had for the new Science Club that we have started up at our childrens' elementary school.  I'll have to tell you about that fun venture soon!

Pour out and smooth out some baking soda onto a plate, pie pan or cookie sheet.

Give your child a teeny cup of vinegar and drop a few drops of food coloring into the vinegar.  Let your child use an eye dropper, or a syringe to suck up a little colored vinegar.  You can even teach your child how to dip a straw into the vinegar and cap the straw with a finger to trap a little vinegar in the straw. 

Release the little bit of colored vinegar into the plate of baking soda... and observe!

Inevitably, the question was asked, "What happens if I pour the baking soda into the vinegar cup?"
Hissss! Hisssss!  Hisssss!


Tuesday, October 9, 2012

SMMART GIVEAWAY: Disney on Ice

DISNEY ON ICE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF MAGIC in a One-of-a-Kind Skating Spectacular

Featuring More Than 60 Disney Characters Including the Stars of Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo
Winner: 3Chickapens said...
I would give it the family raising money for their 4 year old daughter with cancer, or let my kids buy groceries and pass it out to someone who could use it.  
(Email me at SMMARTideas@hotmail.com to reply within 24 hrs!)
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends from Disney’s Mulan, The Lion King and Pinocchio, and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Toy Story, take to the ice for a grand celebration in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. Produced by Feld Entertainment, this fanfare production features more than 60 unforgettable Disney stars that span the decades, a sing-along score of award-winning Disney music, stunning choreography, elaborate sets and beautiful costumes.
With Mickey and Minnie leading the fun, audiences enjoy breathtaking production numbers choreographed by Emmy Award®-winner Sarah Kawahara. Kawahara previously worked with Michelle Kwan and choreographed the skating segment for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Complementing Kawahara’s fabulous skate sequences are the memorable tunes compiled by music directors Art Kempel and Stan Beard that bring the wonderful memories of Disney to life on ice. Scenic Designer David Potts and Lighting Designer LeRoy Bennett create the mood and settings that showcase extraordinary Disney moments.
Outfitting this cast of more than 60 characters was the challenge facing Costume Designer Scott Lane. His dazzling designs range from Mickey’s Marching Band, to the “It’s a Small World” dolls, to the stars of Mulan and Finding Nemo. The bright colors and minimal structure in the Nemo costumes allow the characters to move freely in order to mimic the natural movement in water. Renowned designer Bob Mackie also lends his talents to a red sequined evening gown worn by Minnie.
Scenic Designer David Potts, who has worked on numerous Broadway productions, creates a theatrical atmosphere on ice. Skaters weave around and enliven the “It's a Small World” sequence amidst sparkling floats that turn into a radiant light parade; a blanket of snow and an avalanche fall as Mulan battles the Huns; and a giant present is opened to reveal Buzz Lightyear as he’s first introduced to that favorite toy cowboy, Woody and his pal Jessie.
Disney on ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic is going to be in Salt Lake City's Energy Solutions Arena from November 14-18. 

WHEN:           November 14 - 18, 2012
Wednesday, Nov. 14    7:00 PM
                           Thursday, Nov. 15    7:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 16          11:30 AM & 7:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 17      11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Sunday, Nov. 18        3:30 PM & 5:30 PM
                                                                                                    
WHERE:         Energy Solutions Arena – 301 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT  84101

TICKETS:       Ticket price levels are $16, $23, $37 (VIP) and $50 (Front Row).  Opening Night tickets available for only $12 each (not valid on premium seating). All seats are reserved; tickets are available from the EnergySolutions Box Office and all SmithTix locations, charge by phone at 801-355-SEAT or 800-888-TIXX and online at www.smithstix.com or www.energysolutionsarena.com.

WIN TWO VOUCHERS!  (Redeem for Wednesday Nov.14 at 7:00pm, Thursday Nov.15 at 7:00pm or Friday Nov.16 at 3:00pm)
ENTER to Win 2 vouchers:
1) First Entry: Leave a comment below this post with your name (first, last initial) and email and tell me...since we don't all have 100 years of magic, if you had $100 how would you use it to bless others' lives?  (Have your children collect school supplies for less fortunate students, Watch your kids randomly hand out 100 helium balloons...)
 
2) Second Entry, if you so desire: Leave a comment below this post with your name (first, last initial) and email and Tell me that you "FOLLOW" my blog. (See those little face thumbnails to the right? Click "Join This Site") I sure would appreciate your support!

Winner will be notified Friday, October 26th~ I will email you and you will have 24 hours to get back to me or I'll choose another winner. Good Luck! If you win, I would love to have you write a review about the performance to post on my blog! 
FYI-I was originally approached to receive 4 passes for myself and my family in exchange for getting information out to my readers and writing a review after...But, I asked if they would also donate 4 passes for a SMMART giveaway...and they agreed! 

                  (The Walt Disney Company is neither a sponsor nor endorser of this sweepstakes.  I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows.)


Sunday, October 7, 2012

SMMART Art: Kabooky Heads

Well, that's what we call them...Kabooky heads... little shrunken heads for Halloween.

So, we made our fabulous dried apple heads, adorned with beads and hair and hung them up over our porch front entrance.  They looked fabulous...until the yellow jackets decided to LOVE them, carve them out like a cave and reside in them.  I tied a grocery bag around each head to trap in the yellow jackets, then cut the string they hung on and tossed them into the yard til the swarms of yellow jackets died.  YIKES!
This was another attempt at Kabooky Heads..certain to not be bothered by pests!
Stuff a pantyhose sock with a handful of cottonballs.  Tie off the top. Then use thread and needle to pucker sew in eyeballs.  Just sew a little bunch of pantyhose and cotttonball and then send the needle to the back of the head and pull taught and make a knot.  The eyeball will sink into the head.  Then stitch on a mouth.  Tug at the cottonballs to make the nose protrude a bit.  There you have your Kabooky Head.

Now, let your darlings decorate and adorn the scary little heads with beads and jewels and yarn hair.

Monday, October 1, 2012

SMMART SCIENCE: Dried Apple Witches

Perfect!  I remember doing this as a little girl when I lived in Germany!  I saw this idea again at http://Science-at-home.org.  They made darling little dried apple witch faces.  I remember making little old lady faces.
Peel apples and soak them in lemon and salt water for about 5 minutes.  Use kid knives to cut out mouths, poke out eye holes and carve out noses and ears.
Let the apples sit out on a rack to dry for a few days.  Beside the peeled apples, set out an apple that has its peel still on.

When the apples are dry, use tacky glue to dress up your witch.  Add hair, maybe a little witch hat.  Some beads in the eye holes and permanent marker to enhance the witch lips.

Ask your child why the apple looks different from a newly peeled apple.  Why did the apple shrivel up? (Water evaporated from the apple).  Observe the difference between the apple that still had its peel on and the apple that was peeled.  How does the peel protect the apple?

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