What was truly strange though was the pile of gifts. There were some bags and hard to distinguish boxes, perfectly wrapped with baby oriented wrapping paper and gorgeous ribbons. There was also more than half a dozen strollers, all different shapes and sizes lined up, each had a bow on it or some sort of flair. Some had tied fancy rattles to the handles, or draped lovely baby bags. Still there was no denying there was a weird and wide array of the best baby strollers around on display. We all wondered, the rudest of us aloud, which would she choose and which would she send back?

So we were all surprised when she seemed to appreciate something different about each one. The amount of space on a certain baby carriage seemed like it would be a good thing if she were going to be out of the house for a while. There was the jogging stroller, a must have for anyone, especially someone as traditionally athletic as Maggie. There were a few lightweight strollers that would make travel in certain situations very easy, not to mention lighten the load when packing and unpacking the car on longer trips. Honestly, there was something that Maggie found to love about each and every one of those baby strollers.

So when decision time came, she kept them all. She now had a different baby stroller for every day of the week and you know she used every one of them. I was very surprised by how malleable she was about the whole thing. No favorites, just practical decision making each morning when she took the little baby out. It was like strollers were the new shoes. Needless to say everyone’s baby showers would mirror this one from here out. I guess it is not so strange any more.

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A baby’s first birthday is a wonderful occasion that deserves to be marked appropriately. Organizing a first birthday party will give you the chance to unleash your creativity and to have lots of fun.

While your baby is still young, the birthday party will be a chance for family members, relatives and close friends to spend time together and to celebrate. The baby will feel all the love and warmth that special people hold.

Planning a first birthday party is relatively uncomplicated. You can decide on the decorations, food and party activities. If you want to, you can even have a special party theme.

Party Decorations

Each party needs to have appropriate decorations. A very special occasion, like the first birthday of a baby, deserves lots of creativity.

Most party stores offer supplies that are suitable for any kind of party. Decide on the theme and draft a list of everything that you will need. You can either purchase the decorations or the materials needed to create such at home.

Remember that the event is dedicated to your baby. You can incorporate pictures and videos from the baby’s first year to make the decorations. Come up with posters or table centerpieces that utilize these very special photographs.

Invitations

Once you have decided on the theme and other aspects of the party, you can work on the invitations.

These can be sent electronically or by mail. The traditional method is usually more appropriate, as it will leave people with something to put in their archives.

You can use a cute baby picture to decorate the invitation. Another option is to cut it in the shape of a baby item – a pacifier, a teddy bear or a crib.

Make sure that the invitation contains all the important information – date, location, RSVP information and party theme, in case you decide to have such. It is also important to give guests hints about the best types of gifts. It will make the task easier and will provide the baby with useful items.

Give Children a Chance to Have Fun

Relatives and friends are likely to come to the party together with their children. This signifies that a first birthday party will bring together children of all ages. Is it possible to keep all of these children entertained?

Certain games and activities can be used to make all the guests enjoy the party. Some activities will be suitable for adults and children and will help them have fun together.

Modeling clay is the perfect party supply. It appeals to both toddlers and older children. You can even launch a competition for the most intriguing modeling clay figure. The activity will keep children occupied for hours.

Painting is another engaging activity. Ask the children to draw a picture for the happy baby having a birthday. Adults can be encouraged to write notes, which would be archived and given to the child in time.

Have the guests share memories related to your baby. This game will get both adults and children involved. Ask them to say something funny or touching. Such activities will help you break the ice and create unique party atmosphere.

Some time should be dedicated to gift opening, as well. The unwrapping of presents can be exceptionally fun, as long as you know what to say and how to address each person.

A first birthday is a wonderful occasion for a friendly get-together. You can take preparations down to a minimum, in case you are unwilling or unable to spend time and resources on organizing the event. Having fun with loved ones is the most important part. Enjoy it!

Budget cuts, over crowded classrooms, uninspired teachers and more … they are all factors that make up the current state of the education system. What can you do as a parent to assure your child gets the education they need today so they are better prepared for the challenges they will face tomorrow?

Also learn the shocking scientific evidence that proves how video games affect children’s minds as the Panel discusses this harmful growing trend.

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British holidaymakers in particular have found the new destinations tempting as they are outside of the Eurozone, and with their currency struggling against the Euro but still buying good amounts of other currencies, even in times of recession it has still allowed an overseas holiday for many, when there might not have been during the economic downturn.

But events earlier this year in Egypt and Tunisia – two of the four big new locations – have unfolded, it could be that many families will switch back to their Lanzarote holidays as safety and security become just as much as a priority as overall price.

The other two destinations heavily promoted by the tour operators are Morocco and Turkey, with Turkey having the largest share of tourism of the four. While Morocco has an elected government, the King has a lot of power and the country administers the disputed Western Sahara area. Turkey has borders with both Iran and Iraq and their occupation of Northern Cyprus breaks international law – and while things are quiet internationally for the country at the moment it is having difficulty being accepted into the EU and can hardly be described as one of the safest countries in the world politically.

It’s unlikely that many people will view Turkey in the same way as they will Egypt and Tunisia while booking their holidays this summer although their bookings have dropped sharply, but the hotels in Lanzarote getting reservations this summer could well receive a boost as people take more than just price into consideration.

The tour operators themselves are already predicting a shift away from the more politically volatile holiday destinations back to islands like Lanzarote – the Press Association for example report that Thomson Holidays owner TUI Travel has warned that the political unrest in Egypt and Tunisia could hit earnings by up to ?30 million.

Their main competitor Thomas Cook sells 900,000 holidays to Egypt a year and 600,000 to Tunisia according to some travel analysts and holidays to the two countries make up an estimated 8% of the company’s sales. Unlike some companies who have jumped on the new low cost destinations bandwagon in recent years, Thomas Cook at least have a history of travel to Egypt, with the first one organised 140 years ago!

Over the last few years some tour operators have been buying up hotel space in potentially volatile areas to satisfy the consumer demand for cheap holidays, but if they need to scramble aircraft to bring their clients home early, give them a full or partial refund, and re-organise holidays elsewhere for bookings already taken, they might think twice if short term profit turns into longer term losses, and good deals for traditionally popular areas within the Eurozone could soon be back in fashion.

If you haven’t visited before, and are considering a holiday on the island, is it expensive compared to Egypt or Turkey, and is easy to get to?

On price Lanzarote comes out well. Thomson Holidays for example are offering a seven day trip in mid August for two adults and two children in a self catering apartment, with return flights from London Gatwick from ?856 when booked online. At GBP 285 a person it compares well with other destinations, and at the same accommodation half board is available at ?100 a person more, or for full board making it all inclusive GBP 120 a person more.

For those with a bigger budget and looking for a good hotel, the Cay Beach Sun in Playa Blanca – often regarded as the best resort on the island – is available from GBP 402 a person and includes return Lanzarote flights, and transfer to and from the hotel from the airport.

For those with one eye on their budget, Lanzarote can match any of the cheap destinations but be a safer option for 2011 for family trips abroad.

Maintain Order in the Kitchen. When there is a child in the kitchen, it easy for things to get chaotic. It is important to maintain order. If your child is upset, stop cooking, turn the fires off and leave the room to deal with the situation. Do not hold your child while you cook. Make sure that there is a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Do not talk on the phone or answer the door when you and your child are cooking. When you finish using a knife, wipe it off and put it away, do not leave it in the sink or on the counter.

Keep Hot Items Out of Reach. The kitchen is full of hot items, whether they are on the stove, in the microwave or sitting on the counter. Because children are smaller than we are, a splash from a hot pan that would barely register with us, getting our shirt damp, could seriously burn a child’s face or arms. When you are cooking, use the back burners if at all possible. Turn the pan handles toward the back of the stove. Do not let your child remove dishes from the microwave by himself, or remove the covering from a pot or bowl which is likely to release steam. As the meal is prepared do not leave the hot pans on the counter or sitting on a towel or tablecloth that could inadvertently cause your child to pull the food over on himself.

Keep Loose Items Contained. Loose items are a hazard, no matter what they are. If your child has long hair, contain it in an elastic band before you begin the meal preparation. If you are using small appliances, only bring out the ones that you plan to use for the meal. After you are finished, unplug them, wrap the cord around the base and put them away.

Choose Age Appropriate Tasks. It is important to choose age appropriate tasks for your child. While each child is different, and you know your child best, there are some things that an older child can do safely that a younger child should not attempt. While some chores are better suited for older children for safety sake, others are to prevent unnecessary mess.

Even very young children can bring items from the refrigerator, wash fruits and vegetables and mix dry ingredients. As a child gets older, around the time they start kindergarten, they can learn to crack eggs, help frost cupcakes and brownies and begin to learn how to measure ingredients. Once a child reaches middle school, they are ready to chop vegetables and use blenders and other small appliances.

NEA, the largest organization of educators in the nation, offers these suggestions for parents on how they can ensure a successful educational experience for your children:

* Go to parent-teacher meetings. If the school is the place, assign a time to meet with teachers of their children. Ask how their children and review his work. Let them know how and when teachers can contact you. Finally, ask how they can support their children’s learning at home.

* Visit the classroom. Having a firsthand view of what is happening in the classrooms of their children will help keep you informed about what they are learning in school.

* Join the parent-teacher association or other group of parents. Go to school events, like the night of back to school. As a group, parents can help schools achieve their goals.

* Pay attention to what their children are learning in school. Keep in mind what they must know to meet the standards set for the grade level attending.

* Contact the school if you have any concerns.

The parent involvement also means reading to your children, reviewing homework every night, limit TV nights before school days or just ask your children how they were in school that day.

“Regardless of their level of involvement, do it consistently and regularly, because it will mark an important difference in the lives of their children,” said Weaver.

For more information and resources about parental involvement, visit www.nea.org / parents.