November is Epilepsy Awareness Month

 

No, my son does not have Epilepsy, but a little boy who is very special to me does. I have a friend who gave birth to a beautiful little boy we will call B, around the time I had my oldest. B has had to face many things in his life, including Epilepsy. Yet this little boy continues to smile through it all. That is why, for me, this Awareness Month is so important. To learn more about Epilepsy and how to be involved visit the National Epilepsy Awareness Month site and learn about their "Now I know" Campaign.

So this month I will wear purple more (for Barb and her amazing B) and I hope you can join me in raising awareness!! Now go put your purple on!

International Talk Like A Pirate Day is coming! (Sept 19)

Ahoy ye scurvey sea dogs! Ye be ready for talk like a pirate day?

 

That's right fun folks, Sept. 19th is International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Why? I don't know! But Arggh it be soundin like some good fun to me! In fact you can check this site out to find all sorts of Pirate happenings in your area.

 

Zoom in on your neck of the woods on the map and see if there be anything to visit. I have found all sorts of things on the map across the country! I guess everyone has a little pirate in em!

 

 



It's National S'mores Day!

This has to be one of the best days ever! A whole day for S'mores. It is not as if we need a National day to enjoy these lovely melty ooooy goooy yummmmyy.......

Oh sorry, where was I, oh yes, National S'mores Day. So of course the question you might have is how to celebrate this wonderful day..... make a S'more!! No campfire? No problem! There is always the trusty microwave. Make sure you nuke the chocolate longer the the marshmallow. Oh and watch that marshmallow as they tend to explode if left too long.

Feeling a bit more adventuresome? Or you just don't want to have to clean the inside of your microwave? Why not try the indoor campfire method! Campfire in a can will make you the coolest S'mores mama ever!

Now I know there are many ways to make a s'more so I am not EVEN going to touch that one. I respect each and every s'more right to be built with what ever it's builder wants and will not be draw into a which is better war... though I think I might try some peanut butter cup on one today. You know, spice it up a bit.

Now if you love s'more as much as we here at MAD do, then you should go check out the wonderful ladies over at The S'more Store. They invented this wonderful little item that makes having s'mores easy and organized time after time. I was given one to test and I can honestly say, we use this thing, ALOT. I would never recommend something I don't personally love.

No get off the computer and go have a happy S'more Day!

World Tiger Day

Today is world tiger day! Head on over and check out the Tiger WWF facebook page. And check out this amazing information from the WWF on tigers!

Amur (Siberian) Tiger

Scientific name: Panthera tigris altaica

IUCN Listing: Endangered

Habitat: Coniferous, scrub oak and birch woodlands

Location: Primarily eastern Russia, with a few found in northeastern China

Interesting Fact: In the 1940s the Amur tiger was on the brink of extinction, with no more than 40 tigers remaining in the wild. Thanks to vigorous anti-poaching and other conservation efforts by the Russians with support from many partners, including WWF, the Amur tiger population recovered and has remained stable throughout the last decade.

 

Bengal (Indian) Tiger

Scientific name: Panthera tigris tigris

IUCN Listing: Endangered

Habitat: Dry and wet deciduous forests, grassland and temperate forests, mangrove forests

Location: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal. India is home to the largest population.

Interesting Fact: Some Bengal tigers are cream or white in color instead of orange, due to a recessive gene for this coloration. These "white" tigers are rarely found in the wild.

Indochinese Tiger

Scientific name: Panthera tigris corbetti

IUCN Listing: Endangered

Habitat: Remote forests in hilly to mountainous terrain, much of which lies along the borders between countries

Location: Widely dispersed throughout six countries: Thailand, Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Interesting Fact: Access to the areas where Indochinese tigers live is often restricted, and biologists have only recently been granted limited permits for field surveys. As a result, relatively little is known about the status of these tigers in the wild.

Malayan Tiger

Scientific name: Panthera tigris jacksoni

IUCN Listing: Endangered

Habitat: Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests

Location: Southern tip of Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia

Interesting Fact: The Malayan tiger was only identified as being a separate subspecies from the Indochinese tiger in 2004. It is very similar to the Indochinese tiger, but is smaller in size.

South China Tiger

Scientific name: Panthera tigris amoyensis

IUCN Listing: Critically Endangered

Habitat: Montane sub-tropical evergreen forest

Location: Central and eastern China

Interesting Fact: It is estimated that the South China tiger is functionally extinct. Currently 47 South China tigers live in 18 zoos, all in China. If there are any South China tigers in the wild, these few individuals would be found in southeast China, close to provincial borders.

Sumatran Tiger

Scientific name: Panthera tigris sumatrae

IUCN Listing: Critically Endangered

Habitat: Montane forests, the remaining blocks of the island's lowland forest, peat swamps, and freshwater swamp forests

Location: Exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra

Interesting Fact: Sumatran tigers are protected by law in Indonesia, with tough provisions for jail time and steep fines. Despite increased efforts in tiger conservation, including law enforcement and anti-poaching capacity, a substantial market remains in Sumatra for tiger parts and products.

It is World Listening Day

Wednesday, July 18th 2012 is World Listening Day. The purposes of World Listening Day are:

• to celebrate different ways we can focus on our soundscape (sonic environment);
• to raise awareness about the acoustic ecology movement, including ideas regarding how noise pollution can be reduced; and
• to introduce new educational initiatives and community events related to listening and acoustic ecology.

So how do you participate in World Listening Day? Simple.... Listen! Turn off the radio and T.V. and get away from the traffic and listen. In parks you might hear birds, rustling leaves, buzzing insects, and the crunch of a trail beneath your feet. Where ever you are, stop, close your eyes, and listen.

It is amazing what you can hear when you don't have the noise pollution created by man. We here at MAD play listening games all the time. Because we stop and listen and learn what is in our environment, our oldest Fun Tester can now identify some birds just by their call!!!

So take a minute today and listen! You might just have some fun!

National Ice Cream Soda Day is today!

Ice cream sodas were invented by Robert Green in 1874 during Philadelphia's sesquicentennial celebration. Legend has it that Mr. Green added vanilla ice cream to the soda he sold after he ran out of ice (though Mr. Green claims he had dreamt up the innovation prior to the event). Intentional or not, it was a delicious way to keep the sodas cold, and they were an instant hit. Green was so proud of his creation that he even had the phrase “Originator of the Ice Cream Soda” engraved on his tombstone!

These days, there are many delicious variations of the original ice cream soda, including root beer floats, Boston coolers, and purple cows. To celebrate National Ice Cream Soda Day, all you need is soda, a few scoops of ice cream, and a straw! Have Fun!!

The Great American Backyard Campout is June 23

Saturday is the annual Great American Backyad Campout! You can join in by camping in your backyard, a park, campground or even your balcony. You don't have to register and raise money for NWF, you just need to get out there! If you do register you get access to all sorts of fun ideas, recipes and more. (And no you do not have to raise money.)

We did the Great American Backyard Campout last year and had a great time in our backyard. So be brave and get out there, if not for yourself, for your children. They will have a wonderful time and great memories!

World Oceans Day is June 8th (Today)

June 8th is World Oceans Day. But what does that mean to you? Maybe you don't live near an ocean or have never even been to one...... so why care? Today is the day to find out why. Head on over to World Oceans Day on Facebook and see what you can find.  Why not learn all about our oceans with some FREE lesson plans or check out some of these other fun things......

National Geographic has wonderful photo galleries you can go through to see images of our oceans and the life in it.

The ARKive website is amazing, not only do they have photos, but video and more. Very neat!

This website gives some good ideas on how to celebrate World Oceans Day, including the "7Cs Pledge" for ocean conservation.

National Donut Day 2012 is Tomarrow!!!

What is better then a donut? A FREE Donut!!!! That's right, in honor of National Donut Days places like Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts are giving away FREE Donuts.

Dunkin Donuts - Get a free donut with drink purchase on National Donut Day, Friday, June 1. Find a location near you.

Krispy Kreme – Get one free doughnut of any variety per customer on Friday, June 1 only. Find a location near you.

LaMar’s – Get a free doughnut on June 1st at participating shops. Find a location near you.

Tim Hortons – Get a free doughnut with purchase. You must like them on Facebook to print the coupon. Find a location near you.

**Be sure to call ahead to make sure they are participating

Hug your cat day!

Yes, today is Hug Your Cat Day! They have a day for everything, don't they! After giving a furry friend a squeeze, why not send your human friends an e-card for Hug Your Cat Day!

Remember Memorial Day for what it is.....

The Ultimate Sacrifice:
A Memorial Day Poem

We set aside Memorial Day
Each and every year
To honor those who gave their lives
Defending what we hold dear.

In all the dark and deadly wars,
Their graves prove and remind us,
... Our brave Americans gave their all
To put danger far behind us.

They made the ultimate sacrifice
Fighting for the American way;
We admire them and respect them
On every Memorial Day.

By Joanna Fuchs

World Turtle Day

May 23 is World Turtle Day!

World Turtle Day was founded in 1990 by the American Tortoise Rescue. World Turtle Day is an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats. You can find lots of interesting and educational information (as well as giveaways in honor of the day) on the World Turtle Day facebook page.

What can you do to help?

• Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop as it increases demand from the wild.
• Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured.
• If a tortoise is crossing a busy street, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going – if you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again.
• Report cruelty or illegal sales of turtles and tortoises to your local animal control shelter.
• Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise of any kind less than four inches. This is illegal throughout the U.S.

Every year during Reptile Weekend at our local zoo visitors get a chance to get up close with Al. It is an amazing chance for children to fall in love and we all know you save what you love.

Want to help you children fall in love with turtles? Here are some fun activities you can do today, or any day!

 Turtle Poems

Turtle puppet

Turtle coloring page

Endangered Spieces Day is MAY 18th

Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions that people can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife. Started by the United States Senate, Endangered Species Day is the third Friday in May. Every year, thousands of people throughout the country celebrate Endangered Species Day at parks, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, libraries, schools and community centers. 

See if you can find an event near you to participate in. If you don't have one near you, you can still participate by using these educational resources they provide.

This is such a large concept for children to understand, so here are a few "tools" to help bring it home. Check out who is endangered in YOUR backyard. And here are some endangered species coloring pages you can print off.

Cinco de Mayo is tomarrow!!! (5-5-12) Let's Party!!

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo (the 5^th of May) is NOT Mexico’s Independent day. It celebrates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army in The Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is mostly celebrated in the Mexican state of Puebla and in the United States. What was once a celebration spontaneously created by Mexicans and Latinos living in California at the time as a show of support for defending freedom and democracy during the Civil War has turned into a day of celebrating Hispanic tradition. So now you know what Cinco De Mayo is, right?

So how do you celebrate Cinco De Mayo? Well around the MAD household we do it full force just like anything else!! We have decorations we got at Dollar Tree to make the place festive. You could serve up some chips and salsa. Or if your feeling feisty, you could make Polvorones a.k.a Mexican sugar cookies.

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup butter or margarine
Preheat oven to 300 F.
In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar and cinnamon.
Cream butter with a beater.
Add flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time to the butter while still beating until it is all incorporated.
Use a teaspoon to spoon out small pieces of dough and shape into a cookie.
Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake 25 minutes.
Optional: sprinkle warm cookies with sugar and cinnamon
Makes 24 cookies

How about playing a fun game of Pin the tail on he donkey??? Click here to find the donkey. And here are the printable tails! Maybe coloring a picture is more your speed. Why not try this one.

Maybe your super crafty like we are. Well do I have some fun craft for you to try.........

Make your own tacos and tostadas.
They suggest using foam but we just used paper.

What about a make your own paper lunch bag maracas!!

A paper bag Pinata!!!

May 2 is Scurvy Awareness Day

Scurvy you say!?!?! Arrrgghh here be an informative PSA about scurvy from none other then a pirate! Want more Scurvy Awareness Day info and fun? Pop over to Limestrong to learn more. Make sure you check out their Mascot: Cats with citrus on their heads. No really, I can't make this kind of stuff up!!

So why not celebrate today by getting your vitamin C to prevent scurvy! But what to eat you might ask.......

Citrus (including lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit) is a rich source of vitamin C that both prevents and cures scurvy. Other fruits commonly available with higher vitamin C content are blackcurrant, red pepper, guava, kiwifruit, redcurrant, elderberry, strawberry, melon, passion fruit and mango. Certain vegetables are also good sources of vitamin C: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach and cabbage contain the highest concentrations.

Happy May Day!!!

It's May 1st and that means it is MAY DAY. What is May Day you might ask? Well the earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times, with the festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. May Day is best known for its tradition of dancing the maypole dance. 

Another tradition is the giving of "May baskets," small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbours' doorsteps. I used to do this as a little girl!! I have no idea how or why we did it but we did. So today when my son gets home from school we will make a May Basket craft for our neighbor.

So have some May Day fun today celebrating flowers. Heck if I get every thing ready in time we may even do the maypole dance!!!

Happy Arbor Day!!!

It is Arbor Day and according to the Arbor Day Foundation:

Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, it's celebrated on the last Friday in April.

The Arbor Day Foundation website has all sorts of interesting stuff to thumb through, including how to celebrate Arbor Day and the Nature Explores Families Club with free down loadables.

Also if you Google Arbor Day 2012 and your state you can find events planed to celebrate. If nothing else, get out there and hug a tree. Remember they give us shade!!!

National Richter Scale Day

Charles F. Richter

It was 112 years ago today that Charles F. Richter was born. The American seismologist invented a scale in 1935 that could measure the amount of energy an earthquake releases. Here is some information on the Richter Scale for kids. There is a neat table on there that tells the Magnitude of Earthquake, Effects of the Earthquakes, and Occurrence Frequency. Did you know there are over 9,000 earth quakes every day!?!?!?! Most we never even feel but thanks to Richter they can be detected!

If you don't feel like checking out the link, here is a quick simple way to understand the Richter Scale by Scholastic:

9.0 and above — Causes complete devastation and large-scale loss of life.
8.0 — Very few buildings stay up. Bridges fall down. Underground pipes burst. Railroad rails bend. Large rocks move. Smaller objects are tossed into the air. Some objects are swallowed up by the earth.
7.0 — It is hard to keep your balance. The ground cracks. Roads shake. Weak buildings fall down. Other buildings are badly damaged.
6.0 — Pictures can fall off walls. Furniture moves. In some buildings, walls may crack.
5.0 — If you are in a car, it may rock. Glasses and dishes may rattle. Windows may break.
4.0 — Buildings shake a little. It feels like a truck is passing by your house.
3.0 — You may notice this quake if you are sitting still, or upstairs in a house. A hanging object, like a model airplane, may swing.
2.0 — Trees sway. Small ponds ripple. Doors swing slowly. But you can't tell that an earthquake is to blame.
1.0 — Earthquakes this small happen below ground. You can't feel them.

So why not have some earthquake fun in honor of Mr Richter today. Set up some blocks and have your kids jump and see how hard they have to jump to knock them down. You can also put out a bowl of water and jump to see if it makes ripples. Be creative and have some fun. Not to mention all the jumping might just wear them out a little!

TODAY (April 25th) is World Penguin Day!!!

Why you might ask, is it World Penguin Day......

Well the word on the street, or, um, I mean ice, is that today marks the start of the Adelie penguins’ migration northward into the surrounding Antarctic seas. Umm, did someone tell them that today and today only, was the day to do this!?!?! I am sure it is AROUND this time of year that they start to migrate. But who cares, right? Lets have some penguin fun today on World Penguin Day!!

First off, lets learn a little bit about these Adelie penguins shall we.....

Here is a great site called Penguinscience! They have all sorts of great stuff on penguins like information on adaptation, a classroom power point your kids can watch, and more. And KidZone has everything you need to learn about and have fun with penguins. They have songs/poems, worksheets, make a book, coloring sheets, mazes, ahhh the list just goes on and on!

And here is a video showing Adelie Penguins and encouraging girls in the area of science!




So have some fun with penguins today. You might even learn something! Shhh don't tell the kids they are learn......

It's National Garlic Day!

They have a day for everything, don't they!?!?! Well today is National Garlic Day! So have some garlic bread or other garlic dish and enjoy some fun facts......

Did you know?

Garlic is a member of the onion family which also includes leeks and shallots.

Its pungent flavor is due to a chemical reaction that occurs when the garlic cells are broken. The flavor is most intense just after mincing.

The majority of garlic (90%) grown in the United States comes from California.

When picking out garlic at the grocery store, choose firm, tight, heavy dry bulbs.

I bet you DIDN'T know......

If your rose garden is being attacked by aphids, an excellent home remedy to get rid of them is to spritz the leaves and blooms with a mixture of crushed garlic and water.

The psychological term for fear of garlic is alliumphobia.

The smell of garlic can be removed by running your hands under cold water while rubbing a stainless steel object.

And if you happen to be in Gilroy, CA this July, go check out their Garlic Festival!