Tag Archive for 'Santa'

Weekly Highlights (12/19/2011)

Welcome to “Weekly Highlights”, our weekly post that recaps important child health and safety news, research, and recalls from the previous week and other great finds we’ve come across in our internet travels.

In the News:

FDA Approves First Heart Pump for Kids - While heart failure is rare in children, this device will help prolong the lives of children waiting for transplants. It’s one of very few devices designed specifically for children.

Disney Unveils Newest Princess, Sophia the First, for Toddlers - Disney’s newest princess will be a toddler with lots of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes and an emphasis on inner beauty. It’d be nice to see a Disney character with a traditional family, too.

Maine Report Lists Products Containing Toxic Chemicals BPA and NPE25 manufacturers of children’s toys, infant formulas, baby food, paints, and cleaners reported in under Maine’s chemical reporting regulation. 280 toys containing BPA made the list with nearly all made by Playmobil. View the report here.

Two Dead in Louisiana After Unclean Water Used in Neti Pots - Yikes! Bacteria in the sinuses can easily get to the brain. Be sure to use distilled water, not tap water, with this at home sinus treatment.

This Week in History: Boston Schools Mandated Vaccination – Dec 15, 1827 – “no child left unvaccinated” became law in Boston. A little history lesson on the smallpox vaccine.

New Research:

How Abuse Changes a Child’s Brain
In the first study to use MRI imaging to study the brains of children in violent homes, researchers found brain patterns similar to soldiers exposed to combat. Children adapt and become primed to perceive threats and pain but also more susceptible to long-term stress and anxiety. Heartbreaking.

Fantastic Finds:

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself from Marc and Angel Hack Life - “Anyone can start today and make a new ending.” I absolutely loved this. Many great reminders of the best way to live and enjoy life.

Believe from Ryan and Kenz - This is just genius!! Children wary of Santa can get their photo taken with a more familiar face, and no one will be the wiser.

Recalls, December 13 – December 19:

CPSC Child Product Recalls

Child Safety Seat Recalls

No child safety seat recall announcements this week.

USDA/FDA Recalls

If there’s anything you see and think we should feature, please send it our way to jasmine@purebebe.com. We hope your week is off to a great start! XOXO, Jasmine & Heather

Weekly Highlights (12/5/2011)

Welcome to “Weekly Highlights”, our weekly post that recaps important child health and safety news, research, and recalls from the previous week and other great reads we’ve come across in our internet travels.

In the News:

Do Babies with Flat Heads Need Helmets? New guidance from the AAP says perhaps not.

Consumer Reports Study Backs Dr. Oz’s Claim About Arsenic in Apple Juice - Consumer Reports study validates Oz claim; finds arsenic and lead in apple juice at levels exceeding drinking water standards. And while the FDA had blasted Oz for his claims, turns out they were holding on to similar findings from their own testing.

Apple Juice Can Pose a Health Risk – From Calories – Better than worry about what juice is safe, skip the juice and try whole fruits instead.

Top 100 Baby Names of 2011 – BabyCenter.com released its annual list this week, with Aiden and Sophia topping the list.

News Anchor Draws Chicago Ire after Santa Denial – In an opinion segment on evening news (see video in the link), a Chicago anchor says as soon as kids can talk, parents should say “There’s no Santa!” Criticism and an apology have ensued.

Horse: Coming Soon to a Meat Case Near You? The recent spending bill lifted a ban on slaughtering of horses for meat. I may be with PETA on this one. It may be more humane than what is otherwise happening to these animals, but you won’t see me eating it anytime soon.

New Research:

40% of Kids Who Attempt Suicide First Try in Elementary or Middle School
A chilling discovery was made in the process of a study evaluating whether recall of previous suicide attempts was a reliable way of gathering data. Of 883 young adults aged 18 and 19, 78 had tried to commit suicide. 39 of the teens reported multiple attempts, with attempts beginning as early as age 9, the average age of a third grader! Researchers suggest that we should consider suicide prevention programs at younger ages and opening lines of communications providing children with options for letting adults know that they are not doing well.

Cigarettes May Be Useful for Distance Runners?
I’m sure you read the headline and said, what? Well, in actuality, this is a great read about a review study that was put together to show how conclusions can be drawn by selectively using data to support the theory. See the article’s alternative title: “How to prove anything with a review article.” It’s a good read about the dangers of over-interpreting correlations, reminding us to approach research with a skeptical eye.

Good Reads:

7 Foods You Should Never Eat - 7 Foods that notable food experts refuse to eat and their suggested alternatives.

Hilary St. Pierre: A Christmas Miracle - One child’s wish for his cancer-stricken mother. God and Santa grant miracles.

12 Unique Etsy Gifts for Babies - Some adorable and natural gifts on the list.

Recalls, December 1 – December 5:

CPSC Child Product Recalls

Child Safety Seat Recalls

No child safety seat recall announcements this week.

USDA/FDA Recalls

If there’s anything you see and think we should feature, please send it our way to jasmine@purebebe.com. We hope your week is off to a great start!

XOXO,
Jasmine & Heather

Send Your Child A Free Video Message From Santa

This is the first year that my firstborn “gets” Christmas. She is almost 3 years old. It’s truly amazing how much more meaningful and delightful the holiday season is with little ones, especially when they’re of age to enjoy the festivities. Tasks as simple as baking cookies take on an entirely new, magical meaning (to leave cookies for a very hungry and tired Santa). She recognizes Santa everywhere and lights up every time his name is mentioned.

So when several different friends sent me links to an online message service from Santa, I confess, I initially brushed off those 3 or 4 emails. I was really busy working, writing, decorating, wrapping gifts and trying to get those never-ending holiday cards in the mail. Well, after the 5th email about it, I finally decided to check out Santa. Within 10 minutes, I was able to input all of the information and photos. And when I watched the video to my daughter for the first time, I cried. I know, I’m a sap. But, while I watched, I tried to think about the world through her eyes, and what she would think when she watched the video and saw Santa for the first time. I was overwhelmed with emotions – excitement, wonder, curiosity, and altruism. It felt like magic.

When my daughter watched the video, she beamed from ear to ear and wouldn’t dare remove her eyes from the computer screen. She couldn’t believe that Santa knew her so well! He knew her name, age, what vacations she’d taken over the past year and what toy she had asked for from him (he even had a photo of the toy!). So she asked to watch the video again, and again, and again. After about the 10th time, I cut off the video watching for the night. And we have probably seen the video 25 times since.

If you have little ones and believe in Santa, check out this video below – it gives you a glimpse of what’s to come if you personalize your own:

When you’re ready to personalize your video from Santa, here is the link: Create Your Message From Santa. You can create a message for a toddler, child and/or an adult. You will probably need 3-4 photos: 1) the person; 2) 2 photos with meaningful places you went/visited throughout the year, or that have specific importance to your family; 3) a photo of the item that your child has asked for from Santa. The video is 1-1.5 minutes long.

A few of my friends even created messages for every one of their “Santa age” children.

So go get cranking and come back to let us know what you think of Santa’s message(s)!

-Heather

Related Articles:
Getting Through the Airport This Holiday Season With Your Kids and Your Sanity
Operation Gingerbread House Complete
3 Ways to Thank Your Child’s Teacher This Holiday Season
Winter Activity: Use Your Child’s Artwork to Make Greeting Cards

Fantastically Funny Friday (12/10/2010) – I Know Santa!

Happy Friday, everyone!!

We have searched far and wide for funny videos to share with you, and this week it’s about Christmas. These little sleuths seem to think they’ve figured out the truth about Santa in this hilarious commercial. Oh my!

Now for a little comic relief from one of our youngsters…

Juliana, 2
Juliana [Getting tucked into bed]: Mommy, where’s Daddy?
Mommy: Daddy’s coming home late tonight, but when you wake up in the morning he will be here.
Juliana: Okay, I will sleep fast.

Don’t you just love how their little minds think? If your child has said something that you’d like to share with PureBebe’s readers (don’t be shy!), please email us at purebebeblog@gmail.com!

Don’t be a stranger. We LOVE comments! And if you enjoy reading PureBebe, click on “Subscribe to PureBebe!” under “Email Subscription” on the right rail of the screen for more of our healthy baby news and topics (and we promise to make you laugh every now and then, too)!

Other Funny Articles:
Fantastically Funny Friday (12/3/2010) – Bloopers
Fantastically Funny Friday (11/26/2010)
Fantastically Funny Friday (11/19/2010)
Fantastically Funny Friday (11/12/2010)




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