Turkey and Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox, originally uploaded by Paris66.

I know this may be a normal week for some moms, for others, not so normal!

But, the fun begins this weekend. The Fantastic Mr. Fox premieres November 25th, looks really cute!

I won't be posting as much this week but next week things should get back to "normal"!?!

Circus Vargas Begins Today

Circus Vargas begins their run here at the Antelope Valley Mall today, November 19th - 30th.

There will be clowns giving their rendition of "Arabian Nights", Princesses, Motorcycle Madness, Matty and Jon hip-hopping and much more!

Purchase your tickets online, www.circusvargas.com, or call Toll Free: 877-GOTFUN1.

Have fun!

After school at the "POP"

After school can be fun at the Palmdale Oasis Park Center, or the POP. This program includes activities such as games, arts and crafts, help with homework. Children from ages 8 - 17 can sign themselves in, and out, Monday - Fridays from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Contact the center for more info at (661) 267-6150.

Santa visits the Antelope Valley

Fabulous Vintage Santa Image, originally uploaded by MADsLucky13.

There is no need to go any farther than the Antelope Valley Mall for pictures with Santa. He will be arrive November 21st and stay until December 24th. There will be a breakfast with Santa Nov. 21st but those free tickets are no longer available. They were given out on a first come first serve basis.

Now, if you want to join Santa for a cookie and a cup of milk then head on over Tuesday and Thursdays during the month of December from 5 pm to 8 pm. And for those of you with pets, December 7th is the day for you. For more info on any of these events see the Antelope Valley Mall website.

Recall notice: certain Maclaren stroller models

Maclaren the maker of strollers has recalled approx. 1 million umbrella strollers due to amputations of children's fingertips. There have been 12 reported incidents which occurs when the finger gets caught in the side hinges of the stroller while opening or closing.

If you are the owner of a Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno or Easy Traveler contact Maclaren at:
877-688-2326 or www.maclaren.us/recall
You will receive a free repair kit that includes hinge covers.

Side note, I have a Volo and used it just this morning! I also noticed so many of that particular brand while visiting Downtown Los Angeles this past
Friday. Okay, gotta go order my repair kit!

Bisphenol (BPA)

Just when I thought I was safe! My boys are no longer drinking out of a bottle, I made sure I purchase plastic children's plates marked "BPA free." Now, it's been found in some canned food products, such as fruits, veggies, soups and so on. It's in the lining of the can.

Okay, what is Bisphenol or BPA? It's a chemical that has been associated with reproductive abnormalities and hormonal changes.

The good news is that Eden Foods and Heinz have begun the transition of alternatives for canned foods. Hein Celestial and Nestle are following suit conducting their own research and testing.

So, what can you do to avoid BPA exposure? Reduce your use of canned food. Aseptic cartons are alright. Even frozen is better than canned in this case, but of course fresh is best!

Prego? avoid canned food and soda.

New parents use powdered formula vs. the canned liquid infant formula.

You could test out your green thumb and grow your own fruits and veggies, remember the photos from Lombardi Ranch? MY tomato and pumpkin seeds didn't do much! OR you could buy a box of organic, fresh produce. More on that later.

For now, have a great weekend!

p.s. photo from
Fast Company
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fast-company/3486969222/

Have any of you heard of the CPSIA or HANDMADE TOY ALLIANCE.

Well, there was a law passed requiring all products geared towards a child under the age of 12, be tested for lead or other harmful chemical substances. Sounds great right? I don't want my children to be exposed to any such materials. That is why so many parents stopped purchasing items made in China and began purchasing HANDMADE products such as wood toys made from your local carpenter.

This silly law requires all surfaces be tested costing the local mom and pop artist excessive amounts of money, approx, $300 - $4000 per item. I really can't get into it on this post but you can read more about it here at change.org

So, you may be thinking, I don't make/sell products, this law doesn't affect me. I won't be affected. Well, think again, do you like those children's resale shops? Are they going to be able to sell items that have not undergone testing? You won't be able to purchase handmade toys painted with non-toxic paints, handmade clothing NOT mass produced. Maybe for a few hundred dollars each, forcing us parents to purchase cheap, who-knows-where-they-were-made items!

Well, may be time to set up the jig-saw and start teaching classes on how to make your own toys, anybody?