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There is something about Outkast’s “Hey Ya” which all kids seem to love.

Here is a great youtube video showing Charlie Brown and his gang getting into the groove to this tune:

Source: jemsweb@flickr

Yes, Greg Page is leaving the Wiggles. He suffers from something called Orthostatic intolerance which means when he stands up his heart does not pump enough blood around his body. This means can no longer carry on singing and dancing as part of the Wiggles.

His understudy Sam Moran will be taking his place.

Here is Greg’s goodbye video

There are a few places on the web where children can create their very own stories. If you happen to be on the computer with your kids then you might find them a bit of fun.

1) Squiglys Play House (see below)

2) Wacky Web Tales

Here is an example of the story I created on Squiglys Play House:

The Christmas Surprise

Vicky woke up one Christmas Day to find that she had no presents! On the end of her bed she found a letter from seven of Santa’s elves. It said that Santa was very happy. After she had read the letter, she found herself being whisked off to the shop. There she met an elf whose name was Alex. He said that he was Santa’s helper. Because Santa was happy, Vicky had to deliver all 9 presents to everyone around the world before they woke up. Prancer was in front and off they went. It was a hard job but in the end they did it in 47 minutes. When she arrived back home, she found £23 on her bed. She was so sleepy.

~The End~

There is a really cool tool over on Baby Name Wizardcalled the Name Voyager. If you type in your baby’s name then it will show you how popular that name has been from the 1880s to 2005. It is one way to make sure that not every other child in your kid’s class has the same name as your little darling.

The only drawback is that your chosen name has to have appeared in the top 1000 names at some point during the time period shown.

NB You will need Java to use this tool.

WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc.) has published a list of the 10 most dangerous toys of 2006:

1. Heely’s (those shoes with a wheel in the heel)

These popular shoes, which have “removable” wheels in the heels, turn children’s sneakers into a type of in-line skate. The manufacturer cautions that Heelys “can be dangerous”, yet these items are marketed to children who are unprepared for their associated risks. Moreover, since these “skates” are also marketed as footwear, they are often sold and used without any protective gear.

2. Z Launcher – Water Balloon Launcher

This water balloon “launcher” is marketed as being capable of “turbo launching” water balloons up to 100 feet, with “Direct-hit Accuracy!” A package insert includes warnings such as “[b]e alert, water balloons may travel in unanticipated directions”, and “NEVER” throw at “unsuspecting people” or “at people within 20 feet.” Also, balloons themselves pose a recognized choking hazard in the hands of children.

3. Blossoms Pram Decoration

This “patch of flowery meadow”, consisting of a cord approximately 23.5″ long with attached beads and other small cloth and wooden play items, is sold online and in U.S. retail stores specifically for use on a “stroller or crib”. Nevertheless, the box includes a warning stating: “Do not attach crib or playpen.” Further, a package insert warns that a child “might become entangled in the string, therefore remove string and toy as soon as the child begins to crawl.” The small ball attachments, even if not removed from the cord, present a potential choking hazard for babies.

4. Pyramid Stacker

The Pottery Barn Kids stacking toy, which contains multi-colored tiers, includes pyramid-shaped rigid, wooden parts, intended to be stacked upon a solid-wood dowel. A toddler who falls on the inflexible toy could suffer severe impact injuries. The manufacturer fails to provide any warnings despite marketing the toy for toddlers as young as “12 months”.

5. Bow & Arrow Set

This bow and arrow set includes rubber-tipped “arrows” made of solid wood. The tips, however, are removable, and the rigid, wooden shafts can be propelled with sufficient velocity to potentially cause severe injuries. Weaponry should not be sold as toys for children

6. Zip-ity Do Dolly

Young children are encouraged to engage in seven “learning activities”, including buttoning, zipping and snapping. One version has a red plastic button on the doll’s clothing, attached using only thread, which could be ingested by oral-age children. Once detached, the button fails even the toy industry’s inadequate small parts “choke tube” standard. Another doll has a soft, plush ball attached to the zipper, which also presents a potential choking hazard.

7. Lil Snoopy

Despite the industry’s voluntary standard requiring strings on playpen or crib toys to be less than 12″ in length, some manufacturers continue to market toys such as this “Lil Snoopy” pull toy, with a cord measuring approximately 27″. Sold to be “[y]our child’s very first puppy!”, it is intended for children as young as 12 months old and thus is a prime candidate for cribs and playpens.

8. Superman Lamp

This colorful “lamp” purchased in a toy department, is a molded figurine in the form of the popular comic book and big screen hero Superman. The character comes with warnings which state, in part: “This is an electric product – not a toy! To avoid risk of fire, burns, personal injury and electric shock it should not be played with or placed where small children can reach it.” Incredibly, families are further instructed to “[un]plug the product when leaving the house, when retiring for the night, or if left unattended.” The manufacturer’s proclamation that the figurine is not a toy has little meaning to small children, who may be attracted to the figurine, and thus be exposed to the potential electrical hazard.

9. Sky Blaster

“Sky Blaster” is sold as an “All In One Rocket & Launcher!” The manufacturer warns, among other cautions, not to aim at “the eyes or face of a person as an injury could result”, and further instructs that users must “[a]lert all within range when launching Sky Blaster.” Remarkably, despite these concerns, children are also encouraged to “bend fins … to achieve spinning flights”

10. Fear Factor Candy Challenge

These “Fear Factor” pouches containing “spine-chilling spiders”, “mystery meat”, and a “buzzard buffet”, pose a “candy challenge” to children, asking: “[I]s fear a factor for you?” The grotesque buffet, available in the toy aisle, is based upon the television series which sometimes features contestants competing to eat as much as possible in the shortest time. Toy aisles should not be used to encourage food-eating competitions, which invite potential choking and ingestion injuries, particularly for young children.

There is a heartwarming story in the news today about a mother who has been in a come for two years following a car crash suddenly laughing at her children’s jokes.

The woman’s husband said:

“The kids and I were sitting around the bedside and Mark just began cracking jokes . . . they were just childish things and little family in-jokes but, amazingly, she began to laugh. We couldn’t believe it. It has lifted everyone’s spirits.”

“We had only really ever communicated by nods and smiles before and we hadn’t heard her voice in two years. It was a very emotional moment.”

Isn’t that extraordinary!

My boys have just had their Advent Calendars delivered by their Grandfather and they are very excited. We will go off to buy our Christmas Tree at the weekend and start decorating.

Advent Calendars mark the countdown to Christmas. More accurately, Wikipedia describes the period:

Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. Redemptoris, “the coming of the Saviour”) is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, or Christmas. It is the beginning of the Christian year (except in the Eastern churches, whose year begins on September 1).

You might be interested in having a look at the online advent calendars listed below (but I can’t vouch for the content because I can’t open the doors yet!)

1. Merry Christmas Advent Calendar

2. Episcopal Diocese of Washington Advent Calendar

3. Woodlands Junior School Advent Calendar

4. Artcyclopedia Advent Calendar

5. BBC Bach Christmas Calendar

I don’t know about you, but one of the things I found really difficult about breastfeeding was the feeling of being exposed! Most clothes are not designed with feeding in mind, so you can end up with more skin on show than you would like. If you have a baby in the winter months then this can be a bit chilly.

Now, a company called Mamaway has come up with a whole variety of nursingwear that keeps you covered up. An example of clothing from the site is shown below:

Thanks to Baby Gadget for this top tip. It is certainly one I will be filing away for the future!

This is the title of a new book by millionaire Felix Dennis, who has turned his hand to poetry. His site describes the book as follows:

This wickedly entertaining new anthology sees the multi-millionaire maverick poet draw inspiration from traditional nursery rhymes to re-create modern versions tackling the outrages, niggles and absurdities of everyday life in the 21st century.

Here is a taster:

Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.

Jill sued Jack and Jack sued back,
The judge is going to fine her;
Now the pail’s been sent to jail
For abandoning a minor.

We’ll sue Jack and he’ll sue Jill,
The hill is suing for scandal;
The water says he’ll sue the press –
And everyone’s suing the handle.

It is not really suitable for kids, but it might amuse some parents.

Source:Norad Santa

The Norad Santa Tracker is a really unique site.

It uses satellite technology to tell you the exact moment Santa and his reindeer leave the North Pole on Christmas Eve. It then tracks their journey around the world as Santa delivers presents to all the good girls and boys.

So, if you are at a loose end on Christmas Eve and want to show the kids something really special have a look.