Visiting relatives during the Christmas holiday? If you're making a road trip, make plans now to keep the kids entertained along the way. If your vehicle is equipped with a DVD player, you might stock up on some family favorites before you leave. But if it isn't, or you want something a little more fun and interactive, we've got 10 great ideas on how you can pass the time on family road trips.

1.  The Alphabet Game. Pick a topic – animals, for instance – Start with A, and let each person in turn name an animal that begins with a letter of the alphabet. To make things more challenging, ask each person to recite all the animals that have been named so far, as they go along. When you reach Z, begin again with a different topic.

2. The License Plate Game. See how many different state license plates you can spot on your trip. Keep a list of your sightings or before your trip, print out a map of the U.S., and check off each state when you see a vehicle with that plate.

3. Picture it. Give each child an inexpensive disposable camera, and allow them to take photos of anything of interest they see along the way. After the trip, have the photos developed and let each child create their own homemade storybook about their travels.

4. Aluminum foil art. Take along a roll of aluminum foil and let your kids use it to craft their own creations. They might try making jewelry, animal sculptures, hats, cars… the possibilities are as endless as their imaginations!

5. Travel bingo and other games. Pick up a set of travel bingo boards at the local dollar store… the ones with the little red windows that slide across each square as the letters and numbers are called. Or look for other travel games with magnetic pieces that won't get lost.

6. Counting games. Assign each member of the family something specific to count along your route. Think cows, fire trucks, trains, police cars, horses, American flags, etc. Tally up each person's score at every rest stop to see who has the most points.

7. The Drawing Game. Pass around a piece of paper, and let everyone add one line until it forms a picture. When the picture is complete, let the kids color it in.

8. 20 Questions. In this classic game, Player 1 thinks of an object; then the other players, in turn, ask one question at a time to try and guess what it is. But the limit is 20 questions. If they haven't guessed by then, Player 1 wins!

9. Travel totes. This one takes a little advance planning, but it's worth it! Pick up an inexpensive tote bag for each child and fill it with books, crayons, coloring books, a note pad, their favorite portable snacks and treats, and a favorite toy. Each child having their own bag will eliminate back seat battles over whose turn it is to use the crayons next!

10. Roadside attractions and tacky tourist traps. Factor in a little fun along the road by stopping at one offbeat spot: a quirky souvenir stand; a local advertising oddity like a gigantic chicken statue, an unusual roadside museum, or maybe even a diner in the shape of a hot dog. Even a quick pit stop in a fun spot can refresh and revive everyone, and inspire lively conversation for the rest of the trip.

What are some of your family's favorite road trip activities? Share them with us below.

{Thanks to iMOM for the great article}

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I love back to school time. It brings back such great memories from my childhood. Here are a few great books for back to school for young elementary students...all of these we own and love.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Miss Bindergarten Get Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

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Ready or not here it comes - it's time to go back to school!  For most of us, that might mean it's time to get back to a consistent routine. One of the most important daily routines that can be either a relationship-builder or relationship-breaker is bedtime. To make bedtime a relationship-building and bonding time for you and your child, try to do three things:

• Build time into your evening so that you are not rushed to get your child in bed.
• Build independence by training your child to be organized.
• Build relationships as you close the day by sharing thoughts and encouraging words.

iMom has some great "Pillow Talk Discussion" suggestions. Read their suggestions here.

I know, I know...it's only July, but I came across this Homemade Holiday Gift article and I thought that it really could apply year round. I would love to receive a homemade jar of cookie mix as a housewarming gift or birthday gift. It also make a great teacher appreciation gift for when our kiddos go back to school next month! And, of course, I love that my kid's can help!

Makes: 1 mix in a jar; about 3 dozen cookies
Prep: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brownulated sugar
3/4 cup swirled chocolate chips 

Directions:
1. Have ready a clean 1-quart reusable plastic or glass canister.
2. In a medium-size bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Spoon 1 cup of the flour mixture into a second bowl and add cocoa powder and cinnamon. Whisk to mix thoroughly.
3. Begin packing jar for gift: Spoon about half the flour mixture into bottom of jar. Use a small spice jar to lightly compress. Spoon in half the cocoa mixture; compress. Spoon in remaining flour mixture and cocoa mixture, compressing each layer.
4. Top second cocoa layer with granulated sugar and brownulated sugar, compressing each slightly. Pour chips over sugar and seal jar.
5. Write baking instructions on a tag (or print out); secure to jar with ribbon. Baking Instructions: In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) melted and cooled unsalted butter with 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir in contents of jar. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 13 to 14 minutes. Cool on sheets for 1 minute; transfer to rack. Note: Brownulated sugar can be found in your grocery store's baking section.

Click here to read the entire article.

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