LilSugar

Five Budget Friendly Activities For Fall

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:24 PDT

As the pools close down and the heat comes to a halt, so does our repertoire of Summer activities. Hang up your swimsuits and get ready for Autumn! Enjoy the changing seasons, while keeping a little extra change in your pockets with these five budget friendly activities for Fall.

What Are You Most Excited to Do With Your Kids This Summer?

babysugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:00:00 PDT

Schools all over the country are getting ready to close their doors for the next few months. When that final bell rings, teachers and their pupils may celebrate, but some mommies are more concerned with figuring out what to do with their kids during the time. Some families heading to the local pool to soak up the sun or ship their youngsters off to camp.

My working mama always looked forward to taking a couple weeks off for our monumental road trips. I, too, can't wait to pack up my wee ones for a family holiday that will include hiking, swimming, and biking. What are you most excited to do with your children this Summer?

Weekend Well-Being: Let's Go Fly a Kite!

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:30:00 PDT

April is National Kite Month, and I think we should all celebrate this high flying holiday.

Twenty minutes of kite flying burns about 100 calories, so imagine how many you can burn kite flying for an entire afternoon. Meditating on the beauty of a colorful kite as it dances in the wind is bound to alleviate unhealthful stress. You can find an event in your area using this database. Pack a picnic, pack up the kids, and head out to a windy spot to enjoy some kite flying.

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Mamma Mia! Invites Families to Sing it!

LilSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:00:07 PDT

If you have a family that thinks that life's a musical, there's a fabulous and kid-friendly activity that will have you all straining your vocal cords. Take them to the limits and let the kids go wild at the Mamma Mia!: The Sing-Along Edition, which opens in select theaters today. This special version of the movie lists the lyrics to each musical number on screen. And, there's no need to keep your tot's toes from tapping because dancing is encouraged, as is belting out ABBA songs. To see if the show is available in your area, click here.

The Family Dinner - How Often Does It Really Happen in Your Home?

Lisa Horten — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:13:15 PDT

Like all good intentions (especially those pertaining to parenting, it seems), the family dinner is a concept that's great in theory but difficult in execution. If your kids are little, then you're likely to be walking a tight line between dinner and bedtime. Then, as they get older, sports practices and after-school activities get in the way. And that's not even factoring in Mom and Dad's professional, social, and otherwise time-consuming obligations.

Anyway, we "get it," so we're hoping you'll share . . . Exactly how often does your entire family sit down and eat dinner together? Let us know in the poll below, and share your additional thoughts, frustrations, tips, and tricks on the matter below. No judgment - we promise!

Find Out More About Virgin Olympian Lolo Jones

Tara Block — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:23:37 PDT

Track and field star Lolo Jones isn't an Olympic virgin, considering she competed in the 2008 games, but she is a virgin in the traditional sense. You might think that an almost-30-year-old virgin would not advertise the fact that she's never had sex, but Olympian Lori "Lolo" Jones isn't shy about her virginity. Later-in-life virgins have a new celebrity role model in 29-year-old Lolo, as she's been opening up in interviews and on Twitter about online dating difficulties and keeping her V-card until marriage. On HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel, the hurdle jumper said:

"This journey has been hard. It's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Harder than training for the Olympics. Harder than studying for college has been staying a virgin before marriage. I've been tempted. I've had guys tell me . . . 'Hey, you know, if you have sex, it'll help you run faster.' If you marry me, then yeah."

Keeping her virginity hasn't been the only hurdle Lolo has had to overcome. She grew up bouncing from school to school with a single mom who had to work multiple jobs to support her family, even living in a church basement at one point. After splitting from her family to pursue her track-and-field dreams, Lolo went on to excel in school and to become the accomplished Olympian she is today. Now, Lolo gives back to those in need with her charitable activities and involvement in Christian ministries. She definitely proves that you don't have to be having sex to be a strong, sexy woman to watch.

See more pics of Lolo in action and on the red carpet now!

Isla Fisher Hits the Beach With Olive and Elula in Cannes

Lauren Turner — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:14:00 PDT

Isla Fisher took her daughters to the beach in Cap d'Antibes yesterday. Isla played in the sand with Olive and Elula before heading to a merry-go-round, where she snapped pictures of her girls on the ride. The trio kicked off their South of France activities on Wednesday, when they checked out a local park. It hasn't been all family fun for Isla though, since she's in town to promote Rise of the Guardians at the Cannes Film Festival. Isla joined her costars for a Q&A session earlier this week and was back out enjoying the festival scene last night. She partied at Calvin Klein's bash with Naomi Watts, Diane Kruger, and more. Isla's husband Sacha Baron Cohen already made his mark in Cannes with a ridiculous photo op as his Dictator character, but he's since moved on to promoting the comedy in NYC.

An Inside Look at Molly Sims's Baby Shower

Kate Stahl — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:12:36 PDT

Molly Sims has less than a month to go until her baby boy arrives, and her friends and family celebrated her coming attraction with a glam, sunny shower. The garden lunch included some amazing shower activities, Layla Grayce goodie bags for guests, and lots of love showered on the mom-to-be. Keep clicking to check out the party and beautiful, stylish Molly.

Source: Gia Canali

Dog, Meet Baby: The All-Important First Introduction

Lisa Horten — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:04:33 PDT

You've done everything you can to prep your pup for that major life event on the horizon. Now all that's left is to play your role as mediator during the crucial first meeting of your beloved canine child and your newborn. A baby who's just a few days old is unlikely to have any reaction to his new four-legged sibling, but the dog? That's another story. To ensure that the first introduction goes as smoothly as possible, follow these easy guidelines from the one and only dog whisperer, Cesar Millan.

Get Rid of Excess Energy: Take your dog on a long walk to use up energy before bringing him or her in to meet the new baby. Before returning to the house, wait at the doorstep for a minute, and make sure the dog's mood is calm and submissive.
Scent-sational: Give your pup a minute to sniff around. He'll instantly recognize the new scent in the house, and if you've introduced an item of the baby's beforehand, then the dog will already be accustomed to it.
It's Go Time: When the actual introduction occurs, Mom or Dad should be holding the baby. It's important that the parents' state be calm yet assertive. Allow the dog to sniff the baby, becoming familiar with him or her from a distance.
Earn Their Trust: During the first meeting, keeping a respectful distance between the dog and newborn is important. Gradually, however, the dog can be allowed closer and closer to the baby. Using this method establishes the baby as another "pack leader" to your pup.
Then What? As the baby becomes more active and interested in his or her surroundings, it's crucial that all interactions be supervised by a parent. Just as the dog needs to maintain a respectful distance from the baby, it's equally imperative that the baby know not to bother the dog, pull on its tail, poke its eyes, and the like. But do your best to make sure that your dog still receives plenty of attention and affection. Try to maintain the daily routine of walks, praise, and regular feeding times. This will ensure that your dog feels secure as part of the newly expanded family.

Source: Hanna Mac

6 Fun and Frugal Activities to Do With Mom on Mother's Day

Emily Co — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:54:00 PDT

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday and if you're thinking of spending the day with her but want to do something more intimate and personal, here are a few fun and frugal ideas:

Movie Marathon. Kick back and relax with Mom by indulging in a movie marathon. Pick movies with a mother-daughter theme or her favorite classics. Make some homemade popcorn or mix a few margaritas for the both of you.
Hit the Trails. There's nothing like a walk to clear the mind and enjoy a breath of fresh air. Make plans to take a walk in a park or go to hiking trails nearby. Your mom will definitely appreciate the natural surroundings and the fresh air.
Sporting Activity. Is Mom fond of a game of tennis or a round of golf? If your mom favors a particular sport, try to set it up so both of you can participate in it this weekend.
Re-Create a Favorite Restaurant Meal. Eating in restaurants can be pricey and if you need to give your wallet a break, re-create your mom's favorite restaurant meal instead of taking her to it. She'll appreciate the effort and creativity.
Game Night. Get your whole family together and organize game night on Saturday or Sunday. Play games like Mafia or whatever board game you own at home. Poker is another option as well if your mom enjoys playing it.
Go to the Museum. If Mom enjoys art, science, or history, you can take her to one of the museums in town on Sunday. It's a nice way to spend the day with her and you can get to know each others taste and thoughts on a deeper level as you analyze each exhibit.

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