InvitingSmiles Blog

Recently YouTube featured a wedding entrance where the wedding party danced down the aisle. This informal entrance seems to be catching on. This weekend I had the pleasure of witnessing the marriage of my nephew and his new wife. We are usually a formal family, so when the groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids came dancing down the aisle in sunglasses, tuxes, and wedding gowns it was a shocker. However, I must admit, it was fun.

The entrance made everyone relax as we all clapped to the music. Once the wedding party took their places, it was back to tradition. The exchange of vows and the ceremony was beautiful and meaningful. However, the entrance made this wedding fun and memorable.

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Thanks to Charles M. Schulz and his comic strip Peanuts, our little ones are still able to enjoy innocent, cute, age appropriate television with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.

What a fun evening of entertainment starting with this1966 classic television show produced by Bill Meléndez. Make a cute little Halloween treat to eat during the show. Then have some family fun time by carving your own jack-o-lantern.

Charlie Brown will always be a favorite for all ages. So, plan some fun time for the whole family to share. 

Click here for some Pumpkin Decorating Ideas:
http://blog.invitingsmiles.com/?p=237

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Science has once again proven that nature knows best. A study has shown that a mother’s breast milk changes throughout the day. Therefore, not only is breast milk the most nutritious source of food for your baby, the baby should nurse naturally for their ultimate healthy nutrition.

Studies have shown that nucleotides, one of many ingredients in breast milk, affect the baby’s nervous system.  The levels of nucleotides in breast milk change throughout the day. Nighttime feedings have a level of nutrients that help to relax the baby and daytime feedings have an appropriate, natural, level that stimulate the baby.

Therefore, researchers state that for the ultimate health of a baby, breast milk should be fed to the baby at the same time it is expressed, not stored for later use.

www.InvitingSmiles.com

The wedding is over, so now it is time to trash the wedding dress. Photographers are enjoying the new trend to trash the bride’s dress after the wedding. Many brides are choosing these non-traditional photographic opportunities displaying their dress in a ‘messy’ situation.

Pose in your wedding dress knee deep in the ocean, sitting in the mud, covered in paint, or pelted with icing. Photographers are getting creative and the brides love it. Speak to your photographer about this new trend and some opportunities that you may be of interest to you.

For more about wedding photos, click here:
http://www.invitingsmiles.com/wedding-photos.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

It’s time to send out those Halloween party invitations. Be creative and set the mood for a spooky, ghoulish good time.

It’s A Halloween  Party!

Ghosts and Goblins of all sizes can come,
There will treats and eats for everyone!

Shivers, screams and frights galore,
Contests, games, prizes and more!

Be sure to plan a safety-first party.
Watch those costumes and fake hair around lit candles and jack-o-lanterns.
Be sure the littlest ghosts do not find and choke on small candies.
Make sure the pets are safe and secure (some will not like the scary costumes).
 
Click here for some more safety tips to help protect your little ones:
http://blog.invitingsmiles.com/?p=559#more-559

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Word and number puzzles are fabulous ways to entertain your children during long drives, plane rides, or simply during down time.

Print puzzles from on-line, and look in stores for age appropriate puzzles and puzzle books. Many children will grasp a love for word puzzles that they will take with them into adulthood. Word and number puzzles require children to focus, utilize their fine motor skills, and especially use their brain power!

There are many educational alternatives to watching television, or playing video games. Take the time to see what puzzles your child likes best and cater to their interests educationally!

www.InvitingSmiles.com

A toddler falling from a window is more common than we think. You may have heard the recent news of a toddler surviving after falling from a 3rd story window. Most children are not so fortunate. Many traumatic injuries and deaths are reported each year from children falling through windows.

The cooler weather of the spring and fall seasons, often prompt families to open their windows and enjoy the breeze. However, an adventurous and curious toddler can climb on furniture, boxes, or just about anything, and unintentionally push through the window screen.

Here are some safety steps to take:

• Supervise your toddler constantly, especially if there is an open window nearby.

• Do not depend on a window screen for safety. Most screens can be pushed out with little effort.

• Crack the window open slightly, rather than opening it wide.

• Keep climbing items such as furniture away from an open window. However, do not depend on this safety tip. Toddlers are creative. They can push and move blocks, or light-weight furniture and climb on top.

www.InvitingSmiles.com

You may have heard that pregnant women are being encouraged to get the H1N1 Vaccine. This encouragement comes from the many complications pregnant women infected with H1N1 influenza A are having. A few of the severe complications are early labor, pneumonia and death.

Another positive note for receiving the vaccine, is that once the baby is born, and if the mother is nursing, the baby may then get protection through the mother’s milk. This is important because babies under the age of 6 months cannot receive the H1N1 vaccine.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns about receiving this vaccine. It is very important that you make an informed decision as to whether or not you will get this vaccine.

  www.InvitingSmiles.com

Many brides choose to have wedding place cards for their guests seating arrangements at the reception. This is especially nice for sit down dinners.

The place card is usually a flat card, or folded card.

o Display the flat card in a stand, or frame.

o Bi-fold cards are great for two reasons. By writing the name of the guest on both sides of the card, she will know where to sit, and the guests at the table will be able to see her name.

Write out your guest’s full names, including Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.

o Handwrite the names personally, hire a calligrapher, custom print the name from a computer, or order the place cards from a stationery company that will print them for you.

Put the place card at the top of the plate, or lay it on top of the napkin.

There are many choices of paper, font, size, holders, and more. Be sure to choose a place card that fits with your wedding theme and/or decorations!

For more wedding information, click here:
http://www.invitingsmiles.com/wedding-day-titles.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

A Halloween party is probably one of the easiest parties to have. The decoration choices are countless and trick-or-treating takes up much of the entertainment, so your main concern may be creative Halloween dishes.

A very cute idea for serving popcorn: Put a piece of candy corn in each tip of a clear plastic (non-powdered) glove to be the fingernails, and then stuff the glove full of popcorn. Tie the end shut with a Halloween ribbon.

Spooky ice cubes: Add toy spiders, bugs, etc. to your ice cube trays along with the water, and then freeze. Add these spooky ice cubes to drinks. Be sure to choose plastic spiders and bugs that are large enough to not be swallowed once the ice melts. Wash these spooky trinkets well before use.

Orange round crackers can be used in many ways for decorative snacks: add peanut butter and raisin eyes, nose and mouth (or use mini-chocolate morsels) for a jack-o-lantern look. Add stick pretzels as legs for a spider treat.

Choose orange or black colored chips and pre-made desserts that have the Halloween colors. This will be less work for you, but add to the ambiance of your theme.

Research your choices and be creative. Your Halloween party will be a great success!

www.InvitingSmiles.com