Baby Shower Food & Refreshments

A buffet-style serving area makes shower refreshments easily accessible.

With the typical baby shower lasting at least a couple of hours, it's necessary and simply nice to provide your guests with refreshments. Whether you serve a full meal, snacks or just a cake depends on factors like your budget, the length of the shower and the style of the event. Finalize the shower menu early in the planning process so you'll have time to pick up the necessary ingredients and prepare the food. Does this Spark an idea?

Timing

The time of the shower plays a role in deciding what to serve. Afternoon showers are popular, but you can also host the celebration in the morning, at traditional meal times or in the evening. If you schedule the shower for a typical meal time, your guests will expect a more substantial menu. A morning shower lends itself well to a brunch menu. A mix of lunch-time favorites like finger sandwiches and pasta salads, along with breakfast fare like quiche and muffins, creates a suitable brunch menu for a shower. For showers taking place between meals, a suitable option is to serve appetizers or snacks in addition to a cake or other sweet treat, but you can go with just a cake if you prefer.

Venue

The location of the shower is a consideration when planning your menu. A shower held at a restaurant or tea room eases the food planning because the venue provides the food, but you'll have to expect to pay more for this option. Some party halls and similar party venues provide catering services; check to see if you're required to use their caterer or if you can bring in your own food. A home shower gives you total freedom to prepare the menu of your choice. Cook the food yourself to save money or hire a caterer to save time and effort.

Presentation

A self-serve approach allows guests to pick the types and amounts of food and beverages they want, while saving you the time and effort of serving everyone individually. Set up a buffet area on a table or countertop so everyone can easily access the offerings. Cover the buffet table with a tablecloth that matches the shower's color theme and add decorations to dress it up. A simple centerpiece or streamers draped above the food area work well.

Beverages

Food isn't the only detail to plan for the refreshments. Offer an assortment of beverages for the party guests, as well. Punch is a traditional option for showers, but you don't have to limit yourself to this drink. Juice, tea, coffee and soda are other typical beverage options. Set up a beverage area with cups and ice so guests can help themselves at any time. If you'd like to serve fancy cocktails, make them non-alcoholic so the guest of honor can enjoy them, as well. For a casual shower, arrange various canned or bottled beverages in a tub of ice next to the food service area.

Tags: brunch menu, expect more, just cake, menu shower, time effort, your guests

Children'S Birthday Party Ideas For Columbus Ohio

The location of the birthday party makes a difference in Ohio.

The right locations for a child's birthday party makes the day memorable and enjoyable. In Columbus, Ohio, the time of the year when the birthday falls becomes an issue. Public parks and pavilions are often covered with snow in the winter. When home is not an option, select a place in the area appropriate for children. Make it a day to remember. Does this Spark an idea?

Magic Mountain Fun Centers East

For a very active spring, summer or early fall birthday, Magic Mountain Fun Centers is an option. The center offers miniature golf, batting cages, bumper cars and go-carts to get the party started. A video arcade and kids play gym area is on site for free time during the party. Birthday packages are available with advance reservations. Parties include food, unlimited drinks, plates, utensils, napkins, hats and party favors. Guest invitations are available through the service along with a gift for the guest of honor. A hostess is available to set-up the party and serve the children. Access to the play gym area and rounds of miniature golf are included in the party package. There is a minimum amount of guests required.

Magic Mountain Fun Centers East

5890 Scarborough Blvd., Columbus, OH 43232

(614) 840-9600

magicmountainfuncenter.com

The Terrorfest

A late fall birthday benefits children who enjoy a good scare. Terrorfest is an annual event running from September to October at one of Columbus, Ohio's scariest places. This outing is actually two events in one. A visit to a haunted house includes the Butcher's Realm and The Brewery Butcher. Each area is a nonstop show of frightening moments. 3-D experiences are offered in the Butcher's Realm area. This is not a event for very young children. No special group rates are offered, but coupons for discount tickets are available on request. The event is completely indoors, doing away with any worries about the fall weather.

The Terrorfest

477 S. Front Street, Columbus, Oh 43215

(614) 949-0733

theterrorfest.com/flash/main.html

Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park

Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park let's a child celebrate a summertime birthday any time of the year. With four areas and levels of water play, this park has something for every age. Prepare to get wet. The park offers full birthday packages including free admission for the guest of honor and two chaperones. Parties are held in a private room and free party invitations can be downloaded from the park's website. Cake and arcade coins are included in the package price.

Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark

4560 Hilton Corporate Drive

Columbus, OH 43232

(877) 337-7527

fortrapids.com

Tags: Columbus Ohio, Fort Rapids, Fort Rapids Indoor, Magic Mountain, Magic Mountain Centers, Mountain Centers, Rapids Indoor

Decorating For An Hawaiin Luau

Decorating is part of the fun when having a luau.

A luau is a traditional outdoor Hawaiian feast that began in 1819 by King Kamehameha II. Since that time, the luau has become a popular form of Hawaiian celebration, and it is something that even a non-Hawaiians can enjoy in their own backyards. If you are planning a party, a luau is a fun, unique way to gather with friends and family. Preparing for the luau is half the fun of throwing one, especially if you know the right way to turn your backyard into a Hawaiian paradise. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Buy outdoor torches for your yard. Depending on the quality and whether you want them for long or short term, bamboo tiki torches can be purchased at party supply stores, department or home improvement stores. Place your torches around your yard for an authentic luau atmosphere either day or night. In the evening, light the tikis for dramatic effect.

2. Put out fake palm trees. Hawaii has palm trees in abundance, so you'll want to give your yard and house a tropical feel by setting up palm trees in various locations. Purchase plastic, hanging or cut-out palm trees.

3. Decorate with tropical flowers. Buy real or artificial flowers in bright colors such as pink, orange, red and yellow. Place them on tables and in various locations indoors and out, such as the bathroom and walkways. Have a basket of flowers for your female guests' hair and another basket of leis to pass out to all of your guests.

4. Arrange your tables. Use long banquet tables covered in Hawaiian tablecloths or brightly colored cloth. Buy raffia or grass table skirts and place them around the edges of the tables. Create centerpieces using fresh pineapples and coconuts. Place plumeria blooms, leaves and candles down the center of the table for a decorative runner.

5. Give your outdoor furniture a Hawaiian feel. Cover outdoor umbrellas with thatch covers. Sprinkle sand on your patio to give the feel of walking on the beach. Set out bamboo or rattan furniture if you own it or borrow from someone who does. Place Hawaiian print cushions or seat coverings on chairs and chaise lounges.

6. Add fun, quirky accessories. Set out surf boards and plastic or cardboard hula dancers. Drape a rope fishnet over bushes and hang a large plastic parrot from an awning. If you have a pool, float flowers and floating candles; light the candles for an evening luau.

Tags: palm trees, your yard, various locations

Breakfast Restaurants In Maui

Breakfast specialties can be found at several Maui restaurants.

Maui, Hawaii, the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is known for its beautiful beaches and natural beauty and aloha spirit. Visitors will find world-class resorts, fine dining restaurants as well as small, quaint dining establishments serving local cuisine with Asian and Polynesian influences. Several restaurants in Maui are best known for their breakfast menus offering traditional American fare as well as traditional Hawaiian dishes.

Kihei Cafe

Located on the southwest shore of Maui, Kihei Cafe serves breakfast and lunch from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Breakfast items may be ordered all day, while lunch dishes are served from 11 a.m. until close. Kihei Cafe's breakfast offerings include several Hawaii dishes, such as loco moco--two eggs, ground beef patty and brown gravy served over rice--and pork fried rice and scrambled eggs. French toast or waffles may be served in tropical style flavors of banana macadamia nut or pineapple coconut. Local coffee is also served.

Kihei Caffe

1945 South Kihei Rd.

Kihei, HI 96753

808-879-2230

kiheicaffe.com

Castaway Cafe

Located in Kaanapali, a mere 10 feet away from the beach, Castaway Cafe is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast specials include local dishes, such as loco moco and a variety of tropical fruit as well as traditional favorites, such as steak and eggs and Denver omelets. A local standard juice blend, P.O.G--pineapple, orange and guava--is available along with pancakes served with macadamia nuts, pineapples or bananas. The cafe also offers a house made cinnamon raisin French toast.

Castaway Cafe

45 Kai Ala Dr.

Lahaina, HI 96761

808-661-9091

castawaycafe.com

Tasty Crust

Located five miles from Kahului airport in Wailuku, Tasty Crust has been open for more than half a century. Breakfast service begins daily at 6 a.m. and the restaurant accepts only cash or ATM cards. Diners may choose from traditional breakfast items, such as bacon and eggs or local favorites like fried rice with an egg. Meat options vary from ham, Vienna sausage, linguica to Spam. Self-advertised as "World Famous Pancakes," banana or regular pancakes may be ordered as short stacks and mini.

Tasty Crust

1770 Mill St.

Wailuku, HI 96793

808-244-0845

tastycrust.com

Duke's Beach House

Located in Lahaina in the Honua Kai Resort and Spa, Duke's Beach House serves cuisine focusing on fresh and local ingredients. From the Maui grown coffee to a Maui grown fruit platter to locally farmed organic eggs, Duke's philosophy is "Farm to Fork." Diners may choose from waffles, pancakes and French toast as well as a variety of egg dishes, such as omelets and Benedicts. The open air restaurant also serves lunch and dinner daily.

Duke's Beach House

130 Kai Malina Pkwy.

Lahaina, HI 96761

808-662-2900

dukesmaui.com

Tags: Beach House, Castaway Cafe, dishes such, Duke Beach, Duke Beach House

Costume Dress Up Ideas

There are many great costume and dress-up ideas for kids and adults to use for Halloween, parties or just for fun. Some of the best dress-up costumes are fancy, and some are easy to make and give you more bang for your dollar.

For Kids at Parties

A kids' Halloween party is a lot of fun when you have a great costume. So, for these events why not get an elaborate costume a kid will love? One idea is a pirate costume. These can be very elaborate with fancy hats, shirts, pants and swords. Make them even better with face paint, an eye patch and a treasure chest or a string of jewels. Pirates can also be girls too, so it is perfect for the boy or girl.

Home Made Ideas

Want a better homemade idea? It's a better strategy if you want to spend time with your kids and give them a sense of accomplishment. A rock star is one costume idea they will love. It can be made by cutting out a guitar shape from cardboard and then using paint to color the body black, and put in a fret board. You can then use an old shirt, and some jeans for the main costume. Use facial paint to create a tattoo, and then gel up the hair for a rocker hairdo.

For Adults

For the adult party, you can use a number of themes like professions. How about a doctor or sexy nurse costume. An airline stewardess, or mechanic are two other choices. Another option is to combine two costume ideas like a vampire mechanic or a werewolf doctor. That makes the costume fun and interesting. Use a real doctor costume that you can buy at a costume store, but add a werewolf mask, facial makeup and fur to make yours come to life. The same can be done for the mechanic, nurse and stewardess. Just add fangs, some makeup and a cape, and you are a vampire professional.

Tags: great costume, will love

Army Care Package List

Army Care Package List

Most soldiers will tell you their favorite part of the day, from boot camp until the end of their hitch, is mail call. The troops relish news from home. Care packages filled with goodies are like gold--savored, treasured and lingered over. Unlike gold, they are also generally shared. When sending a gift package to your soldier, consider his friends. Part of caring for your soldier is caring for the men and women who will protect him in battle, so send plenty to go around.

Toiletries

By today's standards, personal hygiene goes far beyond the generic. As teenagers, even young men have scents they prefer, brands they value over others. Send personal care items that cater to the tastes of your particular soldier. Some of the items to consider are: anti-perspirant, shower gel, aftershave, foot powder, body powder, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste and baby wipes (individual packets, not tubs). If your care package is going to a female soldier, consider expressly female needs such as feminine hygiene products and things to help her feel pretty even in combat attire.

Snacks

Non-perishable items make the best care package foodstuffs. The snacks most requested by service personnel include sunflower seeds, beef jerky, energy bars, peanuts, hard candy, powdered electrolyte-replacement drink mix and chewing gum.

Down-time Activities

One of the biggest problems plaguing deployed soldiers is boredom during down-time. Comic books, magazines, puzzle books, paper backs and hacky-sacs are great items for combatting the boredom. If your soldier has access to a DVD player, send him some movies.

Useful Items

Prepaid phone cards, AA batteries and zip-lock freezer bags are also great items to include in a care package.

What Not to Send

There are three big no-nos when mailing a care package to military personnel. Never send liquor, pornography or explosives.

Tags: your soldier, Army Care, Army Care Package, care package, care package

Food Theme Ideas

Liven up the party with a food theme.

Food is an important feature of most parties. Not only can it serve as a focal point, but it can double as a decoration and help define a party's theme. Even if your not throwing a party, a food theme can bring some excitement to the family dinner table and bring a smile to the children's' faces. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Tropical Theme

A tropical food theme could include an exotic fruit salad, ham and pineapple or seafood kabobs, chicken with pineapple salsa, mango crab and Hawaiian pizza. For dessert, consider serving coconut mango cheesecake, rum cake or banana bread. Drink ideas include pina coladas and tropical punch.

Cultural Theme

A food theme could consists of dishes from a specific culture. Examples include Mexican, Moroccan, Italian, Chinese, and Indian.

Mini Theme

A mini theme consists of foods that are small, like finger foods. This is a great idea for a child's birthday or a baby shower. Ideas include mini burgers, mini quiches, mini spring rolls and mini pizzas. Dessert ideas include bite-sized brownies, mini doughnuts and mini cookies.

Color Theme

A color theme consists of various foods of the same color. This is a great idea for food that is being served at a party that is using a specific color theme. For example, an engagement party with a brown and pink theme could consist of salmon on brown bread, pink mashed potatoes with food coloring, and sauteed mushrooms on top of pasta with pink-dyed alfredo sauce. Dessert ideas include pink cakes, chocolate truffles, pink bubble gum, brownies, cookies with pink and brown chocolate chips and watermelon. For drinks, consider serving hot chocolate, coffee, and pink smoothies and martinis.

Tags: food theme, theme could, color theme, consider serving, Dessert ideas, Dessert ideas include

Beach Theme For A Kids Birthday Ideas

A beach theme for a kids birthday party is popular whether you take the party to the beach or bring the beach to the party at home. Adults and kids of all ages tend to love the fun, sun and sand that comes with a beach-themed birthday celebration. Does this Spark an idea?

Invitations

Get the ball rolling with themed invitations. Put scroll-like invitations into empty water bottles for a message-in-a-bottle attention-getter. Or use a permanent marker to write details on deflated beach balls that guests will have to inflate to read. For something a bit more traditional, try making beach-themed paper cutouts of starfish, beach pails or shovels as invitations. For added fun, punch a hole in the corner and tie on a pair of inexpensive sunglasses.

Decorations

If your party isn't at the beach, turn your yard into the next best thing with several wading pools and plenty of beach toys in a sandbox. Welcome guests with plenty of beach-themed shapes cut from poster board on the front door and fence. In the yard or on the beach, remember the beach chairs and umbrellas. Instead of a table cloth, use brightly colored beach towels. Sand pails, sea shells and even live fish in small fishbowls are centerpieces that complete the look.

Activities

Hold a water balloon toss. Turn a scavenger hunt into a beach hunt and use empty water bottles to hold clues. Have a water war using buckets and hoses. For a beach twist on musical chairs, put a pile of beach towels in the center numbering one fewer than the guests and play beach themed music. Have the children dance around the towels until the music stops, at which point they each grab a towel and make like a sun-bather. The child without a towel is out and one towel is removed each round. If you're lucky enough to hold the party at the beach, hold a volleyball tournament or sand sculpture contest. Kids also enjoy crafts like gluing small shells to inexpensive picture frames or making beach necklaces from colorful plastic straws.

Refreshments

Cut up fresh, tropical fruit and have children use skewers to make fruit kabobs. Hot dogs and hamburgers are beach favorites, so be sure to include them on the party menu. Have plenty of fish-shaped crackers available. Make slushies by freezing lemonade, then running it through a blender and pouring into beach-themed cups. For a beach-themed homemade cake, start with a double-layered cake. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top of frosting for sand and then lay out small, thin strips of taffy-like candy as miniature beach towels. Place teddy bear-shaped crackers on each 'towel' and add paper umbrellas.

Favors

Send party goers home with a bit of the beach by giving out inexpensive beach pails and shovels, sunglasses, beach towels, or sun hats as favors. Young children will enjoy colorful beads, candy necklaces and beach-themed stickers.

Tags: beach towels, party beach, beach pails, beach pails shovels, empty water, empty water bottles

Game Places For Kids In Dallas

There are many places for kids in Big D.

Golf, bumper boats and arcade games are all activities that youngsters love to indulge in. Of course, most people do not have such equipment in their own backyards. Parents living in or simply visiting the Dallas area, must check out one of these exciting venues, guaranteed to keep the kids entertained.

Adventure Landing

Bring the children to Adventure Landing (adventurelanding.com) to engage in a plethora of activities. Consider purchasing a season pass for miniature golf if that is what you and your children love to play. An arcade with over 80 games is available, as are go-karts, bumper boats and a batting cage. Children can build their own teddy bear at this establishment as well. Laser tag is another exciting option for the youngsters.

Dave and Busters

With two locations in Dallas, on both Composite Drive and Walnut Hill Lane, you have options wherever you are in the city. Dave and Busters (daveandbusters.com) offers power cards so that you can save your points for the next time you go to the gaming center. They have arcade games as well as simulation games on motorcycles and cars. At the end of the day, bring your power card to the Winner's Circle to get some prizes.

Main Event Entertainment

Let your children engage in a wide array of activities at Main Event Entertainment. Bowling features include traditional bowling, as well as automatic bumpers for the little ones and laser bowling times. Head over to the arcade for over 100 games or take a ride on the virtual roller coaster. Other activities available at the arcade are rock climbing, laser tag and a glow golf area that is appropriate for both the most and least skilled golfers.

300

Head to the bowling alley, 300 (threehundred.com) for a day or night of pure bowling. On Monday and Tuesday nights, take the whole family out as they have unlimited bowling for $15 per person from 6pm until closing time. Consider booking a birthday party for little ones at the lane. Make sure to pay attention to the time that you go. No one under the age of 21 is allowed in after 10 p.m. unless they are bowling with a group or a family.

Tags: Adventure Landing, arcade games, bumper boats, Dave Busters, Event Entertainment, little ones, Main Event

About Hotel Deals

Hotel deals are reduced room prices that are generally found through discount Internet travel agencies or strategic booking times.

Time Frame

Hotel deals are most often the result of a hotel not filling to occupancy. While hotel deals may be found year round, one of the most common times for hotel deals to appear is during the months of August and September. Rooms are in less demand during this time because school terms start during these months, making it an inopportune time for families with children or college students to travel. Also, August and September are unpleasantly hot for tropical areas and are the height of hurricane season, making them unfavorable choices for travelers.

Types

One of the most common ways to find hotel deals is to search through the various online travel agencies. Priceline.com, Expedia.com, Hotwire.com, and Travelocity.com are the most popular sites on the Internet for locating discounted hotel rates and usually feature price reductions of 15 to 40 percent.

Warning

Using the Internet to locate hotel deals can be unpredictable and frustrating for travelers. For instance, the Priceline.com and Hotwire.com websites became famous for their "name your own price" programs. Customers enter the price they are looking to pay for a hotel room, and the website returns the possibilities for hotels that match that price. The potential source for frustration is that the website doesn't reveal to the customer the identity of the hotel until the customer completely checks out and signs a no-cancellation policy. If the customer is unhappy with the hotel that matches her price, it is too late to cancel and rebook.

Considerations

However, there are other ways to take advantage of hotel deals, like making your reservation directly with the hotel far ahead or just before your vacation dates. Booking your stay with a hotel between six and nine months in advance is a common strategy used to earn a rate deal, as the hotel is usually not close to occupancy that far in advance. Similarly, many travelers find great hotel deals by booking their rooms less than a week before their vacation. Using this strategy, customers are able to take advantage of any remaining occupancies at a discounted rate. However, it is risky method because there is no guarantee there will be any occupancies left.

Potential

Another effective way to lock in a hotel deal is to book a hotel room as part of a travel package. Many travel agencies and resorts partner with air carriers to offer discounts when the customer buys airfare and hotel occupancy at the same time.

Tags: hotel deals, travel agencies, with hotel, August September, Hotel deals

Acting Schools For Kids

Acting classes help kids overcome shyness and prepare for acting careers.

Acting classes can help kids gain self-confidence, overcome shyness, become more outgoing and speak in front of a group. Whether a child wants to become an actor or just wants a creative outlet, acting classes can promote imagination. While many cities and towns offer acting schools for children, the most prominent are located in the thriving art scenes of major cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

TVI Actors Studio

TVI Actors Studio has both New York and Los Angeles locations. The New York office offers an extensive range of classes taught by professional actors, casting directors, and talent agents. A hosting class teaches kids the skills needed be an effective host by connecting with the audience and expressing personality. A stand-up comedy improv class teaches kids to think on their feet and be spontaneous, a useful skill whether they envision a future in acting or not. The auditioning classes walk children through the steps of auditioning for a role. Additional classes include studies in commercials, primetime TV, monologue and three levels of acting classes. An agent evaluation series enables students to showcase their skills for and be evaluated by industry agents.

TVI Actors Studio

165 West 46th St., Suite 509

New York City, NY 10036

212-302-1900

tvistudios.com

The Young Actor’s Studio

The Young Actor’s Studio was founded in 1996 by Jeff Alan-Lee, who has coached many talented actors, including Shia LaBeouf and Scarlett Johansson. The studio aims to bring out each child's own character. The kids' acting class pushes kids to trust their instincts and move without effort on stage. In the summer camp, kids have four weeks to work on a role that is create specifically for them. A class on acting on camera teaches kids to use their own personal individuality to drive demand in film and television.

The Young Actor’s Studio

5215 Lankershim Blvd.

Los Angeles, California 90002

310-281-7545

youngactorsstudio.com

Acting Studio Chicago

Acting Studio Chicago was founded in 1981 by Jane Brody, a Los Angeles transplant. The school's Saturday boot camps allow kids to spend mornings working on scene study and devote afternoons to the technical aspects of acting. A 10-week course on camera technique shows kids how improvisational and theater games can help build their imaginations and allow them to connect with the audience. Commercial workshops allow kids ages 12 and up to experience what it's like to go out on auditions for commercials by participating in mock auditions and learning audition protocol. Summer clinics provide a more intense atmosphere, where kids learn about monologues, cold reading, on-camera etiquette and business skills. At the end of the week, kids participate in a showcase for industry professionals such as agents, casting directors and theater directors.

Acting Studio Chicago

10 W. Hubbard Street, Suite 2E

Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 527-4566

http://www.actingstudiochicago.com

Tags: Acting Studio, Acting Studio Chicago, Actor’s Studio, Actors Studio, Studio Chicago

14th Birthday Ideas

A trip to an amusement park is an appropriate 14th birthday outing.

A 14th birthday is not a landmark birthday like 18 or 21--no special privileges like voting or legally consuming alcohol go along with turning 14 years old. Still, the 14th birthday, like every birthday, is worth celebrating because it means another year of life. Use creativity and thoughtfulness to offer age-appropriate birthday ideas. Does this Spark an idea?

Amusement Park

Amusements parks offer many attractions that are appealing to 14-year-olds, such as roller coasters, water rides and carnival games. A group outing for family members of friends of the birthday teen is an appropriate activity to celebrate a 14th birthday. Many amusement parks offer special group rates and VIP passes. The VIP access allows ticketholders to skip to the front of lines for rides and gives priority seating at restaurants, among other benefits. The gathering of friends and family, the rides and such special treatment combine to make a memorable way to celebrate a 14th birthday.

Concert

For many teenagers, music is a large part of their lives. Purchase concert tickets for the 14-year-old and a small number of friends and family members who are close in age. Select a concert that features musical artists the 14-year-old likes. Give the birthday teen the independence she desires by allowing her to view the concert with her friends without a parent in tow. Some venues offer special areas for parents to wait for their children. If you are also interested in the musical act or would like to monitor the 14-year-old more closely, purchase a seat near the teenagers.

House Party

A supervised house party is an appropriate way to celebrate a 14th birthday. School friends, neighbor children and family members who will not embarrass the 14-year-old can be the invitees. Parents should go through the guest list with the teenager and make final decisions on who is invited. The Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base discourages parents from having alcohol at parties for minors (to do so is illegal), and also advises that parents purchase liability insurance in case of accidents during the party. Provide desserts and figure foods that the 14-year-old likes. Plan the menu beforehand. Explain all house rules to guests, such as removing shoes or not entering certain parts of the home.

Tags: 14th birthday, 14th birthday, celebrate 14th, celebrate 14th birthday, family members, 14-year-old likes, birthday like

Food Of Hawaii

When people think of Hawaiian food, one of the first things that may come to mind is the pineapple. Hawaiian foods include a variety of pork and seafood dishes as well as breads, rice and coconut.

Kalua Pua'a

Kalua pua'a is roast pork seasoned with sea salt and green onions; it is usually prepared as a whole pig roasted in an underground oven.

Poke

Poke is raw fish that has been cut up and seasoned. Seasonings may include sea salt, onions, soy sauce, tomato. Poke may be marinated in lemon juice or lime juice.

Tuna

Tuna is very versatile and therefore used in many Hawaiian dishes. The most common types of tuna used are albacore, yellowfin and skipjack. Tuna can be grilled, sautéed or chopped and added to other dishes, like poke.

Lomilomi Salmon

Lomilomi salmon is salmon cut up into small pieces. It may be seasoned with onions and tomatoes.

Taro Rolls

Taro rolls are made from taro flour, which gives the rolls a purple color.

Other Common Foods

Hawaiians enjoy salads, sweet potatoes, pineapple, mango, papaya, barbecued shrimp or steak, and crab claws on ice.

Tags: seasoned with

Autocratic Management Styles

Autocratic managers are often compared to political leaders-autocrats such as Adolf Hitler.

Autocratic management is the form of leadership that enables managers to make decisions unilaterally. Such leaders do not inquire about the consent and the considerations of subordinates and do whatever they feel is necessary in order to achieve a goal. In relation to treatment of subordinates, there are two types of autocratic management -- Directive Autocrat and Permissive Autocrat leaders.

Positive Effects

Professor Jacqueline C. Mancall, specialist in the psychology of leadership, explains that autocratic managers have the power to control a confident business structure. If properly exercised by a skillful manager, this management style might contribute to successfully running a business because the less control people have over the decision-making process, the less likely it is for fraud to occur in a business structure.

Negative Effects

Autocratic management has been a subject by severe criticism by management specialists such as Derek Breton. He explains that such leaders are over-confident and likely to make the wrong decisions because they have no respect for the opinion of their subordinates. In a rapidly evolving market environment, managers need to take into account of the expertise of skillful subordinates and thus make the best decision for the company. Autocratic managers lead business activities according to their own considerations and often ignore the expertise of their employees.

Economist Mark Van Vugt also states that autocratic management might lead to instability in the working environment. By not counting on the opinions of their subordinates, autocrats can place extreme hardship on employees in a company. Their subordinates often lack the motivation to contribute to the business structure because they feel suppressed and underestimated by their leaders. Autocrats are often compared to political figures such as the Italian leader Mussolini.

Directive Autocrats

A directive autocrat is a manager who makes decision unilaterally and without the consent of his employees. He closely supervises the work of his subordinates in order to make sure that the tasks he has imposed are being completed. Such a directive autocrat might consider the workforce he has and the potential of further development by observing his subordinates, but would not inquire about their views on any further business activity.

Permissive Autocrats

The permissive autocrats again make decisions without inquiring about the opinions of subordinates. However, such managers leave some discretion to their employees as to the means through which a task can be achieved. This is a more democratic concept of the autocratic management style. It favors some extent of decision-making among the subordinates and might contribute to a more successful relationship between leaders and employees.

Tags: business structure, autocratic management, because they, compared political, explains that, inquire about

Free Ideas For Family Reunion

Family reunions are about more than food!

A family reunion can be the highlight of the summer, giving family near and wide a chance to visit and chat about the past, present and future. If you've found yourself nominated to plan the reunion, you may be stymied coming up with reunion ideas that are free. You'll be pleased to learn you're not the first to face this dilemma, and resources are available for ideas for a family reunion. Does this Spark an idea?

Photograph Table

When you send out your family reunion invitations, ask each person to bring several of their oldest photographs, with a brief description of who, why, where and when the photo was taken. Set up a special display table, and sort the photos by family branches if your reunion is extensive. If possible, have a scanner on hand so family members can share these keepsakes as well as a notepad so that family members can exchange addresses if they wish a copy at a later date.

Memorabilia Display

Great Grandma's flat iron, Great Aunt Olga's butter dish, a tool that Great Great Grandpa made: compile a display of portable antiques from all family members. If they have a photo of the house or town where the item was used, ask them to include it and to write a display note about the history of the item, when it was used, what it was used for and how they came to be in possession. You'll have the cousins chatting for hours.

Chamber of Commerce

Contact both the city and the county Chamber of Commerce where the reunion will be held. Explain your mission, and ask for handouts for the appropriate number of adult attendees at your family reunion. Maps, area historical attractions, shopping and recreation will all be at your fingertips, often in a complimentary gift bag and sometimes with free samples and postcards from the local area.

Family and Local Historians

If you have a budding genealogist in your family tree, ask them to bring along their research and to give a brief talk about what they've learned. Likewise, contact the local library or museum and ask for the contact information for a local historian. Invite them to give a presentation at your family reunion; make sure you know ahead of time how much time they need both to prepare and to give their talk.

Tags: family reunion, your family, family members, your family reunion, Chamber Commerce

Birthday Party Supplies For Girls

Prepare for a girl's birthday party by assembling all of the necessary supplies.

Make a list of supplies for the girl's birthday party you're planning. This will help you keep things in order and keep all of the party supplies relevant to the theme of the birthday party. Choosing a theme and planning any party games or activities will help you figure out what supplies are necessary to make the birthday party fun for all. Does this Spark an idea?

Decorations

Decorations typically make the party location feel more festive and lend to the celebratory ambiance. Streamers, balloons and a "happy birthday" birthday sign or banner are basic birthday decorations that can contain any color and be adapted to any theme. Get more specific with decorations, tailoring them to the theme. For example, lace doilies and a large bouquet of flowers on a table would be appropriate decorations for a girl's tea party. Or, hang posters or blown up pictures of the latest cartoon character, horses or whatever fits the theme of the party.

Games, Activities and Entertainment

Gather any supplies you need for the games, activities or entertainment during the party. Having all of the supplies in one location will help the party go smoother. If you plan on having outdoor activities, such as water balloon tosses, have plenty of water balloons at your disposal.

For a cooking party, have all of the ingredients you'll need. Gather extra pillows and blankets for a sleepover. Fill a basket or large duffel bag with old clothes, wigs, purses and high heels to allow the girls to play dress-up or have dress-up relays.

Assemble all of the items, such as colored pencils, glue, glitter, paper and scissors for crafts, such as making cards or scrapbooking. Any craft you allow the girls to do, such as beading or painting pottery, can also serve as a favor when the party is over.

Food

Provide small snacks, such as fruit, pretzels, nachos or chips for the girls to tide them over until the meal. Include a couple of options for mealtime such as hot dogs and hamburgers or different kinds of sandwiches. For dessert, have a traditional birthday cake or mix it up and offer a candy bar or chocolate fondue with various fruits for older girls. A candy bar consists of various kinds of candy set up like a buffet.

Plan out at least two or three different beverage choices including water, juice or soft drinks. Include your daughter's favorites. Consider having ice available, as well.

Plates, napkins and cutlery are necessary supplies. Disposable items will make cleanup much easier.

Favors and Prizes

Assemble favor bags for your birthday party guests that coordinate with the party's theme. For example, fill a small purse or cosmetic bag with nail polish, lip gloss or hair accessories to create a spa or glamorous theme party favor bag. Younger girls might prefer stickers, crayons and a small coloring book related to the party theme.

Tags: birthday party, will help, allow girls, games activities, girl birthday, girl birthday party, necessary supplies

Allinclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Puerto Vallarta sits on the Pacific Coast, at the Bay of Banderas.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular Mexican resort city on the Pacific Ocean surrounded by the Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Banderas). Puerto Vallarta is known for the beauty of its bay and the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountains and near perfect tropical weather. Puerto Vallarta is also home to many of Mexico's best all-inclusive style resorts, where all of your food, beverages, activities and entertainment are included in your room rate.

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa All-Inclusive

The Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa All-Inclusive is between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountains about five miles from downtown. The resort features six restaurants and four lounges serving unlimited gourmet food and premium beverages. The Dreams All-Inclusive also has three pools and three whirlpools that overlook the resort's private beach. Also included in your stay is use of the full-service spa facility and fitness center. The resort also has themed nights with featured live entertainment and numerous planned activities during the day. The rooms feature a mini bar, satellite TV, marble floors, robes and slippers, and Internet access.

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa All-Inclusive

Playa Las Estacas S/N

Carretera Barra de Navidad Km. 3.5

Puerto Vallarta, Jal. 48300 Mexico

(52) 322-226-5000

dreamsresorts.com/drepv/index.html

Riu Vallarta Hotel All Inclusive

The Riu Vallarta Hotel All Inclusive is on Playa de Flamingos beach about nine miles from downtown Puerto Vallarta in Nuevo Vallarta, the newest section of the city. The all-inclusive resort features four restaurants, five bars, two swimming pools, whirlpool and a separate children's pool and playground area. Also available for use is a full-service spa and fitness center. The resort offers nightly entertainment and even has its own nightclub. Rooms feature private balconies, air conditioning and ceiling fan, mini bar and liquor dispenser, satellite television, and Internet access. Many of the rooms also offer spectacular views of the surrounding Pacific Ocean.

Riu Vallarta Hotel All Inclusive

Av. de los Cocoteros

Nuevo Vallarta 63732

Riviera Nayarit-Nuevo

Vallarta México

(52) 322-226-7250

riu.com/es-cr/Paises/mexico/nuevo-vallarta-riviera-nayarit/hotel-riu-vallarta/index.jsp

Barcelo La Jolla De Mismaloya All-Inclusive

The Barcelo La Jolla De Mismaloya All-Inclusive is in the main hotel zone about a 15-minute walk from downtown Puerto Vallarta. The resort features a 1,600-yard long beach, four swimming pools with waterfalls and Jacuzzis, and a children's pool area with water slides. The Barcelo La Jolla De Mismaloya also offers full-service spa and health club, a tennis court, five restaurants and three bars specializing in international, continental and Mexican cuisine. Twice a week, the resort has a dinner show, and the lounge features nightly live entertainment. The rooms feature private terraces with ocean views, air conditioning, satellite television, mini bars and Internet access.

Barcelo La Jolla De Mismaloya All-Inclusive

Zona Hotelera Sur, Km. 11,5.

PO Box 158B. 48300

Puerto Vallarta - Jalisco, Mexico

(52) 322-226-0660

barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en-GB/Hotels/Mexico/PuertoVallarta/LaJollaDeMismaloya/Home.htm

Tags: Puerto Vallarta, Barcelo Jolla, Barcelo Jolla Mismaloya, Jolla Mismaloya, Dreams Puerto, Dreams Puerto Vallarta

Fun Fruit Activities For Kids

Fun Fruit Activities for Kids

That humble apple or lowly banana sitting in your fruit bowl provides more than just nutrients for your children's bodies. Use them and many other fruits to create games, activities and crafts that will entertain and educate your children for hours.

Learn the Alphabet and Numbers with Fruit

Play scavenger hunt and challenge your children to search the kitchen for fruits beginning with every letter of the alphabet. Make an alphabet booklet using fruit photos clipped from magazines. Count the number of raisins in a raisin box or the seeds in slice of watermelon.

Do Science Experiments with Fruit

Fruits can teach children about the effects of hydration and dehydration. Dry fresh grapes and apples for a few days. Show your children rehydrate the fruits by soaking them in water for a couple of hours. Discuss differences between the two types of fruit. Show them how a lemon, a couple of nails and some wire can generate electricity. Compare and contrast the time it takes to ripen fruit placed alone in a bag versus fruit place next to a banana in a bag.

Learn Math with Fruit

Fill a large bowl with fruit. Ask your children sort it by type of fruit, shape or size. Survey friends and family to determine their favorite fruit; graph the results.

Create Music with Fruit

Transform a watermelon into drums or use apples and papier mâché to create maracas. Turn strawberries and melons into a xylophone. Challenge your kids to make a ukulele from a coconut shell or a shaker instrument with dried melon seeds.

Play Games with Fruit

Many educational websites offer free downloadable flash cards and games. Flashcard Exchange has fruit flashcards that can be downloaded and then used to play card games like Concentration, Go Fish and Crazy Eight. The Utah Education Network website has fruit-themed bingo cards. Create printable crossword puzzles, word finds and word searches at the Armored Penguin website.

Create Art Masterpieces with Fruit

Cut out fruit photos from magazines; attach them to string and a hanger to make a fun mobile. Make edible sculptures out of grapes, peeled bananas, cherries and halved grapefruits. Carve designs in an apple or create mosaic pictures with dried fruit seeds.

Learn About Nutrition with Fruit

Try unusual fruits from other countries. Create a "tasting passport" and include photos of children trying the fruit, along with their opinions about the fruit's texture, taste, smell, color and appearance.

Cook with Fruit

Peruse your library for simple children's cookbooks. Many include kid-friendly recipes like fruit pizza and berry smoothies. University Extension departments and websites are a great resource for easy recipes, too. One example is the KidsaCookin website published by Kansas State University Extension. It includes recipes for Breakfast Banana Splits, Pocket Fruit Pies and Apple Smiles. Other children-oriented websites may also provide simple fruit recipes. The PBS Kids' Zoom website has recipes using apples, bananas, grapes, strawberries and other fruit.

Tags: with Fruit, your children, Activities Kids, from magazines, Fruit Activities, Fruit Activities Kids

Facts About Kona Hawaii

Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The Kona region of the Big Island goes beyond Hawaii's traditional offerings. Sure, there's ample sun, surf and sandy beaches, but the Kona coast features so much more. Step back in time and explore Kona's history, taste some of the world's richest coffee and view marine animals in the clear waters of the surrounding Pacific Ocean. These activities and more await along the Big Island's Kona coast.

Location

Kona is one of seven regions on Hawaii's Big Island, encompassing a 60-mile stretch of the western coast. The Big Island sits at the southeastern end of Hawaii's island chain, and is 4,038 square miles, double the combined size of Hawaii's other seven islands.

History

Kailua-Kona, also called Kailua-Kona Town, is a city in the Kona region and was, at one point, home to King Kamehameha in the early 1800s. The Historic Kailua Village in Kailua-Kona pays homage to Kamehameha and other Hawaiian royalty with tours of historic sites such as Hulihee Palace and Mokuaikaua Church. Also located on the Kona coast is Kealakekua Bay, where captain James Cook first landed on the Big Island and eventually was killed, in 1779.

Historical Parks

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park has a monument to Captain James Cook. Near Kealakekua Bay is the 180-acre Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, which was once a sacred place of refuge. The Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park is a 1,160-acre park just north of Kailua-Kona that is home to historic temples and ancient petroglyphs.

Beach Activities

There are many white-sand beaches and ocean activities available on the Kona coast, from snorkeling and surfing to whale watching and dinner cruises. The waters along the Kona coast are calm and clear, providing perfect visibility of green sea turtles, fish and other marine life while snorkeling and scuba diving. There are surfing schools that offer individual and group lessons, sport fishing charters, dinner cruises and boat tours that will put you up close to whales, dolphins, manta rays and green sea turtles.

Things to Do

There's plenty to do in Kona aside from beach and ocean activities. Kona's small towns have many shops and galleries. Take a tour up to the 14,000-foot summit of nearby Mauna Kea, either during the daytime, to enjoy spectacular views, or at night, to take in some stargazing. Visit Kona in October to take in the annual Ironman World Championship, a long-distance triathlon that attracts some of the world's top athletes.

Kona Coffee

Kona has many excellent restaurants that offer dishes featuring fresh seafood from the Pacific Ocean, but the real treat on this part of the island is Kona coffee. There are many coffee farms in Kona, the only place where Kona coffee beans are grown to produce 100 percent pure Kona coffee. The conditions in Kona are just right for growing these rare beans--elevation, constant cloud cover and rich, volcanic soil. Aside from taking home some of this famous beverage, visitors can tour many of the area's coffee farms, and visit the Kona Coffee Living History Farm.

Tags: Kona coast, coffee farms, dinner cruises, green turtles, Historical Park, James Cook, Kona Coffee

Creative Kids Party Favor Ideas

Choose the right party favor for your kid's party.

Party favors are small items that are given out during various celebrations. They help the participants remember the fun they had, and they also show the host's appreciation for his guests. When you are having a party for a kid, creative party favors can keep your costs low while still delighting your guests. Does this Spark an idea?

Masks

Mask blanks are available at the craft store and they can be decorated with glue, rhinestones, paint and feathers. You may choose to decorate the masks for the children and hand them out at the door, or you can set up a table with masks and craft supplies so that they can decorate the masks themselves.

Pencil Toppers

Pencil toppers are perfect for young students. They are inappropriate for very young children, but for older children, they can be used to enlarge on the party's theme. For instance, a ladybug pencil topper is perfect for a bug-themed party, while a boat or anchor pencil topper is ideal for a nautically themed party.

Glow in the Dark Stars

Glow in the dark stars are small plastic stars that are stuck to the walls. When the light goes off, they produce a soft glow. Hand out packages of glow in the dark stars so that the children can create their own bedroom constellations or hand out one glow in the dark star to each child. Add a single glow in the dark star to a package of party goodies.

Modeling Clay

Modeling clay allows kids to get creative and use their hands, and it can be used over and over again. Hand each kid a small amount of modeling clay in a plastic ziplock bag, and throw in a cookie cutter so that they can create fun shapes out of their modeling clay as well.

Coloring Book

Find cheap coloring books that match your party's theme and hand out a small set of crayons for each child to keep with their coloring books. Have a coloring contest at the party or simply ask the children to color one picture that can be hung on the wall for the party's duration.

Tags: coloring books, dark star, dark stars, decorate masks, each child, glow dark star

Duck Baby Shower Ideas

Use a rubber duck theme for the baby shower you're hosting.

Ducks, typically rubber ducks, make an ideal baby shower theme if you don't know the gender of the baby, a boy and girl are expected or just because rubber ducks are often associated with babies. A duck baby shower theme is ideal if the baby's nursery or bathroom has the same theme. Does this Spark an idea?

Location

Host your duck baby shower at a park, near the lake or in your yard if possible. Decorate with a small kiddie pool filled with water and rubber ducks or set out larger rubber ducks all around, particularly a mommy and baby duck. If weather or space doesn't permit, transform the shower room into a duck bathroom or garden.

Stationery

Send out invitations with images of ducks or use duck-shaped invitations. They can show a bathtub with bubbles and rubber ducks or a mother and baby duck walking near a pond. Include duck-friendly wording on the invitations, such as "waddle on over," "celebrate the arrival of their little duckling" or advise guests to come prepared for bath time with shower caps and bathrobes. Give the parents-to-be duck-themed thank you cards to send out after the shower to keep everything related to the theme.

Decorations

Decorate with duck shower accessories, such as hanging a clear shower curtain with images of blue bubbles and yellow rubber ducks. Use blue or yellow bathmats like table runners under centerpieces. Fill a large clear vase, oversized martini glass or fishbowl with Styrofoam balls and clear bubble balls of varying sizes to look like bath bubbles. Add small rubber ducks. Fill baby baths or galvanized buckets with water and rubber ducks. Roll blue, yellow and white towels or washcloths inside of baskets filled with bath stuff, such as lotion, baby shampoo, baby powder and rubber ducks. Glass vases, jars or oversized baby bottles can hold water, glass bubbles or blue bath crystals with rubber ducks on top. Diaper or towel cakes featuring duck items and stuffed ducks are ideal centerpieces as well. Use blue and yellow streamers and balloons if you need more decorations. Any baby items can serve as extra gifts for the expecting parents.

Activities

Duck related games can break the ice and garner a few laughs. For example, fill water balloons to play "don't break the water." Ask guests to hold the water balloons between their knees and pass the balloons to the next guest without using any hands. Whoever breaks their water is out. Fill a bucket or kiddie pool with water and float numbered rubber ducks on the surface. Number the ducks with permanent markers so the numbers don't show. Give each guest a raffle ticket when they arrive with numbers that correspond to the rubber ducks. Randomly pull out a couple of ducks throughout the party to award door prizes.

Refreshments

A large bowl of blue punch, cranberry juice, lime soda and vanilla ice cream will mimic a bubbly bath. Float clean rubber ducks in the punch as a finishing detail. Serve yellow food or duck food. For example, egg salad and bread, cheese and "quackers" or gold fish in yellow and blue bowls. Make signs that say "duck food" or "please don't feed the ducks."

Favors

Give your guests duck-related favors, such as duck-shaped soap, key chains, candles, bath salts or edible goodies. For example, blue and yellow candies, duck-shaped cookies, suckers or chocolates. Give away all of the rubber ducks, as well, unless you want to keep a multitude of them.

Tags: rubber ducks, baby shower, blue yellow, with water, baby duck, baby shower theme

Birthdayflyer Ideas

Every day, millions of birthdays are celebrated. One of the most popular ways to advertise a birthday is a birthday flyer. Similar to an invitation, a birthday flyer can be taped to walls, mailed or simply handed to friends. There are many colorful and fun birthday-flyer ideas that are either free to print or easy to design. Does this Spark an idea?

Joke Flyer

A flyer does not have to be serious to be effective. In fact, some of the best flyers are humorous. A good joke will catch the eye and interest of anybody who reads it. An example of a humorous birthday flyer is one that makes light of an aspect of somebody's personality. For example, if the birthday celebrant is well known for being a penny pincher, find a picture of somebody pulling out his empty pockets. Write on the flyer, "John's Having a Birthday Party...Bring Your Own Everything."

Art Flyer

Many birthday flyers will be basic to the point of simplicity. They are designed to get their message across efficiently and without much effort. This is nice, but you can really show off your artistic ability with an art flyer. Design an artistic method of getting across your birthday message. The art should integrate the name of the person and the age she is turning. Incorporate the time of the birthday party, if there is one, and where it is located. Once you have this information down, make your art. Go crazy with it. The only limitation is your imagination.

Age Flyer

Every year we all gain another number to our age. Celebrating that number is a fun way to design a flyer. First, do some research on the number; find several interesting facts about it. For example, if someone is 11, you could put that there were 11 time zones in the former Soviet Union. If someone is turning 60, you could report that this is the speed limit in a particular area. The number of the age should be large and prominent on the flyer. Put your birthday information somewhere noticeable and your list of facts scattered around the flyer.

Music Flyer

Music speaks to most people clearly and emotionally. It doesn't matter if you listen to country music, rap, soul or rock; your favorite artists and music will make you feel better. For a music birthday flyer, find out what music the person celebrating the birthday likes most. Find out specific names of artists and songs. Once you have a few ideas, integrate them into your flyer. For example, if the celebrant loves the Beatles, she will enjoy seeing their lyrics and mop tops on a birthday flyer.

Sports Flyer

Many people are into sports, from watching them to playing them. Creating a sports birthday flyer is a great way to celebrate the birthday person's favorite sport and birthday. First, put some sort of message on your flyer, such as "John is celebrating a birthday, Sammy Sosa Style." Now, find a picture of Sammy Sosa and put it on your flyer. Put up Sammy's baseball statistics. Integrate other elements of baseball, like bats, bases and the ball. This can work with any sport and any player.

Tags: birthday flyer, your flyer, celebrating birthday, find picture, First some, Flyer Many, Once have

Cupcake Ideas For A Hawaiian Themed Party

Cupcakes are a cheap and easy-to-make alternative to cake at a party.

Cupcakes are a cost-effective and less messy alternative to a sheet cake for a party, making them an easy dessert to serve, especially if children will be in attendance. For a Hawaiian-themed party, cupcakes inspired by tropical fruits and topped off with Hawaiian-inspired flair are the perfect way to give your party a sweet ending. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Pineapple Aloha Cupcakes

Add extra flavor and Hawaiian style to a plain white cake mix by adding a few drops of artificial pineapple flavoring to the cake batter. Add a few drops of yellow food coloring to brighten the cake mix, and green food coloring to a white, cream cheese frosting. Bake the cupcakes in Hawaiian-inspired wrappers and place three chunks of fresh pineapple and a cherry on top of each cake.

Hawaiian Flower Cupcakes

Bring the spirit of Hawaii to your cupcakes by decorating them with edible lei flowers. Use a chocolate cake batter to make the cakes, and frost them with a white, cream cheese frosting. Cut Hawaiian flower shapes out of brightly colored fondant and place one flower on top of each cupcake.

Mango Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes

Mix a few drops of artificial mango flavoring and orange food coloring into a plain white cake mix. Bake the cupcakes in brown or white wrappers. Frost each cupcake with chocolate frosting, and cover the frosting with fresh coconut shavings.

Surfing Safari Cupcakes

Showcase the sport of surfing with vibrant blue cupcakes for your Hawaiian-themed party. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to a white cake mix and a white, vanilla-flavored frosting. Bake the cupcakes in brightly colored wrappers and place a miniature plastic surfboard topper on each cake. You can buy both inexpensively at a party supply store.

Strawberry Banana Sunrise Cupcakes

Combine these two classic flavors to create a festive batch of cupcakes suitable for your Hawaiian party or luau. Use a strawberry cake mix for the batter, and add a few drops of artificial banana flavoring and yellow food coloring to a white, vanilla frosting. Frost the cupcakes and decorate with brightly colored candy sprinkles.

Tags: food coloring, Bake cupcakes, brightly colored, cake batter, coloring white, drops artificial, food coloring white

Cajun Boil Ingredients

A Cajun boil can include all kinds of seafood.

One of the tastiest things you can find at an outdoor summer party is a Cajun boil. Depending on what it is that you are making, this can be either simple or difficult. From peanuts to seafood-based dishes there is a variety of Cajun boil recipes to choose from. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Cajun Shrimp Boil

The Cajun shrimp boil is a tradition in most of the Southern states, and the food preparation isn't really difficult. The ingredients include about 3 lbs. of fresh shrimp, garlic, an onion, lemons, potatoes and some strong Cajun spices. Other items to include are bay leaves, salt, corn on the cob and some shrimp seasonings for an extra kick. You can add as much of the other ingredients as you want, depending on your preferences. To make it, just boil water and add the ingredient that takes the longest to cook, first.

Cajun Crab Boil

You may think that the Cajun crab boil will have the same ingredients as those for a shrimp boil. However, because crab and shrimp have different tastes, they require different seasonings and other ingredients. One recipe calls for mustard seeds -- yellow is best -- bay leaves, allspice, crushed red pepper and the crab. Cooks on a small budget can also use imitation crab meat. Simply boil the water and add the ingredients and spices.

Cajun Boiled Peanuts

Perhaps one of the tastiest Cajun snacks you can make is Cajun boiled peanuts. The ingredients needed for this are primarily spices. When you soak the peanuts in boiling water, simply add ingredients such as onion powder, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, chilli powder and thyme. To make the peanuts really spicy, chop up jalapeno, red or orange peppers to throw into the pot as well. This easy recipe makes for a great snack with dinner, or a great appetizer at a dinner party. Aside from being simple, another benefit is how cost-efficient this food is.

Tradition of Cajun Boils

Cajun boils are traditional in places including Texas, Tennessee and Mexico. Cooking in the Mexican culture thrives on natural spices, which often makes their food a bit spicier than most. Cajun rice is a popular food in the Mexican culture. Bay leaves are the most common ingredient in all the recipes, and this is because they offer a pinch of flavor that is not common from any other spice. The ingredients used for Cajun boils are all-natural, making these dishes healthful.

Tags: boil water, Cajun boil, Mexican culture, other ingredients, shrimp boil

Free Driving Test Games For Kids

Waiting until the age of 16 could be an impatient time for children who want to hit the open road and drive. Luckily, the Internet is filled with plenty of driving preparation games that could educate children about the safety of cars and road hazards. Online driving test games feature different aspects of driving including parking, red lights and operating a car in general. Studying and playing these games will make the transition to a real car easier.

'Driver's Ed Game'

"The Driver's Ed Game" introduces children to on-the-road lessons and testing. Choose one of the 4 instructors named Jessica, Mr. Bumper, Johnny and The Boss Lady. Each instructor offers the same course, but the character voices are different. Play practice lessons like "Left Turn at a Green Light" or take the full driving test. The car is controlled by the arrow keys on a keyboard.

'Driving Test'

"Driving Test," also called "Driver's Ed," is a lot like "The Driver's Ed Game." Players must complete all of the obstacles to pass the driving test. The car is a little more controlled in this game, except when it hits another car, the car explodes and the test is an automatic failure. Make as few mistakes as possible to pass the test.

'Driving Knowledge Quiz'

The "Driving Knowledge Quiz" was created by California DMV, but the questions and pictures can apply to driving conditions all over the United States. Look at the picture for the question and read the choices for each answer. Select an answer and the game will inform you whether it is correct. A picture diagram appears after each question explaining the answer more clearly.

'Parking Perfection'

Work on parking skills and figuring out maneuver a car in a series of levels in "Parking Perfection." A highlighted parking spot will appear on the screen. Using the keyboard's arrows, maneuver the car into the spot as fast as possible without damaging other cars. Use the spacebar for an emergency brake if you draw near to another car.

'Driver's Ed Direct Parking Game'

A more realistic parking game is the "Driver's Ed Direct Parking Game." Maneuver the car as close as you can to the parking spot. An accuracy meter appears at the bottom of the screen. When you have achieved a satisfactory parking percentage, press the spacebar to move on to the next challenge. Points are deducted for every car you hit, and your high score is posted on the main game page.

Tags: Driver Game, Direct Parking, Direct Parking Game, Driver Direct, Driver Direct Parking, Driving Knowledge

Birthday Gift Ideas For Kids With A Hawaiian Theme

Necklaces are traditional Hawaiian gifts.

Birthday parties and gifts with themes add to the fun and enjoyment of the event. A Hawaiian theme allows a gift giver room for spunk and creativity in purchasing a present or making an original gift. Hawaiian gift ideas for kids should include the rituals, music and cuisine of the island culture. Does this Spark an idea?

Make a Lei

Leis are handmade necklaces made from flower petals and sea shells. Leis are presented to special guests upon arrival to the Hawaiian Islands as displays of greeting and affection. Purchase string and go pick a handful of fresh, colorful flowers. String the flower petals through the string and glue shells onto the string intermittently along the necklace. You can also give all the supplies needed to make the lei and present it as a gift to the child so he can make his own necklace. Kids will have a wonderful time designing and making the necklaces and wearing them at the birthday event.

Give a Ukulele

The ukulele is a historic Hawaiian instrument that looks like a miniature version of a guitar, but with only four strings instead of the six or twelve strings that guitars have. An inexpensive ukulele and a how-to-play beginner's guide is a creative Hawaiian gift for a child. Enhance the gift by including a ukulele carrying case or private lessons by an expert ukulele player.

Fresh Foods

Squeeze and bottle your own pineapple juice to give as a Hawaiian-themed gift. Blend papayas and bottle the juice as well.You can paint the bottles or create bottle labels for these traditional Hawaiian drinks. Be sure to properly refrigerate them, as fresh juices with no preservatives spoil quickly. Kids will also enjoy receiving candied macadamia nuts as a birthday gift. Dip the nuts into chocolate and let them cool before wrapping or packaging them and offering them as a gift.

Hula Dance

A fun and interactive hula dance can involve the participation of guests. Children participating in the dance will enjoy wearing leis and dressing in traditional hula garb such as grass skirts, which make inexpensive and fun gifts. Practice the hula dance with guests beforehand. The hula is a ceremonial dance incorporating the swaying of arms, hips, torsos and legs. Hula dancers perform the ritual to celebrate a memorable event. Hula dancing can even include the use of percussion instruments, such as bongo drums, and chanting to add to the authenticity.

Tags: flower petals, gift child, Hawaiian gift, Kids will, traditional Hawaiian

Baby Shower Cupcake Ideas

Baby Shower Cupcake Ideas

Cupcakes are a popular alternative to a large decorated sheet cake at a baby shower. The small cakes are neatly wrapped in easy to handle decorative or plain paper liners which will cut down on dessert plates, forks and clean-up. The portion is sufficient for a sweet tooth and saves on over-large portion sizes for those who are eating the decorative treat. You can make a traditional baby-emphasized cupcake or pick a theme decoration for the dessert. Does this Spark an idea?

Baby Girl or Boy

Frost the cupcakes with pastel colored frosting. Place a plastic baby favor into one end of a cupcake and using your decorator bag with the leaf or petal tip, pipe frosting over the baby, for a blanket. Use a leaf or petal tip to pipe ruffles at the sides and foot area of the cake to make a bassinet. Pipe a ruffle at the head of the bassinet. Use a small round tip to pipe a tiny bow onto the cake. Simply frost a cupcake with a color of choice for a face and use a small round tip to pipe with brown or black icing for eyes, and add a smiley mouth on to the baby. Insert a tiny favor in the shape of a baby bottle or pacifier in to the mouth area of the baby face. You can also pipe the shapes of tiny baby footprints onto a frosted cupcake.

Nature

You can find novelty cupcake holders at craft and cake decorating supply stores that have been designed to look like the body and feet of an animal. These adorable specialty holders come with directions for you to decorate the cupcake to complete the whimsical animals. The cupcakes can be arranged on a tray that has been sprinkled with crushed chocolate chip cookies and green tinted coconut to look like grass, stones and dirt. There are also patterns available in cake decorating books to make baby pandas and teddy bear cupcakes along with other animals that are appropriate for a baby shower. Frost a cupcake and pipe colorful caterpillars or lady bugs on to the surface. You can also make cupcakes and place icing flowers in the centers. Add edible glitter to make a more elegant cupcake for the baby shower. Place these on a cupcake dessert stand display for a centerpiece for the food table.

Party Favors

Stores that supply cake decorating materials have a section of baby shower favors. You can find miniature baby bottles, multi-colored diaper pins, pacifiers, rattles, inch-high babies, pink, blue or yellow footprints and miniature crystal baby carriages to place on to the cupcakes. Frost the baby shower cupcakes in lavender, mint green, pale orange, yellow, pink and blue then place one or two favors on to the individual dessert. Display the little cakes on a glass cake stand with miniature pastel kisses placed in between them.

Tags: baby shower, cake decorating, Baby Shower Cupcake, Cupcake Ideas, leaf petal, leaf petal pipe