Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in san diego, CA

Swine Flu Prevention How To

by Terese Farmen

May 05, 2009

Since I am on a Swine Flu kick, I decided to do a little research to help keep you and your little ones safe from the yucky Influenza virus. Scientists are currently working on an immunization and have already stated that this last year's flu shot does not protect you against this strain of the virus.

Living in San Diego, we are pretty close to the Mexican border where it appears the outbreak first began. Most folks here in the County do not live near pigs, but we do live near other people who may or may not have the potential to infect us. Entire school districts are closing down for weeks at a time when children are suspected of having the illness and people are terrified of anyone showing any signs of illness. In the past, Swine Flu was very rarely transmitted between pig and farmer and even more rare to spread from person to person. This latest outbreak seems to have combined the avian strain, the pig strain and the human strain. This mutation spreads easily between hosts and appears to have the same symptoms of flu - chills, fever, muscle ache, headache, coughing, sore throat and misery. There have been some fatal cases.

The following is a list of things the CDC recommends you can do during this Swine Flu Epidemic.

• 1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water - at least long enough to sing the alphabet to yourself.
• 2. Sneeze or cough into your shirt. If you have to sneeze into your hand, wash them immediately.
• 3. Throw your used tissues away immediately. Don't leave them lying around to spread your germs.
• 4. If you feel like you have the flu, stay home and get better. Drink your chicken noodle soup, quarts of water and keep your germs to yourself.
• 5. If you aren't sick yet, try not to touch your mouth or eyes. Apparently this is the front door to infection.

Mostly, use your common sense. If people around you are sick, steer clear. If you are sicker than usual, seek treatment. If you don't seem to be getting better, go to the ER. Stay hydrated, keep your hands clean and get some rest.

Soil Toil - a List of Community Gardening Projects for City Dwellers

by Terese Farmen

March 31, 2009

At preschool, my daughter is learning how to grow a plant in a Dixie cup. She has finally begun to understand that flowers die when they are no longer planted in soil and has some concept that the vegetables on her plate came from a seed like the one she planted in school. Being in the heart of the city, understanding the concept of the planet's contribution to our survival in the form of food seems completely abstract, if not bizarre to her.

In an effort to instill some of the more country roots (sorry for the pun), we researched various community garden projects to find out who was doing what in San Diego County to allow city dwellers a chance to get dirt under their fingernails. We added ourselves to multiple waiting lists where we get to rent a section of dirt to grow our own food. We even found various organizations that use this community gardening project to feed the less fortunate members of our community fresh, organic produce grown and harvested on this community land.

Guest: Acupuncture and ADHD/ADD

by Laurie Morse

February 16, 2009

Compared to Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can offer a broader understanding and treatment for common conditions.  ADD/ADHD is no exception.  These developmental disorders that affect our children respond amazingly well to Acupuncture and/or Herbs (two of the mainstays of TCM). 

Tackling the birds and the bees with dr. de freitas

by Jenny Ciampa

November 20, 2008

I personally believe that my daughter has one of the best pediatricians around so I was thrilled when she agreed to a guest post on a topic she knows well. You'll be thankful there is a pediatrician here in San Diego who educates mamas and their daughters. Dr. de Freitas is passionate about teaching parents about health education. She was first exposed to the topic when her own daughter  Read more...

A Very Orange and *Green* Halloween

by Jenny Ciampa

October 20, 2008

We all (I am hopeful when I say all) want to protect our planet and I love Americans, I do, but we sure are a bunch of consumers. I mean, seriously, think of all that we, kids included, will consume from Halloween alone: candy, candy, candy and costumes. Yikes. Of course there are ways to be green-and orange-this Halloween. Use this time as an opportunity to teach your kiddos about NOT  Read more...

A Museum for the Good Guys

by Jenny Ciampa

October 15, 2008

Did you know that there is a Firehouse Museum in Little Italy? I know, isn't that kind of random? We used to live over there and every time I walked by it I would say, "Oh, yah, I forgot about that place". Well, if you have a little firefighter or child who loves the "good guys" than you should check this museum out. Only open Thursday through Sunday, this little firehouse that  Read more...

Zoo Enrichment

by Jenny Ciampa

October 09, 2008

Have you ever been to the zoo during an All About Enrichment Weekend ? If you have not, I highly recommend that you attend one at some point in your child's preschool years. They take place the second weekend of most months and are worth a visit-here's why. While cruising through the zoo and checking out some of your favorite animals, you might notice something that looks  Read more...

Kids Care Fest

by Jenny Ciampa

September 15, 2008

This coming up Saturday, September 20 th , the 7 th annual Kids Care Fest is happening at Briarcrest Park, in La Mesa, from 9am-2pm. This is an opportunity to teach your kiddos the importance of taking care of their cute little bodies. There will be a variety of health care screenings such as vision, hearing, dental and chiropractic. This is all FREE. Very cool. Educational health  Read more...

Art Walk on the Bay: Kidswalk, Kids Give

by Jenny Ciampa

September 10, 2008

For the past few years, we have been regulars at Art Walk in Little Italy. Progressively through the years this art festival has become better and better. More art, more performers, more icy cold drinks, and more stuff for the kiddos. For these reasons, we are very excited for the return of Art Walk on the Bay (put on by the same folks as Little Italy's Art Walk) this weekend, September 13  Read more...

An Education in Sun Protection from the Sunwise Animals

by Jenny Ciampa

August 13, 2008

I wish I knew about the damaging effects of the sun on our skin while I was a teenager lathered in baby oil sunbathing. Yikes. Fortunately, for our kiddos there is research, research and more research on sun protection. You have got to check out this imaginative approach to teach your babes about sun safety and, it's through our treasured San Diego Zoo. Sunwise Stampede is a website  Read more...

Movie Night at Petco Park

by Jenny Ciampa

August 06, 2008

Now here's an opportunity to take your preschooler out to the ballpark to do something other than watch a ballgame. They can watch a movie! This Saturday, August 9 th , Petco Park will be hosting Movies at the Park . Spread out a blanket on Picnic Hill to get cozy and comfy for the 7pm showing of Madagascar. If you get there early, run around the Little Padres baseball diamond, play a  Read more...

A Mommy Movie Escape

by Jenny Ciampa

July 23, 2008

There are two things that stick out vividly when I think of the immediate changes of becoming a new parent. One. Taking a shower whenever I wanted became a thing of the past. Two. Going to see a movie whenever I wanted ceased to exist. Of course there are other vivid memories but you get the gist? Ultra Star Cinemas helps out with number two. Every Wednesday or Thursday morning  Read more...

Viejas Fire Expo-Celebrating Firefighters

by Jenny Ciampa

July 16, 2008

[photo credit: stock.xchng] This Saturday, July 19 th , is the Viejas Fire Expo/Firefighter Combat Challenge at Qualcomm Stadiuman event that will entertain the whole family. Moms will be swooning (fires aren't the only thing hot about firefighters), Dads will be feeling manly, and kids, well they will be in awe of these heroes. At 11am, opening ceremonies take place followed by  Read more...