Janienne Jennrich's Blog
Posted by Janienne Jennrich
Hi everyone,
I was missing for a bit from my usual article and blog writing.
No, luckily I did not get one of the bad flu bugs...or at least I think I didn't. Seems harder and harder to tell these days.
When I was a kid, a cold was simple. Sneeze, cough, runny nose, rest. Now we have these odd mixed bugs that have strange symptoms thrown in, like dizziness one day and nausea the next. Or feeling like a flu without a fever.
I went to visit my mother and help her through the days after a minor surgery (she is fine, thanks) and caught the virus I had while in California. I know I caught it there, because my sister got the same bug one day before me. At least I did not develop symptoms until I got home.
My sister and I stayed in our beds most of the week, calling each other several times a day to compare odd symptoms ("Do your legs feel like rubber when you stand up? Do you have pressure behind your eyes?"). Such fun (NOT). And of course, we had to keep looking up the symptoms online to make sure we did not have the H1N1 flu. There is a good comparison list going around on email right now, comparing colds, regular flu, and H1N1. I suggest if you are sent a copy, you hang onto it.
It did not help that on the news they ran a story saying one poor man thought he just had a cold, and was gone two weeks later. That kind of freaked me out. My prayers went out to his family. And to mine.
Well, in any case, this sickness has passed and we are still alive and kicking. For this we are thankful. Now Mom has it. Warm up the chicken soup and tea, Mom. Take vitamins. Drink, drink, drink. Watch Dr. Oz on T.V.
Gee, I just can't wait to start shopping in the indoor mall! Yikes. Would it look too weird if I wore a gas mask while I shop?? Gloves?
Be well. Be very well.
Janienne Jennrich
Feature Writer, Kids and Teen Parties
(Code for $5.00 Discount on www.iHerb.com pictured below is BIG319)
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Posted by Janienne Jennrich
Hi!
My neice has recently taken a job as a Senior Citizen Activity Director at a facility for active seniors. This has me thinking of party ideas and activities that can be shared by the generations. Games and fun can be made to suit any ages.
I found a book at the library called "38 Ways to Entertain Your Grandparents." Obviously this is a book written for children. I like the book very much because it has cute illustrations, is a storybook, and is full of great activities, games, and step-by-step recipes for seniors and children to do together. I hope to be writing a full review of this book soon, but it is too cute not to share with parents and caregivers in the meantime.
Just a few of the great things to do described in this book are
- Making a pita pizza (yum)
- Making a building toy out of old or odd playing cards (great for seniors hand-eye coordination)
- A fun way to keep score in a game
- Fun coloring games, including making designs to music
- Ideas for cheap, fast, and easy crafts
- Super easy puppets (two minutes to create!)
There are very cute ideas in this book.
If you would like to look for the book at the library, search by title. Same for any book seller. The authors are Dette Hunter and Deirdre Betteridge. The book sells for $9.99 on Amazon online.
Do you have any favorite multi-age or childrens' activity books to recommend? Please feel free to share your ideas here! Thanks!
Posted by Janienne Jennrich
As a party writer, I can't help noticing things which may affect trends in children's birthday parties. I had to wonder (once Falcon was found safe), if this event would renew interest in space travel and outer space birthday party themes.
A bit of the story:
From the Associated Press:
"FORT COLLINS, Colo. – A 6-year-old boy [Falcon Heene] was found hiding in a cardboard box in his family's garage attic Thursday after being feared aboard a homemade helium balloon that hurtled 50 miles through the sky on live television.
The discovery marked a bizarre end to a saga that started when the giant silvery balloon floated away from the family's yard Thursday morning...[Oct. 15, 2009]"
Articles about Space and Flight Themes for Birthday Parties
(located in Suite101 Kids & Teen Parties section):
Star Wars Theme Birthday Party Ideas for Teens Invitations, Activities, Food, Decor & Cake for Fun Teenager Parties. A Star Wars movies themed birthday party is a fun for teens, tweens or pre-teens. The Star Wars saga lends itself to awesome ideas for a terrific teenage celebration.
Children's Airplane Birthday Party: An Aviation Themed Kids Celebration Easy, inexpensive ideas for airplane themed birthday invitations, decorations, cake, food, favors and games and activities.
How To Have An Outer-Space Astronaut Party Plan a Planet or Spaceship Themed Birthday Party for Kids Outer-space inspired invitation, game, cake, decoration and food ideas for planning a far-out children's party.
A cake may be decorated with Star Wars figures, made into a Star Wars shape, or have a photo added at the bakery. See Yoda cake photo below and visit the website Incredible Star Wars Birthday Cakes for ideas galore!
Life is a party. Enjoy.
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Posted by Janienne Jennrich
I know there are many, many terrific moms, dads, Cake Decorators, Party Planners and others that have given memorable and wonderful Parties or gatherings for any age Child or Teenager!
Will you please share your ideas of experiences with us? Or maybe YOU need ideas for a theme you have in mind. Just ask!
I would like to ask beforehand that you grant me the right to quote you or use some of your best ideas in some of my articles. I will give you credit (wanna be a little famous?) in my articles in the Kids and Teen Parties section of Suite101.
Please leave comments below, and/or contact me via my email link on the right side of my profile page (there is a little green envelope icon next to the link).
If you prefer your name not be used, let me know or do not include it.
Thanks for anything you would like to share. Games, decorations, invitations, cakes and other ideas are all welcome. Parties or dances can be related to birthdays, welcome home events, graduation, or any other kid or teen celebration.
Life's a party! Enjoy!
Janienne Jennrich
Feature Writer, Kids and Teen Parties
Posted by Janienne Jennrich
Do you taken courses online from an accredited online university or college? I would love to hear stories of success and woes, of good experiences and bad, and about any particular online school you liked or did not like.
More and more teens are getting degrees or taking college classes on the internet. I am sure many more are considering doing so. What sort of degrees are offered? How much is tuition? Are the degrees respected in the same way as on-campus degrees?
Anything you can share will be helpful!
