Lessons learned from a playdough mom

1. Even if this month's colors are black and orange, don't try making black playdough unless you have a ridiculous amount of food coloring. Otherwise, red, blue, and yellow mixed together make a shade of dark brown that will hopefully make everyone think of beautiful chocolate labs, or chocolate.

2. If your cream of tartar is chunky, no, the electric mixer will not pulverize the chunks, and they will be very visible in dark-colored playdough. You will then spend a half hour trying to smash the chunks in the finished playdough when the task could probably have been accomplished in much less time by hand at the beginning.

3. Use a non-stick pot, and don't add peppermint oil because then it not only smells really good, but your children will also be unable to resist eating it despite the saltiness.

File that idea in the trash can!

My 5 year old and 3 year old love a good competition. So, one night -- in a desperate attempt to get them to eat their dinner -- I offered a reward to the child who finished first. My 3 year old promptly stuffed a handful of green beans in her mouth and started to choke. Uhhh... I won't make that mistake again!

Parenting seems to be an endless series of trials and errors. What ideas have you tried that left you a little wiser?

Rubio's Fundraiser in 2 Weeks

Dine at Rubio's, take food to go, or pick up a catering order and Rubio's will donate 20% of your sales to WPNS. Valid on October 20, between 5-7 p.m. Be sure to print out and bring the flyer!

Rubio's is located at:
515 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650-326-6691


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Who will win the prize at the Parent Meeting?

Bring your completed quiz to the Parent Meeting on Tuesday evening, and it could be you!

This quiz is the first in a series for future Parent Meetings, and you'll find all the answers in the Parent Handbook and Bylaws. Feel free to work with a friend!

What's playing in your car?

I'm always on the lookout for things to listen to in the car that not only please my 3-year-old and 19-month-old, but also don't completely drive me nuts!

Current favorites include:

• Keller Williams' "Kids" - super-fun, catchy songs that make all of us laugh.We love Car Seat and Horse Back Rider.
• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume. My son Charlie is only 3, but I think he appreciates the silly things Fudge does, and how frustrated Fudge's older brother feels sometimes. This one was a real hit and it was a treat to revisit an old childhood favorite.
• My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George. Charlie was fascinated with the idea of living in the wilderness, and making acorn pancakes and his own fishing hooks. This whole series is great.

What about you? What do you like listening to in the car with your kids?