Kate Gosselin feels sad but justified excluding Collin Gosselin from his birthday party

You've heard of kids being excluded from other children's birthday celebrations? Well, Kate Gosselin took it one step further--she didn't invite her son Collin Gosselin to his own birthday party. The Nov. 29 episode of TLC show "Kate Plus 8" showed the sextuplets' lavish birthday bash minus one sextuplet (Collin) who's in some kind of behavior therapy. Mom says she's sorry for herself and Collin's siblings that he couldn't attend his party but says it's best for everyone. Who does this kind of thing?? No matter what his behavior problems are he deserves a party! I've a feeling he's just a little strong-willed--hmm who does that remind you of?? Kate Gosselin feels sad but justified excluding Collin Gosselin from his birthday party

Kate Gosselin feels sad but justified excluding Collin Gosselin from his birthday party

You've heard of kids being excluded from other children's birthday celebrations? Well, Kate Gosselin took it one step further--she didn't invite her son Collin Gosselin to his own birthday party. What kind of mother does that? The Nov. 29 episode of TLC show "Kate Plus 8" showed the sextuplets' lavish birthday bash minus one sextuplet (Collin) who's in some kind of behavior therapy. Mom says she's sorry for herself and Collin's siblings that he couldn't attend his party but says it's best for everyone. But no matter how naughty he may have been the child deserves a birthday. It sounds to me like this is just control freak Kate Gosselin at work again. Kate Gosselin feels sad but justified excluding Collin Gosselin from his birthday party

Candy alternatives for birthday party game prizes, loot bags: 100+ cheap non-food, non-candy, giveaways that are cheap

Are you in charge of planning some kind of huge party for kids, say a Christmas or Halloween shindig? You'll need prizes for games, most likely. Parents, do you need ideas for birthday party prizes that are cheap (er, I mean frugal)? Perhaps you need low-cost stocking stuffers. If you want to avoid the whole candy thing, use these 100 plus treat ideas for stocking stuffers, Valentines Day, Easter, birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, year round! Halloween alternatives: 100+ non-food, non-candy Trick-or-Treat prizes, giveways

Jinger Duggar, Jeremy Vuolo hushed, rushed wedding plans bypass parents: why the secrecy?

A rogue Duggar wedding? That's what Jeremy Vuolo and Jinger Duggar are planning and their nuptials don't include the parents Jim Bob or Michelle Duggar. The "Jill & Jessa: Counting On" reality TV couple has flouted courtship, hands-off engagement and now even marriage traditions, saying they're doing relationships their way. Family members hint Jinger will be pregnant in the new year, so that suggests a wedding in the next two months. The couple are keeping wedding plans secret but say it will be small, so a destination wedding leaps to mind. Why all the hushed rush with these two?  Jinger Dugger, Jeremy Vuolo hushed, rushed wedding plans bypass parents: why the secrecy?

DIY kids party activities: Cheap, easy homemade birthday parties for children

As a mom to four kids, ages 28 to 18, I've planned a plethora of kids' party activities. I'm also a teacher and I've hosted numerous classroom events. I've had some great successes and colossal fails. From those experiences, I've compiled a list of tips for parents on party planning for children. Being a frugalista, these party planning hints focus on cheap, homemade party activities.   DIY kids party activities: Cheap, easy homemade birthday parties for children | Examiner.com

Science activities, outdoor games, nature crafts, snacks for end of school party

 Arbor Day, celebrated in April is the older holiday from which "stems" (pun intended) the modern celebration of Earth Day. Arbor Day is traditionally observed by planting trees and I say why wait till April? Celebrate an end of school party by planting trees, plants or flowers. Here are summer science activities, outdoor games and nature crafts and summer snacks for the perfect end of school party. Homeschool parents, you can throw an end of school party or incorporate these science activities in summer school lessons.Science activities, outdoor games, nature crafts, snacks for end of school party

Free printable Star Wars coloring pages: May the Fourth be with you | Examiner.com

 May the Fourth be with you! It's Star Wars Day, said USA Today on May 4. Time to get your Stars Wars geek on! Cue the Empire's Theme (admit it, it's sexier than the Rebel's Theme) and haul the light sabres and Jedi robes out of mothballs. Don your Leia buns (the brass bikini, maybe not) cause it's time to party like a droid!



Hosting a Star Wars themed party? Here are free printable Star Wars coloring pages for fans from wee-est Wookie to oldest Yoda! Use these for party crafts, games, decorations, even Happy Star Wars Day greeting cards! Free printable Star Wars coloring pages: May the Fourth be with you | Examiner.com

Free printable Spider-Man, Avengers Captain America Civil War, Iron Man coloring pages, party activities

The epic Marvel Comics "Captain America Civil War" opens May 6 and features a clash between Marvel Avengers Captain America and Iron Man. But word is the most exciting part Captain America Civil War is the introduction of Spider-Man to the cast. Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is attracting fans like flies! So now Avengers fans can see Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man, Venom and all their superheroes in Captain America Civil War. Sounds like some pretty "Marvel" ous fun! Captain America v Iron Man, Batman v Superman--2016 promises to be a summer of brotherly brawling! How about free printable Spider-Man coloring pages to keep you tied up till Captain America Civil War opens?  Free printable Spider-Man, Avengers Captain America Civil War, Iron Man coloring | Examiner.com

Free printable Holi Festival of Colors activities, Hindu Indian crafts, lessons

Holi is the Hindu Festival of Colors and is celebrated on March 24 in 2016. People in Indian celebrate by tossing colored powder or spraying each other with colored liquid. Holi iscelebrated on the full moon, called Phalgun Purnima or Pooranmash. Holi begins with the Holika Dahan--ceremonial bonfires which purge evil spirits, which are lit one day before Holi. Holi comes in the Hindu calendar month of Phalgun. Holi falls in late March to early April in the western calendar. Here are free printable Holi Indian crafts, greeting cards and lessons to help kids understand the Indian Holi Festival of Colors. Teachers, use these free printable Holi activities for social studies lessons. Homeschool parents, why not explore Holi Festival of Colors with kids?  Free printable Holi Festival of Colors activities, Hindu Indian crafts, lessons | Examiner.com

Free printable Holi Festival of Colors activities, Hindu Indian crafts, lessons

Holi is the Hindu Festival of Colors and is celebrated on March 24 in 2016. People in Indian celebrate by tossing colored powder or spraying each other with colored liquid. Holi iscelebrated on the full moon, called Phalgun Purnima or Pooranmash. Holi begins with the Holika Dahan--ceremonial bonfires which purge evil spirits, which are lit one day before Holi. Holi comes in the Hindu calendar month of Phalgun. Holi falls in late March to early April in the western calendar. Here are free printable Holi Indian crafts, greeting cards and lessons to help kids understand the Indian Holi Festival of Colors. Teachers, use these free printable Holi activities for social studies lessons. Homeschool parents, why not explore Holi Festival of Colors with kids?   Free printable Holi Festival of Colors activities, Hindu Indian crafts, lessons | Examiner.com

Free printable baby shower games, shower invitations, baby shower cards

There are several ways to host an inexpensive, tasteful baby shower. If you would like to host a baby shower, here are ways to save money: create free printable baby shower games, invitations, shower cards and decorations.  

Free printable color your own cartoon kids birthday cards, invitations | Examiner.com

Giving birthday cards along with other greetings cards is a time-honored tradition. Children love receiving birthday cards. But with greeting cards a $4 cards now, it's too expensive. So that's why free printable greeting cards from internet websites are so awesome. Here's a list of free printable color your own cartoon greeting cards and kids birthday cards for kids  Free printable color your own cartoon kids birthday cards, invitations | Examiner.com

Valentine candy alternatives, 100 non-food, candy-free Valentine's Day treats

Valentine's Day = candy, right? It shouldn't. Children already eat too much junk. And what about those with health concerns? Last year the Teal Pumpkin Project identified houses giving away peanut-free, allergy free snacks for safe trick-or-treating. How about we continue that and give Valentine candy alternatives? Or just pass out valentines. It was good enough for us, when I was a kid. If you do want to give out prizes, keep it simple. Here are 100 non-food valentine stuffers. Find them cheap in bulk packs at dollar stores, Walmart, Family Dollar. Try to give useful things.   Valentine candy alternatives, 100 non-food, sugarless Valentine's Day treats | Examiner.com

Free Vacation Bible School printables, Bible coloring pages, Christian crafts | Examiner.com

Are you throwing a Christian themed party for religious ed, CCD, Sunday school or a parish festival?You'll want Christian themed clipart to use for decorations. A very popular summer activity is VBS, or Vacation Bible School. Almost every local church sponsers a week-long Vacation Bible School. And don't let the term 'school' intimidate. Most VBS programs are fun-filled, hands-on and activity based. Here are free printable Vacation Bible School crafts, lesson plans, games and Bible activities. These general Bible crafts are suitable for Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Old Testament activities would work for Jewish families.  Free Vacation Bible School printables, Bible coloring pages, Christian crafts | Examiner.com

Winter Olympics for kids: Backyard winter sports, snow games, ice activities | Examiner.com

Raise your hand if you’ve had it with winter. Parents and teachers get especially tired of dealing with bored kids stuck inside. Here’s a winter blues buster: throw a snowtastic party. Celebrate the Winter Olympics in your own layground and backyard winter sports. Extend the fun with your own winter games variations. Here are safe, easy homemade winter games, snow games, ice activities requiring no fancy equipment.  Winter Olympics for kids: Backyard winter sports, snow games, ice activities | Examiner.com

Fat Tuesday feasts make Lenten Ash Wednesday fasts harder, skip Mardi Gras | Examiner.com

I'm a Catholic: well not cradle Catholic-- I'm a convert. One thing I love about being Catholic is that we sure know how to celebrate life. Take Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday): it's a huge Catholic lollapalooza before the solemnity of Ash Wednesday and Lent. All good Catholics, it seems, gear up for penitential season by overdoing the party. I have my doubts about the wisdom of this. Fat Tuesday feasting make Ash Wednesday fasting a lot harder. It makes dieting harder when you have big blowouts, too. I've lost 100 pounds over the last few years. I'm not looking to put any weight back on. But even if I wasn't hadn't it just doesn't make sense to overdo Fat Tuesday.  Fat Tuesday feasts make Lenten Ash Wednesday fasts harder, skip Mardi Gras | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Monkey, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival party planner

Chinese New Year of the Monkey begins Feb. 8, 2106. The Chinese zodiac is distinguished by 12 animals. 2016 is the Year of the Monkey and each year celebrates a different animal--rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Here are activities and ideas for parents to explore Chinese traditions.  Chinese New Year of the Monkey, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival party planner | Examiner.com