Smag31

Madrid’s fabulous Royal Palace, inspired by Bernini’s designs for the Louvre in Paris, is one of Europe’s outstanding architectural monuments. More than half of the state apartments are open to the public, each sumptuously decorated with silk wall hangings, frescoes and gilded stucco, and crammed with priceless objects d’art. The palace’s setting is equally breathtaking. … Read more

Funny-face Hamburgers Your own yummy burgers will be better than any fast food, and you and your children can have lots of fun decorating the burgers with silly faces. Or, serve the burgers more traditionally in buns. 15 minutes 6–10 minutes, plus pasta cooking NOTE 4 child portions 1 tbsp olive oil 1 large shallot, … Read more

Multivitamins? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vitamin drops for all under-twos . It’s a good idea to continue to give your child a multivitamin and mineral tablet if he is a fussy eater, as it will contain a little of all of the nutrients he needs for growth and development. “Drops” may be your … Read more

As your toddler begins to exert her authority in all areas of her life, she will soon catch on to the idea that food is an emotive issue, and that she’ll get a good reaction if she refuses some foods, and demands others. Most toddlers experience periods of fussy eating; remain calm, and continue to … Read more

Your growing toddler no longer needs to rely on his “baby” milk for the nutrients that his varied diet now offers, but he may still enjoy the comfort of regular feeds. Breastfeeding can continue for as long as you feel comfortable. Full weaning can be a slow process, and it’s best to go at your … Read more

Q: My daughter says that she doesn’t want to eat meat. Is it OK for her to follow a vegetarian diet? A: Your daughter is beginning to make some of her lifestyle choices based on a wider view of the world rather than being driven solely by her own needs and wants. Talk this idea … Read more

Q: I try to constantly praise my son to make sure his self-esteem is high. Is this the right thing to do? A: Getting the balance right with praise can be difficult to achieve. On the one hand, experts recommend that you acknowledge all your child’s positive behavior, while on the other hand, studies have … Read more

Time has taught me that some work – such as hiring house cleaner is worth for money I like living in a tidy house and I always keep my house. I especially like a plate of berry apples on the light yellow table, the smell of the dry bed sheets on clothes line, and a … Read more

Midtown Fifth Avenue is New York’s best-known boulevard and home to three of its most famous buildings. In the late 1800s, it was lined with mansions belonging to prominent families, but as retailers moved north in the 1900s, society fled uptown. One of the former mansions that remains is the Cartier building, reputedly acquired from … Read more

The Empire State Building is the tallest and most famous skyscraper in New York. More than 120 million visitors, including the rock group Kiss and Queen Elizabeth II, have gazed down on the city from the Observatory since it opened in 1931. Planned in the prosperous 1920s by the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb, and … Read more

Louvre Collections Collections floorplan French Paintings This superb collection ranges from the 14th century to 1848 and includes works by such artists as Jean Watteau, Georges de la Tour and JH Fragonard. French Sculpture Highlights include the Tomb of Philippe Pot by Antoine le Moiturier, the Marly Horses and works by Pierre Puget in the … Read more

One of the world’s most impressive museums, the Louvre contains some 35,000 priceless objects. Built as a fortress by King Philippe-Auguste in 1190, Charles V (1364–80) was the first king to make it his home. In the 16th century François I replaced it with a Renaissance-style palace and founded the royal art collection with 12 … Read more

Thankfully, year 3–4 can sometimes feel like the calm after the storm for parents. Your toddler will still be having tantrums and testing limits, but with her newfound understanding of what’s right and what’s not, she will be eager to do things correctly in order to win your approval. “Rebecca is developing a very loving … Read more

DIY Lego Ice Cream Maker Don’t have an ice cream maker, but have a pile of Lego bricks? Make your own ice cream maker! Ice cream is made from a base (traditionally, milk or cream with flavorings added) that’s agitated as it freezes. Stirring the base as it sets prevents the ice crystals that form … Read more

Q: My six-year-old son has a developmental delay. Does that mean he will always be behind? A: The term “developmental delay” is a confusing one for parents. It implies that skills your child has yet to acquire will eventually arrive—in the same way that a delayed train is annoyingly late, but definitely on its way. … Read more

Q: My parents told my son that if he touched his private parts, they would drop off. What should I do? A: The difference between generations in handling sexual development can be wide; it is now more clearly understood that curiosity about the body is a normal stage of development, and old anxieties and taboos … Read more

Your toddler is much more independent now and enjoys the company of other children. The transition from parallel play to cooperative play is happening steadily, although she will still need your help to manage her feelings when there is a disagreement with another child. “At this age, play is a wonderful time of make-believe and … Read more

The brain development that enabled reasoning skills to evolve during months 24–36  continues this year. As well as learning how to be flexible and developing memory skills, your toddler also becomes more empathetic and starts to understand that not everyone sees things the way she does. “As her imagination begins to develop, she is able … Read more

If the Planner Isn’t Working Problem: The planner doesn’t provide enough room for all of the information you need to include. note The More Time Mom’s Family Organizer wall calendar features big squares to write in, along with reminder stickers for important events and a pocket to contain loose paperwork. Suggested retail: $17.75. Website: www.flylady.net … Read more

Adjusting for Body Clocks You’re probably familiar with the fact that some people are “night people,” whereas others are “morning people.” Actually, about 10 percent of the population are morning types, and 20 percent are nighttime types; the other 70 percent don’t tend to either extreme. You may already have a good idea of whether … Read more