Having a good time is important, but keep in mind that little children should not be forced to compete or become would-be bullies with other children in order to win. Keep the party games light and simple with everyone enjoying themselves. Here are some toddler friendly party game ideas that require little setup or materials but provide lots of fun.

Pin the Tail On…

Practically anyone who has been to a child’s birthday party at some time in the last fifty years has played ‘pin the tail on the donkey’, however there is no reason to stick with the donkey theme. There are premade donkey game packages available in stores and party planning retail online stores. Use whatever the particular theme is and make your own game: buy a large poster board and draw one of the characters on it and color in with markers. One idea uses a red poster board cut into a large Elmo head and then the kids ‘Pin the Nose on Elmo’ with orange construction paper noses.

Hot Potato

Little kids love to play ‘Hot Potato’ and a toddler birthday party is a great time to play this fun game. It is not necessary to only use a potato of course. You can use a stuffed toy that goes along with the party theme, such as ‘Hot Elmo’ in place of the potato or ‘Hot Train’ with Thomas the Tank Engine. Arrange the kids in a cirlce on the floor and with fun toddler music playing, have the kiddos pass the ‘potato’ around until the music stops.

Musical Pillows

An old party game that everyone is probably familiar with is ‘Musical Chairs,’ and toddlers can enjoy it as well. You can use child size chairs of course, but most families do not have enough of these size chairs in their home to accomodate a party, so why not use pillows instead? The concept is exactly the same, but without the chairs. Play music while the toddlers walk around the pillows, have one fewer than the number of children playing, and when the music stops the kids have to sit on a pillow. The child without a pillow to sit on is out and then one pillow is removed. Play this until only one child and pillow are left.

It is possible to play fun toddler birthday party games and they certainly do not have to be complicated. Make certain that there is plenty of adult supervision so that all of the little ones are well cared for during the party. Keep the games short and sweet and have fun!
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Get even more fun toddler birthday party game ideas and other ways to make a great party for your toddler at ‘Toddler Birthday Party Ideas’ http://toddler-birthday-party-ideas.com
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Not just do healthy, nutrient-dense meals nourish your system and help the tissues develop and replicate, additionally they help equip your body’s defenses to fend off assaults coming from bacteria that cause colds. Low-fat meats, whole grain products, fresh fruits, vegetables as well as nuts all play a part in readying your body to perform battle.

Another essential component of your anti-cold self defense process is water. Whenever the body is not properly hydrated, it’s in danger of germs latching on and simply not letting go. Therefore be sure to stay well hydrated as well as decaffeinated drinks to help your body stay hydrated.

Just one cup of yogurt a day might help to maintain the intestinal track healthier and stronger, that can help fend off colds. This has to be natural yogurt having live cultures, because this is the key ingredient that helps keep the GI track prepared to rumble. And an added bonus to eating yogurt – recent reports suggest frequent dairy consumption can help you shed weight or keep a healthier weight.

Garlic contains allicin, an antibiotic that has been proven to reduce complications from a cold in some research. Garlic might be put into many of your favorite dishes to spice them up as well as help you suit up to carry out battle against cold viruses.

It’s been postulated an apple each day keeps the doctor away. To be honest, so can an orange. A single orange a day supplies your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Oranges are also rich in flavonoids, which helps your body’s cellular material replenish and remain fit and strong. Green bell peppers are the vegetable family’s very best vitamin C supply. Add them into a salad, or just cut one up and consume it raw. Flavonoids are additionally found in peppers. You may even want to make a green pepper dip seasoned with garlic for an added germ-kicking effect.

Lean ground beef, particularly when prepared with a bit of garlic herb, can preserve cell health and fight off illness. It’s an excellent source of protein, selenium and zinc, so when eaten along with a little bit of tomato, is a great defense throughout cold season.

To reduce the amount of time you spend, and maybe how much you owe, follow these seven tips from USAA when preparing your 2011 tax return.

1. Watch that deadline. The tax code is always changing, and the filing deadline is a moving target, too. This year, it’s April 17. The IRS extended the deadline because April 15 falls on a Sunday and April 16 is Emancipation Day, a holiday in Washington, D.C., If you file for an automatic six-month extension of your tax return, be aware that the extra time only covers the paperwork. The IRS still expects you to pay your tax liability by April 17. If you don’t, you’ll be subject to interest and penalties.

2. Get college credit. Scheduled to expire at the end of 2010, the American Opportunity Tax Credit was extended through December 2012 and is worth up to $2,500 per college student. The college tax credit is only available for tuition, fees and course-related books and supplies at an eligible post-secondary educational institution. Room, board and transportation aren’t covered. The full credit of $2,500 is available for those whose adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less if single and $160,000 or less if married filing jointly. The credit is reduced if you earn more. Also, you don’t qualify if your adjusted gross income is greater than $90,000 if you’re single or $180,000 if you file a joint return.

3. Get help with your energy-saving enhancements. Did you invest in new insulation, a heater, an air conditioner, windows or doors in 2011? If so, you may be eligible for an energy efficiency tax credit valued at 10 percent of the cost, up to a credit of $500 for qualified purchases. This tax credit applies only to an existing home that is your principal residence. New construction and rentals don’t qualify.

Bigger projects are worth bigger bucks. If you installed a geothermal heat pump, small wind turbine or solar energy system, you’re eligible for a credit of 30 percent of the cost with no limit.

While the 10 percent credit expired Dec. 31, 2011, the larger one will be available for purchases made through December 2016.

4. Understand a new twist in investment tax reporting. Until recently, the burden of calculating gains and losses on the sale of investments fell on individual taxpayers. That’s changing as this responsibility is gradually transferred to financial institutions.

If you bought and sold an individual stock – not a mutual fund – in 2011, your institution will calculate the gain or loss and report it to you and the IRS on Form 1099-B.  This only applies to the sale of stock shares you purchased after Jan. 1, 2011. You’ll still be responsible for calculating the gains and losses from the sale of shares purchased before then, though your firm may provide some calculations for your information only.

As the transition continues, financial institutions have begun calculating gains and losses on the sale of mutual fund shares acquired after Jan. 1, 2012.

5. Hit by a natural disaster? Seek tax shelter. With the onslaught of tornadoes, floods and blizzards, 2011 saw more than its fair share of catastrophes. If you were among the victims, you can take an itemized casualty loss deduction for property losses that weren’t reimbursed by insurance.

Casualty loss deductions are subject to two limits:

1. After tallying your losses from an incident, subtract $100 from the total. (If disaster struck you more than once in 2011, subtract $100 from the total associated with each event).

2. To calculate your total for the year, add up the losses (after the $100 adjustments) from each event and subtract 10 percent of your adjusted gross income from that number. The result is your allowable losses for the year.

6. Pay for that 2010 Roth IRA conversion. Did you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010? If so, you had an option to split the income and report half on your 2011 tax return and half on your 2012 tax returns. If you elected to do so, it’s time to make that first payment.

7. If you use a tax preparer, choose carefully. New regulations require paid tax preparers to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. Before hiring someone to do your taxes, make sure he or she has one.

When hiring a preparer:

* Ask about fees in advance, since costs often rise as the filing deadline draws closer.

* Always review your return before signing it. Never sign a blank return for a preparer to fill in later.

* Avoid refund anticipation loans. The interest rates are typically sky-high.

Erase some of frustration involved in finding the perfect gift and enjoy the holiday of love and romance with these great Valentine’s gift-giving tips:

* Want to take a unique route but lack a good idea? Start searching for ideas online. Traditional gifts can be altered slightly with gifts that incorporate jewels, chocolate or flowers in an unusual setting. For example, a bouquet of chocolate-covered strawberries designed to look like a bouquet of roses, puts a unique twist on several of the more popular gifting items.

Or deviate completely from the traditional and look for gifts your loved ones would appreciate, but never expect for Valentine’s Day. Use your computer to help you find great gift ideas for others on your Valentine’s Day shopping list like your grandma and best friends. Use search terms like “gifts for grandma” and “Valentine’s gifts for friends” to help find ideas.

* If you have an idea in mind, find product reviews and recommendations from experts and savvy shoppers with a few quick online searches. Use forums like FatWallet to read reviews on products ranging from electronics to travel. This way not only will you be able to confirm that your idea is a great one, but also ensure you find the best prices, and the best retailer for that product.

* Don’t forget to search for coupons and deals to maximize your savings. Use Ebates.com to purchase the gifts for everyone on your list and earn cash back on every purchase through thousands of retailers. For example, if you choose to go the traditional route and order your girlfriend a beautiful bouquet of flowers from FTD, you can earn 20 percent cash back from your purchase, on top of any discount coupons available on Ebates.com. Keep that extra cash back handy to make your Valentine’s Day celebration even more special.

Many retailers provide free shipping or delivery, and you may discover you can stack deals, allowing you to save plenty of money this Valentine’s Day and helping to ease your gift shopping frustrations.

Celebrate the holiday of love and romance this year in style with great gifts for your loved ones. Go online, gather great and unique ideas and don’t forget to save while shopping.

Upgrading our finances is the place most people want to start, according to MarketWatch personal finance columnist and lifestyle expert Jeanette Pavini, but even more Americans are looking to upgrade their lives in some way. According to a new Harris Interactive poll, commissioned by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, 93 percent of respondents want to upgrade their lives in 2012.

“It’s all about making small changes that don’t feel like you’re cutting back, and then adding a small indulgence to make you feel good,” says Pavini. “Whether you want to feel better about your relationships, your health or your career, focus on small changes that can turn an average experience into a sensual, enjoyable, satisfying one.”

Pavini offers some financial and lifestyle tips that can help you upgrade your 2012 and get the year off to a great start.

1. An easy way to start saving money is to stop going out for lunch every day. The average deli lunch is close to $9 per day, while making that same sandwich, lunch and drink at home can cost less than $2. “Upgrade the experience by including a piece of premium chocolate,” Pavini suggests. “You’ll add a bit of glamour into your everyday life, while saving a lot of money.” Follow this as often as you can and you can save up to $1,800 per year – perfect to use to start saving for a relaxing vacation somewhere luxurious.

2. Look for easy ways to indulge. Our busy lives can often make it challenging to indulge in a nice meal or vacation, and according to a recent Harris Interactive survey, 63 percent of women and 54 percent of men say they would spend more on premium chocolate when they felt like indulging. Adding a premium chocolate bar to your bag lunch or after a nice dinner at home is one way to indulge without breaking the bank. Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk, the newest line of milk chocolate made for the connoisseur, is one way to do that with three new flavors: Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion (32 percent cacao milk chocolate), Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape and Gourmet Milk Coconut Rendezvous.

3. Cook extra. Another way to save is to cook extra food at night when you make dinner and bring the leftovers for lunch – or keep them in the freezer when you’re in a pinch. Casseroles, soups and chilies freeze well and keep their taste when reheated. Most cooked dishes will last for two to three months in the freezer. Cooking meals on your own ensures that you have the best ingredients and no hidden calories.

4. Indulge at home. A night on the town can be costly but don’t let that discourage you from having a romantic date night. Turn your kitchen into restaurant with a white tablecloth, good dishes and candles.

5. Think long term when it comes to saving money. For most homeowners one extra mortgage payment a year can shave about eight years off their mortgage. It may not seem like a lot at the time, but over a lifetime, that can mean tens of thousands of dollars in savings.

6. Check the benefits of membership. Many museums sell family memberships for a discounted rate, which can sometimes include free or discount admission to hundreds of other museums, aquariums, zoos and science centers.

7. Nothing can add to romance like a relaxing massage. Check out local massage schools for deep discounts. Students who are about to graduate need to get their hours in, and you can benefit by getting a professional massage at a fraction of the cost.

8. If you love a high-end dining experience, eat out for lunch instead of dinner. Many of the same dishes are offered at half the price. And instead of paying for dessert and coffee, which can add another $25, have a Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk chocolate bar waiting at home or the office for a perfect finish to a meal.