Well for all of you moms and dads out there with wild kids or discipline problems and parenting challenges there are still spaces on the next season of SuperNanny so if you need help go to SuperNanny.com or see the information below about being considered for the show and to get Jo's help.

I know I struggle with balancing kids, schedules, my own business, housework, meals and keeping my kids entertained. I am sure I even my family could use Jo's help. I love watching the Super Nanny episodes!

Families must apply NOW for ABC’s top rated parenting show!

Los Angeles, CA – The casting team of ABC’s popular parenting series SUPERNANNY is currently casting for season five. The casting team will be sending producers out to find the next SUPERNANNY family.

This season producers are searching for families with unique interests; parents who have ordinary and extraordinary circumstances; teen moms; parents with mean girls or bullying boys; culturally diverse parents; and blended families where both sides are seeking help. Producers want families from every type of background who are ready for the opportunity of a lifetime—a visit from America’s number one nanny, Jo Frost!

Jo Frost’s expert behavioral techniques and caring ease with children make SUPERNANNY a hit with the audience every week. Her book, “ASK SUPERNANNY” is an international best seller and follows up her first book “SUPERNANNY: HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR KIDS,” which spent several months on the New York Times best seller list.

Interested moms and dads in need of help with their out of control kids may apply from anywhere via www.supernanny.com. Parents can also call 877/NANNY TIME (1-877-626-6984) for more information or e-mail CNazzaro@ShedMediaUS.com.

To enter our Bunbun Book Giveaway Contest Sign up and leave a comment about our site for this post!

All entrants will receive a printable ZiggityZoom coloring book by email! Your information is not shared or given to anyone.
Contest runs from October 19, 2008 and ends November 5, 2008. Giveaway is OVER-WInner will be contacted Nov 10-12th.

We have tons of reading and early literacy activities and tools on our site.

Check out our online interactive stories at:Check out our Interactive Stories-here

Or let your child draw a picture or a picture and a sentence if they are a bit older using our Tell a Story Template

In order to leave a comment you must sign up by providing a user name and valid email address. 5 entrants will WIN: Bunbun at Bedtime and Bunbun the Middle One.

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We will focus on providing ideas for play, games and worksheets that help your kids grow (by having fun of course) through observation and experiments, and games that improve listening skills and some ideas that are about having fun and family time. And ideas for healthy living and getting your kids up and moving which is so important for kids to do.

With Today's economy, parents are looking for ways to save money and still keep their kids busy and entertained. We want to give you a few ideas to keep your kids busy and have fun too!

Fun Toy to Make for Free


Sock Puppet Toy-Dog
To Make a Sock Puppetgather a few socks, spare material or paper and glue and make this cute dog puppet and a few your child can play with.

Pretend Play and Dress Up


Knight Costume-Dress Up
Make this Knight Costume for Halloween or for pretend play and dress up. We also have many other easy, fast costumes you can make with a pillowcase, such as, Hula Girl, and Princess.

Family Fun- Free Games and Toys


Mermaid Puzzle
Make this Mermaid Puzzle-it is a perfect activity to keep your kids busy one afternoon that helps their hand-eye coordination and logical thinking skills. We also have a Pirate, Dragon,Robot, Surfer, Goodie Twoshoes Puzzles for your family to enjoy and for Free!

Food Tidbit of the Day:

Want a Quick Meal for Dinner that is All Wrapped Up in 5 minutes?
Make a Bean and Veggie Burrito

Make this Bean and Veggie Whole Wheat Wrap in 5-10 minutes and serve with fruit for a healthy, balanced meal.

Check back daily to see new ideas and activities for you and your kids. Bookmark our site and sign up for our newsletter to get great acitivities, articles and tips from ZiggityZoom.com

To see our Activity from Oct 3-Halloween Stickers, Leap Frog Lily Pad Kids' Game, Whole Wheat White Pizza Dinner

To see our Activity from October 2- Halloween Place Mat, Look and Find Backyard and Dinnertime Game Ideas

Fun Toy to Make for Free


Sock Puppet Toy-Dog
To Make a Sock Puppetgather a few socks, spare material or paper and glue and make this cute dog puppet and a few your child can play with.

Pretend Play and Dress Up


Knight Costume-Dress Up
Make this Knight Costume for Halloween or for pretend play and dress up. We also have many other easy, fast costumes you can make with a pillowcase, such as, Hula Girl, and Princess.

Family Fun- Free Games and Toys


Mermaid Puzzle
Make this Mermaid Puzzle-it is a perfect activity to keep your kids busy one afternoon that helps their hand-eye coordination and logical thinking skills. We also have a Pirate, Dragon,Robot, Surfer, Goodie Twoshoes Puzzles for your family to enjoy and for Free!

Food Tidbit of the Day:

Want a Quick Meal for Dinner that is All Wrapped Up in 5 minutes?
Make a Bean and Veggie Burrito

Make this Bean and Veggie Whole Wheat Wrap in 5-10 minutes and serve with fruit for a healthy, balanced meal.

Check back daily to see new ideas and activities for you and your kids. Bookmark our site and sign up for our newsletter to get great acitivities, articles and tips from ZiggityZoom.com

To see our Activity from Oct 3-Halloween Stickers, Leap Frog Lily Pad Kids' Game, Whole Wheat White Pizza Dinner

To see our Activity from October 2- Halloween Place Mat, Look and Find Backyard and Dinnertime Game Ideas

Ingredients

• 1 can Vegetarian Refried Beans (Low fat)
• 1 10 pack of Low fat Whole Wheat Tortillas
• 1 Tomato (diced)
• 2% Sharp Cheddar Cheese(Lowfat)
• 1 Avocado (chopped)
• Shredded Romaine Lettuce
• 1 bunch Cilantro (optional)

How to Make:
Warm refried beans of med. heat and then remove or microwave them (optional- heat your burrito at the end instead). Next, take a tortilla (warm if desired) and lay out flat on a large plate. Now spread a layer of beans on the tortilla and then add vegetables (I put the veggies I know my child will eat and maybe a little bit of something new). Last I will add the cheese and wrap it up (either use a paper towel to wrap it or a toothpick if it will not stay closed). You can either serve or warm up burrito in microwave for 10-30 seconds.
Serve with a side of fruit and you will have a meal that is healthy, and has protein, fiber, whole grains, vegetables and fruit! And you get a healthy 1 dish meal your family will love without cooking a thing! This has become a favorite lunch or dinner at my house.
When you first serve this, if your kids are not used to this type of food, I would recommend trying it with only lettuce or a vegetable he/she likes and if you need to put just a bit of a low-fat salad dressing on top to give it a little more flavor that they are used to eating.

Teach Your Kids to Save Money


Monkey Bank
Now more than ever is a perfect time to teach your kids about saving money. Make this great Monkey bank with your preschooler or prek student.

Money Matters- Lessons to Teach your Kids about Money- Saving, Spending and Donating
This is a great article to help parents teach kids about saving money, donating to charity, and allocating money for spending.

Fun Kids Game


Hide and Seek Kids Game
Let your kids have fun while learning their numbers-let your kids play hide and seek with Zoomer.

Food Tip of the Day:

Need a Quick Recipe for Dinner?
Yummy Black Bean Soup- Fast and Kids Love It!

Need a quick and nutritious dinner idea? Make this Black Bean Soup and serve with a salad- Dinner in 15 minutes!

Check back daily to see new ideas and activities for you and your kids. Bookmark our site and sign up for our newsletter to get great acitivities, articles and tips from ZiggityZoom.com

To see our Activity from Oct 5-Halloween Monkey Mask,Hopscotch Fit Mat,Food Veggie and Fruit Castle-click here

To see our Activity from Oct 3-Halloween Stickers, Leap Frog Lily Pad Kids' Game, Whole Wheat White Pizza Dinner

To see our Activity from October 2- Halloween Place Mat, Look and Find Backyard and Dinnertime Game Ideas

• 2 cans Black Beans (with liquid)
• 1 Cup Salsa
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1/8 tsp Garlic Powder

• 1 Garlic Clove (diced)-optional
• 1 tsp Olive Oil-optional
• Pinch of Cayenne Pepper-optional
• 1 Tbs Fresh Cilantro-diced-optional

Here's How:
For Basic Recipe: Pour both cans of Black Beans with the liquid into a saucepan. Add Salsa to Black Beans. Use a Hand held Blender to puree black beans and salsa so most of the beans are pureed (the soup will still have some chunks). If you do not have a hand blender, use a potatoe masher to mash the bean mixture. Add the 1/2 tsp of Chili Powder and the 1/8 tsp of Garlic Powder. Cook on Medium Heat for 5 minutes until it starts to bubble. Remove Black Bean Mixture/Soup from Heat and Serve Immediately and if your family likes Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Reduced Fat Sour Cream and Chopped Green Onions add to the bowls of soup.
For Soup with a little more flavor- before adding the Black Beans to the Saucepan, add 1 tsp of Olive Oil and Heat over Medium Heat- added the diced Garlic to the pan and sautee for 1-2 minutes, then follow the steps above and add the the Cayenne Pepper and Diced Cilantro when you add the Chili Powder and Garlic Powder. You can Also add a little more Salsa for added flavor.
Serve this with a salad or a side of celery and carrot sticks to round off a quick and healthy meal.
Information about Black Beans-Black beans are such a healthy food that is also tasty and versatile. 1/2 cup serving of black beans provides 8g of Protein, 6g of Fiber and 105 of the Iron we need for a day. It is a great food to add to your family's diet.

We will focus on providing ideas for play, games and worksheets that help your kids grow (by having fun of course) through observation and experiments, and games that improve listening skills and some ideas that are about having fun and family time. And ideas for healthy living and getting your kids up and moving which is so important for kids to do.

Special Halloween Activity


Halloween Mask- Monkey
Print this great Monkey Mask, for your child to pretend to be a monkey or make a Monkey Halloween Costume.

Get Up and Get Moving Activity


Hopscotch Mat
Make this Hopscotch Mat for your kids to jump around and get some exercise while they learn their colors or numbers. You can play is game often and this is a perfect game for a rainy day. If you do not have a mat, you can do it with paper or do it outside with chalk.

Food Tip of the Day:

Get Your Kids to Eat More Veggies
Make this cool Food Castle

Want your kids to eat more vegetables and fruit? Do you want them to get excited about veggies? Make this Vegetable and Fruit Castle for your kids and they will eat their veggies. You can even let them help you!

Check back daily to see new ideas and activities for you and your kids. Bookmark our site and sign up for our newsletter to get great acitivities, articles and tips from ZiggityZoom.com

To see our Activity from Oct 3-Halloween Stickers, Leap Frog Lily Pad Kids' Game, Whole Wheat White Pizza Dinner

To see our Activity from October 2- Halloween Place Mat, Look and Find Backyard and Dinnertime Game Ideas

Get Up and Get Moving Activity


Leap Frog Lily Pad Game
Make these Lily Pads for your kids to jump around and get some exercise while they learn their colors or numbers. You can use these often and this is a perfect game for a rainy day.

Dinner Tonight

Tip of the Day for Meals
Try this Great Whole Wheat Pizza Crust-

If you and your family love Pizza but we all know that most fast food or frozen pizzas are not the best dinner option with the amount of fat and white flour. We wanted to share this great pizza idea with you that uses whole wheat flour and tastes wonderful.

Check back daily to see new ideas and activities for you and your kids. Bookmark our site and sign up for our newsletter to get great acitivities, articles and tips from ZiggityZoom.com

To see our Activity from October 2- Halloween Place Mat, Look and Find Backyard and Dinnertime Game Ideas

Special Halloween Activity


Halloween I Spy Learning Place Mat
Print this Place Mat off for Your Kids and let them search and find the Halloween items.

Get Up and Get Moving Activity


Look and Find: BackyardGet Up, Get Moving and Explore!
Kids love hide and seek and scavenger hunts-so print off this look and find sheet and set them loose in your backyard to get moving and exploring their world.

Dinner Tonight

Tip of the Day for Meals
1 Way to Get through Dinner and have more fun with your kids: Play a Game during Dinner

At first it might seem that the dinner table is the absolute worst place to play during dinner. But with kids the goal is to get through dinner without a melt-down, everyone eating some of their food and to spend time together as a family. There is a time for conversational, formal-type dinners, but I do not think that helps to keep your kids, especially young ones, engaged at dinner time. So leave the formalities to your grown up dinner parties and have a little fun with your kids. You will all enjoy dinner time a little more if everyone relaxes a bit. Of course, there is always a place for manners and teaching at every meal, but a little fun makes meals more enjoyable.

Game Ideas

• Name Something that Is: Color, Shape, Food grown in ground, on a tree, or any other group or things.
• I Spy: Play the usual I spy game but everyone has to be able to see it from their seats.
• What Is It?- Someone says 2 to 3 clues and each person takes a turn guessing what it is (ex. do animals or foods that are easy for kids to guess).
• Spin a Tale- A parent starts a story about something the kids like and everyone can add to the story or give ideas to help the storyteller finish the story. So you could tell a story about a Princess or Pirate, a Knight or a funny camping trip or anything you can think of.

To read the entire article of 10 Dinner Strategies-click here

Here is an easy way to save money and help out the environment at the same time. Buy 1-3 packs of brightly colored, cotton cloth napkins, bar towels or wash clothes and a few dish towels. Use the small cloth napkins or towels for your family at breakfast, lunch and dinner instead of using paper towels or paper napkins and use a dish towel to dry hands after washing them. Just remember to switch out the hand towel daily for a clean one and let air dry between uses. The cloth napkins are great because you can let kids pick their own color or assign a favorite color to everyone in the family. Just make sure to have enough to get through several meals before you have to wash them. At my house some of the cloth napkins need to be washed after 1 use and others can be used again before being washed.

The cost breakdown- the average family goes through several rolls of paper towels a month. My family was using at least 1 roll of paper towels every week and some weeks we were going through them even faster. In an average year, we spend $60.00-80.00 on paper towels and create several trash cans full of trash from those paper towels. By using cloth napkins and dish towels, in place of paper towels most of the time, you can cut down on your trash, your monthly cost for paper products and help to reduce our use of paper goods that come from forests.

The cost for dish towels varies but you can get a 7 piece kitchen towel set from Target for $14.99 or a 3 pack of kitchen towels (trendy designs) for $16.99 and there are less expensive options available if you buy a set of white no-nonsense bar towels for a few dollars. I would recommend having at least 7 on hand so you can easily replace a dirty one with a clean towel or wipe up a spill with an extra towel. So, for between $15.00-$30.00 (if you buy 2 packs) you can cut down on the amount of paper products you are buying and using. The cute cloth bar towels in the picture were from Target and ran about $4-5 for a pack of 4 towels/napkins.