Make tweens happy about going back to school

Most weens aren't exactly thrilled at the prospect of going back to school. They've really enjoyed their summer vacation. Chances are, your kids would rather be on permanent vacation. Wouldn't you? Nevertheless, there are back-to-school activities they can get excited about. Going back to school brings about some positive changes. Concentrating on these activities and traditions might make tweens a little more enthusiastic about school days.

Making new friends is one bonus of going back to school.

Give tweens a jump start on making new friends. How? Pay attention to the new faces in your neighborhood. Introduce yourselves to new neighbors with kids over the summer. Invite them to barbecues or other neighborhood gatherings. Now, when your kids start school, they'll already be friends with the new kids on the block.

Budget for extracurricular activities.

Whether it's band, sports, clubs or attending plays and dances, tweens need more than basic education to round out their personalities and give them something to look forward to. Give your tweens a school experience to remember by saving money in the budget for extracurricular fun.

Shopping for new school clothes is always exciting for tweens.

How do you keep them enthusiastic about school through new clothes? By not letting them wear them until school starts. If that sounds mean, stop to think about it. Anticipation builds enthusiasm. The more things you give kids to be enthused about on the first day of school, the more they'll look forward to it.

Older tweens going back to school might need house keys.

What could possibly be more exciting? They've earned your trust to be home alone after school. House keys are a gift of independence. Giving kids the keys to the kingdom makes them feel as if they could conquer anything; even the first day back to school.

Getting a total back to school makeover can boost self esteem.

Your tween's appearance is important to them, whether they say so or not. Getting a new haircut, new glasses, contacts or updating their image can make a real difference in the way they view going back to school. Who wouldn't want to start school sporting the latest looks?

Older tweens might look forward to having their own cell phone.

You'll need to know where they are, now that you're not accompanying them everywhere. They'll be walking back and forth to school alone or with friends. You'll want them to be safe. Having a cell phone of their own enables you to keep in touch with them. It also gives them one more good reason to look forward to starting school in the fall.

Don't forget to give home school kids the same consideration.

The fact that they're not attending conventional school doesn't mean they don't want or deserve to look and feel their best, enjoy a variety of activities and be given more adult responsibilities!

Ideas for natural Thanksgiving centerpieces

Thanksgiving centerpieces can be simple or elaborate, handmade or store bought. They can be made by the hands of a small child or an expert florist. A natural Thanksgiving centerpiece is a reflection of your relationship with friends and family. You've come together to enjoy a celebration of good will. Here's five ideas to make your Thanksgiving table memorable.

Mini pumpkin tea lights

Supplies:

Miniature pumpkins
Tea lights
Glass plate
Tools for carving
Several Thanksgiving themed picks or sprays

Directions:

Carve a tea light sized hole from each pumpkin. Place a tea light in each one. Stack and scatter the tea light pumpkins randomly on the plate. Fill the gaps in with the picks and sprays. Light candles just before dinner.

Silver and gold gourds

Supplies:

1 can each of silver and gold spray paint

Pedestal cake plate
Gourds in a variety of sizes and shapes
Artificial fall leaf sprigs from a craft store.

Directions:

Spray paint half the gourds silver, the other half gold. Let dry. While they're drying, spray paint your leaves lightly with gold. Let the natural color show slightly. When the leaves are dry, scatter them randomly on the plate Let the edges hang over. Now place and stack the dry painted gourds on the leaf bed.

Giving thanks log book

Supplies:

Wrought iron book stand
Guest book
Pen
Assorted fall floral picks

Directions:

Wrap the exposed areas of the book stand with the floral picks. Glue in place if needed. Set your book stand and guest book with pen on the table. Each year at Thanksgiving dinner, your guests can sign the book with a note about what they are thankful for. In time this will become a delightful reminder of the good things in your lives.

Friends light the way

Have each guest bring a glass with a fall colored candle in it. Do not specify shape, size or color. You should end up with a wide variety of shapes, sizes and heights of glasses. Scatter the glasses randomly in the center of the table for an unusual lighted display. This display symbolizes and celebrates the differences in our friends and family. It shows how we all come together on Thanksgiving.

Spilling edible harvest

Supplies:
Mixed nuts in the shell
4-5 apples of different types
4-5 pears
Medium sized basket
Wide fall themed ribbon

Directions:

Fill the bowl randomly with the apples and pears. Place some of the nuts in the spaces between the fruit. Pour the rest gently over the fruit, letting some tumble onto the table. Tie a large bow on the handle of the basket using the wide ribbon. Let the ends of the ribbon fall loosely onto the table, among the nuts.

Tips for new homeowners: Gutter and downspout inspection

As a new homeowner, doing a walk through with your home inspector, you may wonder what home inspectors look for as regards gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts direct rain and snow or ice melt away from the foundation of your house where it can cause damage and leakage. Here are some things your home inspector should be looking for when they check your gutters and downspouts.

Free of debris

Your home inspector should check to see if gutters and downspouts are free of debris. Clogged gutters and downspouts can back up and overflow. This causes damage to the foundation of your potential new home. Gutters and downspouts filled with debris are a sign this home has not been properly maintained in other areas as well.

Proper extension

Gutters and downspouts should carry roof runoff water away from the house. This is usually done by extending downspouts outward or using a curved slab to direct the water once it leaves the downspout.

A properly constructed gutter system should carry water at least three feet away from the foundation to prevent damage.

Cracks, breaks and leaks

As a new homeowner, you should be aware of any cracks, breaks or leaks in the gutter and downspouts.

Water can seep through these damaged areas. This would prevent it from being directed away from the foundation. In addition to leaking, it can change the flow of the water and prevent it from being carried along, causing gutters to bulge and burst.

Stability

Unstable gutters and downspouts might have trouble holding up to heavy rain or snow. This can cause them to break or fall. This could compromise your foundation, due to water saturation. It could also pose a safety risk. Be sure your home inspector checks to see that gutters and downspouts are installed for stability.

Rain barrels

You and your home inspector should be aware of the laws concerning rain barrels in your city, county and state. Rain barrels are illegal in some areas. Standing water can be a health hazard due to bacteria. There is also a danger of mosquitoes breeding in the standing water. Mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of many diseases.