The objective of the game is for your child to navigate a robot through the house without causing it to “malfunction.”� You’ll need these simple things to get started:

• A start and finish point
• A Robot
• A set of Commands

Start and finish point:� use tape or string.� Place one piece on the floor where the activity will start—in a bedroom, for example.� Place the second piece at the finish line—in the kitchen, for example.

Robot:� mom or dad will work just fine.� Take a sheet of red (or any color) construction paper and wrap it around your left forearm.� Secure it with a rubber band or piece of tape.� Take a piece of yellow (or any color) construction paper and secure it to your right forearm.

Commands: these are the commands—Forward, Stop, Red Turn, Yellow Turn.� Forward means walk slowly forward.� Stop means stop.� Red Turn means turn 90 degrees to the left (because red paper is on your left arm).� Yellow Turn means turn 90 degrees to the right (because yellow paper is on your right arm).

A malfunction occurs when commands are given incorrectly:

-The robot cannot turn while� going forward.� The Stop command must be given before the Red Turn or Yellow Turn command. For example, if your child gives the Forward command, and then a few seconds later gives the Red Turn command, the robot malfunctions and the game starts over.� (Indicate a malfunction by saying something like, ‘Malfunction, incorrect command,’ and then tilt your head forward and shut your eyes.)

-The robot cannot be given the same command twice in a row.� For example, if your child calls Red Turn twice in a row, then the robot malfunctions and the game starts over.

-If an unrecognized command is given (such as Backwards), a malfunction occurs and the game starts over.

When your child is able to navigate the robot to the finish line without causing a malfunction, the objective has been met.� When you cross the finish line, use your monotone, robot voice to say something like, ‘Congratulations! You have successfully completed the objective.� It took you three tries to navigate the course without error.� Will we resume robot command instructions in the near future?’��

Some suggested variations to keep up with your child’s skills:

-Create infrared zones.� To do this, place squares of newspaper in various places along the course.� If the robot steps on one of these, a malfunction occurs and the game starts over.

-Play with a timer.� The robot’s battery is low and it must get to the recharging center within three minutes or it will shut down.�

-Charge the robot’s battery with knowledge.� Before the navigation part of the game, charge the robot’s battery with correct answers to questions.� In your robot voice, ask your child questions that correspond with her skill level.� For example, ‘What is 2+1?� What noise does a dog make?� Etc.’�

-Reinforce left and right recognition by playing without the colored paper on your forearms.� The turn commands will now be Left Turn and� Right Turn.

Of course, following directions can be just as challenging as giving directions, so be sure to provide your child an opportunity to play the part of the robot.�� Many other variations will pop up as you’re playing the game.� No matter the exact procedure, this activity reinforces a variety of skills and demonstrates once again that the best resource for fun and learning is good old-fashioned ingenuity.

First off, the Bridal Shower is a party thrown just for the bride. Talk to the person organizing the shower (most likely the Maid of Honor), and ask what kind of shower it’s going to be. Many bridal showers revolve around a theme, and thus the gifts do as well. For example, if the couple is honeymooning in Aruba, the theme might be travel. You could buy her some new luggage for their trip, some luxurious beach towels, an exquisite beach tote, etc. Let your imagination go wild! You might also find out where they’re staying, and purchase a gift certificate for them to have a nice dinner while they’re on their trip.

If it is a small, personal shower you could get her something a bit more racy like some sexy lingerie, or even a new cozy bathrobe and slippers to make her feel comfortable.

You can, however, get a bit more creative in your gift and go outside the box. What about giving the bride a day at the spa to relax? With all the running around she’s about to start doing, it will be well appreciated! You could also get her a gift certificate to a fine salon to get her hair and makeup done. This could be used for the wedding day itself, or just a treat to pamper herself.

An Engagement Party is thrown for the couple, and it is perfectly acceptable to buy registry gifts for this event. Chances are, however, they’ve already accumulated plenty of dishes and towels, so why not get creative in your gift giving?With a bit of research you could find a restaurant that puts together picnic dinners. Buying them a complete picnic with basket, blanket, wine and dessert would make for a very fun day for the couple to spend together.

Or, find out what they like to do together. If the couple enjoys the outdoors, why not buy them a year pass to the local state park? If they enjoy ice-skating, why not purchase a year’s pass to the local rink? If rock climbing is their thing, a pass to the local climbing gym would be a great gift.

If you’re feeling fun, you should think games. Croquet, volleyball, basketball, or board games are all fun ideas for some creative gifts they certainly won’t expect – and won’t get from anyone else.

With a little creativity you can certainly break the mold of dishtowels and bathmats for a shower or engagement gift. Using your imagination and a little ‘out of the box’ thinking will ensure you get the couple a gift that they will have fun with, and one that will be long remembered.

Don’t worry. With a little creativity you can put together amazing gifts that he’ll never forget.

• For the Artistic Type. He loves art. Instead of getting him yet another art book or framed photograph (and he’s out of wall space anyway), why not go for some art supplies? Let him try his hand at painting, or sculpting, or drawing! Putting together a gift basket full of supplies might ignite an otherwise hidden creative spark. You never know, you just might have the next Picasso on your hands.

If you want to go a step further, you could even sign him up for a class at the local community college. Talk about a surprise!

• For the Health Nut. Indulge him this year with a tasty, organic gift basket. These can be filled with anything from fresh, organic fruit to rich organic coffees or chocolates. Sure, you could go for just another pair of running socks, but this is so much more fun! You can fill the basket with things he normally wouldn’t buy for himself anyway, which makes it that much more special.

If your dad travels often, why not put together a portable fitness kit for him? These are great to take on the road, allowing him to do several resistance exercises from the comfort of his hotel room (or RV, for that matter). From yoga to jump rope, he’ll have it all right at his fingertips. You can put all the little items in a portable canvas bag and he’ll be able to grab it and go.

• For Pure Decadence. Ever want to buy something just for the sheer fun of it? Or give a gift that you know the person would never get for themselves? Well, decadence gifts are right up this alley.

First off, you need to get creative. Why not do a bit of research and find out what kinds of games your dad used to play when he was younger? You can hunt them down one by one and make a fun gift basket full of old toys. Or, instead of doing games specifically, you could hunt up memorabilia from when he was younger (‘40’s, ‘50’s, etc.). Lots of companies make fun reproductions that are sure to bring a smile to his face.

If you’re thinking luxury, why not plan a trip for him? Depending on your budget and his interests, you could send him off anywhere from Vegas to Paris. Make all the arrangements so he doesn’t have to worry about a thing. If Paris seems a bit of a stretch, why not set something up at a Bed and Breakfast a short drive away?• For the Time Honored Gift. These are the gifts that are the solid standbys. Books, jewelry, games. The tried and true gifts that never let you down.

So, we’re thinking out of the box here (and ignoring the alluring call of the plain-jane gift card …). What about a pair of really unique cufflinks (they even make them out of Scrabble tiles…who knew?)Or, if you’ve got some time on your hands, why not buy a really beautiful, unique photo album and fill it with pictures of his life, from the time he was born up until the present. These can be really powerful gifts if you have the time to put them together. Or, if the thought of doing an entire album is too daunting, why not buy a nice big frame and do a collage?

• For a Technology Gift. If your dad is at all into music, he’s probably got an iPod of some sort. (If he doesn’t, great gift idea here! Do him a favor and put some of his favorite songs on there so he can start enjoying it right away.) If he does already have one, why not get him some cool accessories to go with it? You can get an alarm clock that uses the iPod to wake him up to his favorite song, or a watertight boombox he can use outside or on the lake.

Hopefully some of these ideas have sparked your creativity enough to get you going on a great gift idea. Good luck, and happy hunting!

Now, I’m not talking about the party games that put you on the spot and make you cringe at the mere mention of them.

No, what I’m talking about are party activities that engage your guests in uniquely interactive and fun way without them even knowing they’re being involved!  Trust me, it’s great icebreaker fun for even the shyest guests! Here are 4 interactive party activities that ALL guests at our Company’s Five-Year Anniversary party participated in for a truly unique, memorable and fabulously fun time:

#1 Very Fun Party Activity: Create a Mystery Cocktail Create a custom cocktail for your guests to try and guess its ingredients! As each guest enters the party, have your catering staff hold trays of the special concoction and greet guests as they enter. You can also set up a special table with glasses of the “mystery” cocktail.

It’s a great way to get everyone in the party mood and at the same time it will get your party guests to immediately begin mingling with each other as they try to figure out what’s in the drink! Tip: Have at least one “easy” taste in the cocktail for your guests to guess.

For example, use something distinctive like pineapple or orange.

And if it’s appropriate, rim the glasses with colored sugar or salt to make the presentation even more festive! 

#2 Very Fun Party Activity: Take Polaroid Pictures and Give Them as Party Favors Polaroid pictures are great fun at parties because they are funky, retro and most of all, instant! They capture the fun of the moment and can be given to your guests in a nice picture frame or photo mount as party favors. Assign someone to the Polaroids and have special frames or mounts ready to insert the photo in and voila! Your guests will have an instant personalized souvenir to remember their special moment at your party for years to come! Tip: These frames or mounts are readily available, but do require some lead-time.

So be sure to include an RSVP on your invitation so you know how many to order. Allow yourself plenty of time (especially if you want them personalized) so you don’t pay rush-shipping charges.

#3 Very Fun Party Activity: Create a Polaroid Instant Photo Guest Book Since you’ve already got the Polaroid camera and film ready to go for your guests’ favors, you might as well just go ahead and take the plunge for yourself and have a Polaroid Instant photo guest book on hand! Instant photo guest books like the Adesso Album Instant Photo Guest Booksฎ will put your guests to work for you to create an instant memento of your party. Now you’ll be able to enjoy your party’s memories the instant the party is over and for many years to come. These photo guest books often become the life of the party, especially after a few custom cocktails! Tip: Assign someone to go around the party, take Polaroid pictures of guests, slide them into the Adesso Photo Guest Bookฎ and then pass it around to have guests write a personal message to you.

It’s less pressure than being videotaped and far more personal.  #4 Fun Party Activity: Philanthropic Party Donation It’ll make you feel good, and it’ll make your guests feel good.

Find something you can “sell” to your guests, and donate 100% of the profits to the charity of your choice.

It’s a win-win-win situation for you, your guests and the charity you select. People will really like “sharing” the good time they’re having with others who are less fortunate.

Tip: Make sure that your guests get some value for their contributions. It can be a product offering or something as simple as a gift card, gift certificate or coupon for a popular product or service.

Final Party Activity Tip:

Have cards printed listing your interactive party activities with a checkbox next to them.

Provide a way to get the activities checked off as they’re completed during the party.

Make sure guests know that if they complete all the activities by the end of the party, they are eligible for a grand prize, even if you don’t have one!  You’ll be surprised how competitive your guests can get and how relieved they are to have something to chat about with the person they just met for the first time! 

For a Creative GiftWell, that high-priced photographer is going to produce mounds of photographs, all of which will need a home. A photo album or funky, artistic frame is always a good choice for a wedding gift.

Or, why not think about getting the happy couple something to do together in their leisure time? Perhaps a picnic basket and set of picnic supplies, a doublewide hammock, or an exquisite wine gift basket.

For a Healthy GiftIf the newly married couple is into healthy or organic living, why not put together a gardening kit for them? Find some organic vegetable or flower seeds, and collect all the tools they’ll need to garden together in the backyard.

You could also think about ordering them a gift basket full of organic foods. With all the stress of planning and pulling off a wedding, it might be nice to just relax one night and munch on some organic, tasty treats!For Pure DecadenceDecadent gifts can be anything from the pure luxurious to the downright fun. With all the blenders and plates the couple is going to be getting, why not lighten things up and get them a basket full of games? Stock it up with things they can play together, everything from a deck of cards to Monopoly.

If you’re thinking luxurious, well the sky is only limited by your imagination! What about a digital photo frame? One of these will allow them to upload all their wedding pictures. The screen changes every few seconds, so they always get to look at a new picture.

For the Time Honored GiftWhat about an expensive journal and pen to record their wedding experience in? It would definitely be an adventure to look back on 10 years from now and read about how Aunt Marge got drunk at the reception and lead the conga line for over an hour!Or, what about some personalized stationary to write thank you notes on?For a Technology GiftIf you’re thinking luxurious and techie, why not purchase a new home theater system? There’s almost nothing better than curling up to a good movie with theater surround-sound (although it might be hard to resist keeping this one for yourself …).

If that’s a little out of budget, what about nice photo printer to print all their wedding pictures out on? If you’re feeling a bit on the luxurious side, you can also stock them up on ink refills as well.

With a little advance planning and creativity, you can go above and beyond the toaster and blender clich้ of wedding gifts. You’ll give a gift that’s unexpected, appreciated, and certainly memorable!

1. Bring your mom a bouquet of flowers from
your own garden. Use a vase you have saved
from a time when you received flowers from a
florist or spend a little on a pretty new vase.
Tie a ribbon or raffia bow around it and add
a card (make it yourself on your computer) and
your gift is ready!

2. Buy a single bloom at the florist. The florist
in our town will put one carnation, daisy or other
flower in a bud vase along with a little baby’s
breath and add a bow for around $5.00. And they
will deliver.

3. Give your mom an afternoon with you! Not with
your kids or spouse along, just you. How long has
it been since you spent uninterrupted time with her?
Look at old pictures, reminisce, or go window-
shopping, whatever. The point is just being together.

4. Make your mom’s favorite dessert and present it
to her along with a gift certificate for a homemade
dessert once a month. Especially if your mom lives
alone, this can really be a treat.

5. If your mom is elderly or lives alone, give her
the gift of a Saturday spent doing things around her
house. Such as washing her windows, changing light
bulbs and air conditioner filters, working in her
yard, hauling away trash, anything she finds it
difficult to do for herself anymore.

6. Gift baskets are always fun for the recipient and
the giver, too. Fill a pretty basket with things you
make, cookie mixes, dried herbs, needlework, a mug
filled with a couple of specialty tea bags. Line the
basket with a lacy doily or napkin, add a raffia bow
and you have a great gift any mother will love.

7. If a card is just all you can do this year, make
it really special. Have everyone in the family write
a little note; toddlers who can’t write yet can draw
a picture.

With a little imagination, you can create a gift your
mother will be elated to receive! And she’ll wonder
what you’ll come up with next year!

Life began with waking up and loving my mother’s face.
- George Eliot, English novelist

Baby, It’s YOU! – Tribute the mom-to-be – when she was a baby! This is an especially great shower if lots of family will be present who can help you carry this off. It’s a delightful way to connect the dots of the generations and remember back. Use her baby picture on invitations and choose a personalized baby shower favor that fits her character. To customize it, use the same or a different picture and add a “did you know” quote about something endearing she did as a baby such as “did you know one of Amy’s first phrases was “who bought this?” or “…her favorite book was The Gingerbread Man”. You can use her favorite colors to decorate and serve her favorite foods, if they’re available blow up pictures of when she was little for centerpieces or to hang and if her mom has saved them, pull out the treasure box of her childhood artwork and toys and have them displayed around. During the shower, have family members or lifelong friends tell stories about when she was little using phrases like “I hope your baby takes after you (or doesn’t!) because when you were little you ____” It should be a fun filled time and a pleasant trip down memory lane for everyone!It Takes A Village — Have a project focused baby shower – what could you do to help the mother-to-be that would be a boost? Has she been focusing so much on the baby coming, or maybe been having a tough pregnancy that she hasn’t had time to paint a room she’s been wanting to paint in her home, do spring cleaning, plant the vegetable or flower garden or maybe even decorate the baby’s room? Just like an old-fashioned barn raising, coming together is a powerful way of showing your support for the guest of honor as well as rewarding for all that participate. You may need to bring her into the planning on this one – but it is something that can be a real gift to her and a lot of fun for everyone at the same time. As hostess you’ll have to be very organized in advance with tasks thought through and supplies gathered to make things go most smoothly. Set up the schedule for the day realistically, make sure the guests know there will be an activity involved and to dress accordingly and then relax all together after the project is done and celebrate the group accomplishment and honor mom-to-be with a light meal or coffee and cake. Send guests home with a baby shower favor that is a treat for them to enjoy after their efforts – maybe a cocktail mix and special glass to enjoy it in or a yummy custom cookie treat personalized with the date and a nice phrase. It’s all about YOU! — Does mom-to-be have a favorite hobby that would be appropriate for a shower theme? – For example, does she love gardening? Use a garden related theme complete with d้cor and personalized baby shower favors that represent her hobby. Include the little one by decorating with child size garden tools and gloves usually available at any garden center. They’ll add a cute flair and will be useful when Mom passes along her green thumb in the future and will bring back memories of this special day. A rose to be planted in honor of the baby is a lovely thing for everyone to chip in on and present as a reminder of the day. As hostess, or together with a couple of other guests, your baby gift could be other gardening type clothing for baby that could also be used to decorate such as tiny overalls and t-shirts or sun hats or items with garden theme prints on them. They don’t have to be infant size – up to a year is great and gives mom clothes to look forward to putting baby into after those initial growth spurts. Send everyone home with personalized baby shower favors of seeds to plant in their own garden to honor Mom and baby on the way. Several other hobbies or interests of the mom-to-be work great with a shower like this – think Beach or Travel – lots of possibilities for a fun event.

Take a Deep Breath…it’s Spa time! This is a wonderful time to be nurturing Mommy-to-be in anticipation of the down time she’s likely to lose soon! Create a spa day at home for mom and her guests. Be as luxurious as bringing in a couple of massage therapists for neck and shoulder, or hand and foot rubs for those who would like them or have a masseuse (or you reading from a book) give instruction to all the guests while demonstrating on mom-to-be. (This way you all can take the knowledge home with you too.) You can practice on one another while tranquil spa music plays and you sip on herbal tea, sparkling waters or a refreshing mint julep. Have a few friends or as hostess, put together a mommy gift that she can use in the future to keep the relaxation going – a nice bubble bath, a meditative CD (great also for putting baby to sleep) – calming bath products for baby (that will work on mom as well when she slips into the tub with the little one) or perhaps mommy and baby hooded terry robes to be cozy in. You can decorate with soothing colors, flowers and candles and serve light and healthy spa cuisine. Personalized baby shower favors could be spa candles customized with an inspirational phrase instead of just the traditional mom’s name and date of the shower. It can be a girl’s day for pampering all together.

Although every group of family and friends will be different, as hostess you will likely be able to choose what type of event will be most appropriate for your guest of honor’s special day. Of course the baby shower is meant to honor baby too – gifts should still be baby focused, (especially if the mom-to-be has registered for things she would like or needs) but as you may have noticed in each idea above, it’s also lovely to give a special little something for the guest of honor personally to recognize that she is doing a lot of work herself over these nine months! Just think “Mommy and Me” as you work out your event plans and it becomes easy to have the little one be included in all ways on this special day for Mom. It is baby’s pending arrival that has you gathered after all!

Many people we have met have spent months looking for a Mothers Birthday Gift, but still can’t figure out what to get their Mothers. Usually, if you have been getting your Mothers gifts for a while, you feel like you have already gotten and given her everything that you could. You would hate to repeat a gift, but there is absolutely nothing different available, and nothing comes to mind.

This year we have searched the web to help you get your Mom that perfect birthday gift. We have done research and put together many fabulous birthday gift ideas to help you find that perfect birthday gift for your Mother. Make sure that you save this article โ€“ this way you will not have to think about what to get her next year either! Just use the suggestions in this article to get your Mom gifts whenever you need them!

Check out this list of perfect gifts for your Mother’s birthday:

- Give Your Mother Fresh Flowers Or Flower Arrangements For Her Birthday. Who doesn’t love fresh flowers? Since you were a child, you collected flowers and gave to Mom. And now you don’t even have to collect them โ€“ lots of online flower web sites will help you pick a perfect flower arrangement for your Mom for her birthday, and will ship it anywhere in the country for you. Moms love to receive flowers, so what can be a better birthday gift than flowers?

Pick the flowers that your Mother likes. If she isn’t crazy about daisies, they are obviously not the best choice of flowers for her birthday. Pick the flowers that she loves. When in doubt we recommend roses. Roses make a fabulous statement and are always a fun and dramatic gift.

- Not sure if your Mom likes flowers? Then You Should Give Your Mother Jewelry For Her Birthday. In general women like jewelry, so jewelry is another very safe gift choice for Mothers Day. Unless your Mother hates jewelry and you know that for a fact, buying your Mom jewelry is a great birthday gift.

Many people have told us that they can’t buy their Mothers jewelry as a birthday gift, because jewelry is very expensive. Not so. There is a lot of fabulous jewelry that is also very affordable. Try silver jewelry or even costume jewelry โ€“ there are lots of great looking designers that you can get for your Mother. Pick something you can afford and that your Mom will love, and you have just found a perfect birthday gift for her!

Don’t forget to get your Mother something for her birthday! Use the ideas in this article to get her a gift that she will love.

The clothes that you find nowadays for maternity wear are far more fashionable than in the past, and they will fit you and your new figure perfectly. Each time you step out of the house, you can be radiant and stunning, even if you have to attend a formal function, ebaymaternity.co.uk will have a stunning maternity outfit for you.

Aside from the clothing that you wear, looking fabulous has a lot to do with your skin and face. As your hormones change, so your skin reacts and changes too. Some women experience terrible acne, while some have gorgeous glowing skin. Some women get itchy, dry skin, wile others complain that their skin is too oily. You need to take all that into consideration and change your beauty products and regime. Many beauty products are expensive and with your skin changing so rapidly all the time, you don’t want to splash out on something you can’t use anymore. Be sure to purchase items in their smallest sizes and have your skin evaluated every few months to check if there are changes.

The weather will also play a huge role in that and you may need other products for summer than in winter. If you are stuck as to what products to use, a tip is to stick with the same make of product that you usually use. If you like it and it worked for your skin before, it will most likely be good for your skin now. Going natural is also an option, and many pregnant women feel that they should do that. Herbal products are very popular and very effective for treating any skin ailments and are healthy for the baby too. For any advice on looking good and using herbal remedies for pregnancy, look at the great selection of books that ebaymaternity.co.uk has on offer. Most of all trust your instincts and allow yourself to feel fabulous – you deserve it.