Education

Kelly from Almost Frugal presents The Hidden Costs of Going Back to School posted at Almost Frugal.

Amy Smith presents Learning Through Dress Up posted at Kids Love Learning.

Jennifer presents The Child’s Inventor’s Box posted at Diary of 1.

Jena presents The Power of Play posted at Life Without School.

One Family presents List Of Elementary Public School Textbooks – ISBN Numbers, Used And List Prices posted at One Family’s Blog, a listing of public elementary school textbooks with full details such as ISBN, List, and Used Prices.

Chief Family Officer presents A new wrinkle to the public vs. private school dilemma: Should I stay home? posted at Chief Family Officer.

Alvaro Fernandez presents Brainy Haikus for brain training posted at SharpBrains, saying, “Enjoy this collection of fantastic haikus on brain and mind topics, and contribute yours!”

Family Cooking & Recipes

Erica Douglas presents Kids Meals: McDonalds vs. Burger King vs. KFC posted at LittleMummy.Com.

Cyndi Lavin presents Punjabi masalah lamb posted at Busy Family Meal Planning, saying, “Take your family on a trip to India with Punjabi Masalah Lamb for dinner tonight!”

GrrlScientist presents Seattle Visit: Ballard Farmer’s Market Dinner posted at Living the Scientific Life. “When I visited my original home, Seattle,” she writes, “I had a wonderful home-cooked meal made from fresh produce and fish from the farmer’s market.”

Family Crafts and Activities

makingthishome presents The Deal Breaker: Bringing Home a Shocking Couch posted at Making This Home. She says, “We’re setting up a new home in Berlin, Germany.” Check out their new couch.

Mac presents Eco Friendly Tips for the Home posted at Actorlicious.

Riley presents Pumpkin City at Laguna Hills Mall posted at All Rileyed Up, saying, “A visit to one of the local pumpkin patches.”

Renae presents Autumn Craft Collection posted at Life Nurturing Education.

Annette Berlin presents How To Make A Scrapped Album posted at Craft Stew, saying, “Here’s a quick way to make an organized and attractive album out of those photos that are too nice to throw away, but not nice enough to feature in a full scale scrapbook page.”

Stephanie presents Decorative Pumpkins posted at Make It From Scratch.

Char presents Help Us Say Farewell to American Girl’s Samantha posted at Doll Diaries.

Karen Lynch presents Halloween Pumpkin Patch posted at BabyChildFamily, saying, “Enjoying a beautiful October afternoon with the family at a small town pumpkin patch. Life is Good!”

Katey Magill presents 13 Ideas for Keeping Kids Occupied in the Check-Out Line posted at Having Fun at Home, saying, “13 Ideas for Keeping Kids Occupied in the Check-Out Line”

Raymond presents Curry Kenworthy presents Family-friendly web hosting options posted at Web Hosting Scene. If you’re in the market for web hosting on a server that is free from adult content, you’ll find the information included in this post helpful.

Melitsa presents Riveting Reads for boys posted at Play-Activities.com.

Nicole Stevens presents Homemade Pancake Syrup posted at The organizing blog, describing a “typical day in the life of our family on a working farm.”

Fiona King presents 25 Incredible Personal Biodomes posted at International Listings Blog.

Kevin presents Creating A Memorable Halloween Bash For Your Kids posted at More4kids.

Char presents 10 Essential Things To Take To A Youth Sports Competition posted at Sports Girls Play.

Family Fiction

Jenn presents In the Morning Light posted at Mixed Metaphor.net, a two-part story about how one family was destroyed — and the family member left living with regret.

Family Finance

Donna Freedman presents Beginning to look a lot like (a glum) Christmas? Don’t let it posted at Smart Spending, urging readers not to “slam the door on holiday cheer. Scale down, sure. Get creative, definitely. But don’t forego a ritual that has the potential to make you really happy if you do it right.”

Debt Freedom Fighter presents Simple Steps For Creating A Monthly Budget posted at Discover Debt Freedom!.

Money Answer Guy presents How Can I Get My Finances in Order When They are In Such a Mess? posted at The Money Answer Guy.

DebbieDragon presents How to Stop Debt Collector Harrassment posted at Destroy Debt.

Raymond presents How To Become A Millionaire and Get Rich In 10 Steps posted at Money Blue Book.

Super Saver presents Cutting Way Back on Clothing Purchases posted at My Wealth Builder. “As I’ve done an inventory of my belongings, I realized that I have way too many clothes,” she explains. “In some areas, I may already have enough garments for the rest of my life.”

Matthew Paulson presents Food Buying Clubs Offer Less-Than-Retail Prices posted at American Consumer News.

Family Health and Wellness

Pregnancy Hut presents 12 Weeks Pregnant posted at Pregnancy Calendar, offering advice about what to aware of when you are 12 weeks pregnant.

Aparna presents More home-remedies for cough posted at Beauty & Personality Grooming.

Terri Mauro presents The Members Project Is Over, But Not Your Opportunity to Make a Difference posted at About Parenting Special Needs.

Anmol Mehta presents Yoga for Kids Guidelines & Benefits posted at Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment and undalini Yoga providing “important guidelines you should know before teaching your child kids yoga. How to practice kids yoga and the benefits of kids yoga are covered in detail.”

Shamelle presents Overworked & Overwhelmed? Achieving Life Balance Amidst Chaos posted at Enhance Life.

Family Humor

Nards presents Nardeeisms: Song of the day: Stuck in the Middle With You – Stealers Wheel posted at Nardeeisms, saying, “First day of summer school blunder…”

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Vetting My Relatives (Haiku) posted at Mad Kane’s Political Madness.

Gabriel presents Spelling bee posted at Live from Waterloo.

Family Relationships and Self-Improvement

Donald Latumahina presents 7 Winning Character Traits That Create A Lifetime Of Success posted at Life Optimizer.

TherapyDoc presents About those 8 Ways to Spot a Dishonest Date posted at Everyone Needs Therapy.

Carole Gold presents Trade Unions posted at McKay Today, saying, “How about an honest look at bargains vs. relationships?”

Laura Scarborough presents sorting and searching posted at Adventures in Juggling, about how Laura is “looking for one thing i find something completely different that i thought i forgot about . . . but of course i could never forget it.”

Mama Bear presents What I’m Thankful For posted at I’ve Got a Little Space to fill.

Lovelyn presents The Ladies posted at Nebulous Mooch.

Family Spirituality/Belief/Worship

Debbie Lawrence presents Teach Us To Pray posted at Bird On A Wire.

Indian presents Lagna Kundli posted at DecisionCare: Indian Astrology & Vedic Horoscope Provider offering 2009 horoscope-astrology predictions and forecasts.

Minister Mamie L. Pack presents Are you ready to be a talent scout? posted at The Life I Now Live.

Hopeful Spirit presents Forget Politics for a Few Moments — and Give Thanks posted at On the Horizon, relating the story of one family’s tragedy and reminding all readers to be thankful for those serving the United States, despite readers’ individual opinions about foreign policy.

Family Travel

Matthew Paulson presents Travelers Seeking Colorful Getaways posted at The Travel Advocate.

Expat Chef presents The Worst Flight Ever posted at The Expatriate’s Kitchen, saying, “First attempt at family travel takes a bizarre turn on the last flight home. Sometimes, you just can’t plan for the unexpected.”

Mary presents Cruisin’ With Mickey posted at SimplyForties.

Parenting Tips and Advice

Stephanie presents Same Battle, Different Child posted at Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood.

To Be Debt Free presents Easy Fixes for 20 Every Day Home Dangers posted at On a Quest To Be Debt Free offering safety tips for your home.

If you would like to participate in next week’s edition of the Carnival, you can use the form on the left to submit the link to and relevant information about your post. Next week will be the very special Spooky, Scary Edition hosted at On a Question to be Debt-Free. Be sure to review the Carnival guidelines should you have questions.

Would you like the Carnival to pay a visit to your site? Check out the hosting schedule, select a date, and then drop a line to JHS letting her know what week you would like to host.

Thank you all for participating in and supporting this edition of the Carnival!

I am happy to announce that the weekly blog carnival, the Carnival of Family Life, will be hosted here on Ocotber 20. This is a great opportunity for you to share your information on family, family life, or family related topics. Your entry can be informative, funny, inspiring or . . . It’s up to you!

Note: Each week, one post per blog will be accepted. Comments must be enabled on your site — no posts will be accepted from sites that either have comments disabled or require visitors to log in or register in order to comment. No posts containing profanities, vulgarities or hate speech are welcome. Read the guidelines in their entirety here.

Submit your entry using the official blog carnival entry form to ensure that your post will be included in the fun!

At the Ticket Booth

• Super Saver presents Our Three-Year Old Makes Her First Purchase posted at My Wealth Builder.
• Stephanie presents Keeping Christmas Spending Under Control posted at Unclaimed Money, saying, “Making a plan and start shopping now to keep your holidays more enjoyable.”
• Stephanie presents Don’t Get Buried Under Toys this Christmas – TT#13 posted at Stop the Ride!, saying, “Recommendations for a Christmas that is simpler and doesn’t leave you buried in your kids’ toys!”
• Kyle James presents What My Dad Taught Me About Money posted at Rather-Be-Shopping.com Blog, saying, “Tips on money that my dad taught me and now I will pass down to my children.”
• Christine from Are We There Yet presents A Weekend in YOUR City posted at arewethereyetmom.com.
  Kathryn Lang presents 5 Free (or Nearly Free) Things for the Family posted at The Peculiar Club, saying, “Some budget saving ideas for the family.”
• Millionaire Mommy Next Door presents How To Be Healthy, Protect The Environment and Keep Some Green In Your Wallet posted at Millionaire Mommy Next Door, saying, “Originally, I implemented these lifestyle changes to improve my family’s health and protect our environment. I’ve since discovered that most of these changes save money, too.”
• Joy Miller presents Ivy League universities now offer online degrees and certificates posted at Online College Blog, saying, “Ivy League dreams? Make them a reality. Although you may not be able to physically commute to an Ivy League campus, that shouldn’t keep you from “attending” classes at an Ivy League university.”
• Carissa presents GOYB Challenge: Home Sweet Home posted at SAHMmy Says, saying, “Give yourself and your family the same respect you offer guests!”

On to the Pumpkin Patch

• GP presents Halloween Goes Green posted at Innside Montana-Your Home at the Range, saying, “Halloween goes green this year!”
• Char presents 5 Fun Halloween Coloring Pages at Printables4Kids, saying, “Marshmallow or mummy – you decide, but there’s a lot more Halloween fun where this came from.”
• Amy Allen Clark presents The Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Dinner: Appetizers posted at MomAdvice.
• Jennifer in OR presents Pumpkin Patch/Petting Zoo in Black and White posted at Diary of 1, saying, “our visit to the pumpkin patch in glorious black and white”
• Lori Cooperstein presents Halloween Horrors – Scary Movies that Kids Will Love posted at Fun Playdates, saying, “Great movie fun for the whole family!”
• Robert Bach presents Haunted Gingerbread House posted at Kintropy In Action, saying, “Creaking, screaming, crunching – oh, that would be the Halloween gingerbread roof Gabriel is chewing.”
• HowToMe presents How to Make a Natural Wreath posted at HowToMe, saying, “I love to make wreaths for my home. My favorite base is made of scuppernong or muscadine vines. However, almost any vine or flexible branch will work (but make sure to avoid things like poison oak – eek). In the past I have even used pyracantha. Come see how you can make a natural wreath for your home.”
• Summer presents A Beautiful Day posted at Mom Is Teaching.

Now to the Petting Zoo

• Lill Hawkins presents Don’t Agonize. Sing at News from Hawkhill Acres.
• Chris Wondra presents How to kill a house-wasp without breaking anything posted at Chris Wondra . com.
• DoggieWoggie presents How To Walk Your Dog With No Pulling on the Leash posted at Doggiewoggie – All About Dogs, saying, “Learn how to make walking your dog a pleasant experience instead of a dreaded chore.”
• Dawn Adams presents My Cat’s Butt Glitters in the Sun posted at Day by Day Homeschooling.
• Terri Mauro presents Further Thoughts About Kids and Dogs posted at About Parenting Special Needs.

Overheard at the Hen House

• Kalyn presents The Cost of Having a Baby posted at LifeEdit.
• Shera R. presents The Good Mommy posted at Theres A Frog In My Soup . . . and other mixed blessings!, saying, “Another mommy reality check reveals the truth about being a “good” mommy!”
• Holly Ord presents Birth Control for Middle School Students posted at Woman Tribune.
• Laura presents babies on the brain posted at Adventures in Juggling.
• Silicon Valley Blogger presents Saving Tips For New Parents: Get Ready For Baby! posted at The Digerati Life.
• Seabird presents Daily toddler chores – woo hoo! posted at SeaBird Chronicles, saying, “The four daily chores of my twin toddlers.”
• Mama Zen presents The Zen of Motherhood: Help! My Four Year Old Is Out Of Control! posted at The Zen of Motherhood, saying, “Life with a Diva isn’t always easy!”
• Brandy Shaffels presents Should Parents be Banned from Smoking? posted at Ask Patty – Automotive Advice for Women.
• Eric Ellen presents How To Create An Effective Splint For A Child In Seconds posted at Husbandhood.
• Donetta presents Oh family life. posted at A Life Uncommon, saying, “Everyone gets hurt and we take turns comforting each other.”
  FamilyBriefs presents To Each Their Own posted at Family Briefs.com.
• Lisa Mitchell presents Kangaroo Care posted at Let’s Talk Babies.
• zamejias presents Lessons from a 23-month old posted at Verb.
• Kevin Heath presents Top Parenting Websites posted at More4kids.

Don’t Miss the Hay Rides

• Suzanne presents her Ode to summer 2007 posted at adventures in daily living.
• Marilyn Terrell presents Home (Away From) Home on the Range posted at Intelligent Travel, saying, “Mom and sons take a covered wagon camping trip in the Old West.”
• Pushpa Sathish presents Travelhacker » 27 Free Games to Keep Your Kids Entertained on a Road Trip posted at Travelhacker.
• Tupelo Kenyon presents Choose Excellence and Lose Mediocrity posted at Tupelo Kenyon, saying, “What if you knew that a life of excellence was lurking right around the corner, if you would only prioritize your moments in such a way so that you could recognize it. Take an objective look at the various activities of your life. Get inspired to lose the mediocre to make room for something better. (Enjoy soothing instrumental music as you read plus songs with lyrics related to each article – all free.)”
• Bob Crawford presents Growing Your SELF – Bob Crawford Online posted at Growing Your SELF Blog – Bob Crawford Online, saying, “Learn to create your day! Give yourself the edge when it comes to manifesting your dreams. It’s your day – you get to choose what kind of day it will be. Choose well! Part two of this popular article.”
• Grace presents Eid weekend at the beach posted at Sandier Pastures, saying, “Summer has ended in most parts of the world but we are headed back to the beach in Dubai!”
  Barefoot Paula presents What?s your story? posted at Happy Tracks in the Snow.
• Jenny presents Strummin’ on the Old Banjo posted at the so called me.
• Trish presents Flying with Kids – Airplane Travel Planning | Our Family Village posted at Our Family Village.
• Jenny Rapson presents The Itsy-Bitsy Lyricist posted at Mommin’ It Up!.

Every Loves the Cake Walk

• George presents Eating Fish During Pregnancy posted at Man and his Baby, saying, “Thanks.”
• MC Milker presents Making McDonalds Stay…Out! posted at The Not Quite Crunchy Parent, saying, “Some how McDonalds snuck back into my life”
• Expat Chef presents School Lunch Menus posted at The Expatriate’s Kitchen, saying, “What’s for lunch? A look at school lunch menus good and bad during national school lunch week.”
• Aparna presents Medicinal uses of black pepper (Kali Mirch) posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, “Most cuisines of the world would have been incomplete without this small black ball called ‘Black Pepper’ which has a world of spice in it. With a huge list of medicinal properties, pepper plays the home doctor in many Indian homes. Its aroma is a treat to the senses and it is so commonly used that we can almost say that all dishes have a sprinkling of pepper in one form or the other.”

Time for Fun & Games

• Melitsa presents Walkie talkie parenting posted at Play-Activities.com, saying, “You may not have a walkie talkie buggy but you can try walkie talkie parenting. Try these talk to your baby ideas.”
• TherapyDoc presents Calvin and Hobbs and Reality posted at Everyone Needs Therapy, saying, “I don’t have to explain this one.”
• gameguy presents The Master of Fun posted at play2relax.com, saying, “Imagine waking up to this on an early Sunday morning.”
• Elaine presents Fun Fine Motor / Sensory Activity posted at Littlesheep Learning.
• WhatWorksForUs presents What Works For Us: Get Ready Bdonk-A-Donk Butt posted at What Works For Us.
• Stephanie presents Potty Talk posted at Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood, saying, “Boys and pee! UGH~!”

Under the Shade Tree

• GrrlScientist presents Father Knows Less posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “The new book by Wendell Jamieson, is a father’s delightful and interesting quest to find the answers to his young son’s questions. [book review]“
• Matthew Spears presents Joy at All Times posted at Loving Awareness, saying, “We tend to think of joy as somehow mutually exclusive to other experiences. If we’re feeling sad, then of course it’s impossible to have joy. Likewise if we’re having a fight or our business is having a downturn. This article points out how they’re not exclusive, and helps the invitation of joy into your life.”
• Deb presents Expectations posted at Mom Of 3 Girls, saying, “Why are there so many expectations put on us and by who?”
• Leslie Williams presents Do You Remember When? posted at Do You Weary Like I Do?, saying, “Remembering YOUR teen years as your children go through theirs!”
• Hueina Su presents The Gift of Receiving posted at Intensive Care for the Nurturer’s Soul, saying, “Most moms have mastered the gift of giving, but few understand the gift of receiving. An encounter outside of Home Depot made me pause and ponder the importance of learning both.”
• Abel Cheng presents Are You Doing Enough To Teach Your Child About Personal Safety? posted at Parent Wonder.
• Doug Boude presents Promoting Family Unity – The Power of Forgiveness posted at Doug Boude (rhymes with ‘loud’).
• Hal Sommerschield, Ph.D. presents “Me and God-Had a Heart-to-Heart” posted at North Star Mental Fitness Blog.
• Warren Wong presents How To Be Genuinely Interested In People posted at Personal Development for INTJs, saying, “Why you should show genuine interest in people and how to go about doing it.”
• Admin presents Anything Goes & General News: Why Males Die Before Females posted at Anything Goes & General News, saying, “In humans and many other animals, males age faster and die earlier than females. “
• Aruni Gunasegaram presents entrepreMusings » A Smoking Fireman!?! posted at Entrepremusings, saying, “It’s interesting when life throws you such oxymorons as firemen who smoke.”
• Dave Gooden presents A cabin, a family and a choice posted at Dave Gooden.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of family life using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for allowing me to host the carnival this week!