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Trendy Tot Alert: Kobe Bryant's Well-Dressed Daughters
Celeb Kids, Fashion & Clothing
Monnalisa's Disney Pluto dress and puffer coat. Credit: peachandplum.com
Sonia Rykiel Enfant's sweater dress. Credit: peachandplum.com
The Bryant girls will be wearing Monnalisa's adorable puffer coat, on sale for $208 to $228, Monnalisa's Disney Pluto dress, $110 -- sold out now, but back in stock Nov. 30 -- and Sonia Rykiel Enfant's super-chic striped dress featuring a sequin applique of a girl with a bow in her hair, on sale for $137.90 to $155.40.
Now, manage to score dresses like these for your girls? That's a style slam dunk.
Related: Dress your kids like Suri Cruise
School Requires Parents to Perform Community Service
Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Education
HandsOn Network: A parent and child involved in the 2008 Family Fun'raiser, an annual event that brings parents and kids together to volunteer.
The school, which allows grandparents and other family members to contribute volunteer hours, has a diverse slate of projects. Angela Coombs, head of the Academy of St. Joseph, says parents can get involved in many ways, from increasing students' green consciousness to organizing parenting seminars or assisting lower Manhattan's Bowery Mission Project.
"Some will do way more than they have to; some will just do the minimum. We're going to ... make it so much fun to do, they will want to do more," Coombs says.
Teacher Balks at Fingerprinting, Says it Violates Her Religious Freedom
In The News, Weird But True, Education, Religion & Spirituality
A Texas teacher is refusing to be fingerprinted because she takes the Bible literally. Credit: jamelah, Flickr
A Texas teacher is suing the state because she believes getting fingerprinted for a background check will consign her to the fires of hell.
Scott Skelton is the attorney for teacher Pam McLaurin, and he told news station KTRE 9 that his client believes in a literal interpretation of the book of Revelation. Getting her fingerprints taken would give her the mark of the beast, Skelton says, and added that his client believes she would "be tormented in burning sulfur."
McLaurin, who teaches at Big Sandy School District in Polk County, Texas, would be willing to undergo any other type of background check, Skelton adds. The case will be heard in Lufkin federal court.
Who Looks Like Charlie Brown?
That's Entertainment, Amazing Kids, Funny Stuff
Good grief, Charlie Brown!
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the beloved comic strip, Peanuts is holding a Photo Look-A-Like Contest. Celebrity judges, including Jill Schulz, daughter of the Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, whittled the pool down to 30 and now it's up to you to decide who gets the grand prize.
Check out this gallery of nominees then vote at www.peanutsphotocontest.com. Voting goes through Dec. 4 and the winners will be announced on Dec. 7.
Reviews: What's New This Week
Fun & Activities, Media, That's Entertainment, Shopping
Here is a look at what's new this week in family entertainment as adapted from reviews and ratings by Common Sense Media. Click on the links to read the reviews in full.
In Theaters Now: Old Dogs
Featuring Robin Williams and John Travolta, "Old Dogs" is a predictable comedy about a clueless dad and his best buddy trying to figure out fatherhood. The film is light on violence and bad language, but doesn't skimp on the flirty scenes and references to sex. Throw in some drunkenness and adult immaturity and you've got a formulaic comedy that tries too hard to be funny. Rated PG, OK for Kids 8+
DVD: Santa Buddies
The latest installment in the popular Golden Retriever 'buddy' movies, "Santa Buddies" features a Christmas theme and a new buddy named Santa Paws. The plot is unoriginal but kids who like talking dogs will enjoy the ride as Santa's best friend ventures out into the real world to save Christmas. Rated G, OK for Kids 5+
TV: Skyrunners
Two brothers must save the world in "Skyrunners," an alien-invasion-meets-high-school-drama movie. The underlying message of brotherly love may be lost on viewers as the boys race through space while trying to impress girls and outrun a government agent with a secret agenda. Aimed at tweens, the film has very little violence or romance and the language is clean. Rated TV-PG, OK for Kids 9+
In Theaters Now: Old Dogs
Featuring Robin Williams and John Travolta, "Old Dogs" is a predictable comedy about a clueless dad and his best buddy trying to figure out fatherhood. The film is light on violence and bad language, but doesn't skimp on the flirty scenes and references to sex. Throw in some drunkenness and adult immaturity and you've got a formulaic comedy that tries too hard to be funny. Rated PG, OK for Kids 8+
Amazon.com
The latest installment in the popular Golden Retriever 'buddy' movies, "Santa Buddies" features a Christmas theme and a new buddy named Santa Paws. The plot is unoriginal but kids who like talking dogs will enjoy the ride as Santa's best friend ventures out into the real world to save Christmas. Rated G, OK for Kids 5+
TV: Skyrunners
Two brothers must save the world in "Skyrunners," an alien-invasion-meets-high-school-drama movie. The underlying message of brotherly love may be lost on viewers as the boys race through space while trying to impress girls and outrun a government agent with a secret agenda. Aimed at tweens, the film has very little violence or romance and the language is clean. Rated TV-PG, OK for Kids 9+
'The Princess and the Frog' is Good, Old-Fashioned Family Fun
Fun & Activities, Media, That's Entertainment
Disney's latest, "The Princess and the Frog," hit theaters this week, and it's not overstating to say this film is historical in a couple of ways: It's the venerable studio's first African-American princess, plus it's the first big Disney release of late to harken back to the Mouse House's classic films, like "Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast."
My family -- hubby, 12-year-old son, 11-year-old and 21-month-old daughters -- were swept up by the film, with its beautifully hand-drawn characters, requisite talking animals, lovely musical numbers and the fairy-tales-can-come-true-ness of it all. Do we ever doubt that hard-working, beautiful Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) will get her prince and the successful restaurant she's been working so hard to save for? No, we don't, but we're content to follow her journey, from overworked waitress to the happy ending we're so happily expecting.
Radio Disney: A Place For Music That's Both Safe and Cool
Teens & tweens, Fun & Activities, Life & Style, Media
Ernest Martinez is the creative director at Radio Disney. Credit: Disney/ABC Photo, Craig Sjodin
Every day, at any hour, kids in America can spin a dial or log on and land on a kid-friendly radio station with great beats. No surprise -- its antennae are shaped like mouse ears.
With a morning show that offers up an alternative to the morning zoo format available in most markets, daytime shows for the preschool set and a steady rotation of celebrity interviews, call-in contests and listener feedback, Radio Disney is one station still devoid of sex and drug references -- but they've got the rock and roll.
So how do they meet the demands of the tween target audience, satisfy parents and still fill in some programming for kids as young as 3? ParentDish talked to the station's creative director, Ernest "Ernie D." Martinez, a father of three kids ranging from 3 years old to 14, via a phone interview about the new Disney generation's music.
ParentDish: Is it a big challenge to have such a wide range of ages listening to you?
Ernest "Ernie D." Martinez.: Yes! It's a big challenge -- mainly because my goal every time I go on the air is not just to entertain the kids but also to entertain the parents.
Green To-Go: BabyBjorn Organic Baby Carrier
Cradle your bundle in an Earth-friendly carrier. Credit: BabyBjorn
If you've got a baby, chances are you've got a Bjorn. So good news for eco-conscious moms: BabyBjorn has just introduced a green line of carriers and bouncers made from certified organic cotton. Earth mothers rejoice.
Available at amazon.com, starting at $90.
Olivia Newton-John Answers Your Questions
When Olivia Newton-John came to our studios recently, she glowed as she did in Grease as Sandra Dee. We asked her about what she's up to these days, her parenting advice (her answer will surprise you) as well as a bunch of other things that you, our readers, wanted to know.
Click here to watch the singer-actress dish on life as a celebrity mom.
Great Holiday Card Ideas for Twins, Triplets, Quads and More
Babies, Toddlers, Holidays, Twins, Triplets, Multiples
It's hard enough coming up with a clever holiday card when you've got one child. When you've got twins, triplets or quadruplets, it's even tougher. But with a little creativity and perseverance, it can be done. Check out these adorable, why-didn't-I-think-of-that cards for inspiration for your own holiday greetings.
