It’s Monday! Here’s your Patriotic Challenge for the Week!

July 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In the spirit of the Fourth of July, our challenge this week is All-American inspired!  For many families today the Fourth of July has become a holiday all about good BBQ and Fireworks, don’t get me wrong, that stuff is delicious, but what about this year challenging yourself (and your family) to know some of the facts behind the real reason we celebrate the Fourth of July.  For example, some trivia questions to ask yourself – who is considered to be the author of the Declaration of Independence? Or what famous American proposed the idea of becoming independent from Great Britain?  There are so many other fun facts to learn as well as teach your kids, such as, why we celebrate with fireworks, the meaning behind the Star Spangled Banner and so many more!  So, you are challenged to fully appreciate the meaning behind our Independence Day this year in hopes of having truly great and meaningful holiday!  Need a place to start? We’ve got ‘em:

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence-Day.shtml

http://www.independencedayfun.com/269/facts-about-the-declaration-of-independence/

http://www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2011-07-01/Editorials/13_facts_for_Independence_Day.html

We hope you have a fun and safe holiday!

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Monday Morning Challenge – Read your way to the Ball Park!

June 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Happy Monday everyone!  Your challenge this week is to make sure that your children’s brains don’t turn to mush over the summer!  The Phoenix Public Libraries are making it easy to do so by providing an awesome incentive –  FREE Diamondbacks tickets!  Kids from birth to age eighteen are able to participate in the program, either by reading themselves or having others read to them.  All participants will receive a voucher for a ticket to a Diamondbacks game – talk about a nice prize for using your brain a bit this summer!  More information about the program can be found on the Phoenix Public Library website.  Happy reading!

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Monday Morning Challenge: Operation Beautiful

June 11, 2012 by 2 Comments

This week we are challenging you to participate in Operation Beautiful.  What is Operation Beautiful you ask?  The mission of Operation Beautiful is to post anonymous notes in public places for other people to find. The point is that WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL. You are enough… just the way you are! (Visit operationbeautiful.com for more information.)  Our challenge to you is to leave 3 positive post-its around town this week.  It can be in a public restroom, the grocery store, the gym, a window or anywhere you see fit.  The goal is to bring a little positivity to those around us and what an awesome way to pay it forward.

 

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Happy Monday! You’ve been Challenged!

June 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Can you believe that it is June already?  The summer is officially upon us!  For us Phoenicians the challenge everyday now is simply concealing the back sweat that is beginning to appear wherever you go.  However, seeing as it is Monday we figured we’d give you something  a little more exciting to challenge yourself to this week.  The challenge this week is a on a rather serious note, but such an important one.  In 2011, tragically, over twenty children drowned over the swimming season.  I see these stories on the news and am just devastated not only at their loss but also that I know that it takes just one second of taking your eyes off your child.  Although horrific, hopefully these children show parents and guardians that they need to be prepared for anything when you are dealing with kids and water.  That is why this weeks challenge is simply to educate yourself for this summer season.  By knowing First Aide and CPR you as a parent can prepare yourself in the event that something happen to your loved ones or even others.  So often parents have pool parties for their friends and family; by knowing what to do in the event of an emergency you can feel confident that anyone in your home, family or friends, will be safe around water.  Don’t know where to go to get started?  Here are some helpful websites to get you started:

http://www.valleyymca.org/schedule.cfm?class=103

https://heartsaversinc.com/

http://www.azpremiermedicalsolutions.com/

http://azcprtraining.com/

Have a fun and SAFE swimming season!

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Monday Morning Challenge: Memorial Day Edition

May 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In honor of Memorial Day and all of our fallen heroes, we would like to dedicate this week’s challenge to the brave men and women currently serving in our military.  As we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom, we as you take a moment and visit the site  www.give2thetroops.org.  Our challenge this weeks is to support the troops in any way you can.  You can send a card, make a donation or collect goodies for care packages to be set overseas.  Please visit Give 2 the Troops for more ideas or to get involve.  Happy Memorial Day!

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Monday Morning Challenge! Eat up!

May 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

If you are anything like me, your weekly grocery store trips are pretty standard, and therefore so are your meals.  We are pretty predictable around my house, Tuesdays are always taco night, Thursdays are always an easy Stouffers meal I can just throw in the oven, wanting something easy in anticipation of the weekend.  Well this week Ties & Tutus challenges you to try something completely new!  Blow the dust off those recipe books, check your Pinterest boards for all those yummy recipes you always dream of making and get out and do it!  Now, there always is a chance that things in the kitchen could go terribly awry so I might suggest picking up an extra frozen pizza at the store when you are buying your ingredients, just in cases.  (Not a grammatical error, anyone know the movie reference?)  So good luck and eat up – you’ve been challenged!    If you need some good places to start here are some awesome sites that will get your inner Julia Childs working:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/quick-and-easy/index.html

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/main-dish/daily.aspx

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/courses/dinner-recipes

And of course, my personal fave, Pinterest!

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It’s Monday, Are You Ready for a Challenge?

May 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

With the weather heating up here in the Phoenix area, most of us are hightailing indoors, but this week we are challenging your to abandon your a/c and get outside with your family.  Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to play soccer at 2:00 in the afternoon on black asphalt.  This week’s Ties & Tutus challenge is to take a family walk every night after dinner.  I know my family and I love to pull out the wagon and dog leash, get some fresh air and meet the neighbors at sunset.  The heat subsides and it’s a great time to spend some quality time with the family, so get out there!

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It’s Monday…Challenge Yourself!

May 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Good morning Monday!  We hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  So with Monday comes moans and groans, but also the Ties & Tutus Weekly Challenge!  This week we challenge you to speak up!  Ever walk by someone and think to yourself, “I love that outfit, I totally want that in my wardrobe!”  Or maybe you go to a restaurant and receive exceptional service and think “man, that is the best waiter, I’ve ever had!”  Well this week, don’t hold back, we challenge you to give a random stranger a compliment!  Something you probably think but wouldn’t normally say.  We usually just walk past that cute outfit, or we leave the restaurant without telling the manager what a great job their employee did.  This week we want you to share the kindness, you neveow how that random compliment could make their day!  I know at my previous job whenever our customer surveys went out I was always thrilled to hear that I made a difference – I in fact really remember some specific examples, and probably always will!  It is amazing to know that you are appreciated, admired or even acknowledged and even more so by someone you would never suspect!  So – get the good feelings going!  Go tell that stranger just what you think!  (As long as it’s nice that is…)

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Monday Morning Challenge – Let Your Child Cook Dinner

April 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Well, it’s Monday again.  I know, I know.  Nobody needs the reminder, but do not fret, we’ve got a fun way to start your Monday morning here at Ties & Tutus.  Are you ready for our second Monday Morning Challenge?  This week’s challenge is to allow your child(ren) to cook dinner for the family.  If your kiddos are too young to do this challenge independently, take the opportunity to have them in the kitchen with you, helping in any way they – stirring, measuring, learning, interacting, watching.

At the end of the week we’d love to hear how it went.  Are you raising a future chef?  Did somebody burn the house down?  Were you presently surprised or were you gagging through dinner?  This is sure to be a funny memory for both you and your children.

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International Pay It Forward Day

April 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Today is the day – International Pay It Forward Day.  It also just happens to be this week’s Ties & Tutus Monday Morning Challenge.  Click here to view the Pay It Forward website and view the PIF trailer below.

 

 

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