Some very nice websites i found recently,

Math :

www.funbrain.com –. MATH

www.fundshcool.com — Games & activities per grade

www.kidshub.org — Learning games & quizzes for elementary/middle-schoolers )

www.paulysplayhouse.com - Games for very young children

www.playhousedisney.com — Mickey Mouse, Rollie Ollie, Stanley

www.pbskids.org– Arthur, Barney, Caillou, & Clifford )

www.playkidsgames.com   — Math, alphabet & logic games for younger children )

www.sesameworkshop.org  –sesame Street games & coloring )

www.uptoten.com –Songs, Games, and other kid-safe activities for children aged 4-10

www.yahooligans.com  — Ga,es & educational resources )

If you want to know a good way to start teaching you kids about Animals/Alphabets/Numbers ( Many more ) then check out this WebSite

Name : Kindersay

URL   :  www.Kindersay.com

This will actually show a picture and also plays the Audio, will be a very good learning experience for your kids.

I had a nice experience with this site. One of the smart feature i like about this site is, you can set it to AUTO PLAY and it keeps on playing so you just don’t have to keep holding the key board or the mouse.

If you can attach the same to a TV from you LapTop, the Kids would really love it give it a try.

Name : Jesus

Phone : 650-269-7330

Service : Good

I have used this service for carpet cleaning couple of times and i really liked it. I would recommend this guy. If you have come across other. I would request you to share it so we can benefit ..

CARPET CLEANING

• Do you have kids, do get it cleaned at least ONCE IN 6 MONTHS.
• Do you have allergies, i would recommend that too.

I had to spend a lot of time before finalizing on the daycare. Here are couple of daycares i have visited and my experiences

Thought it would be helpful to to put all the daycares at one place, so people like me can save some time and also provide some reviews as well. 

1. Location of the Daycare is very importanat as you need to go every day. Make sure it is accessible
2. Environment [ Is it Child proof / ]
3. Do they provide the Food ( Or ) Do we need to provide food
4. Your Budget
5. Flexibility on timings.
6. Any Activities for Kids.

I am also in the process of requesting a VIDEO and inputs from Daycares so stay tuned i will keep posting.

Here are some of the Daycares :

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1. Kinder Care

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Name : KinderCare
Phone :
email : Comments : Kind of expensive but it is very good and centrally located.

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2. Kidspark

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Name : Kidspark
Phone :
email : http://www.kidspark.com/Comments : More to come…. heard is good.

Recently I read in the news that plastic leaches into the water from water bottles, and is carcinogenic. Due to this concern, I’m thinking at safer solutions to carry water. We use water bottles in a lot of places:

kids carry water to school
keep bottles in the car
keep bottles in the bedrooms
Is it possible to buy stainless steel bottles at a reasonable price ? Where to buy ?

Are some plastics safer than others ? If so, how to identify such plastics and where to buy ?

Any other solutions ?

I will say the solution is switch to glass, to be safe. But there are also plastic bottles that are BPA-free available in stores. They are supposed to be safe.

I found this article online:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2183746_choose-bpa-free-baby-bottles.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

First of all, what in the world is BPA?

BPA is short for Bisphenol-a, a chemical that is actually an artificial estrogen. It is used to create the plastic called polycarbonate. Most major U.S. baby bottle manufacturers use BPA in their production, as well as many food storage containers and toys.

Researchers have shown that even low levels of estrogen-mimicking BPA are harmful to animals and people, especially babies and young children. Many environmental scientists believe that Bisphenol-a may cause adverse health effects, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and early puberty.

It all seems overwhelming as you stare at the myriad of bottles out there, doesn’t it? Take a deep breath and relax. There are many wonderful resources available to help you find the perfect BPA free bottles.

Start by reviewing the following guides:

1) Smart Plastics Guide at www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=77083

2) How to Find Safer Baby Bottle Alternatives at www.squidoo.com/nontoxicbabybottles

3) Safemama’s BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheet at www.safemama.com

Now that you have an idea what your options are, let’s narrow down the list of bottles a little further. Jot down your specific needs:

1) Does your baby prefer a regular neck or wide neck bottle?

2) Does your baby need a vented bottle to help reduce gas and spit up?

3) Are you concerned about the cost and need more affordable BPA free bottles?

You choose the best option..

 Please comment on this issue …

I had to debate between OCI and PIO for couple of weeks and finally opted for OCI. What it boils down to is the following,

OCI

• • OCI is valid for life time and you don’t have to bother about renewing it.
  • Also if you travel to India and stay in India for more than 6 Months you don’t have to take any additional steps.
  • You can apply for Indian Citizenship after 5 years.
  • It takes slightly more time to get a OCI card compared to PIO card.
  • You have to mail the his/her passport to get OCI.

PIO

• • It takes around a month to get PIO card
  • If he/she stays in India for more than 6 months then you need to update the nearest “Foreigners Regional Registration Officer”
  • You don’t have to mail the original Passport, can send the notarized copies of the passport
  • Check out the following on the procedure to apply for a PIO Card : http://indiaom.com/2008/04/29/new-born-how-to-apply-for-pio-card/

Here is the comparison for the below,

	OCI	PIO	VISA
Application Process
Process	§ Apply Online get a registration number§ Submit documentation to Indian consulate	Indian consulateGo In person or by submit documents by mail	Indian Consulate
Time	Takes more time. But valid for lifetime.	Less time.	Less time
Validity	Lifetime	15 Years	10 Years
Indian Citizenship	Can apply after 5 years. Need to stay in India for 1 year.	Cannot apply	Cannot apply
Property	Cannot own Agricultural land	Cannot own Agricultural land	Cannot own Agricultural land
	Cannot Vote	Cannot Vote	Cannot Vote

PIO Card can be applied in person or the documents can also be mailed to the nearest Indian Consulate. PIO card is valid for 15 years

Following are the documents which are needed to apply for a PIO Card

1. PIO Form [ Can be downloaded from http://www.cgisf.org/visa/piocard.pdf ]
2. 4 Passport Size Photos[ White background 2″ x 2″]

Use this site to take passport size Photo : http://www.epassportphoto.com/ . You could save some $’s also it is tough to take a picture of your little one.

3. Copy of Birth Certificate
4. Notarized copy of Parents Indian Passports [First 3 and Last 3 pages Only]
5. Notarized copy of the Child US Passport [First 3 and Last 3 pages Only]

Note : There is a place opposite to Namaste Plaza where you can get notorized for $5.00[ This was the cheapest i could find ]
- If you don’t want then you have to walk into the Indian Consulate at San Francisco

Useful links to find more information :

http://www.cgisf.org/releases/pio_press.html

http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18820

Q & A

1. Do we need to send the parents passport to get Kids PIO card
. NO. Only need notarized if mailing. If you going to the consulate you can show the originals

2. Do we need to send the kids passport by mail
NO

3. How long is the PIO card Valid
15 years.

4. If the kid stays in india with PIO card in india for more than 6 months what to do
he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer

Just wanted parents to be aware ..I am sure you know but just read it.

Most of the house windows in US homes have glass panes and once you open Window there is a mesh, which is nothing but just ornamental. If your kids are then playing close to these windows or can climb it, then please check once they can not reach the window.

I just had a collegue’s three year old daughter who FELL OFF the window, when it was opened from fourth floor and fortunately, she is recovering.

Thought amongst all the emails you are reading on these posts, thought you spend five minutes looking at how safe your windows are and there are no tables to reach the windows when you open them.

I am having a great time with my 3 year old kid everyday. Just thought of providing some positive parenting tips which might be useful for your child’s growth.  

 Positive Parenting

• Set up a special time to read books with your toddler.
• Encourage your child to engage in pretend play.
• Play parade or follow the leader with your toddler.
• Help your child to explore her surroundings by taking her on a walk or wagon ride.
• Encourage your child to tell you his name and age.
• Teach your child simple songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, or other cultural childhood rhymes.
   

Child Safety First
Encourage your toddler to sit when eating and to chew her food thoroughly.

• Check toys often for loose or broken parts.
• Encourage your toddler not to put pencils or crayons in his mouth when coloring or drawing.
• Never leave your toddler near or around water (that is, bathtubs, pools, ponds, lakes, whirlpools, or the ocean) without someone watching her.
• Never drink hot objects while your child is sitting on your lap. Sudden movements can cause a spill.

If you are having a ICICI home loan in India and if you are paying your loan with the interest rate more than 10.5%, you can get it reduced to 10.5%.One of my friend hava home loan with ICICI bank with interest rate of 11.5%. Few months ago ICICI reduced the rate of interest for new loans (to 10.5%), but did not reduce the rate for existing customers. This time when he went to India and personally went to the ICICI office, and asked for matching the rate for his loan to 10.5%. Initially the ICICI representative refused to do so, but then finally she agreed to match the rate to 10.5% (after charging some fee).

ICICI wont adjust the rate (atleast immediately) automatically, you have to go and fight for it.

Please post your comments …