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It started out as a doodle, something small, casually tossed in the margin of your grocery list. But somehow this graphic element took over and before you knew it, it became the decorative element to everything in your world. Unfortunately, all those minute details that you added make it virtually impossible to transform it into the third dimension, right? Not true. If you can print it, you can cut it with the Cricut Explore machine.

Now with the newest feature of the Cricut Explore machine, you can choose your image (either your own or one of 50,000+ in the Cricut Design Lab), flatten the image and then click ‘Go’. Once printed, the Cricut Explore machine works its magic to bring your 2-dimensional idea into the 3rd dimension.

Take a look at this super short instructional video (less than 4 minutes) and see just how easy it can be…

I had the opportunity to attend the #SmilingItForward Children’s Tylenol TweetUp event in Boston (those of you who follow me on Twitter already know this, because I live tweeted throughout)!

Yesterday morning, the weather here in New England was terrible, but nothing could put a damper on my excitement. I grabbed a quick coffee and hit the road.

This incredible event was held at the W Hotel, which is located in the theater district. It’s a remarkable 26-story glass tower building! I was directed to a conference area on the Mezzanine level, where the Bliss spa happens to be (I so wanted to check out the spa, but didn’t get the chance).

Many other bloggers had already arrived and we all got a chance to meet each other and socialize a bit. It was so awesome to find other local bloggers. A big hello to Angela, Jessica, Keiko, Bev, and Phyllis! There were many others, too, whose names I am momentarily spacing on.

Everyone was eager to meet the featured speaker, Dr. Tanya Altmann. I had previously seen her on the Rachel Ray show, and I can assure you, she is even prettier and more charming than she appears on TV. As a pediatrician and a mom of 2 boys, plus another boy on the way, Dr. Tanya is a wealth of knowledge on children’s issues.

Before we sat down to a round-table discussion with Dr. Tanya, we were treated to a fantastic lunch and fruit water. There were so many options, it was hard to choose! Lots of delicious salads, corn chowder, roast beef and turkey sandwiches, lobster rolls, and chips. Dessert included red velvet cupcakes and macaroons.

I felt so privileged to sit next to Dr. Tanya as she conducted a lively Q & A with many insights. I learned a lot about how to prevent colds and flu, how to get enough Vitamin D, how to make sure little ones are getting adequate sleep, and that clothing with SPF built in really does work. We even briefly got into the vaccine debate. Verdict from Dr. Tanya: Vaccines are safe and she encourages them for her patients and the general public.

Two hours have never flown by quicker! I honestly could’ve listened forever to all of these amazing women who are committed to helping children everywhere get access to quality, affordable healthcare.

At the end of the event, Tylenol graciously provided goodie bags for every participant. Packaged inside a sturdy tote was a flash drive, a picture frame, a coffee cup, a mini notebook, and an IPhone case. Just terrific!

Would you also like to help this great cause? Share a picture of your child’s smile with hashtag #SmilingItForward, and Tylenol will donate $1.00 to the Children’s Health Fund, an organization that builds mobile medical clinics and provides services to children in need—something we can all support!

Having a child that struggles in school is one the most frustrating experiences—both for you and them. Every child is different and requires a different educational plan. It’s impossible for teachers to structure their classroom lessons to match each individual student’s preferred learning style. The right tutor, however, can adapt lessons to cater to your child’s strengths. If extra help is needed and Mom or Dad can’t provide it, hiring a tutor may be the answer.

When considering tutoring, we have to examine the cost and logistics. (Yes, tutoring can be expensive, but nothing has a greater cost than ignorance!) If you’re willing to make the financial and time commitments, how do you even begin to find someone to work with?

Here are my tips for finding the ideal tutor:

1. Get a recommendation

Quality tutors are available in almost every community. Start by asking your child’s teacher or Principal for a recommendation. Also talk to other parents and see what kind of experiences they have had. Don’t expect their opinions to be impartial, but it’s a decent starting place. Make sure whoever you hire is willing to provide reliable references. It goes without saying that a tutor should have a clean criminal background! Don’t ever hire someone who has abused children in the past!

2.  Ask why they tutor

Tutoring is about building a productive learning relationship between a tutor and student. The most effective tutors are individuals who are passionate about teaching and are able to derive value from seeing their students succeed. While most tutors provide lessons as a source of income, the ideal tutor will take a vested interest in your child’s progress and have the patience and willingness to do whatever it takes to help your child succeed.

3.  Determine teaching style

Is your child an auditory learner (learns best by listening), visual learner (learns best through sight), or a kinesthetic learner (learns best through experience)? Before you hire a tutor, make sure they can structure lessons in a format that is conducive to your child’s preferred learning style. Many children who are considered bad students simply aren’t exposed to their preferred learning method.

4.  Create a concrete plan

Ask the tutor, “What is your plan for helping my child succeed?” While this may seem like a loaded question for someone who has not yet met your child or even seen examples of his/her school work, the response will reveal the tutor’s thought process for diagnosing your child’s needs and creating a plan to achieve the desired results. The right tutor will have a strategy, and possibly specific methods, for identifying problem areas and understanding the child’s learning behavior.

An effective tutor will also recognize the importance of working with the student to establish performance goals that are both measurable and attainable.

5. Encourages independent learning skills

The ideal tutor knows their work is temporary. The most effective and valuable tutoring relationships will help the student become a more engaged, independent learner. Memorizing and mastering very specific topics may yield some results, but it’s ultimately a short-term solution to the student’s broader educational needs. While certain lessons may focus on a particularly troublesome topic, learning to understand and appreciate the learning process, theory and logic behind concepts will help your child overcome subsequent obstacles, avoid future frustration and flourish as a student.

Have you ever hired a tutor for you child? Was it a good or bad experience?

The fantastic folks at Hermosa Peak sent me some Yacon Syrup to sample. Not sure what that is? Neither was I! Basically, it’s a sweetening agent made from a South American plant that resembles a sweet potato. This is what it looks like in whole form.

It can be used as a sugar substitute once it’s distilled (similar to how maple syrup is made). Diabetics would really benefit from using Yacon Syrup, because it is low glycemic, low carb, and it doesn’t raise insulin levels. Some people say that it’s a metabolism booster and a weight loss aid. Dr. Oz did a diet challenge on his show that featured it.

Yacon Syrup can be used in baking, salad dressings, BBQ sauce, and marinades—almost any recipe that calls for honey or sugar, really! I tried it in tea and on top of oatmeal. The taste of the syrup is mild and doesn’t overpower food or drinks. It’s been compared to molasses. I thought it tasted kind of like raisins. The only thing I didn’t like it mixed into was coffee.

I averaged about 1-2 spoons per day, experimenting until the bottle was gone. While I didn’t personally experience any weight loss, I think this is a great sugar substitute that would help anyone who wants to eat healthier. We are all eating way too much sugar and it’s important to cut back anyway we can; with Yacon Syrup, it’s painless. I would definitely buy Hermosa Peak Yacon Syrup!