Giving your kids an edge in school is one of the priceless gifts that you can give them. One way to give your multiples an edge in school is to develop their desire to read. Literacy is a skill that can be developed early, and really it needs to be developed as early as possible. While being able to read on their own is a skill that will most likely not develop until after they enter kindergarten, you can develop literacy skill basics by reading to them and playing letter and word games.

Literacy Development Activity No. 1: Reading Time
The first way that you can encourage your children to develop a love of reading is to read to them. Even if your multiples have not yet been born, you can still stimulate their minds by reading to them. Reading can become a bedtime routine, or it can be used as a reward. The key is to make reading seem like a fun thing to do.

Literacy Development Activity No. 2: The Alphabet Song
Another way that you can stimulate literacy is by teaching your multiples the alphabet song. The alphabet song makes learning the alphabet much easier for children to do. It can also be a fun activity for you to share with your kids. After they have mastered the song, you can pair the singing of the alphabet song with an illustration of the letters. As you sing each letter, you will point to the corresponding letter on the graphic. This will help your multiples to learn what the letters look like. You can then advance the activity by asking for your multiples to show you where the letter "M" is or the letter "O".

Literacy Development Activity No. 3: Word Games
As your multiples develop their literacy skills, you can play word games. You will need flash cards for these activities. Memory is a game that works well for a word game. On one card you will have a picture, and on its' pair will be the written word for the item on the card. For example you can have a picture of a dress on one card and the word "dress" on its match.

One of the time honored family recreation activities in America has been Trick or Treating. This can be a fun activity for the whole family. In fact, even though I do not get candy from the neighbors (I leave that to my son), I still like to dress up in a witch costume. However, when you are Trick or Treating, it is important to keep some important safety tips in mind. You want your family activity to be safe as well as fun.

About.com offers some great Halloween Safety Tips for Trick or Treating

*Make sure your child is visible. You should have your child carry something like a flashlight or wear a glow bracelet or necklace. This makes them visible to others in the dark.

*Shoes should fit well. Sneakers may not be the coolest thing to wear with a cowboy costume, but they are the safer option. And really, the shoes are the least important part.

*Keep away from costumes that drag. If a costume is dragging on the ground, there is a chance that it will be stepped on and could cause your child to fall or contribute to other problems.

*Caution your children to walk and to avoid lawns. Keep your children's exuberance in check. Running, as well as cutting across lawns, can contribute to falling and tripping over items that may be hard to see.

*Avoid darkened houses when Trick or Treating. Not only are dark homes more likely to have hidden obstacles, they usually belong to people who do not wish to be bothered.

*Costumes should allow visibility and breathing. Make sure your child can breathe easily in the costume, as well as see properly. Also, make sure kids maintain a good temperature -- no overheating or costumes that are too thin in the cold.

*Flexible props. It is best to leave weapons at home while Trick or Treating, even if they are flexible. But if you must have that ninja sword, make sure it is flexible and does not resemble a real weapon.

When cold winter days rear their ugly head, but you want to take your newborn out for a day on the town, dolling him or her up in a few winter weather basics will keep them safe, comfortable and more than ready for the road. Your newborn will need several layers of clothing and blankets to face those brisk mornings and chilly evenings like a winter veteran. From fleece-lined onesies to layered bodysuits with mittens, there's something for all tastes and styles for the chilly season ahead.

They may be too young for a snowball fight, but a puffy jacket is an absolute must for staying well-protected from the elements. The Puff Rider Jacket from Patagonia is designed just for babies, with a deluxe polyester shell and a water-resistant layer. The quilted jacket will fend off that brisk wind and keep baby plenty warm with extra hand-warmer pockets and Quallofil insulation. The jacket is also machine-washable, so you don't have to worry about spills and accidents ruining this winter must-have.

Keep your little girl cozy and comfortable in a fur-lined Bunting Suit that comes with its own set of mittens. This suit is designed with a hood and closed feet to trap heat in for the long haul. This super-sweet pink set is also easy to take on and off - a must for those last-minute trips - and is machine washable.

Whether you're off to the park or just heading out for a tour of the town, layer up your tot with some fleece-lined pants designed with eco-friendly materials. The Patagonia Baby Synchilla Pants are a playful and fun addition to your newborn's ensemble. This pair of super-comfortable pants is made with soft fleece and designed with an elastic waist. The pants can be worn by themselves or layered with various onesies and other bottoms for extra warmth.

And when the day calls for chilling out at home and steering clear of chilly weather outdoors, packing your newborn up in a fleece vest can keep them warm and toasty all day long. The Baby Synchilla Vest is made with double-faced fleece and a relaxed fit for easy layering. It's another super-soft addition to baby's winter wardrobe and a versatile piece for indoor or outdoor activities.

Family recreation can be both fun and beneficial to your community. Indeed, family activities that teach your children to enjoy being good members of the community are important. One of the things that you can do as a family is to do a neighborhood cleanup. This will help your children see the value of contributing to the community, and it can give you some quality time together.

Cleaning up the Neighborhood
In many neighborhoods, trash can be seen. This trash creates an unsightly mess and is a blight on the beauty of the neighborhood. By cleaning up the neighborhood as a family, you can teach your children important lessons about community involvement, being good to the environment and family togetherness.

Some tips for cleaning up the neighborhood include:

• Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather. Right now, in the fall, is a great time to clean things up. Do it before the snow falls. But it may mean that a light jacket and some thin gloves are needed.

• Bring two bags: One for regular trash and one for recyclable trash. Teach your children that recycling is important, and teach them which materials go in which bag. You can sort the recyclables later.

• Everybody work together: Make sure the parents do work as well. It is your chance to set a good example, and the kids have more fun if the parents are helping.

• Consider making it a neighborhood effort: You do not have to do all the work alone. Coordinate a neighborhood cleanup party. You can get to know your neighbors as well as spend time together as a family. You can even have treats and games when you finish.

There are many opportunities to make family recreation a learning experience as well as something that is fun. When you engage in a neighborhood cleanup, the lessons you impart are lasting and so are the memories that you make!

Trick or treating is a long-standing tradition for many. However, some parents are becoming increasingly wary of sending their children out into the night to gather candy. One fun way to mix it up, as far as trick or treating is concerned, is to organize a neighborhood trunk or treat.

Trunk or treat
This is basically a neighborhood party where everyone can bring their cars, park and pass out candy. Whole families come. This can be arranged at the end of a cul-de-sac, at a neighborhood park or at a community building. (In some cases, a local firehouse or a church might provide a location for the trunk or treat.) Games, like bobbing for apples and other Halloween themed activities, can be played, and you can have neighbors bring decorated pumpkins.

At our neighborhood's trunk or treat, there are often donuts and hot chocolate or cider as refreshments. It's a fun and safe environment for children, and it can give adults a chance to mingle and get to know each other - and figure out whose kids your children have been playing with.

It is best to hold a trunk or treat early in the evening, before it gets too dark or cold. However, children should still dress appropriately for the weather. On the other hand, if the trunk or treat is held inside, a jacket will not obscure the costumes. This can only be done, of course, if you have access to some sort of community center.

A trunk or treat is a great way for you to get together with your neighbors and enjoy the Halloween spirit. In our neighborhood, even the adults dress up for our festive event, which feels like a party. However, there are some caveats: PG-rated costumes (no sexy maids at our party), and masks cannot completely cover the face.

With a little advance planning and organization, you can make Halloween an entire-family event - and share it with your neighbors.

Many families worry, especially with these tough economic times, about spending a great deal of money on family recreation. But family recreation is an important part of forging strong family ties. The good news is that there are plenty of great family activities available for very little cost. One of the things you can do to enjoy a variety of family activities year round is become acquainted with your local nature center.

Local Nature Centers
Many towns and cities have local nature centers. These centers are designed with the family in mind, and often offer activities for people of all ages. Nature centers offer interactive learning, as well as the ability to get out and enjoy nature as a family. Most nature centers put on programs, animal demonstrations, classes and workshops that cost very little or are completely free of charge. Sometimes, if you plan to use the nature center regularly, it is possible to buy a yearly family membership for a very reasonable price. This can allow you to take advantage of all the nature center has to offer.

Visiting the Local Nature Center
It is important to dress appropriately for the weather when visiting your local nature center. Wear hiking boots most of the year and make sure to have warm and sturdy snow boots if you go during the winter. Wear sweaters and jackets when appropriate and remember to dress comfortably during the summer months. Call ahead of time to see if some workshops and events require pre-registration. It is possible that large parties need to be pre-registered in order to be accommodated. Obtain a schedule either online or at the nature center so that you can better plan your family outings.

Family recreation can serve two great purposes; it can bring you closer as a family and also instill a love and respect for nature into your children. A nature center can provide all that is needed to accomplish both of these things - and do it at a very reasonable price.

Sleep is something that many new parents of multiples feel that they will have to live without. However, while the first four weeks are going to be somewhat restless, you don't have to spend the first year of your children's lives sleep deprived. There are steps that you can take to help your multiples get onto a sleep schedule and stick to it.

Step No. 1: Pick Sleep Times and Awake Times

The first step in establishing a sleep schedule when you have multiples is to pick when they "should" be awake and when they "should" be asleep. For example, a normal bedtime for infants is 7:30 p.m. and a normal wakeup time is 6:00 a.m. Obviously you will have many awake and asleep periods, but the 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. period needs to be established early on. To establish this as a time to be asleep, you will want your home to be dark and quiet during these times, even when you get up to change your multiples and give them their nighttime feedings.

Step No. 2: Set Up a Going to Sleep Routine

The next step is to set up a going to sleep routine. This routine is going to be a cue to your multiples that it is time to go to sleep. This routine can include things like taking a bath, listening to a soothing CD, changing into bed clothes, cuddling with a special bedtime toy or listening to a story while lying in bed.

Step No. 3: Set Up a Wake Up Routine

Just as important as your bedtime routine, is your waking routine. This routine will include steps that will signal to your children that it is time to be awake. For example, you can open curtains, turn on lights, put away nighttime snuggle toys and make the house more lively with sounds and energy.

Step No. 4: Be Consistent

Like establishing any other type of routine for your multiples, consistency is critical. This means that you have to stick to the routine, even when you are away from your home. Consistency is this routine is going to be very important during the first two to three years of your child's life. Obviously, you may need to adjust when they go to bed or wake up based on their changing sleeping needs, as well as adjust what toys they want to sleep with or play with as they get older. However, the routine itself needs to remain the same.

As a child, I loved the occasions when my mother would bring me out to look at the stars. Last time we went camping, my son and I sat for a while gazing up at the stars and finding the brightly shining North Star, as well as looking at constellations like the Big Dipper and Draco (my son loves dragons.) Then it occurred to me: I could bring my son out for star gazing anytime, and we could do it with his dad. Star gazing is a great family activity, especially during momentous events like meteor showers and lunar eclipses.

Watching Meteor Showers
Even though winter is approaching, it is still possible to engage in star gazing. In fact, my next family star gazing activity will be October 21, for the Orionids meteor shower. (There are two more meteor showers beyond the Orionids and before the end of the year: the Leonids and the Geminids.) Since it will be cold, I'll be sure to bundle my son in a warm winter coat, and we will all wear scarves, hats and thick socks with our shoes. I plan to have hot chocolate and cider ready for when we go in. We are lucky enough to live far enough out that we can sit on our front lawn.

Other Tips for Family Star Gazing
It is also possible to go star gazing on an "ordinary" night. Beforehand, learn about stars as a family. It is possible to find star charts online, as well as buy astronomy books that can give information about the locations of constellations, galaxies and planets. If you think you will use it, consider buying a telescope that you can use as family to zoom in on various celestial features. Another great idea is to learn about other cultures and remember the constellations by reading about the legends and myths that surround them.

Star gazing can make for great family recreation, as well as a valuable educational experience.

Seasons are changing and soon cold weather will replace the mild temperatures and conditions associated with early fall. As the temperature drops, your multiples will need warmer jackets, hats, gloves, boots, rain gear and other pieces of cold weather gear. The more children you have, the larger the pile of outdoor gear and clothing accumulating at your door. This can be cumbersome and unsightly, but also add minutes to your early morning routine. To avoid all of the problems associated with winter wear clutter, you need to get organized. Fortunately, it is easy to do.

Organizing Your Multiples' Winter Gear: Personal Baskets
The first way you can keep the clutter near the door down to a minimum is to buy each of your children their own outerwear baskets. These baskets can be plastic mesh baskets, wicker baskets or metal baskets. The key is to buy a container that is large enough to hold things like gloves, hats, scarves and other small pieces of outerwear clothing. On the outside of each basket, label it with the name of one of your kids. Then push the basket up against the wall so that your kids can find their basket quickly. To make the baskets more personal, buy each multiple a different color basket.

Organizing Your Multiples' Winter Gear: Footwear Storage
Boots and shoes can quickly clutter an entryway during the winter months, especially when you have multiples. To keep the clutter down to a minimum, and to help keep everyone's footwear organized, you need to set up a footwear station. This can be as easy as taping squares on the floor and labeling them with each child's name, or you can line up wooden cubicles along the wall and assign one space to each person in your family.

Organizing Your Multiples' Winter Gear: Coats and Snow pants
One reason why small kids don't hang up their coats and winter outerwear is that they can't reach the hangers. To make hanging up their coats and snow pants easy to do, all you have to do is install a coat hanger low enough for them to reach. You can use individual hangers or you can install a coat rack. Again you will want to create a label with each child's name on it and place it next to their assigned coat hanger.

Who said it was only a mother's job to keep a clean home? Or a father's job to cut the lawn and take out the trash. Times have changed now that both parents are in the workforce. Let's face it.....9-5 is not just a cute movie from the 80's...it's reality for most. It's time to get some help around the house....and kids....it's you!

Kids today have so much that they don't realize how fortunate they are. For most Mom's and Dad's, they want their kids to have everything they didn't have when they were kids. So it is not uncommon to see a 7 year old carrying around an Ipod and cellular phone. Call me crazy....but I recall carrying a couple of dimes to make a pay phone call back in the day. Times are a changing and our children now need to start helping more around the house. All those luxurious things cost money and Mom's are right there along with Dad's working long hard hours outside of the home.

Give your children a sense of responsibility. Trash, dishes, sweeping and dusting are not just a chore for Mom and Dad. For your 5 year old, it could be just praising him for picking up his toys when he is done playing with them....or putting his plate on the counter after dinner. Junior high aged children can start to help more by giving Mom a break and loading the dishwasher after meals. Take out the trash for Dad and pick up after the pets. Although you may get a few moans and groans, they will ultimately grow as individuals and know that they are expected to partake in these chores. These simple chores will only prepare your children for life on their own as adults. The more they understand that they have to work to have nice things, the better off they will be when they are on their own. As parents, we must teach our children to appreciate what they have and/or are given and sometimes it takes hard work to get those things. Let's not teach them to believe they come free. Responsibility with something as simple as a chore will do wonders for your children, and help you out as well.

Now go out and divide up the chores around the house as a family and give them praise for it! Hey, with the extra help, you just might have more time to spend together as a family....and that is more than anything in the world!

By Dee Calderon

Ah, the baby blanket, a cozy piece of cloth wrapping your newborn tight into a cocoon and protecting them from the world at large. The blanket many kids keep close by their side through the toddler years and beyond. A safe and snuggly accessory, which unconditionally offers warmth, comfort and protection.

Wrapping up your little one is a top priority no matter the season, and there are plenty of ways to mix the practical side of things with a little creativity. Baby blankets made with double layers, velour trim and luxury furs are just a few variations on the old-fashioned knit and cashmere blends. Investing in a quality blanket from the start means your little one can cuddle up in comfort for months to come.

One of the first things to look for is a hypo-allergenic filling; today's baby blankets may be made of synthetic materials such as rayon and polyester but don't have to be the source of health problems for your youngster. The Shootsie Puppy Ear is a good example of a simple, hypo-allergenic blanket that is plenty snuggle-worthy. The blanket is made with blue satin, a rayon-polyester blend, and is free of dyes and formaldehyde.

Choosing a double-layered blanket can also provide that extra-plush feel. A double layer of cotton and polyester traps in the heat and keeps your baby safe, warm and cozy for hours on end. It's an ideal blend for overnight bedding, and blankets such as the le top Plush/Velour Double Layer Blanket are accented with cutesy designs, satin borders and embroidery for an extra touch.

And if you're looking for ways to pamper your tot in ultimate luxury during their early years, a baby blanket made with exotic fur may be a better choice. The Dolce & Gabbana Junior Rabbit Fur Wrap Blanket is a hooded blanket which means creating that cocoon is a cinch; this one's made with 100-percent rabbit fur and a cotton-elastane blend. The best part? There's a detachable pompom right on the blanket so baby has something to play with after nap time.

All parents need to worry about safety. However, when you are the parents of multiples your safety concerns are double, tripled or quadrupled. Because of this, you need to take extra steps to keep your home safe, and you need to implement different safety strategies to keep all of your multiples safe from harm.

Safety Tips for Parents of Multiples No. 1: Electricity Safety

One of the biggest hazards in your home is electricity. Electrical devices and outlets are found throughout your home, and they are necessary parts of modern life. Some of the steps you can take to safety proof the electrical devices in your home are inserting outlet plugs in outlets not in use, taping down electrical cords and keeping all outlets barricaded with furniture.

Safety Tips for Parents of Multiples No. 2: Daily Safety Proofing

Because things in your home are moved around on a daily basis, you need to search for safety hazards on a daily basis. The best way to do this is to get down to your children's eye level and scan your home for safety hazards. You will be surprised how many hazards you can find like open drawers, uncovered outlets, small toys and sharp corners. Make it a point to conduct a safety check each morning before your multiples wake up or each evening after your multiples have gone to bed.

Safety Tips for Parents of Multiples No. 3: Safety Is a Team Sport

One of the challenges of being a parent of multiples is keeping the multiples from dividing your attention when you are trying to keep them out of trouble. It is inevitable when you are dealing with the crisis of one multiple, the other sneaks away to get into a similar predicament. You can keep all your multiples safe by making it a point, at least when they are young, to treat crises as a team sport. If one multiple is injured or gets dirty, then have the other multiples act as your helpers. They can hand you supplies, bring you a change of clothing and throw items away for you. This will not only keep them in your line of sight, but it will teach them about how to treat minor injuries and how to clean up after a minor accident.