But if you are like me, as the kids grew older, you assume the risk is reduced.  They are old enough to know what does and doesn't go in their mouths, right?   This is an important wake-up call for parents about the dangers of poisonous substances in and around our homes.

Did you know?

• Poisoning surpassed firearms in 2005 to become the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in the US behind motor vehicle accidents

• In 2009, approximately 52% of all “exposure” calls to the IPC (almost 45,000 calls) involved children ages 5 and under.  Nationally, over 4 million calls are received by poison centers for information and treatment advice on potentially harmful substances

In celebration of Illinois Poison Prevention Month (March) and National Poison Prevention Week (March 14-20), the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is holding a Facebook Fan Drive.   To help in the effort, Savvy Daddy and others are donating $1 for every new fan (from Illinois) in the month of March.

Become a fan here.

Click here for two interesting articles from the Illinois Poison Center Blog:  Top Five Things You Didn't Think Could Be Poisonous to Children and A Day In the Life of the Illinois Poison Center.   You'll be amazed at the service this organization provides to families who are facing a crisis involving harmful substances.

If you shouldn't have taken it, eaten it, touched it or let it bite you, call the experts who can help 1.800.222.1222

Be safe!

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Through unique words and eclectic characters, he certainly had a story to tell in a way that no one before him had told it before.

My favorite book from our Seuss stash is still "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"  I loved it as a child, and now I cherish the times my daughters pull it off the shelf at story time.  Now, that I have reached the "middle-age" of life experience, books like this have a fresh perspective that is unexpected and refreshing.

Watching the little yellow guy stand before the open roads, deciding which path to take, which to avoid, and which balloons to take a ride…you can't help but revisit the journeys you have taken that have led you to where you are today.

The waiting times, the lurches and the slumps,  the alone times and the bumps, the confused and indecisive times … and the clear times when it all seems to fall into place.

As Dr. Seuss so eloquently says, "You'll get mixed up of course, as you already know …. So be sure when you step.  Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. "  Indeed it is, Dr. Seuss!

What a gift it is to be a parent and to share our life experiences and in return watch our children live, learn and create their own path.   "Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest…"  Thanks, Dr. Seuss.  We all need this inspiration from time to time!

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Last August at "Arts in the Park," area kids helped create this colorful mural by adding their own handprints.  The mural is now on display in the lobby at St. John's Children's Hospital.

If you haven't stopped by our Kids' Health Check master resource yet, courtesy of SJCH, please be sure to check out informative articles on everything from children's runny noses to headaches to allergies and more.

Have health related topics you'd like information on?  Email us, and we'll inquire of SJCH and eventually post the answer.

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Each year in May, Springfield Moms premium sponsor Security Bank partners with Springfield Business Journal for a program recognizing local women for their achievements.

"Women of Influence" honors local women for their contributions to the Springfield area community. The recipients are profiled in the May issue of the Business Journal and recognized at a special ceremony and reception on May 18th.

These women are significant for their valuable contributions in making Springfield a great community. Those who have been selected as "Women of Influence" have a wide variety of backgrounds, including both the private and public sectors. Many are recognizable names in the community, thanks to their involvement and commitment to making Springfield a better place to work and live.

Deadline for nominations is Thursday, April 8th.  Security Bank Women of Influence Nomination Form

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This is a great time of year to review where you've been the past few months and where you're headed the rest of the year.   I challenged a work colleague recently to block a full work day for creating her business plan.   This means setting aside a full 8-hour day where you can focus on the big picture.  You  list all you need to accomplish, all you want to accomplish and then prioritize that list into a manageable one…with deadlines.   I choose to make lists for work, personal and family.

Have I blocked out this day yet?  Well, actually yes…and then life took over. That day became just like any other; filled with emails, phone calls, work, more work, bills, kids and cleaning.

So, I decided I WILL block out this day again and escape to a hotel to actually accomplish it!  I will not be accessible by phone that day (except for family).   Sometimes it's essential to break from our normal routine to clear our heads so we can make important plans.

Whatever your Spring Fever Change is (work, personal, home, kids) take the time to make it happen!  I'm always inspired by the positive articles we receive from Joe Thiel, owner of Springfield Moms sponsor Fitness Together and Health Coach Joe.  Joe makes no excuses and always has great tips that we can apply to our lives.

This article here is a personal favorite:  Finding the Courage to Change

Enjoy!

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Send us your favorite time saver, organizing tips, get away retreats or anything you do as a parent to save your sanity.

All entries will be in our drawing to win a Do You Kasasa? T-shirt from Security Bank or Premiere Physical Therapy Sponsor T-Shirt Every Friday.

We can't wait to hear from you.  Email us here.

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Those were the words I heard after my daughter was in trouble for fighting with her sister…again.

My response, "of course I do!  I will always love you, but I don't always love your behavior!"

I continued on, "parents have unconditional love for their kids, do you know what that means?"

Having not looked this word up in the dictionary, I gave her my own definition.

Unconditional love means that someone loves you for who you are….the good, the bad and the ugly!  Nobody's perfect, and unconditional love is accepting that and still being their number one fan.

What comes around, goes around….

After a busy weekend of Springfield Moms events, my kids were needing more time with just me, in relaxed down time!  When they started bickering again yesterday, it was just too much.  I was tired; so I got mad.

A few minutes later I found a note on my mirror in the bathroom.

Written in Crayola mirror-safe markers (thankfully!) was:

"Mommy, I'm sorry.  I love you XOXO."

WOW, no dictionary definition can top that!  Kids love their parents unconditionally too.   Unconditional Love…priceless.

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Bag Your To-Do List!  Paint Bedroom, Caulk windows, replace light bulbs, change furnance filter, clean windows, prune trees, fill the bird feeder, organize the garage…you know the drill!

Check out the flier for the ACE-bagsale

See the list of LOCAL Ace Locations and Hours

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Flea Market to Fabulous has tickets to give away!

Stop in by March 15th (Corner of Spring & Lawrence) and register for tickets to see John Mayer live March 20th in St. Louis at the Scottrade Center. The tickets include bus transportation!

Enjoy 30 % off Storewide through Saturday Feb 27th and then enjoy Half-off L.O.F.T. (Lots of Fabulous Things!)

Access our SpMoms Coupon and Store Hours

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Expanding Your Horizons in Math, Science and Technology (EYH) Conference

University of Illinois Springfield campus

8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 20

EYH Registration Form & Brochure

Girls in 6th, 7th and 8th grades throughout central Illinois are invited to come to the University of Illinois Springfield campus to have fun while learning about cutting-edge careers in math, science and technology. Expanding Your Horizons in Math, Science and Technology (EYH) is a conference designed for girls only and will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 20. Girls at EYH will participate in exciting hands-on workshops led by dynamic and successful women.   A separate workshop for parents and teachers will be held concurrently.

Girls who attend EYH will have a blast as they interact with women who are scientists, engineers, healthcare providers, educators, architects and represent many other careers traditionally held by men. They will have new experiences in hands-on workshops, while they meet other girls with similar interests, and learn about career opportunities for women.

Workshops include:

The Fantastic Voyage Inside Our Bodies

Lights, Camera, Action!

Women of the Web – Create a Personal Photo Web Page

Sit on Top of the World!

Are you Superhero Material?

Futuristic Medicine Today among others.

Sessions for adults include:

• Unraveling the Mystery of the ACT and SAT
• Bridging the Gap During Middle School and High School
• "Green" Your Daughter's Career for More "Green" in Her Wallet.

The registration fee is only $15 but space is limited and pre-enrollment is required!

EYH Registration Form & Brochure OR call (217) 787-8078 or go to www.aauw-il.org/springfield.

The American Association of University Women-Springfield Branch is sponsoring this event along with The Children's Center at Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, a Memorial Health System affiliate, and the University of Illinois Springfield.

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