The first birthday has finally arrived, it is time to find the perfect gift, what do you get, where do you go to look for the gift, there are so many different stores now that cater to young children. A baby's first birthday is essentially an extended photo opportunity. When you have a birthday for you baby it is always memorable occasion filled with happiness and joy. Keep in mind most children will not remember their early years, so the first birthday is mostly for the adults in your child's life. Much of the time those at baby’s first birthday will have a chance to reflect on the past year, which is very important.

This is a great recipe for the individual cake for baby's 1st birthday, although it may not be as beautiful as a frosted one, or as fun as seeing frosting all over your babies face, hair and outfit. It is healthy and does not contain eggs or dairy.

• Small containers (used yogurt cups work great)
• 6 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 12 tablespoons cornstarch
• Food coloring

Mix the shortening and cornstarch in a small bowl until compleatly blended. Divide between six small containers. Add food coloring to each in small amounts and mix well until you reach the colors you desire.You can store the in the fridge for about one week.

Given this paint children can be so many things.A purple dinosaur with funky green spots. Or perhaps a blue genie. What wild ideas will your creative kids come up with?

This is a messy project and may stain clothing and surroundings. Great for outside play!

By mid-February, hints of brighter days start popping up in malls across the country. You see a pink skirt here, a yellow tee there. By month's end, there's a full fledged garden of clothing blooming in stores everywhere.

My winter rut is often broken with a quick purchase of flowery sandals and a brightly coloured tank top. Recently, I decided that it was time to school my daughter in the fine art of retail therapy. Another dark and dreary week day afternoon fell upon us, so we hit the mall with a vigor usually reserved for birthday parties and gymboree.

We ventured into our first store where my three year old daughter fingered the first sundress she saw like a seasoned pro. She admired the fabric, but declared it, "not purple enough" for her liking, so we moved on. From store to store we travelled, each one containing a little treasure to add to her burdgeoning wardrobe. By the afternoon's end, our arms were full and our feet were tired. We returned home in eager anticipation of a treat and a fashion show.

After tags were removed and items unwrapped, my little lady disappeared into her room with the stern warning, "NO PEEKING!" Minutes later, she was ready. Dressed in head to toe purple, she declared herself a "fashion girl" and marched down the hall with a kind of confidence I can only dream of. Her lilac tights complimented last year's grape-hued shorts and her brand new maroon t-shirt draped elegently over a ketchup-stained purple cardigan. On her head, she sported a lavender Easter bonnet, decorated with Dora and Barbie stickers (it's the details that make all the difference, you know.) Dainty pink Tinkerbell socks covered both her hands, recalling her ire at the lack of size 3 evening gloves. Her feet were covered in a soft purple and pink pair of gum boots, complete with a scratch and sniff cookie sticker.

With her sock clad hands on her hips, my darling daughter pouted, preened and pranced for the camera as I eagerly snapped shot after shot, aware that a day will come when she won't be seen in public with me, let alone let me shop with her. I shook away the image of a petulant teenager rolling her eyes as I offer to take her out, and instead, wrapped my arms around the little girl standing in front of me and leaned in for a kiss. "I don't think so, Mom," she said, pushing me away and pointing to her lipsmacker-covered mouth, "I have lips on." I sighed, smiled and reviewed my fresh batch of pictures.

Starting at a young age, parents need to decide what the bed time routine is, and just where and how everyone will sleep.

Bed time routines are a wonderful way to wind down from the days events, as well as let a child know that bed time is coming. It helps them to gently shift gears from play to sleep. A bed time routine should be calm with no rough housing or loud play. For years, we have started bed with a light snack and drink, bath, get pajamas on, brush teeth, read a story and snuggle for a bit followed by lights out. Of course it is different for each family, but the important thing is consistency over the years.

Growing up I remember those Friday night trips to the golden arches. I remember the white benches with the yellow and red pads and the Happy Meals™® with the soda or milk shakes like it was yesterday and so do my hips.

Today's parents are more savvy and choosy so McDonald's has stepped up to the plate to offer moms better choices for those fast food stops with the kids in tow.

Milks come in "milk jugs" and are appealing to the eye of a child though they are low fat my boys always ask for milk now.

Fries can now be replaced with "apple dippers" slices of apple and a low fat caramel sauce My kids all love this idea at home and I know at McDonald's it is sure to be a hit as well.

They also offer Motts juice boxes a hit with younger children not so much the older children that see them as some thing they get often at home or school.

The newest addition not aimed at children is the fruit and nut salad my kids think it is the bomb! And you can not get much healthier then portioned out servings of fruit, nuts and low fat yogurt.

Lets not forget desert fruit and yogurt parfait? Low fat ice cream?

It is nice to see a company that deals with foods that are not considered healthy when consumed to often offer choices that are better and far more nutritious choices for our children and us as adults to still love the golden arches.