Mattel sold lead toys

FROM ABC: Toy maker Mattel Inc. and its Fisher-Price subsidiary have agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty for importing and selling toys with excessive levels of lead. The penalty is part of a settlement the companies reached with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced Friday, that the toymaker had knowingly violated a 30-year-old federal ban on lead paint in toys.

The companies deny having willfully violated the ban. The penalty stems from a series of recalls by Mattel and Fisher-Price in 2007, when the companies recalled nearly 2 million popular Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and other toys because of excessive levels of lead found in the paint on the toys.

Barbie doll accessories and "Sarge" toy cars were also part of the recalls.

The commission says the fine is the biggest for a lead paint violation involving children's toys.

Mattel and Fisher-Price were among dozens of manufacturers that yanked millions of Chinese-made toys from store shelves in the months leading up to the 2007 holiday shopping season. The recalls made parents uneasy as they shopped for gifts for small children.

The Mattel and Fisher-Price fine is the commission's first penalty resulting from those recalls.

"These highly publicized toy recalls helped spur congressional action last year to strengthen CPSC and make even stricter the ban on lead paint on toys," said the commission's acting chairman Thomas Moore. "This penalty should serve notice to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safety of children."

"Today's settlement announcement by the U.S. CPSC resolves Mattel's outstanding issues with the agency related to certain matters that arose in 2007," Mattel said. "Mattel promptly took a series of steps after discovering compliance issues with some of our toys at that time.

"We were able to effectively minimize any potential concerns by launching a fast-track recall of the affected product in conjunction with the CPSC and other global regulatory agencies, and by taking several steps to enhance our product compliance protocols and procedures to confirm that every Mattel toy is safe for children to enjoy," Mattel said. Fisher-Price referred calls to Mattel.

Mattel, based in El Segundo, Calif., has not had any lead paint recalls since the 2007 cases, which spurred congressional action and a new law last summer — called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act — that restricts the amount of lead allowed in children's products.

Lead poisoning in children can cause neurological damage, delayed mental and physical development, learning deficiencies, and other problems.

In case you don't already know, it is solely up to the toy manufacturers to make sure there is no lead in toys before they go on store shelves. The Consumer Product Safety Commission randomly tests toys AFTER they are sold to unsuspecting parents. So be extra careful when picking up toys for kids who are teething. Several teethers have been found to have excessive amounts of lead. It's a scary thought. Obviously, these are big toy names so don't assume a name brand is safe either. I had some teethers tested with an XRF machine last year. That's really the only way to make sure there's no lead paint on the toys. The machine costs $25,000-$30,000, so it's not likely something parents will have! Yikes! I can't believe I have to go through this again with a new baby coming in September!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Can I see where the baby comes out?

I have my whole "where do babies come from" answer prepared, but this one threw me for a loop!

Son: "How does the baby come out of your belly? Do they cut it out?"
Mom:"I certainly hope not, but that does happen sometimes."
Son:"Does he come out of your butt?"
Mom:"Not exactly. It's an area close to my butt."
Son:"Can I see it?"
Mom:"Uh, no."

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Baseball/T-Ball Injuries

This summer is our first experience with t-ball. Because of my crazy schedule, I don't get to see a whole lot of games. But I get the run-down from my husband. Oh my! It's definitely a learning experience. My son says it's boring so we have been trying to talk it up. It probably is boring at that age. There is a lot of waiting for kids to figure out what they're doing. Some of them don't even know when to run the bases. I hope he looks forward to going to the games before the season is over! Either way, here's some good news about baseball!

One place that does appear to be safe for most kids -- a baseball diamond. A review of data at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus finds the number of youth baseball-related injuries requiring a trip to the ER fell 25-percent between 1994 and 2006. Researchers say mouth guards and helmets with face shields can help cut down on injuries.
Have your kids every had a sport's injury? What happened? -NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Student/Teacher Relationship?

I knew a girl who had a relationship with a teacher in high school and I heard he ended up getting fired at some point, but I don't know if there was ever a trial. Yikes! I would hate to think that's one more thing to worry about when your kids hit high school age!

FROM WHOI: It's a case that shocked a small central Illinois community and caused parents around the area to take pause. A former Metamora Township High School teacher and soccer coach took the stand today in his criminal sexual abuse trial.


Stephen Chromik denies he had sex with a former student. The 26-year-old is accused of engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl back in 2008.
In Peoria County Court today the defense attorney's first question of his client was 'Did you have sex with the victim?' Chromik answered with a short, but clear 'NO.'

Prosecutors allege Chromik pressured the girl into having sex once at his Peoria apartment and another time in a utility shed at the school. Chromik faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. If convicted, Chromik could spend up to 15 years in prison.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Afraid to wear shorts? Do you have unwanted hair? Embarrassed by unsightly varicose or spider veins? NOW is the time to get your legs ready for summer! You don’t have to be afraid to wear shorts because of unwanted hair or unsightly varicose or spider veins.

Call 674-SKIN to schedule your FREE leg vein or hair laser consultation at Soderstrom Skin Institute, and you’ll be ready to show off your beautiful legs this summer!Soderstrom Skin Institute is positioned to be a comprehensive, full service, skin care facility. Visit www.soderstromskininstitute.com to learn what Soderstrom Skin Institute can do for you.

Teenage Depression is Serious

I don't know about you, but there were certainly some depressing aspects of high school for me. I did feel like my world was over when little things happened. I probably was more naive than depressed though. How about you?

Depression is a common disorder that can seriously affect people of all ages, and once a person has an episode of depression, that person is extremely likely to have another one in the future - making depression in adolescents particularly concerning.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University led a study of more than 300 at-risk adolescents. Half of the teens received "usual care" while the other half met for therapy sessions aimed at helping them avoid another depressive episode. The study found those who were in the preventive therapy group had an 11 percent lower incidence of depression compared to those who weren't.

"We focused on looking at how they were thinking about things particularly how they deal with stress when a stressor occurs, do they blame themselves, do they think that things are going to be terrible forever, so we get them to kind of look realistically at what are the consequences of the events, consequences of their own actions, and then what they can do about it." Researchers say teens with a depressed parent were much more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those with parents who were not depressed.

Signs of Teenage Depression

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Afraid to wear shorts? Do you have unwanted hair? Embarrassed by unsightly varicose or spider veins? NOW is the time to get your legs ready for summer! You don’t have to be afraid to wear shorts because of unwanted hair or unsightly varicose or spider veins.

Call 674-SKIN to schedule your FREE leg vein or hair laser consultation at Soderstrom Skin Institute, and you’ll be ready to show off your beautiful legs this summer!Soderstrom Skin Institute is positioned to be a comprehensive, full service, skin care facility. Visit www.soderstromskininstitute.com to learn what Soderstrom Skin Institute can do for you.

Take a Vacation

While it may seem like taking a vacation this summer is a luxury, it's actually a necessity — according to mental health professionals!

Vacations are essential to disconnect and rest your brain, according to experts. These days, it's hard to leave the job behind — technology has left us accessible at all times, with the use of cellphones, e–mail and laptops.

And while some stress can keep us on track and accomplishing tasks, too much can make us sick.
That's why experts recommend unplugging during vacation, relaxing and recharging.And most importantly: leave work at the office!

I don't think we are taking a vacation this year. We have talked about it, but with the new baby coming and all the medical bills, it just doesn't seem probable. Maybe my husband and I will get away for a weekend. I would like to take the boys to see Thomas up in Union this August, but being 9 months pregnant and outside all day in August in Illinois... I am just asking for trouble!

My husband works for AAA Auto Club Group and he keeps telling me about these amazing deals on trips (real vacations.) The week long trips to Europe and Mexico are super cheap right now-less than $1000 a person including airfare! I need to tell him to stop letting me know about all the trips we are missing! I don't think a pregnant woman who had pre-term labor should be leaving the country when she's 7 months along. Do you? I still like looking at this picture and dreaming of a relaxing beach...

Are you taking a vacation this year? Where are you headed?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Afraid to wear shorts? Do you have unwanted hair? Embarrassed by unsightly varicose or spider veins? NOW is the time to get your legs ready for summer! You don’t have to be afraid to wear shorts because of unwanted hair or unsightly varicose or spider veins.

Call 674-SKIN to schedule your FREE leg vein or hair laser consultation at Soderstrom Skin Institute, and you’ll be ready to show off your beautiful legs this summer!Soderstrom Skin Institute is positioned to be a comprehensive, full service, skin care facility. Visit www.soderstromskininstitute.com to learn what Soderstrom Skin Institute can do for you.

Smart uses for Smart Phones

FROM NBC: Many moms and dads are reaching for their smart phones to play number and letter games with their little ones. Or, they'll hand their preschoolers their phone so the parent can get a few minutes of quiet while waiting for a restaurant table.

This is so true in my family. I dread going out to eat because the kids are just too wild, but I am grateful for the smart phone and video iPod. My two year old will sit and watch Thomas with the little ear phones up to his ears. It cracks me up. And my preschooler will play brick breaker. It does keep them occupied before the food gets there. My husband also gets the Disney Channel on his phone. That helps too!
Do you use your phone/iPod to entertain the kids at restaurants?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Afraid to wear shorts? Do you have unwanted hair? Embarrassed by unsightly varicose or spider veins? NOW is the time to get your legs ready for summer! You don’t have to be afraid to wear shorts because of unwanted hair or unsightly varicose or spider veins. Call 674-SKIN to schedule your FREE leg vein or hair laser consultation at Soderstrom Skin Institute, and you’ll be ready to show off your beautiful legs this summer!

Soderstrom Skin Institute is positioned to be a comprehensive, full service, skin care facility. Visit www.soderstromskininstitute.com to learn what Soderstrom Skin Institute can do for you.

6 Months

Six months has not been fun! I started having contractions at 22 weeks! Yikes! So I am supposed to quit going grocery shopping and cleaning and all those little things we have to do. It is challenging. I have just been drinking lots of water and spending the majority of my day walking back and forth to the bathroom. Sometimes I will go days with no contractions, then I will have four or five in one day. I knew this would happen, but I was hoping it would be at more like 28-30 weeks. And I am not even going to mention my skin. Just horrible! I would look better if I wore my son's transformer mask! I hope that phase passes soon!

As Susie hinted at in the last post, my five-year-old is calling the baby Rex Robot, Robot for short. I truly think he will be disappointed when I don't give the baby that name. Can you imagine Robot Christensen? I do like unique names, but that's a little over the top. It has been so funny to gauge people's reactions though when my son tells them the baby's name is Robot. They look at me like, "He's kidding, right?" But they don't want to offend me so they don't say anything. I just laugh and say, "We'll see!"

I am using my neighbor's crib for this baby.It had some spots on it that needed to be sanded and re-stained. I didn't realize that part of the crib was particle board, so I basically ruined it when I put stain on it. It turned this lovely, dull poop black color. I ended up painting it and am going to put a sealer on it to see if that works. Otherwise, the top railing of the crib will have some ribbon or something on it. What a frustrating little fix! I have also decided to make the dust ruffle for the crib. I want a big, blue puff at the bottom and couldn't find a dust ruffle like that anywhere. Hopefully it turns out better than the crib! I knew I should have just taken it to a professional in the first place! It's such a cute crib!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Afraid to wear shorts? Do you have unwanted hair? Embarrassed by unsightly varicose or spider veins? NOW is the time to get your legs ready for summer! You don’t have to be afraid to wear shorts because of unwanted hair or unsightly varicose or spider veins.

Call 674-SKIN to schedule your FREE leg vein or hair laser consultation at Soderstrom Skin Institute, and you’ll be ready to show off your beautiful legs this summer!Soderstrom Skin Institute is positioned to be a comprehensive, full service, skin care facility. Visit www.soderstromskininstitute.com to learn what Soderstrom Skin Institute can do for you.