New Year's Eve and even New Year's Eve eve are great times to teach the kids about stars and planets. Why? Because this year, for much of the country, Venus will be visible just below the moon in the southwestern sky. A short time later, Mercury and Jupiter will be visible on the horizon to the south-southwest. Find out how and why HERE.
My son is a toddler and loves the Planet Song from Blue's Clues. We don't know if he's connecting the dots, but it's a start. See this segment from Blue's Clues (sung mainly by the show's original host, Steve Burns) by clicking on the thumbnail.
Mercury's hot too.
Venus is the brightest planet
and Earth is home to me and you.
Mars is the red one
Jupiter's most wide
Saturn's got those icy rings
Uranus spins on it's side.
Neptune's really windy
and Pluto's really small.
Well we wanted to name the planets, and now we've named them all!"
Of course, poor Pluto has been downgraded since this song was recorded. But think of it as another chance to explain what separates a planet from a moon. More dazzling images at http://www.theskyinmotion.com/
A couple of weeks ago on the wedding blog, we talked about couples who are basically DJ'ing their own weddings by putting the songs they want on an iPod (or another digital player). So why not use the same idea for your holiday gatherings? If time is short, there is absolutely no reason to run all over town looking for Christmas music. Just sit down at your computer and download Mp3s of your favorite Christmas songs for your digital player. Play your songs at dinner or for cider-and-conversation after dinner. And just to make sure you wow everyone with your musical know-how, below is a teeny-tiny list of what's out there to get you started. (Some songs are free, others are .99 to download at Amazon.com) 
(Steve from Blue's Clues)
