... to make an awesome Easter basket!

Since it's almost time for Easter, you better get shopping! Every year, my mom is always so good at stocking up on lots of fun little things that make Easter morning so much fun that I almost miss church! It's so fun to wake up and immediately start snacking on spice jelly beans and peanut butter bunnies, and no one can tell me that it's too early for this much sugar. The key to making an awesome easter basket is to get the perfect balance of jelly beans and sugary candy, chocolate eggs, a few little toys or fun games, and then to top it off with just the right chocolate bunny.

First, you have to start with a basket. Make sure that you get one that's the right size, and is appropriately decorated. This is the only time of year you have excuses to decorate everything in fun spring colors, like pink and yellow and green. You can either go simple,

or you can go all out and order a personalized one, like this:

Next, you need to get some Easter grass to nicely line the bottom. You can either go simple, or you can get edible Easter grass and add to the sugary fun!

Moving on to the good stuff, you definitely need some jelly beans (my faves are the classic spiced, but fruity ones work too), and some good old fashioned chocolate eggs (these Cadbury ones are the best). Balance it out with some yummy chocolate-peanut butter combos (hint, hint, every kid (and adult!) loves Reese's pb eggs), and a the obligatory malted milk balls (that I always feed to my parents).

Now, just add a few little trinkets, like a sudoku book or Easter puzzle or something that will last past noon:

Pick the perfect chocolate bunny for the top of the basket and you're good to go!

Now you're all set to go for a fantastic Easter morning. Just don't eat all of the candy while you're putting your baskets together!

... to start playing acoustic guitar

So you want to start playing the acoustic guitar huh? Not sure where to start? Well I wouldn't start at a music store where 'just looking' and a slick salesperson can turn into a $500 guitar you're not ready to play or own. My first guitar (I now have four) was < $100 and still sounds great. Fortunately there are many guitars out there for a good price that sound beautiful.
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Takamine is a classic brand (Paul Simon plays them) and they make guitars that can cost tens of thousands. This one however, is < $70 and got great reviews. The same guitar would cost double in a store.



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Fender is another great brand, and this one comes with a bunch of accesories



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Epiphone guitars are machine-made versions of the much more expensive Gibsons. Some would even say that you get nearly the same thing for a fraction of the price. This one is similar to the Gibson that the Beatles played.



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If you don't buy the set you will also need a case. Unless you plan to travel much with your guitar you will probably do just fine with a soft case, just make sure it's big enough if you buy a big guitar.



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Unless you have perfect pitch you won't get very far without an automatic tuner. Remember EADGBE, thats the standard tuning for a guitar



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The last two things I do recommend going to your local store for. Strings and picks, but your first guitar will already have strings attached. Tell the clerk what kind of guitar you just bought and they should be able to help you.

After this you'll be ready to rock! The acoustic guitar can be great for playing without annoying your house mates or parents. And you don't need to go out and buy music, as there are many great sites with free guitar tablature.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/
http://www.guitaretab.com/
http://www.911tabs.com/

I hope this helps and makes your first foray into rock super-stardom more accessible.

...to get your kid started in soccer.

So you want to get your kid started in soccer, huh? Whether it's your local AYSO chapter or another small league, you may be lost on where to start. Well, you've come to the right place! Here I'll cover everything you need to get your kid to his/her first practice and game.

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Let's start with the most important thing, the ball. Your kid will want something cool looking and fortunately won't know the difference between a cheap $15 ball and the sleek ones they use for the FIFA World Cup. Adidas is the quintessential brand in soccer and you can't go wrong with this ball. Make sure you check with the league on what size ball they need. The younger they are, the smaller the size.


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Equally as important are the shoes. You also don't want to spend a fortune on these at a young age because, like all other clothing, they'll grow out of it before it even gets dirty. I've had this kind of shoe from Adidas at many stages of my youth/adult career. Anything you find under $30 is a good deal, and don't cringe too hard if your kid wants it. Puma and Nike also make a nice shoe and they can come in a variety of exotic colors.


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Your kid won't be able to step on the field without a pair of shin guards. These are vital to his/her safety and their interest will only last as long as a swift kick to a guard-less shin. Guards come in two forms, soft and hard. Soft ones offer a little less protection but added mobility. Look around, and your child may develop a preference as the seasons go on.


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Finally, there is clothing....

Soccer socks are long athletic socks that cover up the entire shin guard. They'll get a pair with their uniforms but will need a couple extra to practice with during the week (unless you want to do laundry 5 times a week). They should fit tightly and are essential to holding the shin guard in place. (Don't leave these wrapped up in an enclosed athletic bag after practice...the can really start to smell!)



I've never really has a strong preference towards soccer shorts as typical athletic/basketball/track shorts always worked well for me. Soccer shorts are unique though, and you kid might want a pair. As the seasons add up so will the shorts, so you likely won't have to buy a pair after the first couple of seasons.



As for shirts...any will do. I never met anybody who didn't mind practicing in a t-shirt.

Oh, and DON'T forget a water bottle!

I hope this helps and makes things easier for the parents who never played soccer themselves. Now all you have to do is cheer from the sidelines!