Category: family fun

Strawberry Picking

Posted on June 15, 2009 in family fun, food and nutrition, go green, small moments

Last Saturday, we hopped in the big bad Subaru and headed out to the “country” for some strawberry pickin’. It started out like this: Daddy lead the way to an untouched patch of ripe, juicy strawberries. Two little feet followed close behind.

Then, we parked ourselves in a section of one aisle (notice the overalls are blue and white). We squatted down and inspected the berries, plucking the bright juicy fruits from their vines and plopping them into our basket. Well, sort of.

Note to self: Ripe strawberries are unwrapped candies to a toddler. Delayed gratification has no place in a field of fresh fruit.

The brim of her hat says, “Life is Good.” I mean, really, does it get any better than this?

Click HERE for a pick-your-own farm near you! Some even follow organic farming methods.

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The Smell of Fun

Posted on June 11, 2009 in family fun, small moments

Every now and then my husband will say, “That smell reminds me of Grandma’s house up in the country.” It’s amazing that sometimes even mothballs elicit a nostalgia. But studies show that smell is strongly linked to memory, and thus to our emotional responses to life experiences.

Have you ever thought about the smell of FUN? Revisit your childhood for a moment. What smells, fragrant or foul, instantly take you back? Ah, those were the days:

a charcoal grill with a splash of lighter fluid
fresh-cut grass
the ashes from fireworks
a mixture of seaweed and saltwater
Big League Chew bubble gum
plastic inflatable inner tubes
a middle school locker room
cheap, movie theater popcorn
a new can of tennis balls
a homemade ice cream shop

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just bottle up some of these and take a whiff when we get bogged down in the trenches of parenthood? Or better yet, why not head off to the park, the movie theater, or the beach? And oh, don’t forget to stop for ice cream on the way!

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I’ve Got Rhythm Stix, I’ve Got Music

Posted on May 20, 2009 in family fun, parenting

My daughter LOVES music. I mean, really loves it. During her infancy, we spent hours bouncing and twirling across the kitchen floor, dancing to everything and anything. Except classical. Take that, Baby Einstein!

Now, whenever Liza hears music, the world stops. A smile stretches across her face as she bops her head and bends up and down at the knees. It’s her own little jig, and it’s seriously adorable (and future blackmail material).

Sometimes she adds shakers or tambourine to the combo, but more often it’s Rhythm Stix. Two red sticks. That’s it. Oh wait, they have ridges. Fancy, huh? But I’ve gotta be honest; they were the best $8 I spent on gifts last Christmas. Who needs all of that plastic Fisher Price c-r-a-p anyway?

Liza’s learned to “Shake your sticks up HIGH, and down LOW” (imagine my voice rising and falling here). We’ve used them to keep the beat, follow directions, develop coordination, and identify body parts; it’s much more fun to point to your nose with a big red stick.

We moms need to keep things fresh and exciting, in part to keep ourselves sane. LP RythMix has some cool instruments and music activities for little ones at various stages. There are even Mommy & Me activities.

When, as a mom, I’m grasping for straws, I turn to sticks instead: “I’ve got rhythm stix, I’ve got music . . .who could ask for anything more?”

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Family Rituals: Saturday Morning Pancakes (and Bacon)

Posted on May 18, 2009 in family fun, parenting

I love the smell of bacon. In part, because it’s so darn tasty (though I’m not sure how I feel about Bacon Lip Balm). But also, because it takes me back to the Saturday mornings of my childhood. Pancake breakfasts, with a pound of bacon. (In his Odes to Common Things, Pablo Neruda really should have written an “Ode to Bacon.”)

Man, I’m hungry.

I recently read a thought-provoking article entitled, The Importance of Family Rituals. I have a strong desire to establish some family rituals, to create a time and space in our family that says, “Family comes first,” before all else. Years ago, my parents did this; I just didn’t realize the value of it at the time.

Pancake breakfasts gathered us together around a shared meal. We joked, teased, shared the comics, and filled our bellies until all we could do was roll ourselves in front of the TV to watch the Saturday morning cartoon marathon. This ritual was nourishment for our bodies and souls, and it all happened in our pajamas. Does it get any better than that?

What I’ve learned: It isn’t about the ritual, per se (although you can’t go wrong with one that is bacon-centered). It’s about standing firm as a family and of nurturing the bonds with those you love the most.

Please comment below with your favorite family rituals. I might have to steal a few!

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Homemade Soaps for Kids

Posted on May 1, 2009 in family fun

I recently read a fun article in Parent Guide News about crafting with your kids. Anne-Marie Faiola, creator of Bramble Berry, has lots of delightful indoor soap-making activities for kids. They are perfect for rainy spring days. Silence those little whiny voices with these super-cool crafts!

Visit Teach Soap for direct instructions on how to make these delightful soaps (and lip balms too!). Here are just a few examples:

Cookie Cutter Soaps: Creating soaps in fun shapes
Embedded Soap Toy: A toy trapped in soap
Lip Balm
Bath Fizzies

These make great gifts for Moms and Grandmas . . .just in time for Mother’s Day!

Click HERE to visit Anne-Marie’s blog!

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Go Green Expo NYC

Posted on April 19, 2009 in family fun, food and nutrition, go green

Go Green. Go Recycle. Go sustainable. Go solar powered. Go this, go that. It’s everywhere. This weekend I checked out the Go Green Expo in NYC, and I’m back to share some of the highlights!

Did you know that Alka Seltzer cleans toilets? Or that lemon and hydrogen peroxide are natural alternatives to bleach? Featured speaker, Julie Edelman of The Accidental Housewife, put an interesting spin on being green. Here’s the good news: It’s about “being green enough,” she said. ”Light green.” Okay, I can do that. Edelman offered some practical, fun advice on greening your cleaning. I particularly liked her Alka Seltzer jingle: “Plop, plop. Fizz, fizz. Away will go the poop and whizz.”

LittleChickieWear had adorable 100% organic cotton onesies and tees:

IAGmedia displayed DVDs, CDs, books, and more that teach kids about caring for our environment. Let’s Go Chipper: Into the Great Outdoors was an iParenting Media Award Winner!

Good Food Gardens displayed a live outdoor garden system that supports healthy, eco-conscious living. I WANT ONE! These gardens promote family cooperation and interdependency. And with access to their own fresh produce, children develop healthy habits for life . . .love it!

SodaStream distributed free samples for soda and sparkling water lovers. It was a delicious alternative to the bottles and cans “that are suffocating our planet.” In fact, the average American consumes 600 cans or bottles of soda and sparkling water each year. SodaStream boasts less sugar and sugar-free options . . .with fizz. Santa, please add this to my list!

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The Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Posted on April 15, 2009 in family fun

I’m so glad that I stumbled upon CMOM. It’s a hands-on environment that supports and celebrates creativity and the imagination. We spent most of our time in the Playworks exhibition, perfect for young children under 4. Below are some pictures that highlight our adventures!

Remember Lite Brite? Here’s a giant one where kids can say it, draw it, design it in lights! Woah, did that take me back!

We fed Alphie the Talking Dragon.

We crawled through tunnels and peered into mirrors.

And we played Plinko (from The Price is Right) for toddlers. The grand prize: endless fun!

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The Staycation Report: 3 Things I Learned

Posted on April 11, 2009 in family fun, life lessons, relationships

1. Planning is Key. Spontaneity is the spice of life… in an ideal world. When you take a vacation, there’s a lot of prep involved- packing, stopping the mail, taking out the trash, yada yada yada. In some ways, it’s no different when you go on a staycation, even if it’s only for the weekend.

Meal planning allowed us to stock the fridge and steer clear of last minute trips to the supermarket for one last thing (I’m famous for that!). Rachel Ray’s “Make Your Own Burrito Bar” recipe was a big hit. Yes . . .we ate out too (ahh…no dishes), and left room for spontaneity; my sweet tooth couldn’t resist stopping at Ben & Jerry’s for some mint chocolate chunk ice cream. Twice. But the second time- totally planned.

Often, the weather dictates how you’ll spend the day, take it or leave it. Thursday turned out to be a beautiful afternoon, one Tim fondly referred to as a Ferris Bueller day. After visiting the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, we strolled through Central Park and people-watched over a packed lunch. Plan B involved sleeping bags, popcorn, and Mary Poppins. While that would have been fine, nothing compares to breathing in some fresh, spring air!

2. Get Unplugged! We live in a fast-paced, impatient, dot-mom world. Phone calls, text messages, emails, downloads. They’re all nice, in moderation. The problem is that we don’t moderate. I wanted to eliminate these distractions and be more attentive to what matters most in my life . . .spending time with the people I love. Besides, someday I’ll never wish that I’d spent more time on my computer. Eat more ice cream? Maybe. (Hence the two trips to Ben & Jerry’s.)

I did tell friends and family about our staycation, just as I would if we were vacationing. Yes, in case of an emergency, I could still be reached via cell phone. Yes, people still called. No, it wasn’t an emergency. At one point, we did check messages. Big mistake. The bottom line: it’s uncomfortable being disconnected, especially when you’re lying on your own couch. I think it actually takes practice, something I’m more than willing to work on. You know, the “stuff” was all still here when I got back. I didn’t miss much, if anything at all.

3. Make it a Habit of Smelling the Roses. For me, the whole point of a staycation is to practice slowing down and to live well (which doesn’t require $$$) right in your own backyard. Every now and then, I think it’s important to break up the monotony and do something fun or different, inspiring or creative, whatever that means for you. My husband felt that this was definitely easier to do once we hopped in the car, destination bound. It was much more challenging to ignore the to-do list at home and to relax, or god-forbid, do nothing. We’re so accomplish-oriented; it’s a tough habit to break.

Every adult speaks of how quickly children grow, and heck, I’m not about to miss these awesome years. My personality necessitates that I have to consciously put on blinders, carve out time, and create a space that offers enrichment of the soul. The flowers are on the table. At least that’s a start.

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Jack Johnson: The 3 R’s

Posted on April 6, 2009 in family fun, go green

I love the idea of learning through music. When Liza was born, my chunky granola sister introduced me to the 3 Rs song by Jack Johnson. It doesn’t disappoint. In fact, I love his tone and message in this song; it’s fun, catchy, and mellow enough for mommies to listen to over and over again. And, ready for the bonus? We can raise happy, smart, environmentally conscious little citizens all at the same time. Nice, right?

Check out this short video: Jack Johnson Video

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Homemade Playdough Recipe

Posted on April 2, 2009 in family fun

Kids love playdough. Why? Because they can dig their little fingers into a gooey blob and create something totally cool. I’m a big fan of simple things that encourage creativity and ingenuity in children. But there are two things that bug me about playdough. One, that smell (You know exactly what I’m talking about!). And two, it inevitably ends up embedded in the high-pile carpet, and weeks later you’re still scraping away at these irritating bits, now painfully wedged under your fingernails. At last, here’s a simple recipe for homemade playdough- perfect for a rainy day!

Ingredients:

1 c. flour
1 c. warm water
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1/4 c. salt
food coloring optional

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients in a pot and stir over medium heat until smooth.
Knead into a ball and allow to cool completely, kneading every few minutes. It becomes more firm as it cools.
Store it in a container with lid. It lasts for days.

I wish I could say that Liza loved sinking her fingers into my homemade playdough, and that it supplied us with endless hours of fun. I was all set to whip out the cookie cutters with animals and shapes, but truthfully, she just wanted to eat it. That’s what I get for making my own. I guess, in her own way, she loved it too. At least it’s not decorating my carpet!

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