tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46217374997326606742024-03-19T08:59:41.158-04:00spiritualmayaliving life to the fullest as a mom, a foodie and a world traveler.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger483125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-80420295288644657822016-06-28T11:07:00.000-04:002016-06-28T11:07:47.140-04:00Summer Fun List 2016It is summer again! I have just a couple days left of summer school teaching, then that means fun filled days with my creative, enthusiastic little girls, 5 and 3. To me the most important thing is to do enough to keep them engaged, which is code for out of trouble, and help them create beautiful memories of their childhood, which is code for hope they get tired enough to go to bed without a hassle at a reasonable time.<br />
<br />
My plan is to have a list of possible activities around town that we can plug into at any given moment. Here are my go to activities for 2016:<br />
<br />
1. My girls are Disney crazy. They love all the characters from Disney Junior, all the princesses, and even the classic characters. So I was really excited to learn that the Disney Store has <a href="http://www.disneystore.com/summer-play-days/mn/1019801/" target="_blank">fun free events </a>every Wednesday. Some times there are movies or Sing-A-Longs. Afterwards, we can play at the Busch Garden themed, International Mall play area. This isn't a new place for us, but the kids always love it. We have learned that in the evenings there are less people and less chaos at the mall play areas.<br />
<br />
2. For years we would go to the library story times, but those became very crowded and less about reading and more about corralling kids. <a href="http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061787369-0" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> has great story times too! Many of these events are Friday and Saturdays but there are <a href="http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/events?searchText=St+Petersburg%2C+FL&lat=27.846282958984375&lng=-82.63613891601562&view=events2&month=Month&day=Day&type=ST&sort=date%2Ctime" target="_blank">weekday story times </a>too. We sometimes have a cookie at the cafe as a treat. B&N also has reading programs for older kids.<br />
<br />
3. Bowling for free! A friend of mine mentioned this <a href="http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/" target="_blank">national program</a> so I had to look into it. You can take your children to bowl two games every day. As I look into it and filled out the information there is a one time cost of $29.95. It is a good deal especially if you have multiple kids and live in an area where you never know if it's going to rain. I also figured out if I go with my kids at least twice, the one time cost would at least allow us to break even.<br />
<br />
4. Bayside Gymnastics Academy has <a href="http://www.baysidesportsacademy.org/#!open-gym/c21nl" target="_blank">open gym time</a> once a week for a low cost. The girls love to jump and tumble and run. This space is great. It can also get a little wild for young kids, so I avoided it when my kids were under 2. However, we have a great fondness for this warehouse and it is designed to contain kids in a huge safe padded space.<br />
<br />
5. My kids love art. We have attended several events sponsored by the <a href="http://mfastpete.org/programs/family-programs/" target="_blank">Museum of Fine Arts</a> in St. Pete such as the Painting in the Park in April, and the Breakfast with Santa in December. These events have become staples to our family fun time. MFA is really welcoming to kids. There is a chunk of the museum that is just for kids. They also have activities to do with the kids for the traditional exhibit areas. They also have a cafe at the museum but there is ice cream across the street. The museum is next to <a href="http://spiritualmayatravels.blogspot.com/2013/04/straub-park.html" target="_blank">Straub Park </a>which has open spaces and great banyan trees kids love to play in, climb up and swing through every time they see them.<br />
<br />
We have a few more things we will do....<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://visitpassagrille.com/" target="_blank">Beach</a> </li>
<li>Make and decorate cupcakes</li>
<li>Make pizzas</li>
<li><a href="http://wlbpa.org/just-for-fun/get-splashy-21-splash-parks-and-spray-grounds-across-fl/" target="_blank">Splash parks</a> </li>
<li>Pool time</li>
<li>Build a fort (Indoor and Outdoor)</li>
<li>Create an art museum and invite grandparents to the opening</li>
<li>Game night (Candyland, Uno, Chutes and Ladders, Mermaids)</li>
<li>Have an banana split</li>
<li>See <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2277860/" target="_blank">Finding Dory</a></li>
<li>Go to a <a href="http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/fan_forum/kids_index.jsp" target="_blank">Rays Game</a></li>
<li>Go to a<a href="http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/family-friendly-fun" target="_blank"> Rowdies Game</a></li>
<li> De Leon Springs and Old Spanish Mill Pancakes</li>
<li>Visit the Atlantic Ocean </li>
<li><a href="http://www.tampabayderbydarlins.com/new2013/" target="_blank">Roller Derby</a></li>
</ol>
<div>
It will be impossible to do it all and still have stay at home veg out and play days (those are just as important to me), but I like having a list of ideas that I can look at when I am feeling less creative. Cheers to summer!</div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-1248024265101938942016-04-12T21:17:00.001-04:002016-04-12T21:25:07.477-04:00#Thisis40<div>
#Thisis40 is this year's theme. My friends, my husband, his friends, and I are mostly all turning 40. To be honest, most of the time I am surprised that I am this old. Age has never been a worry for me. I have always loved my birthday and still do. But when I take the time to reflect and consider I am 40, I earnestly have that moment where I think "How the hell did that happen?" I am getting more and more gray hairs, while at times it occurs to me that I should consider how to gray gracefully because I am never going to be any good at getting my hair colored, most of the time I don't care. I feel like I should start moisturizing and stop washing my face with regular soap, but still not motivated enough to decode that aisle at Target. Even though my bestie has been telling me for years that my skin will end up falling off or something. Somethings don't really change.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlXMe5KyyEUQ4efpP8IpSTLw0WXb1p5dYBkSi_wxggsBdJMC0nUZqV4b7avS8ZnfL-zuiPEFN__YMZsVTOpK5YqOA0v0dPihd2EHk3l7K-iL8W6FdOfVhIiIhHVGnFnLBh4pLABzXBR8/s1600/img_0875_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlXMe5KyyEUQ4efpP8IpSTLw0WXb1p5dYBkSi_wxggsBdJMC0nUZqV4b7avS8ZnfL-zuiPEFN__YMZsVTOpK5YqOA0v0dPihd2EHk3l7K-iL8W6FdOfVhIiIhHVGnFnLBh4pLABzXBR8/s320/img_0875_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By far the greatest thing about being 40 is being really okay with exactly who you are. At least that is the way I feel. That doesn't mean that I don't have the occasional self-doubt, afterall, I am human, but rather I am more able to tread through those moments, thankfully. And I am much more comfortable with disagreeing with popular opinion. Like I don't really like mimosas, or pie. I don't care for high heels or closed toed shoes even when it's cold out. I like to read young adult novels because I can read them fast and then I feel accomplished. I can be really lazy, like not get out of your pjs all day and answer the door to a stranger in pjs kind of lazy. I still would sleep until noon if people let me. I floss. I feel pretty superior because I do, since most people don't.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7_GKnNmlgR-3bf0q2LXDLz-sgJWDsPVvtGcoFJEw_Iskj0KG8dnIts2e-17f9uCLFWvbJa_9CdbDTgk1S9SfjAOzQueEAClJhyphenhyphenUn9-vvSEtSvM93Ngdh8_behBg53nU71Qp9AxWLgh8/s1600/IMG_2925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7_GKnNmlgR-3bf0q2LXDLz-sgJWDsPVvtGcoFJEw_Iskj0KG8dnIts2e-17f9uCLFWvbJa_9CdbDTgk1S9SfjAOzQueEAClJhyphenhyphenUn9-vvSEtSvM93Ngdh8_behBg53nU71Qp9AxWLgh8/s320/IMG_2925.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
I don't like baths. I don't like the idea of sitting in my dirty bath water. I always feel like I must shower afterwards because I feel the thin layer of soapy murk all over. Most of my life I have had long hair and if I don't condition it, it will be knotty and dipping my whole head in a bath tub of dirty water to potentially rinse the conditioner out is just crazy talk.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir9Sv0FYloWWTduViX_B92NQl5sVTzudA9NA5fQLdPvN_x3JhakYwrqfA3jZ9a4HOWerlXnGiTI3Yf0yOyM1trjgouq13r-ifs2NywxpOzGOel72X_GeBrASivs1fZEKgqxHWangrq08/s1600/IMG_2514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir9Sv0FYloWWTduViX_B92NQl5sVTzudA9NA5fQLdPvN_x3JhakYwrqfA3jZ9a4HOWerlXnGiTI3Yf0yOyM1trjgouq13r-ifs2NywxpOzGOel72X_GeBrASivs1fZEKgqxHWangrq08/s320/IMG_2514.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't want to be in a crowded loud smoky bar. There was a time and place for that in my 20's, but nowadays, if the good Lord has granted me the opportunity to go out to have a drink with friends, I want it to be some where I can hear what they are saying and enjoy connecting with them. I don't want to be squished between the 22 year olds, you know the one with the way too short skirt and way too high platform shoe wearing that is pressing her whole self on the bar to encourage rapid drink fulfillment and the other one wearing a baseball cap, slightly baggy jeans, a polo shirt, sipping on his Bud Light while drooling over the how much he can visually consume of the girl pressed on the bar. I just want to hang out with friends and catch up.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUx-DL1Cq3vOO_t4vYuZnboDJHnc-_dBE9H7McTjeLtncGBvyiyHfpZNkupYVx4P-ZzKCr1NVbMMfx-xuCyfQJS61IJfEZn3-ixm6wdsoSvevpn_dyuqwGZ7jylD7t1F7-z9LfnareRI/s1600/IMG_0790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUx-DL1Cq3vOO_t4vYuZnboDJHnc-_dBE9H7McTjeLtncGBvyiyHfpZNkupYVx4P-ZzKCr1NVbMMfx-xuCyfQJS61IJfEZn3-ixm6wdsoSvevpn_dyuqwGZ7jylD7t1F7-z9LfnareRI/s320/IMG_0790.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I would rather listen to NPR (or any other talk radio thanks to Sirus XM) than music in the car. There is no longer a need for me to roll down the windows with my sunglasses, hair flying in the wind, bopping my head to the beat (and if you know me, off beat) all along blasting music to feel cool. I am only so cool, and I am okay with that. What I find to be infinitely more interesting is what is happening in the world around me and the only opportunity I have to figure that out, is in the car.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqai9z6iM4GzejQWXd9E3Vu3vs7mQv6I7ZWFaMvpD45e-CGdBQsiJXbongmtVGvnQxonaEo24nMhqdl8t2jzZV_pSaUj3TaIoEEtwNSBeVyu8WnVytUiL7_0GTFq8kaYwcct_p9bHo7e4/s1600/IMG_9232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqai9z6iM4GzejQWXd9E3Vu3vs7mQv6I7ZWFaMvpD45e-CGdBQsiJXbongmtVGvnQxonaEo24nMhqdl8t2jzZV_pSaUj3TaIoEEtwNSBeVyu8WnVytUiL7_0GTFq8kaYwcct_p9bHo7e4/s320/IMG_9232.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like food. I work hard to be healthy. I exercise. I am not an overeater. I eat vegetables. I understand the great lessons of the Buddha and Aristotle that most things in moderation; balanced, is the ideal. But sometimes I want to eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's and gosh, I think at 40 I deserve to. I just need not give myself the emotional guilt trip of doing so. Do I do it often? No. Can I remember the last time I ate entire pint of ice cream? Nope. But I want to reserve the right to do so, whenever my heart desires. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS65PNS20SDY2FPAp6w6W9G07rLlbmjJlCktOikXvVjMakm5Gs5Yux8qXjujc97Ojr1of0rWQbZzox9WA12D-bPYNtThDJklxCg7rlNdpDT2_Cf4Bvar64_46OPSwPmg4JmdYxWpDVz0/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS65PNS20SDY2FPAp6w6W9G07rLlbmjJlCktOikXvVjMakm5Gs5Yux8qXjujc97Ojr1of0rWQbZzox9WA12D-bPYNtThDJklxCg7rlNdpDT2_Cf4Bvar64_46OPSwPmg4JmdYxWpDVz0/s320/IMG_1561.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have opinions about things in the world and I am willing to share them. I don't assume that someone is going to change their minds or their hearts. However, at this point, I don't want anyone thinking they are going to change my mind either. I am who I am. I am always willing to listen and to empathize, but I will only join the crusades that I feel are right. At 40, I am not putting on a facade for anyone. You get whatcha get. You either dig it, or you don't. That's cool. Seriously, it's cool.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXJMtF9AqbTf-TY9EyxtrA6SQ4FMCtHnJ92zJYKxi46m0DSWmzMEpvNMLfzsWeZUekBq3tXxopTambThjNwOJZTUxxV_VvygyVB9a8Bxi6YPVAqA-LWgyoxPMck-VB3R0CG3iM9PzAv8/s1600/IMG_2911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXJMtF9AqbTf-TY9EyxtrA6SQ4FMCtHnJ92zJYKxi46m0DSWmzMEpvNMLfzsWeZUekBq3tXxopTambThjNwOJZTUxxV_VvygyVB9a8Bxi6YPVAqA-LWgyoxPMck-VB3R0CG3iM9PzAv8/s320/IMG_2911.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel lucky to have two amazing parents, an awesome husband, and my beautiful daughters. Plus wonderful friends, sweet in-laws, and I have a job I love with the greatest colleagues. I live in a neighborhood filled with great people in a house that I enjoy. I am #blessed. #Thisis40.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-56348470564883197482015-06-25T13:16:00.001-04:002015-06-25T13:17:53.527-04:00Summer Loving 2015Every year way before even the hint of summer, I think of all the fun activities the girls and I will do, but this year work has been rewarding and busy thus my list is a few months behind. Tomorrow will mark my first official day of summer vacation of the completion of a new summer school course, the fun will be well deserved by all.<br />
<br />
1. Hugging Puppies. <a href="http://www.guidedogs.org/" target="_blank">SouthEastern Guide Dogs</a> in Palmetto, right over the Skyway, gives visitors the opportunity to get a tour of these great amazing pups and at the end you get to play with the puppies. You donate $10 per person as a donation. Inexpensive cute community service and fun.<br />
<br />
2. Makeme Studios. They have several arts and crafts classes for kids from age 2-12. The classes each have a different theme for something to create. They also have an <a href="http://www.makemestudio.com/#!kids-classes/cee5" target="_blank">Authors and Artists </a>class where there is a story time and then they make something related to the story. Inexpensive and fun. Classes are about $10.<br />
<br />
3. Library. The library is often on the list of things to do. The St. Petersburg Main Library always has weekly story times but they have kicked up their game this summer. They are offering <a href="http://splibraries.org/children.html" target="_blank">Family Flix</a> once a week there will be a family friendly movie, and activity for free. Over the last could of years they have turned the Preschool Storytime into a combined music time. Free fun.<br />
<br />
4. Busch Gardens. We have the Fun Pass that we purchased at the beginning of the year and with the <a href="http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/pages/preschool-pass2/?from=Home_Promo" target="_blank">Preschool Pass kids under 5 are free</a>. I plan on getting my money's worth this summer. The kids area is awesome there and my girls love it. They also have <a href="http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/events/summer-nights-at-busch-gardens/?from=Home_Promo" target="_blank">fun concerts and events in the evenings.</a> The best tip I have for families with young kids is they have stroller parking for free if you ask at the parking gate. It takes you right to the front of the park without having to tram it with all your stuff.<br />
<br />
5. Lowry Park. The girls grandparents purchased for them the Lowry Park annual passes when the <a href="http://www.lowryparkzoo.org/lantern/" target="_blank">Zoominations</a> was in town (which was awesome!) They have a <a href="http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/water_play_areas.php" target="_blank">great splash area </a>there too and of course animal viewing fun is always a good time for small children.<br />
<br />
6. Crafty Fun! I plan on having the girls make c<a href="http://littlemudpies.blogspot.com/2012/06/kids-week-day-4.html?spref=fb" target="_blank">anvas pictures frames</a>, play with<a href="http://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2012/07/12/homemade-sidewalk-chalk-paint-way-fun/" target="_blank"> chalk paint</a> on the drive way, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BDMN9IE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER" target="_blank">make a tape city</a> and turn the living room into an aquariums with fun sea creature art.<br />
<br />
7. Movies. We have so many local cinemas that are <a href="http://www.familyfriendlytampabay.com/75-free-cheap-summer-fun-for-kids-around-tampa-bay/" target="_blank">offering inexpensive movie</a> watching opportunities this summer, but we have had our eyes set for<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/" target="_blank"> Inside Out</a> for months. And though I have now heard some mixed reviews about how much my girls may understand about it, I think we will see it.<br />
<br />
8. We will also be doing a lot of nothing. Cuddling with my babies on the couch, splashing in the pool, playing outside with the neighbors, being crafty, rainy day activities and taking a family vacation. This is the best time of year to really just be.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-76729484243904497452015-04-03T01:13:00.000-04:002015-04-03T01:13:19.368-04:00Easter Basket AdviceEaster seems to be getting pretty big in terms of the gifting for the kids. As many parents, I opt for<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nAbre5q7GdCYps9AdU-11pm0_o_DdUPqV4P21pr9qF1g7oGJjZSkoiNj30zm7fLA-1jl3r50N0-JFU6luaR_g8pEuBdLqobrY2izXdRE4iWN2nwIFzh8MBJbmx_aHnGS5XUSZn9u6-M/s1600/easter-basket2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nAbre5q7GdCYps9AdU-11pm0_o_DdUPqV4P21pr9qF1g7oGJjZSkoiNj30zm7fLA-1jl3r50N0-JFU6luaR_g8pEuBdLqobrY2izXdRE4iWN2nwIFzh8MBJbmx_aHnGS5XUSZn9u6-M/s1600/easter-basket2.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></div>
getting them toys rather than candy. My kids don't eat a lot of candy, so what I buy ends up getting eaten by me. I am the sweet tooth in the house and the one that has no will power so I eat all the candy. What are my options?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This year, the candy only appears in the eggs we will hide for them. There is no candy in their baskets accept gummies in the shape of letters. Both girls are obsessed with letters. I chose some small Pringle cans, and little cookies. So what's in the basket? I have 3 pieces of Easter basket filling advice. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>#1 Just the Basket</i></b></div>
<div>
As I am also obsessed with our plenitude of stuff, I made a rule that all items must fit in the basket. No scooters. No giant dolls. No separately wrapped items. It makes it in the basket or it gets saved for another occasion. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Following this advice will make you happy. It will remind you of your childhood before the 4 aisles of Easter junk at the store existed. It will also make the hiding of the basket easier if you are into that tradition. It will also keep things into perspective a bit, Easter isn't <i>really </i>about the bunny and the basket. Just saying. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>#2 Make, Take and Release</i></b></div>
<div>
The girls enjoy doing hands on activities and lucky for me, the Target $1 or $3 area has several options. I have been walking through the aisle for weeks picking up a thing here, another item there and that has been the bulk of the basket items. I like the idea that they can receive something, make it, use it, display it and then recycle it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am not one of those moms that saves every piece of art my children have ever created. I take pictures of it all. The plan is a digital photo book, when the time comes. This idea will provide instant family fun time, especially if your kids are still young. You will have a few silly easy activities to do with them and there won't be more junk in your house to stay forever and ever. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>#3 Select the Worthwhile</i></b></div>
<div>
It all can't be devoid of candy and filled with disposable junk. I suppose if I had not invested years ago in substantial sized baskets for my girls, this wouldn't be a problem. A good hint may be pick a small basket to start, but I didn't. I have always made a habit if purchasing children's books when they are on sale, toys when they are on sale, art supplies, clothing and I store them in Tupperware containers that slide under our bed. Because of this thoughtful purchasing, I am prepared for birthdays and holidays such as Easter. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This year the girls will receive pajamas, books and Disney classic dolls in their baskets. They also have umbrellas and galoshes. I bought this stuff over 3 months ago. I stuck it under by bed and before I ran out to fill their giant baskets, I took a look at what I had. Some of these items definitely have utility and they are going to love it. Know your kids. Get a couple of things they will love. Mine love books.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Basket building should be fun, not stressful. It shouldn't be a financial drain. Keep it simple. Make it fun. Celebrate the promise of hope in Christ through time with your families and the silly fun of Spring equinox with a playful basket that will make your child smile. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-9042031640252179242015-03-30T11:56:00.005-04:002015-03-30T11:57:38.039-04:00Things to Remember as a Mom1. It may seem fast in a couple of years, but today is still made up of hours and minutes to appreciate and enjoy. Like Walt Whitman, suck the marrow out of parenthood and take the good with the frustrating one step at a time. If you can take it in day by day, in 10 years when you look at your tween daughter and wonder where the time has gone, you can confidently say and feel that it was a well spent childhood filled with love and play.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPpmCfEmUv4GCg9MNMqQ8bvx5ZCysq0Vfqiu8TGnQRiU81ac-uaisC9JJNh3e4oBbTeF75ZCuTFmj8e5T_CW2et20hC-46k0DA6Wt8UjGPzg6RDc1hqJY6fSJEhgICfKc-hXbvt0lk50/s1600/vivi+kissy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPpmCfEmUv4GCg9MNMqQ8bvx5ZCysq0Vfqiu8TGnQRiU81ac-uaisC9JJNh3e4oBbTeF75ZCuTFmj8e5T_CW2et20hC-46k0DA6Wt8UjGPzg6RDc1hqJY6fSJEhgICfKc-hXbvt0lk50/s1600/vivi+kissy.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
2. These little people following you around have never been here, on Earth, before. They aren't trying to driving you nuts on purpose. They are just testing the waters just as you are trying to figure out how to be a parent. You are in this grand experiment together. Give yourself and them a little slack.<br />
<br />
3. There is no perfect sock, or dinner or life. Relax. Do your best with the best of intentions. Sometimes you have to give up cleaning all the toys up for 20 minutes of playing on your cell phone at the end of the night. Things will always need to get done. The laundry basket in my entry way has been there for at least 2 days. I will not get a fine or lose my mom card because of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ30DuUUUyg0Le8cs5D6rPGQQgL3bK-yauWbWS0BSFfdF1vViPi_T_icc19KlTmtzGHPMhxcstH8TVhfzYoctqToRyy0QGoDDc_ubGJ18El1dMkjCUq0J1rs5xTTVBItzQ4qTbv2J0OE/s1600/corn+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ30DuUUUyg0Le8cs5D6rPGQQgL3bK-yauWbWS0BSFfdF1vViPi_T_icc19KlTmtzGHPMhxcstH8TVhfzYoctqToRyy0QGoDDc_ubGJ18El1dMkjCUq0J1rs5xTTVBItzQ4qTbv2J0OE/s1600/corn+hole.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
4. As a woman in the year 2015, you can work, be a good mom, have a strong marriage, have girls' nights out, make a soufflé and write the next best seller, but it's likely something is going to get slightly less attention. It's okay. The women's equality movement wasn't meant to be about doing it all, it was meant to be about choices. Too much work or too much kid time can lead to feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated. Balance seems to be the great key. Excess always leads down the wrong path.<br />
<br />
5. Don't compare yourself or your children to other moms or other children. If there is one thing we can do for each other is hear the wise words of Tina Fey in <i>Mean Girls</i>, "We need to stop girl on girl violence." Put in your best effort and feel good about that. Kids grow differently, mature and learn at various rates, comparison fosters envy which will cloud our opportunities for feeling at peace and fulfilled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYM1yGELk7qtwHTmhOR6GUYuJQSEDfYAy2QqWhNzQ1BGgqh02Efg_F2ogrg9H-PWoAJ_9EHy6T2eJL2kGO-UpB0veTxYNvShbo8Z3fRjdD7bNui9y8Gp1VIxuw1V1Q2XB4Vcu8NwPNGDA/s1600/beach'.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYM1yGELk7qtwHTmhOR6GUYuJQSEDfYAy2QqWhNzQ1BGgqh02Efg_F2ogrg9H-PWoAJ_9EHy6T2eJL2kGO-UpB0veTxYNvShbo8Z3fRjdD7bNui9y8Gp1VIxuw1V1Q2XB4Vcu8NwPNGDA/s1600/beach'.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
6. One thing I figured out early on is that you can't always predict what your kids are going to do or say. This becomes more true with every passing day. The older Lydia gets, the more I know I can't dictate everything that comes out of her mouth. Though I wonder why we insist on socializing our kids because I assume the snotty remark that came out of their mouth was from another child in her class, because she would never get that from us at home (right?) I am reminded of the beauty and richness of relationships. It is the fabric of community, the village, that help us grow.<br />
<br />
7. No one in the history of parenthood has ever said this was an easy gig, but many agree it was one of the most rewarding. Be thankful everyday. Appreciate the opportunity to be with these little people and to love them deeply. These little people will grow into bigger people that will be pretty incredible too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-33441323156849634792015-03-27T13:30:00.000-04:002015-03-27T13:30:47.257-04:00Painters Tape Saves the Day!There are days that you just can't make it to be the outdoorsy family you usually are. Perhaps it's a late season snowstorm or hurricane day off of school or my favorite, is the Florida heat is so suffocating today that the layers of sunscreen and gallons of water required for outside play is just too much to bear. I enjoy arts and crafts with my girls. I find things on Pinterest like the next mom for sure. But sometimes we are just in need of something different, then crayons and glitter. My secret for creative indoor play? Painter's Tape. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is no painting but Painter's Tape will make adventures appear in your home that weren't there before like obstacles courses, hopscotch fields, giant Tic Tac Toe, alphabet search, and race tracks.</div>
<div>
The great thing about Painter's Tape is that it doesn't hurt the surface you put it on. There is no lasting damage to your walls or floor. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Obstacle course. </div>
<div>
A hall away is best, but if there isn't one that can be an obstacle at the moment, you can recreate the same effect with furniture. Simply you tape stick the tape on either side of hallway in crisscross ways. Place some tape really low and some of it really high. Consider the size of your kids in the process. If you kids are bigger makes sure that they will be able to crawl without tearing everything down immediately. I added areas for my little ones to crawl, stand up, jump over and then crawl again. After it was set up, I told them we were secret spies that had to get the magic sparkling treasure on the other side but we couldn't touch any of the "sensors" (aka tape.) It was so fun. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyIbnSKtU7gJ4PPKHrPuFAojSp-XauMYXUiQWV9ugKSrfD__JykTCDAEE7p3p9nTuWwHN_re6IOK2ndUBu8VIC1gbAGx4j_22JYZwMVsd_9tHxOMYmlEgF3-yRJEEwASotcjKHxTH4mI/s1600/obstacle+course.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyIbnSKtU7gJ4PPKHrPuFAojSp-XauMYXUiQWV9ugKSrfD__JykTCDAEE7p3p9nTuWwHN_re6IOK2ndUBu8VIC1gbAGx4j_22JYZwMVsd_9tHxOMYmlEgF3-yRJEEwASotcjKHxTH4mI/s1600/obstacle+course.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. Hopscotch </div>
<div>
We have a big brick hallway and I taped down hopscotch field with numbers. Since my kids are young it was a fun and easy number activity. We threw things and hopped down the hall. We counted backwards and forwards. Then I had a pack of dollar flash cards that had different numbered animals on it. We matched the animals to the numbers. So, we got a little early math skills and large motor jumping skills out of the fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnRZBU-xGfrI5ZmkS7EJs5J4mX3xtCjyc_3PrbfUaYH9sUHGBPVgME85QlXu2xIBpZyD_eVNH1iURa1XHUOxAZuLGYkonSyjXLZM_VUKXTqhCTJAs4JDgGQz4w6StJ-rAl4rTQK26Y2s/s1600/hotscotch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnRZBU-xGfrI5ZmkS7EJs5J4mX3xtCjyc_3PrbfUaYH9sUHGBPVgME85QlXu2xIBpZyD_eVNH1iURa1XHUOxAZuLGYkonSyjXLZM_VUKXTqhCTJAs4JDgGQz4w6StJ-rAl4rTQK26Y2s/s1600/hotscotch.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. Tic Tac Toe</div>
<div>
A large board was made on the floor and we picked toys to be the X's and O's. Stuffed animals were X's and dolls were O's. We played for a while. This board was the least successful because my kids aren't quite into the strategy of Tic Tac Toe yet, however it was a good distraction. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4. Alphabet Letters</div>
<div>
On an area of the carpet I taped all the letters of the alphabet in half hazard ways. We sand the ABC song slowly while going to every letter. Then I called out letters to see who could find it first. Then we sounded out words with the letters, then I had another dollar set of alphabet flash cards and they matched the letters on the floors with those on the cards. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnPYQO4Os84K3WldhY6BKfiw3quXuVwiyhWVKeyCqJaux0NK_lYnApOzAOqUuBkMb2_IHnoP4nRWdcSlF4gUzv6tL-LSNrqEWlkYYlkeauFNgpDo0yBf2JZNXshcsPJuhWRL2UDA5g4c/s1600/alphabet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnPYQO4Os84K3WldhY6BKfiw3quXuVwiyhWVKeyCqJaux0NK_lYnApOzAOqUuBkMb2_IHnoP4nRWdcSlF4gUzv6tL-LSNrqEWlkYYlkeauFNgpDo0yBf2JZNXshcsPJuhWRL2UDA5g4c/s1600/alphabet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5. Race Tracks</div>
<div>
On the family room rug, I created a race track with straight shots and swerves. The girls got out all their cars and played on the track. Eventually they raced cars and got other toys to ride in the cars. The imaginative play they created was amazing. The track became the road to the castle or the circus. All the friends were on their way there and having great time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the day of tape was done, I peeled it all off and there was no trace of using the indoors like an outdoor play area. It did take a little prep time, but well worth the effort. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-50849438569020009132015-03-19T08:53:00.001-04:002015-03-19T08:54:35.216-04:00My Top 7 Choices for Children's books with Black Characters<div class="MsoNormal">
All of these books provide a positive images of racial differences, however not all the books address this directly. In <i>The Color of Us</i> the little girl is struggling with her own skin color and begins to notice that all her friends in the neighborhood are have different shades of skin. Whereas, <i>Lola loves Stories</i> is just about a little girl that goes to the library with her parents and becomes the characters in her books. There are millions of options these are just some of the ones in our bookcases. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rjjuFvXkFyKqYieRAi6_AkxgUWY7JInGPHHZrhbkZvve9i-jaRmnWmWbrD032pNlz0xaZIqIRbyh0fSlxuOH-wyS8QlJbXkiUCQL84f3gjqricxP3hNkL0eTu3tdJWyBeJPeYAnhTdM/s1600/colorofus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rjjuFvXkFyKqYieRAi6_AkxgUWY7JInGPHHZrhbkZvve9i-jaRmnWmWbrD032pNlz0xaZIqIRbyh0fSlxuOH-wyS8QlJbXkiUCQL84f3gjqricxP3hNkL0eTu3tdJWyBeJPeYAnhTdM/s1600/colorofus.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Colors-Us-Karen-Katz/dp/0805071636/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426685236&sr=8-1&keywords=the+color+of+me" target="_blank"><i>The Color of Us</i>, Karen Katz </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Skin-You-Live-In/dp/0975958003/ref=pd_sim_b_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1968HHW9X94CW2ZVFARX" target="_blank"><i>The Skin You Live In</i>, Michael Tyler</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lola-Loves-Stories-Anna-McQuinn/dp/1580892590/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426685354&sr=1-3&keywords=lola+goes+to+the+library" target="_blank"><i>Lola loves Stories</i>, Anna McQuinn </a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=baby%20please%20baby%20spike%20lee" target="_blank"><i>Please Baby Please</i>, Spike Lee</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/I-Like-Myself-Karen-Beaumont/dp/0152020136/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426685492&sr=1-1&keywords=i+love+myself" target="_blank"><i>I like Myself</i>, Karen Beaumont</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-Okay-To-Be-Different/dp/0316043478/ref=pd_sim_b_25?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DR2DPG55EVQBXDXE998" target="_blank"><i>It’s Okay to be Different</i>, Todd Parr</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Me-Taye-Diggs/dp/0312603266/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426685978&sr=1-1&keywords=taye+diggs" target="_blank"><i>Chocolate Me</i>, Taye Diggs</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Children of minority groups <a href="http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/pcstats.asp" target="_blank">rarely</a> see main characters in books that look like them. According to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/05/education/young-latino-students-dont-see-themselves-in-books.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYT</a>, in over 3500 children written in 2013 only 3% were written by Latinos over 1/4 of the population of the United States is of Hispanic heritage. Out of the books written by Latinos not everyone has a Latino protagonist. Children of color doesn't see themselves as positive central characters in imaginary worlds, how must this translate to their realities? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the goal is for young white children to see these images as well, then there must be intentionality to the that mission. If we, as parents, believe in equity and inclusion for all people then we must make it a priority for our own children. We create the lens in which they see the world. </div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>312</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1783</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Berkeley Preparatory School</o:Company>
<o:Lines>14</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2091</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-82847020811090921402015-03-18T08:56:00.000-04:002015-03-19T08:55:08.431-04:003 Tips to Discussing Race with your Kids<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">Keeping the silence about racial issues is often the response of
many white educated American families in genuine hopes that this alone will be
teach our children that there is an inherent equality among all people. Parents
have convinced themselves that by saying nothing to our children they will grow
up in a colorblind world. It turns out this is untrue. Studies have
revealed that children make up their own understandings of race if parents
aren't brave enough to have a conversation about racial differences. It's not
easy to do. Race is a touchy subject. Adults can barely muster up the courage
to discuss race with other adults. The idea of having to navigate these types
of conversations with a 3 year old is mind-boggling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">It turns out; it's not that hard. You are literally pointing out
the obvious. Your child already knows that their friend is black. Chances are
the friend knows she's black too. Here are 3 tips to discussing, exposing
and teaching your young children about race and racial differences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">1. After school or after a play date, on the way home ask your
child if they had fun? What was the best part of playing with Camilla? Simply
ask your child what is something different about their friend? They may say
anything. You can always just ask directly, what color is Camilla’s skin?
Is that the same as yours? Is that okay? Your child will point out the
differences and come to the conclusion on their own that they like Camilla and
her skin color doesn't change that. At the core of what we want our children to
learn is that people are good regardless of race. Walking them through those
connections is the goal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">2. Read books with your child that have people of color in them.
On one hand just having protagonists of color will create the implicit message
to kids that those stories are important too and that those stories are fun and
funny too regardless of the color of the character. Reading to your child makes
a difference, not just because it increases literacy, but it opens up new
experiences and opportunities for your child. A universe were little girls can
be the most powerful leaders in the world, where little black children play
crochet and dislike basketball or a planet where no one is ever without food,
or shelter or love. The idealism of childhood is reflected in board books and
pictures books, as parents we can show our kids those stories with people of
color. This will place people of color in roles of power, thus changing the
traditional power paradigm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be intentional about
picking various experiences for your child. If your children are white, live in
a mostly white neighborhood and attend a mostly white school, then consider
when it’s time to pick a week of summer camp to pick one that may have a more
diverse group of participants. Consider taking your kids to play at different
parks around town in hopes to expose them to different communities. Attempt to
expose your child to kids of other racial backgrounds. It will be through
relationships that kids will experience equality in imaginative cooperative
play. Young kids will become friends quickly and fiercely regardless of race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning a friend at work who is in an interracial
marriage with two kids shared a story with me. She is biracial and her husband
is white. They have two girls. One little girl is tan with coarse very curly
dark locks, the other that is white with wavy blond hair. They don’t even look
like sisters however they act like sisters. The girls were fighting with each other
over a doll. The younger white sister yelled in anger to the older tan sister,
“Well you are ugly! You have tan skin!” Everyone in the house halted. Froze in
their steps. The parents immediately sat down and talked to the girls about how
we treat one another. The situation settled and the girls continued to play.
The parents sat in shock. Why did my kids just do that? They assumed that they
know they are sisters. The same two people created them and yet one has
systemically more social dominance than the other, even though they have been
raised in the same communities and attend the same school. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>678</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3867</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Berkeley Preparatory School</o:Company>
<o:Lines>32</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4536</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My advice to her was the same. Talk to your kids about
racial differences so it doesn’t stop everyone in their tracks, but rather it
is an acknowledged nurtured part of who they are as a family. Become empowered
to be the parent that has the tough conversations with your kids. If you start
when they are young, it will get easier to be brave. Colorblindness does not
exist, but ignorance does. <o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-18932632094152431742015-03-17T21:41:00.001-04:002015-03-17T21:51:20.107-04:00Lean InRecently, I read an yet another parenting article where the author gave great practical doable advice about reducing your daily parenting stress and keeping up with the daily things like making dinner, getting the kids dressed and doing one daily chore around the house. As I skimmed it, I realized I already do all of those things and still I feel parenting stress. My two year has spent a week eating nothing but pretzels and pickles. Nothing works. No positive reinforcements, no negative reinforcements, and no bribe has been alluring enough to convince her otherwise. She has dug her heals in and pickles and pretzels are it. The parenting stress has peeked and I can chose to handle in two ways:<br />
<br />
1. I can follow her around the house with a variety of food choices, fork in hand and pray for the miracle of her giving in and eating something slightly more nutritious.<br />
<br />
or<br />
<br />
2. I can let it go (you may add the Frozen tune here if you like or let that go too.) Chances are that my two year old will all on her own want to broaden her pallet and try something different.<br />
<br />
I opt for #2. I call this Leaning In. My second child has given me the greatest gift of awareness and parenting skill I could ever imagine: learn to pick your battles. Most of us moms have already consider what the tween and teen years may bring and we have heard this idea of picking battles with hair styles or clothing styles with our future 15 year olds but the thought doesn't occur to us when juggling our preschoolers. If they want to wear dirty pajamas, why not? If they want to wear sandals with socks, why not? If they want to wear everything blue and pick out what character on their diaper, I say LEAN IN. These are not <b><i>the </i></b>fights.<br />
<br />
My parenting goals are that our children grow up to be kind, respectful, hard working members of society. Lean in. Let things go. And do it often.<br />
<br />
We are lucky enough to live close to the beach. Beach trips typically take a lot of preparation with kids. You must remember the sand toys, the snacks, the towels, the blanket, the sunscreen, the drinks, etc. Sometimes the idea of packing it all up is exhausting, instead I take them to the park which they love and requires no prep on my part. However, upon recent reflection I considered that perhaps the complications were mine. The kids love the beach. They won't care if I forget something. I threw some sand toys in a bag along with a couple of juice boxes, grabbed the sunscreen and a blanket and away we went. For two solid hours the kids played. They ran up and down the shoreline, hunted for shells, created castles and instantly smashed them. By the end of excursion, they had gotten a little more wet than I expected since the water was still freezing it didn't cross my mind they would want to get in to it. I didn't bring back up clothes. When we were ready to leave. I pulled off their shorts, wiped off their sandy feet with the sandy blanket and we trotted off to 7-11 to get a post beach slurpee.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNCdJi3VHDydkVqUJdSTY6KL_xVsucZ0m3G-lhxlzxqSnt5W6AcHfNZ5FVzcdUfJ-qTt6Yr_1DGyUjhmGCUclVAdKQGK4F-stfxlofe7lm4VGYAMK7Im3JqTWZdpkE4zFtiNTsz7k2Rc/s1600/girls+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNCdJi3VHDydkVqUJdSTY6KL_xVsucZ0m3G-lhxlzxqSnt5W6AcHfNZ5FVzcdUfJ-qTt6Yr_1DGyUjhmGCUclVAdKQGK4F-stfxlofe7lm4VGYAMK7Im3JqTWZdpkE4zFtiNTsz7k2Rc/s1600/girls+beach.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I didn't worry about the sand in the car. I didn't worry about the pant-less children in the convenience store. I worried about making lasting memories with my kids and appreciating their childhoods as deeply and thoughtfully as I could that day. I say Lean In! Allow some chaos. Allow piles of dirty laundry or heck all piles of freshly folded laundry! Don't let your stress become their memories.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-49366044543786331172015-03-16T14:41:00.000-04:002015-03-16T14:41:07.904-04:00Spring Break Bucket List One the greatest blessings at teaching at my independent school is the glorious two weeks of Spring Break that we have at the end of every March. Here is my Spring Break Bucket List this year.<br />
<br />
We are headed to Orlando for 4 days with Abuelos and little ones all in tow. We plan on going to <a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/?DISCID=DI_sitenav" target="_blank">Disney</a> just for one day because we have <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/seasonal-annual-pass/purchase/" target="_blank">seasonal passes</a>. These passes have black out dates for most folks this doesn't work at all, but for us as locals we have more flexibility in going, so it works well. Plus as a Floridian I am thankful never to go to Disney in July because the heat is unbearable. For this break, we will be at a villa hotel room, plenty of room for us all. Here are a few things I am taking for the girls to do. I always take hotel room items because I hate having them in the sun for 12 hours, however we do plan on lots of pool and outside time.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Disney Junior Super Stretchy which is just like Twister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1HC9qtuQ0bYKQXt_c9yHZdn9ykj26g1NXB7dbLULOwyyVu5ajgOyQeExmyLhGFzYmNfgeBmyGoTSCrxntuHaNPzsLMOiJQb7zB_f09-Sc9vvhKnJupEd9JWEjZV_1JAsAX2LMobQaCw/s1600/collage+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1HC9qtuQ0bYKQXt_c9yHZdn9ykj26g1NXB7dbLULOwyyVu5ajgOyQeExmyLhGFzYmNfgeBmyGoTSCrxntuHaNPzsLMOiJQb7zB_f09-Sc9vvhKnJupEd9JWEjZV_1JAsAX2LMobQaCw/s1600/collage+farm.jpg" height="194" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yNZ5HOtJeqQ2mUtVxOqOkoaxJOiqp0fLS3NViz7CJ8zs1oP9YpOVuHdV7c1zwMP7aLUYmU_ZZEeMEbU_V8wj0enPAjoSopbOXEvTwZA2OQE-N-zsXLmg7ZJVvOr3ZH-s0_uGsMl3iUw/s1600/disney+junior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yNZ5HOtJeqQ2mUtVxOqOkoaxJOiqp0fLS3NViz7CJ8zs1oP9YpOVuHdV7c1zwMP7aLUYmU_ZZEeMEbU_V8wj0enPAjoSopbOXEvTwZA2OQE-N-zsXLmg7ZJVvOr3ZH-s0_uGsMl3iUw/s1600/disney+junior.jpg" height="200" width="188" /></a></li>
<li>Paint a Chick -- wooden Easter chick with paints</li>
<li>Alex My Collage Farm</li>
<li>Go Fish Card Game</li>
<li>Puzzles -- as many as I can find</li>
</ul>
<br />
Here are my other Kid Friendly Plans:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/pdf/Fort_DeSoto_historic_guide.pdf" target="_blank">Ft Desoto Historic Park</a> There is a toll on the way out there otherwise it is a free excursion<br />
2. Great Exploration Museum <a href="http://greatex.org/programs/terrific-tots" target="_blank">Terrific Tot Time</a> We have annual passes that we got dirt cheap with a Groupon.<br />
3. R<a href="http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/home" target="_blank">owdies Opening Game </a>Which is free for everyone young and old via the Rowdies Soccer Club<br />
4. Turns out our Groupon Great Exploration museum passes have an<a href="http://www.flaquarium.org/" target="_blank"> Florida Aquarium </a>reciprocal in <a href="http://greatex.org/uploads/files/Florida%20reciprocal%20Museums%20%202015%20%20BASIC.docx.pdf" target="_blank">April</a> so this is a free trip too.<br />
5. <a href="http://www.lowryparkzoo.org/lantern/" target="_blank">Lowry Park Zoominations </a>(my father in law purchased annual passes for him and the girls, so we get a discount.)<br />
6. Watch <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564349/" target="_blank">Dolphin Tale </a>and go see Winter at the <a href="http://www.seewinter.com/" target="_blank">Clearwater Aquarium</a> which is a year long reciprocal with our museum passes.<br />
<br />
It is also Egg Hunting Season. We are hoping to hit up a couple of new egg hunts this year. Here is the best list I found locally: <a href="http://whatsdoingtampabay.com/2015/03/2015-tampa-bay-area-easter-events-and-egg-hunts/" target="_blank">Eggs</a>. There are couple that I think will be awesome when my girls are even a little older such as the <a href="http://www.dunedingov.com/index.aspx?page=502&recordid=13465" target="_blank">Flashlight Egg Hunt in Dunedin</a>.<br />
<br />
It's this time of year in Florida where I wish I went ahead and got my pool heater fixed. The outside temperature is ready for a nice dip but the pool water is still way too cold. It only really matters 2 months out of the year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-24050838607478329392015-03-16T13:52:00.000-04:002015-03-16T13:52:21.367-04:00Making BunniesIt has been a bit since I have blogged our happenings and I miss it tremendously. Over the weekend I had the girls make giant bunnies using the giant chart paper made by post-it. Since Lydia is 4 now I wanted her to practice her cutting skills. She did very well. I still made her bunny mouth but otherwise she did well. It was tedious. Vivian being 2 wanted to cut the just like her sister and not as successful. She did cut her papers up but not quite the same level ability but she was happy trying.<br />
<br />
I had them on "islands" created by vinyl table cloths and gave them each a paper plate with mod podge and a disposable foam brush. Because I cut the bunny head from the post-it paper it stayed in place.<br />
<br />
They both really enjoyed it. Afterwards, they made giant Easter eggs. I drew 3 lines creating 4 sections on the egg. My intention was that each section would have a different shape, circles, squares, stars and triangles. But the girls ended up putting them all over the egg which was okay too.<br />
<br />
Each of their masterpieces were placed on the window of our sliders as decorations for the Easter Season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTsROYjO45tCzzb-k0Dh_P7I97tpqYkSyexhvw3mkykfK7SjeVcm8TUEG098791sFLxCymaTTlt-3JKSfcYldMzdhAp7neD_Xl1FrWtVV2A_q3f9n1ptCOtPGn9y6uq2d6P-JW8yJVRw/s640/blogger-image--689721285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTsROYjO45tCzzb-k0Dh_P7I97tpqYkSyexhvw3mkykfK7SjeVcm8TUEG098791sFLxCymaTTlt-3JKSfcYldMzdhAp7neD_Xl1FrWtVV2A_q3f9n1ptCOtPGn9y6uq2d6P-JW8yJVRw/s640/blogger-image--689721285.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_SAHCc6dNduvA9xzXonlbqPsWpwx5Mw1MT2FYiN8mypqmg4ss0OSZFuHHc2IYiWrnMIqDopCKDPfM358FR_XVprZpyDMVHnzIVH95ynCJKfLRdlDHAKMWKvvHNbfJ-pNmphE_746wJA/s640/blogger-image-487346787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_SAHCc6dNduvA9xzXonlbqPsWpwx5Mw1MT2FYiN8mypqmg4ss0OSZFuHHc2IYiWrnMIqDopCKDPfM358FR_XVprZpyDMVHnzIVH95ynCJKfLRdlDHAKMWKvvHNbfJ-pNmphE_746wJA/s640/blogger-image-487346787.jpg" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-54870640536989821432014-11-17T14:17:00.000-05:002014-11-17T14:18:18.011-05:00Thanks and GivingIt turns out that having two kids under 4, a successful career, wonderful family and friends near by makes the opportunity to blog hard; almost an unsurmountable obstacles. It occurs to me to take some pictures and I make a mental note to jot something down about the moment, and then just like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of lives.<br />
<br />
November is time of year that we all should take the time to be thankful. Some folks post a daily thanks on Facebook or Twitter, add a hashtag and admittedly, that's sort of nice. I like seeing them, but some how I am not diligent enough to pull off such commitment for 30 days. At home with the girls we have a little tree that once a week we ask the girls what they are thankful for and we write it on a leaf and add it to a tree. On the coffee table in the living room we have pulled all the Thanksgiving children's books out and we've been reading them off and on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKAcSWYgGiu9Va05Hx5iBx5ZulUEh2Sif9qDSpu9D4uTqa6oabs7YysBvxF20LRWmZ8_VZioQNDJ28LuhyphenhyphenxMW2hgzuiYlcpA70Ga4DkbXTBqsC5MWhCXctmQOy6643uaDIM7lqsoCSZc/s1600/kids-thanksgiving-paper-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKAcSWYgGiu9Va05Hx5iBx5ZulUEh2Sif9qDSpu9D4uTqa6oabs7YysBvxF20LRWmZ8_VZioQNDJ28LuhyphenhyphenxMW2hgzuiYlcpA70Ga4DkbXTBqsC5MWhCXctmQOy6643uaDIM7lqsoCSZc/s1600/kids-thanksgiving-paper-tree.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
However, our goals as mentioned in my epic last post is to give and minimize our stuff. So we have been working on that. For our church service project we put together a few boxes for <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/" target="_blank">Operation Christmas Child.</a> We had the girls pick out items at Target. They colored pictures. I also had been hoarding shoeboxes, so I sent those to church too. We packed up 2 boxes designated for girls ages 2-4 and 1 for a boy age 2-4.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4Sj4VZxPxygI3dS_AkWffR7JIvDXyjGU6E4Zvm01GpXCLPTcwBdVSYRMAL2R9D9Jm-s62mIBHhseXS7sENuXJOBp3NgInZ_mZAszKPXMYb753o1p5KE_CYzuJOaJuaLM27leAmW_AK0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4Sj4VZxPxygI3dS_AkWffR7JIvDXyjGU6E4Zvm01GpXCLPTcwBdVSYRMAL2R9D9Jm-s62mIBHhseXS7sENuXJOBp3NgInZ_mZAszKPXMYb753o1p5KE_CYzuJOaJuaLM27leAmW_AK0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuvuU7e3QKxjPBUBELXRgfZf0rManN_LnSQ4vmn9mIMfzMsGMpNo06b7QIlNEId40lqrFqBuq0Hg85auHIRvXHkJ-lc7WNyPl79SBXKCCu4eG9NSTJ7IwX4gcmLS-kSvr-wame1NvQ8w/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuvuU7e3QKxjPBUBELXRgfZf0rManN_LnSQ4vmn9mIMfzMsGMpNo06b7QIlNEId40lqrFqBuq0Hg85auHIRvXHkJ-lc7WNyPl79SBXKCCu4eG9NSTJ7IwX4gcmLS-kSvr-wame1NvQ8w/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93zCWDd9fcDi4OkPerTPowfCnpqKhE6ok02Xkk1QeueekN-Hb4MPpBW5GSPiDkrPIR4sQ-3QQUTuzYBwVAl-XsrKHcL8UfgLxNSE0YtyWnc6KA9IPFjGXWxQO56xWfS2ucdYYe2_ou2Q/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93zCWDd9fcDi4OkPerTPowfCnpqKhE6ok02Xkk1QeueekN-Hb4MPpBW5GSPiDkrPIR4sQ-3QQUTuzYBwVAl-XsrKHcL8UfgLxNSE0YtyWnc6KA9IPFjGXWxQO56xWfS2ucdYYe2_ou2Q/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ybaVRpnrNboGMsCFhl-QV6_zZcd-L3VkysokXaAgScZMRgaOBznMmKcDXW069W8b1lhTZPLB9pf8GRUW68Arcgkg5VxS-WGhUnDa4X6p6rH4xKXcbWyrDZM9xe1NlxWv0TfmGSqpFLY/s1600/photo+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ybaVRpnrNboGMsCFhl-QV6_zZcd-L3VkysokXaAgScZMRgaOBznMmKcDXW069W8b1lhTZPLB9pf8GRUW68Arcgkg5VxS-WGhUnDa4X6p6rH4xKXcbWyrDZM9xe1NlxWv0TfmGSqpFLY/s1600/photo+6.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We gleaned the playroom with the girls again and took the items to <a href="http://www.metromin.org/" target="_blank">Metropolitan Ministries</a>. We arrived on the day that Met Ministries was breaking <a href="http://www.metromin.org/blog/be-hope-break-record.html" target="_blank">the world's record</a> on the most food ever collected. News fans were present and volunteers were gathered around a giant thermometer. The excited was palpable and Tampa Bay beat the record. It was amazing!<br />
<br />
Our last contribution over the last few weeks was with the help of the boy scouts in our neighborhood that are collecting food for the hungry. They dropped off a bag at the door asking for canned food. We simply put in a few cans that we had on hand. It couldn't have been easier.<br />
<br />
When I was taking pictures and conceiving of this blog entry, I wondered about potential boastfulness of blogging about our family giving. It occurs to me that I am proud to be working on serving others. To be more conscience of the needs of others and the abundance of advantage that I have. I am proud that we are hoping to teach our girls by example. And I do believe if you are able you should care for others in the world in whatever way you can. If you share about your service to others, perhaps someone will feel moved to do that same. Thus to accusations of boastfulness, I say NEH! Join us in trying out best to help those in need.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-69120789694443992962014-10-07T09:42:00.002-04:002014-10-07T09:55:58.984-04:00My Own Mutiny Against Excess: 7 Goals for 7 Living<div class="MsoNormal">
It drives me crazy to think that my stuff is weighing me
down. I worry that my girls’ stuff is too abundant. I worry that others may
think that they have too much and that they will be spoiled and that they will
grow up to not appreciate things. I worry that the girls will be those people
that believe they are entitled to things or jobs or to a certain status. That may
kill me. I find myself making excuses about their toys to our closest friends
that don’t really care that the girls have a lot of toys to begin with. I lose
sleep over it. I also lose sleep over being sure that my girls are thoughtful
and thankful always. Both Eliot and I have parents that have always worked
really hard. We both had the things we wanted when we were young and neither of
us ever felt like we wanted something and didn’t get it. And some how, we
managed to walk away with an understanding of the importance of hard work, the
importance of valuing people; our relationships, more than any thing that we
could have; possess. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I pondered these ideas, I was watching <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/my-big-family-renovation/show/index.html" target="_blank">HGTV</a>. This is not
to say that I need a bigger home or fancier home. I just like HGTV. I like
seeing hard work turn into something cool, particularly if it’s got some sort
of vintage flare. Vintage may be a cool new word for old but to me it says
homey. I digress; I was watching a show with the Hatmaker family. These Texans
were so fun and easy going I did something I rarely do, I googled them. Turns
out the Hatmakers are professional Christian authors and ministers. So I
downloaded Jen Hatmaker’s book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/An-Experimental-Mutiny-Against-Excess/dp/1433672960/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412689063&sr=8-1&keywords=7" target="_blank">“7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.”</a> I
read it. I had to slow myself down as I read it because I wanted it to seep
into my skin. I was looking for an awakening, to be transformed in some way and
I got it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the book, <a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/" target="_blank">Jen Hatmaker</a> systemically tries to addresses
issues of excess for her and her family. For example, one month she focuses on
the excess of their possessions so as they reduce the amount of clothes and
other things they have around the house she commits to only wearing 7 items of
clothing for the month. Another month, they decided to go green, so they
identify 7 new behaviors such as recycling, gardening, and composting. There
were 7 but I can’t remember them all. What I go out of it was a perfect segue
way to into my own mutiny, as I read I was inspired. It shifted they way I want
to live myself.<br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. I want to be part of a church community that
focuses on service. The image o</span><span style="text-indent: -24px;">f the typical Christian</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> from the outside looking in, sadly has increasingly
become narrow minded, conservative and greedy. I struggle sometimes to defend
the institution when the loudest of voices are arrogant and instead of caring
for others are pushing them out of sight whether it’s a politically charged
controversy of immigration or the regulations in towns on the homeless. The
Jesus I know would likely have not been a modern day Christian. The Jesus I
believe was the example I want to follow is that of an individual that was
comfortable with those in society that were the most oppressed and casted
aside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To that vain, I want to be a part
of a community of faith that seeks to care for those that need it the most. I
want to spend less time in conversation about big giant Trunk or Treat party
and more time in providing food to families without it in my community.
Currently we are in process of building a “foot washing church” at least I
would like to hope that we are.<a href="http://www.foundrykenwood.com/" target="_blank"> My church campus </a>has suspended Sunday morning
services every second Sunday to serve the community. We have service goals
through February, which will be family and visitor friendly. We planning on being a true community church where the doors are always open, and so are our hearts.<br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> 2. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I want to develop a habit of giving to others
for our entire family. From the little things like donating used toys and used
clothes to gathering food for Metropolitan Ministries to participating in
family service activities. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
i. I believe that giving is better
than receiving. Empathy and compassion fulfill our lives in a way that envy and
greed could never. It is part of that living by example that I believe children
really see. As a child my mother opened her door to many in need, she was always trying to care for others, give to others whether it was a meal or a pair of socks, her heart is still one that focuses on giving. To this end, I want to be sure that we are doing our best to be
giving people as well and talk to our girls about the importance of doing so. It’s a
little holding hands and singing “Kubaya” –ish but there is value in generosity
for all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I want to pick a day of the week where Eliot and
I unplug together and connect to each other. I can’t completely disconnect,
partly because I hardly watch television and vegging out to an hour of TV after
the girls go to bed gives me great joy. But on the other hand, my incessant
need to check email on the weekends or the evenings needs to be curved. Some
things can wait, actually most things can wait. Life gets so busy and tiresome that Eliot and I will lay next
together on our cell phones. He looks at soccer stats and I look at vintage
furniture. An absolutely needed downtime, but once a week I want us to connect
together together, rather than together separate. It is a tad counterintuitive perhaps
to disconnect in order to connect possibly in another tech sort of way. Eliot
and I may choose to watch a movie together or a show or a game, but at least we
are engaged with one another; focused on the same thing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
We disconnect with the girls often.
We go to the park, or play games or do crafts without any tech oriented sort of
thing, however, in Hatmaker’s <i>7, </i>she
had the entire family observe the Sabbath. They shared in a family meal and
stayed home, stayed away from outside influences like phones, computers and
ignored the host of household duties like laundry, mowing the lawn and simply
just were together. Sometimes they ate popcorn and watched a movie, other times
they played games, but I like the idea. Our lives are so busy that I would like
to claim the Sabbath back. Ideally we would do this every week, but chances are
that we won’t pull that off. I am trying to create habits of attainable goal
setting so as of January I will schedule us one Saturday night a month as
Sabbath night. We will wake up in the morning and go to church too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Stuff is crowding my drawers, my closets, my
garage thus I want us to reduce the amount of things we have. Now I should be
specific because I am not claiming that we will give away everything and live
in a state of asceticism. However, there is no reason we need 3 blenders. True
story. I rarely blend as it is. So why 3 blenders? One doesn’t even work, but
because it says magic on the side I shove it in a corner thinking that perhaps
it’s inherent magical nature will revive it. It’s unlikely. We have likely 20
pots and pans, if not more and I am certain we use only 4.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
So what I hope to accomplish is to evaluate
the things we have. Things we do not need or no longer use we either sell or
donate. This way we have things that we actually have a reason for and
otherwise we let go of it. I am sentimental about photographs and a small
handful of things, otherwise I have the tendency to let it go, the goal here is
get it out of the house and into the hands of someone that needs it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This past weekend we went to a local fruit and
vegetable stand. We bought I think good quality items and I think a little less
than we normally do. I want to be sure that we aren’t wasting food. We have
definitely gotten better at this over the last few months. We have been trying
to eat everything in our, 2 refrigerators instead of buying more things and
forgetting we have it stored. One of the ways we have been doing this is menu
planning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the weekend, we try to talk
through what we could have for dinner during the week and then purchase
additional food as needed. Maybe everyone does this, but don’t really. I used
to go to the store and just buy things that may strike my fancy on that day. So
we ended up with 7 pounds of chicken or 12 bags of frozen vegetables. As we
plan for the week, we consider at least one leftover day, and a day that my
parents will make us dinner and a day that we may eat out.<br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">6. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">At the risk of being redundant, I want us to
evaluate our closets and pass things along to people that we have out grown or
are out of style. I have been pretty good at doing this with the girls’ clothes
because they out grow things so quickly, but Eliot and I have too much clothes.
There is no reason I need 50 skirts in my closet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
h There is also no reason that every
drawer in my dresser doesn’t closed completely because there are so filled
items get partly stuck at the back of the drawer and stop them from closing. I
also have lots of clothes pre-pregnancy that do not fit because my body changed
significantly.<br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> 7. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">An item on the list of most Americans is
spending. Addressing and evaluating where most of your money goes will
determine what you value in life. I want to be thoughtful about our spending
and to use our financial resources for experiences rather then the acquisition
of more things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course there are things that I
want and there are things that I need, but there is balance. We also have a
love for travel and a desire to feel financial secure as we enter our 40’s, 50’s
and beyond. This is the time to figure that out the plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**I haven't blogged since June. It's hard to believe that life has gone so fast and that I have let go of something I love to because time has gone too fast. I will add writing to my list of goals. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1352</o:Words>
<o:Characters>7707</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Berkeley Preparatory School</o:Company>
<o:Lines>64</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>18</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>9041</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-78149527055060389632014-06-20T15:24:00.000-04:002014-06-20T15:24:46.773-04:00Summer Fun: Toddler Crafts and Kid Cooking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago I had the rare opportunity to have time with each of the girls by themselves. This is very rare. I set a couple of things up for Vivi (22 months) to do. She likes to feel successful immediately when she is doing activities and so I wanted to be sure to be ready to change activities when she got bored or frustrated. I know this is a common trait for this age and in other areas good parenting dictates you allow them to be frustrated to overcome adversity however, I want her to have fun while doing art, therefore I create the opportunities for that feeling to be pervasive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first activity was painting with tubes. I poured washable paints into a plate but out the paper and let use them as a stamp. She did this for a few minutes and then asked for a brush. She likes painting so she multi-tasked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT_i3h37h3pzLDBbc55J3Z3psOS4kovIsLCfbN1T_ISRy9EzZWsC1dh1ng1Pps9WUJTMrW4cuy-A52Xiroe4yyLXZFOYsG6SnLAknuipu_B2UQzh8OCLrozp1QGfe3B8iikhrpFRhTfk/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT_i3h37h3pzLDBbc55J3Z3psOS4kovIsLCfbN1T_ISRy9EzZWsC1dh1ng1Pps9WUJTMrW4cuy-A52Xiroe4yyLXZFOYsG6SnLAknuipu_B2UQzh8OCLrozp1QGfe3B8iikhrpFRhTfk/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv3spbgPf9lm1Fe_6PoAvB5gGxBU5JQBM6tbMjqQR9S-_7Rzp8jN6Ilkc4khyphenhyphenUTx1vGexSqW7dgRqFHlsckQjxC7iGSObdB7VV6Z9faFkZ4-JcOMIV-9wH6am-O9YcZe76-w0HI6id0I/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv3spbgPf9lm1Fe_6PoAvB5gGxBU5JQBM6tbMjqQR9S-_7Rzp8jN6Ilkc4khyphenhyphenUTx1vGexSqW7dgRqFHlsckQjxC7iGSObdB7VV6Z9faFkZ4-JcOMIV-9wH6am-O9YcZe76-w0HI6id0I/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
This is an oldie but a goodie. A used Pringles can. I made holes of different sizes in the top and gave her a stack of pipe cleaners. This helps her use small motor skills and work on patience a little. Once the can was full she was done. She didn't want to do it again as if she completed the task and moved on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6xHa__k7r3uDpPYULyXd6rwv3W-CWlG-EcHtSlOJEOr9pPTqS3XFtvczF40Yx_OEdMfCcgEGtippk5vYdY6QPhzn_aGd56-c7XbLvutOkEI8D5FI1FicamnicmunZLN3HjQFTriyb5Q/s1600/image+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6xHa__k7r3uDpPYULyXd6rwv3W-CWlG-EcHtSlOJEOr9pPTqS3XFtvczF40Yx_OEdMfCcgEGtippk5vYdY6QPhzn_aGd56-c7XbLvutOkEI8D5FI1FicamnicmunZLN3HjQFTriyb5Q/s1600/image+(3).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The next activity was a string game. It's an <a href="http://www.alextoys.com/product/wooden-stringing-sets-string-a-farm/" target="_blank">Alex Little Hands activity</a>. The theme for this one is thee farm. I pulled off all the wooden figures and put them in a bowl. She then threaded them on. I was surprised by how this held her attention and how many times she wanted to do it again. It must have been close to 10 times. She would put them on the string and then I would take them off, she would happily thread again. This is another small motor skill development and she was very good at it. I recommend these because the figures are sturdy and Lydia actually likes to use them for imaginative play.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEilM1F7I8CTMsNIg1cD604V_vOgyGeeEnu5r4q-y8m2p6OxfTOb2dcaUZslPiIWZ1uZJV31-CxUT5YNqMY07nnyFaxK3DVULwxSvkfrkR2dRcASe9z41dGm0ZeHpGJ0LXYZMwY9_NtUE/s1600/image+(4).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEilM1F7I8CTMsNIg1cD604V_vOgyGeeEnu5r4q-y8m2p6OxfTOb2dcaUZslPiIWZ1uZJV31-CxUT5YNqMY07nnyFaxK3DVULwxSvkfrkR2dRcASe9z41dGm0ZeHpGJ0LXYZMwY9_NtUE/s1600/image+(4).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Once Vivi was napping, Lydia had gotten home from her morning camp. I let her use the same paint, tubes and brushes but added a couple of paint stamps to keep her busy. She loves this type of thing so she painted here for a whole 30-45 minutes without question or fuss at all. The difference between an almost 4 year old and an old most 2 year old.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s-6Gpyr4sFhuXjyqs0lnR64mWJ3NBjX9EtuamnFUtHDiTHV6IjnsxvR8SKyHMK07URTimgtl1Xs3bJOhJyuJ_M1eZVND0SDm32LHZAZCC60-zwdeHFzgPFvICfAwHbvxXP8w0csOIrU/s1600/image+(5).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s-6Gpyr4sFhuXjyqs0lnR64mWJ3NBjX9EtuamnFUtHDiTHV6IjnsxvR8SKyHMK07URTimgtl1Xs3bJOhJyuJ_M1eZVND0SDm32LHZAZCC60-zwdeHFzgPFvICfAwHbvxXP8w0csOIrU/s1600/image+(5).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Once everyone was up and awake we made dinner. <a href="http://www.digiorno.com/products/design-a-pizza" target="_blank">Digiorno </a>has a new pizza that comes with various toppings, they call it they Design a Pizza. The consumer can put whatever they want on the pizza. I found this to be a great kid cooking activity. Even Vivian was able to help. They each have a step stool so they can reach the counter. I opened up the packets of toppings and they just put the stuff on there any way they wanted. It was sort of awesome. When they were finished we made the pizza and ate it. They both ate 2 whole pieces and I think that part of it was certainly the ownership over the food itself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZVSGpaEyao8NvECF0jbHFQU0TY4ViwvZzZB8h1VFhIFidjlqCYnOLuQYWQeISYNuWSRiX6WT28Kc2LmP8HLUldMQTpgM81a0A2FLEhyphenhyphen8QjW5N5tdMXjWIiq7jxvw_ZM3BxB6u_KjeOU/s1600/image+(9).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZVSGpaEyao8NvECF0jbHFQU0TY4ViwvZzZB8h1VFhIFidjlqCYnOLuQYWQeISYNuWSRiX6WT28Kc2LmP8HLUldMQTpgM81a0A2FLEhyphenhyphen8QjW5N5tdMXjWIiq7jxvw_ZM3BxB6u_KjeOU/s1600/image+(9).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptOtKczNchfGda7fD-UQX8ZPLKr2Yg_eSBnf9aVjHAG1O5n_KxMVuhWxEXK5TMeFY2tYi690qOEiR3alxUVYjTqQnYVG5HQMNxNDvWwt-UMFCQgqBaQ74wHfpHYzX6UIykGFmeXAbaE0/s1600/image+(10).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptOtKczNchfGda7fD-UQX8ZPLKr2Yg_eSBnf9aVjHAG1O5n_KxMVuhWxEXK5TMeFY2tYi690qOEiR3alxUVYjTqQnYVG5HQMNxNDvWwt-UMFCQgqBaQ74wHfpHYzX6UIykGFmeXAbaE0/s1600/image+(10).jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-1950123446439446992014-05-06T15:08:00.000-04:002014-05-06T15:08:05.038-04:00A Collection of Random Ideas and Little CraftsI was looking for some art for the girls playroom. I didn't really want to spend any money. Lying around my garage was an old cheesy painting of of a women playing the guitar in a cool old green frame. I had some chalkboard paint lying around. I painted over the guitarist with 2 coats and turned it into a chalkboard. Using colored chalk I wrote on it what you see below. I worked out perfectly. It's placed somewhere the girls can reach it so it will remain like this for awhile. Eventually I can take it down let the girls use it or draw something new. Easy to do, less than $5.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/284.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_284.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
Lydia is loves butterflies so I cut a paper plate up to look like one. I let her use the glitter glue and pom poms we had. It was an easy craft. Quick to do but tough to finish because we had to wait for the glue to dry repeatedly to be able to do the next part of it. So we had to let the head pom dry before we added a face which also had to dry before we added the antlers. It's a tough task for a 3 year old to wait.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/285.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_285.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
Obviously you see what I mean about butterflies. I bought these a while ago at the dollar store. I believe there were 4 in a packet. I let both girls (ages 1 and 3) paint them as they saw fit, but then there was nothing else to do with them. I could have added them to anything really, but I chose to glue them to clothes pins. I use them to close chip bags and to hang kid art on our display line provided by Ikea.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/286.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_286.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
The last completely random mom artsy moment was this set of dice. Eliot brought home a couple of boxes that were almost perfect cubes. I taped them up and spray painted them white. I used sharpies to make them sort of like dice. Instead of the normal dots I made each side with different shapes. So we can throw the dice and count the squares, then the circles and then all the shapes. I found a couple of dice games with fun <a href="http://freebie-licious.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-post_13.html" target="_blank">printables</a>, so Lydia can practice counting and then match the total with the actual number. We play bingo with them. She counts, finds the right correlation and then place a coin on it. We fill the sheet. It's easy. And fun and once we get bored of the giant dice we will recycle them, a nice Earth Day project for sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziZpZ5chbALVWJ5-5bEtoxG5BbrQLYxPKAT6tD-QJqN39ntjZi_Lkw_-arQoceeYNtXSP2eBUNAKudrC2mtkr9cDIYhL7JuoU3PZ2vMsmjHNYmtVeoZ0xoDwjLS7uTzfMkca1k0hrnVA/s1600/dice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziZpZ5chbALVWJ5-5bEtoxG5BbrQLYxPKAT6tD-QJqN39ntjZi_Lkw_-arQoceeYNtXSP2eBUNAKudrC2mtkr9cDIYhL7JuoU3PZ2vMsmjHNYmtVeoZ0xoDwjLS7uTzfMkca1k0hrnVA/s1600/dice.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-88958207061815633402014-04-24T11:34:00.001-04:002014-04-24T11:34:13.685-04:00Raising Children is No Joke<div class="MsoNormal">
Raising children is no joke. It’s not easy. There is no
right way to do it and there is no absolute assurance of the long term outcome.
Your child will eventually make their own decisions and sometimes those
decisions will be bad ones that result in negative consequences. If you are
lucky those are imposed by you rather than society (the cops) or the universe
(death.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All mothers worry. That’s normal. I worry if the girls will
grow up to be good people. I worry if they will kind. I worry if they will be
honest. I worry if they will be compassionate. I worry about the future of
their surroundings. I worry about the friends they will make and the influences
they will have. I worry about the moment
that I lose the control over all those factors. In reality, I already
have. Lydia goes to preschool. She
attends 3 days a week for half of the day. A seemingly minimal amount of time,
but in this time she has interactions with other children. That is the goal of
course that she will become socialized. Sometimes she comes home telling us all
sorts of stories about the inner-workings of their tiny social groups. Her
closest 3 girls friends are a team (her term not mine.) The other day she
reported that her team didn’t like the other team because they were friends with
boys (as known as the enemy.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We asked a few questions to clarify. We have repeatedly
talked about the equality of boys and girls in our house mostly because instead
of having some sort of submissive or latent girl insecurity my daughter
believes that boys are beneath her and are not as capable as girls. And
honestly I work hard on not destroying these feelings of confidence and
assertiveness that are always at the forefront her nature, but we do talk often
that all people are able to do things they chose. Boys can dance. Boys can play
dress up. Boys can color. All of which is unsure of is true. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days later she reported that her team was better than
the other team, and as a result she said a girl spit on another person to prove
it. The flags were flying up faster than I could put the words together. None
of these behaviors are appropriate to us for any reason, so the conversation
began and continue throughout the evening. It turns out that she used the term
better instead of saying that they were good at following directions. We are
better because we listen to the teacher. We are better because we cleaned up
after crafts. We are better because we ate our whole snack. In another turn of
events, no one spit intentionally on anyone either. Her friend sneezed while
having milk in her mouth and spit on someone accidentally, but on the surface
these initial reports her disturbing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we decoded the actual events of the day, I wondered if we
would need to go and talk to the teacher. Make sure these girls were split up
or given consequences for early mean girl tendencies. Then I realized that it
is now where my parenting would be put to the test. Should I intervene or
should I allow her to develop her own voice? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A girlfriend had told me a story about receiving a phone
call from a mother in her son’s class. Both kids are in the sports club after
school. The mother called to tell my friend that her son, which towers over
most other children in the class, was upset because her son kept hitting him in
the head with the ball. It turns out the kids were playing dodge ball, where of
course the purpose is to hit each other with <i>the </i>ball. When she told me that story I was literally rolling my
eyes along with her. It’s absurd that the boy felt compelled to go home,
complain to his mom, and the mom then in turn fought that battle for him by my
calling my friend. To me that is the perfect opportunity to each your child to
stand up for himself. He should speak up and say “Hey! Don’t hit me in the
head!” and or he should learn how to dodge the ball since it’s the objective of
the game. We must empower our children to have their own voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will not always be
present to fight Lydia’s battles and make her choices. She must have a clear
understanding of what we as a family value and she must learn to fight for it. With
this story in mind and her friend situation at school, we took turns talking to
her about kindness, compassion, inclusion, equality and respect. We read
stories about it. We modeled it through play. We prayed for it together before
going to bed. Perhaps it is overkill, but sometimes we do things as parents
because it makes us feel better on this journey to help our kids be good
people. <o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-83486197615733214292014-04-16T14:18:00.001-04:002014-04-16T14:18:07.840-04:00Summer List of Things to DO<div class="MsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfIX0AB0zHjv6ANmT3M1eG3dLHBJhGYrX9uGph6ebaTlOBUL6uzxOabhn5zvOTA9xtjZuIMYEuZkaeuGG_DvfLLxWb_1j5fuGusToqZYNEuKxb861jgFgxbKlqE-YXN3AAw6RA6kIHuw/s1600/teh+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfIX0AB0zHjv6ANmT3M1eG3dLHBJhGYrX9uGph6ebaTlOBUL6uzxOabhn5zvOTA9xtjZuIMYEuZkaeuGG_DvfLLxWb_1j5fuGusToqZYNEuKxb861jgFgxbKlqE-YXN3AAw6RA6kIHuw/s1600/teh+sun.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Summer Bucket List for 2014. </span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
35 ideas and things to do locally and at home with my girls, one is almost 4 and the other almost 2. Most of these are free and the couple that have admissions costs are less than $30. You can't beat it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am lucky enough to work at an independent school that has great opportunities for the summer. Lydia will attend a fine arts camp for two weeks half days while I am teaching for a couple of weeks. We will take advantage of our church family VBS this year too, which will be just a few days in the evening, since we have already made plans for the traditional VBS times.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We will also go on vacation for a few weeks to Tennessee to be in the mountains and see friends. So we will be on the go, as always but I also love the days that we get to be home, and this is what the bucket list is for. Fun summer days and rainy summer days where you can find something new and special to do. I labeled the ideas that can be done on rainy days since there are plenty of them in Florida. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ol>
<li>Roast Marshmallows. We have a fire pit outside. We were thinking we could roast marshmallows with the girls and make s'mores in our backyard.</li>
<li><b><i>Road trips:</i></b> Orlando, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Jensen Beach. We are still hoping to get the most out of our Disney Passes so we have on the calendar at least one trip to Orlando. We are going to vacation in Chattanooga and see friends in Knoxville and then spend a couple of days at Jensen Beach, to rest and relax.</li>
<li>Library. One of my frustrations is always that the Children's programs at the public library tend to mirror the school calendar so when I am free they are vacationing which is fair, I suppose but I hope to take Vivian at least a couple of times to the library. Free. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.baysidesportsacademy.org/#!__open-gym" target="_blank">Bayside Gymnastics Open Gym Time</a>. This local gymnastics establishment is not only owned by someone I went to high school with but Lydia has taken several classes there. It's a great establishment and even though their summer open gym time can be nutty, I think it's an easy thing to do with the girls when we want to get out of the house. For both girls $10.</li>
<li>Pool. Lydia know how to swim and Vivian is taking lessons. I am excited about moving into a pool-tastic summer. Last year the pool thing was still a lot of work. Lydia wasn't a big fan and Vivian you had to hold or put into the floaty device. Lydia can swim well now, so we are hoping that will add more fun less work. </li>
<li><a href="http://happyhooligans.ca/outdoor-play-ideas/" target="_blank">Little pool slide.</a> This is simple. Take a small blow up pool and put it at the bottom of you playset slide. Instant water slide.</li>
<li>Mudpies. On the day we do the little pool slide I figure would be the day to make mudpies. Messy and clean all at once. Chances are there will be little clean, but here is hoping.</li>
<li>Tea party. I wanted to have a fancy tea party for summer fun. Little muffins, little sandwiches, fancy cups and plates and dress for the occasion. I think it will adorable. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Make jello aquariums. There are gummy snacks that have fish and we will make blue jello and put them in clear containers as a fun snack and dessert. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Root beer float. Giant frozen mugs, ice cream and root beer. Also a fun summer treat. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Paper roll road map. I keep having this thought. We have long hallways at our house. I think I can take paper from the easel roll and roll it down the hallway. I thought I could draw some things on it and have them draw some roads and play with cars. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Obstacle course. My vision of this is things to jump over, things to crawl under, things to do along the way. I think this will work indoors or outdoors depending on your home and your willingness to make things chaotic. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Outdoor fort/tents. The new play set has space underneath it where you can clearly tie sheets and create a tent. Recently we cleared out our linen closet so we are very prepared for sheets to hang all over the backyard.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.kidskubby.com/toilet-paper-roll-crafts/" target="_blank">Make bird feeders/</a>bird bath. I fear that these projects will bring bird poop into my yard as well but since we have already been spending a lot of time in the backyard I have seen bluebirds, robins and hummingbirds. It would be fun for them to be a little closer. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3trQX-yXO-bdzlt-mtvfafTEehkyQru1NWISpq0gnWffufCh9ESxdpVgWVElfcJZy3JTtpD5MSbDNirgqcv6a_X90nF0XS5fiCD0S6A_rkIrquD9VIajIlwyt1SSi16rewZv4SihIOhw/s1600/bird+feeder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3trQX-yXO-bdzlt-mtvfafTEehkyQru1NWISpq0gnWffufCh9ESxdpVgWVElfcJZy3JTtpD5MSbDNirgqcv6a_X90nF0XS5fiCD0S6A_rkIrquD9VIajIlwyt1SSi16rewZv4SihIOhw/s1600/bird+feeder.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Sprinkler fun. Simple. Old School.</li>
<li><a href="http://spiritualmayatravels.blogspot.com/2013/05/ballast-point-park.html" target="_blank">Splash park.</a> My girls have never really liked splash parks something about the water in their face but I like to try it at least once a season. </li>
<li>Kite flying. Simple. Old School. Kite are pretty cheap. Dollar Store for sure, we have a couple from Walmart that I think were a couple of dollars. All you need is a field or front yard with some space. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Children-Breathing-Exercises-Meditations/dp/1440554633/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397589666&sr=8-1&keywords=yoga+for+children" target="_blank">Little Kid Yoga</a>. I love yoga. At one point in my life I practiced every week and it was genuinely fulfilling. Since then it's been hard to fit it in. I think Lydia would enjoy doing some position and so will Vivian so I ordered a book about yoga for kids. Book $12. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Soccer game or baseball game. <a href="http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/" target="_blank">The Rowdies</a> are back and so are <a href="http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tb" target="_blank">The Rays</a>, we haven't taken the girls to a professional game and it just may be a ton of fun to do it. Prices vary. </li>
<li>Scavenger Hunt. Hide stuff, make the find it. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Make pizzas. We would get pre-made dough have the girls make pizza. A little sauce spread around, cheese sprinkled on, maybe mushrooms. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Get Sea shells. Lydia loves to find sea shells, so I thought it would be fun to go to the beach just to do that. We would take "hunting" gear. We would be on a search for just shells like explorers. </li>
<li>Paint Sea shells. Once we got our shells we would paint them. It would be fun to do. We are about painting just about anything. If I give them small brushes they like the fancy feel of this type of painting. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Sunset. A lot of the time we catch the sunset on drives from point A to point B. I would like to take the girls to the beach to see the full on experience. </li>
<li>Beach 3x Eliot and I are lazy beach people because we have always lived by the beach and well it takes a lot of effort. The girls on the other hand love the beach. My goal is to make to the beach at least 3 times this season for them. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm" target="_blank">Ft Desoto Park</a> I have been to the Fort itself in years. I think it would be fun to go check it out. $5 toll to get out there. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/39828777929454696/" target="_blank">Tin foil river</a> Another backyard idea taking a roll of tin foil and making a river through the yard filled with water. Random silly fun. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7flqky-fgiIkOCAllk7E8fBsDhhoo7aAmHoLJi9QckQUydG0cEQUWoUnviewsYcn6oqmh8utNSvXxJb9ab44FxWQopx-flQisfwcr2sssp_QdRNFwdMquFVayQFj4dNS8wmQO24GNiM/s1600/tin+foil+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7flqky-fgiIkOCAllk7E8fBsDhhoo7aAmHoLJi9QckQUydG0cEQUWoUnviewsYcn6oqmh8utNSvXxJb9ab44FxWQopx-flQisfwcr2sssp_QdRNFwdMquFVayQFj4dNS8wmQO24GNiM/s1600/tin+foil+river.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/498844096196623937/" target="_blank">Weaving with paper </a> Imagine painting paper then cutting them into strips to weave them. I am not sure at all how this will go with Lydia but I think it has the potential of being kind of cool. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.localfunforkids.com/crafts/2011/5/12/easy-preschool-craft-paper-plate-seashell.html" target="_blank">Sewing with yarn and paper plate</a> Another craft as a pre-sewing activity. Punch holes in a paper plate and have her make a design with yarn colors. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Spaghetti painting. I have been waiting to do this for a couple of years now. Make spaghetti and let the kids dip it in paint and paint with it. It is clearly the messiest thing in the whole world, so I have to gear up but I think it could be really fun. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>Shaving cream designs. Cheap shaving cream and a cookie sheet. Let them have some sensory play. I was thinking of filling up the water table with it too, see what happens. </li>
<li><a href="http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2012/01/fun-with-a-marble-run/" target="_blank">Tube wall. </a>I have seen this a couple of times now, using tubes from paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls. Using paint tape you position the tubes all over and some what connecting. Then roll marbles or other small balls through them. <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li>4th July crafts and World Cup crafts! The World Cup is serious in our house. So there will be more to come for this item, but for now the idea is watch, play, dream soccer and add a few kid crafts to the even <i><b>rain</b></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dinosaurworld.com/" target="_blank"> Dinosaur World</a> a Florida delight! I think. I want to know. $15 for adults, $12 for 3 and older. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.oldmcmickys.com/" target="_blank">Old Mickey's Farm</a> This is a local farm with farm animals. You can visit there for the day. Milk cows, pet goats, you know your average farm visit activities. $20 for me and Lydia, Vivian is still free.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-76809184659304196392014-04-14T13:14:00.002-04:002014-04-14T14:10:48.163-04:00And We are DONE!<a href="http://spiritualmayatravels.blogspot.com/2013/04/our-summer-park-quest-begins.html" target="_blank">April 11 marked the one year anniversary of our Park Quest</a>. After reading some inspirational outdoor articles, we decided to venture to visit as many parks in the area as possible, the first goal was 50 between April and August. This goal quickly evolved to as many as we could over the course of a year.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Cudr7s9M2_W_v8JTmEtVKDoMX-WOuVeJc2cXYOZ9TFehCf3-q-k_0R3CTtQWaMaymboRLvHgKz8A1KPbTfiippOSpUDMKaYUeErPxwVQs9HbOrqZ_GTssoLIYiWL6qcTZTFuyiYvdBI/s1600/photo+(94).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Cudr7s9M2_W_v8JTmEtVKDoMX-WOuVeJc2cXYOZ9TFehCf3-q-k_0R3CTtQWaMaymboRLvHgKz8A1KPbTfiippOSpUDMKaYUeErPxwVQs9HbOrqZ_GTssoLIYiWL6qcTZTFuyiYvdBI/s1600/photo+(94).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crescent Lake </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i><u>This is what we learned:</u></i></b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>There was no way to get 50 parks in 4 months unless both of us would have been unemployed and wanted to do nothing else but go to parks. We covered 36 parks in one year which breaks down to about 3 parks a month. Even that was tough. Imagine there are 4 weekends in every month, if we only went on weekends, which we didn't but that could have been an activity planned for 75% of weekend time in one month.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH2ollILly-IeOm0SMUXlNQnMbF26vUqFPdH4_cMX9tqGAkNuS3DeNT0t3R2bbXyu_mr48J3DD8Je2JOVjzal2D0DhPG92mG_pMOsG5jGB8NiVkYraMhVoB7SdJtwUc8T3_jgu80rRd0/s1600/photo+(79).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH2ollILly-IeOm0SMUXlNQnMbF26vUqFPdH4_cMX9tqGAkNuS3DeNT0t3R2bbXyu_mr48J3DD8Je2JOVjzal2D0DhPG92mG_pMOsG5jGB8NiVkYraMhVoB7SdJtwUc8T3_jgu80rRd0/s1600/photo+(79).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert Whitted Airport Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Not all parks are created equal. Based on my experience I can say that the city of St. Petersburg seems to work hard on maintaining these community spaces, but if you have just one afternoon in the area there are several parks I would recommend over others. The definition of park is even different for each consumer. As a young family a park usually has a playground, but for a hiker, runner or biker a park has a host of trails to explore, or perhaps for a tourist may just want to sit and see the water. I can provide lists for each of these. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjccZPtSdRd05-Ot7mT7LtAbUNXlDK54cEXN59sP_kXbFqR8Eg2N4PdhggoJzD3bPlH8X5VexwjInEM1PbwqaXsX-mMhg_I9rnwbMhtKYgZLR460OgHwbLv2UVEmSsDOV8Belbz7Tyz8/s1600/vislidemb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjccZPtSdRd05-Ot7mT7LtAbUNXlDK54cEXN59sP_kXbFqR8Eg2N4PdhggoJzD3bPlH8X5VexwjInEM1PbwqaXsX-mMhg_I9rnwbMhtKYgZLR460OgHwbLv2UVEmSsDOV8Belbz7Tyz8/s1600/vislidemb.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myrtle Beach City Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Sand sucks unless on a beach. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpv7NVdXjBkxRqCgm6b-6gzxnAEvAxeARTGgHCkhp9KS2KgLIzruA144QkYV9CtOzdz_nrMAiBcvb9xcF0CmKLBNmwnOkC1bhNz0ihGqxyakTiK36S-qNyje8W9GGCKxdTRzk1DascBY/s1600/me+and+viv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpv7NVdXjBkxRqCgm6b-6gzxnAEvAxeARTGgHCkhp9KS2KgLIzruA144QkYV9CtOzdz_nrMAiBcvb9xcF0CmKLBNmwnOkC1bhNz0ihGqxyakTiK36S-qNyje8W9GGCKxdTRzk1DascBY/s1600/me+and+viv.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northshore Park </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Fenced in playgrounds are great for parents who want to zone out. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3jKwo6DqtNVljwIN7EI-RlI2da_GWiMKnBz1Zkvtkw9ZpEwWxpYQtEglxHuhTf4lTdy8gSJPdn0U0Yt_GnqW2LGI_3os7AufcZr0fUXWplS9hFsIDOIGK6jnNo9yixFwamIE7CZvYgE/s1600/photo+(113).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3jKwo6DqtNVljwIN7EI-RlI2da_GWiMKnBz1Zkvtkw9ZpEwWxpYQtEglxHuhTf4lTdy8gSJPdn0U0Yt_GnqW2LGI_3os7AufcZr0fUXWplS9hFsIDOIGK6jnNo9yixFwamIE7CZvYgE/s1600/photo+(113).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Straub Park for Tree Lighting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Always take water or a drink with you. I can't remember if all the parks have water fountains but I don't recommend using the ones I do remember. Creatures live in these parts.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkhWcx4AYH8YVgxREfhGsBj-vxGX1H_AU-rDqNHciOkfx-3_BXhxrFQwtMhnCP8svS-DUV4AgFsSwMGhQrfkixsfGtcbf1PEPZVOQYAWP8oe2vJXAV_pCSSCglHpaqzJGR6SrZ8JVeFg/s1600/the+girls+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkhWcx4AYH8YVgxREfhGsBj-vxGX1H_AU-rDqNHciOkfx-3_BXhxrFQwtMhnCP8svS-DUV4AgFsSwMGhQrfkixsfGtcbf1PEPZVOQYAWP8oe2vJXAV_pCSSCglHpaqzJGR6SrZ8JVeFg/s1600/the+girls+park.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippe Park in Safety Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Don't be afraid to drive a little longer to see something new. We live such rushed lives that if we carve in time to go to a park, we tend to go to the closest because it's easiest when in fact there may be something new to do just minutes a way. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY36kbSLugrdJF-Fe5EqvFhio3mvZreC6DnMW76yamJ1WkEnsYqZ-VbxAueSUJIEmwr_8Xbivt8VBBFBssfam-BndmrI9pBc5nN5EfO9G_TRYq9qAQuzhq3S-IE0_0Fuo3_8pBxb8x1o/s1600/park10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY36kbSLugrdJF-Fe5EqvFhio3mvZreC6DnMW76yamJ1WkEnsYqZ-VbxAueSUJIEmwr_8Xbivt8VBBFBssfam-BndmrI9pBc5nN5EfO9G_TRYq9qAQuzhq3S-IE0_0Fuo3_8pBxb8x1o/s1600/park10.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammock Park in Dunedin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>There is a ton more to see!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczTIZp-sxok8KTLRjCvNtzRHKNAeR5-oT0jMohvMiZtPoclI5nhDqRrd66Yru4Px6fNB8jVhuo5cUA6JFMeMMqGi_otS743ZK73d2lAMzbmijTMZzRdlHKwtJSVbYIAdWnascHJpbeRU/s1600/photo+(117).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczTIZp-sxok8KTLRjCvNtzRHKNAeR5-oT0jMohvMiZtPoclI5nhDqRrd66Yru4Px6fNB8jVhuo5cUA6JFMeMMqGi_otS743ZK73d2lAMzbmijTMZzRdlHKwtJSVbYIAdWnascHJpbeRU/s1600/photo+(117).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyd Hill in St. Petersburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ol>
We are so lucky to live in a truly gorgeous part of the country. The weather, of course, is typically amazing, so even on the coldest of days it is great to be outside and we have a ton of options to chose from in the Tampa Bay area. Even though the Park Quest itself is complete, I will continue to share new parks when we get to them, one at a time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-38551284432144903092014-04-14T11:54:00.000-04:002014-04-14T11:54:51.863-04:00Boyd Hill Nature PreserveAs a child this place was home to a lot of my memories. This is where I remember going on library field trips. This is where I pet my first snake and saw my first bee hive. I was not the kid that chased frogs in the mud, but I thought they were cool and pretty much every creepy crawly bug thing I can think of was in a small science center at Boyd Hill. I was excited to be there on Saturday and it had been clearly a long time since I had been in the building itself, because when we went inside, the library was gone. Apparently, it has been gone for 15 years, a true surprise to me. The lovely volunteer behind the counter, though gentle was amused by my dismay. Even though, change is always had, the new and improved <a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/boyd-hill.html" target="_blank">all nature center </a>was very well done. They clearly have school come in for programs so there are a couple of classrooms.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1n9fNQuziWomoKJoUNfCvKHrreBn6CsNthqNYcaoYPSLu4rUs2b_7BdKNxm0vuff0BvRDXfSz3dtrBuI_MVTIkgAof3ipBYcmcUw4_AR3gQitduqGz4BKU3j6gynhzOjyiiBNxOP_bY/s1600/photo+(119).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1n9fNQuziWomoKJoUNfCvKHrreBn6CsNthqNYcaoYPSLu4rUs2b_7BdKNxm0vuff0BvRDXfSz3dtrBuI_MVTIkgAof3ipBYcmcUw4_AR3gQitduqGz4BKU3j6gynhzOjyiiBNxOP_bY/s1600/photo+(119).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We paid $3 for each adult to get in, so for a family of 4 a total of $6 was not bad. This allowed inside the actual nature center to see various displays, touch and play with several areas and have access to the several trail preserves. Inside we got to see and pet a tarantula, see several turtles, frogs and the biggest toad I have ever seen in my entire life. Outside there was an aviary sanctuary. There were several interesting rare birds to see up close since most were birds of prey. We walked around a couple of the short trails which were perfect for our kids attention spans. Afterwards we walked through the butterfly garden and saw the metal sculpture in the trees which really has been there since I was a child.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnhyhFhhRJEH8j_3Sthla53XRvoQVPvOoHexSawlF-OSLxW70fVHIjbkMU6qRbvMnx4NGw-c_OdMv5rWyhHKlt_DvD8Z2wIjpelv_puLOeXAohF1SKmUC8vZipG9RSkfnK9ne2f6Gbt0/s1600/photo+%2528118%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnhyhFhhRJEH8j_3Sthla53XRvoQVPvOoHexSawlF-OSLxW70fVHIjbkMU6qRbvMnx4NGw-c_OdMv5rWyhHKlt_DvD8Z2wIjpelv_puLOeXAohF1SKmUC8vZipG9RSkfnK9ne2f6Gbt0/s1600/photo+%2528118%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6gTbuuPvUz6KPoU_-1VmThiToOjllJpFeguexNNNFBhLv9JDLM2lBTIHYHEINkRTC6ah5oXESbwQPmwc5FDzJ_qGZEt0n7Cngaog6f0Y1Fr6naBLf8nS_BSr7B6xHEqmZzFZpavfQ8I/s1600/photo+%2528120%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6gTbuuPvUz6KPoU_-1VmThiToOjllJpFeguexNNNFBhLv9JDLM2lBTIHYHEINkRTC6ah5oXESbwQPmwc5FDzJ_qGZEt0n7Cngaog6f0Y1Fr6naBLf8nS_BSr7B6xHEqmZzFZpavfQ8I/s1600/photo+%2528120%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The park was full of small kids and families some attending birthday parties since this was a gorgeous Saturday morning. We went to the playground which Vivian was obsessed with and once again I was reminded that it used to be a huge wooden structure that must have over time just fell to pieces. Now it is a traditional strong playground equipment. There is a smaller one near the picnic tables which Lydia declared was the perfect playground. I think because she was able to play on every element without help from me. There is also a little area that has a stage and benches which my girls loved.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicIRrdRgRPvIK6oG9NtGOZ-qEKTTWaHlQ8HfKsAGZnNbUk3G_mlau53F8wk6V2wjpZH06t39L3c4LCOZCTXIL9ePsyD7E_iz0d83VtBDTfzwWdjIbdBrLV6fPX_WbIZ-6l4oEZ-JJdLU/s1600/photo+%2528115%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicIRrdRgRPvIK6oG9NtGOZ-qEKTTWaHlQ8HfKsAGZnNbUk3G_mlau53F8wk6V2wjpZH06t39L3c4LCOZCTXIL9ePsyD7E_iz0d83VtBDTfzwWdjIbdBrLV6fPX_WbIZ-6l4oEZ-JJdLU/s1600/photo+%2528115%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUb1HUWgu4hHhTouDkqjgldGLPwVX5lxdDUHOYZF-l85sNIXvnJhiAmNrRYcHFTDe0sJjvUFhs-TrDSSHJb77YsCkMAioLXA33exnSui2M20n92X_ApQ8BzmY1rYtBtfPyGv4xgVfyBY/s1600/photo+%2528116%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUb1HUWgu4hHhTouDkqjgldGLPwVX5lxdDUHOYZF-l85sNIXvnJhiAmNrRYcHFTDe0sJjvUFhs-TrDSSHJb77YsCkMAioLXA33exnSui2M20n92X_ApQ8BzmY1rYtBtfPyGv4xgVfyBY/s1600/photo+%2528116%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CW8H3lE-bwspOOk8fE3K99gJXNrHsn2L-KMsvnyOZz9dPd0ADOZcuL-64ilLOHrXMtgKCCQhCQaeSDJRIj6ed-oifJPsUOVwHLtKVJUB2_3dum2DNvsBPuihc-RKR48fwGZOWRATACc/s1600/photo+%2528117%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CW8H3lE-bwspOOk8fE3K99gJXNrHsn2L-KMsvnyOZz9dPd0ADOZcuL-64ilLOHrXMtgKCCQhCQaeSDJRIj6ed-oifJPsUOVwHLtKVJUB2_3dum2DNvsBPuihc-RKR48fwGZOWRATACc/s1600/photo+%2528117%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The girls loved it and we could have spent all day there running around. Next time we may bring a picnic. There is also a ton of programs the center offers for young children, some<a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/pdfs/Monthly_Flyers/BHNP-MonthlyFlyer.pdf" target="_blank"> during the week</a> and others are for <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1285686108"></span>summer camp.</a> The edge of this preserve is right up next to <a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/lake-maggiore-park.html" target="_blank">Lake Maggiore</a>, which also has picnic tables and playground space. It is a rich nature corner of the city of St. Petersburg.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-4980013938129101962014-04-07T14:02:00.000-04:002014-04-07T14:02:27.584-04:00Northeast St. Pete Parks: A Hidden GemOn the Eastside of town, East of Fourth street down 62nd avenue north there are two parks seemingly on opposites of the road, both of which have a unique role for the neighborhood. However, the <a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/northeast-park.html" target="_blank">Northeast Park </a>really could either be enveloped by Mangrove Gulf Club or could be considered the second campus to <a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/jack-puryear-park.html" target="_blank">Puyear Park</a>. At this point in my park travel I create additional unnecessary narratives to make sense of some of the choices that are made about the proximity of certain parks or the distribution of resources the city may have. Northeast Park is basically a baseball complex with a playground to entertain younger kids, while Puyear Park has a lot more going on, but primary it's the soccer center for this part of town. The <a href="http://www.northeastraiders.org/" target="_blank">Raiders Soccer Club</a> meet on these fields and there were at least 4-5 games going on at one time while were there plus various other practices. Thus the age old debate of baseball versus soccer, I know where I stand, do you?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxy3eY-T2I_NOxIk4OMtiHN3feMUzWZJPnb2Q8gfb_HIIAqvUh-JEUdQZINHluknCloGvnz6CauL_rGVdWTYREBAx4K24bp88iFtKlBDVB9n9ffBXK91jfABDJknyfwm7DwiJiBCyVaYg/s1600/image+(6).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxy3eY-T2I_NOxIk4OMtiHN3feMUzWZJPnb2Q8gfb_HIIAqvUh-JEUdQZINHluknCloGvnz6CauL_rGVdWTYREBAx4K24bp88iFtKlBDVB9n9ffBXK91jfABDJknyfwm7DwiJiBCyVaYg/s1600/image+(6).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Kidding of course, we intended to go to Northeast Park because we had never been there, but when we arrive the parking lot was being repaved and the baseball families' cars were lined up and down the street. What appeared as an already small parking lot was empty with new tar and the small street was filled. My guess is that is always filled but on this night it just happen to be worse. There is a small playground that we didn't play on because it was too much to navigate and not to diminish it's quite possibility delightful play opportunity, we didn't stop to play. It appeared to be a very standard small playground that is fenced in which does help if a parent's attention is else where like a baseball game.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aTbZKuHoVUgTtuLYlsHbXd4rpxHLE_kjxz7fTlrCdYkO0LZJltx2evrVs3dIzJjeiqEUsMRpoEUHwtdTeChanpTdHAU8JwkmwvWaQE-ni6xp99B1utY28XGRo6e_RLLo1W6bNKpKDoQ/s1600/image+(9).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aTbZKuHoVUgTtuLYlsHbXd4rpxHLE_kjxz7fTlrCdYkO0LZJltx2evrVs3dIzJjeiqEUsMRpoEUHwtdTeChanpTdHAU8JwkmwvWaQE-ni6xp99B1utY28XGRo6e_RLLo1W6bNKpKDoQ/s1600/image+(9).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-P7bm-L5cnj92HYAWQDzBr0e5z_kbaDmPJslFO2jsINByCoVnQsrwBMdDfIOvqISvsXE28HpjnzCsb_EoSl-AgDJqFm6HtkzK9xjN7I9kswW39HDkaqkGr8AaXA-zbnRLDuqN-knrAA/s1600/image+(8).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-P7bm-L5cnj92HYAWQDzBr0e5z_kbaDmPJslFO2jsINByCoVnQsrwBMdDfIOvqISvsXE28HpjnzCsb_EoSl-AgDJqFm6HtkzK9xjN7I9kswW39HDkaqkGr8AaXA-zbnRLDuqN-knrAA/s1600/image+(8).jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Puyear Park was filled with the community participating in many activities, soccer being only one of them. There are great tennis courts there which are always full and commonly the host of tennis lessons, even I took lessons there as an adult about 4 years ago. There were a couple of men playing racquetball and Puyear even has a Jai-lai cancha which I haven't seen since I was very young and my cousin was a pro player in the Tampa league. In addition to odd walking trails and picnic shelters there was a playground.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY1XGA5U5njzZD4v7btTjtFtdZ-O8UxsPNj6tZ78zjks8emHt5DDTqTLUGbfge0mmlmX_e1Qf-BLsNdWbmMrjr9LL32T7i6zr94_0RDSwFjgsZ2bNm2HKpjWBhAKcRJ5OkFy8uQ64oCU/s1600/image+(11).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY1XGA5U5njzZD4v7btTjtFtdZ-O8UxsPNj6tZ78zjks8emHt5DDTqTLUGbfge0mmlmX_e1Qf-BLsNdWbmMrjr9LL32T7i6zr94_0RDSwFjgsZ2bNm2HKpjWBhAKcRJ5OkFy8uQ64oCU/s1600/image+(11).jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
There are lots of open fields, a concession stand and parking placed in multiple areas of the park to access the thing you'd like to do without having to cross the whole park to get there. I mentioned there was a playground. The playground is fenced in which is always a thumbs up, but it's built on sand. Now we had a bit of a debate about this par. Eliot loved it, mostly because the girls really enjoyed playing on it. It was a 5-12 year old recommended play space but there was enough for Vivi as a 20 month old to access herself. But for me the sand is a real downer. Sand gets everywhere. Always. As soon as you take off a shoe or pick up a kid and up them in the car seat you see that playground pour out of them. The other anti-sand thing is there is always a kid that decides to pick up the sand and throw it. Always. This happened on this day. His parent was watching soccer and his older brother which may have been 5 to his 3 was calling the shots. Putting the ubiquitous sand issue to the side, I felt that the playground was a little faded and not so awesome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKd70ffQxO2GXzrwoNsjJ-ER6voeoj7D8W4RuebaDCBq0Pqq_f2DndB0U_C27knWAH8hB3WwU1BWKj_yJ5UFLtT3oEimB-PEvd-4ch1w91cyk0BCCr6qiA_bDlWRwT8zAt75tXsfa6WQ/s1600/image+(7).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKd70ffQxO2GXzrwoNsjJ-ER6voeoj7D8W4RuebaDCBq0Pqq_f2DndB0U_C27knWAH8hB3WwU1BWKj_yJ5UFLtT3oEimB-PEvd-4ch1w91cyk0BCCr6qiA_bDlWRwT8zAt75tXsfa6WQ/s1600/image+(7).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
What I will say for Puyear Park it has something for everyone in the family. I imagine bringing the girls to soccer practice and playing a little tennis with Eliot a couple years from now. You can sit and have picnic lunch while the kids are on the playground safely tucked in by the fence surroundings. It's a lovely park for sure. Puyear is the hidden gem.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-73475732504582694472014-04-04T10:03:00.001-04:002014-04-04T10:04:22.366-04:00Totally Awesome Cheap Kid BackyardSlowly we have been working on our backyard. It is small. We are lucky enough to have a pool but it's actually positioned in the middle of our house. This was a really highlight for me, because I always thought that the girls would be able to play in our backyard without worry of the pool. The swampland of our backyard and drainage issues, have been a significant hurdle. Over the last year, we have been working on that. After two years, we can hang out in our backyard. I have diligently been looking at Pinterest for various ideas on what to do in small spaces that is inexpensive and kid oriented.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fNKPqG9wHH04J-kl0JFnKLdlB3TJn83bfIbp5NZbH5wwT9kFAhvM_vUMOfogLVlH5C_hjgM_UFfZ29BYclZahd0091lEt-YcIuGxw3LdeDL2pTdKlcPV7DeXGl8Iddk0jCtI6-WC23I/s1600/image+(4).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fNKPqG9wHH04J-kl0JFnKLdlB3TJn83bfIbp5NZbH5wwT9kFAhvM_vUMOfogLVlH5C_hjgM_UFfZ29BYclZahd0091lEt-YcIuGxw3LdeDL2pTdKlcPV7DeXGl8Iddk0jCtI6-WC23I/s1600/image+(4).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
First of all, I wanted them to have a play set of some kind. We were looking at many different types, but with a small space it's hard to really know what to do. I kept my eye on Craigslist. I knew we didn't want to spend a lot of money and the wooden play-sets are expensive. On the low end, they are close to $600. I found a relatively small one for $100. We went and measure it, then Eliot and his dad went took it apart in chunks and put it back together in our yard. We purchased a couple new swings, new screws and bolts and added a coat of wood finish to protect it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LXC-WvUdls3lOpTNpMmf2sXsTuN3eKzYEcyPuoQaKDGNgbgFBLCqbD3gxvvF6Ap_y7dmac2jlwywc6niMFn18c4tzsNVG2OfwDFCsrTgTZfbWdYayPrT8QyJaoCxLBVFP8v8K4HkQ10/s1600/image+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LXC-WvUdls3lOpTNpMmf2sXsTuN3eKzYEcyPuoQaKDGNgbgFBLCqbD3gxvvF6Ap_y7dmac2jlwywc6niMFn18c4tzsNVG2OfwDFCsrTgTZfbWdYayPrT8QyJaoCxLBVFP8v8K4HkQ10/s1600/image+%25281%2529.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The playhouses were a similar story. These things are crazy expensive brand new, some of them range close to $400, even the second hand stores were selling them for $200 which technically is half price. I just looked on Craigslist for almost 8 weeks. I found one that was terribly beat down, everything faded for $20, I spray painted it <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-colorful-inspired-backyard-p-149159" target="_blank">bright solid colors</a> and it looks lovely. We found the other one for $30 in really great condition.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai2v81DlrfxR3ZPpB-OseeW1ehOCgTUrhEqok0ITYVxz-eX1HUsPNGN9B9xYyJViEceH5FfS4SecwuuQoj2bpuQ18mttNLyQGYW16WfbzOUktNaf9EzLjexf_PCwpeBgCKDa3xDTj-eE/s1600/image+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai2v81DlrfxR3ZPpB-OseeW1ehOCgTUrhEqok0ITYVxz-eX1HUsPNGN9B9xYyJViEceH5FfS4SecwuuQoj2bpuQ18mttNLyQGYW16WfbzOUktNaf9EzLjexf_PCwpeBgCKDa3xDTj-eE/s1600/image+%25283%2529.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The sand boxes were also second hand and so was the kid picnic table my in-laws got the girls which is great to outdoor mess activities and fun lunches. I placed the old play kitchen outside as a mud pie station for the future, when I am ready to commit to a mud day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh218ME8voRytJqUL8fzbvE9_DXDdw_renSrVjkTvRPeb6bKD5qZ1rBWGrIY_76v7EEHeiz1g6KKJZPtD669Z6CXiR4xrwVW-dZvTzZGPGPMLGIw4dkymu_szNmsdW66JAnDA0_Wn_uXE/s1600/image+%25285%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh218ME8voRytJqUL8fzbvE9_DXDdw_renSrVjkTvRPeb6bKD5qZ1rBWGrIY_76v7EEHeiz1g6KKJZPtD669Z6CXiR4xrwVW-dZvTzZGPGPMLGIw4dkymu_szNmsdW66JAnDA0_Wn_uXE/s1600/image+%25285%2529.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4nowNLxADbinX5_1J-E5dMACaQvtl3jFj5XfHHm8DVd7-28pUIez_kVfW9hB5oH44sMp0y-istf_rUuFOLnuanMWry63ouHvNK582IEiQQ_xagBwRE97L5J3peIYBvClsmXn-FPD3Ws/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4nowNLxADbinX5_1J-E5dMACaQvtl3jFj5XfHHm8DVd7-28pUIez_kVfW9hB5oH44sMp0y-istf_rUuFOLnuanMWry63ouHvNK582IEiQQ_xagBwRE97L5J3peIYBvClsmXn-FPD3Ws/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
On Pinterest I saw a couple of really easy things that I knew I needed to do. One was spray painting stepping stones. We had a stack that happen to come with the house, so I just used the extra spray paint I had to rainbow it up. The girls love those things, more than I would have guessed. They jump from one to the next over and over. I also saw a<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/outdoor-chalkboard-reader-proj-124426" target="_blank"> chalkboard </a>screwed to the fence which seemed adorable to me. Most of the links lead to really complex and expensive directions for this project. My original plan was to go to Home Depot and purchase chalkboard paint and a piece of wood which roughly would have been about $50, then we found a pre-made chalkboard. It is about 4 feet by 2 feet and it was being sold as an outdoor sign option, it was $9.97. We pre-drilled the holes and attached it to the fence. I added a dollar store bucket with rope next to it, we drilled a couple of holes in that too and poof $11 for the same effect. We figured for this price point, we could replace it in the future if we wanted with very little effort or even add another one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ5iM5MuO-qQt8qUAE0Zk89Uj3eUkJegpgY9-AN63SThnhg9L8UXdbbriY3zVi0DwnRdgK9OiPrImQQK9PGCzDYGA5rgjySg5o2-COVlYQrJBq4Fc3Cnl3MfnB4M4DiyhttIgf5OYR4M/s1600/fairy+garden+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ5iM5MuO-qQt8qUAE0Zk89Uj3eUkJegpgY9-AN63SThnhg9L8UXdbbriY3zVi0DwnRdgK9OiPrImQQK9PGCzDYGA5rgjySg5o2-COVlYQrJBq4Fc3Cnl3MfnB4M4DiyhttIgf5OYR4M/s1600/fairy+garden+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The piece that I was most excited about was the<a href="http://underthetuliptree.typepad.com/under-the-tulip-tree/2010/04/a-different-kind-of-garden.html" target="_blank"> fairy garden. </a>I was going to wait until the summer, but decided why not now. I planted a couple of herbs which I have been wanting to do for a long while and bought a couple of dollar flowers. I let Lydia pick them out. The bucket was a Walmart find for $5 (meant for a drink container at parties I drilled holes in the bottom) which was a fourth of the price of some of the flower pots that I was looking at. At Walmart I found a Fairy Garden kit which I could pass up for $12. We planted the flowers together, she added all the kit elements, and daddy moved it to the back yard so we could take care of it. I hope for her to make a fairy house this summer to add to it too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDYk_JjJNJ8_MxZ_VQLjmU3tvzLTCC6shi_RCp8sCOnkZXJRSG5mq5lioWNHaiUk0cS51MqPxH7Uz5XCDJL-kUx42v1wwX_Yqg1bQk53P7Lz6cj8jIN0GI77M6QVzHw-S8-u60JagqqI/s1600/fairy+garden+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDYk_JjJNJ8_MxZ_VQLjmU3tvzLTCC6shi_RCp8sCOnkZXJRSG5mq5lioWNHaiUk0cS51MqPxH7Uz5XCDJL-kUx42v1wwX_Yqg1bQk53P7Lz6cj8jIN0GI77M6QVzHw-S8-u60JagqqI/s1600/fairy+garden+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jaRT3Pq55HOf56Sm_OMN2COxaRCry2Cghn2OWKZ2-r5VMrviTjQTZ8YlMw2d5-HXS7lV9FcaLuEq08XvEv3szpnXmKSaPB-KftiAyFjer-NDG_BT2wEfR1N12FOO8svssruKA9K-14Q/s1600/fairy+garden+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jaRT3Pq55HOf56Sm_OMN2COxaRCry2Cghn2OWKZ2-r5VMrviTjQTZ8YlMw2d5-HXS7lV9FcaLuEq08XvEv3szpnXmKSaPB-KftiAyFjer-NDG_BT2wEfR1N12FOO8svssruKA9K-14Q/s1600/fairy+garden+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
That is basically it. I found $1 buckets and bowls at the dollar store to stick in the cubies of some old shelves that were laying around outside anyway so I put them on their sides. The buckets have shovels, some have rocks, some have other sand toys but they are to be played with as they see fit. The grown up part of the yard at this point is just a couple of chairs and umbrella for the sun and a fire pit for the evenings. Eventually we would like to add a couple more chairs and the hammock we bought on our honeymoon that we have never hung up. Right now this is a great play space and I am so excited to be able to open the backdoor and not worry about them. They can play while I get dinner ready. They can play while I work on the computer right inside. It's ideal. A great fun space for less than $300 including paints and additional accessories.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-47016798680128106902014-04-03T14:54:00.002-04:002014-04-04T10:04:34.899-04:00Dunedin ParksSpring Break is a time to skip in fields, climb trees and play in playgrounds. Since we had sometime off we decided to take advantage and head a little further north than we normally do to a part of Pinellas. Since I have been on the park quest I wanted to go to these two parks in Dunedin that appeared to be huge and pretty impressive. <a href="http://www.hammockpark.org/" target="_blank">Hammock Par</a>k has 90 acres of land, a plethora of walking trails, playground area and even a butterfly garden. <a href="http://dunedin.patch.com/listings/highlander-park" target="_blank">Highlander Park</a> only a street away has the largest Splash Park in the county and 70 acres of land, my imagination was dancing with the possibilities of these places.<br />
<br />
Sadly, I was a little underwhelmed perhaps it was the fact that my expectations were been blown way out of proportion but the website alone for Hammock Park was significant in contrast a hard to find entrance. We started by going to Highlander Park. The playground was position right next to the splash park which was really great. The splash park was huge, fenced in and provided several shaded benches for parents. The playground had some unique features which is always the key to a well liked park by my girls. Even though the city of Dunedin website had a brief description of the park on their website there wasn't any more information, for example, what is on the rest of the 70 acres property. There are hiking trails and that one needed to walk around to find because they were not labeled significantly from the playground area. If you were a visitor, as we were, you would not know what else there was at this park. There were a couple of fields, courts and such. My girls found these fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlFXfky8fEq9oJYM0Y0EcBseqjR-KnzEQOGtCGeHgNN-FJdP0Z1PgsNJAWX8ITs-_CD9tAsGT-XTA5DEC5YeAXSHlHGHTENTk8LEoekEEhGbkwof6prOqJOF3QNhtBfAZWqxGEZMSNYY/s1600/park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlFXfky8fEq9oJYM0Y0EcBseqjR-KnzEQOGtCGeHgNN-FJdP0Z1PgsNJAWX8ITs-_CD9tAsGT-XTA5DEC5YeAXSHlHGHTENTk8LEoekEEhGbkwof6prOqJOF3QNhtBfAZWqxGEZMSNYY/s1600/park.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmJeZBVggBuoEzu0X0zXIi96js9KKU-oSGj2UqM3aUmcjD5g63gEi-BkHCBXh7z3u2pSYZW-IEHaXuFnyleF5qIMVylvreEJByORT76aMWnF-8Ere4vA3XdrSQlkh8raadwpD5__b08s/s1600/park3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmJeZBVggBuoEzu0X0zXIi96js9KKU-oSGj2UqM3aUmcjD5g63gEi-BkHCBXh7z3u2pSYZW-IEHaXuFnyleF5qIMVylvreEJByORT76aMWnF-8Ere4vA3XdrSQlkh8raadwpD5__b08s/s1600/park3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZN30dAGDpBUnE_ynS9viWTjflvx6muK0Zb-oC2Q1-ajIY9v2SFbzwIin3iQnDZYRnb5XdfXaq2nOzE5LpVIB_lIjk_9CFEBxUr0FRFzJrx8985KopkVekAfYTkqxXIGlWETJ4gjS6so/s1600/park4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZN30dAGDpBUnE_ynS9viWTjflvx6muK0Zb-oC2Q1-ajIY9v2SFbzwIin3iQnDZYRnb5XdfXaq2nOzE5LpVIB_lIjk_9CFEBxUr0FRFzJrx8985KopkVekAfYTkqxXIGlWETJ4gjS6so/s1600/park4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Pl0Mxr-8e-fRvrIX33FIo3C_9-MpZOtfj83zM4zOmjeIVyTjKoFpiqZkuJZ4hr_lPBr954VabLiT_aNGqNF1nrirBGcERH_uJ605s9SOF3Vd4TOZhR-uo106mvIJ3EP3z5NcKM7DOZU/s1600/park5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Pl0Mxr-8e-fRvrIX33FIo3C_9-MpZOtfj83zM4zOmjeIVyTjKoFpiqZkuJZ4hr_lPBr954VabLiT_aNGqNF1nrirBGcERH_uJ605s9SOF3Vd4TOZhR-uo106mvIJ3EP3z5NcKM7DOZU/s1600/park5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0jI1zaXDFpHszubclaSOFIfQcwuGq1xDEnXuPUAb7wlqXC3qpcsAtv_rhMpZSpSkActgz9sh5l4rjaP5ozd6vftFNKg9ldmPLYOQ-9qaihsbU5OcPQywM6HuMChmXnm-4gM9BZ-SuyE/s1600/park2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0jI1zaXDFpHszubclaSOFIfQcwuGq1xDEnXuPUAb7wlqXC3qpcsAtv_rhMpZSpSkActgz9sh5l4rjaP5ozd6vftFNKg9ldmPLYOQ-9qaihsbU5OcPQywM6HuMChmXnm-4gM9BZ-SuyE/s1600/park2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yin_JW1gMbqY42IG-Klu3TXUsiMuT7CFzIamnf1tfYczvWHix8S-i7GFcH7aaTbxYHuBYDHfszdlobZ-7GxBT6-ZY6MiAbtnAYZ3v5TYUIF6m5KfbMK1iEb4kFtp8fk5ZIolu9NNcYo/s1600/park9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yin_JW1gMbqY42IG-Klu3TXUsiMuT7CFzIamnf1tfYczvWHix8S-i7GFcH7aaTbxYHuBYDHfszdlobZ-7GxBT6-ZY6MiAbtnAYZ3v5TYUIF6m5KfbMK1iEb4kFtp8fk5ZIolu9NNcYo/s1600/park9.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Since Hammock Park was right around the corner and we wanted to check out the Butterfly Garden we tore the girls away from the softball field and went on to the other part of our adventure. We followed the signs to Hammock Park. We found the entrance to the park which was an odd, road that ends into a dirt road by some run down service buildings. It turned out that one of those shacks was the front of the Butterfly Garden that clearly had not been kept up with. A sad area with overgrown plants that have already clearly been effected by the erratic hot and cold weather.<br />
<br />
There was a small climbing area that had been designated on the Internet map as a playground and several paths to follow for hikes. Right at the front of the property there was an old church that was built in 1888. It happened to be closed on the day we were there but it was adorable. It added to my series of disappointments.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL9dJmUpS4uGtXcCBquZW8Io_OKTCqxSTlhu-zmjYe-Q-vCmCvbjWLy3TfeSbUrx9hVw-8MoDjT18nBIdYejVAgWPjfW-7Eq8LLIyyxcrmQ0KwEKmx7CM0oIejFzoeoVNi16JHK45iGw/s1600/park6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL9dJmUpS4uGtXcCBquZW8Io_OKTCqxSTlhu-zmjYe-Q-vCmCvbjWLy3TfeSbUrx9hVw-8MoDjT18nBIdYejVAgWPjfW-7Eq8LLIyyxcrmQ0KwEKmx7CM0oIejFzoeoVNi16JHK45iGw/s1600/park6.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs__GYIR6WWcJW4wezhMyUeStNWhuKhg0nzzBoKzL_qQ6k-5FLmE9XX_XIaQ0V2gsXa_Oh9ZsxqLjs-bezfGyj54RUX5Pvg6_eI9ZWgBJhpwwbbiLkqJ2nINTpvxjqlF_6Mrpm51GXp-E/s1600/park7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs__GYIR6WWcJW4wezhMyUeStNWhuKhg0nzzBoKzL_qQ6k-5FLmE9XX_XIaQ0V2gsXa_Oh9ZsxqLjs-bezfGyj54RUX5Pvg6_eI9ZWgBJhpwwbbiLkqJ2nINTpvxjqlF_6Mrpm51GXp-E/s1600/park7.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWCV61bfzQVwOGc1Km98eqyIILPZmX_cZ1XI-DXh7yx5FF09KSQ4DsB4n2mwVEcPiXCzs6xx5TTeFVw9jW1hyJ6cjR_S8RCylJ_W58bGc_ATnUmmN3EcT32TE3h3gUHJjeItJJrvKG8A/s1600/park8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWCV61bfzQVwOGc1Km98eqyIILPZmX_cZ1XI-DXh7yx5FF09KSQ4DsB4n2mwVEcPiXCzs6xx5TTeFVw9jW1hyJ6cjR_S8RCylJ_W58bGc_ATnUmmN3EcT32TE3h3gUHJjeItJJrvKG8A/s1600/park8.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly Garden. We saw one. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH5v5NP4siV1LkeSdQVaP_n2KRiBGYFi6AdPyBDyNyWkzqKezteSDBlg7KqN_rkfP-HZ1B0rEWCcomD_657jNa-dJWS_bG3NyDoWZh3tRZNl57Xqci7Y03I4ROvyhipJJKHeh0_ES_MQ/s1600/park10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH5v5NP4siV1LkeSdQVaP_n2KRiBGYFi6AdPyBDyNyWkzqKezteSDBlg7KqN_rkfP-HZ1B0rEWCcomD_657jNa-dJWS_bG3NyDoWZh3tRZNl57Xqci7Y03I4ROvyhipJJKHeh0_ES_MQ/s1600/park10.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfjYcE1dl6ICh57R1Zx3dBtLi6mXgYB4nwcYapoCLmgY-C3Ms3VxJT-fErDBkjIn3Ae2wXHt6cWYxsLxHQKOWx2egEzIaaa5fM69I8_evjC2Ks8ywoufC1IgUk6yW4-GFBm0bBaM60P8/s1600/park11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfjYcE1dl6ICh57R1Zx3dBtLi6mXgYB4nwcYapoCLmgY-C3Ms3VxJT-fErDBkjIn3Ae2wXHt6cWYxsLxHQKOWx2egEzIaaa5fM69I8_evjC2Ks8ywoufC1IgUk6yW4-GFBm0bBaM60P8/s1600/park11.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Afterwards we went to<a href="http://www.britishdelicious.com/" target="_blank"> British Deli_cious</a> in downtown Dunedin which was adorable and cute. It was very kid friendly. There was a mom there with her two daughters having a tea park. It was quaint. The downtown area was great. We wanted to have lunch right by the marina but it wasn't terribly kid friendly. Though I was disappointed by the over all park experience the girls loved the playground at Highland and I am curious about the splash park even though I will never go up there since it is so far away. The rest of it must be designed for hikers, runners but for a Florida park that just seems silly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex_l0AZIA11RHBTUiNUS1gnnP0rXkJc3fQZClCw0uuvxpPcOyxwQZ2zszVtJpPb4F5YO-_Mys04y2nvKXbuvR9-zPlX7qDTSLZvqBNAFkQ0i3-AapFC6oU4arRNcj65BiJuap-B3W5gE/s1600/park13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex_l0AZIA11RHBTUiNUS1gnnP0rXkJc3fQZClCw0uuvxpPcOyxwQZ2zszVtJpPb4F5YO-_Mys04y2nvKXbuvR9-zPlX7qDTSLZvqBNAFkQ0i3-AapFC6oU4arRNcj65BiJuap-B3W5gE/s1600/park13.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-91514672223216415282014-04-03T11:30:00.001-04:002014-04-03T11:30:47.884-04:00Fossil Park<a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/fossil-park.html" target="_blank">Fossil Park</a> is really close to our house. I decided that the closer parks should be left until the end of our quest just because it would be easier to pop by them, so Fossil is about 2 miles from my house at the most. It is likely the most active park and community complex in the greater Pinellas area. There are SO many things going on there all of the time. The <a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/willis-johns-rec.html" target="_blank">Wilis S. Johns Community Center</a> offers classes from toddler ballet to English as a Second Language to Doggie Boot Camp. There is also a<a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/fossil-park-pool.html" target="_blank"> community pool </a>which offers swim classes during the summer months, plus lots of recreational hours for neighborhood kids.<br />
<br />
As a high school student, 20 years ago, this park was the place to pick up a game of basketball and clearly that is still the case.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/278.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_278.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
The converted a large section into a free fenced off skate park that always has someone improving their latest moves.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/279.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_279.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
They have recently upgraded the playgrounds. There was once 2 wooden playgrounds one designated for kids 2-5 and the other 5-12, however in the renovation process what they did was take done the dilapidated wooden structures and place a small playground in the front of the near the community center and more importantly near the baseball/softball fields. This community center has a very active and robust little league program and I imagine that younger siblings needed a place to play while games were going on, so the move makes sense.<br />
<br />
In what is the back of the park they assembled a new beautiful playground that is covered by natural shade and surrounded by many picnic tables. Somehow this park still manages to have green space for kids to run. The park is large has a dirt trail and small lake with ducks to feed. These ducks are less in number and are less aggressive then at other parks in the area.<br />
<br />
It is an easy park to get to for us but admittedly we don't go often. We usually chose <a href="http://spiritualmayatravels.blogspot.com/2013/05/crescent-lake-park.html" target="_blank">Crescent Lake</a> instead and as I think about it may be that busyness of this park that tends to turn me off. Also the park is right off of a very busy street and to get to the other side where the new more secluded playground is you have to go into a neighbor and park on the street, which on one hand doesn't seem that off putting but for some reason it is a slight deterrent. One thing is true, Fossil is an big part of the community and many other families have found it to be the heart of their neighborhood.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/280.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_280.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/281.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_281.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/17/287.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/17/s_287.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="187" /></a></center>
<br />
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-46215486668057379482014-03-12T08:49:00.000-04:002014-03-12T10:09:44.347-04:00Rio Vista ParkOur dear friends were lucky enough to move into a new home with a<a href="http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/rio-vista-park.html" target="_blank"> park right next </a>to it and behind it. We often call it their country house in the city. It is peaceful and quiet and lovely. I imagined that because of the oddity of where the space is located that it would be a less frequented area but that is not the case at all. The majority of the park is between two sets of houses. It is long and somewhat narrow. A bike/ running pass runs through it. It actually serves to connect other biking paths specifically together I think. The area is very woodsy. For our girls it was a hoot because they were able to ride their bikes, trikes and scooters for a bit and then run in the to get pine cones, play with swords (sticks to other people) and hide from forest monsters.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1600.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1600.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1601.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1601.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
It is very walk-able and safe. If you have a young child that does not like to be in a stroller or that may be a runner or both, this is a good park. There is nothing but the path and the woods. Towards the west end of the park there is a nice bridge that connects to parts of the neighborhood and a boardwalk that does the same both over a channel.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1602.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1602.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1603.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1603.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1604.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trolls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you continue through the park, on the east end, perhaps even considered the most accessible piece of the park, there is a fenced in construction area which will be the future home of Rio Vista Park. It used to be<a href="http://tbo.com/pinellas-county/site-of-former-st-petersburg-school-to-become-city-park-20131004/" target="_blank"> Rio Vista Elementary School </a>but the building was in bad shape and so they tore it down and it will now be a great size community park. The plans show a playground, exercise area, community garden and running trail. There will be some picnic shelters and a huge sized shelter that was already there that the city decided not to take down. The <a href="http://stpete.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/rio-vista-park-begins-to-take-shape" target="_blank">new portion of this park</a> should be ready by April.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1605.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1605.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621737499732660674.post-48464717590262877032014-03-12T08:26:00.002-04:002014-03-12T08:48:45.191-04:00Lake Seminole ParkWe found it. The greatest park ever. The other night we went to<a href="https://www.pinellascounty.org/park/08_Seminole.htm" target="_blank"> Lake Seminole Park</a> which is just down the street from us. What I mean by down the street it is located 9 miles from my house on Park Boulevard. We arrived in the early evening. As we traveled through the path inward the road led us straight to the bicycle and paddle boat rental area. Super excited about the possibilities of these vehicles we looked at the reasonable prices and were about to make a decision about renting when the young guy who looked and spoke as if he was right out Surfer World magazine, told us that they were about to close. The hours for rental were 11-5. It is now on our official "To Do" list.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1587.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1587.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1588.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1588.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
The playground was great. It had the two areas for big kids and little kids. The harder part of this is that Vivian really doesn't realize that she is little. She was tremendously demanding about getting on a ladder element that was way too hard for her. Matter of fact it was so awkwardly positioned that Eliot and I really couldn't help her do it. But she insisted until she was about to be on it for a minute.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1589.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1589.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1590.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1590.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1591.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1591.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
There are several lakes or ponds that are positioned around the park. Along side of those are wooden swings which I really love. We sat on one for a bit and enjoyed the sunset and snapped a couple of pictures.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1592.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1592.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1593.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1593.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
Afterwards we walked around a little and then hopped back in the car to see what else this expansive space had to offer. We found boat ramps, picnic shelters and another park area. Clearly there had been a party nearby because there was a lot of litter. Lydia kept asking what happened here and Vivian kept trying to pick things up and put them in the trash. What can I say we have clean kids. Mostly due to my clean mother and equally clean husband, plus a little of "everything in the right place makes you feel good" mom.<br />
<br />
However, the best element of the smaller play space was a good size climbing wall. There was another climbing apparatus but it wasn't fit for my girls. My one critique about public climbing walls is there never seems to be a section that is novice enough. I think it would be a good idea to label these things so you could walk up and know what you about to do.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1594.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1594.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1595.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1595.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
We were very impressed with Lake Seminole Park. We hoping to go back and ride the bikes and boats soon. It is always nice where there is something new to offer the community and we felt that this park did just that well element of new and interesting very well.<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/03/1596.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/03/s_1596.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0