This summer we’ve had rain, rain, and more rain! So what do you do when you have whole days indoors because it won’t stop raining. So what have we been doing when it’s too cold and rainy to hit the pool or the park?

Hit the local library, most have summer reading programs for kids with daily or weekly activities. There are also tons of books and magazines to browse through and talk about.
Go bowling! Many bowling alleys have discounted rates during summer weekdays, since it’s their slow time.
Go see a movie, there are several summer blockbusters for kids this year. …read more

I guess I can wish a happy 4th of July to everyone, since it does appear on everyone’s calendar, but I’ll wish a special Happy 4th to those of you from the U.S. out there.
After a busy weekend of festivals and fireworks, we’re looking forward to a cookout with our parents and kids for the day itself. Nothing too high key, and I think we can all use the break! However, if the kids get a little bored, I may have to look at some of these 4th of July themed crafts and activities.
Enchanted Learning
FamilyFun
Kaboose
DLTK
Hopefully, that’s …read more

We met some friends this week at a new park in our area. A friend (hi, friend ) was so excited to share this find with us and all the kids. And the kids had a blast!
Have you been to a spray park (I’ve also heard them called a “sprayground”), yet? They seem to be popping up at parks in this part of the state, with one even expected soon at the park next to our house. With large, colorful structures shooting water out in all directions, they are an exciting attraction to the …read more

Inspired by Hsien’s post on paper cranes, Bald Man surprised me with a flock of cranes as part of my Valentine’s Day gift. They were so beautiful, and I hear he had some help from cupid finding the right paper for the job (thanks, cupid ).
After folding eight of these cranes, he had all of the moves down for memory, and so he showed the kids and me how to fold our own cranes. We used construction paper for ours, and I could see why you would want a stronger paper for these …read more

One of our favorite yearly traditions is to take the kids out to Fulton Farms to pick their very own pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. It’s a fun lesson in finding out where our produce is actually produced. You mean it doesn’t just grow at the grocery store?
A foot covered in goo from stepping on a rotten pumpkin, an itchy bumpy hayride out to the fields, and wonderful memories of a fun day out with buddies on a crisp, chilly October day. It’s a great time.
We didn’t make it out to the actual field this year, as …read more

Hsien’s post of the Playground at Kew Gardens inspired me to bring along a camera to shoot a few photos while visiting a local park.
We live in a city that is trying to revitalize its image and its city life. We’re not a hotbed of activity yet, but a few improvements have made a difference in our lives. For instance, the kids and I were able to spend a day with friends enjoying the Children’s Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens, which is one of the local metroparks.