3 Ways to Avoid A Mid-Summer Meltdown

Tomorrow's heat index is supposed to be in the triple digits. Yep, it's July, so this type of weather is nothing new to the Philadelphia area. Yet, all of this heat and humidity is getting to me, and I don't want a mid-summer meltdown.

We started off the summer with a bang and I feel like we've been moving non-stop ever since.  It has been just as hectic as the school year, and it's finally catching up with everyone. Not to mention that we're long overdue for a trip to the beach. I would give anything for 1 day on Captiva Island, Florida right now!

So, here are 3 simple ways I'm trying to avoid a Mid-Summer Meltdown:

1) Chill at the Ice Rink - One of my favorite places to stay cool is the ice skating rink. I'm not shy to admit that I'm not a fan of ice skating, however, I am a huge fan of being a spectator at the ice rink. I like to think of our local rink as my little hidden gem. Whenever we pop in, we can always find figure skaters or hockey players on the ice. We don't go there often enough for it to be mundane, so the kids always seem to be fascinated by what they see, and very well behaved too. It's completely free to watch the skaters practice. The best part is that even when it's 100+ degrees outside, it's always sweatshirt weather near the ice. 

2) Exercising - Maybe the thought of extremely hot workouts are appealing to some people, but not me. I definitely do my best exercise when I'm in an air-conditioned gym with a group of people that keep me motivated to keep pushing forward. I'm with my kids all day, so my time at the gym is exactly that, my time. It's usually the only guaranteed hour of the day that I get for me and I've definitely noticed that I usually feel better, overall, on the days that I exercise. According to MayoClinic.com, exercise: helps the body release feel-good brain chemicals, takes your mind off worries, improves your mood and boosts your energy.  Yes, yes, yes, and yes! All of that sounds good to me.

3) Keeping my expectations low.  One day, I heard that the key to happiness was having low expectations.  Now, I don't want this to be misinterpreted, because I have very, very high expectations for certain aspects of my life. But, am I ever going to be 100% caught up with laundry? Will the floors always be gleaming? Will my kids gain a sense of urgency when it's time to go out somewhere? Will there ever be a day I don't have to pick up crumbs off the floor? I really don't know, and that's okay. For now, I'm fine with that.

What do you do to stay cool, calm & collected throughout the summer? Do you have any tips for avoiding a mid-summer meltdown?

Welcome To The Kid's Co-Op

Welcome to another fun edition of the Kid's Co-op!

Sit back, relax, and browse all of the new kid's activities featured this week!

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Sleep Consultant To The Rescue!

Does your preschool age child sleep all night in their own bed?

My youngest is now 4 years old, and I never expected our sleep issues to last this long. When I hear about 5-month-old babies who are sleeping 8 hours straight, it's hard to believe that, often, I'm still getting woken up 1, 2 or 3 times a night.  My 6 year old is usually pretty good with sleep, but my 4 year old needs much better habits and I need better sleep too.  I finally decided it was time to make a change.

Last month, I wrote about sleep and fitness and how I want to be able to wake up for early morning work-outs. I've been doing really good with those early workouts, but, when you keep getting woken up night after night by kids who should be sleeping, it can be tough to stay motivated. I am serious about staying on the right track, so I decided to contact a local sleep specialist. Jessica Gleason, from BabySleepConsulting.com, came to the rescue!

Jessica and I emailed back and forth and then had a really nice phone consultation. I was actually a bit nervous about our conversation, but Jessica completely put me at ease.  It was my first time speaking with her, but it was like talking to a long-time friend. She listened to me and came up with a long list of simple ideas for me to implement at home. Our goal is to get my son sleeping in his bed all night without the late night wakings.

So, it's been almost 2 weeks since we started working on our new sleep plan. Things are going very well. Our poor sleep habits have been many years in the making, so I didn't expect a complete transformation overnight. But, I can honestly say that since working with the plan Jessica developed for us, things have definitely been better. I've gotten more full nights of sleep that I have in a long time and I'm confident that, by using the plan she provided, we will finally get my son sleeping all night without waking up for me all the time. We can do this!

Do your kids still wake up in the middle of the night and come to get you?  How do you handle it?

Be sure to follow Jessica on Facebook for helpful tips about getting your baby, toddler or child to sleep better.  Also, if you're interested in learning more about Jessica's: Phone and Email Consultations, Sleep Plans, In-Home Consultations and Other Services, check out her website at BabySleepConsulting.com

100% Natural: Fresh & Frozen Herbal Bath Cup

A year ago today, this is what I was writing about. 

This is exactly what I needed today.  A peaceful moment with some fresh lavender and herbs. Isn't it beautiful?

Last summer, my kids and I made our own frozen herbal bath cups. It was an idea I came up with to make their bath-time a little more fun and use up some of the fragrant herbs growing in our garden. I actually forgot all about this idea until my 6 year old reminded me about it last week because he wanted to make them again. Once again, they were a success and I wanted to share them with you! This is such a simple, inexpensive and earth friendly way to make bath-time special.

Continue here to read all about them in last year's post: What to do with extra herbs from your garden.

Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A: Friday, July 13th

What's better than eating food from Chick-Fil-A? 

That's easy... eating FREE food from Chick-Fil-A.

This Friday, Chick-fil-a is celebrating Cow Appreciation Day by offering a FREE meal to any customer who visits one of the chain’s mall or stand-alone restaurants fully dressed as a cow.  If you're not quite ready to get fully decked out in cow gear, you can wear "partial cow attire" for one free Entrée. According to Chick-Fil-A's website "Partial cow attire means just a cow accessory, such as a cow-printed hat, vest or purse."

My kids and I have celebrated Cow Appreciation Day in the past, and we've always had a good time with it.  I'm not courageous enough to dress from head to hoof, but even getting a free sandwich is fun. And, it's always amusing to see who walks in the door. I love watching the adults stroll in the restaurant in full cow attire!

Here are more details about: Cow Appreciation Day

Taking The Time To Listen To Your Kids

Do you feel like your kids ask a million questions?

My 6 year old is at a very curious age. Who? What? When? Where? Why? From the moment he wakes up until the last few moments before he falls asleep, he is always asking questions. Many of the questions he asks I don't even know the answers to.

I can see the wheels constantly spinning in his head.  As a mom, I think it's human nature to feel the need to hit the mute button every now and then, but I always stop myself. Not only is he learning, but I am also learning from his non-stop curiosity. He makes me think about things I never thought about before. Most importantly, I feel pretty honored to be the one who gets to answer so many of his questions.

I saw the quote above on the Inner Child Fun Facebook page and I fell in love with it. It's such a great reminder that all those little conversations we have with our kids really do make a difference. Have you seen any quotes recently that really struck a chord with you? What do you say when your child asks you questions that you don't know the answer to?

Let's Get It Started: Kid's Co-op

Every week, there are some really creative new ways, in the Kid's Co-op, to keep your kids busy- and this week is no exception! This week, #47 really caught my eye. It's a simple science experiment using an egg and vinegar, and I think my 6 year old would be completely fascinated by this. Take a look below? If you try something from the co-op this week let me know how it goes!

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Free & Cheap Summer Movies 2012

Tomorrow's weather forecast says it's supposed to be about 100 degrees. That is H-O-T!  Luckily, there are tons of cool movie theatres across the U.S. that are hosting free or cheap, family friendly movies all summer long. This is a good chance to get out of the house, get the kids to relax, stay cool, and stick with your budget!

So, if you want to get out with the kids, but it's just too hot to go outside, check out this list I put together of all of the cinemas showing free & cheap summer movies for 2012:

Clearview Cinemas' Kids - Starting July 11th and 12th - Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am.

Cinema World's Summer KidFest - Free films, seven days a week, all summer long! Every day at 10am. Children are FREE. Adults are just $2 or FREE with a donation (see site for details).

Cinemark's Summer Movie Clubhouse - 10 shows for $5, if purchased in advance, or just $1 per show.

Classic Cinemas - Wednesday morning movie series - Just $1 through August 8th

Dickenson Theater's Summer Vacation Movie Series - These are FREE!

Flagship Cinemas - Free Summer Movies with Camp Flagship.

Georgia Theater Company - $1 Movies each Tuesday and Thursday Morning.

Harkins Summer's Movie Fun - Kids can enjoy a movie a week for 10 weeks, for less than $1 per film. 

Malco - Kid’s Summer Film Fest - Only $2 per ticket!

Marcus Theatres - Kids’ Dream Summer Film Series - Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10am, now through August 16th. Family friendly films for just $2!

The Majestic - Vero Beach, FL - Free films, seven days a week, all summer long! Every day at 10am. Children are FREE. Adults are just $2 or FREE with a donation (see site for details).

Muvico - Now through August 16, 2012, all Muvico theaters nationwide are hosting a FREE Summer Film Fest.

Marquee Cinemas - Kid's Summer Movie Series - Marquee Cinemas presents a special selection of family films brought to you each week during the summer at no charge.

Penns Landing, Philadelphia - Screenings Under The Stars – Every Thursday night through August, a different film will be screened outdoors on a big screen at Penn’s Landing. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a great summer treat!

Rave Cinemas - Free Family Film Festival. Twice a week for 9 weeks.

Regal - Summer Movie Express

Showcase Cinemas - Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. through August 8, just bring a book report (see site for details) with you to the select Bookworm Wednesdays movie and that’s your price of admission!

The Great Escape - Summer Kids’ Movies - All Shows will begin at 9:30am and are first come first serve.

Showcase Cinemas - Free Summer Movies 2012 with Bookworm Wednesdays

Don't forget, all of these listings are subject to change. Please contact your local theatre to confirm details. These movies tend to be very popular, so arrive early to get a good seat and have a great time! Have you ever done these summer movie specials before?  Do you have any tips to share? 

Free Educational Fun for Bank of America Card Holders

Did you know that Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit/debit card holders get FREE admission to more than 150 museums nationwide with the Museums on Us program?

This program takes place the first full weekend (Sat & Sun) of each month, which means that this weekend, July 7 & 8, get free general admission to select museums by presenting your photo ID along with your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card. Click here to find a museum near you and learn more about the Museums on Us program.

Note: Free general admission limited to cardholder at participating location. Excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events. Not to be combined with other offers.

Time to give myself a little push!

It's been a while since I've written about fitness & weight loss, but I'm still moving along. You didn't think I gave up, did you?

This morning, I realized that I haven't been pushing myself hard enough. I've been exercising, but I haven't been losing weight. I'm happy that I've been going to the gym, but I need to go more and sweat a whole lot more! 

When I was in spin class, I was really pushing my limits, and I could feel a difference. The instructor said to the class "Don't listen to that little voice inside you.  You can do this.  You will do this." He reminded everyone that if we're not seeing results, it's because we need to work-out harder. I listened to what he said, and I sweat more in that class than I have in a long time.

Life is good. I feel happy and I know I'm moving in the right direction.

Have you been keeping up with an exercise routine?  Don't you feel better on the days when you really get a good workout?

Summer Fruit Fun: Carving Watermelons

Have you seen those incredible watermelon carvings and always wanted to try to make one yourself?

I didn't think I could carve a watermelon, but after seeing the The National Watermelon Promotion Board, I know I can do it! They have a page with about 50 different ideas for Watermelon Carvings and there are some really impressive ideas. The best part is: you don't need to be a professional fruit carver to pull this off. Some of these ideas are elaborate, but others are completely do-able. I think I'm finally over my watermelon-carving-phobia and I'm probably going to make one this week for 4th of July dessert.

Here are some great resources:

Carving Tips & Carving Ideas

Watermelon Recipes

Watermelon Fun Facts & FAQ's

Watermelon.org also has a comprehensive Teacher Tool Kit which has everything from simple coloring sheets to watermelon themed printable worksheets for Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts.

Are you getting hungry for watermelon yet?

 Wouldn't this be great for an Angry Bird Birthday party?

 I know a few guys would wouldn't mind eating from this race car watermelon!

Have you ever done a watermelon carving? How did it turn out? Take a look at this T-Rex Watermelon at Life Without Pink.

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Over 125 Summer Kid's Activities Are Here!

It's time for the Kid's Co-op! The heat around here is a bit extreme at the moment, so I'll be checking out all of the indoor activities for kids this week. What about you? No matter what you're kid's are interested, there's a little bit of everything in this link-up. 

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What To Do With Kids During Summer Break

I don't think parenting is ever going to be easy, but I'm beginning to feel like we're getting into a nice groove. My kids are at the ages where, for me, things are starting to get a bit easier. I know what types of activities make my them happy and when everyone needs to take a break and just chill out. 

We've found some really amazing places to explore locally, and we're still going on new adventures too. Here are 10 things that we'll be doing this summer. Some of these ideas might work for you too!

1) Take the train or trolley somewhere special. If you're like us, and don't usually take public transportation, this is really exciting for a kid. Hop on the train or trolley and explore a new playground, go for a walk in a new area or have a picnic in a nearby park.

2) Go to an indoor playground.  Many indoor playgrounds have special days with reduced admission and they're the perfect place for kids to run around during a rainy summer day.

3) Watch some hockey or figure skating at a local ice rink.  I don't know why more parents don't take advantage of the entertainment at ice rinks.  Whenever we stop by our local ice rink there's always something to watch and 99.9% of the time, there's no admission fee. My boys could watch a hockey game, or hockey practice, for an hour or two. Even if they get a treat from from the snack bar, it's still a very cheap outing and they really enjoy it.

4) Go bowling on a rainy day.  Don't forget that Kids Bowl Free all summer long.

5) If bowling isn't your thing, why don't you try Roller Skating?  This year, there's a new Kid's Skate Free Program and it's growing fast!

6) Take advantage of programs at your local library.  Read Here: Ten reasons why your local library is perfect place for summer fun.

7) Get out and explore nature at a a local State Park or Arboretum . The shade from the trees will help keep you cool, and, my kids always enjoy being in such a hands-on environment where they can run around and touch everything around them.

8) Splash around at a local beach, nearby lake, pool or water-park.

9) Learn something new at a nearby museum. Did you know that Target sponsors free or reduced admission days all across the U.S.? Read all about here: Free or Reduced Admission Museum Days by Target

10) Last, but not least... find a local blog with more family friendly activities.

On a hot summer day, there are really lots of options for beating the heat and getting out of the house.

What's your favorite place to go in the summer?

Resources For Tick & Splinter Removal, Sun Protection & Water Safety

As much as I love summer play, I dislike some of the other things that come along with it, like sunburn, ticks, and splinters. As a mom, it's my job to help keep my kids safe and healthy which can be a challenge when they're outside laying in the grass, climbing trees, and playing at the beach. But, I found a bunch of helpful online resources that I want to share.

What's the best way to protect your child from the sun?  

The American Academy of Pediatrics answers this question and more on their website. They give advice on How to pick sunscreen, Sunscreen for babies, and  How to apply sunscreen.  If your child does get sunburn, KidsHealth.org has some great advice on what to do.

What do I need to know about Water Safety?

If your kids are going to be anywhere near the pool or beach this summer, you'll want to check out this information from The National Drowning Alliance: Pool Safety Tips, How to escape a rip current and other beach related dangers, and Simple Steps to Safer Pools. 

What do you do if you find a tick on your child?

So far, we've been tick-free this spring and summer. But, if you do find a tick on yourself or your child, so this video from the CDC, How to remove a tick will definitely come in handy.

Do my kids really need to wear sunglasses?

Whether your child has absolutely perfect vision or wears glasses, protecting his/her vision should be a top priority.  The Prevent Blindness America / Star Pupils website tells you exactly what you need know know to protect your child's eyes from the sun. For example, did you know that kids should be wearing sunglasses and a hat to block harmful UV rays when they're outside?

What do you do if your child has a splinter?

When my son got his first splinter, I was probably more upset than he was, so it was a relief when it finally came out on its own.  But, Seattle Children's Hospital website is a helpful source for anyone curious about what to do if your child has a splinter.

No matter how many times I read about these topics, it's always a nice to freshen up on some of the basic details. Do you have any helpful tips for summer or helpful go-to web sites?

5 Reasons Why We Love Our Local Arboretum

To me, the word "Arboretum" sounds so boring and scientific, but every time we go to our local arboretum, Tyler, we are far from bored. My kids and I love it there! In a nutshell, "Arboretum" means collection of trees, yet, there is so much more for kids to see there. The exhibits are engaging, the flowers are plentiful and the trees are majestic. It's one of our favorite places to meet with friends and explore for hours.

Whenever we go to the arboretum, it's a reminder that kids don't really need much to be entertained. As long as they're with friends, my kids are happy running through the wooded trails, playing with sticks and picking up stones. Isn't it nice when it really is that simple?

Here are 5 reasons why we love our local arboretum:

1. The kids can touch almost everything. My kids are very hands-on and don't mind getting dirty.  It's nice to just let them play and be kids.  Arboretums offer a multi-sensory experience.  Tyler Arboetum website even says "Come and climb, explore and play in our Totally Terrific Tree Houses!"  What more could a kid ask for? 

2. They can be as loud as they want. No indoor voices are needed when you're outside in the woods!

3. We love the kid-friendly exhibits at Tyler Arboretum. The kids run up and down the steps of the tree houses and they were happy to have a rest with the Sit-a-Spell Exhibits.  Everything is so inviting. 

4. Yearly Memberships are very affordable. With your membership, you get unlimited, year round, free general admission and your contribution helps sustain the Arboretum. There are many membership options, and if you don't need a yearly membership, you can choose to buy a day pass instead.

5. It's the perfect place for kids to learn through play. They can learn about the evironment and the world around them.  Also, sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play is essential to children’s physical and mental health. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008).

Do you have any arboretums in your area? 

Here's a list of some of the top U.S. Arboretums:

• Arnold Arboretum - Boston, Massachusetts
• Azalea Path Arboretum & Botanical Garden - Hazelton, Indiana
• Bernheim Arboretum -Clermont, Kentucky
• Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Superior, Arizona
• Cylburn Arboretum - Baltimore, Maryland
• Connecticut College Arboretum - New London, Connecticut
• Donald E. Davis Arboretum -Auburn-Opelika, Alabama
• Fullerton Arboretum - Fullerton, California
• Holden Arboretum - Cleveland, Ohio
• Jenkins Arboretum - Devon, Pennsylvania
• Lasdon Park Arboretum - Westchester County, New York
• Minnesota Landscape Arboretum -Bloomington, Minnesota
• Mount Pisgah Arboretum - Eugene, Oregon
• Morton Arboretum - Lisle, Illinois
• North Carolina Arboretum - Asheville, North Carolina
• The Arboretum - Flagstaff, Arizona
• Tyler Arboretum - Media, Pennsylvania
• US National Arboretum - Washington, D.C.
• U of WI Madison Arboretum - Madison, Wisconsin
• Viles Arboretum - Augusta, Maine

Lots of Fun Kid's Crafts & Activities At The Weekly Co-op

Wow! Another busy week is in the record books and I'm finally getting a chance to post the kid's co-op. I've been keeping up with my fitness routine, but I think this afternoon on my friend's 40-foot homemade water slide has made me more achy than any of the work-outs I've been doing. Seriously, does 2.5 hours of slipping and sliding with your kids count as a work out? I think so. 

How is you're summer going so far?  Crazy busy?  Yeah, that's what I thought. Well... When you finally get a few minutes to sit down and surf the web, there are tons of cool ideas in this week's kid's co-op.  Let's get it started!

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Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam: Philadelphia 2012

Any mom can probably relate, than when you see you kids get so excited for something, you can't help but get excited too. For me, Monster Jam is one of those things.  Monster Jam only stops in Philadelphia once a year, and for the second year in a row, my family had a blast at the event! It was loud, dirty. and exciting. It was everything we expected and more. Here are some of the photos from the Philadelphia Monster Jam event that we went to at Lincoln Financial Field. 

We started the evening at Party in the Pits. This gave the boys a chance to get up close to all of the Monster Trucks and get join in the pre-event festivities.

The boys had a chance to sign a car and wheel that were going to be used in an upcoming show.

Oh yeah... I left my mark too!

If you've never been to a Monster Jam show and don't understand why hundreds of thousands of people go, this picture is one reason why. These trucks are amazing! They fly high through the air. They crash. Sometimes, they flip and catch on fire. Once the trucks start moving, there is never a dull moment.

The Monster Jam team really knows how to keep the excitement alive throughout the entire show. But, for me, all I had to do what take one look at my 6 year old cheering on the trucks with his hands high in the air, and I was happy. 

Isn't it funny how seeing the world through your child's eyes can change your view... even with something like monster trucks?  What's the one thing you never expected to enjoy until you had kids?

Also check out some Monster Jam madness from some other 'Local Fun' Moms:

Monster Jam Videos from Jersey Family Fun

Note: Thanks to Feld Motorsports for our tickets.

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic- June 23rd and June 24th

Lowe's is having a FREE Kid's Build & Grow Clinic this weekend that you won't want to miss!  Your kids can build their very own Luxury Assault Vehicle from Madagascar 3!

Every child who participates will get to complete this project for FREE at the workshop, plus they'll get a free Apron and a patch.

When:   Saturday, June 23rd at 10:00am

               Sunday June 24th at 2:00 pm

Location: Your Local Lowe's Store

Don't forget to register on the Lowe's Website to reserve your child's space.

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What Is Klutch Club?

Continue here for: Klutch Club Review & Promo Code

Win Journey 2: The Mysterious Island DVD!

What type of movies do you like? I've mentioned before that I'm a total sucker for a good romantic comedy. But, since it's Father's Day, I wanted to post a giveaway for a different type of DVD that you might want to share with the man in your life.

One of my lucky readers will win Journey 2: The Mysterious Island on DVD.   Want to win?

Head on Over to My Giveaway Page & Enter to Win!