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Summer Fun for Preschoolers

Preschoolers love to exercise their independence, so many of the activities that might keep them amused during the summer months should be designed so they can work with minimal parental interruption. Give yourself a break by allowing your preschooler to work on projects independently. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t supervise your child, it just means that you should allow him to work at his own pace and solve problems on his own. Here are a few ideas to keep summer fun for your preschooler: GARDENING Introduce your child to gardening by visiting a local botanical garden or farm (u-pick strawberry … Continue reading →

Family Travel: Sweeten Up Your Summer Vacation

Forget about the kids, for chocoholic parents, a trip to Hershey’s Chocolate World is a dream come true. The sweet treats that await you at the sumptuous property are seemingly endless. Imagine snapping your family’s Christmas card photo beneath a streetlamp fashioned like a Hershey Kiss or snacking on samples from the two-million-square-foot Hershey Factory, the largest chocolate plant in the world. If your stomach is rumbling just thinking about the fun you would have it’s time to stop smacking your lips and get into gear to take in the attractions. Timing is everything when visiting the park. Hershey may … Continue reading →

More Ways to Save Money on Weird and Wacky Travel

Why book a trip to an overpriced amusement park when you can visit the world’s largest ball of yarn for much less? Seriously, there is an entire nation filled with quirky travel attractions just waiting to be discovered. Just thumb though a copy of “Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets” by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman and you’ll see what I mean. The travel guide has inspired a slew of hotel deals that are being offered to families looking to spice up their traditional vacations with a trip to a weird and wacky … Continue reading →

Summer Travel: Botanical Gardens

I am a big fan of botanical gardens. Our local botanical garden is a haven for families and kids looking to grow their own pizza. It is by no means the largest of its kind, but it is a nice resource to have in the relatively small city in which we reside. Visiting the country’s top botanical gardens would require traveling some distance, and that’s exactly what some families do this time of year—-make pilgrimages to the nation’s top botanical gardens. One fairly new botanical garden that is making headlines despite the fact that it less than three years old … Continue reading →

Summer in New York—-Family Friendly Cultural Choices

Mention to your children that your trip to New York is going to include “cultural experiences” and you can bet that you’ll be met with eye rolling and some groans. Well, stand tough parents because once your offspring are immersed in the Big Apple’s cultural offerings you might be surprised by their reaction. Melodious summer fun begins and ends in Manhattan. It’s music, music and more music at Central Park’s SummerStage. The series of free concerts gets underway on June 13th with a salute to gospel and soul. Artists including Mavis Staples and Stephanie McKay will kick off the summer … Continue reading →

Traveling To Tennessee

In 1996 I was driving alone from Wisconsin to Atlanta, Georgia. I had just gotten a job field producing and reporting for a news agency that was documenting the Summer Olympics from start to finish. I was thrilled about my new gig, but far less enthused about making the long drive with all of my belongings by myself. Regardless, the road trip proved to be quite eventful and extremely educational. It was on this trip that I would experience what life was like in Tennessee (if only for a couple of days). My first visit to the state was brief … Continue reading →

Family Travel Budget Savers

If you are a budget-conscious family trying to find a summer vacation destination that is kid-friendly and affordable, then this is the blog for you. Finding ways for a family of four to enjoy a day or evening together without having to shell out a ton of money to cover the cost of admission or pricey meals can be a challenge. However, it is possible. All it takes is a little planning and creativity. Here are some of my favorite suggestions: For $10: · Pack a picnic; strap it to your bikes and head to one of the many local … Continue reading →

Have Fun in May

If April showers bring May flowers, then local florists should prepare for the worst, because our city will be covered with tulips and daffodils by next week. Who needs to shop for Mother’s Day bouquets when you can gather blossoms by the dozens in your own backyard? If your neck of the woods hasn’t been soaked by spring storms, then consider having fun in the May sun by visiting local botanical gardens for a chance to take in the colors of the season. This year New York City and New York State are celebrating their roots as a Dutch colony … Continue reading →

Fun with Flowers

Spring isn’t exactly close to springing where I live. In fact, we’re currently under a winter storm watch. Meteorologists say up to 10 inches of snow is headed our way in the next 24 hours. Needless to say, I miss Hawaii more than ever–the warm sun, the beach, and most of all… the amazing flowers. Several U.S. cities help residents deal with the winter blues by hosting spectacular flower shows. Unfortunately, I don’t live near any of them, but you might. If you are looking to take a break from the bitter cold, ice and snow, consider checking out one … Continue reading →

Recipes From Your Garden: Salsa

Some of you already know that we are moving next month. We are going from a large metropolitan area (read that to mean “inner city”) where we live in an apartment with no yard, to a tiny house with what seems to us to be a huge yard. (I suppose ‘huge’ is defined by your scale of reference. . .our yard is about three tenths of an acre but to folks who haven’t ever had a yard. . .it seems to go on infinitely.) In any case, for the first time in my adult life I am contemplating a garden. … Continue reading →