Helpful Mom

I have a couple websites that are my “go to” sites to check out regularly, like Focus on the Family, MOPs, Hearts at Home.  But the one I’m particularly interested in today is Rochester Kids out and about.  For those of us who live in the Rochester, NY area it is a gold mine of info for parents.  It has lists of events happening around the area for kids, such as the various free events at the libraries I love so much.  Reviews of museums and restuarants by other local parents so you know where to go, or not go.  And even has pages with lists of local playgrounds with photos and descriptions describing the park, wheither it has bathrooms or not, etc.

I love to just go browse through the various pages every once in a while because I never know what fun event I might find to do with my girls.  And since I’m always looking for something different to do it’s a wonderful thing.  And for those of you who aren’t fortunate to live near here I know we aren’t the only town to have a website like this for our town.  I’ve found them for other cities like Baltimore, MD when researching attractions for vacations.  Try a quick google search for kids activities and attractions in your town you might be surprised what you find.

If ever there was a time to go visit the farm this is it!  It’s my favorite time of year to go because all the animals are having their babies.  Yesterday we went out to Springdale Farm in Spencerport and they had a baby goat so small the kids could pick it up and carry it around!  They have a number of baby goats, lambs, chicks, and even bunnies.  They put most of the animals in their petting zoo area where they can run free and you and your kids can get their hands on the animals.

We love going to the farm regularly and it’s fun to watch these little babies grow from trip to trip.  There are quite a number of opportunities for the girls to observe and learn about animals and gardening throughout the farm.  It’s nice to have a place of learning that I enjoy going to as much as the kids, especially on the cheap.  The farm itself is free, the petting zoo is $1 per person, and you can take tours of the dairy barn for $3.  So wheither you live in the area or not search out a farm experience so you can enjoy those babies while they last.

Ahh you gotta love spring break, or perhaps you dread it.  Either way you have a whole week to play with your children all day every day…  And if your town is like ours that means the typical children’s museum or science center will be packed to the gills with every other desperate to get out of the house mom.  So I have learned to avoid the obvious hot spots during school vacation days at all costs.  So in this vein I found quite a number of free programs at various local libraries.  So one day we went to a puppet show in the morning and a Fancy Nancy tea party in the afternoon, another day there was a clown show, and another day we took in a magic act.  All of which our two girls enjoyed with enthusiam.  And best of all after the show ends we hang out around the library for 1/2- 2hrs and the girls love that I’ll let them “buy” any book they want.  And while they play I get to read my magazine or read them the occasional book.  So all around it’s fun for all and the price can’t be beat.

I still use VHS since I can find all my kids favorite movies for cheap but I know most everyone is switching over to DVD only, that’s why I can get my movies to cheap.  So if you are one of those that is switching over or just find your tapes are wearing out, before you toss them try recycling them.  To keep them out of landfills, drop them in the mail to Alternative Community Training, a nonprofit Missouri company that provides jobs to people with disabilities.  Workers erase the tapes, reselling the ones that are in good shape and recycling the plastic parts of the rest.  They’ve recycled more than 1 million tapes so far.  Mail the tapes (at the cheaper media mail rate) to ACT, 2200 Burlington, Columbia, MO 65202.

Did you know that you can use McDonald’s website to locate all their locations with playlands along your way.  Go to their website and click on Restaurant locator, then on McDonald’s trip planner, put in your beginning and ending zip codes and viola!  Poof a list of McDonalds along your way and if you read the chart it will tell you which ones have a playplace or playland.  I took this info and input it into Mapquest to get directions from our home to McDonalds to our destination.  Easy as that and now we know exactly when we’ll be stopping and where so the kids have a goal to reach.  We’ll give them a half hour to play while we eat and then get them food they can eat in the car.  That will keep them occupied for a while.

As I stated before I am a self proclaimed Leapfrog fanatic.  The only thing they don’t seem to have is toys to help teach kids tell time    But they have something for nearly every other subject you can think of, ranging from the newborn baby with their activity gyms the baby lies under to the quantum pads that teach world geography and human anatomy.  Well we haven’t gotten that far advanced yet, but I am surprised to say my 4 yr old is already learning to read simple words.  She likes to pull out the Scattagories game to play.  I have to adjust it to play with her, so instead of categories I just roll the die and ask her if she can think of a word that starts with that letter.  Then she comes up with one and writes it out, it gets her to practice her letter writing and spelling in a fun way, and she’s the one who asks to play it!

Anyways today I was reminded how great Leapfrog’s toys are when my girls were playing with the Read Along, Sing Along DVD.  I bought it because Katrina is obsessed with anything musical, so I thought I’d take advantage.  And both of the girls love it.  You can either have the kids just watch the video which combines music and rhythm to get the kids to learn to read along.  The words for each of the 12 stories are on the video so they can read along that way, making it good for a class of kids.  Or you can also use the corresponding books for kids to follow along with the DVD.  It’s like the modern take on the old records and cassettes that I listened to as a kid that said turn the page when you hear the ding.  But it not only reads the stories like those, but it also teaches phonics and short vowel sounds which make learning to sound out unfamiliar words much easier.

This product is a relatively new one from Leapfrog so it may be harder to find used yet but you can find it on sale or on Ebay sometimes.  I figure when I’m done with it I will be able to resell it and make most of my money back from it.

If you have recently had children one of the most important things you can do for them is write a will, specifically one that states who will care for your children.  I know noone ever wants to think about the idea that they may die and leave their children without either of their parents, but as responsible adults it is our job to make sure our kids are cared for in every instance possible.  You would never want your kids to end up in foster care so it is important to set aside your feelings in these matters and face it head on.  It doesn’t take very long, less than a half hour, and typically costs less than $100.

There are many different variables to consider when picking who will care for your child.   One of the major ones you need to consider is not only who would be willing but if they hold the same values as your family.  Will they raise your kids with the same values and disciplines that you want them to grow up with?  Are they a transitory friend or someone permanent?  If transitory you’ll have to be prepared to change your will periodically.  Have you discussed adding this person to your will with them so they aren’t surprised or unwilling, in case the worse happens.

I like this idea that a friend of mine had related to this.  Each year she and her husband go away for a week by themselves, leaving their kids with the couple who would become their guardians.  Not only is it important for their marriage to have that time alone, but also it allows the kids to form relationships with these special people since they live in diffferent states.  I think this is a very wise well thought out idea for dealing with a sensitive topic.

I’m always looking for ideas of things to do with the girls.  Especially art projects, it’s amazing the hush that can envelope our kitchen when you hit on an idea they really like.  It can be great to get them started on a project that they can work on while I start dinner, but be careful that it be a project they can do without help or dinner might be a disaster.

lid art

I came across this idea in one of my many books.  Collect bottle lids, like from your milk, OJ, juice containers.  Then when you have a collection set your kids up with the lids, glue, and paper.  Let them have free reign.  They can glue them all over the paper or use the lids to outline with markers to draw lots of circles.  My girls did something I didn’t even think of, they stacked them up in towers, and glued them inside of each other.  Since it was a collection built over time the lids are all different colors and sizes.  It’s easy and free!

Did you know that you can book a trip on Thomas the Tank Engine?  He tours the US and may be coming to a town near you.  Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country.

A ticket for Day Out With Thomas includes the 25 minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, including Storytelling and Video Viewing, Temporary Tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, and an Imagination Station with Arts & Crafts and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor.

Due to the popularity of Day Out With Thomas, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. It is not uncommon for events to sell out. When purchasing tickets you will be asked to select a specific date and time for your ride with Thomas. Your ticket is valid only for that date and time.

To locate Thomas near you check out  Thomas and friends.

For those of you locals there Thomas is visiting at the Medina Railroad Museum, 530 West Ave., Medina, NY 14103. Medina is centered about 1 hour’s drive from Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester, NY. May 8, 9, 10 and May 15, 16, & 17, 2009 from 9:30am-5:45pm, trains leaving 45minutes throughout the day.  $18 a ticket no matter the age.
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Instead of finding gifts or candy in their Easter baskets fill eggs with coupons.  The coupons are for fun things like family walk, a dollar store treat, a movie night, or a cooking session with mom.

Or instead of a basket give new backpacks with fun and practical springtime gear, such as umbrellas, sunglasses, and rain boots.