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Archive for the ‘To do's with kids’ Category

Ken Burns-National Parks

Thursday, September 24th, 2009


Can not wait to see the new Ken Burns documentary on our National Parks. With our oldest just back from a week long trip in Yosemite, the house was filled with us all talking about different road trips and time outdoors. With a few small family hikes behind us, a bit of backyard camping ( and a few over nights for them ) next summer we shall take to the Parks.
I remember when Scott and I first met, our love of the outdoors and exploring brought us to some amazing places. Hiking in Yosemite, Kayaking in Yellowstone, the early morning fog in Point Reyes..can not wait to explore all of these places as a family.
As someone who group up on the East Coast, with parents who LOVED to travel, but typically did so as a couple to exotic haunts, these are new memories I want to make and so long for.
So far, our camping under the stars in Hawaii, our camp cabin at Costa Noa and backyard at the Grandparents are the moments that put a smile on my face.

So…as we plan to record and watch this fabulous program as a family, I look forward to curling up with each of them..and letting the adventures unfold. In our minds, and in our hearts.

The show premiers this Sunday on PBS.

Of course as well this inspired a Spring line of tee shirts for Boys!!

Making Memories, Summer Camping

Monday, June 22nd, 2009


When my husband and I met and got to know each other, long talks on the phone, trips back and forth to the Bay Area and LA and finally weekends spent exploring amazing spots in California. Drives down the Coast, hiking and biking, trips to State Parks and at last some camping. Since I grew up on the East Coast and with parents who had a clear idea of vacation ( they find someone to stay with us, and travel to Egypt, Europe, Mexico ) that did not include camping in any way, shape or form.
My husband on the other hand, is one of those people who is equally at home ( and knows what he is doing! ) at a camp ground, deep and nature and at a fabulous hotel. Yet something else I love about him…

As we spent our time planning and taking vacations with our children, camping and a love of nature is something that is important to us..The idea of sitting around the campfire, playing outside for hours, exploring a creek. To me, the perfect idea of family time. Just have some learning to do along the way! Although a trip this year is not in the cards, next summer and in all the years to follow, we will be making memories.

An article from the New York Times, and this website, ForestCamping a guide to the state parks, will be saved so that when the time comes, we have all the information we need at our fingertips.

Enjoy…can’t wait to hear your memories, new or old.

Summer Projects with Kids-A book and a Treehouse

Monday, May 11th, 2009



We were all talking about our new house the other day ( we need to find a new rental for the expanding family! )
and the kids were listing all of the things they hoped it might have. Simple, adorable requests I might add, and nothing too extravagant. My favorite and one that I can imagine someday was a tree that could house a tree house. Which of course got me thinking and dreaming. The idea of all of us building a tree house seems like such fun..and we have the perfect grandpa to recruit for the plans or part of the task.

The other option, is to find a great kit..loved this book and thought it would be a great Father’s Day gift-so many tree houses and other projects for the summer months. Would be such fun for everyone in the late afternoons or evenings to build!

Until the trees are ours to actually build on, we can make forts with trees, twigs and rocks OR we can get or make a fabulous tepee that can be transported to our next home!

We Shall Remain

Sunday, April 19th, 2009


There is a fantastic program on PBS that just came out last week. We Shall Remain documents how Native Americans resisted being moved from their land, and tried to keep their customs and heritage alive and true. The program is aired over five episodes, and helps to educate us all on our rich American History.

Scott and I talk often about how to best share with our kids, and children in general our collective history, the struggles and triumphs of people and our own families and the sense that people as individuals and as groups can speak and act from the heart with love, honor and courage. So many lessons to be learned.
Our kids who love learning and are fascinated by history, and the heroes among us are sure to love this program.

Memories of my father over the years come flooding back, as he clearly sought to do the same thing.
Sharing and showing me what it was to be kind, empathetic and to be involved in the world in a gracious way. I remember watching Roots over a series of weeks, volunteering at the hospital, participating every Labor Day in the Jerry Lewis Telethon ( after a month or so of earning the money to donate ) and how he made this all a part of our every day fabric.

As always, if we can instill in our children the belief that anything is possible, and give them the confidence, courage and interest to participate in making our communities and world the best that they can be, we have done well by them. As always, along the way, what they give those around them is that and so much more.

Getting ready to record Episode number 2, on Monday evening, April 20th. Look forward to hearing your thoughts about the program..

Spring Break, Day Two- In the Garden

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009


I think Spring Break may be my favorite School Vacation. With the gorgeous Spring weather, it is the perfect week to just enjoy the outdoors, the change in season and all of the fun that comes with Spring. Unlike other school breaks, which can sometimes seemed packed with expectations and commitments, there is something glorious about waking up to the sun, the sound of the birds and a day of outdoor fun.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve come across a ton of inspiration and ideas about gardening, introducing kids to the ideas of growing some of their own foods and a fabulous concept on how to share the abundance of a garden with those in need. This seems like the perfect week for such a project…Even in our small little back yard-there is room for planting and container gardening!

First off, love the book the Edible Schoolyard by Alice Waters and her whole approach to bringing gardening back into all communities. Her book is a treasure-full of fantastic inspiration, practical and realistic plans for gardening with kids and recipes for all that you might choose to grow. We have had the book in our stores since early spring, and can’t keep it in stock.
Her website is also a fantastic resource, and I am dying to attend one of her community classes with the kids.Take a look…

Once you do decide to take the plunge…why not grow a bit extra and join the Garden Writers Association as they Plant a Row for the Hungry. The concept is super simple, Plant an extra row, or container of vegetables for a local food bank or soup kitchen and drop off your edibles. To find out more about the program check out their website.

Spring Break, Day One

Monday, April 13th, 2009


Something about Spring Break, and the fresh start of a new season. The perfect time in my mind to stay close to home, and enjoy all of the simple pleasures. Somehow, our weekends get a bit busy at times, with Baseball and Softball, Birthday parties and playdates and time with family and friends. The idea of a week at home ( of course in my case right now, a bit more :) is a little luxury.

I came across an article late last fall, when “staycations” became the new vacations. Always a fan of turning a holiday week into a week full of adventures from home, there were some simple ideas that helped set the stage for making the most of the week.

Some of my favorites;
-Set the stage-Book a room at your own Home-Tel.
Make a do not disturb sign for the kids door, and suggest they sleep in ( this won’t work at our house but…)
Deliver room service for breakfast. Make a menu, and have them hang it on the door before bed.
Put a list of the activities for tomorrow on their bed at night ( and add a cookie or piece of chocolate )
-Hold some big events
Top chef with the kids where they all cook a course for dinner. Our kids want to do this as a day camp with friends!
Hold some outdoor olympics in park ( target has a family game set with badmitton, croquet, volleyball and horseshoes. For $20.00 it is a great investment. Add in the old water balloon toss, sack races and egg race and you are good to go. Simple prizes and its better then a day at the amusement park )
Put on a play
Go Fishing
Take a hike
-Create some night life
Have a fondue party or theme dinner
Set up camp in the living room for game night or a pizza party and movie
Sleep in the living room with sleeping bags and tents
-Explore some of the local tourist attractions
Be a tourist in your home town/city for the day-Ride the cable car, visit the aquarium, drive over the golden gate bridge and pack a picnic
Take a road trip and stay in a hotel for one night..there are GREAT deals everywhere and planned well 2 days of exploring, swimming in a hotel pool, jumping on the bed and having room service for one meal can feel like a full week away.

Most importantly-ENJOY!

Image courtesy of secret agent josephine