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

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!!

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.

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..