Family Vacations: 10 Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums (Guest Post)

By Em, 5 May, 2011, No Comment

The best thing about family vacations is not just the bonding time, but the opportunity to expose your children to new experiences and learning possibilities. On anyone’s vacation itinerary, especially when traveling with children you should try to visit a children’s museum. Don’t let the word “museum” be misleading – today’s museums are much different from the dusty, ancient exhibits you may have visited when you were a child. The museums of today offer a wide array of activities and fascinating exhibits that will not only entertain and teach your child, but involve the adults as well. The following children’s museums are fabulous destinations for families and are not just for the kids, but also for kids at heart.

Glazer’s Children’s Museum – Tampa, Florida: Sometimes you just don’t want to fight the crowds at Disney, and the Glazer’s Children’s Museum provides 170 “interactivities” in 12 themed areas, just for kids.

Children’s Museum, Inc. – Boca Raton, Florida: This museum highlights the arts, sciences and humanities through creative play for kids 1-12.

Randall Museum – San Francisco, California: If your kids are into animals, this is the museum for you. It has live performances and hands-on workshops with a wide array of interesting creatures.

Cachuma Lake Nature Center – Santa Barbara, California: This children’s museum focuses on anthropology and biology, but they make it fun and entertaining for the entire family.

Magic House – St. Louis, Missouri: A museum that captures the magic of childhood and is as much fun for adults as it is for children.

Railroad Historical Museum Inc. – Springfield, Missouri: For the child (and adult) who loves trains! The museum is located inside actual rail cars and has many fun exhibits.

Good Night Magic Castle and Museum – Washington, DC: Another magical experience for the whole family, enjoy magic shows and a number of interactive activities.

Heritage Canyon – Fulton, Illinois: A chance to take children back in time to the 1800s, with a 12-acre nature trail walk dotted with historical buildings.

Boston Children’s Museum – Boston, Massachusetts: Founded by teachers in 1913, this museum introduces kids to the wonders of art and science in innovative ways.

The Enchanted Mansion – Baton Rouge, Louisiana: A life-sized Victorian doll house, this museum encourages the imagination of children and offers a memorable experience.

These museums may be off the beaten path, but they all offer a unique and exciting experience to children of all ages. Adults, too, can enjoy the afternoon at the children’s museum, and may be surprised to discover just how much fun is to be had. Since a family vacation is really all about enjoying each other’s company and new experiences, these children’s museums fit the bill nicely. Next time you’re on the road and looking for something for the whole family to do, check out any one of the museums above for a day of family entertainment.

J. Sample is a writer, blogger, and road trip extraordinaire.

Spongeables Giveaway

By Em, 4 May, 2011, 10 Comments

Lovely Baby and Mommy Cd (Review)

By Em, 3 May, 2011, No Comment

I was asked to review the Lovely Baby and Mommy Cd. Lovely Baby is a relaxing music set from Dutch composer, Raimond Lap, who is a highly-respected and well-known composer of music for film, television and radio.

As the creator of the Lovely Baby CD series, and having spent many years testing and refining his music, today Mr. Lap is recognized as an international baby music expert. His baby music creations have earned him gold and double-platinum sales awards.

I found this cd to be very relaxing. It has very soft melodies and would be great when relaxing with a newborn. Mr. Lap’s music is very unique. He has a different sound than most of the Children’s music that I have heard in the past. I would say this music is much more soothing than traditional children’s music. It would be great around bedtime. Graysen enjoyed the song “Precious Sounds of Nature” on the cd. She really enjoyed the different types of nature sounds that were used in the background of the music. Now she asks if she can listen to the nature song. Graysen also liked that there were a few parts on the cd where it had babies talking. She said “Mommy those babies are talking to me”. Graysen gives this cd her seal of approval.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Summer Fun with Kids

By Em, 2 May, 2011, No Comment

As summer approaches get those kids outside and have some fun! Plus, You can’t beat the extra family time.

Here are some ideas for the summer that are sure to have your kids begging to play outside.

1. Have a picnic: You can have one in your own backyard, at a local park or for a big time go to the local zoo. Grab a big bag, a vinyl tablecloth and lots of paper goods. Pack a sandwich or make your own lunchables also, you may want to grab some sand toys for the kids. Your kids are sure to love getting out for a relaxed family meal.

2. Play FAMILY sports: (Yes parents this means you play too!) Grab a soccer ball, baseball and glove or football. One of my husband’s fondness memories of his Grandmother is when she would play football with all the kids at family gatherings. Be “that” kind of parent or grandparent.

3. Bubbles, Bubbles and more Bubbles: Every kid loves bubbles. If you don’t want to go buy bubbles or if you would like to make a bubble project you can have your kids make their own bubbles using dish soap,water, a paper plate and coat hangers. You can shape the coat hangers into many different shapes making a range of bubbles.

4. Games: Play a good ol’ game of Freeze Tag, Freeze Dance or I Spy. You can also paint a big Twister Board on your yard if you a brave enough. How many of you spent hours playing these games when you were a child? With I Spy you may want to put together a scavenger hunt type of list and have your child spy and collect things from around your yard.

5. Ride Bikes: Our daughter now loves to ride her bike. We go on a family rides around the block. She loves it and asks for it often. If you think bike safety is important then please have your kids wear an appropriate helmet and guards. What happened to the 80′s when we never wore helmets and we all had awesome gravel scars?

6. Go for a walk: I love going on family walks. We like to walk up to the 7-11 that’s about a half mile away to get slushes. It is a good reward and is cool on a hot day. We also have some land behind our house which will be fun for exploring this summer. Graysen loves collecting rocks.

7. Paint rocks (Outside): Most parents hate letting their kids paint because it’s messy so why not strip them down to their skivvies and let them paint rocks in the backyard. Afterwards you can hose down your painted up kiddo and the work area too.

8. Sidewalk Chalk: Whoever invented this stuff is brilliant! Park your cards at the end of the drive to block it off for a sidewalk art event. Invite the neighbor kids to come help make a masterpiece in your driveway. Good news it washes off! Your kids will have a blast.

9. Get to know your neighbors: Have a cookout on your front porch and invite your neighbors over. Your kids will meet new friends and so will you. It is a great thing to have great neighbors. (Sometimes kids like to play with other kids, go figure!)

10. Let your kids get dirty: Kids love to be creative and play mostly in stuff that they are not supposed to. Why not allow them to play in the mud? Have a special set of toys and clothes just for messy play. Do you remember making mud pies? It’s time to teach your child to make them too. I would advice you to tell your child not to eat the Mud Pies as mine got a nice mouth full of dirt. Guess she will know better next time.

I hope you have a wonderful summer full of fun activities.

Making Paper Dolls for Toddlers!

By Em, 1 May, 2011, No Comment

So how do you make a set of paper dolls for a toddler? I came across this problem when I wanted to make a set of Princess Kate paper dolls that Disney offered on their website. You can find them again here.

Most all paper dolls are made for older kids. They have weird little tabs that connect over the doll to fit. Half the time these don’t work and you end up with a very flustered kid.

I came up with the idea to use candy sticks to make paper dolls work for toddlers. It works great. After we cut out the paper dolls and cut off all the tabs Graysen and I taped candy sticks to the back of the Princess Kate doll and all of her lovely dresses.

Graysen loved the result and has been playing with them non-stop since we put them together. I can’t wait to make some other sets for her to play with.

Blueberry-Peach Cobbler- A Summer Must Have

By Em, 30 April, 2011, No Comment

Ingredients

5 pounds peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
3/8 teaspoon salt, divided
6 3/4 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Place peaches in a large bowl. Drizzle with juice; toss. Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons flour to peach mixture; toss to combine. Arrange peach mixture evenly in a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon 6.75 ounces flour (about 1 1/2 cups) into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 6.75 ounces flour, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and baking powder in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Place the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and butter in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in blueberries.
4. Spread batter evenly over peach mixture; sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Place baking dish on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 1 hour or until topping is golden and filling is bubbly.

Julianna Grimes, Cooking Light
JULY 2010

A Royal Wedding

By Em, 29 April, 2011, No Comment

As everyone in the world knows the Royal Wedding of Princess Kate and Prince William was this morning. CST I think it was at 3am.

I like crowns and fairy tales and I love Royal Weddings. Do I wake up at 3am to see it live? Heck no! I will however wake up 30 min earlier than normal to check everything out.

Graysen and I got up this morning to get our glimpse at Princess Kate’s dress. The must see for everyone. I have to say it was well done and Princess Kate looked amazing. A true princess!

Here is a photo of the beautiful gown. I think she is just stunning. I loved the lace on the gown and the simplicity of it all.

Graysen decided she wanted to be Princess Kate this morning so she put on a fancy dress and her Princess crown . She is such a girlie girl and I love it.

After we watched for a bit and the press started talking about the royal wedding cake we decided to have our own ” Wedding Cake” for breakfast. Graysen thought this was the greatest idea ever!!

This afternoon we will celebrate more by making and playing with these Princess Kate Paper Dolls that Disney has for free on their website.

What a very fun and ROYAL kind of day!