Archive | Things To Do With Kids RSS feed for this section

Rainy Day Roast

18 Jun

20130618-222712.jpg
I really love that my children want to be outside every waking moment, and believe me they’d be out in the rain if I’d allow it. But this afternoon it was coming down pretty heavily so indoors we went and I used the opportunity to tackle the mess of the house. I told the little ones I would reward them if they gave me a bit of help.

And they were totally thrilled when I pulled out the giant marshmallows for a little indoor marshmallow roast! Our flame came from candles, as we still have tons from Hurricane Sandy.

Something fun…something different, with minimal effort and they were talking about it all night! Have you ever thought up something different and fun and totally wowed your kid(s)?

Surviving 6…Storms and Splashes!

28 May

My little one had her 5th birthday party at the house last year and I kinda of swore I wouldn’t do a party at the house, like ever again.  6 months later big sister begged to have a pj party so that had to be done at the house and there I was again with 20 screaming girls, this time, IN the house.

Months later and the little one is insistent she wants another party at the house, this time, a wet party…water balloon, water guns, pools, sprinklers and what not.  Since it’s been brutally hot on her bday Memorial Day weekend for the past several years I figure we’ll give it a go.  For the past several years, that is, this year, where on Saturday May 25, her birthday when I was to have 20 6 year olds over for “sprinkler fun” it was 53 degrees outside and pouring!!!  Go figure!  I begged the little one to consider, a familiar standby, Chuck E Cheese party that day instead.  She said no to the party but could we please go hang for a little? :)

So we did, just the family.  But first we had our number 6 Dunkin tie dye donuts.

IMG_1646 IMG_1647

Then while it poured we went to Chuck E.  We went bowling next and finally with what’s becoming our family tradition we had her Hibatchi birthday meal. The next day we had another Communion which was a great time.

IMG_1650 IMG_1651

Memorial Day arrived and the sun was glorious.  It was the postponed party day and though we were down 7 children, it really turned out to be a spectacular party.

IMG_5951 IMG_5973 IMG_5986 IMG_5989 IMG_6023 IMG_6031

That night we went to  BBQ at my husband’s golf club which was divine.

It was an outstanding weekend and I am still basking in the post kid party success!  Off the hook now until double whammy of my twins in November…:)

How was your Memorial Day? Did you have crazy bad weather too?

Communion Central

23 May

Though my children do not take religion classes, many of their friends had their communions over the past month, so this past weekend we found ourselves going to two communions on one day.

Being that it was Sunday late afternoon/evening of a long weekend filled with 3 soccer games, I wasn’t quite sure what the energy levels would be like or how long they would last.

IMG_1615

Boy was I wrong to question that! I mean it probably helped that they had about 35 Shirley Temples and Cokes.

IMG_1614

I guess they’ve never been in a situation where they could visit the bar unlimitedly before. Perhaps they were always too young to even notice the bar…but boy they made up for it that night!!!

And it was such a pleasure to see them enjoying the dance floor and all the games the DJ offered. I feel like I took one of the most adorable shots ever of my husband and the girls who all danced a slow dance beautifully together :)

IMG_1618

And so after my son and I danced his dad told him he shouldn’t forget to give mom a kiss!

20130523-211400.jpg
It was just one of those unexpected great nights. :)

Kids Love Reiki Too

7 May

I had the most amazing experience with my 7-year-old daughter this past Sunday.

reiki

My friend, Sandy, who introduced me to the wonderful world of Reiki, held a class to introduce Reiki to children.  Being that my daughter seems to be the most spiritual and deep of my three, I thought it might be a nice experience for her, separate from her siblings.

And it was a phenomenal experience.

It was my daughter who, after the children were ready to try out the Reiki, said she wanted me to be the first person she did reiki on…

IMG_1516

What a wonderful suggestion it turned out to be!

I am beyond thrilled that my daughter has acquired a lifelong healing tool.

If you live in the Long Island area and are interested in learning more about Reiki check out my friend Sandy’s web site:  http://namastereiki.com/

Soccer Saturdays

3 May

IMG_1504
All 3 of my little monkeys are playing soccer this season which means our entire Saturdays are spent on the soccer field!
20130503-232259.jpg
As long as they are having fun playing, which seems to be the case, then I don’t mind one bit. :)

Are your weekends loaded up with sports?

2nd Grade Pizza Friday

20 Apr

In my community, kindergarten and 1st grade are spent in one school and there are lots of opportunities for parents to get involved in classroom projects and field trips.

Once they hit second grade, however, it’s big league.  Immersed with grades up to fifth it’s hardcore and there are very few chances for parents to be involved with the kids during the school day.

So I thought I was very fortunate to have secured a coveted spot as a parent volunteer on Friday helping to serve on one of a few special pizza Fridays.  The twins were happy and immediately grilled me as to which side of the cafeteria I would be serving on, which thrust me into another twin mom dilemma, given that they both were on opposite sides of the cafeteria.

But ultimately, I ended up serving on my son’s side because it was via his class that I signed up to be a volunteer.  That didn’t stop me, however, from visiting with my girl twin to get some midday smooches.

IMG_1448

She and her pals were more than happy to ham it up for the camera.

Her brother on the other hand got a little cool for his momma when he was around his friends.

IMG_1449

It was such a thrill to see them in their element!  I was told there are so few 5th grade parent volunteers to serve the students because by 5th grade the kids absolutely do not want their parents coming around :(

It’s unfathomable that another school year will be soon completed…

Do you grab opportunities to help out at your child/ren’s school?

Entertaining Kids (and Eating) in Boca Raton, Florida

7 Apr

We just completed our annual trip to Boca Raton for Easter to visit with my in-laws and to enjoy some spring break time away.  I just love it.

First you all know I am such a warm weather loving person and that the beach IS my place of utter peace and harmony.  This is our one yearly getaway so we really all look forward to it and hate when it flies by all too quickly.  And really what was once a really tough travel trip has turned out to be doable now that I have two 7-year-old and one 5 year old…a big difference from two 3 year olds and one 2-year-old!!!

So obviously we spent tons and tons of time at the beach in Boca.  We pretty much had one all to ourselves…

IMG_5605

IMG_1298

IMG_5456

The next best thing to the beach is the pool!

IMG_1284

IMG_1368

this kid has some rough life!

As much as the kids love the beach and the pool,  (and literally had to be dragged in by their fair-haired ears each day) they all insist that we visit some of their favorite spots while we are in Boca.

The first one is Gumbo Limbo Nature Center which is right down the road from us.  Kids learn about endangered plants and animals and get to see turtles and other sea creatures.  It is a huge property where we hike around and they love to climb to the top of a structure each year where we try to spot their grandparents home.

IMG_5570

me out of breath!

I have photos of them as babies on these turtles!

I have photos of them as babies on these turtles!

I love it because we can still be outside while visiting Gumbo Limbo and you know I don’t want to step one foot out of that gorgeous Florida sunshine.  Similarly, we can be outside while visiting another spot, Sugar Sand Park. This is a vast park with many amenities.  We explore only a few, like the carousel…

IMG_5703

They all meet the height restrictions this year which means they can go on adult free…happy news for someone like me who tends to get dizzy while standing still!

IMG_5662

There is also a fabulous playground with structures the kids can climb through and areas where they can get can wet.  They love the playground and talk about it throughout the year.

IMG_5652

As if all that isn’t enough, just a few steps away and we enter a FABULOUS children’s museum that’s as great as any we’ve been to…there are two large fully interactive rooms that the kids could literally be entertained in all day long.

IMG_5670

IMG_5698

IMG_5682

Because this museum satiates our museum needs we’ve never visited but I’ve heard there’s the Boca Raton Children’s Museum as well.

As for eating, oh man, I ate way too much and went way too long without kick boxing!  A few of our favorites include Pizza Time.  You know as New Yorker’s we are very snobby about our pizza, but our visiting Boca tradition is to stop at Pizza Time right after we arrive because the pizza is that good.  There is something about the sauce and the thin crust that has us all loving it (and believe me we are all pizzaed out after eating it two weeks straight during Hurricane Sandy so that’s saying a lot!)

We tried Matteo’s for the first time which was a bit fancy for the kids but they did great.  And, my son has realized his newfound love for fried calamari which he has asked me to pack it for his lunch tomorrow (“Squidward tastes good mom!”) :)

We always go to Duffy’s because it’s very kid friendly and on Wednesdays kids eat free and they have a balloon guy roaming around.

My husband salivates all year for the place we go to the day after we arrive for lunch which is Baja Cafe.  It is the best Mexican food we eat anywhere and we wish we could find a place like this in NY.  Seriously I drool as I type!!!

IMG_1281

On our last night my in-laws sent me and the hubs to dinner without kids to New York Prime.  I’m not a steak eater but my husband enjoyed his and my salmon was great….place was very expensive though…we would have been just as happy going out in flip-flops to Baja Cafe again :) .

IMG_5644

Have you ever been to Boca Raton, Florida?  What have I left out?

Egg Hunt

5 Apr

My children had the greatest time participating in an Easter egg hunt coordinated at my in-laws condo.  Initially my son implied that he wasn’t going to be a part of it, giving me that too cool vibe.  But as soon as the kids got to the meeting point in the lobby so began the strategizing.

IMG_5541

They all huddled and peered out the windows as they scoped the eggs and decided what the game plan would be.  While the other kids were milling about, my 3 positioned themselves up front and center by the door so when the gates opened they were the first to fly out.  I snapped what I think is one of the greatest pictures of childhood…

Markus Morgan Leila 2013 153

There were about 25 kids that raced out behind them and the whole scene really choked me up watching them innocently seek out eggs within the beautiful sunny scenery!

IMG_5556

When the hunt was over (5 minutes later!) I was able to get the kids to pose for an awesome photo with their grandma.

IMG_5557

It was a sweet Easter…how was yours?

I Love A Day That’s All About Green

17 Mar

IMG_1192

And so do the kids!  Our favorite part of St Pats Day is hunting for green bagels first thing.

Later we’ll be dining on corned beef and cabbage of course and relishing in everything green and gold and rainbows.

We aren’t Irish but we still love this day!

IMG_1194

Green is my favorite color….the sun is shining here….kids are happy for the moment…all is well in our world and I hope it is in yours too!

Doing anything fun today for St. Patricks’s Day?

(Free!) Outing to the Cradle of Aviation Museum

25 Feb

aviation

Just down the road from my home in Long Island are some fabulous museums.  The kids and I have visited the Children’s Museum a ton but we had never checked out the Cradle of Aviation Museum right next door.

Did you know that libraries often offer museum passes to borrow?  We took advantage of passes to the American Museum of Natural History awhile back and I was excited to use some free library passes again!!!  I’m all for culture and enrichment but at $14/ticket it can really add up for a family of 5.  So I reserved the library passes for winter break when I knew we would be looking for things to do.

First off the museum was empty, which enabled and prompted the kids to run through the place and the planes like lunatics!

aviation2

I still keep hearing about the fascinating toilet in this plane!

There were tons of interactive things for the kids to try out and they had the run of the place.

aviation5aviation4aviation3

There were times I wasn’t sure who was having more fun…the kids…or their dad!

aviation7

One of the most enjoyable areas of the museum for the kids (aside from the Gift Shop!!!) was the play area.

aviation6

It was nice to be able to chill out and watch them play happily. :)

How often do you take your child(ren) to museums?

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 335 other followers

%d bloggers like this: