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May 23, 2012

Simplifying Summer

deck.jpgPursuant to yesterday's summer camp query, here's the first in a series of posts on structuring your summer plans. Though I know many of you have already booked summer programs, I can't imagine I'm alone in just getting around to firming up plans (Bueller? Bueller?) so I hope this -- and the forthcoming posts on summer camp programs (submit a recommendation today to be included in tomorrow's roundup) and summer activity inspiration at home -- are helpful to you! Today's ideas on simplifying summer come from the lovely Jane (also of see jane blog):

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May 22, 2012

Summer Camp Query

shells.jpgWell, it's definitely not feeling summery today (though I'm very happy that the plants are getting a good soak), but the school year is, in fact, winding down. I truly cannot believe June is next week! Anyway, I have a couple of fantastic posts to be published soon about summer activities at home and simplifying summer, and I also want to share a post on favorite summer programs/camps. I have already collected some leads and would love to hear about programs your kids have adored -- please share by dropping me an e-mail with "summer camp" in the subject. Thanks!

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May 21, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

sweetney-macarons.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you enjoyed lots of time outside during the glorious weekend (a stark contrast to today...)! I'm in Washington, DC right now for a short client-related trip and will head home later today, and I'm feeling quite nostalgic being here. I first spent time in the DC area back during college when I served as a White House intern, and then lived just outside the District when Jon was in graduate school. I wish I was here for longer to walk around and soak everything in but I'm thinking it would be fun to visit as a family sometime soon. Meanwhile, I hope you're all getting ready for a great week. Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

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May 19, 2012

Giveaway Goodness: Let's Play

play-parachute.jpgYou might recall from an earlier post that I'm working with Let's Play to inspire families to play more. I am totally on board with this kind of responsibility! Have you taken the Let's Play Pledge yet? It's super easy (literally, takes about 15 seconds) -- simply join the online movement via Facebook by pledging to enjoy 60 extra active play minutes a week with your kids (that's less than 9 minutes a day!), then get out there and have fun. Meanwhile, the folks at Let's Play kindly have offered three "Save Play" kits to help inspire three of you awesome readers on your more play journey! Here's how to enter to win.

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: Let's Play" »

May 18, 2012

17 Fun Weekend Picks

gore-place-plants-sheep.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I hope your week has been excellent. Things were a little trying on this end the last few days, given that our house got hit with the dreaded stomach bug (thankfully I was spared, though I still had to take care of the afflicted). However, everyone is back to work and school though, and I have already gone for a run, 3-touched my e-mail, and am enjoying a delicious latte while I publish this post. Yay! Meanwhile, the weekend forecast is looking lovely -- perfect for the range of outdoor events listed below, and there are some great indoor picks as well. Have a fantastic weekend my friends!

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May 17, 2012

Coping with Anxious Kids

anxiety.jpgToday, Jennifer (also of Hey Girl Momma Go shares 5 tips for coping with anxious kids.

This past school year has been a challenging one for our family. Our 9-year old son was anxious about starting the third grade last fall. We were proactive and thought that an extra tour of the school, a meet-and-greet with the teacher, and a few playdates with a classmate would smooth the transition, no problem. Well, after a shaky summer (he hated the disruption of moving to a new house, albeit in the same town!) and a tough first week of school, his anxiety skyrocketed and has persisted through the year.

Continue reading "Coping with Anxious Kids" »

May 15, 2012

How to Attract Hummingbirds

hummingbird-PhilBrown.jpgToday, Hillary of Mass Audubon shares tips for attracting hummingbirds to your yard:

Come late spring and throughout the summer, there's a common scene that replays over and over in our house. We will be sitting at the dinner table, coaxing our 4-year-old to eat her food, and one of us will shout: HUMMINGBIRD! You'd think we saw a dinosaur by our reaction, but no -- just this tiny, remarkable bird that dashes from flower to flower in front of our window before zipping off way too soon. Hummingbirds have to be one of the coolest birds, sure to impress all kids. Here are some fun facts + tips on how to attract hummingbirds to your yard:

Continue reading "How to Attract Hummingbirds" »

May 14, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

caterpillar.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a lovely weekend! As I mentioned last week, my brother-in-law is in town from California. His visits are always so fun and also inspire me to make lots of yummy food -- the weekend was replete with Korean barbeque and from-scratch sticky buns (I think I probably should post this recipe for you all...oh my goodness). Added bonus: I managed to get out and pick up new running shoes yesterday, which I'm quite excited about! Anyway, I hope you have a fantastic week ahead of you -- here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

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May 12, 2012

Yoga Camp for Kids

tara-rachel-jones-yoga.jpgToday, Lindsey (also of A Design So Vast) recommends an upcoming yoga camp for kids:

Last summer my 8-year-old daughter Grace attended Tara Rachel Jones's week-long yoga camp at the Arlington Center and absolutely loved it. She was, and continues to be, at an age where doing a camp or activity without a friend takes some cajoling. After the first day of yoga camp, though, she bounced home happily and eagerly back every other day. She absolutely loved yoga camp with Tara.

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May 11, 2012

15 Fun Weekend Picks

felt-ducklings-etsy.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend planned. We don't tend to do anything major for Mother's Day but I do hope to get out and replace my tired old running shoes with some new kicks and would love to shoot some family photos. Also, my wonderful brother-in-law is in town from California, which always feels celebratory! Anyway, whether or not you choose to celebrate Mother's Day formally, I hope you have a great weekend; here are 15 picks for your consideration:

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May 10, 2012

Maud Morgan Arts

maud-morgan.jpgToday, Kate shares an art center I'm itching to try with Laurel:

My daughter has always loved art. From her early daycare days of finger-painting and messing around with sand, through coloring and cutting, and now up to learning how to sew and knit and make complex collages, she is drawn to create using color and materials and shapes. And while she always makes a beeline for the art table at school and we have collected boxes full of art supplies at home, there are still limits on what we're able to do ourselves. For this reason, I was thrilled to discover Maud Morgan Arts, a wonderful art center and school discreetly hidden on Sacramento Street in Cambridge.

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May 9, 2012

Dare, Dream, Do

dare-dream-do.jpgWhitney Johnson impresses me in so many ways. She is smart. She is kind. She makes stuff happen. She wears fabulous jackets. And she's probably the only person I have ever talked to who ends conversations with, "So, what can I do for you?" Last year, unbeknownst to me, Whitney played a pivotal role in moving my book dream forward. And now, I'm just beyond thrilled that her book Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream has launched. It was such an honor to help Whitney kick off her book launch last night at Pivot Boston. Read on for some thoughts about this book and what I have realized about my life dreams, as well as to enter to win one of two copies of this awesome book.

Continue reading "Dare, Dream, Do" »

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