Summer "Somewhere"s

photo credit

With the first official day of summer less than a month awAay [June 20th in the U.S./northern hemisphere], I'm mentally preparing to manage my two young and active boys:

Big Brother, 3-years-old

Little Brother, 8-months-old

in the face of the Utah summer heat.  

Often my oldest son comes up to me and says, 

"I want to go somewhere."   

EVERY TIME [me:]

...

Um, OK

[while thinking]

...where should I take them today??

***

I wanted to share a few of our "somewhere"s, WITH COMMENTS AS TO HOW THEY'VE GONE OVER WITH EACH OF MY BOYS. The list is ever growing, as I do need to be able to wear them BOTH out this summer!  


If you live outside of our area, I hope you'll still find one or two great ideas here, or that in the least we can introduce you to a wonderful site for finding events in your area, Macaroni Kid.

{ free }
FUN IN THE SUN

  

YOUR OWN BACKYARD

It's familiar, anything you'll need is within walking distance, and to get there all you have to do is walk outside.  It's safe, and you can enjoy yourself too.  More "No Yawn On My Lawn" ideas are coming! 

PUBLIC [OUTDOOR] PARKS with water play 

Follow this link for a list of more Salt Lake County Parks
When things heat up outside, and if you have a young child that's pre-playground age you'll want
* a bit of grass in the shade
* a bit of water to play in
* a playground where older children can play with little help
Loves to hug cute girls on the playground, and take a picnic.
Because he doesn't climb or walk and puts everything in his mouth, finding a park both boys can enjoy has been a challenge. He loves water, and because water play areas are typically concrete there's nothing to 'eat.' 
Two solid choices:
Mountview Park 
1651 E. Ft. Union Blvd., Salt Lake City/Cottonwood Heights
Liberty Park
"Seven Canyons" water feature [pack a swim diaper]
600 E. 900 S., Salt Lake City

{ pay to play }
FUN IN THE SUN

We hope your biggest challenge will be the line.

With my boys' current level of interest in the following activities, they present a few challenges.  But, for the price of admission I get unique photo opportunities and keep these organizations running for future visits:


TRACY AVIARY
Adult: $7 / Age 3-12: $5 / Age 2 and under: free
and UTAH'S HOGLE ZOO
Adult: $12.75 / Age 3-12: $9.75 / Age 2 and under: free  
When it comes to animals, what takes me 5 minutes to see he apparently sees in 3% of the time.
Is happy just to be in the Baby Bjorn.  "Animals?  Sure, I'll look at animals."

LAGOON
Regular: $44.95+tax / Age 3 and under: $28.95+tax
Age 2 and under: free admission, but must purchase individual ride tickets 
Ride tickets: 4-10 tickets per ride @ $0.50/ticket
I was told by a ticket agent over the phone that no one over the age of 2 is admitted free.  Which would mean that no one over the age of 2 would have use for individual ride tickets.  But then, as not to confuse anyone, wouldn't only rides suitable for young guests with ride tickets post a ticket value for the ride??  A repeat phone call wouldn't hurt.
Didn't enjoy the rise and fall movement of many of the Kiddieland attractions last year.  Would likely ride only the attractions his brother could ride, but would have to pay admission.
Would be able to ride approx. 6 attractions in total with me accompanying him.  Would also enjoy the water play area [located just inside the park entrance/exit].   

EXPLORE INDOORS

Big Brother's FAVORITE local "somewhere" [that also periodically offers discounts]:
DISCOVERY GATEWAY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
General Admission: $8.50 / Age 1 and under: free
You and your child may want to have a plan for when another child takes something away from them. It'll likely happen, but you may be able to prevent a meltdown if your child knows what to do.  
For a "unique" experience, go on the same day as a school field trip.  <SHAKING MY HEAD "NO" WHILE SILENTLY MOUTHING THE WORDS "DON'T GO".>  Fortunately, the museum will post a warning a notice at the entrance.  Go another day.  Trust me.
Because he'd live here, I had to include it in our list.  Runs from one activity/area to the next every few minutes.  He just can't take it all in fast enough.
Unfortunately, spends most of his visit attached to me and following his brother around.  Other parents are also trying to attend to multiple children at the same time, and his play area can become overcrowded with older siblings.  I worry about what he'll put in his mouth, as there is no 'to be sanitized' bin.


I'd try it again: 
GYMBOREE PLAY AND MUSIC
First class is free
We attended our first class [Family Music, for Ages 6 months-5 years], and were invited to stay and play in their padded indoor gym.  I was impressed with the teachers.
Was too embarrassed/grumpy/shy to join in during Family Music. Really enjoyed himself during the Family Gymboree Play and Learn.  Was allowed to explore the gym and play on his own, in addition to playing with the group.
Had a great time crawling around with little help.  Can put things in his mouth without panic [which is huge] as long as we tossed it into the 'to be sanitized' bin afterward.


Probably won't go again until my boys are older:
BOUNCE CENTERS [INFLATABLE TOYS/TRAMPOLINES]
Admission varies, and there are more of these to choose from than I realized.  If they limited the number of children allowed on each 'toy' [for crowd control] and enforced age/size rules [to prevent trampling] we'd be more likely to go again. 
Just didn't enjoy falling down.
Doesn't jump, but might enjoy crawling on an inflatable surface with others his size.

***

NEXT REVIEW: WATER PARKS

Until then, Happy "Go Somewhere's!"

A.

Like trick-or treating...and Christmas...

Follow this link for a great photo set of Daybreak, Utah by Photo Dean

I just have to post about how awesome the residents of Daybreak are for participating in and supporting the DAYBREAK COMMUNITY YARD SALE this last Saturday!  I know the sale drew in visitors from as far as Heber, and perhaps farther.  I hope that we were respectful drivers, shoppers and visitors and that the residents of the community will want to participate again.  I'm marking my 2013 calendar NOW for the next sale!  

THANK YOU Shelley and Cason Smith, and family, [of The House of Smiths] for participating!  I just couldn't compete with the "early birds."  [I really tried!]  When I walked up to the sale at 7:30 A.M. there was ALREADY a checkout line like I've never seen at any yard sale before!  At the outset I was disheartened to see many fantastic items already grouped into piles for purchase.  

Then, I saw Shelley and Cason.  I looked again at the long line of customers, and suddenly I was happy.  To think they'd likely sell everything that day, and possibly feel encouraged to keep blogging.  They gave many of us an opportunity to support them in some small way, for all that we come away with in following their blog.  It's more than a great decor item or design idea.  If you haven't yet had the pleasure of stumbling upon their blog, I hope you'll follow this link and pop in.

As a small "thank you" I also gave Shelley a hug, which made my day :).  

The Smith family is also participating in Daybreak's DIY Blogger House.  The big reveal is scheduled for this August, as part of the Parade of Homes.  Will you be there??

If you were in Daybreak for the sale, I hope you'll leave a COMMENT.  How far did you travel to be there, and what treasures did you come away with?? 

Happy Monday,

A.

I Just Might Learn Something: Staycation Day Two

Big Brother has always slept with his bedroom door closed---he likes routine and so that's the way it has always been.  Whether due to the age of this house, paint, or [and] its hinges coming loose on occasion, he can't open this door without this harsh scraping sound.  This is the first morning Little Brother has been gone, and I didn't hear Big Brother open his door.  I ALWAYS hear him.


He first appeared at my bedside with crumbs on his face.  Later, I learned that he had finished off a can of his brother's [Gerber®] cheddar puffs in the kitchen before he came into our room this morning.  I was surprised to learn that how asleep/aware I am in the morning is directly related to my baby. He plays his own role in my daily routine.  We did manage to escape any accident, for which I'm extremely grateful.


Today, after a quick errand, we [my husband, Big Brother and I] visited Color Me Mine [a paint your own pottery studio].  My son likes to paint on paper, and I thought he'd love choosing and painting his own ceramic piece.  PERFECT staycation activity, right??  In reality, he was more excited about painting before we arrived.  I mean, he's 3.  After a few minutes of actually painting, he was finished. 

Improvise

  } Be willing to improvise, and remember to think happy thoughts.


***

Tonight, my sweet husband arranged for a babysitter and planned a fan.tastic night out for the two of us.  [A special Thank You to our adorable babysitter, who agreed to stay until 12:30 A.M. on a school night.]

If you live in the area, you MUST visit The Five Alls restaurant once.  Dinner is FIVE courses, and followed by dessert.  After 3 visits, it is still THE best meal I've ever had here in the city.  I love that their menu, with pricing, is available online which helps us budget for it.  In my humble opinion, it's worth every cent.    

Once you've been, if you've had a better experience elsewhere we hope you'll LEAVE A COMMENT with your recommendation! 

"...PACE THYSELF AND ENJOY."

Know that if you decide to catch a movie after dinner at The Five Alls [perhaps, The Avengers in 3D] the price of dinner really covers any movie snacks too, because you'll be so full you won't want any.

***

At the end of Day Two I was pleasantly surprised at how the 'usual' things:
} tidying the house
} quiet time
} playing in the backyard
} GROCERY SHOPPING, of all things 
} delivering dessert to a neighbor
} "dinner and a movie"
} snuggling in front of the TV
were what made our day great, more so than the one fun and unique activity I'd actually planned.  


DEFINITELY plan for one nice meal and some one-on-one time with your sweetheart.  Beyond that, the value in planning anything else isn't always the plan itself---but that the plan brought you and someone you love together.  


Goodnight Little Brother.

It's On: Staycation Day One

My boys are 3-years and 8-months old.  They do not observe any holiday or special occasion that merits extra sleep!  Weekends. Daylight Saving Time.  New Year's Day...  


...Day One of our staycation was no exception.  There's no appealing to their inner clock, but with my husband home for the day we just enjoyed lying there together [while THEY climbed all over us], instead of clinging so desperately to those last few minutes of sleep.

A much younger Big Brother.
Both of our boys LOVE peeking out of these blinds at the head of our bed,
and they climb all over us to get to them!

Watching Little Brother drive off with our friend J. tonight for a few days was momentarily unsettling, only because he's my baby. I'm with him most of the day, daily.  For the same reason, I'm also curious to see how we'll both do.  I know he's in great hands, and I am excited to spend a little one-on-one time with Big Brother.
   

An only child for 29 months, Big Brother has been a fantastic brother from the beginning.    He is kind to his little brother, and when he's not consoling his little brother himself he's waiting patiently for me to finish consoling him/feeding him/changing him...


After a fabulous dinner out [Thai food] with my husband and B.Brother, B.Brother and I took the stroller around the block in search of an ice cream truck!  We talked about his day, and when we failed to find the ice cream truck we came home and had an ice cream cone of our own in the backyard.  I LOVED spending this time with him.

As Day One draws to a close, I have this advice to share:


} "Update your Status."  Being home, and being "available" don't HAVE to go together. Decide in advance whether you'll be "available" or "unavailable" to all who know you [your employer, co-workers, family, friends, neighbors, and the like].

} Schedule that house cleaning!  It will be easy to slip into your daily routine, and spend more time than you intended making phone calls on an insurance claim [for example].  Let someone else worry about your chores, and spend the day how you want to spend it.  

How To Plan A STAYcation

This being the only weekend my handsome man will be home with us this month, for our upcoming 5th wedding anniversary we planned planned to plan a fantastic STAYCATION.  

I imagined it would go much like this:
After sleeping in, I'd wake up to a perfectly clean house...

...eat a delicious breakfast...
...get a 2-hour massage... 

...enjoy a relaxing bath...
{photo credit}

...wear something romantic...

 

...and find a pair of fantastic shoes to show off my perfectly manicured nails.  
{photo credit}


I'd schedule a massage and a shave for my husband...

Art Of Shaving

In the afternoon we'd try something new ... indoor rock climbing, indoor surfing, a sushi-making class ... and after a delicious dinner in the evening we'd catch an outdoor concert, a comedy show or a movie.  Of course, we'd always have the option of relaxing in a hot tub and then vegging out at home. 


{...location of said hot tub unknown}

Well, as you will find, this is a guide in planning a 
real-life staycation.  Dream big and read on.  We hope that you'll come away with a smile on your face and a few helpful tips for planning a wonderful staycation of your very own. 

Happy Thoughts

'tis the eve of our 5-year anniversary STAYcation and our 8-month-old is the one with a plan.  Our friends H, J and M are the best for inviting him to stay with them.  


Our 3-year-old will be here at home with us for the next 5 days! After 3 hours of shopping tonight, I also failed to find a gift for my husband.  I came home to him slouched in his office chair, staring blankly and uttering in a low voice something about how he's forgotten how to have fun.  When he mentioned needing ice cream I was in FULL SUPPORT of a late-night ice cream run! 


We learned that the following truth applies to planning a vacation, and to planning anything really:  planning, even far in advance, doesn't grant you immunity to anything.
}  your child-care arrangements can fall through
}  your spouse can be required to attend a work-related meeting last-minute...in CALIFORNIA
}  unexpected expenses can arise
}  you can catch a cold


An unexpected change can be difficult to accept without feeling angry, disappointed, hurt, offended...


...but even when another person's actions affect you, if there is one thing no one can take from you, it's how you respond to whatever happens to you.  Feeling these things doesn't improve the situation.  


In the end, you will have had a better experience if you fight to think happy thoughts.  


For me, spending some much-needed, one-on-one time with 
Big Brother is a happy thought:

Our 3-year-old, and "Big Brother" to our blog