Today, we took a family trip to the Houston Zoo. The adults found ourselves comparing the Zoo of our young days to the current venue. Wow! A lot has changed and our children have so much more to see and experience. Our daughter Kylie especially enjoyed the petting zoo, including the chickens, sheep, goats and more. While December and January are great months to visit the Zoo, I would still suggest going at opening time. We got there at 3 pm and the parking lot was packed. My husband joked: "Too bad the Zoo closes in two hours. It'll take us an hour to get to the front gate." The temp was a nice 78 today but usually I'd advise bringing a coat. I'd also bring a change of clothes for the little ones since the Zoo has added the dancing fountains that more and more places are including to add some fun for the kids. The Zoo gets a gold star for traditional family fun... even after all the years!
Until the next nap time...
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Exercising Moms & Kids Get Thumbs Up
Kylie & I participated in StrollerFit west Houston this morning. This is a great activity for moms and kids under ~ age 4. And you know, there aren't a lot of activities for that age group. The instructor Lorie did a great job of exercising the moms while keeping the kids engaged. We sang childrens songs such as "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Frosty the Snowman," which the kids loved. The moms exercised to the tunes. There was even fun interaction between moms and kiddos like tickling and giggling. This is such a great way to interact with our kids while being healthy that I plan to look into the StrollerFit program at Memorial Park, which is a little closer to my house. Anyone else care to join us? More details are available at www.StrollerFit.com. Thanks to Lorie & the crew!
One more note: I'm not the only one who thinks this is a great activity. Oprah will be filming StrollerFit in Houston on December 29. Now how's that for an endorsement!
One more note: I'm not the only one who thinks this is a great activity. Oprah will be filming StrollerFit in Houston on December 29. Now how's that for an endorsement!
Monday, December 19, 2005
Fun Kids Activities in December
My daughter Kylie & I will be attending our first StrollerFit (see www.StrollerFit.com) with the west Houston group on Tuesday, 12/20 at 9 a.m. After class, I'll be making my book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids available for purchase and I'll be giving each class participant a FREE listing of 5 fun activities for the kids before the end of the year. If you're interested in some of those activities as well as tips for not pulling your hair out during the holidays, check out my article "Holiday Activities for Families Made Easy," which is available online at
http://EzineArticles.com/?id=97718.
Unfortunately, Borders on Kirby Drive still does not have the guidebook available for purchase. If you are in that area of town, try BookStop on Kirby or the River Oaks Bookshop across the street from Lamar High School. I'll post an update when Borders gets those books in.
Until the next nap time...
http://EzineArticles.com/?id=97718.
Unfortunately, Borders on Kirby Drive still does not have the guidebook available for purchase. If you are in that area of town, try BookStop on Kirby or the River Oaks Bookshop across the street from Lamar High School. I'll post an update when Borders gets those books in.
Until the next nap time...
Saturday, December 17, 2005
StrollerFit as Option for Moms & Children?
I'm excited about a new mother & child option. Well, it's new to me. I'll be joining a Houston StrollerFit group either on Tuesday, 12/20 or Thursday, 12/22 at 9 am. (We're still trying to determine if we should postpone our Tuesday date due to potential rain.) I'll post an update here when I know for sure which date. From what I understand so far, StrollerFit is an opportunity for moms and their young children to exercise together. Moms walk & jog while the kids get some fresh air in their strollers. Plus, the moms are led through a light cardio workout by an instructor. The fun part is that during the holidays, the group uses things like jingle bells to exercise and the kids are entertained. I think it'll be fun to investigate and I'll be sure to report back. There are 8 StrollerFit groups in Houston. I'll be attending the one that meets at Terry Hershey Park in west Houston. More info to come. See www.StrollerFit.com for details.
Last night, I spoke with my friend Kelly who is battling cancer. It was an interesting conversation as she updated me on her 1st chemo treatment. She said that, while they had been trying to get pregnant, she was glad that she didn't have a young one yet. We both agreed that it's best for her to focus on getting herself better now & then worry about having kids after she's defeated the cancer.
Talking about this made me realize just how lucky I am... on so many fronts. No, I don't have cancer and yes, I do have a wonderful little girl. How odd it is to think back to a few years ago when my husband & I struggled to get pregnant. I also wonder how many women struggle with infertility quietly, feeling like they are alone. I suppose it goes to prove that there's a plan for each of us & while we don't always understand it, it's important to accept. It's also a difficult but good lesson to teach our little ones. As a parent, I'll try to show my daughter this lesson using the challenges I face. I think that will also show her the real human side of me so she knows we all face these things. Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I don't struggle. Something for me to ponder.
Until the next nap time...
Last night, I spoke with my friend Kelly who is battling cancer. It was an interesting conversation as she updated me on her 1st chemo treatment. She said that, while they had been trying to get pregnant, she was glad that she didn't have a young one yet. We both agreed that it's best for her to focus on getting herself better now & then worry about having kids after she's defeated the cancer.
Talking about this made me realize just how lucky I am... on so many fronts. No, I don't have cancer and yes, I do have a wonderful little girl. How odd it is to think back to a few years ago when my husband & I struggled to get pregnant. I also wonder how many women struggle with infertility quietly, feeling like they are alone. I suppose it goes to prove that there's a plan for each of us & while we don't always understand it, it's important to accept. It's also a difficult but good lesson to teach our little ones. As a parent, I'll try to show my daughter this lesson using the challenges I face. I think that will also show her the real human side of me so she knows we all face these things. Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I don't struggle. Something for me to ponder.
Until the next nap time...
I'm excited about a new mother & child option. Well, it's new to me. I'll be joining a Houston StrollerFit group either on Tuesday, 12/20 or Thursday, 12/22 at 9 am. (We're still trying to determine if we should postpone our Tuesday date due to potential rain.) I'll post an update here when I know for sure which date. From what I understand so far, StrollerFit is an opportunity for moms and their young children to exercise together. Moms walk & jog while the kids get some fresh air in their strollers. Plus, the moms are led through a light cardio workout by an instructor. The fun part is that during the holidays, the group uses things like jingle bells to exercise and the kids are entertained. I think it'll be fun to investigate and I'll be sure to report back. There are 8 StrollerFit groups in Houston. I'll be attending the one that meets at Terry Hershey Park in west Houston. More info to come. See www.StrollerFit.com for details.
Last night, I spoke with my friend Kelly who is battling cancer. It was an interesting conversation as she updated me on her 1st chemo treatment. She said that, while they had been trying to get pregnant, she was glad that she didn't have a young one yet. We both agreed that it's best for her to focus on getting herself better now & then worry about having kids after she's defeated the cancer.
Talking about this made me realize just how lucky I am... on so many fronts. No, I don't have cancer and yes, I do have a wonderful little girl. How odd it is to think back to a few years ago when my husband & I struggled to get pregnant. I also wonder how many women struggle with infertility quietly, feeling like they are alone. I suppose it goes to prove that there's a plan for each of us & while we don't always understand it, it's important to accept. It's also a difficult but good lesson to teach our little ones. As a parent, I'll try to show my daughter this lesson using the challenges I face. I think that will also show her the real human side of me so she knows we all face these things. Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I don't struggle. Something for me to ponder.
Until the next nap time...
Last night, I spoke with my friend Kelly who is battling cancer. It was an interesting conversation as she updated me on her 1st chemo treatment. She said that, while they had been trying to get pregnant, she was glad that she didn't have a young one yet. We both agreed that it's best for her to focus on getting herself better now & then worry about having kids after she's defeated the cancer.
Talking about this made me realize just how lucky I am... on so many fronts. No, I don't have cancer and yes, I do have a wonderful little girl. How odd it is to think back to a few years ago when my husband & I struggled to get pregnant. I also wonder how many women struggle with infertility quietly, feeling like they are alone. I suppose it goes to prove that there's a plan for each of us & while we don't always understand it, it's important to accept. It's also a difficult but good lesson to teach our little ones. As a parent, I'll try to show my daughter this lesson using the challenges I face. I think that will also show her the real human side of me so she knows we all face these things. Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I don't struggle. Something for me to ponder.
Until the next nap time...
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
In Mad Rush for Gifts, Remember Love (& Luck) of Kids
Well, the holidays are in full swing and there's just nothing like trying to get all those gifts before Christmas Day. Kylie & I ventured out after her morning nap today, but Kylie decided she was revolting against her normal nap schedule. Luck would have it. I raced through this store and that one & then headed home. I figure you just can't ask too much for an 8 month old.
A good friend of mine has been diagnosed with cancer and begins chemo on Thursday. See her blog at http://lesterlink.blogspot.com/. Besides being a life-threatening illness that demands its presence be known, my girlfriend & her husband are now forced to postpone having children. And yes, they are wondering about the effects the chemo will have on future child-bearing years. But all of this makes me realize how lucky we are to have children. When you think of every thing that could go wrong, it's amazing any of us survived to have kids of our own. So the next time you're rushing out the door to grab that great book for your sister, remember the little ones just don't understand. Stop & look in their eyes and thank God you have them to toat around. You're luckier than you know.
Until the next nap time...
A good friend of mine has been diagnosed with cancer and begins chemo on Thursday. See her blog at http://lesterlink.blogspot.com/. Besides being a life-threatening illness that demands its presence be known, my girlfriend & her husband are now forced to postpone having children. And yes, they are wondering about the effects the chemo will have on future child-bearing years. But all of this makes me realize how lucky we are to have children. When you think of every thing that could go wrong, it's amazing any of us survived to have kids of our own. So the next time you're rushing out the door to grab that great book for your sister, remember the little ones just don't understand. Stop & look in their eyes and thank God you have them to toat around. You're luckier than you know.
Until the next nap time...
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