Tease-y

After dinner, there clearly was tickle time between Little K &


Uncle Sean. He was so surprised at the difference between our daughter & his at the same age. (photos tomorrow night will also be telling!) Too bad they both like teasing.

- Until the next nap time...

Location:Dayton, OH.

Do a Hair Do

As tradition demands, Little K "fixes" PaPa Don's hair. Unlike her mother & her aunt, she doesn't have any temporary hair dye!

- Until the next nap time...

Location:Dayton, OH.

Mini Burgers & Good Memories

Little K earned $2 this morning by picking up all the twigs that fell after last night's Ohio t-storm. We then went to a local rummage sale, where she bought coloring pages for 50 cents.




We'd worked up quite the appetite so we drove to the Hamburger Wagon in Miamisburgh, OH.

My PaPa Don says the original owner sold the famous mini burgers for just 10 cents each.


They now go for $1.10 each but are cooked right in front of you & are delicious!

My sorority little sister replied to my FaceBook post about this & says she has fond memories of this "monument", too.

Of course, there is the distinct possibility that we both love this place because our grandfathers have brought us here for years.

What are/were your favorite pitstops with your grandparents?

- Until the next nap time...

Location:Miamisburgh, OH

Baby Birds Need Space

This morning, we took a peak at


two baby Robbins that were nestled in a nest outside of my grandparents' big window. Little K thought they "were so cute".

Unfortunately, my mug got too close & one of the baby birds lept out of the nest. The mother & father bird quickly flew into action but the baby couldn't fly back into the nest! We obviously backed WAY back but we'll keep a eye on the little feathered friend.

Little K was quite upset with me, claiming I didn't even apologize to the baby bird for scaring it. Ha!

- Until the next nap time...

Location:Dayton, Ohio

Good Start to our Trip to Great-Grandparents

So each summer, we make a trip to visit my maternal grandparents, Little K's great-grandparents, in Dayton, Ohio. We also have aunts, uncles & cousins there. Each year, it proves such a rewarding experience... for me. The opportunity for my daughter to really get to know her great-grandparents is truly priceless.

We landed today to be greeted by PaPa Don & Grammy. An hour or so later, we arrived at their house & Little K promptly headed out to PaPa Don's garden. She picked okra, green


beans, baby pumpkins, cherry tomatoes & even luscious, big, juicy tomatoes! The funniest part is that my mom said they were "her tomatoes" but she didn't fly up here to eat them! Her. Her. Eat your.... Tomato out!

- Until the next nap time...

New Blog Design

So, you may have noticed that the Kids Activity Queen's blog has a new look & feel. This is a precursor to the re-launch of our new Web site, coming next week. We are so excited and hope you will find the blog and soon-to-launch Web site easier to navigate.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome here always.

Until the next nap time...

USA Today Shares Fun Things to Do in Houston

Interesting article in USA Today about fun things to do in Houston. Read it online at http://traveltips.usatoday.com/family-things-houston-texas-14895.html.

Our Circus Act

As I mentioned in my July newsletter, we visited the circus. I'll post photos later. We arrived early to see the pre-show of animals up close. So glad we did. We saw zebras, tigers, horses, elephants, clowns getting dressed for the show & lots if tricks. We even saw an elephant paint on an easel!

The circus is in town for ~2 more weeks. I highly recommend going as a family. Even this Mommy was wide-eyed!

Until the next nap time...

New Pool Float

After a day of errands & weeding at the house, Little K enjoyed a dip in the pool with a little help from our new pool float. Who's Texas proud?


Until the next nap time...

Pirates Take over Summer Camp

It's "Dress Like a Pirate" Day at Summer Safari (camp) and we really got into it.

I actually drew up a treasure map (on a torn grocery paper bag) with hints around the house for Little K to follow to the treasure chest. We'll do that after Daddy and Little K return from camp and the pediatrician. (A bad case of the coughs make it hard for my little pirate to say "Arrr!")

With a white t-shirt, brown pants and a bandana on her head, my sweet girl headed to camp with her map in hand. Upon arrival, the camp counselor was preparing the kids with temporary tattoos. So cool!

Earlier in the week, they had made pirate hats from black construction paper. The treats today included a wristband compass, an eye patch and a necklace. Activities are including: walk the plank (an old mattress), water balloon toss to the other pirates' sail (a bed sheet with a pirate image across it) and more. I can't wait to hear about the day's activities.

It seems like this theme would also be great for a pirate birthday party. How fun!

Until the next nap time...

Stay Dry in Houston while Painting Your Own Pottery

After a day of Summer Safari (camp), the rain started pouring really hard at our house. Still, Little K and I wanted to do something special together. So, we headed to Young at Art Studio in the Heights.

Once there, we dried off and then picked two large tiles to paint. At left, Little K shows off her tile with a collage of flowers on a red background. Apparently, I was taking too long because my daughter also had time to color a page with markers and stamps, thanks to Mrs. Laura's creativity.

At the end, we headed back out into the downpour to return home. We'll pick up our tiles next week after they've been fired. We're hoping to do enough off them to create a new tile top on my old sewing machine table. Good thing we started last summer!

Young at Art Studio is still one of our favorite ways to get out of the Houston heat or rain. Maybe we'll see you there.

Until the next nap time...

Post-Partum Depression

A friend of mine was recently blessed with the birth of a daughter. While very excited, she is struggling a bit  through post-partum depression. She is seeing a post-partum specialist so I feel like she is on her way to healthy feeling. Still, I'd like to do something fun but simple for her.

Any suggestions?

Until the next nap time...

Show Your Kids that You'll Stand by Them

I've seen this video before but I still think it's cool. Mark Johnson is uniting people around the world and changing lives through the power of music. The video says it all and it’s quite powerful. Check it out, share it with your kids and talk about standing by each other. Watch the Stand by Me video at http://www.playingforchange.com/

Until the next nap time...

Enter the Animation Coloring Contest

I thought this contest looked fun and is an easy indoor activity to beat the heat. I hope Little K will be intrigued.

Download an entry form or pick up a copy of the Greensheet now and enter to win the Health Museum's Animation coloring contest! The winner from each category, ages 2-5 and 6-10, will receive a prize pack that includes a museum membership! But get your coloring finished soon - all entries must be postmarked by July 27.

Two grand prize winners will receive prize packs that include a membership to the museum and Cartoon Network merchandise in this contest presented by The Health Museum and Greensheet. Pick up a copy of the Greensheet June 14 - July 23 or download an entry form now that includes the complete official rules.


Entries must be postmarked no later than July 28; winners will be announced August 10. Limited to ages 2 – 5 and 6 – 10. No purchase necessary to enter.

Until the next nap time...

I had a 7:30 am flight to Fort Worth this morning for work. Trent & Little K agreed to take me since my car is in the shop. At 5:30 am, I gently woke my daughter, saying it was time to go to the airport.

My sleepy girl arose, grabbed her baby dolls & headed to Daddy's car.

"I can't believe I'm in my PJs," she said sleepily with a slight sound of a giggle.

"I can't believe we are driving at this hour!" I replied. It was still dark outside. All in a day's work, right?

After my meetings, I head back to the airport. Surprise! Flight delay! Oh, I'll be home soon if those Houston storms will clear.

Until the next nap time...

Fun Summer Activities in Absolutely in the Loop Magazine

Looking for fun things to do with the kids this summer? Joy Stevens has written a great article in Absolutely Inside the Loop magazine, which includes Dadddy-&-me activities, pontoon boat tours, swim lessons and even recommendations while the parents are exercising at the gym. Check out the article at
http://www.absolutelyintheloop.com/ab-columns/summer-fun-family-style for more exciting ideas.

Until the next nap time...

The Day After Father's Day

This morning, Little K awoke and found me at the computer, working away. I convinced her to get dressed and then gently wake up her daddy.

Instead, Little K went into our bedroom, climbed up on her father and said: "Daddy, wake up. It's Kids Day!"

Today, following Father's Day, we both chuckled but my husband is quick even upon first waking.

"Good!" he said. "Since it's not my day, I'm going back to bed. Or should I put you to bed?"

"No way, Daddy!" Little K giggled. It was a good start to the day.

Until the next nap time...

All in the Eye (& Ear) of the Beholder

The other weekend I bought some new face lotion that smells so aromatic. It's wonderful! So earlier this week I put it on as Little K got in bed. As she called for her bed-time prayers, I took a deep breath of my relaxing-scented lotion & calmly walked into Little K's room. She's gonna love the smell, I thought.

As I laid down on the bed, Little J commented, indeed.

"Mommy, you smell like Daddy's shaving cream," she said, scowling.

There went that idea!

Until the next nap time...

So I'm stuck in traffic on 249 so I'll take a minute to blog.

Little K is in her second week of summer camp, which means no uniforms. Well, that is except for my daughter, who keeps picking out her uniform shorts and skorts to wear. I told her she could wear any of the shorts in her drawer for camp. Nope. She keeps going to her closet to get those uniform skorts. At least the uniform bottoms are solid navy so it's not super obvious. And a change if shirts is a good cover. Who knew I wasn't the only sucker for the uniform?!

Until the next nap time...

Studio Movie Grill Kicks Off Summer with Kids

The Studio Movie Grill not only makes going to the movie easier to dine and relax, it also is stirring up a pot of cool flicks for kids this summer. Monday - Thursday at 11 am kids can watch fun films for only $1 while adults get in for only $2.

Here is the line up for the Studio Movie Grill at Town & Country (called City Centre) but check the Web site for the schedule at your local Studio Movie Grill. Visit http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/ and then click "Family Fun" in the bottom left corner.

Horton Hears a Who (6/7-6/10) (G)

Charlotte's Web (6/14-6/17) (G)

Curious George (6/21-6/24) (G)
Planet 51 (6/28-7/1) (PG)
Kung Fu Panda (7/5-7/8) (PG)
Madagascar 2 (7/12-7/15) (PG)
Monsters v Aliens (7/19-7/23) (PG)
Ice Age 3 (7/26-7/29) (PG)
Rugrats in Paris (8/2-8/5) (G)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (8/9-8/12) (PG)
Muppets from Space (8/16-8/19) (G)