-
Parenting :: Why Summer Camp Is Hot
Image Courtesy of boston.com Every summer parents look for ways to entertain our children. If you haven’t considered it yet, summer camps are a valuable alternative to day care or countless trips to the local park. Summer camps are available in so many formats; half day, full day, week-long, and even two week-long camps. Opportunities abound! But what are your kids really going to get out of summer camp? The specifics depend on what kind of camp they are participating in, but here are a few of the benefits: 1. Kids in summer camps try new things, learn new skills, discover talents and new interests. Learning about themselves and making…
-
The Ups and Downs of Homeschooling: A Newbie’s Perspective
More than one million children are being homeschooled in the United States, and it seems that number is growing. While the motivation for homeschooling varies from one family to the next, there’s no doubt that it is becoming more common, and more accepted. I have a son in kindergarten that is lucky to be at one of the best schools in the district. However, as our experience with the public school system grows, we are leaning closer to the decision to homeschool in the fall. So what are the benefits and disadvantages of homeschool? As I dig deeper into my research I find that the biggest disadvantages are determining…
-
A Book Review: Where On Earth?
My son was given the book Where On Earth? by Dorling Kindersley (DK Publishing) as a gift from his grandmother after undergoing minor surgery. He loves maps, and so this book was entirely fitting. As a curious soul, he plunged into the extraordinary pages that are full of photo maps (more than 80 of them!) that include both amazing photography and brilliant illustrations. A Perfect Book for Explorers! Each fact-filled page features a map with a unique focus. The book is broken up into six categories: Land, Sea and Air; Living World; People and Planet; Engineering and Technology; History; and Culture.…
-
Crayons & Whimsy: Not Just A Blog For Teachers
I was recently introduced to the blog Crayons & Whimsy. Written by kindergarten teacher Christy Donnelly, it is meant to be a resource for other teachers but there is so much great information and she offers tons of ideas and activities that can be done at home, too. I believe that education starts at home, so when I find resources like Crayons & Whimsy to offer creative ways to incorporate educational and fun activities into our time at home, I get really excited! One activity from the blog that I love is the I Can Cloud. The white cloud is the centerpiece of the project with the words…
- Awareness, Creativity, Culture, Fitness, Kids, Parenting, Plan, Play, Slideshow, Southern California, Wellness
Shipley Nature Center Kicks Off New Children’s Program
Shipley Nature Center: If you live in or near Huntington Beach, you might be excited to learn about a new children’s program that is being offered by Shipley Nature Center. If you’re not familiar with Shipley, it’s located in Central Park near Goldenwest Street. One of the first things you’ll see when you walk through the gates at Shipley Nature Center is the interpretive center. The front portion of the center is dedicated to informational items and small gifts, but travel to the back room and you’ll find signboards about the history of the surrounding area and the habitats you’ll find out on the trails. There are also plenty…
-
Tax Tips for Working At Home
Image Courtesy of Flickr When you work from home, tax time can be a little more complex than just filling out the information from your W-2, especially if you own your own business. There is a lot more to be considered but with a little organization and attention to detail, tax time can be significantly less stressful. Here are a few tips to help you breeze through tax season. Put together a business log. Use a three ring binder, a few clear pocket inserts, and a notebook. Jot down a brief summary of your daily activity in the notebook and put any related receipts into the clear pockets so you…
