June '07
A three year old child is a being who
gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings
as it does out of finding a small green worm. ~Bill Vaughan
Welcome! I am excited to be adding a new page to The Changing of Seasons, dedicated to children! Many who visit this site are Moms, Grandparents, Aunts and others who have little ones in their life and I thought this page could help in giving ideas with spending fun, quality time with them! Because this is a new idea for me and a work in progress, the format may seem a little odd but I'll try and work out the kinks once I see what works and hopefully get some feedback from you! I will be changing and adding things once in awhile so be sure to check back!
You will also find a link with information that you would like to share with other Parents and care-takers. Fun and useful information such as advice, your child's favorite books and toys, or maybe useful products that seem to help make things easier for you. We could all use some extra help and advice! If this interests you, please email me at thechangingofseasons@yahoo.com and put CHILDREN'S PAGE in the subject so I know it's not spam. I have already received feedback from a few of you and would love to hear from more! A BIG thank you to those who have contributed so far and have sent words of encouragement! Really means a lot!
Please enjoy the THIRD edition of Kids Page and hope to hear from you soon!
Children are so very precious and remember, they ARE our future!
Let's Read a Book!
June 17th is Father's Day! Children not only love to have their Mom's read to them but they enjoy having their Dad's read to them as well, and sometimes Dads like to get a little more animated in their story telling. Here are two fun stories for Dad to read with their child!
"Dog Breath, The Horrible Trouble With Hally Tosis" by Dav Pilkey is a silly little story about, you guessed it, a dog with horrible smelling breath! Hally's breath was so awful that the children's Parents were deciding to send Hally to a different home. Find out what happens in the end! You'll enjoy this silly story and the pictures that go along with it!
The next book I recommend is David Shannon's "Duck on a Bike". This is such a cute story and the pictures are just as funny and cute. This is a good story for the Parent that likes to act out the part.
Craft Time!
With Father's Day coming soon, here's a fun craft/Father's Day gift idea that you and your child can
work together on. And of course, this craft is great for any other time of the year as well!
Pretend Stained Glass
You'll need:
wax paper
crayons
crayon sharpener (or knife to make crayon shavings)
scissors
Any flat objects such as glitter, pictures from magazines, leaves, stickers, etc. . .
An iron
1. Cut 2 pieces of wax paper any size you'd like for your project. Make sure they are both the same
size.
2. On top of one piece of wax paper, arrange flat objects and then arrange crayon shavings. If you do
not have a crayon sharpener, be sure to have an adult make shavings using a knife.
3. Next step is for an adult! Place a few sheets of newspaper on top of ironing board and then place
the wax paper with the shavings and such on top of newspaper. Place second sheet of wax paper on top
of artwork, making sure it is lined up. Place a few more sheets of newspaper on top of wax paper and
then iron on medium, checking often to make sure it is not burning. Stop when the 2 pieces of wax
paper are stuck together and crayon shavings have melted.
Make sure there is no filling along the edges so that it can be properly sealed together.
Once cooled, trim edges, punch a hole on top and add string for hanging.
For another cute craft idea, click on this link below! (Thanks Heather B. for sharing this with us! )
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11723
Summer's almost here and school's will be out for the season! Now is the time for outdoor summer fun! With the 4th of July on the way and many upcoming cookouts and picnics, here's a fun game for the children!
Popcorn Relay
WHAT YOU NEED:
Plastic or paper cups
Tack or small nail
Thick rubber band
Big bag of popcorn ( I have seen red, white and blue popcorn sold in some stores. This would be perfect for a 4th of July cookout!)
Shallow boxes
Ruler
HOW TO PLAY:
1. Before the game, find a pair of plastic or paper cups for each team. Then use a tack or a small nail to poke a hole in the center of each cup bottom.
2. Push one end of a thick rubber band through the hole and into the cup. Slip a paper clip on the end of the band inside the cup, and gently pull the other end until the clip rests on the bottom of the cup. (The rubber band, worn around the ball of the foot, holds the cup in place atop a player's shoe).
3. Set two large, shallow boxes 5 yards beyond the starting line, opposite the teams.
4. Divide participants into teams. Designate one member of each team to be the person who fills up the cups with popcorn. These individuals will stand alongside their teams, behind the starting line.
5. Instruct the first person in each team's line to slip the popcorn-filled cups over their shoes. At the whistle blow, they must sprint to the appropriate box and empty their cups into it, trying to lose as little popcorn as possible along the way.
6. Racers run back to tag the next teammate in line and that person must then run to the team box with newly-filled shoe cups.
7. The relay continues for 2 minutes or until one of the bags is emptied. The popcorn in each box is then measured with a ruler (or by cupfuls). The team with the most is declared the winner.~ familyfun.com
Local Events
Take a look in your local newspaper or online to find fun places to go that are kid friendly! This is great for spending quality time together and it helps make special memories. If you know of any family events happening in your community, email me and I'll post it ASAP! Have fun!
Independence Day will be here soon! A wonderful day to spend time with one another! Lots of local parades and firework displays! If you know of any in your area, email and let me know so I can post them! Thanks!
Maritime Heritage Festival - St. Mary's City
June 16th 10am-5pm
Children's Day on the Farm - Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
June 3rd 11am-5pm http://jefpat.org
Railroad Heritage Days - Hagerstown
June 9-10 10am-5pm http://roundhouse.org
Celtic Festival - Havre de Grace, MD. Steppingstone Museum
June 10th 12 noon - 5pm http://steppingstonemuseum.org
Havre de Grace Independence Celebration - Havre de Grace, MD.
June 29th - July 3rd carnival, parade and fireworks! Call for more info. 410-939-4362
Spring Carnival - Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Woodbine
All proceeds benefit abused, neglected horses
June 30th 11am-4pm For more info. call 410-442-1564
All-American Fourth of July Celebration - Annapolis, MD.
Period music and entertainment, Revolutionary War re-enactors, historical figures, readings of the Declaration of Independence and patriotic crafts.July 4th 12 noon - 5pm http://annapolis.org
Baltimore's 4th of July Celebration - Fireworks over the Harbor!
July 4th 12 noon - 9pm http://promotionandarts.com
Old-Fashioned July 4th Celebration/Fireworks - Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster
Fireworks, old-fashioned family picnic, games, food, crafts, farmhouse tours.12 noon http://ccgov.carr.org/farm
July 4th Concert on the Beach and Fireworks - Ocean City, MD.
Free concert on the beach, 8pm; fireworks over the ocean: 9:30pm.
Did you ever wonder about the origins behind most Nursery Rhymes? Wonder no more! Click on this link and read about some of your favorite rhymes! (Thanks Sandra S. for sharing this with us!)
http://www.rhymes.org.uk/index.htm
Check out the last 2 editions of KIDS PAGE!
