Are you ready to embrace a "Lazy Mom" summer? Create easy, delightful moments for your kids without running yourself ragged. From effortless popsicle recipes to engaging sensory play activities, these tips can help you savor a more relaxed season while keeping your kids entertained.
Keep it cool and sweet with simple popsicle recipes using chocolate milk, almond milk, or hydrating coconut water mixed with frozen fruit. Water play can provide endless fun; whether outside with a water table or making indoor bath time exciting with magnesium flakes and a dash of SleepyIze essential oil. For sensory seekers, consider kinetic sand, real sand with various tools, or mess-free sensory art toys.
Additionally, versatile magnetic tile toys and surprise party favor sets can offer your kids hours of imaginative play. Sometimes, the best strategy is to let your children get bored and create their own play scenarios, allowing them space and time to develop their creativity. Let's make this summer the laziest—and best—one yet!
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In the past decade it’s been a personal quest of our family to “opt outside” more, and one of my favorites is the 1000 hours outside challenge, which we are doing again this year!
I took this past month off so I could focus on our family, and help find some peace & balance in our lives. Typically December is a rough month because we hit anniversary dates of removal & foster placement in our home for both our adopted children. We have found through some very chaotic trial & error, that having strong boundaries around the holidays serves us well.
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A couple weeks ago we detoured from our normal hiking routine to check out the DeFries Calendar gardens, which a fellow hiking & homeschool mom had recommended to us. And even with the fall colors mostly gone, it did not disappoint.
Discover the hidden gem of the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Indiana, a small zoo filled with well-loved animals. This city-run zoo offers a variety of animals, from lions and tigers and bears to capybaras and fennec foxes. The zoo prioritizes the enrichment of their inhabitants, allowing for interaction and creating a welcoming atmosphere. With its location along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, visitors can even squeeze in a beach trip during their visit.
Membership to the Washington Park Zoo not only provides free parking at the city park but also allows access to other accredited zoos around the United States through the ZAA program. This is perfect for those who want to explore both large and small zoos with shared goals. As the majority of the zoo is located outdoors, it can also contribute to spending time outside and counting towards the popular 1000 Hours Outside movement. If you ever find yourself near Michigan City or heading to the dunes for a hike, make sure to reserve some time to visit this lovely zoo. It's a true gem that the whole family will enjoy.
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