Atlanta Baby and Child Expo - April 2016

The 2016 Atlanta Baby and Child Expo is the annual "premier party for expectants and new parents in Atlanta." The expo has been referred to as “the best baby expo event we’ve attended” by TheBump.com’s area representatives.  Parents and grandparents can find “all things baby” for new moms and moms-to-be, as well as their friends & family.

I attended the expo last year and it was an enjoyable experience. The venue is on the small side, so it has a very intimate feel. Brand and product representatives are friendly and helpful, offering giveaways, coupons, and advice about the latest and greatest baby and small child gear. Alas, my kids are ageing out of the need for most of the products featured, but I absolutely recommend the expo to any expecting or brand-new moms (and grandmas!) in the Atlanta area. You will go home with great ideas, a baby registry wishlist, and a few goodies and surprises. Don't forget to enter to win all of the giveaways!  The list of partners, sponsors and vendors from 2015 can be found by clicking here.

If this is the can't-miss event for you, be sure to buy tickets for the 2016 Atlanta Baby and Child Expo, and visit their website for more information.Advance tickets do sell out and you can purchase them now!

Mommy and Me! Playable Art Park - Sandy Springs, GA #play

I saw this park under construction a while ago, and managed to totally forget about it. So when I saw it featured again on Facebook (via Atlanta Parent) a few days ago, I insisted that we take a little drive over to Sandy Springs for some playtime.

The Playable Art Park is unique, creative, and fun for kids of all ages. No standard playground equipment here! Even the swings are hung on artsy red structures. The trees and shrubs were in gorgeous bloom this weekend, also. Bonus beauty! The park is part of a greenway path for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors. On the other side of the parking area, there is a picnic pavilion - and restrooms! (Anyone with small kids knows that park restrooms are a must.)

Click over to 365 Atlanta Family for more info and photos of this great playground park near the city.

I am linked up to Mommy and Me with Really, Are You Serious today! She's been encouraging moms to get in the photos with their kids for more than 300 Mondays!

Choosing summer activities for kids

If you are in the Atlanta, GA area and looking for a comprehensive list of summer camps for the kids, check out the always-growing live list of camps at Field Trips With Sue.


"Mom... I'm boooooored!" 

This is the call of summertime, right? The first week away from school begins with excitement and a lot of TV and playtime. This may last another week... if you are lucky. Then the boredom begins to set in. There's "nothing" to do. The kids graze in the kitchen on snack after snack because they are so bored.  

So, what can we do to entertain the kiddos during the summer months? 

For us, camps are going to be a big deal this year. My children are almost six years apart in age, so they rarely entertain each other. And my oldest, soon-to-be-rising third grader, misses child interaction. She desperately misses her friends. Many of her friends go to full-day camps or they stay with grandparents, so play dates are not always an option. For the second year, I will be enrolling her in gymnastic camp - this year it's going to be two days per week. We are also looking at one week of Monday-Friday art camp also. It is important to get her out with her friends, or at least with peers of her own age. She can create and exercise and be constructive.

When we are at home, I have to set daily no-iPad time. In order to do this, I need to put aside my own electronic devices and get involved. Here are some fantastic Pinterest boards with DIY science and art activities you can try at home: 

DIY STEAM Projects -for elementary school, via GoldieBlox on Pinterest 

Preschool Science - for younger ages, via DV FDHA on Pinterest

Tween Art Projects  - via A Cup of Whimsy on Pinterest

Preschool Art - for the wee ones, via Preschool Ponderings on Pinterest