Not too young for baseball: a Sunday afternoon with the Atlanta Braves! #BravesBlogger

I am an Atlanta Braves Blogger, and my family was hosted at Turner field for an Atlanta Braves game. All opinions are my own.  

I took a two-year-old to an MLB game - and survived! I was unsure about bringing a young and extremely active boy to an Atlanta Braves game during his nap time, and my mama-anxiety was in top form preparing for the event. I traveled to Turner Field equipped with games on my cell phone and a fully charged battery, extra 2T clothing for unexpected messes, and a pouch of his favorite fruity-flavored applesauce.

We didn't need any of it!
 

The Atlanta Braves game was a lot of fun for my entire family. Both of my children, ages 8 and 2, were interested in the game and watching the crowd via the jumbotron. Occasional inter-inning races and games were hilarious; one child cheered on the giant Home Depot bucket and the other laughed at the Home Dept hammer mascot as they raced and pushed their way to the finish line after the 4th or 5th inning.

The little guy also took several turns in the Scouts Alley "bullpen", showing everyone his arm.

Hilton Head Island for a family vacation

Hilton Head island, located just over the South Carolina border and under one hour from Savannah, is a natural beauty with family vacation activities for all ages. Hilton Head Island has been named one of the top 10 family beaches in the country, and my family would agree! The island has numerous family-friendly vacation rentals from condos to coastal homes to palatial estates and top brand resorts like Westin and Omni also. You can always find Hilton Head accommodations to fit your needs, regardless of the size of your family or the length of your stay.

What is there to do on Hilton Head Island? The top five activities on Hilton Head listed by Trip Advisor include bike trails, Colingy Beach, boat tours, a forest preserve, and the Coastal Discovery Museum. Our most recent trip consisted of plenty of beach and pool time, some bike rides, a mini golf night, and several delicious meals at top-rated Hilton Head seafood restaurants.

Keep reading fun over the summer!

To help keep children reading over those hot summer months, Scholastic launched the Summer Reading Challenge nearly ten years ago to provide a fun way for parents to keep reading exciting for kids over the summer. Children can log reading minutes online or on their mobile devices over the summer and their reading minutes count toward their school total. Thousands of schools participate each year for a chance to break the World Record of Reading. It is an entertaining and interactive challenge for those summer months!

image: Scholastic.com

On the website, the Scholastic Parent section also includes a Daily Digest with book lists, reading tips for kids, book reviews, and more. 

How about books for kids who hate school? Or how to host a book swap party? 

Our household loves to read and we are fans of the Scholastic organization. If you are struggling for ideas over the summer, click on over to the treasure-trove of suggestions, tips, and fun. 

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

 

Mommy and Me: Outdoors!

We had a very sunny and warm weekend here in the Atlanta area. We took the kids on an easy hike and waterfall adventure on Saturday with some pool time on Sunday. I made sure to snap a couple photos of myself with my little loves to link up with Really, Are You Serious today.

The waterfall is a fun secret, discovered thanks to my friend over at 365 Atlanta Family. It is High Shoals Falls - not the one near Helen, GA, but another in Dallas, GA just off highway 61. A great little splashing hole!

Best of Six Flags Whitewater: guide to summer fun

If you want a splashing, thrilling, family-fun destination for a sunny summer day, look no further than Six Flags Whitewater in Marietta, GA (Atlanta). The park mixes the right amount of sun, waves, rides, and tree-lined paths - plus great food, comfortable cabanas, and a lot of giggles and screams.

Summer fun may be a little bit different for every family, but here are some of the must-do moments you should seek out at Six Flags Whitewater, as chosen by some of my favorite kid correspondents (my daughter, age 7, and her friends, 8-year-old Jack and 5-year-old Lily).

Dive Bomber - this is the newest, tallest, and possibly most frightening ride at Whitewater today. Dive Bomber is a brand new upgrade of the former Cliffhanger slide, now taller than before and with a heart-pounding floor-dropping launch. Go ahead, be brave: step inside the capsule 100 feet in the air and wait for the countdown.... then speed nearly 90 degrees down in a perfect splash. Dive Bomber was the favorite of the day for the two biggest kids. Even I tried it! The capsule is terrifying, but once you give the "go", it really is a fun experience.



Bahama Bob Slide - this 6-person family tube ride was the favorite of our smaller correspondent (and both moms). Bahama Bob slide is extra fun if you load it with people for optimal speed. We loved that all five of us could ride together! The tube careens down six stories of water, turns, and drops. And you never know who will end up backwards!

Mommy & Me Monday: The winter white, beachy windblown look #familytravel

How do people look good at the beach?

Is it some kind of misleading false conspiracy?

When I am at the beach, my hair is windblown and frizzy (even if I pull it back, it has a mind of its own), my arms tend to have a bit of "farmer tan" from usual wearing of short sleeves, my legs are winter white (year-round, unfortunately) and I am certainly not lounging attratcively in a chaise while sipping an iced drink. 

So, I usually stay out of photos. However, since today is another Mommy and Me Monday with my friend Krystyn, I will share our family photo. Memorial Day weekend was a lot of fun at Isle Of Palms in South Carolina. Our schedule was this: eat, beach, swim, eat, sleep, repeat. Not a bad start to the summer season!

So what if the photo is not worthy of a Christmas card? It is not posed at dusk by a sand dune in windless conditions with everyone wearing matching colors. That would not show the real "us", anyway. We mix chaos, casual, and a little bit of dirt - pretty much all of the time.

Happy Monday!

You can share your (good or not-so-good) mommy and me photos also. Hop on over to Really, Are You Serious every Monday!

Summer reading plan: Kid-Friendly Non-Fiction #GASummerRead

My daughter is a natural-born reader. She learned early and has always found true enjoyment in words. She reads brochures from travel stops, age-appropriate magazines, picture books, fiction chapter books, and non-fiction books. She reads to her baby brother and to us. She reads a lot on vacation too!

For some children, reading is more of a chore than a preferred leisure activity. Summer may mean prodding and pushing and steering the kids away from the TV or video game system. While some down time is important over the summer (we certainly watch our share of TV), it is also important for them to continue honing their reading skills, both for reading ability and comprehension of story structure and facts. 

Our summer reading plan focuses on kid-friendly non-fiction. Here is a sample plan if you are looking for ideas for your kids: 

2 Science + 2 Biography + 1 big book of fun facts

Science non-fiction books: 
Some of our favorite science non-fiction books are from Usborne Books. They have a "beginner" and a "discovery" selection of books like Cats, Dogs, Snakes, Bugs, Ocean Animals, Night Animals, Weather, and Trains. We will make sure we read at least two of these selections this summer. 

Summer at home: Scheduled or Free?

Today was my daughter's final full day of school! She has two more early release days until she is officially a second grader. I am thrilled for her and sharing in her excitement for the summer break. 

Do you like your summer to be scheduled or free? 

I am shooting for a little bit of both this season. Here are a few ways I am balancing a schedule (for my sanity) and freedom (for the fun of it): 

Find the right summer camp -
I found a gymnastics camp close to home that allows single-day attendance, so I booked my daughter for Tuesdays in June and July. This gives her an opportunity to be with children her age for more than just a single week and gives us something dedicated on the schedule. Most camps are M-F, and that just did not fit our style. Everyone has different preferences, so search for various camp schedules to find what works for you and your kid(s). 

Ripley's attractions in #GatlinburgTN - summer fun! #coupon

Here is a fantastic summer fun discount if you are in the southeast.

Take a trip over to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and experience eight fun Ripley's attractions including Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, the 85,000 sq ft Aquarium of the Smokies, a 5D Moving Theater, a bone-chilling Haunted Adventure, the mind-bending Marvelous Mirror Maze, and two fully themed mini-golf courses.

I grew up in Tennessee, so Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were often on our summer and fall must-visit lists. I still enjoy visiting the area as an adult, renting a little cabin for our family, and walking through the town and browsing the shops. With kids along for the trip these days, it is a lot of fun to visit the attractions, and Ripley's has some of the best entertainment in the Gatlinburg area.

And here's a bit of savings for you...

BalancingMama readers Save $3 Off Adult and $2 Off Child Admission to all of Ripley's Attractions in Tennessee. Use Online Promo Code: USFAMILYGUIDE  *Must purchase online*

Enjoy your summer and get out there to play with the kids!

- - -
I will receive free admission to Ripley's attractions as compensation for this post and social media shares of the coupon code. However, as always, all opinions are 100% mine.  

National Water Safety Month: SAFE tips for families

It is almost time to get out the swimsuits and head to the pools, lakes, and oceans in your area! Water can be a ton of fun for kids and adults alike, but we need to remember to play it safe while having a splashing good time.

In recognition of the popularity of swimming and other water-related recreational activities in the United States, and the resulting need for ongoing public education on safer water practices, the month of May 2015 is National Water Safety Month!

I take to the blog annually to remind as many people as I can that water safety includes more than just drowning. When out in the water, everyone needs to remember these SAFE tips:

S - Sunscreen. Water reflects light and can give anyone a nasty burn. Also remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied often when in the water. Use at least SPF 30 and a waterproof variety. 

A - Always abide by the signs/flags. Pay attention to Coast Guard flags and do not enter ocean water if warnings are present. Even the best of swimmers can get pulled by an undertow. Also, NO DIVING if the water is shallow. Diving is one of the leading causes of spinal cord injury in the summer and unfortunately, I see kids diving into 5-foot deep pools way too often. One wrong move and it could mean major paralysis. Please do not let them dive unless it is an approved diving depth of around 12 feet. 

F - Friends or family. Do not let children swim alone. Even adults should not swim alone in case something unexpected happens. Keep a friend or family member close. 

E - Eyes and ears. The pool and beach are great places to catch up on some relaxing waterside reading, but parents cannot forget to keep their eyes and ears open and on the kids very, very often. A drowning child is often very quiet, and many parents think their child will yell or scream if drowning. Do not stop watching when they are in the water. 

Enjoy the summer, get wet, have a great time, and stay safe! 

Southeast summer vacation destination ideas for family travel

Looking for summer vacation ideas? Researching southeast USA road trip destinations?

Are you trying to decide where to go for your summer vacation with kids? We have so many family travel experiences, and I can point you to some of our favorite destinations. Browse through some of these past family travel posts for some destination tips and photos:
 
Tips for a great Gatlinburg, TN weekend

Grab flashlights and trek into caves at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky

Our favorite road trip pit stop near Bowling Green, KY 

Best outdoor activities in Chattanooga

Beaches, mini golf, and great food on Hilton Head Island, SC

Whimsical folk art castles in Calhoun, GA

Also, don't forget your sunscreen!

• I keep a sample size sunscreen in the car.
• A sunscreen stick in the diaper bag (or purse).
• A lotion or mist sunscreen in the garage and the house.
• And one in our swimming bag as well.

Wherever we go, we can almost guarantee that some sunscreen has tagged along with us. I really have no excuse to forget it!     


If you aren't an avid family traveler yet, take a peek at this short post about how to keep travel with kids happy: Four steps to happy family travel

Get out there and see the sights!

Summer vacation in Arizona? Yes! #FamilyTravel

Would you ever consider a summer vacation in the hot desert in the summer? We did!

Looking back at past family travel  photos this week, I was reminded of the fun we had in Arizona (June 2011). If you seek out specific locations and fantastic swimming pools, Arizona can be an enjoyable and kid-friendly family vacation. If you are from a non-desert area like the southeast or northeast, Arizona provides a unique landscape and an experience that isn't your same-old summer beach trip.

How did we decide to do a summer vacation in Arizona? I was looking for a kid-friendly US resort with a great pool area. Several travel articles popped up in my Google search which led me to The Arizona Grand Resort - a hotel with an attached waterpark!  Amelia was only three years old at the time, so swimming and light sightseeing were the only things on our summer vacation agenda. Phoenix was also an easy flight from Atlanta, so it seemed like a perfect summer vacation choice. We began searching for things to do with kids in the Phoenix area and ended up with a fantastic summer trip.

Water is a must for summertime in the desert, so start your vacation search by looking for water activities and inviting family swimming pools.  We began our Arizona summer vacation with a few days at the Arizona Grand Resort enjoying their attached Oasis Waterpark and on-site dining.

Arizona Grand Resort and Oasis Waterpark

We took a drive one day to Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, Arizona where visitors can climb over red rocks and venture into a valley with a natural slippery rock water slide.

Minions and more: 2015 animated movies

I received an exciting email yesterday. My daughter exclaimed a happy "yesssss!" When I told her the news: Hotel Transylvania 2 is coming to theaters in late September! The first was probably a lesser-known feature when it was out, but my daughter loves it. So we will be marking our calendars for the release date. September 25, 2015.

 And speaking of exciting movies on the way, everyone loves Minions! The yellow funny guys with their own language are on a mission for the most despicable leader and we will giggle along on their journey starting July 10th.

 If you just cannot wait for some silly G or PG-rated antics, check your local listings for Strange Magic (released January 23) and the New Spongebob Movie which premiered in theaters last weekend.

 The following is a list of several animated films expected in theaters in 2015:

Frozen Fever - this is a Disney short film to be shown prior to the live-action Cinderella, out in theaters on March 13th.

Home - a loveable alien misfit and a little girl on earth. Twentieth Century Fox, March 27th.

Inside Out - this year's sure-to-be hit from Disney-Pixar where emotions are real and they live inside Headquarters, the control center inside the mind. June 19th.

What goes on in their heads? Inside Out trailer now available from Disney/Pixar

This newly-released trailer for Disney/Pixar's summer release made me chuckle. Just take a look; moms, you will know exactly why! INSIDE OUT seems to be about a typical family with an angst-ridden child and pretty normal parents. But we get to see what's going on inside their heads which are apparently, run by colorful happy creatures.



This looks to be a great movie for grown-ups and big kids! I'm sure younger children will love the creatures and basic storyline as well. I am always amused by the masterful way Disney/Pixar weaves in grown-up jabs and "old school" references to keep Mom and Dad entertained through films as well.

INSIDE OUT opens in theaters on June 19th.

Like Inside Out on Facebook   

Follow Disney/Pixar on Twitter
Follow Disney/Pixar on Instagram 

Preparing your child for Kindergarten from a rising 1st grader mom

Back to school time!

I know, it seems crazy early for most people around the country, but we go back at the beginning of August here in the South. Our last day of the school year was May 22nd, so we've had our fun and now we must prepare to return.

Amelia will be a first grader. She will move up the hallway in the school and she returns with excitement and confidence. She knows where the various rooms are within the school and she knows the routine. She will walk in like she owns the place. Amelia is anxiously awaiting meet and greet day so she can find out which teacher will be hers and which friends will be in her class once again.

Kindergarten was an amazing experience for us both. I cannot help but smile when I think about it - she grew up faster and learned more than I ever could have imagined. For those of you who may be facing the start of kindergarten, don't fret. I know it may be very difficult to leave your child at his/her first "big kid school", but just wait. The year will astound you. These kids learn so much more in kindergarten than we did, perhaps even in first grade!

 

 

(1) Establish a routine early. School can be a shock after a summer of lax schedules, later bedtimes, vacations, and fun events. Kindergarten is serious business. It begins on time (for us, much earlier than preschool) and the students get right to work immediately. The kindergarten day is busy; the students bounce from activity to activity rapidly throughout the day. It is good that way because at their ages, attention span only lasts so long. Establishing a morning routine will help to keep everyone in the family sane. Children thrive best on schedules. And when they have some serious schoolwork and learning ahead of them, it helps to begin their day the same way as much as possible. They know what to expect. Eventually, that routine becomes habit.

Conquering @SixFlagsOverGA with 3 kids and a baby: The VIP Way!

A day at a Six Flags theme park is quite a big event for any family. Parents get info and tickets online, plan the day, pack the backpack, and get the kids all hyped up with anticipation prior to the outing.And perhaps a few mamas obsessively check the weather forecast - as I did, since we had some pretty significant threats of rain and/or thunderstorms.

When you have such a big day planned, you want it all to be perfect. Unfortunately for us, the weather disagreed yesterday. But the theme park adventure was totally salvaged, not to mention extremely comfortable, thanks to our private cabana at the new Six Flags Over Georgia Hurricane Harbor waterpark.

Hurricane Harbor opened in late May 2014, a brand-new free adventure within the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park (See prior post "Yes, it's fun! More facts about Hurricane Harbor" or the Six Flags Over Georgia website for more info).

The private cabanas at Six Flags Over Georgia are beach-themed, right next to the awesome wave pool at Hurricane Harbor, and loaded with extras like a fridge stocked with six bottles of water, comfortable chairs, tables, a huge storage locker to keep your belongings safe and sound, a concierge, and food service. Cabana visitors do not have to lift a finger, except to have fun! No gratuities are accepted so except for the price of food, the cost of the cabana includes all the extras: the friendly service, lock box, water, breeze, your own shoreline, two tube rentals, and privacy.

Fun and fresh: u-pick produce

I grew up in a small city in Tennessee. Part city, part factory, and part country. Summer months were spent outdoors riding bikes, batting around the tennis ball, or swimming. Just over the hill, there was u-pick strawberry field. We always looked forward to meandering up and down the rows of small leafy plants, hoping to spot the reddest most beautiful berry. We filled little baskets with juicy fresh strawberries and enjoyed gobbling them up when we got home. Mom would put some in a pie; we'd slice them up over Cheerios. The eating part seemed even better because we hunted for and picked them ourselves.

For the past couple years, we have taken Amelia to pick apples in late summer or early Fall. We are lucky in the Atlanta suburbs - while we have a lot of excitement at our fingertips from all that a city can offer, we are also within a one-hour drive to beautiful countryside with rolling hills and working farms.

U-pick produce is plentiful if you are willing to drive just out of Atlanta metro to find it (or if you do a little research, if you live elsewhere).

Sweltering summer sunshine; a tip for remembering your sunscreen

I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Banana Boat® Sun Care. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Many metro Atlantans dislike the term HOTlanta. I actually think it's rather fitting. In the summer months, we go about our daily lives on a lot of pavement and concrete with temperatures usually in the 90s and humidity measuring at least 50%. We do not have sea breezes or frequent cooling rain. When it does rain? It doesn't seem to cool; we just receive more humidity when most of us were already melting. It's hot and it's Atlanta... so why not? HOTlanta is as good a term as any.

For most of June, July, and August, we tend to stay indoors. If the humidity gives us a bit of a break, we often venture out for some playground or neighborhood fun once the sun dips behind the houses and/or trees. But year-round, when we are outside (often at the water park or pool),  I ensure that my family is protected from the bright southern sunshine. I keep my family protected with sunscreen, like one of the many varieties of Banana Boat, as often as I can.

I had to train myself to remember sunscreen. And frankly, I did not focus on it as much on it before kids. But with Amelia's young skin and now Andrew's, I try to ensure their "safety coating" as much as possible. We often do not know the sun damage we face until decades later, so protection now is very important to me.

Encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone: #parenting #confidence

My daughter, a precocious age six (which seems more like sixteen), has a special gift.  She is compassionate beyond her years. Her kindergarten teacher remarked to me that she hasn't often seen a child of that age with such a tender heart for others. Six-year olds are naturally live-for-the-moment beings; they just want to have fun and please themselves. Amelia's gentle soul is a blessing to me, as my heart fills with joy when I see her share her love. But her tender heart also causes excess worry. She worries more than many kids her age. I have to push her to try new things, talk her through new (i.e., scary for her) social moments, and hold her up when she is angry with herself for occasionally being "bad".

Last week, Amelia participated in British Soccer Camp (via Challenger Sports, here in the Atlanta suburbs). She has enjoyed rec soccer  for two years, and she has done well accepting the new coaches and teammates as each season ends and begins again.  But Mom and/or Dad are always there.

British Soccer Camp was more serious. The coaches traveled from England and Wales to work on technique and hone the kids' soccer (futbol) savvy. I dropped her off at 9 am and picked her up at 1 pm every day, Monday through Friday. She barely slept the Sunday night prior. She was worried about not being good enough. She feared not making any friends. She was extremely nervous that I planned to drop her off.