COMMUNITY: parades!

i just love parades!  we went to a st. patrick's day parade today and it is so much fun to be together as a community.  we don't really celebrate st. patrick's day in our house, but it's still fun to participate in events.  i love the way that a holiday can bring out such patriotism and pride in our communities and to be out together with neighbors cheering them on.

i don't know what it is about parades, but i've always loved them!  it doesn't matter what the occasion, a parade is a way to honor your community, neighbors, local businesses, and especially our veterans.  people are able to display their hobbies and accomplishments, support their neighbors and raise awareness about groups and issues your community has.  we love watching the scout troops go by, wearing their vests and sashes with all their merit badges showing off their hard work.  the fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars (motorcycles, bicycles, and mounted) show us that they are vested in our community.  and the candy that's thrown out isn't bad either!  honoring the veterans as they pass, thanking them for their service by our cheers and reverence for the flag.  you can't help but clap along to the marching bands and watch the performers that have worked so hard for this one occasion.  it's just a great feeling!

the color guard always heads the parade, carried by many different groups, veterans, scouts, and special guests.  when i was a girl scout our troop lead an independence day parade, and i was chosen to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance in the ceremony at the end.  that has always stuck with me, and taught me the importance and reverence we should give to our nation and the symbols we use to represent it.

as we celebrate the holidays of summer, i hope that we can take the time to help our children learn that they are part of a community and the importance of pride and patriotism in our neighborhoods and nation.

happy st. patrick's day!

FAMILY TIME: oh how we've missed you!

oh playground, we have missed you!

yesterday was warm (relatively, but we touched 60!), sunny and dry!  we headed to the playground after school for the first time in MONTHS!  what a welcome adventure it was!  i know you can still play on the playground when it's freezing and snowing, but it just isn't the same!  actually we did hit the playground once while sledding, but really only to zoom down the snow-covered slides.

i was glad to see so many people out and about yesterday, taking advantage of the spring-like day.  for those of you who live in climates where it is nice all year, i hope that you're taking advantage of every opportunity that you can! 

is there anything better in the world for our kids than to let them play outside?  they learn so much!  not just about nature, and all the wonders of plants and animals and the sky, but they learn science lessons (what is spring, why is the grass wet if it didn't rain, can i go faster down the slide on my stomach than on my back), plenty of exercise (that's a given), and important people skills (taking turns, introductions, compromise, and how many boys can fit in the slide till one gets hurt).  all this in a few hours at the local playground!  and not to mention that it is all free!!  isn't it great!

depending on the day, my favorite season is different.  they all have such wonderful qualities and adventures awaiting.  such is how i feel today about spring.  and even though it doesn't start officially for another week or so, yesterday at the playground got me excited for all it's potential!

and the best part?  there's no school today, it's even warmer and the 30% chance of rain has been out shined by a perfectly clear blue sky!  we'll be at the playground!

DIFFERENCE: read across america

today is the start of 'read across america' week, sponsored by the national education association in conjunction with dr. suess' birthday.  

our family LOVES to read books!  we spend hours at the library each week, and we definitely have our favorites!  it's especially fun, and also a lot of work, now that my 5 year old is learning to read on his own.  he is able to read some words and tries to sound out others, but he gets frustrated very easily.  last night he asked me if i would still read to him after he learns how to read all by himself.  i thought that was so sweet, and i quickly reassured him that i would always read to him.

so, pull the books from the shelves and explore something new in a book.  we've saved a few books from my husbands and my childhoods and we really enjoy reading them to our kids and seeing them get immersed in the story like we did.

head to the library, it doesn't cost any money (even when times are tough) and raising a reader will only expand their future. 

our favorite dr. suess books are 'oh the places you'll go' and 'fox in sox'.

ps- be sure to bring a reusable bag to the library with you, no reason to use a plastic bag that isn't able to hold books anyway!