A Bittersweet End to the Baby and Toddler Years

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mom holding baby's hand
Joegend from Getty Images

Many little things add up to one significant change in life — a bittersweet end to the baby and toddler years.

I remember sitting and watching my kids when they were younger and thinking, “What will I do when they aren’t babies anymore?” I dreaded the thought of it. I loved the baby and toddler years and wanted to keep them as long as possible.

Fast-forward a few years, and my youngest child, my daughter, somehow turned four this week. Her brother is five, turning six later this month. They are preschoolers and Kindergarteners. Their baby faces are nowhere to be found. All of a sudden, my babies looked like “big kids.” Their chubby cheeks, gummy smiles, and squishy legs are now distant memories. The slow days of playing at home, stroller walks, and post-nap snuggles are over.

mom holding baby's hand
Joegend from Getty Images

The bottles, bibs, burp cloths, sippy cups, sleepsacks, onesies, diapers, activity mats, bouncers, potty seats, and pull-ups have all gradually disappeared over the past few years and months. We put some items into storage, threw a few away, and passed on others to loved ones. The well-loved convertible crib used by both kids, the last remaining baby item in our home, was replaced with a “big girl” bed.

When we go to a restaurant (if we’re feeling ambitious), we don’t ask for a high chair or booster seat. The kids no longer fit in the top section of a grocery cart, so we don’t need to pack or haul the stroller wherever we go. 

While leaving behind and entering a new phase of life can be emotional, I haven’t experienced the heartache I used to anticipate. I’ve found quite the opposite. My husband and I frequently agree that this is our favorite stage of parenthood yet, thus, a bittersweet end.

We get to watch our kids experience things for the first time like we once did. We are learning how to read and write their names, taking out books from the library, and getting visits from the tooth fairy. The fun of going to birthday parties, trying new sports and activities, and making friends begins. On weekends, we go for hikes and walks, do puzzles, cook, read books, and have family game nights together.

We’ve had the privilege of watching our kids transform from squishy babies and toddlers into little people with unique interests and personalities (sometimes big ones). They share their view of the world with us and ask thought-provoking questions. They remind us to find delight in the simple things.

With the end of the baby and toddler years, life with them keeps getting better.

Through this transition, I’ve learned that each stage of parenthood brings a new set of joys. No stage lasts forever, and each one matters just as much as the one before it. 

I’ve also noticed that the older my kids get, the faster time seems to fly. So, I plan to fully embrace this season of life, fondly and with appreciation for the previous ones and excitement for those to come.

So goodbye to the baby and toddler years, and thanks for the memories and lessons.

How To Make Natural Easter Egg Dye {With Printable!}

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Natural easter egg dye

If you’re like me, you grew up dyeing Easter eggs straight out of a Paas kit. It was a yearly delight, but the experience was short-lived and perfunctory.  And let’s be honest, using the metal egg dipper often brought frustration rather than ease as I struggled to check on my eggs in the dye solution. While I’ve done the kit with my daughters (complete with stickers and messy glitter, oh my!) this year, I was encouraged to start a whole new egg dyeing tradition with natural Easter egg dye.

My daughters are at a point where they are interested in science and the natural world, and I wanted to foster their curiosity and creativity without store-bought chemicals in their little hands. I discovered the world of making natural egg dye from vegetables and spices that we often use in our kitchen.  There are a few more steps in creating dye beyond watching a tablet fizz in vinegar, but my daughters were so excited to be a part of the process.

Between chopping vegetables, measuring spices, and submerging eggs in our dyes, there was plenty that both my toddler and kindergartener could do. Because dyeing eggs in natural dye take longer than store-bought methods, it was an excellent lesson in patience and delayed gratification, and their eyes lit with wonder at the final results. Plus, we had a lot of fun as a whole family. Here’s everything you need to know about making your own egg dye with your kids this Easter.

Gather Your Supplies

In theory, most everything you need can be found in your own kitchen, but you need to make sure that you have the following gear on hand:

  • pots
  • tablespoon measurer
  • liquid cup measurer
  • chopping knife & cutting board
  • cooling rack
  • mesh strainer
  • jars with lids (I prefer to use large mason jars)
  • white eggs
  • distilled vinegar

natural dye Easter Eggs Providence Moms Blog

Next, you’ll need vegetables and spices to make your dye.

Our recommendations are:

  • yellow onion peels (from 4-5 large yellow onions)
  • red onion peels (from 4-5 large red onions)
  • red cabbage (1/4 head, chopped)
  • beets (3-4 beets, peeled and chopped)
  • turmeric (3 tablespoons)
  • paprika (2 tablespoons)

Easter eggs natural dye Providence Moms BlogPro tips

  • Collect yellow and/or red onion peels as you cook. And by “peels,” I mean the stuff that flakes off the onion that you get rid of anyway.
  • If you buy onions that you don’t plan on using right away, you can submerge the peeled onions in water and put in the refrigerator to keep longer. Added bonus to doing this? The onions won’t make you cry when you cut them!
  • Grocery stores will often let you bring home a bag full of leftover peels from the onion bin, which can be a win-win for everyone.

Creating Your Dyes

Easter eggs natural dye Providence Moms BlogAs a busy mom, I wanted to make creating the dyes as simple as possible. For every dye I made, I boiled 4 cups of water and added 3 tablespoons of vinegar once my dyes were boiled. Here are the steps:

  • Hard boil white eggs in one pot.
  • Bring four cups of water and your vegetable of choice to a boil in a separate pot. Check as the water boils to see if your dyes are achieving the color you want; I recommend about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place the mesh strainer over a large mason jar and pour dye mixture into a large mason jar to remove food bits. Leave enough room to add 3 tablespoons of vinegar and stir.
  • Let dye cool.
  • Add hard-boiled eggs and leave in the refrigerator or store in a cool place.
  • Once your eggs have achieved the color you want, remove the eggs from the mason jars with a spoon or tongs and place on a cooling rack to dry.
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Pro tips for natural Easter egg dye

  • Simmer the paprika and turmeric; otherwise, the spices boil too rapidly.
  • For deeper hues, boil your dyes and eggs together at the same time. It will save time, but then again, your kids might prefer to dye eggs separately like mine did.
  • Check on your eggs periodically. While it will take longer for natural dyes longer to set, there is no uniform time to leave your eggs in the dye. Turmeric and beets will dye the eggs faster than other dyes; red cabbage should be left overnight. If paprika dye is left too long, the eggs will go from orange to brown. Experiment, too, with the colors you want.
  • If you want to stick to primary colors for your natural Easter egg dye, I recommend going for beets, turmeric, and red cabbage. Surprise: red cabbage dyes white eggs blue. For a little added extra science fun, have your children guess what color they think the eggs will turn once dyed. The red cabbage is certainly a fun surprise for everyone!
  • If your kids are older, you can blow the yolk out of the eggs instead of boiling them.
  • Natural Easter egg dyes will give your eggs a matte appearance. If you’d like them to be glossy, rub them with olive oil.

 

Easter eggs natural dye Providence Moms Blog

Decorating Option

You can still find fun ways to decorate eggs with natural dye, but these decorations will happen before the egg dyeing begins! For decorations, find fun shaped leaves, flowers, clover, or other natural materials that are small enough to lay flat against an eggshell. You can plan an afternoon to go for a walk or a hike with your kids or send them out to the backyard to find the most perfect decorations for their eggs. Once you’ve found your items, you’ll also need:Easter eggs natural dye Providence Moms Blog

  • knee-high nylon stockings
  • twist ties or rubber bands
  • scissors
  • your hard-boiled eggs
  • your egg dyes, ready to go in mason jars

Easter eggs natural dye Providence Moms BlogTo decorate

  • Place your leaf or flower against the eggshell. Make sure your object lays flat against the egg. (You might even use a little bit of water to help it stick to the eggshell better.)
  • Take the nylon stocking and place it around the egg. Make sure your leaf or flower stays in place, and be careful not to bunch the stocking up. Double check that the stocking is taut around the eggshell, and tie the nylon in place with a twist tie (easiest) or rubber band (what I happened to have in my house). Cut the loose end of the stocking off.
  • Place egg in the dye. Once they’ve achieved the color you like, remove the twist tie or cut off the elastic band and place eggs to dry on a cooling rack.

Easter eggs natural dye Providence Moms Blog

And voilà! Your eggs are decorated!

Easter eggs natural dye Providence Moms BlogScience Extension

Check out our printable for fun science extension activities to complete with your children. Click here to download it. 

A Guide to the Most Exciting World Frog Day Events in RI

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frog on a rock looking at camera

Do you have children interested in nature? Spring is the perfect time to help them pique their curiosity, especially if you are looking for a more hands on approach in their education. Take a leap! Garner their excitement about frogs with these four events happening in RI during the month of March, which celebrates World Frog Day!

What is World Frog Day?

World Frog Day celebrates, you guessed it, frogs! It takes place on March 20th of each year. During the month of March, activities and events take place to help the conservation of frogs become a part of the conversation. Do you have an emerging environmentalist in your home? This list of events offers inspiration and ways to become involved!

Audubon Emerging Spring Walk

child holding a baby frog or toad

Spring has sprung! This means the frogs are waking up from their deep slumber. Take your mini-environmentalists on an adventure with the Audubon. This walk will allow kids to search for any and all signs of spring, including frogs! This walk is appropriate for ages 12 and up. It includes a visit to both a pond and a vernal pool, so dress appropriately! You may even get the chance to scoop up one of these magical creatures.

This event takes place on March 30th, 2024, at 1pm to 3pm. The fee is $10 for members and $14 for nonmembers. You can find out more by visiting their Facebook page here. 

Carolina Vernal Pool Night

frog at night smiles at camera Spend the evening looking for wood frogs, spring peepers, toads and salamanders while also learning all about how you and/or your kids can help these creatures thrive in their habitats. This event is for ages 8 and up.

It takes place on March 22nd, 2024 at 6pm to 8pm. This event is free! Find out more and register here! 

March of the Frogs: The Musical

This exciting event is perfect for kids of all ages. Kids will listen to the sounds of an American Bullfrog and an American Toad, create a clay sculpture and learn about the ten frog and toad species specific to RI. Information on how to become a frog watcher will also be provided. What is a frog watcher, you ask? Check out the event below to find out!

March of the Frogs: The Musical will take place on March 9th, 2024 at 2pm to 3:30pm. This event is free. Register here!

FrogWatch USA Training

Did you know you and/or your kids can become a frog watcher? This means you actually get to go outside, track the frogs and toads that inhabit the area and record data on FrogWatch USA’S website. This training takes place once a year at Roger Williams Park Zoo, so don’t miss your chance to become a part of the solution. Sign up now!

This training takes place on March 17th, 2024 at 11am to 1pm. The fee is $10 per household. Find out more here!

That is it for this list. But, if you want more ways to involve yourself in helping frogs and their habitats, please join the conversation on social media using the hashtags below.

green frog looks at camera

Hashtags for World Frog Day 2024

  • #worldfrogday
  • #savethefrogsday
  • #frogwatchusa
  • #riaudubon
  • #rhodeislanddem

 

9 Rhode Island Music Classes for Babies and Toddlers

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toddler playing with toy xylophone

Does your child love to dance and groove with the music? Is your baby always bouncing along with the bass line? Do you play Dua Lipa’s Levitating and watch as your toddler performs a near-professional choreographed dance routine? (Okay, maybe that last one is just my kid). The point is, my toddler Izzy loves music. Izzy doesn’t go to daycare, so I’ve had music classes for toddlers and babies on my radar for a while! I’m always looking for ways to add more socialization to her routine.

There are so many benefits to baby and toddler music classes. Besides the social skill-building, your small human will begin to learn basic math concepts like counting to the beat. The Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences studied the effects of exposing babies to music interventions and group classes. The study showed that through a series of music play sessions, overall brain processes and speech improved.

Okay, okay, I’m sold! Not to mention, it gives me a chance to hang out with other parents and caretakers! (Making mom friends is hard!)

Rhode Island is truly blessed with great music classes for babies and toddlers. Here’s a rundown of music classes throughout the state.

Providence – Music For Children

Lindsay Meehan offers a 24-week music curriculum, September – April, with classes divided by age. Classes for children older than three are independent. Three and under, a grownup must attend class with each child. Tuition starts at $460 with sibling discounts. All classes are held on the East Side of Providence. Lindsay offers the option to sample a class. Music for Children draws from the Dalcroze Eurhythmics approach to music learning.

North Kingstown – South County School of Performing Arts

The school offers music, voice, and theatre classes for people of all ages. Baby and Toddler music classes are called “Music For Minis” and are based on Gordon’s Music Learning Theory. Ten-week sessions cost $250 and it seems that they offer other interval sessions throughout the year as well.

Warwick and Providence – Rock-a-Baby

Eight classes cost $200 with sibling discounts available. There is a drop-in rate of $30 per class. Each week has a general theme and infants and toddlers have an opportunity to engage in interactive play with instruments, live and recorded music, and even puppets! Classes are offered in Warwick and Providence. For a more in-depth look at Rock-a-Baby classes, read this review by Jessica Johnson.

Music Together

With more than 3,000 locations in over 40 countries, Music Together is a popular music class catering to babies, toddlers, and their caregivers. Each location is independent (much like a franchise) but the programming and music curriculum are the same. Rhode Island has several Music Together groups:

Cranston – Lori’s Music Together

Full disclosure: This is the class that Izzy and I attend.
Lori teaches eight mixed-age classes (ages 0-5) and one baby class (ages 0-8 months) each week. Classes run out of two locations in the Edgewood and Pawtuxet Village areas in Cranston. Nine-week session classes cost $180 (with sibling discounts). Lori offers flexibility when possible to make up classes due to illness or schedule conflicts.

Providence – East Side Music Together

Ms. Karen teaches nine mixed-age classes (ages 0-5) each week. Classes run out of two locations in the East Side of Providence. Eight-week session classes cost $175. (with sibling discounts and infant siblings under 9 months are free) Ms. Karen offers a trial drop-in rate of $20 per class.

Warren – Music Together – East Bay

For our families looking to stay on the east side of the Washington Bridge, Danni Cauley teaches 10 mixed-age classes (0-5) each week. Classes are in Warren, RI. Ten-week session classes cost $235 (with reduced pricing for additional siblings and infant siblings under 6 months are free)

East Providence – Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School

Another East Bay option is The RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, which offers a wide range of music classes for children of all ages. In terms of music classes for toddlers and babies, they have “Music Together” programming. With eight classes to choose from, the cost of each 10-week session is $195. (with reduced pricing for additional siblings)

Newport – Music Together of Newport County

Christopher and Katherine Carbone offer online and in-person classes. Nine-week sessions starting at $135. I got a little lost on this website (which could be user error!)  Contact the Carbones directly with any questions about the schedule or tuition. Their contact information is on the website.

Virtual classes – Kindermusik

There are many reasons why a virtual music class might be a better fit for you and your baby or toddler. Kindermusik operates on a subscription model at $75/month. There’s an option to try a free class to see if this model works best for your family.

Are you not sure if a music class is a good fit for your little one? Want to dip your toes into music programming before committing financially? Many of the classes listed above offer an option to try a class or an option to drop in for a single class. Another amazing, and often more affordable resource is your local library. Libraries often have music programming for toddlers and babies for free or at reduced costs. Sometimes there is a series of musical storytime sessions, and other times there will be one-off opportunities for toddlers and babies to explore music. I’ve listed the Providence and Cranston Library listings for children’s programming along with the Ocean State Libraries “Library Locator”

Providence Libraries Children’s Programming
Cranston Libraries Children’s Programming
Rhode Island Library Locator

Do you know of another music class for babies and toddlers? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to my list!

2024 Guide to Summer Camps in Rhode Island + Beyond

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summer camp kids
Thanks to the partners below for allowing us to bring you this guide. If you are interested in being a part of the guide, please contact [email protected]

Finding the right summer camp for your child can be a daunting task! We’ve created this comprehensive list of summer camps in Rhode Island to help you out!

Moses Brown Summer Camps

Moses Brown has offered rewarding and exciting camp programs for more than 50 years, but each year is a chance to create new memories with different offerings and new friends!  Located in the center of Providence, Moses Brown’s 33-acre campus is a lush and green oasis. Children enjoy the use of all facilities, including the state-of-the-art artificial turf field, soccer field, softball diamond, woodshop, ceramic studio, computer labs, Y-lab, and performance halls. Register for Moses Brown Summer Camp here.

Next Stop BROADWAY® at PPAC

Next Stop BROADWAY® transports theatre-loving youth ages 10-17 to the “Golden Age of Broadway!” Cast members tap their creativity, hone their skills, and cultivate their passions in the collaborative context of the ensemble. This five-day, rigorous immersion culminates in an “Opening Night” performance on PPAC’s historic stage! Next Stop is a full day program (9 AM to 5 PM) with lunch and all supplies included. Financial Aid is available. Designed both for those with and without theatre experience! Dates: July 15-19 and July 22-26, 2024. New for 2024! “NEXT!” is PPAC’s new audition preparation course (August 5-9).

Summer at Gordon

Since 1910, Gordon’s progressive academic program has put children, and their voices, at the center of learning. For nine weeks this summer, we once again look beyond the school year to expand our mission-driven, child-centered programming. The result is a diverse offering of camps that are playful, thoughtful, creative, and fun for children from age three to rising eighth grade. Our nurturing and compassionate staff (including Gordon faculty and alumni) are ready to engage your child, encouraging them to venture safely outside their comfort zone, as they create new memories, forge friendships and explore Gordon’s twelve-acre campus.

Community Boating

One-week, sailing/paddling EcoAdventure summer camps offer long-distance picnic cruises, fun on-the-water games and hands-on environmental lessons. Two-week Sailing Camps use kid-sized boats, fun games, and lots of encouragement in hands-on sailing. After-school, adult classes, sailing parties, facility rentals also available. Age/Restrictions: Age 8-16, no previous experience required. Dates: All sessions June 17 – Aug 16. All camps Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm. Cost: $365/ 1-week, $775 2-weeks. Scholarships are available.

Learn more about Community Boating here.

Steve & Kates Camp

Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own learning experience. Kids choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, coding, maker crafts, baking, sports, and more! As kids try, fail, and learn on their own, they learn to trust their own judgment, and tackle the challenges of the world with creativity and confidence. Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time–no weekly reservations required. Or, buy a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. Either way, any unused Passes are automatically refunded at summer’s end. Ages: 5–12 | Lunch, snacks & all hours (8am–6pm) included.

Learn more about Steve & Kates Camp here.

Below you will find a comprehensive list of summer camps in Rhode Island and the surrounding areas.

Moses Brown Summer Camps Providence, RI

Gordon School  East Providence, RI

Lincoln School  Providence, RI

Mount St Charles Sports Camp  Woonsocket, RI

Providence Day School Summer Program  East Providence, RI

Peter Pan Surfing Academy South Kingstown, RI

Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club  East Providence, RI

Rockspot Climbing Summer Camp  Multiple Locations

Rocky Hill School’s Summer Enrichment  East Greenwich, RI

Teamworks Summer Camp  Warwick, RI

The Groden Network Providence, RI

The Autism Project Providence, RI

Camp Starfish Rindge, NH

Camp Ruggles  Chepachet, RI

Camp Phoenix  North Smithfield, RI

Camp Grovesnor  Saunderstown, Rhode Island

Camp Ramsbottom  Rehoboth, RI

Camp Watchaug Charlestown, RI

Kingston’s Camp on Larkin’s Pond  West Kingston, RI

Camp JORI  Wakefield, RI

Camp Aldersgate  North Scituate, RI

Camp Cedarwood  Barrington, RI

Mother of Hope Camp  Chepachet, RI

AQUIDNECK ISLAND DAY CAMP PORTSMOUTH, RI

St. Michaels County Day School Summer Camp  Newport, RI

Day Camp with Adventure Base Camp, Narragansett Council, BSA 

Summer J-Camp  Providence, RI

Kent County’s Best Summer Camp  Warwick, RI

Camp Invention  Multiple Locations

Launch Trampoline Park  Warwick

Longplex Sports Camp  Tiverton

Newport Art Museum Newport

Eat, Play, Learn PVD  Providence

Sail to Prevail  Newport

Summer at St. Andrews  Barrington

Tastebuds Kitchen  East Greenwich

The Childrens Workshop Central Falls RI

The French American School of RI  Providence

The Pennfield School Portsmouth

Warwick Center for the Arts Warwick

Wide World of Indoor Sports North Smithfield, North Kingstown

YMCA of Pawtucket Pawtucket

Warwick’s Best Summer Camp Warwick

Community Boating Center  Narragansett, RI

Girls Summer Leadership Camps  Providence, RI

Norman Bird Sanctuary Middletown, RI

Stepping Stone Ranch Summer Camp  Escoheag, RI

Rhode Island Youth Theater Saunderstown, RI

Stadium Theatre Summer Vacation Day Camp  Woonsocket, RI

Trinity Rep YASI Providence, RI

Blue Door Art Studio Smithfield, RI

Want to be a part of our Summer Camp Guide?

We want to show our readers all the great camps available right here in the Rhode Island and Southeastern MA area. Join us and help enrich the lives of Providence Moms!

29 Ways to Celebrate Leap Day with Kids

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February 29 calendar blocks
via sofyabolotinaphotos on Canva Pro

We know Leap Year happens every four years, but what is the purpose? We’re breaking it down for you, and sharing 29 ways to celebrate Leap Day with kids!

What & Why? 

In simple terms, a Leap Year is when an extra day, February 29th, is added to the calendar year to keep our seasons aligned. We’re New Englanders, of course we love our four seasons and don’t want them to fall off track. The reason for the seasons is Leap Year – so let’s celebrate and make the most of this extra day!

Celebrate!

  1. Leap into a new book and visit your local library! Browse their selection for Leap Day (or frog themed) books or use this list as inspiration to place a hold on titles you want to bring home to read. 
  2. Create a family time capsule with this template and put it in a safe place to open next Leap Year – 2028!
  3. Grab what is left of last year’s chalk and create a bunch of hopscotch in the driveway for some hopping fun. Do your kids like a challenge? Have them write the hopscotch numbers counting by 2s or 4s! 
  4. Hop on over to Grey Sail Brewing for $5 house drafts 3-8pm and Bingo beginning at 6pm!
  5. Leap into Legos at Providence Brick Exchange during their BOGO sale now thru 2/29!
  6. Use the extra day to do something good:
  7. Collect outgrown or unworn clothing items to donate. 
  8. Make birthday cards for your local nursing home.
  9. Drop off canned goods to your local food pantry.
  10. Visit your local park, with gloves, and pick up litter.
  11. Donate books your family no longer uses.
  12. Book your next birthday party with the help of Shark Bay Play offering $29 off all birthday packages booked by 2/29.
  13. While you’re booking, take a dive over to Great Wolf Lodge website to book your next stay at $29/person using the promo code LEAP.
  14. Take a leap and make a splash! Visit McDermott Pool in Warwick or Tootell Acquatic Center in Kingston during their open family swim times.
  15. Looking to stay on land? Get hopping at one Rhode Island’s trampoline parks – AeroLaunch or Sky Zone.
  16. Play jump rope.
  17. No cooking or dishes? Toad-ally awesome! Check out Mews Tavern 4x$4 deals beginning at 2:29pm.
  18. Leap into a 2/$29 lobster deal at Legal Seafoods.
  19. Go on a post-dinner walk but hop like a frog the whole way!
  20. This is for our Leaplings, those whose birthdays fall on 2/29, visit Build-A-Bear Workshop with birth date verification and receive a $4 Birthday Treat Bear.
  21. We’re going on a … frog hunt! Add some miniature frogs to your Amazon order and hide them for the kids to find. Bonus: opt for glow in the dark frogs and hide at night to get out those last wiggles before bedtime.
  22. Bake cupcakes in honor of those celebrating Leap Day Birthdays – Leaplings!
  23. An extra day to do EXTRA for yourself! Stop by your favorite coffee shop for that fancy coffee, take the long way home, add your favorite ‘saved item’ to cart and click order, sleep in an extra 10 minutes – do whatever extra looks like for you!
  24. Take a leap of faith and try something new as a family – recipe, show or walking trail.
  25. Make plans to leap into the sky at Tree Top or Tree Trails adventure rope courses this spring or summer.
  26. Play leapfrog! Yes parents, this includes you, too!
  27. Donate $29 to a charity close to your heart in honor of the 29th day of February.
  28. Learn something new as a family: Origami – Jumping Frog
  29. Use this extra day on 2/29 to schedule family time each month on your calendar for the rest of the year!

However you spend your extra day this Leap Year, I hope you have a frogtastic time!

An Open Letter to My Sons

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young boys playing with a stick in the woods; An Open Letter to My Sons

young boys playing with a stick in the woods; An Open Letter to My SonsBeing a mother of all boys is a category of Mom-Life that I didn’t exactly sign up for, yet here I am. I didn’t choose the Boy Mom life; the Boy Mom life chose me. After years of mothering my sons, I now wear it like a badge of honor.

Raising boys is exhausting. At the end of each day, I am covered in dirt and possibly snot. I am fluent in the language of potty words, I know every superhero (and their powers), and I’ve made more bowls of backyard soup (extra twigs, please) than I can count.

Like every Mom, I have high hopes for my sons. I have wishes, and I have dreams.

An Open Letter to My Sons: 

My wish for you, my sons, is that you always remember the magic of childhood. Remember believing in faeries and superheroes. Always look to the sky on Christmas Eve, no matter how old you may be. May sunsets always remind you of running in the dew-covered grass. I hope the smell of fresh waffle cones always reminds you of the nights we had ice cream for dinner.

I hope no one ever tells you to “man up” or misleads you to believe that “boys don’t cry.” Always express your emotions; they are nothing to be ashamed of. I will always be your shoulder to cry on and your sounding board in times of distress. Feel your emotions, share them, and never hide from them. Do not let the world define who you are; only you can do that.

I hope that you always remain kind, curious, and humble. Be the first to say ‘hello’ to a new kid in school. Lend a helping hand to those in need. Remember that everyone is different, and embrace those differences. Stick up for what’s right, even if no one else will. Always ask questions. Even if I don’t have the answers, I will help you find them. Be proud of the things you accomplish, but never boastful. Try your hardest without fear of failure, celebrate your accomplishments, and learn from your mistakes. If you struggle, push through, but never be afraid to ask for help. If you fall, I will always dust you off and encourage you to try again.

Always keep growing, always challenge yourself, but never let the world change who you know you are. I will always be your confidant, your best friend, your strongest advocate, and your number-one fan. The stress, the bugs, the fart jokes, the potty words, the messy bedrooms, and the dirt were all worth it. You are the greatest thing I have ever done. You are my very best work. Most of all, I hope you know that it is an honor to be your Mom.

My sons, you are the very best parts of me. 

 

Overnight Road Trips Near Rhode Island

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interior of car shopping gps on mounted cell phone

interior of car shopping gps on mounted cell phoneWhen winter finally rolls out of town (this year around Mother’s Day), my family develops a bit of wanderlust.  After being cooped up like hibernating bears, we enjoy taking an overnight road trip near Rhode Island.  Every year, we take a one-week family vacation, but we are also big fans of overnight excursions.  There are certain criteria – the destination cannot be more than 2 hours away, it has to include a hotel with a pool, and it must have at least two really good activities to do to warrant the overnight.  We are not really beach people, so our list does not include Block Island or the Cape.  I’ve decided to include some places that are family favorites and may not be as well known:

Springfield, MA/Pioneer Valley

Only about 90 minutes from Providence, there’s a lot to do.  The Springfield Museums include an art museum, a natural history museum, and the recently opened Dr. Seuss Museum and Sculpture Garden. For the sports fan, it is the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame.  If you go a bit further to Amherst, you can also visit the Eric Carle Museum.  This is one of our favorite places.  Not only do you get to see storybook art from his books and others, but they also have an interactive art studio, library, and many places for picnicking.  Look Park in Florence, MA, has a lot of outdoor activities, and there is a great college vibe in this area thanks to multiple colleges.

Plymouth, MA

Plimoth Plantation is great for kids of all ages (although I warn you that there is not much shade to be had on a very hot day).  You can take a whale-watching tour from the harbor and visit Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II.  If you have a kid who is into history, they will love it.  We always stay at the John Carver Inn because of the fabulous pool with a water slide.

Berkshires, MA

This pushes the limits of two hours, but it’s worth the extra half hour in the car, and it still counts as an overnight road trip.  We usually stay in either Pittsfield or Lenox.  The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield is a hidden gem, and we enjoy Hancock Shaker Village, which is similar to Old Sturbridge Village.  For older kids or children interested in art and/or history, there are many historic houses, the Norman Rockwell Museum, and several art museums.  Great Barrington and Lenox have fun downtown areas with many kid-friendly restaurants.  There are also fantastic parks with hiking trails.

North Fork/Eastern, Long Island

I may be a bit biased since I grew up on the Island, but using the car ferry out of New London makes this a reasonably easy weekend destination.  Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead is wonderful, and the Long Island Game Farm, right off the Long Island Expressway, is a zoo with quite a few exotic animals.  Harbes Family Farm, located in the middle of wine country, has many activities, including a barnyard, farm stand, hayrides, and more.

Salem/Gloucester, MA

One word – witches.  If your kid is into all things spooky, this a perfect overnight road trip near Rhode Island.  We did not take my kids until they were a bit older (for fear of needing to provide therapy after), so the scary attractions might need to wait until your child is at least age 7 or 8 (although you have to know your kid). Hammond Castle is modeled after a medieval castle, drawbridge, and all, right near downtown Gloucester.  The downtown areas of both Salem and Gloucester have cute shops, delicious seafood, and an ocean breeze, even on a hot day.  Neither town has a lot of hotels, but nearby Danvers does, and that is where my kids fell in love with Sonic milkshakes.

One of the great things about Rhode Island is that there is so much to do here and many other wonderful things nearby.  This summer, pick a weekend, plan a trip, and show your family how many fun destinations there are right in our own backyard!

 

Motherhood as a Mirror: Our Children As a Reflection of Our Best & Worst

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When your children begin to walk, talk, and grow into their personalities, you get to see little versions of yourself.  It might be one of the most rewarding facets of parenthood.  You and your partner get to pass on your best qualities and behavior, or at least try to.  You pridefully watch them grow in your image, on a solid foundation of your values and beliefs.

But it also means you can pass on some of your less-than-ideal qualities.  Sometimes, looking at your child is like looking into a mirror to see your reflection. Through your children, you sometimes see things you may not like about yourself.  As a parent, you become more aware that not only do you need to teach your children better, but you need to teach yourself too.

For example, when I am upset or angry, I am a classic “door slammer” or, at a minimum, a “shut-doors-and-cabinets-really-fast-and-loudly” person.  I know shutting doors angrily won’t solve any problems.  But I didn’t realize how often I did it or how undesirable it was to display this behavior until my then 5-year-old slammed a door when he was upset.

I’m not saying to beat ourselves up for our mistakes and character flaws.  But we should recognize that through motherhood, you can not only become a better parent with time, but also a better person.  Maybe for you, it’s not door-slamming.  Maybe it’s swearing, how you treated someone, your lack of patience while waiting in line at Target, or the amount of time you spend on your phone. It can be anything you see magnified through the lens of parenting. Let’s face it: It’s a bit uncomfortable to watch your child mimic an undesirable behavior that you know they learned from you.

Motherhood is beautiful and rewarding.  But it’s not always easy, and it’s definitely messy (literally and figuratively).  Being a mom has pushed me toward being a better person.  I am not going to pretend I am perfect.  In the throes of my emotions, I admit I’ve slammed a door in front of my kids since.  But since the first time I realized my son was picking up on this behavior, I take pause when I know I am not acting my best.  It turns into an opportunity to have a frank talk about how I know I can do better and how to admit when I make a mistake.

While we don’t want to see our children take on our flaws, I believe the opportunity to teach your children that no one is perfect is also an important lesson.  Owning mistakes and choosing to learn from them is an equally valuable lesson for children and parents alike.

 

3 Tips to Get Your Kids Outside This Winter

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Toddler in hat and coat with a squeezy bottle of water. Cubes of ice are on the ground among the leaves.
My youngest experiments with freeing frozen treasures from ice at Tinkergarten. Yes, that’s a perineal squirt bottle- we know all the fancy tricks.

Winter with kids can be tough. Here are three tips to get your kids outside this winter!

My first winter as a new mom was the now legendary New England winter of 2014-15. Snowfall records were broken across the region. It was piled so high that walking down the continuously shoveled streets was like walking through tunnels of ice. At the time, my husband was out at work all day with our only car and so if I wanted to get out of my house I had to walk with my then 9-month-old strapped to me in the carrier, the pair of us looking like some kind of abominable snowman, covered in so many layers to keep us both warm. I will never forget the experience of trying to climb over snow stacked high to the curb and slippery sheets of ice, praying that she and I would just stay upright. Our short journey to CVS at the end of the street, or a friend’s house a few away became fully-fledged missions of daring feats.

A snowy street with a car parked between piles of snow that are higher than the car
The snow in Boston in 2014/15 was higher than the fences and  parked cars.
woman walking in the snow with babies hat just visible from carrier in front. Toddler walks behind in full snow gear
I particularly enjoyed (note the sarcasm) this walk on a snowy day after my second was born (she’s strapped to me in the carrier). My then 3-year-old bitterly complained while walking as slowly as possible. I took this photo to remind me that even though it was hard, we did it!

Maybe that experience scarred me, but ever since, and certainly as our family has grown from one to three kids, I’ve found myself becoming more and more reluctant to brave the winter weather. It isn’t just the thought of the cold and the ice that I find off-putting, but even the very idea of trying to get all of us dressed and ready to go out in it. There’s three of everything to wrangle all the layers on before I’ve even thought about myself, and some days it feels like we spend longer putting it all on and taking it all off than we actually spend outside!

But the last two years of covid winters cooped up at home have made me even more determined to change this narrative for me and my family. When we choose to stay inside, we get less exercise, more screen time, and frankly, the inevitable cabin fever makes us ten times more likely to drive each other nuts! On the flip side, experts continually tell us that exposure to nature and the great outdoors has so many benefits in all four seasons.

For children, getting outdoors in the winter is especially important.

girl in snow gear sits in the snow with a bucket full of snow and dolls in the bucket, She holds a bowl of snow and a spoon
Cryogenic experiments with plastic dolls happening just outside our back door. Sometimes the back door is as far as you can make it.

Fresh air and sunlight increase circulation, builds the immune system, contributes to healthy sleep patterns, lowers stress,  provides unique sensory experiences, and offers the opportunity to develop grit and resilience. so, when I feel daunted at the prospect of getting outside during the coldest month, I remind myself that this experience is a gift to me and my family;an investment in my children’s present and future health and well-being.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it won’t be challenging!

Here are three tips that will make it easier to get your kids outside this winter:
Have the right gear:

When you’re not dressed appropriately for the weather it’s tough to feel cheerful in it. This winter I have made sure we have all the right gear to be comfortable outdoors, without breaking the bank. I’ve invested in some cozy base layers, warm joggers and fleeces, snow pants, and thermal insulated jackets. I’ve made sure boots still fit and each of us has a couple of pairs comfortabe of merino wool or thermal socks to wear. I also plan to reorganize my entryway so that coats, gloves, hats, and neck gaiters are easily accessible and ready for us to grab.

For a really excellent and up-to-date guide to winter gear for all ages, and discounts on family-recommended brands, check out this Winter Gear Guide from Tinkergarten. You can also check out their tips on how to get wiggly kids to bundle up for winter.

Have the right mindset:

Our children take their cues from us. If we grumble about the weather and express reluctance to go outside, then it’s not surprising that they will not feel excited about it either. This doesn’t mean we just have to suck it up and get on with it for the sake of our kids, rather, if we try to find things that we enjoy about the winter and lean into them, we can put ourselves in a better mindset for dealing with its challenges. I love this ‘What is Your Winter Mindset?’ post, which encourages us to ask ourselves these honest questions:

  • How do I really feel about this winter?
  • How does that change when I take my parent hat off (if that is even possible 😉)?
  • What is hard about winter where I live?
  • What is really special about winter where I live?
  • What do I feel most excited to do/experience today/this winter?

If we are the kind of people who just prefer to be cozy inside with a cuppa we can still honor that preference. It’s possible to have an even greater appreciation for these rhythms when we come in from the cold. They are something we can look forward to, or even take outside. This winter we’ll be taking a flask of hot tea or cocoa for an outdoor winter tea party!

Have the right community:

Like many things in life, getting outdoors in winter is easier when we do it together. Sometimes meeting others is the motivation we need to do what feels hard by ourselves. Leave yourself plenty of time to get ready and meet another family an outdoor winter play date. Take snacks and perhaps have a simple outdoor activity up your sleeve to kickstart the fun; staying active while you’re outdoors will help keep little ones warm! Tinkergarten has tons of free DIY Activities and also produces a free monthly play calendar with weather-appropriate ideas for every day of the month.

I’ve also found Facebook groups like #OutdoorsAll4 Facebook Group and 1000 Hours Outside truly inspiring as it enables you to connect with thousands of caregivers and educators, who are working to build purposeful outdoor play into their routine in all the seasons, and can help us build upon these three tips to get your kids outside this winter.

Toddler in hat and coat with a squeezy bottle of water. Cubes of ice are on the ground among the leaves.
My youngest experiments with freeing frozen treasures from ice at Tinkergarten. Yes, that’s a perineal squirt bottle- we know all the fancy tricks.

This winter I’m particularly excited to be a Tinkergarten Leader! The curriculum (which is designed to fill your weeks with outdoor pla) is exactly the motivation I need to get my family outdoors regularly, and I can’t wait to explore the wonders of winter with other families in my community. We’ll turn the outdoors into a discovery lab, as we invite kids to wonder, observe, experiment, and work together (and enjoy warm Tinkergarten tea, too!). If it feels hard to do this by yourself, why not come and join us for a weekly class in a beautiful local space? We’d love to see you there!

This winter I will not to let the weather dictate whether I stay indoors or not. We are saying NO to cabin fever! Get your kids outside this winter!

You can learn more about Tinkergarten here

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