Yes. Yay.  Because these little bugs help to strengthen their immune systems.  My kids celebrated Earth Day by getting up close and personal with some earthy microbes (followed by a nice shower.  We can only take this dirt thing so far, people.).

I’ve been brainstorming ways to combat the vortex of video games A.P. especially can get sucked in to and get my kids outside even more.  And then it came to me… make them earn their screen time with outdoor time.  We have a 2:1 ratio; so for every hour spent outside getting muddy, swinging, running in the yard, or collecting rocks he earns 30 minutes of Zombies vs. Aliens.  Today alone he earned 45 minutes; but he had to spend an hour and a half to get it!

Screen Free Week is coming up; and honestly – we aren’t doing it.  I would rather implement a dirt-incentive program than just have a one week screen free.  Plus; whenever my kids spout off some really interesting fact or use an impressive word I ask them where they learned it and the answer is almost always “Wild Kratts” or “Word Girl“.  I like the earned screen time system!

The only thing that suffers here is the carpet from all of the dirt they track in; but that is a small price to pay for active kids!  Making my kids work for their screen time Works For Me!

You know what else works for me?

That Works For Me – The book!

For years and years I have contributed to and read all of the great tips at the Works For Me Wednesday blog carnival; and now there is a book of 800 of the best entries! {Some of my tips are even in it; including how to get the skunk smell out, and how to make an indoor clothesline!}

It’s an amazing ebook; with all kinds of helpful ideas in different areas such as:

There are over 800 ideas! This book is $8.00, but if you use the code SAVE1 it is only $7.00.

I’m also giving away one copy to a reader; but you should buy it anyway because I will refund your $7.00 if you win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The section that hit me the hardest was the one about community.  What is it? Where do you find it? Why is it necessary? I desperately needed to know. I needed to heal some hurts so I could forgive and move on. I needed to learn how to know it when I saw it, and turn away when it looked like the real thing; but wasn’t.

I realized that I had made the mistake of confusing community with groups.  Sometimes groups are easy to join; you just sign up. Sometimes they are very difficult to join and require a lot of time and energy.  Sometimes they require you to compromise your principles, or to be quiet when you should be speaking up; or to be noisy when you should be quiet.  Pin me! Stumble me! Tweet me! MAKE NOISE. PROCLAIM MY AWESOMENESS.

Are they all really worthy of such amplification? Am I bothering to write words worthy of it?

I was so excited to attend Blissdom last year, but came home disappointed.  I did not find the community everyone else seemed to find there.  So, I presumed that my community was the city I lived in or some of the non-profits I worked with, but later learned that my love was unrequited. And that hurt, a lot.

But groups are not community.  And conferences are not community.  And towns are not community.

I stand off to the sides much more than I should at church and at my kids’ school.  I don’t participate in the local blogger meet ups very often.  I thought that would be my community, and it isn’t.  It isn’t a community any more than a random gathering of people who happen to wear blue shirts or like flowers or are named Bob is community.

And what keeps me from fully engaging?  What keeps me on the sidelines?

Shame.  Self-protection. An unwillingness to be vulnerable.

I am not a big enough blogger to hang out with at conferences.  My husband doesn’t come to church with me so we are not a good enough family.  We are one of the poorest families in this school and also, I am annoying with my persistent requests for my son’s needs to be met.

And it’s childish, and selfish.  I could grow so much and have so much to offer, but I hold it back.  I need to do the hard work of finding community within those groups.  There are people at conferences and church and at school and in the blogger group (and some of them are even the same people) that I could build a community with, but I don’t because I don’t think I can do it.

But for a few hours, I quieted my mind and just listened.  And God said, for the millionth time,

You are enough.

And that’s what we call a conviction, ladies and gentlemen.  Like a criminal who has been found guilty; I know I had better change my ways or be thrown back into the prison that Ann Voskamp talked about.  The things we use protect ourselves with are the things that keep us alone. I am a repeat offender, so I know it is true.

I am terrified and exhilarated, but I am changed.  I am enough.

And here is the Good News I get to share with you today; the noise I should be making:

So are you.

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 The Message

As a Purex Insider, I get the scoop on their marketing campaigns. I like having the scoop. Especially when it comes to one of my life’s loves; laundry.

Their next one is “Let’s Be Honest”. It features new videos uploaded to Purex daily, and I have had the chance to preview a couple. So far my favorite is about Yoga, because the lady falls down. Like I did, on the treadmill. Exercise is dangerous. But this isn’t a Public Service Announcement; this is an ad campaign and it’s a fun one.

There is a daily sweepstakes and every day, one winner will get free Purex detergent for a year!  You do have to enter a product code, so gather your Purex detergent and crystals ’round the computer and enter your head off.  You don’t have to go buy new ones; just use what you already have then enter new ones as you purchase them.

I have a much smaller, but still fun giveaway for you.  You have to be honest about something laundry related. Maybe you haven’t done it in two months, maybe your haven’t changed the lint filter in a year; it’s time to come clean.  HA! Get it? Clean; like laundry.  Seriously, Purex, you need to hire me.

I’ll go first.  When I was younger, I wanted to work in a laundromat.  They smell good, and all of those clothes are getting clean… it’s my happy place. Then I wanted to buy a laundromat.  Actually, I still kind of do.  I would just hang out in there, lining up those carts with wheels on them and getting tipsy from inhaling the fabric softener smell in the air.

So that’s mine.  What’s yours? Let’s hear it!  I will be choosing TWO winners, who will each receive a free bottle of Purex Laundry Detergent.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purex provided me with laundry detergent, and is providing the same for the winners of this giveaway.  All opinions are my own.

It’s full of family friendly, kid focused, cultural festivals, sporting events, community expos, garage and mom to mom sales, and charitable events. There are contributors from all over the region, and we are working hard as a team to bring you the best of the best.

As you know Sarah and I share a frugal sensibility; and the events are meant to provide a way for everyone – regardless of income – to enjoy living here in West Michigan.

We’re adding new events every day; so check back often!

I am not really a big ‘summer slide’ conspiracy theorist.  If my kids forget how to do a few math problems or score 3 points lower on their standardized tests in the fall I really, really don’t care.  Summer is for exploring and adventure and relaxing.

I love the library all year long; but especially in the summer.  It’s nice and cool, and quiet.  I love watching my kids choose books that appeal to them, and I love helping them find books about an interest they have recently developed.  Looking at our current library haul I can tell that we are heavily focused on ponies and Greek Gods.  But that will change several times over the summer, and the library will be there all the while with fresh material to satisfy our curiosities.

Bookstores and other businesses offer summer reading programs too, and I’ve compiled my biggest list yet.  Why do we sign up? We like reading.  Oh, and then there is the swag.  The goodies.  The free stuff my kids get for reading; which is kind of like getting a cookie for breathing – a total and complete BONUS.

You do need to keep good track of what your kids are reading in order to maximize the programs.  It’s like a job, except it’s fun and you get paid in hockey tickets and restaurant coupons.  Here are some tips for keeping the whole thing organized.

I’ll be updating these in the coming links as more information about the programs becomes available!

National Programs

{Ongoing}: Chuck E Cheese may be the bane of my existence; but my kids love it there.  Print the “Reading Rewards” form off and keep track of their reading; after two weeks they get 10 free tokens.

{Ongoing}: Sylvan’s Book Adventure is good because kids in Kindergarten through 8th grade actually have to take a quiz about what they have read and earn points for answering questions correctly.  The points are then traded in for prizes; and their list of books has some pretty common ones so kids can read books for other reading programs and ‘count’ them for this one once they have taken a quiz.

{Dates and program details not yet announced}: No Time For Flash Cards has a VERY cool online summer reading program with weekly chances to win.

{Dates and program details not yet announced}: New York Times Student Challenge, something something, made my head hurt just reading the directions.

{Dates and program details not yet announced}:  Barnes And Noble Summer Reading; kids from 1st to 6th grade read 8 books, bring a form in, and get a free book.

{June 6 to August 31} PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge and Scholastic Summer Challenge – This challenge kicks off on June 6th and includes a FREE six week reading program with emails about how to engage your kids in reading along with the chance for your kids to win daily prizes.  The Scholastic Summer Challenge is somewhat confusing; kids can track their reading and be eligible for sweepstakes and participate in a Reading World’s Record; if your child’s teacher hasn’t provided you with a user name and password you can sign up for one on your own.

Grand Rapids Area Programs

{Dates and program details not announced yet} Schuler Books Summer Reading Club. The clear directions and specific instructions of the program, along with cookies at Saturday storytime make this my personal favorite. Kids can earn up to 3 $5 gift certificates for reading an age-appropriate number of books.

{June 1 to August 31}: Kent District Library Summer Reading Program. Kids 2 years to 5th grade use a reading log to keep track of what they’ve read and turn them in for prizes.  Sign up at any KDL branch.

{June 11 to August 4}: Grand Rapids Public Library Summer Reading Program. Kids use a Reading Record form to track their progress towards their reading goal. Then bring the form in for a t-shirt and prize pack, including a West Michigan Whitecaps pass.  You can sign up at any GRPL branch, or at Pooh’s Corner bookstore.

{Dates and program details not announced yet}: Baker Book House has an awesome program! In past years, it was for every five books kids read, they get their name up on the wall, an entry into a drawing. There are double points for certain books, and they get a 10% off coupon right off the bat.  Kids can earn up to a $5 coupon for reading enough books.

{Dates and program details not announced yet}: Hudsonville Fair Read And Win in the past has offered 1 carnival ride at the Hudsonville Fair {in late August} ticket for each 90 minutes kids spend reading.

{August 7} Kent County Youth Fair Reading For Rides: Kids read 5 books and fill out a form you have printed off.  Between 12:00 and 2:00 on August 7, they can ride the rides for free!

In Case You Summer In Another State Programs

{May 17 – August 31} Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge Complete their list of books (which are not announced yet) and receive a free book!

{June 1 to July 31} Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Challenge: Download a reading log to keep track of how much your kids are reading.  During June and July, kids under 14 can earn a $5 gift card for reading 15 minutes a day.

{May 5 to September 29}: TD Bank Summer Reading Program. Kids who read 10 books during the summer will have $10 added to their Young Saver Bank account.  Straight up cash for reading; I love it!

{Through October 1 2012}: H.E.B. Buddy Summer Reading Program. On the H.E. Buddy website, click on Clubs & Contests on the left side of the screen. Then click on the red Join Now! button at the bottom of the screen. This opens a PDF file that has the HEB summer reading program reading log.  Kids record 10 books they read over the summer, then , fill out the form and they send back some prizes. They don’t say what is included in the package of prizes, but they do ask for t-shirt size.

{Dates and program details not announced yet} National Amusements Bookworm Wednesdays.  In prior years, kids can exchange a book report they wrote for a free movie ticket.

Some are year round and some are annual or seasonal events; so the links may go back to a previous year.  Many of them are posts with information about how to do the activities with a budget in mind, too.  Bonus!

Credit:

1. Go to the kids’ events at LaughFest {March}
2. Learn about Maple Syrup making at Blandford Nature Center’s Sugar Bush {March}
3. Ride the Troops Train in Coopersville {May}
4. Go to a Whitecaps game {May to September}
5. Participate in the library Summer Reading Programs {June}
6. Go to Festival of the Arts {June}
7. Participate in the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Kids Bike Race {varies}
8. See the Fourth of July Fireworks in Ab Nab Awen Park {July}
9. Pick blueberries
10. Participate in the Grand Rapids Kids Marathon {October}
11. Help with the Mayor’s River Clean Up {varies}
12. Go to the Harvest Festival at Blandford Nature Center {October}
13. Go to a Griffins game {October to April}
14. Check out the kid stuff at ArtPrize {October}
15. Go to the Santa Parade {November}
16. Watch the Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve {December}
17. Go ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle {December to March}
18. Go to a Grand Rapids Symphony Lollipops concert
19. Ride the carousel at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
20. Attend a First Saturday event at the Calvin Eco Preserve
21. Go to the Children’s Garden at Meijer Gardens
22. Go to an apple orchard
23. Go to John Ball Park Zoo
24. Go see Rick the Reptile Guy at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
25. Swing in the DiSuervo Tire Swing

How many of these have your kids done? Mine are at 24 – we have yet to hit the tire swing

What would you add to this list?

And every day, every day, I thank God for the family he has given me.

Then I pray for them to change.

I ask God to reveal to my husband what his still untreated ADD does to our marriage. I ask God to help A.P.’s brain function better so he can get along better at school. I pray for Maybelle to lighten up, and also that her future husband be a very patient person.

I pray that God help me organize my time so I can get it all done; and then I realized that it was not God that put this all on my plate.

It was me. And like a bratty child, I took a bite of ADD and spat it out. YUCK. I don’t like this, God. I want something else. Sure, I was born with great organizational skills that can create a better environment for someone who struggles with it, but I don’t have time.  I’m busy.

I tried a spoonful of Autism and made a pouty face. So what that I was uniquely prepared for advocacy on behalf of my own kid, there is only so much time I can spend on it. How much of this do I have to eat to get desert?

Which we are about to receive

When someone goes to a conference or an event and blogs about it as it happens; it’s called live blogging.  No research, no rough drafts.  Just what is happening, as it is happening.

I am live blogging right now.

Right now I am realizing why I have been struggling.  Right now I am realizing that I have been struggling.  I have not gratefully or graciously received the plate that God has prepared for me.  It stinks, and tastes bad.  I want something sweet.  Why can’t I have something sweet? Why can’t I have what everyone else is having? Why do I have to eat Brussels sprouts when other people {seem to} get cookies?

From Thy Bounty

Because Brussels sprouts are what is on my plate.  They are in season.  This season of my life is about my family; not about anything else I have tried to pile upon my plate.

But carrots are good, right? All of that beta carotene! Volunteering, is good, right? All of that making the world a better place! If I could spend more time online I could really be someone in social media.  I just know it.

Yes. But that’s not what is on my plate.  There is no room for carrots right now.  They are not in season.

Through Christ Our Lord

Carrots are normal.  Brussels Sprouts are a little weird.  People won’t think as highly of me if I focus on my family and not on the needy.  People will roll their eyes at me if I say no to social media opportunities because it doesn’t fit with our family right now.  I will have to look into eyes I have said yes to many times, and say no. I will disappoint people.

But I will look into the eyes of my family and say yes, when I have been saying no.  I will eat the Brussels Sprouts on my plate.  They are a blessing.

Amen

"She never gives up on us."

MLK Pool Photo Source: MLive

The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Pools will be open this summer from July 2 through August 17 {excluding the 4th of July}.  The pools at Briggs (Lafayette/Knapp NE), Martin Luther King Jr. (Fuller/Franklin SE), and Richmond Park (Richmond/Tamarack NW)  are the ones that will be open this summer.

At one time, in the good old days, kids were free.  Now there is an admission fee but the good news is that they are still are pretty inexpensive.  There are different prices for Residents (R) Nonresidents (N).

• Youth (under 1) Free
• Youth (ages 1-17) $1.00 (R) $4.00 (N)
• Adult (ages 18 & up) $2.00 (R) $4.00 (N)

They also have a new punchcard system.  One punch equals one open swim for kids, two punches equals one open swim for adults.  It’s the government, people.  They have to make things a little complicated or they don’t feel like they are doing their jobs.

• 5 punches $4.00 (R) $16.00 (N)
• 10 punches $8.00 (R) $32.00 (N)
• 15 punches $12.00 (R) $48.00 (N)
• 20 punches $16.00 (R) $64.00 (N)
• 25 punches $20.00 (R) $80.00 (N)
• 30 punches $24.00 (R) $94.00 (N)

The open swim hours are:

Briggs Park Pool

Monday – Wednesday: 12:30̶5:00 pm

Thursday – Saturday: 12:30̶7:00 pm

Richmond Park Pool

Monday: 12:30̶5:00 pm

Tuesday – Saturday: 12:30̶7:00 pm

Martin Luther King Park Pool

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 12:30-7:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday: 12:30̶5:00 pm

I am proud to have been chosen as a Coppertone Water Mom, so I’ll be at the pools this summer handing out samples and coupons! Come and find me.  I’ll give you two if you say the secret phrase, which is, “Wow, have you lost weight? You look amazing in that bathing suit!”

As a member of the Coppertone Water MOMS Group, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience.

I came across a very tasty looking concoction on Pinterest sometime this winter.  Snow was on the ground, the heater was cranked up, and I had just purchased A.P.’s fourth pair of mittens for the season.  I was in no mood for the summery, frozen drink I found on Pinterest but fortunately had the good sense to pin it to my “Things I Need To Eat” board.

And now, the sun has returned; along with it’s springtime buddy, the Mighty Strawberry.  Oh jam maker, shortcake topper, perfect-all -alone strawberry… we’ve missed you.  Get into the blender and make us a drink!

Called a “Frozen Strawberry Mojito” for no apparent reason other than rum is involved, I think I have a new record for finding my summer drink.  It’s not even Memorial Day yet!  We tried these a few days ago and have to talk ourselves out of drinking them every night.

Free bowling is my favorite kind, and this summer AMF’s Summer Unplugged is a program you’re going to want to know more about.  Kids 15 and under can bowl two games every day for free, and adults can bowl at a discount with a  Summer Pass.  Shoe rental is extra {remember to take socks, because otherwise… gross}, and there is no word yet on beer specials but there are kids’ meal specials for $3.29.  I don’t know a kids’ meal at a bowling alley consists of, but I am guessing fried mushrooms are involved.

Here is how to get free and discounted bowling:

• Kids 15 and Under: Free bowling until 8:00PM, 7 days a week from May 14 through Monday, September 3 (Labor Day).  Parents can go to http://bit.ly/AMFfree to select a participating center (over 250 locations) and complete a registration form. Free game coupons emailed every week starting May 14.

Adults {16 and up}:

• Adults {16 and up}: Two free games, per day for up to four people ages 16 and up (shoe rental not included) when a Summer Pass is purchased for $29.95.  It’s good for 2 games per day for up to four people all summer long; same dates and times as above. Available at http://bit.ly/SummerPass.

 

Do you like bowling? How about if it’s FREE!?