Summer Safety Tips

With the warmer days coming, kids spend lots of time outdoors.  Crowded places, sunny days, and sand all sound like fun but can easily become a recipe for disaster if you aren't prepared.  I've put together a few summer safety tips for everyone who has small children.

1. When going outside - even for a quick ride in the car - slather on a broad spectrum sunscreen.  You and your children can get sun damage just from the harmful rays shining through the car windows.  Cloudy days are no exception.
2. Always carry water and sports drink (like Gatorade) when your child will be playing outdoors in the heat.  Make sure your child is well hydrated BEFORE going outside and continue to offer and monitor his/her fluid intake while they are in the heat.  If your child says they are thirsty, it is a sign that dehydration has already begun.
3. Make sure your child has a properly fitting helmet.  Make it a rule just like being buckled in a carseat.  No helmet = no bike/scooter/skates.
4. When headed to a crowded or unfamiliar place like the zoo or a theme park, take a picture of your child with your cell phone on the way out the door. Should your child get lost, you have an up to date picture showing what clothing the child is wearing.  Write your cell phone number on a slip of paper and safety pin the paper to the inside of your child's pocket.  If they are found, the person can call your cell phone and reunite you and your child quickly.
5. Never, ever leave a child near any body of water alone.  Even for a second.  Make sure you or another responsible adult is always within an arms reach of your child when they are in the water.  

 Happy (& safe) travels! 

Excessive Heat Leads to Yummy Treats!

Since it is WAY too hot to play outside today, we decided to make a cool treat for this afternoon.  After snack this morning, we went out into the garden to see what yummy fruit we could find for our afternoon snack.  The kids quickly found these fresh, tart raspberries.

So, we quickly headed inside to decide what to make with the raspberries.  We finally settled on raspberry yogurt pops for our afternoon snack.  After much mixing and mess making, the kids carefully poured the mixture into the ice pop molds and stuck them in the freezer.  After nap, they will have a cool, healthy treat that they made themselves.  I can't wait to see how excited they are once it's time to eat!

Space Available!

We have one space available late June for a new friend to join our group!  If you know someone looking for daycare, feel free to pass on this site, my website, or my phone number 609-265-1778.  Thanks!  :)

Cool Treats and Good Eats!

During these long, hot summer days there are some days we cannot play outside because of the extreme heat and humidity. On these days, we still have active play inside the house. We have marathon dance parties, games of Hide and Seek or Simon Says, or we play in the tubes and tents and build forts out of cushions and sheets. 

You can always find the latest extreme weather warnings at www.weather.com. 

Summer treats can be loaded with sugar. To keep your kiddo healthier but still satisfy their sweet tooth, try these healthier summer snacks.

Frozen Fruit and Yogurt Pops

Dice your child's favorite fruit into tiny pieces and mix with yogurt.  Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for a cool treat on a hot day.

Smart Smoothies

Put one cup of ice, 1 cup of yogurt, and your child's favorite fruit into the blender and blend until smooth. You can even add veggies! My kids have no idea I add spinach leaves in their smoothies!

Banana Boats

The kids have really loved our Banana Boat snacks.  Simply slice bananas, spread some peanut butter on top, and spear with a toothpick.  Add a 1/4 slice of American Cheese to the toothpick as a sail.

Veggie and Cheese Kabobs

Another lunchtime favorite this summer has been kabobs.  I use cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and cucumbers with a little balsamic vinegar.  The kids love this cool and nutritious side dish.