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Posts Tagged ‘summer’

Jul
10

For the Love of Bugs

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, Life with Kids

What happens when two bug-loving girls have a passion that overflows? They hatch a plan to teach younger kids about bugs and their habitat.  Bug Camp is born.

Last month, my daughter Katie and her friend Madi channeled their bug collecting fascination into a 2 hour “camp” for kids 3-5 years old.  These girls had been discovering and capturing bugs for the past month. Katie’s collection included a milkweed bug named Steve, water striders, various spiders and beetles and flies. After camping outside with them one night, I contributed a wood cockroach which dropped off of me onto my bed. Yuck.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

But these girls thrive on bugs. Before their Bug Camp plan, they had a failed startup business they called “Bug On,” which advertised the removal of bugs without killing them.  It had obvious problems.

Back to Bug Camp. The girls invited 5 kids, younger siblings of friends, to come over to our home on a Monday morning during summer vacation.  Mothers told me these younger children’s chests puffed out in pride as they headed off to their own camp just like their older siblings.

They arrived at 10 AM with their sack lunches in hand. The cost for camp was $3 per child, $5 per family.  This included a snack and bug with habitat to take home. While I had mixed feelings about the charge, the moms happily paid. They were informed the next camp was free.

While waiting for everyone to arrive, the children worked on an insect coloring page.  They took their coloring seriously because after all, this was big kid stuff.

Next, the group headed to the field outback. With jars in hand, Katie and Madi helped each child collect a beetle, or ladybug, or grasshopper from the weeds.  After each child had an occupied jar in hand, they headed back for lunch in the civilized part of the yard by the swing set.

Sack lunches were barely touched.  They played “Beetle, Beetle, Bird” (“Duck, Duck, Goose”) and finally assembled their take-home habitats—water bottles with the tops cut off. The girls took each child back to where his or her bug was caught and helped them put the right habitat in the bottle. With a covering of plastic wrap and a rubber band, the bug was ready for transport home.

Bug Club was a success for all. Even the wiggly little boys followed the girls around like the Pied Piper, paying close attention to every word. Katie and Madi not only had a fulfilling teaching experience, but they each had a little cash in hand for their efforts.  The kids brought home a pet bug. The moms enjoyed watching how our children acting so grow up that day. And all of this happened for the love of bugs. I think I like them a little bit better now too!

-posted by Donna Detweiler, who enjoys helping her child’s ideas come to life.

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Jul
4

Fun Fireworks Facts

Posted in Bits and Pieces

Happy Fourth of July! The weather here in Seattle finally is starting to match the rest of the country, so we won’t have to watch fireworks through drizzle tonight. Speaking of fireworks, I thought you’d enjoy this collection of fun fireworks facts.

Fireworks were invented by the Chinese sometime in the 7th century. 90% of all fireworks still come from China.  Early fireworks were exploded for the sound until chemicals were added for color, starting in Italy in the 1830′s.

The first fireworks were either orange or white. It wasn’t until the 1830’s (1200 years after their invention) that Italian scientists figured out how to add metallic salts or chlorinated powders to create colors.

The different colors in fireworks are generated by different chemical compounds. For example, calcium burns orange and barium burns green. Blue is still one of the most difficult colors to make, and is made from copper compounds.

Other additives produce interesting visual effects. Calcium deepens colors, titanium makes sparks, and zinc creates smoke clouds.

Workers who make firecrackers have to be sure to wear an ensemble that is entirely cotton, lest static electricity generated by their clothing set off the fireworks. Yikes!

Forty years ago, the average fireworks show lasted one hour. Today, the average show is 20 minutes. Russian czar Peter the Great put on a five-hour show after the birth of his son.

George Washington’s inauguration as first President of the United States (in 1789) was accompanied with a fireworks display.

With over 1000 fireworks shows each year, the Walt Disney Company is the largest consumer of fireworks in the United States.

-posted by Miss Analiisa, whose favorite fireworks show took place in Philadelphia, where she saw a fireworks show choreographed to a live performance of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, put on by the same firework company that created the original performance on April 27, 1749.

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Aug
25

Happy Trails to You!–Even With Preschoolers

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, Things to do

Travelling is the curse/blessing of summer. Whether it gets a “C” or “B” often depends on our personality, kid’s ages, and planning.

Some of us live for change:  we rearrange furniture willy nilly, drive home a different way daily, and never eat at the same restaurant twice in a row if we can help it.  The change of pace brought by travel is the spice of life for us.

Others relax in routine, savoring the same cup of coffee in the same mug, sitting in the same comfy chair each morning.  Why change a good thing they reason.  Travel disrupts routine pretty thoroughly. However, even routine lovers are often willing to embrace the variety of travel, finding its spice tolerable as long as it’s not too much or too long.

Another factor contributing to whether travel gets a “C” or “B” is the age of the children journeying with us.  Travel stress tends to have an inverse relationship to our children’s ages.  When they are little, stress can be big!  Planning can determine the grade.

During the years we were growing our family, we lived more than 1500 miles away from grandparents.  Every Christmas and summer, we hopped on a plane to renew family ties.  Our trip took a minimum of 12 hours door to door and involved cars, buses and airplanes.  Often I made these trips solo, with my husband following later due to work.  Obviously, I was very motivated.  And I experienced lots of grace too.

Two months after my daughter was born, I was a bridesmaid in my friend’s out-of-town wedding.  I had to bring my newborn along.  As the plane took off, the usual polite seatmate chat commenced.  Amazingly, I discovered the fatherly man seated beside me was a close family friend of our pastor whom I knew well.  During the subsequent layover, he helped with all the paraphernalia and even held her while I freshened up. That was grace.

Flying solo again later that summer, my 4 month old daughter and 2 ½ year old son were along. “I’ll bring his car seat for the plane,” I reasoned, thinking he’d be more manageable confined for 4 hours in a seat that better fit his size.  Bad Idea! Unfortunately, the car seat raised my toddler’s busy feet up to the perfect level and angle for him to kick the back of the seat in front of him. At the conclusion of the flight, I apologized and told the poor traveler in front of us that I hoped it hadn’t been too bad. “Never been worse,” he gruffly replied. I lapsed into an embarrassed silence and slunk down to the baggage claim where a kindly gentleman approached me. “Don’t worry about that guy,” he said, “He was the whiniest passenger I’ve ever sat next to.” And off he walked.  At least my conscience was salved a bit.  Needless to say, skip the car seat!

Another lesson I learned the hard way was to avoid the bulk head seating.  When the plane was preparing for takeoff, an impatient flight attendant demanded my diaper bag be placed above as there was no place to stow carry on articles in front of me. That extra room at my feet did NOT make up for the stress of take-off and landing without access to my mom “supplies.”

While we can’t completely eliminate the stress of travelling with kids, planning can make a big difference. My best tool has been a bag of incentives which I call “the Airplane Store.”  Every ½ hour or more, I pronounce the Airplane Store is open. The kids close their eyes and receive something: a toy, trinket, coloring book, small stuffed animal or something else I’ve come up with from McDonalds, a thrift store, or dollar store. I collect these all year long. As they got older, each child receives one bigger item, a DVD, book or coveted stuffed animal.  The time passes so much more quickly for the kids with the Airplane Store to look forward too.

It’s August and many of us take our last trip of summer.  We can feel school looming ahead. I’ve been packing and planning for our trip. The Airplane Store is in my backpack and our traditional airport food, “Lunchables,” is in my cooler.  Soon we’ll be off. Though we won’t know what grade this trip will get until we arrive, we’re hoping for a solid “B”.

 - posted by Donna Detweiler, who recommends flat-sided crayon for your toddler version of the Airplane Store.

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Aug
17

Sweet Summer Slurpin’& Lickin’

Posted in Family, Recipes, Things to do

Popsicles.  Just the word brings back fun childhood memories, doesn’t it?  Occasionally I’ll spot my mother’s classic Rubbermaid popsicle mold in a thrift store and gaze at it with nostalgic affection. I noticed recently that today’s kitchen gadget stores have the next generation of popsicle molds with new and clever, colorful designs.

With popsicles in mind, I’ve collected some recipes to prompt the continuation of memorable slurpy fun at your house.  I picked the recipes I thought might become your favorites—because of their fresh, healthy ingredients, or their simplicity.  I included a couple of recipes for Italian Ice too. They are essentially grown up popsicles. But I bet they’d make awesome popsicles if you froze the juice with a stick instead of eating them the boring grown-up way!

Kiwi Ice Pops
1 ¾ c. water
1 c. sugar
5 kiwis
½ c. lime juice (4 limes)

Bring 1 cup of the water and 1 c. sugar to a boil, turn off.  Puree 4 kiwis, minus white core and seeds. Add ¾ c. syrup.  Add lime juice plus the ¾ c. water left.

Cut the remaining kiwi into ¼ inch slices.  Place one slice of kiwi fruit in the bottom of small paper cups.  Pour juice over top. Freeze.  Add popsicle sticks when firm enough and continue to freeze.

from Delish.com

Frozen Watermelon Treats
½ c. sugar
½ c. water
3 c. watermelon juice
2 t. lemon juice

In medium sauce pan, simmer water and sugar together for 3 minutes.  Add watermelon juice and lemon juice.  Fill ice trays or paper cups with juice.  Freeze. Place a stick in each cube or cup when mushy. Continue to freeze until firm.  Makes 36 cubes.

from justkidsrecipes.com

Jello Popsicles
3 oz. any flavor jello
1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid
½ c. sugar
2 c. hot water
2 c. cold water

Put in mold or ice cube tray.  Freeze.

Also from justkidsrecipes.com

Pomegranate Granita Italian Ice
2 c. Pomegranate Juice
Juice from 1 large orange
Juice from ½ lemon
½ c. sugar

Mix all ingredients together and place in 32 oz. yogurt container.  Place in freezer and stir every ½ hour for 3-4 hours until slushy.  Serve.  If it gets hard, scrape with fork and place in cups to serve.

From Redtri.com (Red Tricycle)

Blueberry Ice
4 c. berries
3/4 c. white grape juice
3/4 c. maple syrup
2 T. lemon juice
Pinch of salt

In a blender, combine berries and grape juice.  Pulse for 30 seconds.  Strain berry mixture in a medium mesh strainer.  Add maple syrup, lemon juice and salt.  Pour into a 13x 9 pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour.  Remove from freezer and scrape ice crystals into the center.  Return to freezer for 1 hour. Serve or continue to freeze pan until ready to use.  Scrape into cups and serve.

From Familyfun.go.com

Hope I’m makin’ it easy for you to cool down with your kids and make some slurpy, sweet memories as you enjoy these popsicle treats.

-posted by Donna Detweiler, who likes the jello popsicle recipe because it eliminates the problem of sucking out all the juice and being left with ice-on-a-stick.

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Jul
29

Frozen Treat Finesse

Posted in Bits and Pieces

A new gelato store has recently opened in our town.  Reminded me of some niggling questions I’ve had.  How does gelato differ from ice cream?  And what exactly is Italian Ice and Sorbet?  How do they compare to sherbet? That led to curiosity about frozen custard and soft serve. Now that I’ve researched these chilly confections, I’m having lots of fun being the expert on this popular topic.  So I thought I’d pass it on to you.

Ice Cream
Of course, ice cream is made from yummy, rich, cream, to which endless varieties of natural and artificial flavorings and sweeteners are added. When the mixture is churned, air is blended in which creates its beloved creamy texture.  Surprisingly, 60% of ice cream is air!  The butterfat content of the other 40% determines the richness: Regular store ice cream is around 11-16% butterfat with premium at the upper end.  Gourmet ice creams, such as Haagen-Dazs, can be up to 24% butterfat.  French ice cream is made from a custard base that includes egg yolk, which gives it the classic yellow hue, added richness, and a silky texture.

According to ice cream makers, A Big Slice, ice cream labeled “light” has either 50% less fat or 33% few calories.  By law, ice cream labeled reduced fat must have 25 % fewer calories than that company’s regular ice cream.  Some of us remember ice milk, which is the old fashioned name for low fat ice creams.

Gelato—
Gelato is simply the Italian word for ice cream.  Gelato and ice cream are both made from the same ingredients; however, gelato contains 40% less air!  Instead of being 60% air, gelato is only 20%– which accounts for the different texture and reported “intensity” of flavor.  Gelato is softer than ice cream because it is blended and served at a higher temperature.  Experts say this allows the taste buds to be less frozen upon consumption, also enhancing the flavor.  Is gelato lower in calories?  According to Linda Ray, writer for Livestrong.com, the calorie content of gelato and ice cream both depend on the serving size and the fat content.  Some gelatos can have butterfat content as low as 6-10.

Soft Serve Ice Cream—
Soft serve ice cream is made by putting a pre-mixed concoction into a machine that combines the frozen product with air right when it is served. Can you picture that soft, creamy swirl piling on the cone? More air makes it creamy and smooth.  Less air makes it grainy and more yellow. The butterfat content of soft serve is 3-6% compared to ice cream’s 11-24%.  Soft serve, like gelato, owes its soft, creamy texture to its higher temperature, which is why it’s best to have your kids eat those treats outside the minivan. Frozen custard is a version of soft serve that includes egg yolk in the product.  The more grainy it is, the less air that is mixed in.

Italian Ice—
Italian ice is basically ice cream without dairy.  Fruit juice from concentrates or fresh fruit puree’ plus other natural or artificial flavorings is mixed together as it is frozen.

Sorbet–
Quite similar to Italian ice, the trendy sorbet often has less sugar and is more dense and creamy because—can you remember now?—more air is mixed in.  Sorbets can also be savory. For example, I found recipes for different sorbets made avocado, pea, mint and ginger.

Sherbet–
An older cousin to sorbet, sherbet’s main ingredients are a fruit based product to which a lesser amount of milk, cream, gelatin or egg white is added for creaminess.  It is significantly lower in butterfat than ice cream—around 2%.

Granita–
Another member of the fruit based family; a Granita is made by freezing fruit or flavorings together.  However, the Granita is not whipped, therefore is denser.  The ice crystals which are allowed to remain provide its signature “grainy” texture.

Now that you also have learned so much about frozen treats, don’t you think it’s time for some hands on experience?  Me too.  That new gelato shop sounds like a good place to start.

-posted by Donna Detweiler, who would like to try avocado sorbet, but no thanks on the pea!

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