Burning Off Energy During the Winter Months

We’re buying lotion and chapstick by the vat, my nine year old has proposed we get a whole house humidifier and we have one more built in snow day left before the district resorts to an undetermined plan B.

It is winter in Indiana, and it’s been a cold couple of weeks. Not only are we all dehydrated from the cold, dry air, we fluctuate from being in catatonic nap state to stir crazy.

How do you keep school age kids active during the winter months? Fast food play places don’t cut it any more, it’s too cold for most parks, and they’ve outgrown the little trampoline I bought during the Polar Vortex.

I understand now why basketball is a winter sport. Not only do the kids get to run around, it’s a reason for parents to get out and socialize. Every Thursday and Saturday, we bundle up and head to the basketball league. Some blustery weekends, it’s the only time we leave the house. It’s great exercise for the kids, and it’s a great time to catch up with friends on the sidelines.

Swimming is his other regular outlet this winter. Tuesday night is Swim Force practice at Goldfish Swim School, and the whole team keeps moving the entire hour.  He comes out warm and tired and ready for a sound sound sleep. Also, everyone goes home wearing their pajamas, and it’s the cutest thing.

Other active things we try to get to during the winter:

Nerf Gun Events! The local community center hosts a Friday night nerf party where kids can run around and play with each other.

Unlimited Laser Tag! A couple of places have specials where it’s all you can play laser tag for one low price. It’s completely worth the price of admission.

The Wii! We have an original Wii, and a couple editions of Just Dance. When we are snowed in and restless, we start the music and take turns shaking our tail feathers. It’s always fun, and heart rates are always raised!

Open Swim! Goldfish has weekday open swims (handy for the random day off) and Friday night family swims.  We also visit other pools, and since the kids are confident swimmers (thanks to Goldfish), they always have a great time.

I know winter doesn’t last forever, it only feels like it. Until it’s over, look for me at the pool or on the basketball court -I’ll probably be there!

Disclosure: Thanks to Goldfish Swim School for partnering with us  to build my school-age swimmers’ confidence in exchange for my honest review of their programs! 

Harlem Globetrotters – Family Fun During a Deep Freeze

Friends, we are living in the what feels like the arctic tundra in central Indiana. We’ve have below zero temps, school delays and cancellations, and the air is as dry as a desert. It’s really not how I prefer to live.

This past weekend, school was cancelled Friday, giving the kids a four day weekend since Monday was a holiday. Four days of figuring out inside amusements without giving into their dream of creating their own YouTube station.

COULD WE DO IT?

As it turns out, yes! Basketball Saturday, swimming Sunday and then a Harlem Globetrotters game Monday kept everyone from climbing the walls.

The Harlem Globetrotters have made it a tradition to come through town on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday and play an afternoon game. This was the first time we’ve been to a game, but it won’t be our last. All four of us were entertained for two hours by tricks, stunts and slapstick comedy, all while watching Indiana’s favorite sport, basketball.

We cheered for the Globetrotters and booed for the Generals and laughed and laughed. We saw wild shots from the four point line (yes, the four point line) and more slam dunks than we could count.

The Globetrotters tour across the country year round, and are probably coming to a city near you this year. Ready to save money on some tickets?

Here’s an offer to save 25%!

Disclosure: Thanks to the USFamilyGuide & The Harlem Globetrotters for providing tickets to see this game in exchange for my honest review.

Gifts for Tween Girls: Show Us Your Spark MEGA Giveaway!

Gather your tweens around the Spark tree!

UPDATED- THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED- THANKS FOR ENTERING! If you are still looking for gifts for your tween, take a look at these rockin’ comments or head over to Show US Your Spark and use the code GOTCHA for 10% off! 

Remember when your girl was easy to buy for? When you could go down the aisle at the toy store, pick something with a character she liked and chances are, you could call it a win? Somewhere in these blog archives is a Christmas wish from my tween where she asked for simply a book and a candy cane.

Oh the good old days. Never mind that now she can stay home alone, cook simple meals for herself and do her own laundry, shopping
for her used to be much easier.

 

Enter: Show Us Your Spark.

This is the I am a friend box – complete with MadLibs, friendship bracelets and more.

Show Us Your Spark is the brain child of a friend of mine, and her two best friends. The original Spark Girls themselves, they have put together a subscription service that handpicks fun items for tweens to receive in the mail each month.  My tween received her first three month subscription for Christmas last year, and I’ve been renewing quarterly ever since because she enjoys them so much.

Each month she excitedly opens her box and finds nifty trinkets and inspiration. She’s been introduced to thought leaders, different cultures, unique crafts and more. The boxes often feature items from women entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In addition to entering the  Mega-Giveaway below, anyone who wants to start a subscription can use the code GOTCHA for a 10% savings.

THE MEGA GIVEAWAY

Show Us Your Spark wants to spread the love this year with a mega giveaway to one lucky reader. They are giving away a set of TEN Spark boxes.  They’ll ship this mother-load of tween goodness to one lucky winner. (Prize shipped to US addresses only)

    • The themes included are:

      • I am Merry & Bright
      • I am Cozy
      • I am a Party Animal
      • I am a Bookworm
      • I am a Friend
      • I am Crafty
      • I am Curious
      • I am Mindful
      • I am Unique
      • I am Celebrating
How to Enter
Just follow the directions in Rafflecopter to play along – Good Luck! I’ll pick a lucky winner on Friday, December 15th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway