Election Day is a Holiday

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In our house, we’ve always treated Election Day like a holiday. My husband and I (especially my husband) are big political junkies and love to stay involved and know what is going on with the various campaigns in any given year. This year in particular there are a lot of races that we are watching closely that affect the entire state, as well as our local districts. We spend the evening of Election Day watching the results come in and it is a thrilling time for us (this explains us pretty well).

Political activism, pre-Theo. I’m the one in the patriotic outfit.

Ever since Theo was a tiny baby we have always taken him with us when we headed to the polling place on Election Day. (He was only 2 months old when he accompanied us to vote for the presidential election in 2008.) I’m kind of a traditionalist in that I want to vote on the actual Election Day rather than use mail-in or early voting (which are great options to have if it means that it will get people to vote at all!). Once Theo was a little older, we would explain in basic terms what it meant to vote and the right that we had as citizens to do so. There are so many extensions of lessons to teach around this topic: federal and state governments and process, the idea of civic duty, getting involved with things that affect you.

Without getting too political on this blog, some areas that we have used as accessible discussion points with Theo are explaining the ZAP tax and what that means (since he has experience with the places it affects). We also have discussed our views on marriage equality and how that affects people we know and love. There are lots of ways to bring political discourse into the family and you will have to see what things are appropriate for you to discuss.

All that said, I am a huge proponent of getting people involved and at the very least, showing up to VOTE! Here is a link to where you can find out information about voting: where your polling place is, registration details, etc.

In case you missed it,

In most areas of the Wasatch Front (including Salt Lake county), you can just show up on Election Day (November 4, 2014 this year) at your polling location with an ID and register to vote right there.

Throughout the year there are also opportunities to get involved with issues you and your family care about. You can attend gatherings of candidates you support or go to parades or rallies about issues of interest. I feel like other than talking to kids about these topics it is also important to just model what it means to be an involved citizen and to show what it means to vote. And they will get a free sticker too!

One Author for the Whole Family

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We love to read. I could write a million posts about all of the books and authors we love, but I just wanted to highlight one in particular because it came up coincidentally and recently in our lives. I have been reading the book One More Thing by B. J. Novak, which is a collection of essays and short stories. Yes, B.J. is “Ryan” from “The Office” and is also a comedic genius and all-around amazing guy (also helped in part by his close friendship with Mindy Kaling, my #1 icon). Anyway, as I’m sure is the case with other busy moms and women, I find it hard to find long stretches of time to leisurely read, so this book is perfect because I can pick it up and read short sections and slowly get through it at my own pace. And it is an understatement to say it is funny. I need to find the world’s best thesaurus to come up with words to describe exactly how smart and humorous this book is. This is a grown-up book, with grown-up words, and grown-ups will enjoy it.

While I’ve been savoring this book, I found out that just a few weeks ago, B. J. published a children’s book. What? A children’s book? I admit even though I am a huge fan I thought it was kind of gimmicky. Then I showed Theo the book trailer on YouTube and am now convinced that B. J. Novak is a Super Genius. Have your kids watch this and I can almost guarantee you that they will request to watch it over again immediately:

(There are also other YouTube videos of B.J. reading the book in its entirety which you can search for.)

I am just so tickled that the same guy wrote books for both the grown-up and kid audiences that are so equally delightful. And the message and relationship-building aspects of the kids book are wonderful.  Happy Reading!

Halloween 2014 – by Aimee

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My amazing friend Aimee always puts together a wonderful list of Halloween activities every year. I asked her if she would mind if I borrowed her expertise for a “guest blog post” and she has supplied a great and comprehensive list! Here are Aimee’s Halloween Adventures:

Red Butte Garden – Garden After Dark, Once Upon a Fairytale
Oct 16, 17, 18 & 23, 24, 25; 6-9pm 
The Garden has been overrun with your favorite fairytales! From wicked brambles to magic pumpkins, plants are surprisingly prevalent in these famous tales. Enjoy an enchanted evening exploring these connections and hunting for signs of fairytale villains hidden throughout the Garden.
With crafts, activities, light displays and more, this is an event you definitely don’t want to miss! This is an indoor/outdoor, costume, and kid-friendly experience in the Garden to celebrate Halloween.
 
Gardner Village – Witchfest
Now – Oct 31
Lots of events: Witches Brew Ha Ha 5K run/walk; Breakfast with a Witch; Wee Witches Playground. The village is decorated up for the season, and there’s a fun scavenger hunt that will get you peeking around every corner to find the hidden witches.  
 
Sugarhouse Park – Ginormous Pumpkin Regatta
Oct 18; Carving Noon – 1pm, Race: 1pm – 3pm
The 4th Annual Mountain Valley Seed Co. Ginormous Pumpkin Regatta will take place Saturday October 18th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Sugarhouse Park. Pumpkin carving from 12:00 to 1:00 and race from 1:00 to 3:00. Come watch these heroic growers race their 1,000 lb. plus pumpkins for love, honor and bragging rights.
Cinderella in her Giant Pumpkin carriage


CLAS Ropes Course in Provo – Halloween River Cruise
Oct 1-31; 6:30 until 9:00pm on weekdays, and 10pm on Fri and Sat
A fun 20-minute boat ride along the decorated stretch of Provo River. Not too scary, but pretty and fun to be outdoors during a beautiful fall season. Be sure to print a coupon from the website. 
 
Utah Symphony – Halloween Hi-Jinx
Oct 28; 7 pm
A HUGE costume contest and the best-quality spooky classical music – you can’t go wrong! Tickets start at $8 and little kids three years old and younger can sit on a lap. Check out the program line up, and borrow some of the music from your library or buy it for your iPod and you’ll be a musical expert.
 
Hogle Zoo – Boo at the Zoo
Oct 25; 9am-3pm
Every October, the Zoo puts out a casting call for all princesses, cowboys, superheroes and wild things! Kids 12 and under can come in costume to trick-or-treat at booths set up throughout the zoo grounds. There will be lots of candy and lots to see and do.  Trick-or-Treating activity is free with regular Zoo admission or membership.
 
Wheeler Historic Farm – Pumpkin Days and Haybale Maze
Sept 26-Oct 31; 11am until 8pm weekdays and 9 pm weekends; 10am-3pm Sundays
Hay maze, wagon ride, and a pumpkin to take home. The farm is also hosting a doggie Halloween costume contest and a festival of scarecrows.
 
Thanksgiving Point – Halloween Central “A Nod to Oz”
Oct 3 – Nov 1
Cornbelly’s Corn Maze and Emerald City at Farm Country include lots of fun kids’ stuff. You can add on the Insanity Point haunted attractions if you’re really brave.
 
Heber Valley Railroad – Pumpkin Festival
Lots of outings from Oct 9 – Oct 30
You and your kids will enjoy the annual Pumpkin Festival trains. Your ticket includes a short 40 minute train ride where you will be entertained on board by costumed entertainers! You’ll also get to sample a pumpkin cookie.  At the depot you can take a trip through the fairly spooky haunted car, and then get a Halloween sticker or temporary tattoo.  And of course you also get to select a pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch and take it home with you! Additional food and snacks will be available for purchase at the depot and in the concession car.
 
Tracy Aviary – Halloween Hoot
In previous years, a few days during October offered discounted tickets for costumed kids. Nothing scheduled yet, but keep checking with them.
 
Retirement / Assisted Living Home Costume Parade

We love to dress up in our costumes, make some fudge, and hand it out to people living at “old folks’ homes.” Call a facility in your neighborhood and ask if you can schedule a little visit. We like to go during social hour when the residents usually gather in the dining room or lounge. We stay for about 30 minutes and hand out our treats, discuss all things Halloween, and make some new friends.

Lecture Series for Parents

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I think every parent needs some support now and then regarding issues in their families’ lives, be it with their children, their partner or just to share experiences with other parents. The Children’s Center is sponsoring a lecture series every other month with different topics and speakers.

These are the interesting topics that will be discussed in upcoming events:

  • 21st Century Digital Citizenship for Parents
  • Protecting your Marriage
  • Help! My Kids are driving Me Crazy!
  • Parents Choice: A Rare Evening Out with Doug Goldsmith Ph.D.

You can find information on dates, times, location, cost and register for the series here.

Swimming Lessons

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Theo has always loved the water and has taken swimming lessons since he was 2. But they were always rather informal and I don’t think he really knew how to swim even after years of lessons. We were recommended to SwimKids which several friends love but we never tried it because of location (it was a little further than I’d like) and cost (the priciest lessons I’ve encountered). We were pleased to be introduced to Superior Adaptive Swim School by a classmate of Theo’s and have been really enjoying it!

They are a private company, but teach lessons out of the Fairmont Aquatic Center in Sugarhouse. During the weekday when Theo has lessons, the pool is pretty much deserted. He has a 30-minute private lesson with the pool basically to himself, and ends up wanting to stay to splash around and play for another hour.

I like that it is at an indoor pool so he can take lessons even through the fall (while most swim lessons that are outside stop after the summer). Lessons are paid for on a monthly basis so you only have to commit to a few at a time. Theo is loving being able to get into the pool even after it starts to cool down outside and I’m glad that he’s able to continue improving his swim skills throughout the year.

Free Museum Day – Thanks, Smithsonian!

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I’ve written before about how much I love the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. It is amazing that we have these resources available for FREE. And now we can thank them again, as they offer their “Museum Day Live!” program, which is a day that museums around the country are offering free admission. This year, it is on Saturday, September 27 and two local (SLC) museums are participating:

Once you register, you can download a voucher for 2 free admission tickets (which you can conveniently show on your smart phone — printing hard copies is so last decade). On the Smithsonian site is also a comprehensive list of other museums around the state that are participating, but I thought these two were the most relevant to a SLC and child-oriented audience.
For your consideration, here are the detailed comparisons between the two options:
  • Discovery Gateway
    • Open from 10am-8pm on Saturday, Sept. 27
    • Usual Admission price: $9.50 for anyone over age 2
  • The Leonardo
    • Open from 10am-5pm on Saturday, Sept. 27
    • Usual Admission prices: $9 for adults, $7 for children age 6-11, Free for children 5 and under
    • The Leonardo has special exhibitions that you can “upgrade” to see by paying an additional fee
We have been to both museums and I think they are both great. Being value-minded, I tend to consider which one is the most “bang for your buck” in terms of getting free admission. So it will of course depend on the size of your family and the ages of your children, plugging in the formula of how much it would cost you to pay on a regular admission day vs. this free museum day.
But I think it is a great opportunity to check out a place you may not have been before, or take advantage of a favorite and visit it again!

Theo’s 6th Birthday Party

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Theo’s 6th birthday party theme was pretty much based on a pun. The movie Frozen was super popular and we held the party at a frozen yogurt shop. Instead of focusing on the princesses, it was an Olaf-themed Frozen party. Especially because it was held in the summer and Olaf loved the summer. It had a lot of layers.

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The frozen yogurt shop had a private party room which was spacious and handy. But since this was a self-hosted party (except for the location) I had to come up with activities and games for the kids on my own. When the guests first arrived, they all got to go through the frozen yogurt line and get their own treats (with unlimited toppings). Nothing like pumping kids full of sugar first thing.

The activities were found online and included: Dress up as Olaf (using toilet paper and a few key accessories made beforehand), create your own Olaf using marshmallows and other supplies, icicle painting (salt water on black paper), and of course, watching the movie Frozen on the big screen conveniently included in the party room.

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The cake was back to good ol’ Costco again, decorated with my specifications, and with the addition of a printed fondant cake topper that I ordered.

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The favors were icicle-shaped rock sugar candy lollipops. This was not a party that emphasized healthy treats. The frozen yogurt shop also gave out little drawstring backpacks so the kids could take all of their crafts home.

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I was glad to be able to find so many Olaf-related items when browsing online for Frozen-themed party accessories. I was grateful for all of the (excessive?) merchandise available.

Science Camp

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Building bridges on Engineering day.

Last week, Theo participated in a week-long science camp called Super Science Investigators that was offered by the University of Utah’s Continuing Education programs. This was the first time I had looked into these classes and we were really happy with our experience. The class description was a broad overview of different scientific disciplines for kids aged 6-8. There were only 4 kids in the class and they met every morning (from 9-12) for a week. The class was held in an administrative building on the U of U campus.

The instructor is a science teacher in the Salt Lake public school system and he was wonderful. Every day had a different theme: Astronomy, Biology, Geology, Chemistry and Engineering. Theo absolutely loved it. He looked forward to class every day and wished that it was longer. He’s already looking forward to classes he can take next summer.

The classes offered through this U program have a  huge range of topics and ages. I am definitely looking into more classes and will use this resource all the time as Theo gets older and is eligible for different classes. We are so lucky to live right next to a big research university that offers wonderful community programs. Glad we took a chance on a new experience!

This picture was actually taken in a Whole Foods elevator but fit with the science theme of the week.