Take a Music Class

Music and kids go together so well! How about a music class to awaken that playful connection with your child? One of the popular programs is called Music Together. It's a franchised business that offers music programs to children from infancy through kindergarten. Check out your local parent guidebook to find a parent-child music class near you. You can usually find a guidebook in your local community center and pediatrician's office.  Or check the web:

http://www.musictogether.com/

I take this program with both of my children, and they love it! We sing the songs on the CD throughout the week and then go to class every Thursday.  Music Together introduces a different instrument every semester for three years, according to their website. This is true to my experience with the company, but they do keep favorite songs on the program from semester to semester. 


http://www.kindermusic.com/ is another one..hmm... I think I will go try their free class!

Laugh

Life can get very busy.  Sometimes we parents get so caught up with frenetic pace of life we forget to enjoy the small moments our children contribute. Go ahead... Laugh with your child when he or she makes a joke or make a silly monkey face! Both of you will get a well deserved break from the hectic pace of life, and will bond together for a moment. 

Cook Together!

Today my daughter taught me the beauty of sponteneity. "I want to cook too, Mama!" I set her up with her mini apron, her bottle of milk and an onion. I told my little two-year old to peel the onion, and she loved it. She rolled the onion on the chopping board with her dimpled hands, took up the onion inspected it, and dug her finger nails in for the big peel! Although she didn't get very far, she nibbled on fresh carrots, broccoli and smelled the onion. She is a marvelous little person, and I am glad that I could share this cooking moment with her!

Eat Your Veggies!

When I was a child, I learned to eat my veggies very easily because my dad had started a beautiful vegetable garden in the back yard. I wanted to provide my children with the same experience this year by starting our own backyard garden. If you don't have a backyard, no worries, you can start a beautiful patio garden. That is what I did last year while we were living in our condo!

This year we planted radishes, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes and onions. All with delicious results! My 6 month old girl loves the radishes!!!

My daughter gets so excited by the sight of a wild animal. We look for wild turkeys together; they usually stop by our yard in the early morning or late afternoon. This is a great activity for kids because you can teach them about the different animals, what they eat and how they behave.

When we go to the beach we love to watch the seagulls and hunt for hermit crabs. I have succesfully taught her to respect the wildlife by putting it back when we are done visiting with it.

Take A Walk On the Beach

Peacefulness is the best way I can describe it. When my child is in a cranky mood, a walk on the beach will soothe her. A leisurely stroll will calm my soul and make me more attentive to the little person in my life. It's perfect bonding time with your child, no matter the age. My husband and his mom still take walks on the beach together.

My daughter and I love to hunt for hermit crabs during our walks. I 'll pluck one out of the water, and she will watch it crawl from my hand back into the ocean. When my daughter was a new walker she reveled in having the freedom to walk anywhere. She would chase the seagulls. We have so many happy memories of our walks on the beach.

Watch a Movie

Not only that, watch a movie from your childhood with your boy or girl. Not only will they watch it with fresh eyes, you'll see the movie from another perspective, as a parent sharing a piece of magic with your child. However, you might laugh at what you thought was so cool as a kid!!!!

U-Pick Farm

In many areas you can find a "U-Pick" farms. They usually carry fruits and veggies that grow easily in a given area. U-Pick farms are usually open from Spring until early Fall.

My daughter and I picked fresh blueberries that were extremely fresh and sweet in early August. She loved this outing because it gave her a chance to enjoy the outdoors and eat some fresh fruit. Kids love this!

A helpful website to help you get started: http://www.pickyourown.org/

Go Kite Flying

Take a crazy looking kite to your local field or beach. Your child will become so elated by watching the kite soar and duck with the wind.

I took my daughter to the kite shop on the beach, and together we searched for the perfect one. My daughter found it, a beautiful pink kite with sesame street monster eyes and a hot pink color. It was shaped an octopus. My favorite part - no assembly required. Woohoo!

My 2 year old and 6 month old daughters had so much fun flying that kite this summer. The older child enjoyed holding the string while I held the kite handle. As my daughter says, "I wanna fly a kite!"