If going to the beach, river, or lake is out of the question for you this 4th of July,  how about bringing the beach or shoreline home instead?  Having a safe, fun, and inexpensive way to splash around in the water and get out of the sun and heat of the day is essential for a child’s summertime and 4th of July fun.

I usually start with a plastic swimming pool, but any big, shallow container that will hold water is great.  Gather some materials to form the body of water you wish to mimic.  If it’s a river bed or lakeside retreat, perhaps a few nice round pebbles would look authentic and pleasing to your children.  Gather some soft grasses and ferns to form the “shoreline” and even some nice, smooth logs for turtles to climb up and sun themselves.  Perhaps even a garden hose gently trickling a bit of water would give your river a nice “babbling brook” appeal.  Toss in some plastic turtles and fish and your retreat is ready.  Maybe some playtime fishing poles would be fun, too.

If you want an ocean beach, start with some fine, clean sand.  I have good luck finding clean sand at my local landscaping store.  You don’t want to use any sand that is used in construction as it usually has additives and is dirty and may contain hazardous materials.  Some toy stores and hobby stores also have clean sand for projects, but always read the labels.  Once you have clean sand, cover the bottom of your container.  Then place some smooth shells down and a few pieces of driftwood if you have it.  Maybe some plastic sea creatures like dolphins and whales would be fun.  Set up a little beach umbrella alongside and a chair or two, fill your “ocean” with water, and your beach vacation awaits you.

Always keep in mind the age of your children to avoid choking hazards.  If your child is still at the stage where he or she puts things in their mouth, then small rocks and pebbles should be replaced with one big rock to sit on.

Be sure to pull up a Mom sized chair to join in the fun, and to be watchful.  When the adventure starts to lose its attraction, bring out the bubbles!  This could really turn into a whole day at the beach!

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Oh boy!  Here we go.  It’s vacation time.  You’ve saved up all year to take the kids on a little trip and you know that your budget is stretched very, very thin.  Every penny is going to be counted.  How in the world are you going to keep a firm grasp when everywhere you look and every time you turn around there will be a temptation?  By planning ahead, that’s how.  Let’s take a look at a few things we can do to keep on track with our budget even while vacationing.

1) Stick to your sightseeing destination plan. This may seem like a no-brainer, but many families get into money trouble when they get sidetracked to different destinations on their travels. Roadside attractions and the lure of unforeseen adventures can really ruin a well planned budget quickly.  Stick to your plans and save your money.  Dipping into a credit card to cover extra unplanned expenses is no way to begin your vacation.

2) Grocery stores are your source for food. A loaf of bread, some cheese, cold cuts, fruit, and snacks will keep your family fed for a fraction of the cost that stopping at fast food places along the way will. A good cooler will have an almost immediate return on investment.  If you want to enjoy some regional types of food, save those meals for special events at your planned destinations.

3) Budget as closely as possible for gas money. Map out your trip, calculate the miles, and use that information to figure out how many tanks of gas will be required.  Of course this won’t be exact, but having an idea of how many times you will have to fill up your tank will prepare you to adjust your budget accordingly.  Use any and all the information you can for this, like Google maps, AAA, and MapQuest, for just a few examples.

4) Get your vehicle road ready. Fill the tires, install new windshield wipers, and wash the windows inside and out.  Have your mechanic change the oil and check all the fluid levels, including power steering and brakes.  Do this well ahead of your trip so that if there is a problem, you’ll have time for repairs.  A break down on the road can cost hundreds more than a break down at home because you are at the mercy of mechanics you don’t know without the choice of going without a car until you can solve the problem.  Check your insurance policy and think about getting additional coverage or signing up for a AAA card or similar service if need be.

5) Be souvenir savvy. Those little stuffed duckies and turtles are very cute, but will they end up in the donation bin in a month or two?  Souvenirs that are useful are most desirable.  If your child wears t-shirts, by all means, buy t-shirts.  If you need big coffee mugs, then buy coffee mugs.  If you don’t pour shots of liquor, then don’t buy a souvenir shot glass.  Be sensible and buy what you will use.  Be sure to compare the prices of your souvenirs as much as you are able.  Oftentimes, small gas stations will have items for half the price you would pay at the beach shop, for instance.  Let your children know ahead of time that they are limited to one or two souvenirs each.

We can afford to do the things we like to do with our family if we budget wisely.  It may be a struggle, counting pennies every day, but it’s a labor of love when a family vacation is the result of our hard work.

Enjoy your time together!

Many of us look at a box of family pictures the same way we look at a sink full of dirty dishes;  just another task that needs doing.  If pulling out a box of pictures makes you tense up, don’t panic.  Today is not about starting the frustrating and time consuming project of organizing your pictures.  Today is all about enjoying your pictures.

With scrapbooking all the rage, it seems that there was never a time when pictures were just picked out of a box, looked at, laughed about, talked about, then put back in a box.  You know, it’s okay to just enjoy your pictures by taking them in your hand and looking at them.  They do not have to be cropped and titled, journaled about, edged, or embellished.  They can simply be viewed and cherished as is; in their simple, original size and shape.  Perhaps a word or two on the back to identify the folks, and the job of organizing is done.  Now you can just enjoy.

Even if you don’t scrapbook, the chore of putting your pictures in a simple picture album can cause stress.  Do you put every single one of the pictures you have in an album?  How many albums would that take?  Can you just leave your pictures in boxes and be a good wife and mother?  Will they take you away to “picture abuse prison” if you don’t do something creative with your collection of pictures?  Is putting your pictures in boxes instead of albums a misdemeanor?  Will the picture police let you off with probation if you at least put some of your pictures in an album instead of leaving them all boxed up?

See?  How can you enjoy your pictures if every time you want to stroll down memory lane you are met with an onslaught of “picture guilt” that leaves you immobile?

That’s why I want you to grab a pile of pictures today, any old pile that makes you happy, and take a trip through your life, your family’s life, your dog’s life, your cat’s life, your garden’s life, or anywhere you can find a smile or two.  And, when you’re finished, put them all back just the way you found them, without turning back, and without feeling guilty that you didn’t create a book with your pictures.  Because, the truth is, you did create something… you created a wonderful moment for yourself today… a warm and fuzzy moment.