Resolutions Schmesolutions

I am horrible at making (and keeping) New Year's Resolutions.  Horrible.  As much as I try to resist making an ambitious list for the coming year, I still write one... every year.  Why?  I'm already an expert of taking on way too much, so why do I add to my already never-ending list?  To be perfectly honest, adding more to my lists stresses me out and, this year, I'm not going to do it.

Since it is New Year's Eve, I feel like I should post some sort of list.  So to whet my appetite of devouring a list, any list, I will reflect on last year's goals.  Remember when I mentioned I'm horrid at keeping resolutions?  Yup, this is not going to end well.

 

My 2014 Resolutions:

• Only buy coffee if I bring a traveler mug.
• Only use reusable shopping bags.
• Organize all digital photos.
• Finish all started projects.
• Lose 15 lbs.
• Publish a blog post each month.

Reusable Coffee Mugs:  To start with a positive, I did well with this goal in 2013.  I only used three paper coffee cups (two of which were thoughtful gestures from friends, so I could not resist).  In 2014, I used eight paper coffee cups.  This slight digression will not solve America's coffee cup consumption problem of 400 million cups of coffee a day, but it makes me feel like I'm doing my part.  I may guilt myself into trying this again in 2015... if I were making resolutions.

Reusable Shopping Bags:  I have to keep my reusable shopping bags in the passenger seat in order to remember to use them.  Since the bags usually get moved to trunk to fit more important items like my purse, water bottle, snacks, umbrella, stuffed animals, Legos, etc., I often (almost always) forget to take my bags into the store.  I completely failed this resolution. 

Organize Digital Photos:  This task is overwhelming.  So.  Many.  Photos.  I don't even know where to start.  I am impressed with the fact that I have been avoiding this goal all year long.  I may have my photos organized before 2020.  That's fair, right?

Finish Projects:  I am the queen of starting projects and not finishing them.  I started to make a dent in my projects, but then I lost all ambition of completing anything.  I am four(ish) months pregnant with my third child.  As if it wasn't hard enough completing projects with two little boys running around, I now get to cope with extreme fatigue, which hinders my drive.  I did, however, create my own Etsy shop this year.  It's called LAnna Banana Handmade.  Every time I make something, I make an extra to sell.  Since I'm a pro at not completing much lately, there isn't much on there, but it is so much fun when something sells (especially to a stranger, friend, or human).  After some contemplation, I think I'm okay with not completing this resolution.  There will always be projects and I will always enjoy working on them.

Lose 15 Pounds:  Yah, this didn't happen.  I gained a few pounds instead.  I'm eating for two, right?  Anyways, I'm giving myself until my youngest turns 18 to get the pregnancy weight off.  18 months?!  No way!  Let me clarify, I'm giving myself until my youngest offspring turns 18 years of age to rid myself of all pregnancy weight.  It's not like weight loss is not a priority, but right now I'm just praying the weight will come off miraculously.  For the sake of my sanity, this would be best.  A girl can dream, right?

Blog Posts:  I have fun blogging.  I still do not know the focus or purpose of my blog, but I enjoy writing.  For now, my blog's purpose is sharing stories and ideas about family, experiences, and making stuff  I did not publish a post each month, but if I post this by midnight I'll have twelve posts (that's an average of one post a month).  Success!

To do or not to do... that is the question.

Okay, I did not completely fail resolution-wise in 2014.  I achieved part of my goals.  In 2015, I resolve to not make crazy goals.  Instead, I will continue with the following...

Keep God close.  Not at an arm's length, but in my heart, life, and decisions daily. 

Prioritize what's really important.  Folding laundry will never take priority over my husband or kids. (I'm sitting on the couch next to Mt. Laundry right now.)  The rate that my children are growing is terrifying, so I am not going to let their lives (or my life) pass me by - not for laundry, not for anything.

Do what makes me happy.  I don't like shopping on Tuesdays (senior discount day); I don't like dancing anywhere, but the living room with my boys; and I don't like eating brussel sprouts.  These things (and a few others), don't make me happy, so I'm not going to waste my time doing them.  I'll tell you what I will do, I will read, craft, cook, play with my children... Life is too short to do otherwise.

That seems easy enough, right?  I can and will stick to those three things.  If you must make resolutions, try small, attainable, realistic resolutions like these 19 Mind-Numbingly Easy New Year's Resolutions... or document your rememberlutions.  That is all.

Happy New Year!
Leslie-Anne

Perler Beads are Back!

Perler Beads are back, but were they ever gone?  A few months ago, our boys came home from, let's call her, Mrs. Amazing's house (a.k.a. our amazing childcare provider) with their Perler Bead creations.  Nostalgia kicking in, I was happy these beads were still around.  For those of you who do not know what Perler Beads are, they are small plastic beads arranged and melted on a pegboard.  They teach creativity, dexterity, counting, and patience.

Everett made his own phone that has Minecraft and Candy Crush.

Pierce made a dragon.

When I was a tween (before "tweens" were actually a thing), I loved creating hearts, flowers, smiley faces, peace signs, and whatever else was pictured on the Perler Bead box.  There was something about seeing my hard work melting together into a piece of plastic that had no use other than a mini Frisbee or coaster.  Regardless of its uselessness, Perler Beads ranked one of my top ten favorite crafts as a child (trailing closely behind my Spirograph and Fashion Plates). 

These days, there are no limits to the creativity of these magical beads.  Perler has an iPad app where you can create your own designs.  Graph paper and colored pencils would work fine too.  Not too creative? No biggie - just type "Perler Bead Patterns" on your favorite search engine and choose your favorite OR just type "Perler Beads" into Pinterest. 

Donatello pattern found HERE.

My boys' favorite searches were:

• Perler Bead Pattern Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Perler Bead Pattern Spiderman
• Perler Bead Pattern Batman
• Perler Bead Pattern Power Rangers
• Perler Bead Pattern Unicorn (Yes, my sweet boys are very thoughtful.)
• Perler Bead Pattern _________ (Doctor Who, Sherlock, Princess Bride, Ghostbusters, Goonies, Donkey Kong, etc.  Yup, can find just about anything.)

My boys and I picked up our own Perler Beads at the craft store the other day.  Regular Perler Beads are a bit difficult for my 3-year-old son, Pierce.  However, there are Biggie Beads for smaller fingers.  My boys needed a bit of guidance, since they are a bit young, but they had a wonderful time creating whatever it was that they were creating (they're abstract artists).

This is mass concentration - especially for a 5-year old boy.

Tweezers definitely helped with Spiderman.

Spiderman pattern found HERE.

The more I search for patterns online, the more I realize that these beads never left.  There is some sort of underground Perler Bead movement that is keeping this craft hip and fun.  So, head out to the craft store (or IKEA, apparently) and pick up some Perler Beads for your next rainy or hot day.  You'll enjoy a little blast from the past and your kids will instantly fall in love.

What is your favorite Perler Bead pattern (either created or found)?  Do share...

A Birthday Dress for Haylee

Last year, my niece's birthday sneaked up on me (Side Note:  Did you know that "snuck" isn't really a word?).  As a teacher, the time from mid-May to mid-June is nothing less than crazytown flies quickly by.  My niece's birthday is June 6th (nice planning, sis)... Now, I'm not trying to make excuses, but work was really busy and I sometimes drop a ball or two.  Big surprise, I know.  The long and the short of it... I forgot to get a gift for my niece, Haylee. 

At the time, Haylee was only turning two and probably wouldn't know that auntie didn't bring her a gift, but my boys love giving gifts and I would never live it down.  As life gets busier, I'm getting really awesome adequate at improvising (I'm humble too).  Que brainstorm session... What can I do well?  Cooking, canning, crafting, reading, sewing...

• Cooking:  No, Haylee probably won't appreciate my latest culinary triumph.  She's turning two.
• Canning:  Nope, Haylee loves applesauce and jam, but what kid wants this as a gift? 
• Crafting:  Too many small parts.
• Reading:  I'm not sure Anna Karenina upholds the morals my sister wants to instill in her daughter.  Besides, she has a short attention span and cannot yet read.
• Sewing:  I could probably make this one work.

Once I had my medium narrowed down, I had to pick an item.  Where do start?  Etsy, of course!  Did you know some shops on Etsy sell PDF sewing patterns?  They are pretty awesome.  Most patterns are less than $10 and are instantly downloaded and ready to print.  With each Etsy shop I entered, I got more and more giddy about this project and decided to sew Haylee a dress for her birthday.  I have two boys at home and never get the opportunity to sew little dresses.  Eeek!

Finished Product.  Pattern found on Etsy by Little Bird Lane.

Happy 2nd birthday, Haylee!

Happy 3rd birthday, Haylee.  Pattern found on blog, Craftiness is Not Optional.

It only took some major slacking, a quick scramble, and one dress to create this new tradition.  Now, every year,  I make Haylee a dress for her birthday.  I love to create something for her and she loves to wear pretty dresses.  I'd say it's a win win.

Until next year...

Psst... I still have a few dresses available on my Etsy shop, LAnnaBanana Handmade.

Drive-In Movies, An Insider's Guide

One of my all-time favorite things to do, is go see a movie at the drive-in.   Luckily, for us, there is one only 45-minutes away.  I've been going to the 99W Drive-In in Newberg, Oregon since I was in high school.  Other than the 99W theater, the only other drive-in experience I remember was when I was a little kid.  My dad, sister, and brother all piled into his Nash Metropolitan convertible and parked at a drive-in in SE Portland.  We bundled up with blankets and watched Ghostbusters.  It is one of my fondest memories and maybe that is why I am always so excited to visit the drive-in.

Ghostbusters was my first drive-in movie experience.

My brother, sister, and dad posing with the Nash Metropolitan.

My sister, brother, and me in the metro.

Last weekend, my husband and I decided to take our boys to see a movie at the drive-in.  My oldest son, Everett, went to the drive-in when his brother, Pierce, was just a baby.  So, it would be our first whole-family drive-in experience and to say I was excited would be a colossal understatement.  I was stoked to share this experience with both of my boys and Everett was excited to show Pierce the ropes.

My husband, getting all our blankets in order.

All bundled up and ready for the show!

My boys and me waiting for How to Train your Dragon 2.

The 99W Drive-In opened in August of 1953.  The 99W Drive-In can accommodate 275-300 cars.  The theater shows a double-feature every Thursday-Sunday during the summer.  They have an intermission between films, so patrons can stock up at the snack bar.  Other than a couple screen replacements due to storms, the drive-in has not had any major renovations.

In 2013, the 99W Drive-In won Honda's Project Drive-In Contest, which upgraded their pictures from film to digital.  Without this contest, the drive-in would have had to foot the $80,000 bill for this required upgrade.  (Thank you Honda and voters.)   After the contest, Honda promptly upgraded the theater to digital and drive-in was able to resume business as usual without even a hiccup.

Read more about the Honda contest HERE.  (Photo Credit:  kgw.com)

Drive-in movies are a rare treat.  Currently, there are only two drive-in theaters in Oregon.   Check out drive-ins.com to see if there's a drive-in near you.  If there's one close by, pack up the car and give it a go.

To have a successful drive-in movie experience, there are a few things you need to keep in mind...

BEFORE YOU GO...

• Check the Weather:  The best seat is under the stars.  Back a tarp, just in case the weather changes.  (We have to be prepared for everything in Oregon.)  Pack a ton of blankets and layers to stay warm during the film.
• Review the Drive-In Rules:  Many theaters allow food and most theaters will not allow alcohol (duh).  We were shocked to discover that our local drive-in allows pets, as long as they are leashed.  Our dog, Charlie, was excited to join in on our adventure.  
• Call Ahead:  Many theaters sell out during the summer months.  Call ahead to see how early you should arrive.  At our drive-in theater, we try to arrive between 7:00-7:30PM to get a good spot.
• Pack a Picnic:  The gate opens at our local theater a couple hours before dusk, so there's plenty of time to eat and play before settling in under your blankets.  If the drive-in rules allow, pack a picnic of food and drink for dinner.  Finger food items are usually easy to pack and eat.  If we fail to pack anything else, we would be fine as long as we had our one essential item - a giant thermos full of coffee.  You can just buy dinner at the snack bar, but we usually just buy our movie snacks there.  It's a win win - we save money and support the business.  
• Other Essentials:  Blankets, pillows, lawn chairs, an AM/FM radio, bug spray, PJs for the little ones (they'll probably fall asleep), etc.

WHILE WAITING FOR THE SHOW...

• Entertainment Essentials:  Bring a football, Frisbee, or a deck of cards to keep you entertained while waiting for the sun to go down.  Don't forget a battery powered AM/FM radio, so you can actually hear the movie.  We got the Ion Block Rockers for Christmas this year and were so excited to put it to use. (Update:  This speaker was perfect for the drive-in.  Great sound.)
• Support the Snack Bar:  If you didn't pack a picnic (or even if you did), go support the snack bar.  Drive-in theaters do not make much from ticket sales, so most of their revenue is from the snack bar.

DURING THE SHOW...

• Best Seat in the House:  If you have a car, bring the lawn chairs.  If you have a truck, sit in the bed.  We load our truck with all the extra blankets and pillows that we can find.  Drive-in theaters usually don't allow people to sit on the ground, for safety reasons, so be prepared. 
• Enjoy your Experience:  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

AFTER THE SHOW...

• Clean-Up:  Make sure you clean up your area before heading home.
• Manners, Manners, Manners:  Let the employees know that you had a great time.
• Drive safely:  Drink the rest of your coffee (if you have any left) and drive safely home. 

  I hope you're feeling prepared to experience the drive-in for the first time (or for the first time in a long time) and that the drive-in becomes a new summer must for you and yours.  Have fun!

Be sure to share your experience and/or add additional tips in the comments. 

Summer Bucket List, Portland Style

Summer is here!  Towards the end of every school year, my students ask for ideas on activities they can do during the summer.  As an English teacher, I always suggest, "Read a book!"  This year, I wanted to offer them something a bit more.  A friend of mine told me about this idea to create a summer bucket list (a.k.a. summer "to do" list).  The items put on your list do not have to cost a thing, but your summer bucket list will definitely set the mood for a fun, adventurous summer.

So, here's the task... Create a summer bucket list and enjoy everything Oregon has to offer.

Ready?  Set.  Go.

What will you put on your Summer Bucket List?

Summer Bucket List Ideas

1. Read a book.
2. Go on a hike.
3. Visit a farmer's market.
4. Write a story.
5. Make s'mores.
6. Tie dye a t-shirt.
7. Go on a picnic.
8. Join a summer reading program.
9. Camp in the backyard.
10. Make homemade ice cream.
11. Plant a container garden.
12. Go fishing.
13. Make giant bubbles.
14. Feed the ducks.
15. Go roller-skating.
16. Make a Slip 'n Slide.
17. Build a sandcastle.
18. Play mini golf.
19. Go for a bike ride.
20. Learn a new board game.
21. Go swimming.
22. Make friendship bracelets.
23. Make paper airplanes.
24. Go to the county/state fair.
25. State a water balloon fight.
26. Make root beer floats.
27. Go to the rodeo.
28. Have a sleepover with friends.
29. Go to a drive-in movie.
30. Visit the zoo.
31. Watch fireworks.
32. Build a birdhouse.
33. Fly a kite.
34. Go geocaching.
35. Make sidewalk chalk.
36. Jump on a trampoline.
37. Play at the park.
38. Catch bugs.
39. Go bowling.
40. Go on a scavenger hunt.
41. Make a lemonade stand.
42. Brave the rides at OAKS Park.
43. Run through the sprinkler.
44. Finger-paint a masterpiece. 
45. Play Ultimate Frisbee.
46. Go camping.
47. Pick your own raspberries.
48. Make a time capsule.
49. Take photos.
50. Make a summer album.

Here's our 2014 Bucket List!

I'm not sure how we'll handle "spy-training lessons."  Any ideas?

This list is completely random and wonderful.  Bucket List items do not all have to be day-long events that cost millions of dollars.  Make sure you include local summer reading programs, free/discounted community events, crafts, activities/games, and science experiments.  Luckily for Portland-area folks, I've done the hard part for you.  Those of you who do not live near Portland or in Oregon, use the items listed as a jumping off point for your research on local summer activities.  I'm sure there are a ton of local activities or wonderful crafts, activities, and/or science experiments that I left of the list.  Please leave your additions in the comments.

Join a Summer Reading Program

To join a summer reading program, just visit your local library and sign up.

• Clackamas County Libraries (all locations and hours)
• Canby Public Library
• Clackamas County Library - Sunnyside
• Clackamas County Library - Oak Lodge
• Estacada Public Library
• Gladstone Public Library
• Lake Oswego Public Library
• Ledding Library of Milwaukie
• Molalla Public Library
• Oregon City Public Library
• Sandy Public Library
• Sandy Public Library - Hoodland
• West Linn Public Library
• Wilsonville Public Library
• Multnomah County Libraries  (all locations and hours)
• Albina Library
• Belmont Library
• Capitol Hill Library
• Central Library
• Fairview-Columbia Library
• Gregory Heights Library
• Gresham Library
• Hillsdale Library
• Holgate Library
• Hollywood Library
• Kenton Library
• Midland Library
• North Portland Library
• Northwest Library
• Rockwood Library
• Sellwood-Moreland Library
• St. Johns Library
• Troutdale Library
• Woodstock Library
• Washington County Libraries (all locations and hours)
• Banks Public Library
• Beaverton City Library
• Beaverton City Library - Murray Scholls
• Cedar Mill Community Library
• Cedar Mill Community Library - Bethany
• Cornelius Public Library
• Forest Grove City Library
• Garden Home Community Library
• Hillsboro Main Library
• Hillsboro Shute Park Branch
• North Plains Public Library
• Sherwood Public Library
• Tigard Public Library
• Tualatin Public Library
• West Slope Community Library
• Yamhill County Libraries
• Newberg Public Library
• McMinnville Public Library
• Sherwood Public Library
• Sheridan Public Library
• Willamina Public Library

Once enrolled in a summer reading program, follow these tips to find your next favorite book:

• Ask a friend.
• Visit What Should I Read Next? and type in the last good book you read to view a list of recommendations.  Very cool site!!!
• Check out the Young Reader's Choice Awards to view top books selected by kids (junior, middle, and senior divisions).
• NPR Article, Your Favorites:  100 Best-Ever Teen Novels.
• Create an account on GoodReads to review read books and view recommendations.

Summer Activities Near PDX (date specific)

There are so many fun activities in the Portland-metro area during the summer.  Check out my list and view additional staycation ideas from Frugal Living Northwest.

Festival of Balloons in Tigard

June 20th - June 22nd

Kruger's Farm Summer Concert Series

Every Thursday at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival

June 28-29th

St. Paul Rodeo, 79th Annual 4th of July Rodeo

July 1st-5th

Molalla Buckeroo, 91st Annual Molalla Buckeroo

July 2nd-5th

Yoshida's Sand in the City

Friday, July 18-20th

The 19th annual Sand in the City brings the beach to the Pioneer Courthouse Square for 3 days of sand castles, competitions and free family fun!

Gresham Art Festival (formally known as the Gresham Art Walk)

Saturday, July 19th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Robin Hood Festival

July 18-20th in Sherwood, Oregon

Estacada Summer Celebration

July 25-26th

Flicks on the Bricks, Pioneer Courthouse Square

July 25th:  Ghostbusters (PG)

August 8th:  The Princess Bride (PG)

August 15th:  Jurassic Park (PG-13)

August 29th:  Frozen (PG)

Clackamas County Fair & Rodeo

August 12-17th, Canby, Oregon

Oregon State Fair

August 22nd - September 1st 2014

Other Local Activities (not date specific)

Take a Hike.  Take a hike and explore Oregon in all its glory.  Forest Park (easy), Eastbank Esplanade (easy), Silver Falls (easy), Mirror Lake (easy), Multnomah Falls (easy/moderate), and Saddle Mountain (strenuous) are some favorites.  Visit Every Trail for a list of more wonderful hikes in Oregon.

Play at the Park.  Portland has some amazing parks.  Be a kid (or channel your inner child) and just play.  A few Portland favorites include...

• Dickinson Park (SW 55th Avenue and Alfred Court, Portland)
• Murase Plaza (8300 Memorial Drive, Wilsonville)
• Washington Park Playground, Marshall Park (1015 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, WA)
• Rock Creek Greenway - "Pirate Park" (Off NW Kaiser Road, just past NW Wismer Street, Beaverton)
• Columbia Park/Imagination Station (1900 SW Cherry Park Road, Troutdale).

Visit a Local Farmer's Market.  Most communities have a farmer's market on Saturday mornings.  Buy local produce.  Eat from local vendors.  Support local artists.

Pick Fruit, Veggies, and Flowers at a U-Pick Farm.  PickYourOwn.org is an excellent resource for finding local u-pick farms.

Play a Round of Disc Golf.  Grab a disc at your local sporting goods store and head on over to McIver State Park to play a game of Disc Golf on the 27-hole course.

Portland Saturday Market.  Open every weekend March - Christmas. 

Get lost in Powell's City of Books.  Visit the largest new and used bookstore in the world!  Get lost in the store (it takes up an entire city block) or attend one of the many author events.  Powell's is located at 1005 W Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97209. 

Watch Shakespeare in the Park.  Watch the Portland Actors Ensemble live theater for free at various outdoor locations throughout the city. 

Explore Hands-On Science at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).  $2 first Sunday of each month.

Get wild at the Oregon Zoo.  $4 second Tuesday of each month.

Portland Art Museum.  Free - fourth Friday of every month 5-8pm, always ages 17 and under.  First full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Portland Children's Museum.  Free - first Friday of every month 4-8pm, first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Oaks Amusement Park & Roller Rink.  Located at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202. 

Northwest Children's Theater & School.  Located at 1819 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209. 

Portland Aquarium.  16323 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie, OR 97267

Portland Walking Tours.  Get to know your city with Portland Walking Tours.  Sign up for the Best of Portland, Underground Portland, or various other tours. 

North Clackamas Aquatic Park.  Located at 7300 SE Harmony Road, Milwaukie, OR 97222. 

Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant.  Located at 29111 SW Town Center Loop W, Wilsonville, OR 97070. 

Philip Foster Farm.  Located at 29912 SE Hwy 211, Eagle Creek, OR 97022.  Open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday from June 21st - August 30th. 

Pacific Northwest Live Steamers.  Ride and learn about trains at Pacific Northwest Live Steamers.  The park features 3,899 feet of 7 1/2 inch track that loops around a picnic area.  No fee is collected at the entrance of the train, but donations are graciously accepted.  Open Sundays 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., May 4th through October 26th 2014.  Located at 31803 S Shady Dell Road, Molalla, OR 97038.

Home Depot Kids Workshops.  FREE Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of each month.

Jo-Ann Fabric Kids' Camp.  Sign up for a class in sewing, cake decorating, and/or knitting. 

Al's Garden Center Kids Club.  $5 per participant to cover the cost of materials.  Registration is required.

 

Activities Outside of the Portland-Metro Area:

 

Enchanted Forest Theme Park.  8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392. 

99W Drive-In.  Load up your car with your fiends (and your radio) and head to Newberg for a drive-in movie.   This is my all-time favorite thing to do in the summer!

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.  500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128.  Anyone under 5 years old gets in FREE.   

Mt. Hood Advenutre Park at Skibowl.  With over 20 attractions including the alpine slide, zip line, and Kiddy Karts, you're sure to have a great time at Mt. Hood Adventure Park. 

Fort Stevens State Park.  Fort Stevens was once the primary military defense at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Stay and camp or just visit for the day.  

The Goonies House.  Hey you guuys!!!  Visit The Goonies' House (a.k.a. Flavel House) during your next visit to Astoria.  Make sure you visit the North Head Lighthouse, Columbia River Maritime Museum, and sure sure to launch a wood glider from the Astoria Column as well. 

Tillamook Cheese Factory.  4175 Highway 101 North, Tillamook, OR 97141. 

Twilight Filming Locations.  Create your own Twilight tour!  Eat breakfast at the Carver Cafe in Carver, Oregon (on highway 224 on the way to Estacada) and then head up the Columbia River Gorge to visit Crown Point and Multnomah Falls.  

Oregon Coast Aquarium.  2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon. 

Wildlife Safari.  1790 Safari Road, Winston, Oregon 97496.  Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Craft Ideas

1. Tie Dye and Old White Shirt @ Instructables.  
2. Duct Tape Crafts @ by Stephanie Lynn
3. Paper Movies:  Flip Book @ Martha Stewart
4. Rock Crafts @ Martha Stewart
5. Hand-Dipped Candles @ Education.com
6. Sun Prints @ Paint Cut Paste
7. Bird Feeders @ PBS Parents
8. Tin-Can Wind Chimes @ All You
9. Pendulum Painting @ One Inch World
10. Rain Painting @ Elsie Marley
11. Craft Stick Bracelets @ MollyMoo
12. Contact Paper Mandalas @ Pickle Bums
13. Sandpaper Printed T-Shirt @ Alpha Mom
14. Blank Book for Writing Stories @ Courtney Scrabeck
15. Muffin Tin Crayons @ Our Best Bites
16. Shaving Cream Art + Activities @ Play Create Explore

Games and Activities

1. Giant Outdoor Board Games @ Apartments Therapy
2. Paper Plate Ring Toss @ Education.com
3. Shoe Box Banjo @ Martha Stewart
4. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk @ Martha Stewart
5. Exploding Chalk Paint Art @ Growing a Jeweled Rose
6. Playdough Recipe @ Moms Who Thing
7. Sock Bubbles @ Houseing a Forest
8. Decorate a Colorful Kite @ Better Homes and Gardens
9. Giant Bubble Wand @ Clean.
10. Pop Bottle Sprinkler @ Simply Rebekah
11. DIY Marble Bowling Game @ Frugal Fun for Boys
12. Pool Noodle Backyard Obstacle Course @ Learn Play Imagine
13. Kids' Car Wash Sprinkler @ Lowe's
14. Sponge Ball @ It's Overflowing
15. DIY Carnival Games @ Perfect Parties
16. Ice Excavating Activity for Kids @ Gluesticks

Science Activities

1. Make a Bouncing Polymer Ball @ About.com
2. Marshmallow Catapults @ It's Always Autumn
3. Patriotic Flowers for the 4th of July @ The Artful Parent
4. Harvesting Seeds @ Buzz Mills
5. Magic Tree @ We Made That
6. Gak Recipe @ We Made That
7. DIY Balloon Car @ (cool) progeny
8. Beans in CD Case Experiment @ Art Projects for Kids
9. Grass Head Creatures @ Ordinary Life Magic
10. Ice Cream in a Baggie @ 2 Little Hooligans
11. Sunflower Sundial @ Nurture Store
12. DIY Toy Hot Air Balloon @ Book House Crafts
13. Magnet Painting @ Let's Explore
14. Alka-Seltzer Rockets @ Playful Learning
15. Ants + Colored Sugar Water Experiement @ mpm Ideas
16. Make Butter @ PBS Kids

This is how summer vacation should be!

As you can see, there are a million things to do during the summer.  Plan a weekened, day, or afternoon adventure for little to no money.  Watch the deal sites, like GroupOn, Living Social, or Portland Perks for the more expensive activities and events. 

Go make your Summer Bucket List now and play all summer long!

Put your Summer Bucket List ideas in the comments below.

Happy Summer!

In the Hoods: Farm to Jar in Two-ish Days

I am in the Hoods, quite literally.  Yes, that's right, I'm up to my elbows in Hood Strawberries.  Hood Strawberries usually ripen first at farms around Oregon.  Hoods are a little smaller than "regular" strawberries (by regular, I mean everything else), but they are oh so sweet!  The season for Hoods is rather short, so I keep on the lookout for signs starting in mid-May.

The entire strawberry season is a couple weeks early this year due to unusual amounts of sunshine.  Wait, that may seem odd to a non-Pacific Northwesterner, so let me explain... It rains most days in the Pacific Northwest.  A common weather forecasts is "mostly cloudy with a chance of sun."  The mild, wet weather is a small price to pay for the greenery.  So, it pretty much rains all the time.  It's almost unbearable.  The end.  Okay, what was I saying?  Oh yes, the strawberry season is a bit early this year.  I usually stop by the fruit stand to buy my berries on my last day of work for the summer (right after I stop at the liquor store), but here I am finished processing my bounty with one week of school to go.  Weird.

My family, friends, and neighbors think I'm crazy for buying two flats of these delicious berries, but I am usually kicking myself for not buying more.  I'm a self-taught canner and have been canning for about seven years.  For some reason, all my domestic skills came to light the moment I got married.  After a couple years, a process develops for processing copious amounts of anything...

Strawberries:  Farm to Jar in Two-ish Days

Choose recipes.  Before purchasing produce, decide what you want to make.  Do you want to eat the produce right away?  Do you want to freeze your bounty?  Do you want to can?  Bake?  Once you select your recipes, you will know how many berries to purchase and what items, if any, are needed from the grocery store.  I completely forgot to check all my ingredients this time around and I was missing pectin.  That's not really an item that is easily substituted in strawberry jam recipes.  The 2013-version of me would have freaked out, but this 2014-version just froze the berries (already measured) until the purchase of pectin. 

A few of my favorites...

I keep this hanger in a kitchen drawer.  Best life-hack ever!

Wash and sterilize jars, if canning.  I wash all jars directly after use; however, they collect dust on the garage shelf, so I put all my jars in the dishwasher to sterilize. I leave them in the dishwasher until I'm ready to fill the jars.

Buy berries (or any produce) from local farms whenever possible.  Not only does the produce taste better, but shopping local is better for the environment.  Call ahead to save time.  Many farms have a crop line, where you can call and request produce and schedule a pick-up time.  The owner at one of our local farms likes to pick on me for calling after 2:00 a.m.  What can I say?  I'm a total night-owl.

Wash and prep produce.  In the case of strawberries, wash and hull the berries.  This simple task took about 1 1/2 hours.  I usually prep my produce and then do something else for a while to prevent hours and hours on my feet in the kitchen.

A Stock-Pot Full of Hood Strawberries!

My chickens LOVED the strawberry stems!

Work on ONE recipe at a time.  I'm a very good multi-tasker, but not when it comes to hot jam.  I've burnt way too many batches by doing too much.  I like to start with the recipe that takes the longest first to get it out of the way and work from there.  If I get tired, I stop.  (Gasp!)  I know, I know... the berries are always freshest the sooner they are processed, but it all ends up tasting pretty good, so an 8-hour sleep break is okay.  If you're really worried about your produce spoiling, measure the correct amount needed for each recipe, put them in a labeled plastic bag, and pop it in the freezer.

When jars are processing, I clean up in preparation for the next recipe.

It's all about presentation.  I gift a lot of my canned goods, so taking the time to make them cute now saves time in the long run.  I just have to go to the pantry, grab a jar, and gift.  I buy Avery labels and customize them on their website.  Slap on a cute label, add a little baker's twine, and wah-lah!

Processed and Labeled.  Ready for storage or gifting.

Enjoy your hard work!  Take the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor (cheesy pun intended).  Don't stress if the jam is a bit runny, the bread a bit overcooked, ya dee ya dee ya...  Just slather up that goodness on a slice of bread and enjoy.  You've earned it!

I had all intentions of taking a picture of this bread, but it's all gone.  I did manage to get a loaf in the freezer.  To be perfectly honest, it won't last long.

Favorite Strawberry Recipes

Strawberry Jam from Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It: And Other Cooking Projects by Karen Solomon.  This recipe is delicious, but it calls for 9 cups of sugar.  I know you don't eat an entire jar of jam in one sitting, but that's a lot of sugar.

Classic Strawberry Jam from Put 'em Up! by Sherri Brooks Vinton.  This recipe is fantastic as well and it only calls for 2 cups of sugar.  It takes a little longer to thicken.

Strawberry Vanilla Jam from Food in Jars:  Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round by Marisa McClellan.   This jam tastes like a bowl of strawberries and cream.  So very good.

Strawberry Sauce from Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving:  400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today Edited by Judi Kingry and Lauren Devine.  Put this sauce on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, a spoon...

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam from Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving:  400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today Edited by Judi Kingry and Lauren Devine.  A wonderful combo of sweet and tart.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pecan Loaf by Smitten Kitchen.  Okay, my husband and I hid this from our kids.  It's good and gone.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars by Smitten Kitchen.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp by Ina Garten.

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars by Ree Drummond   Great use for your batch of strawberry jam.

Strawberry Fruit Rollups from The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making by Alana Chernila.  I've made these in the oven and in a food dehydrator.  Both methods work well.  These don't last long in our house.

Almost-Famous Strawberry Lemonade by Food Network Kitchens.

Strawberry-Infused Vodka from Put 'em Up! by Sherri Brooks Vinton.  Two-ingredient recipe - vodka and strawberries.  I only had whipped vodka on-hand, so this will taste like strawberries and cream.  In two weeks, I need to strain the mixture.  I think I'm going to have a hard time waiting two whole weeks.

Strawberry Infused Whipped Vodka

Strawberries sure do kick off the start of summer nicely.  Now, I need to start gearing up for  blueberries, raspberries, peaches, Marionberries, blackberries, tomatoes, apples, pears, and anything else I can get my hands on this summer.  What is your favorite summer produce?  What are your favorite summer produce recipes?  Do tell.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Ultimate Graduation Gift

It's never to early to think of a graduation gift.  Yes, my boys are 3- and 5-years old, but, still, it's never too early.  A fairly traditional graduation gift is a copy of Dr. Seuss' book Oh, the Places You'll Go!  I came across a fantastic idea online to make this gift much more personal.

Secretly, have all of your child's teachers write a message in the book and give it to your child on their graduation day.  Fantastic, right?!  This gift is easy to get going, inexpensive overall, but absolutely priceless for your child.

I tried finding the original source for this idea and came across many news articles about a girl, Brenna Martin, who received this gift for gradation.  Read the Daily Mail article HERE and watch the Today Show interview HERE.

Here's what you do...

1. Buy a hardcover copy of Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss.
2. Type out your own directions OR use the template on the blog Lisa's Workshop.
• My Process:  I downloaded the blank tag template from the blog Lisa's Workshop.  Copied the image into a Word document.  Resized the image.  Before adding the instructions, I printed three (3) blank templates, to help make the sleeve.  Then, I pasted the instructions into the Word document on top of the template.  I found a cute Dr. Seuss font called Green Eggs and Spam at 1001fonts.com.  When finished editing, I printed the instructions, cut the pages down to size, and taped all four pages together to form a sleeve.
• My New Process (updated 06/08/20):  Click HERE to make a copy of a Google Template.  Edit the text and print.
3. Attach the instructions to the book.
4. Place book in a manilla folder.
5. At the end of each school year, give the book to your child's teacher(s).  Set an annual reminder in your phone (or on your calendar), if you are afraid you'll forget.  Make sure you give the teacher(s) at least a couple weeks (the end of the school year is a busy time for teachers).
6. Hide the book until the next year.
7. Repeat until your child graduates from high school.

Isn't this a fun idea?  My son had two years of preschool, so I got to start his book very early in his education.  But you can start this gift at any time (even if your kids have already been in school a few years) or just have your child's high school teachers and coaches sign.  The options are endless.

Before adding the instructions, I printed three (3) blank
templates to make a book sleeve. 

My son's graduation gift in the making.

This is the template and text from the blog Lisa's Workshop.

My son is young enough to mule his book to school,
but I'm not sure how much longer I can get away with that.

I started this project last year, with my son's preschool teacher.

So, what do you think?  Are you going to give this one a go?  Today is your day, you know.   I'd love to hear about what you come up with. 

Remember Your Manners: Thank A Teacher

Today is my oldest son's last day of preschool.  For the past two years, he attended a local preschool at a wonderful Lutheran church up the road.   He loves his school, his classmates, and, most of all, his teacher.  At the end of every school year, we want to shower my son's teacher with gratitude, because we are so very thankful for all the hard work she did and continues to do.

As a teacher, I love receiving cards and gifts from my students, but I don't expect them.  The reward of my job is watching students learn and grow.  However, if you plan on getting your kid's/kids' teachers an end-o-year thank you gift, keep these few tips in mind.

CARDS:  Handmade and heartfelt cards from the students (and parents) are wonderful.  Remember, those teachers you are thanking helped your child with their writing.  Let your kid show off their skills.

GIFTY-GIFTS:  Teacher-themed gifts are so cute, BUT... your child's teacher may already have every possible apple-themed swag available.  Take a quick survey of your child's classroom and, I bet, you'll quickly notice a nicknack on every available surface.    Try to come up with a teacheresque gift that has a personal touch.  Do a quick Google or Pinterest search for "teacher gifts" and bagillion ideas will pop up.  Many of these blogs have step-by-step directions, creative puns, and PDF cards or tags that are ready to print. 

I couldn't resist a little Pinterest humor.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Personalized Pencil Drink Sleeve by Finding Pins & Needles
• TOTE-ally Awesome Teacher Gift (yup, it's a tote) by Skip to my Lou 
• Spa items usually go over well.  Some of my personal favorites are Mary Kay Satin Hands, Aveda Hand Relief or CND Almond Hydrating Lotion, nail polish, and/or anything from Bath and Body Works.
• Plants or cut flowers.  
• Chocolates or sweets.

GIFT CARDS:  Gift cards, either in a card or in a creative holder, are fantastic (and my personal favorite).  Teachers love coffee, bookstores, going to movies, and eating food, so gift cards are a slam-dunk.  I found this tutorial for this adorable thank you card on a blog called Skip to my Lou.  What would we do without Pinterest?  No, seriously.  This "Thanks a Latte" card (see pic below) from Skip to my Lou took all of five minutes to make and my son's teacher loved it.

My son and his teacher.  Check out that card!  So cute!

THE GOOD OLD FASHIONED THANK YOU:  Yes, that's right, you don't have to spend a dime.  A good old fashioned "thank you" goes a long way.  In a world of emails and text messages, a handshake paired with some verbal gratitude will be more than appreciated.

Do you do anything for your child's/children's teachers?  If so, do share...

Modern Things

Earlier this year, my family spent the three-day weekend at my parent's lake house near Lincoln City, Oregon.  (Yay! for 3-day weekends.)  The cozy vacation home provided plenty of space for my parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, husband, two sons, and me to unwind and unplug.  

I quickly learned that the entire concept of unplugging for a long weekend has a different meaning depending on who you talk to.  For me, unplugging means no work- or business-related technology allowed.  I teach middle and high school English for an online public charter school, so I am on the computer 40+ hours a week just for work.  Anytime spent away from my computer is relaxing, but I still do not avoid technology completely.  I upload and edit photos, shop, and catch-up with my digital friends via Facebook, Google Hangouts, and Goodreads.  I enjoy reading eBooks on my tablet, googling facts, and texting friends and family.  I enjoy the social aspects of technology.  I love the connections technology helps create and the oceans it crosses.  Even though using technology provides for my family, I still find enjoyment in it, as long as there's balance.

I can't talk about technology without singing the Napoleon Dynamite song in my head.

A weekend off for my parents, means a weekend off the grid.  No TV.  No cellphones.  (Thank goodness they are accustomed to the comforts of electricity.)  A weekend off for my parents means going to the beach or park when the weather permits (and even when it doesn't) and playing card games into the wee hours of the night.  My parents do not scold or scoff at others for continued use of technology, but they would rather everyone partake in a group activity rather than carry on a conversation via text with someone who isn't even present.

I'm definitely going to do this when my boys are older.

Now, in order to understand one's views and preferences, it helps to see things from their perspective.  My parents grew up with the simple pleasures.  They did not grow up like the Ingalls family in the wild west.  They had all the modern conveniences of their time - TV, microwaves, and the original party line.  Some modern marvels in my mom's childhood were color TV, a big stereo that would play 45s, transistor radios, and dishwashers.  She shared a phone line with four neighbors.  The private phone line was major.  No longer did people have to wait for the party line to open; however, there were still no answering machines.  If someone called, they left a message.  My mom does not remember the exact day or time when her family purchased a microwave, but she does remember the convenience this huge box provided.  One no longer had to reheat leftovers in the oven or on the stove.  With the advent of the microwave, came recipes to create just in the microwave.  Before the microwave, there wasn't much instant food - sadly, that came later.  This huge metal box of radiation waves created a modern convenience in the 1970s.

My mom remembers using a typewriter for her school papers.  In grad school, she could not keep up without a computer, so my dad bought a Macintosh Performa 405.  My mom used it for school.  The rest of us used it to draw or make cards.  Nothing more or less.  Since owning this computer, my parents have never been without a computer in their household.  Now, it is used for word processing, email, and ebay.  My mom has a smartphone and an iPad.  She loves the convenience of ebooks.  She loves seeing photos of friends, but she does not need these devices for anything more than that.  She loves these modern things, but they do not consume her.

Yup, this looks just like my family's first computer.

I remember that Mac sitting in our dining room.  Little did I know that this was the beginning of a technological era for us all.  When I started high school, pagers (or beepers) were all the rage.  One could page "143" and the recipient understood that that meant, "I love you."  During high school, students used the Internet to assist in researching an essay and a Discman with shock protection was a coveted method of music emission.  Instead of fighting with siblings over the phone and taking blank-faced lies when inquiring if so and so beeped in on Call Waiting, we stayed up into the wee hours of the night chatting on AOL Instant Messenger.  When I graduated from high school, most students had a Hotmail account and more and more started getting personal cell phones.  When I graduated college, most students had a personal cell phone.  MySpace was quickly fading in popularity and Facebook was beginning their quest for world domination by reducing the degree of separation from six to four.  These are all major advances in accessible technology and social media; however they all took place gradually and together we coexisted and grew through adolescence and into early adulthood.

Nowadays, everyone has access to all forms of technology, but with varied comfort levels.  Many adults 40+ have a much bigger learning curve than young adults in their 20s and 30s.  Based on my teaching experience at a web academy, it's safe to say that kids under 20 are very well adjusted and functional.  Any kid born in the last ten years, war born hard-wired into a fast-paced, status posting society.  

Well said, Mr. Einstein.

I am very cautious of the effects of technology on my boys and the results of too much or too little of it.  My sons were practically born with a Facebook following.  We make a conscious effort not to tweet or update our status every time they take a new step in life, but technology in terms of social media have been present.  Distant relatives enjoy viewing photos.  My brother and wife, who live in Amsterdam, connect via Google Chat.  Technology bridges the gap and connects us, but...

Yes, there's always a "but."  Kids these days are almost too connected, too dependent on these modern things.  They are missing out on the life happening all around them.  My parents grew-up in a world with no social media and they still managed to connect with the people around them.  I grew up while technology progressed, so I, too, know how to stay connected without the newest gadget.  I have basic phone skills and skills for interacting virtually.  I know the flutter of anticipation while waiting for that special phone call and the disappointment when the phone remained silent.  I also know the feeling of getting those thumbs up likes on Facebook after a posted picture.  I can have it both ways, but I’m not sure this current generation of kids are able to find a happy medium.  

So, what does that happy medium look like?  Here are a few guidelines we follow in my house:

• Follow basic Netiquette (a.k.a. network etiquette).
• Teach the boys about technology and appropriate ways to use it. 
• Save technology for quiet time and set a timer. 
• No technology at the dinner table OR while spending time with friends or family. 
• Have fun with technology.  Learn about it and from it.

I understand the rules, boundaries,  and etiquette of in-person and virtual interactions and I am consciously trying to pass these values on to my children.  I am trying to teach them about the balance that must exist between old and new.  Finding that balance is key to a healthy relationship with technology and the world around us.  When the clock strikes 4:00PM, I walk away from my computer.  I try not to grab my phone until my children are fast asleep.  We do not use our phones when at the dinner table or while carrying on a conversation.  We are present, in the moment and I find it important to model this behavior for my boys.  We also find it very important to limit technology time - that includes time on the LeapPad and TV.  Our boys will gripe and whine, and howl with an overly dramatic, "Why?"  We explain our reasoning by telling it's important to interact with the people around us.  They are satisfied with that answer, for now.

Sad, but often true.

During our weekend at the beach, the kids rotated between Legos, LeapPads, coloring, and general horseplay.  The adults found entertainment in visiting, playing card games, corralling the kids, reading, and the occasional phone and tablet monitoring.  There was a balance present - a beautiful dance between old fashioned and modern fun.  

The wonder of the Internet fascinates me.  The availability of knowledge motivates me to keep asking questions and finding answers to learn more.  I have no problem with technology in my personal life.  I use it for my livelihood and entertainment.  Technology is unmistakably woven into every aspect of my life and I am okay with that, because I am aware of the balance we must keep and the results of too much technology.  I am worried for those who are without this balance.  I am worried about this (and future) generations of kids growing up hard-wired into the newest device.  I am worried about my students who will miss the opportunity of a new adventure, experience, or friendship, because they were focused on their phone, tablet, or computer.  

We need to teach this generation of kids to look up at the world around them.  It is our responsibility to teach the youth about the dangers of too much technology.  We need to teach and model the behavior, etiquette, and perimeters necessary to exist with these modern things.  We need to take this task seriously, and maybe, just maybe we won't live in a world of lonely robots.

What are the modern things that you cannot live without?  What kind of behavior, etiquette, and perimeters do you find necessary?  Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.