Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Weekly Happenings: June 26th - July 1, 2017

Monday- 6/26/17


  • Chick-Fil-A and The Briar Patch, Bangor
    • Summer Kid's Club
      • Storytime 
      • Free Breakfast to the first 50 kids
        • 9:30 to 11:00 
  • Stillwater River, Orono
    • Matis Yoga
      • 4 P.m. to 5 P.m.
        • $10 per child: Sibling cost $5
  • Governor's Restaurant, all locations
    • $3 burger basket
      • Every Monday in June
Tuesday-6/27/17
  • Discovery Museum
    • Science Detectives
      • 11 a.m.
  • Maine Cloth Diaper Co., Bangor
    • Sara'Sing Along
      • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 
      • free
  • Bangor Public Library
    • Story Pals
      • Ages 4 to 12
      • 4 to 6p.m.
Wednesday-6/28/17
  • Discovery Museum
    • Messy Art: Watercolor Pens
      • 10:30 a.m.
  • Winterport Memorial Library
    • Summer Reading and goat petting
      • 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Chick-Fil-A,Bangor 
    • First Day of Summer
      • 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
  • Bangor Public Library 
    • Summer Music Series: Jonee Earthquake Band
      • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Bangor Waterfront 
    • Touch-a-truck
      • 9:30 to 12:30
      • Darlings Ice Cream Truck
  • Nocturnem Draft Haus-Bangor
    • Toddler Tap takeover
      • 5-7 p.m.


Thursday-6/29/17
  • Discovery Museum
    • Nature Time
      • 11:00 a.m.
  • Edythe Dyer Library- Hampden
    • Chris Van Duesen Signing and reading
      • 11:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m.
  • Bangor Public Library 
    • Cupcake wars( Teens)


Friday-6/30/17
  • Discovery Museum
    • Ready Readers
      • 10:15 a.m.
    • Clay Play
      • 11:00 a.m.
  • Governor's Restaurant, all locations
    • The Capital $3
      • Every Friday in June
Saturday-6/31/17
    • Fields Pond Nature Center - Holden
      • Family Discovery Adventure: Butterfly Walk
        • 1 p.m.
          • Members family:$15
          • Non-member family: $20
      • Univeristy of Maine
        • Emera Astronomy center and Jordan Space Planetarium 
          • Dream to Fly
            • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
      • Barrows Skidgel Legion Post 105- Newport
        • Music and BBQ in the Park
          • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Discovery Museum
        • Mystery event 
          • 2:00 p.m. 
      • Belfast Moosehead Railroad 
        • Belfast Location
          • 11 to Noon
          • 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
            • $14 adults
            • $5 3 to 12
            • Free for children 3 and under as long as they are not taking up a seat
        • Look into a Brooks Preservation Society yearly membership!
          • $40 for two adults and two children a year!
            • Free regular train rides and 50% off special train rides
            • 10% off gift shop items
      Sunday-7/1/17-

      • Keith Anderson Community Center - Orono
        • The Boys Next Door Auditions STC
          •  1p.m. to 6 p.m. 

      Thursday, June 22, 2017

      Rachel's Pick of the Week: Peaks Kenny

      Located in the town of Dover-Foxcroft is a great state park with a lake with an amazing view of Mt. Katahdin, campgrounds, a playground, running water and toilets. We enjoy this site for a number of reasons, one being a great green space for our toddler to run around and a nice sandy beach for her to enjoy. There is a life guard on duty with people to keep up the ground as well as park rangers there at all times. This is a dog friendly park and they even have a "dog beach area". You can BBQ  or pack a picnic lunch. The facilities are extremely clean and well kept -- you will want to bring bug spray despite the amazing dragonfly and frog population that tend to keep the pesky bugs at bay for the most part. There is a great stream that is cooler that runs into the lake on the side my daughter uses to catch frogs in with friends. I have always been able to find clay on the bottom of the lake and had find molding with it on shore as a kid. I will say the water bottom is rockier than usual, however we have keens that we use a water shoes so we were not phased. A friend and co-worker, notoriously known for finding flaws in my ambitious plans, has pointed out the public beach is free and has more sand. We are able to use a parks pass and get in for "free" so we choose to use the parks pass. Also, it's $13 a night for a camp site and $10 admission for two adult residents, a 3 year old and a baby. Considering how well everything is kept up I think it deserves great ratings. My only fear is how busy the park may get come mid-summer when summer camps take trips to the park ( you may want to ask a ranger if you have to pay to get in).

      Tuesday, June 20, 2017

      Homebound Activities: Yoga

      I've been on a yoga kick with both my kids since the first was born. At first it was for me to do something other than walk with my first on my front and bond differently. However, this really helped with my older child and her coordination/ balance. I don't want to brag or anything, but her gross motor skills are fairly advanced and I'd like to think yoga helped. This is also a very calming and centering activity for us. Often times( since I am by no means a yoga instructor) we get out Mommy and Me yoga DVD's or now we get more into two sessions at my house were my older one helps with the younger ones "yoga turn" and then the older one has her own "turn". Minerva at your local library has access to all kinds of kids yoga books. One of our favorite books is "Good Morning Yoga: a pose-by-pose wake up story". The Illustrations are beautiful and the instructions are straightforward for the poses. Very fun to do in the morning!I have read these books out loud to my 4 and 5 year olds in my classroom and the language is very straight forward.

      Sunday, June 18, 2017

      Weekly Happenings: June 19th- 25, 2017

      Once again I apologize for falling off the wagon as far as this blog is concerned. I SWEAR every child that is friends with my daughter has had a birthday party in the last three weeks( anyone that knows us can attest to this).On top of late nights at work for trainings/ continuing education credits, graduations and parties we have been overwhelmed. As I have mentioned before occasionally I drop the ball putting family or work first considering this is really a tertiary activity/ a hobby of mine. With this said I have had time to pick up on some new stuff happening in the area, "some oldies, but goodies" and of course our weekly happenings I have been touching on.

      The following town pools are now open/ will be this week:

      Orono - 6/17 ( look into family pass!)
      Beth Pancoe Pool- Banogr - 6/24
       Old Town Community Pool -6/24
      Millinocket - 6/26
      Brewer- 6/21



      Monday- 6/19/17


      • Briar Patch, Bangor
        • Reading Rainbow:Pride Children's Story Time
          • 4p.m.-5 p.m.
      • Stillwater River, Orono
        • Matis Yoga
          • 4 P.m. to 5 P.m.
            • $10 per child: Sibling cost $5
      • Fort Point State Park, Stockton Springs
        • Street Dance 
          • Flash and the Drums
            • 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 
            • Donations accepted
      • Governor's Restaurant, all locations
        • $3 burger basket
          • Every Monday in June
      Tuesday-6/20/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Science Detectives
          • 11 a.m.
      • Briar Patch, Bangor
        • 5th Annual Child's Book drive for Literacy Volunteers
          • 8 a.m - 6 p.m.
      • Governor's Restaurant, all locations
        • $6.60 Lobster Rolls
      Wednesday-6/21/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Messy Art: Watercolor Pens
          • 10:30 a.m.
      • Winterport Memorial Library
        • Summer Reading and goat petting
          • 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
      • Chick-Fil-A,Bangor 
        • First Day of Summer
          • 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
      • Bangor Public Library 
        • Summer Music Series: Hampden R&B
          • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

      Thursday-6/22/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Nature Time
          • 11:00 a.m.
      • Bangor City Forest
        • Orono Bog walk
          • MOPS- play date ( religion based group)
          • 9:30 a.m. - 11:30
      Friday-6/23/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Ready Readers
          • 10:15 a.m.
        • Clay Play
          • 11:00 a.m.
      • Governor's Restaurant, all locations
        • The Capital $3
          • Every Friday in June
      Saturday-6/24/17
      • Orland River Day 2017
        • 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
          • Vendors, food and games 
      • Belfast Area Children's Center 
        • Touch-a-truck
          • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
      • Dover-Foxcroft
        • Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
          • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
      • Bangor Pride Parade and Festival
        • 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.- Pride Parade on Main st.
        • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Festival in West Market Square
        • 4 p.m. and on - after party
      • Ellsworth Public Library
        • Kick-off Summer Reading 
          • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
      • Fields Pond Nature Center - Holden
        • Family Discovery Adevntures 
          • 1 p.m.
            • Members family:$15
            • Non-member family: $20
      • Univeristy of Maine
        • Emera Astronomy center and Jordan Space Planetarium 
          • Dream to Fly
            • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
      • Discovery Museum
        • Mystery event 
          • 2:00 p.m. 
      • Belfast Moosehead Railroad 
        • Belfast Location
          • 11 to Noon
          • 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
            • $14 adults
            • $5 3 to 12
            • Free for children 3 and under as long as they are not taking up a seat
        • Look into a Brooks Preservation Society yearly membership!
          • $40 for two adults and two children a year!
            • Free regular train rides and 50% off special train rides
            • 10% off gift shop items

      Wednesday, May 31, 2017

      Billy's Pick of the Week: Sewall Park

      There is a park Billy always brought me to on Perch Pond in Old Town, I never knew existed, when we started dating. My mother-in-law, who grew up in Old Town, shared with us that a lot of town events used to take place there. Over time it's become less popular, not due to it being an  undesired location, mainly due to being on the outskirts of town ( slightly out of the way). We brought our daughter and son to this park as an "after dinner adventure". Our three year old had a lot of energy and we needed to relax for the evening, the solution was to drive somewhere quiet away from the road where she could run free and get fresh air. Billy had heard the wild life refuge stocks perch pond with brook trout every year so he brought his fishing pole and set up in a secluded area. I brought a blanket with toys for our 9 month old, some water/ sand castle toys, extra clothes and towels. The water stays shallow for a ways which makes me feel comfortable with my three year old wading in the water a ways. I will admit, in ponds I get paranoid about swimmers itch later in the season. But, the sandy beach area combined with the picnicking area, porter potties, BBQ and fire pits makes this a great area for young children and older kids alike.  Ideal for fishing yet you'll need bug spray. We love to go around sunset mainly for the view and a great way to tucker out the kids before bedtime without going too far from home. I feel very comfortable just sitting on a blanket with my daughter in this location. Not many boats for water traffic despite two boat launches.

      I will admit, in ponds I get paranoid about "swimmers itch" later in the season. That is something to keep your eyes open for. But, the sandy beach area combined with the picnicking area, porter potties, BBQ and fire pits makes this a great area for young children, older kids and adults alike.  Ideal for fishing yet you'll need bug spray. We love to go around sunset mainly for the view and a great way to tucker out the kids before bedtime without going too far from home. 


      Sunday, May 28, 2017

      Weekly Happenings of 5/29/17- 6/4/17

      In lieu of the holiday this Monday here is what's going on locally for parades with times ( I assume you know the usual route in your area, but most are posted locally on your town office page).  The BDN was kind of sparse on parade info aside from Orono and Bangor routes and times. A picture taken recently and added to this week to add some red, white and blue to the blog ;)

      Monday- 5/29/17


      • Bangor's Memorial Day Parade
        • 10:30 a.m. to Noon exchange street to Main st. Davenport Park.
      • Orono's Memorial Day Parade
        • 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Main st.
      • Old Town's Memorial Day Parade
        • 11 a.m. starting at OHS and moving to Main st.
      • Millinocket's Memorial Day Parade
        • 6 p.m. Penobscot Ave - Katadin Ave - Cherry St. - Granite  St. - Medway Rd.
      • Ellsworth's Memorial Day Parade
        • 10 a.m. Main St.
      • Blue Hill Town Park
        • Street Dance 
          • 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 
      • Hirundo Wildlife Refuge 
        • Birding by Canoe
          • 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
      Tuesday-5/30/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Science Detectives
          • 11 a.m.
      • Cross Insurance Center
        • River Dance
          • 7 p.m.
      • Seadog Brewing Company
        • Open Jazz Jam
          • 7:30 p.m.
      Wednesday-5/31/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Messy Art: Watercolor Pens
          • 10:30 a.m.
      • Nocturnem Draft Haus
        • Toddler Tap Takeover
          • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

      Thursday-6/1/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Nature Time
          • 11:00 a.m.
      Friday-6/2/17
      • Discovery Museum
        • Ready Readers
          • 10:15 a.m.
        • Clay Play
          • 11:00 a.m.
      • Downtown Bangor
        • 1st Friday Artwalk
      Saturday-6/3/17
      • Downtown Milo
        • Blackfly Festival
          • Parade
            • 10 a.m.
          • Kids Activities
            • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
          • Darlings Ice Cream Truck
            • Noon to 2p.m. 
          • Interactive Photo Booth 
            • 10a.m. to 3 pm.
          • Live Music
            • Gazebo 
              • 1:00 to 2:30
      • Union Street Brick Church - Bangor
        • Studio Show 2017 ( Dance Recital)
          • 10:30 a.m. to Noon
          • 12:30 p.m. to 2p.m. 

      • Belfast
        • Belfast Rail Trail 5k
          • $10 a person
      • Fields Pond Nature Center - Holden
        • Family Discovery Adevntures : Phenology Walk
          • 1 p.m.
            • Members family:$15
            • Non-member family: $20
      • Webster Park- Orono
        • YoArt: Kids Adventure
          • 3:00 p.m. 
            • $35 participation fee
              • 3 years and up
      • Univeristy of Maine
        • Emera Astronomy center and Jordan Space Planetarium 
          • Rockets, Pizza and Movie 
            • 3:30 p.m.
      • Discovery Museum
        • Mystery event ( online calendar not out for June)
          • 2:15 p.m. 


      Thursday, May 25, 2017

      Help Our Communities: Baking for Neighbors

      When I got my first apartment my landlord baked a loaf of bread for me and hand delivered it as a welcome to the neighborhood. In that time I've been inspired and found my daughter enjoys baking for others with me. Bread, cookies,muffins, cupcakes, etc are all fun to share with neighbors.We have one neighbor who recently broke her hip and we try to deliver treats when possible. She cannot leave her house so we feel like bringing something to her makes a difference in her day and taking care of her makes ours. I shared the easy bread recipe I use last year in my homebound activities post again stressing community.

      Wednesday, May 24, 2017

      Homebound Activities: Discovery Bottles

      I am a HUGE discovery bottle enthusiast at the school I teach at. To the point they started piling up at kids homes and parents started subtly mentioning how many their children had accumulated ( roughly one a month). Needless to say I've cut back at school, however with my own child not so much. Granted, we don't keep them around as long as I think these other parents do. Also, when we do make them we put them in different locations. For instance, we keep one in our daughters "busy bag" for when we travel or visit places( Dr.'s office, dentist, bank, restaurants, etc.), one in the back seat to keep her attention when we are long car rides, one in her bedroom for bedtime and one in her playroom. I know at my parents house they keep one just to have something on hand to keep her occupied. We've tried all kinds of different approaches. We've tried oil and water with food coloring, orbeez, glitter glue with water and food coloring , colored rice or sand with small toys, letters and numbers to find. The key to the sensory bottles are that you super glue or hot glue the lids to the top. Otherwise, you can easily have a large mess on your hands. These are easy to make with stuff you have at home. I find only small toys are the best for these projects and it can be ANYTHING that fits in the bottle neck. I like the Voss water bottles since they are nice and wide at the top and are perfect cylinders, but you can repurpose any clear water bottle ( I suggest plastic for little ones). The possibilities are endless and you and your little ones have fun making them !

      Tuesday, May 23, 2017

      Postponed post for the week

      I will be posting tonight since I felt behind in a bunch of work this weekend due to other deadlines, a throbbing arm ( DTap shot) and sick kids.

      Thursday, May 18, 2017

      Helping our Communities: Community Gardens

      Every year we volunteer our time to help the people in our community garden the best we can. Often times the man who runs ours ( he's in the garden daily) and he'll will give my daughter easy tasks like pulling out weeds or moving rocks to a different places. The idea is that the food in our community garden goes to the elderly folks in our direct community and to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter. We are contributing to less suffering for those around us and thinking of others.



       I find my daughters presence heightens moral and the moods of the folks volunteering. My three year old also is learning from other folks in our community ( mostly people we already know in our community reinforcing our place in our community). I know many people at the garden have different methods or experiences she can learn from. So on top of the benefits of gardening mentioned earlier this week ( see homebound activities: gardening) you have an added layer of community involvement directly as well as activism. Bangor Area Giving Garden is always looking of little volunteers to help out in the community. It helps as a bridge between the older folks in the community and the younger!




      Wednesday, May 17, 2017

      Rachel's pick of the week: Bradley Alewives Festival

      Three years ago my Mother-in -law let me know about this festival that was starting in the town she lives in. There is not much that happens in the town of Bradley, the two things that always pop into my mind are Spencer's Ice Cream and The Logging Museum. It turns out the Alewives festival takes place at the logging museum. My suggestion is the following, bring your wellie boots ( or keens) and fishing nets to catch and release as the alewives run. Last year they had smoked alewives in the living history section with the smoke house, unfortunately I was pregnant at the time and afraid of eating anything smoked at the time.

      There was a great obstacle course when you first came in the kiddos could "follow the channels" like the alewives do. My then 2 year old had a blast and was very proud of herself when she got through. Our 10 year old niece was catching the alewives and releasing them for a solid hour.There were so many alewives in the water my daughter waded in and they circled her ankles. My suggestion is to bring waterproof shoes, insect repellant, sunscreen and a change of clothes ( just incase you get wet playing in the water). The grounds are great to walk and it couldn't hurt to bring a snack to hold you over and water.  As a parent of a three year old and an 8 month old I plan on bringing my Ergo carrier. My sister-in-law prefers to use her jogging stroller instead of a carrier, what works best for you. The trails are rocky and bumpy so I do not suggest umbrella strollers, your arms will be killing you, take my word for it.

      This event happens one day a year, usually the 3rd Saturday in May. This upcoming Saturday will be the 3rd annual event. The event is free for kids under 5. 5-18 year olds are $5 and 18 + are $10. However, if you become a member events are free and there are some really cool ones :)



      My husbands favorite method of bring children around.









      This is me 6 months pregnant with child #2 fishing 



      Obstacle Course mentioned above.

      Tuesday, May 16, 2017

      Homebound Activities :Gardening

      In light of Mother's day and getting flowers as presents is very common. Lately my daughter and I have been edging out around our foundation block to add flowers around the house. We've also enjoyed putting rocks around our already established gardening area. While she is 3 and her attention span for the gardening itself is low she gets the following from the experience. Gardening is the following:
      • Teaching your child is learning a life skill
      • A great sensory activity ( the feeling of dirt, textures, bugs, roots, plants, etc.)
      • Increases her vocabulary ( the way things feel, look and sounds)
      • Exposes your child to new insects, arachnids and annelids 
      • Keeps them busy close to home
      • Having a purpose and being helpful








      As you can see above this can be an ongoing process. We've been working on our garden since the beginning of April. I know my daughter looks forward to feeding the grubs in our garden to the robins in our neighborhood. She also, likes to observe them. She watches me dig to find worms and plays with the earth worms. I share and stress the benefits of having the worms IN our garden and how good they are for our flowers and plants. She enjoys the feeling of caring for the things that are smaller than her which shows empathy. She also loves when I give her a chance to water the plants using her watering can. Every day is a new adventure and she is learning more every time.



      An easy way to start a garden is to ask parents or neighbors who are in need of some plant splitting if you can split a plant for them. Lilies, irises, tulips, daffodils and hostas are great examples of plants that can EASILY be transplanted. Seeds are also affordable and a great projects for kids to watch things grow.We've been doing this very thing at the pre-school I work at and the kids are learning as well as staff! I had to look up how to split plants safely. Great learning experience for all!

      Here is a fun experiment to try with your kids at home is one this webpage:

      http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_projects/50/625/4611fe1a62e1961d454c65c351aeabdd.html

      All of this rain we've been getting is ideal for transplanting new plants and rooting. So get your selves out there and plant some seeds and flowers :)

      Monday, May 15, 2017

      Week of May 15th-21st, 2017 - May Showers?

      Monday -5/15/17

      • The ideal time for play dates, community work or homebound activities ( weekly picks are more weekend adventures or days off for both parents).

        Tuesday- 5/16/17
        • Maine Discovery Museum
          • Science Stories
            • 3+
            • 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
        Wednesday- 5/17/17
        • Maine Discovery Museum
          • Messy Art: Bubble Wrap Painting
            • 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
              • Ages 2
        • Fields Pond Nature Center
          • Family Fun Series
            • Ages 2-5
              • Costs unknown 
              • $70 for full series for members (May 4 - June 4th)

        Thursday- 5/18/17
          • Maine Discovery Museum
            • Nature Time
              • 11:00 to 11:30
                • Ages 3+
          • Challenger Learning Center of Maine 
            • 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
            • Free Admission
            • Younger readers addition of "Hidden Figures" at Briar Patch for $7.

          Friday- 5/19/17
            • Maine Discovery Museum 
              • Clay Play
                • 11:00 to 11:30
                  • ages 2 + 
              • Ready Readers
                • 10:15 a.m to 11:00 a.m.
            • Penobscot Theatre Company Dramatic Academy 
              • Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby
                • 5 p.m.
                  • $12 for adults 
                  • $8 for Students 
            • Deer Isle 
              • Wings, Waves & Woods Birds Festival 
                • http://www.islandheritagetrust.org/pdf/www-schedule-2017-final.pdf


            Saturday- 5/20/17
            • Maine Discovery Museum 
              • Butterfly Mobiles
                • 2:15 p.m. -3:15p.m.
                  • 3+y 
            • Maine Forrest and Logging Museum 
              • Alewives Festival 
                • $10 adults
                • $5 children
            • Deer Isle 
              • Wings, Waves & Woods Birds Festival 
                • http://www.islandheritagetrust.org/pdf/www-schedule-2017-final.pdf

            • Penobscot Theatre Company Dramatic Academy 
              • Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby
                • 5 p.m.
                  • $12 for adults 
                  • $8 for Students 
            • Patten Stream in Surry
              • Blue Hill Heritage Trust Event
                • Vernal Pool Party
                    • 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
                      • Explore vernal pools, story readings and "Show and Tell"
              Sunday- 5/21/17
              • Maine Discovery Museum
                • Button Collage Art
                  • 2:15p.m. to 3:15p.m.
              • Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm- Unity
                • Alpaca Shearing Day 2017
                  • 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
                    • Picnic Friendly
              •   Bangor Children's Garden 
                • Plants in the Ground!
                  • 9 a.m. to Noon
              • The Riverwalk Center- Newport
                • Beginners Ballet (6-9 year olds)
                  • 11:00 a.m. to Noon
                  • $14 a week
              • Bangor Y
                • Family Sunday Funday
                  • 12:30 p.m. to  3:30 p.m.
                    • Free for Members 
                    • $10 per person non-members



              Alway feel free to look back to my weekly happenings blog, weekly picks and homebound DIY's for ideas none of them are time specific and I recently added a caring for community post I will update Weekly. 

              Friday, May 12, 2017

              Billy's Pick of the week: Rockland Breakwater

              Billy prides himself in his ability to give great directions to this place and had so much fun walking over to the lighthouse (it's pretty straightforward you just follow the directions to Samoset Resort). I would suggest going on a very warm day ( 80's) since it gets windy. We went on a windy 67 degree day.





               We wished we went on a warmer day strictly because of the wind chill factor. With that said we had tons of fun walking 7/8 of a mile there and again in return. I am not going to lie, I was sore a few days after carrying my 8 month old in my Ergo carrier across. My husband had a great time and only had to carry our three year old the last 1/4 mile. She needed a lot of support and a few "1-2-3 jumps" over large cracks in the rocks. With that said, I'd do it again in the blind of an eye! There is a great beach below for toddlers to venture out and investigate. I got to sit on a bench with the baby and rest from my trek across the breakwater while I watched my husband and daughter explore the beach below.


              Wednesday, May 10, 2017

              Homebound Activities: Kite Flying and Decorating

              For Easter our daughter got a kite she could color from her grandparents and on a nice windy day we packed a picnic lunch and drove to a relatively tree free park to fly a kite. We spent about 30 minutes coloring the kite (until she got bored) then we spent about 10 minutes putting it together. Pretty soon she was flying her kite and running around for nearly two hours (with bathroom breaks and drink breaks).With the kite she made lots of friends to practice sharing and taking turns, gross motor skills, understanding of weather and wind directions on top of all of the fun to be had.

              I'll be the first to admit we did have a lot of kids gravitating toward the kite. We are all about the socialization and sharing when others don't have something. We are helicopter parents in the sense that  our daughter constantly had 1:1 support from us ( she's 3) and we like to be there to help her out in social situations ( she's still learning). So often times we encourage sharing. However, I recently read an article on how sometimes meeting strange kids at a park and sharing can become overwhelming and the child doesn't get to play with a toy they bring. I can see both perspectives and see how all of the adding more people to a one person or two person activity can be a bit much. Yet, playing devils advocate, we don't bring things into the public sphere we are not prepared to share. I am not saying share everything you bring, I am am saying traditionally these toys were intended to be shared with friends. Often times when we go places we bring more than one anticipating someone will not have some.

              Billy and I have this philosophy and think what you may. Our philosophy is if a child is engaged in play directly with our child she will share what we have. I am not the kid of person (nor is my husband) that will watch a kid get a sunburn on my watch or go hungry. We always try to pack extra and offer to other that don't have any. Also, on the other hand, I have been there. I have been in such a hurry I forget things in attempts to get out the door to catch an event or be somewhere on time. I am also constantly learning from senior parents who have some tricks of the trade I'm still learning. In my experience,that kind of empathy goes a long way and I think that goes along with the golden rule. I do not believe in kids taking off with your kids toys and not playing with your child. But, if they are interacting by all means share and take turns!



              This is an example of a kite to have on hand :
              https://www.amazon.com/HQ-Kites-Creative-Line-Creation/dp/B000Z6UG3U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1494286082&sr=8-2&keywords=color+your+own+kite







              Monday, May 8, 2017

              Week of May 8th-14th, 2017 -- Mother's day!

              Monday -5/8/17

              • The ideal time for play dates, community work or homebound activities ( weekly picks are more weekend adventures or days off for both parents).

                Tuesday- 5/9/17
                • Maine Discovery Museum
                  • Science Stories
                    • 3+
                    • 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
                • Maine Cloth Diaper Company
                  • Sara'Sing Along
                    • 10:30 a.m. to 11:30
                • Ellsworth High School 
                  • Spring Showcase- Hamilton 
                    • 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
                    • $5 admission 
                Wednesday- 5/10/17
                • Maine Discovery Museum
                  • Messy Art:Glitter Paint
                    • 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
                      • Ages 2
                • Orono Public Library
                  • Backyard Birding
                    • 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

                Thursday- 5/1117
                  • Maine Discovery Museum
                    • Nature Time
                      • 11:00 to 11:30
                        • Ages 3+
                  • May/Mother's day Handprints
                    • Noon to 5:30 p.m.
                    • $5 for paper or $10 for canvas
                  • Orono Public Library
                    • Pajama Story time
                      • 5:30p.m. to 6:39p.m.

                  Friday- 5/12/17
                    • Maine Discovery Museum 
                      • Clay Play
                        • 11:00 to 11:30
                          • ages 2 + 
                      • Ready Readers
                        • 10:15 a.m to 11:00 a.m.
                    •  The Simpson Memorial Library
                      • Book and Plant Sale
                        • 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
                    • Glenburn Elementary School 
                      • Mother/son dance
                        • 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
                          • $10 a family
                          • Pictures provided by Northstar Photography 


                    Saturday- 5/13/17
                    • Maine Discovery Museum 
                      • Duck on a Bike Story time
                        • 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
                          • 3+y 
                    • Fields Pond Nature Center - Holden 
                      • Springfest
                        • 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ( Children's area open at 10 a.m.)
                          • Free
                    •  The Simpson Memorial Library- Carmel
                      • Book and Plant Sale
                        • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
                    • Bucksport United Methodist Church
                      • All-you- care-to- eat Breakfast
                        • 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
                          • $8 for adults, $4 for children, and $25 for a family of four or more.
                    • Gracie Theatre- Husson University
                      • Variety Paq
                        • 7 p.m. to 8:30
                          • $15 for Adults and $8 for children 12 and under
                    • Howland Baptist Church 
                      • Mother/Daughter TEA
                        • Free
                    • Hosted by the Maine Discovery Museum  (located at unlimited solutions parking lot( 30 summer st, Bangor)
                      • Bicycle Safety Rodeo
                        • Ages 4-10
                        • Free
                    • Hampden Academy 
                      • Star Wars Family Fun: Galactic Encounter
                        • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
                          • $5 for kids 3-17
                          • 2 and Under free
                          • Adults by donation
                    Sunday- 5/14/17
                    • Maine Discovery Museum
                      • Mother's Day Gift
                        • 2:15p.m. to 3:15p.m.
                    • Great Pond Mountain
                      • Spring Wildflower Walk in the Wildlands
                        • 1p.m. to 3 p.m. 
                        • bring insect repellant 
                    • Nervous Nellie's -Deer Isle
                      • Mother's day Celebration 
                        • 9 a.m to 5 p.m. 
                          • Sandbox
                          • Free scones and Jelly
                          • Croquet
                          • Checkers
                          • Roam garden and acres of land
                    •   Seal Cove Auto Museum
                      • $6 adults, $5 seniors and teens, $2 children, free for under five and free for mothers 
                    • Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park 
                      • Free for Mom's and children
                      • Picnics are encouraged 

                    Alway feel free to look back to my weekly happenings blog, weekly picks and homebound DIY's for ideas none of them are time specific and I recently added a caring for community post I will update monthly. Also, Cole Land and Transportation Museum is open for the season!

                    Sunday, May 7, 2017

                    Helping our Communities: Public Transportation

                    In my last two most recent posts I mentioned how our communities help us and how we can help our communities with our children. I also touched on one way we can add to community and also the community helps us as parents. One way is the BAT community connector.  Hear me out because I am sure a lot of you are cringing at the thought of public transportation, like many people do when I mentioned I used to take it frequently when I was at UMaine.

                    #1.We have a great community connector that runs from downtown to the university and back for free while school is in session. If you get on the bus midday you can ride for free with nearly no one else.  The bus is clean and my daughter LOVES the bus! She likes I get to sit next to her, no seatbelt, the bell, the lights, everything about the bus. The drivers are super friendly and have families of their own (all three drivers have listened to my three year old sing “the wheels on the bus” for easily a 20 minute ride).

                    #2. The bus is no worries about finding parking in places that are difficult to find parking or places you could easily get fined for parking in.


                    #3. The bus has a completely different set of rules for my child to learn about our community.  How to act on a bus with the set rules provided specific to that type of transportation. Children learn about how to get to point B from point A with support and modeling.

                    #4.By riding the bus you are getting free entertainment and saving the environment while doing it!

                    I grew up in Bangor and I understand there is a stigma toward the bus, however I think that is more of a reason to ride on the bus. All behaviors and experiences can be turned into learning opportunities. I read an article recently on the benefits of young children and taking different forms of transportation. I highly suggest folks really think about all of the pro’s and not just jump to the con’s. I know many of my environmentally conscious friends frequent the bus regularly. Just regular folks looking to make the world a better place that have great jobs and are working professionals!
                     Don't let a few bad seeds ruin the bunch.

                    Here is the article I read recently:
                    http://grist.org/article/2010-11-01-why-public-transportation-is-good-for-kids/