Indoor Rainy Day or Snowy Day Fun with Kids

Looking at the forecast for the next week I am struck by the Seattle rain storm and the entire Northeast being covered with snow. Winter is here. I thought it might be fun to reflect upon some fun rainy day and snow day activities for kids that will save their parents from going batty while making delightful memories. To say the least: being pro-active can combat the constant battles that emerge from stir-crazy kiddos.

 Go ahead and make your home an Indoor Playground with these snappy ideas...

---------------------------------------------

10. Make Forts: Get out all of those blankets, pillows, chairs, and tablecloths. Forts are a great and creative way to go “camping” indoors. It is a wonderful creativity tool and a make believe world. By making forts kids use their building imagination to make their dreams come true. Sleeping in the forts that night is even better. (As long as they go to sleep, anyway!)

9. Read Books: Pile the books high in front of you and read one after another. Don’t get up for as long as you can. Use crazy voices and accents, and point to the pictures. Get into it and talk about them. Get excited about books and love them along side your kids. Reading is practically becoming a lost art, with the idiot-screen (including video games, movies, television) taking over for most kids – so take the opportunity to buck that trend and dive into those children’s books.

8. Bath-time fun: Get those kids in the bath with lots of toys. Shaving cream is a great bath-time toy. They can paint it on the walls and put it in the water. Also, get those summer-time bubbles out and blow them at the kids in the bath. They will love to grab at them and see them land in the water.

7. Pull out the play-dough bin: Make homemade play dough if you need to. It is fun to sit at the kitchen table and create sculptures, snowballs, and bricks. Getting those cookie cutters and rolling pins out of the kitchen drawers to add to the fun. The kids love to bring their ideas to life.

6. Clean your closet: Kids enjoy trying on high-heeled shoes, sandals, and fancy scarves. They can find treasures in your closet while you take inventory and re-organize and de-clutter things. It is just so cute to see them stumble around the house all gussied up with nowhere to go.

5. Bake: Make something yummy. Start with the ingredients that you have at hand and go from there. Don’t let the fancy cookie recipes make you think that you have to go to the store. Use what you have. Stay home and be creative; try something new, and get the kids involved. Pancakes are a great way for kids to practice cracking eggs. Cookies are a yummy wet weather treat. And when your spouse comes home, they will be stoked!

4. Craft Centers: Raid the craft closet and get out those craft supplies that you save for a rainy/snowy day. Put them on the kitchen table and use them (let the kids use them, that is). It is great to spend time creating something and using the supplies at hand. It can also be fun to get out the recycle bin and use the supplies in there to make new and exciting things – milk cartons, cardboard boxes, and newspaper make for creative materials.

3. Play with your pet: Make a snuggly bed for your dog, a raisin trail for your bunny to follow, toys arranged in a square to make a new play yard for your guinea pig, decorate the fish tank, or grab some yarn and tease the cat. It is fun to engage with those furry friends in a new way. The kids can see how fun their pets really are.

2. For those techie kids: make a short video. Use your cell phone to do the video recording. (If the kids are old enough to use it themselves – probably age 2, right? – let them be the videographers, too.) They can act out something or describe something like a news reporter. They can watch themselves when they are done with their show.

1. Have a dance party: Bust out the 80’s dance tunes…or some more current pop/dance stuff that’s appropriate for the kids…and crank it up to 11! Be sure to dance with the kids – they love seeing their parents jump around with them. Bonus: This burns off a lot of the kids’ energy, and it’s good exercise for you, too!

-1. Go outside and get really wet in the rain or play in the snow. The great thing about a bad weather day is that going outside and jumping in puddles or playing in the snow can burn off a lot of cooped up energy. It is fun for the kids to have a rainy day or snow day fort so they can be outside in the bad weather and be under cover. If the kids do get wet, dirty, or cold you can easily fix that in a jiffy.

Then you can come in and do all of the numbers 1-10. Embracing the indoor lifestyle can be a lot of fun for kids and adults on those gloomy, blustery, or frigid days!

Leavenworth, it's "worth" your time!

Just in case you like SNOW in the winter, savory bratwursts, a touch of Bavaria, lazy days, and endless hiking in the summer - meet Leavenworth. After a recent visit there, I think it is "worth" your time:)

East of Seattle about 115 miles on U.S Highway 2, deep in the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, lies the town of Leavenworth. It is a mountain town, on the eastern slopes of the Cascades, along the Wenatchee River. I didn’t know what to expect when going to Leavenworth. At first glance one will feel like they stepped off the plane – or out of the car – right into Bavaria. If you don’t know, Bavaria is a region in the south east of Germany. This is all new to me as I had never been there – Leavenworth, that is. Bavaria is a place of happy memories for me from a trip many moons ago. Right off the bat I thought it was a fun combination: deep in the woods, a Bavarian town, and the outdoor lifestyle at its best.

Leavenworth is a great place for families and people with plans for year-round adventure. 

We visited in the winter, which fits our family ethos well: we love sliding on the snow. Fortunately, there are many places in Leavenworth to go sledding – from little tot slopes right in downtown, to larger slopes just a few blocks away. We spent hours on the ragged edge of disaster sledding on the steep hill at Enchantment Park. The whole family got into the fun. We caught air, crashed into trees, videoed, made new friends, and cheered each other on. We had forgotten how fun sledding truly is! One odd side note: When we left Enchantment Park we saw a sign that said “no sledding.” And yet, everywhere we looked people were sledding! Note to Leavenworth community – what is up with that? More on snow sliding adventures later.

Eating is a major part of Leavenworth. We had a great time at a classic Bavarian Brat House called “Munchen Haus.” It is a bratwurst paradise – for those who love them. We ordered the curry brat, jalapeno-cheddar brat, and the Big Bob Brat, in addition to some really great hot dogs. They had more flavors of mustard than I could count. We stood in line for 20 minutes in well-below-freezing weather to order. Brrr! As if we weren’t cold enough: once we got the food we barely found seats outside – the restaurant is all outdoors! In a mountain town! (They do have a plethora of propane heaters over the tables and chairs.) So we sat outside and gobbled those yummy brats and dogs down in the freezing cold. They were very good – definitely worth it – and warmed my happy traveler heart. It was a memorable meal and a must-do in Leavenworth. The meal was easily topped off with a Bavarian classic: The super-big pretzel.

The town was decked out in Christmas lights when we were there. It was beautiful. The trees were all lit up in town. Lights like that warm your heart and soften the cold and reflect the snow. It’s a beautiful town by night. So not only were the stores and restaurants lit up, but also the town park with huge trees were covered in lights. 

One of the great things about Leavenworth is that it is just 45 minutes from Stevens Pass Ski Resort. Steven’s Pass is a great all-around mountain. It has great runs for beginners, fast cruising runs for intermediates, several terrain parks for those who want to practice their aerial jumps and rail slides, and really challenging terrain for those who want to ski the steep stuff. I was already a fan of Stevens Pass going into this trip and am glad that the powder hounds got their fill on the way there and on the way home. Leavenworth makes for a great home-base for a ski vacation to Stevens. (And just a couple miles out of town there’s a local, old-school, rope-tow ski area, too!) For those not so into sliding down the hills on snow – be it downhill skiing or sledding – there are plenty of outdoors things to do around town including a plethora of pathways and trails for walks and cross-country skiing (many along the gorgeous Wenatchee River), and snowshoe trails are just outside of town. And as you would expect, summer brings it’s own outdoors activities.

After my recent visit, I encourage folks to make it to Leavenworth in Summer or Winter. Why not enjoy the great outdoors and eat some tasty Brats? Also, never fear because Starbucks is here! Yes, a Bavarian Starbucks awaits you in the midst of the forest, around the bend. I am so thankful for my visit to Leavenworth. It provided a lot of laughs, great food, stunning beauty, and quality family time. Looking ahead: I look forward to visiting this little Bavarian destination in the mountains again!

Light Up the Night!!!!!!

The Hawk House

Hello, outrageous hospitality! A couple of years ago we were welcomed into the home of the Mish family one chilly December night. This happened as we were standing at the curb be-dazzled by the amazing light show on and around their home. We gladly went in to visit and chitchat. How often does a kind person invite you – a stranger! - inside their home, anyway?

Gwen and Anthony Mish on a recent visit

This year, we learned that we are just a few of the 100,000 visitors they expect to see their expression for the love of the holidays and their favorite sports teams. They go all out with 175,000 lights in their front yard and on the house – all dancing to music! Their lights show the Seahawks Logo; a big “12” for the 12^th Man; the Seattle Mariners, Supersonics (RIP), and Huskies logos (Cougars and Sounders logos are in the works); and Santa on his Sleigh, among others. 

Anthony and Steve Mish, the masterminds, are brilliant designers, engineers, community builders, and friendly and welcoming people with generous hearts. They have created a light show where the lights themselves dance. The lights get down to groovy songs like VellVett’s, ‘We Run This City.’ They welcome you to swing on by between 5 and 9 (5-10 Fri./Sat.) almost any night to experience their hospitality! Here is what you will find:

The garage door is open and there is a children’s tunnel that leads to a secret fish tank inside. Shh – it’s a surprise! There’s a whole village scene with trains, buildings and “snow.” From there, you can go inside the house, where the charming Victorian country village of snow with a real river continues. Be sure to look for the Nutcracker display, including the Seahawks Nutcracker! To top it off they even have a Seahawks Santa to greet the kids – you can get your picture taken, if you’d like. You can also just hang out on the street and see the lights - though there's no charge for any of it, so go on in! Donations are taken for great causes, such as HopeLink, Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots, and local food pantries. Feel free to come with a donation (not required). Tis the season of sharing, right?

The word is out on their hospitality and light show. The Mish’s love for lighting up the night has been picked up by ABC’s Great Christmas Light Fight. This is a “reality tv” show that highlights great Christmas lights throughout the US. They will be featured this house on December 21^st at 8pm. Let’s watch and learn more about the hearts behind this huge nightlight of hospitality. Also, check out thehawkhouse.com to get directions and learn more… Hope you enjoy your next visit to TheHawkHouse!

The Silent Dreams of Christmas

Me Taking Part in Nutcracker Silliness

I must admit that I am horribly sentimental in my approach to to Christmas. The month begins and my hopes and plans unfold as the dream of Christmas comes to a reality. I find myself naturally placed in the midst of parties to host, attend, cards to mail, fancy house lights to drive by and see, decorations to put up, Christmas programs at school and church, the Nutcracker, family advent services, worship, and shopping for the perfect gift at the perfect price. For some people, meandering through the month of December is like riding a ferris wheel, always in motion.

On these December days, there are many invisible dreams of Christmas that I don’t even realize that I am longing for until they catch me off guard. They are realized during the stillness of a “pause” in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. They are heard in the midst of the noise of my scurrying about. They are felt deeply as loved ones reach out.

Some of these dreams aren’t just plain silly. They are the hopes of a Christmas that is fulfilling in giving and sharing all that God has given. There are some invisible things about Christmas that we may discover glimpses of as the holiday unfolds. These quiet things may even bring out a sincerity and tenderness that that we don't expect. Here are a few of mine:

- Beautiful Lights remind me of the darkness which is painted on by an artists’ palate of light. It is a hope given that light can come even in the darkest times and joy covers the dark nighttime homes and trees with illumination.

-A red bell at the grocery store rings out. It is seeking funds to feed the poor and house the homeless. It is asking us to share hope. This is truly the season of giving. Whether we are sharing through filling the red kettle, the Operation Christmas Child box, the Angel Tree, or something else, humanity feels a need for collective support and interdependence as we give this season to make this world a better place.

-The tree, nativity, and stockings reminds us of surprises headed our way on Christmas. Regardless of whether we are naughty or nice, decorating invigorates the holiday and the heart of the home. When hospitality is extended it engages others with peace, hope, love, and joy. Although decorations are visible, they fade away when they provide a backdrop for our communal lives with loved ones, which is what really matters.

-The family getting together for the traditional advent services and greeting a chubby and jolly Santa are special. They make memories that provide cadence to family life. Kids feel special when their dream gifts are shared with loved ones and the adults take time to listen and find out what makes them happy. They know that they matter when it is their turn to light the candle.

-The culmination of many Christmas celebrations bring us to notice the beautiful things which are reminiscent of a simple life. We see this as we go to watch Clara twirl freely in the Nutcracker, see little Mary and Joseph love their baby in the Church Nativity Play, hear the drum section ring out in the winter band concert, laugh together at the office Christmas Party, read the ever so sweet Christmas Cards, and prepare red paper packages tied up with strings under the tree.

I could easily get lost in the details, expectations, and frantic style of Christmas as a mother of four, busy employee, and pastor’s wife. I could never even stop to sit and savor it all. Yet, those invisible moments catch up to me and tenderly remind me of my deeper, invisible wealth. The mercy in the quiet places finds me and fulfills my Christmas dreams one day at a time as I wait for the real Christmas miracle to become a reality. 

Seeing the Vision of a Wild-at-Heart Soccer Mom

A New Hope for Kahilu

Far away in a Congolese Jungle, young Kahilu, age 10, grows up with her 4 brothers, 2 sisters, and their single mother. Understandably, her mother struggles to provide for the family - she has seven kids to provide for in the midst of her poverty. They huddle together in a small mud home with a thatched roof. Kahilu’s problems are great. Thanksgiving is not being celebrated at her table any time soon. She needs clean water. She can’t go to school. Her mom cannot provide her with nutrition-rich food. Yet, that is where one U.S. stay-at-home mom, the work of World Vision, and possibly some of my readers, come into focus.

Courtney is a doting mother of four happy and active kids living in a country-suburban community in southern New Hampshire. This classroom volunteer and soccer mom became uncomfortable with her lifestyle as she learned about global poverty. She was so proud to be on the sidelines cheering on her four little stars, but her heart of compassion drew her overseas. 

There was a community of children out there who needed hope. She knew that she had to do something! In 2003, her family sponsored a boy from Senegal, named Bassirou through World Vision. Seeing Bassirou grow up into a smiling, young, 16 year-old has been a formative message about the power of generosity for the whole family. For a small monthly commitment they could radically change his life and community.

In time, Courtney knew she had to do more to help those in need. Courtney got even more involved with World Vision and is now volunteering as a regional coordinator for World Vision in the Northeast. The rewards for Courtney are in fulfilling the deep conviction in her heart that every child deserves a chance.

The great joy of changing one more life, having one more child sponsored, improving water for one more village leads her on. It is not uncommon for her to be off traveling to conferences on weekends or driving off on Sunday mornings to speak and put together a World Vision table. 

On an intimate level, Kahilu, who is still waiting for a sponsor in the Congo, desperately needs Courtney, my college friend. Courtney is hoping for a new life for Kahilu through somebody's willingness to sponsor her. Courtney is working to make that match! She is looking for someone to help. She reaches out and asks, "Can you sponsor this precious one?" One life at a time is changed by one child sponsor a time. 

The world improves with each “yes.” Please visit Courtney’s sponsor page and find the perfect little one for your family to sponsor. She is has a goal to see 5 kids sponsored by the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. An opportunity to pour out our gratitude and let our Thanksgiving joy run over. Will you help? Like Courtney, let’s change the world one World Vision sponsor at a time! If you'd like to contact Courtney, send her an email.