Please join us for a fun night of fashion and food benefiting Susanna Wesley School, Shelton CT.

RSVP by November 30 to Roberta at 203-925-1076
Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door!

Summer in Full Swing

It's a little over the middle of July and I feel like I've loaded all our activities this month and going into August, too. Before I know it, school will be back in session early September! Where has the summer gone?

Our family took a great trip with friends to Hilton Head Island, SC a couple weeks ago and had beautiful beach days, kayaked and even went on a shrimping boat. In addition, we took a day trip to Savannah, GA. Our girls (ages 6-11), visited the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace, which is a museum with many treasures of the great founder of Girl Scouts of America. It was the highlight of our visit!

Back in CT, my son and daughter have been scout camp and have enjoyed several activities throughout the day, including swimming, archery, nature, scout skills, and more. The counselors and staff are wonderful with the kids and I know they are in good hands. They are already talking about next year and doing overnight camp!

Aside from camps, there are just other things you can do with your family in and around the area. I found a post from a mom on Facebook (thank you Agnes) who put a list together of various things to do that are affordable. Some include visiting local state parks and beaches. Some, I mentioned in my previous post, which includes visiting your local library. Many offer free passes to museums, the zoo or other outings. Check out the list and see if there is anything you may find interesting and fun for your family:

Free or discounted recreation passes 

Each library has different passes. Check their website for a complete list and details. Some require you to be a resident or a $10 deposit. Most common ones are Beardsley Zoo, Discovery Museum, Peabody Museum, state parks, Mystic Aquarium and many more.

Libraries

Summer Reading programs are underway, but many also have other children’s programs and a nice play area. Check their websites for schedules.

Derby Neck Library
Derby Public Library

Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in Monroe
Woodbridge Town Library
Oxford Town Library

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

Beaches 

If you go on the CT gov website, you can find many state park/beaches available. In addition, you can download a GPS app that helps you explore the various parks in CT. http://www.pocketranger.com/apps/connecticut

Hammonasset Beach State Park - Madison. Great beach, a nature center with children's programs as well as campground. Go for the day or spend a weekend. 

Short Beach – 1 Dorne Dr Stratford - $20 per day parking fee

Walnut Beach- Milford - you can park on the street and not pay a fee, or for a small amount, park in the parking lot. There is a boardwalk that goes to Silver Sands. It's a nice walk and if you do it round trip, I believe you walk about 2-3 miles. http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325262

West Haven Beach – 6 Rock St – parking meters (West Haven has the boardwalk, playground, piers and just lots of action for the kids to watch)

Lighthouse Point Park – 2 Lighthouse Rd New Haven - $20 per day parking fee and small fee for the carousel that runs only on Sat & Sunday. (There’s the lighthouse, playground, beach and carousel).

Farms

Some of these have animals, some have activities and some are just pick your own fruit.

Benedicts’s – 480 Purdy Hill Rd, Monroe – they have animals in the back that the kids can check out and pet and in the fall they have a hay tower kids can climb and a corn pit. (that may be in the fall...not sure about the summer)

High Wire Deer & Animal Farm – 66 Park Rd, Woodbury – they have all kids of unusual animals like zebras and kangaroos. There’s a picnic area for lunch and the fee is $6 per person and kids under 2 are free. Check heir website because they’re not open everyday.

Silverman’s Farm – 451 Sport Hill Rd Easton – pet and feed the animals. $5 per person plus quarters for the food for the animals.

Well’s Hallow Farm – 656 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton – plants, animals and ice cream. Not sure of pricing but places like this are usually cash only.

Jones Family Farms – 606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd Shelton – pick your own strawberries and blueberries. Check their website for what is in season for harvest.

Lyman’s Orchard – 32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield – pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pears and apples. Check website for what’s in season.

March Farms – 160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem. Pick your own strawberries, blueberries, peaches and apples. Plus they have goats, a huge play area for the little kids and a maze.

Local Playgrounds & Parks
Gary Park – Gary Rd, Seymour – playground and fields

Bodie’s Place at Eisenhower Park – 780 North St, Milford. Awesome playground with sandbox and separate areas for older kids.

Ansonia Nature Center – 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Wooden playground, pond, walking trails and small animal/reptile exhibits inside with a bathroom.

Pease Place – 160 Pease Rd, Woodbridge. Boundless playground like Bodie’s Place

Boothe Memorial Park – 5800 Main St, Stratford. Playground, train museum free but only open Saturdays from 1-4) , beautiful buildings and there used to be some animals in the back. There’s also a smaller playground down the hill from where the old tolls are that’s perfect for little kids who are still scared of the big one.

Longbrook Park – 24 Hurd Ave, Stratfrod. Playground, fields and a splash pad. Not sure if this is residents only

.
Matthies Park – 215 Pines Bridge Rd, Beacon Falls. Playground, pond and walking trails.

Dickinson Park – 50 Elm Dr, Newtown. Playground, fields, skate park and walking trails.

Osbourndale Park – 555 Roosevelt Dr, Derby. Feed the ducks, pick some flowers in the fields, have a picnic or go on a hike.

Racebrook Tract – 905 Racebrook Rd, Orange. Walking trails and educational nature trail.

Shelton Trails – Constitution Blvd past the Intermediate. Trail goes down by the High school, across Meadow St and over a bridge. Beautiful views and nice nature walk.

Sleeping Giant – 200 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden. Hiking trails and a nice easy tower trail that leads to a castle on the top of the mountain that’s stroller accessible.

Movies/Misc/Other

Bowtie Cinemas has free movies. Bowtiecinemas.com look under Summer Kids Series
Free movies on the Riverwalk in Shelton – start July 18th. Find the schedule on Valley Independent Sentinel online.

Southington Drive In Theater – 935 Meriden Waterbury Tpke, Plantsville. $15 per car. Check out their 2015 schedule online.

Free bowling. Check out Kidsbowlfree.com for details.

Free concerts – each town usually has a free concert either on Friday or Saturday nights. Check your towns website for info.

Pez Factory – 35 Prindle Hill Rd, Orange. Tours are $5 or less depending on age.

Stew Leonard’s - 100 Westport Ave, Norwalk. Shopping for mom and an experience for the kids, Plus ice cream.

Bronx Zoo – free on Wednesdays (they ask for a donation).

Also check out the Aquarian Water Company website. They offer a lot of B1G1 deals for admission tickets to a few good places like the Zoo and Mystic.

So many Camps, so little time.

It's that time a year again when many families are planning summer activities, including vacations, camps and day trips. I, for one, have already filled my summer calendar for the most part and can't believe how little time we have to enjoy a long, leisurely summer. But, if you are like me, I also want to provide my children with great experiences.

When I first started the planning, I knew I was only going to put my children in one camp and the rest of the summer would be "free." I soon came to realize that even though I only signed up my kids for one camp each, the rest of the summer is filled with traveling to other places, including our annual vacation with friends and a 2-week trip to visit my father in Florida. Don't get me wrong. I love we are doing these things, but I just wish the summer was longer.

It's hard to not get sucked into the desire to fill every waking moment with some sort of activity or outing. It keeps you organized. It makes you feel you are in control and know what to expect. Your kids also know what to expect and won't keep asking you, "what are we doing today?", or that they will sit in front of the t.v. or their iPad as long as you allow.

On the other hand, this planning puts a damper on the spontaneity that is supposed to be part of the fun of summer. It's sort of a conundrum. Do I plan a fun-filled summer or do I just play it by ear and see where the day takes us??

Although I do not have a need to sign my kids up for a bunch of camps this year, I can certainly recommend some that my kids have attended in the past or others I have found interesting. There are many new businesses that have come along in the last few years and you are certain to find something for everyone.  I hope you check out these local places for some fun experiences for your child(ren). Maybe you aren't as insane as I am and you have a free calendar!

Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport, CT
Boys and Girls Club, Ansonia, Seymour and Shelton, CT
Camp Invention, various locations, including Shelton, CT
Girl Scouts of CT, various locations, including Milford and Oxford, CT
Grandma Josie's, Monroe, CT
Housatonic BSA (cub scouts and boy scouts), Orange and Goshen, CT
Lego Camp with Play-Well TEKnologies, various locations, including Shelton, CT
The Giggling Pig, Shelton, CT
Pinwheel Studios, Shelton, CT
Skyhawks Sports, various locations, including Shelton and Monroe, CT
Susanna Wesley School, Shelton, CT 

Connecticut Parent has a listing of several camps around CT. 

Also, don't forget to check out your local churches for their VBS programs. Not only are they close, but inexpensive, too!! 

Your Park and Rec department is a great resource as well.

If I find other camps, I will update my list. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to comment. 

Fun, Food and Fashion!

Looking for a fun way to enjoy an afternoon of tea and fashion with friends? Check out the Purplicious Fashion Show, hosted by Susanna Wesley School in Shelton, May 30th 12-3pm. 

In cabaret style, bring your lunch or snacks, and the school will provide the beverages and dessert, while enjoying a fun fashion show, courtesy of Dress Barn.


Tickets are only $10. Contact Roberta Cenci at 203-925-1076. 

Seats are limited!!!

Proceeds from the event benefit the Margaret Rose Memorial Fund to benefit Susanna Wesley School.

Summer Camps Abound!

If you are like me, you have already planned your summer with activities to fill your children's day. School will be over before we know it and you might feel a bit of panic as you realize your children will be home EVERY day for a little over 2 months!

Take a breath and relax. I've found some great opportunities for families to enjoy the benefits of camp without necessarily breaking the bank. Here are a few places I'd encourage you to check out:

Susanna Wesley School of Shelton is hosting week-long camps for your pre-schooler starting in June and through July. Contact the school at 203-925-1076 for more information.

CT Fitness Pros in Shelton will have kids' camp for three 1-week sessions in the summer: July 11-15, July 25-29, and August 8-12. Open for children ages 4-10. Contact Liza Bailey at info@ctfitnesspros.com or 203-331-6396

Skyhawks offers sports related camps in the Shelton and Monroe areas. Children as young as 3 can join in on the fun. Visit http://www.skyhawks.com/ for more information or visit your local community center.

Valley Karate of Shelton is holding two camp sessions in July and August. It is open to ages 5-14 and will be held from 8:30-12:00. Contact Sarah Bergers at 203-924-CHOP.

Youth Elite Soccer will have a soccer camp for children in Shelton mid-August for children from 4 up to 14 years of age. For more information, call 203-455-6910 or visit http://www.sysonet.org/

Not Here, But Near:

Fun Factor in Middlebury 203-528-0118. http://www.funfactorusa.com/. An indoor inflatable facility.
The Little Gym of Orange (203) 298-4131. www.thelittlegym.com/OrangeCT. Flexible camp schedule.
Tumble Jungle in Newtown 203-426-1300. http://www.tumblejungle.net/. Perfect for pre-schoolers!

Other Camp Options:

Your local library has several activities for your children throughout the summer filled with fun and reading all wrapped into one! Kids can sign up for the summer reading program and earn prizes, while enjoying great books. In Shelton, we have two wonderful libraries, Plumb Memorial Library and Huntington Branch Library. Visit http://sheltonlibrarysystem.org/ to learn more about their summer programs.

Vacation Bible School offers an enriching experience for your children, not to mention a cost effective option for many families. Check your local churches for more information.

Barefoot Books Tour

Barefoot Books Tour

If you are in the Boston area, make sure to visit the Barefoot Books store in Concord MA. There's something for everyone! Their new pottery studio looks great, too!

Time to Reflect and Slow Down

This has to be one of my most favorite times of the year. I love that Easter happens in the Spring, which of course, means renewal and rebirth. What a perfect way to celebrate this joyous holiday! The birds have come back from their winter break and the bulbs are sprouting from the ground. This scene is a sight for sore eyes here in the Northeast, given our crazy winter this past year.

I love Easter also because I tend to do more for my Christian soul than I do any other time of year, even Christmas. I try not to get so caught up in all the marketing hoopla and focus on the importance of what this holiday really means to me.

Over the years, I've gained so much more knowledge on what it is to be a Christian. I've actually opened up the bible and and read through the historical accounts that many of us only learn from the movies or t.v. And in the last year, I've learned even more and have actually felt that holy spirit work its wonders. Amazing!

In our society of busy, busy and more busy, I've taken the opportunity this season to take the time to stop, reflect and SLOW DOWN. You can ask anyone I know...I am always on the go, doing something with my kids or participating in some sort of event. I tell myself that I thrive on being busy. But, that busyness does take a toll on you, not only of the body, but of the soul.

So, I decided this lenten season to cut back on my computer time significantly and not go on it past 10 pm. It's been hard at times, and I haven't been perfect with keeping my promise, but I will say I've gained a much better sense of peace. Plus, I found more time to read and do other things I would normally have not done. It's been a wonderful experience. I am even considering keeping this up past lent and make it a continual practice.

So, as the season of lent is ending and Easter is beginning, I hope you see there is more to being busy. It's ok to say no to that birthday party or activity your kid is dying to try. It isn't necessary to fill the calendar to the brim and it's ok to leave some space for other opportunities. Bring back some old fashioned things, like Family Game Night (preferably without technology), and take time for yourself, your family, your mind and your soul.

You'll be pleasantly surprised what you gain from slowing down.