Free Family Summer Fun - Dragon Boat Festival June 19-22, 2014

When I stumble upon free family activities, I want to share them with the world!

Check out this year's Tim Horton's Children's and family area at the Dragon Boat Festival June 19-22, 2014.

Enjoy!

Summer Family Activities and Coupons (as Usual)

VIA

So back at the beginning of April I posted about Spring activities, but lately weather has been really taking its summer personality. So I think we are officially done with spring and now can get onto planning our short and sweet summer.

Last June, I already posted this great LIST.

And here is my list for this year.

1. Take every opportunity to be outside. This past long winter made me realize that we should not take warm days for granted, even if it is raining. So I encourage my family to get outside every weekend, and every weeknight, be it in the park, playground, by the lake or in our backyard.

2. Plan fun summer. And there are plenty of ways to make it such - water parks, zoos, splash pads, picnics, day trips to other close cities, forests and trails.

3. Get in touch with the countryside. We are so urbanized and store reliant, that we lose sight of where it all really begins. I want my children to appreciate and to learn that most of our food comes from hard working people on the farms. Hence visits to berry and vegetable farms, local produce markets, and animal farms.

4. Unleash your freedom. I want to do something completely liberating, like running with kids in the fields, watching air planes, water hose fights, or star gazing at night.

5. Savour pure and fresh. Summer foods are at their best in the summer! Watermelons, peaches, nectarines, cherries, local cukes and tomatoes, herbs, farm berries, and corn will be on or menu while in season. We must overload on them now, there will be no more of this goodness in colder months.

6. Read and reflect. I want to read something breezy but philosophical this summer.

PS. Check out Ontario Fun Pass with load of activity coupons (it will be updated for 2014 in June), Ottawa Summer Fun Guide, and great Groupon for a rainy day at the Museum of Nature.

What are your summer plans?

Oh Yes, It's June!

Photo credit

Long evenings, warm air (well maybe not so warm lately in Ottawa area), and lots of fresh cherries.
I am in love with all the ripe summer fruits that the nature gracefully gifts us every single year. Juicy watermelons, honeydew, farm strawberries, and more. So you ask, what do kids and I plan to do this month?

Here is a small list. Would you like to try some of these?

1. Walk, run, and ride bikes. Take every opportunity to be outside during this gorgeous weather.

2. Exercise. I know, sounds not so much summer thing, but it has got to be done. My husband and I worked on a plan so that we both can go to the gym and spend some family time each week.

3. Play in the backyard and front yard. Water, bubbles, hose, picnic, play kitchen, everything goes.

4. Read The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing Genius by Kristine Barnett. It’s an amazing true story about the power of hope and a mother’s ability to find the true potential that lies within every child.  I placed a hold at the library today, guess what number I am? 292 on 14 copies. Crazzzy. But really want to get my hands on this book.

5. East ice cream. The title says it all.

6. Rejuvenate with my husband for a whole day at the spa. No kids allowed.

7. Add summer radiance by putting on facial bronzer. We all know tanning and UV rays age your skin, especially on the face. I had always used one by Yves Rocher, but this year I decided to try Honey Bronze Gel for Face by Body Shop. My order shipped today, an I am so anxious. Did I mention I am in love with Body Shop? I should probably work for them. More on this later :)

8. Go strawberry picking to one of the local farms, IF the weather cooperates and we get some warm sunshine for a few weeks.

What are your thoughts? Anything planned for this month?