ML Interest Tag: beaver

Want a 3-Night Stay on Your Own Mountain? Here’s How to Book It

by Karly Wood

Looking for a socially distant vaycay? We think this “Book the Mountain” listing from Vrbo will do the trick.

The annual event is bringing a once-in-a lifetime listing to Eagle Point Resort in Beaver, Utah and you get the entire mountain to yourself! How much will it cost you? Oh, just a $100 a night.

The only catch? You need to be the one lucky family who books the listing first by visiting the Vrbo listing on Fri., Oct. 30th at 1 p.m. EST.

If you snag it, you’ll get private access to the ski-in and ski-out 2,900 square foot chalet that sleeps up to 16 people. The five-bedroom home also has full access to the Eagle Point resort, with exclusive private access to five lifts, 40 ski runs and full terrain.

The booking will be valid for Mon., Feb. 15, 2021 through Thurs., Feb. 18, 2021. Good luck!

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Vrbo

 

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Send Your Kids to Camp Bonkers, a Free Virtual Summer Camp from YouTube

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Grab your kids! Camp Bonkers has officially opened for the summer. Unlike a traditional camp, this one is totally free and you only have to log onto YouTube to attend. 

Camp Bonkers

Camp Bonkers offers a fun digital twist on summer camp, offering kids a safe, interactive and creative space online in the comfort of their own homes. 

Developed by Wind Sun Sky, the creative team behind smash hits like Angry Birds, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ice Age and My Singing Monsters, Camp Bonkers goes far beyond the typical content consumed by kids on YouTube. The team made the last-minute decision to offer Camp Bonkers this summer in response to COVID-19 amid preparing the series for a much larger project coming in 2021. 

Camp Bonkers

Every day at Camp Bonkers is different.  Kids can hang out with friends, play games, go on adventures, sing songs, make fun food, conduct a cool science experiment and so much more.

There are 3 live shows per week at 4:30 p.m. ET (available later on demand):

Make-It-Mondays

What-A-World Wednesdays

Fun-Time Friday

Camp Bonkers

Additional content is led by the camp counselors as well as a group of special guests including Sparkles and Beaver and Scribbles the Cat.

Now instead of spending countless hours browsing YouTube, parents can direct their kids to Camp Bonkers where they can ensure their child will have a fun and educational play experience.   

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy 

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The 3 Habits All Parents Need to Master

By Cindy Price

Photo: Shutterstock

Parenting isn’t easy. Despite all the books that offer advice, websites that give suggestions, experiences that we can access every day, there is no clear and authoritative manual. We make mistakes as parents all the time, some bigger than others. When we do, the guilt can be overwhelming.

But you don’t have to be perfect. The best thing you can do is be honest in your actions with your child. By setting an example now and forming habits that they can emulate, you will be doing more for them than any picturesque Leave It To Beaver life ever could.

Here are three beneficial habits to help develop that will encourage your children to be healthy, happy and well adjusted by the time they are teens.

Communicate Fairly

This is a hard one because it takes a lot of patience, forgiveness and calmness to pull off. Mindful communication means being aware of your feelings, thoughts and needs. But it also means being open to hearing and accommodating the needs of others.

If your child hears you accusing your partner of always doing this, or never doing that, they will start to say the same things. If they hear your partner and yourself call each other names, they will start to do that. If they listen to you shouting insults at a driver who cut you off…well, you get the picture.

Put Away the Smartphone

We spend far too much time on our phones and we all know it. Which is fine, a good portion of the time. But we are becoming so reliant on technology that we are missing out on experiences and awareness of what is around us.

Our kids can be even worse, as they have grown up with this technology. So put away your phone during meals, when you are in the car, when you are at the park, when they are speaking to you…it will make a difference.

Be Understanding of Faults and Mistakes

No one likes to make mistakes, but everyone does. It is important that we learn to be kind to ourselves and others when it comes to mishaps, mess ups and our overall faults. That little voice that tells us we aren’t good enough? We can quiet it and help our children to do the same.

Not only will these habits help you, they will help your children as well. Especially once those difficult teen years begin.

Cindy Price would like to say she's a parenting expert but she knows better than to do that. As a parent educator and writer for over 15 years, she's well-aware how quickly parenting practices evolve. Family is her greatest joy and she hopes her writing can help make families stronger. 

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Funniest Parenting Tweets of the Week: May 24, 2019

by Karly Wood

Oh, hello weekend. Parenting had us on our toes this week and we can’t help but look forward to two semi-blissful days of no obligations. If you’ve had a crazy week, then you’ll enjoy sitting back with our freshest batch of hilarious tweets that are all about the joy of raising kiddos.

 

1. No, it was not.

2. New superhero name!

https://twitter.com/andwhatamom/status/1130595680961982464

3. Oh yes, they should!

4. It’s going to be amazing.

5. 🙄

6. Preggo probs.

7. Every mom. EVER.

8. Whoops.

https://twitter.com/andwhatamom/status/1131381759512154112

9. Or does it?

https://twitter.com/fakeadultmom/status/1131515036940296197

10. Truth.

––Karly Wood

 

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Pink’s Daughter Willow Left Her The Cutest Note on Her Hollywood Star

by Erica Loop

Musician and mama Pink recently recently got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but, as a new interview reveals, the ceremony itself wasn’t her favorite moment.

During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Pink dished about real the highlight of the day. And what made Pink’s heart sing (even more than getting her very own Hollywood Star)? Her daughter Willow, of course!

Pink told DeGeneres, “Willow wrote me a note that said, ‘Mama, this is a big deal and I’m glad it’s you not Justin Beaver’.” Um, Beaver? DeGeneres followed up the cute story by adding, “She’s like the only little girl who doesn’t know how to pronounce his name.”

Of course along with her daughter’s praise, Pink was totally appreciative of the mega-honor that getting a star on the Walk of Fame brings. Even though Pink’s in the spotlight most of the time, the singer admitted she’s not all-in for this type of attention,

“It was overwhelming. I was embarrassed. It’s so much attention.” But don’t think for one moment that Pink didn’t want the award. She also told DeGeneres, “It was amazing today. It was amazing.” And what a sweet keepsake from her daughter as an extra layer of amazing on top.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Pink via Instagram

 

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How to Check If Your Local Toys”R”Us Store Is Closing

by Erica Loop

According to bankruptcy court documents filed Wednesday by Toys“R”Us, the company is poised to close just over 180 of their U.S. stores. Following a rocky 2017, it looks like the new year hasn’t done much to improve the mega toy retailer’s sales. After declaring bankruptcy last year, the company now needs to close almost one-fifth of their stores as part of its restructuring effort. So which stores are closing? Here’s the complete list of Toys”R”Us store closures (pending court approval).

 

Alabama

2600 McFarland Blvd. East, Tuscaloosa AL

335 Summit Blvd., Birmingham AL

 

Arizona

801 W. 32nd Street, Yuma AZ

12801 North Tatum Blvd., Paradise Valley AZ

9139 Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale 4619 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson AZ

7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Scottsdale AZ

US 60 and Signal Butte Rd., Mesa AZ

 

Arkansas

2616 S. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock AR

 

California

42500 Jackson St., Indio CA

1189 Simi Town Ctr. Way, Simi Valley CA

26573 Carl Boyer Dr., Santa Clarita CA

960 Lakes Dr., Covina CA

1600 S. Azusa Ave., Puente Hills CA

2575 E. Imperial Highway, Brea CA

530 Westminster Mall, Westminster CA

20120 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance CA

2550 Canyon Springs Pkwy S., Riverside CA

700 “A” Onstott Rd., Yuba City CA

2785 E. Bidwell St., Folsom CA

1330 Fitzgerald, Pinole CA

4505 Century Blvd., Pittsburg CA

600 Francisco Blvd., San Rafael CA

5461 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood CA

1400 Gateway Blvd., Fairfield CA

3938 Horton, Emeryville CA

2179 Monterey Hwy., E. San Jose CA

865 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose / Almeda CA

3520 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno CA

31250 Court House Dr., Union City CA

10640 Trinity Pkwy., Stockton CA

3900 Bristol Street, Santa Ana CA

3665 Grand Oaks, Corona CA

1240 W. Morena Blvd., Mission Bay CA

8181 Mira Mesa Blvd., Mira Mesa CA

1990 University Drive, Vista CA

 

Colorado

1150 S. Ironton, Aurora CO

 

Connecticut

376 North Universal Drive, North Haven CT

275 Union St., Waterbury CT

3491 Berlin Turnpike, Newington CT

169 Hale Road, Manchester CT

 

Delaware

1061 N. Dupont Highway, Dover DE

 

Florida

1625 Apalachee Pkwy., Tallahassee FL

1900 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg FL

3908 West Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa FL

6001 Argyle Forest Blvd., Orange Park FL

Spring 708 West State Rd. 436, Altamonte FL

21697 State Road #7, Boca Raton FL

10732 SW Village Pkwy., Port St. Lucie FL

450 South SR 7, Royal Palm Beach FL

2601 W.Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee FL

6001 West Sample Road, Coral Springs FL

3214 N John Young Pkwy., Kissimmee FL

 

Georgia

2601 Dawson Rd., Albany GA

2955 Cobb Parkway, Smyrna GA

6380 No. Point Parkway, Alpharetta GA

1155 Mt. Vernon Hwy., Dunwoody GA

6875 Douglas Boulevard, Douglasville GA

8160 Mall Parkway, Conyers GA

221 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan GA

132 Pavilion Parkway, Fayetteville GA

 

Indiana

3928 E 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN

8800 US 31 South, Greenwood IN

 

Iowa

1211 E. Army Post Rd., S. Des Moines IA

8801 University Ave., Des Moines IA

 

Illinois

1610 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park IL

16 East Golf Rd., Schaumburg IL

295 Center Drive, Vernon Hills IL

5001 Lincoln Highway, Matteson IL

6420 W. Fullerton, Bricktown IL

7750 South Cicero Avenue, Burbank IL

5660 Touhy Avenue, Niles IL

 

Kansas

4646 W. Kellogg, Wichita KS

8500 W 135th Street, Overland Park KS

 

Kentucky

4900 Shelbyville Rd., St. Mathews KY

1155 Buck Creek Rd., Simpsonville KY

1965 Star Shoot Parkway, Lexington KY

 

Louisiana

137 Northshore Blvd., Slidell LA

 

Maine

6 Bangor Mall Blvd., Bangor ME

200 Running Hill Road, Portland ME

 

Maryland

8401 Mike Shapiro Drive, Clinton MD

 

Massachusetts

302 Providence, Dedham MA

70 Worcester Providence Tpk/Rt. 146, Millbury MA

50 Holyoke Street, Holyoke MA

217 Hartford Ave., Bellingham MA

6110 Shops Way, Northborough MA

Shoppers World Plaza, 1 Worcester Road, Framingham MA

 

Michigan

5363 Harvey Street, Muskegon MI

2620 Crossing Circle, Traverse City MI

5900 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing MI

4923 28th Street South East, Grand Rapids MI

3725 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor MI

3725 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor MI

 

Minnesota

14100 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka MN

170 89th Ave., Blaine MN

8236 Tamarack Village, Woodbury MN

900 West 78th Street South, Richfield MN

 

Mississippi

1003 Bonita Lakes Circle, Meridian MS

200 Bass Pro Dr., Pearl MS

 

Missouri

1901 Bernadette, Columbia MO

201 Silver Springs Rd., Cape Girardeau MO

5590 St. Louis Mills Blvd., Bridgeton MO

220 THF Blvd., Chesterfield MO

 

Nebraska

3505 S. 140th Plaza, Omaha NE

 

Nevada

2150 North Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas NV

7020 Arroyo Crossing Parkway, Spring Valley NV

 

New Mexico

45 Hotel Circle, Albuquerque NM

 

North Carolina

801 Fairview Road, Asheville NC

7001 Fayetteville Road, Durham NC

3300 Westgate Drive, Durham NC

 

New Hampshire

29 Gusabel Avenue, Nashua NH

 

New Jersey

1280 Rt. 22 & St. James Ave., Phillipsburg NJ

137 Route 35, Eatontown NJ

100 Promenade Blvd., Bridgewater NJ

2700 Route 22 East., Union NJ

909 US Hwy 1 South., North Brunswick NJ

Rt. 541 & Cadillac Road, Burlington NJ

2135 Route 38, Cherry Hill NJ

7 Wayne Hills Mall, Wayne NJ

545 Route 17 South, Paramus NJ

98 Route 10 West., East Hanover NJ

Kids World 900 Center Drive, Elizabeth NJ

50 International Drive South, Mt. Olive NJ

 

New York

139-19 20th Ave., College Point NY

24-30 Union Square E, Union Square NY

5181 Sunrise Hwy., Sayville NY

5214 Sunrise Hwy., Massapequa NY

2335 Marketplace Drive, Henrietta NY

1569 Niagara Falls Blvd., Buffalo NY

401 Frank Sottile Boulevard, Kingston NY

708 Upper Glen St., Glens Falls NY

221 Wade Road Extension, Latham NY

2700 Central Park Ave., Yonkers NY

66 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village NY

1350 Corporate Drive, Westbury NY

108 Veterans Memorial Highway, Commack NY

461 Lycoming Mall Cir, Williamsport NY

1530 Ridge Rd. West, Greece NY

 

Ohio

6251 Glenway Ave., Western Hills OH

2661 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Dayton OH

7841 Mentor Ave., Mentor OH

3610 West Dublin-Granville Rd., Dublin OH

 

Oklahoma

1119 SE 66th St., Oklahoma City OK

5609-E Rogers Ave., Fort Smith OK

560 Ed Noble Pkwy., Norman OK

 

Pennsylvania

100 Welsh Road, Horsham PA

6680 Peach St., Erie PA

3700 William Penn Highway, Monroeville PA

104 Bartlett Ave., Exton PA

2003 Cheryl Dr., Ross Park Mall PA

301 Oakspring Road, Washington PA

18/Valley View Dr., Beaver Valley Route PA

 

Rhode Island

300 Quaker Lane, Warwick RI

 

South Carolina

254 Harbison Boulevard, Columbia SC

 

South Dakota

450 E. Disk Drive, Rapid City SD

 

Tennessee

7676 Polo Ground Blvd., Memphis TN

5731 Nolensville Rd., Nashville TN

 

Texas

801 Mesa Hills Dr., West El Paso TX

9730 Katy Freeway, Houston TX

170 E. Stacy Road, Allen TX

7730 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving TX

420 E. Round Grove Rd., Lewisville TX

13710 Dallas Parkway, Dallas Galleria TX

1309 W. Pipeline Rd., Hurst TX

5800 Overton Ridge Blvd., Hulen TX

 

Utah

4042 Riverdale Rd., Ogden UT

1122 Fort Union Boulevard, Midvale UT

 

Virginia

14173 Crossing Place, Potomac Mills VA

12153 Jefferson Ave., Newport News VA

 

Washington

3567 N.W. Randall Way, Silverdale WA

1325A S.E. Everett Mall Parkway, Everett WA

6104 N. Division Street, Spokane WA

 

Wisconsin

18550 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield WI

2161 Zeier Road, Madison WI

 

What do you think about the store closures? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

—Erica Loop

 

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6 Secrets to Achieving Meaningful & Productive Parenting

By Melanie Carr

Dad comes strolling in the door after a long day of work. Mom welcomes him with a smile, dressed in an attractive outfit (no, not those pajama sweats). The house is in order, everything in its place (sort of like Leave it to Beaver) and she happily informs him that dinner will be on the table in 15 minutes (or is this the episode of Last Man Standing where nobody is allowed to speak to Dad until he has been home for 30 minutes?). The children shuffle in, helping set the table and courteously take their places around the table just as Dad enters.

Hmm… Are these productive parents? Well, yes, in the very strict sense of productivity—tasks are complete, everything seems to be in order and in place, laundry done, children behaving considerately, etc. However, a better question might be, “As a productive parent, what am I trying to accomplish?”

Is it just about getting meals on the table or the laundry done, making sure homework is finished and nobody was left at sports practice or music rehearsal (not that I’ve ever done that!)?

What if the goal is to create a refuge for family members, so they know that they are always welcome and loved here—no matter what kind of day they have had? What if we’re motivated by instilling values and character in our children so they will be “productive” citizens of our communities, learning to be responsible and giving while embracing the joy in the journey?

If these are the effects we are trying to produce as productive parents, perhaps instead of being pre-occupied with putting together a perfect home environment (with everything exactly in its place)—even though that is very nice—we can choose to focus on the priorities of relationship, interaction and creating lasting family traditions (while not ignoring the fact that the house still needs to be cleaned and laundry done, of course…).

Is there a “secret” to this kind of parenting: keeping focus on the most important things while still managing the everyday tasks that need attention? It’s not really just one big secret, but rather six different ways you can change the way you think about parental productivity.

  1. Be intentional. Define the end goal, and don’t be distracted by anything else.
  2. Divvy up and share some of the “everyday” tasks so that the whole family helps get those accomplished—building a sense of teamwork, individual responsibility, as well as learned skills that will benefit all of the family members.
  3. Choose some of the tasks to build a game or family tradition around. I love the scene in Mary Poppins where the children have to clean up their playroom, and she begins to lead them in singing “A Spoonful of Sugar” until the work is finished. Something as simple as this can start a family culture and tradition your children will always remember (and perhaps one day pass on to their children).
  4. Be present in the moment. While organization, a routine, and orderly environment are helpful in keeping a peaceful home and setting for everyone to enjoy, let the family see that sometimes just stopping the tasks to enjoy a fun conversation, an impromptu dance contest or choosing to be present in the circumstances of that moment (eyes connect over a comment—give a hug) are the most important things in the long run.
  5. Build family memories around the little things as well as the big things. Maybe you choose to have grand vacation experiences every year to create huge memories for your crew. That’s an amazing thing to be able to do for and with them. Remember throughout the year, though, to celebrate and build memories around the little things—a special meal served to celebrate certain holidays or accomplishments, a happy dance for finishing a task well, an evening of s’mores around the fireplace for no reason at all—just because. These are the things our children will remember of us as parents—that instill in them the joy of the journey, the importance of recognizing and encouraging those around them, all while carrying inside the investment we’ve made towards their enjoyment of the future and their own families.
  6. Take a few minutes today to choose one thing to do differently. Take two minutes to sit down at the kids table while they have the chalk or Play Doh or bubbles out and join in the fun; take a minute with an older child to tell them about the kind action, responsible behavior, or simple accomplishment they had recently that you noticed and appreciated; spend a few minutes at bedtime reading a short story to the children, saying a prayer with them, or simply listening about their day before saying goodnight.

These are the priceless ways of being (secrets, if you will) of a productive parent, whose children and families know that their home is a welcoming place filled with meaningful traditions, kind and adventurous memories, along with a call to aspire to be something greater—and inspire those around them to do the same.

Featured Photo Courtesy: pressfoto/Freepik

As a long-time devoted wife, mom of all boys and homeschool parent, Melanie is the founder of Dish Dish–Your Online Family Cookbook and passionate about inspiring families to enjoy dinner around the table together.  She enjoys traveling, volunteering with church and community, cooking, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. 

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How to Do the Metro Richmond Zoo with Kids (in Just Two Hours)

by rtjamybond

Yes, D.C.’s Smithsonian Zoo is free and awesome and if you haven’t paid a visit you must go (Pandas!). But if you’ve been there, done that, and you need a unique animal-loving fix, consider a visit to the Metro Richmond Zoo, one of the largest and most unique in our area that’s just a quick two-hour drive south of the city. With more than 2,000 animals spread across 70 acres of land, answering the call of the wild can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are five places to get started. 

#1 The Feeding Giraffes
One feature that makes this zoo so popular and fun is the ample opportunity you’ll have to interact with a variety of animals. In the African Plains section, which features addax, impala, zebra, and kudu, along with storks, cranes, ostriches, cheetahs and elephants, you can actually feed the giraffes from a special platform. The zoo houses a herd of nine reticulated giraffe and they are all too happy to nibble some pre-purchased treats from your hand. You can also feed deer, goats, sheep, donkeys and antelope in the children’s farm area.

#2 Monkey Business
Primates are a favorite here and you’ll find rows of lemurs, marmosets, tamarins, New and Old World monkeys, as well as quite a few apes, including siamangs, orangutans, and chimpanzees. You can get up-close-and-personal (but maintain a modicum of safety) through a glass window with Farley and Zoe, two goofy orangutans.

#3 Birds of a Feather…
If birds are your thing, you’ll marvel at the Chilean flamingos and African penguins, and a walk-through aviary of ducks, pheasants, ibises, and spoonbills. The kids will love being able to enter the budgie exhibit and feed the brightly-colored budgerigars, aka parakeets, from feed sticks.

#4 Cats Steal the Show
Favor cute things with whiskers? You’ll enjoy the fact that Metro Richmond Zoo is a Cheetah Breeding Center and has gained worldwide attention for facilitating multiple births of adorable cheetah cubs.

#5 Hitch a Ride
Perhaps the ultimate interactive element at Metro Richmond Zoo is the newly added Treetop Zoofari zip line adventure, where you can zip from tree to tree like Tarzan and get a bird’s eye view of the animals. But if zip lining requires a little too much adrenaline for you, take advantage of the zoo’s Safari Sky Ride, which will give you a similar view, but from the comfort of a moving seat. Or if you prefer to stay closer to the ground, you can take the safari train for a special view of India and Chinese natives, such as blackbuck, mouflon, Himalayan tahr and takin. Impress your little ones by mentioning that the takin is considered a national treasure in China, much like the giant pandas.

Metro Richmond Zoo
8300 Beaver Bridge Rd. (Moseley, Va)
Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $17.25; kids ages 2-11/$11.25
804-739-5666
Online: metrorichmondzoo.com

Have you visited this zoo yet? Tell us about your favorite part in the comments below. 

–Jamy Bond

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Dad Group Leaders Share Their Favorite Father’s Day Memories

by Gabby Cullen

Making memories with the big guy at home is one of the things we love best about his special day. In a big shout-out to all the dads out there, we’ve asked Dad Group leaders all over the country to share their favorite Father’s Day memories. Scroll down to read about goofy secret names, touching last moments and how even a simple walk can be a top-pop idea, and then tell us in the Comments all about your most memorable Father’s Day.

Photo: Lance Somerfeld

Lance Somerfeld, Co-founder City Dads Group, New York, Ny
Personally, for me, Father’s Day happens year round.  As an at-home dad, Fatherhood is a 24/7 role that I relish in each and every day with my entire being.  So, I don’t necessarily feel extra special on one particular day each June just because the calendar says that it’s Father’s Day. With that said, Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to get the entire family together and so that’s become my annual ritual since becoming a dad seven years ago.

Last year, we loaded up into the car with beach chairs, blankets, sun umbrellas, sports balls and a kite. Then, headed out to our favorite spot in Long Beach on Long Island to meet up with my father for a day of laughter, relaxation, swimming, and good ol’ family bonding. Our day was topped off with a simple barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn-on-the-cob.  It was perfect and hope we can replicate it again in 2015!

Learn more about City Dads Group here.

Photo: David Kepley

David Kepley, Co-founder of  Dallas Dads Group – Dallas, Tx
I love a good walk. There’s a certain expectation in taking a peaceful solo stroll that usually includes taking a trip down memory lane. I tried to take one of these mythical aforementioned walks last Father’s Day, but my boys’ someone-is-headed-for-the-glorious-outdoors radar went off before I slipped away.

Having been caught, we walked and I told them about the houses in our neighborhood that did not exist until after they were born. My oldest marveled at the thought of things that came before him and my youngest made it rain with grass clippings. While I could have enjoyed my walk alone, having the boys along made me realize five years has never moved so fast and I can only imagine the blur getting quicker and better all the time.

Learn more about Dallas Dads Group here.

 Photo: Chris Bernholdt

Chris Bernholdt, Co-founder of Philly Dads Group – Philadelphia, Pa
I grew up in a family of four boys. As a child we were all involved with a program called Indian Guides—designed to bring kids and their fathers closer together through shared experiences. We belonged to tribes, had powwows, and chose our Native American names. I couldn’t wait to be old enough to join, having watched my older brothers blaze a brave trail.

Years later, my dad shared with me what happened on those campouts. After lights out, the guys would play poker, drink beer and have all around “dude time” so I can only imagine what my selection (and his name-vest-wearing!) did for him on those nights around the campfire.

Right around the selection time I was doing a book report on mammals for first grade. I was fixated on a specific animal after doing extensive research and believed it was my spirit animal. My dad asked me what I wanted my name to be and I said without hesitation “Little Beaver” By default, my dad became “Big Beaver”. But, the motto in Guides was “Pals Forever” so he wore that vest proudly for years until I graduated from Guides. When my younger brother joined, he picked Little Eagle, much to my dad’s relief. To this day we are still Pals Forever. Thanks Big Beaver!

Learn more about Philly Dads Group here. 

Photo: Paul Gilbride

Paul Gilbride, At Home Dad St. Louis Chapter – St. Louis, Mi
Twelve years ago my wife and I were enjoying a rare dinner date and after a round or two of our favorite martinis, the expected “this is your life” talk came up. We took a good look at ours—the meals on the go, the housekeeper, the corporate career ladder, two young kids and decided we weren’t were we wanted to be. A month later,  I set aside my financial consulting career and CPA license and my new business card read, Stay At Home Dad. I went from an American career climber into being the CEO of our family of four.

We had a nine month deadline to  judge my success as an at home dad, with the deciding factor being whether the kids were still alive, or not!  Nine months came and went, and everyone was alive and well. I tried to negotiate a bonus for the fact that not only were they alive but all original body parts were still in tact!

I’m still a stay at home dad and there have been hard times, for me and my family, but being the primary caregiver has given me the connections that in the past were more common for mothers to have with their children—the kind of connections fathers today are making as more men choose to stay at home.

Learn more about At Home Dad here. 

Photo: Jason Kriedman 

Jason Kreidman, Dudes to Dads – San Diego, Ca
Shortly after I graduated college, my Dad and I spent a weekend alone to celebrate Father’s Day at a high end spa resort. Nights there are pretty laid-back—everyone is tired from hiking, working out, and all of the activities during the day, so a lot of people play board games, cards, etc., which you can check out at the front desk.

I went to the front desk to checkout a game and the lady said “Oh, is this game for you and your ………”  She paused, and I finished her sentence with “MY FATHER”.  Apparently she thought we were a couple! I had to laugh because there must not be a lot of fathers and sons that go to this resort together! We had a great weekend.

Find out more about Dudes to Dads here.

Photo: Beau Coffron

Beau Coffron, Co-founder SF Dads Group – San Francisco, Ca
One of my favorite memories of Father’s Day is also a bittersweet one. It was three years ago and my dad had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. My entire family gathered together at my dad’s house to celebrate and be together. It was one of the last times all of my brothers and sisters, and most of the grandkids, were together in the same place.

We laughed, we ate meals, we loved on my dad, and we took many pictures. My father was physically wasting away, and didn’t have much energy, but everyone was able to celebrate him one more time. He ended up passing away ten days later, but we were all blessed to gather for one weekend in June to show our dad how much he meant to us.

Learn more about SF Dads Group here.

What’s your favorite Father’s Day memory? Tell us about it in a Comment!

—Gabby Cullen

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Just Opened: Let’s Play Sammamish

by Danielle Fernandez

Seattle is home to a number of indoor play spaces created for the sole purpose of getting the wiggles out when it’s just too cold and too wet to go outside. But for Eastside parents, this means either taking a trip into the city or braving the long lines at the few spaces open in the burbs. Until now. Say hello to Let’s Play Sammamish—a new community play center located in the heart of the Issaquah-Sammamish Plateau. Rain, schmain; it’s time to play!

photo: Let’s Play Sammamish

Filling a Void
Frustrated with the lack of indoor play spaces on the Eastside, local mom Piper Strand decided to take matters into her own hands. Let’s Play Sammamish is housed in a 3,000 square foot garage on Strand’s family property near Beaver Lake. But this is no ordinary garage, this is a haven; a place where you can bring your kids and let them get their wiggles out, gab with other parents, and not have to worry about the clean up. To say this place is awesome and something that has seriously been lacking in suburbia is an understatement. From foam blocks to bouncy houses to fuse ball, there is literally something to entertain every age and stage.

photo: Danielle Fernandez

Make Yourself at Home
Let’s Play Sammamish is broken into two large rooms with every toy a child could dream of. And the best part? You don’t have to buy or store them. Barbie’s Dream House? Check. Electronic Basketball? Check. Fashion Catwalk? Check. This space has it all… and then some!

Strand wanted this to be a place where the community could come together and parents and kids could make new friends. With plenty of comfy seating and wide open areas, Strand has definitely accomplished this.

photo: Danielle Fernandez

Snack Time
Bringing your own lunch or snacks is encouraged, and just in case you are that parent who always forgets to pack a snack, Strand has you covered with some options available for purchase. Let’s Play is clearly run by a mom after our own hearts; you will find extra wipes in the bathroom, hand sanitizer aplenty and Meltdown Passes (if your kid freaks out within 20 minutes of arrival, come back on a different day on the house!).

Parties
What kid doesn’t ask for a bouncy house for their birthday party? Let’s Play offers affordable private rentals of their entire space for parties, and with basic packages starting at $225 for 2 hours it’s a no-brainer. Check out their website for more information and other party options. Insider Tip: Weekday rentals are a steal at $150.

photo: Let’s Play Sammamish

Not Just a Play Space
While ball pits and bouncy houses are fun, you may be looking for more culture for your budding school-age kiddo. Let’s Play offers music classes of mixed ages from infants through age 5 through Lake View Music Together. Art and yoga classes are also offered for 3-7-year-olds through Kid Yoga. Check the website for more information on these programs and upcoming new ways to keep your tykes busy; horticultural classes anyone?

photo: Let’s Play Sammamish

Extra Time to Play? Yes, Please!
If you’re worrying how you’re going to keep your sanity over winter break or between now and when the big guy in red shows up, Let’s Play Sammamish has the answer. The play space will be open every Saturday in December from 10 a.m.-noon in addition to Dec. 22 from 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; Dec. 29 from 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; and Dec. 31st from 10 a.m.-noon. These hours are in addition to their normal playtimes. Note: Let’s Play Sammamish will be closed on Dec.24.

photo: Danielle Fernandez

Let’s Play Sammamish
1804 E. Beaver Lake Dr. S.E.
Sammamish, Wa 98075
Online: letsplaysammamish.com or on Facebook 

Hours: Tues., 10 a.m.-noon; Wed., 3 p.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 9:30 a.m.-noon (more play hours will become available as demand increases).
Cost: Suggested donation of $7 for the first child; $5 for additional children per family

Have you visited Let’s Play Sammamish? Tell us about your playtime in a comment below.
 
— Danielle Fernandez
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