It's Too HOT!
It's too hot to play outside. Take it from these kids, walking just a few blocks to the library on Wednesday nearly made them faint!
TrayVon, Bryce, Jasmine & Susan all agree that it's way too hot in SC this week!
So what is a kid to do?
The pool is an obvious choice. Locally, Prestwood Country Club and the Sonoco Lakeview Club are full of kids each day. The old standby of sprinklers and baby pools are in almost every front yard.
For some non-TV, FREE indoor fun, try these ideas:
Visit the Hartsville Museum. Not only is it air conditioned, it's designed perfectly for children. All on one floor (you can't lose them, even if you try) and there are sections that they are allowed to touch. Learning about where you live is great fun at this museum... and it's free!
Visit the Hartsville Memorial Library. This library is just full of great things, from children's computers, a fun reading castle and rocking chair area, and of course... books galore. Go on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the conference room for a great FREE kid program. The library has a list of the rest of the readers; so far, we've seen an author/illustrator and a magician. Vaughn, the new Children's Librarian, is lots of fun and gives each kid a ticket and chance to win cool prizes at each Wednesday performance. Ask at the desk for a Summer Reader's Program, and you have an opportunity to fill out the books read this summer and get a free taco from Taco Bell. Some of the kids at last Wednesday's event have already read over 30 books this summer!
While at the library, check out some books on crafts, sewing, art or cooking for more indoor fun.
Cooking: But, the mess! Just let 'em help clean up. Even older kids get bored when the temperatures soar, so I got my daughter a cupcake book and some cake decorating supplies and just let her teach herself.
Sewing: Even boys enjoy learning to sew, promise! And you don't have to get a lot of supplies. Use some of their outgrown clothing, a large bag of polyfil, needles and thread and let them design their own pillows. When my sons were small, they enjoyed sewing very much. We still have some odd shaped pillows made from the leg of some outgrown camouflage pants, and some sport shirts with the arms, neck and bottom sewed up... not expertly sewed, but sewed up just the same. And hand sewing takes a lot of time and patience, something that kids bombarded by media are sorely lacking. Designing their own stuffed animals is pretty cool, too. Wee Wonderfuls has some great free patterns; the Wee Pattern is easy for kids; the Wee Kitty and Wee Bunny are better for older kids, and requires a sewing machine.
Crafts: The library has a ton of good craft books, and of course the internet is a tremendous resource. Sometimes the kids just need to be inspired on new things to try, crayons and color books can be pretty boring after a while.
Here are some easy sites to try:
Paper Toys (very good site)
Or, take out some great art books and let the kids explore an artist at a time. You'll be surprised how well a child can mimic an artist's work after they've been immersed in the images of an artist. Your child's version of the Mona Lisa may have pink hair, but she'll be a totally original piece of art.
Writing Letters: How often do we get "real" mail anymore? Encourage the kids write letters to their elderly relatives. The letter doesn't have to be long, just the practice of composing, addressing an envelope and mailing it will be reinforced tenfold when they are sure to get a phone call from the recipient...and better yet- maybe even a letter in return.
So, turn off the TV, and have some indoor summer fun!
80 Proof
I also recommend drinking liquor all day in the sun...you will soon forget you are hot at all.
And at some point after a large amount of consumption, you will think it is 1993, forgetting all of your current concerns and woes as they relate to 2007.
SS
'93?
In 1993, there was another Bush in office... go back further!
Agreed
Ok---1977
Plus you could look like hell in that era, which makes it even more of a vacation.
SS
1977?
Ah...in 1977 I was four years old and didn't have a care in the world! Thanks Sandy Sue!
memories of 1977
Awesome choice, SS
I was 10 years old and madly in love with Andy Gibb. My friends and I watched Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Three's Company, and Little House in the Prairie....and read every Judy Blume book we could find. And, greatest of all, my favorite all time President Jimmy Carter was in office.
I am no Rosalyn
JIMMY CARTER???
That thought alone would make me drink in the sun even harder!
SS
1977
The year I was born. I want my time machine to take me to 1993. I'd spend more time with my grandma before she died. I instead spent all my time with a loser boyfriend that I "loved."
1993
Nah, let's stick with 1993 since I was only seven years old back then. I have nothing but fond memories of my childhood and often wish I could visit them all over again.
1962
Me too, jaturnage, me too.
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