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September, 2012

  1. Dinosaurs and Butterflies

    September 29, 2012 by admin

    We are proud 2nd year members of the Milwaukee Public Museum.  Our membership garnishes us $5 parking for the entire day in MPM’s covered lot, a 10% discount in the gift shop and at the café, as well as free stroller rental for the day, and exclusive member viewings and discounts on special exhibitions.  MPM participates in the ASTC so our membership also opens the doors to countless museums throughout the USA.  It is one of our shining budgetary moments.

    Regardless of the positive monetary impact our membership provides, we thoroughly enjoy our visits to MPM.  There are 3 floors of exhibits to explore and a large state of the art planetarium and IMAX theater.  Any age will enjoy their experiences at MPM.  We go several times a year, and usually walk out discussing a display we hadn’t really noticed or enjoyed on previous trips.

    Highlights of the wonderful exhibits include a year round live butterfly wing, a surprise candy store in the Streets of Old Milwaukee, and secret buttons that activate certain characters within specific exhibits (1 hint- in the American Southwest look for the rattle snake and then search the rocks).  Not only will you learn a lot during your visit to MPM, but you’ll have a ton of fun!

    The museum café’s food isn’t spectacular but you can eat relatively inexpensively if you’re careful.  The museum allows you to bring food from home to enjoy at one of their numerous tables inside or out.  The gift shop is large and well stocked.  You could easily spend around 4 hours exploring all there is within MPM.

    Category Jaunts | Tags: ,, | 2 Comments

  2. To dine, or not to dine?

    September 27, 2012 by admin

    Our 3 ½ year old, Bluey, doesn’t usually sit at the dining table for the entire meal.  And 10 ½ year old, Plum, picks at her food or refuses to engage in meaningful conversation.  We TR parents are quick to eat, barely enjoying the flavors of our homemade meals, so that we can occupy Bluey and release Plum from her “prison.”  Admittedly, our meal times are mostly a mess.

    Tip:  check out this article (http://www.ahaparenting.com/ask-the-doctor-1/getting-toddlers-to-sit-at-the-table-for-dinner)

    We are slowly learning that the solution to our mealtime woes is to learn to accept this “mess.”  A time will come when Bluey has more patience for meals.  And Plum will eventually have a more even temperament and an acceptance that every meal can’t be take out from her favorite pizzeria.  And we parents will eventually get to linger over our food as we enjoy our kids’ stories.

    It’s a strategy we’ve employed before: De-problem the Problem.  Facing increasing stress over finding the perfect solution, sometimes (when it’s not an issue of health and safety) it is best to just let it go.  This has worked for our family on topics ranging from potty training, to sleeping patterns, to dealing with our pets.

    We have faith that things will come back around and we’ll eventually get to enjoy the festive family meals we know are possible.

    Until then, we find meaning in the daily attempts.  We don’t give up and allow each family member to grab their own food and then eat it where and when they wish.  We gather our family together for our meals.  A great majority of the time we ask for (and get) their help in preparing what we eat.  We try to engage in conversation at the dining table.  We don’t plan every menu item around the ever changing taste preferences of our children so that they continue to be exposed to all types of foods.  We try and try and try again.  Eventually, our mealtime experiences will shift to match our goals.

    How do you keep your family happy at the dining table?

     

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  3. Know Your City

    September 25, 2012 by admin

    By Brenda Winter Hansen

    The school year’s hectic schedule is upon us and families everywhere are readjusting to being more bound to home base once again.  Sports may swallow your weekends.  Meetings and after school activities threaten to gobble up every free evening.  You may even be feeling a tad claustrophobic from all the “volunteer opportunities” at school.  If you want to get away, but only have a morning or afternoon to do it, then it’s time to look in your back yard.  Okay, not literally.

    If I had a plum for every person I met who hadn’t bothered to explore their own city, I’d be making jam and pies for a week straight.  If this happens to be true about you, then your city is calling out for a little local love and who better to share it with than your children?  You won’t even have to pack the luggage or find a pet sitter.  The Chamber of Commerce is a good place to start if you need a list to check off.  Be careful, though; there are a lot of ways to bust the budget.  Do your research, ask friends, and choose wisely.

    Tours are perfect for local adventures because they marry education with entertainment.  Most fall into one or more categories: history, geography, art, science, or business.  Even if it’s a tour of a factory, you and your kids will be picking up loads of great information about the world, their community, and their own potential.  Encourage the kids to document their experience in any way that interests them: notebooks, audio recordings, sketches, and taking pictures are all fun ways for them to create personal memories.

    For instance, when I took my kids to tour Theo Chocolates of Seattle, we learned about the history of the cacao bean, where and how they are produced around the world and the science of tasting chocolate (Yes, there were taste tests!)  Bonus: they also had discussions concerning the ethics of Fair Trade and Organic Agriculture, and why Theo Chocolates is committed to both. Brilliant and delicious. This tour did charge, but it was worth it!

    With a little internet research I discovered the Tsue Chong noodle and fortune cookie factory in Seattle’s International District.  I was thrilled to discover they offer free tours for groups of children (and a few chaperones).  I sent out the call for more kids to join us, and they came.  It was fantastic.  The grandson of the original owner gave us a lovely introduction about how the factory got started and why it thrived.  I couldn’t have thought of a better way for my kids to learn about Asian-American history and food.  The smells (cookies!), the sights (rivers and mountains of noodles!), the questions (What happened to these funny shaped cookies?) and answers (Oh, those are misfortune cookies.) all contributed to an unforgettable experience.

    Consider taking local tours a step further.  What about organizing a class field trip?  Even if you cannot personally chaperone, if you can make arrangements (with the teacher’s blessing, of course) a local tour could be the highlight of your child’s school year.  Call a local factory, bakery, library, historical or botanical society.  These places may be a great fit and enthusiastic providers of a class-sized tour.

    If you feel even more ambitious, plan your own walking tour!  Every city has plenty of history and as long as you incorporate storytelling and food, it’s sure to be a success.  Be sure to give yourself plenty of planning time beforehand, and build in walking and eating time too.

    Good luck, and get out there!

    Category Jaunts | Tags: ,, | 2 Comments

  4. They’ll Need A Crane

    September 23, 2012 by admin

    We love the International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo.  We believe that it is the only place in the world where you can see, up close, members of every species of crane!

    The ICF is located in a quiet prairie area outside Baraboo, Wisconsin.  The wide paved paths make it easy to walk around while viewing all the different crane species, even if you’re pushing a stroller or wagon.  The birds are very interactive with visitors, coming up to the walkway fence and checking everyone out.

    Tip:  Some of the cranes are sensitive to the color red, so keep this in mind when choosing your wardrobe for the day.  The cranes’ squawk is quite startling and could easily intimidate younger visitors.

    There are nature trails that extend away from the cranes and out into the prairie, if you’re interested in a bit of a hike around the property.  These specific areas are not paved and they are much harder to navigate with a stroller, especially if there has been recent rain.

    The education center provides a more museum-like experience with many facts and stories about cranes around the world.  It also showcases the ICF’s efforts to reintroduce and support the birds in America, which were driven to the brink of extinction in the mid 20th century.  And this center has clean restrooms, benches to sit for a bit, and  a water fountain.

    The ICF participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  If you are a member of AZA, admission is free.  Otherwise, please note that the cost of admission is rather steep.  Parking is free and plentiful.  There are only snack machines for food options and a small, rather pricey gift shop.  The main trails are not shady so be sure to remember the sunscreen!

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  5. Raising Compassionate Kids

    September 21, 2012 by admin

    “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.” – The Dalai Lama

    We strongly believe that all people should be concerned about their neighbors’ welfare.  We hope people do what they can to help those less fortunate around them.   And while it is relatively simple for an adult to get involved in any number of community organizations, it is much more difficult to find something that is truly family friendly.

    To wit:  We’re searching for a way to volunteer within a charitable organization as a family (2 parents with kids of ages 3 and 10.)

    As stated, we have found it very hard to find an event that truly embraces kids’ heavy involvement.  For years, we were deeply committed to a local charity bicycle fundraiser.  But we continually struggled to find a true way for our kids to connect with this event.  We went as far as submitting an official proposal to organizers that would expand the charitable function to make it more family friendly.  When that dead-ended, we decided to sever our relationship with the organization after years of participation.

    Why is it so hard for charitable events to find meaningful ways to encourage kids’ involvement?  Sadly, we feel the main reason is that the organizations don’t appear to be trying.  Sure, you can find little mini marathons for kids prior to a main adult race.  Or you’ll find that kids are welcome to clap and cheer at designated stations for participants.  Small, throw-away gestures to kids are available in many charitable occurrences- mostly from organizations that have aiding children as part of their mission statements.

    But try to arrange a way to truly inter-weave your entire family into the main charitable fundraiser and you’ll probably face huge obstacles.  Most organizations have a cut-off for volunteers that are under 16 years of age.  You may locate one or two events that will accept children 13 years of age or older.  But if your family has anyone younger than 13 – good luck!  They may let your child works beside you, in an ‘unofficial’ capacity, but we’ve yet to find any charitable event willing to allow our entire family into the whole experience.

    We want our kids to be counted.  We want them to be welcomed as fully capable individuals able to contribute to positive change in their world.  We don’t get why this is so difficult for organizations to wrap their heads around.  We know that we complicate this mission further by searching for a multiple day charitable happening.  But we want our kids to be deeply connected.  We don’t wish to show up once a year for one hour and then go on our merry way.  That would be far to fleeting an experience to leave a lasting, memorable impression on our children.

    We’d love to hear your family volunteering experiences and your suggestions!

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  6. Take The A Train: The Toy Train Barn, Argyle, WI

    September 19, 2012 by admin

    We recently had the joy of discovering the Toy Train Barn in Argyle, Wisconsin.  It was a great experience and one of our favorite new finds.

    The Toy Train Barn is a family run model railroading museum set up in the lower level of a large barn.  There are five or six complete layouts in several different scales spread throughout the space.  The level of detail in each layout is impressive and includes people flying kites, firetrucks rushing out of a firehouse, and a man diving off a cliff into a river.  It is simply mesmerizing to inspect each layout and to look for all the little treasures hidden throughout.

    To make the treasure hunting even more fun and interactive, visitors are given scavenger hunt sheets to see what they can locate in individual sections.  Each layout also has several push buttons along the edges that allow visitors to activate various special action parts- make a ferris wheel turn, or a person pop out of a house.  These buttons make the experience very interactive and raise the level of fun.  We loved that we weren’t simply viewers of the displays, but actually involved in operating aspects of each one.

    The owners were busily making additions to a new section while we were visiting.  It was interesting to see their  dedication to making each element as perfect as possible, and to see the process involved in creating these large layouts.  The owners were happy to chat with us about their ongoing projects and how long different aspects took to complete.

    The friendliness of the owners made it all that much easier for us to pay the small fee($5 for adults, $3 for children over 10)  for entry.  We felt that our admission was going directly to the further upkeep and expansion of the museum.

    We look forward to our next visit.  In addition to seeing the development of the barn displays, we also hope that the outdoor rideable train will be operating.  We were sad to hear that it had cracked a wheel and was currently in the shed for repairs.  But we were able, thanks to our young guide, to get into the shed and check out the train up close.  It was a perfect way to end our visit to this delightful spot!  

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  7. Cash Out The Joy Money

    September 17, 2012 by admin

    Part of our continuing series on worry-free cash management.

    We live by a budget.  We would spin into financial chaos without meticulous planning.  We know- we’ve been there.  Keeping to a budget is the ONLY way we can afford to live on essentially one income.  We build our budget carefully and factor everything into our calculations:  groceries, gas, rent, utilities, swim lessons, recreation, etc.  As a result, we rarely use credit cards for anything beyond true emergencies.

    Even with this insanely tight planning, we found our weekend expenses hard to track.  In these days of electronic banking, it can be easy to think you have more money that you actually hold.  We’d find ourselves in a tight spot on a non payday week having overspent the previous weekend.  And we’d argue over how it happened.  We just couldn’t accurately account for our debit card purchases.

    The solution was simple, though hard to circle around to since we’d become so dependent on our debit cards:  CASH.  It seems old school in this day and age to use cash for purchases.  But it is the only thing that works for us.

    We budget for $50 of free spending on the weekends.  This means that anything beyond gas that is purchased on the weekend must come from the $50.  If you want an ice cream cone or a pair of socks, it is out of the $50.  When that money is gone, the free for all is over for the weekend.  Anything that isn’t spent just carries over into the following weekend.  Or it can be used for emergency fun during the week.

    Our family of 4 does just fine on our allotted $50.  In fact, most weekends we have about $10 left over.  And we aren’t sitting at home.  We’re eating ice cream, travelling to our favorite places (like the Milwaukee Public Museum), and shopping.  Most importantly, we’re now functioning within our budget and not fighting over where the money went come Monday.

    It works great for kids too- nothing can better teach them the value of their money.

    If you’ve struggled to keep your recreational spending in check, we suggest you go a cash route.  Or if you’ve developed a different method to keep your budget in order, we’d love to hear what it is.

    Category Money and Finance | Tags: , | 1 Comment

  8. Five Great Museums In Wisconsin

    September 15, 2012 by admin

    TR’s Top Five Museums in Wisconsin (in no particular order):

    Having fun at the EAA Museum

    >National Railroad Museum

    >Milwaukee Public Museum

    >Milwaukee Discovery World at Pier WI

    >Kenosha 3 – Civil War, Dinosaur, Public

    >EAA AirVenture Museum

    As you know, we love a good museum.  We have previously offered our reviews on both the National Railroad Museum and Milwaukee Public Museum.  And we have visited the remaining museums on this list repeatedly.  We offer some highlights below.

    1) The Milwaukee Discovery World at Pier WI is a very large, hands-on science museum split into 2 separate wings- a technology/manufacturing area and a marine sciences/aquarium area.  Admission is steep but they do participate in the ASTC if you happen to be a member  (Alert- if your membership base is within 90 miles of Discovery World, you will have to pay full admission!!!).  Once again, we suggest that you get a membership to the ASTC.  The aquarium is great fun and has plenty of hands-on experiences, like a chance to pet a Ray (they are very cute!)  Climbing around on the big boat was also a joy for our young Bluey.  Most exhibits in the technology area are elevated and require an ability to manipulate gears, so we recommend this area for children five and up.  Our three year old enjoyed his visit, especially the aquarium.  But the technology section required full on parental involvement and Bluey was overwhelmed by day’s end.  Bring your own food to enjoy inside or out as there is only one very small, expensive café within the museum.  Parking in the garage is plentiful and costs extra.

    2) The 3 Kenosha museums are tons of fun.  Two are located right next door to each other (the Civil War Museum and the Kenosha Public Museum) while the Dinosaur museum is a quick drive from the other 2.  The Dinosaur museum is very small with a little gift shop within the main entrance area.  There is a nice effort at creating a hands-on exploration station in the basement, but it will only captivate the attention of ages 5 and under.  The museum is free and you’ll be in and out within 20 minutes.  But you will see more carnosaurs than at museums ten times its size.  The Kenosha Public museum is also free.  It is a great space for exploring all sorts of historical and fine art exhibits.  There are quite a few hands-on areas.  It will take you about 1 hour to go through this museum and it is a great stop for pre-school ages on up.  The Civil War museum charges $7 admission per person for anyone over 15 years of age.  It is a wonderful place to learn about the Civil War.  There is nothing specifically hands-on but many of the exhibits are interactive.  It will take just over an 1 to explore this museum.

    Tip:  Kenosha has a wonderful trolley that takes about a 15 minute loop through the town.  Well worth it and cheap ($1 for adults)!  Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the lakeside views!

    3) EAA AirVenture Museum also participates in the ASTC.  If you aren’t a member, admission is expensive for all visitors over 5.  This museum has a wonderful collection of planes and related memorabilia.  Most exhibits are not interactive.  But there is a special wing for kids that allows for full on exploration.  It takes about 1 hour to go through the entire museum.  Remember that this museum has a working airport so you can usually spot some planes coming in and out.  Parking is plentiful and free.  There are only vending machines and water fountains for refreshments.

    All of these museums within our top five are an hour or more drive from Madison, WI.  They make wonderful day trips and are popular destinations for our entire family.  We’ve been to each museum more than once and look forward to going back again.

    Category Jaunts | Tags: ,, | 2 Comments

  9. Rock Out!

    September 13, 2012 by admin

    We have a very musical home.  Bluey and Plum both have their own guitars that they like to strum while composing original songs.  Recently, Plum acquired her own microphone to add to the mix.  Dad plays guitar and spends many a night on the deck creating music.  Mom loves to sing and will soon learn guitar as well.  We also have a bin in the playroom stocked with tambourines, maracas, a harmonica, etc.

    Tip:  The majority of the instruments throughout our home were very inexpensive.  Plum found her acoustic guitar at a flea market.  The smaller instruments were picked up at thrift stores, or Target, and are mostly plastic knock offs.  Be sure to also explore making your own handmade instruments for a fun family project!

    Recently, the NY Times released a piece on the benefits of music training on developing brains.  We couldn’t agree more with the research!  Though the article didn’t draw the correlation of learning music to the benefits of learning a new language, we’d offer up that connection.  Learning an instrument and having the ability to read music is a tremendous skill and asset for anyone.

    We can’t stress enough the value of self-teaching.  You and your children can explore how instruments work and learn to make your own tunes without any formal instruction.  Just let yourself be free.  Neither Bluey nor Plum take structured guitar lessons at this time.  They’ve expressed more interest in physical activities like swim and soccer right now.  But our musical instruments are out and Dad (who is self-taught) is always ready for an impromptu lesson.

    Even if you don’t know how to really play an instrument, just having them around for exploration is a huge benefit.  Let your inner rock out and see what songs come forth!

     

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  10. Lunch Wars

    September 11, 2012 by admin



    That groan heard throughout the USA is the surge of exasperation from parents once again attempting to pack their kids a school lunch that will be well received, nutritious, inexpensive, and eaten in its entirety.

    Once you take into account your school’s policy on acceptable foods (currently, we struggle with a no gluten rule for snacks), accommodate your child’s preferences, adapt that to the amount of time you have in the mornings to pull it together, and try to maintain your grocery budget – you’ll be sweating from anxiety.

    Let’s break down the different stressors:

    Schools Policies:  We absolutely understand the threat of food allergens for some students.  But it is a sticky road to navigate for the unafflicted.  Not only can these policies wreak havoc on your budget, but they can also create significant obstacles to providing your child with lunch and snack.  You can’t default to PB&J if your school has a no peanuts rule, let alone a gluten free policy.

    Pickiness:  What is it about school lunch that takes an easy going, experimental child and creates a picky, snobby, beast of a kid?  Our Plum typically loves a wide variety of foods.  She’ll eat a PB&J as easily as a dish of gnocchi smothered in pesto.  But try to ask what she wants for lunch and look out!  Her nose wrinkles at the idea of a cheese sandwich with mustard and pickles.  She literally sobs at the idea of leftovers from dinner:  spaghetti, soup, or maybe a burrito.  The only suggestions we get from her after a lot of cajoling are “left over pizza” or “veggie bologna.”  Great!  But these are items that we don’t stock up on during our weekly shopping, so they will not typically be available to pack for lunch.

    Budget:  Thanks to policies and pickiness, staying within an established grocery budget becomes a giant pain once school opens.  Last year, a teacher sent home a snack list to accommodate a gluten sensitive child and requested that the parents rotate through the items each week.  The list had only expensive name brand snacks found at specialty shops and organic specific produce.  We had a good laugh over that one.  And if you allow your child to buy a school lunch, that is a separate cost to factor into your budget.  Then that choice raises a host of additional questions about the nutritional and environmental value of the cafeteria food.  The only solid suggestion to tackle this budgeting dilemma is to plan, plan, and plan some more.  And be prepared to put your foot down if needed.

    In an attempt to navigate the mine field of school lunch, we’ve tasked fifth-grade Plum with creating a list of acceptable lunches and snacks from home.  It is our go-to for selections when we have morning suggestions that are snubbed by Plum.  If you don’t want the left-over avocado, cukes, and tomato for a sandwich, along with some grapes and pretzels, then pick something off the list.  If you don’t want anything from the list either, you pay for school lunch with your own money.  If you don’t have cash, you’re out of luck and packing something from home for your lunch, regardless of your level of enthusiasm.

    We like that our Plum is more involved in this topic now.  We like that she has more responsibility for her lunch and that she pays more attention to what goes in it.  She has a better understanding of the budgetary and dietary aspects of her choices.  But that said, she still brings home parts of her lunch that are essentially uneaten.

    This has been our solution so far.  We welcome additional ideas!

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