2010 Park Parties Are Almost Here!
Maranda’s Park Parties are almost here! Take a look at what you can expect this summer.
June, 2010
Michigan’s Adventure
Last week Maranda headed to Michigan’s Adventure to find out what makes it a summer hot spot for families around West Michigan.
New Attractions at the John Ball Zoo
This summer the John Ball Zoo has some new additions!
Holland Farmer’s Market
The Holland Farmer’s Market is one of the largest in West Michigan. One of the highlights is free children’s activities each Wednesday and Saturday.
Wrong number!
The other day, I received a “wrong number” text message on my phone. Have any of you ever gotten one of these? This is the first time I have. This one read:
“U don’t deserve ur beautiful room.
I refuse to clean it.
No more money handed over to u unless things change this summer.”
Whoa! After a couple seconds of wondering if this was meant for me, realizing there was no way this was the case, and then feeling slightly embarrassed for the sender, I texted back “wrong number” and received an immediate “sorry.”
I am assuming that this text was sent from a parent to their teenage child. I can only imagine the conversations (or conflict) that surrounded this message. In a way, I was let in to the realities of this relationship that are probably not otherwise shared, even in my therapy office. This was a real interaction.
Summer Reading Club 2010
The 2010 Summer Reading Club has officially kicked off at libraries around West Michigan! The six week campaign encourages kids to read all summer long! Simply visit your local library, sign up for the club and get reading!
This year we’ve partnered with great organizations to provide fun prizes for readers including Meijer, The Holland Aquatic Center, The John Ball Zoo, Avalanche Bay and the West Michigan Whitecaps!! Kids will even have the chance to win a trip for four to New York City.
Get to your local library, sign up for the Summer Reading Club and get reading!!
FREE Tickets to Michigan’s Adventure!!
This weekend on “Where You Live” we’re hitting the road and off to Michigan’s Adventure! We’ll check out all the newest rides and attractions, give you insider tips to make the most of your visit and provide all kinds of ideas to help plan great summer fun for your family! Sign up to win one of two family four packs of tickets to Michigan’s Adventure simply by clicking on the contest button at the top of this site. Good luck and get ready for a summer full of great family fun!!!
Take advantage of the local market!
Since it opened this season, I’ve been itching to make a trip to the local farmer’s market. There is nothing better than strolling past the vendor stands, sampling yummy treats and bringing home a basket of homegrown goodies. That’s why I was especially excited to do a segment on the Holland Farmer’s Market this past week.
Yesterday I headed to Holland for what I heard was “one of the best markets in West Michigan.” I checked out their website ahead of time, which was awesome, so I had no doubt this was going to be a good one. The market is located along 8th Street right outside of the Civic Center.
When I arrived, the first thing I loved is that there is easy and ample parking at the Civic Center and you can walk right over to the vendors. This market has over 100 vendors and I was amazed and the variety of stuff they were selling. There was all the traditional produce, but also beautiful bouquets of flowers, homemade breads and granola, meats and cheeses and even fudge. One thing that they also offer are children’s activities from 10am-Noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Kids can hula-hoop, draw with sidewalk chalk, blow bubbles and learn about nutrition.
When I was done filming, I couldn’t resist snagging some goodies on my way out. After sampling the strawberries, I had to grab a pint from one of the local growers. They were so ripe, I needed to use them up ASAP, so last night after dinner I decided to whip up a batch of smoothies. I just made up the recipie with stuff I already had at home and they turned out really yummy! The recipie is below. It was Sophia approved and a refreshing dessert on a warm summer evening.
1 banana
A handful of strawberries
½ cup of low-fat vanilla yogurt
A handful of ice cubes
Put all the ingrediants in the blender and mix for about 30 seconds or until ice is crushed. Enjoy!
:60 STAR!
See if you can win it in a minute!! This summer I’m thrilled to once again partner with Tommy and Brook of STAR 105.7 to bring some extra special FUN to our Park Parties! Tommy and Brook are looking for people who want to be a sixty second star by playing crazy games on stage. Win the game and you’ll win a family get-away to Avalanche Bay! Get a fifty dollar gift to Celebration Cinema just for trying! Find out all the details at www.westmichiganstar.com and watch for their TV spot on WOOD TV and WOTV 4. “http://www.westmichiganstar.com/pages/tommyandbrook.html”>
Putting limits on a good thing
I remember when I was a young teen and “call waiting” was the technology that was changing how families managed their phone calls. After many frustrating experiences of my parents trying to get a hold of family and friends while I was tied up on the phone, and receiving a constant busy signal, they decided to get call waiting. No instant messaging or texting in these years! I thought this meant that my phone time was now unlimited as long as I attended to the “beeps” of someone trying to call in. I was wrong. Before getting call waiting, my parents sat down with me and together we created a list of agreed upon expectations that went into effect when call waiting was activated—which included no more than 2 hours on the phone in one sitting. Oh, the life of a teenager!
Although I didn’t think it then, I now realize that my folks were on to something in terms of setting appropriate limits for how technology is used within families. Fast forward decades later…I’ve heard it all—2nd graders with their own cell phones, 8 year olds with facebook accounts, 12 year olds playing video games for 8 hours a day during the summer, even families taking road trips with 2 different movies playing and 3 different hand held devices being used at the same time! This past weekend, Maranda highlighted many of the ways that technology can be helpful for families—to stay connected and informed and to increase learning and growth.
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Maranda's Blog
Keep in step with Maranda as she explores issues affecting your family.
Maranda's Go-To Gal
Insights from the mom who helps Maranda get it all done.
Whitecaps Blog
Whitecaps mascot Crash takes you inside the ballpark.
Cruiser's Blog
Cruiser has the inside track for Craig's Cruisers.
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Fifth Third River Bank Run
On pace with the Fifth Third River Bank Run.
Healthy Living
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