5 FREE Storytimes for Kids in Maryland

Looking to get your kids out and about to do a little learning combined with some fun this summer? Here are some ideas for completely FREE storytimes and activities for your littles! I didn't include storytimes at local libraries because by now I think I have promoted them enough through my blog that you know of their existence. Please do check out the storytime schedule at your local library though - they are fabulous!

1. Read with a Ranger!
Check out Oxon Hill Farm National Park. Every 3rd Monday of the month, you can attend a free Ranger storytime with Ranger Steph. The storytime runs a full hour and includes stories, songs, and activities. https://www.nps.gov/oxhi/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

2. Storytime @ Whole Foods
The Columbia Whole Foods offers storytime at 10am every Tuesday for kids ages 2-5. Snack provided. Check out the schedule here:  http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/service/story-time

3. Barnes & Noble Story Times
The one in Ellicott City offers story times at 11am every Monday and Thursday. Be sure and check out your local Barnes & Noble for more information. While you are there, sign your older child up for the summer reading program they offer so they can earn a free book! https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2831

Thomas Isaac Log Cabin in Ellicott City, MD

4. Pirate Story time @ Urban Pirates
Come and enjoy storytime every Wednesday and Friday @9am from June21st - August 25th at Urban Pirates in Baltimore. After storytime, you can stay for the pirate cruise at a 25% discount! Check out their website for more information. http://www.urbanpirates.com/baltimore_storytime.html

5. Colonial Story time @ Thomas Isaac Log Cabin
Wouldn't your child love to be able to say they participated in a storytime in a real log cabin! You're in luck if you are in the Maryland area! The Thomas Isaac Log Cabin is offering free storytimes all summer (there's air conditioning, so no worries about the heat). The dates and times offered are: July 5 @10am, August 1 @9am, August 22 @10am, September 12 @9am, and September 27 @10am. These aren't publicized online, but if you want to call to confirm and get more details, here is the number 410-313-0419 for more information!

Day 282

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Places/Activities: Honestly, we've been so busy since Thursday that I haven't had much time to sit and relax and write the blog. Today is Monday, and we finally have some "down" time so I can write a little about yesterday. The twins are happily emptying out every. single. toy from their toy box, so I have a few moments to sit and type on my computer while occasionally looking up to make sure they aren't getting into too much trouble.

The day started off well. After some meltdowns before we went to the Colonial Market Fair at Banneker Park yesterday, Squeak woke up, put on a smile, made her bed, got washed and dressed, and was ready to start the day. This made the day start off so smoothly. Fingers crossed this behavior continues!

Today we got up and went to the zoo to have a meet up with 3 other twin mamas and their families. It was a lovely time - though I think Puff was the only super unhappy camper (please let these molars come in soon so we can be done with teething). These mamas traveled all the way from New York and Connecticut to visit with us at the Maryland Zoo. I feel pretty blessed and it was wonderful to have them be able to come down and visit. Next time, I'll be the one to pack up the kids and head up north! It just goes to show that friends can be made anywhere and from all walks of life. After we came home, the twins took a nap and Squeak and I left to go exploring while D washed her car and got in a workout. Squeak and I explored Historic Ellicott City as part of a Passport activity for summer. It was fabulous! She has asked me to read her the passport guide SO many times since getting it last Thursday. She is really into learning about historic places. I hope she continues to love history as she gets older. It took me a REALLY long time before I began to appreciate history, so seeing such an eagerness to learn in one so young is really encouraging. We learned about lots of neat stuff. I'll likely be posting another blog entry about that soon for fun summer activities just for those local to Howard County. I love being able to learn new things alongside Squeak! We were pretty tuckered when we got home and enjoyed an evening outside at the kiddie pool. D and I put our feet up while watching the littles play and splash in the little pool on the deck. Such a gorgeous day. I didn't want it to end.

Patapsco Female Institute. We got a free tour!

Patapsco Female Institute - inside.

Thomas Isaac Cabin - we pass by it all the time. Today we got to go inside!

Good Deeds: No good deeds today, other than making a purchase to support the Howard County Historical Society. I don't think I've ever spend so much on a coloring book before, but it was for a good cause and Squeak was excited to get it!

Reading:I'm almost finished my 82nd book, Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Click here if you want to see all the books I've read so far this year. It's pretty good, and I'm glad that I'm going to be getting in some YA reading before I return to work in the Fall! I need books to recommend to my kids!


Recipes: After we put the babies down for naps and before Squeak and I went exploring, I put together this Beef and Broccoli recipe from New Leaf Wellness for the crockpot. Holy smokes, did it turn out fabulously!! We loved it! Squeak even ate the meat (which is a total shocker). I think next time I might hold back a bit of the broccoli and wait until closer to the end to put that in - the kids weren't as fond of the broccoli this "cooked," but D and I LOVED it! Honestly, I think this beef and broccoli recipe was even better than what we've had from Chinese restaurants! I will definitely be making this again soon!

Random Thoughts: It's difficult to comprehend that my babies are closer now to two than to one and my oldest baby is almost five... I was holding Puff at bedtime tonight and she gets so snuggly now. For being one so strong willed and demanding, she is also the sweetest. She wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head to the side while I sing to her. When I'm done singing, I whisper sweet thoughts to her, and she mumbles sweet nothings in response. I've been taking a mental note so that I don't forget these wonderful times. I know they are numbered. D and I alternate putting the twins to bed so we each get our snuggle time with them both.

10 FREE Things to do with Kids this Summer!

I was going through my list of places I wanted to visit with the kids this summer, and I realized that there are a lot of fun things to keep us all occupied - many of them free! So, here's a list I put together of just the FREE things my kids and I are going to do this summer.

1. Build a Better World @ your library

We've already signed up for the summer reading program online for the summer. I really like the way Howard County Library sets up their program - everything is done online. Each time I read a book, I can log it online. After so many books, they receive entries for prizes they can earn at the end of the summer. Super easy and a nice way to keep your kids in books over the summer. Check out the program offerings, too! There are a lot of free weekly storytimes and programs at a library near you! Not only is there a summer reading program for youngstersand their siblings (newborn - high school), there's also a special program for adults, too! You'd better believe I'm logging in all the books I read!

2. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program

This is for students entering 1st grade up through 5th grade. Read some books, keep a log, and earn a FREE book at the end of the summer! Here's the link where you can download and print a reading log for your child to keep track of the books they read. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading

3. Tracks and Trails

This is a program I just recently found out about and Squeak is already SO excited to do it! It's free to sign up online and you earn prizes as you take walks/hikes and complete fun activities right in your own backyard! Help your child keep an online journal about the trails you explore and the things you see and do. Each journal entry and hike helps you earn badges that in turn will earn you real prizes such as a backpack, bandana, stickers, and more! Yes, it's TOTALLY FREE! Squeak can't wait to take her next adventure and is already expecting her first prize in the mail! Visit www.kidsinparks.com to open your free account and get started!


4. Every Kid in a Park program

This is for 4th grade students, and educators of 4th grade students only, but what an amazing deal. Your 4th grader is able to receive a FREE pass to any and all National Parks for the ENTIRE YEAR and for the ENTIRE FAMILY! Such a wonderful idea and program. Visit here for more information and to print out your pass!


5. National Parks Junior Ranger Program

Squeak is "sworn in" as a Junior Ranger

Visit a National Park ranger station, and request a Junior Ranger packet for your child. As you explore the park together, complete the packet. The packet will ask you specific questions about things you saw and explored together, and ask you to record your observations. This is great way for kids to stay on target through the summer with reading, and to get them excited about exploring nature. Before leaving the park, take your completed packet to the ranger station and receive your special certificate and park ranger badge! Click here for more information about National Parks in your area and to see if the Junior Ranger program is offered at a park near you (most of the parks have them)!

6. Kids Bowl Free

Kids bowl free at certain bowling alleys all summer long! You will need to register ahead of time, and adults will need to pay if you'd like to play, but what a great deal! Check it out at: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com to find a bowling alley near you and to register! Last I checked, the site was temporarily down, but I'm sure it will be back up and running in a jiffy!


7. IKEA Tuesdays

Kids eat free on Tuesdays at IKEA. So, wait for a rainy day and take the kids to IKEA. Drop them off at the Small Land to play in the ball pit while you shop in peace and quiet (though your non-potty trained kids will have to stay with you, so it might not be terribly quiet). Then swing back to get your kid and grab their free meal. Have a look at their menu before heading over. IKEA menu (scroll to bottom). A great deal!

8. Lego Workshops

Have a kid ages 6-12? If yes, then you are eligible to sign him or her up for the free monthly building workshops hosted by your local Lego store! I really want to take Squeak, but your child HAS to be 6 before they are able to attend. After you build your kit in the store, you get to take it home to keep! You'll need to be a Lego VIP member before you are able to register (don't worry, it's free to become a member). I'm sure the dragonfly is already booked for this month, but keep an eye out on their website for upcoming dates so you can register your child! Click here for the link. 

9. Home Depot Workshops

The first Saturday of each month, Home Depot offers a free kids workshop where your child can build a project to take home. I find these workshops to be excellent for teaching my kids about tools, how they can be used, learning to follow directions using a series of pictures, and to get their hands dirty. At the end of the workshop, your child will receive a special pin to place on their apron. Squeak is getting quite the collection already - it's rare that we miss a workshop! If you are interested in attending, be sure and register your child online ahead of time so Home Depot has enough time to order the correct number of kits they will need for the workshop. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty - the pain isn't washable! Click here to register for an upcoming workshop. 

10. BMA - Free Family Sundays

Squeak has been asking to go back to the Baltimore Museum of Art, and how can I say no? Fantastic artwork, a gorgeous space, and it's absolutely free! We travel to DC to take advantage of the free museums, but having some in Baltimore makes life so much easier! Each Sunday this summer, a free family activity will also be offered. So, be sure and take advantage! Here's a link to the website where you can view all of the activities planned. https://artbma.org/events/family.html

If you're still looking for some fun things to do this summer, I've been keeping track of places we've traveled and visited so far this year and have recorded them on the map below. Lots of good tips and links on the places marked!

Day 278

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Places/Activities: This morning I woke up early (4:15am) and got in a workout. I was pretty proud of myself for getting out of bed. I put up a calendar in the basement. Each time I work out, I can put a sticker on the calendar. Yep, even as an adult the sticker reward chart is still motivational for me. I made breakfast for me and D and got a jumpstart on the typical Thursday cleaning day by stripping and making our bed and throwing in some laundry. This morning I looked through a bunch of cookbooks and went through the blog to write down all the recipes I've shared this past year. I work much better from recipe cards. So, not that I'm just about caught up on recipe cards, I've begun meal planning for the next year. Yeah, you read that right. I'm meal planning for the next YEAR. Maybe not every single meal (because I'm sure there will be requests, or days that I just throw in the towel and get take out) but a good number of them. I'm looking for lunch ideas for me AND the kids... so if you have any, let me know! Anyway, after breakfast and meal planning, the twins and I ran a couple of errands. The rest of the day was spent reading books, and cooking! We had a friend join us for dinner, and my mom took Squeak to the aquarium this afternoon. A very busy day all around!

Good Deeds: A couple of small good deeds today... my mom recently gave me back my old laptop from my college days. Yeah, it's 17 years old or so. Kind of insane. And it still works. CRAZINESS! Anyway, I took it to Best Buy for recycling. At least that's one piece of electronics that I was able to keep out of the landfill. Every little bit helps, people! Not only that, they will also give you a receipt you can use for tax purposes. Not that I can write anything off for a 17 year old computer, but you might have some electronics lying around at your house you can donate. Just something to keep in mind. A few months ago, a friend of mine gave me some baby clothes for my boy and also some for another friend of mine. However, the clothes weren't quite the right size and season for my one friend, so I set them aside and just mailed them all to someone else I know that is expecting a boy! It's always nice when you can send and benefit from hand me down clothing!

Reading: while working out this morning, I listened to the second season of the Serial podcast. I'm very behind. While I don't foresee enjoying season 2 as much as season 1, I'm already pretty sucked in with the first episode! Not too long ago, I saw that Daniel Handler posted that librarians could write a note to his agent and receive a free advance reading copy of his newest novel. So, I wrote a note and a few days later, it arrived. I have to say, it's not what I was expecting - although the title should have been a big clue! Yeah, it's pretty dirty. It's also a little sad, and even though Cole disgusted me a bit, I couldn't help but feel sad for him. He seemed truly lost and I don't know that he ever found his way. A book with a lot of teen angst, though due to its pornographic nature, I couldn't recommend it for teens to read. Definitely for mature adult audiences only.


Recipes:I was SO busy in the kitchen today! I started by making two portions of Easy Crock Pot Chicken Catcciatore by New Leaf Wellness. I made one batch and put it right in the crock pot for dinner tonight, and then I made a second batch to freeze in a bag and cook later. This was actually REALLY good! I was fairly traumatized by this dish as a child when my parents forced me to eat it, but I really like this recipe, a lot! It was a hit with the kids and our dinner guest as well. We will definitely be making this again. I also liked that the prep was really super easy. I realized that the freezer was getting a little low on breakfast food, so I restocked on pumpkin pancakes and two different kinds of banana muffins. We should be good to go now for a while!

Random Thoughts: I wish that I could always stay motivated to wake up at 4:15am. I can get so much more accomplished in the day! I feel as though I could conquer the world! And then 12:30pm rolls around, and I have to drink some iced tea to give myself a boost to make it through the rest of the day. And here it is, barely 9pm and I'm ready to crawl in bed. Sigh. And with that, I bid you good night!