I can say with certainty that this summer my family and I will be doing more than we did last summer. That's not saying much because last summer we did nothing at all.  While I won't be bringing my family to indoor events yet, there's a lot Connecticut has to offer in the way of outdoor activities. 

You'll fine my Summer 2021 Bucket List below:

1. Lavender Pond Farm (Killingworth, CT)

I have never been here before, but I've always wanted to visit.  Strolling through fields of lavender sounds lovely to me. They also sell lots of lavender products- I'm looking at you, Lavender Lemonade!

www.lavenderpondfarm.com

2. AquaventuresCT (Glastonbury, CT)

This is a canoe and kayak rental, located on the Connecticut River. They offer paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats (for four). It looks like the rentals are for 1-5 hours. 

www.aquaventuresct.com 

3. Slipaway River Tours

Slipaway offers public and private tours of the Connecticut River. Departure docks include Wethersfield Cove, Glastonbury Riverfront Park, and Rocky Hill Ferry Park. 

www.slipawayrivertours.com

4. Elizabeth Park (West Hartford, CT)

We have been here many times, but we could go here a million times more and still be excited out it. The gardens are beautiful, there is a playground in one part of the park, and there is plenty of space for a summer picnic. This park also has a summer concert series. 

www.elizabthparkct.org

5. Buttonwood Farm (Griswold, CT)

From July 21-August 1, Buttonwood Farm sells bouquets of sunflowers and 100% of the proceeds go to Make A Wish Foundation of Connecticut. They grow 14 acres of sunflowers and they are beautiful. The farm also has a cool hayride and they make their own really tasty ice cream. I have brought my oldest son here, but I'm excited to bring both kids. 

www.buttonwoodfarmicecream.com

These are just a few of the activities I'm looking forward to. 

Have a great summer!!

Every year, I grow zucchini in the garden. It's usually just one plant, but I always have a ton of zucchini.  I have had to get creative with new ways of using this abundant veggie.

I have made a lot of zucchini bread in the past, but I wanted to try a new variation.  After a trip to a wonderful local spice shop (Penzeys in West Hartford), I thought I'd try anise instead of cinnamon in the recipe. I know you either love anise or hate, but I LOVE it!

Side Note: Penzeys is a cool spice shop to bring a child.  They have a smelling sample jar for each spice in the shop. If you're talking to your kids about their senses (especially the sense of smell) it's a great place to explore that. They also have a kid corner with coloring activities.

Zucchini Muffins With Anise

1 1/2 c flour

1 TBSP ground anise, plus a pinch or two

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 c sugar

1 c shredded zucchini

1/4 c oil

1/2 c chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350.  Mix the sugar, oil, egg, and zucchini in a large bowel. Add the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into lined (or greased) muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes. Check for doneness.  Enjoy!

This goes really well with tea. If you can't get enough of that licorice flavor (and happen to be nursing), I recommend Mother's Milk Tea to go with it. 

As it is June, strawberry season is in full swing! A great activity for toddlers, strawberry picking gets everyone outside and allows children to taste the fruits of their labor. 

If you are looking for new ways to use up the extra berries, try making freezer jam.  Kids have fun mashing up the berries and it is not as time consuming or complicated as regular jam-making. I used this recipe.

Enjoy!

Has your infant outgrown newborn diapers before you were able to use them all up? Don’t throw them away!  Try these ideas instead:

1. Use them as ice packs. While recovering from my c-section, the nurses in the hospital would occasionally give me ice packs for my sore stomach. To my surprise, these packs consisted of ice shoved into an opening in a newborn diaper. As the ice melted it was absorbed into the diaper and did not leak at all. Genius! I will use this in the future for boo boos (maybe even a headache or two). 

2. Use them to water your container plants. I haven't tried this yet, but the internet is filled with videos about using diapers to water your plants.  Take a look!  I know that I will try this on our house plants when vacation time rolls around. 

3. Use them to mop the floor. I tried this today and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.  

Place a diaper on the bottom of a Swiffer-type floor mop (any mop with velcro on the bottom will do the trick).  I use this natural floor cleaner.  Simply spray your cleaner of choice on the wood floor and go to town! 

4. Use them for packing up fragile items. Diapers are soft enough for a baby's bottom, so why not use them to pack up delicate vases?    

If you have found an alternative use for extra diapers, please share in the comments!  

I have not been crazy about every class I've tried with my son, but I must say that this class is a complete winner!  Kindermusik offers a wonderful balance between creativity, movement (which is so needed during the toddler stage), and literacy.

This is a blurb from Jen's Kindermusik website:
"With more than 35 years of experience as the leader in musical learning, Kindermusik International understands music’s unique ability to impact children (and families!) in profound ways.  Across private studios, public schools, and childcare centers in over 70 countries, children, parents, and teachers enjoy participating in Kindermusik’s fun, developmentally specific, and research-based music and movement classes. Parents also appreciate how enrollment in Kindermusik includes home materials, including their favorite songs, stories, and learning activities from class, so families can 'play' Kindermusik wherever they go."

As you've probably determined from the above quote, Kindermusik is an international franchise.  I cannot speak for every Kindermusik class out there, but I can attest to the fact that this particular class, Kindermusik with Jen (in West Hartford), is wonderful! Jen has a very warm way with children.  She is understanding when your child just wants to run around the room like a maniac. She is also extremely encouraging. These are just a few of the reasons why we have continued to take this class.  

Each session of Kindermusic has a theme.  This past session, the theme was all about the outdoors. The songs for this session were great.  During each class, Jen also shows pictures of different animals or objects (according to theme) and plays the sounds that each one makes.  This really helps children make connections with the world around them on a different level. My son particularly loved the bird sounds. After seeing the pictures and hearing the bird sounds, be became kind of obsessed with birds.  We now have a few bird books and he will spot every bird along the way when we take walks.   

Each session,  you will receive a book, a CD with all of the songs sung in class (and more!), as well as an instrument. My son has a growing collection of Kindermusik books and instruments, which he loves. 

Whether it is dancing with scarves, shaking maracas, tapping drums, or playing with the giant parachute (a class favorite), your child is bound to love the movement this class offers.  

If your child loves music and movement, this is certainly a class worth looking into.  There are classes for many different age groups, so feel free to ask about the right fit for your own child. 

A free trial class in usually offered before the start of each session.  For more information, visit www.kmwithjen.kindermusik.com.  You can also contact Jen Ludgin at jenludgin@comcast.net to schedule your free preview class. 

Tinkergarten: A Class for Creative Outdoor Play

Last week I brought my son to a Tinkergarten free trial class. The location was a bit of a drive for us, but I was curious about a class that focuses on outdoor play and using nature to boost a child's empathy, problem solving, and creativity. 

Before the start of the class, I received an email telling what to wear (clothes you don't mind getting dirty and rain boots) and to bring a snack. I popped my son in said style of outfit and we headed out. 

The class was in a state park, which provided a beautiful backdrop. When we arrived, the other students were assembled by the teacher at the center of an open field by the side of a little lake. A red covered bridge crossed a stream that ran a few yards from the lake. It really couldn't have been more picturesque. 

The teacher greeted us as we approached and handed me a little metal bucket for my son.  She said that our job was to wander around the area and to collect "nature treasures."  We ambled around the field and onto the tiny beach by the lake while picking up stones, sticks, and yellow dandelions. 

After a while, the teacher called everyone back to her.  She had all of the kids sit on a tarp while she read Stone Soup (one of my childhood favorites). Next, she pulled out a big cooking pot and announced that they would be making stone soup.  She informed the children that they would need to use their imaginations as they again took their pails and searched the area for "ingredients" for their own soup.  Pine cones were carrots, sticks were celery, and, of course, stones came into play. 

After collecting all of the ingredients, the children, parents, and teacher headed back to the big pot. They added their ingredients one at a time.  A few kids went to get water from the lake to add to the "soup." The students took turns mixing the soup.  At the end of class, everyone had a snack brought from home. 

All in all, it was very cute and everyone seemed to really enjoy the activity. 

I have to say that my son did enjoy collecting sticks and putting his hands in the sand and dirt, but I do think he was a little too young for this class.  

I'm glad we went to the trial class because now I know that I would sign him up in a year or two, but also that I wouldn't spend the money on it at his current age (He's nineteen months old and we can collect sticks and rocks at the park for free). The class is marketed for children 18 months to five-years-old, however, the kids who were a bit older seemed to get much more out of it.  I would recommend this class for children ages 3-5.  

Fairfield County
Activity: The House at Pooh Corner
Date: 5/6
Time: 11AM
Location: The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Rd., Ridgefield
Cost: $15
Overview: "Whether young and wide-eyed or wise to the ways of the world, every so often one must “get back to the House at Pooh Corner” to spend some tender time with faithful friends. Piglet, Tigger, Christopher Robin, and that lovable bear called Winnie-the-Pooh lift our spirits and warm our hearts in this charming production, faithfully based on the A. A. Milne classic of the same name.
For More Info: Ridgefield Playhouse

Litchfield County
Activity: Elephant's Trunk Country Flea Market
Date: 5/7
Time: 7AM-2PM
Location: 490 Danbury Rd., New Milford
Cost: FREE
Overview: "Since 1976, treasure hunters, antique collections, farmers, foodies, up-cycler, deal seekers and entrepreneurs of all kinds flocked to the well-known flea market." This is a fun opportunity to treasure hunt with your kids.
For More Info: Elephant's Trunk Flea Market

New Haven County
Activity: 11th Annual Kite Fly
Date: 5/6
Time: Noon-3PM
Location: Walnut Beach, 17 Broadway, Milford
Cost: FREE
Overview: "Children of all ages are welcome to participate. The ConnectiKiters will be there with their remarkable dazzling kites. They maneuver their kites into astonishing dips and twirls. See a variety of kites from diamonds to incredible colorful creatures. Pack a picnic."
For More Info: Milford Living

Hartford County
Activity: FREE Families Learn and Play With History
Date: 5/6
Time: 9AM-11AM
Location: Windsor Historical Society, 96 Palisado Ave., Windsor
Cost: FREE
Overview: "Bring the whole crew and enjoy our Windsor history galleries and Hands-on-History Learning Center at your own pace.  Meet other families, try out our train table, build something spectacular with Legos, “milk” Flavia the cow, don colonial costumes and “cook” up a feast. Perfect for even the youngest learners (crawling is encouraged) with artist Sue Tait Porcaro offering face painting at 10 a.m."
For More Info: Windsor Historical Society

Middlesex County
Activity: Open Playgroup
Date: 5/5
Time: 9:30AM-11AM
Location: Family Wellness Center, 635 Main St., Middletown
Cost: FREE
Overview: Open Playgroup.  Call for more information. (860)347-6971 ext. 3662
For More Info: Family Wellness Centers of Connecticut

Tolland County
Activity: Jack and Jill
Date: 5/6
Time: 11AM & 2PM
Location: Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, 1 Royce Circle, Storrs
Cost: FREE
Overview: "Jack & Jill is a one-man puppet show featuring hand-carved, folk-toy-inspired puppets and live music. The show addresses water conservation and water rights in the tradition of the Appalachian Jack Tale. A young coal miner and his companion go “up a hill to fetch a pail of water” just like they do in the nursery rhyme, but this time there is one BIG problem. They have to take on a selfish giant and save a whole neighborhood! Travel by train with Jack and Jill to meet a colorful cast of characters in a world created solely from wood, steel and leather. Everyone is welcome to a big ol’, heapin’ helpin’ of this good-natured, heartland American story of teaming up and looking out for the little guy. This production was funded in part by the Mark’s Family Endowment Award.
Indoor performances will take place in the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle, Storrs Center, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29 and Saturday, May 6.
"Outdoor performances in the Betsy Paterson Square in downtown Storrs will occur at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, Sunday, April 30, Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7. Seating is not provided for outdoor shows, so patrons are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets."
For More Info: (860) 486-8580

Windham County
Activity: Build a Flower Pot
Date: 5/6
Time: 9AM-12PM
Location: Windham Home Depot, 418 Boston Post Road, North Windham (This happens at most Home Depots the first Saturday of each month.)
Cost: FREE
Overview: "Join our hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a flower pot to hold spring flowers to keep or give to Mom. Once the project is complete, your child can paint their project to personalize it.  All kids get to keep their project, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin."
For More Info: (860) 465-5631

New London County
Activity: Dollar Night
Date: 5/5
Time: After 4:30 PM
Location: Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, 409 Main Street, Niantic
Cost: $1
Overview: "An affordable Friday night at the museum due to the generosity of Electric Boat Employees Community Service Association. Admission is only $1 per person after 4:30pm."
For More Info: Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut