Posts Tagged ‘playground’
StayCations
With the economy where it is at, it is amazing that people are even taking vacations anymore! I know a lot of people who are opting for StayCations instead (where you stay home and do things instead of dropping a couple of thousand to head off into the sunset). Mom Central got together with the MommyDocs and came up with a list of Five Tips for Summer Staycations to keep your family safe and your house cleaner during the summer months this year. Here’s the list:
Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent Clorox survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don’t forget to check that your child’s hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.
Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach to one gallon of water. Don’t forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water.
Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.
Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!
Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don’t have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don’t forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria.
What are your summer plans? How do you play on keeping your family safe?
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If you grew up in rural Wisconsin . . . .
* You know how to polka, but never tried it sober.
* You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means.
* You know it is traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the reception and wedding dance.
* You know the difference between ‘Green’ and ‘Red’ farm machinery, and would fight with your friends on the playground over which was better!
* You buy Christmas presents at Fleet Farm or Farm and Fleet
* You spent more on beer & liquor than you did on food at your wedding.
* You hear someone use the word ‘oof-dah’ and you don’t break into uncontrollable laughter..
* You or someone you know was a ‘Dairy Princess’ at the county fair.
* You know that ‘combine’ is a noun. ( and you just pronounced it as one)
* You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a steel post in the middle of winter.
* You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions.
* You know that ‘creek’ rhymes with ‘pick’.
* Football schedules, hunting season and harvest are all taken into consideration before wedding dates are set.
* A Friday night date is getting a six-pack and taking your girlfriend shining for deer.
* Saturday you go to your local bowling alley.
* There was at least one, if not several, in your class who had to help milk cows in the morning and/or smelled like it.
* You have driven your car on the lake.
* You can make sense of ‘upnort’ and ‘baatree’.
* Every wedding dance you have ever been to has the hokey pokey and the chicken dance.
* Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar.
* The local gas station sells live bait.
* At least twice a year some part of your home double as a meat processing plant.
* You think that the start of deer season is a national holiday.
* You actually understand these jokes and you will send your Wisconsin friends here to read them!!!!!
* You can go from using your heater to your air-conditioning and back to you heater in your vehicle and it doesn’t phase you.
* Not drinking at any major function (i.e.: baptism, graduation, birthday, funeral, family reunion, class reunion, etc.) is an outrage.
* You’ve been drinking at major functions (see above) since you were 14 years old ( or younger)!!
* You think everybody else has an accent.
* 60 degrees IS summer weather.
* You know what a “regular” is…and probably are one!
* “Upnort” is any town above 29 for you. (And you understood that!)
* “O-ya” is in your daily vocabulary.
* You or someone you know has a permanent campsite not far from your hometown, and you know all the “permanents!”
* EVERY restaurant has a fish special on Friday nights.
Now, as you all may know, I am from Wisconsin and I relate a little to much to a lot of these. I’m surprised I didn’t see anything about auto parts or the wonderful smells (besides cows) that you sometimes encounter!
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