Summer Science

My 7-year-old daughter channels Bill Nye the Science Guy on a daily basis. I don’t blame her; growing up, I constantly tried to recreate Mr. Wizard’s experiments in our garage, much to my mother’s chagrin. Since school left out for the summer my mad scientist has stirred up a bunch of weird-looking concoctions from various benign ingredients she found around the kitchen. However, last week she actually got to experiment with real science projects thanks to our “friends” who help staff a Parks and Rec summer program. If you are looking to prevent brain drain this summer consider the following … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – June 24 – 30, 2012

Every week, the Special Needs Blog Week in Review brings you a quick summary of each of the blogs that were posted here in the past seven days. It makes it easier for you to find out about the ones that you might have missed. The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on June 25, 2012. This week, I’d like to point out an episode of NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday”. The episode was called “Planes, Patience, and Slightly Kid-Friendlier Security”. This is a good one to listen to for parents who will be traveling by plane with their children this … Continue reading

Summer Grooming Tips

Today I saw this picture of a fake cat made out of the fur of the real cat it sat beside. The picture really drove it home, as if the hardwood floors I have all over my house hadn’t already: summer is here, and that means so is grooming season. I hate grooming. It’s always just such a trial in my house. But I’m cheap so I hate paying for it more, and because none of my animals do much more try to walk away a little and guilt me a lot for brushing them, I don’t have a great … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – June 10 – 16, 2012

Once a week, the Special Needs Blog Week in Review brings you a brief summary of each of the blogs that appeared here in the past seven days. This gives you a really easy way to find everything that went up, in case you missed anything. The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on June 11, 2012. This week, I’d like to point out an episode of “Hope Saves the Day”. They speak with Marglit Francus, who is the founder of Autistic Globetrotting. It is a non-profit website that is designed to inspire and encourage autistic families to explore the … Continue reading

VPI Has Advice for Pet Owners This Summer

Will you be traveling this Summer? Are you going to bring your pets with you? VPI has some great advice for keeping your pets cool and safe this Summer. Whether you will be traveling across the country, or to the nearest park, the advice from VPI is very useful for pet owners. You probably know how to keep yourself, and your kids, safe this Summer. This includes using plenty of sunscreen, and staying in the shade during the hours that the sun is the hottest. It could mean coming back inside to cool off and rehydrate several times a day. … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – June 3-9, 2012

Each week, the Special Needs Blog Week in Review gives you a quick summary of all of the blogs that appeared here in the past week. This gives you an easy way to find the blogs that you missed, or that you didn’t have time to read when they first went up. The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on June 4, 2012. This week, I’d like to point out an episode of The Coffee Klatch. The episode is called “Best of The Coffee Klatch – Dr. Russell Barkley – ADHD” This episode features information from Russell A. Barkley, PhD., … Continue reading

Spicing Up Portrait Shots

Did you know Santa is taking reservations for portrait shots right now? According to an email I received from my local mall (on the day after Halloween), my young daughter can be one of the first to pose with St. Nick in all of his holiday splendor. You know, just in case we want to bypass the crowds that wind through the mall post-Black Friday. Needless to say, I didn’t respond to the offer. In fact, I’m not sure I will be featuring any traditional portrait shots in our family’s annual Christmas greeting this year. This summer I saw a … Continue reading

Summer Deals From World Market

Have you ever wandered inside of a Cost Plus World Market? It has all kinds of interesting things that you can use to decorate your home. From furniture, to dishes, to foods from foreign countries, this is a really fun place to shop. Their Summer deals give you the perfect excuse to visit the store. I haven’t been inside a Cost Plus World Market in a really long time. The last time I was there was several years ago, and I believe it was because I was searching for just the right Christmas present for some of my friends and … Continue reading

School Shots Already?

It’s not even July and the photo studios in our area are already advertising specials on senior portrait packages. I suppose summer is prime time for getting senior pictures taken, but it seems like the school year just ended. I can’t imagine having to prepare for yearbook pictures. Of course, I was not nearly as thrilled about getting my senior shots taken, then the majority of girls in my graduating class. For most gals, senior portraits are about as close as they will get to a modeling gig. The photo session is quite glamorous with its array of poses and … Continue reading

Splash Into Summer Fun at Six Flags Great America

When was the last time you experienced liquid love… minus the nasty hangover? Forget about the Patron-laced tropical libations; now’s your chance to splish, splash, slide and surf your way into a wet and wild summer vacation you’ll remember for years to come. Soaking up the sun and hanging ten on cobalt blue water is easy when you live in Hawaii, but what do you do when you want to take a summer plunge in the Midwest? (Take the plunge at Riptide Bay!) Never mind Lake Michigan; instead, set your sights on Gurnee, Illinois. That’s where you’ll find Six Flags … Continue reading