Real families. Real fun. Real info.
Every Wednesday through February 26, 2014, the Chattanooga Zoo will be hosting Half-price “Chilly Willy” Wednesdays. Bundle up and get out to the Zoo to take advantage of this deal.
Adults: $4.48
Seniors (age 65+): $3.48
Kids (ages 3-12): $2.98
Kids age 2 & under: FREE
9:00 am–5:00 pm
One way to make sure you don’t miss a thing on Chattanooga Families, is to subscribe. By subscribing, you’ll receive blog posts and/or the weekly Community Event Newsletter in your email inbox.
Have I mentioned that we’ve lined up some great giveaways to our local friends? You’ll want to be a subscriber so you don’t miss those…because they’re good. Oh. so.good.
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The community calendar is full of fabulous fun for your family, but I know that it can be a little overwhelming to look at and find what you’re looking for. I made a video to help you get the most out of the calendar…and to help you fill up yours! Once you know how to sort through the items on the calendar, you’ll find it really easy to find what you’re looking for.
One reason we chose this calendar over the rest, was the ease of use and the ability for you to subscribe to events and sync them up with your own calendar. If you use the calendar on your mobile device, you’ll be able to send them straight to your personal calendar!
After you’ve watched the video, let us know if you have any questions.
The first Saturday of every month, Home Depot hosts a FREE Kids Building Workshop from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. The hands-on workshops are designed for children ages 5-12.
Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin. One workshop kit, apron and pin per child, while supplies last. Home Depot prefers that you sign-up online so they have enough materials.
My husband usually takes our oldest to the workshops for a little special guy time. My son looks forward to the workshops and is always so proud of his creations when he returns. While our oldest goes to build with Daddy, the youngest stays home with me. Often, I will interest him in some toddler-friendly hammering activities using the toy tools from our Home Depot Big Builders Workshop Playset
The Home Depot Kids Workshop this month (Saturday, January 4, 2014) is a fun desk calendar. Enjoy!
From our family to yours, we want to wish you a Happy New Year! We hope 2014 is a great year filled with fun, lots of laughter, and family.
We celebrated with our kids at the Creative Discovery Museum for the annual “New Year’s at Noon” celebration. It was fun, but super crowded as you can see by the picture. We’ll get there earlier next year.
We are excited about what this year holds for Chattanooga Families. We’ve been planning and dreaming up this site for over a year now, and we are ready to bring it!
Go ahead and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!
It’s flu season, which means a lot of us are going to be stuck inside with sick kids, recovering kids, or healthy kids driving us crazy while we’re sick. At our house, being cooped up means that my boys are bouncing off the walls, fighting with each other, and acting just plain wild! It is in those times that momma needs a little sanity break. Can I get an “Amen” from all the parents?
So what’s a parent to do when Cabin Fever starts? Get creative and switch things up.
Pull out something from the back of the closet or a board game that hasn’t been played it a while. You’ll be surprised at how this simple switch can bring new life to playtime. Often, the kids have forgotten about this long lost treasure and will get lost in playtime for hours…you’re welcome.
Pull up a stool and hand your kids a wisk. It doesn’t have to be gourmet, but an afternoon treat that they helped make is a game-changer for my kids. If I bake with my oldest during naptime, he’s a completely different boy. He loves to help and get one-on-one time with me…the snack isn’t so bad either. If baking isn’t your thing, make some easy homemade playdough or make a volcano with kids.
This is a favorite at our house. My boys love to have a “Popcorn Picnic” in the living room while watching a movie. I place a quilt on the floor to catch the crumbs and give them a drink that won’t leak to prevent major messes.
It’s a classic. Kids love it. It’s a win-win.
If the kids are well enough, get them moving. Set up an obstacle course, see how long they can keep a balloon in the air, play Just Dance on the Wii…the only thing that matters is that they are burning energy.
Occasionally, we have what we call “Party Bath” at our house. Party Bath is simple, really– just throw in some bubble bath and a package glow sticks from the dollar store or Halloween clearance. Next, add some fun music from Pandora, and turn off the lights! The kids think it’s hilarious and have a lot of fun.
I always keep a few craft things, purchased on clearance, on hand for the kids to do. Another option is to make a Collage Box and let the kids create to their hearts content. Coffee Filter Snowflakes are always a hit, too.
Sometimes, simply moving to a different spot in the house for a regular task is the change of scenery we need. If you normally read books on the couch, move to the bed. If the kids normally play in the living room, let them take a toy to a new location.
This one does wonders for me. Even if it is a little gloomy, I try to open the blinds for a while during the day. If it is sunny out, the natural sunlight will boost your spirits.
Even if is only to the mailbox, take a walk. If they are well enough, getting outside for a few minutes will clear everyone’s head and provide some fresh air. Often times, I avoid taking the kids outside if it is too cold, but the kids don’t seem to care as long as they are bundled up. I once heard it said, “It is never too cold, but it may be the wrong kind of clothing.” Dig out your gloves and talk a walk. (P.S.–Do you think we’ll EVER get snow again? This weather is such a tease.)
Ah, resolutions. There’s nothing like a fresh start at the beginning of a new year. Most of the New Year’s Resolutions we make are personal, but have you ever thought about making Family Resolutions? January is a great time to think about the things we want to change. If I had to bet, all of us would be able to think of a few things to change in our family life.
I get it. Between work, school, sports, music lessons, dance class, and grocery shopping, it is hard, at times, to sit down and eat together. The bigger the family, the harder it is. Studies show that eating together as a family improves school performance, boosts happiness, and improves the family bond. Let’s take back family meal times and make an effort to eat together at the table more often. Bonus points if the meals are healthier.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve had some sickness in our house and the kids have gotten whiny. When I asked my son what was wrong, he replied, “You haven’t played with me.” He was right. I had been feeling so cruddy that all I wanted to do was sit and rest while the kids entertained themselves. I am personally making an effort to play with my kids more–not just take them outside and watch them play, but REALLY playing with them. I’ll be building block towers, shooting nerf guns, and running around the yard kicking a soccer ball in 2014.
This goes along with eating together, but I have found that my kids are much more interested in the meal if they have helped make it. Allowing kids in the kitchen with us is equipping them with skills they will use as adults. Not to mention, there are all sorts of opportunities for reading and math while you cook. Score! Cooking together builds memories. Let’s pull up a stool and hand our kids a wisk.
My boys look forward to snuggling on the couch after bathtime and reading together. They choose their favorite books and we get a few more extra cuddles before bedtime. It’s a win-win, really. As a former public school teacher, I know the value of 20 minutes of reading time with kids. Their reading will improve, they’ll have a higher vocabulary, and they’ll have a stronger bond with mom and dad.
Fresh air and sunshine–we all need more of it. A trip to the park, a hike on a trail, riding bikes–all of things get us outside and exercising. This year I’m personally working on this. We’re unplugging more and getting outside! We’ll head to the farm, dig in the dirt, and even try something new for family fun.
Sigh….this one is a biggie. The inner struggle of wants vs. needs is inside all of us and it is hard to tame. Teaching our kids to have a healthy relationship with money is imperative for their future. Whether it is using coupons, cutting unnecessary costs (I’m talking ’bout you Target Dollar Spot trinkets!), or sticking to a budget to pay down debt, 2014 is the year to tame the money struggle. Personally, we’re working through Dave Ramsey’s steps for paying off debt and building our savings.
Let’s make 2014 a year to remember!
Welcome to Chattanooga Families! We’re so glad you found us.
Our goal at Chattanooga Families is to bring the real info to the real families of Chattanooga. While tourists will find our information useful, that isn’t who we’re writing for. We’re writing for the family looking for an adventure Downtown this weekend, the tired mom that needs a break from the cabin-fever in the winter, and the dad that wants to give his wife a break and take the family to tonight’s “kids-eat-free” restaurant. We’re writing for you.
We’ve got lots of great things to share. Stick around. You’ll be glad you did.
