Skill: Throw

Suggested age: 3-12 years

Requirements: Large hard surface such as driveway, sidewalk, garage, or basement room, large round ball such as basketball or soccer ball, old milk cartons or plastic drink bottles, small amount of sand or soil

Giant Tic Tac Toss
Bring Tic Tac Toe to life with this version with frisbees and beanbags. Help children learn how to 'read' distances and play this new take on a classic game.

Skill: Toss

Suggested age: 6-10 years old

Requirements: Large sheet or tarp, duct tape, eight beanbags or frisbees—need four of each of two colours

I love reading/writing about ways to get active so when I received an email from Lara over at NKPR inviting me to an obstacle course event for kids, I was gungho to go! Unfortunately, it coincided with something else with my calendar but I persuaded her to send over fun ways you can get your kids moving courtesy of Active For Life! 

If you're looking for a way to make your little ones—or anyone in your life—feel extra-special on their birthday, skip store-bought cards and make them a personalized poster instead.

It doesn't have to be fancy just be sure to include all the reasons why that person is special. It's a gift they'll treasure.

Ta da!

My kids have been bugging me since early winter to go camping this summer and even though I have great childhood memories of camping, I had no interest in taking them—because I am 43 years old and like to sleep in a bed.

Painting rocks is a perfect outdoor activity for days when it's too hot to be running around but you don't want to be stuck inside. Kids from toddler to tween can participate and the pieces of rock art can be proudly displayed in your garden.

Craft Level: Easy
Craft Clean Up: Easy
Age Level: Toddler To Tween

Items Needed:

When we were away on vacation last week my youngest son found, what we would later realize was a giant goose egg, buried under the sand in the lake.

At first we kind of thought it was an egg but because it was so smooth, plastic-like, and large, we went against our instincts and decided it was more likely some sort of plastic ball or toy.

In the words of Vivian Ward...

While back-to-school is the time of year when people think about getting organized I’ve been on a mission to clean up my life and clear the clutter from my head–now.

Errrrr…..can we talk about this aging thing just for a minute?

This is not a woe-is-me post. I’m proud to be 45. My 40s have, so far, been good to me. I’m in kick-ass shape and have better cardio capability than I did in my 20s. There is a freedom in 40 that I didn’t have in my younger years. A what-the-hell-I-might-as-well-try-who-cares-if-I-look-stupid attitude that makes life more fun.

But there are also things people never told me about getting older. Things that are quite shocking to say the least.

It's no secret that many moms drink. We settle down after the kids go to bed and enjoy a glass of wine (or two) or we go out with our girlfriends or enjoy a drink with dinner. We joke on Twitter and Facebook asking if it's wine o'clock. We ask if it's cocktail hour. I get it. I love my glass of wine in the evenings.

But this? Holy Hannah. I don't know how I stumbled across it but stumble I did.

“Which teachers do I give an end-of-year gift to?” is the nightmare parent equivalent of “Who do I tip at a salon?”

My older son has a class teacher, a music teacher, an art teacher, a french teacher, and an educational assistant who helps out in the class. My younger son has his class teacher, a student teacher, and a gym teacher.

Let us not forget the crossing guards who help them get across the streets safely.

Dear Son,

I knew this would come up sooner or later in your life. You've reached a point where friendships are based on so much more than a love of lego or because your parents set up a playdate based on who they like. So, this is in answer to your question about what makes a good friend.

It never fails. The first warm weekend of spring and my children chomp at the bit to have their bikes brought out from the garage. What also never fails is that I can never get the bikes down off their hooks and we all have to wait for my husband to get home to lift them down to the ground.

I am a bit of a product junkie as proven by my addiction to brushes, white t-shirts, and the number of “As Seen On TV” products strewn about my home. This addiction also applies to my nails.

How To Trim A Bird’s Beak

In what is known around our house as an “of course you did, Sharon” moment, it turns out I have bought a lazy bird. My cute little Skittles who keeps me company during the day is supposed trim his beak by rubbing it on rough surfaces to prevent overgrowth. But there are some birds that aren’t the best at personal hygiene so they don’t do this. Skittles lacks personal hygiene.

Yes, people. I bought a dirty bird.

I was talking to a friend the other day and she was saying how her parents 'hover' over her children when they are at the playground.

I quickly hopped to their defense because I totally get it. I would hover too. Not over my own kids– I know their abilities –but I am a hoverer of other kids.

Day Three: Juice Feasting Cleanse (juice only):

Juice 1: Sunflower sprouts, celery, cucumber, kale, dandelion greens, lemon, ginger, pea sprout, parsley, cilantro, and apple
Juice 2: Beet, carrot, celery, cucumber, fennel, parsley
Juice 3: Wheatgrass, apple
Juice 4: Cabbage, celery, lemon, apple
Juice 5: Coconut water, pineapple
Juice 6: Aloe vera
Juice 7: Beet, carrot, celery, cucumber, fennel, parsley

Day Two: Juice Feasting Cleanse (juices only):

Juice 1: Celery, cucumber, fennel, romaine, parsley, lemon, apple, kale, spinach
Juice 2: Beet, celery, lemon, apple
Juice 3: Wheatgrass, orange
Juice 4: Celery, cucumber, romaine, swiss chard, parsley, cilantro, apple, lemon
Juice 5: Orange, grapefruit, ginger
Juice 6: Aloe vera
Juice 7: Beet, celery, lemon, apple
Juice 8: Lemon, filtered water, cayenne pepper, raw coconut nectar

I just finished doing a three day combination of a Raw Food Cleanse / Juice Feasting Cleanse through RawJuiceGuru.com.

Many of us are still reeling after hearing the news about two bombs going off at Boston Marathon finish line yesterday.

I know I can’t stop thinking about it, especially the little eight-year-old boy who died. My children come to my races to cheer me on as I pass the finish line. Sometimes they even run with me. My mind almost can not comprehend that this little boy who had been there to cheer on his father is gone.

Our hearts go out to the people who were killed, the people who were injured, and all of the families affected, yet we feel helpless.