Keeping Them Busy

I post a lot of what the kids and I do on Facebook. And there is one compliment I receive quite often. People always tell me that I do a lot with the kids. And it's true. PJ & I have always done a lot of fun stuff with the kids. Part of it is because I am fortunate enough to have the summer off with the kids. But, it's not just because we're trying to be rock star parents, or even make amazing memories (although, that's sometimes a happy side effect). It's because we're no dummies and we know we're outnumbered.

There are five very young kids here. If we don't wear them out, we're screwed. These kids are smart. And really good at joining forces and inventing new games. It's only a matter of time before mutiny occurs. (There are five of them!)

So we keep them good and busy. We hike, take walks, find fun activities to do. It's all for our own benefit. These guys think they're just out having a good time, but we're actually making them so tired that they won't have the energy to conspire against us. They'll just need to go home and sleep.

Most of our activities are free or inexpensive, too. The next time you go somewhere, multiply the admission by five kids and two adults. Yikes, right? This is why we hike and take walks at the Arboretum. Free. Our town also has some good events. Annual Foam Day. Free. Summer concerts at the Endicott Estate. Also free. We're also smart about memberships. Last year, PJ found some crazy deal for Six Flags New England that included the rest of the fall and all of this year. He loves a bargain, so it was really cheap. PJ's aunt used to buy each of us a gift for Christmas. For the last few years, she's given us a family gift of the Museum of Science membership. When his grandmother wanted to know what to get us as a gift, my mother-in-law smartly suggested the New England Aquarium. And we buy ourselves the Zoo New England membership every year. Right there, we've got a museum, the aquarium, and two zoos we can go to at any time (& Six Flags when we're feeling adventurous). It definitely gives us lots of options.

So, if you're in the house feeling overwhelmed by your crazy kid(s), get them out. It may seem counter-intuitive. You may not want to take that lunatic out in public. But, trust me on this one. Throw them in the carriage or the car and go find someplace you can take a long walk. Drive to a different town and go to a playground they've never been. Bring some snacks and a drink and get moving. They will settle down. Maybe it's the fresh air or the exercise. Wear them out! Then thank me when they're sleeping later.

Here are a few shots from yesterday's Foam Day. It's the highlight of the kids' summer. And I'm pretty well convinced that spending an hour buried up to their necks in bubbles means I don't have to bathe them for at least a week. Win-Win situation.

Charlotte as the Michelin Man

Twinsies

Lulu buried in bubbles

Sophie up to her neck

Sean in "bubble clothes"

Patrick was covered in head-to-toe bubbles the whole time. For all I know, this isn't even him. Maybe, it's a picture of someone else's bubble-covered child. ;)

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Have a good story to share about keeping kids busy? I love new ideas! Feel free to share in the comments below...