It’s the Mom: I’m Bored Edition where I impart my wisdom on my bloggy readers on how to not go insane with your kids home all summer. Of course I would know nothing about this sort of insanity because every moment I spend with my children is filled with rainbows and unicorns.
But let’s pretend for a (completely imaginary) moment that your children have an “off” day. On one of the days they aren’t in one of the weekly Vacation Bible Schools around town (so they can learn about Jesus!! ahem). You are looking for something to do as your kids chant “I’m bored” (again, hypothetically).
Why not kill two birds with one stone? We are on a quest to teach our kids that food comes from farms not the grocery store. The absolute best way to do that is by actually visiting farms. It is really fun to see your kid’s brain make the connection that those chickens running around are where those eggs you are buying come from.
Every summer for the past 3 years we have gone cherry picking. Most go in the bucket, some go straight in the mouth. We come home with stained fingers and a little bit more “regularity” (seriously, chill out on the cherry eating in one sitting- trust me). Most years in the fall we pick apples and pumpkins. This year I am adding strawberries and blueberries into the mix. And frankly anything else I can find.
I also plan on visiting a local dairy farm with the kids where they learn about how we get milk and get to feed baby calves. This weekend I think we are heading out to a farm that a co-worker of my hubby lives on. They raise a bunch of different animals that started as a 4 H project and grew into a little farm. How much do I love that?!!
My hope is that the more connected we get to our food source the more willing my kids will be to try some new and different foods. Wishful thinking? Possibly, but it can’t hurt to try. And I am willing to bet that we will have a lot of fun doing it. Not that the rest of our days won’t be filled with mind blowing fun. Cause that is the way we roll around here.
You can find farms in your area at Local Harvest. You can find more cures for summertime boredom over at We Are That Family.
Twitter: sweetanne
says:
I think they’ll have fun picking up veggies tomorrow too!
.-= anne´s last blog ..Help for Lazy Feeding =-.
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Diaper Diaries
Twitter: DiaperDiaries
Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 11:37 pm
It is a little ridiculous how excited I am about this.
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That is awesome! We have some great u-picks near us that I am planning on taking everyone too. Strawberries are almost ready
And how great to go to a dairy, thinking I might try to wrangle my boys into that one!
.-= Jessa´s last blog ..June’s Shopping Bag =-.
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Twitter: gravityofmotion
says:
Great reminder! I meant to go berry picking with the kids last summer. This summer they are another year older and it will be even easier.
.-= Jane Anne´s last blog ..Works-For-Me-Wednesday: Mom, I’m Bored Edition =-.
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Twitter: designhermomma
says:
I’m hoping to go strawberry picking yet this week which is so very un-urban but totally hoosier.
.-= designHer Momma´s last blog ..Get a Job =-.
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Twitter: eringoettsch
says:
ok I’m not gonna lie… I’m probably not going to take my kids to a farm this summer (my grandpa’s doesn’t count). Although I did take your advice and join a farm share / csa and it’s going GREAT!
But even though a farm field trip is not in my future, I still had to post a comment because this post made me laugh out loud (for real, not just when people say lol online… ps that’s annoying RIGHT?) in like three places. Which would have been better if I weren’t reading it in bed on my phone last night (hubby was thrilled. thrilled, I tell you. what what your “challenge” have to say about a droid in bed? I’m betting some choice words…) but still — girl, you make me laugh.
Your vbs antics crack me up. Don’t think I won’t follow your lead when my kids are a little older though. It’s a stroke of pure genius.
ANYWAY that’s just a looooong way of saying… I liked this post.
[Reply]
Diaper Diaries
Twitter: DiaperDiaries
Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I have missed your comments so much. I thought you left me!! So glad you are back
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Cherry picking sound fun! I LOVE me some cherries.
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Twitter: Fullnest
says:
I’ve been wanting to take my kids to pick strawberries & blueberries….maybe we’ll actually do it this summer, thanks for the reminder!
.-= Denise´s last blog ..Where in the World Wednesday? =-.
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Not wishful thinking! We went to our CSA field day a few weeks back. The kids got to pick (and eat) their own carrots. My son loved it. I could never get him to eat a carrot ever before. I had to pry the carrot out of his hand when it was time to drive home. He’s loved carrots ever since.
.-= Betsy (Eco-novice)´s last blog ..Appliance Boxes – Free Summer Entertainment =-.
[Reply]
Diaper Diaries
Twitter: DiaperDiaries
Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:43 pm
YES!! My girls begged me to try spinach today after pick up. It is working!!!!!
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Twitter: kitchenkop
says:
Rockford farm market opens back up this weekend, YAY!! Why oh why can’t Michigan winters be as short as summer and summer be as long as winter?
Also, we’re blessed we get to go to the farm once a month when we get our fresh milk (and for 5 other families!)
Kelly
.-= Kelly the Kitchen Kop´s last blog ..Real Food Wednesday 6/2/10 =-.
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