Spring Has Sprung!

Happy Spring!  I am excited to say that the random "day before spring snowstorm" has come and gone and the sun is out again and warming up Utah Valley. I don't know about you but I am excited for the warmer weather, longer days, and outside fun. I decided to compile a few fun activities you and your kids may enjoy.

1. Neighborhood Sidewalk Chalk art shows: get all the kids together in the neighborhood and have them "chalk it up".
2. Attend the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 7th at Pioneer park in Provo.

3. Go on a bike ride or rollerskating
4. Have a picnic in your backyard

5. Walk around the neighborhood and look at the flowers blooming and the leaves coming out on the trees.
6.  Have story time outside in the sunshine
7. Make homemade bubbles

Did you know that there are multiple parks in Utah County that have "Born Learning Trails" . (For more information click on the link above to go to United Ways webpage)

• Bicentennial Park (Provo)            1400 S 1600 E
• Orchard Elementary (Orem)         1035 N 800 E
• Dry Creek Trail (Payson)             West Park at Dry Mountain Park, one block up
• Sports Park (Spanish Fork)          295 W Volunteer Dr (950 S Main Street)
• Olympic Park (Lehi) 1650 N 2650 W- Parkside subdivision
• IHC DayCare (Provo) 1041 N 500 W
• IHC DayCare (American Fork) South of American Fork Hospital

I hope you will go out and enjoy the sunshine as much as I will and don't forget the sunscreen!

Dr Seuss's Birthday!

I spent the morning celebrating Dr Seuss's birthday with Mr. Steve, United Way and KBYU 11. We had  green eggs and ham for breakfast, sang songs about "Gravity" and "Someday" and most importantly, discussed how literacy effects, not only children, but our entire community.

Did you know, by the third grade, a child's reading level proficiency is a strong determinant of that child's likelihood to graduate from high school? United Way has a program to help us help our community, Everyday Learners, and they are looking for volunteers.

 Everyday Learners are people in our community that make education a top priority in their own lives and for our community. There are so many ways we can be an Everyday Learner. Maybe you read to your children before they go to bed or you may help a niece or nephew with their homework in the afternoons. Some might volunteer at the local elementary school during reading time or hold summer Shakespeare plays for the children in their neighborhood. United Way would love to know about the different things we are doing to be Everyday Learners and want to reach their goal of 10,000 Everyday Learners  for Utah County. To participate, click on Everyday Learners to link to United Ways webpage and find out more on how you can help the children of our community!

P.S. In celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday here are a few ideas of things you can do today with your own children or kids in your neighborhood.

1. Have a Dr. Seuss reading party
2. Make special treats to celebrate his birthday, I found a few fun ideas on "Good Life Eats" blog.
3. Watch the Cat in the Hat-a-thon on PBS kids, kbyu tv channel 11 today!
4. Go to the Dr Seuss webpage to explore the many worlds of Dr Seuss with your children.