P&K Insider

There’s a game I love to play with my kids during car rides. We pick a car driving near us and discuss where it may be heading, who is inside the car, what music they may be listening to or even what they plan to have for lunch.

Most of the time, my son insists that every car is driving to Disneyland (I think this is a not so subtle hint to his mommy that he’d like to head in that general direction) but other times there’s some sort of space mission involved.

I have to admit that I’ve been playing this game long before my kids were on the scene. As a child, I constantly wondered about families seated near us in a restaurant or people walking past me in the mall. Who are they? Where are they from? Where were they going next? Somehow I always knew that every person has a story.

Now as a mom, I’m fascinated by the ‘secret’ lives of other moms. To often people may assume that all moms lead similar lives and in many ways we do. We care for our kids, make dinners, do laundry, read bedtime stories but we’re more than that. In this month’s issue you can read about Kim Gruber of Lexington. Most of her neighbors and peers would refer to her as a busy stay-at-home mom raising two girls. What they may not know is that she’s currently training to get her pilot’s license and her plane may be flying over their house later that day.

And not all secret lives have to be that extreme (or secret). All it takes to have a secret life is to have a passion that is all yours…beyond your main role as a mom. She shared some words of inspiration for other moms considering pursuing other hobbies and interests. Kim Gruber urging young mothers to seize the day.

Readers also share their proudest mom moments. There were simple gestures when a little boy comforted his little sister to grand ones like when a young boy paid tribute to his adopted sister. I invite you to read these entries and share your own too.

Happy Mother’s Day

Heather

Looking for some weekend plans? I’ve got some ideas

Friday (April 25) is Global Youth Service Day in Franklin Park from 1 - 7 pm. Meet in the park at the corner of Humboldt Ave and Seaver Street (MBTA bus # 44, 22, or 29) Start the afternoon with a community service project in the woodlands. Wear old clothes and come ready to work hard. Tools, refreshments, and fun are provided! All ages are welcome and youth groups are encouraged to participate. Earn community service credit for school. At 4:30 pm walk to the Golf Clubhouse for pizza and a thought-provoking movie on social justice. For more information and directions: 617-282-2881.

On Saturday, (April 26) enjoy a day made for a princess. Bring your little Princess dressed in her favorite costume aboard the Spirit of Boston for a party she won’t forget. It’s a dream come true as your little one gets to meet her favorite fairy tale princesses, dance along with the DJ and dine on a lunch fit for royal. Boarding: 11am. Cruising: Noon - 2 p.m. The Spirit of Boston departs from the Seaport World Trade Center Marine Terminal on Seaport Boulevard. Kids, Ages 3-11 - Starting from $15.90*Adults- Starting from $30.90* For more information or to make reservations, please call toll free (866) 310-2469 or visit www.spiritofboston.com.

On Sunday (April 27), you could attend the Mystic Folk concert presented at The Nave Gallery, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse Blvd., Somerville. It starts at 3 p.m. and costs $10/per ticket.
Information: Randy Winchester, RWinchester@ARTSomerville.org, 617-593-3744 or Mystic Folk at 978-525-0219.

My family and I crammed in all the TV time we could last night. The kids went to bed late so they could get their ‘fix.’ My husband and I watched absolutely nothing good just for the sake of watching and now the big STOP signs are taped to all the TVs in the house. It has arrived - “TV Turnoff Week” - and I couldn’t be happier. For one whole week there will be no TV shows, commercials, movies - nada. I’ve even taken the liberty of adding on a few of my own rules. There is no screen time period. That mean no Wii and no computer games.

My 5-year-old son has become obsessed with the Wii in recent months. When my husband purchased this evil machinary, he assured me it would only be something to pass the winter months. Last time I looked outside it was spring so…I packed up the remotes and the games and put them on a high shelf, in a messy closet, not to see the light of day until a snowflake falls again.

Before bedtime last night, I reminded the family of our no TV week rules. “Why are we doing this again?” They all pretty much asked in unison.

Well, if my 3-year-old daughter rolling on the floor with despair once her video was over and my 5-year-old begging for ‘just one more minute’ on the computer aren’t signs for a desperate need to break bad habits, I don’t know what it is!

I’ll be cleaning out my garage and trying to find some spring/summer clothes for my kids this weekend but if you have some time for spring fun, I’ve got some suggestions.

School vacation week has begun, so we’ve got ideas for very cool things to do with your kids. Like tour Fenway park or go if it’s raining hit the lanes at Cosmi Bowling in Stoughton.

Other stuff to check out!

Children’s Museum in Easton Announces Spring Fling

Come out to the Children’s Museum in Easton on April 19 from 10 am to 4 pm for a Spring Fling, with a celebration of nature and the reopening of our outdoor garden, The Wild Place. Plan to spend the day with Mother Nature, exploring the garden and seeing all that nature has to offer! Activities include: planting “make and take” gardens in biodegradable cups, hanging out with some rabbit friends, planting vegetables in the Museum garden, and much more! We also feature an appearance by magician Awesome Robb and Bounce the bunny with shows at 11am and 1pm. Country 102.5 will be here from 12-2pm playing the latest hits! Don’t miss out on the action because there will be plenty of fun and surprises! National Grid sponsors all of the Spring Fling activities, which are free with museum admission. The Museum is located in the Old Fire Station on Sullivan Avenue in North Easton Village. Admission is $6.00 per person, members and children under 1 are free. For more information check our website www.childrensmuseumineaston.org or call us at (508) 230-3789.

Go Green - Energy Awareness Day!

Saturday, April 19 from 11 AM - 3 PM

At Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center

One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport

FOR KIDS & FAMILIES (Ages 2 - Up)

• Create birds, bugs, butterflies, & boats using egg cartons, plastic containers and soda-pack rings

to add to our larger than life eco-sculpture display. Ages 2 - Up!

• Take the “Go Green!” scavenger hunt in and around the Joppa Flats Education Center!
• Take the Recycle & Sort Challenge!
• See demonstrations on how to construct a solar cooker, a worm compost bin, a melting glacier experiment, & more!
• Add a message to our Go Green! Joppa Flats banner.
• Test out a free ride in a Pedicab!

FOR ADULTS

• Visit with local business owners to learn more about zero waste consulting, recycling protocol, organic landscaping, & more!
• Take our green building tour to learn more about photovoltaic cells, rainwater catchment systems, and other ways to save energy & money in your home or office.

Program meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

Rain or shine.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

$2.00 donation suggested per person.

Pre-registration is not required.

Here’s a clip of my recent appearance on NECN. I spoke to the lovely Karen Swensen about the exciting changes to our print and online products. Note to self, never wear that color again!

The ticks are back

On one of the first spring like days we’ve had this year (Friday), my kids and I decided to play some Frisbee in the back yard. The next morning, my son complained that his ear was hurting. I assumed he meant his inner ear until I spied a spec behind his earlobe. That little bugger had already dug himself under my son’s skin and had grown to the size of a pencil eraser.

The pediatrician’s office confirmed that ticks are back. Here’s a great segment I caught on NECN about the dangers of Lyme disease and how to protect your child.