The (Ri)Charmed Life: summer

Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

Actually Using Those Summer Freebies

Every summer I sign my kids up for the Kids Bowl Free

program. We buy the family pass too as that is the only chance I ever have of winning a game. This summer it’s been a little frustrating finding open lanes as summer camp programs and preschools seem to take up the bulk of the lanes during the afternoon. I work in the morning so we are limited to the afternoon times. (Right away I want to say that these programs aren’t doing anything wrong and my daughter has gone to a couple week long programs this summer and it’s been very helpful to me as a parent. Working parents don’t have a lot of options so in no way am I putting any blame on any of the participants. I’m actually glad the kids get the opportunity to do fun things offsite.)

I’m going to share a few of the things that we have learned that make it easier to take advantage of the free movies, free bowling and other free opportunities for kids during the summer. The first thing is calling the location ahead of time. Most of the camps are good about scheduling with the location when they are coming. A simple phone call can often tell you if the place is going to be mobbed or empty. This is not always the case, as we are found, but it’s something easy to do that can adjust your expectation.

Time of day is also important. Most of the camps tend to come out in the afternoon so if you can make those morning events, go for it. We’ve also found that most of them have to be back at a certain time and that from 3:30 pm on things are generally less crowded.

If you do encounter a large group that just showed up somewhere, this happens a lot at the movies, appeal to the staff. If managements available, they can often make things happen. This is especially true if you have a special needs child or have experience repeated incidents of not being able to do something because of the groups. We were able to get a bowling lane, despite a stated two hour wait because I politely expressed my frustrations to a staff member. Politely is the key, if you go in demanding something, people are not motivated to help you out.

My last tip also involves location staff. While you are at a place, face-to-face, having that polite conversation, ask when the best times to come are. They have a lot of insight and can often guide you to less busy times or let you know if you can make a reservation over the phone. Always thank helpful staff and if you can leave a comment to management about that person. They may remember you in future visits and be more willing to work with you and squeeze you in.

If you have tips to share, I’d love to hear them as well!

PS While they are not free, activities sourced through Groupon can provide inexpensive entertainment and all of the above would also apply to using them.e

posted under free movies, Freebies, kids bowl free, parent tips, summer, summer entertainment, summer freebies | 0 Comments

Richarme Autumn 2015 Collection

I'm so excited to have put together a fall collection this year! I'm the sort of person that has to be really inspired to create things. As the school year started and summer drew to an end, I had very mixed feelings and that's why there are several elements to the collection.

When I came across the pottery beads, I was just immediately drawn to the dappled speckling. Initially they reminded me of whale shark skin. As I worked with them though, I got more of a cozy kitchen crockery feel and I just had this image of snuggling up with a book and an afghan and a mug of something delicious. That's my inspiration for the first part of the collection.

Available at Richarme.Etsy.com

My favorite autumn activity is antique shopping, especially open air markets or streets just full of thrift and vintage shops. I love vintage books, vintage jewelry, vintage china... This year I've absolutely loved all the images of blue & white chinoiserie on my Instagram feed. I'd been hanging onto some Chinese beads in that color palette and I just felt like the time was right to debut them.

Available at Richarme.Etsy.com

I really debated about the last part of the collection as it's not really a traditional fall theme. Here's why I decided to go ahead with it: this was a good summer for us- lots of time with friends and family. We spent half the summer swimming! Every day was a potential beach day and we kept a very loose schedule. Part of moving into the fall is leaving behind summer and I don't feel ready for that this year so I wanted to keep part of it with me. Gold is a nostalgic color so I wanted to edge beach shells in that- almost like sepia toned photos. It also gives each shell a polished look so that it can be worn with both casual and more structured clothing.

Available at Richarme.Etsy.com

The entire collection is live in my Etsy shop, so please go check it out! I only have two of the blue & white bead necklaces left, so hurry over if you're interested in those.

posted under asian, beach, beads, blue and white, Chinoiserie, pottery beads, Richarme, Richarme Jewelry, Richarme Jewelry Designs, shells, summer, whale shark skin | 0 Comments

Summer Daytrip

Took the kiddos to The Florida Aquarium for the day. We had a great time. We've been before, but the last time it was super crowded and I somehow forgot Jane's stroller, so I had to schlep her all over the place. This time, she was on wheels and that was a game changer. We got there right when it opened and almost had the place to ourselves. Here's some of the better photos we took:

The Florida Aquarium at Channelside in Tampa

Julian loves all the hands on stuff

Crazy about sea dragons.

Lining up a great shot

Even baby girl had a wonderful time

Glowing moon jellies

Momma's got to have some fun too!

Right now Tampa Bay area McDonald's have coupons- "Buy an adult ticket, get a kid ticket free". LivingSocial is also running a deal right now. You can always save a couple bucks by buying your tickets online. To visit the official aquarium website go to http://www.flaquarium.org/

posted under bogo, coupons, day trip, discount, Jane, jellyfish, Juju, kids, livingsocial, mask, moon jellies, sea dragons, sharks, starfish, summer, tampa, Tampa Bay, the florida aquarium, trip | 1 Comments

Etsy Craft Party 2014 Recap

The big day went well! I'm not for outdoor events in the Florida summer, but even despite that I think everyone had fun. I did anyway. Here's some photos I snapped. My phone is pretty wretched for taking pictures, but I'm just glad I managed to snap a few. For more, better quality ones, go to the Tampa Bay Etsy Crew's Facebook page.

We had a nice variety of vendors- everything homemade or vintage!

The crafting area was most popular.

The craft demos were well received. I loved Crystal's yarn spinning one.

Packing it up at Built.

I was up at the Welcome area for most of the event so I got to meet a lot of TBEC members and tell interested guests about our group. I just hate that it was so hot and the second I get warm I go full sweaty tomato- not attractive! Anyway, after the success of this event, there's talk about adding a fall one and we're definitely already thinking about our Holiday Market.

posted under Built, craft show, events, hand made, market, summer, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Etsy Crew, Tampa Etsy Craft Party, TBEC, vintage | 2 Comments

2 More Days!

I'm reading through the packet we got from Julian's school yesterday and I just feel overwhelmed. The car line chart alone is daunting. One of the reasons I like this school so much is the level of parent involvement they require- I just did not consider how it pertained to me! Really, it's not so bad, taken day by day. It's just a lot of information all at once. Jason's taking him in the mornings so I only actually have to deal with half of that car line chart. Thank you, Jason!

As much as I'm a little verklempt at my little boy entering his elementary years, I'm also to the point in the summer where I am ready for it to start already! Here's the top 10 phrases I used the most in the last three months:

1. "Did you wipe?"
2. "That's too rough for your sister."
3. "Pick it up!!!"
4. "STOP!"
5. "Don't touch me until you wash your hands."
6. "What is that?!"
7. "Don't put that in your mouth."
8. "You are getting so tall!"
9. "How's your rash?"
10. "I love you so much!"

Here are Julian's most used phrases:

1. "Mom, did you see me?"
2. "Can I have some of that?"
3. "I see your boobies." [The joys of breastfeeding...]
4. "Can I watch Ben 10?"
5. "I don't know."
6. "Why aren't you doing what I want you to do?!"
7. "Invisible Julian has/does/is...."
8. "Can you scratch my rash?"
9. "I'm the fastest in the world!"
10. "Guess what?"

I know I'll miss this time and age, but right now, I'm going a bit nuts!

posted under annoying, car line, growing up, Jason, Juju, Julian, parental involvement, parenting, phrases, quotes, school, summer | 1 Comments

All in a Week

August 7

The new guy. Julian has named him Joseph, which is funny considering that's what I wanted to name the baby if it was a boy!

August 6

Yeah, this is pretty much the gravitational center of "cuteness'.

August 5

Catching up on some correspondence. It's been a bit of an exciting, but lonely summer.

August 4

She's found her fingers, not her thumb, but her two middle fingers. Can't complain about a self-soothing baby though!

August 3

A life lived really, really well.

August 2

Jason's pick for birthday his celebration. My phone camera just would not function in the "mood lighting" so no people photos. J received some very interesting gifts!

posted under baby, ballerina, Betta fish, birthday, correspondence, friend, funeral, Jane, Joseph, Juju, Julian, letters, life, lonely, mail, restaurant, Rumba, summer | 0 Comments

Getting More Out of Baby's Wardrobe

It's no secret that I'm a pretty thrifty person. If I'm going to spend, I better get my money's worth. It drives me a little crazy how fast the kids go through their clothes, specifically Jane right now. She's out of her newborn clothes already!
Because it's summer and a hot one at that, I'm mainly putting Jane in lightweight dresses. I like that look anyway. At this point in the summer, a lot of stores are moving their summer clothes out for fall inventory. This means great clearance sales! Now Jane is a lucky gal and was given a ton of clothes, so I've pretty much restrained myself, but I did pick up a thing or two last week. I was looking for mainly shirts in toddler sizes that could work as dresses now. It's a way that she can get a year or two out of each piece instead of a few months.

Baby Gap floral- Tops with shoulder ties work well, as you can cinch up the top to make it the right size.

Aqua stripes from Baby Gap- this style neckline usually works well.

Navy stripes from Baby Gap- these look cute with leggings and a sweater when the weather cools

Oppander crochet & floral- If a piece has shoulder straps with buttons on the bottom, you can criss-cross them to shorten them.


Old Navy stripes & dots- Any straps can be shortened by using safety pins to pin the extra material in the back, inside. If you prefer a more finished look, you can detach thestraps at the bottom backs, add buttons to the back inside of the dress and put button holes in the straps.

Baby Gap- If you sew, you can pinch up the extra collar fabric at the shoulders and sew a temporary hem that can be let out eventually.

posted under baby, baby gap, crafty, dresses, growing, infant, Jane, money, old navy, Oppander, sew, summer, thrifty, tips, wardrobe | 0 Comments

Over the Heat

Tuesday, August 14~

H & I took the kiddos up to Palm Harbor for the last free summer movie. They showed Over the Hedge. It's cute, but I'm not crazy about some of the morality statements the movie makes. Anyway, afterwards we went to the Safety Harbor City Park to kill some more time. It was so hot. The kids played a little bit.

posted under free, hot, kids, Movies, Muvico, Over the Hedge, park, questionable, Safety Harbor, summer | 0 Comments

Great Explorations

Monday, July 9, 2012~


Playing vet

Julian and I are headed back up to Missouri this week. My grandfather is passing so it's not going to be a real child-centered, fun week. So today I wanted to take him to Great Explorations today. Of course, there was a huge group from Big Brothers Big Sisters. They all left at lunch time so after that it was a little bit quieter.
It's hard to avoid the big groups whether it's summer camps at the park or daycare groups at the children's museums. They have every right to be there and I'm glad the groups they're in take them fun places. I just don't enjoy being around that. I know it sounds snotty, but here's why. The adult to kid ratio is never that great. In the summer, half the helpers seem to be teenaged and often the kids just don't listen to them or the teens are behaving inappropriately for the setting. A lot of groups bring older children to things intended for younger tots. Most of the kids behave alright, but there are always a few that are very aggressive or just grabby. Julian was making me a play lunch in the GE pretend cafeteria. One of the BB, BS kids just came over and started taking things off Juju's tray. Same thing in the little grocery store, an older kid from the same group just took his little shopping cart. There was no manners, no apologies. I think if a parent was with those kids, that would not have happened. At least I hope so!

posted under Big Brothers, Big Sisters, camps, child care, daycare, fun, Grandpa, great explorations, Juju, Julian, parents, summer, travel | 0 Comments

Summertime Schedule

Monday, May 21st~

At Largo Central Park this morning

This week starts the first week of free mornings for us. I like to have something to do every morning to get us out of the house and get Julian around other kids. Our usual morning, schedule includes a Mommy & Me exercise & play group, Body Sculpting, library story time, Bible study and the occasional MOPS meeting. Just about all of these things stop over the summer so we're left to entertain ourselves. I think I'm okay with that because I'm just feeling burnt out. Julian's started playing with the girl next door more so it's nice that he can just go outside and play. I do plan on continuing the swim lessons and some beach mornings and splash park afternoons. Guess we'll just play it by ear!

posted under beach, Bible study, Body Sculpting, exercise, Julian, Largo Central Park, library, Mommy and Me, MOPS, play group, schedule, socialization, splash park, story time, summer, swim | 3 Comments

Swim Fan

Sunday, April 22nd~

Julian had his first swim lesson this afternoon. I'm still a bit under the weather so Jason got to take him. He did well and didn't seem traumatized. I know he can be a little fearful of water, so I'm very proud of him! We're getting a really good rate at the Y for the lessons so I'm hoping that by summer's end he'll be quite proficient. Feel free to invite us to your pool so he can practice! =p

posted under fear, invitation, Julian, lessons, pool, self, summer, swim, swimming, water, YMCA | 0 Comments

Pillow Talk

from Wednesday, March 28, 2012~


Vintage 1901 Hereford Bull pillow

I have a thing for pillows. I like them exotic or vintage or souvenir or whatever. They just add a level of comfort and luxury to a room. I've got a couple dozen just in our sitting room. From time to time I do list them on Etsy. Here are a few of my current favorite. Click on the caption (not photo) to go to the listings for each pillow.

1960's floral crewelwork

Color is the most important thing to coordinating a pillow. You don't want it to match exactly. Rather it should go. The pillow above has so many different shades of green and blue, it could go with a room that prominently features just one of the colors in it.