Superhero Crafts

Spring break has sprung and since we aren’t going to Disney until tomorrow (will do a nice wrap-up on that, don’t you worry), the kids and I were stuck at home in some icky weather.  So, it’s craft time!!

I’ve mentioned previously that I’m BAD at crafts.  I don’t mean this in a self-depricating manner.  I am seriously horrible at crafting.  And yet, my kids love to do it.  So, knowing I had to find something easy for a 4 and 2 year old that would also keep their interest, I googled Superhero crafts and found a few easy options that actually worked.

Thanks to other bloggers who are much more crafty than I, I found some really great options. Granted I ended up doing a lot of the work (um, sewing?), but the kids were happy painting and making a mess and playing with the final product.  So, it’s a win in the end.

Avenger bookmarks from Crafts by Amanda – GREAT, easy, inexpensive supply list.  The kids kind of painted their own thing and we didn’t use these as bookmarks, but they loved fighting with them when a few were done!

Our imperfect lollipop superheroes

Next, we worked on Suphero capes on Lollipops from Little Bit Funky.  I (as usual) did some short cuts and didn’t use the print-out/cut outs.  We just did capes, punched a hole, and stuck them on lolls.  My older guy wanted to create his own superhero, which was great.  And the kids of course needed a lolly treat in the mix.

 

Last were our superhero masks, courtesy of Cutesy Crafts.  I definitely did some serious shortcutting here – only one layer, and quickly sewed the elastic to the edges.  Doesn’t look perfect but the kids wanted them fast and wore them the rest of the day, so I don’t think they minded.

Our finished products….

Young at Art Festival: Kids Can Sell Their Works!

We are big fans of Young at Art Museum.  Yes, it’s a drive – about 35/40 minutes for us – but in high-seaon/boat show/frequent car accident traffic, sometimes it takes me that long to get to South Beach. Also, IKEA is right near by, should you want to make a day of it.
YAA is wonderful on a “regular” day – interactive play areas,  hands-on art/science experiences and traveling galleries of fun.  But, they have a special day coming up, that is truly spectacular – The YAA Festival of the Arts.   Taking place April 12th from 10a-5p, the Festival features art created by kids FOR SALE! Accompanied by food, music, and fun.
If you have a budding artist, you can purchase a booth to show off his or her works.  And if not (mine are still a bit young), it’s such a great way to see art by kids, let your kids be inspired, and even buy a piece- often a really good one- at a good price. And you’re supporting a budding artist! Click pic above or highlighted link for more info.

Skateboarding & Kids: Q&A With The Owners of the Longboard Company

Recently, my son (almost 5) has gotten really into skateboarding.  And by “really into it”, I mean it’s an actual activity he asks to do, rather than us making him do it. As I’ve seen him progress, I keep thinking what a great exercise, balance building, and just plain fun hobby it is.

When I heard about the new shop, The Longboard Company – Located in the Sheridian Shoppes in Davie, FL., I was not only excited to bring my son for a visit, but also curious what they had to say about teaching him properly.

The store itself is great, they offer rentals for customers to test drive – which is especially great for a kid. You can see if they dig it or hate it before you purchase, and it only costs $25 (which, if you like it, can be used towards the same-day purchase of a board).  The store also offers skate/surf clothing brands including Roxy, Volcom, Nixon and more – my husband loves surfer-style button downs, so this was a great element also.

The owners of the store, David Malamud and Michael Keane, were kind enough to answer all of my pertinent kids and skateboarding questions.  It really does sound like a great activity to have your kids start with (which made me feel super validated. Yay me.)

Q: What age can kids start Skateboarding?

 Skateboarding can be picked up at any age. Board technology has grown to the point that any rider can find equipment to fit their ride style or experience level. For example, Penny offers a micro board that is perfect for young riders, or skaters that don’t want to lug a large board around. On the other end of the spectrum, Longboard skateboards provide an opportunity for adults to pick up or return to their love of skateboarding. The rigid and sturdy design promotes stability and control allowing for any variation of skill level.

 Q: What kind of skateboard should a kid start with/which different boards are appropriate for what age?

There’s no easy answer to finding the right board. Every rider is different, and boards come in a variety of styles, shapes, appearances, setup, etc. When shopping for a board, it’s important to do your homework. At The Longboard Company, our staff are skaters themselves, and love to share their passion with customers. Riders can come to the shop and actually touch, feel and experience the different types of boards. This is truly the only way to find the perfect board.

 Q: How far is it safe to let your kid skateboard (like same as a bike? a scooter? on foot?)

Like any form of travel, skateboarding can quickly get you from point A to point B. Parents should view a skateboard as any other method of travel for their children, and should implement the same boundaries. All children should be supervised while learning to ride, and we always recommend a good set of pads!

 Q: Do they need to wear helmets for skateboarding?

Helmet laws vary state to state, but we highly recommend a good set of pads whenever you plan to ride. At the very least, it’ll save you a few bumps and bruises which can deter you from progressing, but it can also save your life.

 Q: Where can they go (best skate parks?) to start honing their skills?

The best place to learn how to skate is right in your own back (or front) yard. The beauty of skateboarding is that you can turn the world into a skate park. Start by getting your balance, and learning to push. After that, you can practice tricks in the grass for a soft landing on those mistakes. The Longboard Company also encourages its customers to stop by the store and pick up a few tips and tricks. Our staff truly love the sport and are happy to show anyone the ropes.

 Q: What are the best benefits (i.e. balance, muscle strength, et al) of skateboarding?

Skateboarding is fantastic for connecting the mind, body and soul. Physically, your building strength, endurance, balance and more. Your also training your mind in that skateboarding is all about physics. Each trick you learn teaches you a little bit of science. If you don’t believe us, check out any slow motion skateboard trick on YouTube. You’ll be amazed at what’s happening below your feet. Skateboarding also brings you closer to nature, allowing you to get outside, enjoy a beautiful day and find the perfect rail to grind into nirvana!

About owners David Malamud and Michael Keane:

Owners, David Malamud and Michael Keane are Entertainment Retailers that know how to add an edge to the retail experience. In 2011 they created Aqua Shop Indoor Surfing, introducing the world to the Flowrider, an Indoor Surf Experience that seemingly harnesses nature for an awesome experience for any rider. Aqua Shop has redefined the way people view shopping by creating a culture and identity within their stores. Pros from around the world visit the shop to strut their stuff, or spend some time showing amateurs the ropes.

The Longboard Company- 15651 Sheridan St. Unit 900, Davie, Florida 33331, 954-252-5410

Beer Dinner Event This Weekend – Wynwood Brewing Company

In case you have a sitter lined up and are looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out this Beer & dinner event Wynwood Brewing Company is hosting (aka Husband Heaven).

If you haven’t been, WBC is Miami’s “first craft production brewery in the heart of Wynwood Art District, featuring a tap room. We are family owned and operated with the simple objective of bringing fresh, delicious, and creative beers to thirsty South Floridians and tourists alike. We operate a 15-barrel brewhouse and distribute our blond aleIPAPorter, barrel aged Strong Ales and seasonal offerings.”

This Saturday, they are hosting a beer&dinner event.  A variety of food plates will be matched with specific beers.  Looks pretty amazing, see menu and info below.  Maybe take a cab…

 

Yummy Soup for Sickies

My two kids, myself and my husband all got colds last week (typical).  Seems to happen to us often.  One kid gets it, sick for two days, next kid gets it, adults get it, etc. And, of course, as soon as we’re all better, the first one who caught it starts the cycle all over again.  Good times.

So, I wanted to cook something for everyone that would be easy on sore throats, delicious and contain some immunity building/cold fighting qualities.  For some reason, chicken soup in Florida doesn’t feel quite right to me.  I also like to make vegetarian items when possible.

I did some research to select ingredients (see Health Magazine article here and Best Health article about spices) and found that:

  • Garlic contains allicin, a sulfuric compound that produces potent antioxidants when it decomposes.  Leeks have similar benefits.
  • Carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene. When we eat these foods, our bodies convert this organic compound into vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. Vitamin A is especially important for colds, as it keeps the mucous membranes that line our nose and throat—one of the body’s first lines of defense—healthy and functioning properly.
  • Ginger is great for aches, pains, and nausea, just in case the cold was thinking of turning into a flu.  It also is an overall immunity booster.
  • Celery is an important food source of conventional antioxidant nutrients, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese.
  • Cinnamon is a warming expectorant, used to gently reduce congestion and phlegm in the lungs, and dry up runny noses.
  • Tumeric – recent years have seen an explosion of research into curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric. Studies have shown it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities.

So, taking that into account, I decided to make start with a Carrot-Ginger soup recipe I found on “Mountain Mama Cooks”. I used the freshest and most local ingredients I could find (the ginger and herbs were local).  It was easy, DELISH, and the kids & hubby wolfed it down! In fact, I had to do a second batch.  I modified a bit- I love using coconut milk, see my version below.

Bye Bye Cold Carrot Ginger Soup
 INGREDIENTS
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 lbs carrots, grated
  • 3 leeks, chopped & washed thoroughly
  • 4 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 small sweet potato, peeled & diced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh peeled & grated ginger (If you didn’t know – I had to google – you peel fresh ginger simply by taking a spoon and “Scraping” off the skin. )
  • 8 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 oz heavy cream
  • 2 oz canned Coconut Milk
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Tumeric

photo courtesy Mountain Mama Cooks

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Melt butter in a large stock pot. Add carrots, leeks, celery, sweet potato and ginger. Cook on medium-low for roughly 15 minutes until vegetables are soft.
  2. Add vegetable stock, Tumeric, and Cinnamon and turn heat to medium high. When soup starts to simmer, turn heat down to low and let soup simmer for 30 minutes (I like to cover because I want to keep all the vitamins in, but you don’t have to). Turn heat off and let it cool down a bit.
  3. When soup is cooled, use an emersion blender (LIFE CHANGING! And only $30) or a large blender  in batches to smooth soup.
  4. When ready to serve, add cream and coconut milk and season with salt and pepper.  Keep on low to keep it warm if you’d desire.

 

Chris Bosh’s Late Dinner at LURE with Daughter and LeBron’s Tweet

This weekend, Chris Bosh was spotted delving into Sushi at Lure Fishbar- the delicious new restaurant at the Loews Miami Beach.  Bosh dined with his wife and his 5-year old daughter.  The interesting note is that they walked in at 11 p.m.  Slightly late for a 5 year old…

On the one hand, the HEAT had just finished a game that night (which they won), and between Bosh’s busy practice and travel schedule, he probably has to sneak in whatever time he can to see his daughter.  There is something really sweet about the fact that he brought her along for the celebratory dinner.  I’m quite sure the Bosh family has nannies and baby sitters at the ready, had he wanted a night alone with his wife, but he chose family time instead.

On the other hand, fellow diners were certainly looking twice at a five year old walking into a sushi bar to sit down for dinner at 11 p.m.  And this brings up an issue much discussed between fellow parents – bedtimes.  According to Parents Magazine, it seems that what is most important is keeping things consistent.  Assuming the children don’t have to wake up for school in the morning, most experts feel it’s ok to have a later bedtime – as long as they count on it and make up for it the next morning.  Who knows if that’s the case with baby Bosh, but it certainly is food for thought…literally….sort of.

And speaking of Bosh’s daughter, check out this funny story that any parent could relate to involving the adorable 5-year old, LeBron James, and a misplaced crotch grab.