Check out artomatic.org! They have awesome family friendly stuff!!
Zooga! What on Earth?!?!
In case you were wondering what Zooga meant, our dear Sarah Waxman breaks it down for you:
Way before your grandparent’s grandparents, and before their grandparents’ grandparents, and their grandparents, and way before that time, there were people walking the earth. They looked around at the beautiful landscapes and the beautiful animals of the world and decided they wanted to be just like them. They moved their body into different shapes and sizes to look like cobras, butterflies, frogs, monkeys, lions, elephants, dogs, cats, cows, and all the other animals of the kingdom. When they moved their bodies they noticed that when they breathed like those animals they felt good, calm, relaxed, and free. They continued this practice and eventually created this thing we call yoga. Come celebrate and play with some of our original teachers @ the Zoo. Zoo + yoga = Zooga! What could be more fun?!
Don’t believe us? Check out these pics of our yogis getting down with their wild side at our most recent Zooga Adventure in April.
Join us on Thursday May 10th @ 10am for a free community event the whole family will love.
Meet in the green grassy picnic area across from the Kid’s Farm and next to the big “ZOO” clock/sign. Bring your mat or towel, and water! For more details and registration, please click here.
Mommy Interview Series: Amy Miller, founder of Our-Kids.com
As a wife and mother of two tweens, it’s no easy feat leading one of the most comprehensive online resource guides for families in the DC metro area. Read on to learn more about another inspiring mom and business owner as part of our mommy interview series!
Amy Miller & Family
What’s your “story”?
Before my first daughter was born, I left a rewarding, high-pressure position in a web-development firm to take on a new career as a stay-at-home mom. It is far more rewarding, though the hours are different! My work with Our-Kids.com began when my kids were 5 and 3 and I consider myself fortunate that I can work from home.
Our Kids keeps me very busy primarily when the kids are in school; but I often find myself working at night or weekends if things need to get done. Over the last year, I have been really trying to get that “work-life” balance thing in check.
What inspires you?
Random acts of kindness – People who pay it forward, Our-Kids members who write randomly with stories of how the service has helped them in their daily lives.
What would you do with an ENTIRE Saturday afternoon to yourself?
Lay in Savasana all afternoon! Just kidding – an entire Saturday afternoon sounds heavenly. If I had to choose, it would be to lounge somewhere with a good book and peace and quiet. No technology anywhere!
What’s the best part of running your own business?
I absolutely love the flexibility of being able to work from home and wrap my schedule around the kids and my husband. I really enjoy connecting with all the different people that are a part of Our Kids — from the members and other readers of the site – to advertisers and local businesses in the area. I feel blessed to own Our Kids and doubly blessed to work with some amazing ladies who research events and write reviews for Our Kids!
What is a typical day like for you?
Get the kids off to school, either volunteer, take a language class (I’m trying to take on a new language and French it is!), exercise (run or yoga), prep for any Girl Scout meeting and then work, work, work like crazy on Our Kids until the kids get home from school.
What’s something AWESOME you do with your kids?
We still read “bedtime” stories as a family, and the kids, now nearly 12 and almost 10, show no signs of wanting to stop. It’s such a special family bonding time and while it’s nothing earth-shattering, it is precious quiet time spent together as a family.
Any mentors/ teachers you’d like to give a shout out to?
My parents hands-down! They instilled in me a sense of compassion, kindness and the importance of family. As I’ve taken this journey through marriage, parenthood and owning my own business I’ve grown to appreciate them more and more. They made so many sacrifices for me and my two sisters — taught us so many valuable life lessons — I will be forever grateful.
Thank you Amy for sharing with us! Our-Kids is truly “your link to family fun”. Find classes for kids, local support groups, children’s theatres, party planning resources and much more at www.our-kids.com
Aromatherapy Play Dough
A big thanks to Erin Goodman for sharing this activity the whole family will love! We’re trying it at home this weekend! Share your creation with lil omm on facebook, and you could be a winner!
Aromatherapy Therapy Play Dough
By Jen Lashua, Certified Herbalist, artist, mama and creator of Love & Tea Company
Ingredients:
1 cup of organic flour (you can also use gluten-free flour for any sensitivities)
½ cup salt
1 cup water
2 Tablespoons of cooking oil (olive, sunflower etc.)
3 Tablespoons of cream of tarter.
Adding Colors:
Purple: Beet water (I use the left over cooking water from beets and add it into the water portion of the recipe. Beet water lends a nice deep rich purple hue).
Yellow: Turmeric, ground or powder (2-3 Tablespoons added into the water portion of the recipe)
Green: Wheat grass powder and or Spirulina powder. (2-3 Tablespoons added into the water portion of the recipe)
For Aromatherapy (Essential oils):
Essential oils are a great way to enhance your play dough. ***Keep these oils out of reach of children at all times***
Some starting essential oils (10-20 drops per batch) for aromatherapy play dough are: Lavender, Rosewood, Orange, Lime, Lemon
Preparations:
1. Mix flour, salt, cream of tarter and oil into a large cooking pan, stir until incorporated.
(If you are using essential oils or adding colors, you will want to add this to the portion of your water in this recipe. When adding color, you will want to do one color per batch. Add colors and essential oils into your measured water and stir before mixing into the dough mixture.)
2. Slowly add water to the pan. Cook dough over medium heat until mixture becomes stiff and doughy. Turn dough onto waxed paper and allow to cool. ***The dough is very hot. Keep it out of reach of children until completely cooled.***
Once cooled to touch, you’ll want to knead with your hands until it becomes a desired consistently. If dough is sticky sprinkle more flour and knead into dough. Store in an airtight container and label.
AND ENJOY the time well-spent with your family doing something fun and creative!
