Road Trippin’

This weekend I took Sam to League City (a suburb of Houston) for a little Grandma and Grandpa time. (Plus, Grandma, Aunt Lynne Cookie, and Mommy had tickets to see Wicked – woo-hoo for girl time!).

Sam is a seasoned road-tripper by now, but each trip brings some new enlightenment.

Here are a few nuggets from this weekend:

•    Any thought (yours or his) can be interrupted at any time with, “I see train tracks!”

•    Inside voices do not exist in cars.

Keeping the Me in Mommy

Don’t be distracted by this smiling, happy child… or else you could get burned.

No, really.

Last weekend my husband and I packed up our two sons to go to a friend’s pool party at noon. The morning of the pool party consisted of us adults running around getting the boys dressed, packing extra swim diapers and snacks and milk in a cooler, finding the pool toys, floaties and sunblock and trying to solve the omnipresent ‘nap’ issue  we face when our day involves a mid-day event.

Bags and coolers packed, we piled the boys into our car and headed to the pool party. About halfway there I realized I forgot to pack my contacts and sunglasses, so I could avoid wearing my glasses in the pool. “All well,” I said to my husband. “No biggie.”

Mango Berry Yogurt Pops

These yogurt pops are great alternatives to standard sugary popsicles found in the freezer section of your grocery store.  Totally kid friendly, but will satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth -- regardless of age!

Mango Berry Yogurt Pops
Makes: 6 (4-oz.) pops

Ingredients
1 small ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
1 mango, peeled and cut off the pit
1 cup frozen strawberries or 1 cup frozen blueberries
2 cups non-fat plain yogurt
2 tbsp. honey

Directions
1. Combine banana and remaining ingredients in food processor or blender; process until smooth.
2. Divide mixture evenly among 6 plastic molds or small paper cups. Freeze pops 10 minutes; insert popsicle stick or small plastic spoon into center of each. Freeze pops at least 3 hours or until frozen solid.
3. Run each mold under warm water. Gently pull each pop from mold or peel paper away. Serve immediately.

Amber Massey is a registered dietitian for the Executive Health Program at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and Mom to twin girls.

Safety tips for hot summer days

Take one step outside and we all know we’re in for another hot summer.  Goodbye to my beloved sweatshirts for a few months, and hello to flip-flops!

When I was little, other than the occasional trip to the lake (and yes, I did wear the big, ugly May West life preserver!) my favorite cooling activity was playing in the back yard in the water sprinkler with my dog. I would stay out all afternoon if my mother would let me, but she would always call me in because “you’ve had enough sun for today.”  How can that be?  I was a sun-worshipper then, and to this day, there is nothing better than spending the day out on the water in the sun (with protection, of course).  Everything in moderation, right?

But, as with everything, there is a downside -- like overheating, particularly with children.  Infants and children are less able to regulate body heat, and therefore more susceptible to heat exposure.  They have a much lower sweating capacity than adults, and cannot dissipate heat by evaporative sweat and cooling.  To make sure you have fun in the sun during the summer, follow the simple safety tips:

Summer schedule changes

What is this communication you speak of?

Summer + SAHM (stay at home Mom) + school teacher dad who’s off=__________________

Well, we’re a month into summer break and my husband and I are still trying to learn how to live together! We’ll have it figured out by August I’m sure. But seriously, being in a routine and then having it drastically change is hard. I have had a year of trial and error with handling both kiddos on my own and I have traveling and going out with them down to an art.

Cool, Entertainment for Hot Summer Days

This year my oldest son, Max, finished pre-kindergarten and is experiencing his first real ‘summer break.’ Since I’m a big time planner, I started working on a summer calendar months ago: camps, swim lessons, mini-school sessions? But as we went down the list I had so eloquently come up with, Max only went for one thing: science camp.

At first I was taken aback. Who would want to sit around for several months with no plans? What kind of kid am I raising? And then it hit me – I’m raising a kid like me. I don’t think I attended one single camp during my summers, but I was a master mud pie chef, an inventor of any outside game that involved running and/or being chased, and an avid living room movie goer.

So, my husband and I thought up a few summer activities that are a little more ‘grass-roots’ if you will. As my son can attest, activities don’t have to be fancy – they just have to be fun!

Here are a few shockingly simple things our 5-year-old son loved:

An intermission

The summer season is in full effect and for many that means time for family vacation. I have vacation on the brain because my family and I took our annual trip to the beach last week.  Post vacation has me reflecting on my time away or as Merriam Webster defines vacation as a respite or a time of respite from something: Intermission.  In my typical Type A fashion I was involved with the planning of my family’s summer vacation. As the days (weeks) came close to our actual day of departure I tediously made shopping lists, packing lists, driving directions, and things to do on vacation lists.  As fate would have it, a wrench was thrown into my tidy little plan when I was forced to have emergency surgery the night before we planned to leave town.  I tried hard to conceal the panic I was feeling inside as I dished out instructions to my husband and sister before leaving for the hospital.

Fourth of July safety

When it comes to enjoying fireworks on Independence Day, know your city’s laws and keep safety top of mind for you and your family.

Firework injuries are commonly seen in the emergency room on July 4th, said Dr. Hoyt Frenzel, medical director of the emergency department at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. Never light, hold, then throw fireworks. Small fireworks might cause pain and burns, but larger devices can cause severe tissue damage. It is better to set the fireworks on the ground, light them, then run away. Or better yet, leave the firework displays to the professionals! Even sparklers should be used with caution.

“Sparklers are fun for kids, but they’re very hot and a common cause of eye injuries in children,” said Dr. Frenzel. “Never let young children run with a lit sparkler. Close parental supervision is important.”

More safety tips from the American Red Cross:

•    Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
•    Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
•    Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
•    Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
•    Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
•    Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
•    Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
•    Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Much-needed R&R

We recently embarked on a fabulous family beach vacation to Navarre, Florida – self proclaimed as “Florida’s best kept secret.” And it was awesome. About 20 minutes from Destin, Florida, this city was a sleepy little beach town – just right for a family looking to catch some much-needed rest and relaxation. And as a busy, working mother of two, R&R is what I was seeking!

Fact: I am a Planner. I am definitely the Forbus Family’s Recreation Director and Entertainment Guru. However, I didn’t plan a single part of this trip – which is totally unusual for me, and I must admit it was very liberating. …I confess, until I got in the rental SUV, I didn’t officially know where we were going in Florida – I just knew it was going to be a relaxing beach vacation! 

Kids and snake bites

Have you ever noticed that the largest group at the zoo is gathered around the reptile cage?  Kids are naturally curious about snakes, that is, until an adult can change their minds!

One of my friends tells the story of being “attacked” by her son’s corn snake in the bathroom (never mind that the corn snake is docile, non-venomous, and is common as a pet).  The snake, Sid, had decided to vacation out of his cage, and moved in under a pile of clothes in the bathroom.  Unfortunately, my friend was not told that Sid was AWOL.  As she gathered up the clothes in her arms, she felt “something cold” wrap itself around her arm, and immediately knew what the situation was.  She swung and flung her arms around until Sid landed on the bathroom floor with an audible PLOP.  She stationed herself on the bathroom counter and armed herself with the only thing available…a toothbrush!!  It was a standoff!  The screams from the bathroom sent her husband running and Sid scurrying.  Sid was finally found and returned to his cage without a hiss, and lives there until this very day, cared for and loved by her son.

But what about snakes that are not as harmless as Sid?  Most snakebites occur from April to October during the warmer months, and coincidentally, when more people are enjoying outdoor activities.

Lawn mower safety

There’s an old saying: the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but you still have to mow it!  I remember as a kid, when Daddy was out mowing the yard, everyone was out in the yard doing something…it was like a lawn party!  That is, until one of my school mates got an eye put out while in the yard with HIS Dad mowing.  The lawn party was over!

Lawn mower accidents are quite common at this time of year, and account for a large percentage of accidental partial or complete amputations.  The energy transferred by a lawn mower blade is equivalent to being shot in the hand with a .357 Magnum pistol – dirt and bacteria can be embedded in a wound creating a high risk for infection.  Also, metal and wood can be ejected up to 100 mph, making debris a flying missile.

'Tis the season for water safety

Yahoo!  It’s my favorite time of year and summer is just around the corner.  Lawns being mowed, everyone sprucing up their yards, and getting ready for the even warmer weather!  This weather has made  me to clean up my pool and sailboat for another fun summer of sailing and outdoor activities!  I’ve been sailing for about 35 years, and absolutely love it, but it’s great fun to relax around the pool without the work of a sailboat! 

Of course, with the unseasonably warm weather and summer upon us, lots of folks have the itch to get the pools and spas up and running.  Whether at the lake or at the pool, we always have to remember our safety around the water, especially with little ones around.  Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children 1-14 years of age.  Children under the age of 5 represent 76% of reported deaths and almost 80% of emergency department-treated submersion injuries.  Taking an infant/child CPR class is an important step in safety.   You can go online to find a class like the ones offered at Texas Health hospitals, or go to the American Heart Association for information. 

Healthy eats for the grill

All this gorgeous (and warm!) weather inspires me to fire up the grill (and throw on the tank tops, flippy flops, and pull a ponytail!) No matter what you choose--meats or veggies, fruits, and even dessert--creating bold and flavorful food without a lot of added fat and calories can be achieved with your BBQ grill.

Anything grilled has a unique, smoky flavor, and not to mention that it’s one super-quick cooking method. So, forget those hot dogs and store bought beef patties and make room for yummy and deliciously healthy grill mates. I love to play around and sample different kinds of foods--from meats to vegetables, to vegetarian dishes and with the beautiful array of summer produce in my grocery store, I can’t help but add a few more servings of fruit and vegetables to my daily plate. Fruit and vegetables provide the body with lots of vitamins and minerals (especially potassium, dietary fiber, Vitamin C, & folic acid), phytochemicals and antioxidants. Compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts—as part of a healthy diet—are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases. These diseases include stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and even heart disease. To find out your personal fruit and vegetable needs check out http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/. I need 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of veggies every day! Help get that extra serving with this tasty grill recipe.

Keeping the fun in summer

Summertime can be fast-paced. Especially when you have children. Lately, we haven’t seen much of our pre-teen daughter. She’s eleven and constantly moving. Even as a toddler she loved to be on the go. We could be walking out of Six Flags with ice cream in our hands and she’d be asking, “What are we doing next?”

This summer is no exception. The first week out of school, she went to a church camp in East Texas where they have climbing, boating, games, slides … tons of fun. It’s hard to see her go as soon as school is out, but my husband and I sent her with notes of love and encouragement to open each day, and even emailed her via the camp’s website.

Leaving kids in the car: just don't do it!

Temperatures are rising across North Texas and individuals are preparing for the unofficial start of summer as we head into Memorial Day Weekend. But with the start of the season comes an unfortunate side effect of summer – the news stories about children dying after being left in hot cars. Just this week a one-year-old girl in Austin died after being left in a car.

Everyone thinks that it could never happen to them and we all certainly hope that it never will. To help hopefully make that a reality, we turned to an emergency room physician and a pediatrician to get their tips.

One way to avoid risking a child’s health is to never leave a child in a car unattended for any reason, said Dr. Hoyt Frenzel, director of the emergency department at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. “Just don’t do it.”

The last summer vacation

Brendan, Brian and me at Laurel Falls in TN

Call me crazy: amid ice, snow, and some of the coldest temperatures North Texas has seen in 15 years, I am thinking about summer vacation. Just humor me for a minute.

Actually, we’ve been scheming about taking a summer vacation for about a month now. It’s possible this could be our last summer trip together as a baby-free family of three (you never know what could happen in a year) so it’s got to be a good one.