Keeping Busy

Last summer when I was home with James, I was not as productive as I could have been.  We had the TV on more than was probably good.  Let me be clear in saying though, that I don't have a problem with limited TV and that the cartoons on PBS are pretty decent (I imagine that I'll probably do some cartoon reviews later some time).  That said, two hours or more of TV is too much.  There were a few reasons that we had the TV on as much as we did.  Firstly, waking up is hard for dads.  In their natural habitat, dads need at least half a pot of coffee, consumed slowly, in order to be prepared for the day.  Secondly, last summer was HOT.  It wasn't just Minnesota hot, it was actually hot, and when dads get hot, they get lethargic and crabby.  Air conditioning is a good remedy for that.  Additionally, I didn't really have a schedule of community events to take advantage of with James.

There is so much to do here in the Cities, that it would be a shame if we didn't take advantage of them.  Certainly there are some things and places that just going to a couple times would be sufficient, but there are also plenty of weekly events that will help provide some structure to the daily schedule.  I know I am missing some things, but I put together a calendar of regular events that I hope to take the boys to this summer.

Weekly events include:
Monday

• Open rec center gym time for pre-schoolers at Edgcumbe Rec Center
• Pre-school story time at the Highland Park library (with a playground outside)
• Swimming lessons

Tuesday

• No-Group Tuesdays at the Children's Museum - that is, there are no summer camps, summer schools, day cares, etc.  That means a much calmer museum.
• Occasional Choo Choo Bob's story time.  Choo Choo Bob's is a local train store (http://choochoobobs.com/store/) that James loves.

Wednesday

• Open rec center gym time for pre-schoolers at Edgcumbe Rec Center

Thursday

• nothing!  Uh oh.  There must be something not too far away.  I'll look into it.
• Maybe weekly lunch with Sarah at work

Friday

• Pre-School story time at the Merriam Park library

There are some other regular story times as well at a couple different children's book stores in the area, but they overlap with the ones above and are farther away than these.  An outing to Wild Rumpus (http://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/) and then to the lakes or to Red Balloon (http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/) would make for a good change of pace.  

We also got a schedule of times that James's pre-school class will be going to different parks, so we can go play with his Reflection Room friends and have a picnic lunch out.  We will probably also go explore different parks, playgrounds, and lakes in the area.  The more we can get outside, the better.  The more we can be active and busy, the better.

On the docket today is Thomas napping more, finishing making yogurt, farmers' marketing, and then off to the rec center before lunch.  Wow, that sounds ambitious.  I might need a few more cups of coffee before we get moving.