You gotta act Natural!

Dallas Children's Theater's Teen drama program

Cobb Children's Theater's West Side Story (2002)- that's me in the green t-shirt!

Cobb Children's Theater's Bye Bye Birdie (2001)

I have always been a bit "dramatic". I was the middle sister and in order to be noticed amongst my sisters I usually resorted to humor, dance or performance. My undergraduate degree is in Performing Arts, prior to which I was involved with local children's theater. Those summers were some of the best times I've had on stage.

Working to build sets, learn choreography, lines and meeting new kids from across the county helped me build confidence and got rid of any lingering shyness I had. There are tons of children's theaters and workshops all across the country. From musical theater to improvisation, you and your family can get involved and have some fun with your local children's theater.

The Birmingham Children's Theater (AL) offers workshops for kids as young as 2nd grade up to high school seniors. You can take weekend workshops or weekly classes depending on your schedule. Their curriculum is designed to help build self confidence.

If you are near Charlotte, NC- check out the Children's Theater of Charlotte. They offer parent and child workshops from kids 3 and up. For older children, there are workshops for college auditions, stage combat and improvisation. Perhaps you are not the on-stage type, they also run a 15 show season with something for the whole family to enjoy-like Disney's Aladdin.

The Dallas Children's Theater has a great teen program called Y.A.R.D. Teens can use the medium of theater to address issues that they care about. Through discussion, plays and writing , students can use theater as a method for expression.

In any city, the art of live theater and the freedom of expressing yourself on stage never gets old. Even if you are happier being a participant, take a look at your local children's theater and see what you local talent is up to.

Festivals Galore!

Akron's Annual Soap Box Derby

Check out the Great Falls Balloon Fest

Well, summer is ending. School supplies are tucked in new backpacks and new clothes are waiting to be debuted at school. This was the time of year that my Dad used to take me and my sisters to the annual kite festival in Ohio. Plus, my Aunt worked for the Akron, OH Soap Box Derby, so if we could we would head over to watch the races as the last days of summer drifted away.

However, it's not over yet! There are still some great festivals across the country in August. If you are a Cubs fan, or just around the Chicago area, check out the Wrigleyville Summerfest for good food, live music and funzones for the kids.

In Ehrhardt, SC the annual Scheutzenfest is underway this weekend. There's a live auction, parade, a Scheutsenfest Queen and the main event- a street dance. Grab the family and shake the end of summer blues away in the streets on Ehrhardt. What a great way to spend one of the last weekends of the summer.

Love hot air balloons? Well, Maine's Great Falls Balloon festival is this weekend. Check out the balloon launches, a parade, food and live music. There is someone pretty exciting about seeing so many hot air balloons in the air at one time.

Whatever festivals you get a chance to visit, be sure to enjoy those last few minutes of a great summer. Happy festivalling everyone!

On your Mark, Set, GO!

You can run for a purpose- I raced for a friend's sister and the patients at the Hospice my Mom works for

Get a group together and run or walk as a team! You're looking at Team Fancy Pants

The year I turned 25, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish throughout the year. One of those things was to run a 5k. My friends and family kinda laughed (I'm not what you would call a "runner"), but to their surprise, I did it! On top of that I did two more.

While I did not get the fastest time nor did my time increase with each race, I had a great time. My Dad has actually said he would run the Marietta Turkey Trot with me next year. Running a 5k can be a great event for the whole family to do together. Keep in mind you don't actually have to run, lots of people choose to walk.

I found a great 5k in the Kansas City, KS area called the Mud & Muck. Not only can you all get out and be active, but you can get a little dirty too! Complete the whole 5k (3.1 miles) or just go for the 1 mile mud part.

In DC, they are doing an "All Feet On Deck" race, complete with a pool party and BBQ waiting at the end of the race.

If you are not too into getting dirty, try finding a race for a good cause. In Savannah, GA, they do an annual 5k to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research. They host tons of 5k, 10k and health walks throughout the year to raise money for local charities, cancer research and even the zoo.

You can search by your area for a race by visiting the Active site. It's a great way to get out of the house, burn some calories as well as some energy. Get your shoes on and head out!

Swimmies

In honor of SHARK WEEK, I thought I'd post about swimming and water safety. As a not-so-great-swimmer ( I failed swimming lessons as a kid), I am the first to admit I am not so comfortable in the water. How about you? Are you a little fish or a timid dog paddler?

In search of local swimming lessons, because you are never too old to learn, I found this great site that allows you to search for lessons in your area. You can look for infant, adult and child classes. Also, you can search for private, group or semi-private lessons.

While you are at the pool, try playing one of these fun pool games. Everyone remembers Marco Polo, right? The person deemed "it" closes their eyes and calls out Marco, the other players respond by yelling polo. "Marco" uses the sounds of their voices to try to find them in the pool!

You could also play Sharks and Minnows (also called Submarines and Battleships). One person is the Shark and all others are the minnows. The minnows must get from one side of the pool to the other without getting tagged by the shark. The last person across without being tagged wins!

Compliments of Kids Health, here are some great tips to ensure and safe and happy summer at the pool, beach or any other large body of water:

• Always have an adult watch you when you are in the pool — even in your own backyard. Never go in the pool if there is no adult around.
• Gates are around pools for a reason — to keep kids away from the water when there isn't a lifeguard or adult around to watch them. Never go through any pool gates when they are closed. Stay safe and stay out!
• Swim with a buddy.
• Walk slowly in the pool area. Don't run.
• Don't push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt someone or yourself.
• Toys to help you float come in many shapes and sizes (an inner tube, air mattress, or beach ball, for example). Although they are fun and can help you while you learn to swim, what they can't do is save a life. They're toys that can lose air or float away.
• Don't chew gum or eat while you swim — you could choke.

Strike!

Cutest Shoes EVER!

We used 6lb balls, but see what works best for you.

There is something to be said for wearing borrowed shoes. Nowhere else in the world would you think about putting on a strange pair of shoes, only at the BOWLING ALLEY. I recently went bowling for the first time in probably three years, what fun we had.

Here in Savannah, GA AMF Lanes is hosting free bowling for kids under 12 every weeknight from 5-8 pm. You and the family can head over and bowl a few games this summer.

Since it had been a while since I had bowled, my good friend reminded me of the rules and scoring for bowling. For reminders sake:

- A strike is when all ten pins get knocked down in one turn.

- A spare is when all ten pins gets knocked down in both turns.

- A TURKEY is when you get three strikes in a row.

- Each pin is numbered (i.e. the dreaded 7-10 split) 

- You must stay behind the Foul line while bowling.

Kids can easily ask to use gutter guards to help them learn how to aim the ball at the pins. Ask the staff at the bowling alley to set them up for you.

You may even want to try heading to the alley during "Extreme" Bowling. This is when they play fun music, add strobe and neon lights. Kids will love seeing their bowling balls glow as they head down the lane.

Now, let's talk about scoring. I am more than thrilled that scoring is now done digitally at the bowling alleys. However, I thought it was important to know how scoring actually worked. For each strike you get 10 points. After an initial strike, you get 10 points, plus the number of pins you knocked down in the next frame. Whew- I'll be sure to use the digital score board.

Family Olympics

Relay Race- on foot or bike

Who can hula hoop the longest?

My family's annual badmitton tournament

I was fortunate to grow up on a street that had lots of kids. We would spend countless hours playing an endless game of kickball. One summer, we decided to hold a street wide olympics.

What a great idea for the family! Rather than watching a movie, get outside for a family olympics (if you live down south, I would wait until later in the day when it's not as hot). Come up with a list of games or events for your olympics and begin forming teams.

Some game/ event suggestions:

For Small Ones-

Tag 

TV, freeze or any other tag variety.

T-ball

You can get an inexpensive t-ball set at Walmart or even check out thrift stores for great deals on sporting equipment.

Bean Bag toss

Use a beanie baby if you haven't got any bean bags laying around. You can make them by using quilting squares from a fabric store and dried beans or even rice.

Dance Off

Put on some tunes and see who has the moves!

For Medium Ones-

Hopscotch

Make this more challenging by having team members pick up items or change the pattern for varying difficulty level.

4 Square

Create a grid with four squares each 4x4. The name of the game is to bounce the ball from square to square without it bouncing twice in your square or bouncing it out of bounds. You can customize your rules or add parameters to suit your group.

Jump Rope Contest

See how long each team member can jump or challenge everyone to try double dutch.

Obstacle Course

Create your own, or check out Martha Stewart's ideas.

For Big Ones-

Kickball

The rules are the same as baseball, but you kick a ball rather than hitting it.

Bike Relay Race

Set up stopping points along a bike trail or the neighborhood. Be sure to wear helmets and follow the biking rules of the road.

Hula Hoop Contest

You could even get neighbors or other families involved to create a block wide olympics. Each team can create a flag and host an opening ceremony BBQ. Create score cards and keep track of the rankings. 

We all scream for popsicles!

Yum! The Final Product

The banana acts an anchor to hold the straw

All hands on deck- everyone can help

Our ingredients

I will be the first to admit, I love ice cream. Well, ice cream and frozen treats of any kind. I recently saw the ice cream truck in my neighborhood and it brought back tons of memories of running down the street, dollar bill in hand waiting for an ice cold treat in the summer time.

Ice cream and popsicles are full of sugar though. As I have been changing my eating habits, as many are, I am looking for healthier sweet treats. I went home to see my family and decided to make some homemade popsicles with my nephews. I found some great recipes online, but created my own recipe.

My little guys love bananas and strawberries so we made straw-nana pops. It's a really simple recipe that everyone could help with. Here's what we used:

3 bananas
1 carton of strawberries (you could use the ones you picked earlier this summer!)
2 tbs honey
2 c low fat vanilla yogurt
Dixie Cups
Small drinking straws

First, cut up the bananas and strawberries and throw in a blender. Add honey and yogurt and blend. Set out the dixie cups and pour in mixture. Stick a straw in and freeze for about 3 hours. When ready, peel off the dixie cup and enjoy!

My brother-in-law helped out and came up with a great trick. Reserve some banana slices for the bottom of the cups. It helps to anchor the straw and adds some support- plus it looks great when they are done.

Based on what fruits or yogurt flavors your family likes, you can create tons of great homemade, healthy treats this summer.