tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1375599570478609462024-03-13T12:22:28.857-04:00Indianapolis APGeigerinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983314830802772575noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137559957047860946.post-90728116911702924072011-02-03T13:52:00.003-05:002011-02-15T15:55:28.977-05:00Beating Cabin Fever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This has been a particularly cold and snowy winter, and it's only the beginning of February. Since there are probably a number of cold days ahead, we discussed ways to beat cabin fever and activities for antsy little ones this winter.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Around the House</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">On those days when the roads are icy and the wind chill is low, it helps to have a variety of activities available indoors.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Create spaces in each room where kids can play.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Leaving one cabinet accessible in the kitchen with pots, pans, and wooden spoons is a great way to entertain babes while preparing dinner.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hang a mirror on the wall at the right height for your little one. This can keep a baby entertained for a while. </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Have an activity basket in each room with discovery items of different shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and smells. These can be household items like an empty spice container, a piece of felt, or a lavender sachet.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Create a space where it’s okay to be rowdy. Hang a hammock; bring the slide indoors; lay the yoga mat out for tumbling</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Check out this great article with ideas for imaginative play: <a href="http://mothering.com/parenting/nurturing-imaginative-play">Imaginative Play</a></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Around Town</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let’s face it: we can’t hibernate all winter. Parents need to get out of the house, too! We’ve compiled a list of local venues that are kid-friendly. If you have a suggestion, please share it in the comments section!</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.imcpl.org/events/main.html">IMCPL</a> has free concerts, children’s book readings, and book signings.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.carmel.lib.in.us/">Carmel Clay library </a>has movies, play groups, special events</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The <a href="http://www.childrensmuseum.org/">Children’s Museum</a> is free for families 1<sup>st</sup> Thursday of each month, 4-8</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The <a href="http://www.indianapoliszoo.com/SitePages/home.aspx">Zoo</a> has discounted admission first Tues of the month, March-Dec</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The <a href="http://www.imamuseum.org/">Indianapolis Museum of Art</a> has free admission (and pets are welcome at 100 Acres)</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Community open swimming is at the North Central High School natatorium, <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6-8 Tuesday and Friday, 3-5pm Saturday </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The <a href="http://lllbroadripple.org/">Broad Ripple La Leche League</a> has a play group on the first Monday of every month, 10:30 a.m., at the First Mennonite Church. Directions are available on the LLL blog. You don’t have to be a member to attend. In fact, a number of the playgroup regulars never attend LLL meetings.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The <a href="http://www.indyarts.org/">Indy Arts Council</a> has suggestions for events around town</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><strong></strong> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Outdoors</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Unless it’s dangerously cold, it’s healthy to be outside. Keeping babies in a sling or carrier under a parent’s coat helps keep both parties warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120813155330311577.html">Waldkindergarten</a>, a type of school in Germany, involves attending school outdoors, year round. We don’t have any schools like that in Indy, but there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun around town.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Several of our favorite parks involve hiking trails, playgrounds, and nature centers.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.hollidaypark.org/">Holliday Park</a> (Indianapolis)</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.carmelclayparks.com/index.asp?action=parksgrnways_central">Central Park</a> (Carmel)</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/parks_details.asp?id=2923">Cool Creek Park</a> (Carmel)</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With this recent ice storm, I’ve been skating in the back yard</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please share your favorite spots or activities in the comment section. </span></span></div></div></div>Geigerinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983314830802772575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137559957047860946.post-38738656255310293212011-01-03T13:50:00.000-05:002011-01-03T13:50:37.192-05:00Welcome to the Indianapolis AP Group!We created a place to share meeting information, product reviews or recommendations, and other parenting-related articles. <br />
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Daniell and AmieGeigerinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983314830802772575noreply@blogger.com1