Free Coffee at McDonalds through Jan 22

Have you tried McDonald's coffee? Would you like to sit down for a few minutes while your children happily play a few feet away? This may be a good day to take your little ones to McDonald's so that they can run, climb, and play while you sit, sip, and relax.

Free small coffee
100% Arabaca beans
no purchase necessary
(and it's good coffee!)

Gosh, this weekend you could even take an Arizona road trip and enjoy free coffee around the state. Participating locations through January 22nd, include the following Arizona counties:
Maricopa, Pinal, Gila, Yuma, La Paz, Mohave, Coconino, Navajo, Apache and Graham.

Thank you, McDonald's!

The current answers about well-being

The people of Gallup Press keep giving us what I consider the best of popular, strength-based non-fiction and they have done it again. If you wonder about "happiness", I still recommend reading Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman and if you want to learn about how you can increase your sense of "well-being", then the new book by Tom Rath and Jim Harter is a must read, too.

The title of the book is Well Being: The five essential elements. Those elements include: social, financial, career, physical and community well-being. I often make the comment that some authors turn what-should-be-a-brochure into a book, but this book makes the most of every page so all of the text is likely to be worth your time.

As with others in the StrengthsFinder series, each book comes with a code so that you can access the online Wellbeing Finder. After answering a series of questions, you will receive summaries of your current levels of wellbeing based on this model. You can continue to retake the Wellbeing Finder for six months and you are offered options for reminders that can help facilate your action plan for improved wellbeing. Is this of interest to you?

To contact Caron:

caron@studio22azwa.com

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http://www.funmoms.biz/

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Boredom prevention ...

In our district, the school year ends next week. The first few days of summer vacation will be experienced as no-homework-euphoria but soon it will happen ... kids will get bored.

The following advice is based on recommendations from the Search Institute (www.search.org). One possibility is to collaborate with your kids and create a list, or box, full of ideas for the onset of "bored" moments ~ with older children, this approach provides an opportunity to be self-responsible and replace their boredom with fun and/or engagement in meaningful activities.

Some more specific ideas:

Birth to age 5

Spend time with your children if they are bored.

Keep kids stimulated with ordinary household items.
Visit the library to find books and participate in activities.

Ages 6 to 9

Invite your child to help with chores.
Introduce kids to new activities (pictures).
Visit some of your child's favorite places.

Visit places that your child with soon outgrow (e.g. children's museum or petting zoo).

Ages 10 to 15
Introduce young teens to new interests.
Monitor what your kids do when they're bored.
Develop a kid-friendly-home where friends can visit and be active together.

Find volunteer activities and create your own service-learning program.

Ages 16 to 18
Help teens find a balance in their daily schedule.

Help teens pursue their interests.

Offer teens opportunities to dream about their futures and take action steps.
Nurture your child's sparks.
Ask your teen about their friends.

Be a great listener (from birth through adulthood!)

* photos: a "new activity" for two 7-year olds ~ making candy covered pretzel sticks with white frosting ... for a healthier alternative, try celery sticks with cream cheese & craisins :)

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Freeeeeeeee & Fun - Books +

Early in my college life, I got headaches when I walked into libraries; I don't know if it was fear of the Dewey Decimal System, not being able to have a Diet Coke at my side or dusty stacks but .... I have changed my mind. I love libraries! And, they are freeeeeeeeee.

Today I multi-purposed and took my daughter to our new neighborhood library so that we could explore the books & videos and check out the state of the art meeting rooms available to the public. There is something nostalgic about old libraries and something super sophisticated about the new ones; if you live in, or visit, Peoria (AZ) be sure to stop by our Sunrise Mountain Branch on Lake Pleasant Parkway for a first class experience in literature and more.

If you have young children, you'll want to attend one of Madam Paculi's storytimes. The library has free WIFI for your laptop and lots of terminals, too. The seating options near the indoor/outdoor play area are designed so that everyone can enjoy the library in their own way; I saw some moms holding children on their laps reading as others sat reading their own books while their children ran with bare feet through the grassy circle. The books & more concept has come a long way since the days of "shhhh!"

Oh, what a bargain!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PS - Did you see the movie Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler? If so, do you remember the part where he wants something for freeeeeeeeeeEEEEEE? We keep repeating that line in our household and laughing.

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PPS - This week Tamarha, my forever friend & co-author of the original Fun Places to Go with Kids in Metro Phoenix, told me that it is the 50th anniversary of Strunk & White. Tamarha, what do you think Strunk & White would think of my atypical grammar & punctuation?

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Libraries of the World


International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
www.ifla.org/VI/2/p2/national-libraries.htm

National Libraries
www.nationallibraries.org

Libraries of the United States of America

American Library Association
www.ala.org

Library of Congress
www.loc.gov

~~

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St Patrick's Day - Green Eggs & Bananas

So, do you think green eggs are gross or fun or both? This specific entree is tinted with neon green food coloring for extra Irish luck & zing along with a little cream cheese for a flavor & texture boost. Do I sound gourmet?


Yes, I had planned on a Suess-type menu complete with ham but I had no ham so we had green eggs with bananas as our side dish. What are the lessons here?



1) if you don't plan ahead and you don't have all of your supplies, improvise and move forward with fun anyway ~


2) even if you are committed to fun, your family & friends may not go along with your great ideas and you may be the only one who eats green eggs (or whatever you've prepared) ... stay committed to fun ~



Whether you're throwing an all out St. Patty's bash, pinching those not wearing a touch of clover green or simply saying the Irish Blessing at dinner ... enjoy an opportunity to celebrate. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you.


The Irish Blessing


There are many Irish Blessings,
but this is the most well-known of all
and it is one of my Grandpa Hickey's favorites:



May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.


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