Author Archives: Sue Kirchner
Plan Some Family Fun with a Neighborhood Firepit Party
Sue Kirchner in Just Between Us, Party Planning Blogaholics - 1 comment - posted on Jul 14th, 2011It’s Friday Night, you don’t have any plans, no babysitter, and you’re sick of movie night. It’s the perfect opportunity to host a Neighborhood Firepit Party. It’s a simple, fun, and easy way to be sociable and amuse the kids, no matter what age. Our neighborhood is pretty friendly so if you build a firepit, they will come. Before it gets dark, we put the firepit out on the driveway, set up some chairs around the fire and that’s all the invitation the neighbors need. If that won’t work in your neighborhood, type up a quick flyer and have the … Continue reading
Plan a Picnic in the Park for some Summer Family Fun
Sue Kirchner in For the love of parenting, Just Between Us - 2 comments - posted on Jun 28th, 2011No matter what age your kids, from baby to teens, time spent outdoors in the park is good family fun. You can make it a nice intimate family event or invite your friends and make it a party. Here are some of the Picnic Essentials that you need for the whole family. Further down I’ve given you some suggestions for additional items for babies, toddlers, and older kids. Disposable dinnerware, cutlery and napkins (to make clean up easy) or eco-friendly lunch bags and water bottles to reuse again and again Trash bags Water, to drink it is obvious but we … Continue reading
5 Last Minute Father’s Day Surprises that Dad Will Love
Sue Kirchner in For the love of parenting, Just Between Us - 2 comments - posted on Jun 17th, 2011OMG! Sunday is Father’s Day. How did that happen? If you are at a loss for ideas on how to show Dad how much you and the kids love him, these easy but memorable activities will make it look like you have been planning his special day for months. Dad will be thrilled. 1. Breakfast in Bed. The classic. Whip up his favorite breakfast dish and have the kids help you present it to him in bed. Or while relaxing out on the patio. Breakfast Burritos are a huge hit in our house and easy to make. Scramble eggs, saute … Continue reading
Moms, It’s Time for Your Annual Performance Review
Sue Kirchner in For the love of parenting, Just Between Us - 2 comments - posted on May 3rd, 2011I was cleaning out my desk drawer and found my Mother’s Day cards from last year. As I reread them and smiled, it hit me that a Mother’s Day card is really a mini performance review. You know, once a year at work your boss would pull you in and tell you how well you are doing (I hope) and how you made a difference over the past year. (Now, I know some companies aren’t so good about the performance reviews and some reviews seem rigged or written by someone who has never even met you. But in THEORY, they … Continue reading
How to Bring More Fun to the Family Dinner Table
Sue Kirchner in For the love of food, Just Between Us - 2 comments - posted on Apr 7th, 2011There are so many articles out about how families who spend quality time around the table talking and interacting have more well-adjusted children. What do they mean by well-adjusted? According to an article in Time.com: Healthier, less likely to do drugs, have sex, and learn to use a fork. According to the experts in the article, “A meal is about civilizing children. It’s about teaching them to be a member of their culture.” I totally want civilized children! Our family has been making a special effort to have more meals together every week to make sure we connect and more … Continue reading
Teach Your Kids to Love Gardening
Sue Kirchner in For the love of parenting, Just Between Us, Product Reviews - 1 comment - posted on Mar 24th, 2011It’s Spring (finally!) and time to take the family outside. One of our favorite family activities is to plant flowers, watch the bulbs grow, and eat some of our hard work. Check out these Teaching your kids or grandkids to love gardening is easy with these resources. Seed a Love of Nature Kids love digging in the dirt. It’s a primal joy. So, why not teach them how to grow plants properly and create a love for gardening. If you have a green thumb, this is the perfect opportunity to share your knowledge and enthusiasm with your kids or grandkids … Continue reading
How to Survive the Airport with Kids and Have Fun, Too!
Sue Kirchner in For the love of parenting, Just Between Us - 3 comments - posted on Mar 7th, 2011Flying with your kids can be stressful. There are so many things that could go wrong – the plane is delayed, your flight gets cancelled, you run out of baby formula, etc. Don’t panic or call off your next family vacation! Here are some tips on how to get through the airport with less stress and even have some fun. While you may live in a town that has a nice easy in/easy out airport, we live outside Chicago. We have O’Hare Airport. Enough said. Whether your airport is small and accessible, or you have to traverse the crowds in … Continue reading
Spring Break Staycation Ideas
Sue Kirchner in For the love of parenting, Just Between Us - 0 comments - posted on Mar 7th, 2011Staying close to home for Spring Break this year? There are plenty of ways to have fun with your family during the vacation time with a little creativity and planning. Be careful, your kids may ask to stay home every year. Here are family fun ideas for your Spring Break: 1. Camping in the Great Indoors – Although we’ve all seen signs of Spring, it’s still cold outside. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have some “outdoorsy” fun. Why not camp indoors for some unusual fun? You can make s’mores in the fireplace or over the stove top, sleep in … Continue reading