The Washington DC fireworks were AWESOME!! PBS TV is running it again for those who missed it! http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/
Washington DC Fireworks ARE AWESOME!
July 4, 2009
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Wonderments | Tagged: child, children, family, fireworks, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Places to Go, Washington DC Fireworks | 
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Posted by mygrandmasue
Ever Wonder How Fireworks Work??
July 4, 2009This is pretty interesting on the Orange County Register’s website: The colors of fireworks: what is the secret? by Ben Young Landis in Gary Robbins science blog along with an interactive example.
Happy 4th of July!!
Perfect movie for the 4th: The Whole Shebang! One of my favorites!
4 Comments | Wonderments | Tagged: 4th of July, Ben Young Landis, chemistry, fireworks, Gary Robbins, July 4, physics, Science Blog, science lesson | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Long Beach Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo
July 3, 2009From today’s Long Beach Presss-Telegram: Take the family to the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo! You can try out various musical instruments like violin, trumpets and tubas. All ages are welcome. 4 pm. Wednesday at Long Beach Main Library, 101 Pacific Ave 562-570-7500 and 2 pm Thursday at Brewitt Library, 4036 E Anaheim St., Long Beach, 562-570-1040. Free. There were no dates, so call first to make sure it is an on-going thing! I tried but they are closed for July 3&4th.
OK. So I googled “Long Beach Symphony Petting Zoo” and discovered it’s for last Wednesday and yesterday! Rats! Sounded fun!!
However, all is not lost! Some fun still can be had with the storytimes I found listed in the calendars as well as other fun activities. Here is the calendar. Just click on the activity that catches your eye!
Leave a Comment » | Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, kids, library, Long Beach, Places to Go, storytelling, storytime | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Crafts for the 4th of July
July 2, 2009Need some ideas for patriotic crafts for the kids that look 4th-of-Julyish? Check out the article on the grandparents.com website.
Leave a Comment » | Indoor Activities | Tagged: arts and crafts, child, children, children's arts, children's arts and crafts, children's crafts, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
30 Essentials for Grandkids
July 2, 2009www.grandparents.com has great suggestions in “30 Essentials Every Grandparent Should Have” for safety, snacks, and fun. There are also good additional suggestions in the comments that follow from other grandparents.
Leave a Comment » | Routine Activity | Tagged: child, children, family, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Reno Gazette-Journal on Granddads
July 1, 2009Oh, I loved the article In Honor of Granddads by Forrest Hartman for Father’s Day! It strikes the same heartstrings as Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! does. There are so many special grandpas – some get recognition, some don’t. Some just do it because it is the right thing to do even if it is not appreciated. The memories the children have once they’ve grown remain with them always – both good and bad! So give them good ones! 🙂 Forrest has lots of examples in his article. Nice work, Forrest!
Leave a Comment » | Routine Activity | Tagged: child, children, family, Father's Day, Forrest Hartman, grandchild, grandpa, Grandpa Do It, grandparent, kids, RGJ | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Possible Plethora of Wildflowers
June 30, 2009Because of the late, cool spring rains, the wildflowers in the Sierra Nevada may be in bountiful bloom in a few weeks. The warm weather that is expected this week will start them on their way. Actually, we’ve seen blue lupine, white prickly poppies, pink, red and light purple penstemon, and California poppies along the road already.
Some of our favorite wildflower books for the high desert are Sierra Nevada Wildflowers by Karen Wiese and Great Basin Wildflowers: A Guide to Common Wildflowers of the High Deserts of Nevada, Utah, and Oregon and Wildflowers of the Eastern Sierra and Adjoining Mojave Desert and Great Basin both by Laird R. Blackwell. Laird Blackwell also has Tahoe Wildflowers: A Month-by-Month Guide to Wildflowers in the Tahoe Basin and Surrounding Areas for the Lake Tahoe area.
Our mode of operation on our car trips, mainly on Highway 395, between LA and Reno is for me to give the high sign that I want us to pull off to the side of the road so I can pull out the books and camera to identify and record the latest splash of color along the road. According to the books, Horseshoe Meadow and Onion Valley are showy places. Also off of Highway 88 on Blue Lakes Road is another super spot. The mountainsides along 395 on the other side of the road from the Walker River splash with color. Carson Pass is another good place to find different wildflowers.
3 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: child, children, Desert Flowers, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Great Basin, Green Hour, High Desert Wildflowers, hiking, Karen Wiese, kids, Laird Blackwell, Lake Tahoe, Places to Go, Reno, Reno area, Reno-Tahoe, Reno/Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, Walker River, wildflowers | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Youth Backcountry Camps for Ages 13-18
June 29, 2009This summer, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys will be offering four sessions of three-day, two-night Youth Backcountry Camps. These camps are intended to engage high school youth in a true wilderness experience and a service learning project on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
From the website:
“The Youth Backcountry Camps provide a valuable wilderness experience to youth in the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. These camps combine wilderness education, trail operations and maintenance, outdoor education, and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, all while camping in the backcountry in a life-changing outdoor program. Participants learn valuable lessons and gain outdoor experiences that will help them to connect with the environment and infuse environmental stewardship for the future, allowing them to spread their new found knowledge and skills throughout their community.
The TRTA Youth Backcountry Camps engage young adults between the ages of 13-18 who love the outdoors and want to learn more about backpacking, trail operations, ecology and outdoor leadership skills in an advanced wilderness setting.
Dates:
* Session 1: July 13-15th
* Session 2: July 16-18th
* Session 3: July 19-21st
Several topics incorporated will be:
* Map and Compass Orienteering
* Leave No Trace: 7 Principles for Minimum Impact Recreation
* Shelter building skills
* Flora and Fauna Identification
* Backcountry survival skills
* Team building exercises
* Leadership skills
Each camp has the capacity for 12 students and will be fully supported by TRTA and SNJ staff. The cost for the program is $99 (scholarships are available). Participants are provided with all necessary camping gear and food for the program. Participants only need appropriate footwear and a passion for the outdoors!
For more information or to register, contact Katy Washington
775.298.0238 or.katyw@tahoerimtrail.org”
1 Comment | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: Backcountry Adventure Camp, Backcountry Hiking, backpacking, children, Ecology, Green Hour, hiking, kids, Lake Tahoe, Leave No Trace, nature, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Ethics, Outdoor Leadership, Outdoor Leadership Skills, Places to Go, Service Learning, Service Learning Project, Sierra Nevada Journeys, summer camp, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Trail Operations, Wilderness Education, Wilderness Experience, Youth, Youth Backcountry Hiking | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Full Moon Hikes
June 29, 2009Have you ever hiked at night by the light of the full moon? Ok, with maybe a little help of a flashlight? In the Reno/Tahoe area there are two series of full moon hikes being offered by two separate groups.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is offering full moon hikes for members (Membership is $20 annually) starting at the Tahoe Meadows Trail trailhead. Per the event calendar: Everything changes after dark – the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes led by experienced hike leaders. Take in inspiring views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk. Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the flora and fauna, current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses.
TRTA Membership is required to attend.
Space is limited; please call the TRTA office at (775) 298-0012 or email katyw@tahoerimtrail.org to reserve your spot. Bring a flashlight, layered clothing and water. This may not be the best hike for children under 10. Please, to respect the night sounds and wildlife, no dogs this time! The dates are July 7, August 6, September 4 and October 4.
The Squaw Valley hiking center guided moon hikes begin at 6:30 p.m. at High Camp (accessible via cable car). The hikes are approximately three hours long and are moderate in level. The dates are July 6 and 7 and August 4 and 5. The cost is $15 for adults, youth and seniors and $5 for children. Bring drinking water and flashlights and wear warm clothing.
The Squaw Valley hiking center also has guided sunset hikes July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 31 and August 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. For more details call 530-583-6985 or click www.squaw.com
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, family, Full Moon Hikes, fun, grandchild, grandpa, grandparent, hiking, hiking trails, kids, Lake Tahoe, moon hikes, night hikes, Places to Go, Squaw Valley, Tahoe Rim Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail Association | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Volunteer Vacations
June 28, 2009USA Today reviewed two books loaded with ideas for vacations where you can make a difference. Check it out!
The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life, by Pam Grout and
Volunteer Vacations Across America by Sheryl Kayne
While on Amazon I also found:
Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others by Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, Anne Geissinger, and Ed Asner
Leave a Comment » | People Who Make A Difference, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, familt vacation, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, kids, Places to Go, vacation, vacation destination, Volunteer Vacations | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
MyGrandmaSue 