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August
1 Girlfriends' Day. Help your children learn to be good friends by modeling friendly behaviors in front of them. Invite friends over for coffee. Celebrate the gift of friendship while your little ones enjoy a special play date.

August 9 is National Garage Sale Day. After a fun family day of bargain shopping, help children learn to save and spend money with some common cents sense. Use an old coffee, formula or frosting container and cut a coin-sized slot in the lid. Kids can decorate their bank with stickers or construction paper. Then, give them a few coins to start their savings account. Work out a system for them to earn money. Perhaps let them earn a penny for every toy they put away, or a nickel when they get caught using good manners. Be sure to prevent children from choking on coins by storing the can out of their reach.

12 Vinyl Record Day. Celebrate vintage albums by dusting off the old family record player and sharing sweet memories with your children. They'll be amazed to learn music didn't always come from an iPod.

22 Be an Angel Day. Be a blessing in someone's life. With your children's help, perform at least one act of kindness today.

Creative Paintings
Fun in the Sun: After a rainfall, celebrate the return of the sun. Find a mud puddle. Spread a vinyl tablecloth on the ground for a clean seat. Place art paper next to the puddle on the tablecloth and use a paintbrush to dip into the puddle for mud "paint." Allow the designs to dry in the sun.

Shadow Painting: Carry a poster board outside on a sunny day. Help children search for shadows by testing different shapes on their board. Once they've selected their design, position the board so each child can trace the shadow onto the paper. Then, spend time outside decorating the shadow with natural art supplies, such as sticks, leaves, flower petals and pebbles.

Popsicle Paintings: On a hot afternoon, ask children to decorate a paper plate by drawing eyes, mouth and nose with a colorful Popsicle. They can eat the rest of the cool treat while their artwork dries. Then glue the Popsicle stick to the plate as a handle for a happy-face puppet.

take tym 4 u
Ideas to fill your house with fun.

Motherhood is serious business. The care of little hearts and minds is daunting at times, and equally as challenging is the job of cleaning up all the dirt that inevitably follows those little bodies everywhere. In an effort to declutter, disinfect, organize and decorate, many a mom has made her home a "serious" place. Take some time to cast off the stuffy tone that may be lurking in your home and simply play there. Here are some ideas to ignite your rooms with fun and lighten your load (no cleaning required):

Endless Vacation: Summertime is vacation time. Extend your trip by bringing elements into your home that refresh you. Lift up the rugs and go barefoot (think beachside cabin). Light pine-scented candles to remind you of the aroma of the woods and sip lemonade daily. Small details turn your home into a haven where you can truly relax.

Grill Out While You're In: Remember what it's like to be home alone together with your spouse? Refresh your memory with a "date night in" by sending the kids to a sitter or a friend. Prepare some simple marinades (check out www.cooks.com or www.steaks-guide.com for some great recipes) and grill under the stars with your spouse. Light some candles and sample your high-protein fare!

Pitch a Tent: How about pitching a tent in the backyard for an evening? Create a mini-oasis to enjoy all alone complete with fluffy pillows and a flashlight. Relish in the summer sounds and lingering smells that surround your yard. An added bonus: hours of free time the next day when your kids take over your tent and turn it into their new clubhouse.

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