75 Summer Activities to keep the kids entertained!

I love this blog - www.freebies2deals.com. Today she posted this great list of free or mostly free ideas to entertain the kiddos this summer. With only a few more days of school, there are only a few more days until "Mom, I'm bored. Dad, can we go...(fill in the lastest place)" 

At least that is how it is at the Dixon house...so, this might be fun for kids of all ages :)

 

Summer break is a long time to keep kids occupied.  So, here are 75 Kid and Family Activities for Spring and Summer.  Enjoy!

1. Draw with Sidewalk Chalk
2. Play with Water Toys in the Yard
3. Slip N Slide
4. Make Giant Bubbles
5. Paint Items Outside with Water  (It dries and there is no mess!)
6. Go to a Local Fishing Pond
7. Backyard Campout
8. Draw Monster Pictures on Paper, Hang them in the Yard and “Melt” them with the Hose or Spray Bottle
9. Head to a Splash Park
10. Go on a Treasure Hunt for Rocks and Paint them
11. Participate in the Summer Movie Program! (Kid Friendly Movies are only $.50 during the Summer!)
12. Collect Flowers and Press them in Books.
13. Outdoor Picnic
14. Create a Campfire and Do S’mores
15. Head to the Zoo
16. Make a Lemonade Stand and Sell it Outside to the Neighbors
17. Take a Tour of a Fire Station
18. Head to a Water Park
19. Go on a Family Hike
20. Have a Movie Night Outside with Pillows and Blankets
21. Make Homemade Ice Cream
22. Head to a Free Fireworks Show or Have Your Own at Home
23. Do a Family Game Night with Fun Prizes at the End
24. Go on a Bike Ride
25. Take a Family Walk
26. Go to a Park and Feed the Ducks
27. Have Bathtime in the Bathtub with Glowsticks!
28. Build a Fort Inside on a Rainy Summer Day
29. Let them Color on your Windows with Window Markers or Crayons
30. Purchase Solid Colored Shirts and Hand Kids a Bleached Pen to Create their Own Designs
31. Make Your Own Playdoh
32. Do an Outdoor Scavengar Hunt
33. Color Ice Cubes and Set on the Drive way to Melt
34. Fingerpaint with Pudding
35. Make Tin Foil Dinners and Cook them in the Oven.
36. Teach your Kids to Sew.
37. Make cute hair clips with your Kids.
38. Find Shapes in the Clouds
39. Water Balloon Fight
40. Play Outdoor Night Games
41. Go to the Library Each Week and Read Books at the Park
42. Make Homemade Popsicles
43. Backyard Tic Tac Toe
44. Make a Marshmallow Shooter, Spray Paint the Outside and Have Teams
45. Blow Up Balloons and Cut Water Noodles in Half for a Fun Game.
46. Make Your Own Slime
47. ABC Hunt- Write all 26 Letters on your Driveway and Find Items Outside and Place Next to Each Letter.
48. Make Rootbeer Floats
49. Go to One of the Free Museum or Free National Park Days in your area
50. Go to a Baseball Game
51. Make SnoCones at Home
52. Plant a Garden
53. Go to a Dinosaur Museum
54. Head to a Farm and Feed the Animals
55. Participate in Kids Bowl Free!
56. Go Star Gazing
57. Go Miniature Golfing
58. Head to Free Movies in the Park (Check local cities for times.)
59. Do a Kid Fun Run
60. Make Your Own Lava Lamp
61. Go to a Library Storytime
62. Go to a Carnival or County Fair
63. Go Fishing
64. Make Necklaces out of Colored Pasta
65. Have a Princess Tea Party Outdoors
66. Have a Muddy Sandbox Day
67. Flashlight Tag
68. Travel to New Playgrounds
69. On Rainy Days, Create a Homemade Music Video
70. Write with Chalk on your Trampoline.  (It washes right off and looks more like a Chalkboard!)
71. Make homemade popsicles with fruit juice and popsicle molds.
72. Have a read-a-thon day at the Park with treats.
73. Go have a picnic at a park or a camp ground site.
74. Haul the TV and DVD player outside for a starlit movie night.
75. Door Bell Ditch Someone with Ding Dongs!

http://freebies2deals.com/2012/05/75-kids-activities-for-spring-and-summer-most-are-free.html

Sounds of Freedom - Layton, UT

The Sounds of Freedom is a Hill Air Force Base Appreciation Day!! We want to celebrate their committment to the defense of The United States of America and all of their peacekeeping efforts around the world! 

Come out and join us on June 2. 2012 at Layton Commons Park from 11am-5pm.

Festivities will include:

Classic Car Show

Food & Drinks

Raffles, Games & Vendors

DJ, Demonstrations & Dignaties

Admission is free. Golden Spike Realty will have a booth there all day, so stop by and see us, play with us & enter to win with us!

 

BUY NOW--before rates and prices rise!!

Positive Signs Abound for Housing

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012

The first quarter of 2012 was the best first quarter for real estate in five years, and pending contracts suggest that the second quarter of 2012 will be the best second quarter in five years, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said this morning at the Residential Economic Update during the NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Moreover, he said the second half of this year could be even better than the first, in part because of continued increases in rental costs and record affordability of homes. "Renters are getting squeezed, and they don't want to rent anymore," Yun explained. "This could be the year we see the release of pent-up demand."

Home prices have been skipping along the bottom for about a year now, Yun said, a trend that has drawn investors into the market. These investors have helped housing through a couple of difficult years and partly mitigated the dysfunctional mortgage market.

"Right now is the time to buy low," he said. "Investors are coming in to take advantage. Second homes started to recover nicely last year because of investors."

However, home values are poised for a rebound as more traditional buyers move back into the market, Yun said. In fact, this has already started to happen in areas such as Phoenix and Miami, which have seen year-over-year (March 2011 to March 2012) double-digit percentage increases in home prices.

As real estate improves, consumer psychology around home ownership will change, he added. Coupled with the recent — if relatively modest — job growth and stock market gains, conditions are right for a sustained housing recovery.

Featured Home of the Month - Layton, UT

This immaculate 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom home is bright & open with an updated kitchen including newer appliances, a huge master suite with walk in closet & separate tub & shower, a large family room with high ceilings, a nice patio with a sun shade for lazy, summer afternoons in a fully fenced backyard, plenty of room to grow in the basement that is plumbed for an additional bath, and RV parking for all your toys. Come see this great listing from The Tiger Ladies @ Golden Spike Realty!

 

Cinco de Mayo Recipe - Get out and party!

Grilled Fish Tacos with Chipotle-Lime Dressing

Marinade                                                                                             

¼  cup olive oil                                                                    

2 Tbsp white vinegar                                                          

2 Tbsp lime juice                                                                

2 tsp lime zest                                                                                      

1 ½  tsp honey                                                                                     

2 cloves garlic minced                       

½  tsp cumin                                        

½  tsp chili powder                              

1 tsp Old Bay

½  tsp black pepper

1 tsp hot pepper sauce

1 lb tilapia cut into chunks

Dressing

8 oz light sour cream

½ cup adobo sauce

2 Tbsp lime juice

2 tsp lime zest

¼ tsp cumin

¼ tsp chili powder

½ tsp Old Bay seasoning

Salt & pepper to taste

Toppings

10 oz pkg tortillas

3 tomatoes, seeded & diced

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 small head cabbage, cored & shredded

2 limes, cut into wedges

 1. Whisk together all marinade ingredients, except for fish, until well blended. Place tilapia in shallow dish and pour mixture over top. Cover. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours.

2. To make dressing, combine first 2 ingredients in bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover. Refrigerate until needed.

3. Preheat grill on high heat and lightly oil grate. Set grate 4 inches from heat.

4. Remove fish from marinade, drain off any excess and discard remaining marinade. Grill fish, turning once, until easily flaked with fork (about 9 minutes).

5. Assemble tacos by placing fish pieces in center of tortilla with desired amounts of toppings. Drizzle with dressing. Serve.

 

www.allrecipes.com