I have to admit that when I first saw this report, I didn’t think it would be something I’d be interested in. My fear of heights and my general ineptitude at doing most outdoor work made me think this was a “pass”.

But this quick little booklet does outline a pretty neat little business installing holiday lights. Of course, if I did this I’d be a manager ONLY. No way am I getting on a ladder for anything!

But for an enterprising “manager” type that I tend to be this has promise. In fact, I don’t think I know anyone doing this in my area. If there is someone doing it, they sure aren’t marketing it because I’ve never heard of a service like this near me.

So check it out! Pass it on to a friend, relative or maybe husband/boyfriend who doesn’t mind getting up on a ladder and spreading some holiday cheer! =)

(This booklet is freeware: you can pass it on to anyone you like either by email or just sending them here to download it themselves.)

To download this booklet, right click on the graphic or this link here and select, “Save Target As”. It’s a PDF so you’ll need the free Adobe Reader application to open it.

In the spirit of parental collaboration, I’m opening this page up to comments from readers on their favorite summer activities for kids and families in the Twin Cities! More cities to come, so if you aren’t in the Twin Cities come back soon for a separate page for your city!

Please post your ideas here in the comments! If it’s a location, attraction, etc include a link to their site if you have it so other parents can research it.

If you’ve been there, post your opinions, tips, favorite part, and ages it’s best suited for and we’ll have a nice little brainstorming list for parents desperate for ideas on how to entertain the kiddos this summer!

Post events, attractions, classes, educational opportunities, great places to eat, day-trips, parks you like, stores that cater to kids….anything!

I’ll start with a couple of locations close by me to get the ball rolling:

Caponi Art Park
http://www.caponiartpark.org
Eagan, MN
All ages welcome, some activities are probably best for school-aged kids though they have events for all ages.

Description from their site:

Located on 60-acres of rolling wooded hills in Eagan, Minnesota, Caponi Art Park and Learning Center is a distinctive community space offering free cultural and educational experiences in an inviting, natural setting. The Art Park is unique in the way it blends the beauty of nature with art to create a symphony out of all the physical elements and creative activities that take place in the park.

Caponi Art Park provides opportunities for reflective experiences as well as active participation in a variety of programs. The Art Park welcomes over 15,000 visitors each year. Visitors enjoy a quiet and peaceful atmosphere as they walk the trails and take in the art. The Art Park’s most prominent features include miles of wooded walking trails, a one-of-a-kind Sculpture Garden and the Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater.

A 60-acre sculpture in itself, the Art Park serves as a backdrop to cultural programs and educational offerings. Programs include the Summer Performance Series, Family Fun Tuesdays, Shakespeare Festival, Medieval Fair, Poets in the Park and Guided Tours.

Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store
http://www.choochoobobs.com/
St. Paul, MN
Any age…who doesn’t love trains? They even do birthday parties in the store!
Description from their site:

Choo Choo Bob’s has become a landmark in St. Paul, and a destination for people from all over the Twin Cities area. Moms and Dads, children and grandparents, all find the experience at Choo Choo Bob’s to be rewarding and fun.

Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store opened in October of 2005.  Founded on the principle that trains are fun for all ages, Choo Choo Bob’s is an enriching shopping experience for everyone from ages one to 100.  Operating trains in the front window that greet customers, interactive tables for children,  Thomas the Tank Engine toys, Brio and other toys, O, HO and N Gauge trains, gifts and parties all contribute to the Twin Cities most exciting shopping environment.

Ok, your turn! What are your ideas for keeping kids busy in the summer in the Twin Cities?

I’m preparing some posts about meal planning and I’m looking for your feedback!

Consider the comments of this post a virtual notebook for you to leave what you think about, or know about meal planning.

Yes, if you run a meal planning business or have an ebook or website you can and should post your link here! But please, only post a link to a paid resource if you are the owner. I’d rather the comments of this post didn’t turn into a contest for affiliates to get their link here first! =)

How do you feel about meal planning? Do you do it? Do you want to? Does the prospect of meal planning cause you to panic at how much organization is needed? Do you think the concept of meal planning is “organizational overkill”? Let me know how you feel about it, how you do it, why you do it and what works for you!

I’ll compile some of the thoughts, tips and resources into a section on meal planning here on AutomaticMoms at some point in the near future!

Thanks!

Last night while I was sleeping I had dishes washing in the dishwasher, clothes washing in the washing machine and drying in the dryer, my computer doing some crucial updates, and scheduled virus scan and a backup of computer files humming along. I also had TiVo recording some of my favorite shows that happened to repeat late at night.

I woke up this morning to a fully-updated, backed up, virus-free computer, clean clothes, dry clothes and clean dishes. The bonus was a TiVo full of great shows for me to watch this weekend all waiting for me with a couple of clicks on the remote.

This morning as I folded the dry clothes and moved the wet ones to the dryer, my buddy Roomba vacuumed the living room before the onslaught of preschool toys that would litter the room the rest of the day. Then, I checked in on my web server and found some software I use on some of my sites needed updating too. Two clicks and those were updated automatically too.

All this and eight hours of sleep. Don’t you love automation?

In the past week, two separate people, who don’t even know each other have told me that, “Two kids are easier than just one”.

Hmm…as the mom of “just one” I’m not terribly sure I believe that. Part of me thinks it’s a trick moms of “more than just one” play on we singleton moms to see if we take the bait, waiting for us to call in desperation, “But you said two were easier than one!” while they laugh maniacally with their phone on mute.

So what gives “Moms of more than one”? Would you agree that having a second child was easier than having one? I mean, I understand the whole idea of the second child experience being easier simply from the “been there, done that” aspect, but what about the fact that there are now TWO little people clamoring for attention and care?

What do you think? Is it easier to have two kids than it is to have just the one?

Today is Friday! It’s Mega Swag Bucks Friday!!

This the one day of the week when Swagbucks is extra, extra loose with handing out the Swagbucks! If you haven’t joined yet, today would be a great day to do it! You get 30 Swagbucks free just for joining and they add up fast, especially on Fridays!

My favorite rewards are the $5 Amazon gift codes for just 450 Swagbucks! They add up fast!

Here’s my review of Swagbucks……

Or, just click here to join Swagbucks now! Happy Friday!

Today is Friday! It’s Mega Swag Bucks Friday!!

This the one day of the week when Swagbucks is extra, extra generous with handing out the Swagbucks! If you haven’t joined yet, today would be a great day to do it! You get 30 Swagbucks free just for joining and they add up fast, especially on Fridays!

I’m well on my way to accumulating LOTS of free $5 Amazon gift codes for my holiday shopping! I think my Christmas gifts may just be on Swagbucks’ dime this year!

Here’s my review of Swagbucks……

Or, just click here to join Swagbucks now! Happy Friday!