Moscow, Idaho ART WALK

Today is the start of Moscow, Idaho's ART WALK.  Go to Main Street and you will receive a brochure that will lead you on a self-guided tour to view different works of art displayed at over 30 different Moscow businesses.  And don't worry if you don't have the time to go on the Art Walk today-- it will run through August!

Summer Reading at Neill Public Library Has Started!

The Summer Reading Program at the Neill Public Library in Pullman, WA, started yesterday!  Head over and sign up any children ages 12 and under (you can even sign up babies!) for the fun program.  After signing up, you can win fun prizes and will receive a chart to mark your progress as you read to your child for 20 minutes a day.  After completing 20 days of reading you will receive a FREE BOOK!  You can do this twice during the summer.

Let's start reading!!

Free Show at Neill Public Library!

This Friday, June 15, at the Neill Public Library in Pullman, comedic stunt performer Curtis Carlyle is putting on a free show!  It will be in the library's Heritage Addition, with shows at 10:30 am or 1:30 pm.  The kids will love watching his juggling skills & taking part in the audience participation!

Should be fun!

Recipe of the Day

This is more of a 'tip' than a recipe, but don't worry, it's a good one.  I've always had a difficult time making sure that my children get enough vegetables in their diet.  One way I've found to just 'sneak' some in is to use BABY FOOD in regular recipes.  Just slip a jar of sweet potato baby food in recipes such as:

Spaghetti Sauce, Scrambled Eggs, Burritos, Sloppy-Joes, Tacos, etc...

Get creative with it, too!  The family will never know & you'll feel better that you were able to 'sneak' in another veggie or two!

B is for Bears

Previously I've posted about the Pullman Airport.  While you're there, you might as well check out the WSU Bear Center, which is just minutes away.  If you follow the Airport Rd towards Pullman, take a left where it ends, and you'll find the Bear Center a little ways down on your right.  You can get out and watch young and old bears play, eat, and roam about in their exercise yard.  Both kids and adults will have fun watching these amazing animals up close!

And don't worry about the budget- everything from parking, to viewing the bears, is completely free!

For more information go to http://nrs.wsu.edu/Research/Bear-Center/visit.html

Recipe of the Day

Here's another quick and easy CROCKPOT meal for you-- BBQ CHICKEN:

Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Onion, Green Pepper, Red Pepper, BBQ Sauce

Chop onion, green & red pepper.  Add all ingredients to crockpot.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.

That's it!  Serve over rice.

Note: This meal can be a FREEZER meal as well.  Just combine everything but the BBQ sauce in a freezer bag and place in freezer.  The day you want to make it place contents of bag in crockpot, add the BBQ sauce, and then cook on Low 6-8 hours.

A is for Airplane

I'm always looking for a little activity to do, that's close to home, and inexpensive.  Here's one that has worked well with my children.  Never overlook the wonder and excitement of an AIRPORT to a child.  Even the small Pullman Airport is amazing to my 3 year old.  Just outside the fence is a small bench that you and your children can sit on to watch as the planes take-off and land.

Special note, since Pullman is a smaller airport, be sure to look online for arrival and departure times.  That way you won't be sitting there for an hour waiting for a flight that you can watch!

Recipe of the Day

Did you know that you can cook Baked Potatoes in a crockpot?!  It's completely changed my life... Just wash and dry the number of potatoes you need, wrap in foil, and poke a few holes in each with a fork.  Place them in the crockpot on low all day and you have a great side dish or even a main dish if serving with chili, etc.

Enjoy!

52nd Annual Genesee Community Days

This Saturday (June 9) is the 52nd Annual Genesee Community Days Celebration!  Come for a day of fun filled with activities including: Parade, Car Show, Quilt Show, Bounce House, Climbing Wall, Musical Entertainment, Fireworks, and much more!

Visit: http://geneseecivicassoc.org/ for more details.

Recipe of the Day

As parents we know that the family will want dinner...every night...ugh...  Sometimes it's hard to figure out what to make- especially when time is short and money can be tight.  I'll post some tried-and-true recipes that are fast, easy, and cheap!

Recipe of the Day: Crockpot Orange Chicken

Gotta love the Crockpot.  I know I sure do. Throw some ingredients in, go about your day, and it's ready come dinner-time.

For this recipe all you'll need is chicken breasts, green pepper, some carrots, and a can of frozen orange juice concentrate.  Throw it all together & cook on low 4-6 hours.

Note: This recipe can also be placed in a ziplock bag and frozen for later use.

Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center Opening Day!

The Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center in Moscow, ID is opening for the 2012 season tomorrow--June 7th!

Hopefully the weather will clear up from this rainy mess we've had the past couple of days so we can all go SWIMMING!

Their hours for Open Swim are Mon-Fri from noon-7:30pm & then Saturday and Sunday from 11:00-7:30pm.  Also note that children ages 3 and under are FREE!

For more details see http://www.moscow.id.us/parks_and_rec/aquatics/index.aspx

Free Fishing Day

If you're looking for a fun family outing for this weekend, FREE FISHING DAY is coming up for the state of Idaho!  This Saturday, June 9, 2012, is declared 'Free Fishing Day' by the Idaho Fish and Game Department.  It's an inexpensive way to teach your children the joys of fishing, by taking advantage of this one day a year that a fishing license is not required!

If you're close to Lewiston, ID, you can even take advantage of their teaching programs, where equipment will be loaned to you (a bonus if trying to save money and not wanting to purchase all the fishing equipment yourself!).  Mann Lake and Kiwanis Park Pond in Lewiston will be having activities from 9am-noon.

Visit http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=147 for more details.

If you're in Washington, the deal gets even better, as it is 'Free Fishing Weekend' there!  Feel free to fish without a licence June 9-10!

(Also for those in Washington, note that youth that are 15 years of age or younger do not require a fishing license in that state at any time of year.)

Visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/kids/basics.html for more details.

Be sure to let us know if ya catch anything!!

Welcome!

I'd like to shout out a big WELCOME to everyone visiting our new blog!  This site is dedicated to keeping families of the Palouse informed of fun activities, events, and places of interest.  It's a blog dedicated to not only the children living in the area, but for the parents to have a resource to go to for ideas on all areas of parenting and family life.


Enjoy & visit often!