Frontline: Generation Like

I seem always to be behind on media, social media, and whatever is hot in pop culture.  I'm sure that's true for most of us middle agers.  Wow!  Gen X is getting old...  So, a year after it aired, I watched this Frontline video about "Generation Like."

The video was thought provoking and left me feeling even more wary of kids' relationship with social media.  It clearly illustrated how kids are manipulated by marketers to market for them and feel like they are "empowered" at the same time.  What appears to kids/teens to be transparent, organic, grassroots movements online are actually finely orchestrated marketing campaigns, planned down to the second.  Kids become "famous" online and become the marketers.  And probably the craziest thing to me is that because the goal for them is to get sponsorships while being famous they have no idea what it means to "sell out!" They are not (jaded) idealists like their parents, they are the ultimate consumers and sell outs...

It's rather scary to think how shallow the whole social media world is (I say as I type a post to throw out into cyber space), and how it's influencing our kids.  Although I've let Hummingbird have her own website to do book reviews, I am more firm in my resolve that the kids will not have Facebook, Twitter, or other accounts for a long, long time.  And even though I lurk around Facebook and have a barely used Twitter account, I'm so proud of DH for still avoiding the bandwagon (although he has been known to peek at my Facebook news from time to time).

New Liturgy Books

In addition to working on artsy craft projects with my kids, I been using my long hiatus to edit and format a full-length (or mostly so) Divine Liturgy prayer book for older kids.  Like the toddler one I put out in April, these can be personalized with photographs from your home parish (or other parishes if you like).  I've done one with a lilac cover because my girls really wanted lilac, and one that boys may prefer with dark blue.  The text is almost identical (I did use "handmaiden" in the girls' and "servant" in the boys' for the priest's part at communion.  Where the toddler book has outlines for placing photographs, I opted just to leave large chunks of space in this one.  I figured this allows more flexibility in choosing sizes or decorating around them for any particularly artistic kids.  

I've proofed this about a dozen times and followed along with it at mulitiple services, so I think it is typo and problem free.  If anyone orders a copy and finds a problem, though, please let me know so I can make corrections.  Also, this version uses traditional "Thee/Thou" language.  If there's interest in a "You Who" version, I'm up for some more editing.  So if that's something you'd like to see, leave a comment or email me.

Anyway, I'm really excited about these and my kids can't wait to get out copies.  You can order your own on Amazon.

CTA's Holiday Train

This is a cheap holiday activity in Chicago that is sure to impress the kiddos.  For about a decade, the Chicago Transit Authority has had a special Christmas time tradition.  Every year 6 cars are decked out in festive Christmas garb and carry Santa and his elves throughout the city.  We've known about this tradition for a few years now, but it has always seemed to difficult to arrange to ride it.

This year, though, we finally did.  Because the train only runs for a limited time each day, it was proving difficult to find a time when we could all ride what with work, choir rehearsals, Sunday school retreats, etc... But after checking the schedules for weeks as they were released, I was able to pull all the family together last Friday night for a ride on the Santa Train.

DH takes the train home from work most evenings, so I arranged to pick up Humming Bird from a choir concert at 5:30 PM and meet DH at Penny's Noodles (just a couple of doors down from the Damen St. L station) for a family dinner.  We had a limited time because we had to be (back) on the platform by 6:45 to catch the Santa Train.  The staff at Penny's was great about getting us served quickly, and the food was tasty, too.  At 6:35 we walked back to the train, and Humming Bird was thrilled to be able to use her very own Ventra Pass to ride.

The train turned out to be slightly delayed, and it was super crowded because not only were families riding for fun, but rush hour commuters were also using it to get home (Saturday might be a better day to ride).  The train with its many Christmas lights could be seen approaching, and the girls were super excited.  Before jumping on, they glanced at Santa and I took a quick picture.  I got the girls on fairly easily, but DH was cut off by another passenger and almost didn't make it on.  However, I was an obnoxious customer, and stuck my arm out the doors despite the "Doors Closing" announcement.  I was not going to let my family activity get messed up... So, I grabbed DH's hand and pulled him into the train much to the chagrin of the elf standing at the door.  Deep breath... we were all on.

The girls were offered seats by another passenger and excitedly sat on the decorated seats.  Daddy and I stood, holding on to the candy cane poles.  There were Christmas carols playing and the aroma of cinnamon wafted through the car (not my favorite, but fortunately, I was coming down with a cold and couldn't really smell it).  We were in the back of the car , and a CTA conductor was standing by the back door.  He offered each of the girls a Holiday Train button, and he even gave them extras when they asked for ones to pass along to friends.  And DH talked to him about Santa Train logistics.

 

As people got off at various stops, they were able to make their way to a couple of elves who let them pick as many candy canes as they wanted.  I was quite pleased that they each took only two.  We rode the train all the way to its terminus at O'Hare, and we were able to get some more photos before catching a regular train back to the neighborhood.

 The ride home had its own specialness.  The train was much emptier and filled with more traditional CTA riders.  That included a homeless woman who asked for some money.  Not having any, we did offer some leftovers, and Hummingbird gave up one of her candy canes for "dessert."  It was also great to see the girls getting along so well.  Usually, they argue over who is going to sit by the window or some such nonsense, but this time they sat together smiling and talking agreeably.  

So, there may not be a whole lot to do on the train, but for $2.25 per adult (and $1.10 for kids over 7), it's an inexpensive holiday activity that brings together the whole family and everyone will enjoy it.

If You Had Control of Your Kid's MP3 Player...

...what would you put on it?

Hummingbird used the last of her birthday money to buy herself a Barbie MP3 player.  She's really glad she listened to me and Dad and got this instead of a bunch of cheap, plastic, pretend Barbie gadgets.  Since it arrived yesterday, she's been begging us to put some songs on it.  So, we put on a few that she's been planning for sometime.  Now I have control of the player for the night, and I'm hoping to add some kid-friendly, but not necessarily kiddie*, picks that I enjoy.  After all, don't we all want our kids to enjoy our music, and not just the "junk" they play on the radio?  I'm auditing my MP3 library tonight and will go through some of our CDs later for good songs.  I've already added two -- Lord of the Dance (Simple Gifts), and I Wanna Be (500 miles).  I spotted those two pretty quickly as both hold a special place in my music heart.  There are a hundred others with which I'd eventually like to acquaint her, but some of them will have to wait until she's older.  She's getting there fast, so I'll try to influence her as much as I can now before I become totally uncool!
  
*She feels she's too old for most of our Justin Roberts and They Might Be Giants kid collections.  I'm so glad she did pick Downtown and Song for a Winter's Night on her own.

Alphabet Stick Craft

Alphabet Stick Craft is here.

Free Summer Kids Activities (Many in Chicago, Some Nationwide)

I am always looking for things to do with the kids in the summer, and I hate spending a lot of money for activities.  So, I've compiled this list to help out others.  It will certainly be most useful if you are in Chicago (or planning a visit), but a few activities are nationwide or mostly so.

1. For really hot days take the kids bowling for FREE! You can sign up at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ to receive printable coupons good for 2 free games per child per day.  It is nationwide as long as there's a bowling alley near you willing to participate.  If you live the New Orleans area, you're out of luck for now.  If your bowling alley doesn't participate, you might suggest that they consider it for next summer.  You will need to rent shoes (or buy a pair online if you plan to go often).  We went 1-2 times a week last summer, and the girls had a blast.

2. Parks and playgrounds are always fun, especially if it's not too hot.  There are tons of great parks in Chicago, and at Millenium Park there are free kid's activities all summer long.  The Family Fun Festival offers a variety of activities every weekday, including Wiggleworms interactive music, story time, arts & crafts presented by different museums, and music & dance performances.

3. Swimming! This is one we have not tried in past years, but we will be doing in a couple of weeks.  There are 77 public pools in Chicago that offer free swimming.  Click here to access a list of pool locations and hours.  Most of them have certain times for various age groups or family swim, and they offer free swim lessons for kids ages 6-12.  If you don't live in Chicago, check with your local park district about public swimming pool availability.

4. Movies in the Park. There are lots of options for different age groups at parks around the city.  The Karate Kid for older kids, Yogi Bear for younger one, and Jaws for parents.  This would be fun with a picnic dinner.  If you don't live in Chicago, your local movie theater may offer free summer movies.  You can check here.

5. Music in the Park: if you want a little more culture, try the Grant Park Music Festival.  This is another good one for enjoying a picnic dinner while listening to the wonderful performances of the Grant Park Orchestra accompanied by guest musicians.

6. Museums: All of the major Chicago museums offer free days throughout the year.  I am disappointed to say that despite the fact that Chicago Public Schools didn't get out until June 17, many museums offered their last summer free days in early June.  There are some, however, that will be having more free days in July and August.  If you live in the city, or are visiting residents, you can also check out passes for many museums from any library branch.  Target is also sponsoring free or reduced admission at museums around the country.

7. Lincoln Park Zoo is always free.  It offers traditional zoo animals like zebras, elephants, and giraffes, as well as the Fart-in-the-Zoo with cows, baby chicks/hatchlings, and a beehive (sort of).  There is also a community garden, and storytime on Wednesday and Friday at 9:15 and 10 a.m in the farm area.

8. Reading Programs: the Chicago Public Library offers a summer reading program for kids up to age 14.  After reading 25 picture books or 10 chapter books, kids earn a t-shirt.  Each week they present a book report, they are also entered in a raffle to win books.  If you're not in Chicago, Borders Books and Barnes & Noble also offer summer reading programs.  After reading 10 and 8 books respectively, kids earn a free book. B&N is only open to school age children, but even young children can do the Borders one.  If you don't live near either of those stores, here's a mail-in reading program.

9. Story Times:  Most of the Chicago Public Library branches offer story times.  You can search for events by branch.  Barnes and Noble also offers weekly story times.  Just click the "stores and events" link on the website to find one near you.  If you live near a Pottery Barn Kids, they offer story time year round.  As an extra bonus to theirs, you get a attendance book stamped every week and after 5 stamps it becomes a $10 coupon good on anything in the store.  They are also offering a reading program to earn a free book for reading their entire reading list (it's not very long).

10. If you have kids ages 8-12 and live near an Apple Store, they can do a free summer camp workshop where kids become filmmakers.  Mine are too young for this one, but we'll keep it in mind for future summers.

If you know of other programs or have other ideas, feel free to share them!

The Tomb: A Craft

The empty tomb craft is here.

The School of Repentence is Closed

I don't know if I've ever said this before... Lent went by so quickly this year.  I cannot believe that today is Lazarus Saturday.  I didn't have a perfect Lenten conversion.  I still have some things to work on, but I think by God's grace I have made some strides to renewing my faith and growing closer to God.  This has been the best Lent yet for me, which makes me all the more excited about what lies ahead.

Before we know it, we'll be running into Holy Week.  Despite having small children, we have never been ones to skimp on Holy Week Services.  Some years I have cracked under the pressure of glares from disapproving factions who want complete silence in the church and left a service early.  However, although it's exhausting, I've found that attending the many services of Holy Week makes the joy of the Paschal Liturgy even better.  Many years my girls have been wide awake and bubbling over with glee well into the wee hours of the liturgy while adults in the congregation, who were notably missing most of the week, were waning.

So, how does one survive Holy Week with children?  I have an arsenal of tools.  Not everything works every time, so this is key.  I have a "church bag" that I bring to all of the services.  It includes some of our usual church aids, like a variety of religious books (including liturgy books), laminated icon cards and patron saints booklets, prayer rope, a little silver cup for holy water, a small snack for the toddler, and a divine liturgy puzzle that Yaya likes to use to countdown to the end of liturgy.  For Holy Week, I add an icon coloring book and crayons to the bag because it is an activity that keeps their attention a little longer.  Finally, I add a small pillow and blanket just in case.  This is usually pointless for me because when my kids are out the last thing they want to do is sleep and miss something, but I have had the occasional  miracle of sleep overcoming them.

My last strategy is to get plenty of rest.  This means naps if possible, resting quietly if not.  It also means not running lots of last minute errands.  I've tried to do the bulk of the Pascha shopping this week, so as to avoid running all over town next week.  Finally, it means skipping one service mid-week so that the kids can get to bed at their usual bedtime.  I'm still deciding if that will be Tuesday or Wednesday night.

My Goodness...

It is amazing what kids observe and remember, even the youngest ones.  A few months ago we went out with friends to brunch at an Irish Pub.  On the walls were several old Guinness ads, including one with the logo "My Goodness, My Guinness."  My older daughter who has become a reading whiz noticed the ad immediately, and she spent most of the brunch repeating the phrase.  It was cute at first, then got a little old, and finally we had to ask her to stop.

Just the other day I found a Guinness coupon in the paper, and I clipped to use for a party later.  Julia saw it on the counter and instantly recited, "My Goodness, My Guinness."  She remembered it and was delighted to have a new occasion to use it.  Even more impressive, my toddler was with me in the store when I decided to use the coupon because Guinness was on sale.  As soon as I started pulling the package from the shelf, I heard a small, "My Goodness" in the adorable lisp of a two year old.  I stopped and laughed for a second.  He sister was not around to lead her, and I had not realized that she studied the ad at brunch enough to remember the style, but there it was.

I wonder if they will remember the ad when they're old enough to drink Guinness.  Probably not, and the more pressing reminder for me is that they absorb everything, remember it, and repeat it.  This is why I continue to struggle with my own imperfections and try to be on best behavior.  Like the kids themselves, I often fail, but I'll keep trying since I know how much they learn when I least expect it.