Indulge me if you will.  The only daughter that I will have the experience of sending off to kindergarten (my step-daughter was grown by the time we met,) is now a full-fledged kinder-kid and I want to share about that experience.

I have wondered whether this was a ‘Playful-Planet-appropriate’ topic, and while I can’t answer for sure, my sense is that my desire to spend more quality time with my daughter as ‘back-to-school’ approached has a lot to do with raising healthy, balanced kids on a healthy planet.

My work is self-monitored. It is part of the mixed blessing of starting a business.  The bad news: no paycheck (yet!)  The good news: I can take time off when I choose. And I chose to ‘release’ Lily from her summer pre-school a week early so that we could have some fun and games before initiating her into ‘big-girl’ school.

For our family, camping is an adventure that brings a lot of joy and the chance to slow down and connect.  After a very fulfilling experience in a Westfalia earlier this summer, we were open to the idea of purchasing a “Westy” of our very own.  Little did we know that one block away lived Randall, the manager of world-renowned GoWesty who was looking to sell one of his very own vehicles.  Such luck!  We simply couldn’t pass it up!

Fortunate for us, we live in one of the most perfect areas for this type of unscheduled outing.  Within 30-40 minutes, we can be in any number of truly beautiful outdoor settings to park the old camper van and enjoy the great outdoors and campfires, and beaches, etc.  We chose to go to Hearst San Simeon State Park -- where we had been before and will, without a doubt, go again.  One of Lily’s favorite places on the grounds is the little amphitheatre where she loves to stage her own productions (including this rendition of “How Much is That Doggie in the Window?”)

Don’t get me wrong, put me in a nice hotel in San Francisco or fly me to Europe and I will be a happy girl.  But there are so many appealing things about jumping in the Westy and heading down the road.  I like that we are forced to slow down and enjoy the ride.  And, I really like that our entertainment during these trips comes from exploring nature, playing games, and using creativity and imagination to be entertained.

Since we were so close to home, Lily’s best friend, Chloe, got to join us for about half the trip which is always fun to have a friend!

We came back in time to have a couple of days at home before school.  One day at the pool and one day at the beach -- our amazing local beach where we filmed the Save the Whale story.  No Hollywood cameras this day though, just the little pocket digital.

The morning of the first day of kindergarten, Lily woke up wide-eyed and ready to roll.  She reminded me that this day was not a trial run, but the real thing and shared during breakfast that she was a little nervous about a new school and not knowing who would be in her class.  She was an amazing trouper throughout the process, and although she experienced a little crash after school was out, she was still excited to get back to her new school the next day.

I am so grateful for all the moments I get to share with her, big and small.  This one felt pretty big.

Stay Playful,

Karen

A little over a year ago, I saw a piece on the internet about  a 16-year-old girl who had made it her mission to have her school become a waste-free lunch site.  I was so awed by this and inspired by her vision that I began my own personal journey of waste-free lunches for my daughter who has been in preschool part-time for the past 3 years. (Unfortunately, I cannot find the link, not the story to give credit where credit is due, but if anyone knows who I am talking about, please let me know!)

I am amazed at how my decision to do this actually changed some of my shopping habits.  Although I haven’t completely forsaken single serve items – I still buy individual string cheese and fruit leather, for example, but a lot of the individual packaged goods have gone by the wayside.  No more juice boxes, no more individual bags of chips or snacks, and no more plastic baggies!!  So this is turning out to be good for my wallet as well as good for the earth!  For a simple definition of waste-free check Global Stewards.

Wastefreelunches.org gives this sad news: “It has been estimated that on average a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school.”   This site also has some great tips on easy to pack, healthy foods.

I just stocked up on some re-usable products for Lily to go off to kindergarten with. We got her a new lunch box from recycled materials and a couple of cool new “sandwich skins.”  I chose to purchase from ReUseIt.com (http://www.reuseit.com/learn-more/buying-guides/5-steps-to-a-waste-free-lunch) where they also give some great tips on going waste-free.

I sometimes worry that I push this earth-friendly stance on Lily too much.  I wonder, is it too much for a 5-year-old to endure?  So I asked Lily if other kids were also doing waste-free lunches and she couldn’t think of any in her class. So I asked if she minded having all her stuff packed in reusable containers and she said she was okay with it, and then she added,  “it’s good because we’re not wasting paper.”

Well, that’s the truth, and if she’s OK with it, then so am I!

Stay Playful,

Karen

Lily has always loved the outdoors.  When she was a baby and cried and cried.  When we didn’t know how to soothe her, there was one trick that she taught us early on.  We’d simply walk her out onto our balcony that overlooked open space, a lagoon and ducks.  The moment she felt the cool air on her face and could see the lagoon, she’d immediately calm down.  It was as though she inhaled some magic dust that immediately created peace with her shaking body.

Later, when she was a year old, I’d carry her in a backpack out to the beach with our dog, Griffin.  The salty ocean breeze from Playa Del Rey’s inlet would blow through her hair and she’d giggle uncontrollably like she was being tickled by a million fingers.  At three, the family went on an outing near Palm Springs.  We took the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up from the desert floor to show Lily her first real snow   It was a wonderful adventure for her to float above the desert and see the world from a moving tram.   We traveled up up the mountain several thousand feet to experience a winter wonderland  leaving 80 degree temperatures below.  Well, when we arrived at the top it was close to sunset.  We wandered into the woods on a cement path, and Lily was thrilled.  So thrilled that she began leaving the path and heading off into the woods on her own adventure.  At first, it was very heartwarming, seeing this little girl with tiny legs plodding through two feet of snow, slipping and sliding drawn mysteriously by some distant destination.  But, as the sun began setting and we were getting further and further from the man-made trail, I wondered if we’d be show up as one of those headlines “Father and young daughter found frozen on San Jacinto Mountain.”  I began reasoning with her about the approaching darkness, but she just kept repeating.  “Just over here, dad,”  as she headed further into the woods.  Eventually I was  able to convince her to return to civilization, and we made it back down to the parking lot safely before dark.

As we were leaving the trees and mountain,   I thought about Lily’s determined draw to go deep into nature, and the importance of acknowledging this desire in young children.  It reminded me of Richard Louv’s book “Last Child In The Woods”.   I believe this drive is a natural part of us at a young age – the ‘Call Of The Wild’, a natural attraction and desire to connect to all life on the planet. It was Lily’s birthright and instinct that was calling her to go deep into the heart of the forest.  It’s a beautiful quality that is often lost as we become ‘civilized’.  It’s a quality that seems to be growing stronger with this new young generation.  Perhaps, because these kids are more aware, on a deep level, that they must connect with Mother Nature, or we all could be lost.   As parents, I believe we can nurture and grow this innate, instinctual quality.  So often, we forget that a simple walk in the woods, a breath of fresh air, a trip to the beach can bring so much enrichment and enjoyment to a child.  We get wrapped up in the man-made world and our toys and gadgets.  To a child, some of the best ‘toys’ are a stick, a rock or a tree to climb.

This summer, we went camping, which is a great way for kid’s to go into the wild.  (See Karen’s 7/7 Blog “Camping Fun”).  We went with Lily’s best friend, Chloe, and her parents, Rob  and Nancy.   After finding a wonderful campsite in the redwoods outside of Mendecino, Karen read  Lily and Chloe a wonderful children’s book,  “We Are Bears” while we set up camp.  The book describes two baby cubs and a Mama bear’s, with lines like “we are climbers, we are searchers”.

On a hunt for food, the Mama bear encourages her cubs to “Trust in your senses… always trust your nose. Now, let’s see if you can find us something good to eat.”    After Karen had finished the story and we are busy organizing what was for dinner from our  store-bought packages, I look up to see Lily and Chloe playing “Bears”.  First, I have to tell you that Chloe is one of those children who is very selective what she’ll eat.  Like most kids, she loves bagels, candy, pizza, cookies… the fun stuff.   Her mom, Nancy, is constantly working on her to eat veggies, but that’s not usually too much fun.  But, on this day, deep in the forest, Chloe is no longer a little girl she’s a bear cub.  She’s climbing trees and playing with her mama bear, Lily, who is now out searching for bear food for her cub.  As you’ll see in the video, bears have no problem eating greens.  To a bear cub, veggies and green food are ‘fun’.  Chloe, the bear, sits contentedly devouring ‘sour flowers’, which her mama bear friend, Lily, has gathered in the woods.     Maybe playing outdoors and connecting to nature can help our kids understand that eating healthy can be also be fun.   We might also want them to understand that connecting too close to nature can give you poison oak. Lily the Bear is just getting over hers.   So, if your kids decide to play Bears searching for food, remember to let them know ‘Leaves of Three, let it be”.  Or, at least ask them to wear long pants!

Stay Playful,

Bryan

Cecile DeMartini is the Chief Beach Ofiicer at the incredibly cool new business, Beach Butlerz.  Cecile is also an engineer by day and a mom, always.  Thanks, Cecile for finding time in your crazy schedule to share your beach wisdom with Playful Planet!

AWESOME DAY AT THE BEACH!

Raise your hand if you love going to the beach!  Ooo, the vision of one’s self lounging on the sandy beaches of some tropical getaway with the sound of crashing waves in the near background and the feel of toasty warm air surrounding your bare skin.  It’s a vision of true relaxation.  Throw the kids into that picture, and well then, it’s a completely new story.

I happen to live in a remarkable area that has many public beaches.  Whenever I ask my kids if they want to go to the beach, I see their faces transform with a huge smile and gleam in their eye while exclaiming ‘YA!’  The anticipation and energy emanating from them as we slather on the sunscreen and change into bathing suits makes me want to give myself a pat on the back, “Well done Mom.”  Even though it’s not quite the same feeling as sunbathing on a tropical isle it certainly cheers my soul knowing we’re going to create a memorable, fun day.

Last weekend, the kids, Hubby, and I opted to have lunch at the house (just to save some money) and enjoy a ‘sand-free’ sandwich before our beach day.  When we arrived at the beach, we were greeted by the sound of a free Caribbean music concert going on nearby. Score! Right now you may be picturing each of us with a kid in one arm while lugging bags of towels, sand toys, beach chairs, and an umbrella in the other arm.  Not fun right?!

Lucky for us, we decided to enjoy the Beach Butlerz experience for ourselves to know what our customers feel like.  If you haven’t heard about the Beach Butlerz yet, you will soon.  The basic service includes having the most comfortable beach loungers set-up underneath a large, secured beach umbrella to keep everyone sun-safe.  The beach blankets and sand toys rock!  As we approached this little piece of beach heaven, built for us by the ‘Butlerz’, I heard the church choir hum in my head of ‘awwwwwwww.’

The kids spent the next two hours running in and out of the surf, digging holes in the sand, and exploring for sea creatures.  Kids at the beach normally do well on their own for the first half hour, so I’ve found that having some ideas ready for kid-friendly beach activities helps things go a bit smoother.

Drum roll please - I present to you the Top Ten Beach Activities that are fun and (mostly) free:

1. Sand toy play.  No brainer right – great for all ages.  You just don’t go to the beach without a sand bucket.  If you’re interested in a ‘sustainable slant’ on the plastic toys, just check your kitchen for spoons and utensils that become diggers and shovels and plastic cups/containers that can be used to build your castles!
2. Spell your kid’s name in the sand with your toes.  The beach is now personalized with their name.  They love this stuff!
3. Search for sea glass.  Tell the kids how sea glass is one of the secret treasures created by the sea and people make jewelry from it.  Let them know how Mommies love sea glass jewelry and it makes Mommies happy to get it as a gift.
4. Have the kids collect cool looking sand stones and shells.  Put them in a special see-through jar that will sit on a table in the kitchen, bedroom, or at work.  This jar is a great reminder to me of those awesome days at the beach.  The kids will notice.
5. Bury legs and toes for fun.
6. Plan to go to the beach during free music events whenever possible.
7. Walk to the end of the beach pier.  Most beaches will have at least one.  If it’s a fishing pier, see how many fish have been caught along the way.
8. Do some beach yoga – Storyland Yoga has some EXCELLENT yoga moves for kids to do at the beach. See who can be the loudest seal, or the most playful dolphin, or the cutest mermaid.
9. Build a boat or car in the sand big enough to sit in.  Take an imaginary journey.
10. Get your roast on!  If bonfires are allowed on the beach and the day isn’t too hot, ignite a bonfire and roast some hot dogs on a stick!

If you keep them busy enough you may be rewarded (as I was this day) with a couple of kids passed out for a late afternoon nap while cuddled underneath the beach blankets (YES!)

Summers are short – be sure to fit a beach day in with the family at least once this year.  You and your kids with cherish the memories - Cheers!

Cecile DeMartini, Chief Beach Officer

Beach Butlerz