Beat The Heat with the BUG BEAT!

When it's 95 degrees and sweltering hot, we tend to do the same things over and over. By August it can get very boring! I am not the craft person some of my mommy friends are. I just didn't get "that" gene. Gimme a ball and bat, a swing set, jungle gym, swimming pool -- ANYTHING -- but don't coop me up inside!

However, there are a few things I do LOVE to do with my girls (18 months & almost 3) when we just can't deal with the weather anymore. My favorite is the dance parties! For a baby shower gift my mom gave me a book Do Bugs Have Belly Buttons? by Christine Tortorella. It's a CD book. No, it's not just an audio book but a CD with the front cover as the page-turning book. It's adorable.

My girls absolutely love the music, specifically the song "Bug Beat." It's impossible to describe, so I'll just show you (video above).  -- She also offers free downloads of her song on her website dobugshavebellybuttons.com!

I recently learned the author, wife of New York Rangers coach John Tortorella, gives all proceeds from the sale of her books to literacy programs. Love that.

HIGHLIGHTS: It's a great way to get your kids on your feet when it's too hot to run around outside.

LOW LIGHTS: Sometimes they make me listen to it 100 times.

COST: FREE or for book $10 + $1.95 shipping

Story time At Holly Springs Library

Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Holly Springs Library (at 10 and 11 a.m.) there is story time. Since my girls are 1 & 2, we go to the early session. At 11 the story teller caters to pre-schoolers (3 & 4).

Story Time is money on a rainy, blazing hot or freezing cold day. But it's pretty packed on those extreme-weather days. There's singing, reading (of course), puppet shows and after it's over, they offer coloring or craft activities.  Even my 17-month old stands still for a few minutes to watch Miss Terry read her stories or sing a song and dance. 

Jordan (2) is getting more involved, answer questions, raising her hand to participate and singing and dancing along to the songs. It's really been wonderful, and it's so close to home it's an easy default for me when I don't want to pack a lunch or plan ahead.  There are also sessions on Mondays for babies (under 18 months, I believe). I've never been to these, but I like Tuesdays & Wednesdays so I can only imagine it's worth a shot if you have a little one.

\HIGHLIGHTS: It's so close to home, easy parking and my kids love Miss Terry.

LOW LIGHTS: It can get very crowded, and it's at a library so there are a lot of things my kids can get into.

COST: FREE -- My favorite!

See You at Brueggers?

My mother, and inspiration for most of my mothering ways, made a suggestion that I tell you all where I'm going next so perhaps you can go, too (if it's a scheduled activity)!

Tomorrow I am heading to Brueggers Bagels in Apex at 10 a.m. for music time.

Address & Phone
760 West Williams Street
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 367-7720

Every Thursday at 10 a.m. they host what our family calls "music time." I'm not even sure this is the official name.
This wonderful woman comes, plays music and sings for the kids with a box full of stuffed animals.
I can never remember her name, but my kids love her!

So that's where I'll be tomorrow. Hope to see you there.

Later Crocodiles