April 2008
As the snow melts and the mud piles up, you may notice the house is stale, the yard is soggy and the kids are starting to look a little stir crazy. Here are a few ideas to get out of the house and get the blood flowing again.
Grab the scooters and bikes and take a stroll through the neighborhood. Or bundle up the kids and head to the Back Bay Boulevard in Portland. Promise the children time at the playground adjacent to the bay - if you can get in a one-hour walk. It's an afternoon filled with exercise for the whole family. If your family loves sports - there is plenty going on during the month of April. On April 5 and 11, the Pirates take the ice. Tickets range from $8 to $21 dollars and children love hockey. How much do you love hockey? Support Team USA and watch them in a World Championship Exhibition on Sunday, April 27 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 dollars for adults and $10 for children 16 and under. If your impression of Roller Derby is not family friendly, Maine Roller Derby is going to prove you wrong! Providing flat-track derby action on April 12 at the EXPO, tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for kids. Come on down and see what the hype is all about. It might not be warm enough to go swimming yet, but enrolling at your local Y or using a community gym for swimming lessons will get your family prepared for the summer months. Dive in, splash around and have some fun. Find out the spring clean-up schedule for your town and pick a day to clean out the closets and garage. Get the kids to help you purge. Donate items to Goodwill or have a family yard sale. Don some rain boots and garden gloves and clean up the yard in a fun way. While the kids are clearing off their favorite toys, you can prepare the ground for your crocuses. Now is also the time to think about planting, and kids absolutely love helping with seedlings. Start them inside now and they'll be ready to plant soon enough. Bubbles and chalk are underrated and inexpensive. Purchase some at the dollar store and get some fresh air in your driveway. When grocery shopping this month, plan a typical summer day menu for dinner. Serve up some BBQ chicken drumsticks and corn on the cob for dinner one night. While seated, start a discussion about family things you can do this summer.
Overall, the month of April is a great month to transition from the dreary days of winter to the more promising warmth of summer. Get out and enjoy it.