Kitty what an awesome suggestion!
Well, Thank you!!!
Mixing fruit into the pedialyte or Gatorade makes the popsicles even yummier - but you have to be cautious of any neighbor children's allergies.
I was the oldest in a family of six children and now that I have a family of my own - our house STILL seems to be the neighborhood place to play! So, with all parental consent checked out, I try to provide a safe, comfortable and "really COOL" place to play in the Summer!
We "paint" each other with colorful, non-toxic sunscreen (sometimes we make it ourselves).
We take our old hoses and punch tiny holes in them (adults punch the holes, that is) and have the kiddos stretch the hose around the edges of the yard or around the play house. (This reminds me of the little sprinklers in AZ and Nevada.) Just enough spray to keep cool and not get soggy.
Camping tents that need a good airing out get setup near the shade trees with all the "windows" snapped or tied open and make a good place for tiny ones' naps that are buggy free!! - I always stay outside when anything like this is up to avoid anyone getting tangled. (Screen rooms are great for this too!)
And, I always have a craft idea or two nearby that is appropriate for the number of children playing, their ages and the area of my front porch. WE have made placemats, "rain flowers" for their Moms from coffee filters and LOTS of Play-Doh, Clay figures/pots/hands/tootsies, etc.
I want the children to have fun, be safe and healthy and maybe, just maybe learn something "neat" while they are here!
Kitty <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />