Taking the twins out

Now that it's summer, where do you take your twins?

When we can manage it we'll go to Wmart or Target..

Reading time at the library is during their naptimes so we havent gone yet.

We use to go to the park often before summer hit!

All the fun stuff is downtown & a bit of a drive for me..

So, where do you go during the day when you take them out?


Denise

 

The pool, the park when there's shade, walks, library, baby gym, art class, playgroups, and many days we just play outside on the deck where there's shade. I take out bubbles, chalk, toys, and sometimes they play in their baby pool. Last night I gave them metal bowls full of ice, plastic cups, and sand shovels, and they had a blast playing with the ice, plus there was no clean up! A few days we took a country drive and picked our own berries at a farm. They liked seeing the animals there. Sometimes I'll take them to farmers markets.

 

The park, the lake, for walks, for bike rides. Once in a while I take them on errands, but I usually try to do those solo if I can. Much more efficient that way.

 

I take it you don't have terrible humidity where you live?

Over here in summer it's very bad outside..the only times you can go out for a walk is early morning...but who's up at that time?

 

We have a lake about 15 minutes away and a beautiful walking trail that I take them to. After we get done with our walk, I will take them to the small playground. I hope to take them to the beach a few times this summer, but I haven't gotten up the courage yet.

 

Outside in the back yard!

I also take them to BJs to food shop because they are the only local store that has double seats in the carts. We make the occasional trip to Target or the mall, but they don't like the stroller as much as they used to so it has to be a quick trip.

We also go to the park if its not too hot outside... but mostly we just play in our backyard!

 

Playdates, ECFE drop in time, library activities, Target, walmart, the park (about 5-10 different ones), our backyard (pull out the sprinkler, put water in the pool, give them spray bottles with water to shoot, paint brushes with water to "paint" the house, ect), our driveway (chalk, bubbles, ride bikes), go for walks, go to my gym (they go to the gym daycare while I workout), Occupational therapy for the boys, my parents house, friends houses, the zoo, open gym at our community center, open gymnastics gym, going to try the movie theater here soon for the cheep kids movies on Wed and thur mornings, Pauls market (a flower store), outside to water the plants/trees/grass, the mall

 

For those with one year olds, how do you entertain them in the backyard?

Also, how do you get rid of pesky bugs? Especially wasps, lizzards, dragonflies etc??
We contantly have to remove these wasp nests at the backyard...any longterm methods to keep them at bay?

Thanks
Denise

 

QUOTE(Denise&Twins @ Jun 26 2008, 10:17 AM) [snapback]847283[/snapback]
Also, how do you get rid of pesky bugs? Especially wasps, lizzards, dragonflies etc??


Move North. At least where we are, we don't have a bug problem.

Seriously, as for how to entertain one year olds.....we have a little slide climber and a water table that they love. Now that it's finally warming up, we'll take their kiddie pool out, and we also have a little mat that the hose hooks up to that sprinkles water out (a little less pressure than the regular sprinklers, plus it's cute).

They get overstimulated really quickly being outside, but they also love it. So we just do it for short periods of time....less than an hour....but it does break up the day a bit.

 

QUOTE(Denise&Twins @ Jun 26 2008, 01:17 PM) [snapback]847283[/snapback]
For those with one year olds, how do you entertain them in the backyard?


We just got a Little Tykes play thing (with a door and a slide) off of craigslist. The girls LOVE going in and out of the door. They only go down the slide occasionally. We also have a wagon that I give them rides in, ride on 'bikes' that my brother just got them last week (they move the bikes with their feet- although they haven't figured it out yet!), doll strollers which they LOVE to push around the patio, balls to throw and roll, containers to collect rocks and dirt in (I have a bunch of old plastic coffee containers of different sizes that they love). We also have a kiddie pool, but I only do that with a helper. Oh and my neighbor/sitter has the cozy coupe car that they play with (Ana rides in it and Meara pushes it!).

I tried bubbles last week, but I think they are little too young because they weren't impressed AT ALL! Mostly they just like being outside getting dirty and exploring! In the beginning it was hard because they wanted to put everything in their mouths, but now they know what "ICK!" means and don't try it as much. The more you do it, the easier it becomes!

 

Thank you for all the good tips!

We live in a fairly new home, so there aren't many big trees outside offering a lot of shade. We are thinking about building a patio with deck sometime soon..but basically what we have outside in the backyard is a big patch of grass with very young trees. I have taken them outside a few times, but ds hates the feel of the grass whereas dd loves it! Also, they do put everything in their mouths too! So I'm always on high alert! But since the humidity set in we don't go out much..I can't wait for fall & spring (best months here)..winter's not too bad either.

 

To visit a friend, just out to the back yard, to the swings at a local park (not the whole playground - just the swings due to safety concerns), for walks around the neighbourhood. Nothing special. Everything is an adventure for 2 curious toddlers if you point out enough trucks, dogs, etc.!

 

I am in FLA and it is hot and humid here also.

We do walks in the morning, trips to target and the grocery store for errand running, and we are doing swim lessons right now which HELPS A LOT.

We also do the library (even if it is not during reading time they still have puzzles and books for the kids in a small kids area). We did the pet store yesterday and they loved the birds and fish and bunny rabbits, sadly they did not have any dogs or cats there. We also go to Borders or Books a Million where they have a little train track for the kids. We have a toy store nearby that also has a train track and a few toys out the kids can play with.

Believe it or not I have actually been doing the pool with them by myself on the days (weekends) when we do not have swim lessons. DH golfs and I was out of ideas one weekend so I just tried it with them by myself and it worked out fine.

We just cannot do the parks as there really is not any shade around here and all of the toys are too hot to even touch..

Also, after their afternoon nap (around 4:30) we walk around the block and go look at the water falls in the front of the neighborhood and the plants and flowers all around.

OH yeah, last week I tried a sprinkler outside and DS loved it! He kept running through it and stomping on it...it was priceless....he was soaked

My Jack and Lily are 13 months so hopefully some of this applies to your little ones as well.

 

Denise, I think I've asked you this before but in what part of Houston are you living?

 

We have icky humidity and lots of mosquitoes, etc. in our backyard, but we invested in a "screen house" last summer and it's been great. We got it at REI. It's a 10'x10' floorless tent, basically, but the walls are all mosquito netting. It provides some shade and is GREAT at keeping the bugs out. We put their wading pool in there with an old tablecloth for a "beach". Sometimes we exchange the wading pool for their riding toys, but they're happier using those outside the tent. We end up having to take it down every couple of days when there are rainstorms, but it takes about 10 minutes to put up or take down. One of our best investments ever.

 

Serrano & Denise, I'm in Houston too! Well, sw part of town, (Sugar land). When my boys were that little we did the children's museum of houston ALOT! they have a baby safe play area, and membership is not expensive. It took me maybe 15-20 mins drive straight down 59 to get there from home. worth it. We also did the library times for their age group. We are part of fbpom and did our playgroups indoors w/ other mommies and twins. (I'm still close friends w/ the moms of our playgroup, in fact I baby sit one set of the twin boys during the summer...she works 4 days and they come here to play) there are a few malls (first colony, west oaks, memorial city) that have indoor play areas. Not the best, but an option so long as no giant kids are in there... We would take walks (in stroller) around Katy Mills mall since it is a GIANT circle...stimulation for the mommy...
I'll try to 'jog' the ol' memory some more, but outside is not so much an option at that age in houston... too hot. I must say now, w/ 2 sets of twin boys in my care, ages 8 and 7, we are at the pool everyday! Slathered, sun block shirts, etc... but they stay cool b/c they are wet the whole time!

Oh, one more thing, our living area is quite huge... no really, we've hosted a rehearsal dinner here for 90 ppl. anyway, instead of little tykes climbing structures outdoors, we kept them indoors when they were that small. Also a kiddie pool full of the colored balls, their personal ball pit! I even purchased a jumpolene, inflatable jumping/trampoline thing, also had indoors...

 

Hi there!

Thank you for all your posts! I've gleaned quite a bit from what you do with your twins...really very helpful!

Serranoboys! Sorry, but I didnt see your previous question. I'm here in NW Houston close to the Willowbrook Mall. Where do you live? What are you getting up to with your boys this summer?

Thanks again for all your wonderful ideas..

 

For a temporary shade solution, there are 10x10 canopy shades you can get, in the camping area at target or at home depot and lowe's in the summer. Get a lidded sand box and a small baby pool and keep them under it. Hours of fun in the shade. You can put a fan pointed in that direction for a slight breeze. Throw out a step two toddler slide and a bottle of bubbles and you are set for at least an hour. My kids could scoop and dump sand or water for hours and that age.

 

Since we like where it is way too hot to get outside, we sometimes would go to the Mall and see the animal store. I would take them on errands or to a playgroup at the park.

Now that we have a newborn, I haven't taken them anywhere but to doctors appt during the day. But our playgroup moved inside for the summer so I plan on taking them there once a week.

 

I'm in Tomball. We swim alot, mostly at Grandmas! I also run sprinklers in the backyard and have a small kiddie pool. We have gone to the mall play areas (Willow Brook or Woodlands) or even MacDonalds just to get out of the house. Sand boxes are fun and if you can handle it...that magic sand stuff is OK inside, just be prepared to sweep or vacuum after.

I agree it is too hot and humid outside unless you are getting wet. ((Unless you live here, you will never truly understand!!)) We do not do much parks in the summer. As far as the bugs, you learn to deal with them. It is actually quite entertaining for my kids to see a frog or lizard and try to catch or chase it.

The Woodlands has a Children's museum which is a little closer than downtown. They also have a water spraying Fountain area in the shopping area west of the mall that you will often find kids at, but there is not much shade. For older kids you can go to the dollar theater on 1960 and even the Willowbrook AMC has a Dollar movie Wed morning each week.

Another different thing that my Boys Love it the Tiny Locomatives that are at Zube Park. Check out www.hals.org for more info. They run the 3rd Sat of the month and are free!

Try Tomball or Bush Library summer programs. They have different activities and Presenters. My kids love when the magicians come or Singers/storytellers. The schedule is available online at www.hcpl.net Tomball has a ticket system but Bush has a room big enough for large groups.

Good Luck and enjoy the summer!

Cindy

 

Hi-- Houston here too! I am in the east side of houston. I just sent an email out of things i compiled to do this summer, and restraunts offering free kids meals-- if you like, email me at [email protected] and i will email it to you. As far as during the day-- we DRIVE ALOT to get to do stuff--
1. Childrens Museum- Houston -- good play area for little ones that is contained and do-able by yourself with twins.
2. Children's Museum - Woodlands Mall -- easier if you have help because it is more spread out, but it is really fun.. especially if yours like trains or dinosaurs!
3. The play area at The Woodlands Mall is big and geared for little ones. We go there alot and meet a friend and then take the kids to ride the carosel in the food court and get a cookie and go to teh disney store and the pet store.
4. SPCA - we go and look at all the animals for free!
5. Library story times-- various locations-- i am not crazy about these, but they are ok.
6. Barnes and Noble- they have a weekly story time, but aside from that, they have a thomas train table with trains and little reading area for kids and mom can get a coffee and sit in the AC!
7 Jumpin Jacks -- I JUST found this place-- it is NOT an inflatable place-- it is like a big wooden indoor tree-house that has all these ramps and ladders and ball pits for kids. Ages are 1-12.. you pay 1.00 for every year they are old, up to 4 dollars.. and they have a super cheap snack bar-- it has not been crowded at all since we have gone the past month. 1960 and TC Jester.
8. Chik Fil A - story times and GREAT indoor play areas at the newer locations.
9. McDonalds -- as a last resort, because they seem dirty to me, but the kids like it.
10. Moody Garens Pal Beach-- in galveston, but so fun! It is a man made white sand beach with 2 big lagoon style pools that are not deep, a spray park, 2 BIG water slides -- 3 and under are free! We bought a season pass for us for 25 bucks!
11. Pottery Barn Kids have all of their play stuff out to play on and they also offer story time and concerts for kids.
12. Gymboree Classes and Little Gym-- first class is always free!
Those are a few of the things on my list.. email me and i will send it to you... I am also in the process of trying to open my own business-- an indoor toddler play area for houston!
thanks!
Shan

 

We've been going to the local park a lot. Went to the library the other day & they loved it! We didn't go during storytime, but that's probably for the best.....they probably would've interrupted it. But they had little tables with puzzles & stuffed animals, a couch & even a toy tunnel to play in. Awesome!! Our mall has a play area, but now that school's out there's too many older kids that play too rough for mine. Our local twins group has been having lots of playdates & we try to make it to as many as possible. But like you, it's too far of a drive to go very often. It costs me over $20 in gas every time I go!

Dh just told me the other day one of the little markets in our area has a cute little ice cream shop that we're going to try out the next time we get bored.

 

Hi Denise, just saw your post. We're in the medical center area (Reliant stadium) so Children's museum has been a lifesaver for us as it's only about 10 minutes away. Other than that, we plan on going to the Moody Gardens palm beach with several other of the MOM's group members in July. So far we haven't done much other than a play date or two, the mall, the pool, etc. If you come up with any other suggestions, let me know!

 

QUOTE(krisx2 @ Jun 26 2008, 04:17 PM) [snapback]847152[/snapback]
Last night I gave them metal bowls full of ice, plastic cups, and sand shovels, and they had a blast playing with the ice, plus there was no clean up! A few days we took a country drive and picked our own berries at a farm.


[SIZE=10pt]
Great idea with the ice cubes ~ I'm going to 'borrow' that one. We used to go pick our own berries every summer ~ we weren't able to go last year as they were only a month old. Planning on doing it this year though...even if they have to sit in the stroller.

We go to the park, for short walks around the neighborhood, out back in our tent ~ we put it up for my oldest DD to have sleepovers during the summer. Come to find out A&P love playing in there too We haven't tried the library yet, as it is during our naptime as well.

April [/SIZE]

 

Let me know when y'all go down to MG palm beach! We have annual passes and since my boys are a little bigger I can always hold a hand if nec. we were there all last week. so fun, and clean! they've redone the splash pad area. we're actually staying at MG hotel July 15-18, but we can go whenever b/c my parents have a beach house in Jamaica beach...

 

zoos, beaches, library, parks (playgrounds), our backyard, local pool, any shopping store or mall...

Going to Home Depot today. Most errands I do are w/them. They always have come with us and are used to it!