Pancakes in the Park for Father's Day

A Father's Day pancake breakfast at Independence Lake
is the way to go this year - Register today.

Dad may like breakfast served in bed, but breakfast would be even sweeter served in the park - Specifically at Independence Lake (3200 Jennings Rd., Whitmore Lake). This Sunday, June 16 starting at 9:00 a.m. the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission is serving up “Pancakes at the Park; A Father’s Day Event”.

All families are invited to honor the special men in their lives, Dad, Papa, granddad, grandpa, great-grandpa, as they enjoy a special day together at Independence Lake. After the pancake breakfast at 9:00 a.m.,  families can explore the park on a guided nature hike 10:00 a.m. or by spending the day at Blue Heron Bay for free!

Pre-Registration is required for this event as spaces are limited. Regsiter the family for $6 per person, which includes parking by contacting Lyla Ellens 734.449.4437 x202 or ellensl@ewashtenaw.org.

It sounds like a perfect way to spend the day - outdoors, with dad!

Fun Golf Ball Projects for a Happy Father's Day!

I was looking for something fun for the kids to do for my husband this past week. The project had to incorporate cheap golf balls and had to be easy enough for the kids to do on their own. When I was a kid in Brownies, I remember making my dad a golf ball dog...

http://www.freewoodpuzzles.com/golfballdog.html

No that would require my assistance.  We made a golf ball snowman Christmas ornament sometime in my childhood too...

https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/golf-ball-snowman

But again that either required drilling holes or a lot of glue and dexterity...  Family Fun Magazine had a cute golf ball mobile...

But as timely as it was, it was only "golf ball themed" project and not made from reall balls - Although my mom once cut balls in half for a project, it would still require my assistance!

And then it hit me - I had many colorful Sharpie Markers, two boxes of gently used golf balls (the only type my husband will actually USE) and rubber gloves.  So why not allow the kids to create custom designed golf balls?  It wouldn't effect the way the balls performed, it would require very little of my assistance to create and better yet...

It took the kids more than two hours to create. I was able to get a few things done, they could create their own masterpieces and I only had to oversee and give suggestions for the designs! 

We very rarely get a real thumbs up from our custom created projects - Oh who am I kidding, it's like pulling teeth to generate excitement from my husband OR father - however my husband, father and father-in-law LOVED the idea of these custom designed golf balls! Actually I think they're afraid to use and loose their new balls now...

Get Dad a Fun FREE Father's Day Gift

FREE ALERT!

Walgreens is offering free 8x10 collage prints now through Satruday June 19 - Just in time to put together a great Father's Day gift for FREE. Nothing says lovin' like a dad's family smiling back at him while he's toiling away at work!

To get your free 8X10 collage, go to the Walgreen's website, create your collage then enter "GOBIG8X10" at checkout. You might even decide to print extra copies for the grandparent's too!

*As an added bonus, if you are new to signing up for Walgreen's online, you can get an additional 25 prints for FREE!

Homemade Father's Day Projects

Growing up, one of the things that SO reminded me of my dad was "Old Spice" cologne. (Yes I'm a child that grew up in the 70's, How'd you guess) Some of the things we bought him for Father's Day or his birthday was fishing lures, golf balls and soap-on-a-rope. He never complained, he simply smiled and thanked us (if we got THAT much of a response).

I often wondered why as children we were drawn to these types of gifts. Then it dawned on me that, yes they were all hobbies HE enjoyed but they were also inexpensive trinkets we could afford. With the current economy, and the fatc that my husband really doesn't NEED anything

Here are three EASY projects for children to do for dad this Father's Day.

Make Your Own Soap-on-a-Rope

- several bars of ivory soap
- a cheese grater
- twine (or rope)
- warm water
- wax paper
- essential oils of choice

This is a simple project for the kids to make - Mom should grate the soap. Next add warm water to the grated soap slowly until it becomes the consistency of oatmeal. Have the kids dig in and mush the soap and water together. (After all they're PLAYING with soap, how dirty can it be?) Next add a few drops of essential oil (We actually added grated orange peel too since Daddy likes citrus scents and the peel will help exfoliate!) and mix a bit more.

Next mom should cut the rope to an appropriate length and tie a knot at the end. Then, grab a good amount of the soap/water mix and create a ball "around" the rope. Let your soap-on-a-rope dry for approximately 24-hours on wax paper before moving.

Another great idea is to build something WITH DAD in the Skil Building Memories contest sponsored by Skil, Lowes and World's of Discovery. SKIL, Lowes' and Worlds of Discovery came up with a great contest to encourage families to work together on a special Father's Day project. There are (4) possible projects in all with simple, age-appropriate plans for many levels of children - PLUS there are some wonderful prizes to be earned including a 4-day all expense paid family vacation! All you need to do is capture in film, the creating of your materpiece!!!

If you are a parent who prefers NOT to lead your own DYI Father's Day projects, there is a great alternative for you at Treetown Toys in Ann Arbor ~ Keep the kids busy AND make dad his special present!!!

There are several times/days available to make dad his gift from Thursday June 17-21. Kid's can choose to decorate a "dad themed" wooden frame or pencil holder sure to elicite a joyful smile from ANY dad! Check for available days/time and make sure to register in advance at 734-929-6545 or on the Treetown Toys website. The cost for the project is $6.