Save the Date
Fri, May 10: Red Butte Garden Spring Plant Sale
Thu, May 16: Great Salt Lake Bird Festival at Davis County Legacy Events Center
Fri, May 17: 2019 Living Traditions Festival at Liberty Square
Sat, May 18: Night Lights Event: Salt Lake City at Utah Motorsports Campus
Fri, May 31: Ogden Music Festival at Fort Buenaventura
Fri, Jun 14: 2019 Park City Kids Adventure Games at Canyons Village at Park City - Utah
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I was 5 or 6 years old, and Dr. Neustein chose not to lie to me. He didn't say, "Now don't worry, this won't hurt a bit." He didn't say, "Oh, it's just a tiny cut." What he said was: "Okay, you'll lie here, and I'll sew up that nasty gash on your forehead. It will hurt, some, but not as much as when it happened, and it won't take long. It's fine if you cry, but you might not. It's up to you."
It was up to ME? Really? No one had said that to me in just that way before. I decided to see if Dr. Neustein was right: As he performed the procedure, three or four stitches, I said "OUCH!" very loudly and emphatically. I vividly remember drawing out the "CH" part, so it sounded more like a two-syllable word. "Ou-CHHH." My eyes welled up, but I didn't scream, I didn't flail, and I stayed calm, even though I didn't want to. I think Dr. Neustein was impressed, and I remember being rather proud of myself.
I took something valuable away from that experience: the sense that you can't choose what happens to you, but you can choose how you react. I'm sure I thought of it differently when I was 6, something more like "How you feel is different from what you do about it." It was helpful when other kids were mean. It was helpful when my parents got divorced. It was helpful when I didn't get into the college I wanted, and when my first business collapsed, and when Ella had what we call the "Brick-Diving Incident" when she was 4. It framed a life for me in which I could feel bad when things were bad, but not let those feelings get in the way of figuring out the best way to manage those circumstances. I count myself lucky for having been led to this realization so early.
I have a Big Round Number birthday coming up this weekend. So I touch the little scar near my hairline and remind myself that how I feel about turning this Big Round Number is different from what I'll do about it, which is: Celebrate. I'm grateful to be alive in a time and place where I can make good things happen.
Besides, my office is throwing me a meatball party on Monday. When loving people make you meatballs, it's easier to see the bright side of anything.
—Debra Ross, publisher
As the weather turns warmer the tulips at the Ashton Gardens begin to bloom! 2019 marks the 15th annual Tulip Festival and we want you to experience it. Come enjoy 280,000 tulips in hundreds of varieties, all imported directly from Holland. The 15 themed gardens throughout Ashton Gardens highlight different displays sure to bring out plenty of oohs and aahs! This is one festival you’ll want to have a camera handy for sure.
Click here for more information.
Join us for the 500th anniversary of the Renaissance artist, engineer, and scientist, Leonardo da Vinci! Celebrate our namesake with us and enjoy a weekend of special all-ages activities dedicated to Leonardo. Activities include, painting a da Vinci replica model, Pasta Making workshop, da Vinci Trivia Night, paint making science and much more. Click the web link to RSVP and get the latest program schedule updates and additional special event tickets.
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Fairy/Mini Gardens Class: Kid Friendly at McCoard's Gardens
Mini or Fairy Gardening allows consummate gardeners to downsize and create a fabulous garden in miniature. Mini gardens can be designed for both interior and exterior enjoyment. This will teach you techniques in mini-landscape design as well as what plants work best in the realm of small.
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Easy Mother's Day Gifts That Kids Can Make or Do Themselves
Kids love to make homemade gifts, and mothers love a homemade gift for Mother's Day. In theory. But in practice, the littlest kids don't have too many skills for crafting yet, and older ones can get frustrated trying to make their artistic vision become reality. And while mothers are overjoyed with the thought and effort put into any gift, they also only have so much space in the house to display it all. Read on for ideas like a decoupage vase, homemade jewelry, flowers for the garden, a lip scrub. . . moms will love these easy, kid-made crafts, and kids will be proud!
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A Week-by-Week Guide to Summer Camps Near You
Looking for a summer camp for your child? Look no further! Dozens of summer camps post: day camps, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, preschool, & more!
Summer 2019 camps are organized by week, by age, or by topic so you can find the perfect camps for your family!
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