Loving Yourself Is An Important Lesson to Teach Your Children
By: Pamela

​The ground may be covered in snow, but if you’re like me, you are day dreaming about those Summer days spent with the kiddos at your favorite Cape Cod beach!  With those beautiful beach days, though, can often come a lot of anxiety for us moms who are faced with a body that has housed the most precious gift in the world…but is now something we don’t recognize in the mirror. 

I am all about self-love and accepting this new body and all of the badges of honor that go along with motherhood.  When I see a mom covered up at the beach or missing out on fun because of her insecurities, it absolutely breaks my heart.  After gaining almost seventy pounds with my pregnancy, I dreaded going to the beach – something I have loved my entire life – and chose a bathing DRESS to try to hide my flaws.  That thing was so uncomfortable.  The skirt absorbed so much water and weighed me down so I couldn’t even enjoy myself and the experiences my toddler was having for the first time at my most beloved summer spot. 

We have just under three months until swimsuit season is upon us, and I want to arm you with some tools to make this the best summer ever…one where you can run, jump and play with your kids without any worry.  What are those tools?  Most people expect me to say diet and exercise.  Yes, those are extremely important if you want to make changes in your appearance, but the most important piece in the weight loss puzzle is creating the right mind set so that you can be truly successful.
The great news is, as a mom you already have the tools! 

As a mom, we love our kids with our entire hearts.  Does that mean we let them do whatever they want?  Eat whatever they want?  NO!  So loving yourself does not mean accepting your body and continuing with unhealthy habits.  Loving yourself means talking to yourself the way you talk to your kids.  You can’t have huge portions of unhealthy food - you need to eat your vegetables!  You can’t watch endless hours of TV - go outside and play (aka get some exercise in)!  These are things we make sure our kids are doing, but often times spend our day exhausted and getting our energy from the donuts someone brought to work, the leftovers from our toddler’s plate or a pizza because we’re too tired to cook.  We also tell our kids how smart, beautiful and talented they are.  You would never call your child fat or pick apart their body.  So don’t talk to yourself that way!  Look in the mirror and give yourself compliments. 

Every day, every choice you make will bring you closer to your goals or further away.  Every choice you make shows your body that you love it, or that you aren’t taking care of it.  If you think about each choice in this way, you’ll be able to make healthier choices each day so that when summer roles around, it’s not about having a bikini body, it’s about knowing that you’ve taken care of yourself, that you are perfect the way you are because you’re doing all of the right things, and to just have fun without thinking about our thighs. 

See you on the beach!

Pam grew up in Falmouth, MA and is mommy to a gorgeous 3.5 year old, Kennedy.   Pam has lost almost 70 pounds and created Fit Mommy Mindset to help others lose weight and find themselves.  Find her on Instagram @FitMommyMindset for meal inspiration and weight loss motivation including her weekly Mindset Makeover Series.  New videos are released every Monday and can also be viewed on her Youtube Channel under Fit Mommy Mindset.

Local Business Scholarship Accepting Applications from College Juniors
 
Gary DellaPosta, CPA & Business Advisors are pleased to announce their 2019 Scholarship for entering college juniors. They will be awarding $1000 to a qualified local student. To qualify, you must be from Falmouth, Bourne, Mashpee or Sandwich and entering your junior year in 2019. Applicant must be enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor’s degree in a business degree field at an accredited college or university.  Applicants are invited to download the application off of our website or contact them directly to receive a copy.  All applications are due June 1, 2019 and a winner will be announced on July 1, 2019.  The winner and their family will be invited to attend a luncheon to receive their honors. Prior winners include: Jacquelyn Grinnell of Falmouth (2016); Ian McKenna of Sandwich (2017); and Hannah Ghelfi of Falmouth (2018).
For more information visit their website:
​http://www.dellapostacpa.com/Scholarship.php
​

Check out an Open House for Nature Preschool Explorers on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 10-11am! This is a FREE family event and no registration is required.

We are in our second year of connecting children to the wonder of the great outdoors! Mass Audubon Long Pasture's Nature Preschool Explorers is a supplemental drop-off enrichment program for 3-5  year olds. This nature-based program uses the sanctuary's habitats as our outdoor classroom. The 2019-20 program runs weekly from mid-September to mid-June for a total of 36 weeks. Parents and caregivers can choose from either Tuesday morning or Wednesday morning sessions.
 
For more information please go to:
Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
345 Bone Hill Rd.
Barnstable, MA 02637
508-362-7475
www.massaudubon.org/longpasture

Cape Cod February School Vacation Week Activities for Families and Kids​
Below we have compiled some of our favorite February School Vacation week activities for families and children! If you are staying local or you are visiting there is a ton of fun activities to do! Check out our list below and please comment with any additions! Have a great week!

Inside Out Movie Night with Good Grief Cape Cod
Feb 16, 2019 5:30-8pm at the Falmouth Cinema Pub
Join us as we dive into neuropsychology and watch Disney Pixar's Inside Out on our large blow up movie screen as a community! This family friendly fundraiser promotes that emotions are a normal part of life and we are all here to support one another through the grieving process. All proceeds go providing educational programming to help children cope with death and support groups for children on cape cod through the non profit Good Grief Cape Cod.
Food and Beverages included. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and get comfy!
$25 per family , $8 individual tickets. For tickets please email amy@goodgriefcapecod.org

STEM Event for Kids – WaterBots and JiggleBotsTues
Feb 19, 2019 West Falmouth Library 2-3pm For kids 4-12, a February Vacation Week STEM event on Tuesday, February 19th at 2pm. Design your own Water Bot and Jiggle Bot. Call 508-548-4709 to register. 15 spaces available. Donations appreciated.

Glass Class February School Vacation At The Cape Cod Art Bar
Feb 18, 2019 3-5pm Mashpee at Cape Cod Art Bar Create Your Own Glass Art!
Ages 7+ All Materials and a 8x10 Shadow Box Frame are Supplied! Make whatever you wish Please BYOB if you wish! For Tickets www.capecodartbar.com Or to pay by phone 508-265-6457. Please note designs must remain over night to set. Shipping can be arranged for an additional cost. Tickets are non refundable however you can attend a different scheduled date by confirming with Bren.

Green Briar Nature Center  
Jam Making workshops  Wednesday & Thursday

Cape Cod Children’s Museum  in Mashpee February Vacation Break Out!
February Vacation Week
Open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM all week!

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Nature Recess! A Week of Science, Magic & Wizardry!
869 Main St./Route 6A , Brewster. Cost: Free with museum admission; some events $15. Information: 508-896-3867, ccmnh.org.  Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 24  – Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM  Special events during the week
The schedule: 
 
1 p.m. Feb. 16, East Coast Therapy Dogs
 
1 p.m. Feb. 17, Mad Science presents Fire & Ice(members $8/non-members $10), about the properties of fire and combustion; 
 
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18, Harry Potter-esque activities for all ages; 
 
2 p.m. Feb. 18, Meet Adam Howard , Emmy Award-winning special effects wizard of over 130 films including “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” movies($5); 
 
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 19, Mixology: Chemistry for Kids!; 
 
11:30 a.m. Feb. 20, “The Magic of Horseshoe Crabs” with Dan Gibson; 
 
11:30 a.m. Feb. 21, Nature Screen presents “The Magic of Motion” about transportation; every 50 minutes in The John Hay Room.
 
Kitchen Camp with chef Joseph Cizynski: 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 18-20, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth; $95; 508-394-7100, cultural-center.org. Easy recipes
 
Feb. 18, “Fun With Chicken”
 
 Feb. 19, flatbreads;
 
 Feb. 20, pastas. Designed for ages 8-12 (flexible).
 
Dot to Dot Art Workshop, Harwich Port
AGES 5-11ish
TUES.2/19, 1:30-4PM: SELF PORTRAIT SHADOW BOXES
WED.2/20, 1:30-4PM: ANIMALS (choose your medium)
THURS.2/21, 10-12:30: COMIC BOOK ADVENTURES(**1/2FULL)
$35

School Vacation Fairy Garden Workshops
1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 18-22, Hyannis Country Garden, 380 West Main St., Barnstable. $45 for one child for one session, prices drop for multiple children. Advance registration required. 508-775-8703.
 
STEM workshop on magnets, for kids 6-12: 
2-4 p.m. Feb. 20, Dennis Memorial Library, 1020 Old Bass River Road. 508-385-2255, nsymington@clamsnet.org.
 
Gelli Plate Printing For Kids with Mary Jane Xenakis: 
Noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 21, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth. $25. 508-394-7100, cultural-center.org.
 
National Marine Life Center Daily vacation activities including Patient Upodate, Stories and more! http://nmlc.org/
 
Tumble Time Camp
During school vacations throughout the year, we maintain camps for the continuation of athletic activities during these vacation periods. Worried about what to do with your children over the school vacations? Join one of our Gymnastics Camps held during each of the school vacations during the year. Our air conditioned summer camp program will offer your child a summer full of fun and activities. Our camp is designed for children ages 4-12* of all skill levels. Your child will be grouped according to age and ability. We are dedicated to filling each day with fun and learning in a safe and supportive environment. We also offer a competitive team summer program. Visitors are welcome. Camps will be held from 9:00 AM through 4:00 PM daily

Pajama Llama Painting Party
​Feb 21, 2019 6-8pm Color Me Mine Mashpee
No prob- llama... just wear your favorite pajamas and join us for a Llamazing night of all things Llama. You will paint your choice of Llama figurine or bank, create a No Drama Llama wooden sign, craft a llama from glitter papers, and snack on llama party snacks. Reservations are required for this event, as well as a $15 party fee. You will pay for your choice of llama pottery the night of the event. The $15 covers the llama craft, wooden sign, party snacks and glazing and firing of your pottery. Call to register today 508-539-8500. Kids age 9+ may be dropped off for this event, if your kids are younger we ask that you stay for the event.

Acting And Puppetry Workshop​Theater teacher, director, designer and performer Jacek Zuzanski will hold a vacation acting and puppetry workshop for children ages 7 to 12 during school vacation week, February 18 through 22.
The workshop will take place in the fellowship hall at the John Wesley United Methodist Church, 270 Gifford Street in Falmouth. The workshop will take place from 9 AM to 1 PM. Cost is $160. The workshop will culminate in a performance on February 22 at noon.
Participants will immerse themselves in creative fun and a theatrical adventure. Children will play acting games, improvise, develop scenes and dialogues, draw, sculpt, paint, build puppets, create sets, rehearse, and at the end of the week perform for friends and family. This will be time for individual creativity and for enjoying camaraderie of the ensemble.
Participants will take home their own puppets and puppet theater at the end of the workshop in order to continue their adventures with family and friends. No experience is necessary. All materials are provided.
Mr. Zuzanski is the founder and artistic director of Dream Tale Puppets, a local theater group formed in 2003 that produces and performs puppet shows for children and families and offers workshops and classes in acting, puppetry and theater.
Registration for the February workshop through the Dream Tale Puppet website at dreamtalepuppets.org. Contact Mr. Zuzanski at info@dreamtalepuppets.org or 508-420-0931.

Check out this week's Cape Kids News Broadcast as they discuss some of their favorite summer camps and activities!
We will be taking a 2 week break and then we will be returning on March 7th, a new day and time: Thursdays in the evening so your kids can tune in with you! Be sure to check out some bloopers etc during the break!

Brave Your Adventure with Kids Obstacle Challenge this June in Boston! 


Kids Obstacle Challenge I Boston, MA
Saturday, June 22nd, 2019 I 9:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. 
$36 - $60 per Ticket I 1.5-2-Miles I Ages 5-16
Kalon Farm, 339 Seven Bridge Rd., Lancaster, MA 01526 
kidsobstaclechallenge.com 

Run, jump, climb, and brave your way through the largest touring adventure and obstacle course event series for kids in the nation! Kids Obstacle Challenge is coming to Kalon Farm on Saturday, June 22nd, 2019 with waves from 9:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. If you are looking for the ultimate experience that involves the whole family, look no further! Our adventure pushes families to break out of their comfort zone and truly enjoy family time in a whole new way. Kids Obstacle Challenge attracts thousands of active kids and their parents by inspiring and challenging kids, and forging family bonds, through adventure and obstacles.  

Use our special  promo code ADVENTURE15 to redeem 15% off when registering. 

GIVEAWAY
We are also going to give away 2 free tickets! To enter all you have to do is comment on this blog post with which obstacle on the course looks like the most fun! Be sure to include an updated email so we can reach out to you if you win! We will draw a winner on FB live on March 2, 2019 around 7pm!

About Kids Obstacle Challenge: 
Kids Obstacle Challenge is an adventure and obstacle course event series for kids ages 5-16, with 13-15 fun and challenging obstacles. Kids Obstacle Challenge is a place where a scraped knee doesn't stop you, where "I can't" is replaced with "I will," where parents are teammates, and kids are their own heroes. Participants can traverse across rock walls, army crawl through tough terrain, scale up rugged cargo nets, and slide into a muddy paradise! Don't miss the chance for your kiddos to achieve their goals and get covered in mud! Prepare to Brave Your Adventure this spring and have some muddy family fun! To sign up your eager adventurer, visit www.kidsobstaclechallenge.com.


Registration:
Pre Sale Price: $36 per Child - Ending March 31, 2019
Early Bird Price: $44 per Child – Ending May 19, 2019
Regular Price: $52 per Child – Ending June 21, 2019
Day Of Price: $60 per Child – June 22, 2019

2019 Kids Obstacle Challenge Locations: 

• San Diego, CA - April 20, 2019
• Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX - May 18, 2019
• Austin, TX - June 1, 2019
• Raleigh, NC - June 8 - 9, 2019 
• Boston, MA - June 22, 2019
• Denver, CO - July 27 - 28, 2019
• Bay Area, CA - August 10 - 11, 2019
• Portland, OR - August 24 - 25, 2019 

More Cities & Dates in the Coming Weeks: 

• Los Angeles, CA
• San Jose, CA
• Washington, D.C. 
• Chicago, IL
• Minneapolis, MN
• Seattle, WA