Category Archives: Family Fun

Water Feature Makes a Yard Special

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wBackyard-Sycamore-Warner-Groves-at-Morrison-Ranch-057 - CopyIf you want your backyard to feel unique, consider a water feature. Take a look at this one from the Sycamore model at Warner Groves at Morrison Ranch. This water feature, and this yard, have much more going for them than the standard approach. Let’s take a look at the elements that make this space special.

Dramatic waterfall trio: By positioning the three waterfall fountains along the back of the yard, this space has a unique focal point. Living in the desert, we are naturally drawn to water, and this arrangement provides a cooling look and sound as well as a refreshing place to sit and cool off.

Pavers used in hardscaping: Pavers are versatile and attractive and hold up extremely well in Arizona’s tough weather conditions. They are also a cost-effective alternative to tile and stone.

Raised planter beds: Raised beds allow plants to stand out in a landscape and make it easy to plan a drip irrigation system. They also allow you to make the most of your water use, by planting in the richer soil that is used in raised bed gardening. They also create a sense of intimacy in a backyard.

Comfortable outdoor furniture: Thanks to the new outdoor fabrics and fillers, you can have cushioned furniture outside year-round. This arrangement invites guests to relax for an evening of conversation and fun.

Start with a significant water feature and continue adding elements until you have a backyard like this one – a place to relax, entertain and enjoy.

 

Color Summer With Sidewalk Chalk

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child-885831_1280 - CopyWith the monsoon we may get a cloudy day that is cool enough to play outside. If so, grab a box or two of colored sidewalk chalk at your nearest dollar store for a day of fun with your kids. Here are some ideas for making the day special.

Make your own sidewalk carnival. From a target drawn on the sidewalk that you hit with beanbags to sidewalk bowling and games your kids make up, plan a row of activities for kids in the neighborhood. Add in some lemonade and cookies and you have an afternoon of fun for everyone.

Have an art contest. Choose a topic such as portraits of parents or pictures of houses in the neighborhood with simple prizes for the best execution, most colorful, most original, etc. Come up with a prize for every child.

Create a treasure hunt. Use the chalk to leave clues leading your children through the neighborhood or just your property – taking them from one place to another until they reach a treat at the end. If you have trouble thinking of clues, look online or on Pinterest for ideas.

Create a giant board game. Recreate a favorite board game on your driveway using chalk. Use toys or stuffed animals as markers and pick up some giant dice to roll for the turns.

Tell a story and use the chalk to create the setting. Little red riding hood can walk through the woods they draw or pirates can sail through the ocean blue with waves they illustrate along your sidewalk. Let your children tell the story and choose how to illustrate it.

At the end of the day you will have a colorful remembrance of a fun time. And with a shower for the kids and a hose for the concrete and you can start all over tomorrow.

Pool Party Safety

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children-1246383_1280 - CopyThis time of year outside pool parties are a blast for kids and grownups alike. And while adults enjoy their pool time kids can live in the pool all day long. Here are some simple tips to make sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable day.

Set groundrules. When kids get together it’s easy for them to forget the rules in the excitement of new faces and silliness. It’s up to you to remind them of the groundrules at the start of the day and reinforce them as needed. You want to have consequences too such as time out or time out of the pool. Some good groundrules include no running, no splashing or dunking each other and no pushing each other into the pool.

Have at least one adult on lifeguard duty at all times. This means someone at the side of the pool, undistracted, sober, with one job – to watch the children and ensure their safety. Parents can trade off on this job, or many teenagers work in the summer as trained lifeguards. You may want to see if you can hire one for your party so all of the parents can relax and have fun.

Watch the sun. Have plenty of water-resistant sunscreen. Read the directions carefully. Some sunscreen takes a certain amount of time before it is effective and all sunscreen only lasts a certain amount of time. Remember that some kids burn faster than others.

Watch their hydration. Are they drinking enough? You might want to schedule shade breaks with watermelon or popsicles or juice boxes to make sure they’re drinking plenty. And take a break to get them to eat too. Food can take second place to play with kids.

Watch for cranky. As the smaller kids start to get tired you will see more fights and fussing. It may be time to call an end to the play time for the tinier ones. Set up a quiet space with some DVDs and you may find yourself monitoring naptime.

Dog Walking Etiquette & Safety

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dog-454145_1280 - CopyMost dogs love to go for walks and to meet new people and other dogs. But if you plan to have your children take your dog for walks, you may want to teach them some basic dog manners. Children who love dogs tend to assume that everyone loves dogs, but there are other children and even adults who either don’t like or are afraid of dogs. The following tips are helpful to keep everyone comfortable around your dog.

Train your dog not to jump on people: Many people are uncomfortable with dogs that jump on them, and older people have trouble keeping their balance if even a smaller dog jumps up against them. Jumping is a natural tendency for dogs because they like to see a person’s face, but they can be trained not to do it with a bit of effort.

Have your children ask if people would like to pet your dog before bringing it over: Many people will want to but some will have no interest. If you have a friendly dog who wants to say hi to everyone, it’s only polite to ask first. Most dog lovers will ask you if your dog is friendly and likes to be petted before approaching.

If your dog doesn’t like other people, keep him or her on a tight leash around others. Don’t bring your pet into a crowded area.

If your dog doesn’t get along with other dogs, keep him or her on a tight leash and far from other animals. If the dog is too much for your child to control – too big or too untrained – don’t let them take the leash in a potentially compromising situation such as around other people or dogs.

Well mannered dogs are a joy to be around and create a safe and enjoyable neighborhood.

Traveling with Kids

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travel-to-mount-cook-national-park-picjumbo-com - CopyIt’s fun to take a summer road trip with your kids, but sometimes the challenges can overtake the pleasures. Careful planning makes the difference between having a great time and ending up with a disaster. Here are some things to keep in mind before you take off to make sure everyone has a good time, kids and parents both!

Pack light and smart: The more you pack the less space you have in the car. Plan for a small carry-in bag for each person, holding 3-4 pair of underwear, shorts, t-shirts and socks. Make sure everything can go in the washer and dryer together. If you’re going to be on the road for longer than a few days, it’s easier to do a load of wash at a motel or laundry facility than to carry all of the clean and dirty clothes for the whole trip. And remember laundry soap!

Bring favorite snacks: Family-favorite snacks help keep hunger at bay when you’re between stops on the road. Don’t just go for junk food. Bring a cooler with bags of chopped fruit and veggies, nuts, trail mix, and cheese and crackers. You may want to plan at least one meal a day as a picnic on the road. Pack bread, condiments, lunchmeat and cookies for a quick meal at a rest stop, or park. Lots of places have picnic tables and grassy areas.

Plan plenty of stops: Sitting in a car all day is tedious and can lead to cranky kids and parents. Look for opportunities to break up the driving by stopping at attractions and parks. Even a half-hour at a roadside playground can help get out the kinks and make another couple of hours in the car more tolerable.

Plan car activities: Check out our Pinterest board Kids in the Car or look online for ideas for games and activities to make the trip go faster. Portable DVD players, handheld games and iPads can also keep everyone entertained. Look for audiobooks that the entire family can enjoy. If you will be traveling through a number of states, you could assign each child one of them to share information as you cross the borders.

Above all, have fun. You may have goals about where you want to go or what you want to do, but it’s more important to enjoy the journey. So you may not make as many miles as you wanted, but if everyone has a good time, then the trip was a success.

Create Cozy

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wWarner-Groves-at-Morrison-Ranch-074 - Copyit’s not hard to make your family room to feel cozy and welcoming like this one. Here are some suggestions to bring the cozy into your home.

Darker Walls: You may have heard that darker walls make a room feel smaller. Not true. Instead, dark walls make you feel more secure and enclosed. The dark grey wall in the back adds warmth even though it is a cool color. It also provides a nice contrast to the bright windows.

Comfortable Upholstered Furniture: Getting comfy is an important part of feeling cozy. This plush sectional offers plenty of room to sit or stretch out. Throw pillows add comfort. You can tuck one or two under your head or at your feet on the coffee table.

Floor and Table Lamps: Ceiling light fixtures alone can’t add the ambiance that floor and table lamps can. Set your ceiling lights at a low level and turn on the lamps to create a cozy feel to any space.

Low Furniture: The television, coffee table and console are all close to the ground. This means that you can sit on the floor and still access everything. It’s an inviting space for lounging.

Carpeting: The choice of carpeting or a large rug adds softness to a room. Once again, a comfy soft flooring surface invites lounging on the floor.

Make your family room a place where friends want to linger. Create a cozy space for relaxing and fun evenings with guests or just family. Visit the models at Warner Groves at Morrison Ranch for a closer look.

Summer Learning

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just-have-a-great-day-merry-christmas-picjumbo-com - CopySummer vacation is every kid’s dream, but studies have shown that their academic skills backslide with three months out of school. As a parent, you can make a difference while still showing them that learning can be fun. Here are some ideas to keep their skills alive without making them feel like you’re working them all summer long.

Read to them and have them read to you: Libraries have summer reading programs with prizes. Look into those or create your own prizes for reading. Ask their teachers or your local librarians for book ideas. You can pick up great books at good prices from used book stores or thrift shops if you want to start building a library for your children at home.

Use shopping lists and coupons to help with math skills: Have them sort coupons when you create a shopping list and add up how much you can save. You might want to put one of your children in charge of coupons and let him or her have the savings as spending money.

Visit local museums and pick out books or learning tools at the gift shop: Museum gift shops specialize in books and toys designed to help children learn more about history or science in a fun way. Help them choose something that appeals to them and then spend time going through the activities once you get home. Be sure to take the time to discuss what you saw and learned during the outing.

Look into activities and classes in your community: Parks and Recreation programs offer opportunities for summer learning for every age. Check out what is offered near your home.

You can keep your childrens’ brains active and learning all summer long, so that next fall they’re ready to jump into that next year of school.

Cause for Paws

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Cause-For-Paws-2015_collage1 - CopyIf you’ve ever burned your feet on hot asphalt or concrete in our Arizona summers, you understand what your dog is dealing with in 100 degree plus weather. Most people don’t understand that the padding dogs have on the bottom of their paws isn’t any tougher than our bare feet.

And when you take your dog for a walk on a hot surface, asphalt temperatures in Arizona can reach as high as 170 degrees.Can you imagine walking around barefoot on that in the middle of summer?

A dog’s paws can be burned or permanently damaged by this heat, and to help raise awareness and give you some help, Fulton Home has partnered with 100.7 KSLX to sponsor the Fulton Homes Cause for Paws program. Stay tuned to KSLX or visit their website to find out your next opportunity to pick some practical paw booties for your dog.

Or stop by any pet supply store to pick up a pair of booties for your dog. And the next time you take your dog for a walk, check out the road surface with your bare foot or hand. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Take your dog for walks in the early morning or evening, and keep them in shady or grassy areas as much as possible.

 

Eating Out

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wBackyard-Evergreen-Elm-Warner-Groves-at-Morrison-Ranch-021No, we’re not talking about going to a fancy restaurant. Instead take just a few steps and eat outside. This lovely back patio from the Fulton Homes Evergreen Elm model at Morrison Grove at Warner Ranch provides you with the perfect spot to eat out. Outside, that is.

Extra-large french-style sliding glass doors give you a generous opening to help make the inside and outside of your home feel integrated. And it’s just a step from the kitchen to this outdoor table. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do to make eating outside easier and more inviting.

Keep the table close to your doorway: It seems silly, but the further you have to walk to sit down and eat, the less likely you are to bother. When you can see the table just a step away from the door, eating outside is more appealing.

Have cleaning cloths easily accessible to clean off the table. Rather than run through a bunch of paper towels, just dampen a cleaning cloth and follow up with a dry one to make your outdoor table ready in a minute.

Keep your outdoor table ready for a meal. It may be tempting to use that table as a catch-all for outdoor toys or tools. Instead locate a potting bench or other type of table or storage unit outside for those items. If you have to clear off the table every time you want to eat outside, it just won’t happen.

Don’t limit your outdoor meals to dinner. Eating breakfast out makes for a great start to your day. Birds are more likely to be speaking their minds, and the fresh air will help sweep away sleep’s cobwebs. Try breakfast outside soon.

Have fun with your outdoor table and enjoy your backyard. With a spot like this you can eat out with all the comforts of home!

The Pleasure of an Open Floorplan

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wModern-Family-Room-Evergreen-Elm-Warner-Groves-at-Morrison-Ranch-011If you haven’t lived in a home where the living space is set in an open floor plan, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Open floor plans, like this one from Fulton Home’s Evergreen Elm model in Warner Groves at Morrison Ranch, change your approach to everyday living.

With an open floorplan, someone working in the kitchen can be part of the rest of the family’s activity. The bar stools at the kitchen island let families gather and talk during food preparation. Those people who are not involved in the kitchen efforts can sit, out of the way, and still interact easily with the cooks.

It’s also easy to cook and watch television, keep an eye on the kids, or chat with guests. As you can see from the photo, you’re just a step away from the action in the rest of the space.

Getting meals on the table is easy too. With a few short steps, you can move from the kitchen to the dining area. Grabbing extra silverware or condiments from the fridge is easy and fast. And dirty dishes have a short hop to get into the sink after a meal.

Open floorplans also work well for parties. The kitchen island is perfect for an appetizer buffet, and mingling is easier with fewer walls. As the host, you can see in a moment if any individuals or groups need a little extra attention.

Finally, an open floorplan makes everything feel larger. With no interior walls, the sightlines give you more of a vista. Instead of three little rooms, you have one generously-sized space. You also have some flexibility on where one living area ends and the next starts.

Once you experience an open floorplan, you may find you love it, for these and other reasons you won’t discover until you’re there. Why not check it out in person by visiting Evergreen Elm today?