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April
Go Wild

1 April Fools' Day! Go on a hunt for a Loof Lirpa – a mysterious creature who can only be seen one day a year. The only way to find one is to act as silly as possible by walking like a duck, growling like a bear and turning around on your tip-toes to make three big circles. Then shout Loof Lirpa! If you're lucky, you just might spot one!

25 National Arbor Day. Roll three sheets of newspaper together, overlapping as you go. Tape the bottom. Cut about 4 or 6 slashes 1/3 of the way down the top. Gently pull up on one of the inside "leaves" and then you have a paper tree. Talk about how paper comes from trees, and how important it is for us to recycle our paper so that we can prevent the over-harvesting of trees. Learn about how trees give us oxygen to breathe and all the other important reasons God gave us trees.

April 6-12—National Week of the Ocean. Fill two small bowls half-full with water. Add food coloring to tint the water in one bowl blue and in the other bowl green. Help children use an eyedropper to collect water from each bowl and drip it onto a coffee filter. Once dry, attach to black construction paper as planet earth. Discuss how the blue symbolizes oceans and the green symbolizes land. Talk about animals that live in the water versus animals that live on land. Teach your children the importance of keeping our oceans clean and healthy.

April 19-27 – National Wildlife Week. Visit www.nwf.org and adopt an imperiled animal. Help your children learn that all of God's creatures have a purpose in this world.

April 21-27 – International TV Turnoff Week. Television viewing has been linked to attention deficit disorder, behavior problems and childhood obesity. Yet children under age six spend an average of two hours each day watching TV, as opposed to only 39 minutes reading or being read to. Turn off the TV, DVD player, video games and computer this week. Spend time playing with your children and reading to them instead. You may be surprised how much quality time you discover.

take tym 4 u
Longer days are on the rise. Your heart begins to take on a new rhythm—one that quickens with the sunlight and beats a bit more cheerfully at the opportunity to refresh outdoors. Earth is rich and full of ways to renew, so get out there and discover why springtime seems to buzz.

Mom Alone
If you're not a fan of collard greens (and let's face it, who is?), there's nothing like having fresh ingredients on hand to make your salad more palatable. Spice up all your dishes like an organic diva by creating space for herbs in your garden. Small 4-inch pots work great to start a variety of good-for-you herbs such as cilantro, basil, chocolate mint (yes, chocolate!) and dill. Planting can be to an adult what sandbox play is to your toddler. Plus you'll enjoy the "fruits" of your labor all summer long.

Mom's Afternoon Out
Driving has its perks, but day after day the view can get a little old. Transform the mundane scene out your car window by looking at it on a bicycle. Set a course for some trailside play with friends on an interurban trail, park path or, if you're brave enough, the challenge of a mountain bike hill. Wearing your helmets means you're safer and no one has to worry about their hair. And you'll all reap the benefit of a great workout together.

Date Night
During the winter months our husbands have become companions of the dark. Many of us kiss them good-bye at sunrise and welcome them to the dinner table long after dusk. When was the last time you looked at your sweetheart by the light of the sun versus the glow of a light bulb? Spring invites you to infuse your marriage with this long-lost luxury. Enjoy an evening stroll, sans the flashlight, or a quiet picnic together on the weekend. Simple pleasures go a long way when you have the chance to connect face-to-face.

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