Your Local Parks and Rec Guide

We regularly register Ms Sarah for some activities through this program of the parks and recreation department in our town. Every season they send out a publication packed with tons of recreational programs for all ages. From youth craft classes to adult fitness to their ever popular swim lessons! There really is something for everyone. They even list the FREE things that will happen like concerts in the park or Fire Station open houses.

How does this save money?
It lets you test drive activities at a HUGE savings before you choose to invest in real ones. Example: Ballet. They have a ballet class that runs for a few weeks and is a LOT less expensive than a year at a local dance studio. You can let your kiddo try it out and, if after a few weeks, they don't like it - you haven't got a year long contract that is hundreds of dollars staring you in the face. Sarah LOVED dance last year and is at a real studio now. (Grammie is paying for it!)
Perusing the winter/spring guide, I see a few possibilities: not so much for Miss Sarah, but for me. She has Karate, Ballet, Sunday School, Cherub Choir and will shortly begin piano lessons...she hardly needs more with full day Kindergarten, LOL!  Although the Spanish classes are tempting...and only meet once a week - with a Fiesta on the last day.
:)

I am looking at Yoga. I am still on a work out restriction until they figure my heart thinggy out and this would be good for my Fibromyalgia and Arthritis. I'd really like to try Zumba but think my doctor would smack me, LOL!

If you want a few fun things to try, but it isn't in your budget, do what we did - tell family members that you would rather have the gift of activity for your child's birthday/the holidays. One set of grandparents was paying for Sarah's swimming lessons, one for the ballet, one for the tumbling. This helps prevent a chubby little girl, me tripping on a billion toys with small parts, a little person learning to be a part of a team and the concept of taking turns all while following directions. What a win-win situation!

Until next time - check out what your local community is offering. That $10 Tango lesson could make for a fun date night!