"When a family's fortunes decline, the spending can be hard to justify."

We're pretty interested in this locally, and wondering if it's been happening in our area (Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties). The question is, with all the talk and experience of a recession, are youth sports taking a hit? A decline in enrollment? Unusual strategies to keep the operation afloat? If you're in a league or run a league and want to weigh in on this, leave a comment or contact SunSentinel reporter Nick Sortal.

This ran today in the Chicago Tribune, our sister newspaper up north...

By John Keilman | Tribune reporter Chris Labeots' fledgling basketball career might well have been saved by an installment plan.

The Hoffman Estates 8th grader is built like a bouncer, but his game is more finesse than muscle. With high school ball in the hyper-competitive northwest suburbs less than a year away, he figured he needed a summer with a travel team to improve his skills.

But Labeots' dad, Jim, is without full-time work and couldn't manage the $875 fee. So team director Tony Reibel extended an offer he's been making a lot lately: He let the family pay in affordable chunks.

"Chris wouldn't be able to play without that," Jim Labeots said.

Sports are practically a birthright for kids in Chicago's suburbs, where playing fields, swimming pools and gymnasiums teem year-round with young athletes. But as the recession tightens its chokehold, parents are being forced to consider a bitter sacrifice.

From baseball to soccer to hockey, many organizations are reporting a significant drop in the number of participants as families slash their discretionary spending. Some parents have lost jobs; others worry they'll be next.

"People were scared before, but now they're really scared," said Stephie Arkus of the Glenview Stars Hockey Association, which was anticipating a small decline in registrations.

In response, youth teams are coming up with creative ways to keep costs down and help out the newly broke, hoping to keep children active even when their parents' finances crumble.

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I'm not into playing tricks on friends and family members on April Fool's Day, but I came across a couple of cute ideas from Whoa, Momma! blog about tricking the kids and Dad if you're into that thing.

Including, making meatloaf cupcakes, "frosting" them with mashed potatoes and serving them to the kids.

Or moving Dad's car while he's a work and watching him search for it. (The cruelty! The laughs you'll share years from now. Like light years from now.)

Here's Whoa, Momma's full list. And if you need more idea, pluck one from this gallery of movie pranks.

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This weather should be brilliant this weekend with highs in the mid-80s and a burst of showers on Sunday.

So lather on the sunblock and pack an umbrella. Here are some things to do with the kids this weekend -- from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach counties:

BROWARD COUNTY
Pony Rides. Enjoy the outdoors with a guided pony ride. Ages 1 to 6. The park’s regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50 per person, children 5 and under, free, will be in effect. Every Saturday and Sunday. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tree Tops Park, 3900 SW 100th Ave., Davie. $1.50 per round or $5 for four rounds. 954-475-8650.
Exercise for the Brain. Kids age 4 to 10 will have fun doing indoor activities that benefit all systems of the body and increase focus and attention span. Please call ahead to reserve a spot. 10 - 11:30 a.m., Broadway Kids Studio, 9042 West State Road 84, Davie. $15 per class. 954-475-2627.
ArtWORKSHOPS. Explore a variety of art forms through hands-on experiences for the whole family. Today’s theme is “Happy Birthday to You, Sensory Cake ‘Baking’.” 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Young at Art Children’s Museum, 11584 W. State Road 84, Davie. Free with paid admission. 954-424-0085.
Disney On Ice. Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy. Audiences will enter the wondrous world of Pixie Hollow to meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, speed through Radiator Springs with Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew, and relive classic Disney favorites “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid.” From wheels to waves, Pride Lands to pixie dust, Worlds of Fantasy offers excitement for everyone. March 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.; March 28 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; March 29 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. BankAtlantic Center, 2555 NW 136th Ave., Sunrise. $16-$48. 954-835-7000.
Reach for the Stars. Story time for children with disabilities. Ages 3 to 10. Call for details. Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs. Free. 954-341-3900.
Eggstravaganza 2009. Hop into spring with the arrival of Peter Cottontail. More than 12,000 eggs will line the field for an egg hunt. After the egg hunt, take a picture with Peter Cottontail. Please bring your own egg basket and camera. Ages 12 and under. 9:30 a.m., Forzano Field, 2001 Douglas Road, Miramar. Free. 954-704-1631.
Family Trail Hike. This is a leisurely, guided stroll on the Lake Observation Trail. Get an up-close look at some of the unique elements of the Mangrove Swamp. 10 - 11 a.m., Anne Kolb Nature Center, 751 Sheridan St., West Lake Park, Hollywood. $3 per person. 954-926-2480.
Potty Training the Easy Way. Potty train the easy way by using the Baby Signs program. For parents and their children ages 1 to 3 years. Register at the Youth Services desk, 954-341-3900, then press 4. 10 - 10:30 a.m., Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs. Free. 954-797-7777.

Read on for events in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

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That special Florida moment has arrived: Our first trip to Disney World.

Our older son turns 3 on April 11, and we’re taking his birth certificate for his free admission and heading to Lake Buena Vista for the weekend. So now I turn to you, loyal readers of the Moms and Dads blog: What should I know about Disney World?

I know there are plenty of tips out there. In fact, a simple Google search turned up a discussion board about Disney World tips. One woman asked how she should wear her hair in the parks since she has "long straight hair and it can really get on my nerves in the heat & humidity." She got about a dozen responses, and decided to try a ponytail.

Anyway, trips to Disney World seem to be one of the few common experiences of Floridians. Everyone, at some point, ends up at Disney. It’s like New Yorkers and the Statue of Liberty. No matter what, every New Yorker rides that ferry to Liberty Island at some point. So that’s why it’s fascinating to ask for recommendations: Everyone has one. And I need them.

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We did what any parent must eventually do – we cut the cord.

Only in this case, we canceled the cable service for television. It’s very liberating - we aren’t tethered to it anymore.

Admittedly, it’s more of an adjustment for us rather than The Kid. We adults had become lay-a-bouts. We’d be the ones to mostly say, “wait, after this show I’ll [fill in the blank: help you with your homework; cook dinner; clean the house; put out the fire, etc.]

The Kid does lots of other things already. His withdrawal symptoms will be much less than ours. He plays video and board games, card games; he reads and practices Tae Kwon Do; hangs out with his friends and does his homework.

But I think us big people will survive too. This week, one of us focused more on graduate course homework and the other did more housecleaning.

Though the true catalyst for disconnecting from pay television and switching to rabbit ears was driven by cutting expenses, we’ll gain so much more than loose change. We already have, we’re re-connecting with each other.

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What’s wrong with a few drinks during Spring Break? Plenty if you’re under-age.

And youth ages 14 to 20 have lots to say about it in the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s 2009 “Why Not?” Spring Break Video Contest.

Participants submitted videos on why they choose not to make alcohol a part of spring break plans: It’s unsafe, is the prevalent theme.

Using YouTube.com and SchoolTube.com, the initiative provided peer-to-peer communication through the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco’s education and prevention efforts. The partnership also incorporated the Department of Education that encouraged educators throughout the state to share the contest with students.

The emphasis is a good year-round topic: after all, we have holidays, weekends and summers too!

Make it a family time moment when you check out the 30-second spots at MyFloridaLicense.com.

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It's going to be another beauty this weekend. Start making plans with this weekend guide plucked from South Florida Parenting:

Saturday, March 14

BROWARD COUNTY
Pony Rides. Enjoy the outdoors with a guided pony ride. Ages 1 to 6. The park’s regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50 per person, children 5 and under, free, will be in effect. Every Saturday and Sunday. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tree Tops Park, 3900 SW 100th Ave., Davie. $1.50 per round or $5 for four rounds. 954-475-8650.

Coversations in the Hut. Resident artist Chisseko of Kenya offers families the wisdom of village Africa through conversations in the hut, workshops, a drum circle, exchanges in Swahili, mankala contests and more. 1 - 3 p.m., Young at Art Children’s Museum, 11584 W. State Road 84, Davie. Free with museum admission of $8. 954-424-0085.

Naruto Challenge. The latest addition to the world of TCG games, Naruto helps kids with their math skills and captures their imaginations in a ninja card game. A judge conducts the tournaments and teaches children to play the game. 2 p.m., Florida Sportscards, 4681 N. University Drive, Coral Springs. $8 entrance fee includes one booster pack. 954-345-4407.

Surfside Bicycle Ride. An 11-mile family-paced ride through county, city and state parks. The ride ends with music and a bounce house. Participants are encouraged to wear creative costumes. Helmets are required, and participants must bring their own bicycles. Rain date is March 15. 8 a.m., Hollywood North Beach Park, 3601 North Ocean Drive , Hollywood. $20 per family, $10 per individual, $5 per individual on a team of five or more participants. 954-926-2480.

City of Sunrise: Bicycle Rodeo. Participants will be divided in three divisions: tricycles, training wheels and two-wheelers as they are challenged in a bicycle obstacle course. Participants will compete for the most creatively decorated bicycle, too. Ages 2 and up. 9 - 10:30 a.m., Sunrise Athletic Complex, 11501 NW 44th St., Sunrise. Free. 954-747-4642.

Family Bicycle Rally. This event will include a family bicycle route and an enthusiast’s bicycle route. Both routes will take their riders through police-controlled intersections, and tree-lined streets in Miramar. Both routes begin and end at the Miramar Town Center, where there will be bicycle safety inspections and a children’s bicycle rodeo. Refreshments will be available for purchase. 9 a.m., Miramar Town Center, 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar. Free. 954-704-1631.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Bicycle Ride. The whole family can participate in a St. Patrick’s Day Parade by riding and showcasing decorated bikes. 9 - 11 a.m., Sunview Park, 1500 SW 42nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Free. 954-791-1040.

Story Time Theatre. Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre presents Story Time at Whole Foods Lifestyle Center in Fort Lauderdale. Join in for storybook reading, imagination games, crafts and snacks. Ages 3 to 10. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Whole Foods Market, 2000 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. $5. 954-565-5655.

IMACS Hi-Tech Camp Open House: Weston. Get a glimpse of the IMACS Hi-Tech Summer Camp at free open houses. The Open House offers talented children a unique opportunity to explore and expand their intellectual world. Students are immersed in fun-filled academic pursuits such as computer programming and virtual robotics, electronics, and logic puzzles. Full-day and partial-day camp programs are available for children entering first through 12th grades. RSVP online for the open house at www.imacs.org/summercamp. 3 - 4:30 p.m., Institute for Mathematics & Computer Science, 2585 Glades Circle, Weston. Free. 954-791-2333.

Keep reading for listings in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties

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Mickey and Minnie are on road trip.

The Disney characters will be in town for a Playhouse Disney Live! show March 13.

BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise is offering discount tickets for one-day only, with savings of up to $11 per ticket.

Other Playhouse Disney neighbors Handy Manny, Tigger, Pooh, Little Einsteins will also be at the show.

This offer is valid on Club and Upper Level seats for shows March 13 at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The regularly $26 tickets have the most value, but will be the first to go.

Get more details, here.

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One fish, two fish, happy birthday wise fish!

Dr. Seuss would have been 105 years old today. Parents and libraries across the world are marking the day with readings and parties for the man behind some of the most-beloved children's books.

In our house, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is a favorite. As a graduation gift for high-schoolers I love giving the book Oh, The Places You'll Go.

Today at 3 p.m., Greenacres will have a special reading of Dr. Seuss books for children ages 7 and older. The kids will also be able to create Seuss-inspired crafts.

For other events marking Dr. Suess' birthday this week, click here.

What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book, and why?

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Your baby loves to shake her tail feather. Then run, OK jog, to Baby Loves Disco.

The party, complete with a snack bar and DJ, is for children ages 6 months to 7 years old. The party is at Revolution, 200 W. Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, from 2 - 5 p.m. Feb. 28, and costs $12 per person in advance through www.babylovesdisco.com. (No fee for the young ones who aren't walking, yet). It's $15 at the door.

Or check out one of the handful of festivals going on this weekend. There's the Bob Marley fest in Miami, Orange Blossom fest in Davie and Florida Renaissance fest in Deerfield Beach.

For residents of West Palm Beach, visit the Norton Museum of Art on Saturday. For free. Now showing: Find more cheap thrills, here.

On Sunday, you'll want to get a good view of the Sistrunk Festival parade starting at 9 a.m. at 401 NW Ninth St. in Fort Lauderdale.

For a round-up of Sunday activities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, read on.

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Camp owners who want to be included in the searchable online Sun-Sentinel.com summer camp guide should submit their information online by April 1.

Camp owners should go to sun-sentinel.com/submitcamp to enter camp hours, programs, prices and features.

After April 1, parents are urged to visit sun-sentinel.com/summercamp to use the guide.

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What’s on your refrigerator?

Those drawings, homemade cards and magnets, yep - it's art. Our refrigerators serve as that hallowed Wall of Fame, the Living Museum for our child's creations. Every one of us has kids - and our kids are naturally gifted artists!

We alone possess their unique, original art - drawings of the family pet, a sunset, monsters and dinosaurs, fantastical worlds and perfect profiles. Masterpieces all.

Yet, we want all the world to see. It's time to share with the rest of us Moms and Dads.

Honor your toddler or teen: From the humorous to the serious; the whimsical to the introspective, bring it on - "hang" it up on our virtual family kitchen refrigerator.

We'll shuffle through those treasured toddler drawings and scribbles and the sophisticated draftings and renderings your teenagers create.

Then we'll post photos of their work each week. Here's how:

Take a photo of your child's art work and upload it to Refrigerator Art.

Once submitted, approval of the art can take up to 12 hours.

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It's going to be nippy weekend, with low temps expected in the mid-50s and highs just over 70. But don't let that keep you and rugrats indoors.

Take the knee-high ones to Miami Children's Museum, which has free admission on the third Friday of each month.

Or check out the Fairy Fun at Tequesta's library, where children 3 and older can locate fairies in books, sing songs and create fairy crafts. The 45-minute program starts at 11 a.m. Feb. 21.

Take the hip-high ones to see what it's like in an aquarium at Hollywood's Anne Kolb Nature Center. It'll set you back $1 per person for the Saturday and Sunday tours from 2 - 3 p.m.

And for the ones who are nearly as tall as you and love to skateboard -- check out Deerfield Beach's skate park. Our reporter Liz Doup did a photo-feature on the skate park.

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If you want to venture off the zoo/park path this weekend, then check out St. Bernadette Family Festival in Hollywood.

This folksy church fair, which started Thursday, has the usual rides and fair food coupled with retro games such as the bean-bag toss.

The fair is open through Feb. 15 at 7450 Stirling Road. Entry will cost you zip, zilch, zero. Rides are $25 for an all-day pass.

The hours: Friday 6 - 11 p.m.; Saturday from 1 p.m. - midnight followed by a midnight Mass; and Sunday noon - 10 p.m.

For more info, call 954-432-5313.

And if this fair isn't your cup of tea, there's the Coconut Grove Art Festival and the Delray Beach Garlic Festival. See our listing of weekend events, here.

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If it's too cold to head to the park this weekend, indulge in these home-made activities:

Dust off the classics

Teach the kids a thing or two about real games. Pull out the Parcheesi, Sorry or Bogle. Replace missing game pieces with buttons or coins.

Knock 'em down

Set up a bowling lane in the hallway. For pins, use empty liter bottles or soda cans and get ready to strike.

Hide in plain view

This game is from FamilyFun.com and is best played with young children. While everyone else is out of the room, one player places the object somewhere unexpected but in plain sight. The other players then return to search. Whenever a player sees the object, he sits down where he is -- being careful not to give away the object's location.

Camp out

Create a forest in the living room with all the container plants brought indoors earlier this week to avoid the cold snap. Plop down sleeping bags, or open the pop-up tent. Have S'mores and Vienna sausages, or get a special delivery from the local pizza joint.

See the big picture

Choose a DVD that's a family favorite, or find something on Comcast's On Demand channel. Designate a person to man the ticket booth, concession stand (aka microwave) and theater entry. Then settle down on the sofa, floor or ottoman for a great flick.

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South Florida's winter is best spent outdoors in the parks, the Everglades, on the water. In places that are hostile in the summer because of the mosquitos and heat.

I'm partial to parks that cater to the under 5 set, which meet the needs of my 23 month old.

There's the newly expanded Hardy Park in Fort Lauderdale, which has cool chair-like swings for kids at heart.

The ground cover is artificial grass and crumbled tires.

We also like the Riverland Park that has two playground sets, a swing set and a nearby bathroom. The ground cover is mulch.

But I'm always on the hunt for another park that has a (reasonably) clean playset, a bathroom in close promixity and a covered pavilion or trees with shade.

What's your favorite kiddie park?

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We pulled into Jonathan Dickinson State Park, watching water spouts form in the black cloud above us. Could the park be cursed, or is it only when I want to go camping there?

Last time I'd taken kids camping at that state park, which is about an hour-plus north of here, a
controlled burn raged out of control in the fast winds, and the park was severely damaged.

I had my Cub Scout den there, and it's a campout none of them will forget. They couldn't breathe; the smoke was thick. Fire was licking the sky, and firemen (and, maybe, firewomen), were shouting for everyone to get out, quickly. We threw all of our stuff in the car, amidst chaos and screaming, and coughing and choking, and we left. Many, many other people must have lost their campers, tents and gears, because the fire lept across the lake to our campsite.

For some of them, it was the last campout they've had. Not that they died in the fire. They just couldn't shake the traumatic way that campout ended, when they were only 9 and 10 years old.

But the park itself is quite nice. So I took my two kids there last weekend. We did a one-night camping trip. And it was wonderful.

Mind you, as during any campout, I had moments where I wondered: Why in the world would I do this to myself? The wind started to pick up, and the sky looked ominous. People were videotaping the water spouts -- mini-tornadoes -- forming in the clouds. And it was one of the coldest nights of the year.

It was so difficult putting the tent up in the wind that I became a spectacle for other campers.

But that's one of the reasons we camp, instead of going to a hotel. You "build'' your little house for the night, and you have a sense of accomplishment. There's no TV. You have to resort to good, old-fashioned fun, like kickball, hiking, building fires, and maybe cards.

It's great for city kids like ours growing up in Broward County. You'd think they'd never seen a cactus the way they enjoyed finding them on hikes.

I started looking for another place to camp, to show my kids all the faces of Florida. This site, Reserve America, allows you to reserve campsites and pay for them online. That's how I reserved the campout last weekend. But it doesn't have all the campsites in Florida on it. So this is another good resource: The Official 2008 Florida Camping Directory.

Enjoy!

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The sun is out. The temperature is rising.

Frigid mamas, papas and babes can come out of hibneration and get back outside. (I know I can't be the only one who was COLD this week)

Baby and I will be heading to the recently renovated Hardy Park in Fort Lauderdale at 8th St. and Andrews Ave.

It has two playstations -- one for the big kids and one for the tots. But the best part are the big-people swings that look like suspended lounge chairs.

The "grass" is that hybrid of artificial turf and crumbled rubber tires. It's squishy goodness.

Where's your favorite park to hang out with the kids? Let us know and we'll compile a list of the Best Parks Cause Mom/Dad Said So.

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I've barely given thought to summer camps yet, except to set up deductions from my paycheck so that I can get out of paying taxes on my summer camp expenses. (If you didn't know that childcare was tax deductible, now you do.)

But the Broward Center for the Performing Arts announced it's starting early registration for a theater camp this summer.

Last summer, we did a Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art camp that probably qualifies as Lily's Best Life Experience to Date.

So I might consider this one, too. The youngest age is 7. Lily said she's got "stage fright,'' so I'd have to really push her into it.

The trick is to mish-mash a bunch of good, short camps together into a good summer curriculum for your child. That's much better than sticking them in one, generic camp all summer. It's also more expensive, and you can end up with overlapping camps, otherwise known as wasted money.

But that's why it's important to use pretax dollars for camp, or deduct them when you file your taxes. Please, don't take my word for it; ask a licensed accountant.

Here's the camp info from the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which has a camp in Miramar and a camp at the downtown Fort Lauderdale center. Looks like the camp ends at 4 p.m. For working parents, that's tough but it's good to ask if the camp offers after-care. I found that many of them offer it for an extra fee:

Secure a spot for your child at Summer Theater Camp!
This year, Summer Theater Camp has...
2 Sessions • 2 Age Groups • 2 Locations
Monday to Friday • 9am–4pm

Register by Feb. 1, 2009 – and SAVE $50

Our unique Summer Camp program sparks interest in the theater arts, sharpens performance skills and develops self-confidence in the campers. Each 4-week session exposes campers to all facets of the performing arts, and studies culminate with a show performance in a professional setting.

Young Camper Shows (Ages 7-13):
Session 1: Fiddler on the Roof
Miramar Cultural Center/ArtsPark • June 8–July 3
Broward Center • June 15 –July 10
Session 2: The Wiz
Miramar Cultural Center/ArtsPark • July 6–July 31
Broward Center • July 13–Aug 7

Young Professionals Program (Ages 14-18)
Session 1: Seussical The Musical
Miramar Cultural Center/ArtsPark - June 8–July 4
Broward Center • June 15–July 11
Session 2: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Miramar Cultural Center/ArtsPark • July 6–Aug 1
Broward Center • July 13–Aug 8

CLICK HEREOr call today! 954.462.0222

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You can re-enact the joys of winter: roasting marshmallows, sipping cocoa; or you could escape the cold at one of these weekend events as compiled by South Florida Parenting:

READ ON FOR THIS WEEKEND'S BEST BETS

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In the B.K. years (Before Kids) weekend plans were concocted a couple of hours before said event after chatting with friends about what we could get into THAT night.

Now, those last-minute outings have been replaced by play dates with the children of other moms and dads that must be made weeks in advance.

However, if you're the kind of parent who still relishes making last-minute plans, read on for a look at the best of what's going on for kids this weekend as compiled by South Florida Parenting:

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Contributed by Cindy Kent, SunSentinel.com

The Kid takes martial arts. His idea. He wants to be a black belt. His idea.

But now he’s at a crossroads: there is a component to the process of getting a black belt – he will have to spar. He doesn’t want to spar.

“Mom, I don’t want to get in a fight, I’m not that kind of guy,” he said. “I know it means I won’t be able to get to my goal though.”

“It’s not like you’re picking a fight,” I said. “It’s about a 360 degree view. About applying what you know.”

He asked me why I am pushing him. I thought we were just having a conversation.

I reminded him it was his idea to take Tae Kwon Do. I told him that he has gathered some valuable tools and he is at a portal, a doorway.

The door is open, and he won’t go through. What if that sets a pattern on how he handles challenges throughout life, getting only halfway there?

What would you say? How would you handle this?

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If you don't want to referee fights over the TV, the PSP2, the dolls while putting the finishing touches on that bird, direct the rugrats to entertain themselves (quietly) with the following:

Have them create a wacky Thanksgiving tale in the style of Mad-Lib

Let them watch tiki huts catch fire and other cooking disasters.

Have them pick which TV marathon the family will watch (after the feast).

Let them figure out how much exercise will need to be done after eating the stuffing and pie with our calorie calculator (Note: If beer is chosen, the recommended exercise is of a mature nature.)

Have them vote on the Worst Holiday Album Covers.

And for an old-school treat: Have them write on index cards what they are most grateful for this year. The thank-ful notes can be read just before dessert.

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Taking a (digital) page from kids these days, the man in red is accepting e-mailed Christmas lists.

Have your kid e-mail in his/her list and we'll publish it online, and possibly, in the paper.

Oh, and tell us what's the craziest gift your kid lobbied for (a Rolex, a pony??)

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We were lost in Miami recently, but ended up on the best adventure in a while. And the cool thing was this: it was free.

The source of such fun? Miami’s Metromover, a k a the “people mover.” Alexander, age 2, is in a train phase, and often points excitedly to the “people mover” on our Miami visits. Rowan, at 11 months, is happy to come along for the ride.

We boarded in Mary Brickell Village and headed north for the downtown loop. Crossing the Miami River gave me pause, and I did have thoughts of tipping. But everything was fine, and we continued on our loop. Our car lacked sufficient air conditioning, so I was ready for some fresh air by the end. But no matter: it provided lots of excitement and plenty to tell mom about later.

Mary Brickell Village, by the way, is a surprisingly “walkable” neighborhood once off the Metromover. It’s not Manhattan, but it makes for a pleasant afternoon walk when the weather cools a bit.

And that is free, too. Except the lunch.

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By Cindy Kent
Sun-Sentinel

This is our vacation -- right here, right now.

I would like to think this was a great strategic plan on our part, that considering the cost of gas, food and the expense of eating out we decided the best way to enjoy the summer was at home.

But really, it required no planning whatsoever.

My son Tom will visit family in Miami frequently over the summer months including a few overnight and weekend stays at his grandparents and his sisters' place. A day trip to a water park hanging out with his older brother and some other stuff will fill out his time with friends.

Tom and his friends play lots of card and video games; they go bike riding and to the park. Tom loves archery and martial arts both of which also keep him busy. For other ideas on how to keep busy without leaving South Florida, check out the Sun-Sentinel story about "staycations."

We like to mix all that fun stuff up with chores: taking out the trash, washing the dishes, helping with laundry and yard work. And believe it or not we throw in a few grammar and math worksheets! (He finished this year with a 4.0 average.)

Now, we're working on getting him to enhance his summertime adventures by picking up a book.

Cindy Kent is a Fort Lauderdale mother of three.

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My son is finally at the age where he can enjoy (and sit through) a movie at the theater. We've seen Kung Fu Panda, Speed Racer and Horton Hears a Who in the past year.

Now the movie my son has been waiting for opens this weekend -- Wall-E, a lovable little robot tasked with cleaning up the mess that is Earth in the distant future. Judging by the review, it should be well worth the wait.

Will let you know what my son thought of it next week. At what age did you start taking your son/daughter to the movies?

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In this week's installment of free stuff to do.

Take your budding car expert to check out the classics at Lake Worth's Evening on the Avenues.

If your kid is interested in making things explode, the free science museum at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton is a good bet.

Good (free) times can also be had at:

Today: Summer Games exhibit at Miami Children's Museum, 980 MacArthur Causeway. If you don't make it today, save the date for the third Friday in July when its free admission.

Musical performances from 7 - 9 p.m. at Hollywood's Young Circle Park at U.S. 1 and Hollywood Blvd. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating.

Saturday: Asian Pacific Festival at the Alvin Sherman Library in Fort Lauderdale. Learn about traditional Chinese music and dance, Thai traditional dance and see a Korean Hapkido martial arts demo. Plus there will be food and craft projects. From 1 - 4 p.m.

Storytime for kids ages 3 - 6 at 10:30 a.m. Barnes and Noble, Broward Mall, 591 S. University Dr., Plantation.

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I've checked out a couple of the county's water parks in recent weeks, and I was impressed with one of them.

If your child is in daycare they've probably already been there, to T.Y. Park in Hollywood. That's TopeeKeegee Yugnee Park, off Sheridan Street. It's a lot of fun, and reasonably priced.

On the other hand, the new regional park in Lauderhill, the Central Broward Regional Park, was a maddening experience for me and the other parents. That park is off U.S. 441 and Sunrise Boulevard.

Apparently the county has two other water playgrounds. One is at C.B. Smith Park, the other at Quiet Waters Park. I haven't been to those yet.

T.Y. Park's Castaway Island is $6.50 for entry. They allow you to bring in food and drinks from outside, so you can really keep the cost down. Only when they're packed do they charge you by the session, one hour and 50 minutes, and make you pay $4.50 for an additional session. When I went there a couple weeks ago, we paid one fee and stayed as long as we wanted.

You also pay $1.50 per person to get into the park gate itself, on weekends. We went on a day off from school, so it was free to get into the park.

At the Lauderhill park, which is new, the entry fee to the water playground is lower, just $4.50. But it only allows you in
for one session of an hour and 50 minutes. There's no provision for a person who arrives in mid-session.

Let's say you arrive at 12:40 p.m., like I and another parent did. The session was set to end at 1:20 p.m. We either had to wait 40 minutes for the next session to begin, or throw out $4.50 per person for only 40 minutes of fun. Both of us had a few kids with us, and we felt ripped off. I had hoped to make a day of it. I asked what would happen if there were only 20 minutes left when a person arrived, and they said they would still charge full price. That stinks.

The other guy started yelling about how his tax dollars were being used for this new park, and he was highly upset he had to stand around 40 minutes to get his money's worth.

I didn't have the patience to stand in the blazing sun that long, so I paid and got the shortened experience. This waterpark also bans coolers and food from outside vendors, so we had to eat our Subway sandwiches in the parking lot. Not cool.

By the way you also have to pay $1.50 a person to get into this park on weekends. No wonder no one goes there, as we wrote about recently.

If you're going to check out this water park, I recommend calling to find out what time the sessions start, so you don't feel ripped off like I did.

Central Broward Regional Park
3700 N.W. 11th Place
Lauderhill, FL 33311
Phone: 954-321-1170
Fax: 954-321-1110
E-mail: CBRP@broward.org

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You're more likely to squeeze water from a rock than stumble across a money tree. That's why I'm designating Fridays as Freebie Fridays.

Each Friday, in this space, I'll present a list of free stuff to do with the kids -- and without the ankle-bitters/teen-demons.

If you have any good ideas about free events to be enjoyed over a weekend, please share.

Drum roll please . . . Freebie Friday for the weekend of May 30 - June 1:

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Summer has arrived in South Florida.

Last weekend we spent the steamy evening at the beach with dozens of other families with young kids looking to cool off.

This weekend promises to be another scorcher.

So we'll probably head to Croissant Park for a dip in its kiddie pool to cool off. (Note: infants must wear swim pants)

Or just turn on the sprinkler and set up a bootleg slip 'n' slide.

Where is your favorite place to take the kids to cool off?

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A New York mom who let her nine-year-old ride the subway alone (without a cellphone!) has unleashed criticism throughout the blogosphere for her supposed disregard for her son's safety.

In response, Lenore Skenazy, the allegedly uncaring mom and a columnist for the New York Sun, has started her own blog to encourage Free Range Kids, with the slogan: "Let's give our kids the freedom we had!"

Skenazy's son had been begging for more freedom to go places without her. She left him at Bloomingdale's and gave him a subway map, $20, a subway card and some quarters to call her in case of emergency. He made it home fine, but Skenazy has been deluged with scorn.

I grew up in a suburb similar to where I live now, and I used to walk everywhere, unaccompanied. As a teen, I took the train to New York City regularly - by myself. It's hard to imagine parents letting their kids do these activities today.

How much freedom do you give your kids to go to places without an entourage?

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Recently my friend and colleague Missy, who has a 5-month-old baby, mentioned she'd love to find some moms with babies to hang out with on the weekends. While there are many moms groups in the area, most are geared to stay-at-home moms who meet up on weekdays.

By the time the weekend rolls around, I imagine most of them do things with their hubbies or at least make their husbands take over the childcare duties. There seemed to be no groups for working moms who might want to find women with similar interests and similarly aged babies to get together.

So I got on the website Meet Up, which links people with similar interests. Anything from dog lovers to people who just want to meet others from their home countries to people who scrapbook.

It's pretty simple. Enter "Moms" in the website and your zip code, and voila. There's a group in Boynton Beach with moms over 30. How about the North Broward Working Moms? I found one that seemed to meet Missy's criteria, one for working moms with weekend playdates (with the ominous warning, "this group contains TODDLERS," but it meets primarily in Plantation. There's one for single moms, one for "hip mammas," and my favorite, the "Playgroup for the Naturally Nurtured."

This group says they are "open-minded, non-judgmental and loving mamas who support breastfeeding, baby wearing, co-sleeping, cloth diapering, home schooling, delayed or refused vaccinations, gentle discipline, family balance, natural or home births and more!"

It's a great site where you are sure to hook up with other parents who share your interests. You might make a great friend. Or your child might. Either way, it's worth a try.

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My 11-year-old just got back from a fifth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. My 13-year-old left today for Washington, Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown.

In May, each girl will also go to Islands of Adventure with her school.

The 13-year-old will have taken seven trips by the end of this school year, either with school or our temple youth group. Although some of them, like the trip to Washington and the Revolutionary War sites, have been educational, what is the value of an end-of-the-year trip to Islands of Adventure?

These school-sponsored vacations cost a lot of money. Of course I could say no to some of them, and I have. But there's no need for schools to create these uncomfortable situations: Just stop offering these expensive and unnecessary holidays!

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Want to look smart and tech savvy without actually doing something more than a third-grader could do?

I’m a little late this year, but I’m planning to design my 2008 personalized calendar online. Ever since my son was born, I’ve used Shutterfly.com to produce a number of keepsakes, including photo books, birthday cards and -- my favorite – calendars.

The best part about the calendar is you can make it start and end at any point in the year. So don’t worry if you’re a procrastinator or that we’re already in Spring. My calendar this year will be April 2008–April 2009, which actually follows my March 2007–March 2008 calendar. (Hey, I’m a busy working mom.)

Don’t be afraid to hunt online for other sites. I know Snapfish.com and Kodak.com also have similar capabilities.

The benefits are huge. Of course, you’ll have a calendar that you can keep for years, much as you would a photo album. Even better: Fill it with little notes about what you did on a particular day.

Some gems I had on my calendar this past year: Jan. 22, 2008: “Danny went to school in underwear for the first time!” June 9, 2007: “My new alarm clock: ‘Wake up, Mommy! I said ‘wa-a-a-ke up!’” October 6, 2007: “Danny says his favorite song is “Hey, Hey, You, You,” which means “Girlfriend” by Avril Lavinge.”

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A couple of weeks ago I was agonizing about the enrichment possibilities for a babe in South Florida.

And the response was helpful: go to the beach, Quiet Waters and Tradewind parks and story time.

Since then, I've found some great things to do with an infant or toddler. The educational-training powerhouse Nova offers classes for babes and parents.

And now that we're entering spring, there's always a fair or fest to check out.

But I think we're going to put our eggs in the South Florida Parenting Extravaganza which will have a petting zoo, pony rides, a firehouse, face-painting and more.

If you've got something cool to do with your rugrat this weekend ... please tell me. I could always use good ideas.

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Check out this video to see highlights.

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That Jonas Brothers ticket giveaway I posted about Monday?

Well, unless you're a 12-year-old girl in Boca Raton, you didn't get it.

Just got word from the promoter they planned to surprise the girl at noon today at her school. So by now, the secret is out. (C'mon, you gotta be a little bit happy for her.)

She's Kelly Cunningham, a student at A.D. Henderson Middle in Boca Raton. They took a picture of her next to BankAtlantic's mascot "7," and her mom. I couldn't bring myself to put it up.

Condolences to all you fans who struck out. Now if we can only get the banks to give out free samples of their main product...

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BankAtlantic is giving away a suite full of tickets to Friday's Jonas Brothers concert, which, riding the wave of Hannah Montana, sold out in 15 minutes.

The concert is Friday at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise. The bank's web site (if you turn around their slogan, does it become "Florida Most Convenient web site?") will take registrations through noon on Wednesday, and the winner will be notified on Thursday.

The suite includes 16 tickets and four parking passes, so you don't even have to do that park-at Sawgrass-Mills-and-walk thing.

Go to www.bankatlantic.com/Giveaways.

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Four water parks operated by the Broward Parks and Recreation Division are open on a weekend-only schedule, until school ends (not counting spring break, when they're open every day).

The water might be a little chilly for us adults, but I've been there with my son, and he doesn't mind it.

Plus, as hot as it was over the weekend, we almost jumped in our pool, until we saw the temperature at about 72!

Also, March is bike month in Broward and Palm Beach; here's my story on the events. Among the more popular family events are bike rodeos -- good for teaching bicycle safety to young ones -- and family rides. Palm Beach also went to bicycle month for the first time this year, with events listed at www.1800234ride.com.

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OK, maybe I got carried away. I assumed Alexander would always love swimming, that his early exposure would lead to a lifetime of passion for swimming, Olympic trials and deep gratitude to his father exposing him to the sport. Then came Saturday.

Let me back up. We arrived in South Florida more than a year ago, and I knew this area presents a particular hazard to kids: swimming pools. It seemed like warnings about pool safety were handed to us with the sets of keys to our condo.

So we started Alexander in lessons shortly after arriving, when he was 8 months. Soon enough he was a star of the class. He laughed, jumped under water with ease and flapped his arms whenever I said the word “swim” to him. With my hand on his belly, he swam across the pool, moving his arms and kicking his feet. I was amazed. The high point came when he was invited to a photo shoot for the swim school, AquaChamps, which now has a picture of him on its Web site. We got free copies for taking part, so professional pictures of him swimming under water are framed in his room.

Then the classes stopped for two months as AquaChamps moved to its new site in Wilton Manors. We swam a couple of times during the break, but it was far from weekly.

Alexander’s lessons restarted two weeks ago, and, well, how things change. At the first one, he was wary but willing to be in the pool. A week later he didn’t even want to get in. He clung to me tightly around the neck and cried when I tried to let go. The others were having a blast, and I was the dad with the unhappy kid. I wanted to tell them, “He’s a great swimmer, trust me. Really, really, believe me.”

Anyway, I’m struggling now with what to do. The instructor last time said we should give it another week and then decide. That sounded a bit ominous, although I know she just meant another approach. How much do I push it? Is learning to swim down here like eating vegetables? Or will this be the thing he complains about that his dad made him do?

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The Baby has eaten and is free to play with her electronic book, congo drums, truck or puzzle.

Yet, she decides to pace the living room with a puzzle piece clamped between her lips.

Back and forth she goes, muttering all the way.

It's clear that this evening Baby is suffering from intellectual stimulation.

Which is why I've hatched a plan to launch the Baby Enrichment Series -- weekend jaunts to mind-stimulating venues in South Florida.

But where to start?

We've been to the Palm Beach Zoo, where she was more enamored with the pigeons than the animals behind moats. And she's too young for story time at area libraries.

Where have you taken your infant, just shy of 12 months, for some good old educational fun?

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Our kids are growing up in the innards of a giant street grid. So I think it's our duty as parents to get our kids the heck out of Broward County and into a tent somewhere.

I was raised in Iowa, with cornfields and soybeans as far as you could see. (Unless you were looking towards the women's reformatory we lived next door to.) My husband was raised in Kentucky. No Broward Boulevard of speeding traffic a block from the house.

I feel sorry for kids growing up in Broward County. They don't get to spend the day skipping
rocks in the creek. They go bike riding, and their destination is a shopping mall or Subway shop. My son and his buddy think going to Publix for a half hour is a lot of fun, even if they don't have any money. That's sad.

Yeah, we're surrounded by parks in Plantation. But those fenced tidbits of nature on the roadside are no substitute for the real outdoors.

And you can find it in a few hours' drive. We did, recently. The place is called Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. I found it because it was the only campsite I could find with a spot open on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, when the kids at Broward schools had five days off, including the weekend. It's in Okeechobee, but well north of the lake, in the middle of nowhere. We passed lots of road kill, and a cabbage farm, on the way out there.

My husband of course was suspect when he learned this place had a lot of campsites open. It must be a horrible place, he said. It's called a "prairie,'' he said. That means no trees, no shade, and nothing to do.

But that wasn't the case, at all. This place was great. And it was cheap; $12 a campsite, and you could bring your pet and up to eight people.

There were horses, and trails through the woods. We were able to fly a kite high into the sky, without scraping up against that Goodyear blimp, or a power line. When you're camping, all food that you are able to warm up tastes delicious.

It rained. And it was the coldest night of the year, I think. And our sleeping bags were wet. We were miserable, but it was a good kind of miserable, the kind you can enjoy because you know that within 24 hours you will be lying in your cozy bed at home.

Camping is a big hassle, with all the stuff you have to pack, and then unpack. But it's really worth it.

I've gone back and forth on it. Sometimes I feel like an idiot packing up blankets and tents and food and stuff so that I can go sleep uncomfortably like a homeless person when I could be in the luxury of my home. How silly.

But you do this for your soul, for your children's souls.

You have to get out there, miles from any TV, video game system, and away from all the things your kids would rather be doing than hanging out with their parents.

The state parks system has a toll-free number you can call to find a park with an opening, and to book it. It's Reserve America, at 1-800-326-3521. You can also book a site online.

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South Florida playgrounds are becoming more disabled friendly, with a Broward grant from the Children's Services Council supporting four "inclusive playgrounds" and money from an organization called Boundless Playgrounds helping build others.

The story in Broward community news sections addressed the trend, but Lake Worth and West Palm Beach also have Boundless Playgrounds. (Click on "Lake Worth" or "West Palm Beach" above to see their locations.)

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If you live in southwest Broward, you may want to visit the new aquatic complex in west Miramar.

It has a pool, diving boards, and a water play area similar to Castaway Island in Hollywood.

I know the water temperature dissuades some of us adults from getting into the water playground, but I've never seen the younger kids shy away from it being too cold.

Also this weekend: take your dog to C.B. Smith Park for the annual end-of-the-year canine trip to the water playground.

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My son hates wearing hats. I doubt he'll put on a Halloween costume. But who says children HAVE to dress up for Halloween?

That's the holiday debate in our home right now. My wife would love for our 3-year-old son to don a costume for trick-or-treating. I would too. Problem is, my boy doesn't like hats, jackets or heavy sweaters. And last Halloween, he hated his cowboy outfit, even though he looked cute enough to make a Halloween TV commercial.

That's why this year I'm predicting he will refuse to dress up before we head out to knock on neighbors' doors for candies and treats. Sure, he says he wants to be something for Halloween. Ask him, and he'll say "I want to be a scurvy pirate." It sounds so cute to hear him say scurvy (or "scurby").

But wait and see. When the moment arrives, he'll be begging to go outside with his regular clothes. In my mind I can hear his words: "Please, Daddy, I don't want pirate. Don't want it!"

Still, we hope. We have one pirate costume ready and two back-up costumes. A fireman outfit, complete with a faux buzz saw. And a Harry Potter outfit, which right now is really just a pair of large black eyeglasses. (Again, he looks really cute because he already has Harry's big eyes and hairdo.)

My wife and I won't force our son to do anything he really doesn't want to do. But besides my son's likely pleas to wear regular clothes, I also dread seeing my wife's face should he not wear a costume. My wife LOVES holidays and all the traditions that come with it. Her face brightens up like a Great Pumpkin when she talks about trick-or-treating as a child. And she really wants my son to have similar wonderful holiday memories.

Again, I do too.

I just hope my son Danny sees it that way. Otherwise, he'll be trick-or-treating as a plain 3-year-old. I just hope that won't diminish his candy booty on Halloween night.

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Well, I made it through another day at the Magic Kingdom, my first visit back since December 2004. I made it through without a meltdown, which was against the prevailing odds.

It was a special day for our family, because we now have two girls in college -- presumably too cool to hang out with their parents, and our 10-year-old, Aaron.
A few observations:

The bonding part of the trip isn't really doing the rides together; it's waiting in line. Forty minutes with nothing to do but talk. Even when you're walking through countless rails, how often do you get to do something like that?

We totaled 14 activities: Two Space Mountains, two Splash Mountains, 3 Thunder Mountains, the Pirates of the Caribbean, 2 Monsters, Inc., shows, 2 Buzz Lightyears, the jungle cruise and that tram around Tomorrow Land. Aaron thought we could have done better. I think we smoked it. What do you think?

Our 21-year-old insists when she has kids, they're not coming to Disney until they can walk the whole thing themselves, or at least recognize what they're doing. She doesn't understand why people bring children under 2, for example, who aren't really cognizant of what they're seeing or doing. Any parents of youngsters out there to explain?

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By now, if you're into Harry Potter, you've finished the book. But you have all that mental energy to burn off --my girls tell me the book is quite intense.

So, now is one of those times you and your child can go on the Internet together and continue reading. You can send them to:

Discussion groups (www.Potterforums.com), a general site (www.LeakyCauldron.com) or, if they're not done reading, www.HarryPottersPage.com, a site that has chapter-by-chapter discussion.

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Two thoughts today converge with the same conclusion: Maybe it's time to get kids running more.

Runners' World has all kinds of tips on how to make running fun for your child, including an article on how to get them writing about their running experiences.

Meanwhile, the annual Sprint Kids race at Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale is Saturday. Registration costs only $10.
My son and his friend have done the run-bike-run event for the past two years, even though neither one is really an athlete. It takes about 30 minutes, you can run alongside your child and help them transition from bike to run. Then go hang out on the beach for the afternoon.

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Want to know what's great for families around South Florida? Trust other parents to tell you. That's what we do at South Florida Parenting every year when we compile the Kids Crown Awards. Our readers pick the winners and we write about them.

South Florida Parenting's annual Kids Crown Awards issue, featuring the best places, activities and experiences in South Florida for kids and families, is available now.

This year's issue also features 109 inductees into the Kids Crown Hall of Fame, places that are honored as the Best of the BEST. How did we come up with 109 Hall of Famers, you might ask? Well, that was how many places have won Kids Crown Awards at least five times in the past 10 years. Many of the Hall of Fame honorees have won every year.

There are also 137 other winners — all nominated and chosen by South Florida Parenting readers — in five categories: Family Outings, Family Eating, Family Shopping, Children's Activities and Important Matters.

Check out the winners online, or pick up your South Florida Parenting magazine at Toys "R" Us or wherever you usually find it.

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I'm hearing whispers among parks and recreation departments that sports league fees could get a big hike in light of the recent property tax cuts.

No one knows for sure yet -- the depth of the cuts has to be determined first, then the budget, then ... -- but their point is that the days of subsidizing ballgames for kids (and adults) might be on the wane.

But you never hear that side of the story when the property tax cuts are discussed, although you've heard municipal leaders emphasize (properly) the need to maintain strong police and fire departments.

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OK, it's confirmed: I'm cheap.

About one-third of poll respondents (scroll down to June 11 to see the poll) say they spend at least $200 per week on summer camp for their children. Extrapolate that over a school year and you'd be paying about $9,000, enough to get into some (not all) private schools.

But I applaud you all: You're investing your money on the most important thing in your life. And you're not scrambling daily, trading play dates and prying your children away from TV or the computer.

And for those of you who still haven't booked anything, here's a national Web site with links to all kinds of camps. Or check my post below for a link to the Sun-Sentinel's camp guide.

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OK, it's confirmed: I'm cheap.

About one-third of poll respondents (scroll down to June 11 to see the poll) say they spend at least $200 per week on summer camp for their children. Extrapolate that over a school year and you'd be paying about $9,000, enough to get into some (not all) private schools.

But I applaud you all: You're investing your money on the most important thing in your life. And you're not scrambling daily, trading play dates and prying your children away from TV or the computer.

And for those of you who still haven't booked anything, here's a national Web site with links to all kinds of camps. Or check my post below for a link to the Sun-Sentinel's camp guide.

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Months after promising in this very space that I would report back to you after visiting the Schoolhouse Children's Museum in Boynton Beach, I have finally made it there.

Why the heck hadn't I been there before? It's just a few miles from my house, and inside the walls of this 1913 schoolhouse, kids can find tons of stuff to do.

Just my luck, I had to go there on the first day that the museum was open since the last day of school in Palm Beach County. So it was a little crowded, and as a result, Evan sort of stuck by me most of the time. No worries, within minutes, he was firmly involved in one activity or the other.

During my visit to the museum, I was treated to the ever-present din of happy squeals, an occasional cry and a constant chatter of happy children.

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We finally fulfilled our parental responsibility as American capitalists. We took our kids to DisneyWorld.

And then, since we are over-the-top wasteful American consumers, we also took them to Universal's Islands of Adventure..

Magic Kingdom is good for little kids, so Lily, who is 5, loved it. Universal is much more oriented toward older kids and adults, so Creed, who is 11, loved that.

In case you are considering an Orlando theme park trip in the near future, here are some observations that might help:

* At Disney's Magic Kingdom, your children can ride the same rides you rode when you were a little brat. They haven't really changed: It's a Small World, the Haunted whatever-it-is, the Runaway Mine Train, the flying Dumbo, the spinning teacups, that awesome log ride, all of that stuff is still rocking.

* Even though the lines are long most of the day, if you hit the rides during lunch or dinner or fireworks or the end of the day, you could minimize the wait. The express ticket feature at Magic Kingdom, which is new since we were kids, is also pretty cool. You just get a ticket that tells you to come back in an hour or two, and then you get to cut in front of all the other people, basically.

* The food at Magic Kingdom is terrible, and expensive, and cafeteria-like.

* There is no beer or wine or alcohol of any kind at Magic Kingdom.

* At Universal, beer is everywhere. They sell it at kiosks and in restaurants, and bars. Pretty much everywhere you look people are carrying around cups of beer. That's probably why Universal seemed less clean than Disney, and in some places smelled like urine.

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Who is camp for? It's for the kids, right? Help them learn something. Occupy them so they don't spend the entire summer with SpongeBob, Jimmy Neutron and Naruto.

There's a lot to be said for letting kids get bored and have some down time over the summer. They work awfully hard during the school year. They deserve a break. Besides, boredom begats creativity. In a good way. You can't think great thoughts if your mind is always occupied.

But 10 weeks of summer is a long, long time. Camp is necessary.

It's also much more expensive than school. So you like to think your'e getting your money's worth.

Most parents, including me, look for camps that enrich. Camps that teach. We want our kids to learn a new skill. To discover a passion. I have spent unbelieveable amounts of money trying to spark the passion in my curious and iconoclasitc older daughter. I'm not sure any of the camps she's been to were really worth the money. I'm still waiting for that undiscovered passion.

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There’s nothing like the frigid water of the Pacific Ocean to remind you that South Florida is home to some of the best beaches in the country.

Like most native South Floridians, I took that fact for granted growing up in Miami. It wasn’t until I moved to Northern California for seven years that I grew to appreciate the white sand and warm water that doesn’t make your limbs numb.

Now that daylight saving time began early this year, my family is ready for our regular weekend jaunts to beaches near and, well, nearer. (My two-year-old son’s afternoon nap doesn’t give us much time to travel far.)

In the year since we moved (back) to South Florida, we’ve hit the beaches in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, Miami and Key Biscayne. They’ve been some of the best memories we’ve had as a family. What’s more, aside from paying the parking meter, it’s free. Just bring a blanket, a lot of sand toys and plenty of snacks.

There’s something special about showing my son the true beauty of South Florida. And when it comes time to explore mountains, nearby snow and beaches made for bodysuits, we’ll pay a visit to Grandpa in California.

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I helped run a boys' basketball camp for 11 years and always found myself balancing this question: Do we please the parents or the kids?

If the kids had their way, we'd play games all day and not do any practicing; most adults would prefer we do work -- teach them something -- so they get value for their money.

I think of this because we're starting to map out our summer, and trying to find a balance.

FYI, the Sun-Sentinel's camp guide ran Sunday. Go to this guide.

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My son is quitting his travel team. Soon he’ll be telling his coach he’s done, turning in his uniform, saying goodbye to his friends and teammates.

He happens to be giving up basketball, but for the purposes of this discussion it could be any sport. And any parent of a travel team player will understand my feelings of both regret and relief.

To any parent contemplating getting a child onto a travel team, all I can say is, be prepared. You expect to sacrifice your time – long practices, longer weekends spent at tournaments near and far. But be prepared to question your motives, your parenting, your child’s abilities and desire.

This is not about playing time or about coaching or about personality conflicts. To dispel any question about that, I have to point out: Alec was often a starter on a team that made it to the semi-finals of a state tournament last year. In three years on the team, we had none of the usual travel team complaints.

My husband and I had long and heartfelt discussions about whether we were doing the right thing – to get involved, to stay involved, to quit. About when to push, when to pull back. We wrestled with it, because we expect our kids to be active. We don't abide quitting when a committment is made. But when basketball ceased to make Alec happy, it was time to say goodbye. It sounds so obvious now.

Now, the ball's in his court -- so to speak. He's decided to try travel baseball - a sport he almost gave up two years ago.

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The family is gathered. The kids are having a great time playing in the back yard sprinklers. Or it's your teenager's first time behind the wheel... Time to take a picture!

Most people stop the action, place everyone front and center, and ask the group to say "Cheeeeeeese." They forever freeze in time their family and friends, but never capture the spirit of the moment. Here are some tips to make your pictures stop smelling like limburger cheese and taste like brie:

1- Don't ask people to stop what they're doing. Photograph your family and friends laughing, playing or dancing. The result is creating active photographs that aren't static.

2- Don't always take pictures from a standing position. Lie down on the floor and shoot upward, or get on a chair photographing downward at people. These different angles will add visual interests and variety to your photographs.

3- Light is the key to photography. Choose to take pictures during the early morning or late afternoon hours of the day. The natural light early in the morning or late in the afternoon creates warm tones on people's skins and, if it's a clear day, interesting shadows that will create depth in your pictures.

What tips do you have that have worked for you when photographing your family? We'd love to hear them.

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Hey, just a reminder to everyone that Broward Bicycle Week is March 3-11.

Many cities have bike safety "rodeos" and some have scavenger hunts and family rides.

For the full story and a complete list of events, go to www.sun-sentinel.com/bicycleweek.

If you can handle seeing Yours Truly in spandex, go to the video report.

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Hey, just a reminder to everyone that Broward Bicycle Week is March 3-11.

Many cities have bike safety "rodeos" and some have scavenger hunts and family rides.

For the full story and a complete list of events, go to www.sun-sentinel.com/bicycleweek.

If you can handle seeing Yours Truly in spandex, go to the video report.

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[Written by Sun-Sentinel Business Editor Gail DeGeorge]

My 10-year-old son, Matthew, and I bid farewell Tuesday morning to Hernando de Soto and the "Living Explorers" project we have been living with since early January. Dressed for the part (a combination of Party City costume and borrowed cape, hat and sword) he gave a two-minute account of de Soto's explorations after handing in a first-person diary (with correctly cited - we hope - bibliography).

He and his fifth grade classmates at St. Bonaventure Catholic School did a great job and each, I am sure, learned a lot. But each of the parents at the presentation also shared a great sense of relief that this major project was finished.

The mere words "school project" can send shivers down the spine of even the most organized parent. My friend, neighbor and walking partner, Leslie, bemoans that she has been in 'project hell' since her son started sixth grade at Falcon Cove. Many of our 5:15 a.m. walks have been spent recounting our experiences with confusing directions, conflicting deadlines and efforts to make sure our children complete these projects (mostly) themselves.

I had Matthew write the deadlines for each stage of his project on the family calendar, and work out a 'backout' schedule - he managed to get each segment done a few days before deadline. But, yes, I nagged more than I wish I had to in order to make sure it got done. (Using skateboarding as a reward for getting the research/writing done was a big motivator.)

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I'm expanding my horizons. Used to be that on weekends, we'd start with a nice dose of Saturday morning Playhouse Disney, followed by some play time on the patio, then lunch, maybe a nap, then it was our usual afternoon trip to the Boynton Beach Mall (it has a kiddie playground). Even the sales woman at Ann Taylor Loft knows us. Or she just pretends to recognize me as I struggle with the double stroller and try to stop the boys from sticking out their sticky hands to touch all the clothes on the racks as we glide by.

We also know all the playgrounds within a 15-mile radius. Personally I think the kids' playground at John Prince Park is the best but the kids have an equally good time wherever we go.

I'm now trying to explore a little more with the kids now that Elias has grown older.
So far we've tried the Playmobil Fun Park near Palm Beach Gardens and we're planning on hitting the Schoolhouse Museum in Boynton Beach next.

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[Written by Kavita Varma-White]

When we emailed our 7-year-old daughter's softball coach to tell her our daughter would be late for practice because she also had dance class on the same night, the coach emailed back: "Do I sense an over-scheduled child?"

I think the coach was joking/teasing, but I am incredibly sensitive to such a comment. Over-scheduling has such a negative connotation these days. Parents who overschedule their kids are accused of not wanting to spend time with their kids, or of pushing their kids beyond their limits.

I totally disagree, and maybe it's because my "over-scheduled" child (who so far is a good student) happens to be most happy when she is on the go. While her schedule changes with each sports season, she generally has something going on 2 to 3 weeknights and one weekend day. Right now the schedule is softball twice a week, choir, tennis and dance class. Throw in a fair amount of 2nd grade homework and on paper you've got a busy kid. But overscheduled? I don't know. On the days she has activities, she does her homework efficiently right after school and watches little if no TV. And the range of things she has learned from all her activities is incredible -- from performing in front of an audience of 500 people to learning that you have to say "Good game" no matter if you win or lose!

Sure, if her studies are affected, or if she's so weary she can't get out of bed for school, I would cut down activities. But for now, I argue that more is more.

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My kids hate me.

Not because I'm overly strict with them or make them eat a ton of vegetables for dinner, although I should. They hate me because I drive them crazy by taking thousands of pictures. Austen, 9, Dalton, 8, and Ashton, 2, can't escape the flash of my camera as I click away to document every soccer game, water balloon fight and boo-boo. (There have been plenty of boo-boos, thanks to the home-made ramp built by the oldest child in the house -- my husband. But that's another story.)

I can't help myself. I'm a photographer programmed to tell the story through images, including my life.

My husband hates me because I never develop these pictures. They're cast away onto a CD, never to be seen again. Once in a long while, after much nagging from my mother or grandmother, I might print a few pictures for them to send to family members in Cuba or to show off to their friends. But the wall of family photos my husband dreams about still doesn't exist.

My savior: The Photo Book. There are several online companies that offer ways of creating professional looking hard- or soft-cover books in all different sizes, styles and themes as a way to put your scattered memories in one location. I recently gathered about 30 of my favorite pictures taken of my youngest son and used Shutterfly to display them on book pages. The templates on these Web sites also allow you write captions and pick the style of the book cover. In less than a day's work, I had a beautiful book of Ashton for everyone to see at his second birthday party.

It was a big success: My husband was happy, although he still wants that wall of photos. And my kids, well, they're still unhappy because now I have even more incentive to photograph them.

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