Most kids love to build things. They also like to participate in contests. This summer outdoor activity combines both and is simple and fun. Building their own sailboat and then watching their creation in action can make a child feel good about him or herself. It also is fun, provides fitness, and exercises creativity and thinking skills.

Toy sailboats can be designed by the child and parent. Another choice is to search the internet for free toy boat building instructions. Many hobby and toy stores also sell ready-made kits that simply need to be assembled. Judging by the child's age and experience, parents can decide which is best.

For more fun, the project can be made into an event with family and friends. Set up a building area in the local park or your own backyard. Each child should have the necessary supplies to complete his or her boat building project. Parents can decide whether all the kids will do the same project or whether they will each choose their own way to build their boats. Be sure to have snacks and refreshments, as the kids will be working hard.

Once the boats are built, they can be taken to a local pond, creek, or stream where the kids are allowed to race the boats. Determine a starting and finishing point. Be sure to watch which way the water current is flowing. That is the direction the boats will need to go. Determine a signal to start. When the kids see or hear that signal, they must drop their boats into the water at the starting point.

The kids will enjoy running alongside the water bank to keep up with their boats. Don't forget that kids should have appropriate footwear when running. You may see them cheering on their on boat, hoping it will beat the rest to the finish line. This provides great exercise and healthy competition. One or more kids may get disappointed if they don't win. It's all part of learning and growing. Prizes or award ribbons can be given to the winners for first, second, and third place.

Do you love to take your family out for steaks on Friday night, but feel your budget getting tighter and tighter? Then why not fix steaks at home? With the wonderful warm weather, right now is the perfect time to enjoy family night at home. You can break out the grill and create a delicious steak dinner that costs a fraction of what you would pay at the steakhouse. This week, we'll discuss how you and your family can enjoy a delicious steak dinner in the comfort of your own home.

The typical trip to a steakhouse for a family of four can really add up. In fact, even eating at a steakhouse chain can be quite expensive.

4 sirloin steak dinner $48
4 drinks $8
4 desserts $12

Total $$68

That's quite a large total when you're trying to live on a budget and even a buffet restaurant costs around $48 for a family of four. Thankfully, you can prepare a delicious, high quality meal for a much smaller price.

4 (8 ounce) sirloin steaks $10
4 baking potatoes $4
Sour Cream and Butter $4
Salad Mix $4
Salad Dressing $3
Rolls $4
Bakery dessert $6

Total: $31

The truth is you could even afford to serve rib eye steaks if you wanted. You'll always save money when you prepare your own meals. If you want to save even more money, consider stocking up when steaks go on sale and stashing them in the freezer.

You can make this a special meal by cooking and eating outside or even incorporating other family night activities into the evening. You could play music, have a movie marathon, or even break out some fun games. The fun part apart about having family night at home is being able to be with your family. You can be as loud as you want and do what you want. Best of all, you don't have to a leave a tip.

Oftentimes, when thinking of waters in Upstate New York, many will think of the Niagara Falls, but there are many more natural waters to explore. Meaning "long lake" in one of the Iroquois languages, Skaneateles Lake contains the most clean water of all the Finger Lakes. In fact, this water is so pure that the city of Syracuse, as well as other areas use it unfiltered.

Just in case you are wondering how to say Skaneateles, it is commonly pronounced "skinny atlas," but the correct and preferred pronunciation is "skanny atlas." Regardless of how Skaneateles is pronounced, its pure and beautiful waters are a major attraction to sailors. The calm water flow, as well as the beautiful scenery, adds to the ambiance of a relaxing and scenic sail on the lake.

Rent a boat or bring your own. There are a couple different areas to launch your boat from, including Skaneateles Town Boat Launch and NYS Public Boat Launch. If you are more comfortable with someone else doing the navigation and steering, try the boat cruises. In addition to the boat cruises, try the mailboat. It delivers mail to cottages in the Glen Haven area along Skaneateles Lake, but also carries passengers.

While sailing at Skaneateles Lake, be sure not to miss the many historic landmarks that line the lake. If nature is your thing, Carpenter's Falls can be viewed inside of a nature preserve off the lake. Another great spot is the New Hope Mill.

Before heading out for sailing on Skaneateles Lake, be sure you've got your life vest, sunglasses, windbreaker, and non-skid boat shoes. Some other important items include sunscreen, a sunhat, insect repellent, food and a nautical watch. This is by no means a complete list. Be sure to follow nautical safety precautions.

Also, remember to check the weather before going sailing. Upstate NY can have some pretty cool and windy days. The best time for sailing in Upstate NY is probably summer or late spring. Otherwise, the lake could be frozen or the weather just too cold.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skaneateles_Lake

http://www.skaneateles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=63

Memorial Day was the unofficial start of summer. From here through September, you'll probably be enjoying barbecues and other outdoor parties. You'll probably be tempted to visit the local deli to pick up delicious side dishes, such as gourmet flavors of potato salad. Why waste your money on these expensive products? Many delis charge at least $6 per pound for these side dishes. This week, let's discuss saving money in the kitchen by skipping the deli and preparing your own gourmet side dishes. I'll even include a couple recipes.

There's nothing wrong with going to the deli. In fact, it's a great place to get ideas. Scanning the different side dishes available can give you wonderful meal ideas. If you like, you can even ask to try the products. This gives you an idea of what ingredients are used and which main courses the side dishes would best suit your needs and taste. One of my favorite kinds of potato salad is baked potato salad. After trying this delicious deli side dish, I decided to come up with my own recipe.

Baked Potato Salad
Serves 6-8

1 cup of mayonnaise
Sea Salt, to taste
Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
8 baking potatoes, baked and chopped
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
½ pound of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 bunch of green onions, chopped

1. Combine the mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir in the potatoes, cheese, bacon, and green onions.
3. Chill for at least 2 hours.
4. Serve with steak or hamburgers.

If potato salad isn't your thing, why not consider this pasta salad recipe?

Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Serves 6-8

4 ounces of dry bow tie pasta, cooked
4 ounces of small mozzarella cheese balls
4 ounces of pepperoni, chopped into large chunks
1 large bell pepper, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
1 ½ cups of Italian or ranch dressing

1. Combine all the ingredients and chill for at least 2 hours.
2. Serve with grilled chicken.

Why pay high prices for deli side dishes when you can create delicious recipes in your own kitchen? These salads are the perfect combination for all those delicious meals that will be coming off your grill this summer.

Have you ever wondered how fast food restaurants keep their prices so low? Take a close look at their menu and you'll notice that many of the items contain the same ingredients. This is also a wonderful way to save money in the kitchen. Instead of buying bags and bags of ingredients, why not consider preparing a menu that revolves around only a few ingredients? Not only does this save money, but it ensures that everything you purchase actually gets used. This week, I'll share tips on how to prepare a menu that saves money and time. I'll even throw in a couple recipes.

I find that the easiest way to prepare this type of menu is to start with the sales papers. For example, if hamburger was on sale as well as onions and green peppers, I might prepare a meatloaf one night and spaghetti another night. Here are a couple recipes to get you started:

Oniony Mushroom Meatloaf
Serves 8

1.5 pounds of 85% lean ground beef
1 packet of dry onion soup mix
½ cup of sour cream
½ of a large green bell pepper, pureed
½ of a large onion, pureed
2 eggs
1-2 cups of dry bread crumbs
4 ounces of sliced mushrooms
Olive oil
1 (10 oz.) jar of beef gravy

1. Combine the first 6 ingredients.
2. Stir in one cup of the bread crumbs and add more if needed.
3. Put inside a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until cooked through.
4. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil, drain off the excess oil and add the gravy. Continue to cook until heated through.
5. Slice up half the meatloaf and serve with gravy and mashed potatoes.

Quick Spaghetti and Meatballs
Serves 4

½ of a large green bell pepper, chopped
½ of a large onion, chopped
4 ounces of sliced mushrooms
Olive oil
1 (16 oz.) jar of spaghetti sauce
½ of leftover meatloaf, sliced into large cubes
1 pound of spaghetti, cooked

1. Saute the vegetables in olive oil.
2. Once the vegetables are cooked, drain off the olive oil and add the meatloaf and spaghetti sauce.
3. Heat through and serve over cooked pasta with a side salad and garlic bread.

There's something nostalgic about going out for ice cream. This simple treat seems to bring families closer after the end of a long week. Unfortunately, it also seems to suck money from your wallet. The cost of a family of four having simple ice cream cones is around $16 and more expensive treats like brownie sundaes cost around $20. This week, we'll discuss making ice cream cones and sundaes at home. Not only will you save money, but everyone can get exactly what they want.

Four ice cream cones can cost $16. That price doesn't seem too expensive until you consider what you could buy at the grocery store for around the same price.

2 boxes of waffle cones $7
2 half gallon containers of high quality ice cream $11
Total $18

That's enough for at least a week's worth of ice cream cones! The savings get even bigger if you purchase store brand ice cream and cones. That's not all though. Even brownie hot fudge sundaes are more affordable when served at home.

1 gallon of store brand vanilla ice cream $6
2 containers of hot fudge topping $6
1 box of brownie mix $3
Whipped topping $3
Nuts $3
Cherries $3
Total $24

Not only would you have enough ingredients to serve hot fudge sundaes to your entire family twice, but you would have vanilla ice cream leftover for milkshakes as well. What about the king of all ice cream treats though? Can you also save money on banana splits?

1 gallon of Neapolitan ice cream $6
8 large bananas $3
Strawberry sauce $3
Hot fudge topping $3
Pineapple topping $3
Whipped topping $3
Nuts $3
Cherries $3
Total $27

That's enough ingredients to have banana splits two nights in row.

Without a doubt, ice cream night is much more affordable at home. Best of all, if you like having ice cream at home, you'll save even more by investing in an ice cream maker and waffle cone maker. Not to mention that ice cream seems to taste even better when you're kicked back in front of the TV.

Warmer weather brings to mind the visions of picnics. Who wouldn't want to escape to a lakeside getaway for the afternoon? Unfortunately, even on the weekend, this isn't always possible for busy families. After all, you have to get the food ready, make the trip, plan activities, etc. But, if you have a simple menu everything else seems to fall into place. This week we'll discuss a picnic menu that takes minutes to prepare.

Tuna and White Bean Salad
Serves 4

2 cans of solid white albacore tuna, drained
1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed
1 small red onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
½ cup of green olives, chopped
¼ pound fresh mozzarella, cubed
½ cup fat-free Italian dressing

1. Toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl and chill until ready to pack your picnic basket.
2. Serve with crusty French bread.

Stone Fruit with Honey Mint Dressing
Serves 4

4 peaches, sliced
4 red plums, sliced
4 black plums, sliced
4 apricots, sliced
½ cup honey
¼ cup lemon juice
½ tablespoon of mint, chopped fine

1. Place the fruit in a sealable bowl and mix the last three ingredients to form a dressing.
2. Top the fruit with the dressing and chili until ready to pack.

Both of these recipes can be made the night before the picnic. All you have to do is freeze a few water bottles and store them in the picnic basket so that they keep your food cold. Don't forget to also pack some juice boxes for the kids and maybe a bottle of sparkling wine for you and your spouse. To make things even easier, pack the salad and fruit in single serve containers. Also, you can hold off on adding the dressing to the fruit to see if your children like it or not.

A picnic doesn't have to be a long, drawn out affair. You can quickly prepare delicious recipes that are healthy and make for wonderful picnic fare.

Spring is tentatively showing itself in many parts of the country. (Not where I live; we just got almost 12 inches of snow.) For many families, this means the end of indoor recreation activities and a chance to get back outside and enjoy nature. You can help your kids learn to enjoy the outdoors -- and make great family memories -- by keeping a nature journal.

Nature Journal as a Family
One of the fun things you can do together is head outside and keep a nature journal. The National Wildlife Federation offers some helpful hints for making a nature journal. Possible subjects are included, and this can help you get a good start on what to do for a successful nature journal. You can look for such items as plants, animals and rocks, as well as listen to the different sounds being made. The wind in the leaves or the sound of a stream can make great subjects for the nature journal. Older children can learn how to identify different plants, animals and rocks that are common to your local area.

A nature journal should include observations about the things heard, seen and even smelled. Have your children describe their experiences. Older children can write for themselves, and you can help the younger children. Encourage your children to draw pictures of what they have seen, using crayons or markers. You can even take pictures and add them to the nature journal. Have your children see how close they can get to drawing what is seen in the picture. You can add pages as needed, using a three-ring binder or keep the nature journal in a series of notebooks.

Remember, though, that spring can still be a little chilly. Make sure that you have jackets and hats, and are dressed appropriately for the weather. Good walking shoes are a good idea. Once you start your nature journal, you can make a new journal for every season.

Being the parent of multiples means that your parenting responsibilities are multiplied by the number of kids you have. When your multiples are babies you have two, three or four times the diapers, bottles and clothing changes as you would if you had only one baby, and as your multiples grow, your responsibilities only increase. One of the issues that you are bound to have to deal with is homework. Homework issues can range from just getting your multiples to do it to helping your multiples overcome learning disabilities.

Getting Homework Done
One problem that most parents have to deal with is getting their kids to complete their homework. Most kids are going to procrastinate and wait until the last minute to start their homework and complete assigned projects. While you can get by with this strategy, it puts a lot of stress on your kids and reduces the amount of knowledge that they are able to retain.

You can help your multiples be better students and more relaxed by setting up a homework schedule. It is best to get homework done as soon as your multiples get home from school. It is also better if they distribute large projects and studying over several study or work sessions. This makes larger projects more manageable and studying more effective for long term retention.

Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities come in several varieties. Some learning disabilities are mild and only require a few modifications to study habits, while other learning disabilities are severe and require lifestyle and environmental changes. If one or all of your multiples are having ongoing problems with their academic progress, it is a good idea to talk to your pediatrician or to your kids' school about screening them for learning disabilities. Once the problem has been identified, a strategy can be developed to help your kids to regain control of their learning.

The most common learning disabilities are going to include cognitive delays and dyslexia. Both of these conditions can be overcome by supplementing classroom education with one-on-one tutoring and assistance, as well as by learning new ways to approach homework. Your school can be a great source of information on how to help your multiples overcome their learning disabilities, as can child development centers.

There are a number of delicious treats that you can make with your children for Holidays . And while you can't take homemade treats to school anymore, it is possible for you to make treats for neighbors and friends. Baking is a great family recreation activity. It creates memories and encourages family bonding, teaches children a valuable skill and can be educational in terms of math and reading practice. Here is an easy, tasty recipe that you can easily do with your children:

Chocolate Caramel Bites
These treats are simple to make and good to eat. You need:
60 pretzels (square works very well)
Unwrapped Rolo candies
M&M candies (plain milk chocolate -- in the respective Holiday colors)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Get out a baking sheet or baking dish and lay the pretzels inside, along the bottom. You can line the bottom with foil in order to minimize any possible mess. Put one Rolo candy on top of each pretzel. (Have the kids count them as you go.) Next, place the baking sheet in the oven and heat for three or four minutes, until the Rolos start to soften and spread their shapes. Bring out the baking sheet and carefully place one M&M in the center of the melted Rolo.

Let the candies set. This can take an hour at room temperature or 15 to 20 minutes in the refrigerator. Leave the candies on the banking sheet during this time. Remove the candies from the baking sheet when they are set and put them in a sealed container. You can also use festively colored cellophane bags tied with ribbon and pass them out to friends and family with cards made from construction paper. (The cards can be made while you are waiting for the candies to set.)

This treat can be made for Easter, the 4th of July, Valentine's Day, Halloween or Christmas. Simply buy the M&M candies in their special holiday packages.

Is there anything better than a soup and sandwich on a cold evening? Chances are you probably serve this meal several times each winter. Truth be told though, tomato soup and grilled cheese, while classic, can get old after a while. Are there ways to update the grilled cheese and make it something different? Sure. In fact, here are a few recipes to get you started.

Mexican Grilled Chicken and Cheese
Serves 4

8 slices of white bread
4 tablespoons butter, softened
12 ounces of southwestern seasoned chicken strips
4 one-ounce slices of pepper jack cheese

1. Spread the slices of bread with butter.
2. Add a slice of cheese and three ounces of chicken to each sandwich.
3. Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides.
4. Serve with tortilla or taco soup.

Italian Grilled Cheese
Serves 4

8 slices of Italian bread
4 tablespoons of butter, softened
4 one-ounce slices of whole mozzarella
4 ounces of turkey pepperoni
½ cup marinara sauce

1. Spread the slices of bread with butter.
2. Add a slice of cheese, one ounce of pepperoni and two tablespoons of marinara sauce to each sandwich.
3. Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides.
4. Serve with Italian Wedding soup or minestrone.

Fruity Grilled Cheese
Serves 4

8 slices of French bread
4 tablespoons of butter, softened
8 ounces of low-fat strawberry cream cheese
4 ounces of strawberries sliced
4 tablespoons sugar-free chocolate sauce

1. Spread the slices of bread with butter.
2. Add two ounces of cream cheese, a quarter of the strawberries and one tablespoon of chocolate sauce.
3. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

These recipes are not only a different approach to a classic food, but they're something your kids will love. There are several ways to make your own signature grilled cheese. Best of all, you can easily incorporate your children's favorite foods to make something they'll truly love.

Every Monday night, families used to gather around the television to watch the continuing adventures of the Ingalls family in the TV show based on the Little House on the Prairie novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Today, it is truly a momentous undertaking to find a show that a family with kids can watch without cringing at least once. Those days may be gone, but this show itself lives on in DVD form, and there are always the original novels by Laura herself. Many a young girl still grows up reading these infinitely fascinating tales of the tough pioneer life and the extraordinarily inspiring way in which a young girl became an American icon.

This is where the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum comes into play. There are actually two different museums with Wilder's name, but only one, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, where the stories take place. The museum near Springfield is perfectly fine, but the one in Walnut Grove has a Laura and Nellie lookalike contest every year, usually in July. You remember Nellie, right? That little blonde snot who tried to make young Laura's life miserable every episode. Near the museum, you can also visit the actual site of the home where Laura and family lived.

And then there's the Wilder Pageant, which is the highlight of Walnut Creek's year. The Wilder Pageant takes place during the summer and features a live performance starring all the favorite characters from the show. A visit to the Wilder Pageant is like actually watching the Little House on the Prairie TV show come to life as you get to relive some of the favorite moments of the stories of the Ingalls' family history.

And if that weren't enough, all Little House fans can actually shop at the Olsen Mercantile store for things like flowers, clothing, pottery and collectibles. Oh, and don't forget to make a visit to Nellie's Café. The yellow ringlets of the snotty little Olsen girl may not be atop the head that serves you, but it's a really fun place to visit.

You've chosen the perfect baby names. Your husband agrees with you on the ideal color for the baby's room, and your best friend gave you a baby shower that celebrities would envy. (Those designer baby clothes are so cute that you daydream about handing them down to your own pregnant daughter someday in the distant, distant future.)

Looking for the perfect (or even tolerable!) *maternity attire*? We've got you covered with our maternity clothing B.A.B.Y. tips:

B is for basics. Take the time to try on the loveliest lingerie, from sky blue bras to pale pink panties. For example, take a look at the Bao Bei Maternity Racer Back Sports Bra, which is perfect for that prenatal yoga class you signed up for.

A is for attitude. You say you wish that you dared to wear a tank top? Then go for it! Remember, you're a mother-to-be, and you deserve whatever you want, from a dill pickle next to your hot fudge sundae to a maternity tank top sparkling with glitter.

B is for blue, pink or fire engine red. Just because it's in the maternity department does NOT mean it has to be a pale color. Remember that attitude!

Y is for YES. You know that feeling when you've found something to wear that you love? Well, you can find those I-love-it clothing choices when you're pregnant, too. Just take your time, have a nice lunch before you shop and go with a friend. Or let your fingers do the shopping online. For a sample of the luscious lovelies you can find at online stores, check out this adorable fake fur cape by Maternal America.

Though pregnancy is an exciting and happy time in a woman's life, it still has its own fair share of ups and downs. From swollen feet to an ever expanding belly (and likely the rest of your body, too), getting comfortable may be one of the most difficult parts of your pregnancy.

Thankfully, clothing designers have realized that maternity clothing can be stylish, fashionable and improve your comfort level during pregnancy. By filling your wardrobe with a few maternity clothing basics, you'll help make your entire pregnancy a bit easier. By starting with your undergarments, you can assure that you get the support and comfort that you need where it counts the most -- close to your skin.

Start with the basics when selecting your pregnancy wardrobe. Purchase maternity underpants and bras, like the Nummies and Belabumbum lines. Nummies bras are also designed to serve as nursing bras, so it won't go to waste after delivery. If you need to purchase larger bras and underpants early in your pregnancy, consider leaving a bit of room to grow. You'll appreciate it when your third trimester is in full swing. Belabumbum also makes maternity swimwear -- a must if you'll be out in the sun during your pregnancy.

Add a belly wrap to your maternity wardrobe, too. Not only are these fashionable, but belly wraps, like those designed by bao bei, also offer increased belly support. For moms-to-be toward the end of their pregnancy or for women suffering from back pain during pregnancy, belly wraps can prove to be an invaluable addition to your wardrobe. Plus, they prevent unwanted belly exposure when your shirt shifts out of place.

Once you've got the basics of a maternity wardrobe in your closet, you'll be ready to make the move and expand your collection to pants, shirts, dresses and comfortable shoes suited for pregnancy. Dressing right can help make pregnancy comfortable and easy from the start.

One of the fun things you can do as a family is to build a snow castle together. It doesn't have to be very big (indeed, it can be on the scale of a sand castle), but the idea is to get everyone involved in a fun family winter activity. Here are some things to keep in mind as you build a snow castle as a family:

Testing the Snow
The first thing you want to do is to make sure that the snow is appropriate for building. You want to make sure that the snow adheres to itself. Try making a snow ball. It should easily hold together. If the snow is too powdery, the snowball won't hold shape.

Making a Snow Castle Plan
Whether you are making a snow castle or a snow fort, it is important to have a plan ahead of time. Make a drawing or map out in the snow what you will do. Have an idea of how large you want your snow castle, as well as the different shapes you will need -- and how many you will need. When building a snow castle, you will have to make the snow into rough brick shapes.

Building the Snow Castle
Assign different tasks, depending on the ages and abilities of the family members. Build your snow castle in stages to make sure it is done in an orderly fashion. If you are making a small snow castle, use the same buckets that your children have for playing the sand.

While building your snow castle, make sure everyone has the proper winter wear. Snow boots, warm gloves, hats and scarves are essential. When the snow castle is completed, you can have snowball fights, besieging the castle or simple go inside for fun. It can also be a fun idea to come inside the house and look online at some of the famous snow structures that have been built. Some of them are quite elaborate.

And, of course, you should warm up with hot chocolate.