If you mention Atlanta and draw a blank stare from the young ones then
here are four words that will turn that blank canvas into a surreal
masterpiece: Six Flags Over Georgia.

What kid doesn't enjoy a theme
park, especially a theme park with one of the greatest rollercoasters
in the country? The Batman ride is one of those coasters that will be
mentioned in any conversation of the most exciting and thrilling
rollercoasters you've ever ridden. And even if your kids find the
Batman coaster up to that level of greatness, Six Flags over Georgia
has another seven or eight coasters of varying degrees of thrill and
design to choose from. Whether it's the one-time tallest coaster in the
world, The Great American Scream Machine, or the whiplash inducing but
still kid-friendly Dahlonega Mine Ride, there is something for everyone
here.

Literally on the other side of this great city there is
another attraction that kids will amaze your kids. Stone Mountain is
far more than just a huge rock dotting the otherwise piney landscape of
Northern Georgia. Carved into the side is the famous relief of heroes
of the Confederacy and every night thousands congregate in front of the
carving to enjoy a spectacular and rousingly patriotic laser show.

Stone Mountain Park is much more however. Children of all ages will
find enough fun things to do to make a visit to Stone Mountain last an
entire day until the laser show at night. Stone Mountain Park has a
tram ride to the top of the mountain, 18 holes of miniature golf, a
five mile long railroad tour, an exciting and thrilling 4-D motion
simulated theater ride, an authentic paddlewheel riverboat, an
amphibious boat ride that tours the area both on land and in the water,
and a fun and interactive two-story arcade called the Barn that gives
you and your kids the opportunity both to shoot and be shot at by foam
apples.

Atlanta is landlocked, so it only makes sense that the
city would have one of the most magnificent aquariums in the country.
The Georgia Aquarium is actually the world's largest and contains a
vast array of familiar and exotic sea creatures that may just ignite
the imagination of a future ichthyologist in your family. Expect to see
a Beluga whale, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks and seahorses.

And if
you've got several hundred dollars to spare, be sure to take advantage
of the special program that will allow anyone over age 12 to actually
swim with the gentle giants of the Georgia Aquarium, the whale sharks.
And
finally, be sure to stop by the World of Coca-Cola. There is no question what the prime
attraction here really is. Visitors have over 70 different Coca-Cola
products to sample, from the sublime to the ridiculous, but mostly
tasty.

In the last post, I mentioned some of the fun ways parents and schools are promoting physical fitness in kids. One of those creative and innovative exercise options is an artificial rock climbing wall. I wanted to add more on that physical fitness option in particular because I feel it's a really great choice.

Since kids are constantly growing, their muscles need to be strong. Rock climbing helps build those muscles because the child is holding up the entire body with the arms and legs and even the abdominals. Adding a rock climbing wall to a child's physical routine has many benefits. Not only that, but it's like a game to kids. In fact, many games can be invented to use with one or it can be used without games. Either way, the kids still find it fun and it's still a great workout.

One game I think is fun is having the kids race to the top, following safety rules, of course. Once they get up there, have them race back down. Kids seem to never get tired of racing. This race is not one most of the kids do everyday, so the kids seem to take to it right away because it's so different. This can be played on mini-sized rock climbing walls located at parks or even on the giant ones found in rock climbing gyms.

Another fun thing to do is to place flags on various points of the rock wall. Use lightweight flags and something that is easy for the kids to pull off because of safety issues. Choose a different color for each kid. The goal is for each kid to collect all of their flags. This can be a contest with a winner or just a fun activity. Either way, the kids will get some fun, as well as a great workout. For a more challenging game on the larger rock climbing walls, mix the flags up all across and around the rock wall.

If your child's school does not have a rock climbing wall or is not visiting one, suggest one to the gym or physical education teacher, principal, and other staff. Most schools are at least open to suggestions. Even if the schools cannot build one, they may be near one that will be easy access to the students either during or after school. Also, if the school cannot or will not give access to a rock climbing gym, for whatever reason, remember that parents can also take the kids to the rock climbing gyms. Since artificial rock climbing is growing more popular, they are fairly easy to find. Whether your child does this at school or on your time, be sure to have access to the right gear, such as hiking boots and climbing equipment. The artificial rock climbing gyms will likely have everything your child needs. But, if you decide to put one in your own backyard, be aware of the safety rules and equipment required to protect your child.

Physical fitness is important for children. It helps them gain strength in the bones and muscles, which is good for growth. It also can help fight obesity by keeping the body in shape. Kids already get some exercise in gym and PE classes at school, but as a parent, I realize they still need more. Parents should be actively involved in promoting physical activities in their kids, creating some type of opportunity for exercise every day.

I have noticed that many public schools are getting more active in promoting physical fitness in children, which is great news. One thing I've seen some schools do to get kids moving is to add a rock climbing wall to the school gym or playground. They are accessible during recess, as well as on certain days during gym or physical education class. The kids seem to really enjoy these rock walls and it's a great total body workout.

School playgrounds are actually a good source of exercise as well, offering a range of physical movements. Adding other things to the outdoor play area, such as a tether ball pole, basketball court, and volleyball net add even more fun and exercise. Some schools even allow the children to use bicycles, inline skates, and skateboards in a designated area. With this type of play growing in popularity, I have even seen some schools with bicycle and skateboard ramps.

Many museums also have an interactive physical health section where children can visit to learn more. Schools can take a day trip and teachers can center a lesson around this. Some of the museums even offer lesson plans or guided tours of these interactive exhibits.

Another thing I have seen schools do is to have a free play time at least once a week during gym or physical education time. They will have assorted things available to play with, like gym scooters, fitness balls, a rock wall, rope climbing, and many other items. These create physical activities that are disguised as fun to the kids.

Making gym and physical fitness fun is a great idea. In fact, that's what we do in our household. Active kids are healthy kids, so we are sure that the kids get their dose every day, in addition to what is offered at school. Dancing is a fun and versatile family activity that is also great exercise. Some schools are also incorporating dance into the curriculum of the core subjects for added physical and mental benefits.

Our kids also like to play many of the classical games that children don't seem to play as much of anymore, such as "Red Rover", "Freeze Tag", and "Dodge Ball". Bike riding is another regular family event that we have found to be very fun and beneficial to the physical health of the children. It's great to do any time of the day, but especially after dinner, one of the best times to burn some of those calories!

How many times a week do you find yourself in a fast food drive-thru? How often do you feel guilty about it? This is something that parents face on an everyday basis as they rush home from work, and then off to the next recreational activity. It's no wonder that parents think a home cooked meal is simply out of the question. Thankfully there are ways you can enjoy a home cooked meal, while still keeping it quick and healthy.

Every household needs a slow cooker. A slow cooker allows you to prepare quick and healthy meals, without all the work. In fact, you can throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker and place the removable pot in the refrigerator before going to bed. All you need to do the next day is place the removable pot into the slow cooker and turn it on low. When you get home, you'll have that quick and healthy meal you've been dreaming of. Here is an easy recipe to get your started.

Slow Cooked Barbequed Pork and Vegetables:

• 2 pound of lean pork, cubed
• 1 pound of baby carrots
• 2 large onions cut into wedges
• 8 small, red potatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• Salt, to taste, Pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups barbeque sauce \\ -Combine the first 5 ingredients in your slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.

1. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
2. Ten minutes before serving, stir in the barbeque sauce and allow to heat through.
3. Serve with a side salad and whole wheat rolls.

Of course, many parents turn to fast food because they don't even have time for a quick meal at home. That's when you need a quick and healthy meal that can be eaten on the go. Meals that can be cooked and assembled the night before are the perfect choice for such an occasion.

Fruit and Honey Chicken Wraps:

• 1 pound of chicken tenders
• Olive oil
• Salt, to taste, Pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup honey, Whole wheat tortillas
• 4 slices of honeydew
• 1/2 pound of sliced strawberries

Sauté the seasoned chicken tenders in the olive oil until cooked through.

1. Drizzle the honey over the cooked chicken tenders and cook until the honey creates a glaze on the chicken.
2. Allow the chicken tenders to cool completely. Once the chicken has cooled, place two chicken tenders on a tortilla along with a slice of honeydew and 1/4 of the strawberries.
3. Tightly roll the tortilla around the chicken and fruit and slice the wrap into two pieces.
4. Place each wrap in a disposable container and store in the refrigerator.
5. Serve with grapes and baked potato chips.

Both of these recipes allow you to stop the fast food madness. Best of all, these recipes are just a starting point. There are thousands of slow cooker recipes available online and the type of wraps you prepare is only limited to your level of creativity.

If you have any recipes ideas, improvements, suggestions, please
comment below and let us know! Let us in on some of your secret recipes!

Are you a parent? If you are, your child may be asking for lighted shoes. Lighted shoes are increasing in popularity. Why? Because they light up! Yes, it is really as simple as that. For many children, there is nothing better than comfortable, stylish shoes that light up when they walk.

As a parent, you strive to provide your child with the best, as well as everything that they want. Before running out and buying your child a new pair of lighted shoes, you may stop and ask yourself about the dangers. At first thought, light-up shoes for kids may seem dangerous or at least a little bit risky. The good news is that you can rest assured that your child will be safe when wearing their new favorite pair of shoes.

Before debunking a few of the most common light-up shoe myths, it is first important to examine their setup. Although you are likely to find some variances, most manufacturers use the latest, safest technology to construct lighted shoes. This technology often includes the use of LED lights and EL wires. Both play important roles in the construction of lighted clothing and accessories, including shoes.

One of the most common concerns that parents have concerning lighted shoes is the risk of electrocution. The association made between light-up shoes and electrocution is a valid concern; however, it is one that you do not have to worry about. Lighted shoes are powered by a small compact battery. To examine the safety for yourself, consider what happens when a battery-operated toy of your child's gets wet. Electrocution is not a danger and the same theory applies to lighted shoes.

In keeping with electrocution concerns, many parents are concerned about water exposure. As cited as an example above, you or your child will not be electrocuted if a battery-operated toy is exposed to water. With that said, the toy may not work properly for a short period of time. This, unfortunately, leads many parents to believe that light-up shoes should not be worn during rainy weather. This is just a myth. Most lighted shoes are constructed in a way that the battery and LED lights are all safe from harm. This means that your child can not only wear his or her shoes in the rain, but he or she can also enjoy a few puddle jumps, too!

Another common concern that parents have is heat. It is no secret that light bulbs get hot. Touch any light bulb in your home and the heat may actually cause you to jump back. As previously stated, lighted shoes are constructed with LED lights. LED lights do not emit heat. In fact, they are recommended for areas with confined space, such children's shoes.

As for comfort, lighted shoes for children are safe and comfortable to wear. One might mistakenly assume that light-up shoes are big and bulky, to account for the lights and battery, but that isn't the case. In fact, if you were to put a "traditional" pair of shoes next to a lighted pair of shoes you wouldn't even notice a difference. What does that mean? It means that your child can safely and comfortably wear a pair of lighted shoes, for any occasion, including to school or on the playground.