JUNE 2023
Greetings!

GARDEN PARTIES
Besides mother nature we have been struggling with someone to deliver dirt to top of our gardens. Our first garden party will be Thursday, June 8, 4:00-5:30. We are hoping to have parents explore the gardens and pick a few weeds as the children talk all about what they have learned. We will be serving a light snack. Bring a chair and stay to visit awhile with other families.
CENTER HAPPENINGS
SPECIAL DAYS IN JUNE
Friday, June 2-Disney Day
Tuesday, June 6-Twins Day
Friday, June 9-Stripes Day
Tuesday, June13-Bike Day
Monday June 19-Smile Day
Thursday, June 22-Hat Day
Wednesday, June 28-Twins Day
Friday, June 30-Book Day
WATER DAYS
We will be starting Water Days in June. Please send a swimsuit, water shoes, and towel with your child or a dry change of clothes and do not forget to LABEL EVERYTHING! Water days will be posted in your child’s classroom.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
In honor of Father’s Day, all dads, grandpas, special caregivers, or whoever drops off on Friday, June 16, will get special donut treats to go! Have a Happy Father’s Day weekend!
FAMILY REMINDERS
SAFE SHOE REMINDER
Please send your child to school in sturdy shoes; either tennis shoes or closed-toe sandals with a back strap are appropriate. We are requesting that the children do not wear flip-flops while at EFC. We know they are cute, but we want everyone to stay safe while at school. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
LOOKING AHEAD
Especially for Children will be closed on Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Enjoy your long weekend!
STAR WELLNESS RECIPE
star wellness
WATERMELON PIZZA
This watermelon pizza is a fun little treat that everyone can enjoy! It’s healthy, easy to make and when we think of summer, we think of watermelon!
 
Instructions:
  1. Using a sharp knife, cut off a slice of watermelon right down the middle about 2-3 inches thick.
  2. Using a spatula, spread an even layer of your yogurt around the watermelon, leaving a bit of empty space at the top. (where your “pizza crust” is.)
  3. Layer your fresh fruit on top as you please. You can add as little of as many toppings as you like!
  4.  Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for a little extra sweetness if desired.
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
FAMILY FIELD TRIPS
This article was written by Priscilla Williams in 2016. The characters in it are a bit older today, but they still love their local adventures!

Young children jump at every opportunity to experience summer in new ways. This past weekend Steve and I went with three of our grandchildren to Lake Harriet. The plan was to have a picnic and go on the paddleboats. But, after lunch we discovered that the windy day had put a halt to the paddleboats. No worries.
 
There were ducks to watch – and count, of course! We saw a young boy catch a fish. The wind was creating simple joy as wrappers from juice pops flew away and the children needed to catch them. A few sailboats were scooting across the lake. Many water-craft were on shore, so we talked about kayaks and canoes.
 
And then there was a new playground to explore. It was such fun to watch the children experience the play structure. At one point Abby was singing with abandon as she danced on the deck. Both of the four-year-olds conquered new climbing challenges and ventured down slides that seemed way too scary at first. The one- year-old watched all the activity and loved walking and falling in the sand.
 
We all came away with a sense of satisfaction that we had enjoyed a couple of hours of Minnesota summer at its best. Now we’re inspired to go to a concert at the band shell. And those paddleboats are calling us to get on the lake next visit.
 
We know how much young children like adventure. And the way we as adults talk about what we do can make the simplest activity seem exciting. Take a “field trip” to a friend’s garden to look at flowers. Or ask if your child can pick some lettuce from the neighbor’s garden to take to school for his classmates to taste.
 
It’s so easy to get into our routines and forget that with just a little planning we can create adventure. Take on the “family field trip” challenge. See if you can hit a new park, lake or nature center that you have never visited before.
 
But also remember that in your own yard or neighborhood there are adventures to be had. Even just throwing down a blanket under a shade tree to read books is a way to create a new experience. Infants and toddlers love to touch and manipulate objects found outdoors with their different textures and smells. Preschoolers might show you how they are learning to water plants and weed gardens.
 
And can you believe how exciting bugs are to children? It’s so much fun to watch them examine and observe as bugs crawl on the sidewalk. An inchworm on your sleeve provides so much to talk about!
 
What I especially love about summer activities is that they are often so unstructured. Children can make their own fun and are able to experience things on their own terms. And as adults we can also enjoy the feeling of freedom, the heightening of our senses and the relaxation that being outside allows us.
TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS

Now-6/4 Farm Babies, MN Zoo
Now-6/18 An American Tail, Children’s Theatre, Mpls 
6/2-6/4 Edina Art Fair, 50th&France, Edina
6/10 Open Streets East Lake St, Minneapolis
6/16-7/30 Disney's Descendants: The Musical, Stages Theatre, Hopkins
6/17 Grand Day Parade, Saint Louis Park
6/17 Midsommar Celebration, American Swedish Institute
6/17-6/18 Stone Arch Bridge Festival, Minneapolis
6/21 Movies on the Hill: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Hyland Hills, Bloomington
6/23-6/25 Chalk Walk Festival, New Brighton
 
All Summer - Music and Movies in the Park - Various Minneapolis Parks     
  
Center Director
Lisa Ward
8885 Evergreen Blvd.
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763) 784-0901
Happy Summer! Summer t-shirts are available for optional purchase: https://minnesota.educationaloutfitters.com/find-my-business/especially-for-children-summer/
CONNECT WITH US