Lucy Reflects

Here are just a few of my favorites to kick off the summer. Stay tuned for more.

Helping Refugees Feel at Home in Lancaster County.
"If you put yourself in another person’s space, you will know them." -Mustafa Nuur

Be sure to take advantage of some of the great events coming up in October and November in Lancaster. I found a handful that are either free or only cost a few dollars, happy autumn!

It’s easy to forget about the treasures that Lancaster has to offer that many families travel from long distances to visit. We’re lucky to live in an area where there are so many options for a memorable summer day and one of our favorites is Dutch Wonderland and it’s practically in our backyard and boy, do we feel lucky for that.

Tucked deep in the countryside of Southern Lancaster County is a curious little plot of land that invites visitors to expand their imagination and embrace the beautiful sites of Mother Nature.

Off the beaten path in all corners of Lancaster are some of the finest greenhouses this county offers, surrounded by farmland, picturesque views, seemingly endless horticulture and plants that are reasonably priced.

It’s nice to skip out of town with the kiddos or whole family every so often and explore something new and exciting. It’s personally one of my favorite adventures, so I’ve made a list of places around one to two hours of Lancaster to check out that are free or inexpensive.

For those who know about one of the largest and most coveted annual fundraising parties in Lancaster – Fete en Blanc(party in white) and Fete Noir(party in black)– Joe’s chaos happens to be organized, spectacular and unforgettable.

It’s that time of year again, when panic mode sets in on how to keep the kids busy, but there’s plenty to do this winter for your kiddos.

10 Ways You and Your Kids Can Give Back During the Holiday Season.

I just love living in Lancaster County. Not only is it diverse, there are always new and exciting things to do with the kiddos that cost little to no money at all. Whether you’ve got kids in school or still have youngsters at home, there’s a little something for everyone as we enter fall.

A Conversation with Amy Banks and a Spotlight of the Ware Center. I always thought it was important to introduce my kids to the arts and culture that surround them. Whether it’s an afternoon trip to a local museum or a concert in the park, supporting the arts and encouraging creativity was always valuable to me and a significant part of their upbringing.

If there is one thing we enjoy doing, it’s finding new and unique activities to share with our followers. Well guess what? We’ve created another list of more of our favorite free and inexpensive things to do around Lancaster County. Enjoy!

As the cold air moves in, parents are cringing over how to keep the kids content and, more importantly, how to keep from going insane, all in a sensible budget. Let’s face it, our motivation is equal to that of a sloth during the winter months and we’re broke from Christmas. Frugal afternoons at the park are few and far between. Because we know how long and exhausting the winter can be, we decided to compose a list of free, low-cost unique ideas to help you get through the cold with kids.

The Healthy Kids Running Series debuts in Lititz September 10. Our children seem to have endless amounts energy and as parents we’re always looking for new programs for children of all ages. We also strive to teach our children to be healthy and active.

Together, Whitney and I have compiled a list of our favorite free things to do throughout Lancaster. And guess what? They’re free! There’s only a few short weeks left before the season ends, so get out and have some fun!

Having kids meant I had to give up a lot: brunch with my friends, spur-of- the-moment day trips, all the fun stuff.

My newest favorite place, Penny's ice cream shop, has both.

On one of the rare days that the sun was shining, Whitney and I decided it would be fun to have a scavenger hunt for the kids using the pianos scattered throughout downtown Lancaster as the items in our search.

Nine playhouses including a salon, garage, restaurant, animal hospital, fire house and market, all fully furnished within a 8000-square-foot space.

It takes an experience like feeding the hungry to put your own world into perspective.

Whitney and I recently headed to Rachel’s Café and Creperie and Splits and Giggles to pick up donations for our upcoming event. We had lunch at Rachel’s, followed by dessert at Splits & Giggles.

The tots loved it! We happened to visit the last Wednesday of the month. What a pleasant surprise as The Little Explorer & Me program is held the last Wednesday of each month when the museum introduces a new topic to preschool guests. It includes hands-on demonstrations and experiments.

Beatrix and I recently visited Chestnut Hill Café in downtown Lancaster. I needed a cup of java and I wanted to savor it so I bribed Bea with a single scoop of Carmen & David’s strawberry ice cream with sprinkles.

We walked to one of my favorite ice cream spots only to find it’s closed on weekdays in the winter. Plan B. We would head 30 minutes across town to one of my favorite little dairies in Lancaster – Pine View Dairy. It was soon time to pick up Max from school and he is my ice cream connoisseur partner so our plan worked out perfectly!

You’ve had your fair share of laps through the mall. The idea of setting your kids free in Williams-Sonoma just to see the fear of God in the employees’ faces has lost its luster. And while fast food indoor playgrounds are great and all, you’re freaking tired of climbing up a tube made for a kid the fraction of your size to unstuck your screaming toddler whose wedged in a corner you can’t quite reach.

Lucy, the kiddos and I went to downtown Lancaster for a quick lunch recently. I managed to twist Lucy's arm into walking to Lancaster Cupcake for some after-lunch playing, coffee, and sweets.

With a lovely wrap-around porch surrounded by farmland, it's impossible not to relax and enjoy a treat while taking in the scenic views.

The small studio describes itself as a craft room for those who love Pinterest and Etsy. When you walk in the door, you are greeted with a friendly staff and a wall of DIY home décor, ranging from small holiday plaques to large living room signs. They also provide a selection of projects for any age or skill level.  When you pick a sign that is perfect in your home, you then completely customize it by choosing the design of the paper you use, truly making the crafts completely unique!