Wednesday, July 26, 2017

100 Fun Cheap Things To Do This Summer

Summer is in full swing here in Lexington and the kids might be getting bored. Below are a list of ideas that will help ease that summer boredom.

  1. Go for a nature walk
  2. Sidewalk chalk fun
  3. Water play in the backyard
  4. Homemade playdough
  5. Build a fort
  6. Play at the park
  7. Story time
  8. Play a card game
  9. Have a BBQ
  10. Hide and seek
  11. Bake cookies
  12. Paper airplane contest
  13. Make fruit popsicles
  14. YouTube Karaoke
  15. Fly a kite
  16. Find a dollar theater
  17. Play frisbee golf
  18. Put on a skit
  19. Tour a free museum
  20. Visit a farm or farmers market
  21. Shaving cream table art
  22. Clean room and donate old toys
  23. Jump rope games
  24. Go to the library
  25. Visit a friend
  26. Have a picnic
  27. Family movie night or better yet bring it outside
  28. Make stovetop smores
  29. Do a puzzle
  30. Pillow fight
  31. Scavenger hunt
  32. Do crafts
  33. Go Geocaching
  34. Paper bag puppets
  35. Attend a local sports event
  36. Duct tape art and crafts
  37. Play flag football at night
  38. Make homemade ice cream
  39. Plant a garden
  40. Marshmallow and toothpick houses
  41. Go mini-golfing
  42. Ride a train
  43. Visit the fire station
  44. Go the to the beach/lake
  45. Swim at a pool
  46. Make a DIY craft
  47. Build with Legos
  48. Take a day trip
  49. Play charades
  50. Do service for someone
  51. Wash the car
  52. Play on a trampoline
  53. Build with cardboard boxes
  54. Freeze toys in water
  55. Go to a zoo
  56. Go for a bike ride
  57. Dance party
  58. Write a story
  59. Set up a lemonade stand
  60. Walk a neighbors dog or give them a bath
  61. Stack cup games
  62. Practice origami
  63. Learn to play an instrument
  64. Visit the aquarium
  65. Go bowling
  66. Put on a fashion show
  67. Learn about a country
  68. Play at a nickel arcade
  69. Make a YouTube video
  70. Watch “Learn to draw” videos
  71. Play Simon Says
  72. Have a staring contest
  73. Learn a new skill
  74. Play two truths and a lie
  75. Sidewalk paint
  76. Learn a new skill
  77. DIY tic-tac-toe
  78. Hula hoop
  79. Glow stick fun
  80. Set up an obstacle course
  81. Make sock puppets
  82. Make (and eat) snow cones
  83. Play hopscotch
  84. Painters tape race track on the carpet 
  85. Walk around the mall
  86. Play a sport
  87. Volunteer in the community
  88. Try a new recipe
  89. Go fishing
  90. Play with bubbles  
  91. Host a talent show
  92. Take apart an old appliance to see how it works
  93. Visit Mom/Dad at work
  94. Play I Spy
  95. Go camping
  96. Finger paint with pudding  
  97. Minute to Win It Games  
  98. Play board games outside!
  99. Visit the fair
  100. Take a nap


Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Lexington Among America's Best Places To Raise A Family: Study

ICYMI-LEXINGTON, MA – Lexington ranks among the 25 best places nationwide to raise a family, and is the top place in Massachusetts, according to Niche.com. Just in time for Father's Day, the website took a look at the best places to raise a family in states across the country.

Lexington was ranked No. 20 in the United States. In Massachusetts, Middlesex and Norfolk counties dominated the top 100. Lexington and Sudbury took the top two spots, followed by Sharon, the Southborough village of Cordaville and Weston.

In the national rankings, Devon, Pennsylvania earned top honors for the second straight year. Lexington was the sole Massachusetts community to crack the top 25.
The lists were created using information about public schools, crime rates, cost of living and family friendly amenities. Data was pulled from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC and other sources, according to Niche.


Lexington received an overall A+ grade, earning high marks in public schools, crime and safety, diversity and being good for families. See how Niche broke it down here.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Cary Memorial Library Summer Reading Program



Build A Better World @ Cary Library
Kids Age 0 - entering Grade 5


June 15 - August 26, 2017. There is still time to Register!
(last day to claim prizes is September 10, 2017)
Build A Better World is sponsored by The Friends of Cary Memorial Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
This summer, Cary Library is offering a new way to track your child’s summer reading! Using the Beanstack online software, you can track your entire family’s reading under one account.

GETTING STARTED
1.       Go to carylibrary.beanstack.org
2.       Scroll down the page and click on the “Register an Individual or Family” button.
3.       Create an account. This will be the primary account. Multiple readers may be registered within this account so each child’s reading can be tracked separately.
4.       The program will ask if you wish to register another adult. Click no.
5.       The program will ask if you wish to register a child. Click yes! Enter the child’s information.
6.       Repeat steps 4 & 5 for each child.

REGISTERING FOR THE READING PROGRAM (S)
1.       Go to carylibrary.beanstack.org
2.       Scroll down and click on “Sign in Here.”
3.       Sign in
4.       In the upper left corner of the page you’ll see which account you are currently viewing. To change to a different reader, click “Switch Readers.”
5.       Choose the reader you wish to register.
6.       You will see a list of programs your child may be eligible for. Choose the appropriate program (s) and click the “Register” button. If you are not interested in participating in one or more of the offered programs, click “Not Interested.”
7.       Repeat for any additional children.

LOGGING READING
1.       Sign into your account at carylibrary.beanstack.org
3.       In the upper left corner of the page you’ll see which account you are currently viewing. To change to a different reader, click “Switch Readers.”
5.       You will see the program (s) in which the child is registered.
6.       Click “Return to Program”
7.       Click “The Log” in the menu bar along the top of the page
8.       Click “Log Reading and Activities”
9.       Choose “minutes” or “activities” and fill in the requested information (Depending on which program your child is participating in, you may see only one option)
10.   If you are logging reading or activities for multiple children, you can easily switch between readers’ accounts by clicking on the drop down menu at the top of the logging page and selecting a different reader. By selecting “All Readers” you can log minutes, events, etc., to all of your readers at once.

EARNING BADGES
Children earn badges when they achieve goals or complete tasks in the reading programs. When earned, badges will appear on their account. Badges that have not yet been earned may appear grayed out.

EARNING AND REDEEMING PRIZES
When a prize is earned, you will be notified both within the program, and by email. Come in to the library to redeem your prize!

For more detailed information about each program please visit the Cary Memorial Website



Monday, July 10, 2017

Why You Should Switch To Homeownership in Lexington, MA

Homeownership in Lexington, MA is a smart investment!
If you are currently a renter in the Lexington MA real estate market, this summer may be the ideal time for you to switch to homeownership! If you agree, contact me, your Lexington MA real estate agent. I would love to guide you through the home-buying process and answer all of your questions along the way. Investing in a home purchase is big! Use a reliable, experienced agent to help you.

If you’re wondering why you should switch to homeownership, let’s take a minute to discuss the state of the rental market right now. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the portion of income used for financial obligations such as rent, the biggest one of all, has hit a high not seen since the 1980s.

Rental prices have increased 18 percent over the last five years! Rental rate increases have been outpacing inflation for decades, and median rent has doubled in the past 20 years.

Common wisdom states that housing costs should be no more than 30 percent of one’s income. However, for anyone working a minimum wage job, they’d have to work 80 hours per week in Massachusetts in order to pull that off! Many renters pay more than 30 percent of their income on rent.

There’s no end in sight either, for rental rate increases. Rates have increased every month of 2017 so far. The national rent index has already increased more in 2017 than it did in 2016.

Meanwhile, the cost of buying a home is, on average, significantly less than the cost of renting! Home prices are rising, but mortgage rates are still historically low, making homeownership the more affordable option for many. On average, Americans spend 29.2 percent of their income on rent. In comparison, Americans only spend 15.8 percent of their income on a mortgage!

That is why, in Trulia’s latest Rent vs. Buy Report, homeownership is now 33.1 percent cheaper than renting in the U.S., on average. Mortgage rates would have to increase by 9.1 percent in order for renting to be the better financial option. Rates haven’t been that night since 1995.

If you’d like to buy a Lexington MA home, don’t wait! Take advantage of low mortgage rates and apply for for a pre-approval today. When ready to begin your home-buying process in the Lexington MA real estate market, contact me! As a Lexington MA real estate agent, I look forward to helping you!

Theresa D'Antuono

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Wilson Farm July Events


Adult Farm Tour
July 13th • 6:30pm • FREE
Join Jim Wilson for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Wilson Farm. On select Thursday evenings throughout the summer, you'll have the chance to learn about our growing practices, the crops we harvest, and lots more!
Our Farm Tours are free of charge, but registration is required. Please call us at 781-862-3900 to reserve your spot!


Wednesday, July 19th • 6pm • $125 per person • RSVP Required 
Dinner in the Field is back! Wilson Farm Executive and French Master Chef Raymond Ost has another extravagant dinner menu planned to tantalize your tastebuds as you take in the sunset at the farm. RSVP by calling 781-862-3900 now!

Dinner In the Field Menu
  • Appetizer Fresh Heirloom Tomato Gaspacho Martini & Stuffed Avocado with a Pesto Shrimp Salad & Spicy Rouille
  • Entree: Roasted Peking Duck Chartreuse, Sautéed Baby Kale, Fresh Figs and Foie Gras Sauce
  • Main Course: Baked Crottin de Chavignol with Fresh Herbs and Bacon, Endive, Micro Green Salad with a Lemon Tarragon Vinaigrette
  • Dessert: A Pastry Symphony



Children Farm Tour
July 27th • 10am & 3pm
Children ages 5 and up
Wilson Farm invites kids aged 5 and up to join us for a free, behind-the-scenes tour of the farm! Kids get an inside peek into how it all works, from the fields to the greenhouses and back to the animal barn, it's an hour of fun and discovery! RSVP is Required • Spots fill up fast!
Call our office now at 781-862-3900 to RSVP

Adult Farm Tour
July 27th • 6:30pm • FREE
Join Jim Wilson for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Wilson Farm. On select Thursday evenings throughout the summer, you'll have the chance to learn about our growing practices, the crops we harvest, and lots more!
Our Farm Tours are free of charge, but registration is required. Please call us at 781-862-3900 to reserve your spot!

For More information on upcoming events please visit Wilson Farm Website