#family-centered activities

[beingjellybeans]

Fostering Family Unity: Camella Homes' Celebrates National Family Week

In the Philippines, family isn’t just a unit; it’s a cornerstone of life. In a nation deeply rooted in Catholic faith, family values are not just cherished; they’re celebrated with fervor and commitment. National Family Week, held annually during the last week of September, is a testament to the enduring importance of family in the hearts of every Filipino. The Heartbeat of National Family…

[starry-bi-sky]

mmm throwaway conversation between Dan and Danny that popped into my head that I had to write out:

"You spent ten years being a one-man mass extinction event, then went back in time and fought me, and lost." Danny snarls, arms crossed and throat tight. His mouth pulls back to bare dagger-sharp teeth, and his eyes burn with the familiar thrum of ectoplasm heating up behind his eyes. "If I didn't believe you were half of Vlad before, I do now."

His other self -- and really, can he even call him that? He's half of Vlad too. Two halves severed from each other and welded together to make a new whole, -- snaps his head over to him. Wild-eyed and furious, he looks unlike the man Danny fought before, the one unruffled and untouched, unbothered by the world around him. It's familiar, but not like the way a reflection is.

"What's that supposed to mean." The Other hisses, matching Danny's scowl one-for-one with fangs much bigger and sharper than his.

But there's a reason lions fear hyenas. Danny matches the rumble in The Other's chest with one of his own, and shoves his face close to his. "I don't lose."

[nectaric]

good morning! i have craved the Write so badly for days and i finally have a little bit of time to do it, so y'all should like this for some memes while i tackle some drafts!

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Peter Montgomery at RWW:

The American Family Association’s Center for Judicial Renewal has been urging Republican presidential candidates and senators to adopt its explicit religious test for future Supreme Court justices;  the group is attempting to blackball conservative judges who fail to meet its “biblical worldview” standard. In a fundraising email sent Tuesday, AFA Action CEO Walker Wildmon revealed that the group is also seeking to apply its religious worldview test to judges for the lower courts, which he calls “a crucial, much-needed expansion of CJR’s scope.”

[...] Wildmon’s email also brags about the group’s involvement in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation-led project to engineer a far-right takeover of the executive branch if Donald Trump or another Republican is elected president this fall.

In spite of promoting an explicit religious test for federal judges—a clear betrayal of the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution—and supporting Project 2025’s authoritarian plan to undermine checks and balances, Wildmon’s email portrays AFA as a defender of the Constitution against “radical progressives” who he claims are “bent on destroying the rule of law altogether.”

Project 2025 partner and far-right hate group American Family Association’s sister organization Center For Judicial Renewal expands their religious litmus test (conservative evangelical Christians preferred) to lower court nominees.

[andromedasummer]

fun fact once youve worked at a daycare/preschool the instincts it gives you never leave. i hear a baby crying and my brain muscle memories me into standing up until i can stop and remind myself that most people understandably do not want a stranger to walk over and pick up and soothe their infant. not my job anymore.

[jvzebel-x]

🦋

[somethingnubian]

Harnessing Harmony: A Day in Our Afro-Boho Homeschooling Life

Introduction: Greetings, beautiful community! It’s your homegirl, Reiki Ra-ess, here to bring a sprinkle of sunshine and wisdom into your day. As a steadfast advocate for education that resonates with our roots and rhythm, I’m thrilled to unveil a daily tool that’s been a labor of love and learning in our household for over a decade– our Afro-Boho inspired Daily Worksheet. Harmony in…

[424playfactory]

For the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of kids, pleasant indoor activities are crucial. It's crucial to have a variety of indoor activities Pittsburgh that keep youngsters active, interested, and entertained in Pittsburgh because the city's severe winters and unpredictable weather may make outdoor play difficult.

Children who participate in regular physical activity have stronger bones, muscles, and cardiovascular systems. They also have better coordination and motor skills. Additionally, it can improve their mood and energy levels, lessen anxiety and stress, and encourage sounder sleep.

[littlestickfish]

Pope Francis removed him for being ridiculously and virulently hateful toward the LGBT and other minority communities, going so far as to say they don't belong in the Church--the Church Pope Francis is currently endeavoring to make safer and more welcoming to these folks.

The misleading part has nothing to do with whether or not it's legal by secular standards. The misleading part is the implication that this was some sort of arbitrary and unreasonable move instead of a rogue bishop who preached hate facing consequences for his actions.

The man was a menace, and this level of disciplinary action is the least he deserves.

im fucking sobbing why did they kill him twice in a row in the community notes

[yrrtyrrtwhenihrrthrrt]

In light of Brian Thompson being shot dead on my birthday (🎉🥳🎂) I'd like to share a personal story about UnitedHealthcare.

During the peak of COVID, my family all got sick. I couldn't be on my parents' insurance because they were both older and on Medicare. So, I had insurance through my University: UnitedHealthcare.

For some reason, rather than roll-over each year, I got a new plan each year that ended after May and didn't start until August, so I was uninsured for the summer months, but it was a weird situation that the university denied, and told us we were supposed to be insured year-round, it was messy.

Both of my parents went to the hospital, and I got sick too. I had to take care of my pets, and myself, and try to stay alive and keep my pets alive when I was so weak I could hardly move. When my parents came home, my condition got dramatically worse (I think my body knew it couldn't give out, because there was nobody to take care of me, so once my parents were okay, it completely crashed and failed.)

I started experiencing emergency symptoms. It was a bit hard to breathe, my chest hurt, and I was extremely delirious. I wanted to call my insurance to see if I was covered (this was during the summer) and I was connected to some nice person, probably making minimum wage, who told me with caution in her voice that my plan was expired. I had no active insurance, but she urged me to go to an emergency room. I remember saying something to the effect of "You just told me I don't have insurance, I can't go to the hospital, I can't afford it."

She sounded so genuinely worried and scared. I remember she said "You really don't sound good, you sound really sick, please call 9-1-1" and I think I just said "I can't afford it without insurance, don't worry, I think I'll be okay."

And she paused and said "I don't want to hang up the phone with you like this." And it sounded like she was holding back tears. And I don't remember what I said, I think that I would be okay, and I hung up.

I still think about her. I wonder if that phone call haunted her, or if she had dozens of calls like that a day. I wonder if she thinks about it at all, if she wonders if I died after she told me I didn't have insurance and therefore couldn't go to the hospital without incurring a tremendous financial burden. I wonder if she feels guilt or blame-- of course she shouldn't, it wouldn't have been her fault if anything had happened to me. Maybe it's self-centered to wonder if she thinks about it. I'm not the main character and it was just her job. But, still.

I think about how evil it was that we were put in that situation. Because offering year-long continuous coverage through the university plan would maybe cut into profits, maybe not benefit shareholders enough, maybe cut into Thompson's $10 million salary. While his minimum wage administrators have to feel afraid to hang up the phone, because on the other line someone might be dying, and they wouldn't know. While his patients hang up and decide to take their chances rather than put their family through that trauma.

This is UnitedHealthcare. This is Brian Thompson's legacy. This is why, understandably, an entire nation is jubilant that he was gunned down like the vermin he was. I don't care about his widow. I feel pity for his children, despite the fact that they will inherit millions, but I feel more pity for the children of his victims patients who are gone because they didn't want THEIR children to inherit crippling debt. Brian Thompson got what he fucking deserved. I pray that he not be the only one. I pray for continued safety, peace , and anonymity for his killer.

American healthcare is a disease.

[funzillapa]

Kids Birthday Party Langhorne - Funzilla PA

If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly facility full of activities for anyone to enjoy, Funzilla is here to fulfill all your expectations. Our exciting facility is packed with engaging activities suitable for every member of your family. Funzilla is an all-ages indoor adventure park rife with activities. From our indoor trampoline area to ninja courses to dodgeball and more, you’re sure to find something for everyone in the family to have a blast.

Visit Now:- https://maps.app.goo.gl/83MXvCKvrMJjbpz16

[expressmgchimneynorthbrook]

Exploring the Natural Beauty of River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook, IL

Nestled within the Forest Preserves of Cook County, River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook, IL, provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature and explore local wildlife. This serene destination offers educational exhibits, scenic walking trails, and live animal displays, making it an ideal outing for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience the beauty of Northbrook’s natural surroundings.

Explore Diverse Ecosystems

River Trail Nature Center is home to a variety of habitats, including floodplain forests, wetlands, and oak-hickory woodlands. Visitors can wander along approximately 1.7 miles of scenic trails that weave through these rich ecosystems, offering a peaceful retreat and an opportunity to observe native wildlife in its natural environment. The trails are well-suited for all ages and skill levels, making them an accessible way to enjoy the outdoors.

Along the way, you might encounter a variety of birds, small mammals, and insects that contribute to the park’s biodiversity. These trails are particularly popular among birdwatchers and photographers who appreciate the chance to capture nature at its finest.

Interactive Exhibits and Live Animal Displays

The nature center itself features engaging exhibits that highlight the diverse flora, fauna, and cultural history of the area. Visitors can explore displays showcasing the interconnections between local ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts.

One of the highlights is the live animal area, where native species like birds of prey, turtles, and amphibians can be observed up close. These displays are designed to educate visitors about the animals’ roles in their habitats and foster a deeper appreciation for wildlife. The center's knowledgeable staff is often available to answer questions and provide insights into the exhibits.

Year-Round Programs and Family Activities

River Trail Nature Center also offers a variety of programs and events tailored to all ages. From guided nature walks and seasonal workshops to hands-on activities for children, there’s always something to engage visitors and deepen their understanding of the natural world.

Families will especially enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas, where kids can explore and learn through play. During the warmer months, the center hosts special events like butterfly releases and pollinator awareness days, which draw visitors from across Northbrook and beyond.

A Tranquil Retreat in Northbrook, IL

River Trail Nature Center is more than just a destination—it’s a space to relax, learn, and connect with the natural world. Whether you’re interested in a quiet hike, a family outing, or an educational experience, this Northbrook gem offers something for everyone.

For those seeking an escape from the hustle of daily life, River Trail Nature Center is a peaceful retreat that fosters a sense of wonder and connection with the outdoors.

[carpetcleaningecopower]

Experience Family Fun at the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center in Brandon FL

The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center in Brandon FL is the perfect destination for families looking to combine fun with fitness. Whether you want to swim, play sports, or simply enjoy a day outside, this community hotspot has something for everyone. Designed to inspire active lifestyles, it offers a welcoming space where families can bond and spend quality time together.

Dive Into Aquatic Fun for All Ages

The aquatic offerings at the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center are a highlight for many families. With multiple pools catering to swimmers of all skill levels, everyone from toddlers to adults can dive in and enjoy the water. Young children love the splash zones and playful water areas, while older kids and adults can focus on swim lessons, lap swimming, or honing competitive skills. Whether you're cooling off on a warm day or working on your swimming techniques, the aquatic options here ensure a fun and refreshing experience for every member of the family.

Sports Facilities for Endless Play

Beyond the pools, the center boasts a wide variety of sports facilities to keep everyone engaged. Tennis courts, basketball courts, and expansive fields for soccer or other games offer plenty of ways to stay active. Whether your family enjoys a friendly tennis match or wants to join a group fitness class, the center has options to suit all interests. With its diverse range of activities, it’s the ideal spot for a day of energetic play and fitness-focused fun.

Prioritize Health and Wellness

Supporting both physical and mental well-being, the center also offers numerous health and wellness programs. Families can participate in yoga, strength training, or even personal fitness coaching. Parents can focus on their own fitness goals while teaching their kids the importance of staying active and healthy. These wellness opportunities create a balanced approach to family health, encouraging an active lifestyle in a fun, supportive setting.

A Community Hub for Families

More than just a place to exercise, the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center serves as a community hub, bringing families and neighbors together. Throughout the year, the center hosts seasonal events, sports leagues, and swimming competitions that foster a strong sense of community. It’s a place where families not only stay active but also create lasting memories and friendships. With its blend of fitness, fun, and family connection, the center plays a vital role in the vibrant community life of Brandon FL.

[beggars-opera]

On the road leading into the center of Concord, Massachusetts, there sits a house.

It is a plain, colonial-style house, of which there are many along this road. It has sea green and buff paint, a historical plaque, and one of the most multi-layered stories I have ever encountered to showcase that history is continuous, complicated, and most importantly, fragmentary, unless you know where to look.

So, where to start? The plaque.

There's some usual information here: Benjamin Barron built the house in 1716, and years later it was a "witness house" to the start of the American Revolution. And then, something unusual: a note about an enslaved man named John Jack whose epitaph is "world famous."

Where is this epitaph? Right around the corner in the town center.

It reads:

God wills us free; man wills us slaves. I will as God wills; God’s will be done. Here lies the body of JOHN JACK a native of Africa who died March 1773 aged about 60 years Tho’ born in a land of slavery, He was born free. Tho’ he lived in a land of liberty, He lived a slave. Till by his honest, tho’ stolen labors, He acquired the source of slavery, Which gave him his freedom; Tho’ not long before Death, the grand tyrant Gave him his final emancipation, And set him on a footing with kings. Tho’ a slave to vice, He practised those virtues Without which kings are but slaves.

We don't know precisely when the man first known only as Jack was purchased by Benjamin Barron. We do know that he, along with an enslaved woman named Violet, were listed in Barron's estate upon his death in 1754. Assuming his gravestone is accurate, at that time Jack would have been about 40 and had apparently learned the shoemaking trade from his enslaver. With his "honest, though stolen labors" he was then able to earn enough money to eventually purchase his freedom from the remaining Barron family and change his name to John, keeping Jack as a last name rather than using his enslaver's.

John Jack died, poor but free, in 1773, just two years before the Revolutionary War started. Presumably as part of setting up his own estate, he became a client of local lawyer Daniel Bliss, brother-in-law to the minister, William Emerson. Bliss and Emerson were in a massive family feud that spilled into the rest of the town, as Bliss was notoriously loyal to the crown, eventually letting British soldiers stay in his home and giving them information about Patriot activities.

Daniel Bliss also had abolitionist leanings. And after hearing John's story, he was angry.

Here was a man who had been kidnapped from his home country, dragged across the ocean, and treated as an animal for decades. Countless others were being brutalized in the same way, in the same town that claimed to love liberty and freedom. Reverend Emerson railed against the British government from the pulpit, and he himself was an enslaver.

It wouldn't do. John Jack deserved so much more. So, when he died, Bliss personally paid for a large gravestone and wrote its epitaph to blast the town's hypocrisy from the top of Burial Hill. When the British soldiers trudged through the cemetery on April 19th, 1775, they were so struck that they wrote the words down and published them in the British newspapers, and that hypocrisy passed around Europe as well. And the stone is still there today.

You know whose stone doesn't survive in the burial ground?

Benjamin Barron's.

Or any of his family that I know of. Which is absolutely astonishing, because this story is about to get even more complicated.

Benjamin Barron was a middle-class shoemaker in a suburb that wouldn't become famous until decades after his death. He lived a simple life only made possible by chattel slavery, and he will never show up in a U.S. history textbook.

But he had a wife, and a family. His widow, Betty Barron, from whom John purchased his freedom, whose name does not appear on her home's plaque or anywhere else in town, does appear either by name or in passing in every single one of those textbooks.

Terrible colonial spelling of all names in their marriage record aside, you may have heard her maiden name before:

Betty Parris was born into a slaveholding family in 1683, in a time when it was fairly common for not only Black, but also Indigenous people to be enslaved. It was also a time of war, religious extremism, and severe paranoia in a pre-scientific frontier. And so it was that at the age of nine, Betty pointed a finger at the Arawak woman enslaved in her Salem home, named Titibe, and accused her of witchcraft.

Yes, that Betty Parris.

Her accusations may have started the Salem Witch trials, but unlike her peers, she did not stay in the action for long. As a minor, she was not allowed to testify at court, and as the minister's daughter, she was too high-profile to be allowed near the courtroom circus. Betty's parents sent her to live with relatives during the proceedings, at which point her "bewitchment" was cured, though we're still unsure if she had psychosomatic problems solved by being away from stress, if she stopped because the public stopped listening, or if she stopped because she no longer had adults prompting her.

Following the witch hysteria, the Parrises moved several times as her infamous father struggled to hold down a job and deal with his family's reputation. Eventually they landed in Concord, where Betty met Benjamin and married him at the age of 26, presumably having had no more encounters with Satan in the preceding seventeen years. She lived an undocumented life and died, obscure and forgotten, in 1760, just five years before the Stamp Act crisis plunged America into a revolution, a living bridge between the old world and the new.

I often wonder how much Betty's story followed her throughout her life. People must have talked. Did they whisper in the town square, "Do you know what she did when she was a girl?" Did John Jack hear the stories of how she had previously treated the enslaved people in her life? Did that hasten his desperation to get out? And what of Daniel Bliss; did he know this history as well, seeing the double indignity of it all? Did he stop and think about how much in the world had changed in less than a century since his neighbor was born?

We'll never know.

All that's left is a gravestone, and a house with an insufficient plaque.

[fozmeadows]

There's a lot of conversations to be had around the current influx of Americans to Xiaohongshu (RedNote/Little Red Book) ahead of the TikTok ban, many of which are better articulated by more knowledgeable people than me. And for all the fun various parties of both nationalities seem to having with memes and wholesome interactions, it's undoubtedly true that there's also some American entitlement and exoticization going on, which sucks. But a sentiment I've seen repeatedly online is that, if it's taken actually speaking to Chinese people and viewing Chinese content for Americans to understand that they've been propagandized to about China and its people, then that just proves how racist they are, and I want to push back on that, because it strikes me as being a singularly reductive and unhelpful framing of something far more complex.

Firstly: while there's frequently overlap between racism and xenophobia, the distinction between them matters in this instance, because the primary point of American propaganda about China is that Communism Is Fundamentally Evil And Unamerican And Never Ever Works, and thinking a country's government sucks is not the same as thinking the population is racially inferior. The way most Republicans in particular talk about China, you'd think it was functionally indistinguishable from North Korea, which it really isn't. Does this mean there's no critique to be made of either communism in general or the CCP? Absolutely not! But if you've been told your whole life that communist countries are impoverished, corrupt and dangerous because Communism Never Works, and you've only really encountered members of the Chinese diaspora - i.e., people whose families left China, often under traumatic circumstances, because they thought America would be better or safer - rather than Chinese nationals, then no: it's not automatically racist to be surprised that their daily lives and standard of living don't match up with what you'd assumed. Secondly: TikTok's userbase skews young. While there's certainly Americans in their 30s and older investigating Xiaohongshu, it seems very reasonable to assume that the vast majority are in their teens or twenties - young enough that, barring a gateway interest in something like C-dramas, danmei or other Chinese cultural products, and assuming they're not of Chinese descent themselves, there's no reason why they'd know anything about China beyond what they've heard in the news, or from politicians, or from their parents, which is likely not much, and very little firsthand. But even with an interest in China, there's a difference between reading about or watching movies from a place, and engaging firsthand, in real time, with people from that place, not just through text exchanges, but in a visual medium that lets you see what their houses, markets, shopping centers, public transport, schools, businesses, infrastructure and landmarks look like. Does this mean that what's being observed isn't a curated perspective on China as determined both by Xiaohongshu's TOU and the demographic skewing of its userbase? Of course not! But that doesn't mean it isn't still a representative glimpse of a part of China, which is certainly more than most young Americans have ever had before.

Thirdly: I really need people to stop framing propaganda as something that only stupid bigots fall for, as though it's possible to natively resist all the implicit cultural biases you're raised with and exist as a perfect moral being without ever having to actively challenge yourself. To cite the sacred texts:

Like. Would the world be a better place if everyone could just Tell when they're being lied to and act accordingly? Obviously! But that is extremely not how anything actually works, and as much as it clearly discomforts some to witness, the most common way of realizing you've been propagandized to about a particular group of people is to interact with them. Can this be cringe and awkward and embarrassing at times? Yes! Will some people inevitably say something shitty or rude during this process? Also yes! But the reality is that cultural exchange is pretty much always bumpy to some extent; the difficulties are a feature, not a bug, because the process is inherently one of learning and conversation, and as individual people both learn at different rates and have different opinions on that learning, there's really no way to iron all that out such that nobody ever feels weird or annoyed or offput. Even interactions between career diplomats aren't guaranteed smooth sailing, and you're mad that random teenagers interacting through a language barrier in their first flush of enthusiasm for something new aren't doing it perfectly? Come on now.

Fourthly: Back before AO3 was banned in China, there was a period where the site was hit with an influx of Chinese users who, IIRC, were hopping over when one of their own fansites got shut down, which sparked a similar conversation around differences in site etiquette and how to engage respectfully. Which is also one of the many things that makes the current moment so deeply ironic: the US has historically criticized China for exactly the sort of censorship and redaction of free speech that led to AO3 being banned, and yet is now doing the very same thing with TikTok. Which is why what's happening on Xiaohongshu is, IMO, such an incredible cultural moment: because while there are, as mentioned, absolutely relevant things to be said about (say) Chinese censorship, US-centrism, orientalism and so on, what's ultimately happening is that, despite - or in some sense because of - the recent surge in anti-Chinese rhetoric from US politicians, a significant number of Americans who might otherwise never have done so are interacting directly with Chinese citizens in a way that, whatever else can be said of it, is actively undermining government propaganda, and that matters.

What it all most puts me in mind of, in fact, is a quote from French-Iranian novelist and cartoonist Marjane Satrapi, namely:

“The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same.”

And at this particular moment in history, this strikes me as being a singularly powerful realization for Americans in particular to have.

[toymakerinchina]

Thrilling Adventure Playland: Ultimate Indoor Playground for Kids

The images showcase a vibrant and comprehensive indoor playground facility designed to cater to a broad range of play activities, offering a dynamic environment for children of all ages. With an emphasis on safety, creativity, and engagement, this state-of-the-art play center is outfitted with a diverse selection of equipment. Starting with the multi-level adventure zones, they are equipped with…