Nature fun in Naples, FL

I love travel. One of the things I love most about it is learning all the things a new place has to offer. We're heading south for sunnier weather in January, and I can't wait to see what Naples, Florida has to offer us. I'm exciting to share someplace new with my 3.5-year-old daughter. We're already researching dolphins and other sealife, as well as the Everglades. We're reading books. We're watching Netflix documentaries and Youtube video clips. She's excited. I'm excited. This is the best way to learn. Hands-on.

Here are a few of the places we hope to hit up:

I wonder if we'll see dolphins from the shore?

DELNOR-WIGGINS PASS STATE RECREATION AREA

11135 Gulfshore Dr.
Naples, Florida 34108
(239) 597-6196
http://www.floridastateparks.org/delnorwiggins/default.cfm
Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year (Gates closed if park reaches capacity)

Admission Fee:
$6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

Boat ramp fee:
The boat ramp fee is $5.00 + tax..  This is in addition to the Admission Fee.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area is a Florida State Park located on a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast near Naples, Florida, six miles west of Exit 111 on I-75.

One of the most popular seaside destinations in Naples, the mile-long stretch of white sugar sand at Delnor-Wiggins has been rated one of the best beaches in the nation. The 166-acre park is a tropical paradise for beach lovers, boaters and divers. The beach is a popular spot to sunbathe, swim, beachcomb, snorkel and picnic. At the beach along Wiggins Pass, where swimming is not allowed, fishing is a popular activity. Boaters can launch their vessels into Water Turkey Bay and travel to the Gulf or up the Cocohatchee River for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Kayakers can enjoy paddling through estuaries and scuba divers can explore the hard bottom reef in the Gulf. At the north end of the island, a tower gives visitors a bird's-eye view of Wiggins Pass and the surrounding coastal habitat.

Looking for cool birds? Be sure to check out Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY

www.corkscrewsanctuary.org
Address: 375 Sanctuary Road West, Naples, FL 34120
Phone: (239) 348-9151
Hours: Open 365 days a year, 7 AM to 5:30 PM, except during severe weather. (Last person allowed in at 4:30pm)

Admission fees:
Adult: $ 12.00 (two-consecutive-day pass)
Full-time college student with photo ID: $ 6.00
National Audubon Society member with membership card: $ 6.00
Student (6-18 years old): $ 4.00
Children under 6: free

About:
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a 14,000-acre wildlife sanctuary located north of Naples, Florida. Founded in 1945, it contains the largest remaining virgin Bald Cypress forest in North America. A 2.25-mile boardwalk snakes its way through five habitats and is open to the public 365 days a year except during severe weather. A shorter 1-mile walk boardwalk is also available. Volunteer naturalists are usually on the boardwalk to answer questions. Allow about 2-3 hours.

Collier-Seminole contains one of the three original stands of the rare royal palm in Florida.

COLLIER-SEMINOLE STATE PARK

Collier-Seminole State Park is a Florida State Park located on US 41, 17 miles south of Naples, Florida.
Address: 20200 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34114
Phone: (239) 394-3397
http://www.floridastateparks.org/collierseminole/
Hours: 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

Admission Fee:
$5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

Canoe rental:
$5.30 per hour; $26.50 per day

Experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the Everglades, as well as a forest of tropical trees at Collier-Seminole State Park. The 7,271-acre park lies partly within the great mangrove swamp of southern Florida, one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. Collier-Seminole also contains one of the three original stands of the rare royal palm in Florida. The park is the site of a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the last existing Bay City Walking Dredge. Built in 1924, it was used to build the Tamiami Trail Highway (U.S. 41) through the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp, linking Tampa and Miami and opening southwest Florida to travelers. Visitors to Collier-Seminole have the opportunity to explore the park's wilderness in many ways, including hiking, bicycling or canoeing. Collier-Seminole provides canoe rentals, as well as a boat ramp with access to the Blackwater River, where anglers can fish for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Collier-Seminole offers full-facility, primitive and youth camping. The picnic areas have pavilions and grills for use on a first-come, first-served basis.

Traveling? Live like a local

I've found that living like a local when you're traveling means that you'll get out of the tourist traps and enjoy yourself more. I love to travel. But I hate crowds. And so, living like a local works best for me.

When we travel down to Naples, FL next month with our kiddos, we plan to take advantage of the city's park system. Here are a few places we aim to check out:

River Park Aquatic Center has a splash feature and zero-depth entry pool.

RIVER PARK AQUATIC CENTER

(239)213-3040
301 11th Street North, Naples, FL 34102
http://www.naplesgov.com/index.aspx?NID=572

Not open for general admission when the day's forecast high temperature is 59 degrees or lower.

Amenities:
6 lane, 75' lap pool
Water slide
Children's splash play feature w/ zero entry
Swim lesson area

Fleischmann Park has sun shades in its new playground.

FLEISCHMANN PARK

1600 Fleischmann Blvd. Naples, FL 34102
Phone: 239-213-3020

Amenities: new playground (one for toddlers 1-5 years and one for school age children 6-12 years) with sun shades and a water splash zone, racquetball courts, base/softball fields, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, football field

Hit the beach at Lowdermilk Park.

LOWDERMILK PARK

1301 Gulfshore Blvd North Naples, FL 34102
Phone: 239-213-3029
Concessions: 9-5

Amenities: plenty of metered and unmetered parking spaces, a concession stand, sand volleyball courts, two children's playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, restroom and shower facilities, and two gazebos for rent.

If you're lucky, you might hit upon free outdoor music at Cambier Park's bandshell.

CAMBIER PARK

755 8th Ave. S. Naples, FL 34102
(heart of downtown Naples, just South of the prestigious 5th Avenue South)

Amenities: playground, pavilion, green space, shuffleboard, bocee courts,tennis courts, bandshell, Norris Community Center

 

WE WISH IT WERE OPEN... 

This place isn't open in the winter (as all the kids in Florida are in school), but we sure wish it was! It looks like tons of fun.

The Sun-N-Fun Lagoon is closed from October to President's Day weekend, but if you're traveling outside that time, have fun there!

SUN-N-FUN LAGOON

One million gallons of water fun will thrill children, parents and grandparents alike at Collier County's premier water park, Sun-N-Fun Lagoon! Fun always starts at Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, a key destination by all. Sun-N-Fun Lagoon includes four pools, a long lazy river, a lit splash playground or interactive water feature, five exciting water slides, and a concession stand.

Address: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109
Phone: (239) 252-4021
Hours: Closed October to President's Day Weekend; Summer hours 10am-5pm; Fall Hours 10-5 Saturday & Sunday
http://www.napleswaterpark.com/

Admission Fees:
Under 3 Free
Persons less than 48" tall $5.50
Persons 48" or taller $12.00
$2 discount with a valid Florida Driver's License with Collier County address
Seniors 60+ $8.00

Great information about Kale

Here's a great sangria for under $10

The best thing about not being pregnant anymore is being able to drink wine!

I’m currently reading a book about happiness. It’s titled: “Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way” by Dan Buettner. He points out that endorphin levels rise and folks feel happier when they drink a glass of wine — and the benefit is even better if you’re drinking it with friends. It’s the simple, little things...

This is a refreshing summer wine. Find it at Costco for under $10 a bottle.

I have a new favorite wine, and thanks to Costco’s liquor store, it’s very affordable. To be honest, I didn’t even pay attention to the exact cost of this wine. I just know it is under $10. After trying de la Costa Sangria at a friend’s house, I just knew I had to have more.

I love Sangria, and I’ve made it the long way many times before, from scratch starting with a strong red wine and then adding sugar, fruit and brandy. The de la Costa Sangria is a lot easier. Open it the fun swing top. Drink it.

It’s a delicious sangria. You’re not missing anything by not having fruit floating in it, but if you feel like you are, go ahead and add some to your glass and punch up the fruity flavor a little more.

Currently, this is my go-to wine during my 6-week-old’s 2-hour-or-longer crying bouts. A small glass helps relax me, and that’s pretty important during a crying jag that goes on and on. (And here I need to include this disclaimer: don’t go overboard when you’re taking care of an infant!! Drink responsibly.)

Glunz Family Wineries and Cellers out of Grayslake, Ill. makes the de la Costa Sangria. It’s part of the Glunz "Fun Wines" series. According to the web site: “These are wines we make to not take too seriously but to be enjoyed with the season. Sangria is our red wine that is flavored with all natural fruit flavors and spices. It is packed with citrus flavor a nice tang from the red wine and a clean finish with a touch of cinnamon. It is available in late Spring through Summer.” Their other seasonal wines include Sangria, Glögg, and May Wine.

Here’s to happiness!

Glunz Family Winery & Cellars

888 E. Belvidere Rd. Ste. #211

Grayslake, Illinois 60030

http://www.gfwc.com

Get cool at Blaine's Lakeside Commons Park

Get cool in Blaine this summer. The city runs a fantastic park along in the heart of The Lakes development near 109th and Radisson Road.

The park is free for Blaine residents (who show proof of residency with a driver’s license). For non-Blaine folks, the fee is a $5 parking permit. Or, opt for a $25 season pass. It’s a pretty good deal when most splash pads charge per person.

Lakeside Commons Park has both a splash pad and a sandy beach. There’s also a picnic pavillion, concessions stand with kayak rental, and playground. The only thing it doesn’t have is shade.

The three-year-old park was busy on the 90º-plus day I went with my sister and our kids, but because there’s so much open space it didn’t seem too crowded. We appreciated the grassy area around the splash pad and north of the beach because it gave people room to spread out. We camped out there and made forays to the beach. Who wants to bring a stroller in the sand? Next time I will bring a sports umbrella, however, so that we have some (man-made) shade.

The splash pad doesn’t have all the tricks many do — there weren’t any buckets that dumped gallons of water or giant mushrooms that sprayed water. Instead they rely on simple fountains. The experience is like running through a bunch of spinklers.

As moms, we appreciated that the beach was roped off into two areas (shallow and deep) making is easier to tell the toddlers what their boundaries were. 

The splash pad and beach is a bit of a trek from the parking lot. You’ll either want to pack really light (which is tough on a beach excursion) or you’ll want a stroller. 

Have fun!

Lakeside Commons Park 

3020 Lake Parkway, Blaine 55449 

(3/4 mile down Lakes Parkway off Radisson Road)

HOURS:

Beach: 10am to 8pm

Splash Pad Hours:10am to 6pm

Park Hours: 5am to 10pm

Boathouse: Monday thru Wednesday, Friday:  1pm to 6pm; Thursdays:  Noon to 9pm; Weekends: Noon to 6pm

Canoe and Kayak Rental: $7/hour

More information at:

http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/index.cfm?id=900797

Affirming birth, preparing for birth

Labor and birth is eminent. I can feel that it is close, and it’s all I want to focus on. I’m not interested in hopping in a car and driving an hour up north to my parents. In fact, I really had to push myself to get into the truck to drive to Target this morning for those last birth and baby supplies I needed. We were invited a few places over this Memorial Day weekend, and while I really wanted to enjoy the company of friends, I had to push past the desire to hunker down on the couch with a good movie, my daughter and some ice cream. 

I know it might be another three weeks this way, but that’s okay. I think the mind needs to prepare as the body makes its own final preparations, as that baby decides when it has spent enough forming inside my womb and is ready to greet us. I’m really looking forward to that day.

Until then, I’m getting ready.

Today, I prepared my birth affirmations. I plan to post these around the house so they give me strength when I’m in pain and need a cheerleader. 

Here are some of the affirmations I find inspiring:

• My body knows how to give birth and I will let it.

• Strong contractions are good contractions.

• I am strong and I can let my contractions be strong.

• I feel the love of those who are helping me.

• I am sharing in the vision and wisdom of all mothers of past generations.

• In this body, no fear

In this body, deep peace,

In this body, great happiness,

In this body, safety.

• I can do whatever I need to do for my baby to be born.

• If I listen to my body, it will tell me how to birth this baby.

• I accept the healthy pain of labor.

• Labor is natural, normal and safe for me and my baby.

• I am calm and relaxed. So is my baby.

• I am deserving of an easy, uncomplicated birth.

Blessingway, tie-dye, and belly mapping: a perfect shower

Hippie at heart? Then I have the perfect Baby Shower recipe for you. Combine belly mapping, tie-dye, and a mama blessingway for a lovely afternoon. Throw in some ice cream sundaes and iced herbal tea, and you have everything you need.

Being the pregnant one, I can’t, of course, claim any credit for this wonderful shower idea. My best friend is the master brain behind my special occasion. But as the recipient, I can say it was a wonderful way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of my second baby. And yes, I am a hippie at heart.

Have everyone bring a bead to add to a bracelet at the conclusion of their contribution during the Blessingway. This makes a great item for the pregnant mama to wear during labor. I know that as soon as my water broke the first time, I went for my bracelet so I could feel the support of others with me through labor.

Mostly I think that a baby shower should be about more than consumerism; it should empower the mama and celebrate the baby. By incorporating a Blessingway into a shower, you can do just that. (See here for my past blogs on Blessingways or Mama/Baby Blessings.) A Blessingway is all about having those you love share their support and love. They do this by reading poems, coming up with original material, and sharing stories. (Stay away from advice, as that can get dangerous because each mama does things that feel right to her.)

Hard at work, creating something funky. What's not to love about tie-dye?

Using kits from Wal-Mart, we tie-dyed a myriad of long and short-sleeve onesies and t-shirts, as well as shirts for us adults and one for my 3-year-old.

It is 99% likely that the first outfit my new baby wears is going to be one of these funky tie-dye shirts.

The tie-dye was a fun shower “game” that sent me away with a pile of brightly colored onesies and t-shirts. I can’t wait to dress the new baby up in these hip clothes! And to don my own tie-dye shirt, dress my 3-year-old daughter in hers and snap a photo. In addition to making memories at the shower, I know I will smile everytime I take one of the onesies out to use in the future. Tie dye must be making a comeback right now (or did it never leave?). The shower co-host found the tie-dye kits in a Wal-Mart shopping aisle.

The finished product: an abstract belly painting by Jen.

Start off by identifying where the mom feels kicks, where there are bulges, and where there are hard spots in the belly. Ask whether the head is down. Then grab a baby doll to help you visualize what's going on inside the belly.

This graphic shows the various positions a baby can be in. Learn more about belly-mapping and getting your baby into the optimal position for labor on Gail Tully's web site: spinningbabies.com.

The belly-mapping gave us a fun way to connect with the belly. Minnesota midwife Gail Tully is well-known for her expertise in belly mapping and fetal positioning. She has a useful page on her web site that gives directions on mapping the belly yourself, or you can bring her in to do a workshop. Belly Mapping teaches a pregnant woman (and others) to tell her baby's position for herself, which is pretty useful information before labor so you have an indication of whether there will be any trouble because of a breach or sunny-side up position. There are many things a woman can do to help turn her baby before labor to avoid those problems. According to my experienced midwife, Jeanne Bazille, my baby is currently in great position, so I’m not worried about that. We could focus during the Blessingway on having fun with the belly-mapping. There are step-by-step directions on how to map a belly on Gail Tully’s web site; go here http://spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/belly-mapping. Have a doll handy for a visual reference. After drawing the “map” on paper (leg, arm, head, back, placenta) my friend painted an abstract design right on the belly. Ah! The water-based paint didn’t stay on long, but we took a lot of photos.

Hope these ideas inspire you next time you’re planning a shower.

CozyBelly: The perfect maternity tank

At 38 weeks, there is very little that will cover my entire belly. The best shirt I’ve found is the CozyBelly tank. If there’s a shirt I’m living in right now, this one is it. 

 

I bought it during a BabySteal in April for only $24.99 (regular price $49.99). Man, do I wish I’d picked up another! The shirt is labeled as “shapewear,” however, and I wasn’t sure from the online description whether it would even be comfortable. I can’t handle any sort of pressure on my belly, and I was worried the “shapewear” would attempt to shape me in uncomfortable ways. Instead, the middle panel of the three-panel shirt is thick enough that I don’t have to wear another shirt under it or over it to hide any unshapely rolls. I love it! 

 

This shirt is actually created out of three different panels, each with their own thickness and stretchiness. I have a long torso, and it can be pretty tough to find a shirt that actually fits my bosom the way it is supposed to — most shirts ride up on me. The CozyBelly tank stretches and works just how I want it to. The bottom panel ensures that the shirt won’t ride up. I love that feature! Especially right now I feel like I am constantly pulling down the rest of my shirts.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect pregnancy tank, this is it. Wear it alone or layered. I think it might remain a staple in my closet long after this baby is born!

More at http://www.cozybelly.com 

Water Park of America: worth the price

If you’re looking for a thrill, check out the Family Raft Ride at Water Park of America. And the good news is you can bring the whole family on it, young to old. During a recent visit, we assumed that my 3-year-old wouldn’t be able to go on any of the waterslides outside the Fort Snelling Kids area. We were happy to learn that even kids under 48 inches can go on every water slide — from the body slides (which I would never send my 3-year-old down alone) to the tube slides to the phenomenal 10-story-tall Family Raft Ride. The wee ones just need to be accompanied by an adult. Hey, it is so much fun I hauled by 8-month-pregnant self up the 10 flights of stairs twice! (I confess, I did wish for an elevator the entire hike.)

This promotional photo shows how much fun the Family Raft Ride is. The tube flies down 10 flights of stairs, dashing in and out of the building as it goes, flinging riders up on the sides and splashing them. It's quite the thrill.

We have been to a fair amount of indoor and outdoor water parks. (Click here for a reviews). Many I’ve disliked because they don’t actually offer much for little kids. Chaos Water Park in Eau Claire was the worst; there was one tiny slide for toddlers. There was plenty at the Water Park of America to keep all of us busy for the day: two hot tubs; a long, lazy river that cut through the wave pool; the Fort Snelling Zero Depth Activity area; an activity pool with basketball hoops; and the aforementioned body/tube/raft slides. During the safety breaks, we headed over to the Cascade Falls Flowrider® to watch the staff exhibit their surfboarding skills.

My toddler loved the Fort Snelling Zero Depth entry area with its three large water slides, bucket, fountains and numerous splash zones. The water slides were large enough that adults could slide down, although you couldn't ride down with your kid.

Whosh! All I could see of my husband when he arrived at the bottom was his foot sticking up. We spotted teenagers going down these medium-sized slides, as well. For those who don't want to send their wee toddlers down alone, there are smaller, open slides.

Many water parks annoy me with (what I deem to be) ridiculous rules. I don’t feed my toddler greasy or sugary foods, so I’m not going to frequent concession stands. I want to bring in my own snacks and not be hassled. Although there’s officially a no-outside-food policy at the Water Park of America, no one yelled at us when we ate our own fruit and protein bars. Nor did we have to work around other strange and annoying rules regarding the use of tubes. At Bunker Beach in Coon Rapids, I have to use a double tube to go around the lazy river with my toddler, even though she’s in my lap; the result is an exceptionally uncomfortable ride because with that front spot empty the whole tube is off-kilter. All in all, the staff at the Water Park of America were pretty laid back. That was such a nice experience for a change. Maybe it was because we were there on a Friday before 5 p.m.?

The lazy river was relaxing without being too slow; we stayed on for several trips and just hung out.

The lazy river ran through the wave pool, which was occasionally turned off. It was a bit tough to stay in the "river" and not get caught up in the waves, but they were fun.

Kids were allowed in the hot tub (like you could keep them out). My daughter loves the warm water and could hang out in a hot tub all day. I make sure she doesn't overheat, of course.

The one thing that was obnoxious was the locker room situation. Apparently, the park designers didn’t actually expect many non-hotel guests to use the water park. I have never seen a locker room more poorly designed. To get to the toilets, you have to walk either through the shower area or a narrow hallway outside the tiny changing rooms; you have to walk back through that area to get to the sinks. The sink area is across from the lockers, and there’s almost no space to change to get ready. So, we used the one available family locker room, hidden near the entrance. It wasn’t much better, although there was at least enough space to manuever. The shower head didn’t work at all, and there were no benches or hooks so the only space for our bags and clothes was the wet floor. I really wanted a shower before I left; my skin had been itching since I first got wet. Understandably, they use a lot of chlorine.

Tickets range from $19.95 to $39.95 for a full day, with the average being $29.95. Half-day prices range from $14.95 to $34.95. Thursday and Sundays are cheapest. The waterpark is closed Monday to Wednesday, and is only open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

Someday when my daughter is older, I’d love to get a room and hang out on the overlooking balcony all day while she splashes around with a friend.

We got two lockers to fit all of our stuff. They were tiny. Each cost $6, and were the type with keys so you could get in and out of them all day.

IF YOU GO

- Bring your own beach towel. The ones provided are tiny and coarse, although they will do if you don’t have anything else.

- Lockers are $6 each, and they are really small. We got two for the three of us (shoes, coats, swim bags, snacks, water). They only accept credit cards for the lockers.

- Kids 11 months and under are free.

- Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult age 18 years or older while visiting the water park. Children age 13-17 may enter the park without an adult, but must have the Assumption of Risk Waiver signed by an adult who is 18 years of age or older prior to entering the park.

- Bring a life jacket if your little one/s can’t swim. The water is deep enough and the lazy river fast enough that a life jacket will provide peace of mind. There are some available for free at the park.

- Complimentary wireless internet is available throughout the Radisson Hotel and water park.

- Strollers aren’t allowed inside.

- Expect to be slightly inconvenienced if you don’t actually stay at the waterpark hotel. The locker rooms are poorly designed, and not everything works.

WATER PARK OF AMERICA

1700 American Boulevard East  Bloomington, MN 55425

(952) 229-5753

www.waterparkofamerica.com

Lifetime Fitness: anti-family fitness center?

 Although you’d expect a large fitness center like Lifetime Fitness to be pro-family, the opposite sure seems to be true. Sure, the facilities have childcare centers but that’s because they operate under the assumption that children should be kept away from the grown-ups. For a place that advocates for fitness, Lifetime Fitness offers very little for kids, and almost nothing for young children.

The Coon Rapids Lifetime has the largest and tallest indoor play maze, but you can't play in it until you are three or older. My daughter was one week from her birthday and they turned her away. Other play mazes are open only when there is enough staff and are often closed abruptly when the staff to child ratio changes.

On weekends, when the child care center is packed, they often spread out into other rooms. In Eagen, they open up this inflatable jumping toy for kids.

Pregnant with my second child, I joined a few months ago. In the middle of winter, I certainly wasn’t getting any exercise but needed an opportunity for it. I planned to take advantage of the Lifetime pool as swimming is such a fantastic, low-impact activity for preggos. I knew it would not only be good for me, but also my 3-year-old daughter. I looked forward to being able to do something active with her. 

The problem we’ve run into is that the various Lifetime Fitnesses in the Twin Cities area offer few family swim hours during the day. Instead, they offer adult-only open swim slots. With a young child, I can’t make it to family swim hours in the afternoons or evenings.  She takes an afternoon nap. When she wakes we eat dinner, and not too long after that, she goes down for the night. That’s life with a small child. 

There are a number of Lifetime Fitnesses in the Twin Cities area, but none with a pool close to our home in southeast Minneapolis. There is a pool at the Target Center downtown but parking is a chore and the water is very chilly. Regretably, the Highland Park location is super close, but has no pool. So, we have to drive out to a suburb: Plymouth, Eagen, Bloomington, Fridley or Woodbury.  Each excursion takes 3 hours, minimum. It’s rather inconvenient and means that we spend plenty of time in the car to get our swimming in.That also affects when we head out, as I’m not going to join the rush hour crowd to get to a pool.

Several of the Lifetime Fitness locations have both a lap pool and a zero-depth entry pool with waterslides and splash features, including Plymouth. However, weekday hours are limited, and the waterslides are only open in the evenings and weekends.

These are the two pools in Lakeville. As with Plymouth and Maple Grove, there are some fun features in the leisure pool, but the hours are quite limited and difficult to take advantage of when you need to get your kids into bed at night.

Each Lifetime Fitness has its own rules and hours, which can be rather confusing. I pay more to be able to go to any Lifetime Fitness location, but the various rules and hours are tough to keep track of. The folks at Bloomington South are always friendly, both the fellow swimmers and staff members, and don’t mind sharing a lap lane during the adult swim hours with a mom and child. However, Eagen strictly forbides it, even when the pool isn’t occupied by others, and they don’t hesitate to kick you out despite having an otherwise empty pool.

Lifetime Fitness offers great programs for adults, but seem to think kids only belong in the childcare center, being inactive. Many of the facilities throughout the Twin Cities have been built in partnerships with cities, such as this location in Lakeville.

I know other (homeschool) moms who are members at Lifetime who want to get exercise for both themselves and their children. They’ve got older kids, around 10. They’re not allowed to use the exercise equipment until they are 12 at Lifetime. That leaves the pool (and the hours for swimming are pretty limited), or the child care center. While it is a great deal at only $5 a month for childcare, the kids aren’t getting any exercise in there. For older kids the only option is to sit at a computer; although some facilities have a play maze (such as Coon Rapids), Lifetime often doesn’t have the staff to keep it open. For those times when the kids are scheduled to hit the gym, adult activities take precendence, and often the kids end up back in the childcare center, being inactive. 

How are we going to raise kids who value staying active and incorporate physical activity into their daily lives if we don’t give them the opportunity to do so at a exercise facility?

I’m curious to hear about other people’s experiences with various fitness centers. How does it work for you? What do you think of the YMCA? LA Fitness? Etc.?