Aahhh, it's finally here: Summer! Skies are blue, temperatures
are balmy, and the tomato plants are growing like crazy. If you're like
me, Summer is your favorite time of the year. It's a time to slow down
and really enjoy life.
This newsletter is full of ideas to help you get more
out of your Summer. As ever, it is our goal to provide useful
information and tips to help you keep your life in balance, and to be
on call for you when you need help.
With watermelon wishes and dreams of lazy days,
Ellen Lovelace, Founder and President
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June Calendar
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14 Flag Day
Flag Day started as a grass-roots movement in New York
and Pennsylvania in the late 1800s to display the flag on June 14, the
date of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes in 1777. In 1949,
President Truman made it official with an Act of Congress. Be sure to
display the flag proudly this year and take a moment to ponder what
this symbol of freedom means to you.
15 Father's Day
Father's Day is always observed on the 3rd Sunday in
June. It was started by a woman who was raised by her father, and who
decided there should be a day to celebrate Dads. In 1924, President
Coolidge proclaimed it a national celebration. Let your Dad know how
much he means to you this year. QCS can be sure he has the perfect gift
waiting for him on his special day.
21 Summer Solstice
In the northern hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is the
day of the year with the most daylight hours, marking the first day of
the season of Summer. In civilizations both ancient and modern, there
are many festivals and celebrations around this day. Why not plan your
own solstice celebration this year? There's simply no better day to get
outside and enjoy all that Summer has to offer.
Have other dates this month that are important to you:
birthdays, anniversaries, etc.? Visit our
Forget Me Not page on our website to
learn how QCS can make sure no important date ever goes forgotten
again.
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Warm Weather
Water Safety
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As the weather gets warmer, we naturally look to a body
of water for relief. Whether you are headed to the beach, lake or
pool, there are several safety tips to keep in mind. A bit of
precaution can save a life.
Stay sober:
First and foremost, water and alcohol don't mix. Whether you're
boating or swimming, even the slightest quantity of alcohol can
impair judgment, coordination, and balance. The life you take may
not be your own.
Learn to Swim!
The best thing you can do to stay safe near the water is to learn to
swim. To enroll in a swim course, you can contact your local Red
Cross Chapter. Wear a US Coast Guard approved personal floatation
device around water if you're inexperienced. Always have a buddy
nearby: don't even wade in the ocean without someone else who knows how
to swim.
Know your
surrounding area. Before entering the water, look
around for shallow spots, deep spots, obstructions such as seaweed or
tree trunks. Determine entry and exit points.
Knowing these facts can really save you should trouble arise.
Always enter the water FEET
FIRST, even if you think you know the depth.
Watch children
at ALL times. They should always wear a personal
floatation device (PFD) that fits properly. Even with a PFD on,
never leave a child unattended, even for a moment.
We wish you a summer filled with fun times and safe celebrations!
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Kids Bored
Already?
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School's out:
are the kids bored yet? Fact is, after the final bell rings and they
are finally free to stay up late, sleep in, and play with friends until
the sun goes down, it's usually only a matter of 2 weeks before they
start complaining of being BORED!
Here are a few
summertime activities sure to "break the cycle" of the same
old vacation.
Outdoor
Scavenger Hunt
Take the day to visit the woods or go to the lake/beach. Pick
a place you haven't been before to make it more interesting. Before you
leave, fill up a page with things to look for.
In the woods, things like:
Blue Jay
Deer
Squirrel
Woodpecker
Redwood Tree
Ferns
Poison Oak
Try having prizes for whoever finds the first thing, most things
fastest, etc.
Backyard
Camping
Pitch the tent, light a fire in the BBQ, roast hot dogs on coat hangers
and make s'mores all in your own backyard. What fun the kids will have
with this one. No need to load the car and buy gas to get to that
overcrowded campground.
Homemade Day
Camp
Round up a few of your kid's friends and their parents, and choose some
favorite locations: zoo, beach, amusement park, museum, & movie theatre.
Each parent picks one day of the week to take the group to a chosen
destination.
It's a week filled with activity and fun and you are only responsible
for one day!
Take some time to be a little creative, ask your kids for input, and
sit in front of your calendar to schedule some fun activities for the
summer. Before you know it, school will be back in session and
they will have had a summer to remember!
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Tips from our Concierges
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This month our
concierges have some creative and inexpensive ideas for letting Dad
know just how much he means to you and the little ones this Fathers'
Day (June 15).
Give Dad a gift for the office: a
digital picture frame loaded with family photos. Include a
picture with the kids holding up signs that say "Happy Fathers
Day" and "We Love Dad" for that special
touch.
Have fun on
Fathers Day: have a family contest to see who can do
the most chores for Dad.
--Fix him his favorite breakfast (5 points)
--Mow the lawn (front 5 points, back 5 points
--Wash his
car, inside and out (5 points for the exterior, 2 for the
interior)
--Bring him snacks and beverages as he sits in front of the TV (2
points per snack)
--If your
family is really into it, clean out the garage! (20 points)
The winner can get out of their chores for the following week, or
perhaps gets to go to the movies with Dad.
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