Quarantine Quality Time | Issue 14 | July 6, 2020
Staying Connected and Staying Sane With This Side UP! Family
Hello again, friends. We hope you are still hanging in there with the latest developments with COVID-19. Here in Texas, it feels like we’re moving backwards. Independence Day definitely felt different this year with no big community celebrations and limited gatherings as well as all the unrest and turmoil going on. One thing we can celebrate is the fact that our history is not over and we continue to have the chance to learn and grow and do better as people and as a country. It looks like “quarantine” will be continuing for a while so we will continue to meet you here every other week this summer to try to provide some resources and ideas for you as you stay safe at home!
Something to Do:
As we mentioned last time, This Side UP! Family is in the midst of our Duck Race and Duck Fest. It looks pretty different this year since we won’t be doing our usual in person duck race and pool party but we have a fun FREE idea for the whole family to get creative together and get a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local Plano business to create more family fun! We invite you to enter our first annual Decorate Your Duck Contest!
Click here to download and print your family’s duck portrait
As a family, decorate your duck with items you find around your house and give your duck a name.
Snap a photo of your duck portrait and email it to info@thissideupfamily.org no later than July 15, 2020. Make sure to include your family’s name!
From July 16-30- send your friends and family to our Facebook page to vote for your duck portrait.
There will be 3 categories- Critics Choice (judged by TSUF Board Members) People’s Choice (the most likes/comments in Facebook Album) and Participation (a drawing of every family who enters— You get an extra entry in this category if you share your duck portrait photo on Instagram of Facebook, tag us @thissideupfamily on Facebook or @thissideupfamilytx on Instagram and use #tsufduckrace2020)
One winning family in each category will win a $50 gift card to a local Plano Business generously sponsored by Sarah Morris, Realtor!
Here are our Duck Portrait Examples!
Something to Make:
Summer calls for citrus flavored things and this is my family’s very favorite summer dessert. Because I love you, I am sharing it with you today!
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl, combine the following:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 LARGE package lemon instant pudding
4 tablespoons poppy seeds
Add 1 cup water
1/2 Cup liquid corn oil
Add 4 eggs ~ 1 at a time, beating well after each addition
Pour batter into well greased and floured bundt pan.
Bake at 350* for 45 minutes.
IMPORTANT: Cool exactly 15 minutes in pan before trying to remove.
You can drizzle a simple sugar glaze or dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy but it is delicious without either of those!
Something to Discuss:
Since summer is in full swing, lots of families are spending more time in and around the water. Now would be a great time to refresh your family water safety rules!
Know Before You Go is a great resource for water safety and FREE swim lessons for qualifying families. It takes less than 1 minute for a drowning to take place so it’s important to talk about and plan for water safety. Visit the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’s Water Safety Page and take the Family Water Safety Pledge!
Never swim alone.
Supervise your children whenever they’re in water. Download a Water Watcher Tag as a helpful reminder.
Wear a Life Jacket. Inexperienced, non-swimmers and kids should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Know your (and your kids) swim capabilities. Swim lessons give every person the skills needed to be safe around water.
Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.
Enroll your children in water safety or swim lessons. Just like teaching your children to look both ways before they cross the street, having them participate in formal water safety lessons teaches them an important life skill. The Y’s swim lesson program teach children fundamental water safety skills and what to do if they find themselves in water unexpectedly.
Something to Give:
Visit our website to see all the ways your family can get involved in supporting TSUF’s 9th Annual Duck Race to support all the free family strengthening programs we provide year-round.
Even though it seems like summer just started, back to school is right around the corner. While it is true that school might look a little different this year, that does not change the fact that many families are not able to purchase all the supplies kids need to start the school year. Consider making a donation to the Plano Education Foundation or shopping for school supplies on their Amazon wish list.
As always, let us know what you think, offer suggestions, or ask for help by emailing us at info@thissideupfamily.org . Tag us on social media if you try any of our ideas! See you next time!