It isn’t a surprise that PCS season is a stressful time for military families. While the stress increases and the ability to take personal time or breaks dwindles, it’s time to take the stress breaks how you can get them. One of those ways is through music. According to medical studies, music has the added benefit of lowering stress. So, while you are unpacking your boxes, and suitcases and rearranging your lives, blast these songs and sing aloud.

Bridgerton Soundtrack – Now don’t start watching the show because that will easily become a distraction, but the music is pleasant. The genre is classical meaning you won’t be singing out, but you will be able to hear children or the other adult in the house while unpacking if they found the coveted towels. Don’t forget to check out the Bridgerton covers – these are classic renditions of popular songs, and you might just be surprised by how much that song you didn’t enjoy previously sounds so much better.

Hawaiian Tunes – Who wouldn’t rather be on vacation in Hawaii on the beach with a sea breeze blowing through your hair. Choosing the sound of waves over the sound of tape coming off boxes may not be an option if you are unpacking from a PCS, but you sure as heck can pretend by listening to some island melodies.

Calypso – Well, if you can’t be on a tropical island, perhaps you can pretend you are on a cruise. All those boxes you are unpacking are souvenirs from your suitcase…okay, maybe not 100 times over, but this music is sure to boost your mood while unpacking. Feel free to dance along while you wrap and pack or label all the boxes.

Top Gun Soundtrack – The original, cannot comment on the new movie or if there will be one. The mix of ballads and power songs will boost morale, and, depending on your age, will bring up fun memories. Just remember not to play volleyball with the box of kitchenware – that’s breakable.

80s Rock – Even if you aren’t an 80s kid, chances are you have heard at least a few of these songs. They are great songs to belt out stress to. With classics like Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust (hopefully that isn’t a comment on your kitchen glassware) and Guns N’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine, you can’t go wrong.

Power Ballads – When you get to the end of packing hours or just need the motivation to get started, it’s time for some power ballads. Hootie and the Blowfish’s Let Her Cry, Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, and Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything for Love may feel pretty real as you unpack your home for the first or fourteenth time because the military gave your family order. Feel free to grab a spoon or hairbrush and sing along.

Your Favorite Movie Soundtrack – Maybe Top Gun isn’t your thing. Maybe you prefer the music of the swashbuckling genre, wizarding type, or more of the animated type that will make you giggle through the boxes. Choose your favorite movie, and it is sure to make at least 30 minutes of unpacking go smoothly and boost your mood as you decide where those books will go.

Your Favorite TV Show Soundtrack – Now, most shows don’t necessarily have a soundtrack, but some do. And if you enjoy British television, then check out their soundtracks. Often, the melodious tunes are played by an orchestra, adding an element of elegance to their songs. Shows like Downton Abbey, The Crown, Mad Men, Poldark, and Doctor Who have excellent soundtracks.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow – The ultimate, it will get better son is an excellent song by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. It is relaxing and happy. Kermit the Frog also makes an excellent version, and if you want to listen to renditions of this song all day, we won’t blame you.

Organizing, packing up, and labeling your belongings is a busy and stressful time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little enjoyment to it with an amazing playlist.

What does Memorial Day mean to you? According to History.com, Memorial Day was originally Decoration Day, which sprung from the Civil War as a way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during that diving war. Memorial Day became an official holiday in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act designating Memorial Day as the last Monday in May and creating a three-day federal weekend in honor of it. Memorial Day became official in 1971. What Memorial Day is today is altogether different with sales ads in the mail, in the stores, on your social media.

We honor Memorial Day in two ways – to honor and celebrate those lives sacrificed.

In Honor Of

As we have moved around the world during my husband’s military career, we haven’t had a consistent place we honor those who have fallen. When we lived near Washington D.C., we would take our family up to the memorials to reflect on the past –  World War I, World War II, Vietnam. We recently went to the exhibit about September 11, 2001 and its impact on the military at the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico, Virginia. You don’t have to live near D.C. to honor the fallen. There are memorials worldwide, literally, where families can visit and reflect and honor the fallen.

If you are looking for a burial site near you, check out the American Battle Monuments Commission website.  There are memorials around the World from, Belgium to the U.S. special cemeteries are occurring at the ABMC sites for Memorial Day, check out their scheduled ceremonies here.

Normandy France

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer is where around 9,388 service members are buried after the invasion of Normandy in World War II. Those living in Europe can visit the historic site to reflect on the history of the place and the lost lives to change the trajectory of World War II.

Washington DC

As the capital of the United States, Washington DC is host to many museums and memorials. World War I Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial welcome veterans and visitors alike around Memorial Day. Arlington National Cemetery also is open to visitors.

If you are not living near a cemetery where someone you know is there, you can ask the local cemetery if they are doing anything in honor of Memorial Day. We have lived in many places where the local cemetery puts out small flags in honor of those who served, and you can help with that. It’s celebrating someone who may not have family nearby or someone who has no more living relatives.

In Celebration Of

Honoring the fallen doesn’t just happen at the graveside. If your fallen friends are not near where you can visit-remember the poem, they are not there….

It’s okay to have a barbeque. When veterans talk about their fallen friends, they reflect on the positive things that person did in their life for them. They review their impact on the people around them. Those people likely enjoyed a BBQ or two, and they would want you to. Memorial Day can be a time to try new recipes and gather with loved ones. The hope is that you remember the fallen as you enjoy a barbeque with friends and family. Reflect on the sentiment of remembering the fallen.

The reality is that America would not be what it is today without the wars that shaped us – the Revolutionary War that founded us, the Civil War shaped us, the World Wars that brought us into a new century and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedoms – the war that many know personally. It is only fitting to gather with family and friends and celebrate what those battles brought us – freedom. Freedom is not free. And that is why we honor and celebrate Memorial Day.

Packing up your belongings as you prepare to move is a process. It can be emotional, physically demanding and not a simple process. If you are joining the DITY/PPM movement, you are getting to ready to pack up your home. If you are doing it this moving season, or looking at it next season, get ready and organize your pack out in one of these four ways.

Organize By Room

This one is the simplest way to organize your pack out and typically how traditional movers pack up homes- packing up by room.  That is, all the living room items get packed together and all the kitchen items get packed together. This makes it easy to know where to put things in your new home and to find things when you are searching for them on the other end.

The downside with this process is that you can’t typically pack early on. You have to pack as you finish up using rooms. So maybe this would work if you have an extra bedroom that isn’t being used, but typically a family is using the kitchen until the last moment.

Organize By Season

This packing organization takes some planning ahead, usually a year in advance. Packing by season is just that- getting all the winter gear together, all spring items together, etc. As the fall season ends, you go through your items – decorations, costumes, seasonally appropriate clothing, etc. You pack up the items to determine what makes the next move and store them in the appropriate bins or boxes.

All hiking gear for the spring gets organized and packed together. All the winter boots and snow gear get packed together.

This is especially fun if you get color-coded bins. Red and green for the holidays, black for Halloween/fall, pastel for spring. This makes items easily visible when glancing around the room.

This makes it easy to find seasonally appropriate items. If you are moving to Hawaii but still want to keep some winter gear, you can easily identify it and make sure to put it in storage because that snowsuit will not be useful there.

Organize by Item Type

Are you a collector of books? Or maybe you are a coffee mug person. Pack up like items together. All those cookbooks go in one box together. All the books get sorted into bins or boxes. If you are sorting your items, this is especially helpful as you can sort and find what you want to donate or keep as you do it.

This one may be tricky as you get to smaller groups of items, but this may also help you organize or purge items that you may not necessarily need.

Organize By Person

Want to make it easier to find the baby’s clothes or where you put your favorite book? Pack and organize items by person. You can go the extra mile in getting a certain color bin or label for each person, so you know who has each box or bin.

If there are older children or just adults in the home, you can even have each person pack their own belongings. This allows the person to go through their items to determine what needs to be packed and what can be donated.

If you have young children, packing this way allows you to go through items slowly and determine what you need to pack and move with. If your last baby no longer fits the 6-month-old clothing, maybe it is time to pick out sentimental items and donate or sell the rest.

The tricky part comes in common spaces like the kitchen or living room where there may be overlap between people. This may lead to another box or label type for those common areas.

Packing up your belongings can be made simpler with organization. How will you organize your move?

Getting overseas orders, or OCONUS can bring about emotions of a wide array – from elated and excited to dreading and sad. It is true, moving overseas comes with its own variety of stressors, on top of moving which is stressful in itself. Be prepared with this list to make sure you are ready to go.

1. Medical Clearance: This is key. Medical clearance is required for every family member who would be moving to an overseas location. Some military bases OCONUS have small clinics or hospitals that do not have every medical specialty. The screening ensures that those individuals who need specialized care or medication that requires that they stay CONUS. The screening also identifies if there are any outstanding vaccinations that family members need prior to travel. Once the medical screening is complete state-side, it is sent to the medical clearance department at the gaining command OCONUS. Once area clearance is received, the orders can be completed with every family member who is moving overseas.
2. Pet Clearance: If you have pets, this can also take several months. Depending on which country you are going to, your pet may need vaccinations, namely Rabies, and rabies titers. If there is even a whisper of potentially overseas orders, highly recommend calling the base vet to find out what paperwork, blood work, vaccinations, and clearance your pet will need. Check out what is required for taking your pet overseas on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
3. Passports: When moving overseas, federal passports are provided for all family members on orders. These passports are “no fee,” meaning you do not pay for it. It also means that the passport can only be used when traveling on military orders. You cannot use the federal passport to travel across Europe or Asia when your family is living overseas-it is not a tourist passport. If the location you are moving to requires a visa, the Travel or Transportation Office will provide you with the required paperwork.
4. Flights: Do not expect to get the Patriot Express – the military airline that transports families overseas. The peak moving periods of the summer and December fill up quickly. There are limited pet spots for sending pets back and forth overseas as well.
5. Scheduling the Move: Here are a few terms you need to know – express shipment (aka unaccompanied baggage), household goods shipment (aka HHG), and storage. Depending on where you are moving to, you likely get at least two shipments – express and household goods. The express shipment or unaccompanied baggage is just that – baggage that goes ahead of when you leave with the intent of arriving soon after you arrive. The express shipment is limited on weight and is usually restricted to items like your kitchen items, cribs, cleaning items, etc. This is not the shipment for sending your tv, workout equipment, or a large bed. Each service branch has different regulations, so ask the office that schedules your move. The HHG shipment is for the rest of your home goods. The HHG shipment usually comes on the “slow boat,” meaning a freight boat. This shipment typically arrives several months after you arrive OCONUS, so plan accordingly. Don’t pack the uniform items you will need the month you arrive. Each service branch may have a weight limit that differs from moving within the continental United States, so make sure to ask.
6. Connect with your sponsor: Typically moving overseas means that there is a service member assigned as a sponsor. The sponsor can make hotel reservations and set up a mailbox for the incoming family. They do not pay for the hotel room, they may help with setting things up because of the time difference. They are often the people who pick up the military family from the airport since the incoming family does not likely have an international driver’s license. Ask this person any logistical questions you can.
7. Shipping a POV: Some duty stations allow you to ship privately owned vehicles (POV), and the transportation office should be able to provide this guidance. If they do not allow POVs to be shipped, you will need to buy local cars upon arrival.
8. Sell or Store a POV: If you are not bringing your vehicle overseas, the choice is to sell your current vehicle or store it. If you store it through the government, the car should be started periodically. You could also store it with family or allow a friend to borrow it – but make sure you are clear with expectations for car use and maintenance. If you choose to sell your vehicle, make sure to get offers from a dealership and places that buy used cars to resell.  

Tackling the logistical side of moving overseas will help you and your family embrace and enjoy the change. It does take a bit of planning to help an overseas move go smoothly, and knowing what you need as soon as you can will help you get there!

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) has replaced the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) as of April 1, 2022. The testing of the new test was completed this year and is now the accepted fitness test for the Army. The idea behind this change is to improve individual and unit readiness, enhance stamina and change the fitness culture within the U.S. Army. In addition, the combat fitness test has been modified in a way to reduce preventable injuries which in turn will help with soldier attrition.

The ACFT was made of six events: 3 repetition maximum deadlift (MDL), standing power throw (SPT), hand release push-up – arm extension (HRP), spring-drag-carry (SDC), leg tuck (LTK), and 2-mile run (2MR).

The MDL was designed to work on and develop muscular strength, balance, and flexibility.  The equipment used is a 60-pound hex bar and plates.  A minimum of 140 pounds is required for a score of 60 and a maximum of 340 pounds is listed for a score of 100. This exercise was chosen to work on the skills of lifting and moving heavy loads from the ground and extracting a casualty if needed.

The SPT event is completed by throwing a 10-pound medicine ball backward and overhead for a distance.  The minimum requirement is 4.5 meters is required for a score of 60 and the max is 12.5 meters for a score of 100. The exercise is working on explosive power, balance, and flexibility

The HRP is to complete as many push-ups as possible in a two-minute period to work on muscular endurance. The muscles utilized with HRP are used to move obstacles, push away opponents when in hand-to-hand combat, execute evasion maneuvers, and push disabled vehicles. The minimum is 10 for a score of 60 and the maximum is 60 for a score of 100 points.

The SDC is a test of strength, endurance, and anaerobic capacity by completing 5 x 50-meter shuttles for a time period. A 90-pound sled or 2 40-pound kettlebells are used. The SDC uses and builds muscles needed to extract a casualty from a vehicle, getting to fighting positions and reacting as needed. A minimum score of 60 is achieved if the exercises are completed in 3:00 minutes. The maximum score of 100 points is achieved if the exercises are completed in 1:33 minutes.

The LTK core exercise is to complete as many left tucks as possible to build strength and endurance allowing for climbing walls and obstacles and rope climbing. The minimum is 1 rep or a 2:09 plank hold for a score of 60. A maximum of 20 reps or 4:20 plank hold for a score of 100 points.

The 2MR is completed on a generally flat outdoor course to test and build aerobic endurance. Running is necessary for marching, running or any movement required as part of the training or tasks at hand. The minimum is 21:00 minutes will gain a score of 60 points and the maximum is 13:30 minutes for a score of 100 points.

Details on specific lifting techniques and which muscle groups are used with each exercise are located on the Army ACFT website.

It’s the most chaotic time of the year….(sang to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”).

PCS season is here. When the orders start rolling in, it is time to start planning out the move. Packing up your home can be daunting. You may want to let the professionals do it, but sometimes the government procured movers aren’t actually moving professionals but college students on summer break and learning how to pack themselves. Whether you are planning to move with a PPM (personally procured moved, formerly DITY) or a government procured move, get organized with these packing tips.

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare. We have heard the old adage of location, location, location for real estate, but preparation for a move is key. Getting everything organized, thinned out and ready to go is key for establishing a smooth process and getting the most out of your PCS.
2. Cull. Part of preparation is going through and culling. Not just Marie Kondo style, wholesale – clothes your kids have grown out of, outdoor toys that you don’t know if they will fit in the new yard, snow gear if you are moving to Hawaii, and books that no one has read in the last three years can all go. Every little bit helps, if you cull “extra” items, you won’t have to pack them. Many places accept donations both on and off-post – consider dropping them off at the on-base thrift stores for other families to enjoy or
3. Shred. This goes along with cull, but shredding paperwork or old bills that you do not need to move means you are saving space and thinning out unnecessary items.  If you don’t have the time to do it, check for local shred events. Local shred events may charge a fee for a certain number of bags, but there may be a bag or two that are free. And if it saves you time, it may be worth the money.
4. Organize. Getting bins or bags for kids’ clothes and labeling them by size means they can be easily tossed into boxes and unpacked just as easily. Pack up seasonal items and label them as such. Bin up shoes for the different seasons. This makes unpacking that much simpler.
5. Make your own parts box. Whether you are moving or having the government procured movers pack you, make and designate your own parts box. Make sure it is a durable box that won’t accidentally go missing or have items fall out of it.
6. Pack a go-bag. Don’t forget to pack a bag for each person to have items after the house is packed. To avoid running out to the store to get a toothbrush or toothpaste for a member of your family, pull out items that you will need during the transition period between homes or while on travel.
7. Pack an “open this” box. Pack a box that is filled to the brim with essentials that you need the first week – toilet paper, shower curtain, kitchen items, towels, sheets – all items that allow you to move into the empty home and make it work while waiting for your household items. If you are moving to OCONUS, this can be a suitcase. If you are moving cross country this can be a bin you bring with you.
8. Reserve a “do not pack” area. Make this room a bathroom or small room so you can easily shut a door. This is a great visualization for everyone who is packing or preparing.
9. Set aside pro gear. Whether you are packing these items yourself or having the packers do it, make sure that pro gear is labeled and set aside. Pro gear are items that do not count toward your household goods and are items that you typically have for your job – equipment, field gear, or books for the service member and the spouse. There is a 2,000-pound limit for the service member and 500 pounds for the spouse.
10. Separate important papers. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports – all items that are not easily replaced are items you need to carry with you on a move and store in a secure place during the move process. This also includes medical records or sentimental items. Have one suitcase or bag for these items so you are always aware of where they are.
11. Make an inventory video. This may sound silly but walk around your house recording the items you own, including video of your appliances working with the current date. Including any model numbers in the video. This helps with replacement if necessary and is just good to have on hand.
12. Save, save, save. Moving is not cheap. While the military may pay for your move, it is still an expensive season replacing necessary items and general preparation. Saving as soon as you are able can help you be more prepared.

PCSing doesn’t seem to get easier with each move. You can get more prepared with more practice, or use this list to be expertly prepared for this PCS season. May the PCS gnome be kind to you and your family this season.

“Hey, babe…”

That phrase is known by military families everywhere. The “hey” phrase means that either orders have come – either to move or deploy. Deployments come with a variety of emotions. Like the stages of grief, there are stages of deployment. These emotions are normal and natural states of deployments for every family member.

Anger

Deployments don’t come at “good times.” There are birthdays, anniversaries, births, planned vacations, illnesses in family members. Units include thousands of individuals; it is not possible for every person to be accounted for in planning a deployment. Deployments happen to assist other countries in need, protect U.S. assets, and complete humanitarian missions – there are no planned or predictable timelines for them. It is normal to feel angry that deployment is occurring. Angry that the military member will miss events, angry that you may have to single parent.  As a military member, you can also feel angry about leaving.

Kids can get angry too. And they may not even know why they are feeling angry or be able to express it by saying “I am angry.” They may just act out, scream, or be angry at you for what feels like little things (the wrong color cup was used). Tell them how you feel and tell them you understand why they are angry and it is okay to talk about it.

Address the anger, determine if there is anything you can do to change the things you are angry about. If you are angry about missing a vacation, try to move that vacation to before deployment or plan a big vacation when you get back.

Sadness

Like anger, you may feel sad about the things that are missed during deployment and missing the service member during deployment. Sadness is a powerful emotion – it can leech into everyday activities. It can feel like even the simplest thing, washing dishes, pulling laundry is upsetting.

Children can cry over small things or cry when seeing pictures of military members. Like an adult, they feel the same emotions but aren’t always able to express them through words. When you are feeling the emotions of sadness, you can tell your child you are feeling that way too and want to talk about it. This may give them the opportunity to share how they feel as well. Teens may express sadness through both sadness and anger. Just like younger children, sharing how you feel may allow them to open up to talk about their emotions.

Overwhelmed

You just want the military member back to commiserate with, talk to or even help with the never-ending daily tasks. That feeling of being overwhelmed with everyday life is part of the cycle of emotions. You may want a break. For the adult family member left behind, consider hiring a babysitter to get alone time, or a cleaner once or twice a month for a mental health break from daily chores. These may seem like small things, but just having a little help or even adult time can reset the brain when feeling overwhelmed.

Children may not be able to express feeling overwhelmed. Younger and older children alike may act out when overwhelmed. Because they are acting out doesn’t necessarily mean they feel overwhelmed, but asking open-ended questions may help you get to the root cause.

Joy

When you are nearing the home stretch, the end of the deployment – the feeling of joy and excitement appear. It is a time to get excited about the military member’s impending return. The excitement of surviving and maybe thriving during deployment, the sense if relief, often accompanies the joy. It is a time to embrace the excitement – maybe make plans for post-deployment leave or plan for a few days to just be together. Don’t make too many plans without the military member’s involvement, coming home is exciting for them but it usually takes hours or days for them to travel home, and they will likely be exhausted. The military member may also not want to be around crowds for a while after a return, so going on vacation may be overwhelming post-deployment.

Apprehension

It is normal to be nervous or apprehensive about the returning military member’s return. It will take time for the family member to get back in the swing of things. New routines have likely been established since daily life like bills, laundry and activities had to be completed solo for the last several months. Family members may have changed as well. Children likely have grown and changed, and the adults may have changed interests as well. Make sure to discuss the feelings of joy and apprehension with the family members.

The key to these emotions is addressing what you can change and acknowledging what you cannot. There may be things you can’t change but addressing them can help the family member move forward. Children of all ages may not be able to express with words how they are feeling, but if you share with them how you are feeling they may also open up about how they are feeling.

When you are moving – whether moving door to door, across the country or around the world, there is planning that is required for all family members. This includes your furry family members. On moving day make sure to have a plan to keep them safe, happy, and calm.

Before Moving Day

Set aside pet food, leashes, kitty litter boxes so you have enough for the moving days. It isn’t always easy or simple to run to the store to get needed items when packers or there or you are trying to get the truck packed. Planning ahead and having these items helps keep the packing and moving process smooth.

Make a plan for your pet for moving day by having a safe space for them.

Moving Day

Kennel, Pet Daycare, or Neighbors

If your pet has a routine of being in their kennel for the day, they may do well being in their kennel while items are being packed. It is their safe space and routine, so putting your pet in the kennel may be the perfect way for your pet to hang out for the day.

Check with local pet daycares in the area for moving day. There is a variety of pet daycares, so ask neighbors who they recommend or have used personally so they can give advice. While they may be pricey, it doesn’t hurt to ask if they offer a military or multi-day discount. The daycares provide both a space for your pet and engage them in play throughout the day. This is perfect for high-energy pets who may be unable to get out their energy when they come home for the day because they have to clean, or just want to crash after a busy day.

If there is a neighbor who normally watches your pet when you are on vacation, asking them to watch your pet for moving day is a natural idea. Your pet knows them and will be comfortable with them while they are away from your home for moving day.

A Word About OCONUS moves

If your move includes a flight overseas, make sure to get the pet space ASAP. Get the medical clearance for your pet done as quickly as possible to make sure you can reserve a pet space on Patriot Express (military flights) or pay for a pet spot on the commercial airlines. When flying commercial, make sure there is a pet space for every flight to avoid hiccups at each stop. Also, always call the airlines weeks prior to arrival to ensure there are no restrictions on your pet’s breed for flying so you can make plans ahead of time instead of hurried plans a

Privatized military housing is now being inspected by all the military service branches. The Navy and the Marine Corps join the Army and Air Force by examining 100% of the PPV, or public-private venture, housing on military bases. The change to inspections was a listed requirement as part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

 The Marine Corps began inspections via an independent contractor on January 18, 2022. The Navy began inspections in the fall of 2021. The completion of inspections will be complete by October of 2022, the beginning of Fiscal Year 2023. Per a release by the Navy in the fall of 2021, the inspections are being conducted by Jacobs/HDR JV and each inspection would be signed off by a certified inspector.

The inspections include interior and exterior inspections with special attention to heating and cooling systems in addition to landscaping, equipment drainage, common areas, and building systems. Any concerns seen by the inspectors are to be reported to the military housing office and the housing management company. The reports include physical and operational assessments of the homes.  These inspections being added to the 2020 NDAA was in response to a Reuters series revealing concerns found in privatized housing. The Department of Defense then released a tenant bill of rights for service members and began the move to inspect homes. Inspection notices go to tenants two to three weeks prior to the scheduled inspection and then a reminder is sent 48 hours prior to the inspection.

The Army began inspections in January of 2021 with completion intended to be September 2021. The Air Force has not released an update on when inspections began or the goal of completion.

The results of the inspections are shared not just with the local base but will eventually be shared with the base commanders in addition to Congress.

Want to read more about the recommendations for inspections from the Government Accountability Office? Check out this 2020 release here.

If you live on a military installation, has your home been inspected?

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17^th and brings with it a flurry of green and rainbow decorations in addition to edible-colored snacks. If you are looking for some fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your kids this month, look no further.

Recipes

Rainbow Donuts

This one is perfect for those not looking to do any baking or preparation. All you need are colored sprinkles of the rainbow, white frosting, coconut shreds, and prepared donuts. Cut the donuts in half so they are semi-circles. Cover in white frosting and place springs in the ROY G BIV color array making a rainbow. At the end of the rainbows, add extra frosting and coconut shreds for “clouds.” If you have coconut shreds on hand and food coloring, you can make your own “sprinkles” of various colors and decorate the entire donut in coconut shreds.

Leprechaun Hat S’mores

If you have Oreos, marshmallows, and melting chocolate on hand – this recipe is for you. Melt chocolate and cover the oreo and marshmallow with it. Put the chocolate-covered marshmallow on top of the chocolate-covered oreo while we allow cooling. You now have a top hat. Decorate with green frosting or roll the cookie in green sprinkles for a festive green rim that any leprechaun would be sure to wear.

Lucky Pancakes

Add green food coloring to pancake mix to make it extra festive. Top with marshmallows from the Lucky Charms cereal and viola – a breakfast worthy of the leprechauns.

Lucky Krispies

Speaking of marshmallows from the Lucky Charms cereal, toss the mallows in with melted marshmallows and rice krispies with green food coloring and you have another sweet treat for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Green Yogurt Parfaits

Add green food coloring to yogurt and layer it with granola for a breakfast parfait. Want to make a layered dessert? Layer brownies and pudding colored with green and topped with whipped cream and green sprinkles.

Rainbow Cake

Looking for a ‘gram-worthy cake and have some leftover M&Ms? Make a two tired cake and cover with frosting. Separate the colors and do one color in a line at a time. The beauty is it can be any cake flavor you want.

Activities

Leprechaun Masks

Cut out a circle from the inside of a paper plate and paint or color it orange. Then add a cut out of a top hat and you’ve got a leprechaun mask. Just add green clothing for an entire outfit!

Shamrock Suncatchers

Cut out a shamrock out of green construction paper and cut the inner shape for an outline of a shamrock. Cut out clear contact paper of the same size and add it to the shape. Inside the contact paper line cut up tissue paper and tape the design to the window. It will catch the luck of the Irish and the colors of the sun.

Rainbow Banner

Construction paper in strips and a white construction piece of paper in the shape of a cloud make a rainbow decoration to add a pop of color to the wall.

Shamrock Wands

Cut out a shamrock shape and glue it to the end of a popsicle stick. Add ribbons for an extra fun flare, and glue on glitter onto the shamrock if you desire. Beware the glitter will get everywhere.

Virtual Offerings

Check to see if a local dance studio will be offering virtual Irish step dancing lessons. Or perhaps there will be a virtual offering of a St. Patrick’s Day parade. This is a fun way to participate no matter where you live or are doing throughout the day. Maybe even check out a language learning application to learn some Gaelic in honor of the special day.

St. Patrick’s Day has a long tradition and various ways of celebration.  Learn some of the history and the language in celebration of the day. How will you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year?