Pinellas Kids Back in School Jan. 7

Are your kids going stir crazy now that they've been out of school for a while? Largo Patch is here to help!

In case you're wondering when your kiddos will be heading back to school after winter break, classes are back in session at Pinellas County Schools on Monday, Jan. 7. Are your kids going stir crazy, now that they've been out of school for a while? No worries, Largo Patch is here to help!  Sorry, we can't babysit. But, we do have some ideas plucked from the Largo (and nearby) Patch Directories.- Want the news delivered to your email box every morning? Subscribe to the Largo Patch newsletter. It's free and we don't give out your email address. Sign up here.

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FDA Warning: Kids Hospitalized After Swallowing Small Amounts of Nasal Spray or Eye Drops

The FDA wants parents to know that some common products in your medicine cabinet could make your child sick if small amounts are swallowed.

The FDA is warning the public that young children can become seriously ill if they swallow over-the-counter eye drops and nasal decongestant sprays.  There have been cases in which children age 5 and younger have been hospitalized after ingesting these products, a small amount of which could make them very sick.  The products are sold under various brand names, such as Visine, Dristan and Mucinex, as well as in generic and store brands. Risk: These products are safe when used in the eyes and nose as directed. However, when swallowed, their active ingredients—tetrahydrozoline, oxymetazoline, or naphazoline—can have effects that include nausea, lethargy, decreased respiration and even a coma. No deaths have been reported. Most of these …

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Things To Do In Largo & Around Pinellas

5 Things to Do This Weekend: July 27-29

Here are our picks for fun things to do this weekend in Largo. Have an idea of your own? Share it in the comments!

1. Zombies 50th Anniversary. The Zombies, featuring Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, will play live at the Largo Cultural Center this weekend. 2. Splash's Treasure Hunt. Adventure awaits at Splash's Treasure Hunt this weekend. Kids can enjoy fun treasure hunts as well as swim lessons and free food. 3. Book Festival. Everyone is invited to browse and purchase new and gently used items at the Belleair Book Festival this weekend. 4. Rain Harvesting Workshop. Learn how to make and set up a rain barrel to collect rain water from your roof this weekend. 5. Dunedin Blue Jays Chili Cookoff. Join The Dunedin Blue Jays as they host the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Proceeds from the Chili Tasting will benefit RCS Food Bank.

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Armed Forces History Museum's Touch-A-Truck Educates Visitors on World War II

See, hear and touch military history Saturday at the Armed Forces History Museum.

The Armed Forces History Museum hosts a series of Touch-A-Truck with World War II re-enactments as a part of its Sizzling Summer promotion. At a recent event Patch had a chance to check it out and chat with the First Infantry Reenactment Group. The non-profit group includes amateur World War II historians and enthusiasts as well as veterans who want to continue sharing their experiences.  The group hosted the re-enactments at the event. Some of the weapons displayed were the semi-automatic pistol, M1A1 rocket launcher, and a M-19 replica, which were dominant American weapons from 1942-1945. The infantry explained the weapons and demonstrated vast knowledge on the history of World War II and how the weapons fit into the history of the …

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Things To Do In Largo & Around Pinellas

5 Things to Do This Weekend: July 6-July 8

Here are our picks for fun things to do this weekend in Largo. Have an idea of your own? Share it in the comments!

1. Flick-n-Float Family Movies. Bring your favorite float or chair to Southwest Pool every Friday night from July 6-20 for Largo Recreation's Flick-n-Float Family Movies. Lifeguards will be on duty during the event. Enjoy free hot dogs (while supply lasts), fun, and games. 2. Square Dance Fridays. Show off your moves at this weekly country-style dance hosted by professional dance caller Allen Snell. 3. Train Weekend. Ride the miniature trains of Largo Central Railroad on the first full weekend of every month. Save time in line: Complete the Train Waiver and bring it with you to the event. 4. Stories in the Park. Get active with the kids this weekend. Join the park rangers at McGough Nature Park for a morning story, hike, and snacks. To …

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5 Things to Know about Touch-A-Truck this Saturday

Saturday's event allows kids of all ages the opportunity to see and touch various military vehicles.

The Armed Forces History Museum features Touch-A-Truck as a part of its Sizzling Summer promotion starting this Saturday. The museum helps preserve military history and educates current and future generations about sacrifices made by our troops to protect our freedom. 1) Date & Times: Three Saturdays this summer – June 30, July 21, and August 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. 2) Location: Armed Forces History Museum, 2050 34th Way North, Largo 3) Hands-on: World War II reenactors from the 1st Infantry Division will be on-hand conducting informative presentations and drills. The museum will allow guests to interact with military vehicles such as the M8, anti-aircraft gun, jeeps, Duece, Mule, Huckster and tanks. The vehicles will be outside. 4) …

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Halloween Pumpkin Patch For Tots at Southwest Recreation

There's a Halloween celebration at Southwest Recreation Complex for kids ages six and under. There will be pumpkins, tricks or treats and a storytelling scarecrow.

Dress up your tiny tots in their Halloween costumes for an evening with pumpkins and scarecrows. Children ages six and under can participate in activities and crafts in the Southwest Recreation Complex’s Pint Size Pumpkim Patch event from 6-7:30 p.m. There will be food and crafts followed by a visit from the storytelling scarecrow. Kids are encouraged to come in their costumes for a trick or treat parade. Admission is $5 per child. Children under two years of age are free. For more information call (727)518-3125. Southwest Recreation Complex is located at 13120 Vonn Rd. in Largo.

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Host Your Own End-of-Summer Party

Have an end of the summer party with friends at Taylor Park for about $10 per guest. Here's how to do it.

Whether the summer’s meant to be a break in the routine or not, it’s just about over. Celebrate the end of the summer with this end-of-summer party that costs about $10 per guest. Here’s how you do it: 1. Reserve your shelter at a local county park like Taylor Park. Cost: $25 – $50, depending on the shelter. 2. Hit the Dollar Store and grab paper plates, paper towels, plastic ware, soda, plastic cups, and snacks. While you’re at it, grab a roll of aluminum foil. Cost: about $10 for eight people. 3. Bypass the grocery store for burgers and buns. Instead, grab some charcoal, graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Cost: $15 per eight people. 4. Think pizza. Try out DeLosa’s Pizza (now open in Largo) – get a large cheese pizza and 10 …

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Pen Name Jane

The Lies My Parents Told Me

The truth is, sometimes we can't always be honest with our kids — even if it means our nose will grow.

“But, I NEED the red ones,” my son whines. As usual, as soon as we walk out of the house, one of my kids needs something from inside. This time my son decides that he must have his other pair of shoes. “OK. Hurry and go find them,” I say, annoyed about toddlers and their never-ending particularities. He runs back inside the house, and I head toward the car to strap my other son into his booster seat. I don’t get two steps before I hear the agonizing scream. “DON’T LEAVE ME!” My son has panicked, thinking I was going without him, and has thrown his body onto the floor, wailing with defeat. I am distraught that he thinks I would leave him. Why doesn’t he trust me? Have I ever left this kid anywhere? Have I ever done anything to give him any …

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Pen Name Jane

How to Pose a Zebra

Using photos to convince your kid that they had the Most Amazing Happy Childhood EVER!

My sixth birthday party was high tea with fancy dresses, white gloves and plastic tea cups. I remember my few girlfriends sipping sweet tea with our pinkies extended. I remember placing pink candles into silver holders and eating white cake. Or do I? Do I remember the actual party, or have I created a memory from seeing the photographs and hearing my mother tell the story? Does it matter? *** I was tickling my two boys the other day, and they were laughing so hard that I wished someone could have been there to take a picture. Their laughter — either because I am inherently evil or because I had recently seen the movie Inception — made this mischievous little idea pop into my head: Could I use photographs to purposely manipulate my children…

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