It won't be too long before the school bus is honking its horn in front of the house again—are you and your kids ready?

Now's the time to start gradually easing the family back into the school year schedule.

Late sleepers should get used to waking up earlier, and having regular meal times again can be very helpful for younger children. If earlier bedtimes are a hassle, use some psychology—often children don't want to go to bed for fear of missing out on some fun. So plan some not-so-fun activities like watching a dry documentary or cleaning the refrigerator.

Involve your children in the back-to-school shopping.

Block out some time to go through the drawers and closets and decide which clothes have to go, which clothes can be handed down to a younger child, and what clothing needs to be purchased. Discussing the budget before hitting the stores should make things easier.

School supply lists should be available on school websites or in local stores.

Be sure to consult your children about purchases—some of them can be very particular. Does your child prefer a separate eraser, for example? Will any old yellow #2 pencil do, or do they prefer a certain brand or a mechanical pencil? And don't forget about any personal hygiene products (tissues, etc.) that would make your child feel more comfortable away from home.

A little preparation before the first day of school arrives will guarantee that you'll make the grade!

No doubt you've heard the expression while watching the local weather forecast: “These record-breaking high temperatures definitely signify that the dog days of summer are here.”

You may immediately imagine a couple of hound dogs, lying on a porch on a hot summer afternoon, too hot to even pant. The term “dog days” actually refers to the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, during what is typically the hottest, sultriest time of summer.

So let's while away these dog days with some summertime trivia:

• Despite the sweltering heat while filming the 1958 movie The Long Hot Summer, co-stars Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward married during the production.
• One of the most famous cinema summer camps is the fictional Camp Crystal Lake from the Friday the 13th movies. The real camp where filming took place was Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, a Boy Scout camp in Blairstown, NJ.
• Seals and Crofts' 1972 hit Summer Breeze is still one of the most popular summer songs of all time. One of the backing instruments was a child's toy piano.
• The Woodstock festival, held in August of 1969, is famous for being a “free concert.” Advance tickets were available at New York record stores or by mail, for $18, and 186,000 were sold. Due to a late change in venue, organizers abandoned building ticket booths when the festival-goers began arriving by the tens of thousands.
• National Lemonade Day is August 20th. Celebrate with some awesome recipes.   

Stay cool and be safe!

Do you think of yourself as an artist? When famed abstract artist Jackson Pollock referred to an artist, he meant anyone who is “building things.... some with a brush, some with a shovel, some choose a pen.” If your idea of creativity is building something from a watermelon, Pollock would have certainly approved!

Fruit carving, called Mukimono in Japan, has a long history, perhaps dating as far back as the 7th century AD. Watermelons have traditionally been carved into vessels to hold a candle, much like today's jack o' lanterns, or made into baskets to hold flowers or fruit, but mostly these fruits are carved to add an artistic presentation to the table.

Sound intriguing? If you're interested in trying out watermelon carving, it's pretty easy to get started. You'll need some internet instruction, a watermelon or two to practice on, a refrigerator to hold your fruit, and some tools—a pen, a carving knife, a melon baller, a peel zester, a U-shaped garnish tool, and a V-shaped cutter.

Are you ready to see some of the awesome watermelon carvings you could do?  Watermelon.org has many simple projects with directions to get you started. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are photos from some seriously skilled carvers. And if you’d like to eat your creations, check out these recipes from what about watermelon.

As a bonus, here is a photo of watermelon enthusiast Jackson Pollock enjoying one of America's favorite pastimes.  

Yes, you really can have your fruit and carve it too. 

Summer already? It was such a short time ago that some of us had two, three, or as much as four feet of snow in our yards. Now that the weather is heating up, make sure you're prepared for the high temperatures.

Start slow. You can't start exercising in the heat without a little preparation. Shorter workouts outdoors are in order, until you've acclimated yourself to the hot weather.

Wear the right stuff. Light, breathable fabrics in white or another light color will make your workout more comfortable. Don't forego the proper footwear in favor of cooler options—you still need support.

Water's the thing. Drink plenty before, during, and after your workout. It's often suggested to drink some water about every 15 minutes. If you're concerned that you have gotten particularly overheated, grab a sports drink in addition to the water to get those needed electrolytes.

Keep that fun in the sun to a minimum. Avoid exercising during the hottest times of the day, which is also when those UV rays are at their most potent. Don't forget that early morning and late afternoon workouts still require that you wear sunscreen.

Be smart. Seek out a shady area if you feel you're getting too much sun. Be sure to carry your phone with you in case of an emergency.

Working out in the heat may seem daunting, but it can burn more calories and fat than working out in the winter. But if you think it's too hot out there, don't let that stop you from exercising—you can still take it indoors.

Thirsty?  How do you know if you're just “normal thirsty” or if you're suffering from dehydration?

A simple definition of dehydration is your body doesn't have enough water in it to work properly.

There are many reasons for it besides not drinking enough water—severe diarrhea and/or vomiting, high fever, a side effect to a medication such as a diuretic, a complication of diabetes, or after consuming too much alcohol.

Anyone can become dehydrated, although infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with long-term illnesses are at the highest risks.

Since severe dehydration can be serious—possibly leading to shock or death within a few hours—it's vital to be aware of the symptoms, and potential causes. Symptoms of dehydration may include:

• Thirst    
• Dry skin
• Headaches
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Cramps
• Low blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Mood changes or confusion
• Constipation
• Decrease in urine production or dark urine
• Fever

Staying hydrated is particularly important during the summer months, when we tend to be outside in the heat more often, and may be participating in strenuous activity.

The best way to keep from becoming dehydrated is to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

While the old adage “8 ounces 8 times per day” is merely an easy-to-remember guideline, and may not be necessary under normal conditions, it’s a handy rule when we're exercising outside during the summer.

Don't forget that water can be found in the food we eat, too—and a cool cucumber soup or a fresh fruit salad might be pretty refreshing on a hot day.

The elderly can be especially susceptible to the threat of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Many seniors can have health conditions that make them less adaptable to the heat. There are various medications that contribute to dehydration, too.

One study shows that as much as 40% of heat-related fatalities occur among those over the age of 65.

If possible, visit or check on your elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors at least twice a day during the hot summer months. Here are some other helpful guidelines:

• Aging makes it more difficult to perceive thirst, so reminders to stay hydrated are very important. Make sure your seniors are drinking plenty of water. There are also many foods that have high water content, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and watermelons.
• Seniors should avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 am and 6 pm. They should also avoid strenuous exercise and other outdoor activities when it's hot out.
• Know the warning signs of heat-related illnesses—dizziness, nausea, headache, chest pain, and breathing difficulties—and get help right away.
• If your senior doesn't have an air conditioner, advise them to spend days at a local mall, museum, library, or senior center. Some areas may have programs which provide donated box fans or window units to the elderly, or you may be able to find a free or low-cost unit via social media (it never hurts to ask!)

Take care of your loved ones and have a great summer.