Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day as we remember the many heroes who have served our country.

If your children are too old for their current toys but you can’t bear to simply toss them out, you may be interested in hosting a toy swap with fellow parents. A toy swap enables you to swap your child’s old or unused toys with those of other children, bringing home a whole new haul of toys without spending a penny. Here are a few tips to help you pull off a successful toy swap.

1. Create a list of guests. Try to pick guests who you feel comfortable with, who have children in varying ages, and who live fairly close to one another.
2. Choose the perfect location. Because of the group of people and the large amount of toys, you’ll need to hold the swap in a large, fairly spacious room. If you don’t have this type of space in your own home, see if someone else would be willing to lend their living room.
3. Send out invitations and guidelines. Emailing invitations seems to be the most convenient way to get the word out, so include a list of guidelines for the swap at that time. Describe what types of toys to bring, if they should be cleaned beforehand, how many toys to bring, and if there are any items that you won’t accept.
4. Make it fun. Set out snacks, make sure everyone understands the rules, and keep things light-hearted!

How To Organize a Toy Swap or Toy Exchange [About Parenting]
How to Host a Toy Swap [30 Handmade Days]
How to Throw a Toy Exchange [Shareable]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/DieselDemon

On paper, the appeal of Arroyo del Oso Golf Course is more or less straightforward: Equipped with a pro shop, restaurant, and driving range, this is a 27-hole, par 72 course (par 73 for women) featuring a trio of water obstacles and multiple sand traps. The public course debuted in 1965 and, 16 years later, was named one of the country's top 50 municipal golf courses by Golf Digest.

If you take one step onto the course itself, however, you're likely to notice what makes Arroyo del Oso special: its topography. The arroyo for which the scenic course is named plays an important part in the greens' design: Duffers criss-cross the arroyo three times during most games and, if they should pause to take in the view, they'd notice that the course follows the natural contours of Bear Canyon Arroyo's sloping terrain, which is speckled with Ponderosa pines.

Arroyo del Oso Golf Course
7001 Osuna Road NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 884-7505
www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/recreation/golf/arroyo-del-oso-golf-course

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr GorillaGolfBlog