St. Sophia’s Greek Festival, Lupine Fest at Albany Pine Bush, Niska-Day, the Little Mermaid Jr., Bike Rodeo, and More This Weekend
Hey everyone. I was trying to decide what to write about, and then I remembered it’s Thursday, so I’ve just got the listings for you.
Here’s this week’s KidsOutAndAbout.com newsletter. Come to think of it, we’ve also got a running list of Memorial Day Parades and Summer Camps. And here’s what’s up this weekend.
Multiple Days:
- The Little Mermaid Jr. at Home Made Theater at Home Made Theater at the Spa Little Theater. In a magical kingdom,the mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.First,she’ll have to defy her father,make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula,and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.
- Spring Stewardship Weekend at Camp Little Notch at Friends of Camp Little Notch. We invite you to enjoy camp and community building on Friday evening. Stewardship projects begin at 9:00 a.m. on Sat. and Sun.
- Greek Festival – ST. SOPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH at ST. SOPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH. EAT- DANCE – LIVE! A Family Festival Not To Be Missed!
- 2013 Baby Animal Days at Indian Ladder Farms at Indian Ladder Farms. Chicks, Ducklings, Turkey Poults, Bunnies, Piglets, Lambs, Goat Kids, Calves…
- WALKING TOUR OF THE NATIVE PLANT TRAIL at Landis Arboretum. Join Native Plant Trail designer and curator Ed Miller for a free tour of the Trail. The tour is about an hour long over moderate terrain with some hilly climbing. Saturday or Sunday.
Friday, May 17th:
- Friday, May 17: Free Kiddie Cones with Kids Meal Purchase at Pirates Lakeside Grill on Fridays During Our Season! at Pirates Lakeside Grill. Get a free vanilla, chocolate, or twist kiddie cone or cup with purchase of a Kids’ Meal at Pirates Lakeside Grill! See our menu and hours at www.pirateslakesidegrill.com. 266 County Road 7 Nassau, NY 12123 (518) 265-7087
- Friday, May 17: Family Storytime at Troy Public Library. We will share stories, music, movement, and a simple craft.
- Friday, May 17: Aquarium Adventures at Berkshire Museum.
- Friday, May 17: Wiggle & Giggle at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for younger children to learn what they can do with their bodies through structured group activities and guided free play.
- Friday, May 17: Pre-School Story Hour with Pam at the Open Door Bookstore at Open Door Bookstore. Enjoy songs & stories every Friday with Pam!
- Friday, May 17: Fort Ticonderoga is Open for the Season at Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Ticonderoga opens for the 2013 season!
- Friday, May 17: Art Night Schenectady at Art Night Schenectady. Celebrate the visual and performing arts, music and fun throughout Schenectady on the third Friday of each month
- Friday, May 17: PARENTS NIGHT OUT – Every Third Friday of the Month at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Drop the Munchkins off for Parents Night Out for Dinner, Play, Crafts and More!
- Friday, May 17: ALBANY SINGS! To benefit the Upstate Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at Albany Pro Musica. Albany Pro Musica and Albany High School Chorus take the stage at the Massry Center at the College of St. Rose!
- Friday, May 17: OPEN BOUNCE!!! at Afrim’s Sports. You’ll Love Our Bounce Zone… Starting May 1st, 2013 our bounce hours will be on Tuesday and Friday Nights from 4:30-8:00pm (Ages 3-9 ONLY)
Saturday, May 18th:
- Saturday, May 18: Annual Veterans Parade in Malta at Malta, Town of. Parade held in honor of our veterans, previously held in September, on Route 9 in Malta
- Saturday, May 18: Spring Stewardship Weekend at Camp Little Notch at Friends of Camp Little Notch. We invite you to enjoy camp and community building on Friday evening. Stewardship projects begin at 9:00 a.m. on Sat. and Sun.
- Saturday, May 18: Playing With Pattern and Design with Robert R. Zakanitch at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Join artist Robert R. Zakanitch as he walks you through his “garden” sharing the miracles he wrought using color, shape, and design. Book signing to follow
- Saturday, May 18: All About Kids Event at Sportsplex of Halfmoon. Over 40 interactive booths that are “all about kids” Bouncy bounce houses, summer camps, dance classes, educational outlets, an entertainment stage and more!
- Saturday, May 18: Family Fun Day at the New York State Museum at New York State Museum. On the 3rd Saturday of every month the Museum offers fun for the whole family with games, crafts, and other theme-based activities.
- Saturday, May 18: Art for All at Albany Institute of History and Art . Adults and children of all ages are invited to drop in on Saturdays to explore history and art through creativity. We invite you to experience works of art through sketching in our galleries and then transforming your ideas in a variety of ways.
- Saturday, May 18: Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” at Albany Symphony. Vivaldi’s lively and enchanting concertos about the four seasons come to life alongside two modern masterpieces by Stravinsky and John Adams.
- Saturday, May 18: Lupine Fest 2013: Living History at Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center. Discover the Pine Bush at our 7th annual Lupine Festival. Journey through time, from the end of the Ice Age through today! Olus, enjoy musical performances, storytelling, the ancient sport of falconry, historic re-enactments and more!
- Saturday, May 18: Chow Time in the Aquarium at Berkshire Museum. Chow Time has a new look and format! Visit the Aquarium and lend a hand, helping to prepare feasts fit for turtles, fish, and even a skink.
- Saturday, May 18: The Little Mermaid Jr. at Home Made Theater at Home Made Theater at the Spa Little Theater. In a magical kingdom,the mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.First,she’ll have to defy her father,make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula,and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.
- Saturday, May 18: Niska-Day 32 at Niskayuna, Town of . Celebrate Vegas-style in Niskayuna! More info. here.
- Saturday, May 18: Children’s Star Sighting Show at Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center & Henry Hudson Planetarium. Interactive program exploring the stars, planets, comets and constellations in the night sky. Geared to children ages 3-7 and their families.
- Saturday, May 18: First Annual Gold Star Mothers, Fathers & Family Members Motorcade Procession at Please Remember Me. Members of the public are invited to watch and pay their respects as the motorcade proceeds on Route 9 from Memorial Hospital area, past Siena College to Route 155 in Latham, a 4-mile stretch.
- Saturday, May 18: Signing Smart Play Class- Come learn sign language! at Happy Babble. Come sing, sign & play! Come learn how to integrate ASL (American Sign Language) signs and communication strategies into daily life. Classes are for children and parents/caregivers ages 6 months to 2 years.
- Saturday, May 18: FREE Youth Soccer Clinics and Food Drive – Luther Forest Athletic Fields, 30 Rocket Way, Malta at NY Elite FC Premier Soccer Club. Come learn some cool soccer moves and get some extra practice. Sign up for one or all sessions, bring your friends! Collecting canned items for local food pantry.
- Saturday, May 18: NY Elite FC Boys Golf/Yard Sale Fundraiser at NY Elite FC Premier Soccer Club. NY Elite FC Boys Mini Golf, Par 3, Ice Cream and Yard Sale Fundraiser
Sunday, May 19th:
- Sunday, May 19: Annual Benefit Concert and Honors Recital at Performance School of the Arts. This year’s Benefit Concert & Honors Recital will be raising money for student scholarships.
- Sunday, May 19: For the Birds at The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Join us as we search for our local bird population now that they’ve all returned from their winter migration.
- Sunday, May 19: Children’s Art Classes at Center Square School. Weekend art classes for children aged 2-4 and their families. Experiencial activities with paint and clay.
- Sunday, May 19: Camp Wa Wa Segowea Camp Open House & Free Family Fun Day! at YMCA Camp Wa Wa Segowea . Come see Camp Wa Wa Segowea and see how our program Builds Character, Confidence, Skills, & Memories!
- Sunday, May 19: APD and PAL Bike Rodeo at Albany Police Athletic League. Kids of all ages can learn, practice, and demonstrate their bicycle handling skills in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. Free helmets while supplies last.
May 16, 2013 No Comments
Slow Cooker Meals
Our schedule continues to be crazy, especially at dinnertime, so I’ve been trying a bunch of new slow cooker recipes. I thought I’d share some links.
The clear winner among our new recipes was this Chickpeas in Curried Coconut Broth recipe from Oxmoor House on the My Recipes site.
In fact, our only problem with it was that it didn’t make enough for everyone to get leftovers the next day. I’ll absolutely double it next time. This one was spicy, and when I first tried it, I thought it might be too spicy, but mixing it with rice made it perfect, and all four of us liked it. We are so doubling it next time. Wait, I said that already, didn’t I?
I also tried Slow-Cooker Asian Pork With Snow Peas, Red Peppers, and Soba Noodles from Real Simple. Cute W and I liked this one, but both girls turned up their noses with this one. They didn’t even want to eat the noodles. The one thing I liked was that the pork tasted like pork I’ve eaten at Chinese restaurants, something I’d never achieved, but between the girls’ lack of enthusiasm and the extra work at the end (cooking noodles and the veggies separately), this one isn’t a do-over for us.
M’s favorite of our new recipes was a Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken by Food.com. It doesn’t win the healthful award, but it was a surprisingly unique flavor–tasty, tasty. We followed the advice in the comments and added mushrooms and some white wine, and at the end I threw in a bit of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
M was out the night that we tried Slow Cooker Cuban Braised Beef and Peppers from Real Simple, but the rest of us thought that it was worthy of a do-over. The only criticism, from all of us, was that it was a bit bland. Next time we’ll add a couple more peppers that are spicy. Instead of rice, we ate these with corn tortillas for a change from some of the other sides.
Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili from All You on the My Recipes site was a final surprise hit. Everyone ate it happily, and it’s super-healthful. I took a shortcut and used that frozen pre-cubed squash (I’d also done a ton of chopped onions earlier in the week) to make it a little easier.
Really, it was a pretty successful Slow Cooker Initiative. I thought I’d have some more patter, but I’m too sleepy for chatter tonight.
May 15, 2013 2 Comments
Girl Drama
I mentioned recently that M is going through some social turbulence these days, but I just didn’t have the energy to figure out how to explain it in a way that protects her privacy but gives a little insight into my current mom issue. First of all, I have to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to the Universe that my life is this good. Both of my children are healthy and happy, they’re doing fine in school, they (mostly) behave themselves, and they have friends. It is only because our lives are going along so smoothly (knock on wood!) that I can pay any attention whatsoever to my 5th grader’s social life. And in fact I’m increasingly thinking that my best bet is to stop paying attention.
Among M’s friends, there’s been quite a bit of shifting and realigning over the past few months. M has inherited Cute W’s lack of social anxiety, so she doesn’t seem particularly concerned about any of this. But I get the sense that there could be both hurt feelings and anxiety among the girls, and the moms. It’s awkward for us mamas. We’re friendly, and we’re used to carpooling, coordinating plans, and signing up for camps together. Now all of that’s become tricky as the daughters and their relationships are evolving. Personally, I’m not worried about M being bullied (she’s tough), but I do fret about her being unkind or standing by while girls are getting their feelings hurt, either because of divided loyalties or because she’s oblivious (like–ahem!–her father can sometimes be). But knowing too much isn’t helpful, because I don’t have too much control over anything anyway. But I hear plenty of news from the moms who get more information than I do. It feels like a stark contrast from how things worked back in the old days when I was in elementary school. Back then my mom was concerned that I stopped asking friends over for a year or so, but she had no idea about the details. Which were, basically, that Jodi B. had declared me her best friend and asked me to say it back, and when I told her that I didn’t want to rank my friends, she shunned me and told all of the lemmings in our group of friends to shun me, too. If asked thirty years ago, I could have explained it in a 45-page document. So I had to depend on compassionate random acquaintances to allow me to sit on the fringes of their lunch tables for a year or so, but I settled in with another crowd eventually.
I’m beginning to think that 5th grade social dynamics feels a lot like going to that gymnastics meet where J didn’t even score a participation ribbon. It was excruciating to watch, but she got through it, and my fretting didn’t help. So I’ve told myself that I just need to stay out of it. I mean, seriously, what would have happened if my mom had taken on Jodi and her friends (and all of their mothers) to negotiate on my behalf? It probably just would have caused additional angst and humiliation on my part. Or, if anything my mom did helped us to remain friends, I’m sure she would have been sorry if she’d known that she’d helped keep me in the clique that was doing drugs and giving boys blowjobs within a couple of years. Which sounds crazy, because I can’t imagine any of these cutey-patooties going the way of the Jodi B. crowd. But just like my mom didn’t know my friends as well as I did, I don’t know M’s friends as well as she does.
Of course the intellectual idea that I should stay out of it all is easier said than done. I’m curious about anything that happens with M. I’m constantly hungry for information, and she feeds me so little! Plus, there are even studies that show that gossip can function for good in moderating behavior. If there are girls doing things like making up fake messaging accounts in others girls’ names, I want to know about it, if only to remind my daughter that that kind of behavior is not acceptable. But while chatting with the mamas about what’s happening lately, it’s hard not to slide into outright diplomacy efforts, justifying my daughter’s position in the latest brouhaha. Which is just ridiculous. I mean, I have heard myself saying things where I’m like, “Katie, get a hold of yourself and shut up already. ” So I’ve told M I’m going to try to resist the mom chatter unless I hear about something specific she’s done that needs to be addressed, and I’m not going to ask for details on her social life unless she’s got something she wants to share (she’s not big into sharing). The only stipulations were that I always want her to be kind no matter who her friends are, and if she notices that any girl is consistently sad or receiving abuse, I want her to let me know so that I can pass the information on to that girl’s parents.
We’ll see how it goes. Probably more than a year ago I made some random joking remark that was the sort of thing one of her friends might say, and she was fine, but as soon as it was out of my mouth, I thought, “That was a screw-up.” Because she doesn’t need another joking friend, and she doesn’t need someone who’s emotionally involved in her daily social life. She needs her mom to be an oasis from all of that. So I’m going to do my best to take a step back, and I checked out Queen Bees and Wannabees (Rosalind Wiseman) with the hope that a little solid advice will help me avoid future screw-ups. Or at least reduce their number.
You know, I’d been worried about middle school because I always think of it as fraught with social peril, but we seem to have moved into the social peril phase, anyway. So now I’m hoping that the prospect of some new friendships will be good for my daughter and all the girls.
Am I being insanely optimistic?
Maybe.
But I’m definitely grateful that I’m not turning 11. It seems exhausting.
May 14, 2013 7 Comments
What’s Up This Week
I had a relaxing Mother’s Day. The girls know that breakfast in bed is not what this mama wants. Instead, I am encouraged to sleep in. But I did have a surprise waiting for me:
During the day, the girls helped me to pot a bunch of succulents. My plan is to put them on top of the cabinet in the new bathroom. My original “artistic vision” was a long terra cotta something-or-other, but I couldn’t find one, so I went with some dip bowls from Target with some rocks for drainage at the bottom. Hopefully they’ll work.
And we ended the day with Indian food and a show:
I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Here’s what’s up this week:
Multiple Days:
- Little Critters Consignment Sale at Little Critters Consignment Sale. Little Critters Consignment Sale Albany NY Monday May 13th 9-7 pm Tuesday May 14th 9-7pm Thousands of children’s items for sale–Don’t miss out!
- 2013 Baby Animal Days at Indian Ladder Farms at Indian Ladder Farms. Chicks, Ducklings, Turkey Poults, Bunnies, Piglets, Lambs, Goat Kids, Calves…
- OPEN BOUNCE!!! at Afrim’s Sports. You’ll Love Our Bounce Zone… Starting May 1st, 2013 our bounce hours will be on Tuesday and Friday Nights from 4:30-8:00pm (Ages 3-9 ONLY)
Monday, May 13th:
- Monday, May 13: Barnyard JAM at Capital District Mamas. Join the CD Mamas for a fun filled story time and social hour, (for moms and little ones!) with special guest Rebecca Demarest of Happy Babble Sign!
- Monday, May 13: Zentangle Workshop for Teens at Troy Public Library. Make amazingly beautiful, amazingly simple art through this repeating pattern technique!
- Monday, May 13: Horseback Riding for Kids at Niskayuna Central School District. Get into the saddle at New Horizon Stables!
- Monday, May 13: Messy Monday at The Wonder Room. Every Monday we are open from 9am-3pm – and we always have something extra messy out on Mondays! Come play with us!
Tuesday, May 14th:
- Tuesday, May 14: Video Game Creation at Niskayuna Central School District. If you think playing computer games is fun, imagine what a blast learning to program your own games will be!
- Tuesday, May 14: Math Lab at The Wonder Room. Free with admission!
- Tuesday, May 14: Tuesday for Tots at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for our younger visitors to gain preschool readiness skills in a fun and social environment. Join us anytime between 10am and 12pm or 1pm and 3pm for play dough, crafts, games and friends!
Wednesday, May 15th:
- Wednesday, May 15: Duct Tape Accessories Workshop at Troy Public Library. Wednesday, May 15 at 4:00 pm For ages 8 through Teens. Come design your own bracelets & hair bows!
- Wednesday, May 15: Welcome Wednesday at Oakwood Christian School. Open House
- Wednesday, May 15: Discover the Desert at Schenectady County Public Library. Stories, activities & craft for kids in Grade K-5. Please register beginning May 1 by calling 388-4540.
- Wednesday, May 15: Family Storytime at Troy Public Library. We will share stories, music, movement, and a simple craft.
- Wednesday, May 15: Storytime at Altamont Free Library. All ages drop-in storytime with songs, rhymes, stories and a craft. Followed by free play.
- Wednesday, May 15: Parent/Child Craft Nights at Niskayuna Central School District. Enjoy some one-on-one time with your child with this series of five craft nights!
- Wednesday, May 15: Taconic High School Honors Chorus in Concert at Berkshire Museum. Enjoy an eclectic selection of music presented by this group of talented young singers, led by Jessica Passetto.
Thursday, May 16th:
- Thursday, May 16: PechaKucha Pittsfield Night #6 at Berkshire Museum.
- Thursday, May 16: Yoga for Kids at Niskayuna Central School District. Help your kids relax after a busy day! Perfect timing — just before dinner….
- Thursday, May 16: Family Storytime at East Greenbush Community Library.
- Thursday, May 16: Silly Science at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Join us for our newest program, Silly Science! Each week we will explore the different ways science is all around us.
Friday, May 17th:
- Friday, May 17: Free Kiddie Cones with Kids Meal Purchase at Pirates Lakeside Grill on Fridays During Our Season! at Pirates Lakeside Grill. Get a free vanilla, chocolate, or twist kiddie cone or cup with purchase of a Kids’ Meal at Pirates Lakeside Grill! See our menu and hours at www.pirateslakesidegrill.com. 266 County Road 7 Nassau, NY 12123 (518) 265-7087
- Friday, May 17: The Little Mermaid Jr. at Home Made Theater at Home Made Theater at the Spa Little Theater. In a magical kingdom,the mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.First,she’ll have to defy her father,make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula,and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.
- Friday, May 17: Family Storytime at Troy Public Library. We will share stories, music, movement, and a simple craft.
- Friday, May 17: Spring Stewardship Weekend at Camp Little Notch at Friends of Camp Little Notch. We invite you to enjoy camp and community building on Friday evening. Stewardship projects begin at 9:00 a.m. on Sat. and Sun.
- Friday, May 17: Aquarium Adventures at Berkshire Museum.
- Friday, May 17: Wiggle & Giggle at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for younger children to learn what they can do with their bodies through structured group activities and guided free play.
- Friday, May 17: Pre-School Story Hour with Pam at the Open Door Bookstore at Open Door Bookstore. Enjoy songs & stories every Friday with Pam!
- Friday, May 17: Fort Ticonderoga is Open for the Season at Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Ticonderoga opens for the 2013 season!
- Friday, May 17: Art Night Schenectady at Art Night Schenectady. Celebrate the visual and performing arts, music and fun throughout Schenectady on the third Friday of each month
- Friday, May 17: PARENTS NIGHT OUT – Every Third Friday of the Month at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Drop the Munchkins off for Parents Night Out for Dinner, Play, Crafts and More!
May 12, 2013 No Comments
A Poem for Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day!
I’ve been saving up this awesome poem for the occasion ever since I heard it, gosh, months ago. And if you all already knew it, well, you should have told me. Because it’s a new favorite. It’s “The Lanyard” by Billy Collins.
If that one leaves you craving more and you have some Serenity Time, check out his “To My Favorite 17-Year-Old High School Girl.” And before long you might get so sucked in that you’ll just have to read a whole bunch of Billy Collins poems.
If you’re a new-ish reader, here’s a list of other Mother’s Day links that I’ve shared in years gone by:
- Steve McCurry’s beautiful photography blog
- For my first Capital District Fun Mother’s Day I offered up the Mother’s Day Weep-Fest Triple Threat.
- I wrote The Mother’s Day Gift, about our tree swing.
- I whined about all the love cluttering my house in a post I called Mother’s Day Minefield.
- Motherlode’s little essay from Anna Quindlen in which she tells us that the best is yet to come.
Enjoy the day.
May 11, 2013 1 Comment
A Bunch of Links For You
I spent most of the day socializing and playing outside. Tennis in the morning, lots of phone calls, and then much of our after school time at the playground. I was pretty much completely unproductive. Like, two business calls and some raking in the yard, dishes. That’s about it. But I’m all caught up with some friends and relatives, so that’s good, yes?
The bathroom is still a work in progress. Walls are done and being painted, roof has been put in so that the carpenter ants won’t come back to live with us, and the tile in the shower is set. It’s lookin’ good, baby! Pictures soon. Tomorrow J’s got a gymnastics meet and M’s got a soccer tournament, so we’ll be busy. I’ve got another list of links for you.
Here’s a bunch of photos of what a week of groceries looks like around the world. So interesting!
Here’s a story about a high school girl who won a coding competition by creating a way to avoid spoilers on Twitter. She was only female to present her idea in the competition among about 80 guys, many of them professionals.
Sophie would like to make strong the new skinny. I’m in.
My Grinnell College alumni magazine talked about the blog Pile of Babies. And it is very funny.
Christine Grossloh wonders if American parents have got it all backwards. It’s not a rhetorical question and alas, the answer is yes.
A friend has a kid competing in Future Problem Solving Program International. I’d never heard of it, but it sounds super-cool.
If you, like me, have been intermittently uneasy and fretful ever since Allie from Hyperbole and a Half posted about her struggle with depression and then pretty much dropped out of the internet for a year and a half, you’ll be glad to know that she’s finally posting again. She is more wonderful than ever, trying to explain depression to those of us who are lucky enough not to suffer from it.
Kid President has a message for moms everywhere:
May 10, 2013 No Comments
Tulip Festival and Mother’s Day and More, Of Course
I’m sending this out early in part because I hope those of you who remember me talking about my neighbor Mary will send out any prayers or positive energy for her. She is really struggling with her health. Thank you.
Multiple Days:
- Tulip Festival 2013 at City Of Albany. The 65th Annual Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park, Albany, New York
- Free Kiddie Cones with Kids Meal Purchase at Pirates Lakeside Grill on Fridays During Our Season! at Pirates Lakeside Grill. Get a free vanilla, chocolate, or twist kiddie cone or cup with purchase of a Kids’ Meal at Pirates Lakeside Grill! See our menu and hours at www.pirateslakesidegrill.com. 266 County Road 7 Nassau, NY 12123 (518) 265-7087
- 2013 Baby Animal Days at Indian Ladder Farms at Indian Ladder Farms. Chicks, Ducklings, Turkey Poults, Bunnies, Piglets, Lambs, Goat Kids, Calves…
- Fire Tower Hours at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. Climb an authentic fire tower without having to climb a mountain!
Friday, May 10th:
- Friday, May 10: Aquarium Adventures at Berkshire Museum.
- Friday, May 10: 2013 VBF Annual Challenge – Kid’s fun run, 5K race, community walk at The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF). A family event with DJ, food, bounce houses, activities by Tumbling Tykes, Coccadotts cupcake van and Changes Salon will be doing cuts trims, hair extensions, braids, sparkle spray for a donation to the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation.
- Friday, May 10: Pre-School Story Hour with Pam at the Open Door Bookstore at Open Door Bookstore. Enjoy songs & stories every Friday with Pam!
- Friday, May 10: Super WHY! Live “You’ve Got the Power” at the Palace Theatre May 10th at Palace Theatre. PBS Kids’ Super WHY Live comes to Albany for the first time ever, bringing entertainment and education together in an unforgettable live family show.
- Friday, May 10: Wiggle & Giggle at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for younger children to learn what they can do with their bodies through structured group activities and guided free play.
- Friday, May 10: Parents Night Out: Steam Science at The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Join CNSE CMOST staff as we “jump in” to the science of streams! Investigate the water cycle, explore a near by stream for inhabitants and discover the world of cool creatures that make up a stream environment at this fun Friday night program.
- Friday, May 10: Family Storytime at Troy Public Library. We will share stories, music, movement, and a simple craft.
- Friday, May 10: Opening Reception for Art in the Foyer Photography Exhibit at National Museum of Dance. Opening reception for artist Jordan Matter’s photography exhibition Dancers Among Us. The show was selected under the Museum’s Art in the Foyer program, which annually welcomes dance-inspired fine art .
Saturday, May 11th:
- Saturday, May 11: Junior and Youth Grange Meeting at Bethlehem Junior Grange. Join us for our Junior and Youth Grange meetings.
- Saturday, May 11: Mother’s Day Special! at FunPlex Fun Park. Moms who visit Funplex Funpark on 5/11 and 5/12 with their children receive a FREE GAME OF MINIATURE GOLF and a FREE GO-KART RIDE! Please visit www.funplexfunpark.com and click “Coupons” to print required coupon.
- Saturday, May 11: Chow Time in the Aquarium at Berkshire Museum. Chow Time has a new look and format! Visit the Aquarium and lend a hand, helping to prepare feasts fit for turtles, fish, and even a skink.
- Saturday, May 11: Kraazy Kitchen Chemistry at The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). What’s so kraazy about chemistry? Experiment with the chemistry in your kitchen and some of the cool things it can do.
- Saturday, May 11: SideWalk Art 2013–Drawing Up Central: A Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest at Central Avenue BID. The first annual community-wide chalk art contest as part of the Tulip Festival. Register to compete for prizes, or just come to watch and vote on your favorite!
- Saturday, May 11: Art for All at Albany Institute of History and Art . A family event.
- Saturday, May 11: Bats: Out of the Cave and into the Night at Berkshire Museum.
- Saturday, May 11: Signing Smart Play Class- Come learn sign language! at Happy Babble. Come sing, sign & play! Come learn how to integrate ASL (American Sign Language) signs and communication strategies into daily life. Classes are for children and parents/caregivers ages 6 months to 2 years.
- Saturday, May 11: Art for All at Albany Institute of History and Art . Adults and children of all ages are invited to drop in on Saturdays to explore history and art through creativity. We invite you to experience works of art through sketching in our galleries and then transforming your ideas in a variety of ways.
- Saturday, May 11: Open House at The Bethlehem Children’s School. The Bethlehem Children’s School is holding an open house for prospective students and their families along with food, activities, and fun for our current families and members of the community. Saturday, May 11, 2013 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 11: Mother Daughter Workshop at Jam & Jemz Studio. Looking for a little extra quality time with your daughter? Come share a fun & interactive experience with her. Games & Activities that you will both enjoy… Laughter & Bonding Guaranteed!!! www.jamandjemz.com www.facebook.com/jamandjemz
- Saturday, May 11: International Migratory Bird Day at Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center. Celebrate migratory birds and their journeys each spring and fall through exhibits, interactive games and museum presentation.
- Saturday, May 11: Mother’s Day Crafting Together and more Mother’s Day Crafting Together at Amelia Dombrowski Design Sewing Classes. Moms, Grandmas, Aunts – create something together with your kiddos to celebrate you, them and making something unique!
Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12th:
- Sunday, May 12: Wildflower Walk at Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center. Come walk with us to explore summer flowers of the Albany Pine Bush. We will be hiking 1 mile over rolling topography.
- Sunday, May 12: Mother’s Day Crafting Together at Amelia Dombrowski Design Sewing Classes. Moms, Grandmas, Aunts – create something together with your kiddos to celebrate you, them and making something unique!
- Sunday, May 12: Children’s Art Classes at Center Square School. Weekend art classes for children aged 5-8 and their families. Experience based activities with paint and clay.
- Sunday, May 12: CNSE CMOST is closed at The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). CNSE CMOST is closed
- Sunday, May 12: Family Sunday: Fun Photo Frames at The Arts Center of the Capital Region. We’re going to build and decorate our own custom photo frames to take home! What a great gift for Mother’s Day!
- Sunday, May 12: Learn to Swim at Niskayuna Central School District. It’s almost summer! Get ready by jumping in the pool!
- Sunday, May 12: Fire Tower Hours at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. Climb an authentic fire tower without having to climb a mountain!
- Sunday, May 12: Children’s Art Classes at Center Square School. Weekend art classes for children aged 2-4 and their families. Experiencial activities with paint and clay.
May 9, 2013 No Comments
Life at Home
Truly, have you ever seen such a streak of amazing weather before in Upstate New York? Day after day of sunshine and mild temperatures and trees and flowers unfurling. It’s an embarrassment of riches. I hate that I’m spending time inside tidying up closets or folding laundry, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I hope you’re all enjoying it and getting outside.
We’re doing well and super-busy at our house. Cute W’s away on business, but he’s coming home tonight and will be happy to be finished with it, as well as a couple of volunteer obligations.
M won a Sandra G. Morley Physical Education Student Leadership Award, an award we’d never heard of prior to learning the good news. It’s from the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (also, completely new to me). Last night J and I joined friends for the ride to the presentation at HVCC, where we saw the latest in tween spring fashion with 5th and 8th graders from all over the Capital District who also received the award, chosen by their school gym teachers. It was not as long as I’d feared, and we ran into various other parents we knew, so it was fun exchanging compliments about how awesome each others’ kids are. Funny how we parents never get tired of hearing that. Of course, M told me that a friend who seems every bit as athletic and full of good sportsmanship as our winners hadn’t received the award, a particular blow because she actually had heard of the award and had attended the presentation ceremony years before when her older sister won. Which made me telescope forward 3 years and begin fretting in advance that M would win a second time (she’ll be in 8th grade) and J would be passed over (she’ll be in 5th grade), causing heartbreak. Because I can find a storm cloud within the most sumptuous and delightful of silver linings. So, cross your fingers for 3 years from now. M’s going through all sorts of social turbulence right now, but it’s probably a separate post’s worth. If I dare. She’s fine, really, or seems to be.
J is always coming up with something nutty and fun. She had a book report due, and she decided to create a giant dice game so that she could ask kids in the class to throw the die and then she’d describe the setting or the characters or whatever landed face-up. Another day she cut out shapes and taped them to wooden blocks or suspended them from chopsticks to create a shadow puppet theater. The shadow tree she made was awesome. Then the other day she noticed how hot the pavement was, so she conducted an experiment: she laid a thin sliver, a larger piece, and a thick chunk of cheese out onto our driveway, then took copious notes on their rates of melting and other observations (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree).
Everyone ready for Mother’s Day? Doing anything fun? I’ve been saving a poem to share with you. No, it’s not mine.
Speaking of sharing, here’s a lovely article about high school students helping out a classmate for their teacher’s brilliant idea of a school project.
May 7, 2013 3 Comments
Baby Animal Days, Mothers Day Crafting, Tulip Festival, Super WHY!, and More This Week
It was one of those weekends that was more exhausting than a week. But can you believe this streak of glorious weather? I hope everyone remembered their sunscreen! Here’s what’s up this week:
Multiple Days:
- 2013 Baby Animal Days at Indian Ladder Farms at Indian Ladder Farms. Chicks, Ducklings, Turkey Poults, Bunnies, Piglets, Lambs, Goat Kids, Calves…
- Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k REGISTRATION REMINDER at Freihofer’s Run for Women. Register for the 5K Run for Women, the Junior 3K, or the Kids’ Run online today
- OPEN BOUNCE!!! at Afrim’s Sports. You’ll Love Our Bounce Zone… Starting May 1st, 2013 our bounce hours will be on Tuesday and Friday Nights from 4:30-8:00pm (Ages 3-9 ONLY)
Monday, May 6th:
- Monday, May 6: Horseback Riding for Kids at Niskayuna Central School District. Get into the saddle at New Horizon Stables!
- Monday, May 6: Messy Monday at The Wonder Room. Every Monday we are open from 9am-3pm – and we always have something extra messy out on Mondays! Come play with us!
Tuesday, May 7th:
- Tuesday, May 7: Open House PreK3 – Grade 5 at Academy of the Holy Names at Academy of the Holy Names. Explore Holy Names at a special Open House for girls PreK 3-Grade 5.
- Tuesday, May 7: Math Lab at The Wonder Room. Free with admission!
- Tuesday, May 7: Tuesday for Tots at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for our younger visitors to gain preschool readiness skills in a fun and social environment. Join us anytime between 10am and 12pm or 1pm and 3pm for play dough, crafts, games and friends!
- Tuesday, May 7: Video Game Creation at Niskayuna Central School District. If you think playing computer games is fun, imagine what a blast learning to program your own games will be!
Wednesday, May 8th:
- Wednesday, May 8: Parent/Child Book Discussion at Troy Public Library. Parent/Child Book Discussion Monthly on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm at the Lansingburgh Branch of the Troy Public Library
- Wednesday, May 8: Storytime at Altamont Free Library. All ages drop-in storytime with songs, rhymes, stories and a craft. Followed by free play.
- Wednesday, May 8: Brooks BBQ Fundraiser at Park Avenue Nursery School. Support our educational program while enjoying amazing BBQ!
- Wednesday, May 8: Parent/Child Craft Nights at Niskayuna Central School District. Enjoy some one-on-one time with your child with this series of five craft nights!
- Wednesday, May 8: Stop Motion Animated Movie Making with Lego! at Niskayuna Central School District. Kids will create and direct their own movies!
- Wednesday, May 8: Mother’s Day Gift Crafting at Amelia Dombrowski Design Sewing Classes. This crafting party will include all the supplies you need to make a gift for the special women in your life. Make something unique and personal with your own two hands.
- Wednesday, May 8: Family Storytime at the Troy Public Library at Troy Public Library. Children Ages 5 and under, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, are invited to join us for stories, rhymes, coloring, and simple crafts!
Thursday, May 9th:
- Thursday, May 9: May 2013 – Making Connections: Autism Program at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This FREE program is designed for individuals who are developmentally 2-10 on the autism spectrum. Siblings welcome!
- Thursday, May 9: Family Storytime at East Greenbush Community Library.
- Thursday, May 9: Mother’s Day Gift Crafting at Amelia Dombrowski Design Sewing Classes. This crafting party will include all the supplies you need to make a gift for the special women in your life. Make something unique and personal with your own two hands.
- Thursday, May 9: Homeschool Science Lab, It’s Electric! at The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Come and learn about the basics of electricity. We’ll explore static, experiment with a Van de Graaf generator and explore magnetics with various hands on experiments.
- Thursday, May 9: Silly Science at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Join us for our newest program, Silly Science! Each week we will explore the different ways science is all around us.
Friday, May 10th:
- Friday, May 10: Aquarium Adventures at Berkshire Museum.
- Friday, May 10: 2013 VBF Annual Challenge – Kid’s fun run, 5K race, community walk at The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF). A family event with DJ, food, bounce houses, activities by Tumbling Tykes, Coccadotts cupcake van and Changes Salon will be doing cuts trims, hair extensions, braids, sparkle spray for a donation to the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation.
- Friday, May 10: Tulip Festival 2013 at City Of Albany. The 65th Annual Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park, Albany, New York
- Friday, May 10: Pre-School Story Hour with Pam at the Open Door Bookstore at Open Door Bookstore. Enjoy songs & stories every Friday with Pam!
- Friday, May 10: Free Kiddie Cones with Kids Meal Purchase at Pirates Lakeside Grill on Fridays During Our Season! at Pirates Lakeside Grill. Get a free vanilla, chocolate, or twist kiddie cone or cup with purchase of a Kids’ Meal at Pirates Lakeside Grill! See our menu and hours at www.pirateslakesidegrill.com. 266 County Road 7 Nassau, NY 12123 (518) 265-7087
- Friday, May 10: Super WHY! Live “You’ve Got the Power” at the Palace Theatre May 10th at Palace Theatre. PBS Kids’ Super WHY Live comes to Albany for the first time ever, bringing entertainment and education together in an unforgettable live family show.
- Friday, May 10: Wiggle & Giggle at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This is a special time for younger children to learn what they can do with their bodies through structured group activities and guided free play.
- Friday, May 10: Parents Night Out: Steam Science at The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST). Join CNSE CMOST staff as we “jump in” to the science of streams! Investigate the water cycle, explore a near by stream for inhabitants and discover the world of cool creatures that make up a stream environment at this fun Friday night program.
May 5, 2013 No Comments
You Won’t Believe What Happened to Me Today
Were you wondering how that spot on NewsChannel 13 Live at Noon went today? Well, let me tell you.
I’d had a bit of a bumpy start day before yesterday when I went to pick up a prop at Kulak’s Nursery & Landscaping. They’re doing these classes on how to do a miniature or fairy garden, which is a lovely gift idea for Mother’s Day, right? My segment was supposed to be about craft projects and places to go to celebrate Mother’s Day, so when I saw their listing on KidsOutAndAbout.com, I thought: 1) they always have such gorgeous little garden arrangements displayed, and 2) they’re conveniently located between me and J’s gymnastics, and 3) those folks at WNYT love props. So I called to ask, and they said, why yes, they’d be happy to loan me something. Excellent. I arrived to pick it up a few minutes before closing, and here’s what they had prepared for me:
Holy crap. Is that thing adorable or what? It was far more fabulous and elaborate than what I had seen, but of course it makes sense that this is what they’d loan me, because how can you not want to report to Kulak’s immediately, surrender your credit card, and buy out the store with fairy paraphernalia? I mean, who wouldn’t? But I was a little intimidated, especially when they mentioned that they were a little concerned about the box they had to hold it. I put it in the car and headed for home.
And as I pulled out of their driveway, the entire thing flopped over. Dirt everywhere, plants abused. Take a moment, please, to clap your hands, because I totally owe it to the fairy world. I panicked and drove right back. I was mortified, and I wanted to just reassemble it, but I didn’t know how careful they’d been about the design. The actual designer of the garden wasn’t there, but the other folks were very nice and helped me put it back together. I still feel bad because as wonderful as it is, it was even better when I first got it. Here it is, closer up:
I drove home well below the speed limit, clutching the little wheelbarrow whenever I wasn’t actively shifting. Phew.
Afterwards I tried to remind myself not to completely freak out about something like that. I always admire how Deb, my KOA publisher, is super Zen-like when things go wrong. I start spinning like a top and she says, “None of our babies are in the hospital, so life is good. Really, nothing we’re doing is life-or-death.” I, on the other hand, would prefer for things to go perfectly all the time, so I start freaking out about, for example, tennis club. But whatever. I resolved to be more “chill” in future crap-storms.
But the Universe provided me with an opportunity quicker than I expected.
Cut to this morning. After attending J’s “Barnyard Moosical” at school, I headed home to groom myself and lay out my props.
We were going to talk about several crafts, then places to go and do crafts. I set the props on my dining room table and schpieled about them to myself as practice. Along with the vases (I really love the small pastel one), I added Mod Podge and tissues so that I could continue crafting on-camera, and there are a few lovely little charms and a chain from a craft shop, and I added a pair of scissors, because I find that getting the plant out of its pot is often the toughest part for kids. You can see more pictures in the article on KidsOutAndAbout.com. It was getting close to time to go, and after the recent Fairy Tipping Fiasco, I was super-concerned about ensuring that I’d get to the studio safely. So I pulled out extra boxes and cut one carefully to accommodate the wheelbarrow, and then I packed the other cardboard box with all of the other supplies, and I propped them so that the vases wouldn’t clink and the plant wouldn’t topple. I headed out front to the car (we’ve been parking on the street because of the construction), but when I went to put the box in the car, it was hot-like-summer. And I had my pretty plant to worry about, so instead, I set the box down right next to the front passenger door, then went inside to gather up the last of my things (and put on mascara, which you know I hardly ever do)!
When I headed out, gingerly carrying the fairy wheelbarrow, about 5–and definitely less than 10–minutes later, I was slightly ahead of schedule and feeling pretty good.
And then I realized that my other box of props was gone.
Gone.
Not moved.
Gone, like, disappeared.
I yelled. A neighbor asked if everything was okay, and when I told her the problem, she said, “Oh, the garbage truck just came by.”
Alright, so, what are the chances that they would come in that ten-minutes-tops interval? Also, I have placed the soccer ball approximately where the box was for re-enactment purposes. Observe:
Would you automatically assume a box here was trash? Or would you possibly look twice at it, and seeing a lovely vase and a gorgeous plant and a perfectly good pair of scissors and some jewelry, either leave it or ask someone? Because IT WAS NOT TRASH. I suppose it’s possible that someone was “curb shopping,” and I do leave items on my curb for people to claim. But when I do, they’re not hidden by a car and they have a sign that says “Free.” This was not free.
Okay, enough ranting. So, let’s assess the situation. I needed to leave within ten minutes to be on time for a live taping of a segment about crafts and I had no crafts. Time to find my Inner Mellow and, as Cute W says (cutely), “work the problem.”
Vases: I’ve mentioned that this is a great craft because you probably have leftover vases from flower deliveries cluttering a cabinet. And I did. I still had tissue paper, and I hunted down some Elmer’s to replace the Mod Podge. I threw those in a box.
Jewelry: I ransacked my own and J’s jewelry boxes to look for pieces that were somewhat like what I’d seen at craft stores. I had one small spool of crafting wire. I threw necklaces and wire in a box.
Plant: Okay, I forgot about this, jumped in the car and started the engine, and then I remembered. Showing no mercy to the flora, I dug up a forget-me-not that I’d planted last week, found a presentable pot, and put them together. There was no time to secure it, so the poor thing rolled around in the box for the whole drive.
Then I peeled out, knocking into the garbage can my way. I only realized once I was on the highway that I’d accidentally folded my rear-view mirror in, and I ended up half-blind to the right until I got to a safe spot to stop and fix it.
When I arrived at the studio I told them what happened and started to decoupage the vase right there. There was also an adorable little girl visiting, so of course I had to show her the fairy garden. The staff helped me disassemble my necklaces, and I used what I could.
Then there was breaking news, and my segment was cut down from 3 to 2 minutes! That’s a lot of freaking out for a mere 2 minutes! Except that I did not freak out. I used this as a personal growth opportunity, found my Inner Serenity, and spent most of the drive to the studio laughing to myself that pulling this off proves that I am Fifty Shades of Awesome.
And when I was done, I felt even better. I was so flustered that I couldn’t find my camera, so I took a terribly fuzzy photo with my phone, just to prove it all happened. Here’s the prop table with Subrina Dhammi in the background. Except you can’t even see her with all the lights:
And it turns out that we’ve got the segment available online, too.
May 3, 2013 3 Comments









