Posts from — May 2010

Did you hear that a week from Saturday there will be an AweSomely Adult Prom?  I read about it on the All Over Albany blog.  I was briefly deeply excited because it’s actually on our wedding anniversary.  17 years, baby!   I do love me some dancin’.  But on second thought, I think that this is really something that you need to recruit a whole mess of friends to truly enjoy.   Sigh. . . looks like dinner for us.   Unless, anyone have some good date ideas?

Anyway, as the anniversary approaches, I can’t help but be thankful that my love life has been a delightful constant in my life for lo these last two decades or so.  (This is where I segue into whining–don’t say I didn’t warn you!)

Next week is our last week of nursery school for J. Which means the last week of nursery school for the entire family, after 5 years straight (two successive sisters plus a kindergarten “red shirt” year).  I feel a little bit sad about it.  It’s not because my little baby is growing up.  I love to watch the kids evolve–I spend very little time mourning the loss of my babies and toddlers, because these big kids are wonderful.  And I’m not worried about her starting kindergarten.  She’s ready.  Excited, even.

Nope, I’m just sad for me.  My nursery school experience  has evolved.  I started out intimidated by the people running it and frustrated by M’s sobbing, thigh-clutching separations each morning.  Then I knew many people and over-volunteered.  For years.  This year I’ve already pulled away–I had a very small job, and I don’t know most of the newer parents who come on my “off” day.  But it’s still like a second home, a comfortable fit for me, full of people I know and care about and enjoy seeing several times a week.  It’s the kind of place where you can show up in the morning in your pajama bottoms and burst into tears and you’ll instantly have someone holding your baby for you while another leads your big kid into the classroom and someone else fishes a candy bar out of her bag.  And then dinner appears on your front porch.  Not like that has happened to me.  It’s, you know, hypothetical.

But the truth is, just like J, I am ready to move on.  Because I don’t go out in pajamas anymore (just sweaty workout clothes these days), and I hardly ever spontaneously burst into tears in public anymore.   But I know what I’m losing.  J’s classmates will go to several different elementary schools, and I already know how rarely I see the folks from previous years.  And that doesn’t even take into account the moms’ group friends whom I still miss, even though I stopped doing that two years ago now.  Just coordinating a cup of coffee is a freakin’ logic problem.

I’ve barely gotten acclimated to the elementary school scene, which is, frankly, decidedly less warm & fuzzy than my cuddly ol’ moms’ group and nursery school.  I’m working on that–bringing some more warm-fuzzies in.  But meanwhile, the scariest transition yet is looming.  Soon, I’ve got to come up with a paying job.   I actually thought that this blog could help me to forge a new plan–to see if I could manage to write consistently (along with, of course, helping people find some fun).  But even though I like capitaldistrictfun, it’s not satisfying enough, really, and it sure as heck isn’t going to pay for the new bathroom I want, much less the dang roof.  So if I was operating under the optimistic delusion that this experiment would lead to some sort of Oprah Aha moment that would light my path to the future. . . umm, well, it hasn’t.

I think that I’d just like to stop evolving for a little while.  I know:  that would be death.  Could you stop being a smartass, please, and just feel my thirst already?

Or, you know, you don’t have to just feel my thirst, if you happen to have a glass full of fabulous lucrative career that’s  tremendously satisfying  in what my father likes to call “an asshole-free” environment that gets me out of the house while still allowing me plenty of family time, then I am absolutely open to your input.

Ready for the weekend?  I am!  I mowed the front lawn and planted some flowers, because we’re on the Niska-Day parade route.  A friend just asked me if we really get a letter from the planning committee telling us to spruce up our yards or if it’s just a (sub)urban legend.  We do get a letter.  I can’t remember what it says (because I only really read through it the first year that we were here), but I do remember thinking that it was sort of passive aggressive–all of your neighbors’ houses will look great, so don’t be the sucky one on the block.  But perhaps I was being over-sensitive.  The same friend also reminded me that last year we were joking with the people hanging out on my lawn about how we’d have mimosas and a breakfast buffet this time.  Did I say that?  What I meant was,  this year, I’d be happy if the people hanging out on my lawn would like to bring food and drinks to me.  And then, you know, I’d share.

Finally filled my neglected front-porch flower pot.

So here’s what else is going on this weekend:

All Weekend:

• If you’ve ever wanted to do the Day Out with Thomas, it’s happening this weekend and next weekend.  Alas, it was mostly sold out for this weekend by the time I noticed it–I think just late on Sunday is left.  So if you’d like an activity for next weekend, act now.  I’ve had friends who’ve gone and loved it.
• Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library is having a used book sale on Saturday and Sunday.
• The Albany Legends are playing basketball at the Washington Avenue Armory on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.  On Saturday, the first 250 kids get a team photo, and there’s a dollar coupon at the link (tickets are $7, $10, or $25)
• Singin’ in the Rain is at Cohoes Music Hall.  Tickets are $25-$35.

Friday evening, May 21st:

• At 5 pm, it’s the Acoustic Sidewalk Series at the New Scotland Branch Library.
• It’s Art Night Schenectady from 5 to 9 pm.  Free admission to the Schenectady Museum and much more.
• At the Saratoga Springs Barnes & Noble at 6:30 pm, there’s a gathering of the American Girls Club.
• At 6:30 pm, it’s Tween Lego Club at Guilderland Public Library.
• Emma Willard School in Troy is hosting a free dance performance at 8 pm.

Saturday, May 22nd:

• It’s Take Our Children to the Park. . . And Leave Them There Day.
• From 8 am to 4 pm, there’s a Garden Center & Family Fun Day at Berkshire Farm Center in New Canaan, NY.
• At 9 am, take Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis at Grafton Lakes State Park.
• At 9 am, there’s a Wildflower Walking Tour at Vischer Ferry.  See the TU’s Clifton Park blog for details.
• It’s Niska-Day.  The parade starts at 10 am, and in the afternoon there’s plenty of entertainment, games, and a mechanical bull.
• There’s a 10 am Spring Botany Walk at Thacher Nature Center.  In case you’re a little confused, here, because you’ve heard that Thacher State Park is closed, let me tell you the deal.  Because I was confused, and so I called for you.  Thacher Nature Center is on the grounds of Thompson’s Lake State Park, which remains open.  The nature center and trails are available.  They’re adjacent to Thacher Park, with many beautiful, beautiful trails, including Indian Ladder and others.  These are not open.  If this makes you unhappy, and you haven’t called anyone or written any letters yet, you should.
• Discover Ann Lee Pond at the Shaker Heritage Society.  Tours leave at 11 am & 2 pm, and there’s a $5 suggested donation.
• At the Chapman Museum in Glens Falls, kids can make a birdhouse to take home. It’s from 1-3 pm, $3/child, and you need to call to make reservations.
• Take a Mud Pond Hike from 1-3 pm at Moreau Lake State Park.
• At 1 pm, kids aged 2 to 8 can bring their teddies to a Teddy Bear Picnic at the Rensselaer Public Library.  No sign-up is required.
• There’s a free Family Storytelling event at Watervliet Public Library from 1:30-2:15 pm.

Sunday, May 23rd:

• They’re planning a Trail Work Day at Grafton Lakes.
• There’s a Horse Show at the Altamont Fairgrounds.
• From 12:30-2:30 pm, Albany Mommy is cohosting a “funraiser” with FitAlbany to help raise money for Team Leukemia and Lymphoma.  It’s at Tumbling Tykes in Latham.  $10 for the first child, then $5 for each additional child.
• At 1 pm, there’s a World Turtle Day celebration at the Children’s Museum of Science & Technology.  Pre-registration required, $2/non-member.

I’m in a foul mood, and I just whined for about four paragraphs and then I removed it because you don’t really need to hear that, right?  So, instead, just take a look at this veritable smorgasbord of local farmers’ markets.   We’ve all heard, I think, about Troy & Downtown Schenectady & the Crossings, but anyone particularly enjoy any of the smaller ones?

ALBANY COUNTY

Capital District Farmers Market in Menands in Albany
E. side of Broadway (Rt32) & Rt. 378 Menands, I 787 Ex. 6W then N. or Ex. 7W
Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm
May 1- Oct 30

Central Avenue Farmers Market in Albany
The Linda Parking Lot, 339 Central Avenue
Saturdays,  9 am-1 pm
May 23-Sept 26

Delaware Area Neighborhood Farmers Market in Albany
391 Delaware Ave, St. James Church lot
Tuesdays,  4-7 pm
June 22-Nov 23

Downtown Albany Farmers Market
SUNY Administration Building Lawn State Street & Broadway
Thursdays, 11 am-2 pm
May 6-Oct 28

Empire State Plaza Farmers Market
North end Opposite NYS Capitol Bldg
Wednesdays & Fridays, 10 am-2 pm
May 6-Oct 30

Harriman State Campus Farmers Market
Building 8 & 8A, off Western Ave
Thursdays, 10:30 am-1:30 pm
May 7-Oct 29

CDPHP in Albany
500 Patroon Creek Blvd
Thursdays, 11 am-1:30 pm
May 27-Oct 7

Jewish Community Center
Whitehall Rd
Thursdays, 3-6 pm
May 27-Sept 2

Sage College
New Scotland Rd
Thursdays, 4-7 pm
May 20- Aug 19

Altamont Farmers Market
Orsini Park, Altamont Train Station
Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri 11-6pm &Sat/Sun 10-2
July 10- Oct 10

Coeymans Landing Farmers Market
Coeymans Landing, adjacent to NYS Boat Launch
Thursdays, 4-6:30 pm
June 3-Oct 7

Cohoes Farmers Market
Remsen St. lot, 185 Remsen St.
Fridays, 4-7 pm
June 4-Oct 1
Winter: Municipal Parking Lot, Remsen St.
Fridays, 4:30 -7:30 pm
Nov 7, 14, 21, 28 & Dec 5, 12, & 19

The Farmer’s Market at the Crossings in Colonie
The Crossings, 580 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville
Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm
June 5- September 25

First United Methodist Church Farmers Market in Delmar
428 Kenwood Ave. Delmar
Tuesdays, 2:30-6 pm
April 6-Nov 23

Preston Hollow Hilltown Farmers Market
Jimmy Walkers Greenhouse, 2958 Rt. 145
Fridays,  4-7 pm
June25-Sept. 3

Voorheesville Farmers Market
First United Methodist Church, 68 Maple Ave
Fridays, 2:30-5:30 pm
June 18 –October 1

Watervliet Waterfront Farmers Market
Hudson Shores Park, Watervliet
Tuesdays, 2:30-5:30 pm
June 1-Oct 26

RENSSELAER COUNTY

Brunswick Farmers’ Market
Brunswick Town Office parking lot
336 Town Office Rd., Brunswick, NY
Saturdays, 9am – 1pm
June 5 – Oct. 9

Countryside Farm Market
Countryside Woodcraft
5054 Rt.7, Hoosick, NY
Fridays, 3pm – 6:30pm
June 4 through August 27

The Downtown Farmers Market
6th Ave. between Fulton St. and Broadway,Troy, NY
Tuesdays, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
June 1 through Sept. 28

Little Italy Farmers’ Market
Hill St., Between Washington and Liberty Streets, Troy, NY
Wednesdays, 3pm to 6pm
June 2 through Oct. 13

Rensselaer County Farmers’ Market
Twin Town Little League Park
95 Williams Rd., North Greenbush, NY
Thursdays, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
June 3 – October 14

Schaghticoke Farmers’ Market
Town of Schaghticoke Town Hall
290 Northline Drive, Schaghticoke, NY
Thursdays, 5:30pm – 8pm
July 1 – August 19

Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market
Riverfront Park, Troy, NY
Saturdays, 9am – 1pm
May 1 – October 31

Troy Winter Farmers’ Market
Uncle Sam Atrium
Broadway at 3rd & 4th St., Troy, NY
Saturdays, 9am – 1pm
November 1 – April 30

SCHENECTADY COUNTY

Rotterdam Farmers Market
Rotterdam Senior Citizens Center
2639 Hamburg Street
Every Saturday 9-2
May 22-September

Schenectady Greenmarket
Summer Market: In front of City Hall
Every Sunday from 10-2,
November-April inside Proctors, May-October around City Hall

Schenectady Farmers Market
Summer Market: In front of City Hall
Thursdays 9-2
May 7 – October 29
Winter Market: Ground Floor of City Hall
Thursdays 9-1
November 5 – March 4

Schenectady State Street Farmers’ Market
St. Luke’s Church, 1216 State Street
Tuesdays 9-1
July 7 – October 27

Upper Union Street Farmers’ Market
Behind Trusco Bank, Upper Union St.
Saturdays 9-1
May 2 – October 31

Have you heard that this Saturday is Take Our Children to the  Park. . . And Leave Them There Day?  Lenore Skenazy, of Free Range Kids fame, came up with this idea.  She explains:

If our goal is to get kids back outside (it is), and playing together (it is), and for parents to relax (it is), and to start creating community again (it sure is!!!), then “Take Our Children to the Park… And Leave Them There Day” is a great first step.

Across the country — what the heck, across the world — parents will  converge upon local playgrounds and parks with their school-age kids. They will tell them to have fun, make friends and don’t leave with anyone. Then the parents will wave goodbye and the kids will amuse themselves for whatever amount of time they’ve decided with their folks. An hour. A morning. Or maybe even just half an hour, to get used to the whole thing, which, admittedly, sounds radical. But is it?

The crime rate in America is back to where it was in the early ’70s. Crime was going up then, and it peaked around 20 years later. By the mid ’90s it was coming down and continues to do so.  So the strange fact — very hard to digest — is that if YOU were playing outside in the ’70s or ’80s, your kids today are safer than you were! I know it doesn’t feel that way. In fact, here’s an interesting poll about how the majority of people feel crime is going up when actually its going down. But anyway, the point is:

Most of us used to play outside in the park, without our parents, without cell phones, without Purell or bottled water and we survived! Thrived! We cherish the memories! And if you believe the million studies that I’m always publishing here, kids are healthier, happier and better-adjusted if they get to spend some time each day in “free play,” without adults hovering.

I know there will be shrill voices insisting, “Predators are gonna love this holiday!” but keep a level head. Crime is down. Awareness is up. There is safety in numbers, which means getting kids outside again, together. This won’t happen until we actually start DOING IT.

So far, my kids don’t walk to the playground on their own.  They do play outside without me, and they’re allowed to walk to neighbors’ houses if they tell me first.  A week or two ago I actually wandered around the neighborhood looking for kids, because it was an unbelievably beautiful day and there was hardly anyone outside.  It drives me crazy.  We do have a few neighbors that will come out and play, but I aspire to have the girls form part of a neighborhood gang.  Really, my vision is the crowd in Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books–especially The Bully, where the kids transform a shed and the mothers take turns baking brownies.  Except, you know, in my fantasy the dads would bake, too, and/or the kids would get take-out dumplings or samosas sometimes.  Right now we’ll sometimes have a lone little girl come over to play, and eventually my kids want to go inside or even just play with each other, and then I have a sad little girl standing forlornly in the driveway.  If there were a whole crowd, then kids could come and go with perhaps a little less drama. . . or maybe that’s wishful thinking?

In any case, I do love the idea of building a little a better neighborhood community.  Last year we hosted a little BBQ potluck with the neighbors, and I know that there are at least five other going-to-be-kindergarteners on our block, but there’s only one of them that I actually see outside regularly.  Of course, some of this is because the parents have to work, so the kids are tucked away in daycare for the day–maybe we’ll see more of them as it stays lighter later.  I’ve heard of one neighborhood where they take turns hosting happy hour once a week over the summer–now that sounds like an excellent idea.

So, I think that I’d probably try to screw up my courage and send the girls to the playground for an hour or so this Saturday–M already walks to school, and J’s a little young, but with M I think she’d be okay.  But our dance card is full:  we’ve got Niska-Day on Saturday.  Plus we’re hosting two friends for a first-ever (babysitting) sleepover, and we’re going to try to make it to a neighborhood party that we always miss because we’re just too freakin’ exhausted from all the parade marchin’ and general frolicking.

How about you?  Do you send your kids to their local park?  Or, would you?

I’m feeling pretty grouchy today.  W is out of town.  I’ve had several bad runs in a row.  We need a new roof and we have a stupid Tudor style house which makes it cost, like, expensive times 3.  So I thought that I’d just allow myself to be needy today and ask if anyone’s seen these particular hairbands around.

The last ones left in the house.

These are currently M’s favorite hairbands.  I don’t know where I bought them, and I can’t find them again.  They’re not these Goody ones.  They look similar, but those are a different texture, more like fabric.    I think that maybe they’re these Scunci hair thingies.  But I’m not sure without seeing them in person, and I’m too cheap and stubborn to pay shipping when I’m not sure.  I keep looking at every place that I normally go shopping, and I keep not finding them.  Anybody seen them?  If so, where?  Please?

We have a whole variety of other hairbands.  None of them, apparently, are much good at all.

Unworthy options.

I understand.  I mean, we all tend to like a certain kind of brush or socks or whatever.  And it’s not like M pitches a fit when we can’t find one of her preferred hairbands.  But it’s just irritating.  You know:  you use the ones you like, and then they apparently evaporate into thin air and you’re left with piles  sub-standard hairbands.

And, then, because I was feeling grouchy and mildly sorry for myself for one reason or another, I allowed myself to get sucked into a true time waster.  You see, part of the challenge with M is that she decides on a single hairstyle choice and sticks with it constantly for months.  Currently, it’s the ponytail.  Hence my constant need for hairbands.

But then I got nostalgic for the headband era.  Because, for several months, M wore a headband Every. Waking. Moment.  I’m serious.  She actually stored the headbands on a bedpost so that she could remove the day’s headband after bedtime stories, and then she’d put a new one on in the morning before getting out of bed.  Consequently, for months at at time, it was impossible to get a picture without a headband.    I started out looking for a good photograph of  this one headband that was pink and black that used to drive me nuts because it was pretty–truly it was–but it always made me think that M looked uncomfortably like a pint-sized Paris Hilton.  ewww.  I couldn’t find that one, but here she is sportin’ headbands . . .

While dancin'. . .

Feeding a dolphin. . .

Oh, this one caused some ugly tangles! Bad idea. . .

Originally I uploaded about eight different pictures, but then I thought that you might not be quite so enamored with all the photos as I am.  And her face evolved, too, so some of them started to look like her today, which I usually avoid.  So here are a few, including one with the adorable little preschool face.  Man, I miss that little face.  And, you know, those headbands drove me crazy-crazy-crazy.  But now I even miss them, too.

Seriously, if anyone sees those hairbands around, I’ll owe you one.  With my luck I’ll find them just when she decides that she needs a chic bob.

Weekend’s over!  After ranting on Friday and fretting on Saturday, we’re back to the weekly line up.  There are also plenty of regularly scheduled events, and the weather’s looking pretty good, too.  Yay.

All Week

• From 3-4 pm each day, kids can help make a commercial for the Rensselaer Public Library‘s summer reading programs.

Monday, May 17th

• At 11 am, the Bethlehem Public Library is having a Fancy Nancy Party.  Sign-up is required, and it’s for pre-K kids with a parent.
• Have a Beaver Adventure at Moreau Lake State Park at 11 am.
• At 4:30 pm the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library will be showing AI: Artificial Intelligence as part of their free drop-in Teen Screen for kids in 6th grade and up.

Tuesday, May 18th

• It’s Music Morning at 10 am at the Bethlehem Public Library.  It’s for all ages.
• At 10:30 there’s  Shore Fishing at Moreau Lake State Park.  Learn the basics of fishing–call for details.
• At noon, there’s a free Cello Concert at St. Paul’s Church in Troy.
• From 6 to 7:30 pm, there’s a Healthy Eating Workshop designed for girls 7 and older at the East Greenbush Library hosted by girl scouts.  Albany Kid tells us all about it.
• Plant Sunflowers at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library garden as part of Family Storytime, and bring one home, too.  It’s from 6-7 pm.

Wednesday, May 19th

• There’s a Luzerne Mountain Trail Hike at Moreau Lake State Park from 9 am to noon.  It’s a new trail.
• It’s Katie’s Kitchen at 11 am OR 1 pm at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.  Ages 3-6, $15 for non-members includes admission for one child and one parent.  This is on their calendar, but it’s no longer on their home page, so I’m wondering if they’re both full already?
• There’s a Teen Movie at 6:30 pm at the Bethlehem Public Library.

Thursday, May 20th

• At 7 pm, there’s a Sling Babies meeting at Bethlehem Public Library.  Sign-up is required.
• The Mohawk Commons Barnes & Noble is hosting a Ranger’s Apprentice Book Club at 7 pm.  It’s designed for 8- to 12-year-olds.

Friday, May 21st

• At 9 am at the Colonie Library, there’s a program about helping parents and students work effectively together with special education issues.  Registration is required.
• There’s Stretching with Stuffee at 10 am at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.  Included with admission.
• The Bethlehem Public Library is hosting Kids on Bikes from 3-5 pm at the Green.  Sign-up is required.  They’ll discuss proper fit of helmets and bikes as well as other safety issues.
• At 5 pm, it’s the Acoustic Sidewalk Series at the New Scotland Branch Library.
• At the Saratoga Springs Barnes & Noble at 6:30 pm, there’s a gathering of the American Girls Club.
• Emma Willard School in Troy is hosting a free dance performance at 8 pm.

Ever thought about hosting an exchange student?  They’re looking for folks to host Spanish teenagers for about a month this summer.  Great opportunity to make friends with someone who can then host you in a fabulous city with an amazing art museum.

In other news, I’ve moved from ranting yesterday to becoming a little overwrought today on the Channel 6 blog.  Probably it’s hormonal.  In any case, do read (and comment!) if you wish.  I have to step away from the computer and get a run in before dinner.

This morning I was checking out the various blogs, and the TU’s Parent to Parent Blog had what I consider to be an appalling and depressing video of little girls dancing to Single Ladies. Actually, I just went to check, and they’ve pulled the video.  Imagine 8-ish year-old girls wearing thigh-high boots, shorty-shorts & half shirts with ruffles where there will someday be curves, dancing like Beyoncé. Except, you know, probably better than her, actually.  They were great dancers. I won’t go and on about it (although I already did, a little, in comment #14).

It reminded me that I’ve had a draft waiting to be posted that includes this rogue Disney compilation on YouTube.   It’s catchy but also appalling.  For me, at least.  Because for quite a while my girls loved the princesses, and I would try my best to find what was brave and clever about them, because it would be unkind to sneer at these characters whom my daughters admired so much.  But this has every single hotty-seductress princess snippet, so that, as a Feminist Mommy, I was feeling a little sick by the end.

My antidote is to keep a running list of fabulous Girl Power books.   I used to find it difficult to find great kids’ books to support my feminist habit.  Part of the reason was that many compilations are pretty good, but entirely picture-free, like Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World, by Kathleen Ragan, or Girls to the Rescue, ed. by Bruce Lansky.  Or there are other stories that include pictures that just don’t appeal to my girls.  In the Barefoot Book of Princesses or Robert Munsch’s classic The Paper Bag Princess, the princesses aren’t really. . . pretty.  And I know, I know:  I want my smart, strong, kind, courageous girl heroines to be beautiful, too?  Well, it doesn’t hurt.

J, in particular, loves really lushly illustrated books of fairy tales and legends, and at 5 she’s already a sucker for a good romance.   I love it when we pick books from  different cultures.  Many of these are from our local library.  Here are some of our favorites (in no particular order):

• Robert San Souci, Fa Moulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior , Young Guinevere. . . others, too.  Love him!
• Aaron Shepard,  Master Maid: A Tale of Norway
• Shana Corey, Mermaid Queen: the Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune, and Swimsuit History!
• Emma Bull, The Princess and the Lord of Night
• Jacqueline K. Ogburn, The Lady & the Lion
• Anne Sibley O’Brien, The Princess and the Beggar:  A Korean Folktale
• Burleigh Muten, Grandmothers’ Stories, Lady of Ten Thousand Names, Goddesses, and other Barefoot Books
  
• Louise Hawes, Muti’s Necklace: The Oldest Story in the World
• Laura Krauss Melmed, Little Oh
• Laurence Yep, The Shell Woman and the King
• Diane Wolkstein, The Banza : A Haitian Story
• Judy, Sierra, The Dancing Pig
• Emily Arnold McCully, Mirette on the High Wire, Beautiful Warrior, and The Bobbin Girl
• William Steig, Brave Irene
• Ruby Bridges–there are a bunch of different books on her–mine‘s an older one.
• Amy Ehrlich & Susan Jeffers, The Wild Swans
• Mary Hoffman, Amazing Grace
• Kevin Henkes, Sheila Rae, the Brave

Literally in between typing books for this Girl Power list, I went to check the mail.  And I thought that perhaps my head would explode.  Because I received a solicitation letter to enter my child into the National American Miss Pageant.  No, I am not kidding.  Yes, this was a bad day for that piece of mail to arrive.  The letter starts out, “Congratulations! Your daughter has been referred to us as a possible candidate. . . ” as if some big sister character has made special note that my child among all others is particularly beautiful and poised, and then it went on to tell us about all the money we could win.  It was so clever, I thought, because what mother  doesn’t want to believe that her daughter is really quite beautiful and poised, plus also (I’m sounding like Junie B. Jones in my cheekiness) who doesn’t like money? I was, like, enraged.

Immediately I wanted to find out what product or mailing list had passed my information on to these folks.  There was no 1-800 number, which is probably good, because even though I told myself that I would try my best to be polite and non-judgmental, I think I would have failed.  I requested via email that they remove us from their list, and then I hid the damn thing.  Because generally if my children say that they’d like to do an activity (which is rare–they’d rather hang out and play), we try to do it.  And we will not be doing that.

In their defense, the children are not allowed to wear make-up during the pageant.  The prosecution will point out that their blog’s latest post is about how one of their “role model[s] for our next generation of female leaders” has been accepted as a professional football cheerleader (yay!), and if you Google one of their sponsors, John Robert Powers, Google auto-finishes John Robert Powers Scam.  But,  you know, I didn’t mean to really just go off on this.  I mean, I’m sure that the parents of the cheerleader are very proud.  Because it takes skills, I understand.  And she set a goal and accomplished it.  So, you know, yay.  But a leader of the next generation? Really?!?!

Another big weekend, and it’s finally going to get warmer again–wooo, hooo!   I made the mistake of telling J that we’re going to the playground later to play with her friend, whom I’ll call Streppy McStrepGirl, and now she’s asking me approximately every 3 minutes if it’s time to go yet.  Which is making me nutty because if I could only focus on this for ten minutes, I would be done already.  Instead, I am getting up to give J an underdog or to check & see if the ladybug who appears to be dead still is, in fact, dead (yup) or to play a few minutes of tickle tag.  Seriously, if it were not so fabulous out I would have suggested a tv show by now, but I simply couldn’t it in good conscience with this weather.

Bouquet, Tree Swing, & J's Fabulous Poncho

So, here’s the new early (for me)  edition of the weekend:

All Weekend

• St. Sophia’s Greek Festival has food, entertainment, children’s rides. $3/grown up, kids 12 and under free.  We’re talking carnival rides, here.  Hey if anyone goes on Friday or early Saturday, will you let us know how it is so we can decide if we should go, too?  And if you notice what the carnival company is, I’d love to hear, in case they’ll be traveling to other local spots.
• RPI Young Actors Guild presents Once on this Island Friday & Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
• Saratoga City Ballet will be presenting Hansel and Gretel on Friday & Saturday at Skidmore College.  $18/adult, $12/kids 10 and under.
• It’s Family Fun Weekend at the New York State Museum from 1-4 pm.  The theme is dance, including performances by the Ellen Sinopoli Dancer Company, which I’ve recommended before.
• There’s a Monster Trucks Show at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Friday & Saturday nights.  $51 for a family four pack of tickets.  Just, you know, nobody try to make me go.
• The Saratoga Automobile Museum is having its Spring Auto Show this weekend.  $10/person.
• At Columbia High School, there’s free admission to Parade.  But this isn’t a jolly kids’ fest–it’s the story of Leo Frank and the beginning of the Anti-Defamation League.

Friday, May 14th

• From 4-7 pm, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga is having a Parents’ Night Out for kids 3 and older.  $15/child, and pre-registration and pre-payment are required.  The kids will get pizza and you. . . will not have to eat pizza.  You’ll go someplace more exciting for dinner.
• Author Emily Arnold McCully will be at the Guilderland Public Library with a program for families at 6:30 pm.  I was just saying the other day how much I love Mirette!
• At 7:30 pm, the Empire State Youth Orchestra is presenting a Jazz Ensemble Recital at the College of St. Rose.  $6/adult, $3/kid.
• They’re doing a Star Watch at 8:30 pm at Grafton Lakes State Park.

Saturday, May 15th

• In Troy, there’s a Striped Bass Tournament and Block Party.  It’s $60 to actually register for the tournament,  but might be fun to stop by and see the sights.
• At 8 am, take a Spring Bird Walk leaving from the Thacher Nature Center.  Please pre-register.  It’s a good idea to bring binoculars and keep in mind that there may be grown-ups who will be irritated if your children scare the birds away with their loud kid-ness.  I’ll always let you know if it’s a bird thing designed for kids.
• It’s the Albany Children’s Book Festival at The Albany Academies.  It’s free and it runs from 10 am to 3 pm, including a Storybook Parade at 10:15 am.
• From 10:30-11:30 am, there’s Little Wonders of Science program about zippers for 3- to 5-year-olds at the Schenectady Museum.  It’s free with admission, but you’re supposed to pre-register.    I should say that there are tons of kids’ projects on display right now as part of their Invention Convention.
• Any Arthur fans out there?  The real DW is visiting the Malta Branch of Round Lake Library at 11 am.  You must pre-register.
• Take a Wildflower Walk at 11 am at Thacher Park.  Call for meeting place.
• There are Star Shows at the Henry Hudson Planetarium in Albany at 11 am and 1 pm.
• From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm there’s a Sherman Island Kayak Trip at Moreau Lake State Park.  Call for details.
• The Albany Institute of History & Art is trying their First Annual Tulip Tea with seatings at 1 & 2:30 pm.  $22/non-member.
• At 2 pm, it’s Violin at the Young Musicians Forum at the Niskayuna Public Library.
• See the Real Story of Little Red Riding Hood at 3 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church in Albany.  $10/adult, $8/kids 10 and under.  You can also stay for dinner.

Sunday, May 16th

• Phil from Cooper’s Ark Farm will be bringing baby emus to the Schenectady Greenmarket today.  The farm offers educational family fun tours in the summer, so kids are welcome to interact and pet the emus–it’ll get them acclimated for the summer season.  The Greenmarket  runs from 10 am to 2 pm.
• At 1 pm, there’s a Kids’ Ballroom Competition at Schenectady High School run by Dance Crazy.  It’s a suggested donation of $10/adult.  This is why I love doing this blog!! I had no idea that we have our very own local Mad Hot Ballroom!
• From 1-4 pm, there’s a Teddy Bear Hospital at Albany Medical Center in the Choices Cafeteria.  Bring a stuffed friend for a check up along with plenty of kid-friendly activities, and health information for parents.  Their website isn’t updated, but I’ve seen fliers around as well as listings on various calendars.
• At 1 pm, there’s Nest Box Monitor Training at Thacher Nature Center.  This might be a good project for your older kid/budding naturalist.  You can train for your own backyard or to volunteer over the summer at Thacher.  Call for details/to register.
• Capital District Youth Chorale will hold a free concert at Union College at 3 pm.
• At 4 pm, see Fuego! Fuego at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs.  A world dance show designed for families.  $15/adult, $10/13 and under, 3 and under free.
• The Northeast String Orchestra will have a free concert at 6 pm in Clifton Park.

If you make it to a playground that we haven’t put on the playground list, I’d love to hear about it.  If you’re new to the blog, I’ll remind you that you can also check regularly scheduled events at What about TODAY?? and you can “like” me on Facebook–apparently the Facebook folks decided that “becoming a fan” was too much of a commitment for many people.  I have to admit–and I’m not proud of this–that I put way too much stock in the FB page.  Occasionally I’ll notice that I’ve gone down a number, and it’s hard not to take it personally when someone’s decided that they don’t like you, after all.  Or, at least it’s hard for me.  Not that you need to pretend to like me if you don’t, out of pity.  I mean, that would be pathetic.  Right?  On the other hand, I wouldn’t know that it was completely out of pity, would I? So maybe you should, and that could be your good deed for the day. . . . Shameless!!  We’d better move on!

I wanted to throw in a quick plug for the Youth Arts Blog at the Times Union because I found a few different events on this one today.  If you like to frequent kid culture, you should follow it.  They list many more items that I do–I tend to cherry pick only those items by older students (because, let’s face it, the high schoolers are going to perform better than the elementary school kids, generally) doing performing arts that seem to either have wide appeal for children’s entertainment or educational value.

Enjoy the weather, everybody!  Going to put J out of her “misery” and take her to the playground!

Is anybody else unbelievably chilly?  It’s funny how what’s balmy in February suddenly seems quite unbearable when we’ve been spoiled by warm weather.  So let’s think summer, okay?   Ready?  (Oh, man, I am so ready!!)

Free Concerts! Pack yourself a picnic dinner and enjoy the great outdoors.  Even when the music doesn’t captivate them, there’s likely to be other kids and dogs to make things more interesting.  You can always bring along a ball or bubbles to guarantee some playmates on the sidelines.  If you’ve got big kids, pick a nearby concert and bike there–a nice little destination.  Get some friends to meet you and let them create their own little camp separate from the adults.  Or if the kids are extra little, run them around, wipey the dirtiest limbs, and pop them into pajamas before the car ride home—you’re golden!  Take the rest of the night off!

• The Alive at Five concert series is Thursday nights at 5 pm at Albany Riverfront Park.  It runs from June 3rd to August 5th.  (Remember how I was complaining about things petering out early?)
• On the other side of the river in Troy, it’s Rockin’ on the River Wednesdays at 5 pm.  It’s starting June 23rd and ending August 25th.  For some reason they don’t have it listed on the Troy website yet, but luckily All Over Albany‘s got the information for you.
• Troy is already listing their Powers Park concert series.  It’s 6-8:30 pm on Saturdays from July 10th to August 21st.
• The Colonie Town Band will be playing at a variety of parks and libraries through the spring and summer.

Free Movies! Sure–it might be beautiful outside, but sometimes it’s rainy.  Or really freakin’ hot.  Or you just need to take a little break.  Once in a while, popcorn at 9:45 am is acceptable.  I have heard that these free movie deals can be a bit of a mob scene. . . anyone ever go?  Any tips, besides getting there early? This sounds like a great opportunity to collaborate with some other parents and do some childcaring & sharing arrangement:  one week you go in with the kids, the next weekyou get to walk around, maybe do some shopping.   Or better, yet, a few friends, because you know that you’ll be trotting in and out to the potty.  But don’t worry:  you’ll be able to keep up with the plot, I’m sure.

• At Regal Cinemas at Crossgates and at Clifton Park Center, there’s the free Family Film Festival series on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am from June 29th to August 26th.
• At Bowtie Cinema in Schenectady, there’s a Kid’s Club Film Series on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am from June 22nd to August 18th.

I’ll be adding these to the Summer Fun on the Big Ol’ List over the next few days.  I know that there are tons more activities, so we’ll be getting to them.  If you have handy links, it would be very kind of you to email me:  capitaldistrictfun@yahoo.com

Oh, and if you missed your chance to buy discount Great Escape tickets in May through the Children’s Museum, one of the local PTOs is doing the same fundraiser right now.  Email linloo30@yahoo.com if you’re interested.