Columbus Day & the Rest of the Week

Oh, my gosh!  Love the 3-day weekend!  Halfway through the day, we were chuckling that today was “like another Saturday, only relaxing!” Because lately half of every Saturday is consumed by soccer.  The girls decided on their Halloween costumes (M’s a vampire, J’s a Native American).

Fin the Fish Seeks Companionship in Her Reflection

They also brought a goldfish home from the carrot festival.  Oh, excellent.  I’ve never been responsible for a fish before.  We don’t have any food.  I Googled and put a spinach leaf in the water for now, but frankly, I’m skeptical.  So tomorrow we’ve got to go shopping.  In fact, I would have gone tonight, except that we had some friends over for dinner.  I thought that perhaps, since I was going to the trouble of getting food and filling a bowl with water, maybe I should get another fish or two just in case, since how long could a carnival fish in a baggy possibly last?  And won’t my girls be sad?  All of the other adults mocked me, joking that I should just shake some red chili pepper flakes into the water tonight and get it over with.  Evil.  So, what do you think?  Flakes only, or a couple of friends?

Here’s what’s going on this week:

Columbus Day, October 11th:

• Tree Paad in Malta is open 10 am to 5 pm with $8 passes to Fort Ballocity that last all day–they’re usually closed on Monday and the passes are good for two hours only.
• It’s Percy Jackson Day at the Bethlehem Public Library:  games and activities from 10 am to noon, and then a screening of The Lightning Thief at 2:30 pm.
• The Family Farm Olympics at Liberty Ridge Farm continue today from noon to 5 pm.
• At 1 pm there are Creepy Crawly Crafts at Albany Pine Bush.  Pre-register, and it’s $2/person, $5/family.
• At 2 pm, Steamer 10 Theatre is presenting Cinderella Tales at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  This is a free, drop-in program.
• Kids 5 and up can invent Gizmos and Gadgets at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.  Free with admission.

Tuesday, October 12th:

• At 7 pm, it’s Pajamarama at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• At 7 pm, you can learn about Ghost Hunting Techniques from the Albany Paranormal Research Society at the Albany Public Library.  Umm, hello?  Did you have any idea that there was an Albany Paranormal Research Society?  I didn’t.

Wednesday, October 13th:

• My 40th birthday.  Bring it.
• At 10:30 am, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga is launching a new series for preschoolers:  Alphabet Soup.  Yep, games and activities to trick them into learning pre-literacy skills:  sneaky.  Free with admission.
• At 4 pm, kids in grades k-2 can do Leaf Pressing at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.   Registration is required.
• At 4:30 pm there’s a Teen Pizza Party at the Pine Hills Branch Library.
• At 6 pm, Justin Friello is playing a concert at the Bach Branch Library.

Thursday, October 14th:

• It’s Oktoberfest at the Empire State Plaza South Concourse in Albany from 10 am to 2 pm.
• At 1 pm, take a Hudson Point Hike at Moreau Lake.
• From 4-4:45 pm, k-2 students can enjoy a Passport to Fun at the Bethlehem Public Library on their own while parents get a little book-browsing serenity time.
• At 7 pm there’s a Children’s Circle Storytime followed by a playtime at the Bethlehem Public Library.  This program is designed for kids with special needs.

Friday, October 15th:

• At 5:30 am (!!!), take a Hike with Your Dog at the Saratoga Spa State Park.  Call to register, $3/person or $5/family.
• At Flying Kite Children’s Theatre, it’s Kids Film Fun with pizza and Halloween-themed movies for $15/child.  What time?  You got me.  I assume evening, right?
• Capital Area Productions is presenting Rugrats at Genet Elementary School in East Greenbush at 7 pm tonight as well as two shows on Saturday.  $10/adult, $8/children 10 and under.
• The Pirates of Penzance opens at Schenectady Light Opera Company at 8 pm.
• At 8 pm, they’re showing Despicable Me at Union College–their film series is free and open to the public.