Posts from — July 2011

Tonight at dinner we mentioned to the kids that we’re going on a date on Wednesday. We’re going to see The Airborne Toxic Event at Northern Lights. “A concert!” M protested. “Why don’t we ever go to a concert?!?” Oh, you have, I assured them. “When?” J demanded. “When have we ever gone to a concert?” At this I hedge. They actually haven’t been to a concert recently. The most recent performance was the ballet. But I swear, we used to be at all the Jazz on Jays when they were little. We were as ubiquitous at live music as the old lady who’s always dancing in Schenectady. Oh, crap. Just typing this has made me realize the last concert that they saw, which was the Zucchini Brothers at Kids Art Day in Schenectady. Dang. But the girls are asleep. At the time, our comebacks were:

W: “You can always check the Thursday paper for concert listings, then save your allowance and buy a ticket to a concert.”

–and–

K: “When I asked in June what you wanted to do this summer, you said Adirondacks, camping, and seeing cousins. You’ve done all that. Nobody’s mentioned concerts until this minute, but there are plenty of free concerts if you want to go.”

Basically, we were all pretty grouchy from having had waaaay too much fun with the relatives all weekend. So I’m looking forward to our Wednesday grown-ups-only date. And meanwhile, I’ll see if the girls want to go to one of the many free concerts this week.

All Week:

• This is the last week for William K. Sanford-Colonie Library‘s many summer programs.
• Tuesday through Friday (and through the weekend/week, there’s Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. at the Park Playhouse in Albany’s Washington Park at 5:30 pm).

Monday, August 1st:

• Starting today at 9:30 am, there’s a 5-session series on Creative Stitches for ages 9 and up at the Bethlehem Public Library. It’s every morning from 9:30 am until noon this week, and attendance at all sessions is required.
  
• The Tri-City Valleycats have an 11 am game today.
• Go on a Scavenger Hunt at 11 am at Moreau Lake today.
• Experience Starlab in a portable planetarium at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person.This program is available on Tuesday and Thursday, too.
• At 2 pm, kids 5 and up can enjoy some Summer Science learning about Moving Pictures at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. $2/child.
• Kids ages 3 and up can Travel to South America with a variety of crafts at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• The Colonie Town Band is playing at 7 pm at Cook Park in Colonie.
• Try some Family Tai Chi at 7 pm on the green at the Bethlehem Public Library. Sign-up is required.

Tuesday, August 2nd:

• Take a Mud Pond Hike from 9-11 am today at Moreau Lake.
• Bowtie Cinemas in Schenectady is showing Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader for free today and tomorrow. Doors open at 9:30 am, movies are at 10 am.
• Regal Cinemas in Crossgates is showing Cats and Dogs: Revenge and the Legend of the Guardians  today and tomorrow at 10 am. Tickets are $1.
• At 10:30 am, learn about water wildlife at a Pond Series program at Wilton Wildlife Preserve.
  
• Experience Starlab in a portable planetarium at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person.This program is available on  Thursday, too.
• At 1:30 pm it’s Kindergarten Boot Camp at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• There’s a Magic Treehouse Party from 2-3 pm at the East Greenbush Public Library. Register online.
• At 2 pm at the Guilderland Public Library, there’s World Music and Dance with Homespun Occasions.
• Peg Delaney is performing at 6:30 pm at Cook Park in Colonie.
• It’s a Schenectady County Movie Night, showing Despicable Me at Vale Park in Schenectady at 7 pm.
• Go on a Firefly Watch at 8 pm at Five Rivers. Call to register.

Wednesday, August 3rd:

• Bowtie Cinemas in Schenectady is showing Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader for free today. Doors open at 9:30 am, movies are at 10 am.
• egal Cinemas in Crossgates is showing Cats and Dogs: Revenge and the Legend of the Guardians  today at 10 am. Tickets are $1.
• It’s Music Mobile, a free music program for children, at Central Park in Schenectady at 10 am.
• Take a Family Nature Hike at 10 am at Thacher.
• From 10-11:30 am, it’s ‘Tute for Tots at the Albany Institute of History & Art.  Preschoolers can do Watercolor Resist art for $7/non-member.
• Take a Guided Fishing Trip from 10 am to noon on Moreau Lake. Spaces are limited.
• At 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, the Puppet People will be presenting The Firebird at Saratoga Springs Public Library. They’ll be distributing free tickets at the library.
• Do an art Project with Peggy from 1-3 pm at the New York State Museum.
• Ages 12-15 can participate in Summer in the City Workshops from 1-4 pm at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Tuition is $20/non-member, and you can register online. Today’s theme is Pattern.
• At 5 pm, Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads Tribute Band, is playing at Rockin’ on the River in Troy.
• From 6-8 pm, there’s Family Folk Dancing at Albany’s Pine Hill Branch Library.
• The Joey Thomas Big Band is playing at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7 pm.
• The Rogues is playing rock music at the Town of Niskayuna Gazebo at 7 pm.
• Andy the Music Man will be performing at 7 pm at Clifton Park Common (it’s on page 12 of the booklet linked).

Thursday, August 4th:

• The Albany Institute of History & Art has Thursday Art Workshops. Ages 6 to 8 meet from 9 am to noon, and ages 9 to 11 meet from 1-4 pm. The cost is $20/non-member, and you can register online. Today’s theme is Silvery Vessels.
• At 11 am, Ruth Pelham and the Music Mobile will be at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs.
• It’s Jazz on Jay in downtown Schenectady at noon.
  
• Experience Starlab in a portable planetarium at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person.
• Live’s Ed Kowalcyzk with Mission Hill are playing at Alive at Five in downtown Albany.
• It’s the Annual Ice Cream Social at 6 pm at Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa.
• At 6:30 pm, Two Broads with Alotta Sound are performing at the Crossings in Colonie.
• At the East Greenbush Public Library, it’s Family Movie Night at 6:30 pm–tonight’s show is Rango.
• It’s Children’s Circle at 6:30 pm at the Bethlehem Public Library. This program is created with special-needs children in mind.
• At 7 pm, it’s Ruth Pelham and the Music Mobile at Music Haven in Schenectady’s Central Park.
• Take a Twilight Paddle from 7-9 pm at Moreau Lake. Bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one for $15.
• Boptitude is playing jazz at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7 pm.
• Guilderland Town Band will be playing at 7:30 pm at Guilderland Performing Arts Center at Tawasentha Park.

Friday, August 5th:

• Ages 3 and up are invited to Trickster Tales at the East Greenbush Public Library. Puppet show and craft. Register online.
• At 2:30 pm it’s Summer Cinema at the Bethlehem Public Library. Today’s selection is Jumanji.
• Classic Theater Guild presents the free Helderberg Theater Festival’s Alice in Wonderland at Indian Ladder Farm tonight at 6 pm and through the weekend.
• Enjoy Campfire Stores at 8 pm  at Up Yonda Farm. It’s $5/person.
• The Tri-City Valleycats have a home game tonight.

Here was yesterday’s view from my window:

That’s right: a new roof. Don’t you just love expensive home maintenance projects that, once they’re done, you can barely tell that anything happened? Except that now we won’t have random contractors ringing our doorbell and presenting us with shingles that have flown off our roof with a suggestion to do something ASAP. I hope. And yes, that has actually happened to me. Twice.

Early this morning a roofer knocked on our door on official roof business, but he couldn’t resist asking if the nearby cat was ours. “Yes,” I answered, “That’s Isis–hey, what’s she got?”

“A squirrel,” answered the roofer, looking surprised and slightly appalled.

“Oh, wow! Good job, Isis!” I called, then explained, “We call her the Mighty Huntress. But she doesn’t usually get squirrels–they’re pretty big.”

Then, in succession, both M and J arrived at the back door, and both of them received the news of the squirrel take-down as a pleasant surprise. Each girl chirped encouragement and congratulations across the yard to our cat. I think that the roofing guy couldn’t believe our complete lack of regard for the squirrel, but it was clearly too late.

For over a year we managed to keep Isis indoors entirely, but she always made it challenging, and when J got big enough to open doors it became impossible. Early on, there was sometimes shrieking and carrying on when she brought us an injured or dead animal, but it clearly hurt her feelings, so now we try to take her offerings in the spirit that they’re given.

And frankly, I’m relieved when she brings them to us dead. Because getting a chipmunk safely out of the house is difficult.

(For a photo of Isis at rest, click here).

At our house, we’re doing boring stuff like trying to eat an obscene amount of produce (this is our CSA share, after I gave Mary a zuke, a yellow squash, some bok choy, and some Swiss chard–overwhelming, right?) . . .

. . . and trying to figure out how to fight the olfactory catastrophe that these items have wrought:

We’re going away to visit family for the weekend, and when I realized last night that we’ve missed our chance to go see Annie, I was super-bummed. I love going to the Park Playhouse plays every year.

Here’s what else I’ve found:

All Weekend:

• The Tri-City Valleycats have games every night this weekend.
• Park Playhouse‘s production of Annie continues all weekend. These shows are free in Washington Park and always fun. Bring a picnic dinner.

Friday, July 29th:

• Learn about Pond Life at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person.
• Drop in for a Family Friday Movie at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library at 2 pm. Today’s is Mulan.
• At 2:30 pm it’s Summer Cinema with Rango at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• It’s Troy Night Out from 5-9 pm.

Saturday, July 30th:

• Learn more about Five Rivers’ Indoor Wildlife at 10 am.
• At 10 am, it’s a Family Friendly Hike at Mine Kill Falls.
• Go on a Guided Fishing Trip at 10 am at Moreau Lake–call to reserve, space is limited.
• My Place to Play in Rotterdam is having an Open House today from 10 am to 6 pm. A bouncy house, free photos from iSmile Studios, and more. $5/child. I recently reviewed My Place to Play over at Kids Out and About.
• Bands for Landis are playing at Landis Arboretum at 1 pm. Suggested donation $10, bring a picnic.
• At 2 pm, it’s Family Fun: Hiding in Plain Sight at Five Rivers. Call to register.
• The Refrigerators are playing at 6 pm at Powers Park in Troy.
• At 6:30 pm, enjoy some Campfire Storytelling, then some Stargazing at Thacher.
• Elvis & Three of a Kind Band are playing at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7 pm.

Sunday, July 31st:

• At 11 am, there’s a National Tree Day Celebration at Albany Pine Bush. $3/person, $5/family.
• It’s Bird Day from 11 am to 2 pm at Schodack Island.
• National Dance Day at the National Museum of Dance from 1-4 pm. Adults $6, kids 12 and under free.
• The Best Bet Band is playing rock and roll at 6 pm at the North Greenbush Gazebo.
• The Wister Quartet is playing classical music at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7 pm.
• Hungrytown will be playing folk at 7 pm at Clifton Park Common (it’s on page 12 of the booklet linked).

When thunderstorms scrapped our afternoon pool plans, I organized. Reorganized shoes in the closets, vacuumed, cleaned both bathrooms. The girls were pleased with a day of chilling out watching slightly too much tv, but they should have realized that any time I get organized, it doesn’t bode well for them.

Sure enough, after dinner I announced new chore rules. Okay, so I’m not great with keeping up with everyone’s various chores. The girls are expected to hang their items in the closet, help with setting the table and carrying out/clearing away the dinner table, and putting away their folded laundry. I often impose a ten-minute tidy before they can, say, turn on the tv or leave for the pool, and they’re used to it, so they don’t complain. But I’m not too consistent–we’ll go through phases where everything’s going great, and then things just get busy. And they’re horrible about leaving stuff scattered around, and J is terrible about putting laundry away.

So today, I told them that I wanted them to make it part of their morning routine to make their own (damn) beds and empty their clean laundry baskets before breakfast. Both of which they do, but not with Every Single Day regularity.

Then I also told them that any of their stuff that was left out in the living room or other common areas would be put into a box, and that they were allowed to remove the items in order to put them away, but if they didn’t, the box would be emptied into the garbage on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Now, come on: I’m totally going easy on them. When I was little, crap was just thrown away. And Mom, if you think that I’m not still bitter about the time you threw away all of my and Heather Hughes’ perfume and lip glosses that we left on the front porch that summer—well, you are wrong. That we were using it to concoct a lethal lemonade to serve to our enemies, the neighborhood boys, is entirely beside the point.

However, in spite of these terribly lenient rules, J immediately went into Worst Case Scenario mode and began sobbing that perhaps she would forget her most precious friend, Blue Doggy, and Blue Doggy would be placed in the box, where he would languish for days unnoticed until I heartlessly threw him in the garbage. “Seriously, J,” I said, “Don’t you think I might give you a warning? Don’t you think that if M or Daddy see Blue Doggy, they’ll mention to you that you might want to put him back in your room?” More tears. She drew a picture of my sinister hand, holding Blue Doggy poised over the trash can, with two words: “NO MOMMY.”

Safe in her arms. . . FOR NOW! mwa, ha, ha, HA!

At bedtime, she was still tearful and fretting, and I was trying to calm her down when Cute W walked into her room and cracked, “Wow, I am so loving this new system. It’s working out great.” I looked him in the eye and replied, “Oh, blankyou.”

J asked, “Mommy, did you mean thank you?”

“Yes,” Cute W and I answered together.

I really needed a cool, rainy day. My house is unbelievably disorganized, so it was lovely to spend most of the afternoon at home, picking up clutter and moving it all to slightly more satisfactory locations. The girls even took it upon themselves to tidy up the basement playroom. Although the verb “tidy” is misleading, giving you the impression that the room is now (adjective) “tidy,” when really it’s just possible to move about without stepping on toys and trying not to curse in front of the children. For the record, I frequently say, “Fudge!”, “Oh my stars!”, and “For the love of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.” I was a dork pre-kids, but they’ve helped me to achieve a whole new level of dorkdom.

Anyway, a couple of random pictures:

Every time I drive by one of these big stone signs (they have them for Rte. 87 and Rte. 7, maybe others), I get irritated. Seriously? How much did these stupid signs cost? And usually they’re within about ten feet of the regular old highway signs which, incidentally, all colorful and reflective and easier to read. Now, don’t get me wrong: I love, love, love the good old-fashioned architecture from long ago, when they made schools and post offices and train stations gorgeous. But this is so basic and boring. I mean, it’s okay, I guess, but I have a feeling that if I knew how much these signs cost I’d be appalled. Or am I becoming a curmudgeonette in my old age? Am I the only person who unreasonable considers curmudgeon to be a masculine word?

Another picture:

Hello? How did I miss that duct tape is now available in fabulous colors and patterns like purple, turquoise, and Hello Kitty? Holy cow, I am fantasizing about the possible duct-tape-related crafting opportunities. And if you need help getting started, check out this website. Of course, here’s where I differ from all of these people. I pause in the store (Target), considering fabulous crafts, and then slowly, regretfully, move on. Apparently there’s a small-but-effective population that buys the stuff, creates awesomeness, photographs it, and uploads it. All of which makes me torn between admiration and alarm. Like, couldn’t people use all of this creativity to make the world better somehow? Same with planking. But who am I to cast stones, right? I’m blogging about duct tape.

Okay, I have to kvetch about Facebook. It sort of freaks me out. And not in that scared-for-my-privacy way that freaks everyone out, because I am past the stage when people can really take compromising photographs of me (thank you, FB, for not arriving until after I graduated college). No, what drives me crazy is that when I go on the Capital District Fun page, it tells me over on the side, just like on any page, how many of my friends “like” Capital District Fun. And what’s ridiculous is that it’s always different. I’m a pretty passive FBer, and I don’t push the blog on my personal account. So I have about 60 “friends” who also “like” Capital District Fun. Except some days it’s 59, or 57, or 58. Which, obviously, I don’t really think that I have all of these people who are “liking” and “unliking” me all over the place. I’m sure that most of them joined up once to be supportive and pretty much forgot about it. And yet, seeing that number going up and down unnerves me. Because, you know, when people “like” me, they pop up and I can see who they are (I never actually contact anyone because it would seem alarming and stalker-ish, I think). But when someone decides that they don’t “like” me anymore, they just drift away, sort of like friends. Oh, crap, I’m imagining people reading this and going, “Great! It’s safe to unlike Capital District Fun now!” Agh. I’ll try not to look.

Enjoy the cool evening breezes, everybody.

We had a full day today, with morning errands (new cleats for M, who starts one week of soccer camp tomorrow, and incidentally a leotard & skirt for J, who’ll be doing more dance in the fall), then some tennis (all 4 of us! with varying degrees of success), and the pool, where J is jumping off the diving board in triumph while M is struggling to flip. I went off the board numerous times in support of my daughters. This is funny because, during the week, no grown-ups go off the diving board. It’s a bunch of mamas who are chatting and reading magazines. But today I was in line between two adult men. Which felt awkward, somehow.

I realized that I’m such a dork that I forgot to include my review of My Place to Play in yesterday’s links. So there it is.

Here’s what I’ve found for this week.

All Week:

• Starting July 27th, the Philadelphia Orchestra is playing at SPAC, and all but closing night are GE Kids in Free events.
• There are still spaces available for the Albany Institute of History & Art’s 3-Day Camp this week, Go Figure! It’s for ages 6 to 11.
• Park Playhouse‘s production of Annie begins on Tuesday and continues all week. These shows are free in Washington Park and always fun. Bring a picnic dinner.

Monday, July 25th:

• Learn about Insects at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person. This program is available tomorrow and Wednesday, too.
• At 2 pm, kids 5 and up can enjoy some Summer Science with an Ice Cream Extravaganza at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. $2/child.
• Kids 3 and up can do some crafts inspired by the Wild, Wild West at 2:30 pm at the  Bethlehem Public Library.
• The Colonie Town Band is playing at 7 pm at the Crossings of Colonie.

Tuesday, July 26th:

• From 9:30 am to 1 pm, Joyful Jumpers is having a fundraising party
• At 10:30 am, Pine Bush Pups can learn about Incredible Insects at Albany Pine Bush. The program is free, but you must register online. This program’s available tomorrow  too.
• At 10:30 am, learn about water wildlife at a Pond Series program at Wilton Wildlife Preserve.
• Learn about Insects at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person. This program is available tomorrow, too.
• The Bluez House Rockers are playing at 6:30 pm at Cook Park in Colonie.
• At 7 pm it’s Read 2 Me: Pajama Edition at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• From 7-8 pm, the US Water Ski Show Team is performing near Jumpin’ Jacks in Scotia.
• Go on a Firefly Watch at 8 pm at Five Rivers.

Wednesday, July 27th:

• At 9:30 am, kids 3 and up can learn about seed at Ready, Set, Grow! at Open Door Bookstore. It’s free, but call to register.
• From 10-11:30 am, folks from 5 Rivers will be teaching kids about wildlife in their backyard at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• From 10-11:30 am it’s ‘Tute for Tots for the Preschool Set at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Today’s theme is Wild Things, and cost is $7/non-member.
• It’s Music Mobile, a free music program for children, at Central Park in Schenectady at 10 am.
• At 10:30 am, Pine Bush Pups can learn about Incredible Insects at Albany Pine Bush. The program is free, but you must register online.
• The Zucchini Brothers are performing at 11 am and 1 pm at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
• Learn about Dragonflies and Damselflies from 1-3 pm at Landis Arboretum. $10/non-member or $25/non-member.
• Learn about Insects at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person.
• From 1-4 pm, it’s the Summer in the City Workshop for ages 12 to 15 at the Albany Institute of History & Art. It’s $20/non-member.
• Lisa Loeb is doing a Concert for Kids at 4 pm  at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. Tickets are $15.
• At 5 pm, Who’s Bad, a Michael Jackson Tribute Band, is playing at Rockin’ on the River in Troy.
• Cruise In with Winchester & Young are performing at 6 pm in Halfmoon.
• At 7 pm there’s a free Celtic Music Concert on the green at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• Melvin the Magnificent will be performing at 7 pm at Clifton Park Common (it’s on page 12 of the booklet linked).
• Sierra is playing country music at the Town of Niskayuna Gazebo at 7 pm.
• Hair of the Dog is playing Irish music at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7 pm.

Thursday, July 28th:

• It’s Jazz on Jay in downtown Schenectady at noon.
• Learn about Pond Life at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person. This program’s available tomorrow, too.
• Parrotbeach are playing a tribute to Jimmy Buffett at Alive at Five in downtown Albany.
• Tequila Mockingbirds are playing at 6 pm at Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa.
• At 6:30 pm, Jeff Gonzales is playing country, bluegrass, and folk at the Crossings in Colonie.
• Tom Chapin & Friends will be playing at 7:30 pm at Guilderland Performing Arts Center at Tawasentha Park. This should be a great, kid-friendly concert!

Friday, July 29th:

• Learn about Pond Life at Up Yonda Farm at 1 pm. It’s $5/person.
• At 2:30 pm it’s Summer Cinema with Rango at the Bethlehem Public Library.

I’m taking Saturday off and just passing along some links.

First, I wrote about our adventures in Lake Placid, including checking out some Olympics facilities and going to the super-fun Wild Center in Tupper Lake, over at Kids Out and About. Incidentally, the page has a photo of me–think I should add it to my About/Backstory page? Oh, no, wait! Maybe I should put two pictures, one of me looking really pathetically and post-partum, and then that one, looking like a normal and reasonable human being?

While I was at the pool yesterday, I read an interesting New York Times Article called Can a Playground Be Too Safe? Short answer: umm, yeah.

Free George has an article recommending the mountain Sleeping Beauty in Lake George as a good family hiking/camping destination.

Meanwhile, DelSo visited Thompson’s Lake (near Thacher Park) and makes me want to go right now even though I’m still suffering a sunburn from my visit to Collins the other day (yes, I should have re-applied).

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Our plan for the day was camp in the morning followed by lunch with one of J’s friends over. They could play while  I finished my “to do” list, which included writing an article for Kids Out and About. Then we’d all head to the pool for the afternoon.

And yet it seemed that I was thwarted at every turn. Pretty much entirely my own fault, like when I accidentally instituted the beauty parlor-kitchen head-wetting thing (which we’ve mostly gotten bored with, although I’ll have jinxed myself by saying so).

So, things went awry this morning. We have this unkempt, unruly perennial garden:

But, you know, it’s pretty, too:

J, who remains deeply interested in fairies, decided that the garden needed a fairy house, and then she asked me to help her write a note in teensy fairy letters, asking any prospective fairy to please write back. Here’s the house:

So, of course, while the girls were at camp and I remained entirely focused on my to do list, a fairy wrote back. She used a teensy, curlicued script and seemed to have some sort of brogue, using words like “ye.”

When M, J, and J’s friend arrived home from camp, I still hadn’t finished that article, and they were over the moon about the evidence of a magical garden fairy. In fact, they immediately went to work cooling her off with a pool (M helped herself to one of my ceramic serving bowls before I noticed). Of course, M was wise to the origins of the note, and she plunged right in to assume the identity of this fairy. Now instead of finishing my article, I was providing pipe cleaners for tiny ladders and ceding the computer to M.

M called the fairy Rachel and described herself (per the little girls’ request) as red-haired, green-eyed, and freckled (so maybe there was something to that brogue, after all). There was quite a bit of excitement among the girls, and I didn’t get much accomplished at all.

Finally enthusiasm waned, things simmered down, and the girls ate lunch. Then just as we were almost headed to the pool, the girls heard the ice cream truck. Argh! Gleeful, they ran up the street, then stopped. Mr. Ding-a-ling was making a house call to our neighbors party. Well, that’s awkward. At my urging, M & J were ready to turn back, but J’s little friend, who hardly ever sees the ice cream truck, could not be dissuaded. “Let’s get ice cream at the pool,” I suggested. “But,” she protested, lip trembling, “the pool doesn’t have the fudge pops that the ice cream truck has!”

Oh, all right. So we crashed the party.

And we finally, finally made it to the pool!

It wasn’t really this empty. I just caught it at a quiet moment.

As soon as we got home, the fairy note-passing continued. J found the perfect place to store the special notes.

If you look closely, you can see that it’s been broken and re-glued in several places. I made this little fairy box for J when I was pregnant and waiting for her to arrive.  In fact, I made it at the baby shower of today’s playdate. At the time I was just trying to even things out, because ’d already noticed that the second child was clearly not going to get nearly as many cutey-patootie doodads as the first child had. But the subject matter proved happily prescient.I finally finished that stupid article half an hour ago.

We spent the afternoon at Collins Lake where, alas, I should have re-applied sunscreen. Also had our first Jumpin’ Jacks of the season.

So, how’s everybody holding up in the heat? We’ve abandoned the upstairs entirely. The girls are having a slumber party in the basement playroom, and I’m pretty sure that Cute W and I are going to camp out in the living room.

Here’s what I’ve found for this week:

All Weekend:

• The Not So Common Players are performing Cinderella each night at 7:30 pm at Clifton Commons Park (at this link it’s page 12 of 24).
• It’s the Saratoga County Fair.
• It’s the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival all weekend.

Evening of Friday, July 22nd:

• At 10:30 am, go on a Karner Blue Butterfly Walk at Wilton Wildlife Preserve.
• At 7 pm, kids can bring their bikes to race at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. $10/adult, $5/ages 13-16, $3/ages 5-12, ages 4 and under free.

Saturday, July 23rd:

• It’s Family Day at the Menands Farmers’ Market.
• At 10 am, it’s a Family Fishing Day at Five Rivers.
• Go Geocaching from 10 am to noon at Landis Arboretum. $10/non-member.
• From 10 am to 1 pm, it’s Recycled Craft Day at Schodack Island State Park. $3/person + vehicle fee.
• There will be a Touch & Explore Display at the beach at Grafton Lakes State Park from 11 am to 1 pm.
• They’re doing Dance Around the World at the Bethlehem Public Library at 2 pm. Sign-up is required.
• At 3:30 pm it’s Science 101: Gravity Boats at the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology. This program’s for ages 6 and up. Pre-register; it’s $2/non-member.
• Ernie Williams is playing the blues at 7 pm at Freedom Park in Scotia.

Sunday, July 24th:

• Go on a Beaver Adventure at 10 am at Lake Moreau. Call to reserve a spot.
• Take a Karner Blue Butterfly Hike at Albany Pine Bush at 11 am. $3/person, $5/family.
• At 2 pm, it’s the Search for the Arthropod Squad at Landis Arboretum. $10/non-member or $25/non-member family.
• In North Greenbush, Whitewater is playing country and classic rock at 6 pm.
• Sierra Maestra are playing at Music Haven in Schenectady’s Central Park at 7 pm.
• The Puppet People are performing at 7 pm at Freedom Park in Scotia.

How cute is this? J decided to draw a “map” to plan her day the other morning.

Sort of clockwise from lower left, that’s:

• Swing on tree swing
• Shop with mom at grocery store
• Lie down on bed
• Go to piano lesson (she climbs stairs up to the house)
• Jump rope
• Ride bike
• Read bedtime stories

Yep. That about covers it. It’s a good life!

As for our day today, we beat the heat by skipping the pool and visiting My Place to Play near us in Rotterdam. I’ll be writing a bigger review later for Kids Out and About (have you signed up for the newsletter yet? little yellow box, lower left), but for now, a couple of pictures:

M getting super-competitive with the air hockey:

J doing some bouncing:

Funny: just looking at those pictures made me laugh. Clearly, the girls have inherited my calves!