Category — Museums

Hey! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent yesterday with family, too, and we really enjoyed the weather. The grown-ups spent all day and into the night around an outdoor fire pit drinking wine and continuing to eat too much, while the cousins  constructed a tree fort/pirate ship. Pretty ideal.

Today I went to the Albany Institute of History & Art for their Gift Fair and Family Festival. I was a judge for their Saturday afternoon LEGO® Building Challenge. Last year was the first year, I think, that they combined the Gift Fair and Family Festival, and this year was the first that they’ve tried the building challenge. It seemed like a smashing success to me, and the event continues tomorrow. I think just about any family would enjoy it. But why, you ask?

Not a competition piece: this is a re-enactment of Lego creativity by me because this afternoon I was too busy attempting to determine which structures deserved which award to take photos myself.

Well first, it’s all free.  The permanent exhibitions, if you’ve never seen them, include an assortment of stuff, including sculptures, Hudson River School paintings, colonial artifacts, and the kid-pleasing mummy. One of the current temporary exhibitions is Kid Stuff: Great Toys From Our Childhood, and there are plenty of hands-on opportunities, like playing with cars on a track, pushing a slinky down the stairs, and playing with Legos in the exhibit space. There’s also the enclosed permanent kid-friendly space. Registration for tomorrow’s building challenge has closed, but you can get on a waiting list in case registrants don’t show up, and even if you don’t compete, you can check out a couple of cool Lego demonstrations in the competition space (in fact, if you avoid the 1-3 pm challenge time, your child will hardly know that they’re missing it).

Finally, the gift fair means some great shopping. Their gift shop is always great shopping (I am a sucker for a museum shop, and it’s a good one), and for the event, the space is fairly crowded with vendors. That’s where I have to throw in the “just about any family would enjoy it” disclaimer. Because if you have a fast-moving and handsy toddler or preschooler, it will be too stressful for you. There are just too many lovely, lovely things. Come instead during the week, when the vendors have left and the exhibit space will be quieter so no one will be driven crazy when your child won’t stop playing with the cars.

I brought M along, and she browsed while I judged the builders. She really enjoyed walking around on her own like a grown-up through the galleries. I slipped her some money for the  Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for sale, but little did I know that she’d brought her own cash along. Most of the vendors were very friendly and kind to her, and she ended up getting some paper creations from a nice lady from Stacey.

M purchased this paper barrette while I was off judging. "Lovely," I said. "But please don't wear it in the rain."

We had a great time, and I hope it becomes an annual event.

I’m away on vacation, so I asked for help from readers. Here’s a contribution from Amy, who helped me out last year, too. Thanks, Amy!

Fridays in July and August are FREE at the Albany Institute of Art! Last year we took advantage of the opportunity to visit such a special place. I remembered having gone a few years back while my oldest was younger and more stroller tolerant than my youngest is now. While my oldest is a spirited child to say the least, my youngest is no less spirited but a whole lot more difficult to manage in terms of his aptitude for destruction. When we “checked in” upon entering, the kindly man at the desk suggested a visit to the Children’s Gallery. But no, says I, we were there to see the current Hudson River Panorama exhibition. On and up we went to the second floor where within minutes of entering my youngest climbed upon a display faster than you could say “Jack Robinson” (For usage, read a favorite of ours, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (Sandpiper Books) by DuBose Heyward). And faster than Jack Robinson did a security guard arrive and fixed me with that knowing glance that perhaps our kind would be better suited to the Children’s Gallery after all. I must admit to feeling slightly annoyed until we entered containment zone known as the Children’s Gallery.

The Children’s Gallery is a wonderful little room for families who desire a cultural outing without worry of becoming persona non gratis. (Although it’s really so much more, so read on!) Despite our experience, it is important to note that the AIHA does indeed welcome families. They also offer programs beginning at ages 3 years and up, as well as summer camps for kids. It just may be that the 2 and under set are not quite as ready for all of their offerings like the exhibits on the second and third floors, especially if those tots are anything like my own almost 2 year old. While children are welcome to touch and explore and “interact” in the “happy space” of the Children’s Gallery, there was only one other “touchable” display, located in the “mummy” room on the second floor and these were replicas of Egyptian deities. In the Children’s Gallery, “touchables” include a light box encouraging color and pattern exploration, an awesome puppet theater, dress up clothes and a bookshelf of Caldecott-only books. Next time, with both in tow, we know where will be headed.

Light Table in the Children's Gallery

As luck would have it, my oldest and I were able to make a return visit to the AIHA the same day, later in the afternoon. What a world of a difference! The man at the front desk remembered us and inquired about my other child. I assured him that said child was in the good care of his father. The two of us then proceeded upstairs and into the museum gift shop. (We like gift shops.) With the help of the shop girl, we picked up several postcards featuring works of art on display to be used as part of a makeshift matching/scavenger hunt game. Not only was it fun, but also encouraged my daughter to really LOOK around her and take in all of the great art here. She spotted pieces that I walked by, completely oblivious to her experience. “But mom, we saw this one already right when we walked in!” And she was right!

Phew!  So much is going on this week.  Here’s what I’ve found:

All Week:

• Don’t forget that there’s plenty more going on at William K. Sanford (Colonie) Library and Albany Public Library.
• The Clifton Park Not-So-Common Players are performing Once Upon a Mattress in Clifton Commons at 7:30 pm from 7/22-7/25.
• It’s the Saratoga County Fair in Ballston Spa from July 20-25.
• The Schenectady County Library has a puppet show version of Rumpelstiltskin showing at various branches throughout the week.

Monday, July 19th:

• Take a Nature Trail Hike at 10 am at Moreau Lake State Park.  Or Learn How to Cast at 10:30 am.
• From noon to 4 pm it’s Dino Day at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• At 1 pm, it’s Library Tots, a drop-in program for 0-24 months at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.
• At 1:30 pm, kids can choose a building project to do with the Home Depot at the main Albany Public Library.  Call to register.  If this appeals to you but you can’t make it, remember that both Home Depot and Lowe’s offer occasional Saturday workshops in-store.
• At 2 pm at the Delaware Branch Library, kids 6 and up can learn about buying healthy foods, and they’ll decorate their own cloth bag and make a healthy trail mix snack.  Sponsored by Honest Weight Food Co-op.
• At 2 pm, there are programs for elementary-school kids at the Mont Pleasant, Glenville and Rotterdam branches of the Schenectady Public Library.
• The Colonie Town Band will be playing at 7 pm at the Crossings in Colonie.

Tuesday, July 20th:

• At 9:30 am, take a Luzerne Mountain Trail Hike at Moreau Lake State Park.
• Regal Cinemas’ free movies at 10 am.  For this week, it’s Arctic Tale and Shrek the Third at Crossgates and Wallace and Gromit and Bee Movie at Clifton Park.
• At Bowtie Cinemas in Schenectady, this week’s free 10 am movie is Hotel for Dogs.
• From 10 am to noon it’s Summertime Tots at the Children’s Museum of Saratoga.  This is an outdoor, drop-in program geared toward younger visitors.
• Do a Scavenger Hunt at noon at Moreau Lake State Park.
• At 1:30 pm at the Albany Public Library, kids can do a craft with folks from the Tang Museum.  Call to register.
• There are crafts for ages 6 and up at 2 pm at the Pine Hills Branch and the North Albany Branch of the Albany Public Library.
• At 2 pm, kids can participate in a songwriting workshop with River Jack Z (as in Zucchini) at the Guilderland Public Library.  Tickets are required.
• At 2 pm, it’s Dazzle Dogs at the Niskayuna Public Library.
• At 3 pm, it’s Twinkle, Twinkle, What’s That Star? at the Children’s Museum of Technology.  For ages 4 and up, pre-registration required, and it’s $2/non-member.
• From 3-4:30 pm, kids in grades 3-6 can participate in Guess What I Collect? at the Crandall Public Library.  Pre-registration required.
• There’s a Friends of Guilderland Athletics Family Fun Night from 4-10 pm.  I found this on Fit Albany.  $2/person.
• At 7 pm, The Tichy Boys are playing at the Town of Brunswick Community Center.

Wednesday, July 21st:

• Regal Cinemas’ free movies at 10 am.  For this week, it’s Arctic Tale and Shrek the Third at Crossgates and Wallace and Gromit and Bee Movie at Clifton Park.
• At Bowtie Cinemas in Schenectady, this week’s free 10 am movie is Hotel for Dogs.
• At 2 pm, kids can get crafty at the new Bach Branch of the Albany Public Library on New Scotland Avenue.
• From 2-4 pm, it’s an Ice Cream Extravaganza at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.  Pre-registration is required, and it’s $4/person.
• At 2:30 pm, Matthew McElligott, author of the Blackbeard the Pirate series, will be talking and signing books at the Bethlehem Public Library.  Sign-up is required.
• At 6 pm, kids in grades 6 and up can do a little Teen Tokyo at the new Bach Branch of the Albany Public Library with Japanese animation and yummy Pocky.
• The Audiostars will be playing at 7 pm at Freedom Park in Scotia.
• Cavanaugh and Kavanaugh are playing at 7 pm at the Green at Bethlehem Public Library.
• The Zucchini Brothers are playing at 7 pm at Clifton Commons Park in Clifton Park.

Thursday, July 22nd:

• Take a Walk in the Woods at 9 am at Thacher Park.
• Regal Cinemas’ free movies at 10 am.  For this week, it’s Arctic Tale and Shrek the Third at Crossgates.
• At 10:30 am, it’s Color Fun! for kids 3 to 5 at the Children’s Museum of Technology.  Pre-registration is required, and it’s $2/non-member.
• At 11 am, kids K-3 can Make Music with Lisa at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  You must pre-register.
• At 1 pm, there’s a free event for kids 5 and up at Schuyler House–they can dress up in Colonial clothing.  I heard about this on the New York History blog.
• It’s Craft Day at 1 pm at Moreau Lake State Park.
• At 2 pm, get Artrageous! at Children’s Museum at Saratoga.  It’s free, and recommended for kids in K-4.
• At 2 pm, Domino the Great will be performing at Crandall Public Library.  Registration is required.
• 3rd to 5th graders can make Neon Tees and Visors from 2-4 pm at the Guilderland Public Library.  Registration is required.
• Eddie Money is playing at Alive at Five at Albany Riverfront Park.
• Kyle Miller is playing at 5 pm as part of the Acoustic Sidewalk Series in front of Arbor Hill Library.
• Dan Berggren is playing at 6 pm in Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa.
• At 6:30 pm, there’s A Beach Bag Full of Stories at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  It’s a drop-in program for young elementary school kids.
• Keith Pray is playing at 6:30 pm at the Crossings in Colonie.
• At 6:30 pm, Hair of the Dog will be playing at the  Schaghticoke Town Hall Gazebo.
• Marty Wendell is performing on the lawn of the Malta Community Center at 6:30 pm (it’s on page 9 of this link).
• From 7-8:30, 4th- to 7th-grade Percy Jackson enthusiasts can participate in Half Blood Camp at the Guilderland Public Library.  Registration required.
• The Scotia-Glenville Community Band will be playing at 7 pm at Freedom Park in Scotia.

Friday, July 23rd:

• At 10:30 am, there are Stories for Families at the Scotia Branch Library.
• At 11 am, kids can design their own water wheel at the Guilderland Public Library.  Registration is required.
• There’s a Game-a-thon at the Bethlehem Public Library at 11 am.
• At 11 am, Something Fishy’s Going On for 4- to 6-year-olds at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.
• From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, the Milk Mustache tour is at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
• At 2 pm, kids in grades 2 and up can just show up for Pop Art Experience at the Scotia Branch Library.
• At 2 pm, 1st- and 2nd-graders can see Troll Attack!, a story told in Lego pieces, at the Guilderland Public Library.  Registration is required.
• At 2:30 pm, they’re showing Alice in Wonderland at Bethlehem Public Library, with popcorn.  This one’s PG and I’ve heard it’s a little creepy.
• At 4 pm, kids in grades 1 to 5 can just show up for Pop Art Experience at the Duane Branch Library.
• It’s Parents’ Night Out at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga from 4-7 pm.  For $15 per child, you can drop them off and go have yourself a date!  Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.
• The Ron Cremisio Band is playing at Canal Square in Cohoes at 6:30 pm.

Holy crap! Just when you were saying, please, somebody deliver me from this heat and rescue me from my sweaty, messy house, and just give me something besides the pool to do so that I can give the kids a break before their eyes turn permanently bloodshot and their hair turns green due to overchlorination, guess what’s happening this weekend?

Proctors is having their (first annual) Animation Festival!  With a huge range of child-friendly features, and $3 tickets! Or $15 if you just want to spend the whole time (from the 10th to the 16th) there!  Which I’m tempted to do!  And on Monday & Wednesday night they have Oscar-Nominated Shorts, which I always want to see in a theater, and so I think I might have to see if I can drum up a babysitter.

Or just stay home & run the sprinkler. Done.

Here’s what else is going on this weekend:

All Weekend:

• From July 7th to 11th, the Family Players of North-Eastern New York are showing Seussical the Musical at 7:30 pm at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland.  If anyone goes, will you fill us all in?
• Annie Get Your Gun continues at the Park Playhouse on Tuesday the 6th at 8 pm.
• The Tioga County Fair continues through the 10th.
• Keep in mind that we’re now into the super-short Ballet Season at SPAC.  I desperately want to go when it’s not so freakin’ hot, but we have such a packed calendar that I don’t know if we’re going to make it. . . .

Friday evening, July 9th:

• From 5-10 pm, it’s Schenectady County SummerNight in Downtown Schenectady:  music, activities, and fireworks.
• It’s Family Night at SPAC.  Before the NYC Ballet’s performance there will be activities for kids beginning at 6 pm.
• At 6:30 pm, there’s a drop-in Chess Club at Guilderland Public Library.
• At 7 pm, they’re showing Pollyanna at Guilderland Public Library.   And yes, there will be popcorn.
• Take a Ghost Walk through Saratoga. $10/adult, $5 kids 7-11,  This is every Friday through the summer.
• They’ll be showing Monsters vs. Aliens at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland at 8 pm.

Saturday, July 10th:

• From 10 am to 6 pm there’s a Wags and Whiskers Family Fun Fair at Maple Ski Ridge.  It’s a free fundraiser for the SPCA, and pets are invited, too.
• Fossils Rock! at 10 am at Thacher Nature Center.
• It’s Countryfest at the Altamont Fairgrounds.  $40 at the door, kids 10 and under free.
• From 10 am to 5 pm, there’s Art in the Park in Congress Park in Saratoga.
• The Town of Wilton is having a Community Day from 11 am to 9 pm.  Food, music, rides, ponies, fireworks.
• Learn about Karner Blue Butterflies at 11 am at Albany Pine Bush.  This park gets really very hot.  I’ve got to recommend against this one for today.  Cal to register; $2/person, $5/family.
• The Delaware Branch Library is having a free Summer Splash Party from 1-4 pm–they promise wet and wild fun outside, including a free bounce house, misting tent, and water slide.
• At 1 pm the Schenectady Museum is doing a preschool-oriented planetarium show.  $4 in addition to museum admission.
• At 2 pm Andy the Music Man will be playing at Henry Hudson Town Park in Bethlehem.  Free, with a bounce house, too.
• At 3 pm & 7 pm you can see Steps to Suffrage: Musical Youth Drama at Boght Arts Center in Cohoes.  $6/adults, $5/students.
• The Powers Park Concert Series in Troy kicks off with a Cryin’ Out Loud Dance Party from 6-8:30 pm.
• Ernie Williams will be playing blues at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7 pm.
• There are Poets in the Park from 7-9 pm in Washington Park on Saturdays in July.

Sunday, July 11th

• Take a Native Plant Tour at noon at Thacher Park.
• There’s a Kids’ Puppet Show from The Puppet People at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7 pm.
• Running the River is playing at 7 pm at Clifton Common Park.
• Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra are playing at Music Haven at Schenectady’s Central Park at 7 pm.

Hey!  We’re all exhausted from excessive cousin fun and sporting crispy noses in spite of 4 or 5 (or more) sunscreen applications today.  The week for us:  more of the same.  The week for you?  Actually, there’s quite a bit happening:

Monday, June 28th

• From 10 am to 4:30 pm, it’s a Kickoff for Summer Party at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• From 10 am to 11 am, Sylvan Learning Centers in Clifton Park is hosting a free Kids Can Cook Seminar.  Register online.
• At 1 pm, Andy the Music Man will be performing at the Ballston Spa Town Hall.
• At 2 pm at the Glenville or Mont Pleasant Branch Libraries, kids in grades 1-5 are invited drop in to the summer kick-off program Make a Splash.
• At 6 pm, the Glens Falls High School Band will be performing at the Crandall Park Band Shell.
• At 7 pm, the Colonie Town Band is playing outside at Beltrone Living Center, 6 Winners Circle, Albany.

Tuesday, June 29th

• 10 am free movies!  At Bowtie this week it’s Alvin & the Chipmunks:  The Squeaquel, for Regal Cinemas today it’s Charlotte’s Web at Crossgates and Madagascar 2 at Clifton Park.
• At 10:30 am, Andy the Music Man will be performing at the main  Schenectady Public Library.  It’s a drop-in program.
• There are a ton of afternoon kick-off celebrations of various branches of the Schenectady Library for elementary school kids, including events at Niskayuna, Duane, Rotterdam, & Hamilton Hill.
• At 2 pm, they’re kicking off the Teen Summer Reading Club for grades 6-11 at the Duane Branch Library.  Today’s theme is Zombie Fest.
• There’s a Family Story Time at 6:30 pm at the Niskayuna Branch Library.  It’s a drop-in, and pajamas are welcome.
• At 7 pm at the Guilderland Public Library, they’re kicking off summer reading with an Uncle Brother concert.  Tickets required.
• At 7:30 pm, go on a Firefly Watch at Five Rivers.

Wednesday, June 30th

• At 10 am, kids in grades 1-5 are invited drop in to the summer kick-off program Make a Splash at the Quaker Street Branch.
• 10 am free movies!  At Bowtie this week it’s Alvin & the Chipmunks:  The Squeaquel, for Regal Cinemas today it’s Spirit:  Stallion of the Cimarron at Crossgates and Planet 51 at Clifton Park.
• At 11 am, the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library is hosting Bubble Trouble, a program for kids who’ll be entering kindergarten in the fall.  No registration is required.
• From 1-5 pm, there are games for teens at the Guilderland Public Library.
• At 2 pm, they’re kicking off the Teen Summer Reading Club for grades 6-11 at the Quaker Street Branch.  Today’s theme is Game Day.
• It’s gospel music for Rockin’ on the River in Troy at 5 pm.
• At 7 pm, there will be a Drum & Bugle Corps competition at East Field in Glens Falls.

Thursday, July 1st

• There’s an all-day Red Cross Babysitting Course that starts at 9:30 am at Schenectady Central Library.  Ages 11 and up, and you must pre-register.
• 10 am free movie!  I meant to double check this–it appears that the Crossgates Regal Cinemas has an additional movie today, but I’m not calling them from vacation–if someone does and wants to fill us all in via comments, that would be a nice favor.
• From 10 am to noon, kids 2 to 10 can learn about Bountiful Bugs at Dyken Pond.  $3/child or $6/family.
• At 10:15 am, they’re showing Preschool Movies at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.
• From 2-3 pm it’s Artrageous at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.  For kids in grades K-4.
• At 2 pm, elementary-school kids can study Pond Organisms at the Duane Branch Library.
• At 3 pm, drop in for crafts for all ages at the Hamilton Hill Branch Library.
• The Gin Blossoms are playing for Alive at Five in Albany.
• The Sand Lake Kiwanis Summerfest kicks off tonight with amusement park rides opening in the evening (this was on their tentative schedule; you might want to double check).
• The Ballston Spa Community Band is playing at 6 pm at Wiswall Park as part of their Summer Concerts in the Park series.
• It’s Lego Night at 7 pm at the Mohawk Commons Barnes & Noble.

Friday, July 2nd

• Local residents will be admitted free to the Albany Institute of History & Art on Fridays all through July and August.
• There’s Stretching with Stuffee at 10 am at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• At 10:30 am, there are Wiggly Water Wonders at the Scotia Public Library–suitable for families.
• At 10:30 am, the Mac-Haydn Theatre will be showing Cinderella.  This is a bit of a drive, but we’ve gone several times.  There’s a school with playground nearby, so we usually bring a picnic lunch for afterwards.
• The Sand Lake Kiwanis Summerfest continues with amusement park rides opening at 11 am and continuing into the evening.
• At noon there’s a concert in front of the Albany Public Library as part of the Acoustic Sidewalk Concert Series.
• At noon, take a hike at Albany Pine Bush and look for Blue Karner butterflies.
• It’s First Friday in Albany from 5-9 pm.
• It’s First Friday in Ballston Spa from 6-9 pm.

We have just completed what I believe might have been the best weather weekend ever.   I mean:  gorgeous!

Less gorgeous was yesterday’s post, with a variety of humiliating typos.  I really was tired.   I think I fixed them all.  Anyway, it’s our last day of school this week, so we’re shifting into summer.   Here are some fun things going on:

Monday, June 21st:

• Take a Back Pond Hike at 10 am at Moreau Lake State Park.  Hey!  You could do go hike and then hit the beach!
• The Colonie Town Band is playing at William K. Sanford (Colonie) Library at 7 pm.
• At 7 pm, take a Flowers of the Solstice tour at Five Rivers.  The focus will be on the lore behind various flowers.

Tuesday, June 22nd:

• At 10 am there’s a free movie:  Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs at Bowtie Cinemas in Schenectady.
• At 10:15 am, there are Preschool Movies at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  It’s recommended for ages 3-6, but siblings are welcome.  It’s a drop-in program.
• At 10:30 am, do a Nature Scavenger Hunt at Moreau Lake State Park.  Another beach opportunity. . . .
• Do some traditional nursery rhymes at 1:30 pm at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• There’s a concert in the park in Schodack from 6-8 pm.
• At 6:30 pm, The Accents are playing at the concert at the Crossings in Colonie.

Wednesday, June 23rd:

• At 9 am, Make a Splash with a Magic Trunk Show at the Duanesburg Community Center.  Contact the Quaker Branch Library for details.  Free and no registration required.
• At 10 am there’s a free movie:  Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs at Bowtie Cinemas in Schenectady.
• Take a Spring Overlook Hike at 10 am at Moreau Lake State Park.  Hey, I’m beginning to think that we should just spend the week there.
• From 2-4:30 pm, there’s a Babysitter Workshop for kids in 6th grade and up at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  Registration is required.
• Rockin’ on the River kicks off in Troy with a U2 tribute band from 5-8:30 pm.
• At 7 pm, go to the Bethlehem Public Library to discuss Eclipse and get psyched for the upcoming film release.  6th grade and up.

Thursday, June 24th:

• At 9:45 am, there’s an informal group hike at Five Rivers.  See the Capital District Family-Friendly Hikes page for details.
• It’s a Lake Ann Hike, this time, at 10 am at Moreau Lake State Park.
• At 10:30 am, there’s a Teen Volunteer Orientation at Bethlehem Public Library.  Registration is required.
• At 1 pm at the Duane Branch Library, it’s the Summer Reading Program Kick-off Party.
• The Mac-Haydn Theatre opens The Secret Garden today.  This theatre is a bit of a drive (maybe 45 minutes for us), but we usually go a couple of times a year for the children’s season in the summer.
• It’s Alive at Five with Boys II Men with Soul Session at 5 pm at Albany Riverfront Park.
• From 5-8:30 pm, there’s a Classic Car Cruise-in in downtown Glens Falls.  Music, cars, & model trains.
• From 6-8 pm, The Lustre Kings play for Concerts in the Park in Ballston Spa.
• Enjoy at Beachy Keen Family Storytime at 6:30 pm at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  It’s a drop-in program.

Friday, June 25th:

• It’s Troy Night Out from 5-9 pm.
• Today kicks off the Old Songs Festival at the Altamont Fairgrounds.

Hooray!  The sun’s finally coming out!  Good thing, because we’ve got a lot of outdoorsville happening at our house, and I was really beginning to freak out about it.

I am actively working on a restaurant post, so if you have suggestions for good places to take the whole family, I’d love to hear them.

Okay, I missed that tomorrow is Irish Day at the National Museum of Dance from 1-3:30 pm.

All Weekend:

• It’s a bit of a drive, but there’s a Firefighter’s Convention that will include parades on Friday night and Saturday afternoon in Lake George.  If you have a kid who’s a firefighting fanatic, it might be worth the trip.
• It’s Juneteenth, the celebration of the end of slavery, in Schenectady.  Most of the activities take place in Central Park.

Evening of Friday, June 18th:

• It’s Art Night Schenectady from 5-9 pm.
• Staging Youths’ Future presents Seussical the Musical as dinner theater.  At 6 pm there’s spaghetti dinner, and the show is at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $15 for dinner and the show.  This is for 6/17 & 6/18.
• There’s a Drop-in Chess Club at the  Guilderland Public Library at 6:30 pm.
• At 6:30 pm, the Saratoga Barnes & Noble will have their American Girl Book Club.
• The Altamont Free Library will have Chicken Barbecue followed by Contra Dancing led by Paul Rosenberg and friends from 6:45-7:45 pm at the Gazebo in Orsini Park.  If you plan to go, you should pre-order dinner to ensure it’s not sold out.
• They’re showing Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the  Guilderland Public Library at 7 pm.  Oh yes, there will be popcorn.
• Brookside Museum is having an outdoor Benefit Concert featuring Gravity at 7 pm.  $15/grown up, kids free, burgers and dogs will be available for purchase.
• Take a Nightwalk at Five Rivers and look for some birds.  It’s at 7 pm.
• Take an Almost Summer Solstice Sunset Hike from 7:30-9 pm at the Albany Pine Bush.  $2/person, $5/family.
• It’s Star Watch time at 9 pm at Grafton Lakes State Park.

Saturday, June 19th:

• It’s the Scottish Festival at Fort Ticonderoga all day.
• At 10 am, learn about Wildflower Identification at Five Rivers.
• From 10 am to 3 pm, it’s the Upper Union Street (Schenectady) Strawberry Festival.  Kids’ stuff includes pony rides and a petting zoo.
• From 10 am to 6 pm, it’s Troy’s River Street Festival.
• From 10-11:30 am, learn about Edible and Practical Uses of Plants at Wilton Wildlife Preserve.  It’s free and designed for all ages, but you need to pre-register.
• It’s Planting Day at 10:30 am at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• At 10:30 am it’s Little Wonders of Science:  Fancy Nancy Sees Stars at the Schenectady Museum.
• From 11 am to 12:30 pm, take a hike and learn about restoration at the Albany Pine Bush.  $2/person, $5/family, and pre-registration is required.
• At 11 am & 1 pm there are Planetarium Shows at the Henry Hudson Planetarium in Albany.
• From 11 am to 3 pm, there’s a World Refugee Day Picnic at Albany’s Washington Park.
• There’s a Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds.  Doors open at 11 am, and there’s a Demolition Derby in the evening.  $10/adult, $5/ kids 7 and up, kids 6 and under free.
• It’s Family Fun Weekend–Saturday only–from 1-4 pm at the New York State Museum.  The theme is Birds and Butterflies.
• At 1 pm learn about Slipperies & Slimies at the Children’s Museum of Science & Technology in Troy.  Ages 4 +, pre-registration is required, and it’s $2/non-member.
• From 1-3 pm, you can play Outdoor Games at the Chapman Historical Museum.  It’s $3/child and reservations are required.
• At 2 pm, Rose Kent will be signing her book Rocky Road at the Book House at Stuyvesant Plaza, and they’ll have ice cream tastings, too.
• At 2 pm, go on a Salamander Search at Thacher Park.  It’s best for older kids–8 and up–and they ask you to call to register.
• At 2 pm, you can learn A Dozen Ways to Make Fire Without Matches at Grafton Lakes State Park.  Again, not the best toddler activity.
• At 2 pm, learn about The Green World with hands-on activities at Five Rivers.
• Take a Twilight Kayak from 7-9 pm at Moreau Lake State Park.  A limited number of kayaks are available for rent.

Sunday, June 20th:

• I am doing the 5k at the Crossings.  It will be my first-ever 5k, and I am a bit nervous.  When I first started out running a couple of months ago I was feeling pretty cocky, but my progress has absolutely slowed down.  At this point, 5k is  about as far as I am able to go, period, and the last time I took a serious run I hurt myself a teensy bit.  So send happy-healthy running karma my way, please.
• Eagle Mills Cider Mill & Family Fun Park in Broadalbin opens for the season with a Father’s Day breakfast.  I’d never heard of this place until I saw the notice about yummy pancakes. . . . Anyone been here?  Worth it?
• Get The Dirt on Dirt at the Children’s Museum of Science & Technology in Troy.  Ages 3+, pre-register, $2/non-member.  Admission is free for dads and grandpas all day at the museum.
• From noon to 4 pm, it’s Sundae on the Farm at Arnoldhaven Farm in West Charlton.  For more information, check out the TU’s Parenting Blog.
• Take a Father-Daughter Hike from 1-2 pm at the Albany Pine Bush.

Well, okay.  Maybe you can.

I got a little carried away at the Greenmarket today.  But, oh, the bountiful goodness!  It all looked so fabulous that I had to take a picture.  In fact, you can see M’s silly-banded wrist in the corner of the picture because I couldn’t get her to move any further from the food–she was hovering, waiting to take another apricot.

Yum.

As I rinsed and put food away, the girls conducted side-by-side comparisons of grocery-store apricots, cherries, broccoli, and lettuce vs. the farmers’ market stuff.  The farmers’ market won resoundingly in all four categories.  In fact, the girls were so enthusiastic in their approval of the market lettuce that for a moment, I was deluded into thinging that they might evolve into children who choose to eat greens.  Alas, that fluttery little hope was crushed quickly.  When I suggested that they might eat some later, they looked appalled.  No, they didn’t want to actually eat any more.  It was just fun to do the contest.

Hoping things dry out a bit this week.  Here’s some of what’s happening. . .

All week, you can pick up supplies to make a Father’s Day craft at the William K. Sanford Library‘s Youth Services Desk.

Monday, June 14th

• At 10:15 am, the 3-and-under set is invited to a Baby Playtime at Guilderland Public Library.  No registration is required.
• At 4:30 pm, kids in grades 6 and up will get together to watch Sydney White at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library. No registration required.
• I wish that I’d caught this earlier:  at the Albany Public Library, there’s a program called Meet Your Newest Refugee Neighbors from 6-8 pm.  On Monday the guests will be folks from Burma, and on Tuesday, folks from Iraq.  Interesting for older kids and/or homeschoolers, right?  There’s a family-friendly event coming up this weekend.
• It’s Pajamarama at the Bethlehem Public Library at 7 pm.
• At 7 pm, there’s a program called Ready, Set, College! for students who’ll be entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grades at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  Parents are welcome, too, and pre-registration is requested.
• There’s a Classical Music Concert at 7 pm by the Music Company Orchestra at the Crossings in Colonie.
• At 7 pm, the Colonie Town Band will be playing at the Pruyn House Barn.

Tuesday, June 15th

• From 6-8 pm there’s Music in the Park at Schodack.
• Meet Your Newest Refugee Neighbors from Iraq at the Albany Public Library from 6-8 pm.
• The Pipe Kings will be playing at Cook Park in Colonie at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday, June 16th

• From 9:15-10 am there’s Music and Movement for Little Ones at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  It’s for kids 2-3 and their grown-ups, and there’s no registration.
• From 10-10:45 am, read about Dust Bunnies and make some of your own at the Bethlehem Public Library.  For pre-k and up.
• They’re doing Katie’s Kitchen from 11 am to noon and from 1-2 pm at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga again.  $15 for non-members includes a parent & a child admission.
• From 4-8 pm, get strawberries and ice cream at the Rexford Fire Station.  $4/grown-up, kids 10 and under free.  This was listed on the Saratoga Events Calendar.
• At 6:30 pm there’s a Voice Student Recital at the Guilderland Public Library.
• There’s a Concert at 7 pm at Freedom Park in Scotia.

Thursday, June 17th

• 9:45 am hike at the Hannacroix Creek Preserve.  For more information, see the Capital District Family-Friendly Hikes page. This has been cancelled.
• From 10:30-11:30 am, the Little Wonders of Science at the Schenectady Museum today is based on Fancy Nancy Sees Stars.  This program’s designed for 3- to 5-year-olds.
• It’s Jazz on Jay from noon to 1:30 pm in downtown Schenectady.
• It’s Third Thursday Art Walk in Glens Falls from 5-8 pm, with an outdoor showing of Singin’ in the Rain at 8 pm.
• It’s Alive at Five with Gregg Rolie at Albany Riverfront Park at 5 pm.
• Staging Youths’ Future presents Seussical the Musical as dinner theater.  At 6 pm there’s spaghetti dinner, and the show is at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $15 for dinner and the show.  This is for 6/17 & 6/18.
• At 6:15 and at 7 pm it’s the Children’s Circle at the Bethlehem Public Library.  Please sign up–designed with special needs kids in mind.
• There’s a Ranger’s Apprentice Book Club at 7 pm at the Niskayuna Barnes & Noble.

Friday, June 18th

• Do some Stretching with Stuffee from 10-10:30 am at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• At 10:30 kids can Dig a Dino at the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology.  For 4- to 7-year-olds.  Pre-registration’s required and it’s $2/non-member.
• Staging Youths’ Future presents Seussical the Musical as dinner theater.  At 6 pm there’s spaghetti dinner, and the show is at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $15 for dinner and the show.  This is for 6/17 & 6/18.
• There’s a Drop-in Chess Club at the  Guilderland Public Library at 6:30 pm.
• At 6:30 pm, the Saratoga Barnes & Noble will have their American Girl Book Club.
• They’re showing Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the  Guilderland Public Library at 7 pm.  Oh yes, there will be popcorn.
• Brookside Museum is having an outdoor Benefit Concert featuring Gravity at 7 pm.  $15/grown up, kids free, burgers and dogs will be available for purchase.
• Take a Nightwalk at Five Rivers and look for some birds.  It’s at 7 pm.
• Take an Almost Summer Solstice Sunset Hike from 7:30-9 pm at the Albany Pine Bush.  $2/person, $5/family.
• It’s Star Watch time at 9 pm at Grafton Lakes State Park.

I’m crabby.  The girls are harmoniously playing a game in which their doll named Kelly (acted out by M, and not to be confused with Barbie’s younger sister) is whining, complaining, and abusing the adorable kitten played by J.  Even though it’s pretend, the whining & complaining is so realistic that it is actually just as irritating as true whining & complaining.  But I can’t seem to get myself up off the couch.

Cute W’s had various obligations that have kept him away from us, we’re missing nursery school, and I haven’t had a decent run in days and days.   I swear: the girls smell weakness on me.  Earlier today I had a conversation with J.  It went like this:

J: Can I please watch some tv?
Me: Would you like me to help you make a sock puppet like M made?
J:  No thanks.  May I please watch some tv?
Me:  Would you like to play a game with me?
J:  No.  Can I watch tv?
Me:  Would you like to cuddle and read some books?
J:  No thank you.  May I please watch tv?
Me:  Would you like me to push you on the swing?
J:  No thank you! Please can I just watch some tv?
Me (sighing):  Okay.

Dude, I couldn’t bring myself to say no, because deep down I knew that it would be the easiest next hour of my day.  (And by hour, I really mean hour and a half.) But oooooh, the guilt.

So, we’ve got some gift cards burning holes in our pockets, and the girls and I are going to go out and seek some retail therapy.  I know it’s wrong.  But it’ll chew up some time, and some days that’s the best you can do, right?

Here’s the weekend–

All Weekend:

• It’s the Saratoga Arts Fest.  Festivities will be all over, including the Children’s Museum, an open house at the Waldorf School.
• It’s the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council has its June Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.  There will be art, music, food, and kids’ activities–there’s not too much information on the main site, but their FB page is better.  There will also be craft vendors sponsored by Zonta nearby.
• At the Malta Community Center, you can watch Metaphasia, a show based on fairy tales and billed as entertainment for all ages.  $10 at the door, shows at 2 pm Saturday & Sunday, and 7 pm on Saturday.
• St. Peter’s is having their Annual Armenian Festival from 4-8 pm on Saturday and 12-4 pm on Sunday.  Middle Eastern food and music, amusement & pony rides.
• There’s a Rhythm on the Ridge music festival at Maple Ski Ridge.  Music starts at noon on Saturday, $12/adult, kids 12 and under free.  “Rough camping” available for $15/site.

Friday, June 11th:

• It’s Duck Day in Mechanicville from 5-9 pm.  I found this one at All Over Albany, too.  
  
• Staging Youths’ Future presents Seussical the Musical as dinner theater.  At 6 pm there’s spaghetti dinner, and the show is at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $15 for dinner and the show.  This is for 6/10, 6/11, 6/17, & 6/18.
• At 7 pm, the Guilderland Public Library will be showing Mary Poppins. With popcorn.

Saturday, June 12th:

• There’s a free walking tour along the West Towpath in Clifton Park at 9 am.
• Soapbox Derby on Madison Avenue in Albany at 9 am!  See details at All Over Albany.
• There’s a Family Hike to Bullfrog Pond at Thacher at 10 am.  Call to register.
• At 10 am at Five Rivers, there’s a Firefly Watch Training Program.  This is for folks who’d like to help them Five Rivers with their summer firefly programs.
• From 10-11:30 am, take a Natural History Walk at the Saratoga National Historic Park.
• It’s Family Diversity Day from 11 am to 4 pm at the New York State Museum.
• Take Time Out for Tales at the Bethlehem Public Library at 11 am.
• It’s the Old Glory Block Party from noon to 6 in Troy.  I found this at All Over Albany.
• On Jay Street in Schenectady, there’s a Celtic Faire from noon to 9 pm.
• Nippertown reports that there will be Nude Bike Riding at noon in Albany’s Washington Park.  Okay, perhaps you don’t want to bring the kids, but sounds like fun!
• There’s a Family Storytime on Trains at the Rensselaer Public Library at 1 pm.  It’s designed for kids 2-8, and no sign-up is required.
• Take a hike at 1 pm at Up Yonda Farm.  $4/non-member.
• It’s the Annual Family Fun Day at Cook Park in Colonie from 2-7 pm.
• At 3 pm, Coleen Paratore and Eric Luper will be signing their new books at The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza.
• There’s some In Your Face Wrestling at 7 pm at the Ballston Area Community Center.  $12/adult, $8/kid.

Sunday, June 13th:

• It’s the Dancing Around the World Open House at the National Museum of
  
• ance from 11 am to 3 pm.
• It’s the Capital District Gay Pride Festival starting at noon in Washington Park in Albany.
• At 1 pm, older kids can learn about The Physics of Toys at the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology.  It’s for ages 8+, pre-registration required, and it’s $2 for non-members.
• The Troy Flag Day Parade steps off at 1 pm.
• Discover the Pine Bush at 1 pm.

Phew!  Everyone exhausted from the weekend?  Weather’s looking great for much of this week–still sunny, not so hot.  Yay.  Here are some things going on:

Monday, June 7th:

• The local Sling Babies group is meeting at North Bethlehem Playground at 10:30 am.
• From 6:30-8 pm, the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library will have a training session for teen volunteers.  Participants must pre-register and be in grades 6-12.
• The Colonie Town Band will play at 7 pm at Canal Square in Cohoes.

Tuesday, June 8th:

• NYSTI is presenting Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. on the 8th, 9th, & 10th at 10 am.  One of our readers went and commented that it was “fabulous”.
• The Town of Schodack has Music in the Park from 6-8 pm.
• At 6 pm, it’s the Geronimo Stilton Book Club at the Saratoga Springs Barnes & Noble.

Wednesday, June 9th:

• NYSTI is presenting Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. on the 8th, 9th, & 10th at 10 am.  One of our readers went and commented that it was “fabulous”.
• Take a Teddy Bear Picnic:  Beachside! at 10 am at Bethlehem Public Library.  Sign-up is required.
• It’s Beads! Beads! Beads! from 1-3 pm at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.  Free with admission.
• From 7-8 pm at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library there’s an Introduction to Geocaching. It’s designed for teens and adults, and you can register online.

Thursday, June 10th:

• Starting today and through the weekend it’s the Saratoga Arts Fest.  The serious family good times are on the weekend, but beginning today you can purchase an Art Rally for Kids kit at the Children’s Museum to take an artistic walking tour through Saratoga.  Here’s where I’d love to hear from a reader who tries this out early so that all of the rest of us folks know if it’s worth doing!
• At 9:45 am, there’s a group of parents & young children hiking Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary. See the Capital District Hikes page for more information.
• NYSTI is presenting Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. on the 8th, 9th, & 10th at 10 am.  One of our readers went and commented that it was “fabulous”.
• Drop in to the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library for Preschool Movies from 10:15-11 am.
• There’s free Jazz on Jay Street in Schenectady from noon to 1:30 pm.
• Chubby Checker’s performing at Alive at Five at the Albany Riverfront Park.
• Staging Youths’ Future presents Seussical the Musical as dinner theater.  At 6 pm there’s spaghetti dinner, and the show is at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $15 for dinner and the show.  This is for 6/10, 6/11, 6/17, & 6/18.
• At 6:30 pm, it’s American Girl Book Club at the Mohawk Commons Barnes & Noble.
• At 7 pm, there’s a Teen Reading Group at the Colonie Center Barnes & Noble.
• At 7 pm, there’s The Children’s Circle Storytime, designed for families with kids with special needs, at the Bethlehem Public Library.  Sign-up is required.

Friday, June 11th:

• Wiggle and Giggle from 10-11:30 am at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• At 2 pm, they’ll be doing Soil Prep for the garden project at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• At 3:30 pm it’s Teen Time at the Bethlehem Public Library.
• Staging Youths’ Future presents Seussical the Musical as dinner theater.  At 6 pm there’s spaghetti dinner, and the show is at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $15 for dinner and the show.  This is for 6/10, 6/11, 6/17, & 6/18.
• At 7 pm, the Guilderland Public Library will be showing Mary Poppins. With popcorn.