Uncategorized — Capital District Fun

Hey! In case you haven’t already subscribed to the newsletter, I wanted to make sure to let you know that the tulips are out already!

So if you want to get in a photo op, you’d better get on that! Personally, I can’t get enough of kids and flowers. I’m especially a sucker for the Sincere Sniff Shot.

Okay, I’ve sent emails to the Circus Giveaway Winners, but the final test is always whether the winners have typed their emails correctly so that I can properly notify them. So far, I’ve only confirmed one person, so I’m putting the announcement on hold until I hear from the second winner and/or give up on hearing from her and choose someone else. Check your in-boxes, people!

Meanwhile, of interest on the interwebs. . . .

Have you all seen this Pregnant Chicken post on Happily After Giving Birth: 10 Things They Don’t Tell You? It’s funny but also potentially Too Much Information for some of you. This reminded me of some of my own most glorious post-birth adventures, which I might tell you at a later date. If so, then that, too, will begin with a TMI warning.

The TU’s Muslim Women blog shared information about a Multi-Cultural Bridal and Event Expo that’s happening tomorrow. I know it’s not a kid event, exactly, but I think that my girls would love to see all different kinds of wedding traditions. What an interesting way to learn first-hand about different cultures and traditions, right? Plus it’s free. I’m bummed that we can’t make it, but M and I have a mother-daughter camping trip that begins tomorrow morning and continues overnight.

Yum Universe is doing a Kale Recipe Contest. Entries include spreads, main dishes and an ice cream. Could somebody please try all of these recipes and then report back to me?

Melissa from Pigtail Pals shared this collection of gorgeous and clever photographs that a dad shot of his two daughters.

Hey! So, I got carried away and copied way too many items into this post. And there are even more if you click on the days. Here’s the Capital District Family Newsletter April 19, 2012.

I had a huge media day: breakfast was with the Social Media Breakfast Tech Valley. I learned stuff, but mostly I learned that I am a goofball for using my pen and paper to take little notes while all the cool kids in class were Tweeting clever comments about the panelists which would then display directly behind the panelists’ heads. I am not even kidding. Thanks, Deb, for saving me a seat and helping me to network like a real grown-up. Tonight I finally saw Miss Representation, which was just as effective and appalling as I’d expected. There was a good turnout at Union, but what surprised me was that not a single male attended. I came home and reported this to Cute W, who said, “But honey, I had to stay home to watch the girls.” Oh, how I love him.

Here’s what’s going on this week:

Friday, April 20

Saturday, April 21

Back to Work Support with Three Sisters Birth
Little Wonders of Science: Look for the Lorax at the Schenectady Museum
Riverway Storytelling Festival
Natural Family Festival and Great Cloth Diaper Change @ Sportsplex of Halfmoon: a reader/holistic mama reports there’s a world record cloth diaper change, vendors, seminars, activities, raffles, and clothing/diaper swap & sale
Guided Hike at Up Yonda Farm
Early Spring Wildflowers at Thacher Park
Moreau Lake Kayak
Family Fun Day at the New York State Museum
Saturday Star Shows at Henry Hudson Planetarium
ART FOR ALL at Albany Institute of History and Art
Niskayuna Cooperative Nursery School 9th Annual Auction Fundraiser Where our beloved Cute W will be the emcee! Which is why you must go!

Sunday, April 22

It’s that time of year again. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents FULLY CHARGED! at the Times Union Center from May 2nd to May 6th. The circus is always super-fun, and I’ll be updating you when I hear more about any circus brouhaha, like parading the animals in, feeding the elephants, and more.

And, hooray! Once again, I’ve got two sets of Family 4-packs of tickets to see the show on Opening Night, Wednesday, May 2nd at 7 pm!

To enter to win a Family 4-pack of tickets, comment once on this blog post by Friday, April 20th at 5 pm. Now, you can say anything in the comment, but for those who need a topic, hmm. . . . Last time, I asked folks what your act would be if you ran off to join the circus. Which was fun. But I’ve got to come up with something new. So. Imagine that you go to the circus and have a lovely time, but then you and yours are accidentally locked in the circus venue overnight. Where would you choose to sleep, and why? Keep in mind that I’ll choose winners randomly, so you don’t have to sit there at the computer with writer’s block trying to come up with something unbelievably, winningly witty. Just relax and comment.

This year, I’m just going to pick two comments randomly, rather than making us all do extra work for a second entry like I did last year. But of course, I still appreciate it, always, when you fill out the Playground Survey: Share Details on Your Favorite or “like” or “share” the Capital District Fun page on Facebook. Perhaps that will bring you just the right amount of karma to win you some tickets? Actually, I’ve been hovering at about 920 “likes” for a while now, and I was thinking that maybe I should promise to do something really silly if I reach one thousand “likes”? Cartwheels through Empire State Plaza? Discuss among yourselves. . . .

But I digress.

If the suspense of a giveaway kills you and you just want to just go ahead and buy tickets, you can click here. They’ve got a variety of showtimes, which is good if your kids are usually asleep by 7:30 pm. Whether you win tickets or buy tickets, or if you’re trying to decide whether to go, my review from last year’s circus over on KidsOutAndAbout.com can offer you some insight and logistical advice.

Thanks for reading and participating, and good luck!

Spring break’s over and it’s back to the ol’ routine. Here’s what’s happening this week. Remember, click on the day for more events.

All Week/Multiple Days:

Monday, April 16th:

Tuesday, April 17th:

Tuesdays for Tots at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga

Wednesday, April 18th:

Thursday, April 19th:

Friday, April 20th:

On a completely random note, I’m super-excited about this new site, A Mighty Girl, with recommendations for girl power books and movies.

Hey! Happy Friday the 13th! I consider this day especially lucky for me. At some point in elementary school, I read that it’s lucky for anyone born on the 13th of a month Here’s a big pile of links for you.

The Power of Moms has a post called Your Children Want YOU! which made me feel much better about how very little I accomplished this week.

All Over Albany reports that there’s an Egg Hunt for Grown-ups in Troy’s Prospect Park this Saturday.

I am loving Jezebel these days. Specifically, I award them the Best Post Titles in My Entire Google Reader Award. I was forced to invent this award due to their awesome post titles, like: Teacher Fired for Being Pregnant Wants Public to Know She’s Not Like Those Other Whorish Single Mothers. . . Meet the Rising Republican Star Who Would Love to Punch Hillary Clinton in the Face. . . Pageant Moms Resolve Feud, Are Still Terrible Parents. . . Why Marie Curie is Awesome, Now With Finger Puppets. . . Men Are Getting Bikini Waxes. Our Work Here is Done. That’s pure entertainment, baby!

On Thursday, April 19th at 6:30 pm, there’s a Screening of “Miss Representation” at Union College. I’m super-excited that I’m finally going to get to see it, especially since I just recently missed it for what turned out to be no good reason. Here’s the trailer if you’re trying to decide whether or not to go.

Look at this awesome New York Camping Guide 2012! Thanks to Cute W for sending me the link.

Speaking of parks, did you know that Saturday, April 21st to Sunday, April 29th is National Parks Week, with free access to national parks? Yeah, I didn’t, either, until I read it on the New York History blog. Find a park to visit here.

More calendar stuff! April is National Poetry Month! Learn more at Scholastic or Poetry Foundation or Poetry 180: A Poem A Day for American High Schools or that post I did recently. April is also Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month? Learn more over at Ask Moxie. No, I am not even kidding. Really, every month is extra special in many ways: here’s a huge list of all that makes April oh-so-special. Besides the showers, of course.

Meanwhile, Keep Albany Boring reports that the Albany Bicycle Coalition is already looking forward to May, aka National Bike Month, with plenty of events.

We went rollerskating at Rollarama this afternoon. We’d planned the outing with friends days ago. When it was time to go, I was a bit disappointed, because the girls were happily playing imaginative games with the neighbors outside. It felt criminal to leave and spend money to do something indoors. But then the neighbors had to go inside and it started raining. The swiftly-descending gloom made me downright cheerful.

I said rollerskating, but we actually used roller blades. This was J’s and my first time ever, and we did pretty well! I was going to get an adorable photo of the the girls skating, hands clasped, disco ball spinning. But my camera battery was shot. So you’ll just have to visualize it.

The weekend feels a little bit lame to me, I’m sorry to say. I think people try to avoid spring break in their planning. But as always, there’s still more going on than any family could possibly do, anyway.

First, here’s the latest KidsOutAndAbout.com newsletter. The following is a selection of some of what’s going on. Click on the day for more listings for that day.

Multiple Days

Sunset Boulevard at Cohoes Music Hall
FOCUS GROUP—GE Presents: The Mystery of the Albany Mummies by Albany Institute of History and Art at a variety of locations
Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm at Hancock Shaker Village

Friday, April 13

Saturday, April 14

Sunday, April 15

I was so excited about all my pretty pictures that I blew off listings of what’s happening this week. So I’m blatantly copying from the special edition of the KidsOutAndAbout.com newsletter. If you know about other fun that’s happening, let us know in the comments or, better yet, let the organizers know that they can add their own events and camps to KidsOutAndAbout.com any time.

Don’t forget that there are also links to playgrounds and hikes over to the right.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

ALL DAYS: Zoo Can Do It: 2nd Annual Capital Region Canstruction at the New York State Museum at New York State Museum with other spring break activities planned as well.

Monday

Spring Break Nature Activities for Kids at Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center- Bolton Landing

April 2012 Vacation Daze: The Airborne Comedians at Steamer No. 10 Theatre
Family Music Mondays at My Place to Play

April Break Activities @ Schenectady Museum
Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm
Exhibit: Our World—Thinking Green! at World Awareness Children’s Museum
Preschool Movies at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library

Click here for more activities on Monday

Tuesday

April 2012 Vacation Daze: Roger the Jester at Steamer No. 10 Theatre

Spring Break: Albany Sweets Tour & Cookie Monster! with Albany Aqua Ducks & Trolley

VACATION ART BREAK—Great, Strange, and Rarely Seen at Albany Institute of History and Art
“Sheila Says We’re Weird” at Thacher Nature Center
Seven Green Bananas at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
Spring Break: Albany Sweets Tour & Cookie Monster! with Albany Aqua Ducks & Trolley
Tuesdays for Tots at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga

Click here for more activities on Tuesday

Wednesday

“Robins Abound!” at Thacher Nature Center at Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center

Build your own Bluebird Nest Box at Stephentown Memorial Library

April 2012 Vacation Daze: Tanglewood Marionettes presents Cinderella at Steamer No. 10 Theatre
Rain or Shine. . . It’s Reading Time at the New York State Museum
ARTfull Afternoon at The Hyde Collection
VACATION ART BREAK—Great, Strange, and Rarely Seen
Alphabet Soup at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga

Click here for more activities on Wednesday

Thursday
Music Jam at the New York State Museum
Sunset Boulevard at Cohoes Music Hall
hip hop yoga with Devonna at Breathing Room
VACATION ART BREAK—Great, Strange, and Rarely Seen at Albany Institute of History and Art
April 2012 Vacation Daze: Silly Billy Magic at Steamer No. 10 Theatre
Silly Science! at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga

Click here for more activities on Thursday

Friday
Albany Devils vs. Norfolk Admirals
Girls Night In at Tiny Tots Tea Room with Dove Chocolate Discoveries and Madison Handbags
Eagle Watch at Moreau Lake State Park
Albany Legends Professional Basketball playing at Christian Brothers Academy

Click here for more activities on Friday

I thought some of you might like a look at Babble’s list of top 25 blogs for family travel.

Here’s some of what’s happening over the next few days. Click on the day for a more complete list.

Friday, April 6th

Saturday, April 7th

Easter Sunday, April 8th

Need something to do? Most movie theaters are open. Here’s what open at Crossgates and Colonie Center . Or get out and play at a playground from the Playground List or try a Capital District Family-Friendly Hikes.

Up for a drive? It Pittsfield, the Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm are out at Hancock Shaker Village.

Okay, honestly? It’s a little quiet this week. I’m sort of guessing that everyone’s just gearing up for their activities during the spring break. Speaking of the calendar in general, here’s some holiday fun:

Cute W was fooled by this NPR story about nursery school today.
Our old pal Blossom has some tips on Surviving Passover with Kids. Incidentally, I just discovered Kveller: A Jewish Twist on Parenting. True, I’m not Jewish. But I’m a fan on twists on parenting!
My friend Debra has an article called Easter Egg Hunts: Tips and Tricks for a Great Party over on KidsOutAndAbout.com.

Just a reminder, click on the day for a more complete list of stuff to do.

Monday, April 2nd

Pot Luck and Parent Gathering at Three Sisters Birth I’ll bet that if you’re a new mama you can totally just buy something at the store and they’ll still be nice to you.
Young Female Artists Program by Girl Scouts of NENY at East Greenbush Community Library This is the first of a 5-week class that costs $15. Hello, that’s awesome! I wish we lived closer.

Tuesday, April 3rd

Wednesday, April 4th

Thursday, April 5th

The Hundred Dresses at The Palace Theatre This is designed for schools; I haven’t had a chance, yet, to see if individual tickets are available. If anyone calls them, would you please report for the rest of us?
Zoo Can Do It: 2nd Annual Capital Region Canstruction at the New York State Museum This fun exhibit opens today.

Friday, April 6th

This weekend is our elementary school’s annual Pancake Breakfast. We go every year, more for the used book sale than the food. I am a sucker for discounted books. One of the organizers asked me to list the information on KidsOutAndAbout.com, but as I was adding it, it occurred to me that this is another piece of random advice for families with young children. If you have no particular plans to move away from the neighborhood, your kids’ future school can provide opportunities for cheap entertainment that will help your child get acclimated to the “big kid” school environment.

Generally speaking, getting in touch with your local school is a good idea. I think that most public schools want to know that your children exist so that they can make projections for future enrollment. Especially this year, with so many teachers’ jobs on the line, it helps administrators plan for your kids. If you’re not getting any communication from your local school district, you can call the district office to make sure that they know about you.

Many schools have special reading programs or story times for incoming preschoolers. Even if they don’t, some school libraries will allow your child to visit if they’ll be attending later. This is a change of pace from your usual library visits.

Programs at the school vary widely, and for some, you won’t even want to attend when your child is a student. We have a couple of events per year that involve loud music in the gym with about two-thirds of the boys running like maniacs while the parents stand around making loud small talk and asking each other for Tylenol. Clearly, I’d skip these. Your best bet is to ask parents of older kids or a school secretary for recommendations about the best, most appropriate events. Breakfast, lunch, and carnival fundraisers are ideal. They’re generally open to the public, but it’s mostly the school crowd. Recruit neighborhood friends to come with you so that you don’t feel friendless among strangers. Take the opportunity to walk the halls and look at displays. There are usually great big-kid role models performing or helping at the events. When I realized that M is so old that her Girl Scout troop is actually helping with the event this year, I almost cried, because I’ve been attending the breakfasts for years and those helper-girls were always so sweet, so kind, and so very, very old.

Even after your kids hit elementary-school age, there’s still plenty of entertainment at upper schools and colleges. Mark your calendar for the spring musical, sporting events, music concerts, dance recitals, or academic competitions like Odyssey of the Mind. It’s an opportunity to support the youth in your community while inspiring your kids, and many events are low- or no-cost.

Which reminds me, there’s a Screening of “Miss Representation” followed by Panel Discussion at Schenectady County Community College tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6 pm. I’m pretty annoyed, actually, because I want to see it, but we’d already planned a date night to see Guster. And I even thought about going for the first movie part of it and then rushing off to see Guster at 8 pm, but I thought that it would be difficult to enjoy music immediately after the consciousness of my oppression as a woman had been heightened. Which I say to be funny, but also? Completely sincere about that. Anyway, if you’re interested, here’s the trailer. For Miss Representation. Guster, alas, is sold out.

Category — Uncategorized

Tulip Alert, Suspense, & Links

Natural Family Festival, Earth Day Celebrations, Cute W Out & About, and More This Weekend

Circus Giveaway!

Riverway Storytelling, O!Baby Sale, Museum Fun and More This Weekend

Cruising Through the Internet

Fun This Weekend: Baby & Toddler Expo, Camp Expo, Plenty of Spring Activities, and More

Spring Break Fun for Kids

Easter Weekend

This Week Plus Holiday Links

Going to your Future School

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