Memorial Day Weekend Fun

Assuming you're not packing the kiddies in the mini-van and heading to the shore this weekend, there's still lots to do including all the local Memorial Day parades. In addition to your local town/borough festivities, consider some of these long holiday weekend kid-friendly options:

Saturday May 29, 2010
Memorial Day Celebration
National Constitution Center
Celebrate the people & events of our nation’s past at the museum.
Free with paid admission

Saturday May 29, 2010
Garden Railway Special Opening Event at Morris Arboretum
10am-4pm
The Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway hits the tracks again for the summer season, bringing joy to each visitor who stops by the beautiful gardens. This year’s theme? American Roadside Attractions. You’ll spot New Jersey’s Lucy the Elephant, The Big Duck of Hampton Bay, NY, the Teapot Dome of Zillah, WA, and many more. The train travels through the garden on a quarter mile track, created by the Arboretum’s landscape architect, Paul Busse. The Garden Railway runs all summer form 10am to 4pm during the week, and 10am to 5pm on weekends. The Arboretum has a handful of train-enthusiast events planned around the Garden Railway. Visit their website for full details.

Sunday May 30, 2010
Memorial Day Celebration
Garden State Discovery Museum
Summer-themed crafts & the Museum's signature quiet fireworks display are the highlights of a weekend-long Memorial Day celebration. The fireworks are displayed on the theater’s big screen & set to music to sooth little ears.
Free with paid admission

Sunday May 30, 2010
Delaware River Day
1-7pm
Penn's Landing Great Plaza
A celebration of conscientious boating practices, stresses the importance of marine safety measures and encourages waterway preservation along the Delaware River. Attendees can take part in free kayaking, life jacket fitting, musical entertainment, free face painting for the kids and vessel tours. There will also be a Blessing of the Fleet at 1:00 p.m., hourly sailings aboard the Schooner Northwind, U.S. Coast Guard man overboard demonstrations and a Tug Boat Competition from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. This event is jointly hosted by United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and takes place from 12 noon until 6 p.m. behind the Independence Seaport Museum.
FREE!


Sunday May 30, 2010
Portuguese Heritage Festival
1-7pm
Penn's Landing Great Plaza
The festivities will begin with a flag ceremony and playing of the national anthem of Portugal, followed by a blessing of the fleet aboard the Tall Ship Gazela. The Tall Ship Gazela is originally a Portuguese ship that is now berthed at Penn’s Landing. The entertainment also begins at 1 p.m. and will feature folk dancing groups including Tamar Alto, A Eira, Casa do Ribatejo and Phila. Portuguese Club and live music by The Riverside Accordion Band, “Rusgas” from Arcos de Valdevez and Mena Leandro. Make sure to come hungry, as there will be plenty of Portuguese cuisine on offer, from BBQ sardines, chicken and pork to the famous BBQ Chourico. Activities for the kids will feature a clown, face painting and moon bounce.
FREE!

Monday May 31, 2010
12-3pm
Memorial Day Fun
Enjoy fun & games on the Great Lawn
Franklin Square
Free!

Memorial Day Weekend Fun

Savvy Source Deal on Franklin Institute Memberships

Apologies to not post this sooner but if you're at all interested in a family membership to The Franklin Institute, act TODAY (Thursday May 27th) to get a 50% off discount!!

From now through Thursday, May 27, Savvy Source - Philadelphia is offering a huge discount on a family membership to The Franklin Institute for only $50, which is 50% off the regular price. This deal is $50 instead of the regular $99 family membership. Get it now before it's gone!

The membership includes two free tickets to see the new exhibit, Cleopatra, and free admission to over 250 ASTC science museums. It's really an incredible deal for $50 -- all for one family. This is part of a new program for Savvy Source. It's called Savvy Savings and Scholarships, and it's like Groupon, except designed specifically for things to do with kids. The deals only last a few days. A membership to the Franklin is just in time for summer and for all of those long summer days when it's too hot to play outside.

Even better: When you buy your membership, Savvy Source will donate 5% of the purchase price to the preschool of your choice and 5% to a scholarship fund for kids who can't afford to go to preschool. You get a great deal, your preschool earns some money, and it help kids -- it's a win for everyone.

Don't miss this great deal!!

Savvy Source Deal on Franklin Institute Memberships

Franklin Square

Ok, I admit that I have never been to Franklin Square. Obviously, I totally need to remedy that situation ASAP. Check out the fun - Philly mini-golf, the Fountain, SquareBurger, the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, and more!

Sounds like a fun outing for a long holiday weekend, doesn't it?

Franklin Square

Kinetic sculpture and sitar make for a good weekend in Philly

Saturday May 22, 2010
Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby
Trenton and Dauphin Streets, Kensington
12:00pm, parade starts at 12:30pm

See wacky human-powered, artistic vehicles on parade & vote for your favorite. The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby (KKSD) is a design competition and parade of human powered vehicle floats celebrating art and human-powered transit by pitting mobile sculptures against one another along a three mile urban obstacle course of cobblestones and mud pits through the Kensington and Fishtown neighborhoods. Sculptures aren’t the only things on parade though. This event also showcases the diversity of some of the neighborhood’s sustainable businesses--local businesses on parade! The KKSD is held at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival. Once again the dedicated volunteers of the East Kensington Neighbors Association will be putting on THE neighborhood arts fest of the year. The festival attracts 6,000 or more festival goers to shop 100+ local arts vendors selling their handmade creations, 2 stages hold live bands, and local eateries keep festival goers well-fed.
Free!

Sunday May 23, 2010
SITAR SITAR SITAR
Green Line Cafe, 45th & Locust
4pm

So you're wondering what's missing from your kids' lives and you've come to the only logical conclusion...SITAR! Our buddy Jay from All Around This World” (an interactive, weekly, international music class for curious kids and their equally curious parents/caregivers) is co-sponsoring a unique hands-on workshop with guitarist and sitarist Craig Ebner that will introduce you and your children (seven-ish years old and younger) to the sitar. Guitarist and composer Craig Ebner is on the faculty Temple Unversity's jazz studies program. He has studied sitar with Hidayat Khan, son of sitar master, Vilayat Khan. He currently performs in and around the Philadelphia area on guitar and sitar. The fun takes place this Sunday May 23, 2010 at the Green Line Cafe at 45th and Locust starting at 4pm. COST: $5 per person, "All Around This World" music class families $3, babies under 6 months free.

Kinetic sculpture and sitar make for a good weekend in Philly

Rain rain go away

With the rainy forecast for a good portion of the week, there are still some fun free things to do *inside* to keep you and your kiddies from going bonkers:


Thursday May 20, 2010
Giggle Gang - Aloha Spring!
Springfield Mall
10:30am

Parents & kids ages 1-5 can learn about nature & the community through fun lessons, live music & crafts. Get ready for a little island fun during this Hawaiian themed Giggle Gang event- complete with flower leis! Hawaiian shirts & flip flops welcome! Open to members of the Springfield Mall Shoppers Club. Membership is free.


And if you're going to go shopping (always a viable option in the rain as long as you don't spend too much) check out the Babies R Us's 20% Everything for the Nursery sale. 20% off gliders, crib mattresses, furniture, decor (bedding, etc). It's a great sale if you need some big ticket items and it's happening now through May 27th.

Finally, you can always just pop in a DVD or set the kiddies in front of some play-doh while you take advantage of today's Groupon and make photo books for cheap!!

Whatever you do, don't despair... warm weather and fun weekend events are on their way!!

Rain rain go away

Weekend Fairs and Performances Galore and a Rubber Ducky Regatta

Saturday May 15, 2010

Saturday May 15, 2010
St. Denis Fun Fair
2:00-10:00pm
Havertown's St. Denis Parish's annual Family Fun Fair's last weekend of the season. Good fun, food and rides for all ages.
http://www.stdenisfamilyfunfair.org/

Saturday May 15, 2010
Marcus Hook Fair
6:00-10:00pm
Marcus Hook Borough will hold it's 1st annual spring carnival at Market street Park (next to the bridge) Marcus Hook Pa, Delaware County. Plenty of amusement rides for all ages, food, games, and fun.
http://www.marcushookboro.com

Saturday May 15, 2010
Lansdowne Friends School May Fair
10:00am-3:00pm
Join LFS families, teachers, alumni and friends at the annual May Fair for food, games, crafts and more! Free!
http://www.lansdownefriendsschool.org/?q=lfscalendar/5-15-2010/may-fair

Saturday May 15, 2010
Public Eye: Artists for Animals presents "Not A Drop to Drink"
1:00-2:00pm performance, 2:00-3:00 parade
Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

A performance including puppetry, animation, theater, and live music to raise awareness about the dangers of fracking (a process used to drill for natural gas). The show is about a farmer who protects his land from energy developers with the help of his animal companions and local wildlife. Immediately following the performance, participants are invited to join a parade with the cast & crew, featuring large-scale puppets. Children can come to the show dressed as their favorite animals! 6 years and up (younger are welcome to attend)
$5 child, $10 adult
Tickets: purchase at the door, reservations at 215-620-2130 or lisa@publiceyephilly.org
http://publiceyephilly.org/

Saturday May 15, 2010
Creative Family Performance Series at The Creative Living Room
4:30pm
Every 3rd Saturday of the month Swarthmore's Creative Living Room holds an afternoon of laughter, learning and sharing with entertainment by exciting and educational performances by local artists.
$5 per person
http://www.thecreativelivingroom.com/?page_id=1094



Sunday May 16, 2010
15th Annual Rubber Ducky Regatta
1:00pm
Ok, I don't even know where Warminster is but this event sounds too fun not to be missed!!

A hilarious family event where hundreds of rubber duckies float down the Neshaminy Creek to compete in a race to the finish line. Your duck(s) could win and you could receive prizes! Prior to the regatta, families are invited to bring a picnic lunch and they supply the water ice with help from Rita's Water Ice. Immediately following the regatta there will be a 1/2 hour of family games and activities (weather permitting).
Kemper Park, Warminster
$5 per duck
http://warminstertownship.org/

Sunday May 16, 2010
Friends of Seger Park Playground's 3rd Annual Spring Festival Fundraiser
11:00am-3:00pm
Get ready for a supersized dose of fun: food & treats, moonbounces, games, crafts, a petting zoo, music, plus free tennis lessons from the Seger Park Tennis Club.
Lombard St. between 10th & 11th
www.friendsofseger.org

Weekend Fairs and Performances Galore and a Rubber Ducky Regatta

Italian Market Festival

Saturday May 15-16, 2010
Italian Market Festival
10:00am - 5:00pm (rain or shine)
9th Street

The 9th Street Italian Market Festival is this weekend, May 15-16, 2010. Grab the kiddies and your appetite and head down to 9th Street to enjoy two days of fabulous foods and outdoor fun. 9th Street, in the heart of South Philadelphia, will be closed down to traffic and the huge, multi-block festival takes over the neighborhood. In addition to the blocks of curb vendors and specialty butcher, cheese, gift and cookware shops that line the market, there will also be street-side merchants selling specially prepared foods just for the Festival. Expect to see stands offering a display of fresh sausage and peppers, antipasto salads, roast pork sandwiches, cheeses, cured meats, an infinite array of pastries, famous mango roses and much more. Live entertainment on three stages and a Procession of Saints will entertain while you and the kids eat your way through the flavors of not only Philadelphia's little Italy but Mexican and Asian cuisines as well.

Italian Market Festival

Happy (almost) Mother's Day

So as many of you know, my lovely co-blogger is about to add a monkey to her collection so I guess it's about time that I step up and actually post rather than lazily emailing it to my super mommy co-blogger and convincing her that it sounds fun.

Mother's Day is tomorrow and if you are anything like me, you expect lots of homemade lovelies , affection and a messy breakfast in bed but have not really figured out what to give Grandmom (despite the fact that life in general would be impossible without her & her lifesaving babysitting offers) So here's a few Mama's day gift ideas that are sure to bring a smile:

• MAKE A MOMMY ONLY DATE: Grab a cool, recyclable tote bag and fill it with a bottle of fancy lemonade (or wine), cheese, grapes, a pretty tablecloth, assorted goodies and to make it official: a couple of tickets to a concert. The Mann & Camden Waterfront usually has affordable lawn seats (Jack Johnson is coming, the symphony, whatever, just choose something you and your mom can enjoy together, line up a sitter and spend some time together).


• GARDEN PARTY: Pick up a few Annuals that will work in Grandmom's garden and stick the kit and caboodle into pretty container with Grandmom and Grandchild size gardening tools, vegetable seeds & include some homemade Vegetable Markers (Popsicle stick with a construction paper carrot or radish or whatever, just remember to laminate them- Staples has sticky lamination sheets that should work.)


• BRUNCH IT UP: Mother's Day Brunch is a classic, take it up a notch by making some tissue paper corsages for the Mommies to wear, and let your little ones wrap up a few different treasures to give Grandmom throughout the meal (ask them for reasons that they love Grandmom and make little objects to represent it- Grandmom's hug can be a cotton ball with glitter, her kisses can be x's and O's, the point is to wrap up several object so that each time the kiddies start to loose interest in Brunch, reel them back in by gifting Grandmom), they'll quickly catch on that giving is sometimes just as fun as getting.

Much love peace and happiness to all the Mommies and Daddies out there, hope you have a great Mother's Day

-Amelia

Happy (almost) Mother's Day

National Train Day

Saturday May 8th is National Train Day so if you or your partner or kids are train obsessed like mine are get them out to 30th Street Station this Saturday for lots of train fun including:

Baseball Junction: The History of Baseball and the American Railroad
Train Equipment Displays
Model Train Displays
AmtraKids Depot
Go-Green Express: Eco Exhibit
National Park Service Trails & Rails Exhibit

Saturday May 8, 2010
National Train Day
11:00am - 4:00pm
30th Street Station
Free!

National Train Day

Circus and Sidewalk Sale in Narberth this Weekend

Narberth has a full weekend of fun activities planned for Mother’s Day weekend, with three days of Spring Sidewalk Sale, and three Saturday circus performances! The action kicks off with music and street food, 6pm Thursday, May 6, at Forrest and Haverford Ave. Right around the corner, the Narberth Avenue shops “On the Hill” are giving away free dessert! The shops of Narberth take to the sidewalks all day Friday and Saturday, and many have crafts, specials, and fun, family activities planned for Saturday afternoon. There will be music all day Saturday, and an 11:30 AM performance by the DanceXpress dancers at the train station circle. From Noon to 4pm Saturday, you can catch a ride on the “Narberth Local”, two trackless trains running between Downtown Narberth and the Circus at Narberth Park. Circus performances are Saturday, May 8, at 1pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are available for $8 at the tent or in advance at the Library and the Borough Office. Call 610-664-2840.

Weekend Schedule

Thursday, May 6
6pm-8pm Sidewalk Sale, Music and Food, Dessert “On the Hill”

Friday, May 7
All Day Sidewalk Sale

Saturday, May 8
1pm, 4:30pm, 7:30pm Circus performances

** Bonus - if you're a fabric junkie like me, the amazing Cloth & Bobbin fabric store is having buy 1 yard, get 1 yard of sale fabric free sale all weekend. Reason enough to head to Narberth this weekend in my book!! **

For more information:www.narberthborough.com/
Location: Forrest and Haverford Ave Haverford Pa
This event is appropriate for the whole family
Cost: $8 for circus tickets

Circus and Sidewalk Sale in Narberth this Weekend

Evolution of Dad & Babies

Just in time for Mother's Day, check out this new movie called The Evolution Of Dad. It's a documentary about fathers by Dana Glazer, a friend of of one of my mommy-group friends, who is a huge advocate of fathers and fathering. Check out the trailer for a preview of the first five minutes. The film sends a powerful message about men being more involved in family, and looks at the stories of a bunch of dads and what they have been up against to do so. Originally set to be released on Father's Day, The Evolution of Dad DVD is available now through the website and on May 18th for general release. If you do order now, use the coupon code EVOMAIL101 to get 15% off your order.


And speaking of new movies for parents, I'm so excited that the movie Babies will debut this Mother's Day weekend. I've been tearing up at the trailer of this movie ever since I started seeing it and now it's finally coming. This visually stunning new movie simultaneously follows four babies around the world - from first breath to first steps. From Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo, BABIES joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all. As a 37 week pregnant mommy this is a perfect flick for me. I know I won't get to theaters to see it but look forward to watching it at home as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Evolution of Dad & Babies

Rittenhouse Square Flower Market

I have never been to this event but am really hoping we make it this year - it's the Rittenhouse Square Flower Market on Wednesday May 5 and Thursday May 6, 2010. This annual event, now in its 96th year, benefits childrens charities and features a flower and plant sale, storytimes and strolling storybook characters, face painting and live performances. Check this year's schedule for the line-up of events for kids.

FREE! 8am-6:30pm
Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square Flower Market