Penns Landing & Franklin Fountain have got it goin on...

I love my sweet monkeys and one of my biggest goals in life is to pass along an appreciation of the things that I think make my life fun. I want them to grow up loving music, having an opinion about art, enjoying the vibrant city we live in. Last but not least, I want them to have a willingness to try new foods (and decide if they like it only after actually tasting it).

So from my perspective, that's basically why Jen & I started blogging about this stuff ( I admit, it's mostly Jen) and that's why I have to give it up for Penn's Landing today. On Saturday from 1-5 at the River Stage they are hosting a FREE "Fam Jams" concert with MITCHEL MUSSO of the Disney Channel along with JASON CASTRO, CODY SIMPSON, JOSIE ANDREWS, and THE MOTOWN REVUE PROJECT along with hands-on activities for kids. Ok, so I don't know who any of these artists are, but I trust Disney enough to assume that they won't totally suck, it's super family friendly, and when it comes to concerts, half the fun is the scene so if it's free- it's for me. so that being said: music...check.

Next on my list: having an opinion (about anything) is not typically an issue for my gang. But about art- that's easy, just get them talking- check out the sculptures on Penn's landing- especially if you park on 1st and walk over the bridge- the Irish immigrant sculpture is amazing and a great conversation starter. opinion about art...check.

Enjoying the city... I just found out that The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation will be presenting FREE fireworks on five consecutive Fridays debuting Friday, August 6th through Friday, September 3rd. New for this season, the fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. and be launched land side from the quay in the Penn’s Landing Marina, near the new River Stage at Penn’s Landing. kinda late for my guys but for those with little night owls it could be a fun way to kick off the weekend. love of Philly...check

Food: always a hot topic in my house. I have one that eats anything and one that communes with Gandhi. I got some really good advice a while back from my friend: let them help you cook it and introduce them to the good stuff. When they help me cook- they always eat, and eat with relish. When we are out- I try to let them choose their own food but expose them to new flavors by tasting mine. Perfect example- Franklin Fountain at 116 Market- OMG, the best ice cream in Philly. But when I took my little Gandhi princess- all she wanted was water ice. OK, no problem- I got her a tiny little lemon sorbet (divine btw) but what did she eat? She and the baby drank ALL of my Old Fashioned Malted while I snapped pictures (see above) and now that's all they talk about. Love of food...check-a-dee check.

peace, health, happiness...

-A

Penns Landing & Franklin Fountain have got it goin on...

Hot Fun in the Summertime

I've seen a lot of discussion lately about what to do with the kids on these hot Philly summer days. It is a challenge to keep the kids active and engaged (read: not glued to the tube) and out of the sweltering heat all day. So here are some of the best ideas I've see come through to help you weather the heat with your little ones.

Of course, there's always the area museums like Please Touch, Franklin Institute, and the Art Museum, But did you know about The Little Treehouse? Or Outside In (on the 3rd floor of the Academy of Natural Sciences)? And if you want a bounce/play center to help kids get their wiggles out (while you're inside some air conditioning) how about the PNP Family Fun Center? And then there's Jumpers, Kehlers, and Bounce U. And, did you know about the Philly spraygrounds? Because I sure didn't and they sound really cool! I've also heard good things about Longwood Gardens new Childrens Garden which has fountains and other water features for kids to see and touch. And some of our local malls have great play spaces including Plymouth Meeting Mall with its indoor two-level carousel and Dave and Busters and the newly opened Krazy City. And while it's not exactly "unplugged" play, I have been really enjoying taking my babes to the Family Film Camps for some serious air conditioning and movie going fun.

What are you and your kiddies doing to stay cool this summer?

Hot Fun in the Summertime

15% off 77kids

Remember the Do Goodery where some local Philly area moms and kids went to "Brighten Someone's Day"? Well, now you can have your day brightened with a 15% off 77kids by american eagle discount now through August 10th. Use the discount code 34532276 at checkout to get your 15% off!

15% off 77kids

Sing and Dance with PENN SARGAM

Join our friend Jay from All Around This World and the Green Line Cafe in welcoming Penn Sargam for a hands-on Indian classical music presentation for children eight and younger and their parents/caregivers.

Penn Sargam is a University of Pennsylvania student group dedicated to promoting Indian classical music -- the very first of its kind in the U.S. This Sunday, July 25, at 4pm, members of Penn Sargam will come to the Green Line, Indian and Western instruments in hand (tabla, sitar, flutes and maybe even an electric guitar) to share the basics of Indian classical music with you and your children and to relate Indian melodies and rhythms to some of the songs and sounds your kids already know and love.

WHERE: the very cool Green Line Cafe at 45th and Locust
WHEN: Sunday, July 25, 4pm
COST: $5 per person, babies under 6 months free. ($3 per person for "All Around This World" music class families)

More for more information about Penn Sargam, visit them on the web and see them in a performance on YouTube. On Sunday they'll be interacting with you and your kids, sharing their instruments and their kid-friendly knowledge about Indian music.

If you want to enjoy international music and culture with your children on a weekly basis, consider joining the fun in “All Around This World” music classes. Each season we “travel” to a new part of the world. This autumn Jay and the kids will be singing songs from all over the Caribbean! More information at http://www.AllAroundThisWorld.com, 215-913-2679, AllAroundThisWorld@gmail.com.

Sing and Dance with PENN SARGAM

Hunt Family Fiddlers at the Mann

Ok so realistically I am not sure my 2 and half year old would sit for this but tomorrow, Wednesday July 21st, at the Mann Music Center, the Hunt Family Fiddlers will be playing a free concert from 11am-12:15pm as part of the Mann's Free Young Peoples' Concert Series.

What do you get when you cross World Ranked Step Dancing with Champion Fiddling and a family of nine? Answer: A high-powered energetic and refreshing experience with The Hunt Family! Don't miss this opportunity to see this family of nine for FREE as they marvel audiences with fancy step dancing, firework fiddling, and popular Celtic bluegrass and inspirational tunes, offering a unique blend of diversity!

Hunt Family Fiddlers at the Mann

Celebrate 111 years with SMITH

Celebrate SMITH's 111th birthday with face painting, bubble-making, summer craft activities and the dedication of SMITH's new flower garden. Plus, there is birthday cake for all plus a raffle to win a birthday party at SMITH. And Girard Ave. Rita's Water Ice will be providing water ice for all. Children 10 & younger and their caregivers are invited to attend this FREE birthday party this Saturday July 24, 2010 from 10am - 1pm.

SMITH The Kids’ Play Place in the Park is dedicated to providing children 10 and under from diverse backgrounds with free and accessible one-of-a kind play experiences that meet their physical, behavioral, and developmental needs.

Celebrate 111 years with SMITH

Global Fusion Festival

Today, Saturday July 17th from 12 Noon - 8 pm at the Great Pavillion at Penn's Landing is the Philadelphia Global Fusion Festival. Initially produced to celebrate the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress’ (MAC) 20th Anniversary, the Global Fusion Festival has become much more than a one-time event. Entering its 4th year, the Global Fusion Festival is an anticipated showcase of extraordinary talent featuring Philadelphia’s diverse communities. The Global Fusion Festival truly embodies Philadelphia’s dynamic culture and in result, Philadelphia is regarded as a leading multicultural destination. Enjoy authentic cultural music, ethnic food and dance performances, vendors, and children's activities, including a FREE Concert with grammy nominated quartet, En Vogue, original soul/R&B/hip-hop style singer, Lyfe Jennings along with Gospel Recording Artist, JJ Hairston. Check out the completeCultural and Children's Pavilion line-up, too! While you're down there, hop on a ferry and head over to the WXPN music festival across the river for even more fun in the sun today.

Global Fusion Festival

WXPN Music Festival

I'm pretty excited about the WXPN Music Festival this weekend! While it's a great time for the big kids, little guys have so much to do there, too. For a mere $5 bucks kids have the opportunity not only to enjoy the 4-acre Camden Children’s Garden but also join host Kathy O’Connell as Kids Corner offers family friendly music and exhibits, exciting amusement rides, themed gardens and nature walks and more! Check out all the great activities for the little ones on the WXPN Kids Corner site.

WXPN Music Festival

Do Good Day Success

Yesterday, I was thrilled to participate in Do Good Day with other awesome mommy bloggers and their adorable kids by going to Beaumont Retirement and visiting with many of the residents there. We attempted to "Brighten Someone's Day" by spending some quality time with some of the residents, most of whom were wheel-chair bound. We weren't even there for all that long but in that short time the kids passed out live flowers and handmade crafts to the residents, we had a sing along starting with a timid version of the ABC song and moving on to "You Are My Sunshine" and rousing rounds of "Row Row Row Your Boat" and more. There was a kids vs. residents bean bag toss which got pretty intense. We gave out dollar bills with a note of 7 good things you can do with a dollar to the staff. And we left decorated flower pots to remind the residents of our visit long after we were gone. All in all (despite a little organized chaos, a few bashful toddlers - including my own, and some quick improv) it was an amazing amazing morning and and really powerful Do Good Day!!! Thanks to 77kids by American Eagle and The Motherhood for the chance to be involved!

By the way... the woman in the last pix above in the foreground recently turned 100! She was totally lucid and happy to have us there. Don't you wish you'll look and feel that great at 100? I know I do!!

Do Good Day Success

Do Good Day Tribute - In Honor of Poppys Everywhere

Today is Do Good Day. It's a day for spreading some joy and love and a little bit of kindness around. Our Philly Do Good Day team will be "Brightening Someone's Day" by heading over to Beaumont Retirement Center in Bryn Mawr, PA this morning to hand out flowers and other goodies to the residents and deliver special crafts to honor what a parent or grandparent means to us. There will be all sorts of other fun including singing "You Are My Sunshine" and having some friendly competition of kids vs. the residents bean bag toss. Additionally, each member of Team Philadelphia will be posting a special post about what a parent/grandparent has meant in our lives.

Today is also the one year anniversary of the passing away of my amazing father in law, William Oxenford. You can read more about "Poppy" and his amazing legacy here. Today Poppy, we honor you by spreading a little love, sharing a little joy, and "Brightening Someone's Day." Although you are no longer with us, your legacy lives on and we honor and remember you in our hearts today and everyday.

So thanks to 77kids by American Eagle and The Motherhood for making Do Good Day possible and for a wonderful opportunity to honor a man who meant so much to our family.

Do Good Day Tribute - In Honor of Poppys Everywhere

Celebrating Do Good Day - July 14th

It's not everyday that you get asked to participate in a national day of doing good but that's exactly what happened when phillyfun4kids was approached by The Motherhood and 77kids by American Eagle kids clothing a few weeks ago. 77kids wanted to celebrate not only the five communities in which they will be opening new 77kids by american eagle stores, but also create a way to spread goodness in other communities as well. We jumped on the opportunity to participate in this wonderful national day of kindness where 77 mommy bloggers and their kids and families in 11 cities across the country are coming together for a few hours to do a little good and pay it forward. While I probably would have volunteered for such a fun and wonderful day anyway, I was particularly moved to get involved because July 14th marks the one year anniversary of the passing away of my amazing father in law, William Oxenford. Taking part in Do Good Day seemed a perfect opportunity to do something positive for others in the community and a fantastic way to remember such a loving and giving man.

Do Good Day is taking place in Boston; Cherry Hill, NJ; Chicago; Danbury, CT; Los Angeles; Minnapolis, MN; New York City; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Syracuse, NY; and Washington DC/Baltimore. In each of the five cities where a store is opening (unfortunately not in Philadelphia yet) there is a specific location where 77kids will have a YUM Mobile with great treats for children. And mommy bloggers will be giving away goodies to help the community spread the love and find ways they can give back in their own lives. Each blogger team has also put together a fabulous project to help give back and pay it forward in their community that same day. Teams are working with amazing charities like the Ronald McDonald House and local Children's Hospitals and has put their own unique spin on how to do some good in their communities. You can read about all the amazing teams and their Do Good projects at The Motherhood.

For our DoGood activities, Team Philadelphia will be "Brightening Someone's Day" by heading over to Beaumont Retirement Center in Bryn Mawr, PA on Wednesday morning to hand out flowers and other goodies to the residents and deliver special crafts that represent what a parent/grandparent means to each of us and our kids. We will be singing You Are My Sunshine and having some friendly competition of kids vs. the residents bean bag toss. Additionally, each member of Team Philadelphia will be posting a special post about what a parent/grandparent has meant in our lives. I'll be putting up my special post on Wednesday and then will post photos and tell you all about the amazing event later in the week. Team Philadelphia will also have one of our mommy bloggers out in State College, PA taking her kids to Foxdale Retirement Village where they will be working in the gardens and then having lunch with the residents.

Meet my fabulous Team Philadelphia teammates:

Debbie http://www.vodkamom.com
Joey Fortman http://www.joeyfortman.com
Colleen Padilla http://www.classymommy.com/
Sarah Peppel http://www.diyfrugal.com
Stacy http://stacysrandomthoughts.com
Whitney Wingerd http://www.mommieswithstyle.com



In the meantime, how can you do some good in some small way?? It's so easy to forget to do something nice and yet so simple to Brighten Someone's Day by the smallest little act. If you're in need of some inspiration check out:

Random Acts of Kindness
29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Everyday
Guerrila Goodness

Can't wait to share how our Do Good Day event goes later this week!

Celebrating Do Good Day - July 14th

Let them eat cake (and blueberries and burritos...)

There's lots going on this weekend in Philly - how will you ever choose?


Bastille Day
Saturday, July 10, 2010
5:30pm
Eastern State Penitentiary

One of Philadelphia’s most popular summertime events! Local businesses team with Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site for a playful reenactment of the Storming of the Bastille (influenced more by Monty Python than the French Revolution), followed by a French-themed street party. FREE!

Come early and take a tour of Eastern State (standard admission), or stay late and take a 25-minute evening tour following the Reenactment ($10 Adults, $5 Kids age 7-12).


Blueberry Festival
Saturday and Sunday July 10-11th
9am-6pm
Linvilla Orchards, Media

Bring your whole family for a fun-filled day! Come down to the farm for some good old-fashioned family fun at Linvilla Orchards annual Blueberry Festival! Expect a day jam-packed with plenty to do! Come hungry and join some champs at the pie-eating contest featuring their deliciously famous pies! If you just feel like watching, enjoy a slice of fireworks cake or other freshly baked treats from our Market. For kids there are appearances by costumed characters, real pony rides, and face painting. Makin’ Music will also host Down on the Farm Day with crafts, animals from the Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels, and a hoe down! Don’t forget to leave plenty of time for picking! With ten varieties of blueberries, you can pick your own delicious, fresh blueberries from our fields. Take home a basket full to add to cobblers, pies, and jellies. Hayrides through their beautiful fields and orchards, games & contests, music, ice cream sundaes, and the Linvilla Grill.
FREE (some events are ticketed)


Hispanic Fiesta
Saturday and Sunday, July 10th-11th
2pm-8pm
Great Plaza Penns Landing, Philadelphia

The 31st Annual Hispanic Fiesta, hosted by the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc. (Concilio), will include a variety of folkloric music, dancing, entertainment, art, crafts and cuisine. As part of the PECO Multicultural Series, the history and heritage of Hispanic culture will be celebrated on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street on Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. This year, the Hispanic Fiesta will feature the music of mariachi, salsa, bachata, and merengue. In addition, the Fiesta will showcase artisan crafts and authentic foods from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, and other parts of Latin America.
FREE

And don't forget about The Market at Piazza's Grand Opening Weekend!

Let them eat cake (and blueberries and burritos...)

The Market at Piazza - Grand Opening

Looking for something new and different to do this weekend July 10th and 11th? The Piazza at Schmidt's officially launches its outdoor new market, the Market at the Piazza, at 12PM on both days and continuing every Saturday and Sunday year round.

If you haven't heard about the Piazza yet, it's located at the award-winning Piazza at Schmidt’s complex in Northern Liberties. It's easily accessed by public transportation and highways, with abundant parking at 2nd & Germantown Avenue. And, the Piazza was recently featured as one of "Six Philly Gems Beyond the Liberty Bell" on CNN.

Over 200 Vendors will be in attendance selling organic, locally grown and produced food and food products, arts and crafts, clothing, antiques, vintage goods and collectibles. So pack up the kiddies and head to the Piazza for some outdoor scores!

The Market at Piazza - Grand Opening

Happy 4th of July Weekend

Hope everyone enjoys the local fireworks and festivities in your neighborhoods today. And of course don't forget about all the Wawa Welcome America events today and tomorrow:

Saturday July 3, 2010

Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (break from 5p to 6p)
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard at Penn's Landing
Nothing beats ice cream on a hot summer day! Make a $5 donation to the Joshua Kahan Fund and help find a cure for Pediatric Leukemia while enjoying all of the cold stuff you can eat.

Wawa Welcome America! Block Party in Chinatown
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Visitors are invited to attend demonstrations of sushi wrapping, fruit carving, and traditional Chinese cooking, or test their ping pong and Mah Jong skills in friendly competition. Children will have tons of fun learning a new skill at the origami arts and craft table, and people of all ages can enjoy traditional performances of Chinese dance, Beijing and Cantonese opera throughout the day.

Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Company, presents The Philadelphia Orchestra's FREE Neighborhood Concert and Fireworks!
8:00 p.m.
Great Plaza at Penn's Landing
Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street
Join The Philadelphia Orchestra for an evening of patriotic and classical favorites to enchant music lovers of all ages. After the free concert, enjoy brilliant fireworks display, presented by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

Two Cities, One Waterfront: Free Fireworks!
Following 8:00 p.m. Philadelphia Orchestra Free Concert
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and Camden Waterfront
Come experience unique, choreographed and synchronized soundtracks to the fireworks on the Delaware River. Watch from Penn’s Landing or enjoy along the Camden Waterfront, as music will be amplified on both sides of the river. The spectacular fireworks display is presented by Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Sunday July 4, 2010

Celebration of Freedom
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street
Join Mayor Michael A. Nutter and other local dignitaries as they kick off the day’s festivities at a ceremony honoring America’s 234th birthday.

The Philadelphia Independence Day Parade: Life, Liberty & You
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Historic Philadelphia
Bring your flags, patriotic spirit and plenty of energy to America’s best 4th of July parade and revel in the pageantry that has made this march through Historic Philadelphia a new local tradition.

Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard
Celebrate the holiday with right way with all-you-can eat treats! Make a $5 donation to the Joshua Kahan Fund and take advantage of all the free ice cream you can eat.

Happy Birthday America
12:30 p.m.
Independence Visitor Center
6th and Market Streets
Join us as we celebrate America’s birthday and sample delectable treats from hometown favorite Tastykake for free.

Bell Tapping Ceremony
1:30 p.m
Liberty Bell Center
500 Market Street
Descendents of the original Declaration of Independence signers honor their ancestors by ceremonially tapping this symbol of American freedom.

Party on the Parkway, with Green River Ordinance Concert
12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Concert at 3 p.m.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins Oval
The whole family will enjoy this day-long festival that features more than a mile of fun, free entertainment, activities, games and of course, lots of food! Highlights include pop-rock band Green River Ordinance’s performance at 3 p.m., and “strong men” show incredible feats of strength at the MHP Liberty Strongman classic from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

The highly anticipated, huge Birthday Party also offers Three Music Stages, each showcasing a variety of talented artists and musicians. The Philly Sound Stage showcases premier rock, pop and R&B groups from 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; the Kid’s Music Stage features visitors from the Philadelphia Zoo, dance ensembles and the latest music from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; and Flamenco and Salsa Dance, the Chinese Lion’s Dance, African Drum and Dance Ensembles and more will take place on the Multicultural Music Stage from 12:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Additionally, the Go 4th & Learn Kid’s Fun Zone from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. brings education to life for children through games, crafts, inflatable obstacle courses and moon bounces and face-painting, and the Multicultural Arts Pavilion highlights colorful artwork and crafts from a wide variety of cultures from 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Stay for the Grand Finale, the Life, Liberty & You concert starring The Goo Goo Dolls, preceded by The Roots with special guests Chrisette Michelle and Chuck Brown and Green River Ordinance. Jaw dropping fireworks will light the sky later in the evening.

Life, Liberty & You Concert Followed By Fireworks
8:00 p.m: Concert
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Eakins Oval
Get ready to rock out to the latest music from the Goo Goo Dolls, The Roots, Chrisette Michele and Chuck Brown as a part of the largest free concert in America. But come early, because you won’t want to miss hearing the other great main stage acts. Directly after the concert, make sure to catch the most spectacular fireworks in the city!

Happy 4th of July Weekend

Schedule time for your child to PLAY IN THE MUD this summer! Have a budding artist that is looking for a totally unique experience this summer? Check out the Clay Studio's, CLAY CAMP! (OK, so full disclosure: I can't really say that's I'm impartial- not only does my daughter absolutely love Clay Camp but the Clay Camp Countdown begins in April every year, aaaand I happen to work for the organization (the best dern non-profit in the city!) There are camps scheduled throughout the summer but my favorite monkey is fixating on:

Shake Rattle and Blow a Flute
July 5 - 9 from 9 am until 12 noon
Campers age 6-8 learn how to make a rain stick, drum and whistle and test out their musical instruments made of clay, in the end they'll be left with unique, functioning pieces of musical artwork that can be used to annoy and/or delight for years to come.
Ages 6 - 8, All Skill Levels
Instructor: Kimberly Shelton
Member Price: $155.00
Non-Member Price: $165.00
register online at http://www.theclaystudio.org/ (and tell them Amelia sent you!)