Keeping a Journal - writing to and for your kids

I received, as a holiday gift last year, a handsome leatherbound journal. It has been doing nothing more than taking up space on my dresser for the last 7+ months. That all changed a couple weeks ago when I finally picked it up, blew off the thick layer of dust on top, and began to write. I chose to use this journal as a means to communicate with my daughter. This is a journal for and, more accurately, to my litte girl.

Before I began writing, there was a bit of housekeeping to attend to. I thought it would be nice to have some sort of uniformity to the entries. Plus this may show that her daddy had some organizational abilities! I decided to kick-off each with the following: the day of the week, date (month/day/year), my location and hers (taking a nap in her crib, etc).

I then proceed to write to her, my thoughts on what is going on (for example, I wrote that Mom-mom took her to first play Seussical Jr, and that she enjoyed it), what I am feeling towards her (yeah, it is filled with a lot of "I Love You's"), how proud I am of her, funny things she might say or do, etc. Again, I am writing it to her, as if we are having a conversation. I imagine this style will make for a more interesting and intimate read, as opposed to a documentary account of events and situations.

It should be fun and nostagliac for her to read someday when she is older (I hope!). She will be able to "hear", in her Daddy's words and voice, what was happening as she was growing up. One of my recent entries centered around her mastering the potty, and me having, just that afternoon, washed and folded her first collection of little girl underwear. It was a surreal experience to sit and fold, into 2 inch squares, all those undies, and come to terms with the fact that my little girl is growing up so fast. I have no problem admitting that I was tearing up a bit as I quietly folded away and then again as I recalled all of this for the journal.

Keeping a journal as a way of speaking to your child is a cathartic and joyous exercise that I would recommend any parent undertaking. You can use something as simple as a notepad or purchase a proper journal, write daily, weekly, or whenever the mood should strike, but do give it a shot. Your child/children, when they are older and out in the world on their own, will enjoy looking back and discovering the true voice of their parent(s).

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Poolside - Better than Sesame?

On Saturday morning, we told our daughter that we were not going to Sesame Place. She responded: "Okay".

Hmmmm. A month of build-up and she was not even bothered by the bad news.

We as parents may be shielding our kids from too much. There was debate, the evening prior, as to whether we should still go to Sesame Place on Saturday because the kids were so excited. We were close to heading out in 95+ degree temperatures solely as a means of not disappointing the young ones.
Instead, we all were taught a lesson. Kids can handle a postponement, switch gears, and find fun in other places and us adults can make sensible decisions without fear of devastating our children.

Turns out, they were happy (probably happier) to play in and around the pool.

We have rescheduled for early September when the weather will hopefully be more merciful and the crowds more sparse.


Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

100 Degree Heat - Sesame Place will have to wait

With the forecast calling for a Real Feel tempature of over 100 degrees, OWTK has decided to postpone our daughters's potty training prize - a day out at Sesame Place.

While it is not fair to break her little heart two weekends in a row, we feel that standing in lines outside with the tempature that high will result in a miserable time for child and parents alike.

Not looking forward to tomorrow's conversation...

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Potty Training Success - The Sesame Place Prize

Since the end of last year, at 18-20 months old, our daughter has been telling us when she had to go to the bathroom but she had plateau-ed in her progress towards diaper independence. During the 4th of July holiday, coincidently enough, facing a stretch of 5 consecutive days home with our daughter, we decided to take the training wheels off in the whole potty training process - we ditched the diapers and let her run around bottom-less. We knew there would be some wet cushions and carpets in our immediate future but felt that she was ready to take this next step and that the potential accidents are a small price to pay for jump-starting her bathroom habits. This push was enough to complete the training. At the end of that long weekend we purchased two 10-packs of Fruit of the Loom Undies in various pastel colors and patterns and excitedly began to put all 20 pairs on at once - one on top of the next. A Kodak moment, for sure.

Our daughter has been in underwear ever since - at home, at school, in the car, etc. Only at bedtime does she put on a "big girl pull-up", although she will often wake herself up around midnight, call out to Mommy that she has to make a tinkle, and rise in the A.M. completely dry.
Needless to say, we are incredibly proud of her (and happy to finished buying diapers!)

We did not go directly from diapers to underwear. We believed that the mere presence of something on her (diaper or underwear) would make the transition more challenging. We let her get the hang of going every single time, with the knowledge that there is nothing at all down there to hold or absorb it, before we introduced the underwear. That decision also allowed us to make the underwear its own reward and a special shopping trip, just for her.
If your child is close to becoming fully potty trained, give this 'going nude' strategy a whirl (at home...not sure your daycare provider would appreciate that!)

During that initial 5 day stretch we employed, in addition to the underwear itself, a pot of gold at the end of the potty rainbow - a trip to Sesame Place (The Sesame Street themed Amusement Park in Bucks County, PA). Up to this point, we had used stickers, applause, crazy dances, even jelly beans as "rewards" for each occurrence and they varied in their longevity and, thus, their success.

With the Sesame Place prize dangling in front of her and the fun of wearing "big girl" underwear, she mastered the potty process.

Upon a successful trip to the bathroom she will shout "Getting closer and closer to...SESAME STREET!!

And indeed she is...

Her big day is this Saturday. She has invited her cousins and is now equally excited about the park and the fact that she will be there with her family.

OWTK will post about the park experience next week. We will review the rides, the crowd, parking, best time of day to go on a Summer weekend, etc.

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

XPN Music Festival - Washout and Meltdowns

If you are a regular reader of OWTK you would know, at least, two things: 1) that our plans for this past weekend included attending Day Two of the XPN All About the Music Festival and 2) we love the music of Josh Ritter.

The XPN Festival would be the first time our daughter would see and hear her favorite musician - Josh Ritter - live. Along with saying "I want to see Josh Ritter" several dozen times, she also sang her two favorites songs ("Kathleen" and "Snow is Gone" - click to listen) for much of the 1 1/2 hour drive to the Camden, NJ waterfront (a drive that usually takes 40 minutes). We had planned to arrive half way through the day, allowing her to take a normal nap, and get there just in time for Josh's set. We were successful in doing so but upon arrival we learned that the remainder of the event had been canceled due to the on again-off again nasty weather (I guess "All Weather Event" does not exactly include "All Weather").

Our little one then had her first ever music related meltdown. Crushing emotional letdowns are often the downside of such unbridled enthuasiasm. The episode was equal parts funny, sad, and adorable. She was back to her normal self after about three minutes, her emotional recovery having been aided by her being allowed to splash through the puddles that lined our walk back to the parking lot. To salvage the evening we talked of having dinner in Philly when we heard on the radio that the festival was being moved to the smaller, indoor World Cafe Live - XPN's restaurant/venue in University City, Philadelphia. Turns out Josh Ritter had agreed to stick around and play at 9pm that night to a much smaller crowd - a crowd, we decided, that would include the three of us. We quickly turned towards West Philly and made plans to have dinner at the venue and be one of the first "in line". Our passenger in the backseat restarted her two song Ritter medley with glee. All was, once again, right with the world...or so we thought...

Upon arrival, we learned that the kitchen was closed and that "getting in line" was a literal reference to what one would need to do in order to be admitted into the show. It was 6:30pm. The doors were scheduled to open at 8pm, with the first band (no longer a given to be Ritter, as they were still putting this modified event together) hitting the stage around 9pm. We were faced with the decision to stand in line for an hour and a half on the steps down to the venue and wait for another hour for the music to begin and then who-knows-how long until Josh plays - all without dinner, or cut our losses and hit the road.

We decided to leave. Her 2nd meltown of the day took place on the floor of the World Cafe Live lobby.

Over 3 hours, nearly 80 miles of driving, one $3 Bridge toll, 2 toddler meltdowns, and not a single note of live music was heard. Not a terrific day.

Luckily, we are spending a night in New York to see Josh Ritter play, for free and outdoors (no rain, no rain, no rain...) at the South Street Seaport in August.

If that show happens to be canceled, the 2 year old of the family will not be the only one having a tantrum!

Related Links:

Photos of the Festival

Music from the Festival

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Bird Feeder - Parent Hack style

An inventive and inexpensive way to attract birds to your lawn and feed them in the process is to make a birdseed pine cone. This little activity is quick, easy, and loads of fun for kids.
Note: those with peanut allegeries will want to find a sticky alternative or avoid this one all together!

Here is what you need:

1. A couple big pine cones from your yard or local park (simply run to the first pine tree you see and look down - you are bound to find some nice plump ones)
2. Peanut Butter (buy some of the generic inexpensive kind if you do not usually stock PB in the cupboard)
3. A small bag of basic bird seed (can be purchased from Target or a local pet store)
4. A couple spoons.
5. A flat tray/container.
   
6. String/Yarn.
7. A tree/pole.

And here is what to do:

1. Scout your location - find a nice tree branch, hammock pole, or lamppost to hang your creation. Make sure to place it in a visible spot so your kids can enjoy their handy-work.
2. Tie the string/yarn to the pine cone. Make sure you have enough slack left to tie it to the tree brach/post.
3. Lather up the pine cones with peanut butter. Use your spoons or hands. Don't be shy or skimpy!
4. Pour the birdseed into a flat tray or container.
5. Roll the peanut butter covered cones around in the seed.
6. Hang up your new bird feeder!
7. Sit back and watch who comes for a snack!

Earlier this Summer, OWTK purchased a formal Feed Birder. You can read about it here and here. Before that purchase we made several birdseed pine cones and they were always a big hit with the local birds - and our daughter. As we will see, making them is often more fun then watching the birds dine.

Have Fun!

Jeff

Out With The Kids

http://www.outwiththekids.com

OWTK Monthly Music Suggestions - July 2006

During the third week of each month, OWTK dusts off the record collection and brings to you, our loyal reader, a handful of choice cuts from artists/bands old and new that can and should be enjoyed by you and yours, regardless of age.

So gather 'round the family PC (or Mac, like us) and take a listen to the July installment of the OWTK Music Suggestions.

Click on each song title to listen to the track in it's entirety (a new feature which is debuting this month).

The Zombies "This Will Be Our Year"
This is a wonderfully sentimental song for parent and child, especially those going through or coming out of a tough time together.

Hoots and Hellmouth "Home For Supper"
H&H are a local Philly outfit playing a enthusiastic mix of old time country and rock-n--roll. They recently signed with Drexel University's student-run label Mad Dragon Records. This track is the first on their self-released EP. Expect to hear more nationally from Hoots and Hellmouth in the coming months. I am including this track, not only because it is very solid and quite fun, but because they are playing the XPN All About The Music Festival this coming Saturday in Camden, NJ and the OWTK 3 will be in attendance.

Sensefield "Voice"
A special song to me. Probably does not come off as powerful recorded as it did live, but it is still quite good. This was Sensefield's one epic song, the one everyone in the crowd would belt out along with Jon Bunch, the lead singer. Still gives me goosebumps thinking back to those days - packed into little venues and witnessing the beginning of the popular rise of what is now referred to as "emo" rock.

The Decemberists "The Sporting Life"
The Portland, Oregon band could easily switch gears and begin writing children's music, I am sure of it. This track, from their latest effort "Picaresque", is a rockin' good time tune about a boy pushed into playing sports because his father never "made it". It is told from the boy's point of view as he lay on the soccer field during a game, down with an injury. It is hilarious. I am certain you and your kids will agree.

Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs "The Kid's Are Alright"
A cover of the famous song by The Who done by Sweet and Hoffs for their "Under the Covers Vol. 1" CD. Some great tracks on this covers album including Dylan's "Its all over now, Baby Blue" and Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl". The family will most likely dig the album from start to finish, but "The Kid's are Alright" is a standout track for children.

*The Zombies and Matthew Sweet tunes were provided to OWTK by Sarge, a lovely gentleman from New York, who plays drums in the band Luck be a Lady.

If you would like to purchase any of these fine selections for your own music library, please click on the iTunes link to the right (you may need to scroll down a bit). By doing so, you will be helping to support this site (which you love deeply, we know).
We will owe you a big hug if we ever cross paths. Thanks in advance!

Want to see what songs were suggested last month?

Enjoy the music!


Disclaimer: If you are the artist, band, label, or publisher of a song featured on OWTK and would not like your track to be available in digital form, please email us and we will remove it.

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Flat Stanley - A literacy/travel project

Take a flat "friend" along on your family's summer vacation, snap photos of him or her in front of the Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument, Grand Canyon, or wherever you are heading and send OWTK your best shot (with caption). We will post the best pictures on OutWithTheKids.com!

Visit the official site of Flat Stanley for more information on the literacy aspect of this fun little project. The site encourages children to write stories about their adventures with Flat Stanley. This could be used as an introduction to 3rd person writing as your child will begin to craft stories about someone or something else, other than themselves.

Flat Stanley offers your child a wonderful opportunity to expand their abilities, put pen (pencil, or crayon) to paper and weave a tale all their own.

Flat Stanley Project

Official Flat Stanley Template


Already traveled with a flat companion? Post a comment and tell us about your trip!


Jeff Bogle
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Don’t pack away the infant clothes!

Sure, your little one is not so little anymore and it has been a couple seasons since those oh-so-cute 0-3m onesies and those adorable 3-6m overalls have even come close to fitting, but do not pack up or "hand-down" all those infant clothes just yet!

All those tee shirts, booties, and extra baby diapers are about to go through a rather exciting functional transformation. What was once your little one’s comfy pajama set will have a second tour of duty as a favorite doll’s lounge-wear, and what was your baby’s coolest little tee shirt is going to look great on that fuzzy teddy bear.

Using your kid’s old baby clothes as clothing for their dolls, bears, stuffed animal, etc is an efficient way to get some extra use out of those items. You will also benefit financially, by not forking over those hard-earned dollars on pricey articles of clothing made especially for your children’s first friends. And if you plan on expanding your family, allowing your child to "give" their clothes to Elmo and their baby dolls will be great practice - to share what was once theirs with someone (or in this case, something) else.


Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Interactive Art for Kids

The easiest way to expose your kids to anything, including art, and have them enjoy the experience is to make the process FUN!

The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. offers a fantastic and fun way to encourage kids to be artistic and to appreciate and learn about art - all while they play online. Check out the interactive art projects on the Gallery's website. These projects allow for manipulating, drawing, distorting, designing, collage making, and other really fun projects (beware: this is more than a little addictive - you may find yourself making as much art as your kids!)

Family Fun @ The Gallery (text taken directly from their website's calendar):

Family Days (Flyer pdf)
Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, no registration is required, for details call (202) 842-6254.

Jungles in Paris
July 28 and 29
August 11 and 12
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.(ages 4 and up)
Meet at East Building entrance.
Enter the dream world of French artist Henri Rousseau and take an imaginary journey through jungles, forests, and gardens. Search for tigers, monkeys, snakes, and flamingos! Explore exotic plants, stroll the streets of Paris, and learn about a unique artist. Activities will include films for all ages, family activity sheets to tour the exhibition Henri Rousseau: Jungles in Paris, and hands-on art-making.

The National Galley of Art, like most of the museums, zoos, and public spaces in our Nation's Capital, is free for all to enter and enjoy.

Have only a short bit of time to tour the museum? No problem, in fact the museum has a map catering to your short term visit. Check out all the art you can see in just one hour.

Taking your kids to the museum: I read recently (although I am having trouble recalling where, so pardon the lack of a source for this idea) that a great little way to get your kids into the idea of walking around an art museum is to let them purchase a postcard or two featuring one or more of the painting, sculptures, etc. inside (most every museum gift shop will sell such products). Make this purchase straightaway upon entering the museum and then charge your little ones with locating "their" piece(s) of art. During their search, enjoy the sights and talk to them about the time periods, countries, and styles represented in the gallery. By the time they find their prize (hopefully they have selected a postcard depicting a piece of art that is NOT just inside the door!) you will have seen a good bit of the museum and your kids will have enjoyed a free (and educational) scavenger hunt.

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Dum Dum Pops® "Make Life a Little Sweeter" Contest

Everyone favorite lollipop is having a contest!

Kids age 13 and older have the opportunity to nominate someone they know who has, through their kind words, actions, or generosity, made the world a little bit better of a place to live. The nomination are due by August 31, 2006 and must include a short essay (no more than 200 words).

And now for the best part: The nominees have a chance to win cash and other prizes. So encourage your kids to pick up a pen or pencil and recognize the kindness of others!

The official contest entry form can be found here. Be sure to read the contest rules for specific essay criteria and review the privacy policy before submitting your child's entry.


Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

WheresGeorge.com - Currency Tracking

WheresGeorge.com is a U.S. currency tracking "game" that may be a lot of fun for your older kids. The idea is pretty simple. You register a bill ($1, $5, etc) by entering it's denomination, serial number, and series. You then add your zip code and any extra info about the bill (it's condition, where you received it, etc).

Once your bill is registered, you will discover whether someone else has already logged the bill in the past and chart it's path to you. If you're the first to log the bill, you can keep up with it as it circulates across the country (and world, potentially) and is registered by others in the future (this assumes you release your little bill back into the world by spending it!). Your kids will be able to see how far a single piece of currency can travel and how long it takes to move around the country and the world.

This is an ambitious project that needs a lot of folks involved to be effective and robust - So log on and enter your bills today (and tell your friends)!

This is a fun little project that only takes a few minutes and can be a perfect segway into conversations about, well...money (the economy, U.S. Mints, the symbols and words on the currency), travel and distances, geography, and a whole lot more.

Here is a $1 bill OWTK recently registered. Take a look at the report WheresGeorge.com generates.

For our Canadian friends, check out WheresWilly.com and register your dollars as well.


Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Air Travel - Flying with an Infant/Toddler

Air Travel with toddlers doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Here are some exclusive tips that will help you make it through your flight.

Schedule your flights to coincide with nap/bedtimes.
Whenever possible, try to book direct flights during the time of day or night your child would normally be sleeping. In all likelihood, they will keep up the pattern and fall asleep despite being 25,000 feet in the air. Any sleep they get on the plane will serve to cut down the time they must be entertained while awake!

Car seat on the plane?
When our daughter was an infant we choose to save the money and only purchase seats for ourselves which meant she spent the duration of the flight(s) on our laps. More recently, we have taken to carrying-on the car seat which accomplishes two very important things: freeing up our laps, arms, and such, and keeping her in the seat. It also adds some familiarity to a new vehicle/mode of transportation - a little piece of home(life) in a new place. Yes, it is frustrating having to carry the seat around the airport, but the in-flight payoff is worth it. One Step Ahead sells an adapter to turn a car seat into a backpack which may help you manage your carry-ons.

Managing the Flight

An easy and effective way to manage your in-flight, family-with-toddler(s) experience is to break the trip down, mentally, into 20 minute segments (to borrow an airline term). So, if you have a 2 1/2 hour flight, you really have only 7 twenty minute segments to schedule and occupy your child's (or children's) time. When you think of your flight in this manner it becomes a relatively manageable event. Here are some parent and flight tested tips on segment ideas that will occupy and entertain your kids, providing you with some down time to peruse the SkyMall catalog, and not have you lugging a suitcase full of toys around the terminal.

(remember: each idea has to occupy a mere 20 minutes, anything more than that is a bonus!):

• A new toy or book (nothing fancy, just something brand new to him or her)
• Crayola Color Wonder Markers (an inventive product that will only write on the special Crayola paper) - This is a favorite of ours. No messes at all and no toxic marker smell. The marker caps make for great, silly kid fingernail extensions. In fact, if your child is anything like ours, the caps alone could be their own segment.
• Tape and/or Stickers - Plain old Scotch tape can be a load of fun for a little one. Roll it up inside itself to make a sticky circle and let them stick it to their nose, your nose, between their fingers...just good old fashioned fun with a 2 inch piece of tape.
• Magna Doodle (Travel Edition) - A classic toy that our modern kids still enjoy. (Note: really young ones may get frustrated at their inability to, independently, erase their work as the tab to clear the screen can be rather difficult to slide)
• A Discman/Portable CD player - If you do not have an old one collecting dust somewhere, they can be had relatively cheap in the iPod age. This is perfect if your child has a particular CD they are diggin' at the moment (or if you have made a Mix CD of their favorite songs). If they have never used a portable cd player before, the novelty of this device combined with the music they already love should carry you for two segments. Be sure to keep the volume at a low level and use only the classic earphones with the large, round and padded ear pieces that sit on the outside of their ears. kid size earphones?
• Their favorite book(s) - (often a bedtime book, which is essential if your flight will involve a nap or take place during bedtime).
• For older toddlers/young kids: some brochures/city-location guide books. Allow and encourage your kids to plan a day trip, museum visit, etc. Give the reigns over to them for a period of time (whatever you are comfortable with/have the time for) providing they devise a plan using the material you bring on board. Not only will this occupy a good amount of time, but they will love the chance to be the boss and decision maker. By engaging them in the trip planning you will also increase the chances of them enjoying themselves and going along with something you want to do (reciprocating the favor). For the younger members of your family, use the brochures as a conversation piece to get them excited and interested in what they will be seeing during the vacation.

Snap-Crackle-Pop (Dealing with the altitude and popping ears)

Be sure to pack their favorite beverage and snack on board. Not only will the eating and drinking occupy a segment but it is also an method of reducing the impact of air pressure on their ears. By drinking or chewing they will hopefully not feel an uncomfortable amount of pressure while taking off and landing.

Enjoy your flight!

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com/

OWTK in your inbox

Out With The Kids has partnered with FeedBlitz to offer a daily email version of OWTK that can be delivered straight to your email inbox. Signing up is as simple as entering your email address in the space to the right and pressing Subscribe Me to OWTK!

We will not clutter up your inbox, we promise. We dislike that as much as you and would also never sell or distribute your email address to anyone.

Thanks for continuing to read OWTK!


Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

OWTK on KidsCanTravel.com

OWTK is featured today on the wonderful site, KidsCanTravel.com

Head on over to read our Baseball article.


Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

The Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players

The Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players are equal parts art project and rock band. The Players are a family of three (Dad, Mom, and 11 year old Daughter) who assemble slideshow montages from stranger's family vacation slides. They acquire these vintage slides from flea markets, estate sales, and thrift stores. They then write pop-rock songs to accompany the slideshow images, conjuring up brand new lives and stories for the people whose projected images they display to the world. Hilarity usually follows. Jason, the Dad, sings and alternates between keyboards and the guitar. Mom, Tina Pina Trachtenberg, handles the projector, while daugher Rachel plays drums.

This is as inventive, ecclectic and fun as family entertainment gets and will surely be a treat for your whole gang. The young ladies in your life are going to love seeing pony-tailed Rachel Trachtenberg behind the drum kit on stage and your whole family will get a kick out of the goofy banter between the Trachtenbergs before, during, and after each song.

The Slideshow Players are touring the U.K. and Ireland in July and the U.S. this August and September. You will not want to miss the chance to spend some quality time with The Trachtenberg Family!

Having seen the Players live last year we would recommend that you consider taking only children age 7 or older as some of the images on the slides and material covered in the lyrics may be over the heads of little kids.

The Trachtenbergs usually hang around after the show to talk to the audience and to sell and autograph their tee shirts, CDs, homemade dolls (made from their old clothes!), bookmarks, and more.

Please check with the venue in your city for pricing, schedule, and any age policy/mininums (they are playing some club shows on this tour and those rooms may prohibit young kids). Be sure inquire as to the venue's policies before you purchase your tickets.

Check out NPR's 2003 profile of them here.

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Seussical Jr. - A Success!

Last weekend's Seussical Jr. show was a success. OWTK's Mom-mom reported that our daughter sat still and quietly enjoyed the 1 hour production despite the lack of excessive theatrics or elaborate customes. At Bristol Riverside Theater's performance, the actor who played the lead character Horton was dressed simply in a gray sweatsuit making it necessary for a child to imagine that he was an elephant. The monkeys wore brown, had ears atop their heads and had furry hands to aid the young audience members in identifying their species. This lack of costume design may cause some younger children to be confused as they watch grown men and women walk, sing, and dance around in casual clothes.

Our daughter was only just introduced to Horton a couple weeks before the show, through the classic Horton Hears A Who (we borrowed the book from our local library when Mom-mom first mention taking her to see Seussical Jr.) and while she enjoyed her day out at the theater, she could not report back on exactly what she saw during the show in any detail.

We still recommend taking children of all ages to see Seussical Jr. should it roll through your town, but you should set your expectations accordingly when taking your little kids. They may very well enjoy the experience, as our daughter did, despite their struggles to fully understand what is being performed on stage.






Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Baby Loves Disco!

I am fairly certain that there isn't a funnier thing for a family to do then to participate in a Baby Loves Disco event. Imagine if you will, a real nightclub, real music, mirrored ball spinning, the whole bit..ok, got that picture in your head?.. now add dozens of toddlers, young kids, and their adult companions shakin' it on the dancefloor - juiceboxes in hand. There is no way that Baby Loves Disco is not a good time, it is just not possible.

OWTK will absolutely be attending a Philly Baby Loves Disco party at Fluid when they kick start again this Fall (according to the venue, thanks to low attendance last summer, such parties are no longer held during the warmer, vacation-prone months. This seems to be the case with many of the cities).

Those lucky enough to be in or around New York City can attend the free Disco party at the Central Park Summerstage happening this Sunday, July 9th. Our friends on the left coast in San Francisco and Hollywood, CA have a couple events planned this summer. In addition to Philadelphia; Brooklyn, Minneapolis, Chicago, IL, Seattle, Bouder, CO, and San Diego will see Baby Loves Disco dance parties begin again this September. Most events tend to take place from 2pm to 5pm. Prices are right around $8-$10 each, but can vary by location. Please be sure to call ahead or visit the club's website to make sure the Baby Loves Disco party in your city is still scheduled and is not sold out.


Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com

Kid's Concert - July 15th - Philadelphia PA

*Reader Submitted Event*

OWTK reader M.S. wrote to tell us of this upcoming Kid's concert at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA:

"Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck - You may have seen her on Noggin on Jack's Big Music Show. Great original music with an 8 piece band - no canned electronic keyboards here! They'll be appearing on Saturday July 15 at World Cafe Live. Check out the band's website and preview MP3 and Real Audio clips of each of their songs. They are available for free under the Music and Lyrics Tab" - M.S.

The show is part of World Cafe Live's Peanut Butter and Jams Saturday morning Kid's concert series. All shows begin at 11:30am (doors open at 11am) and typically cost $10 for adults and $7 for kids 1-12 (babies under 1 are free). The venue offers a kid's buffet lunch for an additional charge (same price as the tickets, $10 and $7).

Tickets are available here.

If you also have an event you think OWTK readers and their kids would enjoy, please email us: outwiththekids@comcast.net

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com