Keeping up with Kids

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Upcoming Events

New Blogs are up on the New Site! (All the old ones are there too)

The new website if up and running, don't miss out on all the great stuff coming up! Be sure to bookmark it as we won't be posting here any longer.

Events for Memorial Day is the latest post which includes all the great local events coming up this Holiday weekend.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

New Blogs are up on the New Site! (All the old ones are there too)

The new website if up and running, don't miss out on all the great stuff coming up! Be sure to bookmark it as we won't be posting here any longer.

The Weekend Ahead is the lasted post which includes all the great local events coming up this weekend.

IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum Review

Bluefoot Pirate Adventures in Fort Lauderdale

Once you get to the new site, don't forget to check out the Events Calendar list on the right hand side. It is the best way to plan your family's summer!

Be sure to subscribe by email as well so you never miss another post!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

New Web Site is Up!

Hi all,
Just wanted to drop a quick note here to let you all know that Keeping Up With Kids has moved to our own website!

Head on over and check out our new home at http://keepingupwithkids.com. There is a new Events Calendar and easier ways for you find the information you are looking for.

If you have us bookmarked make sure you change it to the new site as we won't be posting here anymore.

Thanks for your support in making Keeping Up With Kids such a success!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra Music for Munckins

Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

We love this program!!!!!

It is a beautiful way to introduce your child to the symphony. This free program offers the chance to bring the kids out for a short performance where the wiggles, giggles and yes even a little dancing in the isles is both expected and encouraged. It doesn't hurt that there is a sweet treat provided afterwards. During the performance Director of Education with Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Kathy Kerstetter and her beautiful daughter (who always has a lovely dress on by the way) give the kids a few vocabulary words to help them understand a little about the music and instruments.

After the performance the musicians bring out their instruments and talk to the kids. What better way to interest our kids in the arts! I encourage everyone to bring the family out to these performances. This is one of the many reasons we are so lucky to live in South Florida!

Oh yea, my 4 year old took most of the pictures in this blog. Credit where credit is due.

2013 Schedule
Music for Munchkins Concerts in Broward County:Offered on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. in Davie:
- November 10, 2012, Miniaci at NSU
- January 26, 2013, Miniaci at NSU
- February 23, 2013, Performance Theater, University Center, at NSU
- April 20, 2013, Miniaci at NSUMusic for Munchkins Concerts in Dade County:Offered on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. on Miami Beach:
- November 11, 2012, Euclid Oval, Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach
- January 27, 2013, Colony Theatre, Miami Beach
- February 24, 2013, Colony Theatre, Miami Beach

Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Bass Pro Shops Easter Egg Hunt!

We went last year and it was fun. I had high hopes for it because I love their Santa Land every year!I don't think it was up to the usual quality for the Bass Pro. The staff seemed a bit confused about when and where the egg hunt would be. A few didn't even know about it.

After we finally found the eggs (they were empty) we were supposed to return them for candy. The line was very long and I really didn't have much patience left at that point.

I don't remember what the craft was, I can't seem to find my photo's from last year. I will post them if I find them. I changed computers about that time last year, so I am afraid they got lost in the shuffle.

I am not sure that we will go this year, we might.

Don't forget that you can park at the Tri-Rail and make a a day of it! The train station is very very close to the Bass Pro Shop and the Fishing Hall of Fame.

Do a craft, get a free picture with the bunny, and then spend a couple of bucks on hot dogs for lunch!

Spring Events at the Palm Beach Zoo 2013

In addition to Breakfast with the Bunny, (which is filling up by the way), here are some more great Spring Events at my favorite Zoo. The Palm Beach Zoo!

Palm Beach Zoo: Spring Scavenger Hunt

March 30 & 31, 2013

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This spring we're challenging Zoo guests to find the "golden" egg! One golden egg will be hidden somewhere on Zoo grounds on Saturday & Sunday, March 30th & 31st. The lucky guest to find it on either day will win a one-year family membership to the Palm Beach Zoo. The Zoo's animals will also be enjoying the egg-citing time by getting some eggs of their own! From tigers to tamarins, lemurs to llamas, most of the Zoo's animals will be receiving eggs made especially for them by our Youth Volunteer Corps.

Earth Day - Passport to Adventure

April 22, 2013

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

As you stroll through the Zoo, make sure to keep an eye out for the Passport to Adventure logo - it will lead you to some amazing facts about sustainability. Find them all and you could win a painting created by our very Malayan tiger cubs - Jaya, Bunga and Penari!

Spring Fling with the Easter Bunny in Pompano Beach

We are going to try to go to this!

The Easter Bunny will be in Pompano Beach!

Saturday, March 23rd at the Pompano Beach Community Park’s multi purpose field (next to the cute new playground) from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm. Pompano Beach will be celebrating the beginning of Spring with a day of free games, face painting, egg hunts, arts & crafts, and more.

Easter by the Sea at Lauderdale by the Sea

Easter by the Sea Photo Credit: C Buckley

The Town of Lauderdale by the Sea will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Contest. March 30, 2013 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The event starts promptly at 9 so don't be late! The egg hunt is broken up into 3 groups, starting with the youngest kids. The volunteers who plan the Town events always do an amazing job! They are also asking for Volunteers to help stuff eggs from 5-7:30 in Jarvis Hall on Friday, March 22.

Past Review:
The event was moved a few years back from the Municipal Park Ball Field to the parking lot of the Town Hall. The Egg Hunt itself was split up by age group and even though the area was much smaller and more crowed the Egg Hunt was still successful. No child will be left without a full basket at this hunt. I did wish that they had allowed kids to enter from both ends. The smaller kids had a the disadvantage of getting all the way across fast enough. I must admit I did like doing it on the field better as the parking lot was very crowded.

Refreshments were provided in Jarvis Hall along with a visit from the Big Guy himself, the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny arrived in South Florida style riding in a decorated red convertible Mini where he awed the crowd with his dancing ability. There were also photo opportunities for those who brought their cameras inside Jarvis Hall.

Easter by the Sea Photo Credit: C Buckley

Last but not least is the Bonnet Contest. Anyone can enter all you have to do is be creative, and the locals of LBS are that! These amazing Easter bonnets are adorned with everything from Easter Baskets to Bunny ears and look like they are as much fun to make as they are to see. We are definitley going to try to make a bonnet this year!

Lauderdale by the Sea’s next Town Event will be the Town Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks, so make sure to mark calendar now because celebrations in the Town of Lauderdale by the Sea are not to be missed.

Easter by the Sea Photo Credit: C Buckley

Friday, March 8, 2013

Bedners Pony Rides and Strawberries in Boynton Beach

Bedners Farm Market is a one of our favorite places in Boynton Beach. The Strawberry and Tomato u-Pick is open everyday except Tuesdays.

The weekends they have homemade ice cream, roasted corn, hotdogs, lemonade and pretzels as well as fresh BBQ, and craft vendors.

According to their web site on Saturday March 23rd there will be a Petting Zoo from 10:00-2:00, and Pony Rides 10:00-12:00. Sunday March 24th the Petting Zoo & Pony Rides are from 11:00-3:00.

Also on Sunday, march 17th from 10-3 for St. Paddy's there will be Asphalt Angels Pot O'Gold Classic and Hot Rod Car Show.

For pictures and more about this great place CLICK HERE.

Ladybug Release at Museum of Discovery and Science

Breakfast with the Bunny at the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach

Register now to participate in Breakfast with the Bunny at the Palm Beach Zoo. Registration will include a buffet style breakfast in the Zoo’s Tropics Café over looking Baker Lagoon while awaiting the arrival of the guest of honor. None other than the Easter Bunny! Don’t forget to bring the cameras as guests will have plenty of time to snap pictures of the kids, big and little with the Bunny.

Next head on out to the Tropics Café Deck where guests are treated to an up close and personal animal encounter. Children and their parents get the chance to meet and learn about a special Zoo resident.

Last but not least, the Bunny lets everyone know when it’s time to head out into the Zoo for the Egg Hunt! Separate areas are set up for different age groups. Well worth it as you then get to spend the the rest of day enjoying the laid back tropical animal paradise that is the Palm Beach Zoo.

Be sure to register in advance with info@palmbeachzoo.org as there are limited spaces available and they fill up very quickly!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The Clydesdales are coming to Fort Lauderdale

A friend just sent me this information about the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Day Parade this year. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be featured in the Parade on March 9, 2013.

In addition to the Parade and all the festivities on the 9th, the Clydesdales will be out for a public viewing (tomorrow) March 6th between 10 am and 6 pm at Holiday Park. (1200 G. Harold Martin Dr at the corner of Sunrise Blvd and Federal Hwy).

The free event will include tours of the Ft. Lauderdale Police Mounted Unit stables, a petting zoo, and pony rides.

For more information about the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Parade and Festival, please call (954) 828-5363 or visit www.ftlaudirishfest.com.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

St. Patrick's Day Parade Downtown Fort Lauderdale 2013

Vader let the troops have a day off!

Don't miss the Parade!
Saturday, March 9, 2013 - 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. along Los Olas Blvd, from S.E. 8th Avenue to Andrews Avenue, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

11:00 am Traditional Irish Blessing at Huizenga Plaza, located at Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue. At 12:00 pm the U.S. Coast Guard's signature red helicopter will perform a flyover to officially start the St. Patrick's Parade.

We went to the Parade last year (2012), it was really good and surprisingly big. How can you go wrong with Bagpipes and Irish Storm Troopers!

We parked in the library multistory, but I think next year it would be smart to park in the River Walk Garage or the one by the Museum of Discovery and Science and walk down to the Parade. It was really slammed in there!

Photo Credit: C Buckley

The kids had a great time and got beads from the parade, there was also a festival in the park there on Los Olas. It's a great parade because there is plenty of shade at noon along the road and you don't have to stand out and cook in the sun!

My favorite was the green decorated Storm Troopers and Darth Vader! I think I filled half my camera card with them alone. Go on call me a dork! I just can't help it sometimes!

This years Parade is today, March 10th along Los Olas Blvd, from S.E. 8th Avenue to Andrews Avenue, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Oh, and there will be STORMTROOPERS on the Riverside LAWN for photos between 10am-11:30 before the parade!

See you there!