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)

Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

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

Yuletide in the Park at Community Park in Pompano Beach

Yuletide in the Park

Due to popular demand, the Yuletide Parade and Celebration is back in Community Park! The Yuletide Parade and Celebration will be held on Friday, December 7th starting at 6:00 p.m.

The Parade will feature eye dazzling floats, marching bands, dancers, fire clowns, and a variety of other amazing entertainment. After the Yuletide Parade, join us in Community Park for children’s activities, clowns, face paining, ride, crafts, and a holiday show on the amphitheater stage! Be sure to have your camera charged and ready for a picture opportunity with Santa Claus and other characters joining us in the park. Community Park is located at 2001 NE 10th Street, on the corner of NE 10th Street and Federal Highway.

  The parade will begin at NE 5th Avenue and NE 10th Street near the Sample-McDouglad House and the Pompano Beach Elks Lodge. The parade will proceed east on NE 10th Street to NE 11th Avenue south the NE 8th Street and east into Community Park.

Mayor Lamar Fisher will light the community Yuletide Tree to officially ring in the holiday season in Pompano Beach. Refreshments will be available in the park. For more information call 954-786-4111.

Mizner Park Holiday Story Time & Movie

Mizner Park in Boca Raton is beautiful this time of year!  It is a great place to get in to the Holiday Spirit and try out these new activities.

Story Hour

12/15/2012

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mizner Park, In the Main Gazebo

Contact: Mizner Park 561.362.0606

Sponsored by: Mizner Park

Come for Story Hour with Nanny Gingerbread. A special gift will be raffled off.

Story Hour

12/22/2012

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mizner Park, In the Main Gazebo

Contact: Mizner Park 561.362.0606

Sponsored by: Mizner Park

Come and enjoy Story Hour with Mrs. Claus. A special gift will be raffled off.

The Polar Express Free Movie and Activities at the Mizner Park Amphitheater

Friday, December 21st, activities at 5:30, movie at 6:30
All aboard the Polar Express! Movie begins at 6:30. Come early for a free train ride in the Amphitheater. Come in your pajamas for a chance to win a prize! Bring blankets and chairs for a holiday movie sponsored by the City of Boca Raton. Refreshments including hot chocolate, movie theater popcorn, and Tomasso's Pizza will be available for purchase. Please no coolers, pets, umbrellas, outside food or beverages, or backpacks.

More events at the Amphitheater

Flamingo Gardens Scarecrows are Back

There is so much going on at Flamingo Gardens! We love going to see the scarecrows, my daughter thinks it's a Halloween must do!

 CLICK HERE for a full review and loads of pictures of last years event!

October 28, 2012
Story Time with the Good Witch
11:30am - 3:00pm

Kids will love Story Time at Flamingo Gardens with friendly witches and their creepy pets. It begins with a costume parade at 11:30 am through the haunted woods to find the witches' cottage.  Story time is at Noon followed by a costume contest, crafts and other tricks and treats. Visitors can also explore the Great Scarecrows throughout the Boo-tanical gardens and take a hayride between 1 pm-3pm. Sure to be fun for all but best for younger children.  

Come in costume on October 28th for Half-price admission!

October 13, 2012
Harvest Fest & Great Scarecrow Competition
9:30am-4:30pm

Celebrate the Fall season at Harvest Fest with hayrides, crafts, scavenger hunt, and a Fall Market. Scarecrows take over the boo-tanical gardens with the 3rd Annual Great Scarecrow Competition. Enter your own imaginative interpretation of the classic scarecrow or come vote for your favorite. Judging takes place at noon and winners announced at 2pm. The Garden Shop is open with vegetables and herbs for the Fall garden.

Hayrides are 10am-4pm, admission is HALF PRICE all day!



October 19, 20, 26, 27, 2012
Haunted Nights at Flamingo Gardens
7:00pm-9:00pm

The Swamp Witch lives to haunt another night at Flamingo Gardens' Haunted Nights, Friday and Saturday nights before Halloween. With ghouls and ghosts, witches and zombies, this special night of fright outdoor event is not for the timid. Sponsored by Spirit Halloween stores and featuring both live actors and animatronic props staged throughout the West Arboretum, this year's Haunted Nights has new surprises and ghouls sure to scare! Beware....

$8 General Admission for this special night time event.
No member passes, discounts or coupons. Not recommended for children under 10. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  

Big Toy and Truck Extravaganza in Fort Lauderdale

I just found out this is this weekend, thanks to some friends who happened to mention it!  We go every year and I hope you can adjust your weekend plans to attend.

The city of Fort Lauderdale gather examples of everything from Fire Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Police Bomb Robot Thingies (that is definitely the technical name) and Police Horses all together at Holiday Park.

Kids get the chance to play games, sort recyclables, climb in and on all sorts of trucks and even go up in a Cherry Picker. (See I know some truck stuff). All Free!

My only complaint is that I wish they would do this event about 3 weeks later in the year because it usually brutally hot, but it is good enough that even the heat doesn't stop us!

Check out my pics from last year below!

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Sound asleep where she dropped after playing at the Fort Lauderdale Big Toy and Truck

Lowe's Build & Grow Free Kids Workshops

I had to run into Lowe's the other week to return something for my husband and my daughter pointed out the giant sign on the wall that had Donkey's dragon girlfriend from Shrek on it.  I realized it was for a free workshop to build the dragon. So of course I signed us up and we went.

It was really fun and really cute. Sorry for the lousy phone photos but I was being lazy and did not bring my camera.

You have to register online first. We showed up early and they were already set up. It was a little wood model with little nails and directions.

The attendant gave us the set, a hammer to use, and a cute Lowe's apron for my daughter. 

I had hoped there would be someone to help us figure out how to do it, but the attendant, while very friendly, did not offer any help.

I am of absolutely no use with tools but I did manage to figure out how to put it together on my own. Okay, well with a little help from my 4 year old and the people around me! 

It was not exactly the way it was meant to be, but it worked and my daughter was so proud of herself for nailing it together. 

When the project is complete the kids are given a cute little patch to take home. You can iron it onto their apron for them and they can wear it to the next workshop and earn another badge.

There is a Shrek Onion Carriage coming up the weekend of August 25th. Check out the Lowe's Build and Grow link to register.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground at Kensington Gardens

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

This was probably my daughters favorite playground.  Please don't make the mistake that we made and get there in the evening right before they close.  You and your child will want plenty of time to play here.  I have no way of knowing, but I can only image that Princess Diana would have been very proud to have her name to this absolute fantasy land of a playground that is free to all kids. There are many memorials to her name in London, but I can't think of any that are more fitting and appropriate.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

The playground is in Kensington Gardens and if you are there in the summer you will see amazing flowers, gardens and of course roses on your walk through Kensington Gardens to the Playground.  The Playground has attendants available for first aid, bathrooms, is accessible to those with disabilities, and also a gate attendant.  One thing I really liked is that adults are not allowed in without a child, except for an hour in the morning before the Playground officially opens.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

The Playground is really big and there are lots of beautiful oasis areas tucked away around the playground, so if you have very young children do not expect to be able to sit and let them run free while you drink your coffee, as you can't see them everywhere they go.  The good news is, you will want to explore as much as they do so you can enjoy it right along with them.  There are plenty of benches and picnic tables available in each section as well.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

The Playground itself has been developed with natural materials and lends itself to imaginative play in nature.  One section offers kids and their parents a chance to make music with chimes and different materials.  One area has a square metal pads laid into the ground and when you jump on them they sound beautiful chiming tones.  These are not sounds that parents are going to feel they want to get away from, but sounds that ring in the beauty of nature in the serene garden setting.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

I find myself failing for words to describe this place.  I could have stayed there all day! Climbing structures, rocking boats, Teepees, carved animals, swings, a full sized pirate ship to climb in, green spaces to run and so much more all in a garden setting that lives up to the British ability to create gardens that will impress even those with the least interest in floral life.  I am sure this is what Never Never Land is really like. I found myself keeping an eye out the entire time in case Peter, Tink and the Lost Boys showed up.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

I also have to give a thumbs up to the British and their dedication to tea!  Many of the parks we visited had cafes open right on the playgrounds and this one is no exception.  Check out the pictures and video to get an idea.  I don't think I can do it justice with words.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

As far as I can tell the nearest Tube Station is Knightsbridge.  Opening times change throughout the year so be sure to check before you go.

 Best Free Photo Opportunities in London.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Princess Diana Memorial Playground