Downtown Indianapolis Earth Day celebrations

Day Nursery Association got its start in downtown Indianapolis more than 100 years ago so we like to promote fun events that happen downtown any chance we get. This weekend is packed with Earth Week events that are good opportunities to show your child the importance of caring for Mother Earth. Head Downtown to celebrate the importance of living green with this list of things to do from our friends at Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.  The Children’s Museum is hosting an Earth Week Celebration Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Discover what you can do to make an impact in our community. Attend the FREE Earth Day Indiana Festival April 23 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at White River State Park with 140 environmental and conservation exhibits, food, music and activities for kids. In addition, April 23 is a FREE Spring Cleaning Recycle event. Bring items to recycle to the IUPUI campus (525 N. Blackford St.) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. such as computers, appliances, lawn tools, batteries, air conditioners, cardboard, oil, metals, Styrofoam and more. A second Recycle event will be April 30 at Greek Islands Restaurant.

Children’s Clothing & Equipment Sale is April 16th

The Northside Twins & Multiples Annual Spring Sale has relocated to Fishers United Methodist Church at 9690 E 116^th St. Over 10,000 square feet of gently used infant & children’s clothing, equipment, books, toys and more will be sold April 16, 2011 from 8 a.m. to noon.  

You do not need to be a parent of multiples to shop the sale.  The sale is open to the public on Saturday, April 16th from 8am-noon.  They do; however, have special shopping times for parents of multiples before the public has access.  Parents of multiples can contact ntmclothingsale@gmail.com.

Vendors will be present representing both services and products for moms, kids and families.  Also present, a bake sale with proceeds benefitting The March of Dimes.  Non-perishable items will be collected on behalf of the Come-to-Me Food Pantry. This sale is cash-only, please plan accordingly.  

Northside Twins and Multiples is a not-for-profit organization open to expecting mothers, parents, and guardians of twins and higher order multiples. The organization offers monthly support groups, educational/social activities, and more. The mission is to provide activities, support and friendships throughout the membership of over 200 local families.

Families with multiples or expecting multiples are eligible to shop before the sale opens to the public. E-mail ntmclothingsale@gmail.com or visit www.indymultiples.org for more information.

Santa’s Mailbox

Trying to Reach Santa?  Send a letter through Santa’s Mailbox on Monument Circle! Each year, this holiday mailbox is placed for children of all ages to drop off their letters addressed to Santa. And to every child’s delight, Santa himself personally answers each letter with a return address. Letters can be sent now through Dec. 16. (The mailbox is removed Dec. 17). The mailbox is decorated festively-half of the box is a reindeer complete with antlers and the other half is dressed like Santa. You can find the mailbox on the east side of Monument Circle, facing Market Street. Note – it’s very important that each letter has a return address so Santa can send his reply. (A self-addressed, stamped envelope is also appreciated.)

Weekend Wander: July 4 Indianapolis Concert on the Canal

If you are heading downtown for the fireworks Sunday night, come a bit early and take your children to a free concert on the Canal.  Our friends at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street invite you to enjoy a fun summer evening along the downtown canal at this popular outdoor summer concert series.  As a special holiday bonus, admission to the Indiana Experience is free from noon to 5 on July 4.  For the concert, you may rent a table on the Terrace or bring your own chair or blanket and sit on the grassy hill across the Canal. Café and outdoor grill are available by Hoaglin To Go. Attendees may bring their own food and nonalcoholic beverages to the concert.  The concert features bluesy rock-and-roll, and patriotic tunes performed by Tad Robinson and the Indianapolis Muncipal Band performing on the Kruse Family Stardust Terrace from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m (Five-time blues music award nominee Tad Robinson takes the stage from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m). Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:47 pm from the top of the Regions Bank Tower.

 

Circus Day was a blast!

It was great to see so many Day Nursery families and staff members at Circus Day Saturday at the Indiana History Center.  Here are a few pictures I snapped to share with you.

Family friendly Mardi Gras parade this Saturday

Our friends at AYS are holding their Annual Mardi Gras Mambo parade this Saturday afternoon downtown on Mass Avenue.  This is a family friendly event that grows larger each year.  The AYS website has some great information about Mardi Gras traditions including information about making your own mask to wear to the parade.

On Saturday, Feb. 13, the AYS Mardi Gras Mambo on Mass Ave parade will begin at 3 p.m. from the Center Township Trustee parking lot at 863 Massachusetts Ave.  The family parade will travel southwest on Massachusetts Avenue to the YMCA at the Athenaeum for the Carnevale Fair from 3:30-5 p.m. 
Set up for the procession begins at 2 p.m. and streets along the route will be closed to traffic briefly as the procession moves through.  

Heres’ the route if you want to stake out a good place for your family to watch:

·         START on Davidson Street at Massachusetts Avenue

·         South on Davidson Street to St. Clair Street

·         West on St. Clair Street to Massachusetts Avenue

·         Southwest on Massachusetts Avenue to North Street

·         West on North Street to New Jersey Street

·         South on New Jersey Street to Massachusetts Avenue

·         Southwest on Massachusetts Avenue to Vermont Street

·         East on Vermont Street to Athenaeum parking lot FINISH

Log on to the AYS website for  information.

What does Santa like for breakfast?

I am always on the lookout for fun things for you to do with your family without breaking the bank.    I just got an email from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources with information about a special event at Ft. Harrison State Park on Indy’s northeast side.  This seems very reasonable for a Santa breakfast compared to many I have seen this month. The Inn at Fort Harrison State Park is having a breakfast with Santa this Saturday Dec. 12, from 9 – 11 a.m. in the Main Lodge. Adults $5.25, Kids $3.99, (5-12) Under 4 is free. The park’s naturalist will be on hand to help children create some holiday nature decorations Reservations are recommended; call (317) 638-6000. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own camera to capture a picture of themselves with Santa during the program.

If you are up for a drive with the family, there are a lot of holiday and winter special events planned for Indiana State Parks.

Weekend Wander: Your Wonderful World

Today is the first day of Geography Awareness Week, made official by a Presidential proclamation in 1987. 

Geography Awareness Week 2009 explores the world through mapping. As a parent, the campaign urges you to help your children find your continent in giant tile maps, find your country in political outline maps or encourage your preschooler to help you find your local area on a map.

The folks at National Geographic are leading a national campaign called MyWonderfulWorld.com.  They point out that too often, people only think about maps when they want to get away. Don’t wait for your next vacation to break out a map! Maps allow you to explore the world without leaving the comfort of your home. See how close, or how far away, friends and family live. The MyWonderfulWorld website has a special section for children with links for you and your child to explore together.

Weekend Wander: Where the wild things are is not a place for little ones

Maurice Sendak’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” was a favorite of both my children when they were in preschool. They loved when I roared a terrible roar and gnashed my terrible teeth. I am sure many parents are excited that the movie version of the classic picture book opens up tomorrow but I hope parents of preschoolers take the time to read the reviews of the film before they rush out to buy a ticket. The movie is getting great advance press but every piece I have read comes with the caution that this film is too scary for young children. Jane Horwitz, who writes a syndicated column called Family Filmgoer is one of the critics who says the film is okay for most kids 10 and older and certainly will be “interesting stuff” for teens and adults. Just a word of caution before the wild rumpus begins!

Weekend Wander: I Spy an Eye

IMA lobby by Hanneorla on Flickr

Looking for something to do this weekend with your young child?  Why don’t you visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art and play I Spy an Eye.  I recently stumbled onto a website of a business called Birdcage Press.  They specialize in games that make learning fun for children.  What caught my eye (and lead to today’s post) is their Go Fish for Art card games. Their website said they have sold over 150,000 sets of this beautiful series which has been honored with Parents’ Choice Gold Medals.  Their products can be found in many museums (locally at the IMA and The Children’s Museum) and toy stores or you can always ask an independent bookstore to order it for you. These would make a great gift for a teacher!

Getting back to my reason for sending you and your child to the IMA this weekend…I Spy an Eye.  The Birdcage Press website has a learning center with a wealth of ideas for fun games to play at museums.  Here’s why they suggest playing the I Spy game with your child: Nothing is as fascinating as eyes. They can say so many different things. Even very young children are captivated by a person’s eyes. Make a game of finding the paintings with the best eyes and hunt for as many different kinds of eyes as you can find. When children select a painting, ask them what the eyes tell them about the person. Or notice how many brush strokes it took to paint the eye. 

If you need one more reason to wander the Indianapolis Museum of Art with your family this weekend…admission is free!