10.25.2008

Playgroup Mini-Musicians - Better and Cheaper!


We're into the fall session of Mini-Musicians music classes at the COS Playgroup. The session is 30 mins per class, for 10 weeks, running on Mondays, through Nov24. Participation in Mini-Musicians is by subscription and is optional. The teachers are trained in the Suzuki-Orff tots music method. Mini-Musicians is presented by Arts At Large, a not-for profit organization dedicated to bringing professional level music performance to underserved communities. CLASSES ARE ONLY $10! And just to prove that they are bending over backwards to satisfy all of our families' requests, you can have a first class for free, you can subscribe to an "a la carte" pass to take 5 classes of your choice anytime until June 1, 2009 (come ON!), or you can subscribe to the series up front (because you want to support their charitable good work even if you miss a class or two) for $100. They really want to make this work for us, and I hope that we can reciprocate.

Playgroup will occur 2-4:45pm on Mondays (instead of 2-4:30pm) and the classes will run between 3:15 - 4:30pm. Mini-Musicians will be held in the room next to the nursery, with easy back-forth access for caregivers who have 1 child in the class and 1 child in the free playgroup. Mini-musicians can play before/after class, and sibs can play concurrently! Ages 12 mos - 30 mos meet at 3:15pm, and ages 31 mo - 4 years old meet at 4:00pm.

To subscribe, click on the title to this post (it links to the website), or go to:
http://www.aalchicago.org/index2/pages/kids-courses/all-class-schedule.php

10.21.2008

November Events

11/5-19, Wednesdays 3:30pm for 5-7 yr olds: Konservation Kids Club - learn about skin, meet animals, hear stories, paly, create. 3 sessions. $32 members, $40 non-members. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

11/8, Sat, 11am and 12:45 pm Chicago Symphony Orchestra Family Matinee concert "Latin America's Rhythms", www.cso.org

11/8, Sat, 1-2pm, Lincoln Park Cultural Center, "The Magic Onion" performed by Puppet Place Theater,, free ages 3-8 (w/ adult)

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1/11, Tues, 9am - 1pm or later, Veterans Day, various Chicago Park District parks. On this federal holiday, children can find things to do at their local park. From bingo to board games to public indoor skating (at McFetridge), the Chicago Park District provides opportunities for children to stay active (and supervised!) on this special day. http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.calendar/month/11/year/2008.cfm

11/15, Sat, 1pm, Lincoln Park Cultural Center, "Peace Tales Around the World" presented by Kidworks Theater, ages 3-8 (w/ adult), free

11/15-16, Sat-Sun, 10am "Wearable Recycleables" - create jewelry out of recycled materials. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

11/6-16, Allstate Arena, 11/18-30 United Center, ... Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents OVER THE TOP, an all-new live entertainment extravaganza! OVER THE TOP features the ultimate tug of war between Ringmaster Chuck Wagner and clown eccentric Tom Dougherty over a magical top hat that controls the circus. When the Ringmaster dons the hat, he conjures stupendous spectacles for his circus like the stunt riding Royal Cossack Cavalry. And while the clown uses the hat, he summons silly and whimsical acts such as a cavalry of goats riding on ponies in a Barnyard Bonanza. It's two circuses in one, providing excitement for the whole family! ... www.Ringling.com

11/16, Sun,11am to 3pm for A Lotta Terra Cotta & Other Building Materials
What's that made out of--terra cotta, brick, or stone? You'll find out at our November Studio Sunday. Make a clay creation to take home, design a texture collage, and get a hands-on introduction to the materials used to build downtown Chicago on a short walking tour of the Loop.
Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan, free day of activities is part of CAF’s Studio Sundays, a monthly series of kid-friendly programs designed for families with children up to age 12. No reservations are needed. www.architecture.org

11/18, 20, Tues 3:30pm ages 5-7, Thurs 9:30am ages 3-4, Happy Harvesting Kids Workshop - enjoy fruits of the harvest while hearing stories and decorating pumpkins. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com. $7 members, $9 non-members.

11/22, Sat, 1-2pm, Lincoln Park Cultural Center, A Mini Music Workshop presented by Arts at Large, free

11/22-23, Sat-Sun, 2pm, Chase Park, "Winnie the Pooh", ages 8 & over - info / tickets: Chase Park Theater (312) 742-4701, Cost: $3 kids; $5 adults

11/22-23 Sat-Sun 10am, 11/28-30 Fri-Sun 11am-3pm, "Gifting Green Workshops" - make paper, envelopes, coasters, bird house, mosaic pots, paper mache bowls, ornaments, gift boxes etc. Various material fees between $5-15. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

11/28 - 12/28 "The Snow Queen", Victory Gardens Theatre, great alternative to traditional holiday fare performance, back by popular demand, for ages 8+years. www.victorygardens.org

11/28 - 1/11 Holiday Traditions Winter Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

11/30 Wed, If All the World Were Paper, an Interactive musical for ages 2-6 follows the adventures of a girl made of paper. Little Theater at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., at 57th St. Tickets at 773-227-0180 or online at ovationtix.com.

10.17.2008

Halloween Costume Ideas

http://blogs.urbanbaby.com/buzz/category/urbanbaby-picks/

10.05.2008

Farms to visit

Buckley Homestead
http://www.johansenfarms.com/fall.html
http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/
http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/ILpchicago.php
www.lambsfarm.org
http://www.ourpumpkinfarm.com/

VOTER INFO - OCT 7 LAST DAY TO REGISTER!

Voter Registration Application: use to change name/address or to register via mail.
http://www.chicagoelections.com/dm/general/document_32.pdf
Where's your polling place?
http://www.chicagoelections.com/voterinfo.php
Vote Absentee?
http://www.voterinfonet.com/sub/news_view.asp?NEWS_ID=239
All Cook County Voter Info:
http://www.voterinfonet.com/
Help with the Candidate Positions:
http://glassbooth.org/

10.01.2008

"My Stomach Hurts": Common Causes and Cures for Tummy Trouble

In any given month, 10 to 15 percent of kids ages 5 and up have abdominal pain. Although you can usually tell if your child's caught a stomach bug -- she'll have vomiting or diarrhea that lasts 24 to 48 hours -- you should know these other common causes of tummy trouble, and how you can help her feel better. Click on the title to this post to see details like: What it feels like; What's going on; and What to do for it and Alternative Home Remedies for the following ailments: Constipation and Gas / Gastroesophageal Reflux / Functional Abdominal Pain / Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Ulcers / Abdominal Migraines / Could It Be Appendicitis? 

Circus Info

Chicago Circus Events Now, at When.com

http://www.circesteem.org/history.html

http://www.universoulcircus.com/

http://www.acrofabulous.com/

http://www.midnightcircus.net/ ..... and ..... http://www.circusintheparks.com/

http://www.ringling.com/

more to come

Halloween Activities

Click on the title to this post for a link to many many suggestions, plus...

10/25 Sat, "Creatures of the Night" at the Garfield Park Conservatory. FREE

10/31 Fri - Notebaert is open 9am-4:30pm. FREE admission for visitors in costume!

Lots of pumpkin farm/hayride info here!
http://www.chicagokids.com/halloween/happenings.cfm

Other ideas? Please post your suggestions via comments below!