Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Free Thrashers & Hawks Tickets for Reading

Field Trips with Sue, who blogs about inexpensive trips with kids in and around Atlanta, recently posted a blog entry about a summer reading program where kids can earn free Thrashers and Hawks tickets for reading. Click the link for her blog entry with details on how to register for this program - http://fieldtripswithsue.blogspot.com/2009/06/free-thrashers-and-hawks-tickets-for.html

In her blog, Sue mentions that reading programs like this really motivate her boys. I have had the same experience with my kids. I've used the local library reading programs motivate the kids. The library program rewards kids for every 5 hours they read. Reading time is logged in 20 minute increments. They love to fill in the boxes for each 20 minutes they read. It makes encouraging them to read easier. When they're bored, and I suggest they read a book, it's not just mom "nagging" them to read. I only have to mention the extra box they will get to fill in for reading and they rush to pick out a book from our reading pile .

I will definitely be signing my kids up for this program as well.

50% Off Sale at Local Children's Boutique


If you are looking for some great gifts or adorable clothes for your children, here's a sale you just can't beat. Ansley's Attic Children's Boutique & Gifts, located on Main Street in Sharpsburg, GA will begin it's summer clearance sale on July 6th. All summer apparel will be 50% off. Even new arrivals. All shoes will be 25% off.

During the sale at Ansley's Attic from 10-12, The Pottery Patio will be doing hand print tiles for ONLY $3 each. Come shop and get your son or daughters hand on a tile. It's a memory that lasts a lifetime. See you there.

Ansley's Attic will be closed for vacation June 26th - July 5th.
Summer Hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday, June 19, 2009

HOT Weekend in South Metro Atlanta! Here are some ideas for Local Indoor fun from LocalKidFun.com

Just saw the weather report this weekend and it's going to be unbearably hot. If you don't have access to a pool, here are some ideas for indoor fun this Saturday, June 20, 2009, pulled off my website, LocalKidFun.com

And don't forget it's Father's Day on Sunday. Here's a link for some last minute gift ideas. http://fayettemops.wordpress.com/

Indoor FUN, Saturday, June 10, 2009.

Family Art Saturday- Saturday Spark Third Saturday of the Month 10am-4pm
The THIRD Saturday of the month is a day to spark the fires of creativity for families at the Arts Clayton Gallery. For families, stop by between 10 AM and 4 PM for an art project or experience related to the monthly exhibition theme. The cost per project is $5.
Arts Clayton / 136 South Main Street, P.O. Box 669, Jonesboro, GA 30237 / (770) 473-5457 / www.artsclayton.org

Sign, Say & Play Class June 20 at 11am
Sign, Say and Play curriculum are carefully crafted sessions developed especially for parents and babies.By embedding the learning of signs in activities that promote cognitive, social, language, literacy and sensory-motor development we are able to teach parents ways to provide the support these area's that all babies need to make the most of their critical first three years. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Linda's Playhouse / 1991 Hwy 54 West, Peachtree City, GA 30269 / 770-487-1979 / http://www.lindasplayhouse.org

Grand Opening Festival for Chattahoochee River Interpretive Center Sat., June 20 9am-5pm & Sun., June 21 12pm-5pm
Admission: $8 Adults, $6 Seniors, $5 Children 3 - 12, Children 2 and Under and members Free
A two-day festival celebrating the Grand Opening of the New Interpretive Center for the Chattahoochee River, Lakeside Pavilion, and Gardens! Travel through the new interactive Explore your Watershed Gallery where you will discover the exciting components of the forest, wetlands, and river!

Entertainment: Laughing Pizza takes the stage at 10 AM and 2PM on Saturday to get you and your kids moving in the Lakeside Pavilion. Sponsored in part by The Together Fund

Mickle-A-Do will perform on Saturday at 12 PM and 4 PM and on Sunday at 1PM and 3:30 PM in the Lakeside Pavilion!

Crafts and Face Painting Explore more about water and watersheds while making fun crafts including bubble art, pitcher plant toss, and water-saver signs!

Chattahoochee Nature Center / 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 / (770) 992-2055 / http://www.chattnaturecenter.com

Bakugan Training Camp Sat., June 20 12pm-2pm
Visit Toys R Us for the Bakugan Training Camp. Learn how to use Bakugan Trap! Training, Battles, Prizes and Giveaways! More info at http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3376105

only at the following Toys R Us, participating locations:
2601 H-1 Dawson Rd., Albany, GA 31707 / 3424 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, GA 30909 / 3480 Financial Center Way, Buford, GA, 30519 / 5555 Whittlessey Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907 / 501 Roberts Court, Kennesaw, GA 30144 / 7400 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31406 / 3000 Watson Blvd., Warner Robbins, GA 31093

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Jr. June 20, 11:30am, 3pm, & 7pm & June 21, 2:30pm
Fayette Coweta Family Theatre's Summer Broadway Junior Production Camp presents the Disney classic~ Beauty and the Beast, Jr. Join all the beloved characters in this shortened version of the original Broadway show. Fabulous ticket prices of ONLY $5 by reservation and $7 at the door make this show perfect for all families with children. Shows will be presented at Christ's Church at Whitewater in the Youth Stage Room and seating is very limited, so making reservations is STRONGLY encouraged. To make reservations call 770-599-0051 or visit http://www.fcft.net/HomePage and click on the opening rose link. Don't miss this "Tale As Old As Time!"
Performance will be presented at Christ's Church at Whitewater at 1577 Hwy. 85 South, Fayetteville, Ga. 30215~ Please do not call Church for ticket information. Only call the theatre number listed.
Fayette-Coweta Family Theatre, Inc. / 177 Fulton Court, Peachtree City, GA 30269

Family Place to Play Open Daily - See website for details.
Inflatable playground for the whole family. Every Friday morning from 10am-12pm entry is only $4. This weekend they are celebrating their anniversary. $5 all day admission this Saturday and Sunday June 20 & 21.
Family Place to Play Fun Center / 160 Temple Avenue, Newnan, GA / www.familyplacetoplay.com/newnan/index.html

The Bridge Community Center Open Mon-Fri., 9am-6pm.
The Bridge is a Free Community Center with a gym, indoor walking track, cafe, game room with pool tables, video games, Wii, ping pong and more. Free wi-fi is also available.

The Bridge Community Center / 208 Willowbend Rd, (part of First Baptist Church of PTC), Peachtree City, GA 30269 / http://thebridge-cc.org

The Kids Spot
The Kids Spot offers classes and activities for children ages 0-9 years. Classes offered include: Mommy and Me Classes in Art, Music, Gym, Sign Language & Spanish; Tumbling and open gym play; Etiquette classes; and parents night out.
The Kids Spot / 63 Price Quarters Road, McDonough, GA 30253 / 678562-8550 / www.tks-atl.com

Junction Lanes Open Daily
Junction Lanes Family Entertainment Center offers bowling, glow golf (18 holes of indoor miniature golf), and an arcade. Check company website for hours and rates.

Junction Lanes Family Entertainment Center / 141 Newnan Station Drive, Newnan, GA 30265 / 770-683-2695 / http://www.junctionlanes.com

Crafty Critters - FREE - Saturdays, 10:30am & 11:30am
All ages. This is an arts and crafts program that highlights various artistic movements and trends as well as special days and holidays throughout the year. *To attend this program, you must select one of the two times listed above and either call or visit the Children's Room at Central Library in order to register in advance.*

Coweta Public Library - Central / 85 Literary Lane, Newnan, GA 30265 / (770)683-2052 / http://www.cowetapubliclibrary.org

FREE Story Time Tuesdays 10:30am-11am & Saturdays 10am - 10:30am
Kid's story time is held at Books A Million in Peachtree City each Tuesday and Saturday.

Books A Million / 258 City Circle, Peachtree City, GA 30269 / 770-632-1296 / http://www.booksamillion.com

High Museum's Saturday Studio Saturdays & Sundays, 1pm-4pm
Located in the museum's Greene Family Education Center. Activities ranging from three-dimensional sculptures to figural collages. Weekend Studio is offered each Saturday and Sunday. Free with museum admission.

High Museum of Art / 1280 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309 / 404-733-5000 / www.high.org

Jump 2 It Teen Bounce Every Saturday, 7:30pm-10:30pm

Bounce promotes a safe, fun, and friendly environment for teens to play, jump, socialize and listen to music. For more information go to www.jump2itptc.com/teen. Ages: 11-15

Jump 2 It / 320 Dividend Drive, (Behind Atlanta City Church), Peachtree City, GA 30269 / 770-486-9228 / www.jump2itptc.com

Michael's Kid's Club Every Saturday, 10am-Noon

Kids ages 5-12 are invited to drop into Michael's every Saturday for a take home craft. Participants can join 30 minute sessions at 10am, 11am and 11:30am. All supplies are included. $2 per child.

No registration required. For more information, call one of the 3 locations in LocalKidFun.com area: Fayetteville (770) 461-6300, Newnan (770) 252-6223, and McDonough (678) 583-6361

Michael's / 27 Hudson Plaza, Hudson Plaza, Fayetteville, GA 30214 / 770-461-6300

Friday, June 12, 2009

Tiny Tunes Music Classes

I just received the following email from Jennifer Stuart, owner of Tiny Tunes Music. Tiny Tunes Music offers classes for children in Newnan and Peachtree City. If you have a preschooler and are interested in music classes this summer, read below:

"Attn: Families
I was just made aware this week that some of the classes online were showing that they were completely full when they are NOT! Please EMAIL me ASAP if you are still interested in registering for the summer session so I can get you into a class!

Also our Music Cats- for children 4-5 started this week and the kids had such a blast. You can still register your little ones thru next week if you would like them to take part this summer. This will give them a great foundation before our keyboarding class in the fall! Please email me today if you would like your child to join.

I was also made aware that the non-resident fee at Kedron has been changed from 50% to only 25%."

Click below to view the Summer Session email with Registration details.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs065/1102064816807/archive/1102523526786.html

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Festival for the Grand Opening of the New Interpretive Center at the Chattahoochee Nature Center


Saturday, June 20 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday, June 21 from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Admission:
$8 Adults, $6 Seniors, $5 Children 3 - 12,
Children 2 and Under and members Free


Take your family for a short drive to visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, GA for a two-day festival celebrating the Grand Opening of the New Interpretive Center for the Chattahoochee River, Lakeside Pavilion, and Gardens! Travel through the new interactive Explore your Watershed Gallery where you will discover the exciting components of the forest, wetlands, and river!

Entertainment: Laughing Pizza takes the stage at 10 AM and 2PM on Saturday to get you and your kids moving in the Lakeside Pavilion. Sponsored in part by The Together Fund

Mickle-A-Do will perform on Saturday at 12 PM and 4 PM and on Sunday at 1PM and 3:30 PM in the Lakeside Pavilion!

Crafts and Face Painting Explore more about water and watersheds while making fun crafts including bubble art, pitcher plant toss, and water-saver signs!

Exhibits:
Find out what organizations are doing along the Chattahoochee River Watershed and about companies helping you to conserve our resources including:
REI
EARTH University
Atlanta Audubon Society
Southeast Green
ECOVIE Rainwater Collection System
National Park Service

Parking is available in the CNC parking lot. Space is limited so please carpool or bike! Additional parking is available at St. Francis School on Willeo Road just south of Hwy 120. A free shuttle bus service will be provided for convenience.

Chattahoochee Nature Center / 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 / (770) 992-2055 / http://www.chattnaturecenter.org

For questions or additional information, contact Rebecca at 770-992-2055 ext. 236 or r.gilbert@chattnaturecenter.org.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Free National Park Visits 3 Weekends this Summer!

The US National Park service is offering free entry into 100 National Parks during 3 weekends this summer. http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Mark your calendars for:
  • June 20-21, 2009 (Father’s Day weekend)
  • July 18-19, 2009
  • August 15-16, 2009
To find the national parks that are offering fee free entry, and more information about what each park offers, go to: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

In addition to free entry, many of the parks are offering free concessions or services during the free weekends. Click here to see if the park you are visiting has any extra deals.

Below are a couple of fun family events this summer at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area:

Sat., June 20, 2009. Kids Fishing Event - Bring Your Dad Out / Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area / 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Hey kids, its Father Day weekend! Give your Dad the best present by sharing a few hours at the old fishin` hole with you. You say you have never fished before! Now is your chance to learn all about still fishing including important things like which hat to wear. Play like Tom Sawyer or Huckelberry Finn with your new hand crafted cane fishin` pole and cork bobber! You may hook a catfish, bream, or bass. Then take a break from the fishing to learn more about a healthy aquatic environment. We will not be responsible for any tall tales after today. We will provide the bait so your dad doesn`t have to explain the loose worms in the car. Reservation required. Call Island Ford Visitor Contact Station .678-538-1200.

July 25, 2009, 9am-4pm / 2nd Annual Chattahoochee River Summer Splash / Location: Powers Island

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will highlight Healthy Parks - Healthy Living with a summer splash. Enjoy a 6 mile family float down the Chattahoochee River to the Powers Island landing. After the float relax and enjoy live music and wildlife programs, visit the vendors and craft stations or take a self guided hike.

Parking is at Powers Island with shuttle service provided to the start at Morgan Falls Dam. Call for information on boat rentals, if needed. Boat rentals may not be available the day of the event. Registration is required! Contact: Island Ford Visitor Contact Station 678-538-1200.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield offers Guided Tours, Civil War Talks and Artillery Demonstrations. Click here for schedule.