Kids Summer Calendar

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Activities for the week of July 29, 2013

Well, back-to-school sales, tax-free shopping, ISU students will be back in town soon and I can't believe Thursday is August 1!!  The summer is going so fast!  This is a much slower week than last week but there are still some fun things to do this week (and for the next 4 weeks - yes, I am counting the weeks - before school starts).

Here is my list of fun & fairly low-cost family activities for the week of July 29, 2013:

Monday, July 29 - believe it or not, I can't find a single thing so probably a good day for checking out a park that you haven't been to before.  We went to Daley Park in west Ames last Thursday and I was so impressed!  We also like Brookside, Inis Grove, and also just discovered Hans Peter Christofferson Park just off Oakwood Road a few months ago.

Here are some pictures from Daley Park:




Also, it's a bit of a drive, but the Indianola Hot Air Balloon Festival is happening all this week and runs through August 3.  I have never been before, but we are planning to stop through Indianola on Wednesday and I am looking forward to it!

Tuesday, July 30 - 10:00AM - $1 movie "Rio" at North Grand Theater (at the mall) in Ames

Wednesday, July 31 - 1:00PM - Art in the Park, Story City Park, cost is $3 per child. Antique Carousel is also in the park and rides are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 20 for $12. Also, popcorn is 50 cents and there is a vending machine with soda and water on the north side of the Carousel building.

Wednesday, July 31 - 4:00PM - Teen Wednesdays (teens only) - this week it's at City Auditorium, 520 6th St - free movie, "The Hobbit"

Thursday, August 1 - again, I can't find anything going on today so maybe a good day for a park or try out a new area pool.  Or maybe a good day to stay home and just have some backyard fun with some water balloons and a sprinkler.  Here's what we did last week when little sister was sick & napping:



 

Friday, August 2 - all day - not necessarily a family activity but worth mentioning - this is the first day of the tax-free shopping in Iowa, this applies to any clothing item under $100 and any shoes under $100.

Friday, August 2 - 2:00PM free movie, "Wreck it Ralph" at Ames City Auditorium, 520 6th St.  Join Ronald McDonald's McDig'n It as a pre-show before the movie

Saturday, August 3 - all day - this is the second (and final) day of the tax-free shopping in Iowa.  Again, this applies to any item of clothing priced under $100 and any pair of shoes under $100.

Saturday, August 3 - 8AM-noon - Farmer's Market, Main Street Ames.  There are usually activities or crafts for kids and live music at Tom Evans Park. One week there was a little petting zoo and sometimes there are face painters (for a small fee), too.

Sunday, August 4 - 3:00-6:00PM - Prairie Mooon Winery, $3 per adult (over 21), kids are free.  Trouble No More (blues) will be playing.  Outside food is allowed so we bring all sorts of snacks when we go but can't bring drinks in. $3 entry includes one drink ticket that can be used for sangria or soda. They also have a big cooler of water and cups (free) so people can help themselves and food is available for purchase.  The boys and I walked through the grape vines today and saw beautiful purple and green grapes.  I would bet that they're almost ready to be harvested.  If we go again this week, I will be sure to take some pictures of the grapes and post in next week's blog.

Sunday, August 4 - 7:00PM until about 8:30PM - Roosevelt Summer Sundays Concert, also their Facebook page says this will be another Roosevelt Park Potluck Supper so this may be earlier than 7:00PM, may want to check with someone if you'd like to participate.  The classic Ames band, The Sundogs (reggae), will be performing.  At old Roosevelt school in Ames, 9th St & Roosevelt Ave.

Also, Brookside Wading Pool is still open every day, weather permitting, from 11AM-4PM. Cost is $1 per wader (no charge for parents)

Tot Time at Furman Aquatic Center is every day from 11AM-1PM and the water park is open until 8PM every day, weather permitting.  Please check their Facebook page for updates.  Have a wonderful week!!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Activities for the week of July 22, 2013 (excluding Monday)

I had to share this fun picture of my kiddos from Watermelon Days in Stanhope this past weekend, it was a great time and I highly recommend this to anyone who has not been before - so much fun!  My oldest is hamming it up - being silly biting the rind!


Here is my list of fun & fairly low-cost family activities in the Ames area for the week of July 22 (excluding Monday, July 22 which is on my previous blog):

This is the last week for the library events in the Ames parks.  The library theme for the week is "Diggin' for Treasure" - yo, ho, my hearties!  Come to the park to do Pirate and Treasure themed activities, games, and crafts!  Once again, I have denoted these with ** meaning that they are all the same so you may just want to pick one of the three different times to attend.

**Tuesday, July 23 - 10:00AM - "Diggin' for Treasure" at Inis Grove Park, Walnut Shelter, free - all sorts of fun activities for kids including crafts, stories, games, songs, pillowcase/potato sack races and three-legged races. Take note, when we did the paint craft/activites a few weeks ago, the paints were NOT washable so may want to plan accordingly.

Tuesday, July 23 - 10:00AM - $1 movie "Oceans" at North Grand Theater (at the mall) in Ames

Tuesday, July 23 - 10:00AM - Reiman Gardens Story Time, $4 for kids ages 4-17, $8 for adults, children under 3 free and free if you have a family membership ($55 annual).  When we did this a few years ago, there were usually 2 stories and then a craft related to the stories.  Sometimes the crafts were inside and sometimes they were right in the gardens but once you pay you get full access to the gardens, including the butterfly wing.

UPDATE:  Tuesday, July 23 - 6:00PM - Hamilton County Fair Parade, Webster City.  I know this is a bit of a drive from Ames, but some of you may be closer or may be able to make the drive.  The parade marks the beginning of the Hamilton County Fair which begins Wednesday, July 24 and continues through Sunday.  My dad graduated from Webster City so we have been going for many years and there are always lots of fun things for kiddos.  See website for details:  http://www.freemanjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/522205/Hamilton-County-Fair-is-this-week.html?nav=5006

Wednesday, July 24 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds.  See July 23 listing for details.

Wednesday, July 24 - 1:00PM - Art in the Park, Story City Park, cost is $3 per child. Antique Carousel is also in the park and rides are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 20 for $12. Also, popcorn is 50 cents and there is a vending machine with soda and water on the north side of the Carousel building.

Here is a picture of two of my kiddos riding the dogs with Grandma:


There are also pigs, roosters, rabbits, and the usual horses, too!


And probably the boys' favorite thing of all, the spinning cup!



Wednesday, July 24 - 2:00PM & 3:00PM - Dan Wardell from IPTV will be at Bandshell Park in Ames, 6th St & Duff Ave.  He had a wonderful, interactive show a few weeks ago in Huxley and talked about healthy snacks and foods. The kids really got into the show and at the end, everyone got a cool LED flashlight. The show was about 45 minutes and of course, it was free.

Here is a picture of my boys with Dan after the show:

Wednesday, July 24 - 4:00PM - Teen Wednesdays at Bandshell Park.  (Teens only)  Hobbit Party - join in a treasure/scavenger hunt while we attempt to retrieve our stolen treasure from Smaug the dragon.  It won't be easy - obstacles will be in our way, including Smaug himself!

Wednesday, July 24 - 6:30PM - Bookmobile Storytime - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity, free, Fareway on Stange Rd

Thursday, July 25 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

**Thursday, July 25 - 10:00AM - "Diggin' for Treasure" at Daley Park, including the bookmobile. Same as July 23, just different location.

UPDATE:  Thursday, July 25 - 4:00-8:00PM - Story City's Carousel will be celebrating National Carousel Day along with its 100th birthday in the North Park. There will be inflatables from 4:00-7:00PM, Sweet Treats ice cream from 5:00-7:00PM and music from Stan Dahl (a fellow South Hamilton graduate) from 6:00-7:30PM.  Free birthday cake will be served during the concert.  Area residents are encouraged to bring their own picnic food or take out from area restaurants to enjoy in the park.  The carousel will be open for rides from noon to 8:00PM.  Thank you to Rachel, Laura's friend, for the reminder!!  Here are the details:  http://storycityherald.com/news/enjoy-music-and-fun-carousel%E2%80%99s-100th-birthday-bash.html

I know it's a bit of a drive, but the Indianola Hot Air Balloon Festival starts on Friday, July 26.  I have never been before, but we are planning a road trip with a stop through town on the 31st.  I think it runs until August 3.

Friday, July 26 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

**Friday, July 26 - 10:00AM - "Diggin' for Treasure" at Bandshell Park. Same as July 23, just different location.

Friday, July 26 - 11:30AM-1:30PM - Bookends at Bandshell, free. "Peace, Love & Stuff" (rockabilly blues) will be playing at Bandshell Park in Ames. Come bring your lunch and enjoy!

Friday, July 26 - noon - "The Naturalist Lunchbox" sponsored by Story County Conservation, free - at McFarland Park, Ames.  Not sure of details but thank you Jill for the heads up!  Sorry I didn't get this included last week.

Friday, July 26 - 2:00PM - movie, "Muppet Tresure Island" (rated G) at Ames City Auditorium, free (and air-conditioned)

Friday, July 26 - 5:00-8:00PM - Ames on the Half Shell - live music at Bandshell Park in Ames, free if you just play on playground and don't go in beer garden. Grand JCT is playing.

Friday, July 26 - 6:30PM - last Bookmobile Storytime of the summer - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity (free), University Village

Saturday, July 27 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

Saturday, July 27 - 8:00AM - noon - Farmer's Market on Main Street Ames.  I have forgotten to mention in previous posts that there are usually activities or crafts for kids and live music at Tom Evans Park.  One week there was a little petting zoo and sometimes there are face painters (for a small fee), too. 

Sunday, July 28 - last day of Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

Sunday, July 28 - 3:00-6:00PM - Prairie Moon Winery, $3 per adult, kids are free. Come see Planet Passengers (jazz and other favorites).  Jewell area people - this is Ray Burkhart & company's band.  Outside food is allowed so we bring all sorts of snacks when we go but can't bring drinks in. $3 entry includes one drink ticket that can be used for sangria or soda. They also have a big cooler of water and cups (free) so people can help themselves and food is available for purchase.

Sunday, July 28 - 6:00PM - Bookends at Bandshell, special Sunday concert, free.  This is the last Bookends at Bandshell of the summer, "Four Mile Creek Band" (bluegrass) will be playing.

Sunday, July 28 - 7:00PM until about 8:30PM - "The Java Jews" (highly caffeinated klezmer) - I don't make this stuff up and I have no idea what klezmer is, but it sounds interesting - are playing at the old Roosevelt school in Ames, 9th St & Roosevelt Ave

Also, Brookside Wading Pool is still open every day, weather permitting, from 11AM-4PM. Cost is $1 per wader (no charge for parents)



Tot Time at Furman Aquatic Center is every day from 11AM-1PM, please check their Facebook page for updates since it seems they've had a high amount of...ahem... "contamination" issues in the Splash Pool lately.  Have an awesome week!!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Activities for Monday, July 22

Okay, so it's been a busy week and weekend and I am just posting activities for Monday right now since my oldest turned 6 and we have been busy having fun and celebrating his big day!

Here are a few things going on in the Ames area on Monday:

This is the last week for the library activities in the area parks and the theme for the week is "Diggin' for Treasure."  Yo, ho, my hearties! Come to the park to do Pirate and Treasure themed activities, games, and crafts!

Monday, July 22, 10:00AM - Preschool Storytime at the Fire Station - preeschoolers and their parents and siblings will once again enjoy the book "Firefighters A to Z" with Todd and Smyles, see a fireman dressed in his gear and take a tour of the fire station.  Station #2, 132 Welch Ave.

Monday, July 22, 2:00PM - "Diggin' for Treasure" - 2:00PM, Brookside Park, Maple Shelter - see description above

6:30PM - Bookmobile Story Time - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity - Abbie Sawyer Elementary

I hope to get the rest of the week's activities posted tomorrow and thank you for your patience.  I opted to make a Star Wars Lego spaceship with my boys tonight instead of taking time to do the blog.  Please check back for more updates & I hope you have a great start to your week!! :)

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Activities for the week of July 15, 2013

Okay, I'm starting to get the hang of this blogging thing!  Thanks for your patience! :)

Here is my list of fun & fairly low-cost family activities in the Ames area for the week of July 15:

The library theme for the week is "Tops and Bottoms" - vegetables everywhere!  Test your knowledge and your taste buds with a variety of veggie activities.  Once again, I have denoted these with ** meaning that they are all the same so you may just want to pick one of the four different times to attend.

**Monday, July 15 - 2:00PM - "Tops and Bottoms" at Brookside Park, Maple Shelter, free - all sorts of fun activities for kids including crafts, stories, games, songs, pillowcase/potato sack races and three-legged races.  Take note, when we did the paint craft/activites a few weeks ago, the paints were NOT washable so may want to plan accordingly.

Monday, July 15 - 6:30PM - Bookmobile Storytime - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity, free, Abbie Sawyer Elementary

Tuesday, July 16 - 10:00AM - $1 movie "Happy Feet" at North Grand Theater (at the mall) in Ames

**Tuesday, July 16 - 10:00AM - "Tops and Bottoms" at Inis Grove Park, Walnut Shelter, free - same as July 15, just different location

Tuesday, July 16 - 7:00PM - "Bug Out at the Garden" - come meet Entomologist Joe and learn all about what bugs are good and bad for a garden and make some buggy crafts, free.  Squaw Creek Community Garden, plot #1, 2 blocks south of the S 4th St & S Maple intersection in Ames.

Wednesday, July 17 - 1:00PM - Art in the Park, Story City Park, cost is $3 per child.  Antique Carousel is also in the park and rides are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 20 for $12.  Also, popcorn is 50 cents and there is a vending machine with soda and water on the north side of the Carousel building.

Here is a picture from Art in the Park a few weeks ago - the kids made rolling stamps using part of a water noodle and foam stickers.


Wednesday, July 17 - 2:00PM - "Chasing 4Life" - free, sponsored by the library.  Learn all about the people who help clean up after a weather phenomenon and about how you can be perpared for severe weather in your area.  At Bandshell Park in Ames, 6th St & Duff Ave

Wednesday, July 17 - 6:30PM - Bookmobile Storytime - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity, free, Fareway on Stange Rd

**Thursday, July 18 - 10:00AM - "Tops and Bottoms" at Daley Park, including the bookmobile.  Same as July 15, just different location.

Thursday, July 18 - 1:30PM & 2:30PM - Dan Wardell from IPTV will be a the Nevada library.  He had a wonderful, interactive show a few weeks ago in Huxley and talked about healthy snacks and foods.  The kids really got into the show and at the end, everyone got a cool LED flashlight.  The show was about 45 minutes and of course, it was free.  If you can't make it to Nevada, Dan Wardell will be coming to Ames next week, too.

Here is a picture of my boys with Dan Wardell when he was in Huxley a few weeks ago:

 
The kiddos playing with their cool new "superhero" flashlights after the show...


 
We even took our picture with Dan's "sweet ride!" :)
 
 

Thursday, July 18 - 5:30-7:30PM - Tune Into Main Street, "Brewer Project" is playing (pop & jazz).  This is a free event but Valentino's will be selling pizza by the slice in the parking lot.  There are also some activities for kids, including a water balloon dunk tank and when I spoke with one of the sponsors last month, she said kids are welcome to wear their swimsuits and sit on the seat.  They don't really get dunked, but if someone hits the target then a small water balloon falls on their head.  And, more importantly, Becca Wemhoff, the local balloon artist, will be there making free balloon animals and things from 6:00-7:30PM.

Here is my oldest with all of his balloon loot after last month's Tune Into Main Street...


**Friday, July 19 - 10:00AM - "Tops and Bottoms" at Bandshell Park.  Same as July 15, just different location.

Friday, July 19 - 11:30AM-1:30PM - Bookends at Bandshell, free.  "Trigger Fish" and "Stranger than Fiction" (Indie rock, rock/folk/blues) will be playing at Bandshell Park in Ames.  Come bring your lunch and enjoy!

Friday, July 19 - 2:00PM - movie, "The Goonies" (rated PG) at Ames City Auditorium, free (and air-conditioned)

Friday, July 19 - 5:00-8:00PM - Ames on the Half Shell - live music at Bandshell Park in Ames, free if you just play on playground and don't go in beer garden.  Box Brothers is playing.

Friday, July 19 - 6:30PM - Bookmobile Storytime - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity (free), University Village

Saturday, July 20 - 8:00AM - noon - Farmer's Market on Main Street Ames

Saturday, July 20 - 10:30AM - Watermelon Days Parade, Stanhope.  All sorts of fun afterward at the Stanhope park including food, bingo, entertainment, ballgames, rides, games and all the free watermelon you can eat! 

Sunday, July 21 - 3:00-6:00PM - Prairie Moon Winery, $3 per adult, kids are free.  Come see Abby Normal Band (classic rock coverband), website is www.abbynormalrockband.com.
Outside food is allowed so we bring all sorts of snacks when we go but can't bring drinks in.  $3 entry includes one drink ticket that can be used for sangria or soda.  They also have a big cooler of water and cups (free) so people can help themselves and food is available for purchase.

Sunday, July 21 - 7:00PM until about 8:30PM - The Blue Moon Players (folk) and The Colt Walkers (roots, folk) are playing at the old Roosevelt school in Ames, 9th St & Roosevelt Ave

Also, Brookside Wading Pool is open every day, weather permitting, from 11AM-4PM.  Cost is $1 per wader (no charge for parents)



Tot Time at Furman Aquatic Center is every day from 11AM-1PM, please check their Facebook page for updates and have a wonderful week!!

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Activities for week of July 8, 2013


It took me a little while to figure out how to do this blog so this week's post is pretty late but hopefully in the future I will post new ideas for each week on Sundays & I am hoping to post a new list of activities tomorrow.

Just to give you an idea of activities for a typical week, here is my list for fun and fairly low-cost things for families in the Ames area for the week of July 8:

The library theme for the week is “Rock It!” – Tumble and roll to the parks for some smashin’ fun while we take a closer look at rocks.  I have denoted these with ** meaning that they are all the same so you may just want to pick one of the 4 different times to attend.

Here is a picture of my 4-year old doing a pillowcase race during the library activities in the park, there have been pillowcase races and three-legged races both times we have gone this summer...


 
**Monday, July 8 – 2:00PM – “Rock It!” at Brookside Park, Maple Shelter, free – all sorts of fun activities for kids including crafts, stories, games, and songs.  Take note, last time we did the paint craft, the paints were NOT washable so may want to plan accordingly.
 
Tuesday, July 9 – 10:00AM - $1 movie “Dolphin Tale” at North Grand Theater in Ames
 
Tuesday, July 9 – 10:00AM – Reiman Gardens Story Time, $4 for kids ages 4-17, $8 for adults, children under 3 free and free for all if you have a family membership ($55 annual).  When we did this a few years ago, there were usually 2 stories and then a craft related to the stories.  Sometimes the crafts were inside and sometimes they were right in the gardens but once you pay you get full access to the gardens, including the butterfly wing.
 
**Tuesday, July 9 – 10:00AM – “Rock It!” at Inis Grove Park, Walnut Shelter, free – same as July 8, just different location
 

Wednesday, July 10 – 1:00PM - Art in the Park, Story City Park, cost is $3 per child.  Antique Carousel is also in the park and rides are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 20 for $12.  Popcorn is 50 cents.
 
Wednesday, July 10 – 2:00PM - “Let Steve Entertain You!”, free, sponsored by library.  Come sing, dance, and laugh along with performer Steve Couch and his partner – a TV!  City Auditorium, 520 6th St Ames.

**Thursday, July 11 - 10:00AM - "Rock It!" at Daley Park, including the bookmobile.  Same as July 8, just different location.

**Friday, July 12 – 10:00AM – “Rock It!” at Bandshell Park.  Same as July 8, just different location.
 
Friday, July 12 – 11:30-1:30PM – Bookends at Bandshell, Bandshell Park – Jen McClung (folk), free
 
Friday, July 12 – 2:00PM – movie, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (rated PG) at Ames City Auditorium, free
 
Friday, July 12 – 5:00-8:00PM – Ames on the Half Shell – live music at Bandshell Park in Ames, free if you just play on playground and don’t go in beer garden.  Obsidian’s Dream is playing
 
Saturday, July 13 – 8AM-noon – Farmer’s Market on Main Street Ames
 
Saturday, July 13 – Midnight Madness Road Races, first race is at 7:30PM.  For more details, check out the website – http://www.amesmidnightmadness.com/

Sunday, July 14 - 3:00-6:00PM - Prairie Moon Windery, $3 per adult, kids are free.  El Dorados (rockabilly).  Outside food is allowed so we bring all sorts of snacks when we go but can't bring drinks in.  $3 entry includes one drink ticket that can be used for sangria or soda.  They also have a big cooler of water and cups (free) so people can help themselves and food is available for purchase.

We celebrated my grandma's 87th birthday at Prairie Moon a few weeks ago, here she is with my mom and baby girl.  They have chairs there, but we did bring some of our own and a blanket to sit on.



Sunday, July 14 – 7:00PM-about 8:30PM - old Roosevelt school (9th St and Roosevelt Ave) in Ames– this week is The Jason Danielson Quintet (jazz), free

Also, Brookside wading pool in Ames is open every day from 11AM-4PM, $1 per wader

Tot Time at Furman Aquatic Center every day from 11AM-1PM, check their Facebook page for updates

Welcome!

So glad you found my site and I hope you find it useful!

After some encouragement from one of my good friends, I have decided to start a blog.  I should probably tell you a little about myself first.  Don't worry, I'll try to keep it brief!

I have three terrific (most of the time) kids under age 7.  I became a stay-at-home mom in 2011 after the birth of my third child.  I was raised in central Iowa, attended college in Missouri, and after a few moves, my husband and I moved back to central Iowa about 8 years ago to be close to our families. 

Here is a picture from last Halloween:


Although I was grateful to be able to choose to stay-at-home with my kids, the transition was extremely difficult for me.  I had tremendous anxiety and had suffered periods of depression in the past and I think I spent the first couple of months in a haze.  I struggled just to make it through the days and didn't feel like meeting other moms and making play dates with other kids, I was completely overwhelmed.

In the past two years, I am happy to say that I have adjusted pretty well to being a stay-at-home mom.  The days seem to fly by and I think it helps to stay busy, get outside whenever possible, and to have something for the kids to look forward to.  I have constantly been on the search for fun, inexpensive, family-friendly activities to keep my kiddos busy, especially during the summer months when the kids are out of school and I want to share these ideas with you!

It is my sincere hope that through my efforts I can help a mom, dad, grandma, or other caregiver find fun ways to make wonderful memories with their kiddos, even on a limited budget.