Helpful Mom

Today I went with a friend to the beach on Canandaigua Lake, or better know as Kershaw Park.  I’ve never been there before so thought it would be fun to explore a new spot.  It was a beautiful day at a beautiful park.  From Rochester I took the thruway to the Canandaigua exit and followed 332 all the way thru town, straight ahead is the park where there is plenty of free parking.  Kershaw Park is actually 9 acres of park land along the north shore of the lake that offers picnic pavilions, an open air gazebo,  playground, and a bathhouse with changing rooms and restrooms.  There is also a man-made  beach area that is fenced in so that it can be lifeguarded and is the only area in the park that swimming is allowed.  The parks hours are 6am-11pm year round. The beach area at Kershaw Park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 10am-9pm.

Daily admission to the beach area for non-residents of Canandiagua is $3 per adult, $2 per child ages 6-18 and no charge for children under 6.  Non-resident season passes cost $60 per adult and $40 per child.  City of Canandaigua residents may obtain resident tags for a service charge of $1 per person at the park by showing proof of residency.

Visitors to the beach may bring U.S. Coast Guard-approved floatation devices only(they do have a few you can borrow though).  No water wings — otherwise known as “arm floaties” — or foam noodles are permitted. In fact, no inflatable floatation devices of any kind are allowed, because they could deflate while the child is in the water.

Food and drink are also prohibited on the beach, but visitors may take a picnic-style lunch to eat on the grass side of the park, as long as they don’t have any alcoholic beverages. Also, no pets are allowed on the beach or in the public bath house.

The Monroe County Library System’s summer reading programs are in full swing.  The libraries are encouraging kids to keep up with their reading during summer break, while providing fun activities in air conditioned comfort.

Summer Reading at New York Libraries is an annual program that brings children and families into local public libraries for reading and activities.  This last week alone we went to 5 different programs at 5 different libraries!  Monday we saw Digeridoo Down Under a musical and educational program about Australia and it’s indigenous peoples and animals, Tuesday the kids danced the afternoon away to the musical group The Meatballs, Wednesday we really enjoyed a lesson in percussion by Ed Keegan, Adventures in Rhythm, Thursday was one of our favorites-Bubblemania which is an educational bubble show, and finally on Friday the girls got to enjoy a magic show, Katrina even got to assist with one of the tricks.  Plus by participating in the reading program the girls earned free ice cream.  Next week we have 4 programs on our schedule and we can’t wait.

Certain libraries have programs every week at a certain time like the Brighton lib on Monday mornings at 10:30am, and the Fairport lib on Tuesdays at 10:30am, and the Geneseo lib on Monday and Thursday afternoons at 2pm.  And other libraries have them on random dates and times.  To search for programs click here.  Maybe we’ll you at a library sometime soon.

Last week we had the chance to see Ed Keegan of Rhythm Connect, a.k.a. “Drummer Ed,”  who facilitated an interactive arts-in-education program based on his book, “Drumming with Dexter: Drumming through the Jungle” at the Henrietta library.  He brought all sorts of different percussion and rhythm instruments, some I’ve never even seen before.  He proceeded to lead kids of all ages and their parents into weaving a story through music.  It was amazing watching these young children who’ve never played an instrument following his lead and creating a band.  Katrina just loved so I’m excited to share that he has an event coming up that everyone is welcome to join in for free.

Ed Keegan has just recently opened a percussion store in Fairport that along with selling drums, percussion, and accessories, offers interactive zones, group drumming, arts-in-education programs, and community events, all in an exciting, family-friendly environment.  They are located at 84 High St in Fairport, NY 14450.

In the morning they offer scheduled group classes, arts-in-education programs, “Beat” stress workshops, Rhythm Breaks, creativity and team building workshops. Some evenings and weekends they offer private & group lessons, kid/family classes, and community rhythm events.

Summer Hours

Monday: 1-6 pm
Tuesday: 1-6 pm
Wednesday: 1-6 pm
Thursday: 1-6 pm
Friday: 1-6 pm
Saturday: 10 am-4 pm
Sunday: Closed
This Saturday morning July 24 from 10:30-11:30 am Drummer Ed will facilitate a fun rhythm/drumming event for families in the “Percussion Paradise” room–instruments provided - NO experience necessary!

Just for fun: bring a contribution for our “Junk Jam” fence. Any old thing that you can beat or bang on and is safe to touch they can hang it on their fence. You just might be featured in their Junk Jam Junk of the week!

Oh and don’t forget to print out this coupon for 10% off your purchase through the end of July! http://rhythmconnect.com/RCPostcard.pdf

I can remember late nights in the park watching movies as a kid and look forward to the day when my girls are big enough for a late night in the park so we can make it to the movies and concerts the towns around here offer.  Just because we can’t make it yet doesn’t mean it won’t work for you so in an effort to overlook all the our area offers here are a few of the local options:

Blue Apple Productions has teamed up with Brighton Recreation to offer this exciting FREE summer movie series! Every Thursday evening you can enjoy the ultimate outdoor movie experience on the huge 24 ft x 14ft screen! Each week will showcase a PG or G rated family oriented movie title so bring the entire family, lawn chairs and blankets! Movies will start at dusk but you can arrive early for refreshments, fun trivia and the Blue Apple Movie Experience!

Dusk means 8:30/9pm.  The Brighton movies are located in Meridian Center Park-Town of Brighton  700 Meridian Centre Blvd. Rochester, NY, 14618  There are restrooms available along with play equipment.  And Concessions are available for a fee.  For more movie info including listing click here.

Penfield is also working with Blue Apple Productions to present free movies in the park.  They are also starting at 8:30/9pm.  And are located at the Penfield Amphitheater which is located in Veterans’ Memorial Park, behind Penfield Town Hall, 3100 Atlantic Avenue, Penfield.  For more info click here.

Zuper Movies are shown all over the Rochester area, click here to find out when and where they will be showing.

Also check out Movies in the Bowl and Movies on the Beach presented by the City of Rochester:

Movies at the Beach is a free outdoor event at Monroe County Ontario Beach Park every Tuesday, starting at dark, from July 13th through August 17th. Movies include:

• July 13 - Jaws (1975) - PG
• July 20 - Star Trek (2009) - PG-13
• July 27 - The Blind Side (2009) -PG-13
• August 3 - Ghostbusters (1984) - PG
• August 10 - Sherlock Holmes (2009) - PG-13
• August 17 -Clash of the Titans (2010) - PG-13

Movies in the Bowl is a free, family-oriented outdoor event at the Highland Park Bowl every Thursday, starting at dark, from July 15th through August 19th. Movies include:

• July 15 - Monsters Vs. Aliens (2009) - PG
• July 22 - Three Amigos! (1986) - PG
• July 29 - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009] -PG
• August5 - Back to the Future (1985) - PG
• August 12 - Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince (2009) - PG
• August 19 - Astro Boy (2009) - PG

Last Chance Used Curriculum (and kid stuff) Sale
Sponsored by The Home School Academy LEAH

Spread the word to buyers and sellers!

Thursday, July 29th
3pm-7:30pm
Cost: requesting $1 donation per family to help pay for the new roof on the barn we will be using!
Sellers set-up: 1:30

Located at Henrietta Christian Fellowship at 1085 Middle Road (about 2.2 miles north of Rt. 251 in Rush and 1.8 miles south of the Lehigh Station Rd. exit off 390 and the thruway).

Though the focus should be home schooling materials, sellers may bring some toys (kid’s sale!) and clothing - just watch your space!  If it is not raining, large items could be set outside (at your own risk) with a tag directing interested buyers to the seller’s table.

Interested Sellers:
We have a limited number of tables.
Bring your own table: $2
4 foot tables (1/2 of an 8 foot table or a card table): $3
6 foot tables:  $4

Email Lorane Dreyer at hsaleah@gmail.com with your name and desired table space to sign up to sell.  Also, email me a list of your top ten items by July 23, and I will compile them and send them out before the sale.

I am such a huge fan of vacation Bible schools that I have literally searched out one for nearly every week of the summer for my girls.  They typically run from Monday-Friday from 9am-12n and most often are free.

This week they went to biggest VBS I’ve ever seen, they had over 500 kids each day!  It took 8 parking attendants to deal with all the cars dropping off and picking up their kids!  It was very organized, but despite it’s size it was very welcoming, they do an awesome job reaching out to the families that are involved.  It was up in Greece so it was a bit of a drive each morning but the kids had such a blast it was worth it, and I still got nearly 2 hours of free time each morning.  If you are interested they offer two more weeks of VBS that you can choose from!  And it’s never too late to register, they even encourage kids to bring friends after camp has started so it’s literally never too late.  You can register online at Hope Lutheran Church.  Their VBS is for kids 3(potty trained) thru 8th grade, it’s free although they do ask for cookie donations and free will offerings are accepted.

There are VBS’s offered all over the area and many now can be found by searching for vacation bible schools and your town name and state on google.  Lots of them offer online registry along with answers to many of your questions.  Here are some of the others I’ve found in the area:

First Baptist Church of Rochester Imagination to Creation Creative Arts Camp, costs $25 per camper, runs July 19-23 from 9-12n

Calvary Church of the Nazarene runs from July 26-30 from 9-12n for 3yr(potty trained) thru 5th graders

West Henrietta Baptist Church runs from August 9-12 from 9-11:30am for 4yr old thru just completed 6th grade

Those are just a few of the many offered, keep searching I bet you’ll find a gem near you.

Join us at 6:30 on July 15th at Edgewood FMC Church’s Honeoye Falls Campus located at 330 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls — Across from the Fireman’s Field.  Free family movie night showing Joseph, King of Dreams with free refreshments.

For more information e-mail:
Edgewood.hf@edgewood.fmc.org

Fan Tent

Man if you live in the Northeast this week it’s ridiculously hot even for this time of year.

Fan Tent all blown up

Not all of us are lucky enough to have air conditioning  or central air, so I thought I’d pass along this simple idea that my mom used to do for us kids.  I whipped it out yesterday for our kids because we felt so bad for the kids trying to sleep in their 100+ degree rooms while we slept in the only air conditioned room in the house.  It’s a very simple idea take a fan and sheet to make a tent.  A box fan works the very best for this concept but as you can see from my picture we don’t have a box fan so we used a regular fan.  I taped the edge of the sheet to the top of the fan so it wouldn’t block circulation and the sheet wouldn’t get blown off.  My kids sleep on the floor for this adventure, but you could rig it on a bed too if your careful.  Once you tape the sheet in place it’s fairly simple, turn the fan on and lay things down around the edge to help puff up your tent so the air only blows out the other end.  Insert all your kids favorite animals and blankets, and a drink of water and your all set.  It’s a great way for them to have some fun and keep cool at the same time.  Enjoy!

Inside of fan tent

The county fair is coming.  I have yet to be able to take the girls to the fair myself but I look forward to the day that I am able to.  This year may just be that chance I’ve been looking for.   But as always I’m looking for a deal and I found one I’ll pass on to you.

The fair runs from July 14-18th. 

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 is discount day.

On this day only, buy one gate admission and get one gate admission free. Highest admission applies. (Kids 12 and under are still FREE). Does not apply to ride wristbands.  Fairgrounds open at 4pm and rides begin at 5pm til close(about 10pm)

Thursday open from 4pm-10pm

Friday, July 16, 2010 from 12n-10pm is Kids Fun Day which features:

• Kung Fu Fitness demonstration
• a visit from Ronald McDonald
• performances by Miss Sweet Potato Pie
• Paint-A-Pot;Pot-A-Plant for kids

Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 1pm-10pm

Family Fun Day has plenty to do. Be sure to catch Western & Gymkana Horse Show, Belly Dance Fest, Miss Monroe County Fair Pageant and more.

MCFAIR’s Battlin Bus Derby is in the
Professional Driver Institute Grandstand. The finals of the I wanna be a truck driver contest will be during the Battlin’ Bus Derby Intermission.

Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 1pm-10pm

Celebrate Community Day features the Country Jamboree, Talent Show finals and more.

Be sure to catch the
World’s Largest Demolition Derby™ Championships
in the Professional Driver Institute Grandstand.

Parking is free Every day of the fair.
Made possible by Unity Health System.

General Admission Ticket Info

Discount Day: Wednesday, July 14, 2010

• Buy one Gate Admission and get one Gate Admission of equal or lower value: FREE!
• Kids 12 and under: Free! (gate admission only)
• Ride wristbands and grandstand not included.
• Parking is FREE!

Thursday-Sunday: July 15-18, 2010

• Kids 12 and under: FREE! (gate admission only)
• Teens, 13-17, $5.00
• Adults, 18-59, $6.00
• Seniors, 60+, $4.00
• Parking is FREE!

Ride Tickets

• Individual Ride tickets: TBA
• All day ride wristbands: $20.00
  (buy after entering the fair)

For Discount coupon for all day ride wristbands click here.  With this coupon you’ll save $5 per person per coupon.  Combine that with the opening day discount of buy one get one gate admission it will be a great deal.  You can also get discount tickets from Wegmans.

For directions to the fair click here.