Cretaceous Critters Camp-In
Friday, November 20, 7 pm through Saturday, November 21, 8 am
Spend the night with the dinosaurs! Visit old friends and make some new ones while learning about the creatures that live at the Museum.

Treat your Tiny Trekkers and Young Explorers to the Gift of Learning
November 20 or 21, “Wild Turkeys”; December 11 or 12 “Getting Ready for Winter”
All children between the ages of 3 and 6 will love these classes. Your little ones can enjoy crafts, games, and activities that feature fun seasonal topics and items from the Museum’s collections.

Winter Holiday Camp
Monday, December 21, Tuesday, December 22, Wednesday, December 23, 8:30 am to 5 pm
Looking for something fun for your kids to do this holiday vacation? Join us for our first-ever Winter Holiday Camp. Each day offers different hands-on activities featuring dinosaurs, health and animals, special planetarium programs, and a make-and-take craft. Sign-up for one, two, or all three days.

Planetarium Programs: Special Holiday Presentations
The Planetarium programs “All Telescopes Great and Small” and “The Grand Year of Astronomy” will offer additional shows over the Thanksgiving and December holidays. Bring your family and take part in the International Year of Astronomy 2009 before the celebration concludes.

New Year’s at Noon
Thursday, December 31, 10 am to 1 pm
Ring in the New Year at our first-ever New Year’s at Noon celebration! Join Museum educators for fun family activities and count down to noon in the Shafran Planetarium with a Big Bang. Apple juice for toasting, a light snack and bubble wrap noise makers will be provided.

Dancin’ with Dinos
Saturday, January 23, 7 to 9 pm
Swing like a sauropod and twist like a therapod among our dinosaurs in Kirtland Hall! This fun, family-friendly event is open to all ages. Pizza, drinks, and snacks, plus special tours of Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries and a dino-dance contest, round out this Earth-shaking evening.

Visit http://www.cmnh.org/site/ClassesandPrograms/Family.aspx for more info.

Was contacted by Missy from Kamms Corners asking some advice about selling our home in West Park and offered to post her home info, looks like a great house!

Its a great deal for someone because you can basically buy this house for 250K for the same monthly payment as a 180K house in Lakewood or Rocky River because you don’t pay property taxes.Here is the deal – we bought it for 244K in 2004. It had a 15 year tax abatement, now that we’ve lived here for 5 years there is 10 years left and it is transferable. We have it listed (with a realtor) at $249,900. Here is the site I created for it, the MLS data is on it too.

http://www.kammscornershome.blogspot.com/

The hubby seems to think the tax abatement aspect is a good deal too. 

Here’s the MLS listing:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/16710-Scullin-Dr_Cleveland_OH_44111_1113578442

From the pics, looks like it has a deck out back with a nice-sized fenced-in backyard, laundry/utility room, finished basement with bar, gorgeous master bath and large eat-in kitchen which opens up to the deck.  

I checked out the location on a map too, off of Rocky River Drive, a few blocks from Lorain Avenue, near Kamms Corners Shopping plaza and the news bars/pubs/restaurants in that area.   I’m surprised we didn’t look at these when we moved to West Park initially, but then again, we were looking for an all brick home at the time.    If you’re looking in the area for something a bit larger and newer, and can afford the price tag, I’d suggest you check it out!

Until next time,

Lorelei

If you check out Google today, you’ll also be checking out the long legs of Big Bird…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/nov/04/google-doodle-sesame-street-bigbird-40

I love this quote: “even the most brilliant of those early episodes would not pass through the Political Correctness barrier today.”

So true.  Unfortunately, and not really related to political correctness, it reminds me of the infamous, “Sesame Street Breastfeeding” clip.

But Googling Sesame Street Politically Correct led me to this interesting NYT article from 2007, I had no idea that seasons 1 and 2 of Sesame Street on DVD had warnings associated with it.   I personally wouldn’t have been offended by my son seeing Cookie Monster smoke a pipe and then devour it on “Monsterpiece Theater.”  

Until next time,

Lorelei

Each year Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers the Christmas Tree Adventure, I’m thinking if we don’t do the Polar Express that this event might be a fun family tradition to start, especially now that we live a bit closer to the area:

Christmas Tree Adventure
10am or 11:35am, November 28th through December 13th
Ride to the Village of Peninsula and visit Heritage Farms to pick your tree for the holiday. During your stay, enjoy a cup of cocoa or cider and watch your tree get bundled and delivered to the train for transport back to your car. Tree cost is not included.

Purchase tickets at http://www.cvsr.com/events.aspx

PNC Holiday Musical Rainbow programs feature The Music of Chanukah, Christmas Brass Quintet, and All About Kwanzaa.

PNC Holiday Musical Rainbows are festive programs for children through age 9, featuring music of the holiday season. All tickets are $7.

The Music of Chanukah
Friday, December 11 at 10 am
Sunday, December 13 at 12:30 pm
Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall
Carolyn Warner, violin, piano
Stephen Warner, violin
Kathryn Wolfe Sebo, cantor
Maryann Nagel, host

Christmas Brass Quintet
Thursday, December 17 at 10 am
Saturday, December 19 at 11 am
Severance Hall
Jack Sutte, trumpet
Michael Miller, trumpet
Hans Clebsch, horn
Edward Zadrozny, trombone
Ronald Bishop, tuba
Maryann Nagel, host

All About Kwanzaa
Friday, December 18 at 10 am
Reinberger Chamber Hall in Severance Hall
Barbara Eady, Storyteller, from the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers
William Clarence Marshall III, bass
Mell Csicsila, percussion
Andrew Pongracz, percussion
Maryann Nagel, host

The PNC Musical Rainbow Series is endowed by the Pysht Fund.

ORDER TICKETS TODAY
Click on the dates above to order your tickets online or
call (216) 231-1111 or 800-686-1141
Ticket Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9 am to 6 pm
and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.

The PNC Musical Rainbow Series is an ideal way to introduce children ages 3-6 to the instruments of the orchestra, one at a time. Each 30-minute program actively engages young children in learning about orchestral instruments in the intimate setting of Reinberger Chamber Hall. Programs are performed by current and former Cleveland Orchestra musicians and guests, and hosted by actress/singer Maryann Nagel, with pianist Laura Silverman.

Join us for the first PNC Musical Rainbow program of the season!

October 30 and 31: The Trusty Trombone

Friday, October 30 at 10 am
Saturday, October 31 at 10 am
Saturday, October 31 at 11 am

PNC Musical Rainbow
The Trusty Trombone
Allen Kofsky, trombone
Maryann Nagel, host
Laura Silverman, piano

TICKETS: $7 General Admission
Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall

Introduce your child to the trombone while listening to family-friendly tunes played by trombonist Allen Kofsky. At just $7 per ticket (general admission), your 3-6-year-old will love singing, clapping, laughing, and learning during this fun-filled performance, designed especially for them!

WEAR YOUR COSTUME IN CELEBRATION OF HALLOWEEN! Start your Halloween fun a little early by wearing your costume or favorite fall colors to programs on October 30 and 31.

ORDER TICKETS TODAY – click here
or call (216) 231-1111 or 800-686-1141
Ticket Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9 am to 6 pm
and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.

The PNC Musical Rainbow Series is endowed by the Pysht Fund.

Buy the Series and Save!

PNC Musical Rainbows are the perfect way to educate your child about orchestral instruments throughout the year. You’ll enjoy watching your child learn through programs such as Sensational Strings, Percussion Partners, and more. Purchase the 5-concert series for just $25 per person and guarantee your seats.

PURCHASE THE SERIES:
A 5-concert package is only $25 per person!
Fridays at 10 am
Saturdays at 10 am
Saturdays at 11 am

Additional Programs:

Nov 20 & 21
The Clever Clarinet
Daniel McKelway, clarinet
Maryann Nagel, host
Laura Silverman, piano

Feb 12 & 13
The Fancy Flute
Mary Kay Fink, flute
Maryann Nagel, host
Nicholas Underhill, piano

Apr 16 & 17
Sensational Strings
Bryan Dumm, cello
Molly Fung, violin
Maryann Nagel, host
Laura Silverman, piano

May 7 & 8
Percussion Partners
Marc Damoulakis, percussion
Mell Csicsila, percussion
Maryann Nagel, host

Ok, maybe not new, but new to me.   Thanks to my sister-in-law for this one:

http://www.youtube.com/formom

And from there I got to this one:

http://www.wiimommies.com/ 

and this one: 

http://www.momspective.com/

Reminded me of my posts on losing weight and using the Wii Fit from last year:

http://clevelandmom.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/on-losing-weight/

and

http://clevelandmom.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/wii-fit-kicked-mii-bootie/

I’d actually managed to lose about 20 pounds between the Wii Fit and riding my stationary bike while watching my favorite TV shows.   And then of course I got pregnant.   But at least I’m still 15 pounds less (at five months pregnant) then I was when I got pregnant with my first kiddo.   

I wonder if it’s safe to use the Wii Fit during pregnancy?   Though who wants to have a “trainer” pointing out to you that youve’ gained weight while you’re pregnant?   I’ll stick to Grey’s and my bike for now.

Until next time,

Lorelei

The Polar Express™ on Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Climb aboard for this magical journey to the North Pole. Along the way, elves will read you the story, you will sip on hot cocoa and enjoy a cookie. After reaching the North Pole, Santa will join us for the return trip where he will give out the first bell of Christmas. Tickets are just $35 for ages 1 and up. The trip is 7:00 pm – 9 pm and departs from either Akron Northside Station, Rockside Station in Independence or JUST ADDED: Canton Lincoln Highway Station!!

Polar Express tickets will be sold on-line only this year.
Tickets are on sale NOW! Including for the newly added Canton Lincoln Highway Station departure.

See below for an updated list of dates still available for Akron and Independence departures.
Canton will be departing December 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19th!

Dates that tickets are still available*:

Akron Northside Station:

November 18 all cars
November 19 all cars
November 23 all cars
November 24 in car 168 only
November 30 Cars 161 and 168 only
December 1 Cars 161 and 168 only
December 7 Car 161 only
December 8 Cars 161 and 168
December 10 Car 167

Rockside Station

November 18 all cars
November 19 Car 169 only
November 30 all cars except 163
December 1 Cars 165, 166, 167 and 169
December 2 Cars 167, 169
December 3 Car 169 only
December 7 Cars 166, 167 and 169
December 8 Cars 167 and 169
December 10 3 seats in Car 166 only
December 19 4 p.m. departure, Car 165

**Subject to change minute by minute!

Visit http://www.cvsr.com/polarexpress.aspx for the most current information and further details regarding the event.

Everyone asks me how I like being a stay-at-home mom.  Ironically, since I stopped working I seem to have less time to blog, rather than more, as evidenced by my serious lack of blogging lately.   My typical answer to people is, “I’m finally getting around to living the life I’ve been missing out on the past couple of years.” 

Point  being, for the past couple of years, between the hubby and I and our now three year-old, we were so busy working full-time plus, that I didn’t feel we had time to do anything fun even on the weekends, nor did I feel we were accomplishing anything in our personal lives either.   The hubby had an hour-long commute each way daily, plus sometimes on weekends with 10-hour shifts.  By the time I got kiddo to and from daycare and got to and from work, my own commute was about an hour as well.   At first when I resigned, I think the hubby was concerned I’d sit on the couch eating bon-bons all day long.   But now he admits he can’t imagine getting through this past year if I’d been working full-time.

How I spent the first six months of being a stay-at-home-mom:

• My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and had the lump removed, and I’ve been able to take her to several of her appointments and meet with her doctors (fortunately it was Stage 1 and requires no chemo).  
• Hubby has lost both of his grandmother’s this summer.  Both lived in LA, so it was nice for us to all be able to up and leave to go out there when we needed to.
• Spent 3 weeks in Hawaii for hubby’s work immediately after I resigned, 10 days out in San Diego and LA with hubby’s family at the beginning of July
• Managed to sell our old house myself without using a realtor, including stripping and painting garage doors, basement walls and generally fixing up the place
• Plus of course finding a new house and moving into it
• Finding a preschool for the kiddo that’s close to “home”…about 5 months before knowing exactly where that home was going to be
• And, last but not least, we’re expecting another baby in March of next year!   

I guess I just can’t imagine trying to do all of this and work full-time too.   I’m blessed to have the luxury of this choice, as I know many people do all of this and more while working full-time.

Anyhow, I felt like I should write about what I’ve been up to.    Some of the fun things we’ve done recently with the kiddo include Rosby’s Raspberry Farm and Luther’s Farm, plus checking out the new Dinosaurs exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.    Next week we’re really lookign forward to taking the kiddo out to Great Wolf Lodge for a night.

What fun things are you doing this fall?

Until next time,

Lorelei

Save & Scream For Two More Weekends
The last two weekends of HalloWeekends are here and so are some terrific savings.

Grab your friends and save with our on-line 4-pack of regular admission tickets for just $148. Save nearly $32! Or plan a trip this Sunday for only $25 regular admission if you buy on-line before midnight Thursday. Visit our Online Deals page for more info.

The best deal is for Season Pass holders to Bring-A-Friend for only $14.99, Fridays and Sundays of these last 2 weekends. Just show your valid 2009 Season Pass at the front gate to purchase your Bring-A-Friend ticket. (Not valid on Saturdays.)

We’re open Friday nights, Saturdays & Sundays through November 1. Plus, enjoy all the family-friendly spooks and the in-your-face scares around the “World’s Best Amusement Park.”

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point – All You Fear Is Here…for a limited time!