This Weekend...

As difficult as it is to believe right now, the weather forecast for the weekend looks gorgeous!  Good thing... there's LOTS going on locally.  Once again, choosing what to do is the toughest part.  Here's a quick run-down:

Weekend Calendar with Clickable Links:

Friday Oct. 1
Chestnut Hill First Friday
Mt. Airy First Friday

Saturday Oct. 2
East Falls Arts by the River & Eco Fair
Revoltionary Germantown Festival
(Reenactments of the Battle of Germantown at 12 and 3pm)

Sunday Oct. 3
Morris Arboretum Fall Festival

photo credit :http://www.visitphilly.com/history/philadelphia/revolutionary-germantown-festival/

Birthday Parties... your turn!

So our last birthday party (for a three year old) was a Fancy Nancy Soiree!  It was great fun, made for adorable pictures, but was of course, a ton of work.  So GAP readers, where do YOU celebrate birthdays?  For the younger set?  The older kids?  At home?  Away?  Which parties have been the easiest or least expensive or most fun?  Please leave a comment below so we can assemble your ideas in a future post. (Just click on the comments to add your own!)

Thanks!

Books Needed!!!!

Calling all GAP readers... please help out with this effort to stock a local school library.  Fitler Academics Plus Elementary School is located at Seymour and Knox Streets in Germantown. It is a K-8 school, beautifully run, and the School District of Philadelphia has outfitted a space for a library and hired a librarian.

But the budget doesn't include the books.

So please donate your new and gently used children's books to equip their library.  The school enrolls children in kindergarten through 8th grade.

You can drop off your books at Fitler, during school hours, or at Chestnut Hill College in the basement of St. Joseph's Hall at any time. 

To drop off books at the college, drive in the main entrance of the College on Germantown Avenue, and turn left at the stop sign. Instead of driving straight into the low stone wall, turn right and pull up under the portico - the book drop is right inside that door, to your left.

photo credit: http://leadlib.sdln.net/kids.htm

A Weekend of Local Festivals! How to choose?

Three kid-friendly opportunities to enjoy the weather and the Germantown Avenue community this weekend!

5pm TONIGHT! (Friday 9/24) The Wyck's Annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy live music with the Three Stories Jazz Trio, cider pressing, family activities, and picnic dinners from Under the Oak Cafe. Event is free, but dinners are available for purchase.
http://www.wyck.org/CalendarofEvents.htm


From 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday, don't miss the Philadelphia Children's Interfaith Festival on the grounds of the New Covenant Campus in Mt. Airy.  This two-day event features music, games, international foods, sports, dancing, and many more exciting activities and opportunities. Free.
http://interfaithchildrensfestival.com/


And Sunday also marks the big ol' block party: the Mt. Airy Village Fair from 12-4pm at Carpenter Lane and Green Street.    Games, music, pet parade, food and exhibits.  Free.
http://www.mtairyvillage.com/

Get Creative at the Morris Arboretum... Design your own Scarecrow!

Why not participate in the third annual Scarecrow Design contest?

All entries are displayed on the “Scarecrow Walk” at Morris Arboretum from Saturday, October 2nd (the day before the Fall Festival) through Sunday, October 17th.  The Arboretum provides the frame, hay, burlap and twine and the rest is up to you!

Registration deadline | Friday, September 24th
Scarecrow delivery date | Friday, October 1st, delivered to Morris Arboretum

Space is limited to 30 Scarecrows, and this popular contest fills quickly, so get your entry in early.

Each participant will be entered to win a Grand Prize Arboretum Gift Pack (including $200, a gift membership, and Arboretum dollars toward one free Continuing Education course (up to $50).

The winner will be chosen by visitors who submit their vote for their favorite Scarecrow in ballot boxes located at Scarecrow Walk.

http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/fallFestival2010.shtml

May the best scarecrow win!  

First in the Pool! The Germantown Y is Back!

The long-awaited re-opening of the Germantown Y officially happened with an open house last weekend.  After two years of closed doors due to flooding damage, the Y is back in business.  Though it's been through $300,000 in renovations and improvements, there is still more work needed.  Consequently, the Y is still in search of donations, which are accepted at local PNC branches. The Y is currently operating at about 60%, with the gym, children's spaces, fitness center, and as of 10/5, the pool... all open and ready for use.  Though the facility is back up and running now, popular programs such as the after-school program are slated to start back up in 2011.  Membership rates are reduced for those who register early.

Germantown Y

5722 Greene St.

Philadelphia, PA 19144

http://www.ymcaofgermantown.org/index.html

Healthy Mom Fair this Sunday

This weekend, moms unite! at the Please Touch Museum for support, fun, and information.  The event is hosted by Happy Mom Philly, Baby Button Boutique and Premier Baby Concierge.  The event runs from 11am to 3pm, and is free with PTM admission. The first 200 people to pre-register receive a VIP swag bag!

http://happymomphilly.eventsbot.com/

11:30 - "Going Green with Baby & Making Healthy Choices Your Family"

Premier Baby Concierge

12:00 - Pre- and Postnatal Pilates

Belly Pilates (sponsor)

12:30 - Swaddling 101

WrapADoodle

1:00 room A - Workouts That Can Be Done Anywhere

Healthy Fit Girl

1:00 room B- What is a Doula?

Before, During & After Doula Services

1:30 - How To Shoot A Great Video At Home

Baby Me TV

2:00 - Creating Great Announcements & Invitations

BabyB Designs

2:30 - Healthy Food for the Entire Family

O'Boy Organic

Voluntary Transfer Program: Philadelphia Public Schools

Every student resident of Philadelphia has a neighborhood public school determined by attendance boundaries.  Students may enroll in those schools after providing proof of residency, but there are other public school options that some city residents might want to consider.

One of these options is to apply for the School District of Philadelphia's Voluntary Transfer Program.  The Transfer program allows students to apply to schools that might more closely support their goals, interests or learning styles.  Options for transfer include: Neighborhood Schools outside their assigned attendance area, Citywide Admission Schools, and Special Admission Schools.

A student may apply to up to five schools.  Some schools may require an interview or audition before making admissions decisions.  High School transfers typically require test scores, and applying early is recommended.  Acceptance and transfer are not guaranteed. There are separate applications for elementary/middle and high school students.  Any student in grades pre-k through eleven may apply.  Applications are accepted from September 20 through October 29, 2010.  


Clickable Links:
School District VTP Information Page
VTP Brochure
School Demographics

Booster Seat Recommendations from the IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently rated popular booster seats as best and worst bets based on how well they fit children.  In order for a booster to support a child well in a crash, the belt should go across the child's lap and mid-shoulder (rather than across the child's abdomen and neck).

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr090810.html

good fit:

BEST BETS

Britax Frontier 85 (combination highback)

Chicco Keyfit Strada (dual highback)

Clek Oobr (dual highback)

Cosco Juvenile Pronto (dual highback)

Cybex Solution X-Fix (highback)

Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (dual highback)

Evenflo Big Kid Amp (backless)

Evenflo Maestro (combination highback)

Graco TurboBooster Crawford (dual highback)

Harmony Baby Armor (dual highback)

Harmony Dreamtime (dual backless)

Harmony Dreamtime (dual highback)

Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe (backless)

Harmony Youth Booster Seat (backless)

Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (dual highback)

Recaro ProBOOSTER (highback)

Recaro ProSPORT (combination highback)

Recaro Vivo (highback)

Recaro Young Sport (combination highback)

Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (dual highback)

The First Years Pathway B570 (highback)

GOOD BETS

Britax Parkway SG (dual highback)

Combi Kobuk Air Thru (dual backless)

Combi Kobuk Air Thru (dual highback)

Evenflo Symphony 65 (3-in-1 highback)

Graco TurboBooster Sachi (dual highback)

Graco TurboBooster Wander (dual highback)

Maxi-Cosi Rodi (dual highback)

poor fit:

NOT RECOMMENDED

Eddie Bauer Deluxe (combination highback)

Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1 (highback)

Evenflo Express (combination highback)

Evenflo Generations 65 (combination highback)

Evenflo Sightseer (highback)

Harmony Baby Armor (dual backless)

Safety 1st All-in-One (3-in-1 highback)

Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite (3-in-1 highback)

LEGO lovers unite! Last chance to build with Sean Kenney at the Zoo!

Build with Sean Kenney 

Children of all ages are invited to the Zoo to hang out wth LEGO certified professional, Sean Kenney, one of only nine LEGO certified artists. Learn how Sean created CREATURES OF HABITAT for the Zoo. The exhibit is simply incredible. It boasts 10 habitats, 30 life-size animal sculptures and hundreds of thousands of LEGO bricks.  Sean will be signing autographs on Impala Lawn and families will have the opportunity to create their own creatures in the LEGO play area.

Saturday September 11

Sunday, September 12

10:00AM to 4:00PM

Included with Zoo admission!

To learn about CREATURES OF HABITAT,click here.

Want to see photos from Sean Kenney's last visit to the Zoo? Click here.

Can't make it this weekend?  The Creatures of Habitat exhibit runs through October 31.  Don't miss it!

Music Class at the Mt. Airy Co-op

All Around This World: Mt. Airy 

All Around This World is a unique, interactive music class for children 0-8 years old that encourages kids to explore the world by enjoying international children's music, games and stories. In weekly, 45 minute sessions, kids and their parents/caregivers sing, dance and play together while experiencing different languages, cultures and traditions.

MT. AIRY TEACHER

Amy Pickard -- singer, songwriter and mom of the wonderful Simone -- will be teaching "All Around This World" classes in Mt. Airy. Amy has enjoyed being part of multiple bands in Philadelphia, notably She-Haw and Amy Pickard & The Cradlers, and has 10 years of teaching experience under her belt. She is currently working on her PhD in Education at Rutgers University.

LOCATION Class will take place in the Mt. Airy Weavers Way Co-op community meeting room, 559 Carpenter Lane. SCHEDULE: Autumn session classes start September 13 and end Monday, November 22. Mondays, 9:30 a.m. -- 1-3 year olds Mondays, 10:30 a.m.-- 2-5 year olds Mondays, 11:30 a.m.-- 1-4 year olds Mondays, 12:30 p.m.-- babies! three months to one year All Around this World Website

Free Trial Week Next Week @ The Little Treehouse

Try out  Classes for FREE!! 

All Week from September 13-September 17

MUSIC, KIDS YOGA, BABY SIGN LANGUAGE, DANCE, TUMBLING, FINE ART, WALDORF CRAFTS, AND MORE!

There's something for everyone - 0 to 12yrs. old.  Space is limited, so call or email and reserve your spot. Get a free ten visit card when you sign up for classes before 9/17!

Contact: treehousemanager@gmail.com or 215.247.3637

End of Summer... Labor Day Weekend Bucket List

So it's really the end of the summer for any of us whose lives revolve around the school year.  But there's still one last hurrah of a long weekend to make sure you packed all those childhood favorites in.  For us, we have many "must dos" in a summer.  Here's our summer "bucket list" (though the only buckets we "kicked" were beach buckets)....

1. Swim in the ocean and the pool... check!
2. Catch fireflies... check!
3. Make popsicles and watch them melt on the sidewalk...  check!
4. Get water ice... check! (many times over)
5. Get ice cream...  check!
6. Corn on the cob...  check!
7. Watermelon...  check!
8. Ride bikes...  check!
9. See some new kid's movies...  check!  (thanks Toy Story 3)
10. Get back to school supplies...  oops!

What does your summer bucket list look like? How'd you do this year?