SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Want to wake up with Hannah Montana?

By Michelle | Friday, July 25, 2008, 09:54 AM

Just when you thought the Hannah Montana craze couldn’t get bigger …

A TV show, DVDs, movies, CDs, sold-out tours, make-overs at Club Libby Lu, controversial photos, merchandising mania … now Hannah Montana wake-up calls.

Yes, Wal-Mart has teamed with Disney to offer free wake-up calls from Hannah Montana, (Miley Cyrus), as part of its back-to-school campaign. Parents can sign their kids up for a prerecorded wake-up call, an activity reminder or a back-to-school shopping reminder (conveniently at Wal-Mart, perhaps?).

There is no cost to register for a call, however, mobile phone charges will apply.

What will they think of next?

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5 things to do with your kids in Dayton July 25-31

By Michelle | Thursday, July 24, 2008, 10:09 AM

Looking for some ideas for fun with the kids this week? Here are some ideas to spice up your kid-friendly entertainment calendar.

1. Slides, climbing wall at Splash Moraine!: If you’re planning to head to the pool for a day of fun in the sun this week, why not plan your visit around two special events this week at Splash Moraine! at 3800 Main St. in Moraine. On Saturday, July 26, children can take a break from the pool and play on a giant inflatable slide from noon to 6 p.m. On Monday, July 28, children can climb on a 30-foot climbing wall from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call (937) 535-1095. Regular admission to the water park is $7.50 for youth ages 3-17 and $9 for adults. No additional charge for either event.

2. Momtopia event at Mall at Fairfield Commons: Need to get a jump-start on your back-to-school shopping? If you head to the mall in Beavercreek on Friday, July 25, check out Momtopia from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the mall’s center court. Children can sing and dance to the music of Miss Joanie, while moms can enter a gift-card raffle or get a mini-makeover. No admission charge.

3. Kids can “Get Animated” at The Greene: Your kids can have fun with their favorite cartoon characters without plopping down in front of a television as the Get Animated tour hits The Greene in Beavercreek on Saturday, July 26, from noon to 5 p.m. The 40-city tour, now in its fourth year, is a pro-social, pro-lifestyle program designed to motivate, energize and educate kids ages 6-11 about healthy living choices. Activities include a kickball station, tennis challenge, obstacle course, bicycle race, bowling challenge and limbo competition. There will be character appearances as well. All activities are themed around the Cartoon Network’s original cartoon series.

4. Check out special movie deal for kids: Every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., kids and their parents get into one selected family-friendly movie at the Cinema de lux at The Greene in Beavercreek. A child’s admission for $3.50 includes two coupons for a Kid’s Pack at the concessions, which includes a popcorn and a small drink. On July 26 and 27, the featured film is “Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery.”

Also at the Cinema de Lux at the Greene, check out Nick Jr. favorites Dora, Diego, The Backyardigans and The Wonder Pets on the big screen in sing-along music videos and TV episodes beginning Thursday, July 31, and continuing every Thursday and Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Dora will be featured July 31 and Aug. 2 Tickets are $6.

Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 at the Mall at Fairfield Commons is participating in the Free Family Film Festival. Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m., kids and their parents can get in free to one of two selected G- or PG-rated films. First come, first serve. Lasts through Aug. 6.

5. Go to Summer Family Fun Day at the National City 2nd Street Market: Listen or sing along with Rum River Blend at the 2nd Street Public Market, 600 E. Second St., from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Children and grandchildren of market vendors will offer a just-for-kids mini-market where anyone under age 18 can purchase many of the same items as in the main market. Free. While you’re there, stock up on books at the Gloria Dei Montessori Book Fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (937) 228-2088.

Have more ideas for family fun this week? Share your ideas here.

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My daughter has Amy Winehouse hair!

By LucyB | Thursday, July 24, 2008, 02:18 AM

My daughter is currently enjoying her third stint in a summer dance camp called Red Hotz and Lollipops.

It’s a two-week program for area preschoolers on up to high schoolers — boys and girls alike. The school-age kids have all-day practices (the Minipops just meet for two hours each day) at a Kettering church, culminating in weekend performances at University of Dayton’s Boll Theatre.

We love this camp. The instructors and assistants are energetic and encouraging, and the results they achieve in just a few short weeks is nothing short of astounding. The shows at UD are outrageously cute.

My daughter gets to dance and sing her little heart out: Something she can’t do at home because her big brother can’t stand her theatrical side. He’s constantly grousing at her to “quit humming!” and “stop singing at the table!”

The camp is a big confidence builder for her. At Red Hotz, she can finally let her hair down.

Or up, as the case may be.

One fun aspect of the program involves daily camp themes that incorporate kid favorites: Pajama Day, Stuffed Animal Day, Crazy Hat Day, and our personal favorite, Crazy Hair Day.

Which my daughter and I had been planning since last summer. Which was today, when we both slept in!

At 9 a.m. this morning she shook me awake with tears in her eyes, knowing we only had a half-hour to get ready for camp — to eat, wash, dress, pack a lunch, change baby brother’s diaper and fix the impatient tot a sippy cup, and create a masterful coif to rival anything a “Shear Genius” could craft.

But as we all know, moms work best under pressure. With the help of a plastic tumbler, two handfuls of hair gel, two dozen bobby pins and several assorted trinkets, here’s what we walked out the door with.

Enjoy your kids while they’re young. Hair today, gone tomorrow!

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Restaurants that really cater to kids

By Michelle | Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 04:15 PM

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find eating out with the little ones more trouble than it’s worth.

Even the most well-behaved children have their moments, and as moms, it can be incredibly stressful worrying about your kids talking or whining too loudly, making messes or disturbing other diners. As much as we hate to admit it, we’re really bothered when we hear snickers from other tables or snide comments about our parenting skills. Not to mention it’s darn near impossible to eat your own food when you’re constantly hushing your kids, picking up crayons that keep rolling on the floor, cutting up their food into tiny pieces, etc., or making about 10 trips to the bathroom with your toddler or preschooler.

The good news is there are many restaurants that are really going above and beyond to make families feel welcome and comfortable.

I have to share a recent dining experience with you: I visited Mimi’s Cafe at The Greene in Beavercreek for the first time last weekend. Talk about kid-friendly dining. Before I was even finished buckling my 11-month-old into his high chair, out came the waitress with a bowl of Cheerios, a pack of crackers and an orange slice to serve my baby.

Hello. It was free, and I didn’t even ask for it. Max immediately had his favorite form of entertainment (food) right before him, letting me focus on getting my 4-year-old settled and help her decide what to eat…

Oh wait, no need for that. The kids menu offered pictures of each kids meal entree and side choices. Sophie told me immediately she wanted the chicken fingers with fruit. I didn’t even have to help her decide (a couple other restaurants like Bob Evans and Friendly’s offer similar menus).

And it gets better. I needed to make a bottle for my baby and asked the server if she could bring me some warm water. As I was starting to get up to go into the restroom to rinse out the bottle (we had been gone all day, so I ran out of new bottles and needed to wash one out), the server offered to wash it out and fill it up for me in the kitchen. Wow, that’s something you don’t encounter often. I was sure to leave her a nice tip.

Speaking of great family dining options, Parents magazine recently published its list of the 10 Best Family Restaurants. Local dining spots that made the list included Mimi’s, Uno’s, Chili’s, Red Robin, P.F. Chang’s and Denny’s.

Where’s your favorite restaurant? What’s the best deal when it comes to eating out with the kids? Share your thoughts here.

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Calling all Wiggles fans

By Michelle | Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 01:27 PM

The Wiggles are coming to Columbus’ Nationwide Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 13. In preparation for their big concert, we’re going to get a chance to talk with one of the Wiggles (Purple Wiggle Jeff) and need your help, or rather, your child’s help.

Do your children have questions they want to ask The Wiggles or Jeff specifically?

Send your questions, including your child’s first and last name, age and hometown (to appear with the article) to 937moms.com/513moms.com editor and mommy blogger Michelle Fong at mfong@coxohio.com or simply post a comment to this blog entry with the same information.

We can’t guarantee all questions will be used, but will do our best.

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5 things to do with your kids in Dayton July 18-24

By Michelle | Thursday, July 17, 2008, 03:31 PM

Looking for things to do with your kids? Check out these five events from July 18-24:

1. Dayton Air Show, July 19-20: The Vectren Dayton Air Show returns to the grounds of the Dayton International Airport this weekend, July 19 and 20, starting at 9 a.m. each day. Sights abound, both in the sky and on the ground, with highlights that include the United States Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, here for the first time, and stunt pilot Sean Tucker. Check out the Kids’ Hangar, where children can dig in a huge sandbox, enjoy face painting and crafts, climb on a backyard gym and more. Admission to the kids area is free. Children must be accompanied by a parent. An added bonus: Air Show performers sometimes stop by to sign autographs for the littlest fans as well. The Kids’ Hangar is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

2. Explore nature with your baby, July 23: Check out Backpacking Babies: Flutter By Butterfly from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, at Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook. Let your baby get an up-close look at butterflies and more. A baby backpack or carrier is required for this program as trails are not stroller friendly.

3. Night of magic, July 18: Want to see some magic, up close and personal? You’re in luck: “An Intimate Night of Magic II” is the perfect opportunity for you to see magic right before your eyes. The two-hour event will be presented in six acts; each act will have a host and a pro from the Society of American Magicians, Assembly 56. The event takes place Friday, July 18, at 7:35 p.m. at the Xenia Adult Recreation and Services Center, 130 E. Church St., Xenia. Doors open at 6:59 p.m.. Tickets are $15 ($25 for two), and are limited — advance sales are strongly advised, so call (937) 372-0516, or visit www.xeniaact.org. Tickets will also be available at the door on a first-come basis.

4. Rock out, kiddie style, July 20: Now on their second national tour, “Kidz Bop Live” will make its way to Fraze Pavilion on Sunday, July 20. The youth-friendly rock-and-roll concert features today’s most popular songs sung by kids for kids. Tickets range from $15-20.

5. An Evening of Astronomy at the Boonshoft, July 18: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton, will present An Evening of Astronomy from 7-11 p.m. Friday, July 18. The museum’s astronomy experts will provide an in-depth look at eclipses, moon phases and blue moons. Participants also can take part in night sky viewing through the museum’s observatories (weather permitting), and watch planetarium and laser light shows. More specifically:

Eclipses, Phases & Blue Moons at 7 p.m.: Discover where you need to be to observe the Aug. 1 Total Solar Eclipse. Learn what a Blue Moon is, how frequently one occurs and more. Tickets are $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers.

What’s Up? at 8:30 p.m.: Featuring planets, the moon, bright stars, major constellations and current astronomical events through special effects, this planetarium show answers the question “If I go out tonight what will I see if it is clear?” Tickets are free for members and $1 for nonmembers.

Night Sky Viewing from 9-11 p.m.: The Miami Valley Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes in the Museum’s Apollo or Junior Observatories. Visitors are encouraged to look through the telescope lens and explore the cosmos. Admission to night sky viewing is free (weather permitting).

Laser light shows, beginning at 9 p.m.: For older kids or teens, laser light shows featuring music by The Doors, Tool and Pink Floyd begin at 9, 10 and 11 p.m. respectively. Tickets are $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers.

Have more ideas for fun this week? Share them here.

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Birthday fun for kids and adults

By Michelle | Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10:53 AM

Who knew a kid’s birthday party could be so much fun.

Really!

We recently celebrated my daughter’s 4th birthday with a party at Pump it Up in Miamisburg. If you haven’t heard of Pump it Up (which also has a location in West Chester), it’s an indoor inflatable playground featuring two rooms of bouncing fun — from bounce houses to obstacle courses, to a really fun giant inflatable slide — plus a private room for snacks, food, cake and gift-opening.

The best part was the adults could play, too.

So while my daughter, her cousins and preschool pals jumped and squealed with delight, most of the adults kicked off their shoes and joined in the fun.

This was honestly the most fun I’ve had in a while. We jumped and played like school children. I got some much needed exercise and laughed until I nearly wet my pants (I said nearly, don’t worry).

A couple highlights:

• My husband and sister-in-law pretended to be on “American Gladiators” with a little jousting match complete with helmets and padded poles inside the bouncy. It was hilarious.

• A bit jealous of all the fun the “big kids” were having, my other sister-in-law (who suffered a recent ankle injury, by the way) whipped off her walking cast and climbed up the giant inflatable slide more than once. Shhh. Don’t tell her doctor.

• I almost got stuck inside the obstacle course when trying to squeeze through a tight space behind my 3-year-old niece. Poor girl: she didn’t know what to think. Somehow, I made it through, though.

Pump it Up has pop-in playtime on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings (broken down by age groups) for $7. This is a great way to check out the facility before committing to spend a fair chunk of change on a birthday party (though we felt the money was well worth the fun).

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