News from NEPA's KidDilly Network www.kiddilly.com

With Christmas just days away, New Year’s Eve planning is on the minds of many.

Because of economic concerns, however, Champaign and dancing ’til dawn may not be on the radar this year. With Christmas just days away, New Year’s Eve planning is on the minds of many. Because of economic concerns, however, Champaign and dancing ’til dawn may not be on the radar for many of us this year.

Plus, if you’re reading this on KidDilly, there’s a good chance you’re wanting to include your family in your New Year’s celebrations.

Thanks to Scranton’s First Night 2010 , there is big fun to the rescue!

People from around our region will gather to welcome a new year and a new decade.

This year’s theme is Under the Big Top! As expected, there promises to be something for everyone. The schedule boasts 30 acts, activities and events, all leading up to the evening’s grand finale – a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

The Zany Umbrella Circus will headline the evening, featuring folk artistry, puppetry, street theater, circus acts, music and much more. Kelly B. Gormly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review once called their show “a quirky acrobatic circus.” She went on to say, “The entertaining charm of the visual effects captivates children, but adults are not immune to it either.”

Keeping with the fun of the circus theme, there will also be musical acts, face painting, magic by Christopher and crafts for kids, just to scratch the surface.

The good news is that going Under the Big Top won’t mean going over the family budget. Admission to all the fun can be purchased in the form of a $10 button.

Make a wish and blow out the candles . . .
Did you just wish you could plan the next, best birthday party on your block?

Well, are you in luck!

 
On Saturday, April 18, KidDilly will host the NEPA Kid’s Birthday Party Expo at the Riverfront Sports Complex, Scranton.

This free event will take place from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM and is open to the public.
Exhibitors from all over the region will gather to showcase their birthday party-related businesses and services.

 
In addition to free face painting by Lollipop and The Art School of NEPA, a large igloo fort made entirely out of balloons will be sponsored by ArtsYOUniverse.

Entertainment, including magic by world-record holding illusionist Mark Mysterrio, is also planned.

Families of all ages to participate in the Passport Game to win incredible prizes, including the grand prize, an authentic Kate Spade of NY  handbag, valued at $425.

According to Donna Boock of Lake Ariel, event co-chairperson, “This event is designed to bring NEPA’s moms together with the businesses who can make their child’s next birthday party an extra special event.”

 
Her counterpart, Allison Wasko, Moscow, agrees. “Currently, there is no ‘Birthday Party’ listing in the yellow pages. Parents have to do a lot of research to plan the best event for their families and budgets. We here at CityMommy are hoping to change all of that by providing one-stop shopping. We hope we’ll succeed in providing a definite valuable resource for busy families.”

For more information about this event, or to participate as an exhibitor, please email kidDilly@ymail.com, or call 570-561-6113.

ABOUT CITYMOMMY: CityMommy is a membership-only website for moms, currently operating in 25 cities nationwide with over 18,000 members.

Red balloons, $2; baby pink table cloths $4; a room full of children dancing and smiling; priceless!

Sweethearts under six recently gathered with their parents at the Gymboree Play and Music in Clarks Summit  for a Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Party.

Gymboree hosted the darling event for Citymommy kids to celebrate February’s sweetest holiday.

The guests enjoyed music, dancing, crafts, games, and what definitely seemed to be one of the evening’s biggest attractions, billions of bubbles!

The other big hit were the sweet treats provided by Lynn Sandy’s Cakes in Scranton. Adorably decorated, definitely delectable vanilla and chocolate cupcakes were on the menu.  The kids all agreed, they were two “yums” up!

Gymboree of Clarks Summit is an impeccably clean, super safe, and fabulously fun indoor play and learning center. 

Owner, Maurita Kelly Pascale, and her talented staff work tirelessly to ensure every child has a delightful learning and play experience.

If you missed out on the fun, no worries. Gymboree of Clarks Summit has a three more Sweetheart Parties left on its February calendar. Dates and information are below:

 Our pa

Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 2:00-4:00 pm (drop off for 3-5 year olds)*

Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 11:30am-1:00pm
Tuesday, February 10, at 4:00-5:30pm

$15 per child member, $20 non-member, adult must accompany each child
* $20 member, $25 non-member

Parties fill up fast, so be sure to call  (570) 586-5880 to reserve your little love bug a spot.

Allie

(Please email allison@citymommy.com or donna@citymommy.comfor more information about CityMommy’s free membership and upcoming play opportunities!)

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will present “Fractured Fairytales” as part of the Citizens’ Voice Children’s Series on Saturday, February 7 at 10 am.

What exactly are fractured fairytales, you ask?

Well, they’re just like regular fairytales, but with a twist!

What if the witch in your favorite bedtime story ended up to be really nice after all?

Or, what if a beautiful princess kissed a handsome prince and he turned into a slimy, green frog?

We’re sure whatever storylines “Fractured Fairytales” decides to peruse, the result with be hysterical. The KidDilly team is guessing it is going to be an all around great time for the entire family.

In addition to the show, there will be a special Wiggles and Giggles parent/child craft workshop. Attendees of the workshop will craft a special project and later enjoy VIP seating at the show.

Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone:
1-800-745-3000 

And while you’re at home pondering the possible twists and turns that will be performed on Saturday, why not write down your best guess and enter the “Write Your Own Fractured Fairytale” contest?

Send your story to Info@ScrantonCulturalCenter by Thursday at noon. Winners will be announced by 5 PM Thursday and will recieve two tickets to the “Fractured Fairytales” performance on Saturday.

See you at the show!

Allie

With inches of fluffy white snow blanketing Northeastern Pennsylvania, today’s the perfect day to talk about a “slide ride”! 

 The KidDilly team simply loves Red Sled, a picture book written by local author Patricia Thomas and illustrated by Chris L. Demarest. (Mr. Demarest is not a local illustrator, but we’ll let this one ‘slide’!)  KidDilly isn’t alone in this opinion either.  Red Sled received a highly esteemed, starred review from Kirkus in July of 2008.

 On a snow-covered, starlit night, a boy and his father feel sad.  But a sleigh ride, laughter and a steaming cup of cocoa lift their spirits before they surrender to sleep. 

This picture book features uncomplicated, yet lively illustrations coupled with what appears to be sweet, simple rhyme such as “Red sled”, “Sad lad”, and “Slide ride”. 

However, Patricia Thomas cleverly married science with art when she created this sixty-word masterpiece.  Red Sled was inspired by an ancient form of writing known as chiasmus.  True to this format, she created mirror images, choosing rhyme to create the mirror. 

 And, her creativity didn’t end there.  In the author’s note, Mrs. Thomas explains how her patterns of rhyme actually combine to create a “hill”.  After all, what other structure would you use to deliver a story called Red Sled?

 So today I’m going to read this book to my little ones for some indoor fun.  Then I just might pile them into their red sled and “Go! Go”!  Maybe I’ll even get a “snug hug”.

A signed copy would make a sweet Valentine treat for your little one.  Will you be at the Bottega on Saturday, February 14 from 12-2 pm to get yours?

 Patricia Thomas’ Latest Release

Donna

Tiny tracks between the barberry bushes; a leafy nest up high in the branches of an old oak; and a patch of   rubbed-off bark on a birch? Who was in these snowy woods?

This is the question posed by local author and illustrator, Lindsay Barrett George in her award-winning classic, “In the Snow: Who’s Been Here?”

George takes the reader on a snowy safari, exploring the woodland floor, its loftiest tree limbs, and everywhere in between.

Children are inspired to embrace their curiosity and are transported into the story by George’s engaging prose and spectacular illustrations.

From the marvelously mottled feathers on her great horned owl, to the velvety chocolate fur under the chin of her mink, the textures revealed in her illustrations are simply reach-out-and-touch realistic. George excels at bringing the tiniest details to the forefront in each breathtaking scene.

If you haven’t seen this book yet, run (don’t walk) to your local library and pick up a copy. Or better yet, join KidDilly at The Bottega in Clarks Summit from 12 pm to 2 pm on Saturday, February 14 to meet Lindsay Barrett George. While you’re there, you can pick up your very own signed copy of this book, or one of her other stunning works including “Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse.”

They’re dillies!

Allie

If you can’t beat the cold, you may as well have a little fun with it, right?

That’s exactly the idea behind the annual Clarks Summit Festival of Ice sponsored by the Abington Business & Professional Association.

This year’s theme is “A Frozen Renaissance Faire.”

The chilly celebration kicks off with a parade on Thursday, February 12, at 7 pm.

A live ice carving is scheduled to take place immediately following the parade, with multiple other carvings to be held at various Clarks Summit locations throughout the weekend.

There is even live music and entertainment planned.

Local businesses will host sales and special events to coincide with the festival’s Renaissance theme and the Valentine’s Day holiday. There will be free parking, free admission and fun for all ages.

“Faire” goers will have such fun marveling at all the breathtaking sculptures lining State Street and adorning businesses throughout the Summit.

The year we went, Everything Natural had sparkling, life-sized Wizard of Oz ice characters. You should have seen my daughter’s eyes. I was so sorry I didn’t have my camera.

So bundle up the kids, grab yourself a scarf, buckle your boots, and head out to Clarks Summit for some freezy fun!

Don’t dilly dally. The festival ends February 16.

Oh, and one last thing; definitely take a camera.

Allie