Tell me about your day

For months I've been cuddling with my three year old before bed time and asking him about his day. Generally I get no answer or something off the wall. So he's three going on thirteen, I think. Yet if I forget to ask, he will remind me. But tonight, he talked! He told me about the poisonous spider they found on the slide, which kids were not in his new classroom and even how the teachers were working nights to move the class rooms around. Needless to say, it was great.

To better develop a relationship with your child, Reader's Digest suggests decoding your child's love language: "they may not understand the ways you show your love -- and you may not understand the ways they're best able to receive it." My dad showed his love by always being there, working hard, and frying eggs for breakfast, but he was never comfortable with hugs and kisses. Some kids need cuddles, others not so much. Some want your time while others need independence. "The next time you spend time with your child, pay attention to the cues he or she sends so you can better interpret the way your child needs to be loved."

What's in a name?

We spent months picking out names for our kids. In the end, it was a matter of choosing from the few that had not been ruled out by either one of us. And I can't say that everyone in the extended family was happy with what we chose. As it turns out, naming a children's museum isn't any easier. First of all, a lot of people choke the word museum. If velvet ropes and tiny cards that say "don't touch" come to your mind, you're not alone. And there are more creative names out there. On the other hand, if you've been to a children's museum even once, then you know what to expect: lots of hands-on play, larger-than-life toys, and the kind of learning experience that makes you hungry for more. Place-names are problematic, too... Do you personally identify with The Leatherstocking Region? Are we The Upper-Catskills? Tri-County? One thing is clear: the name of this museum needs to reflect this community. I hope you'll comment with your thoughts.

Our newest residents: A pair of Merlins

The young falcons are nesting in Oneonta! Just when you thought Cooperstown got all the love.

Just yesterday I thought I saw a huge hawk, but, no, there they were, circling slow: a flock--crowd?--quorum?--of turkey buzzards. To save you the same embarrassment, here's a short guide:

Turkey buzzards wobble in flight. From below, their wings are black in front, and silver-grey behind. Hawks and eagles may circle, but their flight is steady. Golden eagles are likely to be in the countryside and have either no white feathers or a patch on the underside of each wing and the base of the tail in flight. Bald eagles like open water and have a lot more white, with an all-white head and tail when grown. Merlins are small, with long pointed wings and a long tail in flight. The tail is barred. Peregrin Falcons are slightly larger with indistinct barring on the tail. Look for the red tail and dark brown wing bar of a Red-Tailed Hawk.


Love birds and hiking? Check out The Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch overlooking Oneonta. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Susquehanna River valley and the Audubon Sanctuary's hiking trails. http://www.doas.us/franklinmt.htm

Weekend Planner

It's that time again! Time to think about the wonderful weekend to come.

Not forgetting the concert in the park Thursday evening and the classic car exhibition Friday (mentioned previously), here is what little I saw in the Daily Star:

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Oneonta Farmers' Market Holistic Health Day with products and samples from Living Tree Botanicals, and chair massages by Chanda.

Sat Jun 28 10:30 a.m. Children's art class with Sue Priest, Town: Delhi Details:Immanuel Lutheran Church, Andes Road; presented by Delhi Art Group.

Sun Jun 29 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Ice cream social Town: Sidney Center Details:Maywood Historical Depot; featuring social time and dessert.

Personally, I recommend seeking out your favorite place to do some Strawberry Picking.


Free stuff: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleCooperstownNY/
Sell your stuff: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleCooperstownNY_Cafe/(memberships required but painless)

Upcoming activities

Wed June 25 (That's tonight!): Ultimate Idol at Foothills: The first elimination round of the Ultimate Idol competition will be held beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the FPAC.Idol Competition call FPAC at 431.2080 or go to: http://www.foothillspac.org/.

Thursday 7pm concert in Neahwa Park: Country Blend (rain or shine but let's hope for shine).

A quick peek at Friday: Cruise-In on Main Street Oneonta: Classic cars, antique cars, hotrods and streetrods on Main Street in Downtown Oneonta! For more information contact Main Street Oneonta at 434.6755 or e-mail mainstreetoneonta@hotmail.com or visit MSO's website at: http://www.mainstreetoneonta.com/.

Shopping Forecast: check out this local site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/babystuffforsale/

Forget everything you knew about museums

because children's museums are something completely different. They are hands-on learning adventures, designed to bring out the kid in everyone. Imagine a working model of the world's largest railroad roundhouse (once located near Oneonta's River Street), rugged enough for the smallest hands. Imagine climbing through tunnels, sliding down slides and jumping into a ball-pit all winter long (minus the golden arches). Imagine affordable children's programs in a place big enough for kids to be kids, where parents can relax and actually enjoy their kids again. Now imagine that place where Bresee's used to be, or in the Elk's building, or even across from the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Now we're talking.

at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester

I actually read my Parents Magazine tonight!

I brought it camping Saturday (too dark by the time the kids were in bed). But after some badly needed baths at home tonight, they were too wound up for storytime. So I pulled it out. Soon enough, they settled in beside me, pointing to pictures. I began asking why this baby was happy or if that one was sad. I didn't get to read every article, but I did enjoy it!

From the recipe section: Put some canned pears, fresh blueberries, and vanilla yogurt in your blender, then make icy pops! (Parents July 2008 pg 140). I personally recommend blending up any frozen berry mix and stirring it into strawberry yogurt.

Happy Weekend!

The plan is to post upcoming events every Thursday, and I hope others will chime in with their input. There are so many activities available to families, but the word does not always get out. I don't have a whole lot this week (these listings and more are in the Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.com/ ), but the following caught my interest:

8th annual Chenango County Dairy Day Celebration Town: Norwich Phone Number: 334-5841 ext. 12 Details:Chenango County Fairgrounds; featuring parade, 5k run, petting zoo, cow chip bingo, dairy products and more. Free admission.

Schenevus
Friday Nights in the Park, 6 to 9 p.m., Borst Field; free carousel rides, band organ music and more. For info: 638-5656.

11th annual Strawberry Social
Town: MorrisPhone Number: 263-5147
Details:First Baptist Church of Morris, South Broad Street; free, open to the public. Free-will offering to aid Myanmar and China natural-disaster victims.

Relay Pacers - Relay Riders poker run
Town: NorwichPhone Number: 859-2267
Details:beginning at Weiler Park, Norwich; concluding at Tra's Club House, state Route 8, New Berlin, with pig roast and music; to benefit Chenango County Relay for Life. For info: 859-2267 or 336-3773

And let's not forget the Thursday night concerts in Neahwa Park: my kids had a wonderful time last night (my hubby Tom and the lead singer from Just Throw Money were both in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers last year). Next Thursday night Country Blend will be performing, rain or shine, starting at 7pm.

Tick season is here...

The boys had a great time, exploring the "jungle" under our apples trees out back. But later that evening my husband and I, tweezers in hand, were holding down our squirming three year old, trying to get a closer look at what might have been a deer tick behind his left ear. He scratched it off before we could get to it. Of course they wear long pants on walks and we check for ticks every evening. But it might be time to start spraying their clothing and letting it dry before they get dressed with insect repellent (containing permethrin, not DEET), especially before our next camping trip!

Brimming with enthusiasm

Who'd have thought a night class on creating a business plan could be so much fun? I'm sorry it has to end. Thanks to all of the volunteers from throughout the community and best of luck to all of my fellow classmates! I hope to see all of you again when the Children's Museum at Oneonta (or whatever it is finally named) opens its doors. And thankyou, Executive Service Corp, http://www.escny.org/ for hosting the class and providing so much help.