Laugh it up!

The laughter of my children is the single most wonderful sound in the world (to my ears anyway). It comes right from the toes and takes over, a deep belly laugh that sets the whole room smiling. I know it didn't come from my side of the family! I have a theory that laughter, now recognized as truly therapeutic, also has a role in evolution. I know I picked my husband in large part because he made me laugh.

A good joke activates about every part of your brain, according to Holistic Online: the cortex's analytical left hemisphere, the frontal lobe and center of emotionality, the right hemisphere's synthesis capabilities, the left's pattern finding processing, and the sensory processing occipital lobe. "The increased fluctuations in delta waves reached a crescendo of activity and crested as the brain 'got' the joke and the external expression of laughter began." (Yawn--let's not think that hard about it.)

Searching for kids' jokes online is like exploring a mine-field. Many comedians seem to think that shocking an audience is the same as entertaining them. But here's an excerpt from "500 Hilarious Jokes for Kids" by Jeff Rovin:

Q: What's the name of the nosy superhero?
A: Snooperman!

And another from "The Everything Kid's Joke Book" by Michael Dahl:

Q: What do you get when you cross a ghost with a firecracker?
A: Bamboo!

Forecast: FUN

Labor Day weekend is upon us! There are events going on almost everywhere, but here's a listing of family-friendly activities. It's a small world--maybe I'll see you around!

Thursday Aug 28, 7pm, bring a nonperishable food donation and enjoy Folk Fest for Food in Cherry Valley at the bank parking lot, featuring live music by The Cherry Pickers. Info at 264-9322.

Friday Aug. 29th Cruise-in on Main Street in Oneonta: Classic cars, antique cars, hotrods and street rods. Info 434-6755.

Also Friday, see the hot air balloon launches at 6pm in Neahwa Park (I think). More info, including how to arrange for a ride at Oneonta Centennial.

Saturday August 30th is the Balloon Festival, in Neahwa Park, with food, music, and fun all day long. 'Night glow' is at 8pm (I have no idea what that means). Hot air balloon launches are at 6:30 am and 6:00 pm, with more flights Friday evening and Sunday morning.

The Oneonta Farmer's market will also be celebrating Sat from 9am-2pm, with tastings, kids' activities, and most of all: fresh, locally raised foods. Info 433-2545.

The Capital District Scottish Games are Sat and Sun at the Altamont Fairgrounds: 500 piper and 200 drummer 'Massed Band,' children's events, Scottish exhibits, International food and games. Children 12 and under are free.

West Kortright Center's Farm Fair is Sun Aug 31th, with music, farm animal petting, hayride, dinner and more plus square dancing at 7pm. You do have to pay admission and to participate in many of the activities.

Sidney Center's Ice cream social is Sunday at 7pm at the Maywood Historical Depot.

Monday Sep 1st at 7pm, enjoy music by the City of the Hills Women's Chorus at the International, First United Presbyterian Church, 381 Main St., Roosevelt Avenue entrance. For info: 267-4718.

Building a 'sustainable' Oneonta

"We have a whole generation missing from Oneonta," writes Teresa DeSantis, of West Oneonta, to the Daily Star. "Many of our community leaders are in their late 50s, 60s and 70s...Where are the 20-to-50-year-olds?" She expresses a need to re-create Oneonta, "before it's too late," using modern tools for the development of sustainable business models, building and supporting everything from "innovative retail, gourmet food and custom service industries, to creative manufacturing, high-tech and knowledge-based businesses."

Oneonta World of Learning (OWL) discovered similar trends during preparatory studies: school enrollments are down and the population under five is declining. OWL will be first and foremost a community resource, not a tourist destination, so these figures have limited the scope of this project. Yet Oneonta is far from dead! I don't know about you, but I'm here for the long haul. And I've chosen to invest my time in a resource that will build the community today and shape the generations to come.

Drum roll please...

Announcing the official name of the children's museum (soon to be) at Oneonta:

Oneonta World of Learning (OWL)!!!

Thank you to Kiersten Jennings of Oneonta, who came up with the name and has been working on some very cute logo ideas.

The team has been working very hard in the past few months and much has been accomplished. Each step brings us closer to our goal.

Life Is.. WASHABLE!

You knew painting was therapeutic, but now it's physical therapy, family time, and so much more. Founded in Binghamton, The Magic Paintbrush Project Life Is WASHABLE!™ brings a unique, celebrative approach "to meet the needs of the individual, family and caregivers... while embracing the challenge of a special needs diagnosis, therapeutic regimen and daily living... and creating experiences that will last a lifetime."

You have to see it: Magic Paint Brush. Looks like fun!

A glimpse

I've had the opportunity to go through just a sampling of the pictures from our first photo shoot and the results are wonderful. I'd like to congratulate Raphael on his stunning photography and Rachel for the phenomenal job she did selecting activities and setting the stage. And let's not forget the parents and especially the children who volunteered for this event.

Get ready for the weekend

Circus In The Wind opens Friday Aug 22 at the Foothills. It's not exactly cheap at $12 for adults and $8 for kids (am I missing something?) but it brings the magic of the circus to life under The Big Top. Friday 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 2pm.

I don't usually post information about art galleries, but the whimsical "Breathing Room" exhibits at the Wilber mansion might be fascinating to kids: Experience magical spaces inspired by dreams... Exhibition runs Friday August 22through September 20. More at the Arts Council website.

Saturday is Old Franklin Day from 9am to 4pm at the Franklin NY Central School grounds. There will be K9 demos, belly dancing, a magician, music, horse and wagon rides, Doodlebugs, and more.

Saturday and Sunday the Fly Creek Cider Mill hosts the 14th Annual Antique Engine Show and Fly Creek NY comes alive with over 50 yard sales, shows and special events including historical artifacts and lunch at the Old Grange Hall, a Methodist bake sale, a firehouse Pancake Breakfast, and a local farm's Garlic Harvest Celebration. More info.

Suday Aug 24, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Ice cream social in Sidney Center at the Maywood Historical Depot, featuring social time and dessert.

Last but not least, the Murder Mystery Train departs at 2PM, check out the Leatherstocking Railroad.

Looking ahead: assuming you have the $200 to spend, you might want to book your Centenial Balloon ride for the weekend of Aug 29-31 now. More info at Oneonta Centenial.

Getting in the veggies

Summer is a great time for fresh veggies, which always taste better, but it's also a great time for ice-cream, chips, hot dogs, and other unmentionables, especially if, like our family, you went to a county fair or two. To painlessly add vegetables to your family's daily diet, try grating just a bit of carrot into the sloppy joes, tossing frozen peas into the mac 'n' cheese, fold sauteed spinach into a cheesy omelet, or add finely chopped up broccoli tops to any rice dish. The secret is not to over do it and change the overall flavor of the dish. Of course, I still find myself calling the green beans 'worms' which somehow makes them more appealing to my kids.

Here's a twist on fried zucchini slices from Earth's Harvest Farm (near Morris NY): slice your zuccini, dip into a combination of milk, egg, oregano, salt and pepper, then dip it into wheat germ (instead of the usual bread crumbs). Saute in olive oil until tender, then top with grated mozzarella and run it under the broiler just long enough to melt the cheese. Let your kids mix up the egg and dip the squash into the bread crumbs--they'll be sure to try at least one at dinner time.

Mixing up a little fall science

Now's the time to get in a few last visits to your favorite lake or recreation area (some prefer the Sidney Dam, for us it's Gilbert Lake). Believe it or not, the changing temperatures of fall are vitally important for our local trout, who spend much of their time deep below the surface of apparently placid waters. But as the surface waters cool in the fall, they sink, bringing oxygen-rich water to the bottom and allowing native fish to thrive in what would otherwise be lifeless depths.

See how it happens first hand by adding food coloring the next time you make ice cubes. Drop the colored ice into room-temperature tap water in a clear glass, and watch the coloring sink to the bottom before gradually coloring all of the water. Read more at the Electronic Naturalist's website.

Mommy's big bad really horrible rotton awful day...

My pre-schooler woke up on the WRONG side of the bed and rather than just grouching his way to the shower as I would do, he chose to scream through breakfast then refused to get dressed. He was smiling by the time he got to daycare, thanks to a little extra time and a lot of cajoling. But as a result, I was late to work and without my lunch. The madness picked up after work right where it had left off, but now his little brother joined in on the whining. I think my husband was never so happy to go mow the lawn.

Next time maybe I'll remember this little bit of advice from Zen Habits: When you're about to say something, ask yourself "How does this help my child?" The idea is to re-focus on what's most important and remember that getting angry rarely helps.

If teenagers could only experience an evening like I just had, we would have no more teen pregnancies. In fact, they might decide not to have kids ever. Now that mine are snoozing in their beds, I'm awfully glad I didn't miss out.

The FUN part

While working on the business plan and identifying the needs of our "target audience" is important, it's not the fun part of founding a children's museum. The number of potential exhibits for the children's museum in Oneonta is countless. You've probably come up with a few ideas just as you've read this blog. And that's what keeps me going!

My favorite idea is a train-themed exhibit with a real caboose for fantasy play (might as well dream big) and a working model of the largest roundhouse in the world (once located near River Street in Oneonta)--rugged enough for small hands.

An ecologically themed water play exhibit--Susquehanna Splash--is a close second favorite, but how about a digging site for Mammoth bones or Herkimer diamonds? Or a dairy and maple syrup farm (with tractors to play on)? And there are always ways to incorporate simple and even not-so-simple science lessons into every exhibit.

Narrowing down the ideas to those which will fit both budget and space constraints will be a challenge, but the most important challenge of all will be incorporating the ideas into a coherently themed play space that reflects the values, history, and people of our home in upstate New York.

Another week, another weekend!

Mon Aug 11 - Sat Aug 16, the Delaware County Fair has reduced price rides Wed, one price rides Thurs all day as well as Fri and Sat afternoon or Sat evening. Be sure to check out the children's hands-on activities in the 4-H building.

Wed Aug 13 at 10 a.m, meet the La Leche League breast-feeding information group, a great resource even if you choose not to breast feed. You might find playdates for your toddlers (and friends for mom too!). Call Kate for info 432-5984. Location: First United Methodist Church, corner of Chestnut and Church streets.

Thurs 7pm in Neahwa Park (rain or shine): Polish Moses brings a close to the summer music series with urban sound/acoustic rock/reggae.

Fri Aug 15 8 a.m. through Sun 5 p.m. is the 13th annual Leatherstocking Sheepdog Trials in Cooperstown at Clark Field, Beaver Meadow Road. Herding dogs compete on a course with sheep. Rain or shine, with food vendors but bring blankets or chairs for seating. For info: 298-8385.

Sat at the Rogers Conservation Center(Sherburne): Bug Bonanza at 10:00 AM. Kids can make their own bug collecting container and then catch some creatures for observation with Rogers staff. Call to register at 674-4017.

Train Robbery! Sat 16 on the 1pm train: Leatherstocking Railway.

Sun Aug 17, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Ice cream social in Sidney Center at the Maywood Historical Depot.

Daily through Oct 31st: The Farmer's Museum presents a major exhibition exploring ice cream's ancient origins through the present day. See Ben and Jerry's original freezer and enjoy your favorite ice cream novelty in a retro ice cream parlor.

Born to ride

New on my to-do list: ride the historic carousels of Binghamton. All six are nationally recognized historic places. The bad news: there are only three weekends left this year to ride the carousel in Ross Park, which features 60 jumping horses, 2 chariots (one with monkeys) and an original 51-key Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. The zoo and the discovery center are right next door, and the only difficulty will be in choosing which to go to first (my kids could spend the entire day just at the discovery center.)

Carousels of Binghamton

Getting the most out of organized sports:

What sports will your child be in this year? More importantly--why? My father in law, a former football player, wants to coach the boys when they're a bit older, but football isn't offered in our school district after middle school. And what about the intense practices, time commitment and risk of injury?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children's sports at the beginning of the 20th century were characterized by spontaneous, unstructured play--without adult involvement. But "unstructured games primarily gave way to organized sports." Despite potential benefits, organization of sports can "create demands and expectations that exceed the readiness and capabilities of young participants" and "shift the focus to goals that are not necessarily child oriented."

"Basic motor skills, such as throwing, catching, kicking, and hitting a ball, do not develop sooner simply as a result of introducing them to children at an earlier age ... The familiar image of a parent imploring their 5-year-old to 'catch the ball,' 'kick the ball,' or 'run faster' is a reminder of how adult encouragement can have discouraging effects."

On the other hand, organized sports provide an opportunity to enforce safety rules. "Recommendations have been made to limit dangerous practices, such as headfirst sliding in baseball and body checking in hockey. Safety accommodations ... include smaller playing fields, shorter contest times, pitch counts for Little League pitchers, softer baseballs, matching opponents by weight..."

"Unfortunately, the days when children had the time, opportunity, or inclination to play in neighborhoods or local parks have passed. Today, there are more demands on a young person's time ... and fewer opportunities for free play. School-based physical education programs ... can no longer be relied on to provide adequate levels of healthy activity."

For preschoolers, the AAP recommends "no longer than 15 to 20 minutes of structured activity combined with 30 minutes of free play."

For children and preadolescents the AAP is less specific, noting that factors such as"fun, success, variety, freedom, family participation, peer support, and enthusiastic leadership encourage and maintain participation, whereas ... failure, embarrassment, competition, boredom, regimentation, and injuries discourage subsequent participation."

"Organized sports programs for preadolescents should complement, not replace, the regular physical activity that is a part of free play ... and physical education programs in the schools."

There's a new option in local sports--rowing!!! Your college-bound high school student can learn to row on beautiful Otsego Lake, under the instruction of a former Olympic rower. Interested students must pass an aerobic fitness test, be able to swim and be likely applicants at universities that offer rowing. For details, contact Andrea Thies or James Northrup.

Back to school plans

Maybe you've finished your back to school shopping and your kids are already going to soccer practice--but do you have a plan to tackle that first early morning wakeup? In my sister-in-law's neighborhood, families get up early on Saturday the week before school starts for a pot-luck breakfast. It's fun for parents and a great way to get the kids used to the idea of waking up earlier.

Breakfast was always a priority when I was growing up. Dad would fry eggs while mom got us dressed and ready. Now that I have kids of my own, I realize just what a monumental task that was. One way to make breakfast fun again is to let the kids make bagel critters by decorating their bagels with cream cheese, crunchy noodles, sliced olives and vegetables (from Family Fun).

Only four more weekends 'til Labor Day

Lets make the most of them!

Tues Aug 5-Sun Aug 10, Schoharie County Sunshine Fair: This fair has a great reputation! See the circus, high dive show, horse shows, chainsaw carving, karaoke and more. Parking and children under 13 are free. Reduced price rides Wed afternoon.

Thurs Aug 7 in Neahwa Park: Horseshoe Lounge Playboys will be performing bluebilly music, 7pm, rain or shine.

8pm Thursday, 'Creakers, Squeakers and Speakers' at the West Kortright Centre, featuring spooky stories for children ages 8 and older. For info: 278-5647.

Sat Aug 9 , Kid's Day at the Oneonta Farmer's Market (on Main St): activities, games, crafts for kids from 9am to 2pm, plus silent street theater by mime Abbey Koutnik from 11am to 1pm. Info: 433-2545.

Sat 10 a.m. - 11 p.m: Fundraiser for "Miss Mary" Turi, in Cooperstown, adjacent to Dreams Park, state Route 28; featuring mini golf, laser tag and more. Info: 547-8330.

Sat 11 a.m. - 3 p.m, Free Family Fun Day, Sidney Assembly of God, Plankenhorn Road, with live music, rides, crafts, puppets, balloons, free food and more. Info: 563-9586.

Sat noon to 6pm, Mount Vision Fireman's Field Day: chicken barbecue, car show and parade, live music and dance with Hillbilly Picasso. Info: 432-5243.

Gilbert Lake on Sat, 2pm, beach lawn area: Fun Technicians Magic Show, info 432-2114.

Sat 8:30pm Rogers Conservation Center(Sherburne NY): Tour of the night sky.

Sun Aug 10, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m, 'They Don't Make Toys Like They Used To,' Summer Sundays at Swart-Wilcox House, Wilcox Avenue, Oneonta-- Free. For info: 432-0665.

Sun 7 p.m. - 9 p.m, Ice cream social at the Maywood Historical Depot in Sidney Center.

Tip #1

from Raising Confident Boys: 100 Tips for Parents and Teachers--Boys need love too. (Duh, you say). But they "often seek love in roundabout ways...If he's just jumped on you from behind or given you a painful punch, this can mean that he needs your love, so it's better to respond affectionately than to lash out." I guess the little guy who just made a running jump across the room to head butt me in the chest just needs some extra love and affection!

Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer, the author, suggests several things to do, including showing love by sitting close while reading or watching TV (easy to do with toddlers), and showing interest in his ideas (not as easy with so much that needs to get done).

A visit from Ms. Spider

Library goers today enjoyed Ms. Spider's Tea Party - stories, cupcakes, lemonade in tea cups, and a visit from Ms. Spider herself (or rather, "a person with legs wearing a costume," as observed by one pre-schooler).

"The library is doing a great job - programming, book lists and prize basket for every 10 read, etc.." --Andrea

It's not too late to "Catch the Reading Bug" at Huntington Memorial Library!

Status Update

I hope you've enjoyed the blog so far, with local events, parenting ideas and fun info, but let's not forget the point! We want to open a children's museum in Oneonta! It's just that in these early planning stages, there aren't a lot of new things to report on every day. But good things are happening. We just finished our first photo shoot, created a preliminary website, joined the Association of Children's Museums, started a naming committee, initiated work on a logo, and completed the first stage of our business study. In the second stage of our business study, we will determine the size of the building that will be needed and approximate budget and staffing requirements. Currently, we are focused on our next big hurdle--applying for an educational charter--but there are several preliminary hurdles that must be crossed first.

Look for our official website and results of the photo shoot--hopefully by the end of this month!!!

Securing America's Future

It's no secret that America no longer has an edge in education. A new article ties the destiny of our nation to this down-ward spiral, tying future economic growth to educational trends.

"...big gaps in educational attainment are present at age 5. Some children are bathed in an atmosphere that promotes human capital development and, increasingly, more are not. By 5, it is possible to predict ... who will complete high school and college and who won’t," according to David Brooks (NY Times Article).

The good news: this is a trend we can reverse! And early childhood education is the place to start.

Those beautiful blooms

Now is the time to go wild-flowering! New York State's phenomenal mid-summer blooms are everywhere, and with a minimum of effort, you can have a beautiful bouquet. Of course, I had a lot of "help" gathering my bouquet, and the kids were understandably proud of the result (although my cousin was a bit taken aback).

Get even more in touch with nature by "Painting" with flowers (from IVillage):
Draw a nature scene on watercolor paper (or another paper with a rough surface) by rubbing flower petals and leaves onto the paper. Green leaves, red geranium petals and the yellow stamens from within a lilie's center work well. (Some of you will want to have the kids wear latex gloves to keep fingers clean). Dress up the picture by holding the paper against the bark of a tree or another interesting surface and rubbing it with the side of a crayon.