Happy New Year! There are a couple fun things going on around the state this weekend.
The Butterfly Blizzard at Reiman Gardens ends this Sunday, January 3. Hours are 9 am-4:30 pm.
Fairfield's First Friday Art Walk is hosting a New Year's Eve benefit titled "Down the Rabbit Hole". Tickets are $25 at the door.
Have a safe and Happy New Year! See you in 2010!
Sometimes even the best laid plans go awry. We had planned to leave the cold of Iowa for a brief sojourn in Texas- first with stops in Dallas to visit family then down to Houston to relax at The Woodlands Resort.
Unfortunately the weather we wanted so badly to escape will actually be holding us hostage. After a snowstorm a week ago practically shut down our city for 2 days another one- this one with freezing rain and ice- is bringing "travel not advised" warnings, towing bans and dangerous conditions.
I don't care how much I enjoy travel, I'm not one to risk my family's well-being for a little sun. So no Texas for us right now, though we will be enjoying the Kansas City part of our adventure- if the weather doesn't get in the way of it, too!
If you're planning to get away for the holidays I have all my best travel tips in one place for you:
Travel Tips from Have Kid Will Travel.
Be safe, have wonderful adventures and I'll see you in the New Year!
We Just Got Back, a great site for family travel planning, is hosting this great giveaway.
Prize consists solely of 4 consecutive nights accommodations in a 2-bedroom KidSuite. Transportation, meals, gratuities and any other expenses not specified herein are the sole responsibility of the winner. The winner may bring additional children or upgrade to larger accommodations for an additional cost.
You can enter daily- and get extra entries for sharing the info with friends! Click here to enter.
Contest ends January 11, 2010. Rules are here.
A couple of weeks ago I received the HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web Printer. I had played with it a bit at a conference in September so I was excited to actually have it in my home and see what it could do.
Let me tell you... It can do a lot! The touch screen is so easy a 3-year-old can do it! And set up was quick and painless. For a full rundown of this great printer I invite you to read my review at Iowa Geek.
What I want to share here is how this printer helps me travel. I made a quick video to show you how it works:
The most obviously helpful app is, of course, the Google maps. You can either touch the map to pinpoint your destination or you can type in the name or address. Right now the maps feature can only show you the destination, it can't map a route. But that ability is coming- which will make this an even more handy feature. Especially when I forget to map our drive before I put the computer away!
The feature that I think I will get much use out of is the fact that I can scan information to a thumb drive. No more reams of printed paper stuffed in a binder for reference.
Of course the apps for coloring pages, crafts and games will come in handy with the girls. And even for me.... Four levels of sudoku anyone?
Travel Goodies from HP
Even if you don't have an HP printer you can use these great freebies from the HP Creative Studio. Travel themed coloring pages, car scavenger hunt, car bingo, travel games, luggage tags, print at home scrapbook layouts and more.
Disclosure: I received the TouchSmart Web printer from HP to use and review.
“Fly 200 metres across the top of the Grizedale Beck and marvel at the forest canopy 18 metres up a magnificent Douglas Fir”– Go Ape’s words – not mine! However, for the sake of my son, who was delighted to have another opportunity to get the adrenalin pumping, I agreed.
Which is how I found myself clinging to two slim pieces of wire strung above a narrow rope bridge. Now this may not look too high to you, but it is actually a good few metres up – and is one of the lower ones! The scariest bit for me was the death-defying Tarzan swing – not leaping out into space, but the scramble to get up and out of it – I had no strength left after over 3hours of ‘adrenalin surges’. I have a slight fear of heights and a definite dislike of rope bridges, so this was a tough way to overcome those fears!
My son and his friend, both 12 years old, thoroughly enjoyed it all, and they virtually ran across all the obstacles. Safety is paramount here and there was an excellent 30 minute safety briefing and training with lots of checks to ensure we all knew how to use the harnesses, pulleys and karabiners.
After a few days of being shut in I know I'll want to get out this weekend! Here's a list of things to do around the state:
My pick:
Prairie Christmas at Living History Farms in Des Moines; Saturday
Travel back in time and celebrate Christmas on the prairie! The town of Walnut Hill is bustling with holiday activity. The ladies of the Flynn House and Tangen Home are preparing for their parties and you can get in the holiday spirit by pulling taffy, making crafts, and taking a horse-drawn wagon ride around town. Enjoy an old-fashioned church social with the Walnut Hill Choral Society and visit with the big guy himself - Santa Claus, straight from the North Pole! $5, $4.50 for members.Other events around Iowa:
12 Days of Christmas Detsky Holiday Crafts Workshop for children ages 5-12 in the Bartunek's Building (98 16th Ave SW) 2pm-4pm. Children's 12 Days of Christmas Sing-a-long with hot chocolate and cookies at the Bohemia Cafe (95 16th Ave SW) 4pm-4:30pm Czech Village/New Bohemia Luminaries 5pm-9pm (3rd Street SE to 16th Avenue SW)Ecumenical Concert, Waukon, Sunday
Christmas concert involving volunteers from several organizations and churches. Includes brass choir, bell choir, men, women and children choirs. Concert starts at 7:30 pm.Southeast:
Enjoy free admission to the exhibit halls all day long. And view The Polar Express on the IMAX (admission fees apply for movies)The Old Creamery Theatre presents A Partridge in a Pear Tree, Saturday, Amana
And after the show go into Amana to view the Tannenbaum Forest, eat some great German food and do a little shopping!Southwest:
Free children's Christmas movie, festival of trees in the depot, Christmas tour of homes, Christmas concert by the Ringgold Singers. Mt Ayr also collects toys "ready to be loved again" in their Christmas Toy Drive.Northwest:
Sleigh ride, Santa, festival of trees, refreshments, live Nativity, carolers, chili feed and shopping.10th Annual Loess Hills Christmas Event at Country Homestead B&B, Turin
Hot cider, cocoa and treats. This year, free Christmas trees are available for the cutting. Bring your own saw and appropriate clothing for hiking into the hills to choose your own cedar tree.Central:
Thousands of tropical butterflies will fill the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing like never before for the multicolored Butterfly Blizzard event. Take shelter from the Blizzard in the holiday themed, tropical Conservatory and visit the Gift Shop. Reiman Gardens is a Toys for Tots drop off site. Entertainment this weekend:
Saturday, December 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Ames Children's Choir
Saturday, December 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Johnston Station Jazz Band (Big Band)
Sunday, December 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Junction Jazz Society
Children age 3 and under, Free; Youth age 4-17 $3.00; Senior age 65 and above $6.00; Adults age 18-64 $7.00
On our way home from Houston we'll be making a stop in Kansas City to enjoy Chocolate the Exhibition at Union Station.
Did you know that Americans eat, on average, 12 pounds of chocolate per person per year? Or that each chocolate pod is about the size of a pineapple and holds enough seeds to make seven milk chocolate or two dark chocolate bars?
This Saturday (December 12) you can enjoy a chocolate chip pancake breakfast before exploring the exhibit. YUM! Or head down on Thursday, December 17 for chocolate and vodka tasting (advance registration required). Chocolate samples are also available- while supplies last.
Disclosure: Our tickets to Chocolate the Exhibition were given to us in exchange for this article.
We spent Sunday in one of our favorite Iowa areas: the Amana Colonies. I've written many times about the Amana Colonies but I just wanted to share some photos from our day.
We visited the Tannenbaum Forest in the Festhalle Barn behind the Visitor's Center. The girls were both happy to see Santa- he had candy canes!
In the Tannenbaum Forest were dozens of trees decorated by various Amana entities and a huge 3 story German Christmas Pyramid.
Of course we can't go to the Amana Colonies without eating wonderful German food... Wursts, schnitzel, chicken, kraut... Mmmm...
And we stopped at the woolen mill because I forgot to bring gloves. We saw ladies spinning alpaca wool. Apparently they can also spin dog fur...
We wandered the village, stopping in shops for toys, wine, cheese and other "necessities". I loved the gingerbread house contest displayed in the General Store.
We love the Amana Colonies. It's a great Iowa getaway any time of the year.
Today is my final post at the '30 Days of Cozi'. If you haven't caught the whole series click here. The final post is about the Cozi Collage Screensaver, a great way to view all those travel photos.
Cozi is a free online family calendar- and so much more!
It snowed last night. Not much, just a couple of inches. Tonight and all day tomorrow... Now that's when the snow is really going to fly. The meteorologists are predicting 8 to 12 inches followed by a day of strong winds and white out conditions. Ahhh, winter in the Midwest.
With months of cold ahead you can probably imagine why I am looking forward to this:
The Woodlands Resort in The Woodlands, Texas was kind enough to extend an invitation for my family to escape the winter snow and experience the resort. I'll be sharing all kinds of information with you- rooms, amenities, recreation, food...
My plans are really for us to relax and enjoy the resort without much running around. A few days wandering the nature trails and, if it's warm enough, playing in the pool would be a great break for the entire family. I may even pamper myself with a massage.
Now I just have to get through the next few weeks...
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One entry per person. Enter here.
Contest ends March 31, 2010. Rules are here.
It's December- and today it feels like it! Rumor is there may be snow this evening. Iowa is filled with fun things to do this weekend- get out and enjoy!
My pick:
We'll be trekking to the Amana Colonies this weekend for Prelude to Christmas. The Tannembaum Forest, the Gingerbread Trail, the Villages of Amana Haus Walk... And then the shops and restaurants... If you haven't been to the Amana Colonies this is the perfect weekend!
Happenings around Iowa:
Central: Albia's Victorian Stroll, Saturday, all dayTake the kids to see Santa in his workshop. Sample a freshly roasted chestnut from a street vendor.
Southwest:
View the spectacularly decorated Christmas trees in the Chamber building at the Festival of Trees. See the Garden Train and Department 56 display at the First Iowa State bank.
Munch on a bag of kettle corn. And definitely take a look and see what Albia Merchants and Restaurateurs’ have to offer.
During the day there are several events to attend such as breakfast with Santa, A Christmas Craft Show and a Kids movie with Santa. See the back of the brochure for more details.
And please take in the joy and warmth of the holiday season and have a prosperous New Year.
Take a horse drawn carriage ride around the square. Take in the beautiful Christmas lighting that adorns the 92 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the lights on the courthouse trees.
No place like Creston for the Holidays Begins December 3.Festival of trees, Santa's arrival at the historic Depot, entertainers, model railroads at the historic Depot, lighted Christmas parade and much more.
Christmas in Atlantic SaturdayTimes: Parade starts at 6. Horse-drawn carriage rides go from 3-5, Santa visits in the log cabin are 3-5. Living windows are from 5 to 6.
Northwest:
Admission charge: Free! Santa, carriage rides, etc. are all free! We give out free hot chocolate from 3-5, too. (And it’s goooood!)
We do a lot of celebrations for Christmas, but this weekend is our biggest! Our lighted parade starts with fireworks, and then kids and adults alike love to see all the lighted entries. Make a day of it by coming in for lunch (Lots of great local places!), doing a little shopping (might I recommend Bonnesen’s 5 & 10? This general store is a favorite of ours and kid-approved!), seeing Santa, taking a Carriage Ride, watching the parade, and then eat a little dinner. Before you head home, be sure to cruise up-and-down Chestnut Street, too. We have 6 blocks of new LED Christmas Lights. We love Christmas in Atlantic and hope you will too!
LeMars has so much going on this weekend!Storybook Christmas at the Arts Center on Saturday, a Lighted Christmas Parade Friday night and Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland with Live Nativity scene, sleigh rides, lighted trees, animated Christmas scenes, music and more Saturday and Sunday.
Northeast:
Hampton is hosting the Hollydazzle Historic Tour of Homes Saturday and Sunday.We will be touring the Blum/Boehmler House in Hampton, The Harriman Nielsen House on the West edge of Hampton, Country Heritage Bed and Breakfast five miles West of Hampton, The Old Stone House on the way to Geneva and ending at Townsend Winery in Hansell. You will learn the history of each home, be able to ask all the questions you want, enjoy a light repast at several homes and receive a wine tasting at the Winery. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of tour.
Southeast:
Christmas in LeClaire All weekendThe charming downtown of LeClaire is transformed into a scene from a Norman Rockwell holiday painting, with its delightful shopping, carriage rides, crafts fair, silent auction, breakfast with Santa at Happy Joes and living nativity scene.
Get out and explore Iowa! If your community has an upcoming event you would like to see featured here contact me.
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