Special Blog Posting

I was asked to be a guest poster on Miriam's Advice Well to specifically advise new parents in Philadelphia! To see my advice...and Miriam's neat blog, go here!

Taney Baseball (Pee Wee Tee Ball)

It's almost springtime! Taney Baseball is a gearing up for a new season. Early bird registration (savings of $10) goes through Friday, February 10. Kids as young as 3 and 4 (by April 30) are eligible to register for Pee Wee Tee-Ball. "Games" are played on Sunday mornings at either Palumbo or Taney (randomly assigned). The season goes from mid-April through late June. Jeremy tells me he looks forward to it. Let's hope he takes to it more than he did with soccer and swimming!

PNC Grow Up Great

We are still big fans of the free children's programs at the Kimmel Center (PNC Grow Up Great). We attended the New Year's Day gala for our third year straight! The boys had so much fun! These concerts are such a nice service and what a great opportunity to expose the children to so many music styles in such a special setting! Remaining shows, all at 11:00 AM, are:






Saturday, February 18: Bash the Trash: African Folktales
Saturday, March 10: The Deedle Deedle Dees
Saturday, April 7: Community Rocks with Sara O'Brien
Saturday, May 12:  The Little Farm Show
Saturday, June 9: Celebrate the Sounds of the Organ!

Stroller Me Skinny!

A new neat exercise class is coming to town! Stroller Me Skinny is led by a local mom, Karli, who is a certified instructor. This new stroller-involved workout looks really fun and productive, too! Classes start March 7 and cost $15 each. They will be at 11:00 AM (Wednesdays and Sundays at the Art Museum steps and Fridays at Rittenhouse Square.) There are some free ones in February. This is appropriate for babies over six weeks old. Please see her website for more information and spread the word!

Society Hill Synagogue Playschool and Hanukkah Happening

Just a little plug for our beloved Society Hill Synagogue's Playschool- undoubtedly one of the best in the city! It's hard to believe, but the application process is underway for the 2012-13 school year! Jeremy has attended the two-year-old class and now is in the three-and-four-year-old class. Next year he will be in the Pre-K and Caleb will be in the two-year-old class! It's a warm, nurturing environment, with wonderful, caring teachers. The applications are now available online and must be submitted by Monday, December 12 at 1:00 PM. 

On Sunday, December 11, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, we will be  hosting our annual Hanukkah Happening and Open House. It's a super fun party for the current and prospective families with the opportunity to learn a little more about the school.  Admission is $10 per family. Enjoy delicious latkes, games, crafts, and music.

I am a co-chair of the Playschool Committee (active and involved parents), so please email if you have questions (laurelsiegel@yahoo.com).

Macy's Holiday Light Show

Recently I took both boys on a field trip to Macy's. It was the opening week of the 50+ year old Holiday Light Show so it wasn't crowded at all, and boy was it a treat. They both sat on my lap, on the red carpet, mesmerized. The show is every hour, on the hour, starting at 10AM. The last show time varies each day based on the holiday schedule (see link). We love the Julie Andrew narration, the organ accompaniment, the mix of Nutcracker aspects, snowmen, reindeer, and winter fun. It's so exciting to watch it right in the middle of Macy's! We are going back next week -- we can't get enough! The light show continues through December 31.

Continuously throughout the day, you can go upstairs to the third floor to visit "Dickens' Village." It is unbelievable how they have transformed part of Macy's into this! The exhibit tells the story of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol with the use of 100 animated figures. At the end you have the option to visit Santa and of course there are many toys for sale!

This is such a special Philadelphia tradition!

School Open Houses

Lots of options for school in the city!! Here is a listing of upcoming Open Houses from KidsinCenterCity.com/schools (where you can see a catchment map). It's never too early to plan your child's education. We went to open houses for Meredith and McCall when Jeremy was only 1 and we were planning on purchasing a new house in one of those catchments.  Would have been happy with either, but we bought in McCall. Here is a recent report of interest.

William M. Meredith School November 1 and December 6: 9 AM 725 S 5th Street 215.351.7360 meredith.phila.k12.pa.us Friends Select School November 11, December 6 and January 12, 2012 17th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway 215.561.5900 www.friends-select.org Albert M. Greenfield School November 16, December 7 and January 18, 2012: 9 AM 2200 Chestnut Street 215.299.3566

General George A. McCall School November 18, December 16 and January 20, 2012: 9:30 AM 325 S 7th Street 215.351.7351 www.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/mccall   St. Peter's School November 20 319 Lombard Street 215.925.3963 www.st-peters-school.org For information on Center City schools, visit: KidsInCentercity.com/schools