Welcome to KidsOutAndAbout.com's Capital District Newsletter for September 15, 2011!

Publisher's Note:

Dear KOA readers:

File this under "Quirky Things I Hate": You know how sometimes a performer on stage will scream into a microphone, "I can't HEAR you!" in an effort to get the audience to applaud louder? My gut response is typically a bit resentful: "Look, Dude, you're the one performing, and you're nagging me? Just do your part, and I'll do mine." But the thing is, it works--dang it--so performers do it all the time, even when performing for kids. That's certainly not the case for all kids performers, of course. Think about Mr. Steve (SteveSongs from PBS Kids): Mr. Steve would be about as likely as Mr. Rogers to demand affection from his fans, don't you think? Instead, Mr. Steve inspires genuine admiration rather than demanding a show of enthusiasm.

I was thinking about this as the school year started: The best teachers inspire kids to want to learn, rather than demanding mindlessly obedient responses. As parents, we want to do the same thing, and for homeschooling parents like me, this is an especially poignant question. We all have it as our goal to help our kids learn enthusiastically, but not all learning is fun or immediately rewarding. For example, getting my younger child to read is like pulling teeth, while the rest of the family can get lost in books for hours. So, I've given up on many years of kidding myself that someday soon, maybe next week, she'll start reading for pleasure; instead, I legislate time she must spend reading. So it goes. (Of course, I know it really could happen next week!)

As idealistic as I was at the start--I was sure that my kids would naturally want to do everything well--I've come to grips with the fact that parenting is a combination of inspiring our kids and legislating what they must do. Kids are uniquely themselves; some have natural enthusiasm, some have to be prodded to do the stuff they (sometimes) learn to like. (However, I have yet to see a kid LEARN to like cleaning her room....if any of you have strategies for this, please let me know; we'll write a book together, and we'll both get rich.)
 
Anyway, there is a LOT going on out and about to inspire both adults and kids this weekend! And the Capital District is in for some beautiful weather, at least as of this writing. Katie has weekend highlights below, but I thought I would point out especially the Apple & Wine Festival at Altamont Orchards, which is this Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18. I just adore Harvest Festivals. Speaking of which...

2) It's that time of year when I'm overflowing with produce from the two CSAs I use. And I realized that this week is the beginning of the... dreaded... cabbage season. I can expect cabbage from now until the snow flies. It is dreaded because a) Despite my Polish roots, I don't really know how to cook cabbage and b) my kids hate my attempts. They eyed yesterday's cabbage with suspicion, and they secretly hope that it just rots there on the window sill. SO HERE IS WHAT I AM HOPING: Kind KidsOutAndAbout.com readers, I know that many readers are in my same predicament, so would you please email me your best cabbage recipes to ross@kidsoutandabout.com? (Yes, even you, Mary... I know you sent one last year but I had an email crash in December.) I will then publish the cabbage recipes I receive, so we all can suffer together benefit from our KOA readers' collective wisdom. And I will personally test them out and require my kids to determine the most kid-friendly of them all. (Sorry, girls! Sometimes it's great to be the kids of the KOA publisher, sometimes not so much. Just remember where your bread is buttered.)

3) Katie's CSA brought her lots and lots of PEACHES. Here is the recipe she uses to make what her husband calls Good Pie Stuff with those peaches... and the secret ingredient is SALTINES.

4) There are few more memorable family activities than APPLE PICKING! And the CORN MAZES are ready, too! Let's get out and experience the fall! Check out our big Apple Picking list and Corn Maze list to see where to go! Make sure to click through to their web sites or call to get specific dates for openings; that info is subject to change.

5) Katie shared her fruit pie tip for peaches, so I'm going to share mine, for apples: If you're ready to make that apple pie, HERE IS THE SECRET to perfect apple pie. Really. It's simple and it works to make it MUCH less soggy.

6) Handy links:
Pick apples
Visit a corn maze
Indoor recreation
Museums
282 FREE events coming up

7) Parenting Research: Participants Wanted! Are you curious about how families handle the challenges of parenting toddlers?  University of Rochester researchers are looking for parents of 2- or 3-year-old children to participate in an online study of family dynamics. The initial online survey is confidential, takes about 20 minutes, and incentives for participating include getting feedback on your romantic relationship in addition to chances to win $100. For more information, please click on the following link: http://edu.surveygizmo.com/s3/526237/family-dynamics?source=KOAA

8) GIVEAWAYS: Congratulations to Alana Sullivan, who won yesterday's drawing for the mega music library. Turns out Alana will be donating the prize to use as an entry in the silent auction for the a fundraiser for the International Rhett Syndrome Foundation. That makes me very happy! What a win-win! Gosh I love this job!

We have a great new giveaway: The movie Dolphin Tale is coming out on September 23, and in its honor we're holding a drawing to win a great Dolphin Tale prize pack, which includes a dolphin plush, junior novel, towel, tote, puzzle, bookmark, activity books, hat, T-shirt and shoulder bag. Plus, we have one more drawing for the presale passes to the O!Baby! Consignment Sale next week. So check out our Giveaway Page to find out how to sign up to win these prizes.

9) It's still not too late to sign up your kids to participate in some Extracurricular programs: academic, arts, sports, fitness, homeschooling, and everything in between. Classes keep getting entered all the time by Capital District organizations (it's free to post on our events, classes, and camps calendars, so it's a terrific way to get the word out to readers like you). Here are a couple of programs that were entered in the past week:

Music Box Arts posted a bunch of classes they hold throughout the region, like Music Together, Kid Sing, and Creative Dramatics. Go to the Music Box Arts listing and click on the Classes tab.

Art programs for children age 2-8 at My Place to Play
Troy Children's Chorus
Kids Dancspace @ eba Theater

10) Our back-to-school articles got a lot of attention in the past couple of weeks, so I list them here one last time for your reading convenience.

Catching Zzzzz's To Get A's: Getting your child on a regular sleep schedule
Outlet Shopping with 'Tweens: Tips and Tricks 
Making a Nutritious Lunch Fun for your Kids (about creative yet nutritious food to pack)
Packing Lunches that Pack Punches (about clever ways to pack the lunch that make it fun for both kids
Back to School: Tips for Packing a Fun and Healthful Lunch for your Child.

11) Fall is the best time for family photography! It's not too hot, so no one gets too cranky, there are beautiful colors, and you get to capture memories that last a lifetime and beyond. You have two options for family photography: Have a professional photographer capture your family in ways that make you look better than you ever thought possible, or find a beautiful spot in our area and do it yourself.

If you decide to have professional photos, check out our article Tips for Professional Family Photography with Kids, which tells you how to prepare for your session, what to wear, etc.  Or, if you decide to do it yourself, we have What to Wear When Taking Child or Family Photographs Outside. It makes a difference where you're going to be, so be sure to read.

--Debra Ross, Publisher

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From your editor, Katie Beltramo:
 
12) You'll find all kinds of unexpected fun in the most unexpected places all over the Capital District this weekend. Like a car show in the wilderness at "Wheels in the Woods" at Thacher. Or a Silent Disco as part of LarkFEST! in downtown Albany. Or a bunch of Civil-War era soldiers camping in the park for the Saratoga Civil War Encampment at Congress Park. Or dance performances in playgrounds.

13) Meanwhile, little boys will be dragging their mamas into Pottery Barn for Star Wars Red Carpet Event. And the folks at the Capital Region Apple & Wine Festival will find out if bounce houses and wine tastings can peacefully co-exist at the same event (gosh, I hope so!).
 
14) But, wait: there's more. I recently visited The Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown, and the whole family loved it. For more details, check out my review here. This weekend they're celebrating their annual Harvest Festival at the Farmers' Museum. I'm sure that it will be worth the trip!
 
15) If you're looking for some farm fun a little closer to home, there's plenty available. It's the Sweet Corn Festival, the opening day celebration at Liberty Ridge Farm. Clifton Park is celebrating their annual Farm Fest at a variety of locations.
 
Yes, I know. You're just getting used to the new back-to-school routine, and you and kids need some time to relax. So, relax a bit. But get out there, because there's too much fun to miss!