A couple of things to think about...

Just a note... It looks like today is the last day to register for this, and I know it's a little pricey, but hey... you'll get some Christmas shopping done (or a lovely dinner out with your spouse) AND the kids'll have a great time and maybe learn some stuff!

Shop, Dine or just Play while we watch your children.
During the upcoming holiday season we are offering your children, ages 4-14 years, an engaging and educational evening of zoo programs from 5:30 – 9 p.m. so that you can do some holiday shopping, dine out “kid free” or simply enjoy some parental play time. A great opportunity your children to get some “Zoo Time” and enjoy a fun filled-evening featuring Zoo animals, arts and craft activities, and snacks. Just bring your kids to the Zoo (4 day advanced RSVP required) and we promise they will have the wildest time of their week.
Zoo Time
Friday, December 19, 2008
Cost: $40 per child
Time: 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Ok, on to another quickie... I had the opportunity one day last week to do one of those "random acts of kindness" things, and I won't go into all the details, but it was a ball of fun, AND it presented itself when I had the kids with me. Which, in turn, gave me the opportunity to explain to them the joy in doing these little deeds. We had a blast giggling and peeking at the unsuspecting recipient. We've also done a food collection for both Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, and they loved picking out things they liked to pass on to other families. Tis the season to take into account all those people out there that are struggling and only want to have a few smiles themselves for the holidays, and more importantly, see smiles on the faces of children in their lives. It doesn't take much to make a difference....and the joy you'll feel and pass on to your children is priceless.

More FREE stuff to do!

We love the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia; it's such an interesting place to roam through, with changing exhibits, a student gallery, and great gift shop.  Here's a free event going on this weekend! 

Family Fest! 

Sunday, December 14th  2-4pm 

Join the Contemporary Art Center for a FREE family event and create artworks inspired by their fall exhibition "Johnston Foster: Altered Beast." His sculptural installations are created from scavenged, recycled, and redefined materials to form Pop-Art-inspired animals and people.  Families will create fun sculptural characters from recycled and found objects and join the arts in thinking about how the found objects can be turned into art and the importance of recycling for the environment.   

Included: 

Hands-on art activities

Scavenger Hunts 

Food 

Beverages 

Fun for the whole family! 

ahh... the memories....

The Courthouse Galleries kick-off the holiday season with Winter Wonderland, displays from the popular Coleman Nursery Collection that became a tradition for families from across the Hampton Roads region and beyond. The collection began in the mid-1960s when owner, A. J. “Junie” Lancaster purchased a single “Sleeping Santa.” Each year, the scenes have grown and changed as more figures are restored and new ones are added. Join us this holiday season and share the memories with your family and friends. Santa has made a few changes to his first floor workshop this year. Watch as his elves try to decorate the revolving Christmas tree. They seem to get more lights on themselves than on the tree! You can peek out of the windows of the shop and see animals of all types as they come right to Santa’s door to be fed and receive treats from the elves including apples, hay, carrots – a variety of goodies for a variety of animals. On the second floor more children revel in the joys of the outdoors, from snowmen and carolers to sledders who join skaters for a day of fun in the snow.New international figures sing holiday songs with their friends from around the world as they frolic in the outdoor gazebo.

Wednesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sunday, Noon - 8 p.m.• Christmas Eve - New Year's Eve, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed Monday, Tuesday and Christmas Day

Admission: $2 for adults; $1 for children 2-17; 2 and under free

For Group Reservations please call 757-393-8983

If you have a slot of time....

We don't; every single minute of this weekend is jam-packed with some holiday-related event (I'm already exhausted) but just in case YOU are looking for some fun things to do this weekend... here goes. You're welcome. :)

Tonight: (December 5th)

HollyDazzle !

6pm-9pm at City Center on Jefferson Ave. in Newport News.

This unique holiday event combines fireworks, special effects, and music in a spectacular show presented in the round on the Fountain Plaza. Also, food, music, and free children's activities!

Saturday (December 6th)

Storytime with Santa!

2pm at Barnes & Noble on Greenbrier Pkwy. in Chesapeake

Bring your camera to take a photo with Santa. Musical performances, too, from the Ocean Lake High School chorus.

There'll be smiles all around!

Holiday Parade at the Beach
December 6, 2008
15th Street to 25th Street along Atlantic Avenue
Celebrate the holiday season with the 14th Annual Holiday Parade at the Beach, coming to the Virginia Beach oceanfront Saturday, December 6th. Helping to make this year's edition of this Hampton Roads holiday tradition the best ever will be giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, antique autos, decorated fire trucks, and even Santa himself arriving on his own special lighted float! Over 20,000 spectators line the street for the event that “officially” begins the holiday season at the Virginia Beach Resort.
The Holiday Parade at the Beach steps off at 5:30pm, traveling north from 15th Street to 25th Street along Atlantic Avenue. With marching bands from area schools and some of the most creative and festive floats to be featured in a local parade, be prepared for an evening of spectacle guaranteed to dazzle and delight!
The rain date for the parade, is Sunday, December 7.

Handprints make the cutest crafts!

It's free, it's fun, and it's priceless!!  

One of my favorite things to do with the kids is to make stuff out of their hand/foot/thumb prints... all you need is some paint, some time, and plenty of imagination...

Here's a couple of ideas to get you started for Christmas...