Music in Highland Park

Who else was counting down the weekends until Pittsburgh's Reservoir of Jazz Concert Series continued?! Our family appreciates the outdoor venue at Highland Park. Here are a few pointers to better enjoy the concert experience:

• schedule enough time for parking unless you'll pedal to the park
• bring portable chairs or blanket
• prepare a picnic with dinner/desserts or support local food vendors (such as Franctuary!)
• arrive for part of the concert or a short duration
• remember scooping baggies if you're bringing a friendly canine 

Afterwards, check out the group line dancing led by Summer Soul Line Dancing located near by the water fountain. The energetic leader blasts music and his voice to explain the fun, dance moves. Apparently this is the 5th year running, without missing a Sunday in August during all of these years! The dancing begins at 7pm and we saw participants of all ages.

Any other tips to enjoy music in the park? 

Memorable Memorial Day

Image source.

We honored Memorial Day by attending the Annual Memorial Day Celebration at the Soldier's & Sailors Museum in Oakland. 


It was special celebrating the day while observing the opening ceremony, enjoying admission to the museum and viewing the time capsule's contents.


Based on our visit, we would recommend visiting later in the day at next year's event. When we arrived in the morning, the children's activities were not ready for usage - the bouncy house was still deflated with an unknown time for its readiness.


How did you and your family honor and celebrate Memorial Day?

Carnegie Museum on Thursdays

Thanks to a generous grant from The Jack Buncher Foundation, there is free admission in February and March at Carnegie Museum of Art & Natural History on Thursdays after 3:30 p.m. 


Have you enjoyed free admission with your family yet? What exhibits did you and your children most enjoy?

Count down to Kid-A-Palooza!

Have y'all marked your calendars, yet? Two and a half more weeks until the 12th Annual Kid-A-Palooza on February 25, 2012. A few of the sponsors are Giant Eagle and 100.7 Star Pittsburgh.


Last year's event was held at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.  Yet, no details are available online about the events whereabouts or time frame. I sent an inquiry though the site and have not heard yet. 


I am not sure the variance in ticket prices between Giant Eagle and online.


Hopefully our family will be able to attend and yours too!


Have you attended Kid-A-Palooza in the past... any memories or suggestions to share?

This Little Light

It was enjoyable spending the day with family and enjoying activities in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. One of the exciting events available in Pittsburgh was complimentary admission to the Carnegie Science Center. Other cool happenings included Many Hands, celebration at CMU, ideas from Sewickley's Patch, Events listed by CBS and visiting August Wilson Center on 1/17.


How did you remember MLK?

Summertime... Water Parks

What better way to spend time as a family then splashing and cooling off with water?! Remember sunscreen though!

Here is a list of area water parks:

• Sandcastle in Pittsburgh
  
• Spray Parks in the City
  
• Wave Pool  at South Park
• PPG Place Water Feature in Downtown

If you are in the mood for a longer drive there is always...

•  Splash Lagoon in Erie, PA.
• Kalahari in Sandusky, OH.

 Another ideas is to connect with neighbors or family by hosting and/or organizing a Water Party. Activities could feature the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Blossom Bright Sprinkler or  Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Grub ScoutsSprinkler; "slip & slide" water slide; or simultaneously add artwork to your garden by   using an ornamental sprinkler. Remember to caution players of the tripping hazard with the watering hose. 

Please share... what other water parks do you recommend?