-The weather: The weekend starts off with some rain today and tomorrow morning but it clears out to a lovely afternoon with temps near 50! It looks like Saturday is going to be the pick of the weekend. If you want to do anything, especially outdoors, Saturday is going to have temperatures in the mid-40s according to WTNH. Clouds and maybe snow will be coming on Sunday. The models don't show a lot of accumulation, but it's too early to say. So if you head out to do your grocery shopping this weekend, you'll know why the stores are more crowded than usual.
- Help a mom out! February 17th is Random Act of Kindness Day. Be kind to a mom you know and forward Macaroni Kid to her. Let your friends and colleagues in on all of the great events in our area and the fun parenting info and articles.
- Find out how to get a share in a local farm and enjoy a variety of farm fresh food every week by looking into a local CSA (community supported agriculture). There are farms in Bethlehem, Oxford, Sandy Hook, Cheshire, Bethany, and more!
- There are some great days to observe this week. This is the week to celebrate Mardi Gras, the last hurrah before the restrictions of Lent. This year, Mardi Gras is celebrated on February 21st. Get into the carnival spirit by making a special Mardi Gras Mask out of duct tape. While I love the beads and green, purple and black of Mardi Gras, I prefer to think of Fat Tuesday as Pancake Day! Prior to Lent, the tradition was to use up some of the foods that wouldn't be consumed for Lent by making pancakes. Color your pancakes green and purple for the day.
- Take part in some "citizen science" this weekend and find out how to participate in the Backyard Bird Count from February 17th through February 20th. February 20th is also President's Day and the beginning of Winter Break for some school districts. You may be wondering what you can do with the kids while they are out of school. Here is a quick round up of special programs offered on President's Day and during winter break week.
- Giveaways are all ending today! Enter these now:
- 81st Annual Dog Show and Obedience Trials
- Winter Wonderland Ball at Stepping Stones in Norwalk
- Harlem Globetrotters in Hartford at the XL Center
- It is time to register for day cares and preschools for the coming year. Brown Tufts Montessori and St. James Lutheran Preschool are very friendly and just waiting to show you around!
- Some great picks for this weekend:
- Friday is the beginning of the indoor minigolf course setup at the Woodbury Senior Center. It's great fun for all ages. If you get to Washington very early, you could find a seat to hear legend Roberta Flack speak for free as part of a recognition of Black History Month. If you miss out on seats, head to Litchfield for the free Star Party. Dress warmly!
- On Saturday, you can beat the winter blahs by heading out to the Mystic Seaport and get free admission for the kids. It is a big wintry event. Or stay nearby and take in a special, very early at 8:15 am, behind-the-scenes tour of the Maritime Aquarium with an opportunity to feed sharks. Then stay and enjoy the new look of the aquarium with the opening of the Maritime Aquarium's FINtastic RefurbFISHment. Catch the last Pinkalicious show at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre.
- Enjoy nature on Saturday evening by attending a free planetarium show and telescope viewing at the WestConn Observatory or explore the woods at Pratt Nature Center's Nature at Night program. If the arts are calling your family more than nature, then the free Lord of the Flies performance by the Woodhall Performers in Bethlehem might be more your speed, as long as your kids are older than 10.
- Sunday goes to the dogs with the annual Dog Show at the XL Center. Buy tickets at the door (if you didn't win them here!). Enjoy a family day at the New Britain Museum of American Art celebrating Native Americans with dance and song and more.
- Macaroni Kid has a big list of area restaurants that offer free and cheap kids' meal deals.
- Here are the quick links to this weekend's calendar of events where there are many, many more activities listed:
