- I am very excited to see crocuses popping up. They are so cheery. It doesn't have quite the same impact as when their purple petals are peeking above snow, but I can manage. A friend of mine had to weed already. This year I am looking forward to some extra daffodils blooming since I remember to plant them in the fall. This weekend will be respectable weather for getting out. Not as warm as today and tomorrow, but sunny. Today is going to be warm and windy. It might be good weather to fly a kite.
- Saturday night is time to "Spring Forward" and move the clocks ahead an hour! Which also means it is time to replace the batteries in fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Macaroni moms are smart and safe. Sundials are a great way to "see" time passing and measure it the same way ancient civilizations did: by tracking the motion of the sun across the sky. Make your own sundial with our "timely" article. Another sundial, for kids who like to cut, is this printable sundial template from Sky and Telescope. The Northern Model is needed and our latitude is near 40 degrees latitude.
- This is the last weekend of the season to observe the bald eagles at the Shepaug Dam in Southbury. Wednesday the 14th will be the final date.
- Since we have awesome Macaroni Moms, K. asks what group activity, like playgroups or classes, she can do with an 18 month old on Saturdays. You can share your ideas right on Facebook or e-mail me at kimm@macaronikid.com and I will pass them along.
- We have had a great response to the best birthday party locations in our area with polls on Facebook and Survey Monkey. I can't wait to tally up the votes tomorrow. If you haven't voted, Friday is the last day. Vote now! It is a really quick survey the will help out other Macaroni Moms. The top five businesses in our survey will win free advertising for a month* on Macaroni Kid and a "Macaroni Mom Favorite" badge.
- There is a new giveaway ending today, March 8th, at 6 pm. Enter to win a family four pack of tickets to Larry the Cable Guy. Families watch him on TV and he's coming to the Palace Theater. You can't win if you don't enter!
Our Sundae Spa in Waterbury giveaway ends on March 15th at 7 pm. Don't miss out on a chance to win a $20 gift certificate.
Like us on Facebook to be the first to know about a really exciting giveaway that will be starting very soon! Here's a hint: it involves red noses.
- Here is an article detailing the 2012 St. Patrick's Day parades in Connecticut. This weekend you can enjoy the Hartford parade on Saturday and the New Haven parade on Sunday.
- I added El Coyote Restaurant in Brookfield and Monroe to our big list of kids' meal deals. They offer free kids meals to the 8 and under crowd on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Check this weekend's calendar of events, where there are many, many more activities listed.
- Friday picks: I just found out about a fundraising event at Fun Factor in Middlebury. For $11 kids can bounce, eat pizza and have drink for four whole hours!
- Saturday picks: Head out early to observe the eagles, build something at Lowe's for free, or head up to Hartford to enjoy a day of free Victorian Days family activities at the Wadsworth Atheneum and check out the parade as it goes by at 11 (watch out for blocked streets). In the evening, learn about measuring distance in the universe in the free program at the New Milford High School observatory.
- Sunday picks: If you've been wondering if the Y is the place to take your family, Woodbury and Middlebury residents can get in for free today and enjoy the Y's Sunday family activities. While you are out driving around, head to the B'nai Israel carnival. It celebrates Purim and everyone is welcome. Catch The Adventures of Tintin at the Edmond Town Hall for $2 on its last day.
- Especially for teens: On Friday there is a teen drawing workshop at the Aldrich in Ridgefield and a full moon hike at the Pratt Nature Center, Enjoy our national symbol on Saturday at the Shepaug Dam. Sunday is the only day to see Larry the Cable Guy.
* Depending on availability.
