Happy New Year's Eve! Fortunately, you don't have to keep the kids up until midnight to mark the dawning of 2010, because local museums like Port Discovery and the Maryland Science Center will have their own parties around noon. New Year's Annapolis is also known for family-friendliness, with activities for kids starting at 3 p.m.

Here's the short list of fun stuff for the new year celebration and throughout the weekend:

Thursday, Dec. 31:

Midnight Noon: Celebrate at the Maryland Science Center with face painting, kids' band Milkshake, crafts, and a puppet show, with special activities starting at 10 a.m. Free with science center admission.

Noontime New Year: Ring in the new year at noon with MPT's Bob Heck at Port Discovery (see photo). Cultural activities are planned.

New Year's Annapolis offers activities for kids beginning at 3 p.m., with fireworks as early as 7:30 p.m. (and at midnight, too). Here's the children's activities schedule.

Friday, Jan. 1:

Big Gunpowder Falls Hike: If your family is full of able hikers, you might celebrate the New Year with the Mountain Club of Maryland, which will hike for six miles beside Big Gunpowder Falls. Some elevation and water crossings. Call 410-663-9797 for information.

Saturday, Jan. 2:

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker: The snowstorm right before Christmas means rescheduled performances of this holiday classic, which will be performed at the Lyric Opera House Saturday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m and Sunday 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets prices range from $24.50 to $84.50 and may be purchased at the Lyric box office, by phone at 410-547-SEAT or online. If you purchased tickets for the canceled shows, you can bring those original tickets to the corresponding rescheduled performance for admission.

Oh, Ethiopia! is the theme of drop-in art activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Walters Art Museum. Free.

Sunday, Jan. 3:

381 Days: This exhibit about the historic 1955 Montgomery bus boycott incorporates photographs, political cartoons, fine art, illustrations and an 8-minute audiovisual program to help explain the cultural significance of the event. Open from noon to 5 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. Admission is $6-$8. Call 410-263-1800 or go to africanamericanculture.org.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

While you can say that 2009 has been a depressing year for families, it's been a great year here at Charm City Moms.

From the help you gave each other during that epic hunt for White House Easter Egg Roll tickets, to your cogent comments over a breastfeeding controversy, to your watching along with my husband and me as we discussed the disintegration of Jon & Kate Plus 8, I was impressed with the thoughtfulness of your comments and, with few exceptions, the civility of the discussions.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to review what I thought were the year's 10 most notable comments, which follow. This is obviously a pretty subjective exercise, so I'd love it if you'd nominate your own favorites.

Seems people want to either forgive or crucify the famous for common misdeeds. I just found out that our first child will be a boy, due in April '10. Is there a difference in intimacy even now? Sure, and I would expect the same next year, not becuase we love each other less but becuase there's more stress and distraction. Committed couples deal with these things and work to increase their intimacy. None of us have the insight or knowledge to say whether or not these 2 humans are working at this, or if, privately, theyare willing to be open about their relationship. All I'm saying is whats wrong for you, my be right for others. Judgment of others is not the right or responsibility of good christians.
Posted by ctwebdesigner in response to Tiger Woods and why new fathers cheat

bad mommy? forget about it : as long as we have to parent in modern society, they will keep finding things that all of the sudden present a Mortal Danger To Our Children. You do your best, you listen to your instincts, and you make your best effort to ensure safety. Living in fear of the next recall has a paralyzing effect.
Posted by Kirsten under Another huge crib recall

I think older children rejecting Sesame Street is just a healthy sign of how immensely important it is for the child during their formative ages. To reject it is simply to say "I'm a big girl/boy now". But I'm sure those same kids will be nostalgic about it as adults, just as we are.
Posted by: Jill under Sesame Street's 40th anniversary

The physical hitting of anyone, period, is simply defined as assault. May God bless any soul that places a hand on my child inappropriately - they will be begging for the police to save them from me.
Posted by kqmom under Toddler anger and the Wal Mart slap

This is just an extension of the technique that my children perfected in preschool: cry pitiously when I leave them at preschool, then cry even harder why I make them leave preschool at the end of the day. Now they don't want to get in the pool, and then they whinge when the pool closes and it's time to go home. I think I got defective children, but my mother mutters darkly about "only what I deserve..."
Posted by Baltofoodie under Mean mommy forces kids to go to the pool

Every day it is a choice on whether John & Kate will choose to love each other. Each day both John & Kate should choose to work out their problems and choose to love one another. It's all about love, trust, respect and communication. That's how my husband and my marriage has made it through 31 years. Everyone thought we would not stay married; however we chose the decisions mentioned above. We also learned to put God first in our marriage. No one or no marriage will ever be perfect. I don't think John or Kate would want another man or woman (i.e stepfather, stepmother) to raise their beautiful children. I'm lifting them up for a wonderful life together.
Posted by Anonymous under John & Kate Plus 2 watch Jon & Kate Plus 8

My daughter (almost 5) just asked for a nose pierce, a giraffe and a baby brother all on the same day. Hmmm...choices, choices, choices.
Posted by Edamommy under Octo-mom pet

As a first-time mother who spends most of her days nursing her 2 month old, I have had hours to give this topic some thought. Once we got the hang of it I too loved the fact that I could feed my daughter. But as someone who will have to go back to work in a few weeks I am saddened by the way this topic is framed. Breastfeeding is a choice, and I never ever pass judgment on mothers who for whatever reason are bottle-feeding their children. I am lucky, I work in an office where I can at least pump privately. But this whole "debate" masks the true issue that should be discussed in our country: how women are offered ridiculously paltry amounts of family leave. Is it any wonder how women feel judged and stressed and incapable of "doing it all" when most have to return to work in 3 months or less? And to mothers lucky enough to stay at home, no, I do not believe that my going back to work is a "choice" - in my case I stand to lose my pension and health insurance should I quit my job, not to mention the ability to contribute to our mortgage. The real discussion should be about flexible time, work-site daycare, and policies that allow moms to actually raise their children in infancy.
Posted by Claudia under Breastfeeding wars

Worry-free hint: in my desk, I have a pair, each, of blue, brown and black socks. They were given to me by a co-worker who couldn't function when I wore mis-matched socks to work.

No, really. I couldn't make this up.

Two rules for stress management:

A. Don't sweat the small stuff.
B. It's all small stuff.

Posted by Bucky under No worries day

Maybe Dad's aren't buying into this "multitasking" thing you refer to. I'm a guy and I've raised kids and grandkids; always shopped, cooked and cleaned, coached teams and took 'em fishing. Take it from me... there'd be more stable, happy families if parents would get a grip and take care of the important things. Next year nobody is gonna care how hard you worked on that presentation this weekend. Nobody. And don't be a martyr at home. The memory of a stressed-out, always tired, barely in control, frazzled, medicated mom will last a lifetime.
Posted by VC under Mad at Dad

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

 Liz Atwood talks parenting resolutions this Tween Tuesday:

 In addition to the old promises to lose weight and exercise more, I'm adding to my list of New Year's resolutions to be a more effective parent of my tween sons. Starting in 2010 I resolve to:

 1. Nag less. I'm going to test the theory that if I nag less my sons will act more responsibly.

2. Enforce rules more consistently. How many times have I given in to demands to stay up later or watch more TV or play one more video game because I didn't have the energy to argue?

3. Offer more praise. I admit it. I sometimes am so worried with my sons' faults that I fail to compliment their achievements.

4. Have more fun. I'm going to try to enjoy the here and now and not worry so much about the future. Yes, high school and college admissions applications are looming. Before I know it, there will be driver's ed and dating. But for now I want to enjoy the few years remaining before my sons become adults.

Do you have your own parenting resolutions?

Posted by Liz Atwood at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

It was quite a year for families, wasn't it? Jon & Kate, the Tiger Woods scandal, Octomom....

Our Joe Burris has compiled a list of the top ten parenting stories of 2009. Let us know which you think is the top story, and what important stories we missed.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Dear Santa,

For next Christmas, I would like to know how to keep children who never get up at 5:30 a.m. from getting up at 5:30 a.m. because they would like to open their presents NOW and if they must get up, how to get them to whisper to each other to keep from waking the 2-year-old and his parents who have traveled a long way and are sleeping in the next room, and also how to keep the cat from crying when she has already been fed.

In the meantime, (yawn), Merry Christmas to all!

(Photo by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: School's Out
        

It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...

I saw Terri Peters' snow haiku entry, and just had to write about it this week:

Toddler's first big snow
Bundled up and headed out
He cried the whole time

My toddler wasn't quite as traumatized, but, as you can tell from the photo above, he wasn't into it. I took Isaac out on Sunday (his half-birthday, as it turns out), and he was pretty much mystified. He looked around and then looked at me like, "What the heck do you want me to do here?" I showed him that he could stomp around in it and knock down the drift against the fence. He half-heartedly kicked some. I ran into a waist-deep pile of snow and twirled around and tried to get him to walk over toward me through the path I'd made. I threw some snowballs. No go.

Finally, I looked at his red little face and asked if he wanted to go back inside, and he did an about-face and started booking it back toward the front door. This from a kid who has "outside" high on his list of favorite concepts.

Maybe next time!

(Photo by me)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

My son Sam, 6, has written up his "Christmas plans."

They work for me.

In order (and with a little spellling corrected), they are:

Be happy.

Be thankful for presents.

Be jolly.

Giving more than getting.

Don't forget to give Santa cookies.

Wear Christmas pajamas.

Try to listen to the reindeers.

Eat your candy cane if you have one.

Decorate for Santa.

Open presents in the morning.

Wear a Christmas smile.

Watch "The Grinch."

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! Here's your short list of weekend family fun:

Thursday, Dec. 24:

Santa at Harborplace: There's still time for a photo with the jolly old elf from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Harborplace.

Friday, Dec. 25:

Relax, Create, ReJEWvenate: TThe Rosenbloom Jewish Community Center in Owings Mills offers activities for all ages from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., including music, Moon Bounce, games, arts and crafts. Free for JCC members; $18 per family for nonmembers. Call 410-356-5200 Ext. 387 or email dzvili@jcc.org

Saturday, Dec. 26:

Egg Drop Price Drop: A favorite activity at the Maryland Science Center: Between 10 a.m and noon visitors receive $5 off basic admission and an egg. Take the egg to the Flight Prep area where you try to construct a launch vehicle.

Gift Wrap Paper Capers and Open House: What to do with all those holiday gift wrappings? Create crafts using your holiday paper while visiting the animals from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, 700 Otter Point Rd., Abingdon. $2/person or $5/family.

Sunday, Dec. 27:

Lights, Canvas, Action! is the theme of Free Family Sundays at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 2-4 p.m. For ages 6 to 14.

Winter Crafts: Make a winter critter craft from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Port Discovery. Free with admission.

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Lloyd Fox)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Here's a great Christmas breakfast candidate for our weekly family recipe -- homemade cinnamon rolls.

As we prepared to dig out from the snow Sunday, my husband found this recipe on allrecipes.com and tweaked it a bit. In true egalitarian fashion, he baked them while I was out shoveling the walks. We ate them, still warm, with some neighbors during a break between snowball fights.

Here's what they looked like before we inhaled them outside:

Here's the recipe:

Ninety-Minute Cinnamon Rolls

3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk, plus more as desired

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in butter; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups of the flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, softened butter.
Roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. Spread dough with butter/sugar mixture. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal size rolls and place cut side up in 12 lightly greased muffin cups. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until browned. Meanwhile, mix glaze. Remove rolls from muffin cups to cool and drizzle glaze over the top. Serve warm.

Adapted from allrecipes.com

Per roll: 368 calories, 13 grams fat, 6 grams saturated fat, 60 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams protein, 1 gram fiber, 40 milligrams cholesterol, 162 milligrams sodium. Analysis by registered dietitian Jodie Shield.

(Photo of rolls in pan by me; of rolls outside by John Coyle)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Anne Arundel, Howard and Carroll county public school districts have already announced they're canceling school again on Wednesday because of the snow. That means kids in those schools have started their Christmas break already, and won't be back to the classroom until Jan. 4.

UPDATE : Baltimore City also has cancelled school for Wednesday. Baltimore County wants students to come in two hours late.

Many parents are scrambling to handle Christmas shopping, work responsibilities, snow removal....and now extra child-care. They're paying babysitters lots of money at a time when most households don't have a lot to spare. And then there's the issue of boredom -- once the kids have built the snow fort and the snowman and been sledding a few times -- then seen all the good holiday movies -- what is there to do?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: School's Out
        

Here's Liz Atwood with Tween Tuesday: 

I've come to the conclusion I watched too many Campbell's Soup commercials while growing up in the 1970s. Do you remember the ones where the kids are out playing in the snow and Mom heats up a bowl of delicious Campbell's soup, calls the kids in to eat and the rosy-faced smiling children say, "Thanks, Mom!"

Mmm Mmm good.

That is not the way it was at my house as we coped with the Blizzard of 2009 and the first snow day of the year. Have kids changed or what? My boys lazily got out of bed and instead of throwing on their snow pants and boots, they headed for the Xbox and settled down to play video games. After about an hour of watching them lounge around, I couldn't take it any more. Don't you want to go out and play in the snow? I asked. Don't you want to go sledding?

The boys looked at me like I was crazy and declared that they hate sledding. I put my foot down. "You're not going to play video games all day," I told them. They grumbled as they put on their boots, coats and snow pants and headed out to build a snow fort.

Meanwhile, I made hot chocolate from scratch and heated up a batch of homemade chili. Barely an hour later they came inside covered in snow. The younger one complained that the older brother had pushed his face in the snow and he was cold. The older one declared he was "done" with playing in the snow.

I gathered up the wet clothes and offered them a steaming hot cup of chocolate. No thanks, they said, and poured themselves a couple glasses of soda.

"How about chili?" I asked. No. Not hungry. They headed back to the TV and turned on the Xbox.

Mmm Mmm good.

Photo: At least some kids like the snow. Lacy Bollinger, 9, of Towson, sleds down a hill behind Stoneleigh Elementary School on Saturday afternoon. Baltimore Sun photo by Jerry Jackson.

Posted by Liz Atwood at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Teens
        

And...the city just called it. Guess another day of cabin fever lies ahead. Will they be off until the new year??

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: School's Out
        

Public school districts in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties have now announced they're closed on Tuesday, according to our database. They follow Baltimore County, which announced it was closing earlier today.

Still no word from city schools yet.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Baltimore County public schools are closed Tuesday, according to our database on the right rail. Still haven't heard about other districts yet. Stay tuned.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: School's Out
        

What fun our spontaneous snow haiku contest turned out to be during this snowmaggedon weekend. Thanks to all who played along. I loved the images -- funny, poetic, sometimes both -- that flowed in here and at #mdsnowhaiku on Twitter.

Now let's pick a winner!

I've rounded up five finalists, and I'm throwing it open to a poll to pick the winner of "The Illustrated Kitchen Bible," and snow-ku bragging rights.

The finalists are:

Hush still cityscape
Squeaky boots tromp a path home
Cool clean air revives
--Heather Bradbury

Winter wonderland
Icy loads and salty roads
Better when younger.
--@howardjp

Toddler's first big snow
Bundled up and headed out
He cried the whole time
--Terri Peters

Upon weathered lips
A flake settles gently there
And warms my heart too
--@IamKeonte

Traffic is snarled
Milk, bread and beer gone bye bye
Hons await first flake
--@hungovergourmet

Now it's time to vote. The poll will be open until tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Good luck!

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Today's Consult goes out to all of you with kids home today. You get to learn how to build what is apparently a Baltimore tradition -- the snow fort.

I've lived here 15 years, but never heard of this tradition until my neighbor John started piling up the snow he was digging out from around his car. He made the walls curve with an open back, and stacked some snowballs inside.

Then he built another one, and invited our kids over to play with his son. What fun they had!

Here's how to build a snow fort from ehow.com.

Later, John built a tunnel through the fort -- good for escaping the fort while snowballs are flying. But he cautioned that the tunnel should be big enough and the snow pack above it light enough that the snow wouldn't hurt a child if it collapsed.

File photo by Baltimore Sun photographer David Hobby

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

Baltimore city schools have announced they're closed tomorrow, along with districts in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, and Harford. More may be coming -- for all the information, watch our schools database (also on the right rail of the blog) and sign up to receive alerts from it.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: School's Out
        

This one's from Trish Kellerman in Catonsville, who says she has a foot and a half of snow...

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: School's Out
        

From @sbsterling:

Still taking kid pix; send them along.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: School's Out
        

Lillian Hall has a great time in Patterson Park....Photo by Josh Hall.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: School's Out
        

What it's all about:

I'd love it if you'd send me your great kid snow pix today. I'll post them here and add them to our snow mashup.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: School's Out
        

While we're snowed in this weekend, we can at least express ourselves....in haiku. And there's a prize.

For those of you who are new to haiku, the rules are:

Five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, five in the third. A successful haiku creates an image in the reader's mind.

I'll start us off:

B'more snow panic
reassuring ritual
Must procure three whites!

The winner (not me, obviously) will receive "The Illustrated Kitchen Bible," which has tons of recipes for next time it snows. We'll accept entries at the hash tag #mdsnowhaiku on Twitter, as well as in the comments below.

Contest starts now and runs through the weekend. Good luck!

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Oh, here it comes -- snow. A lot of snow on the last weekend before Christmas, upending our plans to frantically tear around Target and the malls, to actually have a babysitter come while we make the rounds of parties...And then there's the question of school on Monday.

For parents, it's a perfect storm -- literally, in this case.

That's one way to look at it. But to calm my blood pressure and my racing heartbeat as I contemplate all we were supposed to do this weekend, I think about these benefits:

Quiet.
Cocoa.
Reading.
Board games.
Movies.
Time with a fluffy orange cat.
Baking cookies.
Sledding.
Blankets.
A fire in the fireplace.
Naps.

OK, the last probably won't happen, at least for me. But still, in our busy lives, sometimes these limits imposed without notice by Mother Nature are secretly freeing.

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Karl Merton Ferron)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: School's Out
        

It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...

Just a quick, back-from-vacation-and-trying-to-catch-up post today. But I'm wondering: What are folks doing to protect their Christmas tree from their toddler ... and vice versa? We have a skinny, artificial, Charlie Brown-ish tree in the living room, and at the moment, the base is surrounded by tall boxes so the kidlet can't get to it (pretty much).

He's still fascinated by the whole thing, though mostly he just wants to reach out and touch the ornaments. Under supervision -- with reminders of "Gentle!" -- he's been doing OK. And that wall of boxes helps, too.

Some friends from my moms' group were talking about buying one of those big baby gates to put all the way around their tree, but I don't know if anyone actually did.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

I think, as usual, the tree is probably most at risk for attack by the cats, not the kid. But we'll see!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Can't believe the holiday is almost here. Here are some ways to enjoy the anticipation with the family for one more weekend:

Thursday, Dec. 17:

The Clauses visit Elkridge: This sounds like fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus will come through Elkridge neighborhoods from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. When neighbors hear "Jingle Bells" sounded on the air horn of the fire truck these two will be riding, they should meet at the nearest street corner. They'll be collecting canned goods and wrapped gifts for the needy.

Santa at the Savage Library:Santa will be at the Savage branch of the Howard County Library at 7 p.m. There will also be stories and crafts. Limited space; register online or by calling 410-880-5978.

Friday, Dec. 18:

"Alice in Wonderland": DanceRINK's “Alice in Wonderland” is adapted from a 1950 radio play. In this production, director and choreographer Scott Rink retells the classic story with dance, movement and images. At Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., at noon and 7 p.m. Performances are also at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors and artists and $10 for students. Go to theatreproject.org.

Target $2 Family Fun Nights at Port Discovery: Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., get in to the Port Discovery Children's Museum for just $2.

Winter Wonderland Party for Preschoolers: Kids can celebrate winter with themed games, crafts, and treats from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Bear Branch Nature Center, 300 John Owings Road, Westminster. 410-848-2517. $7.

Saturday, Dec. 19:

Santa at the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company: Have lunch with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company, 11210 York Road. There will be food and crafts. Donations accepted for Toys for Tots and the Maryland Food Bank.

Dreidel Hunt: The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC will have Hanukkah activities, including games and swimming, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ages 4-11. $18 per nonmember family; free for members.

Sunday, Dec. 20:

Hibernation Fascination Discover how hibernating animals and
others survive throughout the winter and what is causing them to rouse from their
deep sleep from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Irvine Nature Center. For ages 6 and up.

Kwanzaa Family Day: Make art and watch performances at a free Kwanzaa festival from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baltimore Museum of Art. There will be African headwrap-making, drummers and dancers.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Your children might enjoy this reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by local notables. Have them look for local band Milkshake at the end. And....there's an uncredited cameo by someone else you may recognize:

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Holiday drinks, anyone? Whether you're having a festive dinner together or a holiday party, this wassail recipe lets the kids partake. It's from the Baltimore Sun recipe database, circa 2003.

Family Wassail
Serves 12 to 15

1 gallon apple cider
12 whole cloves
6 cinnamon sticks
1 quart pineapple juice
1 6-ounce can frozen orange-juice concentrate
2 cups cranberry-juice cocktail
1 lemon, sliced

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer until hot.

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Jerry Jackson)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dinner Together
        

Because of strangulation risk to children, the government and window-blind industry are recalling more than 50 million Roman-style and roll-up blinds today.

For more on the issue of window blind safety, read this story from Liz Kay about a Maryland consumer advocate who's been calling attention to the issue.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Health
        

Here's Liz Atwood with Tween Tuesday: 

Parents of tween girls have complained about Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears being poor role models for girls. In fact, many of the tweens themselves seem to agree. According to an AOL Web poll, Miley Cyrus was voted as having the worst celebrity influence on tweens because of her provocative attire, pole dancing performances and photo on the cover of Vogue.

But I’d like to point out that the role models for tween boys can be just as problematic. In my house, the role models aren’t carefully groomed and marketed pop stars, but sports figures. So this season I’ve had to field questions about Ben Roethlisberger rape allegations and now Tiger Woods’ marriage troubles.

This week my 9-year-old asked what Tiger Woods had done to get people angry with him. Before I could come up with a calm and reasonable answer, his mouthy older brother declared that Tiger had “acted like a slut.” I thought that was a revealing comment because it showed the 13-year-old hasn’t quite mastered the definition of the word, but neverthless has come up with a label that some might use about Miley or Britney.

I know the old argument that sports figures shouldn’t be role models for kids. They are paid to do a job on the field and their private behavior is no one’s business. But let’s be honest, anyone who makes millions and is in the public spotlight is going to be a role model—whether he’s a pop star or a sports star.

And the behavior of some of the professional athletes makes Mile Cyrus’ behavior look like, well, kid’s stuff.

Photo: In this June 16, 1997, photo, Tiger Woods helps a youngster participating in the Tiger Woods Foundation Junior Golf Clinic on Randall's Island in New York. (AP)

Posted by Liz Atwood at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Working mothers with children under 18 are much more rushed (or at least they feel more rushed) than the general public, reports the Pew Research Center. Not much of a surprise to most of us in that category, but what followed was: Those working moms report the same level of happiness as stay-at-home moms, with 36 percent of those responding to a survey saying they're "very happy," and 44 percent saying they're "pretty happy."

Less happy were single mothers with children under 18. Only 27 percent were "very happy."

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Work-life balance
        

Contest winner Betsy asked:

My son is 15 months old. He communicates well with pointing and nodding, he can identify objects in his books, and he understands most of what we say. However, he does not have any words beyond "Mama", "Dada", and "no". He has playmates around his age who are much more verbal. Should I be concerned?

Dr. Daniel Levy, who has advised us before on subjects such as teething and hitting, had this to say:

"Not to worry! The wonderful thing about child development is the rich variety of normality. Some children speak early, others walk early. There are no hard-and-fast rules, other than one area of development often surges at the expense of another. By age 3, all normal kids are speaking in short sentences, expressing their needs, and are ready to tackle socialization and cooperative play.

"If you are concerned about any area of development, let your child's doctor know. As warranted, the doctor may refer you to your area Infant and Toddler Program for assessment and possible intervention...but our little friend in question here is entirely normal!

"Bless your family! Dr. Dan"

(Alphabet soup photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Amy Davis)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers
        

Reality TV mom Michelle Duggar, of the show "18 Kids and Counting," has a new baby -- her 19th.

(I am getting tired just writing those words. Need to go lie down now.)

OK, I'm back. Josie Brooklyn Duggar was about three months premature and only weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces. So here's hoping for her good health and her mother's, and that all of them get a lot of help from the rest of the brood.

(AP Photo by Beth Hall of the Duggars welcoming their 18th child)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (33)
Categories: Television
        

You always suspected there was a lot more going on in those kids' movies than met the eye, and now a guest poster on my colleague Matt Brown's In Good Faith blog has confirmed it.

The Rev. Jason Poling, pastor of New Hope Community Church in Pikesville, finds that the movie has a deeply spiritual component.

Do you think the kids will get that, though?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Movies
        

New Top Chef Michael Voltaggio may be an adventurous eater now, but my husband and I were heartened to learn during the Season 6 finale last night that as a kid, he didn't like broccoli.

Or much of anything, his mom said on the show.

As you faithful Dinner Together readers know, this gives us some hope that our often-picky kids will grow out of their finicky ways. And at least eat something if we take them to an Indian restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Food and Recipes
        

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine professor Carol Greider receives her Nobel Prize in medicine today for her research into how chromosomes protect themselves as cells divide. While lauding her for her prize, I'm interested in what she and one of her fellow laureates, Elizabeth Blackburn of the University of California, San Francisco, had to say about prospects for women in scientific research.

Despite their own wonderful achievement, the two paint a bleak picture of opportunities for women in science, according to the Associated Press. They say that the career structure is still very much geared toward men -- and that promising female researchers fall away from the work not because they can't do it, but because it isn't compatible with having a family.

Blackburn said there need to be more opportunities for part-time work.

I think frustrated mothers in many professions would say the same, but it's startling to hear these extraordinary women articulate it on the eve of accepting their prize.

How do we make things more flexible, though, when the state of the economy makes many of us feel lucky just to have any job at all?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Work-life balance
        

There's more holiday fun afoot this weekend for you and your family:

Thursday, Dec. 10:

Shop, Sip and Savor at Harbor East:The group Mambo Combo will perform free from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the intersection of Aliceanna and President streets in Harbor East. There will be other holiday entertainment as well as retail and restaurant specials for shoppers.

Family Holiday Fun: Get into the holiday spirit with stories and songs and make a craft at 7 p.m. at the Linthicum branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library.

Friday, Dec. 11:

See "The Polar Express": The film airs at 6:30 p.m., with free popcorn and drinks, at the Miller branch of the Howard County Library. Call 410-313-1955.

Owl Prowl: Kids 10 and up and adults can take a night hike to look for owls from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center. Meet at the Bosely conservancy. $3.

Saturday, Dec. 12:

Community Chanukah Party:B'nai Israel Congregation holds a free holiday party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the congregation at 27 Lloyd St. downtown. Non-perishable food items requested for donation to charity. Reservations required; email downtownsisterhood@gmail.com.

"Gingerbrick" Making with McCormick Spice at Port Discovery: Decorate your own "brick" to help build a small-scale museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Port Discovery.

Nature Gingerbread Houses: Make gingerbread houses from 10 a.m. to noon at Irvine Nature Center. For children 6-10, who should wear clothes they can cook in. $15 members; $20 nonmembers. Supplies included.

A Walters Town Square Winter Celebration: The Walters Art Museum will hold a “town square” seasonal celebration with songs from Medi­eval, Victorian and modern Christian, Jewish and other worldwide traditions, including a caroling ensemble, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

Sunday, Dec. 13:

Santa's Workshop Santa will be at the visitor center in North Point State Park in Edgemere from noon to 4 p.m. with crafts, prizes, and a train garden.

Festival of Lessons and Carols Attend a candlelight service featuring new seasonal music and familiar carols from around the world from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts, 3400 Norman Ave., Baltimore. Reservations required; tickets $12-22. 410-554-8644.

Associated Press photo

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

The appearance of The Sun's annual cookie issue today (and yummy photo gallery) reminds me of the years I spent handling it as food editor -- and the fun I had testing some of the cookies with my kids. So my Dinner Together present to you today is a favorite reader's cookie from last year.

The great thing about these Italian Cookies is that they can be rolled into all sorts of shapes by little hands, then decorated. The key is to roll the ropes of dough fairly thin, because the cookies do puff up when they bake...

Italian Cookies

(Makes about 6 dozen)

6 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine or butter, softened

3 eggs, slightly beaten

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

anise seed to taste (We used 1 teaspoon.)

ICING:

3 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup water

sprinkles for decoration

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place flour, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl and mix together by hand. Add shortening and butter and knead by hand. Add eggs, milk and vanilla and again knead by hand. Sprinkle anise seed into the dough and knead until well mixed.

Take small amounts of the dough and make thin ropes, then twist into shapes - wreaths, bows, pretzels, figure 8s, etc. (The dough will puff up when it's baked, so make the ropes as thin as possible.) Do not make the shapes too large; all should be about the same size to ensure even baking.

Place on nonstick cookie sheets, or line sheets with parchment paper. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until light brown on the bottom. Cool on a wire rack.

Mix powdered sugar and water to make a fairly thick icing. Spread over cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles.

Per cookie: 95 calories, 1 gram protein, 3 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 16 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 9 milligrams cholesterol, 19 milligrams sodium

Courtesy of Sandy Mack, Laurel

Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Lloyd Fox

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Betsy, for her question about her toddler's verbal skills. She wins the beautiful Williams-Sonoma book. Congratulations, Betsy, and look for an answer to your question on an upcoming Monday.

Thanks to everyone else who chimed in, as well -- I'm looking for experts to answer your questions, too.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 5:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

Good news for Tracy and all the others who were worried about yesterday's report from a California consumer group that the Mr. Squiggles zhu zhu hamster has potentially hazardous materials. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has weighed in and says that based on an independent test presented by the toy's manufacturer, the hamster does not violate its standards for levels of antimony, the Associated Press reports.

Good Guide, the group that raised concerns about Mr. Squiggles, acknowledged yesterday that its testing methods are different from the government's and that it was wrong to claim this year's hottest holiday toy violated federal standards.

Cepia, the manufacturer, has said all along that the toy is safe.

Now parents can all go back to the arduous task of actually trying to find one.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

It's Tween Tuesday with Liz Atwood:

I'm searching for advent calendar -- the kind where each day from Dec. 1 to Dec. 24 you open a number and find a piece of chocolate candy. 

The Giant where I have bought them in the past isn't carrying them this year, they tell me. I have a felt one, which has you pull out a little ornament each day, but the 8-year-old wants a calendar with chocolate. "It has the best chocolate in the world," he declared the other day.

So, even though it's already Dec. 8, I'm still searching for the right kind of advent calendar because as parents, it seems we always want to give the kids their holiday wishes.

It's interesting what holiday traditions children hold fast to and which they let go of as they grow. The community sing-along and arrival of Santa Claus have been forgotten. My kids are happy to let me put up the lights and decorate the tree. Who would have thought the candy advent calendar would be one of those traditions we continue?

Perhaps my son inherits my Christmas wishes. For nearly 30 years my mother gave me a calendar towel at Christmas, and after she died I bought one for myself to keep the tradition alive. I can imagine that when my son is my age, I'll still be searching for the chocolate advent calendars.

What holiday traditions do your tweens refuse to let go of as the years pass? Are you developing new ways of celebrating as they grow older?

Photo: Mark DuFrene/Contra Costa Times/MCT

Posted by Liz Atwood at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Teens
        

Whoa, did Tiger Woods and his marital troubles touch off a big discussion on Friday. A friend of mine wrote to say she "poured myself a glass of wine -- a big one" before diving in to read all of your comments.

There was a lot going on there, so I thought you'd be interested in the opinions of a private investigator who's written yet another book about marital infidelity. Joe Burris interviews him in this Q&A.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Say it isn't so, Mr. Squiggles! A consumer group called the Good Guide claims that the popular brown zhu zhu hamster, hugely in demand as a holiday gift, has harmful levels of antimony, a potentially hazardous substance.

Cepia, the maker of the popular hamsters, says the toys are safe and have been subjected to rigorous testing.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

It's time to replenish questions for the Monday Consult.

What do you want to know about parenting? Submit your question in the comments below. Be sure to leave your e-mail in the appropriate box; it won't be published, but I'll need it to get in touch with you if you win.

Our prize is a good one -- the book "Holiday Entertaining" from Williams-Sonoma, which has great-looking tips and recipes.

Bonus points for holiday-related parenting questions.

I'll pick a winner sometime Tuesday. Good luck!

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

I was surprised to learn that moms-to-be are actually hiring baby planners to help organize all the stuff, and do all the "research" to buy the right stuff, that comes with a new bundle.

I guess that on one hand it's not really that different from having a planner for your wedding, or a coach for your parenting skills, or a college-prep specialist to counsel your teenager on how to handle college applications.

But on the other, there's a lot to be said for trusting your gut as a mom. Even before you're officially one. Throughout your life, many, many people will claim to tell you what's right for your child. But it's your opinion, and the father's, that's most important.

It doesn't need to be this hard, does it? Our moms and grandmothers would have laughed at the idea of paying someone money to make these decisions.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Expecting
        

With Joe Burris not Guest-Dadding today, what else can we talk about but Tiger Woods?

One thing missing in the ubiquitous coverage of Woods' car crash on his own property and his admissions that he's made "transgressions" against his family is this angle: Woods is the father of two very young children, one of whom -- baby Charlie -- was just born in February.

It seems to me particularly shocking to cheat on a woman who's so recently given birth to your child. And yet, young children undeniably strain a marriage -- even when you have all the help in the world available to you as parents, as Tiger and Elin Woods must.

Author Gary Neuman, a marriage counselor who's written a book called "The Truth About Cheating," says that for most men, cheating is not about sex, but loneliness in their marriages and "not enough attention" at home. And lots of fathers report feeling lonely or at least a bit displaced when a new baby enters the picture.

That's no excuse, of course. But it is interesting.

(Getty Images photo of the Woods family)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (88)
Categories: Parenting in general
        

It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...

As the holidays approach, everyone's starting to ask what Isaac wants for Christmas and Hanukkah. (We do both at our house.) 

What does a 1.5-year-old really need, anyway? He has lots of books and plenty of toys, and he's doing OK on clothes, too. But he also has eight grandparents, so inquiring minds want to know. 

One of his sets of grandparents already got him a gift, which is waiting in our basement until Hanukkah begins next week. It's a toy kitchen, which we decided on after seeing how much fun he had playing with similar toys at friends' houses on our recent vacation. 

Other than that, though, I'm stumped. He loves books, trucks, music, musical instruments, Little People ... so I'm thinking more of the same. Maybe some blocks or Lego blocks?

But I'm wondering what the 1.5-year-olds in your life have particularly enjoyed. Or practical things I'm just not thinking of. Any suggestions for me? I'd appreciate the help!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Congratulations to the local kids' band Milkshake, nominated for a Grammy award for their Great Day CD.

I remember when they got started, and made the transition from rockers to listenable kids' music. Here's a story I wrote about Milkshake then, along with an update from Sam Sessa more recently.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Music
        

Monument lighting, Christmas parade, Downtown Dollar Days...there's a lot going on for families this weekend. Best of all, much of it is free or nearly so.

Thursday, Dec. 3:

The lighting of the Washington Monument: The festivities at the monument, at the corner of Charles and Monument streets, include fireworks, musical performances and the BSO's Dancing Santas. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Meanwhile, down the street at the Walters Art Museum, a free, family-friendly “Monument Lighting Festival” from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will include music, art activities for the kids and light refreshments.

Peppermint Twist and Shout:Kids 2-5 can make a candy cane craft and get moving during a winter-themed class at 11:15 a.m. at the Elkridge branch of the Howard County Library. Registration required; sign up here.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: The classic Peanuts special is brought to life with a performance of Vince Guaraldi's jazz score by the Eric Byrd Trio at Carroll County Arts Council, 15 E. Main St., in Westminster. The event takes place Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and $10. Go to carrollcountyartscouncil.org.

Friday, Dec. 4:

Hands on Holidays Chanukah party Crafts, songs and refreshments for Chanukah will be offered at 10:45 a.m. at the Jewish Museum of Maryland.

The Nutcracker at the Baltimore School for the Arts:Several performances of the ballet take place Saturday and Sunday at the school. Here's the schedule.

Saturday, Dec. 5:

Downtown Dollar Days:Have fun for just a buck each Saturday and Sunday at destinations like the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the Maryland Science Center, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American Culture, and more. Here's the list of participating destinations.

Merry Tuba Christmas: While you're at the Harbor taking advantage of Dollar Days, take in this annual brass concert at 3 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 6:

The 37th annual Mayor's Christmas Parade The parade begins at 2 p.m. at the corner of Falls Road and Cold Spring Lane and proceeds through Hampden along 36th Street. This year's version will be led by a giant steam calliope and 150 Harley Davidson motorcycles, to be followed by everything from horses and Philadelphia's famed Mummers to Miss Yuletide (Maggie Terhune) and Jr. Miss Yuletide (Jahna Hawes). And, of course, Santa.

Monument photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Monica Lopossay

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Did you freeze your turkey day leftovers? If so, City Mama has a new take for them you might like -- a soup that incorporates not only leftover turkey, but stray stuffing.

There's never any stray stuffing in my house...

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Here's a heartwarming story from CNN: When a Michigan woman died from a rare amniotic fluid embolism after giving birth to her fourth child, 20 mothers from her community stepped in to nurse the boy.

Nearly a year later, they're still doing it.

I've got to think the bonding and love these women have provided has been as important to this baby as the breast milk itself. It also has me wondering if many of us live in communities where we'd be personal friends with enough nursing women that this would be possible.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers
        

Liz Atwood is taking this Tween Tuesday off, so Kate's here to talk about holiday gifts for tweens:

What to get a tween?

It's not an easy question. Their very nature means they're poised between the childish and the grown-up. Some believe in Santa. Some don't. Some know in their heads that there's no Santa, but in their hearts they want to believe.

On my 8-year-old daughter's list, for example, there's a Polly Pocket toy along with "the truth."

You could just give them cash, but that tends to make the grandparents sad.

So here's my list of five reliable gifts for tweens that are NOT video games. I'd love for readers to add to it:

--An iTunes gift card for the iPod-owning tween. Choosing their own music to be listened to in private seems a key milestone for tweens who can't wait to be teens.

--The Harry Potter series. For the younger tween who's just become a really fluid reader.

--Sports accessories. Soccer goals for practicing at home; a new lacrosse stick; ice skates. Just make sure the sport is either already a favorite, or one the tween is dying to try.

--An outing with you. Experiences make great gifts at this age, whether it's a trip to the movies, a concert or a sporting event, or a date to go camping.

--A beanbag chair. Great for chillin'.

Photo by me

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Teens