Here are a few ideas of things to do with your family during vacation.

• Check the Kidoinfo events calendar for fun things to do.

• Check out passes from the library to visit local venues for free or reduced rates.

• Read the Kidoinfo Top 10 Things To Do During Winter Vacation

• Make New Year’s Eve a Bright Night.

The weekly Kidoinfo Weekend Picks will resume after the holidays. If you are not already a subscriber, sign up now to receive the Kidoinfo newsletter.

Your local library has passes granting you access to many local venues that can be checked out just like a book. Use them to visit museums, aquariums, farms, and more for free or at greatly reduced rates.

I know some parents who turn it into a game called Library Pass Roulette. They pack up their kids for a daytrip (with plenty of snacks, diapers, and a change of clothes) and visit their local library to see what passes are available. If there’s a pass for the Museum of Science (pictured above), that is where they go that day. If you are more of a planner, you can reserve the passes ahead of time just as you reserve books.

Here’s a list of libraries around Rhode Island and the passes they offer. I recommend you confirm discount and pass availability with your local library.

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By Katy Killilea
On a chilly day, as my whole family was indoors doing stuff alone/together—hunting for snowboard bindings in the basement, organizing Pokemon cards, reading comic books, and unloading the dishwasher—it hit me. This is my kids’ 1970s. And Ray LaMontagne is their James Taylor.

I do not mean that Ray LaMontagne sounds like James Taylor. I mean that he plays the same role in my family that JT did for me in the 70s. It’s what my parents put on the record player when they weren’t putting something on for a particular reason. It was the soundtrack to our ordinary lives—it’s what Barbie and Ken listened to in their camper and what was playing as I chatted on the phone with my boyfriend, Donnie Osmond. And thirty years later, I still love that music as fervently as the pageboy-ed fans with the giant spectacles most often seen in audiences of James Taylor’s PBS specials.

Ray LaMontagne is a singer-songwriter with a rough, eerie, warm voice and three gorgeous albums, including his new release, Gossip in the Grain. I love it as much as the other two. I can’t leave it in a stack on my turntable to demonstrate my love for it. Instead it is in constant rotation in my iTunes, and my kids don’t ever comment on it but I do notice them singing along and doing that shoulder-shrug-to-the-beat that little boys do unconsciously when they’re feeling the music. I like Ray LaMontagne the same way I like Nick Drake and he’s even a little bit Van Morrison-ish. But he is, for sure, something all his own, not just another lovely, raspy voice.

What’s playing on your family soundtrack these days?

Looking for something to do with your kids during vacation? Here is my Top Ten List of things to do – many are Free and Cheap. Check the Kidoinfo calendar and blog for more ideas.

1. Building Books. Visit the the David Macaulay exhibit at the RISD Museum of Art (Free / Cheap)*

2. Go ice skating outdoors at the River Island Ice Skating Rink in Woonsocket. (Free / Cheap)

3. Book a Rhode Trip. Visit a new library with your children. (Free / Cheap)

4. Set up a playdate swap with a friend. (Free / Cheap)

5. All aboard. Take the commuter train to Boston.

6. Check out classic movies from your local library; Red Balloon, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Sound of Music, The Music Man. (Free / Cheap)

7. Play Power. Visit Providence Children’s Museum. (Free / Cheap)*

8. Read the Biggest, Best Snowman than build the biggest, best snowman ever.

9. Building Blocks. Build a castle, city or rocketship using all of your Legos. (Free / Cheap)

10. Bundle up and head out on a winter hike. Explore a wildlife refuge. Try it with snowshoes. (Free / Cheap)

* Get passes from the library.

The birth of a baby is a momentous occasion and impacts a new parent in countless ways. In the weeks and months after baby is born, a new mom may feel lost and disconnected with her former self. For our entire lives thus far, we have defined ourselves as a student, daughter, sister, wife, colleague, professional…and now we take on a new role: mother. Managing this shift applies to new dads as well. While it sometimes feels like accepting this new identity means loosing a bit of oneself, that need not be true.

In order to find balance, it is important to reflect on the changes that have taken place. The following questions may help you to explore your thoughts and feelings about your new life and new role.

• Have my expectations for who I thought I would be as a mother been met? If not, how can I become comfortable with the realities of my new life and “cut myself some slack”?
• Do I have enough time for myself to do some of the things I enjoyed before the baby?
• Do I feel comfortable in my decision to go back to work/not go back to work?
• Do I have a community of new mom friends with whom I can connect and share this journey?

New parenthood brings many changes to our lives and our selves. Take some time to consider the major transition that has taken place and be compassionate with yourself as you navigate the new world of motherhood. And when you find yourself asking, “Will I ever just go out for coffee with a friend again? Will I ever have time to read a book just for the pleasure of reading? Will I ever be able to enjoy my hobbies again?” answer with YES! In time, you will find a balance…as you have in the past. You will wear many hats, and wear them well.

Kristen Kardos, MA Ed., and Kathy McGuigan, MSW, the co-founders of RI New Moms Connection, provide affordable, accessible pregnancy and new mom groups throughout Rhode Island. In “Tips for New Moms” they share their knowledge, resources, and helpful ideas for moms just beginning their journey into motherhood or moms who may need a little refresher.

Editor’s Note: Although “Tips for New Moms” is written with the new mom in mind—to support women in their journey through motherhood—it is certainly not the authors’ intention to exclude dads. Every new parent will find their tips, resources, and insights helpful. I invite all moms and dads to share ideas on how they manage their new role as a parent with Kidoinfo in the comments below.

By Katy Killilea

The Wintertime Farmer’s Market (organized by Farm Fresh Rhode Island) in Pawtucket is so over-the-top wonderful that we can forgive the Hope Artiste Village its extra little “e.” With activities for kids and fun little shops, in addition to locally grown produce and local cheeses, meats, shellfish, baked goods, and more local stuff we all want, this market is a winner. Providence (thanks to Pawtucket) just took another huge step toward Portland/Seattle legendary cool-city status.

As for food shopping with kids, I like it better without them—it’s crowded. But my kids had fun too: students from Johnson and Wales were running a “Vegetable Bingo” game for kids as parents watched other JW chefs demonstrate the making of local apple crisp. They loved sampling handmade chocolates, visiting the Game Shop (which was full of unusual European board games of great appeal to kids), and selecting trading cards from a huge box of free ones—utterly devalued currency to serious players but rare treasures to certain little boys—at Die Hard Games. And Die Hard Games will be hosting free Pokemon tournaments for kids every Saturday at 1:00—guaranteed to attract additional small shoppers to the market.

I left with groceries for the week: local eggs, dried beans, oats, vegetables, and meat for not much more than I would have spent at the grocery store. The quality, of course, is far better. And the shopping experience, of course, is so much more fun. Highlights from my bag: blueberry chocolate jam ($6), two dozen free-range eggs ($6), Romanesco cauliflower ($3/lb.), and grass-fed Angus beef ($5.50/lb.).

Most vendors accept cash, checks, and “Fresh Bucks, which are golden coins imprinted with a tomato. Fresh Bucks are adorable, available in $1 and $5 increments, and can be purchased with a credit card. So a stop for cash at an ATM needn’t slow you down on your way to the market.

The details:
Hope Artiste Village – 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket
Every Saturday until May
11a.m.-2 p.m.
For more info, visit: www.farmfreshri.org

By Elyse Major

What’s better than discovering new places with your children? Add heading home with goodies in tow, and did I mention this idea is free-of-charge, there are places to park, and bathrooms? With a current Ocean State Libraries (OSL) card, you can visit any participating library in Rhode Island, but the twist is that what you borrow may be returned at your local (OSL participating) library branch.

This means, for example, that you could play with puppets before borrowing books from the Jamestown Philomenian Library and then return them before a late Wednesday story-time at the Weaver Library in East Providence. Or maybe you would like to stroll about downtown Bristol before entering the castle-like Rogers Free Library on Hope Street. Perhaps play a board game on a Friday afternoon at the East Smithfield Public Library. There are as many possibilities as there are libraries.Our state’s libraries range from modest to modern to majestic in architecture and location. Children’s rooms can have fish tanks, small animals, puppet theaters, room to sprawl out and read, and more (or less). I always appreciate how the Barrington Public Library organizes their picture books upright in bins—reminds me of my younger days, flipping through albums on Thayer Street, but I digress . . .

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The City of Providence posts information and recommendations in advance of the major snow storm expected tomorrow, Friday, December 19th. Please keep an eye on the forecast for changes by visiting the National Weather Service.

Providence city officials are closely coordinating storm preparations and response with Rhode Island E.M.A. and are in contact with area employers through the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Officials are asking for assistance to keep roads clear during the storm to minimize motor vehicles accidents and congestion. Reduced traffic will allow emergency vehicles to move freely during the storm and help to ensure that roads are plowed and treated for weekend holiday activities after the storm.

Important city government and schools information:
• The Providence Schools (as well as many area schools) have cancelled school and all school-related activities for Friday, December 19th.
• A parking ban will go into effect beginning at 9 a.m. Automobiles parked on City streets will be ticketed after that time. Towing will begin soon after.
• In case of emergency, residents should call 911. Providence Police can be reached at 272-3121. For other snow-related matters, residents should call the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services at 421-2489(CITY).

Recommendations for residents:
• Residents are urged to stay off the roads if possible tomorrow after 12 noon;
• Drivers are urged to do the following: keep fuel tanks filled, make sure windshield wipers are working, have a small shovel in the vehicle, have sand or kitty litter available for traction, have a flashlight with fresh batteries available, and a first aid kit;
• During the storm, keep children away from roadways and do not let them play in snow banks made by plows.
• Though power outages are not anticipated for this storm, should power outages occur, please contact National Grid at 1-800-465-1212. Do not approach any downed utility line. Report downed wires to the Providence Fire Department by calling 401-274-3344.
• Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has been in contact with Crossroads. Any homeless person needing assistance should contact Crossroads for assistance. They may be reached at 521-2255.
• For additional information on severe weather and hazards that could threaten our city, please visit the Providence EMA website at www.readyprov.com.

Photo source: Richard Benjamin Providence Collection

Kidoinfo is giving away 3 family fourpacks to attend this year’s Bright Night celebration. See details below to enter.

Do you know what you are doing for New Years Eve this year? Whether you are looking for fun, day or night for you and your children, consider supporting the arts and attending this year’s Bright Night Providence. This arts-oriented New Year’s Eve celebration has entertainment for the whole family. Another reason why I love Providence. Performers are scheduled at various venues all over the city—music, magic, comedy, storytellers and more—starting at Noon at some places like Providence Children’s Museum, RISD Museum of Art, and BOA Skating Center. Other venues will open later in the afternoon on December 31, ending after we welcome in the New Year with a laser show at midnight downtown in Kennedy Plaza (instead of a fireworks display). As long as you have a Bright Night bracelet (see details below), you can wander between venues, enjoying all the amazing talent.

In 2003, a group of local artists banded together under the new name Bright Night, when the First Night Providence organization stepped down. Bright Night Providence carries on the tradition of First Night Providence with city, corporate, and citizen support. Now in its sixth year this year’s festival features over fifty performers in over twenty venues, including a family of daredevil circus performers, The Nerveless Nocks.

The Nocks have a storied past: they are a ninth generation family of circus performers, starting back as early as 1840 in Switzerland. Today’s troupe is run by Michelangelo Nock, whose father arrived from Switzerland in 1954 to star in the Greatest Show on Earth. The family has performed throughout the world for kings and queens, at gigantic festivals (including a number of Superbowl and television events) and as the featured act on most of the great circuses of the world. It was Queen Elizabeth who dubbed them the “Nerveless” Nocks. Some of the acts featured in the show will be the Wheel of Destiny, in which the Nocks perform leaps, somersaults, handstands on a moving aerial pendulum; and the Tower of Chairs, where Michelangelo will climb a 20 foot tall tower made of chairs and do breath-taking handstands while completely unsupported from the ceiling.

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Reviewed by Katy Killilea

Which scenario is worse?

A. Child #1 sneezes on a Duplo block and leaves. Child #2 comes along and sucks on the sneezed-upon block.

B. The blocks have all been cleaned with a hardcore disinfectant. A baby crawls over and starts chewing on them.

Both scenarios give me the heebie-jeebies, but the idea of a child ingesting traces of Formula 409 particularly gets under my skin. If you would similarly be more freaked out by “B,” you will love Dapple Toy Cleaner Spray.

Dapple was created by moms who didn’t like seeing their kids play with objects coated in toxic cleaning chemicals OR another child’s mucus. These cleaning products are intentionally not antibacterial. Instead they work like soap and water—cleaning that’s thorough but mild-mannered. The toy cleaner works beautifully on toys, of course, and also on countertops and the insides of lunchboxes. It would be ideal for cleaning a highchair tray, or any hard surface that your child is likely to lick. The scent is mild and wonderful, like a baby fresh from the tub.

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