Monday, May 16, 2011

2011 Spring/Summertime list of fun-Updated 6/14

There is always so much fun to do around Des Moines. I find one of the hardest things is narrowing down what I want to focus on, otherwise we'd be running to several places each day! A child (and Mom) need downtime. Here is a list of my favorites, with more to be added as the Summer progresses.

Full Moon Float 6/15/, 7/15, 8/13, 9/12 8:30-11 PM, $5/boat/half hour

Body Worlds Exhibit, Science Center, Now through October- $19.25/ $8.75 member
Reiman Gardens Big Bugs exhibit, now through 9/3
Kids Bowl Free, Now through Summer at participating bowling alleys
Reiman Gardens Storytime, now through September, every two weeks-GA/Free members
Kite Flying Club, August 27th 10AM-12PM-Free, 1st 50 get free kite kit
Adventure Days at the Zoo, dates vary, included with admission
Yoga on the Lawn, Tuesdays & Thursdays 5/24-9/8 11:15 AM-Free yoga at Central Library
Market Day, Not your Mom's craft show, last Saturday of month starting 5/28 through October
Toddler Time, Botanical Center, Last Tuesday of month 10 AM, Members Free
Free Outdoor Movies at the Art Center, June 2 Willy Wonka (go early), July 7th Jaws, August 4th Annie Hall, September 1st Casablanca (ok, not all movies are kid friendly, but still a fun time.)
Ankeny Unplugged, Saturdays in June, Concert series $3
Open Mic Night, Ritual Cafe 2nd Thursdays 7-9 PM, Free
Yoga in the Park, Saturdays at 9 AM, Starting 6/4-9/24-Free
10 Movies for $5, Jordan Creek, Tuesdays at 10 AM June 7th-August 9th (+coupon for snacks on link)
Carmike Cinema $1 movies, Wynnsong, Johnston 10 AM Thursdays 6/16-8/11
Nature's Story Hour, 1st & 3rd Wednesday starting 6/1 through 8/10.-Free
Nature's Playdates, 2nd & 4th Wednesday starting 6/8-8/3-Free
Free activities each day at Evelyn Davis Park 11 AM - 7 PM + Free tennis lessons at varies parks
Free floatin' flicks, 6/10 Open 8 PM, 6/10 Teachout Aquatic-Despicable Me, 7/30 Nahas Aquatic How to Train Your Dragon, 8/6 NW Aquatic Monsters Inc.
smART Second Saturday/Sundays- Des Moines Art Center, June 11th/12th
Sample Sundays, 6/12, 7/17, 8/14... Farm fun, guest vendors, did I mention fun? Free
Music under the Stars, Iowa State Capital Grounds, free, two bands each day, 1st starting at 6:30, followed by one at 7:30, June 12/19/26 & July 3/10/17/24
Sing-a-long, Smokey Row 10 AM, June 14th, July 12th, & Tuesday August 9th
Peanut Butter & Puccini , June 16th & 18th, Opera, backstage tour, & lunch $10- highly recommended!!!!!
Cultureall, Des Moines Library, Rainforest- 6/21 10:30 Central, India- 6/27 2 PM Franklin, Japan-6/30 10:30 AM, Russia 7/11 Southside 1 PM, Kenya 7/12 10:30 AM Northside
Des Moines Art Festival, June 24-26th-Free
Yankee Doodle Pops, July 1st 8:30 PM, get there early for best spot- Des Moines' Best 4th of July celebration!
Jazz in July, Almost daily jazz, mostly free through month of July
Puppet show, 7/5 North Side library 10:30 AM
Creations with a twist, 7/12 10:30 Central Library
Shakespeare under the Stars, Fridays-Sundays, July 22-31, 8:15 PM, Gates at 6 PM, last year was free, watch for more details, excellent event!
Puppet Show by kids, Historical Museum, July 29th 11 AM & 1 PM- $5
Safari Splash, Blank park zoo, August 1-5th, included w/admission
Iowa State Fair, August 11-21st
Free Movies, Saturdays in September at Union Park 9/3 Karate Kid, 9/10 Tangled, 9/17 TS3, 9/24 Despicable Me

Farmer's markets:
Downtown Farmer's Market, Saturdays 9-12, Now through end of October
Valley Junction Farmer's Market, Thursdays, 4 PM - 8 PM now through end of September
Drake Farmer's Market, Wednesdays 4-7 PM June 1st-through September
Southridge Farmer's Market, Mondays 4- 7 PM Now through October 24th

Misc....
Wading Pools & Swimming Pool information, Opens June 6th- Wading pools-free
Des Moines Library Events, including storytimes, AVID lecture series info, and Summer reading program
BikeIowa ride calendar, many family friendly & free
Blank Park Zoo -Dinosaur exhibit starts May 27th
Science Center of Iowa- Daily calendar of events
SeeDesMoines.com- Calendar of events
Des Moines Symphony Calendar of events
Drake's calendar of events, including sporting & concerts
I-Cubs Schedule-Promo days schedule ($1 days, bring canned food for free admission, etc)
Menace Soccer -Promo Schedule
Reiman Gardens event page

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Meal Planning

In the quest to get healthy, I am getting back on track for meal planning.

Sunday: Soup dinner
Monday: vegetable fried rice / orange chicken for Jon/Sydney
Tuesday: spinach quiche with fruit & salad
Wednesday: goat cheese & pepper pizza with salad
Thursday: DNA Social
Friday: Vegetable tofu pad-thai and spring rolls
Saturday: Open

Friday, February 11, 2011

Daddy/Daughter Dance


Jon has been busy...so much so that we are considering putting Sydney in part-time daycare or preschool to give me a break and an opportunity to work more on social media for local businesses. Jon was happy to drop everything to take Sydney to the Daddy/Daughter dance put on by the Zoo. The day before the dance, Sydney and I had fun having her try on dress after dress until we finally settled on the one below. I think we picked out a pretty cute one. Apparently Jon & Sydney had fun dancing the night away, checking out the indoor portion of the zoo, and eating chocolate fondue.
I on the other hand, had a wonderful Mom's night out. The evening started by getting tea at my favorite coffee shop, then meeting up with a friend for a much needed pedicure.
All around a pretty great night!





Thursday, November 4, 2010

Healthy Changes

Healthy Changes

Ok, I'll admit it. This Summer was far from easy, for a multitude of reasons. Before July, I had gotten into a pretty good rhythm of self care, or at least I was getting better at it. Once I injured my knee, it all got thrown out the window and I haven't gotten back into the swing of things. Getting back to taking care of me has been on my mind a lot lately and I've decided to do something about it.
In the next week I'm going to rejoin weight-watchers. I joined in 2006 for the first time and lost almost 25 lbs before getting pregnant. I am not a yo-yo fad dieter, I generally don't put garbage (ie fast food, fake sugars) in my body. I simply like food and don't move enough.
Which leads me to the next thing I'm going to do. Join the Y. There is a lovely YMCA 13 blocks away from my house that offers child care. I'm going to join. I love to be active. Swimming, biking, and yoga are all favorite pastimes now it's time to put this enjoyment to action. I was attending yoga 2-4 times a week pre-knee injury. I want to work that in at least once per week, as well.
Since I'm working on my health, it's also time to schedule an appointment for a physical. I am generally good about scheduling annual exams, but as far as regular physicals go, I don't remember the last time I had one. I'd like to get my iron and thyroid levels checked, as well as know what my cholesterol levels are. It's also time to find a new Doctor.
With this, I also want to continue with crafting. As much as I love crafting, I find it easy to put aside. Time to add it to the schedule as well.
I know I can do all of these things. Now that I've posted this for the world to see, it will be easier with follow through. Thank-you for reading.

Friday, September 24, 2010

This just hits home today...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -Marianne Williamson

Monday, August 23, 2010

Meal Plan Monday

Sunday Stuffed red bell peppers with couscous/mint/raisins, lemon & EVOO salad with feta & sunflower seeds
Monday Pesto pasta, salad, peaches
Tuesday Sydney's choice
Wednesday Chicken tikka masala for Jon/Sydney Palek paneer for me
Thursday Bob's Red Mill Vegi Soup with homemade bread
Friday Homemade pizza with fresh mozzarella, garden tomatoes, basil, & garlic
Saturday Farmer's Market special

Monday, June 21, 2010

Meal Plan Monday

Sunday
homemade pizza, using AB5 crust, fresh mozzarella, basil, & 1/2 deli pepperoni (Jon), cherries, salad with cranberries, sunflower seeds, homemade dressing
Monday
Left overs for me, Jon & Syd will have Brats, garden peas, pineapple
Tuesday
Chili lime couscous salad
Wednesday
Grilled veggie pasta salad
Thursday
Enchiladas
Friday & Saturday
Art Festival Time! We'll have sandwich fixings & things to grill, but keep it pretty simple. We want plenty of time to enjoy in on the fun!

What are you dining on this week?