NW Kid Chaser

Open to all ages.... Salem Sunday Streets is a fun, free, community event designed to promote healthy and active living by opening up city streets for people to play and explore together. This year’s event will feature: food carts, farmer’s market, music on a pedal-powered stage, interactive art projects, hula hooping, disc golf, yoga, and more...
       

      Each year, as we prepare for the new school year, my boys and I have a tradition. We go school shopping one-on-one. A rare chance to be alone with Mom, my boys choose their supplies and then have the rare treat of 'going out for a doughnut'.

I'd like to say they love the one-on-one part, but I'm pretty sure it's the doughnut part that they find most exciting. Either way, we get a chance to talk about the year ahead; their concerns, their hopes and expectations.

We started this tradition in preschool and I've cherished it every year. As the years pass, the crayons have been replaced with a compass and protractor, but the marking of another year gets me every time.

It was ALL LEGO® - ALL day for us this Saturday!

Here's a few snapshots of the fun activities:

Here's a few of the store's great offerings:

      Now, we're home and our our LEGO day continues. I'm sleepily sipping a cup of hot cider (with my feet up) while the boys are busy building with their new bricks. With their new purchases, and the  'mini-set' prizes they received at KIDSFEST, I'm not sure when they'll be ready for bed. Our eight year old keep announcing, "This is such a fun day!"

Who ever imagined that such small bricks could bring such joy and contentment to so many?

Congratulations to
Cara and her two boys!

They will be enjoying LEGO® KidsFest in Portland on October 12th with two free tickets generously provided by event organizers.

For others who want to join the fun - you can still purchase tickets at: http://www.legokidsfest.com/portland/tickets.html.
In addition: Here's a link to a discount code for $2 dollars off.

Right now all the sessions are open, but this could change
as sessions will fill as the event date nears. Get your tickets soon!

It turns out that LEGO is the contraction of two Danish words, "leg godt" meaning "play well." With Lego-brick-loving-boys (like Cara and I have), my guess is the event will include just that.

Thank you LEGO®!

To enter the drawing for these two passes--
just leave a comment to this post.

If you’d like additional chances: You can mention this giveaway on your own blog (please provide the link to your post with your comment) or spread the word to your friends and family (as I’ll give you additional chances anytime anyone mentions your name in their own post. Ie..“Jennifer K. told me about this giveaway!”).

The drawing will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18th.
Feel free to email me with questions!
Good Luck!

Attention Salem!
Two family fun activities are happening this weekend.

#1: Couch Racing at Bush Pasture Park
Cheer on your favorite local team as they hurl themselves (and their former living room furniture) down the soap box derby hill on Saturday, Sept. 7th. The fun begins at “high noon.” Food and drink for sale. Bring your friends. Stay 10 feet back from the track. Enjoy the show!

#2: Sunday Streets Open for Bikes
A two-mile route (closed to motor vehicles) between Wallace Marine Park, Riverfront Park, and the Capitol Mall is the perfect spot for a family bike ride this Sunday, Sept. 8th. Activities and vendors available along the route. This is Salem’s bite-sized version of Portland Parkways. Grab your helmet and support active transportation here in the state capital.

     Anyone who knows my boys, knows that LEGO® bricks are hugely popular at our house. They say that children around the world spend
5 billion hours a year playing with LEGO® bricks, and based on how my boys love to build  and rebuild their original creations, I'm not surprised. LEGO is a central part of my son's childhood. As a family, we've had the good fortune of visiting several LEGO related places. (Three cheers for LEGOLAND Billund; applause for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago; hoots and hollers for FIRST LEGO League!) Lucky us: Now, I hear that LEGO KidsFest is coming to Oregon!

       Here's the official press release for those interested. There are 5 sessions available (4.5 hours in length and each featuring the same exhibits and activities). Tickets are $19 for kids and $21 for adults. All the official information can be found at: www.LEGOKidsFest.com

       With 915 million ways to combine six eight-­stud LEGO® bricks, this is the perfect opportunity for Oregon boys and girls to continue the fun. Check back here in a few days for more info. and the possibility of FREE tickets for one lucky family!

My children's school spent the last days of the school year at
Camp Westwind (just north of Lincoln City). A good friend described Westwind as the Opal Creek of the Oregon Coast. I can only describe it as my favorite outdoor school excperience of all time! With amazing location and facilities, Westwind was perfect for our large group. It has it all: beach, river, sea, forest, tidepools, meadows, hiking trails, campfires, and hot showers!

This came across my email today and I wanted to pass it along....

Three cheers for Gallagher Fitness in Salem for organizing Friday night fun in downtown Salem.