Capital District Parent Pages - December 2018 by Spotlight Newspapers

Inside:

December calendar listings

arent pages

Capital District

Volume 22 • Number 12 • DECEMBER 2018 • Complimentary

The Resource for Parents

Holiday treats to make yourself A month of celebrations Cozy up with books

cdparentpages.com JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 1

BUY A GIFT & GET A GIFT! Purchase a Capital District YMCA gift card in December and receive a FREE GIFT with this coupon. You don’t need to be a member to enjoy the Y!

FREE GIFT! CDPP.12.18

CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA • 518.869.3500 • www.CDYMCA.org BETTER TOGETHER — The Capital District YMCA is a leading Capital Region charity. 107233_4

After School Enrichment Perfect for children who love to keep busy! Meets daily from 3:00 - 5:30 P.M. After School Enrichment provides a safe supportive environment where students can socialize, participate in structured activities, develop their creative skills, improve personal confidence and have a great time meeting other children! For more information, contact Sheri Townsend at info@spottedzebra.org.

For more information, Call (518) 438-4800

Hurry! Spots are Limited! 26 Computer Drive West Albany, NY 12205 (518) 438-4800 www.spottedzebra.org

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Enjoy the holidays, ditch the guilt

veryone has something to say about the holidays, and a lot of times it takes the tone of a cautionary tale. We are bombarded with stories about how to “survive the season.” We are warned against overspending, overeating, overindulging and overloading. It’s a difficult time of year, we are told, with all the guilt and family obligations. You would think we are lucky to simply make it to the new year, as if the holidays were just something to endure. We at Capital District Parent Pages realize there is some truth to the holiday hysteria, but we hate to see it overshadow the real joy that this month is all about. There is something almost magical about the general feeling of goodwill that settles in this time of year, and the sparkly decorations, cheery carols and tasty baked goods are details that sweeten the pot. We’d like to ride that wave of holiday euphoria a little instead of getting caught up in all the things that can go wrong. We’d like to enjoy that candy-cane-shaped cookie and a nip of eggnog – not the low-fat version – without feeling like we are letting ourselves and our families down. We would like to give our children something special without worrying about whether we spent too little or too much. And we happen to enjoy our extended families, quirks and all, and don’t need to be told to “tolerate” them until they are gone. As parents, we strive all year long to act like sensible human beings and enjoy things in moderation in order to set an example for our children. That doesn’t go out the window when December rolls around. To our readers, may your season be bright, whatever you are celebrating this month! As always, thanks for reading. Check out our articles and resource listings at www. cdparentpages.com and mail your story ideas and pictures to Capital District Parent Pages, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, NY 12054, or e-mail me at robertsk@spotlightnews.com. Kristen Roberts, Editor, Capital District Parent Pages

On the cover: Fiona, 2, of Watervliet, is dressed to deck the halls, in this photo submitted by her mother. Parent Pages is always accepting photos for potential covers. Submissions should be at least 8-by-10-inches with a dpi of 400. They can be sent via email to robertsk@spotlightnews.com.

arent pages

Capital District

Editor’s desk

The Resource for Parents

December 2018 Features Countdown to Christmas

10-11

Columnists 24-Hour Shift

Triple Threat

6-7

Let’s Cook

8-9

What’s new On the Bookshelf Kids fun page

5 14

Resources Calendar 12-18

publisher - John

McIntyre editor - Kristen Roberts advertising sales - Denice Mau art director - David Abbott graphic design - Martha Eriksen Capital District Parent Pages is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 5th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available on request. Capital District Parent Pages reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright 2013 by Capital District Parent Pages. No portion of Capital District Parent Pages may be reproduced without written permission from Community Media Group LLC. Rachelle & Lawrence Stallman Founders of Capital District Parent Pages

DECEMBER 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 3

The 24-hour shift

parenting is a full-time job

Talking about adoption Make it part of the regular family conversation

o tell or not to tell? That is the question. While adoption isn’t as taboo as it once was, some families are still unsure whether to tell their adopted child his or her past. This is ultimately up to the adoptive parents. Some adoptions are easier to keep secret than others, such as overseas or closed adoptions. Some parents may feel threatened that their child has another set of parents. The fear can be that the child may want to find out who their birth parents are and end up favoring them over the adopted parents. Another fear could be the birth parents will interfere in the

adoptive family’s life. The circumstances regarding the adoption may be a bit embarrassing to the family, and that may be why a family may decide not to tell the child.

will not be the definitive factor that makes or breaks their lives. That being said, having a secret surrounding an adoption can cast a negative aura around it.

Thanks to genealogy websites and biology class, by your child will probably end Another reason up finding out may be that the anyway. The child will feel things you have bad or different been avoiding if they know they discussing, you will are adopted. I can’t eventually have to dismake any promises, but cuss. And think of it this way, most adopted children feel just if you were adopted, would you fine that they are adopted. At like to know? times, they will feel different being adopted, but that’s the Telling your child doesn’t way of it. Children won’t suffer need to be a big dramatic event, any lasting damage if you tell either. Keeping adoption in the them. It will be news they will need to process of course, but it regular family dialogue makes

Theresa Davis

it an accepted fact, not the elephant in the room. Don’t overdo it, children don’t need to be reminded of their adoption daily. Take heart, your child came to you for a reason. This child came into your life, or this is the child you chose. Or maybe the child chose you! Your adopted child will always be your child. Yes, she has other family out there, and yes, she might one day seek them out. That’s OK. It won’t change how your child feels about you. Theresa Davis is a former early childhood educator and has worked in childcare centers for more than 15 years. She is also an adoptive mother, living and taking care of her family in the Capital District.

Well-nourished kids are ready to learn, grow, and play! The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps childcare providers pay for healthy meals and snacks. Visit ChildcareMealsNY.org to learn more.

Quality nutrition adds up! CACFP reimburses providers for serving healthy meals and snacks. A daycare home provider serving five children a morning snack, lunch, and supper 20 days per month could receive up to $565 per month in reimbursement. That’s up to $6,780 per year!

WITH A WHOLE FLOOR JUST FOR

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= up to $565 per month to nourish kids

NORTHSHIRE.com ✶ Saratoga Springs

424 Broadway ✶ www.

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On the Bookshelf

Snow days are for reading ‘The Snow Lion’

‘I Wish It Would Snow!’

By Jim Helmore and Richard Jones

By Sarah Dillard

Wishing for a friend in his new home, shy young Caro spends time with a wise imaginary lion and enjoys creative adventures before a neighbor boy invites her to come play, encouraging her to navigate the challenges of making friends. Peachtree Publishers

Winter has just begun, and one little bunny wants it to snow, and, finally, the fluffy flakes begin to fall. First one flake at a time, then more and more until little bunny finds himself rolling downhill in a gigantic snow ball, right through the front door of his treehouse. Simon & Schuster

‘The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains’ By Annie Silvestro; illustrated by Paola Zakimi Disappointed when she is chosen to be a Christmas tree and uprooted from her place beside the tracks where she loves watching the trains go by, a pine tree is enchanted by a little boy who sets up his toy train around her base before replanting her back home after the holiday. HarperCollins

We’re all about family.

At Burdett Birth Center, we want your birth experience to be as special as your new infant. That’s why we offer a range of personal options to make your experience your own, including access to highly-experienced OB/GYN and midwife providers, as well as private rooms and state-of-the-art services. Childbirth education and support groups are also available. Burdett Birth Center. A family experience. Located on the second floor of Samaritan Hospital in the heart of Troy. burdettbirthcenter.org | 2215 Burdett Avenue, Suite 200, Troy, NY 12180 | (518) 271-3393 | 107260_4

DECEMBER 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 5

Triple Threat

parenting triplets in the Capital District

A month of wonder and celebration … and a few frustrations and tribulations, too!

ecember brings with it a lot of celebrations, her age. I just want to celebrate each and every birthday emotions and nostalgia. This past year was of every person I love. a very rough one for my family, and I will Raising three kids in December is brutal. Raising be happy to see 2018 in the rearview three Jewish kids in December is even more so. mirror. I am putting so much faith into the The amount of commercialization and overcoming year. by the-top bling that the kids are confronted In December, I look forward to celwith every day makes for many headaches. ebrating birthdays. There are quite a few Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca know that days that are set aside to celebrate people Chanukah is a minor festival not a major I love. I am blessed to have six nephews holiday like Christmas. The eight nights of and one niece. In the beginning of Delighting candles, playing dreidel and eating cember, one of my nephews will be 12 years lots of latkes is part of the magic. The comold. I also have a niece celebrating her fourth mercialization of Christmas can take away some birthday on the same day as Harlan’s 47th! My father of the beautiful religious essence. would have been 66 this year. A very dear family friend Continued on Page 7 also has a birthday, but she is a lady so I won’t even ask

Jennifer Steuer

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n Triple Threat continued from Page 6 I don’t want my kids to lose sight of the fact that Christmas is a celebration for some of our family and friends. We owe them the same respect that we expect. Each night of Chanukah we celebrate with our own traditions and small gifts for the children. Contrary to what some people think, Chanukah is not the “Jewish Christmas.” Sometimes, if I say this to someone, I will get a funny look and the question, “Really?” As if I don’t know. Trust me, I know. I know that Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca are starting to better understand that piles of presents may not be the best if the presents aren’t what you want. Or if it is junk. Gifts for the kids are tricky. We put thought into the trinkets, movies, music and games we decide to get for Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. They don’t see the actual reasoning or love behind each gift chosen. The trinkets are all pieces of a memory or pieces of hope, pieces of a lifeline. I still have gifts I was given when I was 16, 20, or remember some very well that make me reminisce and tell the kids stories about. The cold nights and snow in December can be draining. Candy, treats and parties can make a mess of careful meal planning, and the whining for treats can drive even the most careful mom to want to give in just to make it all stop. And then … and then there’s New Year’s Eve. We do not end the year with alcohol and a late night, but with a late night and family. Our idea of celebrating on New Year’s Eve is fairly simple but fun. We use this night (which actually starts during the late morning for us) to play board game, cards and introducing a great movie that probably came out in the 1980s. During this amazing day of fun, there will be a variety of appetizers, treats and (I promise!) at least one green vegetable. Harlan doesn’t do dialysis on New Year’s Eve. My mom is here, and she celebrates with us. The six of us hang out and have a good time. This year, the kids have requested that we look through our photo albums. Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca want to see old pictures of our families, of us and of them as babies. Who knows, we might even find a video clip or two! This is a message from Benjamin: Happy holidays to everyone reading this article! I hope you will have a happy New Years of 2019. No matter if you’re Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Turkish, you still have a holiday. And let’s talk about bullying. Bullying is known to most people, especially in school. Now if you are bullied in life and you can’t be happy, we wish you a happy holidays and a happy new year.” Jennifer Steuer is an Albany mom whose busy household includes her husband, Harlan, and 10-year-old triplets Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. Follow her on Instagram: jennifersteuer.

Each night of Chanukah we celebrate with our own traditions and small gifts for the children. Contrary to what some people think, Chanukah is not the “Jewish Christmas.” Sometimes, if I say this to someone, I will get a funny look and the question, “Really?” As if I don’t know. Trust me, I know.

DECEMBER 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 7

Let’s Cook!

A winter wonderland of taste

he holidays are often a time of overindulgence, but who says the snacks and appetizers we enjoy have to be bad for us to be good? These trio of treats offers big flavor

in small bites. And that’s the key to surviving the season without overdoing it – moderation. Even better, these snacks are whimsical and fun. There are also plenty of ways for kids to help out preparing these

recipes, so start making some holiday memories in the kitchen today. Get more recipes from Jodie Fitz through the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club at www.pricechopper.com or visit www.jodiefitz.com.

Jodie Fitz

Fruit Trees and Snow Dip For the trees: Honeydew melons Tree cookie cutter Small skewers Cut the honeydew melon in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Cut long strips of the melon; use the width of the cookie cutter as a size measurement. Remove the rind. Use

the cookie cutter to cut out a tree. Add a skewer to the bottom of the tree for forest placement. Dice any leftover honeydew for a snack or combine it with any leftover fruit from the next tree and create a fruit salad. Forest base: Styrofoam rectangle

More winter-themed recipes on Page 9!

APRIL 19–21

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TIMES UNION CENTER

Snow blanket Cover the Styrofoam base with a snow blanket covering, and add the trees to create a fruit forest. Snow dip: 8 oz. Greek vanilla yogurt 4 oz. low-fat vanilla yogurt Fold the yogurts together and serve.

Recipes continued from Page 8! Strawberry Santa Hats Oreo cookies Whipped topping in a spray can Strawberries, fresh Wash and dry the strawberries. Cut the greens off to create a flat surface. Spray a circle of whipped topping on the top of your cookie. Place the strawberry on top and add a little squirt of whipped topping on the very top of the strawberry.

DECEMBER @ CMOST

12/16 Gingerbread Extravaganza 12/27 Ancient Egypt Day Camp

12/28 Amusement Park Camp 12/31Noon Year's Eve!

Snowball Brownie Bites WWW.CMOST.ORG 250 JORDAN ROAD, TROY, NY

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1 fudge brownie mix 1/4 cup butter, room temp 1-1/4 cups confectioner’s sugar 1/2 cup semi-sweet morsels 1-1/2 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup mini chocolate morsels White chocolate melts White sprinkles (optional) Bake the fudge brownie mix as directed on the package and let them cool completely. Cut them into small squares, approximately one inch, and mix the butter, confectioner’s sugar, milk and vanilla together. In a glass dish melt the 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate morsels in a microwave on high for one minute. The morsels will not look fully melted until you stir them. Let the melted chocolate begin to cool a minute just so that it’s not extremely hot. Add it to the butter, confectioner’s sugar, milk and vanilla mixture and stir it

together. Using a rubber spatula, cut the brownie pieces with the frosting mixture and 1/4 cup of mini chocolate morsels. Using your hands, roll the brownie mixture into balls approximate 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with either waxed paper or parchment paper. Place the bites in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour before proceeding. Melt the white candy melts in a glass dish in the microwave on high for one minute. Stir them together before they are fully melted. Dip each brownie bite into the melted white chocolate and return them to a waxed paper or parchment lined baking dish. Top them with white sprinkles, while the white chocolate is still wet. Continue this process until they are all dipped. Let them set until the white chocolate has fully hardened before serving. 107256_4

DECEMBER 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 9

Counting down to Christmas Day means different things to people across the globe. Although many families have their own traditions they anticipate each year, it can be fun to incorporate some new ones into the festivities. Here are some ideas of ways to add to your celebration.

1 2 3

Annual memento: Have the kids or adults make one new handmade ornament each year. This way the tree is always evolving, and everyone can track milestones. Cookie day: Devote one day to making Christmas cookies. Invite friends or family members over. Distribute some cookies to elderly neighbors.

Holiday classic: Spend a night in and watch a classic Christmas flick you’ve never seen before. Streaming movie services often put classics and obscure titles into rotation during the holiday season.

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4 5 6

Christmas concert: Host a gathering of children where they can sing or perform their favorite tunes for an audience. Take it on the road to a nearby nursing home. Dine out: Take a break from cooking, shopping and hosting and stop into a restaurant you’ve been meaning to try. Keep it local to support nearby businesses.

Adopt a child/family: Volunteer with a charitable organization that provides for less fortunate families. Answer the Christmas desires of a needy child or family by purchasing an item on their wish lists.

Making holiday memories 7 8 9 10 11

See the sights: Pack the children into the family car to tour nearby areas and look at Christmas lights displays. Bring along cookies and hot chocolate. Trim a tree: Get together with adult friends at a treetrimming party. Rotate the hosting house each year. Play dress up: A gentleman can dress up as the man in red and pop into a friend’s holiday gathering. Wilderness walk: Enjoy the crisp air and snow and see a local park from a winter perspective. Acts of kindness: Choose any act of kindness and make it happen. It can include feeding the hungry or helping a disabled person shop for the season.

12 13 14 15 16

Kids’ Secret Santa: Spread the joy of giving by having the kids choose a sibling or friend’s name from a hat and purchasing or making a gift for that person. Hand out hot chocolate: Make a big thermos of hot chocolate and give it out to shoppers or workers who have been out in the cold. Camp-in: The first night the tree is decorated, allow the kids to sleep beside it under the glow of Christmas lights. Scavenger hunt: Plan holiday-themed trivia questions and hide small trinkets for children to find.

Surprise box: Put a gender and age nonspecific gift into a box. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the person who finds a hidden gift tag under their chair at dinner gets to open the box.

DECEMBER 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 11

Calendar of events

December 1 Saturday

Family Storytime: Tales of Birds and Beasts A special story time at the museum to tell tales of caterpillars, unicorns, polar bears and more! There will be stories, songs and rhymes for children ages 0 to 5 and their families, 10:30-11 a.m. Free, but registration is recommended. To register, email

family fun for December

waldronv@albanyinstitute.org or call (518) 463-4478 ext. 404. Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany. For more information, call (518) 463-4478 or visit www.albanyinstitute.org.

Conservationist for Kids: Adventure Club Join a naturalist crew as they take you on an adventure at Five Rivers, 10 a.m. Pick up a copy of the Conservationist for Kids at the visitor center during your next visit. For grades 2-8 and caregivers. Space is limited; call to

FEBRUARY is… National

register. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road Delmar. For more information, call (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.

3 Monday

Japanese Mizuhiki Card Making

Bring awareness of your practice and educate readers about your area of specialty.

ISSUE DATE: February 1, 2019

CALL NOW for our Monthly Prices and Ad Size Options

Capital District

12 PARENT PAGES — DECEMBER 2018

Hour of Code: 3D Printing

Join us as we celebrate Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week and try out some of the library’s cool STEM equipment, 3:30-4:45 p.m. Stop by the Teen Area after school and get ready to crack the code! Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-4399314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Pre-K Storytime

Total Distribution – OVER 18,000

The Resource for Parents

Visit the museum after school for a fun Japanese Mizuhiki card making craft, 3:304:30 p.m. This event is free with admission and best suited for children ages 8 and up. Younger children may attend but might need grownup help. This program is free with admission. World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 793-2773 or visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.

4 Tuesday

AD DEADLINE: Monday, January 7th

Happy Birthday, Jan Brett

Celebrate this favorite author and illustrator Guided Walk: Service Road Loop with stories, crafts, and games. For grades K-2; registration is required, 11 a.m. Clifton We’ll ramble along the Service Road, Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, with stops at the ponds and marshes along the way. We’ll see how the wildlife that uses Clifton Park. For more information, call (518) these waterbodies is preparing for the coming 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org. Owl Investigation winter, 2-3 p.m. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road Learn about the owls that live in the Delmar. For more information, call (518) Pine Bush Preserve and the signs they leave behind. We will start with a short presentation and then dissect owl pellets, a sign that owls are active in the area, 1-2:30 p.m. For ages 6 and up. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 4560655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

Dental Health Month

arent pages

475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.

Don’t miss this opportunity to advertise in our February issue!

Denice Mau • (518) 439-4949 maud@spotlightnews.com 107139_4

Drop-in storytime for ages 2-6, 11 a.m. Siblings welcome. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St, Rensselaer (across from the Amtrak parking lot). For more information, call (518) 462-1193 or visit rensselaerlibrary.org.

Hour of Code: Ozobots

Continued on the next page

Calendar of events

Chess Club

Sign up for one session per night and try your hand at chess with our teen volunteers, 5:30-6:30 OR 6:30-7:30 p.m. All experience levels welcome. For grades K-5. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Preschool Storytime Theme-based, multi-age level storytimes with an emphasis on early literacy. Books, rhymes, songs, a short video, and an art activity, 10 a.m. For ages 2 to 5 with caregiver. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville For more info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

visit the museum, enjoy some light snacks, and form a community of encouragement and acceptance, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is $2 per family. World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 793-2773 or visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.

Hour of Code: Snap Circuits Join us as we celebrate Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week and try out some of the library’s cool STEM equipment, 3:30-4:45 p.m. Stop by the Teen Area after school and get ready to crack the code! Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-4399314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Library Tots

Join Miss Amy at 9:45 or 10:45am for an early literacy program that emphasizes Create a pomander or other special scented sharing books, flannel board stories, music, rhymes, and playtime together. Children something for someone special this holiday from newborn to 36 months will enjoy lap season, 6:30 p.m. For crafter ages 5 to 105. Registration is required. Clifton Park-Halfmoon bounces, choral book reading and action rhymes and songs all focused on developing Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call (518) 371-8622 or your baby’s skills. Attend either session; no registration required. Voorheesville Library, visit www.cphlibrary.org. 51 School Road, Voorheesville. For more 5 Wednesday info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791 Moscow Ballet’s Great

Making Scents of the Season

Russian Nutcracker

Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, and jubilant Nesting Dolls, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $31-$71. Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany. For more information, call (518) 465-4663 or visit www. palacealbany.org.

Hour of Code: Scratch Jr. Celebrate Hour of Code and try out some of the library’s cool STEM equipment, 3:30-4:45 p.m. Stop by the Teen Area after school and get ready to crack the code! Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-4399314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

6 Thursday Teen Anime Club Watch anime, discuss manga and pop culture, and hang out with your friends, 4-6 p.m. For ages 13-18. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St, Rensselaer (across from the Amtrak parking lot). For more information, call (518) 462-1193 or visit rensselaerlibrary.org.

Early Explorers Play Group A time for caregivers and their children to

158 Railroad Ave. Colonie

• Tap • Jazz • Hip Hop • Ballet • Zumba • Tumbling & More!

SCAP Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP)

We are a FREE Infant Toddler Program for families who qualify and live in Schenectady County.

Ages 2 1/2 – Adult

Beginner – Competitive Levels

REGISTER NOW FOR WINTER CLASSES Give the Gift of Dance! Gift Certificates Available. NEW STUDENTS get the First Month FREE!!!

We provide: • Free diapers and formula • Nutritious meals and snacks • Family support services • Developmental screenings • Special Education Services (Speech, OT, PT) • Assistance getting health services • Nurturing learning environment Give us a call today.

For more details call 446-1131 or visit

www.DanceDimensionsAlbany.com 107230_4

105785_4

4 Tuesday (cont.)

518.377.2015

913 Albany St. • Schenectady

7 Friday

Magic & Mischief #1: Potions Lab STEAM Create your magical mixtures in our potions lab! Students in grades 1-5 are invited to join us from 1:00 to 2:45pm. Space is limited, so please register early at the Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Story Art Enjoy the Museum by listening to a story, exploring objects and creating a fun art project, 11 a.m. For toddlers and preschoolers. Free. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 474-0079 or visit www.nysm.nysed.gov.

Library Friends Play Time Play and interact with others while using age appropriate toys, books, and puzzles, 9:10 a.m. No registration required; siblings welcome. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call (518) 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

Continued on Page 15

Sat, JANUARY 19 PALACE THEATRE - ALBANY

TICKETS: Palace Theatre Box Office (19 Clinton Ave.) Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, palacealbany.org pbskidslivetour.com

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family fun for December

DECEMBER 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 13

n u F s d i K e g a P

Coloring Fun

Color By Numbers

14 PARENT PAGES — DECEMBER 2018

Calendar of events

family fun for December

8 Saturday

Teen Anime Club

Pick of the month

Cirque Musica: Wonderland

Watch anime, discuss manga and pop culture, and hang out with your friends, 4-6 p.m. For ages 13-18. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St, Rensselaer (across from the Amtrak parking lot). For more information, call (518) 462-1193 or visit rensselaerlibrary.org.

A concert and visual experience where audiences will journey into a world of high-flying adventure with amazing acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks and holiday cheer that is Wonderland, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15-$60. Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany. For more information, call (518) 4654663 or visit www.palacealbany.org.

Early Explorers Play Group A time for caregivers and their children to visit the museum, enjoy some light snacks, and form a community of encouragement and acceptance, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is $2 per family. World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 793-2773 or visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.

Guided Walk: Sleepy Time Some animals stay active during the winter. Others settle in for a long-term snooze. Come take a short walk with us as we look for signs of animals preparing for the cold months ahead and talk about their survival tactics, 10-11 a.m. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road Delmar. For more information, call (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.

Decoupage Holiday Card and Ornament Workshop Looking for something special to make for the holidays? Join us from 10:30 to noon as we use an assortment of pretty papers to make a unique holiday card with a removable star ornament. Please specify when you register if you prefer a Christmas or Hanukkah motif. Local artist, Lydia Lynch, will facilitate the class. All materials will be supplied. Ages 8 through adult. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register at the Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Candy Houses Families with children ages 4-9 are invited to join local author and educator Diane Payette in celebration of the season of sweet things, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Enjoy a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” then make a candy house to take home. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call (518) 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

CSI: Critter Scene Investigation Do you have what it takes to be on a team of nature investigators, solving Pine Bush mysteries by examining evidence? Join us for a 30-minute indoor introduction followed by a 0.9-mile outdoor trek to look for clues and evidence of what lives in the Pine Bush, 11 a.m. For ages 6 and up. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www. albanypinebush.org.

Library Tots Children from newborn to 36 months will enjoy lap bounces, choral book reading and action rhymes and songs all focused on developing your baby’s skills, 9:45 or 10:45 a.m. Attend either session; no registration required. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville. For more info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Breakfast or Lunch with Santa

Dec.

Enjoy a breakfast or lunch buffet, children’s activities, music, photos with Santa and more. Seating from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $16 for children ages 5-12, and free for children under 5. Purchase by Dec. 3 at thecenturyhouse.com (click on “holiday and house events”). The Century House, 997 New Loudon Road (Route 9), Latham.

9 Sunday Children’s Art Workshop: Drawing Animals This workshop introduces fundamental drawing skills while participants learn to sketch animals. Join us to learn to capture what you see on paper as we make observations from taxidermy. Artist Carol Coogan will lead the program, 1-2 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany. For more information, call (518) 463-4478 or visit www. albanyinstitute.org.

10 Monday ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser’s redemption on Christmas Eve (1992, 85 minutes, G), 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5. Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany. For more information, call (518) 465-4663 or visit www.palacealbany.org.

11 Tuesday Pre-K Storytime Drop-in storytime for ages 2-6, 11 a.m. Siblings welcome. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St, Rensselaer (across from the Amtrak parking lot). For more information, call

(518) 462-1193 or visit rensselaerlibrary.org.

Preschool Storytime Theme-based, multi-age level storytimes with an emphasis on early literacy. Books, rhymes, songs, a short video, and an art activity, 10 a.m. For ages 2 to 5 with caregiver. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville. For more info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

12 Wednesday Parachute Play Join us for songs and games with a parachute, 10 a.m. For children ages 3 and 4 with an adult. Registration required. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call (518) 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

13 Thursday

14 Friday St. Lucia’s Day Celebration Learn about St. Lucia’s Day, a Swedish winter holiday, 10-11 a.m. We’ll be eating snacks, reading a story, and making our very own candle wreath crown. This program is free with admission. World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 793-2773 or visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.

Stories and More: Snowy Fingerprints Hear a snowy story, then decorate a snowy scene using your fingertips and white paint, 10 a.m. For children up to age 6 with family. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-4399314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Magic & Mischief #2: Fantastic Creature Adaptations Join us from 1:00 to 2:45 pm as we learn

Pop-Up Book Story & Viewing about the remarkable adaptations creatures Ashort story time followed by a chance to share the library’s collection of pop-up books, 9:30 a.m. For children ages 4 and up with an adult. No registration needed. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call (518) 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

use to survive in a magical world. December 14th is a half day at the Voorheesville Elementary School. For grades 1-5. Space limited. Please register at the Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

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15 Saturday

family fun for December

Little Wonders of Science

Inspires curiosity through stories, play, and special hands-on activities specifically created for children ages 3-5 inspired by trains, 10:30Please join us for a festive and joyful musi- 11:15 a.m. Cost is $5 plus regular admission cal concert of Christmas music for babies, tod- of $5 for children, $8 for seniors and $10 for dlers, and their families, 10:30 a.m. Advance adults. MiSci, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schetickets are required. Tickets are $10 each or $25 nectady. For more information, call (518) per family. To purchase tickets and for more 382-7890 or visit www.misci.org. information visit www.concertsfortots.com. Holiday Open House at Concert takes place at New Covenant PresbyThacher Visitor Center terian Church, 916 Western Ave., Albany. Take a break from the hustle Family Fun: and bustle to enjoy the peaceful Featured Creature Care beauty of Thacher Park. Join friends Here at Five Rivers we have lots of wildlife, around the fireplace, enjoy live and in the center, we have some featured music, make a holiday craft, and creatures. Every day we feed them and clean relax with hot drinks and sweet their enclosures to make sure they are happy treats, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thacher Nature and healthy. You will learn about how we Center, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville. feed them, maintain their enclosures, and For more information, visit parks.ny.gov/ the special considerations we make for these parks/128/details.aspx. once wild animals, 10-11 a.m. Five Rivers Discover the Pine Bush Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road Delmar. For more information, call Take a journey into the Albany Pine Bush, a (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/ globally rare, nationally significant and locally education/1835.html. distinct inland pine barrens, on a guided 0.9-mile hike over rolling sand dunes, 10:30 a.m. For all ages. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www. albanypinebush.org.

Concerts for Tots: Children’s Christmas Concert

Submit an event

• To have your event included in our print edition, email the information, including date, time, place, cost and contact information to robertsk@ spotlightnews.com by the 10th of the preceding month. Events run space permitting, and submission does not guarantee publication.

16 Sunday SenseAble Science A sensory friendly science center experience for those with autism and other sensory needs, 10 a.m.-noon. Presented by the Autism

Get the word out! List your event for parents & children in our calendar section.

16 PARENT PAGES — DECEMBER 2018

17 Monday Hopi Winter Solstice Weaving Enjoy a fun Hopi Winter Solstice Weaving activity, 3:30-4:30 p.m. This event is free with admission and best suited for children in second grade and older. Younger children may attend but might need grown-up help. This program is free with admission. World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 793-2773 or visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.

18 Tuesday Pre-K Storytime Drop-in storytime for ages 2-6, 11 a.m. Siblings welcome. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St, Rensselaer (across from the Amtrak parking lot). For more information, call (518) 462-1193 or visit rensselaerlibrary.org.

KBA: Kids Builder Association Build your own fun with Legos, Snap Circuits, K’nex, blocks, origami and more, 4-4:45 p.m. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Chess Club Sign up for one session per night and try your hand at chess with our teen volunteers, 5:30-6:30 OR 6:30-7:30 p.m. All experience levels welcome. For grades K-5.

Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-4399314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

20 Thursday Early Explorers Play Group A time for caregivers and their children to visit the museum, enjoy some light snacks, and form a community of encouragement and acceptance, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is $2 per family. World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 793-2773 or visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.

Teen Anime Club Watch anime, discuss manga and pop culture, and hang out with your friends, 4-6 p.m. For ages 13-18. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St, Rensselaer (across from the Amtrak parking lot). For more information, call (518) 462-1193 or visit rensselaerlibrary.org.

21 Friday Christmas Puppets See a Christmas puppet show by guest teacher Neha Golwala and then you’ll make your own puppets, 10:30-11 a.m. This program is free with admission. World Awareness Children’s Museum, 89 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 793-2773 or visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.

Continued on the next page

To advertise on our website, call Denice Mau at 439-4949 Check us out at:

www.cdparentpages.com 103642_4

Send calendar submission by the 5th of the previous month to: Capital District Parent Pages, Attn: Calendar, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, N.Y. 12054 email: robertsk@spotlightnews.com

Society of the Greater Capital Region, Schenectady ARC, and miSci with additional funds from sponsors. Cost $5 for children, $8 for seniors and $10 for adults. MiSci, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. For more information, call (518) 382-7890 or visit www.misci.org.

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Calendar of events

21 Friday (cont.)

Drop-in Nature Journaling

Almost Full Moon Hike

Also Thursday. Drop in between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to check out some self-guided Pine Bush nature journaling activities in one of our classrooms, and bring along your own nature journal or make one from provided materials. For all ages. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www.albanypinebush. org.

Enjoy the Pine Bush at night under an almost full moon. We will meet at the Discovery Center and then hike 0.9 miles at Karner Barrens trailhead, 6 p.m. For tweens and up. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

22 Saturday Family Fun: Fur, Fluff and Fun How do animals keep warm in the cold winter? Come check out some of the furs we have at Five Rivers and check out who’s at the feeders too, 2-3 p.m. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road Delmar. For more information, call (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.

Cookie Burner Stroll Hike 2.6 miles over rolling terrain through the Karner Barrens East region of the Albany Pine Bush, taking breaks along the way for rest and water (if needed), 11 a.m. If there is snow, we will snowshoe approximately one mile! Snowshoes will be provided to program participants. For tweens and up. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

23 Sunday The Fashionable 1920s Learn about the clothing and fashion of New Yorkers in the “Roaring Twenties,” from everyday wear to fancy dress. Make your own headpiece to take home with you, and imagine what you might have looked like if you were born in New York in in the early 20th century, 1-2:30 p.m. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 4740079 or visit www.nysm.nysed.gov.

26 Wednesday How to Make a New Place Feel Like Home Have you ever wondered how kids lived a hundred years ago? Join us as we explore life in early 1900s New York City tenements, play games, and learn how immigrants made a new place feel like home, 10-11:30 a.m. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 474-0079 or visit www. nysm.nysed.gov.

27 Thursday Paint a Snowy Owl Workshop Paint a close-up portrait of a majestic snowy owl, a symbol of survival in winter. Learn how to create the texture of feathers on canvas, and capture that steady owl gaze. Students will leave with a completed masterpiece, 2-4 p.m. Space is limited, and program is appropriate for ages 8 and up. Call 518-872-0800 to register. Materials fee is $10. Thacher Nature Center, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville. For more information, visit parks.ny.gov/parks/128/details.aspx.

Erie Canal for Kids Use hands-on mystery items and a 1903 Erie Canal map as you imagine yourself steering or towing a canal boat, often at night, from town to town and through the many locks of the Erie Canal, 10-11:30 a.m. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 474-0079 or visit www.nysm.nysed.gov.

p Capital District

family fun for December

arent pages The Resource for Parents

Upcoming Monthly Themes & Deadlines January

Winter Sports & Activities Staying Healthy Deadline: December 3rd

February Children’s Art & Culture Deadline: January 7th

Starlab Seasonal Sky Tour Join us in our inflatable planetarium, Starlab! Crawl inside and experience a guided tour of the winter sky, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Free tickets will be available at the main lobby desk one hour before each show time, but space is limited and tickets are given on a first-come, first-served basis. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 474-0079 or visit www.nysm.nysed.gov.

On the Lookout for Whales Come to Open Spaces (the whale skeleton) in Metropolis Hall to learn about the wonderful world of whales as well as the history of whalers and whaling in New York with hands on objects and activities, 1:30-3 p.m. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 474-0079 or visit www.nysm.nysed.gov.

Continued on the next page

March

Kidz Expo All About Babies/ Family Health Deadline: February 4th

April

Summer Camp Guide (Part 1) Special Needs Deadline: March 4th

To advertise in one or more of these issues please call

Denice Mau at 439-4940 or email: maud@spotlightnews.com

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DECEMBER 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 17

27 Thursday (cont.) Super Smash Tournament Will you be the champion of the ultimate Super Smash Bros. battle on the WiiU? Winners get bragging rights and a 3D printed trophy, 2-4 p.m. For grades 6-12. Sign up online or call. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-439-9314 or visit bethlehem publiclibrary.org.

Winter STEAM Program Stop by from 10:30 to noon for a snowtastic day of Winter themed STEAM stations that may include snowman shape matching, playing with snow-dough, making a neat optical illusion trick, and make some ice cream. For ages 3-7. Please register at the Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

28 Friday Fabulous Fire Engines Explore the NYS Museum’s Fire Engine Hall. Visitors can try on firefighting equipment, roll a fire hose, try to guess the ages

family fun for December

of the fire engines, and more, 10-11:30 a.m. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 474-0079 or visit www.nysm.nysed.gov.

Animal Yoga We’ll stretch our bodies and our creativity with yoga postures mimicking the animals seen in some of our exhibits, 2-3 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany. For more information, call (518) 463-4478 or visit www.albanyinstitute.org.

Vacation Cinema The monster family embarks on a vacation on a luxury monster cruise ship (PG, 97 minutes, Columbia). Bring a blanket or pillow to get comfy, 10 a.m. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-4399314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Weaving on Straws Learn the basics of weaving on a loom made of straws, 3 p.m. For ages 9 and up. Sign up online or call. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Peace On Earth

Bricks, Bits & Bots for All Ages

29 Saturday

We’ve got Lego bricks for all ages and stages, toddlers to tweens, everyone is welcome to drop in and enjoy building together. You can also program the Ozobots or build an invention with the littleBits. No registration necessary. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

New Year’s Mid-Day Celebration

Kids Movie Matinee Relax and enjoy some light refreshments as you watch this “Incredible” animated film (PG, 1h 58m), 1:30 p.m. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Family Nature Journaling Combine drawing, scientific observation, poetry and more as we each record a visit to the Pine Bush in our own creative way, 1 p.m. This program will include a short hike of no more than one-half mile. For all ages. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

Ring in the new year with friends at the NYS Museum. Create a party hat, take a fun photo, or dance in celebration of 2019, noon3 p.m. New York State Museum, Albany. For more information call (518) 474-0079 or visit www.nysm.nysed.gov.

Snowshoeing in the Pine Barrens Explore the frozen landscape of the pine barrens and learn the basics of snowshoeing, 10:30 a.m. Snowshoes provided. For ages 6 and up. Free, but reservations required. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 4560655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

31 Monday New Year’s Eve Until Noon Enjoy a celebration with bubbles, dancing and games as we count down to noon. Wear something fancy or keep it casual, 11 a.m.noon. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Happy Holidays & best wishes for a Happy New Year!

From all of us at

Capital District

Calendar of events

arent pages The Resource for Parents

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20 PARENT PAGES — DECEMBER 2018