The other day, Ryan and her cousin Molly, had a great time with leftover Easter Egg Dye. I bought it AFTER Easter knowing dying eggs is a favorite activity of Molly’s. So they made beautiful eggs and we had so much leftover dye that I didn’t want to waste. So I grabbed some paper towels and they folded each one in different ways and dipped into the tie dye, you never separate sections of the towel dipped each time. It was really beautiful as Ryan is demonstrating.Then we had to dry them so we went outside and hung them on a tree. Artwork — easy. And, a great reminder that just after a holiday is a great time to get great buys! Try it after Halloween for costumes that are just as good all year round!

Yesterday we went on an adventure — to nowhere! No plan, just get in the car and drive. It was Ryan, Scott (her dad who took this picture) and me. We had the best time — 3 1/2 hours together and we found a Zoo (on sale — interested?), we found a tractor on a farm by the sign so we got out and jumped on, we found a track with bleachers — empty just waiting for us to climb on and under, we found Mr. McGregor’s Garden Market (how perfect on Easter Sunday) AND some chicks … on and on. It was the best day and it ended, after our family dinner, with Ryan losing her first tooth! Even a visit at night from the Tooth Fairy! Totally heaven!

After our adventure, Scott laughed and said … “And, it was free!” That’s what KIDFUN is all about, for all age “kids!”

Okay, some of you may not call cleaning up a KIDFUN activity, but, if it were, imagine how much easier it would be! Look at Miss Kate here, holding a big cloth bag (like a pillow case for a king-size pillow). She and the kids are actually laughing as they put away their instruments in this big case. What can you use to store a collection of toys? Something like this cloth bag with a draw string, that you can easily pull out and fill it for clean up. Maybe you should sing a song while cleaning up to make the time pass. Or have a race — set the kitchen timer to see how fast you can go! Yep, cleaning up CAN be KIDFUN, too!

Miss Kate is one of the Music Together teachers at Conservatory of Musical Arts in Audobon, NJ, that I’ve been writing about lately. Thank you, Miss Kate!

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Read More…]]> Okay, I’m impressed. Look at that mound of lather on Sari’s head!! And, ya’ know what it’s perfect for? Why, of course — painting! What Hope and Joe could have done once that lather was piled, was give Sari a new, clean paintbrush — any size — and paint lather on the bathtub wall. It’s so much fun.It’s actually been in KIDFUN long ago — even in my books. But, the trick is to also provide a clean squeeze bottle for Sari to fill with water and clean off the lathery “paint-filled” walls!

The Ken Ulansey Ensemble has been playing music festivals, clubs, weddings and pretty much anywhere that great grooves and good vibes are welcome.  Ken himself has played classical music at Lincoln Center, jazz at the Newport Jazz Festival, traditional at the Philly Folk Festival. Check them out! And check out the Museum of Art — the one in Philly — or the one closest to you, no matter where you live. Maybe they, too, combine music and art!

In the picture on the left, Ryan, who was a little old for the class, got into the act with her mom, Amy, in the background, doing it, too. In the picture on the right, Sari, thought the scarf made a perfect hat! For more information about the Conservatory, visit musicalconservatory.com or call 856-354-1432.  They have music classes for all ages with professional musicians and the best teachers!