Des Moines Families

SPEAK YOUR MIND: Kids Clothes

We've had fantastic feedback regarding the Des Moines Baby onesie, so we want to keep going.

We've talked to so many of you who have ideas for what kind of baby or kids T we should do next. So, we've got some ideas, but I want to hear more. Drop a comment below or TAKE OUR POLL to let us know what you want to put in your kid's closet (or better yet, on his back!).

A Little Background
This baby T – designed and printed locally by the genius artists at SMASH – has two ambitions.

First, to promote Des Moines (inside city limits and across state lines) as a city packed with proud parents.

Second, to give metro babies a chance to rock some local style.

Can You Still Buy Them?
You bet... there aren't many left, but there are several ways to get them. Get one now.

THIS JUST IN: Van Meter Daycare Needs Your Help

Just received word that a daycare in Van Meter was destroyed by fire and is looking for help getting back up and running. For all of us who have our kids in daycare, we know how important it is to get back to normal after a crisis with our providers. So, this is a great way to help a woman-owned business, a community of preschoolers, and some busy parents... all at the same time.

Here's more:

Country Kids' Club in Van Meter was terribly damaged by fire early Monday morning. The center cares for
65-70 children from 6 weeks to 12-year-olds and employs 20.

Almost everything is destroyed. With support from the community, the center was able to reopen two days after the fire in two locations.

The center is looking for donations, specifically teaching items, as more than 13 years of curriculum, 100 teacher books and filing cabinets full of activities for children are now gone.

They need teacher books, craft projects/ideas, coloring pages, etc.

If you can help, contact Stacy Roberts at 515-313-8108.

THIS JUST IN: Exclusive Event Discounts for You!

The Iowa Events Center continues to be super cool to DesMoinesFamilies.com subscribers and blog readers.

Here's a list of new discounts for you...

• March 22 & 24, 2008: Womens NCAA Basketball Championship
• March 30, 2008: Harlem Globetrotters
• April 6, 2008: Doodlebops LIVE!
• April 10, 12 & 13, 2008: Cirque Du Soleil - Saltimbanco 

Keeping check this post for more...

LOVE THAT! Two Really Cool Parents

Listen, I know it's hard to take your kids out on the town.

You never know if they'll be welcome where you're going... especially if your destination is generally thought of as for "big people." You never know what kind of rude behavior or tantrum episode they're gonna pull. You never know if they'll make a huge mess, a huge scene. It's hard.

But it's so good for them! And we need more brave moms and dads to get their kids out into this city... it'll help them fall in love with it the way we have.

So, with that, I give you this Love That post.

Last week, at the opening of the hip new East Village restaurant, Alba, I spotted two very brave parents among the young professional crowd. They looked great -- they were dressed; they were social; they were working the room... with their kids!

I just had to introduce myself. So who were they?

They were Tanya Keith, owner of Simply for Giggles (East Village and West Glen locations), and her husband, Doug Jotzke, Director of Engineering for The Baking Company. In tow were their 7-month-old son and 5-year-old daughter. The kids were having a blast, jetting from location to location, talking with adults (well, one was talking, the other was gurgling), and generally working that room just like their mom and dad. Brilliant.

Here's what Tanya had to say: "We've brought our children to grand openings, World Cup Soccer games, theater shows...all sorts of events. They're usually really well behaved, and I know it makes me feel closer to my kids and has taught  me so much about how to look at the world from different perspectives."

Love that!

THIS JUST IN: Is This Heaven? Time for Little Angels Again

I'm getting goosebumps as I type this post because it's the first time I've had the privilege to announce the "second annual" anything... meaning DesMoinesFamilies.com is one year old! Tremendous. Thanks to every one who has visited, commented, emailed and spread the word.

My all-time favorite baby photographer Lori Nordstrom is sending out her call for Little Angels once again and has asked DesMoinesFamilies.com to help in her hunt for local cherubs to be featured in her annual charity calendar. Read more about the project here.

Here are the dates of the Little Angels photo shoots. Call Lori and get your little angel's camera time scheduled today.

March 7-8, 2008: Lori Nordstrom Studio, Winterset

March 28-29, 2008: East Village Books, Des Moines

April 4-5, 2008: Legacy Bank, Clive

THIS JUST IN: LA Fashion Photo Shoot for DSM Girls

Danielle Fox, local photographer and organizer of the Fresh Faces Campaign, is looking for girls to model tutus, tees, diaper covers and dresses by LA designers, Kaiya Eve and Ooh La La Mama.

The girls should be between 12 months and 3 years and do not need modeling experience.

Interested? Your next step is to send one to three photos of your little one to Danielle via email. She asks that you send them as attachments and do not send links to slideshows or other Web sites. Please be sure each photo is less than 2 MB in size. Be sure to put “FFC-FEB” in the subject of your email.

In the body of your email, include the girl’s name and age, as well as her clothing size. Include a parent’s name and phone number.

A flexible schedule is a plus, as Danielle will be naming the day and time of the photo shoots and scheduling can not be changed. The shoots will most likely be scheduled during the a.m. hours, Monday through Thursday, today through Feb. 28.

Danielle has much more information, including where the photos will eventually appear and the permissions you’ll need to supply in order for the shots to be published. You can contact her at danielle@daniellefoxphotography.com.

THIS JUST IN: Special Night for Special Needs at Pump It Up

Starting in March, Pump It Up of Urbandale, will have a special open jump night every four weeks. On the second Wednesday of each month, children with special needs can explore the inflatables palace for $6.00.

For more details, get in touch with Marcia Hamby.

THIS JUST IN: Spring Music Class Registration Starts Feb. 15

I received this email from Dena Maxwell at Allegro Music Studios this a.m.:

New music class sessions for children birth - 4 years old begin March 6.
Registration opens to the public Saturday, February 15.

For more information, go to www.allegromusicstudios.com or call Dena at 515-965-2268.

THIS JUST IN: $1 Kids Meals at Maxie's

According to our Kids Eat Free page coordinator, Maxie's is offering $1 kids meals throughout the month of February. Enjoy!

THIS JUST IN: Symphony Event Just for Kids This Spring

I admit to not being familiar with the star of the show, but this sounds like a great event.

Here's the note I received today from Ashley Fodes at the Symphony Academy:

We have an event coming up on Saturday, April 12 featuring Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players at the Scottish Rite Consistory. Justin is a critically acclaimed artist and winner of several Parents Choice Gold Awards who loves playing for young children of all ages. Kids come wearing PJ's and slippers!

The party starts at 11 a.m. with the rockin' pajamas concert and finishes off with the PB&J lunch (reservations required for the lunch). This is a great event for parents, as well as children, to get together and have fun in a great learning atmosphere. The Des Moines Symphony Academy will be hosting this event.

Here is some additional information regarding the concert:

Justin’s new CD, POP FLY, will be on sale to all attendees three days before its official release date! And 20% of the proceeds will benefit the Academy!

Saturday, April 12, 2008
11:00 a.m. (doors open at 10:30)
Scottish Rite Consistory, 519 Park Street

Free parking available at the Park & Ride Ramp located at 7th and Center Streets (2 blocks NW of Scottish Rite)

$15 for concert; $20 for concert and lunch
Free admission for children 24 months and under
10% discount for groups of 10 or more paid admissions (must purchase as a group)

For more information concerning the event please contact Nikki Syverson at 515-280-4017 or email at nikki@dmsymphony.org.