Des Moines Families

REVIEW: Porky's Diner, Des Moines

Porky's Diner is a great place for breakfast! I had no idea. I always thought of this little joint up on Douglas as a biker hang-out. And while I'm pretty sure it still is during the summertime, it's also a great place for families right now. They only have morning and lunch hours until summer.

Couple of fun things... Ask for a coloring sheet; they'll post your kids' artwork up on their giant corkboard. And, there's a life-sized piggy bank over by the bathrooms, but it's in the smoking section, so you might not notice it if you don't make a special trip. If your kid is as tickled by dropping coins into ceramic objects as mine, you'll love this excuse to get up from the table.

Have fun!

REVIEW: Christopher's, Beaverdale

I've been meaning to review Christopher's for some time, as it's a family favorite.

While my husband and I love to have "date night" there, we also take the kids quite a bit. While the candle-light atmosphere and linen table cloths might lead you to think otherwise, this is actually a very family-friendly place. With plenty of high chairs and a super friendly staff, every Des Moines family should feel completely comfortable and welcome.

I'm pretty sure there is not a changing table, though, so pack those changing pads, 'cause you might need to use the countertop. (I could be wrong about this, so if someone knows differently, comment away!).

The food is great, and there is a kids menu with upwards of five choices.

This is one of Des Moines' most storied restaurants, and parents should definitely get there... even if they don't have a sitter.

Oooh, one other thing... Wednesday night is free dessert night!

REVIEW: Danielle Fox Photography

There are quite a few cool artists in Des Moines. Among them is child fashion photographer Danielle Fox. We were lucky enough to get two photo shoots with Ms. Fox to document our son's first and third birthdays.

What I loved about Danielle, in addition to her adeptness at taking the perfect shot even when the boys were acting not-so-perfect, is her flexibility.

I wanted photos of the boys in their first childhood home, so I was thrilled to find out that she'd come right to the house for a photo shoot. It was so great to have all of their clothes, toys and favorite things right there to choose from. Here's a few of the images that came from the in-home shoot (click here to see more). Love them!

As usual, our three-year-old was super rambunctious with a guest in our house, so I asked if we could also try a studio photo shoot. I had seen Danielle's work on her blog and wanted to do some "plain backdrop" stuff. To my happiness, she fit us into the schedule, and we got to try the more traditional route. Here's what came out of that shoot:

    

Heads Up: Family Game Night at Java Joe's

Did you know Java Joe's hosts Family Game Night every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.?

The coffee house has its own library of board games families can choose from; our you can bring your own. KaleidoScoops ice cream is available for $2.00 in cool flavors like Superman, Playdough, Birthday Cake and Cotton Candy.  All ages are welcome.

If you've ever tried it, let us know!

Heads Up: Birthday Freebies at DSM Restaurants

According to the "Cent"sible Sawyer, the follwoing Des Moines-area restaurants give the kiddos free stuff on their birthdays...

Free gift and burger on your birthday at Red Robin (but you have to sign up... adults, do it here; kids, do it here)

Free appetizer on your birthday at Famous Daves

Free 2.5 oz ice cream scoop on your birthday at Baskin Robbins (you have to sign up... do it here)

Coldstone does it, too (sign up here)

LOVE THAT! Blankets From Baby Clothes

Are you done having babies but can't bring yourself to send your wee ones' clothes to consignment? Is your storage area already too full to keep their teeny rags until the day they give you grandkids?

There's a solution: Jelly Bean Quilts.

Started by a Johnston Mom, Jelly Bean Quilts is giving old baby clothes new life by recycling them into modern-style heirloom quilts.

By recycling baby clothes that are either too cute to let go or too stained to sell, Jelly Bean Quilts is able to simultaneously preserve memories, reduce waste, and help moms find a way to hold on to those adorable rubber ducky pajamas.

THIS JUST IN: New Water Park Coming This Summer

Have you seen the commercials for the new Kokomo Kove coming to Adventureland this summer?

I just Googled it, and it looks pretty cool. They're calling it a "water play structure," and it will be available with the price of admission to Adventureland. (I'm not too totally pumped about that, as we really can't take advantage of the rest of the park with a 3- and 1-year-old).

Anyway, the play structure is going to include seven water slides, 120 different water-jet features (guns, tipping cones, hoses, umbrellas) and 90 playscapes (bridges, tunnels, ropes).

Oh, and for you parents lucky enough to have older kids, they promise 200 lounge chairs for "relaxing," whatever that means.

Watch a video here.

THIS JUST IN: Kids' Dance Party POSTPONED

UPDATE: This event has been postponed until a later date... keep watching this blog, as we'll be sure to update you.

How about this for a cool idea...

Michelle Hanson, one of the two genius minds behind baby T company Slick Sugar, wrote in to let us know about Rockabye Ball, a kids' dance party scheduled for the first Saturday in May.

For $12, kids 9 and under and their parents will get a morning full of rock-n-roll fun, including a kids DJ spinning chlid-friendly music, giveaways, snacks, bubbles, a suprise guest and a tattoo parlor (temporary of course).

Read more.

THIS JUST IN: Mom's Night Out at East Village Books

Looking for a mom's night out? Here's something that caught my eye on the East Village Books' calendar...

LifeCatching Workshop
Authors Barbara Tabach & Polly Clark

5:30pm    Meet & Greet
6:00pm    Workshop

An inspirational and practical look at how everyday people discover, save and share life stories.

Do you know your grandmother's maiden name?  How about when your grandfather was born?  Do you have any sense of why your aunt collected the stamps she left you in her will?  And, what are you to do with all those vintage 8mm films and letters up in the attic?

Barbara and Polly will answer all your questions as LifeCatching moves you from chaos to concept to help organize and preserve the family legacy through photos, words and memorabilia.

NOTE: Please bring a dozen or so small mementos of your own. There will be wine and cheese served as well!

THIS JUST IN: Baby Boot Camp Registration Open Today

Spring's coming, which means only one thing... swimsuit season is right around the corner. (Hear something? That's me screaming from my cozy fat farm in Beaverdale).

That's why this Baby Boot Camp is looking so appealing to me. It's run by West Des Moines Parks & Rec, so first priority is given to West Des Moines residents. With only 25 spots in two classes, I'm guessing there won't be a spot left for yours truly.

But if you live in West Des Moines, have some baby chub to knock off before bikini time rears it's ugly head, take advantage... call 222-3444 to register for the $95, six-week class today (if you're a WDSM resident... that is. If you're not, call on April 16.)

If one of you lucky ducky WDSM moms gets in, will you send us a review?

Here are the details.