Des Moines Families

FREE STUFF: Win a 515 Toddler Tee

Show us your Des Moines Babies! We're so excited to see your little ones donning their Des Moines Baby onesies, that we're going to give away a 515 Toddler Tee just to get our mitts on those photos.

For every photo you either email in or post at your own blog at link back to this post (via Mr. Linky below), you'll get a chance to win a free 515 Toddler Tee. The SMASH-designed T-shirt was created for two reasons: 1) to give Des Moines kids a chance to rock some locally made style; and 2) to promote Des Moines as a city parents are proud of.

We'll do the drawing at the end of the month and announce the winner in the August newsletter. What? You're not signed up to receive the newsletter... better get crackin'!

Want one but can't enter our give-away? No problem, buy yours here.

REVIEW: Nature Storytime, Greenwood Park

Submitted by Molly

My 3-year-old daughter and I went to Polk County Conservation’s Nature Storytime at Greenwood Park.   It was a lot of fun and very informative, but unfortunately swarming with mosquitoes.

The theme for this week was turtles. The guide read us a story, told us a fable about a turtle using a puppet, and then showed us some old shells and a live box turtle tha had recently been rescued. 

We then went on a guided hike around the pond to look for turtles and frogs. My daughter was surprised that turtles live outside, so I guess we could stand to get out into nature more often. If it hadn't been so hot and buggy, it would have been terrific. We’ll definitely try to go to more of these events.

For more information on similar events, visit www.leadingyououtdoors.com. If you go, be sure to bring your bug spray.

Nappy Hour This Thursday From 1 to 4 p.m.

Inspired by Iowa mom blogger Farm Fresh Jessica, I've decided to jump on the "blog fest" bandwagon with Nappy Hour.

Every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m., the DesMoinesFamilies blog will host Nappy Hour -- a time for moms and dads to do some digital socializing while the pee wees are partying at the SnoozeTown Tap.

DesMoinesFamilies will pose a question, and bloggers answer in a thousand words -- a photo. Post your "photo answer" and any accompanying commentary on your blog, along with the Nappy Hour button (just save the image in the upper left to your computer and upload it to your own post).

Once you've posted, hop back here and give us the URL to your Nappy Hour post via Mr. Linky -- a blogging device that allows a bunch of us to link from one blog post. I'll be playing along at The Mother Load.

I have a few ideas for questions, but suggestions are, of course, welcome. See you on Thursday!

REVIEW: Des Moines Arts Festival

We've never really done the Arts Festival with the kids before. All in all, it was pretty good. They have a ton of kids crafts and a lot of room for them to roam.

The fireworks are tonight (and our 3-year-old didn't get to get his face painted earlier), so we're heading back around 7 p.m. How can you resist this weather... although, as I type that, I'm looking outside at what appears to be rain clouds. Better bring our umbrellas. Anyway, here are a few shots from today... [take special note of the shirt on Jack... available here!]

REVIEW: Sunroom Escapes, Ankeny

Submitted by Gary

My wife and I had been considering adding an addition to our home as our children’s families began to grow. We happened upon Sunroom Escapes at the 2008 Des Moines Home and Family Show and were immediately impressed with salesman’s integrity and his willingness to offer a walk-through of a finished sunroom similar to the size we were interested in. The homeowner allowed us to view the room and answered questions regarding his experience with Sunroom Escapes favorably.

The owner met with us to discuss our wants and offered several beneficial suggestions that ultimately led to what has become the entire family’s favorite room. He led us through the contract, the timing of the construction process and who would perform each portion.

All phases of the actual construction came off without a hitch.  All the subs were professional, honest and clean. Even with our wet spring, the total construction phase took only two weeks to complete.

Thanks for Scavenging!

Thanks for scavenging in our BabyLegs Hunt. Our winners, Lori, Bridget, Jodi and Loree, will each receive their favorite pair of BabyLegs warmers. Send us pictures when you get 'em!

FREE STUFF: Scavenger Hunt for Baby Legs Starts Now!

Have you seen these outrageously cool leg and arm warmers the babies are wearing? I'm so excited to get some for my little dudes (going to put them under their shorts in the fall). If I had girls, I'd go broke.

If you like 'em, you're in luck. BabyLegs has agreed to give away four pairs to DesMoinesFamilies readers who play our BabyLegs Scavenger Hunt.

All you have to do is check the BabyLegs site, find a pair you like and then find your nearest central Iowa retailer using the site's Store Locator tool.

To play, post a comment below listing: 1) the name of your favorite pair; 2) the name of your nearest central Iowa retailer; and 3) your email address (so we can reach you).

The first four commenters to list each of the above wins. Ready... Set... Go!

THIS JUST IN: Read with Dogs at Beaverdale Books

Beaverdale Books is currently signing up kids for their Paws & Effect reading program, which will take place every other Sunday starting June 29.

From 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., two therapy dogs will be in the store and area kids will get to read to them. Is that cute or what?

The books are provided by the Paws & Effect organization, and after the kids read six books to their dog, they receive a free book.

The program is designed for kids learning to read up to second grade. Only four kids each Sunday will get the chance to participate (2 at 3:00 and 2 at 4:00), so call now to register! The number is 515-279-5400.

LOVE THAT! Metropolis P.A.

So, you know those things on your to-do list that just make you cringe? Well, there's a mom-owned business here in Des Moines that will do pretty much all of that for you. And for a super reasonable fee...

I've used Metropolis P.A. (short for Personal Assistant) for two really irritating tasks. The first was to find a regular babysitter for our kids. Rather than pay the pricey fee for nanny-search firms, I was able to get to the same result (a fantastic babysitter) in record time. I called Metropolis P.A. again when I was looking to find a non-traditional venue for a party. They did all the hunting, researching and stalking for me. It was a huge time saver and was extremely affordable.

Aside from the time savings, how posh is it to have a personal assistant? That's exactly what Metropolis P.A. becomes, whether you use them once or once a week. Love that!

The owner, Trish Flaherty, was just on Channel 13 the other day talking about all the things she can do. Take a listen...

REVIEW: Family Friday Night at Blank Park Zoo

Submitted by Molly

We went to the zoo on Friday night; they stayed open until 8 p.m. for Family Friday Night. We saw the new Asian elephants, Rosie, the mom, and JP, the baby. They put on a bit of a show to demonstrate their skills. These elephants are endangered species so in a way the “ranch” that sends them out is keeping the species alive. 

Here's a cute pic of Rosie doing one of her tricks. It was a 15 min show. We all loved it. They have these elephant demonstrations during the day, as well.

The Family Friday Night is a lot of fun because the zoo stays open until 8 p.m., and they sell food and beer.  Here are the dates for rest of the summer: June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25 and Aug 1 & 15.