Des Moines Families

THIS JUST IN: New at the Zoo

Just got my Blank Park Zoo membership newsletter today, so I thought I'd share some of the upcoming events, etc., for those who don't get it (or who send it straight to the circular file).

Zoo Tots jumped right off the page for me, particularly when I saw that the event is being held on Saturdays. Yea!

Kids 2 through 4 and their parents take part in hands-on activities, crafts and visits from the animals in a quick 45-minute session. It does cost extra, which is a bummer. $8 for members; $12 for non-members, but this includes admission to the zoo for the entire day. The other bummer is that you have to register... who plans this far in advance? Not-a-me!

The other cool thing I spotted was the Overnight Safari. Up to 40 guests can pick from one of three themes and spend the night at the zoo. Sounded like a cool back-to-school party to me. Probably not cheap, but who knows... probably worth a phone call.

Also, the zoo will do Night Eyes again this year. Someone told me it's best to go on a week night and to get their early. (oops, looks like I spilled the beans).

REVIEW: Little Hands on the Farm, Iowa State Fair

Apparently, the Little Hands on the Farm exhibit at the Iowa State Fair is not new, but it was to our family...

Tucked back behind the Ye Old Mill, this farm is so cute, and our 3-year-old had a great time. First of all, it's free (a rarity at the fair... I think we spent over $100 on Saturday!). And the kids get a little Pioneer hat and treat at the end... best deal at the fair, as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, the premise is that they are little farmers who plant and harvest different items. They go from station to station where they can use the corn they grew to feed the cow that will give them milk. They turn in the soybeans they grew to power their farm equipment with soy biodiesel. They sell the wool from the sheep they raised at the farmer's market and make money to buy a treat (which is a real treat... our son picked a BomPop rocket popsicle).

Here's a couple photos our our little farmer enjoying himself...

And just in case you're interested, here's our fair itinerary. Worked out great for our kids...

1. People watching & getting our bearings. Stop one was just inside the main gate where we sat in the shade, drank $7 margaritas while the kids sucked down some sippy-cupped juice and planned out the day.

2. Straight for the Little Hands on the Farm.

3. Barns... went to see all the award winning animals, like the big bull, big ram, big elk, big pig.

4. Off to the big slide... $2.50 each and they went twice.

5. Glider... round trip... $12 or so for a child and parent.

6. Snakes... $2.50 each.

7. Midway... ut for the ferris wheel only... this was fun, but not worth the begging to do everything else... think we'll skip this next time. Oh, and it was $12 for my son and I to ride.

8. Dinner at the KCCI stage... not recommended... not really the fair food we wanted... just burgers and stuff. Oh, and DO NOT get the walking cheeseburger. Big mistake. It's a bowl of mush, and it's $7!

9. Cooling off at the Varied Industries Building!

THIS JUST IN: DesMoinesFamilies.com 2.0

Earlier today, we "soft launched" DesMoinesFamilies.com 2.0, which can be previewed at http://dsmfamilies.ning.com. We'll officially "go live" on Labor Day. At that time, our desmoinesfamilies.com URL will point to the Ning site.

The new site has been rebuilt as a social network of sorts. Think MySpace without the icky factor.

Instead of our static site, the content of which was filtered and uploaded by one woman (Yours Truly), the new site will be run by you (and the other DSM moms and dads who join).

Here's some of what you can do at the new site... hope to see you there soon...

Create your own page. By clicking on My Page, you can set up your very own profile, complete with a blog. Can't wait to read your thoughts!

Check out the groups. Make your own. This is where you'll find a lot of the info from our old site. For instance, our Kids Eat Free page has become it's very own group. You can become a member, request email updates, even add your own favorite restaurants.

Write a review. While we invited parents to submit reviews at the original site, it wasn't easy. Now it's as simple as starting a discussion within a group or posting a review on a comment wall. So, go ahead. Speak up!

Post your photos & videos. The site allows you to import Flickr photos or simply add one here and there. It also takes your videos, so upload your little heart out.

Find things to do. Our calendar remains intact and will be updated once a month. But here's the coolest part... you can upload your own events... no matter who you are!

Invite your friends. If your friends don't already know about DesMoinesFamilies.com, do them a favor and send them a note. Just click the "Invite" tab above.

Can't wait for you to try this out. Please leave comments, start discussions or send an email to [email protected] with your suggestions.

THIS JUST IN: Get Discount to See Shawn Johnson Perform in DSM

The Iowa Events Center has created another great discount for DesMoinesFamilies.com users. This time, it's for the 2008 World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars. Des Moines' Shawn Johnson will perform alongside Olympic champion Paul Hamm and nine-time World Medalist Nastia Liukin, plus the men and women of Team USA at the Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, November 14, 2008.

And now to the good part... Iowa Events Center is offering you $7 off the $50.50 tickets or $5 off the $40.50 & $30.50 tickets.

Wanna go? See below for three ways to get your discounted tickets.

1)    CLICK HERE and enter the offer code GYMJWY, click on the “BUY” logo on the right, and then enter your desired quantity.  Do not click on best available or you will not be given the discount!

2)    REDEEM AT THE WELLS FARGO ARENA BOX OFFICE: Print this flyer and present it to any ticket window agent  at the Wells Fargo Arena Box Office.

3)    CONTACT YOUR TICKET REP JARED YOUNGMAN AT 515-564-8043.

TICKETS BASED ON AVAILABILITY – ORDER FEES MAY APPLY.  THE IOWA EVENTS CENTER WILL NOT REIMBURSE PATRONS THE DIFFERENCE IN TICKET PRICES FOR PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS OR TICKETS ORDERED INCORRECTLY THROUGH THE GROUP SALES WEBSITE!  THIS OFFER CANNOT BE USED AT ANY DAHL’S FOODS OUTLET

ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY 5:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH

THIS JUST IN: New Web Site for Cool Places to Take Kids (Well, Kinda)

It's one of my life's missions to make having kids cool. As such, I've joined Juice's new Metromix Website and built a Playlist called "Places to Take Your Kid(s) & Still Feel Cool."

If you have a suggestion for a new Playlist place, drop me a comment below.

THIS JUST IN: Meet a NASA Astronaut

So, my son's premature sexism is bothering me way more than it probably should (he's only 3), but I'm thinking that the Science Center has the perfect solution for me.

On Thursday, kids are invited to come meet a real-live NASA astronaut -- and it's a woman!

Peggy Annette Whitson is an American biochemistry researcher and a NASA astronaut.  Her first space mission was in 2002, with an extended stay aboard the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 5.

So, whether you've got a little boy who doesn't think girls can play drums or drive ambulances (like I do) or a little girl who needs a little encouragement to "reach for the stars" (sorry, I couldn't resist the pun), take them over to the Science Center to meet this outstanding woman.