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The Week Ahead for South Florida and the Holidays

Kindle -The One Book to Replace Them All

Cyndi’s Favorite Kids Holiday Websites

Norad Tracks SantaIf you read this blog regularly you know that I am always on the search for the most educational types of recreation for the kids.  I have once again posted and updated some of my favorite Holiday Websites.  All of them have at least a nominal amount of educational value. Well may not the Elf Yourself site, but it’s the Holidays and you gotta have some fun too.

White Board Kids Count Down
How much longer do I have to wait?

Are the kids asking you repeatedly if Christmas is here yet? It’s the Holiday version of “Are We There Yet”.  I have a cute Hack for you!  Helpful Christmas Hack to end the constant question!

Still looking for a last minute gift that won’t rot your kids brains?  This is the One BooNo Distractions Just Readingk Every Young Reader Needs.  You’re going to want one too!  The best part, Minecraft is not involved!

The calendar is filling up quickly!  Please make sure that we don’t miss your next event and submit your event today!

Click Here for the full list of upcoming events!  or scroll down for this weeks events!

Diary of a Rogue House CatDiary of a Rogue House Cat

Have you ever had a pet that just seemed to cause havoc at every turn? Has your cat ever knocked over glasses, hidden your keys or generally created chaos for no apparent reason? Have you ever wondered what on earth your pet could be thinking? Baby Girl the Rogue House Cat explains all her crazy and funny actions in her new diary. Her journey to become a good house cat will help explain why cats do some of the things they do. I hope you enjoy her antics as much as I do.

Thank You for you support!

 Available on Amazon in Print and on Kindle

Amazon Kindle US

Amazon Kindle UK

How you can help keep this site running.

If you have found this site helpful and want to keep me writing please use the Donate Button on the right side of this page. This helps us pay for our domain, ip address and hosting, maybe even a cup of coffee as I sit at Panera searching for more free events. Some sites require membership fees in order to pay for their site. We really want this information to be free and available to all. Thanks for your support!

If you would like to learn more about our partnership opportunities Contact Us today!
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Click Here for the full list of upcoming events!

 

 

 

 

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The Week Ahead Halloween Guide

Bedner's Halloween

Bedner's HalloweenHalloween Weekend!  WooHoo!  There are dozens of fun activities on the calendar for the next couple of week! We headed up to Bedner’s last weekend to get our pumpkin!  It was crazy busy but always a good time!

I have the short list for you, but you can Click Here for the full list of upcoming events!  

 

10/31/2015
10:00 am – 4:00 pm		 Fall Festival at Tradewinds Park
Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek FL
10/31/2015
10:00 am – 1:00 pm		 Howl’oween Parade at Easterlin Park
Easterlin Park, Oakland Park FL
10/31/2015
10:00 am – 1:00 pm		 Monsters of Nature at Long Key Natural Area
Long Key Nature Center, Davie FL
10/31/2015 – 11/01/2015
10:00 am – 11:00 am		 Story & Craft Time at Green Cay Nature Center
Green Cay Nature Center, Boynton Beach FL
10/31/2015
11:00 am – 1:00 pm		 Monster Mash Costume/Swim Party in Boca Raton
The Swim Center, Boca Raton FL
10/31/2015
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm		 Tennis Halloween Party!! Boca Boo Days at the Patch Reef
Patch Reef Park, Boca Raton FL

What is New with Us?

Diary of a Rogue House CatI wanted to share some fun news! I finally published a book! It’s little and a bit silly, but I think it’s cute. (My 7 year old likes it for what that is worth.) This project is certainly a learning experience! It is available on Kindle US and Kindle Europe now and I am working on the print version at the moment. The print version should be available for purchase within the next 3 weeks.

Diary of a Rogue House Cat

Have you ever had a pet that just seemed to cause havoc at every turn? Have you ever wondered what on earth your pet could be thinking? Baby Girl the Rogue House Cat explains all her crazy and funny actions in her new diary to help explain why cats do some of the things they do. I hope you enjoy her antics as much as I do.

Free Preview

Get a preview of Diary of a Rogue House Cat by Cynthia Yates Buckley. The book will be available to purchase in about 3 weeks. https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1179567

Amazon Kindle US

If you like the preview and just can’t wait to read it, the book is available on Amazon Kindle right now.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0161QL9AQ?keywords=diary%20of%20a%20rogue%20house%20cat&qid=1445352453&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Amazon Kindle in the UK

Diary of a Rogue House Cat is now available on Amazon Kindle in the UK! So all our British friends can feel free to share the link around. I would very much appreciate it! It is only £1.99!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0161QL9AQ?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

How you can help keep this site running.

If you have found this site helpful and want to keep me writing please use the Donate Button on the right side of this page. This helps us pay for our domain, ip address and hosting, maybe even a cup of coffee as I sit at Panera searching for more free events. Some sites require membership fees in order to pay for their site. We really want this information to be free and available to all. Thanks for your support!

If you would like to learn more about our partnership opportunities Contact Us today!
[logo-slider]

Click Here for the full list of upcoming events!

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Welcome Back to Our Fabulous Sponsor Flamingo Gardens

Flamingo Gardens Banner Logo

We would like to thank our sponsor Flamingo Gardens
for their continued support as park of the Keeping Up With Kids Family
Flamingo Gardens Banner Logo

Flamingo Gardens Flowers
Flamingo Gardens

We love Flamingo Gardens!  This tropical paradise in Davie offers visitors the chance to wander through 60 acres of of amazing botanical gardens, orchards and an animal sanctuary.

Flamingo Gardens is home to over 90 species of mostly rescued Florida native bird and animals.  It is a wonderful place to learn about the diverse populations, both plant and animal, that are found here in Florida and no where else in the world.

Wood Stork at Flamingo Gardens
Spoonbill at Flamingo Gardens

My daughter loves the half-acre free flight aviary that has over 250 wading birds in it.  We went so often when she was still in a stroller that she can name many of them!  Nothing is funnier than a two year old trying to say spoonbill!

Scarecrow Contest at Flamingo Gardens
Scarecrow Contest at Flamingo Gardens

 

 

I have two favorite events at Flamingo Gardens that I have written about a lot over the years.  The first is the Christmas Lights event they do every year!  The second is the Halloween Scarecrow Contest.  

Flamingo Gardens offers many great events throughout the year, but some of my absolute favorites are coming up soon!

 

 

 

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The Week Ahead for South Florida 10/15/14

Seriously Ugly Home Grown Carrots

Garden Plot

We have had a busy week, and it will only get busier over the next few weekends as we try to hit every possible Halloween and Pumpkin Patch/Fall Festival that we can find!

carrot from the garden
You should have seen the sheer amazement on her face when she pulled this out of the ground!

 

It is time for families in the south to put in a garden!  While our friends up north are hunkering down for winter, we are now looking forward to the season when our plants won’t drown or burn!  Have you ever wanted to plant a garden, but found the volume of information overwhelming?  No worries, I have you covered.

Follow my 5 Tips for Planting a Garden with Kids and see what happens!  The key is to treat it like an experiment and don’t over think it.  You can still plant things even if you live in a condo!  So come on, get dirty with us! No excuses here my friends!

How you can help keep this site running.  I will admit it, I need your help!  I know it’s a blatant plea for money, but you can help!

If you have found this site helpful and want to keep me writing please use the Donate Button on the right side of this page.  This helps us pay for our domain, ip address and hosting.  Some sites require membership fees in order to pay for their site.  We really want this information to be free and available to all.

If you go to our Events Calendar and click on the advanced setting you can search by category.  Choose Holiday to see all the fall festival and holiday activities that are coming up starting in October.

The Let me know if you have any Holiday events that need to go on the list!

Click Here for the full list!  It is extremely long!

Here is your short list:

Thanks for your support!

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The Week Ahead for South Florida 9/18/14

Bedner's Pumpkin Patch

Vader PumpkinsWe are getting ready to replant our garden now.  I decided to go the community garden route again, however we got a bigger plot this year.  I am hoping that we are able to grow a few more things than we managed last year.  The crazy alien looking carrots were fun, however our tomatoes were pretty sad.  I love how my kids thinks it is the best thing on earth to eat the things that we grow.  Keep your fingers crossed for us that we do a little better this year.

If you go to our Events Calendar and click on the advanced setting you can search by category.  Choose Holiday to see all the fall festival and holiday activities that are coming up starting in October.

The Let me know if you have any Holiday events that need to go on the list!

My pick of the week: 
Arts Park Free Movie Night & Funtastic Friday

Here is your quick link to the full list!  It is extremely long!

How you can help keep this site running.
If you have found this site helpful and want to keep me writing please use the Donate Button on the right side of this page.  This helps us pay for our domain, ip address and hosting.  Some sites require membership fees in order to pay for their site.  We really want this information to be free and available to all.

Thanks for your support!

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The Week Ahead 6/13/13

Well, we were as prepared as you can be when taking a road trip with a 5 year.  At least that is what I thought.  My darling child got sick so we will postponing our trip.  Everyone is very sad. #KidsRoadTrip has been temporarily postponed.

On to happier things,  I give you my pick of the week; Paradise Cove Splash Park at CB Smith in Pembroke Pines.  It is probably my favorite local water park and perhaps a trip here will make me feel a little better about missing our trip.

I have to remind myself sometimes how lucky we are to have so much to do here in South Florida.  I could have found more, but simply ran out of time!

Reminder!   Be sure to SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL so you get all our weekly events lists as they are posted.

Here is your Week Ahead for 6/13/13

Saturday Science at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton

ArtsPark Creation Station in Hollywood

Funtastic Friday’s & Movie at ArtsPark in Hollywood

Monday Starry Night Stories at Nova Library

Free Kids Movies at Muvico Theaters

Regal Cinemas $1 Movies

Safari Nights at the Palm Beach Zoo

Tweens Dig in to Sweet Treats Nova Library

Lunch Bunch: Plant a Seed Nova Library

Silly Stories at Nova Library

Starlight Musicals at Holiday Park

Music Under the Stars in Pompano Beach

Pony Rides in Pompano Beach

Featured Creatures (Get your Dad to Eat a Bug) at Flamingo Gardens

Super Saturdays a Nova Library

Tate’s Comic Family Outing for Father’s Day

Teens: Write On at Nova

Dinosaur Dig at Pompano Librarycar-show_Page_2

Digeridoo Down Under at Pompano Library

Early Literacy Storytime

Downtown Drive at Mizner Park

FAU Summer Concert Band at Mizner Park

 

Sponsor Shout Out!
A quick and heartfelt THANK YOU to our sponsors for their support!

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Trish O’Connor ~ Shop Online 24/7
halfE&Gj
The Best Seamstress in Town
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Unique Jewelry Designed by Lisa
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Acting Now to Save the Future

 

 

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Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra Music for Munckins

Child Touching Violin at Music for Munchkins
Child Touching Violin at Music for Munchkins
Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)

We love this program!!!!!

It is a beautiful way to introduce your child to the symphony.  This free program offers the chance to bring the kids out for a short performance where the wiggles, giggles and yes even a little dancing in the isles is both expected and encouraged.  It doesn’t hurt that there is a sweet treat provided afterwards.  During the performance Director of Education with Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Kathy Kerstetter and her beautiful daughter (who always has a lovely dress on by the way) give the kids a few vocabulary words to help them understand a little about the music and instruments.

After the performance the musicians bring out their instruments and talk to the kids.  What better way to interest our kids in the arts!  I encourage everyone to bring the family out to these performances.  This is one of the many reasons we are so lucky to live in South Florida!

Oh yea, my 4 year old took most of the pictures in this blog. Credit where credit is due.

2013 Schedule
Music for Munchkins Concerts in Broward County:Offered on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. in Davie:
–  November 10, 2012, Miniaci at NSU
–  January 26, 2013, Miniaci at NSU
–  February 23, 2013, Performance Theater, University Center, at NSU
–  April 20, 2013, Miniaci at NSUMusic for Munchkins Concerts in Dade County:Offered on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. on Miami Beach:
–  November 11, 2012, Euclid Oval, Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach
–  January 27, 2013, Colony Theatre, Miami Beach
–  February 24, 2013, Colony Theatre, Miami Beach

Musician at Music for Munchkins
Musician at Music for Munchkins
Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)
Musician at Music for Munchkins
Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)
Musician at Music for Munchkins
Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)
Musician showing child an instrament at Music for Munchkins
Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)
Musician at Music for Munchkins
Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)
Musician at Music for Munchkins
Music for Munckins (photo credit KeepingUpWithKids)
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Best local playground: Flamingo Gardens

Flamingo Gardens in Davie brings together a lush tropical
garden with a historic plantation and a wildlife sanctuary.  It is an easy drive of about 25 minutes from
Fort Lauderdale, and is well worth the trip.
The courtyard area is chock full of shopping things to do.  What is even better is that this area is
outside the actual park so it is free and could easily be a great morning trip
for families.
As guests enter the courtyard the eyes are drawn immediately
to the large aviary exhibits in the center.  Children and their parents will love to watch the Military Macaws, Cockatoos, and Blue and Gold Macaws play, some of them even talk a little.
The courtyard area has a great playground with mulch flooring a large climbing structure with a bridge and lots of slides.  This quiet playground is rarely busy allowing the kids to play while parents watch on from nearby benches.  The playground is fairly well shaded and located conveniently next to the restrooms.
When the children are good and tired from playing on the
playground head on over to the Tropical Marketplace snack bar for a cold drink,
a fruit smoothie or a hotdog.  There is lots of outdoor shaded seating next to the snack bar where guests can enjoy a fresh cold cup of  juice while listening to the
parrots.  Watch out though you may have to walk around one of the beautiful wild peacocks who like to hang out in the area.  Guests can also shop for gourmet
gifts and have fruit shipped to friends and family. The next shopping opportunity is the Garden Shop and Secret Garden, where guests can shop for fantastic garden items and browse through tropical plants that will perk up any South Florida back yard.
Flamingo Gardens is a great local destination inside and out
and is a must see Special Events and Exhibits for any family with kids.