Tampabay.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

Free and cheap things to do with the kids this week

Could that be cooler weather on the way? What a great change that would be. Maybe it's just the right weekend to head outside. Try out these events with your family this weekend.

Dunedin will be alive with the sound of music Friday when they have a free showing of a Sing-along Sound of Music at Pioneer Park. The mom_beautybeast.jpgpark, at Main Street and Douglas Avenue, will be Von Trapp-tastic with the city encouraging costumes as things get going at 7 p.m., with an 8 p.m. showing of the 1965 musical. And if you still feel like singing, head to the Beauty and the Beast sing along at select bay area theaters. This will cost you $10 but isn't it worth it to sing the show stopper Be Our Guest?

Clearwater Blast Friday was formerly called the Fourth Friday party in downtown Clearwater, but now they’ve juiced up the name and this week they will have country phenom Suite Caroline performing and a first look at some of the power racers that will be taking part in the Super Boat National Championship and Festival off Clearwater Beach this weekend. The party gets started at 5:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Cleveland Street, and organizers promise a bigger and better scene with family friendly activities and super boats on display, autographs with drivers and racing teams, photo opportunities inside a Super Boat. Free.

There will be lots of hot cars and celebrity sightings at the Little Hearts Car, Truck and Bike Show, a benefit for the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida at Edgewater Drive Park, 1920 Edgewater Drive in Clearwater. More than 100 vehicles will be on display for the gear heads, and there will be photo opportunities Major League Baseball’s Gary Sheffield, NFL running back Kay-Jay Harris and members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleading squad. Live music by Signaltwentydan, face painting, children’s activities, art projects by the Dunedin Fine Art Center and food vendors. It’s free for spectators, $15-$25 vehicle entry.

Members of the Triple Creek Radio Control Club will show off their large-scale model planes and their flying skills in this three-day show with competitions including tail dunking and knocking over bowling pins. Proceeds from $1 parking benefits the Boy Scouts of America. See the action Friday-Sunday at 10 a.m. at 12705 Balm Boyette Road, Riverview. Call (813) 549-2737, ext. 225 for information.

Are you looking for a four-legged friend to join your family? Try finding one at Brown Paper Dog Day at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hillsborough County Animal Services, 440 Falkenburg Road N, Tampa. "Brown Paper Dogs" is the nickname for the shelter's larger, mixed breed dogs that aren't as easily adoptable as small, pure-bred dogs. You pay just $30 for a dog that is 30 pounds or larger at this adoption event. Cal (813) 744-5660 for details.

mom_cornmaze.jpgFinally, if you feel like making the trek up to Mount Dora this weekend, head over to Scott's Fall Corn Maze to wander and get lost -- but not too lost -- in the corn maze. Cost is $10 ages 17 and up, $8 ages 3-16, 2 and younger free and fishing is $2 extra. Get more information at (352) 383-6900.

Go out and have a fun weekend.

~ Sharon Kennedy Wynne

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Raising children isn't easy. Whoa, Momma! is here to help you with parenting tips and discussion of all parenting issues. We think there's no such thing as TMI, so our blogging moms aren't shy about the hot topics and won't back away from a good debate. Bottle or breastfeed? Public, private or homeschool? And sex -- it's all open for comment. Don't sit on the sidelines -- pull up a bouncy seat and join the chat.

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THE AUTHORS

Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.

E-mail Sharon Kennedy Wynne:
wynne@tampabay.com

SP_255665_CROS_KATE.jpgAfter six long years of trying to have a baby, Kate Brassfield was finally able to have one. And then, two minutes later, another one. Suddenly the lady who had never been around babies before was juggling two! Just as Kate felt she was getting pretty good with babies, the girls became toddlers, and now Kate is back to Square One, learning about the care and feeding of these strange, wonderful creatures. She spends her days working part-time from home and trying to keep up with the Twinosaurus Wrecks.

E-mail Kate Brassfield:
katedaphne17@gmail.com

Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at courtneyblogs@gmail.com.

Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, ZannaLand.com , and she's a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in addition to being addicted to Twitter, iced coffee, and watching way too much Yo, Gabba Gabba.

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