OMG- a week of no school and potentially crappy weather means I have got to plan this week or I will be walking up the walls within two days.
Here’s what I’ve got so far:
Monday, December 29: A.M. at the Y, baby! (I’ll be teaching a yoga class, so stop by to visit.) Then, if I can leave the baby with the hubby, I’ll take my two older ones to the First Night Elmer and the Elder Tree preview at 2:00at the Noho Center for the Arts.
Tuesday, December 30th: a.m. play date (alternatively: story and craft time at Lily Library 10-11); afternoon at the Y (gymnastics and another yoga class).
Wednesday December 31st: First Night Northampton This sounds like a good time in theory, but a friend just told me that it is CRAZY crowded, and that lines start forming for shows way before they start. Sounds like a nightmare with a two year old who just wants to run and climb up everyone. Might go. Might stay home and feed the fish.
Thursday January 1st: Must get outside, come hell or high water, to celebrate the new year. You might see us outside, dragging the children behind us in an effort to have fun outside. Want to join?
Friday January 2nd: Dig into my nonexistent retirement account to pay for a babysitter all day long and go to spa for facials, massages, and pretty red toenails.
So really, outside of the Y (again, thank God for the Y) and Elmer on Monday, there doesn’t seem like there’s much going on. Am I wrong? If so, please tell me what you’re doing, and I’ll just cancel all my fun plans and follow you around.
Happy New Year!
And Happy School Break! (really.)
Hi keegan, I have brought the kids to noho for the afternoon of first night and it’s been a mello blast. We got a ride in a horse drawn cart and caught the enchanted circle theater’ parade complete w/ a dragon and people on stilts.
Another nice afternoon activity is the First Night Jr. in Holyoke.it’s at heritage state park near the kid’s museum and merry-go-round.the museum gets mobbed but there was a great musician playing at the visitors center. The best part is the ball drop(a silver disco ball). Everyone is given noisemakers, the mayor counts down and the holyoke high marching band plays some great tunes. It’as very sweet and done by 3. Happy new year!
Hey,
First night was great this year because no one was there due to the snow and the ouchie cold. Crowds or no crowds. Its a tradition Our family will enjoy for years to come. We (hubby and I) actually watched the ball go up, too. That is the first time we’ve been awake (and had a babysitter) to ring in the new year in about 7 years! We thought it would be quite anti climactic, but with the buzzing, smiling crowd of folks just out to enjoy themselves, it was fun. Then I said, let’s get out of here. ITs FREEZIN’!
BTW, Keegan, try the library for the free passes to go somewhere like to Holyoke Children’s Museum, Eric Carle etc, etc…. The list is on the Forbes Library WEbsite, and you can see which passes are still available.
All right, I went to First Night, and I totally agree with Dawn and Joan- it was worth the freezing, and it might even be worth crowds as well. My kids loved to Hare and the Tortoise show, and the Yo-Yo show, and the fireworks! I was standing next to a man during the fireworks who said he loved the Noho fireworks because it’s like 15 minutes of finale. And I agree with Joan in that the energy of all the people out together is really intoxicating. We didn’t have a sitter, so were home for midnight, but our neighbors (who didn’t have a sitter either) ran between our house and our theirs so we could toast in the new year together. I am loving the Noho community, small and large.