Being Savvy: Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers and kids in New Orleans, LA

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Christmas

Thoughts on Christmas

December 25, 2008

This is my first Christmas at our home in New Orleans. Every Christmas before this one we've shuttled back and forth between our respective parent's houses which turned Christmas into an occasion filled with stress rather than good cheer. Don't get me wrong, I will miss the traditions that I grew up with this year and I'll certainly miss my extended family. However I won't miss airports and  Read more...

Best in Show: Christmas Light Spectacular

December 22, 2008

I'm really not one for driving around looking for huge light displays. I'm more of a simple, white light type of gal. Because of this, I don't have much to offer for this week's list. My kids are also very easy because they get excited over the most minimal of decorations. Please feel free to leave a comment notifying me of some MUST SEE holiday displays in and around the city. Celebration in  Read more...

This Weekend's Best Bet: Cinema, Stage and Shopping

December 19, 2008

Kirikou and the Sorceress Saturday, December 20th @ 10:00 am The Prytania Theater, 5339 Prytania Street FREE I've had my eye on a free show at Prytania Theater for a couple of weeks. Kirikou and the Sorceress by Michel Ocelot is airing free on Saturday at 10 am. I find this intriguing because I like movies and I LIKE FREE. I was a little hesitant because it has a few things that make me  Read more...

Teaching Charity

December 18, 2008

It's Christmastime and that means that the kid's playroom is due for a thorough cleaning. It's high time that I remove some of the toys that drive me crazy are no longer played with. The last time that I cleaned house, I concentrated on the stuffed animals that we had accumulated. We had a plethora of Mardi Gras throws as well as some strange hand-me-downs that came our way that screamed to be  Read more...

Consumable Gifts

December 16, 2008

Quite often the perfect gift isn't another toy but rather something that can be enjoyed by the whole family year round (or maybe one yummy afternoon). Here are some ideas for local consumable gifts: Louisiana Children's Museum membership. For only $65, a family of five gets unlimited visits to the museum. This is great for playdates and rainy afternoons. A Longue View House and Gardens  Read more...

Counting Down with Advent Calenders

December 11, 2008

My mom bought an Advent calender for my girls this last month. Target had some inexpensive reusable ones made from wood with little doors that open and close for storing goodies inside. I bought some dried fruit, nuts, and a few chocolates and filled the calender so that there was a new surprise every day. My three-year-old has definitely taken to it. She's good with her numbers so I just tell  Read more...

Greening the Holidays

December 10, 2008

Because I also write for an environmental blog , my mind is tuned into GREEN during the few moments that I am not consumed with all things preschooler. It doesn't mean that I am always good at practicing what I preach, but I do have a few tips that can be implemented in your home this holiday season with little, if any, sacrifice. This is also a good opportunity to talk to your preschooler  Read more...

Holiday Events Around Town this Month

December 09, 2008

This is my first Christmas in New Orleans and I plan to make to the most of it. Here are a few events that are going on all month long. Cathedral Concerts - All month long there are free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral starting at 6:00 pm. Performers include the Mahailia Jackson Gospel Choir, Elis Marsalis, and Rudy Mills and Caribean Funk. Jackson Square - The French Quarter is home to  Read more...

Albums that put me in the holiday spirit

December 08, 2008

Now that I have kids, I have been thinking a lot about the holiday traditions that I will carry on from my childhood. One of the strongest memories for me is more auditory than visual and that is the music that used to come out of our stereo every December. While we were decorating the house my mom always played the same Christmas albums. We had a huge stereo that was more like a piece of  Read more...

This Weekend's Best Bet: Festivals Galore

December 05, 2008

There is no reason why you can't finish up your holiday shopping this weekend. There a a gazillion open air markets going on in and around the city (I've counted). The best thing about art markets (other than the simple fact that you don't have to step foot in the mall) is that you are supporting locals. The second best thing is that the kids love it! Algiers' Point Art & Fine Craft Market  Read more...

Rituals to look forward to

December 02, 2008

I'm rather excited about Christmas this year. For the first time since moving to New Orleans eight years ago, I will be spending Christmas Day in the Crescent City. This means establishing new traditions for my family. Another exciting prospect is that this will be the first year that my eldest ,who is three, will have some idea of what is going on. At the very least, her anticipation will  Read more...

A Month of Rituals

December 01, 2008

As a writer, I always get tripped up somewhere around the end of November as the "Holiday Season" approaches. I'd like to start out with a blanket disclaimer so if I seem non-inclusive to a particular religion or celebration, it's not intentional, it's because I don't know enough about it or it's not part of my traditions. My background is as follows. I was baptized Catholic, confirmed  Read more...

This Weekend's Best Bet: Christmas Mayhem

November 29, 2008

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever opens this weekend at the Westwego Performing Arts Center. This nearly all child cast makes life difficult for a new director who is in charge of pulling of this year's Christmas Pagent. If you are afraid that a night performance is too much, catch a matinee. Adults $15, Children $10 If you can make it out without the kids there are a couple good shows this  Read more...

Celebration in the Oaks Reopens Today

November 28, 2008

If you are looking for an activity this evening that does not involve shopping or football, head on over to Celebration in the Oaks at City Park. The holiday season is not complete without a walk through the transformed gardens and amusement areas of City Park. Trees encased in lights glow in the dark and light shows choreographed to music with capture your preschooler's attention. This year a  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: Ramp Art Festival

November 21, 2008

The second annual North Ramp Art Festival is taking place this Saturday along the promenade in front of Louis Armstrong park on Rampart Street (I bet you saw that coming). There will be over 20 local artists and food vendors selling their wares. As with any good festival there will also be music including the Treme Brass Band and Walter "Wolfman" Washington. There is also a Children's Area with  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in new orleans

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites

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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

The Voice of Being Savvy new orleans:
Kelly Leahy

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