Each new year is a surprise to us.

We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird,
and when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream,
reminding us of a previous state of existence…

-Henry David Thoreau

Another Saturday, another day at the soccer fields! After a week of being cooped up in the house with feverish kids I’m looking forward to being outdoors so cross your fingers for NO RAIN.

For local peeps, this is what I’d be doing if not cheering from sidelines:

Kids’ Greenfest

Saturday April 16th 10:00am-  3:00pm at the Newark Center for Creative Learning. “This fun-filled event will offer kids’ hands-on activities to learn about green technology, wildlife, energy, food and conservation. Kid-led exhibits and sustainability experts will share easy ways for changes everyone can make. Come enjoy storytelling, live music, local food, art, and environmental displays and activities. Free admission, free parking… Browse your bookshelves for books you and your children are finished with, bring them to Greenfest, and swap them for new-to-you books!”

Kite Day

Saturday April 16th 1:00- 3:00pm at Brandywine Creek State Park. April is “Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside!) Month” over at the Children & Nature Network. Kite Day at Brandywine Creek is a registered event! (You can read about why I think kite-flying is a monumentally important childhood experience here, but I think just causing an expression on your kid’s face like Cass has above is reason enough on its own.) Celebrate Earth Day early by making and flying your own kite! $3 per kite.

National Park Week

April 16th- 24th. Free admittance to over 100 parks… less exciting for those of us in the DE area, unless you’re willing to do some traveling (but we’re on spring break! So maybe not totally out of the question…) “This year’s focus, Healthy Parks, Healthy People, highlights the connection between human and environmental health and the vital role America’s national parks play in both.”

Here Comes Peter Cottontail…

The Easter Bunny will be out and about… laying eggs? Hiding eggs? Why does he have eggs, anyway? I’m going to have to hunt him down at some point Sunday because I have photos I need to take 🙂

• White Clay Creek State Park Egg Hunt: Saturday April 16th 10:00- 11:00am at the Carpenter Recreation Area (off 896). 10:00 is walking- 4yo, 10:30 5-9yo. Rain date 4/17 starting at 2:00pm, call the Weather Hotline 302-366-7147 if weather is iffy. BYOB (Bring your own basket) to collect goodies and see the Easter Bunny. Park fees in effect.
• Milburn Orchard Egg Hunts: April 16th & 17th; 21st, 22nd & 23rd plus Bonus Day Monday, April 25th (closed Easter Sunday), 11:00am- 3:00pm. Up to 1800 eggs for the finding every half hour, with prizes to choose from for every hunter. Hayrides through the apple orchards, games & activities, Gigantic Sand Dig, Barnyard Buddies, & the Easter Bunny on the playground. APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS. Weather permitting; dress accordingly and call if weather is iffy. $5 per child (containers provided/prizes awarded), $3 per non-prize collecting adults.
• Hayrides to Bunnyland: Saturday April 16th thru April 23rd, 11:00am– 4:00pm at Linvilla Orchards. Take a hayride thru the woods to visit the Easter Bunnies house, the Easter Bunny visits with everyone on the ride and gives them each a treat. Pony Rides (Sat & Sun only), face painting & train rides; baby chick display & baby animals. $8 per person.

Feel like heading up to Philly?

• Philadelphia Book Festival Street Fair: Saturday April 16th 10:00am- 5:00pm at Parkway Central Library. Meet three authors of The 39 Clues series and Chris Van Allsburg (!). Storybook Parade, juggling, face painting, and a heckuva lot more, including my favorite, a Zine workshop for kids 10 and up.
• Science Carnival: Saturday April 16th 10:00am- 5:00pm on the Ben Franklin Parkway. More than 80 exhibitors offering “non-stop family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, and a packed line-up of live entertainment. Enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, make gak, meet live zoo animals, check out the inner-workings of robots, take a tour of a helicopter, extract DNA from a strawberry, test a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!” Rain or shine, dress accordingly.

AND, last Winter Farmer’s Market Sunday April 17th from 10:00am- 2:00pm at the Newark Natural Foods Co-op… the outdoor market begins May 1st! Whoop whoop!

What are you up to this weekend? What do you wish you were doing?

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