Postcard from Philadelphia

Where in the world is Dublin, Jr.?

In Philadelphia, USA...that's where!

We've been thoroughly enjoying August in America, and won't be back home to Ireland until early September.

Blogging will be postponed until then, but first we want to share with you a few of our favorite discoveries here on the other side of the pond:

Keen Newport H2 Sandals...these waterproof shoes are especially adorable in orange! HappyMelts Organic Yogurt Snacks...a perfectly nutritious crowd pleaser on the plane or in the car.

Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia...the beautifully restored carousel there was the biggest hit with kids of all ages.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and see you in September!

Puppy Love

Attention all animal lovers!

Dublin City Council and Ireland's Dogs Trust are coming soon to a library near you to teach kids about responsible dog ownership.

Ireland's Dogs Trust

This FREE workshop runs throughout July at various locations around town. Click here for more details, or contact your local library.

A dog in a library? You can't miss this!

Reel Fun

Guess what's on next week in Temple Bar?

IFI Family Festival

Featuring movies for young people from around the world and workshops for aspiring filmmakers, the IFI Family Festival runs from Thursday, 14 July through Sunday, 17 July.

Book your tickets in advance here to avoid disappointment.

My pick? The Gruffalo!

Culture Club

Our wonderful friend Aine organised a lovely outing to the uber- kid friendly Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) this morning for a group of parents (plus a grandparent!) and their babies.

While we waited for the guided tour to begin, my boy kept himself quite busy with this entertaining book in one of the museum's learning areas:

The Game of Mix-Up Art, Herve Tullet

He had so much fun turning the book's flaps to make his own pictures that I ordered a copy for him in the museum shop.

If you can't make it to IMMA, The Game of Mix-Up Art is available on Amazon.

Oh So Crafty

Calling all young artists and crafters out there!

If you are looking to get creative before lunchtime in Dun Laoghaire, make your way over to Art & Hobby in July and August for a FREE art and craft hour every Monday thru Friday from 11-12pm.

Art & Hobby Kids Art and Craft Table

Afterwards, why not head to People's Park for a picnic lunch and afternoon playground session?

Cheers to summer sunshine!

Wiz Kids

Interested in making some magic for children in need?

Unicef Ireland

Head to Hamleys School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Dundrum to support Unicef on Saturday, 16 July from 3-5pm!

Enjoy wizardry lessons, a sorcerer's banquet, face painting, a magician, cup cake decorating, prizes and more.

This is an invite only event, so be sure to visit Unicef for tickets to attend by 10 July.

Click here to download Unicef's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry poster, and please help spread the word for this worthy cause!

Picnic Time for Teddy Bears

Want to show that special teddy bear of yours a good time this weekend?

Take him to the Teddy Bears Picnic in Blackrock!

2011 Teddy Bears Picnic in Blackrock Park

This FREE event will take place in Blackrock Park on Sunday, 3 July from 1-5 pm, and will feature lots of fun activities and entertainment for the family.

Don't forget your favorite bear and picnic blanket!

PS: Special thanks to Louise who gave us the heads up on this one!

Mother Earth

Looking to keep fit and connect with other moms-to-be during your pregnancy?

I highly recommend pre-natal yoga with Lou Horgan at Yoga Dublin in Ranelagh on Saturday mornings.

Lou Horgan at Yoga Dublin

Lou is an amazing yogi and inspiring teacher. Take her class and see for yourself.

She also runs Active Birth Workshops periodically, if that's your thing!

Namaste!

Pedal on The Metals

Looking to get outside with the family this weekend?

Sign up for The Metals Family Cycle in Dun Laoghaire!

The Metals Family Cycle

The 5km cycle starts at People's Park on Saturday at 2pm.

All participants will receive a goodie bag, high visibility vest and refreshments at this FREE event, which has been organized as part of Ireland's National Bike Week 2011.

Let's hear it for fun FREE family activities!

Fingers crossed for sunshine!

What's Cooking, Good Looking?

The Cookery School, Donnybrook Fair

Still searching for the perfect Father's Day gift?

Why not treat dad to a cooking class at Donnybrook Fair's Cookery School on Morehampton Road?

They have several father friendly classes coming up, including a Beer and BBQ Evening on 1 July, and The Perfect Steak and Chips on 7 July, each for 50 eur per person.

This cookery school is fantastic. I took a class there last year (Vegetarian Cooking, with Cafe Paradiso's Denis Cotter) and had a blast (especially considering I am hardly a vegetarian).

They even have a Kid's Cookery Club Summer Camp on throughout the summer for that aspiring chef in your family.

See you in the kitchen!

James Joyce for Juniors

Marilyn Monroe Reading Ulysses, Eve Arnold

No plans tomorrow?

Head over to Dun Laoghaire for their Bloomsday Festival!

With facepainting at 2pm (Dun Laoghaire Open Air Market) and a puppet show by the Lambert Puppet Theatre at 3pm (Bloomfield IMC), who says Ulysses isn't for kids (or Marilyn)?

Hope to see you there!

Best Laid Plans

Did you know the galleries at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) are closed on Mondays?

We didn't, which is why we bounced over there yesterday afternoon with some friends eager for some culture in the form of the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit.

Self Portrait with Monkeys, Frida Kahlo

Good thing Frida and Diego are in town until 26 June so we can try again (not on a Monday)!

Making lemonade out of lemons, we headed to Itsa IMMA, the museum's cafe, for some lunch.

This cafe is very welcoming to children, with a designated play area including mats, toys, books, and art supplies for your budding modern artist.

One of the mats in the play area was this one from Ikea, which I have had my eye on for quite some time:

Ikea's Lekplats Play Mat

At just 14.99 eur, we might have to finally head over to Dublin's branch of the Swedish superstore in Ballymun for one of our own.

Ikea is open on Mondays, right?

Taste of Italy

Gino's Homemade Italian Gelato

Can't make it to Italy this summer with the kids? Take them to Gino's on Grafton Street for delicious gelato instead!

Check it out next time you and the bambinos are out on the town...tiramisu is our personal favorite at this new spot.

Why not hit the playground at Stephen's Green afterwards to run off all that sugar?

Mangia!