Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in pittsburgh, PA

Pet Emergency Pocket Guide

by Jennifer Signore

April 29, 2009

I recently had a chance to review the newest release from Informed, a company known for making handy, pocket size field guides.  The Pet Emergency Pocket Guide is just that--handy, portable, and a must-have for pet owners.   I have to admit that I am normally suspect of pocket guides because they are either so sparse on information as to be useless (or potentially dangerous, depending on the topic), or they try to overcompensate for size with lots of jargon and are, therefore, beyond what most users will find useful.

The Informed Pet Emergency Pocket Guide was such a pleasant surprise that I had my husband take a look as well to be sure I wasn't just being kind.  He agreed that this guide provides an appropriate level of information and that most people will find it makes a perfect addition to their pet care supplies.  Between the two of us, we have about 60 years of dog owning experience (that's in people years!) and a bit of basic veterinary training.  So, we are already quite comfortable with basic first aid and medical procedures for dogs.  Even so, we both learned a few new things from reading the Pet Emergency Pocket Guide.  And it covers such a wide range that you may turn to it more often that you might expect.  While it does address emergencies (as you would expect from the name) it also addresses everyday health, foods that can be harmful to your pet (I had no idea that avocados were harmful to dogs), first aid for the mundane and the serious, and special situations like birth and travel.   

Besides containing useful and useable information, the guide itself is designed well.  The compact size makes it easy to throw into a pack for hiking or travel.  Even at home, it won't take up much space.  The pages are waterproof, another essential for hiking and for items that might be near a dog...that slobbers.  The spiral binding is durable, and the tabbed index at the bottom of each page makes navigation simple.

The only negative I found was that the book seemed to be most useful to a dog owner, less so to cat owners, and had very little to offer for owners of other animals.  While the authors state that many first-aid techniques will generalize, they will still apply most readily to the two most common pets in this country, dogs and cats.   But since the majority of households own a dog or cat (or both), then the majority of households should be sure to pick up a copy of the Pet Emergency Pocket Guide.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided with a complimentary copy of the Pet Emergency Pocket Guide in exchange for my review.  I plan to keep the guide and use it well. 

What's Happening? Apr 17 - 23 Edition

by Jennifer Signore

April 16, 2009

THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS

Earth Day is April 22, but you can start the celebration this weekend.  Check it out!

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

Party for the Planet at the Pittsburgh Zoo
Participate in green activities and shop at a green marketplace
11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

Art in Bloom at the Carnegie Museum of Art
Experience the galleries as art is paired with fresh floral arrangements.
Special guided tours and children's programs available.
For details, call the museum 412-622-3131

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

Earth Day at the Natural History Museum
Celebrate Earth day with various activities throughout the day

Art in Bloom at the Carnegie Museum of Art
Experience the galleries as art is paired with fresh floral arrangements.
Special guided tours and children's programs available.
For details, call the museum 412-622-3131

Earth Day at the Children's Museum
Various activities throughout the day-check it out!

Saturday Light Brigade Live Broadcast at the Children's Museum
10:00 to noon

Hard Head Helmet Fittings in Sheraden
Make sure your child's safety helmet is fitted properly
Kiwanis Club of Sheraden, 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.
Follow the link for the full schedule-coming soon to a location near you!

Beginner's Origami at the Carnegie Library Squirrel Hill
Learn to fold paper into fabulous shapes; noon

Spanish Fun at the Carnegie Library in Oakland
Sing some songs in Spanish-all levels welcome
Registration required (follow link above)

Jazz for Tots at the Carnegie Library in Homewood
Saturdays from noon to 1:00p.m. in April
Music, dance, and sing-along for ages 3-5

"If You Were a Penguin" Celebration at the Carnegie Library
Come to a special family storytime at various locations:
Hill District @ 11:30a.m.
South Side @ 11:30a.m.
Beechview @ 2:00p.m.
Hazelwood @ 2:00p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

Kidtoons "Celebrate Earth Day" Movie at Showcase Cinemas North
Join Super Why and the cast of Word World in some cinematic fun!
Noon; tickets $3.50

Once Upon a Toon at the Children's Museum
Zany storytelling and live illustrations
1:00, 2:00, and 3:00p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

Happy Earth Day!

Blue, Gold, and Green at the University of Pittsburgh
Music, food, eco-friendly displays and information--all in one place
Free and open to the public; 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.

EVERGREEN EVENTS

Children's Museum
There's always something happening at the Children's Museum.  Check out their calendar for the month for a great activity to share with the kids.  Don't forget that they have classes for kids every day.  Most are included with museum admission; check the Website for details.

Carnegie Museum of Art
CMOA has a variety of classes for all ages.  Every weekend from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., check out the ARTventures: Drop-in Family Art-Making.  You can pick up a gallery search and to explore together and then make your own masterpiece at an art station.  And don't forget about the recurring Gallery Play Dates for Preschoolers.Carnegie Museum of Natural History
CMNH has a great collection of activities for museum visitors.  On weekends, you can augment your explorations with the Discovery Carts, located throughout the museum (Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.).  Or, take a trek downstairs to the Discovery Room, which is open daily (check Web for exact hours).  Here, you can touch and explore the displays and materials or check out a Museum Bag to take with you as you visit other museum displays. 

Warhol Museum
The Warhol is an eclectic place with lots of bold patterns and bright colors that should appeal to the kids.  Check out Good Fridays.  While they are not necessarily geared toward the kids, admission is half price, and it's a great way to burn off some steam at the end of the week.  On Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m., check out the Weekend Factory, where everyone in the family can get hands-on with an art project, usually including a silkscreen on paper.

Carnegie Science Center
There's always something happening at the Carnegie Science Center.  Nurture your kids' curiosity at one of the many science exploration areas, see a demonstration, or just watch the miniature railroad go by.  No matter how you spend your day, it will be a trip worth taking.

Phipps Conservatory
Take a stroll back in time as you meander through lush gardens and picturesque vignettes.  Learn all about plants in 17 distinct botanical areas.  Check out the newest exhibit, "Tropical Forest: Headwaters of the Amazon."

The Horse at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History

by Jennifer Signore

March 16, 2009

On a recent trip to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, we visited the new exhibit, The Horse, which will be on display through May 24.  This multimedia exhibit covers so many aspects of the horse that you're sure to find something that reigns you in (so punny).  My kids enjoyed the dioramas and "What is it?" displays that slide to reveal information about a horse-related object.  Soon after you enter the exhibit, you come to a large screen with an animated cross section of a horse-the animal in the video eats some grass and you then watch the grass as it passes all the way through (and out) of the digestive system.  I thought it was pretty interesting, and kids are often fascinated with poop, so it might just keep their attention for a while.

Other displays include a hose-drawn fire engine, a large terra cotta horse, and horse-themed toys.  There are a couple of other horse video displays in the exhibit.  One that my kids sat and watched for a while featured horses in New York City-police horses and then some therapeutic horses at a stable right in the middle of the city.  I've been to NYC a few times and have to admit I never thought I could find a stable on one of those busy streets.  In Central Park, maybe, but not in the concrete jungle.  Oh, and the touch screen exhibits on horse types and colors were also a huge hit.  (Actually, the new touch screens throughout the museum have been a big draw for my kids-kudos to the museum staff for the installation.)

If you want to see a real Equustravaganza (scroll down a bit on the link for the full list of activities), come to the museum on Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and learn about things like shoeing, grooming, and tack; visit with a real horse; talk with competitive riders; and try on riding equipment.  All activities are included with museum admission.

Holiday Help: Five Must-Have books

by Jennifer Signore

November 24, 2008

Where the Wild Things Are I want to laugh every time I read this book to my son and he puts his "claws" up and roars like the monsters. I don't, of course, because this is very serious monster business. :-) The vivid imagery combined with the simple, repeating text, make it ideal for every preschooler. Go, dog! Go! This book is fantastic for early reading because of the  Read more...

Animal Thanksgiving at the Zoo

by Jennifer Signore

November 13, 2008

If you are looking for something to do on Saturday, November 15, consider a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo for the Animal Thanksgiving. The animals will have their own special feast, complete with pumpkins, gourds, yams, and more. You can use the trip as an opportunity to talk to your kids about your own Thanksgiving menu, comparing what you will have with what the animals are eating. What do  Read more...

The Local Lingo: A Pittsburgh Alphabet

by Jennifer Signore

November 04, 2008

Today we are all thinking "red" and "blue" but how about thinking A to Z?  Pittsburgh has a fantastic collection of people, places, and things that make us someplace special.  Let's start with a list of 26.  Read more...

Birds of a feather...go to the aviary!

by Jennifer Signore

October 20, 2008

The National Aviary , on Pittsburgh's North Side tucked away in West Park, offers a fun way for your little flock to hang out with feathered friends. Parking is free and convenient (always a bonus in that part of town), and many of the city's coupon books offer discounts for admission. Just a warning to those with preschoolers of the "I need that mommy, I neeeeeeed that!" variety--you  Read more...