An extra thanks to April Swe who helps make this weekly update a possibility each week.

March 24 - March 30
The weather-- your guess is as good as mine!  It will be in the 40s and 50s for most of the week with lots of snow, rain, clouds, and sun.  A little bit of everything, so come prepared!

A-Z Farm Lambing Barn Tour
A-Z Farm Tours 1820 Schuster Rd. Oregon, WI 608-835-5553
Admission $3.50, children 2 and under free
Sunday, March 26, 2006 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Last Weekend!
http://www.a-zfarm.com/lambing.htm
If you take the kids to only one event this weekend, take them to the A-Z Farm lambing barn.  We went last weekend and had such a good time that we are planning to go again!  We saw day old lambs, learned about sheep shearing, watched an almost-born chick try to work it's way out of the eggshell, saw rabbits and much more.  It's very hands-on.  The sheep are so friendly and docile.  I had no idea it would be so much fun.  

One of the ladies at the farm ran a demonstration on the "felting" process, where you take the fluffy wool, and turn it into a sheet of fabric felt.  My 7 year old, who is autistic, was completely obsessed by the process and insisted on watching (and helping) in the process.

One other thing to note is that the prices for everything were reasonable-- admission, beverages, vendors-- the works!  The value of interaction with the kids outweighed the cost many times over.

If you go, take your camera-- I got some of the best pictures ever!  They sell soda, water, and hot chocolate-- so bring a snack for the kids.  Once you get inside the barn it's dry and cool, but it is a farm, so there will be some mud outside the barn.

This is the last weekend of regularly scheduled events, but they are open for tours and parties at other times too. 

Oak Street Ramblers - Kids' Bluegrass & Dancing
Wonders Pub 1980 Atwood Ave. 244-8563 [MAP]
Saturday, March 25, 6:00 PM - Cost: Free
I love the fact that so many clubs and restaurants are starting to do kid shows!  What a great way to still be able to get out and enjoy good music on a cold Wisconsin day and provide a fun activity for kids at the same time!

Saturday, the 25th, the Oak Street Ramblers are doing their regular show at Wonders Pub (8:00PM). BUT...beforehand, they're doing a kids show from 6:00-6:45 PM, so families can come and eat and enjoy kid-friendly bluegrass music and dancing. It's free, too!

Maple Syrup Fest
Aldo Leopold Nature Center 300 Femrite Drive Monona, WI 221-0404
$6 per person or $20 per non-member family and $5 per person or $15 per family for ALNC members). Proceeds to benefit the Nature Center’s children’s programs. Advance registration is recommended - 608-221-4038 or Click Here for Registration Form
http://www.naturenet.com/alnc/Events/Maple_Fest.html
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center invites the public to celebrate spring at MAPLE SYRUP FEST -- a family-style festival at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center.  This year’s Maples Syrup Fest will feature ten stations set throughout the Nature Center grounds that will lead visitors, at their own pace, through the history of maple syruping and related craft and activities. Naturalists will tap the maple trees on the Nature Center grounds and collect sap in buckets to make the syrup. See the sap boil over a roaring fire as it concentrates into “liquid gold”. When the sap is boiled, the sap’s naturally occurring water evaporates as steam, leaving the sap and its sweetness to concentrate into maple syrup.

• Tap and taste real Maple tree sap
• Learn to “read a tree”, or visit a live observation bee hive that allows you to see the bees as they make honey
• Tour the Children’s Shack and talk to an early pioneer settler woman
• Sample the syrup as its sweetness increases during the concentration process. Ice cream, topped with fresh maple syrup will complete the celebration.
  

Barnes & Noble Activities
Barnes & Noble East Towne Mall #1 East Towne Mall 608-241-4695
http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/events.do

Saturday, March 25, 10:30 AM
Peter Rabbit - Stories & Visit
Join us for a special storytime and visit from Pancake Pig, the adorable star of Laura Numeroff's If You Give a Pig a Pancake! Parents, bring your cameras for this special event.

Barnes & Noble West Towne Mall 7433 Mineral Point Road 827-0809
http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/events.do

Saturday, March 25, 10:30 AM
Magic Tree House Book Club "Afternoon on the Amazon"
Beginning readers will experience fun and adventure when they come to our Magic Tree House Club! Each month explore a new book, activities and a snack. Bring a friend and enjoy Afternoon on the Amazon.

Saturday, March 25, 11:15 AM
Learn Spanish Club
This fun program is designed for children interested in learning simple words in Spanish. By combining a story time with an exciting game, kids will be on their way to learning Spanish. This month's book is Ve Perro Ve, Go Dog Go by PD Eastman.

Easter Bunny
East Towne Mall, I-90/94 at E. Washington Ave. 244-1501
Saturday, March 25 at 10:00 AM - Activities
March 25 - April 15 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Mondays-Saturdays and 11:00 AM-6:00 PM Sundays 
Saturday, April 1 Breakfast with the Bunny, 8:00-10:00 AM, in the Food Court ($4 at Customer Service Desk) 244-1501
http://www.shopeasttowne-mall.com
Spring has sprung as East Towne welcomes Maynard G. Mallard of the Madison Mallards and the Easter Bunny! The duo team up to make a grand entrance on Saturday, March 25 at 10:00 AM at the Food Court entrance. Maynard and Bunny will parade their way to the Easter Garden near Center Court. Children are encouraged to join in on the parade as well as the other fun activities that are planned.

Maynard will then waddle to the Dick's Sporting Good wing for the FUN activities. Games include an egg toss, a Peep eating contest, balloon twisters, speed pitch and prize giveaways. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate spring then with Madison's very own Maynard G. Mallard and the Easter Bunny", said Julie Cubbage, Marketing Director with East Towne.

East Towne will also host Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 1st from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Food Court. Entertainment includes DJ, balloon twisters, face painting and lots of PRIZES! Tickets are on sale now at Customer Service and are $4 each. McDonalds is a proud sponsor with all proceeds benefiting the Madison Ronald McDonald charities.

The Easter Bunny will be available for photos on Saturday, March 25, through Saturday, April 15, 2006, at the Easter Garden near Center Court, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Stomp
Overture Center - State Street
March 24 - March 26 - All Ages - 5 performances, many are sold out, so if you want to go, buy now! http://www.overturecenter.com/Performances/stomp.htm
Stomp is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique, and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy 
Overture Center - State Street
March 27 - March 28, 7:30 PM, All Ages, Tickets $39, $34, $29
http://www.overturecenter.com/Performances/cirque_dreams.htm
http://www.cirqueproductions.com/cirquedreams.htm
Cirque Dreams is “a combination of fantasy circus and Broadway dream,” according to the Miami Herald.  The newest show from Cirque Productions, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is a spectacle of strength, wonder and artistry. The show features an international cast of acrobats, contortionists and aerialists who deliver an exhilarating evening filled with comical, magical, and eye-popping moments from beginning to end. Performance highlights include an aerial ballet soaring over the audience, an interactive symphony, and four-legged stilt creatures, all enhanced by inventive choreography and costuming and striking visual and ultra-violet effects.

Unfortunate Trivia Contest
For kids in grades 4-6 who have read "A Series of Unfortunate Events," by Lemony Snicket
Stoughton Library 304 S. 4th St. 608-873-6281
Tuesday, March 28, 1:30 PM
It's Stoughton Public School Spring Break!

Fourth through Sixth graders are invited to attend a special program at the Stoughton Public Library just for them. On Tuesday, March 28, at 1:30, the Children's Department will host a trivia contest for all those readers of A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This popular book series is a humorous, tongue-in-cheek saga, describing the miserable lives of the "unfortunate" Beaudelaire orphans, and we'd like to enhance that fun by testing your knowledge of the events and characters in the books. Guaranteed to provide you with an enjoyable afternoon, even if you have not read the entire series. Prizes, rewards and an introduction to a new series that you'll enjoy just as much will round out the program. What better way to spend a spring break afternoon?

If you need special accommodations to attend this program, please call 873-6281 as soon as possible.

Preschool Crafts
Eager Free Library, Evansville 39 W. Main St., Evansville. 882-2260
10:00 AM Tuesdays, FREE 
Always fun projects. A great place for children to improve their eye-hand coordination and be with other children. The library provides all the craft materials. No registration is necessary.

Madison Public Libraries
See below for dates, times, and locations
http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar/calendar.html
Here is all of the fun stuff going on through the Madison Public Libraries for this week.

Madison Children's Museum 
100 State Street 
http://www.madisonchildrensmuseum.com
Here's the schedule of events at the Children's Museum this week.  

Ongoing Activites...

McFarland Public Library
5920 Milwaukee Street
http://www.mcfarland.wi.us/calendar.asp

Library-Baby Lapsit Story Time
3/28/2006 10:30AM-11:00AM
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. March 21 - April 25 This is a special series for babies up to age 18 months. It is a lapsit program, meaning each baby needs a lap to sit in, so an adult must sign up with each baby. Limit 20 babies and 20 adults. Register for the entire 6-week series by calling 838-9030

Library-Preschool Story time
3/29/2006 9:30AM-11:00AM
PRESCHOOL STORY TIMES-Is it spring yet 30-minute Story Times on Wed mornings for ages five and under,March 22 –April 26. Large Group Story Time at 9:30 a.m. in the meeting room, registration required, please call 838-9030. Drop-in Story Time is at 10:30 a.m.

Library-EVENING FAMILY STORY TIMES
3/30/2006 6:30PM-7:00PM
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. March 23 - April 27 Story times for those families who are busy during the day! Same themes as weekday story times, but with longer books & stories, depending on the age of the audience. Register weekly, at the library or by calling 838-9030.

Kids in the Rotunda
Overture Center
Saturdays, now through May 6, 11:00am and 1:00pm - FREE
http://www.overturecenter.com/rotunda.htm
Every Saturday during the school year from fall through spring, Overture Center offers free arts programs designed for children and families at 11 AM and 1 PM.  Our popular performing arts series for children and families, offers a relaxed environment in which to enjoy a diverse lineup of local and regional storytellers, musicians, juggler, theater troupes, magicians and dancers. The 1 PM performances are sign language interpreted.  Kids in the Rotunda takes place on the Rotunda Stage.

	Mar 25	The Handphibians  lay out samba-style beats in live performances that are sure to get the whole family moving.  Come experience the exhilaration of Brazilian percussion with the Handphibians!   www.handphibians.com
	Apr 1	Bob Kann  Juggler and Comedian   www.bobkann.com
	Apr 8	Children's Arts Festival     Greg Percy  Songs in the Key of Art  (11 AM and 1 PM)  www.songsinthekeyofart.com     Madison Hope Chinese Dance  (noon)
	Apr 15	TAPIT / new works  The Mystery of the Missing Word   www.tapitnewworks.org
	Apr 22	Tom Pease  Folksinger and Storyteller   www.tompease.com
	Apr 29	Rose Onama and Oumar Sagna  Tales from the Nile
	May 6	Genevieve Jereb  Australian Singer and Songwriter   www.genjereb.com/about.htm

Weekly Toddler Story and Stroll
Olbrich Botanical Gardens 3330 Atwood Ave. Madison, WI
Tuesdays, 9:00 AM
http://www.olbrich.org
Look, listen, smell, and feel the beauty of nature. The Weekly Toddler Story & Stroll at Olbrich Botanical Gardens introduces toddlers to nature through stories and a stroll through the fragrances, textures, sounds, and colors of a tropical rainforest.

Toddler Time
Tenney Nursery & Parent Center, 1321 E. Mifflin St., 608-255-2350
9:00-11:30 am Fridays, 1/13-5/26
Class for parents & kids ages 0-3,  $5/class.
http://www.tnpckids.com
(No class February 3 or March 17)
A Teacher directed class for parents and children to explore age appropriate materials, create an art project, sing songs and exercise in our multipurpose room.

Easter Eggs Naturally
Olbrich Gardens 3330 Atwood Ave. 246-4550
Sunday April 9, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30 Ages 5+, RSVP: 246-4550 Cost: $7
http://www.olbrich.org
Instead of coloring your eggs with a kit from the store, why not come to Olbrich and learn how to use natural plant dyes for your eggs? Find the hidden colors in the amazing plants around us. Eggs, dyes, and decorating materials included to take home your own naturally dyed eggs. For ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult and adults attend free. Cost: $5 Olbrich member/$7 general public.

Beginning Improv for Kids
Glenwood Moravian Community Church 725 Gilmore St.
Six-week class for ages 8-11, set for 1-2 pm, 4/8-5/20, (no experience necessary). $60. 
RSVP by March 31: 513-9737
http://www.jodi-cohen.com
jodi@jodi-cohen.com
Learn basic improvisation skills, games and scenes in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere where the focus is on having fun. We'll have a student showcase at our last class for friends and family to share the games we've learned. 6 weeks, Saturdays, April 8 - May 20 (no class 4/29/06). 1-2 pm. $60. 725 Gilmore St. Call 513-9737 to register by March 31, 2006. Register by March 23, 2006 and receive $5 off!

Capitol Skating School
Capitol Ice - 2616 Pleasant View Rd, Middleton, 833-3922
Spring Sessions run March 31 - May 21
http://www.capitolskatingschool.com/schedules/sch_0506.html
Skating lessons start up at the end of the month for all age groups.  The lakes may have thawed, but you still have an opportunity to teach your kids the fundamentals of ice skating and ice hockey. 

Buy Tickets Now For...

Barney Live! the Let's Go Tour
Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI
Tue, Apr 18, 2006 06:30 PM
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/07003C58F778E1B5?brand=&tm_link=tm_family_h2
Tickets go on sale Monday, March 13 -- so get online at TicketMaster and on Monday to get good seats.

March 17 - March 23
The weather will be in the 30s and 40s with mostly dry days.  So if you want to play in the snow, do it earlier in the week.

When they say big, they mean it.  This event has the potential to be too big for some people both large and small.  If you have a family member that doesn't deal well with lots of stimuli and big crowds, use a bit of caution at this event.  It can be a bit much even for me.

Oregon Area Fire/EMS District Fire truck rides
McDonald's of Oregon 1029 N. Main Street Oregon, WI 53575
Saturday March 18, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
http://www.oregonwi.com
Oregon Area Fire/EMS District Fire truck rides.

Stomp
Overture Center - State Street
March 24 - March 26 - All Ages - 5 performances, many are sold out, so if you want to go, buy now! http://www.overturecenter.com/Performances/stomp.htm
Stomp is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique, and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

A-Z Farm Lambing Barn Tour
A-Z Farm Tours 1820 Schuster Rd. Oregon, WI 608-835-5553
Admission $3.50, children 2 and under free
Sunday, March 19, 2006 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
http://www.oregonwi.com
Bounce into spring with a visit to the A-Z Farm lambing barn. See lambs nursing, bouncing around their mothers and learn more about these wooly creatures. It may be possible to witness the birth of a lamb. There will be chicks, bunnies and other animals to see and touch. Visitors will be able to ask questions and see interesting farm related displays. Animals, vendors, activites and displays to be in the sheep barn. 

Tunes at Monona Terrace
Exhibition Hall, Monona Terrace Community and Convnention Center
One John Nolen Dr. Madison, WI 608-261-4042
Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:00 PM
http://www.mononaterrace.com/community/community_events.html
The Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times, and Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center are proud to sponsor these free community concerts. Concessions and cocktails are available for purchase beginning at 5 p.m.

March 22 West Wind featuring Trinity Irish Dancers - (Traditional Irish Dance Music)
April 05 The Midwesterners - (Roots-Rock)
April 19 UW Jazz Big Band - (Jazz)
May 03 Reptile Palace Orchestra - (Balkan Dance Groove)
May 17 The Cash Box Kings - (40s & 50s Blues)
May 31 West Side Andy & Mel Ford Band - (R & B)

Olbrich Botanical Gardens: Winter Concert Series 
Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., 246-4550
Sunday, March 19, 2006 2:00 PM
http://www.olbrich.org
Americay, Traditional Irish music be playing in the Ejvue Commons at Olbrich Gardens. 

Parent's Night Out
Gymfinity Gymnastics
6300 Nesbitt Road Fitchburg, WI 53719 848-FLIP
Saturday, March 18, 5:00-9:00 PM
Preregister for $20 members, $25 non-members - At door $25 and $30
http://www.gymfinity.com
Parent’s Night Out: Gymfinity provides great, safe and fun programs for the kids. This one is designed for the adults too!! Take the night off and leave the kids with them. They provide dinner, 4 hours of play-time with fun and games... Gymfinity Style. This program is available for kids 4 and up, so parents take the night off every month. Registration is open to Gymfinity members and nonmembers alike.

Note: Gymfinity also provides open gym times throughout the week:

Open Gym - Saturday 1:00 pm 
Coed ages 6+ years - 60 minutes - $5 for members and $7 for non-members

Family Open Gym - Tuesday and Friday 11:00 am
Coed ages 6 & under years - 60 minutes - $5 for members and $7 for non-members (Children 3 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum of 3 children per adult accompaniment)

Gymfinity Open Workshop - Sundays 7:00PM to 9:00PM
Coed for ages 8 and up - 120 minutes -$10 for members and $12 for non-members.

Barnes & Noble Activities
Barnes & Noble East Towne Mall #1 East Towne Mall 608-241-4695
http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/events.do

Saturday March 18 10:30 AM
Super Saturday Imagination Storytime Performed by the Five Amazing Tacos! 

Monday Mar 20, 2006 10:30 AM
Amy's Story Corner Storytime Toddlers (age 3 and under), Pre-school (ages 3-6)

Tuesday March 21 10:30 AM
Super Sarah Storytime Storytime Toddlers (age 3 and under), Pre-school (ages 3-6)

Wednesday March 22 7:00 PM
Pajamarama Storytime Toddlers (age 3 and under), Pre-school (ages 3-6)

Barnes & Noble West Towne Mall 7433 Mineral Point Road 827-0809
http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/events.do

Tuesday March 21 10:30 AM
Storytime, Toddlers (age 3 and under), Pre-school (ages 3-6)

Madison Public Libraries
See below for dates, times, and locations
http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar/calendar.html
Here is all of the fun stuff going on through the Madison Public Libraries for this week.

Madison Children's Museum 
100 State Street 
http://www.madisonchildrensmuseum.com
Here's the schedule of events at the Children's Museum this week.  

Ongoing Activites...

McFarland Public Library
5920 Milwaukee Street
http://www.mcfarland.wi.us/calendar.asp

Library-Baby Lapsit Story Time
3/21/2006 10:30AM-11:00AM
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. March 21 - April 25 This is a special series for babies up to age 18 months. It is a lapsit program, meaning each baby needs a lap to sit in, so an adult must sign up with each baby. Limit 20 babies and 20 adults. Register for the entire 6-week series by calling 838-9030

Library-Preschool Story time
3/22/2006 9:30AM-11:00AM
PRESCHOOL STORY TIMES-Is it spring yet 30-minute Story Times on Wed mornings for ages five and under,March 22 –April 26. Large Group Story Time at 9:30 a.m. in the meeting room, registration required, please call 838-9030. Drop-in Story Time is at 10:30 a.m.

Library-EVENING FAMILY STORY TIMES
3/23/2006 6:30PM-7:00PM
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. March 23 - April 27 Story times for those families who are busy during the day! Same themes as weekday story times, but with longer books & stories, depending on the age of the audience. Register weekly, at the library or by calling 838-9030.

Kids in the Rotunda
Overture Center
Saturdays, now through May 6, 11:00am and 1:00pm - FREE
http://www.overturecenter.com/rotunda.htm
Every Saturday during the school year from fall through spring, Overture Center offers free arts programs designed for children and families at 11 AM and 1 PM.  Our popular performing arts series for children and families, offers a relaxed environment in which to enjoy a diverse lineup of local and regional storytellers, musicians, juggler, theater troupes, magicians and dancers. The 1 PM performances are sign language interpreted.  Kids in the Rotunda takes place on the Rotunda Stage.

	Mar 18	Ace Willie  Ace Willie's magic show is guaranteed to be full of family-oriented fun, laughter and audience participation.  As Ace says, "Kids wnat to laugh more than anything else, so I keep them doing just that!"
	Mar 25	The Handphibians  lay out samba-style beats in live performances that are sure to get the whole family moving.  Come experience the exhilaration of Brazilian percussion with the Handphibians!   www.handphibians.com
	Apr 1	Bob Kann  Juggler and Comedian   www.bobkann.com
	Apr 8	Children's Arts Festival     Greg Percy  Songs in the Key of Art  (11 AM and 1 PM)  www.songsinthekeyofart.com     Madison Hope Chinese Dance  (noon)
	Apr 15	TAPIT / new works  The Mystery of the Missing Word   www.tapitnewworks.org
	Apr 22	Tom Pease  Folksinger and Storyteller   www.tompease.com
	Apr 29	Rose Onama and Oumar Sagna  Tales from the Nile
	May 6	Genevieve Jereb  Australian Singer and Songwriter   www.genjereb.com/about.htm

Weekly Toddler Story and Stroll
Olbrich Botanical Gardens 3330 Atwood Ave. Madison, WI
Tuesdays, 9:00 AM
http://www.olbrich.org
Look, listen, smell, and feel the beauty of nature. The Weekly Toddler Story & Stroll at Olbrich Botanical Gardens introduces toddlers to nature through stories and a stroll through the fragrances, textures, sounds, and colors of a tropical rainforest.

Alien Craft Bag
Michael's Craft Stores - locations
Every Saturday, 10:00am - Noon - $2
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=kids_events
10:00am-Noon $2

Also check out their new kid's club membership: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=kids_newsletter

Toddler Time
Tenney Nursery & Parent Center, 1321 E. Mifflin St., 608-255-2350
9:00-11:30 am Fridays, 1/13-5/26
Class for parents & kids ages 0-3,  $5/class.
http://www.tnpckids.com
(No class February 3 or March 17)
A Teacher directed class for parents and children to explore age appropriate materials, create an art project, sing songs and exercise in our multipurpose room.

Music Together
http://www.merr.com/users/josevert/default.htm
Midvale Community Lutheran corner of Midvale and Tokay - 246-4196
Weekly starting March 20
New sessions start in January.  A class is typically made up of 6 to 12 children with their parents or caregivers and meets weekly for 45-minutes. Although the lesson plans are designed to have the routine that young children crave, the structure is informal and allows children to actively participate or simply observe as they choose. The classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement and instrument play activities that are developmentally appropriate for children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability.

The 2006 Spring semester begins March 20th and runs 10 weeks. They are located at Midvale Community Lutheran corner of Midvale and Tokay. Call for class availability. First class is no charge and mid-semester sign-ups are welcome. Additional classes will be added if needed. For more information, feel free to contact us at 246-4196. Or Write to: Jo Severt, 313 East Bluff, Madison, WI 53704.

Capitol Skating School
Capitol Ice - 2616 Pleasant View Rd, Middleton, 833-3922
Spring Sessions run March 31 - May 21
http://www.capitolskatingschool.com/schedules/sch_0506.html
Skating lessons start up at the end of the month for all age groups.  The lakes may have thawed, but you still have an opportunity to teach your kids the fundamentals of ice skating and ice hockey. 

Buy Tickets Now For...

Barney Live! the Let's Go Tour
Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI
Tue, Apr 18, 2006 06:30 PM
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/07003C58F778E1B5?brand=&tm_link=tm_family_h2
Tickets go on sale Monday, March 13 -- so get online at TicketMaster and on Monday to get good seats.

March 10 - March 16
The weather-- Beautiful... if you are a duck.  Look for rain through the weekend.  Let's hope it doesn't put too much of a damper on the St. Patrick's Day parade!  Also, don't forget that next week is Spring Break for Madison schools! If you forgot to sign up your little ones for Spring Break camp, check out the two options listed below.

UW Space Place - Crash Landing
Workshop for children ages 6-10
UW Space Place - 2300 S. Park St., Suite LL-100 - 608-262-4779  [MAP]
Saturday, March 11, 10:00 AM - FREE
http://www.spaceplace.wisc.edu/
Space Place family workshops are for children ages 6-10 and their parents, and are offered the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month. The workshops are free and open to the public. No registration is required for any of the workshops.

So You Want to Be An Archaeologist "Discover the Apple Branch Site," 10 am
Saturday, March 11, 10:00am - 11:00am Free with admission
Wisconsin Historical Museum 30 N. Carroll St. 264-6555
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum
Do you have a budding archaeologist in the family?  This series allows youth to discover and participate in different activities archaeologists perform in the field and in the lab to better understand the role of the archaeologist.  Participation is free with museum admission.

Oregon Area Fire/EMS Districts Pancake Breakfast
Oregon Area Fire/EMS District 131 Spring Street Oregon, WI 53575
Sunday, March 12, 2006, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
http://www.oregonwi.com
Sample the wonderful tastes of sausage, scrambled eggs, and of course, light, fluffy pancakes.  Once you have had your fill, head down the road the our next event on the list...

A-Z Farm Lambing Barn Tour
A-Z Farm Tours 1820 Schuster Rd. Oregon, WI 608-835-5553
Admission $3.50, children 2 and under free
Sunday, March 12, 2006 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
http://www.oregonwi.com
Bounce into spring with a visit to the A-Z Farm lambing barn. See lambs nursing, bouncing around their mothers and learn more about these wooly creatures. It may be possible to witness the birth of a lamb. There will be chicks, bunnies and other animals to see and touch. Visitors will be able to ask questions and see interesting farm related displays. Animals, vendors, activites and displays to be in the sheep barn. 

St. Patrick's Day Parade 
Capitol Square
Sunday, March 12, 2006, 1:30pm
http://www.stpatsmadison.org/index.html
Let's hope the weather holds out for this one!  It's time to celebrate all things Irish!  After the parade work your way down to the Children's Museum for a post-parade party from 2:30pm to 3:00pm.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens: Winter Concert Series 
Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., 246-4550
Sunday, March 12, 2006 2:00 PM
http://www.olbrich.org
Swingin' Trombones will be playing in the Ejvue Commons at Olbrich Gardens. 

Arboretum Family Walk: “Mud”
UW-Madison Arboretum 1207 Seminole Hwy 263-7888
Sunday, March 12, 2006 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
http://uwarboretum.org
Mud isn’t just for pies, it is a great place to see animal tracks. What is mud anyway? Why is there so much of it in the spring?

Barnes & Noble Activities
Barnes & Noble East Towne Mall #1 East Towne Mall 608-241-4695
http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/events.do

Saturday, March 11 at 10:30 am
American Girl Club 
Lovers of the American Girl Collection are invited to join us for fun crafts and activities. Bring a friend and join the club! (Doll friends are welcome too!)

Thursday, March 16 at 7:00 pm
Young Reader Book Club
"Frindle," by Andrew Clements
Come join the fun as we discuss and do activities related to Frindle by Andrew Clements.

Boulder's Climbing Gym - Kid's Night Every Friday - Recommended Event
3964 Commerical Ave. (East Side) - 608-244-8100 - map
Friday Evenings - children 7-15 $8, children 6-under $6
http://www.bouldersgym.com/
Here is a cool opportunity to try something completely different with your kids-- indoor rock climbing!  Keep this one in your back pocket for rainy Friday evenings such like this one.  It's a great self esteem booster for kids to be able to do something like this.  

Note that you need one adult to do the ropes.  I took three kids so I was able to only help one climb at a time.  Needless to say the kids got a little restless between their turns to climb.  A two kid to one adult ratio is best.  I would not recommend this activity for kids under 5.  Here are some pictures from when we went a while back - http://www.whatacoolfamily.com/photos/2004_08_rockclimb/index.htm.  

Madtown Twisters Camp - Spring Break!!!
7035 Old Sauk Road 829-2922
March 13-17, 8:30am - 4:00pm
http://www.madtowntwisters.com/Opengym-Special.htm
Here is a great Spring Break camp option for your school age kids!

Keva Sports Camp - Spring Break!!!
8312 Forsythia St 662-PLAY (7529) 
March 13-17, 8:00am - 5:00pm
http://www.kevasports.com/
Are your kids off from school, but you are not off from work?  Keva provides great sports camps!  If you are not familiar with Keva, imagine a warehouse type of building with 2 indoor soccer fields, a roller hockey field, a basketball court, and a jungle gym!  So much fun your kids won't want to leave.  

Also, note the following for the young golfer in your family:

The First Tee Golf lessons
Learn to play golf with the PGA's "First Tee Program" at Keva Sports Center.

Friday March 17th (Madison Spring Break)
Grades 3 to 5 10:00am to 11:00am
Grades 6 to 8 11:00am to Noon
Grades 9 to 12 Noon to 1:00pm

Friday March 24th (Middleton Spring Break)
Grades 3 to 5 10:00am to 11:00am
Grades 6 to 8 11:00am to Noon
Grades 9 to12 Noon to 1:00pm

Friday March 31st