Pensacola Museum of Art - Chagall for Children

We're fortunate enough to have a great museum here in Pensacola.  Even better, it's free on Tuesdays!  So really there is no excuse not to go if there is something of interest to you.  It's also a great way to spend some time when it's too hot outside.  For a while now they have had a Chagall for Children, and I finally got the chance to get Little Miss to the museum to enjoy it.  

She absolutely loved all of the interactive displays!  

This was a favorite - you found the picture on the side in the painting, and it would do something interactive when you touched it!

The phones talked about the paintings, but Little Miss used them to call her Daddy.

She even got to try her hand at creating her own artwork.  

Trying your hand at painting your own face is always fun!

If you're in the Pensacola area, I highly recommend this exhibit!  It's a great one to get your children interested in art!

Keep Your Children Entertained This Summer!

Do you live in the Pensacola area?  There are a lot of great children's programs going on this summer if you're looking for something for your children to do!  Some are free, some cost money - it's easy to find something in any budget.  I included links for these, so please be sure to confirm all details!

Pensacola Little Theater Summer Camps:

PLT hosts a number of camps during the summer. Information on their website.

Roy Hyatt Environmental Center Camps:

The environmental center is hosting summer camps for students entering grades 3-6. Camps are held June 13-17 and July 11-15 from 8 am - 3 pm. Cost is $130 per session.  

Pensacola Public Library Summer Reading program:

The public library is hosting their popular reading program. Part of it includes the library game, which encourages kids to read a variety of books through the summer. In addition, they host many programs for kids through the summer, at each branch. Magicians, musicians, model building, puppetry, and others. There will also be art classes on Fridays at Tryon and teen movies on Thursdays. 

Pensacola Museum of Art:

This summer, the PMA is hosting Chagall for Children in their downstairs exhibit space. It is a hands-on exhibit to introduce kids to the work of Chagall.  Tuesdays are always free admission!

The PMA is also hosting art camps throughout the summer. You can choose from four different 2 hour sessions a day, or stay for the whole day. One week of one session is $50 for members; full day is $150. To sign up, contact Raven McBride at Raven@pensacolamuseumofart.org or 850.432.6247.

Pensacola Historic Village:

The historic village is also hosting history and archaeology camp June 13-17 for incoming grades 4-6, and July 11-15 for incoming grades 7-10 from 8:30-12:30 . The cost is $115.

Gulf Islands National Seashore:  Most of these are simply the cost of admission, but always call to confirm!

Island Treasures-Monday, June 13-Aug. 8, 10:00 am, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, June 15-Aug. 13, 2:00 pm at Langdon Beach. Discover the treasures of the Gulf of Mexico at this beachcombers program. 1 hour.

Snorkeling-Mondays, June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, Aug. 8, 3:00 pm at Naval Live Oaks Picnic Area, Thursdays and Saturdays, June 16-Aug. 13, 10:00 am at Battery Worth Picnic Area. Discover the underwater world of the National Seashore and the interesting plants and animals that live there. Masks and snorkels provided. 2 hours.

Junior Ranger and Sea Star Day Camps-Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, these day camps introduce children to the wonders of the Seashore through age appropriate activities, storytelling, songs, crafts, and interactive games.  Locations and topics vary and reservations are required.  For Sea Stars ages 3-5 and Junior Ranger ages 6-8 call Ranger Beckie at (850) 934-2631 and for Junior Ranger ages 9-11 call Ranger Amanda at(850) 916-3001. 

Children’s Discovery-Wednesdays, June 22-July 20, 3:30 pm.  Meet at Battery Worth Picnic Area. Each week children discover a different Seashore habitat through hands-on activities.  Large groups should contact Ranger Amanda Carrigan-Grissom at 850-916-3001 before attending the program. Ages 5-11. 1 hour.

Seeing Sealife-Thursdays, June 16-Aug. 11, 2:00 pm at Johnsons Beach, Perdido Key Area.  Discover the sealife of the sound by pulling a seine net. 1 hour.

Barrier Island Experience-Fridays, June 17-Aug. 12, 9:00 am.  Meet at Battery Worth Picnic Area. Discover the plants and animals of the barrier island habitats. 1 hour.

Stargazing-Fridays, June 24 and July 22, sunset to 10:00 pm at Battery Worth Picnic Area.  Join volunteers from the Escambia Amateurs Astronomy Association for an evening of stargazing. 

Happy Fat Tuesday!

I'll probably make some pancakes for Little Miss tonight to celebrate.

Mardi Gras Flower Arrangement

No matter what your beliefs are, I think Lent is a wonderful time for inner reflection.  I usually try to slow down a little during this time - turn off the computer, TV, and lights more often, cook even more, and just take things slower.  

This year I'll be concentrating on buying less and keeping what I buy local.  I also want to focus on decluttering - maybe I should try to get rid of one item each day!

Little Miss Enjoying a Moon Pie at a Parade

We'll also be taking most of the stuff we got from the parades to ARC Gateway so they can recycle them and make money for a good cause. 

Will you be giving up anything for Lent?  

Pensacola Weekend Highlights

The weekend is finally here!!  We don't have too much planned - I got a new mop, so I'm sure we'll be trying it out, and my husband has to make sure some of our electronics don't have loose wires - they've been acting kind of funny lately.  We also plan on watching The Social Network (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] since we just got it in the mail this week.  I'm looking forward to that - I've heard it's great!

If we decide to venture out into the cold, these activities sound interesting!

A free concert at Studio Amped featuring Heritage Friday night
A Japanese New Year Celebration at Bayview on Saturday


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Frugal Family Events - Pensacola, FL - Dec 3rd Weekend

With Christmas just around the corner, there are a lot of on-going events.  I’ll probably leave links to the websites for most of these so you can confirm them yourself.  I think we’re going to look at some Christmas Lights this weekend and head downtown for the Christmas Market on Saturday!  

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Frugal Events in Pensacola

There is a lot to do this weekend!  

What:  Gallery Night
Cost: Free!  
Where:  Downtown Pensacola
When:  Friday Nov 19, 5-9 pm.  

What:  Mobile International Festival
Cost: $10.00 adults, $8.00 seniors, $5.00 7-15 years, Free 6 and under
Where:  Mobile Civic Center
When:  Saturday, November 20 (10 AM - 5 PM)

What:  Storytime at Barnes and Noble
Cost: Free!

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Our trip to the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival

This weekend we spent a lot of time at the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival.  The festival lasts all weekend, and is one of the biggest ones in Pensacola.  There is definitely something for everyone - food, great music, art, and an amazing children’s area!

I was especially excited to take Little Miss to the children’s area.  We took here last year and she had fun, but I knew this year she would have more of an idea of what was going on and be able to participate more.  

We started off at the sand art table.  Little Miss still has the one she made last year and often carries it around, so I knew we needed to make another!  She had a great time picking the colors, and quickly learned how to put the funnel in the jar and pour in the sand. 

Next we headed to the bracelet table.  She had a great time picking out the beads, and she was able to put them all on the bracelet herself.  

We stopped by the paper flower table - the wind was pretty bad, so instead of Little Miss trying to make the flower herself she just picked the colors and the helper made it for her.  She then headed to the puppet table, where she had a great time decorating her puppet. 

 
If you’ve never been to this art festival, go ahead and put it on your calendar for next year - it’s always an amazing time!! You can spend hours looking at the artwork, listening to music, or just enjoying the great weather and people watching!

Frugal Family Events - Pensacola, FL - Oct 29th Weekend

Since it is Halloween weekend, there are a ton of free events!  I decided to pick just a few of my favorites for the list..

What:  Downtown Pensacola Trick or Treat
Cost: Free!  For children nine years of age and younger.  
Where:  Downtown Pensacola - look for the orange and black ballons.  You can get a map here.
When:  October 29, 4-6 pm

What:  Halloween Egg Haunt
Cost: Free with donation of a non-perishable food item to Manna Food Bank
Where:  Roger Scott Athletic Complex
When:  October 30, 5-8 p.m.

What:  Boo at the Zoo
Cost:  $11 Adults, $7 Children (Not free, but looks like a lot of fun!)
Where:  Gulf Breeze Zoo
When:  October 31, 2-6 p.m.

What:  Florida’s Gulfarium
Cost: Half price admission on Sat and Sun, or 40 % off annual passes for locals only
Where:  1010 Miracle Strip Parkway
When:  Through the end of the year