Whoa, Momma! is on the move -- but not too far

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Kid-sized 3D glasses just in time for Toy Story 3

I know for the majority of the world this is not a big deal. But we Mommas know that  we can say a collective "FINALLY!" Yep, for the first time RealD is making 3D glasses for kids that are supposed to be out on Friday, just in time for Toy Story 3. I can only say that squirmy kids in 3D glasses sometimes mean 3D glasses on the theater floor. And the glasses can be hard to find in the dark (I speak from experience when I recently took three kids ages 8 and younger to a 3D movie). This way they are supposed to be just the right fit for kids. Since these things seem to roll out in New York, L.A. and other large markets, I can't make promises that we have them this weekend. But since so many more movies are being made in 3D, it will  be nice to have glasses that actually fit a kid's head.

Now that they've worked on the size, how about we ask the theaters, filmmakers and glassmakers not to charge us extra for 3D movies. I know, I'm just looking at the world through rose-colored glasses.

-- Sherry Robinson

Free, cheap family fun for the weekend

With summer in full swing, it's time to find some fun things to do with the whole family. If you head outside, remember to put on your sunscreen and drink lots of fluids. But there's also plenty to keep you busy indoors. Let's get started.

But before we do, isn't this a special weekend for that guy we call Dad? Well, we ought to do something special for him, right? Look through this list of special events to honor him on Father's Day weekend. There are great ticket deals at bay area attractions, including MOSI (see more on that below), the Florida Aquarium and the Lowry Park Zoo. And go to Things to Do to find even more ideas on what do do with dear old Dad.

Speaking of Dad, Riverwalk for Dads is a healthy pre-Father's Day event at 9 a.m. Saturday that features a slow-paced 2K family-friendly walk along Riverwalk in Tampa. There will be a hot breakfast, entertainment and proceeds benefit prostate cancer research. Cost is $20, $10 ages 11 and younger and no fee for tots in strollers. The walk is at the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa. For more information, call (813) 228-0097.

A good place to keep your cool is at the Itty Bitty Splashtime at Largo's Highland Recreation Complex and Family Aquatic Center. Play in the spray and have a great time with kids ages 5 and younger. The center's at 400 Highland Ave. NE, Largo. Cost is $1.50 with ages 2 and younger free.

Now we love our cats and dogs, so these next two events will take you outside but you'll have fun watching your four-legged friends. At the Block PAWty in Old Hyde Park Village at 6 p.m. Thursday, have a tail-waggin' good time at this pet gathering in the courtyard of the Snow Circle Shops. There will be a raffle, prizes, doggie bags and more. Cost is a $10 donation.  Find the fun at 1622 W Snow Ave, Tampa. For info, call (813) 251-3500. For folks who love cats, head over to the Cat Olympics and Cat Jeopardy at the SPCA Tampa Bay at 1 p.m. Saturday. Adoptable cats will strut their stuff for prospective owners while cat fanciers can test their knowledge on feline trivia. Cost for this event is free at the SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N, Largo. Call 727) 586-3591 for details.

Now, we always have to include one event that costs a little more. The best might be the opening of CSI: The Experience at Tampa's MOSI on Saturday. Let your inner David Caruso play out as you investigate crime scenes and try to crack the case. Of course, some of this might be a little too intense for the littlest MOSI fans so make sure you take them to another part of the museum while kids 12 and up enjoy this interactive exhibit that puts you in the role of crime scene investigator. Check it out beginning at 9 a.m.at MOSI, 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. The exhibit runs through Sept. 6.

At the Bandz Swap Party at International Plaza, kids can swap, trade and buy all manner of Bandz, those crazy shaped bracelets that you covering their arms. It's free and there will be door prizes and drawings at 11 a.m. and noon. Find the fun at the Sharp Lounge near Dillards at IP, 2223 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. 

On Sunday if Dad feels like doing something with the kids, you might send him off to the 2010 Summer Fest in Riverview. Chat with businesses in the community and let the kids play games and jump in the bounce houses for fun. It's at 1 p.m Sunday at the Barn Theatre at Winthrop, 11349 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview.

Go out ant make it a fun weekend. And don't forget to say Happy Father's Day.

-- Sherry Robinson     

Health Nut

It’s six o’clock in the morning and my husband and I greet the day together enjoying some of the many new healthy lifestyle changes I’ve recently implemented in our household.

Husband: Um, what are you doing?

Me: Making peanut butter sandwiches for the kids’ lunches, why?

Him: Because you’re stirring something, and the last time I checked stirring wasn’t an action associated with sandwich making.

Me: Well, I’m stirring the peanut butter because it’s natural, and you have to do that with natural peanut butter.

Him: (Pouring himself another cup of coffee.) Don’t you think you’re taking this healthy eating thing a bit far? And why is the sugar brown?

Me: No, and because it’s raw sugar, silly. It’s supposed to be brown. If you prefer, there’s agave syrup to sweeten your coffee instead.

Him: I don’t even want to know what that is. (Rifling through cupboard.) But where’s the maple syrup? Need some for these whole-wheat, gluten-free pancakes you made.

Me: Oh, that’s in the fridge. Mrs. Butterworth and I no longer hang, so I bought a bottle of Canadian pure maple syrup.  Use only what you need though, it’s a little pricey. Considerably less than all of the high-fructose corn trees that died for the other stuff, however.

Him: What? You’re not even making sense. Spending a whole lot of money, but definitely not making sense. What are you doing now?

Me: (Pressing cookie cutters.) Just making the kids’ “Soy-reo’s” for their lunches. The filling is tofu and the outside I made from black sesame seed crisps.

Him: I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

Me: Oh, are you feeling nauseous? Drink some of this hot organic ginger-tea, it will help. It’s cage-free.

Him: I’ll pass. Just pass me the milk for my coffee. You made me go to that skim stuff years ago, so I think I’m safe there, right?

Me: Honey, it’s only because I love you that I think you need more plant-based proteins in your diet, so try the new soy milk. (Sighing.) All of this healthy eating is so confusing, there sure is a lot of information to digest.

Him: That’s one thing in this house that can be....

Me: What was that, dear?

Him: I said, you are insane. 

Me: No, I’m taking fish oil supplements for that.

Him: (Leaving kitchen.) I’m going to take a shower.

Me: Okay, but watch out for the sustainable rainbow trout tank in the bathtub...

-- Tracey Henry, Suburban Diva

School start times and working parents

Since my kids' school doesn't have a bus, I haven't had to deal with Pinellas County's odd school start  times, which range from the ungodly early 7:05 a.m. for high school to the weirdly late 10 a.m. for middle school. Well, our friends at the Gradebook blog say the new bell times are out for next year and it's sure to stir up a new set of parents: Many elementary schools are going from a start time of 8:20 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. High schools are staying the same and most middle schools are starting 15 minutes earlier. Here are all the bell times if you want to look up your school.

I remember seeing a line of kids in my neighborhood walking or riding their bikes to the elementary school down the street and their parents would either walk with them or kiss them goodbye before heading off to work. I'm wondering what a 9:20 start time does to that scenario.

School Board member Janet Clark had that concern. “I think this will make it very difficult for families to make arrangements,” she said, also expressing concern over the late start and finish times for elementary students. How does a change like this in start times affect your work schedule?

-- Sharon Kennedy Wynne

Follow us on Twitter @WhoaMomma

Great idea: A day rate for beach hotel room

Any mom who’s tried to change a diaper on a sandy beach will appreciate the Postcard Inn's summer playdate deal. You can now go to the retro chic St. Pete Beach hotel Mondays through Thursdays and for $49, you have a hotel room from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can use the pool, beach and even order a barbecue lunch from Wildwood to be delivered poolside. Mama likey. Call (727) 367-2711.

I did a story on this funky former Travelodge a couple months ago and liked how they have made kitsch cool. It's not 4-star accommodations by any stretch. No room service, the rooms are small and the air-conditioning a bit hinky. But it has trendy surfer-dude decor, a great barbecue restaurant and a poolside bar (the former Swigwam). There's an inviting outdoor area with a pool table, pingpong table, volleyball courts and, of course, a great beach.

When I was doing that story and interviewing Donna Rodriguez, a VP of marketing with the Starwood Capitol Group that owns PCI, she was talking about how their aim was to make it an easy place to crash land for a weekend and off the top of her head she said, "I'm even thinking we should do some kind of day rate, so a group of moms could have a play date at the beach and have a room to drop off their bags and take showers." I guess she liked my reaction ("That's fantastic!") because she giddily reported that they are rolling it out this summer, starting now. 

I hate to sound like I'm shilling for them, but I do like to give high-fives to businesses that make life a little easier for moms.

-- Sharon Kennedy Wynne

Follow us on Twitter @WhoaMomma

Harry Potter theme park too scary for some little kids

I know a lot of us adults are as excited as the kids are about entering the Wizarding World of Harry Potter when it soon opens this week to us muggles at Universal's Islands of Adventure. But I think the Traveling Mamas blog makes a good point that this is not a place for toddlers, and that's okay since it's a fabulous treat for Potter fans. But they caution, "Because many people think of a theme park as a family outing, I think it needs to be said: There are no kiddie rides in the Wizarding World"

You have to be 48 inches tall to go on its signature ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and there are some intense images even in the shops that would scare a 3 year old. Also, there are small spaces everywhere and I expect the place will be quite cramped, so it would be a nightmare to try to push a stroller through the crowd.

Let one parent take the little ones to nearby Seuss Landing while the older kids or adults immerse themselves in this awesome world.

-- Sharon Kennedy Wynne

Follow us on Twitter @WhoaMomma

Teen sailor found alive, reigniting debate

I was so glad to read that Abby Sunderland, 16, is alive and apparently well, floundering in rough seas in the Indian Ocean without a mast, but safely aboard her 40-foot boat and awaiting the arrival of rescue ships.

The girl from Thousand Oaks, Calif., had been attempting to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone. But this week she lost her mast and rigging after her vessel apparently rolled in heaving seas. She activated two emergency distress beacons not long after daybreak Friday and was spotted by a plane in the extremely remote area, more than 2,000 miles from Australia and Africa.

There has been debate from the beginning of her trip. People have focused on her age, but I think the daredevil aspect is bigger issue. I don't think it's safe for anyone to sail solo around the world. I don't think her age was even a factor in this since it sounds like she did what she was supposed to do, hit the distress signal when the waves got too high. She didn't do anything differently than a 40-year-old sailor would have done. 

The issue is more about people who feel compelled to push the limits. After reading Into Thin Air I can't understand why anyone would endure the pain, expense and danger just to say they climbed Mount Everest. But I'm sensible that way. I know people have that desire, but I find it very foolish. There are much greater accomplishments in my opinion than sailing or climbing or driving fast. I prefer deeper human goals like rescuing people from danger or poverty. But maybe I've got it all wrong. Pushing the limits is laudable on its face, but I wonder where we draw the line.

-- Sharon Kennedy Wynne

Follow us on Twitter @WhoaMomma

More bounce to the ounce at Boing

I took my two kids to Boing Jump Center in Tampa (but really close to Brandon) and let them bounce for a while today. These aren't inflatables but trampolines -- on the floors and walls. I'll write more about it in the coming weeks but let's just say if you want to tire the kids out, this is the place to go. In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about a Boing Bash that's coming up Saturday. For $18, teens ages 15 and up can bounce from 10-11:30 p.m. They'll get a couple slices of pizza, soda and here music from a live DJ. You can find Boing at 622-624 Ware Blvd., Tampa, next to Brandon Crossroads Bowl. For more info and to reserve your spot, call (813) 341-4897.

Free, cheap kid-friendly summer movies

Each year various movie theaters around the Tampa Bay area show free or cheap kid-friendly movies throughout the summer to help parents with their air conditioning bills. The parents get to turn the air off for an hour or two and kids get to eat popcorn while watching old favorites on the big screen. It's a win because while the movies are free or cheap (chalk one up for parents), the refreshments are not (score for the theaters). Here's a little story I did on those movies for the Weekend magazine. And if you want to see what is on the horizon so you can make your plans, take a look at this list. And take a peek at what my friend Sharon had to say about kids in movie theaters. I think the expectations on a free movie that you've probably seen 100 times is a bit different than on a first-run flick.

-- Sherry Robinson

[Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated movie will be showing this summer]

Follow us on Twitter @WhoaMomma