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Ice, blades, speed, and a little physical contact.  For some, it doesn't get better than this!  We are fortunate to have such a high-caliber hockey team as the Grand Rapids Griffins in our midst.  Come out and support our local team at one of their upcoming games and introduce your kids to a true cold-weather game.

Up for grabs are  (3) four-packs of tickets to the Griffins game against the Texas Stars on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.

Some special things going on during the game include:
Super Sunday: Enjoy $1 Cole's Breadsticks and $1 Pepsi products until one hour after the start of the game. Also, the first 1,000 kids 12 and younger will receive a Griffins player card strip, courtesy of Play N Trade Alpine!

Fan 4-Pack: Fans can receive four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price. Click here for more info.

Library Night: Fans who present their Grand Rapids Public Library card or Kent District Library Card at the Van Andel Arena box office on the night of the game or at The Zone anytime during the store's regular business hours can purchase a lower bowl ticket for just $10 - a savings of $7! Limit four tickets per card per person.

To enter to win these tickets tell me what hockey means to your family. 

Winners will be notified on February 19 and tickets will be waiting for you at the game.

Good luck, and no high-sticking!
 
 
GR Gymnastics is about ready for a birthday.  They are turning 1 year old this spring and they have a lot to celebrate!  Getting kids active and giving them something to enjoy are at the top of the list.

Owner Shane has an evident ease around kids (he seems to be a big kid himself!) and has hired employees that reflect the same attitude.  Not only are the coaches fun to be around, they are knowledgeable about their craft, too.  Games, activities, and coloring pages all help the little and big kids learn the technical terms in gymnastics while having a great time.

If you're looking for a gymnastics program that is quality fun, check out GRG.  You can sign up for a huge range of programs from preschool classes to competitive gymnastics.  You can see the competitive teams in action at GRG's Born to Fly Invitational this spring, where kids from around the area will gather at GRCC to compete.

Classes can be joined at any time and you can pay by the month or get a discount if you pay by the semester.

If you're not ready to sign up for a class, then your child might want to check out one of the awesome specials that are offered.  "School's Out, We're In" lets kids come on days where Forest Hills Public Schools are off for a typical school day.  The next one is Monday, February 15.  Drop off your child anytime between 9am and 4pm and let him/her bounce, climb, jump and play until their heart's content.  The fee is only $15, and last time it included a pizza lunch!

You may also be interested in Parents Night Out.  These happen on occasional weekend nights and are very similar to School's Out events, except they are from 7pm to 11pm.

One final option is Open Gym. Preschool Open Gym is on Tuesday from 2-3 pm and Friday from 10-11 am and is $5/child. Open Gym for all ages is every Saturday from 1-3 pm and is $8/child.

Oh, and of course they have birthday parties available.

You can call GRG with any of your questions at 975-2992.

My family has personally been using GRG since Fall '09 and we've got only good things to say.  Hope you can come out to play!
 
 
I don't even know where to start!  When I left Deanna's Playhouse, my head was swimming with all of the information that I had learned in such a short time!

First of all, Deanna's Playhouse is a place for kids to play in Holland.  It took me about 25 minutes to get there from Wyoming, so it's not an unmanageable drive.  While we were there we saw kids ages 0 to about 8 enjoying the different areas, although it is an excellent place to take toddlers on a cold, windy day.

The play area is designed with parents of multiple kids in mind.  There are no major obstructions in the middle of the playroom, making it possible for a parent to be in the infant area and still keep an eye on an older child riding in a cozy coupe or "shopping" at Meijer.

Around the perimeter of the playroom are special rooms with designated purposes.  Here you'll find a sensory room, an awesome arts and crafts room, a music room, a cafe that offers beverages and is a great place to bring your own lunch, 2 birthday party rooms, a coat room, and two family restrooms large enough to roll in a double stroller and more.  There is also a stage where kids can dress up and perform.

The Playhouse also has some organized activities. 
  • Every Tuesday at 11am is time for a new Creative Art Experience.
  • Every Wednesday is Parachute Day.
  • Every Thursday is the Amazing Activity Series. Amazing activities is scheduled every Thursday with different subjects that encourage children to explore, learn and… ask questions.
Another great feature of Deanna's Playhouse is that it shares a building with Safe Kids, and organization devoted to keeping kids safe, and a Parent Resource Center with loads of information on almost every topic imaginable that relates to parenting.

Admission is $5 per person, with infants under 1 year admitted free.  When you go for the first time, if you sign up for their email list you will receive a coupon for one free visit.  Your kids will also be sent a free pass on their birthdays.

If you're looking for a play place smaller than the GR Children's Museum, this is your place.  A great facility and great staff that cares about kids await you.  Take a trip and let them know you heard about it on grkids.com!