Bubble Bum car seat perfect answer to Arizona's new booster seat law

Arizona recently passed a law that goes into effect in August requiring kids to stay in boosters until age 7. That means many parents will be looking to go back into booster seats, when they thought they'd graduated. I am among this group with my 6 year old, tall daughter. She is tall enough to sit properly buckled sans a booster. We actually bought a new Pruis because we didn't need three car seats anymore. But now we've found ourselves needing three seats again. So I started looking around for the narrowest and safest booster seats - that's when I came across the relatively new Bubble Bum.
Bubble Bum is listed on the Best Bets list by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (They also have great information on how ANY booster should be used properly too.) That caught my eye. Add to that - the Bubble Bum is under 13" wide. Perfect! I watched their video on how it works and had to try it. Bubble Bum kindly sent me a seat to test out and write about. I was in love right away, as were my kids. So much so that after a few days use, I bought another Bubble Bum for my almost 5 year old daughter to test out too right next to the first one. They both wanted to sit on the super soft airy PURPLE cushion. And I wanted to see if it would make a difference in space.
The Prius is surprisingly roomy, but three seats is still a tall order. But with one Cleck backless booster, one Bubble Bum and one SafeGuard Go Hybryd 5-point harness car seat - all three of my kiddos fit. Though my 6 year old, who sits in the middle was still a bit crammed. Good thing she's skinny! Then I took out the Clek and put in the second Bubble Bum when it arrived a week later. Both girls have more space and both report they are more comfortable. My six year old in the middle loves not having her sister's seat arm rests running into her.
My six year old has no problems with the Bubble Bum. She sits down and buckles herself in quickley and properly. I keep the shoulder belt and first red lap positioner attached. She then pulls the belt across herself like normal and buckles it in. She then slides the belt through the second red lap positioner. That's it. With three seats in place in our Prius, it is a little hard for her to find the car buckle to snap her belt into, but it is easier with the two Bubble Bums and one other seat than it is otherwise. In our Jeep, which has one inch more per child's seat, she has no problems.
My five year old has a little bit of difficulty. She finds it hard to get the seat straps through the red buckle positioners. Otherwise, she likes it. My six year old helps her out by sliding the belt through the positioners. Both girls now have their seat belt properly place in their shoulder area. With Bubble Bum's positioner, they don't fiddle with them like they did before.
Another nice feature of the Bubble Bum... they can easily deflate for storage or travel! That means next time we visit my mom and sister in Texas, we won't have to borrow boosters or bring bulky ones that are such a pain. These will go right in the kids luggage. That is awesome!
Whenever my son is old enough and tall enough to move into a booster seat with buckle, I'm going to buy another Bubble Bum for sure. (He even likes the purple color of the Bubble Bums - but I'm sure when he's older he'd rather have a blue one. They're supposed to be made in other colors soon.)

Free Flagstaff Fun: Summer Concerts in the Park Roadshow

The City of Flagstaff's Recreation Services is taking you on a tour of Flagstaff's park system, while combining great music, activities for kids, and food vendors all summer long.

The Concerts in the Park Roadshow runs Wednesdays from June 6 through July 25 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (special extended concert on July 4th)  All of this fun is free!

This year’s performers include:

•June 6th at Wheeler Park (212 W Aspen Ave): Summit Dub Squad (reggae)

•June 13th at Bushmaster Park (3150 N Alta Vista): Wade Lashley & The Rounders (Original Americana & Classic Country)

•June 20th at Wheeler Park (212 W. Aspen Ave): Muskellunge Bluegrass (bluegrass)

•June 27th at Bushmaster Park (3150 N Alta Vista): Brian DeMarco & The Big Idea (Bluesy/Folk/Rock)

•July 4th at Wheeler Park (212 W. Aspen Ave): Extended show from 12pm-7pm

• 12pm: Stylus (classic rock/r&b)
• 2:15: Vincent Z (world music)
• 3:30: Porchlights (folk/bluegrass)
• 5pm: Dave Logan Band (Folk/Rock/Roots)

•July 11th at Bushmaster Park (3150 N Alta Vista): Anam and the Boys (Bluegrass/Folk/Americana)

•July 18th at Wheeler Park (212 W. Aspen Ave): Northern AZ Celtic Heritage Society Day with the Knockabouts, Bagpipers and Celtic Choral Groups

•July 25th at Bushmaster Park (3150 N Alta Vista): Chuck Hall Band (blues)

For more information contact City of Flagstaff Recreation Services at (928) 213-2300 or visit flagstaff.az.gov/recreation.

NAU Theatre family-friendly performances June 2, 3 & 8

NAU's Peaks Summer Theatre Festival has great family-friendly entertainment for the summer months.

NAU Theatre students will perform “Josefina Javelina, a Hairy Tale, The Play” and “The Three Little Javelinas” based on the books by Susan Lowell, adapted for the stage by Darby Winterhalter Lofstrand, and directed by Bob Yowell.  

The performance will be staged at the Studio Theatre on the NAU campus, June 2 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and June 3 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  - suggested donation of $10 for a family of four or $5 for an individual.

It will also be staged at Heritage Square, in downtown Flagstaff, June 8 from 6-8 p.m - for free.

"Josefina Javelina" is adapted from Arizona author, Susan Lowell, children's book. It tells the story of a little javelina with big dreams and her journey to make those dreams come true.  

"The Three Little Javelinas" is based off the children's tale "The Three Little Pigs."  The actors, talented performers from the NAU Theatre Department, will perform and then interact with the kids and their parents.

Flagstaff's free Soar Into Spring Kite festival this weekend

Join Flagstaff Recreation Services at the 10th annual Soar into Spring Kite Festival this Saturday, May 12, 2012 from noon to 4pm at Foxglenn Park (4200 East Butler Avenue).

This event has been voted Arizona Parks and Recreation’s Most Outstanding Community Event.
The day will include kite flying, arts and crafts with the Northern AZ Celtic Heritage Society, carnival games, bounce houses, yummy carnival food, face painting, the Flagstaff Library Activities and Kiddie Kaboose Train.
Most activities are free.  $3.00 wristband for unlimited rides on the Kiddie Caboose and bounce houses.

Free Flagstaff Family Fun: Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day at Mormon Lake Lodge

Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day at Mormon Lake Lodge. They're hosting a free event for families from 10a-3p Saturday, June 9, 2012.

On the agenda of fun:

• Lots of kids’ activities including fishing in the trout pond, archery, shooting in the air rifle trailer, games, wildlife viewing.
• Exhibitors- Over 40 sportsmen/conservation groups, government agencies and others working for outdoors, natural resources, wildlife conservation and environmental education programs.
• See live wildlife from the Arizona Game & Fish Department Adobe Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
• See a live snake display from the Arizona Herpetological Assn.
• Arizona Game and Fish Department displays and information about condors, watchable wildlife, fishing, archery, shooting, etc.
• Students from AAEC High School in Phoenix will have a special interactive fun and informative program about how to catch, clean and cook environmental invasive crayfish. • OHV information regarding safety, available trails, etc.
• 4WD Rangers, mountain bike and horseback riding available for a fee.
• Self guided hikes to the nearby Arizona National Scenic Trail.

Mormon Lake Lodge is about 30 minutes south of Flagstaff via Lake Mary Road. Call them for more info at 928-354-2227.

Flagstaff Youth Theater's Beauty and the Beast April 13-29

Flagstaff Youth Theater is putting on Disney's Beauty and the Beast, weekends beginning tonight.
The theater group of 80+ students is performing the musical version of the story with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice.

Performances are all at Flagstaff High School's Main Auditorium (400 W. Elm—entrance on Kendrick St), evenings on Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and also a matinee Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm from April 13-29.

Dates:
Apr 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29

Times/Prices:
*Evenings (Fri/Sat) 7pm $8.00 adults/$6.00 youth 12 & under
*Matinees (Sat/Sun) 2pm $7.00 adults/$5.00 youth 12 & under
Tickets available at the door (donate a can of food &receive $1.00 off your admission price)


For more information call: 928 310-039.

Free Family Fun: Flagstaff Easter Egg Hunt

This Sunday is the city of Flagstaff's third annual Easter egg hunt. This event is free to everyone. There are free egg hunts, egg decorating, face painting and meet the Easter Bunny! There will also be a raffle, food vendors and bounce house (unlimited rides for $2) that cost money.
The fun takes place at Bushmaster Park, 3150 N Alta Vista, Sunday, April 8, 2012 from 11a-1p.

Grand Canyon Railway spring break special

Grand Canyon Railway has announced a series of last-minute, discounted getaway packages during spring break, March 2 through 29. 

The specially discounted packages include lodging for one, two or three nights, roundtrip travel to Grand Canyon National Park aboard the train and some meals. 

The spring break getaway packages are priced for coach class travel and a standard hotel room. Upgrades to a different class of service on the train or to a deluxe room or suite are also available for an additional fee. Children under the age of 15 are only permitted in coach and first class. Interactive online tours of each class of services are available at www.thetrain.com/Grand-Canyon-Train-5677.html.
The One-Night Railway Getaway is priced at $306 per couple and $59 for each child, a savings of $36 off the regular package rate. This package includes a roundtrip coach class train tour, one night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, and one breakfast and one dinner for each person at the Grand Depot Café in Williams.
The Two-Night Railway Getaway Plus is priced at $477 per couple and $78 for each child, a savings of $72 off the regular package rate. This package includes a roundtrip coach class train tour, two nights at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, and two breakfasts and dinners for each person at the Grand Depot Café.
The Three-Night Canyon Limited Plus is priced at $734 per couple and $78 for each child, a savings of $49 off the regular package rate. This package includes a roundtrip coach class train tour, motorcoach tour at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, two nights at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, one night at Maswik Lodge inside the park, plus two breakfasts and dinners per person at the Grand Depot Café.

The train trip from Williams to Grand Canyon National Park runs 65 miles through ponderosa pine forests and scenic high-desert landscapes.
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was designed to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Williams Depot structures that stand nearby. The hotel is comprised of 199 standard rooms, 87 deluxe rooms, 10 suites and one luxury suite – the Rail Baron Suite – as well as a spacious meeting room available for wedding receptions, seminars and other functions; a large courtyard with barbecue and wet bar; a game room for children; a large enclosed crescent-shaped pool and hot tub and an exercise room.

For more information, www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724).

Spring Break camp at Flagstaff's Summit Gymnastics

Summit Gymnastics (SGA) is holding a Spring Break Camp Monday, March 12th through Friday, March 16th.
The camp is from 7:30am until 5:30pm each day.
Children 4 to 12 years old are invited to spend the day practicing gymnastics skills and playing high energy games.
Campers need to bring a sack lunch and 2 snacks for the day plus a show and tell item.
The cost is $125/wk or $35/day or $8/hr.
Register by visiting the Summit Gymnastics front desk, emailing info@SummitGymnasticsAcademy.com, or calling (928) 526-0644.

Free olive oil tasting event fundraiser for Camp Colton

Montessori Schools of Flagstaff is having an Olive Oil (& Balsamic!) Social Event to send their  sixth graders to Camp Colton. Locally owned Olio Primo of Flagstaff will sample their finest gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars - all for free - Thursday, Feb. 9th from 5-7pm at their Switzer Mesa Campus, 850 N Locust St.

The free event offer an opportunity to learn about varieties of olives from around the world and how balsamic vinegar is made in the true artisan tradition. 

$5 of every $15 bottle sold during the event goes toward their Camp Colton 6th grade trip.