Living in the Moment - Memphis, TN

10/20/12

Farewell to Pinocchio's Bookstore

Editor's Note: After more than 35 years as independent booksellers, the ladies at Pinocchio's: The Children's Bookplace are writing the final chapter to their storied career. Earlier this month, I learned that owners Judy Korones and Miriam Epstein had decided to retire and close their popular shop on Brookhaven Circle. To many families across Memphis, their's was a book lover's refuge, a magical place perfect for browsing or being guided to that just right right book for a young reader. As an editor, I often relied on their expertise for book recommendations and knowledge of children's literature, and for that, I will miss them. Moms like Kimberly Baker, who has had a long and personal relationship with the booksellers, will miss them for other...

Posted at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1

10/19/12

Fashionista of the Week: Rebekah

Rebekah is one of life's little miracles. After having one child (her now 15-year-old son), mom Shay had been told she might never become pregnant again. Patiently, she waited. For eight long years. Rebekah was the answer to the family's prayers. We had a chance to meet on a beautiful October afternoon, the bright colors of autumn providing a perfect backdrop for Rebekah's fall-like outfit. Sporting a coffeebean-colored dress finished with a colorful flounce of flowers and her favorite cowgirl boots, this ensemble reminded me of something a young senorita from Texas might wear. And don't you love how her pigtails are dressed up with bright fushia bows. They pick up the color of this ribbon flower at her waist. Rebekah is taking...

Posted at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments

10/18/12

What's Happening for Halloween

From Zoo Boo to Playhouse's costume sale, Broad Avenue's Art Walk and more, the days leading up to Halloween are brimming with family fun. 19 • Friday Le Bonheur Zoo Boo opens. Memphis Zoo. Through October 28. Oct. 19 & 20, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 27, & 28, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Come in costumes and enjoy candy stations, the straw maze, Dracula’s Disco, and a visit from prehistoric animals on a Haunted Hayride. $15. Advance discounts available. 333-6500. Cedar Hill Farm. 8 Love Road, Hernando, MS. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10-5, Sunday noon-5 p.m. Pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, plus kids can pick a pumpkin out of the patch. $8.50/per person. 20 • Saturday Costume Shop Yard Sale. Circuit Playhouse, 51 S....

Posted at 07:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

10/17/12

Catch Me If You Can (The Musical) Plays at The Orpheum

Catch Me If You Can is one of those stories you find yourself thinking, "I couldn't make this stuff up." The Orpheum's latest musical is loosely based on the true life story of con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., who, at age 16, runs away from home in search of the glamorous life and quickly became an expert forger. Before long, he's cashing bad checks around New York City and forging ID badges, successfully passing himself off as a Pan Am airline pilot (yes, this is the late 1960s, long before before 9/11). He later impersonates a doctor and a lawyer with Harvard credentials, no less (at least he has the good sense to go top drawer). If this premise sounds vaguely familiar, it's because Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks starred in Steven...

Posted at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments

10/15/12

Let's Go: Elmwood Cemetery

It seems contradictory to think of visiting a cemetery as a way to appreciate life, but that’s just what we did on a recent in-service day for Memphis City Schools. When I find myself with my four kids at home (they having invaded the sanctity of my office), my mind naturally goes to the outdoors and activities to keep them entertained. My oldest had a school project due and would need to be taken to Elmwood Cemetery to work on a documentary he and some classmates were producing for his class at White Station High. Their topic was the Yellow Fever Epidemic and the cemetery has entire sections filled with victims and the nuns who cared for them. Spirits with the Spirits, Elmwood's big fundraiser, happens Saturday, October 20th, at 7 p.m. The...

Posted at 07:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

10/12/12

Fashionister of the Week: Cole

Little boys love discovering their world. I found this handsome explorer on safari at the zoo recently; his mix-and-match outfit totally caught my eye. Six-year-old Cole looked quite dapper in his madras plaid shirt, layered over a bright red T-shirt, and topped with stripped vest — all from Monsoon. Add them to these acid wash jeans and you've got a great look. Mom Laura says she loves Monsoon's quality, plus, they carry interesting fashion for boys. Look for them at The Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown. Cole enjoys being active, whether its climbing onto hippos or hitting home runs in baseball. But he is also a reader and likes to play video games as well as hang out with his older brother. Life is good for this little explorer. Do you have...

Posted at 09:53 AM | Permalink | Comments

10/11/12

Special Anniversary Screening of The Sandlot at AutoZone Park

Do you remember the movie, The Sandlot? It's about a group of kids who gather for a summer-long game of sandlot baseball. This month, filmmakers are celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special screening at AutoZone Park. The film's screenwriter and director, David Mickey Evans, will be on-hand after the screening for a Q and A session. When I got wind of this, I quickly texted my teenaged son to share the news. When he was around 10 or so, my kid was thoroughly caught up in the magic of this tale. We would watch it together from time to time and never fail to laugh at the boys and their antics, particularly the scene where they get chased through the neighborhood by the crazy dog. It seemed to touch on the many challenges of childhood: fitting in,...

Posted at 07:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

10/10/12

Let's Go: Climb the Wall at Bridges

If you've toyed with the idea of climbing a rock wall but haven't quite summoned the courage, now's your chance. On Friday, October 19th, ClimBRIDGES opens their climbing gym to kids of all ages. Located at 477 North Fifth Street, the BRIDGES facility is open climbing nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Additional dates are Friday, November 2nd and 30th; and December 14; $15/adults, $10/children. While scaling a 30-foot wall might sound scary, it's actually a lot of fun, not to mention a good workout. Rock climbing tests your strength and endurance as you scramble up to the top of the gym. The climbing wall is a popular destination for families. Kids as young as 7 can become proficient climbers. We wrote about our experience here. The wall sports nine different...

Posted at 07:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

10/09/12

Read This: Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug

There seem to be plenty of “Mommy and me” board books out there for young readers, but relatively fewer “Daddy and me” books. So as a father, I was pleased to find Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug by J. D. Lester, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (Robin Corey Books). Lester’s previous book was Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants, so this is the companion book for dads. These make popular baby shower gifts, and I can see why; the bright illustrations and cadence of the rhymes will interest younger children just as much as the details will interest older ones. The book opens as a father plays with his child, balancing it on his knee and doing “airplane.” I say “it” because the illustrator has cunningly made Daddy’s child a generic...

Posted at 07:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1

10/06/12

Fashionista of the Week: Morgan

Fashionistas are always stylish. But they also exude a certain sparkle that makes them stand out from the crowd. I saw that sparkle in Morgan, a fashionable 4-year-old I had the pleasure of meeting one day last week at the zoo. She loves the outdoors and was eager to see the animals. But she graciously struck a pose before dashing off. She was suitably dressed for her afternoon outing, with a ruffled denim shirt and bright red jeans from The Children's Place, accented with leopard print accessories. Don't you love her pig tails? She was most proud of her purse, brimming with pockets for carrying treasures. Morgan recently became a big sister. In fact, she was so excited when she heard the news she immediately began calling her brother Jason. "But we convinced...

Posted at 09:34 AM | Permalink | Comments

	10/20/12 Farewell to Pinocchio's Bookstore Editor's Note: After more than 35 years as independent booksellers, the ladies at Pinocchio's: The Children's Bookplace are writing the final chapter to their storied career. Earlier this month, I learned that owners Judy Korones and Miriam Epstein had decided to retire and close their popular shop on Brookhaven Circle. To many families across Memphis, their's was a book lover's refuge, a magical place perfect for browsing or being guided to that just right right book for a young reader. As an editor, I often relied on their expertise for book recommendations and knowledge of children's literature, and for that, I will miss them. Moms like Kimberly Baker, who has had a long and personal relationship with the booksellers, will miss them for other... Posted at 08:29 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 1
	10/19/12 Fashionista of the Week: Rebekah Rebekah is one of life's little miracles. After having one child (her now 15-year-old son), mom Shay had been told she might never become pregnant again. Patiently, she waited. For eight long years. Rebekah was the answer to the family's prayers. We had a chance to meet on a beautiful October afternoon, the bright colors of autumn providing a perfect backdrop for Rebekah's fall-like outfit. Sporting a coffeebean-colored dress finished with a colorful flounce of flowers and her favorite cowgirl boots, this ensemble reminded me of something a young senorita from Texas might wear. And don't you love how her pigtails are dressed up with bright fushia bows. They pick up the color of this ribbon flower at her waist. Rebekah is taking... Posted at 11:07 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	10/18/12 What's Happening for Halloween From Zoo Boo to Playhouse's costume sale, Broad Avenue's Art Walk and more, the days leading up to Halloween are brimming with family fun. 19 • Friday Le Bonheur Zoo Boo opens. Memphis Zoo. Through October 28. Oct. 19 & 20, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 27, & 28, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Come in costumes and enjoy candy stations, the straw maze, Dracula’s Disco, and a visit from prehistoric animals on a Haunted Hayride. $15. Advance discounts available. 333-6500. Cedar Hill Farm. 8 Love Road, Hernando, MS. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10-5, Sunday noon-5 p.m. Pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, plus kids can pick a pumpkin out of the patch. $8.50/per person. 20 • Saturday Costume Shop Yard Sale. Circuit Playhouse, 51 S.... Posted at 07:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	10/17/12 Catch Me If You Can (The Musical) Plays at The Orpheum Catch Me If You Can is one of those stories you find yourself thinking, "I couldn't make this stuff up." The Orpheum's latest musical is loosely based on the true life story of con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., who, at age 16, runs away from home in search of the glamorous life and quickly became an expert forger. Before long, he's cashing bad checks around New York City and forging ID badges, successfully passing himself off as a Pan Am airline pilot (yes, this is the late 1960s, long before before 9/11). He later impersonates a doctor and a lawyer with Harvard credentials, no less (at least he has the good sense to go top drawer). If this premise sounds vaguely familiar, it's because Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks starred in Steven... Posted at 09:55 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	10/15/12 Let's Go: Elmwood Cemetery It seems contradictory to think of visiting a cemetery as a way to appreciate life, but that’s just what we did on a recent in-service day for Memphis City Schools. When I find myself with my four kids at home (they having invaded the sanctity of my office), my mind naturally goes to the outdoors and activities to keep them entertained. My oldest had a school project due and would need to be taken to Elmwood Cemetery to work on a documentary he and some classmates were producing for his class at White Station High. Their topic was the Yellow Fever Epidemic and the cemetery has entire sections filled with victims and the nuns who cared for them. Spirits with the Spirits, Elmwood's big fundraiser, happens Saturday, October 20th, at 7 p.m. The... Posted at 07:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	10/12/12 Fashionister of the Week: Cole Little boys love discovering their world. I found this handsome explorer on safari at the zoo recently; his mix-and-match outfit totally caught my eye. Six-year-old Cole looked quite dapper in his madras plaid shirt, layered over a bright red T-shirt, and topped with stripped vest — all from Monsoon. Add them to these acid wash jeans and you've got a great look. Mom Laura says she loves Monsoon's quality, plus, they carry interesting fashion for boys. Look for them at The Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown. Cole enjoys being active, whether its climbing onto hippos or hitting home runs in baseball. But he is also a reader and likes to play video games as well as hang out with his older brother. Life is good for this little explorer. Do you have... Posted at 09:53 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	10/11/12 Special Anniversary Screening of The Sandlot at AutoZone Park Do you remember the movie, The Sandlot? It's about a group of kids who gather for a summer-long game of sandlot baseball. This month, filmmakers are celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special screening at AutoZone Park. The film's screenwriter and director, David Mickey Evans, will be on-hand after the screening for a Q and A session. When I got wind of this, I quickly texted my teenaged son to share the news. When he was around 10 or so, my kid was thoroughly caught up in the magic of this tale. We would watch it together from time to time and never fail to laugh at the boys and their antics, particularly the scene where they get chased through the neighborhood by the crazy dog. It seemed to touch on the many challenges of childhood: fitting in,... Posted at 07:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	10/10/12 Let's Go: Climb the Wall at Bridges If you've toyed with the idea of climbing a rock wall but haven't quite summoned the courage, now's your chance. On Friday, October 19th, ClimBRIDGES opens their climbing gym to kids of all ages. Located at 477 North Fifth Street, the BRIDGES facility is open climbing nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Additional dates are Friday, November 2nd and 30th; and December 14; $15/adults, $10/children. While scaling a 30-foot wall might sound scary, it's actually a lot of fun, not to mention a good workout. Rock climbing tests your strength and endurance as you scramble up to the top of the gym. The climbing wall is a popular destination for families. Kids as young as 7 can become proficient climbers. We wrote about our experience here. The wall sports nine different... Posted at 07:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	10/09/12 Read This: Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug There seem to be plenty of “Mommy and me” board books out there for young readers, but relatively fewer “Daddy and me” books. So as a father, I was pleased to find Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug by J. D. Lester, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (Robin Corey Books). Lester’s previous book was Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants, so this is the companion book for dads. These make popular baby shower gifts, and I can see why; the bright illustrations and cadence of the rhymes will interest younger children just as much as the details will interest older ones. The book opens as a father plays with his child, balancing it on his knee and doing “airplane.” I say “it” because the illustrator has cunningly made Daddy’s child a generic... Posted at 07:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 1
	10/06/12 Fashionista of the Week: Morgan Fashionistas are always stylish. But they also exude a certain sparkle that makes them stand out from the crowd. I saw that sparkle in Morgan, a fashionable 4-year-old I had the pleasure of meeting one day last week at the zoo. She loves the outdoors and was eager to see the animals. But she graciously struck a pose before dashing off. She was suitably dressed for her afternoon outing, with a ruffled denim shirt and bright red jeans from The Children's Place, accented with leopard print accessories. Don't you love her pig tails? She was most proud of her purse, brimming with pockets for carrying treasures. Morgan recently became a big sister. In fact, she was so excited when she heard the news she immediately began calling her brother Jason. "But we convinced... Posted at 09:34 AM \| Permalink \| Comments

10/20/12

Farewell to Pinocchio's Bookstore

10/19/12

Fashionista of the Week: Rebekah

10/18/12

What's Happening for Halloween

10/17/12

Catch Me If You Can (The Musical) Plays at The Orpheum

10/15/12

Let's Go: Elmwood Cemetery

10/12/12

Fashionister of the Week: Cole

10/11/12

Special Anniversary Screening of The Sandlot at AutoZone Park

10/10/12

Let's Go: Climb the Wall at Bridges

10/09/12

Read This: Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug

10/06/12

Fashionista of the Week: Morgan

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