Dorothy's Ruby Slippers Come Home to New York

To contact us Click HERE
Have you ever dreamed of walking in someone else's shoes, perhaps Dorothy's slippers from "The Wizard of Oz?" This post is about a once in a lifetime opportunity for that certain mother or daughter... could that be you?


On December 5th in the Tea Room of New York's swanky Hotel Plaza Athénée (yes, a very long way from Kansas, Dorothy), you'll be able to dine on petit fours while ogling the actual Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland in the original "The Wizard of Oz." This unusual High Tea will take place from 4pm-6pm and costs $75 per person.

The private viewing of the red-sequined pumps (in the book they were silver but in those early Technicolor days the director declared they had to be red) marks their brief visit to New York City prior to being auctioned in California by Profiles in History. According to their owner, this pair was used when Dorothy clicks her heels three times to return to Kansas, stating “There’s no place like home.” The slippers are currently appraised in excess of $3 million and if you really really want them, auction information can be found on the website www.profilesinhistory.com.

"We are extremely proud to organize this magical afternoon which is a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season," said Bernard Lackner, General Manager of the Plaza Athénée. "Our hotel has had a long history of welcoming some of the greatest movie stars from Hollywood. Hosting the Ruby Slippers is nothing short of hosting a moment of American movie history."

According to Mr. Lackner, all attendees will have a "unique opportunity to have an up close and personal look at the iconic pair of shoes." Alas, you will not be able to walk in them but the encounter is sure to be... magical.

To reserve your table at the Hotel Plaza Athénée, please visit the site or book with Cheryl Plonski at 212/606-4635.

I'm Dreaming of a Snowmass Family Holiday

To contact us Click HERE
Have you been following the monthly Families Dream Big vacation giveaways on MyFamilyTravels.com? If not, they're pretty cool, and this month the Big Dreamy Destination is Aspen Snowmass, Colorado.  If you play along, comment on winter sports, check in on Facebook, sign up for the e-newsletter or visit the partner sites www.TakingTheKids.com or www.TravelingMom.com, you get a chance to win.


But we know some of you are already planning to hit the slopes in Colorado this winter. And if you're lucky enough to be in or near Snowmass by New Year's Eve, here's a helpful roundup of the fun holiday activities -- many of them free or very low cost -- that you can expect when you're off the slopes.

From tree-lighting ceremonies to a torchlight parade to Santa’s magical presence, Snowmass is snow-covered in holiday cheer.

Free Kids Crafts  Every Tuesday & Thursday at 3:30-4:30 pm
Kids make free special handmade souvenirs of a Snowmass vacation including picture frames, pillows, and scarves to holiday ornaments.  Meet at the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center. 

Free Kids Sing-A-Longs & Storytelling Every Monday & Wednesday at 3:30-4:30pm
Kids gather around the campfire to hear some of the tallest tales in the West by master story tellers and sing with a guitar strumming cowboy.  Free for all ages.  Free s‘mores.

Letters to Santa  December 6-24
If your children have a last-minute Christmas wish, make sure the jolly old fellow hears about it by dropping off a note in his personal mailbox located on the Snowmass Village Mall. Selected letters are published in the local newspaper, the Snowmass Sun.

Maroon Bel Canto Children’s Chorus Christmas Concert December 12, 6pm
The Maroon Bel Canto Children’s Chorus, now in its 3rd season, performs a Christmas Concert at Snowmass Chapel. There is no charge for this heart-warming concert.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center Open House December 13 5pm to 9pm
For art lovers, there is an Open House & Live Art Auction at Anderson Ranch Arts Center (970.932-3181) which includes a tour of the art studios via candlelit walkways with hundreds of luminaries. The event is free and open to the public. Activities include children’s ornament decorating, a trunk show with personal appearances by artists – jewelry, ceramics, paintings and more, a Live auction of select artwork by nationally and internationally known artists to fund the Ranch's amazing work, and if you book ahead, a wonderful holiday dinner in the Ranch Café priced at $20.

Santa's Village & Carolers-a-Caroling  December 21-24, 2pm-4pm
The North Pole comes to the Snowmass Village Mall and Base Village when Santa’s magical village opens to hear the last minute requests of good girls and boys. Complimentary photos with Santa are offered daily. December 23rd and 24th carolers and a barber shop quartet stroll through the mall and Base Village singing favorite Christmas Carols.

Torchlight Parade with Fireworks  December 28 at 5pm
Whether viewer or participant, the annual torchlight parade down Snowmass’ slopes looks magnificently luminous!  Moms, dads and kids ages 8+ are invited to be part of the trail of light down the mountain. Free fireworks after the parade. For more information, stop by the Guest Services Information Desk in the Ticket Pavilion on the Snowmass Mall or call 970.923.0560.

Holiday Events at The Silvertree Hotel December 6-30
From the Loving Tree Ceremony on December 6th to the New Year’s Gala at the Cabaret Room, the Silvertree Hotel (800/837-4255) is decked out for the season.  Enjoy Holiday music in the lobby from December 12th through the 24th, visits with Santa from the 20th through the 24th and Christmas Eve with stories from Santa by the fireplace.  The kids can decorate gingerbread for free on December 23. Local authors, Jill Sheeley and Johnny Boyd tell stories on December 29th and 30th and the kids can decorate gingerbread cookies for free on the 23rd. Celebrate the festival of lights at The Silvertree Hotel. The Menorah is displayed in the lobby with plenty of dreidels and gelt for everyone to enjoy.

Snowmass Chapel December 24 at 7pm and 9pm
The Snowmass Chapel holds two candlelight protestant services with chamber orchestra, Christmas Handbell and Vocal Choirs on December 24 at 7pm and 9pm.  

New Year’s Eve Events for all Ages
Ring in the New Year in Snowmass with gourmet feasts at local restaurants to rockin’ live music and dancing into the wee hours of the night, Snowmass celebrations abound including: Artisan Handcrafted Cuisine and Sage Restaurant and Bar offer epicurean menus, intimate settings, and the ideal romantic way to celebrate the New Year.  The Silvertree Hotel hosts its 20thth Annual New Year’s Eve Party with party favors, champagne, open bar, music, dancing, balloon drop and pizza buffet at midnight.

Families of Athletes Find Home at London Olympics

To contact us Click HERE
Procter & Gamble (P&G), a Worldwide Olympic Partner for this year's London Olympics, and the company behind such household brands such as Tide, Pampers and Gillette, has opened up their P&G Pavilion to the moms and families of Olympic athletes. As the company's campaign reiterates, to their Moms, these athletes will always be kids.  And they want to support them.


During the Games, the pavilion will be a place to relax, unwind and be together, allowing the families of more than 10,000 Olympians from around the world to connect with each other.

Having a Place to Call Your Own during the Olympics

"We asked athletes what we could do to support them here in London and they told us that Moms and families from around the world don’t have a place to really relax and be together at the Games," said Marc Pritchard, P&G’s Global Brand Building Officer. "We have been in the business of serving moms and families for 175 years. So it makes sense for us to celebrate the athletes by serving their moms and families."

The "P&G Family Home" has been designed to offer the comforts of home, taking advantage of the company's many products. Families can choose wellness treatments with Cover Girl and Olay products, a toddler playroom hosted by Pampers, and even a Tide-rinsed laundry service.

Additionally, the P&G Family Home is a communal place for watching the many rounds of Olympic competition, enjoy meals and logon with WiFi to stay in touch with family members who stayed at home.

Moms Appreciate Their "Home Away from Home" 

"In Beijing, we had a great time, but sometimes struggled to find a place for a quick meal and to meet up with the families of other athletes competing," said Ileana Lochte, mother to Team USA’s Ryan Lochte. "The P&G Family Home provides both of these resources, and I’m looking forward to getting to know moms whose kids compete in other sports and come from other countries."

"Thanks to P&G we are able to come to London and to enjoy these Olympic Games," said Ana Cristina Rodrigues Da Silva, mother to Team Brasilia’s Felipe Franca. "I can focus on supporting my son, and other mothers can do the same for their children when they compete. I’m very much looking forward to my time here in London, both to see my son compete and because my country will play host to the next Olympic Games."

"It means a great to deal to me to have a base in London," said Gao Xiuyu, mother to Team China’s Lin Dan. "It’s my first time here and I like knowing that there’s a place in the city where I can get together with other moms from around the world, because of P&G."


"I will appreciate having a home-away-from-home where I can relax, meet other families and hear about their experiences," said Lisbeth Matlou, mother to Team South Africa’s Noko Matlou. "The P&G Family Home provides me with what I need, so that I can be there for my child, cheering her on as she competes."

"Every mom knows that encouraging your kids to play sports is not just about raising champions," said Carol Hoy, mother to Team GB’s Sir Chris Hoy. "I was proud of Chris when he was a little boy winning the egg-and-spoon race, and I’m proud of him now as an Olympian. Thanks to P&G, I’ll be there to cheer him on in the Velodrome, and visit him in the P&G Family Home."

The "Thank You Mom" campaign is being brought to life across all media channels. Selling to more than 4.4 billion people around the world, P&G will also host an in-store retailer program of Olympic Games-themed P&G branded products through August.

And if you needed to show them more gratitude:  As part of the campaign, P&G has also committed to raise $5 million to support local youth sports programs through a portion of sales and donations.

Free Italy Farmstays this September: Agriturismo for Kids

To contact us Click HERE

Sept. 2-9, 2012 - The Children's Week

Choose from 50 agriturismi or farmstays throughout Italy and treat your children to an edu-cation vacation around nature and animals.

The Children’s Week is a yearly event dedicated to children aged 0-10, where they will spend time in a family atmosphere, surrounded by nature, while they enjoy healthy food and plenty of activities designed especially for them!

If you're planning an early-fall trip to Italy, you can consider adding to your itinerary at least a couple of days in one of the best designed for children farmhouses in Italy from September 2 to September 9, 2012.

Choose an Agritourism Farmstay for The Children's Week

The deal includes a free stay for all children aged 0 to 10 accompanied by a paying adult with a minimum stay of 2 nights and maximum of 6 nights. In addition, each agriturisms will be organising special activities for children during the week-long event.

If you can't make it to Italy this fall, check out these other options for farmstays around the world.