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Hello AcrossRossers,

Spring has sprung and it has been a long winter cooped up with the kiddies inside. How about we take them for an adventure around town? There are plenty of things to inside and out that makes Pittsburgh a great place to have little ones.

The first stop on our adventure The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. If you look at their events page on their website they have a bunch of fun activities planned out for kids. Everything from breakfast/ lunch with the Easter Bunny (more times have been added) to a PPG party for the planet to a zoo hop. Their events page is located http://pittsburghzoo.com.

Just Ducky Tours is another fun thing to do with your child. A few years back my little sister wanted to do this for her birthday, since neither of us have ever taken the tour (I know and we were born and raised in Pittsburgh too) I thought this would be a lot of fun. Not only do you get a great tour of Pittsburgh along with historical facts (Do you know which hotel was the first in Downtown Pittsburgh to have indoor plumbing?) but the kids get to drive the duck-mobile when the water portion of the tour happens. Sure there is a bit of quacking involved, but who doesn’t like a good quacking now and then. Just Ducky’s website is http://www.justduckytours.com.

Now we all know living in Pittsburgh is a little unpredictable as far as the weather goes. If you want to get out of the house, but it is raining (or dare I say snowing) there are still some fun things to do. Pittsburgh is filled with museums, and there is even one designed especially for the kiddies. The Children’s Museum located in the North Side of town, has a great events calendar filled out with things for every age group. Not into the events, you can always let your kiddie run wild throughout the museum (Ok not wild, but you know what I am saying) because touching is actually not only permitted but strongly encouraged at this place. One word of advice, if your little one does the water room, bring extra clothes… The website is http://www.pittsburghkids.org.

The last place I am going to mention is Phipps Conservatory. I know what you’re thinking, no way is your kid going to want to walk around some giant green house… well you might be pleasantly surprised. Not only can you walk around and see all the flowers, but they have events and summer camps planned out for kids. There are story time events and different ‘discovery’ events planned for kids. I personally think the butterfly exhibit is pretty neat (that’s the end of April – September) just pick a warm, sunny day for that one – the butterflies are more active then. Phipps website is http://phipps.conservatory.org/

Well Rossers, I hope this gives you some ideas of what to do with those little ones now that we are all thawing out after a long and cold winter. If you have ideas or comments please email me here at AcrossRoss. Until next time, happy outings!

Nicole Sebula is a freelance writer exclusive to AcrossRoss.com.

Let’s talk teeth… Teething has to be the worst thing, next to getting shots, that your tot will have to go through. The little one is in pain or discomfort and they are too young to express verbally what is going on in their mouths. Babies can start teething as early as 3 months, but generally it starts somewhere between 4 and 7 months of age. You might notice what is referred to as a ‘white cap’ in your child’s mouth. This is the tooth making its way to break through the gums and out for all to see. A single tooth may take several months to come in.

So here we are again, another year behind us and fresh starts and resolutions ahead. Two of the top resolutions it seems every year are to get healthy or go to the gym.  I know, for me, the most exercise I get is walking the few blocks to and from work and chasing after a very active 18-month old.  Clearly the chasing is a little crazy at times, but it isn’t a consistent workout.

Sandy Trozzo of the Post-Gazette is reporting that township taxes are to be raised, seemingly because about 100 Ross residents prefer higher taxes to fewer police.

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