Because you can't just sit around all day and GROWL at each other ...

No, really, they are growling at each other, originally uploaded by toyfoto.

Well ... you could, but, believe me, after a while even that wears out its welcome.

There's tons of things to do out in the world. Much of it doesn't even cost a cent. Why, just yesterday the kids and I wasted a perfectly good half hour riding around the house in a wheelbarrow. (Ok ... I was driving, but everyone still has all their appendages and we had fun.)

From A to Z, here are some other ideas you can waste spend quality time doing: AQUARIUMS, BISTROS, CAFES, DIGGING in DIRT piles and EASTER EGG hunts. You can FLOAT sailboats in your bathtub, GARDEN, go HORSEBACK riding, INVESTIGATE a place you've never been before, or just JUMP up and down in one place. You can try flying a KITE, visiting the LIBRARY, MAKE something pretty for your MOMMY or just go out into NATURE. You can OPINE about OPPOSUMS, or PRANCE or PRETEND, you can site QUIETLY in the woods looking for QUAIL, you can RACE your brother to the mailbox, or you can SWING from the TREES. You can pretend you are UNDERWATER or VISITING a VOLCANO, or maybe just take a WALK to XANADU or to the nearest YURT. If you've done everything you can think to do, you might lastly try the ZOO.

Of course, if you live nearby ... you might check out these little tidbits this week:

EASTER EGG HUNTS

Evergreen Commons, 1070 Luther Road, in East Greenbush will host its annual indoor Easter Egg event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, Refreshments, live animal petting zoo, music and face painting for children up to age 10. The children must be accompanied by an adult. For additional information, please call 479-4662.

Also on Saturday, The Village of Kinderhook will host its annual Easter Egg hunt at the House of History, followed by a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny at the gazebo in the village square. Festivities kick off at noon. Children 10 and younger are invited to participate.

The Village of Nassau's Easter Egg hunt will take place at 1 p.m. at the gazebo on John Street.

North Chatham United Methodist Church, Route 203 in North Chatham, will host an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday at 9 a.m.

The North Greenbush Youth Department will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt for children who are residents of the town and in Pre-K through 4th Grade at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The children will be separated into age groups the day of the hunt.


REMEMBER THE VIDEO GAME FROGGER?

You know, where you goal was to get the green amphibian across the road before it got squashed by a truck? Bet you didn’t know people study such phenomena. If you have the stomach for it – and we know most 8 year-olds LIVE for this – get yourselves on over to the New York State Museum on Wednesday, April 15, where museum staff will present “Predicting and Mitigating Hotspots of Herpetofauna Road Mortality." The program - a lecture - is free and will take place at noon.

ROAD TRIP?

Why not come and walk around a working sheep farm? Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, 155 Shaker Museum Road, doesn’t offer tours, but they’re working farm is always open to visitors. A staff of five employees, assisted by Reggie the border collie, works seven days a week milking 400 ewes twice a day. Depending on what time a day you arrive you might see farm hands caring for baby lambs, moving sheep to and from pasture. Arrive at 3 p.m. on any given day and you’ll see the milking process. You can also stop by the farm store and purchase some of their world-famous products. For more info, visit www.blacksheepcheese.com.

AND JUST ONE MORE LITTLE BIG THING …

It has come to my attention that Milo, an 8-year-old beagle, needs a new home. My friends at the Animal Protective Foundation in Scotia tell me the poor pooch’s world was turned upside down when he was given up after his people decided to divorce. Milo is friendly and loves being around people, but he’s lonely at the shelter and in need of a loving home. If you or someone you know is looking to share their love with Milo, please call Marguerite Pearson at 374-3944 extension 113.