You don't have to travel to Seattle or Portland to enjoy the ammenities of a children's museum. Located at 5220 Outlet Drive in Pasco you'll find the Three Rivers Children's Museum amongst the various businesses at the Broadmoor Mall. Your kids can have fun building in the Lowe's Workshop room, run the controls on the Union Pacific Train or dress up for a show on the Performance Stage. Open Wednesday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays from 12 to 5 pm, the museum helps kids explore the world around them. Kids up to 12 years old can pretend to cook, drive a boat, deliver mail or participate in Discovery Classes on Thursdays from 9:15 to 10. Classes focus on stories, craft projects and games.

General admission is $3.25 for children 1 to 12 years old and $3.75 for adults. However, you can check out a family pass from your local library for free admission. If you're on a tight budget there's also Dollar Night at the Museum the first Friday of the month from 6 to 8 pm for a fun, inexpensive evening out.

And parents looking for something exciting for the kids to participate in without keeping them up to see the ball drop on New Year's Eve can attend the museum's "Noon Year's Eve" party on December 31^st from 11 am to 2 pm. For more information on Discovery Classes, visit the Three Rivers Children's Museum web site at http://childrensmuseumtr.org.

There's still time to catch the wonder and excitement of the Cathedral of Joy's Living Nativity. This spectacular pageant doesn't disappoint. Spectators will enjoy live camels, shepherds with their flocks, Roman soldiers on horseback, angels and more.

You do not have to be a member of the church to attend the event. Your family will enjoy watching the story of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus unfold right before their eyes.  The Cathedral of Joy is located at 1153 Gage Blvd., Richland, and the Living Nativity runs through December 23^rd.

Tickets can be purchased at Albertson's locations, Ranch & Home in Kennewick, or at the Cathedral of Joy. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Showtimes can be found on the church web site at http://cojchurch.org/events/view/living_nativity_2010/.

The YMCA is currently accepting registrations for youth indoor soccer, which runs from January 15^th through February 26^th. YMCA members can sign up the week of December 13^th while non members can begin registering December 20^th. Indoor soccer is open to children ages 3 to 10 years old and your child doesn't need to have experience to play. Coaches help kids learn fundamental skills and teamwork in a positive atmosphere. More importantly, every child is a team member with equal practice and playing time.

Youth soccer costs $26 for members and $38 for non members. You'll have the opportunity to sign your child up to practice and play in either Kennewick or Richland. Kennewick participants will meet at Amistad Elementary School during the season, while those who signed up for the Richland league will meet at the West Side Center. For more information, visit the YMCA's web site at: http://ymcatricities.org/news/1-news/65-indoor-soccer.

Congratulations to Amanda Walley! Using the trusty random number generatorRandom.org, we pulled #2 as the lucky winner.

Amanda has won an express pedicure at Nouveau Day Spa.

The Mid-Columbia Libraries want to challenge both kids and adults to not let their minds take a holiday this Winter Break. As part of the 2^nd Annual Winter Reading Challenge, local kids are playfully pitted against their parents and other adults to see who can read the most. The competition runs from December 13^th through January 15^th. It's a great way to keep your kids' minds engaged as the holidays approach. By signing up either at a library or online you can take part in this fun event. As an added bonus, kids who read at least 6 hours during the competition can pick up a prize at their local library. Adults who finish are entered into a raffle for a grand prize. Not only does this promote a friendly competition between children and their legal guardians, it's a great way to help instill a love of reading within your family for now and for years to come. Be sure to catch local singer and songwriter Eric Herman-checkout some of his songs on You Tube-to celebrate the start of the Winter Reading Challenge. Visit the Mid-Columbia Libraries' web site to sign up and find out when Eric is scheduled to visit the library closest to you.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is making Candy Trains. The kids love it - how could you not love bowls and bowls full of candy and frosting? You can keep it simple or get creative and make a how candy village. The directions were passed on by a friend, and I'm afraid I don't have any specific info on the origin other than "Home Arts Festival" to give proper credit - so if you know, let me know!

The instructions can be found here, complete with notes on frosting recipe and how to construct different elements: Candy Train Instructions

Let us know if you try this out!

The magic and beauty of the Nutcracker has been enjoyed by Mid-Columbians since the mid 1970s. This year's showcase is just around the corner. With a cast of 170, the Mid-Columbia Ballet's most popular performance attracts thousands of enthusiasts each year.

The wonder and excitement on the faces of children enjoying the magic, music and dancing makes this show one you don't want to miss! It's a great way to jump start the holiday season as children come dressed in ballerina dresses and marvel at the costumes and story playing out before them.

There are three dates this month to catch the 2010 performance of "The Nutcracker" at the Richland High School Auditorium. Shows run on Friday, December 10^th at 7 pm; Saturday, December 11^th at 2 and 7 pm; and Sunday December 12^th at 2 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.midcolumbia ballet.org/The_Nutcracker.htm.