KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers,
A few days ago, my daughter Ella took her first-ever photo of a Trumpeter swan—actually, three of them, as you can see above: two adults and their lone cygnet. She’d been trying to capture one for months, and now that they're migrating, it was finally possible. She was delighted to spot the small swan family moving gently through the mid-November grays and browns of a flooded
field.
By this point in the season, most first-year birds already have matured, flown off, and found their way. But the cygnet in Ella’s photo is clearly a late bloomer: still gray, not quite ready to be on his own. Every parent who looks at that image feels something hard to name: the hope that the young one will be ready soon enough to fly, the worry that he won’t be, and the quiet reassurance that, for now, he’s not alone.
Trumpeter swans are special to our family because of The Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White’s tender, funny, deeply wise book about Louis, a swan born without a voice. Eventually, Louis becomes a great musician, a trumpeter whose stature befits his name. What’s always struck me about his journey is how he’s allowed to become himself. His parents don’t “fix” him. Aside from providing the materials to set him on a course—his
father famously steals a trumpet—Louis works it out in his own way, on his own time.
Some young people fly early. Others stay close longer. Some wade through swamps for a long while on quests we don’t quite understand. Our job, I think, is to be like those Trumpeter parents: protective, patient, steadfast... and maybe just a little reckless, diving through metaphorical music store windows to get them what they need to begin. Then we stand back bravely and trust that the lens they’re
looking through will reveal the horizon they're meant to find.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers—whether you're tech-savvy or not—to weigh in. Your input will directly shape upcoming national resources designed to help families guide kids wisely and safely. The survey closes soon, so please take 60–90 seconds to be part of this important effort.
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The Cosmic Girls Forum is more than a place to chat — it’s a launchpad for learning. Designed for curious young minds, the forum offers educational discussions, creative challenges, and positive peer connections that help girls build confidence in science, storytelling, and self-expression. Parents can feel confident knowing it’s a space where discovery and imagination go hand in hand.
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 holiday events list for Atlanta is somewhat shorter this year than our traditional 101 ideas for local holiday fun, but there are still ways to make the holidays special in our area for 2025. Christmas concerts, lights, trees,
nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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A beloved Christmas tradition shines even brighter this holiday season! Enjoy a festive journey along the classic seven-mile light show in your own car. Experience the Callaway Christmas Village, where you’ll find Santa & friends, the 40-foot Tree of Traditions Pixel Pine, and a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, oversized ornaments, and more! Don’t miss this chance to explore 2,500 acres of holiday cheer during Fantasy In Lights Powered By Georgia Power!
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A DELICIOUS WHIMSICAL WONDERLAND! Sugar plum fairies. Gigantic gingerbread village. Sweets as far as the eye can see. Candy Rush produced by World of Illumination, is the world’s largest animated drive-through audio-visual experience, highlighting larger-than-life Christmas characters and confections. This mile-long journey, hosted by Chef Kuma, features millions of colorful lights and enchanting Christmas music that everyone in the family will enjoy — a must see treat for the entire family.
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Our Nutcracker Tea is a celebration of the holiday season for any potential dancer in the community ages 3 and up. This interactive performance gives children the opportunity to perform with Georgia Dance Theatre. Children will perform in the Party Scene and/or Battle Scene of the Nutcracker. Plated goodies, Interactive performance, and a visit with Santa are included in the Ticket Price.
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Join us for a visit from the Grinch and Papa Elf with Bubbles Over GA and more. Plus, a showing of The Polar Express will follow the 7PM lighting of the tree.
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Guests with sensory sensitivities (such as Autism Spectrum Disorder) and other developmental differences are invited to enjoy the Center for Puppetry Arts in a fun, comfortable, and welcoming environment! Based on the classic television special and adapted by Jon Ludwig. Rudolph soars back into town with this faithful adaptation of the 1964 stop-motion animated special. This celebrated holiday classic follows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ and Hermey the Elf™, two misfits on the run. The unlikely friends set off on a merry and heartwarming adventure of acceptance and self-discovery,…
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Get ready to carve up the ice, because Skate the Station at Atlantic Station is back! Opening Friday, November 14 with iconic decor, and festive music, and a bit of seasonal magic, it’s the perfect way to get in that holiday spirit. Skate the Station is open from November 14 through January 19!
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Bigger than ever, the Southeastern Railway Museum presents our annual “Festival of Trees,” featuring Holiday Trees designed and installed by a wide variety of community-minded individuals and businesses. This year promises upwards of 70 trees decorating Building 1. Normal admission offers access to train rides as available, the entire museum and – The Festival of Trees.
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The Magic is Back! Magical Nights of Lights Returns Experience one of the nation’s best Christmas light shows at Lanier Islands Resort! From November 15 to January 4, drive through six miles of animated, sparkling displays that bring the season to life. Twinkling lights, festive scenes, and magical moments await every carload—perfect for creating unforgettable memories. We are thankful to our Magical Nights of Lights sponsors, Coca-Cola and Georgia Power, for helping make this holiday tradition shine bright.
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The Atlanta area has many private schools and alternative education options from which parents can choose. Each has its unique benefits and advantages, so it's important to investigate carefully. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Private Schools in the Atlanta, GA area: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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- Cirque Du Soleil: Luzia at Atlantic Station - Atlantic Station - 1380 Atlantic Dr., Friday, November 14, 2025, Times vary.
- Morningside Farmers Market - Morningside Farmers Market - 1393
N. Highland Ave, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 8:00 am to 11:30 am
- Brookhaven Farmers Market - Brookhaven Farmers Market - 1375 Fernwood
Cir NE, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 9 am - 12 pm
- The Hudgens' 5th Annual Holiday Sale & Fundraiser - The
Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy Building 300, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10 AM - 4 PM
- Tree Lighting Ceremony - Mall of Georgia - Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 5 - 9 pm
- Festival of Trees - Southeastern Railway Museum - Southeastern Railway Museum, 3595 Buford Hwy, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10 am - 5 pm
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Atlanta area - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, November 14, 2025 (also Saturday and Sunday), See link for times
- Pregnant Meetup - Music Together of Decatur - 308 Clairemont Ave., Sunday, November 16, 2025, 1:30 PM
- Duluth Farmers & Artisan Market - Duluth Town Green - River Green Pkwy, Sunday, November 16, 2025, 2 - 5 pm
- Grant Park Sunday Farmers Market - The Beacon Atlanta - 1039 Grant St SE, Sunday, November 16, 2025, 9 am to 1 pm
- Festival of Trees - Southeastern Railway Museum - Southeastern Railway Museum, 3595 Buford Hwy, Sunday, November 16, 2025, 12 pm - 5 pm
- The Hudgens' 5th Annual Holiday Sale & Fundraiser - The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy Building 300, Sunday, November 16, 2025, 10 AM - 4 PM
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Atlanta area! If there is an attraction that we have missed for our birthday party page, please email us to let us know, and we contact them
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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