5 Things to do This Weekend

It's easy to sit around the house on the weekend and drink hot cocoa and watch the latest movies when it's bitter cold outside. Why not get off the couch and cheer on the local high school girls and boys varsity basketball teams at their doubleheader game Friday night or take the kids to weekly a magic class? Who knows, you might learn a trick or two yourself. Here are some ideas for a fun weekend:

1. In case you missed the , is inviting parents, fans and students to join a sea of yellow for its Yellow Out game Friday. Girls basketball plays at 5:30 p.m. and boys at 7 p.m. The Athletic Booster Club is selling yellow T-shirts for $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Those who buy T-shirts get free admission to the game. The school will also crown its 2011 Snow King and Queen at halftime of the boys basketball game. Sounds like a pretty big deal, right? Go Trojans!

2. If you have a basement filled with old jeans, sweaters and toys that your kids aren't using anymore, you're not alone. Because kids grow out of their clothes fast, Mom to Mom sales are a good way to find good deals for gently used outfits or even  never-worn clothing. St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, 1087 E. Gardenia in Madison Heights, will host a Mom2Mom sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Area moms will be selling clothing, baby items, books and toys at discounted prices. Call 248-542-8720 for more information.

3. Every Saturday, hosts a . This week, it's 10-11 a.m. for kids ages 7-13. Kids will learn hands-on magic tricks and this Saturday's theme is "Make at Home Magic." You can purchase six classes for $100 and use them any time within six months.

4. How about a weekend of science fiction? If that's where your interest lies, grab the kids and head over to Troy for the 37th Annual Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Convention. The convention runs Friday-Sunday at the Troy Marriott, 200 W. Big Beaver Rd., and features special programs and performers as well as authors and parties that are kid-oriented. The cost is $50 for adults and $25 for kids. Visit the Stilyagi Air Corps website for more information.

5. Make Sunday family day. Attend one of the local church services and dine at a restaurant such as for brunch. Check out our church listings for details and worship service times. If you've never been to Frittata, Patch reporter Sally Sorte reviewed the restaurant in October and said "the breakfast menu boasts a more exotic spectrum of dishes, including lemon ricotta pancakes, eggs benedict, poached eggs lorraine, and of course, several variations of the frittata."