Cary Mom Group - Don't let the name fool you!

I know when I first started venturing out and visiting new parks and places to entertain my kids, it was hard to go on my own. My kids wouldn't entertain themselves long, even at the best places.

If I had known about Cary Mom's group, I probably would have joined. It is a group of area moms (don't let the Cary part fool you, they are all inclusive) who make age-appropriate play dates throughout the week. You get to pick and choose the activities you want to attend, but from what the members tell me, they are varied and almost daily!

The best part of this is the kids are around the same age, and the moms are all so friendly because they're pretty much in the same boat - trying to have fun with their kids and learn more about the area (and maybe make some friends for themselves at the same time).


I met up with the Cary Moms Group accidentally when I went to Davis Drive Park with my friend, Amanda. We both agreed the moms were so friendly, and it really was a great park and great group of people with whom we shared the park. (We even made some fun facebook friends we keep saying we should meet up with!)

My only hesitation about this group is there is an annual fee to join and visit the website and calendar. It's not that $24/year is too much for me, but I am sort of an unorganized person. When I make plans, they usually fall through. I am more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of person.

If you're interested in more information, visit meetup.com ...

Hollyfest in Holly Springs - Great for Kids!

We absolutely lucked out! I was so disappointed Hollyfest 2012 was the weekend we were scheduled to go to the mountains. Guess what!!!??? Hollyfest was rescheduled due to the weather from Hurricane Sandy. So we got to go. I've never been before, but it was so much fun! There were rides for the kids, crafts for sale, yummy food and lots of local vendors with samples and giveaways.

Also, I'm a helicopter geek, and they flew in a helicopter and allowed people to tour it! We couldn't wait in the long line because we had our youngest with us who does not stand still. But I hope they do it again next year because I will be there, and she will be old enough to understand how cool it is to get in a helicopter. Or maybe not, but I will try to explain it to her.

There were fire trucks, rock climbing walls, kiddie rides in addition to several bounce houses and a huge bouncy slide. That looked so fun, and Jordan (3) even tried it - but she got scared and someone had to slide down with her. It was pretty high; I must admit I would have paused myself.

There were photo opportunities, too, and some pretty good music for a while. I love this festival and wish I would have planned to stay longer. We committed the ultimate festival faux pas - we didn't bring cash. I had no idea how much stuff was there to buy, I actually just thought it was a couple of bouncy houses ... boy was I wrong. Luckily a good friend was there to lone us some cash for snacks and fun, but it was sure embarrassing. So if you go next year, which I highly recommend, bring cash. I know that seems like a no-brainer, but I was a rookie and didn't do my research.

Womble Park 
301 Stinson Ave. 
Holly Springs, NC

HIGHLIGHTS: Rides, bouncy houses, good food, local vendors (& I like to support locally), a helicopter and more.

LOW LIGHTS: Duh, this event is cash only and they don't have a cash machine on site. Parking was a disaster, but they handled it well (even though early voting was going on at the Hunt Center next door, which doubled the traffic), and it's at Womble Park (which is a parking mess in itself, in my opinion). 

COST: Free, except for food & crafts.

Womble Park in Holly Springs - Not Great for Little Ones

So I have changed my tune about this park - but not its user-friendliness for toddler moms and dads. It's still loaded with big kids who will trample, it doesn't have a lot of swings and the equipment is pretty high in some places. But I will say this, for my preschooler and kindergartener -- this is a wonderful park! They also refurbished the playground surface so when it rains it's not so mushy. There's still a pond and creek nearby, but my kids love playing in the trees that surround them. I wouldn't recommend for super little ones, but preschoolers and older can really enjoy this park. And there are some benches for the grown ups to sit down & a mini track that surrounds the soccer park adjacent to the park. So if your big kid is playing soccer you can go for a walk or play at the playground with your little one.

I'm sure there will be a few moms who disagree with me, but Parrish Womble Park in Holly Springs is NOT an ideal place to take your toddlers - at least for me. The jungle gym equipment is way too high, as well as the steps, there are only two swings, both baby swings, and there's a creek that runs through the playground area and a small pond with not-so friendly but ducks and geese in it.
Maybe I was in a bad mood when I went, but the highlight for me was the volleyball court where my kids could play in the sand and I could take pretend pictures of my kids playing volleyball (I was a volleyball player and desperately want my girls to play when they're older).
Also, the Hunt Center is right across the street and offers a track-out program for school-age children who go to year-round school. The park was packed with older kids the whole time we were there, and every time we've gone, and they nearly trample my little ones. 
Either way, it's there and close to downtown Holly Springs, so if you're up for the challenge (or disagree with me) have fun! You won't have my kids to contend with, because this is not the park for me. It is, however, a great park for older ones, I'm sure.

1201 Grigsby Ave.
Holly Springs, NC  27540

HIGHLIGHTS: It's close to home if you live in Holly Springs, nice playground equipment for older kids, volleyball court, and it's beautiful and right next to a series of soccer fields so your younger ones can play at the park while your older ones play soccer.

LOW LIGHTS: Parking is a hike away from the playground, the creek runs right through it so you really, really have to be on your kids, the playground equipment is really high, only two swings, it seems to be packed with kids all the time - they tend to run over the little ones.

COST: Free!

Veterans Park In Holly Springs

The Jungle Gym

Half Mast on 9/11

Veterans Park in Holly Springs is convenient, new and cute. It was built in 2009, and is a very classy little playground, fitness trail and paved trail that loops around a little pond. 

The flags were at half mast when we checked it out Tuesday, as it was 9/11. I thought visiting the park was an appropriate way to honor the victims and the veterans who served our country during and after the Sept. 11 attacks. I just wished I'd planned it that way. It was an impromptu visit on my part.

The park has a 4.3-acre pond, picnic shelter, and a paved trail between Veterans Park & Jones Park. Jones Park, which I found today also, is just a park that sits behind one of the schools and has a couple ball fields from what I can tell. If I'm wrong, don't hesitate to let me know!

Veterans Park didn't entertain us long, but it was fun for about an hour. I plan to take a walk with the girls around the pond (about a half-mile trail). I think it would make for a pretty walk this fall!

600 Bikram Dr. 

Holly Springs, NC  27540

HIGHLIGHTS: Clean, newish park, nice jungle gym for little ones, clean & paved trails, nice view.

LOW LIGHTS: There's really not much to it. It's a short adventure at best.

COST: Free!

The Pond

Checking out the fitness trail equipment.

Don't Feed the Ducks! But You Can Play with a Turtle!

Don't do this! Ha, even though my daughter (3) did fall in the water, that's not why. You're not supposed to feed the ducks at Bass Lake. In fact, you're not supposed to feed any of the wildlife. WHOOPS!

My friend, Amanda, and I were so bored last week. We just couldn't think of anything to do. We almost just stayed back played in the cul de sac, again.

Instead we grabbed some old bread and headed to Bass Lake Park (off of Bass Lake Road) in Holly Springs. Since there are two 1-year-olds and one 2-year-old between us, we missed a few signs. The girls started to feed the ducks, who darted toward us at the edge of the water. In fact, they wouldn't leave us alone when the bread quickly ran out.

About 5 minutes later, park personell came over to show us, rather politely I might add, that there were signs (which we were almost sitting on) asking people not to feed the animals. WHOOPS!

But he was incredibly nice and told us about a little nature center in the Bass Lake Park pavilion. I must say, I've been to Bass Lake a dozen times and had no idea this was there. I knew about the ducks, the boat rental, the beautiful deck on the pavilion and even the trails (which are a bit rough for toddlers).

The North Carolina Environmental Education Center was wonderful. Ella and Dani (both 1 1/2) and Jordan (almost 3) loved it. They played for at least 30 minutes without a problem. There were live snakes, fish, books, toys and even a live turtle that wasn't even contained. All three girls loved the turtle. I appropriately named it Shelly.

I don't usually encourage rule breaking, but this is the exception. If we hadn't broken their rules, we wouldn't have met Shelly or found this great little facility.

Bass Lake Park
900 Bass Lake Road
Holly Springs, NC

HIGHLIGHTS: Live animals (but in terrariums so you don't have to touch them), lots of books, friendly staff and other educational toys/tools. (See also cost)

LOW LIGHTS: There were a few unprotected "don't-touch" items and even a few rock samples which both 1-year-olds put in their mouths. It's not terribly clean. 

COST: FREE

A Crafty Little Visit to the Library



(Left to right) Daniel and Jordan display their train craft at the Holly Springs Library on Tuesday.
(Note the mess on the table behind them).



Yesterday morning I was feeling a little crafty. My very fabulous friend, Amanda, invited us to do a train craft with them at the Holly Springs Library for drop-in craft time.

It was pretty fun for my 2 1/2 year old, Jordan, although not a terribly clever craft. The craft leader printed out and cut train cars (4) to be colored or to cover in sparkles and glue by the children. Also, the kids (mostly 18 mos to 3 years) were instructed to glue together the cars. My oldest didn't really get that part, and\ it took her awhile to understand that the sparkles don't stick unless you use glue. I THINK, that's my fault. I'm not very crafty. I don't even think we have a glue stick in the house.  

It was messy; but it wasn't messy at my house!!!!





My 1-year-old, Dani, decided eating the crayons was a better idea than coloring with them. She also tried to color someones shirt. Thankfully, she too had "been there" so the mom (victim of Dani's plot) laughed along with us.



The best part was meeting the other moms and watching them laugh and struggle to instruct their children along with me. Once again, the imperfect outing introduced me to some WONDERFUL moms. The best thing about wonderful moms, they give me more ideas of what to do in the area!!! A couple of them left early (it was not an age-appropriate craft for their little ones) to go to Womble Park. I've driven by but never played there that I can remember.



There are 20 libraries in the Wake County Public Library System. If the other 19 are anything like Holly Springs, there are lots of activities like this one. (Click above for more information) The next scheduled Drop-In Craft for Holly Springs Library is June 20 from 4-5 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS: Something different for my kids (whose mom is NOT crafty), I didn't have to clean up the HUGE mess Jordan made, Jordan & I both made friends (Kim & Daniel - Daniel is pictured in the top picture)

LOW LIGHTS: My 1-year-old wanted little to nothing to do with it; it was inside when the sun was shining

COST: Free (MY FAVORITE!)

GAS: Less than $1 for those who live in Holly Springs

ADDRESS & PHONE:

300 West Ballentine Street  

Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1660

 

 

Later Crocodile!

What to do ... What to do

Hi Y'all. I'm Kristin.

I'd like to tell you a bit about myself.

I knew I wanted to be a mom the day I met my husband. But I wanted to be a writer since I was 16. It was a difficult, yet somehow easy, decision to make to stop writing. When I gave up sports journalism in the spring of 2004, my whole world changed. I didn't want to give up one for the other, but sports writing is just not a family-friendly occupation. I am excited to finally be able to bring the two together.

Five years after leaving journalism, I had a baby girl, our first. I couldn't wait to take her to the park, play catch, go fishing & teach her all the things I love to do.

NOW, 3 years later I have to schedule time into my week to stay home with my 2 girls (yes, that's right I am the mother of a 2 1/2 & a 1 year old). There is just so much to do here in the Raleigh area.

It's not likely this will be a daily blog - or even a regular weekly blog (although I want to try). But I want to share with other mommies, stay-at-home or working outside the home, some of the WONDERFUL things I have done in Raleigh/Cary/Apex/Holly Springs/Fuquay-Varina. So when I find something new (to me) I will share it with you.

I prefer the free activities, but that's not always possible. My plan is to give you the details, the highlights, low lights & then the costs. And I am cheap, so I may even factor in gas $$ estimates for the Holly Springs, NC mommies. (My GPS calculates that for me. LOVE IT)

ALSO, I am far from an expert (like I said, my oldest is only 2 1/2). I meet mommies (& a few daddies) all the time who tell me about something new. PLEASE share any ideas with me!

My first activity blog will be about Pullen Park in Raleigh. Why? IT'S MY FAVORITE!!!!!!

Later Crocodile