Blueberry Day at the Farmer's Market in Raleigh - AWESOMELY SIMPLE!

I am a huge fan of the North Carolina State Farmer's Market. If I could, I'd be there every day for fresh fruit and vegetables. So last Saturday when I saw there was a blueberry day coming up, I marked my calendar, did a little research and headed over with the kids.

There is a brand new building at the Farmer's Market, and that's where the celebration took place. It was very simple - free samples of North Carolina blueberries and a great little blueberry cobbler with ice cream. They also gave out blueberry recipes, stickers, coloring books, little "Got Milk?" bracelets and keyrings for the kids and they had music playing.

I later found out from a regular visitor for these special events that they usually have a blueberry princess or sweet potato princess that comes out and greets people.

It was really a fun event and great way to get me back out to the Farmer's Market during the week (when it's far less busy).

Click here for information on the next celebration: but you can expect a Peach Day, Watermellon Day, Sweet Potato Day, Grape Day and more. There's really nothing ridiculous or can't miss about this event, except it's free food and it's just a fun thing to do that's a little out of the ordinary for you and your kids. I had a great time and plan to go back next time!

201 Agriculture St  
Raleigh, NC 27603

HIGHLIGHTS: Free fresh food, new recipes, great outdoor activity and other giveaways and you get to go to the farmer's market, which is awesome.

LOW LIGHTS: It gets a little crowded, so I would go early, and there are not a ton of seats available.

COST: Free (unless you buy produce there, which I always do).

Millbrook Exchange/Community Center - Refurbished Park, Splash Pad & Baby Pool

We were so excited to check out this new park at Millbrook Exchange Community Center & Park (with splash pad). So I read up a bit and headed out to check it out.

Unfortunately, just as we arrived (a 35-minute drive later) we found out that the park was not yet open and the splash pad was not free or refurbished. Based on the articles I had read it was all open and mostly new (we visited May 30, so a few weeks has passed and the park may be open now). The stories were unclear, and I was visibly frustrated. I have a neighborhood pool, which I already pay for. Why would I drive all that way to pay for my kids to play?

Well, it was fun! We had a great time, and the people were incredibly friendly. The park, when it opens (which the construction workers said would be two weeks, but I wouldn't bank on it) will be wonderful. There were two separate sections and it looked really nice. Unfortunately, the bad taste in my mouth about it not yet being open after such a long drive will hinder this review.

If I lived in North Raleigh and didn't have a community pool, I would definitely take advantage of this place. It was $2/per child and $6 per adult if you are a Raleigh resident.

I do not, however, so for my Holly Springs, Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina readers - this place isn't quite worth the drive just yet. It may be when the park opens - but still, for those with community pools, I'm not sure I'd drive all that way for a park. A shorter drive and different circumstances would likely evoke a much better review of this place.

1905 Spring Forest Road
Raleigh, NC

HIGHLIGHTS: Wonderful, lowish cost for a pool activity that doesn't require a membership. Splash pads and toddler pools are almost always a hit for young kids, and the new playground looks like it will be amazing if/when it opens (yes, that was a bit snarky). The guy at the front, taking payments, was very friendly and helpful.

LOW LIGHTS: They don't seem to have the media connections to get the word out about the correct opening date of the refurbished park; for those of us on the Southwest side of the Triangle, it's not really very close & the cost is more for non-Raleigh residents. The restrooms aren't really very clean, nor are they convenient to the splash pad and pool areas for much-needed quick trips little ones and potty training kids of need. But it's not too bad either. For someone living in the area I would absolutely ignore my review and go and enjoy!!! The lifeguards did not seem like they enjoyed their jobs -- very unfriendly that day.

COST:  $2 for 1-12 year olds, $4 for 13-54 and $3 per 55+ (RALEIGH RESIDENTS). Nonresidents pay $3 for 1-12, $7 for 13-54 and $5 for 55+.
HELPFUL HINT: You didn't hear this from me, but they don't really check if you're a resident or not, so if you want to save a few bucks just say you're a Raleigh resident. I feel terrible writing that, but it's true and if I can save people a few bucks ...

FUN ON THE FARM! "Farm Animal Days" - Pre-registration Required

NC Farm Animal Days is back in 2013 from April 10 (Wednesday) through April 12! I missed this last year and was really disappointed.

This year I'm going and am already signed up. It's at N.C. State University's Agroecology Education Farm in the Beef Educational Unit and offers a chance for kids to see and touch farm animals and learn about agriculture. As a person who grew up in Minnesota, you would assume I had hundreds of opportunities, but I didn't! And I cannot wait to show my kids, who scream "Cow!" or "Horsey!" whenever we pass by a farm (or Chick Fil-A).

Here is the website for more information and to sign up (pre-register). From what I can tell, it is free. I will have also copied some of the information from the registration site directly onto this blog so you can see what it's about without leaving my site.

I hope to see you there! I can't wait.

www.cals.ncsu.edu/farmanimaldays/

FROM THE SITE:

WHEN: 2013 dates April 10-12
Wednesday through Friday (rain or shine)

TIME: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
(least busy times are 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.)

WHERE: NC State University
Beef Educational Unit
4505 Mid Pines Rd.
(2 miles south of I-40)

WHAT: Farm Animal Days gives children a chance to see and touch farm animals and learn about agriculture; tractors will also be on display. The event is designed for school field trips (pre-school through first grade). Families and individuals are still welcome to attend.

Practice roping for the kids.

Touch the animals: chicks, turkeys, ducks, pigs, sheep, goats, and rabbits

Other animals to see: Beef Cow/calf, Dairy Cow, Horses

Tractors on display

Molly the Cow

Grass area for picinic

Free Ice Cream!

Jr. Wolfpack Club

Daily Presentations (new this year)

• At 10, 11, 12, and 1 each day we will have a short presentation(approxametly 15-20 minutes) about animal agriculture, this will be an informal program for kids to learn from our NCSU Employees, Local Producers, and Students about Farm Animals

One hour is sufficient to see all exhibits

 

Gone With The Wind at the NC History Museum

 












We adults were so excited to see the Gone With The Wind exhibit at the NC History Museum in downtown Raleigh. And it was everything we expected. Unfortunately, so were our kids (or at least one of mine). 

It was incredible! They had actual clothing worn in the movie, screen tests for the actors and even some of those who didn't get the parts, the Academy Awards (such as the one Vivian Leigh received) on display. I could have spent an hour there. But my kids would only allow 10 minutes. So we had to leave the exhibit.

Dani (almost 2) doesn't sit still and she doesn't listen well. So she wouldn't allow me to keep her in the stroller, nor would she stop hitting things and screaming. In fact, she insisted on pushing the stroller, and a security guard asked me to please stop her. He was very nice, but unfortunately it threw Dani back into a horrendous temper tantrum. Bummer!

After a few photo opportunities with the Academy Awards from the movie, we headed downstairs to an incredibly kid-friendly exhibit. The Story of North Carolina exhibit was wonderful for kids! There was a cow the kids could milk, building replicas from NC Native Americans and the 4th oldest home in North Carolina with furniture on display. I wish I could remember the name of the specific display that kept my kids the most entertained. But it was a series of buttons you could put and each one would light up a portion of North Carolina and an activity would move around and make noise (pictured last here on the lower left). All the kids loved it and spent a bit of time there. I say "a bit" because we were really only at the museum for an hour or so.

When I go back with the girls, I'll go straight there and just let them run around. In this exhibit there were a lot of "Please Touch" signs, which was excellent because Dani will do it whether you like it or not. She's a pistol!

Also, I'm not much for pageants but there was an exhibit on the main floor of dresses and costumes from the Miss North Carolina's over the past 75 years. It's not my thing, but we took the girls. I'm happy to say my Tom Boys weren't impressed. That doesn't mean yours won't be!

5 East Edenton St.
Raleigh, NC

HIGHLIGHTS: There is so much to see and learn from this place, lots of hands-on activities and things to see, The Story of North Carolina exhibit was a "please touch" area.

LOW LIGHTS: A lot of this museum is not kid friendly, specifically most of the areas outside The Story of North Carolina exhibit. You cannot touch most things, and the security guards were rightfully a little nervous about the toddlers and watched us pretty carefully.

COST: Free! Parking was $1/hour on the street during weekdays.

Upcoming: Fall Arts Fair at Pullen Park (Oct. 20)

Honestly, I'm not much of an artsy-fartsy person. My sister and step-mom (both artists) would laugh at the thought of me going to an art fair. But I am the sort of mom who knows my weaknesses. I am thinking of going to Pullen Arts Center on Saturday for the Fall Arts Fair to expose the girls to something new. It's free and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It's supposed to feature local potters, jewelers and painters in addition to kids art activities.

I am a little scared to bring my 1-year-old, though. I have visions of her running in to a large ceramic something I'm going to have to pay for! We'll see.


105 Pullen Road
Raleigh, NC

Yates Mill Pond - Very Scenic, Educational Too!

It didn't start off this way, but Yates Mill Pond Historic Site turned out to be a wonderful activity for the kids. There are no jungle gyms, no swings and no sandbox. It's the site of an historic gristmill, which is incredibly scenic, but not quite the best place to bring a 1 1/2-year old and a 3-year old. In fact, with steep, stone steps and slopes at the mill itself, a very old structure (built in the 1750s), a creek with snakes and a waterfall, I wondered what the heck I was doing there in the first place.

Then, on our way out of the park we stopped at a building so mommy could cool off and take a break, and that's when we found the kids stuff! There was a dress-up station, a coloring area, cranks for the kids to turn and play with and see how the mill used to work and a very friendly, helpful staff.

Also, over the pond is a long bridge where you can watch the turtles, see a beaver nest and more. We had a great time after my heart stopped racing from the "dangers" of the historic mill trip.


4620 Lake Wheeler Road
Raleigh, NC 27603

HIGHLIGHTS:Wonderful education center, beautiful scenery, lots of opportunities to learn and see something new, great bridge over the pond where people can fish and enjoy the pond and wildlife!

LOW LIGHTS: I was terrified my kids were going to slip and fall on the stone steps, steep slope or run into one of the huge spider webs/spiders or fall in the water (SNAKES, even if they are in the water).

COST: Free!

Holiday Express at Pullen Park - Christmas comes early in Raleigh!

As I've said before, Pullen Park in Raleigh is my absolute favorite park to take my kids in the Raleigh area.  So when I saw this, I ran straight home to look it up. And I'm so glad I did because you have to buy tickets to attend.

This holiday season they're going to decorate Pullen Park with lights and displays. I am particularly excited about the lighted train ride and the visit with Santa! It's December 5-9 from 4-9 p.m. and tickets are already on sale. (Last year the event sold out early, the website said). Children under 2 are free with a paying adult, all other tickets are $8 per person.

Click here to get your tickets or you can buy them at parks and recreation facilities. It looks like you have to sign up for reclink to buy the tickets online. Armbands will be available for pick up on the night you reserved.

520 Ashe Ave
Raleigh, NC 27606

As of November 13, 2012, Saturday and Sunday has sold out and there are less than 75 tickets available for Sunday. Wednesday and Thursday (December 5 & 6) still have a few hundred remaining.

Not Just a Walk in The Park!

I slugged my way over to Apex Community Park for a fun morning, and quite a surprise I might add, with Stroller Strides.

This is kind of a first for me, reviewing an actual company rather than a park/farm/museum/activity. Stroller Strides is a workout group for mommies of children 6 weeks to 4 years old (and dads, too). I thought it was just going to be a walk in the park - literally and figuratively. IT WAS NOT! It was so fun. It was interval exercises, some strength, conditioning, aerobic, mixed in with a walk/run while the kids watch and take in the sights from their strollers. In fact, I have a bad back problem that keeps me from doing any impact workouts at all (doctors and physical therapist's orders). There were a lot of things I couldn't do, unfortunately. But I don't think the workouts were ridiculously strenuous or requiring top-level fitness either. It was the kind of class that you get out of it what you put into it - it works you as hard as you work it.

Let me just say, if it were not for my back problem, this would have been perfect for me! I loved it. It was a chance to socialize with other moms, who were very cool by the way. And it was a great way to think outside the box on my workouts. You can do it up to six days a week, too, including Saturdays.

The cost is $55/month for unlimited attendance at a number of different parks and locations, including Apex Community Park, Pullen Park, Crowder Park, North Hills Mall and more. Most urgently, though, is this week (Sept. 24-29) is free. Click here if you want to try it for locations and times.

Also, if you decide you want to join, Stroller Strides is offering 15% off the first three months if you mention this blog (The Not-So Stay-At-Home Mommy or www.wheretogowithyourkids.com)
Jennifer Kedrowski, who was my instructor, said most moms do a monthly unlimited membership option, $55/month plus one-time registration fee but some also do a 10-class pass that lasts three months for $110, which is more of a drop-in style membership.

HIGHLIGHTS: Really fun way to work out with your young kids, it's not just a stroller walk, you get to check out different parks and work out at the same time, meeting new moms and kids.

LOW LIGHTS: My little one (20 months) doesn't like sitting in the stroller very long unless she's moving, so it was a little hairy when we'd stop to do the interval work.

COST:$55/monthly or $110 for 10 sessions over three months. (Mention this blog for a 15% off discount for the first three months)

For the record, this is NOT an advertisement, and I received no money or special treatment to write this blog. As this is my first real review of a "mommy group" I thought you should know!