Sick Week Continues ... But With Highlights

Jordan (2) woke up with a cough, bed head and a fever.
But still she smiles for the camera!

I rushed it and went to the pool early this week, thinking the girls were better. I was wrong. That same night, after braving a FREEZING swimming pool for 35 long minutes, both of my girls ran fevers.

Today, we confirmed that Dani (16 months) has the croup. Jordan (2) is getting better but is coughing so hard she's throwing up. My poor little stinkers.  They're not sleeping well, so I spend a lot of time calming them down, playing with their hair and rubbing their little backs.

While putting Jordan down for a nap today, we snuggled up close - nose to nose - and J looked at me, smiled and said, "This is so nice, mommy."

Ahhhhh, rough week, but my girls are weathering the storm with smiles and giggles when they can.

Later Crocodiles

From the Mouths of Babes - Or Jordan in this case

So, we are a bit sick in our house today (and for the past four days) and are having trouble getting outside. But this made my day, if not by fun, certainly by humor.

Jordan entered the bathroom this morning to greet me with a scoul. "I don't feel very well," she snapped a me. I asked her, "What's the matter, J? What hurts?" -- She didn't say a word, but just pointed at me!

Later, after nap time:

"Uh oh, Dani's sick. I have to go rescue her!" - Jordan (2) said as she heard sister Dani (16 months) coughing on the monitor.

Later Crocodiles

Busch Gardens Weekend Vacation



Jordan and her Nana getting on Prince Elmo's Spire, one of many rides available for toddlers.



Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va was a huge surprise! I cannot believe I spent a whole day in an amusement park with a 2- & 1-year-old and had a great time.

Dani playing in the water section of Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens.



There is an entire section for young children like Jordan and Dani called the Forest of Fun. It's an Elmo and friends themed portion of the park with water play, rides for really little ones and so much more. Right next to it was an animal petting area (which we never made it to because there were so many other things to do).



Jordan (2) went on several rides, by herself, and was having a blast. Dani (15 months) even rode a couple rides with her dad. It was incredible. They were smiling, clapping and begging for more despite a few lines in which they had to wait 15 minutes or more (an eternity to a toddler).

Kids under 3 are free, too! I cannot wait to get back. I want to go again before Jordan's third birthday. It was incredible. But it wasn't cheap!

HIGHLIGHTS: The rides designed for kids her age, Forest of Fun with Elmo, lots of shaded areas

LOW LIGHTS: Lines, expensive food, it doesn't open until 10 a.m. (which is 3 hours before naptime in my house), it takes 3 or more hours to get there from the RDU area

COST:  $66.99 per adult, $56.99 for children 3 and older

Later Crocodile

Where is my second favorite place to go? HARRIS LAKE

A reader (yay, I have a reader) asked where my second favorite place to go is - I am partial to outdoor activities.  I love going to Harris Lake in New Hill because it has two sets of jungle gyms - one for older kids (I am counting my oldest, Jordan, who is 2 as an older kid) and another for my 1-year-old, Dani. (Harris Lake is just off of New Hill/Holloman Road)

It's also incredibly close to my neighborhood, so it becomes my default when I'm tired of the neighborhood playground but don't want to drive to downtown Raleigh.

Harris Lake Park also has walking trails, biking trails and a dock off of which people can drop their fishing lines. My kids love running up and down the dock, screaming, pounding their feet and spit fishing. That's when we peak our heads over the top rail and spit into the water (classy, I know), and the fish just attack the spit.

There's a great open field where my girls like to run, kick a soccer ball and fly kites. We also held Jordan's 2nd birthday there in one of the shelters. It was perfect, inexpensive and it went off so well a good friend of mine did the same for her son's birthday just weeks later. That's a pretty good sign.

We'll probably make it to Harris Lake some time next few weeks. They have a lot of activities at Harris Lake Park, and I plan to attend a few this summer and write about them. You're welcome to look back for photos and more.

HIGHLIGHTS: Free & there are options for older & younger kids

LOW LIGHTS: Ticks! Spray your kids, they are everywhere & they're the small ones & it's located on Shearin Harris Nuclear Plant land so there's a cooling tower in the backdrop (freaked me out at first but I'm very comfortable with it now OBVIOUSLY)

PRICE: Nothing

GAS COSTS: Minimal for those in Holly Springs & Apex

ADDRESS:

2112 County Park Dr
New Hill, NC 27562

 

Later Crocodiles

It's Dancy-Dance Time

I love my Thursday mornings at Brueggers Bagels for music time with Miss Tina (10 a.m.). She's energetic, great with the kids and I cannot say enough good things about this toddler activity.

However, I am at a loss to think of any more right now because my little stinkers were a hot mess this morning. As much as I hate to say a bad word about an activity we love, you would never (and should never) believe that my 1- & 2-year-olds behave all the time!

So here goes: Jordan (2) had the death grip on my leg for the first 15 minutes. And since it was cut a bit short today because Miss Tina had to catch a plane, she basically let go of me for three songs. UGH! Dani (1) is usually a champ on Thursdays. She loves to dance, play with the other kids, and give hugs and kisses to Miss Tina's stuffed animals. Not today.

She played "prison break" the whole time. Dani would dance for about 30 seconds, lulling me into thinking she was having fun and behaving. I would then turn to look for Jordan or console her for ... I DON'T KNOW WHAT. When I looked back, Dani was gone. She made a run for the chip display and had her hands on her chosen bag by the time I was able to peel Jordan off my leg and fight through the crowd of people to stop her.

She did this no less than five times in about 30 minutes. And there was so much more, but who wants to hear about all that?

Do I recommend music time with Miss Tina at Brueggers Bagels in Apex off of Williams Street (near Harris Teeter)? YUP, sure do. Do I recommend going with my children? Hmmmm, I'll have to get back to you on that one.

ADDRESS:

760 West Williams Street

Apex, NC 27502

HIGHLIGHTS: It's free, super yummy bagels, lots of kids to play with, Miss Tina is fantastic!

LOW LIGHTS: It can get crowded (getting there early is a must if you want a good seat), there are super yummy bagels there (and I am perpetually on a diet), and it is a restaurant, so not everybody there is excited about music time

COST: Free, unless you get some food

GAS: My GPS estimated less than $2 to and from Holly Springs

Later Crocodiles

A Rosie Time in Raleigh!

Photo By James Nedock Photography

I had no idea The Raleigh Little Theatre even existed, but this GORGEOUS venue is a great 1-hour stop for you and your kids. I wouldn't plan to be entertained for much longer than that with a toddler though.

You won't believe this place. The Rose Garden behind the Raleigh Little Theatre is spectacular! 

Photo By James Nedock Photography

Now, there isn't a playground or sandbox or swings. It's not that kind of place. It's more of an open area with beautiful flowers, water fountains and a great little stage and set of steps for the kids to run up and down. My kids loved the open areas and the big tree they could climb through.

We actually had our family pictures taken there this weekend. The Raleigh Little Theatre also offers summer camps, school year classes and field-trip opportunities in addition to concerts outside in the summer. From what I could see on the events website, the event usually start around 7 p.m. so perhaps not the best option for my toddlers. But some kids stay up a bit later.

HIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful, lots of flowers and things we normally don't go see, the stairs are awesome for the toddlers to burn off some energy running up and down

LOW LIGHTS: Rose bushes have thorns, we were on high alert after my daughter clumsily walked into a bush, it doesn't keep them entertained long

COST: FREE

GAS: It's about 15 miles each way for us, so I'm guessing around $4

ADDRESS:

301 Pogue Street
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 821-3111

See You at Brueggers?

My mother, and inspiration for most of my mothering ways, made a suggestion that I tell you all where I'm going next so perhaps you can go, too (if it's a scheduled activity)!

Tomorrow I am heading to Brueggers Bagels in Apex at 10 a.m. for music time.

Address & Phone
760 West Williams Street
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 367-7720

Every Thursday at 10 a.m. they host what our family calls "music time." I'm not even sure this is the official name.
This wonderful woman comes, plays music and sings for the kids with a box full of stuffed animals.
I can never remember her name, but my kids love her!

So that's where I'll be tomorrow. Hope to see you there.

Later Crocodiles