It's that time again....

Two things:

First, the Hugs and Kisses Consignment Sale is this week: http://www.hugsandkissesconsignment.com/
check it out! I went to the pre-sale today, and there was tons of stuff!

Second, as is the way in our world, we're PCSing....NEXT WEEK!! I'm hunting for someone to take this blog over, so hopefully it won't stop. I feel like there's a pretty good list of things to do with kiddos on here, and for that, I'm happy. I'm sure other things will come around, and I'd love to find someone to post them. If you're interested, please comment.

I hope you all continue to have fun with your kiddos in the Fort Bragg area. When we first moved here (5 years ago!) I was very negative about this post and area. Now that we're leaving, I'm excited, but I will truly miss the wonderful friends we've made. I've also grown to love the area for what it is. If you try, there are PLENTY of things to do. If you sit and complain, there's plenty of that to do too....but really, which is more fun? Get out there and enjoy yourselves!!! :o)

Rainy/cold day activities around town

Here's a question for all of you...what do YOU do when it's too rainy/cold to play outside. Anything specific around town you love to do, or any unique activities in your home that you'd like to share? I apologize for not adding much on here...if anyone thinks of something I haven't posted, PLEASE SHARE! :o) I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Armed Services YMCA Mommy & Me Classes

I was browsing my neighborhood's newsletter, and stumbled across an ad for the Armed Services YMCA Mommy & Me Classes. Here's what it said: The Armed Services YMCA is hosting "Mommy and Me" classes for parents and children 18 months to 5 years old. Classes include sports and games, movement and music, fun with science, arts and crafts and cooking. Cost for a four-week session ranges from $15-20 and includes instructional supplies. For more info or to register, call 910-432-0500 or visit http://www.braggasymca.org

I hope at least a few of you can find something to do on there! I actually couldn't find any additional info on their website, but maybe someone else will have better luck!

Lowes and Home Depot Kids' Workshops

A friend of mine clued me into these a few months ago, and I still have not taken my son to them (bad me!), but she said they are fantastic!! Basically, you sign up, and then take your kiddo to make a "craft". It looks really cool, so we'll def be signing up for a couple in November! I hope you all have a Happy Halloween!!

Home Depot

Lowes

Gross Farm

For the third year in a row, we went to Gross Farms to pick pumpkins. But really, the pumpkins aren't the best part...it's the play area for the kids. But even better than that...is the fried pickles and pumpkin ice cream!! Here's the details:

2009 Dates of Operation
September 19 – November 8

Hours of Operation

Wednesday – Friday	By Appointment Only
Friday	7 PM – 10 PM (October Only)
Saturday	10 AM – 10 PM
Sunday	1 PM – 6 PM

Prices

General Admission

$3 (Ages Under 2 FREE with Paid Admission)

Individual (a la carte) Pricing (Includes General Admission)

Maze* - Adult	$10
Maze* - Youth (4 - 12)	$8
Maze* - Ages Under 3	FREE with Paid Adult Maze Admission
Playground	$6
Hayride	$5 (Ages Under 2 FREE with Paid Admission)

Best Value Combo Tickets (Includes General Admission)

Adults (Includes Maze, Hayride & Pumpkin Jump)	$14
Youth (Includes Maze, Hayride, Pumpkin Jump & Playground)	$16

Discounts
Military and Group discounts available.

Parking
Parking is Free.

Location

Gross Farms is conveniently located 4 miles south of Sanford, NC on NC 87.

From Raleigh: Take US 1 south to Sanford. Take NC 87 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located ½ mile on the left.

From Sanford: Take NC 87 South for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Pickett Road. The farm is located ½ mile on the left.

From Fayetteville: Take NC 87 North for approximately 25 miles. Turn right onto Pickett Road. The farm is located ½ mile on the left.

FYI, Gross Farms is a terrific place to go strawberry picking in the spring. We did that this year, and my 3 year old loved it!

Hugs and Kisses Consignment Sale

Hey everyone, don't forget to check out the Hugs and Kisses consignment sale this week! These are the hours:

1st Time Moms:
Tuesday, September 29 6pm - 9pm

Military Moms:
Tuesday, September 29 6pm - 9pm

Open to the Public:

Wednesday, Sept 30 10am - 9pm
Thursday, October 1 10am - 6pm*
(Re-open at 7pm for Volunteers and Consignors
only 50% off sale)
Friday, October 2 10am - 9pm (1/2 price sale)
Saturday, October 3 10am - 9pm (1/2 price sale)

The sale is located in the old Linens N Things building, which is across Skibo from Target. I hope some of you were able to sell some items so you can shop early!

Halloween Costumes

I just received my sons' Halloween costumes in the mail (they're going as Batman and Robin! :o) and I wanted to recommend the website I used. It is http://www.costumesupercenter.com . They had the best prices I could find, plus if you use the code PREFERRED you should be able to get free shipping (they sent it to me after the order), but I did find the code 15costu, which will get you 15% off orders of $40 or more. I hope some of you can find this useful!

Durham Life and Science Museum

I feel bad that I don't take advantage of the RDU area being so close- but with my youngest still napping twice a day, it's hard to get up there to do stuff without him being miserable. This one looks like it might be worth the "suffering", for the fun my 3 year old would have! Thanks Suzahhn for the suggestion. Here's what I could find:

Their website:

http://www.ncmls.org/

Hours:

January 1 - September 13
Monday-Saturday:	10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Members admitted at 9 a.m.
Sunday:	Noon - 5:00 p.m.

September 14 - December 14
Monday:	Closed to the public
Tuesday-Saturday:	10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Members admitted at 9 a.m.
Sunday:	Noon - 5:00 p.m.

December 15 - December 31
Monday-Saturday:	10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Members admitted at 9 a.m.
Sunday:	Noon - 5:00 p.m.

The Museum is CLOSED on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Admission Prices:

Adults:	$12.50
Seniors (age 65 and older):	$10.50
Children (ages 3-12):	$9.50
Children (under 3):	Free

Any person showing a military ID receives a reduced adult admission of $10.50.

Current Exhibits:

Now Open	Dinosaur Trail Permanent Exhibit It’s an unforgettable journey into the Late Cretaceous period, 100 million to 65 million years ago. Weave along the half-mile forest path to bear witness to a prehistoric fight for survival. Come within reach of life-sized dinosaurs, including the 65-foot-long Alamosaurus.
Now Open	Fossil Dig Site | Permanent Exhibit Grab a bucket and a sieve and enter the world of paleontology. Sift through dirt from Aurora, North Carolina that once live on the ocean floor. You can find and keep marine fossils that are 23 million to 5 million years old

Events Calendar

Their website is actually really cool, and may be a good rainy day activity for older kids. It has a lot of dinosaur info on it right now.

I'm really excited to make the trip up for what looks like a fantastic place for children! Has anyone else been there?

FYI- Monkey Joes

Who isn't looking to save a little $$?!? Hopefully it won't be too packed on these days! I got this as an email, but I'm thinking if you copy/paste it to a blank document and print it, then everyone could use it :o)

		Bring your Little Monkeys to $2 off Tuesdays! Beth, $2 off Tuesdays are back at Monkey Joe's of Fayetteville. Find your Craft Captain during the day and make a craft to take home and hang on your fridge! They're free!! $2 off Admission If school and work are bogging you down, have no fear. Monkey Joe's has your dinner right here! Bring the kids to play, grab some pizza for dinner, and know that they will fall asleep early!
	Offer expires 9/30/2009. Tax not included. May not be combined with any other offers. Valid for one time use. Limit 1 per visit. Print and present entire email including restrictions to redeem.

NC - Fayetteville
102 Westwood Shopping Center
Fayetteville, NC 28311
910-423-5637

Hugs and Kisses Consignment Sale

I have been to this sale many times, and consigned a few times as well. Definitely worth consigning a few items so you can shop early! It is very well organized sale, with a very friendly family running it!

HUGS & KISSES

Children's Consignment Sale

"Fayetteville's Premier Children's Consignment Event!"

Fall/Winter Sale
September 30 - October 3

Registration to consign is open!

Highest Payout.No Consignor Fees.

Over 50 hours of sale time!
3 full days of drop-off time!
Quick payout!

Volunteers, Consignors, First Time Moms & Military Moms Shop Early!!!

Visit our website to register and for all the exciting details.

www.HugsAndKissesConsignment.com

Twice as Nice Children's Consignment Sale

I'm super bummed that I'll be out of town this year for this sale. I'm just copy/pasting the email I just received from them, so that you all can have the volunteer info. I always try to at least consign a few things for these sales so that I can shop early. However, a lot of people do this, so it's even packed then. I hope some of you can benefit from this. Also, this past Saturday (8/1) the Fort Bragg YMCA had a "fill a bag for $5" sale. I didn't get there until an hour after it started, so it was pretty picked over, but I imagine if you got there when it started, it was probably good! They said they will try to continue to do this every 6 weeks or so- I'll let you all know if I find out anything ahead of time (my neighbor told me that morning).

Shop Before The Public Even Lines Up!
Volunteer Registration Now OPEN!
Fayetteville's longest-running children's consignment sale is back for another big event! Volunteer registration for the Fall 2009 Twice Is Nice Children's Consignment Sale is now open! Our sale typically receives more than 30,000 items and welcomes THOUSANDS of shoppers. There's no way we can handle this volume alone. Starting with set-up on Wednesday through breakdown on Thursday, our volunteers make the Twice Is Nice sale possible! We would love for you to join the crew!

This year, we've decided to make volunteering even easier: You can now register online! By volunteering for 5 hours or more, you earn a pass to our exclusive volunteer preview sale on Friday, September 4th from 3pm-9pm. You are also then eligible to volunteer for our famous breakdown shift, where volunteers earn FREE items! Popular shifts fill quickly, so register now to reserve the slots most convenient for you.

Don't Miss Out on BIG Money!
Consignor Slots Are Filling Up Fast!
After years of growth, the Twice Is Nice sale has become a Fayetteville area tradition, attracting shoppers from all over the Cape Fear region! Consignors earn much more for their items than they can at a yardsale, so consigning with Twice Is Nice has become more popular then ever! We've determined that we can accomodate only 400 consignors at each sale. More than 250 have already registered! So even if you're only thinking about consigning this season, register now before all the slots are filled!

Tell your friends about Twice Is Nice, too! Do you know a mom who has just arrived in the Fayetteville area? Do you have a friend with children who hasn't yet joined the consignment sale fun? Do you know someone expecting a first child? Do you know a grandma who loves to shop for her grandchildren? Tell them about Twice Is Nice, too!

How Are We Doing?
Tell Us How We Can Make Twice Is Nice Even Better!
The Twice Is Nice Children's Consignment Sale is hosted by the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) of Northwood Temple Church. As the name implies, each of our thirty or so members is a mother of at least one child under the age of 6. We're all very busy, just like moms everywhere! But with the support of many local volunteers, we few moms run the largest consignment sale event in the area! We are always striving to make Twice Is Nice a blessing to everyone who comes through the doors. If you have an idea for how we might improve Twice Is Nice, we'd love to hear from you! Email your suggestions and comments to the consignor coordinator at nwtmops@gmail.com.

Lake Waldo's Beach Campground and Swimming Area

While searching for a place to go camping nearby for father's day weekend I stumbled upon this place. I've never been there (has anyone?), but this is what I found:

Location: 6742 Waldo's Beach Road
Fayetteville, N.C. 28306.

Their Website: http://www.lakewaldosbeachcampground.com/

I do have a friend (thanks Christi!) who has been to Lake Waldo, and this is what she said:

"I wanted to tell you to not waste your time or $ at waldos beach. it was expensive - $12 for me and $10 for dylan to get in. they had one pool with 2 kids slides and one big waterslide. then a seperate lazy river (went in a circle and that was it), a very small chidrens area. and they roped off a small swimming area at the lake with a small sand beach. they had an area for older kids in the lake with rope swings and stuff."

Definitely not the best review...has anyone else been there? Sounds like it might be a good place for bigger kids!

Kids Eat FREE!!

So...it's Tuesday...and it made me think of the "kids eat free" deals out there. These are the ones that I know of:

Monday:
Salsarita's
free kid's meal with adult meal purchase
565 Cross Creek Mall # 101
Fayetteville, NC 28303-7245
(910) 860-4500

Shoney's
1 child, 4 and under, may eat from the buffet for free, with an adult buffet purchase.
1945 Cedar Creek Rd, Fayetteville
(910)323-9325

Tuesday:
Beef O'Brady's
free kid's meal, 4-8 pm, with adult meal purchase
229 Hay St, Fayetteville
(910) 423-1222
There is also a location on Camden Rd, but I'm not sure if kid's eat free there?

Joe's Crab Shack
not sure of the details
155 N Mcpherson Church Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28303-4401
(910) 868-8422

Fazoli's
5pm-8pm- 1 child eats for 99 cents with adult purchase
538 N. McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville
910.860.3636

Lone Star Steakhouse
2 children eat free with adult purchase
1800 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
910.867.2222

Moe's Southwest Grill
1 free kids meal per adult meal purchase
201 N McPherson Church Rd, Fayetteville
(910)826-6637

Shoney's
1 child, 4 and under, may eat from the buffet for free, with an adult buffet purchase.
1945 Cedar Creek Rd, Fayetteville
(910)323-9325

I heard that kids eat free at the Cross Creek Mall (corner of Morganton and Skibo Rds). Anyone know details for this?

Wednesday:
Shoney's
1 child, 4 and under, may eat from the buffet for free, with an adult buffet purchase.
1945 Cedar Creek Rd, Fayetteville
(910)323-9325

Thursday:
Captain D's
Get 2 free Kid's meals with any adult entree purchase at regular price, dine in only.
4802 Reilly Rd, Ft Bragg
(910)497-1384

Shoney's
1 child, 4 and under, may eat from the buffet for free, with an adult buffet purchase.
1945 Cedar Creek Rd, Fayetteville
(910)323-9325

Friday:
Shoney's
1 child, 4 and under, may eat from the buffet for free, with an adult buffet purchase.
1945 Cedar Creek Rd, Fayetteville
(910)323-9325

Saturday:

Sunday:
Rudino's Pizza's and Grinders
(Thanks Jaklew for suggesting this one!)
kids eat free Sunday nights. I think it's one child per paying adult.
1040 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville

(910) 423-7900

In my research, I also found this nifty website: http://www.kidseat4free.com/index.php

Does anyone know of anymore? Of course, we'll be at Red Robin tonight...so no freebies for us- except for the balloon! :o)

J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center

Thank you jaklew for suggesting this! Jaklew says: "we've gone a couple times to Loblolly Garden Tuesday mornings in Clark Park- they have a toddler/ preschool playtime there where the kids help the gardener and sing songs and play in the garden. the nature center is neat too"

Here's what I could find about the park:

Location:

631 Sherman Dr
Fayetteville, NC 28301-4183

(910) 433-1579‎

I found this review on Insiderpages.com to be helpful.

From the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation website:
The park is dedicated to preserving the environment and educating the public on North Carolina plants and wildlife. The ranger staff maintains three trails and the nature center in this 76-acre facility. Groups can arrange for guided tours of the park. Schools can also schedule a ranger to visit a classroom. Annual events at Clark Park include the nature fair and summer outdoor adventure camps.

Clark Park is the city’s second largest regional park and is considered a gem those who frequent it. It was designed, and remains, a natural woodland area dedicated to preserving the environment and educating the public on North Carolina plants and wildlife. Three trails wind through the park and along the Cape Fear River. The Nature Center showcases both static displays and live reptiles and amphibians. Certified park rangers educate visitors at the center, along the park trails and through school visits. They conduct yearly events at the park such as nature fairs, basic astronomy and animal print tracking.

A visit to the Nature Center can include a picnic at one of the eight tables on the back deck overlooking the woods and waterfall. The park also has a put-in point on the Cape Fear River for canoes. You must provide your own canoe and equipment.

For those interested in walking, jogging or bicycling, use the main parking lot to start your visit to the Cape Fear River Trail, a four mile paved trail running between the park and the Jordan Soccer Complex. A sign at the corner of the parking lot directs patrons to the trailhead.

Amenities: nature center w/restrooms, walking trails, trailhead for Cape Fear River Trail, primitive camping, canoe put-in on Cape Fear River.

Camping
Camping can also be an added part of your adventure by staying overnight at Clark Park. A semi- primitive campground is available for rent that includes a fi re-ring and outdoor restrooms with a cold shower. There is no electricity. An advance reservation with payment is necessary.

Rates:
Family - $10/day
Groups up to 25 individuals - $25/day
($1 each additional person over 25)

Educational Opportunities
The Rangers at Clark Park offer a variety of Ranger-guided environmental interpretative programs dealing with natural history, flora and wildlife for organized groups. These programs are by reservation only Tuesday-Friday.

Call 433-1579 for more information.

After reading through the info I found, I realized that I have actually been here, when my 3 year old was much younger. It is a beautiful park! We didn't get to take advantage of the nature center b/c it was not open. We'll have to go back now! Has anyone else been here? What did you think? Does anyone else have a favorite park?

PetSmart!

Some people might be laughing that I'm posting this as a "thing to do", but my 3 year old has loved it for as long as I can remember! He calls it the "mini zoo". He loves to look at the fish especially...why, I'm not sure! On Saturdays, The Haven (an animal shelter) brings dogs and cats for adoption. Today there were at least a dozen puppies and kittens. Luckily my son doesn't understand that all the animals are there to be purchased, so we've never had the battle to take one home. I'm sure that day will come. Here's the location and hours info:

2061 Skibo Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28314
910-867-2300
5.94 Miles

Monday-Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00p.m.

Cumberland County Public Libraries

A friend of mine was complaining today that she hated that there's nothing to do around here with kids...in almost the same sentence she mentioned that she was taking her son to story time at the library in Fayetteville. Of course, I told her about this blog, and tonight, I'm on a mission to find out more about what the libraries provide for our kiddos!!

What I found: the library offers something almost everyday of the week at different locations. Here's their calendar for children's activities:

http://host7.evanced.info/cumberland/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?ag=&et=Children%27s+Program&df=calendar&cn=0&private=0&ln=ALL

I like that they seem to have something for everyone- from preschool to elementary school age!

Here's the locations and hours:

Headquarters Library
300 Maiden Lane Fayetteville, NC 28301 (910) 483-7727	MON-THUR: 9am - 9pm FRI-SAT: 9am - 6pm SUN: 2pm - 6pm
Cliffdale Regional Branch Library
6882 Cliffdale Road Fayetteville, NC 28314 (910) 864-3800	MON-THUR: 9am - 9pm FRI-SAT: 9am - 6pm SUN: 2pm - 6pm
East Regional Branch Library
4809 Clinton Road Fayetteville, NC 28312 (910) 485-2955	MON-WED: 9am - 9pm THUR-FRI: 11am - 6pm SAT: 9am - 6pm SUN: Closed
North Regional Branch Library
855 McArthur Road Fayetteville, NC 28311 (910) 822-1998	MON-THUR: 9am - 9pm FRI-SAT: 9am - 6pm SUN: 2pm - 6pm
Bordeaux Branch Library
3711 Village Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 (910) 424-4008	MON-TUE: 9am - 9pm WED-SAT: 11am - 6pm SUN: Closed
Hope Mills Branch Library
3411 Golfview Road Hope Mills, NC 28348 (910) 425-8455	MON-WED: 9am - 9pm THUR-SAT: 9am - 6pm SUN: Closed
Spring Lake Branch Library
101 Laketree Blvd Spring Lake, NC 28390 (910) 497-3650	MON-TUE: 9am - 9pm WED-SAT: 11am - 6pm SUN: Closed
Law Library
Cumberland County Courthouse 117 Dick Street, Room 341 Fayetteville, NC 28301 (910) 321-6600

This is pretty cool- there's an online feature: http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp

Link to their children's page: http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ccplyouth/kidsindex.htm and teens: http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ccplyouth/teensindex.htm

Here's the storytime schedule: http://host7.evanced.info/cumberland/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?ag=&et=Story+Time&df=calendar&cn=0&private=0&ln=ALL

Are we all feeling lame for saying "there's nothing around here to do with our kids"??!! I know I am :o) I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! If any of you have any experience with the Library activities, please share!!

NC Zoo

If you're willing to do a little driving, the NC Zoo is a great place to take your kids. It is located in Asheboro, NC, and takes about an hour and a half from Fort Bragg. When you go, unless you're positive that your kids will be able to walk, I HIGHLY recommend bringing a stroller, and wearing good walking shoes. This zoo is hilly and very spread out, so there's lots of walking to be done.

Tickets: $10 for adults, and $6 for kiddos. Under 2 is free.
Hours: April-October: 9-5, November-March: 9-4

There are SO many great exhibits here, and a few different places to stop and eat. It is very stroller friendly as well, with wide, paved paths and ramps. The three times I have visited this zoo, I have never had any issues with anything. I highly recommend making the trip.

Their website: http://www.nczoo.org/index.cfm

Consignement Sales

When I originally set up this blog, I was intending to include local sales on it, so I figured I'd start that now. I love consignment sales, and yard sales, but I often find I'm a little overwhelmed by them. However, if anyone knows of some good ones, give a shout out on here! There are a couple locally that I've been to, and here are links to them:

http://www.hugsandkissesconsignment.com/ (the family that runs this one is so friendly!)

http://www.northwoodmops.com/ (I only went to this one a few years ago, and it was HUGE- I've somehow managed to miss it since then)

Both of these sites have mailing lists, which I recommend signing up for!

Ft Bragg/Pope Movie Theater

I've gone past the movie theater on Ardennes many times, but never thought to watch a movie there. But this weekend, I noticed that they were playing Monsters Vs Aliens, which my 3 year old has been asking to see for months (we missed it in the regular theater). So, we avoided the blistering heat on Saturday, and headed to the 4pm show. I was very pleasantly surprised by how cheap the tickets were, and the theater was just fine. They had overpriced popcorn and drinks like everywhere else aswell. Here's the details:

York Theater
C-7950 Ardennes St., Fort Bragg

Pope Theater
372 Virgin St., Pope AFB

website: http://www.aafes.com/ems/conus/bragg.htm

For current listings, call 910-960-9660 I just called to make sure it works, and it does. The lady hadn't made the recording yet, so she actually answered the phone and then after asking if I was looking for the listings, read them all off for me. For kiddos, Monsters vs. Aliens, Hannah Montana, and Transformers (old kids) are playing this week.

The best part was the prices:
Matinees @ 1pm and 4pm- $2 (kids and adults)
7pm- children $2, adults $3
I THINK that children must be over 3, b/c we only paid $4 for the 4 of us for a 4pm showing.

Just an FYI on Monsters Vs Aliens for everyone- I thought it was a cute movie, but pretty intense. My 3 year old liked it, but was definitely sitting in his Dad's lap clinging to him for a lot of it. If you're wary of any violence for your kiddos, this probably isn't the movie for you.

Badin Lake Campgrounds in Uwharrie National Forest

So, we had our first family camping trip this weekend, and it was really a lot of fun! Badin Lake Campgrounds are 2 hours north west of Fort Bragg. It was an easy drive both ways. We considered this our "test run", so we only went for one night to see how our boys (3 years and 7 months) handled it.


Badin Lake was truly beautiful. It's camping in the sense that you're outdoors, but there are bathrooms and showers, that seem to be cleaned everyday. Each campsite has a grill, a fire pit and an area for your tent. Ours was surrounded completely by trees. Some had some grassy area around them (which we'll try to get next time so our 3 year old can run around). Check in is 4pm, and checkout is 2pm. We loved that b/c we were able to go for a nice hike in the morning. A lot of people brought boats with them, so there was a lot of boating on the lake. I'd imagine that there is an area where you can enter the water walking, but we didn't see this. To make reservations, and for more info, go to http://www.recreation.gov You have to make reservations 3 days in advance online, or you can call after that. They do take walk-ins, but I would only try to do that during the week. There is a "host" (older guy who talks to much :o) who lives on one of the campsites, in a camper. He has maps, and firewood.


I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone might have.

Has anyone ever been camping at MWR's Smith Lake? We're thinking of trying that next, since it's SO close.

I hope everyone enjoys their Father's Day tomorrow!

CAMPING!

So....our first family camping adventure starts tomorrow! That's right, I'm sleeping in a tent with my 3 year old and 7 month old....and my wilderness loving hubby! I asked him if I could bring my mattress. We're headed to Badin Lake Campground in the Uwharrie National Forest. I'll let you all know what I think of it when we get back- we're only going for 1 night, so you won't be in suspense long! In the meantime...do any of you have any favorite camping spots around here?

Also, I MUST recommend http://www.recreation.gov/ as a tool to check out different recreation/national parks. It's a pretty cool website!

Hope Mills Dam

Thanks again to Bellabbr for another suggestion! This is another one that I haven't visited, but hope to in the near future. I was talking to one of my friends today about how we all (myself included) complain that there's not enough to do with kids, but really there is, we just need to get out and do it! Here's what Bellabbr said about the Hope Mills Dam area:

"Today we went out to the Hope Mills Dam and its a really nice area. There is a fishing dock, an area to swim, rent paddle boats, a kids playground and then a covered aread that sells icees, hot dogs, burgers, sodas and chips. Really nice area to hang out with the kids. Also on Saturday nights, they have free movie night.
Its on N Main street and Trade Street in Hope Mills. "

I couldn't find anymore info online about this area, so has anyone else been there? I did find out that the new dam was just completed in Oct 08, so this should be a pretty new area- unless they just reopened the old area? I really have no idea...

Fantasy Lake Park

Thanks again to bellabbr for the suggestion!

FANTASY LAKE WATER PARK
5869 Permastone Lake Road
Hope Mills, NC 28

I have never been to Fantasy Lake Park, but after looking at their website, I think we might go this weekend!! Here's what it says on their website:

"Fantasy Lake Water Park is the Carolinas best spot for summer fun! Fantasy Lake is based out of a 6 acre man made lake with a clean white sand bottom surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches. Enjoy dozens of activities in and out of the water. Fantasy Lake Water Park is fun for
the entire family!"

Dates they are open:
May 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31
June 6, 7, 10-30
July 1-31
August 1-23, 29 and 30
September 5, 6 and 7
10am-7pm

Admission:
Adult General Admission (ages 11 and over) $14.00
Child General Admission (ages 3-10) $10.00
Infants (2 and under) Free with paying parent

Check out their website for more info and pics! It looks like a lot of fun!

http://www.fantasylakewaterpark.com/

Swimming Lessons!

Thanks to Bellabbr for suggesting swim lessons! I took my then 2 year old son to swim lessons when we were at Fort Benning, and he loved it! I don't think we'll be tackling that this summer, since I think it would be a bit much with my 6 month old in one arm. However, here's some info for you all:

YMCA (thanks Bellabbr!)

Fayetteville YMCA
2717 Fort Bragg Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Telephone: 910-323-0800

Its $60 for 8 classes if you are not a member and $30 if you are (membership for the family is $59 a month). They have classes M&W, T&Thur and Sat mornings. Their website also provides some very detailed info: http://www.fayettevilleymca.org/Fayetteville_YMCA/Fayetteville_YMCA%3A_Aquatics.html

Fort Bragg/Pope AFB YMCA
208 Thorncliff Dr
Fayetteville, NC 28303

After raking their website, I don't think this Y provides swim lessons. I kept it on the list, b/c they do seem to have a lot of other kid's programs. Here's their website: http://www.braggasymca.org/index.htm

Hope Mills YMCA
3910D
Hope Mills, NC 28348
Telephone: 910-426-9622
Telephone: 910-436-0500

http://www.fayettevilleymca.org/Hope_Mills_YMCA/Hope_Mills_YMCA%3A_Aquatics.html

I thought it was interesting that you can just get a pool membership at the Y if you're not interested in the other services they provide.

On post through CYS: The CYS website says to call the Community Recreation Division at 643-8533.

HealthPlex of Cape Fear Valley Health System
1930 Skibo Road, Fayetteville, NC
There appear to be a variety of lessons offered here (for different ages). The prices vary depending on whether you are a member or not.
Specifics of the lessons: http://www.healthplexonline.com/index_aquatics.htm
Times and fees http://www.healthplexonline.com/index_aquatics.htm

The Sports Center (Thanks Rae Anne for the info!)
5951 Cliffdale Rd.
Fayetteville, NC 28314
(910) 864-3303
http://www.sportscenterfnc.com/swimming.html
Cost: Member $50
Non-member $65
According to their website, they have swim lesson schedules available at their front desk. I like that it appears they have swim lessons for 3 year olds that are NOT parent/tot, so maybe I'd just have to sit and watch (with my 6 month old).

If anyone knows of any other places for swim lesson, let me know and I'll post it! :o)

Also, thank you to all of you who have contributed to this blog so far!

Art For Tots

Thanks Ali, for sharing this!

It's been on hold for the last couple months, but in July I will be starting back up with Art for Tots if I get enough interest. Art activities for kids 4 and under. Homebased, small classes where every child leaves with a project he/she makes. I have had children 6 months to 3 years old thus far and have activities for all ages. Painting, cookie/cupcake decorating, making natural bird feeders, holiday inspired crafts, etc

Website is www.myspace.com/art4tots

Price 5 per child or 4 for military. Classes last 45 mins to an hour. Class sizes are limited to 4 children so sign up is important.

My email is Berrykixx@yahoo.com for more info.

The Fast Food Playdate

Allright, let's compile a list of restaurants in the area that have a play area, and what we think of them.

McDonalds
207 MURCHISON
SPRING LAKE, NC 28390

I've been to this McDonalds MANY times for playdates. I love that the play area is large, and that there is only one entrance/exit to the area. There is a large eating area within the play area, and it's great b/c you can keep an eye on your kids/eat while they play. I've found that it's very clean, as far as play areas go. This is the only McDonalds with a play area that I've been to (in the Fayetteville area). Here's a list of the others, with play areas, in the area:

5009 SANTE FE ROAD
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303-2758
(910)867-7419

1900 SKIBO ROAD
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314-1540
(910)864-0720

810 S REILLY RD
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314
(910)864-9631

3815 RAMSEY ST
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28311-7640
(910)488-4773

6779 RAEFORD RD
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303
(910)868-9710

3000 NORTH MAIN STREET
HOPE MILLS, NC 28348-1722
(910)425-5329

5090 NC HIGHWAY 87 SOUTH
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28306
(910)485-7373

111-A 401 BYPASS
RAEFORD, NC 28376
(910)904-0333

Sonic

I've also been to Sonic on Cliffdale and Yadkin several times for playdates. Both are great b/c the play area is fenced in (outside), and there's only one entrance/exit. They both have sand playgrounds, with large play structures. The Yadkin playground is significantly larger than Cliffdale. The one large downside to both is that the tables in the eating area are FILTHY. Not just food debris, but blackened with dirt on the tables. This hasn't kept me from going, b/c my son loves it, and so do his friends, but we are definitely careful not to put any food on the table. I'm listing all of the Sonic locations, b/c I believe that they all have playgrounds, but I'm not positive.

5846 YADKIN ROAD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303
1208 N. BRAGG BLVD, SPRING LAKE, NC 28390
5938 CLIFFDALE ROAD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314-2121
3609 RAMSEY STREET, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28311
2886 HOPE MILLS ROAD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28306

Chick Fil-A
1921 Skibo Rd.
Fayetteville, NC 28314

I believe that is the only Chick Fil-A that has a play area. I have only been to this play area once, and I wasn't very impressed. It was very small, and you can't actually sit in the play area. You can sit outside it and watch, but then your kids are going in and out of the door. It's definitely an option, but not the best, in my opinion.

Burger King

I've never had a playdate at a Burger King. Their website doesn't seem to state which locations have a play area. Does anyone know?

Does Wendy's have play areas?

Joe's Crab Shack

I almost didn't post this one b/c if you're going there, it's obviously not just for the kiddos (b/c of the non fast-food prices) However, their play area is great. You can sit above it (there's a ramp leading down to it), and there's only one entrance/exit, and it's onto the deck eating area. I also think kids eat free on Tuesday?

Are there any other eat and play restaurants that you all can think of?

Marbles

http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/

I have never been here, but my cousin says it is awesome. I think I'll have to make a daytrip of it sometime soon! Anyone have any input?

Deal a Day Websites

So...I might have a little addiction to "deal a day" websites. So, I figured I'd share them, in case any of you haven't heard. The thing I've found on them the most are great shoes for my boys.

http://www.babysteals.com (my fav!)
http://www.mamabargains.com
http://www.shnoop.com
http://www.greenbabybargains.com
http://www.tottlers.com
http;//www.woot.com

Have fun!!! :o)

Fascinate U Children's Museum

Thanks again to Hunter_392 for making a suggestion...
Fascinate U Children's Museum

Here's what she had to say:

Another place is the Fascinate-U Children's Museum, "Fascinate-U is a place where children can explore their world the way they learn best-through creative role-playing, manipulation, and interaction with each other and the objects around them."
They are located at 116 Green Street in Fayetteville. The hours are
Museum Hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am-5pm

Wednesday: 9am-7pm

Saturday: 10am-5pm

Sunday: 12pm-5pm

Admission:

$3.00 per child

$1.00 per adult


Now I don't know if they still do it but on Wed afternoons they used to just ask for a donation for admittance instead of the normal fees.
Check out their web site for additional info
http://www.fascinate-u.com/


From me: I've been to Fascinate U several times with my older son. It's a great thing to do on a rainy/too hot day. It's in need of some major updating, but for a smaller child, it can hold their attention for an hour or so. It's VERY small as far as children's museums go, but hey, it's Fayetteville, right??!! I also like that it's in downtown Fayetteville, and you can go someplace yummy for lunch afterward...like Blue Moon, Pierro's or Beef O' Brady's!

Anyone else have input?

Splash Pad!

Splash Pad
500 Fisher Street at Christina Smith Park
910-433-1572

Fight the heat with a splash of water! Come enjoy the pad as water sprinkles from a rainbow of colored arches. Onlookers can relax under the shaded tables near the splash pad. Open to the public and fun for all ages. The Pad closes on September 30.

Monday-Friday, 3 pm-6 pm

Saturday -10 am -6 pm

Sunday - 1 pm -6pm; free admission

I have never been here...who has??!! We'd love to hear what you think about it!

From Hunter_ 392 (Thanks for your input! :o)
the splash pad that is off 301 across from the pwc. It is a park that has a playground, rest rooms, picnic area and a nice set of sprinklers. It is free to go and the sprinklers are nice if you have little ones but don't really want to go to a pool. There are an assortment of sprinklers they can run thru, under and over. The pad where the water is has a fence around it with just one way in or out (right next to the rest rooms). The last time I was there you had to bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on the grass around the sprinklers but to me that isn't a huge deal.

From Fayetteville Observer:

The small, water-toy filled Splash Pad, located at Christina Smith Park, sits just outside downtown Fayetteville. Despite its small size, the Pad packs a punch with its water fountains, sprayers and cannons, all for free.

The details: 500 Fisher St. Call the J.S. Spivey Recreation Center at 433-1572. Admission: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Food: There is no snack bar, but visitors are allowed to bring food, which cannot be eaten inside the Pad.
Picnic area: Benches sit under a canopy next to the Splash Pad. Visitors can take their food there. The area can be rented out, though, so if it’s too crowded, find a shady spot just outside the Pad to enjoy your snacks.
Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards on duty, so no children under 10 years old are allowed without an adult.
Lockers: There are no lockers on site, but bathrooms sit just outside the Splash Pad’s gate.
Quotable: “We really like it. It gets us out of the house. And it’s free, so that’s a definite plus.” — Amanda Ortiz, a mother who is part of a mother’s play group. The members take their kids to different spots around Cumberland County.

Preschools!

Anyone have any recommendations...or schools that they don't recommend?

Jambbas Ranch Adventure!

Jambbas Ranch
5386 Tabor Church Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28312

http://www.jambbas.com

Has anyone else been to Jambbas Ranch? My friend and I "discovered" it a couple months ago, and found it was a good way to spend a morning and allow my boys to see a lot of different animals. I was a bit disappointed that it's not very well maintained, but it really was fun. They have bison, a camel, an alligator, elk, goats, an ostrich, a bear, and many other animals. What does everyone else think?

Let's talk about...Monkey Joe's!!!

Monkey Joe's

102 Westwood Shopping Center

Fayetteville, NC 28314

(910) 423-5637

I actually took my boys to this Monkey Joe's for the first time today. We were previously stationed at Fort Benning, and loved going to MJ's there. I love that it's clean, safe (they put wristbands on parents and kids), and that my 3 year old can run around and have fun! There's also lots of supervision from the employees (keeps the older kids from getting too rowdy), which is nice! What do you all think??

Why I'm making this blog....

Hello everyone! So, if you're reading this, we probably have something in common. You probably live in Fort Bragg/Fayetteville, NC, and I'd be willing to bet you're a Mom/Mom to be. I'm making this blog b/c I'm on a mission to get a list of all the things to do with kids in the area. I have two sons- a 3 year old, and a 6 month old. I'd also be interested in tracking sales in the area on children's things. So...we'll see how this goes. I'm not setting my expectations high, but if people join in, we could get something going. Please comment to add any input, but please try to keep it positive!