Author Archives: daddyweekly

Fire Truck Parade (8/11/2012)

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Wait, didn’t we already have that? No, no, see: A few weeks ago, we had the Raleigh Fire Department Centennial Fire Truck Parade. This weekend, we’ll see the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo’s Fire Truck Parade.

The parade starts at 9 a.m., but be there early – it is a pretty short route. The trucks start at the capitol, go down Fayetteville and switch over to Salisbury at the end. After the parade is over, the trucks go to the static display, where they can be looked at from up close, climbed on and sat in.

I may be a bit biased, because my son would happily go to a fire truck parade every weekend. But especially if you missed the last one, this is another opportunity to see some exciting vehicles.

Some impressions from the previous parade can be seen on http://www.youtube.com/daddyweekly.

Latch on! (8/4/2012)

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Yes, we’re talking about breastfeeding, the most natural way to feed a baby known to man woman. I’m still surprised how breastfeeding continues to be a hot topic, be it because of facebook photos or new laws regarding breastfeeding in the workplace. For the record, breastfeeding (covered or not) is NOT considered indecent exposure in the state of North Carolina, and explicitly allowed in all public places. And you may chuckle over that obvious statement, but reality is that this is not the case in all states!

With August being Breastfeeding Awareness Month, this is the perfect timing for The Big Latch On. This global event brings moms together to breastfeed as a group. Last year, 5687 women were breastfeeding around the world at 10:30 a.m local time. The goal this year is to exceed that!

There are two The Big Latch On events in the Triangle, at Sweetbottom’s Baby Boutique in Cary and at The Family Nest in Morrisville. Breastfeeding mothers and babies are encouraged to arrive by 10.00 a.m. to have time to get settled and start feeding before 10:30 a.m. comes around. More information at http://www.biglatchon.org.

The image is Nick breastfeeding his baby doll by seandreilinger, used under the CC BY-NC-SA license. I think Nick will be an excellent dad one day.

Marbles Kids Museum (8/4/2012)

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I would be surprised if anyone reading the Daddy Weekly hasn’t yet been to Marbles. So this is not to ‘present something new’, but to talk a little bit about Marbles and perhaps mention some of the lesser known corners of this large building.

First off, Marbles is changing from time to time. A relatively new exhibit is the corner one level above the gift shop, with a focus on health and sports; a similar topic was there before, but it was all redone a few months ago and is called Power2Play. The newest exhibit to open is “BB&T Toddlers Hollow“, a forest-themes exhibit for kids under 3. (We’ll check that out soon.)

Have you found the pirate ship? It is one of my favorite exhibits, and tucked away in the very back of the ground floor.
How about the garden? Exit behind the pirate ship to find nature and fresh air.

Did you know about First Friday Kids Camp? Drop off your pre-registered, potty-trained, well-behaved preschool or elementary school kid, and enjoy First Friday or just a night off. (Although I have to say, my son enjoys tagging along to various galleries just as much.) $20 for 3 hours is good deal; both for the parents and for Marbles.

Are you a member? For families visiting frequently, it does pay. A family of four (4x$5) will have paid for the annual membership ($100) after just five visits.

So what’s not to like about Marbles? It can get crowded. And while exhibits change, it is largely static. The corporate sponsorships are a tad too dominant, in my view. But these are details, given that Marbles is an excellent indoors playground.

Pirate Ship by chrisdaniel, used under the CC BY-NC-SA license.

Alloy Orchestra’s Not for Kids Only (7/28/2012)

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As our children probably grow up with interactive apps and games and movies that are at least 3D, they probably decry a regular movie theater experience as old school. Well, here’s your chance to show them what old school really is: Movies. Silent movies. In Black and White! And just like in the roaring twenties, the movies will be accompanied by live performers, and this is where the uniqueness comes in: Not some random piano player, but Alloy Orchestra, declared by film critic Roger Ebert to be “The best in the world at accompanying silent film.” They are performing at the NC Museum of Art, and there is special kids’ performance in the afternoon.

I previewed some of the movies they list in their program (they are all on Youtube), and Alloy Orchestra has a couple of excerpts on their website. I recommend you preview and decide if this is a fit for your kids – at any rate, the live music performance will make this an exciting experience. The 2pm program lasts about an hour, and is indoors.

NC Museum of Art, $12 for adults, $6 for 3-12. Tickets still available. Saturday, 2pm.

The image is Buster Keaton (obtained from the library of congress).

2nd Annual Family Science Olympiad (7/28/2012)

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I’ve added some tips to get away from the 100 degree weather in previous posts, with one recommendation notably absent: Marbles. Marbles is cool, in many ways; cool things to do, and of course cool enough even in the heat of summer.

This Saturday, for all those who didn’t quite make it to London, they are hosting a Family Science Olympiad where you can prove your science skills in direct use for what I would call “competitive crafts projects”. (Drop an egg without breaking it; launch rockets; …) This designed to be completed as a family team, so you’ll have a good bonding opportunity over shared problem solving and shared success – or the lack thereof!

Marbles Kids Museum; 1pm-4pm; free (with admission)

Science Olympiad by Art Jessen, used under the CC BY-NC license

Too hot? Library or museum! (7/21/2012)

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Summer continues until further notice, so here two more tips for doing an outing that is not outside:

Baby story time at Cameron Village library (Sat 10:15-10:35):
Nobody is too young for story time, and Cameron Village library has a special story time on Saturdays from 10:15-10:35 for those under 1 year old (and the person with the lap that they sit in).

Browse the Wake County library calendar for a story time for an age group and location that fits your needs.

Family Fun Saturdays at the Art Museum (Sat 10am & 1pm):
For those a bit older (5-11), the art museum has an excellent hands-on program. Tour the galleries first, and then make your own art in their teaching studios. Themes change every week; tomorrow it is “clay”.

Color-coded bookcase by juhansonin

The library is cool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color-coded bookcase by juhansonin, used under the CC-BY license

Kids Exchange (7/20/2012-7/22/2012)

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Kids Exchange is not something to do with your kids (please don’t!), but for your kids. If you haven’t been, you have to see it: A massive parallel consignment sale for children’s clothes, toys and equipment (strollers, high chairs, etc.) As a geek, I’m impressed with their simple yet effective logistics that handles the 3,000 sellers and 30,000 buyers with ease. If you buy 20 items you pay just once like at the grocery store, and their software magically distributes the money to the sellers; a dollar here, and dollar there. Very easy for buyers (and sellers), presumably a headache for the programmer behind it. But enough geeking out, here some practical tips:

How many Elmo eyeballs in this picture? (from KidsExchange 1/2012)

  • Check their guidelines and hours. 30,000 buyers in one giant room. You don’t want to be there at peak hours, and you want to understand the system. Consider your first visit a trial run.
  • Bring a stroller or radio flyer cart. Without the kids. (They have shopping carts, but often run out.)
  • Almost everything gets automatically marked down 50% on Sunday. Plan accordingly.
  • Have a plan of what you need, or it can be overwhelming. First time we went (while expecting our first one), all we bought was a bag with 17 baby socks for a $1 total. Can’t go wrong with that! Everything else was too overwhelming. (See next point.)
  • Don’t go looking for “a stroller”. There are hundreds of them for sale there. You can do research, decide that you probably want a Britax B-Ready, and pick from the 25 available one that matches your idea of price and condition.
  • I know people sell stuff (or volunteer) just so they get to buy early on Thursday when only sellers are permitted. (Can’t give tips on that yet.)

Finally, don’t think this is just for families with budget constraints. Yes, it is typically cheap (but check carefully), but I also value the huge selection when compared to baby stores and the ease of shopping; twice a year everything in a location. And as a parent, you should have no problem putting up with the head-spinning craziness of it all.

Finally, if you do go and are impressed by the massiveness of the event: Yes, it is the largest consignment event in the nation, and they have now started franchising the concept. But Raleigh is – you guessed it – number one!

Friday 9-6, Saturday/Sunday 9-5. NC State Fairgrounds. kidsexchange.net

Wild Water Wipe Out at Logan’s Trading Co. (7/14/2012)

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If you live around downtown Raleigh and have a house with yard, you’ve probably been to Logan’s Trading Company at Seaboard Station. Together with the ACE Hardware across the street, the are a good reason that you don’t need to go outside the beltline when searching for a hardware store. (Reminder: I’m not paid to write this. I  just mention stuff I like and find noteworthy.) Now it would seem that such a store does not need extra events to attract customers, and my guess is that they are doing it just for fun!

Nooo! -kidding by Hammonton Photography, used under the CC BY-NC licenseAnd fun it is: Every second Saturday of the month, Logan’s is hosting Wipe-Out, a family event featuring a Bouncy House Water Slide, water games, beach music and more.

Kids should wear their swimsuits under the clothes so they are ready for some wet action while the parents check out the rhododendron and hydrangea. When you’re done, head over to ACE Hardware (there’s always something you need from the hardware store) and don’t forget the free popcorn on the way out.

Logan’s Trading Co.: 707 Semart Drive, Raleigh, United States, 27604.
Wipe Out every second Saturday of the month from 11-4.

ACE Hardware: 802 Semart Drive, Raleigh, United States, 27604.
Cool stuff and Popcorn year round.

Explore Rhythm (7/14/2012)

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Drums are probably the oldest musical instrument that humans use. (Maybe even older than voice!) Likewise, only of the earliest childhood experiences is the cause-effect relationship of hitting something and the resulting “bang”-sounds. Hit, hit, hit – bang-bang-bang, and you got music; at least in some people’s ears.

Davis Farmers Market by basykes, used under the CC-BY licenseMusic Explorium takes these ideas a step further and allows kids and adults to explore music in a variety of ways, from kids birthday parties to corporate retreat drum cycles. Every second Saturday, they are hosting a Family Rhythm Jam. Kids (3+) can explore the feeling of rhythm with a variety of percussion instruments and drums.

Music Explorium is less than half an hour from downtown Raleigh on Hwy 40. (One exit before Southpoint.) I haven’t been myself, but I’m looking forward to checking it out when my boy turns three.

5314 Hwy 55, Suite 107 Durham, NC 27713
919-484-9090 http://www.musicexplorium.com

Family Rhythm Jams take place every second Saturday of the month from 10-11. Kids 3 and older only.

Pilobolus Children’s Matinee (7/7/2012)

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One of my passions that few people would guess is Contemporary Dance; I even took Modern Dance classes for a while (yes, yes, decades ago). There is probably no dance company better suited to get a young audience excited about dance performance than Pilobolus.

Pilobolus are regulars at the American Dance Festival, and performing this weekend at DPAC in Durham. On Saturday at 1pm, they are giving a special Children’s Matinee. Tickets are still available, and if your youngens are old enough to sit still for a while, they will be mesmerized by their magical movements and transformations.

Tickets and more information available here.