Indoor Fun I (Winter 2012)

Posted on December 14, 2012 by daddyweekly

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” That’s what I heard a lot as a kid, especially during, um, bad weather. But as the temperature drops and more and more people start talking about snow, I say it is perfect timing to consider some indoor activity options that drop further down the list during the nine months of summer we have around here.

With this post I am introducing the “Indoor Fun” page, a list (to grow in the future) of places where kids can play nice when the weather doesn’t.

Ride with Santa on New Hope Valley Railway (12/9/2012)

Posted on December 7, 2012 by daddyweekly

If you’ve heard about the holiday train at Pullen Park and are still thinking about going, you will probably keep thinking: Tickets are completely sold out for the entire duration. But a good alternative would be the New Hope Valley Railway, which also has rides with Santa this weekend. They are also sold out, but are holding a limited number of walk-in tickets. Make sure you read details before taking the half-hour-drive. (My suggestion would be to get there before or right at 10 a.m., and be prepared to not get tickets for the very first ride. (There is enough to see during the wait…)

Fireside chat at the library (12/8/2012)

Posted on December 7, 2012 by daddyweekly

Events at the Cameron Village Library are always cool with the nice group event space they have. This Saturday has a special program, put together by this library in conjunction with NCSU library.

It starts at 11am on 12/5, and will last about an hour, featuring live music, entertainment, music, craft and snacks.

Cameron Village library is located at 1930 Clark Ave.

Thanks to a good friend for alerting me about this program; I always appreciate hearing about good events; please email me at daddy@daddyweekly.me if you know of something!

Winterfest on City Plaza (Winter 2012/2013)

Posted on November 30, 2012 by daddyweekly

After its first run in the 2009/2010 season, the “AT&T Raleigh Winterfest” has quickly become one of the signature downtown events of the winter season. Of course there is the ice-rink, complete with skate rental and a golf-cart with the necessary implements to turn it into a mini-Zamboni. But that’s not all:

On a few Sundays (this one included), SnowMyYard will build an artificial sledding hill, something that looked quite enticing last time. The website also talks about a 40-foot Ferris wheel, which will be new this year, and a carousel.

The ice-rink is typically open as follows, but check the schedule to make sure:
Monday: Closed; Tue/Wed/Thu: 4-9; Fri: 4-11; Sat: 11-11; Sun: 12-5
The season runs from Dec-1 through Jan-31.

This Saturday Dec-1, there will be a big kickoff event from 3p-9p. Live music, vendors, outdoors movie and general merrymaking will provide a joyful start of the season.

Don’t miss it! $8 for skating, watching the Zamboni from the sidelines is free.

Raleigh Winterfest ’09 by kmoliver, used under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Sleigh Rides and Cider at Oak View Park (12/2/2012)

Posted on November 30, 2012 by daddyweekly

Let me make a safe prediction by saying this Saturday will not see heavy snow as in the picture above. With temperatures in the sixties and no precipitation, it may even be hard to imagine a winter wonderland at all. But the sleigh in Oak View has wheels (hopefully) and a glass of hot cider is always welcome.

“Sleigh Rides and Cider” at Oak View County Park. Saturday Dec-1, from 5p-7:30p. Free, open to the public, no registration.

I featured this park in a summer post and on Father’s day; a leisurely 0.8mi hike is published at http://goo.gl/maps/JXlt. Go early for the hike – stay for the sleigh ride and cider!

The image is One horse open sleigh! By pmarkham, used under the CC BY-SA license

Raleigh Christmas Parade 2012

Posted on November 16, 2012 by daddyweekly

Raleigh Christmas Parade 2008 051 by Anodoin, used under the CC-BY license

Have tractor and Santa hat, will travel

It bewilders me every year that the Christmas parade takes place even before Thanksgiving. But so be it, the Raleigh Christmas Parade is upon us this Saturday, 10 a.m. (If that is too early, WRAL will air it repeatedly until 12/25.)

The parade will be grand marshaled by Emily Minor from Wilmington, NC, now hailing from Nashville TN by way of “American Idol”. (Last year, the grand marshal was Scotty McCreery.) The route stays the same, starting on Hillsborough at St. Mary’s and then head toward the Capitol and zig-zag right onto Fayetteville.

It seems that the Hillsborough street section is always more crowded that the Fayetteville section, so my advice for last week’s parade still applies. (00 block of Fayetteville is the best choice for casual watchers. By the Confederate Memorial is best for hardcore early-risers, because you see the entire parade coming towards you, and it slows down to manage the two turns at the Capitol.)

Like St. Patrick’ Day has moved beyond the Irish, the Christmas parade has long moved long beyond the church-going crowd, and is a must-see event for people of all affiliations and creeds. Sometimes formal and classy, sometimes well, not-so-classy, there is something to be seen and enjoyed for everybody. (All links WRAL coverage of 2011 parade.)

Leave the car, bring the lawn-chair, blankets and hot drinks and settle down for a display of fine entertainment.

Saturday, 11/17, 10 a.m. Hillsborough and Fayetteville streets.

The image is Raleigh Christmas Parade 2008 051 by Anodoin, used under the CC-BY license

Night Owls and Candle Magic (11/17/2012)

Posted on November 16, 2012 by daddyweekly

Blue Jay Point County Park has an intriguing event this Saturday night. “Night Owls and Candle Magic” is an outdoors event at night, so prepare accordingly. Bring a travel mug for the hot cocoa, and a baby backpack for the kids, since strollers are not allowed. (And neither are dogs.)

There are some craft activities etc. at the education center, combined with a 40min walk, illuminated by candle light, through the night forest. Have your kids never walked through the woods at night? Then do take them to this event, where they can explore the magic of a night in the woods in a safe setting.

No pre-registration is required, but make sure you read the flyer to determine suitability for your kids. Add dress for the weather. Saturday, 6:30pm-9:00pm. Here are directions. It is a half hour drive, but worth it.

Image is Rohan’s Owl by My AngelG, used under the CC-BY license

Veterans Parade (11/11/2012)

Posted on November 9, 2012 by daddyweekly

The parade season is upon us, with the Veterans parade this weekend, and the “Christmas parade” (Christmas in November?) one week later. Here some tips from the Daddy for an enjoyable parade:

– Bundle up! Saturday will be sunny and not too cold, but you’ll be standing around for a while. If you’re not hauling lawn chairs, bring a thick insulating something to keep bottoms warm.
– Arrive early! The Veterans parade will not have as much spectators as the Christmas parade, but still.
– If you must drive, use the Alexander Square Parking deck. You enter (by car) from Wilmington St., but you exit (on foot) right onto Fayetteville. If you stay on that block, you and a screaming baby will be back in the car in a matter of minutes. You could even view the parade from the parking deck, but there are no safe, comfortable viewpoints for the littlest ones (30″ concrete wall and don’t even think about sitting them on the railing).
– Bring water and snacks. It would be too bad to give up your coveted perfect spot just to buy some overpriced bottled water. But in any case: The CVS at the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett has everything from water to food to diapers.

The parade starts at 9:30am by City Plaza and then goes up Fayetteville towards the State Capitol (opposite direction to most parades). A wreath laying ceremony at 11:00am and a static display of the parade with music are also planned.

The image is Patriotism by abbyladybug and used under the CC BY-NC license. Thanks, Abby!

Storytime at the library (11/10/2012)

Posted on November 9, 2012 by daddyweekly

The Wake County libraries have a quite extensive program of storytimes for all age groups. With the weather getting cooler, spending a Saturday morning in the library starts sounding like a good idea.

And while I’m not sure if our children’s children will have physical libraries with paper-based books in them, do take your kids and let them experience the participatory and tactile process of choosing a book and taking it home for a few days. It feels slightly different from hitting the “Download to Kindle” button…

Baby Storytime (0-1.5 yrs) at Cameron Village library: Saturday, 10:15 am – 10:35 am
Family Storytime (3-5yrs) at Cameron Village library: Saturday, 11:00 am – 11:30 am
and more at the Wake County library website.

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

Storybook Tales (11/3/2012)

Posted on November 2, 2012 by daddyweekly

Lydia Bevan performing Danse Allegresse, Raleigh Dance Theatre, spring 2011 (c) Robert Schantz

Raleigh Dance Theater is something like the “little sister” of the Carolina Ballet. A pre-professional, younger company (age 12-18), that provides Triangle dancers opportunities to perform on stage and catch a glimpse of what a professional career in ballet would look like.

Storybook Tales is a program that “will be sure to delight even the youngest audience members“, according to their press release. The performance lasts approx. 90 minutes, and consists of three pieces: Snow White, Rainbow Fish, based on Marcus Pfister’s beloved children’s book, and Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, based on the book by Kevin Henkes, and made possible in part by Target.

There will be three performances this weekend; Saturday at 12p and 4p and Sunday at 3p. Fletcher Opera Theater in Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. $12 (online until 7p tonight!) or $15 at the door.

“Lydia Bevan performing Danse Allegrese, Raleigh Danse Theater, Spring 2011” (c) Robert Schantz

The Daddy Weekly

Things to do with Kids in Raleigh, NC