2012)

Posted on July 27, 2012 by daddyweekly

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)

Posted on July 20, 2012 by daddyweekly

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”.

The library is cool

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

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

Posted on July 20, 2012 by daddyweekly

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)

Posted on July 13, 2012 by daddyweekly

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!

And 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)

Posted on July 13, 2012 by daddyweekly

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.

Music 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)

Posted on July 6, 2012 by daddyweekly

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.

Spiderman at Adventure Landing (7/7/2012)

Posted on July 6, 2012 by daddyweekly

Miniature Golf! Arcades! Go-Karts! You would think that kids (and discerning adults) don’t need an special reason to visit Adventure Landing. But this Saturday they give you just that, since they have invited Spiderman himself to visit! And if you ask nicely, you may even be able to get a picture taken with Mr. Spiderman.

Also, the new Spiderman Movie is now playing at Marbles on the IMAX screen.

Spiderman will be at Adventure Landing from 10am-2pm for “meet&greet” as well as photo opportunities.

Independence Day 2012

Posted on July 3, 2012 by daddyweekly

Here some ideas to celebrate Independence Day:

Best fireworks for kids: First, if you can’t wait until tomorrow (or want the kids to see the fireworks and sleep in the next day), don’t be uppity and head out to Garner tonight. Their fireworks are earlier, the symphony is playing, and it is probably less crowded than “The ‘Works” in Raleigh tomorrow. Garner Independence Day Celebration, 5p-8p, July-3rd.

Best neighborhood parade: If you’re lucky enough to live in University Park, you have your very own Independence Day Parade right in your heighborhood. Firetrucks and Locopops; need I say more? University Park Independence Day Parade, 9:45am, July-4.

Best children’s parade: A bit out of the way, but specifically dubbed a children’s parade: Wake Forest Independence Day Children Parade, 10:30am, July-4.

Best parade that includes a splash-down from a fire truck: The Apex festivities include karaoke, inflatables and street performers in the morning and end with a parade and an opportunity to “cool off under the spray of the Apex Fire Department’s fire hose“. Town of Apex Olde Fashioned Fourth of July, activities 9a-12p, parade 12:00pm, July-4.

Best “let’s turn Independence Day into a three-day-festival”: As every year, Durham is hosting the Festival for the Eno with tons of activities. Festival for the Eno. Wed July-4, Sat. July-7, Sun. July-8.

And of course, there is also the Independence Day Celebration of the City of Raleigh which, following the overall trend, has moved from the fairgrounds to downtown and will take over Fayetteville Street and surrounding areas. Everything will be there, from a Reading of the Declaration of Independence to Arts Vendors to Circus to Music to Beer Tasting to, of course, at the end, Fireworks. This year, the Rotary Club will release 100 firefly lantern as a special treat at 9:30pm just before the fireworks. The ‘Works, 11am-10pm, July-4.

Also note that while the downtown museums (Science, History, Marbles) are open, the Art Museum is closed.

Fireworks Finish Up Raleigh Wide Open by abbyladybug, used under the CC BY-NC license

Review of local swimming pools (2012)

Posted on June 29, 2012 by daddyweekly

There are three public, outside swimming pools in Raleigh that having wading pools and spray yards.

Lake Johnson Pool is our favorite.

Ridge Road Pool is smaller, and spray yard and wading pool are combined.

Chavis Pool is bigger, it has a slide into the adult pool, but it has no wading pool.

Follow the links to detailed review of each pool!

A heat wave hike