Super Cook

What it is:  This is one of my new favorite websites.  I come home many evenings and have certain ingredients that I don't know what to do with, or have things in my pantry but don't know how I'm going to turn them into a meal.  To help with this problem, one of the other Stir Crazy Moms pointed me to this website.  All you have to do is go to supercook.com.  Then, type in the ingredients that you have.  Supercook will search the entire internet and give you a list of the recipes that it finds that use those ingredients.  It will then ask if you have other ingredients that it feels will help you increase the list of recipes you can create.  You can search entrees, desserts, or appetizers, and you can keep a saved record of the ingredients that you have in your pantry by creating a free account. 

I've been having so much fun finding recipes that I can make with what I have.  Strawberries were on sale at our grocery store a few weeks ago.  So, I came home and searched for recipes that used strawberries.  I found a bunch that I could make that used strawberries and other ingredients that were in my pantry.  Perfect!

What we liked: We love that this site helps you work with that you have to make things you might not have otherwise.  It's easy to use and the webpage is simple to navigate.  It's also nice that they compile recipes from all over the internet instead of just one site.


What we would change: You have to be careful to check the recipe's actual ingredients after you find it because occasionally supercook will miss and ingredient in the recipe that you don't have. 

Website: http://www.supercook.com/

Burch Avenue Park

What it is: Thanks to one of our readers for recommending this great new park for us to check out!  It is located near Duke in a nearby neighborhood.  The park includes a large play structure and a swing set with bucket and regular swings.  There's also a school bus for kids to climb in and drive as well as a bouncy horse and spinning pole that my son loved.  There are several musical instrument walls for kids to explore and a stage at the back of the playground for kids to demonstrate their creative sides.  There are picnic tables as well as a fence around the entire playground.  One of the unique parts of this park is the fact that it is very newly renovated in 2010 by Kaboom, an organization focused on building playgrounds for children in the neighbor hoods where they live, so all of the equipment is in great condition.

What we liked: We liked some of the more unique aspects of the park including the school bus, spinning pole, and stage in the back.  It's always nice when you find some different and unique parts of a playground that you don't see at every playground.  In addition, the fence around the playground makes it easier to keep your eye on a quick-moving toddler. 


What we would change: The actual play structure itself was very large and seemed to be built for older kids than my two year-old.  In addition, parking was street parking in a neighborhood which can be tricky if it is a busy day at the park.


Website and other important information: Burch Avenue Park is located on Burch Ave. just off of Buchanan near Duke.

Website: http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/gis_apps/parkapp/park.cfm?ParkNam=Burch+Avenue+Park&selVal=park

Address: 816 BURCH AVENUE 27712

Photos: 

1. A view of the play structure and school bus

2. The stage

3. A view from the stage back towards the playground

*Images from Kaboom

Kid Friendly Restaurants with Kids' Nights

We've had this entry in our list of posts for a while, but we thought it might be more useful it people could find it more easily.  So, we're going to move it so everyone can access it from our "features" section.  It's always nice when you can find a place to take out the kids inexpensively, so here are a list of places that you can take them any day of the week.  (I would call before going because restaurants can change their specials frequently.)  Please let us know if you have any other restaurants we can add.

Here is a copy of our list:

Monday
*McAlister's Deli-5218 New Hope Commons Dr, Kids eat free after 4pm. (one kids meal per paying adult)
*Armadillo Grill-Duke University in the Bryan Center, Kids eat for half price off the kids menu.

Tuesday
*Chick-Fil-A - Kids eat for free with 1 paying adult
*Tomato Jakes – 5:30-7:30pm. - $1.50 cheese slice, $2.00 Pepperoni slice. Balloon entertainer
*Bakehouse Bistro – 6905-104 Fayetteville Rd. (Renaissance Center at Southpoint) Kids eat free
*Champps – Streets at Southpoint – Kids 12 and under eat free after 4pm
*Golden Corral - 4055 Chapel Hill Blvd. – Tuesdays – Kids under 12 eat for $0.99 – under 3 are free all the time
*Moe’s Restaurant – 6807-122 Fayetteville Rd. – Renaissance Center at Southpoint. Kids under 12 eat free with purchase of adult meal.
*Lonestar Steakhouse-5307 New Hope Commons Extension-Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.


Wednesday
*Doc Greens – Kid’s eat free – 1 per paying adult
*Earth Fare-10341 Moncrieff Rd.- Kids 12 and under eat free from 4-8pm with the purchase of one adult meal.

Thursday
*Bear Rock Café – University Mall – Chapel Hill. Kids 12 and under Eat free after 4pm

Sunday
*Nantucket Grill - 5826 Fayetteville Rd (Sutton Station) and 5925 Farrington Rd. (at I-40 and NC 54) Kids under 10 eat free from the kids menu
*Dickey's BBQ Pit-5318 New Hope Commons Dr, Kids 12 and under eat free from the kids menu with the purchase of an adult meal. And ice cream is always free after a meal.
*Jersey Mikes-Two kids eat free with the purchase of a regular sandwich.
*Souper Salad-202 W. NC Nighway 54, Suite 107, Kids ages 3 and under eat free everyday.  Kids 4-10 eat for $2.49 Sunday all day.

Monday-Thursday
*Torero's Mexican Restaurant-Kids Eat Free (one child per adult) This offer is at the 15-501 location.


Anytime
*O’Charleys – Kids eat free all day, everyday – 2 kids per paying adult
*Golden Corral – Kids 3 and under eat free all the time

Source: Durham Mother's Club, www.durham.macaronikid.com, specific restaurant information

Kazoom Puppet Theater

What it is: Kazoom is basically what its title indicates-a puppet theater.  You and your kids can head over to Raleigh, sit in an actual small theater, and enjoy an hour long puppet show.  We attended on Halloween and the performance consisted of jokes, rhymes, songs, and conversations lead by Ms. Poly, Ms. Ester, and Bartlet the puppet.  Apparently, typical shows involve more child participation in which the children get to go up on stage and act out parts in a particular story, but this was a special holiday edition.  Each puppet show ends with the reading of any mail brought in by kids and put in a special mailbox which is a nice personal touch to the show.  It is recommended for ages 2-7 and they also do birthday parties and host groups with reservations.

What we liked: We loved how personable Ms. Ester and Ms. Poly were.  They were great at interacting with the kids in the audience and making them laugh.  My son also loved the songs and watching the puppets dance. 

What we would change:  Since we went on a special day, we didn't get to see a typical puppet show.  Apparently, there are more puppets on a typical day, but I would have liked to see a few more puppets in the show.  The one that we saw involved a lot of activities led by Ms. Poly and Ms. Ester.  (Although, they were very entertaining themselves and my son enjoyed it immensely.)  I can't wait to go back and see their usual performance.


Website and other important information: 

Website: http://www.carolinapuppets.com/kazoom/index.php

Address: 431 Peace St., Raleigh, NC, at Comedy Worx

Phone Number: 919-365-0555

Show Times:  10am and 11am on Wednesday and Thursday

Cost: $4 a person (CASH OR CHECK ONLY)

Photos: 

(Ms. Poly and Bartlet)

Parkwood Fire Station

What it is: Most small children love fire trucks, especially little two year old boys.  So, we were thrilled when we had the opportunity to visit the Parkwood Fire Station.  They do tours for all ages of children and cater the tours to what age group is attending.  Our group was only two, so there wasn't much fire prevention education, but that is available for older children.  Our little group had the opportunity to tour the fire truck, talk with the fire men and women, and receive fire hats and stickers.  We were there for about an hour, but the tour can last as long as is practical for the group.

I have heard that other fire stations in the area will give tours, but you would need to call ahead to make sure that the fire station near you gives tours.  I have even heard that there's a fire station on Ninth St. that has a fire pole for demonstration, but I can't confirm that.


What we liked: We loved how accommodating the people at the fire station were.  They were willing to bend over backward to make sure that we had a great visit and were very flexible when we called to arrange the tour and discuss our needs.  It was also really nice to give the children the chance to learn about the role of the fire station in our community and become more familiar with it.  One of the best parts is that the tour is free!  (Oh, and you can also get your car seat inspected for safety while you're there if they have the personnel available.)


What we would change: It was a fabulous experience, but since it was a working, busy fire station there's always the chance that you'll head down for a visit and they'll have to head out on a call.  It's a risk, but well worth it for the experience.


Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.pvfd.com/html/index.htm

Address: 1409 Seaton Rd., Durham, NC 27713 (Apparently there are several different fire stations in the Parkwood group, but this is the one that we visited.)

Phone Number: 919.361.0927


Photos:

1. A view of the fire station

2. Touring the truck

Animal Grossology: a special exhibit at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences

What it is: This exhibit at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences is inspired by the children's book series by Sylvia Branzei, and features child-centered interactive exhibits about all that deliciously yucky stuff: slime, burps, vomit, poop, and so on. It holds about 12 separate displays, all of which are interactive: one frog belches its babies out after incubating in the male's mouth, and the exhibit has kids launching little green balls with spring-loaded pistols into an area with different obstacles. Another has the four parts of a cow's digestion all lit up and moving. The favorite among kids was the submarine from which you can crawl up and slide down through the guts of a moray eel.

What we liked: When we were there, the exhibit was completely uncrowded and we really got to spend time with each display. While both my four- and my two-year old girls enjoyed it and interacted with everything, my four-year-old actually understood the idea, and remembered things about the color of different animals' blood, or how poops differ among species. There was a docent occasionally offering explanations, and they could really explore freely without getting in trouble. Most exhibits needed a little parental setup: a little time to explain how to work the display, explain rules and maybe put in the science explanation too.

What we would change: We sincerely had nothing but a good time, but I could see how when it's crowded the exhibit could be too much. First thing in the morning, especially Saturdays when there are no school groups, are probably ideal.

Website and other important information:

Exhibit website: http://naturalsciences.org/exhibits/special-exhibits

Dates and Times: The exhibit runs October 2, 2010 until April 24, 2011. The exhibit is open 10-5 daily, except Sundays when it opens at noon. On first Fridays it stays open late until 8pm.

Admission: Entry into the museum itself is free, but the exhibit costs $8/adult, $5/senior or student, and $4 for kids 5-11. Kids 4 and under, and Museum Friends, are free.

Address: 11 Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27601


Phone Number: 919.733.7450

Photos:

Music With Mar

What it is: Music with Mar., led by Ms. Laurie, is a national, researched-based educational & engaging music class designed by Maryann Harman.   It's designed for toddlers & preschoolers and their care-givers (moms, dads, grandparents, nannies, etc).  Children are exposed to puppets, books and music and will have the opportunity to sing, dance and play instruments (yes, even those 1 year olds!).  Classes are 45 minutes long and are designed to enhance & promote basic social, motor, language and cognitive skills.

**As of 4/11, there's also another Music with Mar class in town, lead by Pearly B near Southpoint Mall.  See link below for exact schedules for both instructors.

What we liked: Ms. Laurie has small children of her own, and she does a great job of keeping even the most rambunctious toddlers in check. My toddler adores her and is always excited to attend the class. The class is  about 45 minutes, and there are two classes held each week. Both are at 10:00 AM (Monday: Hope Valley Farms Clubhouse, Tuesday: Hope Valley Baptist Church). Both locations have great, shaded parks, and several of the parents/caregivers take their children to the parks for playtime and lunch. In comparison to other area music classes, Ms. Laurie class is very inexpensive, and the cost of the class is per FAMILY.  So, if you bring siblings,there is no additional charge per child. However, if you bring another child that is NOT a sibling, there is an additional class charge for him/her. A family can drop in for a music class for $7 or a discount is offered if you buy 5 classes/$30. No registration is necessary and there is no commitment.  You can drop in at either location, as your schedule allows.

What we would change: There are no age specific classes. If there were age specific classes offered, we would likely attend those classes as well, but the varying ages adds a little extra entertainment to the class.

Website and other important information:

E-mail address:  lauriej@musicwithmar.com, pearlyb@musicwithmar.com

Website:  www.musicwithmar.com

NC Schedule: http://musicwithmar.com/class-listings#nc

The Stir Crazy Dad-Bargaining at Yard Sales

Well, it certainly appears that the garage sale peak has been reached for this year.  There are, however, still some great sales which means some great deals to be had.  You just may have to look a little harder for them and you may encounter increased competition. 

 

I would like to touch on bargaining this week.  This is what I really LOVE about yard sales.  I am addicted to the art of bargaining.  The golden rule for bargaining is that if you don't ask, you won't get.  What is the worst thing that could happen if you ask someone if they would take a dollar for their lot of clothes?  They may give you a dirty look and feel offended?  You never know when you make crazy offers what will be accepted.  Remember, oftentimes people are trying to lighten their load and get rid of junk.  If YOU don't take it, it may go in the trash or donated to the guy that posts on Craigslist that he will pick up all yardsale leftovers.   If you see something you like, grab it, carry it with you and think about just how much you want that item.   NEVER pay full price without first making an offer.  Think about how much you are willing to offer for it.   Is it early in the yard sale?  Is it a high traffic sale?  How likely is someone going to come behind you and be willing to pay full price?  All of these go into your initial offer.  Always start low.  A dollar is always a great place to start for some things, even for $10 items!  Trust me, some people accept that.  Wait for their response and if they don't accept they will typically make a counter offer.  It can go on and on until a price is agreed on.  A couple of more hints:  don't be so excited about a particular item.  Don't be scared to make offers.  It is half of the fun!  Good luck! 

 

Here are my picks for this week:

 

1) The Community of Chapel Ridge will be holding its first community-wide yard sale on Saturday and Sunday, October 23 & 24, from 9:00 to 3:00. We anticipate that a large percentage of our 140 families will participate in the event. Items for sale include tools, electronics, computer equipment, housewares, electric bikes, baby accessories and so much more.

Chapel ridge is located in Pittsboro and has two entrances:

The front entrance is on Old Graham Road in the 5300 block just north of the New Salem Church. From US 15/501, turn onto Russell Chapel Church Road (look for the Lynn Morrow Pottery sign on the
corner) and follow it until it dead ends on Old Graham Road. Turn right onto Old Graham Road and continue on for about 2.5 miles.

The rear entrance is in the 5400 block of NC Highway 87 and is about 3 miles north of US 64. There are signs directing you to development.

 

COMMENTS:  I am not familiar with this community but it looks promising.  The only downside is that it is a bit of a drive from Durham.

Participating families will have balloons on their mailboxes and there will be signs placed throughout the community to help you find the participants. We ask that you not arrive before the 9:00 start time to give everyone a chance to set up their sale items. Food and beverages are available at the Chapel Ridge Golf Course Restaurant.

 

2) Multifamily Garage Sale, Saturday October 23, 7a.m.-12p.m.
8005 Somerdale Drive, Durham 27713
Antiques (oak table with drawer, tables, oak desk swivel chair, small child’s wicker chair, 1940’s birdseye Maple table with six chairs
Maternity clothing
Women and men’s clothing, women’s shoes,
Children’s furniture
Nursery bedding and furniture
Children’s clothing (2T-5), toys, etc
Assorted Kitchen items
Bicycle
Lots, lots, more

Guglhupf Bakery

What it is:  Wow, I had to double check the spelling of this one quite a few times before I was actually sure I had it right.  Guglhupf Bakery, Patisserie, and Cafe is one of Durham's best eateries that serves up delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner fare as well as all variety of pastries and breads.  They pride themselves in serving local food with seasonal fresh ingredients as well as a variety of wines from small vineyards.  We've sampled their lunches-delicious, we've tried their pastries-decadent, and we've enjoyed their birthday cakes-yummy!  We haven't gone wrong yet.

When you arrive at Guglhuph, you can go to one of two places-the bakery or the restaurant.  The bakery has all variety of pastries including the delicious chocolate tart that my son and I sampled a few weeks ago.  In addition, they also have a small sampling of bottled sodas and beverages, sandwiches and cheeses.  If you head into the restaurant, you first stand in a line to order your food (sandwiches, salads, entrees, etc.) and get a number.  Then, after visiting either the bakery or the cafe, you can choose to sit inside the restaurant either upstairs or downstairs or outside on the patio.  If the weather is nice, the outside is definitely the toddler-friendly location.  While the inside also has fun decor for a toddler's eyes to watch, the outside is beautifully decorated with flowers and even fountains.


What we liked: The patio is a great relaxing location to sit and enjoy a meal or a treat while your toddler explores a little.  While they can't just run free because it is a restaurant, there is a lot to see.  When we were there, it was not very crowded, so I sat back in my chair under a shaded awning, enjoyed my fancy bottled root beer and chocolate tart (yes, I know, so healthy) while my son occupied himself for quite a while watching the water fall in the fountain and exploring the flowers and steps.  It was a wonderful peaceful outing!  In addition, every bit of food that we have tried there has been delicious.


What we would change: In looking at the dinner menu, it looks a bit pricey and fancy for the toddler crowd.  However, we have only been there for lunch.  Has anyone been there during dinner?  Is it as kid-friendly at that time?


Website and other important information: Guglhupf is located off of 15-501 Business just before its intersection with University.  It's nearby a great cluster of activities and food including Q-Shack and Fish Shack, Local Yogurt, Little Gym, Rockwood Park, and Fosters.

Website: http://www.guglhupf.com/

Address: 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Suite #1, Durham, NC 27707

Phone Number: (919) 401-2600

Hours:

Bakery-Monday (Closed), Tuesday-Friday (7:30am-6pm), Saturday (7:30am-5pm), Sunday (8:30am-2pm)

Cafe-Monday (Closed), Tuesday-Thursday (Breakfast 8am-11am, Lunch 11am-4:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm-9:30pm), Friday (Breakfast 8am-11am, Lunch 11am-4:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm-10pm), Saturday (Brunch 8am-4:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm-10pm), Sunday (Brunch 9am-3pm, Dessert 3pm-5pm)

Photos: 

1. The outside

 2. A view from my relaxing patio seat

Westover Park

What it is: Another day, another visit to a great Durham park.  This one was in North Durham.  Westover Park is an unexpected green hideaway just off of Guess Rd. south of I-85.  It looks like it has been recently renovated and includes a set of swings (regular and bucket), a small play structure with slides, a large jungle gym, and a rock wall to climb.  It also has a large grassy area with ample room for the kids to run.  At one end was access to part of what looks like the American Tobacco Trail.


What we liked: We liked how this park felt quiet and secluded even though it was off a very busy road.  We also liked how it was newly renovated, including astroturf under all the the play structures.  There was also a fence surrounding several sides to keep the children a little more protected from traffic.


What we would change: As we said earlier, this park is located next to several busy streets, so you need to make sure your kids don't get too close to the streets.

Website and other important information: 

Website: http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/gis_apps/parkapp/park.cfm?selVal=park&ParkNam=Westover+Park

Address: 1900 MARYLAND AVENUE 27705

Photos:

1. jungle gym and rock climbing structure

2. Swings and play structure

3. Grassy area

La Monarcha

What it is: Our whole family loves these treats, so we were excited when one of our readers recommended La Monarcha.  Another local popsicle place that makes delicious, creative sweet treats.  It was an adventure to find it tucked away in a shopping center just North of I-85 off of Roxboro.  We had to actually drive through the shopping center several times before we noticed the colorfully decorated windows advertising La Monarcha.

When we headed in, we were amazed by the sheer choice in flavors.  There were rows upon rows of popsicle choices as well as ice cream (36 flavors in ice cream and 32 flavors in popsicles).  The flavors weren't labeled so we spent a few minutes asking the owner what everything was and asking for numerous samples of the ice cream flavors.  They had a little of everything, from chocolate and chile to fresh fruits.  Since all of the ice cream and popsicles are made in the store, we really couldn't go wrong.  I opted for the mango-chile popsicle, my friend had the vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips, and my son, of course, went for the chocolate ice cream.  I actually went back for seconds to sample the cookies and cream ice cream, and every flavor was well-made and delicious.  The ice cream was especially thick and creamy.

What we liked: The selection was great, so many unique and fun flavors to choose from, and the quality of what we got was wonderful.  Plus, we didn't have to choose between going to a popsicle  or ice cream shop, everyone could get what they wanted at La Monarcha.  Their prices were reasonable and the owner was nice, helpful, and very patient with us as we debated the many flavors.


What we would change: Since none of the flavors were labeled, it was challenging to figure out what we wanted and would have been even more difficult without the help of the owner, and there were even some he was unable to translate into English.  In addition, the location wasn't in the best part of town, so I felt more comfortable going with a friend.  That being said, I felt completely safe having my friend and two young children in the restaurant.  And, while the mango-chile popsicle was really good, they weren't kidding when they said "chile".  There wasn't just a hint of spice, it made my mouth burn.  So, make sure you want the heat if you choose that option.


Website and other important information:

Website: While they don't have a website that I could find, you can read another review at: http://carpedurham.com/2010/07/18/la-monarcha/

Address: 2000-P Avondale Drive, Durham, NC 27704

Phone Number: (919) 491-1161

Photos:

1. The rainbow assortment of popsicles

 2. The interior

3. The decorated windows

Neuse River Valley Model Railroad Club, Inc.

What it is: This is the clubhouse for a group of train enthusiasts who are open for the public on weekends.  They have many detailed models of trains at different scales, including two different scales of Thomas the Tank Engine.  All trains are controlled by the visitors, with either a push button, or a very intricate controller.  They have also created beautiful sceneries to go around the trains, all to scale.  There is even a swimming pool with people swimming in it.  Also, on November 6th and 7th, they will be having an annual show and sale at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, where there will be a full scale Thomas the Tank Engine to see.

What we liked: My toddler loved being able to push the button to make Thomas and Percy chug around a replica model of the Island of Sodor.  The whole Thomas layout was behind a sheet of plexiglass, which was great, because otherwise my toddler would have been trying to grab Thomas.  The whole time we were there, my toddler stayed at the Thomas the Train, saying “Choo-Choo!” and doing the train whistle pull with his hand.  Any child who loves trains would definitely love to visit the trains here.  The members of the club were also very friendly and ready to answer any questions we might have about trains.  We have a preschooler who looked at some of the smaller trains, in very big layouts, and it was nice that for those tables, they were a little higher up, and had step stools for them to be able to see.

What we would change: Some of the smaller scale models are easy for little hands to grab (and potentially break), so if your toddler doesn’t want to stay at Thomas the whole time, you will have to make sure to watch them very closely.  Also, the smaller Percy was in the engine shed for repairs, and my toddler was sad that that one didn’t work.
 
Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.nrvclub.net

Email:  joe.nrvmrrc@pobox.com

Hours:  Open House 10 am- 5 pm on Saturdays, 1 pm-5 pm on Sundays.  Club Meeting 7 pm -9pm on Wednesdays

26 Annual Model Train Railroadiana Show and Sale: http://nrvshow.org .  Nov 6 & 7, open 9am-5pm both days at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh

Address:  1001 Airport Blvd, Morrisville, NC, Suite 120 in the Morrisville Outlet Mall

Photos:

 

October Giveaway-And the winner is...

The winner of our October giveaway, a month of free children's dance classes at Stage Door Dance, is Sandy!

Sandy's comment said: "great contest! Our favorite Durham Fall activity is riding bikes on the Tobacco Trail."

If this is you...congratulations!  Simply e-mail us at scmomsgroup@gmail.com to claim your prize.

The North Carolina State Fair

If you live in North Carolina, or at least the Triangle area at this time of year, you've almost certainly heard that the North Carolina State Fair is in town!  It's one of the biggest events of the year for families, so Stir Crazy Moms had to write about it.

What it is: We have been to the State Fair several years in the past, and this year promises to bring more of the same fun, so we thought we'd share some of our favorite fair activities.  Primarily, we love to come to the fair to eat!  There are countless booths of every fried delicacy that you can think of as well as other delicious treats.  If you want your family to eat healthy at the fair, those options might be harder to find, but there's plenty of kid-friendly food to go around such as hot dogs, french fries, potato chips, funnel cakes, the list goes on.  Some of our favorites include the deep fried Snickers bar, the bloomin' onion (might be more for the adults), and the one booth selling fresh cinnamon sugar donuts (trust us, these are fantastic!)  If you can eat it, you can probably find it fried the fair!  Here's a link to all of the new foods at the fair and a map to the location of any treat you could want (http://www.ncstatefair.org/2010/General/FoodFinder.htm).  Thanks to "Southern Accent" for telling us about this link.

In addition to food, there are countless other activities.  Our son's favorite is always the animals.  He loves to go into the buildings with the livestock and other animals to take a look at all of the prize winning fruits, veggies, and animals.  There are even places you can go to milk a cow and hold a chick.  One of our favorites is the building filled with all of the prize winning bunnies.  The kids love looking at all of the different kinds of rabbits-big, small, fluffy, lop-eared, etc.

In addition to the animals, the fair also has lots of other amusements.  While we don't ride the rides very often (My husband doesn't like them.), there are apparently over 100 rides available at the fair.  There's also an entire midway just for kids, complete with kid-sized rides.  However, at this point, my short little 2.5 year old is still too small for all of the rides.  With the rides come the games.  These we do enjoy.  You can play carnival games of all kinds in the hopes of winning prizes.  We particularly like the game where you throw a dart and burst balloons--you win a prize every time!

There are so many things to do at the fair that I probably don't know about a lot of them.  Some other more obscure parts of the fair that my family and I particularly enjoy include the Village of Yesteryear and the Heritage Circle areas.  The Village of Yesteryear is filled with craftspeople making and selling all kinds of crafts.  My son enjoyed looking at the goods and watching the craftspeople actually make them.  We really enjoyed the Heritage Circle area last year because it was so cold.  There, we could buy some warm apple cider and watch a bluegrass band.  My son also especially enjoyed the hobbies building, the Lego display, and the pig races.

Please comment and let us know about your favorite parts of the fair that we haven't even found yet.

What we liked: We love all the food and fun.  There's so much to do and so little time.  We find a new attraction every time we go.


What we would change: The crowds can be a little daunting, especially if you head to the fair on the weekend.  Tricky parking is the primarly result of the crowds.  In fact, one year, we headed down on the middle of a Saturday and we actually had to turn back and go home because we couldn't find parking.  So, if you do go on a weekend, go early or take a shuttle bus (more information on the website).  On the weekdays it is significantly less crowded.


Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.ncstatefair.org/2010/

Address: 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607

Phone Number: (919) 821-7400

Admission Prices: Adults-$8, Children (Ages 6-12)-$3, Children 5 and Under-Free, Seniors (Ages over 65+)

Dates: October 14-24, 2010

Hours of Operation:

Fairgrounds Gates
Open 8 a.m. - midnight (weather permitting)
Except Oct. 14, when gates open at 3 p.m.
Fairgoer must have advance ticket, or purchase admission ticket prior to 10 p.m., in order to enter gates between 10 p.m. and closing. 

Admission Ticket Booths
Open 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Except Oct. 14 when admission ticket booths open at 3 p.m.
Fairgoer must have advance ticket, or purchase admission ticket prior to 10 p.m., in order to enter gates between 10 p.m. and closing.

Midway Ride Ticket Booths (Located inside the fairgrounds)
Open 9:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Except Oct. 14 when midway ride ticket booths open at 3 p.m.

Midway Rides
10 a.m. - midnight (weather permitting)
Except Oct. 14 when midway rides open at 3:30 p.m.

Exhibit Halls
9 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Except Oct. 14 when exhibit halls open at 4 p.m.

Photos: (some shots from last year's trip to the fair)

Ganyard Hill Farm

What it is: Ganyard Hill Farm is a family-owned farm located in North Durham.  They're open to everyone for the fall season starting at the end of September.  The farm has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay maze, corn crib, pick-your-own soybeans, hayrides, goats, a country store, and more.

What we liked: It's a quick drive--only about 20 minutes--from SW Durham.  The hay-maze is at toddler-level and is great fun for independent toddlers to get their run-on while still supervised.  The pumpkin patch is a blast to explore and the price of admission includes one pumpkin per person.  And the best part:  the corn crib.  The corn crib is basically what it sounds like--a big fenced in playpen filled with dried corn.  The kids love rolling around in it, and it's in a barn so they can watch the cows and get a break from the sun while they do it.  It will get everywhere (one stir-crazy toddler told his mom "my diaper is made of corn!"), but it's surprisingly cool and relaxing to roll around in dried corn. It's also easy to get out of socks, pants, and even diapers.  Go figure.

What we would change: A few important things to be prepared for:  bathrooms, prices, and general farm-iness.  As far as we know, the only restrooms available at the farm were porta-potties.  This isn't a huge problem because our toddler isn't potty trained and the parking lot was close enough for a car-change.  However, if your little one did need to use the bathroom... not the nicest facilities.  The price seems high, as well.  If your kids are over 2 it's $12.50 per person.  This adds up fast, even considering the included pumpkins you get to lug around.  And lastly, as is true of most of the farms we've mentioned, it's not entirely stroller-friendly. You'll need a carrier for anyone who's not walking. All in all, though, it was a blast and we thought worth the price for an annual fall event.  We're happy to support Farmer Ganyard for the second year in a row.

Website and other important information: 

Address: Ganyard Hill Farm, 1104 Dominion Hill Drive, Cary, NC 27519 

Telephone:(919) 596-8728 or (919) 812-7370 

Email: farmer@GanyardHillFarm.com

Website: http://www.ganyardhillfarm.com/

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

Photos:

1. Feeding the Goats (yes, they have goats!)

2. A fun little diversion--shuck your own corn.

3. The hay-bale maze; hay slide in the background.

4. The corn crib!

5. Stuffed animals love playing in the corn crib, too.

6. The pumpkin patch.  There are paths through to pick your pumpkin.

Green Acres Farm

What it is: Green Acres Farm belongs to the Ferrell family and is open to the public during the fall and winters seasons. The fall festivities include: a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, pony rides, bounce house, tractors, fire trucks, and more. Additionally, during October you can visit
the corn maze at night! Flashlights are recommended!

What we liked: Very short drive for those living in Durham! Once there, it is easy to park and the cost is great (based on the activities in which you participate). They do accept cash and credit cards. Everything is within walking distance, yet it does not feel crowded because there is something to do or see everywhere you look. Plus, close enough to the airport that your children will enjoy watching the planes pass overhead at just the right distance. Food available and plenty of bathrooms made it
an easy (and fun) weekend trip for our family.

What we would change: Be prepared for it to be a farm...in other words strollers and wagons can be a bit challenging. It is probably best for walkers and/or those wearing carriers. Otherwise, it's a family friendly place to be on the weekend!

Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.greenacrescary.com/ 

Address: 1132 Morrisville Carpenter Rd, Cary, NC 27519

Phone Number: (919) 481-2435

Photos: 

1. Tractor

2. Bouncy slide

3. Pony rides

4. Hay bales with tunnels

5. Pumpkins

Our October Giveaway-Stage Door Dance

Happy October!  This month we have another fabulous giveaway from a local business.  This time, Stage Door Dance located in Brier Creek, is offering a gift certificate.  Stage Door Dance is a dance studio that offers a wide variety of classes for all ages including several options for toddlers and young children.  We've checked out the classes and had a great time!  Check out our blog entry on Stage Door Dance for more information.

So, Stage Door Dance has been generous enough to offer one of our lucky readers a gift certificate for a month of free children's classes in which you can take up to two classes each week!  To win this wonderful gift, simply comment on this entry on the blog or on facebook.  Since fall is here, in your comment share your favorite fall activity in Durham.  Leave your comments by midnight on Friday to be entered in the contest.

Thanks again to Chasta at Stage Door Dance!  Don't forget that you can mention that you are a fan of Stir Crazy Moms when you register for a class at Stage Door Dance and receive a free trial class and half off your registration.

Hill Ridge Farms

What it is: This is the second year that we have headed up to Hill Ridge Farms for their "Fall Festival" celebration.  It is a great place to bring young kids and we had a wonderful time both years.  Hill Ridge Farms has designed a fall experience for families and kids including pony rides, gem panning, a giant tube slide, several mazes, farm animals, a train, both a hay pit and a corn pit, and a hayride to pick out your pumpkin.  There are concession stands where you can buy festival fare such as funnel cakes, lemonade, roasted corn, etc. as well as a store and a grill where you can pick up a meal such as hot dogs or hamburgers.

*All of the events described were part of the Fall Festival.  Call the farm to determine what is available at other times.

What we liked: We loved how there was just so much for my toddler to do, and yet it didn't seem hectic or fast-paced.  We could just wander from activity to activity according to the his interest, and there was so much that we could have spent all day there.  Our favorite on this visit was the corn pit where we could sit and enjoy ourselves happily playing with both our two year old and our 5 month old.

The cost is also relatively reasonable at $10 per person for a basic pass and $20 for an ultimate pass.  It seemed expensive at first, but when compared with some of the other pumpkin patches in the area, it was actually pretty reasonable.  The basic pass included most activities, and you could either pay extra to add the special acitvities such as pony rides, gem panning, and train rides, or you could purchase the ultimate pass which got you admission to everything.  As an added bonus, you get your pumpkin free with your admission purchase.


What we would change: If you do head there, it is best to arrive as close to when it opens at 9 as possible because it does get crowded and the lines for the activities can get long on the weekends.  In addition, with its location in Youngsville, it's a bit of a drive from Durham.  It was about 45 minutes away from our location in S. Durham.

Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.hillridgefarms.com/

Phone Number:(919) 556-1171 or 1-800-358-4170

Hours: 9am-6:30pm seven days a week

Fall Festival Dates: September 18-November 14

Address:703 Tarboro Rd., Youngsville, NC 27596

Photos: 

Views of the farm

The Fun Zone-Drop-in Childcare in Downtown Durham

What it is: Owner Toni Mason has created a terrific space for kids aged 18 months and above to play in while moms and dads head out for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. The Fun Zone has bins and bins of toys, crafts and activities, plus a bounce house, pretend-play areas, and as it gets late, there's a movie area too.. Ms Toni has a lot of experience in childcare, because on top of babysitting, she has been running the afterschool care program at Durham Academy. The price is $8/hour for the first child, $14/hour for two, charged in quarter-hour increments, with a one-hour minimum.  The Fun Zone also offers birthday parties, for a great place to celebrate your little ones big day. 

(The Fun Zone's next door sister-business Sew Crafty also offers crafty summer camps for children ages 7 and up.  There are a ton of camp options including sewing, painting, clay, beads, and much more.  Sew Crafty also offers sewing classes for age 8 and above as well as home school programs and afterschool and workday programs.  Sew Crafty will also be offering craft days when year round schools are tracked out.  Check out their website for more information: http://besewcrafty.com/.

What we like: Since we first tried out the Fun Zone a few weeks ago, we have already returned twice, at the insistence of our two daughters aged 3 and 5! They can't wait to get there, and the place is walking distance to a bunch of excellent restaurants; and then the girls never want to leave! We've been so impressed that I even arranged for child care at the Fun Zone for a charity benefit I organized: the other three families (a total two girls and 4 boys aged 2.5 to 9) who participated all reported the same thing! Now my husband and I feel like we are so free to get out a little! And my girls want their birthday parties to be held there... The space is so inviting, the kids just instantly take to it-- neither of our kids usually take to a new place that fast. The activities are all really engaging, and when kids need to blow off steam, the bounce house is perfect. Ms Toni and her helper keep the kids busy and happy, and we've packed dinner for them to eat there too.

What could be better: While the location is terrific on a quiet pedestrian street in the heart of downtown, it can be tricky to find. Orange Street is a two-block walking street that runs from the front of the downtown Durham post office to the intersection of Parrish and Mangum. On-street parking can be tricky, so the easiest solution is the parking structure at the intersection of Rigsbee and Chapel Hill Streets, across from Rue Cler restaurant (parking is usually free on weekend evenings).

Website and Other Important information:

Website: www.thefunzoneforkids.com

Address: 101 Orange Street, Durham NC 27701

Phone Number: 919-683-1582

E-mail address:  sewcraftytoni@hotmail.com

Hours: Open Fri and Sat evenings, 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Weekends from 10am-2pm, and Weekday mornings for playtime from 9:30am-11am


Photos:

1. The entrance

2. Views of the inside

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Solite Park

What it is: Solite Park is a park located on the American Tobacco Trail in South Durham.  It has two smaller play structures, a swing set with both regular swings and bucket swings, picnic structures, and restrooms.  All of this is surrounded by large open areas.  While mostly grass, these open areas include a basketball court, some weathered volleyball courts, and some small dirt hills created for biking (a style of biking track apparently called Trail and Pump track).  The park is also directly off of the American Tobacco Trail.


What we liked: This playground was great for my toddler because the play structures were a bit smaller.  With the size of the structures and the emptiness of the playground, my more-cautious son did much more exploring on the actual structures than usual.  The dirt hills for biking were also a great toddler diversion.  Even though the playground was very sunny, the large picnic shelter gave us ample space to get out of the sun for some snacks.  The access to the American Tobacco Trail makes this a great stop if you would like to go out for a little walk and then have a place for toddlers that have been cooped up in strollers to blow off some steam.

They also have bathrooms that, in my experience, are actually open.  It is a frequent bathroom break for people running and biking long distances on the Tobacco Trail.


What we would change: While this park feels completely safe with a group, I might not feel safe heading there on my own.  In addition, in the heat of summer, it would be hot! 


Website and other important information: The entrance to Solite Park is a bit tricky to find.  It is located off of Fayetteville Rd. between MLK Blvd. and Barbee, but you have to look carefully for the gravel road to the parking lot.

Website: http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/gis_apps/parkapp/park.cfm?selVal=park&ParkNam=Solite+Park

Address: 4704 FAYETTEVILLE ROAD 27713

Photos: 

(A view looking back out towards Fayetteville Rd. from the park.  It is separated from the road by a large grassy expanse.)

(The play structures)

(The picnic shelter)