Mardi Gras Bowling Center

What it is: Yes, that's right, bowling for toddlers! When someone suggested that we take my 2-year old bowling, I thought it was crazy. However, they insisted that it was fun, so we went. Turns out, they were right. Bowling is the perfect activity for a group of energy-filled toddlers. Who knew?

Mardi Gras Bowling offers standard bowling for any age. However, they do have special adaptations for the toddlers. When we arrived, they put up bumpers in the lanes so the ball wouldn't go in the gutter. Then, they set up a ramp so that the kids can set their ball on top and have it roll down the ramp and then down the lane with some speed. We were given lighter balls (6 lbs.) which my son, a very small toddler, could lift. However, he did need some help to keep it from falling on his foot and hoisting it up onto the ramp. The kids didn't need shoes, just socks, and adults didn't have to pay for a game if they were just going to watch their toddlers. In addition to bowling, Mardi Gras Bowling also offers an arcade and a concession stand with kid-friendly meals.

What we liked: We loved the reasonable cost ($3.79 for one game of bowling) and how you didn't have to pay for extras like shoes. But the best part for us was how much the kids enjoyed it. It seemed like this was truly a unique activity and one that can be done on rainy or cold days. The kids had plenty of things to look at and could get their energy out. We also liked that the center had the options of the arcade and snacks or a meal from the concession stand if we needed additional activites.

What we would change: This activity could prove difficult with toddlers for several reasons. First, if they bowling alley was crowded this would be very tricky. Our kids certainly weren't good at staying in their own lanes, so it is best to go early in the morning when it is not crowded. Secondly, the kids are endlessly fascinated by the ball return. Parents need to keep a careful eye on this because balls can pinch fingers and the mechanism itself can really damage someone's hand if it is stuck inside. In addition, on the morning when we went to Mardi Gras, we were unable to use the arcade because the change machine was broken. This was disappointing especially when our little guys needed a break from the bowling.

Website and other important information: Mardi Gras bowling is located off of Hwy. 54 just south of it's intersection with I-40 in Chapel Hill.

Address: 6118 Farrington Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8108

Phone Number: (919) 489-1230

Website: www.mardigrasbowling.com

Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 9am-1am; Sun 11am-10pm

Photos:

1. The setup complete with ramps and bumpers


2. The bowling alley


3. The arcade


4. The concession stand

Our NEW Winner...

So, our first winner of the cake pop giveaway has not been heard from. So, it is finally time to pick another winner! I know everyone is waiting anxiously. Our new winner is: Rands

Rands commented: "Adorable cake pops! I would pack them for a picnic at Duke Gardens :) Love the blog!!"

So if you are Rands, please contact us as soon as you can via e-mail at scmoms.group@gmail.com or on facebook to claim your delicious cake pops before the weekend.

Happy early 4th of July everyone!

Where is our winner?

Our cake pops giveaway winner, Christopher has until 10pm tonight to claim his prize or we select another winner. We're hoping to hear from Christopher, but if we don't, someone else could be in luck! Keep checking back to see what happens!

Blue Corn Cafe

What it is: This is my new favorite place to eat with kids in Durham! It's a Mexican restaurant on 9th street serving unique and tasty Mexican food. It also has a separate kids area! The back of the section has a kids play area complete with toys, games, and a TV with movies. So, adults can eat and enjoy their meal while the kids head back to the play area...genius!

What we liked: Of course the big draw was the play area! It was so relaxing to have a nice meal and talk with my husband without having to worry about keeping an antsy toddler in his seat! In addition, the overall atmosphere and great food made for a very enjoyable dining experience.

What we would change: Since Blue Corn Cafe is located on 9th St., it can be a little tricky to find parking. That being said, the small lot directly across the street actually had quite a few spaces when we visited on a Saturday night. (Maybe that's because Duke is out for the summer.)

Website and other important information: Blue Corn Cafe is located near Duke University's East Campus on 9th St.

Website: http://www.bluecorn-tosca.com/bc_home.asp

Address: 716 9th Street, Durham, NC 27705-4803

Phone Number: (919) 286-9600

Hours: Mon - Thurs 11:30 to 9:00, Fri & Sat 11:30 to 9:30

Photos:

1. Beverages for both kids and adults! :)


2. The kids' area


3. A view from outside

Sugarland

What it is: Sugarland is a cupcake and gelato shop on Franklin St. in Chapel Hill. There are gourmet cupcakes, fancy flavors of gelato, several different types of coffee, and even some cocktails!

What we liked: We love the location, just across the street from Kidzu Children's Museum. It makes a perfect combination. We also like the food! The cupcakes look and taste decadent, and, although I didn't try it, the gelato looked heavenly, especially the mexican chocolate. The cocktails also are a unique touch, but I don't know how often I would partake since we usually head over there in the middle of the day with toddlers. On the particular day that we went, we were especially thrilled that they had a big screen TV. It happened to be tuned in to the World Cup where we caught a very exciting, last-minute goal from the U.S.

What we would change: With its location on Franklin St. parking can be tricky. Finding street parking or a pay lot can be difficult when you just want to duck in for a quick treat.

Website and other important information: Sugarland is located on Franklin St. in Chapel Hill somewhat near its intersection with Columbia.

Address: 140 E. Franklin St, Chapel Hill

Phone Number: (919) 929-2100

Website: http://www.sugarlandchapelhill.com/

Hours: Open 'til 10pm daily and midnight on weekends

Photos:

1. The mural outside the shop


2. gelato!


3. cupcakes!

Back Porch Music at the American Tobacco Campus

What it is: Back Porch Music is a series of concerts this summer on the lawn at the American Tobacco Campus. These concerts are described as "authentic, not to mention danceable, roots music" starting at 6pm on select Fridays. These concerts are completely free, and families can come and sit on the lawn to enjoy the music. The lawn is surrounded by several restaurants such as Tylers and Saladelia if you would like to combine the music with a meal.

What we liked: We actually headed out to watch music on the American Tobacco Campus on a Sunday night for "Pops for Pops" on Father's Day, not the Back Porch Music series. However, after the fun that we had watching the music in that setting, we had to mention these events on the blog. First, we love the cost of these events! Secondly, we love the large lawn where kids can dance and run. In addition, the American Tobacco Campus has a ton of man-made rivers and bridges which provide endless entertainment for young children. The restaurants actually at the concert site also make planning for this family outing easier.

What we would change: The American Tobacco Campus has a lot of steps and varying levels. This makes it difficult to navigate with strollers. While they do have some elevators to get to the campus itself, I did have to carry the stroller up and down stairs to get around sometimes.

Website and other important information: The American Tobacco Campus is located in downtown Durham next to the ballpark. The music is located in the center lawn of the campus.

Website: http://www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com/microsites/motl2011/OnTheLawn-calendar.html

Dates for 2011: April 29, May 27, June 10, June 17, July 1, August 19, September 2, September 9, September 16

Time: 6 pm

Photos:

1. Watching the music from the lawn


2. A view of the campus and lawn

And the Winner Is...

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful response to our first ever giveaway! We loved reading all of your comments hope you enjoyed them as well. We randomly drew a winner, and that winner is...Christopher! Your comment said:

"Great looking cakes! I'd love to bring some of these to my wife's Birthday party on the 4th of July weekend."

If this is you, please e-mail us at: scmoms.group@gmail.com so we can get your delicious cake pops out to you! We hope you will enjoy them at your wife's Birthday party.

Keep reading everyone and enjoy these warm summer days. We're looking forward to our next contest in July!

Baker's Cakes-Our First Giveaway!

We're pleased to announce our FIRST BLOG GIVEAWAY! Read this post about a fabulous local mom business, Baker's Cakes. Then, post a comment on the blog or on the post on facebook to have a chance to win. We will randomly select one of the people who commented to win 2 dozen delicious cake pops from Baker's Cakes just in time for any 4th of July gatherings! Take a look at the pops pictured above.

So, read the post and then simply comment on where in Durham you think would be a great place to enjoy these delicious treats. (Don't worry, there are no right answers here.) Make sure to post by 11pm on Thursday to have a chance to win.

Enjoy! (This is the first of what we hope will be many giveaways of fun Durham goodies.)

What it is: Baker's Cakes is a cake and other edible works of art business created by a local Durham mom, Danielle Baker. She started making cakes for her own childrens' birthdays and soon friends were requesting cakes for their own kids' birthdays. Word-of-mouth spread and Baker's Cakes was born. (Yes, her last name is actually Baker.) These cakes, cupcakes, and cake pops look beautiful and taste fantastic! We discovered them at a friend's birthday party and have enjoyed them at several of our own birthday celebrations since then.

What we liked: The cakes are fantastically decorated. The artwork on the cakes is unbelievable including a cake with a portrait of Joe Paterno and one that is a perfect replica of a Louis Vuitton purse. While we love the cakes, our favorite of Danielle's creations is definitely her cake pops. These little gems are one or two bites of moist, delicious cake coated in a shell of chocolate and icing. The cake pops can be made in many flavors, but we have only tried chocolate and peanut butter, which are fabulous!

What we would change: I would definitely love to come to a shop and enjoy Danielle's creations any time I wanted, but unfortunately, she works out of her home. So, in order to get a cake or another of her treats, you must contact Danielle and order it. It's tough having to wait for such great desserts.

Website and other important information: Danielle is based out of South Durham, but can take orders from anywhere nearby.

Website: http://bakers-cakes.blogspot.com/

Contact information: To order a cake from Danielle, simply contact her at bakers.cakes@yahoo.com

Photos:

Some of Baker's Cakes creations

Herndon Hills Farm

What it is: We have been anxiously waiting on the opening of Herndon Hills Farm this summer. After some wonderful strawberry picking at other farms this spring, we couldn't wait to try our hand at blueberry and blackberry picking. This weekend Herndon Hills, located minutes from Southpoint Mall, opened and with it comes the opportunity for people to grab a bucket and pick as many blueberries as they want and if they're lucky, some blackberries too. Later in the year, they also have grapes to pick.

What we liked: We love the opportunity to pick our own delicious berries and teach our sons where their food actually comes from. My child had a great time running through the berry patch with his bucket, picking berries and placing the majority straight into his mouth. In addition, it is in a convenient part of town to get to. Parking is easy and pricing is reasonable, so it's a great way to spend a morning.

What we would change: I've noticed it can get pretty hot out there, as can be expected in berry picking, so make sure that you dress appropriately with sunscreen, hat, etc. The one other minor drawback that we have noticed is the small amount of blackberries. If you don't get there really early in the morning, then there are no more blackberries available for that day. We were there by 9am today and didn't even get any.

Website and other important information: Herndon Hills Farm is located in South Durham near Southpoint Mall.

Website: http://www.pickyourown.org/NCpiedmont.htm (While Herndon Hills does not have its own website, this site has information on it and many other U-Pick farms in the area.)

Harvest Dates: Blueberries can be harvested from Late June through July, and grapes can be harvested late August through September. Please call for specific dates.

Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday: 7am-noon

Pricing: $2.75/lb. for both blueberries and blackberries

Address: 7110 Massey Chapel Road, Durham, NC 27713.

Phone: 919-544-3313

Photos:

(A view of the farm)

(An up close view of one of the blueberry plants. Don't worry, we had already relieved it of all of it's ripe, blue blueberries.)

Orange Leaf

What it is: Orange Leaf is a frozen yogurt shop in Chapel Hill. They have self-serve yogurt in a variety of flavors. These can be combined with a wide assortment of toppings. Each customer pays by weight of their bowl no matter how many toppings or flavors are included. The yogurt can be enjoyed at one of several modern tables indoors or outdoor seating outside of the restaurant.

What we liked: We loved the self-serve aspect of the shop. My child definitely enjoyed picking out his flavor of yogurt and helping me dish it out. He also loved having control of the amount of toppings added. While self-serve could be messy, we were pleased to notice a shop employee keeping that area clean after the customers passed through. In addition, the yogurt and toppings were delicious. I tried a pomegranate yogurt with granola and strawberries, and I really enjoyed the lightness of the granola. The seating areas were great for my toddler because they were low to the ground and fun for him to wiggle around on.

What we would change: The biggest drawback of this place it its distance from Durham. It took us 20-30 minutes to get there from the Southpoint area so it's not a trip we can make easily. In addition, there's not a lot of seating inside which could be a problem when it's crowded.

Website and other important information: Orange Leaf is located in Chapel Hill off of Weaver Dairy Rd.

Website: www.orangeleafyogurt.com

Address and Phone Number: 1129 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-8229

Photos:

1. The storefront


2. The interior of the shop


3. Yogurts for all tastes-chocolate with gummy bears and M&M's, vanilla with strawberries, kiwi, and blackberries, and pomegranate with strawberries and granola

Chubby's Tacos

What it is: Chubby's is a taco and other Mexican food restaurant with locations on 9th St., in Raleigh, and in the Woodcroft shopping center. It focuses on inexpensive tacos with unusual ingredients such as the El Pastor with pork and pineapple and the tilapia taco with chipotle cream sauce. While I have been to both locations, I am more familiar with the Woodcroft location, so I will focus the review on that one.

What we liked: First and foremost, we like the food! Since my child is a picky eater, he doesn't typically go for the unusual types of tacos that they serve there. However, they do a delicious quesadilla kids plate that he devours. That leaves the tacos for the grown ups, and I'm more than happy to eat several of those! There are pros and cons about the location. I would say that as a whole, I like it. I usually go with a group of several families, so we sit outside where there is more room. This makes it nice because the kids can get up and roam if they get antsy. I'll discuss the negatives of this below.

What we would change: The biggest drawback of Chubby's is the size of the interior. There is room to sit inside, but it gets crowded quickly, and it's difficult to fit several toddlers and all of their luggage in the restaurant. That's why we tend to sit outside. The negative about sitting outside is that the fairly busy parking lot is not too far away and if your child gets up and runs around you have to be pretty vigilant about them running out into traffic.

Website and other important information: The Chubby's that we reviewed here is located in the Woodcroft shopping center in South Durham at the intersection of Hwy. 751 and Hwy 54.

Website: http://www.chubbystacos.com/

Address: 4711 Hope Valley Rd., Durham

Hours: Sunday: 12pm-9pm, Monday-Thursday: 11am-9pm, Saturday: 11am-Midnight

Photos:

1. A view from the outside


2. A view of the inside

Foster's Market

What it is: Foster's Market is a casual restaurant/foodie store serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are two Foster's restaurants, one in Chapel Hill (off of what was formerly Airport Rd./now MLD Blvd.) and one in Durham. We profiled the Foster's in Durham.

What we liked: Foster's is a great place for a tasty, casual brunch and the building itself is well-suited to dining with kids. There are only a few tables inside, but outdoors there are picnic tables, shaded seating, and plenty of room to wander and explore. The food is also quite kid-friendly: they serve eggs and biscuits and breakfast (until 11:30), burritos, bagels, and lots of baked goods. At lunch they have one or two hot items--the selections change daily--and sandwiches, more baked goods, and a huge display of cold veggie and pasta salads. Everything works on the honor system here, too, so you can keep coming back for more or decide you need to add a drink or two to your order and you don't have to pay for it until you leave.

What we would change: Although Foster's has friendly, amiable service, they can be a bit slow. When its busy it tends to be chaotic at the counter and the staff doesn't always get to everyone in a timely manner. The meals are also a bit pricey, but they tend to be large, so its best to order something from the hot-menu (dished out to you instantly), grab a roll or biscuit, and split it with your toddler. Also, you may want to steer your toddler clear of the baked-goods window. Those ginger snap cookies are mighty yummy and *right* at 2 yr. old eye-level.

Website and other important information: Foster's Market is located off of 15-501 business in central Durham, near the intersection of 15-501 and University.

Address: 2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham

Website: http://www.fostersmarket.com/

Hours: 7:30 am-8:30 pm daily

Random FYI: The Foster's in Chapel Hill has a slightly different menu--they serve tasty pizzas whereas the one in Durham does not. Foster's CH is also a family-friendly restaurant, but there isn't quite as much space to run around.

Photos:

1. the entrance (Yeah, it's in there somewhere.) with outside seating on both sides


2. the view from the back patio


3. an item off the hot menu: squash casserole with lentils and chicken pot pie

Southwest Regional Library, Reopened

What it is: Southwest Regional is a local library geared towards community outreach, kids, and casual (i.e. lots of fiction and books-on-tape) reading. On May 24, 2010 it reopened, fully remodeled.

What we liked: This library is a great place to wander around even if your toddler refuses to sit still and read a book. There's a large running-around space as you enter, lots of steps and benches, and manicured lawns outside. It seems that most of the entire left wing of the library is devoted to children. There is a small childrens' reading nook with ever-exciting foamy chairs, a sitting area with paper and crayons already laid out, a room devoted to story-time, and of course...lots and lots of kids' books. And for the parents, the rest of the library has a great selection of fiction, books-on-tape, and popular non-fiction.

What we would change: This library is *like* brand new and still working out the kinks. Some patrons have had trouble getting their cards to work and there seems to be a tiny bit of confusion about event-scheduling here and there. We've also heard that story-time wasn't nearly as lively as Parkwood's (but they are difficult to complete with).

Website and other important information: The library is located on Shannon Rd., right off of MLK.

Website: http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/southwestregional.php
(the site hasn't really been updated since the reopen.)

Photos:

1. Entrance (go left for kids' stuff)

2. childrens' reading nook

3. tables set up for impromptu coloring/craft sessions

4. the storytime room

5. a nice little area for snacks away from the books


6. perusing the (childrens' books) stacks

Woodcroft Playground

What it is: Woodcroft Playground is a play area located in the Woodcroft neighborhood next to their pool. It is a smaller playground with some unique play equipment geared toward slightly older toddlers and children. There are three slides, two of which are pretty tall, and the other is made of a series of pipes set parallel to each other. There's also a bridge, and some interesting monkey bars and other hanging structures. It is set in an area next door to the Woodcroft pool and near access to the Woodcroft walking trails.

What we liked: This play area is nice because it is a little different. My child loved the pipe slide, and I can imagine that older kids would really enjoy the monkey bars and other hanging structures. It is also in a great location. If your child gets tired of the play area there's access to the walking trails right next to the playground. It's also next to a storage area for construction equipment, boats, and other vehicles. Toddlers definitely enjoy hanging on the fence and taking a look at all the vehicles.

What we would change: Since the playground seems geared toward a little older children, it might not be good for the youngest or most timid toddlers. Much of the structure is tall, and there are no swings to play on. Plus, it can get pretty buggy in the summer. It's location next to the pool can be problematic if your child likes to swim because you can't get to the play area without passing next to the pool.

Website and other important information: The playground is located off of Woodcroft Parkway in the Woodcroft subdivision is South Durham.

Website: http://www.woodcroftclub.org/ (This is the website for the Woodcroft club. The playground is located in this complex, but this website doesn't have any specific information about the playground.)

Photos:

1. A view of the playground


2. The trail access from the playground

Margie's Hummus

One of the hardest things to get my child to eat is any source of protein. He's not a big fan of meat of any kind except for the occasional hot dog or chicken nugget. So, I'm always looking for ways to get protein in him. Hummus is one of the best ways that I've found. However, the store-bought varieties are expensive, so we had to find a way to make some. This recipe was given to me several years ago by one of my friends, it's some of the best hummus I've had, and it's really easy to make.

Ingredients:

*3 cans chick peas, drained
*1/4 C. soy sauce
*1/4 C. lemon juice
*1/8 C. tahini (This ingredient is a little expensive, but you can buy it once and use it for a long time.)
*1 tsp. cumin
*1 tsp. minced garlic
*1/4 tsp. red pepper
*1/4 C. canola oil
*1/2 C. water (more to make creamier hummus)
*Lemon zest can also be added if desired.

Mix all in food processor. Add more oil if needed.

Enjoy!

Lickity Split

What it is: Lickity Split is a fabulous ice cream and hot dog parlor in Meadowmont in Chapel Hill. They offer 32 flavors of ice cream that can be eaten as is or used to make milkshakes, floats, or sundaes. They also offer low fat, sugar-free, and milk free options as well as a bountiful candy selection and hot dogs with a variety of toppings and side choices. Lickity Split reminded me of a typical old-fashioned, neighborhood ice cream parlor. It is extremely family friendly with a train set, selection of games to play, a TV, and quite a few childrens' books to keep your kids busy after they finish their sweet treat.

What we liked: The ice cream was delicious, but what made this ice cream parlor unique to us were the activities for children. The train table, games, books, and TV were very thoughtful additions that make the outing even more fun for the kids. I actually saw a child come in while we were there specifically wanting to play one of their games, not to get ice cream. We also like it's location in Meadowmont. You can stop by for a treat after eating at Brixx, the pizza restaurant next door or Carolina Cafe across the street. Or you could eat at Lickity Split after playing at the Meadowmont playground or the fabulous Meadowmont pool (see blog post) which are both located a short drive away. After eating ice cream you can wander the pedestrian-friendly streets and even look at the nearby fountain. (My toddler is obsessed with all fountains!)

What we would change: One thing I noticed about the location was that there didn't seem to be a whole lot of parking nearby. That being said, it might not be a problem because we have never had a problem finding a spot.

Website and other important information: Lickity Split is located in Meadowmont in Chapel Hill off of Hwy. 54.

Address: 503 Meadowmont Village Circle, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-7585

Phone Number: (919) 929-8402

Website: http://www.meadowmont.com/inside.php?p=mvillage/meadowmont_village

Photos:

1. The storefront in Meadowmont

2. The ice cream counter


3. The candy selection


4. The kids' area


5. The fountain

Ebenezer Church Recreation Area

What it is: This is one of the recreation areas at Jordan Lake and a great way to spend a day. There's a large beach where you can go swimming in the lake, a playground for the little ones to play on, a picnic shelter for eating in the shade, a volleyball court, and bathrooms for when they are needed. There's also hiking at this particular site.

What we like: This is one of the few places in the area where you can swim at a beach. In addition, there's a playground to keep everyone entertained if they happen to not want to get in the water. While going to the pool is great, sometimes it is just nice to get out in the great outdoors, and this is a great place for a day at the lake!

What we would change: Starting in June there is a $6 fee to park at the area. That's not too expensive, but it's still something to consider. In addition, we have been at times where some of the hiking can get pretty buggy. So, if you're going to venture off of the beach you may want to bring your bug spray!

Website and other important information: The Ebenezer Church Recreation Area is located off of 64 at Beaver Creek Rd.

Website: http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/jord/main.php

Hours: May-August: 8am-9pm, September, October, March and April: 8am-8pm, November-February: 8am-6pm

Photos:

*Views of the swimming area and beach