Salty Waters

*Unfortunately as of 4/11, Salty Waters has closed.  Boo!

What it is: I've driven past this store many times in one of the shopping centers I frequent most, Renaissance Center near Southpoint.  I saw the name and debated whether it was a seafood restaurant, beach store, pool supply store, etc.  Finally, I found out that it was a store that sells salt water aquariums, and another mom said that we had to check it out.

I was a little hesitant to check it out because I didn't know how welcome toddlers would be in a store like this, but I was very pleasantly surprised.  They had several beautiful aquariums filled with fish.  In addition to the fish they had corals and even a sting ray and a shark!  My toddler had a ball looking at each of the aquariums.  He practically ran laps around one of the aquariums trying to follow the sting ray.  In addition, the people working in the store were very friendly and even gave us a complimentary sea creature silly band on the way out.  They made me think about actually getting an aquarium in my house for toddler entertainment.  He would absolutely love it, and this would be the perfect place to get one if I needed it.


What we liked: This was a great place to stop when you need quick outing to keep the toddlers entertained.  Plus, it is in a shopping center with many other shops that we frequent often so it can be a great break in a day otherwise filled with errands to Babies R Us, REI, World Market, Old Navy, etc.  The people who worked there were great and really made us feel welcome.  It was also nice for the kids to be able to see sea creatures other than fish.  It's a simple outing, but one that was thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.


What we would change: Of course, we would love to have more aquariums to look at, but the purpose of the store is not to entertain kids, but to sell aquariums, so we understand.  In addition, there's not a whole lot of parking right next to the store, so you may have to park in front of another store and walk.

Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.ac-nc.com/salt-water-fish-store-services.html

Address: 7001 Fayetteville Rd # 100, Durham, NC 27713-9643

Phone Number: (919) 361-9011

Hours:

Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 11am to 8pm
Saturday: 11am to 7pm
Sunday: 1pm to 6pm

Photos:

1. The interior of the store

2. The sting ray

 

3. The shark (okay, so my aquarium photography needs a bit of work.)

Bella Trio

What it is: Bella Trio is a full service salon and spa located in Sutton Station off of Fayetteville Rd. near I-40.  So, as you can tell, this is not a place that you can take your kids, but it is a fabulous place to add to our "Just for Moms" section.  After a long day of playdates and playgrounds, this can be a nice place to come to relax.  I've headed over several times on their evenings when they're open late and on the weekend and I leave every time feeling refreshed.  There are two parts to Bella Trio.  Enter at the main entrance downstairs for the salon (haircuts, etc.).  Head around to the side entrance for the spa where you can get pedicures, massages, and countless other luxurious treatments.


What we liked: This is a great spa and we have been happy with all of the treatments that we have checked out.  One of the nicest parts is that they are open late on Tuesday and Thursday evenings so that we can head out for some relaxation after the kids are in bed.  In addition, it is located next to Nantucket Grill so you can try a pedicure (for example) and then head down to Nantucket for a meal, dessert, or simply drinks--a great combination for a girls' night out.

What we would change: Having two different entrances can be confusing.  I'm never sure which entrance to head to for each service.  In addition, they only have three chairs upstairs for pedicures, so you can't get pedicures with a large group of friends at the same time.


Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.bellatrio.com/

Address: 5826 Fayetteville Rd., Suites 103 and 110, Durham, NC 27713

Phone Number: (919) 484-1221

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9am-6pm, Tuesday and Thursday: 9am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-4pm

Services (call or visit the website for pricing information): massage, reflexology, packages, facials, microdermabrasion, glycolic peels, enzyme peels, sunless tanning, waxing, body treatments, lash and brow tinting, nail services, hair salon, make-up, laser services, wedding parties, norwegian sauna

Photos:

 

1. The spa lounge area

2. The hair salon

*Images courtesy of the Bella Trio website

Carnival Delights

What it is: This eatery, located just off of 15-501 and I-40 in the Indigo Corners shopping center (behind the Red Robin), is exactly what its name suggests, a place where you can enjoy all different varieties of "carnival delights". They sell ice cream in a variety of flavors, sno-balls, hot dogs, hand dipped corn dogs, french fries, cotton candy, and funnel cakes for your dining pleasure.  In fact, it's the first place I've ever found besides a festival or fair where you can get a funnel cake, yum!  They even sell funnel cake sundaes in which they top the cake with whipped cream and fudge syrup.

What we liked: We liked they're focus on carnival treats that you couldn't necessarily get elsewhere.  They also cook them fresh, and you can smell the funnel cake goodness when you walk in the shop.  In addition, the prices were very reasonable.  It is also located near several other kid friendly restaurants including McAllisters and Red Robin, so you could eat at one of those restaurants and top it off with a little visit to Carnival Delights.


What we would change: Their menu does not have a lot of selection, but that simplicity is one of the things we really liked about the concept of this place.

Website and other important information:

Website: http://carnival-delights.com/

Address: 5324 New Hope Commons Drive, Suite 2, Durham, NC 27707

Hours:

Mon -Thurs  : Noon - 9:00pm
Fri -Sat : Noon - 10:00pm
Sun : 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Photos: 

1. A view from the outside

 2. The sign on the door

Duke Aquatics Diving

What it is: This is a really unique new opportunity for kids and parents in the area.  Duke Aquatics Diving is a year-round diving program that is based on education, life skills and the sport of diving.  They instruct all ages of students from preschool through competitive programs in both on-land diving skills preparation and work in the pool.  While they already have a wide variety of programs for children 6 and up, they are working on creating a program for preschoolers that would be all in their dry land facility and focus on skills kids would need in diving.  The program would be similar to a Little Gym or other gymnastics-based program. 

Preschoolers would have the option of attending once or twice a week, several times a month, or even just once for a playgroup meeting.  We had the opportunity to head over to Duke Aquatics Diving and check it out last week.  We had no idea what to expect visiting a diving center that had no water, but we had a wonderful time.  The facility is located in an old YMCA building and is currently used to train all levels of divers including two Olympic athletes. 

So, our little group of toddlers showed up and their eyes immediately lit up when they saw the equipment.  There were diving boards hooked up to TV's so you could watch yourself dive, big mats to cushion your landing and play on, several trampolines, and a spring floor.  The kids were ready to explore.  Since this facility was for all ages of kids, it was not designed to be toddler friendly, but with adult supervision, the kids had a wonderful time.  We had an hour introduction to diving.  In that hour we spent about twenty minutes doing skills on the spring floor, twenty minutes jumping on the diving board onto the mats, and about twenty minutes learning how to jump on the trampolines all facilitated by the wonderful Coach Beau. 


What we liked: This was such a unique opportunity for the kids, and what toddler doesn't like jumping on trampolines and diving boards.  I also liked the fact that the program is just starting out.  That means that anyone who becomes involved gets to help determine exactly what the program will look like and what would work best for their kids.  Beau was also a great instructor and the kids warmed up to him faster than they have to other coaches in the past.  Personally, I would love to have my child take a class because he enjoyed his first visit so much.  If that isn't an option for us however, there is also the option to come back for a playgroup meeting.

What we would change: Because the facility is for all ages of athletes, it is not toddler-safe, so you can't let your toddler simply roam to explore the equipment.  In addition, since the program is just beginning there are not any set class times or opportunities yet.  You would have to call to set up what you want.

Website and other important information:

Website: www.divingwithdrew.com (They are currently updating their website so some of the information is out of date.)

Address: 808 West Trinity Ave., Durham, NC, 27701

Phone Number: 919-215-1722

E-mail: asdiving@nc.rr.com

Contact Name: Beau Bunn

Pricing Information: $55/month for once a week, one hour classes (special pricing is available upon request for playgroups and other opportunities.)

Photos:

1. A view of the facility

2. The diving boards and mats

And the September Giveaway Winner is...

...Molly! 

Congratulations, if you are Molly, and your comment on our September giveaway was, "The Guglhupf and Rockwood Park is our favorite new Durham Duet :)" then you are our winner!

All you have to do to claim your Bean Traders gift certificate and Craftybag is send us an e-mail at: scmomsgroup@gmail.com.  We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Everyone else, keep checking, the October giveaway is coming soon!

Hope Valley Farms Playground

What it is: It's amazing how many great playground there are in this area.  Just when you think you've found all of them, another one appears.  Hope Valley Farms Playground has a wide variety of play equipment that will appeal to many ages, interests, and abilities of kids.  This playground is located in Hope Valley Farms next to the pool and clubhouse off of Roxboro.  It consists of two separate play areas connected by a walking path and completely surrounded by a fence.  The upper play area is a large play structure with slides.  The lower play area is a bit more unique.  There are numerous climbing structures, some rocking horses, picnic tables, and several swings. 


What we liked: The best part of this playground was the fence completely surrounding it.  This way your kids can run more freely.  In addition, it is in the woods, so there is a lot of good shade to be had, especially on the lower playground.  In addition, the fact that there are two structures means there is a lot to keep your kids interested. 


What we would change: One of the playgrounds is located down a hill from the other one.  Therefore, the lower area is not stroller friendly.  In addition, you will have to keep a hand on your little toddlers going down the stairs because they are a bit large and easy to stumble on.


Address: 4818 S. Roxboro St, Durham,  NC  27713

Photos: 

1. The upper play area

2. The lower play area in the trees

The Stir Crazy Dad is Back -- Yard Sale Timing

Hello Deal Diggers:

I hope many of you had a great weekend yard saling.  I was unable to get out there but I am certainly looking to next weekend, particularly some of the neighborhood sales.  I wanted to provide you with a couple of tips to increase your success when hitting the hoods.  Remember, time is your biggest enemy.  The early bird really DOES get the worm so if you are looking for popular items, get out there early.  One way to do this is to not lolly gag around at sales that aren't for you.  I think of yard sales as falling into one of four categories.  Is it a (a) slow down and drive by sale (b) stop but stay in your car and look (c) get out and make a quick one minute "once thru"  or (d) put the emergency brake on, lock the car and prepare to spend a lot of time there.  The bottom line is that you want to spend your time wisely.  Make your deals and move on.  Preparing the night before by ensuring you have cash on hand will save you time.  A breakfast on-the-go will also save time.  Knowing your route is helpful and choosing the sales with the highest probability of success based on what you are looking for will come with experience. 

Here are some noteworthy sales for 9/25/2010:

1) COMMUNITY YARD SALE AT THE TOWNHOUSES AT CHANCELLORS RIDGE IN DURHAM ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010 from 8am to noon. TAKE I-40 to exit 274 HIGHWAY 751 JORDAN LAKE EXIT. GO 2.2 MILES TOWARDS JORDAN LAKE & MAKE A LEFT ON HIGHER LEARNING DRIVE. #100-120 HIGHER LEARNING DRIVE WILL HAVE A TON OF STUFF FOR SALE. MAKE SURE TO GO TO THE TOWNHOUSES (PAST THE HOUSE DEVELOPMENT PORTION)!

2) The annual Mothers of Multiples Sale is this Saturday as well.  This is a popular sale that will get busy.  They have baby/toddler clothes, accessories and equipment as well as maternity clothes.  They ask that you bring a bag or basket to shop with.  

Here are the details:

7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Hillsong Baptist Church at 201 Culbreth Rd. in Chapel Hill

3) Pay attention! **Starts on Friday** and it is in Raleigh

4952 Trotter Drive, Raleigh, 27603

This will be a great yard sale! I have sooo much stuff...from 4 kids to just love to shop and have accumulated too much stuff and need to make room in the house for growing kids. There will be lots of nice boy clothes from size 5-7; lots of baby items...baby girl clothes, exersaucer, jumeroos, swings, johnny jumpers, bouncy seat, and lots more related; an entire living room suite...couch, chair, chase lounge, end tables, coffee table, lamps, rug; toddler basketball goal and many toys; lots of general household items and the list goes on and on.

I will continue to update these listings as the week progresses. 
8AM-UNTIL FRIDAY, SEPT. 24
8AM-UNTIL SATURDAY, SEPT. 25

4) Five Moms are coming together to have 1 BIG yard sale.  The sale will be this Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 and this saturday from 7-12.  The sale will be held at 507 Ascott Way in Hope Valley Farms.

5) Downing Creek Mothers' Club Fall Sale, Saturday, September 25, 2010, 7:30am-10:30am (rain or shine) off of Downing Creek Parkway in Chapel Hill

Good Quality, gently used: Baby equipment, toys, books, and DVD/videos; baby, children, and maternity clothes

*Cash Only*

Downing Creek is on Hwy 54 between Barbee Chapel Rd. and Farrington Rd.  From I-40, take exit 273, Hwy 54 toward Chapel Hill.  Follow signs to Downing Creek entrance and to sale in the neighborhood.

6) Kidswap Consignment Sale this Saturday at First Baptist Church in Butner 

Our sale is open and FREE to the public between the hours of 8:30am – 12:00pm on the day of the sale. Anyone is invited, so please share this information with your friends, relatives, neighbors or co-workers that shop for children!

If you wish to shop before we open to the public, we hope that you will consider becoming a "Power Consignor", by consigning 25+ items to the sale. Alternatively, as an "early bird", you may enter 30 minutes before we open to the public at 8:00am by making a $5.00 donation.

Shopping Schedule
7:30am – 8:30am - "Power Consignors" shop before sale opens to public
8:00am – 8:30am - "Early Bird" shopping for $5.00 donation
8:30am – 10:30am - Sale opens to the public, FREE admission.
10:30am – 11:00am – Doors closed to organize for ½ price sale.
11:00am – 12:00pm – ½ Price Sale (only on items tagged in black ink – items tagged in red ink will not be discounted)

7) This is turning out to be a VERY busy yard sale day.  The Woodcroft Community is having their annual yard sale at the clubhouse.  This is on Woodcroft Pkwy closer to 751 (Hope Valley Rd).  I have been to this one several times over the years.  I have found it to be mediocre. 

 

Umstead State Park

What it is: Umstead State Park is a piece of wildlife squeezed in between Raleigh and Durham near RTP.  It's amazing how you feel like you're out in the middle of the wilderness in this park so near the city.  The park offers many activities such as hiking, boating, camping, picnicking, and fishing.  There are two sections located directly off of I-40 or Hwy. 70 respectively, so there is definitely easy access from Durham. 

When we went, we decided to explore the hiking portion of the park.  We went to the Reedy Creek entrance right off of I-40 at the Harrison Ave. exit.  We decided to hike a small trail called the Inspiration Trail right near the trailhead for the Company Mill Trail.  We have discovered that hiking with a toddler and newborn is definitely not the same sport that it was before kids, so we definitely had to look for different things when picking our trail.  Our toddler only lasts about two seconds in the backpack, so we have to pick trails that are fairly short.  Loops are also good choices. 

The trail we chose was great because there were a collection of picnic tables at the start of the trail under a broad canopy of trees.  Although we didn't bring lunch, we were thinking that it would be a perfect place to stop and have lunch after a little hike.  A little further down the trail there was a really nice shelter with picnic tables and a beautiful fireplace.  We thought that would be a really fun one where you could gather with friends.  The trail itself was small and pretty.  It was surrounded by lovely forests with small sign markers staggered along the trail describing the types of trees.  While my son thought the tree descriptions were mildly interesting, the truly fascinating part of the hike was trying to find the next colored route marker on the trees along the trail. 

We only had a chance to explore this small section of the park before nap time was upon us and the toddler was "tired".  We can't wait to get back out there and explore further.  Let us know if you know of any kid-friendly trails or fun stops in this park that we haven't found yet!

What we liked: We liked how this little slice of wilderness was so close to the city.  It was also nice how there were a wide variety of trail lengths for all different types of hikers.  The picnic tables on this specific trail were a particularly nice feature.

What we would change: It was a little difficult to find the particular trail we wanted to hike once we reached the parking lot, so the be careful and watch the signs.

Website and other important information:

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

Hours:

Park Hours-
November - February, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March, April, September, October, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
May - August, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day

Park Office Hours
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
Closed Christmas Day

Visitor Center Hours
March – October, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
November - February, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day

The exhibit hall is located in the park's visitor center and is open:
March – October, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
November - February, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day

Boathouse — Hours of Operation (for canoe and row boat rental)
Weekends, beginning the first weekend in April through the second weekend in October.
Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am-4:30pm (last boat goes out at 3:30pm).

Photos:

1. A view of the picnic table area before the trail

2. One of the picnic shelters

3. The nice fireplace feature at one of the shelters

4. A nice bridge on the trail

Our September Giveaway-Bean Traders and Craftybags!

Here it is, our long-awaited September giveaway!  This time, we have found one mom with TWO great Durham businesses, Christy Chapman, co-owner of Bean Traders and Craftybag!  You have heard us rave about Bean Traders before, a fabulous local coffee shop complete with kids' area where your kids can roam while you enjoy your beverage.  Well, Christy is giving our September giveaway winner a free beverage of your choice! 

In combination with the beverage from Bean Traders, Christy also has another business and is generously giving the giveaway winner a Fabulous Fall Craftybag as well.  Here's a little bit about Craftybags:

What it is: Christy and another mom started Craftybag as a way for moms to have three ready-to-assemble crafts for their kids to complete whenever needed: in a restaurant, at home, while getting coffee, etc.  Everything needed to complete the craft is included in the bag, and the completed art can be hung at home and enjoyed or given as a gift.  What a great idea!  The bags retails for $12-$15 dollars for a standard bag or $4 for a party favor.  You can contact Christy at Craftybag through their facebook page or website to find out how to get your own.

What we liked: I love the idea that Craftybags include everything you need to complete three separate crafts in one bag.  You don't even need to worry about glue sticks or scissors.  Not only that, there is minimal packaging which is good for the environment, and they are donating 10% of every Craftybag purchase to charity.


What we would change: Right now, you have to contact Christy and the other owner to find out how to get your Craftybag.  I am looking forward to when we can simply purchase them in stores or order them online. (Coming soon-check back with their website and facebook page.)

Website: http://craftybag.com/

Photos:

1. An example of a Craftybag ready to be enjoyed

2. The completed scarecrow craft from the Fabulous Fall Craftybag

 3. One child's completed Autumn Scene craft from the Fabulous Fall Craftybag

So, for our September giveaway you can win one Fabulous Fall Craftybag and a beverage of your choice from Bean Traders.  To enter, simply leave a comment on this entry on the blog or on facebook before Friday at midnight.  We will randomly pick a winner from those who have commented.  Since Bean Traders and Craftybags are such a great combination, in your comment, tell us about your favorite Durham combination, two places or activities in the Durham area that go great together (ex. Rockwood Park and Local Yogurt, Kidzu and Locopops).

Durham Public Library Bookmobile

What it is: We headed out to a park last week.  While we were playing we were surprised to see a bus pull up next to the playground.  The best part was, the bus was full of books!  It was the Durham Public Library Bookmobile.  I didn't even know that the library system had a bookmobile, so my little family all headed over to check it out.  Turns out it was just like it sounds, a little library within the bus containing over 5,000 books.  There were books of all levels, in Spanish and English, and even a circulation desk to check out the books.  All you needed was a library card!  (Too bad my toddler had been playing with mine that day and it was floating somewhere around our house instead of in my wallet!) 

The bookmobile heads out six days a week to various locations around Durham.  In the mornings, they are typically at preschools.  However, in the afternoon and Saturdays they head out to different neighborhoods in the area including  American Village, Rochelle Manor/Colony Manor, Downing Creek, East Durham, and others.  Check their calendar for all of their locations to see if they will be at a spot near you soon!


What we liked: We love that there is a way for all of the community to have access to libraries whether they can get to a physical location or not.  The bookmobile is even handicapped accessible!  We also loved how cozy the bookmobile felt.  The staff is friendly and ready to help, and there are benches where you and your child can stop and read for a while. 

What we would change: If we could, we would have more bookmobiles to reach more corners of Durham!

Website and other important information: 

Website: http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/services/bookmobile.php

Contact Number: (919) 560-0155

Photos:

Top 5 Museums

So, over the past several months we've been polling our readers on their favorite places in Durham.  If you've read the blog for any time at all, you may have even voted!  The poll is usually in the sidebar of the blog.  Our most recent poll was asking people to vote for their favorite museum in the area.  On previous polls we've had a pretty clear top five and a pretty clear winner.  This one turned out a bit differently, so we don't quite have a top 5.  We had a VERY clear winner, but no clear preferences after that.  This is what we found.

Our reader's favorite museum in the area by far with an incredible 76% of the vote was:


THE NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF LIFE AND SCIENCE

Coming in a clear second with 13% of the vote was:

MARBLES MUSEUM

While no one else got more than a few votes, other museums who did at least receive one vote were:


Kidzu Children's Museum, The North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, The North Carolina Museum of Art, and The Natural Science Center of Greensboro

Our next poll will be up shortly so keep checking and vote for your favorite!

American Village Park

What it is: Thanks so much for Anna and the South Durham Moms' Meetup for introducing us to this new playground!  The American Village Park and playground is located in a neighborhood in Northwest Durham near the intersection of I-85 and 15-501.  Upon first glance it seems like a fairly small playground, but it had a lot to keep my toddler occupied.  The play equipment is smaller and definitely made for younger children.  There is one small play structure next to a smaller little house.  This play structure is in a sandbox filled with donated construction vehicles and tricycles.  The sandbox also has a four-way seesaw which is a pretty unique item for the playgrounds around here.  There is a large shelter with picnic tables and lots of grass with paths for riding tricycles.  There are also a few bouncy toys to ride on, and bucket and regular swings in the back of the playground.


What we liked: We liked how the playground was made specifically for younger children.  In addition, one of the most unique parts of this playground was all of the donated toys.  This way, you don't have to worry about bringing your own tricycle.  In addition, the playground was surrounded by beautiful tall trees, so it felt fairly cool even on the hot day that we were there.

What we would change: While it's nice that the playground is smaller, it's also a drawback for those adventurous toddlers who want bigger bolder playstructures and equipment to climb on.  In addition, the only parking available is street parking which for fairly crowded while we were there.

Website and other imporant information: 

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

Address: 4703 AMERICAN DRIVE 27705

Photos: 

1.The play structure and sand area

2. The seesaw with the swings in the background

3. The picnic shelter

4. A view back through the trees

Meet our Stir Crazy Dad!

Welcome to our first Stir Crazy Dad!  He is a pro at finding great deals for his whole family at yard sales and wants to share his tips and expertise with everyone!  So, he's going to give us the scoop on all the great sales in the area each week and give us a few tips.  Enjoy!

My name is Brian, and I am a Stir Crazy Dad.  I have been going to yard sales since I was in high school and I LOVE to find and make deals.  I love taking people through my house and showing them the great things I have picked up at yard sales.  Hey, I was even a semi-professional dumpster diver at one point in time.  I am not cheap, rather I am thrifty!   I will be bringing you information on the art of yard saling and highlight what I feel are going to be good sales.  So please keep checking back for updated tips and sales but please don't beat me to the good sales!

There are a number of varieties of yard salers and yard sales.  Some yard salers make it a relaxing Saturday activity.  They don't really care what they find, they just like looking a other peoples "junk." These folks just enjoy getting out into the neighborhood.  You can spot one of these yard salers easily.  They are meandering through the merchandise slowly, engaging in conversation with the homeowners and sipping on a cup of coffee.They are not serious yard salers.  On the other end of the spectrum there are those that have a strict Friday evening routine of mapping out their course and getting out before the sun is up.  Some even go so far as to drop by the night before if an address is posted.  These folks typically are reselling their purchases on craigslist or ebay with a significant mark-up.  You can usually spot these people by the car that they drive (pick-up truck with or without a trailer) and by the speed at which they rummage through things, make their outrageous offers and then they are on to the next sale. 

Make no mistake about it, yard saling takes preplanning, skill and patience to be successful.  Otherwise you increase your risk of failure which results in frustration, junk possessions and possibly even a significant dent in your pocketbook.  Furthermore, you also will likely have a yard sale of your own in an attempt to get rid of the stuff that you thought were great purchases!  Don't get too crazy, though.  You are not likely going to find that hidden treasure that is featured on some reality TV show.

I will focus on one aspect of yard saling per week, proving useful tips and hints that will increase your success.  Things such as preplanning, bringing your kids to the sales, making a reasonable offer, what to do with the leftover "junk", knowing how to find good sales and knowing when to just drive on by.  I will then post upcoming sales that I personally feel are worth the trip.  I am looking forward to hearing other comments from readers. 

This week I would like to focus on preplanning.  Preplanning is key for a successful outing.  Not only preplanning what you are looking for but know where in the Triangle you want to go.  Knowing what you really need before adventuring out can help you focus on certain neighborhoods.  I keep a running list on my iphone of things I need.  This helps me avoid the impulse buying.  Also, check online for sales.  Craigslist has become the advertising media for neighborhood sales and allows for easy searches.  Look under the For Sale, then Garage Sales.  From there you can do a search for a particular product that may be listed, such as "double stroller."  I like to search "community" and "neighborhood" to get a list of neighborhood garage sales.  These are a great way to get to a lot of sales in a short period of time and may justify a longer drive (North Raleigh, for example).  

This weeks sales:

1) 4823 REVERE RD. DURHAM NC 27713

EVERYTHING MUST GO. THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST ON HERE; COME BY AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE.

SALE IS FROM 7 A.M. - UNTIL 

2) Multi-family Yard Sale (The Reserve at Southpoint)

We are having a multi-family yardsale (~5 houses participating) and would be delighted for you to stop by and shop. Items for sale include furniture, toys, and baby clothes/accessories/furniture.

Time: 7:00am - 12:00pm

The name of our neighborhood is The Reserve at Southpoint. We are located on Highway 751 across from Eagle's Point and very close to the intersection of Highway 751 and Renaissance near Super Target and Southpoint Mall.

For more specific directions, you can enter 8015 Sundance Circle, Durham NC 27713 into your GPS or favorite browser.

3) This one is in Cary but may be worth the drive.  However, these apartment complex sales tend to be hyped up a bit and can be a disappointment:

Residents from upscale apartment community joining together for a large community garage sale. 442 Jefferson Towne Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606 and then follow signs (community is near Cary Towne Mall). 9 am - 1 pm on Saturday, September 18th

4)  ALERT ALERT ALERT.  This sale is not until 9/25/10 but this is one of the premiere neighborhood yard sales in south Durham if not all of Durham.  This upper middle class neighborhood is stacked with growing kids and I always find great items here.  Plan to be there.

Chancellor's Ridge Neighborhood Yard Sale (SW Durham)

SATURDAY, 9/25
Neighborhood Yard Sale
8 AM - NOON, rain or shine
Chancellor's Ridge in SW Durham
Off Hwy 751 and Fayetteville Road

Paint Your Pot

What it is:  One of the moms in our group found this place in Apex, and we were all feeling a little artsy last week, so we thought we would head down and check it out.  Turns out that this part of Apex, on Hwy 55 is only about 15 minutes from where we are in S. Durham, so it was a great location for us.

Paint your Pot is a paint your own ceramics studio.  You show up, pick out your piece of unpainted ceramic, select colors and brushes and other painting materials, and get to work.  There's no time limit so you can paint for as short or long of a time as you want.  Then, you leave the piece at the store where they glaze and fire it, and you pick up your finished work of art a few days later.  You have to pay for the piece that you buy and a studio fee that is half the cost of your item.

We knew that our boys liked to paint, but we also knew that they wouldn't last long, so we wanted to pick out a piece they could paint quickly and cheaply.  So, we selected a small ceramic tile (about coaster size).  It was only a couple of dollars, so even with the studio fee it wasn't any more than your typical toddler outing.  Then, we had some fun picking out the supplies and got to painting.  We called ahead so they even had a back room reserved for us so we wouldn't disturb any other artists that were trying to concentrate on their work.

This was a fairly quick process...5 minutes to pick out materials, 5-10 minutes to paint, and the toddler attention span was done.  However, they did enjoy their painting, and I'm sure as they get older they will get more and more involved with their pieces.  To get a really cute result we let them paint away on the tile creating whatever they wanted.  Then, we took a big stamp (I chose a train) and stamped it in black over top of the colors they had painted in the background.  This made a really fun, cute coaster that they can keep or could be given as a gift.  Hey, since toddlers are so quick with each tile, they could probably create a set of coasters in no time at all!

What we liked: We loved the fact that this gave the guys a chance to be artistic.  As they get older it will be fun to head back and pick out more and more elaborate pieces for them to work on.  We also liked that there was such a selection of pieces to work on ranging from really inexpensive to fairly pricey.  They were nice and tolerant with our little guys even though they were probably younger than their typical patrons.

What we would change:  The major drawback was how quick this was.  We were definitely in and out quickly, so this would probably be best combined with another activity.  (There's an inflatables activity center called Jump Zone in the same shopping center which might be a great combination, but we haven't checked it out yet.)  In addition, it is pretty hands on for the parents which we loved.  You definitely need to make sure your child isn't going to break any of the items that are within hands reach when they are picking something out.  Then, the painting process requires assistance getting the paints out and actually doing the painting, but that's the fun part!


Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.paintyourpot.com/

Address: 2755 Hwy. 55, Cary, NC, 27519

Phone Number:  (919) 363-9333

Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 1 pm-6pm

Photos:

 1. The paint next to a wall of art

2. The wall of pieces from which to choose your masterpiece

3. More supplies

4. A work of art

5. The workspace

6. A view of the outside of the shop

TCBY

What it is: So, my son and I have a bit of a sweet tooth in the afternoons.  We've driven by this little stop for years and finally decided to check it out.  TCBY which I learned stands for "The Country's Best Yogurt" sells exactly that, frozen yogurt.  They have a variety of frozen treats ranging from cakes to smoothies and including the standard flavors of frozen yogurt with your choice of toppings.


What we liked: They have daily specials such as Mondays $1.99 sundae. (It was delicious.)  They also have fairly reasonable prices, the kiddie frozen yogurt also being $1.99.  In addition, being 96% fat free, frozen yogurt is a more healthy sweet treat than some other options.  At this particular TCBY they have several tables outside under umbrellas and an additional overhang.  In addition to these tables, they have 4 brightly colored kiddie-sized chairs outside.  It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy your treat while your toddler watches the cars pass by in the parking lot, plays in the colorful chairs, or otherwise enjoys being outside.  Each of the stores at Homestead Market is nice because with the way the shopping center is designed the kids have the room to wander a bit instead of running around the inside of the restaurant. 

What we would change: The interior of the TCBY is not that decorative or inviting.  The outside patio is definitely the place to sit.  However, I did notice that there was a little bit of trash outside on the patio to watch out for like cigarette butts.

Website and other important information:

Website: http://store.tcby.com/home/durham

Address: Homestead Market Shopping Ctr, 105 W Nc Highway 54 Spc 299, Durham, NC, 27713

Phone Number: (919) 544-5229

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 11:30am-10pm, Sunday 12pm-10pm

Specials:

Monday-$1.99 Junior Sundae
Tuesday-$2.99 Small Shiver
Wednesday-$1.49 kids' waffle cone, all other waffle cones discounted
Thursday-$2.99 small shake
Friday- $2.99 small frappe chiller
Saturday-$1 off shake, shiver, or sorbet fizz
Sunday-$1 off smoothie

Jump'n Java Cafe

What it is: When I first heard about this place I knew that we had to go check it out.  It's always great to find a new coffee place that you like, it's even better when that coffee place has special features for kids.  Jump'n Java is a coffee place with extra benefits for people with kids.  They have countless different kinds of coffee beverages, pastries, and even sandwiches for lunch!  In addition, they also have a lovely room set up in the back as a "lounge".  The lounge has several couches, a few tables, a TV with quite a few movies to watch, and a bin of toys.  They also have a private conference room for the use of its customers.

What we liked: Of course, we love the lounge!  It is the perfect setting to keep your kids busy and occupied while you enjoy your coffee or other treat.  In addition, it is completely separate from the rest of the cafe so you don't have to worry about your kids being too noisy and disturbing the other patrons.  With its cozy couches and secluded location it is also the perfect spot for nursing.  We also liked that they served lunch dishes so you could come and enjoy a lunch in the lounge as well.


What we would change: The cafe is only open until 3pm so it is unavailable for those long after nap afternoons.


Website and other important information: Jump'n Java is located in RTP at the intersection of Alexander and Miami.  It is hidden back in shopping center behinds a Sheetz gas station.

Website: We could not locate a website for Jump'n Java that was able to load.

Address: 2945 S Miami Blvd, Durham,  NC 27703

Phone Number: (919) 361-1212

Hours: 7am-3pm (I think it's just open on the weekdays, but I will look in to this.)

Photos: 

1. A view of the outside of the cafe

2. The main part of the restaurant

3. The lounge part in the back

The Playhouse Toy Store

What it is: This is a great toy store that we found in our tours of Ninth Street.  It was full of countless toys from baby gear to games for older kids.  There were costumes, stuffed animals, musical instruments, globes, train tables, dollhouses, and so much more. The store feels crammed full of toys as so many good toy stores do.  There was a train table, some kitchen accessories, and a dollhouse for the kids to play with, and many other toys to investigate. 

What we liked: We loved how full this store was with toys.  It's nice when kids can walk into a store and have their eyes widen with the view of all the toys, and this one felt this way to me.  It was also nice that there were some toys in the store for kids to investigate and play with.  One of the most unique aspects of the store that we noticed was a little cabinet stuck in a front corner.  It said that the store had a game lending library!  Turns out kids that are a little older than my toddler can check out games to play!  I can't wait until he gets a little older so we can check this feature out.


What we would change: Since the store was so full of toys it was a little difficult to navigate with the infant stroller. 

Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.playhousetoys.com/

Address: 702 Ninth Street, Durham, NC 27705

Phone Number: 919-286-1317

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 6pm

Photos: 

1 The view from the outside

2. Wall to wall toys

3. A few tables to investigate

Ox and Rabbit Soda and Sundries

What it is: The Ox and Rabbit is a soda shop complete with authentic soda fountain in combination with a unique gift shop.  It's located on Ninth St. near Duke.  Apparently, it used to be a drug store, then a McDonalds, and most recently it sat empty for several years.  Two years ago it opened back up as The Ox and Rabbit with a unique mix of historical charm and modern gifts.

We headed up there a few days ago to get a sweet treat.  You can sit at the counter and get a shake, malt, or float in a variety of flavors.  While there weren't a huge variety of flavors, the ones they did have sounded fantastic.  They even had three different kinds of chocolate to choose from for our milkshake, and I chose the chocolate truffle flavor for my son and I.  Since the drinks are all made on the spot, they can be customized as well.  For example, they told me I could add some raspberry flavor to my chocolate milkshake if I wanted it.  Yum!  It sounded tempting, but I went with the straight chocolate.  We then were able to sit and enjoy it while watching the man behind the counter make the shakes and observing all the unique gifts in the rest of the store.

What we liked: We loved the traditional homemade treat options, they were delicious.  Being able to snack at an authentic soda fountain was a lot of fun.  They also had small little chairs shaped like eggs for my toddler since the bar stools at the counter were so tall.  He could sit in the chair and then close a canopy completely over him so he was sitting completely in an egg.  He thought they were quite entertaining.  The gifts also looked interesting and would have been great to browse had I been toddler-free. 

In addition, we're finding that Ninth St. is a great location to take the kids to.  In addition to The Ox and Rabbit, you could stop by other kid-friendly locations such as The Playhouse Toystore, Blue Corn Cafe, Francesca's, Elmo's and other great locations we just haven't gotten around to stopping by yet.


What we would change: Although it was great to have the gifts in the store as well, it also made it hard to dine with a toddler.  I had to watch him to make sure that he wasn't grabbing every gift he could get his hands on.  In addition, the seats at the counter were pretty tall so they were hard for a toddler to get on and stay on.  The egg seats were interesting for a while, but the seating arrangements didn't keep his attention for long, and he was up wandering the store most of the time we were there.

Important information: 

*We could not locate a website for them.

Address: 732 9th St, Durham, NC 27705

Phone Number: (919) 286-7850

Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm

Photos: 

1. Our view while sitting at the counter

2. A view of the selection at the back of the store

3. The unassuming exterior

 

Morreene Road Park

What it is: Morreene Rd. Park is a park located just off of 15-501 near Duke.  The playground portion of this park is almost entirely fenced in.  There is a pretty large blacktop area perfect for riding small bikes or drawing with chalk, a swing set complete with one toddler swing, one big kid swing, and two seat style swings.  There is one very small picnic shelter over one table in the area.  The primary attraction of this park is the huge play structure.  It has countless slides, dials and wheels for the kids to turn, monkey bars, and even a huge ship that rocks back and forth!  Outside of the fenced-in play structure area are a few tennis courts, a basketball court, and a baseball diamond.


What we liked: The play structure was one of the biggest I have ever seen.  There were so many different parts of it for my son to explore.  It was also great that it was mostly fenced in so I could relax a little bit.  Although the asphalt and slightly padded hard surface ground was not the best for small knees and elbows it looked great for toddlers riding around on little bikes or large chalk drawings.  In addition aspects like the seat-style swings and wide pathways on the play structure, this playground was nicely accessible for kids with disabilities.

What we would change: I don't think I'd go to this playground alone.  It seemed more unsafe than some, but I would not hesitate to go back with friends to check out this playground.  In addition, as I mentioned the hard ground might be a little harsher on falling toddlers.  The restrooms directly next to the playground were locked.  However, there was a small recreation center on the park grounds, but it was not open when we were there.


Website and other important information:

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

Address: 1102 MORREENE ROAD 27705, Durham, NC


Photos:

1. A view of the whole play structure

2. A close up of part of the play structure

3. The play structure boat-fun!