Dreamsports Sports Classes

What it is:  Dreamsports is a 56,000 square indoor facility offering sports classes for kids starting at age 18 months and camps for older kids.  Sports classes include soccer, baseball/tee-ball, basketball, football, in-line skating and hockey.  They also have a game arcade room, snack bar and a pro-shop selling basic equipment.

We took the 'Mini Pros Piglets' parent/child class for 2 -3 year olds.  This class gives kids an opportunity to sample 4 to 5 sports instead of focusing on only one. The programs range from 7 to 10 weeks long.  The class we took was 7 weeks long and we played tee-ball, basketball, soccer and flag football. Each class was 45 minutes long.

What we liked:  It was a great way to expose our nearly 3 year old son to a variety of sports in a safe environment.  The facilities were really nice and the classes included a good variety of 2-3 skills focused on each sport, games such as red/light green light and of course bubbles.  For example, in the basketball class we practiced passing, shooting and dribbling.  In the baseball class we practiced throwing, catching and batting.  We were also able to make up classes in the regularly scheduled soccer and basketball classes for toddlers instead of the Mini-Pros class.

What we would change: Since we only took 1 to 2 classes in each sport, it didn't really give my son  the ability to get comfortable or practice the skills in each sport.  When we attended the regularly scheduled soccer and basketball courses both the coaches and the classes seemed better.  The Mini Pros class we took normally met on Saturdays and was often very crowded.  The other classes we made up were during the week and much less crowded.  In addition, there was a lot of turnover in the coaches in our class so we never had the same coach more than once or twice.  This made it challenging and less personal since the coaches didn't know our son and he couldn't get familiar with just one coach. 

Website and other important information:

http://www.dreamsportscenter.com/index.html
1016 Investment Blvd
Apex, NC
Phone: 919-387-2955

Cost: Varies depending on class but classes typically cost around $12 per class plus a membership fee of either $10 for the season or $25 for the year.  We paid $95 for the 7 week class which included the $10 seasonal membership fee.

Ramblin' Rose

What it is: The Ramblin' Rose Tour is a series of events, primarily triathalons created by North Carolina's own Endurance Magazine.  They are raced all throughout North Carolina and have recently expanded into South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida.  These races are just for women and are designed to give us the opportunity to accomplish races we might not have felt we could.

I raced in my first Ramblin' Rose event after it was recommended to me by one of the other Stir Crazy Moms.  When she suggested that I do a triathalon, I laughed at her.  I am a fairly poor swimmer, I hadn't been on a bike since grade school, and I had two very young small children at home, but she said that these were different.  After just having my second son, I was looking for something to motivate me to get back in shape.  Not only that, I also enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from trying something I've never done before, so I decided to give it a try.  The thing that makes the Ramblin' Rose races manageable is the distance.  The swims are only 10 lengths of a pool, the bike is only 9 miles, and the run is only 2.

The event was fabulous!  I was nervous, but so were the other 1000 or so women who ran, biked, and swam it with me.  That day, I was there all by myself in the beginning, but I wasn't alone because everywhere I looked there were women supporting women.  Each leg, while it wore me out, gave me such a feeling of accomplishment, and the best part, my boys arrived to watch me at each point, supporting me and learning something new about what they're mom is capable of.  It was a great experience and I highly recommend it for any mom who's a little tempted.  If you're not up for the swim and bike portions, there is even a new half marathon event coming up in Durham!

What I liked:  I loved the supportive atmosphere of this race, not ultracompetitive, filled with lots of women like me.  I also liked how the distances were short enough that I could do it, but still long enough to be an accomplishment.  They even offer training plans for a small fee to help you accomplish your goal.  Most of all, I like that I can say I actually am a triathalete!

What I would change:  Training for a triathalon is quite a bit of work, as one could imagine.  As a mom of little ones it is extra hard to find the time to get away for training on the bike and in the pool, but I felt it was worth it for my own sanity.

Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.ramblinroseevents.com/ 

Upcoming Events: Rock Hill Triathalon-July 10, Durham Women's Half-Marathon-October 16, more events are listed on the website

Photos: 

(The run-Yes, that's me in the pink crossing the finish line!)

(The bike)

(The swim)

Starfall

Every once and a while on Stir Crazy Moms we come across resources that are incredibly helpful to us as moms.  Even though these resources are not local, we still want to pass them on to you!

What it is:  Starfall is our most recent find.  It's a website with free ABC activities to entertain your toddler while teaching them a little about letters and phonics.  While there are different levels on the website to introduce all aspects of the reading process, with my toddler, we just look at the ABC section.  You can click on a letter and it takes you through several activities and screens based on that letter.  Usually there is some entertaining animation involved. 

What we liked: My son has found Starfall very entertaining.  His current favorite letter right now is "H" with a picture of a helicopter on that page.  Through this site my son has had practice with letters and sounds as well as learning to independently follow the instructions of the activity.  He also receives beneficial motor skills practice as he learns how to use the mouse to click on the various parts of the page.  The pages are simple enough that, with practice, my son can now click through the majority of the letters without needing help, complete simple letter activities, and go back to pages he especially likes and doing them again.

**In addition, they also have pages you can print out for your older toddler to practice writing letters in the alphabet.  As a teacher, I can see that the website would also be a great resource for use in the classroom with certain students.

What we would change:  It is complex enough that it was not an immediate independent activity for my son.  We had to teach my two year old son how to progress through the letter pages and use the mouse itself. However, for younger children Starfall could be an activity that you can do with your child to expose them to letters and sounds.


Website: www.starfall.com

Southpoint Vineyards

What it is: That's right, there's a new vineyard right here in Durham just a mile or two away from Southpoint Mall!  Located just off of Hwy. 751 right next to one of our other favorites, For Garden's Sake Nursery,  Southpoint Vineyards offer wine tastings as well as glasses and bottles for purchase.  They offer a variety of white and red wines.

What we liked:  After our visit on Saturday, we decided it provides several great opportunities for our Durham moms.  First, the vineyards open Friday-Sunday 12pm-5pm would be perfect for a moms' glass of wine.  I can definitely see heading out there before a dinner out with the girls at someplace near Southpoint like maybe The Melting Pot.  You can purchase a lovely glass of wine for $5 and sit out on their tables overlooking their lake and vines before you head to dinner.  In addition, I can actually see taking the kids in certain situations.  They do have a beautiful lake, grassy areas, and picnic tables.  So, it would be possible to head over and have a glass of wine while the kids play outdoors.


What we would change:  As can be expected, the tasting room is not particularly kid-friendly. (Why would a tasting room be?)  There are displays of bottles at toddler height.  So, if you're going for a tasting, you might want to leave the kids at home.  (Tasting are $5 including a souvenir glass.)


Website and other important information: 

Website: http://www.vineyardsatsouthpoint.com/

Address: 8913 N.C. Highway 751, Durham, NC 27713

Phone: 919-544-6291

Hours: (tours and tastings) 12-5pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Photos: 

1. Their sign as seen from Hwy. 751

 2. Tasting room

 (The deck and pond)

(Picnic table near the vines)

Got to be NC Festival

I remember hearing about this festival last year and being so bummed that we couldn't go, so I was so glad we had the opportunity to stop by this year!


What it is: The Got to Be NC Festival to me is like a trip to a smaller version of the State Fair.  They had a midway with rides which you could purchase tickets for.  There was delicious state fair type food including the mini donuts we love so much and a new favorite find, organic chorizo sausages from Meadows Family Farms.  The tractor parade was absolutely entrancing to my almost-three year old, we had to sit and watch each antique tractor pass by.  They had pony rides and a free petting zoo.  For the adults they also had the NC Food and Wine Expo where you could sample all kinds of NC edibles.

What we liked:  As I said earlier, it has all the feel of the state fair without being so over the top and crowded.  We could actually park at the state fair parking and find a space easily, admission was FREE, and when we arrived, many of the rides and food stands had NO lines.  This was a state fair version that was perfect for the toddler crowd!

What we would change: It is definitely helpful to look at the website before you go to check out what's there because as with the state fair, it is hard to know where everything is.


Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.ncagfest.com/

Address: NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC

2011 Dates: May 20-22


Photos:

 (some of the antique tractors preparing for the parade)

 (the midway)

(greedy eaters at the petting zoo)

Pelican's SnoBalls

Thanks to one of our readers and to our long distance Stir Crazy Dad for the tip on this great new stop that just opened up in North Durham!  Did I mention that we love our readers?

What it is: Pelican's SnoBalls is a New Orlean's Style shaved ice stand newly opened off of Roxboro Rd. in Durham.  They have several other locations in NC, but this is the first one in Durham, and boy we're glad they arrived!  We headed up to visit Pelican's after a yummy dinner at another one of our favorite Durham stops, Dame's Chicken and Waffles.  You can easily find them by looking for the big pink sign.  We headed up to order and discovered their menu!  There were what seemed like hundreds flavor options for you to choose from including the ones we sampled: cherry cola, peach, root beer, and grape or for the more adventurous types: dill pickle, tiger's blood, or orchid vanilla.  (We might have to check those out on a future visit, who knows!)

The shaved ice was definitely delicious and full of the promised flavors.  We sat out on their picnic tables which are nicely shaded and enjoyed our treat.  It was a great way to finish the day!

A few more fabulous facts about Pelican's SnoBalls (from their sign and website):

*"Like" them on facebook for a free medium snoball.
*There is 0% fat and about 100 calories in the average kiddie snoball.
*SnoBall spills DON'T stain clothes!

What we liked: We loved the many flavor options that there were to choose from.  In addition, they are not expensive-starting at $1.50 for a kiddie size.  In addition, the owners were incredibly nice and friendly, adding to our great experience.  Another great part was the shade and shelter over the picnic tables.  This means that you can come visit Pelican's SnoBalls rain or shine!

What we would change:  Hmmm, I can't think of much that we would change.  We had a great time! 

Website and other important information: 

Website: http://www.pelicanssnoballs.com/index.html

Address: 3217 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704

Phone Number: 919-830-7487

Hours: 12pm-9pm Daily 

Photos:

(The big pink sign)

(A view of the stand)

(The owners waiting happily to serve you)

(The flavors)

 

(My root beer snoball-Yum!)

*Bleep* My Kids Ruined

Okay, this is not my typical Stir Crazy Moms post, but I figured that every mom certainly needs to laugh every once and a while so I thought I would pass this along and hopefully it will make you smile.

What it is:  *Bleep* My Kids Ruined is a webpage that was recommended to us on Twitter.  It is just as described, a website where parents can past pictures of the latest thing that their kids have ruined.  I don't know why it tickled me so much when I found it, but it made me laugh.  It made me realize that it happens to all parents sometimes and we're not in it alone.  Check it out and hopefully it will make you laugh. 

And please let us know:  What are your favorite mommy websites/blogs that make you laugh after a long day?  (We also enjoy Rants from Mommyland!)

Website: http://shitmykidsruined.com/

The Pit

What it is: Our family really enjoys checking out all of the BBQ restaurants in the area.  We've headed to Q-Shack, Bullocks, Allen & Sons, etc., (what have we missed??) but this time we decided to head over to Raleigh to The Pit.  We've been there several times and haven't added it to our Stir Crazy Moms list of restaurants, but this time we realized that it really is one of the few options for when you want to head out to a nicer restaurant with the kids.  It's a BBQ restaurant, but it is also a fairly nice restaurant.  The chef, Ed Mitchell actually competed against Bobby Flay in battle ribs, and they definitely do have some good ribs!


What we liked:  I think what made this one kid-friendly was the accessible kids menu, hush puppies and biscuits that come out right when you are seated to keep the little ones happy,  and waiters that accept kids and treat them kindly even though it is a more upscale restaurant.  In addition, the food is delicious!  The last time we came, my one year old son devoured ribs, pulled pork, hush puppies, fries, and countless other southern delicacies.  My 2 year old picky eater even loved the hush puppies with honey butter and ate all of his kids' meal hot dog.  While the kids were feasting the adults enjoyed some scupperdine sangria, pimento cheese burgers, ribs, BBQ fries, banana pudding, and lots of other great adult eats. 


What we would change: The only difficulty with the pit is the wait.  I would definitely get reservations because otherwise you can end up waiting for an hour even if you arrive at 5pm.  Plus, prices are a bit higher than your typical BBQ restaurant because it is just a little bit more upscale. 


Website and other important information: 

Website:  www.thepit-raleigh.com/

Address: 328 West Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Phone: (919) 890-4500

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

Photos: (Pictures to follow soon)

American Dance Festival

American Dance Festival is one of the biggest events in Durham each year.  We have not been able to check it out yet, when we received an e-mail about it the other day we had to pass along the information to you.  If you have headed out to any of American Dance Festival's performances and activities in years past, please let us know what you thought!  Sounds like they have some great opportunities for kids to see some dance.


What it is:  The American Dance Festival is a six week summer festival celebrating modern dance.  This year it takes place from June 9-July 23.  Several of their activities particularly lend themselves towards children.  Their community day takes place at Nasher Art Museum on Saturday June 25 from 2-4:30 pm.  At this festival taking place after a children's matinee there will be puppets from Paperhand Puppet Intervention, an African Dance and Drum workshop, Wool E. Bull will be on hand, and much more.  During the ADF there are also two kids' parties on June 2 and 23 from 2-3:30 pm on DPAC's plaza with plenty of kid friendly activities.  In addition, one kid can attend an evening performance for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. 


Keep in mind that, while we're providing this information, we haven't actually been to any of the performances yet.  I have always wondered which performances and activities were best for children, so I thought this information was particularly helpful.


Website: http://www.americandancefestival.org/


Photos from Community Day (taken by Juline Chevalier):

Evos

What it is: A few days ago, my family was exploring Chapel Hill.  We were out and about and needed a place to stop for lunch.  After eating far too much at my son's first birthday party a few days earlier, we felt the need for something healthy.  Luckily, we found Evos.  One of the other Stir Crazy Moms had been there several times and recommended it as a great place to eat with kids, so it really was the perfect time to check it out.

Evos advertises itself as "feel great fast food", and it does a pretty good take on typical fast food items done in a healthy manner.  Their menu consists of burgers, hot dogs, fries, wraps, salads, smoothies, and other typical fast food fare.  However, the advertise that their food is about half the fat.  Their fries are even cooked with a process called "airbaking" which doesn't involve a deep fryer but results in a pretty good french fry.  Other "healthy" twists that Evos has done with their food include hormone and antibiotic free meat, white-meat only chicken and turkey, salads made with organic field greens, and the list goes on.  (You can read about it on their website.)

What we liked: We really like that they are trying to make good tasting food that is good for you.  They want you to be able to go and and get some food quickly and not feel guilty about what you're putting in your body.  We also got a kick out of the ketchup bar with quite a few kicked up ketchup varieties for your adventurous side.  For our son, the picky eater, the food was healthy, but it still resembled the food that he was willing to eat: hot dog, chicken strips, burgers, etc.  They also have a little lounge area in the back where you can sit and eat on couches if you and the kids need a bit more space to eat.


We also read about a neat program that they offer in which you can have one of their kids' meal delivered to their school.  While I haven't looked into the detail, it sounds like an interesting idea.



What we would change: It feels like a fast food restaurant as far as the atmosphere is concerned.  So, if you're looking for a different type of dining experience, this may not be for you.  However, if fast food is what you want, this is a place you can go and get a much healthier experience.


Website and other important information: 


Website: http://www.evos.com/


Address: 1800 E. Franklin St. Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Phone Number: (919) 929-5867

Photos: 

1. A view of the counter where you order

2. The lounge area

3. The ketchup bar!

The Children's Store

What it is: We first wrote about The Children's Store in our entry about University Mall in Chapel Hill.  However, now they have moved to a shiny new store in Chapel Hill, so we decided that they needed their own shiny new blog post!

The Children's Store is a fabulous toy store!  It's great to find toy stores that have some unique and different toys, and since those of us in South Durham have just lost two toy stores recently, we're so grateful to have The Children's Store.  They sell toys and gifts for newborns to upper elementary aged kids. (Really, there were plenty of toys in there that I would like to have myself!)  They have a book section as well as baby apparel and every sort of toy that you could ever think of!  They even have a few car, train, and activity tables where the kids can try out some of the toys.  The Children's Store also offers special events and a weekly story/craft time on Wednesdays at 10:30.

What we liked:  We love the variety of toys that there are to look at.  There were old favorites, but plenty of new toys that I had never seen before.  Their selection was also great!  Of course, the activities tables for the kids were great, and we love the fact that they offer a storytime.  Another great benefit is their location right next to a Locopops which adds an extra treat to any outing.


What we would change: Since they moved, a lot of people don't realize that they have a new and improved location.  We hope that this blog can help get the word out about their new spot.

Website and other important information: 

Website: http://www.thechildrensstoreinc.com/

Address: 243 South Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Phone Number:  (919) 942-8027

Hours: pen Mon-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 12pm-5pm

Photos: 

Bull City Running

What it is: Bull City Running is a place you can go to buy and learn about everything to do with running and walking.  They sell all types of running shoes and gear and offer advice on everything from running to local races.  It's also located right off of the American Tobacco trail so you can learn about running or walking and then get out on the trail and try it out.

What we liked: I debated about mentioning Bull City Running on this blog, but as I go back time and time again, I've realized how valuable they are for me as a mom.  When I had my first son, I didn't know how I was going to squeeze in any exercise.  Running with a jogging stroller gave me the opportunity to go out and exercise and have my kids with me at the same time.  So, Bull City Running has been a place I can go to find out about local races and the gear that I need.  The shoe fit process is incredibly valuable and they really know how to get you in a pair of shoes that fit your feet whether you're running, walking, hiking, or doing anything on your feet. 

In addition, the store itself is very kid-friendly.  The owners have two young children themselves, so they know what you are going through.  In addition to being very understanding of your situation, they are also very helpful when you bring your kids to the store.  They let my son hang out on the floor and even brought out a little bag of toys for him to play with while they were fitting me for a pair of running shoes. 

They offer clinics if you want to train for a marathon or half marathon or learn about a new running product or process as well as races such as the Running of the Bulls which is coming up on June 18th.


What we would change: Good running/walking gear can be expensive, and I always wish I could get more when I head in there. 


Website and other important information: 

Website: http://www.bullcityrunning.com/

Address: Southpoint Crossing, 202 W NC Highway 54, Suite 201, Durham, NC 27713

Phone Number: 919.265.3904

Hours: M-T-W: 10a-6p, Th-F: 10a-7p, Sa: 10a-6p, Su: 12p-5p
 

Baby Bear Boutique

While the huge consignment sales are great, they're not ongoing--so when we want to scope out some good deals in between sale dates, we head to Baby Bear Boutique.

 

What it is: Baby Bear Boutique is a consignment store in the middle of Durham with children's and maternity clothing and equipment. It's not large, but it's always a relaxed atmosphere (unlike the crazy-huge sales) with some good prices. Although it's a true consignment store in that you can tell some of the merchandise has been there a while, there are always some treasures to be found without too much digging. I'm pretty picky and cheap and I never leave empty-handed--in fact, some of my kids' favorite toys come from BBB. Just know in advance that the store has character, and it's not Target.

 

What we like: There are some toys out for the kids to play with while parents shop, which really helps since the store itself isn't all that big. Also, the owner, who is quite friendly to chat with, runs occasional "sales" on off-season clothing, or on specific products like shoes or outerwear, so you can get some really great deals if you watch what's on sale. It seems that she gets new merchandise in all the time, so there's alway something different to look through. I keep coming back because it's a relatively convenient place to pick up kids' items for a little less money, without spending Saturdays at garage sales, driving long distances  or waiting in lines at the big sales.

 

What we'd change: The store is smallish, which can be challenging with a stroller--don't even attempt a double-stroller. Also, while there are plenty of bargains, there are some items that seem to be a bit overpriced as well. The store's organization is a bit eclectic since it's actually a converted house, so it can be a bit tricky to find the sizes you need.

 

More information:

 

Website: www.babybearnc.com

 

Address: 3409 University Drive, Durham, NC 27707-2647  

 

Phone Number:  (919) 493-0854

 

Hours: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Chick-Fil-A: Mom Valet

One of the Stir Crazy Moms passed this information along that originated on Triangle Mommies.  Sounded GREAT to me!  We knew that the Chick-Fil-A on Renaissance Pkwy. near Southpoint Mall has great customer service for families, but this takes it to a whole new level. We even called to verify, and mom valet does exist!

What it is: Going out to eat with kids is always a hassle, but mom valet at Chick-Fil-A makes it a little easier.  All you do is head through the drive thru when you arrive at the restaurant.  Make your order and say that you want to use the mom valet.  They will ask you a few questions like whether you want a high chair or placemats and what condiments you want.  Then, you pay and pull around into the parking lot.  When you head into the restaurant with your kids in tow they will have all of your food set up at the table with high chair and condiments waiting for you!

What we liked: We love this idea.  I always end up taking forever to set up all of the food once I order and I have to get up from my seat about a million times.  Plus, it is so difficult to carry all of the food and deal with the kids.  This is a great alternative!


What we would change: I can't speak to negatives because I haven't checked it out yet.  Has anyone tried this?  What did you think?



Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/renaissancevillage

Address: 7836 Leonardo Dr, Durham, NC 27713

Phone Number: (919) 206-4330

Nosh

What it is: After our trip to the Duke Lemur Center we decided to get a bite to eat.  So, we decided to check out a nearby eatery that we'd been meaning to stop at.  Nosh is a restaurant self-described as "eclectic food stuffs", and they did have quite a variety of tasty treats including hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and more. They also have a selection of hot breakfasts, desserts, and a coffee bar.  So, needless to say, we had a hard time deciding.  I decided on a wrap and potato salad with a root beer while my son sampled the PB&J and potato chips.  Everything was delicious!  I wish my picture of my son's meal had turned out better because Nosh made even a PB&J look good and the chips were homemade and fantastic! 

What we liked:  The food was fresh, different, and tasty!  Plus, the eclectic decor was fun for my kids to look at.  In addition, when we were all done with our meal we could climb the stairs to a admire the fountain which is conveniently located next to a new Local Yogurt location.  While we were too full to stop it would have been a great finish to a great meal. 

What we would change:  There is limited parking right next to the restaurant so we did have to park down a set of stairs.  This made traveling with the stroller difficult.  In addition it can be a little tricky to find at first because it's located on the back side of the shopping center with limited signage visible from the front.

Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.noshfood.com/

Address: 2812 Erwin Road # 101, Durham, NC 27705-4594

Phone Number: (919) 383-4747

Hours: Open Daily 7:30am-9pm

Photos:

 

 1. Their sign visible from the side of the restaurant

2. A view of the inside from our seat