Let's Go to the Movies

I have a love, hate relationship with summertime. On the one hand it means sunshine and the pool, trips to the beach, and overall just being able to relax with the kids a little bit more than during the regular school year. However, the summer also mean hot, sticky North Carolina weather, getting sick of going to the pool, and trying to figure out different, fun things to do with the kids every week. Well, last summer this became a staple of our weekly routine and I really have to say it was great. Over the summer the Smithfeild Movie theater and the White Oak movie theater (also available at Briar Creek and North Hills Cinemas) host a summer children's movie series. They are awesome, both offer two different movie for the kids to view and it only costs $2 to get in. Here's the catch, the movie are shown at 10 am. I know, early right? But it's great. Get the kids up, ready, dressed and out the door! By time the movie is over its lunchtime. Usually we met up with Grandma at the theatre and went to lunch afterwards with her. Then we'd go snag an icecream at McDonald's afterwards and let the kids play on the playground there. Whoosh before you know it's 3 o'clock! It really is great, you can't beat the cost, and it's a nice break from hot weather, gets you out of the house and away from the pool for a little bit.

Case of the Mondays

Ok, for those of you who know me, I hate Mondays. Not only because it's the end of the weekend and back to work, but also because most of the places to take the kids to are closed. I'm not sure why but Jumpin' Jax, Marbles, Tag Ur It, and on and on all close on Mondays... maybe they have the Mondays too. Anyways, on these days I usually struggle to find something to do with D.

We used to go to the Little Gym on Mondays for a morning class but D has outgrown them/taken most of the classes there so now I need to find a filler for that time. 

Here is just a little list of things we do sometimes on Monday and I frequently come to consult my list:

-Take it easy, relax, watch Nick Jr and snuggle for awhile and play.
- Go to the park and have a picnic lunch (if the weather is nice)
- Visit the train station or airport
- Go for a walk or bike ride
- Go swimming at the Smithfeild Aquatic Center or HealthQuest (also in Smithfeild)
- Story time at the library
- Bowling
- Go to the movies


I like to save things like bowling for when I have both C and D, that way it's a little more fun and the game doesn't go by so fast!

All in all, every Monday rolls around and I'm stuck saying the same thing every week. What to do? What to do?

Trains and Planes

With my little ones, I have the treat of working with a boy and a girl so I usually have to find activities that are fun and engaging for the both of them. However, there are days when I am with just D, who is all boy.

What I like to do on our days together is plan something that is going to be fun for him. Some of the things I like to do are plan a picnic at the train station or the airport. Since my family lives in Clayton we usually frequent the Selma Train Station and the Johnston County Airport. I really like the Selma train station, which has been restored to it's 1924 splendor. Inside there are few displays on the history of trains and the railroad.  There is a train car outside the station that you can climb and play on... but it is locked except for twice a year.

However, both of these are small and out of the way if your living in Raleigh but you do have the advantage of going to RDU and there is the Amtrak downtown and also on in Cary.

If you are going to the train station I suggest looking up the times trains are arriving and departing the station. Nothing is worse than trying to entertain a toddler while waiting for the train.