Grandfather Mountain trip

My family recently drove to the Boone/Blowing Rock NC area and spent part of the day at Grandfather Mountain. If you're planning to spend some time in the area, GF Mountain makes for a nice 2-3 hour stop. Admission is a little pricey at $15 for adults, $7 for kids (free for 4 and under), but if you have a AAA card, you can can save a few bucks per ticket. Be warned that on busy weekends, the wait to get into the gate and to drive up to top of the mountain can be trying, especially with little ones in the car. Thank goodnes for Leapster! We walked around the Split Rock area and found some great photo opps. The kids loved exploring the rocks and trail areas. We made our way to the Fudge Shop where we found some of the most delicious apple cider I've ever had. The kids also enjoyed apple slices with warm caramel sauce. That was yummy! I was in my own little happy place with my chocolate coconut fudge. It was like a 1/4 lb Almond Joy! Next, we visited the animal habitats. The bears were my favorite. We also enjoyed the habitats for otters, cougars, deer and eagles. There are quite a few picnic areas on the property for a relaxing snack or meal with the family. We got back in the car and drove up the very steep and slow road towards the mile-high swinging bridge. We decided to park at the lower level and hike up the half-mile trail to the bridge, avoiding the long car line to get to the top. We had four and five-year-olds with us and the trail up was a little challenging for them, but with our help they were very excited to have completed their first "real hike" as they called it. Walking across the swinging bridge was a lot of fun. It doesn't feel like it really swings. The vistas were breathtaking and the cool breeze blowing through the trees felt divine after that hike. All in all, a fun and adventurous day that the kids won't soon forget. BIG naps on the way home!

Kersey Valley Adventure

Today a group of about 20 mommy's and preschoolers visited Kersey Valley attraction in High Point. The day started out a little slow with a very long line at the ticket booth. We were in line for 30 minutes. Antsy little ones kicking dirt and swinging on fences made it feel like three hours. They definitely need more staff on busy days. Once we got out of line prison, everything looked up. The kiddos enjoyed the cow train ride, pumpkin patch, tram ride, gem mining, and ABC maize (a special maize for ages six and under). The kids took off into the corn rows in a flash to search out the alphabet letters. They ran out squealing and clutching their A-Z findings! After a picnic lunch and a gorge-fest on delicious kettle corn, the kids mounted the jumping pillow- a huge bouncing mound that was enormously fun! The hit of the day, by far. We went on small group day and it cost us $19 per person to do all the things we did (usually $23)- but we think it was worth it. A day at Kersey Valley = Happy and Tired Kids. It's a very unique fall experience that kids will adore! Check it out. http://www.maizeadventure.com/

Preschoolers Invade Restaurant

Thanks to the folks at Tripp's restaurant in Greensboro (New Garden area) for patiently serving our wild group for a multi-family dinner out last night. Even on a really busy night, the staff was extremely tolerant of spills, squeals, seat-switching, changing orders, a menagerie of checks, special crayon requests and flying shrimp. Our little ones and their parents enjoyed the food and the noisy atmosphere--- all the better to hide preschool misbehavior! It was relaxing in an odd way. Wait.. maybe that was the fish bowl margarita. There is a reason they call it the "perfect margarita." It's HUGE!! The hit food of the night with the whole crowd was Firecracker Shrimp. YUM!!! A little bit spicy and completely delectable. The kids devoured bowl after bowl of it on those cute little wooden skewers. Shrimpfest indeed! We will definitely put this on our family friendly places.

Bur-Mil Park Fun

I am so impressed with Bur-Mil Park. My son and I went to the Fall Festival today. Almost everything was FREE, except for plethora of concessions we consumed. We played games, sampled vendor tables, rambled around a fire truck, practiced putting and tennis, enjoyed some music and found a great photo background in the pumpkin patch. It's an annual event that you should check out if you've never been.

Bur-Mil Park offers so many great activities for the family all year--- fabulous aquatic center, tennis, volleyball, golf course, playgrounds, trails, picnic areas, fishing ponds/lessons, camps, wildlife classes, golf lessons and tennis lessons- and that's just off the top of my head! Nick is considering taking advantage of some golf lessons soon. We are very fortunate to have this jewel in our community. Go out and explore Bur-Mil!