Solving the School Lunch Challenge

My son started his kindergarten year at Greensboro Montessori School this week and one of the new things in our life now is daily lunch packing. I decided to make a master menu of lunch options for him, divided into food groups. A couple of times a week, he makes out his menu for school lunch, choosing the indicated number of items from each column. After he makes menus for a few days, I go to the grocery store and buy the necessary items. It has made for a few extra errands for me, but other than that has worked great. He's excited about taking lunch, is practicing his writing and is actually eating his lunch. The favorite lunch so far has been scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and watermelon. I would love to hear from other moms about favorite lunch choices.

Get Ready for Fall Events

It's my favorite time of year... FALL!! Here is a random list of event ideas that look interesting. I hope you find some time to share some fun with your family in the coming months. Be sure to check back for reviews and additions!

First Friday’s downtown Center City Park music plus other stuff going on downtown
-September 3: 6pm - Decoration Ghost; 7pm - Part Bear; 8pm - The Bronzed Chorus
-October 1: 6pm - Matty Sheets and the Blockheads; 7pm - Emily Stewart and the Baby Teeth; 8pm - Israel Darling

September 4- November 7 Maize Adventure
Location: 1615 Kersey Valley Road, HP.
Phone: 336-431-1700.
Website: www.maizeadventure.com.
Summary: Explore the Maize Adventure corn maze, pumpkin patch, gem dig, tram train, cow train, dinosaur discovery and giant jumping pillow. $3-$23. Ages 4 and under free for corn maze only. 1-6 p.m.

Sept 9-30 Ilderton’s Beach Music Blast concert series benefiting the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, will run every Thursday in uptown High Point at 1525 North Main Street

Sept 11 Healthy Kids! Happy Smiles! Family Fun Festival Presented by Lake Jeanette Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry at Lake Jeanette Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentisty Free Family Fun Festival focusing on Children's Health

Sept 10-19 Central Carolina Fair.
Location: Greensboro Coliseum, 1921 W. Lee St., GSO.
Phone: 336-373-4386.
Website: www.centralcarolinafair.com.
Summary: The 112th annual Central Carolina Fair returns featuring spectacular rides, carnival food and games, thousands of exhibits by local 4H groups and wholesome family entertainment and attractions for all ages. Adults $5; ages 10 and under, free. Unlimited ride wristbands also available for purchase. Friday, Sept. 10, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 12, 1-11 p.m.; Sept. 13-17 through 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 19, 1-6 p.m.

Sept 11 Chili Championship and Rubber Duck Regatta at Tanglewood Park

Sept 11-12 Winston Salem Air show

September 11 Farmers’ Appreciation Day The market celebrates its anniversary and salutes the local farmer with a southern breakfast, music, exhibitors and more! Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market, 501Yanceyville St., 6 am-12 noon, 373-2961

September 12, 19, & 26, 2:00-6:00pm, Music at Blandwood Mansion- Celebrate the heritage of music on the grounds of the historic Blandwood Mansion. The entire family will enjoy great food and tunes! $7 per person, children 12 and under are free. Sunday, Sept 12: Opening: House of Dues, Headliner: Melva Houston Sunday, Sept 19: Opening: Bump & Logie, Headliner: Alison King Band Sunday, Sept 26: Opening: Laurelyn Dossett, Headliner: Amelia's Mechanics

September 12 Creation Celebration This free festival showcases the exciting City Arts programs. Enjoy dance classes, live music, a community canvas and previews of upcoming shows! Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St., first floor, 2-5 pm, 373-2731

September 17th thru October 31st J Raz & Tazz Farm, Corn Maize, Haunted Forest, hayride, 466 Peeden Dr Gibsonville

Sept 18 Honey Bee Festival at Fourth of July Park in Kernersville

Sept 18-19 Burlington Carousel Festival
Saturday, September 18th • 10am-6pm
Sunday, September 19th • 1pm-6pm
Burlington City Park

Sept 18 City Lake Park Day in the Park
11a.m.-5p.m. Sponsored by the High Point Area Arts Council and their partners in cooperation with High Point Parks & Recreation. Day in the Park will feature a great lineup of entertainment and fun. Event is held at City Lake Park. For more vendor and general information contact The High Point Arts Council at 889-2787.


September 18 Apple Fest at Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, W-S.
Phone: 336-924-8191.
Website: www.bethabarapark.org.
Summary: Unique crafts, traditional music and food fill Historic Bethabara Park. Local orchards, handicraft demonstrations, and colonial re-enactors highlight this festival, as do horse-drawn wagon rides and colonial games. Free. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 a.m.

September 23-26 Mayberry Days.
Location: Downtown Mt. Airy.
Phone: 336-786-7998.
Website: www.mayberrydays.org.
Summary: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Andy Griffith Show with four days of special performances and activities. Visit website for specific events, times and prices.

Thur Oct 9 All-A-Flutter Family Days.
Summary: All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm will hold Family Days every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9. All ages can experience the magic of hand feeding a monarch butterfly with a one hour and 15 minute tour of the butterfly house and presentation. No reservations necessary. Adults, $6; children, $5. Sunday 2 p.m. All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651. www.all-a-flutter.com

Sept 24-Nov 6- Woods of Terror, www.woodsofterror.com

September 25th from 10am to 4pm during our Amazing Pet Adventure Adoption Fair at kersey Valley Farm- pet shows, demos, pony rides, adoption, Legacy classic rock band

September 25th 11-3, Children’s Festival at UNCG, games, inflatables, music, dancing, cheering, arts and crafts http://www.uncg.edu/soe/cesd/cfhc/

September 28 Pirate Night at Chickfila Pisgah Ch 5-8pm. Dress as your favorite pirate

Oct 1-10 Dixie classic Fair in Winston-Salem

October 3 Art in the Arboretum, 1-6 PM
This fall event is a juried art and fine craft exhibit and sale held in the Greensboro Arboretum on the first Sunday in October. Artists from throughout the region gather to exhibit their hand-crafted offerings in a beautiful outdoor gallery. Activities and entertainment are also included to make this an event for the entire family.

October 9 Bur-Mil Park's Fall Festival
10 am to 4 pm
Free and open to the public!

Oct 14-24 NC State Fair

October 16 10-5, Cornshucking Frolic, A traditional rural frolic featuring the harvesting, shucking, shelling, and grinding of corn. Cider making, quilting, cooking, woodworking, wagon rides, curing tobacco, children's games, natural dyeing, dancing, and traditional music featured. A variety of craft demonstrations also featured. Wonderful products and gifts available at our Country Store. $3.00 donation requested for admission. Fee charged for food and drinks and some craft activities. For further information, call 336/325/2298.

October 23 Ghoulash! Halloween Festival The Greensboro Youth Council presents Ghoulash! with lots of spooktackular candy-grabbing fun! This event is a great way to enjoy safe and fun Halloween activities with the entire family. Events are also held at the Historical Museum and the Children’s Museum. Cultural Arts District, Festival Park, 200 N. Davie St., 5-9 pm, free (small fee charged for some activities), 373-2733

October 23rd 10-5 Choctoberfest at Ten Thousand Villages

October 23rd Lexington BBQ Festival

Oct 24 and 31- City Lake Park Fall Leaves Tour at Piedmont Environmental Center 2p.m., 3p.m., 4p.m., 5p.m. Fee:$4.00 per person
Ride City Lake's excursion boat around the lake to view spectacular fall colors. Participants must be at least 4 years old. Each ride will last approximately 45 minutes. Because seating is limited, reservations must be made in advance by calling the Park office at 883-3498. Reservations will be taken beginning September 15. Groups may charter the tour boat by making arrangements in advance.

Oct 23 & 24 BOO at the ZOO
A magical weekend featuring games, music, face painting, costume contests and plenty of Halloween fun.

Oct 29 & 30- Halloween Safari at Piedmont Environmental Center
7pm – 9pm
No spooks but plenty of surprises await kids and adults on PEC’s trails at night! Meet “animals” who tell amazing things about their lives up close and personal as you make your way through the darkened woods. Snacks, a campfire and live music complete this unusual Halloween education adventure. All participants should bring a flashlight. Safari hike lasts about 45 minutes. No registration required. $4.00/person; ages 5 and under $1.00

Thur Oct 31 Gold and Gem Panning.
Location: Castle McCulloch, 3925 Kivett Drive, Jamestown
Phone: 336-887-2206.
Website: www.castlemcculloch.com.
Summary: Pan for gold, emeralds, rubies, garnets, amethyst, crystals and more. Open to the public Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 31. $4; buckets starting at $10.

October 28-30 Higgins Haunted Harbor-Lake Higgins Watershed Park

October 28 Zoo Boo-Bash / 5-8pm at Nat Sci Ctr of Gso

Sept-Oct Tweetsie Railroad-- Halloween Festival on select nights in October

October 29-November 14 Nana’s Naughty Knickers Presented by The Barn Dinner Theatre at Barn Dinner Theatre

A.C.Moore Arts & Crafts Make & Take Classes.
Wednesdays
Location: 4217D W. Wendover Ave., GSO or 3208 Silas Creek Parkway, W-S.
Website: www.acmoore.com.
Summary: Kids ages 4 and up can visit any one of A.C. Moore’s Triad stores to make their own age-appropriate craft to take home. Each week features a different theme. No reservations necessary. 3-5 p.m. Free.

SCHOOL YEAR OPEN GYMS at Tumblebees
School Year Open Gym is one Friday each month.
Preschool - 3:30-4:30pm
School Age - 4:30-5:30pm
$7 members, $10 non-members
• September 24
• October 22
• November 19
• December 10 (FOX 8 Gifts for Kids)
• Janurary 28
• February 11
• March 25
• April 15
• May 20

Indiana Bones and Survival Science Spectacular.
Location: Natural Science Center of Greensboro, 4301 Lawndale Drive, GSO.
Phone: 336-288-3769.
Website: www.natsci.org.
Summary: Indiana Bones shows how putting the knowledge of science to work has gotten him out of some pretty tough jams and has helped to save his life. Survival Science Spectacular is an exciting story told to us through fun and amazing demonstrations. Free with museum admission, adults, $8; ages 3-13, $7; ages 2 and under, free. Monday-Friday 11 a.m., 1 p.m and 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Mad Science Means Mad Fun

Today we celebrated my son's 5th birthday with a Mad Science party for he and 15 of his friends. In addition to birthday parties, Mad Science does camps and school programs as well as occasional public shows. If you ever get a chance to see these guys, don't miss it. They are the real deal as far as entertaining scientists go. Our scientist did such a good job keeping the kids entertained and interested at the party. I lost count of all the cool experiments and demonstrations he conducted during the show. The kids were able to participate in most of the experiments and some of it was pure magic for them. They all made slime and he ended the show with the sweetest science experiment of all... cotton candy making. I can't recommend these guys enough for a birthday party. We paired up the science show with some carnival games, pizza, science cake and decorations, chili, ice cream and presents for a fun 2 1/2 hours. I can honestly say this was the most fun I've ever had at one of his parties. It was very gratifying to see all those little faces staring out with wide eyes and rapt attention. I think the parents enjoyed it as much as the kids. And I'm pretty sure somebody somewhere learned a little something. Check out the Mad Science offerings for yourself.

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!