Charlotte Smarty Pants

CSP Team

June 23, 2017

Smarty Alert: Springfree 4th of July Flash Sale! Save $548!

Smarty Alert: For a limited time, save $548 on a Springfree Trampoline! Bring home the bounce for the summer with a Springfree Trampoline! It’s better than bringing home a puppy!

The Deal:
Save $548! Offer ends July 3, 2017.

Get your backyard ready for the 4th of July! Save up to $548 right now when you by any Springfree Trampoline. And Springfree’s patented safety system will give you peace of mind this summer and all year long – No springs. No hard edges. A frame beneath the jumping surface. That’s smart engineering. Read More →

Guest Blogger

From Invisible Fence® Brand: Tips for keeping your dog cool this summer AND Charlotte’s best dog parks

By our Smarty friends at Invisible Fence® Brand. Click here to get $150 off a premium outdoor package.

Let’s put this in perspective: animals like you and me, we’ve got sweat glands for days. Mammals have not one but two types of secretory skin gland. The eccrine gland, the one tasked with heat regulation, is basically all over the place in our bodies—the palm alone boasting something like 370 sweat glands per square centimeter. That’s a lot of cooling power.

Dogs? Well, their “palms” are pretty much the only place they have sweat glands. This fact, come late summer, may well provoke a question in a kind-hearted canine caretaker like yourself: How do I help my dog stay cool?

We posed this question to our friend Cheryl Meyers, DVM, a Seattle-based relief veterinarian and friend of Invisible Fence® Brand. Here’s her 5 principles of hydration for our differently thermoregulated companions.

Calculate your dog’s water/weight ratio. Ok, so most days you don’t need a calculator. You “follow your nose” and manage to keep yourself and your dependents fed and nourished. No sweat. But on a sweltering day loaded down with activities, the scientific method might make the difference between a mild case of dehydration in your dog and a moderate-to-severe one. Luckily, calculating your pet’s water-to-weight ratio is easy. Read More →

CSP Team

June 22, 2017

Need some more kid activities now that summer is in full swing? We gotcha covered with the Smarty Camp Guide!

Rain, rain go away, our kids are driving us CRAY-CRAY!! We have a feeling you haven’t signed your kids up for enough activities to fill the long summer days! So we’re revisiting our Smarty Camp Guide – tried and true by Smarty Charlotte!

Smarty Education Partners

Charlotte Christian School

Established in 1950, Charlotte Christian School is a Christ-centered, college preparatory, independent, non-denominational school serving students in grades JK-12. Our vision for students includes the integration of a Biblical worldview into a curriculum where character, values and essential life skills are emphasized and modeled by a professional and dedicated faculty. A rigorous academic program is offered including strong co-curricular offerings with successful athletic and fine arts programs. For more information, schedule a tour of campus, attend an open house or visit, please visit our website.

Charlotte Christian Summer Camps are available beginning June 5. Learn more about Charlotte Christian’s camps for academics, arts, sports and technology.

Charlotte Christian School
7301 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 366-5657
website
Facebook
Twitter: @charchristiannc
Instagram: @charlottechristianschool

Charlotte Country Day School

Charlotte Country Day School Summer Programs offers a wide variety of enrichment, sports, and academic camps to meet the needs of students ages 3-18. Weekly camps run from June 5 to August 11, with prices and times varying by camp. Some of the enrichment offerings include art, drama, cooking, video game development, robotics, science, and more. Athletic offerings include lacrosse, tennis, basketball, soccer, running, football, golf, and field hockey. We’re excited to introduce the Summer Institute, which offers high school students a variety of unique, weeklong academic enrichment experiences in support of specific skill development and student curiosity. Visit the website for more details on the more than 200 camps offered or contact Michael Rinehart (704) 943-4648.

NOTE: NEW LOCATION FOR 2017 – Bissell Campus, 5936 Green Rea Road (located four miles from main Cannon Campus off Carmel Road).

Click here for more info on CCDS Summer Programs.

Charlotte Country Day School
1440 Carmel Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
704-943-4500
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Vimeo

Charlotte Latin School

Looking for a great place to send your kids this summer? Check out Charlotte Latin Summer Programs! We offer half-day and full-day camps for children ages 3- to 18-years-old. Seven weekly sessions are available with options for 9 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free-of-charge, supervised lunch hour for full day campers is provided. We also offer extended care service from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at $100 per week ($50 each).

Join us for another fun summer of CAMP VICTOR. Camp Victor is a traditional day camp run on the campus of Charlotte Latin. Our themed weeks for 2017 are: Curious Carolina Kids, Glow for it!, Moovin’ & Groovin’ Fitness, Party in the USA, Camp Victor’s Got Talent, Tie-Dye Disco, and Bugs & Botanicals. Each week, students will field journal in our on-campus woods; splash and play on inflatable water slides; experience science hands-on and engage in cooperative team-building games! Camp Victor tuition includes a full day of activities, a daily boxed lunch, and before- and after-camp care.

Interested in engineering and technology? We have one of the only MIT certified FabLabs (Fabrication Lab) in the country. Students come home at the end of the week with one-of-a-kind engineered masterpieces. Young Engineers of Today camps are designed and taught by STEM educators with more than 20 years of experience in engineering and programming. Charlotte Latin’s hands-on approach to technology education transforms campers into technology creators. We offer a variety of engineering programs involving dinosaurs, fashion design, underwater robots, to drones and Star Wars.

Charlotte Latin School
9502 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28277a
704-846-1100
website: www.charlottelatin.org
facebook: www.facebook.com/charlottelatinschool
twitter: @charlottelatin Read More →

Danielle Gonzalez

Smarty Review: The Teething Egg

In the short 15 months that I’ve been a mama, I’ve been blessed to experience some incredible milestones being a stay-at-home-mom. That being said, I have to keep it real and also admit that there have been a couple excruciating milestones as well; one of them being the monster known as “teething”.

Like I said, Zoey has been a blessing. She’s a super happy-go-lucky baby who rarely lets anything stand between her and being genuinely happy. Even missing a nap here or there doesn’t affect her quite like teething has. I’m not sure about you mamas, but it sure has felt like teething has been an ongoing milestone since she turned six months old.

I tried homeopathic remedies to ease the pain. She LOVES freeze pops or frozen fruit in a silicone teether. But, The Teething Egg was an extremely useful and practical way to ease her teething pain on the go, or while she flipped through a good book at home. It was very helpful that it arrived with a lanyard that could easily clip onto Zoey’s clothing…she likes to throw things, so this kept The Teething Egg close no matter what! It helped that they were SUPER cute and had several color options for eggs/lanyards! Read More →

CSP Team

June 21, 2017

Smarty Scoop for Weekend Events June 23-25

Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
Saturdays and Sundays, See website for schedule, All ages
Summary: The park is open 7 days a week, Get your season tickets now!. Check out the Waterpark, the new Country Fair, Rock the Park is here…

Cirque Imagine
June 23 – September 4, 10:00am, all ages, free with park admission
Summary: Back by popular demand, Cirque Imagine returns to the Carowinds Theatre for the 2017 season on June 23. This action-packed show features incredible displays of high-flying acrobatics, feats of strength, raw athleticism, beauty, grace and sidesplitting humor. You’re sure to stay on the edge of your seat and keep coming back for more!

Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops events take place on Sundays from June 4-July 1 at Symphony Park, SouthPark. From Hollywood hits, music from Star Wars to Broadway, Jazz and Patriotic favorites, these one-of-a-kind musical picnic experiences are some of the most highly anticipated events of the season! Fun FAQ’s about the concerts HERE.

Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops kicks off this weekend! Read More →

CSP Team

June 20, 2017

Smarty Flash Giveaway: Win a Family 4-Pack to Sesame Street Live this weekend!

Smarties with littles in the house…we have the BEST summer giveaway for you! One lucky Smarty family will win a 4-pack of tickets to Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend” this weekend! Yahoo!

On Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend”:
No matter where you’re from or where you’ve been, everyone is special – so join in! Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the universal fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies! Join the fun and make a memory with your friends and family!

Event Scoop:
Friday, June 23
10:30 AM* & 6:00 PM

Saturday, June 24
10:30 AM & 2:00 PM

Sunday, June 25
2:00 PM

*Kids’ Matinee – All seats $8.00 for school/daycare groups of 10 or more

Ticket Prices: $17, $27, $37 (Gold Circle) $63 (Sunny Seats)

Sunny Seats include VIP seating and a photo opportunity with Sesame Street Live characters before the show!

Buy your tickets HERE! For more information, go HERE. Read More →

CSP Team

From the Smarty Health Corner and Levine Children’s Hospital: Potty Training 101

Summer is a great time to start potty training, so we recently interviewed Dr. Corinne Watson, a pediatrician at Cotswold Pediatrics, to get her insight and tips. If you’re just starting the process, we hope this article serves as both inspiration and education for you. A big thanks to Dr. Watson and Levine Children’s Hospital!

What age should parents expect to start potty training their child?

Many children are ready to start potty training at 2 years old, and almost all are ready by 3. However, parents can start introducing the concept before children are developmentally and physically ready. As early as 18 months, parents can start teaching the vocabulary of going “pee” or “poop” and going in the potty.

Source: Pottytrainingiseasy.com

What are some signs that a child is ready to be potty training?

– Child expresses interest in going to the bathroom
– Child can imitate parents and put things where they belong
– Child can express that favorite word “no” indicating a sense of independence
– Child can indicate when he or she needs to “poop” or pee”
– Child is able to take clothes on and off

How often should you ask a child to go to the potty?

There is no perfect science for how often kids need to go potty. Look for potential signs, such as grimacing or pulling at the diaper when wet, a signal he or she may need to use the bathroom. If your child goes two or more hours without urinating, you may want to ask. Other good times to try include immediately after naps or about 20 minutes after meal time. Read More →

Jen Plym

June 19, 2017

Smarty Alert: Beverly’s Gourmet Foods Hosting Frozen Food Sale on Thursday, 6/22

A piece of Charlotte’s farmers market history resides in the Mecklenburg County Market near uptown. Beverly McLaughlin and three generations of her Charlotte family have been running this farmers market since the 1920s. I have been buying my produce from Beverly for the last decade. Her heirloom tomatoes are the juiciest and best tomatoes that I’ve ever bought, and that says alot coming from this Florida girl who grew up on the best tomatoes on the planet.

My true life changing moment was when I discovered Beverly’s Gourmet Foods. Beverly and her culinary team cook recipes rooted deep in her family and every single one is delicious. I feel like I have my own personal vegetarian chef! As a busy mama of four very active kids, I never have time to slow down, much less cook a healthy meal, even in the summer. My kids love Beverly’s foods as much as I do. Our favorites are the planet burgers, any and all soups, quiches, breakfast casseroles, salad dressings, pimento cheese – well, I can honestly say all of it! So, here’s the good part. And I’ll be honest, I’ve been hesitant to share this with Smarty Charlotte because it’s one of Charlotte’s best kept secrets. Read More →

Guest Blogger

Take the Library with you on vacation

By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Summertime is a time to get away, relax and have fun! Planning a road trip, or flying to a tropical locale this summer with your family? Be sure to take Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with you to add to the fun.

Here are just a few ways to enjoy the Library while you travel this summer.

Enjoy some beach reads.

Relax with a good book, whether you are at the beach literally or just in your mind. Check out a copy of one of this season’s notable beach reads, and don’t forget your sunscreen! Read More →

Mai-Lis Bahr

June 17, 2017

Smarty Mom: Amelia Abbott

Smarties, meet Amelia Abbott, a woman effecting change in the Charlotte community. When Amelia sees a need for volunteerism, awareness, compassion, and advocacy, she doesn’t just join the ride, she helps create the movement by mobilizing others through Do Good Charlotte. Her passion breeds action that directly affects our neighbors, causes, and organizations right here. I am grateful to have women like Amelia and the other founders of Do Good Charlotte in our city, helping to create better worlds for all of our children!

Enjoy getting to know one of our Smarty neighbors and consider joining Amelia on her mission to make Charlotte an even greater city!

Smarty Mom: Amelia Abbott

From? Bronxville, NY, a small suburb outside New York City.
Years in Charlotte? 13 years
Children? I have two fantastic kids – Wilson, age 9 and Jorie, age 6.
Alma Mater? Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA.
Former career? Before moving here I worked in political fundraising in Washington, DC, and then did event marketing/sales here in Charlotte.

We want to know more about Do Good Charlotte! Can you share?

Do Good CLT is a group of women, mobilizing locally, to propel positive systemic change through community-building, volunteering and advocacy. We currently focus our efforts in the areas of women’s rights, education, immigration and racial reconciliation. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations actively working in these areas, we seek first to listen and learn, and second, to identify volunteer engagement opportunities for our members. Through these relationships, we strive to form meaningful connections across the lines of race, class and status. In addition to volunteerism, Do Good CLT supports educational, community-building initiatives through participation in cultural events, facilitating panel discussions at our general membership meetings, hosting a Do Good CLT book club, and meeting with city leaders on relevant issues. Read More →