family

I had an idea of what to expect as a new mommy…but I wasn’t so sure about my husband when it came to being a daddy. Okay, well, I had an idea…I knew he would love our little guy unconditionally. I knew I’d melt when I saw the two of them staring into each others’ eyes. But there have been some surprises along the way.

Case in point, on one of their first outings sans mommy, my husband refused to carry a diaper bag. So, instead he took a plastic grocery store bag and put a diaper and a bottle in it. That’s all. Not even any wipes or a change of clothes. Just a diaper and a bottle. And they were gone, for a couple of hours. Ugh, I cringed when I found out. Okay, maybe I more than cringed. But there was no reasoning with him. I eventually realized he’ll learn the hard way. It’ll be inconvenient for Caleb perhaps… but a lesson learned for daddy. Nowadays, he’s upgraded to carrying the “essentials” in his gym bag. I’m still not sure if he takes wipes.

I was listening to talk radio while driving into work last week and heard a story that left me scratching my head and saying “C’mon, man”.

City school officials in Cranston, Rhode Island have ended their father-daughter dance and mother-son ballgame activities. Here’s their logic: they believe that these activities violate state discrimination laws.

Apparently, the school superintendent says the decision was in response to a complaint from a single mother, who brought her case to the American Civil Liberties Union after her daughter wasn’t allowed to attend a father-daughter dance.

Happy Wednesday Smarties! County Fairs, consignment sales, beach music and corn mazes. It is shaping up to be a great Fall in the Queen City! We have several events to put on your calendars and many to chose from this weekend. Support Tyler’s Treehouse, The Nature Museum, The Schiele or Woofstock, all are Smarty, family fun. Get out and enjoy!

Tyler’sTreehouse 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk
Old Georgetowne Swim Club
September 8, 8:00am
Tyler’s Treehouse 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk in Charlotte off Sharon Road in the Olde Georgetowne/Sharon Hills neighborhood. 5K at 8am and fun run/walk at 9am. This is a family-friendly event. Post-race party includes pool party from 10am-1pm at Olde Georgetowne pool and food from sponsors. Tyler’s Treehouse was established in 2006 in memory of 5 year old Tyler Scott who died of brainstem glioma. Benefits brainstem glioma research at St Jude Children’s Hospital. To register go to www.sportoften.com.

American Presidential Experience
407 West Third Street Charlotte
August 31 – September 8
The American Presidential Experience is a nonpartisan educational exhibit celebrating American history, democracy and the US Presidency featuring more than 35 exhibits, historic memorabilia and artifacts along with a vendor marketplace. Appearing for the first time in North Carolina, this nonpartisan tribute invites everyone to learn more about how the Presidency operates with exhibits celebrating three centuries of presidential history.

Happy Wednesday Smarties! The Monster Trucks are back. This is one of my family’s summer favorites – I don’t know what it is except that it is good, family fun. Head up to the speedway today to help kick off the fall season. Discovery Place and the Charlotte Nature Museum have a full array of activities/movies this weekend. Get out and Enjoy.

Parade of Power – TODAY!!!
Charlotte Motor Speedway
August 8, 2012 Begins at 10:00am, parade begins at noon
Charlotte Motor Speedway will make Bruton Smith Boulevard roar to life with some of the fastest and most powerful machines on the planet when the Parade of Power thunders down the popular thoroughfare to roll out the speedway’s Fall Season of Speed. The parade will include vehicles representing all of the events planned at the legendary superspeedway complex throughout the fall, including a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car, an NHRA Top Fuel dragster, a World of Outlaw sprint car, a monster truck and many more. NASCAR and NHRA drivers, including Joey Logano, Erica Enders and Doug Herbert will take part in the event, which will also include an autograph session and driver Q&A following the parade. Fans in attendance can participate in a question and answer session with the drivers and the first 100 fans to arrive at the speedway Wednesday morning will be invited to an autograph session in the speedway ticket office following the fan forum. Children 13 and under can take a ride in a monster truck and photo opportunities will be available with the cars. The POWERADE Play Zone, which includes the Charlotte Motor Speedway Fan Van, face painters and a bounce house will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fans can also enjoy live music and inexpensive refreshments during the event. As part of a one-day-only promotion, fans who purchase tickets to any fall Season of Speed event will also have the chance to spin-to-win other great prizes, including camping chairs, collectible diecast cars or tool kits.

Happy Wednesday Smarties. Welcome to August and the winddown of Summer. This weekend there are several fantastic sales, performances and activities to take advantage of. Head to Daniel Stowe to see the butterflies, see one of the plays performed by the students of NoDa School of the Arts or visit the castles at ImaginOn. Have fun, get out and enjoy!

It is one of the first things we teach our kids “ No fibbing” and “ Tell the Truth”. Well have you actually thought about how often in a day you tell a lie? Let me clarify. I know the world would be a horrible place if we didn’t tell some little white lies, the harmless truth benders. I never want my husband to actually say, “ Yes honey you look like an enormous cow in that outfit” but sometimes I think I want a smidge of honesty mixed in. Think of it like a compliment sandwich. “Your hair looks great, maybe that red dress that I love would look better, and wow, did you lose some lbs?”

The other day I actually tried to keep track of all the lies I told. They mostly came in the form of saying “Yes” instead of “No” No is a very powerful word. I know a ton of people who are scared to say it, they are mainly women. We are supposed to be superwomen who do it all. It is okay to say NO, it’s liberating. Just think of all the stuff you wouldn’t have to do. Here is the deal. People will still like you. They may even like you more for being honest with them and if they aren’t then WHO CARES.

Happy Wednesday Smarties. This will be a great weekend to head Uptown, visit Discovery Place and then have some family fun at EpiCenter as they host a Kids Central event to kick off the Olympic Games. Give your kids a taste of the farm and take them to Darby Acres Farm. This is my family’s new favorite spot to meet new animals and have a hands on experience with a variety of animals that have been rescued and given a new home. Get out and enjoy!

Let the Games Begin!
EpiCenter
July 28, 11:00am-3:00pm
Our Kids Club Central event for July: Let the Games Begin! Event will be held in The Commons on the first level. The whole family can compete in games of skill, and take home prizes and awards. Mascots from college and professional teams from our area will greet you, and we even have our very own parade for contestants at 1:30 p.m. Our friends from Radio Disney will join in the fun! It’s all for fun, and all free.

Rural Hill Food Truck Rally
Rural Hill,Huntersville
July 27, 5:00pm-9:00pm
The first-ever Food Truck Rally in the Lake Norman area! Check out the great food that can be found in our local food trucks. In addition to great food options, the Rally will feature live music, corn hole, local merchants, children’s activities, and living history experiences.

Happy Wednesday Smarties! Get out the phone and be ready to book your reservation – Queens Feast is here. Up for a girls night for a good cause? Painting with a Twist is hosting a Bachelorette Event and 50% of the proceeds will go to the Ricky Hendricks Foundation to benefit the ICU @ Levine’s Childrens Hospital of Charlotte. Hayrides, campfire stories, dinosaurs and a family movie round out the weekend. Get out and enjoy!

Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week®
July 20-29
Enjoy a foodie fantasy during Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week®, July 20-29, 2012!
Discover the best of Charlotte’s ever-evolving restaurant landscape as top chefs, new hot spots, and popular favorites show off their wares during this 10-day eating extravaganza. Over 100 upscale restaurants will offer 3 courses (or more) at dinner for only $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended. Take a tour through the participating restaurants’ special menus, and book your table today!

Halfway to the weekend Smarties! Kids need a project? Have them create their cow costume for free food at Chick-fil-A! You can also beat the heat by heading uptown to the Mint, ImaginOn or Discovery Place. Check out one of the the fairytale plays, Rapunzel or Beauty and the Beast, support the local talent and the children who have been working so hard this summer. Have fun, get out and enjoy!

Happy 4th Smarties! This may be one of my favorite holidays. I love all…