Millbrook Exchange Spraygrounds

I am a planner and I like to be prepared for everything - it keeps my anxiety at bay :-). Unfortunately it makes me hesitant to try out new activities with the kids by myself so its nice to have friends who explore Raleigh and know the coolest things to do. Today we met some friends at the Millbrook Exchange Pool which has a wading pool and sprayground that opens in the summer. I had heard lots of positive reviews on the place by friends but surprisingly I found very little information online about it. Due to swimming lessons taking place in the lap pool we did not get a chance to swim in there but here's some info about the wading pool and sprayground we visited.

Location: 1905 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh; it is located in the Millbrook Exchange Park that also has baseball fields, basketball courts, off-leash dog park, tennis center, playground and probably a few other things I've missed.

Hours: The wading pool and spraygrounds are seasonal but during the summer they are open:
M-F 9am to 8pm
Sat 10am to 8pm
Sun 1pm to 6pm

Price: The price for admission at all of the City of Raleigh aquatic centers is the same. Residents pay $1.00 for those age 1-12, $3.00 for ages 13-54 and $2.00 for ages 55 and up. They accept cash, check and credit cards.

Wading Pool: The pool ranges in depth from 10 inches to 18 inches of water which makes it perfect for little ones. The pool was easy for my girls to get in and out of and the entire area was fenced in. I felt at ease as a parent knowing that my children were not going to go too deep and not be able to touch, were not going to get out of the fenced in area and that there was a lifeguard on duty. Inside of the wading pool area there were limited chairs and no tables - this was fine for us since it was HOT and I wanted to sit along the edge of the pool; there is also no food or drink permitted in the area.



Sprayground: As I've recently learned, Maddie is not a big fan of sprinklers and so as we entered this area she held onto me for dear life. The sprayground area has its own fencing and has areas where water comes shooting up from the ground, water cannons, buckets that dump water and other "sprays". The area was large enough that you could avoid getting wet if you weren't in the mood. I stayed close to the water to keep my feet from burning on the concrete, next time I'll wear shoes!





Overall it was fun but I think the heat did us in and prevented us from having a fabulous experience (high of 103 today!).

Blueberries

On Saturday we met my mom at Herndon Hills Farms to pick blueberries and blackberries. The farm had several varieties of blueberries and all of the bushes were tall enough that you didn't have to bend over (for some reason I had envisioned the bushes being much lower to the ground). Both of the girls were fabulous at only picking the dark berries and in half an hour we had a pound and a half. The blueberries are delicious and at $2.75/pound, definitely worth the time spent. Most of the blackberries had already been picked when we got there so we only left with a few.

A Stop by the Strawberry Farm

Yesterday we were driving down the road and happened to go past Page Farms. We had been talking about going strawberry picking all season but had not made it yet so we stopped. The girls each took a bucket and enjoyed looking for the reddest strawberries. We only picked a few and so after a night of strawberry shortcake, they are already gone.

Mall Walking Moves Outside

I thought this mom had a great idea, so I wanted to share... Today Anna and I went walking with a group of moms with kids of all ages at a local park. One of the moms had decided to put together a walking club of sorts that moves from place to place around the city. What a great idea and a great way to get outside now that the weather is turning nicer.

Play Group

I was watching TV and a commercial came on with 3 women talking and eating the advertised product. They were saying they needed to get together again and that it was great for the kids. The camera then cuts to 3 babies asleep in their car seats. Talk about reality - many times that's exactly what happens during a "play date". I have been fortunate to get to know some wonderful ladies as a result of a play group. It is wonderful to have others to talk to that are going through the exact same thing and have many of the same questions. One of the best ways to start one is through a prenatal birthing class, for many couples are due around the same date.

Movie Moms Club

Every Wednesday the Raleigh Grande movie theater (off Glenwood) offers a showing of a new release that is designated as "mom time". I have never gone, but keep meaning to. Supposedly the lights are left brighter and the sound is not so loud.

The time and movie varies each week but a schedule can be found at: http://www.consolidatedmovies.com/movie_mom.asp

Baby Lapsit at the Library

Every other month the North Regional library has a program called Baby Lapsit that invites infants to pre-walkers to come and listen to stories and songs. At 17 weeks, Anna was a little young - most kids were at least crawling - so I think she will enjoy it more in two month. We did about 10 little rhymes that were filled with interaction and tickling and then listened to a story. In the end toys were put in the middle of the room and the "big" kids played. Best of all.... it's free.

Here's the link.

Moms in Motion

For the past month Anna and I have spent many Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Rex Hospital with a wonderful lady named Jo in the Moms in Motion class. Moms in Motion is a postnatal low impact aerobics class to help new moms get moving again after childbirth - but more than that, it is a place to meet and talk with new moms.

Anna enjoys the class as well. A mat is placed in the center of the room and all the babies lay there and kick and smile (and sometimes scream). It is amazing how much more joyful a workout can be when it is done watching 5-7 little ones wiggles around. Anna especially likes to squeal and "talk" to her new friends.

Here's a link to the class: http://www.rexhealth.com/classes/birthclasses.htm

Walking the Mall

Who would have thought, I'm now one of those mall walkers. Every week I meet some friends at the local mall to do a few laps (occasionally stopping for an Auntie Anne's pretzel). It's a great way to get out of the house and get some exercise during the colder months. Last week I noticed a sign that Triangle Town Center has a power stroller class in the morning before the stores open. I'm sure it's great for those wanting to add a little more to their workout, but I prefer to take the free route :)