Smarty Alert: Bet You Didn't Know This About Funigan's!

By Katie M

We all know Funigan's is one of the best places to bring your child for fun and food - especially if you're looking for a place to burn energy after school, on days when you can't be outdoors, for birthday parties, or just because. But did you also know that Funigan's offers a before- and after-school care at its Winston-Salem location? And did you know Funigan's also provides a structured program for teens to have fun and hang out with their peers in a safe and non-threatening environment?

The "The Zone" is Funigan's before- and after-school program, and "The After" is Funigan's teen program. More information on both programs are below, including a special offer to Triad Smarty Pants readers if you enroll your Lil' Smarties in their before/after school program! Keep reading to get all the details!

If you work full-time or need a safe place for your child before and after school hours, consider "The Zone". "The Zone" is Funigan’s team-oriented after-and-before school care program that operates between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm. As a special thanks to Triad Smarty Pants, Funigan's is offering the following special: The first 20 Lil’ Smarties to register will save their parents 10% of their total bill for the first three months! Be sure to call our friends at Funigan’s for all the info, and to register your child (or children)!

And for teenagers, Funigan's offers “The After” for ages 14 & up. The goal was to create an atmosphere where teens could have fun and hang out with their peers in a safe & non threatening environment, without feeling like they were at a place for kids. The lights are turned down-the music is turned up!

Cost is $5 at the door which includes unlimited Rock Wall & Mini-Bowling. Tokens are purchased separately and just $10 will buy a 16 inch cheese pizza with a pitcher of soda.

On Friday, October 1st “The After”at Funigan’s will be holding a HALO: REACH TOURNAMENT at 10PM. The cost of entry is $7 until September 30. On October 1st the cost of entry will be $10. You can pre-register by either emailing your name and email address to hxctony@myspace.com or by coming into Funigan’s Family Fun Center during business hours and providing your name and email address. The winner of the tournament will receive a cash prize that night. There will be no foul language, fighting, taunting, or aggressive behavior; any seen will result in disqualification.

Funigan’s is located off of Stratford Rd. in Winston Salem, just beyond the Chili’s restaurant and Hanes Mall. Funigan’s features a 17 ft. rock climbing wall, 4 lanes of miniature bowling, largest SoftPlay in NC, lots of arcade games and great food. You can call them directly at (336) 774-7000.

Be sure to visit their web site and "like" their Facebook Fan Page to learn about special deals and promotions as they happen!

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Smarty Alert: Get Discounted Nutcracker Tix Now!

By Guest Blogger Ann U

Last year, UNCSA’s Nutcracker received rave reviews for its enchanting new staging directed by Ethan Stiefel, Dean of the UNCSA School of Dance. In addition, new choreography, a spectacular new 26-foot tall Christmas tree and a flurry of other magical surprises received high praise from critics and the public alike. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the magical spell that enchanted Winston-Salem last holiday season!

Tickets go on sale Monday, September 27, but you can get your tickets early at the Nutcracker Box Office Opening Kick-Off event this Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Stevens Center.

The September 25th kickoff event also will feature a variety of FREE fun activities for the whole family including art activities provided by the Children’s Museum, additional holiday crafts, refreshments and a chance to have a free photo taken with characters from The Nutcracker!

Those who purchase tickets at the event will receive a $5 discount off each ticket (cannot be combined with any other discount). The $5 off per ticket is eligible for walk-up sales to the Stevens Center Box Office on Saturday, September 25 ONLY and is limited to ten tickets per person per performance.

The full performance schedule for the UNCSA production of The Nutcracker is: Dec. 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8 through 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

For the best deal in town take advantage of the great prices on The Nutcracker “Family Four Pack” for the evening performances on Sunday, Dec. 5, Wednesday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 9 only: $130 for Orchestra Side/Front Balcony and $95 for Center Balcony (not including $5 discount).

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Bye, Bye Dora!

By Susan B, Charlotte Smarty Pants

Dora the Explorer has been an unofficial part of our family for the past 3 years. All of this came to a grinding halt last week when I had a little “run in” with Dora. I strive to deal with conflict by addressing it instead of sweeping it under the rug. So, here goes…

Dear Dora the Explorer,
You need to remove the Dora cupcakes recipe and video from the Nick Jr. (see Noggin) website and also stop talking about them on TV.

After seeing a promo for your cupcakes on Nick Jr., my daughter bugged me for weeks. Everyday, it was: "Mommy, are we going to make the Dora cupcakes today?" I thought she would forget if I simply ignored her. She did not. I finally cracked.

Let me put it bluntly, Dora: these cupcakes were a total P.I.T.A. Your recipe says 70 minutes and that is a total crock. Admittedly, I'm a bit slower than your average professional cupcake decorator. But, c'mon, Dora. It took me more than 70 minutes to get everything prepped and mixed. Plus, this doesn't even count the time it takes to mix, bake and cool the cupcakes.

The entire process from buying the ingredients to piping out the hair to baking the cupcakes to dying the icing the correct color to decorating the cupcakes was very stressful!

I need you to know that before this unfortunate event, you were a she-ro in our house. We were all big fans of yours.

I'm concerned that you are being misrepresented. I recommend that you contact your people at Nick Jr so that you preserve your good name and save some other poor mom from falling victim to this scam.

I hope we've all learned from this and can move forward.

Dora, saying goodbye is always hard and I'm sorry it had to end this way. It pains me to tell you this but my daughter has moved on to the Disney Princesses.

Goodbye, Dora.

Susan Bowman, scarred for life

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Move over sillybandz, Squinkies are in the house!

By Jen P, Charlotte Smarty Pants

silly bandz are still a hip trend for kids of all ages. But there is a new collectible that I think will overpower the silly bandz frenzy by Christmas. Squinkies are squishy and adorable mini animals/figures inside of a plastic bubble that are pencil toppers or just fun little things to play with and collect. Squinkies remind me of when your child BEGS for a toy out of those vending machines that have cheap toys in plastic bubbles just as you're running out of the grocery store - only Squinkies are way cuter and cooler!

Squinkies come in packs of 16 or you can purchase the playsets and bracelet sets. The 16-packs retail for $9.99 and the playsets generally cost around $20-ish. Retailers and online sites can't seem to keep these little surprises in stock so the online prices seem to jump around alot. I found this gumball playset for $33.12 - I have a hard time believing that is a true price in stores. Squinkies are for kids ages 4 and up and personally I think they are geared more towards girls, but boys can like them too. My girls are 9 and 7 and they L-O-V-E Squinkies. This is their new go-to for a hip birthday present.

Word has it Squinkies can be found at Wal-Mart, Target and Toys R Us. They sell out just as soon as they hit the shelves, so you just need to check every time you shop. Good luck finding them, but know that your kids will love you when you do!

Have you heard of Squinkies? What do you think?

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Smarty Alert: Mark Your Calendars!!

Guest Blogger Ann U

Don’t miss the Open Dream Ensemble’s performance of their original play, Peril on the Red Planet, on Saturday, September 25, at 2:00 p.m. at Thrust Theatre in Performance Place on the UNCSA campus located at 1533 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem. The performance is free and open to the public, and is a GREAT program for families with children of all ages!

Peril on the Red Planet is set in the future and tells the story of 13 year-old Diana as she works to end famine on Mars. She reconstructs the machine that made human habitation possible on Mars and unexpectedly unleashes more problems. Her efforts to save life on Mars lead her on an important quest, during which she learns life lessons about community, responsibility, teamwork and sacrifice. Peril on the Red Planet is geared to grades 2-7 and is fun and informative.

Open Dream Ensemble is a professional multi-disciplinary children’s theater group sponsored by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). For more information contact the Open Dream Ensemble at 336.782.7837 or visit www.opendreamensemble.com.

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Going, Going, Gone...Check These Items off Your Smarty Summer "To-Do" List !

By Krista W, Charlotte Smarty Pants

What are you doing with the last scraps of summer? If you’re out of ideas, we’ve got a few! Here are great ways to capture your “Indian Summer” and create fabulous family memories before the school bell rings.

1. Throw a slip-n-slide play date! Don’t have one? Hit Target for some insane “end of the season” sales and snag one at a bargain.

2. Get crafty! Try some of these season inspired projects from our friends at Kaboose. The paper plate “port hole” was a huge hit at our house!

3. Invite the neighbors over for one last BBQ and celebrate summer with local goodies found at a Farmers Market. Nothing says summertime like fresh corn on the cob and brightly flavored strawberries.

4. Make a splash. Take advantage of pool season (which will only lasts a few more weeks). Most pools close Labor Day, so jump in!

5. Make these yummy homemade orange popsicles! Family time never tasted so good.

6. Encourage your child to write a summertime journal. If your child hasn’t mastered letters yet, help them pen one. Be sure to leave blank pages for picture drawing! Create a memorable timeline of all your seasonal fun AND a perfect “show and tell” piece for the start of school.

7. Celebrate the season by going on a “lightening bug chase”. Let the little ones stay up late and watch the fireflies come out and spark up the night. S’mores optional!

8. Host a Lemonade Stand. This classic summer activity is sure to drum-up some sweet memories. Even better, donate all proceeds to charity - teach our Smarties young to give back to the community!

9. Visit Wet & Wild or Carowinds. Wake them up one morning and don’t tell them where you are heading. Upon arrival, bask in the glory of being “super mom” for the day!

10. Host a “teddy bear” picnic! Take your little ones to a park and bring along their favorite stuffed friend (and real friends if you have the energy). Pack a picnic and nibble on goodies with the special guests. Pictures are a must!

11. Decorate the night with sparklers. It may be past The Fourth, but sparklers are always a blast. Listen to your children squeal as they create shapes in the night with these popular summer treats.

12. Find shapes in the clouds. Enjoy the laziness of summer and kick-back while finding creatures in the clouds. Make up a story using your new character friends and enjoy listening to your child’s imagination run wild.

13. Have a water balloon fight. Nuf said.

14. Plant some flowers in preparation for Fall. August is a hot month for planting but you can nurse along your bargain-basement annuals, getting them ready for fall planting. When temperatures cool later in the month or in September, transplant your annuals out of their containers and into the ground for an eye-catching display of fall flowers.

15. Still at the beach or near the sand? Create “Sand Dough” by following the below steps.

Sand Dough
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 Tbsp cream of tartar
2 cups sand
1 1/2 cups of water

Stir together is an old pan (avoid no-stick surfaces) over medium heat until thick (5-10 minutes). Cool and store in a sealed container until ready to use!

16. Take a last minute “day trip” by hitting up one or more of our recommended destinations - the majority of which were smarty-tested and approved by Triad moms! Find all the options here by perusing our “Smarty Day Trip Series."

17. Just relax. Enjoy the final days of less stressful mornings and fewer packed lunch boxes. Soak up the ease that comes along with summer. Play with your children and remember summer for them is a whimsical time they will recall with fondness for the rest of their lives.

Happy “Indian Summer” Smarties!

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Smarty Party Idea: Children's Theatre of Winston-Salem

By Guest Blogger Theresa Willie with intro by Katie M

Let me quickly chime in to say that I recently took my six-year-old daughter, Emily, to a play at the Children's Theatre of Winston-Salem. It was our first time there and we watched Aladdin - a story my daughter knows and loves. Our experience was over-the-top. We thoroughly enjoyed the theatre and the performance by the children. Emily especially liked being able to mingle with the actors after the show. It was an event to remember, and we'll definitely be back for another show - and quite possibly some classes for my little drama queen! - KM

For my daughter’s 9th birthday, I struggled with finding the perfect party place. From the first conversation I had with Karen McHugh, general manager at The Children's Theatre of Winston-Salem, I knew we were in for an awesome experience. She was very helpful, thoughtful and especially accommodating.


The children began with playing a few games to help them get acquainted. Next we had a fabulous behind-the-scenes tour of the theatre. This was a special treat and the children really enjoyed themselves. Everyone was given a special role in a play, written by the theatre based on my daughter’s favorite theme. At the end of the party the play was performed on stage for all of the parents to see. My daughter loved every minute.

Every detail was attended to and I was ultimately able to relax and enjoy the party too. I even had a part in the grand finale! All of the children loved the experience they had for Tiara’s birthday. Not to mention my younger daughter was begging on the ride home to have her party there in January! We highly recommend having an unforgettable birthday experience with the Children’s Theatre of Winston Salem. I could not have chosen a better place to celebrate my daughter’s special day.

The Children's Theatre of Winston-Salem is located at 610 Coliseum Drive in Winston-Salem. Phone: (336) 725-4531.

Have you been? Tell us about your experience, and what you liked best!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Zip Line Tours!

By Katie M and Guest Blogger Kelly S

Today marks the last blog in our series of Day Trips this summer, and today's trip idea was one we could not pass up! A reader recently sent us information and a photo from her family's first zip line adventure, and we thought this day trip was especially smarty for those who love to try new things, as well as for those trying to escape the daily heat and pool routines. According to www.VisitNC.com, there are close to a dozen zipline (or canopy tour) attractions nearby, and summer is one of the most popular seasons for swinging through NC's lush, scenic treetops.

To find out how easy, breezy this kind of day trip can be, including what's required time-wise and dollar-wise, and what ages are most appropriate for this kind of adventure, begin by reading this article on www.About.com. It's a great primer for anyone who has never done this type of activity, or for someone who has never heard of it!

And here's what TSP reader Kelly S had to say about Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour...

Whether you are looking for a family day trip or a girls' weekend adventure, my family discovered a close-to-home treasure the other weekend! Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour in Boonville, NC is sure to impress! It was approximately an hours drive from Greensboro.

This was my family's first zip line experience. My typically apprehensive eight-year-old loved it and even myself, who is afraid of heights, had a blast! The zip line is adjacent to Sanders Vineyard, Winery and Restaurant, which is a beautiful log cabin that overlooks a serene pond. The timbers for the log cabin came off of the land.

Before embarking on our zip line adventure we sampled wines and lunch at Sanders. Although they did not have a kids menu, the chef whipped up a grilled cheese for the kids. The favorite lunch item sampled by the adults was the catfish sandwich. All the food on the menu is locally grown. We knew we wanted to visit some wineries along the way so we packed a cooler filled with exotic juices (which I purchased at Earthfare) and created a fun, kid-friendly "tasting" accompanied by Nilla wafers in which to cleanse their pallets.

With a hearty lunch in us we walked across the parking lot to get suited up for our zip line experience. The zip line course was designed by owner, Brian, and two other men (Rhett and Justin) that work with him. What began as a hobby for these men has turned into a full -time business venture. Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour is the newest of many courses that Brian and Rhett have built. This course is newly opened so the equipment and platforms were all in excellent condition.

Brian is father to four girls between the ages of 4 and 10, which gave him a natural ease with the children in the group. Rhett was our other guide for the day. It was apparent that both guides have a love for what they do and enjoy the outdoors. Along the way, Rhett pointed out various things within nature that were of interest to children and adults alike. Our entire adventure (lunch and zip line) took about 3 hours. It is a day trip that I would highly recommend for all ages!

Sounds fantastic! Thanks for sending this to us, Kelly. And Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour is not the only place to sample a zip line tour. Check out all these other places below that are relatively close to the Triad!

Canopy Ziplines and Canopy Tour in Westfield, NC

Toe River Lodge and Cafe in Plumtree, NC

Kersey Valley Zip Lines in High Point

Scream Time Zip Lines, near Boone NC (named one of the 10 most extreme zip lines in America by About.com).

Richland Creek Zipline (near Asheboro)

U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC

Extreeme Challenge LLC, in Monroe, NC (near Charlotte)

Nantahala Canopy Tours (southwest of Bryson City)

Navitat Canopy Adventures (20 minutes from Asheville)

Zip Quest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure (north Fayetteville)

Hawksnest Resort in Seven Devils, NC

Have you ever been on a zip line tour? Where did you go? What kind of smarty tips can you share for families with kids of all ages?

Don't forget to register for our August Giveaway! You could be one of five lucky readers who will win a $20 gift card to Boutique of Couture in Winston-Salem. Think new fall clothes!!! Just click here to take a short survey. You must be a TSP newsletter subscriber to win. This giveaway promotion will run through Noon on Friday, August 13. Winners will be immediately notified and announced on TSP a few days later. Good luck, Smarties!

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Memories, Sweet Memories

By Rachel H

I consider myself a pretty nostalgic person. When we visit my parents, I can spend hours looking through old photos, reading old report cards, and browsing through my old sticker collections. Some of you may remember my The Amazing Sense of Smell blog when I recalled all the memories that a specific scent can capture. I want my children to also enjoy reminiscing on their childhood. I want them to ask questions about their heritage and their relatives who passed on before they got to know them.

I have many ways that I try to create and save memories, but am always looking for more. Here are a few ideas I wanted to share today, and I would love for you to include comments at the end of this blog to give all of us more ideas on how to preserve memories for our children!


When both of my children were born, I never had an official baby book, but instead used many ideas from Creative Memories products to create a “First Year Scrapbook.” I included photos, stories, and other memorabilia in this scrapbook. I also kept a calendar during their first year of life, and then used this calendar to write about specific milestones in the scrapbook. As we got busier, my daughter’s scrapbook has remained stagnant at month eight, but I promise to complete it soon!


I have kept a diary since I was in the third grade! My first Hello Kitty diary looked very similar to the one above and had many entries about playing in the creek and making our girls only club. My entries transformed as I got older and were then about boys, crushes, jobs, colleges, weddings, and all of life’s difficult decisions. I think I am now on my fifth or sixth journal. The others are hidden away, and I am sure I would die of embarrassment if anyone read them now, but I smile when I think of the day I am gone and my kids can read the journals and know that the events and emotions they encounter in their lives have been experienced by their mom before. I hope they enjoy reading about how I handled difficult situations and decisions. It saddens me that I have not made time to write entries like I used to though. I bet I only crack open my journal once every four months now, as a life with children is much busier than it was when I was alone in my apartment and had all day to write! I hope to get back in the swing of things and write more so that my children can read about how much joy they brought to my life!


Another idea I have is to purchase an “All About My Grandmother” book like the one shown above. Both of my parents have their own book that has endless prompts for them to write a response. Questions can vary from, “Who was your first best friend?” to “Tell us about the house you grew up in.” My parents are graciously taking the time, little by little, to fill out these books and pass them on to my kids one day!


Recently, we had a photo session with one of TSP’s Favorite Photographers, Zoe Zen. Zoe captured the photo above of my immediate family and it is now on a canvas in my family room. We had never had a professional photographer take a family photo before, and I could not have been more pleased with the results. We also got shots of just the children, or just my parents, sister and I, or just the girls, etc. We got many combinations and many unique photos. I am excited to pass these prints down to my children one day. My mom has battled ovarian cancer for the past eleven years, and we were elated to get this family photo during a time when everyone was healthy and mom had a break from chemo. We’ll always cherish these photos!


Lastly, I bought a “Memory Box” for each of my children at Home Goods when they were born. We keep these boxes under their beds. I throw everything into these boxes! Report cards, ticket stubs, artwork, teacher notes, articles from the newspaper, first teeth, baby hair swatches, autograph books from Disney, photos, etc. One day I will organize them, but for now, it is perfect to keep everything in one place and I think my kids will have a blast going through these when they are older.

I hope I have given you some inspiration to start preserving some memories for your children. Please share your ideas below!

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Set a World Record with Chick-fil-A!

By Katie M

We just got word that Guinness World Records Activities and Records will debut in Chick-fil-A Kid’s Meals. Look for record-breaking games and challenges in your kids' meals. Contest starts today, and tomorrow night is Family Night at all area Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Triad!

Chick-fil-A® is partnering with Guinness World Records® to challenge children across America to set their own records this summer. Beginning today through Aug. 28, the series of five activity-filled Guinness World Records® packs features “Do Try This at Home” challenges, intended to promote fun parent-child interaction and active playtime with friends.

“We hope reading about the Guinness World Records achievements and attempting some of the fun activities will inspire kids to strive to set their own records in life,” said Angela Savage, Senior Kids & Family Marketing Consultant for Chick-fil-A, Inc. “The warmer summer months are the perfect time to encourage children to be active and get outside to play with their parents and friends.”

The five Kid’s Meal items include:
- A collection of Guinness World Records cards containing world records set by animals. Each card includes a tangram on the back. Did you know the tallest living horse is Radar, measuring 6.5 feet tall without shoes?

- A Guinness World Records sports and games booklet, including world records broken by athletes around the world, as well as two score wheels to track “Do Try this at Home” challenges. Did you know the longest distance leapfrog was performed by 14 students who covered 996.2 miles?

- A 30-second timer to help you perform the “Do Try this at Home” activities, such as “how many jump-rope skips can you make in 30 seconds?” or “how many golf balls can you hold in two hands for 30 seconds?”

- A set of cards on a ring that contain Guinness World Record holders and corresponding challenges. Maxwell William Mobley, 7, became the youngest registered entrant in a Wild West Arts event. The “Do Try this at Home” activity suggests children make a race course around the yard and race a friend to see who can gallop through the course the fastest.

- A booklet of Guinness World Records hobbies and pastimes with related “Do Try this at Home” challenges. Chick-fil-A Operator Arthur Greeno set a record in 2008 with the largest cup of lemonade. The cup contained 834 gallons made from 11,730 lemons!

WHEN:
The materials will be available in Chick-fil-A Kids Meals from July 26 to Aug. 28 (while supplies last). Children who receive the same activity twice can exchange the duplicate for another activity during the five-week promotion. After the promotion, parents can order toys online at http://www.shopchick-fil-a.comas long as supplies last.

*Information taken directly from a press release issued by Rob Entsminger of Jackson Spalding for Chick-fil-A.

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Smarty Stain Fighting Tips

By Ashley H, Charlotte Smarty Pants

Two bored twins and a tube of butt paste produces a challenging mess to clean to say the least. Stains, the bane of my existence and something I battle weekly with 3-year-old twins. Totally feel like I’m channeling Lady Macbeth in my laundry room on any given day shouting “Out damn’d spot! Out I say!” This is not uncommon since nearly 60% of women decide against buying certain articles of clothing based on care label and fear of ruining the garmet.

I did a little research online and found some great tips that I thought are worth sharing.

What a hoot, there’s actually a “Dr. Laundry” at Clorox and there’s even a Dr. Laundry Stain Hotline (877-STAIN-411) you can call to get your stain fighting tips and solution. A few good tips from Dr. Laundry…

For cold beverage stains like iced tea, coffee or soft drinks:
-Immediately blot off excess
-Rinse with cold water from the back (you don’t want to push stains all the way thru your material if you can help it)
-Do not use bar soap as it may set the stain

For condiment stains with intense color like BBQ sauce, mustard, ketchup, salsa and relishes:
-Treat stains while fresh or you risk not getting it out
-Quickly blot or wipe up excess
-Rinse with cold water from back

Suntan lotion
-Blot up excess with paper towel or cloth, try not to rub hard to avoid pushing stain further into fiber
-Pre-treat with good liquid laundry or dishwashing detergent, rub into stain and wait 5-10 minutes

Another website (http://www.stain-removal-solutions.com/stain-removal-tips.html) had this to offer for stain solutions:
-Keep the following cleaning products and tools on hand: white vinegar, club soda, clear dish detergent, WD-40, a rubbery fingernail brush, bleach, lemon juice, baking soda, large bag of white cloths for blotting, large package of sponges for most stain fighting jobs.
-Test first for colorfastness.
-Avoid heat. This will only set the stain, always start with clean cold water.
-Be familiar with your fabric so you make sure the solution is safe to apply to item.
-Act quickly, don’t wait for stains to set in.
-Be persistent.

For red wine I’ve had good luck with my bottle of Wine Away available for purchase at Total Wine stores. Some stains I can get out, if I catch them early, with Shout. Other tougher stains I sometime have to soak for hours (and sometimes days) in Oxi Clean (though I never did get all that butt paste out of my twins clothes and tossed them after days of trying). S0, be it diaper ointment shellacked all over curious twins, to grass stains, blood, markers and red wine…what have you found thru trial & error are your best tips on fighting stains?!

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Good Friends, Good Times and a Good Cause!

By Guest Blogger, Laura Ellison

As the initial email went out from our friend, Stephanie Billings, inquiring if any of us would be interested in forming a team and joining the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in Washington, I don’t know if I really even read through the details of the email. But, within minutes I replied with a “yes." Much to Stephanie’s surprise, there was no hesitation from anyone, and within the hour she had an inbox full of replies just like mine.

This all happened back in January, and the call was answered as our team “Walkie Ta-Ta Talkies” was formed. My friends, Stephanie and Leslie, have both walked the 60 mile event before, but for the remaining seven members of our team, we can only imagine. I think it was only days later that the reality of the 60 mile commitment began to pervade my senses. But really, can 60 miles be worse than cancer? Not even close.

The three-day event is held in 15 cities throughout the US each year. Our group has chosen Washington, DC as our destination for our more than one million steps. Participants walk 15-22 miles each day of the three-day event, spending two nights in the Cure Camp in two-person tents. It might not be the spa, but by the end of day one I am sure it will look every bit as wonderful as the Grove Park Inn.

My introduction to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, now know as Susan G. Komen for The Cure, came in 1989. I was a freshman at NCSU and my sorority’s philanthropy was the little known seven-year-old organization. The Komen Foundation began as a pledge from one sister to another to help bring attention to breast cancer and provide research funding the disease so desperately needed. Flash forward more than twenty years and Komen is recognized as the leading catalyst in breast cancer research and has raised over 1.5 billion dollars for research, education and health services.

Each of us participating in this three-day walk is responsible for raising a minimum of $2300 each to participate, so as a group, we will contribute over $20,000 to Komen. It is very empowering to know how much we are contributing to advance breast cancer research, screening and education.

As we lace up our shoes to train, or prepare mentally in the predawn hours on October 8th in Washington, each of us will have different motivations and emotions. For one, wonderful memories of a determined mother and grandmother taken too soon will carry her through her second 3-Day. For another, the loss of a lifelong friend and confidant will push her through. A sister’s bravery through surgery and treatment will help one cross the finish line. Another will be buoyed by the sea of survivors that will give her hope for her Mom’s future and the strength to press through the 60 miles. For me, motivation will come in the form of a teammate, one of my sorority sisters and dearest friends that has endured a year of diagnosis, multiple surgeries and treatment. If she can conquer cancer and walk this event I have nothing to do but encourage and walk! For all of us crossing the finish line knowing that the money raised by our team gives all Mothers, Grandmothers, Daughters, Sisters, and Friends hope for another day is overwhelming, but most importantly for all of us it is about friendship.

Our hope today is to inspire others to take on this challenge. We know that the friends, the cause, and the emotions will make this event one that will touch our lives forever.

If you are unable to particpate yourself, we'd love for you to contibute by helping sponsor our group! If you would like to make a contribution to the Walkie Ta-Ta Talkies please visit our website here.

Pictured above:
front row left-right:
Stephanie Billings, Susan Davis, Amy Crouch, Laura Ellison
Middle row:
Leslie Conway, Mary Kate Smith, Julie Fresina
Back Row:
Rene Zieg
Not pictured – Kristen Bierline

And don't forget to register to win a family four-pack of tickets to see Peter & the Wolf, compliments of Eastern Music Festival. Two TSP newsletter subscribers will win four tickets each! To register for these tickets, click here. This giveaway ends Friday, July 9. Good luck, Smarties!

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Sleep-Overs: How Do You Ensure Success?

By Katie M

This summer we entered into a new era of big kid play-dates. Forget playing for just a few hours, now those dates all end with, "Mommy Can She Sleep Over?" I'm not surprised, though. My daughter Emily, who is now six, actually started having sleep-overs at the ripe age of four. I know, gasp! However we come from a large family (my children have over 20 cousins) so sleeping in the same room with other kids at a very young age has been impossibly unavoidable.

Emily’s first sleep-over (one that did not include cousins or family friends visiting from out of town) was with her best bud who lived a few houses down from us. We had known the family for years so we felt comfortable letting her go and we were pretty confident we wouldn’t get the middle-of-the night-call to come pick her up. So now, having seen how much fun Emily has on these sleep-overs, my three-year-old son and his best bud (also a neighbor) are asking to do the same. Trust me, it’s not happening anytime soon. But it begs the question: What age is a good age to start sleep-overs, and what do you do to ensure a successful night?

Like all parents, my husband and I set a few basic ground rules – and make sure we have a couple of staples on-hand – before the event begins. Of course we communicate a “lights out” time right off the bat, and we have a “wind-down” time established to ensure peace and quiet at some point. We don’t set rules on when they can get up in the morning, but that’s only because we let the girls either sleep in our basement playroom or in the guest room on the first floor. So, if they rise before us (which is pretty unlikely with a three-year-old in the house) they know enough to play quietly before we come down.

And while sleep-overs can be a lot of work in itself, I have to admit I’m not one to plan a special activity or craft. I’m all about letting the kids play together independently. But we always make sure to have plenty of popcorn and a couple of Red Box movies on-hand for the late night wind-down. And I also like to cook a special breakfast the next morning – one that usually involves chocolate chips and whipped cream (because we moms deserve a treat too, right?).

While writing this blog, I came across some great tips on Parenting.com on how to determine whether your child is ready for a sleep-over and things to consider before hosting the big event.

According to the web site, age alone doesn’t determine sleep-over readiness. And sometimes your child may say he is ready, but he's not. Here are some signs to help you determine if the time has come:

READY
• Expresses unqualified enthusiasm (but be aware of zeal accompanied by trepidation).
• Has successfully "practiced" at a relative's or a family friend's.
• Sleeps at home without repeatedly asking for water or using other sleep-stalling tactics.
• Handles separation easily, whether parting for school or being left with a babysitter.
• Voices mild doubt that's easily resolved -- say, an issue of not knowing where the bathroom is.

NOT
• Needs elaborate bedtime rituals, such as three stories, a bedside lamp on, a door open, or a certain tape playing.
• Depends on middle-of-the-night comfort in your bed.
• Regularly wets the bed.
• Only wants to host a sleepover, not be a guest.
• Clings when you leave him, and seems averse to new experiences.
• Displays anxiety that the friend is a bully (or some other concrete sign of discomfort).

And when that big day does come, here are seven signs Parenting.com offers to ensure success:

1. Talk it over with your child. Discuss who -- and how many -- to invite, along with ideas for activities and food. For 5- and 6-year-olds, one guest is best; for older kids, more can be better, but keep the group small enough to easily supervise -- six to eight kids, max.

2. Nail down the details. Invite the guest(s) well in advance, specifying the starting and ending times, and tell the parents what to bring (a sleeping bag, a stuffed animal, etc.). Offer younger kids the option of staying overnight or only for the evening.

3. Tell the parents what's planned, including any videos and outside activities. Get a contact number if they'll be out that night, and ask about their child's food allergies or other important information.

4. Set limits. Tell children your house rules (no running, jumping, or screaming; where snacking is allowed; what's off-limits) as you give a rundown of the fun that's to come. Hint at a surprise or two. Let them know when lights-out will be (and give a ten-minute warning before it comes).

5. Keep 'em busy from the get-go. Have a simple crafts project ready, or get everyone dancing in the family room.

6. Feed them early and often. Serve a finger-food meal soon after guests arrive. Get them involved in the preparation: Do-it-yourself pizzas (using prebaked crusts and prepared toppings), subs, a taco bar, and fruit smoothies are all great options.

7. End with a flourish. Have an easy breakfast, such as juice and muffins. If everything clicks, try one last activity. Bring it to an early finish, at around 10 a.m.

I think we’ve been doing a pretty good job. How about you? How did you know your child was ready, and what special tricks do you have to share?

And don't forget to register to win a family four-pack of tickets to see Peter & the Wolf, compliments of Eastern Music Festival. Two TSP newsletter subscribers will win four tickets each! To register for these tickets, click here. This giveaway ends Friday, July 9. Good luck, Smarties!

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July Giveaway: Two Family 4-Packs to EMF's Peter & the Wolf

By Nana Wolfe-Hill, Director of Educational Programs at Eastern Music Festival

EMFkids, part of the world-renowned Eastern Music Festival & School, is proud to offer TWO Triad Smarty Pants readers four tickets each to the family favorite – Peter and the Wolf. The concert, fun for the entire family, is a collaboration between EMF and the Greensboro Ballet, and will be narrated by Fox 8’s Neill McNeill. The concert has one showing at the historic Carolina Theatre in downtown Greensboro on Saturday, July 24, at 11am. Join us in the lobby at 10:30 am for some fun, pre-concert activities.

Details on how to register for this giveaway are at the end of the blog. You must be a TSP newsletter subscriber to win. This promotion will run until Noon on Friday, July 9, and the winners will be announced on our site on Sunday, July 11.

Peter and the Wolf was composed by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936 after his return to the Soviet Union. It is a beloved children's story (with both music and text by Prokofiev), spoken by a narrator accompanied by the orchestra. The story, while enjoyable at face value, is also designed to teach children about the orchestra with each character associated with a particular instrument and theme:
• Bird: flute
• Duck: oboe
• Cat: clarinet
• Grandfather: bassoon
• Wolf: horn
• Hunters: woodwind theme, with gunshots on timpani and bass drum
• Peter: string instruments

The Story
Peter, while at his grandfather's home in a forest clearing, goes out of the yard, leaving the garden gate open. The duck that lives in the yard takes the opportunity to go swimming on the nearby pond. She starts arguing with a little bird ("What kind of bird are you if you can't fly?" – "What kind of bird are you if you can't swim?"). Peter's pet cat sneaks up on them, and the bird —warned by Peter— flies to safety in a tall tree while the duck swims to safety in the middle of the pond.

Peter's grandfather scolds Peter for being outside in the meadow ("Suppose a wolf came out of the forest?"), and, when Peter defies him, his grandfather takes him back into the house and locks the gate. Shortly afterwards "a big, grey wolf" does indeed come out of the woods. The cat quickly climbs into the tree, but the duck, who has excitedly jumped out of the pond, is chased, overtaken and gulped down by the wolf.

Peter fetches a rope and climbs over the garden wall into the tree. He asks the bird to fly around the wolf's head to distract him, while he lowers a noose and catches the wolf by his tail. The wolf struggles to get free, but Peter ties the rope to the tree and the noose only gets tighter.

Some hunters, who have been tracking the wolf, come out of the forest ready to shoot, but Peter gets them to help him take the wolf to the zoo in a victory parade that includes himself, the bird, the hunters leading the wolf, the cat and grumpy grumbling Grandfather. In the story's ending, the listener is told that "if you listen very carefully, you'd hear the duck quacking inside the wolf's belly, because the wolf in his hurry had swallowed her alive."

About EMF
In case you didn’t know, Eastern Music Festival & School is much more than just EMFkids. It’s a school for aspiring young musicians (aged 14-22) and an internationally-acclaimed summer musical festival. With more than 100 events this season, EMF has lots of great music in store and most of it is extremely family-friendly.

EMF has two pre-professional orchestras, known as the Young Artists Orchestras, that perform Thursday and Friday evenings in July. They offer a special Family Night package that lets adults bring children aged 12 and under for just $5 per adult and $1 per child (limit two children per adult). This is a great value for a great evening of music! And, it’s a great way to introduce your family to classical music.

And, of course, there are plenty of events for date nights, too! Saturday night orchestral concerts with world-famous guest artists like cellist Lynn Harrell, violinists Gil Shaham and Tianwa Yang, and pianists Barry Douglas and William Wolfram; chamber music during the week, the popular Friends & Great Performers Series, and EMFfringe interspersed throughout the festival. The popular EMFfringe series features alternative music featuring everything from Americana to alt country, blues, rock, jazz and gospel. Some of the featured artists this season include Mark O’Connor, Doc Severinsen, The Waybacks, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Anders Osborne, Bonerama, and much more.

Events take place every night during the season and at various locations all over the Triad, predominantly on the campus of Guilford College and in downtown Greensboro, and at other Greensboro, Burlington, Elon, High Point, Winston-Salem, and Boone locations.

Please visit www.EasternMusicFestival.org to learn more about EMF’s 49th season and EMFkids events. Tickets are on sale now!

To register for these tickets, click here. Good luck, Smarties!

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Smarty Alert: Win Free Tix to Willy Wonka on Stage

By Katie M

The Community Theatre of Greensboro is graciously giving away 20 tickets this week to fans of our Official Triad Smarty Pants page on Facebook! So beginning today, we will pick one winner to win 4 tickets every day until Friday. Winners will be announced and notified the following day. (We'll announce our first winner tomorrow, so hurry up and email us!)

And if you suggest our fan page to your friends, we'll throw your name in the hat for every 10 friends you invite. So, if you invite 10 friends, you'll increase your chance of winning 2x. Invite 20 friends and increase your chance of winning 3x. And so on. All you have to do is send us an email to triadsmartypants@gmail.com, put "Willy Wonka" in the subject line, include your name and phone number, and send us the list of any names you suggested our fan page to. If you are picked as a winner, someone from CTGSO will contact you by phone to arrange the day and show time you want.

The Community Theatre of Greensboro & Guilford County Schools are proud to present a thrilling and magical musical adventure: Willy Wonka with Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newly, Adapted for the Stage by Tim McDonald, Based on the Book Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Directed by CTG's Executive Director Mitchel Sommers.

Don’t miss this Broadway family classic based on the popular 70’s musical movie and to be the premier partnership production between the Community Theatre of Greensboro and Guilford County Schools, featuring the talents of GCS students and their families, as well as GCS faculty and staff.

Show dates and times for Willy Wonka are as follows:
July 16, 17, 22, 23, & 24 at 7 pm
July 17, 18, 24, & 25 at 2 pm
July 22 at 10 AM

Good luck, Smarties!

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Smarty Alert: Summer Kids Flicks

By Katie M

The Grand Theatre in Winston-Salem (5601 University Parkway) kicked off its Summer Kids Flicks series this week, and the next showing is Shrek 3 on June 22 and 23. Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am you can catch a kid flick for just $3, and that includes a free box of popcorn and a kid-size soda - from now until August 18.

What a great way to beat the heat this summer! To see the entire movie schedule, click here. Box Office opens at 9:30 am. Phone is 888-94Films.

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A Day at the Ballpark!

By Katie M

Smarties, grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks because we’re taking you out to the ballgame! Triad Smarty Pants and the Greensboro chapters of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) have teamed up to create a night at NewBridge Bank Park (home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers). And the Greensboro Grasshoppers are generously offering discounts to all TSP readers and/or GSO MOPS members. This special night is Sunday, July 18 at 4 pm. The Grasshoppers will be playing the Asheville Tourists. Keep reading to find out how you can get tickets!


We’re so excited to partner with all the Greensboro MOPS chapters on this special event. You might remember our blog about MOPS, a great resource for all moms. We've even listed MOPS as a local resource under our Smarty Local Resource directory.

According to the MOP's international web site, MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom - urban, suburban and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single and married moms - moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.

MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. MOPS also encourages and supports moms through resources such as books, its website and the MOPS International Membership. There are several chapters in the Triad. Just click here to find a MOPS group near you!

We hope you will join us (readers of TSP and members of MOPS) on Sunday, July 18 at the Greensboro Grasshopper game! Seats have been reserved for all of us in the area closest to the playground (over third base) in order to truly make this a family friendly event. Plus, Sundays are Moses Cone Family Days at the ballpark and include time for children to play ball on the field before the game, as well as run bases after the game.

Tickets will be available at a discounted rate of $6 per adult and $5 per child. Children four and under do not require a ticket, however, they will not have a reserved seat. Guests of this event will also receive a 10% discount coupon to use on Grasshopper souvenirs.

To reserve tickets, simply email us at triadsmartypants@gmail.com with the subject of your email “Grasshopper game.” We’ll email you a ticket order form that you’ll need to print, fill out, and mail in (along with a check or credit card info) to get your discount and to reserve your seats. All this information is detailed on the ticket form we will email you. You can then pick up your tickets at Will Call on the day of the game, or if you are a MOPS member, you can get your tickets from your Greensboro MOPS leader.

The deadline to get these discounted tickets is July 15 (ticket order forms must be received by this date). Please know you cannot receive the discounted ticket rate at the ticket window on game day. If you have any questions about purchasing your tickets, you can contact Todd Olson, sales associate with the Greensboro Grasshoppers, at 336-268-2890.

What a fun idea for a summer night outing! We hope to see you and your family there!

Don't forget to register to win a pair of Orthaheel flip flops - a generous offer from Fleet Feet of Winston-Salem. You must be a Triad Smarty Pants newsletter subscriber to be eligible to win. This promotion ends Friday, June 25 and TWO winners will be announced shortly afterwards - just in time for you to sport these sandals at the pool!

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Plan Some Family Fun!

By Guest Blogger, Lisa Witherspoon

- “Family is the most important thing in the world.” - Princess Diana

- “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” - Thomas Jefferson

These quotes remind us of the importance of family. However, in today’s busy world, it seems the only time families spend together is in the car traveling between work, school, extracurricular activities, errands, playdates, and birthday parties. Unfortunately, QUALITY family time doesn’t just happen. It takes work, so go get your overcrowded calendar. Pick a night. Write it down – “FAMILY NIGHT.” Better yet, chisel it in so that nothing can change it. Once you have done that, here are some suggestions to help you on your way.

1. Game Night - Get out the board games and play together. You can team up to help younger ones, if needed. Monopoly, LIFE, Uno, Scrabble, & Pictionary are some classics! (Check out more game night ideas here.)

2. Wii Night – Do you have a Wii?? Why not have a family bowling tournament or a Guitar Hero showdown??

3. Movie Night – Simple. Rent a movie, pop some popcorn, sit on the couch together, and enjoy!

4. Pizza Night – Don’t just order delivery; make your own. You can make one large pizza or several small, personal pizzas. Finish it off by making ice cream sundaes, too!!

5. Culture Night – Pick a country and make that your theme for the night. For example, choose Mexico and make tacos; or choose Italy and have spaghetti and Italian ice. You can also watch a movie about the country. Older kids (and younger kids with help) can Google ten fun facts about the country to share at the dinner table.

6. Do a Project Together - Gather everyone to help complete a jigsaw puzzle, build and paint a birdhouse, or plant a flower box.
7. Service Project – Use your family time to help others together. Make cards and deliver them to a nursing home. Go to the Dollar Store and purchase toiletry items to take to a homeless shelter. Go to a pet store and purchase food and toys for the animal shelter. (You can check out more local ideas for service projects here.)

8. Fun Night Out – Take the family out for some fun. Go bowling, ice skating, roller skating, or to play putt-putt.

9. Go Camping in the Backyard – Start with a backyard picnic. Then, pitch a tent. Make s’mores, tell jokes or ghost stories, and watch the stars come out. (You can do this even if you don’t sleep outside overnight!)

10. Home Project – Work on a project around the house together. Have everyone pitch in to help rearrange the furniture or organize the garage. The work will go faster and it will be more fun together!

11. Go to the Park – It is Daylight Savings time, so it is light outside until 8:00 or so. Take advantage of that and go play at a local park! (Find TSP's top ten from each Triad City here. Scroll down until you see Favorite Park listings.)

12. Charades – You can write words on index cards, divide into teams, and play this classic game for hours!

You can also come up with something completely different and special to your family. Whatever you choose, have fun. After all, “The most precious gift you can give your children is your time.” (Anonymous)

What is your favorite thing to do as a family? We want to know! Share your comment below ...

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Summer Reading Programs & Free Storytimes

By Katie M

Next time your kid says he has nothing to do or read this summer, keep a printed copy of this blog close by! Summer reading programs are in full swing all over the Triad, and lots of them offer opportunities for your child to win prizes and free books! Beyond these programs, there are a number of ways you can continue to keep those reading skills fresh and sharp. We recently ran a great post - written by a local educator - on this very topic. So, sorry kids. There really are no excuses!

Below you'll find links and information to a variety of places offering summer reading programs and story times. If you know of other places, please add them in the comment section below. One of the best places to start is your local library. All Triad public libraries are running "Make A Splash at Your Library...Read." Some of these summer reading programs have already started (and it's not too late to participate), while others are just getting started.

Keep reading to get all the scoop!

"Make A Splash at Your Library...Read."
Offered at every local Triad public library branch. Here's how they work:

1. Go to any public library branch and have your child pick up a reading record to keep track of the time they spend reading or are read to.
2. After reading for a certain number of hours, your child can place his/her name in a drawing to win a prize. (The Winston-Salem Forsyth County libraries are offering $25 gift cards to Barnes & Noble, for example).
3. Most libraries continue to offer prizes and recognition for achieving hours beyond this first round.

For more information on these programs, visit:

Winston-Salem Forsyth County Libraries
This link will also give you a calendar of storytimes at library branches, plus other fun activities. Additionally, summer reading club participants are invited to swim for FREE at any City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks pools during the month of July with an adult's paid admission. Just show your library card!

Greensboro Public Libraries
This link offers other fun ideas for kids this summer including matinees, storytimes, and activities for all ages (toddlers - teens).

High Point Public Libary
This link also offers times and locations for storytimes, crafts, book clubs and special programs.

Also in Winston-Salem, "mini libraries" have been set up by the main public library to help promote its summer reading program. These include:

Salvation Army Boys’ & Girls’ Club
Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday participate in storysharing, arts, crafts, and D.E.A.R. TIME. The Forsyth County Public Library Summer Reading Program will begin at the Salvation Army Boys‘ and Girls‘ Club Monday, June 14th ending July 30th, 2010.

YWCA Best Choice Center
Each Tuesday and Thursday participate in storysharing, arts, crafts, D.E.A.R. TIME and related activities at the YWCA Best Choice Center. The Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) Summer Reading Program (SRP) will begin at the YWCA Best Choice Center Tuesday, June 14 through July 30th, 2010.

And beyond the library, you can find great summer storytimes, contests and programs at the following locations:

Barnes & Noble

Borders Double Dog Dare
For kids ages 12 and under. Read 10 books and get one free.

Chick-fil-A
Peacehaven Road, Winston-Salem
Every Thursday morning from 9 am to 10:30 am is storytime for preschool children. They offer free coffee to moms while your children sit on a special rolled-out carpet filled with pillows and props.

Barnhill's
811 Burke Street, Winston-Salem
Children's storytime every Saturday at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.

Where else can we keep our kids reading this summer?

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Whose Dad ROCKS?!?!?

By Rachel H
Does your dad rock? We want to honor our awesome Triad area dads this Father's Day! Please send us a photo of your children & their dad with a quote from one of your kids stating, "My dad rocks because ..."

Please also include the father's name. (You can send us his full name, or just his first name and last initial.) We will run all submissions on Father's Day, June 20th. Please be sure we have yours by Friday, June 18th in order to be included. Send your photo and quote to triadsmartypants@gmail.com.

Have a great week!

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