August Family Events

By Katie M

Summer is going fast but there are a TON of great events happening this August. As always, be sure to check this event calendar often as we are continuously adding new events. So, if you have an event you want to share, email us at triadsmartypants@gmail.com and we'll get it posted.

Triad Smarty Pants and Prudential Carolinas Realty wish you and your family an August to remember!

Don't forget about these on-going deals this summer!

Kids Eat Free

Chick-fil-A Family Nights

Summer Reading Programs and Storytimes

Summer Kids Flicks

And for the rest of the month...

All Month Long:

"Tell Me a Story" Exhibit
Everyday thru August 31, 1 – 4pm
Doll and Miniature Museum of High Point, 101 W. Green Drive, High Point, NC
An exhibit featuring dolls that appear in children's literature. Runs through Aug. 31. Adults, $5; ages 6-15, $2.50; under 6, free. Tues.- Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m.

SciWorks’ Attic Exhibit
Runs thru August 28
SciWorks, 400 W. Hanes Mill Road, Winston-Salem, NC
The track is back as well as many of your old favorites. Come play in the traveling exhibit hall with your favorite SciWorks exhibits – putting holes, pitching cage and many more. Runs through Aug. 28, 2010. Adults, $10; ages 6-18, $8; ages 2-5, $6; under 2, free.

SciWorks Saturday Planetarium Shows for August
Saturdays in August, 11am – 4pm
SciWorks, 400 Hanes Mill Road, Winston-Salem
11:00 Mystery of the Missing Seasons
12:00 The Mars Show
2:00 Lords of the Night
3:00 Summer Sky Tour
4:00 Beatles Laser Demo

Sunday, August 1

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
4 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Family First Workshop: Solar Prints WorkshopSunday, August 1 at 2 pm
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Enjoy the summer sun at Reynolda House and harness its rays to make unique prints from objects in nature. Participants will have time to swim in the historic indoor swimming pool. These two-hour workshops are for elementary school-aged children accompanied by an adult. $7 per person, includes art supplies and refreshments. Reservations are required; call 758-5389 for more information and to register.

KidShare - A Children's Consigment Fair
Sunday, August 1, 2010, 12 – 4pm
Neil Bolton Home and Garden Building, LJVM Coliseum, 421 W. 27th St., Winston-Salem, Large consignment sale offering children's fall/winter clothing, shoes, toys, baby gear, maternity clothing and other items. Free admission. Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-4 p.m.

Blacksmithing Demonstration in the Historical Park
Sunday, August 1, 2010, 1 – 4pm
High Point Museum , 1859 East Lexington Ave, High Point, NC
Come watch our costumed blacksmith in action as he crafts various iron pieces. All ages welcome. FREE. Drop-in.

Monday, August 2

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Tuesday, August 3

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Preparing for Good Health in CollegeTuesday, August 3 at 6 pm
Best Health, Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem (Upper level, Between Belk and JCPenney,
Across from the Mall branch of the US Post Office)
College is an exciting time. With this new freedom comes the responsibility of taking care of your health. Unsure about which immunizations to get? Want to avoid freshman weight gain? Looking for tips on staying healthy in the dorm? College-aged students and their parents are invited to join Dr. John Turner of WFUBMC Peace Haven Family Medicine for important health information for the college years and beyond.

Wednesday, August 4

Wild Watermelon Day
Wednesday, August 4 between 11 am and 3 pm
Natural Science Center, GSO
Kick off the dog days of August with the Natural Science Center (NSC) and The Fresh Market at the first ever Wild Watermelon Day. Visitors will get to sample fresh watermelon provided by The Fresh Market, take part in watermelon-themed crafts, games and face-painting activities, and watch animals in Animal Discovery smash, eat and play with the tasty treat. It will be fun for everyone!

Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will feature Hot Pink Flamingos. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Thursday, August 5

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Alive After Five
Thursday, August 5, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Possum Jenkins w/ Wyndy Trail Travelers

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 5, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium, Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 6

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 6
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Rear Window (1954)
Rated PG, 112 min.
Starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Raymond Burr
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Friday Night Live
Greensboro Center City Park
6-9pm
In conjunction with First Friday, Center City Park will feature the live music of Come Hell or High Water at 6pm, Citified at 7pm, and Filthybird at 8pm. There will also be craft vendors and activites for children.

Downtown Jazz
Friday, August 6, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Terence Young

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 6, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

First Friday in Downtown Greensboro
Friday, August 6, 2010, 6 – 9pm
Downtown Greensboro, 122 N. Elm Street, Suite 609, GSO
First Friday is a free, self-guided tour of Downtown Greensboro’s shops, galleries and alternative arts venues that participate with specially programmed events and extended hours (until 9pm) on the first Friday of every month. The event is an opportunity to explore the center city’s local artistic community and encourages commerce and support of locally-owned, independent businesses located in Downtown. First Friday is promoted through a partnership between Downtown Greensboro Inc. and the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. Check for future updates and a downloadable map/guide at the First Friday Web site, www.downtownfridays.com.

Dirty Fingernails Opening Reception (Center for Visual Artists)
Friday, August 6 from 6 – 9 pm
Greensboro Cultural Center, GSO
Dirty Fingernails is the largest children's art exhibition in the area and the only one of its kind representing over 300 young artists, ages 3 - 15. Please help us not only support these young artists, but also promote arts education in our youth by attending our Dirty Fingernails Opening Reception on First Friday, August 6, 2010 from 6pm - 9pm and/or our Dirty Fingernails Celebration on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 12pm - 2pm in the Greensboro Cultural Center. For more details, please see attached press release and postcard or visit our website at

Saturday, August 7

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 7, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Laundry & Ironing Demonstration in the Historical Park
Saturday, August 7, 2010, 10am – 4pm
High Point Museum , 1859 East Lexington Ave., High Point
Before washing machines, women devoted entire days to doing household laundry. Come watch our costumed interpreters in action and find out why it took so long. FREE. All ages welcome. Drop-in.

Dirty Fingernails Celebration (Center for Visual Artists)
Saturday, August from 12 pm to 2 pm
Greensboro Cultural Center, GSO
Dirty Fingernails is the largest children's art exhibition in the area and the only one of its kind representing over 300 young artists, ages 3 - 15. Please help us not only support these young artists, but also promote arts education in our youth by attending our Dirty Fingernails Celebration on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 12pm - 2pm in the Greensboro Cultural Center. For more details, please see attached press release and postcard or visit our website at www.cvadirtyfingernails.org

Sunday, August 8

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
4 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
2 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Baby! Baby! The Triad's Largest Charitable Baby Expo
Sunday, August 8 from 1 to 4 pm
Emerald Event Center, Greensboro, NC
Admission: FREE
Meet professionals and providers needed during baby's first years. Enter to win amazing baby gear! Gift bags for the first 100 moms. Presented by Triadmommies.com and Lake Jeanette Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry. Proceeds benefit The Mother Baby Foundation of Jamestown.

Monday, August 9

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Tuesday, August 10

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Kirikou and The Sorceress
Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 11am – 12:30pm
a/perture cinema, 311 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem
In a little village somewhere in Africa, a boy named Kirikou is born. But he's not a normal boy, because he knows what he wants very well. Also he already can speak and walk. Not rated.

Wednesday, August 11


Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will feature Silver Hill Mine. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Thursday, August 12

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Alive After Five
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Possum Jenkins w/ Wyndy Trail Travelers

Bethabara Concert Band & Family Evening
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 6 – 8:30pm
Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem NC
An evening of music under the open sky. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the wonderful music of the Bethabara Concert Band. Hay Wagon rides, 25-cent ice cream. Combo plays dance music following the Concert.

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library
3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium , Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 13

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

$2 Family Friday at SciWorks
Friday, August 13 from from 4-8 pm
SciWorks, Winston-Salem
Just $2 admission for everyone age 2 and up. Bring a picnic supper - enjoy a COOL evening out with your family - bring friends! All exhibit galleries will be open.

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 13
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Unrated, 106 min.
Starring Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, and Jessie Royce Landis
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 13, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

Downtown Jazz
Friday, August 13, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Terence Young

Saturday, August 14

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Kick Off to Kindergarten
Saturday, August 14th, 3-5pm
Greensboro Children’s Museum
Kickoff to Kindergarten is a free event offered by the Greensboro Children’s Museum to help prepare children and their families for kindergarten. The Museum has partnered with Guilford County Schools to have Kindergarten teachers and school leaders available to answer last minute questions for the students and parents and to provide helpful information. Children will get to have fun exploring the museum’s exhibits, practice boarding a real school bus, sample tasty options for healthy snacks & lunches and.take home goody bags filled with school supplies.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Junior
Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, August 15 at 1 pm and 7 pm
The Broach Theatre, 520 South Elm St, GSO
Presented by the Community Theatre of Greensboro's Youth Summer Theatre Camp. Admission: $6 General Admission, $10 Premium Seating. Tickets: Available at the door the day of the performance only.

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 14, 2010, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Meridian Seafood Festival
Saturday, August 14, 2010, 12 – 10pm
Meridian Restaurant, 411 S. Marshall Street, Winston Salem
Meridian Seafood Festival - Saturday August 14th from Noon til 10pm. $10 admission, $5 plates of NC Seafood, $5 Foothills Beer, Wine tasting tables, Live Music all day, giveaways, raffles, Kids area.

Sunday, August 15

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

“Summer Romantics” by the Carolina Summer Music Festival
Sunday, August 15, 3 p.m.
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Members/students $8, non-members $15
After two highly successful seasons, the Carolina Summer Music Festival returns for its third series of engaging concerts in Winston-Salem this August, with exciting programming and artists of national renown. This concert features works by Berlioz, Schubert, and William Schuman performed by Peter Kairoff (piano), Elizabeth Ransom (flute), Joe Mount (horn), and Glenn Siebert (tenor).

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Junior
Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, August 15 at 1 pm and 7 pm
The Broach Theatre, 520 South Elm St, GSO
Presented by the Community Theatre of Greensboro's Youth Summer Theatre Camp. Admission: $6 General Admission, $10 Premium Seating. Tickets: Available at the door the day of the performance only.

Monday, August 16

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Tuesday, August 17

Crazy Running
August 17 – October 7; Tuesdays/Thursdays from 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Hanes Park Track, Winston-Salem
For Junior Crazy Runners (ages 5 – 7) and Crazy Runners (ages 8 – 14)
Cost is $125. Crazy Running Cross Country will be running the trails and hills of Hanes Park, leap mud puddles, and jump hay bales! Crazy Runners will test themselves in time trials on a cross country course. All runners are challenged and supervised by experienced, qualified coaches. To register or get more information, visit its web site.

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

22nd Annual Hospice Taste of the Town
Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 5:30 – 8:30pm
Showplace, 211 E. Commerce Ave., High Point
Hospice of the Piedmont’s Taste of the Town fundraiser will feature more than 50 area restaurants, caterers, and beverage vendors sampling their best, as well as a large silent auction, live music and a children’s area.
Entry tickets are $5 each (children 6 and under enter free) and food tickets are $1 each.

Wednesday, August 18

Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will feature Andrea Reese. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Thursday, August 19

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 19, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium , Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 20

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 20
Vertigo (1958)
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
Rated PG, 128 min.
Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, and Barbara Bel Geddes
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Sunrise Yoga Back to School Hoop Blast!
Friday, August 20th, 1-2pm
Sunrise Yoga, 6000 Meadowbrook Mall Court, Clemmons
Being an active role model has never been more fun! Join Sunrise Yoga for a special event open to adults and children ages 5 and up. Monica Casey of Monkey Hooper will lead us in fun family time with hula hooping, hoop tricks and games!
Cost: $15 for parent and child. $2 for each additional child. Please preregister by Aug 19th if possible as space is limited. 778-1233

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 20, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

Downtown Jazz
Friday, August 20, 2010, 5 – 8:30pm
Corpening Plaza, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
Terence Young

Center City Cinema
Third Fridays at 8pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Tonight is the family friendly movie, Charlotte's Web, and the non-profit we will be highlighting is the Greensboro Public Library. Bring a blanket and a picnic! Popcorn and candy are available to purchase.

Saturday, August 21

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

10th Annual Hartley Family YMCA Beach Party
Saturday, August 21 from 7:30 pm to Midnight
Location: High Point Country Club
Featuring the Part Time Party Time Band. Tickets are $30 per person and includes a 10th Anniversary commemorative T-shirt.

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 21, 2010, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Early American Spelling Bee
Saturday, August 21, 2010, 10am – 4pm
High Point Museum , 1859 East Lexington Ave., High Point
What is an apothecary, and more importantly, how do you spell it? Enter an early American spelling bee and see how many words you can spell. FREE. All ages welcome. Drop-in.

Sunday, August 22

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
4 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Concert in the Park
Sunday, August 22, 2010, 4 – 6pm
Harmon Park, Kernersville, NC
Sunday afternoon Concert in the Park - Join us in Harmon Park for an afternoon with the David Niblock Band and other Christian artists. Other highlights include inflatables, face-painting, school supply giveaway and fun in the park. Bring your lawn chairs. Sponsored by the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce.

Ramblin' Rose Winston Salem
Sunday, August 22, 2010, 8am – 2pm
YWCA Gateway, 1300 S. Main St, Winston-Salem
Ramblin’ Rose Women-Only Triathlon is designed to inspire, support, propel and empower women of all ages and athletic abilities.Participants will swim 250 yards in the pool, bike 9 miles and then run two miles to the finish line.

Monday, August 23

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Tuesday, August 24

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
12:30 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Wednesday, August 25

Tunes at Noon
Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm
Center City Park in Greensboro
Free!
Today's free live music will be by The NutBush Ramblers. Bring your lunch and a blanket. Kick back and relax to the tunes!

Thursday, August 26

Music in the Courtyard
Thursday 7-9pm
South Stratford Road
Stratford Village Shopping Center
In the courtyard by Big Shotz and Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Preschool Storytime
Thursday, August 26, 2010, 10:30 – 11:15am
Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers come join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! Location: Clemmons Auditorium , Phone #: 336-703-2920

Friday, August 27


Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Cinema Under the Stars at Reynolda House (W-S)
Friday, August 27
Reynolda House, Winston-Salem
North by Northwest (1959)
Unrated, 131 min.
Starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and Martin Landau
Members/students $3, non-members $5
This summer Reynolda House presents “Hitchcock in Color,” its fifth annual Cinema Under the Stars film series co-sponsored by the School of Filmmaking of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The gates open at 8 p.m. and films will be screened at 9 p.m. each Friday night in August and the first Friday in September. Weather permitting, the movies will be shown outside on the lawn. In case of rain, films will be shown in the Babcock Auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase only, and filmgoers are encouraged to come early and picnic on the lawn.

Bring Dad to Play Day*-Fourth Friday night of each month
Friday, August 27, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
Calling all daddies, grandpas, uncles, and friends…visit GCM for activities picked especially for dads & kids! $3 admission.

Half-Price Fridays
Friday, August 27, 2010, 5 – 8pm
Greensboro Children's Museum
$3 admission after 5pm. Bring the family, have some fun and save some money. It's all good.

Reynolda After Hours Does Madison Avenue
Friday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
Members/students $3, non-members $5
Calling all Don Drapers and Peggy Olsons! Before watching Cary Grant’s Windsor knot retain its perfect shape through multiple chase scenes in North by Northwest, come learn to mix a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned; create your own Mad Men avatar; tap your pumps (or wingtips) to tunes by Otis Redding; and discover what your parents found so appealing in shrimp cocktail and deviled eggs. Costumes strongly encouraged.

Saturday, August 28

Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

Children's Storytime at Barnhill's Books
Saturdays, 10:30 and 1:30
Barnhill's Books * Wine * Art * Gifts, 811 Burke St, Winston-Salem
Every Saturday, Barnhill's has a children's reading time scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30. Bring the kids to hear a story!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Night at the Ballpark
Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem
Saturday August 28th, 2010 7:00pm
Gates open at 6:00pm
$9 Ticket with proceeds going to the
Children’s Museum, FREE Souvenir Team Hat, FREE Team Program, FREE Kids Zone Pass with your membership card (Valid game day only), FREE Chick-fil-A Value Meal Voucher (Chick-fil-A Not Redeemable at Ballpark)
Click link above to order online. Use promo code: Museum.

Great North Carolina Beer Festival
Saturday, August 28, 2010, 1 – 8pm
Tanglewood Park, 4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons
The Great North Carolina Beer Festival at beautiful Tanglewood Park brings together microbrew/craft beer breweries from all across the state, region, and nation. There will be thousands of attendees gathered to celebrate the magnificent multitude of beers offered by the finest brewers in the land. Live music and entertainment will be presented on the Tanglewood Band Shell stage during the festival.

Summer on Trade
Saturday, August 28, 2010, 7 – 10pm
6th & Trade Streets in the Arts District, Winston/Salem
Downtown Winston-Salem Summer Music Series
We are excited about the 2010 Summer Music Series in downtown Winston-Salem! This summer will be our 13th year of the Summer Music Series. A special thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this 2010 season one of our best ones yet!
West End Mambo

Sunday, August 29


Local Consignment Sales
Visit our favorite consigning website, www.consignmentmommies.com to find all the sales near you!

All-A-Flutter Family Days
Saturdays and Sundays thru October 9
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP
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. Saturday 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, 7850-B Clinard Farms Road, HP. 336-454-5651.

Winston-Salem Dash
2 pm Home Game. See web site for details

Big Bang Boom Concert
Sunday, August 29 at 3 pm
Temple Emanuel, 1129 Jefferson Rd, GSO
Tickets are $6. Ben & Jerry’s will be served too!

Birthday Party
Sunday, August 29, 2010, 10am – 4pm
Doll and Miniature Museum of High Point, 101 West Green Drive, High Point
The party will be held at the Museum on Saturday, August 29th. Each paid admission will receive a piece of decorated Birthday Cake and a cup of pink lemonade.

Monday, August 30

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Tuesday, August 31

Krankies Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 10am – 1pm
Krankies Coffee, 211 E. Third St., Winston-Salem
Krankies Farmers Market is located outside Krankies Coffee, on Patterson Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. The market is open every Tuesday, 10am-1pm. It is an all-local, producers-only market that seeks to bring a wide variety of fresh foods to downtown Winston-Salem. Vendors are selected on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is a joint effort between Triad Buying Co-op Inc., Krankies Coffee, and Piedmont Triad Research Park.

Greensboro Grasshoppers
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details.

Winston-Salem Dash
7 pm Home Game. See web site for details

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Our Own Winston-Salem!

By Katie M

You can live 15 minutes away, 45 minutes away, or within walking distance to downtown and there is always something in Winston-Salem worth visiting time and time again. I've only lived in this beautiful city for less than six years and my family and I are constantly discovering new things to do or to see. I love having friends and family come visit so we can show-off our city. The influence of history, culture and arts, along with its appeal to families with children of any age, makes Winston-Salem a fantastic place for a day trip.


Without a doubt, my favorite stop in Winston-Salem is Old Salem Museums and Gardens. Not many cities can boast a living historical center (plus gardens and museums) just steps from the skyscrapers in downtown. No matter when you go you can be assured you'll see something interesting. Whether you stroll the shops (and sample treats from Winkler Bakery - yum!), or just pitch a picnic in the center courtyard, you might discover a horse and buggy drive by, or witness workers sowing fields in turn-of-the-century garb, or happen upon one of the many historical events it sponsors year-round.

You can literally start your day trip tour at Old Salem, and then walk up either historical Main Street or beautiful Old Salem Road to the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem. This museum is a must-stop for all young families in the Triad. In addition to its many weekly events, the Children's Museum also hosts traveling exhibits which make your visits new and exciting each time.


You can continue a walk to downtown (although with kids I highly recommend driving from here on out for the rest of your visit). Just within the past few months to a year, a bunch of new restaurants and shops have opened along Fourth Street in downtown Winston-Salem (the main drag). Stop by Mellow Mushroom, Wolfies for frozen custard, Skippy's Hot Dogs, or walk a little south on Marshall Street to check out a fun ampitheatre area (site of many downtown music events) that has a fun pond area for kids. Or go north to where Sixth and Trade Streets meet and stroll Winston-Salem's arts district - complete with art museums, restaurants and quirky shops.

Go west on Fourth, cross Broad Street, and grab a seat outside at the Old Street Filling Station or across the street at West End Cafe (both are excellent lunch and dinner restaurants and are great for the kids too). Next to both restaurants is Grace Court, a perfect park to stroll after you dine!




A little further out from downtown and the West End District is Reynolda House, Museum and Gardens. Not only is this an amazing house to tour (check web site to confirm days and times tours are offered), but the grounds surrounding it are just as impressive. Let your kids run free in the front lawn or fly a kite. Take a walk down the path to the lake and old lake house and look for frogs. Lose yourself (but not literally!) in the breathtaking gardens. Stroll the shops at Reynolda Village, dine at the original Village Tavern restaurant, and finish up with an ice cream cone at Mayberry's!


And this just covers the downtown area of Winston-Salem. There are so many other great attractions that are worthy of their own day trips. You might remember our blog on favorite parks in Winston-Salem. A whole day could be devoted to just Tanglewood Park (visit the public pool, climb the life-sized old-fashioned train, pet and feed the horses, etc), or Salem Lake (where you can feed ducks, walk the 7-mile loop around the lake or rent a canoe or boat).


Winston-Salem is also home to SciWorks, one of our area's largest hands-on science museums, and Dixie Classic Fair, the 50th largest fair in North America and the second largest in North Carolina that averages more than 325,000 visitors every fall!

And if you have the time and are seeking some real local flavor, there are a few "best kept secrets" of Winston-Salem you must check out. First, Rachel H says you must visit Sam the Dot Man's house and store on Northwest Blvd. Or take some time to stroll the historic town of Lewisville which is just west of Winston-Salem, where you'll find the Kaplan store - a fun place to shop for educational toys, games and learning tools. And if you have a young daughter, take her to Simply Sassy on Jonestown Road for an impromptu pamper after a long day of touring Winston-Salem!

I know I just skimmed the possibilities of Winston-Salem. Tell us what your favorite thing is, and what's a must-do for families day tripping to Winston-Salem!

Photo Credits:
Wake Forest University (Reynolda Gardens, Reynolda Village photos)
City Data.com (Salem Lake image)
Salem Academy (downtown Winston-Salem image)
Museums of the Triad.org (Children's Museum of Winston-Salem)
Ci.Winston-Salem.NC.US (Dixie Classic Fair picture)

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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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Best Booster Seats

By Jenny D, Charlotte Smarty Pants

As most of us moms know, children car seat safety can be so confusing. When do you turn them around? When do they graduate to regular sized car seat? When are they big enough for the booster seat? What is a convertible car seat? Our previous article covered most of these questions, but new booster seat crash tests just came out from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They broke down the list to Best Bets, Good Bets, and Not Recommended.

For a proper fit, boosters elevate a child so that a regular safety belt will fit them better. The lap belt is supposed to fit across the upper thigh, not across the abdomen which is more likely to be injured in a crash than bony structures like the pelvis. The shoulder belt should cross snugly over the middle of a child’s shoulder and this makes it more comfortable to use. The better the fit, the less likely it is to move behind the back or under an arm. Also you can buy boosters as highbacks or as backless – and both types ranked within the best bets and good bets.

The Best Bets are most likely to position lap and shoulder belts in the right place:

Britax Frontier
Clek Oobr
Combi Dakota, backless with clip
Cosco Junvenile Pronto
Eddie Bauer Auto Booster
Evenflo Big Kid Amp, backless with clip
Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR
Recaro Vivo
Recaro Young Sport

Good Bets have acceptable lap and shoulder fit:

Britax Parkway SG
Combi Kobuk, backless with clip
Evenflo Symphony 65
Graco TurboBooster SafeSeat 3, Sachi
Graco TurboBooster SafeSeat Step 3, Wander
Maxi-Cosi Rodi

Parents should avoid buying the seats on the Not Recommended list because they do not provide good belt fit. The institute suggests that you do not throw it away if you have one of these because any booster seat is better than not one at all – so just replace it when you can.

Alpha Omega
Alpha Omega Elite
Alpha Omega Luxe Echelon
Combi Kobuk
Eddie Buer Deluxe
Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1
Evenflow Express
Evenflow Sightseer
Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe, backless with clip
Safety 1st All-in-One
Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite

Do any of you smarties have any experience with the seats mentioned above?

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Smarty Mom: Robin Bralley

By Katie M, with excerpts from Forsyth Family magazine's "It's A Family Affair" article (Nov/Dec 2007 issue)

Smarties, I am honored to introduce you to today’s Smarty Mom: Robin Bralley. Robin is publisher of Forsyth Family magazine – a publication I’m sure many of you are familiar with – and one that we’ve shared a special partnership with for several months. I first met Robin when I was working as a freelance writer, and I’m so grateful for the support and coverage she and her magazine has given Triad Smarty Pants since day one (including the time she took from her crazy, busy life to do this interview with us!)

Robin has lived in the Triad her entire life. She and her husband Tim have two beautiful daughters, Briana (18) and Morgan (17). For over 23 years, Robin climbed the corporate ladder at Sara Lee along with her long-time friend Keela Johnson, founder and publisher of Forsyth Woman magazine. With husbands and two children each, their positions were challenging and time-consuming, to say the least. When the company downsized, Robin and Keela decided to pursue a new career in a field that was completely new to them. The result of their publishing venture has resulted in the combined passion, creativity, hard work and courage of two women who wanted to make a difference for women and families in Forsyth County.

Let’s get to know this trailblazing smarty a little better…

For Robin, the finality of her days at Hanes hit right before a family vacation to Florida. “Keela had mentioned that she was thinking about starting a parenting magazine and that she felt I’d be a good addition to the team,” she recalled. Meanwhile, Hanes had another position on the table for Robin, and was waiting to hear back from her. Her head telling her to go for the “safe thing,” but her heart was steering her toward a new path. She eventually gave the decision over to prayer. The answer she received while on vacation was crystal clear, and when she told her family out on the beach that she had decided to publish Forsyth Family magazine, they all cheered at her announcement, giving hugs all around.

Tell us more about the Forsyth Family (FF) team.
FF shares a sales team and a pool of amazing writers with Forsyth Woman Magazine. A retired WFU professor edits for me and I have a wonderfully talented and creative graphic designer that makes everything look awesome each month. We all work closely and efficiently together to bring the best magazine to the community as possible each month.

What are some of your greatest challenges in your position, and what are some of your greatest rewards?
The greatest challenge has been the large amount of time it consumes to make the magazine a reality each month. Originally thought I would spend less time working for myself than in the corporate world but that was far from reality. I guess it comes with the territory any time you are starting a new business.

How do you balance your job with FF with your jobs as mom and wife?
Have to be honest...some days not very well, some days not at all and then occasionally...things just click and it’s all great! My girls are both older now, one is off to college in the fall and the other will be a senior this year. They are at a great age to help me out whether around the house or with the magazine. I couldn’t balance it at all if it weren’t for the love, support, patience and understanding of my family

Has working on FF changed the way you view motherhood and/or parenting?
It’s definitely heightened my awareness and appreciation of just how quickly the time passes and that you need to make time right now for whatever is going on because in the blink of an eye...they are all grown up. Starting the magazine has been great to share with my two daughters. They’ve been able to see what it takes to pursue a dream and they’ve loved having input into some of the day to day activities. Overall, I think it has been a great life lesson for them to see the whole thing blossom and grow from the start.

Ok, now on to some lighter questions…

Favorite place to get a good deal on kids clothes?
This question brings back fond memories when I had full reign on my children’s wardrobes. Having two girls fifteen months apart always made this task fun! Dressing them alike or in coordinating outfits was the best! Consignment sales, The Children’s Place and Target were a staple back then. Then we moved into the middle school years where brands were king. We stalked Abercrombie and Hollister for clearance items. How else can you afford those clothes for two tweens? Now, we have moved beyond having to have that certain popular brand. Suddenly mom isn’t so crazy after all for shopping at TJ Maxx!

Favorite place to splurge on kids clothes?
Currently TJ Maxx

What is your favorite family activity?
Going to the movies! This was true for my family even at an early age. We couldn’t wait for the next Disney movie to arrive in theaters. Family vacation is another of my all time favorites. We have taken many trips to big cities over the years and they create such wonderful memories for us.

Favorite “mommy-time” activity?
Dinner with a friend

Best place to eat lunch and/or dinner with the kids?
Chick-fil-A has remained a constant favorite lunch for us from the younger years till now. Kanpai and having them cook dinner at your table was always another favorite and even held their attention when they were younger!

Favorite date place?
Pretty boring but a steak dinner and a movie rank up at the tops for me

Favorite park in the Triad?
Tanglewood Park

Mini-van or SUV?
SUV

Best thing about raising a family in the Triad?
The people!

Best kept secret in the Triad?
WBFJ radio station 89.3fm and all the wonderful parks...did you know there are like 40 something?

Best mom secret YOUR mom has shared with you?
A little dirt never hurt anyone

Best birthday party you have attended?
YMCA swim party with an Ariel theme

Best book you’ve ever read?
Bible

Smartiest way you stay organized?
Outlook calendar!

Who is your hero?
My husband!

What’s your favorite thing about Triad Smarty Pants?
The ladies who run it and all the great information they share with the community! (Aw, thanks Robin!)

I could not live without my... Cellphone and laptop

So, the next time you pick up a copy of a Forsyth Family (or Forsyth Woman) magazine, you’ll know that there are real people and real families behind every issue. Robin’s family is an integral part of the magazine’s success (from brainstorming story ideas to delivering publications), and she is a strong believer that family support is a necessary ingredient for success, no matter what the endeavor – business or personal.

The August issue of Forsyth Family magazine hits the stands soon, and when it does, we’ll be sure to alert you to it.

Thanks, Robin for this fantastic interview! The work you and your team do is appreciated by moms (and families) more than you know! You truly are a smarty mom!

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When Children “Cry Wolf”

By Guest Blogger Lisa Witherspoon

“Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!” We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf, but what do we do when our own children “cry wolf?” Here are some suggestions:

First of all, it is important to understand why children lie. There are several reasons that children may not tell the truth:

•Fantasy: Children, especially younger ones, may tell made up things or things they have imagined and present them as truth. This kind of lying really does no harm as long as children can separate reality from make believe.

•Fear: This one is classic. Two children are playing; a lamp crashes to the floor; they both point at the other and say “He did it!!” This kind of lie happens because children are afraid of the consequences they will face for their actions, so they blame it on someone or something else.

•Avoiding a task: Pretending to be sick so he/she doesn’t have to go to school; faking an injury to sit out of P.E. – these are classic examples of lying in order to avoid an unpleasant task.

•For love and approval: Let’s face it – we all like to be praised and told how wonderful we are. Sometimes, kids will stretch the truth in an effort to get this praise. Some children my claim to like a particular sport because they think their father will be proud of them. Others may lie to classmates about having a fancy home or expensive toys in order to impress them. These are typical examples of lying in order to get approval.

Now that we know why children lie, what do we do about it??

•Always model being truthful. Try to avoid telling others “white lies” and don’t lie to your children.

•Talk about values and explain why lying is wrong and that it leads to mistrust. (i.e. Tell them the story of the “Boy Who Cried Wolf!”)

•Enforce logical and consistent consequences for lying such as loss of a privilege.

•Don’t forget to punish the original misbehavior as well. When children lie, parents get angry, but don’t lose sight of the misbehavior that started the cycle to begin with.

•Get to the underlying problem. What are the kids afraid of when they pretend to be sick so they don’t have to go to school? Do they think Daddy won’t love them if they don’t play soccer?? If you can address and fix the underlying problem, the lying is likely to go away.

•Praise them when they tell the truth. Telling the truth can be a scary and difficult thing to do. When your child does the right thing, give them the credit they deserve and praise them for taking the high road!

**Information for this article gathered from:
www.childparenting.about.com & www.life.familyeducation.com/parenting

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My Favorite Birthday Party Theme for Two Years Running

By Jen P, Charlotte Smarty Pants

Every Saturday since we launched this site, I've asked every Smarty Mom the question "What is the Best Birthday Party You've Ever Attended/Hosted?" It dawned on me that I've never personally answered this question. So here goes! My latest and greatest fave is a girly theme and it's so easy breezy to host, that it's scary! Think American Girl meets Pajama Party and it will be the biggest hit in town!


So you start with the invitation. Peep this presh invite designed by our very Smarty own, Krista B:-) She is so talented! Make sure your guests know to bring their favorite doll (does not have to be an American Girl doll) and wear their pjs and this can serve as a mock-sleepover. We scheduled our party from 5-8p to accommodate the night-time theme.

Next is the hit of the party - the handmade doll dress by Remily's out of Charleston. I've blogged about this talented mompreneur plenty of times and I just can't stop going back for more. I ordered these doll dresses to serve as the theme decoration, the party activity and in the end, the best party favor you'll ever send home. The $16 price tag may initially sound steep for a party favor (depending on the order quantity, I'm pretty sure Mary will cut you a discount if you mention CSP:), but if you factor in all of it's handy functions, it's really a steal. You can even order a matching tee for the birthday girl to dress like her doll - how cute is that?!


I set up stations for the dolls. One area is a sleeping corner, one is a hair salon, and one specifically for baby dolls with a cradle and high chair. The hair salon was the most popular station, so I would recommend that you purchase a few extra doll hair brushes for the party. I gathered as much doll furniture as I could find, you can borrow from friends if you have to. Lucky for me, I have two daughters who have been collecting AG items since they were two, so it was not a difficult task.

The party moves so naturally. When the guests arrive, they run up to the party room with their dolls in hand and have a dance party. I always make a birthday party playlist including all of the birthday girl's favorite tunes. You can also send this home as a party favor. Freeze dance and the limbo were big hits this year. After 30 minutes of dancing, the girls are served their pizza dinner - I always serve carrot sticks and cucumbers with their pizza, but who are we kidding? They are only interested in eating cheese pizza and cake, they don't even look at the veggies! But I feel like a better mom and hostess when I serve a healthy option. After pizza, the girls eat cupcakes, then open presents and then go up to the doll room for playtime. This year, our guests were kindergartners, and they could have played in the doll room for hours. I had to cut them off to finish the party with at least the beginning of an American Girl movie - choose from Kit Kittredge, Samantha, Felicity, Molly, Krissa, and more. Make sure you order in advance from Netflix because Blockbuster locations are hard to find and when you do, they don't have much of a selection in this category.

The girls play hard, have a blast and each guest takes home a wonderful gift. What could be better? Share your favorite easy birthday party ideas!

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Why I Love New Balance

By Katie M

I love to run. I’m by no means an expert runner, but I love it nonetheless. It’s the one exercise I can do over and over without getting quickly bored. I love how I feel after a good run, and it’s my constant - the thing I turn to when I need to lose pounds, stay in shape, relieve stress, air steam, or focus on a goal. So whenever I have to hang up my shoes for an injury (which happens quite a bit, unfortunately), my mind starts racing trying to figure out the best way to get back out to pounding the pavement again.

My last injury (plantar fasciitis, a common running injury) was a doozy and I was starting to get really bummed out I’d have to find a outlet other than running. That was until I tried out a pair of running shoes by Smarty Sponsor New Balance. (New Balance's stability shoe WR1226 pictured above.)

I have to admit at first I was skeptical about running in New Balance shoes, which is crazy because New Balance has a long history of providing advanced shoes for runners at all levels. For some reason I always thought of New Balance as shoes for walkers and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

One of the earliest running shoes made, New Balance’s Trackster, grew popular in the 1960s not only because of its technical innovation but also because it was available in a wide range of widths. It has been rated number one of the running shoe market by Runner’s World magazine, and NB’s training shoe, the 620, was named “the most technically advanced running shoe on the market,” by Runner’s World. And its “990” shoe was the first shoe on the market to retail for $100 and break into this price point.

Yet, before I even knew all that information, I checked out New Balance shoes because I had heard a rumor that it’s the shoe all podiatrists recommend– and because I was armed with my handy TSP/NB Kids Club card! As it turns out, NB works with over 35 podiatrists, 40 physical therapists, and several other medical professionals in the Triad – all on referral basis to service the footwear needs of their patients. And I walked out with a new pair of NB’s WR 1064 for 20% less than retail price (thanks to the TSP/NB Kids Club discount!).


The WR 1064 is NB’s premier neutral running shoe “built for maximum cushioning, performance, fit and flexibility” – and it’s the first shoe (over Asics and Saucony) that has kept me “plantar facistis” free which is HUGE for me! Love, love, love them!

I also received top-notch attention, professionalism and expertise when I went in for my fitting. NB’s staff (in Thruway Shopping Center in Winston-Salem) has more than 40 years of athletic footwear selling experience and most of its staff are certified fitters. Sean Gury, store manager, carries an NSRA certification, and others on his team have gone through levels of pedorthic training.

Says Sean, “Shoe Fitting 101 suggests that you fit the foot, not the gait. Hence, we have a nice combination of young and middle-aged staffers that provide full service experience. We have two staffers who are serious runners, and others that participate in tennis and other outdoor activities.”

Sean also told me two other cool facts about NB:

- It’s the only athletic footwear brand deeply rooted in selling shoes (and other products) manufactured domestically (here in the US). You cannot find any Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Asics, Brooks, Mizuno, Saucony, Aetrex or Pearl Izumi made in the US.

- And have you ever wondered why a certain shoe (no matter the brand) sells for different prices at different stores – and oftentimes for big price differences? Well, I have wondered this myself. I’ve seen a New Balance shoe, one that is priced over $100 in a New Balance store, sell for half that price in discount retailers. According to New Balance, this is relative to where the shoe is made, the technology used, research and development involved, and the “number.” New Balance uses a number system to differentiate technologies in shoes and the corresponding retailer that sells the certain style. In other words, NB makes shoes for one retailer that may not be available to others. Interesting!

Well, I am sold on New Balance, and my daughter is loving her new kicks from NB too! (Turns out a lot of the “older” kids on the bus were sporting NBs and she had to get a pair also!).

Let me know if you’re a runner who has converted to NB too! And if you're on your way to pick up a new pair of NB shoes, don't forget to ask about the TSP/New Balance Kids Club Discount Card!

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It's Movie Night!

By Rachel H

Ever since Redbox came along, movie nights have gotten to be a big deal around our house. Who can resist when it only costs $1.00, right? We have yet to give Netflix a try, but I would like to do so since there are so many older movies that we love, too!

Today I thought it would be fun for us to share recommendations with each other for some of our favorite movies of all time! I have divided my lists into three categories. The first list contains movies that are great for the family. Some are fit for all ages, while others may contain some parts that make them more appropriate for families with older children. It is tough to find films that amuse parents as well as the kids, but below are the ones that I actually enjoy watching, too! My second list contains movies that I would probably not torture my husband by making him watch, so I watch these on the evenings he is out-of-town or has another commitment. They are also great flicks to take along on a girls’ weekend! Then the third list has movies that I think are perfect for couples to watch together, or even a group of adults if you are on a beach or mountain trip. An advance warning … don’t make fun of me for my cheesiness on some of these!

I know as soon as I run this I will think of additional movies that I should have added, so that is where you come in! Add your favorites by commenting below. Then make tonight a movie night and try a new one!

My personal favorites include …

Family Movies
(Remember that some are not appropriate for little kids, and would be more for families with tweens and teens. I have put an asterisk next to ones that I know have a few curse words or inappropriate scenes for smaller kids.)

Shrek
A Christmas Story*
Adventures in Babysitting*
The Little Mermaid
Kung Fu Panda
Aladdin
Christmas Vacation*
The Princess and the Frog
The Karate Kid (new and old versions)*
Mrs. Doubtfire*
The Muppets Take Manhattan
How to Train Your Dragon
Charlie& the Chocolate Factory (new and old)
Elf*
Now and Then*
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off*
Finding Nemo
The Wizard of Oz
Up
The Parent Trap (new and old)
Annie
Raiders of the Lost Ark*
Big*
Little Miss Sunshine*
Toy Story
Star Wars*
The Incredibles
The Lion King
Men in Black*
Singin in the Rain
Monsters, Inc.
E.T.*
Home Alone*
The Sandlot*
Enchanted
Mary Poppins
The Sound of Music
Bye Bye Birdie
Poltergeist (kidding, kidding … just wanted to make sure you were paying attention)

Chick Flicks
Dirty Dancing
Mystic Pizza
Sleepless in Seattle
Mean Girls
When Harry Met Sally
Pretty In Pink
Twilight Series
Charlie’s Angels
Bridget Jones’ Diary
Clueless
Stepmom
Legally Blonde
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Mama Mia
Moulin Rouge
Hairspray
Dear John
Steel Magnolias
White Oleander
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Date Night or Group movies
(Mix of adventure drama, and comedy … some are big time tear-jerkers!)

Big Fish
What Dreams May Come
Knocked Up
The Story of Us
Chicago
Swingers
Shutter Island
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
The Notebook
Happy Gilmore
The Shawshank Redemption
Taken
Silence of the Lambs
The Hangover
It’s Complicated
Wedding Crashers
The Usual Suspects
A Few Good Men
Pulp Fiction
Antoine Fisher
Slumdog Millionaire
Saving Private Ryan
Tommy Boy
40 Year Old Virgin
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Casablanca
Dumb and Dumber
An Affair to Remember

OK, your turn! List your faves below!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Our Own Burlington

By Guest Blogger Ashleigh Brown

It’s a beautiful day here in Burlington and as my girls wake for the day they immediately ask, “What are we going to do today?” Today we are continuing the Smarty Day Trip Series by focusing on one of our own Triad cities, which has so much to offer for families!

There are many fun activities to choose from and we each have our favorites. Here are some of the regular requests and fun things my family likes to do...

Paul’s Pastry Shop in downtown Burlington is always a family favorite in starting our morning. We love their fresh, warm, YUMMY, glazed donuts and donut holes. They also have a great variety of other donut choices as well as cookies and cakes. Paul’s Pastry is located in downtown Burlington and has been in business since 1943.
822 S Church Street
Burlington, NC 27215
336-226-4757

Now let’s go visit one of our local farms. From April to October, Iseley Farms is a wonderful place to visit.
Our family picks strawberries in April, visits the barn throughout the summer for the freshest of vegetables and fruit and returns in October to choose just the right pumpkin for our front porch. And if that’s not enough, during those HOT summer days, Iseley Farms sells homemade Strawberry Ice Cream to cool any kid off, even the big kids! For a complete listing of everything they offer visit their website at www.iseleyfarms.com.
2960 Burch Bridge Road
Burlington, NC 27217
336-584-3323

Time to Eat! We can’t think of a better place to head for lunch than Blue Ribbon Diner. (Pictured at the top.) With the classic diner feel, Blue Ribbon is sure to take you back in time! We recommend the Apple Jack Chicken served on a bun, salad or with a side of southern style veggies. And don’t forget the Endless Fries! Whether you choose chicken, a hamburger, fried pickles or a creamy homemade milk shake, you are sure to leave satisfied!
2465 South Church Street 1004 Mebane Oaks Road
Burlington, NC 27215 Mebane, NC 27302
336.570.1120 919-563-7020

Last on our list is a stop at Burlington City Park. The City Park, located in the heart of Burlington, is home to five athletic fields, an amusement area featuring an extensive playground and courtyard, the Historical Dentzel Carousel, a train, a walking track, twelve lighted tennis courts, and a year-round aquatics facility. The carousel and the train are our favorites! If you are watching or choose to ride it is always a treat to see the beautiful, hand painted animals gracefully circle around to the sound of the old timey organ. You can read more about the park here by reading Katie's Day Trip blog.
1333 Overbrook Road
Burlington, NC 27215
336-222-5030

These are just a few of the local places our family likes to visit, but Burlington and surrounding areas have so much to offer! Here are a few additional events and venues your family might enjoy ...

• Saturdays in Saxpahaw is held May – August from 5 pm to 8 pm. Festivities include performances by local bands, a farmer’s market, handmade arts and crafts and exciting events and activities for children. Admission is free, donations are appreciated.

•Lake Mackintosh and Marina features many activities for the family that enjoys the outdoors and water! The lake includes paddle boats, picnic sites, fishing, shelters for rental, a playground area, row boat rentals, sailing and a clubhouse overlooking the lake.
2704 Huffman Mill Road
Burlington, NC 27215
336-538-0896

•Zack’s Hot Dogs is another local favorite of ours! Zack’s has been serving up tasty dogs in downtown Burlington since 1928. The Touloupas family serves great food … FAST! I’ll have two dogs, mustard, slaw and chili, fries and a bottled Coke. CLEAR!
201 W Davis Street
Burlington, NC 27215
336-226-4746

Be sure to add your own favorite spots to visit in Burlington by commenting below!

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Positive Play Dates

By guest blogger, Krista W, Charlotte Smarty Pants

I love play dates. I mean L-O-V-E, LOVE them! It is wonderful time for your child to interact with their friends AND for mommies to get together and catch-up. My fabulous (and I do mean fabulous) playgroup have meet religiously for three years and watched countless memories unfold and new additions born. Our group has hit almost every activity you could think of in Charlotte from parks to pools. As our children have grown, I’ve started to realize the teachable moments play-dates provide. During these “playful” afternoons I’ve watched beautiful interactions where sharing, problem solving, and teamwork develop. As the age of our playgroup has risen (we started at six months and are now celebrating fourth birthdays) I’ve started to feel the urge to teach our group the gift of giving back.

How can we teach our toddlers (and ALL aged children) the importance of our community and what it means to make a difference? Try scheduling a “positive play-date”! Take the tykes to the local Fire Station (call and set-up a time with the Captain first). The firefighters will gladly host your group and allow the children to get near the truck and learn the importance of fire safety and prevention. Bring the team cookies and you will be loved from the moment you step foot inside the station. Arrange a time to sing to the elderly at a retirement home. The children will love to be on stage and the residents will be filled with joyful tunes of toddlers. Plant trees in a park or garden, have a “clean up” event where you visit a local park and pick up trash before playing, or bake muffins for the mailmen. There are countless ideas and thousands of ways to teach a child gratitude and the art of giving. Start with your group and make playtime something meaningful. Teach your group they matter and that together we can make a difference.

Happy playing, and happy positive planning!

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Smarty Mom: Melissa Wellman Norman

By Rachel H

Today’s Smarty Mom was nominated by her friend, Lori Redding, and I can easily see why! Melissa is a mompreneur who has a fabulous program to tell us about and has other great ideas to share with us today as well!

Melissa moved to Winston-Salem right before high school and then attended Wake for undergrad and grad school. She and her husband, Ben, have lived in Greensboro for six years. They have one daughter, Miller, who is 8 months old. In the fall, Melissa will be working part-time, as she teaches two days a week at Greensboro Day School. Melissa also runs programs for her nonprofit organization, Girl CHARGE (Creating Habits of Acceptance, Respect & Gratitude for Everyone). This program offers social/emotional programs for upper elementary and middle school girls. Melissa is also involved in the Junior League and of course loves spending girl time with her daughter.

Here is more about Melissa …

I can’t wait for you to tell our readers more about Girl CHARGE. Please tell us exactly what it is and how you came up with this idea.
Since grad school (I received my Masters in Counseling from WFU in 2004), I’ve wanted to be involved in working with girls on reducing relational aggression, but couldn’t find an existing avenue to do so. In 2007, I decided to form my own nonprofit and offer programs through it. Girl CHARGE exists to enable girls to change our current expectations of them. Somehow, we’ve come to expect and accept the idea of the “mean girl” and have deemed it a rite of passage for girls. Rather than perpetuating the cycle of girls experiencing relational or social bullying, we work to give girls tools to handle those situations. Another goal is to help girls realize their worth and potential as individuals and deemphasize the media “ideal” presented to girls.

What has been the most rewarding part of Girl CHARGE for you?
I really enjoy working with the girls and seeing their perceptions change. This type of shift in cultural norms isn’t going to happen overnight, but watching as they begin to stand up for themselves and others is gratifying.

If someone is interested in this program, how can they bring this to their child’s school?
Email me at melissa@girlcharge.org. It’s so easy to start it up at your school, church, or within a Girl Scout troop or similar organization. Currently, I lead all of the programs with the help of volunteers.

Girl CHARGE is currently up for a Pepsi grant for $5,000 this month! We would love to help you out by voting! Where can our readers go to do so?
That would be wonderful! You can vote daily at www.pepsirefresh.com/girlchargegreensboro.

How are you able to balance a part-time job, your nonprofit, as well as other volunteer organizations and being a mom & wife?
It’s a work in progress! Teaching two days a week will give me three days to devote to Girl CHARGE and still allow me to have time home with Miller.

Since you have lived in the Triad for quite some time, please share with us what you think are the best kept secrets!
Since moving to Greensboro six years ago, we have been amazed at the great parks. We’ve tried many out for hiking, running and biking, and still have many to visit.

What is a fun fact that people would be surprised to find out about you?
I don’t know if it is that fun, but I went to four elementary schools in three different towns. The experience of being the new girl so many times probably was part of my desire to start Girl CHARGE!

What is the smartiest way you save money?
I’ve started planning our dinner menus around the weekly grocery sales. Also, just planning ahead seems to drastically reduce our spending.

What is your favorite family activity?
Hiking or walking in some of Greensboro’s parks, going to Wake football or basketball games, going out to eat.

Favorite “me-time” activity?
Running has become my favorite one recently. I don’t go very far, but it does a lot for my state of mind!

Favorite place to eat dinner as a family?
Brixx Pizza (it’s loud enough that Miller’s “talking” doesn’t seem to bother people!)

Favorite date night spot?
Southern Lights, Green Valley Grille

Favorite book you have read?
I don’t know about choosing just one, but Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is definitely among my top choices.

Best place to eat lunch with the kids?
Miller is still pretty portable, so I think I can manage lunch with her a little easier than I’ll be able to when she gets older! I like the Iron Hen, Pastabilities, and Panera Bread.

Minivan or SUV?
Neither! With one child, I’m still in a regular sedan.

Favorite place to shop for children’s clothes?
Polliwogs, Lollipop Shop, Baby Gap, Target

What is your favorite mom’s must have item for around the house?
Clorox wipes!

Favorite park in the Triad?
Country Park

Favorite or most helpful blog you have read on Triad Smarty Pants thus far?
The Local Resources section is great…very easy to find information on almost any topic.

Best thing about raising a family in the Triad?
Everything is so accessible. From our house, most places we typically go in Greensboro are within ten minutes!

I could not live without my …camera! We invested in one after Miller was born, and use it all the time!

Melissa, you have shared some great information with us today and we wish you continued success with Girl CHARGE!

If you have a Smarty Mom or Dad to nominate, email us at triadsmartypants@gmail.com.

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