Sponsored by Museum of Life and Science
"Wheels" May 21 – 26
Tues – Saturday 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Sunday 12:00PM - 3:00PM
FREE with Admission
Museum of Life + Science
433 Murray Avenue
Durham, NC 27704
Get ready for a wheelie good time at the Museum with "Wheels!" Join us as we spend an entire week exploring things that roll and spin, all while learning the science behind inertia and motion. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
It's that time of year! Head on over to Fred G. Bond Metro Park for the 20th annual Town of Cary Spring Daze Festival, held on Saturday, April 27 from 9am to 5pm. From the official website:
The festival is filled with wonderful arts and crafts, your favorite festival foods, community-based civic groups handing out information on things you can get involved with, and entertainment. Children will be delighted by activities just for them in the Children’s Village and will be invited to exercise their imagination as they play in the always popular Lazy Daze Playground – the center of the village. In the Earth Day area of the festival, you can find out how to play a role in preserving our natural resources and protecting the environment. This is the perfect family event to learn more about what you can do to make every day Earth Day.
A little planning will make your day an absolute blast! Check out the key info and insider tips below: Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
April in North Carolina means lots of things, but one of my favorites is strawberry picking. Strawberry season is officially mid-April through the end of May, but many of the farms will have berries through mid-June. Check with your chosen berry patch to make sure their berries are ready for you, and then head on out!
Incidentally, the listings with a * have been reviewed in more detail by Allison and her Mom in Chapel Hill team. If you want some more scoop on those locations, head over to www.mominchapelhillnc.com and click on "By Resource" and then "Farmers Marketings." Also, if you live in Wake County, there are some further-afield locations listed here. Read More
by Allison Carter
Do you run? I mean, not because your child is screaming at you for help on the toilet or because you are anxious for that first morning cup of coffee. I mean, do you run for fitness? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and am curious as to how many other parents are runners. You see, I hate running. Hate it. Yet I do it. A lot lately. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Did you know that this year marks the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day? From the Earth Day Network:
The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.
Earth Day is "officially" Monday April 22, but there are many local activities starting as soon as this weekend! Read on to find out what's going on in your area. Read More
sponsored by Bright Horizons Family Solutions
What does inspired learning look like? Come see! Join us for our Preschool & Kindergarten Prep Showcase Events to see
how Bright Horizons helps children become enthusiastic students with a
love of learning.
If you want to learn more about our Preschool &
Kindergarten Prep programs, this event is a perfect family outing. You and your child(ren) will enjoy a fun-filled evening
of learning and discovery. New families can learn more about the programs at Bright Horizons, while enrolled families visit your child's next age group to meet the teachers and see the classrooms in action. Read More
By Allison Carter
There are some really wonderful opportunities coming up across the Triangle to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr and his legacy. Kristen and I will be providing a special TMOM craft for kids at the Celebration and Sock Hop at Northgate Mall so if you are there please say "hi." But there are a lot of options for you to consider.
Read More
by Allison Carter
This past weekend made me realize that we are in full holiday swing in the Triangle. Did you catch the Raleigh parade? How about the Pittsboro parade? If you missed those, there are still plenty of activities for you to try. Always stay tuned to the TMOM calendar but here are some of my favorite ideas.
Read More
sponsored by Bright Horizons Family Solutions
As we approach the holiday season, many families are thankful for healthy children, and for a safe environment for those children to grow and learn. Not all families are so lucky, though, and that's where Bright Horizons comes in. The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children was founded in 1999, and addresses this need in the United States.
The Foundation helps nearly 10,000 homeless children each month - many right here in the Triangle - and is focused on creating comforting places for children in crisis to grow and play,
strengthening their families, supporting the community, sharing knowledge, and encouraging others to join in making a difference. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
My daughter's list is growing daily...how about your children's lists? Santa has already been spotted in the Triangle area, and is here to stay. The dates and times below are in no way comprehensive, so if you know about any appearances that I've missed, please comment below this post or email me. Listings are alphabetical by location...Happy Holidays! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
There are all kinds of community events this weekend - what are your annual favorites? The list below includes some new traditions as well...check it out!
Thanks as always to WRAL's Go Ask Mom and Social Butterflies NC for their fabulous event information! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
(First, let me apologize for the punny title...I just couldn't resist. This was one of the better choices: you missed out on "a family aFAIR" and 2 others. But I digress.) Have you been to the NC State Fair this year? My husband grew up in Asheville and his first trip was as a 38-year old...his was a deprived childhood, I tell you. My family went to the fair on and off from the time we moved to NC (1981) until we lost interest, which was about the time we could have driven ourselves. Go figure. Before that, we enjoyed the county fair that our small town put on every year, and anyone else's fair that we were allowed to attend. Cotton candy and ferris wheels - who doesn't love that? Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
As you may know, we like to feature a community bulletin board for causes near and dear to our readers' hearts. If you have a charitable event or cause (or just want to raise awareness), email kristen{at} trianglemomsonmain.com with the information you'd like us to post.
There are some excellent events coming up throughout the Triangle area...check them out! The events are listed in chronological order...Thanks in advance for your support. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
September has so many events that we decided to provide a mid-month update. As you may know, we like to feature a community bulletin board for causes near and dear to our readers' hearts. If you have a charitable event or cause (or just want to raise awareness), email kristen{at} trianglemomsonmain.com with the information you'd like us to post.
There are some excellent events coming up throughout the Triangle area...check them out! The events are listed in chronological order...Thanks in advance for your support. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
What does Labor Day mean to you? When I was growing up, it was the beginning of the school year and the end of the summer. For the fashion-conscious, it used to be the last day to wear your white pants and shoes, although I'm told that rule has gone by the wayside. Pools have their final parties of the season, malls have sales, rates for beach rentals go down the day after. But how did Labor Day start? Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Each month, we like to feature a community bulletin board for causes near and dear to our readers' hearts. If you have a charitable event or cause (or just want to raise awareness), email kristen{at} trianglemomsonmain.com with the information you'd like us to post.
There are some excellent events coming up throughout the Triangle area...check them out! The events are listed in chronological order...Thanks in advance for your support. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Everyone knows about Lazy Daze, right? The Southeast Tourism Society has selected Cary's Lazy Daze festival as one of the top 20 events for August 2012, so if you haven't been in a while (or at all), now's the time to get Lazy!
In case you haven't checked it out, each year on the fourth Saturday in August, the town of Cary hosts its annual Lazy Daze festival in downtown Cary. Visitors can enjoy the handiwork of the best artists and craftsmen in the country, entertainment on two stages, a variety of food, and civic group exhibits. And don't forget the Kids World area and food from all types of vendors! Don't worry about getting too hot - there are misting tents throughout the festival site. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Welcome to this month's community bulletin board! If you have a charitable event or cause (or just want to raise awareness), email kristen{at} trianglemomsonmain.com with the info you'd like us to post. There are some excellent events coming up - see below.
Thanks in advance for your support! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Happy birthday America! There are almost as many ways to celebrate the USA's 236th birthday as there are towns and neighborhoods in the Triangle. With that said, we've compiled a pretty good events list below.
If you know of other events that should be on our list, please send us an email or leave a comment below this post. (Remember, it will take your comment a few minutes to publish online.)
One important item to note: there will not be a fireworks display at the NC State Fairgrounds this year. The fairgrounds display was actually presented by the City of Raleigh, who have opted to move their fireworks show downtown to the Convention Center area this year. (For those who have grown up going to the fairgrounds every year on July 4...doesn't this feel a little weird?)
Which events are your family's favorites? Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Congratulations to all of our 2012 Choice Award winners! Thanks to all of you that nominated and voted, and without further ado...drum roll please. Your 2012 Choice Award winners are: Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Tomorrow is the last day to vote in our second annual “Moms Choice Awards” contest! This year, we
have tweaked the contest a little by using suggestions and ideas from
our readers and businesses who were nominated.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES IN THE TRIANGLE! Winners will be announced June 11. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Have you voted for your favorite 2012 Moms Choice Award nominees? The voting period began last week and runs through the end of this month. Voting is easy and open to anyone - simply click on the survey link below and cast your votes accordingly.
As a reminder, your choices for the best people and services in the Triangle are...
Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
It seems like we have commemorative weeks and days to celebrate all kinds of things. For example, May is national hamburger month, and this week was Women's Health Week...who knew? Today is one that I really can get behind, though. According to the Presidential Proclamation, today is Armed Forces Day, 2012. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
It's that time again...bulletin board time! If you have a charitable event or cause (or just an event or cause you want to bring attention to), email kristen{at}trianglemomsonmain.com with your event info. Check out the May/June events coming up! Thanks in advance for your support of these fun community events! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
It's the last day of nominations, and we're opening it up to everyone! That's right...today only, you don't have to be a newsletter subscriber to nominate your favorite local person or business for a Moms Choice Award.
Here's how: Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Did you know that this year marks the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day? From the Earth Day Network:
The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Read More
by Heather Burns - mom, blogger, and owner of SmartMomma
As we come upon Earth Day 2012, I am reflecting on what I can do to contribute to a cleaner earth for me and generations to come. I admit, in the past I have not been the most conscientious re-user, recycler, conservator, etc... I use plastic bags when I go to the grocery store, my two school-aged boys were reared in disposable diapers when they were babies, I love air conditioning, and probably use it when I could just open the windows (although part of this is due to allergy season), and the list goes on. I do recycle, but mostly because the city of Raleigh requires me to do it, and they make it pretty easy for me. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Spring has sprung! We have received a ton of emails this week from folks who want to share event alerts and charitable causes with our readers. With so many events coming up, we didn't want to leave anyone out, so we've opted to do a local bulletin board as today's post.
If you have a special opportunity or charitable event you'd like to feature, please email us or add it as a comment below. We may start doing this once per month to ensure all of our local causes get the support they need!
Please click the web links within each item for more information. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Do you ever feel like you're not sure whether you're coming or going? As a working parent, I used to always hear about cool gift ideas, products to try, events for myself and the kids...and then I'd think about them later on, either too late to act or having missed the event entirely. The good news is, help is on the way! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Ever feel like Bill Murray? I mean Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day...going to do work that you don't love, reliving the same day over and over, doing nutty stuff just to change up the day a little, and waking up to find it's the same day as before?
Whether Groundhog Day makes you think of a movie or a furry litle rodent, it's a fun "holiday" to observe. The largest US celebration is in Pennsylvania, and nation will be watching as Punxsutawney Phil leaves his burrow at 7:20 at Gobblers Knob to observe the weather conditions and look for his shadow. He will then make his prediction for the remainder of winter. (If you happen to miss it, rest assured there are plenty of follow-on events in Punxsutawney, PA through February 4.) Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Have you heard of the Triangle Father Daughter Dance? This event is designed to bring fathers and daughters of all ages, races and backgrounds together to celebrate and strengthen the father-daughter bond. As they say on their website, "Every father needs to 'date' their daughter, and every daughter needs an example of how a young lady is to be treated by a man." The Father Daughter Dance does just that. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
When I first became aware of veterans, I was pretty young, and just didn't get it. After marrying a veteran, my perspective has changed a bit. There are very few World War II veterans around, which was who I first met, but there are still so many others to thank. Many of them are my age - it's mind-blowing!
Think of those who have fought in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Iran, Iraq, and countless other locations all to make sure that the United States remains a safe and free place to live. It's amazing to think that these men and women willingly put themselves in harm's way daily for the sake of their homeland, and I wish I thought to say "thanks" more than one day per year.
With that said, I found a poem that sums it up better than I ever could. It's from a junior high student in Washington state, and says it all. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did. Happy Veteran's Day - be sure to find a veteran and thank him or her today! Read More
by Katie Moosbrugger
We have big news on our site today....we just published a new look to our calendar of events! You all tell us how much you appreciate TMoM's easy-to-use calendar of Triangle family-friendly events, and now it's even more user-friendly - especially for busy parents who like to plan ahead.
Here's how it works. When you click on our Events page, you will see our new calendar listed on the main page. With this new calendar format, there are three ways you can now view events: by week, by month, or by "agenda".
The "Agenda" view will probably be the format you use most often. Here you can quickly glance at events happening each day - and at the time in which they occur - without having to click on a specific date. If you want to narrow your view to events happening during one specific week, you would then click the "Week" view. Likewise, if you want to view the entire month at one time, click "Month" view. You are also able to print the events in a nice "printable" form too. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Can you believe we're barely a month away from Halloween? It seems like just yesterday we were cursing the heat wave, and now it's time to carve pumpkins! What is your favorite way to celebrate Halloween with your family? We've listed some fun local events below, but I'm sure I've missed some...please add your ideas and event info in the comments section below. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
How many times have you clicked the button on your camera, closed your eyes, and hoped for the best? Even with the latest and greatest in digital cameras, not everyone can take a good photograph (and sometimes, my photo albums show it!). Thank goodness we have seasoned professionals like 2011 Mom's Choice Award Winner Elizabeth Galecke to capture our precious moments with skill and style. Read More
by Katie Moosbrugger and Kristen Bagwell
Summer is the perfect time of year to consider a volunteer project with your whole family. Not only can children learn valuable "working" skills and all about different organizations - as well as how these organizations fit within society - but kids also learn how to give back and be thankful for what they have. According to www.CompassionateKids.com, children who see their parents volunteering are much more likely to believe in the value of helping others. Plus, working alongside your kids is not only a great way to teach by example - it's also fun.
You don't have to look far to find a fun opportunity for your family. Below you'll find suggestions for kids by age, as well as links to some local organizations. Enjoy scoping out our list, and if we did not include a volunteer opportunity you know of, please add in the comments below. Read More
by Cara McLauchlan
When it comes to doing hard things, I'm a wimp.
Recently, I was invited to participate in a church mission project for homeless people. My first response was "no way." I'm the kind of person who would rather support from afar. This is a quality I am not very proud of, but it is the truth. It is much easier to donate things like ketchup, collect canned goods or give away blankets. But to actually look people in the eye as you hand them a meal is very different.
So when this project kept coming up over and over, I knew I needed to "man up." This was not a smiley decision, this was a "do it scared" sort of time. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Did you know that 2011 marks the 32nd year of the Festival for the Eno in Durham? The Festival for the Eno is held annually at West Point on the Eno (Durham City Park) over 4th of July weekend. If you’ve never been, this is a ticketed event showcasing non-stop blues, rock, bluegrass, folk, old time, gospel and world music; and featuring the exhibition and sale of crafts by over 100 specially-selected artists.
The Festival is also quite educational for children and adults alike. Look for EEEK! (Eno Environmental Education for Kids), the Sustainable Home and Garden Expo, and hands-on exhibits, demos, and workshops to help you and your family learn about the river and the importance of environmental stewardship. From the Festival website: Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
When someone asks “What’s your favorite way to spend the day with your child in Raleigh?” how do you respond? Without a doubt, I’d recommend a visit to Marbles Kids Museum. Clearly, many of you agree – Marbles won TWO Choice Awards!
In addition to winning the Choice Award for the Triangle’s Best Children’s Museum, our area moms also voted Marbles as the Best Place to hold a Child’s Birthday Party. When they say “so much to do” they are not kidding! But we’ll talk about that in a minute…For those of you who have not yet discovered all of the wonders of Marbles, let’s get you caught up. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
As a young adult, I had a blast working at a YMCA Day Camp during my summers off from school. Now that I am a parent, I view my Y experiences in a whole new light. What better way to ensure that your children are being well-cared for in a positive environment AND having a great time with great friends? The YMCA of the Triangle Area has many options for working and at-home parents alike, and is a wonderful (and fun!) choice to help nurture your children and allow them to discover more about themselves.
Moms all over the Triangle agree! That's why our local YMCA programs won TWO 2011 Choice Awards: Best Summer Camp (YMCA Day Camp) and Best Afterschool and/or Sports Program! There are tons of ways to get your children involved, and so many branch locations to work with! Let's start with the YMCA Summer Day Camp options. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Many of you have probably seen our facebook posts about the Rex Hospital Open, being held at TPC Wakefield Plantation Thursday June 9 - Sunday June 12. Here's your chance to learn more about this fantastic family event, plus purchase tickets at a discount!
The Rex Hospital Open has been a Raleigh mainstay for more than two decades, and this year's Tournament looks to be the most exciting one yet! With new seating and ticket options, additional food and beverage vendors as well as even more family-friendly entertainment, the 2011 Rex Hospital Open is THE place to be! Relax, socialize, network and enjoy great golf right here in Raleigh. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
My husband came in the other day and said "okay, now let me get this straight...you want the _____ for Mother's Day, right? Are you ordering that or am I? You know it's probably not going to get here in time, right? So I am not going to get in trouble for walking in with nothing to open on Sunday?" Bless his heart for wanting to cover all his bases...but it did drive home the point that we really have nothing planned for Mother's Day. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Celebrate Easter and enjoy spring! In addition to Earth Day events, there are tons of opportunities to hunt for eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny. If you know of an event that is not listed here, feel free to leave it as a comment, and we will add it to our official TMOM events calendar. Whatever you choose to do, have a blast! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Thanks to everyone who participated in our ticket giveaway, sponsored by Your Baby Can! Your Baby Can is an early childhood development system that includes Your Baby Can Read!, Your Baby Can Learn! and Your Baby Can Speak! See Your Baby Can products at the Southern Women's show as part of The Balance Your Life Tour, created by the producers of The Balancing Act of Lifetime Television. Read More
by Shannon Ford
I am a consignment sale junkie! I love the thrill of the wait, search, and big finds! My first consignment run of 2011 was the original Kids Exchange Sale at the NC State Fairgrounds. This is a big one with more items than you can possibly imagine. You can find anything from a designer diaper bag to a gently used bike for your kids. This year, I consigned and volunteered to work the sale in order to shop early. So I arrived on Wednesday night with my big empty bag in hand. Once again, I scored amazing finds. I thought I would share a few of them. Read More
by Katie Moosbrugger
As crazy as it sounds, it's that time again! The deadlines for preschool registration usually fall within the first few weeks of February, and open houses are taking place now. While I have four and a half years of preschool under my "mom" belt (with another year and a half to go), I know by now what makes me a happy preschool mom. Of course not everyone has the same criteria. But if you're in the market for a new preschool, here are some tips to consider. Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
I just realized our February Events calendar is filling up quickly! Here are some hot topics for this week - Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
It's the first weekend of 2011 - what do you have planned? If (like me) you haven't exactly thought it out, check out the TMOM events calendar. Simply click here, or choose Events at the top/left of any page on our site. There is a ton to do this weekend and all through the month. For example, in Raleigh, it's First Night. In Durham, you could check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center. There are also several events at Marbles and Kidzu local children's museums. Have a great weekend! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
As much as I'd love to tell you I'm ready for Christmas, I'm not, and one way that I procrastinate is to plan other things. Doesn't that sound weird? Stay with me...when there's too much going on, I start making lists. Things that I can do pretty quickly (with obvious results) happen first, and that helps me get settled enough to go back to the hard stuff. The lists themselves are my top choice, but those go quickly, so here's another favorite - laundry. There's a definite start, a definite end, and you have a big stack of clean clothes at the finish. (Same with ironing, although that's not as much fun.) Read More
by Kristen Bagwell and Meghan Blackledge
This Saturday, take advantage of a great opportunity to finish your holiday shopping and have a little fun! The Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties (JLDOC) is hosting its annual Holiday Market at the Durham Marriott Convention Center from 9am to 3pm. Admission is just $5 and children 10 and under are free! All proceeds go directly back into the community via one of the Junior League's local programs. Your entry ticket also acts as a raffle ticket, and there are prizes totalling $4000 to be won! Read More
by Kristen Bagwell
Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season for many families, and is a good time to remember those less fortunate. Sadly, many of those families are right here in the Triangle area. While most charities accept help on an ongoing basis, we’ve listed several below that have special holiday events to support. Read More
