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2013 Camp Guide

Published on
May 20, 2013
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Adventures from the Road


This weekend we made a fast trip to Atlanta for my nieces graduation party. I am a horrible road tripper, I hate to be in the car for long periods of time (i.e. over 2 hours) and now that we have kids, I have learned to hate the road even more. Our Swagger Wagon could put first class service at the front of the plane to shame. We are fully equipped with games, electronics, movies, books, lovies and activities. In addition the dining in the Swagger Wagon includes special vacation only candy (which means you get to go to Target and pick one $1 box of candy for the trip), snacks, drinks and a wide variety of gum. I always figured if I went on the road super prepared it would make the trip easier, that the kids would be easier and that the time would just fly. This plan has in fact back fired on me on many levels, the main one being that I spend the trip serving the passengers in our first class Swagger Wagon. I climb over seats to pass out snacks, charge electronics, retrieve dropped lovies and cater to whatever else the passengers little heart's desire. 

When we went away this weekend I had very little time to prep, we had decided last minute to go down. We had home inspections, ballet recitals and more clogging up the works. My usual prep for road trips fell apart. The kids had to pack up whatever snacks they could find in the dwindling supply from the pantry. If they wanted drinks, they had better made some water bottles and if they expected to be occupied it was all on them this trip. 

We hit the road less than stocked and I had less than my usual patience for road trips and guess what, they did just fine. We had no movies playing, the snacks were less than stellar and they survived. Good for me, bad for them. Now that I know they can make it on less I am not killing myself prepping for these trips. It's a good lesson for all of us. I made many a road trip from Virginia to Indiana as a child with nothing more than Little House on the Prairie and some serious license plate game skills. My kids counted cars, played with what they had, whined, asked how much longer and suffered through my singing along to Sirus XM 70's on 7 (they learned the words to Grease this trip, total mom score!) and everything was OK. When we hit the road this summer I am turning the planning over to them, if they want to have something to do, eat or sleep with they better do it on their own! I am retiring my in car entertainment hat and taking my own book next trip! 


  • Keep checking out our camp guide!
  • Planning a party? Check our Birthday Party Guide
  • Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for even more content! 
  • Make sure you check the calendar daily for more things to do with kids in Charlotte! 
  • Below you will find our top picks for activities this week. You can find the rest of the week's events at this link or by checking out the calendar button in the top bar of the home page! We make every effort to ensure that the events we list have the most up to date information but things change so please call ahead. We do not personally check out each event, a listing in the calendar does not constitute an endorsement of the event! 

Rebecca  


Spring Clean: Host an "Ugly Top Night"

ONE WOMAN'S "THAT OLD THING" BLOUSE IS ANOTHER'S FAVORITE NEW FASHION STATEMENT

In my younger days, much of my disposable income went toward trendy clothes and shoes. When my closet would begin to overflow, my friends and I would have what we affectionately called "UGLY TOP NIGHT" and swap our clothes and shoes. It's way more economical than a shopping trip to the mall and it's more fun than a garage sale with strangers.

I still spend lots of money on clothes and shoes ... for my boys! Clothing I purchase for myself tends to be more classic than trendy and ...

Swag Bags for Event June 7, 2013

Get Your Business in the Hands of Moms!

Our Swag Bags FLEW at Moms Night Out! We have another HUGE event in June so you have plenty of time to get your items ready to go! On June 7, we will be at the Blakeney Family Fun Fest. This event is CRAZY fun! We will be putting together 100 Swag Bags to pass out to families.

These bags not only go fast at events but sell out fast so don’t delay!  If you would like to have your business included and handed out to hundreds of local ...


This Week's Calendar:

May 20th through May 26th

Monday, May 20 - Cheer: Young Champions

Come learn arm motions, hand, leg and feet formations for cheering. Also learn voice projection with cheers and chants.
Where:
Tom Sykes Recreational Center
When: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Who: Ages 4 and up
How: Register for course code #42635 at Park Rec or call (704) 336-7600
Cost: $8
For more info: Check it out here or call Champions at 1(877)313-6893
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Tuesday, May 21 - Story Time with Ms. Lisa

Ms. Lisa brings a new theme every week with books, songs, and fingerplays.
Where: Learning Express Charlotte
When: 10:15 AM
Who: All Ages
How: Come listen to fun stories, hear awsome fingerplays, and sing songs.
Cost: Free
For more info: check it out here
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Tuesday, May 21 - Family Fun Day

Carolina Place Mall presents a Family Fun Day with Magician Sarah Dippity and Mr. Twister balloon art.
Where: Carolina Place Mall, center court
When: 11:00 AM
Who: Preschoolers
How: Go and have fun
Cost: Free
For more info: Check it all out here
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Tuesday, May 21 - Noah's Art Playdate

Have fun expressing your artistic side. Unstructured fun and no need to sign up. Just drop in, wear your play clothes and have fun!!!
Where: Noah's Art Blakney
When: 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Who: Ages 18 months and older
How: Have fun expressing yourself!
Cost: $5
For more info: Call (704) 542-2388
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Wednesday, May 22 - Mini Masters at the Mint Museum

Parents and children are invited for some pint sized print making.
Where: Mint Museum Randolph Rd location
When: 10:30 AM - 11:35 AM (Second session from 1:30 PM-2:45 PM)
Who: Ages 3-5
How: Register at this link 
Cost: $10 for Mint Museum Members and $15 non museum members
For more info: For more information see the Mint's website
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Wednesday, May 22 - Wonderful Wednesday:Colors for Toddlers

Explore the colors of the rainbow in bubbles and other colorful sensory tables.

Where: In I Can Grow at Discovery Place Kids
When: 11:00 AM (More fun at 2:00 PM)
Who: Ages 3 and under
How: Go and have fun
Cost: Free with Museum Admission
For more info: Check it out here
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Thursday, May 23 through Saturday, May 25 - Speed Street

It's back! Games, live music, food and more 
Where: Uptown Charlotte 
When: 12:00 PM
Who: Open to all ages 
How: Go and have fun 
Cost: Free to enter, cost for food and drinks 
For more info: For more information check out Speed Street 
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Friday, May 24 - Music on the Green

Come check out a fun evening of music! Tonight is Aerial View.
Where: Promenade on Providence
When: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Who: all ages
How: Go and have some fun 
Cost: Free
For more info: Check it out here 
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Friday, May 24 - Fantastical Seussical Storytime!

Come celebrate Dr. Seuss with his funny and meaningful books. Games crafts to follow,
Where: Barnes and Noble at Carolina Place Mall
When: 7:00 PM
Who: all ages
How: Reservations are recommended, call (704) 544-9985
Cost: Free
For more info: check it out here 
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Saturday, May 25 - Simon Kidgits Lil Chefs

Super Super Lil Chefs will create tasty food activities, food arts and crafts, and prize giveaways. Most importantly a local food drive.
.
Where: SouthPark Mall, Center Court
When: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Who: All Ages
How: creative minds and hungry tummies
Cost: Free to Simon Kidgits Club members and $5 for non-members
 
For more info: check it out here 
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Saturday, May 25 - Matthews Summer Concert and Movie Series- Rough Draft

Come out and party and dance with Rough Draft. Lots of fun activities to enjoy while listening to great music.
Where: Stumptown Park
When: 7:00 PM
Who: All Ages
How: head on over for fun for all.
Cost: Free, there will be venders on site with food, treats, and drinks.
For more info: check it out here 
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Sunday, May 26 - Bright and Colorful Flowers

Enjoy a reading of Planting the Rainbow. Learn about why flowers are so colorful. Then plant flower seeds to take home. 

Where: Learning Garden at Discovery Place Kids
When: 2:00 PM
Who: all ages
How: ready see a rainbow through flowers
Cost: Free with Museum Admission
For more info: check it out here
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Plan Ahead:

Sunday, June 2 - Levine JCC Kids Triathlon

A kid triathlon to benefit CMCs Children's Levine Hospital.
Where: Levine JCC
When: n/a
Who: Ages 5-14
How: Register here
Cost: $30
For more info: Check it out here
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2013 Summer Camp Guide

Even More New Camps This Week!

Our camp guide is ready! Stay tuned as more camps will be added over the next few weeks but these camps are so great we couldn't hold them back any longer! 

If you would like information on having your camp added email us for more information! Last year our camp guide had 500,000 views~email rebeccap@macaronikid.com for details 

Check out these great camps for your kidos:

Bricks4Kidz




Soccer Shots 




Ballantyne Reading Academy 




OnStage School of Performing Arts 




Charlotte Soccer Academy 




Caroline Calouche





Mathnasium



My Gym 



Charlotte Martial Arts Academy


Latta Plantation 





Small Hands Big Art 




Queens University Sports Camps 








Charlotte Gymnastics Academy 




Children's Theater of Charlotte 

Basil Shrimp Pasta

Macaroni Menu

Serves 6   Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
8 oz box of your favorite pasta… I used thin spaghetti. Angel hair would be great too!
1-1/2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
3 teaspoons olive oil
1-1/2 lb fresh medium shrimp, peeled, dev-eined and tails removed
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon of Kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons chopped basil
 
1. Cook pasta as directed ...

Gel Boards

Macaroni Made

I saw this awesome idea on Pinterest and it inspired me to try my own take on it! My kids love it and it was so easy and fun to make! 

Supplies:  
Hair gel (cheap stuff from the a dollar store)
Glitter
Duct tape
Cardboard
Clear plastic bag


Step 1: Measure approximately 5-6 ounces of hair gel and mix in as much glitter as you want!


Step 2: Pour mixture into a clear food storage bag and get as much air out as possible and seal bag.

Step 3: Measure ...

Take A Colorful Nature Walk

Macaroni Fun

Make your next walk a hunt for specific colors (try this any time of the year). This is an easy project that can be made very simple as your time/ materials/ patience demands.

You’ll need:
  • An empty egg carton
  • Paints and paintbrushes
Paint the inside of an egg carton different colors. Encourage the children to mix colors together or add black or white to create different hues. 

Want it less messy? Use markers or crayons. 
Need it even easier? Place crayon pieces inside your egg carton, and/or use ...

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