West Gwinnett Aquatics Center

      A friend of mine had me meet her at the West Gwinnett Park and Aquatic Center and I must admit this place was really worth the drive. They have an indoor poor as well as an outdoor leisure pool that has an in pool play ground, two water slides and a "lazy river" path. You can bring in your own food and drinks and eat at the provided poolside picnic area. The Center is only about 4 years old and really very well maintained. 
     We went on a weekday and it wasn't to overly crowded. I still wished a bit that I had put big florescent bows in the girls hair (I had 6 of them with me) just to make them easier spot. They weren't terribly hard to keep up with though, and I counted at least 6 lifeguards at all times. There weren't a lot of lounge chairs and I did see a couple people arguing over one but other then that most every one was very nice, so don't let a few bad apples spoil your fun. The lifeguards do well to make sure all the rules are kept and there aren't any real problems.

      Children under 6 must be with in arms reach of an in pool adult with a swim suit on at all times and children under 10 must have someone on the pool deck that is 18 or older.  They do have coast guard approved life jackets you can use for free and other then the full size water slides the deepest area in the pool is 3'6".

  The prices are:
Age               GwinnettResident*     Non-GwinnettResident
3 – under                   $3                               $6
4 – 10                        $4                               $8
11 – 49                      $5                               $10
50+                            $3                               $6
My advice is if you have a friend in Gwinnett County go with them.

Hours are: 
Monday through Saturday    12pm - 6pm
Sunday                                   1pm - 6pm

Old Navy $1.00 Flip Flop Sale

Old Navy has announced their annual flip flop sale. 

June 30th Old Navy will be selling flip flops for $1.00 a pair. They usually have a 5 pair limit and choices go fast so you will want to get there early.

 I look forward to this sale every year because I love the way these flip flops hold up. The down side is you have to consider how much you really want to save money on flip flops vs. how much you are willing to deal with that many people and the really long lines.

Lowes Biuld and Grow Clinic

Lowes offers a free clinic for children up to 12ish (one of my children went a few years ago at 17 and enjoyed building) every other weekend on Saturdays at 10 am and again on Sundays at 2 pm.

When you go there the first time they will give you littles an apron with their name on it a set of goggles, A patch and a certificate of completion of their project. Often times the one the one we go to also provides a coupon free a free treat at one of the local restaurants.when your done take the apron home with you and put your patches on it every time you do a new project. You will be amazed at how proud you littles will be of their patch filled apron.

Click here  for a schedule of up coming projects.

Kidtoon at Studio Movie Grill

Studio Movie Grill Kidtoons offers a different children's movie every month at 11 am on weekends and holidays year round. This is offered at all their locations.

 My family has gone to many of these and have always had a great time. I enjoy that I can sit down watch a movie while having a good meal and know the place is clean. The staff has always been very helpful and friendly. They have at your seat service of their full service menu as well as a full bar for those evenings without the children.  The food is good but the cost can run up quickly if you don't pay attention to how much your ordering.  I would suggest showing up pretty early so you can still get tickets or order online so you dont have to worry about them selling out.

Admission is $2.00 per person 

This month's movie is Strawberry Shortcake Bloomin' Berry Garden

The Georgia location is:

 SMG Holcomb Bridge
2880 HOLCOMB BRIDGE RD.
ALPHARETTA, GA 30022
tel: 770-992-8411

 

VBS First Baptist Church Woodstock

June 25-29 First Baptist Church Woodstock will be holding Vacation Bible School  Mornings: 9 am to 12 pm or Evenings: 6:30 pm to 9 pm

No preregistration is needed

Located at 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA 30188. This is one of my children's favorite places to go to VBS. They always have an amazing time here. First Baptist really makes it a point to make sure the children get a very special experience, with theme days and special guest.

 This year special guests will be:

   * Wildlife Wonders, a professional wildlife and animal educational company 

   * Team Impact, a group of world-class athletes

   * Funtastic Promotions and Jumptastic, providing inflatables, a rock wall, team games, wrecking ball, 28' Kongo Krazy Slide, and water games among many others (differs depending on grade)!

 

Theme Days include:    

 

Tuesday:
Aviator Goggle Day (Wear goggles or sunglasses)
Wednesday:
Wacky Weather Day (Wear your best crazy weather look)
Thursday:
Co-Pilot Day (Dress alike & bring your friends)
Friday:
Flying high in the Big Blue Sky!
Special Needs - 2nd: inflatables
3rd - 5th: water day

No preregistration is needed 

While you are there check out Kidstock!!!

First Baptists open to the public park. I will be posting a review and pics in the near future.

 

 

Chick-Fil-A cow Appericiation Day July 13th

July 13th Free entree at Chick-Fil-A

This one is easy!Just dress like a cow from head to hoof and Chick-Fil-A reward you with a FREE meal. (If you're chicken, don't worry, a partial costume still receives a FREE entrée.) And children in costumes get FREE meals too; so bring in the whole family for some fun.

They have a very easy costume on the linked page above. Just print the costume. Pin it on and add a few make-spots of your own.

Glow-in-the-Dark Slime/Putty

My children really love this quick fun craft. It is one that they ask to do again and again. They spend hours playing with it after making it so it makes it really worth while to do. (I must also admit that I rather enjoy playing with it as well.)

You will need:
     * 1 tablespoon of borax laundry booster (found in the laundry aisle in most grocery stores)           
     * 1/3 cup of warm water
     *  1 - 4oz bottle of clear or blue gel Elmer's glue
     *  few drops food coloring
     * 1 more cup of water
     * 2-3 tablespoons of glow-in-the-dark paint (found in craft store or some Walmarts)
           If you don't want to go to a craft store my it is still just as much fun without the glow
     * soda bottle
           I use this to mix the borax and water so the kids could just shake it together
     * stir sticks or Popsicle stick to mix with

     I use resealable bags or plastic Easter eggs for storage.


 This recipe will come out similar to silly putty. For a slimier consistency go easier on the borax and for a firmer putty add a bit more.

In a plastic cup/bottle mix together the Elmer's glue and the 1 cup of warm water.
Add in the food coloring and glow paint and stir.
In the bottle or another bowl mix together the borax and 1/3 cup of water until the borax has dissolved.
Add about 2 tablespoons of the dissolved borax solution to the glue solution while stirring continuously. The more solution you add the stiffer it will get. You will end up with extra solution (prefect for your next batch).
You can add more food color while mixing in the solution if you want a deeper color.
The mixture will start stiffening up as you stir.
Once you have the consistency you desire remove slime and have fun.

INK (Interactive Neighborhood for Kids)

Even though most of my post will be centered around the Woodstock area I feel I really must mention INK (Interactive Neighborhood for Kids). INK (located at 999 Chestnut St. Gainesville Ga. 30501)  is a hands on children's museum set up like an small neighborhood where child between 3 and 10ish can let their imaginations go wild. They have a variety of different rooms including a beauty parlor, a 50's diner, dentist office, x-ray lab, that boys seem to enjoy as much as the girls. They also have an indoor play ground, an old fire truck, an airplane and a police car (all these are really and set up so the kids can sit in the drivers seat). They will have a blast dressing up and becoming the people of their dreams of now and future.  For a little bit extra you can go in the craft room and do the craft of the day or try your hands at painting pottery in the pottery room.

They sell snacks and drinks in the gift  shop or you can bring your own and eat outside or inside on the tables they have set up so you can make this the all day experience it deserves.

 Monday – Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM with admission is $8 for Adults, $8 for Children
 Sundays from 1-5pm $6 all day admission

 I hope you will take the ride and check this place out. It really is a MUST do.

They also do birthday parties.

Movie Deals

Right now I will focus on the family Summer fun movie deals going on, but through out the year I will try to post good deals and specials that I come across.

Regal Theaters:  Summer Movie Express 

 10 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays  

 G and PG movies like Yogi Bear, Rango, Smurts and Kung Fu Panda 2 just to name a few.

Admission is $1.00 with part of the proceeds going to the Will Rogers Institute.

Georgia Theater Company: Summer Kid Show Series  
 10 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays
G and PG movies like Big, Top Gun, Puss N Boots, and Zookeeper
Admission is $1.00 and kid size popcorn and kid size drinks are only $1.50 each.

Studio Movie Grill: Children Summer Movie Series
11 am Monday thur Friday
G and PG movies like Bee Movie, Charlotte Web, and Magamind
Admission is $1.00 for children and $2.00 for adults
This is a really fun place to with the kids with during movie dining and a full menu but you might want to consider how much you want to spend on food before ordering.

Aurora Cineplex: Summer Family Flicks (the listing is at the bottom right of the page)

10 am every weekday

G and PG movies like Happy Feet and Despicable Me

Admission is $2.00 and $3.00 for kid packs

They also have some other really good offers on movies and mini golf