The Lollipop Road

Archive for the ‘Activities’ Category

It sounds so quaint, so New England and everything about it is so simple; it will take you in and make you feel like you’ve been a part of the community for years. Old Home Days began in 1899 when the then Governor of New Hampshire came up with an idea to invigorate the state and its economy. While thousands of wealth seekers were trudging westward in search of their feast or folly, the small New England towns were in much need of infrastructure. With a surge in manufacturing activities and a decline in farming, New Hampshire sought to lure former residents back to their state or at the very least, entice them to help build the infrastructure that was sorely needed as the state grew. Perhaps new found riches would be used to purchase a summer home, build roads, a school or library. This was a national undertaking, which would be unique and unprecedented. Invitations were sent out to former residents around the country, inviting them back to New Hampshire for Old Home Days each year.

Today, the tradition carries on in much the same way that it did over 100 years ago. Small towns solicit their former residents to return to New Hampshire each year to participate in a celebration of traditional values and family friendly activities and entertainment. Surprisingly, former residents still flock back for several days each year to share their talent, dedication and love of their birthplace with the families and residents who currently reside in the towns where these (now) world travelers grew up. Of course, these festivities attract plenty of tourists and visitors alike – maybe they too will be lured in by the homey atmosphere of these quaint New Hampshire villages.

In Hancock, New Hampshire, the tradition started 20 years earlier in 1879. What began as a family picnic soon blossomed into a reunion of town folk, past and present. Almost 10 years before New Hampshire would officially adopt the tradition, Hancock had its own annual picnic that drew hundreds of residents. Drawing over 10,000 attendees in 1929, even former first lady Grace Coolidge returned to enjoy the festivities. Although she did not reside in Hancock, her family had ties to the town and her fond childhood memories drew her back.

In 2010, the celebration began on a Friday evening with an ice cream social in the church vestry, a magic show for kids on the common, followed by the 18th annual Hancock Has Talent show. This year, the old meetinghouse was packed as one of Hancock’s finest musical talents (now living in New York), Abbie Gardner of bluegrass band Red Molly performed a selection from her album and a surprise selection (yet to be named) from an upcoming album (she is also an award winning songwriter). So far, Old Home Days had lived up to its promise.

Saturday was an activity packed day. A kids fun run kicked off the family activities, followed by a small, but interesting parade down Main Street. There was face painting, crafts, and even a kids market where local children had the opportunity to share their talent by crafting items that they then could sell. A rock climbing wall on the common, pony rides on Norway Hill, synchronized swimming in the pond and a pie eating contest and tug-o-war on the beach kept kids entertained and laughing all afternoon long. Adults could enjoy an exhibit by local artists, historical photo exhibits, a huge book sale at the local library and shopping at the craft market.

Hungry? Fresh cut french fries and onion rings, a traditional chicken BBQ, free kettle corn and watermelon and deep fried Snickers were just a few of the offerings. Of course, a bake sale also offered tasty treats that you could take home. Spreading out on the common for a picnic, you could listen to the upbeat tempo of the American Legion Band or the soothing bluegrass melodies of Hot Mustard.

Sunday brought several new activities to round out the weekend. Old Home Days had delivered on its promise. Traditional family fun, neighbors meeting neighbors and residents past and present coming together to unite in celebrating the traditions of New Hampshire. Every summer throughout New Hampshire, everyone can enjoy Old Home Days. You don’t need to be a resident to join in the festivities, but you too may be lured in forever. Check with each town for specific dates each year.

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Kids love going to the bakery. I remember when I was a kid; I used to sneak behind the counter and help myself to a cupcake. Of course, I’d be mortified if one of my kids did that…ahh how our perspective changes. While visiting grandparents recently, we had the chance to go to a bakery – or farm – or both – oh, they’re the same place. Wright’s Farm & Bakery in North Smithfield, Rhode Island offers a unique experience – a working dairy farm combined with a yummy bakery. We’re so there!

The farm maintains a herd of approximately 150 cows that produce lots of milk that is sold in their store every day. And if you go to the farm between the hours of 3 and 5 PM any day of the week, you can see them being milked.

As we made our way down a short trail to the big red barn, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. The trail is filled with wooden signs that tell you about lesser known and sometimes strange cow facts. There is also a group of picnic tables nearby where you could sit and have lunch, a snack or perhaps, a pastry? Once at the milking barn (aka the big red barn), there is a little viewing area set up for onlookers. It is quite small and can only accommodate a couple of kids or 2 adults comfortably, but it does get you up close and let’s say…utterly personal. The farm hand doing the milking that day didn’t interact with us while we were there, which was slightly disappointing, but I suppose they may have been able to answer questions if asked, but I didn’t.

After a few minutes of watching the cows at the milking machines, the kids grew restless, so we headed over to the other barn where most of the cows were penned. There were goats and chickens on the way, but I think my oldest son had cake on his mind because he didn’t seem too interested. When we arrived at the other barn, we were startled by a cow who came “galloping” around the corner of the pen! In fact, I think she may have been more frightened than we were because she almost lost her footing before finally catching herself and racing away. I had never seen a cow running up close before, so that was pretty exciting, although I did feel badly for both the cow and my youngest son, who was crying hysterically. “Not to worry”, I thought; I know how to quickly “fix” this situation.

A short walk later and we had arrived at the bakery. Ahhh, every child’s delight (and adults too)! People who haven’t been here in awhile will notice that it has been remodeled. With beautiful hardwood floors and lots of wood shelving, you take a small step back in time once you step inside. The kids, of course, ran directly to the glass enclosed pastry counters, filled with lots of yummy looking treats. While I was looking around at all of the breads, honey and specialty products, I suddenly had a vision of my 22 month-old peering at me through the other side of the bakery case. Thank goodness it was just a fleeting illusion.

After collecting our goodies, we said goodbye to the cows and thought about what tasty treats would await next time we visited. All in all, it was a fun trip for everyone. The kids enjoyed seeing the cows and who doesn’t enjoy going to the bakery? This is not a teaching farm, so don’t expect too much in terms of learning all about milking, but it is fun to be reminded about where your milk and dairy products come from once in awhile.

Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery is located in North Smithfield. The bakery is open M-Sat 8-7PM and Sunday 8-4PM. The cows are milked at 3PM daily.

If you’ve enjoyed these photos, please visit Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby for more.

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Folks come from all around to watch them. Some families chase them from town to town. Everyone gasps in amazement, even our youngest who has never really seen them before. Fireworks are a magical wonder that entertain kids and adults alike, putting them into a trance induced by the colorful popping noise makers that light up the nighttime sky.

This year we made it a point to be in New Hampshire in time to join the Independence Day festivities. The towns around the Monadnock Region actually coordinate their schedules in order to allow spectators to enjoy all of the festivities going on in the region. With two young kids, we decided to partake in just one, so we chose the celebration in Hancock (known as the prettiest village in New Hampshire).

Over a thousand people pounce upon the tiny town center beginning at 6PM when the Ice Cream Social begins and the band starts striking a tune. Kids can join in on a reading of the Declaration of Independence – if you can pry them away from the ice cream. We arrived a bit after 8PM, so were able to take advantage of $2 sundaes or what was left over to make sundaes. We followed the herd scurrying to find a place on the lawn that slopes down to Norway Pond.

We were ill prepared, without a blanket for comfort or warmth and we certainly didn’t have any bug spray…oh well…maybe the mosquitoes like ice cream. As we settled in we were surprised to see kids swimming and playing at the beach below. I’m not sure exactly how cold the water was, but I suppose we’ll find out one of these days. There were lots of kids running around, but our kids were focused on their ice cream!

With anticipation in the air, the crowd roared as the first boom lit up the sky. Little did we know that this would be just a 10-minute warning. The kids were dripping with anticipation and excitement. The show began just as the kids were about to burst; the crowd fell silent. Exploding packets of colored light soared above the pond, illuminating the black evening sky. The brilliant colors criss-crossed like a well choreographed dance. All eyes were fixated upward; our youngest didn’t even turn away once. Fireworks are like candy – kids can never get enough.

This was our first 4^th of July in New Hampshire. Small towns, friendly faces and traditional family oriented activities – just one reason why I love New Hampshire so much. So, next time you’re looking for a simple Independence Day celebration, why not head out to one of the many small towns in New Hampshire. You might never leave.

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So, for most kids school is officially done for the year and as parents we’re scrambling to figure out how to keep our little angels occupied and out of trouble this summer.  I am hearing more and more that families have retreated back into saving mode and many are trying to cut their summer travel budget.  Well, we’ve come up with five out-of-the-box ideas that you can do as a family this summer without going broke.

1. Have a Family Yard Sale – This is the perfect opportunity to recycle some of those old toys, cloths and rarely used items that have been collecting dust all winter.  Get the kids involved in gathering items, planning and then working at the yard sale.  You can then use the money that you make for other fun summer activities.
2. Volunteer as a Family – Every parent struggles with keeping their kids motivated to participate and learn once the school year is over.  By volunteering, kids get to learn about people and places outside of their everyday world.  By volunteering as a family, you’ll spend quality time together while teaching your kids compassion and giving.  Check out the family volunteer center at idealist.org.
3. Plan a Family Reunion – There has never been a better time to reconnect with family and get everyone together for a special day, week or weekend.  By traveling in a group, you can negotiate discounts and share accommodations in order to help cut down on the cost of a summer outing.  The more the merrier!
4. Start a Genealogy Project – One of the best ways to help your kids learn about history is to get them involved in their own history.  Create a family tree by conducting as much research as you can online, then visit the National Archives, Ellis Island or one of your ancestors hometowns.  This makes a great summer long project that can even turn into a school project down the road.
5. Sponsor a Student Reading Group – For those parents with older kids who are always wondering how to motivate their kids to read over the summer, why not make it a group activity.  Coordinate with other parents in their class and once a week a family can host a get together.  Make it fun with snacks and a few improvisational games to break the ice.  Set a goal for each group session so that everyone is at the same point in the book.  Discussing what they are reading will help make it more fun and reinforce what they are learning.

Okay, so maybe not every idea is right for you.  Like I said, these are out-of-the-box activities that will hopefully inspire your family to begin planning the best summer activities ever!

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Last fall a local pottery shop came to our son’s school to help them make a decorated pottery plate for Thanksgiving.  It was a great project and he was so proud of his accomplishment that he wanted to use it all of the time.  Enter his one-year-old brother (aka Hercules)…and before long the plate had been destroyed. 

That gave us a great excuse to venture into the shop with the entire family, partly to re-create the plate destroyed by Hercules and also to work on a new project that we could create together.  So, we headed out to Art Attack in Flemington, NJ with much anticipation.  I was shocked to see the extensive collection of pottery items waiting for a young decorator’s touch.  In addition to the simple (plates, bowls, cups), there were also more advanced projects like banks, racing cars, vases and even holiday ornaments.  This place is a crafters dream! 

Projects start at just $5 and you’ll also find a markdown shelf with slightly imperfect items.  We were able to make two plates for less than $28 including tax.  There are no studio charges, so you’ll only pay for the pottery. 

After we chose our plates, we decided on a theme from the idea books and then chose colors accordingly.  The staff member helping you will dispense your chosen colors into small trays and provide paintbrushes, sponges and lots of paper towels to keep your little ones clean.  We were ready to go! 

The first step was tracing some designs on our plates.  Again, if you’re a novice, the crafter on duty will be more than happy to help you get started.  Now, you’re ready to start painting – you can use your thumb (as we did for the turkey), a brush or one of the many other application methods.  Our turkey had the kids making lots of thumb prints before applying the trim with a sponge.  Daddy carefully painted some legs and eyes and the masterpiece was finished. 

Our Easter plate was a bit more complicated, but the kids had a blast lending their thumbs and dotting paint here there and everywhere.  Once you’re done, it’s ready for firing.  You’ll have to part with you’re special creations for a week or so, but when you return, you’ll have a shiny glazed masterpiece that is food and dishwasher safe!  This really was an awesome way to spend an afternoon together as a family.

If you’re in the area, Art Attack is open Wednesday-Friday from 12:30PM-5:30PM, Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sunday 11AM-5PM.  No appointment is necessary.  Weekdays before 3PM are the quietest and you’ll receive the most help and attention from the staff.

If you are not in the area, you can easily find similar shops in your area through a simple Google search (try – pottery painting “my state”).  That was easy – the kids will be thrilled to know that there is a great shop just 12 minutes from our new home…hooray! 

If you enjoyed these photos and would like to see more, visit Photo Friday at Deliciousbaby.

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You know spring is here again when the Easter Bunny trains begin pulling out of their stations.  So, to kick off the season we climbed aboard the Black River & Western Railroad’s Easter Bunny Express in Flemington, NJ this past weekend.

We arrived about 20 minutes before departure, just in time to see the train pulling into the station carrying lots of children with smiling faces.  Our two kids were revved up and ready to go!

Climbing aboard a few minutes later, we settled into our seats as our youngest glued himself to the window in anticipation of the changing scenery outside.  The passenger cars used on this line are vintage with the “flip” style seating that is great for families; and the warmth radiating from the well stocked potbelly stove in each car is just enough to take the chill off.  Oh, and remember…NO SPITTING!

With a big thud, the engine was coupled to the passenger cars and the whistle let out a loud toot; we were on our way.  At first, we were worried that our 4 year old would not be receptive to the Easter Bunny.  After all, he isn’t exactly the type to embrace furry, life-sized characters, no matter what they have to offer (even candy).  Surprisingly, this time was different; he was quite excited and kept close tabs on Ms. B’s progress throughout the passenger cars.

When the fluffy life-sized Easter Bunny finally arrived, the kids eagerly dipped into the basket to claim their “prize”.  It was great – the adults also got to partake…I can’t tell you how long it has been since I’ve had Sour Patch Kids…yummy.  During the remainder of the 25-minute ride down to Ringoes, the kids ate their candy and continued to stare out the window.

Upon arriving in Ringoes, you are required to disembark the train while it repositions for the return trip (they tell us for safety reasons).  During the 20-minute stopover, we made a quick round through the gift shop, then checked out some of the old railcars in the yard.  There is a cool Amtrak car that is used as a residence, a caboose being used as an office and plenty of other railcars of various shapes and sizes and in various states of repair.  The highlight was the big black locomotive (Old #60) sitting in the shed.  Of course, our son seems convinced that it could be Hiro.

After dragging the kids back on the train, we settled in for the 20-minute return trip to Flemington.  The folks that put together these trains do a great job and our kids look forward to each and every trip.  So, if you’re looking for a fun family activity this Easter, chugging down the line with the Big Bunny is a sure bet.  Check out an Easter Train near you!

Black River and Western Railroad is offering the Easter Bunny Express again on April 2nd and 3rd at 11:30AM, 1:00PM and 2:30PM.  Each trip is approximately 75 minutes and costs $14 for adults and $7 for children (3-12).  Children under the age of 3 are free.  You can obtain tickets at the box office at Flemington Station between 11:10AM and 2:30PM on the day of departure.

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The weather on the East Coast turned remarkably spring like this week.  The sun shined brightly, the birds chirped a sweet melody and the snow melted into a lovely shade of…mud.  So, armed with bright yellow boots and a sense of adventure, the boys and I went outside to play.

It was the first time my 17 month old had experienced mud.  I mean the kind that oozes out around your feet and grips your shoes when you try to walk.  He loved it!  Walking in the giant pools of melted snow and mud proved to be irresistible for both of my guys.  As my older son splashed and jumped high into the air, sprays of water flew in every direction, including mine!  But that’s okay because he was having fun.  And you couldn’t have painted a wider smile on my little one’s face as he patiently studied the fine art of mud jumping from his older brother.  It almost brought tears to my eyes.  No wait, I think that was mud!  But I digress.

Laughing out loud as my children played, I remembered how happy I was as a child doing the same things.  I loved playing in the dirt.  I actually believed that if I dug deep enough, I would get to China (probably a cheaper method than traveling by air!)  I can still vividly remember sitting in my dirt “cave” and thinking if I just dig a little more…

Truthfully speaking, it doesn’t cost a lot to entertain children.  Yes, my oldest is constantly asking for new toys and has even critiqued Santa’s gift-giving abilities!  The notorious “gimmies” aside, he’s usually happiest playing with his $5 plastic golf clubs or shoveling a little dirt around the yard with his $1 shovel.  And how many of us have commented on the stick that our child can’t seem to put down.  Hmmm, how do you gift-wrap a stick?  It doesn’t take a lot of money or time to play in the mud either, just some waterproof boots and tons of laundry pre-soak should do.

As many of us are feeling the money squeeze lately, we wonder how we can keep our kids happy and entertained on a budget.  Start by sprinkling a few fun and virtually free play dates with the kids instead of taking them to the usual places.  Invest in a seasonal or yearly pass to a family favorite (we love the zoo), which can save you quite a bundle.  Over time, you may just find that you can afford that much needed family vacation.  And you and your children will probably be happier from the quality family time that you have gained along the way.

Next week I’m going out to buy myself some cheap rubber boots.  I’ve spent the last 30 years trying to avoid stepping in the mud.  I’m so over that.

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Okay, so I have a secret…I’m a huge aviation nut.  I love planes, airports and anything remotely related to flying.  Luckily our two boys seem to share my obsession, which got me to thinking about a great (and free) kid friendly activity that can be done locally or while traveling – visiting a local airport.

Unlike larger, more commercial airports, local general aviation (GA) airports are usually very convenient and accessible.  Although the aircraft are smaller, you’ll actually be able to get close enough to see the planes and enjoy the show.  If you’re really lucky, you might even be able to get up close and personal, if you ask nicely.  It’s a great activity because nearly everyone has a GA  airport nearby, whether they know it or not.  Check out AirNav for a list of airports near you.  Oh, and best of all – it’s free!

Weekends and holidays will hold the most promise for a decent amount of traffic, as will clear and sunny days.  Some local airports even have restaurants!  Even better – you can sit back, relax, have lunch and enjoy the planes zipping around the airport.  If it’s larger planes you’re after, even major airports with commercial traffic have some great viewing spots within the terminal and outside of security.  For example, TGI Friday’s at Newark Liberty International Airport (Terminal A) has some amazing front row seats that overlook the field.  It may be a bit unusual, but the kids will love it!

That brings me to my all time favorite airport for watching planes.  Unfortunately, it is halfway around the world on the Thai island of Koh Samui.  The open air terminal sets the stage for ideal viewing.  Standing about 15 feet from the runway, you can almost feel the vibrations from the sleek jets that scream down the runway in front of you.  It’s absolutely awesome!

So, the next time you’re wondering what to do with the kids, take them to the local airport.  Watch the planes, have some lunch and enjoy the (free) show.

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Convincing a four-year-old that he’ll have lots of fun and see lots of neat stuff on a two-mile hike can be a bit of a challenge.  Come to think of it, it might be a challenge for your teenager too, but they’re definitely tougher to persuade.  One sure way of getting your youngster to make the arduous trek (anything other than standing still probably fits this description) is to pick a trail with a quirky name that your child can relate to.  You know what I mean; you’ve all seen them.

Situated in the midst of California’s Lava Beds National Monument, Big Nasty Trail is a fun semi-loop trail that got its name from the brush covered lava beds that protrude from the landscape just to the north.  The name should get a good laugh and make your little one want to find out just what is so big and so nasty about it.

Moving a bit east to Yellowstone National Park, you’ll find plenty of interesting attractions…and signs.  Dragon’s Mouth Spring may be a bubbling, belching cauldron, but kids love the name all the same.  Just tell them you’re going to see a dragon and they’ll be right there by your side. 

Signs and names don’t always cut it, so sometimes you’ll need a story to back them up.  That’s the case with Yellowstone’s Chinese Spring.  Located along one of the many elevated wooden pathways in the Upper Geyser Basin (near Old Faithful), this spring was named for its function as a place to do laundry.  Yep, they used to do laundry in them there springs…ouch!

So, next time you’re planning a trip to one of our great National Parks, remember, look for the attractions and trails with the quirkiest names and the most interesting stories.  You’re kids will love it and happy kids make for a happy family!

Enjoy the photos!  For more amazing photos, please visit Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.   

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We all thought that it would be a much bigger deal than it turned out to be, but it’s still a memory that will remain with us forever.  If you’re Irish, married to someone who is Irish, or just love drinking a good Guinness now and again, visiting Ireland should top your list of things to do with your kids before they’re out of college and have long forgotten about vacationing with their parents. 

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, I’m flooded with wonderful memories of a family vacation to Ireland taken many years ago, right around this time.  To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we’d planned on trudging out early into the cold, damp morning to marvel at the entertainment of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  It was quite a long walk from our hotel to the parade route, but we were so looking forward to this once in a lifetime experience, I mean, it’s St. Patrick’s Day and this is Ireland.

Strange...

We’d anticipated large crowds of people vying for a good spot from which to view the spectacle.  When we arrived at the place where we thought we should be, we wondered if we had taken a wrong turn.  There were fewer than a thousand people within our sight – perhaps as a result of the inclement weather, we thought.  The crowd did grow a bit by the time the parade started, but it wasn’t until later that we’d realize that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade back home was a much bigger deal than it was in Ireland.

What the heck...?

There was some strange stuff in that parade!  Oh well, we enjoyed it all the same!  It was a once in a lifetime experience.  Enjoy the photos and check back with us again to read more on traveling throughout Ireland.

Playing The Bagpipes

Enjoy the photos!  For more amazing photos, please visit Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.   

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