The Dinosaur Place

Today we went to The Dinosaur Place in Mystic County. We found out about it on a brochure you pick up in those brochure kiosks all over the place. Grace has been wanting to go and we thought we'd check it out.

http://thedinosaurplace.com/

We got there around 11:30 and wanted to eat before we went in. There are a number of restaurants all around the exit (74) off 95. But, we continued to the place and found a little roadside restaurant right across the street. We ordered at the window and sat outside under an umbrella. They had chickens and we also visited them. The fare was standard burgers, grinders, salads, etc. The prices were very reasonable. We noted that they also had ice cream.

We drove across the street and went into the "outside" area and bought tickets. They have a splashpad that isn't open yet, which makes the price less this time of year. We ended up paying under $30 for the four of us. There is a really nice playground where the kids started their day. After that we walked to the side of the lake where there is a volcano that erupts on the hour. There were a group of people gathered waiting for the big event. The volcano starts to make a noise and finally spews steam and water. It doesn't last long and most are disappointed.

We then continue along the path and start checking out the dinosaurs. There are life-size dinosaurs along a pretty wooded path. If you're up for it, there are signs along the way that tell what their names are and their period in history. There are also boxes that you can put your hands in to try to guess what is in them.

After our nice walk we went in to the main building to see what else is offered. They have panning for gold, spin art, candles, cutting geodes and other things along that line. We didn't do any of that, but may go back on a rainy day. Grace was begging to do those things! The prices are pretty steep, but we felt the price for the trail was fine for the day.

After our day there we wanted ice cream. So, instead of buying it at the tourist place, we went back to the little place across the street. We saved about .75 per cone and $1 on the shake.

On the way home we all fell asleep, but Rich drove into the Clinton Premium Outlets (exit 63) to see what stores were there for future reference. We're camping at Hammonasset in a few weeks and may go outlet shopping since it's very close.

Movies

The free bowling reminded me of the free movies that some theaters offer to kids in the summer. Here is what I've found so far:
http://bowtiecinemas.com/summer_2009.html

The closest Bow Tie offering the free movies is in Stamford. Maybe we'll try it one day there is a movie we really want to see!

Bowling

I just learned about a great free bowling program for kids at www.kidsbowlfree.com. This allows your kids two free games a day all summer long! They also offer a family pass for up to 4 adults, including sitters and extended family members, for a one-time fee of $23.95. This allows them two free games a day all summer, too!

Since my kids are still young, I've signed up for the free bowling for them. I figure I can take them to the bowling alley and help them bowl a game and then we'll be done! This could be a nice thing to do on a rainy day or a day when it's just too hot and we want to be indoors.

Levitt Pavilion

After the long weekend and Lola being sick, I've been sick, too. So, not feeling like blogging lately, but did come across something to pass on.

Yes, I heard Tom Jones was going to be in Westport in June. Rich and I always thought it would be fun to see him in concert. In our usual fashion we decide what we're willing to pay for tix and then see how much they cost. I had already checked and asked him what he'd pay and he said $60. Well, tix are $75 and $95. I'm guessing that's the end of that. When you add the price of dinner and a sitter, it makes for a very expensive night!

Anyway, last year I had heard about the great free concerts at Levitt Pavilion and found the link to this years' calendar:
http://www.levittpavilion.com/Pavilionpages/calendar.htm

Looks like a great way to spend some summer evenings!

Thanks to Jessica for all the great ideas in one of the comment sections. If you're checking out my blog, please leave me a comment so I know you came by. I'd love for this to be a place to give eachother information.

Libraries

I'm really pooped after a long holiday weekend. It was wonderful to be with friends and family at Keuka! Lola had bronchitis last week and I've started coughing a lot today. I hope I don't have it too! I really do need to find myself a doctor, but that's another topic entirely!

While driving through Branchport, NY and passing the local library, I was reminded how great libraries are in general and how really great they are in the summer for kids. This library was advertising "Dumbo" Friday at 6 pm. When I'm up there the week of the 4th we'll definitely be hitting the Penn Yan and Branchport libraries.

When home in Weston, we'll be checking out what the Weston, Wilton, Westport and Fairfield libraries are offering. When I have more energy I'll look up their websites and report back what I find.

Now it's time for my guilty pleasure-"Two and a Half Men."

Newspapers

Today in the Weston Forum I found a goldmine of information! There is a special section called "100 Things to Do"! There are definitely some ideas there that I didn't know about.

Also, on the Opinions page there was an article on summer vacation. It said in a recent study "State of the World's Children 2009: Investing in the Early Years" by Save the Children, things looked grim for America. 'On the fast track to the bottom of the class for industrialized countries, we are falling behind in the resource this study says is most important: human capital.' The idea this article brought up was to expose children to national parks. Since we don't have one here, it pointed out that there is something close in the Branchville section of Wilton, the Weir Farm National Historic Site. I've been meaning to check it out. This is the only National Park Service site dedicated to American Painting.
http://www.nps.gov/wefa/

Trains

Today I had a super-busy day and also a sick kid. Poor Lola has had a cold and now a fever to go with the congestion and cough. She got so cranky and just wanted to sit on my lap and watch Wow Wow Wubzy. While watching an episode about trains, it got me thinking about train outings this summer.

Here is what I've found so far:

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat-Essex, CT
http://essexsteamtrain.com/

Railroad Museum of Northeast CT-Thomaston, CT
http://www.rmne.org/

Danbury Railway Museum
http://www.danbury.org/drm/

Reciprocity

I'm all about getting the info out there for these wonderful museums! Here is the reciprocity list I was able to gather. I believe all of these could be day trips from Fairfield County.

Stepping Stones-Norwalk-my kids love the water room-bring extra clothes
The Children's Museum-West Hartford-kids enjoyed it
Kid City Children's Museum-Middletown-kids enjoyed it-nice town to walk around and have lunch
Children's Museum of South East CT-Niantic-only saw the outside, but it's right near the Niantic Boardwalk, which is fun to walk along
Imagine Nation Children's Museum-Bristol
Lutz Children's Museum-Manchester
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Children's Museum of Manhattan-several friens have said this place is fun

Beardsley Zoo-Bridgeport-nice local zoo-has a carousel
Bergen County Zoological Park-Paramus
Staten Island Zoo

Bronx Zoo-large and wonderful zoo
NY Aquarium-Brooklyn
Prospect Park Zoo
Queens Zoo
Central Park Zoo

Mashantucket Pequot Museum-Mashantucket-fun to walk around Foxwoods and have lunch and play in the arcade while there
N/A

Maritime Aquarium-Norwalk-fun to walk around SONO while in the area
N/A

February "Camp Milliman"

Dress up and painting

Decorating a big box for a fort

Making a pinata

Making and decorating cupcakes

Stepping Stones with Yan and John

Stepping Stones with Gabriella

Chocolate fondue-marshmallows!

The EMS at IKEA




Here are some of the fun things we did over the February vacation. While I was disappointed not to go to Florida, we made our own phone right in our own neck of the woods!

Memberships

"A family we know does this, and has a loose schedule for each day on the fridge when the kids wake up - as a general guide that helps everyone know what to expect, rather than re-inventing it all each day. They have found that helpful. Good luck!" Barbara

This was posted to my Facebook note on this subject. Thanks, Barbara! I know that Grace does better with a schedule. I'll definitely have a schedule mapped out so she knows what to expect.

So, to continue with the thought about memberships...

Stepping Stones
Maritime Aquarium
Beardsley Zoo
Bronx Zoo
Mashantucket Pequot Museum

These are all the places we have memberships. Most of them have reciprocity with other institutions. Next is to look up those places that would be in a reasonable driving distance and plan a day around a visit.

Summer camp planning in progress!

Hello! Thanks for stopping by the new summer camp blog!

I'm planning to have "Camp Milliman" again this summer and want to share the experience. I really tried last summer, but once we got to our new home I really needed time to set up the house and did send Grace to a few camps. She had a ball!

Over February break I was disappointed to not be going on vacation. So, we had "Camp Milliman" over the break and really enjoyed having some friends join us on our adventures!

I'm hoping to share some fun ideas with you and hoping you'll have some ideas for me! Let the planning begin!

First off, let's think of all the places where we have memberships. These are great places to visit as well as their reciprocal institutions. Just last weekend we took our Stepping Stones membership on the road to West Hartford to The Children's Museum. While in that area we went to Cabela's for lunch and to purchase the kids' sleeping bags for the upcoming camping trips!

After the museum we checked out a restaurant that we had seen a billboard for on the highway. East Side Restaurant is a fun German restaurant in New Britain. When the big beers go by the servers yell Ticky Tocky, Ticky Tocky...hoy, hoy, hoy! Everyone joins in! The food was yummy, too!

Little feet coming-gotta run~