Shout Out

I just joined a mommy book club that starts this summer. I met one of the moms on email that also blogs. Hers is so good I should just give it up! A shout out to you, Catherine! I'll ask her if I can share her link.

Whole Foods has a bunch of recipes to do with kids. Check it out!

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/search-results.php?convenienceId=1


A while back I posted about the summer free movies. Here are a few more links to other theaters with free summer kids' movies!

http://www.bowtiecinemas.com/pdfs/Kids_Flyer_2009_Marquis.pdf
http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=CT

For other free summer fun, don't forget to check the libraries! Weston has a few summer programs and Westport has a whole bunch!

http://www.biblio.org/weston/summerprogram.htm
http://www.westportlibrary.org/children/index.html

Hammonassett

We just returned from a fabulous camping weekend at Hammonassett Beach State Park. It's only an hour from Weston up I-95. The campground is within walking distance to the beach and is flat with huge spaces. They have a camp store, nature center, jetties, boardwalk, snack bar and trails.

We love the town of Madison. It's very quaint with shops and restaurants. There is a really fun restaurant we found today where we had lunch, ice cream and a carousel ride!
http://ljfishtale.com/page/2683-Home

This trip could also be done as a day trip. We checked out the park several months ago to see if we'd want to camp there and are so happy we found it! We're going back two more times this summer/fall.

Nearby are the Tanger and Premium Clinton Crossings outlets as well as at least three movie theaters. We went for a ride and went through Old Saybrook and Essex. Connecticut is such a beautiful state! We really felt like we were on vacation-and so close to home!

Guilford

Daily Candy sent this info today about Guilford. Looks like a fun day!
http://www.suzysaid.com/westport/index.php?page=stories&family=momtomom&display=5827

Photos

A nice playground.

The little restaurant across the street.

I take lots of pix and then Rich uploads them to the computer once a month. I thought I'd post some here of The Dinosaur Place. If your kids love dinos, it's worth checking out!

Splashdown

I just remembered a sign for Splashdown USA that we've seen on the highway a few times. Mapquest says it's 1h 11 min from our house. Here's the link for a waterpark not too far away
http://www.splashdownbeach.com/index.html

Amusement Parks

I signed up for the Lake Compounce email newsletters and was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of coupons included!
http://lakecompounce.com/

We haven't been yet, but have heard it's a nice park. If you go, check out their website for online ticket purchase deals.

Another park within an hour drive is Quassy Amusement Park. Check them out at http://www.quassy.com/ I just signed up for their email newsletter and hope they offer coupons, too. Their website has a few deals.

Finally, here is another park to check out http://www.ryeplayland.org/default.htm

I'd love to hear your experiences with any of these parks!

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.