South Shore Mom

I received a hot tip on a playground this week and wanted to share it with you. The Pirate Ship Playground is located in Sharon on Ames Street. This playground is big, fenced in, has plenty of picnic benches and park benches, lots of big shady trees, great parking and it is connected to sports fields (if you are so inclined to bring a soccer ball). The playground is divided into a few areas. Of course, there is a big pirate ship to play on/in, there is a toddler section with train area and music area (don’t overlook the voice changing machine), a few “baby swings”, see-saws, “obstacle course” type climbers and traditional climbers with slides. 

We packed lunches and spent about 2 hours there. There are bathrooms, however; they were locked. 

We finished our outing with ice cream at Crescent Ridge. FYI – the cost of a kiddie ice cream was $3.85…..and they only take cash or check. The ice cream was top notch! If you are taking a crowd of children – $3.85 per cup can add up fast.

Directions to the Playground: From Cobbs Corner, travel South –  following Bay Road past Crescent Ridge Dairy – taking your first right after the Dairy. Follow that road about 2 miles. Take a right onto Ames Street, the playground will be on your left across from a Synagogue (if you are using your GPS: 100 Ames St., Sharon).

I have traveled up and down Route 128 to work – 25 miles each way – for 12 years. I never thought of 128 as a vacation destination….that is for sure. Working so far from home and listening to others who live in the area, I started to hear about “foreign” places – we have never seen…..so I was curious enough to make a trip out of it. 

I had received some bonus dough from some side work I had done and knew I could put it to good use on a mini vacation from the South Shore.

We started our journey, traveling up to the Burlington Mall to have lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe. I had heard so many good things about it. I did not have big expectations for the food – but it was actually good.My husband dined on a chimichanga, I had lettuce wraps and my son had mini burgers. The entire restaurant looks like an actual rain forest with animatronic animals, rain, a simulated thunder storm, stars and vegetation all around. We had a great time there. The price for 3 for lunch, plus tip and appetizer was $61. If you are trying to be fiscally responsible, try to steer away from the large gift shop. 

We then had time to kill before we checked into our hotel – and we ended up at the Jordans Furniture – which is just North of the Burlington Mall. No – we weren’t spending our vacation – checking out the sofas…we were there to check out the free water show, the jelly bean sculptures and the totally cool trapeze school! 

We then headed south to check into the Hotel Indigo. We had a great time swimming in their salt water pool all afternoon. The pool is very modern. The price for the hotel plus their “pizza package” – was $135 (not including tips and taxes). If you decide to sign up for the pizza package, I suggest calling the hotel directly to talk to them about the package you purchased. The hotel is very new – and going through a few growing pains….but overall – a great experience. The hotel has a restaurant – but its very very expensive….and not so much a “kids” place.

The next morning, after a quick Starbucks style breakfast at the hotel ($20 for the 3 of us)  we checked out Drumlin Farms in Lincoln. Check out your local library if you are headed up to Drumlin Farms to see if they have Mass. Audobon passes. With the passes…our family of 3 only paid $2 to check out the farm. 

It only took us 40 minutes. Who knew 128 could be so fun?

You’ve probably seen the Life Is Good tshirts, hats, bags, goods, etc…..

They depict simple stick drawings of characters doing something fun….throwing the peace sign, eating watermellon, jumping off a pier….all with the slogan LIFE IS GOOD. I love seeing this brand. It remindes me to have fun.

The company is sponsoring a free event in Boston Common this weekend – looking for the Greatest Backyard Athlete. Its going to be very hot this weekend…..so dont forget your water, your hat and your sunscreen!

Check it out:

http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/

Like many working Moms and Dads…..sometimes summer can pass you right by! Not enough vacation time, not enough family time -  not enough money for a big vacation – period.

You sit at your desk – and dream about getting out there….so GO!

Here are a few ideas:

If you can’t afford an all out summer vacation this year…..try day trips. Check out your local library online for museum and zoo passes. These passes are usually first come, first served and are either free or provide a big discount which makes day trips much more affordable.

There are also several great places to visit through the Trustees of the Reservations. All of their sites are  at the peak of beauty right now. You dont have to be a member to enjoy the sites. Some sites, you will have to pay for  – while others are free. Check out the website: http://www.thetrustees.org/

This year, we have turned our backyard into a pool party zone. We found one of those blue pop up pools for $70 on sale this year…..and have really gotten our money’s worth this summer. Now that the 4th of July weekend has passed us – look for clearance sales. They are easy to set up and easy to maintain. We put on some music – let the kids splash around like crazy – and more often than not – we jump right in with them. Our house has been pool party palooza this summer. Staying home, not using the car and having a blast in the pool has actually saved us a lot of money and has created a lot of fun memories (which I will tap into – come January)!

If you feel that you just HAVE to get out of Dodge…..but the idea of high hotel prices has you down…..think about hotels WITH pools…..that are NOT located in super popular tourist destinations. These hotels are usually used for business travelers. You can save 50% or more on these hotel rooms on the weekends…..when business travelers are gone.  Enjoy the pool and a change of scenery without breaking the bank.

So go on…get out!

We had a pact with our son. If you potty train – you will be allowed entry to the IKEA playground. We frequent IKEA – and always showed him the sign that said, “All children must be potty trained. No pullups or diapers”.  He was inspired and it worked.

The IKEA indoor playground – a place where you can drop your child off for 45 minutes to an hour and a half…..and go have dinner and shop in peace. It is free. To gain entry, your child must be at least “this high” – but also below a certain height in a range. The playground has very large glass viewing windows. Safety is of course – a main concern. You fill out a waiver and you are stamped with a number – which must match the child’s number. The doors are on a security system. I once wanted to ask my son a question and was stopped from even leaning over the half wall to get his attention. This actually made me feel good – that they were so on top of things.  The playground has a ball pit, a movie theater, coloring area and lots of room to run around. The staff gives you a restaurant style beeper to carry with you and a slip of paper which has the pick up time listed on it. If there is anything up with your child while you are shopping or eating – they beep you to come pick them up.

I must admit, I stayed by the window for a long time………then kind of stood by the doorway for a long time before I was certain that everything was ok. I ate quickly and shopped quickly – and then just watched the kids play through the window until the beeper went off in my hand. It was still a treat for me.

If you must feed the troops, kids meals range from 99 cents to $1.99. Ice cream cones are a bargain (lower level) for 99 cents. Has anyone else been astounded by the cost of ice cream lately???

The day we went, we happened to come across the IKEA yard sale with a DJ. My son and I sang Abba karaoke and won tickets for Mama Mia the movie. Hooray!