The Rebel Housewife: CAMP MOMMY!

Top 10 List - Fun With Kids in ATLANTA

Sherri Caldwell — Wed, 31 May 2006 19:07:33 +0000

Fun With Kids in METRO ATLANTA

Zoo Atlanta - especially late afternoon at the zoo
Centennial Park - play in the fountains; enjoy the playground area; lunch in the food court at CNN Center, directly across the street.
Georgia Aquarium - quite expensive; still very crowded since opening Nov. 2005 - for the adventurous!
Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta - a saner alternative to the GA Aquarium, especially for younger children; located down the street from the aquarium, across the street from Centennial Park.
Piedmont Park - one of our very favorite places in the heart of downtown Atlanta: children's playgrounds, biking, rollerblading; feed the ducks, fly a kite in the big field; fantastic dog park! Picnic in the park or enjoy patio dining at the Park Tavern - kid-friendly, pet-friendly, open for lunch on the weekends.
Center for Puppetry Arts/Theatre - if it's rainy or hot, enjoy an indoor puppet show. We have never been disappointed at Puppetry Arts. The kids will LOVE it. Don't miss the Create-a-Puppet Workshop! Have lunch at The Varsity Downtown nearby - world famous hot dogs!
MOVIES - Regal Cinemas FREE Family Film Festival guarantees a great kid flick at 10am every Tuesday & Wednesday morning through the summer at Regal Theatres around the country (check your nearest participating Regal Theatre here). In Georgia, the best free movie adventure is at The Mall of Georgia, 45 minutes north of Atlanta. Aside from the free movies, The Mall of Georgia offers a full day of entertainment and family fun, with outdoor fountains to play in (remember bathing suits!), arcades, a carousel, shopping (of course!) and endless food and dining options.
The Starlight Six Drive-In - Another one of our family's most favorite things to do in Atlanta! We pick up dinner, generally at Fellini's Pizza on Ponce De Leon, and movie goodies; pop up a couple of bags of microwave popcorn, load up camp chairs, pillows, and blankets to spend the night at the drive-in. The Starlight is safe, secure, and well-organized with six screens showing first-run movies, double, triple, and often quadruple-features (if you can make it past midnight!), all for $6 per person, children under 10 FREE!
John Howell Park/Virginia-Highland - a small neighborhood park tucked away in Virginia-Highland, one of the best areas in Atlanta for walking, shopping, and dining. The park is fun for kids, with lots of playground equipment and tons of sand to play in. For dining with kids, the park is within walking distance of two of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, American Roadhouse and Atkins Park on Highland.
Atlanta Kids - A wonderful, comprehensive resource for information on current events, activities, and attractions in Atlanta. Definitely the place to check for what's going on on any particular date!

Family Takes Over CAMP MOMMY!!!

Sherri Caldwell — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 02:16:10 +0000

All day running around with Uncle Scott, Aunt Kelly, Quinn (age 4) & Max (age 2). And Tiger and Haleigh, who can be quite a help with the younger kids. Busy day, getting ready for a family dinner with our extended family and friends in Atlanta (dinner for 18 - no big deal!?!)(fortunately, Uncle Scott is a professionally-trained chef--the man can cook for a crowd!) AND getting ready for The Big Trip to Florida in the morning--

Uncle Scott & Aunt Kelly Are Coming!

Sherri Caldwell — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 02:06:41 +0000

Quiet morning: preparations for family coming into Atlanta for a visit, and then a Big Trip to Florida for the holiday weekend. Laundry & clean up. Impromptu Camp Mommy arts & crafts activity: PAINT ROCKS & SHELLS. Kept them busy for an hour!

This afternoon it was CAMP GRAMMY! Kids went to Grammy's so Mommy could get through the packing (without help!), take care of house stuff, and enjoy dinner out with Daddy!

The Good, The Bad...The Balance

Sherri Caldwell — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 22:36:48 +0000

From an entirely rational, objective, analytical, self-therapeutic, calm, clear-headed and fairly sane perspective, I can admit, six weeks into Summer Break and CAMP MOMMY, home with my wonderful children 24/7...I AM SICK OF MY KIDS!
And I'm quite sure they are sick of me, too.

CAMP MOMMY: 33 Business Days To Go...

I am a Mommy who really, really appreciates her time to work and get things done without having to nag and referee and entertain, and BE entertained ALL.THE.TIME. I am going crazy from the constant competitive refrain of "Mom, watch this!" "Mom, listen to my joke!" "Mom, LOOK!" "Mom, Mom, MOM!!!" Once in a while, I have to beg: "PLEASE, just for a few minutes, don't call me Mom! Just don't say the word--MOM is taking a break!"

Let's just list the woes (real and imagined) of Motherhood, get it out in the open:

Self-sacrificing, completely unappreciated
No matter what, it is never enough
Unending complaints and whining (them, not me)
Unceasing rivalry & competition
Pestering, provoking, screaming, and squabbling (again--them, not me)
And the MESS...

While I'm on a roll here, allow me to elaborate: They never clean up after themselves! While I realize that's my fault, too, for not teaching them properly and consistently--I'm working on it, dammit! They walk out of a room, saunter out of the kitchen (snack in hand, mess left behind), hop out of the car...and I spend half-hour picking up, cleaning up, putting away, throwing away (they'd better not leave anything they care about--it's all garbage to me!); doing it myself, because most of the time (and I know this is the fatal parental weakness) it is easier to do it myself.

Oh, I can, and do, quite often, stop them short and firmly encourage them to pick up after themselves. Just because I don't sometimes, doesn't mean I can't--I know what buttons to press, the stimulus-response, the Evil Mommy Voice (accompanied by the Stare of Certain Doom) when appropriate and necessary. [sigh] It's a lot of work--the emotional energy of yet another battle of wills. I know how to push their buttons. Unfortunately, they know how to push mine, too.

The one time they do get along and cooperate together is when they are scheming and plotting:
"We can chase each other around the house three times before she really blows up."
"We can totally mess up the playroom, as long as we're not jumping on the furniture (or she doesn't hear us jumping on the furniture)."
"We can torment Tiger, as long as he doesn't scream!"
etc.

It is all a predictable cycle of events that plays out hour after hour, day after day. I'm sure Nanny 911 would have a field day visiting my home.

Before I leave you today, though, let's consider the alternative: What if, god forbid, I had no children? The Rebel Housewife would be pretty boring to read (and write!) without the constant frustrations and crises, the sparkle and spice of life with my little hooligans. They are my mission, my purpose, my life.

Or even worse, what if I had perfectly quiet, perfectly cooperative, perfectly-perfect-all-the-time children? No laughter, no light, no horseplay, no joking, no fun? Even in the worst moments, at the very breaking point of a rage so large I could never have imagined it--suddenly, the humor of the situation shines through, and saves us all (or else I give myself a TIME OUT and go hide in the bathroom for a few minutes). What the hell am I getting so worked up about? Furniture is just wood and cloth, paint is easy to repair, messes can be cleaned up; noise is life, laughter is joy, and the mischief--the mischief and unquenchable creativity, energy and activity are all signs of very bright, engaged, fun-loving kids, figuring out their world and their place in it.

They are learning. I am, too. They do occasionally, sometimes even without me saying anything, pick up and put away. They try to work things out together--mainly to avoid getting into trouble; still, they are learning the life skills of negotiation and cooperation. I am learning patience...and slowly, slowly, I am learning the beauty of being in the moment, the good and the bad, because this too shall pass, and so very quickly...

Day 27 Total = $13
(When things get really bad, and the weather is, too--McDonald's is the answer: Happy Meals, Playland, and cheap ice cream!)

The Adventure (NOT) of Errands...

Sherri Caldwell — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 03:33:35 +0000

No big adventures today, as we prepare for a visit from Uncle Scott & Aunt Kelly, Quinn & Max. They will be here Wednesday! We are all going to drive down to Florida together for 4th of July--and Tiger's birthday!--on the beach. Busy, busy--

We had to take the Tahoe back to the dealer this morning, so they could actually do all the work that was supposed to have been done Friday...there is a rant there, about auto repair and maintenance service, but I don't have time today!

We ran errands, with plenty of waiting and frustration. We had lunch at La Fonda Latina (another Atlanta favorite) with Daddy. We ran more errands. Zach had a basketball game this afternoon--they won! We picked up the Tahoe--now we are waiting for parts to finish two of the repairs, a rattle and a seat that won't fold down properly. I drove Zach back up to Camp Joan--three more days of fun and sun at golf/tennis camp. The kid is going to be so bored when he finally gets back home and settles in for the rest of the summer...

Day 26 = $10 - Starbucks Frappucinos
(I know I shouldn't have--it was a weak moment.)

Weekend Update - Camping Adventure

Sherri Caldwell — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 03:12:58 +0000

We tried camping this weekend. It rained. Fortunately, we discovered that our tent is fabulous (meaning: waterproof!), and we did not get wet during the night. We were just AWAKE all night, listening to the rain POUND on the top of the tent. It would have been more soothing, had we known we were not going to wake up with a river of water running through the tent (been there, done that!).

We tried to salvage Sunday morning--Saturday afternoon had been beautiful, and the kids were able to ride their bikes and play in the lake. We roasted hot dogs and made s'mores over the fire (kindled with Matchlight briquets and fueled with a bag o' firewood from the grocery store). That was Saturday. Sunday was rainy and cold and gray and dirty. The kids made friends with a boy in the next campsite, and they all went out exploring and playing by the lake--IN the lake, when they "accidentally" fell in.

By lunchtime, we were ready to give in and call it a day. Unfortunately, as we were packing everything up and taking down the tent--that's when it rained the hardest. We all got soaked. We couldn't go home: We had Open House Sunday from 2 - 4PM. We drove into Buford, Georgia, which is about 10 miles from the lake, and the home of the Mall of Georgia--nothing like "roughing it" within 10 minutes of one of the largest shopping malls in the country...

We pulled into Target (gotta love Target!), and I ran in for a few replacement essentials: a pair of shorts and underwear for Zach; a pair of shorts and a shirt for Tiger; a pair of sandals and a sweater for ME. And then we went to the Mall of Georgia for the remainder of our Camping Adventure. We had lunch in the Food Court. We wandered around in Barnes & Noble. We went to the movies and saw Herbie: Fully Loaded (everybody LOVED it!). We got home--wet, bedraggled, dirty, but happy--about 6PM, and unloaded piles and piles of dirty laundry and wet camping gear. It's good to be home.

The Prodigal Son Returns

Sherri Caldwell — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 02:50:18 +0000

Zach is home! After a week away at Camp Joan, he's back--and it's so good to have him home. How does a child grow so much in just a week? He admitted--out loud, even--that he's glad to be home. He had a GREAT time at the beach with his cousin and Aunt Joan, but he missed Tiger and Mom & Dad...NOT Haleigh, though. [parental sigh] She didn't miss him either, so I guess it evens out. People tell me these two will LOVE each other and be BEST FRIENDS when they are older...I'm wondering if we will all SURVIVE this sibling rivalry and competition until then...

Zach came home late in the afternoon, after we had taken the Tahoe in for service before our Big Trip to Florida next week. Haleigh & Tiger and I had lunch downtown with Daddy at Loca Luna, which is a WAY COOL restaurant in Atlanta, one of our favorites. We sat outside, in the covered patio area, next to the Koi pond. The kids got to feed the fish, which is always exciting. Loca Luna is not fancy or upscale--very laid-back, eclectic, funky, and child-friendly, too. The kids love the "french fries" which are Yucca (they don't know that), and they are THRILLED that they each get their very own little bottle of catsup with their french fries. It's the simple things in life...

Day 25 Total = $30 - lunch w/Daddy, our treat
Week #5 Total = $115
(Which is okay, since we were $20 under budget last week!)

A Really Quiet Day--

Sherri Caldwell — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 02:45:23 +0000

A quiet day--Camp Mommy taking it easy to allow the Camp Director to prepare for a financial meeting this afternoon. Tiger & Haleigh went to Camp Grammy to hang out, swim in her pool.

Total Day #24 = $0.00

More Movies - F R E E !

Sherri Caldwell — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 04:21:14 +0000

Regal Cinemas FREE Family Film Festival

I keep telling ya'll about this, and we finally made it up to The Mall of Georgia (one of our participating Regal Theatres)(I would link, but their website is down for maintenance!) for the Regal FREE Family Film Festival...it was GREAT! Kind of a long way to go for a free movie, especially one we've already seen (and have the DVD at home), Jimmy Neutron, but it was really fun. We got up there just in time to purchase our Kid Concession Packs (popcorn, small soda, small Skittles in a convenient tray for $4.75 each), and a $3.50 bottle of water, and made it into the theatre, which was packed with lots and lots and lots of kids. We had great seats--in the very first row!

We did have a great time--the kids loved seeing the movie (again) in the theatre (up close & personal!) with all those other children, and I had enough light from the screen to make some notes for a project I am working on...so I got some work done.

After the movie, we rode the carousel and had lunch at the Food Court. It is genius marketing to draw in the kids and the moms with the lure of a FREE movie, knowing that the residual sales of getting the family into the mall must be at least $20 - $50 per person in concessions, lunch, entertainments (like the carousel), and any shopping besides. I wish I could figure out how to make money like that!

After lunch, we went out to the car and the kids changed into their swimsuits--The Mall of Georgia has an outdoor fountain/sidewalk waterspouts for the kids to play in (a miniature version of the fountains at Centennial Olympic Park)--way cool.

Haleigh & Tiger ran in the fountain for about an hour, and then we got ready for the long journey home (about 45 minutes), with a lengthy detour/road adventure, exploring around Lake Lanier, which is less than 10 miles from The Mall of Georgia. We found several more great Day Use facilities, and a regular campground that would be fun to come back to, too, for a real camping adventure.

We got back late afternoon, and the kids went to Grammy's to swim in her pool with her, while I ran a couple of errands--it is nice having Grammy back in town! We are going to take it easy tomorrow, around the house--as long as no one wants to see it (busy lately!). Zach should be back in Atlanta tomorrow!

Day 23 Total = $35
(Movie - $13; Carousel - $5; Lunch - $17)

Day At The Lake

Sherri Caldwell — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 03:34:22 +0000

Daddy was up and out early this morning for a big presentation at work. I tried to let the kids sleep in, since they've been up later and later every night, which leads to more meltdowns during the day when they are so tired, because they usually don't sleep in any later--a bad summer trend.

We had to get going fairly early today, to get the house ready to show (again!), and we had planned to go to a program at the library, which started at 10:30am. We didn't quite make it out in time, so we altered the plan. Drastically!

Haleigh suggested a Road Trip Adventure, which sounded great--to get out of the city for the day! We were going to take Shaney (our 12-year-old lab/shepherd/collie mix) with us, but we couldn't get the back seat to fold down in the Tahoe, so she ended up staying home in the backyard, which is fine. Shaney is so old, deaf, and crippled with arthritis in her hips, she has a hard time. She always thinks she wants to go "bye bye" in the car, until I get her in the car (have to help her in and out)--and then she's ready to be home again! Which makes it very easy to make Shaney's day, and get her thinking she went somewhere, without ever leaving the garage...

We packed up the car with the Swim Bag, the drink cooler and snack bag, and we headed out without deciding exactly where we were going--all part of the adventure! We went north on I85, toward Lake Lanier, which is a huge Army Corps of Engineers dam project that resulted in a very large recreation area about 45 minutes north of metro Atlanta. There are dozens of campgrounds and lake access points all around the lake, as well as private facilities and cabins, houses and subdivisions. It would take several hours to drive all the way around Lake Lanier--very large.

We got up to Buford, Georgia, and stopped in at a Publix for some picnic supplies (bread, peanut butter, jelly, and a plastic utensil set). We also spent about $20 on toys for the lake: two inflated innertubes, two plastic balls, two mesh nets (bug or fish catchers), a new pair of sunglasses for Haleigh, plastic cups (very important, as we've learned!)(See CAMP MOMMY: The Perfect Toy For Summer 2005).

We were running without a map, which isn't such a great thing, but we managed to find one of the Day Use areas by following signs. We paid our $4 Access Fee, got a new map of all the recreation points on the lake (for next time). We were at a facility with a nice picnic area, playground, swimming area, beach, even a bathroom!

We had a great afternoon at the lake. The kids played in the water the whole time, coming out only for our picnic lunch of PB&J sandwiches, chips, fruit, yogurt and gummies--no french fries, no soda! There were other people, and plenty of kids, but not overcrowded. You couldn't even say crowded, really. It was wonderful.

We stayed for a couple of hours. I knew it was time to leave when Tiger popped his innertube, and then decided to hijack, or at least attempt to stowaway, on Haleigh's. When the screaming starts, it's time to go! About that time, the clouds had rolled in, and it started to rain a little bit, so it was a good time to go. We drove home through a rainstorm that had rocked Atlanta all day and was heading north. Fortunately the traffic at that time of day is also all headed north (we were southbound), so we made it home without getting slowed down too much. We are all ready for bed early tonight!

Day 22 Total = $25
(Lake toys & Access Fee)