Fun Friday Roundup: February 25-26

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First up, activities for this weekend around the state:

Saturday in Nashua, 9:00am-3:00pm, Family Fun Day. Crafts, photo booth, scavenger hunt, bouncy house, arcade, face painting, princesses and SO much more!

Winterfest this Saturday in Bristol... including winter games and a wildlife show by Granite State Zoo.

Saturday, Warner: Cabin Fever Reliever! Including wagon rides, refreshments and games.

The Winter Carnival at the Mountain View Grand ends tomorrow.

Hanover, Sunday February 26: Story Time and Marshmallow Roast — 11 am to 12 noon. Stories will be read to children ages 3-8 accompanied by their parents, by the fireplace in the main room of the Dartmouth Outing Club House. Roast marshmallows by the campfire, Skating - XC Skiing - Sledding / weather permitting.

This Saturday: Cranapalooza in North Conway at Cranmore. Face painting, a showing of Mosters, Inc., fireworks and so much more!

Amazing deals for families:

This deal ends any minute now: Up to 55% Off a Park Outing for Two or Four or One-Year Family Membership at Americas Stonehenge. (Buy these now for a great spring break or summertime hike!)

And the rest:

Check out NH Kids Consignment coming April 1st in Bedford.

Make sure to check your local library for free activities during February break. In Concord, the Public Library has some great activities scheduled for vaca week: 2/28, 2pm - Library Bingo. 2/29, 2pm - Crafts. 3/1, 2pm- Cars 2. AND 3/2 - Steve Blunt concert at 2pm in Auditorium!

Coming up Wednesday, February 29th, Smitty's is hosting a FREE Mommy and Me Wednesday. Megamind will be showing at 11:30 and 3:00pm.

Are French parents superior?

FREE kids camps Summer Expos coming up in March! Including a great, comprehensive list of summer camps all over the state.

A St. Patricks Day party being hosted at Cowabungas.

A great stranger danger quiz for your little ones.

Did you know that you can go tubing at Arrowhead recreation area in Claremont for only $8 per person... I think that is the best price in NH!

Children Museum of NH is hosting a great songwriting workshop next week for 8-11 year olds.

If you have kiddos in grades 2-5, be sure to register for the FREE Art Trailworks program scheduled for March 3rd at the Hopkinton Library, courtesy of the Little Nature Museum. Looks like great fun!

Enjoy your weekend!

Snow Tubing at Great Glen Trails in Gorham

I had the pleasure of actually enjoying some snow last Friday. I had to drive up to Gorham to do it... but it was worth it.

I took my 6 year old up to try to snow tubing at Great Glen Trails. Great Glen is well know for their cross country skiing trail and snowshoeing, but everyone I told I was going tubing there said, "They do not have tubing."

Well, they do, but in all fairness it is not snow tubing like I am accustomed to on downhill ski mountains. It is more like sledding... it is a small hill and you have to pull your tube back up to the top.

But we had a blast. We were the only people on the hill, the weather was amazing, and the views from the base of Mt. Washington are simply breathtaking:

Because it is really just a sledding hill, I would not take my whole family and pay the $15 per person fee, but it was well worth taking my 6 year-old on the 2-for-1 Friday and paying $7.50 for each of us. I would say that it is perfect for 5-6 year-olds. It was just big enough for them to feel adventurous, but not so big that it was intimidating. I would even bring my 3 year old as I know she would love going down the big hill. And the tubes they provide are sturdy and deep enough to hold a child in securely. However, be aware, if your 3 year-old is anything like mine, you will be stuck pulling them back up the hill constantly as they might not like the trek up.

We will be back. I am really excited to try the SnowCoach that takes you 4.5 miles up Mt. Washington and then gives you a chance to snowshoe or ski the road back down. Or I would just simply like to snowshoe around those gorgeous trails and take in the sights.

The 2-for-1 Friday also covers Trail passes, SnowCoach, rentals…even the Trails Total Ticket! So, if you are headed that way, make it on a Friday and you will get a great deal and likely no big crowds to contend with.

(Thanks to my sister-in-law and niece for joining us and making such a great day of it. Family fun at it's finest with the mountains, sunshine, fresh air and laughs.)

You do not need a license to be a mom.

The saga of Honey Boo Boo Child continues. If you are not familiar with Toddlers and Tiaras... well then, good for you. Although I can not see the show as we do not have cable, I do catch some news segments with the participants once in awhile. Today was this one...

I would love to reach through the computer screen and slap that "Mother" right across the face. (Well, not really, she could clearly kick my butt!) It's not eve entertainment to me, it's sad and sort of unbelievable. I know these parents exist, but to see them flaunting their poor parenting skills to the nation is so bizarre to me.

The mother feeds her daughter Mountain Dew and Red Bull and then says, "Normal parents give their kids this stuff every day..." Excuse me? I consider our family very normal, and I will go on the record as saying none of my children have ever had and sort of energy drink or Mountain Dew. And I venture to say that the majority of people that I surround myself could say the same about their own kids.

What do you think? Am I overreacting? Or is this mother a complete jackass for compromising her child's health and welfare for a sparkly crown?

Got the Workout Blahs?

Todays post is from our fitness contributor, Cheryl.

Got the Workout Blahs?

I did too, several years ago. I just couldn’t get motivated to run or face the weight room. Elliptical machine? Bike? No thanks. However, my mom friends were all going to the gym. Free childcare and a break from my toddler? Sign me up!

Soon after joining, I was introduced to a dance cardio class called Body Jam. That is another story in itself, but it was followed by an introduction to Zumba. And that was all it took. I was hooked. Easy dance moves, intense sweat and burning lots of calories. Women of all sizes and ages having fun and enjoying a workout for a full hour. I couldn’t believe the gym could be so much fun!

Fast forward to now and I am in my 3rd year of teaching Zumba classes. The friendships made, calories burned, and incredibly fun workout are irreplaceable. Zumba has even launched me into enjoying weight training and running. Who knew?!

If exercise has peaked your interest and you don’t know where to start, give Zumba a try. You can go to their website for a class near you!

There are well over 10,000 instructors and each with their own style. If you don’t jive with your first class, give it another chance or find a different instructor. I always tell my newbies, “Your first class is not enough. Anytime you try something new, you have to give it a second chance.” You will enjoy it so much more as you know what to expect.

A few words to leave you with (from my participants who had to describe Zumba in two words):
• Stress Relief
• Building Relationships
• Life Changing
• Booty Busting (she has dropped 10 pounds off that booty!) • Explosive, Fun
• Fabulous, Fun
• Muy Caliente (very hot, for those who wonder)
• Dance Party
• Freeing, Fun
• Two is not enough.....

Need help finding a class? Find me on facebook and I will point you in the right direction!

Ditch the workout and Join the party!

(Editors note: This is Michele- I just wanted to let you know Cheryl has convinced me to try Zumba myself. I actually know quite a few moms who have tried it and love it. And it is so convenient. There are literally hundreds of classes offered in NH at all times and days. No excuses, you can find time, get out, and start to get fit. If you feel better (and better about yourself) you WILL be a better Mama.

I will report back next week and tell you what I think about Zumba- wish me luck!)