Cheap Bowling in Cumming!

Well, we don't have "Kids Bowl Free" in Cumming, but Stars and Strikes is offering $.97 games between 9-11 a.m. this summer! That's per person, per game and doesn't include shoes. They have locations in Dacula and Dallas, too.

Monday Reviews - Lollipop Toy Shop

The Lollipop Toy Shop just past the outlets in Dawsonville is a little different from your average toy story. They have lots of their bigger toys out of the package and set up so your child can try them out before you buy. When we got our younger son a Step 2 climbing toy for his first birthday, we took him there first so you we could see what he really liked and what was appropriate for his age and size. It's also a good place to go before Christmas to get an idea of what toys really captivate your children.

You can shop online, but it's really fun to go there - you'll have a hard time getting the kids to leave! Since it's right next to the outlets, you can wind up at Lollipop after you've had time to check out the bargains.

Lollipop also has an inflatables play area right next door called Jumpin' Safari. They host a lot of birthday parties, but they have open play times every week. Check the website for times.

Lollipop Toy Shop

130 Industrial Park Road
Dawsonville, Georgia 30534

706.216.2032

Hours: M-Sa 10:00-6:00
Su: 12:00 - 5:00

Father's Day Poem

On the Beach at Night - Walt Whitman


ON the beach, at night,

Stands a child, with her father,

Watching the east, the autumn sky.


Up through the darkness,

While ravening clouds, the burial clouds, in black masses spreading,

Lower, sullen and fast, athwart and down the sky,

Amid a transparent clear belt of ether yet left in the east,

Ascends, large and calm, the lord-star Jupiter;

And nigh at hand, only a very little above,

Swim the delicate brothers, the Pleiades.


From the beach, the child, holding the hand of her father,

Those burial-clouds that lower, victorious, soon to devour all,

Watching, silently weeps.


Weep not, child,

Weep not, my darling,

With these kisses let me remove your tears;

The ravening clouds shall not long be victorious,

They shall not long possess the sky—shall devour the stars only in apparition:

Jupiter shall emerge—be patient—watch again another night—the Pleiades shall emerge,

They are immortal—all those stars, both silvery and golden, shall shine out again,

The great stars and the little ones shall shine out again—they endure;

The vast immortal suns, and the long-enduring pensive moons, shall again shine.


Then, dearest child, mournest thou only for Jupiter?

Considerest thou alone the burial of the stars?


Something there is,

(With my lips soothing thee, adding, I whisper,

I give thee the first suggestion, the problem and indirection,)

Something there is more immortal even than the stars,

(Many the burials, many the days and nights, passing away,)

Something that shall endure longer even than lustrous Jupiter,

Longer than sun, or any revolving satellite,

Or the radiant brothers, the Pleiades.

What's Happening: June 19-20, 2009

What's Dad doing on Saturday, June 19? Getting a free milkshake at Chick-fil-A! Go to any of the Atlanta area locations with your kids and receive a free milkshake. And if you've never had one of Chick-fil-A's shakes, you are going to be pleasantly surprised! They're delicious and very ice-creamy: none of that chemical-filled airy sodium-spiked nonsense that McDonald's serves.

Looking for more fun things to do with Dad? Read this post!

Roswell Storytelling Festival - Children's Hour on June 19

The Roswell Magnolia Storytelling Festival runs from Friday, June 19, to Saturday, June 20. The full festival requires registration and features both storytellers from across the country who will spin tall tales, folk tales, and mysteries for the participants.

There is one time slot for children, and it's free! From 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Friday, children can hear stories in the tent at Bulloch Hall. It should be h*o*t, so bring water because you can't buy refreshments at the Hall.

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Decatur Beach Party

Can't get to the beach this summer and miss the feeling of sand between your toes? The city of Decatur, GA (in DeKalb County) has a unique and fun fundraiser for their downtown improvement projects. Every summer they throw a street beach party, trucking in 60 tons of sand. The square downtown turns into a beach for this annual event.

This week's party is June 19 from 5 p.m. to midnight. You can dance in the streets to the beach music from the live band and eat beach food. Activities include children's boardwalk games, face painting, wading pools in the sand, and more. Adults $6.50 in advance (click on logo above); $10 at the gate; children 12 and under, free (limit two children per paying adult). No coolers, glass or pets allowed.

After the party, you can take the sand home with you for your own sandbox!

Thanks to Decatur Mom, who says get there right at 5:00 p.m. to get a good space, and bring lots of water!

Outdoor Films

From quarries to parks to swimming pools*, there's no shortage of places to watch a movie outside this summer. Many locations have family-friendly showings.

Screen on the Green

Spread out your blanket on Great Lawn in Centennial Park and see a great film. On Thursday, June 18, introduce your kids to Home Alone, and on Thursday, June 25, see a classic 80's movie decided by the viewers: either Ghostbusters, Big, or The Princess Bride.

Georgia Movies in the Park

Northside Hospital sponsors this festival, which comes to parks all over north Atlanta. There's lots of fun before the films: face-painting, carnival games, inflatables, and concessions. The films are free - bring low-backed lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. In most cases, they don't release the film titles ahead of time, but here is a list of locations. Click on the link above to find more information, including showtimes.

June 27 - Heritage Park in Canton, GA

July 18 - Newtown Park in Johns Creek, GA

August 7-8 North GA Film Fest at the Forsyth Fairgrounds in Cumming, GA

August 1 - Heritage Park in Canton, GA

August 15 - Ocee Park in Johns Creek, GA

August 21 - Rock Creek Sports Park in Dawsonville, GA

Oct 3 - Newtown Park in Johns Creek, GA

Movies Under the Stars

Mall of Georgia's Village Pavillion is home to live music and kid-friendly films every Saturday night this summer. The list below has the dates, the band names, the band performance times, and the film.

June 13
The Woody’s
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Kung Fu Panda

June 20
High Cotton
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Back to the Future

June 27
Pete Whitfield
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Inkheart

July 4
Mike Rogers Band
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Johnny Rockbridge
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Lifeforce
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Independence Day

July 11
The Ron Johnsons
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Shrek the Third

July 18
Legend
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Second Hand Lions

July 25
Justin
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Princess Bride

August 1
The Woody’s
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Hoodwinked

August 8
Sister Jane
6:30pm – 8:30pm
No Movie will be showing this day

August 15
Legend
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Monsters vs. Aliens

August 22
Movie Only
At Dark
TBD

Good to know: You can buy food at the events or bring your own picnic, but no alcohol. Bring blankets and low-backed chairs. Don't forget bug spray!

*Seriously! Every Tuesday night this summer at the W Atlanta, swim with the beautiful people and watch a movie from the pool.