It IS a Monkey Business!

Alf's Ice Cream and Burgers in McMinnville has been around for years. Locals all know about the delicious burgers and homemade ice cream and "mascot" Elvis. Elvis lives at Alf's and I wish I knew exactly what kind of monkey he was but yes, Elvis is a monkey.



The outside of the restaurant looks like an old burger joint from the 50's. It has lots of outside tables, which is great in the summer time. The inside is small, maybe 7 tables, and is filled with Betty Boop and "drive in" type decor. I wasn't able to take a picture of the inside because it was so crowded. We went on the weekend and it was packed! The line to order was consistently long and people were waiting outside just to get in to order. We usually go during the week and don't have this problem at all.

The menu is pretty diverse for a burger joint. They have burgers, of course. And not just a couple of different kinds of burgers. They have a huge burger menu. One of their burgers is called the "All Day Burger". A co-worker of mine got it once and I was amazed that he could eat the whole thing. It was HUGE! and costs almost $10.



In addition to burgers there are chicken sandwiches, fried clams and shrimp (that's what my kids always get), sweet potato fries, tator tots, onion rings, chili cheese fries and much, much more. The menu is too big to list!



And for dessert - the ice cream is wonderful. They have lots of flavors, all made right there.

So where does the monkey fit in??? In the restaurant is a glassed off cage. Elvis lives in the cage and plays around (or sleeps) and actually interacts with the people. He comes right up to the glass and watches you. The kids love it! That and the fact that he is dressed in a diaper and pants. They think that's pretty funny too.

Alf's is located at:
1250 Southwest Baker Street
McMinnville, OR 97128-6902
(503) 472-7314

St. Patrick's Day Craft Project

At my house, anything is a potential craft supply. My kids make crafts out of everything from paper towel rolls and milk jugs to plastic cups and shoe boxes. My kids are craft maniacs! Did I do that to them??? Probably, because I also love to do crafts and now that my kids are getting older, we do crafts all the time. It's an excellent way to spend time with them, use some creativity and imagination and have fun.

I've started organizing craft play dates with my kid's friends. It's a time that they can play and have fun but is somewhat structured too so it's not total chaos. The kids love it and get to go home with something that they made.

Most of the craft supplies I've been buying I get from Oriental Trading Company. I used to go to Michaels but found that the prices at Oriental Trading Company can't be beat. You have to buy them in packs of 12. But this gives us extra for friends to come over (or if we mess up on one.) And for 12 they are usually around $5 or $6. That's a pretty good deal!


We made St. Patrick's Day crafts today. I thought they looked pretty cute and they turned out great.

Each packet comes with directions so you can make it exactly like the directions say to, or you can personalize it a little and make it look a little different.

Have fun, enjoy your children and happy crafting!

A Forgotten Treasure

I think most people forget what a great place the public library can be. We started going when my kids were little. They had story time during the days and my kids loved to hear stories read to them and it gave us somewhere to go that had other younger children (and it was free.) Now that my kids are a little bit older their love for the library has only increased!

I'm not sure if all libraries have all of these things to do, but the Newberg Public Library is amazing when it comes to their children's section.

My kids belong to the "frequent reader" program. Every time we go to the library they get to get their cards out and stamp them. Twelve stamps equals a free book! I don't know about your kids but my kids love to win things... anything! Heck, if they won a can of soup they would jump up and down. But a book?!?! They love it!

There are also computers with games and the internet that kids can play on. The game my kids love is The Magic School Bus.

There are movies, audio CDs and, of course, books to check out. There are even coloring pages to color while you are there.



My son loves to check out the books using his very own library card. He feels so grown up. My daughter can't get one until she is in kindergarten, a fact that she's not really pleased with. But it's giving her something to look forward to. She is always saying "next year I get my very own library card!"

Truly Out Of This World

If you haven't been to Out of this World Pizza and Play you are truly missing out. I took my kids for Valentine's Day figuring it would be pretty busy (a Holiday AND a Sunday). I was amazed when we walked in and there were plenty of empty tables and not many kids running around.

My kids love this place! It's a huge warehouse that has been converted into a big play area with a pizza restaurant. It's perfect for kids and parents. The kids play (and play and play) and the parents can sit and watch (or read or surf the internet with their free wireless.) Parents can certainly play with their kids on all the structures. It's fun but believe me when I say It's EXHAUSTING!



There are lots of different things for kids to play on and with. The "main" play structure, pictured on the top, is huge! It's a climbing area with lots of slides and ropes and tubes. There's also a big bouncy slide (also pictured above) with an obstacle course and slide. There's even a climbing wall.



My kids LOVE the gliders. There is a small track painted on the ground and kids race in these kid powered cars.



The menu is simple - there is pizza (which is actually pretty tasty) and delicious salads and breadsticks and, of course, ice cream for dessert.


It's definitely a place to visit. Oh yeah... and during the summer time if it reaches 100 degrees outside - ice cream is free! You can't beat that!

Kids Eat Free at IHOP

I love anything free, whether it's a free pen or a free sample. But a free meal?! Bring it on!

At IHOP (International House of Pancakes) kids eat free everyday from 4:00pm - 10:00pm.

Here's the details:

Receive a FREE Kids Meal w/ each adult entree purchased. Free meal valid from the "Just for Kids" menu and drink is not included unless specified otherwise on the "Just for Kids" menu. Not valid with any other discount, coupon or offer. Dine in Only.

Check the website to find an IHOP near you.
http://ihop.com/

Making Dinner Time Fun

I saw this "recipe" in the Family Fun magazine while at the Doctor's office and thought I'd give it a try. Anything to make dinner time fun, right? My kids LOVED it! And it was easy to make.

I took hot dogs and cut them into 4 pieces. Then I took raw spaghetti noodles and pushed them through the inside of the hot dogs.

I put them in a pot of boiling water until the noodles were cooked and voila! Squidlers! They were fun to eat and my kids gobbled up a ton of them.

Free Kid's Meal at Dennys

Kids Eat Free* Tuesday and Saturday Nights from 4pm - 10pm

Up to two free Kids' entrées from Kids' menu per one regularly priced adult entrée purchase.
Selection & Prices may vary.

Two locations that I know of are:

2929 Newburgh Hwy
Woodburn, Oregon 97071
Phone: 503-981-9738

30175 SW Parkway Avenue
Wilsonville, Oregon 97070
Phone: 503-682-1711

*Kids 10 and under

Exciting Classes at Al's Garden Center

Al's Garden Center's Kids' Club was designed to give kids ages 3 to 13 an opportunity to participate in fun, educational programs that teach kids about the joy of nature and the love of plants.

These classes are open to the public and meet one Saturday each month at 11am depending on the store location.

Each class is only $5 per participant. Registration is required by calling the participating garden center or online at www.als-gardencenter.com

Create Your Own Topiary
Kids will plant their own topiary and learn more about this gardening art.
11am
Woodburn - Feb. 6
Sherwood - Feb 13

Magic Beans
Kids will receive a velvet pouch with magic beans inside. Each bean has a special message on it that will be revealed when the plant grows. After the kids have planted their beans, the kids will be read Al's original version of the story of "Jack and the Magic Beans."
11am
Woodburn - March 6
Sherwood - March 13

The value of Vegetables
Kids will learn about vegetables, then start many favorites to take home. Children can watch their seeds sprout into a bushel of fresh veggies.
11am
Woodburn - April 3
Sherwood - April 10

May Day Baskets
Each child will make a May Day basket to take home and gift to someone special.
10am
Woodburn and Sherwood - May 1

Herb Gardens
Children will more about the many uses of hers and plant a mini-garden to take home.
11am
Woodburn - June 5
Sherwood - June 12

The Radical Rainforest
Each child will make a rainforest in a pot so they can observe first-hand how the water cycle works.
11am
Woodburn - July 3
Sherwood - July 10

Butterfly Release and Bug Hunt
We will have a butterfly release and then head out on a bug hunt through the nursery.
11am
Woodburn - Aug. 7
Sherwood - Aug. 14

For the Birds: Birdseed Wreath
Children will use grape vine wreaths dipped in birdseed to create a meal worthy of even the hungriest of feathered friends.
11am
Woodburn - Sept. 4
Sherwood - Sept. 11

11th Annual Kid's Bulb Day
Join them for the free day! Participate with other children from the area in planting a pot of bulbs and flowers.
Woodburn and Sherwood - 9:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm

Pumpkin Planters
Children will use real pumpkins to make a unique planter for a 4" pansy or mum.
11am
Woodburn - Nov. 6
Sherwood - Nov. 13

Building Centerpieces and Kid's Club Christmas Party
Help decorate your home for the holidays by building a beautiful centerpiece out of fresh cut greens. After the project, children will celebrate another fun filled year with cookies and punch!
11am
Woodburn - Dec. 4
Sherwood - Dec. 11

Indoor Play Area at Burger King

This is the biggest indoor fast food restaurant play place in Portland. A very inexpensive activity to do with your kids on a wet and rainy Portland day. (We have enough of those don't we???)

My kids love it. I think it's best for kids below 12 years, and parents can follow toddlers through structure if need be.

It's really nice!

Children must wear socks in structure. if you forget to bring socks they have them there to buy for $2.

Burger King (Burlingame)
7601 SW Barbur Blvd
Portland, OR
(503) 245-1238

Cost: $1 per child and definitely worth it!

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. Like I said over there -----> I'm all about finding new and exciting places to go with my children. I know life isn't Disneyland (and who can afford to go to Disneyland these days anyways???) But it is about making the most out of each day and giving your children memories... good memories.

I'll have lots of resources and places to go on this blog. Just give me some time to get it up and running. =o) I'll have places to go and eat. I will also have lots and lots of "deals" on here so check often. I'll list restaurants I have found where kids eat free or places to go that are free or reasonably priced. Memories don't have to cost a fortune! It's just knowing where to go.

Please feel free to make comments about things (ie: if you've been someplace and enjoyed it, etc...) or to let me know of places you have found so that I can share them with everyone.