December 4, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Look who's coming to breakfast...
No, not Clarence Clemens, famous E. Street Band saxophonist. The other big man… Santa Claus himself. When the Cute Potatoes’ mama was a little girl growing up in N.J., it was a family tradition to have breakfast with Santa. It was a fun, family outing made even better by good food and the appearance of the man behind the beard. Okay, enough of that.
Fortunately, there are several towns in Maine where Santa plans on enjoying breakfast this year. And each location has its own unique spin on the event—kids can write letters to Santa, have their photo taken with him, visit with Mrs. Claus and the elves, create fun holiday crafts, sing, listen to holiday stories or pig out on bake sale food. And what, we ask you, could be better than that?
Saturday, December 5:
Maniax Café
8 Market Place Drive, York
8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Free
Juice, muffins and more
Added info.
Wilhelm Reich Museum
Dodge Pond Road
Rangeley
8 a.m.-11 a.m.
$5.00 per person
Blueberry, M&M and chocolate chip and plain pancakes, sausag
Added info.
Crescent Park Elementary School
Crescent Lane
Bethel
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Free
Added info.
Hamden Academy
One Main Road North
Hamden
8 a.m.-10 a.m.
$3.00 per person
Added info.
Molly Ockett School
25 Molly Ockett Drive
Fryeburg
8 a.m.-10 p.m.
$4.00 per person
Pancakes, sausage
Added info.
Sunday, December 6:
Greely Middle School
351 Tuttle Road
Cumberland
7 a.m.-10 a.m.
Kids: $3.00
Adults: $10.00
All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, December 13:
Nonantum Resort
95 Ocean Avenue
Kennebunkport
8 a.m.-noon
Kids: $10.00
Adults: 20.00
Holiday brunch
Posted in Activities, Food | Tagged bethel, breakfast with santa in maine, Christmas in Maine, Christmas Prelude, crescent park elementary school, Cumberland, Fryeburg, Greely Middle School, hamden, hamden academy, holiday events in Maine, holiday traditions with kids, kennebunkport, maniax cafe, Molly Ockett School, Nonantum Resort, pancake breakfasts in Maine, rangeley, wilhelm reich museum, york | 1 Comment »
December 2, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Congratulations to Sue Sass, the winner of our Frugal Find contest! Sue will be receiving $10 towards her favorite thrift store in Maine.
We were thrilled by the response to our contest, and even more excited by all of the great suggestions. Sue discovered a toddler-sized, L.L.Bean winter coat at Good Will in Falmouth for just $4.99. Winter coats like this one often sell for at least $50. Way to go Sue!
Cute Potato also learned that the Freeport Community Center Thrift Shop offers 2-1 sales on clothing most every Wednesday. And best of all, kids’ clothing is priced at $1.00-$2.00. All of the proceeds go to Freeport Community Services, which offers support to local people in need.
Other favorites included the popular Lots for Tots in Falmouth and Scarborough, which we featured in our last post, Bull Moose Music for used video games and movies, The Kids Room in Brunswick and Kids Unlimited in Portland.
Thanks to everyone for your ideas, and happy shopping!
Good Will: locations throughout Maine. Check site to search by zip code. http://www.goodwillnne.org/
Freeport Community Thrift Shop, 53 Depot Street, Freeport,
869-1007
Bull Moose Music: locations throughout Maine. Check site for details. http://www.bullmoose.com
Kids Unlimited, 352 Warren Avenue, Portland, 878-5028
The Kids Room, 149 Maine Street, Brunswick, 729-5437
Posted in Shopping | Tagged brunswick, Bull Moose Music, cute potato frugal find contest, falmouth, Freeport Community Center Thrift Shop, Freeport Community Services, Good Will, Kids Unlimited Portland, L.L.Bean, Lots for Tots, maine, resale and thrift stores for kids in Maine, Scarborough, The Kids Room | Leave a Comment »
November 30, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Thanks to all of our readers for sharing their best bargains on kids’ toys and clothing. Our winner will be announced on Wednesday, along with a list of our favorite entries.
In the mean time, we spotted this Where the Wild Things Are 36-piece floor puzzle by Mudpuppy for $3.99 at Lots for Tots in Falmouth. The same puzzle retails for $10.00 online. Later that day, we were thrilled to find more Mudpuppy puzzles at the HomeGoods store in South Portland, also for $3.99.
We love these mini puzzles because they feature some of our favorite story book characters, like Lois Lenski’s Cowboy Small and David McKee’s Elmer. Plus the cute packaging includes a carry handle, making the puzzle a perfect holiday gift for toddlers.
Lots for Tots, 240 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth, 347-8601
HomeGoods locations in South Portland, Bangor and Rockland:
http://www.homegoods.com
Posted in Shopping | Tagged Cowboy Small, David McKee, Elmer, falmouth, frugal finds in Maine, gift ideas for toddlers, HomeGoods, kids toy bargains in Maine, Lois Lenski, Lots for Tots, maine, mudpuppy 36-piece mini cube puzzle, Mudpuppy puzzles, South Portland, the cute potato frugal find, Where the Wild Things Are | Leave a Comment »
November 11, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Cute Potato is headed to the great city of Brunswick twice this week for music and books—two of our family’s favorite things. First up: Songs & Stories from Around the World at Frontier Café on Thursday, 11/12
at 10 a.m. If you haven’t been to Frontier, the space alone is a treat. The café, cinema and gallery is housed in Fort Andross Mill and it’s spacious enough for the kids to run amok. The pastries and coffee are yummy, too. Portland Stage Company veteran, Janice O’Rourke, will be there to entertain the audience with cultural music and stories.
A favorite in the Cute Potato household
On Saturday, The Curtis Memorial Library is hosting its annual Children’s Book Sale. We’re excited to find some new books on the cheap, but we’re especially thrilled about meeting Brunswick children’s book author and illustrator, Charlotte Agell. Cute Potato #2 is a huge fan of her book, Dancing Feet, for its simple rhymes and beautiful illustrations. And Agell will be available to draw quick (and free) portraits of kids attending the event. We’re psyched, to say the least. And all the proceeds for the book sale benefit youth programs at the library. See you there!
Songs & Stories from Around the World
Frontier, 14 Maine St., Brunswick
Mill 3, Fort Andross, 725-5222
Thursday, 11/12 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, 12/17 at 10 a.m.
Children’s Book Sale
Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick
725-5242
Sat., Nov. 14th, 9:30 to noon in the Morrell Meeting Room
Posted in Events, Shopping | Tagged brunswick, Charlotte Agell, children's book author maine, children's book illustrator maine, Children's Book Sale, Fort Andross, frontier cafe, Janice O'Rourke singer/somgwriter, maine, Portland Stage Company, songs & stories from around the world, The Curtis Memorial Library | Leave a Comment »
November 3, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Team Cute Potato strives to be thrifty whenever and wherever we can. With the holidays fast approaching, we thought you might like to know where to find the best kids’ toys and clothing deals in Maine. So without further ado, we’d like to introduce the Cute Potato Frugal Find. Our favorite this week? Check out the just out of the box Green Toys Recycling Truck we found at Lots for Tots Children’s Resale Store in Falmouth. On Amazon.com, this eco-friendly truck is $21, but at Lots for Tots? $3.00 (score)!
Eco-friendly Recycling Truck from Green Toys
Have a Frugal Find of your own? Share it with us, and we’ll post the best here. One winner will be selected at random to receive a $10 gift certificate to their family’s favorite Maine thrift shop or bargain store. Contest ends Sunday, November 29, 2009. Winner will be announced Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Good luck and happy bargain hunting!
Lots for Tots, Staples Plaza, 240 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth, 347-8601
http://www.lotsfortotsne.com/
Posted in Shopping | Tagged bargain finds for kids, families on a budget, frugal finds, great gifts for kids, Green Toys, Green Toys Recycling Truck, holiday budget, kids toys for less, lots for tots falmouth maine | 5 Comments »
October 30, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Maybe it’s the colder weather, but whatever the reason, the Cute Potato gang has been doing a lot of baking lately. Our favorite project to date is perfect for kids’ Halloween parties or neighborhood treats. Thanks to Grandma “Patty” Potato, we discovered the recipe for these super cute, super easy Candy Corn Cookies. All you need is a package of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Dough, one egg, butter, food coloring and chocolate chips.
Candy Corn Sugar Cookies... yum!
CP #1 and I packaged the cookies in clear, cellophane bags with yellow curling ribbon. They were a hit with the preschool set, and we hope they’ll be popular in your house this Halloween, too.
And when you’re done baking, there’s plenty of fun things to do with the kiddos this Saturday. Check out the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department Halloween party, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., complete with magicians, spooky stories, pizza and most importantly, candy! Or try the Portland Ballet Company’s Halloween Spooktacular, at 2:00 p.m., which includes a costume parade at intermission. And in Rockland, ride the Maine Eastern Railroad’s Boo Choo Train at 5:00 p.m. for a fun, family experience.
Happy haunts!
Posted in Activities, Food | Tagged Betty Crocker Candy Corn cookies, easy Halloween cookies, Halloween in Maine, Halloween sugar cookies, Halloween treat ideas, Old Orchard Beach Fire Department Halloween Party, Portland Ballet Company Halloween Spooktacular, Rockland Boo Choo Train | Leave a Comment »
October 23, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Fun at the Inside Out Playground in Waterville
Discovering a great indoor play space during the winter months is nirvana for Maine parents. For 15 years, the non-profit, Inside Out Playground in Waterville has made the cold weather a little more bearable for local families. Kids will find cool climbing structures, craft projects, a puppet theater, tricycles, books, games and more fun to be had. And parents will love the price. For just $5 per child, and a $1 per parent, families can stay and play for hours. Have a playgroup of 6 or more? The price drops to just $3 a child.
Year-round family memberships are also available for $100. Members receive discounts birthday parties (check out the great party options on their site) and IOP Music and Movement classes.
The downside? This great space is in danger of closing, and needs at least 60 family memberships in the next 6 weeks to remain open. You can help just by supporting the IOP, volunteering time or spreading the word.
With the forecast looking gloomy this weekend, the Inside Out Playground will be open Saturday, October from 9-2 p.m.
To learn more about IOP’s fundraising events and how you can help, email Melanie Pellerin at: info@InsideOutPlayground.org
Inside Out Playground
5 Appleton Street
Waterville
877-7707
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged indoor play space for kids in maine, inside out playground, maine, support the inside out playground, things to do on rainy days in maine, waterville | 1 Comment »
October 16, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Team Cute Potato was introduced to the Boothbay Railway Village in August during the Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine event. Our family was so impressed by the staff and the venue, but mostly, amazed by all the Railway Village had to offer. The village includes an eclectic mix of antique cars and trucks, trains, a one room school house and model railroad exhibit, to name a few. And nearly every exhibit offers something for little ones to try out for themselves.
So it’s not surprising that we are excited about the Railway Village’s upcoming Ghost Train. The staff promises this Halloween ride, complete with friendly ghosts and goblins, is just right for little ones ages 3-10. If your Cute Potato loves trains like ours do, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than a spooky steam train ride at dusk.
Ghost Train
October 23 & 24
5:30-8:00 p.m.
$9.00 Adults
$5.00 Children (3-16)
Boothbay Railway Village
586 Wiscasset Road
Route 27
Boothbay, ME
633.4727
Posted in Activities | Tagged boothbay, boothbay railway village, day out with thomas the tank engine, ghost train, maine, october events, steam train ride | Leave a Comment »
October 9, 2009 by jenniferhazard
Let’s give credit to the super smart parents of Cumberland and North Yarmouth—they have some great ideas. Right after Cute Potato #2’s arrival, an army of moms from the Cumberland/North Yarmouth Family Network delivered meals to our home for a month. We were so impressed by their organization and generosity. And now, they’re hosting a Halloween costume swap at the Cumberland Congregational Church to help the local food pantry.
Costumes can be dropped off at a bin outside the Cumberland Community Nursery School (located at the church) in advance, or you can bring them along the day of the event. The swap is free with your donation of a non-perishable food item. Don’t have a costume to trade? Simply make a cash donation to the Cumberland/North Yarmouth food pantry.
The best part? Everyone wins! Your kiddos get a great new costume, and your help supports a great cause.
Halloween Costume Swap
Monday, October 12
2-4 p.m.
Parish Hall
Cumberland Congregational Church
282 Main St
Cumberland Center
Posted in Activities, Shopping | Tagged costume swap cumberland, cumberland community nursery school, cumberland congregational church, cumberland north yarmouth food pantry, halloween costumes, maine, north yarmouth cumberland family network, support local food pantry | Leave a Comment »
October 3, 2009 by jenniferhazard
The Morris Farm Trust in Wiscasset
We’ve been looking forward to the American Harvest Picnic at the Morris Farm in Wiscasset ever since we spotted the poster advertising the event. Mama Potato imagined a crisp fall afternoon on the farm, eating delicious local food and watching the little potatoes dance and play games in the fields.
Sponsored by Slow Food Midcoast Maine, a group that encourages food traditions, the event gives families the opportunity to meet local growers and chefs, all while enjoying the beauty of a working, organic farm.
The event is rain or shine, and considering the forecast, it looks like the picnic might be a little wet. Still, there’s an apple pie contest involved, and far as we’re concerned, that’s good enough reason to break out the wellies.
American Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 4,
2-5 p.m.
Morris Farm (Directions)
Route 27, Wiscasset
Adults $10, Children under 12 $5
Posted in Activities | Tagged American Harvest Picnic, Apple Pie Contest, fall farm festivals, maine, Miccucci's Market, Morris Farm Land Trust, organic farm, Portland, Slow Food Midcoast Maine, wiscasset | Leave a Comment »
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