Fall into FUN - Getting happy/spooky at Storybook Forest

Well, the Olaf costume came just yesterday, and my two-year-old son is pretty pumped - to look at it. No worries, I'm sure he'll be ready for it's cuddly warmth when Storybook Forest opens on October 23.

Fingers crossed the weather will cooperate.

Anyway, my little guy is trying to figure out this Halloween thingy, so his older sister now has him doing the craziest thing. First he says "Happy" with a bright smile, followed by "Spooky" in an obligatory deep voice and complimented by wide eyes. (Update...we discovered they learned this from an episode of Team Umizoomi).

It's so very funny. And it reminds me of exactly what Storybook Forest feels like to me. First off, there's nothing like driving up to Lake Arcadia, parking, and breathing in the smell of campfire as people roast marshmallows and sit on hay bales. This is all before you get in line for the main event - the "forest." You enter under a sign that says, "Once Upon a Time," which sets you on a wooded path.

Lake Arcadia at dusk, right before heading into Storybook Forest!

Spooky!

Once on the path, you begin a journey through nursery rhymes and fairy tales. One of the first things you'll see is Rapunzel letting down her hair and throwing candy at you.

Happy!

Of course, as you wind through the fairy tales, your child receives more candy at each one. (BTW, don't forget your trick or treat buckets! I've learned my lesson the hard way, with coat pockets stuffed to the brim with melting chocolate!) You may find some of the setups a little disturbing, but nothing too scary for the kids - Snow White, the three little pigs, and Hansel and Gretel's witch, to name a few.

Spooky!

At the end of the trail, one finally arrives at the hayride (get there early, as the line gets long) and carnival type games that bring back those fall festivals my school used to have. Little prizes can be added to your child's candy stash, and your little one will go home with the scent of autumn in their spirit and their hair (I means, seriously, that campfire smell really sticks around!).

Happy!

So check it out, and if you haven't already, check out last week's post on the Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch. Because autumn comes 'round only once a year, and if you blink, you'll miss it.

Spooky!

Summer fun part two - Arcadia adventure

Okay, so you read last week's blog and managed to hit every family hotspot Edmond has to offer. Right? No really, you did, didn't you? Well, I'm not going to give you the third degree, but I do hope you put some time and energy into constructing the perfect Edmond playdate, because this city is pretty great.

But maybe you're ready for an adventure. Not an "eight hours in my car while my kids scream for McDonald's" adventure, but something quite a bit closer to home. In fact, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump over I-35. Technically, a good part of the area is still Edmond, in case you were wondering.

That's right. I'm talking about Arcadia Lake and the surrounding sites. Maybe you've visited them, and maybe you're certain you've had all the fun there is to be had. But if I were a betting woman, I'd say at least one item on this next list would go down in your "haven't done it yet" column.

So check it out...

Morning activity...The question is, what can't you do at Arcadia Lake? Actually, the answer depends on what you have at your disposal. For some activities you will need a boat or watercraft of some sort. However, if you don't have a water-worthy vessel on hand, don't despair. Paddle boats are available for rental, and fishing and hiking are free (once you pay the lake entry fee). Horseshoes, volleyball nets, and tents can also be rented.

Picnic lunch...Well, you are already at the lake, so you might as well take advantage of the numerous pavilions available for rental. Take your favorite eats and enjoy the shade, and bring some colored chalk, bubbles, or a T-ball set to occupy little ones who finish eating early. Oh, and as I always like to remind picnickers, don't forget those paperweights! Oklahoma wind plus baggies equals mass littering.

Afternoon cool down...Spend you afternoon at the Arcadia Round Barn, a historic site certain to give those rambunctious children something of interest for an hour or so (and make for some ah-mazing photos). The town of Arcadia has several historic sites, but chances are, if the kiddos are under 10, viewing old buildings won't be high on the to-do list. Instead, check out the nearby Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch, which offers a petting zoo, pony rides, and activity fort. (open Thursdays through Sundays)


Family-friendly eats...There is one place you are not going to want to miss, whether it's for lunch, dinner, or a quick afternoon snack. POPS is a landmark in Arcadia, with it's giant sixty-six foot tall soda bottle. The restaurant offers an old-school fountain service, hand-dipped ice cream, and a gift shop that will definitely having you using the word "no" every few seconds. But the bright colors and personality of this friendly place make it one of Arcadia's must-dos.