Seeking Moms Help in the Jefferson Parish/ New Orleans Area

I took my son to the north shore this weekend to this great park in Tammany Trace. Tammany Trace is a 31 mile rails to trails bike path that connects 5 St. Tammany Parish towns. I had never heard of it until I read this issue of my triple a magazine that came in the mail. There are trailheads at each town and each one has something different to do. If you're not a biker or jogger each trailhead can be gotten to by car. We first went to the trailhead at Tammany Trace which is the one with the great playground. My son did not want to leave. The next trailhead we went to was just a couple of miles down the street at the Mandeville trailhead and it has the water fountains that spray out of the ground and the kids really enjoy running through them. It was hard to try and get my son to leave there also. It was a good thing we started out at the playground because he was ready to get cooled off by then. Each trailhead has ample shade, water fountains, drink machines and restrooms. They have a website if you would like to get directions tammanytrace.org You'll see on their website that they always have things going on to take your kids to. Granted it is a drive to get to but it was definately worth it. I know we will definately be going back again and again. And don't worry everyting is FREE. Let me know what you think about it if you go. I highly reccommend it.One other thing i can reccommend is KidSports at the Elmwood Fitness Center across the Huey P It only costs 6 dollars and they can play as long as they want. It's all in doors so they stay cool. Go to elmwoodfitness.com and click on the kids tab and you'll see to the left hand side of the page kidsports and it will tell you all about that. My son had his 3rd birthday party there and it was great. It's a little busy during the week because they have summer camp there for all ages but when school starts back up my son and I like to go on the weekdays while all the other kids are at school. My son loves it there.

Hey, J.!

If you have a subscription to the Times Picayunne newspaper, everyday, look in the Living section of the paper. Local, free and fun events are posted there for adults and children. This is what my mother, my son and I do everyday. Look in the free newsletters and papers in your local grocery store, doctor's office and other places for free things to do around the city.

I bought an Audubon Zoo and Aquarium member card for $110, that allows me, one adult and every kid that goes with me to get into both places free for the next year. That investment was well worth it instead of paying everytime you want to go!

This Tuesday before July 4th, Lafreniere Park in Metairie is holding an Uncle Same Jam from 3p - 10p and admission is free. We'll be out there enjoying the festivities and so should you and your family! Hope this helps!

P.S.: I manage my mother's creative arts center on the Westbank Expressway. Look for Nattie's Creative Arts Therapy under the 'Arts and Crafts' tab in 'Local Business Reviews'.

I take my 17month old to city park to the play ground and we stop at the bread store buy the old meadow crest area and get a bag of duck feed 2.99 a bag and you have more bread then what you can feed the ducks and turtles. Then only things that he really loves is to be outside in the yard in his pool.

My son just turned three and here are just a few of the things we do. He absolutly loves toys r us. He goes around playing with all the toys pushing all the buttons, climbing on and off the cars, riding the bike, etc. It costs nothing unless you buy something (we usually do not). He is satisified with just playing with everything. Another thing we do is go to party palace. I am not sure how busy it is on the weekend, but weekdays it is not at all. It is located on lapalco next to the goodwill across from ryans. It will cost three dollars to get in and there is a play area for children under five there. Another thing we do which really don't cost anything is go to lafinire (sorry for spelling) park. There is a playground area towards the back of the park, and ducks throughout the park that we go feed. Free except the leftover bread or cereal to feed the ducks. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day out of it. Also, the local library has crafts for free on saturday you might want to look into. We go during the week since my son turned two and he needs help with them but loves helping to do it. Hope this helps. C.

Hey J.! How are things? I know that the zoo and aquarium can be expensive but the memberships really aren't that bad...they pay for themselves after just 2 visits if you just get the basic one. If you're not interested in doing that the NO Children's museum is only $7 and I know Em has a blast when we go there. If you're looking for totally free we have fun sometimes just going to take a hike on the Jean Lafitte trails (all the way down Barataria). It's a great learning experiance and the kids have fun just being able to see nature. Hope everything's going great for you and the family; miss you lots!