moving to Moore, OK -looking for suggestions

[hippie chick]

i am moving to OKC (Moore, actually) the first part of October for 4 months while hubby is in training at the FAA academy. i am looking for any suggestions on things to do (free or cheap) i have a 2 year old boy and a 2 month old boy. i will have a car so i can get around. can anyone throw out some suggestions on things to do, good markets, interesting places to see, pumpkin patches, anything else i am forgetting...? any playgroups around? thanks so much!!!

[Multimomma]

Hi Hippychick!
I'm in Norman and there is lots of fun/free stuff around here...and some cheap stuff. Are you into homeschooling or unschooling? The playgroup I hang out with is an unschooling group, so I don't know much about other playgroups, but there are some great LLL groups in our area that might also be good.

There are many parks, there are rec centers that have free crafts and such, the zoo has bring a pumpkin bigger than your head, get in free through October (and your boys would be free anyway) and free day on 11/26.

The natural history musuem (ie dinosaurs) is in Norman and free on 10/25 and 12/4

Lake thunderbird has a really great nature center, free, it's kind of a drive, probably 30 minutes from Moore way out by the lake. But there are some other areas, that are great too.

There's so much, if you want to let me know what you're interested in, or need help settling, let me know! My youngest right now is two, she'll be three at the end of November. We homeschool so we're available.

[hippie chick]

thank you thank you! this gives me a good place to start. when i get settled hopefully i will pm you

[N8'sMom]

I'm in Shawnee...just a little ways east of Norman. I have a 17 month old boy and a 3 month old girl. Pm me if you want to meet up and play!

[Multimomma]

IF you're already in Oklahoma, the myriad gardens has free entry this Friday (the 3rd) to kick off their orchid sale. Anyway, it's a fun place to explore. Also, the cowboy museum (western whatever the call it now) has free Wednesdays for a while. Sounds boring but if you make it through the art gallery to the gardens outside, they are spectacular and there are some kids' buildings out there with dress up, lots of hands on stuff.

[jeniferrlynne]

Orr family Farm...

We do a pumpkin patch every year. The Orr family farm is one of the best and is in Moore! We loved our experience last year. The price just went up I think - 2yrs and up is $8.50 on Friday nights, &10.50 on Sat. Here is the link if that is OK to post ( I am new to posting here)
http://www.orrfamilyfarm.com/index.php

Your local library may have some things going on I know the Norman one has storytime M-Th (Rhythm babies on Fridays) and depending on where you are in Moore this could be close (free of course!).
Another family farm we have been to in the area is TG farms
http://www.tgfarms.com/home.asp
They have 2 locations both close. Though Orr will be the closest, I just wanted to give you other options! We are doing the zoo on the 25th and Orr next weekend probably Friday the 10th. TG not sure yet. Anyways If I think of more I will post....

[jeniferrlynne]

Regatta Festival this weekend

At the Chesepeake boathouse dowtown. Free also so if you are hitting the myraid gardens this is going on as well!
HeadOfTheOklahoma.com

[michelle.english19]

Lots of resources

Good resources to find some free or cheap activities in the area include the Metro Family magazine. I pick mine up at the library or Wal-Mart lobby area. They're published every month. They're also online at www.metrofamilymagazine.com.

You can also go to www.wimgo.com for different activities altho I've found most of those to be a little too mature for my 1 and 2-year-olds. Each year I go to the Oklahoma Tourism Bureau website and ask for them to send me the calendar of activities for the state. There's tons of little festivals in all these little towns that are completely free. Your family gets out of the house and the city for a while, they're FREE and fun. You can also go to the Oklahoma AgriTourism website for info. on local farms where you can pick your own produce, etc.

Also, the Oklahoma Gazette sometimes has some family activities in there or good "date night" stuff for you and the hubby.

The OKC Libraries seem to have quite a bit of free stuff and we do a lot with them in Del City and Midwest City. Since you're in Moore you'll probably want to do the Frontier Library System stuff but I have a friend who lives in Moore and I know they go playgroups, etc.

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department sponsors playgroups in different parts of OKC and also has some classes and workshops free of charge for parents and care-givers. Their website should have more info. altho I usually pick up their newsletter at the library activities.

Family Expectations is a free program--not sure who sponsors it altho I think it's a state agency. I haven't participated in it yet but plan to with our next child due in April. They offer free parent workshops in the evenings (gets you out of the house with your hubby). I think they may have free child care and when you attend activities you earn points towards free baby-related supplies. http://www.familyexpectations.com/.

There's a very active MOMS Club in MWC. You can look them up online. Just google "MOMS Club, International."

there's a GREAT LLL group in S.W. OKC over on Western and SE 44th Street at Integris Hospital. They meet the first Tues. of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. The next meeting is this Tues., actually. I've been going for 2 years now and I love those ladies. They're hilarious and they've given me lots of support plus I LOVE the evening out without my babies or husband--it's just girls and it's NICE once in a while

Good luck!

[reece19]

Not much to add, since you're getting great advice. I'm in Norman, too...just wanted to say welcome

The libraries here have a ton of activities, it's worth checking the website often.

[hippie chick]

wow, thank you so much for the suggestions! we have been here a couple of days and i am slowly getting my barrings. my hubby starts class tomorrow and we will learn his schedule (either am or pm shifts). I will pm you soon N9's mom, i think my 2 year old would love to play with another kiddo!
can anyone recommend a good steak restaurant that is kid friendly? it is our wedding anniverary this sunday and we thought it would be a nice treat.
thanks!

[Multimomma]

We usually go to Santa Fe Cattle Company, but I've heard Texas Roadhouse (on 240 and I-35 intersection) is very family friendly.

For good deals:
Lonestar Steakhouse - Tuesday after 4:00pm and Saturday 11:00am -
4:00pm. 2 kids eat free with each adult entree.

Texas Roadhouse - Tuesday. Kids 12 and under eat free.

[Multimomma]

Norman Library has story times for babies and toddlers almost every morning of the week, and then on Tuesday nights (so you can base it on your dh's schedule!) It's not too far of a drive, maybe ten minutes? and it's really much more child-friendly than Moore's library.

Here's the link to their calendar
http://www.pioneer.lib.ok.us/wkevcal?catids=160

[tribalmax]

Hi,

I just saw this thread -- I hope to meet you while you are here!

Norman has a great API group.

http://www.attachmentparenting.org/groups/webok.php

We have two LLL groups:

http://dev.lllusa.org/AROK/norman/

My group, Norman Family LLL has three meetings a month -- two regular and an enrichment meeting. November we will be talking about Frugal living.

Also, there is our secular homeschool group.

http://www.nsha.us/

We have regular playgroups and co-op classes.

Hope this helps!

Rachel

[tribalmax]

Originally Posted by Multimomma

Hi Hippychick!
I'm in Norman and there is lots of fun/free stuff around here...and some cheap stuff. Are you into homeschooling or unschooling? The playgroup I hang out with is an unschooling group, so I don't know much about other playgroups, but there are some great LLL groups in our area that might also be good.

There are many parks, there are rec centers that have free crafts and such, the zoo has bring a pumpkin bigger than your head, get in free through October (and your boys would be free anyway) and free day on 11/26.

The natural history musuem (ie dinosaurs) is in Norman and free on 10/25 and 12/4

Lake thunderbird has a really great nature center, free, it's kind of a drive, probably 30 minutes from Moore way out by the lake. But there are some other areas, that are great too.

There's so much, if you want to let me know what you're interested in, or need help settling, let me know! My youngest right now is two, she'll be three at the end of November. We homeschool so we're available.

Multimomma, why don't I know you? lol Tell me about your unschooling group!

[amis2girls]

Don't forget the yahoo group : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OklahomaRadicalMothers/

[Multimomma]

Originally Posted by tribalmax

Multimomma, why don't I know you? lol Tell me about your unschooling group!

I'm tricky like that

We probably do know each other...I'm the lady with all the kids (lol I get that a lot)

The unschooling group to which I referred is Funschooling Young Individuals, otherwise known as FYI-OKC. It is based in OKC but the activities rotate throughout the metro area, Edmond to Norman, Harrah to Yukon/Mustang. We even did a park day in Lawton once That was a drive!

Here's the yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FYI-OKC/
*I* just heard about NSHA when I picked up something from freecycle. NEVER heard of it before in my life. I still haven't looked into the group though.

[tribalmax]

The unschooling group sounds great...

I would love to check it out.

NSHA was just started this year by myself and a friend. We are small, but have some cool co-op classes, monthly field trips, and weekly playdates. You should come to one of our events! We have a few unschoolers...

Rachel

[SusanBara]

Thanks so much!

Hi OKC/Moore/Norman moms! I just moved here from Raleigh and was feeling overwhelmed with trying to find where we fit in here. I'm SOOOOOOOO relieved to see there's an active AP group in Norman, there's unschooling we can get involved with...feeling so much better about our (very unplanned and VERY sudden) move now.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions of stuff to do around here. Can I ask, where do you usually go shopping and get your fresh produce around here? And is there such a thing as a family practice doctor we could go to in the area? Are there great parks you love, or special places you go to get your kids to run around and get all their energy out?

Sorry if that's hijacking the thread or whatever. I read a lot of online forums but haven't really posted before now, am not incredibly forum-savvy...Anyway, thanks again, and hope you see you all around!

[tribalmax]

Originally Posted by Multimomma

I'm tricky like that

We probably do know each other...I'm the lady with all the kids (lol I get that a lot)

The unschooling group to which I referred is Funschooling Young Individuals, otherwise known as FYI-OKC. It is based in OKC but the activities rotate throughout the metro area, Edmond to Norman, Harrah to Yukon/Mustang. We even did a park day in Lawton once That was a drive!

Here's the yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FYI-OKC/
*I* just heard about NSHA when I picked up something from freecycle. NEVER heard of it before in my life. I still haven't looked into the group though.

Just out of curiosity, how did you hear about NSHA from freecycle? I ask because I recently freecycled a bunch of dolls and dress up clothes. Did they go to you??? lol

[tribalmax]

Originally Posted by SusanBara

Hi OKC/Moore/Norman moms! I just moved here from Raleigh and was feeling overwhelmed with trying to find where we fit in here. I'm SOOOOOOOO relieved to see there's an active AP group in Norman, there's unschooling we can get involved with...feeling so much better about our (very unplanned and VERY sudden) move now.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions of stuff to do around here. Can I ask, where do you usually go shopping and get your fresh produce around here? And is there such a thing as a family practice doctor we could go to in the area? Are there great parks you love, or special places you go to get your kids to run around and get all their energy out?

Sorry if that's hijacking the thread or whatever. I read a lot of online forums but haven't really posted before now, am not incredibly forum-savvy...Anyway, thanks again, and hope you see you all around!

Welcome Susan! I am one of the API leaders -- I hope to meet you at our November meeting!

Rachel