Doggy Eat Ice CreamI honestly have got to get better in the picture taking department. I feel so slack now that I rarely have any pictures of our adventures to post. We've probably taken a total of 10 pictures of Edmund since August. I know people who take more than that each day. Part of the problem is my inability to wink. Seriously, I can't wink. I was never very good at those winking games played at birthday parties because it's hard to be subtle when you have to blink or pull down one eyelid with a finger. Digital cameras with their view finding screens have been a lifesaver. Then Steven had to go and get a digital camera with a view finder so small it's worthless. And to think at one point in my life I wanted to be a photographer. I promise photos with the next post...I hope.
Edmund and I have tried out three local sweet treat shops in the last month. Following are Edmund's and my thoughts on what we experienced.
Orange Leaf:
1129 Weaver Dairy Road
Suite V, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Open Hours: Mon - Sat : 11:00AM - 10:00PM, Sun : 12:00PM - 9:00PM
Tabitha's Take: This is a self-serve frozen yogurt chain that recently made it's way to Chapel Hill. I love that you pump your yogurt flavors by yourself. Unfortunately, for those with small children this can also be a disadvantage. The pumps just happen to be at 2 year old level, so if you have a child as mischievous as mine, you'll be watching him like a hawk. You can choose just one yogurt flavor, or if you can't decide, go for them all. The toppings are also self serve. There have been several toppings at ice cream shops I've always wanted to try, but I hate to pay for a full topping of something I'll end up disliking. At Orange Leaf you can get as much or as little of any topping you choose. The best part...the price is done by weight. For some of you this may be a disadvantage if you like to go all out. For me, someone who simply wants a taste of everything, I always come ahead at these pay by weight places.
Edmund's Take: Pushing a lever to get yogurt out is the most fun I've ever had in my life. The modern chairs were so cool and the little table was just the right size to drip yogurt on. Those screens that have giant pictures of people eating yogurt were awesome. Let's go back again mommy.
Locopops:
Locopops has taken off in the last year. It now has several main locations and many sattellite locations. Check out http://www.ilovelocopops.com/ for business hours and your nearest location. Also check out the Locopops story. It's rather fascinating.
Tabitha's Take: Locopops is a local shop that carries popsicles in both classic and exotic flavors. Before Edmund was born Steven and I would occasionally head over to the Locopops location on Franklin St.in Chapel Hill. That particular Franklin St. location has since closed its doors and moved over to Elliott Rd. in Chapel Hill. While I liked the previous location better for children due to its semi-enclosed courtyard, the new location shares a street with my place of work. You can't beat a hop, skip, and a jump when you're in the mood for a popsicle. I often forget about Locopops until Edmund reminds me when we make a stop at the eye doctor or The Great Harvest Bread Company located on either side. At $2 for a child's popsicle I can almost always scrounge up enough change to get one for Edmund when the mood strikes. You can choose from water or cream based popsicles. I have to say I almost always choose cookies n' cream for Edmund. It's the least likely to get everywhere. I prefer the cream based popsicles myself, but sometimes the water based flavors, such as pomegranite tangerine, are just too intriguing to pass up. The downside to this location is that the outdoor seating is located right next to the parking lot. I don't have to worry too much because Edmund loves sitting in the brightly colored Adirondack chairs, but I have to keep an eye out nevertheless. An added bonus is the free wipes sitting on the counter. They come in very handy when moms such as myself come unprepared for the inevitable stickiness that comes with a popsicle.
Edmund's Take: Locopops are yummy and cold. For some reason mommy never says no to a Locopop, but I'm not complaining. I like to sit in the orange Adirondack chair. I always meet a new friend at Locopops. I love big kids and I'm so outgoing I'll start chatting with anyone. I like to start my conversations with "boy sitting in the pink chair. My daddy sleeps at hospital." Somehow I always make new friends this way. Mommy and daddy say they don't know where I get my outgoing personality. I hear they're both a little shy. I never want to share my Locopop with mommy, but she makes me because she says I'm taking too long to eat it. I think that's just her cover story. I'm on to you mommy.
Lickity Split:
503 Meadowmont Village Cir Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-8402 (call for hours)
Lickity Split also sells hot dogs, but on Sunday you can only get dessert. So if you're in the mood for a hot dog and ice cream like I was one Sunday, you'll be out of luck.
Tabitha's Take: I went here about 6 years ago right before my parents' move and a slightly trying time in my life. My parents were living in an apartment nearby and a friend (I use that term loosely) and I decided we should try it. I honestly don't remember a thing about my first visit and honestly didn't think I'd go back. Then I read some blog entries about this being a fun place for kids, so I decided to try it with Edmund. I loved the ice cream decor. It truly reminded me of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. When I saw Lickity Split offered peppermint ice cream I couldn't pass it up. That was my favorite flavor as a child and unfortunately is also a difficult flavor to locate. I ordered vanilla for Edmund (again less messy). Of course Edmund wanted my brightly colored peppermint, but he didn't seem to like it. It was a bit funny to watch his confusion as he ate the ice cream. "This ice cream looks fun, but I don't like it. I'll eat my vanilla, but wait that ice cream looks fun. I need to eat the fun one, but wait I don't like it." That's about how our ice cream excursion went once we had ordered. Lickity Split has a train table and children's games in the back. I really liked this because I could order without having to constantly worry about Edmund. I could see him and knew he wasn't going to run out the door or into a street. He was content playing with trains and wasn't hanging on me as I tried to make an ice cream decision. I've mentioned before we don't use the stroller much, but this can be a problem when I try to take Edmund somewhere by myself. Edmund may or may not have tried to slip out the door once while I was doing the single parenting thing one Friday night at our favorite pizza place. I saw him pushing the door open and had to drop what I was doing to stop my little escapee. So train table...huge plus for those solo outings.
Edmund's Take: I wanted to sit at the table with ice cream cone pictures. The other tables were colorful, but ice cream pictures can't be beat. The train table was fun, but then I saw the show "Maggie and the Beast" on the tv in the corner. I kept saying "what's that mommy" as the silly cartoon creature talked to the red headed little girl. Mommy seemed a bit frustrated that I seemed more interested in the tv than the ice cream I had begged for all day, but hey I know I've got to take tv when I can get it. Mommy chose a funny flavor. I think I'll stick with my white ice cream, but I told mommy next time I'm going to get brown.
And the winner is...Locopops. All the places were good, but you can't beat a $2 treat, made with local ingredients, within walking distance from work. Locopops is simple, a room with a freezer full of popsicles, but sometimes simple is all you need.
