So, I’m officially another year older, and honestly? It was lovely.
We kicked off the festivities Friday night at Yama LoSo...wow is an understatement. It’s the only location with that incredible small plates menu, and yes, we absolutely ordered seconds of the salmon belly nigiri without an ounce of shame. Saturday started at Vicente’s (full review below!) and a stroll through Atherton Mill, where we naturally ended up at Tecovas so David could buy new shoes. On my birthday. I feel like there’s a metaphor for marriage in there somewhere? We also ran into a friend expecting her first baby, which made me all weepy and nostalgic, before Nana rescued us so we could sneak away for afternoon tea at the Ballantyne Hotel. We wrapped the night with Sabor takeout because, let's be real, it's my favorite.
But lest you think it’s all sushi and tea sandwiches over here, the universe keeps us humble. Our hot water heater sprung a leak last week which was luckily fixed fast, though poor Jamie had to skip a bath and embrace the grime like a total trooper. Now David is traveling for work, so I am deep in the trenches of solo parenting this week.
To anyone else currently outnumbered by tiny humans or holding down the fort alone: I see you, I salute you, and I am drinking an extra coffee for you.
Know another Charlotte parent who needs easy ideas this week?
Your roundup of family-friendly events and activities happening this week.
This week brings us MLK Day on Monday, and Charlotte is showing up with meaningful programming that makes Dr. King's legacy accessible for even our littlest neighbors. The Gantt Center and Levine Museum are both hosting free family celebrations with storytimes, crafts, and live performances, while Grow Cafe's "Dream Big Like MLK Play Day" offers open play centered on kindness and big ideas.
Beyond Monday, the week leans hard into winter experiences and parent-friendly events. You'll find ice sculptures at Daniel Stowe, a free STEM night at The Schiele, cozy fire pits and s'mores at Stevens Creek, and a Guinness World Record attempt involving thousands of finger puppets at ImaginOn that might be the most delightfully weird thing happening all week.
If you're looking for low-pressure ways to get out of the house, this week delivers. Many events are free or under $15, and several welcome babies alongside bigger kids, so you're not juggling separate schedules.
✨ A few highlights:
Free MLK Day celebrations with storytimes, crafts, and live music
Winter experiences like ice sculptures, indoor "snow," and outdoor fire pits
A Guinness World Record attempt, Spanish storytime, and family pottery
Your featured park, playground, or indoor play spot.
My in-laws took Jamie to the Museum of York County (a place I'd never even heard of) and he absolutely loved it. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole: what other indoor spots am I completely missing?
The result: a complete guide to 17 indoor play spaces around Charlotte. It's organized as a quick-reference chart so you can compare hours, pricing, and age recommendations at a glance, plus detailed notes on what makes each place different.
I made this for cold or rainy mornings when you need to get out of the house but the playground isn't happening. And it's available exclusively for newsletter subscribers!
I spent my birthday morning at Vicente Bistro in South End, and I wouldn't go there for my birthday if it wasn't one of my absolute favorite spots in Charlotte.
Their egg and cheese croissant sandwich is massive. Jamie and I split it and I still couldn't finish it. The croissant is perfectly flaky, the eggs are fluffy, and they use an unexpected cheese that I was very skeptical about at first... but it completely works.
The space is tiny and the line is often out the door on weekends, but it's worth the wait.
A quick tip, insight, or reflection from a local expert or parent.
Our pediatrician at Novant Health Pediatrics recently shared some book recommendations with us, and we thought they were too good not to pass along. Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums or just want to feel more grounded as a parent, there's something here for everyone.
For the Toddler Years:
Toddler Discipline for Every Age and Stage by Aubrey Hargis
Love and Limits: Guidance Tools for Creative Parenting by Elizabeth Curry
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen (2-8) by Joanna Faber and Julie King
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD (Dr. Siegel has many excellent books worth exploring!)
For Parents in General:
Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood (our pediatrician called this one "phenomenal!")
Good Inside by Becky Kennedy (also a great parenting podcast - I'm obsessed!)
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Speaking of the Good Inside podcast: Becky Kennedy has a fantastic episode with Jonathan Haidt discussing The Anxious Generation, so you can "feed two birds with one scone" 😉 and check out both resources at once.
We're slowly working our way through these and would love to hear what parenting books have been helpful for you - reply and let us know!
📅 What We’re Looking Forward To
A sneak peek at upcoming events and seasonal fun around Charlotte.
❄️ Frozen Brunch ❄️ at Urban District Market invites families to dress up as their favorite Frozen characters and enjoy a themed brunch buffet full of pancakes, omelets, smoothies, and more, plus photo ops and party favors that make it feel like a mini celebration.
It’s happening Sunday, February 1 from 10am to 12pm at Urban District Market, with opportunities to dance and enjoy storytime with Anna and Elsa right in the middle of brunch.
It’s exactly the kind of mid-winter pick-me-up that gives kids something to look forward to after the holidays.
✨ What we’re looking forward to: • Brunch buffet + character fun with a Frozen theme • Photo moments with Anna and Elsa during the dance party • A family-friendly Sunday outing at Urban District Market
Wishing you a week that tastes as good as second helpings of salmon belly and flows much smoother than my broken water heater. I’ll be back in your inbox next week with more honest Charlotte adventures and hopefully a triumphant update on surviving this solo parenting stretch with my sanity relatively intact.
Until then, order the extra takeout and ignore the mess.
💚 Emily Founder, The Charlotte Sprout
P.S. If you try any of these spots, tag us on Instagram @charlottesprout! I love seeing your family adventures (and secretly judge how much better your kids behave in public than mine does).
Help The Sprout grow. If one idea made your week easier, please forward this email or tag @thecharlottesprout so more Charlotte parents can find us. 🌱
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