❄️ Winter Wonderland Weekend

Happy Friday!

For those of you with school-aged kids, we hope the week back went well and that everyone is back into their rhythms and routines.

In case you missed it, Palmetto Parents Winter Family Fun Bingo is live! What’s at stake? A $50 Talucci’s Bakery gift card for the first family to get a bingo. And creating lots of special memories with your family, of course.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the bingo board and review all the rules.

TO DO

Build Together at Home Depot’s Free In-Store Kid’s Workshops

Home Depots nationwide, including our Summerville location at 190 Marymeade Dr., offer free workshops for kids and parents on the first Saturday of every month from 9am-12pm.

These workshops include a themed building kit so kids can (safely) use tools and materials to build something from scratch! Our son got a tool box building kit from Home Depot at the fire parade this past year and he loved it. We definitely hope to make use of these free workshops as they teach great skills of handiwork, creativity, and problem solving. It’s also a great structured way to bond with your child and others in the community.

One local resident shared that she’s been taking her son with autism for the last fifteen years and he has been welcomed and enjoyed it each time. Other moms with toddlers have been going back for years and their kids look forward to it each time.

If you’re interested in joining future workshops, you can register your child here.

The 2025 schedule and kits are:

• February 1st, Valentines Candy Box

• March 1st, Basketball Game

• April 5th, Globe Planter

• May 3rd, Birdy Buffet

• June 7th, Baseball Game

• July 5th, Tucan Mobile

• August 2nd, Space Odyssey

• September 6th, Crop Duster

• October 4th, Haunted Candy Box

• November 1st and 29th, Excavator, Teddy Bear Ornament

• December 6th, Holiday Cocoa Mug

• January 3rd (2026), Tow Truck

LOCAL EVENT

Winter Wonderland at Central Creek Park

Our neighbors in Goose Creek are celebrating two years of Central Creek Park with a Winter Wonderland festival from 5-8pm on Saturday, January 11th.

Central Creek Park, located at 147 Old Moncks Corner Rd. in Goose Creek is one of our families favorite parks and worth the (not long) drive from Summerville. The Winter Wonderland is free to the public and will include face painting, balloon animals, a magician, inflatables, s’mores, snow and snowball fights, character appearances, crafts, and a winter hayride.

There will also be $5 pony rides available.

The following food trucks will also be on site during the event:

• Epic’s Event Catering

• Roe Roe’s

• M&C Good Eats

• Wicked Waffles

• Pure Fluff Cotton Candy

• The Hidden Gem Mobile Bar

Did you know we have a different newsletter for parents in Charleston?

Just like in this Palmetto Parents Summerville newsletter, for Charleston we send you one weekly event, restaurant to try, family-friendly thing to do, and a palmetto piece of encouragement — catered specifically to parents in the.

To subscribe to Palmetto Parents Charleston, click the button below. 🌴 

RESTAURANT

Alien Cow Flavored Sno

If you’re planning anything this weekend, make sure it includes a visit to Alien Cow Flavored Sno, a beloved spot that’s been voted Best of Berkeley County and runner-up for Charleston’s Choice in ice cream. In our family, ice cream is a year-round treat, and we’re sure many of you feel the same. Located at 2033 Old Hwy 52, Moncks Corner, this family-owned and operated gem is a must-visit.

Locals Ericka and Robert Bungert combined their ingenuity and passion to create the perfect blend of snow cone and ice cream—what they lovingly call their "flavored snow” and “sno cream.” Their journey wasn’t easy; years of dreaming and perseverance, including Robert’s battle with cancer, finally led to the opening of their shop in 2023. And since then, they’ve been crafting dessert masterpieces that are nothing short of magical.

Must Try-Creations

Some of their fan-favorite menu items include:

• Strawberry Shortcake Sno Cream Bowl: Strawberry sno cream topped with strawberry dessert, pound cake bites, strawberry cookie crumbles, whipped cream, and a cherry.

• Butter Pecan Brownie Sno Cream Bowl: Butter pecan sno topped with brownie bites, chocolate syrup drizzle, pecan pieces, caramel drizzle, vanilla cookie crumbles, whipped cream, and a cherry.

• Peppermint Patty Sno Cream Bowl: Peppermint sno with marshmallow cream drizzle, dark chocolate syrup, chocolate cookie crumbles, peppermint patty pieces, whipped cream, and a peppermint patty topper.

You can also build your own dessert with a wide array of sno flavors and toppings, making it easy for everyone to find their perfect treat. Plus, their sno is lactose-free and gluten-free, making it a great option for people with food sensitivities.

Can’t make the drive? No worries—Alien Cow Flavored Sno is available on DoorDash, so you can enjoy it from the comfort of home.

Supporting a Local Treasure

Despite their accolades and rave reviews, Alien Cow Flavored Sno is facing tough times. Like many small businesses, winter has brought challenges, and their location outside the bustling town center makes it even harder to stay afloat. Last weekend, the owners shared that they’re “hanging on by a thread” and need the community’s support to keep their doors open.

So many people have praised not just the delicious desserts but also the warmth and kindness of Ericka, Robert, and their team. Let’s rally around this incredible small business and help them thrive. If you visit, share a picture of your order with us by replying to this email or tagging us on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s show Alien Cow Flavored Sno some love and keep this local treasure going strong!

Share about this amazing local business with your friends so we can support them!

TOGETHER WITH

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PALMETTO PIECE

Not in A Hurry

This week, I intentionally kept my schedule light as we settled back into a normal routine and prepared for my son’s birthday this weekend. With no long to-do list or jam-packed calendar, you’d think I’d feel calm—but I caught myself rushing anyway, driven by an invisible pressure to get everything done as quickly as possible.

On my way to the grocery store with my baby, I suddenly realized how stressed I felt to move faster, even though I had two hours before my next commitment. There was no real urgency, yet my mind was in overdrive. I took a deep breath, and in that moment, it hit me: so much of my day is spent rushing through tasks, just trying to “get them out of the way,” instead of truly experiencing the present.

It struck me how often I mentally label things like grocery shopping, cooking, or folding laundry as obstacles to real life. But when I rush through them, I’m rushing through big chunks of my life—and missing out on moments of meaning. This mindset sneaks into my parenting too: hurrying through bedtime routines, racing through meals, or even treating walks with the kids as just another task to check off. It’s not just chores I’m rushing through—it’s life.

Slowing down is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children—and to ourselves. When we rush through life, we unintentionally teach our kids that productivity and busyness are more important than connection and presence. It’s in the hurried goodbyes, the distracted “uh-huhs” during their stories, or the constant glancing at the clock that we might miss what truly matters. Children thrive on feeling seen and valued. When we’re perpetually rushing, they sense it.

Being present and slowing down doesn’t mean abandoning responsibilities or living without structure. It’s about weaving mindfulness into the everyday. It’s pausing for an extra cuddle during bedtime instead of rushing through the routine. It’s choosing to linger a little longer at the dinner table to hear about your child’s day, even when dishes wait in the sink.

When we slow down, we model balance and gratitude. Kids see that life isn’t just about achieving or moving forward—it’s also about savoring where we are right now.

Practical Ways to Slow Down Create Small Rituals:

• Start the day with a few minutes of intentional connection—a hug, a shared breakfast, or a few deep breaths together.

• Limit Commitments: It’s okay to say no to activities that overwhelm your schedule. Focus on quality time rather than filling every moment.

• Be Fully Present: When you’re with your kids, put down your phone or step away from distractions. Give them your undivided attention, even if only for a short while.

• Practice Gratitude: Reflect with your family on things you’re grateful for each day, grounding everyone in what truly matters.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 

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