Scrapbooking is a fun and creative way to express yourself, produce something tangible and escape, yet still relish, your family time. It isn't easy, but well worth the effort. I have made a couple scrapbooks for family members and myself and they always take a good amount of time, energy and creative juices, but they are always a source of pride and appreciation. Scrapbooking is also a great way to escape the routine of cleaning, cooking and taking care of kids and really focus in on the love you feel for them (if the scrapbook is about them). To get started with your scrapbook, visit …

I know it sounds silly or even cheesy, but who doesn't love a good game of Bingo? You get lost in the crowd and excitement of the moment, it's like a live-participatory lottery. Besides winning the grand prize, you could also meet some great people too. The best part about this escape is the price--free! Every Friday at 1 p.m. the Buzzell Senior Center hosts a live game of bingo for free. Join the fun and the seniors for a great time.

One of my friends who became a mom before me told me to make sure I do something nice for myself every day even if it was just to put on make-up or fix my hair. It's important for moms to feel pretty, even if we don't always have the time or really feel like it's a top priority. Having someone pamper us a little and help us look our best is even better. Lots of spas nearby provide professional make-up application services to help women look their best. Whether you're going out or just need a pretty pick-me-up, check out Bella Terrazzo, $35, or Platinum Door, $40, for the best Wilmington make-…

The water twinkles, the warm sun hits your face and you take a deep breathe--this is what relaxation feels like. When the kids have gotten you feeling crazy and you need a little escape, Silver Lake has more to offer than just swimming. Take up a rod, grab some worms and head to the Silver Lake pier for some fantastically relaxing fishing. The calm water, the fresh air, the peacefulness of fishing is what drives people over and over again to Silver Lake's pier--plus it's free! According to the Health Department, there are both largemouth bass and yellow bullhead in Silver Lake. If you decide …

Sometimes the only way to beat this kind of sweltering summer heat is to run away. Luckily for Wilmington residents, the Recreation Department offers some amazing trips and ticket discounts to places like Foxwoods Casino. Every month the Rec Department offers you a chance to visit Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut for a discounted price. For $25 you get a trip on the bus down to Connecticut, plus casino incentives. Foxwoods has all kinds of gambling options from $0.01 slot machines, smoke-free rooms, high-roller tables, video gambling machines like video poker, and of course black jack and …

Volunteering is a great escape from the trials of everyday family-life and helps you appreciate what you have. Helping those men and women fighting for what you have can be very uplifting and rewarding. Local Heroes, Inc., is a Wilmington-based non-profit that has helped thousands of local military servicemen and women receive care-packages while stationed overseas. Help out your local active-duty members and send them a bit of hometown love. Head to the Knights of Columbus any Wednesday night at 7 p.m. and help Local Heroes volunteers assemble packages for the troops. Bring donations with …

With all the stresses kids and having a family can bring, why on Earth would anyone suggest adding to the plate? Because learning something new can be a great escape from your routine and help you grow as a person at the same time. Learning another language can be fun, helpful if you travel to another country, and can boost your resume if you work outside the home and if you don't work outside the home it can help gain you new avenues for conversation and friendships. The Wilmington Memorial Library has great books on teaching yourself another language. There are also online options available…

As I've said in many columns before, you don't have to truly escape your house (though that is a good idea at least once every couple weeks minimum) in order to escape the responsibilities of mommy-hood. Some of the greatest mental-escapes for me can be found within feet of my baby's room. One of the things I like to do to escape the feeling of parental stress is have people over (adults) for food and drinks. After talking to and with my baby all day, it's incredibly nice to have some real adult interaction. And with the weather just perfect for outdoor bliss, it's only natural to want to …

Many successful businessmen, like Donald Trump, visit the green for networking and meetings, but visiting the golf course can also be an escape from work and everyday stresses. Walking around nicely trimmed lawns without the noise and distraction of children and work and focusing all your energy into hitting that tiny little white ball can really be relaxing. But first you have to not get frustrated with your skills, or lack thereof, and that means lessons. The Recreation Department is offering one-hour lessons on Thursdays from July 7 to August 4 at  6 p.m. at the Billerica Country Club for…

With bikini-season upon us, I probably shouldn't be promoting an escape into sugary gooeyness, but who can help it? This weather is perfect for a great escape into the fabulousness that is ice-cream. Ice cream in a cone or ice cream from a box, either which way, ice cream is a summer treat that shouldn't be totally ignored. One taste of ice cream and I escape into a cooler, more relaxing, summer day that brings back memories of my own childhood. To escape into your own cone of happiness visit Cones, a sister company of Kendra and Anthony's, or visit Market Basket and get all the fixings to …

Movies are meant to transport us into another world and help us mentally escape our life's stresses. When the children are all snuggly tucked into their beds and you want to unwind, pop in a $1 movie from one of the two local Redboxes and feel the stress flow out. Redbox is a movie rental kiosk where you can rent a movie for just $1 per-night. Many of the movies are the same as those On Demand through Verizon Fios or Comcast cable. There are two Redboxes in Wilmington, one is on the left-hand side of Market Basket. The other is at the Cumberland Farms gas station/convience store, so pop into …

With the French Open excitement still in the air and the weather permitting us all a little more outdoor-time, it's your chance to sign up and escape on the tennis courts. Wilmington's Recreation Department is welcoming sign-ups for their tennis lessons at a bargain rate. Only $40 will get you six weeks of lessons on the Boutwell tennis courts. All levels are welcome and the only things you need are your tennis raquet and an unopen can of balls. Lessons run from July 11 until August 15, 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Come share your love for tennis and getting out of the house!

Take this week's Great Escape to the beach! Memorial Day has come and gone and summer is now upon us, which means pools and beaches are open.  The sun is out and while you should always wear sunscreen, it's nice to get some coloring after a long pale winter.  With the kids in school, at a friend's or safe at home, grab a beach-chair and blanket and head out for some sun, sand and not-freezing-cold water at Silver Lake. The lake, while having a bad reputation in the last few years, is tested every year by the Health Department, so you can feel safe knowing the rumors about it being too dirty …

Few things are as fun as getting together with other mommies or friends and having some deliscious margaritas and cheap appetizers. Luckily, Wilmington has one of the best places to go do both - Chili's Grill and Bar. Chili's also has an all-day happy hour on Sundays with selected menu items for only $4.99--other happy hour times are Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. until close. And Sunday is the perfect day to leave the kid(s) with grandma or grandpa or your other half and enjoy a little freedom. While Chili's is a chain restaurant, this one is slightly different. It…

The rainy weather this week definitely leaves many moms without an opportunity to escape outdoors. But you don't have to leave the house to escape for a little while. Books are a great, and cheap, way to take a break from your hard work and get lost in an alternate world or life. And Wilmington has some great, cheap, options to find good books. Salvation Army's thrift store has a ton of classic books, but also a lot of relatively new books for a very very discounted price. CVS also offers the latest bestsellers, many times for the same if not less than at big bookstores. Market Basket also …

There is a relatively new craze in fitness that incorporates many forms of latin music and dance like salsa and meringue with regular aerobic moves. This form of exercise has really taken off and is super fun too. The latest fitness dance craze has hit Wilmington and can help you make new friends, kick off that winter weight and get those endorphines going. What a great escape and good way to get into shape! Check out zumba classes at these local locations: Wilmington Dance Academy GymStreet USA The Dance Company of Wilmington

When I was pregnant with my little girl I was in need of a creative stress-relief after I wasn't able to hit the gym anymore. I signed up for art classes and was amazed at the relaxing and therapeutic effects. My class was a drawing class, but any type of art class could work I'm sure. Not only do you get to channel your creative energy, you get to meet new people (or sign up with some friends) and get out of the house at least weekly for a little "me-time." Sign up for classes at Shady Lane Art Studios, who offer everything from painting to sculpture, or with the Wilmington Arts Council, who…

I love spending time outdoors, minus the mosquitoes, and find it can be amazingly relaxing and therapeutic. Walking around Wilmington, spending time in the quiet woods or gardening in my yard are some of the greatest escapes I find--and the most rewarding. There is a great sense of accomplishment and relaxation that comes with being in the fresh air and producing a beautiful flower garden or planting vegetables to eat later in the year. To get started on your flower garden, visit the Market Basket on Main Street for some fresh, plantable flowers and soil. Walgreens also sell seeds and …

It's been 10 months plus since my daughter was born and I've spent only one night away; so when a friend called me up asking to come to NYC and help her pick out a veil for her wedding dress, I jumped at the chance for a mommy night away. For sanity's sake, we all need a little girl time and it's nice to get away from home and remember what it's like to be a little independent. Spring is a great time to travel too, most places are warm (even somewhat local places), but the rush of summer travellers hasn't hit just yet. The MBTA Wilmington Commuter Rail stop is your window to the world and a …

Not long ago I was invited to a mommy's night in with chocolate and wine and great company -- the perfect recipe for a great escape! Chocolate can never be denied as an all-time favorite of many mommies. It supplies with us an incredible amount of joy, perhaps too much sometimes, and wine...well, every mommy needs some wine once in a while. To make your own great mommy chocolate night in, just call up some friends or your mommy group members, head to Market Basket or stop off at Designs by Don to grab all the ingredients you need for a chocolate-lovers paradise. My suggestions are …