So I could start out this post listing all the great, fun, educational programs available to families this weekend. But who am I kidding? Many of you will be at the malls and enjoying your tax-free purchases.

Here is a list of what you can buy tax free this weekend starting today and ending Sunday. They include a wedding dress and ... rubber pants? I'm guessing these are for fishing or maybe to put over cloth diapers. Which reminds me, diapers are tax free. So if your kid is in them, maybe it's time to stock up.

And here is a list of the extended hours and special events at local malls. Maybe I'll see you out there.

Share your shopping stories at at the Tax-Free Shopping forum. 

In my Family Outing column in today's What's Up section in The News & Observer, I feature the new visitors center at Jordan Lake. It sits at the park's office building at 280 State Park Rd. off U.S. 64.

Lots of people - more than 1 million - visit Jordan Lake near Cary every year. Many go to the beaches. The visitors center, which opened in June, adds a new dimension to the visit. There's a small exhibit area with lessons about water quality, animal life and Native Americans. There's even a life-size replica of an eagle's nest.

The new space also means park officials will be able to expand their programs. Look for programs during the week for kids next spring.

It's worth a visit and, best of all, it's open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Christmas day. So if you've got an early riser like me, here's something to do.

What else is going on this weekend?

Kids involved in Cary's theater program will perform one of my favorites for free - selections from Schoolhouse Rock at 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow at Cary Academy.

There are lots of release parties at local bookstores tonight for the debut of "Breaking Dawn," the final book in the very popular young adult series Twilight. Here's information about the parties at Quail Ridge in Raleigh and Barnes & Noble and Border's and Waldenbooks across the region.

There are two consignment sales on Saturday. The Twice as Nice sale in Apex opens at 7 a.m. The huge Triangle Mothers of Twins & Triplets starts at 7:30 a.m. at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. And check out this list of consignment sales this season.

And Saturday is Family Science Day at Morehead Planetarium. It's from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Chapel Hill.

For more information about events this weekend and the weeks to come, go to the TriangleMom2Mom calendar.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!