my scraps

Project Life 2012. . .Week 3

2012-01-26T10:09:00.003-05:00

we are into week 4. . .and I was happy to wrap up week #3 on time. I am not happy with the layout. . .this is the one I like the least so far. . .it seems "flat" and I feel like I have nothing to say.

. . .looking at it this morning, I would add something to the Title Card. . . write on the empty journal card. . .put in chipboard letters that say "walk" on the bottom row picture of my feet. . .

maybe I can add those things while I put together week 4 this weekend. I downloaded the Day One App and the prompts are helping me to capture more about my day. . .I am really liking a numbered journal card with a brief list of what we did that week.

how is your Project Life coming along?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2012-01-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

catch you soon -

how-to. . .organize the game cabinet

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

we have a small-ish wooden cabinet we got at Ikea, years ago. it sits at the bottom of the stairs and serves as our catch-all for games.

we got several new games for Christmas, so I figured it was a good time to clean out the cabinet.

before re-organizing

first, I took everything out and grouped like things (by size or style) together to better asses my storage needs. then i purged the things that were lost, broken, out grown or not played with. there was NOTHING in out not played with pile (part of why we have space issues)

I set aside the giant-piece puzzles that Owen can put together in 3 minutes. . .I set aside Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders.

I realized that we had a lot of small games and cards. . .so I got 2 plastic shoe boxes out of my stash, labeled them, and made one for Cards and Card Games and one for small games. then i played around with the boxes until almost everything fit.

I ended up taking Perfection out of it's box - the small pieces store in a compartment underneath, and the game fit perfectly without it's giant box. I also set a small tin with a "extra pieces and instructions" label on it inside the cabinet. when I find a piece, it goes in there until the next time we play the game.

we still have a few games elsewhere around the house. . .but for the most part, our games are neat, orderly and contained.

after our re-organization

what's an area of your house that needs organizing?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2012-01-23T11:43:00.001-05:00

and another Monday rolls around. . .some weeks they seem to come faster than others don't they?

I am scrambling this week. . .everyone is busy and there is lots of stuff going on. . .so our meal plan is a bit of a jumble. . .but here it is:

Monday - Pork Roast in the Crock Pot with Carrots, Potatoes and Salad.
Tuesday - Dad's away for dinner so Pancakes sound yummy!
Wednesday - Ryan's Band Concert is at 6:15p so Mac-n-Cheese it is.
Thursday - Spaghetti and meatballs
Friday - Pizza Night
Sat & Sunday - TBD

what are your favorite recipes to turn to when life gets busy?

catch you soon -

Project Life 2012. . .Week 2

2012-01-19T09:01:00.001-05:00

first let me show you the "final" pictures from Week #1. . .

here are some close ups of the pages. . .

as I'm perusing the web, I'm realizing that I need to journal more. . .I feel like my life is "boring" - full of mundane, everyday tasks like dropping the kids off, cleaning, working, cooking, cleaning, working. . .you know the drill. . .

i'm missing out on the little stuff. . .the stuff that makes life so great. perhaps "missing out" isn't the correct term. . .I'm here for it. . .I just don't record it. . .

so I'd like to pick up some cute labels (REALLY want the Martha Stewart ones from Staples - but they aren't in stock yet)

and here are some pictures from Week #2. . .

and some closer shots of the details. . .

i am proud to say that Week # 3 is already coming together and I plan to work on it Saturday evening and Sunday.

how do you remember the "little" things that happen everyday that make your life so precious?

catch you soon -

places we go. . .the NJ State Museum . . .

2012-01-17T13:03:00.000-05:00

thanks to Jersey Family Fun. . .we spent a day of our winter break exploring Trenton, NJ. I may be a Jersey Girl, but I have not spent much time in the Trenton area. but knowing it has historical significance and it is the state capital. . . we knew Ryan would love it and hoped Owen would too.

our day started at the NJ State Museum. . .while we waited for the rest of our group to arrive, we explored the Natural History exhibit.

my kids loved how there were exhibits you were "allowed" to touch. . .complete with small signs that said "Please Touch".

We were treated to some fascinating facts from Field Station: Dinosaur Exhibition paleontologists, (the first 20 years of dinosaur discover happened right here in New Jersey!)

sang dinosaur songs with Sam the Dinosaur Troubadour,

and even got to meet a "real" T-Rex. . .Ryan loved this dinosaur experience, but Owen was less than thrilled with how "lifelike" the eyes and "voice" were. It was truly remarkable and such fun.

after all this excitement, we got to see a 3-D holiday laser light show in the planaterium. prior to the holiday themed music and show, we were treated to a look at what the sky looked like when George Washington crossed the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. the laser light portion of the program was even in 3-D.

from there we headed over to the NJ State House for a guided tour.


photo courtesy of Sherry Aikens of www.babypop.com

our tour guide, Barbara was a lovely woman that provided us with plenty of information and entertainment regarding the legislature branch of the NJ Government. She explained much of the symbolism used in various seals, flags and emblems.

we even got to see the outer chamber of Governor Chris Christie's office.

after our tour, Ryan participated in a Make a Law Program in the Visitor's Center where he learned how a bill becomes a law. he LOVED it and they even passed one. Owen and I walked back to the museum to check out the exhibits we hadn't seen in the morning.

it was a wonderful day - full of history and entertainment for both kids and adults.

If you go - both the NJ State Museum and the NJ State House are open to and free for the public. (there is even free parking) the planaterium has a fee to see their program.

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2012-01-16T18:58:00.004-05:00

and so it goes. ..a week where i hit a big mental block. . .i just don't know what to make. . .nothing is appealing. . .

does that happen to you? what do you do?

i'm muddling through with this plan:

Monday - leftovers (we ate a big lunch out)
Tuesday - Chicken Cutlets, Mashed Potatoes, Veggie and Salad
Wednesday -seafood (fish or shrimp), veggie and couscous
Thursday - Tacos
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday & Sunday to be determined

uninspired. . .but done and healthy.

catch you soon -

Title Page & Week One of Project Life 2012

2012-01-12T11:17:00.003-05:00

i have mentioned before that I am officially joining the Project Life party for 2012. it took me a while to make the decision, and when I finally did, the preferred style of page protectors were sold out.

this may seem like a little thing. . .but I learned it was a big hindrance to my "getting started". my opened kit and empty binder was like a blank Blue Book (remember those? do they still use them?)

i hemmed and hawed and poured over Becky's, Monica's, Lisa's, Cathy's, Elise's and Ali's blogs. . .I discovered and followed new scrapbooking friends taking off on this adventure through twitter and pinterest.

but i had to just sit down. . .and start. my plan is to run my weeks from Saturday to Friday, so I have Saturday and Sunday to complete the prior week. I plan to post my updates on Thursdays.

someone had the idea to keep journaling notes on their iPhone - so I set up a paper and have recorded something for each day. . .Cathy is using an App called Day One - I'll be checking that out this weekend.

i finished my Title Page. . .I do not love the 4x6 in the upper left hand corner. . .it will do . . .the rest I am pretty happy with.

i have week one planned out. . .but not completely pulled together. again, i struggle with words. . .what to write. ironic, since i am a blogger right? but somehow committing that pen to paper is so "permanent". . .such a big chance to get it "wrong". i KNOW there is no wrong - it's MY story and however I choose to tell it is perfect. . .but it's still daunting.

two other things i learned so far. . .my date stamp only goes to 2007. . .clearly I have not used this tool in a while. and secondly, i should not have selected True Digital Prints when I ordered photos. . .I am planning to print most of my photos at home from now on.

so onward and upwards. . .trying to remember to take pictures along the way of my day. . .save bits of things to use, and jot down what we did, where we went, what we said, etc.

are you playing along with Project Life?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2012-01-11T10:48:00.001-05:00

catch you soon -

how-to . . .save your holiday cards

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

for years I have been saving all the holiday cards that friends and family send to me. I used to keep the cards with pictures and notes out of sentiment. . .unable to throw away a picture of my cousin's new baby. But seriously - how many cards do we have room to save?

not so surprisingly it was once again Ali Edwards that inspired me to save a "piece" of each card. . .all their cute little faces. . .onto a scrapbook page, added to my People We Love album. so since 2005, I've been putting my cards on a piece of 12x12 cardstock.

it's a simple project that requires only a few tools: a square punch (you can use scissors to cut squares as well), a gluestick and a piece of cardstock.

i pile up my cards, dividing them by picture cards, regular cards and cards with extra embellishments. then i start to punch . . .a square from each card - sometimes two. . .and if my mosaic gets filled up, I don't feel badly about the card or too that don't get punched.

i free-hand arrange them until I get a pattern and color palette I'm happy with. . .then I start to glue them down.

i use the extra embellishments to finish off the page. and now i have a whole history to look through and see how everyone has grown.


2005 Holiday Card Mosaic


2006 and 2007 Holiday Card Mosaics


2008 and 2009 Holiday Card Mosaics

2010 Holiday Card Mosaic

my kids alwasy ask me "who's that?" on the older mosaics and I tell them, and they don't believe me. . .it's a fun little craft and an easy way to preserve holiday memories.

what do you do with your holiday cards?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2012-01-09T09:48:00.002-05:00

so a while ago, I posted about trying out PeaPod Delivers - a grocery delivery service with Giant Foods. I have been using them for my main grocery shopping ever since without complaint! I use the App on my iPhone to keep my list.

When I hit $60 in groceries (the minimum requirement for delivery), I schedule a delivery. I supplement with a run to Trader Joes mostly for meat, seafood and produce. (those items are all available for delivery - but I am not adept at ordering them online yet) So far, we have rarely run out of things (except milk of course!)

and speaking of running out of things. . .i watched the most fascinating show on the Food Network last Night. . .it was called The Big Waste. The premise was 2 teams of uber-chefs had to scour the "trash" of NYC for edible food and prepare a meal for 100 food industry people including food critics.

All the food had to pass a test by a safety official prior to being used. Odd sized eggs and tomatoes. . .all perfectly fresh and delicious. . .the eggs don't "fit" correctly in the carton, and the tomatoes don't look full and round - making both un-sellable. Looking at a farm stand's compost pile made me want to cry. . .Alex Guarnaschelli commented, "that's a lot of marinara".

I'm not sure I will look at shopping and my leftovers in quite the same way anymore. . .someone tweeted during the show last night that there is an amazing opportunity in here somewhere, to aid the move against hunger, stop the waste and create jobs.

so with that show fresh in my mind. . .I looked to my refrigerator, freezer and pantry to create this week's menu:

Monday - Meatloaf, Potatoes and Carrots
Tuesday - Pan-Seared Shrimp, Couscous and broccoli
Wednesday - Ravioli and Sausage
Thursday - Chicken Cutlets, peas and a starch yet to be determined.
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's on your plan this week and how do you use up your leftovers??

catch you soon -

how-to. . .say thank you

2012-01-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

today I have a creative way to say "Thank You" to that coffee lover in your life.

i made this last year for Ryan's teacher for Teacher Appreciation.

created a Text Box in Word that's blank at the top and has "a latte for all your do" and "from" at the bottom.
print it and cut it to the correct size.
cut half a cup insulator from your favorite coffee shop and turn it inside out.
glue the sides and bottom of the insulator to the the text box.
glue the text box to a piece of pattern paper.
add chipboard letters to the top to say "thanks".
tie some twine around the whole thing and made a bow.
slip in a gift card to your local coffee shop.
have your child sign their name and you're done.

I was inspired from the web - I searched teacher appreciation and this was one item that came up. I apologize that I don't have the site or creator to give appropriate credit.

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2012-01-04T18:35:00.002-05:00

catch you soon -

how-to. . .create a yearly wrap-up. . .

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

last year, on New Year's Eve. . .I decided I needed to do a scrapbook page about each of us at that particular moment in time.

here's how it turned out:

i liked the way it worked, so i did one again this year. we took photos on New Year's Eve, and I jotted some facts about each of us right then. . .a snapshot in time. . .

you could easily change the lists to be yearly highlights, memories, facts, etc.

how do you commemorate the passing of one year to the next?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

a new year brings resolutions and pledges for change. . .but one thing I am NOT changing is my commitment to meal planning. this one simple procedure, cuts down on our food bills, my stress levels, and the amount of unhealthy foods we eat.

meal planning works - it doesn't have to be hard. . .I jot my ideas on the last block of a weekly calendar. . .sometimes I don't have a recipe, just a main ingredient. the important part for me is that i have a game plan.

so here is our game plan for the first week of 2012:

Monday - Spaghetti & Meatballs
Tuesday - Chilli and Hot Dogs for the kids
Wednesday - Roast Chicken, Veggie & Potatoes
Thursday - Shrimp
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday & Sunday - TBD (Chicken Soup if it's chilly!)

are you meal planning for 2012?

catch you soon -

one little word. . .2012

2011-12-30T19:38:00.000-05:00

my word for 2012 is create. . .

last year I truly lived my word. . .I soared into a new career for myself. . .this year I want to enjoy taking that giant step closer to my dreams, and create more things in my life. . .

create a comfortable and calm living environment
create an achievable method of preserving our family story
create a more healthy lifestyle

create. . .the life of my dreams

what will your word be for 2012?

you can see past posts about One Little Word or check out Ali Edwards.

catch you soon -

happy holidays. . .blogging break

2011-12-22T12:09:00.000-05:00

three out of the four of us have been sick since the weekend. . .I'm going to take some time away from the blog to celebrate the holidays with my family.

i wish each and every one of you and your families - the very best holiday ever - whatever you celebrate, wherever you live - peace on earth and goodwill to men.

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-12-19T08:33:00.003-05:00

here it is . . .Christmas Week. . .a week of over-excited kids, school events and last-minute to-dos.

i threw together a menu and may mix up the days. . .but essentially, we are having the following this week:

Monday - Ham, Mashed Potatoes and a green veggie
Tuesday - Chilli, Cornbread and Salad
Wednesday - Ravioli, with garlic rolls & salad
Thursday - Shrimp in garlic and butter
Friday - Take Out
Saturday & Sunday - Holiday Dinners and merriment

how are your preparing this last week (or last day if you celebrate Hanukkah)?

catch you soon -

how-to . . .find resources to talk to your children about abuse

2011-12-16T10:24:00.000-05:00

so in light of the recent activities in the news concerning a major university, i went on a quest to find better ways to talk to my kids about abuse. . .

i reached out to our pre-k director and she shared her resource folder with me. there was a wealth of information in there.

a few that stuck with me:

this book was printed in 1982 and teaches children how to distinguish between "good" and "bad" touches and how to respond appropriately to unwanted touches. According to the booklet, it's useful with 3-8 year olds. You can click to connect with Parenting Press

this booklet is from 2003 and was put together by goodtouchbadtouch.com. It talks about the curriculum and is geared as informational for parents. It is full of useful information.

also in the packet was this coloring book. . .the copyright is 1990 and it comes from the Delaware County Women Against Rape. i really thought some of these messages were spot-on.

my heart breaks for every victim . . .i can't move when I think about my own children becoming victims. . .it scares me nearly to death. . .but if we stop being afraid and embarrassed we stand a chance against these bullies and monsters. . .a chance against the organizations that hide and shelter because they care more about money and power than about people and doing what's right.

I hope I gave you some resources to use in opening the lines of communication with your own kids and the children in your life. we are their parents - we MUST protect them to the best of our abilities.

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-12-14T09:25:00.000-05:00

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Holiday Open House

2011-12-09T09:21:00.001-05:00

join me on a little virtual tour of my home decorated for the holidays. . .

do you have pictures up on your blog? I'd love to see them, so leave a comment, and be sure to stop by A Life in Balance for more Holiday Open Houses.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Holiday Music

2011-12-07T19:09:00.001-05:00

one of my favorite things about this time of year is the music. i love holiday songs and with the availability of iTunes, Pandora and Satellite Radio - it's easier than ever to listen to your favorites.

i can remember as a little girl, pulling out my mom's Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole holiday albums to listen too. . .I also had the Chipmunks and a Various Artists Kids Album with Rudolf on the cover.

for classic holiday songs, i like Do You Hear What I Hear, and Baby It's Cold Outside.

some of my modern favorites include the 80's classic from the Waitresses, Christmas Wrapping, the Weepies, All That I Want.

what are some of your favorite holiday songs?

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Favorite Local Place to Visit

2011-12-06T19:28:00.001-05:00

we have been going to the Holiday Light Show at what is now Macy's . . since it was still Wannamakers. John and I went together before we even had kids. (although I can find NO pictures of any of us there)

The Holiday Light Show has been a Philadelphia tradition since 1956. There is just something magical about the story told with music and 100-thousand LED lights. It's timeless and ageless and by far, one of my most favorite local holiday places to visit.

Even closer to home is the Chestnut Hill Stag and Doe Nights. . . (Carla and Tanya, I still say Stab a Doughnut) These are special shopping nights along the quaint decorated strip of Germantown Avenue with food, drinks, music and merriment. On a nice evening it's a great time to grab dinner and walk along the streets. . .you may even see Santa while you are there.

what are your favorite local places to visist during the holidays? For some Philly-Area ideas, check out A Life in Balance.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | How-To Green Your Holidays

2011-12-05T20:58:00.001-05:00

i never really thought about how I could make my holidays "greener". . .not more so than I attempt to make the rest of my life "greener". but for this post, I thought of some ways that we are or could, help out the planet a little bit more. . .

- give gifts made from recycled materials or purchase from companies that support fair-trade practices.

- use less packaging. . .make the packaging (a tote bag) part of the gift.

- use local sources for your flowers, gifts, holiday foods. . .anything you can. it supports the local economy, as well as suses less fuel to get there.

- use a timer on your holiday lights, and buy energy efficient lights whenever possible.

- decorate with natural items - pine cones, holly, greenery, and fruit all make attractive decorations.

- Bring your own shopping bags. . .leave the plastic bags at the mall.

what are some of your favorite ways to "green" the holidays? For more ideas, check out A Life in Balance.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Favorite Cookie Recipe

2011-12-04T08:30:00.001-05:00

when i was a little girl, my mom and my grandmom would get together and make cookies. they divided the cookies and put them into giant holiday tins. in my memories, there were so many kids of cookies. . .thumbprint, russian tea cookies, chocolate chip, and holiday spitz cookies we pressed out.

i've never been able to duplicate the variety of cookies, but I do try to make a few each year and I have a holiday tin to store them in.

none of my cookie recipes are original - my mom has a 1963 Betty Crocker Cooky Book that many of our holiday cookie recipes come from.

do you bake holiday cookies? For more recipes check out A Life in Balance.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Holiday Memories

2011-12-03T20:06:00.001-05:00

when i think about Holiday Memories. . .I think about Christmas at my Grandparent's house. I was fortunate enough to have my grandparents live next door to me for most of my life - needless to say, I spent an extraordinary amount of time over there.

they did Christmas in a BIG way. . .those large-bulb lights outside, all around the house, down from the flagpole and around the evergreens in the yard. They even had some light-up plastic figures. . .a snowman, santa, choir singers and candles.

my grandparents had 2 trees - one was a silver tree that had a rotating light wheel. my grandmom painted ceramics, so the house was filled with all her crafts as well.

me in 1970

i remember coming downstairs on Christmas morning . . . I was ALWAYS up first and had to wait for my younger brother to wake up before we could go downstairs and see what Santa brought us.

Me and my brother in 1979

after college, I had my own tree in my apartment . . .when I met John, we started collecting ornaments from all our trips.

apartment tree in 1993

I still have our First Christmas ornament, and hang it on our tree every year. . .this will be our 21st Christmas together.

Our first ornament - 1992

in my quest for the "perfect Christmas" I hope I'm providing wonderful memories for my boys to cherish for years to come.

what are some your favorite Holiday Memories? For more memories, visit A Life in Balance's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | New Traditions | Holiday Book Advent Calendar

2011-12-01T16:17:00.001-05:00

to mark time before Christmas gets here. . .we have typically tracked the days in 2 ways. . .chocolate advent calendars from Trader Joe's and this cute felt tree my mom had given me when Ryan was born.

this year - thanks to Pinterest and Ali Edwards. . I wanted to count down with 25 Christmas|Holiday|Winter books for the kids to read. . .

Lucky for us there is a wonderful used bookstore in our neighborhood, Harvest Books - and they were my first thought for inexpensive Holiday books. (they also purchase books, so you can earn store credit)

the sweet gentleman working at Harvest was kind enough to finish pulling together the Holiday cart of books, and with some help from my friend, Tecla, I had 25 books ready to go.

i came home, wrapped them up, put them in a basket, tied a green tulle ribbon on the handle and viola! a new family tradition. . .

are you starting any new family traditions this year? To get some ideas, check out A Life in Balance.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Holiday Bucket List

2011-11-30T16:45:00.001-05:00

my Holiday Bucket List this year includes . . .

making a gingerbread house
baking cookies
the holiday light show at Lord & Taylor
doing a 25 Holiday Book Advent countdown
the holiday light show at New Jersey Motorsports Park
visits with Santa

what's on your Holiday Bucket List?

for more ideas and lists, check out A Life in Balance.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Budget Friendly Ideas

2011-11-29T19:06:00.001-05:00

as we all know the Holidays can be an expensive time of the year. . .between holiday parties, decorations and gifts, it feels like our money is water flowing downstream.

so over the years, I've learned a few tricks to save money where I can:

Party Attire
Never underestimate the power and versatility of your LBD (little black dress). For a girls lunch, pair it with tights, boots and a brightly colored scarf or cardi. For a night out, add sheer stockings, black slingbacks and your best jewelry. Office get-together? Try opaque hose and a structured jacket. Your options are limitless, and no one will realize it's the same basic underneath.

Decorations
I love a live wreath on my big picture window. But decorated wreaths can set you back $30 or even more. Trader Joe's has plain evergreen wreaths for $6.99 . . . with a few pinecones, dollar-store flowers and a festive bow added. . .I can keep it under $12.

Also, use what you have - green and red vases? A cluster of them can make a holiday-inspired vignette. Tie a red or gold bow on a topiary to make them Christmas-y.

Gifts
Try to shop sales whenever possible. One year I scored monogrammed Lands End tote bags for $20 - they made great teacher's gifts and looked festive stuffed with bright tissue paper and tied with a tulle ribbon. Or consider a $1 store mug filled with good chocolate. Add a festive tag created by your child to finish it off.

What are some of your favorite ways to save during the holidays? For more tips and ideas, check out the blog hop over at A Life in Balance.

catch you soon -

12 Days of Christmas | Favorite Local Nonprofit

2011-11-28T15:07:00.001-05:00

I support and volunteer with several local nonprofits in our area. I feel it's important to give back your most precious commodity - your time. I'm also trying to teach my boys how important these organizations are to our community.

I have been a part of The Breastfeeding Resource Center since it's launch in 2003. When I had Ryan in 2000, I became very active in the local chapter of the Nursing Mother's Advisory Council. In fact, I sat through their course to become a phone counselor for other nursing moms in our area. I loved it. I loved being able to help these moms who were tired, nervous stressed out & getting a stream of information from various sources.

I would call a few days after they got home from the hospital, ask how things were going and leave my contact information. I would follow-up in a day or too. . .because if you breastfed your children, you know how quickly things changed. I was so fortunate to be able to help and support women in my community. And now there is an entire center dedicated to breastfeeding support.

The Breastfeeding Resource Center offers the following types of services:

Professional Services by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants
Retail Sales
Free Support Group Meetings
Parent Classes
Education for Healthcare Professionals

The center is doing amazing work in our community, and I am lucky enough to serve as the Chair of the Communications Committee.

If you are a nursing mom in the Abington, PA area, get in touch and get involved - the support group and resources can make your breastfeeding much more enjoyable.

If you are looking for a local non-profit to support, or if you are a breastfeeding advocate - I'd be thrilled if you supported the efforts of the Breastfeeding Resource Center.

Our time and our money are very precious to us - these days, people, myself included, are much more choosy where they donate. I'd love if you'd leave me comment with your favorite local nonprofit.

To read what other bloggers wrote while participating in the 12 days of Christmas, check out A Life in Balance.

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-11-28T09:36:00.001-05:00

time is really flying and this week is busy with work, a Holiday Party, decorating the house and John's birthday!

here's my plan - simple is the key word this week!

Monday - Hot Dogs and Burgers on the grill (it's nearly 70 in Philly)
Tuesday - Mussels with Butter & Garlic over Spaghetti, crusty bread, salad
Wednesday - Chicken Cutlets, Mashed Potatoes & peas.
Thursday - Ravioli, Garlic Bread & salad
Friday - Take Out
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's on your plan this week?

catch you soon -

Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T18:55:00.001-05:00

I'll be taking a few days off from the blog to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family and friends.

Thank you readers, friends and brands that take the time to read the words I write and an even bigger thanks to those that take the time to comment.

In this age of rushing and never enough hours in the day - I truly give thanks for the minutes you spend here with me.

I wish you and yours the happiest of Thanksgivings.

catch you soon -

movie review. . .The Muppets

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

If you grew up with Sesame Street (or watch it with your kids) or were a kid in the late 70's to early 80's - then you know who the Muppets are. you know Kermit, Miss Piggy and Fozzy. If you are a die-hard fan, then you probably know Rowlf the Dog, Animal, Sam the Eagle and Beeker too.

We were lucky enough to be invited to a local premier by John's office. So we headed off to Plymouth Meeting early Saturday morning, went through security, where we had our bags checked, turned off our cell phones and got wanded (keeping the movie a secret until it's release is a BIG deal), then got our popcorn and drinks.

The Movie involves the Muppets trying to get control of their studio back from an oil tycoon. Luckily they have the help and support of three friends (2 humans and 1 muppet). Disney did a great job of adding in plenty of nostalgia for the "older" crowd (80s robot), while giving new Muppet fans plenty to love. My boys decided they love Fozzy Bear the best (mom is a die-hard Animal fan). The kids and parents all loved the movie - it's great for kids of all ages. I was trying to determine why it's got a PG rating. . .and concluded it must be the line about "butt shoes" (my kids' favorite line).

There is a long list of cameo appearances, including Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Neil Patrick Harris and Selena Gomez. I won't spoil the surprise and tell you who makes a BIG appearance. If you get a chance to see the movie this holiday weekend, I hope you'll stop back and tell me what you thought. Also - who's your favorite muppet?

manical laugh. . .manical laugh. . .

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-11-21T09:18:00.001-05:00

. . .it may be a Holiday Week. . .but sadly, we still need to eat - right? our schedule is pretty busy, so easy was important to me this week.

Special thanks to Julie, Jo-Lynne and Diane for their inspiration this week!

here's the plan:

Monday - Roasted Potatoes with Sausage
Tuesday - Slow-Cooker White Bean & Kielbasa Stew (Crescent Dogs for the kids)
Wednesday - Salmon, Creamed Spinach and Sweet Potato Fries
Thursday - Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner prepared by my mom . . . all from scratch, all delicious, with leftovers to take home!
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

are you planning a menu this week?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-11-16T17:58:00.001-05:00

catch you soon -

feeling lucky? then you may want to enter the Chinoki Sweepsteaks . . .

2011-11-15T22:12:00.001-05:00

have you heard of Chinoki?

Chinoki is an SMS service that allows you to gain access to exclusive deals and savings from businesses you WANT to hear from. At Chinoki you Cherry Pick retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, national brands and more that YOU want to know more about. The control is all in your hands.

as if their service wasn't tempting enough (and FREE), right now, they are running an amazing sweepsteaks. When you sign up for Chinoki before December 16, 2011, you will be entered to win one of these FABULOUS prizes:

Grand Prize: a $4,000 Chinoki Gift Card AND and an Apple iPad 2
2nd Prize: a $500 Chinoki Gift Card AND an Apple iPad 2
3rd Prize: a $500 Chinoki Gift Card AND an Apple iPad 2

and if that's not enough, if you head over the Chinoki Facebook Page and click the "Like Us and Win" Tab, you can enter to win a $50 prepaid Visa Gift Card. But hurry - the Facebook offer ends 11/23/11.

so good luck - and be sure to drop by and let me know what you think of Chinoki.

catch you soon -

note - I was provided compensation for writing this post, however, as always the opinions expressed are my very own.

how-to . . .cook Split Chicken Breasts and Brussels Sprouts

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

yesterday's menu plan called for Butter and Garlic Split Chicken Breasts, Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts.

if you have read my blog for any period of time - you know that I'm not at all comfortable in the kitchen - small space, old appliances and lack of cooking intuition do not add up to easy gourmet meals.

to counter balance, i meal plan and am pretty good at following a recipe.

i got a great deal on split chicken breasts at Giant (thank you Peapod Delivers) - I wanted to keep it simple, so i melted some butter, added garlic and smeared it all over the chicken breasts (defrosted and skin-on). I sprinkled the top with salt and pepper, put them on a foil-lined baking sheet and put them in the oven.

i bought a bag of brussels sprouts at Trader Joe's . . .you could microwave them in the bag according to the directions, but it also said you could blanch and roast them. . .so I boiled a pot of water, cut the sprouts in half and threw them in for 3 minutes. I took them out of the water, drained them and tossed them with some olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper. I threw them in a baking dish and put them in the oven with the chicken. I also cut up some potatoes I had on hand, tossed them with olive oil, garlic and rosemary and laid them around the chicken.

dinner was served!

Ryan wasn't home and Owen ate noodles cooked in chicken broth. But John loved it - Brussel Sprouts are his favorite veggie and I had never made them before. So I am putting this solidly in the "success" column, and will be making it again in about 2 weeks. . .

what's your latest cooking success?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-11-14T13:14:00.001-05:00

today feels a little bit like what I envision it feels like to run on a hamster wheel. . .constant movement without really accomplishing anything or getting anywhere. and my meal planning just reinforces that.

but i need some sort of plan - because we need to eat. . .so here's what I threw together:

Monday - Garlic and Butter Split Chicken Breasts, Roast Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
Tuesday - Pasta and Sausage with sauce, garlic bread and Salad
Wednesday - Biscuit-Topped Tomato Beef Bake
Thursday - Chicken Soup with bread and Salad
Friday - Take Out
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's on your plan?

catch you soon -

what I was doing at 11:11:11 on 11-11-11 . . .

2011-11-11T11:17:00.001-05:00

i was working. . .

what were you doing?

catch you soon -

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

2011-11-10T08:41:00.000-05:00

Do your kids love Melissa and Doug toys as much as mine do? Even the 11 year old plays cupcake baker with his little brother!

Well, Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

catch you soon -

note - I received a coupon to use towards the purchase of a Melissa and Doug product, however, as always, the opinions expressed here are my very own.

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-11-09T08:37:00.003-05:00

catch you soon -

getting a little history at Hope Lodge Re-enactment. . .

2011-11-08T09:30:00.003-05:00

on Sunday, we attended the 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment Re-enactment at Hope Lodge.

this event commemorated the time from November 2 - December 11, 1777 when General George Washington and the Continental Army were encamped in the Whitemarsh Hills.

this was our first re-enactment, although, as the boys pointed out - we have been to Colonial Williamsburg.

it was very interesting - you could visit the American and British camps, and watch their military drills and tactical demonstrations. The re-enactment was 2 days - with the opportunity to see three skirmishes. We caught the Sunday afternoon one, and I'm not sure which of us liked it the most. Although Owen was not too fond of the very LOUD cannon. What a rare opportunity to see what battle was like during the American Revolution. It was amazing how close the troops could be to each other, and not hit anyone. There was a roar from the crowd when the first British soldier fell.

there was a church service on Sunday morning and self-guided tours of the Hope Lodge Mansion. You could view colonial open-hearth cooking, and various demonstrations such as medical and medicines, silhouettes and blacksmithing.

there was apple cider, hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn available if anyone got fussy or hungry.

it was a beautiful day full of history and the chance to watch the kids learn. I have a feeling this will not be our last re-enactment. The 31st Encampment at Hope Lodge is scheduled for November 3 & 4th, 2012.

have you ever been to a re-enactment?

catch you soon -

note - I received no compensation for this post - it was simply a family event that we paid for ourselves. But as always - all opinions expressed are my very own.

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-11-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

still trying to adjust to changing grocery habits . . . just in time for the busiest time of the year!

but I sat down last night, and devised a plan for this week, that only requires me to pick up a few extras tomorrow at Trader Joe's.

here's the plan:

Monday - Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Green Beans & roasted Potatoes
Tuesday - Linguine with Shrimp, Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach
Wednesday - Pork Loin, Roasted Butternut Squash & Salad
Thursday - Baked Ziti, Garlic Bread & Salad
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's on your plan?

catch you soon -

parenting. . .managing the age gap

2011-11-03T16:54:00.001-04:00

my boys are learning to play chess. . .

i love that. . .

except that one of them is 11 and one of them is 5. . .

are you the parent of more than one child? if you are, you know they don't always get along and that's to be expected. but do any of you have an age gap bigger than 2 years? or a gender gap - meaning one boy and one girl?

how do you manage these gaps?

i have 2 boys - with very similar interests . . .my challenge is that they are 6 years apart. I thought sibling squabbles wouldn't be an issue. . .boy was I wrong.

the 11 year old wants to win and play by the rules . . .all the time. the 5 year old wants to win too and have fun. can you hear the bickering?

from the 11 year old, I hear "no", "stop", "you can't. . .", "don't", "I win"

from the 5 year old I hear whining, crying and lots of "not fair!"

I've tried appealing to the 11 year old's sense of pride in his skills and knowledge and encourage him to "coach" his little brother rather than playing a competitive game - work on skills.

that last about 10 minutes if I'm lucky.

I've explained the, "but you are 11 - of COURSE you are better and everyone expects you to win" argument . . .that works for about 5 minutes.

they are such good boys - with good hearts and they love each other very much. this is probably my biggest parenting challenge right now and it's driving me to distraction.

what are some of your tricks of the trade for managing the age gap?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday . . .

2011-11-02T12:53:00.001-04:00

catch you soon -

how-to. . .make Mummy Dogs

2011-11-01T17:03:00.000-04:00

a few years ago we started a family Halloween Tradition. We put on a big batch of Southern Living Chili in the Crockpot for the adults, and I make Mummy Dogs for the kids.

my thinking is that this way - there is food available for anyone to eat - when they are hungry - before or after Trick or Treating (or both!).

a few people on twitter asked about my Mummy Dogs - so I'm sharing with everyone.

What you Need:
Hot Dogs
Refrigerated Crescent Rolls (any brand - I used Trader Joe's this year)
Non-stick Spray
Mustard or Ketchup for eyes
Optional - Cheese

What you Need to do:

Set your oven to 375 degrees and spray a baking sheet with Non-Sick Spray

Unroll the Crescent Rolls, but keep them in the rectangle shape - in other words, don't separate the triangles.

Cut each rectangle into 10 strips - lengthwise - I used a pizza cutter.

Wrap 5 strips of Crescent Roll around each hot dog, simulating the wrappings of a mummy - be sure to leave a little space for eyes. If you smush the dough together in places, it adheres better. If you like cheese dogs, you can include a strip or 2 of cheese.

Place your Mummy Dog on your sprayed pan.

Bake approximately 15 minutes.

Let them cool for a minute, and use mustard or ketchup to dot on 2 eyes.

Serve and enjoy!

do you have any Halloween food traditions?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-10-31T13:13:00.001-04:00

menu plan Monday

it's Halloween here - so starting off busy! I have my first online order of groceries coming from Peapod on Wednesday - can't wait.

here's the plan:

Monday - Chili with Cornbread and Mummy Dogs for the kids
Tuesday - Spaghetti and Meatballs
Wednesday - Stuffed Flounder, Veggie and Salad
Thursday - still figuring this one out - probably chicken
Friday - Take Out/Pizza Night
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's on your plan?

catch you soon -

grocery delivery goes high tech with Peapod. . .

2011-10-27T10:31:00.003-04:00

yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a blogger luncheon with Peapod and Giant. (be sure to read to the bottom for a money saving offer!)

if you've never heard of Peapod (they are NEW to the Philadelphia area) - they are an online grocery shopping and delivery service with a partnership with Giant Food Stores. They were founded in 1989 and have delivered more than 20 million orders!

Let me hit with you some the highlights:

grocery shopping 24/7, including advertised specials - even MOBILE (there's an APP for that!)!

convenient and affordable delivery times.

trained shoppers select your groceries from a temperature controlled WAREHOUSE-not the store.

you can get alerts when your groceries are on their way.

you can request unattended delivery - meaning you don't even have to be HOME!

they take coupons. . .YES coupons - and double up to the regular store amount.

if you don't like something - they return your money!

i have used other local delivery services - with little success or happiness. . .they were just difficult to use, the selection was poor, and the quality of stuff I received wasn't what I would have picked out myself. this looks promising. . .Based on the demonstration we received yesterday (using a LIVE account no less) Peapod seems to have addressed all the weaknesses.

here's what you need to do:

Go to peapod.com and enter you Giant Bonuscard (if you have one)
Shop from their various options such as by grocery aisle, shopping list or product search (even by ORGANIC)
Select a delivery time
Enter your credit card info and checkout
Receive delivery in the comfort of your own home (or office!)

AND. . .the BEST part?? I can save you money if you are in the Phase I Service Area (Philadelphia, Delaware and Southern Montgomery Counties). . .just go here and enter the code "blogphl" at checkout and get $20 off your first order AND 60 days of FREE DELIVERY!

I'm planning to give it a try in the next week or so - so stay tuned for a follow-up post on how it went. If you've used it already - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

catch you soon -

note - I received lunch and a gift card to try out the delivery service. As always, the opinions expressed here are my very own.

wordless wednesday . . .

2011-10-26T14:58:00.000-04:00

catch you soon -

holiday greetings. . .Shutterfly Style

2011-10-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Can you believe it's time to start thinking about holiday greetings?

I have sent out holiday cards since the year I got married. . .1995.

Once Ryan was born, we started sending picture cards. For the first few years, I bought picture sleeve cards, and slid in a picture of Ryan. I hand-wrote short messages and hand addressed all the envelopes. I moved into a handmade card with a picture, as I got more into paper crafting. I finally agreed to printed labels on the envelopes, and with the birth of Owen, the hand written messages got really short.

Last year, for the first time I ordered pre-printed picture cards from Shutterfly. It was love at fist sight. They were easy. They had my personal touch and creative flair. And the BEST part? They were BEAUTIFUL!

I've already been to the Shutterfly site, looking at various designs. . .I don't have a picture picked out yet. . . but here are a few that caught my eye - and I still have time to get the "right" picture to put on the perfect card!

holiday cards:

this one is adorable for several pictures -

and this one would be stunning with a black and white family shot or beach picture. . .

Do you need holiday gifts? Shutterfly has an amazing selection of calendars and photo gifts to choose from too!

You could snap a cute picture of your child and their teacher. . .then order one of these for the holidays or even teacher appreciation!

The best part about Shutterfly is that your choices are endless and you can use your creative flair to come up with unique greetings and gifts.

You will have to stay tuned to see which card we end up with. . .it was such a success last year, it will definitely be a Shutterfly Holiday again this year.

Would you like to give Shutterfly a try?

THREE of my lucky readers will win a code to receive 25 free cards from Shutterfly. All you have to do is check out the Shutterfly site, choose your favorite design, and leave a link in the comments section. Be sure to include your email so I can notify you that you WON!

Three lucky winners will be chosen via random.org on Sunday, October 30th after 12p EST.

Are you a blogger?

Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: <http://goo.gl/DDw7Q>

Good luck!

catch you soon -

note - I received a code to use for 50 free cards to facilitate this post. As always all opinions expressed are my very own.

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-10-24T08:44:00.001-04:00

it's time for another Menu Plan Monday. I've had a couple people ask me how I do my menu plan. So here are the steps I take - for better or worse. . .it's not foolproof, but it works for me.

I look at our calendar for the week, and plan it out using one of Molly's GO MOM! Weekly Planner Pages. Then I figure out how many dinners I need, and how complicated a dinner I have time for each night.

Armed with that - I look for recipes that use some ingredients I have on hand. Now that the weather is cool, I try to do a Crock Pot meal on Tuesdays - as that is a busy work day for me. I leave Saturday and Sunday up in the air. . .I'd rather commit to cooking several make-ahead meals on the weekends, but I'm not that kind of cook.

So that's the magic of the my meal plan. . .and after I take those steps - it looks something like this (even if we make only 3 things - it's a win, and the others get moved to next week):

Monday - Panko Breaded Chicken, Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Tuesday - Crock Pot Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad (plain pasta for little)
Wednesday - Fish Packets, Orzo & Rice Pilaf, Broccoli (chicken or mac n cheese for kids)
Thursday - Pasta Carbonara with Leeks & Lemon(from Everyday Food but not online yet), Salad
Friday - Sausage and Broccoli Calzones
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

do you have a meal plan for this week?

catch you soon -

Fashion Friday. . .Getting that Pan Am Look

2011-10-21T11:37:00.002-04:00

who is in love with the new hit ABC show Pan-Am?

i'm not sure what beauty item I like the most - the eyeliner, the great hair or that sweet blue Pan-Am bag. . .but I know with some basic make-up techniques and a set of hot rollers. . .you too can be on your way to the Pan-Am Look.

last night while attending the Bloomingdale's Think Pink event hosted by All Things Chic, I talked with Barbara, the lovely make-up Consultant with Chanel. I asked her about creating a "Pan-Am" Eye. She said the trick is all in the liner - and that a gel or liquid liner is your best bet. And don't forget the little "wing" on the outer corner.

here is me before. . .

and here is after. . .

with a close-up of the eye - I love that sparkle liner!

as for hair - kicky bobs were a sign of the times. if you have medium length hair, stick in some hot rollers for volume. if you are feeling really adventurous, do a little back-combing around your hairline for that "puffed up" look. maybe even a vintage 60's hair piece to add to your look.

clothes? you have to go vintage. . .besides the eye-catching blue uniform, embroidered bag and white gloves, you can catch the ladies of Pan-Am in midi-length pencil skirts, fitted short-sleeved cardigans, and nude pumps. A totally classic early-60's look. And let's not forget the girdles and nude hose.

and those bags. . .

here's a black one you can get at Amazon:

so what do you think? will the Pan-Am style catch on like the Mad Men style did?

catch you soon -

All You Need is Now. . .Duran Duran

2011-10-20T15:36:00.001-04:00

on Monday night, I went with the lovely Sherry from SuperExhausted (also the creator of BabyPop Designs) to the Duran Duran concert at the Tower Theater. . .

I have to say - I felt like I was 16. . .all giggly and over-excited. And Simon, John, Nick and Rodger did NOT disappoint!

they sang songs from their new album, and kept the crowd on their feet the ENTIRE time with plenty of their 80's hits Like Rio, View to a Kill, Notorious and Hungry Like the Wolf.

it's hard to tell from my terrible pictures, but we were in the 4th row off to stage left. I could see into Simon's eyes. . .le sigh. . .I danced the ENTIRE time with @BabyPop, @SayitRashay and @Mrsrkfj - my legs, ears and voice were hurting on Tuesday morning! but it was an amazingly awesome good time!

it was simply fantastic and has me listening to all my Duran Duran music on my iPod.

here's a little clip of Simon LeBon's amazing voice . . .the boys still have "it". . .John Taylor can rock a guitar!

what's the last concert you went to?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

catch you soon -

how-to. . .tame the homework beast

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

bear with me while i rant a bit. . .I hate homework!

i know there's a lot of talk about the family diner and eating healthy, a reasonable bedtime for kids . . .and all the other things that make up a "good" family and "happy" kids. But how on EARTH are you supposed to do that AND get homework done too?

on a typical night, for 5th grade, we have 20 minutes of reading with a writing assignment attached. Spelling. At least 1 math worksheet. Some nights we also have social studies and/or grammar. And of course there are the nights with more than one sheet of math.
Second and third grade evenings were plagued with me yelling and threatening Ryan to do his homework. To get it all done. I felt enormous pressure. I was working outside the home, and responsible for Owen and dinner too - all during homework time.

last year I had the opportunity to see Race to Nowhere. . .it changed my outlook.

we have very few meltdowns and I lose my patience on a much less regular basis. I still have Owen and Dinner to cope with.

what's changed? me and my approach to homework. i refuse to see it as a "monster". If we don't get it done - I will contact the teacher with my explanation and be ready to go higher if necessary. Elementary homework shouldn't be "graded" - because you have no way of knowing whether the student did it themselves or not. so it's typically "completed" or "incomplete".

here are my top ten to-do's to tame the homework beast:

1. set up a regular place to do homework. Ours is the dining room table.

2. have supplies on hand. Calculator, pencils, erasers, scratch paper. . .anything you may need to complete your typical homework assignments. We have a homework cart.

3. try to establish a time. . .before dinner or after. . .to do the "majority" of homework.

4. know your child's cues for being tired, bored and frustrated - and given them a break or release before they need it.

5. get the rest of the family in on things if you can. State Capitals are a great way to test the whole family while your child learns.

6. look to technology for help. We have found some great apps for math facts, spelling and state capitals.

7. know when enough is enough. only you know what is right for your family. don't be afraid to discuss it with your child's teacher or counselor at school.

8. if you have smaller children that don't have homework, have a special basket or box of things for them to do QUIETLY while it's homework time.

9. keep it positive. it's not easy - don't pretend it is. (of course if it IS easy - don't tell me I'll be hopelessly jealous!)

10, relax yourself. enjoy a cup of tea or glass of wine.

what are some of your tips for taming the homework beast?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-10-17T07:56:00.001-04:00

another Monday has rolled around, our calendar is full of school, civic and social events and Fall is in the air.

so this week we have a little of everything - using leftovers, Crock Pot and something new.

here's the plan:

Monday - Quesedillas with Chicken and/or Cheese (sauteed peppers and onions too)
Tuesday - Apple Cider Pork & Vegetables with Broccoli (Crock Pot recipe)
Wednesday - Linguine wiht Shrimp, Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach.
Thursday - Moms Night Out - Leftovers
Friday - Homemade Pizza or Stomboli
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's on your plan this week?

catch you soon -

product review. . .Mott's

2011-10-13T11:11:00.001-04:00

i've always been a fan of applesauce - for myself and for my kids. i try to stay to the "no sugar" added variety and label read and compare.

imagine my delight to see Mott's as a sponsor and vendor at the Style School event I attended a couple months ago. what was so surprising to me was the Snack & Go Applesauce Pouches. these travel-ready pouches, are only 40 calories with no sugar added.

the twist cap make them appealing to older kids. . .as I found out when my 10 year old realized it was "just applesauce" and not some sneaky way to make him more healthy. (if he only knew!) According to Mott's, the suggested retail price for a 4-pack of these will be $2.99 . . . a pretty reasonable cost for a healthy on the go alternative.

Mott's also had their Medleys Snacks. . .with 1 total fruit and veggie per serving 2/3 fruit and 1/3 veggie). these little cups look and taste like applesauce with an added kick of vegetable.

while my kids aren't over the top for the Medley's (they are not flavored applesauce fans to begin with) - I keep some on hand and offer them anyway. I think they taste great and are a great snack for me in the afternoons when my energy is sagging.

as for drinks, Mott's apple juice boxes are always a favorite around here with the kids, while I am a big fan of the Mott's Medleys Juice. (it makes a great Bloody Mary)

have you tried Mott's lately?

catch you soon -

note - i received a sample of products to facilitate this review. as always all opinions expressed are my very own.

Wordless Wednesday . . .

2011-10-12T10:07:00.001-04:00

catch you soon -

iBook Review. . .Are You My Friend

2011-10-11T06:30:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to review the iBook, "Are You My Friend?" written by internationally known children’s author and parent educator, Annie Fox. As you may have read previously, we are big fans of the Graphic Novel, Middle School Confidential. So we were all excited to check out this story!

I enlisted Owen to help me out - which he thought was great fun. He got so engrossed in the story of Raymond and Sheila that he ignored my "do you like it?" and "what do you think?" prompts.

We downloaded it to an iPad, and I think he listened to it 2-3 times before he paid any attention to me. "Are You My Friend?" is a heart-warming, funny story sure to resonate with 4-8 year olds. There's a little something for everyone in the story. And the illustrations are ADORABLE!

While Owen doesn't have a Big Sister. . .he does have a Big Brother, so I think he relates well to the story and to Raymond's predicaments. he told me, "I like this book mommy, I'm really glad you downloaded it."

"Raymond is funny." he tells me, after he takes it out to read it - again. . ."I have a friend, T at school." he told me. And then we had a talk about how he and T play and what they do at Pre-K together.

and what a surprise - on the last page, there's a parent guide to help young readers engage in the stories’ emotional content. A creative way to get your little ones talking about feelings and the challenges of getting along with others!

we are enjoying this story over and over again. and since Owen is on the brink of learning to read independently, the lessons are endless for him. He can handle the story all on his own - giving him a sense of pride.

to find out more, go to: www.raymondandsheila.com

catch you soon -

note: I received a code to use that enabled me to download the iBook to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are my (or Owen's) very own.

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-10-10T08:51:00.000-04:00

time for another Monday, and that means another meal plan.

even when I feel uninspired, I try to throw a plan together - it truly is the ONLY way our family eats what we buy, saves money on take-out, and eats healthy options.

here's what's on the plan for this week:

Monday - Tacos with a side of corn
Tuesday - Chicken in a Pot
Wednesday - Rigatoni, Broccoli and Bananas (it's Owen's Birthday so he gets to choose)
Thursday - Quesedillas using leftover chicken
Friday - Meatball Strombolis
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

Did you make a plan this week? What inspires you?

catch you soon -

how to . . .make a paper mum wreath

2011-10-06T09:41:00.001-04:00

when i got my fall preview catalog from Paper Source. . .the adorable paper mum wreath practically jumped off the page at me. I had to have it. . .

so i bought the kit, and last weekend, set about putting it together.

according to the directions, all you need is scissors, double-sided tape and a bone folder.

the forms are all pre-cut. . .so you just need to push out the flowers and leaves. . .

the first step is to assemble the flowers. There are 6 large and 6 small mums. . .the large mums are 8 layers and the small ones are four. Trust me when I say the instructions are easy to follow.

Assemble your layers

Add a dab of adhesive in the center to keep it all together

Attach the layers

Large base ready for rolling

Once you get your paper mum together, it's time to make it 3-dimensional. . .the instructions suggest using a bone folder. . .but I found a hard-plastic straw worked best.

Just roll the paper around the straw, pull the straw out and squeeze gently

You have to do that with all the petals on all the mums. . .it take a bit of time - I let my 4 YO help pull the straw out.

once all the moms are pieced together and rolled, you can arrange them on the cardboard wreath form, attaching them with the provided foam squares.

then fold the leaves in half (I did use my bone folder for this step) and attach those with the foam squares.

now you're ready to attache the enclosed ribbon for hanging. The instructions tell you how to tie a bow in the middle and attach the two ends.

Then find a great place to hang it and wait for the oohs and ahhs!

If you have a flower paper punch or a Die Cutting system, you could easily re-create this kit at home.

What have you made this fall?

catch you soon -

wordless Wednesday. . .

2011-10-05T07:34:00.000-04:00

catch you soon -

a peek into the Martha Stewart Show. . .

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to NYC and be a member of the studio audience for The Martha Stewart Show. Granted, it's not as exciting as being a guest (bucket list) . . .but it was a thrill in itself.

the trip to NYC started much too early for me but luckily I got to travel with Sherrie and the trip was a blast. Next time we go to NYC I want to stop in Brooklyn. . .

so we arrived at the Martha Studios in Chelsea. . .even the building signage is pretty. . .

through security, bag check and into the audience prep area.

it is not at all surprising to me that Martha surrounds herself with competent, professional people that excel at their jobs. My Audience Coordinator Lois was one such a person.

There was a group of seven ladies from the Philly Social Media Moms, and we were escorted in and shown to seats in the middle front of the audience. We were good girls and followed ALL of Martha's dress requirements.

Jessica, Valerie and Sherrie

Jen, Trina and Jessica

I was absolutely speechless over the beauty of the set design. . .I've said numerous times that I would love to live there - despite the fact that there's no bedroom. The kitchen and craft room are heaven on a stick and the garden is just beautiful.

there were all sorts of pre-show stuff happening. . .stylists, and camera people and producers and directors and people. . .a whole bunch of people making it all look so beautiful and easy.

finally Martha came out - and the crowd went wild. I noticed her 4 inch spike heels - to quote another favorite, Rachel Zoe, "I die".

We learned about easy ways to cook chicken, how to make filled cupcakes, and how to created inspiring and creative baby shower gifts. Martha also had a question-answer session with the audience.

While I didn't win any giveaways or get to meet Martha . . .yet. . .it was a fantastic day and made a lasting impression on me, my business and my home.

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-10-03T09:05:00.001-04:00

when my October issue of Real Simple arrived, I quickly turned to the back to tear out the 1/2-page calendar they have been putting in there (I hang it next to my desk) . . .but instead found a Month of Dinners.

i was a little sad about the calendar not being there. . .but a month of dinner ideas complete with shopping lists was a good thing and inspiring in making my own menu plan.

here's what's on tap for this week at our house:

Monday - Chicken Soup and Fresh Bread with salad
Tuesday - Salmon with Peas and Couscous
Wednesday - Tortellini with Sausage in a white sauce
Thursday - Mom's going out (burgers and dogs)
Friday - Take out/Pizza Night
Saturday and Sunday - TBD

also, last week, while listening to Martha Stewart Radio on SiriusXM, I heard a segment on using your leftovers. On the Everyday Food show, listeners can call in with a leftover in their fridge and Sandy Gluck will give them ideas for how to serve them. BRILLIANT.

what's on your meal plan this week?

catch you soon -

product review. . .Udi's Gluten Free

2011-09-30T10:23:00.001-04:00

According to Wikipedia: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and malts. It is used as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent, often as "dextrin".

luckily, we are not Gluten-Free eaters. . .yet. . .I'm not 100% sure I wouldn't feel better if I did eat gluten-free though. so when I had the opportunity to slip a few Udi's products into my family's meal plan. . .I did.

my oldest was off from school and wanted a bagel for lunch. so I defrosted a Udi's cinnamon raisin bagel and popped it in the toaster. I spread it with cream cheese and served it up.

he ate the whole thing - declaring it delicious. (i feel so very clever)

next on our list were the cinnamon rolls. . .i served these as an after-school snack with glasses of milk. the 4 year-old preferred the cinnamon icing to the actual roll, but I thought they were a great snack/treat. These tasty cinnamon rolls are also soy, dairy and nut free!

the kids are planning to make their own pizzas tonight with Udi's pre-made pizza crusts. they are the perfect size to serve 1-2 people. so far, I'm impressed with products and give them 2 thumbs up!

Udi's makes bread, muffins, rolls, and cookies too. Their products can be frozen for up to 6 months and stay fresh about 5-7 days at room temperature. You can follow Udi's on Facebook and on Twitter or check out their website.

have you tried Udi's? what are some of your favorite products?

catch you soon -

disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a blog campaign with Udi's Gluten Free foods.

how to . . .throw a birthday party. . .

2011-09-29T09:45:00.001-04:00

in this day and age of extreme kids' parties and over-the-top celebrations. . .there is still much to say about having a simple, low-key birthday party for your child - one that celebrates them and shows how special they are.

a few years ago, I gave my oldest the choice between a birthday party with friends, or a family weekend at the beach. Luckily he chose the long weekend at the beach, and it's been a family tradition for three years now.

but we still celebrate the day he was born. I decorate the night before - some streamers and a sign I made that we re-use for everyone's birthday.

this year, I had an idea to list out 11 reasons why he's so great (since it's his 11th birthday). . .I'm planning to do 5 reasons for Owen when he turns 5 in a couple of weeks.

there's a cake of the birthday boy's choice - chocolate with chocolate icing.

the birthday boy also gets to plan the dinner menu. This year, Ryan chose steak and baked potatoes.

and presents. . .just a few things that he really wants.

it doesn't take a lot of money or time to show your kids they mean the world to you.

what are some of your birthday traditions in your family?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-09-28T11:17:00.000-04:00

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-09-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

menu plan Monday

it's that time again. . .i wish the weather felt more fall-like, as I am ready for fall foods! here's what I have planned this week:

Monday - Papperdelle with sauce, Garlic Bread/Flatbread & salad
Tuesday - Chicken in a Pot, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
Wednesday - Big's Birthday Dinner - Steak, Baked Potatoes & Broccoli. (stuffed flounder for me and John)
Thursday - Butternut Squash Soup with Shrimp, Rolls & Salad
Friday - Take Out/Pizza Night
Sat & Sun - TBD

Do you have a plan?

catch you soon -

family trip. . .Busch Gardens

2011-09-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

back in August we took a trip to Virginia, and our third stop was Busch Gardens.

I have been to Busch Gardens once before, with my Aunt, Uncle and cousin when I was about 10 . . .I didn't remember much. . .so I was looking forward to seeing if this trip sparked any memories.

The entrance to the park is full of beautiful gardens and things to look at. It is wide and there is plenty of room for crowds of people entering the park.

At the entrance waiting to go in

There is a height-check station at the entrance where parents can have their children's height checked and get wristbands that serve as a guide to ride height requirements. It can save a meltdown or argument at the ride and is a wonderful idea!

a pretty fountain

There are several countries represented throughout Bush Gardens: France, Germany, Ireland and Italy. Each with rides, restaurants and entertainment.

the boys wanted to know what this was

The kids had three clear favorites:

The Grover Coaster

The Bumper Cars (Der Autobahn) (there was one for big kids and one for little kids)

and the Railroad, which circles the park and stops in England, Italy and France.

These three attractions got most of our attention throughout our time in the park.

There's the Sesame Street Forest of Fun for the smaller set, with "just-right" rides and shows. Owen loved hanging out here and trying out all the rides - even though he's not a big Sesame Street watcher.

It was a hot day, so we ducked into the Festhaus, for some tasty treats and entertainment. I decided this was the one memory I had from my visit when I was 10. I remembered eating in there and seeing the show.

We checked out the Land of Dragons with their three-story treehouse and boat ride.

Owen and I took the Sky Lift, which goes from England to France and then to Germany before returning to England.

Sadly, it turned out to be a rainy day. But there were ponchos for sale, and plenty of indoor places to escape the heaviest rains. Since there was no thunder or lightening, most of the park could remain open and operational. We went on airplanes, dragon eggs and boats and saw Clydesdale and Sheep too.

Personally, I love amusement rides - the badder the roller coaster, the more I want to ride. But with 1 child that is not a "rider" and one that is only 4. . .I had to curb my passion. For those that want to indulge however, there is a variety of thrill rides to please.

Overall, we had a wonderful full day at the park. It was super clean, beautiful and fun to walk around. There is something for everyone and every age in your family. There are rides, shows, animals. . .a little of everything. In writing up this post, I realized how many things we missed - so we definitely need to go back soon!

If you are interested in planning your own family getaway to the Historic Triangle area, visit www.visitwilliamsburg.com

In addition, Busch Gardens has their Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town events coming up.

catch you soon -

note - we were provided complimentary admission to Busch Gardens to facilitate this post; however, as always, all opinions expressed here are my very own.

wordless wednesday . . .

2011-09-21T09:31:00.001-04:00

catch you soon -

how-to build a blog empire. . .

2011-09-20T07:30:00.000-04:00

favorite resources for blogging

alternate title. . .taking a slow boat to China. . .

people ask me what I'm doing these days. . .thanks to the amazing Tara Ziegmont and her recent PSMM SEO Workshop - my new answer is Building a Blog Empire.

that's right - I am building an Empire. . .a legacy to leave my heirs. . .

ok reality check. . .I am a decent writer with a passion for connecting with people, an unhealthy addiction to social media and 20 years of business experience. but I WANT a Blog Empire. . .everybody has dreams - right?

so i'm trying . . .and learning. . .and moving forward. . .brands and companies are finding me. I am able to connect friends with each other for positive outcomes. and through it all, i am writing. . .learning. . .evolving. . .waiting. . .

Top 10 Steps to Building a Blog Empire

1. Create an identity for yourself and a home on the world wide web.

2. Think about your goals and your mission.

3. Amplify your message.

4. Connect with like minded people - or people with totally different ideas that you admire and/or respect.

5. Reach out - it's ok if they don't reply back - don't give up!

6. Stay the course. . .do something towards your goal EACH day - even something small.

7. Explore and test new technologies - who knows, it may just work for you.

8. Remain open to constructive feedback and growth opportunities (in other words, as my mom always says, "don't cut your nose off to spite your face")

9. Think of it as a "job" - show up, do your best, ask for feedback.

10. Don't be afraid to grow or to make a mistake - both can teach you valuable lessons.

what are the lessons you have learned in building your own blog empire?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-09-19T11:07:00.001-04:00

menu plan Monday

so here we are - another week without a good solid plan. . .it's a busy week for me, so I have some ingredients and a general "idea" . . .but no firm plan.

therefore. . .it looks a little like this:

Monday - me out to dinner - leftovers or have-arounds for kids and John (soup, hot dogs, mac n cheese)
Tuesday - pasta and meatballs
Wednesday - fish and veggies
Thursday - chicken
Friday - Dinner on the Boardwalk
Sat & Sun - TBD

so while I don't have recipes all lined up . . . I do have a general sense of where I'm going every afternoon around 4:30 ish . . .and we have all the basics in house.

are you a Monday Menu Planner?

catch you soon -

Giving Back to Your Community - It's Everyone's Responsibility

2011-09-15T09:40:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Walgreens for sponsoring my writing. Help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote.

When did you learn that giving back to your community was important?

For me, I'm not sure I learned it until college, when I took a course in World Religions and volunteered at a soup kitchen. As a mom, though, it's important to me to teach my kids as early as possible how important giving back to the community is.

I also believe that we need to realize that a big, grand gesture isn't always necessary (or appropriate) even little things matter. Things like:

dropping off old towels to an animal shelter,
volunteering your expertise to a non-profit,
donating gently used toys to a childcare center, nursery or play area or
taking a meal to a sick friend

I'd love to share some of our family's favorite foundations, charities and organizations to support in our community:

The Breastfeding Resource Center - The BRC is a nonprofit corporation committed to providing expert clinical and educational breastfeeding services.

Ella's Retreat Ella's Retreat is a non-profit organization that provides housing and logistical support for families with children receiving proton therapy treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Cradles to Crayons - Cradles to Crayons (C2C) strives to provide children up to age 12 living in homeless and low-income situations with the essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued

The Joy of Sox - The Joy of Sox's mission is to provide socks for the homeless. They started in Philadelphia and are planning to help provide socks for the homeless all across the United States.

I am fortunate to have time to volunteer at both of my children's schools . . .directly in the classroom and through each parent organization. Making time to volunteer plays into our family's decisions on work arrangements and activities.

I tell my children that no matter how bad they think they have it - there is sadly, someone worse off than they are. They are fortunate to have a roof over their heads, food on their table and clothes on their backs. It is a family affair to gather up our too-small or not-right clothes and unloved toys to give to those that have so much less.

These days so many of us take so many things for granted. We live in a world that blasts us with media images of more and bigger and better. Positive change starts with community. A strong community is made up of people that support it. If we all work together - giving what we can where we can. . .we can ALL make a difference.

How do you and your family give back to your community? I'd love if you would comment and/or share a link with your favorites.

Don't forget to help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-09-14T08:39:00.000-04:00

1st day of pre-K

preschool 2010

preschool 2009

preschool 2008

catch you soon -

getting organized. . .calendars

2011-09-13T09:44:00.000-04:00

how many calendars do you keep?

i'm sure you know the adage - you should have 1 calendar - and put EVERYTHING on it. these days with Google Calendar that seems as if it may work. . .but I haven't jumped in that pool yet.

back in the day - i was a complete Franklin Covey devotee - I had my classic sized planner that i carried around everywhere with me. i filled it with all sorts of extras - expense envelops, menu plans, shopping lists, etc. I used different colored ink for different segments of my life (work, personal, etc.)

then something happened - my then boyfriend (now husband) introduced me to the Palm Pilot. . .so sleek and small (at the time) . . .but it didn't have different colors. . .until the color one came out. . .and I started to evolve to a more digital format.

against the "rules" I actually keep 3 calendars. . .my iPhone (which I must say I am most unhappy with it's limitations and lack of functions), a kitchen calendar for all to see, and my weekly Go Mom! Calendar where I keep my work and mom stuff that I need to refer to while sitting at my desk everyday.

I know - three is too many. . .but they each serve a different purpose, and I can't find an App or Calendar for my iPhone that gives me great functionality. . .AND I want my iPhone calendar to be my main calendar - and sync to my MacBook and iPad. . .anyone out there want to work on one with me? AboutOne? MomAgenda? GOMom?

how many calendars do you keep? what are your best tips?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-09-12T07:58:00.000-04:00

sadly. . .I really do not have a plan this week. . .we are busy today, which leaves out grocer shopping, and tomorrow is up in the air at this point (I can't count on getting to Trader Joe's tomorrow). . .se we are "Living off the Land" or "Shopping the Pantry"

so here's how this is going to work for us this week:

Monday - Chicken Cutlets with mashed potatoes and peas
Tuesday - Pasta (most likely spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and a salad)
Wednesday - Pork Loin (on the grill with a veggie and orzo rice pilaf)
Thursday - Shrimp or Fish if I get to the market
Friday - Phillies Game
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's your plan?

catch you soon -

fashion friday. . .Fashion Night Out - Philly Style

2011-09-09T09:40:00.000-04:00

so last night I headed over to King of Prussia Mall to see the All Things Chic girls work their stylish magic on the red carpet at Neiman's.

Jo-Lynne and Melissa didn't disappoint!

There were clothes . . .to DIE for clothes. . .

There were stylists . . .tweaking their "looks" with bags, shoes and jewelry. . .

There were models. . .tall. . .skinny. . .pretty. . .SIGH

That faux fur vest, skinnies & boots pictured above on the far left is my favorite look from the night. . .I think a lot of women could pull off that look at many different price points too. I'll have to investigate and see what I can come with for next Fashion Friday!

What did I see repeated in the fashion show last night as a MUST HAVE fall trend? Faux Fur, Skinny jeans, boots and color - LOTS of jewel tones.

what trends are you adding to your fall wardrobe?

catch you soon-

a change in the weather. . .

2011-09-08T13:59:00.001-04:00

so, i've always loved living in NJ and PA. . .one of the reasons is the lack of "severe" weather. . .in the areas I lived in, there were no "real" tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. . .

not the case any longer. . . in the last month we have had an earthquake, been under a tornado warning, and a hurricane. not to mention the wettest August EVER in recorded history. John estimates we pumped about 120 gallons of water from our basement this morning - BEFORE coffee!

i for one - am not a fan. i know you can't control the weather. . .but i wonder why such a change? why does it all seem so much more random and extreme lately? Forest fires, Hurricanes, Earthquakes. . .it terrifies me because there is so little you can do about it - and if you know me - you know I hate to not be in control.

how are you coping with your weather?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .brothers and friends

2011-09-07T09:52:00.001-04:00

catch you soon -

back to school 2011. . .

2011-09-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

i put Ryan on the bus today - his first day as a 5th grader. his last year in elementary school. i think we were both excited but nervous at the same time. . .it's a big year.

it's hard to believe that 6 first days of school have gone by . . .it seems like only yesterday we were preparing for kindergarten. . .

and 1st grade

and 2nd. . .

3rd. . .

4th grade. . .

the time flies - enjoy each moment!

catch you soon -

fashion friday. . .is it over for white pants?

2011-09-02T09:19:00.001-04:00

you know the old fashion rule - no white after Labor Day - particularly shoes and pants. . .well according to experts, and my closet - those rules are out.

summer doesn't officially end until September 22 this year - and I'm sure we will have one more bout of hot weather. so I say embrace your white.

white jeans or cargo pants? pair them with a great striped top for a nautical look, a chocolate brown top and knee-high boots or a beige slouchy sweater and nude tone shoes or boots for a casual look. This pair of Michael Kors is from Macy's.

a white t or cami is always the perfect layering piece for denim jackets, cardigans, ponchos, jackets and more.

black and white together? Instant Chic! Imagine these Ann Taylor shoes with a great pair of white jeans!

so don't put away your favorite whites - think of creative ways to bring them into fall and beyond.

what to steer clear of? Any filmy or gauzy white, white linen, strappy white sandals, bright white pumps.

how about you? do you dare to wear white?

For more Fashion Friday check out these fashionistas!

catch you soon -

changes are hard. . .

2011-09-01T10:44:00.000-04:00

my little guy has been going to his childcare/preschool center since he was 3 months old. . .today when i dropped him off. . .he cried. . .for the first time. . .

he is in the process of transitioning to the pre-k classroom, and today was the first drop-off there

i felt so badly for him and i knelt down and gave him a giant mommy hug. . .we walked hand-in-hand to his old classroom (which is mess because they are cleaning the floors) to peek in then agreed we'd walk back to his new room for drop-off. i remained upbeat but was sympathetic to his sadness.

the teacher, Miss Ginger is wonderful, sweet and kind - with a little boy of her own at the same school. she offered Owen a computer game to play - something he enjoyed when he visited the room yesterday.

he agreed. . .but was still sad and clingy. . .i could feel my own tears. . .even though I have been dropping him off at this school for 4 years. . .he went over to the computer. . .a little frown where his bright sunny smile usually is. . .and my heart broke just a tiny bit. . .

change is hard. . .for adults and for kids. . .how do you help your kids cope with change?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-08-31T07:15:00.000-04:00

catch you soon -

the Philadelphia Zoo. . .a family favorite

2011-08-30T18:45:00.000-04:00

summer vacation is quickly winding down - Monday I had both boys home, and it promised to be a gorgeous day - so we headed to the Philadelphia Zoo.

the zoo is my personal favorite family spot in our area - i could go once a week and not get bored. I think we've been members for 10 years now - since Ryan was born.

it was a picture perfect day - and not too crowded since some kids in our area are back-to-school already. we saw lot of animals!

there were 2 prairie dogs out . . .they were eating sweet potatoes

there are baby otters which are absolutely adorable!

the hippos have a great new habitat - we checked that out TWICE - the boys really wanted one of the hippos to go in the water.

the baby giraffe is not such a baby anymore. . .but i caught her trying to nurse from her momma and it was so cute!

we caught a glimpse of one polar bear. . .

we saw a zoo patron agitating the sloth bear - the bear was very upset and the patron and his friend ran away when we got there . . . in all the years i've been going to the zoo that is my first experience like that and it really upset me.

the penguins are always a favorite.

plenty of snakes out too. . .

the tigers were walking around and this one stopped and stared right up into Ryan's face. . .of course i missed that shot. . .

and the McNeil Aviary Center - always such fun. . .

we rode the carousel and the train. . .

learned how they make the orangutans work for their treats. . .(personally I love how there are people around to interact with the kids and answer questions!)

and posed for some pictures near 2 new friends. . .

it was a great day spent with 2 of my favorite boys.

catch you soon -

hurricane irene. . . a mom's perspective

2011-08-28T14:01:00.000-04:00

so hurricane irene's arrival and prediction of widespread devastation cut short my boys' camping trip with John and my dad. . .and that was just the start. . .

i typically don't cave in to the media pressure to "prepare". . .we are never "unprepared", so I rarely do anything extra. . .but after spending an afternoon watching the dire predictions with my mom, I set off to fill my gas tank. . .

26 cars in line and this was 2 days before landfall and inland.

i went to the grocery store and got the predicted bread, milk and eggs along with some jelly and cheese. my dad had a case of water for us.

in my mind i started going through our alternative lighting situation and whether we had batteries or not. Good thing we did because store shelves were wiped clean.

we left NJ and headed for home Friday night. . .luckily we had put a majority of our outside stuff away before we left, so Saturday morning we shoved a few more things in the garage and assessed the yard for safety.

according to the news. . .the situation was worsening by the minute. . .i've been witness to too many tragedies around the world to ever believe it couldn't happen to me. . .so i was getting prepared. . .physically and mentally. . .planning what needed to be done, and how we could handle a variety of potentially dicey situations.

a quick trip to Trader Joe's Saturday morning, then I tucked the car up next to the house, taped up the front picture window and we were in for the duration.

the kids seemed pretty calm and not overly concerned - we talked about what a hurricane is (lots of wind and rain). . .what could happen (lose power, flooding) and how we would be ok because we were prepared.

after the kids were in bed, john and i settled in to watch the latest news and see how NC had fared. . .and that's when the tornado warning rang. . .it came across the screen and on my Emergency Alert text. . .the potential for a tornado was right there in my neighborhood. John and I looked at each other and ran upstairs. . .he said, "you get owen". . .we each grabbed a kid and a couple of blankets and headed to our basement.

our basement is not a nice finished basement. . .it's a dank 1930's basement where we do laundry and store stuff. Luckily we have an extra couch down there and with some quick brushing off, I tucked both the kids on the couch and tried to keep calm. with the exception of John's stroke last year. . .I'm not sure I've ever been so scared.

luckily we had nothing to fear except the water gushing into our basement from the downpour outside. i tucked the kids back in theri beds after the alert had expired, while John got a start on the water. between the 2 of us, and John's flash of brilliance with the pump, we were able to get a handle on it and get it cleaned up rather quickly and with minimal damage.

we returned to the living room and watched more coverage of the storm and what was still to come - Irene hadn't even gotten to our area yet. i started to get very anxious. . .worrying whether I should bring the kids downstairs. . .if the house would be ok. . .if everything in our basement would be swimming in water. . .

about 2 am i went and tried to sleep a little - John stayed downstairs and dozed while he kept watch on everything. i woke with a start about 5 and we switched places. The kids were up by 7 wondering what it was like outside.

it was rainy and windy. . .but we had power, no new water in the basement, and only some small scale debris in our yard. i know how very lucky we are. . .

i made a pot of coffee and life was good again. . .thank God.

i hope you fared well if you were in the path of Hurricane Irene.

catch you soon -

family trip. . .Colonial Williamsburg

2011-08-25T07:00:00.001-04:00

the second stop of our trip to the Historic Triangle, was Colonial Williamsburg.

I went with my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin when I was about 10. . .I didn't remember much - the period clothing, some shops and a shuttle bus. And my memories were no match for the amazing sites that met us when we arrived via the shuttle bus.

We started off at the Visitor's Center - a beautiful building with lovely grounds. The kids threw coins in the fountain, and I was intrigued with the 3-D monument.

I was pretty confident that Ryan would enjoy the living history museum of Colonial Williamsburg. . .but I was surprised by how much he truly enjoyed it.

We were met by a guide who gave us a brief and interesting account of what we would see and what we could expect during our visit. . .he led us around the Palace and through the green, regaling us with stories of life in colonial Williamsburg.

Our first colonial life experience was hooping. . .Ryan had a great time and wasn't half-bad at it. Owen didn't want to try it.

From there, we began our experience with RevQuest. Ryan was instantly drawn into the story and almost too excited about it to pay attention to the directions and be patient. I love when kids can get that enthusiastic about education. RevQuest is a brand-new on-site and online game that asks participants to unlock clues that help save the Revolution.

Both kids enjoyed Revolutionary City - a dynamic event that reflects Williamsburg's role in one of America's defining historical periods.

The element of live theater was incredibly moving and entertaining. Even though Owen was a bit young to understand, he was interested in the Costumed Interpreters and all the activities going on.

We checked out the Printing Press,

wig shop,

and rode in a carriage.

Both the boys loved the brickyard, but only Ryan was willing to help with the clay.

On Friday night, we went back to the Palace Green for Salute to the Nation, a stirring tribute to our nation followed by amazing fireworks. The moving speeches and patriotic music were well worth a few mosquito bites.

The kids liked it so much and Ryan wanted so badly to finish his RevQuest to get his coin - that we went back on Sunday morning before we left Virginia.

As a side note, restrooms are readily available (you may need to walk a bit), clean and cool. There are also several places to get a cool drink and you can refill your commemorative cup as well.

We also went to Merchant Square - a quaint shopping area with restaurants, a candy store, a book store, clothing, antiques, souvenirs and more. Somehow, I didn't take any pictures there - but it's adorable and tons of fun. We had a delicious lunch at a Pizza Shop. You can get to Merchant Square via the shuttle bus or walk from Duke of Glouster Street.

If you want to plan your own family getaway to Colonial Williamsburg, visit www.visitwilliamsburg.com

catch you soon -

note - we were provided complimentary admission to the Colonial Williamsburg to facilitate this post; however, as always, all opinions expressed here are my very own.

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-08-24T17:49:00.000-04:00

Citizens Bank Park

catch you soon -

do your kids eat a healthy breakfast?

2011-08-22T18:18:00.000-04:00

with back to school upon us. . .I've been making plans for our new morning routine. . .part of that is breakfast.

catch you soon -

need a boy's haircut? try SportClips. . .

2011-08-21T16:40:00.000-04:00

the boys needed haircuts. . .desperately. . .it's Sunday. . .

i knew a new SportClips had opened in our usual shopping area, and they sponsor Joey Logano's Nationwide Series car, so we decided to check it out.

we were impressed the minute we walked in the door. . .it's a sports-loving boy or man's dream. . .the kids wanted to hang out in the waiting area all day. Sadly for them, we only had to wait about 4 minutes.

the staff was so kind and efficient. . .the facility so clean and appealing. the stations were comfortable and designed like lockers. The separate shampoo room was labeled "Showers". Owen is only 4, and they had full boosters (not those slidey little plastic seats) and smaller capes as well.

both boys got complimentary MVP treatments since it was their first visit. Owen decided to skip the warm towel, but Ryan siad it felt great. They were both fans of the shoulder massage.

the boys left happy, and looking incredibly handsome. John and I left extremely happy and only $24 down - not including tips.

have you tried SportClips? If there's one near you - I highly recommend it.

catch you soon -

note - I did not receive anything for this post - it was simply a family necessity and great experience. As always all opinions expressed here are my very own.

family trip . . .Yorktown Victory Center

2011-08-18T12:29:00.000-04:00

after a relatively uneventful and peaceful drive to Virginia, we made our way to our first stop of the trip:

Yorktown Victory Center

getting there was even fun - the Colonial Highway is all cobblestones and arches, surrounded by beautiful vistas of water and trees, sprinkled with the occasional family of deer.

and when we arrived - we were not disappointed. . .from the Road to Revolution Timeline, to the 1780s Farm and Encampment to the Gallery. . .there was a wonderful array of history, artifacts, and people to fascinate all four of us.

a woman spinning wool

dinner preparations and garden harvest

dish washing station

the kids enjoying a newly hatched chick

this tent slept 6 soldiers

the gallery exhibits were beautiful

There was even a cannon firing, which Ryan found absolutely awesome. Owen preferred to go inside and check out the Sunken Ship exhibit and John was enamored with the July 1776 broadside of the Declaration of Independence. There is something for everyone and more to see than we had time to see it.

From the Victory Center, we traveled into Yorktown proper to have dinner at the Riverwalk Restaurant and enjoy the views. If you've never been, it's a gorgeous waterfront area filled with shopping, dining and entertainment.

the boys outside the restaurant

a great menu and delicious food

The Serenity docked outside

a beautiful boat out on the water

enjoying the scenery

For more information on travel to Williamsburg, or to plan your own trip, visit www.visitwilliamsburg.com

catch you soon -

note - we were provided complimentary admission to the Yorktown Victory Center to facilitate this post; however, as always, all opinions expressed here are my very own.

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-08-17T11:07:00.000-04:00

Carriage Ride in Colonial Williamsburg

catch you soon -

Disney Summer Social

2011-08-16T18:45:00.000-04:00

when the word "Disney" is in the title. . .you know there will be magic

and plenty of it - with Disney music playing in the background, we were treated to arts-n-crafts, face painting, balloons and more.

there were mini burgers. . .

and an ice cream sundae bar. . .

the most exciting part? getting to hear that in 2012, you will be able to board the Disney Magic in NYC and sail off on a magical Disney Cruise!!

i think i'll have the kids start saving their pennies now. . .

catch you soon -

note - i attended the Disney Summer Social event and received some goodies and treats. i was not compensated for this post, and always all opinions expressed are my very own.

re-entry is hard. . .

2011-08-15T12:06:00.001-04:00

hello faithful readers. . .i have not abandoned you. . .i went on a blogger trip combined with a family vacation. . .stay tuned because i have some great stories to share with you this week from Williamsburg, VA.

Family Picture outside Visitors Center Colonial Williamsburg

but first - a little aside on re-entering your life after a family trip. we got in last night at 10:30. . .luckily kids were sleepy and in their PJs already. but i didn't unpack a THING. . .John took out the things he would need to go off to work today, and left everything.

our morning today consisted of getting over to Ryan's school to pick up our highly anticipated teacher letter, than off to our last week of Sports Camp. Owen is home with me - playing with EVERY toy he owns. . .it's a Revolutionary war in the living room, a legoland in the dining room and ZhuZhu Pets upstairs in his room.

me? I'm catching up with work, updating our schedules, clearing the inbox, catching up on Facebook, Twitter and laundry. . .you know - the typical re-entry mom stuff.

what are some of your best re-entry tips?

catch you soon -

how to entertain the kids on a car trip. . .

2011-08-09T22:24:00.000-04:00

planning a long car trip this summer? (there's still time!)

we are taking a 5 hour trip. . .and I typically pack books and gadgets for the kids. . .but I wanted to do something a bit more this time.

the type-A mom in me has already assigned the kids each a color. John and I have a color too for the family calendar.

i happen to have 2 small tote bags - one in each boys' designated color. . .so i filled them with the clipboards I altered earlier this summer, and a bunch of supplies I picked up in the $1 spot at Target and Office Depot back-to-school sales. along with a small pack of tissues and a pack of wipes.

viola! inexpensive and entertaining things to do while we're in the car. these bags will also be easy to transport into the hotel for in-room entertainment, and on our end-of-the-month camping trip too.

how do you entertain your kids for long car trips?

catch you soon -

how to pack for a family trip. . .

2011-08-08T19:46:00.000-04:00

in preparation for any trip I put together packing grids. . .one card per family member, arranged by day, then split into am and pm. I also add a column at the end for x-tras (bathing suits, water shoes, etc.)

i plan outfits for each person on the front grid of the card. I can flip the card over and list all the other things I need - meds, personal products, etc.

i then pack according to the cards. the KEY here is to take the cards with me. . .then use them to make sure we didn't leave anything behind.

i'm planning to punch a hole in the top corner and keep them together with a jump ring.

if I feel REALLY inspired tonight - I'll do them in each family member's color (me-pink, john-dk blue, ryan-green & owen-lt blue)

tomorrow, I'm putting together bags for the car ride.

what are some of your favorite packing tips?

catch you soon -

inventory management. . .

2011-08-05T12:39:00.000-04:00

"Mom, where's my glove?"

"Are we out of milk?"

"Where are the scissors?"

do any of these (or all of them) sound familiar? if so - then you are probably considered the Inventory Control Specialist in your household and I'm willing to bet you're the mom.

since i've made the switch to working from home mom, there are many things about being a mom that I notice more. . .inventory management is one of them.

now john is pretty good about telling me if we are out of something. . .and my type-A tendencies ensure that all our things have a "home" and I return them to said home whenever I see them straying about the house.

but that does not relieve me of needing to know what we have, how much of it we have, and where it is located. . .my brain is like a mini Amazon warehouse and some days it is exhausting!

occassionaly, as I am sure you can relate. . .it breaks down.

the current favorite granola bars of choice run out . . .there is no kids' shampoo. . .we can't find the skateboard lego guy. . .

i am not a hoarder, nor an Extreme Couponer . . .so my "stash" is small. i keep lists in my iPhone for the various stores we go to, and add to them on a daily basis. right now, that is my best way of managing our inventory. clearly - it's not perfect.

what are some of your best tips for managing the inventory at your house?

catch you soon -

teaching your kids about strangers. . .

2011-08-04T15:54:00.000-04:00

have you started talking to your kids about strangers?

we had a seemingly innocent incident happen last weekend, that has me re-visiting this serious parental milestone.

if you have not met my children in person, I will tell you that they are talkative and friendly. they see the good in all people and have never been mamma-clingers.

we've had the "stranger danger" talks with the oldest, appropriate touching, what to do if you're lost, online safety . . . all the personal safety discussions parents have with tweens. we are just starting these talks with the little one.

so as a reminder to the oldest, and good information to have even if you are only 4. . .we told the kids in the car that if a grown-up approaches you and they seem "safe" but you feel uncomfortable - it is ok to walk away. it is okay to come find us, a store employee or a mom (woman with children). it is ok to be rude if you feel uncomfortable.

i had read The Berenstain Bears, I think it was The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers. . .where Mama Bear tells the cubs how strangers are like apples - they may look nice on the outside - but inside you may find it all yucky and full of worms. But you can't tell what's on the inside just by looking on the outside.

i constantly tell the boys that no one they don't know will pick them up from school, camp or anywhere - EVER. That we have reliable and available emergency contacts. But I wonder of the wisdom of a "secret word". . .are you familiar?

you and your child come up with a secret word - known only to the 2 of you. If you need someone other than yourself to pick up your child - they need to tell your child the secret word first. Which means, you have sanctioned the pick-up and told them the secret word to tell your child.

has anyone tried this? how do you share the seriousness of strangers and "bad people" with your kids without scaring them to death?

catch you soon -

wordless wednesday. . .

2011-08-03T10:51:00.002-04:00

catch you soon -

how blogging is a lot like NASCAR. . .

2011-08-02T07:00:00.001-04:00

i know it sounds crazy right? how is sitting in your living room writing everyday like driving a car at 200 mph? while listening to the Brickyard 400 on Sunday (we were in the car so SiriusXM is the next best thing to watching on TV) when Paul Menard won his very first Sprint Cup Race, beating veteran Jeff Gordon. . .that the "little guy" sometimes wins. . .he sometimes gets a break where he can leverage the skills he's been building all along. . .

here are my top 5 ways Blogging is like NASCAR:

1. NASCAR is a family-owned and operated business - much like your independent blogger.

2. NASCAR teams need sponsors to race. . .much like bloggers need sponsors to attend conferences.

3. The NASCAR Championships are based on a point system. . .Klout.

4. NASCAR drivers may be part of a bigger team, but only one person wins. . .bloggers may be part of a group, but only one can be on top.

5. NASCAR drivers know if you put someone in the wall on purpose, no one will help you win next time. . . bloggers know if you throw another blogger under the bus, you will be outed publicly.

what similarities can you come up with?

catch you soon -

menu plan Monday. . .

2011-08-01T07:21:00.000-04:00

menu-plan Monday

thanks for hanging out during summer blog camp - i hope it gave you the opportunity to see some different sides of me and my personality and my blogging.

it gave me the opportunity to stretch my imagination and my writing skills.

now it's a new month, and a new Monday - so here's my plan:

Monday - Chicken Ceasar Salad
Tuesday - Grilled Pork Loin with a green veggie and potatoes
Wednesday - Hot Dogs & Burgers (mamma's going out!)
Thursday - Salmon, Rice and a Veggie
Friday - Take Out or left overs
Saturday & Sunday - TBD

what's your plan?

I'd love to streamline this porcess even more for Back -to-School, so stay tuned!

catch you soon -