Kid's Co-op and New Years Resolutions

Welcome to the first Kid's Co-op of 2013!

"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world."

-Ann Landers

More than anything, I really hope 2013 brings peace, health and happiness to all my readers, friends and family. I've been tempted to write a new blog post about New Year Resolutions, but this year, I want to take a different approach. I want my actions to speak louder than my words. You can talk about diet, good-will and random acts of kindness, but if you don't put it into action, it really doesn't matter.

I think I'm a good person, but there's always room for improvement. So, I have already started making positive changes in my life, and I'm looking forward to seeing my new goals flourish throughout the year.

It's becoming a trend that people choose a word to define their goals for 2013.  My word will be "Action." 

ac·tion [ ákshən ]  Doing something toward goal: the process of doing something in order to achieve a purpose

 

Enough of this resolution talk, let's go play at the Kid's Co-op...

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Free Family Fun with the 'Museums on Us' Program

If you're a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit/debit card holder, you can get FREE admission to more than 150 museums nationwide this weekend, January 5th and 6th, with the Museums on Us program.

Throughout 2013, you can get free general admission to select museums by presenting your photo ID along with your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card. This offer is valid The first full weekend (Sat & Sun) of each month. Click here to find a museum near you and learn more about the Museums on Us program. 

Note: Free general admission limited to cardholder at participating location. Excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events. Not to be combined with other offers. Please be sure to read all the fine print at Museums.bankofamerica.com

Thanks for DullesMom for reminding me about this deal! Image Credit: Museums.bankofamerica.com

Happy 2013!

I can't believe it's already 2013!

The past couple of months have been busy, but Christmas was really magical this year thanks to all of the love around me. Although, I missed writing on this blog, spending quality time with my family always takes precedence. Isn't that what Christmas is really all about?

Over the past 6 weeks, our kids have taken a break from sports, and we've been exploring many local, family friendly attractions. We kicked off the holiday with Sesame Place, then headed to the Please Touch Museum, The Adventure Aquarium, Longwood Gardens, downtown Philadelphia and most recently spent the night in Washington, D.C.

While in D.C., we explored the Air and Space Museum, The Natural History Museum, and even stopped by the National Zoo before we headed home. Despite forgetting our stroller, and having a very tired 4-year old, it was an awesome trip. I was blown away by how friendly everyone in Washington D.C. was, and it certainly made our trip very memorable.

Here are a few photos from our holiday adventures.

Our 2012 family adventures are over, but we're really looking forward to a fabulous 2013!  Do you have any special plans for the new year?

Looking forward to "The ABC's"

photo of The ABCs of...KBN Series {January 7-11, 2013}

Hey there, stranger! I've been taking a little Christmas break, but I wanted to quickly pop in to say Hello! I hope you've been enjoying the holiday with your family.

As I'm sure you can relate, this past year has been very busy. In an effort to relax and unwind, I decided to turn off the computer (for the most part) and focus on quality time with family and friends. It has been incredibly nice to take a break so that I can recharge and focus on what's to come for 2013!

Speaking of 2013, I'll kicking off the new year, by participating in a five day series called "The ABC’s Of…" The week of January 7-11, over sixty of your favorite bloggers will be exploring select topics from A to Z.  See below for a sneek peek at the topics that are being covered, including my own... The ABC's of Valentine Crafts and Recipes!

So, mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss this!

THE ABC’S OF…

photo of The ABCs of Arts and Crafts

Art Education / Krissy at B-Inspired Mama

Cardboard Box Creations / Here Come the Girls

Children’s Music with Art / Debbie at Rainbows within Reach

Coffee Filters / Adrienne at The Iowa Farmers Wife

Crafts & Art / Maggy at Red Ted Art

Crafting on a Budget / Tammy at Housing a Forest

Creativity / Varya at Little Artists

Paper Plates / Kelly at Domestic Goddesque

Toddler Crafts / Cerys at Rainy Day Mum

Upcycled & Recycled Crafts / Esther at Craft To Art

Valentine Crafts & Recipes / Heather at Local  Fun For Kids

photo of The ABCs of Learning Through Play

Baking with Kids / Maggy at Life at the Zoo

Bath Time / Crystal & Jessie at Bath Activities for Kids

Discovery Bottles / Deborah at Teach Preschool

Farming for Children / Alex and Valerie at Glittering Muffins

Gross Motor / Cassie at 3 Dinosaurs

Imaginative Play / Allison at Train up a Child Learn as we Go

Kids Activities / Crystal of Growing a Jeweled Rose

Learning Through Play / Brittany at Love Play and Learn

Learning Toys & Manipulatives / Becky at This Reading Mama

Movement  for Little Ones / Angelique at Angelique Felix: The Magic Of Play

Outdoor Learning / Rebekah at The Golden Gleam

Play Dough / Anna at Imagination Tree

Playing with Light / Kristen at Graham-and-Parker

Preschool Play / Heather at It’s a Long Story

Sensory Bins / Erin at Royal Baloo

Sensory Play / Katherine at Creative Play House

Toddler Activities / Kristina at Toddler Approved

Winter Outdoor Play / Carolyn at Pleasantest Thing

photo of The ABCs of Literacy and Language

Books for Preschoolers / Preschool Book Club

Building a Home Library / Jackie at Ready-Set-Read

Early Language Learning / Katie at Playing with Words 365

Early Literacy / Malia at Play Dough to Plato

Exploring Books / Deirdre at J Daniel 4s Mom

Graphic Novels / Mia at Pragmatic Mom

Learning to Read Through Play / Bern at Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

Learning to Write / Cathy at Nurture Store

Reading Comprehension for Pre K- Grade 1 / Carolyn at The Wise Owl Factory

Storytelling / Jillian at A Mom with a Lesson Plan

photo of The ABCs of Mama Tips & Tricks 

Being a Hands on Mom / Jamie at Hands On: As We Grow

Connecting with Your Kids / Ness at One Perfect Day

Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids / Akane at Juggling with Kids

Kids’ Party Ideas / Jane at Mama Pea Pod

Mama Survival / Mel at The Dizzy Mom

Mom-Tot Yoga / Jenni at Jenni Fischer

Printables / Melissa at Mama Miss

Raising a Healthy Kid / Beth at Living Life Intentionally

Raising a Thinking Child / Chrissy at The Outlaw Mom

Raising a World Citizen / Leanna at All Done Monkey

Raising Boys /  Stephanie at Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Raising Eco-Friendly Kids / Jennifer at Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Raising Girls / Vicky at Mess For Less

Raising Toddlers / Kendall at Home Learning Journey

Simply Celebrating Holidays as a Family / Mari at Inspired by Family Magazine

Teaching Kids about Money / Marnie at Carrots Are Orange

The Family Dinner Table / Gina at Connecting Family and Seoul

The Organized Home / Tina at Mamas Like Me

Trying A New Experience with Your Children / Danielle at 52 Brand New

Values for Children (Character development) / Janine at True Aim Education

photo of The ABCs of School Activities

A Waldorf Mama / Amie at Mum of Twins a Toddler and a Teenager

After School Activities / Kim and Amanda at The Educators Spin On It

Field Trips with Kids / Jacquie at Edventures with Kids

Hands-on History / Ticia at Adventures in Mommydom

Home Daycare or Family Child Care / Suzanne at My Buddies and  I

Homeschooling / Jill at Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

How to Home Preschool / Genny at In Lieu of Preschool

Math activities / Suja at Blog Me Mom

Montessori / Deb at Living Montessori Now

Science Activities & Play / Emma and Kerry at Science-Sparks

Teaching Math / Leann at Montessori Tidbits

Thrifty Teaching Tools / Susan at Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers

See you in  the new year!

Wet Ones Sticky Situations Facebook Contest

One thing I learned quickly after becoming a mom, was that kids are sticky, messy, and drawn to dirt.  

I've written before about how my sons love playing outside and love getting dirty. That's totally okay with me. I have become so laid back when it comes to dirt, that we even have designated "digging spots" where my boys and their friends are free to dig their little hearts out. Even though mess makes them happy, not stressing over the mess is what makes me happy. 

No matter where we are, my kids are always getting into sticky situations. Luckily, Wet Ones is giving us an opportunity to share all of our Sticky Situations and tips to overcome our stickiness with a new Facebook Contest. Just log on and share your story and tips, and you can be entered to win an iPad Mini or Six Flags Tickets!

 

CONTEST CLOSED

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Wet Ones. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Recipe

 

Milk and Cookies.

Yum!

I think I gained a pound just typing out the word "cookies," but, no one can deny the fact that milk and cookies definitely take center stage this time of year.  Not only is it tradition to leave Santa milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, but it seems like cookies are everywhere!  Luckily, Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms is making sure we have cold, fresh milk to pair with our favorite cookies. 

 Did you know, according to a study done at Cornell University, milk begins to lose essential nutrients, such as Vitamin A, in as little as 2 hours after being exposed to light. It also begins to have a noticeable difference in flavor.  But, Lehigh Valley’s new Pure Protect bottle protects your milk and carefully preserves both flavor and nutrients so every serving of Lehigh Valley milk is as good as the first sip. My family really enjoyed this milk.

So, I've been testing out different recipes, trying to come up with the perfect cookie to pair with Lehigh Valley Milk, and I think I've got it.  These Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies are the perfect combination of  chewy, flaky, chunky, delicate and delicious. They are an ideal match for a nice, cold glass of milk.

Here's the Recipe for these Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies:

* 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 1 cup micro-mini marshmallows
* 2/3 cup white flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 large eggs
* 3/4 cup light-brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Put 1 cup of chocolate and 4 tbs of butter in a microwave safe bowl. Heat them on high for 20 seconds, and gently mix it up. Then, heat for another 20-seconds and give it a stir.  Keep heating in 20-second increments until it's melted. I think mine took about 60 seconds in total. Don't over-heat it because it will burn your chocolate. 
2.  Sift your flour into a separate bowl.  Then, add the baking powder and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat your eggs, vanilla and brown sugar on high speed. Once they're light and fluffy, gently fold in the melted chocolate and mix in the flour mixture until it's all combined. Finally, take the remaining cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of micro-mini marshmallows and mix those in.
4. Put about 1-2 tablespoons of cookie batter onto your baking stone/cookie sheet. About 12 cookies per batch. Bake for about 13-14 minutes. The mixture may seem very thin at first, but it will fluff when it bakes. The cookies are done when they have a cracked look and are beginning to firm up. Note: before you move them to a cooling rack, you will need them to cool on the baking stone/cookie sheet for about 10 minutes.

If you've been wanting to make chocolate cookies this season, give this recipe a try.  I don't think you'll be disappointed. Then, come back here & tell me what you think!

Also, three of my lucky readers will win a set of Fall Cookie Cutters from King Arthur’s Flour.  Just leave a comment below and tell me your favorite type of cookie to be eligible to win. Winners will be selected 12/16.

 

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”
― Charles M. Schulz


*Please see my full disclosure here. Thanks to Lehigh Valley Milk for sponsoring this post.


$25 Nationwide Movie Deal

If you're still looking for a holiday gift, give the gift of the movies with this exclusive, all-in-one ticket package. Goldstar is offering a full movie-going experience package that includes:

       - Two Show Snacks drink vouchers
       - A Show Snacks popcorn voucher
       - Two AMC Gold Ticket movie passes

These vouchers can be used at any AMC Theatres location nationwide including AMC Theatres, AMC Loews, AMC Showplace, Cineplex Odeon, Magic Johnson and Star theatres. And, tickets never expire.

Just click this banner to join Goldstar.com (for free) and go to their National deals!

*Affiliate link included in this post

Treat.com Review & Holiday Giveaway

Have you heard of Treat.com?  When I saw their site for the first time, I knew that they sold greeting cards, but, now that I've actually used Treat.com, I know that it's so much more than that!  

Forget about those days making a special trip to the store to buy a Birthday card for your Mother-in-law while your kids are running up and down the isle tearing the place apart.  Just log into Treat.com and choose one of their cards. Then, you can completely customize your cards with photos and message tailored perfectly to fit your needs. The prices are totally comparable with what you'd pay in the store.  Not only do you get a totally custom card, but they also mail it for you, so you don't have to worry about remembering to buy stamps or stick it in the mail.

My mom and sister were tickled pink to receive a card from Treat.com.  The cards were fantastic quality and the personalization made them one-of-a-kind. Treat.com has a great variety of Christmas Greeting Cards, Birthday cards, Thank You cards and more.  If you want to order a Christmas card for someone special, be sure to get your order in by December 18th, to assure holiday arrival.

One of my lucky readers will win 10 cards from Treat.com! Please note that shipping is included for the cards, if you are having them sent to your home. However, if you would like them mailed directly to a recipient, there is a charge for the stamp.  Enter by using the Rafflecopter widget below for a chance to win!

Update: Thanks to everyone to entered.  The winner is Jeanine Marie!

Please see my full disclosure here.

Going to Longwood Gardens With Kids

I want to introduce you to my new local love: Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, PA.  It's a magical place you can go again and again, and have a different experience each time. That's what I love so much about local parks, gardens and arboretums. They are constantly transforming from season to season, and there are always new surprises with each visit.

My family first visited Longwood Gardens during Christmas time about 5 years ago when we had family visiting from out-of-town.  People flock to Longwood each year around the holidays because of the spectacular holiday lights, flowers, trees and decorations throughout the grounds.  More than 16,000 plants, over 500,000 Christmas lights, and over 1,600 starry ornaments are used for this year's display.  It really is a feast for the eyes.

Even though we went to Longwood years ago, our recent trip was our first trip there as a family with both the kids. When we pulled up to the entrance and saw some of the lit trees, my kids were already excited. I knew that if they were that excited about the entrance, they were going to be completely mesmerized once we got inside - and they were!

We started our visit by walking around outside.  The kids loved the outdoor Garden Railway, and then we moved onto the Conservatory.  They really were in awe when they saw the towering trees, lights and ornaments hanging from the ceiling.

Just as the kids were getting worn out, we wandered into the Children's Garden and they were instantly filled with energy again. It was like a switch flipped, and suddenly they were ready to go!  It was almost impossible to keep up with them in there.  They quickly went from one area to another, exploring every little corner.  Even adults, without kids, were wandering this garden with curious smiles on their faces. 

At the dragon's mouth, there were paint-brushes to paint the walls with water, which my kids loved! There was a little spiral staircase, a wall of water, a flower maze, water fountains and other details to get lost in. This was definitely a highlight of our visit.

Our recent visit to Longwood Gardens is a night I will never forget. My family is really looking forward to going back again very soon, and I can't wait to bring my parents along with us. If you're planning on going too, here are a few tips:

1) Plan your visit. Times tickets are required during the busy holiday season.  Timed tickets sell out quickly, so purchase early online to avoid disappointment.

2) Time your visit to avoid the rush! Arrive by 2pm and avoid the evening rush. If you're a member, you can enjoy Member nights on Mondays which are much less busy.  If you're not a member, try to go Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday when crowds are typically much smaller than on peak days. 

3) Bring your stroller. My kids are 4 & 6, so we don't generally use a stroller anymore, however, we did enjoy having our sit n'stand stoller with us during our evening at Longwood Gardens. My kids had already had a long day at school and I knew we were going to be doing a lot of walking, so it was nice to give the kids the option of resting as we were trekking around the grounds.

4) Bundle Up.  It was really cold the night we went, so I was happy that we brough our hats, gloves and warm winter coats.

5) Enjoy lunch or dinner there. They have lots of indoor seating, a nice variety of food, and I think their food is fabulous!

6) Support the local merchants in downtown Kennet Square, PA. There's a great mix of unique shops, a winery and some fantastic restaurants, such as La Verona.

If you have any questions about Longwood Gardens with kids, leave me a comment or visit the Longwood Garden website.

*Please see my full disclosure here.

Tons of Holiday Kid Crafts & Activities

This is such a fun time of year! Check out all of the new crafts, recipes and kids' activities with this week's edition of the Kid's Co-op.

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Review: Green Kids Crafts

Have you ever heard of Green Kids Crafts? It is a really cool subscription service that delivers kid-friendly craft kits straight to your door. It's perfect for moms who want to craft with their kids, but don't necessarily want to keep stash of craft supplies around the house, or busy moms who don't have time to come up with new craft ideas all the time.  It's probably the easiest way for parents to indulge their kid's creative side.

Everything comes neatly packaged in a recycled box.  Each month, there's a new themed box containing 3 unique crafts suited for kids ages 3-8.  With each theme, it's easy to turn it into an educational experience as well.  My son, 6, thought this box was so cool.  He's usually not 'into' crafts, so I was caught off guard when he jumped at the chance to complete one of the kits. 

We received a food themed box to review which contained a ton of cool stuff.  My son quickly emptied out all of the colorful tiles to make his own coaster.  Even though everything was recycled/upcycled, I was really impressed buy the quality of the materials. I know he'll have that coaster for a long, long time. After the coaster was made, we both worked on the felt fishing game, which my little guy loved.

My kids and I really enjoyed the kit and it was a nice change from pulling things out from our craft drawer.  If you're interested in trying out a Green Kid's Crafts box, or maybe buying one as a gift, you can learn more on their site Green Kid Crafts.

How to make Cinnamon, Sugar & Salt Ornaments

Are you crafty?  I am always surprised by how many moms say they aren't crafty. It really is so easy to use things you have around the house to get crafty with your kids.  These salt dough, sugar and cinnamon ornaments are a perfect example. Even if they don't turn out perfect, it doesn't matter.  My son and I made cinnamon ornaments yesterday, and, they may not be perfect, but they still look great and we had a lot of fun making them!

How to Make Cinnamon Ornaments:

You need:

- 3/4 cup of Applesauce

- 1 bottle (4.12 ounces) of Cinnamon

Just put the cinnamon and apple sauce in a bowl and mix it up.  We found that mixing with a spoon doesn't cut it, you really need to get in there with your hands and make sure it's completley mixed into a firm, smooth ball of dough. Then, on a large flat cookie cheet, roll it with a rolling pin until it is about 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thickness.  Use cookie cutter to make your shapes and use a wooden skewer to poke holes in the top (where you'll put the ribbon). If you feel like it's too stick roll it in a little more cinnamon.

Bake 2 1/2 hours at 200°F or lay the ornaments gently on a wire rack where they should be completely air dried in about 2 days.

Once they're dry you can decorate if you choose, or just leave them all natural.

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments:

You will need:

- 1/2 cup of Salt

- 1 cup of Flour

- 1/2 cup of Water

- Glitter & Paint (to decorate)

Mix up the ingredients until they are the consistency of a bread or pizza dough.  If it feels too dry, add a little bit of water.  Or, if it seems too sticky, add a little more flour and salt (in equal parts).

Then, roll out flat on a cookie sheet to about 1/4 to 1/3-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to make shapes and use a wooden skewer to poke holes in the top (where you'll put the ribbon). You can either leave your ornaments out  to air dry or bake them in the oven at 250 degrees until they harden. 

Once they are dry, you can paint them and decorate them any way you want.  If you don't want to paint them, mixing colored glitter into the clay makes it really pretty and adds some sparkle.  

How to Make Sugar Ornaments:

Sugar Ornaments are also really easy to make with things you have around the house.  They look great and are a very kid-friendly holiday craft.  

You will need:

- 1/2 cup Sugar

- 1 tablespoon Glitter

- 1 teaspoon of water

First mix up the sugar and the glitter.  Then, add in the water until it's all mixed in.

Let the kids fill the cookie cutter with the sugar mixture. Then, you should gently tap the ornament out of the cookie cutter onto a cookie sheet or plate.  Allow the sugar ornament to dry overnight.  When it's completely dry, just glue a ribbon on the back of the ornament. That's it!

Do you have any other creative ideas for easy homemade kid's ornaments? 

Thunderstruck Movie Giveaway

“Hard work beats talent

when talent fails to work hard.”

- Kevin Durant

My sons are always fascinated by sports-themed movies with a positive message, so I just know they're going to want to see Thunderstruck.

In Thunderstruck, NBA superstar Kevin Durant plays himself as a basketball star who switches talent with a klutzy 16-year-old fan. When Brian (Taylor Gray) magically switches basketball skills with his hero, Kevin Durant, he becomes the star of his high school team... while Kevin Durant suddenly can’t make a shot to save his life! But with the playoffs approaching, Brian learns that being a true winner means working hard at your own game, and he tries to make things right in time to prevent a catastrophic end to his hero’s season.

This movie comes to home video December 4th, and thanks to Warner Brother's one of my lucky fans will win a copy! Just use the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post to enter to win a Thunderstruck Combo Pack (Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Download).

Also, check out the interactive Thunderstruck widget. Try the Free-Throw Challenge Game! Are you up for a Free-Throw Challenge? Show us your skills! Make as many baskets as you can and unlock special clips along the way! Get 7 Thunder-ific Tips for Kids! Does your kid dream of going pro? Use these awesome tips to help them sharpen up their skills!

 

 

{Note: Rafflecopter widget may take a few seconds to load.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with Warner Bros.

December Kids Crafts

I am really excited it's December and I'm ready to start preparing for Christmas. We actually don't have any Christmas decorations up yet, but our elf, Joey Snowy has been watching over our house since after Thanksgiving.  Have you decorated yet?  When do you normally put up your tree?

Hurricane Sandy Efforts Continue

"Just because it's not on the news all the time we can't forget.

Things are NOT OK here....People still need A LOT of help!"

- Sarah, Finnegan and the Hughes

When Hurricane Sandy first hit, it was all over the news. Even if you don't live in the area, I'm sure you've seen photos of the damage done to the East coast. But, just like any natural disaster, the news coverage has diminished while the clean up continues. There are still many people working hard to help the area recover, and I want to take a minute to highlight some of these people and their efforts. Even if you don't live nearby, there are ways to get involved!

Sarah from Finnigan and the Hughs started a hat collection drive and has been involved in countless other efforts as well. She has motivated people from all over the world to get involved!

Thanks to the generosity of everyone at KlutchClub, beautiful boxes of healthy snacks were sent to the people helping rebuild the Tuckerton/Little Egg Harbor area. They were very grateful for the donation and immediately opened the boxes to distribute them among the workers.

Cindy from the Hurricane Sandy Support Page- South Jersey graciously distributed these snacks. She said "It brought a lot of smiles to everyone's faces around here!" Cindy has also been working hard on other local relief efforts and keeping this in the news at NJ.com.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

No matter where you live you can help! Hundreds of families were impacted on Staten Island, NY. Complicated Mama shows you how to Adopt-A-Staten Island Family. You can also make a Good day, Good Night Bag.

Do you live near New Jersey? Jersey Family Fun is partying with a purpose at the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, NJ. You can learn more here: Kid-friendly party to benefit the Red Cross of NJ

Do you live near Philadelphia? SUNDAY DECEMBER 9th from 12-230pm. Baby Love Disco is partnering up with Restore the Shore Projects in an effort to raise money (and awareness) for folks that got hit hard by Sandy.  $10.00 per person at Shampoo Night Club GET TICKETS & MORE INFO @ WWW.BABYLOVESDISCO.COM & http://www.facebook.com/restoretheshoreprojects

Thank you to everyone who is working hard to help out. If you know of any other efforts, please share in the comments below.

 

Sesame Place: A Very Furry Christmas Review 2012

If you've thought about going to Sesame Place, but water slides and the summer heat aren't your thing, now is the perfect time to go. This was the second year that we celebrated A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA.  It was busy, but not overly crowded, it was decorated perfect for the holiday season and the kids had a blast!

What I like most about A Very Furry Christmas is the variety of things to do.  We arrived in the afternoon, which gave the kids plenty of time to go on the amusement rides and play on the nets. Big Bird's Balloon Race, Blast Off and Peek-a-Bug were a few of their favorites, but the ride they loved the best was the Vapor Trail roller coaster.  I think we went on that ride at least 5 times!

After we were done playing, we took a break to eat dinner, meet some characters, and get a spot along the parade route.  The parade was full of energy, and lots of kids were dancing in the street. It gave us one last chance to see Elmo, Big Bird and other characters one last time, and when the parade was over, the kids were totally exhausted and ready for a nice quiet ride home.  Ahh!

To learn more about a Very Furry Christmas, check out SesamePlace.com

*Disclosure: I received tickets to facilitate this review.

25 FREE Bubble Guppies Coloring Pages for Kids

 

Sign up for the Bubble Guppies Fan Club on NickJr.com and get 25 FREE Bubble Guppies Coloring Pages! Plus, you’ll receive access to games, video sneak peeks, and tons of activities for Bubble Guppies fans!

Join here to get a newsletter, O-FISH-AL Fan Club kit, School Rocks pack and 25-page coloring book!  Every month, you'll get a Bubble Guppies newsletter with exclusive games, video sneak peeks, and all kinds of activities for your Bubble Guppies fan.