Win Baby Unplugged Books!

I love technology. Yet, when it comes to babies, toddlers and kids, I'm a bit reluctant to let them love it too.  Sure, my kids watch t.v. and play video games at times, but, I also believe kids need to be kids. They need to explore, run outside, go on adventures and play. That's why I really loved the concept of the Baby Unplugged book series.

 

The promoters of Baby Unplugged sent me 3 story books to review. My nephew is a great age for these books, so I gave them to my sister and him to check out.  We all loved the colorful illustrations and the back-to-basics approach.

Spring Break Boredom Busters

Punxsutawney Phil, you tricked us! Where is our early spring?  

Spring is technically here, but it sure doesn't feel like it! The cold weather doesn't typically bother me, but at the moment, I am seriously longing for a nice warm spring day.  I cannot wait for this freezing winter weather to be a distant memory.  I'd even take a 'warm-ish' spring day, but, snow is in our forecast.  Yes. It looks like we're getting at least one more dose of chill before Easter.

Enough of my whining.  Let's get onto the Kid's Co-op.  This week, I'm looking for some quick and easy Easter themed boredom busters to keep my kids busy this week. What about you?

Kids Can Build a Planter for FREE at Lowe's

The Croods are coming to Lowe's!

Your child will have a chance to build their very own Crood's planter and decorate it with their favorite creatures and characters from this new movie.

Date / Time: Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 AM

Location: Your local Lowe's store


Don't forget to register on the Lowe's Website to reserve your child's space. 

*See Lowe's website for additional details about their free kid clinic.

10 Spring Break Survival Tips

 

Are your kids home for Spring Break? Here are a few simple tips to help ensure a happy and fun week: 

1) Avoid the crowds - If you're planning field trips, "plan them for later in the afternoon when attractions are less likely to be crowded" says Jennifer of Jersey Family Fun.

2) Just Relax - Jessica, of DelcopaMoms says "I don't know about everyone else's families but mine runs from soccer to t-ball to gymnastics and back again. One week this spring, the kids don't have activities, we're vegging out! We have one planned activity the entire week. I also plan to hang, watch tv, probably do a TON of coloring but we're relaxing!"

The Best Trifle Recipe Ever

A friend of mine made this trifle and I couldn't believe how similar it was to something my Grandmom used to make.  My Grandmom's recipe was for the most amazing banana split dessert which everyone in my family loved. It was full of pineapple, strawberries, bananas and whipped cream. Yum!

Just like my Grandmom's dessert, this trifle the perfect spring and summer recipe because it's filled with fruit and it's just makes your mouth happy. The best part is that it's pretty easy to make, looks impressive and tasted amazing. 

Contine here for the full recipe from All Recipes.com

Another Chance to Win from Treat.com!

Do you enjoy shopping for gifts? Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with buying gifts. There are time when I find a gift that I absolutely love, but, then I keep second guessing myself whether it's the right gift for the person I'm shopping for. Sometimes, I like a gift so much I have to buy two, so that I get one as well. Other times, I just get frustrated and walk out of a store with nothing.  Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Phillies Spring Training: Hammond Stadium 2013

Growing up in a house full of girls, I never would have imagined myself going to sporting events on vacation, but, this is the second vacation in a row that my family has gone to a baseball game, and both experiences were wonderful. As the mom to two boys who love sports, I've learned to enjoy these experiences as I watch their eyes light up.

Last year, we went to a game in Brewster Massachusets and this year we saw the Phillies play at Hammond Stadium in Florida. Everyone in my family loves the Phillies and over the years we've been to a bunch of games at Citizen's Bank Park. It's a modern stadium and we've seen some great games there, but having a chance to see the Phillies play at a much smaller venue surrounded by palm trees was such a treat.

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Easy Ways to Welcome Spring With Kids

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Most of today was wet and dreary so I'm doing a happy, spring-themed post to lift my spirits. To my family, spring brings lots of sports and outside activities. Chatting with friends beside the soccer field. Cheering on the kids as they hit a ball past second base. Chasing the kids around the neighborhood as they run from one activity to another. Enjoying walks with friends.

I have 5 easy ways to welcome spring and I want to share them with you.

Win Return to Nim'’s Island Blu-ray Combo Pack

Return to Nims Island DVD Cover

Do you get the Hallmark channel? If so, mark your calendars because Return to Nim’s Island is premiering on the Hallmark Channel on March 15th 2013 at 7/8C! 

I can't tell you how many times we've watched Free Willy in our house. (It's far too many to count!) My sons especially love the Free Willy with Bindi Irwin and I think they are going to be completely captivated when they see her star in Return to Nim’s Island!

In this movie, she is determined to protect her island and the animals that call it home. With ruthless resort developers and greedy wildlife poachers threatening the existence she loves, Nim realizes she and her animal pals can’t defend their home alone. To save her island, she is forced to combine forces with an outsider: Edmund, a runaway from the mainland. Only with his help does she stand a chance of stopping the villains from dismantling her world.

Check out the widget below and discover which adventurer you are! Whether you’re a fearless explorer, a precocious castaway or an unexpected hero, Nim'’s Island is an adventurer’s paradise. Take the quiz to find out which Nim’ adventurer you are! Download 7 awesome family adventures that will transport you all to your next, unforgettable journey.

Enter to win Return to Nim'’s Island Blu-ray Combo Pack on the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

St. Patrick's Day & Spring Are On Their Way!

The sun is shining and I am looking forward to a new week! Let's kick off a new weekend with another great round-up of fabulous kid's activities at the Kid's Co-op!

If you've never been to the Kid's Co-op, here's how it works:

1. Feel free to browse all of the creative ideas and if you have one to add, just link it up!

2. Please grab a button so every one can see where you like to party. It doesn't matter where you put our button, it's just nice to put it somewhere. If you don't like buttons simply link back with text.

Here's the code for the button: 

/">src="http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/localfunforkids/kidscoop.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" />

Cradles to Crayons at the Springfield Mall

If you're in Delaware County, PA, I have an exciting opportunity to tell you about!  My friend Jessica from DelcoPAMoms is coordinating a massive clothing drive to benefit Philadelphia area kids through Cradles to Crayons. This is a great chance to teach your kids about giving back locally. The clothing drive will be at the Springfield Mall clothing drive from March 8th-30th and everyone who donates will get a discount for photos with the Easter Bunny.

Just bring new & gently used clothes to the customer service desk. Most needed items include:

  • Boys Pants, sizes 7-16
  • Boys PJs, sizes 11-16
  • Girls PJs, sizes 11-16
  • Girl’s Underwear sizes 5/6 and 7/8
  • New Boys Underwear sizes 3T to 11/12
  • Strollers
  • Pack 'n Plays
  • Baby Carriers (Bjorn, snugglie, sling)

 

All donations will be given to Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia who will give them to children in the Philadelphia area who need them! If you want to help but don't have a donation, stop by the service desk to pick up and Easter Egg & purchase an item that they are in serious need of now! Please help spread the word for this fantastic cause!

For more inforamation, please check out Jessica's blog post here.

 

Easter Egg Hunt Tips for Parents

Easter is so close and my family is looking forward to all the local Easter Egg Hunts around town. I remember a few years ago, I think we went to 4 or 5 egg hunts over a 3 week period. It was nuts!

This year, I'm not expecting that much Easter Egg action, but I always like looking back on this old post that a friend wrote.  It's a great list of things to keep in mind before you head to your next Easter egg hunt.

Continue Reading:

5 Tips for Easter Egg Hunt Fun!

Airboat Tour Review: Sawgrass Recreation Park - Weston, FL

I have to thank my husband for this one.  He did all the research online, and planned our trip to Sawgrass Recreation Park. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, I could tell this was definitely a popular tourist destination, and as soon as we starting looking around I understood why.

 

They have a lots of free parking, which was a great way to start our visit.  As soon as we got out of the car, we wandered over to the main shop where we were able to buy tickets for an airboat ride. They even gave us each a pair of new ear-plugs which was nice because it's something I hadn't planned for. 

There were a good number of people waiting outside, so we were very pleasantly surprised that our wait was only about 25 minutes for our airboat ride.  Everything was very organized and efficient.  We each had a wrist band with a number on it, and we eagerly awaited our boat number to be called over the loud speaker.

Soon enough, they called our number and we were on the airboat. Our guide told us all about alligators and the eco-system of the Florida everglades. During our airboat ride, we saw three different alligators close up as we cruised through their habitat. Everyone in my family really enjoyed the ride. From a mom's perspective, I thought it was the perfect combination of fun and educational.  My sons are 5 & 7 and they both had a great time and I would definitely recommend it to my friends traveling through this part of Florida!

Have you ever been on an airboat ride? What was your experience like?

Click here to learn more about the Sawgrass Recration Park.

 

All opinions are my own.  Not a sponsored post.

Back from Vacation: Kid's Co-op

 

Hello! Hello! This morning, I returned from a nice vacation in South Florida with my family and I am feeling refreshed! Thanks to very limited internet access while I was away, the kid's co-op is a bit late, but, better late than never, right?  

Over the next week, I'll be sharing posts about our time in Naples, FL.  Beaches, bike rides, Phillies spring training, alligators, boats, and sea shells were a few of the highlights.  I took a ton of photos to share with you and I'm excited to tell you all about it.

First, check out what's been going on in blog-land with the all of these kid-friendly blog posts.

 

 

Spring Cleaning? Recycle Your Electronics with Best Buy

Spring is almost here, and I am ready to  do some major cleaning! One of things I want to get rid of is my old, broken cell phone that is currently collecting dust on a bookshelf.  I reduce, reuse and recycle as much as I can, and recycling cell phones and electronics is really important to me. We have several Best Buy stores in our are and they are making it easier for everyone to get on board with electronics recycling.  No matter where you bought your electronics or how old they are, Best Buy will recycle them.

Anywhere in the U.S. you can recycle your electronics for free at Best Buy. They will safely and responsibly dispose of these electronics. And, they are doing a great job at spreading the word about this program because Best Buy recycles 387 pounds of electronics each minute their stores are open. Isn’t that amazing?

Also, if you’re upgrading your electronics be sure to check out Best Buy’s Energy Star certified products. When we replaced a old refrigerator a few years ago, we were blown away by the money we saved on our electric bill.  I think people can be hesitant to spend the money on new electronics and appliances, but if you actually calculate what you will save on your electric bill, it’s easy to see that upgrading to Energy star can be a really smart choice.

Click here to learn more about the Best Buy Recycling Program

Have you recycled any appliances lately at Best Buy? If you have, let me know how it was.

Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

Image from Microsoft Images

How I got almost $50 back from Ebates.

(My referral link is Included in this post)

A couple of weeks ago, I got an envelope in the mail from Ebates.  I quickly opened it up to see what it was, and it was a check worth nearly $50.00 in my name. I didn't have to do anything extra special to earn it. I didn't have to mail in any receipts or forms. I didn't have to spend hours looking for promo codes or coupons. I just did some of my Christmas & kids' birthday shopping online by going through the Ebates site first, and they sent me a check. 

This is why I love Ebates! 

Coupons and traditional mail-in rebates don't work for me. I clip some coupons, but I usually forget to use them, and I believe the whole purpose of mail-in rebates is to make money from people who reforget to mail them in.  But, Ebates is different, because once you make your purchase, you're done.  You don't have to remember to do anything else.

Ebates is a free online rebate site that connects you with about 1200 stores including Target, Kmart, Kohl's, Toys R Us, Land's End, Carter's and The Childrens Place. I've even used it to get money back on hotel stays and airfare. Every time you shop online through Ebates they give you Cash Back (a percentage of your purchase that varies depending on the store). 

I signed up a couple of years ago, and every time I get a check, I get a big smile on my face.

You can click here to sign up with Ebates.  Let me know when you get your first check!

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Referral link included in this post.

Easy Recipe: How to Make Scotch Eggs

A little over 10 years ago, I was introduced to Scotch Eggs for the first time while I was in England. It was not love at first sight, but the idea of a hard boiled egg, wrapped in sausage, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried grew on me.  When I first heard about these, I natually assumed they were from Scotland, but that's not the case.

Supposedly, the London department store Fortnum & Mason invented Scotch eggs way back in 1738.  According to Wikipedia, they're also a traditional snack food served on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair in the U.S. If you look hard enough, you will find Scotch eggs in the Philadelphia area, but they are not common at all.

So, this past week, I decided to make Scotch Eggs at home, and it was actually a lot easier than I expected. Everyone love it and I'm looking forward to making them again for Easter!

Here's how to make scotch eggs.  You will need:

  • 1 dozen hard boiled medium size eggs
  • 2 pounds of Jimmie Dean Raw Pork Sausage
  • About 2 cups of Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 2 raw eggs
  • 1 bottle of Canola Oil

First, I preheated my oven to 350 degrees F.  Then, I poured the bottle of Canola Oil into a deep pot and turned it on high. 

Under running water, I peeled the shells off all of the hard boiled eggs. Then, I wrapped each egg in  a layer of raw pork sausage, dipped it in raw egg and then, rolled the sausage covered egg in panko bread crumbs.

Once the oil was really hot, I gently placed one egg into the oil.  I've seen recipes that say to fry the Scotch egg for 10 minutes, but my oil was so hot, I flashed fried the egg for about 5-10 seconds which was perfect.

Then, once all my eggs were ready and fried, I placed them on a baking sheet and baked them for about 25 minutes.

If you love breakfast and brunch, you have to try this recipe. Technically, they are good for any time of day. My kids love eggs & sausage, so no matter when they're eating them, it's a fun, family-friendly treat.

Have you ever had Scotch Eggs?  What do you think?

Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.com