Enter now to win a pack of Hona $10 Amazon gift card to get you started on back to school supplies this 2019/2020 school year
Honeysticks Crayons are handmade in New Zealand with 100% pure beeswax, so they are safer for children of all ages. This sustainable process causes minimal impact on the environment and gives the crayons a wonderful honey scent. Our unique chubby crayons are easy for small hands to hold, but much harder to break! Let your little ones express their inner artist with a stunning range of twelve eye catching, non-toxic crayon colours.
Welcome to the 4th Annual Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Giveaway Hop!
Please click each link below to visit a new site with a new giveaway!
Don’t forget to come back daily for bonus entries!
Learning a second language with Whistlefritz is fun!
Learning a second language at a young age can play a key role in a child’s academic achievements which can help them immensely as they mature.
According to the Cornell Language Acquisition Lab, “Learning a second language does not cause language confusion, language delay or cognitive deficit, which have been concerns in the past.”
Studies indicate immersion via learning and hearing. Eventually, if they are able to master speaking a new language, it may be the best way for kids to pick up new words and increase their chances of becoming bilingual.
Whistlefritz is an awarding program that uses language immersion so your child can learn how to speak Spanish or French! It was created after Founder, Heidi Stock set out on a mission to find a fun yet educational teaching materials for her children to learn a new language. She quickly realized that most programs solely featured cartoons and didn’t feature live speakers for children to watch the movement of their lips. Not finding what she wanted, Heidi decided to create it herself!
Whistlefritz’s programs allow kids to join a group of lovable characters. The set includes the animated mouse Fritzi, the animated mouse who whisks you on an adventure with her other colorful friends to learn another language! The combination of live-action, animation, and lively music makes the programs as entertaining as they are educational. Children will learn their second language through Whistlefritz the same way they learned their first language: through words used in context by live speakers in engaging games, well thought out skits and catchy music.
Whistlefritz’s collections include DVDs, flashcards and worksheets that are available in Spanish and French
This year my family and I took a vacation from our home state of New Jersey to Florida. We’ve done the drive previous years, and it’s always worked well so I thought, why not share with others the easiest way to travel to Florida with children?
Well, the first rule is always take the westerly route. I-95 is the better known way, and sometimes thought to be the only way by those who do not travel often by car. I-81 is a much better route and although on Google maps is longer, it’ll be a smoother, traffic-free ride. Usually, you can get a cheaper hotel rate as well since it isn’t where all of the main traffic traveling down south comes from.
If you want fool proof, I’ll give you the hotel’s we frequent on the way down south and if you use these in your gps, you’ll be good to go! Not to mention, this makes the ride down a part of the vacation rather than dreaded driving time.
First up is the Quality inn in Troutville, VA.
Address:
3139 Lee Hwy South,
Troutville, VA 24175
It’ll be a 6 to 6 1/2 hour ride from central NJ. We like to leave early morning and do 4 straight hours. This way, the kids sleep and it usually gets us right to the point of needing to get gas. Then break for some eat in lunch at one of the easy on-off exits and it’ll be only another 2 hours left of the ride until the hotel. There is a Cracker Barrel restaurant right in the parking lot of the Troutville, VA Quality Inn that you can walk to for dinner and they have an outdoor pool that’s perfect for kids (3ft- 5.5ft) and open until it gets dark out.
From the Troutville hotel, we head to Savannah, GA which is another 6 hour drive from the previous hotel, and again, we break it up into 4 hours, stop for lunch, and then 2 hours. Our favorite hotel there is the Doubletree.
Address:
50 Yvette J Hagins Drive,
Savannah, GA 31408
It’s so nice and classy and has a pull out bed sofa which is perfect for the kids. They have their own tv as well so we can all lounge and watch what we want after yet another long drive. The pool at the Doubletree is indoors and open 24/7 which is nice. The heated pool is so refreshing and helps to refresh muscles after sitting in a car for so long.
The area is highly populated with stores including fast food, Tanger Outlets, and a super Walmart all within short driving distance. Not to mention it’s a highly sought after area since its close to downtown historic district of Savannah. The Doubletree is a bit pricey, but there are many hotels within the same area for less.
After this, you’re almost there. Just an hour or so to enter into Jacksonville, Florida! And 4 hours from Orlando. By now, the trip has placed you on I-95, but it’s a lot smoother since you’re past the tri-state traffic sections.
It helps to use the Waze app during your travels since it alerts you of construction, hazards on road, and even police waiting to catch speeding vehicles. We find it very helpful.
It really is much better to break up the trip this way with children, it makes it a journey rather than a dreaded ride in the car. My kids love visiting the hotels and using the pools since they’re all different. It’s nice to have long rests in between if you have the time.
Note: If visiting Universal Studios Orlando, I highly recommend staying on site at the Hard Rock.
I’ve done both ways (staying at a cheap local hotel vs on site) and there’s no comparison. If you stay at the Hard Rock, you get free Expess Unlimited Passes and this saves SO much time. It was ther best choice we made on our entire trip to stay at Hard Rock Orlando. We upgraded and stayed on Rock Royalty Club Level which was an added perk to our trip since it allows you access to the club lounge for free drinks and snacks all day which you are encouraged to take to the parks.
It’s only a 10 minute walk to city walk through an amazingly aesthetically pleasing path with views of the water or you can take the water taxi’s. And if you get the chance, check out the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium!
Let me know if you use my trip tips and any comments or suggestions!
Have you ever snapped a picture of baby giving you attitude or making a funny face? MAM wants to see your most “”memeable”” photos!
Submit a photo taken of your baby at just the right moment with #MAMMeme and #Contest and MAM will select three of their favorites to win a $100 MAM prize pack! For bonus fun, comment on any of the photos submitted with a caption you think matches the photo perfectly, and MAM will select three of the most accurate and hilarious responses to receive a $100 prepaid card!
All aboard!Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to go full steam ahead for a day of engaging activities and fun adventures at Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019.Children are invited to spend a day with their friend Thomas when the #1 Engine pulls into Arkville on August 9th. Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019 is presented by Mattel.
This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. In addition, they will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including toy play, photo ops, and more. The tour, now in its 24th year, will make 37 stops across the U.S. and Canada and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2019.
THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE™ TO VISIT ARKVILLE, NEW YORK ON AUGUST 9-10-11 AND 16 -17-18
Enter to win a family 4 pack of tickets to the ARKVILLE NY Ride, August 9th at 9 am ONLY.
The New Jersey Event is on Sun, Jul 12-14, rides starting at 10:00 AM daily at Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 99 Elizabeth St, Phillipsburg, NJ.
This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. In addition, they will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including toy play, photo ops, and more. The tour, now in its 24th year, will make 37 stops across the U.S. and Canada and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2019.
WHO: Thomas the Tank Engine
WHAT:
25-minute (approximate) ride with a talking Thomas the Tank Engine
Meet & Greet with Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway
Thomas & Friends Imagination Station featuring a variety of activities
A ‘Passport to Adventures’ booklet for children to track their journey at the event and receive a special prize upon completion.
Thomas & Friends-themed activities including toy play, photo ops, and more
Storytelling, video viewing and live music, along with all of the memories
WHEN: Friday, August 9th, – Saturday, August 10th, – Sunday, August 11th
Friday, August 16th, – Saturday, August 17th, – Sunday, August 18th
TIME: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Delaware & Ulster Railroad, 43510 NYS Route 28, ARKVILLE, NEW YORK 12406
Tickets for Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free at 866-468-7630, or by visiting www.dayoutwiththomas.com. Ticket prices are $20 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply).
For more information and directions, contact the (845) 586 – 3877 or (845) 586 – 2929 AND www.durr.org
Over the weekend myself, my kids, my aunt, my niece and nephew visited Diggerland in West Berlin, NJ. It is a bit of a drive from Central NJ, about 1 and a half hours, but it is well worth it and an easy trip right up the NJ Turnpike to exit 4.
This is a dream come true for any child who has a thing for construction. Even though my boys were never into it much, they had huge smiles on their faces all day!
It is toddler friendly, there are many things they can do even if they do not meet some of the ride height requirements because many allow for an accompanying adult, so although they cannot go alone if they do not meet the requirement, they can still ride the ride and enjoy all of the experiences.
One thing to note is that when we went, on a Saturday, it was not at all too crowded which I loved. The kids only had short waits in the lines for the rides and activities. That means a lot to me. Especially on a hot Summer day, nothing is worse than standing in a long line with the sun beaming down on you and cranky hot kids. That is not the case here, so feel free to go on a weekend if that is when you’re free.
Let’s check out some of the awesome things we saw and did during our visit this June;
RUGGED RIDERS –
The kids absolutely loved this! As long as they’re 48″ or taller they get to drive the RTV themselves, yes by themselves! There is a track that you go around twice. My 11 year old did it all by himself, and I went on with my 7 year old just for the ride, but he did all of the driving and steering. The smiles on their faces were priceless.
Driver Minimum Height 48″, Minimum rider height when accompanied by parents/guardian: 42″
Ride or drive the comfortable and versatile off-road Kubota RTV-900. Weighing almost 2000 lbs and with 21.6 HP, the ease of using the Rugged Riders might surprise you. Read all about the release of this new ride in the press release.
BIG DIGGERS –
This was another hit with our kids. Actually operating the construction machinery. The REAL, big, construction machines. They had digging pits filled with dirt set up and the kids get to dig away. The machines are set on a few minute timer, but again, there were not many long lines or waits so they were able to go on as many times as they’d like. I was amazed at how easily they all figured out how to operate them and maybe they are some construction workers in the making!
Operator minimum height: 42″ | Lap rider must be: 36″ – 48″
Learn to operate a real digger! Weighing in at a whopping 7,092 pounds, and with a powerful 26.8hp engine, kids can dig until their hearts are content on the JCB 8030’s. This supervised attraction offers family-friendly machinery and the chance to really get down and dirty!
MINI DIG: DUCKS
Similar to the Big Diggers attraction above, they got to operate the real machinery and in this case, had some arcade like games with it. There were different ones set up, some to pick up a row of ducks and see how many you can get in the limited time (maybe 2 minutes or so) and a bowling setup of “pins” to try and knock over in the same amount of time. Again, I was impressed how quickly the kids picked up how to operate it. My 11 year old got almost all of the ducks (except 1) in the time frame and I had watched adults do it prior to him, only getting 1 or 2, so I was impressed. It was fun to watch. Adults are welcome to join in on all of the fun including these game and verse your children or eachother.
Operator minimum height: 42″ | Lap rider must be: 36″ – 48″
Snatch floating ducks from a pond with a JCB 8018 CTS mini-excavator! At 2,200 rpms with its piston-driven motor, grabbing all the ducks from our pond is not as easy as it looks!
MINI DIG: BOWLERS
Operator minimum height: 42″ | Lap rider must be: 36″ – 48″
No special shoes required for this game of EXTREME bowling! Your “bowling ball” is attached to the arm of a JCB 8018 mini-excavator! Manipulate the arm and see if you can knock down all of the pins! Sounds easy—but not when you’re controlling over two tons of steel!
DIG-A-ROUND –
This is the more awesome version of the carousel that you’re used to. Instead of riding on a horse, the kids get to sit in actual cranes that have been made into a fun ride we all know and love. Is this a kids dream or what?
Minimum height 36” to ride
Half merry-go-round, half excavator! The Dig-A-Round is Diggerland’s version of a carousel! Climb into the bucket of a JCB 8065 and enjoy the breeze as you are elevated and circled around this 14,515 pound 8065 excavator!
DIGGER DERBY –
Your classic go karts, but they’re rigged to go bit slower for little ones. Easy to start and stop, the “pedals” to go are actually on the steering wheel making it easy for even the smallest of drivers to have fun.
Driver minimum height: 38″ Driver maximum height: 60″
Hop behind the wheel of one of these individual mini cars and prepare to burn some serious rubber as you operate the vehicle around our exclusive racetrack. No better way to test your speedway skills and get the adrenaline pumping! (Note: This ride has a 38” minimum and 60” maximum height to drive)
THE KID ZONE –
This is a cute park in the coolest rainbow colors for the kids to enjoy when they need a break from such coolness surrounding them. Slides come from every angle of the main unit, accompanied by some swings and standard park-like fun.
Children Only, No Height Requirement.
Kids have a place of their very own in the Kids’ Zone! Packed with activities to keep them busy, mom and dad can relax and know that their child is safe and having fun in a place built just for them!
VIDEO ARCADE –
The arcade is simple and small, but packs a lot of fun. My nephew got a whopping 1800 pts to spend at the prize counter and my kids enjoyed the video games and claws. It’s a nice break from the heat, and a chance to escape the little rain we got on the day we went.
Diggerland has a full arcade center stocked with some awesome prizes! Take a break and play some Skee-Ball, air hockey, or one of the many other game systems to enjoy.
There are many other rides that we didn’t have time to visit, 25+! Check out their site for more. They also have tractor pulls and fun activities that vary per day. The Elmwood park zoo was there with some animals the day we went which was a perk!
Planning Your Summer Trip to New Jersey: Things To Do and Tips to Keep You Safe
Photo Courtesy: Stacey Jal
Planning a summer trip out East this summer? Don’t forget to check out the “Garden State.”
Although New Jersey is the fourth smallest state in the U.S., it’s not small on things to do and see. Check out our recommendations for things to check out this summer, as well as a few safety tips to consider while traveling.
Photo Credit: Lizzy M.
Battleship Brewfest
Hosted by the New Jersey Brewers Association, Battleship Brewfest is celebrating its 23rd
anniversary this summer. Buy tickets to the festival and you can sample craft beer from New
Jersey breweries, and get an up-close and personal look at Battleship New Jersey. Enjoy live
music, food vendors, and support your favorite craft brewer!
Fourth of July Celebrations
Photo Credit: Mike D.
Wherever you end up in New Jersey, you’re likely to find a celebration on or around the 4th of
July. Oceanfest in Long Branch is a popular event for both tourists and locals alike or head to
Keansburg Amusement Park for their Independence Day celebration.
If you’re unable to visit New Jersey until after the 4th, but want to catch a fireworks show, Tropicana in Atlantic City has a fireworks show every Saturday night until September.
Rugged Maniac
Who says kids are the only ones who can have outdoor fun this summer? Rugged Maniac is an
event in Englishtown that’s just for adults. Take part in getting through over 25 obstacle courses
(that’s three miles long) and celebrate your success (or failure) with beer and music. If you’re
interested in this popular summer event, it’s important to sign up ahead of time to secure
yourself a spot.
Visit a New Jersey Jackals Game
Summertime is the perfect time to catch a baseball game and the professional baseball team,
New Jersey Jackals plays most of their summers games at Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair.
Check out the full schedule here.
Other Places To Check Out
Whether you are a history buff, a fan of Springsteen, or just want to enjoy a day at the beach, here are other places worth visiting when traveling to New Jersey:
We have a plethora of Lakes and Beaches to visit as well, you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.
Photo Credit: Asad M.
Tips to Consider While Traveling
Whether you’re heading to New Jersey on a road trip or in a rental from the airport, driving may
be your biggest challenge. The Jersey Turnpike is notorious for being fast and aggressive, so
it’s important to pay attention. If you can’t keep up with the speed of traffic, you better stay in the
right lane.
Many New Jersey residents recommend learning how to drive on a jug handle (which is a type
of ramp). No one expects out-of-towners to be expert New Jersey drivers, but if you stay alert,
focused, and eliminate all distractions, your risk of an accident is low.
If you’re planning to drink alcohol at any event, designate a sober driver, or use a rideshare
service. Nothing ruins a summer trip more than a DUI or an accident.
Photo Credit: Mike D.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2,” offering a glimpse at the dramatic journey Elsa and Anna take into the unknown. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019.
Every now and then something too cute to pass up comes along. That’s what happened when I was approached by www.yaffifashion.com to review their 2019 matching swimsuit styles.
I have two boys, so I wasn’t sure how it would work, but after looking through their online catalog, I found some cute options for moms with boys although it would be cutest to have exact matches for moms and their baby girls!
They have so many styles to choose from it’s hard to pick just one. The one I chose is called “Summer Leaves Sporty Monokini”. The suit’s are about $12.99 each which is an AMAZING VALUE! Unfortunately, their size chart only goes from 6 months to 9 years old, so my oldest son couldn’t get in on the matching fun. I think that is OK though, because no 11 year old wants to match with their mom LOL!
Check out mine and my 7 year old’s little photoshoot in our awesome matching style bathing suits.
The materials on both of the woman’s and kids size are 95% Polyester and 5% Spandex. They seem to run a little small since they’re stretch material, even the kids size is more like what you’re used to for a woman’s bikini in the material which is a little different. I do wish the boys bathing suit shorts were the standard material that you see for boys, but once they were on him, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Click the photo below for the exact matching set we are wearing!
I really like the style of the woman’s “monokini”! The ties in the back allow you to tighten or loosen based on your figure and overall it is really comfortable. I usually don’t wear a one piece, but it is certainly a nice option to have in my closet for those days where I am not quite feeling a 2 piece.
They do have 2 piece options and many other styles, including for dad too! Shipping is fairly quick, I believe it comes direct from China when you order on their site, it was about 7-14 days for me to get my package. With that being said, they also sell direct on Amazon which means some of the items you can get prime shipping in just a day or 2!
They claim to have a money back guarantee which is great, especially if you are unsure of the fit (due to spandex, I suggest you choose 1 size larger than your stands size).
“Yaffi, our priority is to make certain of your 100% satisfaction with your purchase. If for whatever reason, you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you can return it to Yaffi within 30 calendar days of receipt of item(s).”
They also offer customer support if you email them with any inquiries which is nice as well.
Overall, I am very excited to share Yaffifashion.com with you because it is SO CUTE and something that as a mom, I am excited to use for myself and gifts for others. They do not only have swimsuits, but also an array of other items for baby and moms (and dads!) as well as matching pajamas!
*Photo via Yaffifashion.com
Let me know your experience with Yaffifashion!
*Disclosure: I was given product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own.
Review by Influencer Wayne Griffin; Bright and colorful, quirky and hilarious…. But “dark” all at once, as is typical of any Tim Burton work. The costumes and sets are vibrant and fun and include some very clever puppetry throughout. Where the movie’s plot centered around the newly deceased Maitland couple, the producers brilliantly adapted the stage play to focus on the grieving daughter Lydia and her journey through sadness, anger, depression and finally the acceptance of losing her mother. Touching on several delicate topics that weren’t asdelicate when the 1988 movie debuted (conservatives, immigrants, pedophilia, LGBT), the producers found ways to lightheartedly poke fun and still maintain political correctness. In the end, Lydia ultimately tricks the trickster, as she goads the ultimate con-man Beetlejuice back to the Netherworld.
The writing, production and development of the play took almost six (6) years.
Prices range from $59-$179 (include a $2 facility fee). Recommended for ages 10+. Purchase tickets at https://beetlejuicebroadway.com.
BEETLEJUICE stars Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman (School of Rock) in the title role, Two-Time Lortel Award nominee Sophia Anne Caruso(Lazarus) as Lydia, Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler (Mean Girls) as Barbara, Tony Award Nominee Rob McClure (Honeymoon In Vegas) as Adam, Obie Award Winner Adam Dannheisser (Rock of Ages) as Charles, and Two-Time Drama Desk Award Nominee Leslie Kritzer (The Robber Bridegroom) as Delia, with Jill Abramovitz (Fiddler on the Roof) as Maxine Dean, Kelvin Moon Loh(SpongBob SquarePants) as Otho, Danny Rutigliano (Holiday Inn) as Maxie Dean, and Dana Steingold (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as the Girl Scout, in a cast of 25 that includes Tessa Alves, Gilbert L. Bailey II, Will Blum, Johnny Brantley III, Ryan Breslin, Natalie Charle Ellis, Brooke Engen, Abe Goldfarb, Eric Anthony Johnson, Elliott Mattox, Mateo Melendez, Sean Montgomery, Ramone Owens, Presley Ryan and Kim Sava.
BEETLEJUICE is directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers, with an original score by Eddie Perfect, a book by Scott Brown & Emmy Award nominee Anthony King, music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul, and choreography by Connor Gallagher.
It’s showtime, folks! The ghost-with-the-most makes his Broadway debut in this edgy and irreverent musical comedy based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film. BEETLEJUICE tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether)world of pandemonium, and the biggest sandworm Broadway has ever seen.
BEETLEJUICE features scenic design by two-time Tony Award nominee David Korins, costume designby six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner, sound design by four-time Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini, puppet design by Drama Desk Award winner Michael Curry, special effects design by Jeremy Chernick, illusions by Michael Weber, hair & wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, make-up design by Joe Dulude, physical movement coordinator Lorenzo Pisoni, casting by Telsey + Company and Rachel Hoffman, CSA, dance arrangements by David Dabbon, music producing by Matt Stine, production stage manager Matthew DiCarlo, associate director Catie Davis, associate choreographer Nancy Renee Braun and line producer Jenny Gersten.
