Category Archives: Kids and Moms

Dino Days of Summer at Liberty Science Center – GIVEAWAY!

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Today we visited the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City thanks to @Jerseymomblog and it was so much fun! If you have kept up with my blog these past few years,  you know its a favorite of ours (see my post on the infinity climber launch!)

Every time I go to the Liberty Science Center it’s like nostalgia for me. I remember when it first opened in 1993, we took a field trip there for my second grade class. Back then it seemed so huge and never ending and now going as an adult it seems much smaller then I remember, but still so much packed into it and off course it’s always changing. I love knowing that my kids see it as I used to when I was younger, a world of amazing science and knowledge.

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Today’s agenda was the brand new “Dino Dig” exhibit.  With a huge focus on real replicas of dinosaurs and fossils, families can get in and dig deep for fossils outdoors and see real scale size dinosaur bones.

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I found it amazing that they took actual bones and fossils and casted them to create actual detailed replicas of the real things. It’s the closest to being a real paleontologist that you and your child can get without actually being one.  And what’s better than digging up dino-bones and fossils then doing it with a backdrop of NYC behind you?!

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The Dino Dig Exhibit will run now through September 4th 2017.

Channel your inner paleontologist by digging fossils in 35 tons of sand at “Jack Horner’s Dino Dig. Meet Mac’s scariest residents and learn about the relationship with dinosaurs and reptiles.  Practice removing fossils from blocks of rocks and touch a creature that’s been around LONGER than a dinosaur,  horseshoe crabs!

Kids wearing dinosaur themed clothing can save $5 on child admission tickets during the Dino days of Summer!

Tickets are $21.75 For adults and $17.75 for children (2-12).  For more information visit LSC.org

I have a family 4 pack of tickets to give away to one lucky winner! You can use them to visit the LSC and enjoy the Dino Dig exhibit,  or one of the upcoming exhibits that will be there the following days;

Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition – Now-Sept 4

Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience – Opening October 28, 2017

Block Party Encore – Now – Sept 10

Thomas The train & friends: Explore the rails – Opening Sept 23, 2017.

Enter to win now until August 1st and let me know below what exhibit you’re most excited about!

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Also,  during our visit today,  we were greeted by the most amazing balloon dinosaurs.  Check out Twinsters Creations serving all Northern NJ – Twinsterscreations@gmail.com

*As a Liberty Science Center Blog Ambassador for the day, i have been provided with complimentary entry in exchange for my coverage.

 

Beat the heat at the Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester New York

Posted in Activities, Current Giveaways, Kids and Moms by

Looking for something to do to get out of the Heat this Summer and keep the kids busy? Why don’t you head on over to Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester New York!

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Legos are a family staple… they’ve been around for generations and families enjoy using them together and will absolutely love checking out all of the amazing Lego creations that are all over at the Legoland Discovery Center. They truly are great for the whole family.

Take a look at the last time that I visited the Lego Discovery Center. We had a blast. My boys especially enjoyed the crawl tunnels that they have set up in the middle of all of the other areas. It reminds me of the old discovery zone in a way.

One of our other favorite things that we did during our visit was check out the 4-D show that they had. Every month or so the show rotates to a new one so it’s always a new fun experience for the family. If you’re unsure what 4D is, it is where you can feel, see, and even smell what’s going on in the short 15 minute movie. The great thing is once you’re inside, all of these attractions are included with your visit including the movie.

I do recommend that you eat prior to going to the Legoland Discovery Center because their food options are pretty limited especially for young children that are picky but there are sandwiches and some other options if you would like to eat there or have a snack.

There is a parking deck located only a block away from the Legoland Discovery Center and if I recall it was pretty cheap and for yhe entire day.

Not to mention that the area is great and it’s a great day out for the entire family. There’s an outside mall that you can walk around and window shop or grab an ice cream and just walk down the Main Street of the strip.

The Legoland Discovery Center has given me a family pack of 4 tickets to give away to one lucky winner.

Enter to win now through July 1st, GOOD LUCK!!!

ENTER NOW!

Top picks from the 2017 New York Baby Show with over $50 in giveaways!

Posted in Current Giveaways, Kids and Moms, Product Reviews by

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Every year,  the biggest companies get together for what is known as the NY Baby Show. 

Mommy-to-be’s and veteran moms alike scouting the venue for the hottest new items for baby and mom, and once again Momtrends has hosted some of us mom’s for a special day of pampering and mingling so that we can bring the show to you if you couldn’t attend.

There are over 100 vendors,  and with so much to see and talk about,  I’ve narrowed it down to my top 3 favorites for you.

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#1 is the Austlen stroller.  1 word – VERSATILITY! With over 30 handy configurations,  this is the future of strollers and should be at the top of every parents wish list. Check out just a few of the life altering configurations… you’ll wonder how you ever did “life” without it. (Photos via Austlen.com)

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This handy dandy stroller can hold up to 150lbs of groceries,  kids, and hey… I won’t judge if you want to take a seat😊.

Luxury does come at a steep price though… at a whopping  $849, it comes in either black or navy blue. Assuming you can afford this #1 pick,  at least you can justify it by the fact it’ll make hope life easier, and happy wife = happy life and all..

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#2 is the ergoPouch. It’s no wonder it originated in the ‘down under’. It reminds me of a kangaroo pouch mixed with a swaddle blanket. Enter to win a ergoCocoon swaddle to sleep bag valued at $34.99!

> > > ENTER NOW! < < <

We’ve all seen the swaddle at babies r’ us and various other places,  so what makes ergoPouch different? Well, they’re made from natural fibers which make them breathable and regulate temperature which are two of the most important things.  I can remember “unwrapping” my babies after they slept all night swaddled and every time they were drenched in sweat.

This also makes them perfect for any weather and eliminate the need for extra blankets.  They have sleep sacks for infants,  and even these adorable toddler sleep suits that make the transition from passed out toddler,  to sleeping cozy toddler a breeze.

Check out their neat categories, I promise you’ll want one for your sweet little one. (Photos via Ergopouch.com)

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The best part? All that cuteness will only run you between $20-$35, that is assuming you can control yourself and only buy one 😉..

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#3 is Wellements Baby Organic Gripe Water aka the organic way to very more cuddles! Enter to WIN a gift from Wellements (entries taken until 6/7).

>>> ENTER NOW <<<

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I think every new parent looks for a miracle to help their baby when that first fussy fit arrives.  Typically during te first week home from the hospital, adjusting to life and formula/breastmilk, your new baby is bound to fuss a bit. Typically,  tiny gas bubbles are the problem and they can be fixed with mylicon drops of fennel when my boys were young.

Now,  there is an organic alternative that doesn’t only help with gas,  but any uncomfort your babies belly may feel, even hiccups! (Via Wellementsbaby.com)

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Lastly,  special shout out to water wipes. We try to keep our babies butts clear,  but what if the wipes we are using are the ones causing the nasty rashes we rush to cure? Water wipes relieves the stress of that,  pure and simple.

Little Books, Big Laughs – Calling all Jokesters!

Posted in Kids and Moms by

 

Calling all young Authors and Jokesters!

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) has an exciting opportunity for your child! Send in your child’s favorite jokes and they could be published in three upcoming UHCCF Joke Books!

Jokes will be accepted April 1 through April 28. Ask your kids to share their favorite jokes and send them in for a great cause. The resulting books will carry their jokes across the country to places and people nationwide, all while helping other kids through UHCCF medical grants! The printed books will be released throughout 2017, the first being the summer version. Copies will be available at the UHCCF online store, as are the first three books from the original joke books series Little Book Big Laughs – Jokes for Kids by Kids.

Children are invited to work with their parents or guardians to submit jokes!

Read on to learn more about this year’s special themes!

  • Summer! Everything you love about summer – vacation, barbecues, swimming, biking…you name it! UHCCF plans to release this book in time for the summer season!
    • Example: Evelyn C. from Clinton, NJ shared a hot dog of a riddle that was published in Little Book Big Laughs Riddle Book. “Q: What do you call a dog on a beach in summer? A: A hot dog!”
  • Sweet Treats & Eats: Planned for release later this fall, this book will celebrate the art of food jokes. Bananas? Yes please! Nachos? Those too!
    • Example: Braden B. from Oak Harbor, WA sent us a scream that was published in the original Little Book Big Laughs Joke Book – “Q: What do ghosts like for dessert? A: I-scream!” 
  • Holidays & Birthdays: This holiday and event focused book is targeted for release at the end of the year and will include jokes about holidays and birthdays. Halloween, 4th of July, Thanksgiving…if you celebrate it, it counts.

Submitting for your child is easy to do:

  1. Click the link to the submission form.
  2. Type in your child’s jokes along with the little comedian’s first name, last name initial, city and state.
  3. Jokes will be accepted April 1 through April 28. Don’t wait, submit now! Jokes will be reviewed weekly and, in the event of a duplicate, the first joke submitted will get published!
  4. If your child’s joke or riddle is chosen for publication, it will help generate important grant funds and smiles to be shared with other children.
  5. UHCCF will conduct a weekly random drawing from submissions and give awayspecial prizes each week! Like UHCCF on Facebook to learn the weekly prize winners and please share us with your friends and family!

SUBMIT YOUR JOKES HERE

My Messy House

Posted in Kids and Moms by

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I have an Angry Birds balloon that has been floating throughout my house for over a week now. I have thought about knifing it, and getting it over with because this damn thing refuses to give up. If I didn’t pay $9 for it, I probably would’ve told my son the bird flew away to find the others, but instead I stare up at it blankly thinking “Why did I pay $9 for this?”. That is until my 3 year old asks me to leap 5 feet into the air and grab it with my fingertips so that he can give it a big hug and run around holding it. It’s at that moment that I remember why I don’t mind having a hovering bird in my living room and occasionally getting sucked into the kitchen fan.

It’s my house. It’s a mess. Filled with toys, and small little parts…

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Disney Movie Club Review – Is it worth it?

Posted in Kids and Moms, Product Reviews by

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To join or not to join? That is the question!

You wouldn’t know this, but I actually wrote this blog backwards. That’s right, I started at the end, and ended up here. Well, actually, I wrote this in the middle… OK, too confusing. The point is, the stuff at the bottom is REALLY important and a huge part of this review, which is why I technically started with it to make sure I included it, so make sure to read it!

I’m sure you’ve seen the banner ads for Disney Movie Club, or saw the sponsored link on Facebook or somewhere similar, and then thought to yourself that it’s too good to be true. It has to be…. but is it though?

From reading the comments of angry mothers or grandparents on the sponsored post or consumer affairs complaints, you’d think that…

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$250 CASH Rainy Day Giveaway!!!!

Posted in Current Giveaways, Kids and Moms by

rainy day giveaway

Beat the rainy day blues by entering to win during the $250 For A Rainy Day cash giveaway where you have the option of choosing between $250 PayPal Cash OR an Amazon E-Gift Card! This event was organized by The Kids Did It & The Mommy Island and sponsored by the awesome bloggers, authors, and Etsy shop owners listed below!

Give some love to the For A Rainy Day sponsors and follow them on social media:

Rainy Day Sponsors:

The Kids Did It
The Mommy Island
Zombie Parenting
It’s a Jersey Thing
FROG Reviews and Ramblings
Rockin’ Book Reviews
Simple Steps For Living Life
Imperfect Women
Savvy Sweeper’s Tidbits
bookroomreviews
4 the LUV of SANITY
MumbleBeeInc Deals and Steals
Lenore Harper
Kindle And Me
Miss Molly Says
Thrifty Mommas Tips
Our-Wolves-Den
HOME JOBS BY MOM
Mom To Grandma
Savvy Sweeper’s Tidbits
Sonya’s Happenings…
Raising My 5 Sons
The Parenting Patch
Java John Z’s
Still Blonde after all these YEARS
Coupons and Freebies Mom
Ava Anne Boutique
Misadventures with Andi
This Mama’s Life
LeahSay’s Views
Filipino Recipes Portal
Hip Mama’s Place

ONE entrant will be selected by the entry form to win $250 PayPal cash OR $250 Amazon e-gift card. Open for entry WW, 18 years and older from 04/01/17 at 12:01 a.m. ET thru 04/22/17 at 11:59 p.m. ET. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. See Rafflecopter for official rules. The Kids Did It & The Mommy Island are responsible for sending the winner their prize via PayPal or Amazon. The winner has the option of choosing between PayPal and an Amazon gift card.

 

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