Kelly Corrigan's new piece

If you get the chance watch this. It is very moving and special. Happy Holidays!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q

Thomas The Train - bargain shopping

I am new to the Thomas the Train world and am going to start buying for Christmas. My step-mom gave my a great hint: Michael's Crafts, AC Moore and maybe some of the other rag shop type crafty place carry them. And each week in the newspaper they usually have a 40% or 50% off of one item coupon. I have two of the 40% off coupons for Michael's and plan on buying a starter kit and who knows what else...its not a bad way to pick them up here and there on the cheaper side. And for the locals - there is a Michaels next to Target in Ocean.
Happy shopping!

Simply Dish/Studio Gourmet

Do you ever feel exhausted by the end of the day - from being at home all day with the kid(s) or from a long day at work? And the last thing you want to think about is prepare dinner? 

I like to cook/make recipes, but some days I don't have the time to get to the grocery store or prepare a gourmet meal.

There are a couple places I have found through friends that I have been to several times that help solve the "what's for dinner?" dilemma...

Simply Dish located in Wall, NJ and Studio Gourmet located in Yardville, PA can help!

http://www.simplydish.biz/

http://www.studiogourmet.com/

There are three ways you can prepare your meals - 

1. You can put your apron on, come on into the store and prepare your meals from the menu of the month. (Each month offers different menu options.)

2. You can order ahead from the menu of the month and have the meals prepared for you at an additional cost. All you have to do is pick the meals up.

3. You can book your own private party for a group of friends. Bring your favorite bottle of wine and some snacks, get together to catch up and prepare your meals at the same time. (This is what I usually do.)

Depending on the size of your family you can prepare anywhere from 4-12 meals (each meal serves 4-6 people). Prices vary/meal depending on the place you choose to go. 

I usually split some of the meals up into smaller portions so that I get an extra dinner for my family out of each prepared meal.

I have been to both places and have liked each one. I have not been disappointed with the meals! And each prepared meal can be frozen. There are instructions on how to thaw and cook the meals when the time comes.

So, the next time you find yourself looking in the fridge wondering "what's for dinner"?  you have a solution! 

Enjoy!

Free Starbucks Coffee when you vote

Visit any Starbucks on Election Day (Tues, Nov 4!) after you have voted and receive a free brewed coffee. vote! vote! vote!

Get Out and Vote

This is a great short video - inspiring! Get Out and Vote!
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=61 42021

Teachers Gifts etc

Costco is selling 5 $20 Starbucks gift cards for $80, basically you get one free...not a bad idea for teachers gifts, doormen, whatever :)

Imagination Movers

My son absolutely LOVES the new show on the Playhouse Disney Channel- Imagination Movers. It is on weekdays at 10AM. And this Saturday there is an episode marathon. 

They are coming to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on 2/14/09 at 1PM. Tickets are on sale now.

No Cold Meds for kids under 4

Once again the FDA is recommending no cold meds for kids under 4. They rejected an immediate ban on the meds but will add warnings to all meds sold. The strange part is the reason for not banning the meds altogether is they are concerned that parents will then just use adult cough and cold meds for babies. But anyway, it seems there is sufficient evidence of dangerouse side effects and no evidence that the drugs actually help in any way. Real the full story by clicking here.

Two GREAT websites

Tara I turned me on to both of these and they are great:
diapers.com - the best part: free and fast shipping! I compared the price of my pampers from babies r us and diapers.com; babies was about a dollar cheaper but you've got to drive to babies r us and of course, actually go inside. yuck.
There is an ad running on Facebook - put FACE in the promo code spot and you get $10 off of your first order.
peapod.com - get your groceries delivered :) I havent actually used this yet but I checked it out and they have a huge selection and deliver very quickly - next day. Tara has used and loves it...
She spoke to them and if you type peapod1 in the promo code you get $15 off of your first order and $5 off of your next 4 orders - can't beat it. For those of you who live elsewhere this may not seem like a big deal but this is huge for us :)

Delicious Bread Recipes

Here is a great sweet bread recipe. My two year old loves this!

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
Ingredients:

3 eggs
1 cup oil (or lower the fat sub = 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce)
1/2 cup milk or soy milk
1 1/2 cups sugar (or substitute Splenda baking blends)
2 1/2 cups flour (can use 1/2 whole wheat if desired)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 small boxes of french vanilla pudding mix (can buy sugar-free)
1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes
Optional: add 1 cup raisins and/or 1 cup chopped nuts.

Mix all ingredients together. Spray 2 loaf pans or 5 mini-loaf pans liberally with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the batter into the pans.

Topping:

1/3 cup oats
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar (or Splenda blend)
1/3 cup granulated sugar (or Splenda baking blend)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
5 tbsp unsalted butter/margarine or reduced fat margarine, cut into small bits and chilled
2 oz almonds or other nuts
Place first 6 ingredients into food processor and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture has pea-sized pieces of butter mixed in. Toss in nuts and pulse until finely chopped. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle topping over bread batter. Bake in middle rack for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Slow Cooker Season

Here are two ridiculously easy slow cooker recipes (courtesy of Kristin R):

Fiesta Chicken:
Chicken breasts
1 can black beans, drained
1 jar salsa
1 can white corn, drained
Layer the chicken and dump the rest on top. Cook on low 6-8 or High 4-6 or however your cooker works. Cant mess this up and it is yummy.
Delicious with brown rice or made into a burrito etc...the chicken shreds so it is perfect for mexican dishes...

Pulled Pork:
porkloin
1 jar BBq sauce
water (maybe 1/2 cup?)
Dump it all in the slow cooker and cook as above. It shreds and is delish (apparently, not my style but the hubby loved it) as a sandwich or however...

Great Website for things to do with your kids

I found this website when I moved back to NJ recently.

www.gokidsnj.com

It lists lots of fun things to do with your kids. With the Fall approaching and Winter not too far behind, having some indoor activities will keep the kids entertained.

Enjoy! and Happy Fall!

 

What Makes a Good Mom?

What makes a good Mom? 

How do you raise kids that are happy and successful? 

I ask myself these questions over and over again now that I am a Mom. In my quest to find an answer I came across a book, Mother Nuture, written by Stephanie Hirsch. In it the author interviews Mothers of successful people - Matt Lauer, Lance Armstrong, Cindy Crawford, Uma Thurman, Justin Timberlake and Steven Spielberg - just to name a few that are included in the book. As you read the book, you can gain "Life lessons from the Mothers of America's Best and Brightest". Hmm...I thought maybe I can learn something I didn't know. Maybe I will get my answer.

After reading the book, I did get my answer...

Every child is unique and special in their OWN way -Each has his/her special qualities; likes and dislikes, set of gifts and talents. And every Mom has her OWN way of raising a happy, successful child. There is no PERFECT way. What may work for one kid, may not work for another. And what may work for one family, may not work for another.

At the end of the day you do what you think is best for your child - mistakes and all. Trial and error.

So, am I a bad Mom because my son gets to be late a few nights? Or am I a better Mom if he plays all day and does not have to run errands with me? Am I neglecting him if he goes to his Grandparents so I can get a break once in awhile? Or am I a better Mom if we spend the entire day together? 

No - I do what I need to do to get through each day - and by bedtime as long as my son is HAPPY I can go to bed knowing that I did the best I could that day as his Mom. :) 

We shouldn't be so hard on ourselves....lesson learned and some knowledge gained.

Upcoming kid fun events

OK, Fall is here so I will start posting again! And if anyone has anything to add, please post! I'm not interesting enough to keep this going on my own...

1) Allaire Village Fall Festival: Sunday, September 21st. 1:00-4:00. Hay rides, puppet shows, apple cider etc

2) Pirate Ship Trip: Friday, September 26th. 3:30-5:00. Meet at the Sand bar restaurant in Brielle. The Manasquan Water taxi daecorates their boat and hosts The Pirates of Treasure Island Trip. We reserved the whole boat so anyone who wants to come, please do! Just let me know if you're in...the boat can hold 30 people and if we have more (which it looks like we do at this point) they can do a second run so we can have 60. It sounds really cute - they cruise over to Treasure Island and do a Treasure Hunt tour. You land back at Sand Bar at 5:00. Its $20 per person (including moms unfortunately)

Michael Phelps has an inspirational story beyond the gold

I love this article. It was in the NY Times this weekend. I don't know about all of you, but as a parent I worry constantly about my kids and how I'm doing at raising them. Michael Phelps' mom was told by a grade school teacher that he 'will never be able to focus on anything'. After he was diagnosed with ADHD he needed his mother's support since he wasn't getting it at school for the most part...As I'm typing this he is one gold medal away from breaking a world record.

Friends of Randy Marks Family BBQ

Friends of Randy Marks Family BBQ

Saturday, August 9th from 12-5 pm
At Marucci Park, Spring Lake

3 Bands - Blue Highway
Green Underground
Eight Balls
Great Food
Beer Garden
Clowns
Facepainting
Pony Rides
Cotton Candy
Popcorn

Tickets: $25.00 Adults/$10.00 kid (6-12)

Skate and Paint a skateboard deck

All - I got the following email from Om Baby Yoga studio in Pt Pleasant Beach. It's a great studio and the owner is awesome, she is always doing funky clinics like this for kids...it sounds like a ton of fun for the right age group...

Skate and Paint a skateboard deck
With pro-skater Danny Morin.
Skate films, snacks, ramp outside,
stations to express yourself on your deck, stickers, paint, markers, etc.
All ages!
(don’t have to be a skater or an artist to have a great time.)
$55 includes the event and your deck
Saturday August 30th 12-2 p.m.
Inside Om Baby World Arts Studio
726 Arnold Ave Point Pleasant Beach
ombabyyoga.com 732-899- (YOGA)

U.S. Open Tickets

FYI: My sister's friend has U.S. Open tickets that she wants to sell. I copied the email below. Please let me know if anyone is interested.

Hi Erin - Please pass along the following information to anyone you think may be interested in attending evening sessions of the US Open in NYC. The tickets are part of a ticket package purchased by a friend of mine in Atlanta. She is not able to use all of the tickets and is offering them at face value, first come first served. Basically she has 4 evening tickets for sale for Sunday, August 31st, and Monday, September 1st - this is Labor Day weekend. This is an ideal time to go to the Open as there are always lots of great matches to see before Championship weekend. Her message to me is shown below. Thanks! Colleen

I have four tickets to the US Open tennis tournament available for sale
for Labor Day weekend. The tickets are for various sessions and allow
admission to the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, including: 22 side
courts, The Grandstand stadium (unreserved seating day and night), Louis
Armstrong stadium (unreserved seating day and night) and reserved
seating for both day and evening sessions at Arthur Ashe Stadium
(Section 323, Row S, Seats 15-18).

The only sessions I have left are as follows:
Evening session, Sunday, August 31, 4 p.m., $70/ticket
Evening session, Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, 4 p.m., $70/ticket

Please let me know if you have any interest in them or please feel free
to pass on to anyone whom you can think of who may be interested. The
tickets will be overnighted to me at the end of July, and I can in turn
send them on.

StarBUCKS

So if you are addicted as I am you will be happy to know that when you visit a Starbucks in the mornings now thru September, you keep your receipt and bring it back in an afternoon before Sep and get any grande iced drink for 2 bucks. Unfortunately, that is a deal (at least for my drink, and many others).

Danielle (de Stephen) de Mancinelli had a baby boy!

Leonardo Marcus was born this AM, ultimately via C-section, weighing 7 lbs, 4 ozs...all are doing well!