Four Little Monsters Mommy Blog
The adventures of a Mom and her monsters.
Four Little Monsters is your source for family friendly event, product  and travel reviews in Mid-Atlantic USA. We find fun wherever we go, even right here at home.
Philly, Baltimore, Wilmington, DC, In Between and beyond. 
Kids, Family, Family Events, Philadelphia Theater, Pennsylvania Events, Maryland Events, Delaware Events, Kids Events, Kids Have Fun, Kids Clothes, Kids Rooms
* Four Little Monsters Blog was featured in Penn Stater Magazine's November 2011 issue.

* EJ of Four Little Monsters Blog is a contributing writer for MetroKids Magazine's MomSpeak.

Four Little Monsters Mommy Blog

Moore OK Tornado victims need help, donate money and supplies

by EJ on 05/21/13

The Four Little Monsters family would like to extend our prayers and thoughts to Moore, OK. We will be getting the kids together this afternoon after school to send supplies to shelters accepting donations in that area.

We encourage our readers to send monetary donations and supplies as soon as possible to help those affected by the tornado's damage. We are all family. Our hearts are in Moore, OK right now.

Here is a list of shelters and organizations taking monetary and supply donations right now.

* The Salvation Army is taking donations by truck at KFOR-TV location. Text 80888 with "storm" to make a $10 donation.

* The Red Cross is taking monetary donations online and by mail. Text 90999 with "REDCROSS" to make a $10 donation.

* United Way of Central Oklahoma's Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations on site and by mail. Notate May Tornado Relief Fund on packages. Address mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.

* Moore and Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund is taking contributions and donations. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at 7030 S. Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK, 74136.

Please visit www.CNN/IMPACT to learn how you can help disaster victims.

Save on Summer Camps with Funsavers Funkpacks

by EJ on 05/10/13

A message from Funsavers...

Funsavers’ Camps and Classes Funpacks are back just in time for summer.  Kids and teens will love all the fun and creative opportunities for learning and growth, and parents will love the savings with up to half off the cost of enrollment.

With 50 different classes and camps being offered by 14 organizations, these are just some of the awesome opportunities waiting for kids and teens at funsavers.org.  There’s sure to inspire every child.
·         Young people develop their acting chops through theater classes at the Arden Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre or the Philadelphia Theatre Company.
·         Explore and document the world around them by taking a course in street photography at Fleisher Art Memorial.
·         Learn naval history, boating and water safety at the Independence Seaport Museum.
·         Explore world cultures through dance, music and art at Darlington Art Center’s Around the World in 72 Days
·         Imagine, draw and create their own three-dimensional toys that are unique and different from any that you would find in the stores at Abington Arts Center;
>>See all the Camps and Classes on offer at: www.funsavers.org<<
 
Through the Funsavers discount ticket program, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and area cultural groups are able to offer places in some of the region’s best summer camps and workshops at deep discounts to the public.
 
“Learning about new cultures, honing artistic skills and learning new crafts, it all helps develop a sense of creativity and innovation in you people,” explained Tom Kaiden, President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. “It’s great that with this Funpack makes these opportunities available for more families.”
Kids aren’t the only ones having fun and learning new things this summer!
You’re never too old to learn ballet. Get a deal on five adult dance classes at the new home of the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Louise Reed Center for Dance at 323 N. Broad Street. Classes are open to all levels of experience and ability and taught by instructor Jon Sherman. Dance Cards valid from May 3 through August 8. Dance cards can also be used for Wednesdays Pilates through June 12, 2013.
About Funsavers
Part of Phillyfunguide, Funsavers is Greater Philadelphia’s most successful weekly discount email program. Every Thursday Funsavers offers up to 35 half-price offers to a wide range of performances from the best in Theater, Music, Dance, Museum exhibitions, and more.

Unlike similar programs, Funsavers (and Phillyfunguide) are unique in that they are a collaborative effort of the entire cultural community, owned by all of us. Non-profit Cultural Alliance members participate for free, but the service is open to the entire cultural sector.
The economic success of the program has been significant. Since its launch, over 258,000 tickets have been sold that might otherwise have gone unsold, and participating organizations have received over $4.2 million dollars in revenue. And because the tickets are half-off, Funsavers helps make arts and culture more affordable and accessible for the region’s residents.

Take the Kids Birding, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

by EJ on 05/07/13

School's almost out and it's time to start thinking of ways to keep the kids occupied during the summer months... there are play dates and summer camps and pool parties and vacations to plan...

Consider birding. It's something that you can start immediately or over the summer and the skills learned from birding are so beneficial for young minds. Plus, birds are everywhere. You can bird in your back yard. You can travel to go birding. Birding is an activity that parent and child can participate in together and can easily become a life long and *inexpensive* hobby.

Kids can be particularly enthusiastic about birding and it's a great activity to keep them engaged and outside. Birding encourages respect and wonder for wildlife, it requires quiet and persistence. It's also a great relaxation technique that can help ease anxiety and promote control and patience. What kid or adult for that matter, wouldn't benefit from that?

If you're on your way to the beach this summer, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic spot to introduce kids to birding. Located in Smyrna, Delaware, the refuge is a sanctuary for wildlife such as deer, beavers, frogs, migrating songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, turtles, salamanders, red foxes, crabs, Bald Eagles and snakes (nothing poisonous). The park protects one of the last remaining areas of tidal salt marsh in the Mid-Atlantic. Bombay Hook is located smack in the center of the Atlantic Flyway. Therefore, it's as a hot spot for birds and birders alike.

Bombay Hook sits alongside the Delaware Bay and much of the park is comprised of tidal salt marsh made up of cord grass meadows, tidal pools, mud flats, rivers, creeks and tidal streams. The higher lands are comprised of forest and timbered swamps. There is a pretty distracting view of Salem Nuclear Power Plant across the Delaware Bay in the tidal sections of the park, but that seems totally insignificant when compared to all the amazing natural views and wildlife you'll see on a daily basis.

The park is set up for easy wildlife viewing. For those who are unwilling to venture out of their cars (which I actually recommend during heavy mosquito or tick seasons), you can view wildlife, from herons to snapping turtles to red foxes to eagles, from your car. In fact, Bombay Hook features a 12 mile auto tour that meanders through the park. For serious birders, photographers and the plain adventurous, I do suggest checking out the five hiking trails, two of which are handicapped accessible.

Some of the birds our kids have spotted in all our many visits to Bombay Hook include the Canada Goose, the Green-Winged Teal, Double Crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, the Great Egret, Black-Crowned Night Heron, Black-necked Stilt, Bald Eagles, American Avocet, the Short-Billed Dowitcher, the Long-Billed Dowitcher, Tree Swallows, the Marsh Wren, Brown Thrashers, Common Yellowthroat, American Goldfinch, American Black Duck, Mallards, the Snowy Egret, Redtailed Hawks, Laughing Gulls, Black-bellied Plover, Osprey, Turkey Vultures, Carolina Chickadee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, the Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird. European Starling, American Robin, Sparrows, Boat-Tailed Grackle, House Sparrow, Ruddy Duck, the Orchard Oriole, Downy Woodpecker, the Tufted Titmouse, sandpipers, Yellow Warblers and the American Crow.

On our most recent trip to Bombay Hook, we walked the entire Boardwalk Trail with our pug, infant and toddler. This trail was child-friendly and offered a lot of scenic views (Tip: The Poison Ivy was heavy in the trees so don't let kiddies wander off the trail). Our three-year old had a blast running up and down the boardwalk, searching for fiddler crabs. He loved to watch the American Kestrels that flew repeatedly over the trail as though performing for us our own personal flight show.

Before You Go:
~ Check out the Bombay Hook Monthly Wildlife Calendar to preview with your child what you might see. Look up and research the birds and other animals listed in that month online to get your child excited and know what to look for.
~ Check the hunting schedule as part of the park is closed 14 days of the year.
~ Learn some history. During World War II, the Army Air Corps used part of the refuge for rocket training.

When You Go:
~ Consider whether you'll purchase a daily pass ($4/car) or an annual pass ($12/year).
~ Go when there are few or no bugs, mosquitoes unless you plan on staying in your car.
~ Beware of ticks, they can get pretty bad at certain times of year if you venture off the road.
~ Do not feed or touch the wildlife
~ Bring a camera!
~ Bring a notebook for your child to document (or draw) the different birds that she sees.
~ Drive slowly. Wildlife will cross the road, including turtles and red fox.

More Info for Kids & Birding:

- Pennsylvania eBird's "Connecting Kids to Birding and Nature..."

- Receive a FREE "Take A Kid Birding" Bumper Sticker

- Birds & Blooms "Introducing Kids to Birding"

Rose Romano's Gourmet Italian Peppers Marinara, Review

by EJ on 05/06/13

I'm obsessed with cooking. I just love experimenting with food, looking for great recipes, finding new ingredients or using familiar ingredients in new ways. I'm pretty fond of sauces and marinades, in particular, and I insist on trying new flavors and saucy mixtures on everything from meat, veggies to pasta. Over the past two weeks, I've been trying out a new marinara called Rose Romano's Gourmet Italian Toppings.

We received a four-pack of the Marinara, two with green peppers and two with red peppers. The jars came in a neat, rustic box with hay filler, the perfect gift presentation. The sauces were accompanied with a recipe booklet, the details of which can be found at their website.

Dr. Marshall Angotti, creator of Rose Romano's, specializes in Italian peppers, a locally-sourced topping made with red or green bell peppers. The ingredients are basic all-natural ingredients, meant to complement the foods they are combined with (which is hard for me to abide by since I just love LOTS of sauce). They contain no preservatives and are gluten-free. One serving of Rose Romano's Gourmet Italian Peppers Marinara is only 5 calories. Score!

The ingredients inside Rose Romano's Gourmet Red Italian Peppers Marinara are as follows: Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Fresh Red Bell Peppers, Fresh Onions, Brown Sugar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Basil, Fresh Garlic, Sea Salt, Fruit Juice for Color, Citric Acid, Spices. When you compare this list of ingredients in some of top leading brands of pasta sauce, you'll notice what's missing: high fructose corn syrup and a bunch of other junk that apparently, you do not need because Rose Romano's marinara is absolutely delicious and does taste significantly fresh. 

I threw together some seasoned turkey meatballs and cooked up some spaghetti and used Rose Romano's Italian Red Peppers Marinara for the sauce. The consistency of the sauce was fabulous. I loved the small chunks of peppers because I prefer a little texture in my sauces rather than a complete puree. The kids liked the subtle sweetness which went well with the saltier meatballs. For another kid-friendly dinner, I used the Italian Green Pepper Marinara on some mini Grilled Chicken Pizzas. I noticed that the green pepper marinara had a more distinct spiciness to it, though not overpowering at all.

I'm definitely thrilled with these Rose Romano's sauces and recommend them to anyone looking for a local, super fresh and healthy option sauce for their foods.

Four Little Monsters received four jars of Rose Romano's Marinara for the purpose of this review. All opinions belong to the blogger.
 

Kranichs Jewelers Mother's Day Wish List

by EJ on 04/30/13

When I was a student at Penn State, I often wished I could get a hold of one of those football shaped diamond engagement rings posted on the Kranich's Jewelers billboard in State College. You know, just to have. In jewelry language this diamond is called a marquise cut but at Penn State, it's a FOOTBALL ... and what's cooler than a football shaped diamond? Nothing. Exactly.  

Kranichs Jeweler's, first established in York, Pennsylvania in 1903 has locations in Altoona, Johnstown and State College. They specialize in fine diamond jewelry, engagement rings, watches, gemstones, gold and platinum and pearls.

The Four Little Monsters Kranich's Jewelers Mother's Day Wish List

I'm pretty fond of the Beautiful Two-tone Mother & Child Diamond Pendant that sells for $676.25. For me, the two tones that join to form a circle are a great representation of Mom and child, one born of the other, becoming an individual but still being a part of Mom. I think this is a pretty traditional jewelry idea for Mother's Day if you're feeling traditional. If not, then keep on reading because it just gets more colorful!

The .05 carat total weight diamond is set in 14 kt two-tone whit e and yellow gold. The pendant measures at 20.5 mm high.


One of my favorite pieces has to be the Belle Etoile Sweetheart Color Stone Bracelet. I just love the bursts of color in the five fancy cut CZs. The bracelet itself is made of sterling silver and features a toggle clasp.

This bracelet sells for $495 and is part of the Belle Etoile collection available from Kranich's. The Belle Etoile collection, which means "the beautiful star" in French, is full of colorful pieces like this, and represents the latest in European fashion trends. I think I love this bracelet more than I love my husband. Hmm... I wonder if I could trade in my husband for this bracelet. 

I'm in love with another piece from the Belle Etoile collection, called the Pearl Collection Daisy Pink Pendant (also comes in black). As my 8 year old often says, "I love black because it goes with everything". I'm quite fond of pink, though. Pearls aren't half bad, either. I think there's something awfully mysterious and yet elegant about pearls.

This pearl is set in sterling silver and features CZ accents on two petals and pink enamel. The Daisy Pink Pendant sells for $195... a little more within our budget, of course.



I definitely cannot leave out one of Kranichs' amazingly glitzy Penn State pieces. There's nothing I love more than sparkles and Penn State, so both together are that much better! I just adore the Hidalgo Diamond Paw Print Band, which sells for *drum roll*, $2,524. Geesh! I want, I want, I want...

The Diamond Paw Print Band is made of 18 kt white gold and features Penn State blue enamel paw prints and .40 carats weight in diamonds. The Lion Jewelry and Designer Paws lines features officially licensed Penn State jewelry.  

There you have it, my top four Kranich's Jewelers picks for Mother's Day. As you can see, I do love traditional jewelry but I'm a big fan of color, sparkle and fun pieces that I feel show elements of my personality.

What are your favorite Kranich's pieces? Do you prefer more traditional fine jewelry gifts or jewelry with a lot of pizazz?

 

BuyCostumes.com Abbey Bominable Monster High Child Costume, Review

by EJ on 04/26/13

When you've got kids, costumes are a must-have all year long. My kids absolutely dig dressing up and pretending to be super heroes or their favorite storybook characters.

If you've got daughters, then you're probably familiar with the Monster High craze. While I love the idea behind the Monster High dolls, and probably would have been a total fan at my daughter's age, I do think some of the outfits are a little "mature" for my kiddies. I've been a bit picky about which dolls I'll let my daughter have. Our four year old pulled the arms and legs off of many of them, so I guess it didn't matter in the end.

KM really wanted to dress up as a Monster High doll last Halloween, but I hadn't really figured out what the heck they were at that time and we never got around to it. When BuyCostumes.com contacted us to try one of their costumes, KM demanded a Monster High costume and she immediately told me all about Abbey Bombinable, who has a pet mammoth (KM is a huge prehistoric mammal fan and researches them relentlessly so I'm pretty proud that she loves this character for that reason specically, HA).

Front of Abbey Bominable Costume
Back of Abbey Bominable Costume
BuyCostumes.com sent my 8 year old a Monster High Abbey Bominable Child Costume, an officially licensed Monster High costume. While it's not the costume I would have chosen for her, KM is super happy to dress up as one of her favorite Monster High characters. Plus, it's one of the more kid-friendly outfits available from the Monster High collection.

The Abbey Bominable Child Costume comes with white fur trim arm and leg warmers. The main component of the costume includes an "icey" fleece dress in patterned shards of white, purple and black.



I only took pictures of what comes
with the costume purchase. We'll have to accessorize with boots, tights and a Monster High wig come Halloween time but for now, KM is having fun with the dress. She does prefer to wear it without the arm and leg warmers as it's spring time and getting warmer. I'm sure that she'll gladly wear them in the fall.

Visit BuyCostumes.com for your costume needs all year long.

Visit BuyCostumes.com on Facebook.

Four Little Monsters Blog received a costume from BuyCostumes.com for the purpose of this review. All opinions belong to the blogger.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fathead Outer Space Wall Graphic Collection, Wall Graphics for Kids, Review

by EJ on 04/25/13

Fathead, supplier of sports and entertainment wall graphics, has a lot more to offer these days than just your favorite team's logo or life-sized players for the wall (though we do so adore our giant Ray Lewis Fathead). They've got a huge selection of kids and entertainment wall graphics, home decor murals, dry erase products, and military graphics, too. Like. A Ton.

Recently, Fathead invited us to try out some of their kid-friendly wall graphics and helped us transform our son's room into his favorite place -- space! When Fathead sent us their Real. Big. Wall Graphics Outer Space Collection, LT could hardly contain his excitement and of course, demanded that we put the decals up right away. He absolutely could not wait and promptly dragged the huge box all the way upstairs to his bedroom.

When we first opened up the wall graphic sheet, LT was so proud. The decals were all great sizes and the colors were vibrant and varying. Plus, LT loved that he could choose where to place everything on the walls (with a little help from Mom & Dad). The Outer Space Wall Graphics collection includes eight planets, two galaxies, comets, a rocket, a satellite, an alien space ship, and a bunch of stars and shooting stars.

While the whole room was originally painted in light blue, we updated one accent wall in navy blue for contrast. This allowed some of the lighter colored wall graphics to really pop and stand out.

The outer space wall graphics were extremely easy to peel from the sheet and equally manageable when applying them to the wall. They weren't flismy, thin or easily torn. In fact, we didn't have one tear, the vinyl is pretty tough. All it takes is the initial placement on the wall, then some pressure across the surface with the provided application tool to work out any air bubbles beneath. Once we smoothed out each decal, the wall graphics were set. They're basically big stickers and since they're removeable, we can change their location if we change our mind about placement or if you move. In fact, we can put them right back on the big sheet they originally came off of, so we saved that in case we ever needed it (sheet measures 3'3 by 4'4).

The overall look we acheived using the Fathead space collection wall graphics was stunning. LT was overjoyed and couldn't wait to spend time in his room. Being the little space nut that he is, LT already knew which planets were which and hasn't stopped quizzing us since we put up them on the walls. The Fathead outer space wall graphics ROCK!

If you're decorating baby's room or looking to update your child's room in a big way, you can find something awesome at Fathead.com.

Four Little Monsters Blog received the Fathead Outer Space Collection for the purpose of this review. All opinions belong to the blogger.

Deadly Snakes Photographed in Exhibit Serpentine at the Academy of Natural Sciences, June 15 - Sept. 15

by EJ on 04/25/13

From the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University...

The contrasting qualities of snakes—their allure and danger, passivity and aggression—have captivated the imagination for thousands of years. A new exhibit this summer at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University captures these extremes—and extreme beauty—of some of the world’s deadliest snakes.

Fine-arts photographer Mark Laita spent more than a year in Central America photographing rare and dangerous pythons, pit vipers, coral snakes and other serpents in the care of collectors, breeders, zoos and venom laboratories. A dozen of his stunning photographs, so vivid they look like three-dimensional sculptures, are featured inSerpentine, on view in the Art of Science Gallery June 15 through Sept. 15. The exhibit is free with regular museum admission.
“Every time I photograph a snake, I am fascinated by its color and texture, of course, but what interests me most are the sensual forms its movement creates,” wrote the Los-Angeles-based photographer in the prologue of his newly published book called Serpentine. “It’s as if these creatures are—to their core—so inherently beautiful that there is nothing they can do, no position they can take, that fails to be anything but mesmerizing.”

Laita photographed each snake on a black background which emphasizes the vivid colors, lively textures and sinuous contours. Each image reveals an uncanny sensual beauty heightened by the serpent’s dangerous nature. He took the photographs right after each snake had shed its skin, so the colors would be the most vibrant.
Laita’s work may be familiar to some people. In 2007 the U.S. Postal Service published a series of floral stamps featuring his work. His clean, colorful style has earned him international recognition, and his work has been exhibited across the U.S. and Europe.

Farmer's Road Drive Thru Opens April 22nd in Chadds Ford, PA

by EJ on 04/22/13

A message from Farmer's Road Drive Thru...

Courtney Rozsas, owner of Lotus Farm to Table in Media, Pennsylvania, announces the opening of her second restaurant, Farmer’s Road Drive Thru, scheduled for Monday, April 22. The fast casual drive through restaurant has an emphasis on healthy, local and sustainable ingredients in an eco-friendly environment. Farmer’s Road Drive Thru is located at 210 Wilmington Pike in a former KFC location. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week, Monday-Saturday7 a.m. -9p.m.On Sundays, the restaurant will open for breakfast and lunch and will close at 2:00 p.m. so patrons and employees can focus on family dinners at home. The restaurant will have 30 seats indoors, 30 seats outdoors and an operational drive through. Menu items will range in price from $6-9 per entrée. Ryan Sulikowski, Executive Chef of Lotus Farm to Table, will oversee the kitchen.

“I wanted to create a family friendly restaurant focusing on familiar comfort foods presented in ‘better for you’ ways,” said Courtney Rozsas, owner of The Farmer’s Road Drive Thru. Chef Sulikowski and I collaborated on a thoughtful menu of satisfying and nutrient-rich dishes using fresh local farm sourced ingredients to create a healthy alternative to traditional "fast-food" establishments. The menu features clean, fresh flavors along with all-natural, organic ingredients.”
Sulikowski and Rozsas focused on creating a variety of heart healthy as well as gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. More than eighty percent of produce used by the restaurant will come from local farmers; as well as 100 percent of meats and poultry. Seasonal dishes will be available to highlight the region’s products and traditions.Menu features include:
·Stadium Dog - all natural grass fed beef hotdog, sauerkraut (sodium free) low sodium yellow mustard, rye pretzel hotdog bun (option to substitute a vegetarian hotdog)
·Green Dog- Applegate all natural grass fed beef hotdog, avocado, watercress, rice cakes, whole-wheat hotdog bun (option to substitute vegetarian hotdog)
·Apple Sandwich- local cheddar, local organic American cheese, Granny Smith apple, raw honey, maple sourdough bread
·Beef Burger - grass fed beef burger, local organic American cheese, turkey bacon, house dill pickle, lettuce, low sodium mustard, multigrain bun
·Buffalo Blue - all natural grilled chicken breast, red onion, hot sauce, blue cheese, watercress, romaine, kettle cooked BBQ potato chip, whole wheat wrap
·Kid's Meal–Build your own bento box; choice of peanut butter and jelly (substitute fluff), baked gluten free chicken tenders, all natural, nitrate free hot dog, Pick two side; choice of pita chips and hummus, banana chips and Nutella, apple cinnamon chips served in a bento style box
·All meals will come with a soda, and breakfast items will come with cinnamon apple chips as a side and coffee/juice
·An oatmeal bar at breakfast does double duty as a homemade pickle bar for lunch and dinner
·Desserts include gluten free chocolate chip cookies, rice krispie and Linvilla Orchards candy apples
·Sodas from New Hope Soda Fountain, and all natural, real fruit juices and pure cane sugar
Décor of The Farmer’s Road Drive Thru utilizes as many reclaimed and recycled materials as possible. Joseph Nichols of Nichols Woodworks partnered with Rozsas to transform the former KFC location using old barn doors with original hardware from the 1870’s as room dividers and reclaimed corrugated tin to create a drive through covering and burlap wallpaper covering the walls. Chairs and tables are recycled from former restaurants then whitewashed and burned for a rustic look. Neighboring business Terrain supervised the landscaping, planting flowers and carbon reducing plants bordering the drive through path and the outdoor café area.Further décor for the outdoor area features recycled milk jugs and mason jars planted with fresh herbs that will be used in the restaurant. A large mounted chalkboard proclaims “Know where your food is from” with a listing of farmers and purveyors. Other eco-friendly touches include the use of non-toxic cleaning products, packaging, energy efficient cooking equipment, led lights and a recycling station.
Farmer’s Road Drive Thru is located in Chadds Ford, at the intersection of Routes 1 and 202 in Delaware County (around 25 miles southwest of Center City). The restaurant is owned by 28 year old Courtney Rozsas of Garnet Valley. This is her second restaurant. For more information call 610-558-2220 or visit www.farmersroaddrivethru.com.

An Earth Day Message from Verizon Wireless

by EJ on 04/22/13

An Earth Day message from Verizon Wireless...

In America alone, more than 140 million cell phones will end up in a landfill this year. That’s more than enough for us to up our green efforts this Earth Day and all year long. At Verizon Wireless, we decided to Go4Green, and we hope you and your followers will do the same in an effort to lead a greener mobile lifestyle.
Verizon Wireless also offers a couple of accessories to help you stay green while on the go.
Our Eco-Friendly Micro USB Data Cable has all the benefits of a high quality USB data cable but is made with patented Environmentally Friendly Natural Materials. When you’re charging devices with this cable, you have comfort in knowing the cable, strain relief and overmolds are made with patented Ecoustic material made from corn and other plant by-products.
The Motorola P893 - Universal Portable Power Pack is an on-the-go charger that automatically powers down to save battery life when no devices are detected or once device is fully charged. What’s even better is that Motorola has offset the energy used to manufacture, distribute and use this charger through an alliance with CarbonFund.org.
If you find you have a mobile device you no longer use, consider turning it in for a greater purpose before tossing it. Through Verizon Wireless’ Unified Green Campaign, kicking off on Earth Day, devices are recycled or repurposed, and Verizon Wireless will make a contribution to HopeLine from Verizon. Those who turn in devices may also be eligible to receive a Verizon Wireless Gift card.
Finally, did you know there are apps to help you go green? A few of our favorite are:
-Go Green: This app provides collectible green tips that are saved to a green list. You get a new green tip each time you visit the app, and your green status changes as you earn more tips.
-GoodGuide: This app instantly reveals whether products are safe, healthy, green and socially responsible while you shop in the U.S. The app’s barcode scanning feature lets you access science-based health, environment and social ratings for 170,000+ products.
-Carticipate: Save money on gas while helping the environment by carticipating with friends, family and co-workers. This app allows you to coordinate driving plans, carpool or share a ride.

The Academy’s Second Annual Bird Fest, May 11th

by EJ on 04/22/13

More than 10,000 species of birds command the sky, some migrating across the planet to the rhythm of the seasons.The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University celebrates these amazing animals with its second annual Bird Fest on Saturday, May 11. The festival includes live bird flight shows, family-friendly activities, and more.

Visitors to Bird Fest will learn about our feathery friends around the world and meet up close some of the fabulous birds of prey from the Live Animal Center. Teacher-naturalists will be strolling the halls throughout the day answering questions about the different species of birds perched on their hands. For hands-on fun, visitors can build their own nests and decorate model birds to take home. Specimen displays will reveal the secrets of a bird’s anatomy and behavior.
Bird Fest celebrates not only birds, whose ancestors were dinosaurs, but also a topic at the heart of the Academy’s 200-year history. The Academy’s research program and extensive Ornithology Collection of more than 200,000 specimens, including birds collected by John James Audubon, dates back to the earliest days of the institution’s founding.
Bird Fest is free with regular museum admission. Here are the activities to look for:
·Watch bird expert Phung Luu, owner of Animal Behavior and Conservation Connections LLC, lead special shows of birds in flight at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
·Participate in a bird scavenger hunt in the dioramas and win a prize.
·Discover the differences between a bird and its close prehistoric relative, the dinosaur.
·Learn from the John James Audubon Society the importance of a bird’s feathery coat.
·Find out about the birds in our area from the Pennsylvania Audubon Society.
·Enjoy crafts and face painting.
·Pose for pictures with Academy mascot Eddie the T-rex.

Penn Museum will celebrate the founding of Rome, April 21st

by EJ on 04/13/13

Celebrate the founding of Rome with Penn Museum!

Did you know that Rome's birthday is coming up? I find this particularly fascinating considering that the founding of Rome back in 753 BCE is celebrated on my birthday, April 21st. Woo hoo! Penn Museum in Philly is celebrating the founding or Rome with an afternoon of gladiatorial bouts, toga wrapping, ancient hairdressing, arts and crafts, a pasta demo, pop-up poetry readings and a talk about Rome.

While you're celebrating Rome's birthday with Penn Museum, make sure to stop into their Rome gallery gallery, which houses over one thousand Roman artifacts including pottery, jewelry, metalwork, coins and mosaics.





World's Softest Teddy Bear Challenge comes to King of Prussia Mall, Philly

by EJ on 04/13/13

The World's Softest Teddy Bear Challenge is coming to King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia on April 20th and 21st between 12 and 6 p.m.

Toymaker Toy Island is introducing a line of super soft teddy bears called The Original World's Softest brand.

Patrons will be blind folded and given two separate teddy bears, one from World's Softest and one from a top competitor's brand, to snuggle before casting their vote for which is the softest bear. All participants will be eligible to win prizes on the days of the event.

Onsite Prizes Include
·Two (2) jumbo 4’ teddy bears will be given away each day of the tour.
Register to Win These Prizes
·Grand Prize: One (1) lucky winner will win a $500 American Express Gift Card and a family of teddy bears.
·2nd Prize: Two (2) lucky winners will win a Wii U game system and a large teddy bear.
·3rd Prize: Five (5) lucky winners will win a Kurio7, the Ultimate Android Tablet for Families™, and a large teddy bear.
·4th Prize: Twenty (20) lucky winners will win a large teddy bear.

Votes will be cast at similar events in Miami, Atlanta, New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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Easing anxiety over standardized testing time

by EJ on 04/10/13

Apparently, I gave birth to an angel eight years ago and not a human child. My oldest, 8, said to me as she arrived home from school yesterday, "I need to go to bed very early tonight and get some extra sleep because I have a big test tomorrow morning." Ummmm... what!? Pay no attention to the fact that I, Mom, forgot to study with her over spring break for her upcoming standardized tests but what is this about going to bed extra early?. Don't worry, she studied without me. Yeah, she's an amazing kid.

Here's the thing. Not all kids are as calm and prepared as my oldest. In fact, I have some other monsters at home that are exactly the opposite. Anxiety over standardized state testing can be a huge problem for many children but parents can help ease worries with preparation and confidence boosters. It's also important to remember that elementary age children are just as prone to anxiety over testing as high schoolers and they may show this anxiety in different ways.

Why all the fuss? A federal law requires public schools to test in the fields of Math and English to determine whether children are achieving educational standards. Test scores determine future school funding, which schools and even which teachers are not performing to expectations. With all of these determinations riding on the state test scores, it's obvious why the kids taking the tests may end up feeling some anxiety, which likely comes from every direction like other students to teachers to administrators and duh - we, the parents.

While I did forget to pull out the study guides over spring break, I did do some things right to prepare my 8 year old for her big test. Well, I did compare fractions to everything from pizza slices to brownies over the past few weeks.

In Parent & Child magazine's April 2013 issue, in the article "Counting Down to Test Day", they recommend a series of test preparation activities. I've summarized them here:

One Month Before

  • Keep an eye on your own anxiety
    • "I'm the antidote for the pressure rather than the cause"
      • This is something the Hubby & I are always thinking about. We're both anxious people in different ways and we are constantly reminding ourselves not to let it trickle down to the kids.
  • Put the test in perspective
    • Remind your child that you do want them to succeed. However, their test score does not represent the whole of who he or she is. What else is she good at? What else makes him special.
      • Obviously, since I forgot to pull out the study guides over spring break, I've got too much perspective.
  • Make bedtime routine
    • Solidify the bedtime routine if it's not already in place. Move dinner to an earlier time if you have to.
      • We're pretty fixed about bedtime. No worries there.
The Week Before

  • Physical Activity
    • Physical activity produces endorphins and promotes better sleep.
      • Conveniently enough, the kids started spring soccer over the break and they've been itching to practice in the back yard every day. Of course, they're all riding their bikes in this fabulous weather as well. We also spent a day in DC, walking the mall and visiting the museums.
The Night Before

  • Relax!
    • Cramming will just cause anxiety.
      • My 8 year old studied tons earlier in the week and prior to spring break. Last night, she played with her siblings and took it easy before an early bedtime.
The Morning Of

  • Have a good breakfast
    • Skip the sugar-filled cereal and serve complex carbs and protein instead.
      • My 8 year old set her own alarm, woke up half an hour before me and the other kids and served herself some Greek yogurt.
  • Stay on schedule
    • Put clothes out the night before, have backpacks ready to go, set the alarms slightly earlier than normal to avoid delays.
During the Test

  • Remind your child to stay calm
    • Teach your child some breathing exercises to use during the test. This is good for testing and is one of those skills that kids can use for all their life long.
      • We practice breathing exercises as a family. Our special needs son sometimes needs some encouragement from the rest of us to help him calm down. When we practice breathing as a group at home, it promotes comfort (because we're together and we're at home) along with the act of calming down and he's more likely to remember to use this technique when he's anxious elsewhere.
While my 8 year old seems to have this testing thing down pretty good without too much pushing from me, I know I'll be dealing with a little more stress in the future as my younger monsters reach her age. All my kids have different anxiety levels and ways of showing it when it comes to stress, so practicing these preparation and coping strategies in everyday life will benefit testing time that much more.

Further Reading: "Counting Down to Test Day" Parent & Child. April 2013. Pg. 17 -18.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, Final Week Through April 7th

by EJ on 04/04/13


Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition now on display at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, is in it's final week, through Sunday, open through April 7th.

Over 300 legendary artifacts, conserved from the ship's debris field on the ocean floor, are on display within Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. This large exhibit takes visitors on a chronological journey through the creation and life and tragedy of the RMS Titanic and its passengers. Actors portraying Titanic passengers will be active throughout the exhibit.

Purchase tickets HERE while you still can!

 

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