Monthly Archives: August 2011
Mystic Aquarium
On our recent trip to New England we were fortunate enough to stop at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic Connecticut. The aquarium is right of Route 95 and very easy to find. I was really impressed with this aquarium, it was lovely. The aquarium was very well kept and clean. We spent about 2-3 hours but we could have spent longer. Mystic Aquarium was great experience for my 10 year old and my 6 year old for a day. I know younger kids would enjoy it as well. It is a great way to break up a long drive to New England.
Once arrived and walked though the outside areas 1st starting with the beluga white whale. They we beautiful the kid really enjoyed seeing a whale you never see in an aquarium. Then on to the sea loin and seals exhibits sleep large animals in the heat. Each outside exhibit had a aquarium guide to answer any questions you had regarding the animals. My son loved this because he could ask all sort of neat fact.
The penguins was a lot of fun. The aquarium had an outside viewing area, and an observation area in side so you could see the birds swim.. They even had a baby penguin that did not realize that if he went in the water he would cool off which we learned from the guide.
We then made our way inside the aquarium. Mystic aquarium is the most interactive Aquarium I have ever been in with 4-5 different hands on experiences. Mystic aquarium has a shark tank you can touch the sharks. My son stood there forever he never wanted to leave. He question guide on everything.
Mystic also has a jelly fish viewing area. Which were my favorite it was like watching moving living art in a tank. The colors were amazing; I could not stop taking pictures. You can also read about how technology allowed these wiggly jellies not be seen outside the ocean. In My opinion the jellies alone are worth the trip.
They also had another touch area of New England sea life “Discovery Cove” the aquarium guide was so kind to my children as she answered all their questions. Why we over looked the 3 blue lobsters. We learned the blue takes the same as the normal lobsters. The even had steps so even the little ones could touch.
On our way out of the aquarium we spent some time with the sting rays. As my son was with the sharks he was touch them. My daughter learned to feel the rays skin. Pulling them away from this tank was no easy feat.
One thing that I thought was fun was how the aquarium told the kids in simple terms about the animals. They would have a sign that said the animal’s name, Habitat, coloration, defense. There were signs on everything. Including the washing station.. Species: Paper Towel habitat: live together on a roll Coloration brown or white Defense: curling up in a ball… So cute
We really loved Mystic Aquarium. I would recommend it for the hands on learning experience.
Disclosure: My husband and I received tickets to explore the aquarium. The opinions in this post are all my own.
50 Years of Marriage
This weekend my in laws celebrated 50 years of life together. They have gave me the life that is my world in my husband and I love them for that. I am so happy to honor them. I wish them many more years.
Love always
Taste of Italy Burger
• 1 package of Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage Sandwich Patties (6)
• 1 loaf of crusty bread cut ½ slices (I used a rosemary thyme bread)
• Broccoli Rabe leaves 1 head (reserve heads for side dish)
• 4 tbls of butter
• 1 garlic clove finely chopped
• Fresh Mozzarella
• 1 slicing tomato
• ½ cup of mayo
• ½ TBLS of dried basil or fresh basil 1 TBLS
1. Cut bread in ½ slices butter both sides and place on grill till toasted on both sides
2. Place Johnsonville Sausage patties on the grill cook as directed on the box
3. On side burner sauté broccoli rabe leaves with butter and garlic for a few minutes till wilted
4. Cut Fresh Mozzarella into slices ¼” thick- set aside
5. Cut Tomato into thin slices-Set aside
6. In a separate bowl mix the mayo with the basil
7. Assembly : Spread the Mayo/basil on bread, next the Johnsonville Patty , Mozzarella, tomato, Broccoli Rabe, then top with more mayo and remain Toasted Bread top.
I served with baked sweet potatoes fries and grilled corn.
For a easy print out of this Italy Sausage burger Sandwich recipe here or visit it and vote for mine as a No Ordinary Burger!
I made the recipe as part of the No Ordinary Burger Contest ! You too can make your own recipe and be entered to win a a year of free groceries from Wal-Mart. Head over to the No Ordinary Burger Contest
Clementon Park Review A Fun Family Day
Clementon park review of the water park and the family entertainment. Including a video review of the park This week we went to Clementon Park in Clementon NJ. The invite was blogging event from the Park and Ben Fm 95.7. We woke up early to make the drive from our home in the north suburbs of Philadelphia. Surprisingly at 9 in the morning it took us about 1 hour to arrive.
As we stepped out of the car at the park the skies opened up.. Rain. We figured it is a water park so we will be wet. Clementon Park is so much more than just a water park. The park has amazing dry rides. Roller Coasters and thrill rides. Like the new “Ring of Fire” added this year it is a circle loop ride.
Clementon Park is 104 years old this season and you would never know it. They are on the cutting edge for thrill seeker and family fun. This year they also added the “Drop Out” the only one in the US, the water tubes fills up with water to your waist then the floor drops out.. sending you jetting down the tube. What an adrenaline rush.
Finally the rain parted, all of us Bloggers were lucky to have the park almost to ourselves. We headed for Splash World! They have a lazy river and other tube rides. Our favorite was the Laguna Kahuna which was a water castle/fort with 8 slides all of which my 6 year old daughter could do. She started with the smaller slide then progressively moved up to the larger ones .. “Thats the little kids were not allowed on that slide “ She was so proud when she rode the largest of the Laguna Kahuna slides. The Laguna is great to help build your child’s sliding confidence.
My son and husbands did the larger tubes and.. my son kept saying “cool” and “awesome”. He occasionally stopped buy to get money for food. Which the food was very reasonable priced. Chicken fingers were $5 for 3 large breast meat fillets. The meals were $8.
The size of Clementon Park is manageable for you to do in a day. They have all the rides of a large commercial park but a family environment.. I knew if my 10 year old walk away with his new found friend (another bloggers son) we could find him. Which is a great feeling.
We also enjoyed the lazy river. Clementon Park had a ton of places to sit and with shade. They also had a inside play bounce area for toddlers. The bathrooms were very tidy . They even took the care to have a large floor fan to insure the safety of the guest on the bathroom tile since the rain was slippery.
I would recommend Clementon Park for your entire family. After living in Philadelphia for 8 years and it was great to discover such a fun place for us to enjoy as an entire family.
It was a fan day thank you to Joey Fortman, BenFM 957, and Clementon Park for having us.
Disclosure: I did receive entrance to Clementon Park. But all the opinions stated in this post are of my own.
Mr. BMW
I was driving to the post office today. This lovely driver proceed to beep at me to make the left hand turn. I turned when it was clear. Me in my big Durango and him in his little BMW. I was in front and had the better vantage point. Once making the turn I drove down to the post office and turned in the one way entrance and park. Mr. BMW went the in the exit and then had to park (backing up several times to get in the spot correctly since they were facing toward the entrance.
I hopped out of the car and arrive in line prior to him. Mr. BMW was behind me. This gave me great pleasure. I had a lot of packages I was shipping. He had to wait till I mailed my parcels before he was served (I smiled with a smirk.)
I struggled with not saying something to Mr. BMW.. But he was not worth it. I was not going to make the turn until I was ready, and I am not rushing to the spot because I have 3 other people at home who rely on me.
So Mr. BMW .. you will not get me aggravated because you are just not worth it.
I am trying to rise above and stay calm … so who pissed you off lately?
P&G Givesback reduce Dropout You can help also
I remember seeing a news report about the High School dropout rate. It surprised me that New York state only graduated 57% of its teenagers the lowest in the nation at the time. Which blew me away. Roughly every 9 seconds a child drops out of school. The importance of an education is directly tied to how you support yourself through out your life.
P&G’s new Us campaign Give Education hopes to create aware of the crisis we are facing with the drop out rate in US schools. P&G is partnering with Communities In Schools, which is one of the leading nations prevention organizations to help decrease the us drop out rate.
So how can you help?
Consumers can take simple steps to help “School the Nation” – and help keep kids in school. Here are a few easy ways to get started:
- Watch to Donate: Watch an exclusive video from John Legend on Facebook where for each view, P&G will donate $.25 to CIS, up to $10,000.
- Spread the Word: Use the embeddable photos and video on this site to alert your readers to how they can help School the Nation!
- Coupon- Check out P&G site, on July 31 a coupon book was in the local paper if you missed that check out the P&G website.
You can help! watch the John Legend P&G Give Education video and share it with your friends a simple 58 sec video can save lives and give education.
Please help spread awareness.
Peanut Butter Pie made for Love
A bloggy friend of Ilina sent me an Facebook invite earlier this week. Finally today I read it. As I read the invite it was to make a Pie for Mikey.
I read further clicking on the link to Jennifer Perillo post, the picture a hand with a ring…I related to the picture because his hands was the first thing I loved of my husband, I knew my preemie daughter was ours because they were my husbands hands. Such a lovely picture..
I don’t know Jennifer I am not a regular reader of her blog In Jennies Kitchen. Jennifer lost her husband Mike suddenly this past weekend. Leaving her with her 2 young daughters. I looked at Jennifer twitter feed one second she is talking about cooking the next.. he is gone. I cried. She touched me and broke my heart. Life is wonderful then it smashes apart.
Jennifer’s beautiful blog post told of there last date. One of the things Jennifer and Mikey discussed prior was that she wanted to make him a peanut butter pie. Jennifer asked that readers make the Peanut butter pie and share it with people we love. So In honor of her love for Mikey…
I made the pie.
My daughter came in and said “Mom who you making the pie for”
I said “I am making it in honor of a Friend who lost a someone they love.”
She said “oh and left” the room.
Then she came back later and said “Mommy someday can you make that Pie for us?”
I said “Sweetie this pie is for us. My friend asks We are to eat the pie with the people we love. ” I continue ..”and you are someone I love”
“Goodie, when will it be ready.. if it is ready in the middle of the night can we get up and eat it!”
So I make this pie for my Husband, My Kids, Family and Friends on and off line.
May Jennifer and her girls find some peace.
God Bless you and those you love.
*I did sub the crust and added cut-up peanut butter cup
** Update if you would like to donate to Jennifer and her girls to help in this time of need please check out Bloggers Without Boarders they are accept donation til Aug 29th 12pm pst.
Turn the Hose On
So was stumbling around the internet when I came across a blog post on a Jill Samter photo challenge playing with sprinklers. I set my camera like the photographer said and sent the kids out. It was not the recommended time for the best shot.. so here are the results.
So once the water was turned on it turned in to lets make a mud puddle and the dog joined in
Then wanted to play with some features..
It was a fun day!
Wine Ferraris and Photos
So this weekend I was looking for something different to do that got us close to Delaware border.. I wanted to do some tax free shopping. So I found the Penn Woods Winery Festival. It was for a good cause The Little Rock Foundation, benefiting children who are blind or visually impaired. The main reason I thought my husband might like it was because of the Ferrari’s Club of Penn and Jersey was attending 20 cars displayed. It was fun for the kids to see. The Jazz music really added the the atmosphere.
My favorite think I saw in the Ferraris was a needle pointed tissue cozy. It just made me giggle a $200,000 car with a cozy.
They also had Ferrari peddle cars for adults with disk breaks.. I did not ask how much.. because we have no place to drive it..
The other thing that I thought was the twist to box wines .. a paint can from Paradox wines. really cool
For me I was happy because it was a photo opportunity for me to use my Nikon 3100. The had the cars the wine and a great old barn back drop. Loved it.
So that is what I did this past weekend?