Category Archives: Parenting

One Night without kids- Looking back 5 years later

October 11, 2014 superexhausted

So few days from now my husband and I are going to this same event 5 years later .. one night without kids.. I want to re-share that night:

Reposted from My Old Blog : BabyPopDesigns written July 15, 2009-

12:00 (noon)the misson get rid of children…. drive to Wilkes Barre ½ way point between me and my in laws for hand off- 2 hour trip
2:00 arrive at Wilkes Barre Meeting point Grandparents stuck in traffic…find don’t mind waiting knowing a week of RR a head
3:00pm successful hand off to grandparents no tears…. bikes are load in PopPop truck
3:01 speeding away in get away Mini Van away from Wilkes Barre toward Philly for week of freedom
4:00 Buy hair dye must hide grey hair. So I can look like a real person and not just a run down Mama
4:30 Go shopping for new clothes so I don’t have wear a kid stained shirt
5:00 grab a quick bite at Panrea Bead Company, soup no pesky 8 year old asking for taste… just a pesky 39 year husband asking for a taste.
5:30 Getting excited to go out with adults at a bar
6:00 Dye Hair, and painted finger and toe nails
6:15 wash out dye in shower walk naked to bedroom no kids no need to cover up …(freedom enjoyed)
7:00 dressed and heading to Husbands College Reunion Get together
7:19 Arrive park around the side to hide “mom mobile”
7:20 order a coke
7:21 Say hi to my sister (graduated from the same college as my husband)
7:23 order a vodka cranberry
7:45 My husbands old male friend calls him “Mark” (my husbands name is Jeff ) then tells us he was drinking since 2:00pm
7:46 He tells me how much he loves “Mark” and I am lucky to have him
7:47 Drunk Old Friend introduces “Mark” to other people there since 2:00
7:50 order a vodka tonic
8:00 go to bathroom talk to the girls in the bathroom (like I did when I was 21) we compared shoes (so happy I painted my toes)
8:19 go back to table with friend from bathroom
8:20 a slightly hammered friend from bathroom was saying …”I love you guys”..
8:21 same friend from bathroom saying “you have a great guy here” with her arms around me and my husband
8:26 dance with old friend from bathroom
8:40 same slightly hammered friend from bathroom was saying …”I love you guys”..
8:41 same friend saying “you have a great guy here” with her arms around me and my husband
8:56 Ask Husband any food to eat? he says “buffalo wings but they are cold, chicken fingers are hot”
9:00 eat cold Buffalo wings…
9:01 with regret I order water
9:10 Husband old friends returns and asks if “Mark” can stay with them all night and they will return him tomorrow
9:11 I said “it is up to Mark”
9:12 Mark declines something about no kids at home and wanting to take advantage
9:13 Me “wanting to be taken advantage off”…order more water
9:30 had a sample shoot from “three Olives Vodka” Demo girl
9:31 wondered where were the olives… it tasted like cherry.
9:40 different slightly hammered friend not from bathroom was saying …”I love you guys”..
9:41 same friend not from bathroom saying “you have a great guy here” with her arms around me and my husband
9:59 tried the other color shot
10:01 wondered still no olives… I love olives
10:25 Old song comes on older then all the guests.. everyone walks off the dance floor
10:29 80’s songs everyone is back on the floor to “Come on Ilene”
10:26 tweeted
10:40 Me Telling Old Friends “I love you Guys”
10:41 Me Telling same Olds Friends “ I miss you Guys”
11:20 danced to 50cent “It your birthday”
11:25 Want to sit next to hubby by a purse is in way
11:26 Moved a my sisters purse and wonder if she would think it was lost
11:28 Sister shows up asks where purse is …Show her I moved it 1 foot over
11:35 Just realized people where smoking in bar? Wondering if it is banded in PA
11:45 “Mark” looks at me and says he just got tired, am I ready to go
11:46 Say Good byes to all friends from bathroom; not friends from bathroom, Old Drunk Male friends and my sister/brother in law
11:48 I take my new husband Mark home with me. Mark drives he was not drinking
11:49 Mark said he had a nice time and he would like to go again next year.
11:50 Think “I love my friends and Mark”
12:10 asleep in bed with this strange guy named Mark.

Parenting, Philadelphia

Great Free Place for kids in Philly : Fairmount Park Waterworks

September 18, 2014 superexhausted 8 Comments

Great Free Place for kids in Philly : Fairmount Park Waterworks: I have been living in Philadelphia for the past 11 years after returning after falling in love with Philadelphia during college. There is one special place in Philly that has always been near and dear too my heart the Philadelphia Fairmount Park Water Works. It is one of the prettiest place in the city located at the end of Kelly Drive and at behind the Art Museum. Here is a little about the Museum:

I recently learned that there is a interactive museum that is right in the middle of the waterworks which is free to all. The have interactive learning, teaching the responsibility to the environment, the work with the inner city schools to teach the importance of preserving the environment.

The Waterworks museum is run by the The Fairmount Water Works, the ideal location to learn more about the life in and around the river, was constructed in 1812 to pump water from the Schuylkill River. Almost from the day the waterwheels began turning, the graceful neoclassical buildings and beautiful grounds made the place an international tourist attraction renowned for melding nature and technology. Today, the Fairmount Water Works is the Delaware River Basin’s watershed education hub, offering visitors information about the impact of water on their daily lives and how they in turn impact their water supplies. Located off Kelly Drive in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park, the Fairmount Water Works features a variety of hands-on, highly interactive exhibits including a live view of the Fairmount Dam fishway and a flyover of the Schuylkill River watershed.

Tip Location: The Fairmount Park Waterworks which is the wonderful Park area located between the Art Museum and the Boat House row on the Schuylkill river. The water works are the Greek Inspired Building you can see from RT 76. For more information, visit http://www.fairmountwaterworks.org

Here is a video review of the museum:

FLOW FEST

September 21, 2014 1pm-dusk

As the Fairmount Water Works—one of Philadelphia’s first tourist attractions—approaches its 200^th birthday, it debuts the FLOW Festival. FLOW (For the Love Of Water) is an outdoor showcase of interactive, family-friendly exhibits and activities offering a glimpse into the future of this historic site. On September 21, visitors can “splash up a tune” using water and technology, create rhythms with dripping ice and steel drums, and enjoy a dramatic finale with a Schuylkill-inspired dance performance and a light show illuminating the Fairmount Water Works’ impressive neoclassical architecture. These are just a few of the many exciting activities that await guests during this “makers” festival.

“Anyone who loves the environment, who appreciates history, art and science, or just wants to have fun, will find something at our FLOW Fest,” said Karen Young, Director of Fairmount Water Works. “Through the creativity of local artists, attendees will discover the Water Works’ history and exciting future and the power and mystery of the Schuylkill River.”

From 1 p.m. to dusk, the Fairmount Water Works’ majestic grounds will be packed with all manner of interactive, family-friendly activities, including:

Splash Organ – Using the famous piano scene from the movie Big as inspiration, local artist Lee Tusman designed this installation, which uses a simple piece of technology to turn buckets of water into an instrument.
Swim the Fishway – With only fabric and wood, local artist Kathryn Sclavi will create a replica of the passageway below the Water Works that allows fish to swim upstream to hatch their eggs. Guests will create their own fish puppet and “swim” it through the display, simulating the fish’s journey.
Build a Water Drop – Guests will help create a giant wave sculpture made out of hundreds of interlocking “raindrop” discs.
River Net – An oversized fabric installation that depicts the power and essence of the Schuylkill River.
Grand Finale Light Show – The festival ends in dramatic fashion with a light show, accompanied by original music and footage, reflecting the poetry and power of the river.

For more information about the FLOW Festival, visit fairmountworks.com/event/flow-for-the-love-of-water

Disclosure: I attended a event to learn about the Waterworks, I was provided a gift bag with a water bottle. All the opinions are my own.

Be sure to check out my Post on other places in and around Philly :

RingRocks
Follow Sherry’s board Philadelphia Kid Places on Pinterest.

LIfe, Parenting

Loss of a Loved one : Lesson learned

September 12, 2014 superexhausted 1 Comment

Loss of a Loved one : Lesson learned: So 2 weeks ago we buried my aunt Connie now I grew up in NJ away from my dad’s family but I have to say I loved them all dealt the Loss of my aunt Connie struck me hard because I think of her words often and what she has taught me about life and death and suffering.

My Aunt Connie to me is always connect to my Dad’s mom or my Nana. My grandmother and Connie would sit at the table usually next to each other with there done my hair and always perfect nails. Connie always referred to her mom as “Ma” like my Dad in the best Long Island a accent and my dad “Peater” aka Peter.

Connie like me had a struggled with her weight in a family of “skinny minis” both her brothers and sister. Connie was the Aunt I heard them say Connie looks good … Meaning her weight was down… I often wonder if the similar discussions were had about me. There were always the pictures around of Connie when she was in her most beautiful in her 20’s looking like a movie star.

My Aunt Connie had her daughter young and never married. Helen was the 1st grand child. Helen got very sick and died slowly from cancer and that is one of 2 lessons Connie taught me … Connie told me when Helen was at her worst before she passed she begged her Mom to end the pain.. Connie said it was horrible to watch her suffer, she wish she could have aided in the end but you can’t. “You just have to make the comfortable”.

This has allowed me to deal with death in a gift like way. Now my suffering has not at this point been anything to Connie’s but when the time has come for my pets I think of Connie’s word and provide the gift of death for my beloved pets and give them the gift you can’t give a human life. I think of her words often and shared the thought of them often to others. I never got to tell Connie how much her words give me solace .

The second is Connie’s ability to move on and continued happy disposition despite of her circumstances. She was always generally up beat. She had a hard life as a waitress and raising. kid on your own in the 1950-60’s was easy task and still she did . My Aunt Connie was happy and she lit up a room with her laugh and smile.

I hope someday when my nieces and nephews think of me they smile with joy .

She left us very suddenly and I am thankful she did not suffer.

Miss you Aunt Connie.

Crafting, Parenting, Product Reviews

Label Maker Review : Epson Label Maker lw-600

September 6, 2014 superexhausted 7 Comments

Label Maker Review : Epson Label Maker lw-600 review Recently I was ask the Review the Epson LW-600 Label maker. What is so great about this printer is a it can use either your computer or an app on your phone to create the label. So labels on the go. Quickly and easy with no wires all through blue tooth. My daughter created her own.

For me the Epson was a winner In the past I was always looking for cord or adapters. The Epson LW-600 was so easy I find in not as cumbersome as older style label makers so I use it more.

We used label everything for my daughter for school outside, My daughter did her own . The App has a huge variety of different fonts and logos and very easy for a ( year old to use. You just open the box add batteries or the cord for power, down load the add and ad the label cartridge as instructed and you are off and printing labels.

The LabelWorks^®LW-600P is the first app-enabled label printer on the market, offering unmatched capabilities in the world of label creation. The Epson LW-600P and iLabel app takes full advantage of the capabilities of smart phones and tablets to offer features never before available with traditional label makers, such as:

“True-view” label preview capability using the camera function to ensure labels perfectly match what’s on the screen
Wirelessly create, edit and print labels
Handwriting mode for custom drawing or annotation of labels using the touch screen interface
Speech-to-text voice transcription and printing
In-app storage of created label for future use
Import of custom graphics such as symbols, logos and photographs to copy & paste onto labels for a more professional look or to add a personalized touch
Creation of QR code labels for content sharing or barcode labels for inventory management which can be scanned by third-party QR/barcode apps

Epson has also launched a developers’ program for the World’s first App enabled label printer. Developers can access the LW-600P SDK and open APIs and very easily create personalized printing solutions with the LabelWorks LW-600P. For the LW-600P developer program please visit http://bit.ly/1tVG4gM

Epson’s iron-on labels are compatible with two Epson Labelworks products:

Iron-on Kit– includes the LW-300, a portable battery-powered handheld label printer, and two iron-on tape cartridges in a convenient carrying case
LW-600P– app-enabled label printer allowing wireless printing for iOS and Android devices

With fall here I am looking forward to using the Iron labels for the Jackets, gloves, and Hats that will be getting lost.

They also have ribbon tape- to make your holiday packing look great!! -Think cookies!!

The cost of Epson Label Maker lw-600 $99 the labels.

The Epson Labelworks tape range from 14.99 up depending where you purchase it. Hint check Amazon or Epson.

LIfe, Parenting, sponsored posts

Childhood Hunger hits close to home #sponsored

August 14, 2014 superexhausted 1 Comment

Child hunger facts: So do you think that hunger does not hit near your home? Child hunger is an issue that is closer than you think. Child hunger impacts your state, your country and your community. Did you ever think about the kids that do without? You can find hunger statistics for your area on the Child Hunger Ends Here website: http://www.childhungerendshere.com/hungermap.html . Select your state and county from the interactive map and learn more about your neighbors struggling with hunger and the food banks that serve them.

For those families and others across the country, every meal counts, and you can help! You can continue to visit the Child Hunger Ends Here website to enter codes found on participating ConAgra Foods product packaging through August 28. Each code represents one meal for a child who needs it.

It’s easy to make a difference! Look for the red pushpin and locate the code found on specially marked ConAgra Foods and P&G products. For each 8-digit code entered at www.ChildHungerEndsHere.com from March-August 2014, ConAgra Foods or P&G, respectively, will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal to Feeding America.

Child Hunger Ends Here is proud to work with Grammy-nominated country music artist Hunter Hayes and be the presenting sponsor of his “We’re Not Invisible” tour. For every download of Hunter’s new single, “Invisible,” on iTunes, Child Hunger Ends Here will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal to the nation’s leading hunger-relief charity, Feeding America, up to 1 million meals.

One of the easiest ways to learn how to get involved is to join the Child Hunger Ends Here Facebook community at Facebook.com /ChildHungerEndsHere or follow the news on Twitter and Instagram at @ChildHungerEnds.

So when you are feeding your kids today take a moment and thing about the children in your community.

Parenting, Product Reviews, sponsored posts

Bathing your babies : #JOHNSONSBaby #PromiseToBaby

August 5, 2014 superexhausted

When my children were little one of my favorite things was the quite time after a bathing them. Where I was the center of there happy little world. My son who is now 13 and taller then me was always a joy. I would look at this blond hair big blue eyed boy who resembled noting of me. He was a wonderful combo of my husband and my father. Who knew I would be so luck to have such a happy little boy. He was born in February in Florida, he was early and had a Bilirubin count I remember the Dr. said bring him out into the sunshine.

Every few days, I would bath my blond hair blue-eyed boy or “BlondieBlue” as I called him in the sink, the smell of Johnson baby shampoo and body wash, still brings me back to those moments. I always placed a wash cloth warmed with suds and warm water on his chest to keep him happy. As I washed him, he giggled. Then wrapping him on a towel and taking him to his changing table for “massage time” which he love the feel of the Johnson moisturizer on his skin ans I rubbed the pink lotion on his feet his legs and arms. He was all smiles from he loving touch. I would put him on a diaper them bring him out on the patio and place him in his raised packing play. The reflection of the light off the pool and the warm breeze smelling of baby waffled through the 80 degree air. While I enjoyed a minute of new mommy quite and read a book. It was such a lovely peaceful moments in our lives.

We moved up to the Northeast goodbye to warm weather and bright sunshine.

Fast forward 4 years … 2 kids bath time routine changed..Yea can, you say assembly line… My daughter was the child who was bathed with us, because I could not figure out the juggle. My husband was the best option for bathing the baby because of his hair on his chest-No slippy wet baby. Bath time became a 3 ring circus. My son wanted to shower with my husband also. So I would stand in the bathroom as he washed my daughter (as I call her Peanut because she was so small) he would manage handling this baby who loved the shower water on her head. He would suds her up with Johnson, rinse and repeat. Then he would hand the Peanut off to me, I would then add my son age 4 into the shower his dad would scrub him clean with baby shampoo because “no more tears”… Mean while the bathroom would be all fogged up with steam and the smell of Johnson’s Baby shampoo in the air. I would be laying her on a towel on the floor wrapping up and drying off the Little Peanut girl as she giggled on the floor. Again even on the floor as I baby massage my new newborn with the pink lotion, I would listen to my husband and sons conversation about why Tomas was better then Percy. All before her headed off to work at 9am.

I am still tired thinking about those times in our lives. Very different moments but I can remember the smell and joy like it was yesterday.

I am glad I had the opportunity to recall these moment by doing this sponsored post for Johnson’s Baby, who I always felt safe with and continues to put the care and safety of our babies first:

JOHNSON’S^®Baby always listens to moms and although our products have always been safe, we took a stand and changed our formulas to give moms peace of mind.

As the new products hit shelves, we are launching a heartfelt campaign called “Your Promise is Our Promise” as a way to express our ongoing commitment to moms. Just as moms make promises to their children, JOHNSON’S^® Baby also makes promises so moms don’t have to worry about the products they use on their little ones.

To share this commitment, we’ve created an inspiring story through the “Our Promise” video, which can be viewed on YouTube, as an open letter to moms showing our scientists and their families coming together to build an origami stork mobile, symbolizing the delivery of our promise to always listen to moms.

#JOHNSONSBaby in addition to #PromiseToBaby and #partner.

Recently

The JOHNSON’S^®Baby Family is excited to introduce you to seven newly reformulated products:

JOHNSON’S^® Baby HEAD-TO-TOE^®Wash
JOHNSON’S^® Baby Lotion
JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo
JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thick and Curly Hair
JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thin and Straight Hair
JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo with Calming Lavender
JOHNSON’S^® Baby Soothing Vapor Baby Bath

Parenting

How to Have your kids Giveback : Burlington Book Buddies Program

August 3, 2014 superexhausted

How to Have your kids Giveback : Burlington Book Buddies Program . Each week for the month of August I am going to feature a program where your kids can give to other kids in need. Last weeks post was a huge success? So I am asking to look at your kids books and share them with other kids. It is simple:

Did you know that one-in-four children in America grow up without learning how to read? That’s why Burlington, a national off-price retailer offering designer merchandise up to 65% off department store prices every day, has teamed up with K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, a national non-profit organization, and Sprout to launch the first-ever Burlington Book Buddies initiative – a new program designed to help provide children with the opportunity to discover the wonderful world of reading.

Together, from August 1 through Labor Day (September 1, 2014), the partners are inviting customers to donate gently-used or new children’s books at any of the 523 Burlington stores nationwide to benefit local children and their families. For every book donated, Burlington will match up to 55,000 new children’s books through K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers.

For more information and to find a list of participating Burlington stores visit www.BurlingtonStores.com.

About K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc.

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, unites retailers, manufacturers, foundations and individuals to provide new merchandise to families and people impacted by poverty and tragedy. Excess product, including apparel, accessories, shoes, home furnishings, toys, books, school supplies and other items, deliver hope and dignity to people in need through a network of community partners. To date, over $1 billion of donated products have been distributed, serving the poor and disadvantaged worldwide. For more information, please visit www.DonateProduct.com.

Have the kids go through there books and decide which ones are great to share with other kids who don’t have so many books. So while you are out and Back to school shopping at Burlington donate your books! Teach the kids giving is important.

Crafting, Parenting

Back to School Service Project #Bagitforward

July 28, 2014 superexhausted 8 Comments

Do a Back to School Service Project with your kids #Bagitforward. This is a great time of year to get your Kids involved in a service school project. We did a the BagItForward project for Elmer’s Let’s Bond and Champion for Kids. We got the neighborhood and our local swim team to help donate.

We were asked to help Champion for kids and share with my readers a great Back to school service Project The Champion for kids #BagITForward. So 1st we decided where we were going to donate West Kensington Ministries in Norristown Square.

I wrote a letter to all the swim team parents telling them about the service project my daughter and I were working on. The parents team donated and neighborhood help donate the school supplies which included the following. Here is my Back_to_school_service_project Sample Letter to parents.

Ideas for supplies:

Folders
Pencils
Scissors
Rulers
Composition books
Crayons
Back Packs
Markers
Color pencils
Glue sticks

My daughter and I made bags for the kids using fabric from my vast collection of fabric. If you dont sew! you can buy bags or if your donations can afford it Back Packs are wonderful. (Check out my post later this week on how to make the bag great 1st sewing project!

We got the Kids together including my teenage son and assembled the bags.

Then the kids sat down and made a card for each kid receiving the bag. Welcoming them back to school. Lots of bright colors, flowers, trees, apples, and anything that make kids smile.

Some Ideas for the cards:

Welcome back to school
Have a great Year
You are a school Superstar!
Have fun Learning!

The kids loved this project because it was fun for them and they understood the need for the supplies for the kids. So when you are out shopping for your kids this back to school pick up a few items and donate them to . Your local school, preschool, church, teacher.. because there is always a child who wants to smile with new supplies the 1st day of school!

SHARE your story with championsforkids.org/share so that they can celebrate your participation and inspire others with creative ways to bond with children and provide the supplies they need to thrive! Please let Champion for kids know that you are ONE of Millions who helped us reach our goal of helping 20 million children by 2020!

Parenting, Product Reviews

The Fault in Ours Stars Movie Review #FIOS

June 6, 2014 superexhausted

The Fault in Ours Stars Movie Review: So Tonight I had the privilege to drive 6- 15 year old girl to the opening night of Fault In Our Stars. Which if you are not a teenage girl : is a love store, with a terminal twist. The theater had 6 movie theater dedicated to the movie.. and everyone was pack with girls. We arrived 20 minute before the movie and the girls sat 2 rows from the front. My girlfriend and I sat about 10 rows from the front. So arrive early.

Shailene Woodley Of Divergent Fame is Hazel a terminal ill from cancer 16 year old that is some what of a recluse. While being forced by her mother to go to a youth cancer suport group she meets Augustus Waters played by Ansel Elgort (from Divergent) who is a cancer survivor age 18. They become friends and sole-mates. The story proceeds and the struggle Hazel allowing this boy to be by herside as she travels down this dark road of illness.

The couple goes on an adventure, and learns about each other and themselves.

The Fault in Ours Stars story does with deal with death, mature relationships sex and more. Their is a sceen where the couple does have intercourse, where is it is not full frontal nudy or show the actually act the inference is made. So be wearing of kids not over 13.

The picture was excellent, I did cry. Shailene Woodley was wonderful and made you love her reserved sensibility. She brought a real related able that connect with every girl/women in the audience. Ansel Elgot was charming and adorable as Gus. The entire theater swooned over him. He was endearing, and thoughtful, the chemistry was spot on between the characters.

The Fault in Ours Stars is a touching love story that will make you laugh and cry. So bring the tissues. It is the Ghost of this generation of girls.

You have been warned

Check out my other post :

Surviving Jack : Teach you how to Talk to your teenage boy

Teenager Blog Take over

Hunger Games

Parenting, Travel

My Boy In a Bubble

June 6, 2014 superexhausted

Yea Things you never said you would let you kids do. Like don’t put a plastic bag over your head. Fast forward 10 years … let in plastic bag.. and I video taped it So I had a bubble boy!

See my son does walk on water .. sorta of ?

As they get older you let them do things. As they grow they will find there way and walk on water.

Filmed in Rehobeth Beach

Have a great weekend.

Superexhausted