LIfe, Parenting

Creepy and Gross Kids

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gross kidsSo with Halloween is coming and my kids are just some time really creepy. We think of the The songs like Ring around the rose-  which is about kids putting flower in there pockets so they done smell the death.  Or Rock a Bye Baby.. the song that tells the tale of a baby falling.  Creepy.  I have asked my friends to add some of there creepy and gross kids storys.

    • Creepy Songs: This past weekend we watched Hocus Pocus 1993 Halloween classic.  You know the Song Sara Jessica Parker sing to lure her children to her death.. yea that son my daughter has been singing it non stop since we watched the movie.  We are in out bedroom sleeping in and we hear her sing the song early from her bedroom.
    • Puppy Play: Shawn likes to lick like a dog lol. He also enjoys the flavor of dog food but that’s just disgusting, shared by grossed out Mom Shanamama.com 
    • Kiss Licker: My kid loves to stick out her tongue when she goes to kiss you  –  this sign of gross love from wereparentsblog.com
    • Elbow Lickers My kids read somewhere that you can’t feel your elbow being licked, so they’re always trying to lick my elbow in public. Honeybadgermom.com
    • Potty Training Toddler-  As a young boy my son would assume the potion (grabbing is ankles, ass up in the air ) –  then he yelled come “Wipe”  we would walk in his bathroom and wipe.
    • Snuggle Screams:  When we were training my son to sleep in his big boy bed.. he would wake up in the middle night and scream “SNUGGLE” in the worst possible possessed voice.  Imagine be woken by that at 3 am, from Jack from the shinning.  Creepy
    • Crazy eye roll:  My daughter can make her eyes move in toward her nose, cross eyed, on purpose. It makes Jennifer’s skin crawl  from www.nourishedsimply.com
    • Sleepwalker : My daughter was a sleep walk-  where it is scary it is also really creepy-  When she was about 6,  she would walk downstairs around 11pm mumbling something-  I would redirect her to the bathroom,  she would go then I direct her back to her bed-  she never woke up, Lisa son does math problems when he sleeps talks.
    • Night Terrors:  The worst was her Night Terror-  she would wake up and stand on her bed.. yea really creepy what when she had a night terror at a sleep over with girls from a different school.. The mom called me and told me she woke up crying .. thank god the mom was a good friend and nurse so she calmed her down.   Thank god she out grew it.
    • Boogie Bomber: My daughter refuses to use a tissue and always sneaks up on me to wipe her nose on my pant leg or shirt gross recall from  Sarah www.finneganandthehughes.com
    • The Grinder: My son grinds his teeth at night. It makes my jaw ache listening to it -via  KnittingZeal
    • Possessed Toys:  Jr takes his stuffed penguin that he’s slept with since he was three and strokes it’s head and gives me this weird look and it creeps me out.  Shanamama.com 
    • Coffin Kid:   Lisa from A Daily Pinch says her son sleeps like he’s in a coffin. Feet crossed at ankles and arms cross over chest. He doesn’t move, period. He breathes so quietly, we check to make sure he’s still breathing! One day, he’s going to scare the hell out of a future bedmate.

Happy Halloween make it a great one with your gross kids.

Crafting

Pumpkin Carving

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Jackolantern Pumpkin Carving Party- Every year I host a carving party this year for my Moms Group at Church they year was the 8th year. Prize Pumpkins .Pumpkin Carving PartyThis year I did the Boba Fett from Star Wars and I used a really Pumpkin.   Originally I was going to do R2D2 but they pumpkin I had has a rotten bottom.  So I have to choose another larger pumpkin.  This year was great year for pumpkin they were all large and thick with the flesh,  so I wanted to choose one that was not to hard to cut.   In the past I have done  Styrofoam pumpkins because the designs were fun to see year after year (cats , Dragons, traditional Halloween).   Starwars yea one year is good.

Happy Halloween.

Cooking

Chicken Corn Chowder with Bacon

Chicken Corn Chowder with BaconChicken Corn Chowder with Bacon made in a crock pot is a easy family dinner sure to be a crowd pleaser. Use those last ears of corn or frozen corn your family will love it with a heart bread. I came up with this recipe because my husband purchased corn.  I love corn on the cob but my husband is not a fan of eating it off the cob.  So I decided to make soup it was a cool chilly fall day.

Chicken Corn Chowder with Bacon

Makes 6 servings

  • 4 ears of corn or a bag of frozen corn
  • 1 can of creamed corn
  • 1 package of softened cream cheese
  • 1 can of chicken broth (2 cans if you want
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1/2 pound of bacon
  • 2 chicken breast or left over chicken
  • 4 large carrots diced (here is how to cut the carrots like hearts)
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  1. Cook your Onions, Celery and carrots till they are Tender and onions are Translucent. Or use your Precooked Frozen Mirepoix -transfer to crockpot
  2. Cut you corn of the cob, add to crock pot, cream cornChicken Corn Chowder with Bacon
  3. Cook bacon add 3/4 of the bacon to crock pot and reserve the remaining for topping the soupChicken Corn Chowder with Bacon
  4. Add milk, both, cream corn
  5. Chicken if uncooked dice and add to crock pot-  If chicken is cooked add 1/2 hour before finish time.
  6. Place cream cheese on top of all the ingredients (do not stir in until end allowing it to melt during cooking process)Chicken Corn Chowder with Bacon
  7. Cook for 3-4 hours on low-
  8. Dish into bowl and to with crisp bacon you had reserved

Printable version of Chicken Corn Chowder with BaconChicken Corn Chowder with Bacon

This weeks meal planning:

Meal Planning Monday

Monday: Meatless Monday Butter Nut Squash soup with homemade bread

Tuesday: Baked Ravioli

Wednesday: Baked chicken with roasted potatoes and Zucchini

Thursday: Meat Loaf Muffins with baked mac n’ cheese with bacon onion toppers

Halloween Friday: Grill cheese with tomato soup

I am linking up to Organizing Junkies Menu Plan Monday

 

LIfe, Marriage, Parenting

One Night without kids- Looking back 5 years later

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.

Cooking

Easy Baked Ravioli

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baked ravioliEasy baked ravioli my simple recipe for baked ravioli great meal to have the kids help make it.  My kids love baked ravioli because t is like Lasagna with out the work. You can make this meal in minute and it bakes in about 30-40 minutes depending on how many layers.   My daughter helped make this meal for my son sleep over.  We had 4 teenage boys and it was a crown pleaser and much more reasonable then pizza. It also make great left overs.  This is a great pot luck meal.

Easy Baked Ravioli

  • 1-2 bags of frozen raviolis (I use 2-4lb bags at Walmart)
  • 1-2 jars of tomato sauce
  • 4 cups of mozzarella cheese (extra needed if making large potions)
  • cooking spraymaking baked ravioli
  1. spray a 9 x12″ glass pan or disposable dish  with non stick spray
  2. place a layer of frozen ravioli on the bottom
  3. Spoon a layer of tomato sauce over ravioli
  4. Sprinkle a layer of cheese over sauce
  5. repeat layer, ravioli, sauce, cheese
  6. Bake 30-40 minutes till bubbling easy bake ravioli

Printable version of Easy Baked Ravioli

My daughter makes it complete on her own except for the placing it in the oven she loves doing it.  I love how it fills up my family.  It is always something I have in the freezer and pantry.  I guarantee you family with love this easy meal to have any weeknight.

The Yuck Stops Here
Cooking

Meal Planning Monday

mushroomsThis week week is a busy week with the kids. So quick meals are on tap.  The slow cooker is my friend this week.

Monday : Split Pea soup–  My recipe is on 5 Minutes for Mom

Tuesday: Chicken fried rice

Wednesday:  Chicken Taco Salad

Thursday:  French Onion Crusted Pork Chops  from  recipebookandmore

Friday: Balsamic Chicken from keepnupwithj.wordpress.com

 

Linking up this week: Organizing Junkie

Parenting, Philadelphia

Great Free Place for kids in Philly : Fairmount Park Waterworks

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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:free place to visit in philly with kid water works

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.

girl learning in waterworks display

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.

waterworks

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 200th 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.”

kids learning at fairmount park waterworks

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-waterwaterwheel at water works

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.

sponsored posts

Truvia & World Food Programme: Sharing a Sweet Future

sponsored post disclosure

I had the opportunity to learn about Truvia support for the World Food Programme launch Sharing a Sweet Future. I learned how one company support can affect the children, community, and a nation.   I learned about the program during a webinar and  new efforts to help world food program in the future.

The Truvia® business launched its “Sharing a Sweet Future” on World Food Day in October 2012 to help reduce childhood hunger in Bolivia and improve communities through better nutrition, safety and education.  Over a three-year period, nearly $1 million in contributions from the Truvia® business will have been used to help develop sustainable communities in Bolivia, a region of critical need with one of the highest rates of nutritional deficiencies in South America.

During the webinar I learned how the addition of really stoves using propane have helped to avoid many injury of children,  When a family with out electric or gas hook up cook they use fire.  The open fire is exposed and many kid play near there mamas feet.  The can get burned,  so thanks to the Wood Food program and Nutiva they are installing stoves that protect and run using propane.

Some of the food being provide is fortified oil,  that adds vitamins and nutrients to the food. Allowing the children to have better meals,  which allows they to focus and study better.  Many of the videos show the different in these children. Nearly 40 percent of the Bolivian population unable to afford adequate food for a healthy life.  65 percent of all rural households in Bolivia are unable to afford the minimum recommended caloric intake.  Truvia recently announced the results from the first two years of its three-year partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme. One major highlight – the program has helped to feed 49,075 Bolivian schoolchildren.  Do you want to learn more about the this amazing effort including more stores of families touched by this program  visit #SweetFuture

So what is next for Truvia,  not that the partnership with World Food Program is coming to an end.  They are going to focus to an area which directly accept the consumers of Turvia,  the US but they need  your help.

Truvia wants you to have a voice in helping choose the organization they partner with in 2015 visit truvia.com/vote to vote for one of these organizations:

  • Feeding America
  • Edible Schoolyard
  • Action for Healthy Kids
  • United Nations World Food Programme and Feed The Children.

So please take a moment click over and vote for the next Truvia food program.  truvia.com/vote   I loved learning about the programs and love to hear about a big company giving back.

Disclosure This is  a sponsored post in partnership with One2One Network and Truvia

LIfe, Parenting

Loss of a Loved one : Lesson learned

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womenLoss 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.