Places to Play in PA: The Franklin Institute

I am beginning a new segment on my little blog-- a lottle coverage of places our family has visited to that our kid friendly in PA. I love this state-- I dont realy feel as if I can call myself a local as once a Jersey girl, always a jersey girl ;)

We went to the Franklin Institute about a month ago when Matt had to work in the city and one benefit of going during the week was at about 2:00 all the schools cleared out and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We also hit a personal setback when our little guy threw his paci out of the stroller oh say, about an hour after we got there and he was def. not a happy camper at times without it. That being said, we did have a nice time.

My kids favorite attraction hands down was the heart-- they must have gone through about 20 times! Thinking back to when I went there as a kid it was my favorite thing to (although I remember a fish tank being inside it then), so I am so happy they have never changed this exhibit. We also loved th electricity room and the sports rooms a lot-- these had a lot of hands on things where the kids could see science and have it click right away.

The only room we didn't really like was the kids play area designed for younger kids-- it seemed empty and as if half the exhibit had been put away... not sure about that since they have some great things to work with there. Also not cool-- we went to see a BLACK HOLE movie and it 1. terrified my kids (dont know what I was thinking) and 2. was so inaccurate and lacking all sound reason Biblically, that we made a quick dash for the door about 5 minutes into it. We also saw the 3-D Oceans movie and the effects were great, but was expecting something on sharks and we got sardines. Thats not their fault, but mine... but really, who'd film sardines when their are sharks nearby? Seriously...

All in all we had a great time and the kids retained alot of what they had seen and I would def. go again in maybe 5 years as not a whole lot changes on a year-to-year basis, but still, as I said before, a great day trip!

been busy with a shower

no, not that type of shower-- a wedidng shower. been busy planing my sister's shower and phew, since she snooped and found out about it, i can share some pictures with y'all about how I am progressing. The shower is this saturday and I have been diligently working on it here and there for weeks now so as not to have the last day party stress hit me (and the family) head on. My husband called home from work and tentaviley asked how stressed I was and it was with a happy heart that I said we're doing good.

Then I hung up.

And I began to stress, was I doing good? Should I have something else for dessert? Will the fondant work? Will people like it? Will it look, horror of horrors, tacky?

So after a small, teeny, tiny panic attack, I regrouped, packed my china up (we're using special woman in my sister's life real china as a special touch, and well, i guess I consioder myself important-hehehe), finished the pretzels (the extra dessert), and then relaxed.

Because a good host should be a relaxed host.

I did take some new steps for me-- I accepted help on a few (minor) things for the shower and was pretty loose-ish-ish with decorating help (okay, I oversaw it, but I let my sister help and even pick a few things out-- shocker, I know.

So, we are almost done and I am so hoping for a nice smooth finish and a beautiful shower of blessings for my sister.

Product review-- drying rack

Hi-- i am so sorry that I have slacked off with posting-- it's a roller coaster of good times and bad times of posting :)

Anyway, this is one of my favorite things EVER and I am going to start trying to feature great products that save you time and money and make your life tons easier!

This is the amazing IKEA drying rack that can dry a HUGE load or two small loads of laundry-- it is a life saver! Why do I hang instead of dry? Well, you know me-- I love to save electricity and this really does save me time-- No going down to put it in the dryer, take it out, etc.-- plus the kids help hang the socks around the edge-- win win! It's also great on the wear of the clothes-- plus no worry of drying in a missed stain :D Love this so much and HIGHLY reccomend it:

Break-Fast Dinner

I love eggs for dinner-- here are some of my favorite so easy and yummy recipes

{strata or fritata}
(pictured)
6-8 eggs
cheese of your choice (swiss, cheddar, mozzerella, colby jack-- all good and use about a cup of any)
about 1/2 a cup of milk
salt and pepper
vegetable of your choice (I do tomatoe, mozzerella and spinach together; cheddar and sliced pottoes together
and add meat of your choice-- salami, prosciutto, ham, sausage-- or omit meat for vegetarian

mix eggs and milk. add cheese and add ins and pour into a pie diesh or small caserole pan and cook at 325 till eggs are no lounger soupy-- about 30 minutes
Garnish with some dill or chives


Breakfast Casserole

8-12 eggs depending on casserole dish
1 cup of milk
salt and pepper
1 cup of grated cheddar cheese
bacon
shredded hasbrowns
bacon

place hasbrowns in casserole evenly across the bottom. Mix eggs and milk together and pour over the potatoes evenly. Add cheese layer on top. Place bacon strips across the top and bake at 400 for about 30-40 minutes. season with salt and pepper and enjoy :)

The best kids Bible ever

This is the best children's Bible ever-- it doesnt water down the story or go from Noah to Moses to David-- Gideon, Samuel, Deborah, and Jephthah are covered as well. Plus, it doesn't give you the short version, but goes into great depth at a wonderful speed-- and the illustrations are really enjoyed by my kids. I am blown away by what they have been able to grasp and incorporate into their playtime and life. They have such a hold on the flow and history of God's chosen people the Israelites.

I have to be honest, when this was a suggested book in the Sonlight catalog, I thought, "Really-- do we need another kid's Bible with the little feel good concise stories?" Then, I found a used one on Amazon and decided to try it and have been so happy and impressed, but most of all-- it has been an immense blessing to our family.

"snowed" in ideas

Well, it's winter in PA and we have been getting a couple little snowfalls here and there and it is very chilly :) I love snow- if it has to be cold, it can at least look pretty right?

Snow is so Magical.

So, we have been inside a lot-- I mean a lot! We have been making good use of playdough, dance parties, blocks, animals, games, puzzles-- all that stuff that might get a wee but ignored when its nice out and we're out and about soaking it all in.

Oh yes, we have been reading lots too. My five year old can read a bit (thanks to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons) and my daughter doesnt mind listening for a little while, but while he practices, she reads in the big circle chair snuggled up with a blanket. I love it. Books are so wonderful-- they become treasured friends.

Funny story-- I was reading a mommy book and trying to finish it because it was so good and so I had it out while the kids played next to me and my son said, "Mom, all you do is keep looking at your book-- are you gonna start reading it?" So cute-- he didnt understand silent reading yet :) Someday soon I hope they still spend winter days buried in books....

Buying in Bulk

We do our grocery shopping once every two weeks and we save some money, but mostly a lot of time (and time is money, right?). I buy my ground beef in the big bulk packages and it is so much cheaper! So, once I have it I make a few meatloafs and bake them altogether and then once they have cooled, I freeze them in freezer safe bags. This saves me more time later on since I can just pull them from the freezer and heat it with no fuss or extra prep. Then, I will do either one of two things.

1. Take the remaining 2/3 and make a huge batch of meatballs. I freeze portions in bags and then just heat with my sauce and they are done by the time the pasta is

2. take 1/3 and make some seasoned hamburgers. I freeze these before cooking and will just take them out that morning to heat on a skillet at dinner time.

This has saved me tons of time and money. Happy cooking all :)