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: