What's a Girl To Do?

I recently visited a department in search of a Christmas dress for my daughter and perhaps a new outfit for myself that I could sport at the season's upcoming events.  I quickly became disenchanted and walked out of the store empty handed and frustrated.

Lets start in the girl's department.  Where do I begin?  The girls clothes are just so inappropriate.  The style of clothes are mature way beyond their age.  I want a cute and festive dress for my daughter to wear to church on Christmas, not to a cocktail party!  What makes it even worse it that they are made with such poor quality fabrics they look cheesy.  These choices are insulting and aren't fair to our girls.

The women's department isn't much better and finding something fashionable to wear is so hard.  I may be over 30 but that doesn't mean I want to dress like a matron!  Something cute may grab my eye in the juniors department but they aren't cut for my mommy figure and the fabrics are super cheesy.  Doesn't anything decent exist for us 30 somethings?

Cheap?  Maybe in quality but certainly not in price.  So not only is my level of taste insulted but so is my wallet.  My jaw hit the ground and bounced back up when I looked at the price tag of a gold metallic ruched piece of  polyester crap in a size 7 for my daughter and it said $70. 

When this is the crap offered in chain department stores but my budget doesn't allow for high end shopping and boutiques, what is a girl to do?

Mommy Super Hero Powers

My son recently asked me what my super hero power would be if I could choose one.  It could be anything I wanted it to be.  This got me to thinking, what are the super powers that every mom needs to make life easier?  Here are a few I came up with.

Cloning If I had a dollar for every time I needed to clone myself to be in 3 different places at once, I'd be a rich woman.  I'd love the ability to produce a clone on demand any time I needed one.

Time Adjuster  Some days I just need more hours in the day.  Other days, the end of the day (and bedtime) can't come quick enough.  I want the ability to adjust time as I see fit.

Super Mute  You know how the mute button comes in handy on the remote for the TV?  Yeah, well this is like that only better.  The Super Mute Button allows you to quiet bickering children, whining spouses, demanding bosses, annoying neighbors or anyone else you need to tune out.

Easy Tidy I want the ability to tidy up a room with a song and the snap of the fingers like Mary Poppins.  (I just couldn't come up with a more clever name).  Add a clap of the hands and get a sparkling house.

Dinner Delights With a mere twitch of the nose a wonderful, delicious, home made meal appears on the table to eager mouths who will eat all their veggies and not utter a complaint about dinner.

Mind Reading Sometimes the kids and the husband forget to tell us things, mind reading would allow us to know everything on their minds.  This will also come in handy when the kids get older, a quick scan will tell us the truth about what they are up to.

Invisibility Sometimes I just don't want to be found.  

Super Locator This finds the missing library book, the stray shoe, the homework that the dog supposedly ate, and anything else that has gone wayward.

Tell me, what super powers would you like to have?

Children's Hospital has a Wish List Too

As a mom, I hope I never need the services of Children's Hospital.  I pray each and every day that my children stay happy and healthy.  However, for some families, they face health challenges each and every day.  The hospital is a scary place, for both kids and their parents.  In these economic times many struggle, even the places we rely on for care.  Children's Hospital has some very special needs for some very special kids.  Take a look at their Wish List and see if you are able to help.


Children's Hospital of New Jersey Presents The Wish List:

 
Children’s Hospital of New Jersey helps nearly 50,000 children – from birth through age 19 - every year. And now you can help them out too. Supplies and toys are constantly in need for the children we care for at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. This is where you come in. 

The wish list is comprised of a lot of the items our caregivers have told us are in short supply. These items include special developmental items that help premature babies feel like they are still in their mothers’ womb, sensory equipment to treat children with learning and behavioral challenges, and playthings to distract a hospitalized child from the tedium and fear that can accompany a trip to the hospital.

Now you can help us care for kids in the hospital. Bringing some comfort and light into the lives of children who suffer from various conditions is a blessing to their families and something they certainly wish for. It’s very simple to donate a tax-deductible gift online. Visit http://www.givetochildrennj.org. Scroll through the list of approved products. Click the “make a gift now!” link underneath the product(s) you wish to donate. This will take you to a form where you can locate the product(s) and enter the quantity you wish to donate! This form also allows you to just make a general donation for the children’s hospital as well – we’ll be sure to put it to good use caring for the children. It’s that easy.

The simple truth is that a trip to the hospital is a stressful situation for anyone.  Imagine what it must be like for a child. You can make their time here as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Please, take this opportunity to put a smile on a kids face.  Donate a gift today!

Flying Solo

Several years ago if you suggested I go see a movie or grab a bite to eat by myself I would have scoffed.  I felt self conscious doing these things on my own and missed the company of having someone to discuss the movie with or chat with over a meal.  Over the years I have not only grown more comfortable with it, I've learned to really enjoy it.

I realized that while in the movies, we are sitting in the dark and not talking.  If I feel the need to discuss the movie afterwards, I can almost always find someone who had already seen it.  Why do I need to have someone sitting next to me?  Going alone allows me to see exactly what I want to see and affords me the flexibility to see it whenever I find myself with a sliver of free time.  Matinees and popcorn for lunch?  Count me in.

Eating out is a little different though, it is usually tied with a social event.  Changing your mindset on this can be a little more difficult than when you are sitting in a dark movie theater.  What I've learned to love about eating on my own though is that I can sit and savor my coffee while people watching, flipping through a magazine or checking my email.  I don't have to share what is on my plate or on my mind.  It allows me to think and actually be able to hear myself.  Just while sitting at breakfast this morning (an impromptu stop while out and about) I came up with two different blog post ideas and cemented other thoughts that have been flying around untethered.  

Table for one?  Yes please.

Pay It Forward

The kids had a 4 day weekend and we decided to head out of town for 2 nights.  While away we were the recipients of two separate random acts of kindness. 

First Random Act of Kindness:

On our first night away, my son's tooth fell out during dinner.  He made a comment about putting it under his pillow and my other son pointed out that the tooth fairy might not come while we are on vacation (for once I was thankful for one of my kids piping in).  Well, let me just point out to you that on the best of days, the tooth fairy sucks around here.  I have found her to be very unreliable.  So add in 5 people in a hotel room?  My 2 boys in a bed?  The chances of not falling asleep before everyone else and being able to slip to my wallet and under a pillow unnoticed?  Looking slim for an appearance by our winged friend.

The next morning we were out and about sight seeing and the tooth fairy came up.  Did she come?  Well of course not!  But what we didn't yet know was that while we were off enjoying our day, she really did come.  We returned to our room late that night and when pulling the covers down to get ready for bed my son found money under his pillow, right along side his tooth.  My husband and I looked at each other, then the money folded up and realized it was the tip we had left of our house keeper that day.  Our house keeper must have found the tooth, realized what a sucky busy mom I am, and saved the day.

On our way out of the hotel the next morning the housekeepers were out in the hall.  I asked the one next door if she had been in our room the day before.  When she confirmed I simply said "thank you".  (the kids were there).  She responded with "No problem, I have kids too."  She found an extra tip when she went into our room to clean and I was sure to speak with the manager about her act of kindness.  It is nice to know mom's have each others backs.  

Second Random Act of Kindness:
Less than 24 hours after discovering the first  RAC we were the recipients of a second RAC.  We took the kids on a guided tour and while waiting in line to pay, the couple behind us asked how many kids we had.  We replied our usual 3 and they asked if we would like them to cover 2 of them.  They had a gift certificate for admission for 2 adults and 2 children and they had no children with them.  While they could have just redeemed the part that was applicable to them, they decided it to share it with us.  I introduced Baby Girl and The Middle Child to their new parents and thanked the couple profusely, they just saved us some bucks!

I found both of these acts of kindness very touching.  While it would have been easy for these people to go about their own day they didn't.  They realized they could lend a helping hand and did so willingly and happily.  It really made my day and will not be forgotten quickly.  In return for their kindness I will extend my hand to someone else.


 

iPlay America hits NJ

I had the pleasure to visit the brand new iPlay America, New Jersey's Premier Indoor Theme Park, for a sneak peak.   iPlay America is set to open on 11/11/11 at 11:11am to the general public and I think the public is going to enjoy what they see. 

From the outside you have no idea what awaits you inside.  When I first walked in I was taken in by the feel of it.  It is as if you are walking down a street complete with street signs, store fronts, and street performers. The atmosphere is fun and reminiscent of the shore towns along the boardwalk.

 

 

For entertainment you have an arcade  with over 200 different games, including skeeball, claw games, and traditional video games.  There are traditional boardwalk rides and games, video bowling, and laser tag.  I am proud to report that I played my first game of laser tag ever in their 2 story course and had a blast!  We also had a chance to experience the 4D Theater, which I'm sorry to report made me a little motion sick and I didn't enjoy the spray of water in the face that we got. 

 

 

If you are hungry you won't have to look far for food.  They have a self serve frozen yogurt stand with several flavors of yogurt and every topping imaginable, traditional boardwalk style food like hot dogs, french fries, and funnel cakes as well as a quick serve restaurant and a sit down restaurant.  We had lunch at City Square Grill which is set up to look like an outdoor cafe.  They serve selections from salads to gourmet entrees.  Our lunch selection was a variety of choices and I must say, the crab cake was divine.  This is definitely a step above what you are used to eating when spending a day at an amusement park with your kids.  

 

 

Also available on the premises is an event center called Encore.  Here you can host an  intimate gathering all the way to an elaborate event.  There are many rooms to choose from to suit your needs.  The atmosphere was very modern and chic and I could see some great parties being had here!

 

My over all take:

 

The Pros:  Over all I found this to be a fun place with a lot of options for families. 

• I think kids of all ages could come and have a fantastic time. 
• I like that you purchase an iPlay card and there is no need to keep track of cash while wandering through and when you win on games, instead of printing tickets, the iPlay card keeps track of you points for redemption at the prize counter.  
• Plentiful food options and some good food at that!
• They have private party rooms for birthday parties.
• The atmosphere is fun and inviting

 

The Cons:  Here is where I insert my big old but.  I find that this is going to be cost prohibitive for many families. 

• Minimum admission fee is  $20.  $5 of that is your admission and the other $15 is placed on an iPlay card.  
• Your iPlay card is what you use to pay for the games and rides.  I found many of the games to be priced at $2-$3 each which means you will blow through that play card pretty quick.  
• Laser tag is $12 (price not posted on website, but this is what I was quoted when I inquired) a round and goes by very fast.  At the end of our game we weren't ready to stop and wanted to play again...I can only imagine my kids wanting the same thing.  
• The rides area was small, I think that on busy days it is going to feel very crowded and tight.  

 

 Thank you to iPlay America for hosting their Media day.  They really rolled out the red carpet to us and showed us a fun time. 

 

 

 

 

A Letter to the Roofing Guy (or insert any contractor here)

Dear Roofing Guy,

When I called you on Monday and you said you'd be by on Tuesday or Wednesday?  I actually believed you.  I even gave you Thursday for good measure.  Now?  Now it is Friday.  I'm moving on to the next guy.

If you didn't have time to get to me, didn't want to climb up on my steep roof, or didn't want to be bothered with a repair, the polite way to blow me off would have been to tell me you were too busy to get to me any time soon.  So now?  Now when I'm ready for the big job of a completely new roof, which will be within the next year, you won't be getting a call for the job.  I thought I mentioned to you we'd be looking for estimates for that big job too...guess you must have forgotten that part. 

Thanks,
Grumpy Homeowner

Wordless Wednesday: Pumpkins

They designed and carved their pumpkins all by themselves this year!

Witchy Woman

I love Halloween and I'm not afraid to show it.  Every year you will find me dressed up in some way shape or form.  It isn't always a full costume, I sometimes opt for just a pair of devil horns with a red shirt and jeans, but I'm always in the spirit.  This year I was thrilled to learn The Middle Child embraces that about me rather than finds it embarrassing. 

I am the class mom for The Middle Child and was scheduled to come in for his class Halloween party.  I had snacks and crafts planned and figured I'd wear a Halloween t-shirt to feel festive.  The night before the party he asked me "What are you going to be tomorrow?"  I replied "A scarecrow, just like you guys."  I thought he was referring to our towns Halloween parade that we would be marching in with the Cub Scouts.  He said no, "I mean when you come to school.  It is dress up day."  I tried to conceal my surprised reaction and said "Oh, you want me to dress up?"  "Yeah, I thought you could be your witch".  So, I donned my costume, proud my boy is not yet embarrassed by his mom. 

Witchy Woman by day

Turned Scarecrow by night

(yes, that is a crow on my shoulder, it is just hard to see in the dark)