Doctor, Doctor





I'm overwhelmed by the kind emails and phone calls regarding my "Mr. Man". We received word from the specialist today that he will be going back to NYC for yet MORE test! They found some "abnormalities" and will be doing more invasive testing. Looks like he has a "date" with the specialist Memorial Day weekend - our 9th wedding anniversary. I've got to figure a way so that I can be there with him. I hate that he will be 5 hours from home with no family by his side.
BTW - We know that Mr. Man does NOT have the following illness':
Chrones disease
Cholitis
Pancreatic cancer
Kidney stones
Gal stones
Ulcer
Colin cancer
Celaic disease

Nana flew in yesterday to help out and to give me a much needed break! She has been a blessing. A.Blessing. She volunteered to watch the chickies today so that I could get outta the house for a while. Not only did the girls love playing with Nana, but she showered them with gifts and fun! They spent part of the morning putting puzzles together and coloring. If that wasn't enough Nana cooked a delicious dinner (yum-mee) AND then watched the little people so that I could go to my cake class. Mr. Man had an appointment with his stylist.... I hope she knows how much we appreciate her help! Tomorrws agenda - much needed make-over for Insane Mommy... stay tuned...

Four-Year Photos

I took the kid in for her four-year photos on Friday. Handling the "talent" sure has gotten easier over the past couple of years. When I took her in for her two-year photos, I think we were both crying by the time it was all said and done.

This year's primary challenge was . . . bruises. Copious, obvious bruises. I'm pretty sure the photographer called Child Protective Services and filed a report after we left. It occurred to me that I should probably wait until after the bruises went away before scheduling a photo session, but the risk there is that she may have come up with a whole new crop in the mean time that were much more sinister-looking. I had to sign several accident reports at Kindercare last week. In one incident, she was leaning forward to put a book on the bookshelf in her classroom, and somehow pitched forward and smacked her face on the shelf. In another, she collided skull-first with a classmate. Yes, that's my delicate little ballerina.

I asked the photographer to do the best she could to work around the bruises. There is a series of reddish-brown circles headed down her right calf in addition to the collection on her forehead. The photographer, despite her youth, did a great job. I don't think I've ever had so many decent shots from which to choose. So, I just went with the ones in which the contusions were less obvious. I have to say that my kid is downright photogenic. The manager of the studio said that my daughter puts her own spin on the poses. I imagine she says that to all of the moms, but I actually do believe the kid is bound for a career on the stage. We'll be rich, rich I tell you!

Tasty Tuesdays


Tasty Tuesday: Pack 'n Go Party Recipes

It's beginning to feel a little like summer out there (just a tad! Over 90 degrees in April??? Whaaaaa?!)!

But if your family is anything like mine, that means it's picnic and party season.
Whether your heading to a family reunion, a church picnic, a graduation or birthday party or even just a simple BBQ among friends...these recipes are sure to guarantee happy tummies and compliments! And they're super easy for 'on-the-go' traveling...a must have requirement for when you've been nominated to bring your signature dish to the BBQ!

Here's a few recipes to help make your party a hit!

Salads:

Layered Summer Salad
Garden Fresh Pasta Salad
Zesty New Potato Salad
Make Ahead Mexican Salad

Desserts:
Striped Delight
Frozen Cinco De Mayo Dessert
Quick Lemon Berry Trifle

Drinks:
Pineapple Punch
Sangria Punch
Mojito Lemon Lime Cocktail


Do you have a favorite "take 'n go" recipe?

If so...share it with us! Leave a comment or a link to your fave recipes! We'd love hear what you're bringing to the picnics and parties this summer!


All recipes courtesy of Kraft Foods.

Philadelphia Museum Week

Monday, April 27 through Sunday, May 3
Greater Philadelphia’s museums offer countless opportunities for remembering, discovering, and learning. During Museum Week, April 27-May 3, over fifty regional museums offer the public a wide variety of special discounts on admission and museum store purchases. Celebrate this incredibly rich region: visit an area museum during Museum Week! Click here for more info.

has special Museum Week pricing this week.
Wednesday-Sunday
$5 per person.
1220 American Boulevard
West Chester, PA 19380
610-436-9600

Disney on Ice

On April 10th, a bunch of us went to see the Disneyland Adventure on Ice. It was a fun show and the kids loved every minute. Some members took the new light rail to and from the show and had a blast.

Great new site for kids!

Thanks to Chester County Mom, Shannon for this great tip on a new site called Planet Orange.

Planet Orange (http://www.orangekids.com/) is a new kids’ site from ING DIRECT. It’s designed to teach kids in grades 1–6 about money and responsibility (BORING!) in a way that’s engaging, interactive and most important—FUN!

Planet Orange doesn’t just teach about money, it shows kids how money affects their lives—now and as they grow up. It gives them good fundamentals so they can really “get” ideas about finance and responsible money management.

If you haven’t talked to your child about money yet, now’s a great time to have a kitchen table talk about it. You can even use Planet Orange to learn about money together.

Stagecoach Festival

For the last 3 years, Shad and I have tried to go to Stagecoach, this amazing 2-day concert with several big names in the country music industry. Musicians like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels Band, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Gretchen Wilson, etc. This years big ones were Brad, Kenny, C.D. band and Reba along with 30+ lesser known country artists. This big ol' festival is right here where I live.

Well, the last 4 years, including this one, we've had conflicts. One year, I was in charge of the food at a Stake Enrichment event, one year Shad was over a Stake YM event, one year I was nursing Kate and this year there was a Stake service project that our ward was totally pushing for just 1 member of the family to attend and I was supposed to take pictures for a family in the evening. As well, as the obvious, don't break the Sabbath, we would've skipped the Sunday part of the festival. So this year, we decided to rebel and skip the church activity, cancel the pictures and go to Stagecoach. Shad got a great deal for Saturday only tickets on Craigslist, I got an all-day/night babysitter and we were set. Until little Kate got diarrhea and threw-up over and over. We had to cancel the sitter and sell our tickets on Craigslist the morning of the show.

Instead we got to hang out as a family, cleaning up throw up here and there. I mean it really worked out for the best, right? Instead of watching Brad Paisley last night under the stars with Shad, I got to clean throw-up out of my hair, off of my clothes and brush my teeth thoroughly after throw-up somehow ended up in my mouth. Just a tip, when your small child starts to leak saliva out of their mouth, don't get down on their level face-to-face and say, "Oh, what's wrong?" because when I did that, she looked straight at me and puked in my mouth as I said "wrooooong". Yeah. I definitely think it worked out well.

Maybe next year.

The sickie:

A little German flavor







Some women spend their days at the spa or shopping, but me - I spend mine in the kitchen. I am a mans dream and I'm not talking "wet-dream"! I promise you Mr. Man is going no where anytime soon -- why would he - he's fed better than what you get in most restaurants!



Since getting laid-off in February I have re-discovered my first love - THE KITCHEN!! I've been busy trying out new recipes. Now if I could only put my "apron" idea together I'd have myself a great little niche business.



I discovered this recipe at the would be chef while searching for some "comfort" food and had to share. It was a hit with my family, but then, most is.....



If you've never made home-made egg noodles this is fool proof! EASY. Try it.





Recipe - Spätzle with Parmesan and Parsley

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1 3/4 cups flour, plus extra for kneading
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 quarts low sodium chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. In a medium bowl, combine water, flour, eggs and salt with a wooden spoon. Place dough mixture on a clean cutting board. Flour both sides of the dough and roll into a long rectangle, approximately 12 by 2-inches and 1/8-inch thick. With pizza cutter, cut into strips, 2-inches in length and 1/4-inch

wide.

2. Bring chicken stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Drop spätzle in batches into boiling stock and cook until pasta floats to the surface. Remove and immediately transfer to the ice bath. Drain spätzle and hold on sheet pan. Continue with the other batches.

3. Once you’ve completed the cooking, in a medium saute pan, add butter, and melt over medium heat until butter turns a light brown. Add garlic and cook until it becomes lightly colored. Add spätzle to the pan to heat through. Add parsley, cheese, salt and pepper, to taste.

This is not only excellent; very it’s really wonderful, very filling and is pretty simple. If y

ou’ve never made your own noodles, this is a great dish to give it a go.

Servings: 4. Double for bigger eaters....





R.I.P. Portable DVD Player

Magnavox DVD Player

July 1, 2006 -April 25, 2009

The DVD Player passed away quietly after a brief but brave battle with apple juice (the household's youngest member is transitioning from sippy cups to "big girl" cups). Heroic efforts were made to resuscitate the victim but when apple juice was observed dripping out of the battery pack, CPR was ended. Time of death: 11:32 a.m.

The DVD player will be remembered for saving our sanity on long car trips. He played "Cinderella" and "The Letter Factory" dozens of times without complaint. He had a brush with death when one of his cables was left dangling from the van and was dragged for dozens of miles, but miraculously, he continued to operate without a hitch. Once, just for fun, he played "Sleeping Beauty" in Spanish.

The DVD player is survived by several household electronics, including an aging digital camera, a video camera, and two iPods. He was preceded in death by a CD player and a whatiswrongwiththispieceofshit iron.

Friends may call from 1:15 to 1:20 this afternoon at our home, where the DVD player lies in state.

April Moms Night Out

What a fun night we had at Chef Jacqueline's house learning how to make her famous Malaysian dinner. We enjoyed the nice night outside on her patio catching up and having dinner. Afterwards she brought out the interesting food for our FEAR FACTOR CHALLENGE! :) Some of us were very daring...others not so much! After dessert we played Taboo and had a lot of laughs.

The Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus, "Zing Zang Zoom" Ticket Give Away

The Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus, "Zing Zang Zoom" is coming to The Wachovia Spectrum and we are giving away a family 4 pack of tickets to see the show on opening night May 13th at 7:00pm.



Click here to learn more about The Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus, "Zing Zang Zoom".



You can purchase a family 4 pack of tickets online at http://www.ComcastTix.com/ for only $44, by entering the promo code MOM**.





**Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-800-298-4200. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4, can be purchased for $11 each. Special Promotional pricing not available for VIP Gold, VIP, Circus Celebrity Seating or combined with any other offers. Other service fees may apply.







Philadelphia Show Dates
Wednesday, May 13th at 7:00pm

Thursday, May 14th at 7:00pm
Friday, May 15th at 10:30am
Friday, May 15th at 7:00pm
Saturday, May 16th at 11:00am
Saturday, May 16th at 3:00pm
Saturday, May 16th at 7:00pm
Sunday, May 17th at 1:00pm
Sunday, May 17th at 5:00pm






To enter this contest leave a comment below or email contests(at)chestercountymoms.com and enter "Zing Zang Zoom" in the subject line.

The winner of this contest must be a resident of Chester County. This contest will end on May 1st. The winner will be notified via email and has 24 hours to respond to the "You Won!" email. The winner of this contest will pick up their tickets (with photo ID) at The Wachovia Spectrum "will call" on the night of the show, May 13th. The FREE tickets are only good for the opening night show on May 13th. This giveaway does NOT include transportation, parking fees, food or drink.

Want a few extra opportunities to win?




(1) Extra entry - Join the Chester County Moms Group on Facebook (make sure to let us know you would like to enter Zing Zang Zoom contest)

(1) Extra Entry - Friend ChescoMoms on FB and update your FB status to...Chesco Moms are giving away a family 4 pack of tickets to The Ringling Barnum & Baily Circus "Zing Zang Zoom". Click on this link and enter to win. http://tinyurl.com/cwqg4q



(1) Extra Entry - Follow ChescoMoms on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway! (DM us and let us know you would like to enter the Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus, "Zing Zang Zoom" Ticket Give Away. Just remember to include this is a contest for Chesco Residents in your tweet.)



(1) Extra Entry - Blog about this giveaway! Don't forget to link Chester County Moms in your blog post (email* us so we know about your post don't forget to include your URL.)



(1) Extra Entry - Follow us at Chester County Moms (if you're already a follower...that counts too! Let us know via email*)



(1) Extra Entry - Subscribe to Chester County Moms Feed Blitz (if your already subscribe..let us know via email!* There is a link to sign up on the right side bar.)



(1) Extra Entry - Put the Chester County Moms button on your blog (let us know the URL where we can find it...and if you have it already...just let us know via email*...it still counts!)



*Our EMAIL - contests@chestercountymoms.com (Subject-Zing Zang Zoom)





Bee-Eazy Bag Give Away - 2 Winners!


Bee-Eazy bags have an innovative design, offering the best features available in a reusable bag. They are easily opened and ready to use in seconds - significantly reducing single-use bag waste. Each bag conveniently clips to your purse, belt, keys or shopping cart. Bee-Eazy bags are attractive, affordable, and designed to be unforgettable.







Bee-Eazy original bags have an innovative design, offering the best features available in a reusable bag. They are easily opened and ready to use in seconds - significantly reducing single-use bag waste. Bee-Eazy Bags are made of durable Nylon and are water resistant. Each bag holds the equivalent capacity of 20 lbs (just about 3 gallons of milk)

Click here to order your Bee-Eazy reusable bag. Enter the coupon code "BeeGreen" to save on orders of Five or more bags. Discount applied during checkout. For more information on Bee-Eazy Bags visit http://www.bee-eazybags.com/

One small change can make a big difference... it's just that easy!

We are giving away 2 Bee-Eazy Bags. 1 yellow and 1 black. Enter to win 1 of the bags by leaving a comment below or emailing contests (at) chestercountymoms.com and enter Bee-Eazy in the subject line. This contest is open to Chester County Residents. One entry per household. This contest will end on Friday, May 1st at midnight. The winner will be notified via email and has 10 days to claim the prize.

Earth Week Give Aways

Have you entered all of our Earth Week Give Aways? If not, click here and Good Luck!

Bamboo Plush Panda
Wool Worth It - Accessory Gift Set
Little Boo & Co. - Boo Boo Cube (5 winners)
Footprints Bamboo Socks
Bee Eazy Reusable Bag (2 winners)
Soap- It Nuts
A Green Day - Reusuable Dry Cleaning Bag

Reusable Dry Cleaning Bag from A Green Day.org - GIVE AWAY

This 100% Organic Reusable Dry Cleaning Garment bag is for the consumer
who likes to keep it eco-friendly.


Tired of the waste that comes from every visit to the dry cleaners..? Darleen Reilly was. That is why she designed the reusable dry cleaning garment bag that can be reused over and over again. The way it works it you place your bag upside down on a hook placing your soiled clothes in the bag. Once your ready to return to the dry cleaners you deliver the soiled clothes in the bag leaving the bag with the clothes only to have your clean items returned in your very own bag eliminating the use of plastics in the dry cleaning industry. The simple and easy way of going green.

Agreenday.org is committed in providing products that can reduce waste, Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Recyclable and all made in the USA.


1 LUCKY Chester County reader will win a 100% Organic Cotton reusable drycleaning bag from Agreenday.org, valued at $55. Enter to win by leaving a comment below or emailing contests (at) chestercountymoms.com and enter Dry Cleaning Bag in the subject line. This contest is open to Chester County Residents. One entry per household. This contest will end on Friday, May 1st at midnight. The winner will be notified via email and has 10 days to claim the prize.

This is the last of our fabulous Earth Week Give Aways...Want extra entries??

(1) Extra entry - Join the Chester County Moms Group on Facebook (make sure to let us know you would like to enter the A Green Day.org Reuseable Dry Cleaning Bag contest)

(1) Extra Entry - Friend ChescoMoms on FB and update your FB status to...Chesco Moms are giving away an awesome reusable dry cleaning bag worth $55 at Chester County Moms. Click on this link and enter to win. http://tinyurl.com/cwqg4q

(1) Extra Entry - Follow ChescoMoms on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway! (DM us and let us know you would like to enter the A Green Day.org Reuseable Dry Cleaning Bag contest. Just remember to include this is a contest for Chesco Residents in your tweet.)

(1) Extra Entry - Blog about this giveaway! Don't forget to link Chester County Moms & A Green Day.org in your blog post (email* us so we know about your post don't forget to include your URL.)

(1) Extra Entry - Follow us at Chester County Moms (if you're already a follower...that counts too! Let us know via email*)

(1) Extra Entry - Subscribe to Chester County Moms Feed Blitz (if your already subscribe..let us know via email!* There is a link to sign up on the right side bar.)

(1) Extra Entry - Put the Chester County Moms button on your blog (let us know the URL where we can find it...and if you have it already...just let us know via email*...it still counts!)

*Our EMAIL - contests@chestercountymoms.com (Subject-Dry Cleaning Bag)

SHE with the most entries wins!

Soap -It Nuts Give Away

Soap-it Nuts are non-toxic & biodegradable. They have no optical brighteners, no petro-chemical compounds, no dyes, no phenols, no fragrances, and no phosphates. Soap Nuts are truly sustainable because they grow on trees and are harvested every year. They will effectively clean your clothes, leaving them fresh and soft. Say good-bye to all that commercial laundry detergent that is harmful to you and our environment. They are economical and easy to use, even if they are ugly.

*Safe on any fabric
*Economical and easy to use
*No plastic containers made from petroleum!
*No need for fabric softener.
*Soap-it Nuts will safely & effectively clean your clothes, leaving them fresh and soft.

*Soap nuts are great for pet shampoo, jewelry cleaning, household cleaning, car washing, and can also be used as a natural pesticide. Click here to learn more.

So what exactly is a ‘soap nut’? It is the dried fruit of the Sapindus Mukossi tree that grows in India and Nepal. This fruit of the tree produces ‘Saponin” a natural cleanser which is a 100% alternative to ‘commercial’ detergent. They are allergy-free and have been used for hundreds of years on all types of fabric in other countries. Soap-it Nuts are highly effective, gentle and cost effective. Our Soap-it Nuts leave laundry clean and their mildness will keep your clothes soft. The fabric structure of your clothes is maintained for longer periods because they are so gentle. They can be used on all types of fabric in any temperature. No fabric softener is necessary because the Soap-it Nuts leave your clothes naturally soft.

How do I to Use Soap-it Nuts? It is easy to use Soap-it Nuts. Simply put 3-4 nuts or shells in the cloth bag provided and throw them in with your wash. They work best in a warm-water wash and cold rinse. Wash clothes as usual. Pull the cloth bag out before you put your clothes in the dryer. Your clothes will be clean, fresh and soft. Use 3-4 nuts for a large load up to 3-4 times. You’ll be amazed.will cut through dirt and grease of even heavily soiled clothes. A liquid soap can easily be made from the nuts and is wonderful for HE machines, cold-water washes or washing dishes.

Enter to win 1 bag of Soap-It nuts (enough for approx. 60 loads of laundry) by leaving a comment below or emailing contests (at) chestercountymoms.com. and enter Soap- It Nuts in the subject line. This contest is open to Chester County Residents. One entry per household. This contest will end on Friday, May 1st at midnight. The winner will be notified via email and has 10 days to claim the prize.








Footprints Bamboo Give Away

Footprint bamboo active wear offers sensationally soft and eco-friendly organic bamboo clothing, socks, underwear and accessories. How is this possible? Bamboo pulp, when spun, creates a silky fiber that feels like cashmere yet it's easy to care for as its machine washable.

Bamboo clothing has become the natural, environmentally friendly solution for athletic and active wear. It inherently guards against unwanted moisture, bacteria, odor & UV rays. As avid outdoor-sports people, we understand the importance of our clothing to be comfortable & functional. Footprints Bamboo socks has also developed a devoted following of people with diabetes who were searching for diabetic socks and have found our seamless, moisture wicking Bamboo Diabetic Socks. Footprint Bamboo clothing & Bamboo socks deliver performance, comfort and affordability! When you wear the Footprint logo, you demonstrate that you are doing your part in leaving a good impression too.

Why Bamboo?Because it's...

Buttery Soft
Antibacterial
Moisture Wicking
Breathable
Odorless
Organic
Footprint Bamboo active wear is available in Chester County at Fairman's, Exton Bicycle, Hotfoot Cycles, and West Chester Bicycle Center.

Enter to win 1 pair of eco-friendly unisex socks (size small - ladies 5-8.5/mens 4-9) by leaving a comment below or emailing contests (at) chestercountymoms.com. and enter Footprint in the subject line. This contest is open to Chester County Residents. One entry per household. This contest will end on Friday, May 1st at midnight. The winner will be notified via email and has 10 days to claim the prize.

Weight Loss Tips (yeah, I gotta lotta nerve)

I am simultaneously proud and ashamed of my status as a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers. If you are unfamiliar with the program, a Lifetime member is one who achieved their goal weight and then maintained it for six weeks. I joined Weight Watchers in September of 2005 and reached my goal weight at the end of 2006. I've lost and gained the same few pounds every month since then, and will probably never see my pre-wedding fighting weight again, but mostly I do manage to hang in there.

I am not in any way qualified to offer advice on weight loss, but I'm not gonna let that stop me. No sirree. People actually ask me for weight loss tips from time to time and I do have a few that I think are worthwhile.

First, I should confess what I'm not good at:
  • People always tell you that you should drink so much water that your spleen is floating, but I only drink when I am thirsty (well, except for drinking wine - I drink that long past the point of thirst, but anywho . . . ).

  • I do not make good choices at restaurants. I'd rather eat out less frequently, and eat what I want, than to pull the whole "When Harry Met Sally" can-I-have-this-but-on-the-side routine.

  • I do exercise (particularly in the summer, when I walk the dogs a lot), but I don't get into any major exertion. I really think that shows like "The Biggest Loser" do all of us a disservice because really, who is going to maintain a work-out schedule like that? It is no wonder that so many of the contestants gain the weight back later.

So, here are my thoughts on weight loss:

  • You cannot do this alone. If you could have done it on your own, you would have done so already. You don't have to do Weight Watchers - there are a lot of support networks out there! For me, I really need the accountability of standing on that scale and having that number formally logged.

  • Don't let anyone bully you or tell you that you need to lose weight. If anyone had attempted to tell me I was overweight, I would not have changed my eating habits one whit. I just would have gone to greater lengths to hide them. Every person needs to come to "the moment" on their own. For me, it was seeing a photo of me holding my newborn daughter and thinking, "Oh my." And I did not give birth to her, so I had no excuse for being overweight after she was born!

  • If you blow a day by overeating, don't take it as a license to let the whole week go. Every day is a new day. Sappy, but true.

  • Write down what you eat. This is a huge pain in the ass but seeing it in black and white really does help.

  • This is going to sound silly, but try not to buy clothes with lycra in them. Lycra helped convince me I wasn't overweight because I could still fit into my clothes. It's all part of being honest with yourself.

  • Set small goals. A woman at my WW meeting said, "I can't lose 100 pounds, but I can lose 1 pound 100 times."

  • Never skip breakfast. You will make up those calories somewhere, and probably consume a lot more than you would have if you'd just taken a moment to eat a banana or something.

  • If you don't already subscribe, check out http://www.hungry-girl.com/. Very helpful daily emails.

  • Be really honest with yourself. Don't hide food (I used to buy several boxes of Girl Scout cookies - some that went in the pantry and another box that no one ever knew about). Don't fool yourself into thinking that your body doesn't notice every calorie you consume. Alas, it notices.

  • When you go out to eat, eat until you are satisfied but not stuffed. Then say out loud, "This is my last bite." Then stick with it. If you keep eating after you've said it was your last bite, that makes you a liar. And you don't want to be a liar, do you?

  • There will be weeks where you'll do everything right and not lose an ounce. It's all part of the process and is not indicative of failure.

  • Consider checking out the vegetarian aisle at the grocery store, even if you're not a vegetarian. Veggie burgers (and there are a million varieties) are generally very low in fat and calories. My daughter and I love the vegetarian sausage links, too.
I'm going to use a dirty word here. Deprivation. It is a fine line between deprivation and self-control, and I struggle with this a lot. Yes, I eat pizza. But I eat one piece when I really want two. Is that deprivation or self-control? It's hard to say. I think there are times when we can all be happy enough eating Chips Ahoy 100 calorie packs, but there are other times when you need an honest-to-goodness, fresh-baked, chocolate chip cookie. You can do that as long as you don't eat the whole batch. If you have trigger foods, you have to keep them out of the house. For me, I cannot buy Keebler Fudge Sticks. Just thinking about them right now puts me in a Homer Simpson-like "mmmmmmm" reverie.

Okay, that's it for my sage advice. Move along people, nothing to see here.


Looking for something to do this weekend? Don't forget to check our community calendar. There are lots of great activities to keep your family busy all weekend.

Shire Day at Please Touch Museum - FREE Admission!

Please Touch Museum
Memorial Hall, Fairmount Pak
4231 Avenue of the Republic
(Formerally -4231 N. Concourse Drive)
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 334-3472
http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/


The Please Touch Museum is opening its doors at no cost to children this Friday, April 24th for the . This special free admission for kids (ages 12 and under) includes interactive exhibit zones, Please Touch Playhouse Theater, and all activities related to April’s Celebrate Stories Month. Plus, they’ll have a chance to ride the restored, whimsical Carousel.

Regular admission is $15 (adults and children over 12), and the hours of operation are 9am to 5pm Mondays through Fridays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
The newly expanded Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall provides play experiences in each exhibit zone, while paying special attention to our littlest visitors, with toddler areas throughout the museum.

Who's on first?

My daughter is addicted to fruit snacks. I know they aren't the healthiest snack, but probably not the worst that exists (I think the word "fruit" in the name is used pretty loosely). Every day after I pick her up from Kindercare, we carry out a prolonged fruit snack negotiation. We had this exchange last week:

Her: "I want a fruit snack."
Me: "Try again."
Her: "Please can I may have a fruit snack?"

I open the cabinet and gesture to the two boxes sitting on the shelf inside. One is Spongebob Squarepants and the other is My Little Pony. "Which one do you want?" I ask her.

Her: "I want that one."
Me: "My Little Pony?"

She sighs, not having perfected the eye roll yet. "Okay, Mama, can I have YOUR Little Pony fruit snacks?"

Me: "No, it's not MY Little Pony. It's just My Little Pony."
Her: "Mama, can I have YOUR Little Pony fruit snack?" She is getting irritated now.
Me: "It's not . . . oh, never mind. Here you go."

We repeated the exact same conversation three days in a row before she figured out that I was not naming snack foods after myself. She still hands me her garbage when she's done, though. I think you know you're a mom when you constantly have a little kid pressing empty wrappers, used Kleenex, and sticky lollipop sticks into your palm. Glam-o-rous.

Win a Boo Boo Cube from Lil Boo & Co.!

Congratulations to our Lil Boo & Co. Boo Boo Cubes give away winners: Kate Hargrove, Steph, Caitlin, Chris Stulak, and Jen.


Five readers will have the chance to win a Boo Boo Cube™ from Lil Boo & Co.!

I know what you're thinking...what in the world is a Boo Boo Cube™?!

Well...does your child have a boo boo, bump or bruise that needs some extra care? Place the Boo Boo Cube™ on the "ouchie" and it'll feel all better!


Made with soft flannel cotton fabric and filled with only the best high quality rice, the Boo Boo Cube™ can be frozen or heated in the microwave to suit your child's "boo boo" needs!

Place in the freezer for a safe, non-toxic cold pack and grab it anytime a boo boo happens (a nice alternative to the toxic gel packs...that often leak)! The Boo Boo Cube™ distributes the "cold" evenly without the burning sensation of a bare ice cube or the drippy mess of a cold rag. The Boo Boo Cube™ can also be placed in the microwave for 30 seconds for a soothing warm therapy bag for sore muscles, backaches or even headaches (some moms say that they even used them when they were breastfeeding for a clogged milk duct and soreness)! There's endless uses for the Boo Boo Cube™! And when you're done with it, just toss it back in the freezer until the next time you need it!

Lil Boo & Co. is offering 5 Boo Boo Cubes to give away to 5 Chester County Moms! The winners get to choose their choice of fabric as well. Click HERE to see all the designs.

Lil Boo & Co. is an Etsy shop owned by a local Philadelphia mom!

To enter this contest please leave a comment below or email contests(at)chestercountymoms.com and enter Boo Boo Cube in the subject line. This contest is open to Chester County Residents. One entry per household. This contest will end on Friday, April 24th at midnight. The winner will be notified via email and has 10 days to claim the prize.

Remember...there will be FIVE winners!!

Sun & Earth Day at The NBC 10! Show

We were invited to a taping of the NBC 10! Show, this morning by our friends at Sun & Earth. We were really excited, as the 10! Show, rolled out the red carpet for us and sat us in the very front row. Sun & Earth, President John Mullins, was interviewed on todays show about the collection of All Natural Sun & Earth products.

Click here to visit www.nbcPhiladelphia.com for a $1.00 off Sun & Earth coupon.

Shannon, Lori Wilson, Nicole and Bill Henley


Tues/Thurs Playgroup

We had a great time having lunch, art time, and play time yesterday at a member's house. The kids loved being out back playing and then cooling off inside after all the fun.

That'll be how much?

Saturday was a beautiful day. The temperature was expected to get into the high 70s and there was not a cloud in the sky. I woke up my niece and told her we were headed to Harper's Ferry for the day. I have always loved Harper's Ferry but hadn't been there in over ten years. My niece claims she can write a little report on John Brown's raid and get extra credit at school, so we made a point of reading all of the plaques and whatnot. We walked a bit down the Appalachian Trail and took some photos of the mountains and the Shenandoah River. There's a lot of history in that area. Then we shared a funnel cake, which was also historic in its own way.

I hope this doesn't lead to a string of nighmares for the impressionable ten-year-old, but we also visited a cemetery while we were in the area. I thought my niece would find some of the old headstones interesting. Many of them date back to the early 1800's. I guess some might think it is disrespectful to wander around a cemetery, but I did make a point of righting all of the flower vases that had tipped over and also fixed a windsock. I figured I'd try to build up a little good will while I was there in exchange for imposing on the dead like that.

Later in the afternoon, I took my nephew (age five) to see "Monsters vs Aliens." My nephew has severe food allergies, so I have always been a little bit nervous about taking him somewhere by myself. But now that he's a little older, he is capable of telling you what he can and cannot eat. Because he has not spent a lot of time with me alone, he cried all the way to the movie theater. He had stopped sobbing by the time we walked into the multiplex, but he was still pretty adamant that he was not going to watch the movie. I asked him if we should sit close to the screen or far away. "Nowhere," he replied. Fortunately, I have a temperamental kid of my own and therefore was not offended.

I stepped up to the ticket counter. "Two for Monsters vs Aliens 3D," I told the woman, who was sporting the mandatory movie theater vest.

"That'll be $22.75," she said.

Thinking that she must have rung up the Pakistani family behind us on the same transaction, I said, "Oh no, it's just the two of us." I swept my arm across to my nephew and back again, as if to illustrate the fact that there were two, and only two, bodies in front of her.

"Yes, it costs more for 3D."

If that was the matinee pricing, I don't even want to know what those same tickets cost at night. I'm surprised there wasn't a loan desk situated right next to the ticket window. I wiped the tear from my eye and slid my debit card across the counter. Then I headed to the snack bar to hand over the rest of my paycheck.

Though he was still looking awfully forlorn, my nephew agreed to sit in the movie theater and eat the "safe" snacks my sister had prepared for him. By the time we left, the tears were long forgotten and he was busy re-enacting scenes from the movie and telling me which character he liked best (Insectasaurus, for the record). Later I found a souvenir he had left me to mark our adventure together - a melted orange Skittle on the back seat of my rental car.

Sunday was my last full day in Virginia. I went three for three when it came to obtaining free meals that day. First, I had breakfast with my friend Felix. We've known each other since the sixth grade which makes us . . . . let's see, carry the 1 . . . pretty damn old. It was wonderful to see him, and he still speaks in hyperbole just like always. (Felix, I hadn't seen you since the Mesozoic era!) Then I met my friend Dave for lunch. Dave and I were both good friends with Kevin, but Dave couldn't make it to the funeral. I think Kevin would have been happy to know that, in his passing, some of the old crew found each other again. Finally, I met my dad and grandma for dinner. We ate at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, and I consumed my weight in chips and queso.

I flew out on Monday morning, making my way to the airport in a driving rain. I returned the rental car and hoped they wouldn't notice the Skittle issue. As hard as it was raining, I don't think the disgruntled employee in the parking lot cared if I'd returned a horse and buggy in place of the Subaru I had rented. The flights back were uneventful, and I even got to sit in the middle seat on my second flight. There is just no end to my good fortune.


My niece asked me how funnel cakes are made. I started to tell her about batter floating in hot grease and then decided that maybe it's better if she didn't know.

The Triplets


The girls are doing great and we hope to
see them and Big Brother out and about soon!

Our Newest Member

Congratulations Angelika and Family!

Earth Day Crafts for Kids

In celebration of Earth Day, round up the little ones this week for a few crafts and projects that promote environmental awareness.Paper Mache Globe

These crafts range from simple to more complex (in no particular order), depending on the ages of your children. The key idea is to promote recycling, reusing and reducing. A great way to teach that concept to children is by collecting recycled materials from around your home and allow them to turn them into another treasure!

Take a peek at these fun things you can do with your kids this week:








For more Earth Day crafts and projects for your kids, click here.

Bitty Bag and Accessories from Wool Worth It: Giveaway!!!


Win an adorable Bitty Bag by Wool Worth It for yourself or a special girl in your life! We're also including both a coordinating pin (to create another matching purse/clutch or to adorn your favorite sweater or jacket) and hair barrette!

What makes Wool Worth It™ products unique is simply that their items are works of art in addition to being everyday items that are well-made and functional. More than that, their products are ‘green’. The line uses mostly recycled and repurposed wool that would otherwise go to landfills. Also, new materials that are used come almost entirely from natural and renewable sources.

Most of the items are one-of-a-kind, and are carefully designed from materials they’ve acquired over time and then carefully crafted individually to create unique and harmonious compositions.

Being a steward of the world and our environment is critical to this company. Their products are green and are often crafted from repurposed materials, lowering our impact on the earth and using less scarce resources. Additionally, they donate a portion of all profits to well-run organizations that support entrepreneurship in the developing world or which preserve threatened wildlife habitats.

Good luck!

To enter this contest please leave a comment below or email contests(at)chestercountymoms.com and enter Bitty Bag in the subject line. This contest is open to Chester County Residents. One entry per household. This contest will end on Friday, April 24th at midnight. The winner will be notified via email and has 10 days to claim the prize.

Tasty Tuesdays


Tasty Tuesdays: Favorite Pillsbury Recipes

As noted in a previous post, Pillsbury just concluded taking recipe submissions for it's 44th Bake-Off®...and now the cooking, taste-testing, scrutinizing and judging occurs as test kitchen cooks over at Pillsbury try to narrow it down to 100 tasty, Pillsbury worthy recipes! Out of those 100 recipes, only one will hold the prestigious award of the 2010 winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off® (oh yeah...and the $1 million dollar prize that goes with it)! Be sure to stay tuned to Pillsbury as they plan for the Bake-Off® contest which will be held in Orlando, April 11-13, 2010.

Pillsbury has been a staple in many kitchens for a long time...and as busy moms with busy families, Pillsbury has a lot to offer...yes, more than just that cute little Doughboy! With healthy, economical recipes literally at our fingertips...getting dinner on the table is easier than ever!

This week's Tasty Tuesdays is going to feature links to some of the previous Bake-Off® recipes! Check out the delicious recipes in each category (in no way were these recipes chosen to "go together" to make a complete meal...they are just some that have great reviews and look scrumptious!) ...

Do you have a Pillsbury recipe that you can't live without?

Leave us a comment and/or a link to it! We'd love to try it out!


Visit Pillsbury for other great recipes, tips, promotions and coupons!

The kids' artwork