I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Somebody Come and Play: 45 Years of Sesame Street

 What:  Somebody Come and Play: 45 Years of Sesame Street
           Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder

Where: The New York Library for the Performing Arts
             40 Lincoln Center Plaza
             New York, New York

When: Now through January 31, 2015

Who: All Ages
 Our view: If you and/or your children grew up on Sesame Street, you'll love this exhibit. You'll love it for the nostalgia. Your kids will love it because not only will they have the opportunity to see some of their Sesame Street favorites including Bert, Ernie, Elmo and Big Bird, they will also have a chance to participate in interactive exhibits. They can draw their own Muppet.  They can have their picture taken with some Muppets in the Muppet photo booth. They can feel different types of feathers, fur etc. that is used in making various Muppets. There is even an interactive Oscar that pops out of his trash can at the push of a button. Even if your child is afraid of seeing their favorite characters come to live, they should still enjoy this exhibit because there are no live interactive characters and Oscar is the only one that actually moves. Adults and older children will enjoy the interactive table where you can look up a multitude of Sesame Street facts including which Muppets have appeared on Sesame Street, which human characters have appeared on Sesame Street, Sesame Street puppeters, and highlights of Sesame Street from various decades. There are also other interesting artifacts included in the exhibit, such as, original song sheets and storyboards. All of this great nostalgia for parents and fun for kids is available for free as there is no cost  for attending the exhibit. For more information go to http://www.nypl.org/sesamestreet.
Tune in to tomorrow's Talking Topic post for even more about Somebody Come and Play: 45 Years of  Sesame Street

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Tips for Tuesday - TV Shows: Girl Meets World and Undercover Boss

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, we may be compensated. Any and all opinions expressed are our own.
 
Me - Today I am recommending Girl Meets World. It is one of my favorite shows. It is basically the exact same thing as Boy Meets World but with a different cast. The characters are all equivalent to characters in Boy Meets World. The plots are basically the same as plots in Boy Meets World . Some of the characters, such as Cory and Topanga appear in both shows. However, here Cory and Topanga are the mother and father and not the kids. If you loved, Boy Meets World, you will love this show.
 
Mom - Today I am recommending Undercover Boss. What's not to like about a  show where nice people get rewarded and not so nice people get what they deserve ? It's makes it even better that it's real and not scripted.  Undercover Boss is one of the reality shows that I actually like.  I love seeing what company's CEO will go undercover next. It is even more fun to watch when it is a company I am familiar with. It is always fun to see how the bosses disguise themselves so that their employees don't recognize them. My favorite part of the show, however, is the end of the show when the bosses reward their loyal employees. It makes me want to cry every time. When a TV show can actually make me want to cry in a happy way, that is a good thing. That's why I love this show.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Monthly Mash-up for December, 2014: Idina Menzel and The End of the Year

Me - My topic for this month is Idina Menzel, the most wonderful woman alive. I love her so much, and I wish I could meet her. If I could meet her that would be the happiest day of my life. She is super talented and pretty. I am so sad that I never got to see her play Elphaba, the wicked witch, in Wicked. In fact, unfortunately, I have never seen her on Broadway at all. However, I have seen her in the movies, and I have all her CDs. My favorite movies of hers are Enchanted and Frozen. Both of those, I only saw because she was in them, but ended up loving. Before, I knew Idina voiced Elsa in Frozen I actually thought the movie looked stupid. Then, when I found out she voiced Elsa, I had to see it,. Now, it is one of my favorite movies.  My two favorite songs happen to be songs Idina sings, Defying Gravity from Wicked and Let It Go from Frozen. Some other versions of Defying Gravity are okay, but I only like Let It Go when Idina sings it. She was my favorite guest star on Glee. I love Idina.

Mom -My topic for this month is the end of the year.  I love the end of the year, and I hate the end of the year. For me the end of the year is a time of reflection. I think about what was good in the year that is ending and what was bad.  I try to focus on the good as much as possible and not so much the bad. I think about what I have to look forward to in the new year.  I think about what I am grateful for in my life even more so than I actually do on Thanksgiving. I think about my life in general. I think about things I would like to keep the same and things I would like to change. Then, I make not just one New Year's resolution, but a whole bunch of them. For me, however, New Year's resolution are not narrow and specific things  like I want to lose weight or whatever.  It's more of plan for the year of the kind of person, I would like to be and the kind of things I want to accomplish in the year ahead. Also, they are not always about things I want to change but also sometimes about things I want to keep the same.  They are not something I share with other people either. They are sort of a guiding plan that I keep for myself in the year ahead.  Still even with this plan, when it comes to actually sticking to my goals for the year, I am just like everybody else sometimes I keep my resolutions and sometimes I don't. However, by making a lot of resolutions instead of just one at least I manage to keep some of them. What better way to start off a new year than to feel like I've accomplished at least something in the year that has just passed.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Sunday Scoop 12/28/14 - What's Happening This Week or Coming Up Soon

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may be compensated.

Going on now and continuing while supplies last, it's Gymboree's Big Red Balloon Semi-Annual Sale! You can get up to 75% off select styles! You won't want to miss it! For more information or to start shopping click the above banner or the link below:




*****************************************************************************

Blogger Opp ~ CooKoo Connected 2 Watch, 4 Pack Alternative Straps, iPhone Case Giveaway ($210 ARV)

CooKoo Connected WatchDeliciously Savvy is giving away a CooKoo Connected Watch valued at ($130 ARV) as well as the 4 pack of alternative replacement bands ($50 ARV)! Plus a LostDog iPhone Cover ($30 ARV)! Total Value ($210)
CooKoo watch strapsCooKoo Watch Giveaway
1 Lucky Winner Will Receive Everything Pictured Above!

Now, she needs your help promoting! What a great way to start off the new year!


Sign Ups Close 12/31

Giveaway Dates: 1/02 12AM EST through 2/01 12AM EST

As Always, 2 FREE links with announcement post (Facebook Visit, Twitter, Pinterest and/or Instagram) Pay $5 for no announcement post payable to mcushing7@hotmail.com via Paypal


Co-Hosts Spots Available ~ $10 for 5 links (any that you choose and she means any! ~ comments, votes, any follows, visits..... only exception is no Google+) PLUS 2 FREE links gives co-hosts 7 links of their choice PLUS a Co-Host page linked to your site and extra follow pages (usually 2 extra follows BUT depends on # of sign ups) Co-Hosts do not have to post announcement but it is greatly appreciated!

Other sign up options available on sign up form too!


********************************************************************************* 
What: Tune in Time, a musical theater game show

Where: The York Theater Company
             Lower Level of St. Peter's Church
            619 Lexington Avenue
            (E. 54th Street)
            New York, New York

When: January 5, February 2, March 9, and  April 6 at 7:30 PM

Hosted by:               Emily McNamara
Musical Director:     Nate Buccieri
Timekeeper:             Sheila Head

See teams of composers and lyricists who have never worked together try to beat the clock and write songs for a new Broadway musical the name of which is chosen from audience suggestions. Song genre is chosen by a spin of the wheel.  Each week features different composers and lyricists as well as a different panel of celebrity judges.  For more information or to purchase tickets go to http://www.yorktheatre.org/tune-in-time.html.
*****************************************************************************

What: The Snow Queen
Where: Galli Theater
            Gloria Maddox Theater
           151 W. 26th Street, #7
           New York, New York

When: Premiering January 2, 2015 at 2:00 PM and continuing throughout the month of January

Who: Ages 5 - 9

This interactive production is Galli Theater's retelling of  Hans Christian Anderson's classic story of The Snow Queen. The show is the story of young, Gerda who sets off to rescue her friend, Kay from the enchanted Snow Queen. The show is filled with music and song. On Saturdays, there are workshops immediately following the day's show which allow children the opportunity to be a part of the show and even put on a presentation for their family members. For more information or to order tickets go to http://www.gallitheaterny.com/#!shows/c161y.
*************************************************************************
  What: On Going Programs at the Dimenna Children's Museum
  Where: The New York Historical Society
               170 Central Park West (at 77th Street)
               New York, New York

Little New-Yorkers
Tuesdays and Fridays, 3:30 pm

Held in the cozy Barbara K. Lipman Children’s History Library, this program introduces New York and American history to the littlest New Yorkers with age-appropriate themes and engaging hands-on activities. Ages 3-5. Free with Museum admission.

Cornelia Van Varick
January 6 and 9, 3:30 pm
Meet one of the characters from the Dimenna Children’s History Museum. Taking a closer look at little Cornelia, we’ll explore her daily life and go on a magical journey with her. Children will also make a paper woven Turkish carpet.

Indian Mythology
January 13 and 16, 3:30 pm
Travel to far off lands for this story from India, to learn about Tansen the great music magician. Children will also make their own decorated Indian elephant.

Greek Mythology
January 20 and 23, 3:30 pm
On this far-flung adventure to Europe, hear the story of the Greek god Helios and learn about his connection to the sun. Children will also make a paper sun chariot.
Chinese New Year Zodiac Story

January 27 and 30, 3:30 pm
Did you know this year is the year of the goat? Find out how the animals came to be in this order with the Zodiac story. Children will also make their own fortune cookie.

Cross-Stitch Circle

Thursdays, 3:30 pm
Drop in to try your skills at one of the oldest forms of embroidery in the world. Beginning cross stitchers and younger children will learn the basic stitch and create a bookmark with their new skill. More seasoned stitchers and older children and adults can continue working on their bookmark or branch into more complicated designs—make a handcrafted gift for someone! Ages 7 and up. Free with Museum admission.

Macy’s Sunday Story Time

Sundays, 11:30 am
Families discover New York history through tales of the past. In January, celebrate our Holiday Express exhibition with train tales. Ages 4 – 7. Free with Museum admission.
Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo written by Kevin Lewis and illustrated by Daniel Kirk

January 4, 11:30 am
Our first train book of the year will be the story of a very busy steam engine that works from dawn till dusk to deliver all his freight.
The Little Engine That Could written by Watty Piper and illustrated by Loren Long

January 11, 11:30 am
“I think I can, I think I can.” Join us for a reading of this classic tale about the Little Blue Engine that saves the day!
Two Little Trains written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon

January 18, 11:30 am
Come hear the story of two little trains heading West – one through rain and over mountains and the other through showers and over banisters.
How to Train a Train written by Jason Carter Eaten and illustrated by John Rocco

January 25, 11:30 am
Our final train tale will be a most helpful how-to book on how to find, keep, and train a PET TRAIN of your very own!

Tune in tomorrow for another Talking Topic.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

New Giveway - NuWave Cooktop Giveaway

The NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop Giveaway ($99 ARV)


Hosted By :


Co-Hosted By:




&




And As Always A BIG Thank You To Blogs Helping To Promote This Giveaway!


NuWave Cooktop 3333

Check out the Detailed Info from Nu Wave Below:

The NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop (PIC2) as seen on TV offers precise temperature control, adjustable in 10-degree increments. With a minimum temperature setting of 100F and an upper limit of 575F (Sear), the NuWave PIC2 offers a wider temperature range than competitor models. This permits the appliance to act as more than just a cooktop. The NuWave PIC2 does the thinking for you. It offers state-of-the art programming technology with 100 hours of memory that allow you to prepare complex recipes with ease. A "Delay" function allows you to initiate cooking when it's most convenient for you, including an automatic shutoff function when cooking time is completed. The NuWave PIC2 was engineered with a circular design scheme, doing away with excess space that serves no cooking function. The PIC2's round design also echoes the traditional feel of an intimate gathering place like the kitchen or dining room table. Mealtime is about community and the PIC2 was designed with that idea in mind. Despite its portability and compact size, the NuWave PIC2 offers a large cooking area, measuring 9 inches in diameter. In this case, bigger is better, with the PIC2 allowing for greater diversity in cooking vessels and portion sizes.

nuwave-precision-induction-cooktop_290

Complete energy saving cooking solution Uses up to 70% less energy 1300 watts 6 pre-programmed temperature settings Precision temperature control Lightweight and portable Can deep fry, stir fry, sauté, boil, steam, sear, slow cook, barbecue or grill



1 LUCKY Winner Will Receive This Cooktop! ($99 ARV)


Giveaway Dates: 12AM EST 12/27 through 12AM EST 1/26

Giveaway Valid for Continental US Residents ONLY and must be 18+ to enter



This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook,

Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This giveaway is valid only

in the Continental United States (48 states). Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter.

This giveaway will end at 12:00 PM (EST) 01/26/15.

And Now The Giveaway!!!


Friday, December 26, 2014

Win A Seat In Blogelina's (On-Line) Profitable Blogging for Beginners Class!


We are so excited to have been chosen as a stop in Blogelina's 31 Days of Blogging Deals Giveaway!
The prize we have been chosen to give is a free seat in Blogelina's (On-Line) Profitable Blogging for Beginners Class. As we have taken one of Blogelina's classes before, we can definitely tell you her classes are worth your time. Anything you ever needed to know about blogging and didn't have anybody to ask, you can find out by taking one of Blogelina's classes. Any questions that you may have that aren't specifically addressed in class, she would be happy to answer and if she doesn't have the answer she'll find it out for you. Blogelina is a blogger's greatest resource so you won't want to miss this opportunity to take one of her classes! For more information about the class being offered go to this link http://www.blogelina.com/your-dream-blog-is-in-reach-2/). To enter  to win the giveaway, fill out the rafflecopter below. Don't wait! This giveaway will only be running until 12:00 AM TOMORROW DECEMBER 28, 2014!

Funny Friday - Let Me Help You Get Dressed

 Me -

When I was 2, my Mom was rushing around and getting dressed and she couldn't find her socks so I went to her sock drawer and took out another pair and handed them to her.

Mom -

When Aurella was 1, her brother asked me what he should wear so Aurella went over and handed him a shirt.

We welcome you to share your funny stories with us.

Tune in Monday for another Talking Topic.

photo credits
photo credit 1: Christine ™ via photopin cc
photo credit 2: avatar-1 via photopin cc

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Turkey Hill Experience

We were not financially compensated for this post. We were given free tickets to the Turkey Hill Experience for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed are our own based on our experience.
Me - Turkey Hill Experience, wow! Turkey Hill was fun. I liked the free ice cream and drinks. I tried only two flavors. Even though samples were unlimited, I felt bad and felt like it would be like stealing to have more. My Dad, however, had no such problem, and he had a lot of samples. I had a lot of drink samples, however, because I kept getting really thirsty. My favorite drink was the fruit punch. Besides eating samples, there were a lot of other fun things to do at Turkey Hill. We got to make up our own flavor of ice cream. We got to design a package for it. We got to make a commercial for it. All of that was just virtual though, we didn't actually get to make up flavors that were made for us so we could really eat them. The commercial was actually recorded though but only to air on Turkey Hill's own web-site and to be sent to us by e-mail. In the Taste Lab, we got to make up our own flavors by adding flavoring to vanilla ice cream. I tried to make chocolate but my taste buds rejected it, and it still tasted like vanilla to me. I liked that we were able to add as many toppings and add-ins as we wanted. We learned that toppings are called variegates and add-ins are called inclusions. My family and I all had a good time at the Turkey Hill Experience.
Virtual Ice Cream Flavor
Mom - The Turkey Hill experience was a lot of fun. Luckily, I managed to not go crazy with the free ice cream samples. I only had two, Butter Brickle and Muddy Sneakers. Butter Brickle is Toffee flavored ice cream with buttered candy toffee pieces. Muddy Sneakers is white chocolate flavored ice cream with chocolate, caramel, and peanut candies in swirls of caramel. I liked them both but I especially liked Muddy Sneakers. As for drinks, I only sampled the fruit punch because I don't like tea or lemonade. The fruit punch was delicious though, and I had several cups of it. The virtual  ice cream flavor I made up was called Caramel Toffee Chipb. The extra b at the end was because my hand slipped when I was entering the information into the computer and I didn't notice until it was too late to change it. Other fun things we did at the Turkey Hill experience included flipping through a picture book of cow statues all decorated in different ways (some of them were quite creative),  Melia and Aurella got to pretend to milk cows (the fact that real liquid came out and they weren't reals cow was a little bit creepy though), we learned a little bit about the history of Turkey Hill and of course, we tried out even more Turkey Hill ice cream in the Taste Labs.
And that's our view. If you could make up your own flavor of ice cream what would it be?

 Tune in tomorrow for Funny Friday.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Turkey Hill Experience

We were not financially compensated for this post. We received free tickets to the Turkey Hill Experience for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed are our own based on our experience.
What: The Turkey Hill Experience

Where: 301 Linden Street
            Columbia, PA

Who: All ages

Our view: The Turkey Hill experience is an ice cream lover's dream. Not only is there a Taste Lab where you can make yourself a sundae by adding flavoring and as much toppings (which you will learn are called variegates) and add-ins (which you will learn are called inclusions) as you want, but outside the Taste Lab there are all you can eat ice cream samples too. There are also all you can drink samples of Turkey Hill's various drink offerings including tea and punch. If you are on a diet, definitely stay away from here, but if you have a sweet tooth you need to satisfy this is the place for you. However, the Turkey Hill experience is not all about eating. You can actually learn things here as well, and you can experience what it  is like to be an ice cream maker including making up your own virtual ice cream flavor and packaging and recording your own commercial. Copies of your virtual flavor, packaging, and your commercial will be e-mailed to you as they will only be kept on Turkey Hill's servers for 60 days. The Turkey Hill Experience is not a place you will need to spend a whole day. It should only take you a few hours to go through the whole thing. Of course, the more samples you intend to eat the longer it will take you. Tickets for the Turkey Hill Experience are $9.95 for  ages 18-61, $7.95 for ages 5-17, $8.95 for seniors 62 and over, and free for 4 and under. Reservations for the Taste Lab are recommended as the Taste Lab is only offered at certain times,  there is only room for a certain number of people at a time, and the available spaces go fast. For more information go to http://www.turkeyhillexperience.com/turkey-hill-experience/turkey-hill-experience.asp
And that's our view. Tune in to tomorrow's Talking Topic post for more about the Turkey Hill Experience.
 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Tips for Tuesday - Misc.: Camelbak and Valentina Evenglow Serum

We were not financially compensated for this post. However, we may have been provided with some of these products for review purposes. This post may also contain affiliate links, and if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may be compensated. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own based on our experiences.
Me - Today I am recommending  Camelbak water bottles. They work really well. They don't usually spill. They hold a lot of water. I like that you can chew it because you actually can't drink without chewing on it. It is one of the best water bottles I have ever had.
Mom - Today I am recommending Valentia Evenglow Serum. It goes on smooth and smells nice. It is alcohol and paraben free. It contains 20% vitamin C. It makes your skin feel smooth and soft and may even make you look younger. 

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-to-Go Wednesday.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Let's Talk About Girl Toys

The following post may contain affiliate links. If you clink on the links and make purchase we may receive compensation.

Me -Girl toys, Wow! Now, that I am older I'm not really into toys. However, here are some of the toys I used to love. Some of my favorite toys were Barbie dolls. I also loved baby dolls and stuffed toys. Plus more. I used to play with My Little Pony toys. Now my sister likes them and watches the show. I loved Littlest Pet Shop. My friend had like 200 of them. My sister liked Zoobles for while. I didn't get the point of them. There were also Zhu Zhu Pets. I think they are annoying because they don't stop making noise. But I kind of liked them. Then there were Squinkies. I used to like them. Now I think they are kind of dumb. However I like the DS game. My sister has it. One of my favorite toys was Lalaloopsy. They are a kind of doll. Although I loved many toys, I tried not to get used to them because I'm sure by the time I have kids there will probably be new ones.

Mom - When I was a kid we were mostly into