KID CDs FOR THE CAR!

I'm sure we've all been in the situation when there is nothing on the radio your kids want or YOU want them to listen to:) Target, Walmart and certain toys stores carry a variety of kid Cds to entertain and educate your young one. I like the spanish Cds and the old nursery rhyme ones. the KIDZ BOP company even makes Cds where singing children cover popular hits from today! So don't let that next long ride be torturous for you and your kids, get some kid Cds and they will surely keep your little ones busy and entertained.

TYLER ARBORETUM

A Totally Terrific place to take the kids is the Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA. Their abundance of flowers, paths, fields and ponds will keep the kids busy for hours and expose them to nature at it's finest. Check out the Butterfly House where kids can see and touch butterflies up close and personal. However the greatest feature this place has to offer is the "Totally Terrific Treehouse" exhibit. The kids will have a blast visiting the dozen or so different hand-made treehouses, each with their own different themes. Pricing is very reasonable as well so make sure your in the (tree) house April 14th when the exhibit officially opens;)
http://www.tylerarboretum.org/

SCHOOL LUNCH 101

So dads:) I know when it comes to packing those early morning school lunch bags a quick sandwich, juice box & cookies sounds like the way to go. But the best lunch you can provide for your kids is the "planned" healthy lunch. Try buying wheat bread instead of white bread (goes great with peanut butter & jelly, apple butter or lettuce & meat.) Also it's very important to pack a piece of fruit everyday. Try buying the small apples or tangerines that can fit easily into lunch boxes or bags. Sliced grapes and/or baby carrots are great as well. Instead of cookies try wheat thins, pretzels or fish crackers. And water is the best thing for them to drink instead of sugary juice all the time so don't be afraid to pack a bottled water. However if you do pack juice make sure you buy Fruitables, Froose or AppleandEve juice boxes since those seem to be the ones with less sugar in them. Cookie cutters are great to cut out shapes in the sandwich bread or Pepperidge Farm's new fish shaped bread will make lunch time more fun for your young ones guaranteed:)

SWEET JASMINES BAKERY

Mmmmm, yummy to the tummy! When I first tasted the warm jumbo sweet potato muffins from Sweet Jazmines I started to chew really slow so I could savor every sweet & delicious bite:) This small bakery packs a giant punch when it comes to desserts made by Award winning Chef Kimberly Davis Cuthbert. Nestled in the heart of Berywn, PA you have to check out their goods for your next party, get-together, brunch or special occasion. Truly one of the Main Line's soulful treasures! Im getting hungry just writing about them:)

http://www.sweetjazmines.com/

ELMWOOD PARK ZOO

Another surprising alternative to the Philadelphia Zoo is the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. Even though this zoo is smaller in size it doesn't lack in abundance of animals. I saw Timberwolfs and live Bison for the first time in my life when the kids and I visited. Never super packed with traffic, you have all the time in the world to get up close and personal with the exotic animals and activities. Do yourself a favor and support this local zoo, it's precious animals and community the next time your in the area:)

http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/

FRANKLIN SQUARE PARK

If your looking to take the kids into the city and enjoy the sights and sounds you can't miss out on this historic park made for kids. Franklin Square Park has everything from an amazing playground to a old fashioned carousel. The minature golf course is great for adults as well and my favorite restauranter Stephen Starr has a burger stand there called "Square Burger" (The Tastykake Krempit Milkshake is to die for!) The beautiful fountain and shade from the trees will keep you cool on those hot dog days so get outside and head down to Franklin Square Park in the heart of Philadelphia:)

http://historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/what-to-see/

POTTERY BARN KIDS

When we go to the King of Prussia Mall the first place my kids want to go is Pottery Barn Kids! They love to play and test out the different children room set-ups and unique toys only carried by the store. Also if you join their FREE Book Club Passport Program you'll get monthly invites to the FREE promo programs the store host each month like tea parties and read-a-longs!

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

KID TO KID

What is a parent to do with all those forgotten toys and outgrown kid clothes? Why not make a little money and sell them at "Kid to Kid"! Whether your looking to buy used clothes/toys in great condition or make a little money by selling your items this place has you covered. My kids grew out of their snow boots so instead of letting them collect dust I took them to "Kid to Kid" and they bought them from me! So get all the toys and clothes (in good condition) you are looking to get rid of and take them down to "Kid to Kid", who knows you might walk away a little heavier in the wallet/purse:)

http://www.kidtokid.com/

EXPIRED SUNSCREEN!!!!!

Something I learned just last year (and I know I'm not the only daddy out there:) is that your sunscreen expires! Most sunscreens expire one year after purchase, some sooner! So all those bottles in your cabinet or car that you used last summer are probably past their expiration date and should be checked. You want your kids protected to the fullest especially since this summer is gonna be a scorcher! So check those dates on your suncreens and dont forget to apply, apply and reapply:)

THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE

Another museum I love to take the kids once a month is The Franklin Institute! Dedicated to good old Ben Franklin, this museum is full of hidden treasures for the young and young at heart:) We love to attend the Target Community Nights once a month when admission is FREE as well as the special exhibits like the IMAX theater, 3D shows & Planetarium! See you there:)

http://www2.fi.edu/visitor-guide/events/community-events.php

LINVILLA ORCHARDS

If your looking for a place the kids can see some animals, play on a jungle gym, take a hey-ride, go fishing and pick your own fruit the ONLY place that has it all is Linvilla Orchards in Media, PA. My parents used to take me here when I was a toddler and I continue the tradition with my kids. Summer is great for fishing, swimming and seasonal fruit picking. But the best time to go to Linvilla is during the fall season with the pumpkin patch, Haunted hey-rides, hot apple cider, marshmallows by bon-fire, apple orchard picking & candy apples are happening! Treat yourself and your family, visit Linvilla Orchards

http://www.linvilla.com/

WORKBOOKS

A great tool for parents who want to reinforce and prepare your children for school is the Scholastic Workbook Series. These workbooks start at Pre-K and go up to age 13. It's funny because my 5-year-old sometimes brings home work sheets they do at school that we do in the book(and its awesome to see a 100% sticker on them:) Having daddy daughter time is #1 in my book and working together with your child on skills that will help them in the future is priceless. Target carries the workbooks but for the complete selection check out and support Teacher stores like Beckers.

http://www.shopbecker.com/

DISNEY JUNIOR

Sooooo glad Disney made the right step by adding a African American cartoon character to their lineup. Emmy Award winning writer Chris Nee brings this positive character to life. (And she looks just like my little girls:) The docter uniform she wears and the issues she tackles send a very positive message to my kids who now instead of princess dresses, want daddy to buy them a "Doc McStuffins" Docter Jacket & Stethoscope! Love this cartoon, make sure you check it out weekday mornings at 10am/9c on Disney Junior on the Disney Channel.

http://disney.go.com/disneyjunior/doc-mcstuffins

EASY BAKE OVEN

One of the hottest gifts this Christmas was the new and improved Easy Bake Oven! This bad boy is so decent grown folks are using them to make h'orderves at parties and was seen on ABC's "The Chew"! My kids and I love to make the mini pizzas, pretzel twists and other new products the line offers. A great way to get the kids involved and interested in cooking:) Target offers a special version which comes with several mixes and trays included. Bon Appetit!!!!!!!!

http://www.hasbro.com/easy-bake/en_US/

LANSDOWNE LIBRARY

A place where the kids and I visit every week is the Lansdowne Library. Reading to my children and letting them read on thier own is a top priority so having them pick out their own books and renting a kids movie is part of the weekly routine:) Movies are only $2 to rent ($1 at Havertown Library) They have the best Kids Section & Librarian around, Ms. Rachee Fagg has lots of toddler & teen activities/workshops so check her out and stop by!

http://www.lansdownepubliclibrary.com/youth_programs.html

Make sure you check out the video I directed for the Lansdowne Library/Pennsylvania One Book Program

http://youtu.be/75b-SEciVxc

BLUE SANTA BEADS

A great place to go with the kids or by yourself for a couple hours is Blue Santa Beads in Media, PA. Besides thousands of beads to choose from they also have a classroom in the back where instructors help you make your designs and host bead parties:) Make sure you sign up for the free Beads Rewards Card to get special discounts! A very relaxing hobby of mine and stress reliever.

http://www.bluesantabeads.net/

NATURE HIKES

The most important place I take the kids is outside into good old Mother Nature! No malls, no cell phones or video games just the great outdoors. PA has some of the best parks and trails in the country to explore from the Indian Statue off Rex Ave. to the Water Fall off Germantown Ave. Wissahickon and Valley Green Park are a must anytime of the year.

http://www.fairmountpark.org/TrailsIntro.asp

IKEA CONSHOHOCKEN

One of my favorite places to visit on rainy days or in the mornings is IKEA of Conshohocken. If you join the free IKEA FAMILY membership you get great breakfast deals and free coffee!! The girls have a blast in the monitored play area and walking around the different staged kids rooms:)

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/the_ikea_story/the_ikea_store/ikea_for_children.html

PLYMOUTH MEETING MALL

Another place my kids and I love to go during the week is the Indoor Playground @ Plymouth Meeting Mall. The first one of it's kind in our area, offers seating areas for parents to watch their children and relax themselves:) as well as shoe bins. Be warned, the Chick-fil-A is on the second level above you so tummys will be growling:)

http://shopplymouthmeetingmall.com/calendar

PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM

Another fun and verrrrrrrry affordable outing my kids and I love to take every month is the Please Touch Museum's First Wednesday's Event Sponsored by Target. If you can't afford a yearly membership for the entire family this is a great way to experience Philadelphia's & the WORLD'S Best Museum for kids!!!!!
(Join us on the First Wednesday of every month from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for $2 admission to Please Touch Museum. Sponsored by Target)
http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/events/calendar/

WILLA'S WILDLIFE (FAMILY CARTOON)

A cartoon that my kids and I love to watch every morning while getting ready for school. No violence or provocative messages here, just good old fashion life lessons with a new age single parent twist! Lets my kids see that not all (cartoon)families have to be a Mommy & Daddy living together.

http://www.qubo.com/index.php?path=show&id=10