family Archives - Page 12 of 49 - Have Sippy Will Travel

Sesame Place Very Furry Christmas

November 27, 2013 by Samantha 5 Comments

Sesame Place is all decked out for Christmas, and it’s a lot of fun for the kids. Christmas themed Sesame Place transforms the theme park in Pennsylvania from the summer amusement park destination for kids of all ages to a holiday wonderland of Sesame Street proportions.

The Very Furry Christmas starts with an already cool park (but now without water rides), then adds characters all dressed up for their holiday greeting cards, and special holiday themed rides, decorations, and attractions. My son loved the Sesame Place Furry Express Train, which was a cute ride through Christmas trees and cookies and goodies.

There is also a Christmas Light Display Holiday Light Spectacular, Christmas Storytime with Zoe in Mr. Hooper’s Emporium, and Santa’s Furry Workshop at Trader Bert’s. There are also 5 holiday shows to see during your visit if you and your kids like live performances. The real gems of the Furry Christmas are the shows. Each is now holiday themed and the kids will love it. The shows run throughout the day and aren’t to be missed.
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Filed Under: family, kids, lifestyle Tagged With: family travel, PA, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania attractions, Pennsylvania travel, Sesame Place, theme park, travel

The Amish Village Holiday Tradition Tour

November 15, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Christmastime reminds many of warm hugs and holiday cheer, but did you know the Amish don’t offer Christmas hugs; instead choosing handshakes since they prefer not to show affection? During The Amish Village’s newly unveiled Amish Holiday Tradition Tour, learn intriguing facts about Amish holiday traditions and the reasons behind these customs.

A guided tour of an original 1840 Amish Farmhouse offers an insider’s look at authentic Amish life in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, while showing how centuries-old heritage and religious beliefs influence how the Amish celebrate the holidays today. Additional seasonal decorations are displayed inside the Amish one-room schoolhouse. During the tour, guests are welcomed with regional favorite treats of pretzels and hot cider. Traditional Christmas gifts and holiday items are available for purchase while visitors sample delicious seasonal Amish delights.
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Filed Under: family, holidays, travel Tagged With: amish, family travel, Lancaster, PA, PA Travel, travel

Keeping Your Kids Safe While Trick Or Treating

October 21, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Halloween brings with it scary ghosts, jack o lanterns, and all sorts of ghouls and goblins, both in the forms of dressed up merry makers and in the supernatural activity perceived in our all-to-willing minds. So how do we be still our overactive adrenal glands? Following some simple safety tips, and being aware of your surroundings will take you far.

According to the Vanished Children’s Alliance, “most potential abductors grab their victims on the street or try to lure them into their vehicles.” Child abductions and attempted abductions are on average 5% higher on Halloween then on an average day in the USA, so it pays to be vigilant.

1- Safety in Numbers.

Travel in groups of 4 or more, and if your child is young, always have at least one parent present. By present, I not only mean physically there, I also mean “present”. The times when your kids are running up to strangers doors, crossing busy streets, trying to sneak pounds of candy, and on a day with creeps out starting at the wee ones is not the best time to be checking out that new app or tweeting. You can do that later. I know, it’s hard, but you can do it!

2- Make Sure Costumes Fit Well.

If it’s too long, hem it (not with pins, those will just poke the kiddo’s as soon as they trip), and make sure if the child is wearing a mask, he or she can see properly and breathe well (you may need to modify it). If your kids are small, you may also want to consider how easily getting to the bathroom will be. It’s not something you want to consider when you really have to consider it, plan ahead for smooth sailing.
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Filed Under: family, parenting Tagged With: halloween, Halloween safety, keeping safe while trick or treating, rick or treating, safety for kids

A Cruise Holiday is Great for Kids

October 13, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Cruising isn’t just for adults. A summer holiday on board some of the world’s largest cruise liners is a great way for the whole family to be kept entertained, while visiting some of the most breathtaking destinations in the world.

Choose one of the more recent approaches to cruising, like ‘freestyle cruising’, and your whole holiday is built around the idea of fun and relaxation. From multiple swimming pools, slides and Jacuzzis to wave machines and much more, there’s plenty to keep all ages entertained. Between destinations the kids will be kept busy, so you’ll get to enjoy some well-deserved ‘me’ time.

When they’re not splashing around in the pool, there are some great kids clubs available, catering from little tots, through to early teens and beyond. So you can rest assured that the kids are in good hands and are having a great time.
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Filed Under: family Tagged With: Cruise Holiday, cruising with kids, family travel, taking a cruise, travel

Five Steps For How to Handle Yourself In a Car Accident

October 11, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Car accidents can be some of the biggest inconveniences that can be experienced. No matter whether an accident was a small hit on the bumper, or as big as getting your car totaled, you need to make sure that you are legally and financially protected. Accidents can result in hefty healthcare costs, lawsuits, and possibly even trouble with the law. Here are five steps for how you should handle yourself in a car accident, making sure that you and your family get the protection that you need and deserve.

Call the Police

The first thing you should do when you get into a car accident, even if it’s not that serious, is call the Police. This will ensure that you get a police report documenting the car accident, individuals involved, and ultimately who was at fault. Too often you hear of stories of individuals getting into car accidents that they thought were minor, only to discover days or weeks later that the damage was much more serious than they had originally presumed. However, the party responsible can’t be reached for some odd reason or is now claiming they weren’t at fault. Situations like this always end up in court and can take months to resolve. Always, no matter how small the car accident is, call the police!

Call Your Insurance Company

The second action that you should take is to call your insurance company to tell them you were involved in an accident. Regardless of guilt, letting your insurance company know up front that you were involved in an accident will speed up the processing of your claim and will make it easier for you to go ahead and get a rental car. It will also help to speed up the repair process for your automobile. Your insurance company will also be able to instruct you about everything that you should do in order to protect yourself and the company. This usually includes not admitting guilt, or saying anything that might even cause a presumption of guilt, such as by saying “sorry.”
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Filed Under: family Tagged With: how to handle a car accident, what to do in a car accident

I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love (new kid’s book)

September 30, 2013 by Samantha 2 Comments

Children love to dream. Their imaginations can take them on wild adventures; transporting them to far-off places and allowing them to envision grand scenes. But, ultimately, no matter where their dreams lead them, their parents are there every step of the way. In I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love, best-selling author Nancy Tillman underscores parents’ steadfast devotion, while celebrating the dreamers.

Inspired by her own children who often pretended to be different animals, I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love is written from the point of view of a mother whose child becomes a bear cub, a rhino, a ringtail raccoon, among other animals. Filled with affirmation, I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love teaches children to dream big and remain confident that, whatever they aspire to be, they will be recognized and loved.

Getting Kids To Sleep

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Filed Under: book review, family, kids, review Tagged With: get kids to sleep, kids book, read to kids, storybook

Celebrate a New York Halloween Tradition

September 28, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Come visit THE Halloween destination for Metro New York families and one of New York’s favorite Halloween celebrations! Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo is a fun-filled, animal-themed, kid-friendly, not-so scary, Halloween experience. This celebration combines this fun holiday with the Bronx Zoo’s mission of connecting people to nature. October weekends at the zoo feature hay mazes, costume parades, musical theater, magic, and more. Don’t forget to embark on a trip back in time as you ride our Dinosaur Safari!

Live Music

Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band is back due to popular demand and will lead zoo audiences on a zany, rollicking, good time with Gigi’s Dino-mite Prehistoric Party. Roar through the globe on the “T-Rex Express” and rock to a NEW, even more rockin’ version of the prehistoric favorite, “Tyrana.” Come participate in animal-themed musical performances, songs, and dances that are knee-slapping fun and celebrate the animals of the wild.

Presented by IKEA and New York Presbyterian Hospital

Location: by Bears

11:30am, 1pm, 3pm

Magic Shows

Join internationally acclaimed magician David Levitan for a special brand of magic that has won the heart of audiences worldwide. Be amazed as Levitan combines his magical expertise with his terrific sense of humor and encourages audience participation as a part of his spooktacular magic shows.

Presented by IKEA and New York Presbyterian Hospital

Location: by Bears

12pm, 2pm, 4pm

Costume Parade

March with mythical creatures and dinosaur creations from the Alice Farley Dance Company and the Puppet Kitchen in a fantastical Dinosaur and Dragon Creature Parade! Come see a large-scale Komodo dragon puppet, a flying Quetzalcoatlus, a Triceratops, and a zany paleontologist as they lead you on an exciting adventure around the zoo.

Presented by IKEA and New York Presbyterian Hospital

Parade: 12pm & 2pm (Zoo Center)

Photo Op: 3:30pm (Dancing Crane Plaza)

Children’s Theater

Beasts of the Magical World, a puppet musical

This BOOtacular puppetry musical tells stories of elves and sorcerers, snakes and Komodo dragons, and best of all, magic! Created by acclaimed puppeteer Noel MacNeal of Sesame Street and Nickelodeon.
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Filed Under: family, holidays, kids

Let’s Get Cooking With Our Kids

August 31, 2013 by Samantha 4 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my post. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

It’s always good to get kids to help with household chores, and giving children a good basic knowledge of cooking, kitchen skills, and know how is not only important for later in life but also a fun way to bond. Get some fun and interesting (and easy) kitchen wares in stock, and make dinner as well as lifelong memories. (Kids will also have a great sense of pride when the food is presented,)

Let’s start with the basics- pots and pans. Keep it eco-freindly and safe for the kids by using products that are non-toxic. Some easy to find, and easy on the wallet (but still safe and high quality) choices are the Green Pan and Twiztt collections. You can get all the basics that you need online or in stores near you. Voted “Best in Europe”, the Green Pan is ceramic, non toxic, and contributes to your healthy and sustainable lifestyle. It’s non-stick Thermolon is heat resistant, which means that if you overheat your pan, even up to 450/850, no toxic fumes will be released and the coating will not blister or peel. The food slides off easily (please follow directions, this is not a traditional non-stick pan) while not adding unwanted chemicals to your food. It is easy to clean and store.

For more, go to http://www.green-pan.us or a local Target store.

Twiztt by Joan Lunden was created with the consumer’s safety in mind- simple, afforadable, and healthy. With no nasty chemicals, this product is truly organic. Made with Thermolon healthy ceramic non-stick coating, it is easy to cook with and not create a mess. These are food kits with simplicity in mind, each set comes with all you need to make a meal with ease. For example, The “Cook, Cut, and Serve” set is complete with stainless steel lid with adjustable steam release knob, melamine bowl for table top presentation. It also keeps food warm and functions as safe pot holder, as well as doubles as serving & mixing bowl. This set also arrives with an easy to clean and sustainable bamboo chopping boar which fits on the melamine bowl, for easy food collection and preperation. All but the cutting board are dishwasher safe.
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