Meet Me at @SesamePlace #ThemePark

July 30, 2012 by 3 Comments

One of my son’s summer highlights has been his trip to Sesame Place in Buck’s County, PA. I grew up with Sesame Street, and as a teacher I love the educational, social, and cultural values it helps to instill. As a parent- I love it, too! There are versions of Sesame Street all over the world- from Russia to Mexico. Something about knowing that this sweet, educational show unites kids globally (literally) really touches me- and even more so now that I myself am a mom, teacher, and travel enthusiast. You can’t see the world until you go out and experience it- start young, and make a little global citizen. But I digress!

We had so much fun at the theme park, there are all sorts of fun rides- and for once, they are ALL aimed at little ones.

Do my feet match Big Bird’s?

One of Little Man’s favorite rides was the Flyin’ Fish, which had Elmo faced fish of all kinds- with a unique Sesame twist, of course. After all, what is a catfish without ears and whiskers? LOL Kids can press a button in the ride, and make it rise up and down as it spins (slowly).

We [Read more…]

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6 Flags Giveaway and Coupon #WIN

July 30, 2012 by 39 Comments

6 Flags Theme Parks are everywhere. Chances are, if you are in the continental United States, you are within driving distance to a 6 Flags. This theme park is a great area-specific destination, from 6 Flags Great Adventure in NJ, to Six Flags Over Texas- keep an eye out and you will find one. There is even a Six Flags Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico, so even on vacation in another country you can get your thrills and chills. 🙂

We love Six Flags for their varied rides and attractions. You can find everything from Bugs Bunny to Camp Carousel to the Scream Machine- Six Flags has rides for everyone. I was just talking to “daddy” about this, and he remembers the first time he finally got up the nerve to go on a roller coaster. It was when on a day trip with some friends to Great Adventure, way back in the middle school days. At first he didn’t want to go on any roller coasters, but as soon as we entered the park everyone hoped on line for the first coaster they saw. Right away, he says his nerves kicked in and he was frightened to no end. He says he freaked out, and it took every ounce of energy to stand in line and not hop over the line guides and wait at the end. (Ah, my big brave man! LOL) He claims it took about 30-40 minutes in line until it was his turn. Last chance to [Read more…]

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Day Out With Thomas- Fun For Families #Trains #FamilyFun

July 30, 2012 by 7 Comments

My son loves Thomas the Tank Engine- he loves all trains, really! Thomas the Tank Engine is making his way across the country, to bring joy and happiness to little (and not so little) train lovers everywhere. Stop on by your local train station and spend the day with your favorite Little Blue #1 Engine, Sir Topham Hatt, rides, fun, food, and all sorts of entertainment for your children.

What is more fun then spending the day riding in a steam engine? Well, riding in a Thomas steam engine, of course!

You can also [Read more…]

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Dutch Wonderland- Save in PA #ThemePark

July 29, 2012 by 5 Comments

A Kingdom For Kids! It’s not just a slogan — it’s a commitment to young children and their families that beyond our castle walls is a place just for them called A Kingdom For Kids!, where family fun is proclaimed by royal decree. Since opening on May, 20, 1963, Dutch Wonderland has consistently been recognized as a premier family amusement park and has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Kid’s Park in the World by Amusement Today magazine. Having your birthday party, other celebrations, family outing, and Scouting events at Dutch Wonderland is easy with catered options, picnic lunch boxes, and cabana rentals. With attractions like ChooChoo Charlie, Frog Hopper, Dragon’s Lair, Duke’s Lagoon and so much more, Dutch Wonderland is a favorite amongst children [Read more…]

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Fort Rapids- Save On Your Ohio #Vacation @DiscoverOhio

July 29, 2012 by 1 Comment

Fort Rapids is central Ohio’s largest indoor water park resort- and the perfect family fun travel destination. Where else can you get 60,000 square feet of wet and wild fun for the whole family, all in one convenient location? Come relax and unwind in one of the guest rooms or family style villa suites, then zip down 12 unique water rides, float in the lazy river, get drenched by the 1,000 gallon tipping bucket and win big at the 5,000 square foot Gold Rush Arcade. Then, stop by the Branding Iron Grille or Copper Star Saloon for lunch or dinner. The Conference Center at Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park Resort will cater to all business and [Read more…]

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Kennywood Theme Park Savings

July 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

America’s Favorite Traditional Amusement Park since 1898, Kennywood continues to delight each and every guest with 31 major rides, including three wooden coasters, two steel coasters including
Phantom’s Revenge and Skyrocket, water rides, spinning rides, hi-speed rides for thrill seekers, Kid-sized rides for tiny daredevils, and relaxing rides for those who simply want to enjoy the splendor of a truly inviting venue. Combining the best of the old with the best of the new, guests will find the original, 110-year- old carousel pavilion, as well as state-of-the-art [Read more…]

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Sunny Patch by Melissa and Doug Review and Giveaway

July 22, 2012 by 41 Comments

Summer time- is there anything more fun then going to the beach and building sand castles all day, spending time with the kids making moats, then smashing sand buildings like a giant monster? Playing in the sand can be great fun, but when was the last time you gave a good look over your sand toys? Got a few buckets with no handles? Maybe a shovel with the head cracked. Lets take a look at a great new sand play set by Melissa & Doug. It is called the Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set. This set is packed with ice cream themed sand toys. It includes: an ice cream bucket, 2 ice cream scoops, one with the ice cream swirl on the top, a sprinkles sand shaker, 2 cones and a mold to make a seashell. The set is sturdy and can hold [Read more…]

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Tips for Sending Your Kids to College Without Going Broke

July 17, 2012 by 5 Comments

Here’s some shocking news: The price of college tuition is not getting any cheaper.
OK, that may not be so surprising, but for those of you who are preparing to send your
high school students away to a university, this tidbit might be: Many financial analysts
predict that the cost of college will rise approximately 6% every annual school year. So,
being that the price tag of an in-state public university is currently averaging around
$22,000 (you can close to double it for a private institution), then you know that for each
year, you need to add about 6%.

It’s definitely something that can take your breath away, but it doesn’t have to seem
so consuming if you simply do some thorough financial planning ahead of time. If you’re
looking for some ways to find the gentle balance between sending your child off to
college without going broke, check out five effective tips below.

Try community college first. You know, there used to be a time
when community colleges carried a bit of an odd stigma to them. Basically, if you were
a student who didn’t have good enough grades to go to “a real school”, it was a suitable
compromise. These days, a lot of people are opting to get an associate’s degree and
one of the main reasons is because it’s a great way to save up some money so that you
can go to a “big school” later. Plus, if you complete your first two years there, the added
bonus is that you enter into a four-year institution as a junior rather than a freshman.

Start up a 529 college savings plan. Something that more and
more families are opting to do is start a 529 college savings plan. The benefits of having
one on the federal level is that it’s tax-free money that you can save up that doesn’t have
a 1099 attached to it until you make your first withdrawal (a withdrawal that only the
donor can make). On a state [Read more…]

Filed Under: education, family, kids