President's Day Trivia Fun For the Whole Family!

President’s Day is on Monday and we put together some fun trivia questions for your family. How much do you know? Have fun with this! Are you smarter than your child? Let’s find out. The answers are below but try not to peek!

1. Which president was the youngest person to become president?
2. Who was the oldest elected president?
3. Which president took over office without ever being elected?
4. Which president served the longest in office?
5. How many president’s were born in a log cabin?
6. How many president’s also served as vice presidents?
7. Which president was a peanut farmer before he became President?
8. Which president had the largest feet?
9. Which president first lived in the white house?
10. How many U.S. states are named after a president?

Answers:

1. Theodore Roosevelt
2. Ronald Reagan was 69
3. Gerald Ford
4. Franklin D. Roosevelt
5. 7
6. 14
7. Jimmy Carter
8. Warren G. Harding, the 29th President. He wore size 14 shoes.
9. John Addams
10. One

Yolanda is the founder of Team Tutor and lives in the Delaware Valley with her husband and 3 children.

Discount Tickets to Adventure Aquarium..HUGE Savings!

Adventure Aquarium celebrates President’s Day Weekend with the return of $15 Cabin Fever tickets…Just in time to bid farewell to Mighty Mike.

Friday, February 17 through Monday, February 20 only, purchase tickets to Adventure Aquarium online for JUST $15*! The best part? This cost-saving offer comes just in time for guests to say farewell to one of Adventure Aquarium’s BIGGEST residents – an 800 lb, 14 ft long American Alligator named Mighty Mike!

“If you haven’t had the chance to see Mighty Mike, President’s Day weekend is the perfect time for a visit,” said Adventure Aquarium’s spokesperson Kimberly Walker. “Not only can you see the biggest alligator on exhibit outside the state of Florida, you can save big too!”

Remember, this special price is only available for three days: February 17-20, so be sure to act fast!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

PLUS - Feb. 17- 20 only, save 20% off an Annual Pass to Adventure Aquarium! Enjoy year-round access to thrilling exhibits, creative events and special programming. To purchase an Annual Pass, CLICK HERE and enter promo code: FEVER.

*Final cost per ticket will be $17.05 (includes 7% NJ sales tax and $1.00 online processing fee). Not valid on previously purchased tickets.

“Touch the Future” Art Show Celebrating 25 Years

Twenty five years ago the “Touch the Future” art show began as a tribute to Christa McAuliffe, NASA’s teacher in space who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Today that tribute is shining brighter than ever as the event celebrates a momentous milestone. There are 225 spectacular pieces from Bucks and Montgomery county public high school artists on display at the Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists (MCGOPA) at SPP Galleries in West Conshohocken.

Barbara Suplee, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Art + Design Education and Art Therapy at the University of the Arts, an active advocate for arts education and this year’s judge notes, “We are now living in a conceptual age, an age in which creative thinking and innovation are needed–and the students in this show exemplify that mindset. They possess the six essential abilities that Daniel Pink (2006), author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, says is needed in a global economy. They are: symphony - ability to see relationships, put things together, think holistically; design - ability to shape the environment, serve our needs; story - ability to fashion a compelling narrative; empathy - ability to read and understand one’s emotions/expressions; play - ability to explore, investigate things that give one pleasure; and meaning - ability to search for and pursue purpose. The arts promote these aptitudes–aptitudes that are essential for success in today’s fast-changing world. They are necessary for those who choose careers in art AND medicine, engineering, banking, law, business, science, government, etc.”

The 25th annual “Touch the Future” art show is sponsored by the Mideastern Region of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (MER/PSEA) and the Council for the Advancement of Public Schools (CAPS). Bring the family out to see the show through Feb. 26, free-of-charge, during gallery hours: Mon. - Fri. 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. You can view more information, the winners and get a sneak peek of the art by visiting the CAPS website.

GIVEAWAY: Philadelphia Flower Show!

The Philadelphia International Flower Show is only a few weeks away (Sunday, March 4 - Sunday, March 11). People are buying their tickets, arranging travel and making hotel reservations so they can partake in this years Show festivities. We hope many of our Philly Burb Families will make it out! Whether you take your sweetheart on a date as a Valentine's Day gift or make your visit a Family Fun Day (more information on family events coming next week!), it is sure to be a BLAST!

TODAY we will be giving away 1 pair (2 tickets) to one lucky winner! Please fill out the form below to be entered. Entries taken until 8pm (2/14/12). Winner will be chosen thereafter and contacted.

Happy winning!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4-March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Tasty Tuesday *Valentine's Day Edition*: Surprise Cupcakes

Now, today's Valentine's Day treat is not in the shape of a heart. It's not red. There are no flowers. Or poems. Or singing telegrams involved.  It is simply a Valentine's Day treat to me because I make these cupcakes every year for my husband on Valentine's Day.


(Aw!  Sweet!  Squish!)

The tradition was started by my mom, who made these cupcakes each Valentine's Day for my dad.  When I started dating Bill (that's my husband, in case you were wondering), it was the first gift I thought of giving him on our first Valentine's Day.  I've missed one or two years, but overall, these are (one of) the standard gifts my hubby can look forward to year after year.


And let's be honest here:  I like to eat them too. 


Which kind of makes it the gift that keeps on giving.


They aren't terribly complicated (but more involved than "Add water to mix from package and bake"), but that makes them all the more special.  If you have time today, run out, get the ingredients and whip up these tasty vittles for someone you really love.


Even if that "someone" is you.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Surprise Cupcakes

(Preheat oven to 375)

Cupcakes:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 lb melted butter
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder mixed with a little bit of cold water (so it is a creamy consistency)
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup warm water

"Surprise" Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• dash of salt
• 12 oz package of chocolate chips

In large bowl, combine the cupcake ingredients in the above order. Insert cupcake liners into cupcake pan. Fill each cupcake 1/3 full with the cupcake batter.

In a smaller bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add egg and salt. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop one teaspoon of Filling mixture into each cupcake .

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Enjoy!  And I wish you a romantic, lovely and slightly naughty Valentine's Day :)

You can read more about Steph's life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-home Mom

You Have Mail (and Need Macaroni Salad)

The other day, I sat through a conference call next to the company's senior executive. We were both staring at my laptop to discuss a submittal draft that was displayed on my screen. A nationally renowned firm was on the other end of the line, clicking through the same draft simultaneously. Just as I was about to speak, a Microsoft Outlook message preview popped up in the corner of the screen, reminding all members of my daughter's swim team to bring their bake table items come the following Saturday's meet.

And why did I choose to give them my work email? Right, because I tend to conduct life maintenance more efficiently when pressed against the wall by deadlines. If I were to rely on my Yahoo account, I could never be trusted with the macaroni responsibility. Messages would simply remain unchecked until after any given swim meets, fundraisers, birthday parties, _____ [fill in appropriate life-maintenance item].

Or maybe it's selective perception at play. It's unlikely that I'll forget my pasta bake table contribution after studying the senior executive's face for any sort of recognition.

Did it go unnoticed? Maybe I had just imagined a flicker of a smile that had brushed his face while I frantically tried to minimize the email preview.

The swim team (a.k.a. second job commitment) gods were determined to conspire against me that day. You know a meeting you called is no longer effective if: (a) your audience starts to drift, (b) you seethe with envy (and a growling stomach) as you watch your coworkers pass by on their way to lunch, or (c) you receive another ill-timed swim team email about a flapjack fundraiser and don't throw yourself at the laptop to minimize exposure. Suppressed giggles and derailed trains of thought all around.

But what is a working mom to do, bring the macaroni salad, meet deadlines, and forgo pancakes in lieu of a much-needed coffee break. I have since learned to turn my email off before chairing a meeting, to keep a box of Suddenly Pasta Salad in my pantry (I have, on occasion, stressed over buying mayonnaise last minute), and to enjoy catching up on life maintenance emails after a meeting while enjoying a cup of yummy java.

See. That was easy.

By Marion Kase
Marion Kase is a working mother who lives, plays, and, well, works out in the burbs. She captures a dirty sock laundry list of mundane, sometimes hair-pulling observations, as seen from the brim of her coffee cup, for all the unsung heroes in our wonderful community on her blog, Helicopter-Caterpillar.

Linvilla Orchards and FORE! The Planet

This past Tuesday, several bloggers had a chance to take their kids out for a fun afternoon at Linvilla Orchards in Media, PA.  The day could not have been more beautiful, with warmer temps and the sun brightly shining. These Mommy Bloggers had a chance to hear all about the great things happening at Linvilla, as well as try out the new Fore! Mini Golf Course and Tree Maze.

The afternoon started with a delicious lunch of pizza and apple cider.  The crowd got to hear about the Orchard (did you know their produce is 50% off in the winter months?!), events and how eco-friendly they really are (NOTHING gets thrown away here, folks!).

Everyone quickly finished their pizza so they could try their hand at Fore!, an indoor mini-golf course created by the Academy of Natural Sciences dedicated to educating kids and adults alike on environmental issues.  The kids had a blast swinging their (plastic) golf clubs, and stopped at each hole/exhibit to learn about a different aspect of the environment.

After plenty of mulligans, the group tried their hand at the 1400 tree Tree Maze set up just outside the Garden Center.  Post-holiday trees have been donated from churches, boy scout troops and other sellers, and set up as a very ornate (AND DIFFICULT!) maze.  Luckily, long poles with flags on the end were handed out, so if anyone got a little turned around, they were easily found (in most cases).

Once everyone made it safely to the end of the maze, some headed to feed the animals (did you know they have peacocks at Linvilla??), while others meandered around the Farm Market.  Some even took home the Orchard's famous Apple Cider Donuts!

So many great things are happening at Linvilla! With the Farm Market going strong, produce priced 50% off and Fore! open through March 18, it is worth the trip down to Media for a fun afternoon with your kids!




You can find Linvilla Orchards on: Facebook and Twitter.

Thrifty Thursday: SwagBucks

I absolutely love SwagBucks! This is always a hot topic at my classes as well as on the Raising A Family On A Budget Facebook page because everyone likes to get stuff for FREE!

SwagBucks is a search engine powered by Google and Ask.com. Whenever you search on Swagbucks.com, you have the chance to win points (aka SwagBucks) that you can redeem for prizes and gift cards. You can easily earn enough points to get a $5 Amazon gift card every month if you do regular searches!

In addition, you can earn 1 SB per day just for answering the Daily Poll, 2 SB for completing the No Obligation Special Offers (NOSO), and 3 SB for ever 10 clips you watch on SwagTV. There are also numerous offers that you can complete earning even more SwagBucks.

Every Friday is Mega SwagBucks Day, which means you have a higher chance of winning the Mega Bills (30 – 1,000 Swagbucks!).

So, go do some searches and see if you win some SwagBucks today!

Check out all the other ways to win Swag Bucks!

Currently, I am working towards a $100 Lowe’s Gift Card to use towards putting in a garden this spring. I am well on my way, and can’t wait to achieve my goal! Then it will be time to start funding Christmas. With a $5 Amazon gift card costing only 450 SB it adds up quickly.

How are you going to use your SwagBucks?

Stephanie is the mom behind Raising A Family On A Budget. Check out her monthly posts, Thrifty Thursdays, each month on Philly Burb Moms.

Top Things to do in Philly This Year: The Savvy Source

Here is a great article (written by our own Tasty Tuesday contributor, Steph) on The SavvySource about all the great things to do this year in the Philly area with your family. Some great info on local attractions like the Philadelphia Zoo, The Please Touch Museum, as well as fun events like The Reading Phillies and The Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square. You will also find some great resources on enjoying the New Jersey and Delaware Beaches, as well as how to find local Farmer's Markets and Orchards that offer Pick-Your-Own fruit!

Check it out and plan to make some fun memories this year with your kids!

What Should We Do This Year?: The SavvySource For Parents in Philadelphia

Win it Wednesday! $40 worth of hair accessories from Emma's Hair Boutique

This week our Win it Wednesday Giveaway is sponsored by Emma's Hair Boutique, an online hair accessory store for fashionable little girls, based in the Philly Burbs.

The designers at Emma's Hair Boutique carefully craft each bow by hand and heat seal each bow to prevent fraying. Emma's Hair Boutique offers a large assortment of sizes, styles, and colors of hair bows including infant hair bows, toddler hair bows, small and large hair bows, toddler/big girl headbands, and infant headbands, holiday hair bows which include Halloween hair bows, Christmas hair bows, Valentine hair bows and Easter hair bows, flower clips, sports hair bows such as baseball hair bows and football hair bows.

Along with the fabulous hair accessories Emma's Hair Boutique offers custom hair bow holders to display each one of your daughters pretty bows on.

The winner of this Win it Wednesday Giveaway will win 1 of everything in the photo above, with the option to customize the bow holder with your daughters initial as well as her name on the bow. (Click on the image above to enlarge). This prize pack is valued at $40. Awesome, right? Your daughter will have hair accessories for all of the upcoming holidays.

Make sure to follow Emma's Hair Boutique on Facebook to stay in the loop about upcoming promotions, on site events, new products and more.

Ask Shelby, Valentines Day 2012

Here is February's installment of "Ask Shelby" from Chester County's own Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Shelby Riley.

Dear Shelby,
I hate to say it but I hate Valentine’s Day. It just seems so over-commercialized and I feel fake being romantic just because it’s Feb 14. Is it okay to skip Valentine’s Day or will I be sending the wrong message to my kids?

Signed,
Over It

Dear Over It,
I think a lot of people feel like holidays are over-commercialized. And you and your partner have the right to boycott Valentine’s Day, if you like. That’s the great thing about creating a family. You get to be thoughtful about what values you prioritize and how you live your lives.

I will issue this challenge: traditions ground us and mark our lives in special ways. Valentine’s Day can be a great tradition to keep. If you want to teach your kids positive lessons about loving and honoring people, Valentine’s Day can be a lovely way to crank up the intensity once a year. Instead of “buying” into the notion that the day is about chocolates, cards and flowers, you could start a tradition of writing each other poems, or singing each other self-written songs. You can make cards for one another using only paper and crayons, or find a small way to spread love to your community by volunteering somewhere, or passing out lollipops to strangers and wishing them a happy Valentine’s Day.

Many of my clients tell stories about their childhoods and what they learned in their families while growing up. Yearly traditions and holidays stand out as meaningful times, in both good and bad ways. You certainly don’t have to celebrate every holiday on the calendar, but I will urge you to think about what stories you’d like your children to tell as adults and make choices now to give your kids the experiences they will need to grow up with the ideals you value.

No matter what, I hope you enjoy Feb 14 this year,
Shelby

Shelby Riley, LMFT is the owner of Shelby Riley, LMFT and Associates, LLC and she is the President of the Pennsylvania Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (PAMFT). Remember to check out Shelby's website http://www.shelbyrileymft.com/ for useful information about therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

Don't forget! Readers get a great discount on a marriage check-up! Call Allison Hopper, DO, marriage and family therapist, at Shelby Riley, LMFT and Associates, LLC for more information and to get started today: 610-547-5135.

Tasty Tuesday: Sara's Pulled Pork Sandwiches

So last week, I shared with a scrumptious Apple Coleslaw recipe. I promised that I would post a complimentary Pulled Pork recipe to go along with said Slaw recipe.

Today is that day.

Here I am to come forth with my promise.

This recipe was shared by my good friend, Sara, a few years ago. Sadly, it took me about 2 years to actually try it. And it's a shame, because it's DANG good. And DANG easy.

DANG.

Sara's Pulled Pork recipe is a slow-cooker recipe (aren't they the best?), so it's ready when you get home from work (or playing or running or parenting or whatever it is you do with your day). Easy and can feed an army. We halved the recipe, using a 1-2 lb pork roast, and it fed us for almost 3 meals.

I suggest pairing the pork with the Apple Slaw recipe from last week. If you are conservative, put it to the side of the sandwich and enjoy it like a salad. If you are daring and adventurous, pile a heaping bunch of it on top of the pork between the bread.

Your life with never be the same.

Here is the recipe:

Sara's Pulled Pork Sandwiches

3-4 pound pork roast (pork shoulder) (I found out that 2 pounds serves six people)

Put salt and pepper all over the meat

Put said meat into trusty amazing slow cooker

Mix the following ingredients together and then pour into the cooker:

• 1/2 c water
• 2T wostershire sauce
• 2T apple cider vinegar
• 1t cumin

Press start and cook for 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high



Take the meat out and put it into a bowl or onto a plate and shred it/break it apart with 2 forks. Pour the liquid in the slow cooker down the drain. Put pulled pork back into the slow cooker

Add 2 cups of BBQ sauce

Stir around and cook for another few minutes until it’s warm. (15-20 min)



Serve it up with extra BBQ sauce and rolls!!

~~~~~~

You're welcome.

Now I'm hungry and need to put this on the grocery list for next week!

Enjoy - and let us know how it turns out for you!

You can read more about Steph's life and recipe at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

The Philadelphia International Flower Show: A Date Destination

With Valentine's Day around the corner,we would be remiss in not sharing with you what an awesome Date Day the Philadelphia International Flower Show could be for you and your sweetheart. What is more romantic than flowers? And food? And the City of Brotherly Love to explore?

With the Flower show at the center ofyour Date Day, plan around the experience. The show runs March 4 - March 11, 2012. So you have several days to choose from. Two great resources to chart your day include VisitPhilly and Uwishuknew.

Start catching a quiet train ride into the city (because, really, do you want to deal with parking?) and grabbing breakfast at the upscale Azalea Restaurant in the Omni Hotel. Looking for more low-key? Consider Sabrina's Cafe or Cchaya Cafe.

Then head over to the Convention Center to get your fill of Flowers, Food and Fun at the Flower Show. With so many events and activities, you'll want to come back a second time!

Take a break for a quick lunch at Tazia Restaurant or the infamous Reading Terminal Market. If you've never been to Philly, then please let me suggest making the trek south for a famous Philly Cheesesteak at Pat's or Geno's .It's not a real Philly trip without a cheesteak!

Let your food settle with an afternoon stroll back at the Flower Show. If you plan it right, you can catch some great entertainment or cooking demonstrations. There will also be a large Marketplace of vendors to entice you with flowers, furniture, art, clothes and so much more!

Once you've sniffed the last flower and marveled over the last exhibit, gear up for a fancy night out. Treat yourself to a grand dinner at the Chart House or Le Bec Fin. If after a fun-filled day you'd like to keep it casual, Villa di Roma near the Italian Market offers delicious Italian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

Are you so excited to start planningyour Date Day?

Wouldn't this make a great Valentine's Day gift foryour sweetie?

Hold the presses: Before you book yourreservations, first try your hand at winning today's VisitPhilly 29 Nights of Dates contest.TODAY'S prize is a Philadelphia Flower Show Date package includingpasses to the Flower Show, lunch at Reading Terminal Market, and a2-Night stay at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel!

Check out Visit Philly's Facebook page to enter the contest and learn about the upcoming Date Nights that are up for grabs (the contest runs every day through the end of February – that's a lot of dates!).

If you aren't today's lucky winner, then great creative and use the suggestions above to create your own special Date Day at the Philadelphia Flower Show!

More Flower Show info to come. Next post will detail all the Family Fun the Flower Show has to offer –so stay tuned!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4 - March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Contest Alert: CHECK BACK TOMORROW!

If you were intrigued by our intro post for the Philadelphia International Flower Show and think it would be a great event to go to, PLEASE check back tomorrow for some VALUABLE info on how to make it a DATE DESTINATION (think: Best Valentine's Day Gift Ever).

More importantly, we'll be sharing info on a 1-day opportunity (tomorrow) to WIN your way to the Flower Show!

We can't say anymore (even though we want to!). The info will be posted FIRST THING TOMORROW - so check back!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4 - March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Special Needs Story Time at North Wales Area Library

There is no story time like this at any of the local libraries and it a huge unmet need. It will be a supportive environment for these kids and their families and it is free.

Special Needs Story Time

North Wales Area Library
233 S. Swartley Street, North Wales, PA 19454
(215) 699-5410

Children with special needs (all ages) and their caregivers are invited to attend story time at North Wales Area Library. Story time will be on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 AM in the North Wales Library Community Room. We will have stories & music geared toward children ages 2-6 in a sensory friendly & flexible learning environment. Siblings and therapists are also welcome.

Directions to the private story time room: Enter through door to the right of the main library entrance. The community room is down the hall on the right. North Wales Area Library is wheelchair accessible.

$27 for A One-Year Membership to Elmwood Park Zoo!

A great family place to visit is Elmwood Park Zoo! They have over 300 animals to visit and a petting zoo too! This place is great for families and adults! Right now, you can get a One-year membership to the Zoo for one adult and a guest for just $27, a value of $55.



Also, if you are a bowling fanatic or just like to bowl, Arnold's Family Fun Center has a great deal for you and six others! Get Two Games of Bowling for Six People With Shoe Rentals for just $34, valued at $69.


*Disclosure

Crafting with Little Kids: decorative frames

With this mild winter we are having, creating snow-themed crafts seems somewhat inappropriate, but just in case it does snow, this is a fun craft to make. My son has his own kids' camera and he enjoys taking photos. He has asked me to print some of his photos so he can decorate his room and even went as far as to ask to go to Ikea to buy frames for his photos. Decorating frames to use at home or to give as gifts (think Valentine's Day gifts for parents, grandparents) is a fun and simple craft. We already had pompoms at home, but any kind of decorations, from buttons to stickers, could be used.

Sticking with a snowball theme, we used white pompoms to decorate some cheap blue frames purchased at Ikea. The frames are sold in a two pack, and come in different sizes and colors. We picked blue for winter, but a red frame with red and white pompoms would be fun for Valentine's Day.

Supplies:
Pompoms, buttons, stickers, foam shapes
simple wood frame
glue dots

Directions:
Let your kids decide what materials they want to use, if there is a choice, and to do a basic layout of where they want their decorations to go. The glue dots are a safe alternative to a glue gun and there is no drying time. In place of glue dots, white glue can be used, just allow for drying time. The glue dots are very sticky and I found it was easier to apply them to the frame and then adhere the pompom. We added some foam stickers too.

This is a fast project, perfect for kids with short attention spans! For a more involved project, use unfinished frames and paint them first.

As a side note, Ikea is a great place to go with kids. A kids combo meal is about $2.50 and there is a great kids area for them to eat and play. On Tuesdays, kids eat free! It's a great place to visit during lousy weather, as it's a huge indoor place to run around, climb on kid-friendly furniture, or even to visit the kids play area. (No affiliation, just a mom who loves to visit there!)

You can find more crafts and other adventures with a preschooler on Diane's blog Knitting Zeal.