Fun Places to Eat: Johnny Rockets in Hoboken

Once again, back in my college days I was introduced to the fun and nightlife of Hoboken, New Jersey.

Thank goodness for going to Montclair!  Thank goodness for making North Jersey friends who knew the places to go!  I got to spend a lot of time in Hoboken and New York City.

One of the places we went a few times was, 

Johnny Rockets in Hoboken!

The memorable part of this location is the fact that it's a "big city" near "THE BIG CITY".  There's buildings, people and cars everywhere.  The kids were AMAZED because we are from the New Jersey suburbs and yes, I have not been brave enough to take them INTO the city.  (Baby steps for me!)

There are reasonable parking garages near Johnny Rockets.  We walked about a block to go eat.  

Even though there were a few families on the sidewalk looking through menus, there were open few booths.  We found a booth in the back. Our waitress was sweet and friendly.  They gave the kids coloring papers and crayons which they always love when we go out!  The food is standard.  Nothing to write home about.  If I'm at a burger place, I get a burger.  It was good.  My kids like burgers, grilled cheese, chicken tenders and hot dogs so they were happy with the choices.  The kids devoured every piece of their food.  My youngest, who sometimes doesn't even sit and eat, sat the entire time and ate every piece of his hot dog and fries.  My middle child ate 1 WHOLE grilled cheese sandwich and insisted she wanted more and ate ANOTHER HALF of one.

Shall I mention we wore them out at Liberty State Park prior to this? 

After we ate, the kids got balloons too!  They were SO happy!

In the state my full, exhausted kids were in, they were in no shape to walk around, although it would have been nice.  Carlo's Bakery was a few blocks away.  There were also tons of stores.  Oh....and bars! Oh yeah, we had the kids!  Maybe we'll have to get a sitter and go bar hopping next time.  Although, I don't think I would be able to think straight after 2 drinks anymore!   (Did I before!?)  I'll have to do that for a "Parent's Night Out Post!"  ;)

Overall, it was a good time, fair food and a nice experience for the kids in a city!  

Places to Go: Liberty State Park

WHAT A GREAT VIEW!

On a seasonably warm December afternoon I was looking for something memorable to do.  When I was in college, I lived in Jersey City, about a 5 minutes drive from Liberty State Park.  I took many, many walks there with my dog Melody.  I google searched it and looked at the map - it was still there!

The drive was easy and you can take EXIT 14B which takes you right into the park.

There is a large parking area right by the playground.

The playground is the middle of the park with a fantastic view!

As a parent of 3 kids, I found this park large but easy to navigate when keeping an eye on your children.  There were plenty of benches on the perimeter if you'd like to sit and watch.

The playground is GREAT.  Tons to do and all my kids were able to enjoy the different part.

There are also restrooms right by the park.

My oldest ran off to try everything.  My middle made a friend the second she stepped in the park.  My youngest took off with my husband keeping an eye on him.  They all had fun!

"WHERE ARE THE HOUSES?"

My middle child said this as we pulled up!  Can you tell we don't live near a major city?

We took a walk up to the long path by the edge of the water.  The view is incredible and there are plenty of GREAT spots to take pictures.  My kids loved watching the boats, looking at the buildings and just enjoying the scenery.  We took a walk down the path that goes along the water.

As you walk down the path, you get an excellent view of the Statue of Liberty.

My oldest, who learned about it, was THRILLED to see it!

With tired kids from playing and walking, we headed back to the car.

It was an inexpensive, memorable trip for the kids!

Someday we will have to explore the Statue of Liberty up close!

Here are some links to help you plan your trip!

LIBERTY STATE PARK

ELLIS ISLAND

STATUE OF LIBERTY

The Little Memories - Thanksgiving

My daughter skipped down the street wearing her Native American Paper Bag Vest and Feather Headdress made from oaktag.

While I wanted to battle about her wearing her jacket on a 45 degree drizzly day, was it worth it?

"Mommy!  I saw you!  I saw Grandma!  I saw my brother!  Did you like the show?  Did you hear my song?"  She was filled with joy as I answered her questions and told her how proud I was.

It's the little moments.

"I ate mashed potatoes with gravy!  It was good!"

It brings me back to my own childhood.  I remember my school teachers creating fun Feather Headdresses for us to wear.  I remember creating special projects for my parents and beaming with pride as I presented them.  I remember preparing for our yearly class productions.

Now I see that enthusiasm in my own child.

Some people might argue that those parties and productions take away from "class time", afterall, we have a test to teach to!  The kids need to know their academics!  Trust me, I see the importance of academics.  Learning isn't just about sitting in a class focusing on reading, writing and math!  Learning happens when we explore using all of our senses!  As a music teacher, this happened all the time in my classes!  We'd read about Mozart, looked at pictures, created our own, listened to his music, learned a rhythm pattern, played the rhythm pattern, use that rhythm pattern in a dance that went to a piece written by Mozart - ACTIVE LEARNING.

My daughter's Thanksgiving play - an ACTIVE LEARNING moment.  A long-lasting memory.

I am thankful that she has teachers that go the extra mile every single day.  They provide opportuntiies to learn and grew from fun and educational life experiences.  They do so much to make sure the children are safe and learn.  They teach from their heart.  Teachers that teach from the heart are true blessings.  

"Helping Hands" Mother's Day Gift

A simple and fun keepsake for Mother's Day!

Supplies:

-dish cloth or towel

-fabric paints

-plate

-baby wipes

1.  Spread out the towel and decide where you would like to put your child's handprints

2.  Choose your favorite color of paint for the handprints and squirt onto the paper plate.  You only need a thin layer.

3.  Take your child's clean and and place it in the paint, moving it around so that the bottom of the hand gets full of paint (but not thick)

4.  Stamp hand onto the towel & lift up  

(Hold hand by the wrist if they are little and immediately wipe with baby wipes!)

5.  Add the words of your choosing - like "Mommy's Helping Hands" and the Year

6.  Let your creation dry over night

7.  Display proudly in your kitchen  <3

It's cute, fun and easy!  Make one for Mother's Day today...or Father's Day....

or even Grandparents!

What a great keepsake!  :)

  

Angry Bird Valentines!

Materials Needed:

-scissors

-hole puncher

-red card stock or construction paper

-shipping labels

-Honey Maid Angry Bird Crackers

-Clear Gift Bags with twist ties or string

I know, I can just go to the store and pick up a pack of pre-made Valentine's cards and call it a day.  Since my children are still young, I enjoy being creative.

Since my son just turned 3 and is in LOVE with Angry Birds, I saw the prepacked graham crackers in the store and got an idea.....I would create an angry bird Valentine!  It's easy enough to have a little one help you with some of the steps - placing the labels or filling the bags.  With older children, you can let them write in the names.  You just do the Angry Bird and decorate the face and place the label or have your child write on the back.  Once you start thinking of options, you can get really creative and have unique Valentines that your child will always remember! 

So the steps I took to get there:

~1~

With the labels, I found an angry bird picture and put it on.  

Then I typed "Have a smashing Valentine's Day!"

I printed out the sheets I needed for my son's class.

~2~

Then I found a template of an angry bird.

I traced and cut it out on the red card stock and simply attached the labels on it.

I punched two holes in the cardstock for the twist-tie to go through.

~3~

I filled each bag with a package of  Angry Bird graham crackers.

I bunched up the bag, put the twist tie around it and then threaded it through my Angry Bird card stock.

Twisted it.....

And....

VIOLA!

Cute, Simple & Fun Angry Bird Valentine Treat!

Perfect for the the little boy in your life! 

State Theatre in New Brunswick

As a Mom of 3 kids, I love finding new places to explore.  I think I enjoy sharing the finds and experiences just as much!

The State Theatre in New Brunswick holds this free series called Milk & Cookies.  In the months of February, March and April the theatre hosts interactive stories/songs by performers for children and their families.  They also did it in the fall.  With the help of sponsors and local help, they also give out 1 cookie and milk per child at the conclusion of the program.  They simply ask that you reserve a spot.

We attended the one by Spook Handy who focused on American folk songs.  As a group we clapped, sang and did movements to several old American favorites like The Land Is Your Land, She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain & I've Been Workin' On The Railroad.

The show ran about 45-minutes which was the perfect amount of time.  My youngest started to get very antsy at the end.  My older two enjoyed the interactive movements as they sang but both of them really enjoy music, acting and dancing.

For us, it's not a far drive and it was a nice outing to explore something new.