Monthly Archives: July 2012

Parenting, Philadelphia, Travel

11 Reasons Take your kids Camping & Modern Camping

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camping fireCamping is a great thing to do with your kids.  Camping is a great thing to do with kids for many reason.  A family bonding, allowing your kids to have freedom, Change of scene.    Why would you want to take you family camping?

11 Reasons to Take your Family Camping

  1. Independence  if you live in area where you usually don’t let your kids go camp grounds are a great place to let them explore.  Kids usually love it- they get some freedom-  we usually low the kids to ride there bikes, explore on there own.
  2. fresh air
  3. Socialization-  when my kids are camping they make a new best friend every weekend
  4. Great time to go away with friends
  5. Inexpensive fun
  6. New experiences
  7. Rules- kid learn that they have to respect boundaries if they want freedom
  8. Bike riding without fear
  9. Little kids actually do understand what is hot and will stay away from fire-Trust me
  10. Dirty-  you kids will get dirty and it is fun.
  11. Memories  will last a lifetime,  they will ask to come again and will cry when you leave. = Signs of a great time

Modern Camping

Our family has been camping since my daughter 18 months.   No,  I am not talking the real roughing it camping= more a modified glamping.  Because lets be honest I am not one for sleeping on the ground.   We do have a Pop Up camper which is a pop tent with beds, sink, hard top and AC. Did I mention I use a feather bed on my mattress.

How can you get started ?   So about 5 years ago I started to take other families that never thought of camping as a way to get away.  Times have changed in the camping scene.  There are campgrounds that offer so much more then the tent and state parks.

  1. Many campgrounds now offer options for those without a tent or camper.  like a rustic or full cabin.  Think of renting a room in the woods so you get the out door experience with the comforts of home.
  2. Rustic cabins- usually have electric ,Ac, small fridge, tables beds, some have TV’s- usually all in one room- no bathroom you have to walk to the main bathrooms. (ask is you have to bring bedding)
  3. Deluxe cabins usually have everything at home Ac, TV, Kitchen stocked with cooking pans, tools, Bathroom, separate bed room. (ask is you have to bring bedding)
  4. Rent an RV
  5. Also many campgrounds offer other activities besides just a hay ride.  Many have become a full resort offering, small water parks, mini golf, go carts, dj on some nights, archery, and permanent bounce houses.

Top Picks for Great Camp Grounds East Coast

  • Yogi Bears JellyStone Camp Grounds–  This is a chain nation wide but our favorite Yogi Bear Quarryville Pa– near Lancaster a great place.  Our family has been there 5 times this last trip with 15 other families  all staying in cabins-  Quarryville  has a water park and tons of things to do.
  • KOA Campgrounds-nation wide chain
  • Frontier Town Located off  3 miles from Ocean City Maryland and 7 miles from the Wild Horses of Assateague Island.  they also have a western show Not to mention you can crab off the Dock. 1 mile from outlets for shopping-  check out the Frontier Town Specials
  • Otter Lake– this was a favorite of my family growing up and now is a full resort with an indoor pool so great for fall camping

Please follow all week as we will give you help full tip and ideas for camping with your family. Superexhausted week of camping.

Tues: Creative Camping Cooking

Wed: Wordless Wednesday  What to pack for 1st time campers

Thursday:  Great items and Toys for camper

Friday: Ideas of camping in large groups and fitness

Philadelphia, Travel

How I did Atlantic City – What you missed

view of Atlantic CityAtlantic City is a fun town!! I spent the 4th of July in Atlantic city. It was a great time, the kids and I were guest of the Visit AC and the Atlantic City Alliance. If you read my post last week, I discussed what we were going to see :the 4th of July Fireworks, Concert and Duality Light show: Here is what you missed!light show on building
The fireworks Atlantic Cities are rated in the top in the nation. The Fireworks by Grucci and lasted 20+ minutes. It was great they even had smiley faces in the fireworks. The kids loved it and we had a great time watching them,  doing the big Ooos and Ahhs. fireworks
The next part of the night was the Kevin Rudolf concert. Kevin Rudolf, included his hits song “let Rock. Be sure to check Let It Rock on out on you tube.  My daughter loved the concert it was her 1st concert and seeing it from the front was awesome. One of our favorite songs was Welcome World.   I have to say I really his music.. it pop but rock.  It is fun to dance to it. kevin Rudolf on stagekevin Rudolf on stagelittle girl with kevin Rudolf

Then after the show she was able to meet Kevin-  So cool I got a picture too.. I am so a 15 year old girl.

The Most remarkable part of the evening was “Duality” 3D light show by Moment Factory . The Moment factory did a fabulous job on the light show. Which was remarkably produced in 3 months . The bloggers in attendance including myself got to see a behind the scenes look of the production. Here is are a sneak peak of the computer used to run the light system.a computer console
The Duality is a Permanent art insulation that runs every night on boardwalk hall in Atlantic City’s Famed Boardwalk Hall runs every night 2 time an hour and it is really great. The Moment factory Manages to make the hall disappear in the night. Check out the video.

DUALITY – Atlantic City Sound and Light Show – July 4th from Moment Factory on Vimeo.

We also got to sat in the lovely Golden Nugget Hotel in the Marina . Newly renovated, with a price tag of $150 million, the spa alone cost 6$ million. They have very some really fabulous restaurant Chart house and The property is owned and operated by Landry’s Restaurants.the pool at the golden nugget
Also the outside pool area is only one of 2 outside pools in Atlantic City and is heated in the winter.
So worth the trip down to Atlantic City to see the show. Also for the kids right near boardwalk hall is located near the Rain Forest Café and Mini golf so you can add more to your trip.

 

For more photos of my trip check out my Atltantic City Photo Stream from the weekend.

Disclosure: This post is brought to you with the support of the Atlantic City Alliance. Find them on Facebook [LINK TO https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ] and Twitter [LINK TO http://www.twitter.com/visitAC]

Photography, Wordless Wednesday

Beach with Shutterfly & #WordlessWednesday Linky

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boy at the beach During the summer I take a ton of photos.  I find the being outside is a great time to get those photos with natural light.   Shutterfly contacted me and  asked if I would share  their summer photo contest.  Shutterfly’s Long Live Summer Photo Contest on Facebook is launched on Monday July 9th .   All you have to do is enter a photo based on the weekly theme to Shutterflys facebook page. Facebook contest page your post your photos using this link: Long Live Summer girl on the beach

SHUTTERFLY’ s WEEKLY PHOTO THEMES

  • •       Week 1(7/9): Americana
  • •       Week 2 (7/16): Great Outdoors
  • •       Week 3 (7/23): Water Fun
  • •       Week 4 (7/30): Sports & Activities
  • •       Week 5 (8/6): Parties & Celebrationslittle girl on beach with surf board

 

Long Live Summer – Facebook Photo Contest details – 7/9 – 8/12 Multi-week summer themed photo sweepstakes with instant win prizes.

Win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever.  All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week.  Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter at any point during the 5-week sweepstakes period.

PRIZES

  • Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo!
  • Weekly prizes (contestants can enter one time/week)
  • Weekly featured photos: up to 5 weekly entries will be selected from the gallery and featured on the Facebook fan page and awarded a $500 gift card on Shutterfly and a copy of the new Lonely Planet travel photography book.
  • Grand prize: trip for 4 to Bahamas, 4 nights, family photo shoot
  • Shutterfly Sweepstakes – Official Rules



Cooking

Cold Brussels Sprout Salad

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brussel spout cold saladI love Brussels Sprouts add it to my other favorite thing roasted garlic and they are yummy.  Here is a my simple summer salad for garlic lovers.  It is also cream and healthy (no mayo).  If you have not tried cold Brussels sprouts give my Brussels Sprout Salad a try. FYI I roast a lot of garlic and keep in fridge- roasting mellows out the garlic and is great hot out of the oven on crackers

Cold Brussels Sprout Salad

  • 1-2 lb of Brussels sprouts
  • 4 bulbs of roasted garlic
  • ¼ cup of olive oil
  • Red pepper diced
  • Salt/pepper

Ahead of time:  How to roast garlic(cut tops off garlic, pour olive oils and sprinkle with salt wrap in tin foil cook for 1 hour) till caramelized  (I roast a lot of garlic and keep in fridge- roasting mellows out the garlic and is great hot out of the oven on crackersbrussel spouts

  1. Steam Brussels sprouts till fork tenderroasted garlic in a food processor
  2. In mini food processor put all garlic removed from skinsgarlic paste in a food processor
  3. Add oil till roasted garlic is a smooth paste
  4. Mix in with Brussels spouts and garnish with pepper
  5. Chill and serve

Printable Recipe of Brussel Sprouts Salad

Fitness Fridays

Killer Hill and Fitness Friday

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This past week I went camping and I actually got up and walk 4 miles at 6:00 in the morning.  Then it was so hot I stood around in a jog bra and compression shorts for 2 hours.  In front of all my friends at church who were camping with me.  You know what I did not care.  I was hot and figured I would be near them in my swim suit at the pool so what is the difference.

The walk was a mile up a mild incline only to walk a mile down hill.  My goal was to see this old stone house and take pictures.  I dragged a boy from the church that was up early with me .. he thought we were walking to paint ball place.. I told him we were walking to the stone house,  he soon learn he miss hear me.

So we got to the house.. it hurt to walk a mile down hill.   Check out the house.stone building

Then we returned a mile up the steep hill.. the burn was crazy. The preteen haggled and pushed me verbally up the him when mid way I want to stop.   I kept say “See you don’t know what you got your self into agreeing to a walk with Mrs. Aikens”.  He was great lying to me that we were almost there.  At one point he looked behind me and saw this..

So worth the hill.

Thanks to AJ for getting me up the hill – 6 months ago I would have not made it.

Pick up for your camera and go for a walk.

Steady weight loss at 265.

How are you doing ?

Philadelphia, Travel

4th of July in Alantic City: Family Time

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Light show on side of boardwalk hall in AC4th of July in Atlantic City, Boardwalk, Fireworks, Concert, 3d Light show created by the Moment factory, beach and with the family! I am so in. My Family and I so thrilled  this 4th of July, to be heading to AC to experience how Atlantic city has so many wonderfully things to offer a family while visiting.

I use too always think Adult destination when people talked AC.  A year ago,  I took my kids to Atlantic City it is a great place to visit with my family.   My daughter thought the hotels were very “Fancy “and the pools /beaches were wonderful my son hated leaving.  So when AC asked me to visit there lovely town again, I was ready to go with bells on.

This holiday the Atlantic City Alliance is premiering  a Moment Factory  3d light show “Duality” on the 4th of July at AC Famous Boardwalk hall.  The Aikens clan will be one of the 1st to see the 3d light show.  My kids are so excited,  to prep them for the experience, we have been watching the video of how they make the light show.

Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall from Moment Factory on Vimeo.

Viewing Tips and Facts about Duality:

  • How long? 8 1/2 min show is
  • Cost: free
  • Runs every 1/2 hour after dark, and
  • Open to the public year round.
  • Where: It will play on the façade of Boardwalk Hall, facing the boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean. Best viewed from Kennedy Plaza on the boardwalk.
  • The music is an original score which was composed specifically for Atlantic City by Vincent Letellier who created a mixing orchestral music, indie-pop sensibility and electronics
  • The creators of the “Duality” Moment factory  have created multimedia elements for shows performed by Celine Dion in Las Vegas, Jay-Z, Arcade Fire, Madonna, Cirque du Soleil, Microsoft, Disney and various other clients
  • The show was commissioned by Atlantic City Alliance a non profit,  purpose is to create a more diverse Atlantic City.

Atlantic City boardwalk  Fireworks for the 4th of July and the light show “Duality” will be such a memorable experience for the kids,  I cant wait to share the entire experience with them.

I hope you can come and join me in Atlantic city.  It would will be truly magical night!!

Disclosure: This post is brought to you with the support of the Atlantic City Alliance. Find them on Facebook [LINK TO https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ] and Twitter [LINK TO http://www.twitter.com/visitAC]