What You Need:
Thick pasta noodles (dyed pink and red)
Red, white, and pink foam hearts with holes punched out in the middle (you can buy the hearts at Michaels or use a die cut machine)
Yarn with the edges diped in glue and then dried
What You Do:
Have your children string the noodles and hearts onto the yarn. You can encourage older children to string in a pattern to encourage math skills
Before you know it Valentine’s Day will be here. It’s time to come up with something fun to do with your kids. Here are a few things you can do with your kids that they will LOVE!
Heart shaped pancakes! Make this day extra special from the moment your kids get up. Get some heart or cupid shaped cookie cutters and let your kids make their own fancy pancakes (or french toast, or cinnamon toast, or pop tart…whatever). Put on some strawberry toppings and YUM! They will LOVE it!
Love Letters! Have your kids write or draw a very special Valentine’s Day note or card to put in dad’s (or mom’s) bag or car when he/she leaves for work. The kids will LOVE doing it, and dad or mom will LOVE it too.
Everybody Wear Red! LOVE it up. Make everyone wear fun Valentine’s Day shirts. And socks too – they’re everywhere!
Host a Valentine’s Day Playdate! It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy. Get some red and pink balloons. Find some easy Valentine’s Day crafts. Send out an evite to a handful of parents and put some nuggets in the oven. Once the kids show up the party will run itself. Check out our crafts category for a few ideas.
Is your child talking back, being sassy, or just plain difficult! Well, this season you may just find something that can help you get him/her back on track. My sister got me the Elf on the Shelf, and it has worked wonders for my daughter. Here’s the story.
The elf is Santa’s helper. He visits for the Christmas season, and reports back to Santa at the North Pole every night. Each time he returns, he is in a new location in the house and it is your child’s job when she gets up to find him. Our’s has “Super Vision” which allows him to see our kids ANYWHERE! Amazing, huh. :)
It comes with a story book and an activity book so your child understands why he is here. Ours is “Kyde” and anytime I simply say, “Kyde is watching, and he is preparing his Naughty and Nice Report for Santa, you better eat your dinner!” she (usually) turns off the sass and eats.
They are sold at most Hallmark stores. Get yours today, and let me know how it goes!!!
Head south to Storybook Land! It’s a theme park with Santa in mind.
Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive on November 14th – December 23rd…then he’s got some work to do!
Family Santa Super Saver Days – 50% off regular $20.95 plus tax Admission.
Tuesday, December 1st; Wednesday, December 2nd; Thursday, December 3rd.
Or head over for the Fantasy of Lights through December 30th!
Check website below for calendar, rates and events.
[mappress]
The day begins with an authentic Thanksgiving Service at the Village Chapel, Christ Episcopal Church, where the Rite Reverend Thomas Tanser, Howell Works Company minister of 1836, will deliver his Harvest Sermon.
Visitors are then invited to wander the streets of the Historic Village and enjoy the autumn foliage as they make their way to the home of the Howell Works Company Manager, James Parshal Smith, where a traditional Thanksgiving Feast is being prepared over the open hearth. The delicious aroma of turkey, roasting in a tin reflector oven, fills the kitchen as period clad Historic Interpreters demonstrate the arts of 19th Century Cooking while preparing such Thanksgiving favorites as apple and pumpkin pies, vegetable dishes, and an varied array of side dishes.
While waiting for the turkey to brown, there will be hands-on demonstrations of cider-pressing and opportunities to join in some 19th Century games.
Allaire Village
Route 524
Farmingdale, NJ 07727
$3 for adults, $2 for kids 6 – 12 yrs old
Check website below for details?
My web savvy husband has found a few deals that are only good on Friday and Saturday. I’ve attached the links for you — but the gist is HERE!
You may want to call your local store to make sure they are running these deals. Stores such as Macy’s, Sears, Jersey Mikes, Toys R Us, Michaels and More are participating in these Halloween Freebies!
Free toy if you Trick-or-Treat at the Sears toy store
Free appetizer if you get a drink at the bar at Fridays
Free food for your Trick-or-Treater at Jersey Mikes
Free $10 gift card at Macys plus free face painting by the pros (Sat Only – first 100 customers)
We’re on the hunt for winter events and Christmas tree farms in Ocean County. Step out of your comfort zone (and the parking lot down the street selling Christmas trees). Get your ax ready…here are some of the best places to choose from. Stay local and support your own!
TIPS: Call ahead and confirm their hours, their supply available.
Holly Hill Nursery - U-Cut Christmas Trees.
2211 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ.
Phone: 609-693-5215.
Directions: 5 miles W of GSP Exit 74.
Open: 9am to dark (Friday, Sat, Sunday), November 24 to December 23.
K & W Nursery – Christmas trees- you choose and we cut, Living Christmas trees (to plant later)
173 Pasedena Road, Manchester, NJ 08759.
Phone: 732-899-3611.
Directions:
From the North: Parkway South to Route 70 West. Left onto 539 South. Right onto Pasedena Road. 2 Miles on left hand side.
From the South: Route 72 to 539 North. Make Right onto Pasedena Road. 2 Miles on left hand side.
Products are usually available in November, December.
Open: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to Dark. Opening Thanksgiving Weekend; Pretagging available. Payment: Cash, only.
Lone Silo Farm – You choose and cut Christmas trees, saws are provided, we do bale or wrap the trees in netting
139 Brynmore Road, New Egypt, NJ.
Phone: 609-758-9449.
Directions: From Main Street, New Egypt, across from Town Hall Bldg. (white with pillars), turn onto Brindletown Road Second left turn onto Brynmore Road. Proceed approximately 1 ¼ mi, farm on right.
Open: 9 am to 4 (Saturday and Sunday), Saturday after Thanksgiving to December 17.
Christmas tree varieties: U-Choose & Cut your own: Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir, Serbian Spruce.
Picea Acres – You choose and cut Christmas trees, saws are provided, you may bring your own saw, wreaths, trimmings
50 South New Prospect Road, Jackson , NJ.
Phone: 732-370-8733.
Directions: Lakewood Area: Rte. 9 to W. County Line Road to New Prospect Road Howell Area: Aldrich Road W to New Prospect Road, Make left at New Prospect Road. Open: 10 am to 7 (Monday to Friday), 9am to 5pm (Saturday and Sunday), from the day after Thanksgiving to December 22.
Christmas tree varieties: U-Choose & Cut your own: Norway Spruce, White Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir.
Yuletide Christmas Tree Farm – You choose and cut Christmas trees, saws are provided
138 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, NJ.
Phone: 732-349-2705.
Directions: 7 miles W. of entrance to Great Adventure on Rte. 537. Evergreen Road starts on S. side of blinking light on Rte. 537 (Evergreen Road ends on Main St. in New Egypt).
Open: 9 am to 4, daily, from Saturday after Thanksgiving to December 23.
Christmas tree varieties: U-Choose & Cut your own: Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir.
If you do go and get a tree or visit any of these farms, please send me a review or pictures to TomsRiverMom@gmail.com. Thanks!!!
Trick or Treat, Stories, Activities for kids. Families welcome!
You may need to register so call and find out.
