Toms River Mom

I came across a website called Perks Variety and they have some great gifts for kids.  Beginner Dinner Games, however, hit home.  I feel like every night at dinner there is a battle with my toddlers, so I got this and tried it out.  It was great - our three year old was loving the questions and after every answer she gave she had to take a bite of her food or else we couldn’t go on to the next one.  Somehow, it worked like a charm.  And, our one year old had no clue what we were asking – but enjoyed mimicking her sister when it was “her turn”!  It was loads of fun and it made our dinner time last longer.  Now we look forward to dinner time rather than dread it.  Thanks Frank!! 

Oh, and it’s a local company which means…no shipping!  If you become a Fan on their Facebook page you get 10% off in April!

I came across a website called Perks Variety and they have some great gifts for kids.  Especially your bug loving kid!  Check out this Antworks Illuminated – it’s pretty cool.  Don’t forget the ants!

Oh, and it’s a local company which means…no shipping!  If you become a Fan on their Facebook page you get 10% off in April!

I came across a website called Perks Variety and they have some great gifts for kids.  One that I know would be a hit for most of you is this ‘Create Your Own Puzzle’ idea – creative kids will absolutely love it.  Oh, and it’s a local company which means…no shipping!  If you become a Fan on their Facebook page you get 10% off in April!

Open to the public – Kid’s Triathlon!

Bike, run and swim at your YMCA with competitive distances that vary by the following age groups: 6-8, 7-10 & 11-12.

Inquire/Register at OCYMCA with phone number and website below.

[mappress]

The Ocean County Health Department has announced several injectable swine-flu vaccination clinics starting this week.

The clinics are open only to priority groups specified by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They include pregnant women, care-givers for children younger than 6 months, health care and emergency medical workers, children and young adults age 6 months through 24 years and persons age 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risks of medical complications from influenza.

The clinics will be offered at:

Central Regional High School on Forest Hills Parkway in Berkeley, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Southern Regional Middle School on Cedar Bridge Road in Stafford, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Ritacco Center at Toms River High School North on Old Freehold Road in Toms River, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 24.

Also, an H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held especially for health care workers and people with special needs at the Health Department, 175 Sunset Ave., Toms River from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 16. Health care workers may walk in, but proof of employment is required. People with special needs, including pregnant women, must make an appointment.

For more information call the state H1N1 hot line at 1-866-321-9571 or the Ocean County Health Department at 732-341-9700, ext. 7502.

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!!!

Christmas at Allaire

Fee: $6 per adult; $4 per child ages 5 to 14
Allaire State Park, Historic Allaire Village
Sponsor: Allaire Village, Inc.

Note: Horse and wagon ride fee an additional $7.50 per adult; $5 children under 12

Directions:
Allaire State Park can be reached from exit 98 off the Garden State Parkway or exit 31B off Interstate 195.