June 16, 2016 · 2:01 am

We Had A Howling Good Time At Great Wolf Lodge!

Great Wolf Lodge Collage

If you are looking for a fun filled family getaway, get ready to have a howling good time at Great Wolf Lodge. Located in the scenic Pocono Mountains of  Pennsylvania this resort features a never ending array of activities that will delight parents and kids alike.

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From the moment we checked in, we were greeted with smiling, helpful staff who went above and beyond in every way possible to make our stay perfect in every way. The kids were given Wolf Passes upon check in that were able to be redeemed for all kinds of things inside the resort as well as activities like the Ropes Challenge.

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GWL 5They had a nice surprise of goodies waiting in our room to welcome us. We appreciate the extra things they did to make us feel welcome.

The water park was very clean and had ample seating around the attractions. There were cabanas that could be rented as well. There is pool side wait staff if you want to order drinks. Unlike other water parks you can bring food and drinks into this water park.  That is very nice, especially if you have a family member with special dietary needs.

The Big Foot Pass was a favorite of my son Ethan as well as my husband. They navigated their way across a pool holding onto cargo nets above or braving it and not holding anything as they jump onto giant floating lily pads. A great way to build dexterity and strength while having fun! Videos for this will be on our YouTube Channel soon.

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We spent great family time in Crooked Creek swimming in single or double tubes as well as free swimming. There is a gentle current but don’t be fooled in thinking this is a calm lazy river! You are bound to get soaked by the overflowing buckets that seem to know just when to empty their water onto your head! It is all great fun, even when you get soaked!

Speaking of soaked, Fort Mackenzie is a water tree house with multiple levels of splash-crazy fun! Interactive water toys and kid activated splash features line the way to the Totem Tower Body Slides! Listen for the bell and then take cover if you can because that means the gigantic bucket on top is ready to tip and when it does…you are going to get drenched!

 

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 The Slap Tail Pond Wave Pool is fun for all. A beach like shallow entrance  leading up to a max depth of 5 feet allows you to walk out and play in the waves. The waves roll in and out giving you some calm water time before then next batch of waves comes rolling in.
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The under 52″ crowd can have great fun in Whooping Hollow, slides and basketball, splashing and swimming fun makes this a favorite hangout for little wolf cubs.
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Chinook Cove  Swim, laugh and splash all day with basketball and balancing play. Let your imagination run wild as you practice your hook shots, free throws and rebounds. Everybody loves water basketball, so you’re sure to go into overtime in this pool of family fun. Our kids spent the most time in this pool, they loved being allowed to jump in and playing basketball was the icing on the cake!GWL 62
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Dining At GWL

 

Our family enjoyed an awesome breakfast buffet with choices of  farm fresh eggs, apple wood smoked bacon, signature wolf waffles, organic yogurts, granolas, made-to-order omelettes, fresh fruits, berries and much more at The Loose Moose Family Kitchen. Seasonal family lunches roll out lighter fare, and dinners overflow with entrées inspired by world cuisine. Of course no vacation is complete without dessert and they have a simply splendiferous variety of desserts.

 

On the water park level there is the Hungry Like A Wolf   which is just what we were after staying  until closing at the Water Park. A large pizza and a bottle of ice tea hit the spot! Crowd pleasers like Brooklyn style, hand-stretched pizza, savory Italian and meatball Parmesan sandwiches, garlic cheese bread and freshly made salads fill the menu. You can call ahead and make make meal time a snap with easy pick-up.

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There is a Starbucks on the 2nd floor and for convenient poolside dining choose Grizzly Jack’s Bar & Grill or Buckets Incredible Cravables. Have a Sweet Tooth? Whether you want fudge, ice cream, cake, cupcakes or cookies, Bear Paw Sweets & Eats is the place!

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Bear Paw Sweets

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The staff in the stores and attractions are very friendly and helpful. Our kids loved redeeming their wolf pass in the Creation Station where they could choose to make their very own Great Wolf Lodge Character. There are lots of outfits and clothing choices for these critters that really makes creating their new friend super fun!  They were also able to activate a Clubhouse Crew game to play with their new friend and when they helped Sammy Squirrel find her nuts they were able to return to the  for a prize!

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We had a full-immersion 4-D thrill ride at the Howlywood XD Theater.  After choosing our movie we were taken to our seats to strap in for a multi-sensory adventure that we will never forget as we traveled along a haunted mine! The motion enhanced chair, glasses and special effects transported us to a totally different dimension.howlywood-1-img9463-800x533

Next we embarked on some dazzling mini golf at the Howl At The Moon Glow Golf indoor course. The kids had a blast putting and swinging along a nature-themed filled challenging course of black light illuminated fun!

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For fun with something bigger than a golf ball we headed off to Ten Paw Alley for some exciting bowling fun!

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Howlers Peak Ropes Course can elevate your family adventure to a whole new level. When you are ready to come down there is the Raccoon Lagoon Play Park to roast marshmallows or play a giant game of checkers.

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The Northern Lights Arcade lets you get your game on in a big way! This  gigantic arcade is filled with fun things to do for kids of all ages. All kinds of driving games, air hockey, basketball and much more provide some game fun for everyone! Our kids were able to redeem some of their tickets for adorable crock charms of the Great Wolf Lodge logo and characters.GWL 35

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Our kids were busy with something the entire stay and said it was the best water park resort they have ever been to! They wanted to know if people could live here  and before we left wanted to know when we could come back!

Have you been to Great Wolf Lodge? If you have or are planning a trip please let me know in the comments. If you have any questions, just leave them in the comments and I will answer to the best of my ability! Visit YouTube to see our video compilation of our experience HERE! More Videos will be posted soon. Also check out the videos and photos posted on Instagram.

Stay in the loop with Great Wolf Lodge on their website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

 

 

Although we were provided with a media trip and sponsored perks my words and views are 100% my own.

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June 9, 2016 · 12:29 am

Help Kids To Stay Safe Through Play #DumbWaysJR

I think as parents one of the most important things we want to do as parents is keep our kids safe. We want them to understand how to be safe and not to be careless especially around things that can hurt them. Teaching them the importance of safety in the kitchen and around trains is very important.

So many needless accidents occur around trains, train stations, platforms and crossings. In 2012 a very popular PSA campaign Dumb Ways to Die effectively communicated the message that it is dumb to take risks that have serious consequences, especially around trains. While the message is very effective in educating people about the risks, the graphics are a bit too graphic and gory for younger children.

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I was thrilled to be able to try out two Dumb Ways JR Apps to help younger children learn through play how to be safe. Dumb Ways JR Boffo’s Breakfast and Dumb Ways JR Loopy’s Train Set are available for download for iOS at the App Store and for Android on Google Play.

Dumb Ways Jr. Boffo’s Breakfast

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Dumb Ways Jr. Boffo’s Breakfast helps even young children who can’t read have fun while learning. They can create so many combinations and recipes for a very hungry Boffo to eat. There is a cutting board where they can choose whatever ingredients they want. Then they can cut them, dice them or grate them. They can feed him the foods one at a time without cutting or cooking them and they get a kick out of seeing his reaction to certain foods. Sometimes he burps, holds his stomach, passes gas, gets the hiccups and more. He falls asleep if children are not interacting with the app.

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There are no limits to the amount of ingredients they can use, they can feed him one thing or a combo of several things. After they have the ingredients they can use the mixer and then cook it up for Boffo. He will then eat what they made and show his reaction to it. When they are using the stove, if they turn it up to 4 or 5 (the highest settings) Boffo gets nervous and it serves as a springboard for discussion as to why. The flames on the stove also increase when the child turns up the stove.

There is a parents guide that comes with the app to explain how parents can assist their child in learning key concepts while having fun. Dumb Ways JR Boffo’s Breakfast app can be downloaded for iOS at the App Store and for Android on Google Play.

Dumb Ways JR Loopy’s Train Set:

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In Loopy’s Train Set, players can select from two modes of play: Drive or Build. In Drive mode there are 3 levels and kids use controls on the screen to drive Loopy’s train on the track. They do not have to steer the train but they can choose from forward and reverse and 4 different speeds- stop, 1, 2, or 3.

There are waiting passengers at the train station and kids need to stop the train and pick them up. They assist passengers on and off the train. The app design encourages kids to create their own dialogue when helping passengers board or exit the train. The first level has a basic track but in level 2 the track is larger and has a tunnel, more track direction options and more train stations. Level 3 has all that and more, there are bridges, railroad crossings, more track and options to keep the app fresh and exciting.

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In Build mode, the children are the designers. They create their own unique track by arranging and connecting different-shaped pieces of track. They can also add  houses, trees and animals to their scene to really customize it. After the track is built they can drive Loopy’s train on it. There are 3 levels starting with the simplest and as the levels go up so do the choices of track and other options that kids can choose to add to their track. The ability to build their own track keeps it fresh and fun because they can build something different each time! Dumb Ways Jr 3

Through this fun app kids can learn about various aspects of train safety. They will come to understand that characters cannot cross the tracks and the boom gates at the level crossings automatically come down when the train approaches. This provides the opportunity for parents and caregivers to expand on these concepts to talk about being safe around trains in a productive way. There is also a parents guide that gives parents tips on how they can get the most out of the app for their child.

You can download Dumb Ways JR Loopy’s Train Set for iOS in the App Store and for Android on Google Play.

My kids really had fun with these apps. Of course being kids they took great pleasure in seeing Boffo have certain reactions to the food they gave him. They really loved the option they had to create their own train route in Dumb Ways JR Loopy’s Train Set. Since my kids have an older sister who works as an analyst for a major transit organization it really opened the dialogue about train safety even more!

The apps appeal to a range of senses so they really work with whatever type of learning kids like. The apps encourage kids to problem solve and role play which gets them really thinking. These are definitely favorite apps for them and I feel good there is that learning intertwined throughout.
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Connect with Dumb Ways to Die and Dumb Ways JR online:

 

This post is sponsored by Dumb Ways JR and The Motherhood. As always my views and words are 100% my own.


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June 8, 2016 · 11:46 pm

Save Money Buying Diapers In June! #ShareTheLuv

If you have a little one in diapers, you will love the green you can save with Luvs.  The official diaper of experienced moms like myself, Luvs is offering opportunities to save on diapers this month with a $2.00 print-at-home coupon offer. Additionally, in partnership with Ibotta, Luvs is also offering a limited-time $3 rebate on any boxed variety of Luvs diapers, 54ct. box or larger.

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Speaking of saving money, Luvs with their NightLock has the high-quality features you might expect to pay more for like large stretch tabs, ultra-leakage protection and a money back guarantee if not satisfied. Add in the high-value coupon offers and it is really a no brainer to choose Luvs over the premium brands.  After all, why pay more? Did you know switching to Luvs could save you $150 a year?  Moms know there are so many other ways that money they save can be used.Luvs Box Product Shot

Have you ever used Ibotta? If not, it is easy and can save you a lot of money. All you need to do is download the app for iOS or Android and then search “Luvs” to unlock the exclusive $3 rebate. Shop for Luvs diapers at any participating store. Then use your smartphone to scan the product bar codes and submit a photo of your receipt to verify your purchase. That’s it, your $3 cash rebate will be deposited into your Ibotta account within 48 hours. With Ibotta it is so easy to save money and earn cash back!

 

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Stay in the loop with Luvs on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs.  I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”

 

 

 

 

 


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June 7, 2016 · 12:38 pm

How to create your financial plan with less stress

When you hear the words financial planner, do you wince a little? If you do, you are not alone. I wince too and so do most of us. The negative feelings and dread most of us feel when thinking about meeting with a financial planner usually stem from a past negative experience or uncertainty about what to expect. Are we saving enough? Do we have a plan for retirement that is sufficient? Are we investing wisely? Are we totally off track and headed down the wrong road? All these questions and more run through our minds. For most, facing them and finding out the answer can be terrifying. That fear causes many to go through life without a clear financial plan and ironically, that is what we should be more afraid of.

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Maybe you have met with a financial adviser and when they started talking it started sounding like Charlie Brown’s teacher, “Wah,wah wah, wah wah” and you totally tuned out. I totally know that feeling. There are so many things most financial planners throw at you and so many decisions they want you to make that you end up feeling so frustrated and decide to take some more time to decide what to do.

Having a simple, clear plan can give you so much confidence. How do we get there? I discovered a very different financial planning service, one that understands why most dread meeting with a financial planner more than getting a root canal.  SUM180 makes financial planning simple, affordable and even fun for everyone, wherever they may be on their financial journey.

The process with SUM180 was so different from anything I expected. With my full life, being able to input my information at my own pace and receiving my financial plan online in a PDF was amazing! Their site is very easy to navigate and entering my information was simple. I had my latest tax return handy and it did not take long to input my information. In a short time I received an email that my plan was ready.  I did not have to become a financial expert or have degree in finance to understand it, everything was clear and easy to understand. Their 3 step approach is simple and does not make me feel overwhelmed. All I need to do is focus on the three most important steps at a time and that makes me feel empowered.

SUM180 is a subscription based, affordable financial planning service and if my circumstances change at any time during my subscription year, I can create a new plan for free! I have to tell you that having a clear, easy to understand plan in place makes me feel so much better. I feel much more in control and not like I am winging things. Before I did this, I was so uncertain, always wondering if I was making the right financial choices. With my financial plan, I have the confidence and clarity to see exactly what I need to concentrate on to reach my financial goals.

I am most surprised at how easy and painless the whole process was. If you are putting off meeting with a financial planner for the same reasons I was, try SUM180, get the tools you need without the overwhelming financial jargon you don’t. SUM180 has a special, limited time promotion where you can save 50% off the current product price when you use the code SPRING50.

I would love to know what you think if you try their services. Please just leave me a comment letting me know.

 

This post has been sponsored by SUM180. I was provided with product at no charge to sample in exchange for my review. The options expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with SUM180 and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.


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June 2, 2016 · 2:21 am

Make A Great Escape To Lake George! #SixFlagsGreatEscape

As New York State residents we have thought many times about taking a trip up to Lake George but just never got around to it. We finally made the under 4 hour drive there last weekend and we had a blast! We stayed at the Great Escape Lodge and spent our first day at their indoor waterpark and the second day at Six Flags Great Escape Theme Park which is across from the lodge. The outdoor waterpark Splashwater Kingdom had not opened for the season but we still had a fun-filled weekend.

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The kids really enjoyed the attractions at the indoor waterpark. It was not extremely busy even thought it was a weekend which was really nice. It is not as large as some we have been to but they had plenty of ways to have fun. The Lazy River was something we spent a lot of time in as a family and it was far from lazy. there are currents that push you around as you free swim or use one of the clear double seater tubes. As you go around there are plenty of cascading water falls, so navigate carefully if you don’t want to get soaked!

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If you are looking for a thrill ride you can go on together as a family, The Avalanche  is a  twisting, turning, exhilarating four-person raft ride. This  382-foot tube simulates all the thrills of a white-water rafting experience complete with a 41-foot drop. Oh and the ride is dark to further enhance the thrill! I screamed my lungs out when we went but was glad I experienced it!

Glacier Run and Snow Shoe Falls are 2 tube water slide, thrill rides. Riders will sit on a tube and go through loops, curls and down a 41-foot drop. Both slides are approximately 300-feet. However, they were not running when we were there. Not sure what the issue was.

The Boogie Bear Surf is a surfing simulator where you can body surf or stand-up surf. There are lessons available. To body surf on a boogie board you must be 42″ and over. To stand and surf you must be 54″ and over and a lesson is required to stand up surf.

Little Tots and Young Kids 54″ and under can have fun at Tip-A-Kanu Beach with slides, swings, shallow water and wildlife-themed spurting fountains.

Tall Timbers Treehouse has over  160 play features and is fun for preschoolers and up! There are smaller red slides for kids under 54″ and 3 more thrilling slides for the 40″ and over crowd. Water fights and fun can be had with the swivel water rifles, hydro blasters, arch jets and steering wheels that increase or decrease the water volume out of the fountains. Watch out though because perched high above the tree house is a ginormous bucket that soaks everyone below when it gets full! There are lots of videos from the waterpark on our Instagram.

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A couple of issues that  I did notice are unlike some indoor waterparks, it is not exclusive to just the lodge guests so there was a birthday party going on and some older kids that were causing a little mischief but the lifeguard quickly put the kibosh on it.  The lifeguards are all over and friendly but with the tube slides they should have a little bit better control of making sure only one rider is in the tube at a time. In other parks there is one lifeguard at the entrance of the large slides and they give the okay for each rider to go down the slide only when they have made sure the previous rider has exited. There were several close calls and some collisions we did notice. Our little guy hurt his foot pretty bad when he had a collision with another rider. The lifeguard was so sweet and tried to take his mind off the pain while they called in First Aid to get him ice. Monitoring the slides should be something they think about implementing.

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There is a fun-filled arcade called the Star Light Arcade but our kids are more the type that want to be the action, actually our whole family is, so we spent our time at the waterpark and Six Flags Great Escape. If your family likes arcades, the arcade features over 45 games fun for kids of all ages. They can collect tickets when they win and then redeem them for a variety of prizes.

If you want to shop for Lake George Souvenirs the lodge features North Woods Traders where you will find a wide variety of clothing, Adirondack gifts and craftsmen-inspired treasures.  Various travel supplies and sundries are also available in case you forgot anything.

If you are in need of some pampering the Tranquility Spa  offers a variety of services to help you relax and rejuvenate. Need some “Mommy & Me” time? No problem, get a Mommy & Me Facial, Mani or Pedi! The Fitness Center features an elliptical, upright bike and universal gym, along with a flat-screen TV.

Everyone at the Lodge was so helpful and friendly. They have several activities with kids and Scrappy Doo. There was a dance party and our sons were so amused along with all the other kids. They also had a story time at 7:30 pm but our boys were not ready to leave the waterpark then. The waterpark was open until 9pm when we were there. Click HERE to see a video clip of the Scrappy Doo Dance Party on our Instagram.

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All of their Adirondack-themed suites are non-smoking and furnished with rustic log inspired furniture and accents in warm colors. We stayed in a traditional suite but they have other room options. The traditional suite we had was very nice and spacious, it had 2 queen beds and a sitting area with a couch that converts into another bed if needed. There is a table and 2 chairs as well as a coffee table in front of the couch. The bathroom has a tub/shower combo and toilet. The tub needed to be calked badly and it appeared black where the calk was missing in places. That is the only thing I found off-putting with the room. I would think they would have fixed that and cleaned it up. There were plenty of clean towels and the beds were clean and fresh. The sink is outside the bathroom area. Our room had a mini-refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, iron/ironing board and Wi-Fi access. They had ice cream machines and drink vending machines  for any late night snacks.  Other suites are available with breakfast bars, bunk beds and more, you can see all the options HERE!

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On Site dining options are Johnny Rockets, Tall Tales Tavern, Birch Bark Grill (by the indoor waterpark) and for coffee lovers there is the Tall Pines Coffee Corner.  There are many restaurants off site too as well as a Walmart and many other stores in the immediate area.

Special Deals are available, check them out HERE!

Great Escape Theme Park across from the lodge has over 135 rides, shows and attractions and features the brand new looping coaster-Greezed Lightin’.

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Greezed Lightnin’ officially opened to the public on May 28th but  was able to be ridden by us and other select guests.

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There are plenty of games if you like that, loads of thrill rides, a nice carousel, log flume ride, several kiddie rides and  plenty of places to eat. We found it to be an awesome place to spend with our family making memories. I would like to go back when Splashwater Kingdom is open!

 

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The park was very nice and quaint with Story town which  So many adorable, theme tiny houses that you could go in, my kids just loved those!  The swan boat ride was nice and so was a train ride that took you around the park. The hot rod cars that you could drive were another favorite

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A trip to one of the gift shops on our way out of the park to pick up two special friends to remind our kids of their awesome weekend was the perfect end to a super great weekend.

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If you are looking for a family fun destination in the Northeast, check out Great Escape Lodge in Lake George. If you have been to Great Escape I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. If you have any questions, ask in the comments and I will be happy to answer as best I can.

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Our stay and admission in both the indoor water park and Six Flags Great Escape was sponsored as a blogger working with USFG. As always my words and views are 100% my own.


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June 1, 2016 · 1:54 pm

We Found Paradise On A Pad! #ParadisePad

I am convinced my kids are part fish, they must have gills somewhere, I just haven’t found them. Living on a lake, as soon as the weather gets warm enough to swim, they want to swim all the time. That is not a bad thing and I have to admit I love it too! We had such a mild winter in New York State this year, this past Memorial Day weekend is the only one I can remember (and I spent every summer on this lake since I was 2 weeks old before moving here full-time) where the water was so warm the kids basically swam all day. Now when I say warm, to many of you that are not used to swimming in natural spring fed lakes, you might think I was nuts, but to those of us lake people it was unseasonably warm. I can remember many Memorial Day Weekends where you could not last 5 minutes in the lake without shivering.

My kids were really excited because we were going to try out our new ParadisePad for the first time. A ParadisePad is a foam pad that floats on top of the water and actually lets you feel like you are walking on water. Awesomely fun, my kids played from early afternoon until just about dark when we had to coax them out of the lake. They slept well but were right back at it the next day. I can tell you this pad is going to have quite the workout this summer.

 

The ParadisePad can take it though, constructed of premium materials this pad has the best rip stop membrane in the industry! The tear resistant membrane is put between the foam layers to prevent tears from happening. ParadisePad uses a denser foam too and that keeps the mat flatter on the water and helps disperse weight to give it a higher buoyancy rating. Their pads are built to last with UV protection with no adhesives. The ParadisePad is built to hold withstand 900-3000 pounds depending on the size. Designed to be  flexible and portable the ParadisePad comes with two Velcro straps so you can roll it up and take it with you wherever you go. The ParadisePad is made right here in the USA and  comes in 9 color and 3 style options. The pads are available in 2 ply and 3 ply thickness.

We  chose the blue and orange, 2 ply, 18 foot Paradise Pad. Our pad was well packaged for delivery and arrived in a large box. 

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Inside the box the rolled pad was inside a very thick, clear plastic bag and then inside that it was shrink wrapped and had the straps fastened securely. It comes with a 10 foot bungee cord with a clip on each end that hooks to a ring on the mat. 

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There is a sturdy ring on each side of the mat and you attach the bungee to the ring on the side you will be putting down on the water. 

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As soon as we had the bungee secure, the kids were off and playing.

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You may find some cheap foam pad options but do you really want a pad that may only last a few weeks to months. If you are looking for a high quality foam pad that is made to last and provide your family with years of fun, then check out ParadisePad. The family owned and operated company is great to deal with and will help you choose the right product for your needs.

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ParadisePad takes great pride in being a company that manufactures and processes all of their products in the United States.  ParadisePad supports Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational support to spouses and children of America’s fallen and wounded soldiers. As a way of showing support to our Nation’s veterans and families, ParadisePad is hoping to raise a sizable donation for Folds of Honor, you can learn more about great organization as well as contribute by clicking HERE.

You can stay in the loop with ParadisePad on Facebook and Twitter!

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Check out our YouTube video review HERE! If you have a ParadisePad, we would love to know what you think of it. If you have any questions please leave them in the comments and I will be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

 

Thank you to ParadisePad for sending us the awesome ParadisePad they did to facilitate our review. As always my words and views are 100% my own.


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May 31, 2016 · 10:26 am

How To Unlock Hidden Wisdom From Wise Guys- #WiseGuys #FathersDayGift #Giveaway

Father’s Day is right around the corner and you may be struggling with a gift for the man or men in your lives. How about giving them the power to unlock hidden wisdom from the wise men around them. Kent Evans new book, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom From The Men Around You, has the potential to do just that. Kent chronicles the powerful lessons he has learned from the wise men he has met over the years.

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The book is easy to read and flows well. The chapters cover a different piece of key wisdom that was learned like follow the sprinters, run don’t walk toward the things that matter. The chapters start with a “wise guy” experience  from Kent’s life. Toward the end of the chapter Kent writes about the lessons he learned and then gives the reader some questions to consider. The questions are a great way for the reader to gain insight on how this wisdom can be applied to situations in their own life.

At the end of the book, the author leaves the reader with 11 tips to help them seek out the wise men in their lives. Tips include: Be Sincere, Avoid Self-Deprecation, Do Your Homework, Be Direct, Be Less Defensive and more. This book can help men take a closer look at their own circle of wise guys and look forward to the sage bits of wisdom they may provide. Perhaps the wisdom they gain can help make them a better man.

Kent Evans is the chairman and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps fathers and mentors build the next generation of Godly Men. This is a very unique Father’s Day Gift Idea for the men you love.  This book can be purchased on Amazon.

Giveaway-Enter to win a copy of Wise Guys below:

Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom From The Men Around You Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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May 26, 2016 · 1:06 am

Discover Aquatopia-The Largest Indoor Waterpark in the Northeast!

If you live in the northeast or will be visiting soon and are looking for family fun destinations, we have you covered! Camelback Resort Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark  is located in Tannersville, Pennsylvania in the picturesque Pocono Mountains. This resort features Aquatopia, the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeast that opened in 2015. The waterpark is awesome!

 

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There is a lot to do for kids of nearly every age. The lifeguards are very attentive and collisions in slides are avoided as they pay extremely close attention to make sure the first rider is out completely before allowing another rider down the slide.

Penguin Play Bay is an area that even the youngest kids can enjoy! Multiple swings, small slides,  water activities and of course some shallow water to splash and play in provide hours of tyke size enjoyment.

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Kartrite’s Quest is a large area that offers fun for kids 40″ and above. Prepare to be soaked as a large bucket on top dumps water on unsuspecting guests below. Kids have so much to do in Kartrite’s Quest! They can splash, slide, play basketball, test their coordination and so much more!

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There are many slides throughout this area that vary in size from pint size to ultra grande! Small open and tube slides are great for kids to start out on. When they have their slide groove totally on, they can go up the stairs and ride any or all of the 3 large slides atop the quest! Out ‘N Back Trek & Silkroad Runner Slide are 2 of the larger slides for kids and adults alike.  Then there is the Lava Luge Bowl Slide that shoots riders out into a large bowl area.  We rode all these slides and had a blast!

There is a pool area where the water is a max depth of 3’6″ and features the Ally-Oop Lagoon. The lagoon has several basketball hoops on the wall and multiple balls so everyone can try their hand at some water hoops. There is a large artificial tree in the center of this pool that separates the sections. Off to the other side is the Croc-O-Nile Crossing. A series of floating platforms along with an overhead climbing type rope ladder that kids can hold onto as they make their way from platform to platform tests their coordination and navigation skills. If they do fall in they have to start over and cannot climb on a platform from the water.

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The Great Ka-Na-Gawa Wavepool is a large pool that turns into a wave pool intermittently with the sound of a loud fog horn.

 

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Children regardless of how well they swim need to wear a life vest if they are under 42″. There are life vests available for all ages supplied by the lodge. This policy was not enforced until our last day and our little guy was so upset when he was told he had to wear a vest based on his size alone. He was upset since he had been in the pool the entire stay without one and knows how to swim very well. This same situation played out many times with many other kids during that day.  It would be best if all lifeguards followed the same procedures so the kids don’t get upset. I think  there should be some type of water test for children who may be short but are good swimmers to allow them to go without the vest.

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The waves are very fun and the wavepool was one of our family’s favorite things. We spent many hours in that pool.  The lifeguards on duty at the wavepool  are very attentive and constantly scanning the water for anyone in trouble. Our kids had a blast in that wave pool and never tired of it. There are clear round tubes guests can use in the wavepool to sit in or hold onto. Guests are also able to just stand or free swim.

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The Lost River was another favorite spot. There is a  current that guides you around in a single tube, double tube or you can free swim it. Cascading waterfalls at certain points will get you wet if you don’t navigate away from them.

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The Venus Slydetrap is a 608ft. raft ride for 3-6 people. This is what we considered a family ride but our little guys were hesitant to ride and so we had to skip this. It looked really fun and I was disappointed not to be able to try it.

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My husband and 9-year-old went on some of the free-falling slides-The Paradise Plunge and the Skydive Plummet that looked very intense. They had a blast but they were not for the faint of heart!

The Bombora Flowrider  is an action packed surfing simulator. Guests can surf or Boogie Board and show off their amazing skills to the people who gather to watch. My husband gave some Boogie Boarding a try! There are lessons available in the morning and after closing. The waterpark is open until 9 pm.


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Mystic Springs is an indoor/outdoor warm spa lagoon with hydrotherapy jets. You can enter indoors and proceed to go into the outdoor section even in winter.  The hot tub can be used by everyone and is not just 18 or older. This may or may not pose issues for you. The issues we saw were some youngish teenagers  that were making out in there. There is also no lifeguard in the hot tube area and it is to be used at your own risk.

There are cabanas that you can rent if you so choose. Towels are provided but they are small. There are lockers and changing rooms. There are plenty of chairs, tables and lounge chairs around all of the attractions.  There is food available, but it is the typical chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, fries, pretzel type stuff.  Absolutely no food or drinks are allowed in. GoPro and similar action  cameras are not allowed to be used on the rides.

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It was not crowded when we went so there were no issues with that. I know from prior reviews they used to have the park open to the public and not just guests of the lodge. When it was open like that, there were reports of it being too crowded which I assume caused them to give the lodge guests exclusive access.

When you exit the waterpark you walk straight into a large arcade and the air condition can be quite a shock. The arcade seemed to have a nice selection of games but our kids are more the kind that want to be the action so they did not play any games. We all kept busy and active in the waterpark during our stay.

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There are several types of rooms to choose from. Rooms with bunk beds and suites are available. The rooms are not well-lit and are very dark. There is no sink in the bathroom but that is very common in these types of resorts. It does make one think what is on the door handle of the bathroom since you cannot wash your hands before coming out. The bathroom is very small and just has the toilet and tub/shower combo. We had a room with 2 queen size beds and a sofa that also opened to a bed. There was no maid service our second day which shocked me since we had been through most of the towels and thought they would replenish them. There was  no turn down service offered.

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The wi-fi is a bit iffy depending on where your room is located. We had to change rooms as the first room we had did not have a wi-fi signal at all. From what I heard many people were unhappy with the wi-fi coverage. Since I have to be able to log on and write, no wi-fi was not acceptable. When we changed rooms they put us near the front desk and we did have a good wi-fi connection.

The staff in the lodge could benefit greatly by some serious customer service training. This is not just my own opinion. Most of the guests we met there admitted the same. At check in, you could hear a bit of arguing among guests and staff as they were told coupon booklets were not valid that clearly showed they were and other issues. The lodge staff was not friendly and cheerful and requests were met with grunts or huffy annoyed breathing complete with eye rolls. That was really annoying and totally uncalled for. However, when you went to the waterpark you forgot that and did not encounter it again until you returned to the main lodge.

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Due to the staff in the lodge we went to eat off the premises. If you want to go out, there are several family and fast food restaurants off site as well as a Shop Rite and Walmart. The rooms have a microwave and small refrigerator with a tiny freezer.  Even with a few more than 2 lumps in this Camel’s back, the waterpark made up for the down side. There are activities you can pay for outside the waterpark like ziplines and other action activities.

We did run into guests who said they got good deals on a room, coupon book and breakfast vouchers on Groupon. If you are planning a trip check out specials. May has a special of buy one night at regular price and get one night at half off. If you have been to Camelback Lodge please share your experience in the comments. If you have any questions for me, leave them in the comments too and I will answer to the best of my ability. You can follow Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

Keep following us as we bring you more great family friendly destinations in the Northeast.

 

Our stay was sponsored by Camelback Resort, my views and words are as always 100% my own.


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May 24, 2016 · 9:09 am

Learn How Povi Helps Children Develop Their Emotional Intelligence

Today’s environment has taken a toll on children’s emotional development. Overwhelmed parents and overly connected kids are leading to a lack of developing critical emotional intelligence skills.

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The Povi app and plush toy provide creative stories that teach children emotional intelligence based on input from experts.  Povi connects parents and caregivers to a network of child development specialists.Stories are written and curated  by expert psychologist, parents and teachers to help children develop their emotional intelligence.

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These stories help children work through situations and develop social skill helpful throughout life  by gaining understanding of how Povi would react in a situation. Povi helps spark conversations and can help children deal with feelings of disappointment, frustration, anger and sadness.  Povi  can help guide parents through what normally would be difficult conversations with their child. Povi is designed for children 3-8 years old. Check out the Povi Kickstarter campaign now!

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Povi isn’t a one-size-fits-all toy: it has stories for everyone. The app enables downloads of new content based on age, interest and ratings. It also provides follow-up questions for parents to spark discussion. The app enables users to rate stories and authors,this allows Povi to track interest in content and make suggestions.

 

 

Emotional intelligence  is one of the most important factors for  children’s happiness and success. Homework, extracurricular activities, both parents working outside the home and other commitments have made it harder than ever to have the necessary conversations with children to develop their emotional intelligence. Povi was created as an answer to this problem. Povi is loaded with real-life stories children can relate to and provide endless conversation starters.

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The concept for this conversation-starting innovation came from Povi founder Seow Lim’s own experience with her son. “I always felt that I paid lots of attention to my child’s development and was very surprised when a school counselor said, ‘Your child is really smart, but he is not happy.’ It was so painful to me that I didn’t know this about my own son! In the process of transforming my parenting style from Tiger Mom to getting more connected to my child’s emotions, I created Povi.”

According to multiple studies, preschoolers who participate in social-emotional skills programs exhibit less aggression and anxiety and become better social problem solvers. Prosocial behavior in early childhood is closely tied to future academic performance and mental health.

Thousands of schools now use programs with this goal in mind. Povi enables parents to implement social-emotional development at home.

You can stay in the loop with Povi via their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also, be sure and check out their Kickstarter page to learn more or to help with their mission. Let me know what you think of Povi in the comments.

 

 

This post is part of a sponsored campaign for Povi. I received compensation for my participation, but my opinions are my own.


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May 23, 2016 · 12:56 pm

Time is Running Out To Save & Give Your Child or Teen The Summer Experience of A Lifetime- @DMA_org

Kids will be off for summer vacation very soon. Parents looking to create summer experiences for their kids that are both fun and enriching can find it is a real challenge. Digital Media Academy tech summer camps rise to and exceed that challenge. Their camps are filling up faster than ever! Don’t miss the chance to give your child the summer experience of a lifetime. Even better news is that you can SAVE $50 with code CR8TECH16 when you register by May 31, 2016.digital media academy new promo 1

At DMA,  kids (ages 6-12) and teens (ages 12-17) learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more! Parents can choose one week DMA camps or step it up with two week camps. All DMA Academies are taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Kids can get hands-on experience creating projects that show their passion using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe and more.

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Digital Media Academy also offers STEM camps just for girls, called Made by Girls! Learn from a female role model and tech professional in an environment of creative girls just like you!

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Hurry, save $50 with code CR8TECH16 when you register by May 31! So go and create a dream summer experience for your child now at Digital Media Academy! #CreateTheNext. Find your summer camp at DigitalMediaAcademy.org! If you have questions you can call 1(866)656-3342 or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org.

 


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