Julieverse at Just Precious» Travel

Family night out with the Philadelphia Soul

Julie Meyers Pron — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:57:49 +0000

When 95.7 BEN-FM’s (and my friend) Joey Fortman offered our family tickets to the Philadelphia Soul season opener, I announced we had tickets to a Philly professional soccer game. Um. I stand corrected. Rather, we joined 95.7BEN.FM for our very first Arena Football League game. A truly family-friendly event, the atmosphere reminded me a bit of a farm-league baseball game, similar to the Reading Phillies. Lots of entertainment breaks where they play games with the audience, kids show off their dancing skills on the field and families try to catch t-shirts.

Arena football follows most of the rules of the game, but everything is smaller–the field is only 50 yards and the goal posts are thinner. There’s no out of bounds unless the ball–or the player–goes over the three-ish foot high wall on the edges of the field. Presumably due to the smaller field, the teams score a lot more often.

If you go, be aware that not all of the regular restaurants are open during the games–expect to find hot dogs, sausage dogs, pretzels, popcorn and drinks, and not much else. (Although Chickie’s and Pete’s does sell Crabfries for about $9.25.) It’s very loud in the Wells Fargo Center, not so much from the crowd as from the music and the very loud MC. Our seats were high, really high, but there were a lot of seats below us still available, so we were able to move closer towards the field. (I can’t promise that it will always be this way, you know how Philadelphia fans embrace winning sports teams. So if the team starts winning… expect less seats available.) Finally, I noticed that there seemed to be a few fights break out on the field. Perhaps this was due to the close quarters, the intensity of a season opener, bad calls by the refs… not sure. And it bothered me more than my kids or my husband, who all enjoyed a good game, great competition and lots of TOUCHDOWNS!

Thanks to the Philadelphia Soul, 95.7 BEN-FM, and Real Mom Media for the evening of family fun.

Are you GLMPSing yet? Fun new iPhone app for everyday and marketing use

Julie Meyers Pron — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:28:33 +0000

Blogher was crazy, as expected. One of my many favorite introductions was to Esther Crawford, of ShePosts fame, and her husband, Nick, both part of the GLMPS team. GLMPS, which debuted last Wednesday, might be one of my favorite apps on my new iphone.

GLMPS allows you to take a video-enriched picture leading up to your click. So, while you are gathering people together or saying “1-2-3 CHEESE!”, the app is recording, and then freezes on your image when you hit the camera button. With each GLMPS, you get 5 seconds of footage.

[Click on the image to see and hear it move]

Some of my favorite GLMPSes from Blogher:

Dancing to the kinect with @WhitneyMWS at The Big Toy Book’s Sweet Suite:

A new product, @skylandersgame, comes to wii, xbox, and playstation this fall

A view of the pool from our room:

@frenchfoodiemom, @kikarose, @ritzking, @graceduffy and @useyourwords at the Cheap Sally Party, sponsored by Collective Bias

Finding a favorite sign on our extra day in San Diego and sending it to a friend:

When I first agreed to work with GLMPS, I imagined I’d only use it for pictures of friends, you know, like you do a picture. What I quickly learned is that it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase products, locations and more. You can upload your GLMPSes to facebook, twitter and send via email… There are still a few GLTCHes (sorry, couldn’t resist) that are expected in the first generation of any new product, but it’s coming along quickly and definitely one I recommend for your iPhone.

I was compensated for joining GLMPS as a tester while at Blogher and will continue to use it in the future, without compensation. It’s just that fun.

Backyard Camping with Sid the Science Kid

Julie Meyers Pron — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:14:53 +0000

We love to welcome summer. For the past few years, one of the ways we’ve done that is by “tenting”, which is our word for backyard camping. I always thought this was just a creative thing my husband thought of, until I was contacted by PBS Kids who told me about a Backyard Camping episode of Sid the Science Kid (debuting Monday, June 20–check PBSKids.org for your local station and time.)

image credit to Will Merydith via Flickr

Four years ago, while preparing for our annual New England road trip, my husband suggested we buy a tent. He caught me a little off guard. I had heard, many times, of families camping with their little ones, but, ahem, me? Camping? with a 2 year old and a 4 year old? I hadn’t camped since college, and even then I probably “held it in” rather than peeing in the woods.

With a coupon for Dicks we purchased a huge, by my account, tent for less than $100. (Similar to this tent, which is on sale for $79.98, usually $169.99. Great Father’s Day gift if you haven’t gotten one yet.) The next night, my husband pitched the tent for our very first Backyard Camping Experience, over a town in Vermont, in a family member’s backyard. The kids had a ball, and my husband slept surprisingly well. Conveniently, since we pitched the tent in the backyard, I was able to kiss the kids goodnight and go inside for a quiet, warm evening, with a warm, clean bathroom.

That was our first of many “tenting” experiences. It’s now become a family tradition, to pitch a tent in the backyard, fill it with sleeping bags and enjoy a night with nature. The kids love looking up at the moon and stars and listening to the birds and nature. Since our first time, we’ve expanded upon our camping experience to include a fire pit in our back yard, where we sing songs, tell stories and toast marshmallows. So, when I learned that PBS Kids’ Sid the Science Kid, one of my favorite preschool programs, was debuting a Backyard Camping episode, where Sid’s dad introduces Sid and Gerald to the great outdoors at night, I knew our family was perfect to participate. We previewed the show over the weekend. Our goal was to welcome summer with a night of tenting, complete with s’mores and campfired nachos, but, sadly, Mother Nature took control. So, we hosted a basement camping experience. We’re going to try welcoming summer again next weekend.

For the youngest families, backyard camping is so fun and so easy. Not ready to make an investment? Borrow a tent from a friend. Then, prepare your kids (they’re going to be psyched, so there’s not much preparation necessary) by telling them a bit of what to expect. I love how in the Sid the Science Kid episode, Sid’s dad had the kids predict in their journal what animals they may find in their backyard, and then the kids went out to look for them. So simple for you to do something similar at home–by drawing or listing the animals your kids think they’ll see. (teacher note: When they’re predicting, no answer is wrong. So if your child predicts seeing a polar bear, like Gerald does in the show, that’s okay! It’s a prediction. If he saw one, he could put a check mark next to it.)

We usually cook on our grill for dinner before we “tent” and you can always do that, or just use your kitchen. But to really get into the camping mode, get supplies to make some simple campfire recipes, like these from Family Fun. We were supplied with a few suggestions, and I love the idea of making nachos on the campfire: wrap all the nacho fixings into foil and sticking it right in the fire for a few minutes. (Clearly, create and reinforce safety rules prior to lighting a campfire in your backyard, and keep both water and sand nearby incase you need to “turn it off.”)

Also, be prepared for some of the kids to be a bit scared. Inevitably, someone may end up coming inside. In the episode airing next week, Sid’s mom sings a song to Gerald, Sid’s best friend, about being safe under the moon. Make sure you have flashlights for the kids (and adults) in case someone needs to come in, and talk with the kids about the friendly moon and stars lighting the way.

Watching the show in the basement last night enthused my kids even more for summer. We’re hoping to have a clear-weather weekend next weekend for some real “tenting.” Now that we’ve backyard camped for a few years, we’re ready to move to a real campground later this summer. Wish us luck!

Thanks to PBS Kids for supplying the preview episode, a pocket projector for viewing on our tent (can’t wait!), and camping supplies for my family. They also provided 2 Sid the Science Kid DVDs for a giveaway on Just Precious. Check back later this week for an opportunity to win.

Spring Break Boredom Busters

Julie Meyers Pron — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:20:52 +0000

Whether we’re traveling or staycationing, Moms are guaranteed to hear that drawn out whine we all know so well: I’m boooooorrrreeedddd. And, let’s all just sit back and admit that, sometimes, the parents would be happy to whine that same sentence, too. I’ve compiled a few Spring Break Boredom Busters to bring fun to your vacation.

Science Experiments

Science Experiments with children are always exciting, even those you’ve done before. Try creating a simple volcano (here’s our volcano experiment) or do the potato battery project.(note: plan ahead. You’ll need a few supplies for this.)

If you’re in the Philadelphia area, the Philadelphia Science Festival is being held during the month of April with many activities in and around Philadelphia for all ages. See the Philadelphia Science Festival calendar. Or search for a local science museum (be prepared, on rainy days when there’s no school these museums get very busy.)

Planning ahead, we love the hands on science kits from Scientific Explorer, like Scientific Explorer’s The Magic Science for Wizards Only and Snap Circuits SC-300 or other Snap Circuits activities.

History

Whether you are in a city founded 300 years ago, or one that seems brand new, your town has history. If you’re close to one, visit a national historic landmark and find what puts your town on the map. Or visit a local library and learn unique facts about the town in the local section. Then visit some of those landmarks. We were surprised to learn that the hotel where we recently stayed was a national historic landmark that was, at one time, owned by a railroad company. We explored the hotel itself, learning about famous people who had stayed there and visited one of the rooms. (If you’re going to Roanoke, there also happens to be a railroad museum across the street that is said to be very fun to visit.)

Creativity

Pull out a book you read (or go get a new one) and, as a family, create a play or puppet show based on the story. Try something new: change the ending or expand on it or Write sequel.

Get out and run!

Even if you’re in a big city, there’s bound to be a little grassy square. Find it and enjoy it. Run around freely, climb, find flowers and birds. We like to visit college campuses on our road trips with a frisbee in hand. We walk around the campus and explore it’s surroundings and then find an open area to play along side the big kids. Or find a park and explore the natural environment. Just make sure you make time to play!

While you’re exploring, take out your camera and let the kids shoot the story. The world looks very different from their point of view so allow them capture their moments. (If you have too good of a camera, get aZoom One Time use Camera for the kids ($7.99), or buy an inexpensive point and shoot, like the Polaroid CIM-1237R 12 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom, Red ($58.95).)

Another favorite activity is a Scavenger Hunt. Many scavenger hunts are available online, but the simplest that will work in any city, town, or even your own home, is the ABC Scavenger Hunt. Task the family with finding something that starts with every letter of the alphabet. List them, or take pictures.

Do you have more ideas to beat boredom over spring break (or summer or winter)? Share them with us!

Image: chrisroll / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Greek Peak Mountain Resort: Weekend family getaway

Julie Meyers Pron — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:39:01 +0000

Last spring, I followed the tweets of my friend, Melissa of Girlymama. She was invited to a resort in New York. The resort sounded familiar, like one I skied at growing up with family and friends. But gorgeous resort with a water park like the one she was visiting? We stayed in a motel! Curious, I clicked through @girlymamamel’s twitterstream to find that she was at Greek Peak Mountain Resort. And, by looking at their webpage, I realized it was the same resort… just very different.

I didn’t learn to ski until I was about 14. My husband was 17. We wanted to make sure that our children had an opportunity to learn earlier than we did, and we’d been planning to take our kids skiing last year, but never got around to it.

I tweeted @GreekPeakResort: I have such fond memories of Greek Peak growing up! I told my husband that I wanted to go back.

When Greek Peak invited our family for a weekend, there was no turning it down. I wanted to relive my skiing and family and friend’s experiences. I wanted to share it with my kids. And I wanted to check out this gorgeous place that Melissa was talking about.

The resort? Fabulous. Hope Lake Lodge was built and opened just over a year ago (Dec. 2009) and it is beautiful, clean, and tremendously maintained. It is a true family resort with 106 units created for a real family vacation: with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms available. We stayed in one of the largest units, the C-Loft. Yes, loft. We were in a hotel, but had a second floor in our room.

In addition to the accomodations being wonderful, there is so much to do. Skiing, Snowtubing, waterparks, babysitting, kids programs including evening activities… there’s always something to do.

Only 3 hours and 40 minutes from our suburban Philadelphia home, its a straight shot up I-81. The family adventure helped us to create moments and memories.

And the kids want to know when they can go back. The best part? The answer: Winter. Spring. Summer. or Fall. Because Greek Peak Mountain Resort has become a resort for all seasons, with activities year round.

Watch our vlog for tours of the resort and to learn more about our vacation.

Want to go? Of course you do! Start planning your travel to Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland, NY. Book 2 nights at the Hope Lake Lodge (of course!), and get the 3rd night free. When you call to book, mention code JUST PRECIOUS.

Mom Chic: Pre-Ski Fashion Haul

Julie Meyers Pron — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:49:26 +0000

Last weekend, we took a family trip to Greek Peak Mountain Resort to re-learn (and for the boys, to learn) how to ski. It had been 20 years for me. Needless to say, my wardrobe needed a little updating. While I did order a bunch over the internet, I wasn’t without a stressed out shopping spree through town. Here, my Pre-Ski Fashion Haul.

I got some fabulous deals, don’t you think?

Here’s this week’s Fashion Friday Link Up. Join us by linking in your recent fashion post and your link will appear on 7 blogs this week! All we ask is that you link back to the blog where you linked in. (In this case, please link back to http://just-precious.com/) Enjoy the link love! Thank you!

Promo code for Greek Peak Mountain Resort

Julie Meyers Pron — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:24:50 +0000

A full review to come later this week, but I wanted to share a promo code with you all, since it starts now.

image thanks to Greek Peak Mountain Resort

Make plans now to stay two nights in March at Hope Lake Lodge at Greek Peak Mountain Resort and receive the third night free! Just mention JUST PRECIOUS when you make your reservation.

The offer is good through March 2011.

We made our weekend trip about skiing, snowsports, and the waterpark and in March, you can do the same. I’m told that guests ski through the month of March, and one guest said that as it gets warmer, people start snowboarding in shorts. (Where was his mom? Likely, not there telling him to bundle up.) Its a great opportunity to sign your kids up for lessons, play as a family in the waterpark (passes included in your room rate) or take some time at the spa (their kid-sitting program is fantastic).

Mom Chic: Packing… and shopping for skiing

Julie Meyers Pron — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:04:05 +0000

I haven’t skied in twenty years. Twenty. And next weekend? We’re taking the family to Greek Peak Mountain Resort. We’re skiing. We’re tubing. We’re even going to the waterpark. We’re going to be busy. (And I’ll share my experience with you when we return.)

Argh! But that means packing! And before we pack, we need to shop… because I have nothing from 20 years ago. In fact, I called my mom in North Carolina asking her to send me my old stuff, and my dad shared that our goggles were falling apart. (He wasn’t happy either. He complained to me Wednesday night that they were expensive goggles and should have lasted. I didn’t take the time to remind him that they are 25 years old.)

So, last night I searched for a family ski vacation packing list and found a thorough one on Suite101. I’ll have this list printed out as I pack and prime for our trip.

And, now its time to shop. Of course! Must-haves for a ski trip for mom:

Thermal Underwear bottoms: Duofold Women’s Mid-Weight Two-Layer Ankle length pant Thermal #627B

Thermal undershirt: Practical: $11.51 at Target Duofold Women’s Mid-Weight Two-Layer Thermal #627A

Or Chic: $74. at Athleta: Fairisle Seamless T-neck

Ski sweater/top/thin fleece: Momentum T-neck Sweater (on sale!) $49.99 at Athleta

Ski Socks: on sale at Patagonia for $12.95

Boots or winter shoes: My winter boots post from earlier this month posts a few. Just bare in mind that shipping from Piperlime takes a long time. Need them fast? Order from Zappos.

skullcap: Chickadee Beanie ($36)

Snow pants $129 North Face Women’s Freedom Pants

Ski parka: Columbia Womens Bugaboo Parka$119 and up

Ski gloves: Columbia Womens Bugaboo Glove ($44-50) and Glove inserts: Seirus Innovation Deluxe Thermax Glove Liner ($8.46-15)

Goggles: Olympic Dual Pane Snow & Ski Goggles (On sale! $19.95)

… and don’t forget sunglasses, jeans, long sleeve shirts and sweaters for apres ski, and a swim suit (for your hotel’s indoor pool).

Got it all? Great! Now pack again for your husband and your kids.

Read more at Suite101: Family Ski Vacation Packing List: Checklist of Gear and Clothes for Your Next Winter Trip This post is sponsored by Greek Peak Mountain Resort, where I’ll be staying next weekend with my family. It will be my first trip skiing in 20 years, my husband’s in 13, and the kids… ever. We’ve already booked the kids’ lessons and are looking forward to a fabulous time. Check back in about 2 weeks for my review!

Here’s this week’s Fashion Friday Link Up. Join us by linking in your recent fashion post and you’re link will appear on 7 blogs this week! All we ask is that you link back to the blog where you linked in. (In this case, please link back to http://just-precious.com/) Enjoy the link love! Thank you!

Our music: What's playing in our car this week

Julie Meyers Pron — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:55:14 +0000

I’m not a music person. Not really. I’d prefer to listen to the news or a discussion show on the radio any day over music. But. I have kids. And music… and kids… they get along. My Honda Odessey has a 6-disk CD-player. Here’s what’s playing this week.

Justin Roberts’ Pop Fly was a sample years ago and its remained a favorite. We love listening and singing along to the songs about the every day.

Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack whenever I don’t have this CD in, either Middle or his best friend request it. I think its the peppy, easy to sing along with tunes they like best. Little now sings “MamamiaMamamiaMamamia…”

Tangled: We recieved this from my relationship with Klout before the movie preview, and my kids were ready to sing the songs through the theater during the show. It was “kidnapped” from my car for a few weeks after Big received a CD player for his birthday. Its back now for us all to enjoy.

Best of the Laurie Berkner Band: another sample product, Laurie Berkner’s songs are so kid friendly, they make you want to get up and dance. And while you can’t do that when you’re driving or riding in the car, you can sing your heart out. Which we do.

Hollow Trees This was one of the first CDs I was ever sent to review, and I’ve received quite a few. Released in 2005, its been spun numerous times in my cars, and we still love it. The songs are all songs you’d imagine singing around a campfire. Very folksy.

Glee: The Music, Volume 1I love belting out my favorites, imagining I’m just as super-strong voiced as Lea Michele and Amber Riley… hey, one can dream! Of course, I don’t really sing at the top of my lungs. Not really. I promise. Or. At least. Not when the Huz is in the car.

And what do I want to play in my car? Jason Mraz’s Beautiful Mess – Live On Earth and Black Eyed Peas The Beginning (Deluxe Edition) are both on my wishlist. But, let’s be honest, I’d never get to listen to either.

Win! Its another #Giveaway to Peddler's Village's Giggleberry Fair

Julie Meyers Pron — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:53:28 +0000

The kids are begging to go back to Peddler’s Village, their first experience was so great. And I’m already aching to go back, because its just such a fun, classic place to be. I’m not sure if it was nostalgia that got me most on my last trip there, or seeing the kids so happy and at ease, while I felt the same way… but its truly a place that never changes.

Dying to go? Peddler’s Village is North of Philadelphia in the Buck County suburbs. I always imagined it to be so far from the western suburbs, but it only took me 49 minutes from my home in Chester County. You can read all about our Bloggers’ Day in August.

Now, the big news, I heard from so many of you about your dreams to go to Peddler’s Village. I learned that many of you have childhood memories like mine. And others have never been. But no matter, all of you want to take your readers to visit. Its my pleasure to help “send” you. I have a second set of tickets to the Giggleberry Fair, just in time for the very festive Scarecrow season.

I have a set of 2 tickets to the Giggleberry Fair to give away. Tickets include a visit to Giggleberry Mountain and Giggles Discovers, unlimited rides on the Grand Carousel and ten free tokens.

To enter to win, leave a comment below telling me another place that never changes as time goes on. Extra entries will be received by tweeting about this give away using the yellow retweet button below. (please do not comment that you retweeted. The button auto-alerts me to your retweet). Winners must live in the United States. Giveaway will end at midnight EST on September 28, 2010.

Thanks to the Village Insider of Peddler’s Village for inviting members of Philly Social Media Moms to a fun-filled day in August. We were treated to admission and tokens at The Giggleberry Fair, lunch at Sweet Lorraine’s Cafe and given a bag full of coupons for stores within the village.

Thanks to Jo-Lynne from Musings of a Housewife for the photo.