Category Archives: Uncategorized

Getting Back to it!

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .

Disclosure:  This is an unsponsored post, all opinions expressed are my own. 

Somewhere around the age of 11 my dad took my siblings and I skiing for the first time. For my brother and I it was love at first glide. Not so much for my sister. My brother eventually transitioned to the snowboard and I kept to skis.
For the next 7 or so years we did it every year- I had my own skis and for my birthday (in January) my dad would take me and a friend away for the weekend to ski. Great, great memories.
When I went to college to play sports- I had to stop. Couldn’t take a chance of getting hurt doing something risky. During those college years I had several knee injuries- and I was afraid to get back out on the slopes.
When I had kids- I knew I wanted to expose them to the sport. I loved it so much- and it’s a life long skill. So when RNYD and I were looking to purchase a lake home- we knew we wanted to find a place near skiing.
We purchased a cabin in the Poconos during Covid that has its own ski hill- but had to wait a year after buying to introduce them- due to restrictions on lesson giving. They LOVED IT! So much that we rented equipment last year our second season. As predicted by RNYD, after watching them for almost two full seasons I finally decided I had to try- would I remember? Would this be a disaster?
Turns out- it’s like riding a bike- my body knew and muscle memory took over. I have no interest in flying down a mountain or attacking moguls anymore- but some leisurely carving is a fabulous family day. I looked at renting for myself next year but ultimately decided to purchase my skis since I’m not growing anymore.
I waited until the end of the season to catch a good sale and ordered what I thought was a fabulous deal online. Well- the skis were great but the boots were horrid. You see – I have massive athletic calves. They require a specific boot and you can’t do that online.
At my brothers suggestion I hit up Ron at Orange County Snowboards– he spent 2 hours finding me just the right stuff- and then I got a GREAT deal- better yet- I supported a local shop with knowledgeable personnel which helps to boost the local economy (which you know we’re passionate about). I’m so excited for this ski season.
Then I learned a few things while there- about these great programs the Ron runs. For instance, we’re all tricked into thinking that for kids- the only way to go is renting cause they grow too fast. Well- he’s thought of that and has a buy back program where you buy skis which last a few years- at a good price then you purchase boots for your kiddo- and when they grow out of the boots the following year- he’ll buy them back at half price toward your new boots (as long as they’re in good condition). That means that buying my kids skis- is actually the same price or comparable to renting- and they’re completely tailored to my kids. Not generic stuff like we had at our last rental (at a different location).
I had been disappointed at our last rental anyway as my sons snowboard failed 2x and had to be repaired. In fact, I was told by a shop that repaired it one time- that it should’ve have been rented to us in that condition. I was therefore looking to switch this year. Ron was shocked to hear this story as well- he’s meticulous about his rentals.
If you’re in the market for new skis- or rentals for next year- I highly recommend Orange County Snowboards. You’re shopping local (Hudson Valley) you’re getting quality- and you’re getting cost effective.
I was so impressed that when I head up this weekend to pick up my fitted skis- I’m bringing my kids’ bikes to be tuned up for the season- cause -yeah they do that too.
If you decide to go on over, tell Ron we sent you, because although this is an unsponsored post, we always appreciate the love.
Here’s where to find them:
  • 845-294-RIDE(7433)
  • Ron@ocsnowboards.com
  • Willthorneocs@gmail.com
  • 1778 Route 17M
    Goshen, NY 10924

Hours:

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tues – Fri: 11:00pm-6:00pm
  • Sat: 10:00am-5:00pm
  • Sun: 10:00am-4:00pm

RNYM’s 10 Must Visit Farms 2022

Posted on by Posted in Out and about..., Photo Obsessed, RNYM's Picks, Things to Do!, Uncategorized .

We LOVE to be outdoors, and lately I’ve seen some amazing opportunities to get outside with the kids and enjoy what nature has to offer.  As a family we love all things nature, flowers, fruits, animals and more. (E) and I love to pick flowers, and (A) has a new found love of photography- especially of nature which makes these little adventures just so perfect.

So, here’s our list of unique farms we recommend visiting this Spring-Fall- We’ll post what we think after we’ve been so you can keep track of the fun!!

  Tried one out? Tag us or use our hashtag #RNYMFarmList

Wildflowers at Brittany Hollow Farm

http://brittanyhollowfarm.blogspot.com

 

Our Plan: (E) is still OBSESSED with flower picking.  We went down to Jill’s Ceramics and she made her very own vase (complete with family portrait) on it to keep in her room with her picked flowers.  This will be used every time we can (when the flowers fit because of course, even though I encouraged her to make a larger vase, she chose a small one so she can’t fit a ton in there).

Tulips at Holland Ridge Farm

**Currently open through May 1st, get your tickets ASAP if you are looking to go- they are saying they are open until 5/1 its usually a little longer but don’t bank on it.  You may have just seen our post about our most recent trip.**

https://www.hollandridgefarms.com

We’ve been coming to Holland Ridge for 3 years now.  We have experienced super hot sunny days (our first year), Rainy days (last year), and this year, cold and windy.  IT STILL ROCKS!  We picked our flowers, took some great photos, got some wooden tulip key chains to turn into Christmas Ornaments, and even tried out the bakery (the stuffed cookie was fabulous, but I would skip the coffee if I had it to do over).

Locust Grove Fruit Farm
199 North Road
Milton NY 12547

U-Pick Saturday – Sunday
Hours 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

A fabulous lesser known “pick your own” fruit and veggie farm.  Well worth it especially if like us you are working the “farm to table” angle as long as you can over the summer.  Need more convincing?  There’s a barn brewery (you’re welcome) where you can get some home brewed cider.

 

Blueberry Picking at Halfway Acres Farm

**You can thank us later**

IMG_4455

https://halfwayacres.com

 We will pick, then research some great recipes to add to our RNYM’s Favorite Recipes Page.  It’s a great way to get them involved in eating healthy, learning how to cook and also, learning about where their food comes from.  Veteran tip- pick more than you think you need, they go down like candy.

Sunflower Picking at SunFlower Valley Farm

**This is one of our FAVORITE HAUNTS!!!**

https://www.sunflowervalleyfarm.com/

 366 County Route 12, New Hampton, NY 10958

My father’s favorite flower was the sunflower so its no surprise that I like to go sunflower picking and keep fresh cut sunflowers on the table throughout their peak season.  What’s super nice about this farm is that aside from their festival its fairly low key.  They have a corn maze, and usually some animals to pet too. The dogs were welcome too (on leash) which was FABULOUS!  Great photo opportunity too you know I can’t leave that part out)!!!

April Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Closed Sunday & Monday

If you’re looking for a good old farm stand with baked goods, local veggies and more Stokes is the place.  This is where we go to grab the annual and perennial flowers that adorn our yard every year.  It’s perfect for projects with the kids where they can pick out their own to plant, and Ronnie (both generations) is very helpful.

Looking for a beautiful bouquet of flowers that you don’t have to arrange?  Need center pieces for an event? Have their on site floral designer (Jen) create something special for you.  We had her do (E)’s Communion Flowers and they were AMAZING..

      

She is also their on site photographer with Neverland Photography by Jen Tesker.

Lavender Field

***This field hasn’t been open for two years, but we are hopeful that it will be again this year, we are DYING to go t

**We’ have been trying to make it here for 2 years unsuccessfully we would like to take photos and pick some, maybe make sachets or soap or bath bombs out of the lavender we collect.***

https://www.orchardviewlavenderfarm.com/about-orchard-view-lavender-farm

Information: We love visitors!! We are open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We also host groups of 10 or more by appointment. To make an appointment contact Monica at 201-341-8147 or email her at monica@orchardviewlavenderfarm.com.

Our farm has become a favorite destination where guests can “Cut Your Own” lavender during bloom season and shop in our Lavender Farm Stand. Our English Lavenders typically bloom middle to end of June and our French usually bloom in July.  Of course, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. She determines the bloom times as well as the duration of the bloom.

We offer a variety of natural handmade artisan lavender products including bath & body, household, culinary, teas and tea accessories. And, of course, you’ll also find lavender, both fresh and dried (when in season and while supplies last), lavender sachets in an array of styles and also the finest quality lavender essential oil. We’ve partnered with talented Artisans and Makers to bring you unique handmade gifts, aromatherapy jewelry, décor and so much more.  You’ll also find pure honey harvested from the hives on our farm.

We welcome you to Banbury Cross Farm. Established in 1963, our farm has been passed down from one generation to the next. Our goal is to provide grass-fed, antibiotic free, no added hormone, all-natural beef & lamb, pork, chicken, ducks and turkey. Our livestock is of the highest quality.

We believe in the humane treatment of all animals. We do our best to raise and nurture them in a clean, open, natural environment. Banbury Cross Farm provides the finest holistic care for every animal living on our farms. Our pastures are all-natural grasses, forbs, and browse. Clean, fresh groundwater is provided in all of the pastures year-round.

This I like because its a bit different, its a working animal farm, that does sell meat etc, but also by appointment you can go learn about the animals, and even feed them.  Sounds like a win win to me.

Banbury Cross Farm store is open: Monday, Friday, Saturday 9-11, Wednesday 1-4.

 

Careful with this one, there are different gardens for different purposes.  Although the display gardens sound intriguing- we are more interested in picking our own and snapping a few family pics on an adventure.  Therefore we want the “cut flower fields”  if you just want to experience the beauty maybe have a picnic you want the display gardens- so check out the info for that.

Here is the info:

Plan Your Visit

Where: To avoid confusion, please note that this is our satellite location.
Our primary location is our Display Gardens in Bernardsville, NJ, click here for details.

Our Cut Flower Fields are located at the English Farm
3625 Valley Road, Liberty Corner (Basking Ridge), NJ 07938

When: NOW CLOSED. The dates depend on the timing of the peak herbaceous bloom. Typically, this is from around Memorial Day through the first week in June. Stay tuned for updates on our 2022 season.
Fields open at 10am. Last admission at 3pm, everyone must be out of the fields by 4pm.

How Much: Admission is $10 per person, including children of all ages.
Cut Flowers are $4 per stem.
There’s no need to buy a ticket online or make a reservation at this time, tickets are available at the door.

What to Bring: Bring your own clippers, a bag or bucket to put your flowers in, and water for you and your flowers. We also recommend wearing walking shoes and a hat.

Photography: You are welcome to take a few photos while you are here but we ask that you not come exclusively for photography. No professional photography allowed.

Parking: Drive past the barn and park by the black Peony’s Envy Tent.

Guidelines:

  • No pets, this includes the parking area

  • No smoking, this includes the parking area

  • No picnics

  • No professional photography

  • COVID – We will continue to follow the CDC and Sate of New Jersey Guidelines.

Stuart’s Fruit Farm is a family-operated farm since 1828 located in Westchester County, New York.  We happen to be friends with the family.  That doesn’t mean that it isn’t a top notch farm, and as you know, we believe in supporting small, family owned businesses.  It is about an hour away from New York City. The farm began as cattle farm and evolved to an agricultural farm.

Depending on your seasonal needs; visit us in the spring to buy a varied selection of flowers and vegetable plants, the autumn for apple picking, peach picking and visiting the pumpkin patch, and in the winter for Christmas trees.

Visiting Stuart’s Fruit Farm in the autumn is an exceptional time of the year.  Aside from the perfect apple picking with an array of apples take a hayride around the orchard and visit the farm stand to buy fresh produce and the bakery for delicious apple cider donuts and homemade pies baked daily.  Finally, before heading home have a picnic with your family to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.

At Stuart’s farm we have free parking and we do not charge an orchard fee. Here is the pick your own schedule: https://www.stuartsfarm.com/pyo.html

***Please remember it is cash or check only. For apple picking you can only use Stuart’s farm bags. No outside bags permitted***

Just Elfing Around

Posted on by Posted in Christmas Ornaments, Crafts, Uncategorized .

Disclosure:  This post contains links to other posts of past projects.  Within each post there are affiliate links to purchase supplies.  This means that when purchased, the website earns a small percentage of your order. 

It’s no surprise that I LOVE a handmade ornament.  In fact, we make one every year.  Its a challenge for me creatively too, because I prefer to make it a handprint ornament or a fingerprint one.  Here is a look at this years’ as well as a compilation of those from the past in case you are looking to re-create one or for inspiration.  If you aren’t quite as crazy as me, you can always go see Jill at Jill’s Ceramics and she can help you recreate these (or a version of them) with her ceramic ornaments.

Here’s how I work it:  My elves (Marvin and Lily) bring the kids a photo or sample of what they need to recreate.    All of the supplies come too.  Then we work to create several (we give all the grandparents a copy) of the ornaments.  At Christmas, they all expect it and its fun to look at all of them over the years.

Here’s what you need:

Here’s how we do it:

Fingerprints make the elf body and face.

Then we painted on matching hats.

Used the paint pens to add arms, legs, faces and the date, on the back we also added names and ages <3

 

Finished Product

My Little Pearl

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Disclosure:  This is an unsponsored post, all opinions expressed are my own.

It has always been a tradition in my family to receive a special piece of jewelry for special birthdays or celebrations.  Fairly typical, some small studs for a first birthday, a nice cross for your baptism.  This year (E) is making her First Holy Communion.  It was postponed by our church until September (perfect for us) because of the pandemic.  

I had heard of the “add a pearl” necklace from a sister in law of mine.  I thought it was such a sweet tradition I wanted to do it for our daughter.  I didn’t want to order one though from the internet (although you can), I wanted to be sure of the quality and as you know, I like to keep our spending local.

In case you don’t know the tradition here it is.  You gift a young woman in your life  a necklace with a few starter pearls, your choice 1,3,5,7 whatever.  Odd numbers are best because symmetry is more pleasing to the eye.  From that day on, for special holidays or birthdays etc, you can add a pearl or two.  She can wear it throughout the process, and it grows with her (SOB). The goal is to have a full strand by her wedding day.  Then she wears it on the special event.  My daughter being sentimental, but super opinionated on style, I would be happy if she wore it for her bridal shower or something special if not on the big day (that is IF she chooses to marry).  This tradition makes me so happy.  I am a big lover of pearls (they are so classic)

Where did I head to?  Straight to Bourghol Brothers to see Andrew.  He knew exactly what I was talking about and helped me pick the pearl size, how many, and the chain to put them on.  (E) is a huge fan of yellow gold so we went with that (I guess it’s back in style?).  He told me that he would be done with it in about 2 weeks.  2 WEEKS!! Now I have to hold on to it and not let the cat out of the bag for 3 months!!!

With the necklace we gave her the following poem, which has been adapted from one I found by: Linda Winchell during a google search.

An Oyster first forms a pearl
from a single grain of sand
It’s never placed inside by mistake you see
it was placed  by God’s loving hand.

God places these grains of sand in our lives
as a way for us to learn.
To form the pearls that we need to form
to place in the crowns, which we’ve earned.

 

Emmie ADORED it, and family members loved it so much that they added to it as part of her gift!  It was easy to do, we just brought it back to Andrew, he picked out the matching pearls, added them and called us when it was time to pick up!

 

 

 

Water Wars 9

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  The links provided are affiliate links where we earn a small commission. 

My little man is certainly growing up!  We have moved back to home parties (YESSS!) and this year he wanted an epic battle.  So that’s what we did!!!  

The Plan: A lover of dragons- we decided to plan an epic water battle (late June birthday)- capture the flag style, we blew up these great Blow up Barriers for the kids to hide behind.  We threw in some large amazon boxes (the ones the stuff came in) for good measure.  The more barriers the better.

We of course had to use our giant blow up Dinosaur Sprinkler (its close to a dragon).  This guy we have had since (A) turned 6- its super durable, and the kids LOVE it!

We had Water Balloons  stations throughout where kids could grab a few and chuck them- fair warning we went through over 1,000 balloons but it was AWESOME!

They were conveniently held in these BUCKETS remember to put some water in the bottom so the balloons don’t break when you put them in.  In case everyone wasn’t wet enough, each kiddo also got a Water Pistols to shoot each other with.

 

Outfitting the squads- There had to be teams (super fair ones) which we made in advance, (A) got to choose the colors, and his “Birthday Boy” shirt had both colors included (worth mentioning that 2 years later, he is still wearing these shirts).  The kids each also got Dog Tags to put their names on before training.  I don’t love “goody bags” so I always try to incorporate some sort of “swag” that might be reusable instead like these Jerseys.  I have a vinyl cutter- so I added some dragon logos to each to personalize it.  If you do not have one, I can recommend someone local to do it for you <3

 

Photo OPS– I love photos (duh) so we did have a dragon backdrop for photos- complete with props, and then the jail that you had to go into if you got hit with a water balloon was another great spot for them.  Worth mentioning- I always also make a number for my kids that has their theme on it.  Something that Isabella and Claudia of IC You Photography started me on when the kids were 2 and 5, I have been doing it ever since.

Target Practice: Once the teams were sorted- we HAD to have target practice, so half of the Water Pistols were filled with Watercolor paints, I used a clothes line with water color paper that I pre-drew targets on Watercolor paper for them to shoot at.  This gives the kiddos a little art to bring home afterwards as a momento.

 

 

Club Pilates New City- Intro Lesson

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  All opinions expressed are our own.

I can’t lie- I was both excited and nervous when Club Pilates first contacted us.  I love to workout, would love to continue to work on my core, and my back surgeon told me that Pilates was a great core building exercise that I could do to strengthen my back and continue to rehab, while avoiding further injury( you may recall that I had emergency back surgery in January of 2021).  I was however SUPER nervous because clearly my core and lower back are weak and I wasn’t sure I could do it.

With people looking to get back into shape after being quarantined so long, this is the perfect opportunity to get into a routine and try something new. So if you are looking, this is the perfect review for you. 

Club Pilates has been in New City for 3 years this past July.  The owners Lisa and Mark started doing Pilates and loved it so much that they wanted to bring it to others.  Their greatest joy is helping people work on skills that are necessary to keep your body centered as you get older such as balance, and core strength.  These both play pivotal roles in aging well.

Having been promised that the program is differentiated for all levels, Sofija and I attended an introduction class.  These classes are FREE of charge, and you can sign up for several different available times, or if you and a bunch of friends want to try, you can contact them to set something up.  This class is a bit shorter than a typical class, but introduces you to the apparatus, the way that the classes are run, and also gives you an idea of some of the basic exercises that you will complete.  Sofija is an avid Peloton user and walker, and I run daily, so we are both in decent shape.  I don’t however feel that you need to be in any type of shape to participate.

 

Our instructor Lisa (who is Ring certified) walked us through slowly, and circulated the room to make sure that we were all on track. If we had difficulty or were in the incorrect position, she fixed us.  She was indeed able to meet the needs of all of her diverse learners, in our class we had people of all shapes and sizes, all walks of life.

Although it was new it didn’t seem overly difficult, and I wasn’t sure I would feel anything the next day.  BUT DID I EVER.  I can see why this is so good for your core build up, I was certainly sore and it wasn’t even a full class.  It is recommended for best results that you attend 2-3 times a week.  To do so in this studio, you simply go online to reserve your class (as early as your schedule allows as they will get closed out).  The reservations system is necessary as there are so only so many setups for participants.

I have been super fortunate, and have created amazing bonds with groups of people that I have worked out with over the years.  Most of my best friends are as a result of working out with them.  Club Pilates recognizes this and puts together special member events for groups.

After completing the Intro Class with Megan on Monday, I was able to sign up for the Flow 1 class on Saturday with Lisa. I arrived at the studio early, and was so happy that I did.  First – I was greeted and checked in by the young lady at the front desk who was super sweet and attentive.  While waiting for my class I was able to get a sneak peak at the Flow 1.5 – and was super excited that I might be able to take that class in the future (a love a class that challenges me mentally and physically).

The Flow 1.5 class was ending, so I was able to see each of those members cleaning and sanitizing the items that they used (hospital grade cleaning products and rags that are washed and reused) .  This is key for me since I am immune compromised – I pay special attention to how a gym or studio is cleaned and maintained.  I made my way over to my designated reformer since class was getting ready to start.  The instructor, Lisa introduced herself and asked if anyone had any injuries that she should know about.  Class started, and it was everything I was hoping it would be.  We worked on our glutes, arms and abs making sure that we stretched after each round of moves.  I loved how Lisa walked around and corrected the placement of someone’s feet on the foot bar, as well as helping someone who had an injury and needed a modification.

                       

At one point we used the box on the carriage (which is the flat part of the reformer) to work our upper bodies (including arms, shoulders and back).  We incorporated the small ball by our feet while incorporate the long straps with handles for our feet.

                                                      

After class ended (which felt so quick), I felt rejuvenated.  I wiped the reformer down as well as the items I used during class, cleaned up my area and left for my afternoon.  I felt amazing, slightly sore in all the right places since I used muscles that have been hidden for way to long (this is something I look for).  Sunday when I woke – my muscle still membered what I did the day before as they were still slightly sore and I 100% needed that day of rest to get back to myself.

If you are looking for a workout that is low impact, that you muscle that you did not know you had and feel amazing after – Pilates is the workout for you – and Club Pilates is the place to go.

Let’s answer some of the most common questions:

  1.  Are masks required?  At this time they are not mandatory for those who are vaccinated, but you can wear one if you feel more comfortable. The stations are spaced pretty well, I never felt confined.
  2. How clean is it?  You can see it when you walk in, the facility is spotless, the stations are cleaned with hospital grade wipes after each class, but you can also grab some and clean your station before you begin.
  3. Do I have to take a group class?  NOPE they have private lessons available in back rooms- this does NOT require a membership.
  4. How old do you have to be to participate?  14 years is the youngest.  They offer team workouts for athletes, as well as scout (boy and girl) classes.
  5. Are there discounts available?  Yes, there are discounts for American heroes (first responders, teachers, nurses, doctors etc), and students.

Water Station <3

Sanitization Supplies

 

For more information on club pilates you can contact them at 845-608-8280 or newcity@clubpilates.com to view their schedule click here.

208 South Main Street
New City, NY 10956
Mon & Wed & Thu: 6am-8pm
Tue: 8am-8pm
Fri: 6am-5pm
Sat & Sun: 8am-1pm
DeCicco’s shopping center, in the corner just to the right of the move theater
As always, we appreciate you mentioning that you read about them here.  Have a FABULOUS workout!!! MJ and Sofija <3

“A Christmas Story House”

Posted on by Posted in Events, Out and about..., Photo Obsessed, Reviews, Things to Do!, Travel, Uncategorized .

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  This article contains affiliate links, if you click them and purchase the items we earn a small commission.

As (A) was selected to attend the trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his music school, New City School of Music, we knew right away that we would want to make a family trip out of it (when will we ever have the chance to come back).  I reached out to friends and also my favorite reference, Pinterest, in order to find cool things we had to see, and do.  I will OF COURSE be blogging about all of it.  The first one is the house from the movie “A Christmas Story“.

WARDROBE

I am a HUGE dork as you know, and my kids are getting older FAST.  I had the opportunity to put together some “themed” clothing items and took advantage of it.  I am fully aware that soon enough they won’t allow me to do so, so I did it now (stay tuned for the outfits for our other stops).

The kids got customized gear because I have a circuit so WHY NOT?!

For (A) I of course had to play on “you’ll shoot your eye out”.

Front

https://amzn.to/3krgUbF

For (E) the pink nightmare was PERFECTION.  We did a play on the classic bunny suit scene, and since my little horror loving gal likes creepy things we thought this was befitting.

https://amzn.to/3z2d7Wl

RNYD and I went more classic.  He got a plaid button down shirt to play on the time frame of the movie, as well as to kind of be less dorky (he puts up with me only half willingly).  I used his shirt to tie the ensemble together (special thanks to my girls including RNYM Account Manager Sofija to helping me there).

https://amzn.to/3z2MSPK

For myself we decided to go classic, with a 50’s themed dress  <3

https://amzn.to/3wIXJwk

EXPERIENCE

We purchased our tickets before heading out to Cleveland so that I could put them out that day for the kids.  They are super affordable.  I also keep the clothing a secret having packed them in their bags without their knowledge.  I love that they can wear them again this holiday season too :o)

There is a small amount of off street parking next to the house.

When we got there we went straight to the house to check it out.  You have to have tickets to do this, if you didn’t purchase in advance, you have to go to the store to get them before you can enter. The staff allows you a certain amount of time to walk around and “experience’ the house, check things out and recreate specific scenes that you recall.

You can touch all the things  <3

 

At your scheduled time they call you all together and you learn about the movie and the house, then you get a tour of the outside, the firehouse, museum, and garages.

 

Seeing all the memorabilia was really cool, but I especially loved the fan art that they display.

You finally finish up in the souvenir shop.  THERE ARE SO MANY FUN THINGS this takes time, and restraint :o)  We could have purchased everything, but we chose a few special items for the kids (nope no leg lamp, no bb gun).  The kids each brought money they were able to use for something special and RNYD and I supplemented a bit, of course, we purchased an ornament for the tree to commemorate the experience (which we always do).

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COOL SIDE NOTES

This is a great place to maybe take those “Christmas Card” photos- the staff is super kind and everyone there was so nice, and willing to help you if you wanted a family pic.

They do special events for Christmas in July- check them out if you are considering a visit.

You can RENT the house like a hotel, or the Bumpus’ house next door.  We really enjoyed Cleveland and its not 100% off the table as a future possibility.

LEGOLAND NY- The RNYM Scoop

Posted on by Posted in Day Trips, Reviews, Things to Do!, Uncategorized .

Disclosure:  This is an unsponsored post.  All opinions expressed are my own.

We are not working with LEGOLAND NY but I do have an avid builder so we have season passes that we purchased two years ago like many of you when they had a deal that you basically would have been crazy not to take, for the price of approximately one days admission, you were able to pre-purchase a season pass.  (A) is such a LEGO fan that I knew we would have to do it.  We figured we lived close enough, and parking was included, that it made sense.  We finally went this week for his 11th birthday, and here’s what we found.

(A) and his friend are about at the top of the age group that it will work for at 11.  After this year, there won’t be much for them to do or explore unless the park gets some additions.  That being said, we DID spend 6 hours there this week, and both boys were engaged and had a good time.

The park isn’t huge, which makes it perfect for a day trip.  The day we went (a Tuesday, that was overcast and sprinkling rain) it was super empty especially at opening.  That was by design, I didn’t want to wait on line forever.  I ALWAYS go at opening to these type of places because the rest of the world isn’t ready yet. For LEGOLAND that’s 10 am, but not everything was open and operating at that time.  Some of the food vendors were still closed, and some of the games were not operating.

When I take (E) back I will be better able to report on her age group (8) which is a little younger and may experience things differently.  This time both boys were 11 so I have a bit of an older take on the trip.  They wanted to start the day walking down the hill looking at the intricate models they had built (this I KNOW my 8 year old will care less about).  They marveled at how many bricks it must have taken for each one, asking me to take photos of ones they liked best, and trying the interactive aspects.  I am not sure if its growing pains as its so new, but the majority of the functions didn’t work, and there were control knobs missing.  They DID however have sanitization stations near each model which was nice because the boys (conditioned at this point to cleaning from the pandemic) would try something then use the station.

We then headed down to the pirate area where there are a few water rides.  The single rider ships were cool, and great for a little refresher, but the boys LOVED the bigger pirate ship where you can shoot the spectators, and have them shoot you back with water cannons.  I stayed off and let them soak me.  That was a real HOOT!

The climbing pirate ship was cute, but the boys weren’t interested, that’s what I think (E) will like, and those younger (say ages 4-9) so we passed that by and moved into LEGOCity.  At opening (10 am) not all the food or vending areas were open, again, I am aware that its not completely open at this time, but it does set a tempo.  The boys enjoyed getting their Drivers Licenses and putting out fires.  The coast guard ride was closed, unfortunately, which i could see the boys enjoying.  We didn’t attend the show (as a COVID precaution) but perhaps we would be interested in seeing it next time.  We did meet one employee at the fire station who was super happy and excited about making our time great- he was a stand out (I wish I had taken his name).

There are “carnival” type games strewn throughout the park, but I told the kids no.  It’s just not my favorite, but if you enjoy them plan on spending a little more time in each area.

I was saddened to see how few patrons paid attention to the CLEAR signs that said no climbing on the LEGO setups and nicely asked them to stay on the paths.  It is obvious that a lot of time and effort went into them, and it will be a shame to see it all ruined by people who don’t follow the rules.

Up the hill is the Castle and the Ninjago areas where I knew the boys would spend the majority of their time.  They had a good time on the dragon rollercoaster, and the tower climbing attraction, then made me buy swords and shields (Moms you feel me….. I know).  The dragon coaster photo was great so I purchased that.

In the Ninjago area there is another ride-on game that was super fun (I killed it, but didn’t rank for the week, I may have to practice).  There is another photo opportunity here.  The climbing area was closed, but there is another game in the corner where you have to run from cylinder to cylinder and tag the one of your color you can compete with friends on that was super fun.

When we first walked in, there was a list of  “shows” you can see.  We recalled that the boys wanted to attend Master Wu’s training.  There are no other signs throughout the park with the schedule, so when we asked personnel, we were shocked to find that they also didn’t know the times or places.  Perhaps another kink?  Either way, we did finally make it back for the show, but found quickly that it was not with Master Wu. This show was geared toward much younger kids.  They left after about 2 minutes.

At this point the boys were hungry so we decided to have a bite.  Each area of the park has different food available, so keep an eye out for what you may like.  We were disappointed to find that after choosing, we waited on a line for food in the Ninjago area. They were out of one of the selections (there were 3 options at this site before being out of the beef bowl- this happened elsewhere too) so we all got the Orange Chicken,  It came with a large scoop of rice, about 3 vegetables and some fried chicken balls in orange sauce.  It was OK (it’s theme park food I didn’t expect 5 stars), and again the only drink choices were a few soft drinks.

We wanted to get some dessert as well, so we headed back to something cool I had seen earlier.  Apple Fries- THIS IS A MUST.  I will rave about them and order them EVERY TIME I go.  They were so good, and you can even watch them make them through a window.  They do NOT however have the soft serve Ice Cream advertised at that location, and you cannot get a single scoop of ice cream there, which meant we had to walk elsewhere to find it.  Fine, we looked at it as burning some of the calories we were about to consume.  The vanilla and chocolate ice cream was good, but they colored the vanilla super yellow and it turned everyone’s mouths yellow, it was kind of gross.  I had been previously warned that some of the other flavors were not stellar so we stuck with classics.

We circled back to some of the rides we really enjoyed, before heading up to the building area in Bricktopia.  If you have ever been to the discovery center in Westchester, this area is exactly like the building you can do there, which made my guys happy.  They spent a good long time building race cars and competing.  It was luckily not crowded, and we sanitized WELL afterwards.  The change into a minifigure ride was cute, and has a neat photo that changes as you move it, but we didn’t get it because 2/3 of us were not looking at that part (LOL). It’s on my list for next time.

Last but of course not least is the GIANT LEGO Store.  We saved this for last as (A) had birthday money to spend and I didn’t want to carry LEGO around the park.  It has EVERYTHING you can think of (except one thing which I hope they add) and takes a while to check out.  They have the really neat ‘TV’ setups throughout the store where you can hold up your set and see it come to life (yes this was very fun).  The associates in here seemed very knowledgeable and friendly.

I forced the boys to ride the carousel (its a classic) which I know my 8 year old will enjoy, and then we headed home with our spoils.

OK I know this is getting long so I will give you some quick info to use.  

HELPFUL HINTS:

  • Bring a refillable water bottle there are stations everywhere and it sill save you $4.50 a bottle of water.  There are no other “healthy” drinks available for kids.
  • If you are a season pass holder, tell them when you purchase ANYTHING and show them your bar code, it saves you 10%.
  • They have refillable drink containers available but it seems to only be worth it if you plan to purchase 4 or more drinks throughout the day.
  • First photo purchased is like $17.99 after that its $5 per photo, but you have to show the initial receipt.
  • It’s a cashless park for now, so don’t go to the ATM, just bring a credit card.
  • APPLE FRIES ARE AMAZING ( you can find them on the way from LEGOCity to the Castle)- Don’t eat them all I am coming back.
  • I brought a small sling back backpack which was PERFECT.
  • Sunscreen on a sunny day, there isn’t a lot of shade.
  • Ask about food allergies at EACH station, they have books they can reference for you to be sure.
  • Try to go during the week as its less crowded, and early (10 am) you’ll have the run of the park. (This may change when the hotel opens as it opens options to visitors from further away).
  • Strollers are allowed, and I would suggest them for kids who are not good walkers as its somewhat hilly.
  • If your kiddos bring a mini-figure with them they can trade with staff throughout the park, which is fun.

The hotel opens next month and I am interested to see what they offer.  I haven’t found that they keep us informed all that well.  I KNOW my kids will love the themed rooms (a toss up in our house between the Ninjago and the Castle), but is there a pool? A restaurant or two we can choose from while there?  How about master builder classes, or events to sign up for?  I have SO MANY ideas but no one asks me ;o)  I would like to check it out for sure and report back.

Final notes:

I have heard a bit of negative feedback regarding the park, and remember this.  See it from your kids’ eyes.  Sometimes we compare to other things we know, and OUR parental expectations.  Kids have different thoughts (in fact, (A) and his friend were responsible for a lot of this review).  It’s smaller and definitely geared toward the younger crowd, I do wonder if there are plans for more.  The food is OK, they tried, it’s a theme park.  If your kid loves LEGO, go.  Its totally worth a day trip.  

Our “Summer Slide” Routine

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post, all opinions expressed are my own. There are affiliate links in this article.

I am going to say it again. The past two years were DOOZIES.  You may have felt like your kiddos didn’t learn enough, or just made it through by the skin of your teeth.  Two months ago we published an article with the professionals who we recommend (CLICK HERE TO READ).  We were lucky enough that our kids fared pretty well with the online model, aside from REALLY missing the social aspects, BUT I am always wary of the “summer slide”.  The professionals listed in our previous article would be GREAT for that, but, if you are away most of the summer like me (at our lake house in the Pocono Mountains- CLICK HERE TO SEE ABOUT RENTING) and you are looking to keep the kids up to date this summer, here are the things we are using to keep us fresh. (Yes, I realize this is one reason that I am considered a “mean mom”.)

The kids have daily assignments that they have to complete (some days there is more than others)- and I write it on a post-it for them to complete.

Mathematics and English

These basics are important, and if not used, they may forget, so its the main focus of our work.  This great workbook incorporates reading and mathematics, with reading comprehension questions that go beyond simple recall.

https://amzn.to/2VNlZ3R 

Grammar

Admittedly a weakness of mine, it is important that my kiddos learn the writing conventions necessary for life, so we do an additional workbook just for this purpose (my co-teacher would be so proud).

https://amzn.to/2VNm7QT

Handwriting

Both my kids can use this, if we were in town, I would likely be using Danielle Tsekouras’ workshops this summer because she is an OT and I would love a professional opinion, but since I am not we are using these books. They have disappearing ink, and numbered disappearing ink which makes it (kind of) fun for the kids.

https://amzn.to/3hFKQPy

 

Wrapped Around My Heart -My Mother’s Day Gift

Posted on by Posted in Reviews, RNYM's Picks, Services, Uncategorized .

Disclosure:  This is an unsponsored post, I have always just loved this place and had to share with you.

I am a total sap.  You already know about my obsession with hand made items, and handprints.  Well it turns out that I am well within my rights.  I have always thought that your kids are little for only such a short time and as mine turn 11 and 8 (how is that possible) I find that I was correct.  (A) is off to middle school and is 5′ 2″ and (E) is heading into 3rd grade!!!  Time really flies.

All the more reason to personalize and make those special gifts/take the photos while your kiddos will still comply.  I stumbled upon this adorable ring that was conveniently showing up on my social media outlets and I adored it!  It actually turns out that my Sister in Law, saw the same ring and got it!!! When I saw it I couldn’t believe it, she has such good taste :o)

This is not my ring, just an example of what I saw.

I had mentioned when looking at it online how cool it would be if it wasn’t just a pretty script that was used for the kids names, but if it was their ACTUAL signatures that wrapped around my finger.

Well, RNYD heard me loud and clear and knew right where to go.  He headed up to see Andrew at Bourghol Brothers.  Our family has used them since before I can remember.  A local treasure, I received my first item from them for my sweet 16 and have been back a million times since.  In fact, I was just there ordering another super special and sweet gift for (E)’s communion this September that I plan to write about soon.

Andrew said it would be no problem.  He took the kids’ signatures, and said it would be ready in about a month.

We got a call yesterday that our order(s) (yeah there’s another post coming) were ready.  RNYD and the kids didn’t want to wait another moment so we went right over.  Well, it far exceeded my expectations.  The rind fits like a glove, and matches their signatures EXACTLY!  I love that we have someone who can bring our ideas to live so close by. Please excuse the cuts on my hands, as well as the unmanicured fingernails (COVID). Additionally, this is simply a phone photo that doesn’t do justice to the real thing.

Walking in is like visiting family and I can’t wait to go back (no really my father in law said he needs to head over this week for a certain little lady’s Communion gift).  If you are looking for something special for a loved one, this is the place to go.