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Happy Mother's Day 2012

This weekend we celebrate those special people in our lives who gave us birth, who nurtured us and whose identity we ourselves have taken on. Becoming a mother has taught me both the capacity of my heart to love another and the amount of selfishness I had in me prior to kids. Whether it's having to wake up early it the morning, make lunches for the kids, clean up after their messes, become referee to arguments, become an educational advisor and homework consultant, becoming half deaf due to increased decibels in the house, and never having enough money for clothesbookstoysvacationsbirthdays...over the years that mountain of "me me me" slowly erodes and we realize we've built up an amazing level of tolerance. 

I used to sigh with bitterness every time I had to clean up Cheerios off the ground. Now, I actually can actually smile and maybe say a cheerful chiding remark...because I know that it's not the end of the world and a spill takes two seconds to clean up, while cutting words can last a lifetime in little ears. Slowly, you move away from the resentfulness and realize that this time is flying by and before you know it, they'll be leaving us for the great big world beyond. It really makes you want to squeeze them a little harder or take that one extra kiss before lights out. 

So, this Mother's Day, I'd like to thank my kids for making me a better person and for letting me have this awesome chance to be a mom...the role in life I never knew I'd be so blessed to have. 

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Events to check out this weekend (May 26th to 28th)

This is a great holiday weekend to enjoy the company of family and friends while remembering those who have sacrificed their lives for our great country. There are some great weekend events like the Kite Festival in Wildwood or the opening of Field Station Dinosaurs in Secaucus. Or, take a spot on a parade route and cheer on your local heroes. On Monday, Teaneck's family festival looks like loads of fun! Have a great weekend!

WEEKEND

Fit and Fun Family Festival. Sat to Sun. 1 to 4pm. Crafts, a veggie craft, planting activity and educational activities. Camden Children' Garden. Link here. 

Wildwoods International Kite Festival. Sat/Sun: East Coast Stunt Kite Championships on beach, learn to fly for newbies, Candy Drop, and Running of the Bols (9am). Mon: World Indoor Kite Competition (Convention Center @ 9am). Link here.

Tour of Somerville Cycling Series. Fri: 9pm; Sat: 9am start; Sun: 1:30pm; Mon: 10:45am-. Tens of thousands of spectators will attend this free event with food, kids activities, live music and etnertainment. Over 600 professional and amateur cyclists. Somerville. Link here. 

SATURDAY

Opening Day: Field Station Dinosaurs. 10am to 5pm. A world class family attraction--"Jurassic Park" comes to our area as 30 life-size animatronic dinosaurs come to life! The story of the dinosaurs is vividly presented on twenty acres of wild, unpredictable woods, mysterious pathways, and mountain trails. Scientists from the New Jersey State Museum have worked to ensure that the exhibition encompasses the latest theories and discoveries in the fields of paleontology, geology, and environmental studies. Workshops, games and activities connect the story of the dinosaurs to our world today, giving new relevance to their lives and power to the tale of their extinction. Experience it all Memorial Day weekend. Secaucus. Link here. 

Patriotic Wand Craft. 11am to 3pm. Free! Lakeshore Learning Store, Hackensack. Link here. 

Memorial Day Remembrance. 10am to 5:30pm. Activities to help remember those fallen in service. Imagine That Museum, Florham Park. Link here. 

Decoration Day. 1:30m to 3pm. Learn about WWI heroes and the ladies who helped the cause. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown. Link here. 

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue. Crafts, flowers, songs and quiet fireworks in the theater with a patriotic theme. Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. Link here. 

SUNDAY

Street Fair. 11am to 5pm. More than 100 artists, crafters, and vendors. Live music and entertainment for kids, too! Downtown West Orange. Link here. 

Guided Nature Walk. 3pm to 4pm. All ages welcome, Nonmembers: $5. Tenafly Nature Center. Link here. 

Gone for a Soldier: Jerseymen in the Civil War. 1pm to 4pm. Civil War objects will be on display at this exhibit. $8 adults/ $4 for 6 to 12yrs/free 5 and under. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown.  Link here. 

MONDAY

Teaneck's Cedar Lane Family Festival. 11am to 6pm. 11am: Service at municipal green; 12pm: Tribute and Opening Ceremony: Cupcake eating contest (ages 9 to 12yrs); 1:15: Pizza Eating Competition (ages 18+); 2:30 to 5pm: Cabaret competitions; 5pm: Blue Haze Jazz Ensemble. Also: crafts, International food, shopping and kids activities. Link here. 

Teaneck Armory Memorial Day Fair. 9am to 5pm. Giant rock wall, kiddie rides, games, face painting, festival food, vendors and more! Teaneck National Guard Armory. Link here. 

2nd Annual Multicultural Festival. 12pm to 8:30pm. Live music, inflatabes, games, roller skating, vendors and awesome food! Free. Mackay Park, Englewood.

Sheep Shearing Day. 11am to 2pm. Professional shearer will be doing demos at the petting zoo area. Free with admission. Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange. Link here.

Memorial Day Paddle. 10:30am to 12:30pm or 2 to 4pm. Enjoy a pleasant paddle on the Passaic River. $30/canoe or $15/person. Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland. Link here. 

Some local parades: 

Ridgefield. 10am. Begins on Linden Avenue. 

Englewood. 10am. Begins at Soldier's Monument, ends at Veteran's Memorial Park. 

Cliffside Park. 9:30am. Begins on Anderson Avenue in downtown area. 

Palisades Park. 10am. Begins on Ross and Ethel Avenue. 

Leonia. 11:30am. Begins on Broad Avenue in downtown area. 

Oradell. 9am. Begins at Prospect Ave and Park Ave. 

 

Events to check out this weekend (May 19th to 20th)

We've got lots of special events this weekend...from a Baby extravaganza in NY, Dinosaur Weekend at the NJ Children's Museum featuring Kids Club 13 events, and a grand opening of the River Barge Park, to a classy affair at the Presbyterian Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair, all the bases are covered on Saturday! Then, on Sunday there's a free museum day in Morris County so you can get your culture fix or a totally fun and wacky event like the Baby Parade in Hoboken. Have a great time, whatever you end up doing!

WEEKEND

Dinosaur Weekend. 10am to 5pm. Listen to dinosaur stories, participate in a play, make crafts, etc! If you are a member of Kids Club 13 (or want to join!) there are special activities like a meet and greet with Buddy from Dinosaur Train, Explore Challenge scavenger hunt, and more! It only costs $75 for the whole family to join for the year! NJ Children's Museum, Paramus. Link here. 

New York Baby Show. Sat/Sun: 10am to 4pm. Great exhibitors (discover new products!) and speakers like Dr. Harvey Karp, stroller test drive area and tune-up, family play area and moms lounge. Clifford and Scholastic's "First Library" center, Huggies' Diaper Derby and an Ultimate Nursery Giveaway. $10 single; $20 family. Pier 92, NY. Link here. 

Visitation Academy Carnival. Fri: 6 to 11pm; Sat: 4 to 11pm; Sun: 3 to 9pm. Ace Amusements will be providing the rides. 222 Farview Ave, Paramus. Link here. 

Fort Lee Madonna Carnival. Fri: 6pm to 10pm; Sat/Sun: 2pm to 6pm. Annual carnival with rides and great food. Church of the Madonna. Link here. 

SATURDAY

Everything Jersey City Festival. 11am to 6pm. Four stages of family fun and free music/entertainment. Delicious food and one day sales from local businesses spread over 10 blocks (Central Ave between Hudson and Congress Street). Link here. 

River Barge Park Day. 10am to 4pm. Explore a new park! 30 min pontoon boat rides, kayak lessons, bird watching, environmentally focused exhibits, food and more! Park at Izod Center, Lot 28 & take shuttle bus. East Rutherford. Link here. 

Cooking with your Kids. 11am to 12pm. Prepare a healthy meal with your kids! $30. Call to reserve a spot: 201-439-9999. Enamor Me, Englewood. Link here. 

Essex County Family Garden Party. 10am to 3pm. Live music, crafts, student art exhibits, gardening demos, and local exhibitors. FREE! Presbyterian Memorial Iris Gardens, Upper Montclair. Link here. 

Mayfair at Nishuane. 11am to 4pm. An international celebration of friendship. Rides, games, music, international food, raffles. Free for adults and under 2yrs. $10 for unlimited rides and games. Nishuane Elementary school, Montclair. Link here. 

Annual Family Science Day. 9am to 12pm. Hands on science fair features tours, activities, and one hour mini space missions (must book in advance). Buehler Challenger & Science Center on Bergen Community College Campus, Paramus. Link here. 

emPowered Renewable Energy Family Day. 12:30pm to 4:30pm. Mini solar car races, building a wind turbine, and more. Newark Museum. Link here. 

Petrov Ballet's Annual Spring Gala. Excerpts from classical ballets, short story ballets and character dances. Ramapo College of NJ, Mahwah. $30. Link here. 

Rockapella. 7pm to 9pm. This family time event will feature a powerhouse quintet who combine rock and roll with Motown harmonies. Best for ages 11 and up. NJPAC, Newark. Link here. 

NJ Homeschool Convention. Workshops, exhibitors and buy used curriculum. NJ Expo Center, Edison. Link here. 

SUNDAY

Free Museum Day (Morris County). 12pm to 4pm. 10 museums will waive their admission fees in the afternoon. Including Community Children's Museum, Fosterfields Living Historial Farm, Morris Museum, Stickley Museum, and Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. Link here. 

8th Annual Touch-a-Truck. 10am to 2pm. Take photos, explore a fire truck or construction vehicle, and get some food and refreshments too! $20 for a family of four online or $25 at gate. Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus. Link here. 

Family Day at Montclair Art Museum. 1pm to 5pm. Art projects, demos and workshops...including still life drawing, performances and gallery activities. Link here. 

Best Baby Shower Ever! 1pm. Prenatal fitness demos, pediatrician info sessions, raffles, food and more! Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Link here. 

4th Annual Run the Palisades. 7:30am to 12:30pm. Help the Diabetes Foundation by attending this fun event! 5K run, kids fun run and health fair. Check in before races start at 9:30am! Fort Lee Community Center. $20/5K; Kids run $10. Link here. 

NJ Ballet: Pinocchio. 1:30pm to 3:30pm. The adventures of a puppet who wants to be a real boy told through storyteller narration. Morristown Community Theatre. Link here. 

Are You My Mother? 2pm. ArtsPower brings this enchanting musical based on a wonderful book to life. SOPAC, South Orange. Link here.

11th Annual Baby Parade. 1pm. Toddlers in cute costumes, mini-floats for families atop carriages and wagons, all vying for trophies! Parade begins at Sinatra Park and proceeds towards PierA. Registration starts at 12pm. FREE! Hoboken. Link here.  

Fine Art and Crafts Fair. 10am to 5pm. Verona Park. Link here. 

Visitor's Day. 12pm to 4pm. Learn about this 165 acre oasis of solitude and natural beauty. It's a membership only nature preserve that's part of Palisades Interstate Park. Greenbrook Sanctuary, Tenafly. Link here. 

Events to check out this weekend (May 12th to 13th)

There are some great things happening this weekend in NJ! I've now highlighted some events that I think are "extra-special" to help you do your planning. There are plenty of ways to show mom you appreciate her and to have some family time together--whether hiking or enjoying a show. Hopefully the weather will warm up so we can take advantage of the outdoors! Happy Mother's Day to you and your moms :)

WEEKEND

Mother's Day Weekend. 10:30am to 5pm. A whole weekend dedicated to mom! Free coffee and treats, story time, craft. NJ Children's Museum, Paramus. Link here. 

SATURDAY

NJ Goes Native. 10am to 5pm. An educational celebration of native plants. Nature hikes, talks on organic gardening, horticulture, workshops/demos on wood carving, composting, tea making, and kids crafts. Plant sale too! Free admission and parking. State Line Lookout, Alpine. Link here. 

Live! Meet the Lorax. 12pm to 3pm. Make a pot from newspaper, fill with soil, and plant sunflower seeds. Liberty Science Center, Jersey City. Link here. 

National Train Day. 12pm to 4pm. Visit the model railroad gallery and decorate a golden spike. Morris Museum, Morristown. Link here. 

Mother's Day Teapot. 10am to 5:30pm. Make a teapot for mom! Imagine That Museum, Florham Park. Link here. 

Skippyjon Jones. 10am to 11:30pm. Based on the popular book, this winning show will charm your little ones. Papermill Playhouse, Millburn. Link here. 

Mother's Day Tea Time. 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Kids 7 and up make chicken salad, smoked salmon and dil, homemade scones, mini lemon mousse tarts with raspberries and chocolate truffles. Moms are welcome to attend! $45. Wanna Bee Chef, Cresskill. Link here. 

A bit of a drive...

Toms River Food Fest. 12pm to 8pm. An outdoor festival with food vendors, beer and wine garden, food demos, live music, dance, visual arts and crafts. FREE! Downtown Toms River. Link here.

SUNDAY

Mother's Day Concert. 1pm to 3pm. An ensemble from NJ Symphony Orchestra offers a selection of tunes. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the grounds. FREE! Van Vleck House and Gardens, Montclair. Link here.  

Mother's Day Fun. 9am to 11am. Let mom sleep in! Dad and the kids will make crafts for mom. $5/family goes towards Dress for Success. Kidville, Englewood. Registration recommended. Link here. 

2012 Rubin Run & Family Fun. 7am to 12pm. Races for all ages and then a free brunch and kids carnival. JCC Kaplen, Tenafly. $30-35. Link here. 

Mother's Day Bounce. 11am to 1pm. 1.5 hrs of bounce time and then pizza and drinks. Parents are free; children: $14.95. Bounce U, Paramus. 

           HIKES

Weis Ecology Center, Ringwood. 11am to 2pm. 3 mile loop hike up Wyanokie High Point. Pack a lunch and bring water. Recommended for elementary age kids and parents. $5 to $8/person or $15-24/family. Moms free! (preregister) Link here. 

Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Englewood. 1:30pm to 3pm. For families and kids 4yrs and up. Moms attend free! Call to see if there are openings: 201-567-1265. 

Tenafly Nature Center. 10am to 12pm. All ages welcome. Members and mothers enter free. Nonmembes, $5. Link here. 

 

Mom's Nite Out: The Shops at Riverside

This Thursday I'm excited to be attending the National Mom's Nite Out event taking place at The Shops at Riverside. It will be held in the area near the Fountain Spa. I will have a table there and can't wait to meet you guys! Let's share tips and what's new and hot in the area. There will also be plenty of chances for you to be pampered and learn about other businesses geared to making mom's lives easier. So, let the hubby put the kids down--you deserve a Nite out! 

Events to check out this weekend (May 4th to 6th)

There are craft fairs, fun runs, and shows galore across the Garden State. Have a great time, whatever you do!

SATURDAY

Bike Right: Learn to Ride. 10am to 12pm. A safe, easy way for kids to learn to ride, using the balance first method. Bring a helmet and a bike. Advance registration required. For kids age 5 and up. $6/child. Call: 973-228-8776. Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland. Link here. 

Open Cockpit Day. 10am to 4pm. Discover the cockpits of airplanes, helicopters, etc. Teterboro Airport, Teterboro. Link here. 

Spring Family Day. 12pm to 4pm. Old-fashioned springtime fun! Pony rides, maypole, bubble station, crafts, races and more. $7 non member children; free for adults. Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Morris Plains. Link here. 

Walk With Me NJ 2012. 10am to 1pm. Walk/Run begins at 10am on the 50 yard line. 1 mile walk through the stadium levels. 5K run around the outskirts of the stadium. Kids fun football toss at 11am. Health Fair throughout event. Race awards, too! MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford. Link here. 

Bank of America Museums on Us. The first full weekend of every month gives cardholders a free general admission to 150 museums nationwide. Link here. 

Use the above deal for this museum event:

Robots! First Lego League Competition. 12pm to 4pm. See some amazing youngsters participate in a district competition. Will they be able to navigate the tricky competition course? They  need you to cheer them on! Liberty Science Center, Jersey City. Link here. 

Annual Spring Festival. 10am to 4pm. Tours, activities and more. Garretson Farm, Fair Lawn. Link here. 

Night Moves. 8pm to 9pm. Learn about animals behavior at nighttime. Bring your flashlight. Admission closed after 8:30pm. Pre-registration required. Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange. Link here. 

Shows

West Side Story. 8pm to 10pm. A revival of this classic Broadway show! NJPAC, Newark. Link here. 

Rainbow Fish. 10am to 11:30pm. A timeless tale about self-less deeds. Papermill Playhouse, Millburn. Link here. 

House at Pooh Corner. 11am. Some of the stories included are: Eyeore's house, Tigger's arrival at the Hundred Acre Wood, game of Pooh Sticks, and Christopher Robin going to school. South Orange Performing Arts Center. $12 to 15. Link here. 

A bit of a drive...

PrincetonKids Family Fun Day. 11am to 4pm. Live entertainment at the Mall's Center Court, circus performance, magic show, science show, vendors, balloon twisting and more! Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville. Link here. 

17th Annual Plant Sale. 10am to 2pm. A wide selection of trees, shrubs, perennials and more. The Freylinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown. Link here. 

Green Weekends. 1pm to 2pm. Help farmers plant heirloom varieties of beans and marigolds. Learn about horse-drawn farming techniques. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown. Link here. 

Cinco de Mayo Celebration. A party celebrating Mexican heritage. The Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. Link here. 

SUNDAY

Hoboken Arts & Music Festival. 11am to 6pm. Three stages of live music and over 300 artists, sculptors, photographers and craftspeople. Free! Washington Street (btwn. Observer Hwy and 7th Street). Link here. 

2012 Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure. 8:30am Registration; 10am: 5K run and 1.5 mile walk. About 10,000 people expected to turnout. Survivor tent, procession and ceremony, expo area, Kids for the Cure area: moon bounce, sand art, clowns, and coloring. The Infernos will perform on the Main stage. Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, West Orange. Link here. 

Springtide. 11am to 3pm. Music, games, riverside fish bake, and learning opportunities. Alpine Boat Basin and Picnic area. Link here.

Ridgewood Spring Craft and Street Fair. 12pm to 5pm. 140 exhibitors, kids activities, food, entertainment and more! Free admission. East Ridgewood Avenue. Link here. 

Wild Earth Fest. 11am to 5pm. Live animal demos, educational displays, music, eco-art giveaways, food and more! $3/person; 6yrs and under FREE! Trailside Nature Center, Mountainside. Link here. 

Escape to the Palisades Half Marathon and 5K Family Run. 9am. Proceeds help rehab the roads and trails of the Palisades Interstate Park. Ross Dock at PIP, Fort Lee. Link here. 

A bit of a drive...

Sleeping Beauty. NJ Ballet's family friendly production. Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway. Link here. 

Red Bank International Flavour Festival. 12pm to 7pm. Music, food, wine, vendors and family friendly activities. White Street Parking Lot. 

Monmouth Festival of the Arts. 225 artists from all over the Northeast, workshops, children's crafts, entertainment and more! Tinton Falls. Link here.