Whatever Works

Another great day at the Tuckerton Seaport! A review of the Privateers & Pirates Fest

This post is sponsored by Real Mom Media, but all the opinions are my own.  

As usual, the Tuckerton Seaport got another huge checkmark in my book of awesomeness last weekend.  On Saturday my family & I attended their Privateers and Pirates Fest which we had been excited about since hearing of it.  My son is really into pirates, so this was absolutely perfect for him.  

We even dressed the part!

After meeting up with some of my other bloggin' buddies and getting our treasure map, we went downstairs in the Seaport's visitor center to complete some crafts.  They really went all out with aluminum foil/cardboard daggers and paper parrots for your shoulder.   

Making his dagger

 

I will call him George!

 I jokingly commented to the lovely woman at the parrot station that she must have been cutting out all those parrot parts for days.  She replied that it was more like weeks!  

After we explored a bit more of the visitor's center which included a sealife exhibit and a real live talking parrot, we ventured outside into the world of the pirates.  My son was absolutely mesmerized. I mean, these were REAL pirates in his eyes (which were twinkling like crazy the whole day).  The first thing that caught his eye was a little plank set up for kids to walk.  He jumped right up there and got his picture taken immediately.

Arrrgh!

 One pirate asked him if he wanted to sword fight.   

Now that's a serious pirate!

 My son said no, which surprised me.  After we walked away, he advised me he didn't want to do it because his little aluminum foil dagger was not big enough...he needed a "real" sword.  It was easy enough to find one as there were vendors galore with everything pirate related.  They were very reasonably priced, I might add.  We found a $4 plastic sword and went on our way to see a cannon demonstration - always keeping our eyes out for that sword fighting pirate.

BOOM goes the cannon

 After the cannons blasted a few times, we went into the big tent to listen and watch some pirate musicians sing the songs of the sea.  A nice pirate lady with a display of assorted pirate memorabilia explained so much to my son about different types of guns and weapons, I think his head was about to explode with excitement.  He told me all about what he learned on our walk to Perrine's Boat Works to see all the sneakboxes being made.

At that point, my daughter joined us after her soccer game (which they won, woohoo!) and we took a walk over to the Tucker's Island Lighthouse.  We were greeted by a pirate at the doorway explaining some different types of trials pirates endured through the years.  We then strolled up to the top of the lighthouse for a quick pic and headed back down.

What a view!

 I had mentioned earlier that we received a treasure map.  That map had various locations in the Seaport listed where we were supposed to visit and get a sticker.  Once all the stickers were received, we could pick a prize from the treasure chest.  That was our last stop for the day! 

Can you guess what he chose? Give up? It was a duck.

 We had a great time once again at the Tuckerton Seaport and plan to go back many times this summer for their many events.  Our favorite is the free Friday night concert series that runs throughout the summer.  We pack up our cooler, grab some glow sticks and snacks for the kids and head over for a great family evening every chance we get.  

For a complete listing of all the Tuckerton Seaport's events, check out their website at : www.tuckertonseaport.org.  You can also visit their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter @TuckertonSeaprt  

Hope to see you there! 

Whadda ya say, George?

 

 

Lemonade for a cure to cancer. Let's do this.

I have this beautiful friend named Trish.  Not only is she a fantastic mother of three, a writer with wonderful talent, and owner of the blog Yoke she is an ambassador for Alex's Lemonade Stand.  After learning her daughter Lily had a cancerous brain tumor at 14 months-old and watching her endure several surgeries and treatments, Trish made it her priority to try her best to stop this cancer from hurting any more families out there.  Here is her story:

Beautiful Lily

When life gives you lemons. . .you make Alex's Lemonade!

When my daughter was first diagnosed with a brain tumor, I knew nothing about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF). Then one morning in June while she was upstairs at the Children's Hospital of Phildelphia in the PICU recovering from brain surgery, I went downstairs to buy a cup of lemonade.

  

CHOP was buzzing with excitement--it was the ALSF annual Lemonade Days.   I, however,  was in a bad place. The day before Lily had complications during a procedure. I hated the world. I hated everything and everyone. I was spent. 

  

Then I heard Liz Scott speak. I only remember one word that Liz said:

  

Hope.

  

Hearing this amazing woman and mother, who lost her child, tell me to have hope, saved me. 

  

My daughter Lily is  7-year-olds and a brain tumor survivor. She was diagnosed when she was 14-months old, after weeks of throwing up. Her pediatrician kept diagnosing a GI bug and a bladder infection. Finally, we begged for more answers and we were sent to the emergency room at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

  

Within 30 minutes we had our answer: a brain tumor. 

Those are two words, you never, ever want to hear as a parent.

 

Lily has endured multiple brain surgeries, seven weeks of proton radiation and continued therapies to help improve her motor skills and strengthen her muscles. Brain surgery damaged Lily's overall muscle tone and coordination. Therapy and hard work has brought Lily full circle. The little girl who once could not walk, now runs and tumbles and dances.  She is a shining beacon of hope and strength and love. 

But we know that Lily's battle is not unique.  Everyday, 46 children are diagnosed with childhood cancer. Everyday, 46 mothers and fathers learn that their child will begin the fight for their lives. Seven children die everyday at the hands of childhood cancer. 

46 children is 46 too many.  The suffering has to stop. 

It is because of these children that our family holds an Alex's Lemonade Stand to support ALSF every year.  For the past five years, our family has hosted a Lemonade Stand in our front yard and online to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. 

Childhood cancer research is consistently underfunded and under researched. But ALSF is working to change that. Since 2004, the foundation has made a major impact--raising over $50 million for research.  It all started with Alex--a little girl who was really sick and really wise. Alex knew that every penny counts and every donation adds up. 

This year, our family aims to raise $10,000 for a cure to all forms of childhood cancer. It is an enormous goal--but it is one we hope to reach with the help of kind and generous friends. 

Every donation--whether $5 or $50 counts.  

When you buy a cup (or 100 cups, please!), you will be sipping in the beautiful stories of some of my favorite people in the world, my heroes. In honor of all those children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who fight, have fought and will continue to sell lemonade for their friends, until cures for pediatric cancer are found, I ask, I beg you to raise a glass to these amazing blessings. 

 Together, we will beat childhood cancer, one icy cold, sweet cup of lemonade at a time!

To donate to Lily's stand:

http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/92855

Remember, every single bit helps!  Thank you for your support.

Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam: Path of Destruction Tour- GIVEAWAY!

 

Zombie photo courtesy of Feld Auto Parts

If you have been following my blog, you know that I am a huge fan of Monster Jam.  My family and I have gone to two shows and loved every minute.  I have also been fortunate enough to give some tickets away in the past to you guys.  

I am happy to report that I am able to do it again!

Monster Jam is a great experience for people of all ages.  The drivers are hugely in tune with their fans and love to make the show as interactive as they can.  They make their way into the stands and hang out for pictures before the show in a Pit Party designed to get you up close and personal with the trucks and drivers.

On June 15th, Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam: Path of Destruction Tour will be at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.  This event is second only to World Finals in Las Vegas as the trucks and drivers competing at MetLife are considered to be some of the biggest stars of Monster Jam.  I want you to be there to check it out!  Per the press release:

More than 4,000 tons of dirt will be brought inside both iconic stadiums along with 50 crush cars, vans and buses to create the vast Monster Jam Path of Destruction racing track and freestyle course, only to be destroyed by these massive Monster Jam trucks.  

Scheduled to compete at both stadiums are Grave Digger^®, Max-D^SM, Advance Auto Parts Grinder ^SM, Monster Energy, Lucas Oil Crusader ^SM, Son-uva Digger^®, Grave Digger The Legend^®, Monster Mutt^SM Dalmatian, El Toro Loco^®, Madusa^®, Iron Man™, Mohawk Warrior^®, and Team Hot Wheels^® Firestorm^®.

In addition to this stacked field of Monster Jam trucks, Zombie^SM, El Diablo^SM and Scooby-Doo^TM will be making their first ever appearances at M&T Bank Stadium and MetLife Stadium as part of the Monster Jam Path of Destruction summer events.  

You don't want to miss it!

As a great way to welcome the new trucks, I thought we could make this giveaway a little more fun than just a normal "leave a comment" or "tweet this post" giveaway.  I want you to get in the spirit of the Zombie truck and take a pic of yourself or your family doing your best zombie impression.  Send it to me at cynthialeemom@yahoo.com and I will post it here!  You can add additional entries by filling out the rafflecopter form below & completing the tasks required, but the photo is mandatory to be entered into the contest.  Once all entries are in, I will pick one at random to win a family 4 pack of tickets to the June 15th show!

Best of luck to you. I hope you win!  Contest ends 6/10/2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Even if you don't win, tickets to the show are still available at monsterjam.com.  
Total Access Pass - $125 All Seats
VIP - $50 All Seats
Regular Tickets- $35 Adults / $15 Kids (ages 2 - 12)  - all tickets will be $2 more at the door.

Disclosure: I have been given tickets to give away, but have not received any compensation to write this post.  All opinions and love for Monster Jam are my own.

Remembering the truth

When I was a kid, I thought I would be dead before the age of 27.  That seemed to be the magical age that I never thought I would get past.  I don't know why I picked 27.  Maybe it was because of Jim Morrison's death at age 27.  He seemed so mysterious and important back then.  

I wasn't happy as a child.  There, I said it.  

I tried.  I wanted to be happy.  

The thing is I didn't have a traumatic childhood.  My family is/was loving and caring.  I had friends.  I joined groups.  I played sports.  I went through the motions. 

I did all the things that happy kids do, but I felt alone in them.  I would always come back to my own thoughts and wonder if that feeling of being slightly off would ever go away.  I wondered if everyone else felt the same way. Does playing a sport truly give a rush of happiness?  Or is everyone else faking it like I am? Does everyone else go home and watch TV in their beds until 4AM and then go to school exhausted just praying for it to end?  

When I was 17, my friend Bryan committed suicide.  It was unexpected and terrible.  Apparently, I was one of the last people to ever hear his voice.  He called that night to talk with my sister.  She wasn't home. He and I talked for a few minutes and then we hung up.  

And then he checked out.

Gone.  

It was the day after Christmas.

I was mad.  I was sad. I was everything you think a pubescent teenager should be.  I stumbled through the viewing line which ran for miles down the road and had to excuse myself 3xs before I was finally able to go to his casket.  Later at home I cried.  My mom hugged me.  My sister cried in her room.  We didn't know how to handle it.

I went to college a year later and couldn't shake that feeling that the end was near.  My dreary outlook on life stayed with me thoroughout my 2 1/2 year stay at school.  I thought of Bryan often.  I felt closer with him after his death than I did in his life.  

But then something happened.  Something changed.  A light turned on.  I suddenly didn't feel down; I felt up.  I felt the world growing around me... flowers blooming, trees swaying, smiles.  The world just changed.  There is no explanation. It just...clicked.

And just like that, I was happy.

Looking back on those dark times makes me sad.  I have tried writing about them before, but never really get it right.  I just write about them so I will remember them when my kids go through rough times.  So that I can remember I was there once, too.  

Even without any particular pinpointed issue (like bullying, abuse, etc) childhood can be hard.  Yes we all have to go through it, but it does suck sometimes.

I look at my younger years in a different light now, from a different perspective.  What did my mom think?  Did she know?  I think so.  She has always been there for me.  I just didn't think I needed her.  I walked away from her and into my dark room looking for something else...even though she was right there.  I need to remember that when I try to open my own kids' doors and they say no.  

I will pay attention like my mom did and pray and hope they get through any tough times with a smile on the other side of them.  And of course I will be there when they reach for me.  Every time.

This post falls under the category of Weird Stuff I Do. It's about oil pulling.

 

Oil Pulling face!

I have always had sinus problems and never had any problem taking medication to treat them.  However, as we all know most sinus medications are not recommended when you are pregnant.  

So when I got all knocked up with my daughter, my sinuses started laughing at me.  Sinuses are jerks.

I looked everywhere for a good homeopathic remedy that could relieve my sinus pain and pressure and not cause my baby to come out resembling a Mucinex bottle or something.  Among other remedies like eating whole garlic cloves and doing shots of apple cider vinegar, I found the ancient Ayurveda practice of oil pulling.

Oil pulling is kinda gross when you think of it.  Basically, you take about 10ml of your favorite oil (I like safflower oil) and swish it around in your mouth for about 15 minutes.  Yes, the same 10ml of oil swishes around in your mouth for 15 minutes.  Then you spit it out and go on your merry way.  

When I read about it, I thought it was so silly it HAD to work.  Guess what?  It did.  After the first few days of oil pulling, I was blowing things out of my nose I never knew could fit in there.  But it did so much more than just that.

See, you are supposed to do your oil pulling first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything.  I'm not sure on the science of that aspect (or the science of ANY of it, to be honest) but the process goes beyond science for me.  Those first 15 minutes of the day are the calmest of the entire day.

My kids wake up and see me swishing, so they go about their business without asking me for anything.  If they do need something, we find creative ways to communicate with each other while I can't speak.  Today, my son and I had a great silent conversation about tea and his fluffy blanket using just our eyes and a sort of sign language.

I've been oil pulling for almost 10 years now.  I don't know if it has really helped me physically or if it's just in my head.  Maybe a little of both?  But I do know that it helps start my day off on the right foot most of the time.  Just thought I'd share it with you. 

 

 

What to write..?

 

My beautiful daughter at 1 year-old...about 8 years ago

I haven't written here in a while.  In fact, I am one day shy of a full month since my last post.  Sure, I have been busy doing other things, but truthfully the main reason I haven't written here is because I have been struggling with topics.  

See, my daughter is getting older.  She has asked me to stop writing about her publicly.  Even posting a picture of her on Facebook now requires her permission.  I completely understand and will abide by her request because I love her and respect her decision.  But it sort of leaves me with less writing material.  She is one funny and amazing girl.  I am so proud of her and all her accomplishments.  I want to scream it from the rooftops!  Alas, I can't and I won't.

My son, on the other hand is a hambone.  He loves the attention and thinks it's hilarious when people comment about his pictures or funny stories.  So what do I do?  Only write about my son?  Sure that seems like an easy solution, but I feel it's not fair.

Both my kids are remarkable in their own way.  While I would know the reason behind my seemingly one-sided posts that only tell tales of my son's adventures and exclude my daughter, I just don't want them to look back on it later in life and think I was favoring one over the other.

So it brings me back to my main purpose for writing this post: What do I write about when the main topic of my life is no longer a viable option?  It will be a work in progress.  I hope you'll stick around. 

The Vicious Cycle

Why do a lot of us parents wait until we are sick to relax?

I have never understood it, but still do it regardless.  There are so many times when I'm in a frenzy - but feel completely well physically - that I just want to relax.  And yet, I don't do it.  No, I wait until I'm exhausted, full of mucous and phlegm, dizzy, nauseated, and achy to sit down for five minutes.  

What is the meaning of that madness?

There are plenty of times that I could have a babysitter for the kids so I could go and have some Me Time - if only I'd ask.  Is it guilt that stops me?  Pride? The feeling that I would be neglecting my duties as a mother if someone else watches my kids while I have fun?

All of the above, I guess.

So instead, I sit here typing with a tissue stuffed up my left nostril and my arsenal of cold medicine by my side thinking of how stupid I am for not taking time off last week when I wanted to.  If I had, I probably wouldn't be sick now.  I'd probably be well rested and feeling great.  And now the time I take off is to lick my wounds and go back into the trenches instead of sitting in a beauty salon getting my hair washed by someone else.  

To stop the vicious cycle I put myself on, I really need to take some time for myself when I'm well.  Take everyone up on their offers to watch the kids while I frolick in the flowers.  Maybe when I'm a little less dizzy.  

How about you?  Do you wait until you're sick to take a break?  

Who are the Nuclear Cowboyz? Win some tickets and find out!

 

photo courtesy of Feld Motor Sports

Have you ever watched freestyle motocross on the X Games?  To me, the X Games are like watching all the stuff your mom always told you not to do because it is so super dangerous.  It feels almost sneaky and taboo to flip on the TV and see these guys flying through the air on dirtbikes.  It makes you turn your head for a second to see if Mom is going to yell at you.

Well, the Nuclear Cowboyz are like the X Games times a million.  Not only are the same guys who you know and love from the X Games right there in front of you- flipping around and doing stunts you never thought possible- they are performing a very well-choreographed show with an actual storyline, costumes and pyrotechnics.

It... Is... Amazing!

photo courtesy of Feld Motor Sports

My family and I went to see the show last year.  We have honestly been waiting on the edges of our seats for the Cowboyz to come around again because the show was THAT good.

Here's an excerpt from this year's press release: 

Nuclear Cowboyz^®, the only high octane-fueled freestyle motocross touring production in North America, is coming to IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on March 16-17. The action-packed narrative is the legend of two powerful freestyle motocross tribes whose survival in their futuristic world is told through an amassed compilation of fearless freestyle aerial feats, gravity-defying stunts, and electrifying pyrotechnic and laser displays synchronized to an energizing soundtrack. 

Sound like fun?  Well, here is a little more to sweeten the pot for you:

Nuclear Cowboyz 2013 has the greatest cast of freestyle motocross, trials and quad riders ever assembled, including recent X Games 2012 medalists Ronnie Faisst, Mike Mason, Taka Higashino and Winter X Games gold and silver medalist Colten Moore. The tour also includes former gold medalists Adam Jones and Matt Buyten as well as award-winning freestylers Derek Garland, Brody Wilson, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Wes Agee, Nick Dunne, Geoff Aaron, Keith Wineland and Marco Picado in this action-packed freestyle performance of pure danger and raw combat.   

 I was given TWO (yes, two) family 4-packs of tickets to give away for this year's show and I want YOU to have them!  

All I need you to do is enter to win.  I will be choosing two winners at the end of the giveaway and will contact you to let you know you've won.  I've set up this nifty Rafflecopter form for you to use.  You can enter as many ways as you'd like, but you MUST complete the task in order for your entry to count.  For example: if you enter by choosing to leave a blog post comment, you have to actually leave a comment on this post.  

 Easy enough, right?  OK!  Go ahead and enter.  I hope you win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hey, even if you don't win you can still get tickets for your family through Ticketmaster.  If you are feeling really saucy, go for the VIP Fallout Zone passes (Saturday only) which will get you in the same room as the riders before the show for autographs and photo ops.  It's a great time for everyone!

Disclosure: I was given tickets to see the Nuclear Cowboyz.  All opinions are my own.  They really, really DO rock.  

Things I miss sometimes:

Listening to music with no interruptions...letting it take over...for hours

Savoring each individual taste in a food

Walking outside without telling anyone where I'm going

Locks on interior doors

Having a 1000 piece puzzle lay 1/2 done on the dining room table for days and days without worrying about missing pieces

Meditating in silence for no set time

Thinking only for myself

Changing my mind without explanation

Eating dinner later than 5PM

Getting a cold and being able to sleep it away

Reading book after book after book

Painting

 

Things I don't miss all the time:

 

All of the above.  

 

Because I now have this...

 

...and this...

...and this...

...and this...

 

 I'll take it.

Sorting the dirty laundry

I've been thinking about dirty laundry a lot lately- both metaphorically and actually.  As I stood sorting my family's unmentionables near the washing machine this morning, I thought about other unmentionables.  All the stuff that I leave out of converations and don't post as a Facebook status.

There is a lot.  There are times when I want to rip my hair out from frustration or throw things into a river because I just can't seem to get it right.  There are plenty of problems we all have in common that I would love to share, but don't.  Because for me, sharing them here will not fix them.  It will frustrate them further.  It will confuse them with your similar problems and make us entwined in each other's webs in which we will never get out.

No, I don't feel the need to post every bad thing.  It doesn't mean they aren't there.  It just means that posting the good things are what makes me feel better.  

Laughing is good.  Smiling is my favorite.  

Back to actual laundry: Dirty socks are the worst.  Especially when they are thrown in the hamper without being uncrumpled first.  You have to stick your hand in there - in someone else's old sweaty sock- and get it straight before tossing it in the washing machine or it won't clean properly.  

But those socks?  They're in MY family's laundry basket.  Sticking my hands in the stinky sweat is what I signed on for.  Yes, it frustrates me.  Yes, it would be great if everything was clean already and I didn't have to do laundry.  But guess what?  I know exactly how to fold my daughter's shirts so they fit nicely in her dresser.  I know that my son will grab the same blue shirt with the pirate on it every single time unless I move it to the bottom of the drawer.  And I know that we all love sitting on the couch with a pile of warm towels from the dryer on our laps.  That's enough.