Lehigh Valley Family Fun

Great Ideas for Your 2014 Holiday Cards

2014-11-07T17:30:00.000-05:00

The holidays are coming. It's time to be merry and bright! One family tradition that I just love is sending holiday cards to family and friends. I love sending and receiving them, and also save the cards from years passed.

Lucky for us, my husband is a photographer. Most years, we set up a holiday scene and simply snap our pictures at home. Based on my obsessive love for holiday cards ... I offer you these ideas.

TOP IDEAS FOR 2014 HOLIDAY CARDS

1. Vacation Picture: Did you and the family spend some time away from it all this year? Did you fly from ABE to ORL to meet the Mouse? Have a shot of the kids on the beach to share? I just love when friends and family share vacation pictures on their holiday cards.

2. Top 10 List: We have a friend that includes a "top 10" moments list on her card. This is such a special glimpse into their year. I love this idea so much, that we actually did this on our cards last year and will most likely do it again.

3. Family Letter: When family and friends are scattered all over the world, it's great to send a little extra something. For years, we've included a short family letter. It's on 1/2 a page and includes major milestones from the year. We often recieve similar letters; we read them together and save them in our family memory box.

4. QR Code: I heard about this and think it's a great idea for tech and social media savvy families ... take a short holiday video, upload it to YouTube and then create a QR code to include on your card. To create a QR code, you can use bitly.com and then save the image as a .jpeg to your computer.

5. Ornament Cards: A fairly new card trend is the ornament card. You can make these yourself with fun scrap paper, add a photo on to the front, print out a note for the back, pop a hole in the top and add some ribbon. I think this would be a fun (but time consuming) craft to do with the kids.

HOLIDAY CARDS FROM SHUTTERFLY

My preferred photo sharing site is Shutterfly (no, they are not paying me to say that). I've been using it for years and love everything I've ever bought and made via the site. For the past seven or eight years, I've also purchased my holiday cards via Shutterfly, too. Here are some fun designs that are available on their site. I just love these!

Socialization: An Important Skill for your Preschooler

2014-08-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

Preschool may be a child’s first introduction to a community of similarly aged peers. While different preschools have their own philosophies with regards to education and learning environments, one thing remains the same: preschoolers need to learn how to socialize with others.

Socialization is one of the many developmental benefits to be gained from a good preschool experience. The key difference in the home and preschool socialization experiences usually is the degree to which a child has the opportunity to interact with their peers. At home, because of any number of circumstances, a child may have little opportunity to play, learn, share, or otherwise interact with other children of similar ages without their parents being involved. In preschool, children learn how to interact with each other using their own communication skills. Building a child’s communication skill is important for learning proper socialization.

A child needs to build their sense of confidence and self esteem. This means, he or she needs to feel good about themselves. Giving a child praise for good choices or complimenting him or her on a project they made helps a child build their confidence. However, that is confidence and self esteem from parents or adults. Preschool socialization helps develop confidence with peers.

Sharing and cooperation are two other important socialization skills. A way to help develop these skills is by playing games, singing songs or reading stories.

For your young child, play is important work. He or she grows, learns and investigates the world through play. Curiosity plays a key role in this exploration which also helps with developing socialization skills.

Communication is a key part of socialization. Your child expressing themselves and representing his ideas, feelings, and knowledge about the world is a key skill for your child. When a situation or conflict occurs, ask your child how he or she feels. By talking it through you can help your child understand his or her feelings.

When you incorporate any of the above mentioned ideas, you are developing your child’s socialization. The world is a big place where a child needs to learn how to communicate and express their ideas independently.

Robin Hagy, Guest Blogger for Lehigh Valley Family Fun

Bethany Preschool Preschool Director
rhagy@bethanyumchurch.com

Hear ye, Hear ye, calling all Princes and Princesses!

2014-03-08T16:19:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for a birthday party experience that will knock the socks off your little prince or princess?

Check out The Ice Cream Lab in Walnutport!

Newly added party experience "Kandy Kingdom" is a fun way to introduce your little one to a whimsical world featuring King Candy and his colorful castle of gum balls, lollipops and ice cream!

Children will create magical wands or fun pretend swords, hear a majestic story, then decorate their own crown-shaped sugar cookie. They will dress in fun princess or knight costumes, complete with majestic jewels from the king's treasure box and pose for royal pictures!

Wendy Pitts, Owner of The Ice Cream Lab invited me to sit in on a Kandy Kingdom birthday party. I had a chance to see the party first hand. WHAT FUN! The boys and girls were totally entertained by each activity! And they looked absolutely adorable too when they dressed in prince & princess costumes.

The staff at The Ice Cream Lab attended to the needs of the children and it was evident they truly enjoyed being part of the birthday girl's day.

For more information about The Ice Cream Lab and its offerings, please check out their website or stop by their store. Your little one will be glad you did!

How to Survive Bad Weather with Kids in the Lehigh Valley!

2014-02-13T14:23:00.001-05:00

That's right, another snow storm. If you are anything like me, after multiple snow and ice storms, winter has now lost its appeal.

Snow flakes hitting my face, once a blissful moment, now tends to turn my stomach. And the idea of being cooped up in the house, with the kids, can be trying.

But as we all know, being a Mom or Dad is a 24-hour job, even if the weather isn't cooperating. With that in mind, here is a list of fun things to do with your kids when Mother Nature has other plans.

Bake cookies!
A perfect way to warm up the home and make it smell yummy too! A special trip to the grocery store isn't always necessary. Many times I can find recipes based on the food items I all ready have at home. We have lots of fun recipes on our Pinterest page.

Get out those board games.

Remember those good 'ol games that are piled in your basement or hall closet? Some oldies but goodies? Connect Four, Clue, Monopoly (love it) just to name a few.

Clean out those closets.
I have clothing that my daughter has outgrown piling up in my laundry room. A snowy day is a perfect time to gather up all outgrown or unwanted clothing and be a Consignor. A Consignor is a participant who sells new and gently-used items at local, seasonal sales events. There are many consignment opportunities coming up in the near future. The Kids Closet Sale is March 13, The Kid's Clothesline is April 4-6. The Clothing Tree is April 11-13, and Just Between Friends is April 12-13. Most events are looking for Consignors NOW.

Teach your children how to take photos.
Being stuck inside is a perfect opportunity to show your kids how to use a camera. I could spend hours looking out the window at the snowy landscape and capturing photos of it. Our friends at Dan's Camera City have great tips on their website for taking fun winter photos. A great way for kids to see things that they might not notice otherwise.

Get messy, try paper mache.
That's right, I said it. GET MESSY! Put an old table cloth on your kitchen table and let the kids go wild. Check out our Pinterest page for some fun ideas! Paper mache is super easy to make - Mix 1/2 cup of flour with 3/4 cup of water, old newspaper cut into strips - add 1/4 tbsp of salt to prevent mold and to make extra sturdy and 2 tbsp of white glue. Let it dry and then GET OUT THE PAINT! This is twofold messy fun and you will be the coolest Mom or Dad on the block! You can thank me later. :)

Go sledding.
OK, so this is obvious. But sometimes you have to point out the most common things to those who need ideas. Sled for a little while and then make hot chocolate. This is a MUST DO in my house.

Make an Emergency Preparedness Kit.
Being prepared is a great thing. Ready.gov lists items that are commonly found in your home that could be set aside for an emergency; flashlights, batteries, water, etc. With the amount of homes losing power in a storm, this could help you and your family should the need arise. It is also a great opportunity to teach your kids the importance of being prepared.

Have a Snow Day Scavenger Hunt.
Our friends at Paper Bag Child have a list of items needed by local, Lehigh Valley charities. Check out the list and then do a family scavenger hunt in your house. You might just find a gently-used item, that you no longer use, that could help someone else in need.

So, I hope the above list helps you get through yet another snow day. Whatever you decide to do, do it together with your kids. You might just make a memory or two that will last a lifetime.

Have fun!

Lehigh Valley Family Fun is a website resource for families of the Lehigh Valley! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Pinterest.

Go Red with Lehigh Valley Mall!

2014-02-05T10:50:00.003-05:00

During the month of February, Lehigh Valley Mall will participate in a nationwide Simon Property Group, Inc. celebration "Paint the Mall RED" to support American Heart Month.

On Friday, February 7, Mall goers are invited to join Lehigh Valley Mall for National Wear Red Day to show their support for women with heart disease. Every customer to visit Guest Services on National Wear Red Day and February 8th will receive a Go Red for Women Dress pin...while supplies last.

Additionally, Lehigh Valley Mall will continue its annual partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA) for the month of February and host the Go Red for Women event on Saturday, February 8th from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. in the Macy's Court.

Activities will include...
*Blood Pressure Screenings provided by McCann School of Business & Technology
*Raffle Prizes
*Macy's Go Red for Women/AHA Fashion Show (emceed by Josh Gears of 100.7 WLEV)

"We're proud to join the movement to promote healthy lifestyles for women," says Lehigh Valley Mall Marketing Director, Amanda Johnson. "Heart disease is the number one threat to women and we want to do everything possible to spread awareness and let those in our community know that small lifestyle changes can make a big difference!"

Throughout the month of February, Lehigh Valley Mall will sell the Simon From the Heart Giftcard at Simon Guest Services located on the lower level near Boscov's. This giftcard makes a great Valentine's Day gift and provides the purchaser the opportunity to support the Foundation for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) through the additional $1 purchase.

Shoppers can also enter to win an American Heart Association's Heart Health Goodie Tote at the giveaway table located by the escalators near Guest Services through February 27. The winner will be chosen on February 28.

What is Tai Chi?

2014-01-30T07:03:00.000-05:00

The goal of Lehigh Valley Family Fun is to spread the word about great programs for kids and their families. One program that I was recently introduced to is Tai Chi by our friends at the Lehigh Valley Martial Arts (LVMA).

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is translated as the supreme ultimate force and seeing both sides of things. Some think of it as a cross between a moving form of yoga and meditation. It is the calm side of martial arts.

Different than traditional exercise, Tai Chi movement is circular and a person's positioning and muscles are relaxed.

LVMA has been offering Tai Chi since 2006.
"The Tai Chi program is designed to increase health and happiness, increase energy, be a simple, effective practice for stress management, a low impact and highly effective exercise. It is also a great way to make new friends and make strong personal connections" says Sensai Dana Eldridge, Co-Owner of LVMA and Active Learning Centers.

I had an opportunity to watch Shifu Crystal in action and was fascinated by the meditation aspect.

Tai Chi instructors can be called different names depending on their level of instructorship: Laoshi and Shifu.

Laoshi, pronounced Low (like cow but with an “L”) Shir, which means “Teacher” and is used to show respect for our Assistant Instructors who are training for full instructorship.

Shifu, pronounced Shee-foo refers to a fully certified instructor. In traditional Mandarin it means “Father Teacher” as in Chinese society the father is the head of the household. This title is however, interchangeable between men and women and refers to a head instructor.

Classes are held Tuesdays/Thursdays at their Fogelsville location and Mondays/Wednesdays in Emmaus. Tai Chi is for adults only. However, if your children want to get involved there are martial arts classes for children at all locations.

Does this sound like something you might be interested in? Please contact LVMA for more information or to get started.

Tips for entertaining around the holidays

2013-12-27T11:46:00.001-05:00

With New Year's Eve only days away, I am beginning to panic. Am I the only one who is a last minute planner when it comes to holiday gatherings?

So much goes into a successful holiday party—Will I have enough wine or spirits for my guests? Does the presentation look nice? How can I make sure my guests get home safely?

Our friends at Fine Wine & Good Spirits are here to help with a fun “Holiday Entertaining Tips” providing readers with useful tips and tricks for planning their holiday bash.

Such tips as...
Did you forget to chill the Champagne? Don’t worry, we have a trick to chill your bubbly in just 10 minutes!

Not sure how much alcohol to buy? Take out the guess work with our quantity calculator.

These tips and more are perfect for easing the stress of holiday party planning!

Click here for a PDF version.

It you plan to drink, please be responsible and have a designated driver.

Have you heard about Mason J.A.R. Apparel?

2013-11-29T11:31:00.001-05:00

Mason J.A.R. Apparel, is a home-based business and dream of local artist Jessica Ann Russell. Jessica used her love for art and fashion to create a line of hand-printed clothing on comfortable kid's clothing.

But WHAT IS IT?

I asked Jessica to send me a sample. I wanted to see what it was, how it would deliver and just the overall experience of this new-to-me product.

I received a box with a mason jar inside. It was very well-packed to ensure whatever was inside would be protected. The purple contents looked interesting and it even came with a cute label.

I opened the mason jar and pulled out an ADORABLE onesie! It was purple AND it had one of my favorite animals on it....an elephant!

Mason J.A.R. Apparel is clothing designed with a little one's comfort in mind. All onesies are 100% GOTs organic (GOTs stands for Global Organic Textile Standard) in a range of beautiful colors. AND printed with YOUR choice of playful block print.

Do you know someone who is expecting?

Check out Mason J.A.R. Apparel!

They are getting ready to launch a new website - http://www.MasonJarApparel.com.

Use promotional code LVFForganic for 10% off.

What a cute idea! And perfect for a baby shower!

You can also check them out on Facebook -- http://www.Facebook.com/masonjarapparel.

Giving 110%: Erin Daley with Chloe + Isabel

2013-11-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Have you seen our Mom's Corner posts on Fridays on Facebook? This is just one way that we are supporting other local moms who are running their own businesses. In this post, we are excited to introduce you to Erin Daley, an independent consultant with Chloe + Isabel and mom of two! She's giving the world a little more sparkle by offering a gorgeous array of unique jewelry for all tastes.

A LITTLE Q&A WITH ERIN

Why did you start a career with Chloe + Isabel?

I’ve been in direct sales for four years and wanted to find a company with a different approach. I researched socially-integrated companies and came across Chloe + Isabel. I really liked the way the company is run for the merchandisers and looks to empower them.

There is a lot of support in our merchandiser community and we are given the tools to build our business the way we want. The emphasis is not on “building a team” like many other direct sales companies. You work hard to build your business and you are able to move up to management. Take that and add a gorgeous, high quality product that is fully backed with a Lifetime Guarantee and for me it was a perfect fit.

What do you like most about working for yourself?

My favorite part of working for myself is the ability to set my own hours to work around my family’s schedule and being able to work from home.

What advice do you have for other moms who might be interested in starting their own businesses?

Be realistic with yourself about how much time you have to put into your business and your goals. If you are honest with yourself from the start, you won’t be so hard on yourself if you don’t always accomplish every single thing on your to do lists.

GREAT PROMOTIONS FOR LVFF READERS!

Like Erin's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/chloeisabelbyerindaley, and post that "Lehigh Valley Family Fun" sent you, and you could win your choice of $25 off your order of $75 or more OR a pair of stud earrings! Winner will be chosen on November 17th.
Book a "Pop Up" for November, December or January and you'll receive a free gift (at least a $35 value) at your party! Contact Erin at e.k.daley@gmail.com to book a date and mention "Lehigh Valley Family Fun."
Place an order using THIS LINK and you'll be entered to win All of the Hostess Rewards! Order must be placed using the link listed by November 17th. Be sure it says "Lehigh Valley Family Fun" as the Pop Up while checking out. Winner will be notified on November 18th!

BOOK A PARTY & GET IN TOUCH

And, just in time for your holiday shopping! The Chloe + Isabel Holiday Line launched on November 5th. So, now is a great time to shop. Here is a link to the Gift Guide.

If you have any questions, want to book a party or place an order, you can contact Erin by phone 610-751-2765, email e.k.daley@gmail.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/chloeisabelbyerindaley.

CRAFT IDEA: Apples Boxes to Book Totes

2013-10-15T07:30:00.000-04:00

If you are like our family, you may have spent a day at a local orchard picking apples this fall. The royal galas were amazing this season! We picked more than 15 pounds of apples, and made homemade applesauce and apple crisps.

But, after the fun we were left with two, sturdy apple boxes. What's a mom to do? I noticed that we had a number of books that just didn't fit on the shelves anymore, so I decided to remedy that clutter issue by making book totes.

EASY DIY BOOK TOTE CRAFT

I used leftover paint from our girls' rooms and puffy paint to do the lettering. These super cute totes cost nothing to make other than my time.

My oldest daughter just loves Alice in Wonderland and the baby is a fan of Winnie-the-Pooh. If you are interested in making something similar, consider picking a quote from a favorite book or your favorite author.

Places in the Lehigh Valley for Fall Family Portraits

2013-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Fall in the Lehigh Valley is gorgeous! (Though, as I am writing this it's about 84 degrees outside.) With the natural beauty all around us, fall makes for a great time of year for family photos and capturing special moments.

GREAT PLACES FOR FALL PHOTOS

Fall in the Lehigh Valley 2013, Jordan Creek (c) Smedstad

Here are few places around the Lehigh Valley that make for great photo backdrops.

Lehigh University: With the big trees and beautiful, old buildings, the university is a great place for candid and posed portraits.
Jordan Creek: Upon exiting the Lehigh Valley Zoo, you can forge the Jordan. This area is filled with fall foliage, a picturesque bridge and the water.
Ontelaunee Park: If you haven't traveled this far north on 309, it's worth it. I think this park would be a great place for outdoor shots.
Hawk Mountain: What could be more amazing than a family shot with all of fall's splendor behind you. The view and your photos would be amazing!
Strawberry Acres: A friend of mine had family photos taken here and they were so cute (and there was no charge to for them to do so).
Bridges: How about near one of the Lehigh Valley's covered bridges? That could make for a beautiful photo with a local-feel.

TIPS FOR TAKING FAB FALL FAMILY PHOTOS

I've seen local photographers charge from $75 - $200 for 1.5 - 2 hour photo sessions. If you can do this, I would recommend it. Ask the photographer to take a mix of posed and candid shots. Often it's the candids that make for the best pictures.

Coordinate: I love when families take photos in outfits that coordinate, yet aren't too matchy. Creams, browns and oranges. Jeans, boots and sweaters. Fall is usually a season filled with comfy, warm and stylish clothes.
Be natural: Just be yourselves ... let the kids play ... hug, kiss and be together. Ask the photographer to capture those real family moments.
Time it right: The natural light of early morning or late afternoon is often fantastic for photos. Avoid the outdoors when the sun is highest in the sky ... it'll make for unwanted shadows. I recommend morning, while the kids are "fresh" or after nap time.

When deciding whether to use a photographer, ask about how they deliver the final proofs. My favorite way to receive photos is on a CD, that way I receive all of the files and can upload (and order) from Shutterfly. Ask about getting exclusive rights to use the photos for personal use.

What other tips or advice do you have about fall photos? Are you planning a family portrait day in preparation for the upcoming holiday season?

Witch Craft for Kids that Moms Will Love (Dads, too)

2013-10-03T14:09:00.000-04:00

We have been in the Halloween spirit at our house! It's such a fun time of year for silly crafts and time well spent with the kids. I've been into footprint paintings with my girls ... they grow up so fast and this particular craft also creates a special keepsake.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1. Stretch canvas
2. Acrylic paint
3. Puffy paint

I painted the canvas orange and let it dry over night before painting the girls' feet and stamping it. I used puffy paint for some of the hair, the lettering and border art. All together, this project cost $4.99 (we had the paint at home already).

I've also seen a version of this craft on Pinterest that included arms and boots, as well as a decorative ribbon to hang it up.

Not-So-Spooky Halloween Craft for the Entire Family

2013-10-01T08:03:00.000-04:00

What's more fun than decorating for Halloween? Actually making decorations for Halloween! Well, at least that's how we feel at our house. How about you? What sort of Halloween crafts do you have in mind for your family this fall?

PINTEREST INSPIRED GHOST FAMILY

Like many moms, I troll Pinterest for ideas. Here is a ghost family painting that we did; it was inspired by some of the Halloween crafts that were pinned by other moms. Our last name is "Smedstad" which, obviously, we altered to be funny. A friend recommended the Deadstads, but that was a bit too morbid for our two and six year olds.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS PAINTING

1. A large canvas; I bought ours BOGO at Michael's in Whitehall.
2. Acrylic paint, we used brown and off-white. You might consider pure white and black, too.
3. Puffy paint for lettering.
4. Circle sponge for polka-dots.
5. Paper towel for creating textured background.

4 EASY STEPS TO CREATING YOUR BOO-TIFUL MASTERPIECE

1. Paint the background, while still wet, take a dry paper towel and blot the paint to make a textured background. Let it dry for a few minutes.
2. Paint your border. Let it dry.
3. Paint your feet, your kids' feet and even your hubby's feet (if he'll let you). Press everyone's tootsies onto the canvas and let the prints dry.
4. Use your puffy paint to draw on the ghosts' faces and additional lettering.

CREATE & SHARE YOUR GHOST FAMILY

If you and your family make a ghost painting, we want to see it! Post it to the Lehigh Valley Family Fun Facebook page.

Happy Halloween!
Be safe & have a ghoulish season.

Vote for Your Favorite Lehigh Valley Fall Places!

2013-09-23T08:10:00.000-04:00

Lehigh Valley Family Fun wants to officially recognize the best fall places in the Valley and we need your help. We've received many nominations from fans from across the Valley ... and now it's time for you to vote for the LVFF's Best of Fall 2013!

You can vote once per day, every day, now through 10 p.m. on October 5. You'll vote the same way our readers placed their nominations:

1. Via our blog -- Just comment below with your votes
2. The LVFF Facebook page -- Post your votes in the contest comments
3. On Twitter -- Send us an @ message to @LVfamilyfunn or @LVfamilyfun2

CAST YOUR VOTES FROM THESE GREAT NOMINEES
Winners of the very first Lehigh Valley Family Fun 's Best of Fall will be announced the second week of October.

1. Apple Pickin': Strawberry Acres in Coplay OR We will accept write-ins

2: Pumpkin Patch: Sieple Farm in Bath, Grims Farm in Breinigsville OR Savidge Farms in Macungie

3. Corn Maze: Mazezilla in Saylorsburg, Grims Farm in Breinigsville, OR Sieple Farm in Bath

ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY TO VOTE

We hope you have fun with this contest, share it with friends and encourage others to vote, too, though it is not required. Follow the fun via our social channels and stayed tuned for the announcement of this year's winners.

The 2013 winners will be recognized as a "Best of Fall," have their fall venues promoted via the LVFF blog and social media channels, and receive a logo to place on their websites, along with bragging rights.

OFFICIAL RULES

Contest is open to fall-themed places and venues located within the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Venues or events located outside of the specified region are not eligible. Relatives of LVFF bloggers are not eligible to win.

Contest voting will begin at 8 a.m. on September 21 and end at 10 p.m. ET on October 5. Votes will be verified by LVFF. Winners in each of the three categories will be notified the second week of October and winners will be announced the second week of October. LVFF has not received any payment or gifts in support of this promotion.

No purchase is necessary to win. Voters must be at least 18 years of age or older. By voting, each participant agrees to these official rules. By participating in the Contest, each participant and winner waives any and all claims of liability against the Company, its employees and agents.

We will be sharing this promotion on Facebook, however, the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

LAST CALL FOR LEHIGH VALLEY'S "BEST OF FALL" NOMINATIONS

2013-09-16T10:30:00.000-04:00

Lehigh Valley Family Fun wants to officially recognize the best fall places in the Valley and we need your help. This is our last call for nominations for the very first LVFF's Best of Fall. Nominations for these three categories will be accepted until 10 p.m. on September 20.

GUIDELINES FOR NOMINATIONS

The places that you nominate have to fit into one of above three categories and be located within the Lehigh Valley. You can nominate a location by commenting on this post, via the LVFF Facebook page or sending a tweet on Twitter to @LVFamilyfunn.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER

Beginning September 21, you'll have a chance to vote amongst our top nominees until October 5. You'll vote the same way our readers placed their nominations -- via our blog, Facebook page or Twitter. Winners of the very first Best of Fall will be announced the second week of October.

We hope you have fun with this contest, share it with friends and encourage others to vote, too. Follow the fun on Facebook and stayed tuned for the announcement of this year's winners.

Who will you nominate? Copy this "template" and paste it below in the comments section, then add your official nominations.

My Nominations Are ...
Apple:
Pumpkin:
Corn:

OFFICIAL RULES

Contest is open to fall-themed places and venues located within the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Venues or events located outside of the specified region are not eligible. Relatives of LVFF bloggers are not eligible to win.

Contest voting will begin at 8 a.m. on September 21 and end at 10 p.m. ET on October 5. Votes will be verified by LVFF. Winners in each of the three categories will be notified the second week of October and winners will be announced the second week of October. LVFF has not received any payment or gifts in support of this promotion.

Have you heard about Zaggora?

2013-09-15T18:45:00.000-04:00

Neither had I but I had noticed a TON of advertising on Facebook. So, I knew I had to check it out.

Zaggora is stylish, technology-enhanced activewear designed to give you smart solutions to getting active. Whether it’s ramping up energy to get the most from your time at the gym or employing odor-absorbing fabrics to keep you looking and feeling fresh, Zaggora ensures that you’ll look and feel good while you’re working up a sweat.

And sweat I did! I wore my Zaggora pants everywhere! I wore them while cleaning my house, walking the neighborhood, playing with my kids and riding my bike. When I took them off, I was really sweaty!

Zaggora’s uses revolutionary ThermoFit fabric technology, which is designed to harness the body’s natural heat during activity in order to help increase core temperature and calorie burn.

Zaggora is the brainchild of Dessi Bell, who came up with the concept after she struggled to find an effective solution to lose weight and tone up in time for her wedding. After being disappointed with so many other products in her quest, Dessi decided to design her own product that would look good, be easy to use and give genuinely effective results for all women. After extensive research and experimentation with countless prototypes, Zaggora HotPants were born.

So, I took the 2-week challenge. I won't tell you my measurements, but after 2 weeks, I felt better, my clothes fit better and my overall appearance was better!

I have to say that I just LOVE my Zaggora pants! I feel comfortable wearing them wherever I go!

Don't believe me? See what these ladies had to say...

Right now they are running a special on their website. Sign up and receive a $10 credit on your first order!

My new love...my Zaggora HotPants!

Best Fall Family Walks in the Lehigh Valley

2013-09-11T12:19:00.000-04:00

What do you like most about the fall? Is it the changing of the leaves? Pumpkin lattes? Football? For me, it's all of those things ... plus sweaters and boots, the crisp morning air, and fall family hikes and walks through the woods.

GREAT FALL WALKS IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

Hawk Mountain | hawkmountain.org
1700 Hawk Mountain Rd, Kempton, PA 19529

What we like most about Hawk Mountain: Amazing views and a great spot for a family photo! The habitat garden can make for a nice walk with your little ones.

What to know before you go: The hiking is very good, but much of it is very rocky and not stroller friendly. There is no place close by to eat, so be sure to pack snacks and water.

Appalachian Trail | appalachiantrail.org
Access point on 309, north of New Tripoli, PA

What we like most about the trail: It's quite and off the beaten path, and it's free!

Trail access on 309N

What to know before you go: We don't hike very long on the trail with our two little ones, and will often walk the paved road that is near the access point, too. That's a good walk and stroller friendly. And, there is a rustic inn and restaurant with good food near the trail, so you can make an afternoon of it!

Slatington Trailhead | delawareandlehigh.org/
Near Main Street, Slatington, Pennsylvania 18080

What we like most about the trailhead: It's stroller friendly, a good walk and nice views. There is also a little pizza shop near by that makes a good pie!

What to know before you go: It can get a little busy with bikers, families, walkers and pets. But nothing you can't handle!

Photo credit: Wikipedia

FALL WALKS BEYOND THE VALLEY

Hickory Run State Park | http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/hickoryrun/
RR 1 Box 81, White Haven, PA 18661

What we like most about Hickory Run: Boulder Field is amazing! I could hardly believe my eyes when I first saw it and didn't realized we had something so incredible, so close to us, in PA.

What to know before you go: Wear sneakers or hiking boots! These rocks are serious business. Also, check out the waterfalls accessible from the Hawk Falls trail.

Where are some your favorite family hiking spots in the Lehigh Valley? What is the best place you've ever hiked?

Call for Nominations: The Best Fall Places in the Lehigh Valley

2013-09-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Can you smell it? Fall is in the air in the Lehigh Valley! And, with a change in seasons comes a whole new host of family fun. We're fortunate to live in a region filled with great fall ideas and we want to hear which fall-themed venues are your favorites.

CALL FOR LVFF FALL FUN NOMINATIONS

This year, Lehigh Valley Family Fun wants to officially recognize the best fall places and we need your help to do so. We're now accepting nominations for the "Best of Fall" in these three categories:

1. Apple Pickin' -- What is your favorite place in the Valley to pick apples?
2. Pumpkin Patch -- Which local patch is your family's favorite?
3. Corn Maze -- Which maze is simply a-maze-ing?

GUIDELINES FOR NOMINATIONS

The guidelines are easy: the places that you nominate have to fit into one of our three categories and be located within the Lehigh Valley. You can nominate a location by commenting on this post, via the LVFF Facebook page or sending a tweet on Twitter to @LVFamilyfunn.

WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

LVFF will accept nominations now through September 20. That's when the fun begins! You'll have a chance to vote amongst our top nominees between September 21 and October 5. Winners of the very first Lehigh Valley Family Fun's Best of Fall will be announced the second week of October.

We hope you have fun with this contest, share it with friends and encourage others to vote, too. Follow the fun on Facebook and stayed tuned for the announcement of this year's Best of Fall winners.

Who will you nominate? Copy this "template" and paste it below in the comments section, then add your official nominations.

My Nominations Are ...
Apple:
Pumpkin:
Corn:

OFFICIAL RULES

Contest is open to fall-themed places and venues located within the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Venues or events located outside of the specified region are not eligible. Relatives of LVFF bloggers are not eligible to win.

Contest voting will begin at 8 a.m. on September 21 and end at 10 p.m. ET on October 5. Votes will be verified by LVFF. Winners in each of the three categories will be notified the second week of October and winners will be announced the second week of October. LVFF has not received any payment or gifts in support of this promotion.

Top Diaper Changing Tips at Home and On-The-Go

2013-09-05T17:58:00.001-04:00

YoFresh Event on September 12 for Pediatric Cancer

2013-09-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

Join our friends at YoFresh for a great cause! When? Thursday Sept. 12th from 6 - 9 p.m. at YoFresh on Schoenersville Rd. in Bethlehem for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.

YoFresh will donate 10% of all sales to the PCFLV!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Please wear your GOLD and come support these children who are bravely fighting their battles! www.pcflv.org

#SpreadtheGold

8 FREE Things to Do with the Kids in September

2013-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Now that the kids are back in school, are you busier than ever? Is your head spinning like mine? Well, if you are looking for ways to keep the kids busy on the weekends ... here are a few FREE events for kids this September.

Do you have any family-friendly events to share with our community of readers? Please email them to events@lvfamilyfun.com. We're happy to share your Lehigh Valley events on our community calendar!

Kids Story Times at Barnes & Noble
Tuesdays & Fridays at the Lehigh Valley Mall location
View the entire calendar of events online.

Peas & Qs - Family Programming - 2+1 Math Rocks!
Saturday, September 7, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m., SteelStacks ArtsQuest Center
2 + 1 is comprised of middle school educators who have developed and present an innovative program called MathRocks! Their program combines the music of classic rock songs with original lyrics and PowerPoint slideshows to teach math concepts that range from basic counting to algebra.

Kids Yoga at the Capital Blue Store
Saturday, September 7, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Kids ages 4 - 10 are invited for a free yoga session at the Promenade Shops.

WoofStock
Saturday, September 7, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Help raise money to build a dog park in Allentown while enjoying food, music and vendors. Event will be held at Cedar Beach Park. Rain date is September 8. Find out more on Facebook.

Fall Festival in Werley's Corner
September 14 - 15, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Farm animals, pumpkin painting, small hay maze, music, food and more! This annual fall event is hosted by the Weisenberg / Lowhill Township Historical Society and is a nice time for the entire family.

Community Music School Student Recital
Friday, September 27, 6:00 p.m.
Listen to students of Allentown's Community Music School play. There is no cost. The recital will be held at 23 North Sixth Street, Allentown, on the second floor.

Kids Discovery Expo at the Da Vinci Science Center
Saturday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This day of fun and learning at the Da Vinci Science Center will be held rain or shine. There will be refreshments, door prizes, petting zoo, and more! The event is free and hosted Senator Pat Browne and Representative Ryan Mackenzie.

"Touch a Truck" at Parkland Community Library
Saturday, September 28, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Bring the whole family to the circle in front of the library to check out some of the coolest trucks around. We’ll have diggers, police cars, an ambulance, and more for you to explore. No registration required.

Do you have any family-friendly events to share with our community of readers? Please email them to events@lvfamilyfun.com. We're happy to share your Lehigh Valley events on our community calendar!

Healthy Fun for the Kids at Capital Blue

2013-09-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Have you visited the Capital Blue Store at the Promenade Shops yet? Recently, I took my two girls and we had a nice visit. After nearly 45 minutes, they were not ready to leave! We colored, read books and even played games on the Wii. While we were there, we found out about several free events for kids and families in September.

September 7 from 12 - 12:45 p.m.
Kids Yoga, ages 4 - 10

September 7 from 12 - 2 p.m.
CHIP 20th Birthday Celebration

September 10 from 1 - 2 p.m.
Story time in the Kids Zone

September 14 from 5 - 7 p.m.
Meet the Author, Jack MacCallum and his book The Prostate Monologues

September 21 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Healthy Tailgating for the whole family

September 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26
12 - 12:30 p.m.
Boot camp, low-impact workout for beginners

September 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 6 - 7 p.m.
ZUMBA fitness classes, no charge!

Every Day in September
WalkingWorks from 12 - 1 and 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

All events are FREE of charge and new events are added weekly. Please register in advance. More information can be found on their website at capitalbluestore.com.

September Events for Children at the Parkland Community Library

2013-08-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Head over to the Parkland Community Library for a month filled with fun!

PCL Teens

Tuesday, September 3 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Help to decide what YA books the library buys, discuss what you’ve been reading, help prepare for activities and programs, and have some snacks!
For those in grades 7 to 12.
Participants earn volunteer credit.

Night at the Movies

Wednesday, September 11
6:30 p.m.

Join us for a showing of Adventures in Zambezia.
Held in the Youth Services Room.
No registration is required.

Fall Story Times

September 18 to October 25; Story time registration begins August 26 at 10:00am.

Call 610-398-1361 x 19 to register

Family Story times

Wednesdays and Thursdays 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

For children from 18 months to 3 years, but younger and older siblings may attend. An adult must stay with each child. Stories, songs, and games are shared with the whole family. Registration is required.

Preschool Story times

Wednesdays and Thursdays 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.

For children between 3 and 5 years. Parents must stay in the library but do not have to attend storytime with the children. Stories, songs, games and crafts are all part of preschool storytimes. Registration is required.

Drop-In Story times

Fridays 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

For families with young children and children of all different ages. No registration is required.

Touch a Truck

Saturday, September 28

10:00 a.m. to noon

Back for its second year!
Bring the whole family to the circle in front of the library to check out some of the coolest trucks around. We’ll have diggers, police cars, an ambulance, and more for you to explore.
No registration required.

52 Nut-free Lunch and Snack Options for All Kids

2013-08-27T09:52:00.000-04:00

When my daughter was 15-months old, I gave her a tiny piece of a Girl Scout cookie that contained peanut butter. Two hours later, we were in the emergency room as she was covered in hives, eyes swollen and feverish. Since that day, I've been a mom on high alert.

Now that my daughter is in kindergarten, I worry even more about her elevated, potential exposure to peanuts. For all the peanut allergic (PA) families and non-PA families, here is a list of 52 healthy (and some not-so-healthy), nut-free lunch and snack options.

Please ... help keep our little, allergic friends safe. Together, we can all ensure the health and well-being of our kids.

NUT-FREE LUNCH & SNACK CHOICES*

Apple slices
Seedless grapes
Tube yogurts (Go-gurts)
Cheez-Its
Cubed cheeses
Most pretzels
Raisins
Apple sauce pouches (Go Squeeze)
Jelly & Sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds)
Cream cheese & jelly sandwiches
Ham & cheese roll ups
Cheese & cucumber sandwiches
Turkey & cheese hoagie
Baby carrots & ranch dip
Golden Grahams
Cheerios (most varieties)
Dole fruit cups
Mandarin oranges
Motts applesauce
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish
Keebler Club Crackers & cheese slices
Berries
Bananas
Cucumber slices with ranch
Pirate's Booty popcorn
Fruit snacks
Celery sticks with sunbutter & raisins
Soy crisps (most varieties)
Mini-rice cakes (most varieties)
Danimal drinkable yogurts
Polly-O string cheese sticks
Ritz crackers
Nutri-grain fruit and cereal bars
Graham crackers
Fruit Newtons
Ritz Crackerfuls (most varieties)
Leftover spaghetti
Macaroni and cheese
Seapoint Farms shelled edamame with Dora on package

SWEETER & SALTIER NUT-FREE OPTIONS

Rice Krispy Treats
Oreos
Homemade brownies sans nuts
Fruit Roll-ups
Herr's ripple chips
Cheetos
Special K pastry crips
Teddy Grahams
Jello chocolate pudding cups
Chips Ahoy chocolate chips
Hershey chocolate kisses (non-holiday varieties)
Swedish fish
POP-tarts

Always read the labels for known allergens.

Many companies will list allergens in bold. Also, try to avoid foods that are made in or on shared equipment with peanuts. My daughter once reacted to pretzels made in a nut-factory, whereas she is normally fine while eating pretzels.

Looking for more snack options? Check out this PDF from snacksafely.com.

What is the Lehigh Valley's largest lake?

2013-08-01T12:21:00.000-04:00

Do you know what the Lehigh Valley's largest lake is? Have you ever heard of Leaser Lake? Neither had we, until we spent a fantastic afternoon there. Located in the northwest section of the Valley, Leaser Lake is a great place for a quiet canoe ride, family picnic or catching minnows with the kids.

Paddling on Leaser Lake

A couple of weeks ago, I had seen a sign near New Smithville that mentioned paddle boats and Leaser Lake. So, when we were trying to find something to do with the kids over the 4th of July holiday, we decided to Google it and find out more.

Several years ago, Leaser Lake was drained so the dam could be repaired. Earlier this year, the lake reopened for the first time in three years for trout season. This is also the first season for Leaser Lake Boats, Bikes & Bait (LLBBB), which provide rentals seven days a week to outdoor adventurers.

WHAT'S NEW AT LEASER LAKE?

LLBBB is located at 8912 Levans Road in Kempton just behind Wanamakers General Store (which if you haven't done so already, be sure to stop in. Their sandwiches are delish!). You'll want to first visit LLBBB to pick out your rental and then head to the lake.

Rental options include kayaks (single or tandem), paddle boards, canoes, row boats, fishing rods and bikes. Prices range from $5-$10 per hour for bikes and $20-25 per hour for boats. My husband and I rented a canoe and purchased lunches from Wanamakers, and spent quality time with our girls ... all for less than $50!

Coming later this summer via LLBBB ... yoga on paddle boards while on the lake! That sounds both awesome and slightly dangerous at the same time.

WHAT TO BRING TO LEASER LAKE

I'd recommend bringing a blanket and/or chairs to sit on if you plan to picnic; there are a few picnic tables, but we find it easier for our kids to have a place to sit on the ground, too. Water shoes, hats and sunglasses, and sunblock are a definite. It can be hot out on the boat with the sun reflecting off the water.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

There is no swimming at Leaser Lake and there's not much of a beach. It's simply a quiet place, away from all the hubbub of the busy community pools and more commercial lakes, where you can enjoy nature's beauty.

Connect with Leaser Lake Boats, Bikes & Bait on Facebook or visit their website for more information. Interested in learning more about Leaser Lake's history? Check out the Heritage Foundation site.