Author: Melissa

academy of natural sciences

Melissa 1 Comment

This afternoon we had no school (insert daughters doing cartwheels here) so we hit up the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Now, I would never tell you to play hooky. But if you ever have a random day off, go into Philly and hit the museums when they’re not crowded. Even if you’ve been somewhere twenty times, it is incredible to have it practically to yourselves.

The dinosaurs were awesome of course.

Except when they tried to eat Ellie and Grace…

Then we headed up to our favorite place… the Outside In! We met some new friends. Ellie was watching this cute bird play in the water – and it splashed her right in the face! Hilarious!

We got to pet a legless lizard, a box turtle, this swimming turtle I forget the name of…
and THIS GUY:

Can you believe how brave Grace is??

I was brave enough to touch it with one finger, but if that thing had climbed up my arm, I would have probably shattered glass with the high pitch of my scream! (I am NOT a bug person!! I prefer my wildlife cute and furry, thanks.)

We had so much fun – what an amazing day! The Academy of Natural Sciences remains one of our favorite outings in Philly!

Check out the girls’ blog – they wrote about our visit as well!

disclosure: we received a complimentary admission from visitphilly.com. all opinions are our own.


philadelphia flower show

Melissa

Today the kids and I bopped into the city (literally – MMMbop was definitely played at one point) for an event at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for a sneak peek at the 2012 Philadelphia Flower Show. We have gone to the flower show several years now, and it is always a treat. Despite my definitely not being a gardener, I do love flowers.

We arrived and my kids immediately got inspired and started making signs to advertise the flower show. Ellie’s was greeting people at the door:
We watched a sneak preview of the show this year, and the kids were enthralled. They were all asking, “When can we go there?” “Are we going there this year?” “Mom, please can we go?” I don’t blame them. The show looks even more incredible than previous years. Watch this and tell me it doesn’t look amazing:

One thing I appreciate as a parent is how family friendly the Philadelphia Flower Show is. They are partnering with Sprout to bring families some truly unique experiences – kids can meet characters from The Lorax, do crafts, see puppet shows, play with toys, see live performances of their favorite Sprout shows – and more in the totally free Family Lounge.  And for an additional charge, kids can meet their favorite Sprout characters in the Sprout Snack! How cool is that? Honestly, if my kids had this much fun at the preview, they’re gong to love the show!

Check out the PHS Family Fun Pack tickets, which includes tickets for the whole family and a one-year family membership to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society!

disclosure: we received a gift bag as a thank you for attending this event. as always, all opinions are our own.

i surrender

Melissa 5 Comments

Its been a weird few weeks.

Losing Gracie was terrifying. Utterly terrifying.
A week later, the kids school was in lock-down for 2 hours due to a suicidal gunman behind the school. (I didn’t write about that before. Couldn’t even find the words.)
Two friends from high school died suddenly.
I’m watching friends and family deal with unbelievably stressful situations.
Finally, on Saturday, I ended up in the ER getting a CT-scan to see why I had a raging headache and vision problems.

I was laying there listening to the CT-scan machine whirl around my head, trying to pray to keep myself calm. What can you even say?
There was only one thing I could think of:

“Your will be done.”

I have seen so much evidence of God’s care in our lives over these past few rough weeks.
I saw Him protect and watch over Gracie when she was lost. I saw him bring her back in my arms, unharmed, when children are hurt and lost every day.
I saw Him watch over the kids, resolving the gunman situation with no one – even the gunman – being harmed, when tragedies like this litter the news almost weekly.
I saw old friends coming  together, remembering friends.
I saw His care over friends and family.
I saw His care over me, with a normal scan and my headache getting better.

But I’ve been just smacked in the face lately with how much of life is out of my hands. And how the only thing that is certain is the sovereignty of God. And reminding myself that I need to trust that He is in control in a world that seems out of control. And remembering who holds my life, who holds my family and who holds my future. And trusting, trusting and trusting more that I am in His hands, that “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30).

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

fashion friday: workout gear

Melissa 2 Comments

We joined a gym recently.

In related news, I recently realized I need some more workout clothes. You know, ones that aren’t gross. Let’s see what we can find!

I picked up a couple of these active tanks by Old Navy – they’re so comfy and they were on sale recently for only $10.

Has anyone tried Old Navy’s compression line? These pants look amazing – and if they hold you  in a bit, I am totally buying some.

I absolutely adore these leggings by Lysse.

Personally I’m seriously eyeing this shirt from Athleta!

And I’m liking this bra cup racerback tank – may need to get this.

What are your must-have pieces for workout gear?





 

 

my week in instagram

Melissa 1 Comment

it was a pretty calm week this week.

i learned how to play racquetball which, sadly, i do not have a picture of. four days later, i can lift my arms again.

we had my husband’s parents over for dinner and we were trying to have a conversation
and i couldn’t stop laughing at how colin was climbing over grandpa –
like he’s a jungle gym –
and grandpa was just continuing his conversation.

i went to a fashion event and met some twilight stars.
this picture was taken solely make my sister, amy, super jealous.

we taught the kids to play monopoly.
grace totally kicked everyone’s butts.

colin’s new favorite hairstyle – a faux-hawk.

what i wore : 2.15.12

Melissa 2 Comments

On Friday I went to a lunch downtown with a friend and saw a fashion show. So fun! It was really cold, so my plans for a cute skirt were no good. I went with jeans and one of my favorite ruffley tops. Oh, and we met two stars of Breaking Dawn, Tinsel Lorry and Chaske Spenser, who play Sam and Emily.

cardigan: Old Navy {buy here}
top: ruffle top from LOFT {similar here}
jeans: dark trouser jeans by 7 for All Mankind {buy it here}
Boots: ankle boots by Matisse {buy it here}

On Sunday, I wore this amazing blazer from Anthropologie that I found in a consignment shop for $15 along with my newest jeans – 7 for All Mankind trouser jeans found in the same consignment store for $20! Score! I’m so hooked. I was trying this on in the morning and asked my husband, “Does this have too many ruffles?” And he replied, “Does that rule ever apply to you?” What can I say? He gets me.
blazer: Anthropologie {thrifted} {similar here}
blouse: old navy {similar here}
jeans: 7 for All Mankind {thrifted} {similar here}
flats: not pictured {buy here}
necklace: Stella and Dot {buy here}

Early in the week, I mainly hung out at home drinking coffee and avoiding going out in the cold as much as possible.

sweater: Target {buy here}
tshirt: LOFT {similar here}
jeans: skinny by 7 for All Mankind {buy here}
boot socks: urban outfitters {buy here}
boots: old, suede boots {similar here}

For more style, check out

RealStyleButton110 untitled12

Gevalia Kaffe *GIVEAWAY*

Melissa 22 Comments

Its no secret that I love my coffee!! Pretty much any and all coffees are welcome in my house! So trying Gevalia Kaffe sounded fun! Gevalia Kaffe is from Sweden – it is an exquisitely rich smooth coffee experience that is never bitter.

In Sweden, where the citizens drink more coffee than almost anywhere else in the world, Gevalia is their preferred brand. In fact, Gevalia enjoys the honor of being an official coffee of the Swedish Royal Court. It used to be only available online, but its now available in their 10 most popular varieties at Safeway and other grocery stores!

The House Blend was my favorite – its a medium/dark roast that has a great rich flavor that is not bitter at all. (And it smelled amazing.) Perfect for breakfast! The French Roast is fabulous as well – a more intense, dark roast. This would be perfect compliment to a rich chocolate dessert!! I highly recommend both – especially if you don’t like bitter coffees. I was amazed how smooth these both were!

WIN IT!

Girlymama is giving away a Gevalia Kaffe prize pack, that includes

  • (1) sample of the House Blend from Gevalia Kaffe
  • (1) sample of the French Roast Blend from Gevalia Kaffe
  • A Gevalia Kaffe branded coffee mug

    • ;

To enter, tell me how you drink your coffee – black? With cream and sugar? With flavored creamer?

Additional entries:
(please leave an additional comment for each entry completed)

2. Follow Gevalia Kaffe on Twitter.

3. Follow Girlymama on Twitter.

4. Subscribe to Girlymama daily updates either through your favorite RSS Reader or via email.

One winner will be selected at random using Random.org and will be notified by email. Please have a U.S. Mailing address. For other contest rules, see my giveaway policies page.

;

disclosure: Kraft Foods has provided sample product to me and is providing the prizes for this program at no cost to me. This program is not administered or sponsored by Kraft Foods or its affiliates, but solely by Girlymama.<\em>

three year old boy playdate

Melissa

I remember preschool playdates with my girls.
Maybe we’d have a tea party. Or a princess dress up dance. OR they’d color, make necklaces with beads or play Barbies…

Colin had a preschool playdate today.

I was stabbed twice, had my arms cut off by a knight, was shot by a pirate, got shot numerous times with dart guns, got attacked by kung fu ninjas and that was just in the first half an hour.

Little different, these boys.

 

fashion friday: boots are fun

Melissa 3 Comments

Remember in December when I talked about how I was so excited for January, because it would be so calm and relaxing and I could catch up on things and maybe even actually blog again?

I’ll pause while you finish laughing me.

So now it February and I’m just as busy as I was in December, only now its snowing. But lets turn our thoughts to happier things, like boots.

I mean, how awesome are these boots? And they’re 75% off, thankyouverymuch.

oooo – Ugg clogs! For more than 40% off! Wonder if I could walk in these without tripping. Clogs and I are not friends. For some reason I was walk in 5 inch heels, but clogs make me trip (Well, more than usual).

Well, hello there, 7 for All Mankind jeans on super clearance that just happen to be available in my size. May I introduce you to my shopping cart. I”m sure you’ll get along splendidly.

I want these jeans. Bad. MY size is all gone, though. Boo. Guess I’ll have to get the 7s after all….

Guess where these shoes are from? Come on! GUESS! Are you ready? Old Navy. For real. How fun are these loafers???