Favorite sayings

OK the Olympics is on and I am getting over a cold so it is a good time for picture blogging! :)  I hope you enjoy this!

XOXO

Things to do this summer in NJ

Festival of ballooning
Visit shore and boardwalks
Visit Cape May and see old architecture
Visit Atlantic City
See a show at PAC
Go see Northlands
See a show at the State Theater
Visit a PYO farm
Go to a local lake
Go to a town fair or festival
See a movie
Visit lots of parks
Go to a baseball game
Visit a winery
Go to a local pool or waterpark
Visit an amusement park
Go to the races
Do a library show
Visit a state park
Buy things at a farmers market
make smores on a camp fire

did I miss any of your favorites?

XO

Turtle back Zoo!

We love museums but my younger son really loves animals.  So off we went to the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ recently with friends.

It is fun filled wild afternoon in Essex county, NJ.

Attractions include a giant python, animal theme play area, walk thru prairie dog exhibits, farm petting area, pony rides and mini train ride.

You can rent strollers or bring your own or just walk around, it isn't too big for older toddlers.

There is a picnic area for BYO food, or buy something in the cafe.

They have educational worksheets for readers and activity sheets for all ages.

It is mostly open 10-4 but hours vary depending on the season or day of the week.  Also they have a discount afternoon when some services are limited but great for walking around.

Note: the kids slide in the play area is almost always mobbed with kids of different ages so beware with younger kids.

Parking is ample and free!

XOXO

Dinosaur time!

We love museums and the boys are especially drawn to dinosaurs and natural history.  So off we went to preview Field Station Dinosaurs recently and it was amazing.

It is like walking back in time to the Jurassic age (90 million years ago). It is a huge complex near the Meadowlands, but not at the Meadowlands (a Laurel Hill park ground in Secaucus nearby).

There are 31 life sized animatronic Dinosaur displays; the trip was fun and educational. There are workshops and games and worksheets. There is a fossil dig site half way thru the trail that gives the kids a break and they have fun digging up fossils.

There is a crayon site where the kids get to draw dinosaur related pictures. There is an amphitheater with regularly scheduled talks and workshops (we got to see various baby dinosaurs up close and ask questions).

There are a couple more archaeological outposts for viewing various archaeological site formats with objects an archaeologist might use in real life at a real dig site.

Lunch needs to be brought or pre ordered, as there is only a small gift shop with limited snacks available.

Photos are available at the gift shop with pics of the site near the entrance, however the pictures didn't seem to upload very quickly so we didn't get a chance to purchase any.

There are bathrooms at the venue but they are the nicer but portable ones.  Parking is available at a small fee.

My favorite displays were the raptors, seem like an amazing feat to be able to fly with that size bird.

Enjoy our pics.

XO