The Franklin Institute...a "not so far away" treasure.

Every once in a while, my family & I get the "itch" to leave the Lehigh Valley.  Crazy, right?  Why leave the Lehigh Valley?  We've got everything right here!

Yeah, well a few weeks back we headed down to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  My husband & I had visited many years ago, pre-kids.  But the recent television advertisements about the Titanic Exhibit had wet our appetites enough to make the trip.

So we packed the kids up, jumped on I-476 and we were at Pat's Steaks in 1-1/2 hours.  Pat's Steaks?  That's right, Pat's Steaks.  Since we were making the trip, we decided it warranted a trip to Pat's.  

Ah Pat's Steaks...The Cheese Steak Sandwich that can't be duplicated ANYWHERE!  All that glorious cheese mixed with that heavenly steak on a warm roll... my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

OK, where was I?  Right, the Franklin Institute.  

The day of our visit was a particularly busy one and the on-site parking garage was full.  Five blocks later we dumped the car and we headed to the museum.  We enjoyed our stroll, checking out the nearby shops and eateries.

Upon our entry we saw Ben Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States.  A man of many trades.  It totally makes sense why he sits at the front door.  A man responsible for many of the major steps in history:  the lightning rod, bifocals, and the theory of electricity.

After winding through the halls, we found ourselves in front of Maillardet's Automaton.  WOW!  What an incredible piece of machinery!  I saw a TV show about the Automaton, so I knew about it before seeing it at the museum.  I highly recommend checking it out on the the museum's website.  The Automaton imitates life by mechanical means.

Next we browsed the section with all of the pulleys & gears.  My girls just LOVED touching all of the displays.  And that is what is really cool about the Franklin Institute...most exhibits are totally touchable!

We wandered from floor to floor and ended up in a huge room dedicated to Electricity.  The kids LOVED being able to see how electricity worked, especially when I became the conductor for a static charge and jumped from the shock.  :)


We hit the Train Factory next, which was my 6 year old's favorite part of the museum.  There was a display which allowed you to see how coal turns into energy and both my girls really enjoyed this.  We also liked touring the locomotive and touching all of the levers and turning the knobs inside.

But my absolute FAVORITE part of the museum was Fel's Planetarium!  Space junk, planets, constellations are some of the titles they show, and I LOVE IT!  I could have sat in there for hours staring at the state-of-the-art aluminum dome.

Well, I have to say, the Franklin Institute was totally worth the trip.  But I won't lie, it is definitely a whole day event if not more.  If you have the option of staying over at a hotel, I would highly recommend in doing so. There is a TON of things to see and do and this blog only scratched the surface.

Be sure to plan your visit by checking out their website first.  This will allow you to prioritize what you want to see, whether an exhibit or show in the planetarium or IMAX Theater.

Many thanks to the Franklin Institute for this opportunity!  In the spirit of full disclosure, I received tickets in exchange for a review of the museum.  However, all opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Not Your Father's Game Preserve

I remember going to the Trexler Game Preserve with my father when I was a little girl. Or, more precisely, I remember leaving the Game Preserve. Driving through the creek to exit was always the highlight. Wondering if we were going to be washed away in the car. Craning our necks to see down to the water as we drove through. Yelping as dad pretended to lose control of the car. Good times.

I promise you still get to drive through the creek to exit the new Lehigh Valley Zoo, but it will no longer be the highlight of your trip. In fact, I really had to drama it up to get a reaction from the rooks who were completely tuckered out after hours at the zoo.

And yes, I said zoo! You know how you used to have to schlep all the way to Philly to take your kids to a zoo with real animals? Not anymore.

Want to see a zebra or an emu or a crocodile or a camel or a horse or some-manner of horned, four-legged mountainy creature? Just head up Route 309.

Want to walk along a path lined by only a rope close enough to touch a kangaroo? Just turn off Route 100.

Want to watch wolves feed on an actual deer? Ok … want to stand on a lovely walking path basking in the beautiful spring sunshine while your children safely watch wolves feed on a deer a mere 2 feet away? Just do it!

Because this, moms & dads, is the absolute best part about the Lehigh Valley Zoo. It’s in the Valley! You do not have to chain your children to your hip for safety. You can watch them follow the sea otter around and around while you sit and take photos. You can enjoy the stroll as they race toward the penguins. You can ….wait for it … relax and actually enjoy your outing as much as your kids.

No seriously. The rooks and I did just that on April 6^th when we attended Opening Day at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. I have to admit that I was skeptical over my impending level of enjoyment because 1) I do not like animals and 2) I am not that much fonder of crowds. I know; so why was I going to a zoo? Because my rook girl loves animals. She loves animals the way all pre-teen girls love animals … times about 100. Oh, and she has this thing for wolves.

On Saturday, she learned all about wolves. She watched wolves eat a deer. She got to enter a wolf howling contest. She touched a wolf pelt. She begged for a stuffed animal wolf in the gift shop. She debated her case as to how wolves are really friendly if approached properly, and we should be allowed to pet them. She learned how to lose a debate with grace. It. Was. Fantastic.

Oh and the rook boy had a blast too. His favorite part of the day was the playground. Yep, a full playground with swings and slides and a merry-go-round. It is right next to the large sandbox-like area where kids can dig up dinosaur bones. Right next to the petting zoo. And right in the middle are benches and a beautiful gazebo and a large pavilion. This is where I sat and watched each rook run this way and that enjoying everything at their individual will and pace. Because I could see each child at all times. Not even seeing Dr. Doolittle’s pushmi-pullyu could beat that.

So go to the new Lehigh Valley Zoo. Enjoy your day trip with the kids. You've earned it!

Not convinced? How about now ….

You can bring in your own food or drinks, and the food at the Bison Prairie Grill is not grossly over-priced. (Nor are the gift shop items.)

There are several beautiful and peaceful places to sit and eat or just enjoy nature.

You can pet a turtle or a possum at the Bison Auditorium or touch a snake at the Zoomagination Deck.

Parking is free. Yes, FREE!

Leaving is a picturesque climb through the mountains past bison and elk which drops you off right on Route 309; rather than a stressful creep down Girard past strange men selling bottles of warm water which drops you off right in the middle of the ironically named Schuylkill Expressway.

You can adopt a penguin, or attend a summer camp, or spend the night at the zoo. (This sounds so cool!)

There are more Zoo Signature Activities and Events than there are feathers on a peacock.

There are special prices for grandparents who bring their grandchildren. (Oh yeah, I'm talking to you, Grandpa Castle. When was the last time you traversed the treacherous Jordan Creek??)

The zoo is open year-round with incredible rates as well as fantastic membership plans.

Seriously? Why have you not gone to the zoo website yet? Go. Buy tickets. Take the kids this weekend. They are having a Party for the Planet this Saturday the 20^th.

You will want to thank me, I promise.

Instead … buy your child a stuffed wolf and say it’s from my rook girl. Then they can fawn over its cuteness via Instagram posts. If you don't understand, congratulations on not having a pre-teen daughter. Go adopt a prairie dog instead.

StoryPirates.org: Channel Your Child's Inner Writer

Do you ever wonder what your kids will be when they grow up? A lawyer? Doctor? Teacher? My husband and I swear (hope?) that one day our girls will use their creative talents. We both work in marketing, and grew up with a strong appreciation for art and literature. At five, my oldest loves reading, drawing, playing the drums and putting on shows. At one, my youngest already exhibits creative abilities and has painted several mini-Picassos.

Our little family also enjoys music. The hubs is a big Avett Brothers fan, and I love Billy Joel and Ryan Adams. However, in the car, we often give into our oldest's request to listen to Kids Place Live (KPL), channel 78 on SiriusXM. One of the featured vignettes that we like best is the Story Pirates.

All rights reserved by storypirates

WHY WE LOVE THE STORY PIRATES

The Story Pirates are an acting troupe based out of New York City that encourage young writers to write and they also perform for children. On KPL, they take real stories that have been submitted by kids (for kids) and act them out during the Absolutely Mindy Show. We all enjoy the stories ... wow, the imaginations that some kids have! I just love it.

I think this quote sums them up best:

“The Story Pirates teach kids a love of creative writing.  It helps kids to see that their words and ideas are really important.  I believe that what the Story Pirates are doing is helping America, nay, humanity – helping humanity itself. It’s crazy entertaining.”
- Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

OUR RECENT STORY PIRATES SUBMISSION

I'm proud of my daughter's imaginative story and am grateful that we can share it with you via Lehigh Valley Family Fun. My hope is that you'll be inspired to sit down with your little one and ask them to tell you a story ... any story ... while you write it down or record it on your smartphone to transcribe later. So, without further ado, I give you The Giant Onion, as told to me by my five-year-old aspiring writer: 

THE GIANT ONION BY AVA

Once upon a time, there was a onion that got thrown into the woods. Every year, when it rained and sunshined, it grew and grew. One morning a little girl woke up and looked outside her window. She saw a giant onion.

Giant onion illustrated by Ava's Mom

She went outside her front door and saw the giant onion walking around the town and destroying the place. Her dad and mom woke up and they saw it too. The onion was destroying all of the grocery stores!

They were afraid they'd have no food left. The family walked to find the farm. The farm was not there, but the onion was. The onion smashed the farm! So, they got a giant rope and lassoed the onion. They spun the onion around and around until he spun into outer space and landed on Onion planet.  

Everyone was now safe and they lived happily ever after. 

Are you interested in submitting your little author's story? Here is the link to send it to the Story Pirates. I hope that some child from the Lehigh Valley is featured on the air and that we all get to hear it!

Sunny Days and Super Heroes: Sesame Street Live at Stabler Arena

Image from SesameStreetLive.com

Did you grow up watching PBS? Do you have children anywhere between the ages of two and four? If so, I would encourage you to get tickets to see Sesame Street Live. My daughter and I recently attended "Elmo's Super Heroes" at Stabler Arena, Lehigh University, and loved seeing our Sesame Street friends live on stage.

The show is filled with characters you already know and love, as well as iconic Sesame Street music and catchy, new songs. Here is an overview of Elmo's Super Heroes directly from the Sesame Street Live website:

Everyone's favorite Sesame Street friends.

"Super Grover has lost his super-ness and Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, the fabulous five Super Heroes are here -- featuring Elmo as Captain Fuzzy!  Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their friends are on a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover.  Singing and dancing their way through fun lessons on healthy habits, they discover how exercise, rest, nutritious food and good hygiene can save Super Grover -- and turn your children into Super Heroes, too!  You’ll be feeling good when Elmo’s Super Heroes comes to town!"

Meet & greet with Bert and Elmo before the show.

My one recommendation is this: if you can splurge ... go for the good seats. At Stabler Arena, the characters walked through the aisles of the floor seats, giving the kids and up close encounter with some of their favorite Sesame Street characters, including Abby Caddaby, Cookie Monster, Zoe and more. While the mezzanine level seats were good, we both would have loved to have been closer to the action.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR LATER THIS SPRING

Elmo, Big Bird, Telly and the rest of the neighborhood will be back -- in and around our area -- later this spring. See "Sesame Street Live" in Reading at the Sovereign Center from April 30 - May 1, 2013, or in Newark, Delaware at the Bob Carpenter Center, May 11 - 12. For a complete list of show dates and to purchase tickets, visit Sesame Street Live. Ticket prices for the show range from $20 per person to $50, and may vary more based upon location.

As a mom who grew up watching and loving Sesame Street, honestly, I felt a little nostalgic. Big Bird has and probably always will be one of my favorite characters, but that Elmo ... I can certainly see why the little ones love him! La la la la ...