A fun afternoon of swimming!

Well I know I have blogged about French Creek State Park, but just had such an awesome afternoon at French Creek Pool, I had to come home and write some more about it! If you have kids that are learning to swim their pool is amazing!

I took my daughter to swim lessons for 6 weeks in May and June, right before we went on vacation, to hopefully get her used to the water and teach her a little bit about safety in and around the pool.  The lessons were great and she loved the first 3, but after we missed a week and went back, she was not into it anymore.  I think she mostly didn't like the cold water (I don't blame her, I hate it too).  She was always willing to go in the water, but would always want to get right out.  She did the same thing while we were on vacation.  She would put her feet in, but hated getting wet!

So, when I made the last minute decision to head over to the pool for the first time this season, I was pretty sure she would not be a fan of swimming, plus we were going during nap time! I also forgot her  swimmies and tubes to float in, so I didn't think it was going to be a great afternoon. Decided to get a season pass for both of us, and was just praying she would enjoy it so it would be worth it!

Their pool's shallow end starts at 6 inches and goes up to 2 feet, and it is huge! So we started by getting our feet wet in the freezing cold water (my opinion of course).  She wasn't to thrilled so we walked around for a few minutes and she started asking to put clothes on! We took a short break on the blanket, as they have awesome grass areas to set up shop, and had a snack.  She watched all the kids jumping and playing in the water and decided she wanted to go back in.  We walked in down the ramp this time and she surprisingly walked right in! We walked around the whole shallow end of the pool for a long time and she even got brave and tried jumping in and walking into the deeper water.  I was so surprised that she remembered to reach for the wall when she couldn't stand anymore!

Snack Time! 

Such a great pool for teaching your kids to swim! They have a great snack bar, boat rentals, picnic areas, and locker rooms if you wanted to spend the whole day there with the kids! Can't wait to go back! If you are interested in info. on the pool here is a link to their website: French Creek Pool

Weaver's Orchard Read and Pick Storytime

Looking for something to do with the kids in Berks County? Weaver's Orchard in Morgantown hosts Read and Pick Storytime every Wednesday @ 10 AM throughout the summer.  It is $5 per child and well worth it! We have been there the past 2 weeks and had a blast! Here is a little bit about what we did!

We usually arrive a few minutes early and spend some time saying "hi" to the animals. They have goats, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits for the kids to feed and watch! They are a ton of fun! They also have a great swing set for the kids to play on.

 The kids then gather on a small stage and sit on hay bales to listen to the story.  The story each week involves a lesson about the fruit being picked. There is usually a song or dance to go along with the story and the kids love it! So far I have found that the stories are geared to elementary aged kids as opposed to preschoolers, but they are still great!

 You then collect your basket and head up to the orchard to pick fruit. You can spend as much time or as little time as you'd like picking fruit! You can also get extra buckets to pick more if you'd like, but you will have to pay extra for any fruit that doesn't fit in your basket. I have found 1 small basket is enough for us though! We have had a great time picking the fruit and are hoping the temperature is a little cooler next week which will make the day so much more enjoyable! Oh and can't forget to stop into their great market for some Texas Caviar and other great fruits, vegetables, pies, and breads!

Check out Weaver's Orchard's website for more info on the events and activities they have throughout the summer!

Recipe of the Week- Smoothies

Not sure what to have for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner! We have smoothies several times a week, especially in the summer! I don't really have a set recipe for our smoothies as we change things up based on what is left in our fridge! Don't have exact measurements for the ingredients either, I usually just throw everything in the blender and add or change things to our liking!

Fruit Smoothies

Plain Kefir (approx 1/4 cup) or plain organic whole milk yogurt

Ice (approx 7 cubes) 

Handful (1/2 cup) fresh or frozen berries

1/2 of a banana 

1 scoop of Whey Protein Powder  

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor. Add water as needed for desired consistency.  

Tips: 

*I will often add spinach to get some added nutrients.

*Our FAVORITE smoothie combo is blueberry, banana, vanilla protein powder 

*We use Whey Factors Protein Powder because it is made with Stevia, not artificial sweeteners and they sell it at our local health food store, but here is another great protein powder Maximized Living Perfect Protein
*If you would like a sweeter smoothie add more stevia to the mix! 
*We will also often freeze our smoothie mix into ice pops!

Anyone have any other smoothie recipes to share?? Email me or leave a comment below! 

Just in Case you Ever Wonder- Remembering my Daddy

Father's Day does not get any easier each year after losing your Father.  So as I struggle through my day today, I thought I would remember my Daddy by sharing this story and poem with you.  

I made the decision my senior year of high school to leave Pennsylvania and head down to Florida to attend the University of Tampa.  It was a huge decision for me, I was born and raised in a small, not very diverse PA town, and was somewhat of a homebody.  I was (and still am) very shy and quiet (most of the time). So for me to move 1000 miles away on my own was a big deal for me and my family. 

In August 2003, my Daddy and I set off on our long road trip down to Tampa in my VW Jetta (that was kind of falling apart) I remember stopping every once in awhile to fill the coolant since their was a leak in the radiator.  But somehow we made it down to Tampa.  My Dad helped me move everything into my 7th floor dorm which was not an easy task in the FL heat and took most of the day! After getting organized my Dad was leaving for the airport and left me with a wrapped present that appeared to be a book. I thanked him, said goodbye, and watched him cry(which was probably only the 2nd time I had seen him do that).  I spent time with my roomates that night and before bed remembered the gift he had left for me and decided to open it.  It was the children's book Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado.  (If you haven't read the book, it is a great one and I suggest that you do!) He had even hand written a little note to me in the front of the book, "Cadi, I'll be with you in heaven- just in case you ever wonder! I will always love you, Daddy". Being a Freshman in college, and "ready" to be away from my parents on my own, I kind of just chuckled when I opened it, thought "oh Daddy", and stuck it on my desk shelf.  

I ended up only staying in Tampa for one semester, changed my major, and moved back home to commute to a local college.  I spent much of 2004, working and going to school, but since I was back home I was able to spend so much more time with family and friends, which at the time I didn't realize how much of a blessing that would be.  

In October 2004 my Dad passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack.  I had just spoken with him a few hours before I got the call, and I thank God everyday for that last conversation.  He told me all about his new job at a golf pro shop, about his day, and he seemed so truly happy with life! I am so glad I was able to have those last few words with him.  

While planning my Daddy's funeral, I made the decision that I wanted to share something during the service. I had no idea what I was going to say, nor was public speaking my speciality, in fact I was pretty much completely terrified of it.  But I just felt in my heart that I needed to do it.  I immediately remembered the book my dad had given me back in college and although I had never actually read more than the first two pages I pulled it off my shelf and read the whole thing. (and of course shed a few hundred tears).  Along with the help of my brother-in-law we decided to write our own poem based on the book. It is a poem written as if my Dad was talking to me. Here is what we came up with and what I shared with a few hundred people at my Dad's funeral. 

Just in case you ever wondered- I Love you,

I thought about you every single day, 

While on vacation in the mountains or staring at the ocean, 

You were the star that led me on my way.  

Just in case you ever wondered- When I asked about your homework, 

It wasn't that I didn't trust it was done,

It was because of all the students I ever had, 

You were the most important one.  

Just in case you ever wondered- I'm proud of you.  

I thank God everyday that you chose to teach, 

You'll give care to future ages and create jobs for more than minimum wages

There are so many lives that you will reach.  

Just in case you ever wondered- I won

Even though my teams did not win every game, 

The parties I led and the joy I spread

Have put me in the Daddy and Grandpa hall of fame. 

Just in case you ever wondered- 

In heaven you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you.  

It's wonderful.  I will be there too. I promise.  

We will be there together, forever.  Remember that...

just in case you ever wonder.  

Recipe of the Week!

Well, I never thought I would be sharing anything about my cooking on my blog! I will admit before getting married (and really before having my daughter) we ate dinner from a frozen bag or a can every night.  I never enjoyed cooking (still don't enjoy it all that much) and I never really "learned" how to cook.  However, after the birth of my daughter I knew our lifestyle and eating habits had to change or they would quickly get passed onto her.  We are still working on changing our habits as it is quite difficult to change 20 some years of unhealthy eating, but we try our best to teach our daughter about healthy food and even though she is only 21 months old I do try to teach her as much as I can about cooking too! I am still learning sooo much along with her.  

I hope to share a recipe each week that is easy, healthy, and toddler friendly! This recipe I have been making for my family for awhile and my husband (who is really into meat and potatoes) and my 20 month old will actually both eat it! I just recently cooked this for family and friends while on vacation at the beach and got many compliments on it and it was perfect to make for a large group! 

Week 1: TURKEY SKILLET 

Turkey Skillet

A dish with Mexican flair! Healthy, easy, and my toddler loves it!

1 lb. ground turkey

1 large onion, chopped

l large green pepper, chopped

½ large red pepper, chopped

1 tsp. sea salt

1 ½ tsps. chili powder

1 tsp. dried basil leaves

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 ½ cups soaked kidney beans or black beans

½ cup drained reserve liquid (or use 8-oz. can kidney or black beans)

1 ½ cups corn (frozen)

¼ cup chopped parsley

Brown meat in large skillet. Break into small pieces.  Add onions, green peppers, and red peppers.  Cook until vegetables are tender-crisp.  Gently stir in sea salt, chili powder, basil, garlic, beans, and corn.  Simmer for 5-10 minutes.  Stir in some or all of the reserved bean liquid if you want to increase moistness.  Gently stir in parsley.  Heat through and serve. 

Tip:  For a not as healthy, but yummy alternative, serve over tortilla chips or melt shredded cheese on top. 

From the book Recipes By God: Heavenly Taste, Healthy Benefits by Dr. Ben Lerner

Does anyone have any healthy/easy recipes to share??? Send me an email or leave a comment! 

Great purchase for Summer Traveling!

This Christmas we purchased the Sylvania 7" Dual Screen Mobile DVD system for our new car.  We had debated having the Entertainment system installed in our car for thousands of dollars and decided it wasn't worth it. Instead we began looking for a system that attached to the headrests.  As usual I checked Walmart.com ( I love Walmart.com) to see what deals they had and found the Sylvania system for $89!!! I am so happy I didn't spend thousands on another system.

We never installed the system (not sure why, haven't really needed it until now I guess), but decided it would be great to have for our 8 hour drive to the OBX. This DVD player is awesome (well for $89 its awesome).  My daughter is still rear facing in her carseat so we attached it to the rear headrest.  Fortunately we have an adapter plug in the rear of our car or the cord to plug it in wouldn't reach the front seat. It has a remote so we could control everything from the front seat.  Only two complaints I have are that it is a little difficult to change the DVD because the headrest attachments cover the opening for the DVDs and that it turns off everytime you turn the car off so we end up watching the beginning of the movie several times! Other than that we LOVE it! And the price was perfect! If you are in the market for a Mobile DVD player check out their website, last I checked they are still $89!