Haunted Acres: New England's Most Exciting Haunt!

Have you heard of Haunted Acres yet? They are located at Liquid Planet in Candia and include 5 terrifying attractions: the Quarter Mile Nightmare Walk, Graveyard of the Damned, Maze from Hell, 3D Nuclear Accident House and Cell Block 13!

They do not recommend the attraction for children under 8, but what a fun way to spend an evening with your tween or teen who loves the thrill of the ghosts and goblins of Halloween! They open this Friday with a special $15 admission- after that you can get in for $25/ adult and $18 for children 12 and under.

There is also a great attraction for the children ages 2-10: A Kids Halloweenfest October 14 and 21. Trick or treat through woods filled with scarecrows and wizards, enter the Maze of Discovery to find friendly ghouls and goblins, without getting lost. It's only $15.00 per child, parents free! Admission price for Halloweenfest includes the following: Free Face Painting, Free Halloween Games, with prizes.

Although I will not be venturing to Haunted Acres as I am a complete wimp... they were nice enough to send me two sets of (2) tickets to give away to my readers!

All you need to do is go like their Facebook page, and then come back here to leave me a comment letting me know you did so. (You can like NH Mamas while you are on Facebook anyway... but that's not a requirement:-) If you would like an additional entry, please let your Facebook friends know about this giveaway and link to Haunted Acres Facebook page on your own. Leave me a separate comment on this post letting me know you shared with your friends.

I will use Random.org to draw 2 winners on Friday at 5p.m.- good luck!

Childhood obesity---yikes. It's an epidemic.

Just a few facts:

• It has tripled over the last 30 years.
• In 2008, more than 1/3 of children were considered obese. Can you imagine how much it is now?
• Obesity is not just mean, it's dangerous. Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Disease.
• Yikes...see this link for more facts: CDC

So, what's the answer? Stick your kids on a treadmill? No! Let's think of FUN ways to get the Whole Family up and moving--TOGETHER!

Outside FUN

• Hiking, Walking, and being outside--probably the most common forms of "exercise" you can think of.
• Swimming--what about heading to your local indoor pool. Family game time meets the water.
• Backyard: When was the last time you got a fierce game of kickball going? Got a basketball hoop? My son loves the game PIG..google it.
• Frisbee, Soccer, and Races in the back yard ..team girls vs boys.
• Walking to a park...now this applies if you live near one . Have your kids bike and mom/dad walk or jog along side. And when you get there, don't just sit on a bench. Push the swings. Have you tried Monkey Bars lately--they are HARD!
• Thought about running a race? So many 5 and 10Ks have a kids race before the adults get started. What an awesome way for the family to all achieve success.
• Make an obstacle course in the back yard. Have fun racing through and around it together.
• What are some fun adventures in your own town. B does such a good job of exploring with the kiddos. Old submarines, the SeaCoast Science Center, and lighthouses have already been found!

Inside Fun

• When was the last time you went bowling? Doesn't seem like exercise, but it gets you up and moving. Plus many bowling alleys have 99 cent games.
• Want to go the gym? Get in a quick workout while your kids play in the child care. Then grab your kids and head to the basketball court for kids vs parents.
• Roller Skating
• Ice Skating
• Zumba special events..you knew I was going to put that out there. Some studios will offer Mom and Me Zumba classes---dance the hour away!
• Speaking of dance..dance party in your home! Turn off the TV and turn ON the music. Party Rockers in the house.....

For Kids ONLY

• Need an aftercare program? Check out Zumbatomic (yes for both boys and girls).
• Gymnastics, Ballet, or any sport: Baseball, Swim, Football...you get the idea.
• Having a friend over? Sure electronics are fun, but send them outside for Vitamin D and a game.
• Send your kids outside. Little b will spend an hour playing fetch and chase with our dogs...it's the little things!

*************In order for your kid to love being FIT, they will need to see their parents/family doing the same. We are the EXAMPLE!

Question of the day: What are some ways you like to stay FIT with the FAM?

(Thank you Cheryl, for today's post. This is a topic near and dear to both of our hearts.)

A Giveaway!

I had mentioned when we reached 200 followers on the Facebook page that we would do a giveaway... and last night it happened!

And 3 wonderful businesses have stepped up to offer great prizes for our giveaway.

First off, the Seacoast Science Center is giving away a FAMILY MEMBERSHIP! Membership for 2 parents and their children for an entire year! The Seacoast Science Center has something for all ages, and there is always something new to see, do and learn. Whether you choose to explore on your own or participate in a visitor or group program, their naturalists are ready to guide you on your learning adventure! All of the Center's exhibits and programs are developed to appeal to a wide range of ages, backgrounds and learning styles. There is something for everyone. (Check back for a more detailed post on the Seacoast Science Center later.)

Next, Elisa from Storybook Session Photography has offered a FREE session. You can choose on-site for babies and children or in her studio for newborn babies through Kindergarteners. Not only is Elisa's photography simply gorgeous, she also offers something I have never seen: a Storybook Session DVD which is a fusion of your photos and video footage into a priceless storyline containing poetry, inspirational quotes, and a background of music.

You have to check out her sample to see what I am talking about.

And last, Itst Bitsy Thrifty has offered a VIP Pass to their Consignment Sale happening in Newington on March 30-April 1! You can save up to 70% off today's retail prices on great brand name items! Who doesn't love one stop shopping at great bargain prices??

Please keep an eye out as I will write some more in-depth blog posts on all of these wonderful businesses... but for now, LET'S GET THIS GIVEAWAY STARTED!

Entering will be easy... Please Like us all on Facebook:

Seacoast Science Center

Storybook Sessions Photography

Itsy Bitsy Thrifty

NH Mamas

And then you must share about the giveaway on your own Facebook page and you are done! Simply come back here and leave a comment that you completed your tasks and wait to see who wins ALL 3 PRIZES!

The drawing will happen via Random.org when NH Mamas Facebook fan page reaches 400 fans or by March 14... whichever comes first!

Good luck to all. Special thanks to Seacoast Science Center, Storybrook Sessions Photography and Itsy Bitsy Thrifty for providing such great prizes and thanks to all of you for following me on this adventure so far.

The Perfect Homemade Playdough

I have played with my playdough recipe for years... and I think I finally have it! I have tried repeatedly with no cream of tartar- and it always comes out sticky and not quite right.

This recipe with the cream of tartar makes such a nice, smooth ball of dough. And it seems to stay soft as long as we keep in in plastic bowls or bags.

All you need is:

2 cups flour

2 cups water

4 teaspoons cream of tartar

2/3 cup salt

2 tablespoon vegetable oil

food coloring

This recipe makes a lot, but I like to do it that way so there is enough for all 3 children. Also, for the food coloring, I went to Market Basket and they actually had a "neon" set, which made the brightest, prettiest colors.

You simply add the flour, salt, cream of tartar to a large saucepan, mix in the oil and water. Put the pan on a low to medium heat and just keep stirring:

It will seem quite liquidy, but just keep stirring for a few minutes. It will soon start to form a ball and pull away from the sides of the pan:

You then know it is done and you can separate it into smaller balls and add your colors. You could add the color during the liquid cooking process if you want the whole batch to be one color, but we wanted a bunch of different colors, so we through on some rubber gloves and kneaded the color in after it was "cooked". And actually, the kids enjoyed making their own colors and mixing it themselves.

And there you have it, an afternoon of entertainment for a few kids:

Fun Friday Roundup: February 25-26

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First up, activities for this weekend around the state:

Saturday in Nashua, 9:00am-3:00pm, Family Fun Day. Crafts, photo booth, scavenger hunt, bouncy house, arcade, face painting, princesses and SO much more!

Winterfest this Saturday in Bristol... including winter games and a wildlife show by Granite State Zoo.

Saturday, Warner: Cabin Fever Reliever! Including wagon rides, refreshments and games.

The Winter Carnival at the Mountain View Grand ends tomorrow.

Hanover, Sunday February 26: Story Time and Marshmallow Roast — 11 am to 12 noon. Stories will be read to children ages 3-8 accompanied by their parents, by the fireplace in the main room of the Dartmouth Outing Club House. Roast marshmallows by the campfire, Skating - XC Skiing - Sledding / weather permitting.

This Saturday: Cranapalooza in North Conway at Cranmore. Face painting, a showing of Mosters, Inc., fireworks and so much more!

Amazing deals for families:

This deal ends any minute now: Up to 55% Off a Park Outing for Two or Four or One-Year Family Membership at Americas Stonehenge. (Buy these now for a great spring break or summertime hike!)

And the rest:

Check out NH Kids Consignment coming April 1st in Bedford.

Make sure to check your local library for free activities during February break. In Concord, the Public Library has some great activities scheduled for vaca week: 2/28, 2pm - Library Bingo. 2/29, 2pm - Crafts. 3/1, 2pm- Cars 2. AND 3/2 - Steve Blunt concert at 2pm in Auditorium!

Coming up Wednesday, February 29th, Smitty's is hosting a FREE Mommy and Me Wednesday. Megamind will be showing at 11:30 and 3:00pm.

Are French parents superior?

FREE kids camps Summer Expos coming up in March! Including a great, comprehensive list of summer camps all over the state.

A St. Patricks Day party being hosted at Cowabungas.

A great stranger danger quiz for your little ones.

Did you know that you can go tubing at Arrowhead recreation area in Claremont for only $8 per person... I think that is the best price in NH!

Children Museum of NH is hosting a great songwriting workshop next week for 8-11 year olds.

If you have kiddos in grades 2-5, be sure to register for the FREE Art Trailworks program scheduled for March 3rd at the Hopkinton Library, courtesy of the Little Nature Museum. Looks like great fun!

Enjoy your weekend!

Snow Tubing at Great Glen Trails in Gorham

I had the pleasure of actually enjoying some snow last Friday. I had to drive up to Gorham to do it... but it was worth it.

I took my 6 year old up to try to snow tubing at Great Glen Trails. Great Glen is well know for their cross country skiing trail and snowshoeing, but everyone I told I was going tubing there said, "They do not have tubing."

Well, they do, but in all fairness it is not snow tubing like I am accustomed to on downhill ski mountains. It is more like sledding... it is a small hill and you have to pull your tube back up to the top.

But we had a blast. We were the only people on the hill, the weather was amazing, and the views from the base of Mt. Washington are simply breathtaking:

Because it is really just a sledding hill, I would not take my whole family and pay the $15 per person fee, but it was well worth taking my 6 year-old on the 2-for-1 Friday and paying $7.50 for each of us. I would say that it is perfect for 5-6 year-olds. It was just big enough for them to feel adventurous, but not so big that it was intimidating. I would even bring my 3 year old as I know she would love going down the big hill. And the tubes they provide are sturdy and deep enough to hold a child in securely. However, be aware, if your 3 year-old is anything like mine, you will be stuck pulling them back up the hill constantly as they might not like the trek up.

We will be back. I am really excited to try the SnowCoach that takes you 4.5 miles up Mt. Washington and then gives you a chance to snowshoe or ski the road back down. Or I would just simply like to snowshoe around those gorgeous trails and take in the sights.

The 2-for-1 Friday also covers Trail passes, SnowCoach, rentals…even the Trails Total Ticket! So, if you are headed that way, make it on a Friday and you will get a great deal and likely no big crowds to contend with.

(Thanks to my sister-in-law and niece for joining us and making such a great day of it. Family fun at it's finest with the mountains, sunshine, fresh air and laughs.)

You do not need a license to be a mom.

The saga of Honey Boo Boo Child continues. If you are not familiar with Toddlers and Tiaras... well then, good for you. Although I can not see the show as we do not have cable, I do catch some news segments with the participants once in awhile. Today was this one...

I would love to reach through the computer screen and slap that "Mother" right across the face. (Well, not really, she could clearly kick my butt!) It's not eve entertainment to me, it's sad and sort of unbelievable. I know these parents exist, but to see them flaunting their poor parenting skills to the nation is so bizarre to me.

The mother feeds her daughter Mountain Dew and Red Bull and then says, "Normal parents give their kids this stuff every day..." Excuse me? I consider our family very normal, and I will go on the record as saying none of my children have ever had and sort of energy drink or Mountain Dew. And I venture to say that the majority of people that I surround myself could say the same about their own kids.

What do you think? Am I overreacting? Or is this mother a complete jackass for compromising her child's health and welfare for a sparkly crown?