Family Fun in the City: A Night at The Children's Museum

It may seem like my family does a lot together, but the reality is it's very difficult to get our schedules to coordinate! With four kids going in four different directions and a husband who logs in more hours at the office than he does at home, planning a major outing can be a challenge. But every so often, our schedules magically align, and we are able to head into Pittsburgh for a night of family fun!

Last month, we attended Hero Night at The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. It was night for celebrating moms (the unspoken everyday heroes) and having fun together as a family, while giving back. Chick-fil-A of Pittsburgh sponsored the event, and all proceeds benefited A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.

My kids have been to The Children's Museum many times, but Grant has never been able to join us. Even though some of the exhibits were closed during the event, they were really excited about going there at night! Grant was excited, too. It was his first time going to the museum since he was a child!

When we arrived at the event, we got to walk the red carpet on our way into the museum! My kids thought that was exciting!

After burning off some energy in the giant, multi-level maze, we took a break to make superhero masks. Well, the big kids took a break to get creative. Liam ran, and Grant chased after him!

We finally managed to get all four kids in the same spot for, oh, five seconds.

Then the littlest dude ran again, and we ran after him. After going through the crooked room about 30 times (which I couldn't photograph because I was trying to keep both Liam and I from falling over), and down the slide that I barely fit in, I was exhausted. Obviously, the little mamas were, too.

They perked up so they could show their favorite exhibit to their dad!

I managed to keep Liam entertained with the falling letters on the bit screen for a while before he noticed that his sisters and dad were MIA. He promptly found them!

We finally headed into Liam's favorite room (other than the water floor which was closed)! We "test drove" the mini car, but decided that our SUV is the only comfortable way for our family to travel. We will DEFINITELY not be downsizing!

Liam burned off a ton of energy while the girls got their faces painted, and I got a much needed manicure. (No pictures, because, well, wet nails!) After that, we were more than ready to enjoy some delicious Chick-fil-A food in the cafe!

After we ate, we joined a little dance party and played some games. Lily declared that the party at The Children's Museum totally rocked!

The "party" wasn't over yet! We left some special messages on the tree, and had our family picture taken!

We decided to take a break from exploring, and head into the art studio to give back even more! Each of our kids made small donations, and in turn, they created their own screen print superhero capes, and got customized Chick-fil-A stuffed cows!

While we were in the art studio, Liam was reunited with the Chick-fil-A cows. He was hesitant at first, but warmed up quickly!

We said goodbye to the cows, and headed back into the museum for a little more fun while the capes dried!

We went through the crooked room and down the enclosed slide a few more times, while Grant took Lily to get her hair braided and dyed with chalk. She was so excited!

We ended the evening by playing a bit longer in Liam's favorite room!

The night was a huge success! Somehow, Grant and I managed to wrangle four kids in a crowd, without losing anybody or losing our minds. (Oh, wait...where did Liam go?!?)

Although we would prefer to live at the beach, we do love living so close to an awesome, family-friendly city that is full of fun places to go. We all had a fun, memorable night together at one of our favorite museums!

{Funny story...Lily handed Grant the sign and he realized what it said just as they took the picture! Priceless.}

Do you have a Children's Museum in your city?

Thank you to Chick-fil-A of Pittsburgh and The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh for hosting such a fun event!

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Explore the Water Steps in Pittsburgh

Celebrating Motherhood: A Tribute to the Everyday Heroes + Hero Night at The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Chick-fil-A and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

Heroes are applauded every day for the work they do. It's important to acknowledge when a person goes above and beyond, but there's one hero who is often overlooked. She works silently and diligently behind the scenes. She always puts the needs of others above her own. And she rarely gets praise for the endless work she does. We all know who she is...Mom!

Motherhood is a journey like no other. It's beautiful, scary, stressful and incredible all at the same time. Being a mom is the hardest, yet most rewarding job you will ever have! Moms are the unsung heroes. They simply don't get praised often enough for one of the most important jobs there is: raising good human beings.

Being a mother is especially challenging these days. With the strong presence of "perfect" moms who are doing it all on social media, it's so easy to feel less than ideal. It's easy to feel like you just aren't doing enough and you're not good enough. But that's simply not true.

The majority of moms are great moms. They are just trying their hardest to raise decent kids and make it through the long days. They give their all and expect nothing in return, because they would do ANYTHING for their child.

The real truth is, every mom possesses a gift that is unique to them and them only. Whether it be a beautiful singing voice that lulls their child to sleep or arms that hug like no other or an animated voice that captivates their child during story time, every mom is unique.

It doesn't matter how we compare to other moms. The only thing that matters is what kind of mom we are to our own kids. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of our kids would tell us that we are more than good enough. We need to ignore social media presence, EMBRACE the unique traits that we have, and just focus on loving our kids! They think we are heroes, and I do, too!

To the single mom...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who goes to work for her family...YOU are a hero.
To the stay at home mom...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who works at home amidst the chaos...YOU are a hero.
To the military moms who are solo parenting for months on end...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who breastfeeds...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who formula feeds...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who has a child with special needs...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who has one child...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who has 10 kids...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who has multiples...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who birthed their own child...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who adopted a child...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who gave her child up for adoption...YOU are a hero.
To the woman who is struggling to become a mom...YOU are a hero.
To the young mom...YOU are a hero.
To the older mom...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who homeschools...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who sends her child to school...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who juggles activities...YOU are a hero.
To the mom who focuses on family life at home...YOU are a hero.

To every mom, everywhere, who is trying her hardest and loving her kids...YOU are a hero. You are enough. You matter. And you are making a difference!

I decided to ask my adorable crew a few questions to see which hero qualities they thought I possessed!

Dylan, Age 12

Mom: "Why am I a hero?"

Dylan: "Because you do stuff for me and you are always by my side if I'm hurt or if I'm sad."

Mom: "What did I do today that was special?"

Dylan: "You played football with me even though I hurt your finger with the ball yesterday. Most moms wouldn't do that. I thought it was really cool of you."

Mom Thoughts: Even though he's a tween, he's still such a sweet kid! And yes, he did heave a football at my fingers and injured them, but that's just part of the game!

Alexandria, Age 10

Mom:  "Why do you think I'm a hero?"

Lexie:  "Because you take care of me when I'm sick, you help me with my homework, and you love me, cook for me and care for me!"

Mom: "What did I do today that was special?"

Lexie: "Well, I can't do anything because of my cast...so you helped me get dressed and you put my hair in a bun. You also left me a sweet note in my lunchbox, which made me feel special and loved."

Mom Thoughts: Lexie is always mature beyond her years and knows exactly what's important in life!

Liliana, Age 5

Mom: "What makes me a hero?"

Lily: "You always be nice and you always help me unzipper my jacket! You also make me food really quick, and I like that because I'm always starving.  And when you had your horse, you always let me go on it and ride it. His name is Cherokee. But he died. You're also a hero because you record me sometimes and it makes me feel like I'm on YouTube. Wait...are you recording this?!?"

Mom: "What did I do today that was special?"

Lily: "You took me to the park, you let me push the little cart at the grocery store and get candy, you helped me learn things, you pushed me on the swing, you jumped on the trampoline with me and it was so funny and so fun, you watched a YouTube video to learn how to do an Elsa braided bun and YOU DID IT, and you came to my Open House and were proud of my hard work! Oh and you watched me dance at dance class and looked proud!"

Mom Thoughts: Lily has a BIG personality. She has a lot to say and she's going to go places in this world!

Liam, my Downright Perfect boy, Age 3

Mom: "What makes mama a hero?"

Liam: "Hi, Mama! Hi! Nigh-Nigh. Love you. Bye! Bye! Bye, mama."

Mom: "What did I do today that was special?"

Liam: "Hi, Mama! Love you. Too-da-loo!"

Mom: "Is it time for bed?"

Liam: "Yessss. Nigh-Nigh."

Mom Thoughts: If he could put it into words, I think his favorite things would be me taking him to the park and me pushing him on the swing, even though it was raining!

If you're a mom in the Pittsburgh area, Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh invites you to attend Hero Night at The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh on May 13th, from 6:30-9:30 PM. This fun family night will focus on celebrating moms, our everyday heroes!

The best part is that you can give back while having a great time! All ticket proceeds will benefit A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, which is a Pittsburgh-based breast cancer foundation. Glimmer of Hope was founded in 1994 by Diana Napper, to honor the wishes of her best friend, who lost the fight against the disease. After losing my own grandmother to breast cancer years before she should have left us, this is a cause I can proudly support!

The $10/person ticket cost includes museum admission, food and fun family activities. Your family can walk the red carpet fit for everyday heroes, enjoy delicious Chick-fil-A food and snacks, contribute to the "Thank You Mom Tree" and dance on the dance floor! There will also be photos, face painting, balloon art, hair braiding and chalk design.

There will also be opportunities to give back to A Glimmer of Hope Foundation. In the art studio, your kids can design action hero capes, you can decorate action hero masks or purchase a customized mini plush Chick-fil-A cow!

Come join Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh on May 13th for this fun family night, and make a difference! Chick-fil-A Hero Night tickets can be purchased HERE.

My family will be proudly supporting this cause and we hope we will see you there! If you see us, come over to say hi.  You can't miss my crew. I'll be the one chasing after the toddler tornado!

Building Friendships at Chick-fil-A

Anyone who has children knows that childhood is fleeting.  As a mother, I struggle with the rapid passing of time. Because of that, I aim to make each moment count.

My husband and I are a bit old-fashioned when it comes to parenting.  Yes, we embrace technology.  We have iPods, iPads, cell phones, tablets, e-readers, televisions, computers, Netflix, and game systems. But there's so much more to life than electronic devices and media. What we really focus on is family togetherness.

It's so easy for life to pass by quickly as we stare incessantly at our electronics. It's so easy to miss moments and build relationships.  I don't want that to happen to my family, so we make rules regarding electronics and media. Family always comes first. We focus on LIVING life.  We eat meals together while we talk about our day.  We go outside. We spend countless hours with family and friends. We laugh, we play, and we watch movies together. We make memories.

My 11 year old is one of the few kids in his class who doesn't have a cell phone.  He doesn't NEED a cell phone yet.  He NEEDS to have social skills and manners. My 8 year old and my 4 year old know that electronic devices aren't allowed when we go out to dinner together.  All we need is crayons, food and conversation. My 2 year old, who has Down syndrome, does not need to stare at a TV or an iPad.  What he needs is interaction with his family and friends. That's what makes him thrive!

I don't want my kids to grow up and measure their childhood by what they HAD.  I want them to measure their childhood in all those memorable moments and experiences. Most of all, I want them to remember all the love that surrounded them on a daily basis!

We don't give our children every single thing they ask for.  We give them experiences. From going to our favorite zoo, to exploring new vacation spots, to chasing kittens around the stable where our horse is boarded, to seeing musicals and shows, to running in the rain together, to spending time with family and friends, to hours spent at the pool, to visiting our favorite parks, to having playdates at our favorite play spots, we are making memories that will last a lifetime!

As much as we focus on family, building lasting friendships is just as important. My friends (AKA my "framily") are my anchor in life. Building these friendships begins in childhood. I often feel like my kids' social lives are busier than my own. There are just SO MANY PLAYDATES. I know it's just a phase in my life and we all know how quickly those phases pass. 

I'm not going to lie.  We're logging in a LOT of hours at Chick-fil-A.  It's THE hot spot for the under-6 crowd and their mamas!

From playdates with classmates to playdates with cousins, Chick-fil-A is our go-to spot! We're not the only ones who love to eat there.  Based on the fact that our local Chick-fil-A is ALWAYS busy, I'm going to bet it's the hot spot for many families!

When I was a Mom Ambassador for Chick-fil-A of Pittsburgh in the Fall, I professed my love for Chick-fil-A in this post.  We go there for the safe, clean, kid-friendly, welcoming environment and the top-notch customer service.  There is truly no other fast food restaurant that even comes close to the quality food and service that Chick-fil-A offers.

We've already made so many memories at Chick-fil-A. We LOVE their family events.  We partied with them at our local zoo, we had the best time solving a mystery, we ditched an OT session for a Mommy-and-Me event (because sometimes you need to say no to a commitment and have some fun), and we regularly schedule and attend playdates there. When Lily hears that we're going to "Chickalay" she cheers!

While Lily builds friendships with our family friends and her classmates and Liam waves to everyone who passes by, I get a chance the chance to catch up with my friends with minimal stress! Mealtime is simple while we're at Chick-fil-A! We love the food, we love the environment, and every single employee makes it their mission to help you in every possible way. 

I was absolutely thrilled when I was recently asked to partner with Chick-fil-A again.  I replied yes before I even made it through the entire email!

On January 18th, Chick-fil-A added its new Superfood Side and Honest Kids' Appley Ever After organic juice drink to their menu.

A few days before the launch, Lily, Liam and I headed down to the beautifully decorated Chick-fil-A in Washington, PA, to attend a VIP #SuperfoodSide Tasting event.  It was an adventure to get there (BAD GPS!), but we breathed a huge sigh of relief when we spotted the Chick-fil-A logo in the distance!

The Washington PA Chick-fil-A is relatively new and has the Heritage design.  I loved the subway tile, the art, and the light fixtures made out of flattened coke bottles! 

We truly got the VIP treatment.  Chick-fil-A didn't miss a SINGLE detail.

Lily was immediately offered a dish of ice cream which she happily accepted after a long morning of preschool, then she joined a few other kids in the play area for storytime and a craft!

Liam wasn't acting like his usual happy, outgoing self.  He wasn't quite ready to wake up from his nap, and he just sat quietly through the entire presentation.  And, well, quiet is GOOD!

I had the chance to try the Superfood Side at the Mom Ambassador kickoff in September, and I knew it was quickly going to become a favorite of mine (along with the Greek Yogurt Parfait, of course)! I was looking forward to trying it again!

The Washington PA Chick-fil-A Operator, Kory Kaye, showed us how the Superfood Side was made and gave us the inside scoop on what makes it so delicious!

Thankfully, we didn't have to wait the full half hour for the Superfood Side to marinate!  They had it ready to go!

The Superfood Side is made from kale, Broccolini, and sour dried cherries, and is marinated with a sweet maple vinaigrette.  You can mix in their Roasted Nut Blend for additional flavor.  The nuts are packaged separately so people who have nut allergies can still enjoy the Superfood Side!

The Superfood Side is also delicious paired with Chick-fil-A grilled chicken nuggets!  The two items paired together are only 280 calories. That's a delicious, healthy, guilt-free meal!

These great additions to the menu make me happy! THIS is why Chick-fil-A is the fast food restaurant I choose for my family.

The hour and a half at the VIP Superfood Side Tasting Party went by so quickly! It was so nice to see some of the wonderful people I met in the Fall again, and so nice to meet new friends! We had a great afternoon!

Lily gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up!

 

Chick-fil-A spoiled us that afternoon! Even as we gathered up our stuff to leave, the wonderful service continued.  Did we want any food or drinks to go?  Did I need help out to my car?  Could they do anything else for me? Their kindness and generosity never ceases to amaze me!

As we left the restaurant that afternoon, my sweet Lily reached up to grab my one free hand, and said, "Thank you! I had so much fun! This is our place, Mommy."

It sure is! And I'm certain we'll return many more times!

Thank you, Chick-fil-A, for sponsoring today's post!  Thank you for listening to your customers, catering to families, offering a wide variety of delicious and healthy foods, and making continuous improvements to your menu. Most of all, thank you for helping my family make lasting memories!


Have you tried the new #SuperfoodSide yet?



*DISCLOSURE: This is a post sponsored by Chick-fil-A and The Motherhood.  I only endorse companies and products I believe in and all opinions are my own.

Making Memories with Chick-fil-A

As a family of six, life is busy! REALLY busy.

Life is chaotic.  Life is noisy. Life is messy. I spend my days as a peace negotiator, a cook, a house cleaner, a chauffeur, a teacher, and an event coordinator. Our calendar is jam-packed. 

I log in so many hours driving kids around in my SUV that I feel like I should just move into it at times. I have to do a head count before leaving the house.  Many days, I count an extra head or two (Big family?  What's one or two more?!?). Juggling school, homework, and activities for my older three children and in-home therapy sessions for my toddler is a full time job.  And the laundry.  WHOA.  Let's not even go there.

That being said, I chose this life, and I wouldn't change a single thing. I embrace the crazy!  The truth is, all this chaos will be gone in the blink of an eye.  Before I know it, I will be left sitting in a clean, quiet home, and I will be desperately wishing it all back. Childhood is fleeting.

In the spirit of keeping it real, there definitely are those moments when we just need to get OUT of the house.  We need to eat a dinner that I don't have to cook AND clean up. We just need to do something out of the norm, have fun, and make memories!

Chick-fil-A is, without a doubt, the place to go if you have a family!

Chick-fil-A caters to families and gives them a safe, clean, welcoming place to eat.  They have a wide variety of menu options that are suitable for everyone and their food is so much healthier than other fast-food venues.  Above all, their service can't be beat!

As a mom of  four, I choose Chick-fil-A for my family for MANY reasons.  I choose Chick-fil-A for their welcoming environment.  I choose Chick-fil-A for the healthy, delicious food. I choose Chick-fil-A for their unbeatable service.  I choose Chick-fil-A because they make my entire family feel welcome and at home.

I also choose Chick-fil-A for the fun events they offer to families!  Making memories with my family is one of the most important things to me. Over the past 2 months, our family had many adventures with Chick-fil-A!

The fun began (for me!) with a Blogger Ambassador Kick Off.

We visited our local Chick-fil-A for numerous playdates and spontaneous dinners with friends! (We were unable to attend Mommy & Me Storytime at our local Chick-fil-A due to Lily's field trip, but we'll definitely be attending in the future!)

We made lots of memories at Chick-fil-A's Family Night at the Zoo!

 

As much as we loved all those events, my kids definitely had a favorite: Chick-fil-A's Family Dinner and a Mystery at the Robinson location!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a police officer.  The kids were given flashing pins and a top-secret packet of information.  We were escorted to our table and the kids opened up their mystery packet.

Somebody stole the lemons, and it was up to them to figure out who did it!

After choosing their spy names and getting finger-printed for their security badges, they decided that they needed to fuel up on good food before they could do their work!  After that, they got to work solving the mystery.

With the help of another super awesome spy and the incredibly polite and helpful Chick-fil-A employees, they quickly solved the mystery!

Just for the record...it was that super naughty cow!  We found him hiding in the kitchen!

We had a fun family night!  It was so nice to take a break from the chaos of everyday life, and spend time together.  Working together to solve a mystery was just what we needed.  Thank you, Chick-fil-A, for helping my family create fun memories!

YOU can attend fun events like these ones, too! Just use the restaurant locator, then visit your local Chick-fil-A restaurant online.  You'll find a calendar with all the events listed!  

My family will definitely be attending more activities like these.  We absolutely LOVE Chick-fil-A!
  
Thank you, Chick-fil-A and The Motherhood,  for this incredible opportunity! 

Is there a Chick-fil-A where you live?



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DISCLOSURE: I was compensated for writing this post, but all opinions are my own. Thank you, Chick-fil-A and The Motherhood, for sponsoring this post.