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Hershey’s Track and Field Games Philadelphia

May 18, 2012 by

There’s more to Hershey’s than chocolate kisses and syrup. This year marks the 35th birthday of the Hershey’s Track and Field Games.

The HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games are the largest youth sports program of its kind in North America, with hundreds of thousands of children competing every year. Everyone has a chance to be among the 480 athletes who qualify to compete at the North American Final. The HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games has produced many Olympic medalists and competing athletes.

On Tuesday May 22nd at Northeast High School’s Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium children and their coaches, friends and families will gather to participate in Run, Jump and Throw activities. While there will be an organized track meet for kids age 9-14 there will be plenty of opportunities for children of all ages to have fun and get active. Step up to one of the many activity stations where you may jump rope, throw bean bags or join a relay race.

This event is free for the community and Hershey’s hopes to stress the importance of youth activity and living a balanced lifestyle while having fun. I’ll be on-site to help guide you and your kids to a fun evening of games and activities. Get all the details of the event and access to a RUN, JUMP and THROW Online Birthday Guide at www. Hersheystrackandfield.com.

Find an event in your area and RUN, JUMP and THROW with your own kids.

I am partnering with Hershey’s on this event




Fun Facts About Monster Jam

May 17, 2012 by

Shaun and I will be attending the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam show in Baltimore, MD on 6/2 (Saturday) and we are super excited.  If you are interested in attending we are holding a giveaway and you can click HERE to enter.

Shaun and I have attended a few shows since last year and are becoming really huge fans and recently learned a few things that we found very interesting.

Not sure how much you know about Monster Jam or the trucks but I will share some fun facts with you.

Trucks: Usually 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, a monster truck must weigh a minimum of 10,000
pounds, with some Monster Trucks weighing as much as 12,000 pounds. The less the body weighs,
the more strength and weight can be put into the frame and engine without sacrificing speed and
maneuverability. Average cost: $250.000.

Engines: Custom-built, supercharged and methanol-injected, a monster truck engine burns up to 2.5
gallons of methanol per run. The size of the motor is limited to 575 cubic feet of displacement. The
average monster truck team will go through five engines in one year. Average cost per engine: $50,000.

Body: Made of fiberglass, a monster truck body is custom designed. A fiberglass company generally
owns the mold to the design. Average initial cost: $15,000. Average cost of remakes: $8,000.

Tires: Manufactured by Goodyear and Firestone, monster truck tires must be 66 inches high and 43
inches wide. Tires are customized and hand cut to accommodate track conditions and reduce weight.
Cutting one tire takes approximately 50 hours. Average cost: $2,600 each.

Shocks: Most Monster Trucks run with nitrogen gas shocks. Some trucks run with one shock per tire,
while others run with as many as two per tire. The complete shock package includes a coil-over-shock kit
and spring. Average cost: $1,600 each.

Paint: A monster truck must be painted to cover the rough fiberglass body. Airbrushing logos and
specialized artwork add to the cost. Average cost: $5000.

Race Team Budget: A monster truck team incurs a number of expenses throughout the year from repairs
and maintenance on a monster truck and the hauler to fuel, racing uniforms, lodging and food. Average
cost per year: $250,000

Crushed Cars: Steel body full-size cars are the vehicles typically crushed during a monster truck event.
Cars, as well as vans, buses, motor homes, airplanes and ambulances, are attained from local junkyards
and returned after each event. Average number of cars crushed per year: 3,000.

Tracks: A crew of eight works 18-20 hours for three days to construct a monster truck course. It is not
uncommon for dump trucks to make more than 200 trips to deliver the dirt to each stadium. Average
amount of dirt used per track: 700 cubic yards for an arena, 3,500 cubic yards for a stadium. Each year
700,000 cubic yards of dirt are used to put on Monster Jam events.

Tickets: More than 3.5 million people annually attended the Monster Jam events in North America,
Canada and Europe.

Hopefully Monster Jam will come to an arena near you so you can get a chance to experience how awesome Monster Trucks really are!!

I Disclose




No Child Should Ever Go Hungry

May 17, 2012 by

Then why is SNAP Funding in jeopardy of being cut. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was put in place to keep families fed during times of need. Unemployment, medical emergency and even a simple change in payroll could cause a family to need assistance they never needed before.

no kid hungry, cuts to farm bill, cuts to snap program

Congress is looking to make changes to the Farm Bill, the legislation that provides funding for the SNAP Program. The changes could mean radical cuts to a program that puts food on the tables of millions of families. Nearly half of all SNAP participants are children. That means even more hungry mouths in our schools, playgrounds and community.

As the wealthiest country on the planet how can we let this happen? Speak up about Share Our Strength and spread the message of No Kid Hungry, the SNAP Program and The Farm Bill to everyone that will listen.

  • SNAP helps struggling families buy more food and fresh produce
  • SNAP provides important economic benefits to the community. The For every SNAP dollar spent $1.79 stays within the community.
  • 1 in 5 kids don’t get enough to eat each day. The lasting affects malnutrition are poor health, stunted brain development, reduced performance in school and future psychological issues.
  • More than 2/3 of the SNAP funding goes directly to Federal Nutrition Programs to feed children.

Let Congress know you aren’t sitting by and letting them take away the basic needs of 46 million Americans. Take a stand and TAKE A PLEDGE to tell Congress to protect the Farm Bill and keep our families safe from food insecurity.
I Disclose




I’m Going to Bloggy Boot Camp

May 17, 2012 by

Bloggy Boot Camp is coming to Philadelphia. I missed it last year but there is was way I was going to let it pass me by again.

Bloggy Boot Camp is a one day blog and social media conference for women hosted in major cities all around the U.S. Everyone, from brand new bloggers to experienced social media mavens, can benefit from this experience.

That’s they formal definition. I think of it more like a get together of like-minded, social women to discuss business, blogs, networking and more. I attended Bloggy Boot Camp in Baltimore 2 years ago when I considered myself a newbie. I’m no social media maven so there is still so much to learn and why not learn from the best, the SITS Girls.

When The Secret to Success is Support (SITS) was founded in 2008, its objective was simple: To create a space where bloggers could find their tribe and grow their audience. Although the site has evolved over the years, its commitment to this mission has not changed.

Today, the brand is managed by women who are passionate about blogging and creating a resource for others to find support online and learn the skills they need to become social media savvy. Our network of 40,000 members come to The SITS Girls site to see who we are featuring from the blogging community, learn the technical skills they need to be successful online, and chat in our discussion forum.

I’m excited to attend for several reasons. I love making new friends. While I know some of my connections will continue as digital ones they will be real. The SITS Girls is honest and comforting and supportive. Since I still have lots to learn as a blogger I’m looking forward to the sessions.

Topics for Philadelphia include:

  • Business of Blogging: This 2 hour break out will cover everything from contracts to creating media kits to pitching effectively to running successful campaigns and giveaways and wrap up reports. We’ll be talking money and what you need to know to “go pro”.
  • Using StumbleUpon and Pinterest: These tools are an amazing asset to build your traffic and engage a wider audience. Learn how they work and how to use them effectively.
  • Vlogging: How to vlog and why you should consider adding it your blogging repertoire.
  • SEO: Search Engine Optimization matters. Learn easy and effective techniques to building your sites ranking.
  • Design: Is your blog putting it’s best foot forward? We break it down- the good, the bad, the ugly and the fabulous. Small changes can have a huge impact.
  • Writer’s Workshop: A full 2 hour breakout for those interested in crafting excellent content. Nothing like sitting in a room with a bunch of writers who “get it”.

If you ever get the chance to attend Bloggy Boot Camp, DO IT. This is the perfect event for the shy , behind the screen types. The gathering is intimate and friendly without being overwhelming. Hope to see you there.




Time To Make Those Home Repairs

May 16, 2012 by

Ok people, now that spring is here it is time to walk through your house and take note of things you may want to update or may need to fix due to the winter weather.

I know when spring hits the first thing I check in our house are all of the pipes, pvc fittings under all of the sinks.  Now I know that may seem weird but there is nothing worse than a broken pipe or fitting which could cause major damage and cost a fortune.  I am not saying that a visual inspection will find all problems but it doesn’t cost any money to walk around your house and check so why not do it?

Once that is done if I find anything that seems questionable when it comes to the plumbing I fix it immediately because the cost now is far less expensive before it breaks rather than after.  Who wants to call a plumber in the middle of the night at rate of $50 – $100 hour when it could have been replaced at a much more reasonable cost and on your time.  I typically go to Home Depot if I have time otherwise you could go to a site like CIS and have the stuff shipped right to your front door.  

I know not everyone has the ability to do their own home repair but if you do have the ability you should make every effort to do it yourself.  It does sometimes take me a few days to a week to get to a project because of either work or something else going on that prohibits me from getting the job done right away but once I do have a free opening I am sure to get the job done before disaster strikes.

Do you make a list once spring time rolls around of things that you need to get done around the house? Or am I the only one?

I Disclose




Monster Jam Philadelphia Ticket Giveaway

May 16, 2012 by

monster jam philadelphia

Something happened last year that got Shaun and Rob really into Monster Trucks. They went to 2 shows last year, one already this year and have another 2 on the schedule. It’s a different kind of sport that they are used to. Instead of 2 teams battling each other the drivers are trying their best to just finish in one piece.

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA, June 9, 2012


USHRA Monster Trucks including Grave Digger® driven by Dennis Anderson, Maximum Destruction® driven by Tom Meents, Advance Auto Parts Grinder℠, Lucas Oil Crusader℠, Monster Energy, Captain America, El Toro Loco®, Team Hot Wheels®, Iron Man, Grave Digger The Legend®, Madusa®, Monster Mutt®, Mohawk Warrior℠, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Metal Mulisha!

Win a 4-pack of tickets to the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Path of Destruction, June 9th performance at Lincoln Financial Field. Just leave a comment with the truck you’re looking forward to seeing.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above. Please note the changes to the entries and frequency, entries that don’t follow rules may be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • SHARE this giveaway on YOUR Facebook wall
  • Like Monster Jam and LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! on Facebook
  • Follow Mom & Dad & Monster Jam on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (1 time per day), please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Win 4-tickets to @MonsterJam #Philadelphia #Giveaway from @lkwhtmomfound @anddadtoo http://bit.ly/IYqGr8 
  • Enter another Giveaway – let us know which one in the comment (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)
  • Leave a relevant comment on any other Review/Everyday Life/Thoughts post, let us know where to find it

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Friday, May 25, 2012. The winners will be emailed and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Continental US residents only. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.

I Disclose




Do You Love Where You Live?

May 16, 2012 by

They saying buying a new home is one of if not the largest purchase you will ever make in your life time and I agree.

Finding just the right home in the right area is extremely important and even more so if you have kids because you need to think about school districts and what school will be best for you child.

I thought when we were in Maryland about two years ago that we would be there for a while and that was where we were going to call home. it’s too bad we moved because Southern Maryland new homes were on the rise at the time and a place we could have called home for sure.

I am not saying that I’m not glad we moved back to Delaware because I am since we are a lot closer to family but I am not sure Newark is the place where we will live forever. We have committed to living in our current home until Sabreena graduates from high school in two years because we really don’t want to uproot her in her junior year. That isn’t fair to her plus it’s super hard to make quality friends at that point in your high school career and Melinda can attest to that because that is something she went through.

When Melinda and I discuss where we would really like to live we both agree North Wilmington is for us. North Wilmington is where we lived before we moved to Maryland and in a way I wish I was able to turn the clock back because I know if we could do it all over Melinda and I would have decided to stay in North Wilmington.

Like I said we are in our house for a least two more years but I can totally see us hitting the road for North Wilmington once Sabreena leaves for college. For those of you wondering, yes I will tell Sabreena that we moved to North Wilmington. LOL.

I Disclose




Getting Into Shape Is Hard Work

May 15, 2012 by

Melinda and I have always tried to live a somewhat healthy lifestyle.  Do we fall off the wagon sometimes?  Heck yeah but this time we are both really making an effort to get healthy and stay healthy.

Melinda and I started running and are currently training for a 5k so that shows how serious we are about this because Melinda and I are not big runners.  I must admit though I am starting to enjoy running just as much as I do cycling.  Not sure Melinda is at the enjoyment stage yet but she is hanging in and trying to get to that point.   

I have started taking a daily vitamin and protein powder to try and keep my body in the best shape I can while trying to lose weight.  Also, why is it so easy to put weight on but SOOOOO hard to take it off?  Wish there was an answer to this question and now I understand why more people don’t work out because it is hard work and sometimes it just down right hurts. 

Recently someone told me about LiveTru and how they have a great selection of essential oils as well as health and wellness products.  Finding a place that has good quality products is hard to find because when it comes to exercise and healthy living everyone is trying to make a quick buck off of the consumer.  So when someone I know makes a recommendation I am sure to check them out.

I was searching LiveTru last night for some kind of oil or cream that I could apply on my calf which I seemed to tweak this past Saturday while running.  Hopefully I am able to get it back into shape before this weekend because on Saturday I am planning on running my first 5k and then I am riding 65 miles on Sunday with two friends.

Working out and getting into shape is super hard but I know when Melinda and I are at our ideal weight we are going to be glad we did all of this hard painful work.

I Disclose




It’s Finally Up There

May 14, 2012 by

It’s already been almost 2 years since we moved into this house. While we are constantly making changes, purchases and improvements we’ve finally gotten the TV off my dresser and onto the wall. In previous homes we’ve had the tv on tv stands but for some reason lately my dresser has become it’s home. I’ve always hated it.
wall mount tv stand
My dresser should be home to my jewelry box, clean laundry waiting to be put away or the rogue hair bands Shae leaves around the house.

Having the tv on the dresser always meant propping up pillows on a rock hard headboard to watch a show through my toes. Laying on my side worked but after a few minutes my arm would fall sleep or my hip would ache. Then there’s the issue of the pillow putting a bit of a damper on my hearing. Now that the tv is floating high above my head I can lay comfortably in bed with a remote in hand and click click click to my heart’s content.

Unfortunately this also means that my dresser has become the catchall. I say WHATEVER; it is MY dresser right. Rob uses the dog crate as his iPad and magazine holder so it only seems fair.

Thanks Dad for upgrading your tv so we could inherit your stand!

I Disclose




Tell Her “Mom You Rock” with Skype

May 14, 2012 by

I’ve been picked as a Skype Ambassador. This means I get to show you all the cool features Skype has to offer that you may not have known about already.
Mom You Rock, Skype Facebook App
This weekend was Mother’s Day, you still have the chance to send a “Mom You Rock” message through Facebook for any mom you know. Sending a message through this app will not only show the world your love for that mom but will also donate $1 to the Save the Children’s Global Action Fund in support of the new MomsTheWord.org campaign.

I’m lucky that my mom only lives 5 minutes down the road. We visit each other often, have lunch, go shopping and get together for easy family dinners. There are so many families at are separated by distance though. Think of how you can close that gap with video chatting instead of phone calls and letters. Grandparents don’t have to miss those important milestones like walking, birthdays or 1st time at bat. Skype keeps families connected better than ever.

skype video calling

There are talks of my grandmother getting a computer. I can’t wait to hear the details of it because I want to be able to talk more frequently with her. She lives far, Puerto Rico. We only get to see her every 2 years. I try to send cards and pictures and gifts but it isn’t the same as talking face to face even through a computer screen. Showing her how to use Skype is going to be one of the 1st things we do.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Skype. I received Skype credits to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.




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