When it comes to family and event photography, the number of options out there can be overwhelming! There are large chains, independent studios, freelancers, hobbyists. There are a lot of things to consider, here's my personal check list:

What to consider when hiring a photographer:

• Prices - These vary greatly depending on expertise, equipment, and deliverables. Prices can seem high but you have to take into consideration the time required by the photographer not just to take the photos but all the work that goes into editing them, not to mention they have to cover any overhead -  studio rent, photo props, equipment, advertising, etc!
• Deliverables - Are digitals included? Can you print yourself or only through them?
• Retouching - To what extent will they retouch your photos? Just lighting/coloring or little things like that flyaway hair and baby's booboo? I remember my son's cake smash session - we walked 45 minutes in the snow to the home studio in Dyker Heights, and I had the WORST crease on my forehead from my winter hat. But the photographer was more than happy to photo shop it out of our family photos, for no extra fee, now that's service!!)
• Location - Will it be in their studio, your home, at your event, or a location of your choosing (park, etc)? Do they have a travel fee?
• Specialty - It's not really advisable to ask someone who typically does magazine editorial photos to do your newborn baby shoot (mistake we made with our 1st baby, since it was a friend doing it for free - they had no newborn experience and did NOT know all very important tricks with shooting newborns and dealing with hormonal stressed out nervous wreck postpartum mommies)
• Experience & Equipment - Generally speaking, the less experience the cheaper they'll be, and the less techy equipment they'll have (not quite as spectacular a camera, maybe no lighting), but most often you get what you pay for. That's not to say you can't find a diamond in the rough, a truly talented hobbyist who will give you a good deal and produce spectacular photos.

We've been thrilled with the handful of local Bay Ridge area photographers we've used over the years. We haven't stuck with 1, as most families do, simply because I usually barter a photoshoot in exchange for doing a review and promotion for them. And it's nice to try out different ones so I can recommend them on a personal level! But it's been a couple of years since our last professional shoot so I was excited when a local mom approached me about promoting her husband's photography partnership with another local photographer!

StarPhoto BayRidge are a team of skilled photographers who specialize in Family and Event Photography. Memories and milestones are truly special and photographs can preserve treasured moments for the years to come. StarPhoto is the combined talents of Beto Ramos and Scott Olsen. Both are long time Bay Ridge residents with many years of photography experience. ​

We met at a coffee shop go over my preferences on style and location. I said we're more silly than lovey dovey; I wanted some action shots but also some nice portrait style ones, and was fine in any location. They chose a nearby park and then I began working on the hardest part of photo session prep: the wardrobe!! I didn't want to be matchy matchy, all in white tees and jeans let's say, but I wanted us to coordinate. OMG that's hard guys!! But I'm happy with my choices.

Scott and Beto were incredibly easy to work with!! They were on time, brought their cameras and lighting. Had helpful suggestions for poses and different locations. Really important here - they were PATIENT!!! With 3 small kids who just wanted to run around and play, it's so hard, but Scott and Beto were remarkably calm and just waited for us to be ready! We never felt rushed or that they were getting impatient. Some shots just simply didn't work timing wise and they knew when to give up and try something else - trying to get 3 kids to hold hands and jump simultaneously while smiling at the camera just didn't work, for example, but we still got a fun shot (see below, my "behind the scenes" shot followed by the final perfectly imperfect shot LOL!

Beto specializes in digital photography and studio lighting, and is an expert at PhotoShop and retouching photos. Our photos came out so brilliant, the colors and lighting are perfect, I'm just in love! You can see Beto's portraits gallery here - they are simply stunning! If you're looking for headshots for LinkedIn or a modeling career, he's your guy! Don't forget to follow Beto on Instagram!

​Scott is an experienced digital shooter who happens to have a passion for old fashioned film photography. Scott shoots, and develops, everything from 35 millimeter to medium and large format as well as wet plate photography which has been around since 1851. “Wet Plate” is a special process that results in an image on a metal plate or glass. It's ready to see in minutes and after drying and varnishing it will last for centuries. Examples of his work with film and wet plate can be found on Instagram, and you can see some black and whites he shot of us on film here:

We had a great shoot with Beto and Scott and I'm in love with the photos they provided us with! But now my dilemma is... which ones do I print??

Which one(s) would you do in a huge frame or canvas?! HELP ME DECIDE, please!!!

I highly recommend StarPhoto Bay Ridge for your next family photo shoot or event, AND, get excited because I have a discount for you!!!

DISCOUNT:
Get 25% off a 1 hour digital photography session with StarPhoto Bay Ridge, which includes at least 10 retouched images in high resolution format which can be downloaded from SmugMug. Regularly $200, you pay just $150. Just book by 10/31/2019 and mention this blog post!!

I grew up hearing about Medieval Times and always wanted to go, but somehow never did! So when we were offered tickets in exchange for a blog post, I jumped at the chance!! The timing was perfect, too, as our twins just had their 4th birthday a week ago, so this served as their big royal birthday celebration!

Located in Lyndhurst NJ, Medieval Times is an easy outing for NYC families with cars. I thought it was going to be all about jousting but boy oh boy was I wrong, it was so much more - a truly unique experience that includes royal drama, horses, knights, delicious food, and more! Check out our YouTube video to get a great feel of the whole experience, and read on for more details!

You can arrive up to 75 minutes before your showtime and I recommend getting there at least 30 minutes ahead as there's so much to see and experience in the huge hall before you enter the show! You can purchase drinks and there's tons of merch for sale - from princess hats and crowns to swords and lots of lighty-uppy things that the kids will go nuts over! You can also see the Queen come out and knight guests in honor of their birthdays (an up-sell option, of course!).

Everyone gets a cute paper crown with the same color as your seating block, which adds the whole excitement of cheering on or booing certain teams - my husband said this was his favorite part! My kids got really into it, too, I mean, when are they encouraged to yell loudly indoors!?

​Once we took our seats the waiter quickly came up and served us some hot tomato bisque, and it was STEAMING hot! The bowls and plates are metal, so the bowl itself ended up very hot as well, just be careful with your little ones!! Throughout the show they brought more food - delicious rotisserie chicken (vegetarian option offered), a thick sliced and salted baked potato, corn on the cob, garlic bread, and for dessert, a small ice cream cup with strawberry syrup. The quality and amount of food was fit for a king, and they have to-go bags in case you want to bag it up for later. I was worried having read that there are no utensils and thought it'd get really messy eating with our hands. But actually, it added to the whole medieval aspect of it and was fun! And, they have individual wet wipe packs for before and after, and napkins, so don't worry! Also bringing you back in time, all staff were dressed in costume, and the way the stadium was lit, at times when the main lights went out, it looked like we were all using only candle light! Very neat!

There was a kind of story that went along with the show, something about them wanting to give the winning knight to the Queen as her King, but she wasn't having that. And then one of the knights didn't want to kill another in the contest, and she let the audience decide (they cheered to kill him, as they do) and she denied the request and let him live. That's all I really got from it. My poor husband couldn't catch a word - his English isn't completely fluent and they spoke in British accents over the speakers and there was so much going on it was just hard to follow sometimes. But there was a story, if you focused!

And to my surprise, there was so much more than jousting. In fact, jousting was just a small portion at the end!! There were horses performing dressage, there was a series of non-contact fun contests the knights did on horseback, there was a hawk that flew around the stadium a few times (really cool and unexpected!!), and then, the jousting. Which was SO COOL!!! I really had no idea what to expect, but basically they jousted one or two rounds til one was knocked off, and then they fought hand to hand combat with and without weapons. And the weapons were just, whoa, MEDIEVAL!!! Don't miss that part in my video, the swords actually sparked when clashing against each other!!

We just had such a great time! I think whether you're a history buff, or have a princess-obsessed daughter, or are just looking for a unique dinner show experience with or without the kids, you can't go wrong with Medieval Times! Regular ticket prices are $64.95/adult and $36.95 per child (under 12), but they have deals occasionally (adult tickets Columbus Day weekend for example are only $40!) and offer group rates (birthday parties, school or camp trips, etc). Get more info and grab your tickets here!

After dedicating time to my kids, my work, and my husband, let's face it, there just never seems to be any time left over for myself, or my mom friends. But that's silly. Of course there's enough time. You just have to get your priorities straight and MAKE the time! So, this week, I had myself a mom date and we had THE. BEST. TIME!!! And in true mom blogger fashion, I'm here to share it with you so you can be inspired and have an easy copycat mom date of your own!!

Disclaimer: This post is made possible by support from Mean Girls on Broadway. All opinions are my own. This post also includes some affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll earn a small commission from purchases made.

Some of you out there may already be obsessed with the Tina Fey written "Mean Girls", watching the movie regularly since it was released way back in 2004. I myself had only seen it once and didn't remember anything about the movie other than it starred the infamous Lindsay Lohan (who apparently now runs a few night clubs in Greece and recently starred in her own MTV reality show!?). My point is, whether you know the story or not, you will absolutely LOVE Mean Girls on Broadway. Why? It's got everything!!

• MUSIC - is amazing, super catchy tunes, with crazy talented singers
• STORY & MESSAGE - is really inspiring, basically anti-bullying, showcasing the importance of being true to yourself and supporting others, or at least not putting others down. Not sure if these are direct quotes or not but they're some that really stuck with me from the show: Telling someone they're dumb won't make you smarter. Telling someone they're ugly won't make you prettier. Even the people you don't like are still people, so, GET OFF THEIR DICKS! LOL!! Seriously though, it has such an amazing message, but told in such a fun and hilarious way, it's awesome!
• DANCING - is fun, lots of group dances of course, it's broadway, and my favorite was Grey Henson, who plays Damian, he's just SO over the top and absolutely pee-your-pants hilarious, his dialogue and his tap dancing, all of it! So fun!

Now, I suggest this most highly for a super fun night out with your girlfriends and mom friends. That said, many boyfriends and husbands would also enjoy it, if they're into Broadway musicals. I wouldn't recommend it for kids, because of the dialogue and innuendos (teenage drinking, sex, intense bullying), but older teens would love it, and again, it has just such a great message about accepting yourself and others, and the special need for girls to support each other.

So, I took one of my best mom friends, Rhianon of Brooklyn Boy Mom & Known, out to Mean Girls on Broadway for a special Bloggers' Night they organized! We started across the street from the theater for fun drinks and yummy food at Haswell Greens (240 W. 42nd St) and got a little silly with their photo props (above)! Then we headed over to the August Wilson Theater (245 W. 52nd St), which has been decorated to get you into the Mean Girls / High School mood from the start! So many fun photo ops, even in the bathroom LOL (see below)!!

There's themed food and drinks for purchase at the theater, and of course TONS OF MERCH!!

So, aren't you just dying to go see this now!?!? You're in luck, cuz I got some discounts to give you - for the show AND for babysitting!!!!

Get tickets for Mean Girls on Broadway for as low as $59 with code MGBWAY here!
(The code can be used on Ticketmaster after you select your date, September 17 - November 24).

And if you need to get a sitter in order to make your Moms' Night Out happen, check out this offer!!

Your sitter search made simple! Join Sittercity and easily connect to local sitters. Join today and save 50% on a monthly membership.  
**Pro Tip: Sign up for Rakuten (affiliate link / formerly E-bates) first and you'll get $20 cash back on your Sittercity spending!!**
To Redeem: Click the Sittercity link provided above and follow the steps to create a new account or log in from the homepage. Click “Upgrade” then select the 1-month Premium Membership option that shows the discounted rate of $17.50. Follow the steps to process payment for your new Sittercity membership. Discount offer is only valid for the first monthly payment cycle. Subscriptions are non-refundable and automatically renew at the original monthly subscription rate of $35 per month until canceled by changing your account settings or contacting us here. Offer is good for new Premium subscribers only.

There's absolutely no need to see the movie or listen to the Broadway music before you see the show, but in case you wanna get in the mood, here are a few fun items from Amazon to check out (affiliate links)

So fun, right!? Leave a comment below - are you obsessed with Mean Girls the movie? Have you seen it on Broadway or On Tour yet? What are some of your most memorable Moms' Night Out ideas!?

I don't know about where you're from, but here in NYC, kids learn to ride scooters pretty soon after learning to walk! Maybe it's because we don't drive much, or don't have space to store multiple bikes, but scooters have become a huge part of my family's life, which is why we're so happy to collaborate with ShopHot.com on this review of 2 of the ChromeWheels Scooters sold on their website (discount code at bottom of this post)!!

Disclaimer: We were provided product in exchange for this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own and completely unbiased. In addition, there are some affiliate links included in this post, you don't pay more but we will receive a small commission on purchases made after clicking links.

Before I go into my full review below, be sure to watch my video unboxing, setting up the scooters, and trying them out, including footage of my very first time riding a scooter! HA! (The kids' adorable helmets are Mini Hornit LIDS, check out our review here if you missed it!)

2-Wheel Deluxe 8" Wheel ChromeWheels Scooter

Our 6.5 year old had outgrown his non-adjustable 3-wheel scooter and was nervous but excited to graduate to a 2-wheeler. Since he hasn't learned to ride a bike yet, balance-wise it definitely took some getting used to, but there's no stopping him now! He feels (and looks) like such a big boy! If you have a child ready for a 2-wheeler, this is a great one, check out some of these features:

• 200 pound weight limit (ages 6+) - meaning my husband and I can both use it, very cool! 
• large anti-slip deck - it's very grippy, and so wide that I can stand on it with my feet next to each other and not hanging off (see image below)!
• adjustable handlebar - there are 5 height settings ranging from 34.6 to 41.3 inches, and it's a quick and easy push-of-the-button adjustment.
• light but heavy-duty - it weighs just 8.8 pounds but is very sturdy (the frame is 80% aluminum and 20% steel)
• kickstand & rear-wheel brake - I hadn't thought about this being a necessity since we were used to 3-wheel scooters that stand on their own, but the kickstand is really helpful on a 2-wheeler!
• easy fold - you just pull a little lever and the T bar folds down, super easy. You can also push a button on each handle to pull them out and fold over, so it can get quite compact!
• design - offered in blue, black, and pink, with light up LED wheels that get brighter the faster you go!

Retails for $69 on shophot.com or Amazon (affiliate link).

Deluxe Foldable 3-Wheel ChromeWheels Scooter

What's great about this scooter is that it's super easy for young children to learn to ride. It's technically for ages 3-12 but my girls learned to ride a 3-wheel scooter when they were about 18 months! So, this would make a really great 2nd, 3rd, or 4th birthday present!! Because it has 2 wheels spread out in front, it balances on its own. The handlebar is fixed so it's much easier for them to keep their balance while learning to scoot, and little by little they'll learn the lean-to-steer function. My personal advice for teaching a young child how to do this is have them stand on the scooter, you stand behind the scooter and lean over them and gently hold their hands on the handle bar. As you push them, you can lean them each direction so they can feel how it works. Once comfortable they can start to scoot and steer on their own. There's a great double wheel brake in back, but younger children may use their feet as brakes instead (sorry, if doing this they'll go through shoes pretty quickly!). Anyway, this is a fabulous scooter and you can't ask for a better bang for your buck simply because it's good for such a wide age range!! We just got ours a week ago though, so I can't personally attest to how long they'll last. I'm hoping many years!! Here are some of the features of this one:

• ​​150 pound max (ages 3-12)
• adjustable handlebar - quick push of the button with 4 height levels (25 to 34.5 inches)
• lightweight & foldable - just 6 pounds and quick to fold by pulling up on the bottom of the T-bar
• design - available in black, blue, pink, purple, and red, with clear urethane LED light-up wheels​

​Retails for $45 on ShopHot.com and Amazon (affiliate link).

What we're LOVING about these scooters?

1. The price tag!! At about $45 for the 3-wheeler and $70 for the 2-wheeler, it won't break the bank and it also won't break your heart if junior ends up losing it!
2. They fold!! How great is that!? Makes for easier and more compact storage, throwing them in the trunk of your car or into our Wonderfold Wagon (check out that review here!!). You can also fully detach the T-bar if needing to store it somewhere even more compactly.
3. They light up!! Our kids have never had light-up shoes, so this is really our first time having something that lights up and frankly, we're in love! The LED lights on the wheels aren't noticible outside in bright daylight much, but at dusk or at night, or even indoors like in our building's hallways - they're so much fun!! Not to mention a bit of an added safety measure against traffic and what not.

So, what do you think!? If you're shopping for a birthday present, back to school gift, exam reward, Christmas gift, etc - you can't go wrong with a ChromeWheels Scooter from ShopHot.com AND our readers can get $66 off orders over $300 with code UJFSH66 here (valid through 9/18/19)!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by DiscountGlasses.com, however all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased. This post also contains affiliate links, meaning you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

The way kids (and adults!) lose and break their glasses, we just can't afford to be paying top dollar for designer frames at a local boutique again and again, am I right?! Thank goodness for DiscountGlasses.com, who has hundreds of stylish prescription glasses (and sunglasses with or without prescription) for kids and adults, starting at just $39.95! They've generously included a $100 credit to their website for the winner of our $400 value Back to School Giveaway (enter to win here by 8/29/19). Check out this fun unboxing video by my 3 year old and myself, and then keep reading for more!

Their website features a virtual try-on app that is quick and easy to use, and allows you to see what you look like in most frames! If you create an account, it'll save your image so you can quickly use the try-on app every time you are shopping for new glasses or sunglasses. They also include very specific dimensions for each frame, including lens diameter, bridge width, and temple length, so if you go to a local shop and find the measurements that fit you best, it'll be quite easy to find the perfect glasses online moving forward. If you don't want to visit an eyewear store in person, no worries, discountglasses.com has a 365 free return period, so it's basically risk free! They don't take insurance but check with your health/eye insurance provider - you should be able to print off the detailed receipt and submit it for reimbursement.

With such fabulous prices and style options, you can "go crazy" with several designs and not feel a bit guilty! A sensible pair, a funky pair, one for work, one for nights out with the girls, see where I'm going? And for the kids, you can keep a backup pair at home, in the car, in the backpack, at grandma's house, etc.

We've already ordered several times from DiscountGlasses.com and have had great success with every frame so far! For myself, I got the Rampage R 195 plastic frame black glasses and the Prive Revaux The Hepburn sunglasses ($29.95, pictured above - bottom left). For my daughter Mia, we got her first prescription glasses, Miraflex New Baby 1 ($100 - pictured above - bottom left), which are great first glasses for toddlers as they're hinge-free, but she refused to wear them unfortunately). We got non-prescription sunglasses for all 3 kids as well Picklez Roxy Black with orange lenses ($34.95 - pictured above - top left) for Kenzo and Picklez Bruno ($34.95) and ​Picklez Penny ($39.95), both in hot pink, for Emi and Mia (pictured above - top right).

This time around, Mia and I got some new frames. Since we got thick plastic frames last time, I thought we'd try something new with thin and super lightweight metal frames! For myself, I got the Lunettos Harley in Matte Black/Tortoise, base price $39.95 and added the Transistions lens package for an additional $79.95, which includes UV-protective, scratch-resistant Transition polycarbonate prescription lenses, and I also added the $20 anti-reflective coating, for a total of $134.94.

Mia picked out the Picklez Daisy in Red/Turquoise for $39.95, which includes lightweight polycarbonate prescription lenses with UV-protective and scratch-resistant lenses. I'll admit I'm a wee bit jealous of her fun frames, the sides especially are just so adorable!! But the true question is... will she wear them!?!?!

So what do you think? Have you ever bought glasses online? Willing to give it a try next time? Don't forget, you can win $100 credit to DiscountGlasses.com in my $400 value jackpot Back to School Giveaway here (enter by 8/29/19, US residents 18+ only).

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from sales made after clicking.

No better way to start off the new school year on the right foot than with an amazing and adorable pair of new shoes, am I right!? Of course they've also gotta be comfy, durable, and good for our children's feet, which is why my family always runs to pediped, a company that was awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development! They've sent us 3 pair of shoes in exchange for our review, and are also giving away a pair (winner's choice of size and design) in my $400 value Back to School Giveaway (enter to win here by 8/29/19)!!

We've done several reviews and giveaways of pediped shoes over the years, and I can honestly say every single pair has held up beautifully through my kids' heavy usage until outgrown, and then transitioned seamlessly into being well-loved great condition hand-me-down shoes! One of the fastest growing children's footwear brands in the United States, pediped is sold in over 750 stores in the US and 40 countries worldwide, with an offering of more than 120 designs in sizes US newborn through 6Y. They really are the cream of the crop, so when those iconic purple boxes arrive on our doorstep, we're all kicking our heels up with excitement!

This time around, I was really feeling the greys. The moment I laid eyes on the Flex Logan Silver boots with faux fur I just lit up, mostly because I knew my girls would literally squeal with joy when opening the boxes. And they did!! These sneaker boots have such a fun pattern, silver but also kind of iridescent. With faux laces (because let's face it, who has the patience to deal with 3 year olds trying to tie real laces in the morning rush to school!?) and a great big velcro strap on the top (with a velcro piece on the top of the fur tongue, to make sure they're super secure)! They feature man-made material and suede uppers, all-natural rubber soles, a breathable canvas lining, and 5 other color options in case silver isn't your child's cup of tea. Available in sizes 26 - 36 (9 - 4.5Y), they retail for $59.95 on their website and Amazon (affiliate link).

For my son, I opted for the Flex Dani Grey Orange sneakers which have a bit of a cute skater vibe, don't you think? Featuring man-made and mesh uppers and all-natural rubber soles. I'm all about nurturing my children's independence, with as little frustration (for them and me) as possible, so I'm just really loving the stretchy faux laces and chunky stylish velcro straps on all of their new shoes! Are you feeling me!? I'm not seeing this exact color on the website anymore, but you can find them on Amazon (affiliate link) or in 11 other color options in the Dani design on pediped's website, retailing for $59.95 in sizes 24 - 33 (7.5 - 2Y).

Both the Dani and Logan shoes are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development, and feature pediped's Flex Fit System, meaning they come with removable inserts that can adjust the shoe nearly a half a size, meaning they will fit your child properly for longer. How's that for upping your bang for your buck!?

As I mentioned, pediped has over a hundred styles of shoes for babies through big kids. We're talking crib shoes, dress shoes, sneakers, sandals, boots, you name it! So head on over to their website to shop for your kiddo's next pair(s) of shoes!! And don't forget, you can win a pair in my $400 value Back to School giveaway ending 8/29!! Enter to win here!! 

Sometimes accidental, sometimes part of a tantrum or burst of energy, there's no denying that little kids are prone to messes. But I'm here to share with you a very easy way to cut down on snack time messes, with the help of Munchie Mug, who sponsored this blog post and is part of our huge $400 value jackpot Back to School Giveaway (enter to win here!!).

Munchie Mug snack cups are proudly made in America with FDA food-grade compliant materials, and the plastic parts are #5 recyclable! They are BPA / Phthalate / PVC free and top rack dishwasher safe. They come in 16oz and 12oz (both with 4" diameter), with 2 types of tops. They're really durable too. We got our first 3 two years ago. 2 got lost along the way but 1 is still going strong, and we just added 3 new ones to our arsenal! I simply cannot sing their praises highly enough. We went through a half dozen or so type of snack cups and Munchie Mug is hands down THE BEST!!

The stay-fresh lid will seal it up for snacking later, but the main lid is where the magic is, folks. It's made of overlapping fabric (food grade polypropylene/spandex blend fabric) that makes it spill-proof and SHAKE-PROOF!! Be sure to watch our demo video (with a fun blind-folded game at the end) to see it in action - shake it as hard as you can, upside down, throw it across the room, this baby is NOT going to spill a single snack!! Do note, it's not mischief-proof - my littles eventually learned they can squeeze the fabric open to dump snacks out. But kids will be kids. At least there will be no ACCIDENTAL spills. The fabric also makes them super soft and great for sensitive little hands. Got eczema or sensory issues? No problem!!

The tops come in a rainbow of colors to choose from, and the base cups come in a couple of cute designs, including ABC, 123, and clear, and are recommended for ages 10 months and up. The lids also feature a little cutout that make them easy for little hands to hold onto, easy for a caregiver to carry several at a time (i can hang onto 3+ per hand!), and you can thread a sippy cup leash to attach it securely to a stroller or car seat.

You can buy these for about $18 a piece on their website or Amazon (affiliate link) and don't forget, theres's 1 in our $400 value jackpot Back to School Giveaway!! Open to US residents ages 18 and over, enter to win here by August 29, 2019!! 

Whether you're planning a bachelorette weekend with the girls, a destination wedding, a corporate retreat, a golf getaway with your buddies, or a high-end family vacation, Crystal Springs Resort in northwest New Jersey will not disappoint! We were provided a night's accommodation in exchange for our honest review, and we loved it so much we're now looking into purchasing a unit! HA! Watch our YouTube highlights video here and keep reading for more details on their beautiful rooms, delicious dining options, amazing indoor and outdoor pools, and more!

Located on a spectacularly beautiful 4,000 acre piece of land with a mountainous backdrop, just 47 miles from Manhattan, it's no doubt Crystal Springs Resort has been named New Jersey's #1 four-season resort. Featuring 2 hotels, 2 spas, 9 dining options, 6 golf courses, a sports club, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding, an adventure center, and meeting & event venues, as well as ski-slopes nearby!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY LUXE:
Upon entering the Grand Cascades Lodge for the first time, as you can see in our video, we were completely overwhelmed with how beautiful and luxurious the Adirondack-inspired facilities were. With three young children, we were a tad intimidated, initially thinking this place must be too nice for our crazy kids, and we would spend the entire stay fretting over their noise and behavior. Thankfully it wasn't the case, and we were happily surprised to see the number of families with young children there! We quickly relaxed with the understanding that guests there for a quiet spa retreat, business meetings, or other kid-free indulgences would find themselves at one of the many places for adults only - such as Latour restaurant (kids must be 12 years or older), the pool hot tub areas, spa, bars, etc. While I would say this isn't a hotel made FOR kids, it is most certainly family-friendly, so don't let their AAA 4-diamond award and grandness of the resort scare you away! They have some family activities here and there, including a nightly fire pit marshmallow roasting, Saturday daytime shows, animal educators, pony rides, summer movies on the lawn, free putting course and evening glow golf, life-size chess, mountaintop adventure experience (approximately $50 per adult, $30 per child; with paddle boarding, archery, fishing, hiking, and a lake with white sand beach), KidSole (learn to fly trapeze & circus ninja warrier training), to name a few!!

THE ACCOMMODATIONS:
Our room was absolutely fabulous, with a full kitchen, grandfather clock, huge balcony, Jacuzzi tub and full shower, indoor and outdoor dining, flat panel TVs, indoor and outdoor gas fireplaces, washer & dryer, it felt more like a beautifully furnished rental home than a hotel room! In fact, both Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel are what they call "condo hotel", meaning you can buy a unit (which are shockingly affordable, especially compared to prices here in NYC) and the management company will rent it out on your behalf when you aren't there, leaving you with a full-service luxury vacation home that potentially pays for itself. I'm currently obsessed with this idea and figuring out how to make it happen for my own family!

We were provided a suite and an adjoining room in the Grand Cascades Lodge, where overnight accommodations include complimentary use of the Biosphere Pool Complex as well as facilities at the Minterals Sports Club, just 3 miles away by free shuttle at Minerals Hotel, with 7 indoor/outdoor heated pools, sauna, steam room, indoor running track / tennis / raquetball / basketball, a 6,000 sqft fitness center, and more. Alternatively you can book a (cheaper) room at the Minerals Hotel, but you won't have access to the Biosphere Pool Complex over at Grand Cascades Lodge in that case.

THE POOLS:
The pools at Grand Cascades Lodge (GCL from here on out) and Minerals Hotel (MH) are everything you could ask for and more! Each place has a large amazing indoor pool, so you'll have a splashing good time no matter what time of year. They also have outdoor pools, some were heated to wonderfully warm bath temp and others were cool but not uncomfortably so.  GCL's 10,000 square foot indoor Tropical Biosphere was of course, the most impressive, with its massive palm trees, it will certainly be a standout on your Instagram feed! The ambience is magical, you feel you've been transported to the jungle, not northwestern New Jersey! It also features a 140' waterslide (min 48" to ride), grotto-like jacuzzi (age 16+), underground aquarium, and cave-themed sauna & steam room. I didn't realize at the time, but keep in mind the retractable roof is made of "advanced German Foiltec roofing material, allowing nearly 100% light transmission for year-round tanning"... so don't forget the sunblock! 

If you take a left out of the Biosphere, less than a 5 minute walk away you'll find two more pools in the Vista 180 Pool Complex. One is very luxurious with infinity pool edges and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. There's a cafe next to it, offering a selection of quick eats and yummy cocktails!

The other pool out that way was my son's favorite, with a water slide and a really unique "rotational current vortex pool" (we dubbed it the washing machine), where the jets cycle swimmers around and around. I've never seen anything like it and it was really fun!! Even our 3 year olds in their puddle jumper floaties were loving it. They have life guards all around, but stay close to little ones or children who aren't strong swimmers because those jets are strong and our toddlers ended up getting dunked quickly a couple of times.

Over at Minerals Hotel Pool Complex, you'll find heated indoor and outdoor pools, a 12 foot cliff jump (don't miss my husband doing this in our video!!), underground aquarium, steam room & sauna, jacuzzis and cold dip, moonshine bar and twisted treat ice cream bar! Unfortunately, neither location had a "kiddy pool" per se, the pools were all 3-4 feet in the shallowest areas, though Minerals does have a large "splash yard" near their outdoor pools. 

THE FOOD:
There were 9 dining options to choose from, so whether you wanted a pool-side burger and Frosé, a gourmet pizza and bottle of wine, or an adult-only award-winning fine dining experience, you'll find it all right on the premises! You can find menus (and kids' menus), hours, and locations all on the website, making it easy to plan ahead or research quickly just before each meal. Reservations are recommended at most, but we didn't bother and had no issue (but keep in mind we were there mid-week). We arrived super hungry at around noon on Tuesday and our room wasn't ready for us until 4pm, so we had a quick casual lunch at the Biosphere Cafe, the only thing we could find open. The food was good, a smoked salmon sandwich ($15) for myself, the Gardener sandwich for my husband ($13), and a chicken finger basket ($14) for the kids, however it was uncomfortably warm and humid in there, it's like a greenhouse basically, which is great for swimmers but not so much for hot and sweaty fully-clothed travelers trying to down some food! Still, it got the job done and we were off to the pools!

For dinner, we went to Springs Bistro, cuz the kids had a hankerin' for some pizza and I was intrigued by the authentic Italian cuisine Tuscan-inspired menu. The littles devoured a couple of baskets of complimentary warm bread and rosemary salted butter while hubby and I indulged in some delicious wine ($12/glass), before the main course arrived. We got 2 "personal pizzas" ($13 each) for the kids to share, I had a "pizzetta" topped with prosciutto, fig, red onion, and pecorino romano ($18 and possibly the best pizza I've ever had in my life, opinion only partially influenced by extreme hunger and Riesling-induced buzz), and Ryoji had the tagliatelle ($28, with littleneck clams, pancetta, and crushed tomato - as delicious as it was beautiful). The Bistro is located on the first floor, beyond the lobby and at the exit to the patio, which meant we could take turns bringing the kids outside to get out some energy, leaving the other to enjoy some quiet alone time with their wine! Bonus: they boxed up our leftover pizza which the kids chowed on the next morning while watching TV in the living room, letting us sleep in a bit! 

For breakfast, we headed to the Crystal Tavern, a short walk down the corridor to the Clubhouse, where I found a list of SEVEN corporations scheduled to host events at Crystal Springs that day! WHOA! We peaked into a few ballrooms and other spaces, some were decked out for what looked like would be amazing rehearsal dinner or wedding reception venues, others great for business meetings and conferences. The view from Crystal Tavern was beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast there. My son was begging to order Fruit Loops, and was shocked that he loved what I ordered even more! To share, we got pancakes with whipped vanilla butter and berry capote ($12), açaí bowl ($12), and pork belly lardons and aged cheddar omelet with fried potatoes ($12). Breakfast of champions, if you ask me!

We took our last meal (lunch) at Kite's American Grille, located within Minerals Hotel. It is a great spot to grab a casual meal after spending the day at the pool! My husband got their vegan Beyond Burger ($16), I got the short rib grilled cheese ($16), and the kids shared their kid's pizza ($12) and hot dog ($12). As was the case with the other restaurants - service, food, and ambiance were all on point and we had a great final meal to fill our bellies and allow the kids to sleep the entire drive home (which was 2 hours thanks to heavy rain and rush hour traffic).

Amazing easy relaxing luxurious vacation for New Yorkers, am I right!? It's hard to include the "relaxing" part when you have young kids on vacation, but husband and I both agreed this was the most relaxing hotel stay we've had since having kids, and we really can't wait to go back!! 

​Head to their website to book your next getaway!! Room rates start from $199/night in Minerals Hotel and $299/night in Grand Cascades Lodge (more for the suites, of course), with special packages and deals popping up from time to time!

Whether you have children still using a stroller, or bigger kids like mine, I can't think of a more flexible option than a stroller wagon. What is a stroller wagon, you ask? It's basically a wagon, with padding and seat belts, so it functions as both a wagon and a stroller. We were just provided with the W1 2-seater stroller wagon by Wonderfold in exchange for our review, and I am honestly loving it!! It's more compact than our current tandem stroller, which means it takes up less space in our apartment's entryway, which is a win of its own!! Watch our demo video and keep reading for more of the functions this stroller wagon can offer your family!

Wonderfold makes a few models, including the X series (with models for 2 or 4 kids) which has a push and pull option, and the W series with push only. W2 (for 2 kids) and W4 (for 4 kids, great for triplets and quads!), both of these include seats that are elevated, meaning their feet hang and you have storage space below them. The seats, however, have a 33 pound maximum. Since my kids are all at or above that weight limit, we went for the W1 model, which has a 180 pound maximum for the entire wagon (33 pound, 40" limit to use the harnesses, which we don't really need anyway). Many functions apply to all Wonderfold stroller wagons, but this review will be focused on the W1, since that's what we have!

Retailing for $259 on their website (get $20 off with code "HTomoyasu20"), and on Amazon (affiliate link), the W1 Stroller Wagon by Wonderfold comes in three beautiful colors: cobalt violet, fuschia pink, and teal green.

THE ASSEMBLY:
The wagon does require assebly, but it's minimal and if I (who fails at even the most basic Ikea assembly) can do it, anyone can!! The wheels snap right on, as does the brake axle and canopy. The handlebar has to be aligned carefully and screwed together, but it's quite easy, so don't worry! Within 5 minutes (10 if you have to hunt down a screw driver or a coin; they do provide you with a hex tool to help you get the lug nut cap kinda thing on - I'm not technical, sorry!!), you'll have it ready to go!

THE FEATURES:

• Easy folding & one-step unfolding: you just unhook one lever and pull up to fold (self-standing) and push down in the center to unfold - really easy, watch my demo video above to see the fold and unfold in action.

• Double seat with 5-point harness: great for twins or siblings. They probably don't recommend using without the harness, and the manual says don't use with more than 2 kids, but I'll just say that we've been using it with our 2 to 3 unharnessed kids and so far so good. Though with 3.5 year old twins and our 6.5 year old, it is cramped, especially with park bags piled on top of them LOL! But, it's very stable, short and not tippy at all.

• 180 Pound Weight Limit: I've even gotten in it myself, see that in my "8 ways to use your wagon" video!

• Adjustable and removable canopy: I didn't even realize it was adjustable til a few days into using it, but it's true - you can slide the material depending on the angle of the sun! Very cool! The canopy has 4 poles that simply slide (snugly) in and out, so it's quick and easy to take off and put on. When not in use, you can squish it together and store it in 2 pockets near the handlebar!

• Adjustable push handle: the handle telescopes up and down just like many stroller handles, and has a nice comfy cover zippered on it. I'm 5'8" and it's plenty tall for me, because it's adjustable, I think just about anyone can push it (even my 3.5 year old pushes it in our demo video haha!!)

• Storage pockets on front, sides, and rear: this helps make up for the fact that you lose storage space when the wagon is filled with kids. The large pocket under the handlebar is especially great for throwing your phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses in! The kids can access the side pockets on the outside if needed, which is nice.

• One step foot brake: The brake is easy to use, even with flip flops, however its placement makes it difficult to hoist it up over curbs. I worry about putting all that hoisting power into the handle alone, so I choose my path based on where I know there is a sidewalk curb cutout or driveway, or I go to the front and pull the wagon up and over that way.

• Accessories: for the W1 model, they sell separately a snack tray with cup holders ($45), a cup holder for the handle bar ($12.99), and an insulated cooler bag ($29). I'm told they're working on a waterproof cover, but for now I've fashioned the below by strategically cutting out a PEVA-free shower curtain and securing it on the corners with snack clips!

MY REVIEW:
We are LOVING our wagon, like looooooooving it! It's so much more practical than our strollers, because it can hold the kids as well as so much stuff! I can load it with way more groceries than our stroller baskets could handle (I don't have a car so it's either go daily and buy what I can carry, or pay more to have it delivered). I'm also very excited to have it carry my 3 kids' park stuff, because let's face it, they love their scooters but after 5-10 minutes I end up having to carry 3 scooters and 3 helmets, not to mention a backpack full of 4 water bottles and snacks and ughhhhhh! It's also going to be very helpful when school starts, to carry 3 backpacks, and perhaps tired Pre-Kindergarteners home. My twins currently still require reclining stroller seats to take their naps, but starting September they'll be in school full day and take their naps there.

​So, goodbye stroller and HELLO WONDERFOLD WAGON!! Thrilled to have this guy join our family for the next many years!! It has a great push, even better than our tandem, probably because it's a bit shorter. Nice big wheels (did well on the grass at the park), no road vibrations in the handle (which is a deal breaker for me that I've noticed in some strollers). So far, my only remotely negative things are: no rain cover, small sun shade (extendable down to the wagon on all 4 sides would be awesome), and brake placement makes it difficult to get up over curbs and also my toes graze it ever so slightly if I'm in a hustle with extra long strides. But none of these outweigh the positive aspects, not by a long shot. It's just an all around amazing product! ​

8 Ways to Use Your Wagon:

So, what do you think!? Do you have a wagon, or are you looking forward to using one after your kids' stroller nap days are over? Leave a comment below!! And don't forget you can get $20 off at ​wonderfoldwagon.com with code "HTomoyasu20"!

If you have a city slicker family like mine, you like to get away every once in a while and let your kids experience different environments, am I right!? For your next family vacation, I highly recommend the uber family-friendly Pine Ridge Dude Ranch all-inclusive resort in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, named one of the top 10 family resorts in the USA, just a quick and easy 2.5 hour drive from NYC! Watch our highlights video and keep reading for more details about what you can expect, and don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY at the bottom for your chance to win 1 night at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch, named the #1 East Coast Dude Ranch!

Disclaimer: We were provided a complimentary stay in exchange for our review, but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own and complete unbiased!

THE ACTIVITIES:
Most activities are complimentary, including indoor and outdoor pools with water slides (no kiddie pools unfortunately), bounce pillow (my husband's favorite), playground, petting zoo (my son's favorite), rock wall, archery (watch the video, I was worse than my 3.5 year olds, yikes!!),  tractor rides, paddle boats, sports and board games, after-dinner activity (like meeting a new baby animal or feeding horses), marshmallow roasting at the campfire, and nightly entertainment like magicians and comedians (though it starts at 9pm which was just too late for my kiddos), and really fun activities led by the social director throughout the day (things like line dancing, inflatable horse races, and water balloon battles).

Most packages also include a trail ride (ages 8+) and daily pony ride for younger kids, and extra experiences can be purchased such as private riding lessons, "own a horse for the day", hands on barn experiences, and more. If you need some kid-free time, they do have a half day camp for kids ages 3-10, which is extra ($35 for 1 kid, $55 for 2 kids, $70 for 3 kids). Other extras include the arcade, lasertag ($10/person), paintball ($35/person), and massage.

THE FACILITIES:
The ranch is well themed - very rustic with Western decor to the max! All staff were outfitted in flannel shirts and cowboy hats (and all were incredibly friendly and helpful!), most guests wore cowboy boots, it was kitsch in the best way! We were provided a large room in the Dakota wing that included a king bed, XL full bed, and bunk bed (which my kids went nuts for!). It was spacious, even with luggage, a stroller, and one of their cribs you still wouldn't feel cramped. It was also nice and quiet, which I find to be hit or miss at hotels - I always bring ear plugs but was pleasantly surprised to not need them at the ranch! The grounds were large with lots of greenery, but never more than a 5 minute walk between activities.

THE FOOD:
The food at Pine Ridge was SO GOOD!!! Check-in is at 2pm so your first included meal is dinner, from 6-7PM, which always includes a salad bar and a few entrees to choose from, as well as dessert (jello, ice cream, and a pie or cake). Breakfast, from 8-9:30AM, is buffet style with delicious hot treats such as eggs, bacon, pancakes with fruit topping, selection of cereals and oatmeal, fruit and yogurt bar, and pastries. Lunch varied, from 12:30-1:30PM, sometimes buffet style in the dining room and sometimes outdoor BBQ, and is your last meal on check-out day. They also have some food and beverage options that aren't included: alcohol in the dining room or at other bars, a Starbucks kiosk, poolside bar, and Chuckwagon Grill & Snackbar (open from 2pm). That said, we found eating their 3 meals a day was plenty and we didn't need to purchase extra.

DEALS & RATES:
Pine Ridge Dude Ranch by nature, as an all-inclusive resort, is not cheap vacation, but it's also not as expensive as you might think. Rates in summer go for as low as $209 per adult per night ($69 - $99 per child), and just $149 per adult per night in September! You can find some great deals on their website here, for example 50% off your 3rd night, 10% off for military and first responders. And don't forget, pretty much everything is included (except for tips), so when you calculate that, as well as not having to pay for air fare to an all-inclusive in the Caribbean let's say, it really is a great bang for your buckaroo!! They also have day passes if you live nearby or are staying elsewhere. These are $40 per adult, $20 per child, and include lunch, a pony ride per child, indoor / outdoor pools, tractor rides, bounce pillow, petting zoo, basketball, tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, and more. An extra $25 per trail ride.

THE GIVEAWAY:
Enter for your chance to win a one-night stay for 4 people in the Rafflecopter box below! Open to US residents ages 18+. The more actions you take, the more chances to win you will accumulate. GOOD LUCK!