Halloween Ideas

Halloween is a week away, and if you're still stuck for ideas, I've got some for you. I probably love Halloween as much as Martha Stewart, only on a much smaller budget.

If you are throwing a party, you could borrow some ideas from my backyard Halloween parties or even go for a Harry Potter theme. If you're not throwing a full-blown party, there are food ideas and activities that could be used for classrooms or for contributing to a community event.

If you are looking for costumes, you could go for one that always makes to the National Retail Federation's top costumes list- a superhero. In fact, this year, superheroes take five of the 10 spots for top kids' costumes, and two for adults. This year, my family is dressing up as the Guardians of the Galaxy, the heroes from this summer's biggest movie. My costumes ideas are easy to make and don't require a sewing machine.

For the how-tos, read:

• Bewitch children with a simple backyard Halloween party
• Harry Potter theme party puts a spell on kids
• Kids gain turtle power with a homemade costume turtle shell
• Superhero costume DIY ideas save parents from sewing, dress kids past Halloween
• Families, groups can call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy with DIY costumes

Going the distance

Last week, Kacy Catanzaro won the hearts of America by being the first woman to complete American Ninja Warrior's regional finals course. This week, Jersey brothers Chris and Brian Wilczewski completed the regional finals course. Chris got the social media frenzy not only for being the first to complete the course that night, but for being an awesome parkour teacher for a child with autism.

Both brothers are great with kids- my two older boys trained at the Movement Lab, and even when the little one was simply being Chris or Brian's shadow, it was never an annoyance. They understand how kids work, and they know how to motivate, educate and congratulate. But, most importantly, being patient is easy to them.

When this season of Ninja Warrior began, I got to write about the Wilczewski brothers' latest attempt to win the competition. If you missed that article in the Trentonian, you can read Wilczewski brothers prepare for another attack on ninja warrior course online.

Speaking of amazing athletes, I also got to do a little Special Olympics coverage for the Trentonian before I moved out of New Jersey (more on that moving thing later). The national event was held in the Garden State this year, and it featured WWE Superstars, a torch run and inspiring athletes:

• Special Olympians hang with WWE Superstars at Lawrenceville event
• Special Olympic torch crosses Burlington County, comes to Mercer on Friday
• SPECIAL OLYMPICS: ‘Fab Five' represent Team NJ in gymnastics

February Fun

February is known for its snow, and, this year, we've already had plenty of snow for the season. But, this February has both Valentine's Day and the Winter Olympics, providing many opportunities for fun for those of us who may be "snowbored."

Here are some ideas, both past and present, to help make the month more fun-filled:


Valentine's Day

Top Valentine’s Day Dates For Parents In Philadelphia (2014)

Valentine's Day meals families can easily make (2013)
Kids can create quick and simple gifts for Valentine's Day (2013)
Valentines kids can make for their class (2013)
Strawberry Hazelnut Smoothie recipe (2012)
Easy Valentine's Day crafts kids can make this weekend (2012)

Olympics
Olympic theme party wins over kids (2014)
Backyard events make kids active Olympic spectators (2012)

Other
Lego bricks are not limiting girls (2014)
Best activities for freezing weather in South Jersey (2014)
Penguin theme party makes little feet happy (2013)
New eBook helps parents get their kids outdoors (2012)

The Week Ahead

Here is what I've been trying to post on the Examiner.com website for the past hour with no luck:

Wallet-friendly family activities in South Jersey: Dec. 16-22
　

What's happening this week for families in South Jersey:
(all are free unless otherwise noted)

　

Monday

• Lego League at the Moorestown Library at 4 p.m.
• Night Owls story time at the Cherry Hill Library at 7 p.m.

Tuesday

• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Deptford at 10 a.m.
• Espresso Yourself at The Treehouse Coffee Shop in Audubon at 10 a.m. A $5 donation to support local creative arts is suggested.
• Story time at Pottery Barn Kids in Marlton at 11 a.m.
• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Cherry Hill at 11 a.m.
• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Moorestown at 11 a.m.

Wednesday

• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Deptford at 10 a.m.
• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Marlton at 11 a.m.
• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Moorestown at 11 a.m.
• Free Family Films: This is Us at the Cherry Hill Library at 4 p.m.

Thursday

• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Deptford at 10 a.m.
• Kids Club at Deptford Mall at 10 a.m.
• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Cherry Hill at 11 a.m.

Friday

• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Moorestown at 11 a.m.

Saturday

• Legos and Games at the Moorestown Library all day.
• Calendar Craft at the Moorestown Library all day.
• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Marlton at 11 a.m.
• Songs of the Season Saturdays on the Boulevard at Voorhees Town Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sunday

• Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Cherry Hill at 3 p.m.

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Best Penguin Day Ever

My little one loves penguins. One of his goals is to work with them someday. So, of course, we had to visit Adventure Aquarium this weekend for African Penguin Awareness Weekend.

He brought along Puff Puff, his only stuffed African penguin (most of his penguins are Emperors), for the visit. As soon as we arrived, he almost ran to Penguin Island to see his friends, noticing Cassie, the 10-month-old, right away. He pulled out his notepad and started drawing a picture of the dark grey penguin, who stayed still in a pose the entire time.

He soon led us around the rest of the aquarium, meeting the new crocodiles, saying hi to Tortuga, and watching as a fish took a ride on a ray's back. On our way to see the sharks from the Kids Zone upstairs, we found penguin activities in the hall outside the theater.

He first made a little sign for Puff Puff to carry. Then, he made a penguin rubbing, giving the penguin "robot legs." I'm not sure if Mark, the senior biologist observing the project, understood my child was mixing his other marine love, dolphins, with penguins. See, he fell in love with dolphins after visiting and learning about Winter (a dolphin who, to a six-year-old at least, has a "robot" tail) at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Between the penguin art session and the penguin meet-and-greet, we had time to visit the sharks. At the meet-and-greet, we met Chickpea. My son mostly observed how Chickpea played, asking every once in a while, "Isn't he so cute?" He came up with real questions to ask the biologists, I think purely to attempt a conversation.

Before leaving, he got an I Love Penguins wristband for Puff Puff. It reminded him of the identifying tags the penguins at the aquarium wear, and thought Puff Puff would want to wear one just like his buddies. He was beaming the rest of day, and said before falling asleep that it was the best day ever.

Warrior Watch

Today, I climbed a Warped Wall. Granted, I climbed it from the opposite end the competitors on "American Ninja Warrior" climb it, but considering there were steps only half-way up, it was still a challenge.

Why did I do this? I was taking video to accompany my latest article on the local guys in the finals. Notice how I said "guys." The Movement Lab had an amazing eight guys make the finals. Only 15 from each of the four regions make it to the finals, and this gym trained eight of them.

To learn more, read my article (and watch the two videos) for The Trentonian: BurlCo’s Wilczewski reaches finals of ‘Ninja Warrior’

You can also check out my article from the start of this season: New Jersey ninjas show off athletic skills on TV

WrestleMania Day

In case you haven't heard, tonight is WrestleMania! To help The Trentonian celebrate, I got the opportunity to interview WWE personality Paul Heyman, a promoter/manager/genius. Here is that article:

New York native Heyman brings his ‘guys’ to WrestleMania

Heyman is not the first WWE personality I've interviewed... in fact, quite a few have a role in the biggest show of the year. Here's who I've talked with and the articles for a quick refresher:

A.J. Lee (will escort the challengers to the Tag Team Championship to the ring)
Dolph Ziggler (one of the challengers to the Tag Team Championship)
The Bella Twins (in a mixed tag team match)



My work attire for the night

While it is in New Jersey, I don't have tickets, but will be part of The Trentonian's WrestleMania Chat during the event. You can join the chat on the The Trentonian's website or Facebook page.