Archive for the ‘Kids Review’ Category
The Magic of Woodloch
Buried deep within an emerald green forest, in a secluded area of the charming Pennsylvania town of Hawley, my family and I found the most unexpected treasure!
No, it wasn’t a heap of gold and gems, but something far better – Woodloch Resort.
Woodloch Resort is a family destination in the pristine Pocono Mountains committed to a tradition of excellence and hospitality. Nestled on sparkling Lake Teedyuskung, surrounded by majestic Hemlocks, the minute we arrived, we knew we found something special.
But don’t expect to see more than a photo or two of us sitting in lounge chairs admiring the breathtaking views; we were much too busy having the time of our lives and experiencing a wonderful vacation together, laughing, playing, and making invaluable memories.
“I like to call it the ‘Magic of Woodloch,” explained Laurie McEvory, Woodloch staff member. “It’s the whole Woodloch package. Woodloch Resort is specifically designed so parents have as much fun as their kids.”
Perhaps the ideal resort. Woodloch was named “Among the World’s Best All-Inclusive Resorts” by Family Circle Magazine. It truly is a triple threat – unmatched hospitality; remarkable amenities and accommodations; and incredible food. No other family resort can come close to comparing.
All for Fun, Fun for All
Each day brings a slew of new, exciting activities for people of every age and background. In fact, there are so many things to do; guests need a daily pamphlet to keep track of it all. The staff takes pride in presenting exceptional activities for their guests to enjoy. From the Island Day Carnival to the Island Olympics, game shows, scavenger hunts, petting zoos, pony rides, hay rides and special summertime cookouts, weekends at Woodloch are simply packed with the delightful and exciting things to do.
When we weren’t participating in the specially scheduled events, we were taking advantage of all the resort has to offer.
We were blown away by the incredible indoor/outdoor kids’ splash pools, and beautiful swim facilities. In addition to swimming, my children really enjoyed the three-level padded play gym, known at the resort as “Woodloch Forrest.”
We played several rounds of mini-golf, shopped in all three gift shops, checked out the go carts, bumper boats and paddle boats, and engaged in some creative expression in the children’s arts and crafts room. And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface on the many possibilities for Woodloch fun.
As an extra service, spa enthusiasts can escape, relax and renew at the Lodge at Woodloch, an award winning, world-class destination spa. A complete menu of services and prices is available at check-in.
Golf fanatics will love Woodloch Springs, a gorgeous 18-hole golf course, driving rage and pro shop, just a short drive from the resort. Tee times may be booked by guests at an additional charge. Rental clubs are available, and so are private lessons from Golf Pro, John Pillar, recently named by Golf Pro Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Golf Instructors for Kids.”
And parents find themselves simply delighted by the fact that responsible babysitters are available so they can attend a show after dinner as a couple and enjoy cocktails and a dance party in the Night Club and North Lodge.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, an breathtaking fireworks display ended our first day at the resort.
Did I Mention the Food?
With a bakery on site and a variety of entrees to choose from, dinning at Woodloch is simply divine. From breakfast to dinner, meals are served family-style in a classic American manner. Wednesdays and Saturdays bring Woodloch’s famous “Theme Dinners”, which, in addition to providing great photo opportunities, proves to be an absolute blast for every member of the family. The menu features something for every palate, and there’s a great kids’ selection with very kid-friendly options.
Definitely leave room for dessert; although, I’m sure most will agree, this is not easy with the copious servings presented to guests.
Accommodations
Woodloch Pines resort offers something for every budget. Guests can book accommodations ranging from rustic and charming rooms, to full-out luxury guest homes. Some packages offer a meal plan, featuring Woodloch’s famous Theme Dinners and marvelous cuisine.
Love at First Site
Woodloch Resort is an incredible destination for families. The laughs and memories we shared will last a lifetime. My only complaint is that we couldn’t stay longer. We have to work, after all.
Luckily, however, I am one to learn from life’s disappointments. I will be sure to book my next stay at Woodloch Resort for an extended period of time. Although, I suspect that parting with Woodloch might be all the more difficult then.
Woodloch Pines is a Double Dilly!!
Links
http://woodlochpines.com/home/
http://woodlochpines.com/home/exceptionaloffer.aspx?id=48
Games, and Puppets, and Fitness! That’s MyGym
The KidDilly team recently hosted an exclusive open house party at the brand new MyGym of Scranton this week.
MyGym is located on the second floor of the Ice Box complex and is a fitness-oriented facility for kids up to age 13.
MyGym’s mission? To make fitness fun!
It’s hard to say which equipment our kids liked the best: the large trampoline, the indoor swings, the slides, the action-packed zip-cord, or the colorful ball pit.
There was so much to do and my kids were so thrilled to be there we signed up for their award-winning classes on the spot. I’m really looking forward to our return, and seeing those ear-to-ear smiles stretch wide across the gleeful faces of my little ones.
After all, you know what they say: an active kid is a happy kid!
It’s a Dilly!
Allie
Can I Read It Again, Mom?
What happens when a former Kindergarten teacher and a former Sesame Street producer team up to create an online library for young readers and pre-readers?
Your children get an amazing computer ‘game’ & you get the pleasure of knowing they’re really getting an educational reading experience. Utopia in the home!
I had the opportunity to try a free trial at www.getonemorestory.com, and in my opinion, it truly is a well-built library of the best of children’s classic and contemporary literature.
The site allows pre-readers and early readers access and enjoy literature independently. Pre-readers can choose a book, see the illustrations and have the book read to them. My 2 year-old was even able to click through a book to hear a story without my help. And, early readers can use the I Can Read It mode to get the support they need to read on their own.
Getonemorestory.com currently contains 52 books, and they plan to add 8 more by year’s end. There’s something for every child to enjoy.
So, delight your kiddo with a 7-day free trial at www.getonemorestory.com. I’m certain you’ll have a smile on your face when he or she wants to read it again!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to turn my computer back over to my daughter. She’s begging for “one more story”!
Frozen + Festival = Fun!!
It’s the middle of winter and there’s nothing to do, you say?
If you cant’ beat the cold, why not celebrate it?
That’s exactly the idea behind the Abington Business and Professional Association’s annual Festival of Ice in Clarks Summit.
On Saturday, February 14, State and Depot Streets, and their shops, were packed with people enjoying the wintry festival and the sparkly ice sculptures that lined the streets.
- One of many shimmering ice sculputres in Clarks Summit this weekend!
Everywhere we looked, children and their families were enjoying themeselves. In addition to shopping, there was face painting, entertainment like the lively Renaissance jousting reenactment, and wonderful horse and carriage rides.
Old Fashioned Horse and Carriage Rides
Kiddilly was sure to make a visit to The Bottega where owner Dori Waters put out a fine spread of Valentine’s Sweets and coffee. Also inside, an artist sketched caricatures for onlookers peeking through the store’s plate glass window, while local authors, Pat Thomas and Lindsay Barrett George (who is also a talented illustrator), signed copies of their picture books for gleeful children.
- Author Patricia Thomas prepares a craft for a child
After enjoying a nice time at The Bottegga, we made our way to the wonderful Kids Quality Consignment to visit proprietor, Becky Bruner. Becky assisted shoppers in a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd enjoying KQC’s famous half-price winter clearance sale and one of the largest selection of Doug and Melissa wooden toys in the region.
Looking for great deals on items for children? Right this way . . .
If you weren’t able to make it to Clarks Summit yesterday, there is still time. The Festival will continue through President’s Day.
Stories for Children Magazine
The KidDilly team is honored to have had the opportunity to speak with the creator of an amazing (and so far still free!) e-zine for kids—Stories for Children Magazine’sVirginia Grenier.
Stories for Children (SFC) debuted in April 2007. Since then, it’s won numerous awards including Preditor & Editor Reader Poll 2008 for Top Ten Magazine in fiction, nonfiction, and Poetry. Three of their magazine covers have placed in the Top Twenty in the 2008 Readers Poll: SFC May 2008 3rd place, September 2008 8th place, and March 2008 12th place. Also, at the time of the interview, 18 of their past stories or illustrations have placed or won awards.
Each monthly issue is loaded with fun stories and articles based on age-appropriate reading levels. There are also puzzles, games, children’s book reviews, crafts, and poems to inspire the imagination.
So what makes this online magazine different from the rest?
In Ms. Grenier’s words, “Stories for Children Magazine is designed to unlock your children’s imagination and take them on an exciting adventure into the World of Ink with Stanley Bookman (the SFC mascot) from Storyville as their guide on the magical monthly trips.
Stories for Children Magazine is not just for adult writers. One thing that sets Stories for Children Magazine apart is that we also publish stories written and illustrated by children and teens. While submitting stories to children’s magazines, I was shocked to discover that few magazines allowed underage writers. I vowed to change this and have done so with Stories for Children Magazine.”
Do you have a little writer in your household? SFC would love to get more submissions from young writers! So let their creativity flow, submit their work to SFC, and maybe it will be published in their magazine!
I also asked Mrs. Grenier if she had any favorite stories from past SFC issues.
She explained the Granny Awards at SFC are presented in multiple categories and all you have to do is be published or donate artwork to the magazine. Annually, the editors at SFC come together to choose their Top Three favorite stories by age group, articles by age group, poems, youth submissions, inside artwork, and magazine cover art.
“It’s a real thrill to announce our Granny Award winners and send them a trophy engraved as a thank you for supporting, donating their talents, and believing in us,” she says.
SFC also has interviews with wonderful authors and illustrators monthly. This is a great tool for schools. Many teachers ask their students to research an author and/or illustrator to write a report about. SFC is an excellent resource for to begin. In the Featured Guest pages and the SFC Contributor pages, they can find information on everyone who has been in Stories for Children Magazine.
Stories for Children Magazine has something for teachers and parents too. Mascot Stanley Bookman shares a new topic on a holiday or event that happened in the current month along with tips to help children become better readers. There’s a Fun Links page for parents and teachers with information on great sites to places where they can buy art supplies, crafts, and more.
SFC plans to add a blog to the website by the summer of 2009. This will be for families and will cover vacations on a budget to interviews with those who work with or entertain children. This will be a weekly blog with each week having a certain topic of discussion. Regarding the blog, Ms. Grenier states, “We’re really excited about this project because Stories for Children is more than just a magazine. We’re a family and a community committed to excellence in our work ethic, in the products and services we provide, and in our relationships with our readers, contributors, freelancers, featured guests, and advertisers. We strive to be fair, honest, committed, and give warm fuzzies and support to those we work with.”
I invite you to take an adventure in the World of Ink with Stories for Children Magazine. It’s most definitely a dilly!
If you’ve missed the past issues of SFC, you can purchase the first annual anthology Best of Stories for Children Magazine Volume 1, a collection of over 20 poems which was released November 2008. Visit LuLu.com or the SFC Bookstore to purchase.
Donna
Lovely Weather for a Sleigh Ride Together…
With inches of fluffy white snow blanketing Northeastern Pennsylvania, today’s the perfect day to talk about a “slide ride”!
The KidDilly team simply loves Red Sled, a picture book written by local author Patricia Thomas and illustrated by Chris L. Demarest. (Mr. Demarest is not a local illustrator, but we’ll let this one ‘slide’!) KidDilly isn’t alone in this opinion either. Red Sled received a highly esteemed, starred review from Kirkus in July of 2008.
On a snow-covered, starlit night, a boy and his father feel sad. But a sleigh ride, laughter and a steaming cup of cocoa lift their spirits before they surrender to sleep.
This picture book features uncomplicated, yet lively illustrations coupled with what appears to be sweet, simple rhyme such as “Red sled”, “Sad lad”, and “Slide ride”.
However, Patricia Thomas cleverly married science with art when she created this sixty-word masterpiece. Red Sled was inspired by an ancient form of writing known as chiasmus. True to this format, she created mirror images, choosing rhyme to create the mirror.
And, her creativity didn’t end there. In the author’s note, Mrs. Thomas explains how her patterns of rhyme actually combine to create a “hill”. After all, what other structure would you use to deliver a story called Red Sled?
So today I’m going to read this book to my little ones for some indoor fun. Then I just might pile them into their red sled and “Go! Go”! Maybe I’ll even get a “snug hug”.
A signed copy would make a sweet Valentine treat for your little one. Will you be at the Bottega on Saturday, February 14 from 12-2 pm to get yours?
Patricia Thomas’ Latest Release
Donna
A Dog-Dilly Day at “Hotel for Dogs”
What does $15 and a little drive get you?
Two delightful hours at the early bird showing.
I hadn’t planned on going to the movies with my children today. But then, my friend called to invite us to join her and her kids at the Cinemark in Moosic for the 11:40 am showing of “Hotel for Dogs.” Life’s been so hectic these days that I thought if I passed up her invitation, it might just be July before I see her again.
Suddenly, we had plans!
I gave my two an early lunch, kissed my hubby goodbye and rushed out the door.
Traffic was smooth sailing to Montage Mountain and parking at the Cinemark was easy and convenient. They did a fantastic job at snow and ice removal, which must have been a chore following last Wednesday’s storm.
Luckily, there was absolutely no wait at the ticket counter and the gentleman who served us was prompt and courteous. The theater, however, was packed. Evidently, everyone and their brother had shared our Saturday afternoon plans.
No worries, though. My friend had arrived early (she’s amazingly organized and always prompt) and saved us three seats. Yay!
My kids are little and this was their first film without a Disney Pixar or Veggie Tales character. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from them in a non-animated feature. Needless to say, I was delighted when they giggled and gasped throughout the experience.
And why shouldn’t they have? “A Hotel for Dogs,” was a funny and heartwarming movie about the power of kid-ingenuity and the courage to do the right thing. My children loved the on-screen action and the silly antics of the dozen endearing doggies. They also seemed to really enjoy following the kid characters through the ups and downs of the film. I loved the message of family and friendship the screenplay portrayed, and the very kid-sensative way it was presented on film (i.e. no violence; no overly scary scenes; no questionable or offensive language; no crude behavior).
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend “A Hotel for Dogs” to our KidDilly readers, nor the clean, comfortable, customer-friendly Cinamark Theater in Moosic where we enjoyed it. Both were Dillies!
Everyone had a doggone good time.
Allie
