jerseykids, Author at Jersey Kids

October 28, 2015August 28, 2016

Hershey Half Marathon Tips for Runners and Spectators

I don’t think I’ve posted race tips before on my site, and don’t plan to in the future. BUT we don’t usually travel for races. My husband and his running group ran the Hershey Half Marathon this weekend, and while it’s fresh in my mind, I wanted to share some tips for runners and spectators to make it easier should you run this race.

We spent a lot of time figuring out logistics for where to park the car, where to meet up after the race and how to plan our morning as spectators. Here are my Hershey Half Marathon tips: Continue reading “Hershey Half Marathon Tips for Runners and Spectators”

October 26, 2015April 18, 2017

What it’s like to go on Good Morning America with Jeff Kinney

The Good Morning America Times Square lights during our segment. Photo screenshot from GMA airing.

We thought we had our 15 minutes of fame when we were on Good Morning America in 2011. But I am now on their email list, when they’re looking for families to feature for other segments. So when I got an email from a producer last week saying they needed 10 kids to appear on Good Morning America with Jeff Kinney about his 10th book Old School, it took me about one minute to respond. My son was at the tail end of their cut-off age, so I signed him up. He’d only miss 2.5 hours of school (granted, that meant we had to wake up at 5:15 to get into the city – and no they didn’t send a car for us, but that would have been nice), but it was a live studio segment. I put out a call for others on Facebook, and one friend made it in before they filled the quota two hours later. Turns out people came in from further afield – like Massachusetts and Maine. I’m glad I didn’t have to travel that far for the four minute segment! Continue reading “What it’s like to go on Good Morning America with Jeff Kinney”

October 26, 2015November 2, 2019

Hershey Chocolate World with Families Review

I didn’t think it would be possible to get sick of chocolate. But after spending 27 hours in Hershey, drinking milkshakes, eating s’mores, drinking hot chocolate, eating chocolate cookies, eating candy bars, making candy bars and smelling pumped in fake chocolate aroma, my daughter declared “I’m sick of chocolate.”

While I’m not giving up on the treat any time soon, she had a point. And being immersed in Hershey land for 27 hours does make you a little jaded and longing for a salad.

Here’s our Hershey Chocolate World with families review!

Hershey Chocolate World - a world of commerce. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan — Hershey Chocolate World – a world of commerce. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Free Chocolate Making Tour Continue reading “Hershey Chocolate World with Families Review”

October 22, 2015August 28, 2016

Tour Israel for $999 including airfare via Groupon

We went to Israel this summer with our family. It was my fourth trip there, but the first for my kids. I know that now is not the time everyone wants to go – the random acts of violence are certainly scary. This is probably why Groupon and Israel introduced an amazingly priced deal to go to Israel in January and February. They are offering tours which INCLUDE airfare from JFK, for $999. We paid more than per person for our airfare last summer and flew out of Philly because JFK airfares were several hundred dollars more per person. This tour, though, includes hotels, some meals and the tours many days as well.

The Western Wall and Dome of the Rock in the old city of Jerusalem. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

If you’ve ever wanted to go to Israel (and pretty much everyone I’ve ever talked to said they do – regardless of their religion), I’d encourage you to look into this deal. You can read more of the details on the Groupon site. This is a great price.

October 22, 2015December 16, 2017

Hershey Create Your Own Candy Bar Experience

We went to Hershey last weekend for the first time, and I wanted to cram in as much as we could. My husband was running the Hershey Half Marathon, which make planning a little more difficult, so I had to prioritize what we were going to do. I heard about the Hershey create your own candy bar experience, though, and knew that was top of the list.

We arrived at the entrance at our appointed time. It wasn’t a formal tour, so you literally just show up at your ticket time. They give you an apron, hair net and if needed, a beard net. My 12 year old took one of those just because it was fun. Not sure why you need an apron, since you don’t go anywhere need the food. The hair net, I kind of get, even though everything is behind glass.

You choose your own chocolate base bar and toppings, using your ticket's bar code for tracking. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan — You choose your own chocolate base bar and toppings, using your ticket’s bar code for tracking. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Continue reading “Hershey Create Your Own Candy Bar Experience”

October 20, 2015August 28, 2016

Hersheypark in the Dark Tips for Families

It’s rare to be at an amusement park on the weekend with virtually no lines. That was the upside to going to Hersheypark on a cold October day where it hailed on us three times plus rain (of course we had no ponchos or umbrellas, though everyone in our group except for me had hoods). I’ve included some Hersheypark in the Dark tips for families here.

Hail storm at Hersheypark. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Six hours in an amusement park is generally not enough time to ride a big coasters numerous times, eat lunch and do some low-key rides too. But in our six hours we did quite well, riding: Continue reading “Hersheypark in the Dark Tips for Families”

October 8, 2015August 28, 2016

Treat of the Day: Doughnut Plant

If you find yourself on the Lower East Side and in need of something sweet and filling, head over to Doughnut Plant. I keep wanting to call it Doughnut Planet because that makes more sense to me. But alas, it’s Doughnut PLANT.

Continue reading “Treat of the Day: Doughnut Plant”

September 30, 2015August 29, 2017

Review: Meow Parlour in New York City

We don’t have any pets at our house (unless you count fish), but I do like dogs and cats. I first heard about cat cafes while watching the Amazing Race. And then I found out there was one in New York City – it’s called Meow Parlour. My kids freaked out and couldn’t wait to go.

The Meow Parlour in New York City. Photo copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan.

What is a cat cafe? Basically it’s a store front with adoptable free-roaming cats (from a shelter). You can play with them. Continue reading “Review: Meow Parlour in New York City”

September 25, 2015August 28, 2016

Amazon Prime Sale $67 Today

If you’ve been on the fence about getting Amazon Prime, today is your day to buy. From 12 a.m. Eastern time until midnight Pacific time today (September 25), Amazon Prime is $67 (a $32 savings from its normal rate). They are offering it on sale as a way to celebrate Transparent winning an Emmy. If you’re interested in in buying, use this link as it has the sale info mentioned on it. It’s also an affiliate link, but that won’t cost you anything extra. It’s still $67 for one year (presumably the second year it goes back up to the regular price).

With Amazon Prime you’ll get free two day shipping in addition to access to all their streaming movies and television shows (like Transparent!). There are other benefits as well, like access to 800,000 free ebooks via a lending library, and access to music and playlists.