Hershey to Debut New Hotel, Restaurant, Water Park Enhancement and Destination Experiences Throughout 2026

I have exciting news to share about The Sweetest Place on Earth! There are some fun additions and changes coming to Hershey, PA, making it the most incredible summer ever. They'll debut a new hotel, a new restaurant, a water park enhancement, upgrades to a historic live entertainment venue and patriotic summer celebrations at Hersheypark during its 120th operating year. Read on for more information and details about what's coming!

Flashback: Hot Toy Trends and 10 Favorite Finds from Toy Fair New York 2025

It's Toy Fair Season! Toy Fair 2026 is just a few weeks away, so here's my flashback to last year's show and all of the fun finds I discovered. What will I see this year? Stay tuned to find out!

As I always say, Toy Fair New York has come and gone, but the memories remain. I have so much to tell you about! This was my eighth visit to Toy Fair, and although much has changed over the years, one thing stays the same: everything* I saw at the show will eventually make its way to this blog and to you, dear reader, so you can go out there and find the best toys, gifts, collectibles, and more. I have many gift guides to plan this year, as well as round-up posts like this one. 

(*Yes, everything will make its way here, except what I saw at LEGO, because that was super top-secret and I signed a NDA. Sorry).

Anyway, here are the hot toy trends I found at Toy Fair New York, as well as 10 of my favorites for 2025. 

DIY Valentine's Day Suncatchers: Easy Valentine's Day Crafts

You can learn how to make your own suncatchers, and it's not as hard as you might think! My Easy DIY Suncatchers post is one of my most popular on Pinterest, so I figured I would show you how to make a Valentine's Day version of this fun craft project! It's great for kids and classrooms, too, so why not give it a try? It also makes a nice handmade valentine gift for someone special in your life.

Easy Three Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip Recipe

If you're looking for a quick and easy dip for Super Bowl or any time of year, check out this yummy three ingredient chili cheese dip! It is one of the best dip recipes around, and SO SIMPLE to make. You need three (yes, three!) key ingredients, and some Tostitos.  That's IT!! I try to always keep these ingredients on hand in case I need a dip for guests or parties. So here it is...behold! The Chili Cheese Dip Recipe! 

4 Best Options For Au Pair Agencies In America

Do you love working with children? If so, you may be looking to further your career and gain some new experiences in the U.S.A. If this has always been a dream of yours, then you may be busy researching different agencies and companies who can give you sponsorship to join a host family in America. Au Pairs live with an American Host Family and help take care of their children in exchange for room and board, a weekly stipend (paid by the family), an educational contribution from the family, and more. If this sounds like something of interest to you, then look no further. Read on for more information!

Scratch and Sniff Stickers: 80's Flashback!

In honor of National Sticker Day, I'm sharing my collection of scratch and sniff stickers from the 1980's. Scratch and Sniff stickers will always hold a special place in my heart. Sometimes referred to as 'stinky stickers,' or 'smelly stickers,' the mere sight of them bring back nostalgic memories for so many people. So I thought it would be fun to take a little walk down memory lane and see some of these old scratch and sniff stickers from the 1980's. Want to come along? They're all from my own collection!

Beaches Turks and Caicos (Reviews): Is It Worth It? What's Included?

If you're searching for Beaches Turks and Caicos reviews, you'll find tons of glowing posts about all-inclusive family fun, but if you're wondering, is it really worth it? Is Beaches worth the cost? I'm here to help! We recently visited Beaches Turks and Caicos and I have the scoop for you!

**The Beaches Turks & Caicos WINTER BLUES sale is going on now! Find out more details here. I always try to update this post with the latest sales, and this is it! 

How to Make No-Sew Sock Puppets

I always wondered how to make no-sew sock puppets because I can't sew. I am seriously sewing challenged! Years ago in my classroom, we made sock 'poppets' for Colonial Day, using rubber bands and newspaper for stuffing. I wanted to make something similar to this with The Jersey Momma's Boy, so here's one we made with inspiration from Pinterest. Meet Fritz, our no-sew sock puppy!

Momma's EASY Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli

I love hearty soups any time of year, especially if they're easy to make. This pasta fagioli recipe is SO simple and the ingredients are not over-the-top hard to find. This is similar to Olive Garden's famous pasta fagioli recipe, but dareIsay...better? It was also a family favorite, which surprised me because there are vegetables and beans in it, so you never know. But I can safely say that everyone loved it. Read on for the easy recipe.

Key of the Darkhouse - a New Novel by Deborah Zelasny

I am pleased to announce that my new YA fiction novel, Key of the Darkhouse is now available!  Key of the Darkhouse is a project near and dear to my heart. I've been working on it since my college years, and bringing it to life has been a dream come true. Read on for more details about the book.

A Review of The Crayola Experience in Easton, PA

If you're looking for a fun day trip not far outside of New Jersey, Crayola Experience (formerly known as The Crayola Factory) in Easton, Pennsylvania, might be for you!  They're open year round, so this is a great stop in any season. There are multiple Crayola Experiences around the country, but the Easton location is closest to us. This article is designed for easy viewing, so check subject headings and scroll to find the info you need (time is precious and there are a lot of words here, I know!). So read on for my Crayola Experience review!

*this post is freshly updated for 2026! And if you're looking for a Crayola Experience Promo Code, use code TJM25 for $5 off your ticket purchase (Easton location only).

10 Ways to Help Your Kids Beat the Winter Blues

Sometimes it feels like Winter is eternal. As soon as the holidays end, January can seem very long and boring, especially when you're a kid. So I've come up with a list of 10 ways you (and your kids) can beat the winter blues.

Why Reading Is Still One of the Best Ways to Learn English

There are many reasons why you might be looking to improve your English. Perhaps you're looking to spend a summer in the UK or the United States. Maybe you’ve moved to the UK or the United States for university, or perhaps you’ve met someone who speaks English and just wants better communication. Whatever the reason, when it comes to improving your English, one of the best ways to do so is by reading. Apps and videos are great, but consistently reading from books and Advanced English learning articles can’t be matched. In this article we'll take a look at just why reading is one of the best ways to improve your English skills. Read on to find out more and get inspired!

Star-Shaped Snowflakes : The Day it Snowed Stars

I often say that one of the greatest things about winter is being able to play in the snow with our son.  And then I joke that one of the worst things about winter is having to play in the snow with our son!  It is easy to forget how magical snow is to kids.  As adults, we have so many responsibilities- we worry about driving in the snow, shoveling the snow, dressing for the snow, school in the snow, etc.  And although playing in it is fun, I don't have the stamina to roll around in it for hours anymore like my son does.  For kids, snow is amazing white stuff that falls from the sky and blankets the earth!  And sometimes even closes school!  I mean, what more can a kid ask for?  Well, how about stars?  How about star flakes?