My middle daughter turned ten last week, and she wanted no less than 50 friends along for the ride. I told her it was not happening. Like, at all. “But mom,” she pleaded. “I’m turning double digits. It’s a BIG deal.” I felt bad for her (sort of), so I told her I’d take her snow tubing followed by a late lunch at Shake Shack.
As promised, last Saturday we hopped in the car and drove to Blue Mountain Resort. Once we arrived, the following exchange took place:
Me: Oh my gosh I forgot my jacket.
10-Year-Old: Oh no! Me too!
Me: *$%*&!!!!
10YO: Um mom, did you pack my snow boots?
Me: (insert silent stare :)
My first thought was to blame everything on 2020, but then I remembered it’s technically 2021. (Anyone else having trouble remembering these things? #askingforafriend.) I called my husband in a panic and told him I thought we should just bag it and return the following weekend when we were better prepared. It was 22 degrees out, for crying out loud! How on earth would we both survive without jackets and my daughter without boots? Upon overhearing this, my daughter burst into tears, claiming her birthday was ruined.
My husband was unfazed (this kind of thing happens to him A LOT). “You need to make this work,” he said. “Buy two winter jackets at the ski shop and figure out something with the shoes. Do not—I repeat, do not—abandon ship.” So I gave my daughter my UGG boots to wear (thankfully I had remembered to pack my own snow boots), and we headed to the ski shop, where we purchased two cute—but very expensive—jackets. We then spent a wild three hours barreling down Blue Mountain’s snow tubing tracts, followed by hot chocolate in the lodge and Shake Shack back home.
Later that night, as my daughter headed up the stairs to bed, she paused to tell me it was her best birthday celebration ever. I smiled. Sure, the day wasn’t perfect, but it was pretty memorable.
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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES!
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JP Junk Removal is a local family owned and operated business. Jim and Chrissy started doing clean-outs and demolition in 2009 and have the experience and tools to handle any job you have, whether its a single item or a complete estate clean-out. Since we are not a franchise our prices are much lower then the big guys. We are fully insured and take pride in the work we do. During these trying times of Covid-19 we offer a “No contact” service where you can gather up your items and have outside or in the garage and can leave a check or pay online. If we do need to have contact, we ALWAYS wear a mask. Safety is our number 1 priority!
Setup an appointment today, call 610-421-JUNK or visit JPJUNK.com
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SNOW TUBING SPOTS
Due to Covid, resorts have limited tickets available each day, so do yourself a solid and purchase tickets ahead of time.
• Blue Mountain – 34 lanes, three lifts to take you to the top, plus a wide assortment of double AND single tubes. Decent hot chocolate, too.
• Bear Creek – Some of the fastest lanes around so hold on to your (winter) hats, friends! Ages six and up. Single tubes only.
• Camelback – 42 lightning-fast lanes. At nighttime, lanes are illuminated via an LED Galactic Light Show.
• Iron Valley – 15 lanes spread over an impressive
900-foot hill.
• Montage Mountain – Boasting some of Pennsylvania’s longest snow tube runs.
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WARM UP & WINE DOWN
Parks Pop-Up Restaurant
Wednesdays – Fridays, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturdays, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sundays, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fairmount Horticulture Center Arboretum
100 N. Horticultural Dr., Philadelphia
Over 30,000 square feet of dining space in a lush greenhouse environment, featuring fresh food, local beers on tap, wine, hot beverages and more! Portion of all sales benefit Philadelphia's parks. Reservations encouraged; four guests per table max.
Details
All About Chocolate (virtual)
Monday, February 8th
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Who can resist the rich, sweet taste of chocolate? Learn about the importance of cocoa content and how to incorporate dark, milk and white varieties into your favorite recipes. We’ll end with a chocolatey creation sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Details
Wine & Chocolate Pairings
Saturday, February 6th – Sunday, February 28th
Three sessions daily: 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Chaddsford Winery
632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford
Chaddsford Winery is thrilled to partner with three local businesses, including Éclat Chocolate, Birchrun Hills and Herman's Coffee, to provide an unparalleled experience highlighting some of the area's best sweet and savory selections. During each session, Chaddsford staff will be at your service with plenty of wine and dessert pairing suggestions. Reservations required.
Details
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V-DAY HOORAY!
Valentine's Day Brunch
Saturday, February 13th & Sunday, February 14th
Three seatings: 10:00 AM, 11:15 AM & 12:30 PM
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown
Brunch will take place in the zoo’s spacious, socially distanced Canopy Gardens Pavilion followed by an animal meet and greet. Parents seeking some alone time have the option to send their children (ages 4+) to a fun, educational animal workshop during brunch. Space is limited; register early.
Details
Valentine's Day Story Time and Take-Home Craft
Saturday, February 13th
11:00 AM
Belmont Hills Library
120 Mary Waters Ford Rd., Bala Cynwyd
Register for a Valentine’s-themed story time and take-home project kit.
Details
Valentine’s Colorful Pasta Workshop (virtual)
Saturday, February 13th
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Gather with your loved ones to celebrate Valentine’s Day with homemade pink ravioli and a special dessert. Zoom link, ingredient and tools list e-mailed upon registration.
Details
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CHILL OUT
Founders Philly Freeze-Out
Saturday, February 13th
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Downtown Manayunk
Manayunk.com has teamed up with Founders Brewing Company to turn Manayunk into a winter wonderland. Mask up and stroll Main Street to catch live ice carving demonstrations, ice sculptures, restaurant and bar specials, giveaways and more! Dress warm, wear a mask and keep your distance from others!
Details
Kyle Herring Concert
Saturday, February 6th
3:00 PM – 5:20 PM
The Patio next to Not Your Average Joe's
49 St. James Place, Ardmore
Blending a relaxed, soulful southern sound with aggressive lyrics and pop sensibility, Herring creates music that listeners everywhere can feel. Drawing influences from a range of artists such as Edwin McCain, Butch Walker (formally of the Marvelous 3) and Jeff Buckley, Herring has found a sound all his own.
Details
Smith Playground Opening Day Hooray
Saturday, February 6th (rain date: Sunday, February 7th)
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
3500 Reservoir Dr., Philadelphia
Join Smith for an opening day celebration of the playground’s new Leaders and Legends of North Philadelphia Black History Month exhibition, celebrating inspirational African American leaders who have made momentous, positive change in the fields of activism, arts, business, education, public service and sports. Ribbon cutting celebration at 12:00 PM.
Details
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DELIGHTFUL DIY
Make & Take: Traditional Coq au Vin
Friday, February 19th
1:00 PM
Sur La Table
King of Prussia Mall
Learn the secrets behind the French classic Coq au Vin. Also on the menu: Truffle Mashed Potatoes! All participants will have a delicious, showstopping dish to take home with instructions on how to reheat or freeze for later.
Details
Galantines Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop®
Saturday, February 13th
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
AR Workshop Malvern
233 E. King St., Malvern
Create a super cozy, one-of-a-kind blanket for yourself or a friend—no knitting experience required!
Details
Silver Twist Forge Cuff
Saturday, February 27th
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne
In this one-day workshop, you’ll learn the basics of working with sterling silver, including forging, forming and finishing. Participants will leave with a beautiful, handmade silver cuff to wear home.
Details
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Philly JCC: No-Bake Cookie Class
Sunday, February 14th
Virtual
1:00 PM
Sign up your littles for a yummy virtual no-bake cookie class! Each Little Chef’s Culinary Kit includes every tool & ingredient needed, plus fun surprises (frosting/fluff option for nut allergies available as well). Kits will need to be picked up the week prior at the Kaiserman JCC. Spots are limited.
Details
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REF and the Chef
Saturday, February 13th
Virtual
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Marqessa Gesualdi, award-winning pastry chef and owner of Aux Petits Delices, will lead a virtual demonstration of how to prepare a heart-shaped chocolate cream puff. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Register online . Space is limited!
Details
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The Baldwin School develops bright, talented girls into confident, accomplished women with vision, global understanding and the determination to make enduring contributions to the world.
Baldwin School
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Discover Friends’ Central at a virtual info session – March 3rd and February 3rd at 9 am.
Personal tours are also available.
We Go Further.
Learn More
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Follow the confessions and confrontations that unfold over late-night Zooms in this original web series from People's Light.
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Prioritize your health at
Main Line Health King of Prussia. Experience wellness all in one place: primary care, specialty care, women’s care,
imaging & more.
mainlinehealth.org/kop
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Our admissions team is eager to learn more about your remarkable child. Schedule your 1:1 tour today!
gladwyne.org/visit
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At Shipley, you can!
Shipley's unique approach to education combines academic rigor with support, leading students to deeply-rooted learning and success.
ShipleySchool.org
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The science is real.
Masks slow the spread of COVID-19.
The leading healthcare systems in the tri-state area — and more than two thousand hospitals nation-wide — ask you to mask up.
Learn more at everymaskup.com.
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2021 MainLineCamps Guide
Interested in advertising on the 2021 camp guide? Email us today for the media kit.
EMAIL US!
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Valentine’s Virtual Wine Tasting
Friday, February 12th
7:00 PM
Benefiting
Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia
Featuring exclusive, premium wine from award winning Martinelli Vineyards
Enjoy sips and sweets as a Martinelli family member guides you through a live, interactive, educational tasting
Supports free programs for local families impacted by cancer.
RSVP at Wine Tasting Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia
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