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The Giggles Knew No Bounds

I’m exhausted this morning, and with good reason.  I left the house at 9am yesterday morning and didn’t get home until 10:30pm.  Okay, so there was a mild reprieve from 6pm to 7:15, but that’s only if you classify getting dinner together and bossing kids around as a reprieve.

Yesterday Chrissy from Mama’s Little Helper and Eve from the Peddler’s Village public relations department hosted a group of local mom bloggers for a day at Peddler’s Village and Giggleberry Fair.  I’ve lived in this area for 15 years, and I’ve heard of the legend that is Peddler’s Village, but I’ve never been.  It’s one of those things that I’ve always wanted to do and it just never worked out.  When I got this invite, I was so there.

My poor deprived kids, who have been stuck at home with me all summer while I direct them to play with each other because “Mommy’s got work to do” were thrilled to do something that was all about them, quickly dressed themselves yesterday morning and hopped into the car without so much as a single nag.

The ride was long but uneventful, and we arrived almost right on time (which means, in Jo-Lynne Standard Time, we were at least 10 minutes early.)

The kids dutifully posed in front of the Giggleberry Fair sign.

It’s a shame my girls are so camera shy.

I had no idea what to expect; I’d never been there.  I was concerned that it was more appropriate for my younger children and that my son would be bored, but that wasn’t the case at all.  All three kids had so much fun that after lunch, they wanted to go back in.  And because I’m a glutton for punishment, I agreed.  (No, really, it was fun.  I got to sit and chat with Sherry and Kelly over lattes while our kids happily amused themselves and one another.  I can’t complain.)  But I’m getting way ahead of myself here.

Upon arrival, my girls made a bee-line for the ginormous Carousel.  This ride isn’t for the faint of heart.  It moves fast and goes long.  With my propensity towards vertigo, I stayed far away.

My son spent his time finding the games that dispensed the most tickets per token so he could earn himself a nerf football from the prize desk.

He also loved Giggleberry Mountain, a colorful indoor obstacle course with berry blasters and a berry fountain — foam berries, that is.  The moms standing in the middle made an easy target.  Fortunately, no one was harmed.

C loved playing with Julie’s Little.

After the fair, she strolled her all over the village.  I’m not sure if she was a help or a hindrance, but Julie was graciously patient with her.

We enjoyed wandering through the picturesque village on our way to lunch.  I couldn’t stop snapping photos.

R and Kelly’s Emma quickly became Best Friends Forever, or so I was informed.

Soon we approached our lunch destination.

We and our 152700 kids descended upon this poor restaurant and its unsuspecting patrons, and they handled it with style.  They were ready for us with a tasty buffet lunch that was both kid friendly (right down to the PB&J sandwiches and mac-and-cheese) and adult approved (gourmet sandwiches and a pasta bar — what a cool idea, the pasta bar!  It was like an omelet station, but you chose the ingredients to go in your pasta instead.)

Afterwards, we waddled away and perused the shops that had generously provided coupons for us.

First stop: cupcakes.

Next stop: ice cream.

Final stop: coffee.  Hey, don’t judge.  The mamas needed to recharge before tackling that rush hour traffic.

Clever signage:

So yeah, after spending another 30-minutes-that-turned-into-an-hour at the Giggleberry Fair, we loaded the chilluns into our minivans and headed to our respective homes.  Of course, I realized at the end of the day that I had no pictures of US.  Oh well, such is the life of a mom.

I’d like to say that my day ended on that happy note, but unfortunately there was drama yet to come.  After dinner, I met a friend at the mall for coffee, which was great fun as I scored a cute top on sale at the LOFT outlet and got to catch up with my dear friend, but as we sat in the coffee shop and watched the mall close down, I discovered that I didn’t have my keys.

After a quick review of the evening’s events, and I determined that I had left them in the shoe store where we had stopped so I could make a return.  We scurried down to the dark storefront, only to find my keys sitting in plain view on the counter and the doors decisively locked.  Not even the security guards could let us in.

So I made the call of shame and asked my husband to load the kids in the car and come bail us out.  After some time, my knight in a shining blue minivan drove around the bend, spare keys in hand, and all’s well that ends well.  Except that I didn’t get home until 10:30, and now I’m zonked.  But hey.  It was a fun day.  And now, when I say, “Momma’s gotta work,” I can also add, “I spent all day yesterday doing fun stuff for YOU.  Now go play.”  Without a lick of guilt.  SWEET!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Peddler’s Village and Giggleberry Fair Mom Blogger Day as a member of the Philly Social Media Moms.  I was given free passes for my children and me as well as a gift bag with coupons for various stores in the village.  Lunch was provided by Sweet Lorraine’s.

I was also provided with 2 passes to Giggleberry Fair to give away. Each pass includes admission to Giggleberry Mountain, Giggle Discovers, unlimited rides on the Grand Carousel and ten free tokens.  I’ll be hosting the giveaway on Eat Local Philly, as that site is geared to a local audience.  If you’re interested, be sure to “like” my ELP Facebook Page so you’re sure to see the giveaway link when it goes up later today.

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10 Responses

  1. Looks like you guys had a great day. Sorry about the keys, but thanks for the chuckle you gave me this morning as I read it. I have always loved Peddler’s Village. We have a lot of work luncheons there, but I have not been to Giggleberry Fair. I’ll add that to the to do list.

  2. Thank’s for the heads up on this. I am always looking for new things to do with the kids when we visit my hubby’s family in New Jersey. It is amazing how his parents have no idea how much their neck of the woods has to offer and I have to do all of the legwork. This place is only 1.5 hours (without traffice) from their house and the prices are very reasonable. It seems as if his parents always find things to do when we go visit them and they cost an arm and a leg. I did like your facebook page and I will keep my eye out for the giveaway – but even if I don’t win the giveaway I plan on visiting this place next time we are in New Jersey!

  3. Doh! I locked my keys in the car just the other day. There’s nothing worse than “the call of shame” to the husband for help. I imagine it’s worse in your case with kids to load up and all. Also, Peddler’s Village and Giggleberry Fair looks lovely. I’m glad you guys had a good time.

  4. That looks like a VERY fun day! But just reading it did make me feel exhausted! 🙂 The coffee shop looked quite inviting. Isn’t it great when your blogging work includes your kids in a very fun way? That’s great — I hope you get more “offers” that do that for you 🙂

  5. It was SUCH a great day. Nothing better than spending a day relaxing with friends, and working! I can’t believe how long its been since I’d been last. It will NOT be that long again. We’re planning to go back for Scarecrow Festival. And maybe that time, I’ll take some pictures!

  6. On the drive home my kids ask when we can go back after dinner. I am with Julie I am really looking forward to the fall and the Scarecrow Festival. What a wonderful day the weather was great, it was so much fun getting to know everyone better.

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