Holiday Happenings in Morris County for This Week

Monday/Tuesday: Check out the free holiday lights music show (every 20 minutes from 6pm-9pm) at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn. See my blog post for more info, including a video. Also enjoy a craft show, free photos with Santa, free music concerts and hot cocoa and warm cider.

Wednesday: 10am-8pm visit the Birchwood Manor in Whippany to see over 100 exhibitors displaying holiday arts and crafts for your Christmas shopping pleasure. Admission $3.

Thursday: It's not too late to buy tickets to see Jingle Bell Rock with Eddie Money, Lou Gramm and Mickey Thomas perform at the Mayo Arts Center in Morristown. Tickets start at $47 and you can buy them here.

Friday: The free holiday light show at the Turtleback Zoo is up and running between 5 and 9 pm. Over 100,000 bulbs to make the zoo merry and bright.

Always check out Morris County Mom's Kids' Calendar to see what's going on and stay tuned for a new blog post towards the end of the week with the weekend's holiday happening lineup.

Free Kids Christmas Train Ride Around the Morristown Green

For a complete list of Morris County Christmas Events don't miss my calendar page *click here*!

Tonight around 6 pm, we headed out shopping, but first I decided to take a quick detour to the Morristown Green.

I will post pictures when I can, but rest assured that the Green was all glammed up, with lights, ornaments and a huge tree with large glistening poinsettia ornaments. My toddlers had fun skipping along the many paths around the green and running in the open grassy areas.

There are a number of scheduled activities that you can read about here, among which are ice sculpting, whcih we enjoyed checking out.

The train is a small, electric train that parents can also hop on with the kids. It's totally free and runs on the weekends through Dec. 18. You get two laps around the Green per ride. Both my little ones loved it.

Next to the train stop is Santa's house, where you can visit Santa and have a photo taken ($10) and receive a free goody bag.

For all times and schedules, check out my calendar page!

Free Holiday Lights Spectacular at Papermill Playhouse in Millburn

This looks really cool. I'm thinking that some night after dinner when it's a little boring, we could take a ride and go check out the light show.





Holiday lights run every 20 minutes between 6pm and 9 pm from now through Dec. 24 (closing day). 


From Wed-Sun each week they are having the play Irving Berlin's White Christmas, therefore, parking is restricted to patrons on those days. If you're just going to check out the lights, the days to go are Monday & Tuesday.


In addition to the lights on Mondays and Tuesdays, you will discover:

• A holiday shopping bazaars in the lobby/art gallery from 6pm-9pm
• FREE photos with Santa in the FM Kirby Carriage House
• A variety of different performers performing free holiday concerts at 6 pm and sometimes at 7:30pm. To see the actual performers go here.
• In addition, they have a restaurant, the Carriage House onsite, which offers guests free hot cocoa and warm apple cider on Mondays/Tuesdays.

Christmas Is In the Air!

As soon as the Thanksgiving plates are cleared, the holiday events kick off in Morris County.

I hope you didn't miss the horsedrawn carriage rides, hot cider, live Christmas carolers and displays in downtown Denville yesterday. Even if you didn't make it, there are plenty of fun activities to get in the spirit this weekend:

Saturday
1 pm: the Boonton holiday parade kicks off at 1 pm. Hang out by Santaland (across the street from GraceLord Park) to enjoy a small petting zoo, free cookies and beverages and pony & train rides. And, a visit from the big guy himself.
5 pm (through 9 pm): Free holiday lights show at the Turtleback Zoo

Sunday
1 pm (through 7 pm): Kids can take a free ride on a small train around the Morristown Green.
1 pm: Free filled Christmas mint making candy demo at AC Moore stores.
1:30 pm: Mooseltoe the musical is on at the Community Theatre in Morristown. It's about a moose that wants to fly with Santa's reindeer. You can buy tickets here.
2 pm: Denville's holiday parade begins at 2 pm. After the parade Santa will resume his rightful position within Santaland the lights will officially go on!
5 pm (through 9 pm): Free holiday lights show at the Turtleback Zoo

For more details, be sure to check out the calendar page on my blog! Happy holiday happening hopping!

20% off at the Christmas Tree Shoppes

Yay! I love the Christmas Tree Shop. There is one right in the Rockaway Mall parking lot. You can find great deals on things that didn't sell well at their sister store, Bed Bath and Beyond. Comforters, curtains, window shades, picture frames and more. This store also includes a Harmon's beauty product area. I have found good deals on toys, as well as party supplies here.

Here's an awesome, 20% off your total purchase coupon.

Two book reviews

There are a lot of children's books that I find boring. Most actually. Here are two books that we just read that I think are worth sharing:

It really gets fun when kids start to use adjectives. For my daughter this started around 2 1/2 years old and is continuing well into 3. Things are "too polka dotty," "too baggy," etc. The melding of personality and language development is really fun. This book presents visuals, along with the vocabulary in a fun, creative way. My daughter loves this book and I highly recommend it!

This is another great book. It is one of the few kids books where you can't really predict the ending. Mother animals encourage their young to hurry. The pictures are beautifully illustrated, with rich colors. As you get to the end of the book (I'm killing this for you, I know), you see that all of the farm animals are congregating to witness the hatching of a new chick. It's very cute and an easy and quick read.

A Few Local Deals for Halloween Goodies

If you're still in the market for some Halloween candy, here are the deals I thought were the least scary!

ShopRite

• ShopRite (in-ad coupon 3/$5 for Hershey's). You can combine it with the $1.50 off 2 bags coupon from the Sunday 10/16 SmartSource coupons. This makes each fun size bag just $1.16!

Walgreens

• Hershey's, Mars or Nestle snack-sized bags are $1.99 with in-ad coupon, which you can pick up in the store. You can do a little better on this by using a coupon from Sunday 10/16 Redplum coupon insert or by going here or here and printing. As low as $1.49 each after coupon.
• Small, individual Halloween goodie bags are available at $.99 for 20, no coupon required.

Party City

• If you're looking for a festive way to store your candy, you can pick up a cool witch's cauldron on sale for 50% off and the large, 12" cauldron is under $5.
• You can print a coupon for $10 off 50, $20 off $75 or $30 off $100 here.

IHOP's Trick or Treat All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes

On October 28, in celebration of Halloween, kids can get a free Scary Face pancake at IHOP!

KMart $.99 Summer Clearance Sale

It's definitely worth mentioning that KMart has $.99 racks up in the store, with summer clothing.

In the Parsippany store, there was a good selection of kids shorts and t-shirts. There were cute tank tops and t-shirts, as well as plaid and denim shorts. I also saw some cute athletic/running shorts.

I picked up around 5 t-shirts and several pairs of shorts for both of my kids.

It's a great time to stock up for next year. For this price, you can stock up on play shirts.

A few other deals I saw as I shopped:
- Halloween costumes are 50% off
- My store had LED Princess nightlights on final clearance for $7, which could be cute Christmas stocking stuffers

Soooo Many Morris County Kid Events This Weekend

These all sound so fun, I don't even know where to begin this weekend. 

Check out the calendar page for the details (click on the event and more info drops down).

Friday

4:30pm-6:30pm Lake Parsippany Halloween party (open to the public)
5pm-8pm Halloween Night at ImagineThat! In Florham Park
6pm-8pm Family Night at KidNetic (not Halloween, but worth mentioning, just because it’s fun), Montville

Saturday

10am – noon Make A Scary T-Shirt @ Michael’s Crafts

1pm-4pm Halloween costume event @ AC Moore Crafts, includes parade and face painting

12:30pm-4:30pm Community Children’s Museum 2^nd Annual Halloween Spooktacular Fun Fest, MCIT Denville

4pm-10pm Haunted HalloWharton Festival, Wharton

Sunday

11:30-3:30pm Pawsitive Experience (dog Halloween party) prizes for best costume, Rockaway

1pm-2:30pm Pumpkin Decorating at Fosterfields, Morristown

Halloween Cartoons for Kids

Halloween doesn't seem like a holiday without watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" on TV-popcorn, commercials and all.

You can catch this classic on ABC at 8pm on Thursday, 10/27.

ABC’s 13 nights of Halloween starts tonight, here are some of the highlights:

• Thursday, October 20, Hocus Pocus at 9/8c
• Friday, October 21, Beetlejuice at 9/8c
• Saturday, October 22, The Addams Family at 8/7c
• Wednesday, October 26, Disney/Pixar's Monsters Inc at 7/6c
• Thursday, October 27, Scooby-Doo at 9/8c
• Friday, October 28, The Addams Family at 7/6c
• Sunday, October 30, Van Helsing at 8/7c
• Monday, October 31, Casper at 7/6c

I searched the local TV listings and here are some Halloween 'toons to be on the lookout for:

Day	Date	Time	Show	Channel	Episode	Details
Friday	10/21	2:30 pm	The Cat in the Hat	PBS	Trick or Treat	The Cat takes Sally and Nick trick-or-treating; Nick meets King Cecil the Seahorse, who takes his babies everywhere he goes.
Saturday	10/22	8 am	Mickey Mouse Clubhouse	DISNEY	Mickey’s Treat	Mickey and his pals need help getting to Trick-or-Treat Tower in time for the big Halloween party.
Sunday	10/23 10/24	7 am 10am	Jack and the Neverland Pirates	DISNEY	Night of the Golden Pirate	Jake and his friends search for the legendary Golden Pumpkin that is supposed to fly over Never Land when the moon is high; Captain Hook disguises himself to trick Jake into giving him Halloween treats.
Monday	10/24	9am	Dora The Explorer	NIK	Boo!	While trick-or-treating on Halloween night, Dora and Boots encounter a cute little monster and help it get home before the clock strikes 12.
Monday	10/24	9:30am	Dora The Explorer	NIK	Dora Halloween Parade	Dora and Boots run into a tiny monster on Halloween, and they help him get home before midnight.
Monday	10/24	10:30a	Go, Diego Go!	NIK	Freddie the Fruit Bat Saves Halloween!	As Diego, Alicia and Freddie the Fruit Bat prepare for trick-or-treating fun, they learn some llamas cannot join them for the Halloween festivities because of a broken bridge, so Diego and his pals head out to help them.
Monday	10/24	10:30am	Team Umizoomi	NIK	The Ghost Family Costume Party	The trio assist a tiny ghost who has to solve four riddles before he arrives at a costume party on Halloween.

Haunted House at the Willowbrook Mall (and Coupon!)

Phantasmal Haunt is located at the Willowbrook Mall, outside the Sears wing, by the Food Court. It's open now through October 31.


Their description states, "Phantasmal Haunt was inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Clive Barker, and Mary Shelly. Its creators are less prone to implement chainsaws for frights, but instead to weave an intricate web of dark delights aimed steal your sleep." 


From the looks of it, I'd say this is not for young kids. I hope to get there one day soon, after which I will post my review.


Here's a $1 off coupon for you!

Wed-Fri 4pm-10pm
Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm


Extended Holiday Hours: Halloween Week-Open Every Day
Mon-Fri 4pm-10pm
Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm
Halloween 12pm-10pm

$13.00 General Admission

Spooky Kids Night This Friday at ImagineThat! in Florham Park

Family-friendly SPOOK-tacular Night! Costumes encouraged! When: Fri. Oct. 21, 2001, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  Children can enjoy a kid-friendly Halloween-themed night filled with food, pumpkins, games, activities and prizes. SPOOK-tacular event includes: Pumpkins, outdoor cornstalk maze, activities, crafts, games, prizes and pizza.  Price for children: $13.99, Price for adults: $10.99*

Call (973) 966-8000 for a reservation or purchase tickets online. *If you pay at the door, without reservations, event offerings are not guaranteed and pricing is $14.99 per child and $11.99 per adult. No coupons or discounts can be applied.

Warehouse Toy Sale This Weekend In Parsippany

In case you didn't get the mailer, there is a warehouse toy sale in Parsippany this weekend, and I've just added it into the calendar.

Head to 78 Lackawanna Ave between 10am and 4pm.

No infants or children under 12 are allowed, so leave the kids at home.

I've never been to this, so can't comment on the deals. I do plan on going, so I'll post a review soon.

Review: Sun High Orchards in Randolph (Pumpkins!)

I wasn't aware that Randolph had a pick-your-own farm with apples, pumpkins and more. And, I definitely didn't know there were cute farm animals, such as ducks, pigs and adorable sheep.

If you're in Morris County, Sun High Orchards is a great place to go.

It's a smaller-sized farm (as compared to Wightman's in Morristown or the larger ones in Chester), which is easier to navigate with little ones.



Features:

• General store: Homemade goodies likes pies, cookies and doughnuts, along with the requisite fruit, apple cider, and pumpkins/gourds. The store has really cute craft items and seasonal decor arranged like eye candy, so if you're there, leave a little time to peruse.
• Hayrides: Available on the weekends.
• Animals: Alpaca, mini donkey, ducks, pig, sheep. I'm probably forgetting something. It's a few pens, not the Turtleback Zoo.
• Cost: Possibly free, if you just want to visit the animals. I went with some mom friends and the consensus was that it can be a very cheap outing! There are wagons for the kids to pull along the pumpkin area, as well as cut-outs and some hay bales to climb on and jump off.
• Coupons: $.50 off a pie (like apple caramel walnut - yum!), valid through 10/31.

Where is it: 19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph (just past County College of Morris)
Hours: 7 days a week, 9am-6:30pm

Thursday Fun: Ice Skating, Story Time and a Haunted House

The events calendar is updated with lots of great things to do in and around Morris County.

To tantalize you with all of the great things you could be doing today (or any day of the week), here are 3 things that are fun, frightening and even one that's free.

What: Phantasmal Haunted House
Happenings: Billed as “an intricate web of dark delights,” this holiday haunt promises to send chills down your spine.
Where: Willowbrook Mall (outside Sears Wing, by Food Court)
Time: 4pm-10pm
Cost: $13 per person

What: Preschool Story Time
Happenings: Interactive stories that are age appropriate.
Where: Morris County Library (Children’s Wing)
Time: 10am-11am
Cost: Free

What: Ice Skating at Mennen Arena
Happenings: Open skate sessions have begun, time to lace up your skates!
Where: Mennen Arena
Time: 10am-noon or 3:30pm-5:30pm
Cost: $6 for admission, $3.50 for skate rentals

Run/Walk Music Festival in Denville this Weekend

Denville is having a 5K to support its efforts to restore the town after Hurricane Irene this Sunday from 9am-6pm called Denville Up and Running.


There will also be:


Live Music & Entertainment
• Denville Merchant Food/Retail Street Festival
• Denville Farmer’s Market
• Zumba
• Children’s Activities
• 50/50 Raffle
• Beer Tent 

Morris County 4H Fair July 21 - 24

The Fair will open Thursday from 5:00pm-9:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.


Pony rides, hay rides, a petting zoo, a model airplane demonstration, clown acts, watermelon eating and cake decorating contests, dress-a-pet contest, a children’s pet show and, of course, amusement rides.


The North Jersey Siberian Husky Club is offering AKC Canine Good Citizen testing for any dog on Saturday afternoon for a fee of $10. You can register you dogs at the Dog Tent. Please note that all dogs must be on a 6-foot leash. Retractable leashes are not allowed in the park.


There is no admission fee to the Fair; however a $5 parking donation is requested. After 6 p.m. Saturday, parking for the Fireworks display will be $10, and will include free 3-D Fireworks Glasses.




View Larger Map

25% off your entire purchase at Bob's

Living Rich With Coupons offered up this cool coupon.

25% off your entire purchase at Bob's Store.

Last time I went they had some cute kids clothes.

Now is the perfect time to start squirreling away summer clothes for the kids for next year and maybe find some adorable clearance stuff that might even work for the Fall/Back to School.

Family Night is Every Wednesday at the Turtleback Zoo

Every Wednesday night this summer, after 5 pm hits, admission at the Turtleback Zoo drops to just $6 per person.

The Zoo is officially open until 8 pm, but remains open half an hour afterwards, so that's a good 3.5 hours of zoo time you can get in.

That's a nice savings from the normal daily rates of $10 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.  Little animal lovers under the age of 2 are always free.

July 10th and 17th Ride the Historic Whippany Caboose Trains

Ride the Caboose Trains in July     Buy Advance Tickets Online  The July dates will be the last two rides departing from Whippany until September.

Don't Miss the Train!               Friend of the Whippany Railway Museum: The  Caboose Trains depart  SUNDAYS  July 10 & 17 from the Whippany Railway Museum in Morris County, New Jersey. Spend a relaxing day with  Family and Friends for an old fashioned train ride through Morris & Essex Counties.  Ride in the cupola or sit in the bay window for unique views of the train and the route it travels along the Whippanong Trail. This will be the last day for Caboose Rides until  September 11th & 18th. Not just for kids, the Caboose Train Rides recall a simpler era when trains were the method of travel for millions and it seemed like everyone you knew worked as a Railroader. Trains depart from Whippany at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 PM Get Your Guaranteed Tickets Ahead Of Time! The trains have been selling out pretty quickly. Buy your tickets on line and don't wait for the day of the rides.  Online Ticket Sales Close at 11:59 PM on THURSDAY Before the Rides

Additional 20% off Clearance Clothing at Amazon.com

Use code FROMUS2U. Shop this link

You can score some great deals like this girls size 4 dress (available in gray), from Paperdoll, which is clearanced to $6.10, so only $4.88 after the coupon code is applied!  Eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime if you have it.  There are lots of other great deals available, if you have time to look.

Free Clearview Cinema Movies

Clearview Cinemas is offering free family movies for 8 weeks over the summer starting this week.

It's on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to get there early.

All movies begin at 10:30 am.

Here is July's schedule:

Kinnelon
July 6 & 7:  Marmaduke
July 13 &  14: Shrek 4
July 20 & 21: Despicable Me
July 27 & 28: How to Train your Dragon



Madison

July 6 & 7:  Cats & Dogs 2

July 13 &  14: Megamind

July 20 & 21: Marmaduke

July 27 & 28: Shrek 4

Parsippany

July 6 & 7:  Despicable Me

July 13 &  14: How to Train your Dragon

July 20 & 21: Alvin & the Chipmunks/The Squeakquel

July 27 & 28: Alpha & Omega

Succasunna:

July 6 & 7:  Shrek 4

July 13 &  14: Despicable Me

July 20 & 21: How to Train your Dragonl

July 27 & 28: Alvin & the Chipmunks/The Squeakquel

Friday 6/17: Family Night at Kid-netic in Montville

5 pm - 8 pm $20 for first child $16 per sibling Dinner: choice of pizza or hot dog. Food for parents is also available to purchase. Bring your kids for family night !

Serving Ice Cream for dessert !  Make your own Ice Cream Sundae or Ice Cream Soda ! Enjoy some 50's and 60's music and relax while the kids have fun with open play time, structured games, music and more !!

To Reserve a Place Call: 973-331 9001 or Email:reservations@kidneticnj.com

Summer kid clothing sale at Babies R Us

If you're still in need of summer clothes for your kids, Babies R Us is having a sale.  Just $5 for all BRU brand graphic tees, tank tops, knit shorts, creepers and rompers.

Better, yet:

Clearance items are buy one, get one 50% off.

Might be a worth a trip to check out those clearance racks.

Elmo @ Kid-netic on Friday, May 20

Special Elmo evening at Kidnetic in Montville (2 Changebridge Rd) Activities for Dinner with Elmo: Open Play Music Dinner with Elmo!

Structured Play & Games Decorate an Elmo Cupcake Lots of Fun !!!

Details: 5 pm - 8 pm $20 for first child $16 per sibling Dinner: choice of pizza or hot dog. Food for parents is also available to purchase.

To Reserve a Place Call: 973-331 9001 or Email:reservations@kidneticnj.com

Cole Brothers Circus of the Stars at CCM & in Livingston

Cole Bros, the world's largest circus under the big top has come to town.  


Follow these two quick & easy steps to save big time at the big top!


1) SAVE $5 on adult admissions purchased in advance by purchasing via:

• Online:  Tickets.com
• Phone:  1-888-332-5200
• In-person:  Denville-Sweet Expressions by Karen (32 Broadway) or Heritage Bank (530 E Main St)
• In-person:  Randolph-Heritage Community Bank (1206 Sussex Tpke or 419 Rte 10 #)

2) Then, print out a FREE pass for each child attending (limit 2 free kids per adult admission).


The dates and times for the shows are as follows:
Randolph - County College of Morris (CCM)
May 27:  4:30 and 7:30 pm shows
May 28:  1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 pm shows


Livingston Eisenhower Corporate Complex (290 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave)
May 29:  2:30 pm and 5:30 pm
May 30:  1:30 pm and 4:30 pm

Saturday - Princess Breakfast

A ROYAL Treat!!!

A Princess Breakfast!!!

SATURDAY, May 14, 2011, 10:45 a.m.

Our most popular event. A good day with royal treat! A good-morning breakfast starring your child with our very own princesses, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Belle! A special event for prince and princess alike!!! Children take home a princess favor too. Come for breakfast, a princesses experience and then stay and play all day!

I've done this before with my toddler and it is a really cute & fun thing! All of the kids there seemed to enjoy it.

Tiaras, crowns and ballgowns welcome!

Tickets are limited and spaces can fill up quickly. Click here and purchase tickets online, or call (973) 966-8000 to RSVP and save your place today Reserve your spot for guaranteed seating and special pricing!

Reservations do fill up quickly and are a must.
Call (973) 966-8000 and save your place today! - OR -

NEW!!! Purchase tickets online, 24-hours a day, 7 days a w

eek!

Price for child: $13.99
Price for adult: $10.99* Includes breakfast

*If you pay at the door, seats are not guaranteed a

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/TOMORROW--A-Princesses-Breakfast---Seats-still-available--Join-the-Fun-.html?soid=1102590620980&aid=_z63_dIz-JQ