Introducing Elf Outfitters.com – your one stop shop for creative and inspired accessories for your Family Elf

My family LOVES our Elf, Cookie. Every year my kids anxiously await his arrival. Cookie is a crafty and busy little elf that likes to help fix stuff around the house, leaves games and notes for the kids and is always into something.

This year I wanted to kick my Elf’n up a notch and I asked my friend KC (from The Diaper Bag Wrangler) to make some clothes for Cookie. She wasn’t sure if my request (or, I) was insane or brilliant. Thankfully she went with brilliant and our new joint venture, Elf Outfitters was born!

Elf Outfitters – Elf Outfitters is your one stop shop for creative and inspired accessories for your Family Elf. Here you will find dress-up kits to create unique and exciting Elf displays.

We are launching our online store December 1, 2012 and will offer the following Creative Kits:
Winter Weather Kit – quilted reversible vest, scarf and earmuffs
Hawaiian Luau Kit – grass skirt, coconut bra, beach towel and umbrella
Princess Tutu Kit – tulle tutu, tiara and wand
Superhero Kit – Cape and mask
Holiday Baker Kit – reversible apron

 Please help us spread the word and reach as many Elf loving families as we can! We are relying on good old fashion “word of mom” to help launch this exciting, new partnership.

Share the page with your friends and please…..Like Elf Outfitters on Facebook –  and be among the first to purchase your elf gear!

Fun Adventure Friday ~ Strasburg Rail Road Santa’s Paradise Express AND a TICKET GIVEAWAY!

Mychal is just a girlie girl raising two crazy little boys in Chester County. To read more about her sometimes dirt covered life, stop by My Life In Mommyland.

Today’s adventure comes just in time for the holiday season. Santa’s Paradise Express, the Stasburg Rail Road and the ChooChoo Barn make the perfect holiday tradition. 

Climb aboard one of the magnificently restored cars and be transported back to a simpler world. Don’t worry about the cold, each car is heated by a coal stove, so they’re nice and toasty. 

As the monster steam engine pulls out of the station the fun begins. Incase the beautiful Lancaster County countryside wasn’t enough, carolers, horn players and Santa himself move throughout the cars for your enjoyment. Santa was the crowd favorite with our family. The boys lit up as soon as they saw him enter our car. 

Not only does the man in red stop to chat with each child and have his photo taken, he also gives every child a little treat. The boys got little lantern pencil sharpeners, that they thought were the coolest thing since sliced bread. Cameron even took his to school. 

The train ride is about 45 minutes long and it’s a blast from start to finish. 

But wait, there’s more…

The Strasburg Rail Road also has a ton of fun to enjoy around the station. 

Your kids will love the Cranky Cars and the Cagney Train. Then warmup in the Tinsel Trolly and enjoy a few holiday stories in the Story Caboose. In addition to all the fun activities there are a few gift shops and the Trackside Cafe. 

When you’re finished at the rail road, chug on over to the ChooChoo Barn. 

I’ve seen a lot of train displays in my life but this one is by far the coolest. When you walk into the little gift shop you have no idea just what lies behind the curtain. 

It’s HUGE!!! I could have spent hours upon hours gawking at the train display. At 1700 square feet, the ChooChoo Barn is as big as my first house and it’s chockfull of things to look at. 

The train display, with 22 moving trains has actual animated people. I have NEVER seen that before at I have to say that seeing those little people hammer away on the roof of a barn was pretty neat. As you make your way through the display, don’t forget to keep an eye out for the 51 Santas, there’s even a Where’s Waldo Santa! The boys had a blast trying to find them all and got so excited with each new sighting. 

The lights dim from day to night and back again giving you a whole new perspective on the display. One of my favorite features was the house that caught fire. There’s actual smoke, firemen come to save the day and use real water to put out the (not so real) flames. 

The level of detail inside the ChooChoo Barn is nothing short of spectacular. 

When we finished our tour of the Strasburg Rail Road and the ChooChoo Barn, we got some delicious snacks at Uncle Leroy’s (next door to the ChooChoo Barn) and headed home. The boys raved about their trip and want to go back again before the end of the season. 

The Strasburg Rail Road has become a beloved holiday tradition for our family and we would highly recommend that you make it a tradition for your family as well. 

This was such a fun adventure that I’m thrilled to be able to share the experience with one lucky Philly Burb Moms family. That’s right folks, one lucky winner will win a four pack of tickets to ride Santa’s Paradise Express on December 16th at 3pm AND four tickets to check out the ChooChoo Barn before December 31st. 

West Chester Old Fashioned Christmas Parade Presented by Mars Drinks

Every year for 34 yrs and going strong, West Chester Chamber of Commerce puts on a spectacular parade. This year the parade will be held tomorrow night, Friday, November 30, 2012 at 7:15pm. Filled with excitement for all ages and entertainment from local High Schools (Chester County and Delaware County), Colleges/Universities and businesses. “The parade was recently named by USA Today as one of the top ten places to experience the arrival of Santa Claus during the holiday season. With about 30,000 spectators tightly lining the 1 mile route, it makes you feel like you are on Main Street USA.” Besides the arrival of Santa, another attraction is the High School marching bands who have the opportunity to compete and win a portion of more than  $5,000. Who will win this year? Last year it was Downingtown High School, will they stay as the Honor Band or will they be replaced?

So, what does this parade mean to me? Family, fun and the Holidays! Every year for the past 4 years, my family (3 generations) meets at my sister and brother-in-law’s house in town and have dinner. Then, around 6:45pm we walk up to Gay Street to claim our spots to watch the parade, usually catching the last part of the Elf run. We decided to start going when one of my sisters and I started families and wanted to get the kids and families involved. We love to see all of the local entities involved, even our old High School and most importantly the arrival of Santa at the end. If we ever get cold, which is quite often, Mars Drinks offers FREE Hot Chocolate and other warm drinks to help warm you from the inside out. It is a fun-filled night for us all and this year is expected to be just a wonderful as years past! Bundle up, go early to get a parking spot and a parade spot (streets of the parade route close at 5pm) and prepare for a great night!!!

For more information, please check below or follow the link to the West Chester Chamber of Commerce‘s web site and see what else is going to through out town!

Parade Info:
Date: November 30, 2012
Time: 7:15pm

This year’s highlights:

• 6ABC’s Karen Rogers and Adam Joseph will be emceeing the parade
• Check out the Wells Fargo “Light the Night” show located at the corner of High and Market Streets
• Don’t miss all new this year our Patrotic Division “Celebrate the Military” with appearances by the US Air Force, US Coast Guard, Welcome Home Vets float, Silver Dolphins Drill Team and more!
• Check out Fulton Bank’s “Strike Up the Band” competition featuring over 15 area schools
• All new Holiday Festival on High Street – stop by Mars Drinks tent and receive a FREE cup of Hot Chocolate or any other hot beverage
• Last but not least, Santa makes his arrival to West Chester!

Elf Run/Walk: Follows same route as parade
Date: November 30, 2012
Time:

• 5:30pm- Registration at First Niagara Bank- 16 E Market St.
• 6:30pm- Kids 6 and under 200m.
• 6:35pm- Kids 7-12 – 1/2 mile.
• 6:45pm- 2 mi. run, 1 mi. walk
• 7:15pm- Awards at High and Market street

Map of the Elf Run and Parade

Ask Shelby: Holiday Commitment Overload

Here is November’s installment of “Ask Shelby” from Chester County’s own Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Shelby Riley.

Dear Shelby,

Between my parents, my sister and her family, my in-laws and my husband’s cousins who live an hour away, our holidays are filled with too much traveling, hosting and trying to make everyone else happy.  I would love to spend Christmas day at home with just my husband and kids, but I know it would kill my parents, as they expect to be invited for breakfast and gift opening, and my in-laws expect us for dinner at their house later that same day.  What can I do to satisfy everyone?

Signed, Overextended

Dear Overextended,

My one word answer is this: nothing.  You cannot satisfy everyone.  And I strongly suggest you stop trying.  I do believe there is a way to honor and respect your family relationships while still establishing some boundaries around your core family time.

The simplest and most dramatic way to accomplish this is to go away for the holidays.  Travel with your husband and kids to a destination far away where you can relax and enjoy the holiday together.  Plan to celebrate with various family members on a few select days before and/or after the trip.   People may respond with shock, hurt, jealousy, excitement or well wishes.  Let them have their reactions.  Those reactions belong to them and it is their responsibility to deal with their feelings, not yours.  As long as you are open to creating space for them in your schedule to celebrate, you don’t have to over-function to make sure they are totally pleased in every way.

You can also stay in town, designate Christmas as a day of no visits, and schedule celebrations on other days with family members.  Again, people may respond with shock, hurt, jealousy, excitement or well wishes. Let them have their reactions. Those reactions belong to them and it is their responsibility to deal with their feelings, not yours. 

Some people decide that changing plans like yours on Christmas Day is just too hard and painful on everyone and the backlash isn’t worth it.  In a case like this, I recommend choosing a day in the holiday season to celebrate with just your husband and kids.  You may want to hang and fill stockings, light the tree, play Christmas music and exchange some presents three days early, so that opening your home on Christmas Day doesn’t feel so intrusive.  If you have young kids, and Santa is still an important factor, you may want to skip the stockings and presents and create some new traditions to share as a family, so that you get the time together you are yearning for.  This day is sacred and no other plans should trump yours, no matter whose party you might miss.  No one else is invited, not matter how much your mom pouts and says she wants to come along.   I am going to repeat myself here: People may respond with shock, hurt, jealousy, excitement or well wishes.  Let them have their reactions.  Those reactions belong to them and it is their responsibility to deal with their feelings, not yours. 

I want to give you, and everyone else, permission to set boundaries.  It is okay to slow down, say no, and get creative.  Maybe you see your husband’s cousins in January, after the rush, to extend the fun even longer.  Maybe you host everyone at your house for one big dessert party, and stop running from house to house making sure everyone gets a piece of you.  If people can’t make the party, it’s okay to not see them until after the holidays are over.  Healthy people will express all kinds of feelings about your boundaries, but at the end of the day, they will accept and love you, even if they are disappointed.  Unhealthy people will express all kinds of feelings, too, but they may try to punish you or guilt you into changing your plans to accommodate their wishes.  Don’t accept that guilt.  It is an ugly gift that you should immediately place on the ground and walk away from.  No one needs to pick it up and deal with it—it can just sit there, unattended forever. 

I wish you a wonderful, rich, and balanced holiday season, filled with many “No’s” because you intentionally decided what to say “Yes” to,

Shelby

Shelby Riley, LMFT is the owner of Shelby Riley, LMFT and Associates, LLC.  She is currently the President of the Pennsylvania Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (PAMFT).  Remember to check out Shelby’s website www.shelbyrileymft.comfor useful information about therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

Cuisine to Go is HIRING!

Cuisine To Go is rapidly growing and is looking for delivery drivers. Cuisine to Go drivers are independent contractors, make their own schedule each week and are paid cash after each shift. The job entails deiveries from restaurants in Exton, West Chester, Downingtown and Frazer, so you need to enjoy driving and know back roads.

Must have a cell phone with texting capabilities and GPS.

CLICK HERE to apply. Please fill out the online application and someone from Cuisine to Go will be in contact with you shortly!

Enter to win tickets to see Carrie Underwood in Philadelphia on November 28th

Country superstar Carrie Underwood will “blow away” fans in Philadelphia on Wednesday, November 28 when she performs live at Wells Fargo Center, as part of her 2012 “The Blown Away Tour.”


We are giving ONE lucky Philly Burb Moms reader a chance to go to the concert. 
Enter below for your chance to win. 

Gift the Experience of Cake Decorating Classes This Holiday!

I LOVE to receive an experience as a gift and think this class looks like quite the experience. (Hint, hint…wonder is my husband is reading this..?)

The Master’s Baker in West Chester is offering a CAKE DECORATING CLASS with their award winning designers. 

Cost: $225 per person (less than $38 per night!)
Date: Monday’s from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Course Length: 6 weeks (first class begins January 14th)
Class Size: 12-15 with 2 instructors
How to Register: By phone with a major credit card or in the 

store. Phone number – 610-436-9888
Please note: Due to class size, payment is expected at time of registration!

Topics covered in Decorating Basics include:
* Explanation of the Baking Process
* How to Make a Delicious Butter-cream Icing
* Flipping Out and First Coating Cakes
* Icing the Cake
* Wet knife and Toweling
* Using Decorating Bags and Couplers
* Using the Star Tip
* Drop Flower, Rosette
* Pompom Flower, Roses and Leaves
* Icing a Cupcake and Simple Decorating Ideas
* Holiday Decorations and Figure Piping
* Simple Fondant Decorations
* Printing and Writing
* Guidelines for Decorating Your Cake
* Final Project of Designing and Decorating Your Own Cake from Start to Finish

Student will be given a beginners cake decorating kit (a $30 value!). TMB will provide a list of additional items needed during the first class. Student will be required to bring a baked cake or cupcakes for decorating during weeks 2-6.

Make sure to follow The Master’s Baker on Facebook to check out all of their AMAZING cake creations. They post beautiful photos almost daily. 

Black Friday Special at David Fuller Karate

I love the idea of gifting an experience for Holiday and Birthday gifts. My kids are students at David Fuller Karate in West Chester and I can’t even begin to put into words what the experience of working with Master Fuller and Miss Stephanie, has done for my 5 year old son behavior and my 7 year old daughters confidence. I am without a doubt one of the biggest David Fuller Karate cheerleaders, so if you are thinking about karate for your child and have questions feel free to email me, I promise not to chat your ear off about the program, but I am a big believer!!

SO… with all of that being said,  when this deal popped up in my inbox, I thought I would share.

David Fuller Karate Black Friday New Student Special 
2 months of Karate and a Uniform for $59.. that is a 70% off value.
The first 10 new students to register will also receive a FREE party at David Fuller Karate for the new student AND 15 of their friends (this is a $179 value).

Tasty Tuesday ~ Low Calorie, Super Yummy Thanksgiving Dessert (Pumpkin Custard)

This is my moms recipe for 60 calorie pumpkin custard: Preheat oven to 350. Mix well: 1 x 16 oz can pumpkin, ½ cup milk (I use 2%), ¼ cup sugarfree maple syrup, 2 eggs, ½ cup Splenda (the bagged kind, not packets), 1 t vanilla, 1 ¼ t cinnamon, ½ t ginger, ¼ t ground cloves, ½ t salt.

Pour into 6 ramekins. Bake in a shallow pan with about an inch of water for 45 minutes. Top with cool Whip Free for guilt free dining. I sprinkle with a few chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch. The custard works out to about 60 calories. The Cool Whip adds 15. Not bad for a nutritious snack that is lovely for dessert.

Chesco Mom EXCLUSIVE Black Friday Savings at My Gym Children’s Fitness Center in Lionville.

Have you been thinking of signing up your child(ren) for classes at My Gym Children’s Fitness Center in Lionville? NOW is the time to do it, or well actually Black Friday, is the time to do it.

My Gym is opening the doors at 6:00am for Black Friday Shoppers looking to snag one of the hottest deals in town… 50% off a 12 week class session. That is a $108 savings! When you purchase this deal you will receive a gift certificate for the classes, so this offer will make a great gift. Any new moms on your shopping list? This would be a perfect new baby or shower gift. Tired of giving toys? Gift the experience of My Gym! 

My Gym is also discounting all of the in stock Melissa & Doug toys, puzzles and books.

So mark your calendar, set the alarm on your phone… 

Friday, November 23, 2012, 6:00am-8:00am

Make sure you “like” My Gym Children’s Fitness Center in Lionville on Facebook to receive information on promotional offers and family event news. (Storytime with Santa, lots of Holiday Drop & Shop days and Parents Night Out are some of the fun events scheduled throughout December)