Head To Israel: Super Unique Country-Wide Tips To Plan The Best Israel Tour For A Young Family

Plan A Special Israel Tour For Your Family!

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Mosaics

Israel is a unique country and captivating for visitors of all ages. It’s steeped in history and culture, and a place where the present and past coexist today. Israel not only has exceptional and original sites galore, but it offers some of the most delicious food in the world. All these things combined make Israel a fantastic family destination.

Israel Collage

Since everyone’s ideal Israel tour looks different, I’ve broken out our trip into seven posts (they’ll be linked each week as they’re published):

  1. Head To Israel: Super Unique Country-Wide Tips To Plan The Best Israel Tour For A Young Family
  2. Jerusalem Area
  3. Tel Aviv Area
  4. The North and Galilee Region
  5. The South and Negev Region
  6. Israeli Food Across The Country
  7. Unique Family-Friendly Israel Hotels
The Mint Chip Mama - Bat Mitzvah In Israel
Photo By: Nili Auerbach

A Little About Our Israel Trip

My family of five (with kids aged six, nine, and thirteen) visited Israel in February for my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and toured the entire country for two weeks. Initially, this trip was planned in place of a large party, but as we got closer, she decided she wanted both (shocking). Luckily, thanks to clever party planning and our DIY approach to our Israel tour, we were able to do it all.

Since we went big on her Bat Mitzvah in New York we decided on a small ceremonial Bat Mitzvah service in Jerusalem to mark this special occasion. It was perfect.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Kotel Tunnel Synagogue

Planning A Unique Israel Tour For Your Family

Israel is one of the most interesting places in the world. With every step you take, you’re literally walking on history. With that said there are many ways to visit the county from super luxury to off the beaten path. Equally, there is a long list of “must-sees” for first-time visitors. Since this was my third time visiting but my husband’s and kids’ first, I aimed to create an Israel tour for both fresh and seasoned eyes.

I combined the most important historic sites with fun and unique experiences. My goal was simple – I wanted to keep my kids intrigued and entertained and to see the country through the eyes of a local.

The Mint Chip Mama - Ein Gedi Hike

When Should You Visit Israel?

We chose to tour Israel in February over our President’s Week school break. Accordingly, winter was a great time to go with mild weather, however, some things were closed. The truth is anytime you visit Israel is perfect, just check ahead to make sure your top sites are open.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Tower Of David Museum Jerusalem

Engage In Interactive History Lessons On Your Israel Tour

History lies around every corner – not to mention above, below, left, and right. Touring Israel is a great opportunity to teach kids about ancient civilizations and a place to bring stories from religious school to life. Take advantage of the opportunities to have meaningful conversations while standing on a piece of history.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Nimrod Fortress

Explore Nature Reserves and National Parks

Israel is filled with tons of outdoor beauty so be sure to fit in at least one hike or nature walk. You get extra points if it has a waterfall – which is easy to find! With that said, many historic sites are in national parks and have entrance fees. After much research, I found the Israel Pass (and more specifically the one-year Matmon pass) was a cost-effective addition to our trip despite our short stay. There are several different combinations available for purchase online and in Israeli hotels. We opted to buy the pass in advance, so our entry QR code was ready to go upon arrival.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Jerusalem

Israel Tour: Jerusalem

We started our trip in Jerusalem  – one of the most exciting places to visit – and stayed there for five nights including Shabbat. Thanks to careful planning ahead, we saw many things in a short time. We combined self-guided tours, private guides, and group tours to best cover the area.

Our Jerusalem itinerary included the incredible Kotel tunnels, the Bat Mitzvah ceremony under the wall, Yad Vashem, the Tower of David Museum with its beautiful overlook, the Ramparts Walk, Mount Herzl – the military cemetery, the Machane Yehuda Market, and full-day Old City and New City tours. For more details, check out my upcoming Jerusalem area post.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Tel Aviv

Israel Tour: Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a total vibe filled with colorful fun. During our three-night stay, we did an interactive graffiti tour and workshop with Grafitiyul, a Yaffa Walking Tour, and hung out by the beach on Shabbat. For more details, check out my upcoming Tel Aviv area post.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Dig For A Day

Day Trips From Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

Both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are great bases if you don’t want to change hotels. You can easily access Ein Gedi, Masada, and the Dead Sea from both cities. You can also head south and visit the absolutely incredible Dig For A Day archaeological dig or the counter-terrorism training class at Caliber 3.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Rosh HaNikra Grotto

Israel Tour: The North and Galilee Region

The North of Israel is huge and filled with gorgeous scenery. We spent two nights in the North with a private guide using Tzvat as our base. From here we explored the ruins of Caesarea, Hermon Stream Banias Nature Preserve, Misgav Am Kibbutz, Nimrod Fortress, Mt Avital – Mt Bental Nature Reserve, Keshet Cave, Rosh HaNikra, and Haifa. For more details, check out my upcoming North and Galilee Region area post.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Camel Ranch Eilat

Israel Tour: The South and Negev Region

We headed south from Jerusalem and hit everything from Mitzpe Ramon to Eilat in two nights. This includes star-gazing in the Mitzpe Ramon crater with Astronomy Israel, riding camels at Camel Ranch Eilat, and seeing dolphins in their natural habitat at Dolphin Reef Beach. We also took a full-day trip to Petra, Jordan to satisfy my Indiana Jones craving. For more details, check out my upcoming South and Negev Region area post.

Israeli Cuisine

The food in Israel is clean, fresh, simple, and excellent. Since Israel is filled with many cultures there are a variety of different cuisines to try. Keep an open mind and try them all! Some of our favorite meals included Piccolino, Hatzot, Hummos Shel Techina, Adom, Land of Tents, Varkada, HaShomer, Alma Beach, Brisket Bar, Lahuhe Original Yemenite Food Bar, and GalilEat. For more details, check out my upcoming Israeli food post.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Abraham Hostels Jerusalem

Israeli Hotels

Our ideal active trip accommodations are low-key, inexpensive, and centrally located. Since we are New Yorkers and used to walking ten miles a day, we go full throttle from breakfast to bedtime. Thus, we don’t spend a lot of time in hotels and look for modest accommodations. Additionally, as a family of five, it’s challenging to find hotels that can fit all of us in one room. For these reasons, we were thrilled to stay with Abraham Hostels in Jerusalem, Eilat, and Tel Aviv, Silent Arrow Desert Lodge in Mitze Ramon, and the Maim Haim Suites in Tzvat. For more details, check out my upcoming family-friendly hotels in Israel post.

The Mint Chip Mama - Kotel Tunnel
Photo By: Nili Auerbach

Shabbat

Shabbat comes every Friday night and is interpreted differently throughout Israel. If you’re lucky enough to celebrate multiple Shabbats abroad, I suggest varying your experiences. Additionally, check operating hours since some places close.

The Mint Chip Mama - Good Night Israel Book

Introducing Israel To Children Before Your Trip

Since my youngest was six and not so familiar with Israeli history and sites, we read Good Night Israel as a crash course to Israel’s historic hot spots. This fun and simple book taught him about the famous places on our itinerary. Once there, he not only recognized them but remembered why they were important!

The Mint Chip Mama - North Border

Israeli Borders

Israel is the size of New Jersey (making it easy to see the whole country in one trip) with visible bordering countries. If you look across the Dead Sea or the Red Sea you can see Jordan. In the Galilee Region in the north, you can see Syria and Lebanon – separated by simple roads – and emphasized with barbed wire. Our family had many interesting discussions about what it must be like to live next to someone you don’t always get along with, but also the idea that most people just want peace.

The Mint Chip Mama - Family Israel Tour Jerusalem Sign

Public Art

Israel gets a country-wide A+ for public art. Everywhere we looked there were murals, fountains, mosaics, sculptures, outdoor pianos, or big signs for fantastic photo ops. These free, accessible, outdoor modern touches were great finds and even more fun if they were next to ancient ruins.

The Mint Chip Mama - Dead Sea

Conclusion

This first post in my series of planning the perfect Israel trip for your family is just the beginning. These tips will help blend history, culture, nature, adventure, education, and fun into the ideal Israel tour. So, start packing your bags and get ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime!

*I put together our Israel trip itinerary and then reached out to certain attractions and business owners to work together. All opinions above are my own. No compensation was received for my opinions. In some cases, a discount or hosted experience was provided in exchange for my honest review.

For more unique family trips click here!

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My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

Hey Ladies – Stop Peeing In Your Pants. Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor The Right Way With INNOVO Smart Shorts!

Strengthen your pelvic floor!

The Mint Chip Mama Innovo Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor

I’m a mom of three and a graduate of a vaginal birth, C-Section, and VBAC. With these under my belt, it’s safe to say nothing else stays under my belt. To clarify, I pee in my pants a lot. Well, to be fair, I should say leak. But a third of women do after childbirth. That means no one should be embarrassed to talk about this. A third of the childbearing population needs help! 

Only Cool Moms Pee In Their Pants

If I laugh too hard, jump, run, or have an extra glass of water or coffee and there isn’t a bathroom in sight, I know it’s coming. However, it’s not old boring incontinence – it’s some type of pelvic floor weakness. I have since learned its much fancier name – that we can shout from the rooftops – Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Can Kegels Help Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor!?

I’ve tried doing Kegels over the years. I even instated a “kegel-break” during my post-partum Mah Jong games, but alas, “code yellow” still takes over.

As a forty-five-year-old woman, you’d think I’d know how to properly operate my parts and muscles down there to make them work, but it seems I do not. With that said I am not alone! Most women do them wrong too. You can try to squeeze, or stop your urine stream each time, but that’s not enough.

50% Of Women Do Kegels Wrong

The truth is, 50% of women (including me) do Kegels wrong. Let’s take that back for a second – half of the people who do them, do them wrong.

So why is it so hard to grasp a proper Kegel? Well, much like any muscle you’re exercising, you have to do Kegels for sets and reps, and in truth, no one does them with that much intensity and voracity.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Enter INNOVO Smart Shorts

INNOVO promises to help women strengthen their pelvic floor correctly. By using their non-invasive MultipathTM Technology which engages one’s pelvic floor (guaranteeing you’re doing your Kegels correctly), 180 precise Kegels will be delivered to your thighs and buttock during each 30-minute session. Furthermore, with these perfectly orchestrated Kegels – done 5 times a week for 12 weeks – studies show you can eliminate bladder leaks!

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

My Kegel Dream Come True Arrived

The small box arrived, and the only setup required was charging the wireless controller. Once charged you spray the sensors while the shorts are inside out, flip them back, and put them on. See below for step-by-step instructions.

Prepare To Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor And End Bladder Leaks!

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor 5826

Turn shorts inside out and hang them up.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Spray the sensors.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Turn them the right way.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Put on shorts and connect the red and blue cables to the shorts.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Let’s Go! Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor!

You are ready to go! Turn on the controller and set the pulse level. Each size of shorts has a recommended minimum target level of intensity. You can easily increase the intensity as time progresses.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Enjoy the tingle, buttock, and pelvic floor contractions for 30 minutes.

What Does an Electrically Stimulated Pelvic Floor Contraction Feel Like?

As you increase intensity the feeling evolves. First, it’s tingly and feels like any type of electric stimulation machine. Then as you progress, you feel your muscles tightening and the magic begins! Once I hit the intensity level of 50 my pelvic floor started involuntarily lifting!

As you proceed through the thirty-minute session you experience a cycle of tingling, squeezing, tightening, lifting, and rest. It wasn’t uncomfortable at all and I find the thirty minutes goes by fast.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Suggested Positions To Enjoy Your INNOVO Smart Shorts

In the first session, I stood in the recommended position with my feet shoulder distance apart and leaning slightly forward. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. To be honest, I got excited over the concept of stopping and focusing on myself and my well-being!

Next, I tried laying down flat on my back with my knees bent and feet on the floor. It reminded me of a yoga pose.

Finally, I tried the last suggested position – propped up. With this position, I was easily able to watch tv or read a book.

After a few weeks, I found wearing the shorts first thing in the morning (standing up) as I checked my email on my phone worked best for me.

So What’s The Science Behind INNOVO?

INNOVO is FDA-cleared, non-invasive, and clinically proven to eliminate leaks without any side effects. In fact, in a clinical study (guided by the FDA) 87% of women were defined as dry after just 12 weeks*!

Plus, since you don’t need a prescription, you don’t need a doctor! You can simply order it yourself and then wait by your front door like a puppy for it to arrive.

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Results After Using My INNOVO Smart Shorts For A Month

After using the INNOVO Smart Shorts for a month I feel like my pelvic floor is tighter so when I try to squeeze it (so I can make it to the bathroom) it’s more responsive. In short – I think it’s working!

I feel like a pelvic floor warrior!

Ready to get yours? Use code “MINT250” and save $250 off your INNOVO kit!

The Mint Chip Mama - Innovo Smart Multipath Shorts Strengthen Pelvic Floor

Is INNOVO Covered By Traditional Medicare or Insurance?

If you’ve been dealing with Stress Urinary Incontinence for a while you may be able to get your INNOVO covered by insurance, just ask your provider. Additionally, you can advise that INNOVO is considered a “non‐implantable pelvic floor electrical stimulator” with an HCPCS/DME code of “E0740”.

Who Should NOT Use INNOVO

As with any new medical device – even over the counter – you should clear it with your doctor before use, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions. Please also know this product is not intended for people with implanted electronic devices or other medical conditions.

This is an honest review of INNOVO based on my personal experience. I am not a medical professional.

*Dmochowski R, Lynch CM, Efros M, Cardozo L. External electrical stimulation compared with intravaginal electrical stimulation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: A randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019 Sep;38(7):1834-1843. doi: 10.1002/nau.24066. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.


#letspeehonest #myinnovo #momlife #nomoreleaks

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Hot T, Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Overwhelmed

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this overwhelmed mom of three.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Luv Pizza

Weekly Mom Life Musings

OMG. June. You’re kicking my butt. I am completely overwhelmed in every aspect of my life right now. I was chatting with a friend this week feeling the same and we both agreed no matter how much we try to hedge the June crazies it’s the unexpected things that are the hardest. But that is the metaphor for life. (Wo)man plans, god laughs.

At least it no longer looks like we live on Mars. Baby steps.

Also, Happy Father’s Day to all the father’s out there!

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about one of the Kardashians being pregnant. I don’t know which one and I don’t care, but I will say my spell check just changed the spelling meaning these people have gotten spell check level fame. Reality shows do nothing for me. Spell check fame to a writer? Whoa.

Also Al Pacino becoming a Dad again, lots of soccer, and the World Cup 2023 schedule is out.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Overwhelmed Click

What Am I Watching?

We watched the Adam Sandler movie Click. This was NOT the movie to watch the same week your child is graduating from elementary school and you’re completely overwhelmed. Great movie, great message – life moves fast, family and health are all that matters.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Overwhelmed Casa Lucio Spanish Diner Huevos Estrellados

What Am I Eating?

When we went to Spain for our 30th birthdays a friend recommended a restaurant called Casa Lucio in Madrid. It was delicious! When José Andrés’ Spanish Diner opened in Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards and they highlighted Casa Lucio’s famous “huevos estrellados” it was such a great surprise! I was thrilled to have this dish for dinner again this week!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Black Girls Must Have It All

What Am I Reading?

I was excited to start Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen this week. It’s the third book in this series and I can’t wait to see what happens.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Saved By The Bell Uno

What Are We Playing?

Uno – yet again. But this time Saved By The Bell’s version. Not sure why this exists but once I saw it I had to have it.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Overwhelmed A Bridgerton Experience

Where Are We Going?

This week I was transported back to the Regency-era where I attended the Queen’s Ball. If you’re a fan of the books or Netflix show Bridgerton then A Bridgeton Experience is for you. Guests came in costume (tiaras and gloves included) and had an old fashioned good time with dance lessons and fun signature cocktails.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae New Baby

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

My middle son is graduating from elementary school so of course I’m thinking about when he was born. He was such a cute, fat little baby. I wrote this piece about his birth for The Huffington Post when I was overwhelmed by his entry into the world.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Overwhelmed London 2009

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

In June 2009 we were in London. I thought this sign was so funny (and graphic!). London is on the top of my kids list to visit. I can’t wait to return!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Overwhelmed Instagram

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week on Instagram I got a facial at AIREM, graduate my Popular Workbooks (BIG sale through June 30th) and attend the Queen’s Ball.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Hot T, Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Escape

Escape

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Luv Pizza

Weekly Mom Life Musings

This week was so bizarre! It seems we moved to Mars. In case you’re not in the tri-state area or live under a rock, due to the Canadian wildfires, the air was saturated with who knows what. The skies were red, you couldn’t see in front of you, and it smelled like a giant campfire. It was very scary. Our kids were sent home from school in masks and all outdoor activities were canceled for days. But there was no where to escape. It was the AIR!

During this time, people were scrambling to get air purifiers and think of quick fixes. I was very honored that Inside Edition reached out to partner on showing how you can make a simple DIY air purifier by using a box fan and filter. Click here to see the segment!

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about air quality and wild fires. Not to mention global warming, and how if you didn’t believe in it before you better believe in it now. Plus, legal issues with former presidents, new seasons of fan favorites on Netflix, video game release dates, summer blockbuster movies, and poor Shannon Doherty.

Curtesy of Netflix

What Am I Watching?

Are YOU watching YOU? Speaking of escape, this season finds our beloved (and nuts) Joe in London. He escaped Love, escaped America, and hopped across the pond. If you’re looking for a crazy show with lots of twists, this is for YOU.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Escape Enchiladas Molé

What Am I Eating?

We could eat Mexican food all week long. It’s our favorite cuisine and a guaranteed family pleaser. My favorite of all time is enchiladas with mole sauce. Besides the goodness of enchiladas, the chocolate in the sauce creates a perfect dish. One day I will escape to Mexico… one day.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Escape to Florence

What Am I Reading?

This week I’m reading Escape to Florence by Kat Devereaux (out July 11th). This book is so much fun and I predict (and hope for) a few plot twists. With that said, I want to read it and read it and am finding myself looking for pockets of time to squeeze in a chapter here and there. I need to know what happens! Consequently, I would also like to escape to Florence…

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Escape Mitzvah Market

What Am I Writing?

My most recent Mitzvah Market piece is titled “9 Ways to Minimize Mitzvah Planning Stress“. When planning any large scale event the stress is most likely going to take over at some point. Hopefully with these tips you can get a little mental escape. When in doubt, go get a massage. But also, that’s my answer to everything!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Escape Clue

What Are We Playing?

My kids have been on a Clue bend this week. It’s another game my (now) seven year old wins every time. I always guess it’s Mrs. Peacock with the wrench in the library, because that sounds good.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Escape Life of Pi

Where Are We Going?

One of my favorite books in 2002 was Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Then, in 2012 the movie came out which was equally great. Now, it’s a Broadway show! If you’re familiar with the story you can imagine how incredible it unfolds on the stage. If you’re not, it’s about an Indian family who escapes by boat to Canada only to go down in a shipwreck. Pi – the main character – is lost at sea for 227 days. The plot follows his account of what happened (in two different ways) pushing you to decide what you believe.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Escape Greenport

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

One of my favorite places to escape is out east on Long Island. Greenport has been a family favorite for years. Even though it’s only an hour away it feels like a different world. After visiting a few times I wrote “Greenport, Long Island – The Perfect Relaxing Destination For Families“. We love it out there so much. It’s a great place for a day trip but also the perfect place to stay for a few nights.

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

What’s better than San Francisco? In 2004, I surprised my husband with a trip out west which was the perfect little escape from Manhattan (where we lived at the time). We loved walking around the Mission District and Haight-Ashbury and seeing all of the murals.

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week on Instagram home organizing expert Caroline Solomon and I talk with Inside Edition‘s Alison Hall about creating a DIY air filter. My husband and I saw & Juliet on Broadway, and we went to a big fun event as a family.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Hot T, Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Nostalgia

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three who has tremendous nostalgia for the 80s and 90s.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Luv Pizza

Weekly Mom Life Musings

This week went by so fast. I don’t remember what I did. Do you? The only thing I can remember is listening to Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown podcast featuring David Lascher and Christine Tayler. They continued the conversation started on their podcast “Hey Dude, The 90’s Called” about the trending 90s nostalgia right now.

Speaking of nostalgia, I went to an 80s concert Friday night. Yay! I remembered two things!

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about National Donut Day, Billy Joel ending his Madison Square Garden concert series, and presidential campaigns. Also Succession ending, the Spider-Verse starting, Kim Catrall returning to SATC, (major early 20s nostalgia), and of course Pride month kicking off!

Curtesy of HBO

What Am I Watching?

I love a good Sunday night show. There’s something about it that nicely closes off the week or starts the week – depending on what day you believe the week begins. Since Succession premiered we raced to the couch each week after bedtime to watch it. It’s a great show and we were sad to see it end.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Nostalgia Simple Dinner

What Am I Eating?

There is nothing better than a huge, delicious, fancy meal. However, sometimes I really enjoy a very simple meal too. I call this my simple meal. I literally open cans and put them in bowls like Taco Tuesday. It’s not fancy but it’s quick, easy, cheap, and healthy. I point out that you can feed a family of five for under ten dollars each time and welcome the eye rolls I get in response. There’s always at least two proteins – beans, tuna, etc, a few vegetables, and whatever else is in the cabinet. When everyone complains it’s a great opportunity to talk about how lucky we are to have this only once in a while. It’s also a meal that brings nostalgia of a simpler time. Like before fire.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Nostalgia Seamstress of Sardinia

What Am I Reading?

This week I read The Seamstress of Sardinia by Bianca Pitzorno. This book was kind of like a hug. It’s a novel about a… can you guess? It follows her rise and success and is simply a feel good book. I really enjoyed it and gave it to my daughter to read. It is a perfect book for the summer.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Nostalgia Mitzvah Market Jerusalem

What Am I Writing?

This week’s Mitzvah Market post is B Mitzvah Israel Trip Hot Spots. It covers cool and off the beaten path things to do with your family in Jerusalem. It also includes some fun day trips outside of the city.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Nostalgia Zen Battle

What Are We Playing?

Once again we are back to the obsession that is Zen Battle. This quick, easy, strategic, colorful game is a lot of fun to play. If you’re looking for something new or a little graduation present for someone, check it out.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Nostalgia WW2 Encampment

Where Are We Going?

A year ago we had the honor of attending one of the Museum of American Armor‘s WW2 Encampment events. They’re starting up again for the summer so I thought I’d share about it. It was super cool to go around in tanks across the Old Bethpage Restoration’s expansive property.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Nostalgia Ziplines NY

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

Since we are a big ropes course family, I’m thinking about the post I wrote titled “Zipline & Ropes Courses on Long Island. Soar into Family Fun & Adventure in the Sky!” Since the weather is perfect right now it’s a great time to visit or revisit one of these super fun family friendly places.

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

In June, 2004 my (then) fiancé (now husband) and I took a trip to California. One of our favorite places was the beautiful Monterey. In addition to a really cool whale watching expedition, we visited the aquarium. In honor of the new live action Little Mermaid movie, here I am doing my best mermaid impression. For some context of time, this was the same week Ronald Regan died – also in California. However, we did not coordinate.

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week on Instagram I talk about Life of Pi on Broadway and using my awesome cordless rechargeable TACKlife screwdriver to hang a guitar hook. Plus, I do a silly dance filled with nostalgia from our youth.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

#oldbethpagerestoration #ww2 #MrsMaisel #israel #jerusalem #zenbattle #adventureparili #lifeofpi

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Hot T, Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Colors

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts and colors of this tired mom of three.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Luv Pizza

Weekly Mom Life Musings

This week was the first in a while when I wasn’t running around and it was a welcomed change. Well, technically we’re going to New Jersey today, but it’s a weekend – so it doesn’t count.

The big news of the week is my little baby boy turned seven yesterday. I’m not ready for him to be seven. As I said when he turned five, I predicted once he hit elementary school time would fly. It has. We also celebrated my Dad’s birthday yesterday, but he’s a little older than seven. Happy birthday to both of them!

The other big news is flowers are bursting everywhere! I love seeing all the colors pop from the Mother’s Day flowers we planted a few weeks ago. Even more amazing, the flowers I unsuccessfully planted years ago (which never grew) are growing too! But wait there’s more – two of the most gorgeous flower I’ve ever seen appeared and I have no idea how. In fact, I saw these flowers for the first time last year at the Old Westbury Garden and fell in love. It is a very exciting surprise.

Enjoy your Memorial Day tomorrow! I hope your town also has a Memorial Day parade. It’s such a nice way to celebrate and always a good opportunity to talk about the last episode of the OG series The Wonder Years.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about losing the great Tina Turner. Additionally, football, baseball, and Netflix changing their password policy. Blink twice if that will effect you, uh-oh.

The Mint Chip Mama - Shrinking
Curtesy of Apple TV

What Am I Watching?

Shrinking caught our interest this week. Jason Segel is so loveable in everything he does and I can’t believe Harrison Ford is 81. In addition to that, the show is really cute. With a great cast from some of our other favorite shows like Scrubs and Ugly Betty, it’s a really fun show to watch.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Yiassou Yeeros Egg Lemon Soup

What Am I Eating?

I could write an entire blog post about how much I love Avgolemono – aka Egg Lemon – soup. Maybe going through my Greece pictures last week inspired me. It’s just my favorite. This delicious, thick bowl of perfection is from one of my favorite restaurants – Yiasou Yeeros.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Buzz

What Am I Reading?

I’m still reading Love Buzz. It’s such a fun book and I got to some racy scenes. Oh la la. Hopefully I can finish it this weekend, I need to find out what happens!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Colors Bat Mitzvah Divorce

What Am I Writing?

Family dynamics are one of the biggest challenges of party planning. This is especially true when planning an event for a child if divorce is involved. I tackle this issue in my latest Mitzvah Market piece Navigating Divorce in B Mitzvah Planning.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Colors Mancala

What Are We Playing?

Mancala is one of those games on repeat in my house for years. In fact, when I surprised my daughter with a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios a few years ago we brought it with us. One of my favorite memories from the trip is sitting poolside with her and playing it. It’s a game I played as a kid and now love playing it with my kids. It is so simple – wood and marbles in different colors – yet so much fun and filled with tons of strategy.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Colors Wonderland Dreams

Where Are We Going?

We visited Wonderland Dreams and it was so freaking cool! It took Alexa Meade’s team over two months to convert this midtown Manhattan space to a fully painted immersive wonderland experience. Besides the gorgeous floor to ceiling murals literally covering every space, there are interactive components at each turn. I’m pretty sure all of the colors of the rainbow are represented with just the best vibes. This place is perfect for any age from the smallest child to the oldest adult. I loved it so much.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae My Little Boy

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

Since my little baby turned seven yesterday I’ve been thinking of how time flies. My head was spinning for a few years after he was born and I’m sad I didn’t write something sappy about him sooner. My first heartfelt post was Kids Grow Up Way Too Fast! Celebrating My Last Little Three Year Old Turning Four. He is just goodness and rainbows.

The Mint Chip Mama Santorini

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

Greece is on my mind. This picture is from Santorini in 2009. I’m sitting on the ledge in Fira overlooking the volcano. Every second of this trip was pure magic. The food, the colors, the air, every second was perfection.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Colors Instagram

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week on Instagram I show our Reserve Crown tour of the Statue of Liberty. Then we have an unboxing of my new Beachwaver Blow Brush* (with four interchangeable heads). Finally, some fun kicking off Ben’s birthday celebration at one of our favorite places – The Adventure Park at Long Island!

*Use code: STACEYWAVE to save 10%!

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

#shrinking #Avgolemono #santorini #lovebuzz #partyplanning #divorce #mancala #wonderlanddreams #beachwaver #crown #statueofliberty #adventureparkli #zipline #alexameade #travel #books #foodie

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Hot T, Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Love

Love

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Luv Pizza

Weekly Mom Life Musings

This was a nice calm week which was quite welcomed. However, it brought me into the city twice – on back to back days – which hasn’t happened in a long time. Because of this, it also made me appreciate having a quick and easy commuter train eight minutes from my house. Additionally, it once again solidified how much I love where we live. That’s why this week’s theme is love. We’re only forty minutes to Manhattan, twenty minutes to the beach, and an hour to rural farms. It’s days like this that make me less grumpy about paying high taxes. Because remember – no matter what – you get what you pay for.

Speaking about love, if you love my awesome tie dye sweatshirt, get one now – they’re on clearance!

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about Martha Stewart on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Also the NBA, NFL, PBA, and futbol (or soccer) depending on where you live. Plus more info on the new (and final) Indiana Jones movie.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Air

What Am I Watching?

Streaming services make me so happy. While I enjoy a good movie theater experience, I enjoy sitting on my couch even more. We watched Air on Amazon Prime this week. The movie was great but the takeaway was Michael Jordan’s mom is amazing. I loved the way she ran the negotiations and ultimately landed him a groundbreaking royalty deal. Because of her he’s earned $400 MILLION dollars in just passive income from Nike*. I’d like to know what he’s done with my $12.

*Please order through this link so I can also earn $400 million dollars in passive income.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Luv Pizza

What Am I Eating?

We were lucky enough to be hosted by Luv Pizza located right by Penn Station for a pre-theater lunch this week. Everything about this place is Love. There are street art style hearts all over the walls, happy music, friendly staff, and even heart shaped pizzas – all year long! Not to mention the food was incredible. I have been thinking about this pizza since we finished it. I’m not joking. It was that good. They also had fun drinks and all kinds of great specials. I can’t wait to go back!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Buzz

What Am I Reading?

Can you see the theme of Love is everywhere? This week I’m reading Love Buzz. It’s a little lighter and a nice pivot from Hotel Cuba which I just finished and loved. So far the heroine has met a man who intrigued her, but then they got separated before exchanging information. This book has “beach read” written all over it.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Jerusalem Sign

What Am I Writing?

Finally, I started writing about the amazing Israel trip we took for my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah in February. Each day of our two week trip was packed with the most incredible things and the most delicious food. With that said writing it has been overwhelming and a huge time commitment. However, I finally started and that’s the first step. This trip was filled with so much love I want to give every minute of it the justice it deserves. Hopefully I’ll be done by next February…

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Softball

What Are We Playing?

Last week was an ode to baseball and this week is all about softball. My daughter has been playing intramural softball for most of her life. She’s been lucky to have the best coaches – many who have been there just as long as her – to teach her. This year she started playing on the middle school team as well. I love to watch her play.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Kimberly Akimbo

Where Are We Going?

One of my favorite things to do in New York City is go to the theater. We are lucky to live close by and have the ability to hop in for the day whenever we want. For my birthday (which fell on a Wednesday) I really wanted to see Kimberly Akimbo so we caught a matinee. This show was thought provoking in many different ways. It made you think about what’s going on in Kim’s mind, the complicated love between her family, and her new love with a sweet boy. It was a great show and I hope it wins all the Tony Awards it was nominated for next month.

The Mint Chip Mama - Paddle Pub Long Island Paddle Boat Patchogue Charter Boat

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

Last summer we chartered a paddle boat from Paddle Pub Long Island* and sailed around the Great South Bay at sunset with a group of friends. It was spectacular. Not only was the boat fun and interactive, but it was BYO food and drinks! Thus, it was a really fun (and relatively budget friendly) way to throw a party. Since I love a good story I will share… an hour after thinking about this excursion (which I hadn’t thought about for a year), the owner called me! Isn’t that crazy!? The universe wanted us to get in touch. I love a good story like that.

*use code “MintChip” to save 5% off your bookings all season!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Love Greece Falasarna

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

This is one of my favorite picture of me ever taken. I’m frolicking on the Falassarna beach in Crete, Greece in 2009. I love it so much because it shows water and mountains and footprints and I look so happy. I loved those shorts too and wore them until they disintegrated. Greece was one of the best places I ever visited and it’s on my list to return. It was absolutely gorgeous. The food, the sights, the colors, the flowers, I loved every second of it.

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week I’m thinking of a few older funny posts that did very well. These include loving coffee, but not unsolicited opinions, the dorky excitement of picking out new glasses, and our love of our Nintendo Switches.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

#airmovie #michaeljordan #lovebuzz #neelytubatialexander #luvpizzanyc #jerusalem #crete #greece #israel #softballmom #paddlepubli #kimberlyakimbo #yolo #coffee #nintendoswitch #loveit #relatablemom #longislandblog #momblogger #harperperennial #oliveinfluencer

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Your Guide To Hot T, Navigating Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Mother’s Day

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three on this Mother’s Day!

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Like A Boss Series Alex Evenings K.Pacho Kimberly Vernick Photography 2737614
Kimberly Vernick Photography

Weekly Mom Life Musings – Happy Mother’s Day!

Hello and happy Mother’s Day! Let me be the first to tell you that you’re great and appreciated. You do an excellent job and also deserve a gift. However, NOT A ROBE! Although, I’m actually a really big fan of terry cloth robes, so maybe I do want a robe. Either way, kids – today, please just close your drawers and shut off the lights, that’s all I ask.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World, Besides Mother’s Day

This week the world is talking about the Hollywood writers strike, Robert DeNiro and his seven kids, George Santos, the live action Little Mermaid movie, Beetlejuice 2, and lots of basketball talk. Plus Title 42 and the Peloton recall – sorry Mr. Big.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae The Fabelmans Mother's Day

What Am I Watching?

We watched The Fabelmans this week. Michelle Willams is so great in every movie. However, when I see her, all I want her to do is break out into songs from The Greatest Showman. This movie was deep and made me want to google how much of it is autobiographical for Steven Spielberg. Since our theme is Mother’s Day, I’m thinking of how his mom was loved by the public. Her character plays a central role in the movie and thus, I wonder how much of it was true.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Mother's Day Del Vino

What Am I Eating?

There is something about adding flowers to a salad that makes it feel so special! I loved visiting Del Vino Vineyards in Northport recently and enjoying their delicious food. They do a great brunch with the highlight being your ability to walk around their vines while enjoying a glass of their wine. Plus the flower was purple! I wish we were going back there today for Mother’s Day brunch.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Mother's Day Hotel Cuba

What Am I Reading?

I’m still reading Hotel Cuba and it’s still excellent. If you’re looking for a new book I highly recommend it. A big change just happened to the sisters and I can’t wait to see what comes next. It’s a book that makes me want to read instead of watching television. For me, that’s a big compliment!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Mitzvah Market
Photo By Nili Auerbach

What Am I Writing?

Heading to Israel right after my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah was such an amazing experience. Even though she had a big service and party in New York, we still wanted to do something religious in Jerusalem. We were so excited to partner with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation on this ceremony. It was the perfect combination of touching, special, historical, and biblical. This photo was taken in one of the excavated tunnels under the kotel.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Mother's Day

What Are We Playing?

We are playing a LOT of baseball and softball! My son loves playing catcher and I couldn’t resist taking a picture of his little major league stance. When I told him this he went on about why and how it adds to his mobility. It was very cute. It was one of those proud mama moments for me. I love that he’s so into it.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Mother's Day Airem Syosset

Where Are We Going? You Know, To Celebrate Mother’s Day

Airem is a wellness spa located in Syosset. Since it’s Mother’s Day I brought my mom to their (often sold out) meditative tea ceremony. The spa is gorgeous and with decor that induces relaxation the moment you enter. In addition to the tea ceremony, they have all kinds of treatments and events. I loved returning to create a bouquet at their Mother’s Day flower event. Continuing the theme of a mother daughter experience, my daughter and I are heading back next month for post sport season facials.

The Mint Chip Mama Mother's Day Gift Guide

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About Again – Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day! It’s still not to late to order something for your mom. This Mother’s Day Gift Guide was so fun to put together last year and many places have pick up today! Extra credit for supporting a mom owned, local, small shop.

The Mint Chip Mama Blue Hill At Stone Barn

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago.

For my 30th birthday – in 2008 – we headed up to Tarrytown to Blue Hill at Stone Barn. It was one of the most amazing meals I’ve ever had. We enjoyed so many different and innovative plates and drank beet infused vodka while we ate. I remember reaching out to a fellow Michigan alum (who worked there) prior to our visit and he gave us a really interesting pre-dinner tour. The whole experience was just perfect. But as I looked back for this picture the thing that jumped out the most is I have ONLY four pictures from dinner. This is such a funny reflection of the time since I didn’t have smart phone yet.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Mother's Day

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

From reels to posts and carousels, see what’s going on in social media land. This week on Insragram I show my fantastic pre-theater birthday lunch at Limani NYC. Next, you’ll find the most colorful images of the gorgeous Wonderland Dreams. Finally, my favorite workbook company is having their US Spring Sale! See their books pop up and click to orders yours now! Even better, Popular Book Company extended the sale through the end of May.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Your Guide To Hot T, Navigating Mom Life, And New York. This Week: My Birthday, King Charles’ Coronation

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this mom of three who did NOT get a birthday coronation crown.

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Like A Boss Series Alex Evenings K.Pacho Kimberly Vernick Photography 2737614
Kimberly Vernick Photography

Weekly Mom Life Musings

This week I turned 45. Turning 40 was kind of fun and quirky. Turning 45 just felt old. Luckily we had an amazing day in Manhattan so I was distracted. I know 45 is not OLD but it’s a number that hit me more than I expected. Meh, it beats the alternative. Get of my lawn.

In other news, our car lease is almost up so we went car shopping this week. Ugh, we left feeling completely defeated as prices are nuts and inventory is still low. It’s hard to stomach paying more and getting less. However, Mazda was offering complimentary manicures, so that was pretty exciting. I thought by sending my husband for oil changes all these years I was just missing out on free bagels – womp womp.

Were you excited to watch King Charles’ coronation? I was hoping to go but we had a Bar Mitzvah. I know if he had a nickel for every time he heard that excuse he’d be… King? Funny enough my mailman said that invitation was in the same bag as my Met Gala invitation which he somehow lost. Or else I would have gotten them. Both. And Gone. To Both.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about the coronation of King Charles III (again, I was not invited), The Met Gala (again, I was not invited), and finally my birthday (Yay! I was invited). Plus quiet luxury, The Goldbergs final episode, A Million Little Things finale, Star Wars, May the 4th Be With You, and Cinco de Mayo. Plus girl power in the Japanese election, the Aerosmith’s tour, and the best news of all – Covid-19 is no longer considered a global health emergency!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Birthday Coronation - Magic Mike

What Am I Watching?

Since it was my birthday I gave myself a little treat and watched this surprisingly good movie to herald in the day. Do you know what? Magic Mike’s Last Dance was great. It was exactly what you’d expect and such a fun movie to watch. Plus abs. Lots of really pretty abs. And dancing in the rain. Thank you Channing Tatum for making my birthday special, if only you gave me a birthday coronation crown.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Birthday Coronation Limani

What Am I Eating?

What’s more exciting than a fancy lunch on your birthday? I never go out to lunch so this was a treat. We started with fried zucchini chips and some incredible tzatziki. After that came grilled octopus so perfect it brought happy tears to my eyes. Next, we shared a perfect Greek salad. Finally, as if all of that wasn’t enough, a pair of lamb chops and a dozen shrimp followed. To top it all off a platter of colorful sliced grapefruit came out with a candle and blew me away with its flavor. Pun intended. Thank you Limani at 45 (!!) Rockefeller Center for hosting us, for the perfect pre-theater lunch, and for making my birthday so special.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Birthday Coronation Hotel Cuba

What Am I Reading?

Hotel Cuba grabbed me from the start and is keeping me turning the pages. I’m a hundred pages in and don’t want to put it down. It’s about two Jewish sisters who leave Europe during the war for a new life in America. However, as they approach they learn America is no longer accepting them and the boat is diverted to Havana. I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Becoming A Jewish Adult

What Am I Writing?

Speaking of being a young Jewish woman, in this week’s Mitzvah Market article I write about becoming a Jewish adult in 2023. As we move through my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah year I think what type of life she’d have if we lived in biblical times. Not sure how she’d do since Lululemon was not yet invented. Or TikTok. Or Sephora…

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Rummikub

What Are We Playing?

We picked up Rummikub, one of our old favorites again this week. I used to play it years ago with my daughter but we haven’t played in a while. I loved mesmerizing my kids with the clever ways to make something out of nothing from the tiles thrown out. It’s possible I made up half the rules because I couldn’t remember them, but I’m not sure, so if they ask just say yes.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Birthday Coronation Halarosis

Where Are We Going?

Mother’s Day is coming up next Sunday! What better way to show your mom and all the moms in your life some love than supporting a woman owned local business. With that said, I headed over to Halarosis in Roosevelt Field to check out their line of candles and air fresheners. They have tons of different scents and each comes in a variety of vessels to match any decor. Plus my favorite of all – the Metallic Collection – has a wildflower embedded dust cover. Just throw that baby into some dirt and you’ll have a gorgeous bouquet by Father’s Day. Plus, all of the soy based candles are clean and free of everything bad.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Mother's Day

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

One of my favorite posts is titled What Moms Of Young Kids Really Want For Mother’s Day. This is not a list of things to buy, it’s a list of things to do. Like close a freaking drawer. Or shut off a light Or simply say thank you MOM. Thank you for all that you do. However, if you want a list of things to buy, check out my Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae - Birthday Coronation Venice

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

Finishing out our Italy tour of 2013, here I am in Venice. When I visited Venice, Italy for the first time in 1999 as a backpacking college student I remember getting out of the Eurail train and seeing water all around. The canals blew me away and I instantly fell in love with the city. I was so excited to go back with my husband on our “baby moon” and share this special place with him. As a glassblower it was also super cool to finally travel in style to Murano and check out the glassblowing studios.

The Mint Chip Mama Sunday - Birthday Coronation Instagram

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week on Instagram I hide in my car while my kids have sports practice. Then we celebrate my birthday with a great city day where I jump up to 45 (th Street) and then realize I’m too old to jump. Plus I visit the new candle store Halarosis, and we celebrate LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester turning 10!

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Your Guide To Hot T, Navigating Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Earth Month

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three, and how she celebrates Earth month.

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Like A Boss Series Alex Evenings K.Pacho Kimberly Vernick Photography 2737614
Kimberly Vernick Photography

Weekly Mom Life Musings

Happy Earth month! With the weather being all kinds of crazy lately there is no better time to start paying attention to the Earth. Every little thing you do to help means one more minute we get before our planet is sucked in by the sun*.

I love to reduce, reuse, and recycle. I especially love to pre-cycle which in mom terms means not letting your kids take the crap you’re just going to throw out anyway into your house. See – Earth month! I saved the planet! Even small changes can have a big impact. Maybe in honor of Earth month you can pick one thing to do and if you keep it up until next April I’ll buy you a cookie.

*No date set, TBD

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about the Knicks playoff games, Sudan, Nicholas Cage, NFL Draft, Carol Burnett, Joe Biden, John Mulaney, Down Syndrome Barbie, Tucker Carlson, Fox News, Don Lemon, CNN, First Republic Bank, F1, The Last Last Late Late Show, Adele, Harry Belafonte, and Jerry Springer.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Earth Month Are You There God It's Me Margaret Earth Month

What Are We Watching?

If you read Judy Blume’s book Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret when you were a kid you must, you must, you must go see this movie. It was adorable and had a great cast. We are in such a Mean Girls phase over here it was funny to see Regina George now playing the mom! Extra credit if you can catch Judy Blume’s cameo walking her dog. Extra extra credit if you recognize the Rabbi in the scene when Margaret goes to temple.

What Am I Eating?

There’s a new Italian restaurant in the area called Flora’s Pizza Cafe. I’ve read so much about it I couldn’t wait to go. As mentioned by all the accolades – the food was delicious and the staff was warm and wonderful. The picture of this pizza above is everywhere so it was the first thing I ordered. I’m still thinking about it a week later! Check them out if you’re on Long Island.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Earth Month The Library Book Susan Orlean

What Am I Reading?

In honor of National Library Week I’m remembering this fantastic book – The Library Book by Susan Orlean. If you also love the library you will enjoy this book too. It talks about the Los Angeles public library system but more importantly discusses how a public library services so many people (including many surprises). Consequently, I read it a few years ago but it was one of my favorites. There is no better way to celebrate Earth Month than taking out a library book!

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Earth Month Mitzvah Market Mitzvah To Do List

What Am I Writing?

I can’t believe our party was two months ago already! Much like with all of my mitzvah planning articles, I wrote Month Before the Mitzvah To-Do while making a check list of everything I needed to get done. There were so many small details and so many things to do I feared something would fall through the cracks. I’m so glad it all worked out! I hope this list is helpful for you as I believe it could apply to any large scale event.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Cobra Paw Earth Month

What Are We Playing?

We love the game Cobra Paw. This is one of the consistent games on repeat and it’s fun each time. It’s a fast paced game where speed is king. You roll two dice and then grab the matching tile as fast as you can. It’s great for all ages and welcomes some good spirited “in your face” talk.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Dog Man The Musical Dav Pilkey Earth Month

Where Are We Going?

If your kids are fans of the book series Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, they will love the show Dog Man The Musical. It was fun and cute and like all good kid’s plays it had lots of inside jokes for the parents. The production is touring, hopefully it will be near you soon!

The Mint Chip Mama - Top Washington, D.C. Area Family Attractions Lincoln Memorial at night

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

Last year at this time we were in Washington, DC. We had such a great trip where we not only visited museums, friends, and monuments, but we also ate like kings – or I should say Presidents. Washington, DC is such a great destination offering something for everyone. It’s an easy trip, a walkable city, and filled with so much history. If you haven’t gone yet, add it to your family travel bucket list.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Florence Italy 2013

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

Here we are in Florence, Italy. Florence is one of my favorite cities and I was so excited to bring my husband there in 2013 when we were pregnant with our middle son. Since we had one child already at home it was a treat to be outside in the middle of the day since I was used to being stuck in our Manhattan apartment while she napped. It was even more exciting that we made up a rule that a daily gelato was compulsory. I mean, when in Rome… but that was last week.

This Week On Instagram:

From reels to posts and carousels, see what’s happening on Instagram. I’m still catching up sharing from a few weeks back so I’ll share about our love for Nintendo Switch, a big zit, 90210, and working from home.

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