Chick-fil-A: Dinner Giveaway for 4 families

A common phrase used by Chick-fil-A is Where Good Meets Gracious. If you've ever stepped into one of their restaurants, you instantly know that they are effectively putting that into practice. Whether your thank you is met with a my pleasure, your table is cleared for you, a refill is offered without getting up, or they see your arms are full of kids and offer extra help, their customer service is outstanding. Their stores are incredibly kid-friendly with their indoor play areas. Did you know a parent with young children can even order through the drive-thru and they'll deliver it to a table inside for you? I've been there trying to order and corral multiple kids at the same time, so I love that option!

I was recently invited to gather with a few other Pittsburgh mommy bloggers, local Chick-fil-A restaurant owners, and friends from The Motherhood to learn more of what goes on behind the scenes at Chick-fil-A. Their hospitality was outstanding for the evening! We gathered at the Manchester Bidwell facility which was pretty amazing in itself. 

Chick-fil-A's culinary chefs, at their home base in Atlanta, continually work to bring new, nutritious and craveable food items to their menu. Some of the delectable new choices we'll see rolled out this next year will be their broccoli-kale salad (we tried it and it's awesome!), the southwest spicy chicken salad, egg white grilled breakfast sandwich, frosted coffee, and cranberry-lime lemonade. CFA has removed high fructose corn syrup from 2/3 of their menu, are working on a gluten-free bun option, and continually strive to create a more healthy and sustainable menu! Kid's meals offer healthier options such grilled nuggets, fruit, and organic apple juice. One mom shared with us that her child has a multitude of food allergies, including dairy/soy/oats, which greatly limits their family in eating out. But he can still enjoy the grilled nuggets and fruit at CFA!

Their new Greek yogurt parfait was so delicious and probably my favorite item of the night.  The new broccoli-kale salad includes roasted nuts and dried sour cherries. It was tasty as well!

Most Pittsburgh area CFA's host a a monthly family night where kids can do a special craft and get a free dessert - check with individual locations for details. They are also introducing a new kids club which will encourage character traits such as bravery and courage. Go here to sign up to be a part of it (currently only available in the South Hills, Waterfront & Greensburg locations, but hopefully expanding in our area very soon!)

Nicole and I had the chance to have a little contest to hand-squeeze lemons as that is exactly how their lemonade is made. We're still debating who won (wink, wink).  Lemons, water and sugar....can't beat that combo!

 If you are watching your calories, but still want to enjoy eating out, their grilled chicken sandwich and side salad is a great lunch or dinner!

Their new frozen lemonade is awesome! 

GIVEAWAY

Chick-fil-A's generosity is extending to YOU! They have graciously offered to provide 4 families a free meal (for your immediate family) at CFA. (Limited to Pittsburgh area locations). Click link below to enter.....please note that a blog post comment is required as part of your entry, TY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

We also were able to take a quick tour of the Manchester Bidwell facility. They create empowering educational environments for adults-in-transition as well as urban and at-risk youth which includes free art and culinary classes, greenhouse growth, exposure to world-class jazz musicians and much more. We loved hearing the ways they are fulfilling hopes and dreams for people here in our community. 

#CFAPITTMoms

This post was sponsored by Chick-fil-A. All opinions remain my own. 

Triple B Farms: Fall Festival Giveaway

It's that time of year again as the air turns crisp, pumpkin explodes into everything, and apples are begging to be picked! Our Fall family tradition has become picking apples as well as choosing pumpkins and mums for the front porch and my kids are already asking when we get to head to the farm! We love the local fall festivals and Triple B Farms has stayed at the top of our list. Ride a wagon to the pumpkin patch to view Storybook Pumpkinland, pick apples from the trees at kid height, slide down the Liberty Tube, munch on apple cider donuts + much more!

Triple B Farms

823 Berry Lane

Monongahela, PA 15063

The Fall Festival opens the last weekend in September (9/26-27) and runs each weekend through the end of October. Open Saturday/Sunday, 10am-6pm. Beginning Oct. 7th, they will also be open W-F, 4-7pm. A wristband gets you unlimited access to all activities! Adults: $8 / Kids: $12. Face painting + pony rides are $4 each. 

A hayride to the pumpkin patch takes you through Storybook Pumpkinland where your kids will delight to identify 250 storybook characters from nursery rhymes and children's movies. 

The corn maze, bounce houses, duck derby, farm animals and wooden play structures are just a few places around the farm that you will want to stop!

These slides are one of the highlights of our visit for my kiddos! Grab a burlap sack, chug up the hill and get ready to take on the Liberty Tubeslide. 

Nothing beats a freshly picked sack of apples and we have a hard time making sure we come home with a full sack. :) The dwarf apple trees are at perfect kid-height, so parents can sit back and let them do the work! 

The food barn has been known to hold such treats such as apple cider donuts and pumpkin fries with caramel dip. I don't know for sure what they have planned for this year, but I have no doubt it will be tasty!

 There are plenty of beautiful options for your front porch pumpkin display! My kids can't wait to pick their special pumpkin. Orange, blue, white or gnarly.....we love them all.

GIVEAWAY:

Triple B Farms has kindly offered to give away a family 4 pack of tickets to one family for their Fall festival! Enter below (please note that a blog post comment is required for an entry): 

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Special Events:

Sept. 26-27: Build Your Own Scarecrow Benefits Autism Speaks. 11-3pm. $20 per scarecrow. Call to reserve.724.258.3557

Oct. 3-4: Build Your Own Scarecrow Weekend Benefits Autism Speaks. 11-3pm. $20 per scarecrow. Call to reserve.724.258.3557     

Spookley Scavenger Hunt 10-12pm.

Oct. 10: Special Music by Glassport Swing Band. 1pm

Oct. 11: Al-Amazing Magician 12-3pm

Oct. 12: COLUMBUS DAY. ALL Activities Open 12-6pm. Extra Day of Fall Fun!    

Oct. 17: Special Music Presentation.

Oct. 18: Al-Amazing Magician 12-3pm      

Oct. 24-25: Mad Science Experiments 12-3pm  

Oct. 31: Treats for Children ALL Day! Happy Halloween!

Nov. 1: LAST Day Savings! Stock Up for Winter! Call for details. 724.258.3557.

This post sponsored by Triple B Farms. All opinions remain my own. 

JBF Consignment Sale + Giveaway

It's one of my favorite times of year......consignment sale season! If you haven't been to the Just Between Friends Consignment sale, it's time to check it out. I have found amazing deals on a wide variety of items that have benefited our family. Some of my favorite purchases include kids bikes, Hunter rain boots, outdoor play equipment, toys for Christmas gifts, books, and of course, clothing! I love how I've been able to find items in great condition for my kids, but at less than half price for what you would pay brand new.

FALL/WINTER SALE~SEPTEMBER 18-20

RMU Island Sports Center, Neville Island

7600 Grand Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA  15225

The Just Between Friends Sale Pittsburgh North is Pittsburgh's leading children's and maternity consignment sale event and we want you to join us! Come be a part of the sale voted BEST Consignment Sale in Pittsburgh for 2013!   JBF is your one-stop-shop to buy and sell new & gently-used clothing, toys, baby gear & equipment, furniture, and so much more!  It just keeps getting bigger and better!

The shopping hours & restrictions vary, so read the following info carefully! 

Thursday, September 17th

9am-9pm- Pre-Sale Shopping!
9 am: Consignor + Guest Pre-Sale (No children or strollers permitted)
10 am:  Prime Time Public Shopping ($10 per person.  Purchase tickets here. (No children or strollers permitted)
11 am:  First Time Parents/Grandparents/Foster & Adoptive Parents Pre-Sale (No children or strollers permitted) Reserve your presale pass here.
12 pm:  Military Family & Teacher Pre-Sale (No children or strollers permitted) Reserve your Teacher presale pass here.  Reserve your Military Family presale pass here.
6pm: *Children & Strollers ARE Permitted beginning at 6pm
9 pm:  Sale Closes

Friday, September 18th
9am-8pm: Sale Opens to the Public! 
$3 admission fee all day
Join our mailing list to get your FREE ADMISSION pass!

Saturday, September 19th
9am-5pm: Public Sale & NEW Merchandise!  
Admission is FREE!

Sunday, September 20th
9am-5pm: 50% OFF Public Sale! 
MANY items 50% and admission is FREE!  

I have found that it is definitely an advantage to be one of the first shoppers and that is why I am thrilled to be working directly with JBF event organizer, Kelly Robie, and able to offer 2 lucky winners a pre-sale shopping pass...and you'll get one for a friend as well! This shopping pass will give you free admission to the Thursday pre-sale opening from 9am-9pm. (Please keep in mind that children and strollers are not permitted until 6pm that day.) This giveaway is only open for 3 days, so enter below. Don't forget that a blog comment is required as an entry. 

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This post sponsored by JBF Pittsburgh. All opinions remain my own. 

Our bunk bed adventure

We recently made a kid's room overhaul that was lots of fun! It was time to move both sets of kids into bunk beds and thus, the Pinterest searching began. :) After researching prices, we decided we would try to build one set to get the quality we wanted and well as a fun and unique look. I found a beautiful set on Pinterest, but unfortunately, I couldn't get the plans downloaded! So I showed my hubby the picture and said "could you build these?" I love having a husband that isn't afraid to delve into a project like this! And so he started.......

The extra fun part for Mom was finding just the right bedding! I was so grateful when Land of Nod (love them!) kindly offered bedding sets for each of my kids. I wanted something that would fit each of their personalities, but not be too matchy-matchy. They had a lot of fun picking out their quilts and it was a happy mail day when they arrived! We found the Land of Nod quilts to be just the right thickness to work well for year round and they are comfy and durable as well!

We've got superheroes, balloons, Lately Lily, and a beloved orange. Beds later, camp out in the living room first. :) 

Our boys bunk beds were already in place and they settled right in as new roommates. I know this isn't the greatest picture quality, but it was such a sweet moment I walked in to and managed to catch. :) 

 Meanwhile....the girl's beds continued.....Andrew built the top one right on to the wall.

 After it was built, we went it to sand and stain. I don't highly suggest this progression, haha!

We decided to do a natural stain and tried using both tea leaves and a vinegar/steel wool concoction. The tea ended up being darker that what we wanted, so used the vinegar. A very easy and non-toxic stain! The wood ended up taking the stain a little differently, but we love the unique look it created.

Yay for completion!!

Ikea bookshelves and under the bed bins were great space savers!

My daughter had picked out an adorable Lately Lily quilt (currently on clearance!). This was our first discovery of Lately Lily and we found out she is such a fun character! Lily travels the world and shares her adventures which is such a fun way to teach your kids about happenings around the world. Find some fun gift ideas here. Thank you, Lately Lily, for sending my daughter this doll, book & tshirt, she loves them!

I wanted to be sure we had a local store that could be a part of our kids room makeovers as well and USA Baby to Teen was the perfect fit. Local kids store can be very difficult to keep in business as it's hard to compete with big box stores as well as sites such as Amazon. USA Baby to Teen (North Hills) has so many beautiful products for kids including beds, bunk beds, dressers, strollers, car seats, room decor and much more! Be sure to stop in next you're looking for baby/kids items. And their employees are wonderful - you can't beat customer service at a locally owned business!

This Fatboy beanbag is the perfect seat and lounger for my boys room. 

My girls love their sweet little rocker that is a perfect fit for their room!

With doing foster care, our kids had to be flexible in their room situations for a couple of years and we are grateful for their good spirits about it. But with our adoption recently being finalized, it was so fun to be able to have complete and permanent spaces for all four of our kiddos! Thank you to each company who was a part of it and all the fun products you provide to make special spaces for kids. :)