Sky Zone: A Review

Last week I took my niece and nephews to an indoor trampoline park called Sky Zone. It was a day that was really hot, so I was looking for something to do inside.

I made a reservation online for a time in the afternoon. I had my sister (their mom) fill out the waiver online. Everything was all set when we got there.

When we arrived they asked us our shoe size and gave us these special shoes for jumping. Snazzy!

When we got on the court there was a long net separating the area with the adults/bigs kids from the little kids.

 There were three "court monitors" who made sure everyone followed the rules and stayed safe.

The prices are reasonable. To jump for 30 minutes is just $8. Jumping for an hour will cost you $12. The kids had a great time! I was a little apprehensive to get out there and jump myself. Most of the other adults just sat at the tables and watched their kids. It took me a few minutes to get the courage to get out there. I was afraid of all the jiggling that would occur. There was a little jiggling going on, but I embraced it as I jumped my heart out. I had a blast!

We went to the Sky Zone in Boston. It was actually in Hyde Park. It was very easy to get to. The facility was clean and organized and the employees were very nice and helpful. I would highly recommend going for a fun outing.

There is a completely separate jumping area for toddlers under 40 inches and an area for dodge ball. 

If you go, remember to bring:

• Socks!
• Camera (They have lockers to hold your personal items. Most cost 50 cents)
• Water

Have a blast!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Cooking with Loopy: Berries in a Bowl

I brought this to a couple of cookout/parties this weekend. I got so many ooohhh's and aaahhh's that I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

1. Get in your car and drive to the store 
2. Buy a bunch of different kinds of berries
3. Drive home
4. Wash berries
5. Put them in a bowl
6. Cut strawberries and arrange in an eye-pleasing way around the edge of the bowl
7. Bring to cookout/party
8. Sit back and soak in all the praise you're sure to receive

Enjoy!

Free Movies & Music on the South Shore

There's no shortage of free things to do on summer evenings. Here are just a few highlights.

I went to the movie "Jaws" the other night. It was so beautiful watching a movie outside, wrapped in a blanket with the harbor in the background. 

Enjoy some beautiful music on Friday and Saturday nights at Derby Street Shoppes 

Weymouth also offers music and movies in the summer. Here is a list of their offerings:

Concerts and Movies!

Please join us on Thursday nights for our 2012 summer concert and movies

series held at the Ralph Talbot Amphitheatre next to Town Hall.

July 5th Wayne Potash 6:30 pm

July 12th Johnny the K 6:30 pm

July 19th Toe Jam 6:30 pm

July 26th Java Jive   6:30 pm

August 2nd “Kung Fu Panda 2” 8:00 pm

August 9th “The Smurfs”   8:00 pm

August 16th “Mamma Mia!”(at the George Lane Beach) 8:00 pm

Rain date for all movies will be August 23rd

“This program is supported in part by a grant from the Weymouth Cultural Council, a local

agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.”

Go on, get out and do something fun...and FREE. You know you want to. Enjoy!

Celebrating Independence Day

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Independence Day is a very close second. One of the reasons that I love it so much is that I get to celebrate at one of my favorite places on earth.

For many, many years my Dad's family has owned a cottage on the bay in Hull.

We celebrate every 4th of July at The Cottage with lots of swimming, 

 kayaking, 

 

and hanging out with family. 

My Dad celebrates with his annual swim. 

 When the tide goes out the kids (and some of the adults) go hunting for clams. 

The days bounty.

I hope you had a great 4th of July.

God bless America! 

"Wanna hear a funny story?"

Has anyone ever said that to you?

 Next time you hear this:

"Wanna hear a funny story?"

Respond with one of these:

• Nope.
• No thanks. I heard one yesterday.
• No thanks. I don't like to laugh.
• Is it really funny or just a little bit funny? One a scale of 1 to 10? How funny are we talking?
• Yes, but if I don't find it funny do I still have to laugh? 

So there you go. Never, ever start a story with "Wanna hear a funny story?" It just sets the expectations way too high. 

Loopy's Review: "Magic Mike" and "Ted"

Saturday night I went to see "Magic Mike" with my best friend. I had two other movies on my list of "must see" but I knew she really, really wanted to see it so I agreed.

It's pretty much what you'd expect. Half naked dudes dancing around in their skivvies. Not bad. The men have amazing bodies. The sights you will see will not disappoint you. Lots of naked bums in this movie: male and female.

Will "Magic Mike" win best picture at the Academy Awards this year? Hell no. Should you grab your girlfriends, have a glass of wine and then see it? Hell yes!

Tonight I saw "Ted." After seeing the trailer a couple of times I knew what to expect. What I didn't expect was to laugh so hard that I was crying and my stomach actually hurt from the laughing as well. Will "Ted" win best picture? Hell to the no. Should you grab your husband and any fun friends that you have and go see it. Hell yes!

That being said, if you're a little uptight or uncomfortable around foul language and potty humor, these movies are probably not for you.

Bottom line: If you're in need of a good laugh go see either of these movies.

Got Books? 2012 Book Sale

It's that time again. Time to start collecting books for my annual book sale. I can't believe that this is my 7th year doing it. Time flies! 


This year the proceeds will be divided between two organizations.

The first one is near and dear to me: The Gina LaRocco Scholarship Fund. Gina's mom, Kathy, and I work together in a small office and we've been friends for years. In 2009 Kathy, her husband Richard, their son Anthony, and their entire family had their world turned upside down. Gina was killed in a car accident on her way to work. She was just 23 years old. Kathy and Gina weren't just mother and daughter, they were the best of friends. Speaking of friends, Gina had too many to count.

She was a beautiful girl who looked equally like her mom and her dad.

Gina graduated from Weymouth High School in 2004. After attending college, she decided to pursue a career in cosmetology. She worked at Joanna's House of Beauty in Hingham and eventually moved on to Supercuts in Hanover. Gina LOVED her job. She was passionate about being a hairdresser and it showed in her work.  Her family has set up a scholarship fund in her name to help young woman get started in a career in cosmetology. Over the past 3 years, the Fund has helped several young women achieve their dreams.


The other organization that will benefit from the book sale this year is Cradles to Crayons.

Cradles to Crayons (C2C) provides homeless and low-income children with the essentials they require to thrive-to feel safe, warm, ready to learn and valued. Cradles to Crayons collects new and like-new children's items through grassroots community drives and corporate donations. Donations are then processed and packaged by volunteers, and are distributed to disadvantaged children across the state through a collaborative network of social service agencies and school partners.

I've been donating to C2C for many years. I was first introduced to them when I worked in Boston and the company that I worked for did an annual community service day. I chose C2C because it was close to where I live. I had no idea the impact that one day of volunteering would have on me. I've been back several times to volunteer (although, not as much as I'd like). The last time I went, I even brought my niece. She had a great time. I was glad to share that experience with her.

 Since I'm unable to volunteer my time right now, I like to donate items. You all know that I'm a bargain shopper. Whenever I find a great deal on children's clothes or shoes, I buy them and donate them to Cradles to Crayons. I know that whatever I give will be put to good use locally.


So clean out those attics, basements and bookcases. I'll take whatever you've got. 


If you're local to the south shore of Massachusetts and you'd like to donate books, please let me know. I'll even pick them up! 


If you'd like to drop them off, the address is 37 Center Street, (East) Weymouth. 


The book sale this year will be held Saturday, August 11. 


Thank you from the bottom of my heart.