One Secret to a Working Mom Success: Make Family Events More Enjoyable With Friends

Better Together: Why Inviting Another Family Makes Activities More Fun #FamilyFun Sometimes family activities can feel like another item on the to-do list. However, doing those activities with another family makes them more fun! Whether it’s a trip to an amusement park , a visit to the local pool , or trip to a pumpkin patch , including another family can multiply the fun in amazing ways. One of my favorite moms to collaborate with is my friend, Ayana Ledford who's pictured above with her daughter Sahar. We have done all of the things listed as seemingly random examples above and here is how including her and her daughter (and sometimes her son too) has made the events more fun. On the date above, Ayana almost left the venue because parking was a nightmare. That said, she hung in there and we would up having a great time!

A Peek Into the Life of a Mommy Blogger: Light Up Night!


Last night was “Light Up Night” in Pittsburgh. “Light Up Night” is the beginning of the Holiday shopping season in downtown Pittsburgh. And it is a big party!

I was excited about “Light Up Night” because a PR rep had emailed me and invited me to an event that would include members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, members of the Kool & The Gang and other fun stuff.   Since “Light Up Night” is a family affair, I convinced Andre and the toddler to walk downtown with me to enjoy the festivities. Andre was up for the event, but had no interest in being in a tent, making nice, and promoting my blog.  He’s a real trooper, but even he has his limits. Still, to his credit, he went with me in pursuit of connections and cocktails, albeit reluctantly.

Unfortunately, we never found the media tent. It wasn’t for lack of trying. It’s just that there were so many people downtown that we could barely move.  You haven’t lived until you try to navigate a stroller in a crowd. It got so challenging that we took the toddler out of the stroller. I took the toddler, Andre took the stroller. Apparently over 800,000 people are expected in downtown Pittsburgh this weekend. I think that they all converged on the town this evening!




Light Up Night, a Free Event for Families


I was disappointed that we never made it to the tent. I called the PR rep and expressed my regrets. Then I moped for awhile. Andre pointed out that I may have missed the media event, but I could still enjoy the evening. So, I did. (I am so easily influenced!)

It was a gorgeous evening in Pittsburgh. We hadn’t had dinner. So Andre bought is us bought chicken on a stick. Yes, I let my kid eat street meat again… Just when we thought we had seen everything found a booth selling these delicious things called apple pie rings. They were fried dough stuffed with apples and dusted with cinnamon sugar. They permeated the air with a fried sweetness that beckoned us.  So, we bought some.  Imagine a piping hot fried pastry that melts in your mouth surrounding apple pie. It reminded me of the good old days when McDonald’s used to fry their pies. (I know they had like two million calories, but they were delicious!) There may be something more delicious, but I haven’t discovered it yet!

Finally, with our bellies full and smiles on our faces, we walked home. The trip to “Light Up Night” was totally worth it. 

For those of you in Pittsburgh there’s an entire weekend of festivities. So, if you’re looking for something to do tonight, come downtown!  There's great food options along the river. Also, be sure to visit Macy's and Fifth Avenue Place where they are giving away balloon creatures to the kids. It's a great time for families. Just be prepared for the crowds!



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Comments

vicky said…
I'm glad you guys had fun! Sounds it was a success, so many people! I love big town events! It's a little bit early for Athens to start any holiday festivities yet, but I can't wait till then. (It probably won't be 'big' this year with the financial crisis and all!)
Hi Vicki! Keep me posted about holidays in your beautiful, albeit cash strapped, country. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Love yours!!!