‘Guinness Book of World Records’ Articles at Sweetnicks

When I was planning last week’s adventures, Google was my friend. It never lets me down. My first goal was to find an aquarium for Madeline (more on that next week). Then I wanted to find something for Nick. When the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum popped up on my radar right in Atlantic City, I might have let out a slight cheer. Ok, I totally did.

He is obsessed with the various Guinness Book of World Records books. And the Weird Facts books from the folks at National Geographic. And the Believe It or Not stuff? ALL OVER IT. Has been for years. Every time the Scholastic book order comes in, and the twice-a-year- book fair, he has invariably circled these books and flagged them as must-haves.

We were on our way to Cape May for the day, and I punched a new address into the GPS.

“Why are you using that? I thought you knew how to get where we’re going,” Nick asked from the back seat.

“I do, but we’re making a slight detour and I don’t know how to get there.”

And then began the barrage of 523 questions that I refused to answer. He is my has-to-know-what-is-happening-at-all-times kid. It’s quite exhausting sometimes, really.

“I promise, you will like it. Just chill.”

The Ripley’s folks have 25 museum locations around the world, not to mention a host of aquariums as well. The one we were visiting was in Atlantic City. Although they all have the same basic theme, they all have slightly different looks and items inside. Nick poured over the $1.99 guidebook (after we left) all the way to Cape May, so trust me when I tell you, I know where all the other locations are, and what they look like from the outside.

The GPS directed me to an empty, free parking lot. I think in terms of parking lots, that’s totally my favorite kind. Because it was a weekday and windy, there were very few people around, and that’s just perfect too.

I took pictures of the side of the building from our parking spot. Nick started to pay attention to what I was taking pictures of.

“NO WAY! We’re going THERE? Oh this is the best Spring Break EVER! Thank you, Mom, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Yeah, he was pretty much as happy as I thought he would be.

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No sooner did Mystic’s daughter finish the plate of mini meatballs and noodles last week did she ask when we could make it again. We scheduled it for today, which is perfect for this week’s edition of Eat.Live.Be. The “print” edition.

I found this recipe two years ago in an issue of Redbook magazine, from Giada DeLaurentiis. I like her recipes because a lot of them are perfect for easy, weeknight meals for your littlest picky eaters (just noticed she has a new title coming out in a few months with a weeknight theme as well). Although the recipe calls for ground chicken, I alternate between chicken and turkey, and both versions are scoffed up by all the kids. In fact, Madeline who adores most pasta of any kind, actually favors the meatballs more than the pasta, and asked for a meatball only lunch for tomorrow’s school day. A request I’m all too happy to fulfill.

I use a mini cookie scoop when forming the meatballs, which makes it really quick work, and not too fiddly to do after a long workday. The mini size works well for the kids, a nice bite without being too overwhelming, and they are super tender and flavorful, which is why they are so eager to scoff them up. A mostly clean eating, guilt-free recipe that has me just as eager to make them.

I usually serve them with this recipe for Orzo with Herbs, or mini noodles with a little chicken broth as the sauce (along with those wonderful brown bits scraped up from the bottom of the pan of meatballs).

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Visit: Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum {Atlantic City}

Recipe: Kid-Friendly Mini Meatballs