Friday, December 28, 2012

12/28/12: Mystic Aquarium Winter Waterland, Titanic Exhibit, and Polar Express 4-D

Today we went to the Mystic Aquarium to Winter Waterland.  I haven't been to this aquarium since I was young so it was fun to discover along with the kids.  My favorite part of the Aquarium was the Beluga Whales.  There is one named Juno that is super interactive with guests.  I loved watching him and was impressed to find that he even has his own Twitter handle @JunoBeluga.
The kids enjoyed seeing the whales too.
It was amazing how they would come right up to play games with guests.
Then we stayed outside for a little while to check out the penguins.  Be prepared that about 1/3 of the Aquarium is outside so make sure to wear appropriate layers as needed.  This would be a perfect place to visit in the summer but we had a great time in the cold too and saw lots of cool animals indoors and outdoors.
The penguins inside.  You can watch them from inside the building swimming around under the water.
This is how the Aquarium looks as you go in.  It really is beautiful and quite large.
There is a sea lion show.  Sea lions are always fun to watch and I love seeing how smart they are and the tricks they can do.
Also during Winter Waterland they had crafts going on.  Here are the kids making bird feeders.
Lauren loves touching marine life.  I think if we let her she would dive right in the tank.  Funny enough Evan won't touch them and is happy to just watch the animals.
He doesn't mind watching them from outside the glass.  Here he is with one of the turtles.
This stingray was huge!
Another reason we decided to take the drive to the Mystic Aquarium was to see the Titanic exhibit and the Polar Express in 4-D.  The Polar Express movie was really cool to see.  It is a 14 minute synopsis of the movie that includes cool effects, rumbling seats, scents, and even some snow fall.
The highlight of the trip for Evan was the Titanic Exhibit.  He loves watching movies and documentaries about the Titanic and always brings home Titanic books from the library.
This is a really cool exhibit with replicas of artifacts and pieces of the boat.
Here is a model of the iceberg.
Evan exploring.
Here is a replica of the boat as it exists under the water.
Evan in front of it.
Now in to the indoor exhibits.  Here are the Jellyfish.
We just watched Finding Nemo so the kids were having fun saying I will call you squishy like Dory.
Lauren hanging out on top of a huge turtle.
I love this picture of Evan staring at one of the fish.
The Lion Fish were my favorite.
There is still time to go to Mystic Aquarium’s Winter Waterland holiday celebration as it runs until January 1st.  The Polar Express 4-D Experience is included with Mystic Aquarium membership and the value ticket option, or tickets can be purchased inside the aquarium for $6 each.
Follow Mystic Aquarium on Twitter: @mysticaquarium
Like the Mystic Aquarium on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mysticaquarium
Disclosure:  I was provided value tickets for my family and I to go to Mystic Aquarium and attend the Polar Express 4-D Experience.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

12/28/12: Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic at the TD Garden

When I was little we always went to Disney on Ice on my birthday and I loved it.  This year we got to spend my birthday at the 100 Years of Magic show at the TD Garden and it was an awesome show as always.
It is a wonderful time to go to the show during school vacation week.  I did notice that the TD Garden was very full for our show even up in the balcony.
You can still buy tickets to go this vacation week.  
Get Kids tickets for $15
Valid December 30th @ 5PM
Go to the Following Link:
Input Code:  KIDS
Many wonderful Disney movies were represented in the show and there were a lot of performers and cool effects.  Here is Aladdin. 
 We enjoyed Finding Nemo as we had just watched it.  I was especially impressed with how people could skate in some of these elaborate costumes.
 Beauty and the Beast was cool too.  I loved seeing all the characters larger than life performing on ice.
 Now the Beast became a Prince.
 The kids really liked Toy Story.  The characters in Toy Story are so fun and likeable.
Lauren and Evan dressed up last year as Woody and Jessie so they enjoyed seeing them.
My favorite portion of the show was the Small World section.  The kids love the ride in Disney World so they really enjoyed watching this part of the show. 
 I love that it then turned in to a light up parade with the song from the Disney Electrical Parade.  It was really beautiful to watch.
 It was so beautiful.
 Lauren loves Stitch so she was really excited to see him in the show.
 Mulan was really cool.  This dragon was awesome.
 The Lion King was really fun to watch too.
 What an awesome show and so great seeing all the performers out on the ice at the end. As always Disney does not disappoint by having wonderful backdrops, effects, costumes, and performers.
 Love the sparklers and castle.
 It was wonderful and I highly recommend going to see it.
More about the Show:
Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Magic: Join the celebration as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! You’ll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and all the Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!
Like Disney on Ice on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyOnIce
Follow Disney on Ice on Twitter: @DisneyOnIce
Disclosure:  I was provided with a family four pack of tickets to the show for promotion.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

12/26/12: Christmas Fun

Here are some highlights from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities.  Here are the kids on Christmas Eve.
 Here they are with Fred our dog.
 A family picture.
 The kids then did a Christmas Eve show for us where they sang and danced.
Then Santa arrived.  He arrives at our house on Christmas Eve to drop off presents and waves from outside to the kids.  Here is Evan very excited with his new train!
 And Lauren with her Monster High Doll that lights up.
 Opening presents is so much fun.
 Fun unwrapping presents.
 Then on Christmas morning the kids open stockings from Santa that he delivered and the rest of their presents.
 Even Fred gets some presents!
 Evan very excited about his 3DS XL pre-loaded with Mario Kart.  Even I think this 3DS is pretty cool.
Evan opening an Angry Birds hot wheels set.
 Lauren all with all her Hello Kitty stuff.
Now with all of the cousins.
 Christmas hugs to all.  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.