2/12/15: British Soccer Camp

Despite the loads of snow in New England at some point we will get to Spring and that means Soccer!  My son loves Soccer and has been playing since he was three years old.  It is awesome exercise and teaches teamwork.  I wanted to share a very great program with you to consider when looking at sports camps.  The British Soccer Camp is the most popular camp in North America with 150,000 campers!

With an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, British Soccer Camps provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international expert's right in the heart of their own community.  Here is Lauren playing on a co-ed team in town.  She is #10 with the ball.

In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun your child can have learning the sport they love!  I know we will be signing up to help Evan with Travel Soccer.

Enroll you child in a British Soccer Camp today and receive a Free British Soccer Jersey.

Sign up during Early Registration and we will immediately ship you a great looking British Soccer Jersey!

PLUS - enter code FMG15 and we will include a bonus Challenger water bottle.  Go here:  http://challenger.mycustomevent.com/content/search

Here is some video:

 

Sign up now for your kids to have some fun and learn some great skills!

Disclosure:  I will receive a free week of Soccer Camp for my son thanks to the USFamilyGuide.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

2/4/15: Harlem Globetrotters Giveaway at the Tsongas Center

CONTEST CLOSED:  CONGRATULATIONS MARYBETH C FOR WINNING!
My son loves playing basketball and loves to watch it.  A great way to experience a family friendly and affordable night at a basketball game is to go to the Harlem Globetrotters.  They are coming back to the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell on March 28th at 1:00 pm and I am giving away 4 tickets to the game!  

What I love is that the game is so much fun with so many trick shots and fun ways to play the game.  Plus after the game you can get all the players autographs.

Both of my kids had an awesome time at the game last year.

Here is the link for tickets.  

There is so much fun during the show and lots of laughs.  Here is Too Tall just hanging around.  The whole game is so entertaining as they are continually doing fun stuff that the kids love. 

Here is more information about this year's game:

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, will bring their unrivaled family show to the Tsongas Center in Lowell on Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. during the Harlem Globetrotters 2015 “Washington Generals’ Revenge” Tour. 

The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to match the franchise’s historic last victory over the Globetrotters nearly a half century ago. It has been five years since the Globetrotters and Generals have faced off, as the Generals have been searching far and wide for the best players to retool their roster and have been preparing for one thing: victory over the Globetrotters. In addition to the highly-anticipated matchup on the court, the Globetrotters, known worldwide as the Ambassadors of Goodwill™, will honor a Harlem Globetrotters Hometown Hero at each of their 310-plus games in North America. 

The team is searching for active, wounded or retired members of the military who have made their community proud with their brave service and exemplary character. Fans can nominate a Harlem Globetrotters Hometown Hero at harlemglobetrotters.com. The Globetrotters will also play a portion of each game with a camouflage basketball as a sign of respect to all who protect our freedom. With a star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard, Firefly Fisher and Moose Weekes – plus female stars TNT Maddox, T-Time Brawner and Sweet J Ekworomadu* – the Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. With incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction, this must-see event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans.

Tickets start at $20 and are now available at harlemglobetrotters.com, www.tsongascenter.com, the Tsongas Center box office, or by phone at 866-722-8780. Information on group and scout tickets can also be found at harlemglobetrotters.com. 

Enter below to win 4 tickets to the game!

Disclosure:  I received a Four Pack of tickets to a Harlem Globetrotters game and a Four Pack to giveaway through the Harlem Globetrotters in exchange for this promotional post.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2/2/15: Discover the Dinosaurs Experience in Boston

This past weekend we got to experience Discover the Dinosaurs in Boston.  I was very impressed with the whole display plus there is so much fun for the kids including Dinosaur rides, inflatables, gem mining, and mini golf.

This exhibit has so much to see.  You can spend several hours there.

Here are the kids at the cool entrance to the Discover the Dinosaurs area.  When you enter the facility there were two entrances one on the right to go to the Dinosaurs and one on the left to go to the Ice Age Exhibit.  I recommend going through the Dinosaurs first.

A highlight for the kids was the scavenger hunt.  When entering you are given a list with pictures of all the dinosaurs and you can check off as you find them.  At the end you can turn it in and the kids got a little dinosaur stencil for their investigation and finding all the dinosaurs.

There are so many cool moving dinosaurs making noises.

The kids also liked the dinosaur bone areas.

There are also lots of places to pose with cool dinosaurs.

Love this T-Rex.

So much awesome stuff to see and learn about.

There are large electronic displays in front of each display telling you more information about what you are looking at.

The kids loved the displays.

A highlight for the kids was the rides.  Little ones would especially love this.  The kids are seat belted in as the life like dinosaur rocks back and forth.

Here is Evan riding on a Woolly Mammoth.

Here is some video of the displays and rides.

Here is another dinosaur ride.  All of these rides were included with the admission.

Now there is the Ice Age area.

There were more cool scenes to see.

Lauren giving me a pose.

Checking out some cool dinosaur bones.

We liked these guys.

The inflatables area was really fun for the kids.  Mine went in there for quite a while.  Make sure you bring socks.  This is included with admission.

Here you can see some of the other inflatables.

There is also a cute little mini golf area.  There was also a smaller kids area.

They had a ton of dinosaur themed merchandise.  We bought Evan a really cool shirt.  The prices were very reasonable.  There was also a snack bar with food and drinks in the building.

There was also a gem and fossil panning area.

What a fantastic time.  I highly recommend going when it comes to your town.

Disclosure:  I was provided 4 tickets for my family to attend Discover the Dinosaurs and was given tickets for giveaway.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

1/28/14: Discover the Dinosaurs Giveaway

CONTEST CLOSED:  CONGRATULATIONS KRISTEN D. AND HEATHER Y. FOR WINNING!
There is something very exciting coming to Boston and I am so pleased to share it with you.  After 65 million years they’ve returned!  Dinosaurs come alive at Discover the Dinosaurs at the Seaport World Trade Center on January 30th-31st and February 1st.  I am giving two people a chance to win 4 tickets each in a flash giveaway so enter right away!  I know we can't wait to go!

 Experience over 60 life-size animatronic and museum quality dinosaurs and Ice Age Mammals, including the 20 foot T-Rex, life size Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Woolly Mammoth, Saber Tooth Cat and Mastodon.  Touch, Learn, and even ride the Dinosaurs.  Countless activities for kids of all ages.  Be a Paleontologist for the day gem and fossil panning, and the Dino Dig.  Enjoy the Dinosaur inflatable’s, Dino Den and Dinosaur rides.  Child Admission includes Dinosaur Exhibit, Dino Dig, Dino Den, Dino Theater, Dino Coloring area, Scavenger Hunt, unlimited Dinosaur Rides, Mini Golf and Inflatables.

Advanced tickets are $30 for children, and $25 for adults. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

Enter below to win 4 tickets.  I will be giving away two sets of tickets!

Disclosure:  I was provided 4 tickets for my family to attend Discover the Dinosaurs and was given tickets for giveaway.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

1/17/15: Chevrolet and SheBuysCars at the New England Auto Show

I was extremely lucky to be invited to the Media First Look event at the New England International Auto Show in Boston by SheBuysCars and Chevrolet.  As a Mechanical Engineer what better thing than to talk cars with other women?  Plus I love the atmosphere at the New England International Auto Show.  You can look at all the automobile brands with no pressure from sales people.

We were able to ask questions of women working at General Motors and learn about the new Chevrolet Trax which will be for sale in the US in early 2015.  It was wonderful hearing about there are more women in the automotive industry and in leadership positions.  The Trax is a new small SUV which gives you the utility of an SUV and the agility of a compact car.  

Here is Betsy Flegg who is the marketing manager for Chevrolet Crossovers including the Trax.  She is a Mechanical Engineer so we had a great time chatting about women in engineering and how far we have come.

Some features that stood out to me is that this car has some great technology in it including 4G LTE Wi-Fi and Siri Eyes Free.  I use hands free cellular talking in my car and I love it.  Chevrolet MyLink Infotainment is a 7-inch-diagonal color touch screen and allows linking of smartphones and MP3 players.  The high-speed wireless hotspot is on whenver the vehicle is on.  The vehicle comes with a three-month/three gigabyte data trial (whichever comes first), after which the customer can purchase additional data.  

It has seating up to 5 people.  It has segment-leading 15 interior storage compartments.  If you are like me you live out of your car with kids and activities so this is a great feature.  Plus an EPA-estimated 34 mpg on the highway.

Trax is powered by an Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine that’s backed by an efficiency-enhancing six-speed automatic transmission.  The engine is rated at an SAE-certified 138 horsepower (102 kW) and 148 lb-ft of torque (200 Nm), between 1,850 and 4,900 rpm.  It is also available in all-wheel drive which is great in New England with slippery conditions.

The car is beautiful to look at.  I especially liked to hear that it had 10 air bags!

The starting price of $20,995 for LS trim level includes standard Chevrolet MyLink infotainment with a 7-inch-diagonal touch screen, OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, segment-leading 10 standard air bags, segment-exclusive standard rearview camera system, rear fold-flat and front-passenger fold-flat seats, USB port, air conditioning, power locks and windows, power outside mirrors and remote keyless entry. 

There is the LS, LT and LTZ trim levels, with premium features offered across the range, including:  Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on LS and LT models; 18-inch aluminum wheels are standard on LTZ.  Rear park assist – available on LT and standard on LTZ.  Contemporary interior environment featuring an instrument cluster with a large, performance-style analog tachometer combined with a prominent digital display for the speedometer and other readouts; also includes 3.5-inch-diagonal driver information center display with ice blue backlighting.

Heated front seats with leatherette trim – standard on LTZ.  Deluxe cloth/leatherette seating trim – available on LT • Bose seven-speaker sound system – available on LT and standard on LTZ • Leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel – available on LT and standard on LTZ.  Fog lamps – standard on LTZ.  Roof rails – standard on LT and LTZ.  Six-way power driver seat adjuster – available on LT and standard on LTZ.  Power sliding sunroof – available on LT and LTZ.  Heated power-adjustable mirrors – standard on LT and LTZ.  Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror – standard on LTZ. 

We were also treated to a tour of the New England Auto Show from James Bell who is the Head of Consumer Affairs at General Motors.  He had some great tips for us when looking for a car.  A couple that stuck out to me was that he said to cover the brand and just look at features to determine what is the best fit for you.  He also said to keep a notebook in the car and make note of cars that stand out to you on the road and also how you use your car.  For example don't get 3rd row seating if you only use it once a year when going to the airport.

We were able to check out all of the great new cars from Chevrolet.  Here is the Corvette.  This was my favorite of the show.

 This Camaro is beautiful!

Plus other vehicles included in the General Motors line like Cadillac.  Here is the ELR.

 This CTS was very nice looking.

 Some other brands that stood out were the BMWi.

 This Mercedes Benz was awesome and as media we were lucky enough to get to sit in it.

 I liked this Lexus too.

What a wonderful day.  Remember when looking for cars a great resource is SheBuysCars and don't be afraid to go in to the dealership.  Do some investigation and be an educated consumer.  The automobile market is not just a man's world.  The New England International Auto Show is going on until January 19th.

Disclosure:  I was provided with access to the New England Auto Show in addition to compensation for this post.  As always, all opinions are my own.