5/29/14: Kids Bowl FREE!

You may have read that I was quoted in the Boston Globe on how to entertain kids on a budget.  Continuing with that idea I want to provide lots of family friendly ways to entertain the kids this summer and not break the bank.  The first one I want to share is Kids Bowl Free!  Yes you heard me right, FREE!  We do it every year!  All you need to do is register through http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/. 

The pass allows 2 free strings per child (up to 6 children) per day all summer.  What an amazing way to keep the kids entertained on a rainy day or even if it is just too hot out and you want to escape the heat!  

Both of my kids like to go, go, go during the summer and this is a great way to get out of the house and not spend a lot.

Since I love to bowl and my parents used to bowl I always sign up for the Family Pass.  It is only $24.95 and it allows up to 4 adults to be added to the pass.  All you pay is for the shoes ($2.50 at our alley). 

At most bowling alleys it is about $24 per hour per alley so the family pass pays itself off in one visit.  Here is a list of all the Bowling Centers.  There are 950+ locations in 46 states plus Canada.  We have an awesome time every year and I hope you enjoy it too!  
Maybe by the end of the summer we will be great bowlers.

Like and Follow them for great updates:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kidsbowlfree
Twitter: @kidsbowlfree

Disclosure:  I received a Family Pass free to promote the Kids Bowl Free Program but I would buy it anyways.  All opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.

5/28/14: Makeover Reveal from Anthony David Salon

A few months ago I posted that I was a finalist for a makeover from the Anthony David Salon in Burlington, MA.  I am happy to report that I got it thanks to all of you who voted for me!  Out of 60 people 2 other lovely ladies and I were selected for a wonderful makeover.  I was extremely excited!  Being a Mom of two, part-time Project Manager, PTO President, volunteer judge for FTC FIRST Robotics competitions, and running a blog has made me forget about me for a while.

Photos credit to Kate Ackermann Photography

Not only did I have my hair colored, highlighted and cut but I was treated to much more.  First I went to Dr. Janiene Gresla DDS of Burlington who cleaned my teeth and gave me an hour Zoom Teeth Whitening treatment!  By looking at this picture you can see how white my teeth got!  It was amazing and so easy.  I just sat comfortably in a chair as she applied a gel on to my teeth and let the light stay on for intervals of 15 minutes.  Every 15 minutes the gel was wiped off and reapplied.  My teeth were a bit sensitive for about two days but after that they were fine.

Next I went to Eileen Fisher in Burlington to see Kathy Keady.  Three women helped find an outfit for me and provided everything from head to toe.  They were so wonderful there.  The store is located right in Wayside Commons and I can't say enough about how helpful they were.  Check out how beautiful this outfit is!  

It is a tank, skirt and overlay.  It is extremely comfortable and well made.  The skirt and tank are great staple pieces to mix and match with anything.  I also have a white jacket that looks cute with it.  The shoes are super comfortable too!

With my teeth whitened and outfit in hand I then went to the Anthony David Salon.  Right when you walk in it feels like a high end salon that you would experience on Newbury Street in Boston, but it is in the Suburbs and reasonably priced!

I had already been to the salon once where all of the hairdressers consulted on my hair and what they wanted to do.  The owner Anthony himself had the final say.

One thing in particular that I loved was the all-natural products they used for coloring my hair.  Usually my eyes are tearing up as I have an allergic reaction to the chemical-based coloring treatments I generally have. Anthony is also one of a few colorists in the country to use NaYo, a revolutionary yogurt-based, hair coloring system.  It is free of ammonia, PPD dyes and unpleasant aromas.  What a transformation.  

I love this picture that my son took of me.  He was my little paparazzi.

Not only did I get my hair done but I also got my eye brows waxed (a first for me), makeup applied, and fake eyelashes put on (another first for me).

What a difference it made in my eyes!

After all that Kate Ackermann Photography of Wilmington came in to take pictures of me.  She did such a wonderful job.  She is a Mom too so she understood my feeling of generally being behind the camera taking pictures of the kids and not being in front of the camera.

Here are my before and after photos!

Here is another before with my hair down.  I can always tell when it is getting too long as I tend to put it up in a clip all the time.

My kids were there for the big reveal at the salon to see what I looked like.  They loved it and said I looked so pretty.

A HUGE THANKS to Anthony Vitale for offering such a wonderful experience to me.  He and his staff at the Anthony David Salon were absolutely wonderful and made me feel like a Queen!  I could not be more pleased with the results and I am extremely thankful for being nominated and getting to have the experience of a lifetime.

Check them out online:  http://www.anthonydavidburlington.com/index.html

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/anthonydavidburlington

Twitter: @adburlington

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/anthonydavidsalonburlington

Dr. Janiene Gresla DDS: http://www.burlingtondental.com/

Kate Ackermann Photography: http://www.kateackermannphotography.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kackermannphotography

Eileen Fisher:  http://www.eileenfisher.com/EileenFisher/collection.jsp

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EILEENFISHERNY

Twitter: @EILEENFISHER

Instagram: http://instagram.com/eileenfisherny

Disclosure:  I was provided with my outfit from Eileen Fisher, Teeth Whitening from Dr. Janiene Gresla, Hair and Makeup from the Anthony David Salon, and photography from Kate Ackermann Photography.

5/16/14: Red Sox Yoga, Ring Raffle, and Out of the Park Experiences

As a blogger I have to admit I get to do some pretty awesome stuff.  Recently I was invited by the Boston Red Sox (yes you heard me right) to be part of their Inaugural #RedSoxParents club.  Of course I replied as quickly as my fingers could type that I would love to!  I have been working with the Red Sox for a while on their Futures at Fenway event and have been part of Red Sox Nation my whole life.  As our first event we were invited to do Yoga at Fenway Park!!!!  Plus as an added bonus we got to take a picture with the World Championship rings!  I was over the moon excited. 

Did you know that you can go to Yoga at Fenway too?  It is a new event that is being held on June 8th and is called FenwaYoga and this is the second year it has been held.  The Red Sox Foundation partnered with KIND Healthy Snacks to hold this event.

Photo Courtesy of the Boston Red Sox

“FenwaYoga” will raise funds for two of the foundation’s cornerstone programs, the Red Sox Scholars Program and the RBI Youth Baseball and Softball Programs. Two classes, each accommodating 222 participants along the warning track, will be taught by celebrity yoga instructor Mandy Ingber, a New York Times bestselling author and the creator of Yogalosophy. For over 18 years Mandy has motivated people with her light-hearted approach and unique teaching style. Her public appeal grew as a celebrity yoga instructor when she did a magazine spread in 2006 with client Jennifer Aniston. Other clients include Kate Beckinsale, Ricki Lake, Brooke Shields, and Helen Hunt to name a few.  Seriously who can't reach a Zen moment with this as your backdrop.

Photo Courtesy of the Boston Red Sox

The two morning classes will take place at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  There will be prizes awarded for the top three fundraisers. I had a fabulous time.

Photo Courtesy of the Boston Red Sox

The cost to attend FenwaYoga is $25 to register and attendees must meet a fundraising minimum of $250.  Plus any experience level can attend.  There are modifications presented for all levels.  It is all about doing the best that you can do.  KIND will also provide snacks made from nutritionally-rich ingredients following each session.

Photo Courtesy of the Boston Red Sox

As one of my readers you can save $10 off your registration fee.

Go to: http://bit.ly/fenwayoga

Enter the promo code REDSOXMOM (case sensitive)

Photo Courtesy of the Boston Red Sox

Online if you want to tweet about it you can use: #FenwaYoga @RedSoxFund 

Photo Courtesy of the Boston Red Sox

Me and my fellow #RedSoxParents had an awesome time!  Even some people trying it for the first time loved it.

Photo Courtesy of the Boston Red Sox

What better place to do Yoga than the most beloved baseball park. 

As if that wasn't amazing enough then we got to go on to the field and see the World Championship Rings up close!  Just in time for Father's Day the Boston Red Sox Fund is raffling off a set of genuine World Championship Rings from 2004, 2007 and 2013 just like the ones below.  For $10 you get 5 entry tickets to win amazing prizes including the #RingRaffle.  

Here is the link to more information:  http://bit.ly/RedSoxRingRaffle.  The grand prize is a set comprising the 2004, 2007, and 2013 rings.  The raffle will go on until Friday, June 27, at 11 a.m.  

The second place prizes is a pair of 2013 World Series rings. Third place winners will receive a single 2013 World Series ring.  Plus each ring will be personalized with the winner’s name.  Net proceeds from the raffle will help fund the award-winning programs of the Red Sox Foundation and help hundreds of charities throughout New England. While this is the third time the Red Sox Foundation has conducted a World Series ring raffle, it is the first to be conducted nationally and worldwide. After World Series victories in 2004 and 2007, the foundation raised over $1.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the raffle of the 2004 and 2007 World Series rings to individuals in Massachusetts.

Also the Red Sox, in partnership with the Highland Street Foundation, plan to bring the Fenway experience to local parks around the city!  These events called Out of the Park will bring the big game and Fenway experience to you plus they are FREE!  All events will feature Wally the Green Monster, Red Sox DJ TJ Connelly, the Hot Tamales Brass Band and a live game announcer. 

The following events will be taking place:

 Sunday, May 25 at 1:40pm at Ramsay Park at Jim Rice Field in Roxbury 

Sunday, June 22 at 4:05pm at Franklin Park in Dorchester

Sunday, July 27 at 1:40pm at Boston Common

 

The Boston Red Sox gave me some parting gifts that are awesome.  I absolutely love my new Red Sox Parents shirt.

Check out all this cool stuff.

I even got my own replica World Championship Ring!

Stay tuned to the #RedSoxParents hash tag as these lovely ladies and more share our experiences and fun activities on behalf of the Boston Red Sox!

Disclosure:  I was provided with Yoga, lunch, and a wonderful photo opportunity thanks to the Boston Red Sox.  I was also provided with parting gifts.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

5/25/14: Delivery Man Movie

With Father's Day coming up I thought I would tell you how much I loved watching Delivery Man.  Vince Vaughn was excellent in this movie.  He finds out after donating to a fertility clinic years ago, he is now the biological father of 533 children!

The movie is so adorable as David (Vince's character) follows many of his children and acts as their guardian angel helping them out without them knowing who he is.  It was so sweet watching him grow as a person when he had more to care about than just himself.

Just think, that is a lot of ties and mugs at Father's Day!

He has a good friend with multiple kids.  These kids cracked me up as their father would tell them not to do things and they would just continue to do them anyways.

"Everyone has a purpose in life, I guess I just haven't found mine yet" - Quote from Vince Vaughn in the movie.  He finds out he does have a purpose.  "This could be the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me.  These kids need someone to look up to.  They need a Guardian Angel" - Quote from Vince Vaughn

Families, they are all a bit scattered and crazy.  Imagine looking out for this many kids and what purpose it would bring to your life.

Here is a sneak peek.

Check it out on Blu-Ray or DVD.
“Like” DELIVERY MAN on Facebook: Facebook.com/DeliveryManMovie  

Follow DELIVERY MAN on Twitter: @DeliveryManFilm
#DeliveryManMovie

Follow DELIVERY MAN on Pinterest: Pinterest.com/DeliveryManFilm

Follow DELIVERY MAN on Instagram: DeliveryManMovie

Disclosure:  I received the Delivery Man Blu-Ray for review purposes.  No other compensation was received for this post.

5/23/14: Water Country, Have Some Fun and a Discount!

The weather is getting nicer and the kids are almost out of school which means it is time to start planning some fun family outings.  I am here to help you make those trips be more affordable with discounts.  One place that we always make it a point to go to is Water Country in Portsmouth, NH.  Water Country, Water Country, Have Some Fun!

Want to save?

Use PROMO CODE: Blog30 and this will give my readers $3.00 off of the $38.99 admission price. 

Also this Memorial Day Weekend:  

Buy a Basic Season Pass and receive a Free Friend Ticket with promo code STAYPLAY Visit www.watercountry.com to redeem!  

  

Did you know they have cool Cabanas you can rent?  We tried these out last year and we loved it.  We could also eat in here with the shades down.  

Our Cabana was right next to the Wave Pool and we also had a locker in this area to store valuables.

 
The kids have such a blast when we go there and so do I!

The standard Cabana has 2 reclining chairs and two regular chairs and a little table.  They cost $85 for the day.  There are also King Cabanas and Mini Cabanas.  You can read more here, it is slightly cheaper when booking on-line and I would suggest doing this as you can ensure availability. 

 We also love the Lazy River.  It is my favorite attraction.
 
The Family Slide is also a favorite of mine.  It lets the more timid kids get a chance to try out a slide with the family.

Plus there are lots of play areas for kids.  Evan watch out there is a hook next to you!

 Here is the Pirate Ship area to play in.  This is meant for children under 48 inches.

 There is also this Octopus water play area.

 There are also lots of fun slides for the more adventurous.   This is Dr. Von Dark's Tunnel of Terror.  It has a very long line so get in line early.

And Geronimo that goes straight down!

 Here is a slide that we all rode.  One adult and one child together.

 Another favorite area is the whirl pool type pool.  It has jets pushing you in one direction.

I think the we spent the most time in this pool.

 Lauren showed me how well she swam in this pool.

One last favorite.  There are three levels of speed.  Evan usually starts with the easiest and works his way up.

  What a great place.  So go and have some fun!

Check them out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/WaterCountry
Twitter: @watercountry

Disclosure:  I received a family four pack of passes to Water Country, a Standard Cabana and a locker in exchange for this post.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.