9/29/14: Pumpkins AGLOW Halloween fun at Edaville, USA

We love Halloween in our house.  We start decorating in early September to enjoy a full two months of Halloween fun.  This year Halloween meets Edaville USA in Carver, MA with Pumpkins AGLOW.

 From October 3rd through the 26th on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there will be endless jack-o-lanterns at Edaville, USA.

Kids can even get another use out of their costume as they can dress up and and join the costume parades.  We know how we love to have our kids wear their costumes more than once.  Kids can even trick or treat at your favorite ride, and go for a ride on our all new Haunted Train. 

Edaville USA is a safe and fun environment to celebrate Halloween with the whole family. All rides and attractions are included in general park admission, so guests will be able to visit Dinoland and also enjoy unlimited use of all park amusements.

You can read more about Dinoland here.

 It looks amazing!

So come on down to Edaville USA!

General admission is $20, with free entrance to guests under the age of 2, and $17 for seniors.  Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.edaville.com or at the park entrance.  Use the promo code PUMPKINS and save $2 per ticket.

Like the Edaville Facebook page to stay up to date.  

You can also follow them on Twitter: @EdavilleUSA

  Visit Edaville USA and experience Halloween throughout October! 

Disclosure:  I received season passes of tickets for my family to promote Edaville USA.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

9/29/14: Chicago at the North Shore Music Theatre

This year the North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is on fire with some great shows.  Right now they have Chicago playing which was amazing.  There are so many great songs in this show with of course my favorite, All That Jazz.  This one we didn't bring the kids to as it has some mature subject matter.

All show photos by Paul Lyden provided by the North Shore Music Theatre

Heather Parcells who plays Roxie was amazing.  I am always amazed at how well the actors and actresses do with both singing and dancing.  My breath would be gone but she had such a powerful voice.

She had a wonderful voice.

Bahiyah Hibah who played Velma was also terrific.

 These two were wonderful.  The dancing, singing and acting were all so well done.

Liz McCartney who played Mama was also extremely funny and had a wonderful voice.

Sean McDermott played Billy Flynn had a terrific voice. 

 The show runs until October 5th so get your tickets now.   Here is a video preview of the show:  

More About the Show:

Come on babe, why don't we paint the town? Bill Hanney's award winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) presents the killer hit musical, CHICAGO for two weeks only.  "Chicago has been a long-time favorite show of mine with the many show stopping numbers and the sizzling dancing. The show's message about fame and false celebrity could be ripped from today's headlines, so it is hard to believe the original story was written in 1927," said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney. "I am very excited to finally have Chicago on our stage, and even more excited to present all new staging of the show created just for North Shore Music Theatre audiences by director/choreographer Nick Kenkel. Audiences know Nick's work from our tremendously fun and memorable production of Legally Blonde in 2011." 

 Anywhere else murder would be a crime, but in CHICAGO, it is the quickest route to fame. In the acclaimed jazz-age, Bob Fosse musical, murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart compete not just for headlines, but with the help of their slick lawyer Billy Flynn, for a lasting moment in the spotlight. Based on Maureen Dallas Watkins' 1927 play of the same name, the musical CHICAGO opened on Broadway in 1975 and starred Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera Overshadowed by the runaway success of A Chorus Line, which opened the same year, CHICAGO closed on Broadway after only 898 performances. 

 The 1996 revival of CHICAGO opened to rave reviews, won 6 Tony Awards, and, still running today, is the longest running revival, and third longest running show in Broadway History. CHICAGO features a score by legendary Broadway songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb and includes such hit songs as "All That Jazz," "Mr. Cellophane" and "Razzle Dazzle." 

Tickets for the CHICAGO are priced from $50 - $75. Performances are September 23 thru October 5, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri and Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. Kids 18 and under save 50% on ‘Family Fridays'- September 26 and October 3 at 8 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA. The 2014 musical season continues with Les Misérables, (October 28 – November 9), and concludes with the return of New England's brightest holiday tradition A Christmas Carol (December 5 – 21), starring David Coffee as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Don't let All That Jazz get away, make sure to get your tickets!

Disclosure:  I received 4 tickets to attend a performance of Chicago.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

9/25/14: Movie Night at Edaville USA

I love watching movies outside.  I used to love going to the Drive In.  Now the Drive In is coming to Edaville USA in Carver, MA this weekend on September 27th and 28th.  

The Wizard of Oz will play on 9/27 and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will play on 9/28 in the event field.  Both movies will start at dusk.  You can bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch these movies.

Plus you can enjoy unlimited rides on the train, and ride the rides.  It is a whole day of fun.  You must experience the all new Dinoland.  We really enjoyed it. 

We love the train!

All rides and attractions are included in general park admission, so you can visit and also enjoy unlimited use of all park amusements. 

General admission is $20, with free entrance to guests under the age of 2, and $17 for seniors. 

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.edaville.com or at the park entrance. 


Like the Edaville Facebook page to stay up to date.  
You can also follow them on Twitter: @EdavilleUSA

  If you want a fun night out, make sure to visit Edaville USA! 

Disclosure:  I received season passes of tickets for my family to promote Edaville USA.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

9/24/14: Yankee Doodle Parade Fun

In our town we have a Yankee Doodle Weekend Celebration every year.  This year the theme was "Athletics In Our Community" and our elementary school was well represented.  I co-chaired the parade float build and our bee Buzzy joined us for the fun.

Our float featured some sports equipment, our Bee and the school theme of "Be the Best You Can Bee at the Ditson Elementary".

We had over 100 students, families, and staff march with our float dressed in athletic or Ditson clothing.

Evan was excited to hold the banner.

I also gave all the kids sports whistles and necklaces that they had fun blowing.

Our float ready to go.  We spent two night building it with a bunch of parent volunteers.  Plus the kids painted the signs.

What a great day for everyone.  The weather was perfect and we had a fun time!  As the PTO President I am happy to have one event in the books as complete.

9/24/14: Musical Instruments To Play or Not to Play That is the Question

Recently we received a letter home from the music department.  Little did I know that in the fourth grade you can try out an instrument.  At first I thought that Evan wouldn't be interested.  I was very surprised when he said that he wanted to try it and of all the instruments he wanted to try and play the violin.  I have to admit I had to hold back a giggle.  I just can't envision him playing the violin.  Apparently there had been a demonstration at school and the kids got to try all of the instruments and this is what he liked the best.  Plus many of the kids discussed what they wanted to play and it seems violin is a popular choice.  I am fairly sure he is not holding the bow correctly in this picture but he was so excited with his new instrument.

Now if Evan has the musical ability I have this will not last too long however I always want my kids to try new things.  I remember this as a kid and deciding I was destined to be a wonderful clarinet player.  To my dismay I was not a musical person.  I practiced but I was terrible and ultimately only lasted a couple months.  In fact I remember trying out for the chorus also in 4th grade and being turned down.  I still to this day have hard feelings over this because I had to remain in my classroom with a few other non-musical friends.  I still remember how upset I was to not have been chosen.  To be fair they should have just let us all be in chorus.  Why did they let everyone except for about 4 kids?  Of course times have changed and this would not happen now.

Well after making sure Evan really did want to play an instrument and not caring that he would miss one recess a week to do this we decided to take the plunge.  So we headed to the information night where I was overwhelmed by many companies that you could rent instruments from.  Ultimately I chose the one with the largest crowd and a deal to pay for one month and get three months free.  Seemed like a good deal.  It was funny as all the parents were walking out with their children holding their instruments.  We all looked at each other with a bit of an eye roll knowing that ear plugs would be in our future.  I was amazed at how many kids were there.  

We will see, who knows he might be destined for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  But for now I will take just a few less screeches and a pair of ear plugs.

9/24/14: Masters of Illusion at The Hanover Theatre Giveaway

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS HARMONY!
I absolutely love magic and illusion. I am always on the edge of my seat and saying, "how did they do that?".  Magic is very hot right now, in fact the winner of America's Got Talent was a magician.  I was very excited to hear that Masters of Illusion is coming to The Hanover Theatre.  Plus I am offering you a chance to win 4 tickets to the show!!!

The show will be at The Hanover Theatre on October 15th at 7:30 pm.  It really looks fabulous with many performers.

More about the show:

Believe the Impossible! Nothing beats the experience of seeing a magic show in person. You’ll see grand illusions, levitating women, appearances and vanishes, escapes, comedy magic, sleight of hand and beautiful dancers…everything you could possibly imagine and performances that you never dreamed possible – all rolled up into a live show! Only the best, most unique, amusing, astounding and amazing performers have been chosen to perform in Masters of Illusion. It is a huge stage phenomenon born from the multi-award winning television series "Masters of Illusion" and from the World Magic Awards, which is recognized as the International Academy Awards of Magic. 

The live tour premiered in September 2011 and is in its fourth season.The tour has played 105 shows in 68 venues, 28 states, 5 countries and 3 continents. One of the exciting features of this magical experience is that the entire audience participates in a mind-boggling illusion and some lucky individuals even get picked to assist with illusions on stage! 

Here is a video Preview:

Masters of Illusion tour promo from Associated Television Intl on Vimeo.
Full price tickets are $29.50, $39.50 and $49.50 depending on seating location. 10% discount available for members, groups of 10 or more, corporate partners and WOO Card holders. Please call the box office at 877.571.SHOW (7469) for more information. 

Enter below to win 4 tickets to the show!

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

9/19/14: Shoebuy and Fall Shoe Trends

I have to admit as a blogger I get invited to some wonderful events.  When Shoebuy.com invited me to an event with them to be pampered by getting a pedicure and talk shoe trends I jumped at the chance.  Who doesn't love shoes?  It was great to get to hear about Fall and Holiday trends from the World's Largest Site for Shoes.  They carry so many designers plus they have accessories, handbags and apparel.

 Let's start with one trend that was discussed which is accessories such as zippers, buckles, and ribbons that are not functional but just decoration.  I personally love the little bows on the back of these UGGs.

 Aren't these adorable?  My daughter would love these!  So would I.

Here is another boot that has been popular for a while.  I learned that Shoebuy.com has wide calf options for boots.  Boots have always been a problem for me due to my dancers calves.  I was happy to hear this and that wide calf options go up to 16 to 18 inches.

These Boston Boot Co. Boots are awesome.  They are very light weight.

Next are some drool worth shoes.  I love these black shoes.  They are amazing!

This Jessica Simpson pair is fantastic.  Perfect for a night out on the town.

Absolutely gorgeous!

I think these are super cute.

There are also tons of athletic shoes.  These Saucony sneakers are really light weight and great for working out.

Love these Converse.

They also have brands like The North Face for kids and other outerwear for the whole family.  This blue hat was so soft.

They will be having Black Friday sales also.  They often time have promotions.  Right now it is 20% off on their site.  Check them out!

Find them online:  http://www.shoebuy.com/

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

Twitter:  @shoebuy

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/shoebuy/

Disclosure:  Shoebuy.com provided promotional items and a pedicure in exchange for a promotional review.  No other compensation was received and all opinion are my own.