Sunday, August 12, 2018

New England Revolution Soccer and Upcoming Clinic

Evan has loved soccer since he was 3 years old. He was very excited to go to Gillette Stadium to watch the New England Revolution game. Santander Bank is running a free soccer clinic also so read on to learn about that!
It is so much fun watching the game live with all the chanting and excitement in the stadium. 
The kids were having such a blast at the game.
 So cool we saw this on the way up to our seats.
What is exciting is that Santander and the New England Revolution will host the first-ever free and open to the public soccer clinic at Gillette Stadium on Friday, August 17, 2018 from 5-7 p.m.
New England kids and families are invited to join their favorite Revolution players for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on the Revolution’s home pitch. The clinic will feature New England Revolution players and Revolution Academy Coaches leading a skills clinic with drills, demonstrations and instruction for young soccer fans (ages 5 – 17) and their families. Fans will have the chance to meet and play soccer alongside a host of Revolution stars, as well as enjoy autograph opportunities, FIFA soccer, a Revolution prize wheel, ice cream, and more! Join us! 
Parents and guardians may reserve a spot for their child online at: www.revolutionsoccer.net/2018-santander-public-clinic
Follow the New England Revolution online:
Twitter:  @NErevolution #NERevsGame @SantanderBankUS
Disclosure:  I received 4 tickets to the game for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Friday, August 10, 2018

Win 4 Tickets to King Richard's Faire

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS THOMAS M
It is that time again, time to escape reality at King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA! I am giving away four tickets for my lucky subjects.  The Faire runs weekends and Monday holidays from September 1st to October 21st.  The winning tickets are for September 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Enter below!
More about the faire:
King Richard’s Faire has exciting rides, games in an 80-acre wooded site in Carver ,MA! There are great shows on eight stages, tigers and even fire eaters! You’ll be dazzled by acrobats, aerialists, and jugglers! This year, King Richard’s Faire welcomes a benevolent and beautiful Queen Anne as well as new princess to the royal family.
Plus there is great shopping and excellent food!
So many talented artisans from near and far.

Lauren wearing this beautiful piece.
Check out lots of great acts throughout. I highly suggest checking out the schedule when it is posted hereThe Faire has three new musical acts: 3 Pints Shy, Music the Gathering, and Meraki Caravan sharing the stages with fan favorites The Washing Well Wenches and world record-setting Jacques Ze Whippeur. King Richard, Queen Anne and their royal court are up to some crazy antics in this season’s all new musical comedy featured twice daily on the King’s Stage. For the first four weekends only, Snorkle the Wonder Pig will make guests laugh and smile with his stunts.

I personally love the knights jousting on horseback.
  Check their website for more information:
https://kingrichardsfaire.net/
The Faire is located at 235 Main Street (Rt. 58) in Carver, Mass. 02330, phone is 508-866-5391, email info@kingrichardsfaire.net.  Visit King Richard’s Faire on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/TheKingRichardsFaire

So don't get locked out of the best escape from reality!  Win tickets now!  Enter below!
Disclosure:  I received a set of four tickets for giveaway and also a family pack of four tickets in exchange for review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Mamma Mia Tons of Fun at the North Shore Music Theatre

One of my favorite theaters to go to is the North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT). I love it because the action surrounds you and there is not a bad seat in the theater. We had the pleasure of going to Mamma Mia and it was awesome! On top of great singing, acting, and dancing the show had you up out of your seat having fun.
First off, ABBA's music is just fantastic. It makes you want to move and groove. When you hear Dancing Queen you can't help moving your shoulders.
All show photos by Paul Lyden provided by the North Shore Music Theatre
The costumes were absolutely fantastic.
Let me start with Donna played by Erica Mansfield. What an amazing voice she has! Her acting was wonderful as the strong single mother handling everything on her own. There were also touching moments of her with her daughter Sophie before her wedding day.
When she was with her friends it was magic. Tiffani Barbour as Rosie and Tari Kelly as Tanya were fantastic. They had some hilarious scenes together.
Tari Kelly was especially a standout in her hysterical portrayal of her part. Her walking along the guys arms and singing was especially impressive.
Tiffani Barbour as Rosie was especially fantastic in Take a Chance on Me! I loved it!
Malia Monk did a wonderful job as Sophie. She had such innocence and a beautiful voice. Who wouldn't want to figure out who their Dad was. Her Dads did a great job including Al Bundonis as Bill, Davide Elder as Sam and Christopher Carl as Harry. Sam had a fantastic voice also in his solo songs.
Harry cracked me up with his head banging. He was so great and hilarious.
The ending is fantastic. I will just say you will be out of your seat dancing along to some of the favorite songs from the show. What a blast!
More about the Show:
The story takes place on a mythical Greek island in the present day, and centers around a young girl named Sophie who dreams of a white wedding, with her father giving her away at the altar (I HAVE A DREAM). Problem is, she doesn't know who her dad is - and she's getting married the next day. As the show begins, she explains to her chums that her mum, Donna, fell into the arms of three men within a short space of time. So she's got three possible dads, and has invited them all to the wedding (HONEY, HONEY). Sophie's mum, a tavern hostess, used to front a rock chick band called "Donna and the Dynamos." 
Her former bandmates - the tomboyish Rosie and the glamorous Tanya - show up for the wedding, and talk over how life has turned out for them (MONEY, MONEY, MONEY). They're not the only ones who turn up though - so do the three possible dads, whom Sophie convinces not to tell Donna that she invited them (THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC). Donna is surprised, to say the least, at the sight of the new arrivals (MAMMA MIA). Convinced that this new twist will ruin everything, she escapes to her room, where Rosie and Tanya do their best to cheer her up (CHIQUITITA). They discover mementos of their old rock band days, and try to see if they've still got it (DANCING QUEEN). Sophie is not much happier - she'd been sure she'd be able to tell at first sight which one was her father, but she has no clue. Sky (her fiance) tries to cheer her up, while his friends try to steal him away for the traditional bachelor party, beginning with a deep-sea dive (LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME). 
 At Sophie's own party, Donna, Rosie and Tanya make their triumphant return to the stage (SUPER TROUPER). The three "dad"s, Sam, Bill and Harry, are also present, and as the only men there are subjected to the attention of the girls (GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!). Sophie talks to each of the men, and all of them become convinced that the reason he has been invited is because he is Sophie's father (THE NAME OF THE GAME). Sophie returns hopelessly confused, while the party carries on (VOULEZ-VOUS). The second act begins with Sophie's nightmare about her wedding, where there are three men fighting to give away the bride, who isn't what she seems (UNDER ATTACK). 
Sam is the first to try to speak to Donna about his suspicions, but all she can think of is the past (ONE OF US). It turns out Sam, who may have been the love of her life, left her. They both wish they could go back to the time when they were open with one another (S.O.S.). Meanwhile, Tanya has been fighting off advances from one of the boys that works for Donna, and finally manages to put him down once and for all (DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW?). 
Sam tells Sophie something about his failed marriage, trying to ensure she knows what she's getting into with Sky (KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU). Harry has also decided to speak to Donna, and they begin to reminisce about the time they spent together (OUR LAST SUMMER). Sophie herself arrives and Donna helps her finish getting ready for the wedding, hardly able to believe her little girl is getting married (SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS). 
Sam returns again, emboldened by his talk with Sophie, but Donna still doesn't want to have anything to do with him, and asks him to leave (THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL). An attraction has been growing between Rosie and Bill, who find themselves alone in the church before the wedding. She decides to take matters into her own hands (TAKE A CHANCE ON ME). The wedding begins, with Donna giving the bride away. However, Sophie's been doing some thinking, and puts an end to the proceedings, saying she's just not ready. But someone else is - Sam explains his desertion of 20 years ago and asks Donna to marry him. Shocked, but happy, she agrees (I DO, I DO, I DO). Content with having three dads rather than just one, Sophie leaves with Sky to find their future (I HAVE A DREAM).
Definitely get your tickets now as this show is here until September 2nd!

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

Monday, August 6, 2018

Santa's Village Christmas in July

What is better than Christmas in July? Beautiful weather, listening to Christmas carols and visiting Santa at his Village in summer sounds like a great idea to me! Our family has an annual tradition to visit Santa's Village and have been going since 2008.  The kids are older but we still have fun there!
My kids always take advantage of getting their list in early with the big man himself! Evan opted to ask for a hover board and Lauren asked for some art supplies.
 I got a bit nostalgic and decided to make a collage of pictures since 2008.  Amazing how much the kids change through the years.
The kids still enjoy many of the rides. In fact the Bumper Cars there are their favorite.
 They ride these at least 10 times!
They still love the Himalaya and laugh the whole time as Lauren is squishing Evan.
They also love riding Rudy's Rapid Transit Coaster.
Evan has loved the Antique Cars since he was little. Both kids always look to see if they will get their favorite color car.
The kids also love tubing and always have a blast on You Tubing.
 Rudy's Red Hot Racers are a hit too!
The Skyway Sleigh is like a sky ride in a sleigh! You can feel just like Santa but make sure to say "Up up and away" to get on your way. Also this is a great way to get an overview of the park from above.
  You can see the whole list of rides here.
There is also a water park but we didn't go in the water.
 This is a food area and changing rooms.
The kids love to take annual pictures in the same spot. The Snow Man has changed a bit over the years but here he is now.
They always take a picture with the big bunny.
Back in the day they would play the Elfabet game and when they got their diploma we would take a picture in front of the Santa's Village sign. Now no diplomas but same picture.
 The kids still see how tall they are, and some times the adults do too.
 Happy that Lauren is still shorter than me even though Evan towers over me now.
I don't think that Lauren believes this is the Mayor!
My favorite thing to do is visit the reindeer.
 You can buy little cups of snacks for the reindeer for $2 a piece. When we were there it was carrots.
 It looks like Lauren is having a conversation with Dasher.
 I love the reindeer.
The kids no longer play the Elfabet Game.This is a search throughout the park for 26 Elves with a little punch card and get a prize and diploma at the end.  They did take pictures with their Elf though.
  Too cute!
The kids still love making gingerbread girls and boys. Sometimes Lauren gets carried away though thinking the house is edible. LOL!
There are shows but my kids didn't want to watch them.  There is a 3D movie, light show and animatronic show plus live performers.  
I love the entrance area.
 It is so pretty outside. 
 At any age I promise will have a ton of fun at Santa's Village!
Find them online:  http://www.santasvillage.com/


Disclosure:  I was provided with tickets for my family to go to Santa's Village for promotional purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.