6/14/13: Kidobi Video Content for Kids

My kids love to use my iPad and iPhone and they love to stream videos.  As you know going on to YouTube and searching for something even as harmless as Dora the Explorer can return videos with inappropriate language or images.  You never know when starting the video what to expect and you don't want your kids seeing content that is inappropriate.  I have the perfect solution.  It is called Kidobi and it has online video content specifically for children ages 2-6.

What I love about it is that it is educational.  It even categorizes the videos by skill content including math, science, social, language, imagination & creativity, and life skills.  Plus it also categorizes by age appropriateness.  Kids spend so much time in front of screens from such a young age.  This includes computer screens, TV screens and electronic equipment.  You can create play lists for your kids so you control what they watch.  What a wonderful way to use technology in a controlled positive way for kids.

All video is pre-screened by educators and child development experts to ensure educational value.  There are thousands of videos and my kids loved watching.

Kidobi is also available as an iPad and Android app and can be found online at www.kidobi.com. You can also like Kidobi on Facebook and follow on Twitter for the latest updates. 

Disclosure:  I received a 3 month subscription to Kidobi and a gift pack in exchange for this review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

6/13/13: The Sound of Music at the North Shore Music Theatre

 The Hills of Beverly, MA are alive with The Sound of Music.  Well at least the North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is alive with The Sound of Music and we were lucky enough to attend the show the other night.  We attended as a family and my kids loved the show as much as we did.  The show is still going on until June 23rd so there is still time to get tickets.

 Credit for all photos to: ©Paul Lyden
First off, Lisa O'Hare was fabulous as Maria.  Her voice was powerful and her character so believable.  It is hard to live up to Julie Andrews but she did an amazing job with the part and I was quite impressed.   

Another character that had an absolutely phenomenal voice was Suzanne Ishee as Mother Abbess.  When she sang Climb Ev'ry Mountain it was so amazing.  Words can't even describe how beautiful it was sung and the crowd cheering at the end of the performance was evidence of how moved others were too.

The kids were also wonderful.  My children were impressed by them and inspired by them.  They had wonderful voices and great stage presence.  When they sang So Long, Farewell it was adorable.  

David Andrew Macdonald was wonderful as Captain von Trapp.  His voice was great and his affection for Maria was well done.  As always the North Shore Music Theatre is a wonderful venue as you are surrounded by the action as it is a theatre in the round.  It is a quite lengthy show with the longest portion in the first half.  The show runs 2 hours and 40 minutes with a 20 minute intermission.  Take this in to account if you are taking young children to see it.  Some tips:  There has been a 2pm matinee added on Thurs, June 20.  Kids 18 and under save 50% on ‘Family Friday' June 14.   

More about the show:
Let's start at the very beginning... the award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is alive with THE SOUND OF MUSIC as the treasured musical takes the stage for the first time since 1989.  Opening Tuesday, June 11 and playing through Sunday, June 23.

"When I selected The Sound of Music to open the 2013 Musical Season, I could never have predicted how popular it was going to be, and this production is going to be a knock out. With a talented cast, led by Lisa O'Hare, under the direction of James Brennan, I have confidence this production won't disappoint," said owner and producer Bill Hanney. "This show has already outsold some productions from past seasons.  We haven't even had our first performance yet but I have added one performance and will determine soon if we can add more.  I expect tickets to become scarce."    

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. When a novice nun proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain. Featuring a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse and a score by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is filled with some of the most memorable and well-loved songs of all time including "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi" and "So Long, Farewell." 

 The cast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC will be led by Lisa O'Hare playing Maria Rainer. Lisa returns to NSMT following her critically acclaimed performance in the 2011 production of My Fair Lady. Other credits include Camelot (Guinevere), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Gigi, Copacabana, and television appearances on "Castle," "The Closer," and "Undercovers."  Following this production, Lisa will be headed to Broadway in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. Stage and screen actor David Andrew Macdonald will play Captain Georg von Trapp. David has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia!, Coram Boy, and Two Shakespearean Actors, and in the National Tour of Stephen Daldry's An Inspector Calls for which he received a Jeff Award nomination in Chicago. His television credits include "Sex and the City," "Law and Order," "Law and Order: SVU," and ten years (1999-2009) playing Edmund Winslow on The Guiding Light. 

  Tickets for the THE SOUND OF MUSIC are priced from $45 - $75. Performances are June 11 thru June 23, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm.  

For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit here or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, Massachusetts.  Discounted Five- Show Subscriptions and Trio packages are available. THE SOUND OF MUSIC is sponsored by Abiomed.
Play the Sound of Music Game and win 4 VIP Tickets for the show on June 22nd.

The 2012 musical season continues with The Wizard of Oz (July 16 - 28), Cats (August 20 - September 1), La Cage aux Folles (September 24 - October 6) starring Charles Shaughnessy, Miss Saigon (November 5 - 17), and concludes with the return of New England's brightest holiday tradition A Christmas Carol (December 6 - 22), starring David Coffee, celebrating 20 years as Ebenezer Scrooge.

So don't let this show go "So Long, Farewell" before you get to enjoy it.
You can also check out the North Shore Music Theatre:

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/NSMusicTheatre

Disclosure:  I received 4 tickets to attend this performance of The Sound of Music.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

6/12/13: Futures at Fenway with Kidz Bop

For the past two years we have gone to Futures at Fenway.  It is a wonderful way to take the kids to Fenway Park at an affordable price.  Plus this year you can even bring your dog and see Kidz Bop!  Futures at Fenway has been going on for 7 years at Fenway Park.

Details for this year's event:

Families across New England will have the chance to see Major League Baseball stars of tomorrow when the 8^th annual “Futures at Fenway presented by Xfinity” returns to Fenway Park on Saturday, July 27. Family-friendly ticket and concession prices along with kid-friendly activities and entertainment highlight the day of minor league fun. 

This year's event invites fans to bring their dogs to the ballpark and features a post-game performance by the popular kids group “The KIDZ BOP Kids.”  We saw them last year at the Life is Good Festival and they are great.

After a one year absence from the event, Boston’s Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, will make their fourth appearance at Futures at Fenway, taking on the Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Fenway Park gates will open at 11 a.m. for the noon game.

 

After the game, The KIDZ BOP Kids, a group of five kids from across the country that dance and sing today’s biggest hits, will perform. KIDZ BOP is the number one music brand for children ages 5-12 in the U.S. and have been named “#1 Kids’ Artists of the Year” for the third consecutive year by Billboard.

For the first time at Fenway Park, fans will have a chance to bring their dogs to the ballpark. Designated sections of the seating bowl will be available to owners and their pets where rest areas, water bowls, and activities will be provided. There will also be a photo station for dogs and their owners and the opportunity to participate in a pre-game dog parade around the warning track.

Tickets can be purchased at redsox.com/futures or by calling (877) REDSOX-9. Tickets range from $5 (for Bleacher seats) to $30 (for Premium seating areas, including the EMC Club).  Fans who wish to bring their dog to the ballpark are asked to purchase tickets by phone only at (877) REDSOX-9. They will also be required to download and fill out a waiver form at redsox.com/futures to bring to the ballpark on the day of the game.

 

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino originally approached the Red Sox eight years ago with the idea to host minor league games at Fenway Park. Although records are incomplete, the Futures at Fenway games in 2006 are believed to be the first minor league games played at Fenway Park since the 1977 Eastern League All-Star Game. The last known regular season minor league game played at Fenway had been a 1966 Eastern League contest between Pittsfield (Red Sox) and Pawtucket (Indians).

Concessions are also discounted.  Hot Dogs were discounted to $2.50 from $5 and drinks only $2.50.  Be aware though that adult drinks are not discounted so you will still pay over $8 for a beer.  You could also sign the kids up for Red Sox Nation.

There are also little games in between innings also to keep the kids entertained.  Plus there are on-field promotions, and autograph sessions with the stars.  Plus in the concourse there were people making balloon animals, games for the kids, face painters and other fun things to keep the kids entertained.

What a lot of fun for the kids.  Take them out to the Ballgame!

Disclosure:  I received four tickets to Futures at Fenway to promote it.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

6/11/2013: Disney Music Gift Cards

I love listening to Disney music.  I have since I was a little kid.  Now we listen to Radio Disney in the car and the kids watch the Disney Channel so they love the music too.  In fact I had just posted a review of Shake It Up: I < 3 Dance.  I wanted to make you aware of the new Disney digital music store and music gift cards.  Kids can download a vast collection of Disney contemporary hits and timeless classics and parents don't need to worry that lyrics will not be appropriate. 

What a great gift this makes for graduations, birthdays and any other special occasion when you are trying to buy for someone who is hard to buy for.  They are available in $15, $25 and custom variable amounts at Wal-Mart and grocery retailers everywhere. From there, users may go to the Disney digital music store, enter a code and shop for instant downloads from a menu of over 12,000 tracks.  This short video shows more information. 

The catalog of music available at the Disney digital music store includes current hit artists (Selena Gomez, Bridgit Mendler, and Demi Lovato), Disney Channel series and original movie soundtracks (Shake It Up, Austin & Ally, Let It Shine).

Film soundtracks (Brave, The Muppets, TRON: Legacy), inspired-by compilations (Frankenweenie Unleashed!, Muppets: The Green Album, Almost Alice) plus classic soundtracks (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid), Disney Junior soundtracks (Sofia the First, Jake and the Never Land Pirates), Disney Princess and Fairies compilations, Radio Disney favorites, Spanish language, Songs & Story, and many more. 
For more information on Disney music gift cards and a full list of retailers, please visit www.disneymusicgiftcard.com. To access the digital music store directly, go to www.disneymusicstore.com. 

Make sure to like them on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/disneymusic 

Twitter:  @disneymusic

Disclosure:  I was provide with a Disney Music Gift Card for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

6/7/13: Lowell Summer Free Children's Shows

It is hard to keep kids entertained over the summer with activities that don't break the bank.  I was excited to find out about a free kids series in Lowell that I wanted to share with you.The Lowell Summer Music Series is an outdoor concert series held each weekend in Lowell at Boarding House Park. The concerts themselves are family friendly, as kids are actually admitted free.  There is a separate series of shows 100% driven towards kids and they are FREE on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer.  Full schedule here.

All photos courtesy of the Lowell Summer Music Series website.

The series is presented courtesy of Lowell General Hospital Circle Health and all shows include: 

10 AM Make and Take Art

Natural Organic Snacks

11 AM Performance

Noon National Park Trolley Rides 

Schedule includes:

Wednesday July 10, 2013 11:00 AM CURIOUS CREATURES  

Thursday July 11, 2013 11:00 AM BEN RUDNICK AND FRIENDS 

Wednesday July 17, 2013 11:00 AM MARIANA IRANZI 

Thursday July 18, 2013 11:00 AM BONAPARTE Boston's Hottest Magician 

Wednesday July 31, 2013 11:00 AM ROLIE POLIE GUACAMOLE 

Thursday August 1, 2013 11:00 AM FUNIKI JAM 

Wednesday August 7, 2013 11:00 AM YO-YO PEOPLE World Champion Yo-yo 

Thursday August 8, 2013 11:00 AM MARCUS GALE 

Wednesday August 14, 2013 11:00 AM PETER PANIC JUGGLER 

Thursday August 15, 2013 11:00 AM THE AIRBORNE COMEDIANS

All shows at:

Boarding House Park

40 French Street

Lowell, MA 01852

A message will be posted by 9:30AM on the day of the show on the home page of this website and on our info line 978-970-5200 with the details of any weather-related relocation. (rain or excessive heat)

All children’s shows will be relocated to the Cyrus Irish Auditorium at Lowell High School located diagonally across French Street from Boarding House Park. 

Disclosure:  No compensation has been received to promote these shows.  I just wanted to provide my readers this wonderful summer series.

6/6/13: Roger Williams Zoo July Extra Hours

We love going to the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI.  We have gone many times in the past.  I wanted to let you know that this summer they will have extended hours in July.  

They are keeping their doors open late for twilight adventures the whole family can enjoy.  Watch the elephants at sunset, or take a twilight tour of Tropical America.  See the Zoo in a whole new light on July 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.  The Zoo will be open from 9 am to 8:30 pm with the last admission at 7:30 pm.  Regular Zoo admission applies (members for free).  There is so much to see there! 

 But this guy is their favorite!  The Crane who literally turns his neck and his head upside down.  The kids have such a great time playing with him.

 They talk about the "funny bird" all year and can't wait to go back and play with him.

 We love the elephants and can't wait to see them at sunset.

 We love watching the giraffes.

 Plus you can check out the Farmyard where you can see some Sheep, Chickens, Pigs and a Cow.

 Hasbro's Our Big Backyard just opened last June and is lots of fun for the kids.  This is the newly built CVS All Kids Can Tree House which is a fully accessible tree house.  Another beautiful building with activities and a scavenger hunt for kids and adults to enjoy.  They also had some bugs butterflies in the walls as part of the scavenger hunt.

 There are lots of fun activities there for the kids.  Here is a fish pond to go fishing in.

So beautiful inside the tree house.

  The kids painting with water in the Creativity Corner.  They really enjoyed this new play area.  Go and check out the Roger Williams Zoo and see it for yourself.

I highly suggest going to the Roger Williams Zoo!  We love it and I know you will too.

Find them on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RWPZoo

Twitter: @RWPZoo

Disclosure:  I received a family four pack of tickets to the Roger Williams Zoo in exchange for this review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

6/4/13: GymStreet USA Summer Camp

It is about that time that school is almost out and summer camps start up.  I wanted to share information about Summer Camp at GymStreet USA.  My kids went the last two years and loved it.  In fact they both keep saying they can't wait to go to Camp this year.  The kids are especially looking forward to the themed days.  Here is the calendar of camp theme days.  Also feel free to check out my other GymStreet USA posts.

June 20th - August 30th 7:30am – 5:30pm

CAMP IS ACTION PACKED

Parents check this out...

 They have the LOWEST CAMP RATES in the area - I know I compared

 You can create YOUR OWN schedule

 The security of knowing your children are not taken off site.

 Option to buy lunch your kids will love ($5.00)

Kid Friendly Lunch Menu including Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Cheese, Soup, Pizza, Hot Dog, or Mac and Cheese  Lunch includes:  Chips, fresh fruit and drink

Campers will have a blast doing

 Instructional Gymnastics

 Tumble Track and Trampoline Time

 Instructional Martial Arts

 Rope and Bar swinging

 Swimming in our foam block pool

 Free play in our huge Inflatable Room

 Movie every afternoon on our huge Movie Wall with surround sound!

 Parachute Games

 Relay Race Games

 Organized Sports:  (Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball, Scooter Hockey and Kickball)

 And so much more…….

Check out their Daily Itinerary

7:30 - 9:00 Supervised play in gym

9:00 – 12:00 Themed Event and Games

10:00-10:30 Snack Time (must bring your own)

12:00-12:30 Lunch Time (bring or buy)

12:30 - 1:00 Craft/Free time

1:00 - 2:00 Gymnastics rotations

2:00 - 2:30 Snack time (must bring your own)

2:30 -4:00 Various activities

4:00 - 5:30 Movie

Inflatable Time Varies

***Daily Schedule is subject to change***

Price Per Week:
Half Day - up to 4 hours
Full Day - up to 8 hours
Full Day Extended - 8 hours or more
1 Day  Half Day - $40.00, Full Day - $55.00, Full Day Extended - $65.00
2 Days Half Day - $65.00, Full Day - $95.00, Full Day Extended - $120.00
3 Days Half Day - $85.00, Full Day - $130.00, Full Day Extended - $165.00
4 Days Half Day - $100.00, Full Day - $155.00, Full Day Extended - $200.00
5 Days Half Day - $110.00, Full Day - $175.00, Full Day Extended - $225.00
Please Note: Full Payment is due at the time of registration. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Check or Cash. Day per Week Pricing is only eligible on Weekly prepaid registrations. On vacation weeks additional added days are subject to the one day rate. We welcome walk-ins the day of camp however, it is subject to an additional $10.00 fee.

Space is limited so call today to reserve your spot!

978-694-9678 

http://gymstreetusa.com/camps.htm

Disclosure: I receive a discount on my daughter's Gymnastics in exchange for posts for GymStreet USA.

6/2/13: Win a Scanimalz Toy

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS KIMBERLY!
Recently I received a Scanimalz animal which is a new toy from Wicked Cool Toys and I wanted to share it and give one away.  They are super cute and cuddly and my son was immediately intrigued when he saw the QR code on his belly.  Read on to win one of your very own!

We know kids now grow up with technology and can use an iPhone or iPad better than we can.  It seems like even toddlers know how to swipe the screen and know what to do.  So why not integrate technology with a cool little stuffed animal.  I see my son keep interacting with him due to the app and games he can play.

 These new toys are from SCANdinavia, and make SCANtastic pets!  They are super easy to use.  First you download the free iOS or Android Scanimalz App and scan the code on the tag to get started.  From then on out you are just scanning the QR code on the belly to play games.  

Earn Scantz points and work your way up the Daily Leader Board! What makes Scanimalz unique is the App prompts kids to scan their Scanimalz’ belly on a daily basis, and offers optional push notifications alerting players to special scanning days and events…this keeps the connection alive between the soft cuddly character and the child.

Here is a little video on them.

There are more than 30 adorable plush Scanimalz characters to choose from from Wicked Cool Toys.  You cans see them all here. They are very affordable at only $9.99. Buy them now at Scanimalz.com, and specialty retail shops including select Learning Express Stores, Aahs and Puzzle Zoos. They will soon be available at Toys”R”Us and other retailers nationwide.

Enter the Rafflecopter below to win one just like the one shown.

Disclosure:  I received a Scanimalz character for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway