6/27/13: GymStreet USA Team Banquet

In Gymnastics the girls work hard all year and it is nice to have a night to celebrate, wear a pretty dress, dance and have fun.  GymStreet USA did a fabulous job again of putting on a wonderful Banquet for the girls.  Here she is with her Pre-Team friends.  

Lauren with her fancy drink ready for dinner. 

 Each of the girls got a new shiny leotard which they were very excited about.

Here is Lauren getting hers. 

She was very happy it was purple. 

Here she is with one of her Coaches. 

Here is her latest Gymnastics Picture.

Now it was time for dancing.   

One of the owners Charlie is in a band called the Common Ground 521.  The girls had fun singing with them and dancing to their music. 

So much fun dancing! 

I can't believe she danced the night away until 10 pm! 

 We are so proud to be part of the GymStreet USA family.

6/24/13: Monsters University - Go See It

Last Wednesday we were lucky enough to see an advanced screening of Disney/Pixar's Monsters University.    The movie came out on June 21st so if you haven't seen it yet, go see it!

I love that it is a prequel to Monsters Inc and shows you how Mike and Sully met.  It wasn't really friends at first sight but their friendship grew.  I went with my kids and Mom and we all loved it.

I love the characters in their Fraternity.

This movie is super adorable and not scary for kids.  I know some friends asked me that question and my 5 year old daughter said no it wasn't scary at all.  Plus she liked the 3D which usually she doesn't like.

I also wanted to share some fun activities:
Design your own School Crest
Memory Cards

Spot the Differences
Coloring Sheet

Here is some cool concept art that was used to design the film.

I would say Disney/Pixar got a touch down on this one.

GO SEE IT WITH YOUR LITTLE MONSTERS!

 Here is the final trailer: 

YouTube Embed: And another cute video:

Like Monsters University on Facebook

Follow Monsters University on Twitter: @monstersu

Hashtag: #MonstersU

Disclosure:  I was provided with 4 tickets to an advanced screening of Monsters University and promotional materials from Disney.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

6/22/13: Win an Aeromax Toy and Have Fun Pretending

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS JULIA!
The official first day of summer has passed so it is time to have some fun in the sun.  What is better than water play on a hot summer day?  Water play with some role playing!  Aeromax Toys has the perfect solution for your aspiring Fireman or Astronaut to enjoy water play and pretend.  I am offering you a chance to win one of the following 4 toys:  Super Soaking Fire Hose with Backpack, Astronaut Space Pack Super Soaking Water Blaster, Jr. Space Explore, or Sky Scrapers.

 My son has aspirations of becoming a fire fighter.  We have had two of his birthday parties at the Fire Station and he loves to shoot the fire hose.  I knew he would love the Fire Power Super Soaking Fire Hose with Backpack.  I was absolutely right.

 Here you can see him wearing the backpack of water soaking power.  It is easy for kids to carry around since it is a backpack type design, plus the water lasts quite a while.

 The nozzle has two types of spray.  One single sprayer, or three sprayers.

 The kids were having such a blast playing with it.

 Of course Evan had to shoot me with some water too.

 You just have to love the giggles.  You know the kids are having fun.  Evan definitely gave it a good review.

 I think what he liked the most is that it held quite a bit of water so he didn't need to refill often.

 Here you can see it out of the package.

Here it is as packaged.  Creative Child magazine awarded this water toy its top prize, a 2011 Kids Product of the Year Award.

There is also an Astronaut Space Pack Super Soaking Water Blaster.  What a blast kids will have when they can shoot aliens (or next-door pals) with a 30-foot blast of water. This space pack can shoot water in two directions at once, or choose the more traditional single straight-on stream. Strap on the space pack – on top of other space gear or while still wearing pajamas -- and have a blast indoors or out.

Another cool toy is their best selling inflatable Jr. Space Explorer.  I can appreciate their focus on aerodynamics as I went to college for Aerospace Engineering.  This product has QR codes that kids can scan using a smart phone or tablet, they are learning about the international space station, shuttles and space exploration. Two strategically located, graphically enhanced QR codes are printed on the nose of the inflatable shuttle that's designed for tots weighing up to 90 pounds. One scan shows actual video footage of a shuttle launch, spectacular views of Mother Earth and a shuttle landing. Scan the other QR code for a historical space lesson including the first woman and the first doctor to fly in space. It can be used indoor or outdoors and can be used as a floating ride-on in the pool or lake 

The last option is the Sky Scraper which soars over 100 feet, without batteries. Includes 3 flying disks and launcher for hours upon hours of outdoor fun. 

 It also will include a Sky Scraper Glow Disks Refill Pack.

You can win one of the above 4 toys.  Enter in the Rafflecopter below.

Disclosure:  I received the Fire Power Super Soaking Fire Hose for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6/20/13:Take the Kids Out To Fenway Park to See the Red Sox

As a blogger I am very fortunate sometimes to get some one of a kind opportunities.  Yesterday I was able to go on a tour of Fenway Park, watch batting practice and provide feedback to Red Sox Marketing professionals on providing a better family experience at Fenway.  Seriously how cool is that?

What is more all American than going to a baseball game?  Now that my son plays little league he has an appreciation for going to see a game.  

I love that Fenway management reached out to family bloggers to talk about how to enhance the Fenway Park experience.  

If you don't know about Futures at Fenway I highly suggest reading my Futures at Fenway post.  This is a wonderful family friendly event where concessions are discounted and kids can enjoy the Fenway experience catered to them.

We have been going for the last two years and the kids love it!  
Plus kids can join Red Sox Kid Nation.  Here are my kids with their lunch boxes and hats when they joined a couple years ago.

A one year membership includes what is shown below plus access to watch Batting Practice from the Green Monster, access to purchase 2 discounted Outfield Grandstand tickets, 10% off at the Team Store, in game giveaways, opportunity to attend special events at Fenway, a Kid Nation Passport, and 3 issues of the Kids Club Newsletter.

We got to see a cool area where they filmed a dating show a while ago.

You have to enter a lottery to get seats in this area but they do include $25 in concessions.

Another favorite area to sit on is the Green Monster.  Here is the view from there.

The seats in the Green Monster area.

 Here is a view in the Green Monster area of the $35 standing room seats.

Beautiful!

 The guys warming up.

Here is a little bit of Red Sox History.  This Red Chair is in the right field bleachers and is Seat 21 in Row 37 of Section 42.  This chair marks the spot where Ted Williams hit the longest home run in Fenway's 84 years. 

We also got to check out the Royal Rooters Club which is an elite area for long time season ticket holders.

It has lots of cool memorabilia all around the area. 

I think the highlight for me was going to Batting Practice on the field.  Here is Pedroia.  I think he was posing for me.

Here are the guys getting ready for the game.

 This is not an opportunity you can purchase.

I am on the field!!!

So awesome!

John was then able to attend the game for me.  I had to go to an advanced screening of Monsters University and was sad to have to leave.

What a fantastic experience!  I thank the Red Sox and Fenway Park for welcoming us and listening to our feedback.

Go ahead and take your kids out to the Ballgame!

Disclosure:  I received two tickets to the Red Sox game in addition to a tour and access to batting practice.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.