Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker ~ Review

Disclosure:  I was provided with tickets in order to write this review.  However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited when I was given the opportunity to attend the Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker when it came to Chicago.  I have never been to a ballet before and it has always been a bucket list item of mine.  The fact that it was the Great Russian Nutcracker had me even more intrigued.  I grabbed my bestie for a girls afternoon.

I have to say I was very impressed.  Not knowing what to expect it was fabulous.  The music was beautiful with one of my favorite songs being the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.  The dancing was spectacular.  This being my first time seeing a ballet I was amazed by their footwork and flexibility.  It was so beautiful to watch and flowed well with the music.  I loved how they had so many children incorporated into the show as well.



Although Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker has left Chicago for this year there are still tickets available at many venues across the country.  If you live in Chicago I say add this to your to do list for next year.  The little girls were twirling down the aisles during intermission.  It is a must do and you never know it may become a family tradition.  You can use the code JOY for up to $30 off your ticket order.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK FOR SHOWS & TICKETS!

Tickets are on sale now for Moscow Ballet’s celebrated Great Russian Nutcracker on most cities on the 2015 North American tour! Families love Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker! It's the ultimate holiday tradition and creates memories for a lifetime. The production includes over 200 romantic costumes and 10' tall playful animal puppets; shimmering colorful, backdrops splashed with 3-D effects; life-sized Matrushka (Nesting) Dolls and a puppet show for shadowing the Nutcracker Story at the opening Christmas Party. During the battle with Nutcracker Prince and the 3-headed Rat King, a golden cannon shoots roses! In the Magical Snow Forest an authentic Russian style Troika Sleigh, known as the fastest sleigh in the world, is escorted by Father Christmas (Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka) on their way to Act II. The Great Russian Nutcracker is known for its dedication to world peace with Act II named the "Land of Peace and Harmony." The first scene of Act II features a stunning "Dove of Peace" with a 20' wingspan and danced by 2 dancers each with one feathered wing. All ages feel the spirit of the season at Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker!

Getting Closer with a Family Vacation

My absolute favorite thing to do in the world is to get away with my family.  Vacation is the perfect time to bond and get closer with everyone.  I think it is important to try and get away from home on a vacation because it makes that time even more special.  No work, no school, no chores, no grocery shopping.  Just quality family time 24/7.

My boys even tell us they love vacation so much because mommy and daddy don't have to go to work.  Time with each other is so valuable so if you are able, then take advantage of these few short years.  Since our boys are still young we usually go to Florida every year.  Its not to far and there is always tons to do and miles of beaches.



In May we went to Hollywood, Florida and I am thrilled to be heading to Orlando with them in two weeks for #FamilyForward.  Two trips is a real luxury and I am looking forward to having a super fun time with my boys before they head back to school, and my husband too of course.

When I found out we would be staying at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort I was ecstatic and I plan on surprising my dinosaur obsessed boys with a Jurassic Park suite.  It is a bit out of our normal price range but I figure this is a once in lifetime experience that I want them to remember forever.  I cannot wait to see the looks on their faces when we walk into our room.

#FamilyForward is 5 days of family activities with the fun of Universal Studios.  We have never been to Loews Resorts or Universal Studios so I am sure it will be a great family adventure we will remember forever.  The resort has beautiful pools and is walking distance to the theme park.  

So as we count down the days, (TEN more sleeps!!), I hope you are busy planning a vacation with your family or had a fabulous journey this summer.  You never truly know your family until you spend a week with them in a hotel room.  #TravelforReal

Digital Media Academy Special!

Students at Digital Media Academy summer camps had an amazing time this summer! To say "Thank you," 
DMA would like to extend their biggest savings of the year to all DMA alumni - the Alumni Special. 

Take advantage of special discounted pricing and save hundreds when you purchase an Alumni Special Voucher for 2016 summer camps and DMA Online courses. Purchase an Alumni Special voucher and cancel anytime before February 1st, 2016 for a full refund - no questions asked.

Hurry, Alumni Special ends September 1, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.!

Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked the world's best technology camp.
Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. 
Girl Power! Made by Girls is a new program dedicated to empowering female learners through community and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.
Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigious colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

#CreateTheNext this summer at Digital Media Academy! Alumni Special ends September 1, 2015 at 11:59 p.m..

Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention the Alumni Special Offer.

Magic Waters Waterpark!

With everyone talking about back to school, and even sharing Halloween costume ideas, I just want to say STOP!!!  We still have an entire month of summer left before school starts so I highly suggest you take a break on planning for the future and plan a fun day with the kiddos.  Winter is going to be here soon enough so a day at Magic Waters waterpark is a perfect activity to end your summer with.

Magic Waters is just an hour outside of Chicago near beautiful Rockford, IL.  It was an easy drive from the city and well worth it.  They have something for everyone.  My 3 year old is not into slides but he loved playing in the Children's Tiki area.  He also loved the wave pool and told me it was just like the beach in Florida.

Well my 3 year old and I hung around the wave pool my husband and my 5 year old went on every single water slide for the majority of the day.  There were only 2 slides my 5 year old was too little for but he loved all the rest.  His favorite was the Splash Blaster which is basically like a roller coaster water slide.  Tons of fun!

One attraction our entire family enjoyed was the Splash Magic River.  We went around it at least 5 times and had a blast relaxing and racing along the river.  I did manage to sneak away and ride one of the bigger water slides myself called the Double Dare Drop.  I was terrified!!  It was so much fun though and my 5 year old loved watching me go down the huge drop.

It was a fabulous day and My entire family and I can wait to head back to Magic Waters waterpark.  We went on a Sunday and there was not much of a wait for any of the slides and there was plenty of chairs and picnic tables.  We were able to find a nice area in the shade to leave our towels and come back to for lunch.  They also allow you to bring a cooler so feel free to bring any food you want with you!  

Right now if you purchase tickets on their website they are only $13!  If you do buy food in the park I have to say everything is very reasonably priced and tasty.  Parking is FREE.  So drop what you are doing, grab the kids and have a relaxing day at Magic Waters waterpark.  

A huge thank you to USFamilyGuide.com & Magic Waters for giving us tickets for such an exciting day :)

Fresh Families Back to School Giveaway!

Back to School is coming fast, and I’m teaming up with some of my favorite brands and bloggers to offer a huge back to school giveaway!

 

 Three winners will take home a backpack loaded with school supplies - including Boogie Wipes. Plus a mommy clutch - full of everything mom needs to make the start of the school year as easy as possible - including a $25 Target gift card, a $25 Starbucks gift card, Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus, a Dreft Stain Stick and Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator.

Make Back to School Simple with Fresh Families Brands

Bracing yourself for the back to school sniffles that seem inevitable this time of year? Boogie Wipes to the rescue! Click here to grab a coupon, and be sure to stack your savings at Target to save an additional 5% with the Cartwheel app. Dreading having to iron those school uniforms and T-shirts every morning? Meet your new iron - Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus. You're going to love it! Click here for a coupon. Have no doubt that your kids will slop some lunch on their brand new school clothes? Arm them with the Dreft To-Go Instant Stain Remover Pen! Click here for a coupon. Already gagging when you think about having to wash those smelly gym clothes? You'll be shouting #BringtheStink with the new Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator. Click here for a $2 coupon. Complete the form below for a chance to win all of these products - plus more!

Enter to Win!

Complete the form below to enter to win!

Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Entrants must be residents of the United States or Canada. Promotion is void in Quebec. Backpacks, mommy clutch and contents will vary from those pictured.

Magic Waters Waterpark in Rockford ~ Family Fun

Find your fun at Magic Waters Waterpark near Rockford, IL. Magic Waters features 10 attractions such as the Typhoon Terror, The Double Dare Drop Speed Slide or Tsunami Bay-Illinois' largest wave pool!

Experience the thrill of Splash Blaster Water Coaster Ride or just relax on the Splash Magic River! Don't miss Tiki Island-a water paradise for kids! There's fun for the entire family!
 

  

I am super excited to have the opportunity to take my family here.  Chris, my older son, is currently obsessed with water slides.  So stay tuned to hear all about our adventure!

Digital Media Academy ~ Discount

There is still time to register!!

Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world.

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by June 30th to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!


Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. 

Digital Media Academy is also proud to introduce Made by Girls, a new program dedicated to empowering girls and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.

Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigous colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by June 30th to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!

Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention the US Family Guide Special Offer

#CreateTheNext this summer at Digital Media Academy!

Bluefoot Pirate Adventures ~ Discount

We just got back from a week of fun in Florida.  We spent the week on the beach with some activities in between and the sunshine was wonderful.  One of our excursions during our stay was to Bluefoot Pirate Adventures.  The boys were so excited to be going  on a real pirate ship.  I was excited to be going on a boat ride.

We booked a 1 pm cruise and arrived about 30 minutes early as suggested.  The pirates are waiting to greet you and provide some face, or in the case of my boys, arm painting.  They also provide you with pirate attire.  For an additional fee of $7 you can purchase a pirate sword, eye patch, and bandanna.

After everyone gets all their pirate goodies the kids are then taught the rules of being a pirate which I thought was adorable.  It is a super fun way for them to be safe since they are little and it is a boat.  They also teach them how to speak like a pirate which was fun but the kids quickly forgot.

Once on the boat Captain Chris put on a great show of entertaining the adults.  You learn about all the rich people that live in the area, and whether it is a yacht or a mansion he knows it all and it was very interesting.  It was my first sort of celebrity tour and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Plus there was a wonderful cool breeze in the back of the boat. 

The kids are entertained and kept busy by Pirate Rose.  She tells them the story of the treasure and the missing key.  The kids help direct the boat, and the best part is shooting the canons at the bad pirate, or occasionally anyone else that gets to close to our boat.

All in all it was a great time and a fabulous boat ride that I highly recommend if you are in the Fort Lauderdale area with children.  Can you tell how gorgeous the weather was?  If we lived in Florida I would definitely book these guys for my boys birthday party.  Chris wouldn't even take off his eye patch until bedtime.  This is a different one of a kind attraction that needs to be on your to do list.

Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventures children's pirate cruise in Fort Lauderdale. Where children and adults alike, come to experience the magic of a pirate cruise sailing in South Florida in search of treasure.

Come on a Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventures voyage as we take everyone into a world of treasure hunts and battles on the high seas!

DISCOUNTS!!!!!!!

Here are some awesome discounts exclusively from US Family Guide:

$50 Off a Booked Birthday Party with Bluefoot Pirate Adventures Florida!

Discount Tuesdays & Thursdays! - Buy one ticket get a 2nd Ticket at 50% off! Offer Not Valid on Holidays.
 

Digital Media Academy Summer Camps ~ Discount

Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world.

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by May 31 to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!

Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. 

Digital Media Academy is also proud to introduce Made by Girls, a new program dedicated to empowering girls and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.

Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigous colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by May 31 to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!

Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention the US Family Guide Special Offer

#CreateTheNext this summer at Digital Media Academy!

Bluefoot Pirate Adventures! ~ Discount & Fun

Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventures children's pirate cruise in Fort Lauderdale. Where children and adults alike, come to experience the magic of a pirate cruise sailing in South Florida in search of treasure.

Come on a Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventures voyage as we take everyone into a world of treasure hunts and battles on the high seas!

Discount Tuesdays & Thursdays! - Buy one ticket get a 2nd Ticket at 50% off! Offer Not Valid on Holidays.

OR

$50 Off a Booked Birthday Party with Bluefoot Pirate Adventures Florida!

Medieval Times Spring Break BOGO!!! ~ Deal

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Looking for something fun to do while the kids are out of school for Spring Break?  Then I highly suggest Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.  It is a wonderful experience the whole entire family will enjoy.  A one of a kind show and great food.  My husband keeps pestering me asking when we are going back and our boys have not been yet so I think we will have to take advantage of this awesome sale!

SPRING BREAK BOGO AT MEDIEVAL TIMES – VALID AT ALL LOCATIONS!

Must mention or enter code BOGORB at time of purchase. Buy one full-priced admission and receive the second admission of equal or lesser value FREE. Not valid with other discounts, offers or group rates. Not valid for the Sat shows at the Buena Park location. Restrictions may apply. Valid thru 5/3/15. Make your reservations by call 1-888-935-6878 or visit medievaltimes.com

Purchase tickets: http://www.medievaltimes.com/purchasetickets.aspx

Also be sure to check out their facebook page where they tend to post lots of giveaways :)

Summer Fun in Chicago!

With the summer winding down and everyone heading back to school I just wanted to reflect on all the great activities my boys and I had this summer.  It was honestly one of the best summers ever and I had so much fun exploring our great city with awesome friends.  Here is a list of all the great places we visited and I plan on visiting all of them again!

• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• The Morton Arboretum
• Pirates Cove
• The Water Works
• Santa's Village
• John Hancock Observatory
• Navy Pier
• Oasis Fun Center
• Blackberry Farm

These were our 10 main activities this summer and it was a blast!  I hope to highlight one place each week during the fall with tons of pics.  I hope that wherever you live whether it is Chicago or a small town you take the time to explore your city.  I never took the time before and realized these are only a few of the many awesome places this city has to offer.

Have fun and explore!

Spellbinders Celebra'tions by Richard Garay

I was given the opportunity to try out some awesome creations from Spellbinders.  If you know me then you know that I am not a crafty person at all.  I think crafts take patience and I have no patience whatsoever!!! I try to taker shortcuts and when you do that with crafts you get weird looking results lol.

I was very happy to see that I received very specific projects to do.  I love instructions and the fat that all the necessary materials came grouped together.  Since I have a birthday party to go to this weekend the Celebrate Party Hat Card was the perfect project!

I followed the super easy step by step directions.  It told me piece by piece what to use and what to do which made the whole process very simple.  I have to say I think I have a beautiful card for my gift.  I am proud of myself and the fact that I can actually tell everyone, hey, I made that!  The whole process took about 5 minutes which is totally reasonable in my book for a one of a kind card.  Here is a pic of my final project!  Let me know what you think!

Get Ready for Summer Camp with Label Daddy ~ Discount

Hard to believe, especially since it SNOWED yesterday, that it is time to start thinking about summer camp. With less then two more months of school left it is time to get enrolled and ready to ship your kids off for fun times at their favorite camp.   I am thinking of enrolling Chris for the first time, (mommy tear).  With camp comes all the stuff you need to pack for your kid.  Change of clothes, swim suit, beach towel, sunblock, backpack, lunchbox, snacks, water bottle etc etc etc.

This is where Label Daddy comes in.  I can not stress how important it is to label EVERYTHING you send with your child.  With a group of kids, especially the younger ones it is hard to keep track of items and the counselor is not going to know who items belong to who either.  You will save yourself a lot of time and hassle if you label it.  I have a fabulous deal for you too from Label Daddy and their Camp Pack is perfect!

Label Daddy - The number one solution for labeling your belongings! Remember to label all the clothing, sports equipment and other personal belongings your kids bring to school, camp, sports leagues, day care, and other places. Label Daddy labels keep your belongings from getting lost or mixed up with others. These labels are super durable peel-and-stick washable labels -- they're washer/dryer safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe and UV resistant! Label Daddy labels are also fun and attractive. You design your own labels! . . . Pick from many colors, sizes and logos, including Disney and Marvel characters, MLB, NBA, and NHL team logos, other sport and fun logos, and more. Our exclusive laminated coating gives labels an extra layer of protection and is a must for camp! These labels are made in the USA and shipped directly to you worldwide. Save 10% on Label Daddy labels! - Save 10% on your entire Label Daddy order. Use code USFAMILY10 at checkout.

Disney Jr Live on Tour ~ Pirates & Princesses!!

Disclosure:  I received tickets for my family and I in order to write this review but all opinions and thoughts are always my own!

I was so excited to take my older son Chris on a date tonight to check out Disney Junior Live on Tour, Pirates & Princesses.  The show opened tonight at the Rosemont Theater and it was a fabulous time!  From beginning to end the show was exciting and we couldn't help but sing along to all of our favorite songs.

The show opens with Mickey and Minnie coming out and then goes into a full on live episode of Sofia the First.  It was like watching an episode with all of your favorite songs and characters.  Cinderella even makes a surprise visit!  Our favorite song is Biggest is Best and we were thrilled when they started singing it.

You can see just how into the show Chris was!  He was singing and playing along.  They really try to get the kids involved at some parts which is fun.  Can you tell how far back we are...row Q on the upper level.  So almost to the very top but they were really great seats.  We could see everything perfectly and it wasn't as crowded as some of the lower sections.

Next was our personal favorite Pirates!!  We are huge fans of Jake and the Neverland Pirates so it was really exciting to see all of the characters live in person.  The Tic Tic Croc even showed up to bother stinky Captain Hook.  Peter Pan also came to help Jake escape and saved the day!  

It was a really fun time and the show will be in Rosemont at the Rosemont Theater through March 17th so get some tickets today.  It is well worth it and if you have any Sofia or Jake fans they will have a fabulous time. Don't forget to use the discount code too.

Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, IL. March 14-17, 2014 

Grab your tiaras and doubloons and join us for Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure. Mickey and Minnie are taking their seats too at this never-before-seen live show featuring your favorite characters from Disney Junior's hit series, Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Get swept up in the excitement as Sofia and her family prepare for a royal celebration that helps us all learn the true meaning of being a princess with a special appearance from Cinderella. Then it's off to Never Land where Jake and his swashbuckling friends Izzy and Cubby, with a little help from Peter Pan, battle Captain Hook to unlock treasure hidden inside a mysterious volcano. It's danger and dueling on the high seas as Jake discovers what it takes to be a true hero. Filled with new music, amazing effects, thrilling action and endless surprises, your whole family will sing, shout, and soar into the action when Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure sails into your town.

My readers can Save $5 on all weekday shows by using code MOM. Get Tickets Today- http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/32892/1860109

Discount does not apply to Front Row or VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply.