My family and I had the thrilling experience of witnessing the Peter Pan stage show yesterday afternoon. Sure, we had seen various movies based on JM Barrie's tale, experienced themed rides and such at amusement parks, and of course we have various toys, especially thanks to spin-offs like the various Tinkerbell shows. But, until yesterday, we hadn't experienced the magic live as a theater production.

Several months ago as my family drove through San Francisco, I saw the white tent taking form, and wondered what it was. A few weeks ago when Peter Pan PR emailed me about the show, I saw the now-familiar white tent on their website. Not only was the mystery solved, but I also became very excited!

After all, who hasn't wanted to fly?

Continue reading "Fly Away to Neverland" »

I have been very lucky as it comes to entertainment of late. Last year my boys and I enjoyed Zing Zang Zoom!, and I was later thrilled to see the "Zingmaster" in an episode of Biggest Loser. Then we struck gold again when Feld provided us tickets to see Disney Princesses on Ice last autumn, and Disney Fantasy on Ice at the end of this winter.

Well, we're off to the circus again - and this time it is Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum's FUNundrum! This show definitely looks FUN - and is a tribute to P.T. Barnum, who was born 200 years ago. The performance involves motorcycles in a spherical cage, trapeze artists, cowboys, mermaids, and even a strong man - "Mighty Meetal." From balancing to flipping to jumping through fire, these performers are likely to keep my jaw dropped. Apologies if I have to look away a few times from the contortionists!

Continue reading "Discount on the Greatest Show on Earth." »

My kids wear out their jeans constantly, so I'm always buying new pants. And then somehow - their shirts end up with holes in them, or irreversibly stained by random unknown reagents. So, I'm not going to turn down a chance to get some free clothes - unless they are poor quality, have some sort of horrendous slogan on them, or are otherwise dangerous. (Exploding clothes, ahoy!)

Seriously, when Mom Select asked me if I'd be willing to review a Parigi outfit - as well as to provide an outfit for giveaway - I snapped up the chance.

I hadn't heard of the Parigi Group, but I'm glad I have now. They represent recognizable brands such as PUMA, Baby Phat, Apple Bottoms, DKNY, Akademiks, and LRG.

Well, we were introduced to Akademics, and I have an outfit from Apple Bottoms to give away. It is your lucky day!

Continue reading "Stylin' Threads" »

Last autumn I had the pleasure (and chaos!) of hosting a Zhu Zhu Pets party in my home. We were definitely curious about hamsters that didn't involve food or poop, and my kids' friends agreed. Apparently, the rest of the nation did as well, as Zhu Zhu Pets ended up on the "must have" lists of many kids during the holiday season. It was certainly thrilling to have been part of the start of a Zhu-volution!

It is no surprise, then, that my kids and I were excited to learn about Kung Zhu. I immediately jumped at the chance Mom Select sent my way to put on another party, this one with Special Forces and Ninja Warriors!

Continue reading "Kung Zhu - In the House!" »

The Cat tells me that he loves being in his tiny ship. He also says that it rains on his planet, and that he loves it when the volcanoes erupt. He talks to me about "getting stars" and wonders how much water he collected from the rain. He tells his younger brother, Splig, how to "fix" his planet. Splig is all about the volcanoes, especially since he saw The Bachelorette on Monday, and was slack-jawed as Ali and her suitors got superclose to an Icelandic eruption. (No, he didn't catch any double entendre involving that whole experience, and yes, I let him watch shows like that only because he thinks the roses are pretty.)

Both of my boys are guarding and nurturing their planets. And thankfully, these planets have nothing to do with spray paint, a hot glue gun, or styrofoam circles (that are harder to cut than one would think, and make quite a mess on the floor!) No, their planets are thankfully virtual, found via My Tiny Planets, a space exploration universe set up for kids to enjoy. My "space cadets" can simply explore their planets, or take on missions. These missions can unlock various rewards, some free, and some requiring real dollars. True to the notion of "unlocking" things, the currency on Tiny Planets is KEYs. Kids can save their KEYs from month to month, so they can save up for a really snazzy new rocket ship or other coveted reward.

Continue reading "My Tiny Planets is More than "Tiny" Fun" »

My pasta-loving son tried and loved Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta. He had high compliments for it, even choosing to eat it plain because it tastes so good!

As part of Ronzoni's campaign, they asked the review bloggers to submit a photo to their Ronzoni Smart Taste Photo Contest, depicting how our kids enjoyed the pasta.

My entry is below:

While Splig had some more "photogenic" shots, this one caught my eye because the pasta is suspended in mid-air, dancing towards his mouth. Indeed, he was shoveling it in, and the pasta seemed pretty happy to join the party in his tummy.

So, if the pasta moves you, please vote for Splig. You might win a $25 gift card for your vote! (And I could win some pasta - yum!)

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Disclaimer: I wrote a review and submitted this photo while participating in a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Ronzoni. I received products necessary to facilitate my candid review and photo contest entry. In addition, I will receive a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. Neither Mom Central nor Ronzoni previewed this piece prior to publication; the words are my own. Both Mom Central and Ronzoni previewed my photo prior to publication on the photo contest website to ensure my pic was family-friendly and so forth; they did not edit my photo in any way.

Last week I had the unbelievable, amazing opportunity to attend the premiere of Disney California Adventure's World of Color. Just from the preview video I knew I'd be captivated by this new attraction.

Many years ago, my brother and his friends entertained our family in the backyard with light shows. They strung lights everywhere and carefully synced the lights with music. Sometimes one of his friends would play the piano live while my brother made the lights dance to the music. Lights are magical, as is music. World of Color has both, plus fire, water, lasers, unique projection screens, and unexpected other features, such as a hidden bubble machine and synchronization of the show with lights on other attractions and the park street lamps.

It is impossible to use mere words to describe World of Color because it is definitely more than a light show, or a water show. Just as when the black and white Disney cartoons burst into a new dimension once color was introduced, World of Color has created a new dimension in entertainment.

Both Disney parks participate in what has been dubbed "Summer Nightastic" the catch-all term to describe how the night lights up with color, music, fire, and water. CA Adventure has "Glow Fest" and "World of Color" while Disneyland has "Fantasmic" and of course the fireworks spectacular "Magical". "Pixie Hollow Enchantment" and "TLT Dance Club" also light up the nightlife at Disneyland.

People who have seen "Fantasmic" have been introduced in part to what "World of Color" entails. In "Fantasmic," for example, high-pressure water curtains create a projection screen for scenes from popular Disney films. But "World of Color" is even bigger. (Fantasmic has its own unique elements, such as Mickey vanquishing a large dragon, and some excellent entertainment on boats. The on-board stunts for Peter Pan are especially impressive.)

The colors in World of Color - of course, are spectacular. But it is the way the water bends and flows that creates even more magic. It is mind-blowing to consider how much effort was involved in choreographing the water to match the music to match what is being projected on the water.

Continue reading "Summer Nightastic: A World of Color, Fantasmic, and Pure Magical Fun!" »

My youngest son - like most red, white, and blue blooded young American kids - can't get enough of that beige vehicle for cheese, occasionally red sauce, and definitely meatballs. I'd be willing to bet that most parents will nod in agreement that "pasta" is on their children's preferred menu. Many picky kids will at least eat pasta.

There is definitely concern over the "just pasta" diet, I know. And so it was with glee that I agreed to try out Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta through Mom Central. I'll admit, I pass over many food reviews because they are for products that I don't really think are healthful. But Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta is enriched with vitamin D, calcium, and fiber.

Continue reading "Ronzoni: Tastes Good and is Smarter than Plain Pasta" »

We haven't seen Shrek 3 yet, but since the Shrek Forever After: The Final Chapter video game arrived on our doorstep, my two boys have been smitten. In other words, I expect we'll hit the theater soon.

It used to be that I'd read a book or watch a movie and then gobble up the various themed merchandise. Interestingly for my sons, the experience has been the opposite. From getting The Gingerbread Boy in their Happy Meals to playing a little Wii as Shrek, Fiona, Puss in Boots, and Donkey, they experience the characters and story setting before knowing the actual story. This makes following the movie much easier, and a richer experience.

Continue reading "Shrek the Video Game!" »

The local newspaper ran a photograph of a smiling young boy, bat slung over his shoulder. The accompanying headline was the sort that takes the breath away. Words like accident, medically-induced coma, and head trauma jumped out of the sobering article. But it wasn't an auto accident that caused this boy's injury - it was baseball.

In his particular case, it was that aluminum bats with their large "sweet spot" can create stunningly fast and hard hits. He was struck by one such powerful hit. While batters might wear helmets and gloves, the outfielders are wearing only a flimsy baseball cap. Should the pitcher wear a cage like the catcher does?

I had the opportunity to try out amazing batter's gloves from XProTex. My kindergartner was thrilled to get them, because of course it made him look "cool" and like a "serious athlete." Fortunately, I'm not so worried about his head or hands getting hurt from the pitcher, since in Kindergarten a dad "pitches" with a very slow arc in the hopes that the player will actually connect with the ball.

But if the kids are playing around by throwing as fast as they can, or if a pitcher wanted to actually strike out my son, it is certainly likely that a ball could hit his head, or smash his hand instead of contacting with the bat. But with the XProTex protective batting gloves his hands and wrists are protected.

For now, though, we're told that baseball is all about "fun" only.

Of course, this non-competitive spirit won't last long.

Continue reading "Making Sports Safer + XProTex Protective Batting Gloves" »