The play is based on the famous dancing mouseling and her friends created by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig.   We are BIG Angelina and Alice fans here, some day I will have to do a post about the collection we’ve amassed, I seriously miss seeing Angelina items in the American Girl catalog but shows like this totally make up for it!  We will attend a performance soon, can’t wait to report on it.

Catch performances Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 1pm with special holiday performances on December 26^th, 27^th, 28^th and 29^th and January 2^nd. Tickets start at $29.50.

The show is appropriate for ages 3-12. School/Group performances are available at Vital Theatre or your location. For reservations visit www.vitaltheatre.org or call (212) 579-0528.  VITAL THEATRE COMPANY 2162 Broadway 4th Floor, at 76th Street, on the Upper West Side.

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Last week, we attended a one ring circus and there weren’t even 200 people there.  We sat in the front row, paid $2/each for face painting and enjoyed a no-pressure small scaled circus. 

Little boxes of popcorn…

Can’t wait to see what happens…

Dog act was cute, all the dogs were rescued from shelters across the USA

Lady dangling from way up high right over our headsgetting our faces painted…the face painting clown took it upon himself to choose a face for boy2001…sweet litle cat…and her little sister kitten…accompanied by the sad little clown… awwwww…maybe some juggling will lighten the mood?

The evening was fun but the last performance disturbed me and boy2001.  Next time I’ll be sure to ask more about the acts involved in a circus before attending…  The lady said something about these being the only performing chimps?  I’m not sure and didn’t get it on video but I have a lot of the performance I might put on youtube.  It seemed sad, they’re so smart and beautiful, I wonder what they’re thinking

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KINeSYS

Playground birthday parties, walking trail meetups and the regular family bike rides, sports and dog walks call for extra help in the sunscreen department.

It is so hard to get used to applying sunscreen.  It’s not something I grew up with but I know it’s no longer an option, it’s a necessity.  Even though my kids have darker skin and tan well it’s just not acceptable as I believe it is damaging their skin.  Damage can take 10 years or more to show up so it’s just a good idea to prevent sun damage.  I’m beginning to think of it as an insurance policy.  

The situation is not going to get better any time soon so it’s something they’re going to have to get used to.  KINeSYS sunscreen is available in pump micro-spray or cream lotion and many different formulas.  The cream formula has a sensitive skin formula containing Titanium Dioxide.

We tested the spray which I really loved as there’s no need to rub it in, just let it dry for a few seconds.  Here are just some of the tidbits you need to know about KINeSYS…

• a sunscreen that’s oil-free, alcohol-free, PABA-free and Preservative free
• Photo-stable Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with Parsol® 1789
• Topical antioxidant Tocopheryl Acetate(Vitamin E) to scavenge free radicals
• Hypoallergenic / Non-comedogenic
• Fragrance-free
• carbon neutral AND cruelty free

We’ve had a great experience with this KINeSYS product, I love to use products that won’t harm my kids and help protect them from the elements.  Once you love it like I do you’ll want some for the car, the purse, the beach bag and by your bikes for convenience.  Enjoy the summer!

Visit KINeSYS to buy and more information.

Thanks to the FRN for the help with this review.

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girl 2006 China Town

lunch at Chinatown Boston

China Town Boston

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The show was at the Wang Theater in China Town Boston so I made sure to get there early so we could walk around.   We took in some of the sites on foot but it was so cold and I forgot my coat so it was hard to enjoy it.  We also stopped for lunch at the Gourmet Dumpling restaurant which was delicious and thankfully cheap… I over ordered and got three plates and 2 cokes for $22 plus $6 tip.  We would have been fine with 2 plates but it was so delicious I was totally ok with the bounty.

Boy2001 really enjoyed the architectural features of China Town but could not wait to get to the theater.  The girls were also very excited about going to the show since it was their first experience.

The Wang Theater is small but delivers! a gorgeous, plush theater and if you were there on the April 11th 2 p.m. showing those were the pajamamom.com kids running up and down the stairs during intermission.  They all loved the show as well, it reminded boy2001 of the countless hours he spent with his trains.  For girl2004 and girl2006 they loved the familiar songs (we have a huge collection of the videos) and having the chance to get up and dance.  I thought they would faint when Harold showed up, he’s a family favorite.  Please know there was no one behind us for at least 5 rows so they weren’t disturbing anyone.  I cannot stand people with no regard to the way stadium seating works! 

The show was a lot of fun for the kids and myself but I won’t give away the plot!  You’ll just have to check out the upcoming shows in an area near you.   Prepare yourself for lots of thrills, music and sing along fun!  I also came to the realization that the experience is not only about the show, it’s about kids getting familiar and comfortable in the theater experience.  I know when my kids hear about goings on at the Wang Theater they will fondly remember this first experience with one of their favorite characters… Thomas & his friends.   

Thomas Live! On Stage website with reviews and buzz about the show.  Find a show near you, now til August 2009.

Thanks to MomSelect for organizing this fun family field trip for us.

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I’ve also been desperately trying to book our vacay to Disney World but I must mention that the Disney World booking site is HORRIBLE!  it’s surprising how bad it is, I really can’t get over it but I’m still trudging through to take advantage of the free dining plan offer.  Speaking of the trip, if anyone wants to sponsor a blogger trip for summer 2009 the cost would be $4000 for ten days @ Disney for my family and I.  We’re also available all summer for anything else!

I know that’s a longshot so I’ll be holding many garage sales and ebay-ing a few hundred things!  here’s a sneak preview… start saving up if you want my stuff.  I’m thinking of making the more expensive ones private auction for those of you that prefer to keep purchases private feel free to chime in on your thoughts on that.

Some things I’ll be letting go of:

• Emilio Pucci book by Shirley Kennedy $450
• Emilio Pucci press clippings, slips, scarves, ephemera, etc…
• Hermes orange ribbon scarf limited edition 1990′s  $300
• Jimmy Carter 7 book set (sealed) by the Easton Press $900
• Vintage (50′s?) Lanvin slip $400
• Countless first edition books from my personal collection
• some sea glass picked by us from the Maine coast (I’ll give up lots of brown and white frosty)
• new Barefoot Books in lots
• Jerusalem Bible illustrated by Salvador Dali $200
• Psychos in Love on DVD signed and numbered by Gorman $100

…and much more!  Another reason I’m thinking of letting go of things is to fit into another current obsession… the Tumbleweed Houses by Jay Shafer.  They are soooo cute.  I would love the Harbinger 297 sq ft model for us right now and a Weebee (102 sq ft) for each child eventually.  It would be great to live more with less…

Interesting in being a sponsor?  Sponsors big and small welcome! Contact me for the many ways we can get together.

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Still, with all of that, the actual circus is a MUST do event for most families and when i think of the circus, I think of Ringling Bros.  Every good family field trip of course starts with gauging children’s interest.  Girl2006 had some fun looking through a Ringling Bros.  picture book.  It’s looks like a souvenir program but it reads like a story which I really like!

The interest is there but can you afford it?  If money has held you back from attending The Greatest Show On Earth, don’t let it!  This may be the best time ever to visit the circus.  We have put off our circus aspirations in the past because of the price tag!  Take your family to the circus for only $44!  That is true value, I just wish there was a show near me!  $44 includes the All Access Pre-show, a fun opportunity to meet circus performers and dress up in clown costumes, which happens one hour before each performance.

The Ringling Bros. website has a lot of good information and will get your kids in the mood to go to the circus!  Visit www.ticketmaster.com to use the MOM promo code. 

Here’s a good description of the offers:

MOM code Offer #1:

Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code “MOM” at select ticketing channels**. Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Circus Celebrity Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or combinable with other offers.  Other Restrictions May Apply.

MOM code Offer #2:

A select amount of Front Row and VIP seats have been reserved for you to buy before they go on sale to the public – just enter the code “MOM” when purchasing those seats.

Dates and cities where families can use the national MOM discount code this spring are as follows:

• Newark/East Rutherford/Uniondale/NYC
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
  March 5 – April 13
  Offer not valid on performances from April 10 – 13 at Madison Square Garden
• Washington D.C./ Fairfax, VA/ Baltimore, MD
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents Over The Top
  March 18-April 19
• Philadelphia
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
  May 13-May 25
• Phoenix
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
  June 24-June 28
• Houston
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents Over The Top
  July 15-July 26
• Anaheim/LA/Ontario
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
  July 8-August 2
• San Francisco 
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
  August 12-August 23
• Dallas/Ft Worth
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents Over The Top
  July 29-August 16
• Sacramento
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
  August 27-August 30
• Kansas City
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents Over The Top
  September 16-September 20

We had some fun dressing up with our clown noses! Girl2006 has officially adopted the Ringling Bros. book, she will NOT put it down!

Girl 2004:  Hey! Let’s Join the Circus!

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Once upon a time, a man and a lady spent lots of time away from home.  Beach trips, site seeing and club hopping topped the list.  Every few months they went on a new adventure to a distant land.  After 6 years of marriage boy2001 joined the family and the vacations turned into memories.  There were diapers to buy and a college fund to build.

They made little side trips to Montreal & Quebec and visited family in Florida and New York but the all American family vacation didn’t happen. 

Ok, enough with the fairytale, you get the point, we led a charmed life, travel, disposable income, etc…  then we became a one income military household with child.  We’ve taken two full-blown vacations since that special delivery in 2001.  The first was a Carnival Cruise in 2003.  Boy2001 had a BLAST, we loved the childcare, it was my first time EVER being away from him and they did a great job.  Totally amazing experience, it was all inclusive which was wonderful, once you pay you’re done.

The second vacation was in May 2007 we packed all three kids up to go to France.  That’s right, we added not one but two girls since our last vacay! It was wonderful for us to see the sites and introduce the kids to the history of France.  The kids were most impressed with the Eiffel Tower and castles, they still talk about it all the time.   It was of course a very expensive trip, even with family in the area to feed us a few meals and give us great advice.  Well worth it of course but getting further out of reach for most people with the dollar being so weak.

It makes sense to look for all-inclusive deals that will feed, lodge, entertain and make you and your kids feel well rested and relaxed. Beaches Resorts is offering just that!  There are swim-up bars, tennis, fitness centers, not to mention anytime snacks, gourmet and specialty cuisine restaurants for you to choose from.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner without shopping, chopping or dishes.

Roundtrip airport transfers, hotel taxes and ALL gratuities are included in the price.  All of this is great but what will the kids think?  I know mine would go crazy for the muppet activities aka Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street®.  Some of the adventures are story time with Elmo, baking cookies with Cookie Monster?!! Dance moves with Zoe, exploring with Grover.  Girl2004 and Girl2006 would lose it, they’re completely into the characters but I think even boy2001 would allow himself to get involved with these activitites if he was with his sisters. 

I know all the kids would fully enjoy trips to the XBOX 360® Game Garage, we broke out the old Nintendo 64 and I was shocked at how quickly boy2001 and girl2004 picked up on it.  By now you may be thinking, my family could use a Beaches vacation.

  where do I sign up?

Just visit the Beaches Resort WonderFall website to request a quote on your favorite resort.  The WonderFALL celebration will take place between September 1 and November 4, 2008, save up to 45% and get two nights free (when you stay 7). Check out all the contests, goodie bags a new stage show and more on Beaches’ WonderFALL website and please keep me posted if you do go!  You must book by July 17th to get the special pricing.  Choose from family Beaches Boscobel, Sandy Bay, Negril, Turks & Caicos.

This is written in connection with Mom Central, a great organization for women who want to be heard.

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I love collecting sea glass!  It’s so much fun and good exercise too! we just came back from another stroll on the beach.  We came home early because it was just too hot!  so here I am sending out these little pics of some of my favorite sea glass pieces.  If you want to see more sea glass? be my guest.  I tried to make the pictures larger but couldn’t upload them for some reason which is unusual. 

I don’t normally wash my sea glass but maybe I will next time they get their picture taken.  There is so much sand stuck to them.  Anyway, enjoy!

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The Peary Arctic Museum is currently preparing a new exhibit until April 2008! the lady insisted they were not closed, but I’m sure most people would be disapppointed as there are only 2 or 3 cases to look into and the two major parts are being worked on… so you’ll have to wait until April if you want to see anything good.

The Walker Art Museum has been closed forever for renovations. I visited this one many times before it closed. I liked many aspects of the museum before better… for starters you would walk up this wonderful set of stairs you see in the picture between the lions. When you entered it was very dark and it took a few minutes to have your eyes adjust to the ambient lighting. No more… now visitors enter through a side building made of glass, possibly imitating the Louvre’s pyramid (creepy). You can walk down a long flight of stairs or take the elevator down. The fact that the new structure is made of glass and the grey tone and stone makes the hole thing feel sterile. The good thing about the renovation is there is a lot of beautiful new space. Very high ceilings and wonderful lighting showcase every wonderful piece on display. My family and I attended the opening and there were some wonderful worksheets with some great activities and information. Highly recommend this one if you’re in the area.

Both the Walker Art Museum and Pearly Macmillan Arctic Museum are on Bowdoin College Campus in Brunswick, Maine.

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