The kids and I were in Boston two weeks ago to see Thomas live on stage!  I’ll admit the thought of driving almost two hours on my own with the kids to the big city was scary but everything went amazingly well despite the cold clammy weather. 

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.

Every mom I know looks around her home some days and thinks of a three ring circus.  The daring stunts, costumes and animal tricks are just part of it. 

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!