Sea World's Christmas Celebration

It's Christmas time again!! Sea World has brought back their Christmas Celebration and it bigger and better than ever! New Shows, decorations, and Atmosphere Entertainment have been added to this year's festivities! As always, these events are included in your regular park admission!

Our first stop was Elmo's Christmas Wish - Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe, Rosita all make their Christmas wishes! There is tons of singing and dancing as the friends all make their wishes for Christmas and help Elmo make his wish. This is a must do for the little ones! Little Man was very excited to see his favorites on stage! He also loved the bubbles and "snow" coming down from the ceiling! 

After we left the show, we headed to the waterfront to see the Sea of Trees. Crazy!! SO MANY TREES, over 100 of them! They were everywhere; and the colors and music were so festive. I absolutely loved seeing all the dancing images on the trees: candy canes, Frosty the Snowman, gingerbread men and more. It was 10 minutes of magic!  

After the Sea of Trees we headed over to O Wondrous Night, the Greatest Story Never Told. We were greeted to a friendly guitar playing singing Christmas songs! What an amazing show! It's the Christmas Story in a way you've never heard before- through the eyes of the animals! The show is filled with wonderful performers, singing traditional Christmas songs, fun puppetry and an actual living nativity! We loved the performance (little man did get kind of antsy, it's a 30 min show)! Little man's favorite part was when all the live animals started coming out! 

We wen to see Shamu's Christmas Miracles next. They had a saxophone player for a preshow. I always love the night time Shamu shows! This one was no exception! They whales performed between videos of people telling about their miracles. They had a heart touching video of the first Baby Shamu! We had a few moments where the whales didn't want to perform, but that happens. We definitely want to come back and see it again! 

We ended the night with Winter Wonderland on Ice. We found out earlier in the day that they are skating on real ice, not a synthetic surface. Such a festive ice skating show! Fantastic skaters and some of my favorite Christmas songs, and a new fun one for us "Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate!" My favorite part was when Pete and Penny Penguin came out to ice skate!! We loved how the fountains and the trees danced to the music too, it was very immersive.

Immediately after the show is Holiday Reflections: Fireworks & Fountain Finale. If you are already there for Winter Wonderland on Ice you don't need to move, you have a great spot for this finale! 

The only things we missed out on was Polar Express, the snow flurries on the waterfront and meeting Santa Shamu! We will definitely be back to see them! 

Lowe's Build and Grow registration

Registration is now open for the Turbo Taco Truck Build & Grow at Lowe's! Build day is next Saturday, July 26th. LittleMan  LOVES these, and the best part is they are free. We are all signed up! www.lowesbuildandgrow.com 

Influencer Facebook Posts

So it looks like, in yet another of their many many changes, Facebook has taken away (or hidden very well) the ability to get the web address to something you post on a companies page. This is a problem when I need the address to provide to Influenster to show them I'm participating in the Brand Bonuses. So I'm going to post a handful of screen shots that will hopefully still count, since I did the work! 

This is for my review on The Vitamin Shoppe Fit n Full Protien Shakes. 

The little down arrow would normally have the share this post and copy link feature. However, this is all that shows now... 

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Looking for an action-packed weekend of fun for the whole family? Head to your local IMAX® Theater for the premiere of How to Train Your Dragon 2!

 

  

 

 

Starting this Friday, June 13th, the second chapter of DreamWorks Animation's beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise is soaring to all IMAX theatresdomestically in select engagements. The IMAX 3D release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®, creating a unique environment that will make audiences feel as though they are flying alongside heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon, Toothless.

 

Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T.J. Miller, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig reprise their respective voice roles, joined this time by Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett, Djimon Honsou and Kit Harington.

For more information about How to Train Your Dragon 2, please visit DreamWorks Animation's official website.

 

This information has been provided by IMAX. For IMAX Theater locations and local showtimes click here! 

  

 

 

Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

Have you ever fallen so in love with a make up product that you want to scream it from the rooftops? I have, but I can't since everyone is sleeping right now! I received a tube of Rimmel London's Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation from Influenster and I'm super excited to share it with you!!

First I want to mention that I picked the wrong shade so it completely looks crazy on me in person but it's such a great product that I still love it!!! I can't wait to hit the stores so I can get the correct shade. 

This is liquid gold in a tube! It goes on silky smooth, and very easy to apply an even layer. My skin INSTANTLY smoothed out, it covered any tone changes (such as my ridiculous sunglasses tanlines from work) and it got rid of all the shine. It dries quickly as well for the rest of your beauty routine. 

The picture definitely doesn't do it justice (or show you the bad choice in tones, thank you front facing iPhone camera) but I promise it was a HUGE difference in person! Now what are you waiting for, get out and grab some!

I received this product for reviewing purposes from Influenster. All opions are my own. 

Expert Last Lip Color

I recently received NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Forever Fuschia to try out from Influenster.

Wow, was that pink! I didn't think I was going to like it color-wise because it was such a bright shade of pink but it quickly grew on me! It's a great spring shade. 

I really liked how it wasn't clumpy, was smooth when I put it on and the color lasted! I never really felt the need to reapply, as it lasted that long. 

If you're looking for a fun new pink lipstick I highly recommend NYC Expert Last Lip Color, in the fun Forever Fuschia! 

• I WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THIS POST, HOWEVER I DID RECEIVE A SAMPLE FROM INFLUENSTER FOR MY REVIEW.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN AND NOT INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY. 

Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure

Influenster sent me a package of Broadway Nails ImPRESS Press-On Manicure to review! First I have to say that I LOVE that the package is shaped like a bottle of nail polish, so fun!! 

I felt that they were pretty easy to put on, even with a toddler trying to help me. It was a pretty quick process too. I really like the tip on the box to do the thumbs last, but I think I'd add the pointer fingers should be applied last as well; it was kind of hard to remove the second hands tabs with a nail on my pointer finger. As someone who doesn't wear press on nails, I didn't realize they were numbered on the back until they were already applied, not a huge deal since I figured them out. 

I didn't like that the adhesive is much higher than my nail, it was about halfway between the top of my natural nail and the top of the press on and everything got stuck to it. Underside of my nails started to look very dirty from it. 

I do have to say I was impressed with how well they stayed on. I hand washed dishes wearing them and they stayed in place great! 

I also like how they came off in a few minutes with minimal damage to my nails. 

These are supposed to last up to 7 days, but since the wild tropical flower pattern isn't allowed at work I was only able to wear them from Friday evening until Monday morning. I only had one come loose during that time frame, but I also had fun with the toddler, hand washed dishes and did other household tasks like vacuuming and laundry. 

Overall I liked them a lot! Super easy and quick for last minute night on the town or anything else! There are several colors and designs to pick from too. Colors retail for $5.99 and patterns for $7.99. They are available at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Target, Kmart & Rite-Aid.

• I WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THIS POST, HOWEVER I DID RECEIVE A SAMPLE FROM INFLUENSTER FOR MY REVIEW.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN AND NOT INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY. 

Easter Activities at Bass Pro Shops!

Bass Pro Shops is hosting fun Easter activities this weekend and next weekend! Easter egg hunts, crafts, and pictures with the Easter Bunny!

Each one has different times and days so make sure you're paying attention if you want to hit them all. We ended up just missing the egg hunt, which is held during the Easter Bunny's carrot break, so we missed him too. 

The egg hunt is on Sunday the 13th, Saturday the 19th, and Sunday the 20th. Registration starts at 1:30, and the hunt starts promptly at 2. It's for ages 2-10, and after you collect 5 eggs, you return to registration to exchange them for candy. The Easter Bunny was on carrot break from 2-3 while we were there Saturday the 12th.  

The Easter Bunny is there all week! Sunday the 13th, Saturday the 19th, Sunday the 20th, he's there 11am-4pm.  Monday the 14th through Thursday the 17th, he's there 6pm-8pm. Friday the 18th, he's there 2pm-7pm. They have some great photo packages, and you get a free 4x6 photo just for visiting! 

They have crafts as well, different depending on the weekend. Sunday the 13th from 1pm-4pm is coloring a plaster Easter egg magnet and then Friday the 18th from 4pm-7pm, Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th from 1-4pm is making a bunny frame or a scratch art bunny. 

Little Man coloring his egg

His Easter egg magnet

For an additional fee, they also had a face painter who had some really cute designs! All in all, a super fun event and we'll be back next weekend! 

Sea World's Just For Kids Festival

Sea World is hosting the Just For Kids! Festival on Saturdays through April 12, 2014; and, it's included with your park admission! Don't let the name fool you though, it's definitely family friendly! While it is kid-centric, it brings families together for fun activities, rides, Animal Ambassadors, and more!

We were given a festival map as we came into the parking lot.  They are also available at the Ocean Adventure areas as well. The map is the perfect size for your little one to help navigate.  It has all the Fun Stations mapped out for you with just a few main park locations for reference points.

Just for Kids Festival map

The stars on the map are the Ocean Adventure areas.  That's where your kids can go on an educational and fun trip around the park.  They have games and information at each of the four stops.  After you complete your activity, the bottom of your map will get a punch and you get a limited edition Explorer's card! The stations are really easy to spot too- there is a "take an Ocean Adventure" sign along with Just for Kids! banners like the one pictured here:

Ocean Adventure activity

The Ocean Adventures are spread out around the park, but not too spread out!  One thing that I loved about this is that they never excluded Cole. He's almost two, so he's really into doing these fun things like the matching games, but he's not quite old enough to answer questions about oil on penguin.  Some of them they let me help him with but some tailored their activity to be more his level.  It was tons of fun!

                                     

After you complete all four Ocean Adventure activities, you get a ticket that allows you to go to one of three stores and turn it in for a special surprise! 

The four limited edition cards.

Another fun part of Just for Kids is the Rockin' Rockhopper Party in Antarctica that starts at 11am. A DJ is there with some rockin' hoppin' music to get everyone moving.  There are even special penguin guests who come out and party with you! They have games, snacks, face painting and you can even see live penguins!  You don't want to miss out!

As always, there are lots of great Animal Ambassadors to wow and amaze!  It's neat to see all the different animals and to hear their stories. The SEA Garden is home to one of the Ocean Adventures, many of the Animal Ambassadors and special story tellers.

Animal Ambassadors

Story time!

A highlight for my little one was the Elmo Rocks! show. He couldn't stop talking about Elmo all weekend! Be sure to get there early as the show is only performed in the earlier part of the day and there are only a few shows.

Be sure to stick around for the end of the day too.  The Shamu Dance Party, at the front of the park in Village Square, starts one hour before park close and lasts until 30 minutes after park close.  There is a stilt walking emcee, music for the whole family to enjoy and dance to, and Shamu and his crew are there! Unfortunately no pictures of the party because we've had plans that caused us to miss it the first two weekends, but we'll be there for the third one!

Have you been to Sea World's Just for Kids Festival yet?  What was your favorite part? We are excited to go again this weekend and hopefully next weekend as well!

Baby Care Center- Magic Kingdom

This post is the third in a mini series, there will be four total; one for each theme park. If you have a Disney, Travel, or Mommy blog (or any other kind of blog you think this could fit into) and are interested in using this post and the ones that follow, please contact me!  Part one was Disney's Hollywood Studios. And part two was Epcot. This time we will be exploring Magic Kingdom.  

The Entrance 

 The Baby Care Center at Magic Kingdom is located right next door to First Aid, between Casey's Corner and Crystal Palace.

Unfortunately it is my least favorite location out of the parks, but, don't get me wrong, I'm still very grateful that it's there. Since I usually travel alone with the little one (while my husband is at work) I have to juggle all our stuff. That's one super helpful perk of having a stroller, it's a place to stow things & babies have a lot of things! Just like Epcot, the Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center does not allow strollers inside. You have to park them at the door. 

Signage

When you walk in the door, you're greeted with a curio cabinet showcasing the baby products available for sale inside. 

Curio with merchandise

As you pass the display, the nursing room is on the right. Also like Epcot, this one is a community nursing room. Four padded rocking chairs in a very dimly lit room. It's soothing, but I wish it was a tad brighter; it takes some time to adjust between that light level and  the bright Florida sun outside. Also in the room are two small tables and some outlets for pumping or phone charging. Unlike Epcot this one has 2 doors, an in door on one end and an out door on the other end. Be aware if you sit on the out door wall and the door opens all the way, you can pretty much see into the park. So if you are on the shy side when it comes to nursing in public, I'd stay away from that wall. 

Blurry, but a shot of the other 3 rockers from the 4th rocker.  

The out door, see how your in line with it if you're in the rocker on the left?

Continuing on from the nursing room is a very large feeding/play room! It has a TV, some books and a big layout. It has 3 high chairs, 4 kid sized tables, lots of child sized stools, and 8 full sized chairs. 

Feeding/play room

To the left of the feeding room is the changing room. They have 5 large padded changing tables, a hand washing sink and a restroom. 

One corner of the changing room. 

Another corner of the changing room, with the sink.

The next, and final room is the kitchen. Just like the other Baby Care Centers, it has a sink, microwave, bottle warmer, mini fridge; and it also sells any baby necessities that you have run out of or forgotten.

Kitchen

List of items available

A fun fact- this Baby Care Center, then called Baby Services, has been around since the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort! "Facilities for changing infants, preparing formula, warming bottles. Babysitting not available in Theme Park. Babysitting services available at hotels." 

Stay tuned for our last Disney installment of our Baby Care Center series, Disney's Animal Kingdom!