Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Recap

Like so many other parents and overall circus lovers we braved the horrific traffic and congestion that surrounded Phillips Arena in Atlanta GA on Saturday. The things we do for our kids. But nonetheless, we made it albeit 30 minutes and slightly annoyed. Our frowns were quickly turned upside down who could stay made at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

MOST ANTICIPATED MOMENT- I was most excited to see the tigers and lions we got there just in time to see the END or their performance. One man in a cage with four lions and three tigers it was awesome.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

NAIL BITING MOMENT- OMG the Motorcycle performed by the Torres Family was impressive enough with just four motorcycles reaching speeds up to 65 mph in a 16 ft steel sphere, but when the number continually climbed from four to eight riders the family and I was on the edge of our seats.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

 WARM & FUSSY MOMENT- I blinked and all of a sudden the Big Top was filled with some of the most talented little cats, dogs, ponies and llamas you will ever see. The great part is most of these pint sized animal were rescued from pounds and shelters. Youtube videos had nothing on these little performers.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

AMAZING MOMENT- As the elephants paraded around the stage it was amazing how poised they were. You think an animal that large would be clumping around instead they looked regal.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

SURPRISING MOMENTS- It's weird but I was drawn to the Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey African American Ringmaster and youngest, was very charismatic and demanded your attention.

Photo Courtesy of Field Entertainment

Overall the entire family enjoyed themselves in the end and I hope that you and your family will do the same. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be in the Atlanta area until 03/03. Click here to see when they will be near you.

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to this event. But, my opinions are 100% my own. 

Chobani Champions Review and Giveaway

If you follow my blog you know I am obsessed with providing my kids with healthy meals and snacks. Luckily for me my boys love yogurt and after trying Chobani Champions have become quite the yogurt snobs. I guess they know good quality when they taste it. Chobani Champions is the first Greek Yogurt made for kids! Like all Chobani products, Champions is made with only natural ingredients, like low-fat milk and real fruit. Plus it’s packed with protein, bone-building calcium, probiotics and 20% of the Daily Value for vitamin D. Champions is also gluten free, Kosher Certified.

Champions is available in yummy, kid-friendly flavors  Very Berry, Honey-Nana, Orange Vanilla and Vanilla Chocolate Chunk. My youngest loves the Vanilla Chocolate Chunk, which he simply calls the Chocolate Yogurt. While my oldest son enjoys the Very Berry for it's super fruity flavor.  Each tasty variety is sold in convenient single-flavor four packs. Plus at only 100 calories per 3.5oz cup, Champions is a great snack for the health conscious mom and dad too! I must admit the hubby and I have sneaked a cup or two when the boys weren't looking. Every cup is bursting with flavor, super creamy and just the right size for the little hands and there little tummies!

Now it's your chance to proved your little ones with greek yogurt made just for them. Two lucky readers will receive one variety case of Champions cups containing six 4-packs (for a total of 24 cups). 

Enter Below

a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you are not one of Your Unexpected Beauty winners Chobani Champions also runs a giveaway on their Facebook page each week were 20 cases are given away every week.
 

Twitter: @Champions Instagram: @ChobaniChampionsFacebook: Chobani Champions

Disclaimer: I received samples of the product. But, as always my opinions are 100% my own. 

WW- Spiderman & Fedoras

Deakin & Romee

I took the boys to the store and they were allowed to pick whichever hat they wanted! The youngest decided on a Fedora while the oldest went for Spiderman. Love their personal style!!!

What this SAHM Hears Day In and Day Out!

I want bread, jelly, eggs, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, etc.for breakfast.

Every morning when I get up I am greeted by the two most adorable little boys you will ever meet. And everyday my day starts the same not "good morning mommy" not "I love you mommy", but with two different breakfast orders. 

Daddy didn't give me my vitamin.

Everyday after the hubby has kissed us all goodbye as he rushes off to work before the garage door closes one of them says "Daddy didn't give me my vitamin". When will they forget the one time that he gave them a vitamin before he left to go to work and remember that I give them their vitamins EVERYDAY!

Were not going anywhere?

After the little men have had their vitamins and are satisfied with their breakfast experience than they want to know what's on the agenda for today. I guess they expect the worse (staying home) and hope for the best (going somewhere) because the question is always "Were not going anywhere". This is the time when we either all get dressed for an outing or settle down for our 1.5- 2hrs learning time.

DANIEL TIGER!

Although we are working on telling time they are no where near able to actually do so, yet they always know when it's time for Daniel Tiger to come on. This is where mommy gets to check out for 30 minutes because this is one show I don't mind them being glued to the T.V. for because it is awesome.

I want crackers, cheese, yogurt, cranberries, etc. for snack.

Before Daniel Tiger can get "Agamaga" (his closing phrase) out of his mouth someone begans to rattle off what they desire for lunch. It's my own fault they have been on a schedule since birth, mostly for my own sanity, and know that schedule drives me completely up the wall. LOL

Where's my blanket?

After the snack the boys retreat to their rooms and play until I call for nap time. That is the exact moment when every lovie, blanket stuff animal that they just have to have in bed with them goes missing.

Good afternoon.

My oldest son has determined the moment that the school bus drops the elementary kids off in front of our house  is the exact moment that nap time is over making it the afternoon. So he slowly creeps out of his room finds me gives me his sweetest smile and says "Good afternoon mommy".

I want peanut butter & jelly, hot dogs, chicken, raviolis, etc. for lunch.

Now here is where my oldest son makes as much noise as he can to wake his brother and when he successfully does so turns and tells me what he wants for lunch. 

Let's call granny, auntie, cousin, friend.

The afternoon is when they are most chatty and want to call all our relatives to catch them up on their day. Thank goodness for grannies!

What you going to cook?

Somewhere along the lines they realized that they have absolutely no say on what will be served for dinner so they just simply ask "What you going to cook?"

When daddy's coming?

Once I began cooking they know that daddy can't be too far away. So they continually ask me when is he coming and peeks out the front window until he arrives.

YAY DADDY!!!

I know this list is supposed to be what I hear all day long, but we all are screaming "Yay Daddy" when the hubby arrives home.

Center for Puppetry and Arts: The Adventure of Mighty Bug

Written and directed by Jon Ludwig

2012-13 Family Series

Welcome to Bugville, a jumpin’ little insect community that swings to the Bugville Boogie and the sweet sounds of WBUG Radio star Morpha Butterfly. Watching over the insect citizens is the one and only Mighty Bug, a superhero with super strength, smelling, hearing, and flying abilities. But Mighty Bug isn’t the only arthropod with an eye on Bugville. The evil arachnid Scorpiana has assembled a group to attack the town.  Can Mighty Bug defeat the evil Scorpiana and save Bugville? Find out in this science-filled comic book style adventure!

I recently decided to start giving my sons some one on one mommy time. So when the opportunity came up to experience a show at the Center for Puppetry and Arts I knew it would the suitable outing for my soon to be four year old. Boy was that an understatement it was perfect we saw" The Adventures of Mighty Bug" not only did my little one learn a ton about bugs, but he shared all his newly acquired knowledge with his little brother once we got home!

"The Adventure of Mighty Bug" combined the use of body and shadow puppets using comic book storytelling style to keep the audience captivated  My absolute favorite part of the show is when they come out at the end and explain how the production works, thus saving me from having to answer a million questions on the ride home.

Don't forget to head up stairs to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop and make your own Lightning Bug Rod & String Puppet to take home. It's included in the ticket price. This was a big hit with my little guy and I am sure it will be with yours as well!

                                     
                                          WATCH THE TRAILER

Where:
Center for Puppetry and Arts (Main Stage)

1404 Spring Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30309


When:
Jan 31 - Mar 17, 2013

Showtimes:
•Tues-Fri: 10am & 11:30am
•Sat: 12pm & 2pm
•Sun: 1pm & 3pm


Single show tickets, which include Create-A-Puppet Workshop and Museum:
Member - $9.25
Non-Member - $16.50

Purchase tickets online at  tickets@puppet.org or call the Ticket Office at  404.873.3391.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary tickets for this show, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Kickin The Winter Blues $1000 Cash Giveaway Blogger Opp

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The Circus is Coming to Town!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Circus Presents “Dragons”

February 13- 18 and February 21- March 3, 2013 in Atlanta

DRAGONS is a Once in a Millennium Event Celebrating the Chinese Year of the Dragon! 

Literally before I sat down to right this post we as in me and my little men saw a commercial  for the circus and they began too jump up and down chanting "I want that! I want that!" if you are a mother with little kids you know exactly what I did, smiled and nod. Usually that means don't hold your breath, but in this case it meant we are going and I don't want you bugging me everyday until we go so I will just wait til we walk into the building to tell you. Hope to see you and your little ones there!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® presents DRAGONS is a once in a millennium event that honors the Year of the Dragon.  Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros.^® Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. A never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends, DRAGONS is coming to Philips Arena February 13 – 18 and to The Arena at Gwinnett Center, February 21 – March 3, 2013.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®  searched the globe to bring audiences of all ages phenomenal acts including the Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, charging Cossack riders, magnificent Asian elephants, Siberian tigers and the frenzied motorcycle Globe of Steel. As the audience observes these and even more real world displays that pay tribute to the dragon, their continued excitement will bring glimpses of the elusive beast.

Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS opens an hour before show time with the interactive All Access Pre-show, FREE to all ticket holders.

For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RinglingBros.

Performances are at Philips Arena, February 13-18, 2013.

       Show Times:

o   Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.

o   Thursday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m.

o   Friday, February 15 at 10:30 a.m., and 7:30 p.m.

o   Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

o   Sunday, February 17 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

o   Monday, February 18 at 11:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m.

            Ticket Prices at : Start at $14

Performances are at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, February 21-March 3, 2013.

     Show Times:

o   Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m.

o   Friday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m.

o   Saturday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

o   Sunday, February 24 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

o   Tuesday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m.

o   Wednesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m.

o   Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m.

o   Friday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

o   Saturday, March 2 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.

o   Sunday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

     Ticket Prices at : Start at just $25

    All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at the Philips Arena and The Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office or via phone by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

About Feld Entertainment: Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

Meal Planning Made Easy- eMeals

As a stay at home mom/wife I am constantly looking for ways to stretch our families budget. I also pride myself in making sure my family has a home cooked meal at least six days out of the week.The grocery store is always a huge challenge when trying to stay in my budget and it literally takes me hours to prepare a grocery list. Well eMeals has really simplified the process and I love it!

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Weekly you will receive an email of a comprehensive list of seven family-friendly meals, including side dishes. Included in your email will be a detailed grocery list organized by sections and showing that weeks current prices.

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Most people need help with planning dinner, but eMeals also gives you the option of adding Breakfast and Lunch to your plan. 

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If you are a blogger and want to join the Blogger Network sign up here. Let them now Your Unexpected Beauty sent you (it gives me an extra entry into a giveaway).

Disclosure: I received a one year dinner subscription to eMeals. And have included affiliant links in this post because I love the product. All opinions are 100% my own.