Tag Archives: Philadelphia

Philadelphia

My Favorite Holiday Tradition : The Nutcracker

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sugar plum fary and mouse kingSo I love the Ballet, I always have even as a child.  My grandmother took my sister and I every year to see the Nutcracker in the city.  We loved it for months before we dreamed of being on stage.   This year we will be taking our daughters.   I want to share what is going on at the Ballet this is the year to go.  They have many special events and some very affordable tickets (as low as $20) so you too can take your child. My son has been and loves it also.

Pennsylvania Ballet Celebrates 25 Years of

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™

December 8-30 at the Academy of Music

New this year! Pennsylvania Ballet is proud to partner with The Salvation Army. At performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, audience members are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. Once collected at the theater, these toys will be distributed to families across the Delaware Valley throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Starting at just $20, tickets to all 23 performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music are on sale now. Tickets are available online at paballet.org, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ performances at the Academy of Music:

Saturday, December 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 9 at noon and 5 p.m.

Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 16 at noon and 5 p.m.

Thursday, December 20 at 7 p.m.

Friday, December 21 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 23 at noon and 5 p.m.

Monday, December 24 at noon

Wednesday, December 26 at noon and 5 p.m.

Thursday, December 27 at 2 p.m.

Friday, December 28 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, December 29 at 2 p.m.

Sunday, December 30 at noon and 5 p.m.

Groups of 10 or more get discounts and great seats! Ask about backstage tours, special talks with staff and dancers, and dining options near the theater for your group. For tickets and more information, contact Group Sales Manager Arajua Backman at 215.587.6921 or abackman@paballet.org.

Pennsylvania Ballet’s Holiday Happenings

“Nutcracker Magic” Children’s Party

Saturday, December 8 at noon

The Bellevue and Academy of Music

Don’t miss Pennsylvania Ballet’s glorious holiday party, a family tradition for the past 25 years. Children will be charmed by entertainers, crafts, games, and costumed characters like the Sugarplum Fairy and the Mouse King, plus a delicious lunch, all inside the magnificent ballroom at The Bellevue. All children will be invited to make a holiday card for a patient at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Following the food and festivities, guests will enjoy a performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music at 2 p.m. This annual family party is co-chaired this year by Quyen Mark, Jennifer Shacklett, and Luba Shvayko. Tickets to Nutcracker Magic are $150 or $250, and sponsorship opportunities are available from $500 to $5,000. All sponsors receive free George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ tickets to donate to the charity of their choice. For more information and tickets, contact Manager of Special Events Barbara Vogdes at 215.587.6916 or bvogdes@paballet.org, or visit paballet.org. ballet slipper

Tea with the Sugarplum Fairy

Sunday, December 9 at 2:30 p.m. (Choose the noon or 5 p.m. performance.)

Saturday, December 22 at noon (2 p.m. performance)

DoubleTree by Hilton

Join the Sugarplum Fairy in the ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton, across the street from the Academy of Music! Enjoy a delectable buffet of sandwiches, desserts, tea and hot cocoa, along with the chance to take photos with the Sugarplum Fairy, and a magical matinee performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™. Prices start at $75 and include your performance ticket and buffet. To order, contact Group Sales Manager Arajua Backman at 215.587.6921 or abackman@paballet.org, or visit paballet.org.

Nutcracker Story Time

Thursday, November 29 at 11 a.m. at Please Touch Museum

Thursday, December 6 at 10:15 a.m. at Philadelphia City Institute Library

Join the Sugarplum Fairy for a reading of the Nutcracker story.

 

Give the gift of ballet this holiday season! Pennsylvania Ballet’s Children’s Enchantment Fund enables underserved families to see George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ free of charge. One performance ticket is distributed for every $35 tax-deductible donation. To make a donation, please call Annual Fund Manager Jessica Holl at 215.587.6913 or visit paballet.org.

Connect with us! Follow Pennsylvania Ballet on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to go behind-the-scenes anytime, day or night.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is presented by First Niagara.

PECO is a Lead Sponsor of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

For more information, visit paballet.org or call 215.551.7000.

enjoy and support the arts

Philadelphia, Product Reviews, Travel

Sesame Place Halloween

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sesame place halloween

So I got to take the kids to Sesame Place  Spooktacluar  Halloween celebration. I have to say I think this is a great time to go to Sesame Place not too hot not too cold.  The kids really loved it. I brought my daughter age 7 and my son 11 and his friend 12.  They all have a good time, There was plenty to do for the big kids.

Pumpkin Decorating which is super fun they punkins were very reasonably prices starting at $4.  The Sesame Place personnel provided paint, stickers, duck tape and more.. so much fun for the kids.sesame place halloween

The kids also loved the Un Haunted house.  The house had interactive station as you walked through it. Like fun house mirrors and count the bugs.  The Kids really loved the interactive pumpkin that responded to them and talked to back asking questions then responding tot he children.sesame place hay maze

They also have  trick or treating.. you hunt through out Sesame Place to find the treats.  The kids really loved trying to find all the locations.sesame place halloween

The also had all Halloween themed shows and the great rides.  My daughter and son friend rode the roller coaster 7 times.

The decoration are also a ton of fun all count colors and pumpkins to look like the characters. sesame place

So you want to go they have a great Line up of Spootackular Weekends:

Check out SesamePlace Deals
October 20th and 21st — Abby Cadabby’s Fairy Pumpkin Party ‐ Help everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends celebrate Abby Cadabby’s birthday with her very own Fairy Birthday Party! This hour long party includes an all‐you‐care‐to eat dinner buffet, singing, and dancing with your Sesame Street friends. What birthday party would be complete without singing Happy Birthday to the Fairy‐in‐Training! Dinner is at 5:00pm and is by reservation only. Children under 2 are free. Visit www.sesameplace.com for complete information.
October 29th and 30th—The Count’s Halloween Party‐ Take a break from all of your Halloween fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular and enjoy the new dinner menu at Dine With Me! Celebrate Halloween with a terrific all‐you‐care‐to eat dinner buffet plus singing and dancing with all of your favorite Sesame Street friends at their very own Halloween Party! Dinner is at 5:00pm and is by reservation only. Children under 2 are free. Visit www.sesameplace.com for complete information.
October 30th — Halloween Costume Contest ‐ Come dressed in a Halloween costume to compete in the annual costume contest at Sesame Place! Registration will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Monster Rock Theater and there will be competitions for boys, girls, and families. All of the contests will take place at Monster Rock Theater and winners will be posted at the Welcome Center. All winners will be invited to be special guests in the Neighborhood Street Party Halloween parade.
###the count at sesame place

Disclosure: I received the compliment tickets to sesame place for the purpose of writing this post.  The opinions in this post are my own.

Want to link up your Sesame Place Post:   Add them here :


Philadelphia, Product Reviews

Ringing Rocks Parks Review

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Ringing RocksRinging Rocks Park  in Pa we went today.  I did not tell the kids were we were going. Ringing Rocks Park is located in Upper bucks County  in Upper Black Eddy.  I can recommend it as a fun afternoon with the kids,  that is free.   The ringing Rocks are a sight to see a field full of giant boulder.  Only 1/3 of the rocks make a bell like tone but it is fun figuring out which ones do.   The rocks are 10feet thick.   There is also a slate shelf type water fall in the park.

ringing rocksNo one is sure why the rocks ring some say it is because of iron in the rocks. They think that the boulder were left during the glaciers and ice age. There is some more nature fact about natural phenomenon

Here are my recommendations of what to bring when you go:

  1. Great shoes: Keens or sneakers  avoid wearing strappy sandals or crocs
  2. Kids should be over 6/7 years old the terrain of the rocks is rough so being a good walker is important.
  3. Bring Hammers so everyone can hit the rocks
  4. Wear jeans
  5. Protecting eyewear or glasses- you are hitting rocks with hammers- things fly
  6. If you have a walking stick bring it it will help you steady as you walking
  7. Leave the bags in the car.. too much to carry them while walking into the rocks
  8. There is a picnic area near the park area  so you can eat before or after your hike
  9. Bring a first aid kit (just in case)
  10. There is no bathroom except for a porta potty
  11. Park Guards are not always on location.
  12. Ringing Rocks Park park is about an hour north of Philadelphia, 20 minutes from Allentown and 15 from Quakertown Pa.

Here is my video:

Ringing Rocks Park

Ringing Rocks Rd
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972

 

My kids really loved it and thought it was a really cool place to go.

 

Philadelphia, Product Reviews, Travel

How to Train Your Dragon LIve Show Review

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Last night we went to see How to train your Dragon live show.  The show was held and Philadelphia Wells fargo center. check out the kids thoughts below.  I really enjoyed the show.  The show creators definitely used there imagination when creating the show.  The How To Train Your Dragon Stage show will be touring the US.

The Dragons pulled you in particular Toothless.. he was so cute and all the kids wanted to pet him.   The effects we also amazing I don’t want to give too much away.

I will let you know that souvenirs do run from $15-$50   Souvenir cups are $15, Program menus are $20, The Light up viking Helmets are $20 or 25 and the figurines were $25.

My kids ages were 7-11 but younger kids 3up were there, some got upset when the thought toothless was hurt.  Older teen though it was cool when I talked to another bloggers kids.

We really love the show and effects were amazing alot to look at.   I got “Thanks You’s” through out the show and the way home  from the kids.  The word amazing and cool were used a ton by the 11 years olds.  Looks at the smiles.. kids watching a show smiling

If you want to head to the show you can still get tickets on sale 25% off for Philadelphia.

To Purchase tickets for How To Train your Dragon in Philadelphia

Discount code is MOM — that’s good for 25% off to all shows.

Disclosure I recieved these tickets from the show but the opinions stated in this post are my own.

Giveaways, Philadelphia, Travel

How to Train your Dragon Stage Show & Giveaway!

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guy on stage with dragonDid your kids and You Love the Dream Works movie How to Train a Dragon!  So when I was in NY for Blogger her I met some of the wonderful people from How to Train Your Dragon Stage Show. The show is produce by Dream Works live!  It is coming to Philadelphia!  in September 12-16th, 2012.

The How to Train a Dragon Stage Show  show features 23 dragon who sore over head with a wing span of up to 46 feet!  Also some are fire breathing. Viking warriors and world-class circus artists and acrobats, to perform against a state-of-the-art, wall-to-floor immerse projection measuring more than 20,000 square feet. They have state of the art animatronics and that are sure to wonder your entire family.  My kids are looking forward to this fantastic show

The production will use the entire Wells Fargo Center.  So it will be sure to amaze the kids and you!!!

To Purchase tickets for How To Train your Dragon in Philadelphia

Discount code is MOM — that’s good for 25% off to all shows.

WANT TO WIN TICKETS!

I am giving away 4 tickets for How to train your Dragon at the Wells Fargo  Center Enter from Aug 26-6th, 2012

Note: giveaway is for you choice of  the following show times only Wednesday Sept 12 at 7, Thursday Sept 13 at 7, or Sunday Sept 16 at 6pm.

How to win:   So you want to go enter to win my giveaway for 4 tickets below.

  1. Be  sure to leave a comment in the comment section on my blog telling me What you would name your dragon (Mandatory to win)
  2. Then sign into in rafflecopter confirming you did so. (mandatory)
  3. Also you can earn additional entries. on the rafflecopter forms
  4. you also can tweet daily!
  5. Winner Announced and notified via email Sept 7th

Please note that entries that leave a comment and confirm comment in Rafflecopter will be consider to win. Winner will be selected using random rafflecopter winner.

The giveaway is only for the Philadelphia Show
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tickets are provide by Comcast Specator-  superexhausted.com is providing this giveaway but not responsible for seating option choices at the event ticketing is handle with Comcast and will be provide upon winning.dragon comcast discount code graphic

Disclosure:  I have received tickets in exchange for this post. All the opinions in this post are my own and I cant wait to see the dragons!!!

 

Giveaways, Parenting, Philadelphia, Product Reviews

Sesame Place Great for older Kids- Review and Giveaway

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kids at sesame placeSesame Place Is not just a place for little kids.  This year we attended opening day at Sesame place. I attended with my son(age 11) , my sons close friend (age12) , my daughter (age 7), and UpperCase women’s Daughter (age 5).  We love Sesame Place. Even as my children get older,  it is always a fun day for all.  We normally bring a big kid for my son to enjoy the day with, so he can ride the rides.  Every time  the friend,  is not sure because Sesame evokes a feeling from there early childhood.  But once they arrive and see how amazing Sesame Place is for all ages they relax and have a wonderful time.

Sesame Place Review

This trip, My sons friend never has ridden  a roller coaster,  the Vapor Trail was just the right size for a 1st time coaster.  My daughter choose to ride with him.. here is the before and after shot.   He loved it and could not wait to ride again.kids ready yo ride a roller coaster

Sesame Place has just as many dry rides as they do wet. So anytime of year is a great time to go.  My  kids also love climbing Nets and Climbs is always a fun place for the kids to climb and get lost in a safe way 30ft off the ground.  It is a wonderful workout.kids in a climbing net

Another big hit was the Elmos World – Free fall ride check out the faces.kids on a free fall ride

There are also some amazing shows and performances this year.  We did not attend because the age of my kids are all about the rides but they did spend a few moments posing with the various Sesame Street props.

We arrived at 10 and spent about 6 hours it was a fun action packed day.

My summer tip if you are close by is to go later in the day arrive around 3- 3:30 you save money on a twilight pass and the park is less crowded. We will stay till the park closes and the kids just go around and around on the rides because the lines are shorter.

Sesame Place Deals and Coupon Codes

Also between now and the end of June.   Sesame Place is offering a Special deals all summer check them out: Sesame Place Promotions

Also Visit Philly Let me know of this special offer

Be a Kid Again Getaway Package:

Hotels: More than 20 participating hotels

Package Overview: Guests who book a two-night hotel stay and buy at least two Elmo’s ANY 2-Day Tickets get front-of-line Abby’s Magic Queue passes for their party.

Other Perks: Free family photo at 1-2-3 Smile With Me!; two preferred parking passes for two days

Available: Book by June 28, and departure date must be July 2 or earlier.

Book: sesameplace.com

Sesame Place Giveaway

Sesame Place  has offer a two single day tickets for one of my readers.  Please enter the mandatory comment Of “What amusement ride makes you smile?”  The confirm entry in RaffleCopter form to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: My friends at Sesame Place did invited them to join them free of charge.  But all the fun and opinions stated in this post are honest and true.

 

Marriage, Travel

Nutcracker Opening of the Season

boy standing infrom of a sign for the nutcrackerThe Philadelphia  Nutcracker in June? Yes believe it or not this is the starting season of the Philadelphia Ballet Nutcracker season.  The Ballerinas start practicing and learning. Every year as a child my grandmother would take us tot eh city to see the nutcracker.  It is one of my fondest memories.  A few years also I took my son to see the Philadelphia ballet Nutcracker he loves it. So it is not just for the girls.  So when the Philadelphia ballet asked me to come to the Kick of the season event.  I said of course.

Guess what you can come too and meet the Sugarplum Fairy and the Mouse King.  What a different thing to do in the hot of summer talk winter and nutcracker!

Join Ballet at the Kimmel Center to kick-off our 25th Anniversary of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™! Enjoy character appearances, activities, ticket offers and more! Get there early – the first 25 people can purchase Nutcracker tickets for only $25*!

Be a part of Nutcracker Season.

Have your photo taken at the event and tell us how you know it’s Nutcracker Season. You might even become part of our Nutcracker ad campaign!

Don’t have time for a photo? Just finish the sentence: “I know it’s Nutcracker Season when…” and email it to us at info@paballet.org or tweet us @paballet using #pabnutcrackerseason.

Can’t wait? Tickets to all 23 performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music are on sale now. Tickets are available online at paballet.org, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

UPDATE!!  I was at the Pa Ballet Yesterday for the Nutcracker opening day of tickets sales and They shared a code JUNE25 which is 15% off tickets purchased between now and Wednesday June 27 at 11:59pm. http://paballet.org/ The code is not listed on the site.

 

 

Philadelphia, Product Reviews, Travel

10 Tips for Monster Trucks Shows

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family watching Monster trucksMonster Trucks, yea I saw them.. Advance Auto Part Monster Jam.  Here are my 10 tips of how to make a monster truck show event more fun and what to expect.  I have to say it was a 1st.  My husband went as a child from time to time. Me never been and now I can check it off my list. My friend Hillary at My Scraps was doing a giveaway her winner could not go,  so she was nice enough to share the Monster Jam Tickets with my family.

My son was a little hesitant about the Monster Jam,  because of the noise so we got ear protect for both the kids (the head phone kind that covers entire ear). It was loud.  We saw Monster Jams at the “Link”  Lincoln finical center where the NFL Eagles play football.  So to was open top stadium I could understand that a closed dome would be  deafening. The Monster trucks are loud, to put it mildly.

So we found our seats. they we great 1st row 2nd tier at the 50yard line. There was also no one behind us so we could stand up (handicapped seats were on a platform behind is- over our heads) The kids stood and cheered for the quad racing teams  and different monster trucks.  The truck hold a race to see who gets around the track the fasted that is the 1st half of the show,  the mixing in team quad races with some good old city against city competition. (NYC vs Philly).   The the big show is the free style.. which seemed to be lets see how hard we can push there large trucks just to watch them fall apart of crash.  The crowd loves it.   I was in awe how high the trucks fly in the air and the hang time on these trucks I was able to get 3-5 pictures taken from the time they attempt the jump to when the land.  I was in awe.

iron man monster truck doing a jump

Many of the trucks did back flips here is the World Famous Grave Digger doing a back flip.  He landed on is side on the second flip.

monster truck Grave Digger doing a back flip in the truckIt was a really different evening for my family and it was a really fun event to watch. I wish I brought my telephoto lens.

10 Tips for Monster Truck Shows :

  1. Sunscreen
  2. Ear protection for the kids and yourself
  3. camera with telephoto lens
  4.  Unopened water drinks bring a lot of water  it is hot in the stands (security will not let you carry them in if opened)
  5. arrive early and do attend the pit party if you can – you can see the trucks up close
  6. it is a long day for the kids 5 hours in seats.
  7. Snacks (fruit snacks , little thing kids tend to eat alot, and save the money on the $14 cotton candy)
  8. Poster board signs of favorite trucks, if in the lower tiers the driver might choose them for a special gift
  9. Do let you kids look on line at the trucks prior them having knowledge makes them more excited and enjoy the races
  10.  Tail Gating is acceptable and done.. so make a day of it.
  11. Baby wipes.. added Per comment below

They have another Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam event this up coming weekend June 16, 2012  at The Meadowland (East Rutherford NJ)

thanks Hillary

2 women at monster truck rally

What truck do you like the best?

 

Parenting, Philadelphia, Product Reviews

Palette Kids Art Class for Kids

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This past weekend my children got to experience Palette Kids art class in Philadelphia it is a art studio for kids. The art classes are given by Perry Milou a Philadelphia artist.  The art class was lovely.  Perry taught the kids about figures, and how to draw them.  He had several assistants to assist the kids.  Then he allowed the children to pick a project to make and create.  I have to say I love the vibe of the studio.  It was a real art studio with art  that fosters creativity,  not some pristine art space that is uninspired.  The inspiration of the space allowed and beckons the children to imagine and create. Some kids did 3 d art, painting, clay, and jewelry.

When school are cutting art budgets. Children are no longer allowed to use really clay in our schools any more.  The are using a commercial crayon company clay like product,  which I find extremely disappointing in the public school system.  At Palette Kids,  Perry’s allows the kids to use really clay and create. Check out my sons project.

Palette kid offers classes and this summer Art Classes   special Come to your 1st class and bring a friend for free.  $40 for a 2 hour class  with one of the most amazing pop arts teachers Perry Milou of Philadelphia. His classes are an amazing gift for any child.  The idea age is 5 to teens.  They also offer Philadelphia birthday parties for your budding artist.

I can highly recommend Palette Kids  both my children hope to return and learn from Perry Milou again.

Palette Kids

116 S. 19th Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Disclosure:  I received the class free of charge, all the opinions in this post are of my own

Philadelphia, Travel

Philadelphia Flower Show #wordlesswednesday

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Last week I told you about the Philadelphia Flower Show.  This afternoon, My daughter played hookie from school (1st grade) and we went to the flower show.  I thought it would be a great way to expose her to the beauty, smells, and learn about plants,  so an educational day.  Please be sure  to read the end of the post to see what I purchased at the show.  I think next time I would love to make a night of it with VisitPhilly.com they have a all sorts of great packages and discounts for overnight stays in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Here are some of the pictures I took at the show, for more picture I took of the day please check out my Flickr Philadelphia Flower show page.

The wave entrance was really cool my daughter loved seeing the sea life on the screens.

I thought the orchids were so beautiful and they were every where:

I loved the massive entrance water fall and Hawaiian mountain

The Miniatures and the pressed flower pictures were amazing!

Check out this window display- wow just wow

I think these were my favorites- I am a sucker for color:I also got a great picture of my girl!I have to share while I was at the Flower show I bought this lovely “Pooley” bud vase:bud vase

I love it for all the flowers that get pick for me over the next few months, they also have it in all white. Chive is located  Canada- shipping to US Orders under $50 will be charged $7, orders over $50 will be charged $10 in the continental US.

They do have some special offers chive.com so I thought I would share:

If you spend over $50 before shipping, they will send you Free Hudson 4 caterpillars ($16 goodie ) enter code “chiverocks”

or

If you spend over $50 before shipping, they will send you Free Hudson large arch ($18 goodie ) enter code “ilovechive”

So what Flowers are you planting this Spring?