Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Cupcake Onesies Review and Giveaway
Rachael is a very kind and loving person who I have had the pleasure to work with, and review her great made with love creations. Rachael owns the shop GoldfishInspirations on Esty. I had just had my last and final baby, Sarah, and Rachael sent me this adorable gift of onesies wrapped up like cupcakes!
I love them! Rachael made them a size 6-9 which was what my daughter was starting to wear, she did admit that she had a hard time getting them cute but I think she nailed it! The onesies are cute everyday ones that can go on any child there are no words just cute small patterns.
There was one actually that did have words, it was this one:
Rachael has many other items at GoldfishInspirations which is her store on Esty. The prices are great, she sells the set of 4 cupcake onesies for only $12.50! I have reviewed many other of her items which are dear to my heart cause they're personalized birth stone necklace.
My daughter Elizabeth liked the left overs from the cupcakes she played with the ribbons.
You can also use the cupcake holders to cook with they are a safe silicone that you can place in oven and bake. Double the gift! I know diaper cakes are on the rise, so why not add a set of cupcakes to compete that special look.
Once again Rachael is going to offer one reader the chance to win a set of cupcakes for their own. Offer is for U.S. residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Veggie Tales Personalized Cd Review and Giveaway!
Cyndi is kind enough to offer a free CD of choice to one of our readers. Please enter the rafflecopter bellow for a chance to win, open to US residents only. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, August 27, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
iFLY! Sky Venture! in Orlando Florida
Recently, Riley, Xander and I had the chance to visit iFly off international drive, in Orlando, Florida which is about 20 minutes from Disney World. When I arrived I was happy to find that parking is free, you pull up to this really tall building that is blue, and kind of looks like something from N.A.S.A.
It was very loud when we pulled up because of the giant fan that reaches speeds of 140 plus miles per hour which is twice the speed of your average roller coaster!
The building where you check in is located next to the big blue building that you fly in, with a nice deck to sit and wait for your turn, it is stocked with soda machines, and has wheelchair access.
In the office building is just that. A small area where they have T-shirts for sale, the desk where you check in, restrooms and finally giant televisions on which you see who is flying.
The staff of iFly are all very good looking people, all young and fit I mean I would not normally say this-but you're going to notice.
When you arrive you can do a self check in, which really is just inputting your info like name and birthday, then once you have self checked in, they will call your name to get your paperwork signed. Once that is done you're given an armband.
The start of the journey! You start by climbing up about 30 stairs to the viewing area, the stairs are on the outside of the building with high arm rails.
The viewing area is just that, its a room with benches that you can sit and laugh your butt off at friends/family that decided that they want to fly, everyone is allowed in this room. In the viewing area there are alot of "warning signs" one talks about risk, like bumps, bruises and sprains, other talks about age, height and weight and finally another is just info.
I was shocked to see how many of the participants were kids, Buggy wanted to go but she is only 2 and a half (they start letting them fly at 3 years old) so might have to take her back in a few months. They have other restrictions like if you are under 6 feet tall you must weigh less than 230 pounds, and those over 6 feet must weigh less than 250 pounds. Children under age 18 must have a adult to sign a wavier.
So its now time for myself, Riley and Xander to go to training! We leave the room and head up another 10 stairs to a little room which has lockers for all things in our pockets, or loose items (lockers are free and have a key). The training room is were you meet your instructor, ours was Chris and he showed us a video which talks about the hand signals that are used while in the air tunnel along with how to enter and exit. The movie is about 10 minutes long.
There are 4 hand signals, thumbs up is chin up, fingers in a peace sign out is legs out then bent in is legs in, and finally hang 10 is chill relax and have fun!
After the video you come back out to where the lockers are and get your helmet, goggles, ear plugs, not flattering jumpsuits and shoes if you need them.
It is good to have closed toed shoes when you come to iFly but if you're in sandals they do have shoes. The jumpsuits-oh the jumpsuits-wow lol they lift your butt and make you look chunky so trying to look good goes out the window so be prepared for that lol.
Also the jumpsuit goes over your own clothes no special changing is needed.
Yeah!
Once you have lost all looking good rights you head out to the main viewing area and the show begins. The group enters into what is like a small plexiglass hallway with benches, the doors are shut and an air fan starts.
Your instructor goes in first, then here we go, each person gets 2 sessions of 60 seconds each which the average jump from a plane only lasts 45 seconds.
You enter the fan area which you feel like a fish because you're in a glass tank (the best way to describe how everyone is watching) so for me I was more embarrassed than scared lol.
You come in to the tunnel with your arms close to your chest then fan out with arms at about eye level with your chin up and legs lifted, I kept having an issue with keeping my legs out, I think it's because you're aware of the walls so you pull in from fear of hitting them. You also want to make sure to breathe because the air is being forced up your nose and you get that nice pancake face, which I seriously looked like an old man. Whoo! lol The time in the tank seems a lot longer then 30 secondss and I believe you reach the wind speed of 130 miles per hour or so. I saw that with the kids they seemed to stay at about 110 mph. Your instructor is with you the whole time while you're in the tank, just to help you get the most flight as possible, because there are dead spots that you will just end up sitting on the net. Xander and Riley went after me and they did great, Riley was looking through the glass telling Paige "I'm done!" after like 5 seconds of being in there (because he wanted out) but we got him to go again. I loved how they make sure to go out of the way for kids, they take all kids by the arm and around the waist then crank up the fan and give them a really high shot into the air which the kids love!
I had a blast I would love to work there I mean wow what a fun job, after all the people in your group have gone the instructors get to go in and have fun showing off what they can do, Buggy was at the window and they would fly into it and she was laughing and having fun watching them. So once your done they shut the fans down and you go back up to the training room which you get your dvd if you purchased one, a certificate, and pictures if you want to buy some they are only 3-4 dollars per picture for them to be emailed, which is a great price. For all the women/girls/guys with long hair ha ha ha I would recommend tucking it in the helmet because wow I had such a rats nest after to work with.
I would really recommend this for all ages that say they want to do it, it's not over priced for what it is, you get longer time in the air, you're in a much safer environment than if you were to sky dive and for $20 more you can go again!
Prices are as follows:
Earn Your Wings with our most popular first time flyer package. Includes two flights for one person in the wind tunnel for $54.95
Spread Your Wings and learn to fly with four flights for one person in the wind tunnel plus a DVD for $109.95
Spread Your Wings for Two can be shared by two people, so learn to fly with four flights in the wind tunnel plus a DVD for $129.95
Family Package can be shared by up to five people and includes a DVD of your experience and ten flights in the wind tunnel $269.95.
I promise it's a once in a life time experience that you will totally fall in love with when visiting Orlando, Fl.
It is wise to book in advance, and please show up a hour before to make sure your flight and training goes as scheduled.
Added by Paige: Xander and Riley after the first "training" flight didn't want to get back in for the second flight, after i begged them (through the plexiglass) they agreed and when they came out were begging ME! to go again, also I noticed that a lot of the people who came out from flying were saying what a great once in a lifetime experience it was, for those scared of sky diving, this looks like it really comes close without the dangers.
I would definitely take Xander and Riley back again, Xander already asked me if he could have his birthday at iFly!
Little Mermaid Costume by AshleyBelinda Review and Giveaway
I couldn't wait to get the costume on Sarah! So I rushed and gave her a bath, stuffed her in and got these pictures.
Jeneane of AshleyBelinda is nice enough to host a giveaway which the winner will receive an item of choice from her store. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Lowe's Build and Grow Free Projects
The first one we ever did was a train which was in 3 projects, my son loved it and we now go on a regular basis.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Arabian Nights Orlando Dinner Show Review and Giveaway
Arabian Nights is Orlando's number 1 dinner show. We had the privilege of checking out Arabian Nights with ALL 7 kids!
Parking was free, and the line for check in was not that bad we got there at about 7:10pm for an 8:30 showtime. We had the VIP experience which includes backstage tour, pictures of the kids on horses, guaranteed seating in rows 1-3 and drink upgrades to free wine and beer.
Upon entering they take your photo on a green screen (they insert their logo on it after the photo is taken) which is shown to you during dinner. and you have the chance to purchase at the price of $20 for a 5x7 and 2 wallets or a full 8x10, or you can buy the whole package for $25.
Riley was making cross eyes in our picture, so we decided not to purchase, but they did offer us the chance to retake the photo after the show (didn't happen, kids were all way too hyper after to get them to stand still!)
After the picture you go through a small gift shop which had some neat stuff but we didn't really look because well 7 kids all wanting something gets pricy.
Once we were out of the gift shop we were in the grand room which has a nice pre-show of a belly dancer who interacts with the guests getting them to come up and learn some moves.
Also in the grand room they have an appetizer of chips and salsa along with a cold pasta salad which was very good, it's buffet style so you can take your own.
Finally after about 30 minutes of being in the grand room we were able to get into where the dinner show will take place. If you're a VIP or rows A-F you go in the first set of doors to your right, everyone else heads back so better for them to stay to the left. As VIP we went through the first set of doors into the main show which we then walked onto the floor which was a mulch like dirt to go get the pictures of the kids on the horse.
Then from the pictures we went to meet the cast and horses, while we were there we saw a woman who was painting the one horse with hearts and tribal images for the show.
We left the meet and greet area and headed back to the main area which they had "horse races" going on. The kids got to take part of the "horse races" which was a stick horse and they played freeze tag. All kids can take part in this activity it was not for only VIP children.
Finally after the horses and such we went to our seats, in the mean time I took Sarah to get a new diaper and use the restroom which was very clean. Since having Sarah I have a travel system, (stroller and baby carrier set) I was able to park the stroller by the door and carry the car seat to the table. When we sat I had placed Sarah the long way on the bench so that the carrier was facing me, that was a big mistake because it slipped off and she went flying under the table just missing her head getting hit : ( bad mommy so then Paige figured out that the best way is to place forward like how we sat, it fit perfect on the backside of car and table.
Paige and I both loved that our kids could also order off the adult menu, which I had the steak, Paige had the quarter chicken, 2 of my kids had the pulled pork and then the rest had chicken fingers with mac and cheese.
I noticed that when you are not VIP that when you sit down they bring the food out and you eat before the show, where as if you are VIP and doing the pictures with the horses and backstage tour, you kind of end up eating during the show, some might love this, some might not. For me, I missed a good portion of the beginning of the show because I was helping kids get settled with food (mom, ketchup!, Paige, a fork!)
The kids were all very good once they got their food (which was great! I loved my chicken, and the kids were all full and happy) and we watched the show which was amazing, I was surprised that it had such a nice story, about a girl from America that finds out she is a Princess and has to find her Prince (with the help of a genie)
The current featured production at Arabian Nights, The American Princess, is a lighthearted tale of adventure and romance.
On her 21st birthday, an all-American girl and champion rider discovers that she is actually the Princess Scheherazade. Along with her genie Abracadabra, Princess Scheherazade takes the audience on a magical journey around the world to find her prince – who must love horses as much as she does.
You’ll join the princess as Abracadabra takes her to Europe to see the famous military-style quadrilles; to Latin America to see the romance of the garrocha; to a Gypsy camp to see unbelievable acrobatics on horseback; to the world of Imagination to see that beauty of the magical, mystical unicorn; and back to the U.S.A. where four fabulous acts honor America!
I know our oldest kids understood the story but I don't think the younger ones did as much, but they were really excited when the performers did stunts on the horses, one girl jump roped on top of a horse! or the guy jumping through fire!
- Our Basic Drink Package is $5, and includes unlimited Bud Light and California blush wine all night inside the arena.
- Our Premium Drink Package is $15, and includes unlimited House Merlot wine, House Chardonnay, Margaritas, Rum Runners, or our House Hard Lemonade all night inside the arena.
Our History
On February 29th, 1988, Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction opened
for business, fulfilling a dream for Owner and CEO Mark Miller. Bazy
Tankersley, Miller’s mother, established Al-Marah Arabian Horse Farm in
1940, where Miller grew up with a deep love and respect for horses. As
an adult, Miller envisioned a place where the world’s greatest horses
and riders could come together under one roof.
He wanted to keep the art of Equestrian performance alive, as horses are seen less and less in circuses and other performance venues because of poor footing or other logistics. Since it’s opening, Arabian Nights has become the most honored dinner show in the world, with nearly 9,000 performances. The show is ever-evolving, incorporating new generations and ideas. It is Central Florida’s largest family owned and operated attraction, and has been continually praised for setting and exceeding industry standards in the care and training of its horses. Arabian Nights is also proud to preserve dying equestrian arts, such as bareback acrobatics, training future generations of performers in these spectacular techniques.
Over the years, the show may have grown and the story may have changed, but one thing remains the same: Arabian Nights’ commitment to bringing quality equestrian entertainment to audiences of all ages.
He wanted to keep the art of Equestrian performance alive, as horses are seen less and less in circuses and other performance venues because of poor footing or other logistics. Since it’s opening, Arabian Nights has become the most honored dinner show in the world, with nearly 9,000 performances. The show is ever-evolving, incorporating new generations and ideas. It is Central Florida’s largest family owned and operated attraction, and has been continually praised for setting and exceeding industry standards in the care and training of its horses. Arabian Nights is also proud to preserve dying equestrian arts, such as bareback acrobatics, training future generations of performers in these spectacular techniques.
Over the years, the show may have grown and the story may have changed, but one thing remains the same: Arabian Nights’ commitment to bringing quality equestrian entertainment to audiences of all ages.
Showtimes are Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm and Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30pm.
Online ticket prices (save 25% by booking online!) are $50.49 for an adult, $30.99 for a child 3-11 and under 3 is FREE!
Purchase tickets online by visiting Arabian Nights Here
Arabian Nights has generously offered a giveaway of 2 adult and 2 child tickets! Please enter using the rafflecopter form below. US Only please, giveaway ends 8/22/12 at 12:01am
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)