Mermaid Spotted In FL - Sun Tail Mermaid Tail And Monofin Review #usfg

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Gwyn showing off her tail on the beach. She was quite the attraction.

Sun Tail Mermaid is yet another amazing product that thanks KickStarter.com was able to expand their kid-sized monofins and mermaid tails. on March 2015 Sun Tail Mermaid launched a campaign on Kickstarter to expand their product line to include premium realistic mermaid tails and monofins for teens and adults. Within one month they were fully funded thanks to 78 generous backers and now offer a large selection of monofins, mermaid tails, swimsuits and shark fins. Sun Tail Mermaid is a multi-family owned and operated business based in Alaska but they are spread all over the seven seas.

Not only are Sun Tail Mermaids dreams coming true, but my daughters is as well. What child (or adult for that matter) hasn't fantasized about being a mermaid.

A moms review:
Christmas arrived a little early for my daughter and just in time for our trip to FL. Let me give a quick little back story so you understand just how special this early Christmas gift was for my daughter.

As you may have noticed I haven't been blogging much this past year. If you follow me elsewhere on social media then you know that I have been struggling with some very horrible health issues. Last November I had major foot surgery and well this November I had major cervical and skull surgery. The only surgeon I could find that would do the much needed surgery on my neck to rid me of my chronic migraines and neck pain was in FL however and he didn't take insurance. So we spent a year fundraising and selling lots of stuff (including pets) to get the funds we needed. This meant that we had no family vacation this year, no frivolous spending, and it meant that the kids most likely wouldn't be getting many (if any) Christmas gifts. Well surgery did happen and we are still in FL, so I guess our vacation did happen after all (at least for the kids) since we got to spend 3 weeks in a condo with a pool and bay beach out our back door. And Christmas came a little early for one of the kids thanks to Sun Tail Mermaid and US Family Guide blogger offers.

It took me a good 1/2 hour to choose the perfect tail for  Gwyn. There were so many beautiful options. I ended up choosing the Seven Seas Mermaid Tail + Monofin Set which is rainbow. I had just dyed her hair rainbow so it matched perfectly. Since we were heading down to FL within the week of me ordering I emailed the company and explained our situation to see if they thought it would arrive in time before we left or if I needed to change the shipping to the FL condo. They assured me it would arrived very quickly and before we left...and it did. Talk about great customer service. The tail arrived in a large brown box with no markings so the kids had no idea what was inside. I opened the box in secrecy to check out the tail, and well couldn't resist trying it on. I was unsure about the size, but thanks to several reviews I decided on the JS so it would fit her next summer too. She is 11 yrs old but just about my size in the weight department (107 lbs) and just a little shorter (5 ft roughly). She already wears my clothes...not sure how that happened! Because the material is 4 way stretch a Kids XL would have probably fit her as well. The tail fit me perfectly as well and I am closer to 6 ft and 130 lbs. I immediately wrapped the box and placed it by the door to be loaded into the car. The wrapped package drove the kids crazy especially since they weren't expecting anything this year and it was killing them as to why it was going with us to FL when Christmas was still a month away.

We didn't give her the gift right away since they were going to a friends while I had my surgery and we didn't want her bummed out that she couldn't use the tail right away so we waited until the kids got home. We gave Gwyn the present and explained it was an early gift and that we were giving it to her now because it was something she would be able to use while we were in FL. She unwrapped the present and I am pretty sure everyone within a 1 mile radius heard the squeal.

 
As recommended on the Sun Tail Mermaid paperwork she first practiced with just the monofin. I couldn't believe how well she did and how natural she was with the monofin. She said the monofin is very comfortable, easy to get on and easy to use. The unique thing about these monofins is that they are made with neoprene and one size fits all (2 sizes available Keiki for kids and Nunui for adults/teens), thanks to adjustable velcro straps. Many of the other monofins on the market are plastic, breakable, difficult to adjust and uncomfortable. They also come in a wide selection of colors so that you can match your mermaid tail. The monofin will be something she will have for years to come.

After she mastered swimming with the monofin she added the tail. The tail has an opening in the bottom making it easy to just slide the monofin into the tail. The set also came with monofin protector tips (removable when not using the tail) and mer-shield tape to help protect and repair the tail as needed. The tail is made of high quality swimsuit fabric which is 80/20% nylon/spandex material with 4 way stretch. They do quality control testing on all batches of fabric to ensure the best color fastness and durability for your tails. The laser printed scales on the tails make them look 3d and very realistic. Sun Tail Mermaid indicates the tails are made to last a season however with proper care (which may be easier for older kids and adults) I think these tails could withstand a couple seasons. Gwyn as taken great care of her tail so far making sure to not drag it on the ground and hanging it up properly to dry. The tail could also be used for swimming without a monofin and since the bottom is open making it easy to walk in, you could also use it for dress-up or a costume.

As we imagined she has had a great time with her tail and monofin and has become quite the mermaid. She is definitely going to be bummed when we leave FL, since she will have to wait until the Spring to use it again. The condo we are staying in has a lot of "older" folks visiting and they all been quite impressed and enamored. One evening we walked down to the beach for a mermaid photo shoot and she became quite the attraction...it isn't everyday that a mermaid washes up on Boca Ciega Bay after all. Several people ended up asking to take photos of her with her tail to show their grand-kids. 

My daughter gives the Sun Tail Mermaid tale 10 stars! She has wanted a mermaid tail since she was about 6 yrs old, but in all honesty they always worried me because I am quite the stickler for water safety. But she is such an excellent swimmer now and to make sure my kids had some resemblance of Christmas I caved and I am glad I did. She has had no issues with swimming with the tail...but of course adult supervision is always required when near the water.  Some tails I have seen on the market make it difficult to stand up if need be but the Sun Tail Mermaid tail and monofin are easy to stand up in which made me feel a little at ease. She is already trying to convince me she needs a second one and a swimsuit top to match. She read inside her packaging that Sun Tail Mermaid has a photo contest....thus the reason for our beach photo shoot.

Links to follow:

-Sun Tail Mermaid Facebook
-Sun Tail Mermaid Twitter

Where to buy:

Want a mermaid tail or a shark fin of your own? My readers can save this holiday season. Take 10% off your order at Sun Tail Mermaid by using code BestGiftEver at checkout!

Must Have Gift - Calling All Mermaids and Sharks

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Do you have a child that is more fish than human? Are you looking for the perfect gift for your mermaid or shark? Then you must check out the fun products at Sun Tail Mermaid.

Make your little girls dream come true! Sun Tail Mermaid has created the world's best swimmable mermaid tails and mermaid flippers. Their mermaid tails are soft, comfortable, and come in a wide variety of designs and colors. They are made of high quality swimsuit fabric with 4-way stretch.

Sun Tail Mermaid's monofins are extremely comfortable and virtually unbreakable. Their patented monofin is several steps ahead of everyone else in engineering, durability, comfort, and functionality. The propulsion and control is exceptional. The monofins come in a wide range of beautiful colors, so you can match your mermaid tails or look amazing wearing it alone.

10% discount - Receive a 10% discount on your order at www.SunTailMermaid.com by using coupon code: BestGiftEver

Brick Builders Club Review #BrickSwag

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I have another Lego related item for you that I reviewed. Can you tell we are a Lego loving family? This one is an awesome one of a kind subscription box for the Lego lover in your family and its called BrickSwag from the Brick Builders Club! Subscription boxes are the newest fad and I can totally see why....I mean who doesn't love getting fun stuff in the mail every month?

Now I don't have Rowyn's opinion yet on this amazing product because it is going to be one of his Christmas gifts but I think it's safe to say he is going to go crazy over it.

Every month a Lego style box arrives at your door filled with an exclusive T-Shirt, trading cards, parts packs, activities, techniques/tips, mini build challenge and more!

In our November box we received a turkey build, really cool t-shirt (which I claimed because it is too big for Rowyn), brick booster pack, trading cards, Lego cup, BrickSwag brick, fun poster, build a feast challenge pack and tips and trick book. I can already tell you Rowyn is going to go crazy over the bricks but I also know the trading cards are going to be a huge hit because since they have become a new hobby for him over the last few months. When you sign up for a subscription you can select the t-shirt size you need so you won't have to worry about it being too big or small (since we received our set to review I wasn't able to select the size).  The challenge pack is definitely something Rowyn is going to love participating in, especially since he aspires to become a Master Builder. Each month you can build a creation to go along with the theme and submit it online boosterbricks.com/brickswag. If you win you receive a Booster Bucket 500! Pretty awesome right?

Want a box? Subscribe!

Brick Builders Club is Now Enrolling for May! Don't miss out! 

Sign up for the plan that suits you:

$26/mo (one month)

$23.50/mo (three months)

$21.50/mo (six months)
$20/mo (1 year)

*You can receive 10% off your NEW Membership by using code HAPPYTEN at checkout.

Still undecided? Perhaps the cost is holding you back? Well let me tell you that these boxes are worth every penny. The shirt alone is worth $20. If I had to place a value on all the items you receive I would put the cost of these boxes at about $35-$40.

You can learn more about Brick Builders Club through their website. Be sure to connect and share with Brick Builders Club through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube! Use hashtag #BrickSwag to tag and share your photos and videos!

You can also register for the Brick Builders FREE Lego Building Guidelines emails. 

Click N' Play 500 Piece Building Block Set Review #Valuepack500blocks

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I have a Lego loving son who can never seem to have enough bricks despite having a rolling cooler + a plastic bin full of them.....not to mention the countless bricks that I often find, I mean step on, laying on the floor. And then there are the bricks that are hiding in the car in various nooks and crannies. But like I said he can NEVER have enough so of course I couldn't resist reviewing the 500 Piece Click N' Play Building Block Set.

The 500 piece big bag comes with an assortment of building blocks in various colors and sizes, 10 assorted colors in 14 block sizes to be exact. I must admit I was skeptical that they would fit properly with his Lego brand bricks, but they did and were a nice snug fit. The company actually guarantees them to be compatible with compatible with Lego and other major building block manufacturers. I am not sure my son will be thrilled with the pink and purple blocks but luckily he has a Lego loving sister too.

The best part about these bricks is the price. They cost a fraction of what a similar Lego brand set would. With this set your child will stay busy for hours. You can order the bricks on Amazon. Order them today and get them in time for Christmas. These fabulous bricks will actually be under our tree this Christmas!

These bricks are not affiliated with or endorsed in any way by Lego, a registered trademark of Lego Systems.  

#BrickSwag LEGO Subscription Box - 20% Discount Offer

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Do you have a LEGO love in your house? I do. My son can spend hours playing with his Lego bricks as a matter of fact he is actually on the Creative Crew at our local Legoland Discovery Center and hopes to one day be a LEGO Master Builder. So if you have a LEGO lover in your home here is the perfect item that will keep the inspiration flowing and help your LEGO lover achieve master-builder status!

This is a definite hot pick this holiday season, and we have it for you now at the best price. Last year, memberships sold out before December so now is the time to lock in for this holiday season.

Go over to brickswag.com, choose your plan and use code FAM20 for your extra 20% savings!

BrickSwag is box full of LEGO-themed merchandise that arrives monthly in the mail just for your builder. It even arrives with their name on the package.

Every month, your red brick-shaped box arrives packed with official LEGO bricks you keep - never clone brands, an exclusive LEGO-themed T-shirt in any size, Build Magazine packed with interviews and building ideas, custom trading cards, inspirational posters, and more.

BrickSwag has a mission that most moms can appreciate and that is....To Inspire, Educate, and Entertain with LEGO bricks.


Use this code for an additional 20% off your membership: FAM20 (valid until 11/30).

 

CHARM IT! Bracelet Review and Giveaway

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High IntenCity Corp is a family owned and operated company that creates fun fashion jewelry for girls nationwide. Since 1993 they have been inspiring girls to express their individuality through creativity.

“Empowering girls with the gift of self-expression is the heart behind the brand," says High IntenCity president Renee Levy. "Our number one mission is to inspire individuality and celebrate creativity."

A moms review:
For the purpose of this review we received a CHARM IT! bracelet with charms. The award winning CHARM IT! line debuted in 2000 and is the original, detachable charm jewelry line for girls. These customized bracelets are the perfect gift for any little girl from five to fourteen.

When I was a little girl I remember digging through my moms jewelry box. Each jewelry piece had a special story and memory attached to it. But there was one piece in particular that held the most stories and memories and that was her charm bracelet. Charm bracelets were once very popular and everyone had one! But sadly over the years the beautiful, wearable keepsakes became a thing of the past.

So when I heard about CHARM IT! I was very excited to see charm bracelets making a come back. My daughter is all about self expression and cherishing/making memories so CHARM IT! is right up her alley.

CHARM IT! charms and bracelets are affordable, age-appropriate, durable and most importantly fun. The charms are bright and colorful and there are many to choose from...so many you may have a hard time choosing. From moving parts to unexpected surprises, each charm tells a story. Some have moving parts, dangles and 3 dimensional bling, others glow in the dark and can even hold photos. Is your daughter a foodie, techie or animal lover? Or perhaps she loves sports, art or fashion? Did she recently score the winning goal, loose a tooth or ace the test? CHARM IT! has charms to celebrate every special day and tell every girls story of who they are and what they love!

I was very impressed with the quality and durability of the bracelets and charms. Each charm has a clasp so they are very easy to take on and off the bracelet. The metal link bracelets are also very easy to adjust to fit tiny wrists.

The specific bracelet we reviewed is a GapKids exclusive. The bracelet is a silver, basic link style, however there are several other options available online and in stores. The bracelet cam with 7 adorable charms including  Preppy Puppy , Girls Can Change The World locket, Heart Guitar, Milk & Cookies, Best Friends Puzzle Piece, Rainbow Anchor, and Cosmetic Bag.

These bracelets make a great gift for any little girl, but they also offer a way for your daughter to express herself and cherish special memories for years to come. I haven't given the bracelet to Gwyn yet because it will be in her stocking this Christmas. And I definitely plan on purchasing a couple more charms for her like this horse charm and this art charm.

Did you know that CHARM IT! is a favorite among celebrity moms too, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Heidi Klum?

Links to follow:

-CHARM IT! Facebook 
-CHARM IT! Twitter
-CHARM IT! Pinterest

Where to buy:
CHARM IT! jewelry can be purchased at GapKids and other local retailers or you can design your own on their website. Charms are $5 each and bracelets/necklaces range from $5-$14. All charms and accessories are sold separately.

Now time for the giveaway:

One winner will receive a GapKids CHARM IT! bracelet (like the one in the photo above).. Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winner will be posted on the blog and will be emailed. Winner must reply within 24 hrs with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. 

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Educents Holiday Gift Guide

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❄ Happy Holidays! ❄

The Educents team is excited to share their favorite deals and products with you this holiday season. Each staff member chose their favorite deal for the holidays and included it in this handy guide. Check out the deals, including free apps, art & craft supplies, personalized books, LEGO sets, martial arts online and so much more. They have something for everyone!

VIEW THE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE HERE

Georgia Travel Log - December 2014 - Holiday Fun Edition

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We have been super busy lately traveling around Georgia and experiencing some of the newest exhibits and attractions. Because there are so many wonderful things I need to update you on I came up with a brilliant idea (well I think it's brilliant). I am calling it the "Georgia Travel Log." Once or twice a month I will give you an update on several of the newest attractions, exhibits, etc. Most of them will be ones that we actually get to experience that way I can share our personal experiences and show you some personal photos too. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Georgia Travel Log. Please leave comments with information on any other new attractions or exhibits that you know of. Also remember to follow us on Instagram to keep up with our daily adventures!

If you are hosting an upcoming event or promoting a new exhibit or attraction please email me to discuss getting it covered in the next Georgia Travel Log edition.

I know I missed a few months and I am so very sorry...I won't even bother making excuses because there are just too many!

This edition is going to be filled with lots of holiday events. Check out what The Rock Ranch, Stone Mountain, Atlanta Speedway, Historic Westville and Fernbank have to offer your family this holiday season.

The Rock Ranch:
In October we visited the Rock Ranch for one of their Fall Family Fun Days. Sadly I wasn't able to get a post up up sooner about our experience so I am going to share some of that with you now so you can start planning for next year. Hopefully you saw our photos and shout outs on social media and were able to attend this year. What you may not know though is that The Rock Ranch also has Christmas events like breakfast or lunch with Santa, Santa's workshop and country Christmas in lights (FREE).

The Rock Ranch is a family friendly outdoor destination that offers family's seasonal fun. Though they offer events throughout the year their Fall Family Fun Days from September - November (Saturday only) always draw in the crowds. Each Saturday they have a different theme which adds even more fun on top of the main attractions.

We visited on lumberjack day and had an absolute blast. The weather was perfect and we spent an entire day soaking in all that The Rock Ranch has to offer. All of the attractions on site are included in the cost of admission with the exception of the rock wall, carousel and zipline which there is a nominal charge for. The adventure starts out with a hay ride from the parking lot to the attraction area. Inside the attraction area which is encircled by a train track you will find pony rides, slide hill, tiny town (my children's personal favorite), pedal carts, corn maze, cane pole fishing, corn cannon, toddler playground, cow train, rope maze, horse shoes, no left turn maze, wagon jolly jump, paddle boats, petting zoo, corn box and more! There are also several places to pick up some scrumptious food and 2 stores to pick up great gift items.

If you enjoy corn mazes you will love the one at The Rock Ranch. Each year the ranch chooses a special theme for their corn maze. This year's theme celebrated 75 Years of Wizard of Oz, the movie. Throughout the day Wizard of Oz characters were available for photo ops. Throughout the maze there were informational placards, movie quotes, displays and more. If you got lost the corn cops were on duty to give you hints. We were really proud of ourselves for navigating the maze without any assistance. It took us about 1/2 an hour.



More Details:
The Rock Ranch is a 1,500 acre cattle ranch located one hour from Atlanta that offers visitors an "agritourism" experience unlike any other. The Rock Ranch is owned by Chick-fil-A owner S. Truett Cathy and dedicated to "Growing Healthy Families." The Rock Ranch offers seasonal events, educational fieldtrips, unique camping experience, and meeting spaces for events.

Stone Mountain Christmas:
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go...and Stone Mountain is no exception. Stone Mountain has been decked out with more than 2 million beautiful LED lights. We got a sneak peek of the Stone Mountain Christmas festivities and it was pretty awesome. From now until January 4th families can enjoy a variety of holiday shows including Forever Christmas, Toyriffic, A Crossroads Christmas Carol, Holly Jolly Cabaret and The Gift (religious show). Our family was able to catch two of the shows and Toyriffic was the children's favorite of the two. But there's more...you will definitely want to catch the 4-D Ice Age A Mammoth Christmas film, get your photo taken with Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and take a ride on the Sing-Along Christmas Train. If you stay through dusk you can also enjoy the high energy Christmas parade, meet with Santa and experience some holiday magic as the Snow Angel flies overhead creating a nightly snow and fireworks show. If you want to see everything including the night time parade and Snow Angel magic be sure to arrive early I would say no later than noon. Stone Mountain Christmas will definitely get you into the holiday spirit.

All of the above mentioned fun is included in a Stone Mountain Christmas Adventure Pass plus the Summit Skyride, Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and the Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard are also included in your pass. Stone Mountain Christmas Tickets are $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children.

And don't forget about Snow Mountain which will offer visitors hours of fun in something we rarely get to see here in Georgia...SNOW. Tickets are $28 for Snow Mountain and there are combo deals available for both Snow Mountain and Stone Mountain Christmas. Snow Mountain operates through February 22, 2015.

More Details:
Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most popular attraction and features a wide variety of family activities. Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, adventure awaits as you discover interactive family friendly attractions and many natural and historical sights. Plus you won’t want to miss dozens of fun annual events such as Spring FUN Break, Summer at the Rock, Yellow Daisy Festival, Indian Festival and Pow-Wow, Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain. Stone Mountain activities are suitable for all ages.

Fernbank Goose Bumps Exhibit and Winter Wonderland:
This is another review I totally slacked on but thankfully special exhibits stick around for a little bit at Fernank. Goose Bumps the Science of Fear will be on display through January 4th.

This special exhibit was tons of fun for both children and adults. If you have ever been curious about coulrophobia, pyrophobia or aviophobia then you will definitely want to visit this exhibit before it's gone. You will learn about the physiological, neurological and sociological aspects of this often misunderstood emotion through immersive and engaging hand-on activities.

The first part of the exhibit contains a wall of display boards which highlights several phobias. After learning about phobias such as aviophobia, dentophobia and pyrophobia head over to the Fear Lab where you will meet "Mr. Goose Bump"s the exhibit host. Mr. Goose Bumps will demonstrate how the bran and body work together through hands-on activities, video and exhibit interactives. Right across from Mr. Goose Bumps you can get an up close look as some real brains. Learn all about the amygdala aka the threat center of the brain.

Other hand-on experiences in the first half of the exhibit include the "Trigger Fear" table, "Science in the Works" study, "What are the Odds" test and the children's favorite "Freeze Game" a game that demonstrates predator vs prey.

Next you will head into the "Challenge Course." Here you will face four common fears through immersive displays. The first challenge is the Fear of Animals. In this room you will reach into concealed terrariums that may just house a creepy-crawly creature. In the next room you will face the Fear of Electric Shock. If you are brave enough place your finger into the slot and prepare for a shock! The 3rd room is the Fear of Loud Noises challenge. This demonstrates how this instinctive fear can help keep us out of harm's way. And the final challenge is the Fear of Falling challenge. This one was one of my favorite's. In this challenge you are safely strapped to a table which then falls backward. Afterwards you can head around to the back of the exhibit to watch the recording of your fall and examine your fear face.

Other exhibits include discovering how fears, both real and perceived can be spread and the impact they have on society, how to cope with fear in extreme situations, how to identify facial expressions and more.

The exhibit is great for all ages and is not "scary" in the traditional sense. Visitors can easily bypass any experience they do not wish to participate in or have fun watching others.

Also be sure to read our review on the Winter Wonderland exhibit which will be on display until January 11th. Special events will be going on just about every weekend in December.

More Details:
Ferbank museum offers immersive, hands-on exhibitions that make science, culture and natural history come alive in a big way. From the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, to the biggest movie screen in Atlanta, Fernbank Museum offers world of adventure for all ages.

Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights:
If you are looking for an affordable light show near Atlanta then the Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights is it. The Lights will be on display through January 3rd and is bigger, better and brighter than ever. The light show is on the track field and is 1.5 miles with over one million lights. How cool will it be to tell your friends you drove on the famed Atlanta Motor Speedway oval? Proceeds from the show benefit the Speedway Children's Charity.

There are over one million LED lights and the light display is broken into themed segments. Themes include nativity, nursery rhyme, underwater, outer space, patriotic, race car and 12 Days of Christmas. Before you enter the light display through the blue light tunnel you will want to make sure your radio is tuned in to the correct station so you can experience some fun holiday music.

You may drive your own vehicle through the light display at your own pace...and you may only drive through once so take your time. So sit back relax and get into the holiday spirit as you drive on the Atlanta Motor Speedway infield, cross the checkered finish line and even go up on the banking between turns 3 and 4 (if you are brave enough).

We enjoyed the light show very much, however it is not one that I would recommend driving over an hour to visit. Even driving at slow speed we still made it through in less than 1/2 an hour and my children were not happy that we drove so far for something that was so short. If you live close to the speedway be sure to hit it up because it is a fun, affordable family outing during the holidays.

On the following weekends December 5th-7th, 12th-14th and 19th-21st you can even visit the Christmas Village near the Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift Shop which includes a decorated tree, a Santa with his sleigh (professional photos available for a fee), bonfire, and gift shop.

The light display is open 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Admission is $15 Monday-Thursday, $20 on Fridays-Sundays & holidays

However, my readers Save $2 to Gift of Lights.

Six Flags Holiday in the Park:
For the first time ever Six Flags Over Georgia is open during the holiday season. Our family got to attend a special preview night of Holiday in the Park and we definitely left filled with holiday cheer. The park has totally been transformed and is filled with millions of bright, LED lights. Only certain areas of the park and certain rides are open to visitors during this holiday event...but there is still plenty to see and do. Visitors of all ages can enjoy holiday shows, fun games, thrilling rides, sweet treats and even a ride to the North Pole to see Santa Claus.

From the moment you enter the park you will be blasted with holiday cheer and a winter wonderland experience as you admire the many lights hanging overhead, enjoy the falling snow and meet some very fun characters.

The park is broken into 10 sections A Main Street Christmas, Peppermint Plaza, Retro Christmas USA< Candlelight Carousel, Bugs Bunny World, A Georgia Christmas, North Pole, Rejoice!, North Pole Express and S'mores Village.

If you have little ones you will definitely want to go visit Santa. You can either walk through the park to the North Pole or board the North Pole Express. I personally recommend taking the train so you can enjoy the many beautiful lights. The Santa was amazing with the children and spent time getting their wishlist. The lights at the North Pole were white and blue which truly gave the impression of being in a winter wonderland.

Next we headed to the giant snow globe for a fun photo op. I made a recommendation that they put a fake snow blower in the globe to really enhance it...hopefully they will add one.  The children really wanted to rid the Candle Lite Carousel so we made our way over to the other side of the park. Along the way...which took a while thanks to a wrong turn we enjoyed the over one million lights and 400 trees. And the children insisted on stopping every few minutes for a photo op. One of my favorite things about Holiday in the Park was the various tributes to the brave men and women who serve our country. There were several patriotic light displays and patriotic photo ops throughout the park.

We only experienced two of the rides the Candle Lite Carousel and Rockin' Tug. And the Carousel was well worth our long walk. It was spectacular!!! There were beautiful lights adorning the carousel, candles dangling from above and up beat Christmas music. Other rides that are open during Holiday in the Park include Goliath, Dare Devil Dive, Georgia Cyclone, Up, Up and Away, Dahlonega Mine Train, Sky Buckets and most of Bugs Bunny World. 

It's been a pretty mild winter so far but if you are worried about cold night don't be. There are fire pits and propane heaters stationed throughout the park to warm you up. There is also hot cocoa and soup being served at the many cafes that are open. 

And in addition to all of the above there are also several fun shows going on in the park too like A Looney Tunes Christmas, Carols at the Carousel, Hometown Holidays and Because It's Christmas.

Holiday in the Park will be open until January 4^th (on selected dates). Times the park will be open are from  4-10 pm through Dec 23rd and 12-8pm through January 4th. I highly recommend arriving at opening so you have time to enjoy everything...during our visit we ran out of time. The cost for the event starts at $41.99.

I hope you enjoyed this edition stayed tuned for more Georgia Travel Log updates!

Unique Gift Idea For Nature Lovers - JORD Wood Watches Review and Giveaway

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

JORD Wood Watches is a locally owned St. Louis, Missouri company that designs and produces one- of-a-kind wooden watches that are made from sustainable materials, from all over the world. They offer a wide selection of men's and women's watches that are all made from wood! JORD is a relatively new company which is why you have probably not heard about them yet, so keep reading to learn more.

Jord - Swedish - earth, soil, land

A moms review:

It is very rare that I get asked to review a product that is adult in nature. So when I was asked by JORD to review one of their beautiful wooden watches, I couldn't resist. Merry Christmas to ME!

I have been addicted to unique watches ever since I was a child and I used to have quite an extensive collection. (over 30). Sadly since the advent of the cellphone my watch wearing days have slowly dwindled. My love for them however has never faded and whenever I am in a store that sells watches I cannot resist stopping by the watch counter to check out all the beautiful timepieces. The JORD wood watches though are unlike any watch I have ever come across before and the nature lover in me immediately fell in love.

The JORD watches are handcrafted right here in the USA using all natural, untreated woods from all over the world including Maple, Sandlewood, Bamboo, Koa and Zebrawood. They are one-of-a-kind, very unique and extremely versatile. There is a great selection of choices which does make it very hard to choose which one to get!

After checking out all the amazing designs, I finally decided to go with the Ely in Black. There are 5 styles available which have been designed with women in mind. The Ely watch is the smaller of the 5 and perfect for tiny wrists...like mine. It comes in 4 different wood options: black, maple, cherry and natural green/maple. Since I tend to wear dark colors I choose to go with the darker face and band option. The Ely watch features include a scratch resistant mineral face, Citizen Miyota Quartz Movement (with date display) and a sturdy stainless steel deployment buckle with push button. The band is 200 mm long and 21 mm thick and adjustable (I highly recommend taking it to a professional watch store to get it adjusted). I had to get 3 links take out on mine....my wrists are the size of a child's.

Bass Pro Shops - Santa's Wonderland Kicks Off November 15th

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Several times a year Bass Pro Shops offers fun family activity days in their store. Events include crafts, photo ops, games, activities and more. Well starting today, November 15th at 5:00 pm Bass Pro Shops will be kicking off their Santa's Wonderland event. Santa's Wonderland will occur every day between November 15th and December 24th and offers FREE fun for families nationwide. Visit the website to view your store's event calendar. Not all games and activities are available at every location and times for events may vary as well.

Now is the time to get your Santa photos (FREE)! You will also be able to purchase photo packages and Christmas cards on site.

If you visit during the week from 5-7 pm and your children are one of the first 125 kids to visit Santa's Wonderland they will receive a FREE Wooodland Character Backpack Clip. A different clip is available each week. Collect all 7, they are so cute!

Georgia friends can choose from three locations: Savannah, Macon and Lawrenceville!

We hope to attend next week so I will be sure to come back and give you an update on all the fun we had!

Fernbank Winter Wonderland - No Passport Needed

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

 

Experience a trip around the World when you visit the 5th annual Fernbank holiday exhibition, Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around The World. The exhibit opens November 21, 2014 and will be on display through January 11, 2015. Families can stroll along the entry and upper level hallways which are literally decked with 30+ Christmas trees, each beautifully decorated by cultural partners from the Atlanta community. The trees showcase traditions and holidays that are celebrated by other cultures during the holiday season and throughout the year. Countries from all 7 continents are on display including France, Greece, Puerto Rico, Sweden, China, Denmark and more. Trees are adorned with twinkling lights, colorful ornaments and other amazing treasures. In front of each tree is plaque displaying information about the country, their traditions and a map. 

My children had a fabulous time last year (check out the photos below). They got to experience Christmas, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights all in one day. It was a fantastic way for the children to embrace and learn about other cultures, traditions and holiday celebrations. Each tree introduced us to types of artwork, national symbols and more from around the World. Both children loved the self-guided laminated scavenger hunt activity sheet they received from the greeter when we entered the museum (be sure to return the guides when you leave). While we traveled from tree to tree the children got to match the ornament photos on their sheet to the displays. It was a simple, great activity for families!



Last year we attended during the opening weekend so there were a few special activities going on. When we arrived we received a schedule of events. There was a Chinese Dance performance, Atlanta Ballet Nutcracker ensemble, Duniare Elementary Dynamic Dolphins xylophone ensemble and Atlanta Junior Ceili Band performance. All of the performances were amazing and very engaging. There were also a couple fun craft projects which included a Straw Star craft sponsored by the German Consulate General of Atlanta and a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Hat craft sponsored by the Consulate General of Canada. The consulates were amazing and really encouraged the children. The German consulate representative even shared with the kids how she used to make the same type of star ornament in Germany when she was Kindergarten. There was also a  roaming Santa-saurus. Santa-saurus is Fernbank's mascot, Giggy A. Dinosaur. Santa-saurus will be making special appearances on the weekends while the exhibit is open so hopefully you catch a glimpse of him, he is really cute! 

This years Winter Wonderland Celebration Day takes place on Saturday, November 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This year families will enjoy a special day of cultural and holiday-themed performances from The Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker Ensemble, the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu and Peruvian group Apu Inka.

Fernbank has many other fabulous must see exhibits as well like Goose Bumps The Science of Fear, A Walk Through Time In Georgia, Conveyed In Clay and more. And of course there is the Fernbank Nature Quest play and education area!

But this isn't the only special thing happening at Fernbank through the holidays. Be sure to also check out the Holly Jolly Film Activities, Martinis and IMAX and the special holiday shopping days for members. Visit the event calendar for further details...some are also highlighted below.

HOLLY JOLLY ACTIVITIES: 

The fun continues on weekends from November 29 through December 21 with Holly Jolly Activities, featuring a Puppet Factory hosted by The Center for Puppetry Arts on Saturdays from noon until 2 p.m., winter-themed Tadpole Tales on December 27 and 28 at 1:30 p.m. and classic holiday cartoons every weekend. 

Films include:

• A Charlie Brown Christmas on November 29-30,
• ‘Tis the Season to be Smurfy on December 6-7,  
• A Flintstone  Family Christmas on December 13-14,
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas  on December 20-21, and
• Disney's Sing Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas every weekend from November 29 – December 14 and daily from December 19–24.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING IN THE FERNBANK MUSEUM STORE: 

Fernbank’s Museum Store offers a variety of gift ideas, including dinosaur merchandise, jewelry, activity books, science kits, games, toys, ornaments, and more. The Museum Store’s annual holiday sale offers an additional 10% off store purchases for members only on December 6 and 7, 2014.

 

MARTINIS & IMAX, FEATURING EVENING WINTER WONDERLAND HOURS: 
Adults can enjoy music, films, small plates, a nip from a yuletide toddy and more as they enjoy evening viewing hours of Winter Wonderland during Martinis & IMAX  on November 21, December 5, December 12 and December 19 from 7:00 p.m.-11 p.m.

All Winter Wonderland activities are included with Museum admission and are free for members. Evening viewing hours during Martinis & IMAX are included with cover charge tickets as well as with IMAX film tickets. The main Museum Store is available for shoppers without the need for a ticket.

ADMISSION:
Admission to Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around The World is included with museum admission and free for members. Museum tickets are $18.00 for adults, $17.00 for students and seniors and $16.00 for children ages 3 to 12 (ages 2 and under are free). Martinis & IMAX prices are $8 for cover charge or $13 for an IMAX® film ticket, which includes a free cover charge. 

HOURS: 
Hours of the Museum are Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, 12 pm to 5pm. 

MORE INFO: 
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. Tickets and visitor information are available at www.fernbankmuseum.org and 404-929-6300

Out of the Box Games - Snake Oil Party Potion Review

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Out of the Box Games is an American game publisher that has been dedicated to providing fun, innovative party, card and board games since 1998. All of their games are easy to learn, colorfully illustrated, fun, educational and easily played in less than an hour. And they have won numerous awards.

A moms review: 
We love games...like a lot. We love them so much that we have an entire chest and bookshelf full of them. And I am always on the search for games that are not only fun, but also educational. Well the game we received from Out of the Box Games totally fits the bill!

We received a copy of Snake Oil – Party Potion which is recommended for children ages 8 years and older...however younger children that are able to read will be able to play as well. Snake Oil is super easy to learn and lots of fun to play. We couldn't wait to play Party Potion, so the day it arrived we grabbed the quilt, headed out to the front lawn and played several rounds. Both my 8 and 7 year old loved the game and had no trouble playing it.  They especially liked that there were no lengthy instructions. It was the perfect way sneak in reading for the day. Since then we have played the game several times and each time the game is tons of fun and different than time before.

Before I get into the game playing specifics I want to tell you the educational values of this game. It just so happened that we were learning about the Wild West when the game arrived and it went along wonderfully with what we were learning about. Have you ever heard of Snake Oil? Well the term Snake Oil is from the Wild West days and was used to describe fake health products. In the ol' days, salesmen would try to convince customers to buy oil or liquors in medicine bottles. Yup those magic bottles would cure all yer' aches and pains. People spent their life savings only to realize a few days later that they had been swindled and that the Snake Oil salesman was long gone and probably already in the next town.  Some of the other educational concepts this game promotes are oral presentation skills, creativity and innovation, risk taking, communication skills, vocabulary building, empathetic persuasion strategies and more.

How To Play The Game:
The game is designed to be played by 3-6 players, takes just 5 minutes to learn and 20-30 minutes to play....but your children will have so much fun they will want to play for hours.

To play Snake Oil Party Potion you first decide who will be the customer. The customer then chooses a customer card (blue on one side and green on the other). The customer cards provide a role such as Mad Scientist, Princess, Snowman, The President, etc.

The other players use the word cards (2 sets included) to create a unique, outrageous product for the customer. Each player (aka Snake Oil salesman) will lay down two word cards to create a potion. Next they will pitch their product to the customer and convince them as to why they NEED the product. Boy does it get silly.

After the players have made their pitches, the customer awards the customer card to the player who had the best sales pitch. Then the player to the left of the customer becomes the next customer. The game continues in this fashion until everyone has been the customer at least once....or in our case until all the customer cards are finished. The winning player is the one with the most customer cards.

Doesn't that sound like tons of fun?

The game even grows with your children because you can combine the Snake Oil Party Potion cards with the original Snake Oil game (recommended for ages 10 and up) for even more game playing fun.

This game is lots fun and perfect for the entire family...even the anti game playing members. We had a blast playing and laughing together. And later the children had fun drawing pictures of the crazy products they concocted. Can you imagine what poison milk, magic pants or wish plunger would like like? We loved the fact that the game is easy to transport making it perfect for family camping trips, car rides or hotel stays. It has become a new family favorite and thankfully it is packaged in a small box so it had no problem finding a home on the game shelf.

Links to follow:

-Out of the Box Facebook
-Out of the Box Twitter
-Out of the Box YouTube

Where to buy:
Snake Oil Party Potion retails for $14.99 and can be found at local game stores and on Amazon.

Click here for more Out Of The Box Games reviews from the The Schoolhouse Review Crew.

Time In A Box From FoxMind Games

Are you looking for a way to reconnect with your children? Are you wanting to get them (and yourself) off the electronic devices for a day? Are you sick of hearing mom I'm bored? Then check out Time In A Box!

FoxMind Presents the Gift No One Else Can Give!

What does every child want? An I Pad? Xbox? Maybe, but what is the one thing that every child wants, needs and deserves? At FoxMind Games they believe they know the answer and today announced the international availability of its new Time in a Box.

The new product, the brainchild of child psychologist and writer Rute Moreira, is more than its contents. It's a gift of dedicated time; an opportunity to try new things; a way to explore art and science; a chance to plan for the future and to consider the past; and a way to tell a child in your life that they matter to you - more than anything!

David Capon, President of FoxMind, explained, "The benefits of Time in a Box extend beyond the product itself because it creates uninterrupted quality moments with the family and reinforces social-emotional connections. It also aims to reinforce the child's feeling of connection to a larger community such as the neighborhood or the town where he or she lives."

When you give Time in a Box, (MSRP $17.95 for 2 players ages 6 and up) you are offering a child you care about the gift no one else in the world can give them: your time. Inside the box you'll find 96 activity cards that allow a child to momentarily shift your priorities and focus on doing a special activity together, such as playing a board game; solving a puzzle; starting a family tree; making a blanket fort; or carrying out an act of kindness that will bring a smile to a stranger's face. Time in a Box includes a simple written agreement between you and the child that sets the ground rules by which you'll both abide. Adults should switch off their smart phones and get ready for some quality time!

"Season-by-season, Time in a Box is a gift that inspires activities that provide a wealth of ways to make memories together and the unique and beautiful box can serve as a memory chest where pictures and notes can be collected and treasured," Capon said.

Review coming soon....

In the meantime check out Time in A Box here and follow FoxMind on Twitter and Facebook.

Gift of Lights Atlanta Motor Speedway Coupon

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Does your family attend light shows during the holidays? Well if you are in Georgia be sure to head to Atlanta Motor Speedway this year to see the Gift of Lights!

November 21, 2014-January 3rd, 2015 it's back but bigger, better and brighter than ever before. Get the entire family into the Christmas spirit by heading to Atlanta Motor Speedway and seeing how over-the-top decorating looks while being able to brag you've driven on the famed Atlanta Motor Speedway oval.

A Christmas Village will be set up at the Atlanta Motor Speedway gift shop on all Friday and Saturday nights during Gift of Lights. It will include the official Atlanta Motor Speedway Christmas Tree, a Christmas tree farm, photo opportunities with Santa and hot cocoa and cider. Atlanta Motor Speedway and NASCAR merchandise can also be purchased in the AMS gift shop during this time.

Download a $2 off coupon for Gift of Lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway here.