Native American Presentation and FREE Journal Page

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Earlier this month we had the privileged of having our friend Chipa Wolfe from Rolling Thunder come to give our SE Homeschool Fieldtrip group a presentation. If you have never been to one of Chipa's Powwows in Georgia or heard him speak at a local museum then you NEED to add it to your must experience list! Chipa is an amazing presenter and very passionate about educating children on Native American culture, stewardship and more. We have known Chipa for about 6 years now and anytime we bump into him he always takes the time to talk with the children.

The program Chipa presented to our group included singing, dancing, storytelling, Native American history, audience participation (games, dancing), tribal paint and explanation, flute and drum playing, artifact observation and explanation, learning  The Cherokee alphabet or syllabary and finally a Q and A session. The program also included two conceptual mindsets or curriculum's...breaking stereotypes and stewardship development. To view more about Rolling Thunder's affordable programs for schools and other groups click here.

There were about 50 kids that joined our groups 2 hour private presentation and they ranged from age 4-15 years old. Everyone (both young and old) had a great time and several families mentioned it was one of the BEST educational presentations they have ever attended. Chipa got the children (and even adults) involved in the presentation and encouraged everyone to answer and ask questions. Afterwards he let the children visit his table of artifacts so they could get a chance to touch them and ask anymore questions they had. We learned a lot and left eager to learn more!

Gwyn said her favorite part of the program was buffalo dance. Rowyn said his favorite part was getting his face painted.

Here is a FREE Native American Journal Page I created for my group to compliment the presentation. It can be utilized with any Native American event or studies.

The next public event coming up that you can see Chipa Wolfe at is the Annual Mothers Day Powwow in Canton, Georgia. The event will be on May 9th and 10th. This is my favorite way to celebrate Mother's Day and we go every year. The last couple of years we have actually had the privileged of helping out at the Save the Horses booth.

I also highly recommend getting a copy of Chipa Wolfe's Almost Live CD.

William Brenman Jewish Museum and Homeschool Day Review

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The William Breman Jewish Museum opened it's doors in 1996 just in time for the Atlanta Summer Olympics. The museum is home to the permanent exhibit Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years 1933-1945, the Blonder Family Gallery dedicated to Southern Jewish History and the Scwartz Gallery which hosts a variety of traveling and rotating exhibitions. The Museum Library and Cuba Family Archives are also onsite and The Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education is a wonderful resource for students, teachers and lifelong learners.

A moms review:
This was our first visit to this Brenman Museum and I wish we would have visited sooner. The Brenman is a hidden treasure in Atlanta, though I am not sure why. There are plenty of signs for the museum and it is right beside the popular Center for Puppetry Arts, however over the last few months I have had many people in Atlanta area inform me that they never knew this museum existed. Hopefully this review will help change that! 

This museum has something for everyone, both young and old. The museum is not just about the holocaust it is about Jewish life, history and culture.

A few weeks ago we attended the William Breman Jewish Museum homeschool day. This year is the first year the museum has offered homeschool days...perhaps it is because someone encouraged them to do so, and by someone I mean me ;) The homeschool day was fabulous and both my 7 and 9 year old learned a lot and had a great time. Below is information on the museum exhibits as well as the homeschool day program.

Museum Information and Exhibits:
Currently there are two exhibits on display with a third opening soon. The first exhibit we checked out was the Where The Wild Things Are exhibit. 

The Where The Wild Things Are: Maruice Sendak in His Own Words and Pictures is an acclaimed children's exhibit dedicated to the work of Maurice Sendak a Jewish author and illustration. We are huge fans of Sendak so of course this part of the museum was a huge hit with our family. The exhibit features engaging, hands on components like the"Chicken Soup" slide, wild rumpus dress up area,  Max's boat, "In The Night Kitchen" play area, faces iMake creativity center and more. Throughout the gallery, there are large-sized copies of many of Sendak's books for your reading pleasure.  The exhibition really emphasizes art as an important and effective tool for children and adults alike in coping with stressful situations that arise in every day life. I really enjoyed the the new sections of the exhibit which were developed through a partnership with the Atlanta Speech School’s Rollins Center for Language and Literacy and the Georgia Art Therapy Association. I picked up several helpful resources like reading guides and dyslexia information sheets. But my favorite section was seeing all of Sendak's orginal sketches and texts. Be sure to grab a gallery guide on your way into the exhibit because it provides helpful information for parents as you travel through the exhibit and on the back of the guide is a scavenger hunt. If you answer the questions you will receive a golden surprise! This exhibit will only be on display until July 5, 2015 so be sure to see it before it leaves (if you do happen to miss it don't worry it will be back again). 

Next we mad our way over to the permanent exhibit Absence of Humanity. I don't have any photos to show you of this exhibit because photography is not allowed. This permanent exhibition takes a look at the tragic years from 1933-1945 from the perspective of Atlanta area Holocaust Survivors. The story is told through historical photographs and documents, personal memorabilia and family pictures and in the voice of those who survived and made new lives in Atlanta. There are a total of 13 galleries in this exhibit. The first gallery gives a history and historical precedents.  The second gallery provides a glimpse of the vibrant and diverse world of Jews in Europe before 1933. The galleries continue in a circular fashion and continue describing the assault on the Jewish people by the Nazis and their collaborators, the failure of the world to react to the massacre, and the struggle of the survivors to rejoin the living. As you move through the galleries even the atmosphere changes through various architectural elements. The floor treatments, walls, and windows reflect the time period, vanishing hopes, and poor living conditions. This is one exhibit where you need to make sure you look all around you. There are things suspended from the ceiling (like an actual railroad track from Germany) and things "buried" in cases on the floor. Most of this exhibit is suitable for children who are familiar with the Holocaust however there is one gallery "1941-1945- The Killing" that is pretty graphic. So you may want to bypass this section and proceed to the "Rescuers and Resisters" galleries. You can also choose to "escape" right after the "1933 The Takeover of Power in Germany" just like some Jews were able to do and bypass the more graphic galleries "1934-1945." It is definitely worth a walk through, no matter which path you choose. On your way in be sure to grab a gallery guide, which highlights the various aspects of each gallery.

Coming soon....Eighteen Artifacts: The Story of Jewish Atlanta' exhibit. This exhibit will explore the history of Jews in Atlanta through artifacts, images and oral stories. Each of the exhibits 18 artifacts will represent an integral moment in the growth of a people and a city.

Homeschool Day Information:
We had a blast during the homeschool day and it is one that I highly recommend attending. The William Breman Jewish Museum has homeschool days scheduled through May 2015 and will hopefully continuing offering them in the future. If you can't make a homeschool day be sure to check out Family Sundays at the Breman.

During the homeschool day your children will cover history, geography, social studies and more. Homeschool days are great for children in grades K-12 and do require a reservation in order to get the discounted pricing (additional guest not included on the reservation will pay the regular admission price). There are two tour options one for children under the age of 10 and one for children over 10. We chose to do both tours because my children have already learned about the holocaust and I felt comfortable with them walking through the Absence of Humanity exhibit. 

Here is what a typical schedule of events looks like:

• 10:30 am – 11:30 am: Guided Tour of Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak in His Own Words and Pictures exhibition
• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Guided Tour of Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years exhibition for those ages 10 and up
• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Viewing of the film, “Really Rosie” and a fun art activity
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch for those who have RSVP’d – Please RSVP at least two weeks in advance

Each of our tour guides were fabulous. They answered all of the children's questions and presented the information in an easy to understand manor. The children loved the vintage "Really Rosie," film which is about 15 minutes long. The Where The Wild Things Are exhibit was such a hit that the children begged to spend more time in it after the tours were over. We spent another hour in the exhibit playing and completing the scavenger hunt on the back of the exhibit brochure before heading out. Children receive a special prize for completing the scavenger hunt.

Extra details:

-Photography is only allowed in certain exhibits.
-The museum is stroller friendly and handicap accessible.
-The Breman Museum is located in the Selig Center, which is a Kosher-only Facility. No outside food or drink is allowed in the building.
-There is a gift shop with really cool items and amazing books. Watch your children there are breakables.
-Parking is free and there is one gated lot.
-Check the website for upcoming events. Besides homeschool days the museum also offers Family Sunday programs, a chance to hear a Holocaust survivor's speak, concerts and more.

SPECIALS:
-Group rates are available for school groups, etc.

Where:
1400 Spring Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 678-222-3700

When to visit:
The museum is open Sunday – Thursday: 10:00am – 5:00pm, Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm and 

CLOSED Saturday. The Museum is closed on most Jewish and Federal holidays. Please note that Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before, so the museum may close early on those occasions. 

Cost:
Adults - $12.00
Seniors - $8.00
Students/Educators - $6.00
Child (3-6) - $4.00
Children 3 and under are free

*Admission to Homeschool School Day at The Breman is $7 for adults and $5 for students/children (ages 3-18), and must be paid upon entrance to the museum. You muse RSVP to get the special pricing

Links to follow:
-Breman Website
-Breman Facebook
-Breman Twitter

*Prices indicated in post are subject to change.

Marvel Universe Live Show Review - Thrilling and Entertaining

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A few days ago we surprised the kids with an early Christmas present....media tickets to Marvel Universe Live. It wasn't until we entered the doors at Philips Arena that they knew what their gift was. And boy were they excited!! We are a superhero loving family so I just knew the tickets to the show was going to be a big hit.

The show is over at Philips Arena but it will be at The Arena at Gwinnett Center December 26th-28th. Or you can catch it at a city near you next year. We were lucky enough to have front row seats to the show, but I really don't think you could have a bad seat for this show.

The Marvel Universe Live show is 2 hours long with a 15 minute intermission...just enough time to visit the restroom and grab more snacks. The show is an authentic and original story that features the Avengers (Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, and more), some of their friends (The X-Men crew and Spider-Man), and several evil villains (Red Skull, Green Goblin, Loki and more). The plot of the story is centered around a battle over the Cosmic Cube...the source of ultimate power. At the beginning of the show Thor smashes the Cosmic Cube into pieces to prevent it from ever falling into the wrong hands. But his treacherous brother Loki devises a plan to clone the powers and destroy Earth and along with it the Universe.

But...no need to fear The Avengers are here, along with some of their friends! In order to save humanity they must travel across the globe to retrieve the Cosmic Cube fragments and unite them. But along the way they encounter several of the biggest, Marvel villains who will stop at nothing (even if it means teaming up) to capture the fragments so they can carry out their own plans of world domination.

The show is action packed and features amazing choreographed fight scenes, spectacular motorcycle stunts (our family's favorite), pyrotechnics, aerial stunts, realistic props and more! At one point in the show there was even a man engulfed in flames, which totally had my kids in awe. After the show my daughter kept asking how Wolverine was stabbing people without hurting them...yup it was that convincing. The show of course had all the wittiness commentary you would expect in a Marvel show.

My techie husband and I were very intrigued by they gigantic movie backdrop screen which uses projection-mapping technology to transform scenes from Tony Stark's laboratory, Loki's base in the Himalayas, the top of the Statue of Liberty and more. This movie magic technology really made the show come to life. It made it possible for Iron Man's suit to "fly" onto his body, for Wolverine and Hulk to get caught in an avalanche, etc.

We were all on the edge of our seats and thoroughly entertained the entire time. This is a must see show for superhero fans of all ages!

*Warning if you have a child that doesn't handle loud noises well then you will want to either skip the show or take along earplugs or a sound reducing headset.

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Check out how awesome the show is:


Let me know if you see the show and what your favorite part was?

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!

Celebricktion - December 20-22 Roswell, Georgia

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As you know we are a Lego loving family so we are always eager to share Lego related events and products with you. We also love helping local charities any way we can. So this post is an extra special one because it combines these two loves!

Celebricktion is a can't miss event! During this fundraising event visitors can view the huge Lego city made out of over one million Lego pieces featuring parks, 12-foot plus high skyscrapers, streets and even a parade containing thousands of Lego mini figures. This amazing display took over a year to build and hopefully one day will travel across the country. The city was built by Harry and Austin Nijenkamp a father and son team and everything was "free built" (meaning no plans or drawings).

 

Harry uniquely designed the Celebricktion display to have the capacity to be safely moved from one location to another. This mobility had to be kept in mind before laying the first brick and during the entire creative, building process....all finished without any glue to provide structural stability and portability. People from all over attend Celebricktion events to witness Harry and Austin's impressive displays.

Celebricktion tickets are $10 per person. The event will take place on DECEMBER 20-22, 2014; 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the High Meadows School, Community Center in Roswell. ALL proceeds go towards an amazing charity called The Drake House. The Drake House provides short-term crisis housing, education and empowerment programs for homeless mothers and their children in North Fulton County.

Also on display will be:

- A replica of Nijenkamp's Lego Studio to provide insight into how they create  their giant exhibits,
- A Lego Robotics demonstration and
- Various creations by other metro-Atlanta, Lego enthusiasts.

And guess what? The Balman family will be attending and will have have some of our Lego creations on display. Stop by our table to say hello! We hope to see you there.

My kids with one of their many Lego creations!

Follow Celebricktion on Facebook and Twitter.

Marvel Universe LIVE Storms Into Georgia on December 20th

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Calling all comic book geeks! Are you ready for an amazing show featuring all of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes? I know we are. Marvel Universe LIVE will be coming to Philips Arena on December 20-22 and The Arena at Gwinnett Center on December 26-28.

Prepare to be amazed as you watch your favorite Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, The Avengers (Iron Man, Black Widow, Hulk and more) and threatening villains (Dr. Octopus, Electro and more) come to life before your eyes in an action-packed arena extravaganza. The show will be mind-blow and unlike anything you have ever seen before. It will be packed with cutting-edge special effects, pyrotechnics, aerial stunts, martial arts, motorcycles and more. It has even been hailed the most technically advanced live show ever!!!

My children have no idea we are attending, but I can tell you my son will definitely be excited about seeing Captain American jumping ramps on his motorcycle. And my daughter will be excited to see the butt kicking female super heroes Storm and Black Widow. Me I am looking forward to Thor, I am a sucker for men with long, flowing hair, lol!

This show is great for fans of all ages and a once-in-a-lifetime, monumental performance!

Tickets will make a great early Christmas gift...but HURRY they are selling out fast. After watching the video see below for venue and ticket ordering information!


Be sure to follow Marvel Universe Live on Twitter and Facebook.

Philips Arena 

December 20-22, 2014

Order Tickets

Arena at Gwinnett Center
December 26-28, 2014
Order Tickets

       

Don't live in Georgia don't worry Marvel Universe LIVE will touring the United States through 2016!

     

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

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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

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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

Gift of Lights Atlanta Motor Speedway Coupon

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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.

Cultural Events and Tours In Georgia

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One of my favorite things about Georgia is that is it one big melting pot of cultures. And I am very thankful that my fellow Georgians are so passionate about sharing their religions, holidays, festivals, music and food with others in an effort to bridge cultural gaps. Every year there are a multitude of festivals and even tours which help educate families on cultures and religions from around the World.

*Note: I have only included the months the events take place in because the actual days change from year to year. Please visit the website links for additional detail, pricing and to confirm the event is still occurring.

Mexican and Hispanic

• Fiesta Georgia - September - Fiesta Georgia is Georgia’s Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off celebration, featuring a daylong celebration of Latino culture with continuous live musical performances by international, national and local recording artists. Mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, helicopter rides, youth soccer clinics, interactive sponsor displays with many free product samples, arts and crafts and authentic foods from several Latin-American countries all bring Fiestas Patrias to life at Fiesta Georgia.
• Day of the Dead Atlanta History Center - November - Visitors of all ages will become immersed in a cultural celebration of family and friends. Visitors will learn about this ancient festival rooted in Mexican heritage that serves as a way to honor and memorialize the lives of their deceased loved ones while celebrating the continuity of life. Smiling faces, swirling brilliant colors, beautifully decorated altars designed to honor lost family and friends, delicious authentic Mexican food, and a variety of traditional music and dance performances are highlights of this celebration.
• Atlanta Day of the Dead - November - Atlanta Día de los Muertos is a long-established Mexican celebration that brings together family and friends to remember past friends and family members. Atlanta Day of the Dead is an interactive, educational and cultural celebration of Mexican culture. The festival features live musical and cultural performances, traditional altars and activities for children, and more
• Plaza Fiesta - Various events and festivals year round - Plaza Fiesta is the heart of the Latin American Community in Georgia. There are over 280 retail and specialty stores and Plaza Fiesta has everything you are looking for under one roof! From Quinceañera dresses, Mexican candy, the best tacos, burritos and Hibachi Grill buffet in Georgia. Plaza Fiesta is not only a mall; it's a gathering place for the community where entertainment takes center stage! With a busy calendar of events, you will find entertainment for the entire family every day. Along with one of the largest indoor play areas in Georgia, children will also enjoy the large arcade area with games for all ages!

Jewish

• Atlanta Jewish Film Festival - February - Throughout the month of February, theaters city-wide will premiere more than 60 films. Celebrate cinematic storytelling with contemporary narratives and documentaries exploring universal stories with Jewish themes. Featuring docudramas, romantic comedies, animated shorts, biographies and more, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is a treat for movie buffs and animation lovers alike. 
• Nibble and Nosh Festival - August (Labor Day Weekend) - Every year the parking lot of Temple Kol Emeth is transformed into a mix of delicious tastes from local restaurants, sounds of live music from local artists, community vendors and children's games and inflatables that will keep them busy for hours! 

Greek

• Atlanta Greek Festival - October - The Atlanta Greek Festival brings all the aromas, sounds, tastes and traditions of Greece to your doorstep. Your admission ticket becomes your passport as you enjoy all the Beauty of Santorini and the Fun of Mykonos. The Annunciation Cathedral and the Atlanta Greek Community are proud to host the Atlanta Greek Festival. 

Middle Eastern

• Arab Festival - April - Visit the Alif Institute for a weekend of Arab music, dancing, arts and crafts, food and more.
• Mid East Food Festival - May - Visit the St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church to experience Middle Eastern food, desserts, church Tours, music, dance, children's activities and cultural items.   
• Mid-East Fest. St. Elias of Atlanta - September - Join St Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church for a festival that includes Mid-Eastern food delicacies & desserts as well as church tours, an artists market, dancing and other cultural events.
• Muslim Festival - October -  Enjoy Muslim foods, crafts, arts and more. 

Indian 

• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - Various festivals and free tours year round - A Mandir is a Hindu place of worship – a haven for spirituality and a place of paramount peace.  It is also a center vibrant with social, cultural, and spiritual activities. You can even sit in on a worship service.

Chinese

• Shaolin Institute Chinese New Year Festival - February - The Chinese New Year’s Festival is an ancient tradition which embraces and honors the importance and unity of family, is one of the most unique cultural events celebrated in the southeast United States, providing a fun and enriching experience for people of all ages.
• Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival - February - The program include a free lion dance, dragon dance, folk songs and dances, arts & crafts exhibition and authentic Chinese new year food & gifts available to purchase.
• Atlanta China Town - Various festivals and events year round - Atlanta Chinatown Mall, is filled with traditional heritage of the Asian cultures and is excited about sharing it all. Atlanta Chinatown Mall serves the Chinese, Taiwanese, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Laotians and Korean culture all in one small community. Escape into the artfully designed and charming courtyard garden and koi pond, a sure gathering place of conversation. They offer a spacious food court of (6) six restaurants and a bakery featuring authentic cuisines from around China, recipes passed down from generation to generation, as well as two dine-in restaurants.      

Korean

• Korean Festival - October - Korean Fest would like to extend an invitation of a lifetime to join them in the festivities of the annual Korean Festival in Suwanee, Georgia. 

Japanese

• Japan Festival - September - The mission of JapanFest is to improve the understanding and appreciation of linkages between Japanese and Americans residing in the Southeastern United States through an annual salute to Japanese culture and friendship entitled JapanFest. This celebration will promote multicultural education, encourage social harmony, and ensure the cultural integrity of JapanFest by providing an appropriate mix of authentic contemporary and traditional programs on Japanese art and culture. Activities include a wide variety of performing arts, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions.
• Japanese Maple Festival  - October-November - On select weekends enjoy Japanese dancing, live music, tea ceremonies, bonsai, food and more. 

Australian and New Zealand

• Down Under Fest - May - The Down Under Fest has been designed to show you the unfamiliar aspects of the lands Down Under as well as the more legendary American favorites: Vegemite, Hugh Jackman, and G’Day!  Join us  as we celebrate the beauty, wackiness and uniqueness that make Australia and New Zealand the heart of what we like to call “Mateship.”The Down Under Fest   It’s a celebration with Australian and New Zealand artisans, performers, kid’s crafts, animals, food, boomerang throwing, athletes and more!

Irish

• Savannah Irish Festival - February - Kick-off the Savannah St. Patrick's Day festivities with a celebration of Irish culture featuring Traditional Irish Music, Irish Dancing, and plenty of laughter.
• Irish Fest Atlanta - October - Irish Traditions Atlanta aims to promote Irish Traditional Music in all its forms; restore the playing of the Harp and Uilleann Pipes; promote Irish traditional dancing with emphasis on set and céilí dancing; promote and foster traditional singing in both Irish and English; foster and promote the Irish language at all times; create a closer bond among all lovers of Irish music; and co-operate with all bodies working for the restoration of Irish Culture.

Scottish

• Savannah Scottish Games - May - The Savannah Games are the 4th oldest Scottish games in the Southeastern United States. The Games allow the visitor to enjoy the sounds, tastes, and visual images that Highlanders experienced as early as 100 AD.   Come join a grand celebration of Scottish culture with competition, entertainment, shopping, activities, and refreshments for the entire family!
• Blairsville Scottish Festival - June - Join a weekend of fun and athletic games, ceremonies, Scottish dancing, live music, live demos, great food, workshops and more.
• Stone Mountain Highland Games- October - Join the fun in the meadows of the Stone Mountain Park located in the Northeast suburbs of Atlanta GA. The meadows and meandering tree-lined paths will be transformed in the impressive mix of sights and sounds of a Scottish Highland Games presented in a uniquely southern style.

African

• Savannah Black Heritage Festival - February - The Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF) is a professionally produced, multi-disciplinary festival, and it is one of the many ethnic cultural arts events sponsored annually by the City of Savannah’s (GA) Department of Cultural Affairs.  The focus of the festival is to present performances, exhibits and activities that attract a broad cross-section of age, socio-economic and ethnically diverse residents in Savannah and its outlying areas as well as visiting tourists.
• Roswell Roots - February - The City of Roswell celebrates Black History Month every February with the annual Roswell Roots festival. Roswell Roots is one of the largest and most comprehensive Black History celebrations in the state of Georgia and celebrates black history and culture by sponsoring a variety of art exhibits, history and cultural events.            
• Pan African Festival of Georgia - April - This 3 day festival offers live performances, including jazz, gospel, hip-hop, theater, and African drumming; face painting, games, safety demonstrations, storytelling, and dance for children; and a wide variety of African American and Caribbean foods.
• African Drum Festival - July - This weekend event is fill with music, dance and song from Africa and Diaspora. There are classes for the entire family.

Romanian 

• Romanian Festival - October - Taste traditional food and enjoy the folkloric music and dances. The admission is free. Bring your friends and family to experience live traditional food cooking, museum tours, kids activities and more.

Native American

• Mothers Day Pow Wow - May - Celebrate Mothers Day at this annual pow wow. This event will include Native Dancing, Singing, Dancing, and Drumming, Arts and Craft, Native Cuisine, Living Tipi Village, Warrior On Horseback, Aztec Dance Company, Native Storytellers and Flute Players, Wildlife Displays, Kids Activities, Audience Participation and Much, Much More.
• Veterans Day Pow Wow - 
• Cheehaw Native American Festival - April -  Native American Festival educates visitors on the history of the Native American people through dance, music demonstrations and vendor booths showcasing and selling Native American crafts and jewelry from throughout the Americas.
• Ocmulgee Mounds Pow Wow - September - The third weekend in September welcomes the largest Native American gathering in the Southeast as more than 200 craftsmen, dancers, storytellers, living history demonstrators and others with ties to the area return to their ancestral home at Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon, Georgia.
• Kolomoki Mounds Festival - October - The festival hosts a variety of Native American demonstrators, arts and crafts vendors, musical entertainment, dance performances, boat tours, delicious food vendors, a parade, and so much more.
• Euharlee Veterans Pow Pow - October - Support Veterans and thank one in person at the Euharlee Veterans Powwow. Enjoy dancing, music and more.
• Stone Mountain Indian Festival and Pow Wow - October - Celebrate the nation's first civilization with dance and drum competitions. Get lost in the ancient art of storytelling or enjoy authentic dishes and craft demonstrations. Teach a new dog old tricks with primitive skills workshops, including pottery, open-fire cooking and bow-making.
• Oka'Chaffa Indian Festival - November - This event will included Native Dancing, Singing, Dancing, and Drumming, Arts and Craft, Native Cuisine, Living Tipi Village, Live Buffalo, Warrior On Horseback, Aztec Dance Company, Native Storytellers and Flute Players, Wildlife Displays, Kids Activities, Audience Participation and Much, Much More.

Religious Tours/Events

• Tibetan Festival - November - A taste of Tibetan arts, history and culture along with activities for all ages. Since His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed the Atlanta center in 2007 and again in 2010 Drepung Loseling has been working towards completing its vision of creating a "Little Tibet" in Atlanta and hundreds of visitors have enjoyed the past festivals. There are also yearly Tibetan Tours throughout the country, including Georgia. 
• Monastery of the Holy Spirit - Various tours and events year round - The Monastery invites you to explore their site and visit the grounds to learn more about the monastic lifestyle. The Monastery is truly a destination for the entire family. Shop, sample gourmet food or walk with nature. 
• Historic Temple Mickve Israel - Tours offered Monday - Friday - The Temple Mickve Israel is the only purely Gothic revival synagogue in the United States. Founded by a group of Sephardic Jews who landed in Savannah just a few months after General Oglethorpe, the congregation received a perpetual charter from Governor Edward Telfair in 1790. They represent the third-oldest Jewish congregation in the United States.
• Shrine of The Immaculate Conception Church - Tours offered year round - Being the oldest Catholic Church in Atlanta, Shrine of The Immaculate Conception is a true representative of Christian belief and Atlanta history. It was named after Murillo's painting "Immaculate Conception". In 1861 Fr. Thomas O'Reilly was appointed pastor of the church. He went on to become one of the most famous priests in Atlanta. The church was rebuilt in 1869 in the neo-Gothic style
• The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints Atlanta - Tours offered year round - The Atlanta Georgia Temple was the first temple built in the Southeastern United States (and in Georgia).
• Al-Farooq Masjid of Atlanta - Tours offered year round - The Masjid is a central location for congregational prayer and community services. Our services include a 5 daily prayers, library, education center, private school, recreational areas, and areas for social events/activities.

Make sure you bookmark or pin this post because I will continue to add to it as I discover more festivals and tours.

Be sure to visit my Journal/Notebooking page for a FREE Christmas Around the World Journal Page, Geography Journal Page and Holiday, Festival and Celebration Journal Page to help you enhance the cultural experiences.