Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

When it comes to family fun there's no place like Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. We went this summer on part of our mini-vacation. Our last visit there was actually nine years ago. I honestly couldn't believe it had been that long since our last visit. I can tell you one thing though it won't be that long before we go back. This trip reminded me just how much I loved Holiday World. From the hospitality to the free sunscreen and drinks through out the park it honestly has a lot to offer.

Lots to see & do at Lincoln State Park

One of the stops we made on our mini vacation down to Santa Claus, IN was at Lincoln State Park. It's just a few minutes down the road from Holiday World and Santa's Lodge where we stayed on our trip so it was super close and convenient. Lincoln State Park has 10 miles of hiking trails, two scenic lakes for boating/fishing, and a beach for swimming as well as other great activities. It offers a lakeside campground, log cabins, and group cottages if you like a little more rustic accommodations on a vacation. We only had a few hours to spend at the park before a nasty storm rolled in so we didn't get to see everything the park had to offer, but what we did get to do was fun!

Santa's Lodge in Santa Claus, IN

We recently took a trip back down to Santa Claus, IN for a little mini vacation. We hadn't been down there since 2009 so it was nice to visit again and see what had changed (and what had stayed the same). Last time we went we stayed at their local camp ground. But this time with all the rain we've been having here in Indiana decided to stay at the Santa's Lodge to play it safe. And it turned out to be a really good thing because it rained at least once each day we were there. Being down in a themed town it was neat to see the theme carried over at the lodge. And even though it's no where near Christmas they even had strings of lights on around their sign out front which I really enjoyed. And of course a fun Santa Claus statue welcoming you to the property right out front.

Santa's Lodge offers you more than a place to rest your head at the end of the day. They have on ground activities you can enjoy with your family like ziplines, paddleboats, indoor and outdoor pools, catch and release fishing, playground, rockwall, bungee trampoline, and a bounce house. Honestly there's enough to do there you could spend an entire day on the property and stay busy. Sadly during our visit we arrived too late to enjoy them the first day and the other times it was raining, or had recently rained so we weren't able to enjoy any of the outdoor activities. Of course the day we checked out it was all clear and sunny, but the activities weren't open yet so we still missed out. Definitely something we would have loved to check out, so maybe on another visit we will have better luck.

We stayed in a double bed suite and I have to say it was really nice having the extra space. The two double beds were in a separate room with a door which was nice because my son was able to stay up as late as he wanted watching TV from the comfort of his sofa bed while we got our rest. The table in the room was also really nice because we were able to use it to play some card games we brought along with us. And we did take full advantage of our in room whirlpool tub after spending a day over at Holiday World. My daughter and I decided instead of facing the crowd down at the indoor pool we would just kick back and relax in our own "mini pool" so to speak. They do have a really nice indoor pool and hot tub though that we enjoyed another night. (Sorry no photos, I didn't want to chance my phone getting wet.)

After we checked out on our last day we drove across the street to visit the same Santa Claus statue that we visited back in 2009. I was really glad to find it was still there so we could take some photos of the kids in front of it again to see how much they had changed in 9 years. Boy how they have grown!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I may have received monetary compensation and/or product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

5 Reasons to Live in Indianapolis

If you’re thinking about moving to the Midwest, you may not have considered Indianapolis, but you should. The most populated city in Indiana, Indianapolis has all the charm of a larger city like New York or Los Angeles, minus the hefty cost of living.  Here are 5 reasons to live in Indianapolis.

Career Opportunities

The job market in Indianapolis is thriving, thanks to the city’s business-friendly climate and recent emergence of startups and tech companies.  Last year, job search website Glassdoor named Indianapolis the number 2 best city for jobs that year in a list of 25 other cities.  Cities were ranked by number of job openings, median base salaries, and job satisfaction, with Indianapolis beating out cities like Seattle, Atlanta, and Chicago.  More and more millennials in particular are starting to move to Indianapolis after college because the job market is simply better than many other cities.

Affordable Housing 

Homes for sale in Indianapolis are significantly more affordable than homes in other parts of the country, which is another reason more people are starting to flock to the city.  The amount of empty land in Indianapolis means that any time there is a rise in housing demand, there is room to erect more homes and residential buildings.  Room to expand is one of the ways the city of Indianapolis is able to keep the cost of living low, a fact that many people can appreciate.

Sports Culture 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard of the Indianapolis 500, aka the Indy 500.  The racing event draws crowds of approximately 300,000 people annually, and it is undoubtedly one of the biggest sporting events for the city.  For football fans, there’s the Indianapolis Colts, and though they are not technically based in Indianapolis, the Indiana Hoosiers continue to be a favorite team for basketball fans.

Food & Entertainment 

Indianapolis has some of the best food in the Midwest, and anyone who has ever visited can vouch for this.  For plant-based folks, there’s Ezra’s Enlightened Cafe, a locally sourced, gluten-free, dairy-free spot that offers popular smoothie bowls with nutrient-rich ingredients.  If you’re a meat lover, be sure to check out St. Elmo Steak House, the city’s oldest restaurant of its kind.  Indianapolis has something for every kind of diet preference.

Parks & Recreational Areas 

Indianapolis is home to a whopping 192 outdoor parks, which is impressive for a concrete jungle.  The city also boasts several golf courses, playgrounds and lakes, making it the perfect place to raise a family or retire.  The city’s parks and recreational areas are what truly makes Indianapolis such a unique place to live.

Welcome to Fishers, Indiana - Population FUN!

Do you remember visiting a place as a child and later as an adult think some day you'd like to take your kids there? For me that place was Conner Prairie. I can remember going there with my 5th grade class for a field trip. I can recall how much fun I had and all of the neat stuff we got to see while we were there. And after seeing them at a media event recently and finding out about all of the new exhibits they've added since then I just knew I had to go back. So that's exactly what I did - and this time with my family! We had a week of vacation planned just for exploring places near home right here in Indiana and today was all about the town of Fishers. Since it was Father's Day I wanted to plan a day of things my husband would enjoy, and being a history buff this was right up his alley. Boy was it different than it was all those years ago when I first went (of course I won't go into detail just how many years ago it was). You could tell that over the years they put alot of thought, time, and money into making it even bigger and better. From the moment you enter the front doors you're taken back to the 1800's as you visit their indoor Create.Connect exhibit. I really liked this addition because it gave you a place indoors to visit just in case it was super hot out, or raining. Plus it was filled with several hands on experiments you could explore with your family. We made paper airplanes that we got to test fly, built a windmill, and got to explore circuits of electricity. It was nice seeing the kids work together peacefully!

After we were done exploring inside we went out the back doors and checked out all of the historic themed areas outside. Let me tell you it was nothing like is was back when I went as a kid. There was so much more to explore and see. Yes I can remember some of the buildings and things I heard the people say as we visited them, but there are alot more places than there was back then. I think the kids most enjoyed the Animal Encounters barn (because we have animals at home) and the pop-up woodworking exhibit. It was awesome seeing them and their dad all working on a project together. They ended up making a mallet with a big head like you would see in a cartoon. It even sparked my son's interest so much he started researching the wood shaving tool they used.

So I guess you could say the first part of our day was a big success. Everyone found something that really interested them and we all had a nice time together...with no arguing or fighting.

After our adventures at Conner Prairie it was time to stop off and have some lunch. We were all good and hungry after all of the walking we did. I'm a big fan of restaurants that cook foods from scratch because it reminds me more of a home cooked meal so we opted to stop off at a local restaurant called the Pure Eatery. I would much rather sit down and enjoy some family time waiting for a good cooked meal than rushing through a fast food joint and regretting it later. Pure Eatery makes their foods fresh every morning, and they make their soups and dressings all from scratch. Now that's my kind of restaurant! To start with we had a Spinach & Asparagus Dip appetizer plate and let me tell you it was so good even the kids couldn't get enough of it. It was a first for me having the spinach dip with asparagus instead of artichokes and I really liked it. I think I could have eaten the entire thing by myself as a meal and been happy. Of course that would have mean I missed out on trying their Club Wrap. It was really good too so I'm glad I didn't. My husband had their Pig Out sandwich, my son had a Chef Salad, and my daughter had a Mini Quesadilla. Everyone left satisfied...and stuffed. But not before I asked our waitress to snap a photo of us. It's hard to get everyone in one photo when you're on vacation so I took the opportunity when the area we were seated in cleared out. It definitely made lunch memorable.

After lunch we headed down the road to K1 Speed a local indoor go-kart racing track. It was a little busy when we arrived so we played some games in their waiting area before the kids were up for their ride. It was nice to just hang out and relax as a family and just unwind a little. The kids took their first ride while my husband and I watched from the sidelines. My son really enjoyed it, but my daughter was too nervous around the people that kept whizzing past her. So my husband ended up using her second race pass. I was totally okay with it since it was Father's Day and all. It was fun seeing the boys out there together trying to out-do each other on the track. At the end of our visit my daughter decided that her dad and her both got first place and her brother got second. Normally my son would argue up one side and down the other with her, but not today. He knew it was dad's special day and didn't want to ruin it. I was pretty proud of him for not saying anything and just silently standing there on the number two block.

And to finish off our special Father's Day adventures in Fishers we ended our day at The Escape Room. My husband is one of those guys that likes to solve puzzles and he likes to be challenged at the same time. So with that in mind I knew he would like what The Escape Room had to offer...plus I had been dying to go there myself so that didn't hurt either. I had some friends that went and told me how much fun it was so I was really excited about going. Our room theme was "The Race 2". We were up against another team trying to be the first ones to solve all the clues and find the security code to unlock the box that contained the replacement four-barrel carburetor we needed to repair our car for the race. Right off I will say it's quite an adventure. You have one hour with your team to find clues that lead you to other clues that will eventually lead you to figure out the code you need. If you're in a room with people you don't know I will say that can add to the challenge a bit. We had three other people we didn't know in our room and they kept trying to do everything their own way since they had been in one before while we were trying to just figure out what the heck we were even doing at all. But even though we had some frustration of them not following all of the directions when they did find them we did make it out before time ran out! And I have to say we all really enjoyed the experience. We've actually already been looking into doing another one soon with some friends so we know who we are in the room with.

At the end of the day we all really enjoyed our first family visit to the town of Fishers. I know there are several other great places to explore there that we didn't have time for so I'm hoping we can get there again before summer is over for another day trip. I challenge you if you're not familiar with towns near your hometown to check them out, you'll probably be just as surprised as I was at how much fun is just waiting for you within an hour of home.

Albanese - The world's best gummies and more!

When I hear the name Albanese my mind used to immediately go to "the world's best gummies". Well that was before I realized they are so much more than just the world's best gummies (in my humble opinion that is). They also have a wide selection of other candies and treats. Yes I still think of them as the best for gummies, but now I also think of them as a place to shop for other treats too.

Exploring "backyard" treasures on our mini spring break

It's funny how we grow up in a certain part of a state yet sometimes we still don't really know much about it. Take for instance where you live, hop in a car and drive an hour in any direction. How much do you know about the places that you would end up? Sadly most of us would say we don't really know much about those places. After having talked to my daughter about places she would like to go for a short spring break trip we decided it was time to start exploring our own "backyard" so to speak right here in Indiana. We knew with my son working that we only had a few days to venture out so we decided to make it a shorter trip this time around. So we took in account driving time and settled on heading up north about an hour for our mini spring break. And after several visits to the South Shore CVA website to plan our trip we were ready for spring break to come!

We started our trip off with a visit to the John Dillinger Museum located inside the historic Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point, IN. A town I can honestly say I've never actually stopped in. We've passed through it several times heading up to northern Indiana for other trips but never really given it a second thought. After this trip though we are already talking about heading back this summer to check out a few other "hot spots" we learned about while on our trip.

About the John Dillinger Museum:
If you know who John Dillinger was you know he was an infamous gangster, so like my husband and I at first you're probably wondering why anyone would dedicate a museum to a gangster. Well it's not really to honor him so to speak, but to show how the criminal activities of Dillinger and other gangsters has transformed the FBI and crime fighting technology. We found it quite interesting to follow his life from just an average every day man to a well know criminal and how it all came to a screeching halt when he was shot and killed. The museum is appropriate for all ages and is very educational. At the end of the tour there is even a very nice memorial honoring the men, women and K9's of Lake County, IN who have died in the line of duty. My kids thought the best part was the little jail cell they had set up where you could get your own feel at being locked up. I for one wouldn't be to excited about having to potty in a little corner bucket! It was a great learning experience for all of us and we each took something away from it so I was pretty happy. If you're ever in the area, or have the chance to visit the area I would highly recommend checking it out.

Once we were done with the museum portion of the visit we then headed down the hallway and visited many unique shops that are also located in the basement of the courthouse. It was really a neat thing seeing all the shops and their offerings. There were shops with antiques, apparel, toys, candy, homemade goods, a vinyl shop, a clock repair shop, and a few others I don't recall off the top of my head! My favorite though was the candy shop and a little shop by the name of Mescolare. It's a cute shop that carries gourmet foods (many homemade) and kitchen wares of all sorts. It has a ton of cute stuff to offer from many local area business people. The couple that owns the shop were so nice offering us many suggestions of places to visit in the area - which is what promoted us to decide we want to come back in the summer.

After we finished up our visit to the museum and the shops we hopped in the car and headed a little further north to Merrillville, IN. We've actually been there a few times so I was already familiar with the area. A few years back we actually took a trip to Deep River Waterpark for a family fun day. One of our other favorite places to stop while in town is the Albanese candy factory. They have a nice retail store attached to the front of the factory so you can shop all of their freshly made confectionery goods. We were there at just the right time too because with it being Easter shopping season they had a ton of Easter baskets and themed goodies! The kids and I probably spent 1/2 hour just walking around taking it all in trying to decide what we couldn't leave without! I would have to say of all the gummies I've ever had they have to be my favorite. While out running around we stopped to eat at Joe's Crab Shack (best hush-puppies I've ever had hands down) and did a little shopping at the Southlake Mall.

Once we decided we just couldn't fit in anymore fun and adventures for the day we called it a night and settled into our hotel room over at the Clarion Inn. It was right off the highway so it was super close to everything and made it convenient for heading out in the morning. One thing I've always loved about staying in a hotel is that you can just relax and unwind. No looking at all the things that need to get done when trying to relax at home. There's time to just hang out in the room and watch TV, or soak in a nice hot tub full of bubbles!

Plus the next morning someone else cooks your breakfast, and who doesn't love to be served breakfast as soon as they're out of bed! I know for me it's my time to splurge a little and have all of my favorite breakfast foods. There's nothing better than a hot breakfast buffet where you can have a little of everything. And I have to say Clarion Inn did a wonderful job with their breakfast line-up. The food was all fresh and hot, and there was plenty for everyone.

We all got up fairly early so we ate our breakfast, took our showers, then packed up and headed out to get an early start to the day. Of course what kind of mom would I be if I didn't take advantage of the photo opp of my son toting my Thirty-One bags down the hallway for me. Such a sweet kid taking care of his mamma on the trip for sure. I'm sure he will thank me for this photo somewhere down the line...well maybe not, but at least it's a fun memory for the scrapbook later!

We only had one stop on our itinerary for the day because we knew it was going to be and all day adventure. Plus we didn't want to have to rush through anything. I'm sure by the roadside signs in the photo above you've probably already figured out where we were headed...Fair Oaks Farms. We've actually been to Fair Oaks Farms before, but it's been several years ago and they have added lots of new stuff since then. We really enjoyed it before so I knew it would be even more fun this time with their new adventures. Plus we had plans to visit the Farmhouse Restaurant for lunch!

When you get your tickets in the "Your Adventure Starts Here" building you have the option of doing the cow adventure and/or the pig adventure. The new crop adventure is included when you purchase either or both the cow/pig adventure. So no matter which way you go you'll have at least two adventures to go on. I would say if you have an entire day do them all because it's well worth it. You'll also schedule your bus tours (for the cow and pig adventures) when getting your tickets to save time later. This makes it super easy because you don't have to wait in a line to get on a bus or worry about scheduling one later in the day. We knew we had lunch plans at noon so we did one tour before and one after lunch and it worked out perfectly.

Our first adventure was the Cow Adventure. First we stopped by the birthing barn since we had a little time before our bus tour. It's here that you'll have the opportunity to possible see a baby calf being born. We've seen it before so it wasn't a big deal that we missed it this time around. Once we were done checking out the birthing barn we headed over for the bus and took the tour of the facility where the cows live and are milked. It's down the road a bit from the farm for the protection of the cows. It's actually a really neat adventure to take and learn all about the process of milking cows. Once you're done with the tour the bus brings you back to what I call the educational center that has all sorts of great exhibits to learn about cows and even "have your own try" at milking a cow! Okay so not a real cow, but it's still pretty cool to try.

Next we hopped over to the Farmhouse Restaurant and had lunch. And let me tell you lunch was amazing. They pride themselves in using foods that were made from ingredients grown and harvested (or raised) on the Fair Oaks farm, or other regional farms. I have to say it was the best "home cooked" style meal I've had a in a long time.

After lunch we headed over for our Pig Adventure bus tour. Again it was located a bit down the road for the protection of the piggies. We got to see lots of pigs, and learn alot about them reading the signs on the wall and doing various tasks at the interactive exhibits. While there we got to see lots of little pigs including one that had just been born a short time before our arrival. I thought that part was really neat to see how they acted right after birth. Once we were done there we took the bus back to the main farm again. The kids got to do a fun indoor ropes course when we returned from the adventure so that was pretty exciting for them.

And our final adventure was the Crop Adventure. It wasn't quite as exciting as the other two since there weren't any live animals, but it was still really interesting. We started off with a short video about farming, then went into a self guided tour that included many interesting facts and interactive stations. The kids enjoyed doing some of the activities together which was nice to watch. Plus it gave me time to read through some of the facts found on the walls. The thing we all agreed was really cool was seeing the little digital read out that told the current world population. WOW now that was a big number. We actually stood in front of it long enough to watch it change as babies were reported being born. It was fun doing the interactive stations, but for me I really enjoyed all of the information that was presented. So many things you never realize that have to be thought about and planned in regards to farming.

There is honestly so much to see on the different adventures I could probably do a separate detailed post on each one of them. I'm sure you can tell that though from the photos. We had a great day despite a nice rain storm coming in the afternoon. Pretty much all of the activities are indoors so even on a rainy day there's lots of fun to be had!

As you can see you really don't have to go far from home to have a good time on a trip. Exploring the "backyard" of your hometown can actually be very rewarding and fun at the same time. From here we decided to make it our mission starting this summer to visit even more places around Indiana. It's never too late go get out and learn about what you're state has to offer and our time is NOW!

Seven popular kids’ dental health myths debunked

Seven popular kids’ dental health myths debunked

By: Dr. Swati Singh, DDS of Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry

Did you know that childhood tooth decay is the number one chronic disease worldwide? In fact, it is four times more common than asthma, 20 times more common than diabetes and found in 20 percent of children ages four to five. While these alarming stats are 100 percent accurate, there are many ongoing debates among parents on what is and isn’t true when it comes to your kids’ teeth.

As a pediatric dentist for over 10 years, debunking the seven most common dental health myths will help parents set their children up for success when it comes to oral health.

Myth #1: Dental care for baby teeth is irrelevant. The teeth will fall out either way.

Although baby teeth will eventually mature and fall out, starting proper dental care at an early age is vital to ensure a lifetime of healthy gums and a bright smile. The main role of the baby teeth is to help guide permanent teeth into place. However, bacteria spreading to new teeth due to lack of dental care will cause extensive problems later on. Avoid long-term issue by ensuring your children visit a pediatric dentist as soon as teeth appear, which can be as early as five to six months of age.

Myth #2: My child can go to the same dentist as the rest of our family.

While a general dentist or family dentist might seem like a perfect one-stop-dental-shop for your families’ dental needs, these professionals only require one month of training in the basics of children's dentistry. Parents should look into scheduling an appointment with a pediatric dentist, as they complete an additional two or three years of training that enables them to better care for children's developing teeth. 

Myth #3: My child is old enough to brush his/her own teeth.

At some point, kids will want to tackle the task of brushing his or her own teeth on their own. However, allowing them to single-handily brush their teeth might need to wait, as the majority of children under the age of seven do not normally possess the fine motor skills required to hit all of those “hard-to-reach spots” until the second or third grade. Instead of putting your kid in the driver’s seat, try monitoring your child’s brushing habits until their permanent teeth are established. This will help minimize the chance of cavities in those difficult places in the back of the mouth. 

Myth #4: Products containing fluoride are dangerous for young children and should not be used.

When it comes to dental health, fluoride is not the enemy. The benefits fluoride can provide our teeth are substantial, especially for youngsters. Children who regularly incorporate fluoride into their dental regimen will have a stronger tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay. Toddlers are recommended to use a minimal amount—or a “smear”—of toothpaste when brushing. At the age of three, children are allowed to use a “pea-sized” amount of regular adult toothpaste.

Myth #5: Flossing for children isn’t important until their adult teeth come in.

It’s never too early to start flossing, as cavities can form in both baby and adult teeth. Parents should start building the habit of flossing once teeth start to fit closely together, which is typically between the ages of two to six. Introducing these behaviors at a young age can help ensure regular flossing habits in a daily oral health routine.

Myth #6: Children should brush their teeth after they are done eating.

Though brushing after a meal is generally a good idea, avoid cleaning those pearly whites after consuming acidic foods. Acid softens your enamel and can often speed up tooth wear.

Myth #7: My child only eats naturally sweet or ‘no sugar added’ snacks, so why worry?

Many parents encourage children to eat snacks and lunches that are good for their bodies – including their teeth. Yet, product labels are misleading, causing parents to choose snacks that actually end up building plaque around their teeth and gums. In fact, some so-called “healthy” snacks are loaded with sugar and other ingredients that can lead to childhood tooth decay. Rather than completely reducing these snacks from your kids’ diet, let them eat in moderation. Rinsing your child’s mouth after consumption can help disperse the sugar.

Are your little ones overdue for their first pediatric dental appointment? Schedule an appointment by visiting smilingkidsindy.com for their Indy location or smilingkidsnoblesville.com for their Noblesville location.

Join the Dirty Girl Mud Run in Knightstown, IN #Giveaway #godirtygirl

Are you one of those girls that likes to get dirty? I mean the all out head to toe kind of dirty? Then the Dirty Girl Mud Run might just be for you. The DGMR is a women only mud run partnered with breast cancer prevention organization, Bright Pink.

DGMR is about inspiring and empowering women as they come together for a day of dirty fun, conquering tough obstacles. DGMR is cementing its place in history as we tour the U.S. as the World's Largest Women's Only Mud Run!

Dirty Girl is an obstacle course run for women of all ages and athletic abilities across the country. Don't worry - it's not a "race" in the traditional sense. It’s an untimed 5k mud run designed to push you slightly out of your comfort zone, but only as far as you want to go. Forming teams is encouraged, and so is helping your fellow Dirty Girls to the finish with some mud, sweat and cheers. At a Dirty Girl Mud Run you'll find excitement, laughter and camaraderie—as well as lots of music and even some adult beverages. It's a mud-covered day you'll never forget.

Sign up now: Want to sign up now? Use code TILTON10 during check-out to save 10% off your registration fee for the DGMR in Knightstown, IN.

Win it:  One lucky reader will win 2 free entries for the Dirty Girl Mud Run in Knightstown, IN on June 6th. This giveaway will end May 11th at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method: Leave me a comment confirming that you will attend the DGMR in Knightstown, IN if you win. (make sure you leave an email address for me to contact you)

Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center

Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center is recognized as Greater Chicagoland's Premier Kid's Destination. If you're not familiar with Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center, they are located in NW Indiana, just across the Illinois border, at the southeast corner of I-80/94 & I-65.  45 minutes from the Loop and about an hour from the western burbs. You can also visit their website for more detailed directions.

Sesame Street Live “Can’t Stop Singing” Show Tickets (Indy, IN) #Giveaway - Ends 4-14

All-New Sesame Street Live “Can’t Stop Singing's" coming to Indianapolis April 25-27 at The Murat Theater at old National Centre.

Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live “Can’t Stop Singing” at Murat Theatre at Old National Centre from Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27. Tickets for all six performances are on sale now!
 

When Elmo gets his furry fingers on Abby Cadabby's magic wand, there's something in the air - and Sesame Street becomes a nonstop, all-singing, all-dancing musical montage! Grover and Baby Bear sing their highs and lows, Cookie Monster sings fast and slow, Bert and Ernie converse in song and Murray makes mouth music for all to sing along! Learn why it feels good to sing a song, but why it feels good to stop, too! What will Elmo learn about the power of musical magic? Join the conga line of fun to find out! 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Reserved tickets are $16.00 and $25.00, with a limited number of $32.00 Gold Circle seats and $60.00 Sunny Seats** also available. *Opening Night, all seats (excluding Gold Circle and Sunny Seats) are only $13.00. A facility fee of $2.00 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and special offers may apply.

Special $60.00 Sunny Seat packages are available at all shows. Sunny Seats feature VIP seating seats and a pre-show Meet & Greet with two Sesame Street Live friends.

For more information, call 317-231-000.  To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information online, please visit www.sesamestreetlive.com.

Indianapolis Performance Schedule: 
Fri, April 25 @ 10:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sat, April 26 @ 10:30 a.m.& 2:00 p.m. 
Sun, April 27at 1:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m
 
Win it:  One lucky reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets (your choice of show, at The Murat Theater at old National Centre). This giveaway will end April 15th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

Ghost The Musical Ticket #Giveaway (Indy, IN)

Ghost The Musical opens March 4-9 at the Old National Centre. Tickets on sale NOW!

Set in modern day New York City, Ghost The Musical is a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Walking back to their apartment one night after a romantic dinner, Sam and Molly are mugged, leaving Sam dead on a dark street. Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next and unable to leave Molly, who he learns is in grave danger. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in the hopes of saving and protecting her.

Ghost The Musical has been enjoyed by over 1 million people worldwide and has been nominated for numerous awards including five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards. The Associated Press calls Ghost The Musical “Eye-poppingly brilliant” while Variety assures the audience will experience “A limitless array of dazzling effects.” Newsday promises that Ghost The Musical is “Unlike anything seen on stage before” and the Daily Telegraph says that Ghost The Musical “Will keep you gasping!”

Tickets start at $28 and are available in person at the Broadway Across America Box Office downtown at 342 Massachusetts Avenue, The Old National Centre Ticket Office, online at  BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com, or by phone at 1-800-982-2787.  Groups of 10 or more can book now by calling 317-632-7469 x103.

Win it:  One lucky reader will win 2 tickets to Ghost The Musical  . This giveaway will end March 1st at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

Scooby Doo Live: Musical Mysteries Show Tickets #Giveaway (Indy, IN March 15) - Ends 3-3

ZOINKS! MYSTERY-SOLVING CHILLS AND THRILLS COME TO MURAT THEATRE AT OLD NATIONAL CENTRE IN THE ALL-NEW SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES SATURDAY, MARCH 15

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The much-loved Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang take center stage in an all-new family musical, SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES, presented by Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Life Like Touring. Featuring everyone’s favorite characters from one of television’s longest-running animated series, SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES is set to thrill audiences at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre with two performances on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

In this exciting new production, Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang have been called upon to help solve an epic mystery. A trouble-making ghost is haunting a local theatre and Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Scooby-Doo are on their way in the Mystery Machine to crack the case.  With crazy ghosts, perplexing puzzles, and an abundance of Scooby Snacks, it’s Scooby-Doo and friends at their best, traveling across the country, solving mysteries wherever they go.

SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES features big musical numbers including the evergreen Scooby-Doo theme song, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?,” alongside original groovy tunes including “Round Every Corner” and “We’re Mystery Inc.”  Filled with wacky new characters and uproarious antics, SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES has young audiences on the edge of their seats in traditional Scooby-Doo fashion from the moment the lights go down. “The timeless antics of Scooby-Doo and his mystery solving Gang have been delighting kids for generations,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.  “We are thrilled to be bringing the Scooby Gang home to North America in this exciting new musical for the whole family.  Scooby fans of all ages will truly enjoy this immersive and entertaining experience.”

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets will be available at the Old National Centre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, OldNationalCentre.com and by phone at 800-745-3000.
Reserved Seat Tickets: $37.50 / $27.50 / $20.00 / $15.00
A limited number of $62.50 VIP tickets will also be available at Ticketmaster.com

For information on the SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES tour visit: www.scoobydoolive.com

Win it:  One lucky reader will win 4 Tickets to the Scooby Doo Live Show in Indy, IN (March 15th). This giveaway will end March 4th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with the opportunity to host this giveaway. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

I Love Lucy Live On Stage #Win show tickets for Indianapolis, IN #Giveaway - Ends 1-28

National tour of I Love Lucy^® Live On Stage

Makes Indianapolis Premiere At Murat Theatre At Old National Centre

February 11-16 • Tickets on sale now!

Tickets are on sale now for the national tour of I Love Lucy^® Live On Stage, the brand-new hit stage show adapted from the most beloved program in television history coming to the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. I Love Lucy^® Live On Stage is the brand-new hit stage show adapted from the most beloved program in television history! America’s favorite foursome – Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel – is live on stage and in color for the very first time!

An “out-of-body experience for ‘Lucy’ fans” according to Showbiz Chicago, I Love Lucy^® Live On Stage takes audience members back to 1952 as members of the Desilu Playhouse studio audience where they await the filming of two hilarious and oh-so-familiar I Love Lucy^® episodes, “The Benefit” and “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined.” A charming host entertains and enlightens the crowd to the behind-the-scenes filming process of a brand new thing called “television,” the Crystaltone Singers perform advertising jingles in perfect 50s style harmony and the sidesplitting antics of America’s favorite foursome – Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel – are presented live on stage and in color for the very first time! It’s a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience TV Guide’s William Keck calls “the most entertaining stage production I’ve seen in years – including Broadway!”

Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta lead the company as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, reprising the roles they created in the original Los Angeles and Chicago productions. Kevin Remington and Joanna Daniels play Fred and Ethel Mertz, the Ricardo’s loveable landlords and sidekicks. The cast also includes Sarah Elizabeth Combs, Gregory Franklin, Peter Kevoian, Jayme Lake, Carlos Martin, Tyler Milliron, Denise Moses, Cindy Sciacca, Jeffrey Christopher Todd, Mark Christopher Tracy,Carolynne Warren and Tamara Zook.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Reserved Seat Tickets: $47.50 / $37.50 / $32.50 / $25.00

Limited amount of $65.00 Gold Circle Seats for each show Ticketmaster.com

Old National Centre Box Office | oldnationalcentre.com

By phone at 800-745-3000. Discounted tickets for group orders of 10 or more are available at 1-800-BROADWAY or by sending an email to LucyMuratGroups@broadway.com.

Win it:  One lucky reader will win a 4 pack of tickets to I Love Lucy Live On Stage at Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. This giveaway will end January 29th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

Christmas At The Indianapolis Zoo #ISMMCATZ

My family recently received four admission tickets and a parking pass so we could check out the Christmas At The Zoo at the Indianapolis Zoo. Upon arrival we were welcomed by a nice display of lights. It was just dusk so you can see them a little in the picture below.

Our Trip to the ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo #IndyZooISMM

This past weekend we visited the ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo as a family. The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold. We had a wonderful time from the moment we arrived all the way through the zoo up till we left. Below you will find some of the displays we saw and activities we participated in along the way. I figured the best way to share our experience was through pictures!

We made it and are ready to start our adventures. Some a little more prepared (with sunglasses) than others, but all in all we were all roaring to get our evening of fun started.

Upon our arrival to the zoo entrance we showed them our tickets and were given a brochure to get our adventures started. It gave a listing of all the activities for the evening as well as a map of where each activity was going to take place. I love things like this because as a scrapbooker I'm always hanging onto stuff like this to add to my books.

First stop was a cool gate covered in cobwebs and spiders. Gave mom the opportunity for her first photo-op! And just off to the side was a painted board where you could insert your face for yet another photo-op! Tonight started off just the way this photo mom likes it.

Next we decided to head inside to the underwater displays. I think this part was more for us than the kids because they just wanted to get onto the fun and games. Me on the other hand wanted to look at the Seahorses because they are one of my favorite underwater animals. Of course once we got to the shark tank they were singing a different tune, they both couldn't wait to reach in and pet a shark.

I guess it was a good thing we went this way because before we left the building we came across a bunch of tables with activities for the kids. My son wasn't quite as interested as my daughter so he just hung out with mom and watched. My daughter really enjoyed coloring paper animals and face masks. I even had to prod her to get moving so we could do some more stuff outside.

When we left the building we saw a costumed shark so of course we stopped for a photo! This time I think the kids even enjoyed it not just mom.

As we walked through the park we found lots of great places to take pictures. The first was one of many decorated hillsides through out the park. The second was at the end of the hay straw maze.

And here are a few more of the hillsides all decked out by various groups from the zoo staff. I loved that several of them were actually interactive where the kids could climb up the hills and have photos taken.

Of course they had and entire section of the zoo dedicated to "trick-or-treating". They had several treat stations throughout the Plains area of the zoo. At each station the kids received different candies.

There was even someone handing out special chocolate candies to the adults. Now that was a really cool thing in my book. It's not very often places stop to think of the parents that are out there taking their kids to these places.

One of the things I thought was cool was different animal exhibits were even decked out for Halloween. The bat exhibit had cool pumpkin buckets hanging all around. We even got to watch a bat eating lettuce.

Overall we had a really great time at the zoo. And on the way out I saw information about Christmas at the zoo! Now that sounds like a lot of fun to me. I'm thinking that will be top on our list of things to do while the kids are home for two weeks over Christmas break.

Disclosure: I was provided with admission tickets and a parking pass for the zoo in exchange for my posting about our trip.  No other form of compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.