School Vacation Week- What Did You Do??

Ben Jr is in 1st Grade, so he is gone a good chunk of the day for school.  When Vacations come around, I am pulling my hair out trying to think of things to keep him and Doug amused!! 

With a limited budget, I came up with a couple of fun things to do that wouldn't break the bank!!

The first Sunday, we had some family come over, and had a mini party.

On Tuesday, we hit the mean streets of NYC.  I had been promising the kids we would take them on the train, and let them see the city. Over all I think they had a great time.  They asked to go back, just minus the walking!!

After arriving at Grand Central, we walked to our hotel (The Manhattan.)  The kids will tell you it took forever.  We only walked about 12 blocks!!

Check out the view from our room!!

We hit TGI Fridays for dinner (it was right across the street!)  The boys enjoyed their food.  Me not so much.  I ordered their new Shrimp Risotto, and it was not at all what I expected (or was pictured,) and it just did not taste good.

After dinner, we went to M&M World.  It's just an awesome store!!  Who wouldn't love a whole store dedicated to chocolate!!!

Wednesday we went to the Disney Store.  Another must go to stop. I love it!!  Even though it has NYC prices, their clearance items are awesome and reasonably priced!!  We have never made it to a store right when they open before.  I had no idea that they do a cute show for the kids.  Being the first in line to get in, Ben and Doug were picked to find the key!!

After getting our Disney fill, we hit Toys R Us.  The boys saw the huge Ferris Wheel from the window and just had to ride!!  OK so did Ben and I!!!

Shortly after, we walked back to Grand Central to make the long trek home!!

Thursday morning, I was going through my emails and I got one from Foxwood's Casino.  They really wanted me to come back and visit (it's been a long time) and were offered an awesome price to stay at one of their hotels.  I called, and booked that night at the Belissimo Grand!!  This was a really nice hotel with an indoor swimming pool!!  The boys were in heaven!!

One of the really cool benefits of staying at the Belissimo, is that you get to take a limo to the casino!!  The boys have never been in a limo, and the last time I was in one was for my wedding (almost 10 years ago!!)

We hit Fuddruckers for dinner, and then hit the arcade running!!!

We got back to the hotel later then we should have, but we had to enjoy room service.  The boys got a really good cheese and crackers plate, and Ben and I got cake and wine!!

The next morning we hit the pool, and then started for home.

We had a ton of fun this week.  It was a lot of traveling, but we really did not spend a lot of money.  The memories are well worth what we did spend!!

How was your week??



This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England.

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Ringling Brothers And Barnum And Bailey Fully Charged

I am very excited that I got to take my boys to see Fully Charged  at the DCU Center in Worcester!  They had never seen Ringling Bros and I knew they would love it!!

Don't miss Fully ChargedSM, the all-new surge of circus entertainment from Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey® where megawatts of thrills explode off of the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that energize Children Of All Ages!

The most electrifying edition ever ofRingling Bros.® celebrates 'performance power' that boosts circus-goers' excitement. The amazing acts, which can only be seen at The Greatest Show On Earth®, include Tabayara, a dynamic animal trainer whose rare ability to communicate with animals allows him to ride rearing stallions at a fully-charged gallop and orchestrate majestic four-ton Asian elephants in a symphony of dance. When he stands inside a cage, eye to eye with 12 ferocious tigers, Tabayara sees family where others see danger.

The fearless Fernandez Brothers dial up the thrills as they perform daring feats of athleticism on the Twin Turbines of Steel, including extreme jumps and twists inside the moving wheels! Audiences will crackle with excitement as they watch Guillermo perform a 360-degree, flying-forward somersault, three stories in the air, a feat so difficult it has only been attempted by one other person in the 141-year history of Ringling Bros. 

Descending from the legendary dynasty of Ghengis Khan, the Mongolian strongman duo of The Titanic Tulga and Mighty Meetal, demonstrate a herculean display of human dexterity and strength as they lift large, cumbersome telephone poles, which weigh up to half a ton, and twirl them above their heads while acrobats balance atop.

The Human Fuse, Brian Miser, sets the arena sky ablaze as he rockets through the air from his self-made human crossbow. Don't blink as he flashes across the sky in less than a second, and travels 80 feet at 65 miles per hour.

Ever wonder how many clowns it takes to change a light bulb? The hilarious hoopla continues to flow as the clowns from the world-famous Ringling Bros.® Clown Alley, charge up the audiences' funny bones with hysterical silly antics and clownish comedy.

You can only experience this current of excitement at Ringling Bros. Fully Charged! Get your tickets for high-voltage fun today!  

We had such a great time.  Take a look at all the fun!!  We were even able to see the animals before the show!!

...

Brandi Chastain With Libby's Event #LibbysSnackDuty

This past Saturday, we were invited to attend a terrific event.

Libby's donated $5000 to the Rhode Island Youth Soccer Association and they had Brandi Chastain present the check!!

Brandi was extremely friendly.  She was taking pictures with the kids, and answering any and all questions.

We had a blast watching her showing the kids how to dribble, do a run over stop, and even kick at their parents!!  lol

The soccer fields had many different age groups playing all at once, and Brandi spent equal amount of time at each group.  Ben Sr, the kids and I had a blast watching not only Brandi show the kids things, but actually watch their games as well.

Libby's had a great booth set up where they were giving out fruit cups to all the kids.  Of course my boys loved that!!

The boys wolfed down two cups each!!!

I video taped the presentation.  It was a very heart warming presentation!!


The rain held out for the whole event, which was spectacular!!!
All and all we had a great time!!  I have added all the pictures I took to a Google+ Album, if you would like to see them!!
The good folks at Libby's would also love to give one lucky reader a gift bag with some terrific Libby's items.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England.

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Libby's Fruit Cup Review And Meet Brandi Chastain Event #LibbysSnackDuty

Libby's products, the choice of generations, are the nation's third largest brand. With over 60 different products and sizes - from 8 oz. Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and 6 oz. Diced Peaches to 108 oz. Cut Green Beans and 23 oz. Fruit Medley - Libby's offers among the industry's most complete line of canned fruits and vegetables. Since canned sealed-in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are just as good for you as fresh-picked, make Libby's part of a delicious and healthy diet for you and your family.

This is shocking, but when you ask my boys if they want candy or fruit, they actually answer fruit!!

I am so glad that they choose healthy foods now.  With the obesity rate so high, and health problems because of it at a scary level, I want my kids to make good choices.

Recently Libby's sent me some of their delicious fruit cups for the boys to try.  

Doug got a hold of one and ate it in about two minutes flat!  He loved it and wanted more!!

Besides the fact that these fruit cups have 100% of your daily Vitamin C, I am in love with how secure they are.  With a hard plastic container, metal rim, and a thick plastic cover, these are kid friendly cups!!!

I usually do not send Ben to school with a fruit cup for a snack because they break easily.  With the Libby's fruit cups, I am sure that his snack will be secure until snack time!!!

Libby's is also an extremely generous company.  I am excited to attend an event tomorrow where soccer star Brandi Chastain will give a check for $5000 to the North Providence Youth Soccer Association!!

Ben Sr and I both played soccer in school (we were both goalies) and Ben Jr now plays!!

  

LIBBY’S FRUITS & VEGETABLES BRINGS OLYMPIAN BRANDI CHASTAIN TO NORTH PROVIDENCE


Libby’s and Brandi Chastain to host soccer clinic with North Providence recreational soccer league youths to promote healthy snacking and active lifestyle
WHO: Soccer star Brandi Chastain, Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables, North Providence Mayor Charles A. Lombardi and the North Providence Youth Soccer Association.
WHAT & WHY: This fall, Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables will introduce its Snack Duty Takeover program that highlights the importance of children living healthy and active lifestyles.

Olympic soccer star Brandi Chastain will host a clinic for recreational soccer leagueNorth Providence Youth Soccer Association (NPYSA) to support the brand’s individually packaged snacking sensation, Libby’s Single Fruit Cups®.

During the event Chastain will present a $5,000 donation to NPYSA on behalf of Libby’s Single Fruit Cups®.
WHEN: Saturday, September 29, 2012
Clinic Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
Media Call Time: 10:00 a.m.
Donation Presentation: 10:30 a.m.


MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:


§  Interviews with soccer star Brandi Chastain
§  Interviews with North Providence Mayor Charles A. Lombardi
§  Interviews with league representative
§  Interviews with Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables representative
§  Photo opp. with Brandi Chastain and youth soccer league members


WHERE:Dr E. A. Ricci School and Athletic Complex
51 Intervale Avenue
North Providence, RI 02911
 
Here are some great tips.  Thank you Brandi.


Brandi’s Kid Friendly Tips for Healthy Living:
Hydrate to perform great. Kids should drink water before, during AND after exercise. While exercise generates heat and increases the body’s core temperature, water works to bring body temperature back to the normal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Let your child pick out a colorful water bottle to make drinking water fun!

Always make time for healthy meals. The USDA says that half our plates should be filled with colorful fruits and veggies, but when your children are constantly running from school to practice and back, it can be tough to get them to eat that perfect meal. Add Libby’s® Single Fruit Cups, which contain one complete serving of fruit, to your children’s bags for an easy and nutritious snack.

Sleep is important! Children should receive an average of eight hours of sleep each night. Without enough sleep children get cranky and lazy, and will not perform to their full potential during school, practice or games. Help your children stick to a regular sleep schedule by making bedtime fun – read them a story or sing a song while they fall asleep.

Turn exercise into a family affair. When exercising is a solo act, it can sometimes feel like a chore. Bring the whole family on-board and make exercising fun, family time! Join your kids in a game of soccer, Double Dutch or kickball.

Lead by example. When you set a good example, your kids are more likely to follow. Although it’s easy to stop at the drive-thru on the way home from practice, make an effort to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle. Become a role model by exercising regularly and eating healthy foods, like Libby’s Canned Fruits and Vegetables, with your children. It’s easier when you make it a team effort! 


If you can make it to North Providence tomorrow, it would be great to see you there!!!


**All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  I was not compensated for this post.  I was given the above items for this review**


This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England.