Don’t want to travel to far?

Do you have to work part of the week of Spring Break?

Well living in Atlanta, there is so many things to do that you really don’t have to go far to have a blast.  Here was our Staycation Spring Break from a few years ago!

Stay tune for our anticipated Things to Do in Atlanta for Spring Break 2013!

In case you didn’t know, I LOVE PROJECTS! It’s a way to get intimate or in depth with the subject matter.  Her last project was the solar system and Haven had create Mars.  Rather than use the Styrofoam ball, we made Mars with Rice Krispy treat.

The class had already done the life cycle of butterflies and frogs, so I suggested to Haven that she report on the human life cycle, because NOBODY is going to cover the obvious!

We googled human life cycle and decided that Haven would explain and/ or  demonstrate each stage.  I thought about how can I avoid discussing the first stage.  I’d like to save the” birds and the bees” for later…..

After Haven submitted the project, it was brought to my attention that there was a sound that had a very boing chica boing boing connotation around the :22 mark of the video.  It just so happened that the sound was made exactly when Haven was talking about the sperms’ race to fertilize the egg.  The sound was made by no other than Harley Ward.  I  played the video again and thought “OH NO”!  

I then understood why Ms. Beard said that Haven’s video made it to her dinner table conversation.  When Haven presented her project, the principal made a surprise visit along with visitors. Luckily, my innocent child had no idea, what folks may have been thinking.  Despite it all, it was a great project and she made an A+!!

Last Friday, we did our usual ritual and went to Felini’s on Ponce and indulged in our “slice” of pizza.  I always get pepperoni, with banana peppers, and the kids get a cheese slice that is kids cut.

Saturday- There was an extra slice in the refrigerator that was very convenient for me to eat for lunch.

Monday- The kids requested that I make a chicken and broccoli pizza with pesto sauce.

Tuesday- I had a swim parent meeting so we, the parents, ordered Papa Johns pizza for the kids while we had our meeting.

Wednesday- We were invited to the VIP opening of Uncle Maddio’s pizza.  The pizza there is awesome and they offer a variety of crust, including gluten free, sauces, and fresh toppings.  If its free, it me!  (Anything to avoid having to cook!)  As I’ve told you before, I am a pizza connoisseur.  With that said, I highly recommend Uncle Maddio’s pizza.  It is very good, the menu offers great dinner salads as well and is affordable!

Thursday- Harley’s best friend’s grandmother asked could she take Harley to Pizza Hut after her swim lessons.  (Again, me avoiding having to cook, I sadly obliged.)

Friday- Of course we didn’t have pizza!

Saturday- We went to play date with our friends and on the menu for dinner was………PIZZA from Urban Pie in Kirkwood!

I can say for certain that pizza won’t be on the menu for a couple of weeks, but if offered I will seriously consider. Why? Because WE LOVE PIZZA….. Amen

I sometimes worry that Haven, my 7 year old may be getting close to outgrowing the puppet shows, but after today’s performance, I’m relieved to know there is still time left! As I always tell you on my post about the The Center for Puppetry Art, that production, stage set, and performance are awesome and this was no exception.  As my 4 year old Harley is memorized by the vibrant colors on the stage, Haven was naming off the body parts of an insect! I was impressed by her knowledge! To be honest, I didn’t even know that stuff….

After the show, we attend our next attempt at a Build a Puppet workshop.  ( I always have to pray for no meltdowns.)  With this show, the Create A Puppet workshop puppet was, of course, a drumroll please……. A BUG! Harley as usual likes to finish first so that she can show off her puppet on the stage.  This time the puppets glowed in the black light provided in the classroom.   Haven is getting a little better with building her puppet, but like her mom, attempts to build it without the instructions provided, but then forced to read it.

There were quite a few birthday parties happening as well.  This a a great birthday party venue, especially during the winter months. Not only are you cool and slick midtown, but parking is free!

I encourage you not to miss this show, especially if you have a membership!  Grandparents, this is a great gift, for your grandchildren!

The stuff you need to know before you go……

• Purchase tickets in advance on line.
• Children under 2 are free.
• Memberships will save you on the cost of the shows, birthdays, and events throughout the year.
• Memberships are tax-deductible.
• Access to the museum portion is free to Fulton County residents the 1^st  Saturday of each month.
• Parking is free.
• Performances range between 45- 75 minutes long.
• There is no food or beverages sold.
• Birthday Parties available.
• Ensure kids are not hungry, you really don’t want to deal with a fussy kid in a quiet room!
• Ensure everyone uses the restroom before performances!
•  Some of the exhibits and performances can be frightening to younger children, so beware.
• There are shows for all ages including teenagers and adults.
• There are Create-a-Puppet workshops that you can attend before or after your performance.

Be sure to get to the FREE pre-show!

For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RinglingBros

I let everybody sleep in (Haven and Ryan swam their little hearts out the entire weekend.)  I set up bowls and cereal, before I went to bed so that when they woke up in the morning, they could help themselves to breakfast. I also drugged myself with sinus meds so that I could sleep off the sinus infection.

When I woke up (around 8:30am) the girls had already eaten and were entertaining themselves until they heard the walking dead….that would be me.  They were dying to go somewhere, anywhere!  I let the girls vote on community service or Imagine It Children’s Museum.  I’m sure you know what they chose.

The girls darted in the museum and I kept my tissue and hand sanitizer close by.  As the girls made the rounds through each section of the museum,there was an announcement that an MLK presentation was in the back theater in 5 minutes.  I rounded the girls and MADE them go back there.  (I felt like I could check the box of ensuring the girls did something related to MLK Day.)

The performer read an exerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Then they asked the kids to sing Happy Birthday to Dr King. When they played the Stevie Wonder version, it warmed my heart.  They asked everybody to hold hands and dance. It brought tears to my eyes because there really were white and black boys and girls, and parents for that matter, holding hands. It was beautiful.

The girls may not understand now, I didn’t when I was young, but once upon a time, this was unheard of.

The reminder for me is that you can dream the impossible, and it can become possible…..

We went the day after Christmas and it was extremely cold, at least to me it was.  I mean down in the 30s! We bundled up, packed light, and made our way to the park.  The lines weren’t bad at all and moved swiftly.  Most people made reservations online which makes it easier once you get there.

The park was lit up and festive.  Although Christmas Day was over, we were still in the spirit of the holidays.  You get a two hour slot of snow time.  We choose 4pm to 6pm.  (I read another blog that said it was better to go later in the day.) We had an extra hour to kill so we hit the 4D Theater to catch The Polar Express.  This was our last  chance for warmth before we hit the snow.

We usually start off with something exciting to start the festivities, so for Snow Mountain meant, tubing.  Harley was tall enough to ride on the family tubing so that’s where we began.  Haven loves thrills so there was no convincing her to get on the tube.  There are two entry ways to get to the top of the hill.  The entry on the right is a longer walk, but hardly a wait.   The entry to the left is shorter, but the wait is longer.  Exercise is great, so we took the longer route.  Harley was nervous, but once we tubed down, she was pumped!  We all were for that matter.   So we headed down to the snow play area and I picked up some snow, packed into a ball and threw it at Haven.  I guess I declared war because she went in and attacked me.  Harley got in on it too!  My hands were freezing, so we stopped for some hot chocolate.  The concession stand also sold s’more kits.

The girls went back in the snow area and made snow angels.  They helped to build a ice fort.  There was a target that you could throw snowballs through to test your aiming skills.

We stayed until 10pm! We saw a parade, Mrs. Claus read a story (outside), caught a few musicals, and saw the Snow Angel!  If you wish really hard, she can make it snow.  We pretty good “wishers” so of course it snowed for us!

Snow Mountain is such an awesome family adventure.  It’s pricey, however cheaper than going skiing for the weekend, and I guarantee you that the kids will have a blast!

Snow Mountain will be opened until February 18th and be sure to check for deals online!!

We love adventure s

Target decorated one of the party rooms in the museum, which created a festive ambiance. It was a small event, so it felt very intimate and cozy.  The aromas filled the room, which quickly reminded my tummy that it was lunchtime.

Chef Damaul Mitchell did a few demonstrations of kid-friendly snacks.  Chef showed us how to make Market Pantry Sushi Style Turkey ‘n’ Cheese.  Harley volunteered to make a roll in front of the group (with assistance of course).  She did an excellent job, by the way and I’ll bless you with the recipe!

Market Pantry Sushi Style Turkey ‘n’ Cheese 

Serving Size / Yield

After we ate, we assembled jars of  homemade soup as gifts for the girls’ teachers.  Harley didn’t quite understand that we are waiting closer to Christmas to give her present to Ms. Gracie (her teacher).

AND OF COURSE TARGET, didn’t allow us to leave without a some swag! Once we got in the car, they went through it all!  There were goodies for the kids as well as for mommy! That was the warm up for the big day!

It goes without saying that SeeGoMama loves Target and Imagine It! Children’s Museum of Atlanta right back!

*all photos are courtesy of Jeff Roffman Photography, LLC

*Admission to Imagine It Children’s Museum were complimentary.

*Items/ gifts from Target were received