Make The Most of Your Disney Dream!

Back from our long awaited Disney Dream cruise and so excited to share tips! Our famly decided to embark on the three day cruise out of Port Canaveral (close to our home in Orlando) taking us to Nassau, Bahamas and Disney's private Caribbean island. It's no secret Disney's cruises are not cheap. Hopefully some Read more

Dream A Little Dream

After one year, two family yard sales, two lemonade stands, daily change contributions by daddy and the sacrifice of forking over birthday and holiday monetary gifts, we will set sail on our Disney Cruise this Thursday! About a year and a half ago Mia expressed her desire to embark on Read more

Birthday Beads & Bows

For the past five years, I've subjected myself to huge hooplas to celebrate Mia's birthday. I pretty much created a party monster from the beginning. Oh, the invitations, the themes, the decorations, the goodie bags... Why would this child expect anything less? This year, I took a different approach to Read more

The Family Yard Sale

Growing up, we had a huge community yard sale every summer. I counted down the days to the big sale every year. My family and I would set aside items months ahead of time deeming them yard sale material. We'd all be up early the day of to get our business Read more

Acupuncture During Pregnancy. Is It Safe?

Wondering how to cure morning sickness, fatigue, back pain during pregnancy? I have a safe natural remedy for you. A lot of women don't even know this option exists. Read more in my latest article for PLAYGROUND Magazine. (page Read more

Top 10 Reasons To Love LEGOLAND Florida

After months of living just an hour from the new LEGOLAND Florida, we finally had a free day to venture over to the new park. Apparently, I've been depriving my children of some serious fun! Read more

Mia on Daily Buzz Healthy Eating Segment!

Mia made her TV debut on The Daily Buzz and BodyCheckList.com talking about one of the fabulous Produce for Kids Ideal Meals. Healthy eating shouldn't have to be hard and getting kids involved in cooking is key. Watch our segment Read more

Local Love

Nemours Central Florida Lets Community Choose

Central Floridians have all heard about the new Nemours Childrens Hospital slated to open in September 2012. But, I don’t think anyone knows that WE, i.e. the community of Central Florida, have a chance to  vote on how best to use a $500,000 grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation of Winter Park issued to the new facility.

Nemours took a look at their programs and identified three that could be enhanced with this grant. Now through September 26,members of the community can go to the Nemours Facebook page and vote.

Vote For The Program Of Your Choice

Take a stand (from the comfort of your laptop of course) and vote!

If Facebook isn’t your thing, patients can also vote utilizing paper ballots at the Nemours Children’s Clinics in Orlando, Lake Mary and Viera.

The three potential programs include:

KidsTRACK Care Coordination  Imagine your child has just been diagnosed with a medically complex condition. When you have so many questions, where can you turn for answers and trusted advice? Through Nemours KidsTRACK (Teaching, Research, Advocacy, Community and Knowledge), a care coordinator will provide a single point of contact for families. Whether it’s helping set up doctors’ appointments and talking to insurance agencies, or prepare families to return home by providing training on proper use of medication, our care coordinators will be there for families every step of the way, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home life.

Hospital Healing Gardens   What if a hospital stay could also mean an inspirational and transformative healing journey for a child? Our Discovery Garden will create an enriching experience for patient families with an acre of interactive outdoor areas devoted to the five senses – sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Children can explore in a garden filled with herbs and vegetables, create music on the xylophone benches and free-standing drums, experience a wide variety of fragrant flowers, and even find their way through hedge mazes and colorful sculptures.

Sanctuary    Can a trip to the Emergency Department be made less stressful for families? The Emergency Department at the new Nemours Children’s Hospital will do just that, making the entire experience easier and more calming for your family. While you wait for test results, escape and relax with your child in one of our “soothing sanctuary” play areas or enjoy interactive entertainment like educational games, videos and activities. Our Emergency Department will also include a child-life specialist who will talk to families and their child, using technology to help explain information that can often be difficult to understand.

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Disney on Ice Giveaway Orlando

Disney on Ice Dare To Dream is coming to the new Amway Center September 9-11. The newest additions to the Disney Princess entourage, Tiana and Rapunzel, will be on hand along with some long time favorites. This show could also be called “Mia’s Heaven.”

Dare to Dream

Mamma Mia is giving away four tickets to the Orlando Disney on Ice Dare To Dream show! If you don’t win this giveaway, there’s still an opportunity to win by using promo code: MOM11 at Ticketmaster or the Amway Box Office to get $11 tickets.

To enter:

  • Leave a comment with the name of the Disney Princess you most relate to. (Gotta have a little fun with this.)

Additional entries:

  • Post this giveaway to Facebook and let me know so in a comment
  • Tweet this giveaway: Win 4 tickets to Disney on Ice Dare to Dream @mammamiafl
The show will take place Sept. 9-11. 7:30 pm on Friday, 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday and 1 pm and 5 pm on Sunday. The giveaway will run through August 24. $11 ticket offer is not good on VIP or front row tickets. 

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. However, all opinions are those of The Mamma Mia Blog.

 

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Family Fun in Orlando

Whether you live in Orlando or you are visiting and looking for something to do outside of  “The Mouse,” my top ten family activities are sure to please. Check out who made the cut on my most recent City Guide at SheKnows.com.

 

Orlando Family Activities City Guide

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4th of July in Central Florida

 

Lake Eola

Looking for something fun to do this 4th of July weekend in Central Florida? Here are a couple ideas to get you going.

Fireworks at the FountainThe huge fountain at the center of Lake Eola has been restored to working condition after being struck by lightening last year. The refurbish is just in time for “Fireworks at the Fountain,” taking place on Monday, July 4. Festive food, fun and entertainment will begin at 4 pm. Enjoy an area just for kids too. Get there early for a great viewing spot. The fireworks begin around 9:30 pm.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach -  Grab your beach blanket and enjoy fireworks Florida style at Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach on Sunday, July 3.The fireworks begin at 9 pm.

Olde Fashioned Independence Day Winter Park -  The Olde Fashioned Independence Day will take place in Central Park with children’s activities, limited food vendors and entertainment. Pull up a lounge chair and relax. Once you have your fill in Central Park, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art (home to the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany work)will be offering free admisison. The Winter Park Historical Museum will also be open free to everyone in celebration of the recent nomination of the Downtown Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places.

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Review of SeaWorld One Ocean

You are seeing the advertisements and hearing the buzz about SeaWorld’s new killer-whale show, “One Ocean.” Check out my review of the show at The Theme Park Mom.

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Here Comes Legoland October 15, 2011!

After returning from a work trip to Atlanta, I found a box on my door step. Mia tore open the box (as she does with all boxes we ever receive) to discover a “box of fun” from LEGOLAND. Because they park is under construction,the folks over there decided to bring the familiarization trip to Mia and I in a box… complete with cozy blanket and snacks for watching the DVD that gave us an in depth look at the new park. We saw construction and learned about features for the new park, located in Winter Haven (about 45 minutes outside of Orlando and also 45 minutes outside of Tampa.)

General Manager Adrian Jones

Score, score for LEGOLAND!  My busy schedule would not have allowed me to get over there at the moment, but I’ve been chomping at the bit to get info on the opening and details about the park.

I get a lot of press releases and updates on new happenings in Central Florida and beyond. Legoland has been of interest to me (and Mia) since the first whispers of the plans a few years back. Seeing it come to fruition is amazing and exciting.

Details You Should Know:

  • LEGOLAND Florida is a 150-acre, full-day family theme park designed specifically for families with children ages 2 to 12. It’s the largest LEGOLAND Park in the world! The park features more than 50 family rides, shows and interactive attractions, restaurants, shopping and botanical gardens.
  • Guests can explore 10 themed zones (so prepare for a full day of fun). Everything from medieval castles to a complete

    Dragon Coaster

    mini land.. picture NYC made of Legos. Click here for the full download on each themed area.

  • LEGOLAND opens October 15, but if you buy your tickets before now, you can get $10 off standard ticket prices. Right now prices are – $65 for adults 12 and over and $55 for children between 3-12… under 3 is free. Buy your tickets by clicking here.
  • I’m always a fan of the annual pass! Savings and options for a full year. Annual passes for FL residents are $159 for adults and $129 for kids to cover admission, parking and food discounts… General annual pass is $129 for adults and $99 for children. (These prices don’t include tax)
  • This is important! LEGOLAND Florida has taken great care to preserve the soul of the park – the historic gardens established on the grounds of its Cypress Gardens predecessor more than 75 years ago. The setting has been restored to its pristine condition, and the collection of native plants, including azaleas and camellias, have been reclaimed and combined with a range of exotic species to create a horticultural masterpiece.

See you in October!!!

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PLAYGROUND Music & Arts Fest

As many of you know, I write regularly for PLAYGROUND Magazine in Orlando. For the third year in a row, the magazine is hosting the PLAYGROUND Music & Arts Fest. Hope to see you at Lake Eola this Sunday, May 1 from 10 am – 4 pm. The flier below says it all or visit the PLAYGROUND website for more info.


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Kid Fest @ Audubon Park This Weekend

I just got wind of this really cool event, Kidfest, taking place Saturday, April 9 at Audubon Park Garden District. (Audubon Park is  slightly north of downtown.) Kids can fly fish, roll sushi, make pizza, DJ, frost cupcakes, make necklaces and more.

The event takes place from noon to 4pm on Saturday. The basis of the program is for Audubon Park merchants to teach you and your child the tools of their trades.

Audubon Park Garden District is located at the corner of Winter Park Road and Corrine Drive.

Did I mention it’s free? See you there!

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Charli’s Photo Debut

My little Miss Charli took part in her first photo session last week and I had to share. The talented local Orlando photographer Erica Clements impresses once again!  We’ve done photos with Erica for the past two years, and each time I am more amazed with the results.

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Casting Call This Friday – Parenting & BABYTALK

BABYTALK and Parenting magazines are holding an open casting call this weekend! Guess what? Your little ones are invited! The pubs are looking for children ages 5 months to 9 years.

Parenting Magazine

When: Friday, February 25, 10 AM to 4:30 PM

Where: The studio space between the Apples to Zinnias store and the Stella Luca Salon on Gay Street facing the movie theater in the Winter Park Village.

The address for the Winter Park Village is 400 N Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

What you need to bring: Just the child, DOB and clothing sizes

They will be looking for children to use in upcoming photo shoots. This is an unpaid gig, but is definitely a super cool opportunity.

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