Share Our Strength & First Watch Giveaway

My family consists of multiple breakfast and brunch loving humans. We are definitely familiar with the awesome breakfast and brunch at First Watch. I’m happy to report First Watch will be donating 25 cents to Share Our Strength from every kids meal purchased in hopes of raising $50,000 within the yearlong campaign. (The campaign started this week!) $50,000 would more than double the $42,000 First Watch has raised since 2009. If you haven’t heard of Share Our Strength, they are an organization looking to end childhood hunger by 2015 – enough said.

Everyone knows healthy eating is a topic near and dear to my heart so I’m also happy to report the restaurant has announced a new, interactive kids’ menu in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell program. Kids menu offerings at First Watch are now being recognized for featuring items that meet qualifying nutrition criteria based on leading health organizations’ scientific recommendations, including the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines. Hooray!

In celebration I have 5, yes 5, First Watch kids cards to give away to readers. Simply leave a comment below letting me know your child’s favorite healthy breakfast or brunch item. Get an extra entry for following The Mamma Mia Blog on Twitter and leaving a comment to let me know.

Giveaway Details:

Offer valid for one meal from the Kids Menu with purchase of an adult entrée
Redeemable at any First Watch Restaurant by 12/31/12
Open daily 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
To find your local First Watch, visit www.firstwatch.com

Winners will be selected on Wednesday, October 3 at 3 pm.

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Amanda in Foodie Fun, Giveaways 3 Comments

Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After

Just the title of the new Disney On Ice show has me counting down to show time! In a new twist on fairytale fun, favorite Disney characters compete to be the next superstar in comical segments leading up to the tales of show stopping princesses – Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle, and Merida from Disney•Pixar’s BRAVE in her ice debut!

Mickey and Minnie encounter the most talented performers in the land with an all-star lineup that includes Sebastian and the Daughters of Triton from The Little Mermaid, the rowdy pub thugs from Tangled and the spunky enchanted servants from Beauty and the Beast. The journey continues to the Scottish highlands where audiences will be captivated and star struck by Merida, as an exhilarating archery contest ensues for the right to marry the fiery redhead.

Good news! I’m giving away a family four-pack to the show!

How to enter:

Leave a comment below letting me know which character you are most excited to see.
Extra entries daily for tweeting! Just leave a comment with a link to your tweet.

I’ll select a winner on Wed. Aug. 15 at 3 pm.

Tickets for performances at the Amway Center are on sale now! If you don’t win the giveaway, I still have a special offer for you. You can get 4 tickets for just $48! This special offer is valid for specific show times: Sept. 7 at 7:30 pm and Sept. 9 at 1 and 5 pm by entering the code MOM12 at checkout.

Additional showtimes are Saturday, Sept. 8 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm. See you at the show!

Disclosure: My family will attend the show as a guest of Feld Entertainment.

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Amanda in Giveaways, Local Love, On Stage 26 Comments

Orlando City Soccer… Win a summer camp!

Orlando City Youth Soccer

Has your family had a chance to experience the newest sports craze sweeping the Orlando area? If not, I advise you get out with your family this summer and catch an Orlando City Soccer game. Every game has family activities including themed game nights (from Go Pink to Back to School) with fan zone activities, charity drives and more. A fun inexpensive summer outing for sure!

I’m not a soccer expert by any means, but I’m learning… and hoping Mia will too. Good news for me – Orlando City Youth Soccer is right in our backyard! Orlando City Youth offers recreational leagues and camps for those who want to learn more about the game.

Orlando City Soccer is hosting weekly youth summer camps throughout July and August that include both half and full-day options ranging in scope from basic soccer skills for the younger groups, up to position-specific camps for the more experienced players. What a cool way to introduce your kids to soccer!

And now great news for you! I have one week of summer camp to give away to a lucky reader.

Get out and play!

Leave a comment below letting me know how your kids are getting out and getting active this summer and you’ll be entered into the giveaway, which will be selected at random on Wednesday, July 11.

*Fun fact: These camps are unique in that Orlando City coaches and pro players staff them. Your child has the opportunity to learn the skills of the game from some of the very same players they see take the field in the USL PRO matches.

For updates on home games, theme nights and much more be sure to like Orlando City Soccer Club on Facebook.

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Amanda in Giveaways, Local Love 8 Comments

Weekday Pass At Aquatica!

Great news! There’s a new Weekday Pass from Aquaticathat allows you and your family to enjoy unlimited weekday access through Dec. 31, 2012.

Aquatica

We are big Sea World fans so Aquatica is basically a shoe-in on our local favorite activities list. Aquatica takes guests in, over and under the water with some super cool water rides and animal encounters with Commerson’s dolphins, exotic birds and more!

I know as a full-time working mom, weekday passes to attractions aren’t always worth the money, but Aquatica is open until 7pm and even 8 pm most weekdays during the summer!

With the Weekday Pass, guests can play every weekday this summer, and for the rest of the year, for just $59.99 plus tax. There’s even an option to purchase a weekend day for just $15 when you show your Weekday Pass at the front gate. (This is an awesome option!)

Guests can experience Aquatica’s 38 thrilling water slides, rivers and lagoons, side-by-side wave pools and two interactive water playgrounds designed for the littlest of swimmers.

For more info visit Aquatica’s website.

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Amanda in Local Love, Travel Leave a comment

Birthday Beads & Bows

Bracelet Making

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 the birthday celebration and I’m so glad I did.

Rae-Berry Beads & More

Mia and four of her friends met at Rae-Berry beads & more in Dr. Philips to celebrate on a Saturday afternoon. This place is heaven for little girls! Two tables along each wall at Rae-Berry are filled with thousands of different beads.

First, Ramee, the owner of Rae-Berry, showed the girls how to create their very own beautiful bracelet out of the beads of their choice.

Next came the creation of the “hair pretties.”The girls were able to create funky hair clips layering bright colored flowers with a gem in the center.

Showing Off Their Hair Pretties

Mia and her friends made a bracelet and hair pretty, but there are different choices for parties including bottle cap necklaces and a jewelry board . You can customize your activities based on age and size of your group.

There’s a pizza shop nearby so I ordered a large pie and then we enjoyed cupcakes brought from home. It was the perfect afternoon and the girls had a great time. Plus, they took home a cool bracelet and hair pretty that they created. (The perfect alternative to the goodie bag filled with things that are going to be thrown away!)

I left Rae-Berry wondering when I could come back with my own adult friends for an afternoon of jewelry making. This place is definitely not just for kids!

Supporting local business is a passion of mine, but supporting a local mom-owned business is even better! For more information on Rae-Berry Beads visit their website.

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Amanda in Local Love, Parenting Leave a comment

What I Did Wrong…

With that title this post could go in so many different directions! This one is parenting related. We’ll save the others for another post.

I know it’s hard for perfect parents like myself to admit that perhaps not so great parenting choice were made. Believe it or not, it’s okay to not be perfect. Hard concept to accept (I know), but embrace it and living life will be much, much easier. I gathered a few funny quotes from local parents for the spring issue of PLAYGROUND magazine. These brave parents were willing to clear the air and fess up to “what they did wrong.” Now, your turn!

What I Did Wrong

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Amanda in Parenting, PLAYGROUND Leave a comment

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 22)

Acupuncture While Pregnant

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Amanda in Local Love, Parenting, PLAYGROUND Leave a comment

$5 Admission to Orlando Science Center Sunday!

I have FABULOUS news for Central Florida families who love the Orlando Science Center! The Walmart Foundation, has announced the next “Walmart $5 Day” will be THIS Sunday, February 12. All guests to the Science Center on February 12 will enjoy exhibits, films and live programs for $5! General admission fees are usually $17 for adults and $12 for kids (ages 3-11).

Orlando Science Center

This Sunday, guests can participate in the fifth annual Mission Nutrition featuring displays and demonstrations on medical technology, nutrition and fitness. There will even be chefs will be on hand to host cooking demonstrations for healthy eating. Returning this year is the Physical Challenge Arena with activities like Wii Sports active video games and hula hooping.

The new exhibit, Bob the Builder – Project: Build It! is definitely worth mentioning and seeing! Catch laugh-out-loud Animalopolis or the spellbinding Arabia on the giant screen film in the Dr. Phillips CineDome.

For more information on Walmart $5 Day call 407.514.2000 or visit www.osc.org.

See you there my fellow scientists! (I stole that from Sid)

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Amanda in Local Love Leave a comment

TurtleTrek Is Coming to Sea World

The news of Sea World’s TurtleTrek, opening this spring, excites our family more than you could ever know! Turtles have always been a beloved creature in our home. Not that we don’t love all creatures, but the turtles hold a special place in our heart.

TurtleTrek will walk Sea World guests through the life of a Sea Turtle. From hatching on a sandy beach to their extremely long life journey. The cool part is that you’ll be viewing the journey in a giant 360 degree dome and in 3D! (The first ever of its kind in the world!!) The film goes way beyond the concept of high definition – think 26 million individual pixels at 60 frames per second. Yeah… That’s some serious reality there. Want to be a hero for the turtles? This new attraction will tell you just how you can do that.

I’ll pipe down now and let you enjoy a sneak peek in the webisode below.

Sea World's TurtleTrek

P.S. ~ Sea World is offering a Pre-School Pass this year for children under five! Yes, that means a free annual pass for your kiddos to enjoy TurtleTrek any time they want.

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Amanda in Featured, Local Love, Travel 1 Comment

Top 10 Holiday Activities in Orlando

There’s still time left to enjoy one or even two of these events around town! Check out my Top 10 List of Orlando Holiday Activities at SheKnows.com City Guide.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST!

Holidays in Orlando!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Amanda in Holiday Travel Series, Local Love, Travel Leave a comment

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