I have great news to share with my Metro Detroit readers.   Disney on Ice is returning to the Palace of Auburn hills with the Let’s Celebrate! show on February 24th-28th.

My family is so excited.   We had such an amazing time at the 100 Years of Magic show back in September.   It was “simply magical”.   My boys are still talking about it.   Check out my photos and read the review here!

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate!

It’s one colossal party on ice, with all your favorite Disney friends!  Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they celebrate

• a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter
• a Royal Valentine’s Day Ball with the Disney Princesses, including Cinderella, Ariel and Tiana
• a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch
• a winter wonderland with Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story
• a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains and more in a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe.

Come join the party when this spectacular ice show visits your hometown!

SHOW DATES:

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, and 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 3:30 PM and 11:30 AM

A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU!
Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44  by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com and entering the coupon code: MOM

I would love to thank Feld Entertainment for providing me with complimentary tickets for sharing this great opportunity with you.

Just a few more out takes of the making of my soar video…

You can stop watching after a minute or so.

I edited my first out takes video to use the title slides and forgot to remove the last two minutes….

well I was working on it then got distracted by a smelly child and then forgot about it.

Ahhh motherhood is wonderful

Well filming my SOAR video was a fun experience.  Especially with two boys running around.   Here are a few of the out takes…

I just thought I would clue everyone in as to what has been on my mind this month.   On December 1st, one of my favorite photographers/bloggers, Me Ra Koh, announced the SOAR! Scholarship.  It is a wonderful opportunity for three women.   It provides them with the tools, the wisdom, the confidence and much more to start a photography career.   Prior to SOAR! Me Ra selected a woman who was Running on Empty to attend each of her photography workshops.   But this time she upped the ante.   So far 73 women have submitted videos showing why they should SOAR! in 2010.   I am one of those women.

For the past three weeks it has been all my mind could think about.   What would make me stand out?   What photos to include?   I setup and filmed clips of myself.  I bribed my children to play quietly while I filmed.  I also bribed them to appear on camera which resulted in me having to bride them to get off camera.

This is my video.

I really have mixed emotions about it.

I don’t know if:

• I did enough to put me in the top three.
• I could have done more.
• I should have said more.

I do know that:

• All of the SOAR! videos displayed wonderful creativity, touching stories, breathtaking photos, and each one showed an amazing woman.   All of the women are so deserving of this scholarship.  View all the videos here.
• I feel like I’ve been on an emotional rollar coaster.  And it is not scheduled to end till January 1st.   Its a long ride.   I’ve been here before though.  Since following her blog, I’ve entered the Running On Empty Mom contest 3-4 times.   I try to think positive and be confident.  But the day the winner is announce I go from sky high to hitting the ground.   So I have mixed emotions about January 1st.
• I did the best I could with the resources I have.
• I chose the best photos I have.   I am not a professional.   I am a mom with a camera, a momarazzi.   I have a year of experience with my camera.   But I have potential.   I was so happy with the photos I took at the museum last week.  It was my first time in complete manual mode.
• I felt good seeing myself on camera.   I didn’t feel self conscious.  I was happy.
• I tried.  I put myself out there.   The only thing they can say is “No” and there is always someone else to ask.

I know that I made the leap.   I just hope 2010 is my year to SOAR!

The Henry Ford Museum is one place that my family cannot get enough of.    For mothers with boys, it is a god send.   It is one thing I love about having boys.  They are amused by trains, planes, and machines time and time again.

We can spend 15-20 minutes just pretending that we are on an airplane.

Then we move on to build our own cars out of K’nex.  Then we test them out on the tracks.   I love the look of determination.

The Lego exhibit is one of our favorites.  We will be sad to see it go in January.   Everett amused a group of school girls who dared to enter his castle.

My little prince.

His brother was more interested in this guys who was standing so still.

There is a new addition to the museum for the holidays.   Last year they had the model trains.  This year it is an amazing Lego city complete with four trains.   You could look at this for hours.   There are tiny details from the Rockstar on the balcony with a glass of champagne, to the kitty on the roof, and take a look at the street names (Novi Rd).

I hope someone will wipe his nose prints off the glass.  He couldn’t get close enough.

Boys and their toys!

I hope this gives you all a laugh on this rainy Hump Day!

This one is for all the scrapbookers, stampers and anyone who has children who like crafts.    Recently, Stampin’ Up has partnered with Build-A-Bear for an exclusive line of stamps, papers, and die cuts.

As an introduction, my boys and I were invited to a special workshop at the home of a local Stampin’ Up Demonstrator, Susan LaCroix.  Only a few Stampin’ Up demonstrators throughout the country were picked to host this wonderful family event.   Susan has been a demonstrator for 7 years.   She has a wonderful home and a basement studio that anyone would envy.

YES! Those shelves behind Susan are stocked with stamps !!

Our evening started out with popcorn and a movie featuring “Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure,” an animated TV special.    It is a wonderful film and all the kids sat glued to the TV.   Hal Moose dreams of being part of Santa’s reindeer team.  One evening he decides to make his way to the North Pole.   His sister Holly follows him to keep him out of trouble.    There is a bad storm coming on Christmas Eve.  But Holly and Hal help Santa and the elves save Christmas.

Following the movie, we had the opportunity to try out the Stampin’ Up Build-A-Bear projects.    The kids enjoyed Build-A-Bear coloring pages.

They also made their own Build-A-Bears using die cuts.   The kids made Beary Merry Santa Bears and Boy and Girl bears in coordinating outfits.   I could see little girls loving this.  They could make their own paper dolls (well bears).   It would also make a wonderful project for girl scout troops.

While the kids were busy with their own project, the moms were able to make these Beary Special Christmas Cards.  I think this will make a wonderful card for my son’s preschool teacher.

We were able to try out a variety of the Stampin’ Up products including the Papers, Ink pads,  Beary Best Friends stamp, the Watercolor Wonder Crayons, and Scallop Edge Punch.  Just to name a few.  Being an art student one of the most useful tools was the Aqua Painter.  It would be a great tool for watercolor painting.   It is so messy having the cup of water.   The Aqua Painter is available in two different sizes and holds the water right in the pen.

Many people think they aren’t creative enough to do scrapbooking and stamping.   But all of our cards turned our wonderful.   Even those who complained about their lack of artistic abilities.   Susan’s demonstrations were very easy to follow.

By the end of the night, the kids were full of cookies and Build-A-Bear fruit snack (yes they make Build-A-Bear fruit snacks).  As the evening wrapped up, a few of us left with wonderful gifts from Build-A-Bear – the “Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure” DVD, a Holly and Hal Moose Story Book, and Sparkles, a cuddly Build-A-Bear with light up Merry Christmas Shirt.

It was such a wonderful relaxing evening.   It would a great girls night out/in.  We all left talking about getting together to scrapbook again.

To find out more about Stampin’Up, please visit these websites:

• If you live in the Metro Detroit area, please visit Susan LaCroix’s website.
• For those of you outside of the area, please visit the Stampin’ Up website to find a local demonstrator.

Here are a few additional samples made with the Stampin’ Up Build-A-Bear products:

While only the center ring remains, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus still lives up to its reputations as the greatest show on earth.  Last night we attending the Over the Top show at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

We have been looking forward to this show for months.  Back in September, we saw the circus train (yes they still travel by train) in Grand Rapids, MI.  We were walking by the area and saw the elephants getting ready to go on.  MY boys would have been amused for 15 minutes waiting by the fence to see another animal but I told them we would go to the circus when it came to our town.

We had a fantastic time.  Before the show, you are invited to join the performers right on the circus floor.

This special pre-show event allows you to get an up close view of the performances to come.   Great for little ones.  It keeps them entertained.  Plus there are no vendors peddling their wares down on the floor.  But there are clowns juggling

Clowns balancing

and even tightrope walking clowns….well sort of

While your down on the floor sometimes the entertainment is up above

The stilts walker was walking through the crowd.  Well through and over and he even stopped to jump rope.  Pretty impressive.

There are also furry performers at the pre-show.  Even the smallest performers in the circus really pack a punch.

My boys were a little shy.  But their are plenty of photo opportunities with the clowns, showgirls, motorcycles.   Your children can even venture into the “wardrobe” and come out looking like circus starts.  But I was able to get one family member to join the circus.  Yup that’s my clown.

After the preshow, take your seats and prepare to be amazed.   Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus grabs your child’s attention right off the bat with a parade of all the performers.

Horses, Elephants, Acrobats.  Even huge drums and fireworks.  Which can be a little much for the little ones.

But don’t be deterred my youngest had a wonderful time.

Back to show!  At the Palace there is not a bad seat in the house.  With the circus, there are performers everywhere.

The aerialists are always one of my favorites.   I love the ropes/ribbons.   And how they fall to the ground and catch themselves at the last moment.   And if you have boys they will love the ceiling walker, Sylva, in act two.   I always wondered how Spiderman walked on walls.

My boys favorites were the animals.   The “horses, horses, horses” and their riders where amazing.

But the best ones of all were the elephants.   What kid doesn’t imagine themselves riding the elephant after going to the circus?

Overall we had a wonderful time at the circus.  I was great when I was 7 and it is still great now.   It is true that this is a show that is fun for all ages.

There is still time to get your tickets for the circus.  They are here all weekend long.   Don’t forget to take advantage of the “MOM” discount.   Purchase a 4‐pack of tickets for only $44 by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com

Well I’m off to the video store now.   I was reminded of a great old movie “The Greatest Show On Earth” from 1952.   I think I will pick it up for this weekend.

Auburn Hills Show Dates

Thursday November 19: 7:30pm
Friday November 20: 11:00am, 7:30pm
Saturday November 21: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Sunday November 22: 1:00pm, 5:00pm

***Get 4 tickets for $44 Monday-Friday matinee, or $4 off weekend tickets by entering the code “MOM” in the MC promotion code box on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Not valid on VIP Gold, VIP, and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Service charges and handling fees will apply.

Don’t forget to arrive early for the All Access Pre Show.   An hour before the show visit with the performers right in the main ring.

So come on Detroit it is time to join the circus!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by

on behalf of Feld Entertainment.

Last weekend we had a wonderful time at Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI.   Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the whole gang were there.  We got to see Woody do some lasso tricks and did you know that Buzz Lightyear can juggle.   Cinderella wowed us with her beautiful voice.  If you missed it, don’t worry there is another great family even coming up.

Come experience the all‐new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Over the Top playing at The Palace of Auburn Hills with your family!

I was just a kid the last time I saw the Ringling Brothers circus.   I’ve seen some of the artistic, out of the box circuses.  But there is something about an old time, genuine circus with the elephants, tigers, flying trapeze and clowns in polka dots.   I am excited to have the chance to share it with my children.

I’m also excited to share A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU! Purchase a 4‐pack of tickets for only $44 by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com

Auburn Hills Show Dates

Wednesday November 18: 7:30pm
Thursday November 19: 7:30pm
Friday November 20: 11:00am, 7:30pm
Saturday November 21: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Sunday November 22: 1:00pm, 5:00pm

***Get 4 tickets for $44 Monday-Friday matinee, or $4 off weekend tickets by entering the code “MOM” in the MC promotion code box on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Not valid on VIP Gold, VIP, and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Service charges and handling fees will apply.

Don’t forget to arrive early for the All Access Pre Show.   An hour before the show visit with the performers right in the main ring.

So come on Detroit it is time to join the circus!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the wonderful time my boys had at Disney on Ice (Read Here).  They are still talking about it.   Actually they keep saying that Mickey is coming to our house.   My youngest keeps pulling my cell phone out to check out our photo with Mickey and Minnie.   But they loved the show.   So We were quite excited to hear about Disney Live!  Rockin’ Road Show.

Hit the road with Mickey and your favorite Disney friends on a hilarious, one-of-a-kind talent search adventure in Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show!  Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy are setting the stage for fun and they need your help rounding up the coolest acts around. Along the way, hit a high note with Cinderella; get your bounce on with Tigger; and lend your loudest yee-haw to a hoedown with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story and Toy Story 2! It’s a live, fall-down-funny family getaway jam-packed with unexpected twists, turns and hijinks -right in your hometown.

Our hometown happens to be Detroit (well slightly outside of it).   There are two performances happening in Michigan.

For those of you near Lansing, sneak in an early performance before Trick or Treating.   If you want to avoid the excessive candy, this would make a safe and  great alternative to trick or treating.

October 31st – 12:30pm and 3:30pm at the Breslin Center, Lansing
Tickets available through the Breslin Center
Save $3 on each ticket by using the code: LIVE

The following day Mickey and the gang make their way to the Detroit area.   We’ll be there.

November 1st – 12:00pm and 3:00pm at the Palace of Auburn Hills
Tickets available through Ticketmaster
Save $3 on each ticket by using the code: LIVE