Review: Ice Cream Zhu Zhu Pets

Did you know that Ronald Reagan declared July "National Ice Cream Month" back in 1984?  I confess that I love ice cream and so does my family!  The kids were excited when these adorable new Zhu Zhu pets landed on our doorstep, thanks to Cepia and Mom Select.  Not only were the new pets adorable with their bright colors and patterns, but the ice cream shop was precious!  My favorite was the ice cream truck, complete with a hat for the Zhu Zhu driver. 

(Secret time:  When my boys were little, I always told them the ice cream truck was a "music truck" and said how wonderful it was that they drove around sharing music in the evenings.  In my defense, the ice cream trucks that drive in our area are not as cute as the Zhu Zhu one, nor as normal-looking as the ones I remember from childhood.  It's an old, beat up van that looks pretty creepy.)

All the kids had fun playing with this new set, and Lydia had a few preschool friends over one afternoon to try them out as well.  They all declare them cute and fun.  They had the fun a while back, but my kidney problems delayed the review.  Here's Lydia's video review:



You can find them at all major retailers, including Amazon. They would make a great gift for a summer birthday child, or for anyone who loves ice cream!


Disclosure: I received the ice cream set and Zhu Zhu pets from Mom Select and Cepia to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.

Conferences

I am currently in Texas with Nate attending a stuttering conference. I didn't bring a laptop, thinking I could blog on my phone and iPad, but I'm not so sure about my klutzy fingers.

I have lots to say not only about the conference ( well it just started an hour ago but I'm sure I'll have lots to say) but also about traveling and spending time with just one child vs 3.

I'm missing my other 2 kids though and also my hubby. The best news though is that I am feeling so much better so we can fully embrace this trip.



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Stuttering Article in Raising Arizona Kids

In April, an article I wrote about local stuttering support groups was published in a local parenting magazine.  Since Nate & I are leaving in a few days for the National Stuttering Association Annual Conference, I thought it would be a good time to share the link to the article -- The Kid's Speech.  

This morning, I woke and am finally feeling like myself again.  For the first time since early May.  I was committed to our trip to Texas no matter how I felt, but I will admit that I am grateful that I am finally feeling better.  I expect things to be back to normal shortly! 

I'll be blogging about our trip and the conference, so keep reading!

Tell Me Thursday - Milestone

The picture yesterday was a milestone because it was my first time out driving, running errands, in a while. I survived 3 errands and came home exhausted, but I did it!! Recovery is finally in my sights.



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Wordless Wednesday - Milestone

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Tell Me Thursday - Back Again

Today I'm headed back to the hospital for removal of both kidney stents, laser lithotripsy on my left kidney, and a new stent in my left kidney.  Hopefully when I head back home, the huge stone that has been blocking that kidney for who knows how long will be gone!  The laser treatment has to be done under general anesthesia, but thankfully it's considered outpatient so I should be home tonight.

Expectation is a few days of recovery, then I am hoping against hope that the stent in my kidney will be removed next week, so that I have a few days to recover from that and I will be ready for the trip to Texas that Nate & I have been planning for months.  Well, no matter what I'm going on that trip, but I don't want to be in the pain that I've been in the last month from those stupid stents while we're there.

I am so ready to put this behind me and get back to some sort of normal life again!  It's been a LONG month.

Review: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Okay.  I know I wrote a post earlier today that said I probably wouldn't get to a review just yet.  But, I have the pictures and I'm up waiting for a painkiller to kick in so I can get some sleep, so I decided it would be nice to cross this off my to-do list!  I almost sent my family without me because I was feeling awful, but at the last minute I decided that I didn't want to miss the circus.  I'm glad I went!

The show was exciting and colorful and fun!  One thing that is really neat about this circus is the pre-show.  An hour before the circus is scheduled to begin, the audience can head down to the floor and interact with the performers.  There are clowns performing, dancers, animals and more -- and you can get an up-close experience!  Sometimes you can even be pulled into the act and learn a trick or a move from the performers.  In the past, the boys have gone down, but this year they stayed in their seats while Lydia and Bo headed down to the floor.

The show did not disappoint.  Both boys said their favorite part was the guy that was set on fire, then shot across the arena from a huge crossbow.  Really -- that happened!  It was pretty amazing!

My husband loved the elephants and tigers.  My favorite was the ribbon dancers (that danced in the air, since the ribbons were suspended from the ceiling -- magical!)  Lydia liked the clowns again, but was disappointed not to see her green-haired favorite.  She also liked the horses.

The show is non-stop action.  Even though the stage has to be re-set for each act, the clowns entertain the audience while the new props are set up so you don't even realize what's going on in the background. It's a nice mix of amazing human acts interspersed with some animal acts.  The skill and athleticism of the performers is fantastic! 

The show itself lasts 2.5 hours, but if you go for the pre-show (which is included with your ticket) that's 3.5 hours of solid entertainment.  Definitely a great value!  (And don't forget -- if you want to go to the show in Phoenix this week, use the promo code ELEPHANT on Ticketmaster.com to purchase 4 tickets for $44)

If you haven't been to a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show, I highly recommend going.  And even if you went last summer, be assured it's a completely new show!  This is our 3rd year going to the circus, and it's been a ton of fun each year.

More pictures after the cut . . .

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The Circus is in Phoenix!

Tonight we are going to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's FULLY CHARGED show.  I have debated about sending my family without me, but have decided that I don't want to miss it and I'll just deal with the pain so that I can see the show!

Tomorrow morning, I'm going into the hospital, so while I usually do a review post after we see a show, I realize that I may not have the chance later tonight.  Because I know it's bound to be a fabulous show, I wanted to share the discount code one last time with my local readers in case they are looking for something to do this weekend!

You can purchase 4 tickets for only $44 by using the special code ELEPHANT at Ticketmaster.com.   This special is good at ALL shows, but excludes Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP seats.  The circus is in town tonight through June 28, 2011!

And congrats to my circus ticket giveaway winner -- Sheila & her family!  I hope they have a good time tonight!

Hopefully I'll feel up to adding pictures tonight, but if not tonight I will post some when I'm feeling better!  Lydia is still hoping for her green-haired clown!!


*Disclosure: I received tickets for my family & for my giveaway from Feld Entertainment.  No additional compensation was provided, and all opinions are my own.*

Wordless Wednesday - Back Again

Video Ridemakerz Review

A couple days ago I posted a review of Ridemakerz!  The kids wanted to do a video review as well, so here it is!  Don't forget their Father's Day Promotion -- Buy one custom car & get another for free!  This promotion is good this weekend, July 18 & 19, 2011 at all their stores.




*Disclosure: I was invited to visit the shop and my children customized their cars, thanks to the generosity of Ridemakerz, in order to facilitate this review.  Many thanks to Ridemakerz for giving us the opportunity to visit and play!*