Barefoot Books- review and contest for you!

March 12, 2011 by 137 Comments

I love books- can you tell?   🙂
And I truly, truly wish I had found this company much earlier then now.  Have you ever heard of Barefoot Books?  If you haven’t- I’m going to tell you all about them right now!  (And if you have, but have never purchased a book from them- I hope you will pick one up soon!)

Barefoot Books is an independent publishing company that devotes itself to cultural and environmental education and awareness.  Started by two moms (Yay for Mom-Based-Businesses!) who wanted their kids to grow up reading books that let them explore, imagine, ad learn while becoming respectful of the planet and the diversity the world has to offer.  Barefoot Books has writers and storytellers from all over the world that write these books to help shape our children into global citizens who care about the planet and people around them.  (Um hello- where was I?  Under a rock?  How could I not have, like, the entire collection by now?  These are perfect for not only my kids, but my classroom!)

These books have led to such great conversations, and even into lesson plans.  While reading “We’re Riding on a Caravan“, the kids learned about ancient travel and how things were transported from one place to another before modern conveniences.  We added geography, map skills, and a little history lesson about Central Asia and China, and where silk came from.  We talked about China and emperors, and worked this into our “Chinese New Year” theme.  Bringing out some Chinese character stamps for the animals representing one’s birth year, a map of ancient China, and paintbrushes and ink to make our own characters- we had lots of Chinese activity and lessons that week.  We even played a game that is a re-creation of one from ancient China.  We also discussed some of the countries surrounding China and that the caravan traveled through.   We built a tiny “yurt”, talked about warrior horsemen, and of course, play-dough “terra cotta soldiers”.
That was all from ONE BOOK!  We built a week of fun and activities out of that one book.  By the way, these books are BEAUTIFUL!  You will love them- the artwork is lovely.   AND???  They care, a company that cares!  Second YAY!  🙂  They plant a tree for every book purchased, and they are going green with their publishing! 

An Adventure on the Silk Road

Join the caravan for an exciting yearlong trek along China’s ancient Silk Road. Following the rhyming, treasure-filled story are informational endnotes about the history of the Silk Road, the story of silk, important cities of China, and a full-spread map.
Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Laurie Krebs
Illustrated By: Helen Cann

We also received Kangaroos Have Joeys .  The book is again, just beautiful, and Little Man loves that he can “read” it to me.  (Really, with me, LOL.)  It is a sturdy board book, and it teaches children the names of baby animals.  

Learn the names of twenty-four animals and their babies in this simple rhyming text. Notes at the end enhance the experience, with facts about the habitats of each of the featured animals.
Ages 2 to 6 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Philippa-Alys Browne

I highly, highly recommend Barefoot Books.   
You can purchase your own selection HERE.  
You can also enter to win below.  Here is how to enter!


Here is how to enter-

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  

Please visit Barefoot Books and tell me your favorite book or what you like about Barefoot Books  🙂

 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

– Sign up for Barefoot Books newsletter HERE

– Become a “fan” of Barefoot Books on FaceBook.   I’d love you to tell them Have Sippy Will Travel sent you- never required, always appreciated!

– Follow Barefoot Books on Twitter and tweet about this contest
#Win  Barefoot Books- review and contest for you! http://t.co/1pVkWPC  @HaveSippy  #Kids #Books 

-“Like” me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Sippy-Will-Travel/118293111555385 

+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription
+3 entries

– Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win  Barefoot Books- review and contest for you! http://t.co/1pVkWPC  @HaveSippy  #Kids #Books 

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please)

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– enter the Heirloom Wooden  Toys Contest HERE

– comment on a non-giveaway post

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck!

DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends April 2,  2011.  

Filed Under: book review, giveaway, kids

Ny Toy Fair- a few more fun toys!

March 12, 2011 by 12 Comments

So, I wanted to give another little bit of info about some of the toys I saw at NY Toy Fair, and a bit about what it is, just in case you didn’t know.  There were so many toys to talk about- you may be hearing about them for awhile, LOL.  
NY Toy Fair- the world’s largest Toy show!  If it’s new, if it’s hot, it’s at Toy Fair.  Every toy company from Mattel to the unknown board game inventor is there, trying to show off their newest and latest.  And you can bet that if you have heard of it- it made it’s debut at a NY Toy Fair.  So many of our favorite toys made their first public appearance here.  Most companies are very, very secretive about their new products, and won’t give a thing away about them until after the fair is over.  The TOTY awards, (short for Toy Of The Year awards) a coveted prize that is the Oscar of the toy industry, are handed out during NY Toy Fair, as well. 
It was really exciting to get the first glimpses of what are going to be the newest and hottest toys for 2011.  There were some that seemed to stand out- these are a few of them.

Hasbro, has many new and interesting toys out for 2011.  One of my personal favorites is from their “FurReal” line, “Cookie”.   Cookie is an interactive dog,  who can follow your hand as you pet her- very life like. You can interact with Cookie through her toys as well, and she will follow them with her eyes and her movements.  I can’t imagine the little girl who wouldn’t be thrilled to have her own “Cookie”. 

Have you ever heard of PetCakes?  If not, then let me introduce you!  Petcakes, made by Well Made Toy, are incredibly cute stuffed puppies that you just want to eat right up.  What’s better then a cupcake?  Or cuter then a puppy?  The answer to both of those questions is- PetCakes!  These little dogs are just too sweet for words!  They sit in their brightly colored cupcake wrappers, complete with icing hats and a cherry on top.  The original set of 4 was available during 2010, but now Well Made Toy is releasing Series Two- complete with a bear, raccoon, squirrel, and a panda.  Soon to come as well are plush minis (think Calico Critters), slippers, Sleeping bags, backpacks- a whole line of scrumptious PetCakes.

Moshi Monsters, by Spin Masters– I think these guys are going to invade all our homes shortly.  They are part of what seems to be a trend of “mini” (tiny cute erasers in various brands, Squinkies, Zoobles, etc) toys that are going to be a force of their own in 2011.  As were “Silly Bandz” and all their varieties in 2010, so will be the “mini toy” in 2011.  
They come in several sizes, which is great for the younger kids who want to play with their older siblings.  The larger ones are also plush.  The imaginative-play possibilities are endless, especially when you figure in the various sizes. The tiny toys are here to stay- but that’s OK with me!  These guys are seriously fun.

ZhuZhu pets- we all remember that Holiday craze!  But ZhuZhu has had staying power, and now they are expanding and creating a more interesting line of toys that kids of all ages can enjoy.  ZhuZhu Pets has recently released Puppies!  The same size as your ZhuZhu hampster, these puppies will do similar motions, but make “dog noises”. 
There are also small “babies” that come in so many varieties it may make your head spin.  These are some well accessorized babies, as well- they have strollers, towels, outfits, toys, bottles- everything a real baby has!  They are set up to interact with the bigger ZhuZhu Pets, and in any interactive playset.

I can’t see a toy list as being complete without adding the new Chuggington line from the Learning Curve.  What little boy doesn’t love trains?  Most boys go through a train phase, and many girls as well.  The new Chuggingtion line will certainly fit the bill for any child who loves trains, or is a fan of the show.  The new interactive line reinforces the social and education lessons that are part of the show, such as cooperation, trying your best, and being nice to friends.  These toys can recognize and interact with each other as well as with train stops.  This makes for a great playtime experience. 

These may not be new this year, but they are a fabulous item that no parent who spends significant time in the car should be without.  You know how much I love them- Travel Buddies, made by Noodle Head.  They are inexpensive, easy to maintain, and are fantastic for road trips, going to grandma’s, or for any child who is often in the car.  Comfy, cute, and available in many varieties, this is one of my favorite products of all time.  Just leave it in the car so it is always ready for your little one! 

With so many new toys on the market, it can be overwhelming to parents. These “Super Six” look promising, and stood out for me among the thousands of toys that were at NY Toy Fair this year.  There are a few more I still want to tell you about- so be prepared for one more post!  🙂 
(I hope you like these as much as I did- I know they are not all super “flashy”- but I think they are all things that kids will genuinely love, and enjoy playing with for a long time.  Also, I didn’t choose any expensive items that would “break the bank”- I know how tight money is for us mommies!  Just really fun and fantastic toys that I truly think your kids will enjoy.) 
Peace, Love, and Happy browsing! 

Filed Under: kids, review

Olive Kids Bedding

March 12, 2011 by 11 Comments

Olive Kids has some adorable bedding selections.  They have some of the cutest options available, regardless of your child’s preferences, age, bed size, or gender. 
As you may know, we are doing Little Man’s new “Big Boy” room in his choice- Wild Animals!  And of course, Olive Kids had the perfect bedding- it is even named for his new room- “Wild Animals“, LOL.  It comes in various sizes, including toddler bedding, which is what we received. 

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Your kids room is a jungle, but our Wild Animals kids bedding will tame your savage beast. It’s a bedroom safari full of fun with colorful animals your children will love. The Wild Animals comforter even has a sewn on pocket to hold supplies! Kids bedding at its best!

Little Man just loves it.  It is perfect for the room!  The bedding fits just right on his new toddler size Safari Bed from Heirloom Wooden Toys, and it looks fantastic.  I love the contrasting colors, and how beautifully they go together to make a lovely set, fit for your sweet child who is growing up (sigh!) or, if you are already in a Big Kid Bed- fear not!  They have bigger sizes, as well!  Most of the sets come in Twin, Full, Queen, and Toddler sizes.  And you can get as much (whole set) or as little (for example- just a pillowcase) as you want. 

Olive Kids designs kids bedding, boys bedding, bedding for girls, toddler bedding, kids bed sheets and gifts. Our kids bedding, personalized kids gifts, kids placemats, wall borders, kids clocks, kids rugs, kids bedroom wall art and growth charts are designed to create a fun, affordable and creative bedroom for kids. Along with our great kids bedding, we offer a wonderful collection of personalized gifts for kids including Meal Time Plate Sets and Personalized floor pillows!

You can “Like” Olive Kids on FaceBook, and follow them on Twitter!  Don’t forget to sign up for all the latest news via their newsletter on their main page  🙂 

Filed Under: kids, review

Dinosaur Train Contest!

March 12, 2011 by 126 Comments

IT’S NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH!  DINOSAUR TRAIN CELEBRATES
WITH NUTRITIOUS ACTIVITIES AND A DINOSAUR TRAIN WORLD TOUR DVD GIVEAWAY!


March is National Nutrition Month®, a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year’s National Nutrition Month theme, “Eat right with Color,” encourages everyone to remember to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day.

A healthy diet is important to us all, just as it was to Dinosaurs many years ago.  With the month of March focusing on nutrition, it’s  the perfect  time to look at some great ideas and resources provided by The American Dietetic Association to eat a healthy diet!    And, we invite you to to teach your child how to prepare a vegetarian (herbivore) picnic filled with great food and fun by visiting Dinosaur Train on the PBS parent’s site: http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html>

To help parents, the American Dietetic Association provides many resources available at www.eatright.org/nnm .  They even have a downloadable PDF (http://www.eatright.org/NNM/content.aspx?id=11421 content.aspx?id=11421> ) listing 25 healthy snacks for kids, including these five great ideas:

1. Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.
2. Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins. Enjoy your “ants on a log.”
3. Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.
4. Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.
5. Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy
sandwich.

Next, Buddy can help you and your child prepare a vegetarian (herbivore) picnic. The Have A Brachiosaurus Picnic activity (http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html> ) helps young children to learn what foods fit into an herbivore’s diet (fruits and vegetables); reminds children about the importance of hand washing before eating; and also creates an opportunity to discuss why all animals need to eliminate waste from their bodies (a.k.a. “poop”).

The downloadable PDF file, available at http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/pdfs/picnic.pdf dinosaurtrain/activities/pdfs/picnic.pdf> , provides the ingredients to prepare Brachiosaurus Picnic, with fun food items on the menu, including:

o  Brachiosaurus Super Salad: The kids will have fun tearing up green leafy veggies into bite-size pieces and mixing ranch dressing with green coloring to make a tasty topping.
o  Sauropod Sandwich: With a plastic knife, cut pieces of whole wheat bread in the shape of a favorite dinosaur and spread with cheese spread or peanut butter.
o  Herbivore Herb and Spinach Spread: Mix frozen spinach, dried onion soup mix, sour cream, celery sticks and crackers
o  Green Juice – fill a child’s plastic cup with apple juice and add green food color to make a green beverage fit for an herbivore.

And as we all know, digestion is a very important part of keeping healthy for both humans…and dinosaurs back in the day! Click thttp://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/videos/video-dinosaurpoop-song.htmlto watch the video clip of the song “Every Dinosaur Poops” and talk about why every animal needs to go, and what would happen if the animal didn’t poop out the parts of the food its body didn’t need.

Another fun way to explore “poop” is with Uncle Milton’s new Dinosaur Train Dino Poop Kit, just one of a range of new science themed toys geared to make science more interesting, engaging and accessible for children. With the Dino Poop kit, kids can discover what the dinosaur had for lunch!  Did he have fish or did he eat a plant?  Once kids find pieces of what he ate, they can put them together to create their own fossil imprint to figure it out!  It’s OK parents, it’s not real poop…it’s soft, pliable dino dough!  Available at Toys”R”Us (SRP: $7.99, ages 4+)

The hit television series Dinosaur Train® airs daily on PBS KIDS® (check local listings).

We would appreciate your promoting the following sites in conjunction with this promotion.
Dinosaur Train on PBS: http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/ dinosaurtrain/>
The Jim Henson Company: www.henson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hensonparents hensonparents>
http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html>

In addition to the television series, there is also a DINOSAUR TRAIN interactive website at PBSKIDS.org/dinosaurtrain. Buddy, Tiny and Mr. Conductor guide children as they discover natural history and the science of paleontology through fun games and activities.  For information on the DINOSAUR TRAIN geocache program—a fast growing adventure game that inspires families to get out and discover treasures together go to www.geocaching.com/dinosaurtrain dinosaurtrain dinosaurtrain> dinosaurtrain >  


One of you will win the new DINOSAUR TRAIN: PTERANODON FAMILY WORLD TOUR ADVENTURE  DVD, which will be released on March 15 from Paramount Home Entertainment and PBS Kids.  

Here is how to enter-

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  

 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

– Become a “fan” of Dinosaur Train/Jim Henson on FaceBook.   I’d love you to tell them Have Sippy Will Travel sent you- never required, always appreciated!

+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription
+3 entries

– Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest

#Win Dinosaur Train Contest! http://t.co/YDAEGy4 @HaveSippy


Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries


– Stumble this post


– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)


 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it


– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”


– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please)


-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me


– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)


– enter another one of my giveaways


– comment on a non-giveaway post


OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck!


DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends  April 2,  2011.  

Filed Under: education, giveaway, health, kids

Clean and Healthy Tips for a Germ-Free Nursery- Guest Post

March 10, 2011 by 2 Comments

Clean and Healthy Tips for a Germ-Free Nursery
By Germ Expert Dr. Benjamin Tanner

Maintaining a clean and healthy nursery for your little one can seem like a never ending task. A recent Playtex
survey revealed that having a clean and healthy nursery environment is a key priority for 65% of moms,
underscoring the importance of keeping this special room as sanitary as possible. Germ expert Dr. Benjamin
Tanner offers five simple and easy tips to help parents do just that.

Learn the ABCs of disinfectants vs. cleaners: Cleaners remove soils, but may still spread germs around, while
disinfectants kill germs when used correctly. To use a disinfectant correctly in a nursery, remove your baby from
the spray or wipe zone and apply the product liberally. After the label-specified time elapses, wipe off the surface
with a wet cloth to get rid of any residual chemicals so your baby’s delicate skin doesn’t touch these chemicals. It’s
also wise to disinfect hard floors and vacuum carpets routinely to keep germ levels low.

Know the nursery hot spots: Germ “hot spots” in the nursery are the areas that come in contact with waste in
diapers and other body fluids, directly or indirectly. Areas where most bacteria typically gather include the floor,
changing table, toys and toy chest, and laundry hamper – these spots should be disinfected at least once a day to
kill these bacteria. Make sure to focus on these key areas more than others when disinfecting in the nursery, and
use a proper disinfectant, not just a cleaner.

Eliminate germs and messes during change time: The changing table is one of the key hot spots, and the place
where diaper messes and germs are transferred from the diaper to baby’s skin. Establish a quick, mess-free diaper
changing routine to help keep these germs at bay, keeping supplies handy and close by in a dedicated changing
area. Get rid of diapers in a hygienic fashion that keeps germs sealed away – the Diaper Genie II Elite® Pail seals
odor into the pail and out of your nursery unlike an ordinary trash can. Diapers only touch the disposable film, not
the pail, so there is one less thing to clean. It also offers a convenient foot pedal, allowing you to hold your child
and dispose of a diaper at the same time, and has Antimicrobial Protection built into the plastic to inhibit odor-
causing bacteria.

Keep it clean after a change: Keep soap and warm water, or where not available, antibacterial hand wipes nearby
to use after changing your baby. This will help stop the spread of germs within the nursery. And place a special,
separate hamper inside the nursery to use specifically for heavily soiled baby laundry, which will help prevent
bacteria on this laundry from spreading. Studies have shown that laundry, especially if it has come in contact with
bodily fluids, can harbor great quantities of bacteria and even spread them to clean clothes through normal
washing cycles.

Be mindful of germs when sickness creeps in: Take special precautions within the nursery when you or the baby is
sick to prevent spread of illness to other children and throughout the rest of the nursery. Disinfect nursery hot
spots even more frequently than normal, including the floor, changing table and laundry hamper, and cover all
coughs and sneezes and wash hands before contact with baby and when entering the nursery.

Filed Under: health, kids

SpellQuizzer

March 10, 2011 by 6 Comments

 

I recently had the tried out a new piece of spelling software to help parents teach their kids vocabulary words.  This program works in an innovative way.  Instead of a cold program drilling words into your children,  you get to personalize it with your own voice.  This could be good for homeschooling. 
This program was created by a father of two, who saw a need to practice weekly spelling words.  After seeing how much this program helped his children improve, he decided to share this spelling program with the world.

The way the SpellQuizzer works is you give it a list of words, as well as how the words are pronounced in your own voice along with a sentence using the word.  This help the child learn by example as well as keep that personal touch in there for them.   I feel this program could be a big help for parents who just dont have the time to drill through words over and over again.  Especially those of us who are working parents with kids who are having problems with spelling words, and those of you who homeschool.  There is also a quiz segment where the child is quizzed on the list then told the correct way to spell any words missed, as well as a chance to retry the quiz.

I feel this program would work best a supplement to another vocabulary program already in place, be it home school or public school.  SpellQuizzer was not designed with any one spelling curriculum in mind.  It should compliment virtually any spelling curriculum since you create your own custom spelling lists.  If you are a homeschooler, here is a link that may be helpful for you-  http://www.spellquizzer.com/Spelling-Software-For-Homeschoolers.htm.

You can see how it works by clicking HERE to see demonstration videos.
Here are some places for additional information on SpellQuizzer-

– Free downloadable spelling lists (http://www.SpellQuizzer.com/Spelling-Lists.htm)
– Video demonstrations of SpellQuizzer (http://www.spellquizzer.com/SpellQuizzer-Demo.htm)
– Spelling software for homeschoolers (http://www.spellquizzer.com/Spelling-Software-For-Homeschoolers.htm)
– SpellQuizzer community site (http://www.SpellQuizzer.com/Community)


I received this product to test out for free from MamaBuzz.

Filed Under: education, electronics, kids, review

Hasbro Game Night- and free Pizza!

March 10, 2011 by 2 Comments

 To help ensure that FAMILY GAME NIGHT is fun and carefree, Hasbro and TOMBSTONE® Pizza are teaming up this month to give you FREE (up to $7.01) TOMBSTONE Pizza with the purchase of a new game. For a limited time, pick up ANY Hasbro game at your local retailer, then visit the “Special Offer” tab at FamilyGameNight.com to download a mail in offer form to receive a coupon for a FREE (up to $7.01) TOMBSTONE Pizza. Whether you choose MONOPOLY or SCRABBLE, Original or Garlic Bread, head to your local retailer before this offer ends on April 30. Visit us at FamilyGameNight.com or on Facebook for more information and full offer details.

Purchase any Hasbro game 2/25/2011 through 4/30/2011. See PDF Offer Form at FamilyGameNight.com for complete details. Tombstone Pizza Coupon will be mailed 60 days following receipt of completed redemption form. Offer ends 4/30/2011. Limit five (5) coupons per household. Age 18+. US only. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. ©2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. TOMBSTONE® is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey,  Switzerland.      

Filed Under: family, kids

Ringling Brothers- do you have your tickets yet?

March 7, 2011 by 6 Comments

Wednesday we saw the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus– you know, the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!!  Lol. 
We got there a little early, so we were able to see the “pre-show” down on the floor.  There were clowns and performers all around, doing various acts and tricks.  Asia the Elephant even came on to paint a picture, which was given away to a lucky circus-goer.
That’s right, an elephant who paints.  It was super cute!  My kids loved it.
Kamikaze got to try on a circus outfit and take her picture with one of the performers (Little Man, of course, refused- what can you do?  Three year olds, LOL).

When the show started, it was like the finale was the introduction, it was such a spectacular. It was so huge, and so over-the-top, that it could have easily been the grand finale.  But nope- it was just the opener!  (My favorite, was they had these “tin soldier” type people who were on a sort of “bouncy stilts”- they were just bouncing around, marching in place- and man they must have fabulously toned legs, haha.  They could sell those things as exercise equipment!)  They also had exotic bird puppets that flew through the air, those were really fantastic.  Then it went dark, and they had a light show.  My kids were in a trance! The theme this year was “Fully Charged”- and it definitely was.  (By the way, Little Man has been singing the “Fully Charged” song singe we got home, LOL- his own version, of course!)

Of course, there were fantastic acrobats, tightrope walkers who did gravity-defying tricks, and lets not forget the animals!  The trainers and the animals were Little Man’s favorites.  They had horses in two rings, while zebras preformed in the third. I don’t know why, but I am always amazed by the zebras.  As the elephant is the “mascot” of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, there were elephants galore.  Even though they are so massive, they are always so majestic and graceful, and I love to see them.

Oh, and the clowns.  No trip to the circus would be complete without them!  Our favorites, and the “featured clowns” were “Stas and Vas”- who were both very talented and very funny.  They totally complimented each other, and we laughed as much as the kids did.
If you don’t have your tickets yet- you need to seriously consider it.  It’s not called the “Greatest Show on Earth” for nothing, after all!
Happy Family Time!

(You can visit them on Facebook HERE as well!)

Filed Under: kids, review