Tag Archives: family

Opening night recap: Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After

  By Amy | January 25, 2013 - 2:33 pm | ,
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My daughters and I and a few of our friends attended Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After on opening night at the Allstate Arena. Like other Disney On Ice shows, Rockin’ Ever After captivates its young audience and whisks them away into a magically icy fantasyland.

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Our group consisted of three adults, two first graders and a three year old. The older kids enjoyed the magical Disney show just as much as the preschooler. They giggled and sang along to the songs from their favorite princess movies. It’s hard not to smile when you hear their sweet voices singing along, or when you catch them gazing dreamily at the princesses sparkling gowns and graceful movements along the ice.

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In Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After, you’ll see Ariel the mermaid become human and fall in love. You’ll see Rapunzel on her journey to discover the world outside of her tower, see the floating lights, learn she’s the lost princess and finally, how she finds true love.

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Merida, the young, feisty princess from the movie Brave, makes her debut appearance in this show. You’ll see how wild and free she wishes to be only to discover in the end that she and her mother, the queen, have a lot more in common than she realized.

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Belle and the beast close out the show. This was my favorite part of the show. I loved the choreographed dances during this performance.

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Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After is in town for another couple of weeks. See it at the Allstate Arena and at the United Center. Click here for showtimes.

View more of my pictures from opening night here.

We most definitely got the sillies out

  By Amy | January 21, 2013 - 9:23 pm | , , , ,
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Last evening’s Yo Gabba Gabba Live show was so much fun. It was held at the Akoo Theatre in Rosemont.

The performance began with DJ Lance on the big screen, walking out like on the tv show. Soon after, he “magically” appeared on stage with the other Yo Gabba Gabba characters; Muno, Plex, Brobee, Foofa, and Todee.

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This is the best kind of show to bring your kids to, in my opinion. Kids are not expected to sit through the show, nor be quiet. A win-win for parents and kids alike. Everyone is just there to, well, get the sillies out.

If you’re familiar with the tv series, you know that there are Super Music Friends, generally a band or celebrity. This live tour’s Super Music Friend is the one and only, Mike Park of Fun Fun Records (family label) and Asian Man Records (punk music label). A real treat for those of us who have been a fan of his for the past decade or so. (Did I just age myself? Oh well.)

Mike Park & Yo Gabba Gabba's DJ Lance. Photo credit: Mike Park

Mike Park & Yo Gabba Gabba’s DJ Lance. Photo credit: Mike Park

Mike was joined on stage this weekend with friends Brendan Kelly (Slapstick, The Lawrence Arms), Rob Bell and Gerry Lundquist (MU330) and Rob Kellenberger (Slapstick). Their performance had everyone out of their seats, jumping and singing along. After a short intermission, the YGG crew came back out and performed hits such as; Party In My Tummy, Hold Still, and I Like Bugs; wherein, very large bugs came out and joined them on stage. And what is Yo Gabba Gabba without Biz’s Beat of the Day? The man himself, Biz Markie, was joined on stage by young members of the audience, who attempted to mimic his beat-boxing. Cute for sure.

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Here’s a two minute video I put together, highlighting some of last night’s performance:

After the show, we joined the cast at the after-party. We had the pleasure of seeing Mike Park’s performance up close and personal, as well as meet some of the cast. Here are some fan photos from Saturday’s party:

Edie, Julia & Biz (Photo credit: Andy Pishko)

Edie, Julia & Biz (Photo credit: Andy Pishko)

Brendan & his daughter with Brobee (Photo credit: Brendan Kelly)

Brendan & his daughter with Brobee (Photo credit: Brendan Kelly)

We were also pleasantly surprised to learn that Josh Caterer (Smoking Popes) was in the audience at last night’s show:

I highly recommend checking out Yo Gabba Gabba Live when it comes through your city. The rest of the current tour runs through March 24th and you can view the tour schedule here. Try to see it, it’s so much fun!

My photos from the Chicago performance can be viewed here.

Oh Snap! Yo Gabba Gabba is coming to town!

  By Amy | January 15, 2013 - 8:49 pm | , , ,
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Guess who’s in town this coming weekend? (I know, I know. You read the post title. Humor me.)
Yo Gabba Gabba Live is coming to Chicago this weekend!

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I fondly recall the days when the tv series was introduced. My oldest daughter, who is seven was just a toddler then. Amazing. Time is speedy, yes indeedy.

Oh! Guess what else!? Our buddy, MIKE PARK, of Fun Fun Records is the Super Music Friend on the ENTIRE live tour! Wooo! How stoked are we!? (I’ll answer that…so stoked!)

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Can you make it out to one of the shows this weekend? There are FOUR total. Saturday, the 19th 2 & 5 pm and Sunday, the 20th 2 & 5 pm. Click here to buy tickets for these shows.

There’s more tour where that came from. You can find all of the Yo Gabba Gabba Live tour dates here. They’re moving on east after the Milwaukee show on the 21st.

So, we’re all excited. We are going to the show this weekend. If you go, stop us and say “hi” if you see us. Can’t wait!

Here are some additional details about the Yo Gabba Gabba live tour:

The sillies are crazy little creatures that live inside of us and need to be shaken out! DJ Lance Rock and everyone’s favorite cast of colorful characters are calling all fans in Chicagoland to get ready to jump, shake and shimmy them out at the new live tour Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out!. Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get The Sillies Out! tour will visit more than 50 cities across the U.S. in 2013. Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! is touring in support of their first national beverage launch, a new line of toys, a new line of kids sportswear and a DVD/ CD collectors’ edition.

Tickets start at $23.00. VIP Party packages are available as well which include a ticket in the first 15 Rows, a pass to “Get the Sillies Out” in the private VIP room featuring a super fun party with the Gabba Gang (costumed characters) and more. Children under 1 year old do not require a paid ticket to sit on a parent’s lap.

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Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! marks the third tour for the successful Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! concert series. The first tour, Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: There’s a Party in My City!, launched with a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and a performance at the White House in 2010. Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! 2010 tour played to sold out venues in 60 cities. Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: It’s Time to Dance! enjoyed repeat success in 2011, energizing audiences across North America at over 120 shows.

*Complimentary tickets are being given to us for the show and we couldn’t be more grateful!

Disney on Ice – Rockin’ Ever After is coming to Chicago!

  By Amy | January 15, 2013 - 5:26 pm | , ,
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It’s almost here! Next week, Disney on Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After hits the Allstate Arena and the United Center.

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Here’s a bit of info about the show:

Jam to a Scottish jig as a group of royal contenders from the latest Disney•Pixar film, Brave, competes to win the heart of headstrong, sharp-shooting Merida, making her ice debut! Experience a show-stopping performance as Sebastian breaks out of his shell for one night only to make waves with Ariel. A chorus of harmless hooligans from Tangled unleashes musical mayhem when they get a visit from the sassy and spirited Rapunzel and her charming ally Flynn. And, get your feet moving as the Beast and his castle’s enchanted entourage take center stage in a spectacular show for Belle.

Opening night tickets on Weds., Jan. 23 at 7 pm at Allstate Arena and Weds., Jan. 30 at 7 pm at United Center are just $12!

The shows on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 7 pm and Sunday, Feb. 3. at 3 pm are specialty Spanish performances.

We’re giving away tickets to one of the performances! Here is the form to submit your entry. Entry deadline is January 16th at 3pm.

You can also purchase tickets by clicking here.

**Save 40% on all weekday shows and Save 20% on all weekend shows.**
Promo Code MOM

Here’s a sneak peek of the show!

Disclaimers: Weekday is defined as any show Monday through Thursday or Friday matinee, not including holidays such as the day after Thanksgiving. Discount does not apply to Circus Celebrity, Front Row, or VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply.

The Chicago Toy and Game Fair

  By Amy | November 19, 2012 - 2:55 pm | ,
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On Saturday, my family and I went to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, aka, “ChiTaG”.  We were invited to the Media and Blogger Preview Event, a nice intro to the fair for members of the media and blogging communities.

During the breakfast, we listened to speakers Kevin Harrington (As Seen on TV Inc); Sponsor, Bananagrams; and TAGIE’s 2011 Young Inventor of the Year award winner, Greyson MacLean (creator of BrickStix).

Afterwards, we ventured over to the fair for lots of toy and game action.

We were greeted by none other than R2D2 himself.

There were so many booths to visit. We hopped around to this one and that.  My kids were thrilled to see so many toys, games and other kids running around enjoying themselves.  We hit up the Pony Royale booth, of course.  Teagan (age 3) especially took an interest in the ponies with the interchangeable manes and tails.

We were then mesmerized by Ben’s Bubble Show.

We visited so many other fun exhibitors, such as, Ogosport, Moshi Monsters, NumbersAlive!, Zeenie Dollz, etc.  See more of my pictures from the event HERE.  We really loved visiting the YIC (Young Inventor Challenge) section of the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.  We met some kids between the ages of six and twelve who just blew us away with their creative imaginations.

So glad we were able to make it this year! I definitely came away with some great gift-giving ideas for the kids and I’m already looking forward to the 2013 ChiTaG fair!

*I was given a weekend pass to ChiTaG. All of the opinions expressed above are my own.

ChiTag – This weekend! (November 17th and 18th)

  By Amy | November 15, 2012 - 8:49 pm | , ,
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It’s that time of year again…ChiTag!  I missed it last year and actually canceled my dentist appointment to make sure I could be there this year.  Priorities, people!

Here is a sneak peek of all the fun there is to be had at ChiTag:

- Giant-sized games such as: Bananagrams, Perplexus, Doggie Doo, Word on the Street, Pajaggle, and more
- Settlers of Catan North American Catan Championship
- Meet the Moshi Monsters
- Autographs from renowned toy and game inventors
- Free contests and game tournaments
- Speed Stacks sport stacking demonstrations and tournaments

For more details about the action-packed weekend, head over to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair website.  Hope to see you there!

Summer turning into Fall

  By Amy | August 15, 2012 - 2:43 pm | , ,
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It’s been a busy summer.  We started the season off with a Kindergarten graduation and then swim lessons and then hand, foot and mouth disease.  Yeah, the entire family had it.  It sucked.  Wash your hands really good, all of the time.  Don’t get it, just sayin’.

On to more pleasant things.  It was really cool to watch my soon-to-be first grader learn how to swim.  I watched her confidence level rise and she was going under water and swimming within a week and a half.  I watched my 3 year old get acclimated to the water and follow her instructor’s instructions.  Definitely some proud moments there.  Did your kids take swimming lessons this summer?

We did so many fun things in the month of July.  We went to our annual fireworks display in downtown Naperville and also went to Lisle’s Eyes to the Skies festival.  I have been wanting to go to that festival for so long! Glad we finally did.  The girls were amazed at the sight of the colorful hot air balloons (as was I).

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We then celebrated birthday number three!  We had a Jake and the Never Land Pirates themed birthday for the youngest.  She loves that Disney Junior show.  I made her this Scully birthday cake:

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She loved it.  I bought the Jake and the Never Land Pirates figurines at Toys-R-Us.  I downloaded and printed all of the Jake printables from the Disney site.  The party was a hoot.  We played pin the swords on Jake and the kids searched for treasures around the house.

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Let’s see…we also tried to beat the heat as best as we could.  We spent time in big pools, baby pools and splashing around at the Crown Fountain in Chicago.

We had some ridiculously hot days this summer.  We were treated to a movie premiere for a new G-rated movie that is coming to theaters in a  couple of weeks.  It’s called The Oogieloves in The BIG Balloon Adventure.  Can’t say any more about it just yet but I will soon!  It comes to theaters Oogust 29th.

(Pictured: Hailey and Corrine, Tracey Just Another Mommy Blog‘s daughter)

So, gosh, July really was super action-packed.  Let’s see…what else.  Oh! There was BBSUMMIT12 right here in Chicago and my nephew’s first birthday and Wicker Park Fest.

Gotta stop here.  I’ll update the site with more good stuff soon!