Saturday, March 22, 2014

Atlanta Baby and Child Expo Returns to the Fox!


Atlanta's party for expectants, new parents, grandparents and their family and friends, Atlanta Baby and Child Expo is considered THE premier event for expecting and new parents in the Southeast. Bringing in the ultimate in parenting and baby products and professionals, it’s an elite experience in an intimate setting. Geared to be informative and fun, not overwhelming!  

This event features a Maternity Fashion Show, Red Carpet Photos of attendees as they enter, awesome baby gear to buy and try, thousands of dollars in giveaways and so much more! With companies like Graco, Babies R Us, and PediPed in attendance this is definitely the kind of event you can't afford to miss!

When: April 26th, 11am-2:30pm (VIP ticket holders get early entry,
starting at 10:30am)
Where: Fox Theatre Ballrooms, 660 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Tickets: http://www.atlantababyandchildexpo.com/ OR enter to win two tickets using the form below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


*I was provided tickets to attend this year's Expo in exchange for promotion. If you plan on attending, let me know! I'd love to say hi!


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Medieval Times Atlanta Hosts Knight Training for Spring Break! (Enter to Win!)

Its almost here! Spring break is just around the corner and families all over Georgia are looking for fun things to do to keep the kids occupied. Medieval Times is one of our all time favorite places to visit in Atlanta and they have a super exciting event coming up! With all the amazing food, showmanship, and of course competition, what is not to love? I know at least two little boys that could not be more excited!



This Spring Break, bring your kids to train to become Knights of the Realm at Medieval Times. Children will enjoy watching an exclusive weapons demonstration by our Knights and the Weapons Master. They will learn about the grueling training it takes to become a Knight. Upon completion of their training, your children will be knighted by His Majesty King Carlos in a group knighting ceremony.

This special knight training class is only available for certain show times:
March 24th and 31st: Doors open at 4:15PM with training at 5:00PM
March 25th: Doors open at 5:30PM with training at 6:30PM
April 7th thru 10th: Doors open at 5:30PM with training at 6:30PM

Children must be between the ages of 5 and 12 to participate. Space is limited and training is available on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 100 kids. Training is open to both boys and girls. Closed-toe shoes are required to participate. All Seats for these shows are just $29.95 with code SBGR. Book online at bit.ly/buymedieval or over the phone by calling 1-888-WE-JOUST.

Want to WIN 4 tickets to attend one of the shows from April 7th through the 10th? Check out the form below and enter to win!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Nuclear Cowboyz Returns to the Atlanta Area April 26-27, 2014 (Enter to win!)


They're back! The highly acclaimed 2014 Nuclear Cowboyz® tour is headed back to Duluth for an all new, heart pounding show!  An affordable family-friendly choreographed freestyle motocross production featuring the tale of an allied tribe, the Nuclear Cowboyz, whose sole commitment is to defeat an indestructible ruler and her army. 

The adrenaline-packed show is conveyed through over 1000 gravity-defying stunts and a storyline that will keep kids on the edge of their seats. These incredible stunts are coupled with mind-bending performances by world-famous Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, which are accompanied by incredible laser displays, and one of the largest arena-based pyrotechnics shows, complete with fireballs, fireworks and eerie fog effects. Entering its fifth touring year, Nuclear Cowboyz is led by an award-winning creative team and features the world’s top FMX athletes, including 16-time X Games medalist Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg and more. This performance of pure danger and raw combat will bring new meaning to the word ‘Awesome’!
  
Check out the Sneak Peek into 2014's ALL NEW show!


For more information, visit www.NuclearCowboyz.com or Facebook!


Performances are at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, April 26-27, 2014.

Show Times:
·         Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
·         Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

With the promo code for all RMM readers all tickets on Sunday are just $10! Be sure to enter 10NUKE at checkout! OR use the form below to enter to WIN 4 tickets to a show!a Rafflecopter giveaway



All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at The Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office, online by visiting www.gwinnettcenter.com or via phone by calling 888-9-AXS-TIX.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Where to Eat in Knoxville, Tennessee: A Short Guide

So, I shared the places we toured with you already but now I need to share the places we filled our bellies with while we worked our way through the whirlwind our. Something that I enjoy most about traveling in general is having the chance

Inside the Oliver hotel was the golden speakeasy called the Peter Kern Library. With drinks named aptly after classical literary characters I had to go through the whole bar menu (cleverly hidden inside vintage encyclopedias) before I finally decided on a drink called the Artful Dodger. After I got my drink, it was a little too easy to relax in the slow, easy ambiance and get to know my fellow travel tourists and our hostesses.

As we were chatting, we were treated to lunch from the Tueplo Honey Cafe attached to the hotel. If you have ever been to Asheville, North Carolina, you undoubtedly know about Tupelo Honey Cafe. Known for their transformation of traditional Southern food, they serve the best shrimp and grits and biscuits you will ever come across. With everything farm fresh and made from scratch, you can't beat the creativity and taste that comes from the arts of Asheville. I, of course, has to try out the shrimp and grits and I was far from disappointed.


That afternoon, after our Knoxville Museum of Art tour, we hit the new to town Knox Mason located in the Historic district. Using hyper-local staples and local craft and micro brews, Knox mason keeps its seasonally focused menu fresh and down home Southern. With appetizers like pork rinds and pimento cheese, you can't help but get into the atmosphere. I had the braised beef as my meal and let me tell you, I have never had a cut of beef melt like that before. I'm talking no knife needed, eat with a fork tender. You would think that after having such a huge lunch I would not have been able to eat another bite but I couldn't stop.


The next morning, we were treated to a little hideaway called the Plaid Apron in the Sequoya Hills district. We had a family style meal of frittatas and pork belly with home made biscuits, gravy, and local jellies that make my mouth water just thinking about them. We had a beet salad that I would not have thought to enjoy for breakfast but made an excellent addition to a heavy meal.


Overall, there was a Southern fusion feel to all of the places we had the pleasure of dining with but they were all different enough that it didn't seem like we were being forced to chose between the same Southern staples each time. Knoxville is blooming into a culinary destination in its own right. It is rapidly growing and seeing a restaurant renascence in the downtown area with less chains and more resident owned restaurants. So, if you are a typical foodie (or just love to eat like me), Knoxville is a place to see and taste the movement towards something oh so tasty.

*For more information on any of the restaurants listed, just check the links in this post. If you are looking for more indepth information about the culinary experiences of Knoxville, you can find a comprehensive list of the best of the best on the Visit Knoxville website.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Knoxville, Tennessee: Posh Family Fun Meets the Smokies

Last week I had the pleasure of heading North to Tennessee and checking out the beautiful city of Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville is just under 3 hours from the Atlanta area and is a nice, relaxing country side drive North. I'll admit that when I got the invitation from Visit Knoxville, I wondered a little about what all Knoxville could offer a jaded family travel writer like me. Turns out, there is a lot in Knoxville to do and enrich your mind with. Our tour of the city was fast and furious at just about 24 hours but we got to get peeks at a lot of what the city has to offer.

First I will tell you about all the wonderful sites I was able to visit and take a peek at, then I will tell you about our culinary adventures in Knoxville later in the week.

The first stop on our tour was our hosting hotel, the Oliver. After I got checked in and went up to check out my room, I was immediately impressed with how well they had preserved the history of the old hotel but added those ever so nice modern day touches that we all seem to need so badly these days. Thinks like large, flat screen tvs and enough electrical outlets to power a house mixed with lush period furniture and a well appointed mini bar. Not to mention the plush king sized bed with plenty of soft, squishy pillows to surround myself with after a day of touring.

As soon as we got settled into our rooms, we had cocktails at the Peter Kern Library inside the Oliver and were treated to lunch by the adjoining Tupelo Honey Cafe. More on that later.


After we had stuffed ourselves silly, we took off on a caravan tour of downtown Knoxville. We passed the historic courthouses and theaters. Took a ride up into the Sunsphere and surveyed the beautiful spread of Worlds Fair Park. The Sunsphere itself is an attraction that warrants a good look over. Built in 1987 for the World's Fair, it is 266' of shiny, 24 karat plated glass that offers gorgeous views of the city with the Tennessee river winding through it. From the observation deck, you can see the smokies or your can see the bustling downtown area. Every where you look is a sight to be seen.

After that, we got a tour of the South's Finest Chocolate Factory. It was cool to see the inner workings of the chocolate factory that supplies caramels to Biltmore house. For 30 years this manufacturing facility and retail store, located in downtown Knoxville, has been open to the public and on any given day you can see a variety of candy making techniques in action. We got to sample some of the most amazing chocolate covered cherries I have ever tasted. This little hideaway of a candy kitchen is a must see for all those chocolate lovers out there.


Then it was a short walk up to the Knoxville Museum of Art. Free to the public, the museum celebrates the art and artists of East Tennessee, "presents new art and new ideas, educates and serves a diverse community, and enhances Knoxville’s quality of life". I can definitely agree with all of that. We witnessed the art of Knoxville's past and present in the upstairs galleries but the downstairs galleries were in transition. Guess I'll have to make a trip back up!




Of course after dinner at Knox Mason, it was time to waddle back to the hotel and prepare ourselves for a treat at the Tennessee Theatre. We were lucky enough to get to attend the opening night of the Broadway musical Mary Poppins. Now, if you have never seen the show, you need to. Seriously the most energetic show I have ever seen. The real treat though was the Tennessee Theatre. I shared a little last week about its history and similarities to the Fox here in Atlanta but I have to say the Tennessee's grandeur, although on a very different scale, could give the Fabulous Fox a run for its money. The Tennessee is easily half the size of the Fox, if not smaller but the attention to detail during the renovations is astounding. The colors are bright, the ambiance endearing, and the acoustics right on par.

The next morning we woke bright and early to a snow covered Knoxville. It was a beautiful and relaxing surprise but it did put a hamper on our plans for the day. We did get to do our tour of the Tennessee Theatre, which was still hauntingly gorgeous the next day. We got to hear about the renovations and how they came up with color schemes and how they had the carpet rewoven new to match the exact same pattern as it was before. It was a real treat to me considering history and theatre are two of my biggies.

We were supposed take a tour of the Knoxville Zoo after the theater but considering the snow, it got cut out. I have heard it is a definite must see if you are in the area though. Along with several other of Knoxville's little hidden treasures like the World's Largest Rubiks Cube or taking a tour on the river boat, the Star of Knoxville, down the grand Tennessee river.

Truth is, what ever you are looking for in a family vacation, you are likely to find it in Knoxville. They have a little of everything and it is in a central location that lends itself to a perfect weekend trip from just about anywhere. Honestly, I think it might be better for families with more of a middle to high school range aged children. The age that would appreciate the arts and history of Knoxville. Something they place great pride in and something that is well worth seeing. With a lack of younger children's attractions like a children's museum (which they say is coming soon), the little ones just might get lost in the mix.

To learn more check out Visit Knoxville online or down load the app to your smartphone. To learn more about each venue, simply click the highlighted link through out! Be sure to check back later this week for all about my culinary tour of Knoxville!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

On The Road Again

Today, I am headed up to explore the City of Knoxville, Tennessee. With a population of  Knoxville is the third largest city in the state of Tennessee and a short 3 hour drive from Atlanta. Perfect for a weekend getaway or a more leisurely, Historic tour. Knoxville's culture and history can be explored and discovered in its 20 museums, numerous performing arts venues, and its historic neighborhoods.


For starters the iconic Tennessee Theater calls Knoxville its home and in 2005 opened its doors after a $23.5 million dollar renovation to restore the theater to its original grandeur. Of course with some modern improvements that is. Of course us here in Atlanta remember our fabulous Fox theater undergoing a similar renovation and updating in the late 80s to save it from Southern Bell's wrecking ball. So, of course, the Tennessee is something I am most looking forward to checking that out.


Of course then there is the infamous World's Fair Park Sunsphere. The 266' tower decked out with glass panels layered in 24-karat gold dust and cut to seven different shapes, was built for the 1987 World's Fair. Its become the most recognized feature of the Knoxville cityscape, it has remained vacant or nearly so for most of its life. Its observation desk was reopened to the public though in 2007 and in 2008, parts of the rest of the sphere were rented out to privately owned businesses.

My "day" tour will take me around these and several other places around Knoxville including the South's Finest Chocolate Factory, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and the Knoxville Zoo. I will also be seeing the Mary Poppins live performance and I am super excited about that. We all know how much I love live theater. Of course there will also be some supreme restivities at the Oliver Hotel as well. I am looking forward to touring and exploring Knoxville and being able to tell you more about my adventures when I return.

Have you ever been to Knoxville? What are your must see attractions and places?


Monday, March 3, 2014

Big Boy Brag

Holy cow, its already March! When did that happen?? Of course with March weather, comes D's favorite pastime. Baseball! This year has been no exception. We started practice what feels like forever ago but the insane Georgia weather this year put off several weeks of it because of snow and ice and cold. 

He has spent, in true D style, a lot of time observing all of the other kids styles and field habits. He wants to know it all before he goes full out. Still, for his very first year of coach pitch, he is rocking it. He had his first game this past weekend and he hit his very first home run! I'm talking smacked the ball like a pro, took off, and didn't stop until he and all three kids in front of him on the bases had crossed home plate. 

The look of pride and joy on that little boy's face as he strutted back to the dug out was completely priceless. I went over to the fence at the dugout to get a kiss and he exclaimed "Did you see that??". 

I did baby. I did and it has made me smile for days. 

Unfortunately, they did end up losing the actual game 16-18. Only by two points though and my big boy scored 4 of those in one swing! Of course, that meant he got to come home with the most coveted of little boy trophy's, the very first game ball of the season. 

Oh, how I love this little man. 

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