Happy Spring From Atlanta! #WW

Running Time

Amen.

The training has officially begun. Well, technically it started a few weeks ago but who's counting. The Dirty Girl Mud Run is coming up way faster than I expected it to for sure which means its time to put my money where my mouth is and get down to business.

The goal on the 2013 list was to be able to run 5k. I am not so sure that is going to happen this go around. I am pounding it out and training my booty off but I am also having some unexpected issues with my ankles.

Still, the first step was to get myself into good enough shape to even attempt to run again. I have lost some weight sure but that doesn't mean you just up and run further than the mailbox and back. So, I have been doing some heavy lifting at the gym under the guidance of a trainer and slowly but surely, I am getting those trim muscles back. I guess there really is something to memory muscle after all.

This past week I have done my first stints on the treadmill doing some interval running. Think couch to 5k on a much different scale. I was never a distance runner. I was a sprinter. So, I can do the quick parts quickly but then I am worn out. Instead I am trying to build up the longer stretches of endurance in my lungs and my legs that will be required for distance running. Not as easy as it sounds. Turns out that while muscle memory can be good, it can also be a real pain in the butt. Its like starting from scratch with legs that want to GO and then STOP and then be DONE.

Still, progress is progress and its being made, albeit slowly. I am kind of hoping that since the Dirty Girl is an obstacle race it will be a little easier on my "style". Run a little, climb a little, run a little, crawl in the mud a little.

Have I mentioned how excited I am about this race?

Muffins with Mama

My K had his muffins with mom breakfast at school yesterday. It was too cute to not share...

Muffins! K ate 3. I had half of one then K finished it for me. Baby loves to eat.

He made me a "bouquet" of flowers with things he loves to do with his Mama on them. I cried. Totally. 

Making our craft.

Our craft was a frame with the most handsome 3 year old on the planet in it!

My D Loves His Grandpa #WW

Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy Comes to Atlanta

Now, of course those of you who have been around a while know that the Disney on Ice shows are some of my very favorite. They always display an amazing athletic prowess that I could only dream of. Being a mother of two little boys, the only complaint I could have ever had about the Disney on Ice show is that they tend to play more to the princess crowd. Until this year that is!

In 2013, the action-packed ice spectacular showcases characters from Disney Pixar’s Cars and Toy Story 3 as well as Walt Disney Pictures’ Tinker Bell and The Little Mermaid. Show me a little boy that doesn't go gaga for Cars and Toy Story and I'd be astounded!

Highlights of this years show include:

• Experience the thrill of high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney Pixar's Cars take their high-octane personalities and amusing antics and race across the ice.
• Dive into The Little Mermaid's enchanting undersea kingdom and get a glimpse into Ariel’s world.
• Enter the mystical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies as they reveal the magic that lies within and prepare for spring with an explosion of color.
• The toys of the hit Disney Pixar film Toy Story 3 are back in town with heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever that is sure to take audiences to the edge of their seats and beyond!

So, from wheels to waves, playtime to pixie dust, your family can watch some of the greatest Disney moments come to life! Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a memories that last a lifetime. I know that my boys have always spent the following weeks talking about the Disney on Ice shows we have seen in the past and D still talks about the very first one three years later!

Ready to learn more? Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney On Ice presents Worlds Of Fantasy is coming to Gwinnett Center this May! Performances are at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, May 1-5, 2013. Tickets will go on sale beginning Friday, March 8, 2013.

Show Times:
Wednesday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices:
VIP Dining $95.00
Rinkside $75.00
VIP $50.00
4th $30.00
5th $25.00

Want to WIN a set of four tickets for your family?? Just use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The @ImagineitCMA Announces April Programming

The Children's Museum of Atlanta is a smart place to play and a non-profit organization offering a family- friendly space filled with interactive, educational exhibits and programming for children ages eight and under. The Museum’s mission is to spark imagination and inspire discovery and learning for all children through the power of play. The Museum’s four permanent learning zones consist of bright, creative, hands-on exhibits that are designed to give children an opportunity to learn through play. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta also offers parties, memberships, field trips, summer camp, and private events.

This April visitors to The Children’s Museum of Atlanta will have the opportunity to celebrate Earth Day, meet an astronaut, and touch a real brain. Children and their caregivers can also learn how their bodies work through the feature exhibit, Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You. Below is a schedule of exhibit information and special programming for April 2013.

Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You
Now – May 27, 2013

Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You explores the physical science of the human body. The concepts of force, pressure, light, sound, mathematics, and the laws of motion are all part of how our bodies interact with the world. Through a variety of exciting and engaging activities, children can understand the science of how their body works.


Exploring Brains!
Saturday, April 6 at 12:00 PM

Have you ever wondered what a brain looks like, feels like, or what it does for you? Join the Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience and the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience as we explore your brain and some of your favorite animal’s brains. We will learn where your five senses are controlled in the brain and how our brain helps us to run, jump, and play. Excellent listeners may also have the opportunity to touch a real human brain!


Celebrate Science with Sid the Science Kid
Saturday, April 13 – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM



Come Celebrate Science with Sid the Science Kid for a very special day introducing the first Sid the Science Kid full length movie. Visitors will participate in scavenger hunts and science experiments throughout the day and receive special Sid the Science Kid activity booklets and stickers.




Meet the Holidays: Earth Day
Saturday, April 20 at 12:00 PM and Sunday, April 21 at 3:00 PM

Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. April 22, 1970 marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Approximately 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day. Join the Imaginators for a special reading of The EARTH Book by Todd Parr and then make Earth Day Characters from reusable plastic water bottles.


Meet an Astronaut at Destination Station
Friday, April 19 at 1:00 PM

Destination Station is NASA's International Space Station Program national awareness campaign that promotes research opportunities, educates communities about activities performed on the International Space Station, and communicates the real and potential impacts of the station on our everyday lives. Visitors to The Children’s Museum of Atlanta will be able to see and touch an astronaut suit, try astronaut food, and check out a space shuttle model.


Alphabet Soup: Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre
Saturday, April 27 at 12:00 PM

Learn to love your lima beans and enjoy your eggplant while watching this fun, fast- paced show! Just like vegetable soup, it contains a little of everything: music, games, puppets, and learning. Find out how to be a stronger you while having fun!


Cooking with Colors
Wednesday, April 17 at 10:30 AM; Wednesday, April 24 at 10:30 AM

A colorful diet is a healthy diet! As a part of the Museum’s Eat a Georgia Rainbow program, local chef Damaul Mitchell helps children create colorful and healthy creations with local fruits & vegetables. Limit 10 children and their adult caregivers. Reservations required, please call 404.527.3693.


The Science Wondershop with Brian "Dr. Science" Williams
Sundays at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM; April 7, 14, 21

The Science Wondershop offers children the opportunity to explore topics in science by participating in exciting hands-on activities with Brian "Dr. Science" Williams. Designed for adult-child interaction and to encourage imagination, curiosity, and an interest in the exploration of our world. Limit 20 children and their adult caregivers. Reservations required, please call 404.527.3693


Exhibit Sponsors: Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You exhibit is made possible through generous support by Kaiser Permanente, Publix Super Market Charities, Inc., Georgia Power Foundation, Lattner Family Foundation Inc., The Rich Foundation, and PNC. Brochure printing courtesy of Ernst & Young. Funding for The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of Fulton County Arts & Culture.

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Museum hours: Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m. Admission is $12.75 plus tax for ages 1 - 100. The Children’s Museum is located in the Luckie Marietta District at 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW.

For more information or to support The Children's Museum of Atlanta, visit their website at www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org or call 404.659.KIDS [5437].

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imagineitcma
Twitter: http://twitter.com/imagineitcma
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/cmatlanta/

Hop Over to @FernbankMuseum for EGGstraordinary Fun

Image ©Fernbank Museum of Natural History

EGG-stra! EGG-stra! It's time to dust off those bunny ears and get ready to hippity-hop to Fernbank Museum for the fourth annual Dinosaur Egg Hunt, presented in partnership with Radio Disney, AM590.

Join Fernbank and some special guests on Saturday, March 30 for a day of EGGcellent activities, including timed egg hunts, games with the Radio Disney AM590 Street Team, prizes, Fernbank’s dinosaur mascot, and more. To ensure a fun time for all, advance registration is required to participate in a timed egg hunt. Registration is now open for Museum members and opens March 1 for non-members. Space is limited.

Egg Hunts
All egg hunts will take place on the Front Lawn. Advanced registration required.*

9:45am- Ages 4 and under Egg Hunt

10:20am- Ages 5-8 Egg Hunt

10:45am- Ages 4 and under Egg Hunt

11:40am- All ages "Family Hunt"

12:20am- All ages "Family Hunt"


Additional Activities

9:30am- Museum and all exhibitions will open early. Be sure to check out the special exhibition, Extreme Mammals.

9am-1pm- Enjoy games and giveaways from our friends at Radio Disney AM 590.

9:30am-1pm- Don't miss special photo opportunities with Fernbank's mascot, Giggy A. Dinosaur

10am-2pm- Show your love of dinosaurs with whimsical (and washable) temporary dinosaur tattoos. (Line closes at 1:30pm)

10am-2pm- Have fun with a variety of fun games for kids of all ages in our "game corner."


Cost: Dinosaur Egg Hunt tickets are $5 for children in addition to regular Museum admission tickets. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Egg Hunt tickets include museum admission:

Member child: $5
Member adult: Free
Non-member child (age 3-12): $20.50
Non-member child (2 and under): $5
Non-member adult: $17.50


Support for Fernbank's Dinosaur Egg Hunt provided in part by YP, Local Search Media and Advertising.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road in Atlanta. To register for the Dinosaur Egg Hunt and to learn more about the event, visit fernbankmuseum.org.

*Wristbands will be distributed with tickets and must be worn to participate in timed egg hunts. Advance registration is required to participate in a timed egg hunt. Space is limited. If you miss your designated egg hunt time, you will be given another time slot only if space is available.

Event will be held rain or shine. No refunds. We make no guarantees that each child will receive an egg and/or a prize. Eggs and prizes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

I Am Officially a Dirty Girl

Its official. I have registered for my first 5K run for the year. Not just any 5K though, the Dirty Girl Mud Run 5k. So, this year, when the wildly popular Dirty Girl Mud run comes to Lake Lanier just North of Atlanta, I won't be just running, I'll be crawling, climbing, running, and sloshing my way through 5k mud puddles and awesome obstacle courses.

Dirty Girl is a 5k Mud run/obstacle course that celebrates and empowers women of all ages (14+) and fitness levels with a day of fun, discovery and laughter. With obstacle names like "H2 OMG" "Utopian Tubes," and "PMS (Pretty Muddy Stuff)," Dirty Girl is a female-centric event combining the fun of an obstacle run with unique touches for all participants in this one-of-a-kind, women-only event. Of course, if there isn't an obstacle you don't feel up to, you can always take the detour around it.

The two day event, April 20th and 21st, will offer women of all athletic and fitness abilities a chance to get out of their comfort zones and into their giggle zones. It will be perfect for me, just getting to the point of putting myself out there on a larger scale but also great for the old pros who do a million of these runs a year. A true something for everyone event!

Plus, Dirty Girl is truly a unique way for women to share a day of fun-filled laughter and bonding. A group of local Atlanta bloggers have joined in to form a team and it will be great to get out with some friends and keep each other motivated! 

The best part is that a portion of all proceeds from Dirty Girl registration fees are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2012, Dirty Girl provided the National Breast Cancer Foundation with over $250,000 in monetary and in-kind support. In 2013, our goal is to deliver over $500,000 in support to NBCF. In addition, Dirty Girl will continue providing cancer survivors free registration at each event.

Are you ready to get registered and get a little dirty under your nails? I have some good news for you! If you use the code: DGATLBLOGGUEST you will receive 20% off your registration fee*! So get registered and get ready for some good, unclean fun!!

*Good for the Atlanta location only!

Never Loses Its Wonder (@georgiaaquarium) #WW

No trip to an aquarium is complete without snuggling otters.

D calls this the "tunnel of fishy looooove"

Mr Bright eyes

The AT&T Dolphin Tales show is our family favorite.

Taking it all in. 

*I was provided tickets for our visit but opinions are always my own. If you are ever in the Atlanta Area, the Georgia Aquarium is an absolute do not miss. With 8.5 million gallons of tanks and more than 500 species I can almost guarantee there is something for everyone. In fact, the Georgia Aquarium is the only institution outside of Asia housing 40 (ish) foot whale sharks, which are kept in the 6.3 million gallon tank that the aquarium is built around. That same tank also houses four huge manta rays which are just crazy amazing to watch. If you are looking for a quick way to get your tickets, go HERE.

Getting Started on Our Container Garden

This year, we have a porch/ yard large enough to start ourselves a nice container garden. Container gardens are great for people who rent (like me) or who have limited good soil in their yards, or even for people who can't commit a ton of time to their gardens. I had one the last time I lived in a house and I loved having fresh herbs and tomatoes around all the time.

This year, I have been trying to get it planned out to get the most out of the space we have and to yield the maximum amount of crop. Not easy. I did finally narrow down the list of herbs and vegetables that we are going to go for. I tried to stick with the things we will get the most use out of or that we can can or freeze if we get a lot more than that.

For herbs its best to stick with the varieties that will do best growing in smaller pots or fill in one big pot with several varieties. That way they don't take over and you are less likely to grow more than you could ever use. We will be growing cilantro, mint, lemon balm, rosemary, and chives. The lemon balm will actually be going in the ground but the others we will be planting in small containers and growing in the kitchen window to keep the bugs and weather off them.

Image Source

The fruits and vegetables will be a little more labor intensive. Most vegetables grow best in a 5 gallon pot or bucket while fruits will do much better in the ground. So we are going to split them up. Granted, we will be doing mostly veggies and tomatoes so that won't be too hard. The things that will actually be going into containers are tomatoes, blueberries, carrots, and eggplant. The blueberries will be going by our front door but the rest will go on the back porch.

The fruits that we will be planting in the yard will be a couple of blackberry bushes and perhaps a raspberry variety too. I would love to plant a lemon tree but they tend to take years before they bear any fruit and since we are renting, that is a hard commitment to make.

So, that's the plan! This weekend we hit up the gardening stores to gather supplies until it comes time to plant out doors. We have to gather the pots, fertilizers and soil but we also need to invest in some bird wire and I would love to make us a compost bin but we will see if I can get that working in time. Wish me luck!

Are you a gardener? Do you have any tips or advice?